A device for wireless communication with a user's equipment, related method and memory.

Abstract

There is a need to support narrowband TDD frame structures for narrowband communications. The present disclosure provides a solution by supporting one or more narrowband TDD frame structures for narrowband communications. In one aspect of the disclosure, a method, a computer-readable medium, and an apparatus are provided. In a further aspect, the apparatus can receive information associated with a narrowband TDD frame structure that has a first contiguous uplink transmission duration. The apparatus can transmit a first portion of an uplink transmission comprising a first number of intervals in the first contiguous uplink transmission duration. In certain aspects, the uplink transmission may have a longer duration than the first contiguous uplink transmission duration.

Description

1 / 117 A device for wireless communication with a user's equipment, related method and memory. CROSS-REFERENCE ON RELATED REQUEST

[001] This application claims the benefit of Serial Application No. IN 201741007075, entitled “NARROWBAND TIME-DIVISION DUPLEX FRAME STRUCTURE FOR NARROWBAND COMMUNICATIONS” and filed on February 28, 2017, and of Patent Application No. US 15 / 710,731, entitled “NARROWBAND TIME-DIVISION DUPLEX FRAME STRUCTURE for NARROWBAND COMMUNICATIONS” and filed on September 20, 2017, which are expressly incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. BACKGROUND Field

[002] The present disclosure relates generally to communication systems and, more particularly, to a narrowband time-division duplexing (TDD) frame structure for narrowband communications. Background

[003] Wireless communication systems are widely deployed to provide various telecommunication services, such as telephony, video, data, message transmission, and broadcasting. Typical wireless communication systems may employ multiple access technologies capable of supporting communication with multiple users sharing available system resources. Examples of such multiple access technologies include code division multiple access (CDMA) systems, time division multiple access (TDMA) systems, frequency division multiple access (FDMA) systems, and multiple access systems by Petition 870250053231, dated 06 / 25 / 2025, page 13 / 173 2 / 117 Orthogonal frequency division (OFDMA), single carrier frequency division multiple access systems (SC-FDMA), and time division synchronous code division multiple access systems (TD-SCDMA).

[004] These multiple access technologies have been adopted in various telecommunications standards to provide a common protocol that enables different wireless devices to communicate at a municipal, national, regional, and even global level. One example of a telecommunications standard is 5G New Radio (NR). 5G NR is part of an ongoing evolution of mobile broadband enacted by the Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) to meet new requirements associated with latency, reliability, security, scalability (e.g., with the Internet of Things (IoT)), and other requirements. Some aspects of 5G NR may be based on the 4G Long Term Evolution (LTE) standard. There is a need for further enhancements to 5G NR technology. These enhancements may also be applicable to other multiple access technologies and to the telecommunications standards that employ these technologies.

[005] Narrowband communications involve communication with a limited frequency bandwidth compared to the frequency bandwidth used for LTE communications. An example of narrowband communication is narrowband (NB) IoT communication (NB-IoT), which is limited to a single resource block (RB) of system bandwidth, for example, 180 kHz. Another example of narrowband communication is enhanced machine-type communication (eMTC), which is limited to six RBs of system bandwidth, for example, 1.08 MHz.

[006] NB-IoT and eMTC communication can reduce device complexity, enable multi-year battery life, and provide greater coverage to reach challenging locations inside buildings. There are Petition 870250053231, dated 06 / 25 / 2025, page 14 / 173 3 / 117 a need to support narrowband TDD frame structure for narrowband communications. SUMMARY

[007] The following is a simplified summary of one or more aspects in order to provide a basic understanding of such aspects. This summary is not an extensive overview of all aspects covered and is not intended to identify key or crucial elements of all aspects, nor to delineate the scope of any or all aspects. Its sole purpose is to present some concepts of one or more aspects in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that follows.

[008] Narrowband communications involve communication with a limited frequency bandwidth compared to the frequency bandwidth used for LTE communications. An example of narrowband communication is NB-IoT communication, which is limited to one RB of the system bandwidth, for example, 180 kHz. Another example of narrowband communication is eMTC, which is limited to six RBs of the system bandwidth, for example, 1.08 MHz.

[009] NB-IoT and eMTC communication can reduce device complexity, enable multi-year battery life, and provide greater coverage to reach challenging locations inside buildings. However, because the coverage provided by narrowband communications can include reaching challenging locations (e.g., a smart gas meter located in a building's basement), there is a greater chance that one or more transmissions will not be received properly. Consequently, narrowband communications may include a predetermined number of repeated transmissions to increase the chance Petition 870250053231, dated 06 / 25 / 2025, page 15 / 173 4 / 117 to ensure the transmission is decoded properly. There is a need to support narrowband TDD frame structure for narrowband communications.

[010] The present disclosure provides a solution supporting one or more narrowband TDD frame structures for narrowband communications. In one aspect of the disclosure, a method, a computer-readable medium, and an apparatus are provided. The apparatus can determine a narrowband TDD frame structure for narrowband communications. The apparatus can also determine a PUSCH format from a group of PUSCH formats to allocate at least one resource unit (RU) to a UE for a narrowband physical uplink control channel (NPUCCH). Furthermore, the apparatus can allocate at least one RU to the UE using the determined physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH) format, wherein the RU includes multiple subcarriers in each of one or more slots.

[011] In addition, the device can determine a narrowband TDD frame structure that includes at least a predetermined number of contiguous uplink subframes. The device can also determine a first number of symbols in each of a second number of intervals to use in allocating at least one RU to a user device (UE) for a narrowband PUSCH (NPUSCH). In one aspect, the first number of symbols and the second number of intervals can be based on the predetermined number of contiguous uplink subframes. The device can allocate at least one RU to the UE.

[012] In an additional aspect, the device can receive information associated with a narrowband TDD frame structure that has a first contiguous uplink transmission duration. The device Petition 870250053231, dated 06 / 25 / 2025, page 16 / 173 5 / 117 can transmit a first portion of an uplink transmission comprising a first number of intervals in the first contiguous uplink transmission duration. In certain respects, the uplink transmission may have a longer duration than the first contiguous uplink transmission duration.

[013] In one aspect, the device can receive information associated with a narrowband TDD frame structure. The device can also perform an uplink transmission a predetermined number of times using a first encryption sequence. In one aspect, the first encryption sequence can include a first least significant bit (LSB) number associated with a first radio frame. In another aspect, the first LSB number can be greater than a second LSB number used in a second encryption sequence associated with a narrowband frequency division duplex (FDD) uplink transmission.

[014] In a further aspect, the device can receive information associated with a narrowband TDD frame structure for narrowband communications. Furthermore, the device can determine to repeat an uplink transmission in a first set of radio frames and a second set of radio frames. The device can determine not to monitor downlink subframes in the first set of radio frames and in the second set of radio frames. The device can also perform one or more timing estimates or frequency estimates using at least one downlink subframe in one or more of the first set of radio frames or the second set of radio frames.

[015] In another aspect, the device can receive associated information Petition 870250053231, dated 06 / 25 / 2025, p. 17 / 173 6 / 117 to a narrowband TDD frame structure for narrowband communications. Additionally, the device can transmit a narrowband audible reference signal (NB-SRS) to a base station using the narrowband TDD frame structure.

[016] In one aspect, the device can receive information associated with a narrowband TDD frame structure for narrowband communications, wherein the narrowband TDD frame structure includes a set of contiguous uplink subframes. The device can also determine an orthogonal sequence length associated with a reference signal (RS) based on at least one of a number of uplink subframes or a number of intervals in the set of contiguous uplink subframes. Furthermore, the device can transmit an RS using the determined orthogonal sequence length.

[017] In a further aspect, the device can receive information associated with a narrowband TDD frame structure for narrowband communications. The device can also determine a sequence hopping pattern associated with an RS based on at least one of a number of uplink subframes, a number of gaps in the set of contiguous uplink subframes, or a radio frame number. Furthermore, the device can transmit the RS using the determined sequence hopping pattern.

[018] In another aspect, the device can receive information associated with a narrowband TDD frame structure for narrowband communications. The device can transmit a first group of symbols of a first narrowband physical random access channel (NPRACH) preamble to a base station. In one aspect, a first length of Petition 870250053231, dated 06 / 25 / 2025, p. 18 / 173 7 / 117 The first group of symbols can be associated with the narrowband TDD frame structure.

[019] In one aspect, the device may receive information associated with a narrowband TDD frame structure for narrowband communications. In another aspect, the device may determine a maximum number of symbol groups in a plurality of symbol groups associated with an NPRACH preamble that fit an uplink occasion in the narrowband TDD frame structure. In a further aspect, the device may transmit a first subset of the plurality of symbol groups associated with the NPRACH preamble on a first uplink occasion in the narrowband TDD frame structure and a second subset of the plurality of symbol groups associated with the NPRACH preamble on a second uplink occasion in the narrowband TDD frame structure. In one aspect, the first subset may include the maximum number of symbol groups.In another aspect, the second subset may include any remaining symbol groups within the plurality of symbol groups or the maximum number of symbol groups.

[020] In another aspect, the device can receive information associated with a narrowband TDD frame structure for narrowband communications. The device can also determine a first number of symbol groups of an NPRACH preamble to be transmitted on a first uplink occasion in the narrowband TDD frame structure. In one aspect, the first number of symbol groups can include either two symbol groups or three symbol groups.

[021] In an additional aspect, the device can receive information associated with a narrowband TDD frame structure for Petition 870250053231, dated 06 / 25 / 2025, p. 19 / 173 8 / 117 narrowband communications. In addition, the device can determine a hopping pattern associated with two pairs of symbol groups of a NPRACH transmitted on one or more uplink occasions using the narrowband TDD frame structure.

[022] With a view to achieving the aforementioned and related purposes, one or more aspects comprise the features described hereinafter in full and highlighted particularly in the claims. The following description and the attached drawings detail certain illustrative features of one or more aspects. However, these features are indicative only of some of the various ways in which the principles of the various aspects may be employed, and the present description is intended to include all such aspects and their equivalents. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[023] Figure 1 is a diagram that illustrates an example of a wireless communications system and an access network.

[024] Figures 2A, 2B, 2C and 2D are diagrams that illustrate LTE examples of a DL frame structure, DL channels within the DL frame structure, a UL frame structure and UL channels within the UL frame structure, respectively.

[025] Figure 3 is a diagram that illustrates an example of an evolved Node B (eNB) and user equipment (UE) in an access network.

[026] Figure 4A is a diagram that illustrates exemplary narrowband TDD frame structures in accordance with certain aspects of the disclosure.

[027] Figure 4B is a diagram that illustrates exemplary narrowband PUSCH formats in accordance with certain aspects of the disclosure. Petition 870250053231, dated 06 / 25 / 2025, page 20 / 173 9 / 117

[028] Figure 4C is a diagram that illustrates the example of narrowband subcarrier frequency spacing in accordance with certain aspects of the revelation.

[029] Figure 5A illustrates a data flow for a narrowband communication system (or narrowband communication systems) that can support narrowband communications using narrowband TDD frame structures in accordance with certain aspects of the disclosure.

[030] Figure 5B illustrates a data flow for a narrowband communication system (or narrowband communication systems) that can support narrowband communications using narrowband TDD frame structures in accordance with certain aspects of the disclosure.

[031] Figure 6 illustrates a data flow for a narrowband communication system (or narrowband communication systems) that can support narrowband communications using narrowband TDD frame structures in accordance with certain aspects of the disclosure.

[032] Figure 7 illustrates a data flow for a narrowband communication system (or narrowband communication systems) that can support narrowband communications using narrowband TDD frame structures in accordance with certain aspects of the disclosure.

[033] Figure 8 illustrates a data flow for a narrowband communication system (or narrowband communication systems) that can support narrowband communications using narrowband TDD frame structures in accordance with certain aspects. Petition 870250053231, dated 06 / 25 / 2025, page 21 / 173 10 / 117 of the revelation.

[034] Figure 9A illustrates a data flow for a narrowband communication system (or narrowband communication systems) that can support narrowband communications using narrowband TDD frame structures in accordance with certain aspects of the disclosure.

[035] Figure 9B illustrates a comb-type structure that can be used to transmit SRS and / or NB-SRS in accordance with certain aspects of the disclosure.

[036] Figure 10A illustrates a data flow for a narrowband communication system (or narrowband communication systems) that can support narrowband communications using narrowband TDD frame structures in accordance with certain aspects of the disclosure.

[037] Figure 10B illustrates a data flow for a narrowband communication system (or narrowband communication systems) that can support narrowband communications using narrowband TDD frame structures in accordance with certain aspects of the disclosure.

[038] Figure 11 illustrates a data flow for a narrowband communication system (or narrowband communication systems) that can support narrowband communications using narrowband TDD frame structures in accordance with certain aspects of the disclosure.

[039] Figure 12 illustrates a data flow for a narrowband communication system (or narrowband communication systems) that can support narrowband communications using structures of Petition 870250053231, dated 06 / 25 / 2025, page 22 / 173 11 / 117 narrowband TDD frame in compliance with certain aspects of the disclosure.

[040] Figure 13 illustrates a data flow for a narrowband communication system (or narrowband communication systems) that can support narrowband communications using narrowband TDD frame structures in accordance with certain aspects of the disclosure.

[041] Figure 14 illustrates a data flow for a narrowband communication system (or narrowband communication systems) that can support narrowband communications using narrowband TDD frame structures in accordance with certain aspects of the disclosure.

[042] Figure 15 is a flowchart of a wireless communication method.

[043] Figure 16 is a flowchart of a wireless communication method.

[044] Figure 17 is a conceptual data flow diagram that illustrates the flow of data between different media / components in an exemplary device.

[045] Figure 18 is a conceptual diagram that illustrates an example of a hardware deployment for a device employing a processing system.

[046] Figures 19A and 19B are a flowchart of a wireless communication method.

[047] Figure 20 is a flowchart of a wireless communication method.

[048] Figure 21 is a flowchart of a method of communication without Petition 870250053231, dated 06 / 25 / 2025, page 23 / 173 12 / 117 thread.

[049] Figure 22 is a flowchart of a wireless communication method.

[050] Figure 23 is a flowchart of a wireless communication method.

[051] Figure 24 is a flowchart of a wireless communication method.

[052] Figure 25 is a flowchart of a wireless communication method.

[053] Figure 26 is a flowchart of a wireless communication method.

[054] Figure 27 is a flowchart of a wireless communication method.

[055] Figure 28 is a flowchart of a wireless communication method.

[056] Figure 29 is a conceptual data flow diagram that illustrates the flow of data between different media / components in an exemplary device.

[057] Figure 30 is a conceptual diagram that illustrates an example of a hardware deployment for a device employing a processing system.

[058] Figure 31 is a conceptual data flow diagram that illustrates the flow of data between different media / components in an exemplary device.

[059] Figure 32 is a conceptual diagram that illustrates an example of a hardware deployment for a device employing a processing system. Petition 870250053231, dated 06 / 25 / 2025, page 24 / 173 13 / 117 DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[060] The detailed description presented below in connection with the accompanying drawings is intended to serve as a description of various configurations and is not intended to represent the only configurations in which the concepts described herein can be practiced. The detailed description includes specific details for the purpose of providing a thorough understanding of various concepts. However, it will be evident to those skilled in the art that these concepts can be practiced without these specific details. In some examples, well-known structures and components are shown in block diagram form in order to avoid incomprehensibility of such concepts.

[061] Various aspects of telecommunication systems will be presented with reference to various devices and methods. These devices and methods will be described in the detailed description below and illustrated in the attached drawings by various blocks, components, circuits, processes, algorithms, etc. (collectively referred to as elements). These elements can be implemented using electronic hardware, computer software, or any combination thereof. The possibility of such elements being implemented as hardware or software depends on the particular application and the model limitations imposed on the overall system.

[062] By way of example, an element or any portion of an element or any combination of elements may be deployed as a processing system that includes one or more processors. Examples of processors include microprocessors, microcontrollers, graphics processing units (GPUs), central processing units (CPUs), application processors, digital signal processors (DSPs), reduced instruction set switching (RISC) processors, Petition 870250053231, dated 06 / 25 / 2025, page 25 / 173 14 / 117 Systems on a Chip (SoCs), baseband processors, field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), programmable logic devices (PLDs), state machines, gate logic, distinct hardware circuits, and other suitable hardware configured to perform the various functionalities described throughout this disclosure. One or more processors in the processing system may execute software. Software shall be interpreted broadly to mean instructions, instruction sets, code, code segments, program code, programs, subprograms, software components, applications, software applications, software packages, routines, subroutines, objects, executable products, execution threads, procedures, functions, etc., whether referred to as software, firmware, middleware, microcode, hardware description language, or otherwise.

[063] Consequently, in one or more exemplary embodiments, the functions described may be implemented in hardware, software, or any combination thereof. If implemented in software, the functions may be stored or encoded as one or more instructions or codes on a computer-readable medium. Computer-readable media includes computer storage media. Storage media may be any available media that can be accessed by a computer.By way of example, and not limitation, such computer-readable media may comprise random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), electrically erasable programmable ROM (EEPROM), optical disk storage, magnetic disk storage, other magnetic storage devices, combinations of the above-mentioned types of computer-readable media, or any other media that can be used to store computer-executable code. Petition 870250053231, dated 06 / 25 / 2025, page 26 / 173 15 / 117 form of instructions or data structures that can be accessed by a computer.

[064] Figure 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a wireless communications system and an access network 100. The wireless communications system (also called a wireless wide area network (WWAN)) includes base stations 102, UEs 104 and an Evolved Packet Core (EPC) 160. The base stations 102 may include macrocells (high-power cellular base station) and / or small cells (lower-power cellular base station). Macrocells include base stations. Small cells include femtocells, picocells and microcells.

[065] Base stations 102 (collectively referred to as the evolved universal mobile telecommunications system (UMTS) terrestrial radio access network interface (E-UTRAN)) with the EPC 160 via backhaul links 132 (e.g., interface S1).In addition to other functions, base stations 102 can perform one or more of the following functions: user data transfer, radio channel encryption and decryption, integrity protection, header compression, mobility control functions (e.g., automatic switching, dual connectivity), cell interface coordination, connection preparation and release, load balancing, distribution for non-access stratum (NAS) messages, NAS node selection, synchronization, radio access network (RAN) sharing, broadcast / selective broadcast multimedia service (MBMS), subscriber and equipment tracking, RAN information management (RIM), paging, positioning, and warning message delivery. Base stations 102 can communicate directly or indirectly (e.g., via EPC 160) with each other over backhaul links 134 (e.g., X2 interface). Backhaul links 134 can be wired or wireless. Petition 870250053231, dated 06 / 25 / 2025, p. 27 / 173 16 / 117

[066] Base stations 102 can communicate wirelessly with UEs 104. Each of the base stations 102 can provide communication coverage for a respective geographic coverage area 110. There may be overlapping geographic coverage areas 110. For example, small cell 102' may have a coverage area 110' that overlaps with the coverage area 110 of one or more macro base stations 102. A network that includes both small cells and macro cells may be known as a heterogeneous network. A heterogeneous network may also include Home Evolved B Nodes (eNBs) (HeNBs), which may provide service to a limited group known as a closed subscriber group (CSG).The 120 communication links between base stations 102 and UEs 104 may include uplink (UL) transmissions (also called reverse link) from a UE 104 to a base station 102 and / or downlink (DL) transmissions (also called forward link) from a base station 102 to a UE 104. The 120 communication links may use multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) antenna technology, including spatial multiplexing, beamforming, and / or transmission diversity. The communication links may be via one or more carriers. Base stations 102 / UEs 104 may use a spectrum with a bandwidth of up to Y MHz (e.g., 5, 10, 15, 20, 100 MHz) per carrier allocated in a carrier aggregation of up to a total of Yx MHz (x component carriers) used for transmission in each direction. The carriers may or may not be adjacent to each other.Carrier allocation can be asymmetrical with respect to DL and UL (for example, more or fewer DL carriers may be allocated than UL carriers). Component carriers may include a primary component carrier and one or more secondary component carriers. A primary component carrier may be called a primary cell. Petition 870250053231, dated 06 / 25 / 2025, p. 28 / 173 17 / 117 (PCell) and a carrier secondary component can be called a secondary cell (SCell).

[067] Certain UEs 104 can communicate with each other using device-to-device (D2D) communication link 192. The D2D communication link 192 can use the DL / UL WWAN spectrum. The D2D communication link 192 can use one or more side link channels, such as a physical side link broadcast channel (PSBCH), a physical side link discovery channel (PSDCH), a physical side link shared channel (PSSCH), and a physical side link control channel (PSCCH). D2D communication can occur through a variety of wireless D2D communication systems, such as, for example, FlashLinQ, WiMedia, Bluetooth, ZigBee, Wi-Fi based on the IEEE 802.11 standard, LTE, or NR.

[068] The wireless communications system may additionally include a Wi-Fi access point (AP) 150 communicating with Wi-Fi stations (STAs) 152 via communication links 154 in an unlicensed 5 GHz frequency spectrum. During communication in an unlicensed frequency spectrum, the STAs 152 / AP 150 may perform a Clear Channel Assessment (CCA) before communicating to determine if the channel is available.

[069] The 102' small cell can operate in a licensed / unlicensed frequency spectrum. During operation in an unlicensed frequency spectrum, the 102' small cell can employ NR and use the same unlicensed 5 GHz frequency spectrum as used by the Wi-Fi AP 150. The 102' small cell, which employs NR in an unlicensed frequency spectrum, can intensify coverage to the access network and / or increase its capacity.

[070] gNodeB (gNB) 180 can operate at millimeter wave (mmW) and / or near mmW frequencies in communication with the UE Petition 870250053231, dated 06 / 25 / 2025, p. 29 / 173 18 / 117 104. When the gNB 180 operates at mmW or near-mmW frequencies, the gNB 180 can be referred to as an mmW base station. Extremely high frequency (EHF) is part of the RF in the electromagnetic spectrum. EHF has a range from 30 GHz to 300 GHz and a wavelength between 1 millimeter and 10 millimeters. Radio waves in this band can be referred to as millimeter waves. Near-mmW can extend to a frequency of 3 GHz with a wavelength of 100 millimeters. The super-high frequency (SHF) band extends between 3 GHz and 30 GHz, also referred to as centimeter waves. Communications using the mmW / near-mmW radio frequency band have extremely high path loss and short range. The mmW 180 base station can utilize 184 beamforming with the UE 104 to compensate for the extremely high path loss and short range.

[071] The EPC 160 may include a Mobility Management Entity (MME) 162, other MMEs 164, a Server Communications Port 166, a Broadcast / Selective Broadcast Multimedia Service (MBMS) Communications Port 168, a Broadcast / Selective Broadcast Service Center (BM-SC) 170, and a Packet Data Network (PDN) Communications Port 172. The MME 162 may be in communication with a Home Subscriber Server (HSS) 174. The MME 162 is the control node that processes signaling between the UEs 104 and the EPC 160. In general, the MME 162 provides carrier and connection management. All user Internet Protocol (IP) packets are transferred through Server Communication Port 166, which itself is connected to PDN Communication Port 172. PDN Communication Port 172 provides EU IP address allocation, as well as other functions. PDN Communication Port 172 and BM-SC 170 are connected to IP Services 176.IP Services 176 may include the Internet, an intranet, an IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS), and more. Petition 870250053231, dated 06 / 25 / 2025, page 30 / 173 19 / 117 Continuous Transmission Service of PS and / or other IP services. The BM-SC 170 can provide functions for the provision and delivery of MBMS user service. The BM-SC 170 can serve as an entry point for MBMS transmission from a content provider, can be used to authorize and initiate MBMS Carrier Services within a public land mobile network (PLMN), and can be used to schedule MBMS transmissions. MBMS Communications Port 168 can be used to distribute MBMS traffic to base stations 102 belonging to a Selective Broadcast / Streaming Single Frequency Network Area (MBSFN) broadcasting a particular service and can be responsible for session management (start-stop) and for collecting eMBMS-related load information.

[072] The base station may also be referred to as gNB, Node B, an eNB, an access point, a transceiver base station, a radio base station, a radio transceiver, a transceiver function, a basic service set (BSS), an extended service set (ESS) or some other suitable terminology. Base station 102 provides an access point to EPC 160 for UE 104.Examples of EU 104 devices include a mobile phone, a smartphone, a Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) phone, a laptop computer, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a satellite radio, a global positioning system, a multimedia device, a video playback device, a digital audio player (e.g., MP3 player), a camera, an electronic game console, a tablet device, a smart device, a body-worn device, a vehicle, an electric meter, a gas pump, a large or small kitchen appliance, a healthcare device, an implant, a display, or any other similarly functioning device. Some of the EU 104 devices may be referred to as IoT devices. Petition 870250053231, dated 06 / 25 / 2025, page 31 / 173 20 / 117 (e.g., parking meters, gas pump, toaster, vehicles, heart monitor, etc.). UE 104 may also be referred to as a station, mobile station, subscriber station, mobile unit, subscriber unit, wireless unit, remote unit, mobile device, wireless device, wireless communications device, remote device, mobile subscriber station, access terminal, mobile terminal, wireless terminal, remote terminal, handset, user agent, mobile client, client, or some other suitable terminology.

[073] Again with reference to Figure 1, in certain respects, base station 102 / UE 104 can be configured to support one or more narrowband frame TDD structures for narrowband communications (198), for example, as described below with reference to any of Figures 4A to 32.

[074] Figure 2A is a diagram 200 illustrating an example of a DL frame structure in LTE. Figure 2B is a diagram 230 illustrating an example of channels within the DL frame structure in LTE. Figure 2C is a diagram 250 illustrating an example of a UL frame structure in LTE. Figure 2D is a diagram 280 illustrating an example of channels within the UL frame structure in LTE. Other wireless communication technologies may have a different frame structure and / or different channels. In LTE, a frame (10 ms) can be divided into 10 subframes of equal size. Each subframe can include two consecutive time slots. A feature grid can be used to represent the two time slots, with each time slot including one or more concurrent time feature blocks (RBs) (also called physical RBs (PRBs)). The feature grid is divided into multiple feature elements (REs).In LTE, for a normal cyclic prefix, an RB contains 12 consecutive subcarriers in the domain. Petition 870250053231, dated 06 / 25 / 2025, page 32 / 173 21 / 117 frequency and 7 consecutive symbols (for DL, OFDM symbols; for UL, SC-FDMA symbols) in the time domain for a total of 84 REs. For an extended cyclic prefix, an RB contains 12 consecutive subcarriers in the frequency domain and 6 consecutive symbols in the time domain, for a total of 72 REs. The number of bits carried by each RE depends on the modulation scheme.

[075] As illustrated in Figure 2A, some of the REs carry DL (pilot) reference signals (DL-RS) for channel estimation in the UE. DLRS may include cell-specific reference signals (CRS) (sometimes referred to as common RS), UE-specific reference signals (UE-RS), and Channel State Information reference signals (CSI-RS). Figure 2A illustrates CRS for antenna ports 0, 1, 2, and 3 (denoted as Ro, Ri, R2, and R3, respectively), UE-RS for antenna port 5 (denoted as R5), and CSI-RS for antenna port 15 (denoted as R). Figure 2B illustrates an example of multiple channels within a DL subframe of a frame. The Physical Control Format Indicator (PCFICH) channel is within symbol 0 of range 0 and carries a Control Format Indicator (CFI) that indicates whether the Physical Downlink Control Channel (PDCCH) occupies symbols 1, 2, or 3 (Figure 2B illustrates a PDCCH occupying 3 symbols).The PDCCH carries downlink control information (DCI) within one or more control channel elements (CCEs), with each CCE including new groups of REs (REGs), each REG including four consecutive REs in an OFDM symbol. A UE can be configured with a UE-specific enhanced PDCCH (ePDCCH) that also carries DCI. The ePDCCH can have 2, 4, or 8 pairs of RBs (Figure 2B shows two pairs of RBs, each subset includes one pair of RBs). The hybrid auto-repeat request (ARQ) physical indicator channel (PHICH) is also within symbol 0 of range 0 and carries the indicator. Petition 870250053231, dated 06 / 25 / 2025, p. 33 / 173 22 / 117 of HARQ (HI) indicates the HARQ acknowledgment (ACK) / negative ACK (NACK) feedback based on the shared physical uplink (PUSCH) channel. The primary synchronization channel (PSCH) is within symbol 6 of range 0 within subframes 0 and 5 of a frame and carries a PSS that is used by a UE to determine subframe timing and a physical layer identity. The secondary synchronization channel (SSCH) is within symbol 5 of range 0 within subframes 0 and 5 of a frame and carries an SSS that is used by a UE to determine a physical layer cell identity group number. Based on the physical layer identity and the physical layer cell identity group number, the UE can determine a physical cell identifier (PCI). Based on the PCI, the UE can determine the locations of the DL-RS mentioned above.The physical broadcast channel (PBCH) is within symbols 0, 1, 2, 3 of interval 1 of subframe 0 of a frame and carries a master information block (MIB). The MIB provides multiple RBs in the DL system bandwidth, a PHICH configuration, and a system frame number (SFN). The physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH) carries user data, broadcast system information not transmitted through the PBCH, such as system information blocks (SIBs) and paging messages.

[076] As illustrated in Figure 2C, some of the REs carry demodulation reference signals (DM-RS) for channel estimation in the eNB. The UE can additionally transmit sound reference signals (SRS) on the last symbol of a subframe. The SRS can have a comb-like structure, and a UE can transmit SRS on one of the combs. The SRS can be used by an eNB for channel quality estimation to enable frequency-dependent programming in the UL. Figure 2D illustrates an example of multiple channels within a UL subframe of a frame. A physical access channel Petition 870250053231, dated 06 / 25 / 2025, p. 34 / 173 Random 23 / 117 (PRACH) can be within one or more subframes within a frame based on the PRACH configuration. The PRACH can include six consecutive RB pairs within a subframe. The PRACH allows the UE to perform initial system access and achieve UL synchronization. A Physical Uplink Control Channel (PUCCH) can be located at the edges of the UL system bandwidth. The PUCCH carries Uplink Control (UCI) information, such as scheduling requests, a Channel Quality Indicator (CQI), a Precoding Matrix Indicator (PMI), a Classification Indicator (RI), and HARQ ACK / NACK feedback. The PUCCH carries data and can additionally be used to carry a Temporary Storage Status Report (BSR), a Power Space Report (PHR), and / or UCI.

[077] Figure 3 is a block diagram of an eNB 310 communicating with a UE 350 in an access network. In the DL, IP packets from the EPC 160 can be provided to a controller / processor 375. The controller / processor 375 implements layer 3 and layer 2 functionality. Layer 3 includes a radio resource control (RRC) layer, and layer 2 includes a packet data convergence protocol (PDCP) layer, a radio link control (RLC) layer, and a medium access control (MAC) layer.The 375 controller / processor provides RRC layer functionality associated with system information broadcasting (e.g., MIB, SIBs), RRC connection control (e.g., RRC connection paging, RRC connection establishment, RRC connection modification, and RRC connection release), inter-radio access technology (RAT) mobility, and measurement configuration for UE Measurement Report; PDCP layer functionality associated with header compression / decompression, security (encryption, decryption, integrity protection, etc.). Petition 870250053231, dated 06 / 25 / 2025, page 35 / 173 24 / 117 integrity check) and automatic change support functions; RLC layer functionality associated with the transfer of upper-layer packet data units (PDUs), error correction via ARQ, concatenation, segmentation and reassembly of RLC service data units (SDUs), new segmentation of RLC data PDUs and reordering of RLC data PDUs; and MAC layer functionality associated with mapping between logical channels and transport channels, multiplexing of MAC SDUs into transport blocks (TBs), demultiplexing of MAC SDUs from TBs, information reporting scheduling, error correction via HARQ, priority handling and logical channel prioritization.

[078] The 316 transmit processor (TX) and the 370 receive processor (RX) implement Layer 1 functionality associated with various signal processing functions. Layer 1, which includes a physical layer (PHY), may include error detection in transport channels, forward error correction (FEC), transport channel encoding / decoding, interleaving, rate matching, physical channel mapping, physical channel modulation / demodulation, and MIMO antenna processing. The 316 TX processor handles the mapping to signal constellations based on various modulation schemes (e.g., binary phase-shift modulation (BPSK), quadrature phase-shift modulation (QPSK), M-phase-shift modulation (M-PSK), M-quadrature amplitude modulation (M-QAM)). The encoded and modulated symbols can then be separated into parallel streams.Each stream can then be mapped to an OFDM subcarrier, multiplexed with a reference signal (e.g., pilot) in the time and / or frequency domain, and then combined with each other using an Inverse Fast Fourier Transform (IFFT) to produce a... Petition 870250053231, dated 06 / 25 / 2025, page 36 / 173 25 / 117 physical channel carrying a time-domain OFDM symbol stream. The OFDM stream is spatially pre-coded to produce multiple spatial streams. Channel estimates from channel estimator 374 can be used to determine the coding modulation scheme, as well as for spatial processing. The channel estimate can be derived from a reference signal feedback and / or channel condition transmitted via UE 350. Each spatial stream can then be supplied to a different antenna 320 via a separate transmitter 318TX. Each transmitter 318TX can modulate an RF carrier with a respective spatial stream for transmission.

[079] In the UE 350, each receiver 354RX receives a signal through its respective antenna 352. Each receiver 354RX retrieves information modulated on an RF carrier and provides the information to the receiving processor (RX) 356. The TX processor 368 and the RX processor 356 implement layer 1 functionality associated with various signal processing functions. The RX processor 356 can perform spatial processing on the information to retrieve any spatial streams destined for the UE 350. If multiple spatial streams are destined for the UE 350, these can be combined by the RX processor 356 into a single OFDM symbol stream. Then, the RX processor 356 converts the OFDM symbol stream from the time domain to the frequency domain using a Fast Fourier Transform (FFT). The frequency domain signal comprises a separate OFDM symbol stream for each subcarrier of the OFDM signal.The symbols on each subcarrier and the reference signal are recovered and demodulated, determining the most probable signal constellation points transmitted by the eNB 310. These discrete decisions can be based on channel estimates from the channel estimator 358. Then, the... Petition 870250053231, dated 06 / 25 / 2025, page 37 / 173 26 / 117 discrete decisions are decoded and deinterleaved to recover the data and control signals that were originally transmitted by the eNB 310 on the physical channel. The data and control signals are then provided to the controller / processor 359, which implements layer 3 and layer 2 functionality.

[080] The 359 controller / processor can be associated with a 360 memory that stores program codes and data. The 360 ​​memory can be referred to as computer-readable media. In the UL, the 359 controller / processor provides demultiplexing between transport and logical channels, packet reassembly, decryption, header decompression, and control signal processing to recover IP packets from the EPC 160. The 359 controller / processor is also responsible for error detection using an ACK and / or NACK protocol to support HARQ operations.

[081] Similar to the functionality described in the connection with DL transmission by the eNB 310, the controller / processor 359 provides RRC layer functionality associated with obtaining system information (e.g., MIB, SIBs), RRC connection, and measurement reporting; PDCP layer functionality associated with header compression / decompression and security (encryption, decryption, integrity protection, integrity verification); RLC layer functionality associated with upper-layer PDU transfer, error correction via ARQ, concatenation, segmentation and reassembly of RLC SDUs, new segmentation of RLC data PDUs, and reordering of RLC data PDUs;and MAC layer functionality associated with mapping between logical channels and transport channels, multiplexing of MAC SDUs into TBs, demultiplexing of MAC SDUs from TBs, information reporting scheduling, error correction via HARQ, priority handling, and logical channel prioritization. Petition 870250053231, dated 06 / 25 / 2025, page 38 / 173 27 / 117

[082] The channel estimates derived by a channel estimator 358 from a reference or feedback signal transmitted by the eNB 310 can be used by the TX processor 368 to select the appropriate coding and modulation schemes and to facilitate spatial processing. The spatial streams generated by the TX processor 368 can be provided to different antennas 352 by means of separate 354TX transmissions. Each 354TX transmitter can modulate an RF carrier with a respective spatial stream for transmission.

[083] UL transmission is processed in the eNB 310 similarly to that described in combination with the receiver function in the UE 350. Each receiver 318RX receives a signal through its respective antenna 320. Each receiver 318RX retrieves the information modulated on an RF carrier and provides the information to an RX processor 370.

[084] The controller / processor 375 can be associated with a memory 376 that stores program codes and data. The memory 376 can be referred to as computer-readable media. In the UL, the controller / processor 375 provides demultiplexing between transport and logical channels, packet reassembly, decryption, header decompression, and control signal processing to retrieve IP packets from the UE 350. The IP packets from the controller / processor 375 can be supplied to the EPC 160. The controller / processor 375 is also responsible for error detection using an ACK and / or NACK protocol to support HARQ operations.

[085] Narrowband communications involve communication with a limited frequency bandwidth compared to the frequency bandwidth used for LTE communications. An example of narrowband communication is NB-IoT communication, which is limited to one RB of the system bandwidth, for example, 180 kHz. Another example of communication is Petition 870250053231, dated 06 / 25 / 2025, page 39 / 173 28 / 117 narrowband is eMTC, which is limited to six RB of system bandwidth.

[086] NB-IoT and eMTC communication can reduce device complexity, enable multi-year battery life, and provide greater coverage to reach challenging locations inside buildings. However, because the coverage provided by narrowband communications can include reaching challenging locations (e.g., a smart gas meter located in a building's basement), there is a greater chance that one or more transmissions will not be received properly. Consequently, narrowband communications may include a predetermined number of repeated transmissions to increase the chance of the transmission being decoded correctly. There is a need to support narrowband TDD frame structure for narrowband communications.

[087] The present disclosure provides a solution by providing support for NPDCCH, NPDSCH, NPUCCH and / or NPUSCH transmissions that use a narrowband TDD frame structure.

[088] Figure 4A is a diagram illustrating a narrowband 400 TDD frame structure that can be used for narrowband communications in accordance with certain aspects of disclosure. In one aspect, the narrowband 400 TDD frame structure can be determined from the group of narrowband TDD frame structures (e.g., configuration 0 - configuration o) listed in Table 410. For example, a base station can determine the narrowband TDD frame structure based on upper-layer signaling (e.g., RRC message transmission) received from the network. Additionally and / or alternatively, the base station can determine the frame structure of Petition 870250053231, dated 06 / 25 / 2025, page 40 / 173 29 / 117 Narrowband TDD based on channel conditions.

[089] In one aspect, the narrowband TDD 400 frame structure may include a 10 ms frame split into two frames, each 5 ms long. Half frames may be further split into five subframes, each 1 ms long. The narrowband TDD 400 frame structure may include any of the narrowband configurations listed in Table 410.

[090] Switching periodicity refers to the time a UE may need to switch between monitoring a downlink subframe (e.g., for downlink transmissions from a base station) and sending a transmission using an uplink subframe, or vice versa. Depending on the narrowband TDD frame structure determined 400, the switching periodicity may be 5 ms, 10 ms, or more than 10 ms (e.g., 20 ms). For narrowband TDD frame structures 412 with a switching periodicity of 5 ms, a special subframe (SSF) may exist in both halves of the narrowband TDD frame structure 400. For narrowband TDD frame structures 414 with a switching periodicity of 10 ms, the special subframe may exist in the first half-frame, but not in the second half-frame.For narrowband TDD frame structures 416 with a switching periodicity greater than 10 ms, special subframes may be present only during DL to UL switching and therefore may not be present in all frames. In narrowband TDD frame structures 412, 414 that include a special subframe (e.g., configurations 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6), subframes 0 and 5, as well as the Downlink Pilot Time Interval (DwPTS) in the special subframe, may be reserved for downlink transmissions. Additional and / or. Petition 870250053231, dated 06 / 25 / 2025, page 41 / 173 Alternatively, in narrowband TDD frame structures 412, 414 that include a special subframe, the Uplink Pilot Time Interval (UpPTS) in the special subframe and in the subframe immediately following the special subframe may be reserved for uplink transmission.

[091] During operation in band entry mode and / or band protection mode, the 400 narrowband TDD frame structure can reuse certain LTE TDD frame structures (e.g., see configurations 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 in Figure 4A). Additionally and / or alternatively, some subframes in the 400 narrowband TDD frame structure can be marked as flexible subframes (e.g., see configuration / and in Figure 4A) and can be used either as a downlink subframe or an uplink subframe by a UE depending on the current lease received from the base station.

[092] In certain respects, a subset of the narrowband TDD configurations listed in Table 410 in Figure 4A can be used to support narrowband communications. For example, configuration 0 may not be suitable for narrowband communications due to the fact that configuration 0 has only two downlink subframes. In one configuration, narrowband communications using a narrowband TDD frame structure can only be supported in in-band mode and / or in band protection mode (e.g., but not in standalone mode). In another configuration, narrowband communications using a narrowband TDD frame structure can support in-band mode, band protection mode, and standalone mode.

[093] In addition, multiple downlink carriers of Petition 870250053231, dated 06 / 25 / 2025, page 42 / 173 31 / 117 Narrowband and multiple narrowband uplink carriers can be used to enhance narrowband communication between the base station and an UE. Among the carriers, a narrowband anchoring carrier can be used to provide synchronization, system information, paging, data, and control for UEs enabled by multiple carriers. In this way, narrowband system information overhead can be reduced. For example, synchronization and paging for a given cell may not be provided on all narrowband carriers. Narrowband carriers that do not provide synchronization and / or paging can be referred to as non-anchoring narrowband carriers.Coordination between base stations to select docking carriers that mitigate interference and to transmit power control to non-docking carriers provides additional network performance advantages.

[094] Figure 4B is a diagram illustrating a 430 radio frame that can be used for narrowband communications in accordance with certain aspects of the disclosure.

[095] Figure 4C is a diagram illustrating a 10 ms frame with a 15 kHz 480 subcarrier spacing, a 20 ms frame with a 7.5 kHz 470 subcarrier spacing, and a 40 ms frame with a 3.75 kHz 460 spacing in accordance with certain aspects of the disclosure.

[096] Referring to Figures 4B and 4C, the 430 radio frame may include a 10 ms frame, a 20 ms frame, or a 40 ms frame depending on the subcarrier spacing. For example, a 10 ms frame may have a subcarrier spacing of 15 kHz (e.g., see item 480 in Figure 4C). Furthermore, a 20 ms frame may have a spacing of Petition 870250053231, dated 06 / 25 / 2025, page 43 / 173 32 / 117 7.5 kHz subcarrier (see item 470 in Figure 4C). Additionally, a 40 ms frame can have a spacing of 3.75 kHz (see item 460 in Figure 4C).

[097] In certain configurations, the 430 radio frame can be divided into 10 subframes, each made up of up to 2 intervals. Each interval can be x / 20 ms long depending on whether the frame is a 10 ms frame, a 20 ms frame, or a 40 ms frame. In one aspect, x can be equal to the frame length (e.g., 10 ms, 20 ms, or 40 ms). In other words, each interval in a 10 ms frame (e.g., 15 kHz subcarrier spacing) can be 0.5 ms long, each interval in a 20 ms frame (e.g., 7.5 kHz subcarrier spacing) can be 1 ms long, and each interval in a 40 ms frame (e.g., 3.75 kHz subcarrier spacing) can be 2 ms long.

[098] Referring to Figure 4B, each interval can be divided into a number Nnb of subcarriers that each have the same subcarrier spacing (e.g., 3.75 kHz, 7.5 kHz, or 15 kHz) and Nsymbs of orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) (e.g., 7 OFDM symbols).

[099] Several NPUSCH formats can be used by a base station to allocate resources for one or more uplink transmissions from a UE. For example, a base station can use the NPUSCH 1 format to allocate resources for uplink data transmissions (e.g., NPUSCH). When resources for an acknowledgment (e.g., NPUCCH or ACK / NACK) to a downlink transmission are allocated to a UE, the NPUSCH 2 format can be used. For example, when a base station transmits an NPDCCH, the NPUSCH 2 format can be used. Petition 870250053231, dated 06 / 25 / 2025, page 44 / 173 33 / 117 to allocate resources for an ACK / NACK response from a UE. The smallest unit a base station can use to map a transport block (TB) or for an NPUSCH, NPUCCH, and / or ACK / NACK can be a resource unit (RU).

[100] For legacy NPUSCH 2 format (e.g., in NB-IoT FDD systems), the RU can be composed of a single subcarrier with a length of 4 intervals. Consequently, for a subcarrier spacing of 3.75 kHz, the RU has a duration of 8 ms and for a subcarrier spacing of 15 kHz the RU has a duration of 2 ms. An example of a legacy NPUSCH 2 format with an RU allocated on a single subcarrier is illustrated in the 440 interval structure in Figure 4B.

[101] Certain narrowband TDD frame structures may include only a few uplink subframes (e.g., see configuration 5 in Figure 4A which has only one uplink subframe). When configuration 5 is used for the narrowband TDD frame structure, a UE can send the uplink transmission in one uplink subframe (e.g., 2 gaps) in a first radio frame and in another uplink subframe (e.g., 2 gaps) in a second radio frame even under good signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) conditions. Uplink transmissions that are transmitted over different radio frames may suffer a shift under channel conditions, and the base station may not properly decode an uplink transmission sent over different radio frames.Furthermore, sending uplink transmissions through different radio frames can also introduce a large delay in channel decoding. There is a need to modify the legacy NPUSCH 2 format so that an uplink transmission received through... Petition 870250053231, dated 06 / 25 / 2025, page 45 / 173 34 / 117 of different radio frames in a narrowband TDD frame structure can be properly decoded by a base station.

[102] In order to increase the chances of proper decoding at the base station, the present disclosure provides a modified NPUSCH 2 format structure that can be used to allocate a RU across multiple subcarriers over multiple intervals, as illustrated in the 450 interval structure in Figure 4B. Although 4 subcarriers are illustrated in Figure 4B as being allocated to the RU, any number of 2 or more subcarriers can be used to allocate the RU without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

[103] By increasing the number of carriers that are used to allocate a RU, the base station may have a greater chance of decoding an uplink transmission sent via different radio frames due to the fact that more resource elements in each interval can be used to carry the uplink transmission and / or due to the fact that the RU can be allocated in one or two intervals due to the increased number of resource elements allocated by multiple subcarriers and then, in some cases, avoid splitting the uplink transmission into discontinuous parts (e.g., expanding multiple radio frames). Resource Units

[104] Figure 5A illustrates a data stream 500 to base station 502 allocating one or more RUs to UE 504 for an uplink transmission (e.g., NPUCCH and / or ACK / NACK) in accordance with certain aspects of the disclosure. Base station 502 may correspond, for example, to base stations 102, 180, 602, 702, 802, 902, 1002, 1102, 1202, 1302, 1402, 2950, ​​eNB 310, device 1702 / 1702', 3102 / 3102'. UE 504 may Petition 870250053231, dated 06 / 25 / 2025, p. 46 / 173 35 / 117 correspond, for example, to UE 104, 350, 604, 704, 804, 904, 1004, 1104, 1204, 1304, 1404, 1750, and to device 2902 / 2902'. Furthermore, base station 502 and UE 504 can be configured to communicate using narrowband communications (e.g., NB-IoT and / or eMTC). For example, UE 504 can be an NB-IoT device and / or an eMTC device.

[105] In one aspect, base station 502 can determine 501 a narrowband TDD frame structure for narrowband communications. For example, base station 502 can determine 501 that the narrowband TDD frame structure has one of the configurations 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, l or o from table 410 in Figure 4A.

[106] In addition, base station 502 can determine 503 a PUSCH format (e.g., NPUSCH 2 format or modified PUSCH 2 format) to allocate at least one RU to UE 504 for an NPUCCH (e.g., ACK / NACK). For example, base station 502 can determine that the modified NPUSCH 2 format is used (e.g., see 450 in Figure 4B) to allocate one or more RUs to UE 504 for an NPUCCH over one or more subcarriers in one or more intervals. In certain configurations, the determination of the PUSCH format can be based on a number of uplink subframes in the narrowband TDD frame structure. In certain other configurations, a number among one or more subcarriers in each of one or more intervals may correspond to a number of uplink subframes in the narrowband TDD frame structure.In certain other configurations, a number among one or more subcarriers in each of one or more intervals may correspond to a maximum transmission delay or round-trip timeline. In certain other configurations, a number among one or more subcarriers in each. Petition 870250053231, dated 06 / 25 / 2025, page 47 / 173 36 / 117 within one or more intervals may correspond to a RU number used to transmit the determined PUSCH format within a predetermined number of intervals.

[107] In another aspect, base station 502 may allocate 505 to at least one RU for UE 504 using the determined PUSCH format. In one aspect, the RU may include one or more subcarriers in each of one or more intervals. In another aspect, each of the multiple subcarriers may have an associated subcarrier frequency spacing of 3.75 kHz, 5 kHz, 7.5 kHz, or 15 kHz. For example, base station 502 may allocate one or more subcarriers in one or more intervals (e.g., four intervals) for UE 504 for an NPUCCH. If the subcarrier spacing of the narrowband TDD frame structure is 3.75 kHz, base station 502 may allocate one or more RUs either in a single interval or in two intervals. In certain configurations, the associated subcarrier frequency spacing may correspond to an interval duration.

[108] In addition, base station 502 can transmit 507 information indicating the NPUSCH format and the RUs allocated to UE 504 for NPUCCH. For example, the 507 information can indicate whether the NPUSCH 2 format or modified PUSCH 2 format is used to allocate the RU (or RUs). The information can indicate how many subcarriers the RU (or RUs) occupies when the NPUSCH 2 format is the determined PUSCH format. In one aspect, the 507 information can be sent in DCIs.

[109] Figure 5B illustrates a data stream 550 to base station 502 to allocate one or more RUs to UE 504 for an uplink transmission (e.g., NPUSCH) in accordance with certain aspects of the disclosure. Base station 502 may correspond, for example, to Petition 870250053231, dated 06 / 25 / 2025, page 48 / 173 37 / 117 base station 102, 180, 602, 702, 802, 902, 1002, 1102, 1202, 1302, 1402, 2950, ​​​​eNB 310, device 1702 / 1702', 3102 / 3102'. UE 504 may correspond, for example, to UE 104, 350, 604, 704, 804, 904, 1004, 1104, 1204, 1304, 1404, 1750, device 2902 / 2902'. Furthermore, base station 502 and UE 504 can be configured to communicate using narrowband communications (e.g., NB-IoT and / or eMTC). For example, UE 504 can be an NB-IoT device and / or an eMTC device.

[110] In one aspect, base station 502 can determine 509 a narrowband TDD frame structure including at least a predetermined number of contiguous uplink subframes. In one aspect, the predetermined number of subframes can include three contiguous uplink subframes, each 1 ms long (e.g., 15 kHz subcarrier spacing). For example, base station 502 can determine 509 that the narrowband TDD frame structure has one of configuration 0 or 6 from table 410 in Figure 4A when the predetermined number of contiguous uplink subframes is three contiguous uplink subframes. In another aspect, the predetermined number of contiguous uplink subframes may include two contiguous uplink subframes or more than three contiguous uplink subframes.

[111] In another aspect, base station 502 can determine 511 a first number of symbols in each of a second number of intervals to be used in allocating at least one RU to UE 504 for an NPUSCH. In one aspect, the first number of symbols and the second number of intervals can be based on the predetermined number of contiguous uplink subframes. In another aspect, each interval in the second number of intervals can have a subcarrier frequency spacing. Petition 870250053231, dated 06 / 25 / 2025, page 49 / 173 38 / 117 associated with 3.75 kHz, 5 kHz, 7.5 kHz, or 15 kHz. In an additional aspect, the subcarrier frequency spacing can be a function of the configuration used for the narrowband TDD subframe structure. In certain configurations, the second number of intervals may include 6 intervals. In certain other configurations, the second number of intervals may include 10 intervals.

[112] Legacy RU allocation can be in units of 2 intervals (e.g., one uplink subframe), 4 intervals (two uplink subframes), 8 intervals (e.g., four uplink subframes), and / or 16 intervals (e.g., eight uplink subframes). Each interval can have 7 OFDM symbols. When an RU is allocated in a narrowband TDD frame structure across 3 contiguous uplink subframes (e.g., 6 intervals) with a duration of 3 ms (e.g., 15 kHz subcarrier spacing), the use of legacy RU allocation units can cause resources to be underutilized. For example, a legacy RU allocation of 4 intervals can be used for a TDD configuration with a duration of 6 contiguous UL intervals.Allocating 4 slots to a resource unit (RU) with a duration of 6 slots may result in the resources in the fifth and sixth slots of the available UL slots not being used.

[113] In a first configuration, when configurations 0 or 3 are used as the narrowband TDD frame structure, 3 contiguous uplink subframes with a duration of 3 ms are located in each radio frame. In other words, 6 uplink slots may be available in each radio frame for uplink transmission (or uplink transmissions). Thus, RU allocation may include 6 slots (e.g., each with 7 OFDM symbols) that Petition 870250053231, dated 06 / 25 / 2025, page 50 / 173 39 / 117 can use the uplink resources available in each radio frame more efficiently than using legacy RU allocation units.

[114] In a second configuration, when configuration 6 is used as the narrowband TDD frame structure, 3 contiguous subframes (e.g., 6 slots) are located in the first half-frame of a radio frame and 2 contiguous uplink subframes (e.g., 4 slots) are located in the second half-frame of the radio frame. In other words, 10 uplink slots can be available in each radio frame for uplink transmission (or uplink transmissions). Thus, RU allocation can include 10 slots (e.g., each with 7 OFDM symbols) that can use the uplink resources available in each radio frame more efficiently than using the legacy RU allocation units.

[115] In a third configuration, when uplink subframes with a subcarrier spacing of 3.75 kHz are used for RU allocation, the RU allocation units may include more or less than 16 intervals (e.g., each with 7 OFDM symbols). An RU allocation of more or less than 16 intervals may use the uplink resources available in each radio frame more efficiently than using legacy RU allocation units.

[116] In a further aspect, base station 502 may allocate 513 to at least one RU for UE 504. In one aspect, the RU may include a single subcarrier or multiple subcarriers in each of one or more intervals. In another aspect, each of the multiple subcarriers may have an associated subcarrier frequency spacing of 3.75 kHz, 5 kHz, 7.5 kHz, or 15 kHz. For example, base station 502 may allocate two or more Petition 870250053231, dated 06 / 25 / 2025, page 51 / 173 40 / 117 subcarriers in six intervals for the EU 504 for an NPUSCH.

[117] In addition, base station 502 can transmit 515 information indicating the RUs allocated to UE 504 for NPUSCH. For example, 515 information can be sent in DCI. Uplink Transmissions

[118] Figure 6 illustrates a data stream 600 of an uplink transmission sent from a UE 604 to a base station 602 in accordance with certain aspects of the disclosure. Base station 602 may correspond, for example, to base station 102, 180, 502, 702, 802, 902, 1002, 1102, 1202, 1302, 1402, 2950, ​​eNB 310, device 1702 / 1702', 3102 / 3102'. The UE 604 may correspond, for example, to the UE 104, 350, 504, 704, 804, 904, 1004, 1104, 1204, 1304, 1404, 1750, or the 2902 / 2902 device. Furthermore, the 602 base station and the UE 604 may be configured to communicate using narrowband communications (e.g., NB-IoT and / or eMTC). For example, the UE 604 may be an NB-IoT device and / or an eMTC device.

[119] In one aspect, UE 604 can receive 601 information associated with a narrowband TDD frame structure that has a first set of contiguous uplink subframes with a first number of intervals. For example, the narrowband TDD frame structure may have one of the configurations 0, 1, 3, 4, or 6 from Table 410 in Figure 4A, each of which includes contiguous uplink subframes. In one aspect, the narrowband TDD frame structure may include a first set of contiguous uplink subframes and a second set of contiguous uplink subframes. For example, narrowband TDD frame structures that include a first and second set of contiguous uplink subframes may have the Petition 870250053231, dated 06 / 25 / 2025, p. 52 / 173 41 / 117 configuration 0, 1, and / or 6 of Table 410 in Figure 4A. In another aspect, the narrowband TDD frame structure may include a single set of contiguous uplink subframes. For example, narrowband TDD frame structures that include a single set of contiguous uplink subframes may have configuration 3 and / or 4 of Table 410 in Figure 4A. Such TDD configurations are defined for the 10 ms frame, 15 kHz subcarrier spacing where each subframe is 1 ms long. In a system employing multiple subcarrier spacings, the TDD configuration can be considered as specifying a duration of uplink transmissions and downlink transmissions.

[120] When using a narrowband TDD frame structure, an uplink transmission can be sent over a plurality of intervals. An interval, if defined as 7 OFDM symbols, is 0.5 ms long for 15 kHz subcarrier spacing, 1 ms long for 7.5 kHz subcarrier spacing, and 2 ms long for 3.75 kHz subcarrier spacing. UL transmission within an interval comprises both pilots and data and is intended to be self-decoding. Since the pilots within the interval are used to decode the data, it is desirable to have all symbols in the interval transmitted together or very close to each other. Transmitting an interval, for example, over two discontinuous UL durations can cause a performance loss.In an initial configuration, the UE 604 can transmit an initial portion of the uplink transmission using the maximum number of complete intervals that fit within a first contiguous uplink transmission duration, and transmit a remaining portion of the uplink transmission using at least one portion of the... Petition 870250053231, dated 06 / 25 / 2025, page 53 / 173 42 / 117 next contiguous uplink transmission duration. In a second configuration, the UE 604 can transmit a first portion of the uplink transmission using at least one partial interval in a first contiguous uplink transmission duration and the remaining portion of the uplink transmission using at least one partial interval in the next contiguous uplink transmission duration. In a third configuration, new interval formats can be defined with fewer symbols per interval as the subcarrier spacing decreases so that the duration, which is the time for an interval, is equal for all supported subcarrier spacing.

[121] In the first configuration, UE 604 can transmit the first portion of the uplink transmission 605 using all the complete intervals in the first set of contiguous uplink transmission durations. In other words, UE 604 can determine the number of intervals that can be fully transmitted in the first contiguous UL transmission duration and transmit the first portion of the uplink transmission 605 using all the symbols available in the number of intervals determined in the first contiguous uplink transmission duration and then move to the next uplink transmission duration in order to transmit a second portion (e.g., remaining portion) of the uplink transmission 607 using complete intervals that fit in the next contiguous uplink transmission duration.In a first example, it is assumed that the information 601 received by UE 604 indicates that configuration 1 is used for the narrowband TDD frame structure and that the uplink transmission duration is eight intervals (e.g., four subframes) where each interval is 0.5 ms long. Petition 870250053231, dated 06 / 25 / 2025, p. 54 / 173 43 / 117 length. The first contiguous uplink transmission duration in configuration 1 can be 2 ms long (e.g., subframes 2 and 3), and the second set of contiguous uplink transmission durations in configuration 1 can be 2 ms long (e.g., subframes 7 and 8). Therefore, in accordance with the first configuration, UE 604 can transmit the first portion of the uplink transmission 605, comprising 4 intervals, in the first contiguous uplink transmission duration in one radio frame. UE 604 can transmit the second portion of the uplink transmission 607, comprising the remaining 4 intervals, using the second contiguous uplink transmission duration in the first radio frame.However, if the uplink transmission duration is 6 intervals, then UE 604 can transmit the first portion of the uplink transmission 605 with the first four intervals of the first contiguous uplink transmission duration, and the remaining portion of the uplink transmission with the last two intervals of the second contiguous uplink transmission duration, and may potentially not transmit anything in the remaining portion.

[122] In a second example, assume that information 601 received by UE 604 indicates that configuration 6 is used for the narrowband TDD frame structure and that the uplink transmission duration is 4 ms and that each interval has a duration of 2 ms (e.g., subcarrier spacing and 3.75 kHz). For an uplink transmission that starts with the radio frame, the first contiguous uplink duration in configuration 6 is 3 ms long and the second uplink duration in configuration 6 is 2 ms long (without considering the special subframe). Therefore, only a complete interval of Petition 870250053231, dated 06 / 25 / 2025, page 55 / 173 44 / 117 uplink will fit into the first contiguous uplink transmission duration. In accordance with the first configuration, UE 604 can transmit the first interval in the first contiguous uplink duration and transmit the second interval in the next contiguous uplink duration. In accordance with the second configuration, UE 604 can transmit the first portion of the 605 uplink transmission using all symbols corresponding to the first interval and a portion of the symbols (e.g., partial interval / less than 7 OFDM symbols) from the second interval.UE 604 can transmit the second portion of the uplink transmission 607 using a portion of the symbols (e.g., remaining portion of the partial interval / less than 7 OFDM symbols) in the next uplink duration, or UE 604 can punch the remainder of the previous partial interval (e.g., not transmit the punched intervals) and start transmitting a new interval in the next uplink duration. Unused portions of the second uplink transmission duration can be punched. Note that the first and second uplink transmission durations are related to when UE 604 initiates an uplink transmission. If UE 604 initiates the uplink transmission in the second half of the radio frame for TDD configuration 6, which corresponds to this transmission, the first uplink duration is 2 ms and the second uplink duration is 3 ms.

[123] In a first aspect of the second configuration, UE 604 can match by rate 603 a first portion of an uplink transmission in the first uplink transmission duration based on a total number of symbols in the first contiguous uplink transmission duration. In a second aspect of the second configuration, UE Petition 870250053231, dated 06 / 25 / 2025, page 56 / 173 45 / 117 604 can match by rate 603 the first portion of the uplink transmission 605 in the first contiguous uplink transmission duration based on a total number of symbols (e.g., 7 OFDM symbols) in the first interval and the first subset of symbols in the second interval. In one aspect, the first portion of the uplink transmission 605 can be transmitted using a pilot pattern based on all symbols (e.g., 7 OFDM symbols) in the first interval and the first subset of symbols (e.g., less than 7 OFDM symbols) in the second interval. Either in the first aspect or in the second aspect of the second configuration, UE 604 can transmit the first portion of the uplink transmission 605 using all symbols in a first interval in the first number of intervals and a first subset of symbols in a second interval in the first number of intervals.In certain configurations, UE 604 may perform rate matching by assuming the entire range is transmitted and then punching out the symbols that are not, in fact, transmitted. In certain other configurations, UE 604 may perform rate matching by assuming the number of symbols is reduced due to the partial range. In certain aspects, a new pilot pattern may be defined for the new partial range structure. Alternatively, the pilot pattern corresponding to the full range may be used with punching. That is, if the partial range has N symbols, the pilot symbols outside the N symbols are punched.

[124] Furthermore, UE 604 can transmit a second portion of the uplink transmission 607 using a second symbol subset in a third interval located in a second contiguous uplink transmission duration. In one respect, the first symbol subset and the second symbol subset can be the same. Petition 870250053231, dated 06 / 25 / 2025, p. 57 / 173 46 / 117 to all symbols in an uplink subframe. In another aspect, the second symbol subset can be associated with a second contiguous uplink transmission duration. Cryptography / Repetitions

[125] Data encryption can be used to transpose and / or invert signals or otherwise encode an uplink transmission (e.g., NPUCCH and / or NPUSCH) with a predetermined encryption sequence. The encryption sequence may be unintelligible to a device (e.g., base station and / or UE) not equipped with a properly configured encryptor, and therefore only a designated device can properly decode the uplink transmission. Encryption also helps to cause interference from other devices randomly.

[126] Using a narrowband FDD frame structure, the encryption sequence for uplink transmission can remain the same for a predetermined number of repeated transmissions across a set of uplink subframes. Using the same encryption across repetitions can simplify receiver deployment since the same encryption across repetitions can combine different repetitions before encryption and demodulation. In order to increase the chance of properly decoding the uplink transmission, a base station can combine the uplink transmission across each of the repeated transmissions before encryption and demodulation provided the channel does not vary across the repeated transmissions. UE can combine post-demodulation to obtain the benefits of repetitions potentially at the cost of greater complexity.

[127] The inherited FDD encryption sequence may depend on the LSB Petition 870250053231, dated 06 / 25 / 2025, page 58 / 173 47 / 117 associated with the frame number. For example, legacy FDD encryption sequences can be defined as Cinit = nRNTi · 214 + nf mod 2 · 213 + [ns / 2] 29 + N^611, where n is the radio frame number, nRNTI is the temporary radio network identifier used to identify a connected UE located in a cell, n is the range number, and N^611 is the cell identification.

[128] Because an uplink transmission sent using a narrowband TDD frame structure can expand across multiple radio frames (e.g., discussed above in relation to 5), a base station may not be able to match a repeated transmission that uses the same encryption sequence across different radio frames due to changes in channel conditions.

[129] There is a need to update a cryptographic sequence for a repeated uplink transmission using a narrowband TDD frame structure.

[130] Figure 7 illustrates a 700 data stream of repeated uplink transmissions with different encryption sequences sent from a UE 704 to a base station 702 in accordance with certain aspects of the disclosure. Base station 702 may correspond, for example, to base station 102, 180, 502, 602, 802, 902, 1002, 1102, 1202, 1302, 1402, 2950, ​​eNB 310, device 1702 / 1702', 3102 / 3102'. The UE 704 may correspond, for example, to the UE 104, 350, 504, 604, 804, 904, 1004, 1104, 1204, 1304, 1404, 1750, or the 2902 / 2902 device. Furthermore, the 702 base station and the UE 704 may be configured to communicate using narrowband communications (e.g., NB-IoT and / or eMTC). For example, the UE 704 may be an NB-IoT device and / or an eMTC device.

[131] In one respect, EU 704 can receive associated 701 information Petition 870250053231, dated 06 / 25 / 2025, p. 59 / 173 48 / 117 to a narrowband TDD frame structure. For example, the narrowband TDD frame structure can have one of the configurations 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, l or a from Table 410 in Figure 4A.

[132] In another aspect, UE 704 can transmit an uplink transmission 703 a predetermined number of times using a first encryption sequence. For example, each uplink transmission can be repeated M times with the same encryption sequence. Repeating the uplink transmission M times can aid in matching the uplink transmission by the base station 702 before decryption, but it may have the cost of not randomizing interference. In one aspect, the first encryption sequence may include a first number of LSBs associated with a first radio frame. In another aspect, the first number of LSBs may be greater than a second number of LSBs used in a second encryption sequence associated with a narrowband FDD uplink transmission.

[133] Since an uplink transmission can span multiple radio frames while using a narrowband TDD frame structure, UE 704 can update the encryption sequence to use more n? LSBs (i.e., the radio frame number) in order to avoid repeating the encryption sequence since a smaller number of uplink intervals (i.e., uplink subframes) are available in each radio frame compared to a narrowband FDD frame structure. For example, UE 704 can use n? mod 10 instead of n? mod 2 in the encryption sequence. As mentioned above, due to the fact that repetitions of an uplink transmission can occur in different radio frames, base station 702 may not have the capability to combine the repetitions before demodulation. Petition 870250053231, dated 06 / 25 / 2025, page 60 / 173 49 / 117

[134] In one aspect, the M number of repetitions can be a function of the narrowband TDD frame structure so that different encryption sequences are used for repetitions that occur in different radio frames. Additionally and / or alternatively, the encryption sequence can be redefined across different sets of uplink subframes within the same radio frame. For example, uplink transmission 703 can be sent M times with the same encryption sequence, and then the next M number of 705 repetitions can be transmitted with a different encryption sequence. M can be a function of the number of contiguous or non-contiguous uplink subframes in a single radio frame. Furthermore, identical repetitions cannot be sent (e.g., M = 1).In other words, each repetition of the 703 uplink transmission can be transmitted once using a unique encryption sequence.

[135] By using different encryption sequences for replays, base station 702 of the present disclosure can randomise interference across different cells improving system performance and also to combine replays and have an increased chance of decoding the uplink transmission. Space Between Uplink Transmission

[136] When an uplink transmission is repeated using a narrowband FDD frame structure, a space of a predetermined length (e.g., 40 ms) can be located after a predetermined number of radio frames (e.g., 256) that are used to repeat an uplink transmission. A UE can use the space to perform timing and / or frequency estimation before Petition 870250053231, dated 06 / 25 / 2025, page 61 / 173 50 / 117 will continue to repeat the uplink transmission in the next set of radio frames. However, due to the fact that the UE may need to stop sending the uplink transmission to perform timing and / or frequency estimation during the gap, an increased latency associated with decoding the uplink transmission at the base station may occur.

[137] There is a need to reduce the latency associated with decoding an uplink transmission which can be caused by performing timing and / or frequency estimation by the UE.

[138] Figure 8 is a diagram illustrating an 800 flow diagram for performing timing and / or frequency estimation by an 804 UE in accordance with certain aspects of the development. Base station 802 may correspond, for example, to base station 102, 180, 502, 602, 702, 902, 1002, 1102, 1202, 1302, 1402, 2950, ​​eNB 310, device 1702 / 1702', 3102 / 3102'. The UE 804 may correspond, for example, to the UE 104, 350, 504, 604, 704, 904, 1004, 1104, 1204, 1304, 1404, 1750, or the 2902 / 2902 device. Furthermore, the 802 base station and the UE 804 may be configured to communicate using narrowband communications (e.g., NB-IoT and / or eMTC). For example, the UE 804 may be an NB-IoT device and / or an eMTC device.

[139] In one aspect, UE 804 can receive 801 information associated with a narrowband TDD frame structure. For example, the narrowband TDD frame structure can have one of the configurations 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, l or a from table 410 in Figure 4A.

[140] In another aspect, UE 804 can determine 803 to repeat an uplink transmission in a first set of radio frames and in a second set of radio frames. In certain Petition 870250053231, dated 06 / 25 / 2025, p. 62 / 173 In configurations 51 / 117, the first set of radio frames and the second set of radio frames may each include 256 radio frames. In certain other configurations, the first set of radio frames and the second set of radio frames may include more or less than 256 radio frames. The first set of radio frames and the second set of radio frames may include the same number of radio frames or a different number of radio frames. Uplink transmissions may include, for example, a narrowband physical random access channel (NPRACH) preamble.

[141] In a further aspect, UE 804 may determine 805 not to monitor downlink subframes in the first set of radio frames and in the second set of radio frames. In one aspect, UE 804 may receive signaling (e.g., not illustrated in Figure 8) from base station 802 indicating not to monitor at least a portion of the downlink subframes in one or more of the first set of radio frames and / or the second set of radio frames.

[142] In addition, UE 804 can perform 807 one or more of a timing estimate or a frequency estimate using at least one downlink subframe in one or more of the first set of radio frames or the second set of radio frames. By not monitoring at least a portion of the downlink subframes in the first radio frame and / or the second radio frame, UE 804 can use the duration of the downlink subframes to perform the timing estimate and / or the frequency estimate. The timing estimate and / or frequency estimate can be used to synchronize (e.g., subframe synchronization) with base station 802. Because the timing estimate and / or frequency estimate is Petition 870250053231, dated 06 / 25 / 2025, page 63 / 173 52 / 117 performed in downlink subframe durations, there may be no time gap present between the first set of radio frames and the second set of radio frames. In other words, timing estimation and / or frequency estimation can be performed without using a gap between a first set of radio frames and a second set of radio frames. NB-SRS

[143] Figure 9A is a diagram illustrating a 900 flow diagram for sending narrowband SRS (NB-SRS) from a UE 904 to a base station 902 in accordance with certain aspects of disclosure. Legacy SRS transmitted by a UE may have a comb-type structure, and a UE may transmit SRS in one of the tones in the comb-type structure. NB-SRSs may be transmitted by the UE using tones that are not used in the comb-type structure. NB-SRSs may be used by base station 902 for channel quality estimation in order to enable frequency-dependent scheduling of uplink transmission.

[144] Base station 902 may correspond, for example, to base stations 102, 180, 502, 602, 702, 802, 1002, 1102, 1202, 1302, 1402, 2950, ​​eNB 310, device 1702 / 1702', 3102 / 3102'. UE 904 may correspond, for example, to UE 104, 350, 504, 604, 704, 804, 1004, 1104, 1204, 1304, 1404, 1750, device 2902 / 2902'. Furthermore, base station 902 and UE 904 can be configured to communicate using narrowband communications (e.g., NB-IoT and / or eMTC). For example, UE 904 can be an NB-IoT device and / or an eMTC device.

[145] In one respect, UE 904 can receive 901 information associated with a narrowband TDD frame structure. For example, the narrowband TDD frame structure can have one of the configurations 0, 1, 2, 3, Petition 870250053231, dated 06 / 25 / 2025, p. 64 / 173 53 / 117 4, 5, 6, 1 or that of table 410 in Figure 4A.

[146] In another aspect, UE 904 can transmit an NB-SRS 903 to base station 902 using the narrowband TDD frame structure. In one aspect, the NB-SRS 903 comprises a single-tone SRS. In another aspect, the NB-SRS 903 can be transmitted as a series of uplink transmissions that use frequency hopping to cover a system bandwidth associated with narrowband communications. In yet another aspect, the NB-SRS 903 can be transmitted in an uplink portion of a special subframe. Furthermore, the NB-SRS 903 can be multiplexed with a legacy SRS in the uplink portion of the special subframe.

[147] Figure 9B is a diagram illustrating the 915 comb-type structure with NB-SRS 925 multiplexed with legacy SRS 935. In certain configurations, certain 945 tones in the comb-type structure may not be used. Reference Signal

[148] With the use of a narrowband FDD frame structure, narrowband reference signal sequence (NRS) orthogonality can be achieved in 16 intervals (i.e., the sequence length is defined in 16 intervals). For example, a UE can transmit an NRS in 16 intervals using orthogonal sequence length 16. Due to the fact that an uplink transmission sent using a narrowband TDD frame structure can expand multiple radio frames (e.g., discussed above in relation to 5), a base station may not be able to match an NRS with an orthogonal sequence length of 16 due to changes in channel conditions.

[149] There is a need to update a sequence length Petition 870250053231, dated 06 / 25 / 2025, page 65 / 173 54 / 117 orthogonal NRS for an NRS transmitted using a narrowband TDD frame structure.

[150] Figure 10A is a diagram illustrating a flow diagram 1000 for sending an NRS from a UE 1004 to a base station 1002 in accordance with certain aspects of the disclosure. The NRS can be a narrowband DM-RS (NB-DM-RS) that can be used by base station 1002 in order to enable coherent signal demodulation. In a second configuration, the NRS can be NB-SRS as discussed above with respect to Figure 9.

[151] Base station 1002 may correspond, for example, to base stations 102, 180, 502, 602, 702, 802, 902, 1102, 1202, 1302, 1402, 2950, ​​eNB 310, device 1702 / 1702', 3102 / 3102'. UE 1004 may correspond, for example, to UE 104, 350, 504, 604, 704, 804, 904, 1104, 1204, 1304, 1404, 1750, device 2902 / 2902'. Furthermore, base station 1002 and UE 1004 can be configured to communicate using narrowband communications (e.g., NB-IoT and / or eMTC). For example, UE 1004 can be an NB-IoT device and / or an eMTC device.

[152] In one aspect, UE 1004 can receive information 1001 associated with a narrowband TDD frame structure. For example, UE 1004 can receive information 1001 indicating that the narrowband TDD frame structure is one of configuration 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, l, or o from Table 410 in Figure 4A. In another aspect, information 1001 can indicate a narrowband TDD frame structure that includes a set of contiguous uplink subframes. When information 1001 indicates that the narrowband TDD frame structure includes a set of contiguous uplink subframes, the narrowband TDD frame structure can be one of configuration 0, 1, 3, 4, or 6 from Table 410 in Figure 4A. Each of the configurations 0, 1, 3, 4, or 6 includes at least Petition 870250053231, dated 06 / 25 / 2025, page 66 / 173 55 / 117 two additional contiguous ascending link subframes.

[153] In another aspect, UE 1004 can determine 1003 an orthogonal sequence length associated with an NRS based on at least one of a number of uplink subframes or a number of gaps in the set of contiguous uplink subframes. For example, assuming that the information 1001 received by UE 1004 indicates that configuration 1 is used as the narrowband TDD frame structure. As noted in Figure 4A, configuration 1 has a set of 2 contiguous uplink subframes (e.g., subframes 2 and 3). The set of 2 contiguous uplink subframes has 4 gaps. Therefore, UE 1004 can determine 1003 that the orthogonal sequence length associated with the NRS is length 4.Alternatively, when the narrowband TDD frame structure has a single uplink subframe (e.g., configuration 5), the orthogonal NRS sequence length can be length 2 based on the number of gaps in the single uplink subframe (e.g., 2 gaps).

[154] In a further aspect, UE 1004 can transmit NRS 1005 using the determined orthogonal sequence length. For example, NRS 1005 can be transmitted using a pilot structure of NPUSCH 1 format. In one aspect, NRS 1005 can be transmitted using a modified NPUSCH 1 format pilot structure that includes an increased pilot density per interval compared to the pilot density used in the legacy NPUSCH 1 format. For example, the modified NPUSCH 1 format can include two pilots per interval instead of one pilot per interval, as in a legacy NPUSCH 1 format. Group Jump Sequences Petition 870250053231, dated 06 / 25 / 2025, page 67 / 173 56 / 117

[155] The sequence group hopping pattern in a narrowband FDD frame structure can change from interval to interval in a pseudo-random manner, whereas the offset offset can be fixed across all intervals. In other words, the sequence group hopping pattern can be a function of interval number. Because uplink subframes can be separated in a narrowband TDD frame structure, a sequence group hopping pattern that is only a function of interval number can repeat across different radio frames and therefore can limit diversity.

[156] There is a need for a sequence group hopping pattern that may not limit diversity when a narrowband TDD frame structure is used for narrowband communications.

[157] Figure 10B is a diagram illustrating a 1050 flow diagram for sending an NRS using a sequence group hopping pattern from a UE 1004 to a base station 1002 in accordance with certain aspects of the disclosure. The NRS can be an NB-DM-RS which can be used by base station 1002 to enable signal demodulation and / or coherent channel estimation. In a second configuration, the NRS can be NB-SRS as discussed above with respect to Figure 9.

[158] Base station 1002 may correspond, for example, to base stations 102, 180, 502, 602, 702, 802, 902, 1102, 1202, 1302, 1402, 2950, ​​eNB 310, device 1702 / 1702', 3102 / 3102'. UE 1004 may correspond, for example, to UE 104, 350, 504, 604, 704, 804, 904, 1104, 1204, 1304, 1404, 1750, device 2902 / 2902'. Furthermore, base station 1002 and UE 1004 can be configured to communicate using narrowband communications (e.g., NB-IoT and / or eMTC). For example, UE 1004 can be an NB-IoT device and / or an eMTC device. Petition 870250053231, dated 06 / 25 / 2025, p. 68 / 173 57 / 117

[159] In one aspect, UE 1004 can receive 1001 information associated with a narrowband TDD frame structure. For example, UE 1004 can receive 1001 information indicating that the narrowband TDD frame structure is one of configuration 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, l or o from table 410 in Figure 4A.

[160] In another aspect, UE 1004 can determine 1007 a sequence hopping pattern associated with an NRS based on at least one of a number of uplink subframes, a number of gaps in the set of contiguous uplink subframes, or a radio frame number. For example, the sequence hopping pattern can be a function of one or more LSBs associated with a radio frame number. By using a sequence hopping pattern that is based on at least one of a number of uplink subframes, a number of gaps in a set of contiguous uplink subframes, or a radio frame number, diversity can be increased compared to using a sequence hopping pattern that is only a function of the gap number.

[161] In an additional aspect, UE 1004 can transmit NRS 1009 using the determined sequence hopping pattern. NPRACH - Symbol Group Size

[162] Figure 11 is a diagram illustrating a flow diagram 1100 for sending an NPRACH from an UE 1104 to a base station 1102 in accordance with certain aspects of the disclosure. Base station 1102 may correspond, for example, to base station 102, 180, 502, 602, 702, 802, 902, 1002, 1202, 1302, 1402, 2950, ​​eNB 310, device 1702 / 1702', 3102 / 3102'. The UE 1104 may correspond, for example, to UE 104, 350, 504, 604, 704, 804, 904, 1004, 1204, 1304, 1404, 1750, and to device 2902 / 2902. Furthermore, the Petition 870250053231, dated 06 / 25 / 2025, p. 69 / 173 58 / 117 base station 1102 and UE 1104 can be configured to communicate using narrowband communications (e.g., NB-IoT and / or eMTC). For example, UE 1104 can be an NB-IoT device and / or an eMTC device.

[163] In one aspect, UE 1104 can receive information 1101 associated with a narrowband TDD frame structure. For example, UE 1104 can receive information 1101 indicating that the narrowband TDD frame structure is one of configuration 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, l or o from table 410 in Figure 4A.

[164] In another aspect, UE 1104 can transmit a first group of symbols 1103 from a first NPRACH preamble to base station 1102. In one aspect, a first length of the first group of symbols can be associated with the narrowband TDD frame structure.

[165] In a first configuration, the first length of the first symbol group may be shorter than the second length of a second symbol group of a second NPRACH preamble transmitted using a narrowband FDD frame structure. In one aspect, the first length may be reduced so that uplink transmission repetitions fit within a narrowband TDD frame structure. For example, if the first length is reduced from 1.4 ms / 1.6 ms (e.g., the lengths used for the narrowband FDD frame structure) to 1 ms, UE 1104 may accommodate 2 symbol groups in a 2 ms uplink occasion (e.g., a single uplink subframe or a set of contiguous uplink subframes) and 3 symbol groups in a 3 ms uplink occasion.A special subframe can be located before certain upward linking occasions, and the uncertainty. Petition 870250053231, dated 06 / 25 / 2025, pp. 70 / 173 59 / 117 of the timing associated with NPRACH can be accommodated by the special subframe located before the uplink occasion. Reducing the length of the NPRACH preamble can also allow 1 symbol group to fit into 1 uplink subframe, which can be useful when configuration 2 is used for narrowband TDD frame structure.

[166] In a second configuration, the first length of the first symbol group may be longer than the second length of a second symbol group of a second NPRACH preamble transmitted using a narrowband FDD frame structure. In one aspect, the first length may be increased so that uplink transmission repetitions fit within a narrowband TDD frame structure. For example, UE 1104 may increase the symbol group size by 2 ms and accommodate 1 uplink symbol group on a 2 ms uplink occasion.Transmitting a group of symbols of the same size in a 2 ms uplink instance using the symbol group size associated with the narrowband FDD frame structure can cause a waste of 0.6 ms / 0.4 ms of the 2 ms uplink instance, since the symbol group length in the narrowband FDD frame structure is 1.4 ms / 1.6 ms.

[167] In a third configuration, a first preamble format associated with the first NPRACH preamble may be different from a second preamble format associated with a second NPRACH preamble transmitted using a narrowband FDD frame structure.

[168] In a fourth configuration, the first length of the first group of symbols can* be associated with one or more uplink occasions in the narrowband TDD frame structure. For example, the Petition 870250053231, dated 06 / 25 / 2025, page 71 / 173 60 / 117 first symbol group length may be a function of the configuration used for the narrowband TDD frame structure. NPRACH - Preamble

[169] An NPRACH preamble in a narrowband FDD frame structure may include a predetermined number of repetitions (e.g., 4 repetitions) of the symbol group discussed above with respect to Figure 10B. However, the predetermined number of repetitions used in the narrowband FDD frame structure may not be well suited for narrowband TDD frame structures due to the limited number of uplink subframes in each coherent radio frame.

[170] There is a need for an NPRACH preamble that is configured for a narrowband TDD frame structure.

[171] Figure 12 is a diagram illustrating a 1200 flow diagram for sending repetitions of an NPRACH preamble from a UE 1204 to a base station 1202 in accordance with certain aspects of the disclosure. Base station 1202 may correspond, for example, to base station 102, 180, 502, 602, 702, 802, 902, 1002, 1102, 1302, 1402, 2950, ​​eNB 310, device 1702 / 1702', 3102 / 3102'. The UE 1204 can correspond, for example, to the UE 104, 350, 604, 704, 804, 904, 1004, 1104, 1304, 1404, 1750, the 2902 / 2902 device. Furthermore, the 1202 base station and the UE 1204 can be configured to communicate using narrowband communications (e.g., NB-IoT and / or eMTC). For example, the UE 1204 can be an NB-IoT device and / or an eMTC device.

[172] In one respect, UE 1204 can receive 1201 information associated with a narrowband TDD frame structure. For example, UE 1204 can receive 1201 information indicating that the narrowband TDD frame structure is one of the configuration 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, l or o of the table. Petition 870250053231, dated 06 / 25 / 2025, pp. 72 / 173 61 / 117 410 in Figure 4A.

[173] In another aspect, UE 1204 can determine 1203 a maximum number of symbol groups in a plurality of symbol groups associated with an NPRACH preamble that fits in an uplink occasion in the narrowband TDD frame structure.

[174] In a first configuration, the NPRACH preamble for a narrowband TDD frame structure may include a fixed number of repetitions for the symbol group, and UE 1204 may fit the symbol group repetitions across different serial uplink occasions, fitting as many repetitions as fit in each uplink occasion.

[175] In a second configuration, the number of repetitions for the symbol group and the sequence jump pattern of the NPRACH preamble can be equal to the number of repetitions and the sequence jump pattern used for a narrowband FDD frame structure.

[176] In a third configuration, the number of repetitions of the symbol group can be a function of the configuration used for the narrowband TDD frame structure.

[177] In a further aspect, UE 1204 may transmit a first subset of the plurality of symbol groups 1205 associated with the NPRACH preamble on a first uplink occasion in the narrowband TDD frame structure and a second subset from among the plurality of symbol groups 1205 associated with the NPRACH preamble on a second uplink occasion in the narrowband TDD frame structure. In a first aspect, the first subset may include the maximum number of symbol groups. In a second aspect, the second subset may include any remaining symbol groups in the plurality Petition 870250053231, dated 06 / 25 / 2025, pp. 73 / 173 62 / 117 symbol groups or the maximum number of symbol groups. In one aspect, a distance between tones used to transmit each symbol group in the plurality of symbol groups may be associated with the narrowband TDD frame structure.

[178] Figure 13 is a diagram illustrating a 1300 flow diagram for sending repetitions of an NPRACH preamble from a UE 1304 to a base station 1302 in accordance with certain aspects of the disclosure. In one aspect, the NPRACH preamble can be a predefined sequence of mini-preambles (e.g., number of symbol groups, jump type, tone position (X)). Additionally and / or alternatively, the NPRACH preamble can be a function of the configuration used for the narrowband TDD frame structure and / or number of special subframes in the narrowband TDD frame structure.

[179] Base station 1302 may correspond, for example, to base stations 102, 180, 502, 602, 702, 802, 902, 1002, 1102, 1202, 1402, 2950, ​​eNB 310, device 1702 / 1702', 3102 / 3102'. UE 1304 may correspond, for example, to UE 104, 350, 504, 604, 704, 804, 904, 1004, 1104, 1204, 1404, 1750, device 2902 / 2902'. Furthermore, the 1302 base station and the UE 1304 can be configured to communicate using narrowband communications (e.g., NB-IoT and / or eMTC). For example, the UE 1304 can be an NB-IoT device and / or an eMTC device.

[180] In one aspect, UE 1304 can receive information 1301 associated with a narrowband TDD frame structure. For example, UE 1304 can receive information 1301 indicating that the narrowband TDD frame structure is one of configuration 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, l or o from table 410 in Figure 4A.

[181] In another aspect, EU 1304 can determine 1303 a first Petition 870250053231, dated 06 / 25 / 2025, pp. 74 / 173 63 / 117 is the number of symbol groups in an NPRACH preamble to be transmitted on an initial uplink in a narrowband TDD frame structure. The initial number of symbol groups may include either two symbol groups or three symbol groups.

[182] In a first configuration, the first number of symbol groups may include two symbol groups. In the first configuration, UE 1304 may transmit a first symbol group 1305 in a first tone on the first uplink occasion and a second symbol group 1305 in a second tone on the first uplink occasion.

[183] ​​In a first aspect of the first configuration, a distance between the first tone and the second tone can be a tone (for example, an OFDM symbol). For example, the first group of symbols can be transmitted on tone X and the second group of symbols can be transmitted on tone X + 1.

[184] In a second aspect of the first configuration, a distance between the first tone and the second tone can be six tones (for example, six OFDM symbols). For example, the first group of symbols can be transmitted on tone X and the second group of symbols can be transmitted on tone X + 6.

[185] In a second configuration, the first number of symbol groups may include three symbol groups. In the second configuration, UE 1304 may transmit a first symbol group 1307 out of the three symbol groups on a first tone of the first uplink occasion, a second symbol group out of the three symbol groups 1307 on a second tone of the first uplink occasion and a third symbol group 1307 out of the three symbol groups on a third tone of the first uplink occasion. Petition 870250053231, dated 06 / 25 / 2025, pp. 75 / 173 64 / 117

[186] In a first aspect of the second configuration, a first distance between the first tone and the second tone can be a tone and a second distance between the second tone and the third tone can be a tone. For example, the first group of symbols can be transmitted in tone X, the second group of symbols can be transmitted in tone X + 1 or X - 1, and the third group of symbols can be transmitted in tone X. The use of X + 1 or X - 1 for the second group of symbols can be based on the possibility of X being even or odd.

[187] In a second aspect of the second configuration, a first distance between the first tone and second tone can be six tones and a second distance between the second tone and third tone can be six tones. For example, the first group of symbols can be transmitted in tone X, the second group of symbols can be transmitted in tone X + 6 or X - 6 and the third group of symbols can be transmitted in tone X. For the second group of symbols, a selection is made between X + 6 or X - 6 to ensure that the tone is in the same feature block.

[188] In a third aspect of the second configuration, a first distance between the first tone and second tone can be one tone and a second distance between the second tone and the third tone can be six tones. Furthermore, UE 1304 can transmit a fourth group of symbols 1309 in a fourth tone on a second ascending link occasion subsequent to the first ascending link occasion. In one aspect, a third distance between the third tone and the fourth tone can be one tone.

[189] For example, the first group of symbols can be transmitted on tone X on the first ascending link, the second group of symbols can be transmitted on tone X + 1 on the first ascending link, the third group of symbols can be transmitted on symbol X + 6 on the first ascending link, and the fourth group of symbols can be transmitted Petition 870250053231, dated 06 / 25 / 2025, pp. 76 / 173 65 / 117 in key X or X + 7 on the second occasion of ascending linking. NPRACH - Frequency Jump

[190] The frequency hopping of an NPRACH preamble in a narrowband FDD frame structure can be used by a base station to perform accurate course and timing estimation. For example, a first pair of symbol groups can be separated by a subcarrier on a first uplink occasion and used for timing course estimation. A second pair of symbol groups can be separated by five to seven subcarriers on a second uplink occasion and used for accurate timing estimation. If the frequency hopping pattern is used for a narrowband TDD frame structure, the base station may have to rely on preambles that are separated in time over different uplink occasions and therefore do not provide accurate timing and course estimation due to the fact that channel conditions may change between uplink occasions.

[191] There is a need for an NPRACH frequency hopping pattern in a narrowband TDD frame structure that supports accurate course and timing estimation.

[192] Figure 14 is a diagram illustrating a 1400 flow diagram for an NPRACH frequency hopping pattern sent from a UE 1404 to a base station 1402 in accordance with certain aspects of the disclosure. Base station 1402 may correspond, for example, to base station 102, 180, 502, 602, 702, 802, 902, 1002, 1102, 1202, 1302, 2950, ​​eNB 310, device 1702 / 1702', 3102 / 3102'. UE 1404 may correspond, for example, to UE 104, 350, 504, 604, 704, 804, 904, 1004, 1104, 1204, 1304, 1750, and to device 2902 / 2902. Furthermore, base station 1402 and UE 1404 may be... Petition 870250053231, dated 06 / 25 / 2025, page 77 / 173 66 / 117 configured to communicate using narrowband communications (e.g., NB-IoT and / or eMTC). For example, the UE 1404 can be an NB-IoT device and / or an eMTC device.

[193] In one aspect, UE 1404 can receive 1401 information associated with a narrowband TDD frame structure. For example, UE 1404 can receive 1401 information indicating that the narrowband TDD frame structure is one of configuration 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, l or o from table 410 in Figure 4A.

[194] In another aspect, UE 1404 can determine 1403 a hopping pattern associated with two pairs of symbol groups of a NPRACH transmitted on one or more uplink occasions using the narrowband TDD frame structure.

[195] In a first configuration, the hopping pattern associated with the two pairs of symbol groups can occur on a single uplink occasion. For example, one symbol group in a first pair of symbol groups may be located on the Z subcarrier on an uplink occasion and the other symbol group in the first pair of symbol groups may be located on the Z + 1 subcarrier on the uplink occasion. The first pair of symbol groups can be used by base station 1402 for course timing estimation. Furthermore, one symbol group in a second pair of symbol groups may be located on the Z subcarrier on the uplink occasion and the other symbol group in the second pair of symbol groups may be located on the Z + 6 subcarrier on the uplink occasion. The second pair of symbol groups can be used by base station 1402 for accurate timing estimation.

[196] In a second configuration, the jump pattern associated with one of the two pairs of symbol groups can occur in a first Petition 870250053231, dated 06 / 25 / 2025, pp. 78 / 173 67 / 117 uplink occasion and the hopping pattern associated with the other of the two pairs of symbol groups may occur on a different uplink occasion. For example, one symbol group in a first pair of symbol groups may be located on the Z subcarrier on a first uplink occasion, and the other symbol group in the first pair of symbol groups may be located on the Z+1 subcarrier on the first uplink occasion. The first pair of symbol groups may be used by base station 1402 for course timing estimation.Furthermore, one symbol group in a second pair of symbol groups may be located on the Z subcarrier on a second uplink occasion (e.g., the next uplink occasion after the first uplink occasion), and the other symbol group in the second pair of symbol groups may be located on the Z+6 subcarrier on the second uplink occasion. The second pair of symbol groups may be used by base station 1402 for accurate timing estimation.

[197] In a further aspect, UE 1404 can transmit the first pair of 1405 symbol groups and the second pair of 1405 symbol groups on the same uplink occasion or on adjacent uplink occasions in the narrowband TDD frame structure. If the first pair of 1405 symbol groups and the second pair of 1405 symbol groups are transmitted on the same uplink occasion, one of the symbols may be common across both symbol group pairs. In other words, the tone mapping for the symbol groups can be selected so that at least one of two conditions is met. Condition one, a UL occasion (e.g., which can accommodate three or more symbol groups) may include that there are at least two symbol groups that are separated by a subcarrier and there are at least Petition 870250053231, dated 06 / 25 / 2025, pp. 79 / 173 68 / 117 minus two groups of symbols that are separated by 6 subcarriers. Condition two, in all alternative ascending linkage occasions, there are at least two groups of symbols that are separated by 1 tone and in any other alternative ascending linkage occasion there are at least two groups of symbols that are separated by 6 tones.

[198] Figure 15 is a 1500 flowchart of a wireless communication method. The method can be performed by a base station (e.g., base station 102, 180, 502, 602, 702, 802, 902, 1002, 1102, 1202, 1302, 1402, eNB 310, 2350, handset 1702 / 1702'). In Figure 15, dashed lines indicate optional operations.

[199] In 1502, the base station can determine a narrowband TDD frame structure for narrowband communications. For example, with reference to Figure 5A, base station 502 can determine 501 a narrowband TDD frame structure for narrowband communications. For example, base station 502 can determine 501 that the narrowband TDD frame structure has one of the configurations 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, l or o from table 410 in Figure 4A.

[200] In 1504, the base station can determine a physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH) format from a group of PUSCH formats to allocate at least one RU to a UE for an NPUCCH. For example, with reference to Figure 5A, base station 502 can determine 503 a PUSCH format from a group (e.g., NPUSCH format 1, NPUSCH format 2, or modified PUSCH format 2) to allocate at least one RU to UE 504 for an NPUCCH. For example, base station 502 can determine that the modified NPUSCH format 2 be used (e.g., see 450 in Figure 4B) in order to allocate one or more RUs to UE 504 for an NPUCCH. Petition 870250053231, dated 06 / 25 / 2025, page 80 / 173 69 / 117

[201] In 1506, the base station can allocate at least one RU to the UE using the determined PUSCH format. In one aspect, the RU can include multiple subcarriers in each of one or more intervals. In another aspect, each of the multiple subcarriers can have an associated subcarrier frequency spacing of 3.75 kHz, 7.5 kHz, or 15 kHz. For example, with reference to Figure 5A, base station 502 can allocate 505 to at least one RU for UE 504 using the determined PUSCH format. In one aspect, the RU can include multiple subcarriers in each of one or more intervals. In another aspect, each of the multiple subcarriers can have an associated subcarrier frequency spacing of 3.75 kHz, 7.5 kHz, or 15 kHz. For example, base station 502 can allocate two or more subcarriers in one or more slots (e.g., four slots) to UE 504 for an NPUCCH.If the subcarrier spacing of the narrowband TDD frame structure is 3.75 kHz, base station 502 can allocate one or more RUs in either a single interval or two intervals.

[202] In 1508, the base station can transmit information associated with at least one of the RU or PUSCH format. For example, with reference to Figure 5A, base station 502 can transmit information 507 indicating the NPUSCH format and the RUs allocated to UE 504 for NPUCCH.

[203] Figure 16 is a 1600 flowchart of a wireless communication method. The method can be performed by a base station (e.g., base station 102, 180, 502, 602, 702, 802, 902, 1002, 1102, 1202, 1302, 1402, eNB 310, 2350, handset 1702 / 1702'). In Figure 16, dashed lines indicate optional operations.

[204] In 1602, the base station could determine a frame structure. Petition 870250053231, dated 06 / 25 / 2025, page 81 / 173 70 / 117 narrowband TDD that includes at least a predetermined number of contiguous uplink subframes. For example, with reference to Figure 5B, base station 502 can determine 509 a narrowband TDD frame structure that includes at least a predetermined number of contiguous uplink subframes. In one aspect, the predetermined number of subframes may include three contiguous uplink subframes, each 1 ms long (e.g., 15 kHz subcarrier spacing). In another aspect, the predetermined number of contiguous uplink subframes may include two contiguous uplink subframes or more than three contiguous uplink subframes.For example, base station 502 can determine 509 that the narrowband TDD frame structure has one of configurations 0 or 6 from table 410 in Figure 4A when the predetermined number of contiguous uplink subframes is three contiguous uplink subframes.

[205] In 1604, the base station can determine a first number of symbols in each of a second number of intervals to be used in allocating at least one RU to one UE to an NPUSCH. In one aspect, the first number of symbols and the second number of intervals can be based on the predetermined number of contiguous uplink subframes. For example, with reference to Figure 5B, base station 502 can determine a first number of symbols in each of a second number of intervals to be used in allocating at least one RU to UE 504 to an NPUSCH. In one aspect, the first number of symbols and the second number of intervals can be based on the predetermined number of contiguous uplink subframes. In another aspect, each interval in the second number of intervals can have a spacing of Petition 870250053231, dated 06 / 25 / 2025, page 82 / 173 71 / 117 associated subcarrier frequency of 3.75 kHz, 7.5 kHz, or 15 kHz. In a further aspect, each interval in the second number of intervals may have a different associated subcarrier frequency spacing of 3.75 kHz, 7.5 kHz, or 15 kHz and is a function of the configuration used for the narrowband TDD subframe structure. The legacy RU allocation units may be units of 2 intervals (e.g., one uplink subframe), 4 intervals (two uplink subframes), 8 intervals (e.g., four uplink subframes), and / or 16 intervals (e.g., eight uplink subframes). Each interval may have 7 OFDM symbols. In a first configuration, when settings 0 or 3 are used as the narrowband TDD frame structure, 3 contiguous uplink subframes with a duration of 3 ms are located in each radio frame.In other words, 6 uplink slots can be available in each radio frame for uplink transmission (or uplink transmissions). Thus, RU allocation can include 6 slots (e.g., each with 7 OFDM symbols) that can use the available uplink resources in each radio frame more efficiently than using the legacy RU allocation units. In a second configuration, when configuration 6 is used as the narrowband TDD frame structure, 3 contiguous subframes (e.g., 6 slots) are located in the first half-frame of a radio frame, and 2 contiguous uplink subframes (e.g., 4 slots) are located in the second half-frame of the radio frame. In other words, 10 uplink slots can be available in each radio frame for uplink transmission (or uplink transmissions).Thus, the RU allocation can include 10 intervals (for example, each with 7 OFDM symbols) that can use the... Petition 870250053231, dated 06 / 25 / 2025, page 83 / 173 72 / 117 uplink resources available in each radio frame more efficiently than with the use of legacy RU allocation units. In a third configuration, when uplink subframes with a subcarrier spacing of 3.75 kHz are used for RU allocation, the RU allocation units can include more or less than 16 intervals (e.g., each with 7 OFDM symbols). An RU allocation of more or less than 16 intervals can use the uplink resources available in each radio frame more efficiently than with the use of legacy RU allocation units.

[206] In 1606, the base station can allocate at least one RU to the UE. For example, with reference to Figure 5B, base station 502 can allocate 513 to at least one RU to UE 504. In one aspect, the RU can include a single subcarrier or multiple subcarriers in each of one or more intervals. In another aspect, each of the multiple subcarriers can have an associated subcarrier frequency spacing of 3.75 kHz, 7.5 kHz, or 15 kHz. For example, base station 502 can allocate two or more subcarriers in six intervals to UE 504 for an NPUSCH.

[207] In 1608, the base station can transmit information associated with at least one RU allocated to the UE. For example, referring to Figure 5B, base station 502 can transmit information 515 indicating the RUs allocated to the UE 504 for the NPUSCH.

[208] Figure 17 is a conceptual data flow diagram 1700 illustrating the data flow between different media / components in an exemplary device 1702. The device may be a base station (e.g., base station 102, 180, 502, 602, 702, 802, 902, 1002, 1102, 1202, 1302, 1402, eNB 310, device 1702', 3102 / 3102') communicating with a UE 1750. The device may include a receiving component 1704, a component of Petition 870250053231, dated 06 / 25 / 2025, page 84 / 173 73 / 117 frame structure 1706, RU allocation component 1708, transmission component 1710 and / or a PUSCH format component 1712.

[209] In certain configurations, the 1706 frame structure component can be configured to determine a narrowband TDD frame structure for narrowband communications. The 1706 frame structure component can be configured to send a signal associated with the narrowband TDD frame structure to the 1710 transmission component.

[210] In certain configurations, the PUSCH format component 1712 can be configured to determine a PUSCH format from a group of PUSCH formats to allocate at least one RU to UE 1750 for an NPUCCH. The PUSCH component 1712 can be configured to send a signal associated with the PUSCH format to the transmission component 1710 and / or the RU allocation component 1708.

[211] In certain configurations, the RU allocation component 1708 can be configured to allocate at least one RU to the UE using the specified PUSCH format. In one aspect, the RU can include multiple subcarriers in each of one or more intervals. In another aspect, each of the multiple subcarriers can have an associated subcarrier frequency spacing of 3.75 kHz, 7.5 kHz, or 15 kHz. The RU allocation component 1708 can be configured to send a signal associated with the allocated RU that is based on the specified PUSCH format to the transmission component 1710.

[212] In certain configurations, the 1710 transmission component can be configured to transmit information associated with at least one within the RU or PUSCH format to the UE 1750.

[213] In certain configurations, the receiving components Petition 870250053231, dated 06 / 25 / 2025, page 85 / 173 74 / 117 1704 can be configured to receive one or more of the following: one NPUCCH and / or one NPUSCH from UE 1750.

[214] The device may include additional components that perform each of the algorithm blocks in the flowchart mentioned above in Figure 15. Thus, each block in the flowcharts mentioned above in Figure 15 may be performed by a component, and the device may include one or more of these components. The components may be one or more hardware components specifically configured to perform the declared processes / algorithms, deployed by a processor configured to perform the declared processes / algorithm, stored within a computer-readable medium for deployment by a processor, or some combination thereof.

[215] Figure 18 is an 1800 diagram illustrating an example of a hardware deployment for a 1702 device employing a 1814 processing system. The 1814 processing system can be deployed with a bus architecture, generally represented by the 1824 bus. The 1824 bus can include any number of interconnecting buses and bridges depending on the specific application of the 1814 processing system and general model limitations. The 1824 bus connects various circuits including one or more processors and / or hardware components, represented by the 1804 processor, the 1704, 1706, 1708, 1710, and 1712 components, and the 1806 computer-readable media / memory. The 1824 bus can also connect various other circuits, such as timing sources, peripherals, voltage regulators, and power management circuits, which are well known in the art and therefore will not be described further.

[216] The 1814 processing system can be coupled to a Petition 870250053231, dated 06 / 25 / 2025, page 86 / 173 75 / 117 transceiver 1810. The 1810 transceiver is coupled to one or more 1820 antennas. The 1810 transceiver provides a means to communicate with various other devices through a transmission medium. Transceiver 1810 receives a signal from one or more antennas 1820, extracts information from the received signal, and provides the extracted information to the processing system 1814, specifically the receiving component 1704. In addition, transceiver 1810 receives information from the processing system 1814, specifically the transmitting component 1710, and based on the received information, generates a signal to be applied to one or more antennas 1820. The processing system 1814 includes a processor 1804 coupled to a computer-readable medium / memory 1806. The processor 1804 is responsible for general processing, including the execution of software stored in the computer-readable medium / memory 1806.The software, when executed by the 1804 processor, causes the 1814 processing system to perform the various functions described above for any particular device. The 1806 computer-readable media / memory can also be used to store data that is manipulated by the 1804 processor during software execution. The 1814 processing system additionally includes at least one of the 1704, 1706, 1708, 1710, or 1712 components. The components may be software components that run on the 1804 processor, reside / are stored in the 1806 computer-readable media / memory, one or more hardware components coupled to the 1804 processor, or some combination thereof. The 1814 processing system may be a component of the eNB 310 and may include memory 376 and / or at least one of the TX 316 processor, the RX 370 processor, and the controller / processor 375.

[217] In one configuration, the 1702 / 1702 device for communication Petition 870250053231, dated 06 / 25 / 2025, p. 87 / 173 76 / 117 wireless may include means for determining the narrowband TDD frame structure for narrowband communications. In another configuration, the 1702 / 1702' wireless communication device may include means for determining a PUSCH format from a group of PUSCH formats to allocate at least one RU to one UE for a narrowband physical uplink control channel NPUCCH. In a further configuration, the 1702 / 1702' wireless communication device may* include means for allocating at least one RU to the UE using the determined PUSCH format. In one aspect, the RU may include multiple subcarriers in each of one or more intervals. In another aspect, each of the multiple subcarriers may have an associated subcarrier frequency spacing of 3.75 kHz, 7.5 kHz, or 15 kHz.In a further configuration, the 1702 / 1702' wireless communication apparatus may include means for transmitting information associated with at least one of the RU or PUSCH to UE format. The aforementioned means may be one or more of the aforementioned components of the 1702 apparatus and / or the 1814 processing system of the 1702' apparatus configured to perform the functions described by the aforementioned means. As described above, the 1814 processing system may include the TX processor 316, the RX processor 370, and the controller / processor 375. Thus, in one configuration, the aforementioned means may be the TX processor 316, the RX processor 370, and the controller / processor 375 configured to perform the functions described by the aforementioned means.

[218] Figures 19A and 19B are a 1900 flowchart of a wireless communication method. The method can be performed by a UE (e.g., UE 104, 350, 504, 604, 704, 804, 904, 1004, 1104, 1204, 1304, 1404, device 2902 / 2902'). In Figure 19, the dashed lines indicate operations. Petition 870250053231, dated 06 / 25 / 2025, page 88 / 173 77 / 117 optional operations.

[219] In Figure 19A, in 1902, the UE can receive information associated with a narrowband TDD frame structure that has a first contiguous uplink transmission duration. In certain aspects, when a subcarrier spacing associated with the narrowband TDD frame structure is 15 kHz, a complete interval can include seven OFDM symbols and can be 0.5 ms long. In certain other aspects, when the subcarrier spacing associated with the narrowband TDD frame structure is 7.5 kHz, a complete interval can include seven OFDM symbols and can be 1 ms long. In certain other aspects, when the subcarrier spacing associated with the narrowband TDD frame structure is 3.75 kHz, a complete interval can include seven OFDM symbols and can be 2 ms long.For example, with reference to Figure 6, UE 604 can receive information 601 associated with a narrowband TDD frame structure that has a first set of contiguous uplink subframes with a first number of intervals. For example, the narrowband TDD frame structure may have one of configurations 0, 1, 3, 4, or 6 from Table 410 in Figure 4A, each including contiguous uplink subframes. In one aspect, the narrowband TDD frame structure may include a first set of contiguous uplink subframes and a second set of contiguous uplink subframes. For example, narrowband TDD frame structures that include a first and second set of contiguous uplink subframes may have configuration 0, 1, and / or 6 from Table 410 in Figure 4A.In another aspect, the narrowband TDD frame structure can include a single set of contiguous uplink subframes. For example, as... Petition 870250053231, dated 06 / 25 / 2025, page 89 / 173 78 / 117 Narrowband TDD frame structures that include a single set of contiguous uplink subframes may have configuration 3 and / or 4 from Table 410 in Figure 4A. Such TDD configurations are defined for the 10 ms frame, 15 kHz subcarrier spacing where each subframe is 1 ms long. In a system employing multiple subcarrier spacings, the TDD configuration can be considered as specifying a duration of uplink transmissions and downlink transmissions.

[220] In Figure 19A, in 1904, the UE can rate match the first portion of the uplink transmission in the first contiguous uplink transmission duration based on a total number of symbols transmitted and not used in the first contiguous uplink transmission duration. In certain aspects, any unused symbols in a range for which only a subset of symbols is transmitted can be punched. For example, with reference to Figure 6, the UE 604 can rate match 603 with a first portion of an uplink transmission in the first contiguous uplink transmission duration based on a total number of symbols in the first contiguous uplink transmission duration. In certain configurations, the UE 604 can perform rate matching by assuming the entire range is transmitted and then punching the symbols that are not, in fact, transmitted.In certain other configurations, UE 604 can perform rate matching assuming a reduced number of symbols due to the partial range. In certain aspects, a new pilot pattern can be defined for the new partial range structure. Alternatively, the pilot pattern corresponding to the full range can be used with perforation. That is, if the partial range has N symbols, the symbols of... Petition 870250053231, dated 06 / 25 / 2025, page 90 / 173 79 / 117 pilot outside the N symbols are perforated.

[221] In Figure 19A, in 1906, UE can be rate-matched with the first portion of the uplink transmission in the first contiguous uplink duration based on a total number of symbols in the first interval and the first subset of symbols in the second interval. In certain respects, the first subset of symbols in the second interval can match the symbols available for uplink transmissions. For example, with reference to Figure 6, UE 604 can be rate-matched 603 with the first portion of the uplink transmission 605 in the first contiguous uplink transmission duration based on a total number of symbols (e.g., 7 OFDM symbols) in the first interval and the first subset of symbols in the second interval.In one aspect, the first portion of the 605 uplink transmission can be transmitted using a pilot pattern based on all symbols (e.g., 7 OFDM symbols) in the first interval and the first subset of symbols (e.g., less than 7 OFDM symbols) in the second interval. In either the first aspect or the second aspect of the second configuration, the UE 604 can transmit the first portion of the 605 uplink transmission using all symbols in a first interval in the first number of intervals and a first subset of symbols in a second interval in the first number of intervals. In certain configurations, the UE 604 can perform rate matching by assuming the entire interval is transmitted and then punching out symbols that are not, in fact, transmitted.In certain other configurations, UE 604 may perform rate matching assuming a reduced number of symbols due to partial spacing. In certain aspects, a new pilot standard may be defined for the new structure. Petition 870250053231, dated 06 / 25 / 2025, page 91 / 173 80 / 117 partial interval. Alternatively, the pilot pattern corresponding to the full interval can be used with perforation. That is, if the partial interval has N symbols, the pilot symbols outside the N symbols are perforated.

[222] In Figure 19A, in 1908, the UE could transmit a first portion of an uplink transmission comprising a first number of intervals in the first contiguous uplink transmission duration. In certain aspects, the uplink transmission may have a longer duration than the first contiguous uplink transmission duration. In certain other aspects, the first portion of the uplink transmission may be transmitted using as many complete intervals as fit in the first contiguous uplink transmission duration. In certain other aspects, the number of OFDM symbols forming an interval may be a function of subcarrier spacing such that as the subcarrier spacing decreases, the number of OFDM symbols forming an interval decreases.In certain other configurations, the first contiguous uplink transmission duration and a second contiguous uplink transmission duration may be located in the same radio frame. In certain other configurations, the first contiguous uplink transmission duration and a second contiguous uplink transmission duration may be located in different radio frames. For example, with reference to Figure 6, UE 604 may transmit a first portion of the uplink transmission 605 using a first number of intervals in a first contiguous uplink transmission duration (e.g., using all symbols in the first set of contiguous uplink subframes) and may transmit a remaining portion of the uplink transmission 607 with the... Petition 870250053231, dated 06 / 25 / 2025, page 92 / 173 81 / 117 use of at least a portion of one or more intervals in a next set of contiguous uplink subframes.

[223] In Figure 19A, in 1910, the UE could transmit the first portion of the uplink transmission in the first contiguous uplink transmission duration by transmitting the first portion of the uplink transmission using all symbols in a first interval in the first number of intervals and a first subset of symbols in a second interval in the first number of intervals so that a total transmission duration is less than the first contiguous uplink transmission duration. In certain configurations, a pilot pattern can be selected for an interval for which only a subset of symbols is transmitted based on a number of signals transmitted. In certain other configurations, the pilot pattern corresponding to the interval for which only a subset of symbols is transmitted can be obtained by punching the pilot pattern for a complete interval in any unused symbols.For example, with reference to Figure 6, UE 604 can transmit the first portion of uplink transmission 605 using all the complete intervals in the first contiguous uplink transmission duration set. In other words, UE 604 can determine the number of intervals that can be fully transmitted in the first contiguous uplink transmission duration and transmit the first portion of uplink transmission 605 using all the symbols available in the number of intervals determined in the first contiguous uplink transmission duration, and then move to the next uplink transmission duration in order to transmit a second portion (e.g., remaining portion) of uplink transmission 607 using complete intervals that fit in the next one. Petition 870250053231, dated 06 / 25 / 2025, p. 93 / 173 82 / 117 Contiguous uplink transmission duration. In a first example, it is assumed that the information 601 received by UE 604 indicates that configuration 1 is used for the narrowband TDD frame structure and that the uplink transmission duration is eight intervals (e.g., four subframes) where each interval is 0.5 ms long. The first contiguous uplink transmission duration in configuration 1 can be 2 ms long (e.g., subframes 2 and 3), and the second set of contiguous uplink transmission durations in configuration 1 can be 2 ms long (e.g., subframes 7 and 8). Therefore, in accordance with the first configuration, UE 604 can transmit the first portion of the uplink transmission 605 which comprises 4 intervals in the first contiguous uplink transmission duration in a radio frame.UE 604 can transmit the second portion of the uplink transmission 607, which comprises the remaining 4 intervals, using the second contiguous uplink transmission duration in the first radio frame. However, if the uplink transmission duration is 6 intervals, then UE 604 can transmit the first portion of the uplink transmission 605 with the first four intervals of the first contiguous uplink transmission duration, and the remaining portion of the uplink transmission with the last two intervals of the second contiguous uplink transmission duration, and may potentially not transmit anything in the remaining portion.

[224] In Figure 19B, in 1912, the UE could transmit a second portion of the uplink transmission in a second contiguous uplink transmission duration that starts from the unused symbols of the range for which only a subset of symbols is transmitted in Petition 870250053231, dated 06 / 25 / 2025, page 94 / 173 83 / 117 first contiguous uplink transmission duration. For example, with reference to Figure 6, UE 604 can transmit a second portion of the uplink transmission 607 using a second contiguous uplink transmission duration that starts from the unused symbols of the range (e.g., located in a second set of contiguous uplink subframes).

[225] In Figure 19B, in 1914, the UE could transmit a second portion of the uplink transmission using all symbols in a third interval in a second number of intervals. In certain configurations, any unused symbols from the interval for which only a subset of symbols can be transmitted in the first contiguous uplink transmission duration are punched. For example, with reference to Figure 6, the UE 604 could transmit the first portion of the uplink transmission 605 using all complete intervals in the first contiguous uplink transmission duration set.In other words, UE 604 can determine the number of intervals that can be fully transmitted in the first contiguous UL transmission duration and transmit the first portion of the uplink transmission 605 using all available symbols in the determined number of intervals in the first contiguous uplink transmission duration, and then move to the next uplink transmission duration in order to transmit a second portion (e.g., remaining portion) of the uplink transmission 607 using complete intervals that fit in the next contiguous uplink transmission duration. In a first example, assume that the information 601 received by UE 604 indicates that configuration 1 is used for the narrowband TDD frame structure and that the link transmission duration. Petition 870250053231, dated 06 / 25 / 2025, page 95 / 173 84 / 117 uplink transmission consists of eight intervals (e.g., four subframes) where each interval is 0.5 ms long. The first contiguous uplink transmission duration in configuration 1 can be 2 ms long (e.g., subframes 2 and 3), and the second set of contiguous uplink transmission durations in configuration 1 can be 2 ms long (e.g., subframes 7 and 8). Therefore, in accordance with the first configuration, UE 604 can transmit the first portion of uplink transmission 605, comprising 4 intervals, in the first contiguous uplink transmission duration in one radio frame. UE 604 can transmit the second portion of uplink transmission 607, comprising the remaining 4 intervals, using the second contiguous uplink transmission duration in the first radio frame.However, if the uplink transmission duration is 6 intervals, then UE 604 can transmit the first portion of the uplink transmission 605 with the first four intervals of the first contiguous uplink transmission duration, and the remaining portion of the uplink transmission with the last two intervals of the second contiguous uplink transmission duration, and may potentially not transmit anything in the remaining portion.

[226] Figure 20 is a flowchart 2000 of a wireless communication method. The method can be performed by a UE (e.g., UE 104, 350, 504, 604, 704, 804, 904, 1004, 1104, 1204, 1304, 1404, device 2902 / 2902'). In Figure 20, operations with dashed lines indicate optional operations.

[227] In 2002, the UE could receive information associated with a narrowband TDD frame structure. For example, with reference to Figure 7, UE 704 could receive information 701 associated with a narrowband TDD frame structure. For example, the TDD frame structure Petition 870250053231, dated 06 / 25 / 2025, p. 96 / 173 Narrowband 85 / 117 can have one of the configurations 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, l or a from Table 410 in Figure 4A.

[228] In 2004, the UE could transmit an uplink transmission a predetermined number of times using a first encryption sequence. In one aspect, the first encryption sequence could include a first number of LSBs associated with a first radio frame. In another aspect, the first number of LSBs could be greater than a second number of LSBs used in a second encryption sequence associated with a narrowband FDD uplink transmission. For example, with reference to Figure 7, the UE 704 could transmit an uplink transmission 703 a predetermined number of times using a first encryption sequence. For example, each uplink transmission could be repeated M times with the same encryption sequence.Repeating the uplink transmission M times can aid in matching the uplink transmission by base station 702 before decryption, but may come at the cost of not randomizing interference. In one aspect, the first encryption sequence may include a first number of LSBs associated with a first radio frame. In another aspect, the first number of LSBs may be greater than a second number of LSBs used in a second encryption sequence associated with a narrowband FDD uplink transmission.

[229] In 2006, UE could perform uplink transmission using the first encryption sequence, performing uplink transmission once using the first encryption sequence. For example, with reference to Figure 7, UE 704 could not send identical repetitions (e.g., M = 1). In other words, uplink transmission 703 could be transmitted once using a sequence of Petition 870250053231, dated 06 / 25 / 2025, p. 97 / 173 86 / 117 exclusive encryptions.

[230] In 2008, UE could perform uplink transmission using the first encryption sequence by repeating uplink transmission multiple times using the first encryption sequence. In one aspect, the number of times uplink transmission can be repeated using the first encryption sequence is associated with the narrowband TDD frame structure or the number of consecutive uplink subframes. For example, with reference to Figure 7, uplink transmission 703 can be sent M times with the same encryption sequence, and then the next M repetitions 705 can be transmitted with a different encryption sequence. M can be a function of the number of contiguous or non-contiguous uplink subframes in a single radio frame.

[231] In 2010, the UE can repeat the uplink transmission. In one aspect, a different encryption sequence can be used for each repetition of the uplink transmission. For example, with reference to Figure 7, each of the 705 repetitions of the uplink transmission can be sent with a different encryption sequence.

[232] Figure 21 is a flowchart 2100 of a wireless communication method. The method can be performed by a UE (e.g., UE 104, 350, 504, 604, 704, 804, 904, 1004, 1104, 1204, 1304, 1404, device 2902 / 2902'). In Figure 21, dashed lines indicate optional operations.

[233] In 2102, the UE can receive information associated with a narrowband TDD frame structure for narrowband communications. For example, with reference to Figure 8, UE 804 can receive information 801 associated with a narrowband TDD frame structure. Petition 870250053231, dated 06 / 25 / 2025, p. 98 / 173 87 / 117 narrow. For example, the narrowband TDD frame structure can have one of the configurations 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, l or a from Table 410 in Figure 4A.

[234] In 2104, the UE can determine to repeat an uplink transmission in a first set of radio frames and a second set of radio frames. In one aspect, the first set of radio frames and the second set of radio frames can include the same number of radio frames. In another aspect, the radio frames can be associated with the narrowband TDD frame structure. In a further aspect, the uplink transmission includes an NPRACH preamble. For example, with reference to Figure 8, the UE 804 can determine to repeat an uplink transmission in a first set of radio frames and a second set of radio frames. In certain configurations, the first set of radio frames and the second set of radio frames can each include 256 radio frames.In certain other configurations, the first set of radio frames and the second set of radio frames may include more or less than 256 radio frames. The first set of radio frames and the second set of radio frames may include the same number of radio frames or a different number of radio frames. Uplink transmissions may include, for example, an NPRACH preamble.

[235] In 2106, the UE can determine not to monitor downlink subframes in the first set of radio frames and the second set of radio frames. For example, with reference to Figure 8, UE 804 can determine 805 not to monitor downlink subframes in the first set of radio frames and the second set of radio frames. In one aspect, UE 804 can receive signaling (e.g., not illustrated in Figure 8) from base station 802 indicating not to monitor at least Petition 870250053231, dated 06 / 25 / 2025, p. 99 / 173 88 / 117 a portion of the downlink subframes in one or more of the first set of radio frames and / or the second set of radio frames.

[236] In 2108, the UE can perform one or more of a timing estimate or a frequency estimate using at least one downlink subframe in one or more of the first set of radio frames or the second set of radio frames. In one aspect, there can be no time gap present between the first set of radio frames and the second set of radio frames and the one or more of the timing estimate or frequency estimate is performed without using space information. For example, with reference to Figure 8, the UE 804 can perform 807 one or more of a timing estimate or a frequency estimate using at least one downlink subframe in one or more of the first set of radio frames or the second set of radio frames.By not monitoring at least a portion of the downlink subframes in the first radio frame and / or the second radio frame, UE 804 can use the duration of the downlink subframes to perform timing estimation and / or frequency estimation. Timing estimation and / or frequency estimation can be used to synchronize (e.g., subframe synchronization) with base station 802. Because timing estimation and / or frequency estimation are performed on downlink subframe durations, there may be no time gap present between the first set of radio frames and the second set of radio frames. In other words, timing estimation and / or frequency estimation can be performed without using a gap between a first set of radio frames and a second set of radio frames. Petition 870250053231, dated 06 / 25 / 2025, pp. 100 / 173 89 / 117

[237] Figure 22 is a 2200 flowchart of a wireless communication method. The method can be performed by a UE (e.g., UE 104, 350, 504, 604, 704, 804, 904, 1004, 1104, 1204, 1304, 1404, device 2902 / 2902'). In Figure 22, dashed lines indicate optional operations.

[238] In 2202, the UE can receive information associated with a narrowband TDD frame structure for narrowband communications. For example, with reference to Figure 9A, UE 904 can receive information 901 associated with a narrowband TDD frame structure. For example, the narrowband TDD frame structure can have one of the configurations 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, l or o from table 410 in Figure 4A.

[239] In 2204, the UE can transmit an NB-SRS to a base station using the narrowband TDD frame structure. In one aspect, the NB-SRS can include a single-tone SRS. In another aspect, the NB-SRS can be transmitted as a series of uplink transmissions that use frequency hopping to cover a system bandwidth associated with narrowband communications. In a further aspect, the NB-SRS can be transmitted in an uplink portion of a special subframe. In yet another aspect, the NB-SRS can be multiplexed with an inherited SRS in the uplink portion of the special subframe. For example, with reference to Figure 9A, UE 904 can transmit an NB-SRS 903 to base station 902 using the narrowband TDD frame structure. In one aspect, the NB-SRS 903 comprises a single-tone SRS.In another aspect, NB-SRS 903 can be transmitted as a series of uplink transmissions that use frequency hopping to cover a system bandwidth associated with narrowband communications. In yet another aspect, NB-SRS 903 can be transmitted in an uplink portion of a special subframe. Additionally, NB-SRS 903 can be multiplexed with... Petition 870250053231, dated 06 / 25 / 2025, pp. 101 / 173 90 / 117 an inherited SRS in the uplink portion of the special subframe, as discussed above with respect to Figure 9B.

[240] Figure 23 is a flowchart 2300 of a wireless communication method. The method can be performed by a UE (e.g., UE 104, 350, 504, 604, 704, 804, 904, 1004, 1104, 1204, 1304, 1404, device 2902 / 2902'). In Figure 23, operations with dashed lines indicate optional operations.

[241] In 2302, the UE can receive information associated with a narrowband TDD frame structure for narrowband communications. In one aspect, the narrowband TDD frame structure can include a set of contiguous uplink subframes. For example, with reference to Figure 10A, UE 1004 can receive information 1001 associated with a narrowband TDD frame structure. For example, UE 1004 can receive information 1001 indicating that the narrowband TDD frame structure is one of configuration 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, l or o from table 410 in Figure 4A. In one aspect, information 1001 can indicate a narrowband TDD frame structure that includes a set of contiguous uplink subframes.When information 1001 indicates that the narrowband TDD frame structure includes a set of contiguous uplink subframes, the narrowband TDD frame structure can be one of configurations 0, 1, 3, 4, or 6 from Table 410 in Figure 4A. Each of configurations 0, 1, 3, 4, or 6 includes at least two additional contiguous uplink subframes.

[242] In 2304, the UE can determine an orthogonal sequence length associated with an RS based on at least one of a number of uplink subframes or a number of intervals in the set of contiguous uplink subframes. For example, with reference to Figure 10A, UE 1004 can determine 1003 a sequence length Petition 870250053231, dated 06 / 25 / 2025, pp. 102 / 173 91 / 117 orthogonal associated with an NRS based on at least one of a number of uplink subframes or a number of gaps in the set of contiguous uplink subframes. For example, assuming that information 1001 received by UE 1004 indicates that configuration 1 is used as the narrowband TDD frame structure. As observed in Figure 4A, configuration 1 has a set of 2 contiguous uplink subframes (e.g., subframes 2 and 3). The set of 2 contiguous uplink subframes has 4 gaps. Therefore, UE 1004 can determine 1003 that the orthogonal sequence length associated with the NRS is length 4.Alternatively, when the narrowband TDD frame structure has a single uplink subframe (e.g., configuration 5), the orthogonal NRS sequence length can be length 2 based on the number of gaps in the single uplink subframe (e.g., 2 gaps).

[243] In 2306, UE can transmit RS using the determined orthogonal sequence length. For example, with reference to Figure 10A, UE 1004 can transmit NRS 1005 using the determined orthogonal sequence length. For example, NRS 1005 can be transmitted using a pilot structure of NPUCCH 1 format. In one aspect, NRS 1005 can be transmitted using a modified NPUCCH 1 format pilot structure that includes an increased pilot density per interval compared to the pilot density used in the legacy NPUCCH 1 format. For example, the modified NPUCCH 1 format can include two pilots per interval instead of one pilot per interval, as in a legacy NPUCCH 1 format.

[244] Figure 24 is a 2400 flowchart of a wireless communication method. The method can be implemented by a UE (e.g., UE 104, 350, Petition 870250053231, dated 06 / 25 / 2025, pp. 103 / 173 92 / 117 504, 604, 704, 804, 904, 1004, 1104, 1204, 1304, 1404, the device 2902 / 2902'). In Figure 24, the operations with dashed lines indicate optional operations.

[245] In 2402, the UE can receive information associated with a narrowband TDD frame structure for narrowband communications. For example, with reference to Figure 10B, UE 1004 can receive information 1001 associated with a narrowband TDD frame structure. For example, UE 1004 can receive information 1001 indicating that the narrowband TDD frame structure is one of configuration 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, l or o from table 410 in Figure 4A.

[246] In 2404, the UE can determine a sequence hopping pattern associated with an RS based on at least one of a number of uplink subframes, a number of gaps in the set of contiguous uplink subframes, or a radio frame number. For example, with reference to Figure 10B, the UE 1004 can determine 1007 a sequence hopping pattern associated with an NRS based on at least one of a number of uplink subframes, a number of gaps in the set of contiguous uplink subframes, or a radio frame number. For example, the sequence hopping pattern can be a function of one or more LSBs associated with a radio frame number.By using a sequence hopping pattern that is based on at least one of a number of uplink subframes, a number of gaps in a set of contiguous uplink subframes, or a radio frame number, diversity can be increased compared to using a sequence hopping pattern that is only a function of the gap number.

[247] In 2406, the UE can transmit the RS using the determined sequence hopping pattern. For example, with reference to Figure 10B, the UE 1004 Petition 870250053231, dated 06 / 25 / 2025, pp. 104 / 173 93 / 117 can transmit NRS 1009 using the specified sequence hopping pattern.

[248] Figure 25 is a flowchart 2500 of a wireless communication method. The method can be performed by a UE (e.g., UE 104, 350, 504, 604, 704, 804, 904, 1004, 1104, 1204, 1304, 1404, device 2902 / 2902'). In Figure 25, dashed lines indicate optional operations.

[249] In 2502, the UE can receive information associated with a narrowband TDD frame structure for narrowband communications. For example, with reference to Figure 11, UE 1104 can receive information 1101 associated with a narrowband TDD frame structure. For example, UE 1104 can receive information 1101 indicating that the narrowband TDD frame structure is one of configuration 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, l or o from table 410 in Figure 4A.

[250] In 2504, the UE can transmit a first symbol group of a first NPRACH preamble to a base station. In one aspect, a first length of the first symbol group can be associated with the narrowband TDD frame structure. In another aspect, the first length of the first symbol group can be shorter than the second length of a second symbol group of a second NPRACH preamble transmitted using a narrowband FDD frame structure.In a further aspect, a first preamble format associated with the first NPRACH preamble may be different from a second preamble format associated with a second NPRACH preamble transmitted using a structure of. Petition 870250053231, dated 06 / 25 / 2025, pp. 105 / 173 94 / 117 narrowband FDD frame. In another aspect, the first length of the first symbol group can be associated with one or more uplink durations of the narrowband TDD frame structure.

[251] For example, with reference to Figure 11, UE 1104 can transmit a first symbol group 1103 of a first NPRACH preamble to base station 1102. In one aspect, a first length of the first symbol group can be associated with the narrowband TDD frame structure. In one configuration, the first length of the first symbol group can be shorter than the second length of a second symbol group of a second NPRACH preamble transmitted using a narrowband FDD frame structure. In one aspect, the first length can be reduced so that the uplink transmission repeats fit within a narrowband TDD frame structure.For example, if the first length is reduced from 1.4 ms / 1.6 ms (e.g., the lengths used for narrowband FDD frame structure) to 1 ms, UE 1104 can accommodate 2 symbol groups in a 2 ms uplink occasion (e.g., a single uplink subframe or a set of contiguous uplink subframes) and 3 symbol groups in a 3 ms uplink occasion. A special subframe can be located before certain uplink occasions, and the timing uncertainty associated with NPRACH can be accommodated by the special subframe located before the uplink occasion. Reducing the NPRACH preamble length can also make it possible for 1 symbol group to fit in 1 uplink subframe, which can be useful when configuration 2 is used for narrowband TDD frame structure. Petition 870250053231, dated 06 / 25 / 2025, pages 106 / 17395 / 117 In a second configuration, the first symbol group length can be longer than the second symbol group length of a second NPRACH preamble transmitted using a narrowband FDD frame structure. In one aspect, the first length can be increased so that uplink transmission repetitions fit within a narrowband TDD frame structure. For example, UE 1104 can increase the symbol group size by 2 ms and accommodate 1 uplink symbol group in a 2 ms uplink instance.Transmitting a symbol group of the same size on a 2 ms uplink occasion using the symbol group size associated with the narrowband FDD frame structure can cause a waste of 0.6 ms / 0.4 ms of the 2 ms uplink occasion, since the symbol group length in the narrowband FDD frame structure is 1.4 ms / 1.6 ms. In a third configuration, a first preamble format associated with the first NPRACH preamble may be different from a second preamble format associated with a second NPRACH preamble transmitted using a narrowband FDD frame structure. In a fourth configuration, the first symbol group length can* be associated with one or more uplink occasions in the narrowband TDD frame structure.For example, the initial length of the first group of symbols can be a function of the configuration used for the narrowband TDD frame structure.

[252] Figure 26 is a 2600 flowchart of a wireless communication method. The method can be performed by a UE (e.g., UE 104, 350, 504, 604, 704, 804, 904, 1004, 1104, 1204, 1304, 1404, device 2902 / 2902'). In Figure 26, dashed lines indicate optional operations. Petition 870250053231, dated 06 / 25 / 2025, pp. 107 / 173 96 / 117

[253] In 2602, the UE can receive information associated with a narrowband TDD frame structure for narrowband communications. For example, with reference to Figure 12, UE 1204 can receive information 1201 associated with a narrowband TDD frame structure. For example, UE 1204 can receive information 1201 indicating that the narrowband TDD frame structure is one of configuration 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, l or o from table 410 in Figure 4A.

[254] In 2604, UE 1204 can determine a maximum number of symbol groups in a plurality of symbol groups associated with an NPRACH preamble that fits into an uplink occasion in the narrowband TDD frame structure. In one aspect, the plurality of symbol groups can include symbol frames. In another aspect, the plurality of symbol groups can be associated with the narrowband TDD frame structure. In a suitable aspect, a distance between tones used to transmit each symbol group in the plurality of symbol groups can be associated with the narrowband TDD frame structure. For example, with reference to Figure 12, UE 1204 can determine a maximum number of symbol groups in a plurality of symbol groups associated with an NPRACH preamble that fits into an uplink occasion in the narrowband TDD frame structure.In a first configuration, the NPRACH preamble for a narrowband TDD frame structure can include a fixed number of symbol group repetitions, and UE 1204 can fit the symbol group repetitions across different serial uplink occasions, fitting as many repetitions as will fit in each uplink occasion. In a second configuration, the number of symbol group repetitions and the sequence hopping pattern of the NPRACH preamble can be equal to... Petition 870250053231, dated 06 / 25 / 2025, pp. 108 / 173 97 / 117 number of repetitions and the sequence jump pattern used for a narrowband FDD frame structure. In a third configuration, the number of symbol group repetitions can be a function of the configuration used for the narrowband TDD frame structure.

[255] In 2606, the UE transmission component 2912 may transmit a first subset of the plurality of symbol groups associated with the NPRACH preamble on a first uplink occasion in the narrowband TDD frame structure and a second subset of the plurality of symbol groups associated with the NPRACH preamble on a second uplink occasion in the narrowband TDD frame structure. In one aspect, the first subset may include the maximum number of symbol groups. In another aspect, the second subset may include any remaining symbol groups in the plurality of symbol groups or the maximum number of symbol groups.For example, with reference to Figure 12, UE 1204 may transmit a first subset of the symbol group plurality 1205 associated with the NPRACH preamble on a first uplink occasion in the narrowband TDD frame structure and a second subset from among the symbol group plurality 1205 associated with the NPRACH preamble on a second uplink occasion in the narrowband TDD frame structure. In a first aspect, the first subset may include the maximum number of symbol groups. In a second aspect, the second subset may include any remaining symbol groups in the symbol group plurality or the maximum number of symbol groups. In one aspect, a tone distance used to transmit each symbol group in the symbol group plurality may be associated with the narrowband TDD frame structure. Petition 870250053231, dated 06 / 25 / 2025, pp. 109 / 173 98 / 117

[256] Figure 27 is a flowchart 2700 of a wireless communication method. The method can be performed by a UE (e.g., UE 104, 350, 504, 604, 704, 804, 904, 1004, 1104, 1204, 1304, 1404, device 2902 / 2902'). In Figure 27, dashed lines indicate optional operations.

[257] In 2702, the UE can receive information associated with a narrowband TDD frame structure for narrowband communications. For example, with reference to Figure 13, UE 1304 can receive information 1301 associated with a narrowband TDD frame structure. For example, UE 1304 can receive information 1301 indicating that the narrowband TDD frame structure is one of configuration 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, l or o from table 410 in Figure 4A.

[258] In 2704, the UE can determine a first number of symbol groups of an NPRACH preamble to be transmitted on a first uplink occasion in the narrowband TDD frame structure. In one aspect, the first number of symbol groups can include either two symbol groups or three symbol groups. For example, with reference to Figure 13, the UE 1304 can determine 1303 a first number of symbol groups of an NPRACH preamble to be transmitted on a first uplink occasion in the narrowband TDD frame structure.

[259] When the first number of symbol groups includes two symbol groups, in 2706, the UE may transmit a first symbol group from among the two symbol groups in a first tone on the first occasion of ascending link and a second symbol group from among the two symbol groups in a second tone on the first occasion of ascending link. In one aspect, a distance between the first tone and the second tone may be either one tone or six tones. For example, with reference to Figure 13, the first number of symbol groups may include two groups of Petition 870250053231, dated 06 / 25 / 2025, pages 110 / 173 99 / 117 symbols in a first configuration. In the first configuration, UE 1304 can transmit a first group of 1305 symbols in a first tone on the first uplink occasion and a second group of 1305 symbols in a second tone on the first uplink occasion. In a first aspect of the first configuration, the distance between the first tone and the second tone can be one tone (e.g., one OFDM symbol). For example, the first group of symbols can be transmitted in tone X and the second group of symbols can be transmitted in tone X + 1. In a second aspect of the first configuration, the distance between the first tone and the second tone can be six tones (e.g., six OFDM symbols). For example, the first group of symbols can be transmitted in tone X and the second group of symbols can be transmitted in tone X + 6.

[260] When the first number of symbol groups includes three symbol groups, in 2708, the UE may transmit a first symbol group from among the three symbol groups in a first tone of the first ascending linking occasion, a second symbol group from among the three symbol groups in a second tone of the first ascending linking occasion and a third symbol group from among the three symbol groups in a third tone of the first ascending linking occasion. In one aspect, a first distance between the first tone and the second tone may be one tone and a second distance between the first tone and the third tone may be six tones.For example, with reference to Figure 13, UE 1304 can transmit a first group of symbols 1307 from among the three groups of symbols in a first tone of the first uplink occasion, a second group of symbols from among the three groups of symbols 1307 in a second tone of the first uplink occasion, and a third group of symbols 1307 from among the three groups of symbols in a third tone of the first uplink occasion. In. Petition 870250053231, dated 06 / 25 / 2025, pp. 111 / 173 100 / 117 one aspect, the first group of symbols can be transmitted in tone X on the first ascending link, the second group of symbols can be transmitted in tone X + 1 on the first ascending link, and the third group of symbols can be transmitted in symbol X + 6 on the first ascending link.

[261] In 2710, the UE can transmit a fourth group of symbols on a fourth tone on a second uplink occasion subsequent to the first uplink occasion. In one aspect, a third distance between the third tone and the fourth tone can be one tone. For example, with reference to Figure 13, UE 1304 can transmit a fourth group of symbols 1309 on a fourth tone on a second uplink occasion subsequent to the first uplink occasion. In one aspect, a third distance between the third tone and the fourth tone can be one tone. The first group of symbols can be transmitted on tone X on the first uplink occasion, the second group of symbols can be transmitted on tone X + 1 on the first uplink occasion, the third group of symbols can be transmitted on symbol X + 6 on the first uplink occasion, and the fourth group of symbols can be transmitted on tone X or X + 7 on the second uplink occasion.

[262] Figure 28 is a 2800 flowchart of a wireless communication method. The method can be performed by a UE (e.g., UE 104, 350, 504, 604, 704, 804, 904, 1004, 1104, 1204, 1304, 1404, device 2902 / 2902'). In Figure 28, dashed lines indicate optional operations.

[263] In 2802, the UE can receive information associated with a narrowband TDD frame structure for narrowband communications. For example, with reference to Figure 14, UE 1404 can receive information 1401 associated with a narrowband TDD frame structure. Petition 870250053231, dated 06 / 25 / 2025, pp. 112 / 173 101 / 117 narrow. For example, UE 1404 may receive 1401 information indicating that the narrowband TDD frame structure is one of configurations 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, l or o from table 410 in Figure 4A.

[264] In 2804, the UE can determine a hopping pattern associated with two pairs of symbol groups of an NPRACH transmitted on one or more uplink occasions using the narrowband TDD frame structure. For example, with reference to Figure 14, the UE 1404 can determine 1403 a hopping pattern associated with two pairs of symbol groups of an NPRACH transmitted on one or more uplink occasions using the narrowband TDD frame structure. In a first configuration, the hopping pattern associated with the two pairs of symbol groups can occur on a single uplink occasion. For example, one symbol group in a first pair of symbol groups can be located on subcarrier Z on an uplink occasion and the other symbol group in the first pair of symbol groups can be located on subcarrier Z + 1 on the uplink occasion.The first pair of symbol groups can be used by base station 1402 for course timing estimation. Additionally, one symbol group in a second pair of symbol groups can be located on the Z subcarrier during an uplink event, and the other symbol group in the second pair of symbol groups can be located on the Z+6 subcarrier during an uplink event. The second pair of symbol groups can be used by base station 1402 for precise timing estimation. In a second configuration, the hopping pattern associated with one of the two pairs of symbol groups can occur on a first uplink event, and the hopping pattern associated with the other of the two pairs of symbol groups can occur on a different uplink event. For example, one... Petition 870250053231, dated 06 / 25 / 2025, pages 113 / 173 The symbol group in the first pair of symbol groups (102 / 117) may be located on the Z subcarrier on a first uplink occasion, and the other symbol group in the first pair of symbol groups may be located on the Z+1 subcarrier on the first uplink occasion. The first pair of symbol groups may be used by base station 1402 for course timing estimation. Additionally, one symbol group in a second pair of symbol groups may be located on the Z subcarrier on a second uplink occasion (e.g., the next uplink occasion after the first uplink occasion), and the other symbol group in the second pair of symbol groups may be located on the Z+6 subcarrier on the second uplink occasion. The second pair of symbol groups may be used by base station 1402 for precise timing estimation.

[265] In 2806, the UE can transmit a first pair of symbol groups and a second pair of symbol groups on the same uplink occasion or on adjacent uplink occasions in the narrowband TDD frame structure. In one aspect, a first subcarrier spacing associated with the first pair of symbol groups can be a single subcarrier. In another aspect, a second subcarrier spacing associated with the second pair of symbol groups can be six subcarriers. For example, with reference to Figure 14, the UE 1404 can transmit the first pair of symbol groups 1405 and the second pair of symbol groups 1405 on the same uplink occasion or on adjacent uplink occasions in the narrowband TDD frame structure.

[266] Figure 29 is a conceptual data flow diagram 2900 that illustrates the flow of data between different media / components in a device. Petition 870250053231, dated 06 / 25 / 2025, pp. 114 / 173 Example 103 / 117 2902. The device may be a UE (e.g., UE 104, 350, 504, 604, 704, 804, 904, 1004, 1104, 1204, 1304, 1404, device 2902') in narrowband communication (e.g., NB-IoT or eMTC communication) with base station 2950 (e.g., base station 102, 180, 502, 602, 702, 802, 902, 1002, 1102, 1202, 1302, 1402, eNB 310, device 1702 / 1702', 3102 / 3102'). The device may include a receiving component 2904, a transmitting component UL 2906, a frame structure component 2908, a rate matching component 2910, and a transmitting component 2912.

[267] In certain configurations, the 2904 receiver component can be configured to receive information associated with a narrowband TDD frame structure that has a first contiguous uplink transmission duration. In certain aspects, when a subcarrier spacing associated with the narrowband TDD frame structure is 15 kHz, a complete interval can include seven OFDM symbols and can be 0.5 ms long. In certain other aspects, when the subcarrier spacing associated with the narrowband TDD frame structure is 7.5 kHz, a complete interval can include seven OFDM symbols and can be 1 ms long. In certain other aspects, when the subcarrier spacing associated with the narrowband TDD frame structure is 3.75 kHz, a complete interval can include seven OFDM symbols and can be 2 ms long.The receiving component 2904 can be configured to send a signal associated with information related to a narrowband TDD frame structure that has a first set of uplink subframes contiguous to frame structure component 2908.

[268] In certain configurations, the structure component of Petition 870250053231, dated 06 / 25 / 2025, pages 115 / 173 The 104 / 117 frame 2908 can be configured to determine a narrowband TDD frame structure that has a first set of contiguous uplink subframes to be used for a UL transmission. The frame structure component 2908 can be configured to send a signal associated with the determined narrowband TDD frame structure that has a first set of contiguous uplink subframes to be used for a UL transmission to the rate matching component 2910.

[269] In certain configurations, the UL 2906 transmission component can be configured to generate a UL transmission intended for base station 2950. The UL 2906 transmission component can be configured to send a signal associated with the UL transmission to the rate matching component 2910.

[270] In certain configurations, the rate matching component 2910 can be configured to rate match the first portion of the uplink transmission in the first contiguous uplink transmission duration based on a total number of symbols transmitted and not used in the first contiguous uplink transmission duration. In certain aspects, any unused symbols in a range for which only a subset of symbols is transmitted may be punched.

[271] In certain other configurations, the rate matching component 2910 can be configured to be rate-matched with the first portion of the uplink transmission in the first contiguous uplink duration based on a total number of symbols in the first interval and the first subset of symbols in the second interval. In certain respects, the first subset of Petition 870250053231, dated 06 / 25 / 2025, pp. 116 / 173 105 / 117 symbols in the second interval may correspond to the symbols available for uplink transmissions.

[272] The rate matching component 2910 can be configured to send a rate-matched UL transmission-associated signal to the transmission component 2912.

[273] In certain configurations, the 2912 transmission component can be configured to transmit a first portion of an uplink transmission comprising a first number of intervals in the first contiguous uplink transmission duration. In certain aspects, the uplink transmission may have a longer duration than the first contiguous uplink transmission duration. In certain other aspects, the first portion of the uplink transmission may be transmitted using as many complete intervals as fit in the first contiguous uplink transmission duration. In certain other aspects, the number of OFDM symbols that form an interval may be a function of subcarrier spacing such that as the subcarrier spacing decreases, the number of OFDM symbols that form an interval decreases.In certain other configurations, the first contiguous uplink transmission duration and a second contiguous uplink transmission duration may be located in the same radio frame. In certain other configurations, the first contiguous uplink transmission duration and a second contiguous uplink transmission duration may be located in different radio frames.

[274] In certain configurations, the 2912 transmission component can be configured to transmit the first portion of the transmission of Petition 870250053231, dated 06 / 25 / 2025, pages 117 / 173 106 / 117 uplink transmission duration: transmitting the first portion of the uplink transmission using all symbols in a first interval within the first number of intervals and a first subset of symbols in a second interval within the first number of intervals, such that the total transmission duration is less than the first uplink transmission duration. In certain configurations, a pilot pattern can be selected for an interval for which only a subset of symbols is transmitted based on the number of signals transmitted. In certain other configurations, the pilot pattern corresponding to the interval for which only a subset of symbols is transmitted can be obtained by punching the pilot pattern for a complete interval at any unused symbols.

[275] In certain other configurations, the 2912 transmission component can be configured to transmit a second portion of the uplink transmission in a second contiguous uplink transmission duration that starts from the unused symbols of the range for which only a subset of symbols is transmitted in the first contiguous uplink transmission duration.

[276] In certain other configurations, the 2912 transmission component can be configured to transmit a second portion of the uplink transmission using all of the symbols in a third interval in a second number of intervals. In certain configurations, any unused symbols from the interval for which only a subset of symbols can be transmitted in the first contiguous uplink transmission duration are punched.

[277] The device may include additional components that perform each Petition 870250053231, dated 06 / 25 / 2025, pp. 118 / 173 107 / 117 one of the algorithm blocks in the flowcharts mentioned above in Figures 19A and 19B. Thus, each block in the flowcharts mentioned above in Figures 19A and 19B can be performed by a component, and the device may include one or more of these components. The components may be one or more hardware components specifically configured to perform the declared processes / algorithms, deployed by a processor configured to perform the declared processes / algorithm, stored within a computer-readable medium for deployment by a processor, or some combination thereof.

[278] Figure 30 is a diagram 3000 illustrating an example of a hardware deployment for a device 2902' employing a processing system 3014. The processing system 3014 can be deployed with a bus architecture, generally represented by the bus 3024. The bus 3024 can include any number of interconnecting buses and bridges depending on the specific application of the processing system 3014 and general limitations of the model. The 3024 bus connects various circuits including one or more processors and / or hardware components, represented by the 3004 processor, the 2904, 2906, 2908, 2910, and 2912 components, and the 3006 computer-readable media / memory. The 3024 bus can also connect various other circuits, such as timing sources, peripherals, voltage regulators, and power management circuits, which are well known in the art and therefore will not be described further.

[279] The processing system 3014 can be coupled to a transceiver 3010. The transceiver 3010 is coupled to one or more antennas 3020. The transceiver 3010 provides a means of communicating with various other devices through a transmission medium. The transceiver 3010 receives a Petition 870250053231, dated 06 / 25 / 2025, pp. 119 / 173 108 / 117 signal from one or more antennas 3020, extracts information from the received signal and provides the extracted information to the processing system 3014, specifically the receiving component 2904. In addition, the transceiver 3010 receives information from the processing system 3014, specifically the transmitting component 2912, and based on the received information, generates a signal to be applied to one or more antennas 3020. The processing system 3014 includes a processor 3004 coupled to a computer-readable media / memory 3006. The processor 3004 is responsible for general processing, including the execution of software stored in the computer-readable media / memory 3006. The software, when executed by the processor 3004, causes the processing system 3014 to perform the various functions described above for any particular device.The computer-readable media / memory 3006 can also be used to store data that is manipulated by the processor 3004 during software execution. The processing system 3014 additionally includes at least one of the components 2904, 2906, 2908, 2910, 2912. The components may be software components that run on the processor 3004, reside / are stored in the computer-readable media / memory 3006, one or more hardware components coupled to the processor 3004, or some combination thereof. The processing system 3014 may be a component of the UE 350 and may include memory 360 and / or at least one of the TX processor 368, the RX processor 356, and the controller / processor 359.

[280] In certain configurations, the 2902 / 2902' wireless communication device may include means for receiving information associated with a narrowband TDD frame structure that has a first contiguous uplink transmission duration. In certain Petition 870250053231, dated 06 / 25 / 2025, pp. 120 / 173 In certain aspects, when a subcarrier spacing associated with the narrowband TDD frame structure is 15 kHz, a complete interval may include seven OFDM symbols and may be 0.5 ms long. In certain other aspects, when the subcarrier spacing associated with the narrowband TDD frame structure is 7.5 kHz, a complete interval may include seven OFDM symbols and may be 1 ms long. In certain other aspects, when the subcarrier spacing associated with the narrowband TDD frame structure is 3.75 kHz, a complete interval may include seven OFDM symbols and may be 2 ms long.In certain other configurations, the 2902 / 2902' wireless communication device may include means to be rate-compatible with the first portion of the uplink transmission in the first contiguous uplink transmission duration based on a total number of symbols transmitted and not used in the first contiguous uplink transmission duration. In certain aspects, any unused symbols in an interval for which only a subset of symbols is transmitted may be punched. In certain other configurations, the 2902 / 2902' wireless communication device may include means to be rate-compatible with the first portion of the uplink transmission in the first contiguous uplink transmission duration based on a total number of symbols in the first interval and the first subset of symbols in the second interval.In certain respects, the first subset of symbols in the second interval may correspond to the symbols available for uplink transmissions. In certain other configurations, the 2902 / 2902' wireless communication apparatus may include means for transmitting a first portion of an uplink transmission comprising a first number of intervals in the first duration of. Petition 870250053231, dated 06 / 25 / 2025, pages 121 / 173 110 / 117 Contiguous uplink transmission. In certain aspects, the uplink transmission may have a longer duration than the first contiguous uplink transmission duration. In certain other aspects, the first portion of the uplink transmission may be transmitted using as many complete intervals as fit within the first contiguous uplink transmission duration. In certain other aspects, the number of OFDM symbols forming an interval may be a function of subcarrier spacing such that as the subcarrier spacing decreases, the number of OFDM symbols forming an interval decreases. In certain other configurations, the first contiguous uplink transmission duration and a second contiguous uplink transmission duration may be located within the same radio frame.In certain other configurations, the first contiguous uplink transmission duration and a second contiguous uplink transmission duration may be located in different radio frames. In certain respects, the means for transmitting the first portion of an uplink transmission comprising the first number of intervals in the first contiguous uplink transmission duration may be configured to transmit the first portion of the uplink transmission using all symbols in a first interval in the first number of intervals and a first subset of symbols in a second interval in the first number of intervals such that a total transmission duration is less than the first contiguous uplink transmission duration.In certain configurations, a pilot pattern can be selected for a range for which only a subset of symbols is transmitted based on the number of signals transmitted. Petition 870250053231, dated 06 / 25 / 2025, pp. 122 / 173 In certain other configurations, the pilot pattern corresponding to the interval for which only a subset of symbols is transmitted can be obtained by punching the pilot pattern for a complete interval at any unused symbols. In certain other configurations, the 2902 / 2902' wireless communication apparatus may have means to transmit a second portion of the uplink transmission in a second contiguous uplink transmission duration that begins from the unused symbols of the interval for which only a subset of symbols is transmitted in the first contiguous uplink transmission duration. In certain other configurations, the 2902 / 2902' wireless communication apparatus may include means to transmit a second portion of the uplink transmission using all symbols in a third interval in a second number of intervals.In certain configurations, any unused symbols from the range for which only a subset of symbols can be transmitted in the first contiguous uplink transmission duration are punched. The aforementioned means may be one or more of the components mentioned above of the 2902 device and / or the 3014 processing system of the 2902 device configured to perform the functions described by the aforementioned means. As described above, the 3014 processing system may include the TX processor 368, the RX processor 356, and the controller / processor 359. Thus, in one configuration, the aforementioned means may be the TX processor 368, the RX processor 356, and the controller / processor 359 configured to perform the functions described by the aforementioned means.

[281] Figure 31 is a conceptual data flow diagram 3100 that illustrates the flow of data between different media / components in a device. Petition 870250053231, dated 06 / 25 / 2025, pages 123 / 173 Example 112 / 117 3102. The device may be a base station (e.g., base station 102, 180, 502, 602, 702, 802, 902, 1002, 1102, 1202, 1302, 1402, eNB 310, device 1702 / 1702', 3102') communicating with a UE 3150. The device may include a receiving component 3104, frame structure component 3106, RU allocation component 3108, transmit component 3110 and / or a PUSCH format component 3112.

[282] In certain configurations, frame structure component 3106 can be configured to determine a narrowband TDD frame structure including at least a predetermined number of contiguous uplink subframes. Frame structure component 3106 can be configured to send a signal associated with the narrowband TDD frame structure to transmission component 3110.

[283] In certain configurations, the PUSCH 3112 format component can be configured to determine a first number of symbols in each of a second number of intervals to use in allocating at least one RU to a UE for an NPUSCH. In one aspect, the first number of symbols and the second number of intervals can be based on the predetermined number of contiguous uplink subframes. The PUSCH 3112 format component can be configured to send a signal associated with the first number of symbols in the second number of intervals to one or more of the transmission component 3110 and / or the RU allocation component 3108.

[284] In certain configurations, the RU allocation component 3108 can be configured to allocate at least one RU to UE 3150. In one aspect, the RU can include a single subcarrier or multiple subcarriers in each of one or more intervals. In another aspect, each of the multiple subcarriers can have a spacing of Petition 870250053231, dated 06 / 25 / 2025, pp. 124 / 173 113 / 117 associated subcarrier frequency of 3.75 kHz, 7.5 kHz, or 15 kHz. The RU allocation component 3108 can be configured to send a signal associated with the RU allocated to the transmission component 3110.

[285] In certain configurations, the 3110 transmission component can be configured to transmit information associated with at least one RU allocated to UE 3150.

[286] In certain configurations, the 3104 receiver component can be configured to receive an NPUCCH and / or NPUSCH from UE 3150.

[287] The device may include additional components that perform each of the algorithm blocks in the flowchart mentioned above in Figure 16. Thus, each block in the flowchart mentioned above in Figure 16 may be performed by a component, and the device may include one or more of these components. The components may be one or more hardware components specifically configured to perform the declared processes / algorithms, deployed by a processor configured to perform the declared processes / algorithm, stored within a computer-readable medium for deployment by a processor, or some combination thereof.

[288] Figure 32 is a diagram 3200 illustrating an example of a hardware deployment for a device 3102' employing a processing system 3214. The processing system 3214 can be deployed with a bus architecture, generally represented by the bus 3224. The bus 3224 can include any number of interconnecting buses and bridges depending on the specific application of the processing system 3214 and general model limitations. The bus 3224 connects various circuits including one or more processors and / or hardware components, represented by the processor 3204, the components 3104, Petition 870250053231, dated 06 / 25 / 2025, pages 125 / 173 114 / 117 3106, 3108, 3110, 3112, and by computer-readable media / memory 3206. The 3224 bus can also connect various other circuits, such as timing sources, peripherals, voltage regulators, and power management circuits, which are well known in the art and therefore will not be described further.

[289] The processing system 3214 can be coupled to a transceiver 3210. The transceiver 3210 is coupled to one or more antennas 3220. The transceiver 3210 provides a means of communicating with various other devices through a transmission medium. Transceiver 3210 receives a signal from one or more antennas 3220, extracts information from the received signal, and provides the extracted information to the processing system 3214, specifically the receiving component 3104. In addition, transceiver 3210 receives information from the processing system 3214, specifically the transmitting component 3110, and based on the received information, generates a signal to be applied to one or more antennas 3220. The processing system 3214 includes a processor 3204 coupled to a computer-readable media / memory 3206. The processor 3204 is responsible for general processing, including the execution of software stored in the computer-readable media / memory 3206.The software, when executed by the 3204 processor, causes the 3214 processing system to perform the various functions described above for any particular device. The computer-readable media / memory 3206 can also be used to store data that is manipulated by the 3204 processor during software execution. The 3214 processing system additionally includes at least one of the components 3104, 3106, 3108, 3110, 3112. The components can be software components that run on the 3204 processor and are stored in the computer-readable media / memory. Petition 870250053231, dated 06 / 25 / 2025, pages 126 / 173 115 / 117 per computer 3206, one or more hardware components coupled to the processor 3204, or some combination thereof. The processing system 3214 may be a component of the base station 310 and may include memory 376 and / or at least one of the TX processor 316, the RX processor 370, and the controller / processor 375.

[290] In certain configurations, the 3102 / 3102' wireless communication device may include means for determining a narrowband TDD frame structure including at least a predetermined number of contiguous uplink subframes. In certain other configurations, the 3102 / 3102' wireless communication device may include means for determining a first number of symbols in each of a second number of intervals to be used in allocating at least one RU to one UE to an NPUSCH. In one aspect, the first number of symbols and the second number of intervals may be based on the predetermined number of contiguous uplink subframes. In certain other configurations, the 3102 / 3102' wireless communication device may include means for allocating at least one RU to the UE. In one aspect, the RU may include a single subcarrier or multiple subcarriers in each of one or more intervals.In another aspect, each of the multiple subcarriers may have an associated subcarrier frequency spacing of 3.75 kHz, 7.5 kHz, or 15 kHz. In certain configurations, the 3102 / 3102' wireless communication apparatus may include means for transmitting information associated with at least one RU allocated to the UE. The aforementioned means may be one or more of the components mentioned above of the 3102 apparatus and / or the 3214 processing system of the 3102' apparatus configured to perform the functions described by the aforementioned means. As described above, the system... Petition 870250053231, dated 06 / 25 / 2025, pages 127 / 173 116 / 117 processing 3214 may include the TX 316 processor, the RX 370 processor, and the controller / processor 375. Thus, in one configuration, the aforementioned means may be the TX 316 processor, the RX 370 processor, and the controller / processor 375 configured to perform the functions described by the aforementioned means.

[291] It is understood that the specific order or hierarchy of the blocks in the disclosed processes / flowcharts is an illustration of exemplary approaches. Based on model preferences, it is understood that the specific order or hierarchy of the blocks in the processes / flowcharts may be rearranged. In addition, some blocks may be combined or omitted. The appended claims of the method present elements of the various blocks in a sample order and should not be limited to the specific order or hierarchy presented.

[292] The foregoing description is provided to enable anyone skilled in the art to practice the various aspects described herein. Various modifications to these aspects will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the generic principles set forth herein may be applied to other aspects. Thus, the claims should not be limited to the aspects shown herein, but should be in accordance with the complete scope consistent with the language of the claims, wherein reference to an element in the singular should not mean “one and only one”, except when specifically stated so, but preferably “one or more”. The word exemplificative is used herein to mean “serving as an example, occurrence or illustration.”Any aspect described in this document as "exemplary" should not necessarily be interpreted as preferential or advantageous over others. Petition 870250053231, dated 06 / 25 / 2025, pp. 128 / 173 117 / 117 aspects. Unless specifically stated otherwise, the term "any" refers to one or more. Combinations, such as "at least one of A, B, or C, one or more of A, B, or C, at least one of A, B, and C, one or more of A, B, and C and A, B, C, or any combination thereof," include any combination of A, B, and / or C and may include multiples of A, multiples of B, or multiples of C. Specifically, combinations such as "at least one of A, B, or C, one or more of A, B, or C, at least one of A, B, and C, one or more of A, B, and C and A, B, C, or any combination thereof" may be A only, B only, C only, A and B, A and C, B and C, or A and B and C, wherein any such combinations may contain one or more members from A, B, or C.All structural and functional equivalents to the elements of the various aspects described throughout this disclosure that are known or subsequently become known to those skilled in the art are expressly incorporated herein by reference and shall be covered by the claims. Furthermore, nothing disclosed herein shall be disclosed to the public regardless of whether such disclosure is explicitly stated in the claims. The words “module,” “mechanism,” “element,” “device,” and the like may not be substitutes for the word “means.” Thus, no claimed element shall be interpreted as a means plus function, except where the element is expressly stated using the phrase “means for.” Petition 870250053231, dated 06 / 25 / 2025, pp. 129 / 173

Claims

1 / 5 CLAIMS 1. Method (1900) for wireless communication to a user equipment, UE, characterized in that it comprises: receiving (1902) information associated with a narrowband time-division duplexing, TDD, frame structure having a first contiguous uplink transmission duration, wherein a subcarrier spacing associated with the narrowband TDD frame structure includes 15 kHz or 3.5 kHz: when the subcarrier spacing associated with the narrowband TDD frame structure is 15 kHz, a complete interval includes seven orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing, OFDM, symbols and is 0.5 milliseconds, ms, in length; and when the subcarrier spacing associated with the narrowband TDD frame structure is 3.75 kHz, a complete interval includes seven OFDM symbols and is 2 ms in length;and transmit (1908) a first portion of an uplink transmission comprising a first number of intervals in the first contiguous uplink transmission duration, wherein the first portion of the uplink transmission is transmitted using as many complete intervals as will fit in the first contiguous uplink transmission duration, and transmit a second remaining portion of the uplink transmission using a portion of complete intervals in the next contiguous uplink transmission duration, wherein the uplink transmission has a longer duration than the first contiguous uplink transmission duration.

2. Method (1900), according to claim 1, characterized in that it further comprises: Petition 870250053231, dated 06 / 25 / 2025, page 130 / 173 2 / 5 matching by rate (1904) the first portion of the uplink transmission in the first contiguous uplink transmission duration based on a total number of symbols transmitted and not used in the first contiguous uplink transmission duration, wherein any symbols not used in an interval for which only a subset of symbols is transmitted are punched.

3. Method (1900), according to claim 2, characterized in that it further comprises: transmitting the second portion of the uplink transmission in a second contiguous uplink transmission duration that begins from the unused symbols of the range for which only a subset of symbols is transmitted in the first contiguous uplink transmission duration.

4. Method (1900), according to claim 2, characterized in that it further comprises: transmitting the second portion of the uplink transmission using all symbols in a third interval in a second number of intervals, wherein any unused symbols from the interval for which only a subset of symbols is transmitted in the first duration of the contiguous uplink transmission are punched.

5. Method (1900), according to claim 1, characterized in that it further comprises: matching by rate (1906) the first portion of the uplink transmission in the first contiguous uplink duration based on a total number of symbols in the first interval and the first subset of symbols in the second interval, wherein the first subset of symbols in the second interval corresponds to symbols available for uplink transmissions.

6. Method (1900), according to claim 1, characterized in that the first contiguous uplink transmission duration and a second contiguous uplink transmission duration are located in the same radio frame.

7. Method (1900), according to claim 1, characterized in that the first contiguous uplink transmission duration and a second contiguous uplink transmission duration are located in different radio frames.

8. Wireless communication apparatus for a user equipment, UE, characterized in that it comprises: means for receiving (1902) information associated with a narrowband time-division duplexing, TDD, frame structure having a first contiguous uplink transmission duration, wherein a subcarrier spacing associated with the narrowband TDD frame structure includes 15 kHz or 3.5 kHz: when a subcarrier spacing associated with the narrowband TDD frame structure is 15 kHz, a complete interval includes seven orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing, OFDM, symbols and is 0.5 milliseconds, ms, in length; and when the subcarrier spacing associated with the narrowband TDD frame structure is 3.75 kHz, a complete interval includes seven OFDM symbols and is 2 ms in length;and means for transmitting (1908) a first portion of an uplink transmission comprising a first number of intervals in the first contiguous uplink transmission duration, wherein Petition 870250053231, dated 06 / 25 / 2025, page 132 / 173 4 / 5 the first portion of the uplink transmission is transmitted using as many complete intervals as fit in the first contiguous uplink transmission duration, and transmitting a second remaining portion of the uplink transmission using a portion of complete intervals in the next contiguous uplink transmission duration, wherein the uplink transmission has a longer duration than the first contiguous uplink transmission duration.

9. Apparatus, according to claim 8, characterized in that it further comprises: means for matching by rate (1904) the first portion of the uplink transmission in the first contiguous uplink transmission duration based on a total number of symbols transmitted and not used in the first contiguous uplink transmission duration, wherein any symbols not used in an interval for which only a subset of symbols is transmitted are punched.

10. Apparatus, according to claim 9, characterized in that it further comprises: means for transmitting a second portion of the uplink transmission in a second contiguous uplink transmission duration that begins from the unused symbols of the range for which only a subset of symbols is transmitted in the first contiguous uplink transmission duration.

11. Apparatus, according to claim 9, characterized in that it further comprises: means for transmitting a second portion of the uplink transmission using all the symbols in a third interval in a second number of intervals, wherein any unused symbols from the interval for which only a subset of symbols is transmitted in the first contiguous uplink transmission duration are bypassed.

12. Apparatus, according to claim 11, characterized in that it further comprises: means for rate matching (1906) the first portion of the uplink transmission in the first contiguous uplink duration based on a total number of symbols in the first interval and the first subset of symbols in the second interval, wherein the first subset of symbols in the second interval corresponds to symbols available for uplink transmissions.

13. Memory characterized in that it comprises instructions stored therein, the instructions being executed by a computer to perform the method defined in any one of claims 1 to 7. Petition 870250053231, dated 06 / 25 / 2025, pp. 134 / 173

Images