Transmission Mechanisms for Broadband Systems in Unlicensed Spectrum

Abstract

Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to transmission mechanisms for broadband systems in unlicensed spectrum. According to embodiments of the present application, a transmission coordination mechanism is proposed to facilitate transmission in a broadband system. A network device may perform puncturing on an ongoing transmission on an adjacent frequency band to ensure that there is no power leakage to the frequency band in a later transmission. In this way, when the network device performs LBT for a later transmission, the problem of power leakage within the device may be minimized.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Embodiments of the present disclosure relate generally to the field of communications, and in particular to a method, device, apparatus, and computer-readable storage medium for transmitting in a broadband system in an unlicensed spectrum. Background Art

[0002] In recent communication systems, unlicensed spectrum has been introduced to increase the capacity of the communication system. For example, unlicensed spectrum can allow cellular network operators to offload some data services by accessing unlicensed frequency bands. In some communication systems (e.g., Long Term Evolution), the maximum system bandwidth is 20MHz. Carrier aggregation (CA) is used as a solution to support wider bandwidth operation. Unlike LTE systems, new radio systems support wider bandwidth operation due to higher spectrum utilization and lower baseband complexity. New radio supports carrier aggregation and bandwidth part (BWP) mechanisms to achieve wideband operation. Summary of the invention

[0003] In general, embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a transmission method in a broadband system for unlicensed spectrum and a corresponding communication device.

[0004] In a first aspect, a first device is provided. The first device includes at least one processor; and at least one memory including computer program code; the at least one memory and the computer program code are configured to, together with the at least one processor, cause the first device to determine a configuration of a transmission gap. The first device is also caused to generate a transmission gap in a first transmission from the first device to a second device, the first transmission being performed on a first frequency band. The first device is also caused to perform a channel availability assessment on a second frequency band during the transmission gap, the second frequency band being adjacent to the first frequency band. The first device is also caused to determine whether the second frequency band is available based on the assessment. The first device is also caused to perform a second transmission from the first device to the second device on the second frequency band in response to determining that the second frequency band is available.

[0005] In a second aspect, a second device is provided. The second device includes at least one processor; and at least one memory including computer program code; the at least one memory and the computer program code are configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the second device to receive data from the first device on a first frequency band. The second device is also caused to receive an indication of a transmission gap and a configuration of the transmission gap from the first device, the transmission gap being generated on the first frequency band. The second device is also caused to decode the data based on the configuration of the transmission gap.

[0006] In a third aspect, a method is provided. The method includes determining, at a first device, a configuration of a transmission gap. The method also includes generating a transmission gap in a first transmission from the first device to a second device, the first transmission being performed on a first frequency band. The method also includes performing a channel availability assessment on a second frequency band during the transmission gap, the second frequency band being adjacent to the first frequency band. The method also includes determining whether the second frequency band is available based on the assessment. The method also includes performing a second transmission from the first device to the second device on the second frequency band in response to determining that the second frequency band is available.

[0007] In a fourth aspect, a method is provided. The method includes receiving data from a first device on a first frequency band at a second device. The method also includes receiving an indication of a transmission gap and a configuration of the transmission gap from the first device, the transmission gap being generated on the first frequency band. The method also includes decoding the data based on the configuration of the transmission gap.

[0008] In a fifth aspect, an apparatus is provided, the apparatus comprising means for generating a transmission gap in a first transmission from a first device to a second device, the first transmission being performed on a first frequency band; means for performing a channel availability assessment on a second frequency band during the transmission gap, the second frequency band being adjacent to the first frequency band; means for determining whether the second frequency band is available based on the assessment; and means for performing a second transmission from the first device to the second device on the second frequency band in response to determining that the second frequency band is available.

[0009] In a sixth aspect, an apparatus is provided, comprising a component for receiving data from a first device on a first frequency band at a second device; a component for receiving an indication of a transmission gap and a configuration of the transmission gap from the first device, the transmission gap being generated on the first frequency band; and a component for decoding the data based on the configuration of the transmission gap.

[0010] In a seventh aspect, a non-transitory computer-readable medium is provided, the non-transitory computer-readable medium comprising program instructions for causing an apparatus to at least perform a method according to the third and / or fourth aspects.

[0011] It should be understood that the summary is not intended to identify the key or essential features of the embodiments of the present disclosure, nor is it intended to be used to limit the scope of the present disclosure. Other features of the present disclosure will become readily understood through the following description. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] Some example embodiments will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0013] Figure 1 A schematic diagram showing power leakage according to conventional technology;

[0014] Figure 2A schematic diagram showing transmission in a broadband system according to conventional technology;

[0015] Figure 3 A schematic diagram showing transmission in a broadband system according to conventional technology;

[0016] Figure 4 A schematic diagram of a communication system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown;

[0017] Figure 5 A flowchart of a method implemented at a communication device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown;

[0018] Figure 6 A schematic diagram showing transmission in a broadband system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0019] Figure 7 A schematic diagram showing transmission in a broadband system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0020] Figure 8 A schematic diagram showing transmission in a broadband system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0021] Fig. 9 A schematic diagram showing transmission in a broadband system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0022] Fig.10 A schematic diagram showing transmission in a broadband system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0023] Fig.11 A flowchart of a method implemented at a communication device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown;

[0024] Fig.12 A schematic diagram showing an apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; and

[0025] Fig.13 A block diagram of an example computer-readable medium is shown in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0026] Throughout the drawings, the same or similar reference numerals refer to the same or similar elements. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0027] The principle of the present disclosure will now be described with reference to some example embodiments. It should be understood that these embodiments are described only for the purpose of illustrating and helping those skilled in the art to understand and realize the present disclosure, without any limitation to the scope of the present disclosure. The disclosure described herein can be realized in various other ways except as described below.

[0028] In the following description and claims, unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure belongs.

[0029] References in this disclosure to "one embodiment," "an embodiment," "an example embodiment," etc. indicate that the described embodiment may include a particular feature, structure, or characteristic, but not every embodiment must include the particular feature, structure, or characteristic. Furthermore, these phrases do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment. Furthermore, when a particular feature, structure, or characteristic is described in conjunction with an embodiment, it is considered to be within the knowledge of those skilled in the art to affect such feature, structure, or characteristic in conjunction with other embodiments (whether or not explicitly described).

[0030] It should be understood that although the terms "first" and "second" etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element from another element. For example, without departing from the scope of the exemplary embodiment, the first element may be referred to as the second element, and similarly, the second element may be referred to as the first element. As used herein, the term "and / or" includes any and all combinations of one or more of the listed terms.

[0031] The terms used herein are only used for the purpose of describing specific embodiments and are not intended to limit the exemplary embodiments. As used herein, the singular forms "a", "an", and "the" are also intended to include the plural forms, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms "comprise", "including", "having", "having", "including" and / or "comprising" when used herein specify the presence of the features, elements and / or components, etc., but do not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, elements, components and / or combinations thereof.

[0032] As used in this application, the term "circuitry" may refer to one, more, or all of the following:

[0033] (a) pure hardware circuit implementation (such as implementation in analog and / or digital circuitry only), and

[0034] (b) a combination of hardware circuitry and software such as (where applicable):

[0035] (i) a combination of analog and / or digital hardware circuitry and software / firmware, and

[0036] (ii) any portion of a hardware processor (including a digital signal processor) with software, software and memory that work together to cause a device (such as a mobile phone or server) to perform various functions, and

[0037] (c) Hardware circuits and / or processors, such as a microprocessor or portion of a microprocessor, that require software (e.g., firmware) to operate, but which may not be present when not required for operation.

[0038] This definition of circuitry applies to all uses of the term in this application, including in any claims. As another example, as used in this application, the term circuitry also covers an implementation of only a hardware circuit or processor (or multiple processors) or a portion of a hardware circuit or processor and its (or their) accompanying software and / or firmware. The term circuitry also covers (for example and if applicable to a particular claim element) a baseband integrated circuit or processor integrated circuit of a mobile device, or a similar integrated circuit in a server, cellular network device, or other computing or network device.

[0039] As used herein, the term "communication network" refers to a network that complies with any suitable communication standard, such as Long Term Evolution (LTE), Advanced LTE (LTE-A), Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA), High Speed ​​Packet Access (HSPA), Narrowband Internet of Things (NB-IoT), etc. In addition, the communication between the user equipment and the network equipment in the communication network can be performed according to any suitable generation communication protocol, including but not limited to the first generation (1G), second generation (2G), 2.5G, 2.75G, third generation (3G), fourth generation (4G), 4.5G, future fifth generation (5G) communication protocol, and / or any other protocol currently known or developed in the future. The embodiments of the present disclosure can be applied to various communication systems. In view of the rapid development of communication, of course, there will also be communication technologies and systems that can be used to embody future types of the present disclosure. The scope of the present disclosure should not be limited to the above-mentioned systems.

[0040] As used herein, the term "network device" refers to a node in a communication network via which a user equipment accesses the network and receives services therefrom. A network device may refer to a base station (BS) or an access point (AP), for example, a NodeB (NodeB or NB), an evolved NodeB (eNodeB or eNB), a NR NB (also known as a gNB), a remote radio unit (RRU), a radio head (RH), a remote radio head (RRH), a relay, a low power node (such as a femto, a pico), etc., depending on the terminology and technology applied.

[0041] The term "terminal device" refers to any terminal device capable of wireless communication. As an example and not limitation, the terminal device may also be referred to as a communication device, a user equipment (UE), a subscriber station (SS), a portable subscriber station, a mobile station (MS) or an access terminal (AT). The terminal device may include, but is not limited to, a mobile phone, a cellular phone, a smart phone, a voice over IP (VoIP) phone, a wireless local loop phone, a tablet computer, a wearable terminal device, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a portable computer, a desktop computer, an image acquisition terminal device (such as a digital camera), a game terminal device, a music storage and playback device, a vehicle-mounted wireless terminal device, a wireless terminal, a mobile station, a laptop embedded device (LEE), a laptop mounted device (LME), a USB dongle, a smart device, a wireless client device (CPE), an Internet of Things (IoT) device, a watch or other wearable device, a head mounted display (HMD), a vehicle, a drone, medical equipment and applications (e.g., remote surgery), industrial equipment and applications (e.g., robots and / or other wireless devices operating in industrial and / or automated processing chain environments), consumer electronic devices, equipment operating on commercial and / or industrial wireless networks, etc. In the following description, the terms "terminal device", "communication device", "terminal", "user equipment" and "UE" may be used interchangeably.

[0042] As mentioned above, unlicensed spectrum has been introduced to increase the capacity of communication systems. There are a variety of technologies that can support unlicensed spectrum, such as licensed assisted access (LAA), unlicensed LTE (LTE-U), and MuLTEfire. There are a variety of wide unlicensed bands available, and terminal devices in new radio (licensed bands) may be able to support a BW of 100MHz for FR1 and 200MHz bandwidth in FR2. Therefore, even a single network device or terminal device can sometimes access a very wide bandwidth including multiple 20MHz channels.

[0043] A problem with multi-carrier or wideband operation in unlicensed spectrum is in-device power leakage. More specifically, the transmit power from an ongoing transmission in one operating channel may prevent the LBT process performed in an adjacent operating channel. Figure 1 The transmit power mask is shown. It can be observed that the leakage power of the adjacent channels can be as high as -20dB.

[0044] Power leakage may cause unwanted LBT blocks in adjacent operating channels. For example, a transmission is performed in operating channel #1. An adjacent operating channel (e.g., #2) may receive leakage power from operating channel #1 when performing channel sensing before transmission. Therefore, the transmission to be transmitted in operating channel #2 will be blocked because channel sensing will fail due to the in-device power leakage of the transmission in operating channel #1.

[0045] Figure 2 A system with an 80 MHz transmission bandwidth is shown, which includes four 20 MHz sub-bands, such as sub-band 101, sub-band 102, sub-band 103, and sub-band 104. Discovery signaling (DRS) can be transmitted in one of the sub-bands (e.g., sub-band 104). The network device can perform a clear channel assessment (CCA) on time slot 110 and can send a downlink (DL) burst 120 on the first three sub-bands (e.g., sub-band 101, sub-band 102, sub-band 103, and sub-band 104) during a DRS transmission window 150. Due to power leakage within the device, transmission 120 may cause the network device to fail at CCA on time slots 130-1, 130-2, 130-3, 130-4, and 130-5. Therefore, DRS cannot be transmitted during time periods 140-1, 140-2, 140-3, and 140-4.

[0046] DRS transport blocks have a significant impact on system robustness. Due to the lack of synchronization signaling and system information, the initial access of new devices may be delayed. Due to the lack of reference signals, cell maintenance and UE mobility may be affected.

[0047] One of the conventional methods is to stop the ongoing transmission on the adjacent subband before the DRS transmission window. Figure 3 As shown, the network device may perform a clear channel assessment (CCA) during time slot 210-1 and may send a downlink (DL) burst 220-1 on the first three subbands (e.g., subband 201, subband 202, subband 203, and subband 204). The network device may stop transmission 210-1 on the adjacent frequency band before the DRS transmission window 250. The network device may perform a CCA on subband 204 during time slot 230. The CCA is successful because there is no power leakage on subband 204 during time slot 230. The network device may send a DRS on time slot 240. After the DRS transmission, a transmission 220-2 on the adjacent subband may attempt to recover after the LBT operation on time slot 210-2.

[0048] However, the transmission efficiency on adjacent subbands may be reduced. Discontinuous transmission with longer idle duration (for delayed access) may cause additional LBT operation overhead. In addition, stop and resume may also delay data transmission, which may affect the performance of delay-sensitive services.

[0049] According to an embodiment of the present application, a transmission coordination mechanism is proposed to facilitate transmission in a broadband system. A network device can perform puncturing on an ongoing transmission on an adjacent frequency band to ensure that there is no power leakage to the frequency band in a later transmission. In this way, when the network device performs LBT for a later transmission, the power leakage problem within the device can be minimized.

[0050] Figure 4 A schematic diagram of a communication system 400 in which an embodiment of the present disclosure may be implemented is shown. The communication system 400 includes a first device 410 and a second device 420. For ease of description, hereinafter, the first device 410 is referred to as a terminal device 410 and the second device 420 is referred to as a network device 420. It should be noted that the first device and the second device are interchangeable. For example, a process described as being implemented at a terminal device may also be implemented at a network device, and a process described as being implemented at a network device may also be implemented at a terminal device.

[0051] The link from the second device 420 to the first device 410 may be referred to as a “first link” and the link from the first device 410 to the second device 420 may be referred to as a “second link.” It should be noted that the first link and the second link may be interchangeable.

[0052] The communication system 400 as part of the communication network includes terminal devices 410-1, 410-2, ..., 410-N (collectively referred to as "terminal devices 410", where N is an integer). The communication system 400 includes one or more network devices, such as network device 420. It should be understood that the communication system 400 may also include other elements omitted for clarity. It should be understood that Figure 4 The number of terminal devices and network devices shown is given for illustrative purposes and does not represent any limitation. The terminal device 410 and the network device 420 can communicate with each other. For illustrative purposes only, the network device 420 is shown as a base station.

[0053] It should be understood that the number of network devices and terminal devices is only for illustration purposes and does not represent any limitation. System 400 may include any suitable number of network devices and terminal devices suitable for implementing the embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0054] The communication in the communication system 400 can be implemented according to any appropriate communication protocol, including but not limited to cellular communication protocols of the first generation (1G), second generation (2G), third generation (3G), fourth generation (4G) and fifth generation (5G), wireless local area network communication protocols (such as Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11, etc.), and / or any other protocol currently known or developed in the future. In addition, the communication can use any appropriate wireless communication technology, including but not limited to: code division multiple access (CDMA), frequency division multiple access (FDMA), time division multiple access (TDMA), frequency division duplex (FDD), time division duplex (TDD), multiple input multiple output (MIMO), orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM), discrete Fourier transform spread OFDM (DFT-s-OFDM), and / or any other technology currently known or developed in the future.

[0055] Figure 5 4. A flow chart of a method 500 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown. The method 500 may be implemented at any suitable device. For illustrative purposes only, the method 500 is described as being implemented at the network device 420. It should be noted that the method 500 may also be implemented at the terminal device 410. Figure 6-Figure 10 A schematic diagram of transmission in a broadband system is shown. Figure 6-Figure 10 It should be noted that Figure 6-Figure 10 The number of frequency bands shown is only an example and not a limitation. Embodiments of the present disclosure can be implemented in any suitable number of frequency bands. The term "frequency band" as used herein may refer to a subband with a suitable bandwidth. The term "frequency band" may also refer to a carrier with a suitable bandwidth. The term "frequency band" may also refer to a channel with a suitable bandwidth.

[0056] In some embodiments, Figure 6 As shown, network device 420 may perform a CCA on frequency band 601 during period 610. Network device 420 may perform a transmission 620 on frequency band 601 after the CCA is successful.

[0057] In some embodiments, Figure 7 As shown, network device 420 may perform a CCA on frequency band 601 during period 710. Network device 420 may perform a transmission 720 on frequency band 601 after the CCA is successful.

[0058] At block 510, network device 420 determines a configuration of a transmission gap. Network device 420 may determine an end position of the transmission gap based on a potential start position of a second transmission (e.g., transmission 650 and transmission 750) on a second frequency band (e.g., frequency band 602 and frequency band 702). Network device 420 may also determine a duration of the transmission gap based on a duration of a listen-before-talk measurement on the second frequency band. The first frequency band and the second frequency band are adjacent. In some embodiments, the first frequency band and the second frequency band may be adjacent to each other. Alternatively, there may be several frequency bands between the first frequency band and the second frequency band.

[0059] like Figure 6 As shown, the second transmission 650 may start from a time slot boundary, and the window of transmission 650 may be a duration 660 (from time slot n+4 to time slot n+10). The period for performing the listen-before-talk measurement may be a duration 640. Network device 420 may determine that the duration of transmission gap 630 is the same as duration 640, and determine the starting position to be the duration 640 earlier than the starting position of second transmission 650.

[0060] At block 520, network device 420 generates transmission gaps (e.g., transmission gap 630 and transmission gap 730) on a first transmission (e.g., transmission 620 and transmission 720) from network device 420 to terminal device 110-1. The first transmission is on a first frequency band (e.g., frequency band 601 and frequency band 701). In some embodiments, the first transmission may be a broadcast transmission. Alternatively, the first transmission may be a unicast transmission. Embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited in this regard.

[0061] like Figure 7 As shown, transmission 750 may not start at a time slot boundary, and the window of transmission 750 may be duration 760 (from time slot n+4 to time slot n+10). The period for performing the listen-before-talk measurement may be duration 740. Network device 420 may determine the duration of transmission gap 730 based on duration 740.

[0062] In some embodiments, network device 420 may generate transmission gaps by puncturing data. For example, network device 420 may puncture data in a transmission. In some embodiments, network device 420 may determine a time period in the duration of the first transmission such that no data is transmitted during the time period.

[0063] like Figure 6As shown, assuming that the duration of the LBT measurement is 25us, the network device 420 can puncture the last 25us of the physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH) sent in time slot n+2 to create a transmission gap 630 for the LBT measurement. As another example, the network device 420 can puncture the last symbol of the PDSCH sent in time slot n+2. Within the transmission gap 630, the network device 420 can perform a one-time CCA in all bands (band 601 and band 602). If the CCA in all bands is successful, the transmission 620 can continue and the transmission 650 can be sent in time slot n+3.

[0064] As described above, since the second transmission may not start from a time slot boundary, the network device 420 may determine the slot position accordingly. Figure 7 As shown, transmission 750 may start from symbol #1 of the time slot, and the first symbol is punctured to provide 25 us as a transmission gap. In this way, the data portion of the previous symbol is not punctured, and the control region is shortened to provide space for the CCA gap.

[0065] In some embodiments, if the first transmission overlaps with the second transmission, data puncturing is not used. In the case where puncturing is not used, unused time slots are required to provide a time period for gap transmission before the second transmission begins. Fig. 9 As shown, transmission 920 is completed in time slot n+5. According to conventional techniques, even if there are 3 time slots remaining in window 960, only two LBT measurements are possible because the first LBT measurement is at the end of time slot n+5. According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, LBT can be provided in the first symbol of the time slot of the second transmission and an additional LBT measurement opportunity can be provided. Fig.10 As shown, transmission 1020 is completed in time slot n+5, and there are 3 time slots remaining in window 1060, and three LBT measurements can be made in time slots n+5, n+6 and n+7, respectively.

[0066] Alternatively, network device 420 may generate the transmission gap by rate matching. Network device 420 may match the number of bits in a transmission block to the number of bits that can be sent in a given allocation. For example, network device 420 may regenerate a transmission block with a new transmission block size for the first transmission by avoiding data transmission in the transmission gap.

[0067] In some embodiments, network device 420 may also determine the number of frequency bands on which transmission gaps need to be created. The number of frequency bands on which transmission gaps need to be created may be determined based on the number of frequency bands on which current transmissions are being performed.

[0068] At block 520, network device 420 performs a channel availability assessment on the second frequency band during the transmission gap. Network device 420 may perform any suitable type of listen-before-talk operation on the second frequency band. For example, network device 420 may listen to the second frequency band to see if any other transmissions are occupying the second frequency band. In some embodiments, network device 420 may also perform a channel availability assessment on the first frequency band during the transmission gap.

[0069] In some embodiments, the network device 420 may perform CCA on the second frequency band. Alternatively, the network device 420 may perform CCA on all frequency bands. In this way, the result of the LBT measurement for the second transmission is not affected by the power leakage of the first transmission, thereby increasing the transmission opportunity. In some embodiments, the second transmission may have a higher priority than the first transmission. For example, the second transmission may be a DRS. Alternatively, the second transmission may include an ultra-reliable low-latency (URLLC) service. The embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited in this regard. In some embodiments, the second transmission may be a broadcast transmission. Alternatively, the second transmission may be a unicast transmission. The embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited in this regard.

[0070] like Figure 6 As shown, the network device 420 may perform channel availability assessment measurements during the transmission gap 630. Figure 7 As shown, network device 420 may perform a channel availability assessment during transmission gap 730 .

[0071] At block 540, network device 420 determines whether the second frequency band is available. For example, if the energy measured on the second frequency band is below a threshold energy, network device 420 may determine that the second frequency band is available. Alternatively, if the signal strength measured on the second frequency band is below a threshold strength, network device 420 may determine that the second frequency band is available.

[0072] At block 550, network device 420 performs a second transmission on a second frequency band. Figure 6 As shown, network device 420 may perform transmission 650 on frequency band 602. Figure 7 As shown, network device 420 may perform transmission 750 on frequency band 602. In some embodiments, network device 420 may send an indication of a transmission gap to terminal device 410-1. In addition, network device 420 may send a configuration of a transmission gap to terminal device 410-1. The configuration of the transmission gap may be multicast / broadcast to multiple terminal devices 410.

[0073] In some embodiments, the configuration of the transmission gap may be sent via radio resource control (RRC) signaling. Alternatively, the configuration of the transmission gap may be sent via physical layer (PHY) signaling.

[0074] In other embodiments, the network device 420 may implicitly indicate the configuration and presence of transmission gaps. For example, the configuration and presence of transmission gaps may be implicitly indicated via a slot format indication in a group common physical downlink control channel (GC-PDCCH).

[0075] In some embodiments, if the second transmission is complete, network device 420 may perform the first transmission without a transmission gap. Figure 8 As shown, the first transmission may include a control portion 830 and a data portion 820. A transmission gap 840 may be created for transmission 850. Transmission 850 may be completed at time slot n+4, with no gap transmission after time slot n+4 in the first transmission. In other embodiments, if the window for the second transmission expires, network device 420 may perform the first transmission without a transmission gap.

[0076] Fig.11 1 shows a flow chart of a method 1100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The method 1100 may be implemented at any suitable device. For illustrative purposes only, the method 1100 is described as being implemented at the terminal device 410. It should be noted that the method 500 may also be implemented at the network device 410.

[0077] At block 1110, terminal device 410-1 receives data on a first frequency band from network device 420. In some embodiments, if terminal device 110-1 receives a first transmission, terminal device 110-1 may detect whether a puncturing operation is indicated.

[0078] At block 1120 , the terminal device 410 - 1 receives an indication of a transmission gap and a configuration of the transmission gap from the first device.

[0079] At block 1130, terminal device 410-1 decodes the data based on the configuration of the transmission gaps.

[0080] In some embodiments, an apparatus for performing method 500 (e.g., network device 120) may include corresponding components for performing corresponding steps in method 500. These components may be implemented in any suitable manner. For example, it may be implemented by a circuit system or a software module.

[0081] In some embodiments, the apparatus includes: means for determining a configuration of a transmission gap; means for generating a transmission gap in a first transmission from a first device to a second device, the first transmission being performed on a first frequency band; means for performing a channel availability assessment on a second frequency band during the transmission gap, the second frequency band being adjacent to the first frequency band; means for determining whether the second frequency band is available based on the assessment; and means for performing a second transmission from the first device to the second device on the second frequency band in response to determining that the second frequency band is available.

[0082] In some embodiments, means for generating a transmission gap in the first transmission includes means for determining an end position of the transmission gap based on a starting point of the second transmission; means for determining a duration of the transmission gap based on the evaluated duration; and means for generating the transmission gap having the determined duration from the determined end position.

[0083] In some embodiments, means for generating a transmission gap in the first transmission includes means for determining a time period in the duration of the first transmission such that no data is sent during the time period; and means for determining the time period as the transmission gap.

[0084] In some embodiments, the means for generating a transmission gap in the first transmission includes means for regenerating a transport block having a new transport block size for the first transmission by avoiding data transmission in the transmission gap.

[0085] In some embodiments, the apparatus further comprises means for sending an indication of the transmission gap and a configuration of the transmission gap to the second device.

[0086] In some embodiments, the apparatus further comprises means for performing the first transmission without a transmission gap in response to the second transmission being completed.

[0087] In some embodiments, means for performing channel availability assessment on the second frequency band includes means for performing listen-before-talk on the second frequency band.

[0088] In some embodiments, the apparatus further comprises means for performing a channel availability assessment on the first frequency band during the transmission gap.

[0089] In some embodiments, the second transmission has a higher priority than the first transmission.

[0090] In some embodiments, the first device is a network device and the second device is a terminal device.

[0091] In some embodiments, an apparatus for performing method 1100 (e.g., network device 120) may include corresponding components for performing corresponding steps in method 400. These components may be implemented in any suitable manner. For example, it may be implemented by a circuit system or a software module.

[0092] In some embodiments, the apparatus includes means for receiving data from a first device on a first frequency band at a second device; means for receiving an indication of a transmission gap and a configuration of the transmission gap from the first device, the transmission gap being generated on the first frequency band; and means for decoding the data based on the configuration of the transmission gap.

[0093] Fig.12 1 is a simplified block diagram of a device 1200 suitable for implementing embodiments of the present disclosure. The device 1200 may be provided to implement a communication device, such as Figure 4 The network device 420 or terminal device 410 is shown. As shown, the device 1200 includes one or more processors 1210, one or more memories 1220 coupled to the processor 1210, and one or more communication modules (e.g., transmitters and / or receivers (TX / RX)) 1240 coupled to the processor 1210.

[0094] The communication module 1240 is used for two-way communication. The communication module 1240 has at least one antenna to facilitate communication. The communication interface may represent any interface required to communicate with other network elements.

[0095] Processor 1210 may be of any type suitable for the local technology network, and may include, as non-limiting examples, one or more of a general purpose computer, a special purpose computer, a microprocessor, a digital signal processor (DSP), and a processor based on a multi-core processor architecture. Device 1200 may have multiple processors, such as application specific integrated circuit chips that are time slaved to a clock synchronized with a main processor.

[0096] The memory 1220 may include one or more non-volatile memories and one or more volatile memories. Examples of non-volatile memories include, but are not limited to, read-only memory (ROM) 1224, electrically programmable read-only memory (EPROM), flash memory, hard disks, compact disks (CDs), digital video disks (DVDs), and other magnetic storage and / or optical storage devices. Examples of volatile memories include, but are not limited to, random access memory (RAM) 1222 and other volatile memories that do not persist over the duration of a power outage.

[0097] Computer program 1230 includes computer executable instructions executed by associated processor 1210. Program 1230 may be stored in ROM 1224. Processor 1210 may perform any suitable actions and processes by loading program 1230 into RAM 1222.

[0098] The embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented by the program 1230 so that the device 1200 may execute the Figures 5 to 10 Any process of the present disclosure discussed. The embodiments of the present disclosure may also be implemented by hardware or a combination of software and hardware.

[0099] In some embodiments, the program 1230 may be tangibly embodied in a computer-readable medium, which may be included in the device 1200 (such as in the memory 1220) or in other storage devices accessible to the device 1200. The device 1200 may load the program 1230 from the computer-readable medium to the RAM 1222 for execution. The computer-readable medium may include any type of tangible non-volatile memory, such as ROM, EPROM, flash memory, hard disk, CD, DVD, etc. Fig.13 An example of a computer readable medium 1300 in the form of a CD or DVD is shown. The computer readable medium has a program 1230 stored thereon.

[0100] Generally, various embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented in hardware or dedicated circuits, software, logic, or any combination thereof. Some aspects may be implemented in hardware, while other aspects may be implemented in firmware or software that may be executed by a controller, microprocessor, or other computing device. Although various aspects of the embodiments of the present disclosure are shown and described as block diagrams, flow charts, or using some other graphical representations, it should be understood that the block diagrams, devices, systems, techniques, or methods described herein may be implemented in hardware, software, firmware, dedicated circuits or logic, general hardware or controllers or other computing devices, or some combination thereof.

[0101] The present disclosure also provides at least one computer program product tangibly stored on a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium. The computer program product includes computer executable instructions, such as computer executable instructions included in a program module, which are executed in a device on a target real or virtual processor to perform the above reference Figure 5Method 500 described. Typically, program modules include routines, programs, libraries, objects, classes, components, data types, etc. that perform specific tasks or implement specific abstract data structures. The functions of program modules can be combined or split between program modules as needed in various embodiments. Machine executable instructions for program modules can be executed in local or distributed devices. In distributed devices, program modules can be located in local and remote storage media.

[0102] The program code for executing the method of the present disclosure can be written in any combination of one or more programming languages. These program codes can be provided to a processor or controller of a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer or other programmable data processing device, so that these program codes cause the functions / operations specified in the flow chart and / or block diagram to be implemented when executed by the processor or controller. The program code can be executed completely on the machine, partially on the machine, executed as an independent software package, partially on the machine and partially on a remote machine, or completely on a remote machine or server.

[0103] In the context of the present disclosure, computer program codes or related data may be carried by any suitable carrier to enable a device, apparatus or processor to perform various processes and operations as described above. Examples of carriers include signals, computer readable media, etc.

[0104] The computer readable medium may be a computer readable signal medium or a computer readable storage medium. The computer readable medium may include, but is not limited to, electronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared or semiconductor systems, devices or equipment, or any suitable combination thereof. More specific examples of computer readable storage media include an electrical connection with one or more wires, a portable computer floppy disk, a hard disk, a random access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM or flash memory), an optical fiber, a portable compact disk read-only memory (CD-ROM), an optical storage device, a magnetic storage device, or any suitable combination thereof.

[0105] In addition, although the operations are depicted in a particular order, this should not be understood as requiring such operations to be performed in the particular order shown or in a continuous order or to perform all the operations shown to achieve the desired result. In some cases, multitasking and parallel processing may be advantageous. Similarly, although the above discussion includes several specific implementation details, these details should not be interpreted as limitations on the scope of the present disclosure, but should be interpreted as descriptions of features that may be specific to a particular embodiment. Certain features described in the context of a separate embodiment may also be implemented in combination in a single embodiment. On the contrary, the various features described in the context of a single embodiment may also be implemented in multiple embodiments or in any suitable sub-combination, respectively.

[0106] Although the disclosure has been described in language specific to structural features and / or methodological acts, it should be understood that the disclosure defined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the specific features or acts described above. Rather, the specific features and acts described above are disclosed as example forms of implementing the claims.

Claims

1. A first device for communication, comprising: at least one processor; as well as at least one memory including computer program code; The at least one memory and the computer program code are configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the first device to: determining a configuration of a transmission gap; generating the transmission gap in a first transmission from the first device to a second device by puncturing data in the first transmission, the first transmission being performed on a first frequency band; performing a channel availability assessment on a second frequency band during the transmission gap, the second frequency band being adjacent to the first frequency band; determining whether the second frequency band is available based on the evaluating; as well as In response to determining that the second frequency band is available, a second transmission from the first device to the second device is performed on the second frequency band.

2. The first device of claim 1 , wherein the first device is caused to determine the configuration of the transmission gap by: determining an end position of the transmission gap based on a starting point of the second transmission; determining a duration of the transmission gap based on the evaluated duration; and The transmission gap having the determined duration is generated from the determined end position.

3. The first device of claim 1 , wherein the first device is caused to generate the transmission gap in the first transmission by: determining a time period in the duration of the first transmission such that no data is sent during the time period; and The time period is determined as the transmission gap.

4. The first device of claim 1 , wherein the first device is caused to generate the transmission gap in the first transmission by: By avoiding data transmission in the transmission gap, a transport block having a new transport block size is regenerated for the first transmission.

5. The first device according to claim 1, wherein the first device is further caused to: An indication of the transmission gap and the configuration of the transmission gap are sent to the second device.

6. The first device of claim 1, wherein the first device is further caused to: In response to the second transmission being completed, the first transmission is performed without the transmission gap.

7. The first device according to claim 1, wherein the first device is caused to perform the channel availability assessment on the second frequency band in the following manner: Listen before talk is performed on the second frequency band.

8. The first device of claim 1, wherein the first device is further caused to: The channel availability assessment is performed on the first frequency band during the transmission gap.

9. The first device of claim 1, wherein the second transmission has a higher priority than the first transmission.

10. The first device according to claim 1, wherein the first device is a network device, and the second device is a terminal device.

11. A second device for communication, comprising: at least one processor; as well as at least one memory including computer program code; The at least one memory and the computer program code are configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the second device to: receiving data from a first device on a first frequency band; receiving, from the first device, an indication of a transmission gap and a configuration of the transmission gap, the transmission gap being generated by puncturing data in a first transmission performed on the first frequency band; as well as The data is decoded based on the configuration of the transmission gaps. 12 . The second device according to claim 11 , wherein the first device is a network device, and the second device is a terminal device.

13. A method of communication, comprising: determining, at the first device, a configuration of a transmission gap; generating the transmission gap in a first transmission from the first device to a second device by puncturing data in the first transmission, the first transmission being performed on a first frequency band; performing a channel availability assessment on a second frequency band during the transmission gap, the second frequency band being adjacent to the first frequency band; determining whether the second frequency band is available based on the evaluating; as well as In response to determining that the second frequency band is available, a second transmission from the first device to the second device is performed on the second frequency band.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein determining the configuration of the transmission gap comprises: determining an end position of the transmission gap based on a starting point of the second transmission; determining a duration of the transmission gap based on the evaluated duration; as well as The transmission gap having the determined duration is generated from the determined end position.

15. The method of claim 13, wherein generating the transmission gap in the first transmission comprises: determining a time period in the duration of the first transmission such that no symbols are transmitted during the time period; as well as The time period is determined as the transmission gap.

16. The method of claim 13, wherein generating the transmission gap in the first transmission comprises: By avoiding data transmission in the transmission gap, a transport block having a new transport block size is regenerated for the first transmission.

17. The method according to claim 13, further comprising: An indication of the transmission gap and the configuration of the transmission gap are sent to the second device.

18. The method according to claim 13, further comprising: In response to the second transmission being completed, the first transmission is performed without the transmission gap.

19. The method according to claim 13, wherein performing the channel availability assessment on the second frequency band comprises: Listen before talk is performed on the second frequency band.

20. The method of claim 13, further comprising: The channel availability assessment is performed on the first frequency band during the transmission gap.

21. The method of claim 13, wherein the second transmission has a higher priority than the first transmission.

22. The method of claim 13, wherein the first device is a network device and the second device is a terminal device.

23. A method of communication, comprising: receiving data from the first device at the second device on the first frequency band; receiving, from the first device, an indication of a transmission gap and a configuration of the transmission gap, the transmission gap being generated by puncturing data in a first transmission performed on the first frequency band; as well as The data is decoded based on the configuration of the transmission gaps.

24. The method of claim 23, wherein the first device is a network device and the second device is a terminal device.

25. An apparatus for communication, comprising: means for determining a configuration of a transmission gap; means for generating the transmission gap in a first transmission from a first device to a second device by puncturing data in the first transmission, the first transmission being performed on a first frequency band; means for performing a channel availability assessment on a second frequency band during the transmission gap, the second frequency band being adjacent to the first frequency band; means for determining whether the second frequency band is available based on the evaluating; as well as Means for performing a second transmission from the first device to the second device on the second frequency band in response to determining that the second frequency band is available.

26. An apparatus for communication, comprising: means for receiving data from the first device on the first frequency band at the second device; means for receiving, from the first device, an indication of a transmission gap and a configuration of the transmission gap, the transmission gap being generated by puncturing data in a first transmission performed on the first frequency band; as well as Means for decoding the data based on the configuration of the transmission gaps.

27. A computer-readable medium having instructions stored thereon, which when executed by at least one processing unit of a machine causes the machine to perform the method according to any one of claims 13-22.

28. A computer-readable medium having instructions stored thereon, which when executed by at least one processing unit of a machine causes the machine to perform the method according to any one of claims 23-24.

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