METHODS FOR WIRELESS COMMUNICATION BY A BASE STATION AND BY A USER DEVICE, APPARATUS FOR WIRELESS COMMUNICATION AND COMPUTER-READABLE MEMORY

Abstract

Techniques and apparatus are provided for acknowledgment grouping (ACK) of hybrid automatic retransmission request (HARQ) in half-duplex frequency division duplexing (HDFDD) systems. One technique includes determining the ACK parameter(s) to be used to acknowledge a grouped transmission that includes the instance(s) of a channel through the subframe(s). An indication of the ACK parameter(s) is signaled to a user equipment (UE). The ACK parameter(s) include a first ACK parameter that carries a size of the grouped transmission and a second ACK parameter that carries a time duration for the UE to delay acknowledging a data transmission on a channel instance after receiving the data transmission. The UE can acknowledge the grouped transmission according to the ACK parameter(s).

Description

1 / 72 METHODS FOR WIRELESS COMMUNICATION BY A BASE STATION AND BY A User equipment, wireless communication devices and COMPUTER-READABLE MEMORY CROSS-REFERENCE WITH RELATED REQUEST AND PRIORITY CLAIM

[0001] This Patent Application claims priority to US Patent Application No. 15 / 886,244 filed on February 1, 2018; which claims the benefit and priority of Indian Provisional Patent Application No. 201741004051 filed on February 3, 2017, both of which are assigned to the assignee thereof and expressly incorporated by reference herein as if fully set forth below and for all applicable purposes. TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] Some aspects of the present disclosure generally relate to non-wired communications and, more particularly, to techniques for enabling Hybrid Automatic Retransmission Request (HARQ) Acknowledgment Grouping (ACK) in communication systems, such as Enhanced Machine-Type Communication (eMTC), which supports half-duplex (HD) operation (e.g., HD Frequency Division Duplexing (HD-FDD)). INTRODUCTION

[0003] Wireless communication systems are widely implemented to provide various telecommunication services, such as telephony, video, data, message exchange, and broadcast. Typical wireless communication systems may employ multiple access technologies capable of supporting communication with Petition 870250056868, dated 04 / 07 / 2025, page 13 / 19 2 / 72 multiple users by sharing available system resources (e.g., bandwidth, transmission power). Examples of such multiple access technologies include code-division multiple access systems (CDMA), time-division multiple access systems (TDMA), frequency-division multiple access systems (FDMA), orthogonal frequency-division multiple access systems (OFDMA), single-carrier frequency-division multiple access systems (SCFDMA), synchronous time-division code-division multiple access systems (TD-SCDMA), and Long Term Evolution (LTE). LTE / LTE-Advanced is a set of enhancements to the Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) mobile standard promulgated by the Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP).

[0004] Generally, a wireless multiple access communication system can simultaneously support communication for multiple wireless terminals. Each terminal communicates with one or more base stations via transmissions on forward and reverse links. The forward link (or downlink) refers to the communication link from the base stations to the terminals, and the reverse link (or uplink) refers to the communication link from the terminals to the base stations. This communication link can be established via a single-input single-output system, a multiple-input single-output system, or a multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) system.

[0005] A wireless communication network may include multiple base stations that can support Petition 870190071800, dated 07 / 26 / 2019, p. 7 / 99 3 / 72 Communication for multiple wireless devices. Wireless devices can include user equipment (UEs). Machine-type communications (MTC) can refer to communication involving at least one remote device at at least one end of the communication and can include forms of data communication involving one or more entities that do not necessarily require human interaction. MTC UEs can include UEs that are capable of MTC communications with MTC servers and / or other MTC devices via Public Terrestrial Mobile Networks (PLMN), for example. In general, MTC devices can include a broad class of devices in wireless communications, including but not limited to: Internet of Things (IoT) devices, Internet of Everything (IoE) devices, wearable devices, and low-cost devices.

[0006] To improve the coverage of some devices, such as MTC devices, grouping can be used in which some transmissions are sent as a grouping of transmissions, for example, with the same information transmitted through several subframes.

[0007] Multiple access technologies have been adopted in various telecommunications standards to provide a common protocol that allows different wireless devices to communicate at the municipal, national, regional, and even global levels. An example of an emerging telecommunications standard is new radio (NR), for example, 5G radio access. NR is a set of enhancements to the LTE mobile standard promulgated by Petition 870190071800, dated 07 / 26 / 2019, p. 8 / 99 4 / 72 3GPP. It is designed to better support mobile broadband internet access by improving spectral efficiency, reducing costs, enhancing services, making use of new spectrum, and better integrating with other open standards using OFDMA with a cyclic prefix (CP) on the downlink (DL) and uplink (UL), as well as supporting beamforming, multi-input multiple-output (MIMO) antenna technology, and carrier aggregation. However, as the demand for mobile broadband access continues to increase, there is a need for further enhancements to LTE, NR, and 5G technologies. Preferably, these enhancements should be applicable to other multiple access technologies and to the telecommunications standards that employ these technologies. BRIEF SUMMARIES OF SOME EXAMPLES

[0008] The systems, methods, and devices of the disclosure each possess several aspects, none of which is solely responsible for their desirable attributes. Without limiting the scope of this disclosure, as expressed by the following claims, some features will now be briefly discussed. After considering this discussion, and particularly after reading the section entitled DETAILED DESCRIPTION, we will understand how the features of this disclosure provide advantages that include enhanced communication between access points and stations on a non-wired network.

[0009] Some aspects of the present disclosure provide a method for wireless communications that can be performed, for example, by a base station (BS). The method generally includes determining one or more parameters. Petition 870190071800, dated 07 / 26 / 2019, page 9 / 99 5 / 72 Acknowledgment (ACK) signals are used to acknowledge a transmission that includes one or more instances of a channel across one or more subframes. The method also includes signaling an indication of one or more ACK parameters to a user equipment (UE). The one or more ACK parameters include a first ACK parameter that transmits a transmission size and a second ACK parameter that transmits an amount of time for the UE to delay acknowledging a data transmission on a channel instance after receiving the data transmission.

[0010] Some aspects of the present disclosure provide an apparatus for non-wired communication. The apparatus generally includes means for determining one or more acknowledgment (ACK) parameters to be used to acknowledge a transmission that includes one or more instances of a channel through one or more subframes. The apparatus also includes means for signaling an indication of one or more ACK parameters to a user equipment (UE). The one or more ACK parameters include a first ACK parameter that transmits a transmission size and a second ACK parameter that transmits an amount of time for the UE to delay acknowledging a data transmission on a channel instance after receiving the data transmission.

[0011] Some aspects of the present disclosure provide an apparatus for wireless communication. The apparatus generally includes at least one processor and a memory coupled with the at least one processor. The at least one processor is configured to determine one or Petition 870190071800, dated 07 / 26 / 2019, page 10 / 99 6 / 72 additional acknowledgment (ACK) parameters are used to acknowledge a transmission that includes one or more instances of a channel across one or more subframes. At least one processor is also configured to signal an indication of one or more ACK parameters to a user equipment (UE). The one or more ACK parameters include a first ACK parameter that transmits a transmission size and a second ACK parameter that transmits an amount of time for the UE to delay acknowledging a data transmission on a channel instance after receiving the data transmission.

[0012] Some aspects of the present disclosure provide a computer-readable means having computer-executable code stored therein for wireless communication by an apparatus. The computer-executable code generally includes code for determining one or more Acknowledgment (ACK) parameters to be used to acknowledge a transmission that includes one or more instances of a channel through one or more subframes. The computer-executable code also includes code for signaling an indication of one or more ACK parameters to a user equipment (UE). The one or more ACK parameters include a first ACK parameter that transmits a transmission size and a second ACK parameter that transmits an amount of time for the UE to delay acknowledging a data transmission on a channel instance after receiving the data transmission.

[0013] Some aspects of the present disclosure provide a method for wireless communications that Petition 870190071800, dated 07 / 26 / 2019, page 11 / 99 7 / 72 can be executed, for example, by a user equipment (UE). The method generally involves receiving an indication of one or more acknowledgment parameters (ACKs) to use to acknowledge a transmission that includes one or more instances of a channel across one or more subframes. The one or more ACK parameters include a first ACK parameter that transmits a transmission size and a second ACK parameter that transmits an amount of time for the UE to delay acknowledging a data transmission on a channel instance after receiving the data transmission. The method also includes acknowledging the transmission according to the one or more ACK parameters.

[0014] Some aspects of the present disclosure provide an apparatus for non-wired communication. The apparatus generally includes means for receiving an indication of one or more acknowledgment (ACK) parameters to be used to acknowledge a transmission that includes one or more instances of a channel through one or more subframes. The one or more ACK parameters include a first ACK parameter that transmits a transmission size and a second ACK parameter that transmits an amount of time for the apparatus to delay acknowledging a data transmission on a channel instance after receiving the data transmission. The apparatus also includes means for acknowledging the transmission according to the one or more ACK parameters.

[0015] Some aspects of the present disclosure provide an apparatus for wireless communication. The apparatus generally includes at least one processor and a Petition 870190071800, dated 07 / 26 / 2019, page 12 / 99 8 / 72 memory coupled with at least one processor. The at least one processor is configured to receive an indication of one or more acknowledgment parameters (ACKs) to use for acknowledging a transmission that includes one or more instances of a channel across one or more subframes. The one or more ACK parameters include a first ACK parameter that transmits a transmission size and a second ACK parameter that transmits an amount of time for the device to delay acknowledging a data transmission on a channel instance after receiving the data transmission. The at least one processor is also configured to acknowledge the transmission according to the one or more ACK parameters.

[0016] Some aspects of the present disclosure provide a computer-readable means having computer-executable code stored therein for wireless communication by an apparatus. The computer-executable code generally includes code for receiving an indication of one or more acknowledgment (ACK) parameters to be used to acknowledge a transmission that includes one or more instances of a channel through one or more subframes. The one or more ACK parameters include a first ACK parameter that transmits a transmission size and a second ACK parameter that transmits an amount of time for the apparatus to delay acknowledging a data transmission on a channel instance after receiving the data transmission. The computer-executable code also includes code for acknowledging the transmission according to the one or more ACK parameters. Petition 870190071800, dated 07 / 26 / 2019, page 13 / 99 9 / 72

[0017] For the purposes set forth above and related purposes, one or more aspects comprise the features described herein and hereafter fully described and particularly highlighted in the claims. The following description and accompanying drawings detail some illustrative features of one or more aspects. However, these features are indicative of only some of the various ways in which the principles of various aspects may be employed, and this description is intended to include all such aspects and their equivalents. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] In order that the above-mentioned features of the present disclosure may be understood in detail, a more particular description, briefly summarized above, may be made by reference to the aspects, some of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. The accompanying drawings illustrate only some typical aspects of this disclosure, and, however, should not be considered as limiting its scope, since the description may admit other equally effective aspects.

[0019] FIG. 1 is a block diagram conceptually illustrating an example of a non-wired communication network, according to some aspects of the present disclosure.

[0020] FIG. 2 presents a block diagram conceptually illustrating an example of a base station communicating with a user equipment (UE) in a non-wired communications network, according to some aspects of the present disclosure. Petition 870190071800, dated 07 / 26 / 2019, page 14 / 99 10 / 72

[0021] FIG. 3 is a block diagram conceptually illustrating an example of a frame structure in a non-wired communications network, according to some aspects of the present disclosure.

[0022] FIG. 4 is a block diagram conceptually illustrating illustrative subframe formats with the normal cyclic prefix, according to some aspects of the present disclosure.

[0023] FIGS. 5A and 5B illustrate an example of MTC coexistence within a broadband system, such as LTE, according to some aspects of the present disclosure.

[0024] FIG. 6 illustrates an illustrative logical architecture of a distributed radio access network (RAN), according to some aspects of the present disclosure.

[0025] FIG. 7 illustrates an illustrative physical architecture of a distributed RAN, according to some aspects of the present disclosure.

[0026] FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of a downlink-centered (DL) subframe, in accordance with some aspects of the present disclosure.

[0027] FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of an uplink-centered (UL) subframe, in accordance with some aspects of the present disclosure.

[0028] FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating operations performed by a BS, according to some aspects of the present disclosure.

[0029] FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating operations performed by a UE, in accordance with some aspects of the present disclosure. Petition 870190071800, dated 07 / 26 / 2019, page 15 / 99 11 / 72

[0030] To facilitate understanding, identical reference numbers have been used, where possible, to project identical elements that are common to the figures. It is contemplated that the elements revealed in one aspect may be beneficially used in other aspects without particular recitation. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0031] Aspects of the present disclosure provide techniques and apparatus for enabling hybrid automatic retransmission request (HARQ) acknowledgment (ACK) grouping in communication systems that support half-duplex frequency division duplexing (HD-FDD), for example, systems that support eMTC.

[0032] Some systems (e.g., eMTC) may include UEs (e.g., eMTC UEs) which are low-complexity reduced-bandwidth (BL) or coverage enhancement (CE) devices. Compared to non-BL / CE devices, BL / CE devices may possess one or more reduced capabilities, examples of which may include, but are not limited to, a reduction in maximum bandwidth, reduction in peak data rate, reduction in transmission power, HD operation, etc. Due in part to such limited capabilities, these devices may operate in one or more CE modes, where each mode may support one or more different levels of coverage enhancement. In order to achieve coverage enhancement, multiple repetitions / instances (e.g., grouping) of the same message (e.g., channel) may be transmitted across one or more subframes. However, grouping may affect the Petition 870190071800, dated 07 / 26 / 2019, page 16 / 99 12 / 72 timing across subframes, which in turn can impact communications (e.g., reducing peak data rate) for eMTC UEs. Consequently, it may be desirable to provide an efficient HARQ ACK grouping design to maximize data throughput for eMTC UEs.

[0033] The aspects presented in this document provide HARQ ACK aggregation techniques that can significantly enhance peak data rate (e.g., DL throughput) for UEs (e.g., eMTC UEs) by allowing devices to dynamically adjust the timeline relationship between grouped transmissions and the HARQ feedback associated with grouped transmissions. For example, a BS can determine one or more ACK parameters to be used (e.g., by a UE) to acknowledge a grouped transmission. The determination of the ACK parameter(s) can be based on one or more criteria, such as a UE type / capacity (e.g., whether the UE is an eMTC UE), a CE mode, CE variation / level, etc. The grouped transmission can include one or more instances of a channel (e.g., the physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH), the machine-type communication downlink control physical channel (MPDCCH), etc.) across one or more subframes.ACK parameters can include at least one delay parameter, a cluster size parameter (e.g., number of channel instances in the clustered transmission), whether the channel is transmitted on a last instance of the channel instances, downlink assignment counter (DAI), etc. Petition 870190071800, dated 07 / 26 / 2019, page 17 / 99 13 / 72

[0034] Once the parameter(s) have been determined ACK: A BS can signal one or more ACK parameters to an UE. The ACK parameter(s) can be used to acknowledge a grouped transmission from the BS or from another BS. Once the UE receives a grouped transmission, the UE can acknowledge the grouped transmission according to the ACK parameters. In one aspect, for example, the UE can determine the ACK parameters for each channel instance in the grouped transmission so that the UE transmits an ACK (for all instances) in the same uplink subframe. The ACK parameter(s) can maximize the peak data rate for the UE by allowing the UE to provide HARQ-ACK feedback (for a grouped transmission across multiple subframes) in a single uplink subframe.

[0035] Several aspects of the revelation are described in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, this revelation can be embodied in many different forms and should not be interpreted as limited to any particular structure or function presented throughout this revelation. Rather, these aspects are provided so that this revelation is whole and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the revelation to those skilled in the art. Based on the teachings of this document, those skilled in the art should appreciate that the scope of the revelation is intended to encompass any aspect of the revelation revealed in this document, whether implemented independently or combined with any other aspect of the revelation. For example, an apparatus may be Petition 870190071800, dated 07 / 26 / 2019, p. 18 / 99 14 / 72 implemented or a method may be practiced using several of the aspects set forth in this document. Additionally, the scope of the disclosure is intended to cover such apparatus or method that is practiced using another structure, functionality, or structure and functionality in addition to or other than the various aspects of the disclosure set forth in this document. It should be understood that any aspect of the disclosure disclosed in this document may be incorporated by one or more elements of a claim.

[0036] The word illustrative is used in this document to mean serving as an example, instance, or illustration. Any aspect in this document described as illustrative is not necessarily to be constructed as preferred or advantageous in relation to another aspect. Several aspects of telecommunications systems will now be presented with reference to various devices and methods. These devices and methods will be described in the following detailed description and illustrated in the accompanying drawings by various blocks, modules, components, circuits, steps, processes, algorithms, etc. (collectively referred to as elements). These elements may be implemented using hardware, software, or combinations thereof. Whether such elements are implemented as hardware or software depends on the particular application and the design constraints imposed on the system as a whole.

[0037] An access point (AP) can be implemented as, or known as, a NodeB, Radio Network Controller (RNC), eNodeB (eNB), Petition 870190071800, dated 07 / 26 / 2019, page 19 / 99 15 / 72 Base Station Controller (BSC), Base Transceiver Station (BTS), Base Station (BS), Transceiver Function (TF), Radio Router, Radio Transceiver, Basic Service Set (BSS), Extended Service Set (ESS), Radio Base Station (RBS), Node B (NB), gNB, 5G NB, NR BS, Receive and Transmit Point (TRP) or some other terminology.

[0038] An access terminal (AT) may comprise being implemented as, or being known as, an access terminal, a subscriber station, a subscriber unit, a mobile station, a remote station, a remote terminal, a user terminal, a user agent, a user device, user equipment (UE), a user station, a wireless node, or some other terminology. In some implementations, an access terminal may comprise a mobile phone, a smartphone, a wireless phone, a Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) phone, a wireless local loop (WLL) station, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a tablet, a netbook, a smartbook, an ultrabook, a wireless-capable handset, a Station (STA), or some other suitable processing device connected to a wireless modem.Thus, one or more aspects taught in this document can be incorporated into a telephone (e.g., a cell phone, a smartphone), a computer (e.g., a desktop computer), a portable communication device, a portable computing device (e.g., a laptop, a personal data assistant, a tablet, a netbook, a smartbook, an ultrabook), a... Petition 870190071800, dated 07 / 26 / 2019, page 20 / 99 16 / 72 wearable device (e.g., smartwatch, smart glasses, smart bracelet, smart wristband, smart ring, smart clothing, etc.), medical devices or equipment, biometric sensors / devices, an entertainment device (e.g., music device, video device, satellite radio, gaming device, etc.), a vehicle component or sensor, smart meters / sensors, industrial manufacturing equipment, a global positioning system device, or any other suitable device that is configured to communicate via wired or wireless means. In some respects, the node is a wired node. A wired node may provide, for example, connectivity to or with a network (e.g., a long-distance network such as the Internet or a cellular network) via a wired or wireless communication link.Some UEs may be considered machine-type communication (MTC) UEs or evolved MTC devices (eMTC). MTC and eMTC UEs include, for example, robots, drones, remote devices, sensors, meters, monitors, location tags, etc., which can communicate with a BS, with another device (e.g., remote device), or with some other entity. MTC devices and / or eMTC devices, as well as other types of devices, may include Internet of Everything (IoE) or Internet of Things (IoT) devices, such as NB-IoT devices, and the techniques disclosed in this document may be applied to MTC devices, eMTC devices, NB-IoT devices, as well as other devices. Petition 870190071800, dated 07 / 26 / 2019, p. 21 / 99 17 / 72

[0039] Note that although aspects may be described in this document using terminology commonly associated with 3G and / or 4G wireless technologies, aspects of this disclosure may be applied to other generation-based communication systems, such as 5G and later, including NR technologies.

[0040] Although aspects and embodiments are described in this application by way of illustration of a few examples, those skilled in the art will understand that additional implementations and use cases may occur in many different arrangements and scenarios. The innovations described in this document may be implemented in many different types of platforms, devices, systems, forms, sizes, and grouping arrangements. For example, embodiments and / or uses may be achieved via embedded chip embodiments and other devices that are not based on module components (e.g., end-user devices, vehicles, communication devices, computing devices, industrial equipment, retail / consumer devices, medical devices, AI-enabled devices, etc.).Although some examples may or may not be specifically targeted to use cases or applications, a wide variety of applications for the innovations described can occur. Implementations can range from modular or chip-level components to non-modular implementations, which are not chip-level, and additionally to aggregate devices or systems, distributed or OEM, incorporating one or more aspects of the innovations described. In some cases... Petition 870190071800, dated 07 / 26 / 2019, page 22 / 99 18 / 72 practical configurations, devices incorporating aspects and features described may also necessarily include additional components and features for the implementation and practice of claimed and described embodiments. For example, the transmission and reception of wireless signals necessarily includes various components for analog and digital purposes (e.g., hardware components including antenna, RF chains, power amplifiers, modulators, buffer, processor(s), interleaver, adders / adders, etc.). It is intended that the innovations described in this document can be practiced in a wide variety of devices, chip-level components, systems, distributed arrangements, end-user devices, etc., of varying sizes, shapes, and constitution. ILLUSTRATIVE UNWIRELESS COMMUNICATION SYSTEM

[0041] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an unwired network 100 in which aspects of the present disclosure can be practiced. In aspects, as opposed to sending HARQ feedback separately for each transmission, the techniques presented in this document can allow a UE to provide HARQ feedback for a grouped transmission (e.g., a transmission of one or more instances of a channel through one or more subframes), which in turn can maximize peak data for the UEs. For example, BS 110 can determine one or more ACK parameters to be used by UE 120 to acknowledge a grouped transmission from BS 110 or another BS 110, and signal the ACK parameters to UE 120. The UE Petition 870190071800, dated 07 / 26 / 2019, p. 23 / 99 19 / 72 120, in turn, can recognize a grouped transmission received from BS 110 (or another BS 110) according to the ACK parameters. Doing so in this way can maximize the effective DL transmission rate for UE(s) 120 (for example, by allowing additional subframes within a radio frame for downlink data).

[0042] A 100 wireless network can be an LTE network or some other wireless network, such as an NR or 5G network, and / or may support NB-IoT, MTC, eMTC, etc. A 100 wireless network may include multiple BSs 110 and other network entities. A BS is an entity that communicates with user equipment (UEs) and may also be referred to as a base station, eNB, an NR BS, a Node B, a gNB, a 5G NB, an access point, a TRP, etc. Each BS may provide communication coverage for a particular geographic area. In 3GPP, the term cell may refer to a coverage area of ​​a BS subsystem and / or a BS that serves that coverage area, depending on the context in which the term is used.

[0043] A BS can provide communication coverage for a macro cell, a pico cell, a femto cell, and / or other cell types. A macro cell can cover a relatively large geographic area (e.g., several kilometers in radius) and can allow unrestricted access by subscription-based UEs. A pico cell can cover a relatively small geographic area and can allow unrestricted access by subscription-based UEs. A femto cell can cover a relatively small geographic area (e.g., a house) and can provide restricted access by UEs. Petition 870190071800, dated 07 / 26 / 2019, page 24 / 99 20 / 72 having an association with a femtocell (e.g., UEs in a closed subscriber group (CSG). A BS for a macro cell can be referred to as a macro BS). A BS for a pico cell can be referred to as a pico BS. A BS for a femto cell can be referred to as a femto BS or a home BS. In the example shown in FIG. 1, a BS 110a can be a macro BS for a macro cell 102a, a BS 110b can be a pico BS for a pico cell 102b, and a BS 110c can be a femto BS for a femto cell 102c. A BS can support one or more (e.g., three) cells. The terms eNB, base station, NR BS, gNB, TRP, AP, B node, 5G NB, and cell can be used interchangeably in this document.

[0044] In some examples, a cell may not necessarily be stationary, and the geographic area of ​​the cell may move according to the location of a mobile base station. In some examples, base stations may be interconnected with each other and / or with one or more other base stations or network nodes (not shown) in the 100 access network through various types of return transport channel interfaces, such as a direct physical connection, a virtual network, among others, using any suitable transport network.

[0045] The 100 wireless network may also include relay stations. A relay station is an entity that can receive a data transmission from an upstream station (e.g., a BS or a UE) and send a transmission of the data to a downstream station (e.g., a UE or a BS). A relay station may also be a UE. Petition 870190071800, dated 07 / 26 / 2019, page 25 / 99 21 / 72 which can relay transmissions to other UEs. In the example shown in FIG. 1, a relay station 110d can communicate with the macro BS 110a and with a UE 120d in order to facilitate communication between the BS 110a and the UE 120d. A relay station may also be referred to as a relay BS, a relay base station, a relay, etc.

[0046] A wireless 100 network can be a heterogeneous network that includes BSs of different types, for example, macro BSs, pico BSs, femto BSs, relay BSs, etc. These different types of BSs may have different transmission power levels, different coverage areas, and different impacts on interference in the wireless 100 network. For example, macro BSs may have a high transmission power level (e.g., 5 to 40 Watts) while pico BSs, femto BSs, and relay BSs may have lower transmission power levels (e.g., 0.1 to 2 Watts).

[0047] A network controller 130 can couple with a set of BSs and can provide coordination and control for these BSs. The network controller 130 can communicate with the BSs via a return transport channel. The BSs can also communicate with each other, for example, directly or indirectly via a wired or unwired return transport channel.

[0048] EU 120 (e.g., 120a, 120b, 120c) can be dispersed throughout the wireless network 100, and each UE can be stationary or mobile. A UE Petition 870190071800, dated 07 / 26 / 2019, page 26 / 99 22 / 72 can also be referred to as an access terminal, a terminal, a mobile station, a subscriber unit, a station, etc. A UE can be a mobile phone (e.g., a smartphone), a personal digital assistant (PDA), a wireless modem, a wireless communication device, a handset, a laptop computer, a wireless telephone, a wireless local loop (WLL) station, a tablet, a camera, a gaming device, a netbook, a smartbook, an ultrabook, a medical device or equipment, biometric sensors / devices, wearable devices (smartwatches, smart clothing, smart glasses, smart bracelets, smart jewelry (e.g., smart ring, smart bracelet)), an entertainment device (e.g., a music or video device or a satellite radio), a vehicle component or sensor, smart meters / sensors, industrial manufacturing equipment,A global positioning system device or any other suitable device that is configured to communicate via a wired or wireless medium. Some UEs may be considered evolved or enhanced machine-type communication UEs (eMTC). MTC and eMTC UEs include, for example, robots, drones, remote devices such as sensors, meters, monitors, location tags, etc., that can communicate with a base station, another device (e.g., remote device), or some other entity. A wireless node may provide, for example, connectivity to or with a network (e.g., a wide area network such as the Internet or a cellular network). Petition 870190071800, dated 07 / 26 / 2019, page 27 / 99 23 / 72 via a wired or wireless communication link. Some UEs can be considered Internet of Things (IoT) devices. Some UEs can be considered a Consumer Point of Sale (CPE) Equipment.

[0049] In FIG. 1, a solid line with double arrows indicates desired transmissions between a UE and a serving BS, which is a BS designed to serve the UE on the downlink and / or uplink. A dashed line with double arrows indicates potential interfering transmissions between a UE and a BS.

[0050] One or more UE 120s in the wireless communication network 100s (e.g., an LTE network) may also be a narrowband UE. These UEs may coexist with legacy and / or advanced UEs (e.g., capable of operating at a wider bandwidth) in the LTE network and may possess one or more capabilities that are limited when compared to other UEs in the wireless network. For example, when compared to legacy and / or advanced UEs in the LTE network, narrowband UEs may operate with one or more of the following: a reduction in maximum bandwidth (relative to legacy UEs), a single receive radio frequency (RF) sequence, reduced peak rate (e.g., a maximum of 1000 bits for a transport block size (TBS) may be supported), reduced transmission power, Class 1 transmission, half-duplex operation (e.g., HD-FDD), etc.In some cases, if half-duplex operation is supported, narrowband UEs may have a relaxed switching timing from transmit to transmit operations. Petition 870190071800, dated 07 / 26 / 2019, page 28 / 99 24 / 72 reception (or from reception to transmission). For example, in one case, compared to a switching time of 20 microseconds (µs) for legacy and / or advanced UEs, narrowband UEs may have a relaxed switching time of 1 millisecond (ms).

[0051] In some cases, narrowband UEs (e.g., in LTE Rel-12) may also be able to monitor downlink control (DL) channels in the same way as legacy UEs and / or enhanced UEs in the LTE network monitor DL ​​control channels. Version 12 narrowband UEs can still monitor downlink control (DL) channels in the same way as regular UEs, e.g., monitoring broadband control channels in the first few symbols (e.g., the physical downlink control channel (PDCCH)) as well as narrowband control channels occupying a relatively narrow band but measuring a subframe length (e.g., enhanced PDCCH (ePDCCH)).

[0052] (Narrowband UEs may be limited to a specific narrowband allocation, for example, 1.4 MHz or six resource blocks (RBs) split from the available system bandwidth) while coexisting within a wider system bandwidth (e.g., at 1.4 / 3 / 5 / 10 / 15 / MHz). Additionally, narrowband UEs may also be able to support one or more coverage modes of operation. For example, a narrowband UE may be able to support coverage enhancements of up to 20 dB.

[0053] As used in this document, devices with limited communication capabilities, e.g. Petition 870190071800, dated 07 / 26 / 2019, page 29 / 99 25 / 72 smaller bandwidth devices can generally be referred to as narrowband UEs. Similarly, legacy devices, such as legacy UEs and / or advanced UEs (e.g., in LTE) can generally be referred to as broadband UEs. Generally, broadband UEs are capable of operating in a greater amount of bandwidth than narrowband UEs.

[0054] In general, any number of wireless networks can be implemented in a given geographic area. Each wireless network can support a particular RAT and can operate on one or more frequencies. A RAT can also be referred to as a radio technology, an air interface, etc. A frequency can also be referred to as a carrier, a frequency channel, etc. Each frequency can support a single RAT in a given geographic area, so as to avoid interference between wireless networks of different RATs. In some cases, the networks NR or 5G RAT can be implemented.

[0055] Although aspects of the examples described in this document may be associated with LTE technologies, aspects of this disclosure may be applicable to other non-wired communication systems, such as NR. NR can support various non-wired communication services, such as millimeter waves (mmW) targeting high carrier frequency (e.g., 60 GHz), massive multiple outputs and multiple inputs (MIMO), sub-6 GHz systems, etc. NR can use OFDM with a CP on the uplink and downlink and includes support for half-duplex operation using TDD. A single 100 MHz component carrier bandwidth can be supported. Petition 870190071800, dated 07 / 26 / 2019, p. 30 / 99 26 / 72 NR resource blocks can span 12 subcarriers with a subcarrier bandwidth of 75 kHz over a duration of 0.1 ms. Each radio frame can consist of 2 half-frames, each half-frame consisting of 5 subframes with a duration of 10 ms. Consequently, each subframe can have a duration of 1 ms. Each subframe can indicate a link direction (i.e., DL or UL) for data transmission, and the link direction for each subframe can be dynamically switched. Each subframe can include DL / UL data as well as DL / UL control data. The UL and DL subframes for NR (in a reference example) are described in greater detail below in relation to FIGS. 8 and 9. Beamforming can be supported, and the beam direction can be dynamically configured. MIMO transmissions with pre-coding can also be supported.MIMO configurations in DL can support up to 8 transmit antennas with multilayer DL transmissions of up to 8 streams and up to 2 streams per UE. Multilayer transmissions with up to 2 streams per UE can be supported. Multi-cell aggregation can be supported with up to 8 server cells. Alternatively, NR can support a different air interface, other than one based on OFDM. NR networks can include entities such as central units or distributed units.

[0056] In some examples, access to the air interface can be programmed, where a programming entity (e.g., a base station) allocates resources for communication between some or all devices and equipment within its service area or cell. Petition 870190071800, dated 07 / 26 / 2019, page 31 / 99 27 / 72 Within the present disclosure, as discussed further below, the scheduling entity may be responsible for scheduling, assigning, reconfiguring, and releasing resources to one or more subordinate entities. That is, for scheduled communication, the subordinate entities utilize resources allocated by the scheduling entity.

[0057] Base Stations are not the only entities that can function as a scheduling entity. That is, in some examples, a UE can function as a scheduling entity by scheduling resources for one or more subordinate entities (e.g., one or more other UEs). In this example, the UE is functioning as a scheduling entity, and other UEs utilize resources scheduled by the UE for wireless communication. A UE can function as a scheduling entity in a peer-to-peer (P2P) network and / or in a mesh network. In a mesh network example, UEs can optionally communicate directly with each other in addition to communicating with the scheduling entity.

[0058] Thus, in a non-wired communication network with programmed access to frequency and time resources and possessing a cellular configuration, a P2P configuration and a mesh configuration, a programming entity and one or more subordinate entities can communicate using the programmed resources.

[0059] FIG. 2 presents a block diagram of a BS 110 and UE 120 project, which can be one of the base stations and one of the UEs in Figure 1. The BS 110 can be equipped with T antennas 234a to 234t, and the UE 120 Petition 870190071800, dated 07 / 26 / 2019, p. 32 / 99 28 / 72 can be fitted with R antennas 252a to 252r, where generally T b 1 and R b 1. One or more components of BS 110 and UE 120 can be used to practice aspects of the present disclosure.

[0060] In BS 110, a transmission processor 220 can receive data from a data source 212 for one or more UEs, select one or more modulation and coding schemes (MCS) for each UE based on CQIs received from the UE, process (e.g., encode and modulate) the data for each UE based on the MCS(s) selected for the UE, and provide data symbols for all UEs. The transmission processor 220 can also process system information (e.g., for SRPI, etc.) and control information (e.g., CQI requests, grants, upper-layer signaling, etc.) and provide overhead symbols and control symbols. The processor 220 can also generate reference symbols for reference signals (e.g., the CRS) and synchronization signals (e.g., the PSS and SSS).A 230 transmission (TX) multi-input multi-output (MIMO) processor can perform spatial processing (e.g., pre-coding) on ​​data symbols, control symbols, overhead symbols, and / or reference symbols, if applicable, and can provide T output symbol streams to the T modulators (MODs) 232a through 232t. Each modulator 232 can process a respective output symbol stream (e.g., for OFDM, etc.) to obtain an output sample stream. Each modulator 232 can additionally process (e.g., convert to analog, etc.). Petition 870190071800, dated 07 / 26 / 2019, page 33 / 99 29 / 72 amplify, filter and upconvert) the output sample stream to obtain a downlink signal. T downlink signals from modulators 232a to 232t can be transmitted via T antennas 234a to 234t, respectively.

[0061] In UE 120, antennas 252a to 252r can receive downlink signals from base station 110 and / or other base stations and can provide received signals to demodulators (DEMODs) 254a to 254r, respectively. Each demodulator 254 can condition (e.g., filter, amplify, down-convert, and digitize) its received signal to obtain input samples. Each demodulator 254 can additionally process the input samples (e.g., for OFDM, etc.) to obtain the received symbols. A MIMO detector 256 can obtain received symbols from all demodulators 254a to 254r, perform MIMO detection on the received symbols, if applicable, and provide detected symbols. A receiving processor 258 can process (e.g., demodulate and decode) the detected symbols, provide decoded data to the UE 120 for a data collector 260, and provide decoded control information and system information to a controller / processor 280. A channel processor can determine RSRP, RSSI, RSRQ, CQI, etc.

[0062] In the uplink, in UE 120, a transmission processor 264 can receive and process data from a data source 262 and the control information (e.g., for reports that include RSRP, RSSI, RSRQ, CQI, Petition 870190071800, dated 07 / 26 / 2019, p. 34 / 99 30 / 72 etc.) from the 280 controller / processor. The 264 processor can also generate reference symbols for one or more reference signals. The symbols from the transmission processor 264 can be pre-coded by a TX MIMO processor 266, if applicable, further processed by modulators 254a to 254r (e.g., for SC-FDM, OFDM, etc.) and transmitted to base station 110. At base station 110, the uplink signals from UE 120 and the other UEs can be received by antennas 234, processed by demodulators 232, detected by a MIMO detector 236 if applicable, and further processed by a receiving processor 238 to obtain decoded data and control information sent by UE 120. The processor 238 can provide the decoded data to a data collector 239 and the decoded control information to the controller / processor 240.Base station 110 may include communication unit 244 and communicate with network controller 130 via communication unit 244. Network controller 130 may include communication unit 294, controller / processor 290, and memory 292.

[0063] The 240 and Controllers / Processors 280 and / or any other component(s) in FIG. 2 can direct the operation in BS 110 and UE 120, respectively, to execute the techniques presented in this document to enable HARQ-ACK clustering in HDFDD (e.g., for eMTC UEs). For example, controller / processor 280 and / or the other controllers / processors and modules in UE 120 can execute or direct operations by the UE in FIG. 11, and / or Petition 870190071800, dated 07 / 26 / 2019, p. 35 / 99 31 / 72 other processes for the techniques described in this document. By allowing the controller / processor 280 and / or other modules in the UE 120 to perform the operations in FIG. 11 (for example, to provide HARQ-ACK feedback for a grouped transmission), the controller / processor 280 can significantly increase the peak data rate for the UE 120 (compared to conventional HARQ-ACK feedback techniques). The controller / processor 240 and / or other controllers / processors and modules in the BS 110 can perform operations via the BS in FIG. 10 and / or other processes for the techniques described in this document. By allowing the controller / processor 240 and / or other modules in the BS 110 to perform operations in FIG.10 (for example, to determine ACK parameters for a UE to use to provide HARQ-ACK feedback for a grouped transmission), the controller / processor 240 can significantly increase the peak data rate for UE 120 (compared to conventional HARQ-ACK feedback techniques). Memories 242 and 282 can store data and program codes for base station 110 and UE 120, respectively. A programmer 246 can program UEs for data transmission on the downlink and / or uplink.

[0064] FIG. 3 presents an illustrative frame structure for FDD in a telecommunications system (e.g., LTE). The transmission timeline for each of the downlink and uplink can be divided into radio frame units. Each radio frame can have a predetermined duration (e.g., 10 milliseconds (ms)) and can be divided into 10 subframes with indices from 0 to 9. Each subframe can include two Petition 870190071800, dated 07 / 26 / 2019, page 36 / 99 32 / 72 partitions. Each radio frame can thus include 20 partitions with indices from 0 to 19. Each partition can include L symbol periods, for example, seven symbol periods for a normal cyclic prefix (as shown in FIG. 3) or six symbol periods for an extended cyclic prefix. The 2L symbol periods in each subframe can receive indices from 0 to 2L-1.

[0065] In some telecommunications systems (e.g., LTE), a BS may transmit a primary synchronization signal (PSS) and a secondary synchronization signal (SSS) downlink in the center of the system bandwidth for each cell supported by the BS. The PSS and SSS may be transmitted in symbol periods 6 and 5, respectively, in subframes 0 and 5 of each radio frame with the normal cyclic prefix, as shown in FIG. 3. The PSS and SSS may be used by UEs for cell search and acquisition. The BS may transmit a cell-specific reference signal (CRS) across the system bandwidth for each cell supported by the BS. The CRS may be transmitted in some symbol periods of each subframe and may be used by UEs to perform channel estimation, channel quality measurement, and / or other functions. The BS may also transmit a physical broadcast channel (PBCH) in symbol periods 0 to 3 in partition 1 of some radio frames.The PBCH can carry some system information. The BS can transmit other system information, such as System Information Blocks (SIBs) on a shared physical downlink channel (PDSCH) in some subframes. The BS can transmit control information / data on a channel. Petition 870190071800, dated 07 / 26 / 2019, page 37 / 99 33 / 72 Physical Downlink Control Center (PDCCH) in the first B symbol periods of a subframe, where B can be configurable for each subframe. The BS can transmit traffic data and / or other data in the PDSCH during the remaining symbol periods of each subframe.

[0066] In other systems (for example, such NR or 5G systems), a Node B may transmit these or other signals in these locations or in locations other than the subframe.

[0067] FIG. 4 shows two illustrative subframe formats 410 and 420 with the normal cyclic prefix. The available frequency and time resources can be divided into resource blocks. Each resource block can cover 12 subcarriers in a partition and can include multiple resource elements. Each resource element can cover one subcarrier in a symbol period and can be used to send a modulation symbol, which can be a real or complex value.

[0068] The 410 subframe format can be used for two antennas. A CRS can be transmitted from antennas 0 and 1 during symbol periods 0, 4, 7, and 11. A reference signal is a signal that is known a priori by a transmitter and a receiver and can also be referred to as a pilot signal. A CRS is a reference signal that is specific to a cell, for example, generated based on a cell identity (ID). In FIG. 4, for a given feature element labeled Ra, one modulation symbol can be transmitted on that feature element from antenna a, and no modulation symbol can be transmitted on that feature element from other antennas. Petition 870190071800, dated 07 / 26 / 2019, page 38 / 99 34 / 72 antennas. The 420 subframe format can be used with four antennas. A CRS can be transmitted from antennas 0 and 1 during symbol periods 0, 4, 7, and 11, and from antennas 2 and 3 during symbol periods 1 and 8. For both 410 and 420 subframe formats, a CRS can be transmitted on evenly spaced subcarriers, which can be determined based on the cell ID. CRSs can be transmitted on the same or different subcarriers depending on their cell IDs. For both 410 and 420 subframe formats, unused feature elements for the CRS can be used to transmit data (e.g., traffic data, control data, and / or other data).

[0069] PSS, SSS, CRS and PBCH in LTE are described in 3GPP TS 36.211, called Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access (E-UTRA); Physical Channels and Modulation, which is publicly available.

[0070] An interleaved structure can be used for each of the downlink and uplink for FDD in some telecommunications systems (e.g., LTE). For example, Q interleave can be defined with indices from 0 to Q - 1, where Q can be equal to 4, 6, 8, 10, or some other value. Each interleave can include subframes that are separated by Q frames. In particular, the q interleave can include subframes q, q + Q, q + 2Q, etc., where q £ {0,..., Q-1}.

[0071] The wireless network can support Hybrid Automatic Retransmission Request (HARQ) for data transmission on the downlink and uplink. For HARQ, a transmitter (e.g., a BS) can send one or more Petition 870190071800, dated 07 / 26 / 2019, page 39 / 99 35 / 72 transmissions of a cluster until the cluster is correctly decoded by a receiver (e.g., a UE) or some other termination condition is met. For synchronous HARQ, all transmissions of the cluster can be sent in subframes of a single interleave. For asynchronous HARQ, each transmission of the cluster can be sent in any subframe.

[0072] An UE may be located within the coverage of several BSs. One of these BSs may be selected to serve the UE. The serving BS may be selected based on several criteria, such as received signal strength, received signal quality, path loss, etc. Received signal quality may be quantified by a signal-to-noise-to-interference ratio (SINR) or by a received reference signal quality (RSRQ) or by some other metric. The UE may operate in a dominant interference scenario, in which the UE may observe high interference from one or more interfering BSs. Illustrative Narrowband Communications

[0073] The focus of traditional LTE design (e.g., for legacy non-MTC devices) is on improving spectral efficiency, ubiquitous coverage, and supporting enhanced quality of service (QoS). Current LTE system downlink (DL) and uplink (UL) link provisions are designed for coverage of high-capacity devices such as high-end smartphones and tablets, which can support a relatively large DL and UL link provision.

[0074] However, as described above, one or Petition 870190071800, dated 07 / 26 / 2019, page 40 / 99 36 / 72 more UEs in the wireless communication network (e.g., wireless communication network 100) may be devices that have limited communication capabilities, such as narrowband UEs, when compared to other (broadband) devices in the wireless communication network. For narrowband UEs, several requirements can be relaxed, as only a limited amount of information may need to be exchanged. For example, the maximum bandwidth can be reduced (e.g., compared to broadband UEs), a single receive radio frequency (RF) sequence can be used, the peak rate can be reduced (e.g., a maximum of 1000 bits for a transport block size), the transmission power can be reduced, Class 1 transmission can be used, and half-duplex operation can be performed.

[0075] FIGS. 5A and 5B illustrate examples of how UEs in MTC and / or eMTC operation can coexist within a broadband system (e.g., 1.4 / 3 / 5 / 10 / 15 / 20 MHz), such as LTE. As illustrated in the illustrative frame structure of FIG. 5A, the 510 subframes associated with MTC and / or eMTC operation can be time-division multiplexed (TDM) with regular 520 subframes associated with LTE (or some other RAT).

[0076] As mentioned above, MTC and / or eMTC operation can be supported on the wireless communication network (e.g., coexisting with LTE or some other RAT). That is, eMTC can coexist with other LTE services within the same bandwidth, support FDD, TDD and half-duplex (HD) modes, and reuse base stations. Petition 870190071800, dated 07 / 26 / 2019, p. 41 / 99 37 / 72 Existing LTE systems with software upgrades (e.g., in accordance with E-UTRAN providers), etc. Figures 5A and 5B, for example, illustrate how UEs in MTC and / or eMTC operation can coexist within a broadband system (e.g., 1.4 / 3 / 5 / 10 / 15 / 20 MHz), such as LTE.

[0077] As illustrated in the illustrative frame structure of FIG. 5, the 510 subframes associated with MTC and / or eMTC operation can be time-division multiplexed (TDM) with regular 520 subframes associated with LTE (or some other RAT). Additionally or alternatively, as illustrated in the illustrative frame structure of FIG. 5B, one or more narrowband regions 560, 562 used by narrowband UEs can be frequency-division multiplexed within the wider bandwidth 550 supported by LTE. Multiple narrowband regions, with each narrowband region measuring a bandwidth not greater than a total of 6 RBs, can be supported for MTC and / or eMTC operation. In some cases, such as LTE Version 13, each eMTC UE can operate (e.g., monitor / receive / transmit) within a narrowband region (e.g., at 1.4 MHz or 6 RBs) at a time.In other cases, such as LTE Version 14, eMTC UEs can operate in a 5 MHz narrowband region (for example, using 25 RBs). [007 8] At any given time, eMTC UEs can re-tune to other narrowband regions in the wider bandwidth of the system. That is, an eMTC UE can switch or jump between multiple regions. Petition 870190071800, dated 07 / 26 / 2019, page 42 / 99 38 / 72 narrowband to reduce interference. In some examples, multiple eMTC UEs can be served by the same narrowband region. In still other examples, different combinations of eMTC UEs can be served by one or more of the same narrowband regions and / or one or more different narrowband regions.

[0079] As shown, eMTC UEs can operate (e.g., monitor / receive / transmit) within narrowband regions for several different operations. For example, as shown in FIG. 5B, a first narrowband region 560 of a subframe 552 can be monitored by one or more eMTC UEs for a transmission, search, or signaling of PSS, SSS, PBCH, MTC from a BS in the wireless communication network. As also shown in FIG. 5B, a second narrowband region 562 of a subframe 554 can be used by eMTC UEs to transmit a RACH or pre-configured data in the signaling received from a BS. In some cases, the second narrowband region can be used by the same UEs that used the first narrowband region (e.g., the UEs may have retuned to the second narrowband region to transmit after monitoring in the first narrowband region).In some cases (though not shown), the second narrowband region may be used by different UEs than the UEs that used the first narrowband region.

[0080] Some systems may provide eMTC UEs with coverage enhancements of up to 20 dB to support low-cost MTC devices (e.g., such Petition 870190071800, dated 07 / 26 / 2019, page 43 / 99 39 / 72 as BL / CE users) with a single antenna and a basic receiver and / or located at the edges of the cell to connect. That is, eMTC UEs and eNB can perform measurements at low SNRs (e.g., -15 dB to -20 dB). In order to obtain coverage enhancement, multiple repetitions / instances (e.g., aggregation) of the same message (with different redundancy versions) can be transmitted through one or more subframes.

[0081] Although the examples described in this document assume a narrowband of 6 RBs, those skilled in the art will recognize that the techniques presented in this document can also be applied to different sizes of narrowband regions (e.g., 25 RBs).

[0082] In the case of NB-IoT, the wireless communication network (e.g., LTE Version 13 or higher) can support implementations using a physical resource block (PRB) (e.g., the 180 kHz + 20 kHz guard band). NB-IoT implementations can utilize LTE upper-layer components and hardware to enable reduced fragmentation and cross-compatibility with, for example, NB-LTE and eMTC. In one case, NB-IoT can be implemented in-band and coexist with legacy GSM / WCDMA / LTE system(s) implemented in the same frequency band. (The broadband LTE channel, for example, can be implemented in various bandwidths between 1.4 MHz and 20 MHz, and there may be a dedicated PRB for use by NB-IoT, or the RBs allocated for NB-IoT may be dynamically allocated (e.g., by an eNB). In an in-band implementation, a Petition 870190071800, dated 07 / 26 / 2019, page 44 / 99 40 / 72 PRB, or 180 kHz, of a broadband LTE channel can be used for NB-IoT. In some implementations, NB-IoT can be implemented independently. In a standalone implementation, a 180 kHz carrier can be used to carry NB-IoT traffic and GSM spectrum can be reused. In some implementations, NB-IoT can be implemented in unused resource blocks within an LTE carrier guard band.

[0083] NB-IoT can support single-tone and multi-tone allocations. For example, in the uplink, 15 kHz or 3.75 kHz tone spacing can be used with single-tone or multi-tone allocation. For 15 kHz tone or subcarrier spacing, up to 12 tones or subcarriers can be used in a resource unit with single-tone allocation, and for 3.75 kHz tone spacing, up to 48 tones can be used in a resource unit with single-tone allocation. Illustrative NR / 5G RAN Architecture

[0084] Although aspects of the examples described in this document may be associated with LTE technologies, aspects of this disclosure may be applicable to other non-wired communications systems, such as NR or 5G technologies.

[0085] New radio (NR) may refer to radios configured to operate under a new air interface (e.g., different from Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access (OFDMA) based air interfaces) or fixed transport layer (e.g., different from Internet Protocol (IP)). NR Petition 870190071800, dated 07 / 26 / 2019, p. 45 / 99 41 / 72 can utilize OFDM with a CP on the uplink and downlink and include support for half-duplex operation using TDD. NR can include Enhanced Mobile Broadband (eMBB) service targeting broadband (e.g., beyond 80 MHz), millimeter wave (mmW) targeting high carrier frequency (e.g., 60 GHz), massive MTC (mMTC) targeting backward compatible MTC techniques, mission-critical targeting ultra-reliable low-latency communications service (URLLC), etc.

[0086] In NR, the RAN can include a central unit (CU) and distributed units (DUs). An NR BS (e.g., gNB, 5G Node B, Node B, Transmit and Receive Point (TRP), Access Point (AP)) can correspond to one or more BSs. NR cells can be configured as access cells (ACells) or data-only cells (DCells). For example, the RAN (e.g., a central unit or distributed unit) can configure the cells. DCells can be cells used for carrier aggregation or dual connectivity, but not for initial access, cell selection / reselecting, or handover. In some cases, DCells may not transmit synchronization signals – in some cases, DCells may transmit SS. NR BSs can transmit downlink signals to UEs indicating the cell type. Based on the cell type indication, the UE can communicate with the NR BS. For example, the UE can determine which NR BSs to consider for cell selection, access, handover, and / or metering based on the indicated cell type.

[0087] FIG. 6 illustrates an illustrative logical architecture of a distributed RAN 600, according to Petition 870190071800, dated 07 / 26 / 2019, page 46 / 99 42 / 72 aspects of the present disclosure. A 5G access node 606 may include an access node controller (ANC) 602. The ANC may be a central unit (CU) of the distributed RAN 600. The return transport channel interface to the next-generation core network (NG-CN) 604 may terminate at the ANC. The return transport channel interface to neighboring next-generation access nodes (NG-ANs) may terminate at the ANC. The ANC may include one or more TRPs 608 (which may also be referred to as BSs, NR BSs, Node Bs, 5G NBs, APs, gNB or some other term). As described above, a TRP can be used interchangeably with a cell.

[0088] TRPs 608 can be a distributed unit (DU). TRPs can be connected to one ANC (ANC 602) or to more than one ANC (not shown). For example, for RAN sharing, Radio as a Service (RaaS), and service-specific AND implementations, the TRP can be connected to more than one ANC. A TRP can include one or more antenna ports. TRPs can be configured to serve traffic individually (e.g., dynamic selection) or jointly (e.g., joint transmission) to a UE.

[0089] The local 600 architecture can be used to illustrate the definition of fronthaul. The architecture can be defined to support fronthauling solutions in different types of implementation. For example, the architecture can be based on transmission network capabilities (e.g., bandwidth, latency, and / or jitter).

[0090] Architecture can share Petition 870190071800, dated 07 / 26 / 2019, page 47 / 99 43 / 72 features and / or components with LTE. Depending on the aspect, the next-generation AN (NG-AN) 610 can support dual connectivity with NR. NG-AN can share a common fronthaul for LTE and NR.

[0091] The architecture can allow cooperation between and within TRPs 608. For example, cooperation can be predefined within a TRP and / or across TRPs via ANC 602. Depending on the aspect ratio, no interface between TRPs may be required / present.

[0092] Depending on the aspect ratio, a dynamic configuration of logical division functions may be present within the 600 architecture. The PDCP, RLC, and MAC protocols may be adaptively placed in the ANC or TRP.

[0093] In some respects, a BS may include a central unit (CU) (e.g., ANC 602) and / or one or more distributed units (e.g., one or more TRPs 608).

[0094] FIG. 7 illustrates an example of the physical architecture of a distributed RAN 700, according to aspects of the present disclosure. A centralized core networking unit (C-CU) 702 can host core networking functions. The C-CU can be implemented centrally. C-CU functionality can be offloaded (e.g., for advanced wireless services (AWS)) in an effort to handle peak capacity.

[0095] A centralized RAN unit (C-RU) 704 can host one or more ANC functions. Optionally, the CRU can host core network functions locally. The C-RU can have a distributed implementation. The C-RU can Petition 870190071800, dated 07 / 26 / 2019, p. 48 / 99 44 / 72 being closer to the edge of the net.

[0096] A 706 distributed unit (DU) can host one or more TRPs. The DU can be located at the edges of the network with the radio frequency (RF) capability.

[0097] FIG. 8 is an 800 diagram showing an example of a DL-centered subframe. A DL-centered subframe may include an 802 control portion. The 802 control portion may exist at the beginning or at the start of the DL-centered subframe. The 802 control portion may include various programming and / or control information corresponding to the various parts of the DL-centered subframe. In some configurations, the 802 control portion may be a physical DL control channel (PDCCH), as shown in FIG. 8. The DL-centered subframe may also include a DL data portion. 804. The DL 804 data portion may sometimes be referred to as the DL-centric subframe payload. The DL 804 data portion may include the communication resources used to communicate DL data from the scheduling entity (e.g., UE or BS) to the subordinate entity (e.g., UE). In some configurations, the DL 804 data portion may be a shared physical DL channel (PDSCH).

[0098] The DL-centered subframe may also include a common UL 806 part. The common UL 806 part may sometimes be referred to as a UL burst, a common UL burst, and / or various other suitable terms. The common UL 806 part may include feedback information corresponding to various other parts of the Petition 870190071800, dated 07 / 26 / 2019, p. 49 / 99 45 / 72 subframe centered on DL. For example, the common part of UL 806 may include feedback information corresponding to the control part 802. Non-limiting examples of feedback information may include an ACK signal, a NACK signal, a HARQ indicator, and / or various other suitable types of information. The common part of UL 806 may include additional or alternative information, such as information pertaining to random access channel procedures (RACH), programming requests (SRs), and various other suitable types of information. As illustrated in FIG. 8, the end of the data part of DL 804 may be separated in time from the beginning of the common part of UL 806. This time separation may sometimes be referred to as a gap, a guard period, a guard interval, and / or various other suitable terms.This separation provides time for switching from DL communication (e.g., reception operation by the subordinate entity (e.g., UE)) to UL communication (e.g., transmission by the subordinate entity (e.g., UE)). Those skilled in the art will understand that the above is merely an example of a DL-centric subframework, and alternative structures possessing similar characteristics may exist without necessarily deviating from the aspects described in this document.

[0099] Figure 9 is a 900 diagram showing an example of a UL-centered subframe. The UL-centered subframe may include a 902 control portion. The 902 control portion may exist at the beginning or at the start of the UL-centered subframe. The 902 control portion in FIG. 9 may be similar to the control portion. Petition 870190071800, dated 07 / 26 / 2019, pp. 50 / 99 46 / 72 802 described above with reference to FIG. 8. The UL-centered subframe may also include a portion of UL data. 904. The UL 904 data portion may sometimes be referred to as the UL-centric subframe payload. The UL portion may refer to the communication resources used to communicate UL data from the subordinate entity (e.g., UE) to the scheduling entity (e.g., UE or BS). In some configurations, the 902 control portion may be a physical DL control channel (PDCCH).

[00100] As illustrated in FIG. 9, the end of the control portion 902 can be separated in time from the beginning of the data portion of UL 904. This time separation may sometimes be referred to as a gap, guard period, guard interval, and / or various other suitable terms. This separation provides time to switch from DL communication (e.g., reception operation by the programming entity) to UL communication (e.g., transmission by the programming entity). The UL-centered subframe may also include a common portion of UL 906. The common portion of UL 906 in FIG. 9 may be similar to the common portion of UL 806 described above with reference to FIG. 8. The common portion of UL 906 may additionally or alternatively include information relating to the channel quality indicator (CQI), sound reference signals (SRSs), and various other types of suitable information.Those skilled in the art will understand that the above is merely an example of a UL-centered subframework and that alternative structures with similar characteristics may exist. Petition 870190071800, dated 07 / 26 / 2019, page 51 / 99 4Ί / Ί2 without necessarily deviating from the aspects described in this document.

[00101] In some circumstances, two or more subordinate entities (e.g., UEs) may communicate with each other using sidelink signals. Real-world applications of such sidelink communications may include public safety, proximity services, UE-to-network relay, vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) communications, Internet of Everything (IoE) communications, IoT communications, mission-critical mesh, and / or various other suitable applications. Generally, a sidelink signal may refer to a signal communicated from one subordinate entity (e.g., UE1) to another subordinate entity (e.g., UE2) without relaying that communication through the programming entity (e.g., UE or BS), even if the programming entity may be used for programming and / or control purposes.In some instances, sidelink signals can be communicated using licensed spectrum (unlike wireless local area networks, which typically use unlicensed spectrum).

[00102] In one example, a frame may include UL-centered subframes and DL-centered subframes. In this example, the ratio of UL-centered subframes to DL-centered subframes in a frame can be dynamically adjusted based on the amount of UL data and the amount of DL data that are transmitted. For example, if there is more UL data, then the ratio of UL-centered subframes to DL-centered subframes can be increased. Conversely, if there is more DL data, Petition 870190071800, dated 07 / 26 / 2019, page 52 / 99 48 / 72 then the ratio of UL-centered subframes to DL-centered subframes can be decreased. ILLUSTRATIVE METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR ENABLING HARQ-ACK GROUPING SUPPORT IN HD-FDD FOR eMTC

[00103] Some of the focuses of further enhancements for eMTC have been positioning support, multicast, mobility enhancements, and higher data rates. However, in some cases it may be difficult to achieve higher data rates for some UEs (e.g., HD-FDD UEs), due in part to current HARQ feedback techniques. For example, in eMTC, the peak data rate of an HD-FDD UE can be affected by the HD timeline and guard subframe relationships. With current feedback techniques HARQ, however, the UE typically sends HARQ feedback (for multiple transmissions) through multiple subframes. Thus, it can be difficult to maximize the peak data rate for such UEs, since the number of available downlink subframes may be limited. As a reference example, the maximum data rate for an HD-FDD UE might be 300 kbps, since a single radio frame might include three PDSCH subframes, three PUCCH subframes, two HD guard subframes, and two non-PDSCH subframes due to cross-subframe scheduling.

[00104] To support higher data rates, the aspects presented in this document provide techniques and apparatus to enable HARQ-ACK clustering in HD-FDD for communication systems such as eMTC. HARQ-ACK clustering can be supported in at least one of the CE A Modes in HD-FDD, one Petition 870190071800, dated 07 / 26 / 2019, p. 53 / 99 49 / 72 CE B mode, a CE A mode in FD-FDD, an uplink control physical channel repeater process (PUCCH), a PDSCH repeater process, a machine-type communication downlink control physical channel process (MPDCCH), etc.

[00105] In general, one or more HARQ-ACK clusters can be supported for PDSCH programming before switching to UL. The size of the HARQ-ACK cluster can be defined as the number of PDSCH transmissions (corresponding to different HARQ processes) with a joint HARQ-ACK feedback. In some cases, the maximum size of the HARQ-ACK cluster can be four. There can be one or more HARQ-ACK clusters before a UE switches to UL.

[00106] By using clustering techniques With the HARQ-ACK described in this document, the system can increase the effective DL transmission rate for half-duplex operation. For example, in the case described above, where the maximum data rate was limited to 300 kbps, the data rate can be increased to 500 kbps (from 300 kbps) if the HARQ-ACK for PDSCH can be multiplexed into a single subframe (e.g., instead of three subframes). However, it should be noted that this is only one example of how the techniques described in this document can further increase the effective DL transmission rate for UEs and that, in some cases, the aspects presented in this document may allow a peak data rate exceeding 500 kbps.

[00107] FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating the illustrative operations 1000 for non-wired communications, according to some aspects of the present disclosure. As Petition 870190071800, dated 07 / 26 / 2019, p. 54 / 99 50 / 72 operations can be performed, for example, by a base station (e.g., eNB 110).

[00108] Operations 1000 begin, in 1002, where the BS determines one or more ACK parameters to be used to acknowledge a grouped transmission that includes one or more instances of a channel through one or more subframes. The channel can be a data channel (e.g., PDSCH), a control channel (e.g., MPDCCH), etc. The transmission can be from the BS and / or another BS.

[00109] In 1004, the BS signals an indication of one or more ACK parameters for a UE (for example, an eMTC UE such as UE 120). One or more ACK parameters may include a first ACK parameter that carries a size of the aggregated transmission and a second ACK parameter that carries a time duration for the UE to delay acknowledging a data transmission on a channel instance after receiving the data transmission.

[00110] FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating illustrative 1100 operations for non-wired communications, according to some aspects of the present disclosure. The 1100 operations can be performed, for example, by a UE (e.g., eMTC UE, such as UE 120).

[00111] Operations 1100 begin at 1102, where the UE receives an indication of one or more ACK parameters to use to acknowledge a grouped transmission that includes one or more instances of a channel across one or more subframes. The channel can be a data channel (e.g., PDSCH), a control channel (e.g., MPDCCH), etc. The one or more ACK parameters can include a Petition 870190071800, dated 07 / 26 / 2019, pp. 55 / 99 51 / 72: The first ACK parameter carries a size of the grouped transmission, and the second ACK parameter transmits a duration of time for the UE to delay acknowledging a data transmission on a channel instance after receiving the data transmission. In 1104, the UE acknowledges the grouped transmission based on one or more ACK parameters.

[00112] In some respects, BS may determine the ACK parameters based in part on a UE type and / or capability. For example, in some cases, BS may determine a first set of ACK parameters (to enable HARQ ACK grouping) for BL / CE devices, and may determine a second set of parameters. ACK for grouping that is not HARQ ACK. ACK for devices that are not BL / CE. In some cases, BS may determine to allow HARQ ACK grouping for BL / CE devices operating on HD-FDD and that support at least one of the HARQ ACK groupings or dynamic timing. ACK. In some respects, ACK parameters can be determined based on the CE mode(s) supported by the UE. For example, BS may determine ACK parameters to enable HARQ ACK grouping for UEs that support CE mode. A, and determine ACK parameters for grouping that is not HARQ ACK for UEs that support CE mode B. In some respects, BS can select / determine the ACK parameters from a predetermined number of candidate values. For example, as described below, in some cases, the first ACK parameter may signal a size between 1 and 4, and the second ACK parameter may signal a delay value in one or more different ranges of values. Petition 870190071800, dated 07 / 26 / 2019, pp. 56 / 99 52 / 72

[00113] The UE can signal one or more parameters indicating the UE's ability to support at least one BL / CE operation, one HD-FDD operation, one CE mode(s), CE levels, a HARQ-ACK grouping, a dynamic ACK timing, etc. If the UE is capable of supporting aggregation and / or dynamic ACK timing (e.g., to delay the transmission of an ACK), the BS can configure the UE to support dynamic ACK grouping and / or timing via radio resource control (RRC) signaling.

[00114] In one aspect, the BS and / or the UE may determine the ACK parameters for each instance of a control channel (e.g., MPDCCH) associated with each instance of the data channel (e.g., PDSCH) in the grouped transmission, such that an ACK (for a group of instances) is sent in the associated uplink subframe by the UE. In one aspect, the ACK parameters may include at least one delay value parameter (e.g., second ACK parameter) that carries a duration of time for the UE to delay acknowledging a data transmission on a data channel instance after receiving the data transmission.

[00115] Assuming, for example, that the grouped transmission includes an instance of a data channel (e.g., PDSCH) transmitted in each of the three subframes (subframes 1, 2, and 3), the BS can signal in the control channel (e.g., MPDCCH) associated with each data channel instance, the delay (e.g., the number of subframes) that the UE should wait before sending an ACK. That is, each delay parameter can signal the number of subframes between the end of the data channel and the Petition 870190071800, dated 07 / 26 / 2019, page 57 / 99 53 / 72 start of ACK / NACK. For example, assuming the BS wants the UE to send an ACK on subframe 7 acknowledging the grouped data transmission (e.g., from subframes 1 to 3), the delay parameter for subframe 1 might indicate a delay of 6 subframes, the delay parameter for subframe 2 might indicate a delay of 5 subframes, and the delay parameter for subframe 3 might indicate a delay of 4 subframes. In this way, the BS can determine the delay parameters for each instance in the grouped transmission, so that the UE sends an ACK on a single uplink subframe. When the BS signals the delay, the UE can implicitly determine the grouping to identify the potential uplink subframe and determine how many MPDCCH / PDSCH were received that requested the ACK / NACK to be sent on that subframe.

[00116] In some respects, an ACK delay indicator field (indicating delay D) can be added to the downlink control information (DCI) (e.g., in MPDCCH) to enable ACK grouping. In some cases, the ACK delay indicator field can indicate a complete set of delay values. For example, the ACK delay indicator field can use three bits to indicate at least one of the delays in the set D = {4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11}. Upon receiving the delay indicator, the The UE can transmit an ACK corresponding to the PDSCH termination in subframe X in subframe X+D. However, in some cases, the UE can only transmit an ACK in subframe X+D if, in subframe X+D, the UE has detected all N MPDCCHs in the cluster and decoded the corresponding PDSCHs. That is, the UE can transmit a NACK if it fails to detect the N MPDCCHs. Petition 870190071800, dated 07 / 26 / 2019, p. 58 / 99 54 / 72 minus one corresponding MPDCCH and / or PDSCH.

[00117] In some cases, the ACK delay indicator field (e.g., a three-bit field or another number of bits) may indicate a subsampled set of delay values. In some cases, the ACK delay indicator field may indicate a subsampled set of delay values ​​that specifies the minimum delay that the UE should use after receiving a data transmission. For example, the ACK delay indicator field may use two bits to indicate at least one of the minimum delays in the set D = {4, 6, 8, 10}. In these cases, upon receiving the delay indicator, the UE may attempt a guess of X + D, X + D + 1 for the ACK subframe for PDSCH ending in subframe X. The UE can determine, based on the number of MPDCCH it detected in each subframe, which of the subframes is the correct subframe to send the ACK to.For example, the EU can count the number of MPDCCH / PDSCH that it detects corresponding to the sub-frameworks X + D, X + D + l and choose the smaller of the two sub-frameworks that correspond to the number of PDSCH in the clustering criteria.

[00118] Although using a two-bit ACK delay indicator field can save a bit (e.g., compared to using a three-bit ACK delay indicator field), in some cases, the two-bit ACK delay indicator field can affect programming decisions in the eNB. For example, if the UE determines that the number of detected MPDCCHs does not match (e.g., is not N), the UE may transmit NACK on those subframes if the UE is able to reliably determine the subframe. Otherwise, the UE may Petition 870190071800, dated 07 / 26 / 2019, p. 59 / 99 55 / 72 puncture the ACK / NACK.

[00119] In some aspects, one or more ACK parameters may include a parameter (for example, the first ACK parameter) that carries the size of the grouped transmission. For example, the size of the grouped transmission may correspond to the number of channel instances associated with the grouped transmission. In one aspect (for example, when grouping is configured by RRC), a field indicating the number of PDSCH in the grouping may be added to the DCI (in the downlink grant) to enable ACK grouping. For example, in one case, the field may indicate the number N of PDSCH in the grouping, where N is selected from {1, 2, 3, 4}.

[00120] In one aspect, the ACK parameters may include a parameter that carries the size of the clustered transmission and a parameter that indicates whether the channel was transmitted in a last instance of one or more instances in the clustered transmission (e.g., last instance in cluster indication). For example, in one implementation, the BS might encode the number N of the PDSCH in the cluster with a last instance in cluster bit. In some cases, the UE may only need to know the cluster size in situations where the UE receives the last instance in the cluster, so that information may be sufficient for the UE to determine whether it received the entire PDSCH in the cluster. Therefore, in some cases, the BS might set the parameter that carries the size of the clustered transmission to zero or to other dummy values, such as the maximum allowed cluster size, if the channel has not been transmitted in the last instance. Petition 870190071800, dated 07 / 26 / 2019, pp. 60 / 99 56 / 72 instance of the instances in the transmission cluster (that is, the last instance bit in the cluster is 0). On the other hand, the BS can set the parameter that carries the clustered transmission size to the correct clustered transmission size if the channel has been transmitted in the last instance of the instances in the clustered transmission.

[00121] As an example of joint encoding of the PDSCH number N in the cluster with the last instance bit in the cluster, if cluster sizes of 1, 2, 4 are supported, the BS can signal one of the following four states to the UE: (1) '00': not the last instance; (2) '01': last instance, 1 instance in the cluster; (3) '10': last instance, 2 instances in the cluster; (4) '11': last instance, 4 instances in the cluster. However, those skilled in the art will recognize that other values ​​can be used for different cluster sizes. In some cases, the BS may use three bits to support all cluster sizes from 1 to 4. In general, the BS may use any number of bits to support different cluster sizes.

[00122] In some respects, ACK parameters may include a parameter that carries the size of the grouped transmission and a parameter that carries a downlink assignment index (DAI) value for the grouped transmission. For example, the BS may signal the DAI counter in addition to the last instance bit in the grouping, jointly encoding the two. Such information may give the UE more visibility into which Petition 870190071800, dated 07 / 26 / 2019, pp. 61 / 99 57 / 72 PDSCH was potentially lost.

[00123] In some respects, unlike transmitting a last instance in the grouping bit, the grouped transmission size (indicated for a given channel instance) can implicitly indicate whether the channel was transmitted in a last instance of one or more instances in the grouped transmission. For example, for each channel instance before a last channel instance, the BS can set the grouped transmission size (for that instance) to a value greater than a number of that instance in one or more channel instances. Suppose, for example, that the grouped transmission includes four instances of a data channel across four subframes. In this example, the BS can set the grouped transmission size for the first instance to a value greater than 1, set the grouped transmission size for the second instance to a value greater than 2, and set the grouped transmission size for the third instance to a value greater than 3.In some respects, the BS can set the size of the grouped transmission for each instance (prior to the last instance) to a maximum number of instances allowed from one or more instances of the channel with uplink ACK in the same uplink subframe. Continuing with the example above, the BS, in this case, can set the size of the grouped transmission for each of the first three subframes to 4.

[00124] In this way, the BS can implicitly indicate to the UE whether the channel was transmitted in the last instance of the grouped transmission. For example, if the UE determines that the grouping size indicated for a Petition 870190071800, dated 07 / 26 / 2019, p. 62 / 99 If 58 / 72 of a given instance does not correspond to (for example, is greater than) the number of MPDCCH / PDSCH decoded up to that instance, the UE may determine that the channel was not transmitted in the last instance of the grouped transmission.

[00125] In some respects, the BS can set the grouped broadcast size to the correct grouped broadcast size if the channel has been broadcast on a last instance of one or more instances in the grouped broadcast. Continuing with the example above, for the last (fourth) instance, the BS can set the grouped broadcast size to 4 to implicitly indicate that the channel was broadcast on the last instance.

[00126] In general, ACK parameters can include any one or a combination of the above parameters to enable ACK grouping. For example, in one aspect, ACK parameters can include the delay parameter D, the number N of PDSCH in the grouping, and / or the last instance bit of the grouping. The BS can maintain a table that includes the delay, the number of instances in the grouping, and whether the instance is the last instance (e.g., if the channel was transmitted in a last instance of the channel instances in the grouped transmission). The BS can set the number of instances in the grouping to zero or other values ​​if the instance is not the last instance. For some delays, the UE can assume that an instance is not the last instance. For example, if in subframe X the UE receives an indication that the delay is greater than 7 subframes, the UE can assume that subframe X is not the last instance in the configurable grouping. Petition 870190071800, dated 07 / 26 / 2019, p. 63 / 99 59 / 72

[00127] In some respects, the BS may receive a message from the UE after the BS has transmitted the channel instances through one or more subframes. The BS may determine, based at least in part on the message size, whether the grouped transmission was correctly decoded by the UE. For example, in some cases, the message may carry more than one bit of information in the UL subframe. If the message includes multiple bits, the BS may determine, from the first or more bits of the message, the number of channel instances that were received by the UE. Additionally, the BS may determine, from a second or more bits of the message, for a group of channel instances, whether the channel in each instance received in the group is acknowledged or negatively acknowledged.

[00128] For example, assume that the 2B format / channel selection or other methods for carrying more than 1 bit of information in the ACK / NACK resource are used. If the (UE) message includes four bits, two bits (of the four bits) can be used to indicate the number of channel instances received by the UE, and the remaining two bits can be used to indicate ACK / NACK for instances (e.g., the first bit for ACK / NACK of PDSCH 1,3 and the second bit for ACK / NACK of PDSCH 2,4). If the message includes three bits, two bits can be used to indicate the number of channel instances received by the UE and a single bit for ACK / NACK (e.g., for up to four grouped PDSCH instances). If the message includes two bits, the first bit can be used for ACK / NACK of PDSCH 1,3 and the second bit can Petition 870190071800, dated 07 / 26 / 2019, p. 64 / 99 60 / 72 can be used for ACK / NACK of PDSCH 2,4. If the message includes a single bit, that single bit can be used for ACK / NACK of up to four grouped PDSCHs.

[00129] In some cases, for three / four-bit options, the BS may not have to send the number of PDSCHs in the collation indication (e.g., the number of subframes / last subframe / DAI, etc.) in the DL DCI. For one-bit / two-bit cases, the BS may send the number of PDSCHs in the collation indication in the DL DCI.

[00130] In some respects, when the UE sends an ACK / NACK that corresponds to a group of clustered PDSCHs, the UE can send an ACK if all PDSCHs in the cluster are successfully decoded, and can send a NACK if at least one of the MPDCCHs corresponding to the clustered PDSCHs is a deletion. Thus, the techniques presented in this document can provide an ACK clustering design that is robust to MPDCCH deletions (e.g., when the UE fails to detect / decode an MPDCCH).

[00131] In some respects, the UE can determine the size of the grouped transmission from the ACK parameters communicated in the control region. In some respects, the UE can determine the size of the grouped transmission from the number of MPDCCHs it detected pointing to the same UL subframe for ACK. In some respects, the UE can send an ACK in the UL subframe if (1) the size (e.g., the first size) of the grouped transmission detected from the ACK parameters (in the last instance received from the control channel of the grouped transmission) is equal to the size (e.g., the Petition 870190071800, dated 07 / 26 / 2019, pp. 65 / 99 61 / 72 second size) of the clustered transmission detected from the number of MPDCCHs pointing to the same UL subframe for ACK, and (2) the UE successfully decoded all PDSCHs associated with that UL subframe. Otherwise, the UE may send a NACK (for example, if the first size is not equal to the second size or if any instance of the PDSCH associated with the uplink subframe is decoded incorrectly). For example, the UE may send an ACK on a subframe if it detects and decodes K MPDCCHs / PDSCHs corresponding to that subframe and K is equal to the ACK parameter of the clustered transmission size in the last decoded DL (MPDCCH) grant in the cluster.

[00132] The ACK aggregation design disclosed in this document can enhance programming flexibility in the eNB. For example, if the eNB is only able to communicate the correct grouping size in the last instance of the control channel, the eNB can change its decision on the grouping size at any time. For example, if the eNB intended to send a grouping size of 4 and 4 contiguous subframes to a UE, it can set the grouping size = 4 in all 4 PDCCHs associated with the planned grouping. However, if after transmitting the first PDCCH / PDSCH in the grouping, the eNB decides it wants to use a grouping size of 2, since it needs other subframes for other higher priority data for other UEs, the eNB can simply change the grouping size in the next transmission of PDCCH and PDSCH to the UE to two, and the system operates as if the eNB intended the grouping size to be 2. Petition 870190071800, dated 07 / 26 / 2019, pages 66 / 99 62 / 72 two from the start. The ACK grouping design disclosed in this document can therefore not enforce PDSCH transmission in each subframe. Additionally, the techniques disclosed in this document allow for a flexible and scalable ACK grouping design that can work with MPDCCH, PDSCH, PUCCH, etc. repetitions.

[00133] The Aspects presented in this document also provide techniques for the simultaneous reception of multiple UL grants.

[00134] Similar to ACK grouping, data rate increases in DL and / or UL can be achieved by allowing leases for multiple PDSCH transmissions to reside in the same MPDCCH polling space. For half-duplex UEs, any subframe used to send UL leases in the MPDCCH can reduce the number of available UL subframes. Additionally, since DL uses cross-subframe scheduling, any subframes being used by the MPDCCH to send UL leases can reduce the resources available to send PDSCH and send leases to PDSCH, which can be a limiting factor in low SNR due to the use of higher aggregation levels. Thus, by allowing multiple UL leases to be received simultaneously, the eNB can utilize the extra scheduling flexibility to increase effective transmission rates in DL or UL, or both.

[00135] The operation of eMTC, in general, can allow multiple UL grants to be received in the same MPDCCH research space. However, since the UL timeline is typically fixed to start in N Petition 870190071800, dated 07 / 26 / 2019, pp. 67 / 99 63 / 72 + 4 (for FDD) where N is the last MPDCCH subframe in which the grant was received, this configuration may place restrictions on the transmission and PUSCH scheduling of the corresponding MPDCCH. For example, with current techniques, it may not be possible to send multiple UL grants in the same DL subframe.

[00136] Thus, the aspects presented in this document provide techniques for increasing the flexibility to send multiple UL grants in an MPDCCH lookup space. For example, in one aspect, multiple UL grants can be sent using separate MPDCCHs, one for each grant, without increasing the number of blind decodes in the UE. Additionally, in one aspect, new fields, such as the UL assignment index used in TDD, can be added to the DCI payload to shift the various PUSCH transmissions into different sets of subframes. Alternatively, in some aspects, a common MPDCCH that provides multiple UL grants can be used.

[00137] Advantageously, the techniques presented in this document provide a flexible ACK grouping design that can be used to enhance the effective DL transmission rate for half-duplex operation.

[00138] The methods disclosed in this document comprise one or more steps or actions to achieve the described method. The steps and / or actions of the method may be interchangeable with one another without departing from the scope of the claims. In other words, unless a specific order of steps or actions is specified, the Petition 870190071800, dated 07 / 26 / 2019, pp. 68 / 99 64 / 72 The order and / or use of specific steps and / or actions may be modified without deviating from the scope of the claims.

[00139] As used in this document, a phrase referring to “at least one of” a list of items refers to any combination of those items, including single members. As an example, “at least one of: a, b, or c” is intended to cover a, b, c, ab, ac, bc, and abc, as well as any combination with multiples of the same element (e.g., aa, aaa, aab, aac, a-bb, acc, bb, bbb, bbc, cc, and ccc, or any other order of a, b, c). Furthermore, the term “or” is intended to mean an inclusive “or,” rather than an exclusive “or.” That is, unless otherwise specified, or taken out of context, the phrase “X employs A or B” is intended to mean any of the natural inclusive permutations. That is, the sentence “X employs A or B” is satisfied by any of the following cases: “X employs A”; “X employs B”; or “X employs both A and B.”Additionally, the articles "a" and "an" as used in this application and in the accompanying claims shall generally be interpreted to mean "one or more" unless otherwise specified or taken out of context to be directed to a singular form. As used in this document, including in the claims, the term "and / or," when used in a list of two or more items, means that any one of the listed items may be employed on its own, or any combination of two or more of the listed items may be employed. For example, if a composition is described as containing components A, B, and / or... Petition 870190071800, dated 07 / 26 / 2019, pp. 69 / 99 65 / 72 C, the composition may contain A alone; B alone; C alone; A and B in combination; A and C in combination; B and C in combination; or A, B and C in combination.

[00140] As used in this document, the term determine encompasses a wide variety of actions. For example, determine can include calculate, compute, process, derive, investigate, search (e.g., look up a table, database, or other data structure), detect, ascertain, identify, verify, among others. Furthermore, determine can include receive (e.g., receive information), access (e.g., access data in memory), among others. Additionally, determine can include resolve, select, choose, establish, among others.

[00141] In some cases, instead of actually transmitting a frame, a device may have an interface to emit a frame for transmission. For example, a processor may emit a frame, via a bus interface, to an RF front end for transmission. Similarly, instead of actually receiving a frame, a device may have an interface to obtain a frame received from another device. For example, a processor may obtain (or receive) a frame, via a bus interface, from an RF front end for transmission.

[00142] The various operations of the methods described above may be performed by any suitable means capable of performing the corresponding functions. The means may include various hardware and / or software components and / or modules, including, but not limited to, a Petition 870190071800, dated 07 / 26 / 2019, pp. 70 / 99 66 / 72 circuit, an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) or a processor. Generally, where operations are illustrated in figures, these operations may have components of a more functional medium for counterpart with similar numbering.

[00143] For example, the means for determining the means for executing, the means for transmitting, the means for receiving, the means for sending, the means for indicating, the means for establishing, the means for signaling, the means for recognizing, the means for configuring, the means for grouping, the means for decoding, the means for selecting, the means for transporting, the means for identifying and / or the means for decoding may include a processing system, which may include one or more processors or other elements, such as the transmission processor 264, the controller / processor 280, the reception processor 258 and / or the antenna(s) 252 of the user equipment 120 illustrated in FIG. 2, and / or the transmission processor 220, the controller / processor 240, the reception processor 238 and / or the antenna(s) 234 of the base station 110 illustrated in FIG. 2.

[00144] The means for transmitting, the means for sending, the means for signaling, the means for indicating, the means for acknowledging and / or the means for transporting may include a transmitter, which may include a transmission processor 264, the MOD(s) 254 and / or the antenna(s) 252 of the user equipment 120 illustrated in FIG. 2, and / or the transmission processor 220, the MOD(s) 232 and / or the antenna(s) 234 of the base station 110 illustrated in FIG. 2. The means for receiving may include a receiver, which may Petition 870190071800, dated 07 / 26 / 2019, pp. 71 / 99 6Ί / Ί2 include the receiver processor 258, the DEMOD(s) 254 and / or the antenna(s) 252 of the user equipment 120 illustrated in FIG. 2, and / or the receiver processor 238, the MOD(s) 232 and / or the antenna(s) 234 of the base station 110.

[00145] The various logic blocks, modules, and illustrative circuits described in connection with the present disclosure may be implemented or implemented with a general-purpose processor, a digital signal processor (DSP), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field-programmable gate array (FPGA) or other programmable logic device (PLD), discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof designed to perform the functions described in this document. A general-purpose processor may be a microprocessor, but alternatively, the processor may be any commercially available processor, controller, microcontroller, or state machine.A processor can also be implemented as a combination of computing devices, for example, a combination of a DSP and a microprocessor, multiple microprocessors, one or more microprocessors together with a DSP core, or any other such configuration.

[00146] If implemented in hardware, an illustrative hardware configuration might comprise a processing system on an unwired node. The processing system might be implemented with a bus architecture. The bus might include any number of interconnecting buses and bridges, depending on the Petition 870190071800, dated 07 / 26 / 2019, pp. 72 / 99 68 / 72 specific application of the processing system and general design constraints. The bus can connect various circuits, including a processor, machine-readable media, and a bus interface. The bus interface can be used to connect a network adapter, among other things, to the processing system via the bus. The network adapter can be used to implement the signal processing functions of the PHY layer. In the case of an unwired node (see FIG. 1), a user interface (e.g., numeric keypad, video, mouse, joystick, etc.) can also be connected to the bus. The bus can also connect various other circuits, such as timing sources, peripherals, voltage regulators, power management circuits, among others, which are well known in the art and therefore will not be described further.The processor can be implemented with one or more general-purpose and / or special-purpose processors. Examples include microprocessors, microcontrollers, DSP processors, and other circuit systems that can execute software. Those skilled in the art will recognize the best way to implement the described functionality for the processing system, depending on the particular application and the general design constraints imposed on the overall system.

[00147] If implemented in software, functions can be stored or transmitted as one or more instructions or code in a computer-readable medium. Software should be interpreted broadly to mean instructions, data, or any Petition 870190071800, dated 07 / 26 / 2019, pp. 73 / 99 69 / 72 combination thereof, whether referred to as software, firmware, middleware, microcode, hardware description language, or others. Computer-readable media includes computer storage media and communication media, including any means that facilitates the transfer of a computer program from one place to another. The processor may be responsible for managing overall processing and the bus, including the execution of software modules stored on machine-readable storage media. A computer-readable storage medium may be coupled with a processor so that the processor can read information from and write information to the storage medium. Alternatively, the storage medium may be an integral part of the processor.By way of example, machine-readable media may include a transmission line, a data-modulated carrier wave, and / or a computer-readable storage medium with instructions stored on it separate from the unwired node, all of which can be accessed by the processor through the bus interface. Alternatively or additionally, machine-readable media, or any part thereof, may be integrated into the processor, as may be the case with general-purpose register and / or cache files. Examples of machine-readable storage media may include, by way of example, RAM (Random Access Memory), flash memory, change-of-state memory, ROM (Read-Only Memory), PROM (Programmable Read-Only Memory), EPROM (Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory), EEPROM (Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory). Petition 870190071800, dated 07 / 26 / 2019, pp. 74 / 99 70 / 72 Programmable Electrically Erasable (PED), recorders, magnetic disks, optical disks, hard disks, or any other suitable storage medium, or any combination thereof. Machine-readable media may be incorporated into a computer program product.

[00148] A software module can comprise a single instruction, or multiple instructions, and can be distributed across several different code segments, between different programs, and across multiple storage media. Computer-readable media can comprise multiple software modules. Software modules include instructions that, when executed by a device such as a processor, cause the processing system to perform various functions. Software modules can include a transmit module and a receive module. Each software module can reside on a single storage device or be distributed across multiple storage devices. As an example, a software module can be loaded into RAM from a hard drive when a drive event occurs. During the execution of the software module, the processor can load some of the instructions into the cache to increase access speed.One or more cache lines can then be loaded into a general-purpose register file for execution by the processor. When referring to the functionality of a software module below, it will be understood that such functionality is implemented by the processor when executing instructions from that software module.

[00149] Furthermore, any connection is Petition 870190071800, dated 07 / 26 / 2019, pp. 75 / 99 71 / 72 appropriately termed computer-readable media. For example, if software is transmitted from a website, server, or other remote source using coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair, digital subscriber line (DSL), or wireless technologies such as infrared (IR), radio, and microwave, then coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair, DSL, or wireless technologies such as infrared, radio, and microwave are included in the definition of media. Magnetic disk and optical disk, as used in this document, include compact optical disc (CD), laser optical disc, optical disc, digital versatile optical disc (DVD), floppy optical disc, and Blu-ray® optical disc, where magnetic disks typically reproduce data magnetically, while optical discs reproduce data optically with lasers.Thus, in some respects, computer-readable media may include non-temporary computer-readable media (e.g., tangible media). Additionally, for other aspects, computer-readable media may include temporary computer-readable media (e.g., a sign). Combinations of the above should also be included within the scope of computer-readable media.

[00150] Thus, some aspects may comprise a computer program product for performing the operations presented in this document. For example, such a computer program product may comprise a computer-readable medium possessing instructions stored (and / or encoded) therein, the instructions being executable by one or more processors to Petition 870190071800, dated 07 / 26 / 2019, pp. 76 / 99 72 / 72 perform the operations described in this document.

[00151] Additionally, it should be appreciated that the modules and / or other appropriate means to execute the methods and techniques described in this document may be transferred and / or otherwise obtained by an unwired node and / or base station, as applicable. For example, such a device may be coupled with a server to facilitate the transfer of the means to execute the methods described in this document. Alternatively, several methods described in this document may be provided via the storage medium (e.g., RAM, ROM, a physical storage medium such as a compact optical disc (CD) or floppy disk, etc.), so that an unwired node and / or base station may obtain the various methods by coupling with or providing the storage medium for the device. Furthermore, any other suitable technique for providing the methods and techniques described in this document to a device may be used.

[00152] It should be understood that the claims are not limited to the precise configuration and components illustrated above. Various modifications, alterations, and variations may be made to the arrangement, operation, and details of the methods and apparatus described above without departing from the scope of the claims. Petition 870190071800, dated 07 / 26 / 2019, pp. 77 / 99

Claims

1 / 5 CLAIMS 1. Method for wireless communication by a base station, BS, characterized in that it comprises: determining (1002) a plurality of acknowledgment parameters, ACK, to be used to acknowledge a grouped transmission comprising a plurality of instances of a channel through a plurality of subframes; and signaling (1004) an indication of the plurality of ACK parameters to a user equipment, UE, wherein the plurality of ACK parameters comprises a first ACK parameter carrying a size of the grouped transmission and a second ACK parameter carrying a time duration for the UE to delay acknowledging a data transmission on an instance of the channel after receiving the data transmission, wherein the plurality of instances of the grouped transmission are multiple repetitions of the same message transmitted through multiple subframes.

2. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that: the time duration comprises a plurality of subframes; and the size of the grouped transmission comprises a number of the plurality of instances of the channel associated with the grouped transmission.

3. Method, according to claim 1, characterized in that: the channel comprises a shared physical downlink channel, PDSCH; and the plurality of ACK parameters are determined for each instance of a control channel associated with each instance of the PDSCH in the grouped transmission so that an ACK is sent in the same uplink subframe, wherein the control channel comprises a machine-type communication downlink control physical channel, MPDCCH.

4. Method, according to claim 1, characterized in that the size of the grouped transmission indicates whether the channel was transmitted in a last instance of the plurality of instances in the grouped transmission.

5. Method for wireless communication by a user equipment, UE, characterized in that it comprises: receiving (1102) an indication of a plurality of acknowledgment parameters (ACK) to use for acknowledging a grouped transmission comprising a plurality of instances of a channel through a plurality of subframes, wherein the plurality of ACK parameters comprises a first ACK parameter carrying a size of the grouped transmission and a second ACK parameter carrying a time duration for the UE to delay acknowledging a data transmission in an instance of the channel after receiving the data transmission; and acknowledging (1104) the grouped transmission according to the plurality of ACK parameters, wherein the plurality of instances of the grouped transmission are multiple repetitions of the same message transmitted through multiple subframes.

6. Method according to claim 5, characterized in that: the time duration comprises a plurality of subframes; and the size of the grouped transmission comprises a number of the plurality of instances of the channel associated with the grouped transmission.

7. Method, according to claim 5, characterized in that: the channel comprises a shared physical downlink channel, PDSCH; and the plurality of ACK parameters are determined for each instance of Petition 870250056868, dated 04 / 07 / 2025, page 15 / 19 3 / 5 a control channel associated with each instance of the PDSCH in the grouped transmission such that the acknowledgment of the grouped transmission comprises sending an ACK in the same uplink subframe, wherein the control channel comprises a machine-type communication downlink control physical channel, MPDCCH.

8. Method according to claim 5, characterized in that it further comprises determining whether the channel was transmitted in a last instance of plurality of instances in the grouped transmission based in part on the size of the grouped transmission.

9. Wireless communication apparatus characterized in that it comprises: at least one processor configured to: determine (1002) a plurality of acknowledgment parameters, ACK, to be used to acknowledge a grouped transmission comprising a plurality of instances of a channel through a plurality of subframes; and signal (1004) an indication of the plurality of ACK parameters to a user equipment, UE, wherein the plurality of ACK parameters comprises a first ACK parameter carrying a size of the grouped transmission and a second ACK parameter carrying a time duration for the UE to delay acknowledging a data transmission in an instance of the channel after receiving the data transmission, wherein the plurality of instances of the grouped transmission are multiple repetitions of the same message transmitted through multiple subframes; and a memory coupled with the at least one processor.Petition 870250056868, dated 04 / 07 / 2025, page 16 / 19 4 / 5.

10. Apparatus, according to claim 9, characterized in that: the time duration comprises a plurality of subframes; and the size of the grouped transmission comprises a number of the plurality of instances of the channel associated with the grouped transmission.

11. Apparatus, according to claim 9, characterized in that: the channel comprises a shared physical downlink channel, PDSCH; and the plurality of ACK parameters are determined for each instance of a control channel associated with each instance of the PDSCH in the grouped transmission so that an ACK is sent in the same uplink subframe.

12. Wireless communication apparatus characterized in that it comprises: at least one processor configured to: receive (1102) an indication of a plurality of acknowledgment parameters, ACK, to use for acknowledging a grouped transmission comprising a plurality of instances of a channel through a plurality of subframes, wherein the plurality of ACK parameters comprises a first ACK parameter carrying a size of the grouped transmission and a second ACK parameter carrying a duration of time for the apparatus to delay acknowledging a data transmission in an instance of the channel after receiving the data transmission; and acknowledge (1104) the transmission according to the plurality of ACK parameters, wherein the plurality of instances of the grouped transmission are multiple repetitions of the same message transmitted through multiple subframes; Petition 870250056868, dated 04 / 07 / 2025, p.17 / 19 5 / 5 and a memory coupled with at least one processor.

13. Apparatus, according to claim 12, characterized in that: the time duration comprises a plurality of subframes; and the size of the grouped transmission comprises a number of one or more instances of the channel associated with the grouped transmission.

14. Apparatus, according to claim 12, characterized in that: the channel comprises a shared physical downlink channel (PDSCH); and the plurality of ACK parameters are determined for each instance of a control channel associated with each instance of the PDSCH in the grouped transmission so that the acknowledgment of the transmission comprises sending an ACK in the same uplink subframe.

15. Computer-readable memory characterized in that it comprises instructions stored therein, the instructions being executable by a computer to cause at least one computer to implement the method defined in any one of claims 1 to 8. Petition 870250056868, dated 04 / 07 / 2025, pp. 18 / 19

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