Skip downlink frequency hopping in unlicensed bands

Abstract

The present disclosure provides systems, methods, and apparatus, including a computer program encoded on a computer storage medium, for narrowband communication using frequency hopping. In some implementations, a user equipment (UE) may receive a discovery reference signal (DRS) including a skip signal identifying one or more UEs; may stay on an anchor channel when the skip signal identifies the UE; and may switch from the anchor channel to a first DL hopping channel of a downlink (DL) frequency hopping mode when the signal does not identify the UE. In some other implementations, a base station (BS) may be configured to: output a DRS including a skip signal identifying one or more UEs; output a signal indicating a channel occupancy time (COT) obtained on a first DL hopping channel of a downlink (DL) frequency hopping mode; and output DL data on a first DL hopping channel of a DL frequency hopping mode.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates generally to wireless communications and, more particularly, to wireless communications using frequency hopping techniques in unlicensed frequency bands.

[0002] Related technical description

[0003] Wireless communication systems are capable of supporting communication with multiple users by sharing portions of the system bandwidth using multiple access technologies, such as code division multiple access (CDMA) systems, time division multiple access (TDMA) systems, frequency division multiple access (FDMA) systems, and orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA) systems (such as long-term evolution (LTE) systems or fifth-generation (5G) new radio (NR) systems). A wireless multiple access communication system may include several base stations or access network nodes, each of which simultaneously supports communication for multiple communication devices, which may be further referred to as user equipment (UE).

[0004] These multiple access technologies have been adopted in various telecommunication standards to provide a common protocol that enables different wireless devices to communicate at a city, country, region, and even global level. An example telecommunication standard is 5G New Radio (NR). There is a need for further improvements to 5G NR technology. These improvements may also be applicable to other multiple access technologies and telecommunication standards that employ these technologies.

[0005] Overview

[0006] The systems, methods, and devices of the disclosure each have several innovative aspects, no single one of which is solely responsible for the desirable attributes disclosed herein.

[0007] An innovative aspect of the subject matter described in the present disclosure may be implemented as a method for wireless communication. The method may be performed by a device of a user equipment (UE) and may include: receiving a discovery reference signal (DRS) including a skip signal identifying one or more UEs. The method may also include: staying on an anchor channel when the skip signal identifies the UE; and switching from the anchor channel to a first DL hopping channel of a downlink (DL) hopping mode when the signal does not identify the UE. In some implementations, the one or more UEs identified by the skip signal may be allowed to enter a low power state for one or more DRS periods. The DRS may include one or more of a primary synchronization signal (PSS), a secondary synchronization signal (SSS), a physical broadcast channel (PBCH), or a system information block (SIB). In some instances, the DRS may be received on an anchor channel of an unlicensed band. In addition, or in an alternative, the DRS may indicate a DL hopping mode.

[0008] In some implementations, the skip signal may indicate the absence of queued DL data for each of the one or more identified UEs during one or more DRS periods. In other implementations, the skip signal may be included in a reduced residual minimum system information (RMSI) field of the DRS. In some instances, the RMSI field may include a bitmap identifying the one or more UEs. In some other implementations, the skip signal may be included in a frequency domain resource assignment (FDRA) field of a downlink control information (DCI) message. In some other implementations, the skip signal may be indicated by a slot format indicator (SFI) format index carried by the DRS.

[0009] In some implementations, the method may also include detecting the presence of UL data buffered in the UE, and selecting the UL hopping mode based at least in part on the DL hopping mode and an identifier unique to the UE. In some instances, the method may also include: switching to a first UL hopping channel of the UL hopping mode based on detecting the presence of buffered UL data; and transmitting the buffered UL data on the first UL hopping channel of the UL hopping mode. In some other instances, the first UL hopping channel of the UL hopping mode may correspond to one of a configured grant (CG) configuration or a physical random access channel (PRACH).

[0010] In some implementations, the method may further include: returning to a first DL frequency hopping channel of the DL frequency hopping pattern; and monitoring the first DL frequency hopping channel of the DL frequency hopping pattern for one of a UL retransmission grant or a random access response (RAR). In some other implementations, the method may further include: detecting a signal indicating a channel occupancy time (COT) obtained by the base station on the first DL frequency hopping channel of the DL frequency hopping pattern, and receiving DL data on the first DL frequency hopping channel of the DL frequency hopping pattern.

[0011] Another innovative aspect of the subject matter described in the present disclosure may be implemented in a UE. The UE may include a processing system and an interface. The interface may be configured to obtain a DRS including a skip signal identifying one or more UEs. The interface may also be configured to: stay on an anchor channel when the skip signal identifies the UE; and switch from the anchor channel to a first DL hopping channel of a downlink (DL) hopping mode when the signal does not identify the UE. In some implementations, one or more UEs identified by the skip signal may be allowed to enter a low power state for one or more DRS periods. The DRS may include one or more of a primary synchronization signal (PSS), a secondary synchronization signal (SSS), a physical broadcast channel (PBCH), or a system information block (SIB). In some instances, the DRS may be received on an anchor channel of an unlicensed band. In addition, or in an alternative, the DRS may indicate a DL hopping mode.

[0012] In some implementations, the skip signal may indicate the absence of queued DL data during one or more DRS periods for each of the one or more identified UEs. In other implementations, the skip signal may be included in a reduced residual minimum system information (RMSI) field of the DRS. In some instances, the RMSI field may include a bitmap identifying the one or more UEs. In some other implementations, the skip signal may be included in a frequency domain resource assignment (FDRA) field of a downlink control information (DCI) message. In some other instances, the skip signal may be indicated by a slot format indicator (SFI) format index carried by the DRS.

[0013] In some implementations, the UE may also detect the presence of UL data buffered in the UE, and may select the UL hopping mode based at least in part on the DL hopping mode and an identifier unique to the UE. In some instances, based on detecting the presence of buffered UL data, the UE may switch to a first UL hopping channel of the UL hopping mode, and may transmit the buffered UL data on the first UL hopping channel of the UL hopping mode. In some other instances, the first UL hopping channel of the UL hopping mode corresponds to one of a configured grant (CG) configuration or a physical random access channel (PRACH).

[0014] In some implementations, the UE may also return to the first DL hopping channel of the DL hopping pattern and may monitor the first DL hopping channel of the DL hopping pattern for one of a UL retransmission grant or a random access response (RAR). In some other implementations, the UE may detect a signal indicating a channel occupancy time (COT) obtained by the base station on the first DL hopping channel of the DL hopping pattern and may receive DL data on the first DL hopping channel of the DL hopping pattern.

[0015] Another innovative aspect of the subject matter described in the present disclosure may be implemented as a method for wireless communication. The method may be performed by an apparatus of a base station (BS) and may include:

[0016] Transmitting a DRS including a skip signal identifying one or more UEs. The method may also include: transmitting a signal indicating a COT obtained on a first DL hopping channel of a DL hopping pattern; and transmitting DL data on the first DL hopping channel of the DL hopping pattern. In some implementations, one or more UEs identified by the skip signal may be allowed to enter a low power state for one or more DRS periods. The DRS may include one or more of a primary synchronization signal (PSS), a secondary synchronization signal (SSS), a physical broadcast channel (PBCH), or a system information block (SIB). In some instances, the DRS may be received on an anchor channel of an unlicensed band. In addition, or in an alternative, the DRS may indicate a DL hopping pattern.

[0017] In some implementations, the skip signal may indicate the absence of queued DL data during one or more DRS periods for each of the one or more identified UEs. In other implementations, the skip signal may be included in a reduced residual minimum system information (RMSI) field of the DRS. In some instances, the RMSI field may include a bitmap identifying the one or more UEs. In some other implementations, the skip signal may be included in a frequency domain resource assignment (FDRA) field of a downlink control information (DCI) message. In some other instances, the skip signal may be indicated by a slot format indicator (SFI) format index carried by the DRS.

[0018] Another innovative aspect of the subject matter described in the present disclosure can be implemented in a base station. The base station may include an interface configured to output a discovery reference signal (DRS) including a skip signal identifying one or more user equipment (UE) for transmission. The interface may also be configured to output a signal indicating a channel occupancy time (COT) obtained on a first DL hopping channel of a downlink (DL) hopping mode for transmission. The interface may also be configured to output DL data for transmission on a first DL hopping channel of a DL hopping mode. In some implementations, one or more UEs identified by a skip signal may be allowed to enter a low power state for one or more DRS periods. The DRS may include one or more of a primary synchronization signal (PSS), a secondary synchronization signal (SSS), a physical broadcast channel (PBCH), or a system information block (SIB). In some instances, the DRS may be received on an anchor channel of an unlicensed band. In addition, or in an alternative, the DRS may indicate a DL hopping mode.

[0019] In some implementations, the skip signal may indicate the absence of queued DL data during one or more DRS periods for each of the one or more identified UEs. In other implementations, the skip signal may be included in a reduced residual minimum system information (RMSI) field of the DRS. In some instances, the RMSI field may include a bitmap identifying the one or more UEs. In some other implementations, the skip signal may be included in a frequency domain resource assignment (FDRA) field of a downlink control information (DCI) message. In some other instances, the skip signal may be indicated by a slot format indicator (SFI) format index carried by the DRS.

[0020] Details of one or more implementations of the subject matter described in the present disclosure are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the following description. Other features, aspects, and advantages will become apparent from the description, drawings, and claims. It should be noted that the relative sizes of the following drawings may not be drawn to scale. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] Figure 1 A diagram illustrating an example wireless communication system and access network is shown.

[0022] Figure 2A An example of a first 5G / NR frame is shown.

[0023] Figure 2B Example downlink (DL) channels within a 5G / NR timeslot are shown.

[0024] Figure 2C An example of a second 5G / NR frame is shown.

[0025] Figure 2D Example uplink (UL) channels within a 5G / NR timeslot are shown.

[0026] Figure 3 A diagram illustrating example base stations (BSs) and user equipment (UEs) in an access network is shown.

[0027] Figure 4 An example sequence diagram of wireless communications supporting frequency hopping between a base station and a UE is shown.

[0028] Figure 5 An example frequency hopping pattern that may be used for narrowband communications between a base station and a UE is shown.

[0029] Figure 6 A flow diagram depicting example operations for wireless communications supporting frequency hopping between a base station and a UE is shown.

[0030] Figure 7 A flow diagram depicting example operations for wireless communications supporting frequency hopping between a base station and a UE is shown.

[0031] Figure 8 A flow diagram depicting example operations for wireless communications supporting frequency hopping between a base station and a UE is shown.

[0032] Fig. 9 A flow diagram depicting example operations for wireless communications supporting frequency hopping between a base station and a UE is shown.

[0033] Fig.10 A flow diagram depicting example operations for wireless communications supporting frequency hopping between a base station and a UE is shown.

[0034] Fig.11 A flow diagram depicting example operations for wireless communications supporting frequency hopping between a base station and a UE is shown.

[0035] Fig.12 A flow diagram depicting example operations for wireless communications supporting frequency hopping between a base station and a UE is shown.

[0036] Fig.13 A flow diagram depicting example operations for wireless communications supporting frequency hopping between a base station and a UE is shown.

[0037] Fig.14 A flow diagram depicting example operations for wireless communications supporting frequency hopping between a base station and a UE is shown.

[0038] Fig.15 A flow diagram depicting example operations for wireless communications supporting frequency hopping between a base station and a UE is shown.

[0039] Fig.16 A flow diagram depicting example operations for wireless communications supporting frequency hopping between a base station and a UE is shown.

[0040] Fig.17 A flow diagram depicting example operations for wireless communications supporting frequency hopping between a base station and a UE is shown.

[0041] Fig.18 A flow diagram depicting example operations for wireless communications supporting frequency hopping between a base station and a UE is shown.

[0042] Fig.19 A flow diagram depicting example operations for wireless communications supporting frequency hopping between a base station and a UE is shown.

[0043] Like reference numbers and designations in the various drawings indicate like elements. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0044] The following description is directed to certain specific implementations in order to describe the innovative aspects of the present disclosure. However, one of ordinary skill in the art will readily recognize that the teachings herein can be applied in many different ways. The described implementations can be implemented in any device, system, or network capable of transmitting and receiving radio frequency (RF) signals according to one or more of the following: Long Term Evolution (LTE), 3G, 4G, or 5G (New Radio (NR)) standards issued by the Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP), the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11 standard, the IEEE 802.15 standard, or as defined by the Bluetooth Special Interest Group (SIG) Standards, etc. The described implementations may be implemented in any device, system, or network capable of transmitting and receiving RF signals according to one or more of the following technologies or techniques: code division multiple access (CDMA), time division multiple access (TDMA), frequency division multiple access (FDMA), orthogonal FDMA (OFDMA), single carrier FDMA (SC-FDMA), single user (SU) multiple input multiple output (MIMO), and multi-user (MU) MIMO. The described implementations may also be implemented using other wireless communication protocols or RF signals suitable for use in one or more of a wireless wide area network (WWAN), a wireless personal area network (WPAN), a wireless local area network (WLAN), or an Internet of Things (IoT) network.

[0045] Implementations of the subject matter described in the present disclosure may allow user equipment (UE) and base stations (BS) operating according to the 5G NR protocol to exchange data and other information using narrowband communications with frequency hopping in unlicensed bands. According to some aspects of the present disclosure, the base station and the UE may exchange downlink (DL) data using a DL frequency hopping pattern and may exchange uplink (UL) data using a UL frequency hopping pattern. The DL frequency hopping pattern may include a DL frequency hopping channel sequence, and the UL frequency hopping pattern may include a UL frequency hopping channel sequence different from the DL frequency hopping channel sequence. Each DL frequency hopping channel in the DL frequency hopping channel sequence may be associated with a corresponding DL frequency hopping frame in a DL frequency hopping frame sequence, and each UL frequency hopping channel in the UL frequency hopping channel sequence may be associated with a corresponding UL frequency hopping frame in a UL frequency hopping frame sequence. In some implementations, each DL frequency hopping channel in the DL frequency hopping channel sequence may be separated from a corresponding UL frequency hopping channel in the UL frequency hopping channel sequence by a gap frequency, which is configured or selected to reduce interference between DL transmissions and UL transmissions.

[0046] In some implementations, a base station may transmit a discovery reference signal (DRS) including a skip signal that identifies one or more UEs. The UE may receive the DRS and determine whether the skip signal identifies the UE. In some implementations, the DRS may indicate a DL frequency hopping mode. The UE may select a UL frequency hopping mode for transmitting uplink (UL) data to the base station. In some implementations, the UL frequency hopping mode may be selected in response to the DL frequency hopping mode and an identifier that is unique to the UE (such as a UE ID). In some other implementations, the UL frequency hopping mode may be selected in response to the DL frequency hopping mode and an identifier that varies from cell to cell.

[0047] When the skip signal does not identify the UE, the UE may hop to the first DL hopping channel of the DL hopping pattern. The UE may detect a signal indicating a channel occupancy time (COT) obtained by the base station on the first DL hopping channel of the DL hopping pattern, and receive DL data on the first DL hopping channel of the DL hopping pattern. If the UE detects the presence of buffered UL data, the UE may switch to the first UL hopping channel of the UL hopping pattern, and may transmit the buffered UL data on the first UL hopping channel of the UL hopping pattern.

[0048] When the skip signal identifies the UE, the UE may stay on the anchor channel for a time period. In some implementations, the one or more UEs identified by the skip signal may skip frequency hopping between the anchor channel and the DL frequency hopping channel during the time period. If a corresponding UE among the identified UEs detects the presence of buffered UL data during the time period, the corresponding UE may switch to a first UL frequency hopping channel of the UL frequency hopping pattern and transmit the buffered UL data on the first UL frequency hopping channel of the UL frequency hopping pattern.

[0049] Specific implementations of the subject matter described in the present disclosure may be implemented to achieve one or more of the following potential advantages. The ability of a base station and a UE to communicate with each other using narrowband communications in an unlicensed frequency band may improve channel access because there may be less contention on a relatively small frequency band (such as a frequency hopping channel associated with DL and UL frequency hopping patterns) than on a relatively large frequency band (such as a main channel used in broadband communications). Unlicensed frequency bands may be more prevalent than licensed portions of a radio frequency (RF) spectrum, and thus narrowband communications performed in one or more unlicensed frequency bands may provide better coverage for wireless communication devices (such as base stations and UEs) than communications performed solely on the licensed portion of the RF spectrum. In addition, employing frequency hopping techniques in narrowband communications on one or more unlicensed frequency bands may reduce interference from other wireless communication devices operating on the unlicensed frequency bands by exploiting the frequency diversity of the unlicensed frequency bands.

[0050] Likewise, by identifying one or more UEs (or one or more UE groups) for which the base station has no queued DL data during a corresponding time period and allowing the identified UEs (or UE groups) to stay on the anchor channel during the corresponding time period, implementations of the subject matter disclosed herein can reduce power consumption associated with switching between the anchor channel and one or more DL channels of the DL frequency hopping pattern for the one or more identified UEs (or UE groups). In addition, by allowing the UEs identified by the skip signal to hop to the UL frequency hopping channel during the time period and transmit buffered UL data, implementations of the subject matter disclosed herein can reduce power consumption of the identified UEs without adversely affecting UL throughput.

[0051] Several aspects of telecommunication systems will now be presented with reference to various apparatus and methods. These apparatus and methods will be described in the following detailed description and illustrated in the accompanying drawings by various blocks, components, circuits, processes, algorithms, etc. (collectively referred to as "elements"). These elements may be implemented using electronic hardware, computer software, or any combination thereof. Whether such elements are implemented as hardware or software depends on the specific application and the design constraints imposed on the overall system.

[0052] As an example, an element, or any part of an element, or any combination of elements may be implemented as a "processing system" including 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 computing (RISC) processors, systems on chip (SoCs), baseband processors, field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), programmable logic devices (PLDs), state machines, gating logic, discrete hardware circuits, and other suitable hardware configured to perform various functionalities described throughout this disclosure. One or more processors in a processing system may execute software. Software should be broadly interpreted as meaning instructions, instruction sets, codes, code segments, program codes, programs, subroutines, software components, applications, software applications, software packages, routines, subroutines, objects, executables, threads of execution, procedures, functions, etc., whether it is described in software, firmware, middleware, microcode, hardware description languages, or other terms.

[0053] Accordingly, in one or more example implementations, the described functions may be implemented in hardware, software, or any combination thereof. If implemented in software, each function may be stored or encoded on a computer-readable medium as one or more instructions or codes. Computer-readable media include computer storage media. Storage media may be any available medium that can be accessed by a computer. As an example and not limitation, such computer-readable media may include random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), electrically erasable programmable ROM (EEPROM), optical disk storage, magnetic disk storage, other magnetic storage devices, a combination of computer-readable media of the above types, or any other medium that can be used to store computer-executable code in the form of instructions or data structures that can be accessed by a computer.

[0054] Figure 1 A diagram of an example wireless communication system 100 is shown. The wireless communication system 100 includes a base station 102, a UE 104, an evolved packet core (EPC) 160, and another core network 190 (such as a 5G core (5GC)). The base station 102 may include a macro cell (a high-power cellular base station) or a small cell (a low-power cellular base station). A macro cell includes a base station. Small cells include femto cells, pico cells, and micro cells.

[0055] Base stations 102 configured for 4G LTE (collectively referred to as Evolved Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) Terrestrial Radio Access Network (E-UTRAN)) may interface with EPC 160 via a backhaul link 132 (such as an S1 interface). Base stations 102 configured for 5G NR (collectively referred to as Next Generation RAN (NG-RAN)) may interface with core network 190 via a backhaul link 184. Among other functions, base stations 102 may also perform one or more of the following functions: delivery of user data, radio channel encryption and decryption, integrity protection, header compression, mobility control functions (such as handover, dual connectivity), inter-cell interference coordination, connection establishment and release, load balancing, distribution of non-access stratum (NAS) messages, NAS node selection, synchronization, radio access network (RAN) sharing, multimedia broadcast multicast service (MBMS), subscriber and equipment tracking, RAN information management (RIM), paging, positioning, and delivery of alert messages. Base stations 102 may communicate with each other over a backhaul link 134, such as an X2 interface, directly or indirectly, such as through EPC 160 or core network 190. Backhaul link 134 may be wired or wireless.

[0056] Base stations 102 may communicate wirelessly with UEs 104. Each base station 102 may provide communication coverage for a respective geographic coverage area 110. There may be overlapping geographic coverage areas 110. For example, a 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 including both small cells and macro cells may be referred to as a heterogeneous network. A heterogeneous network may also include a home evolved Node B (eNB) (HeNB), which may provide services to a restricted group referred to as a closed subscriber group (CSG). A communication link 120 between a base station 102 and a UE 104 may include an uplink (UL) (also referred to as a reverse link) transmission from the UE 104 to the base station 102 or a downlink (DL) (also referred to as a forward link) transmission from the base station 102 to the UE 104. The communication link 120 may use multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) antenna technology, including spatial multiplexing, beamforming, or transmit diversity. These communication links may be over one or more carriers. For each carrier allocated in the carrier aggregation of up to Yx MHz (x component carriers) for transmission in each direction, the base station 102 / UE 104 may use spectrum of up to Y MHz (such as 5 MHz, 10 MHz, 15 MHz, 20 MHz, 100 MHz, 400 MHz, etc.) bandwidth. These carriers may or may not be adjacent to each other. The allocation of carriers may be asymmetric with respect to DL and UL (such as more or fewer carriers may be allocated to DL compared to UL). The component carrier may include a primary component carrier and one or more secondary component carriers. The primary component carrier may be referred to as a primary cell (PCell) and the secondary component carrier may be referred to as a secondary cell (SCell).

[0057] Some UEs 104 may communicate with each other using a device-to-device (D2D) communication link 158. The D2D communication link 158 may use DL / UL WWAN spectrum. The D2D communication link 158 may use one or more sidelink channels, such as a physical sidelink broadcast channel (PSBCH), a physical sidelink discovery channel (PSDCH), a physical sidelink shared channel (PSSCH), and a physical sidelink control channel (PSCCH). The D2D communication may be 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.

[0058] The wireless communication system may further include a Wi-Fi access point (AP) 150 communicating with a Wi-Fi station (STA) 152 in the 5 GHz unlicensed spectrum via a communication link 154. When communicating in the unlicensed spectrum, the STA 152 / AP 150 may perform a clear channel assessment (CCA) to determine whether the channel is available prior to communication.

[0059] The small cell 102' may operate in a licensed or unlicensed spectrum. When operating in an unlicensed spectrum, the small cell 102' may employ NR and use the same 5 GHz unlicensed spectrum as used by the Wi-Fi AP 150. The small cell 102' employing NR in the unlicensed spectrum may boost the coverage of the access network or increase the capacity of the access network.

[0060] Whether it is a small cell 102' or a large cell (such as a macro base station), the base station 102 may include an eNB, a g B node (gNB), or another type of base station. Some base stations (such as gNB 180) may operate in traditional sub-6 GHz spectrum, millimeter wave (mmW) frequencies, or near mmW frequencies to communicate with UE 104. When gNB 180 operates in mmW or near mmW frequencies, gNB 180 may be referred to as a millimeter wave or mmW base station. Extremely high frequency (EHF) is part of the RF in the electromagnetic spectrum. EHF has a range of 30 GHz to 300 GHz and a wavelength between 1 mm and 10 mm. The radio waves in this band may be referred to as millimeter waves. Near mmW can be extended down to 3 GHz frequencies with a wavelength of 100 mm. The super high frequency (SHF) band extends between 3 GHz and 30 GHz, which is also referred to as centimeter waves. Communications using mmW / near mmW radio frequency bands (such as between 3 GHz–300 GHz) have extremely high path loss and short range. The mmW base station 180 may utilize beamforming 182 with the UE 104 to compensate for the extremely high path loss and short range.

[0061] Base station 180 may transmit beamformed signals to UE 104 in one or more transmit directions 182'. UE 104 may receive beamformed signals from base station 180 in one or more receive directions 182". UE 104 may also transmit beamformed signals to base station 180 in one or more transmit directions. Base station 180 may receive beamformed signals from UE 104 in one or more receive directions. Base station 180 and UE 104 may perform beam training to determine the best receive direction and transmit direction for each of base station 180 and UE 104. The transmit direction and receive direction of base station 180 may be the same or may be different. The transmit direction and receive direction of UE 104 may be the same or may be different.

[0062] The EPC 160 may include a mobility management entity (MME) 162, other MMEs 164, a serving gateway 166, a multimedia broadcast multicast service (MBMS) gateway 168, a broadcast multicast service center (BM-SC) 170, and a packet data network (PDN) gateway 172. The MME 162 may be in communication with a home subscriber server (HSS) 174. The MME 162 is a control node that handles signaling between the UE 104 and the EPC 160. In general, the MME 162 provides bearer and connection management. All user Internet Protocol (IP) packets are delivered through the serving gateway 166, which itself is connected to the PDN gateway 172. The PDN gateway 172 provides UE IP address allocation and other functions. The PDN gateway 172 and the BM-SC 170 are connected to IP services 176. The IP services 176 may include the Internet, an intranet, an IP multimedia subsystem (IMS), a PS streaming service, or other IP services. The BM-SC 170 may provide functionality for MBMS user service provisioning and delivery. The BM-SC 170 may serve as an entry point for content provider MBMS transmissions, may be used to grant and initiate MBMS bearer services within a public land mobile network (PLMN), and may be used to schedule MBMS transmissions. The MBMS Gateway 168 may be used to distribute MBMS traffic to base stations 102 belonging to a multicast broadcast single frequency network (MBSFN) area broadcasting a specific service, and may be responsible for session management (start / stop) and for collecting MBMS related charging information.

[0063] The core network 190 may include an access and mobility management function (AMF) 192, other AMFs 193, a session management function (SMF) 194, and a user plane function (UPF) 195. AMF 192 may be in communication with a unified data management (UDM) 196. AMF 192 is a control node that handles signaling between UE 104 and the core network 190. In general, AMF 192 provides QoS flow and session management. All user Internet Protocol (IP) packets are delivered through UPF 195. UPF 195 provides UE IP address allocation and other functions. UPF 195 is connected to IP service 197. IP service 197 may include the Internet, an intranet, an IP multimedia subsystem (IMS), a PS streaming service, or other IP services.

[0064] A base station may also be referred to as a gNB, a Node B, an evolved Node B (eNB), an access point, a base transceiver station, a radio base station, a radio transceiver, a transceiver function, a basic service set (BSS), an extended service set (ESS), a transmission reception point (TRP), or some other suitable term. The base station 102 provides an access point to the EPC 160 or the core network 190 for the UE 104. Examples of UE 104 include a cellular phone, a smart phone, a Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) phone, a laptop, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a satellite radio, a global positioning system, a multimedia device, a video device, a digital audio player (such as an MP3 player), a camera, a game console, a tablet device, a smart device, a wearable device, a vehicle, an electric meter, a gas pump, a large or small kitchen appliance, a health care device, an implant, a sensor / actuator, a display, or any other similar functional device. Some UEs 104 may be referred to as IoT devices (such as parking meters, gas pumps, ovens, vehicles, heart monitors, etc.). UE 104 may also be referred to as a station, a mobile station, a subscriber station, a mobile unit, a subscriber unit, a wireless unit, a remote unit, a mobile device, a wireless device, a wireless communication device, a remote device, a mobile subscriber station, an access terminal, a mobile terminal, a wireless terminal, a remote terminal, a handset, a user agent, a mobile client, a client, or some other suitable terminology.

[0065] The wireless communication system 100 may utilize both licensed and unlicensed radio frequency spectrum bands. For example, the wireless system 100 may employ LTE license assisted access (LTE-LAA), LTE unlicensed (LTE U) radio access technology in unlicensed bands (such as the 5 GHz industrial, scientific and medical (ISM) band or the 6 GHz UNII band), or 5G NR technology. When operating in an unlicensed radio band, wireless communication devices (such as base stations 102 and UEs 104) may employ a listen-before-talk (LBT) channel access mechanism to ensure that the channel is clear before transmitting data. In some instances, operations in an unlicensed radio band may be based on a carrier aggregation (CA) configuration in coordination with a component carrier (CC) operating in a licensed band. Operations in an unlicensed radio band may include downlink transmissions, uplink transmissions, or both. Duplexing in an unlicensed radio band may be based on frequency division duplexing (FDD), time division duplexing (TDD), or a combination of both.

[0066] Figure 2A An example of a first time slot 200 within a 5G / NR frame structure is shown. Figure 2B An example of a DL channel 230 within a 5G / NR timeslot is shown. Figure 2C An example of a second time slot 250 within a 5G / NR frame structure is shown. Figure 2DAn example of a UL channel 280 within a 5G / NR time slot is shown. In some cases, the 5G / NR frame structure may be FDD, where for a particular set of subcarriers (carrier system bandwidth), the time slots within the set of subcarriers are dedicated to either DL or UL transmissions. In other cases, the 5G / NR frame structure may be TDD, where for a particular set of subcarriers (carrier system bandwidth), the time slots within the set of subcarriers are dedicated to both DL and UL transmissions. Figure 2A and 2C In the example shown in , the 5G / NR frame structure is based on TDD, where slot 4 is configured with slot format 28 (mostly DL), where D indicates DL, U indicates UL, and X indicates that the slot can be used flexibly between DL and UL, and slot 3 is configured with slot format 34 (mostly UL). Although slots 3 and 4 are shown as having slot formats 34 and 28, respectively, any particular slot may be configured with any of the various available slot formats 0-61. Slot formats 0 and 1 are full DL and full UL, respectively. Other slot formats 2-61 include a mixture of DL, UL, and flexible symbols. The UE is configured with a slot format (dynamically configured by downlink control information (DCI) or semi-statically configured by radio resource control (RRC) signaling) through a slot format indicator (SFI). The configured slot format can also be applied to a 5G / NR frame structure based on FDD.

[0067] Other wireless communication technologies may have different frame structures or different channels. A frame may be divided into several subframes of equal size. For example, a frame with a duration of 10 microseconds (μs) may be divided into 10 subframes of equal size, each subframe having a duration of 1 μs. Each subframe may include one or more time slots. A subframe may also include a mini-time slot, which may include 7, 4, or 2 symbols. Each time slot may include 7 or 14 symbols, depending on the time slot configuration. For time slot configuration 0, each time slot may include 14 symbols, and for time slot configuration 1, each time slot may include 7 symbols. The symbols on the DL may be cyclic prefix (CP) OFDM (CP-OFDM) symbols. The symbols on the UL may be CP-OFDM symbols (such as for high throughput scenarios) or discrete Fourier transform (DFT) spread OFDM (DFT-s-OFDM) symbols (also known as single carrier frequency division multiple access (SC-FDMA) symbols) (such as for power-limited scenarios).

[0068] The number of slots within a subframe is based on the slot configuration and parameter design. For slot configuration 0, different parameter designs (μ) 0 to 5 allow 1, 2, 4, 8, 16 and 32 slots per subframe, respectively. For slot configuration 1, different parameter designs 0 to 2 allow 2, 4 and 8 slots per subframe, respectively. Accordingly, for slot configuration 0 and parameter design μ, there are 14 symbols per slot and 2μ slots per subframe. The subcarrier spacing and symbol length / duration are a function of the parameter design. The subcarrier spacing can be equal to 2^μ*15kHz, where μ is parameter design 0 to 5. Thus, parameter design μ=0 has a subcarrier spacing of 15kHz, while parameter design μ=5 has a subcarrier spacing of 480kHz. The symbol length / duration is inversely related to the subcarrier spacing. Figures 2A-2D An example of slot configuration 0 with 14 symbols per slot and parameter design μ=0 is provided, with 1 slot per subframe. The subcarrier spacing is 15 kHz and the symbol duration is about 66.7 microseconds (μs).

[0069] A resource grid may be used to represent the frame structure. Each slot includes a resource block (RB) (also called a physical RB (PRB)) extending over 12 consecutive subcarriers and a number of symbols. The intersection of subcarriers spans 14 symbols. The intersection of a subcarrier and an RB defines a number of resource elements (REs). The number of bits carried by each RE depends on the modulation scheme.

[0070] like Figure 2A As explained in , some REs carry reference signals (RS) for UEs. In some configurations, one or more REs may carry a demodulation reference signal (DM-RS) (indicated as Rx for one particular configuration, where 100x is the port number, but other DM-RS configurations are possible). In some configurations, one or more REs may carry a channel state information reference signal (CSI-RS) for channel measurement at the UE. REs may also include a beam measurement reference signal (BRS), a beam refinement reference signal (BRRS), and a phase tracking reference signal (PT-RS).

[0071] Figure 2BExamples of various DL channels within a subframe of a frame are illustrated. The physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) carries DCI within one or more control channel elements (CCEs), each CCE including 9 RE groups (REGs), each REG including 4 consecutive REs in an OFDM symbol. The primary synchronization signal (PSS) may be within symbol 2 of a particular subframe of a frame. The PSS is used by the UE 104 to determine the subframe or symbol timing and the physical layer identity. The secondary synchronization signal (SSS) may be within symbol 4 of a particular subframe of a frame. The SSS is used by the UE to determine the physical layer cell identity group number and the radio frame timing. Based on the physical layer identity and the physical layer cell identity group number, the UE may determine the physical cell identifier (PCI). Based on the PCI, the UE may determine the location of the aforementioned DM-RS. The physical broadcast channel (PBCH) carrying the master information block (MIB) may be logically grouped with the PSS and SSS to form a synchronization signal (SS) / PBCH block. The MIB provides the number of RBs in the system bandwidth, as well as the 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.

[0072] like Figure 2C As illustrated in , some REs carry DM-RSs for channel estimation at the base station (indicated as R for one particular configuration, but other DM-RS configurations are possible). The UE may transmit DM-RSs for the physical uplink control channel (PUCCH) and DM-RSs for the physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH). The PUSCH DM-RS may be transmitted in the first or first two symbols of the PUSCH. The PUCCH DM-RS may be transmitted in different configurations depending on whether a short PUCCH or a long PUCCH is transmitted and on the specific PUCCH format used. Although not shown, the UE may transmit a sounding reference signal (SRS). The SRS may be used by the base station for channel quality estimation to enable frequency-dependent scheduling on the UL.

[0073] Figure 2D Examples of various UL channels within a subframe of a frame are illustrated. The PUCCH may be located at a location as indicated in one configuration. The PUCCH carries uplink control information (UCI), such as scheduling requests, channel quality indicator (CQI), precoding matrix indicator (PMI), rank indicator (RI), and HARQ ACK / NACK feedback. The PUSCH carries data and may additionally be used to carry a buffer status report (BSR), a power headroom report (PHR), or UCI.

[0074] Figure 3A block diagram of an example base station 310 and UE 350 in an access network is shown. In the DL, IP packets from the EPC 160 may be provided to a controller / processor 375 of the base station 310. The controller / processor 375 may implement layer 3 and layer 2 functionality. Layer 3 includes a radio resource control (RRC) layer, and layer 2 includes a service data adaptation protocol (SDAP) layer, a packet data convergence protocol (PDCP) layer, a radio link control (RLC) layer, and a media access control (MAC) layer. The controller / processor 375 may also provide RRC layer functionality associated with broadcasting of system information (such as MIB, SIB), RRC connection control (such as 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 reporting. The controller / processor 375 may also provide PDCP layer functions associated with header compression / decompression, security (such as ciphering, cipher deciphering, integrity protection, integrity verification), and handover support functions. The controller / processor 375 may also provide RLC layer functionality associated with delivery of upper layer packet data units (PDUs), error correction through ARQ, concatenation, segmentation and reassembly of RLC service data units (SDUs), re-segmentation of RLC data PDUs, and reordering of RLC data PDUs. The controller / processor 375 may also provide MAC layer functionality associated with mapping between logical channels and transport channels, multiplexing of MAC SDUs onto transport blocks (TBs), demultiplexing of MAC SDUs from TBs, scheduling information reporting, error correction through HARQ, priority handling, and logical channel prioritization.

[0075] In some implementations, the controller / processor 375 may be a component of a processing system. A processing system may generally refer to a system or series of machines or components that receive inputs and process those inputs to produce a set of outputs that may be passed to other systems or components such as the base station 310. For example, the processing system of the base station 310 may refer to a system that includes various other components or subcomponents of the base station 310.

[0076] The processing system of the base station 310 may interface with other components of the base station 310, and may process information (such as input or signal) received from other components, output information to other components, etc. For example, a chip or modem of the base station 310 may include a processing system, a first interface for receiving or obtaining information, and a second interface for outputting, transmitting, or providing information. In some instances, the first interface may refer to an interface between the processing system of the chip or modem and a receiver, so that the base station 310 may receive information or signal input, and the information may be passed to the processing system. In some instances, the second interface may refer to an interface between the processing system of the chip or modem and a transmitter, so that the base station 310 may transmit information output from the chip or modem. A person of ordinary skill in the art will readily appreciate that the second interface may also obtain or receive information or signal input, and the first interface may also output, transmit, or provide information.

[0077] The transmit (TX) processor 316 and the receive (RX) processor 370 implement layer 1 functionality associated with various signal processing functions. Layer 1, including the physical (PHY) layer, may include error detection on the transport channel, forward error correction (FEC) encoding / decoding of the transport channel, interleaving, rate matching, mapping to the physical channel, modulation / demodulation of the physical channel, and MIMO antenna processing. The TX processor 316 handles the mapping to the signal constellation based on various modulation schemes (such as binary phase shift keying (BPSK), quadrature phase shift keying (QPSK), M-phase shift keying (M-PSK), M-quadrature amplitude modulation (M-QAM)). The coded and modulated symbols can be split into parallel streams. Each stream can be mapped to an OFDM subcarrier, multiplexed with a reference signal (such as a pilot signal) in the time domain or frequency domain, and combined together using an inverse fast Fourier transform (IFFT) to produce a physical channel carrying a time domain OFDM symbol stream. The OFDM stream is spatially precoded to produce multiple spatial streams. Channel estimates from a channel estimator 374 may be used to determine the coding and modulation schemes and for spatial processing. The channel estimates may be derived from a reference signal or channel condition feedback transmitted by the UE 350. Each spatial stream may be provided to a different antenna 320 via a separate transmitter 318TX. Each transmitter 318TX may modulate an RF carrier with a corresponding spatial stream for transmission.

[0078] At the UE 350, each receiver 354RX receives a signal through its corresponding antenna 352. Each receiver 354RX recovers the information modulated onto the RF carrier and provides the information to a receive (RX) processor 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 recover any spatial stream destined for the UE 350. If there are multiple spatial streams destined for the UE 350, they can be combined into a single OFDM symbol stream by the RX processor 356. The RX processor 356 uses a fast Fourier transform (FFT) to transform the OFDM symbol stream from the time domain to the frequency domain. The frequency domain signal includes a separate OFDM symbol stream for each subcarrier of the OFDM signal. The symbol on each subcarrier and the reference signal are recovered and demodulated by determining the signal constellation point most likely transmitted by the base station 310. These soft decisions can be based on the channel estimate calculated by the channel estimator 358. These soft decisions are decoded and deinterleaved to recover the data and control signals originally transmitted on the physical channel by the base station 310. These data and control signals are provided to the controller / processor 359 which implements layer 3 and layer 2 functionality.

[0079] The controller / processor 359 may be associated with a memory 360 that stores program codes and data. The memory 360 may be referred to as a computer readable medium. In the UL, the controller / processor 359 provides demultiplexing between transport channels and logical channels, packet reassembly, cipher interpretation, header decompression, and control signal processing to recover IP packets from the EPC 160. The controller / processor 359 is also responsible for error detection using an ACK or NACK protocol to support HARQ operations.

[0080] Similar to the functionality described in conjunction with DL transmissions performed by the base station 310, the controller / processor 359 of the UE 350 provides RRC layer functionality associated with system information (such as MIB and SIB) acquisition, 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 delivery of upper layer PDUs, error correction through ARQ, concatenation, segmentation, and reassembly of RLC SDUs, resegmentation of RLC data PDUs, and reordering of RLC data PDUs; and MAC layer functionality associated with mapping between logical channels and transport channels, multiplexing MAC SDUs onto TBs, demultiplexing MAC SDUs from TBs, scheduling information reporting, error correction through HARQ, priority handling, and logical channel prioritization.

[0081] In some implementations, the controller / processor 359 may be a component of a processing system. A processing system may generally refer to a system or series of machines or components that receives inputs and processes those inputs to produce a set of outputs that may be passed to other systems or components of the UE 350. For example, a processing system of the UE 350 may refer to a system that includes various other components or subcomponents of the UE 350.

[0082] The processing system of UE 350 can be docked with other components of UE 350, and can process information (such as input or signal) received from other components, output information to other components, etc. For example, the chip or modem of UE 350 may include a processing system, a first interface for receiving or obtaining information, and a second interface for outputting or transmitting information. In some instances, the first interface may refer to an interface between the processing system of the chip or modem and a receiver, so that UE 350 can receive information or signal input, and the information can be passed to the processing system. In some instances, the second interface may refer to an interface between the processing system of the chip or modem and a transmitter, so that UE 350 can transmit information output from the chip or modem. Those of ordinary skill in the art will readily appreciate that the second interface may also obtain or receive information or signal input, and the first interface may also output, transmit or provide information.

[0083] Channel estimates derived by a channel estimator 358 from a reference signal or feedback transmitted by the base station 310 may be used by a 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 may be provided to different antennas 352 via separate transmitters 354TX. Each transmitter 354TX may modulate an RF carrier with a corresponding spatial stream for transmission.

[0084] UL transmissions are processed at the base station 310 in a manner similar to that described in conjunction with the receiver functionality at the UE 350. Each receiver 318RX receives a signal through its respective antenna 320. Each receiver 318RX recovers information modulated onto an RF carrier and provides the information to a RX processor 370.

[0085] The controller / processor 375 may be associated with a memory 376 that stores program codes and data. The memory 376 may be referred to as a computer-readable medium. In the UL, the controller / processor 375 provides demultiplexing between transport channels and logical channels, packet reassembly, cipher decoding, header decompression, control signal processing to recover IP packets from the UE 350. The IP packets from the controller / processor 375 may be provided to the EPC 160. The controller / processor 375 is also responsible for error detection using an ACK or NACK protocol to support HARQ operations. Information to be communicated wirelessly (such as communications based on LTE or NR) is encoded at the PHY layer and mapped to one or more wireless channels for transmission.

[0086] exist Figure 3 In the example of , each antenna 352 of UE 350 is coupled to a corresponding transmitter 354TX. In some other implementations, some UEs may have fewer transmitters (or transmit chains) than receive (RX) antennas. Although not shown for simplicity, each transmitter can be coupled to a corresponding power amplifier (PA) that amplifies the signal to be transmitted. The combination of a transmitter and a PA may be referred to as a "transmit chain" or "TX chain" herein. In order to save cost or die area, the same PA can be reused to transmit signals through multiple RX antennas. In other words, one or more TX chains of a UE can be switchably coupled to multiple RX antenna ports.

[0087] Narrowband communication involves communicating using a limited frequency band (such as compared to broadband communications typically used by cellular and Wi-Fi devices) and may be implemented in an unlicensed band. An unlicensed band may refer to an RF band open for shared use by any device that complies with regulatory authority rules to communicate via a radio frequency (RF) band. In some implementations, the unlicensed band may include one or more radio frequencies in the 5 GHz band (such as the UNII band between about 5.15 GHz and about 5.825 GHz). In some other implementations, the unlicensed band may include one or more radio frequencies in the 2.4 GHz band (such as radio frequencies between about 2.4 GHz and 2.48 GHz typically used by Wi-Fi devices and wireless networks). In some other implementations, the unlicensed band may include one or more radio frequencies in the 6 GHz band.

[0088] Compared to most licensed RF bands, users of unlicensed bands generally do not have regulatory protection against radio interference from other users' devices and may experience radio interference caused by other devices using the unlicensed bands. Since devices operating according to different communication protocols (such as 3GPP standards for LTE and 5G NR devices and IEEE 802.11 standards for Wi-Fi devices) can share unlicensed bands, devices operating in unlicensed bands generally contend with other nearby devices for medium access before transmitting data on the unlicensed band.

[0089] When communicating in an unlicensed band, a UE or base station may need to coexist or share an unlicensed band with other devices. One way to facilitate coexistence with other devices is to use a listen-before-talk or listen-before-transmit (LBT) procedure to determine that the shared wireless medium has been idle for a duration before attempting a transmission on the shared wireless medium. In some implementations, the LBT procedure may be used with frequency hopping techniques to increase the likelihood of finding a clear channel for communication.

[0090] Figure 4 A sequence diagram depicting communication 400 between a base station (BS) 402 and a UE 404 in a radio access network (RAN) is shown. The BS 402 may be Figure 1 BS 102 or Figure 3 An example of BS 310, UE 404 may be Figure 1 UE 104 or Figure 3 The UE 350 of the present invention is an example of a UE 350, and the radio access network can be any suitable RAN including, for example, a 5G NR access network. In some implementations, the communication 400 can be a narrowband communication in an unlicensed band. Although described herein with reference to the unlicensed portion of the 2.4 GHz band, the communication 400 can be performed on one or more other unlicensed bands (such as a UNII band in the 5 GHz band, an unlicensed portion of the 6 GHz band, or one or more of other unlicensed bands).

[0091] The BS 402 and the UE 404 may use frequency hopping to exploit frequency diversity in an unlicensed frequency band. The BS 402 may transmit DL data to the UE 404 according to a DL frequency hopping pattern including a DL frequency hopping channel sequence, and the UE 404 may transmit UL data to the BS 402 according to a UL frequency hopping pattern including a UL frequency hopping channel sequence that is different from the DL frequency hopping channel sequence. In some implementations, each DL frequency hopping channel in the DL frequency hopping channel sequence may be associated with a corresponding DL frequency hopping frame in the DL frequency hopping frame sequence, and each UL frequency hopping channel in the UL frequency hopping channel sequence may be associated with a corresponding UL frequency hopping frame in the UL frequency hopping frame sequence. The DL frequency hopping frame may be used to transmit DL data on a corresponding DL frequency hopping channel of the DL frequency hopping pattern, and the UL frequency hopping frame may be used to transmit UL data on a corresponding UL frequency hopping channel of the UL frequency hopping pattern. In some implementations, the DL frequency hopping channel may be separated from the corresponding UL frequency hopping channel by a frequency gap that is configured or selected to reduce interference between DL transmissions and UL transmissions associated with the communication 400.

[0092] The BS 402 may transmit a discovery reference signal (DRS) to the UE 404 on an anchor channel of the shared wireless medium. The DRS may indicate at least one of a DL frequency hopping pattern or a UL frequency hopping pattern. In some implementations, the DRS may indicate the location of the DL frequency hopping channel and the UL frequency hopping channel, the order in which the UE 404 is to hop between the DL and UL frequency hopping channels, the dwell time on each frequency hopping channel, the duration of the DL and UL frequency hopping channels, the inter-frequency, or any combination thereof. In some other implementations, the DRS may indicate the location of the DL frequency hopping channel, and the UE 404 may derive the UL frequency hopping pattern based on the DL frequency hopping pattern and an identifier unique to the UE 404, such as a UEID.

[0093] The DRS may also include one or more of a primary synchronization signal (PSS), a secondary synchronization signal (SSS), a physical broadcast channel (PBCH), a system information block (SIB), or a slot format indicator (SFI). In some implementations, the DRS may also include a remaining minimum system information (RMSI) field containing information indicating a DL frequency hopping mode.

[0094] The DRS may also include a skip signal that indicates to one or more UEs or groups of UEs that they are to skip the duration of hopping between an anchor channel and a DL hopping channel of a DL hopping pattern. In some implementations, the skip signal may indicate (or may be based on) the absence of queued DL data for the one or more identified UEs or groups of UEs.

[0095] Any suitable technique may be used to indicate or represent the skip duration. In some implementations, the skip signal may indicate the skip duration as the number of DL hopping channels (N), where N is an integer greater than or equal to 1. For example, if the skip signal indicates that the UE 404 is to skip N=2 DL hopping channels, the UE 404 may stay on the anchor channel for a duration corresponding to the stay time on the first and second DL hopping channels (or at least avoid hopping between the anchor channel and the first and second DL hopping channels). In some other implementations, the skip signal may indicate the skip duration as the number of DRS periods (M), where M may be an integer greater than 0 or a non-integer. For example, if the skip signal indicates that the UE 404 is to skip hopping between the anchor channel and the DL hopping channel for M=1 DRS periods, the UE 404 may stay on the anchor channel for a duration corresponding to the first DRS period and hop to the second DL hopping channel during the second DRS period. For another example, if the skip signal indicates that UE 404 is to skip frequency hopping between the anchor channel and the DL frequency hopping channel for M=1 / 2 DRS periods, UE 404 may stay on the anchor channel for a duration corresponding to one-half of the first DRS period and hop to the first DL frequency hopping channel at the midpoint of the stay time on the first DL frequency hopping channel.

[0096] In some implementations, the skip signal may be encoded in a bitmap contained in the reduced RMSI field of the DRS. The bitmap may identify one or more UEs that are to skip frequency hopping between the anchor channel and the DL frequency hopping channel, or may identify one or more UE groups that are to skip frequency hopping between the anchor channel and the DL frequency hopping channel. In some other implementations, the skip signal may be included in the frequency domain resource assignment (FDRA) field (or any other suitable field) of the downlink control information (DCI) message. In some other implementations, the skip signal may be included in the slot format indicator (SFI) carried by the DRS. For example, the skip signal may be included in the reserved slot format ID of the SFI, or may be indicated by an SFI format index.

[0097] After the transmission of the DRS, the BS 402 may hop to the first DL frequency hopping channel. The UE 404 may receive the DRS and use the information contained therein to determine the location of the DL frequency hopping channel, determine the location of the UL frequency hopping channel, and determine whether the skip signal identifies the UE 404. The UE 404 may hop to the first DL frequency hopping channel or stay on the anchor channel based on the information contained in the skip signal.

[0098] When the skip signal does not identify UE 404, UE 404 may hop to the first DL frequency hopping channel and monitor the first DL frequency hopping channel for DL ​​data, one or more reference signals, configured grants, and other information transmitted by BS 402, such as Figure 4 401 in FIG. 4 . In some implementations, BS 402 may contend for medium access to the first DL frequency hopping channel using a CCA-based medium access contention operation, and may obtain access to the first DL frequency hopping channel for a channel occupancy time (COT) based on winning the contention operation. BS 402 may transmit a signal to inform UE 404 of the COT obtained on the first DL frequency hopping channel. The signal may be one or more of a system information channel occupancy time (SI-COT), a group common physical downlink control channel (GC-PDCCH), or a common transmission preamble.

[0099] If UE 404 detects the signal, UE 404 may begin receiving DL data on the first DL hopping channel from BS 402. In some implementations, UE 404 may be configured for full-duplex operation and may receive DL data on the first DL hopping channel concurrently with transmitting UL data on the first UL hopping channel. In some other implementations, UE 404 may be configured for half-duplex operation and may transmit UL data on the first UL hopping channel during a portion of the first DRS period during which UE 404 is not receiving DL data. If UE 404 does not detect the signal within a period of time after the transmission of the DRS, UE 404 may hop to the next DL hopping channel, or may use configured grant (CG) resources to transmit UL data to BS 402.

[0100] At the end of the first DRS period, BS 402 and UE 404 may return to the anchor channel. BS 402 may transmit another DRS on the anchor channel to indicate the start of a second DRS period, and operations between BS 402 and UE 404 may continue in a similar manner for the remainder of the DL frequency hopping pattern.

[0101] When the UE 404 is identified by the skip signal, the UE 404 may stay on the anchor channel for a period of time indicated by the skip signal instead of hopping to the first DL frequency hopping channel, such as Figure 4404. In some implementations, BS 402 may generate a skip signal based on the absence of queued DL data for one or more UEs or UE groups, such as UE 404. For example, BS 402 may determine the absence of queued DL data for one or more UEs within a time period, and may configure a skip signal to identify the one or more UEs and indicate that the one or more identified UEs are to skip frequency hopping between an anchor channel and a DL frequency hopping channel within the time period. For another example, BS 402 may determine the absence of queued DL data for one or more UE groups within a time period, and may configure a skip signal to identify the one or more UE groups and indicate that the one or more identified UE groups are to skip frequency hopping between an anchor channel and a DL frequency hopping channel within the time period. In this way, power consumption associated with frequency hopping in the UEs identified by the skip signal may be reduced.

[0102] In some implementations, if the UE 404 has buffered UL data to transmit, the UE 404 may hop to one or more UL hopping channels during the indicated time period and then return to the anchor channel. If the UE 404 does not have buffered UL data, the UE 404 may stay on the anchor channel for the remainder of the indicated time period. In some implementations, when the UE 404 has buffered UL data to transmit using a configured grant or a physical random access channel (PRACH), the UE 404 may hop to a first UL hopping channel, transmit buffered UL data on the first UL hopping channel, hop to a first DL hopping channel to receive a retransmission grant or a random access response (RAR), and then return to the anchor channel. In some other implementations, when the UE 404 is to transmit a reference signal (such as an SRS) or a control signal on the PUUCH instead of UL data, the UE 404 may hop to a first UL hopping channel, transmit the reference signal or control signal on the first UL hopping channel, and then return to the anchor channel.

[0103] Figure 5An example frequency hopping pattern 500 that may be used for narrowband communication between BS 402 and UE 404 is shown. Frequency hopping pattern 500 includes DL frequency hopping pattern 510 and UL frequency hopping pattern 520. DL frequency hopping pattern 510 and UL frequency hopping pattern 520 may each include any suitable number (N) of unique frequency hopping channels. In some implementations, DL frequency hopping pattern 510 and UL frequency hopping pattern 520 may each include N=15 different frequency hopping channels. In some other implementations, DL frequency hopping pattern 510 and UL frequency hopping pattern 520 may each include more than 15 different frequency hopping channels. In aspects where BS 402 and UE 404 exchange data using narrowband communication in the 2.4 GHz spectrum, the anchor channel may have a bandwidth of less than 5 MHz, and each of the DL frequency hopping channel and the UL frequency hopping channel may have a bandwidth of no greater than 5 MHz.

[0104] The DL frequency hopping pattern 510 includes a sequence of DL frequency hopping channels, and a sequence of DL frequency hopping frames 510-1 to 510-N (only two DL frequency hopping frames 510-1 and 510-2 are shown for simplicity) can be used to transmit DL data to one or more UEs thereon. The UL frequency hopping pattern 520 includes a sequence of UL frequency hopping channels, and a sequence of UL frequency hopping frames 520-1 to 520-N (only two UL frequency hopping frames 520-1 and 520-2 are shown for simplicity) can be used to transmit UL data to the BS 402 thereon. Each of the DL frequency hopping channels of the DL frequency hopping pattern 510 can be separated from the corresponding UL frequency hopping channel of the UL frequency hopping pattern 520 by at least a gap frequency, which is configured or selected to minimize interference between DL transmissions and UL transmissions. In some implementations, the DL frequency hopping frames of the DL frequency hopping pattern 510 can be separated from the corresponding UL frequency hopping frames of the UL frequency hopping pattern 520 by a constant frequency offset modulo.

[0105] BS 402 and UE 404 initially tune to the anchor channel, and BS 402 transmits a DRS to indicate the start of a first DRS period. The DRS may indicate at least one of a DL hopping pattern 510 or a UL hopping pattern 520, and may include a skip signal indicating a time period for one or more UEs (or a group of UEs) to skip hopping between the anchor channel and the DL hopping channel of the DL hopping pattern 510. In some implementations, the indicated time period may be one of a number of DL hopping channels, a number of DRS periods, or a portion of a DRS period.

[0106] UE 404 may receive the DRS, identify the DL hopping channels of DL hopping pattern 510 and the UL hopping channels of UL hopping pattern 520 , and determine whether the hopping signal identifies UE 404 . Figure 5The skip signal in the example of identifies the UE 404 and indicates a time period of N=2 DL frequency hopping channels, thereby allowing the UE 404 to stay on the anchor channel or skip frequency hopping between the anchor channel and the DL frequency hopping channel for at least 2 DRS periods.

[0107] After transmitting the first DRS, BS 402 hops to the first DL frequency hopping channel CH-1 and transmits DL data to UE1 using the first portion of the first DL frequency hopping frame 510-1. UE 404 has buffered UL data, hops to the first UL frequency hopping channel CH-3, and transmits UL data on the configured grant using a portion of the first UL frequency hopping frame 520-1. UE 404 hops to the first DL frequency hopping channel CH-1 and receives a retransmission grant from BS 402 using the second portion of the first DL frequency hopping frame 510-1.

[0108] UE 404 returns to the first UL frequency hopping channel CH-3 to transmit additional UL data using the second part of the first UL frequency hopping frame 520-1, and fails to obtain access to the first UL frequency hopping channel 520-1 using the CCA-based medium access contention operation. In response thereto, UE 404 may hop to the second UL frequency hopping frame 520-2 and transmit additional UL data using a part of the second UL frequency hopping frame 520-2.

[0109] Figure 6 A flow chart depicting example operations 600 for wireless communication supporting frequency hopping between a BS and a UE is shown. Operations 600 may be performed by a wireless communication device such as Figure 1 UE 104, Figure 3 UE 350 or Figure 4 404). In box 602, the UE receives a discovery reference signal (DRS) including a skip signal identifying one or more UEs. In box 604, when the skip signal identifies the UE, the UE stays on the anchor channel. In box 606, when the signal does not identify the UE, the UE switches from the anchor channel to the first DL hopping channel of the DL hopping mode. In some implementations, one or more UEs identified by the skip signal may be allowed to enter a low power state for one or more DRS periods (or other time periods indicated by the DRS). In some other implementations, the skip signal may indicate the absence of queued DL data for each of the one or more identified UEs during one or more DRS periods.

[0110] In some implementations, the DRS may include one or more of a primary synchronization signal (PSS), a secondary synchronization signal (SSS), a physical broadcast channel (PBCH), or a system information block (SIB). In some instances, the DRS may be received on an anchor channel of an unlicensed band. In some other instances, the DRS may indicate a DL frequency hopping mode.

[0111] In some implementations, the skip signal may be received in a reduced residual minimum system information (RMSI) field of the DRS. In some instances, the RMSI field may include a bitmap identifying one or more UEs that are to stay on the anchor channel for at least a period of time. For example, each bit in the bitmap may be used to indicate that a corresponding UE among the one or more identified UEs is to remain on the anchor channel for the period of time. In some other instances, the RMSI field may include a bitmap identifying one or more UE groups that are to remain on the anchor channel for the period of time. In some implementations, the one or more identified UE groups may be mapped to corresponding bits of the bitmap via a radio resource control (RRC) configuration.

[0112] In some other implementations, the skip signal may be included in a frequency domain resource assignment (FDRA) field of a downlink control information (DCI) message. In some other instances, the skip signal may be indicated by a slot format indicator (SFI) format index carried by the DRS.

[0113] Figure 7 A flow chart depicting example operations 700 for wireless communication supporting frequency hopping between a BS and a UE is shown. Operations 700 may be performed by a wireless communication device such as Figure 1 UE 104, Figure 3 UE 350 or Figure 4 In some implementations, operation 700 may be performed by a UE 404. Figure 6 6. The method of claim 701 is performed after selectively switching to a first DL hopping channel in block 606 of the UE. For example, in block 702, the UE detects the presence of uplink (UL) data buffered in the UE. In block 704, the UE selects a UL hopping mode based at least in part on the DL hopping mode and an identifier unique to the UE. In block 706, the UE switches to a first UL hopping channel of the UL hopping mode based on detecting the presence of buffered UL data. In block 708, the UE transmits the buffered UL data on the first UL hopping channel of the UL hopping mode. In some implementations, the first UL hopping channel of the UL hopping mode corresponds to one of a configured grant (CG) configuration or a physical random access channel (PRACH).

[0114] Figure 8A flow chart depicting example operations 800 for wireless communication supporting frequency hopping between a BS and a UE is shown. Operations 800 may be performed by a wireless communication device such as Figure 1 UE 104, Figure 3 UE 350 or Figure 4 In some implementations, operation 800 may be performed by: Figure 7 The UE may transmit the buffered UL data on the first UL hopping channel in block 708 of the UE after transmitting the buffered UL data on the first UL hopping channel. For example, in block 802, the UE returns to the first DL hopping channel of the DL hopping pattern. In block 804, the UE monitors the first DL hopping channel of the DL hopping pattern for one of a UL retransmission grant or a random access response (RAR). In some implementations, the UE may return to the first DL hopping channel after transmitting the buffered UL data on the first UL hopping channel and receive a retransmission grant allowing the UE to transmit additional buffered UL data. In some other implementations, the UE may return to the first DL hopping channel after transmitting the buffered UL data on the first UL hopping channel and receive a message (such as an RAR) indicating which portions of the transmitted UL data were received and correctly decoded by the BS.

[0115] Fig. 9 A flow chart depicting example operations 900 for wireless communication supporting frequency hopping between a BS and a UE is shown. Operations 900 may be performed by a wireless communication device such as Figure 1 UE 104, Figure 3 UE 350 or Figure 4 In some implementations, operation 900 may be performed by a device of a UE 404. Figure 6 In block 904, the UE receives DL data on the first DL hopping channel of the DL frequency hopping pattern.

[0116] As discussed, in some instances, the BS may contend for channel access to the first DL frequency hopping channel using a CCA-based channel access contention operation. After obtaining the COT on the first DL frequency hopping channel, the BS may transmit a signal notifying one or more UEs 104 of the COT obtained on the corresponding DL frequency hopping channel. In some instances, the signal may be one or more of a system information channel occupancy time (SI-COT), a group common physical downlink control channel (GC-PDCCH), or a common transmit preamble.

[0117] Fig.10A flow chart depicting example operations 1000 for wireless communications supporting frequency hopping between a BS and a UE is shown. Operations 1000 may be performed by a wireless communication device such as Figure 1 UE 104, Figure 3 UE 350 or Figure 4 In some implementations, operation 1000 may be performed by a device of a UE 404. Figure 6 In one example, the UE selectively switches to a first DL frequency hopping channel in block 606 of . For example, at block 1002, in response to determining that the skip signal identifies the UE, the UE stays on the anchor channel for a period of time. In some implementations, the UE identified by the skip signal may not have any queued DL data in the BS 402, and thus can save power by remaining on the anchor channel instead of hopping to the DL frequency hopping channel (such as when the BS does not have any DL data to transmit to the UE). In some instances, in response to determining that the skip signal identifies the UE, the UE can return to a low power state or a sleep state.

[0118] Fig.11 A flow chart depicting example operations 1100 for wireless communication supporting frequency hopping between a BS and a UE is shown. Operations 1100 may be performed by a wireless communication device such as Figure 1 BS 102 Figure 3 BS 310 or Figure 4 1102, the BS transmits a discovery reference signal (DRS) including a skip signal identifying one or more user equipments (UEs). In box 1104, the BS transmits a signal indicating a channel occupancy time (COT) obtained on a first DL hopping channel of a downlink (DL) hopping pattern. In box 1106, the BS transmits DL data on the first DL hopping channel of the DL hopping pattern. In some implementations, one or more UEs identified by the skip signal may be allowed to enter a low power state for one or more DRS periods (or other time periods indicated by the DRS). In some other implementations, the skip signal may indicate the absence of queued DL data for each of the one or more identified UEs during one or more DRS periods.

[0119] In some implementations, the DRS may include one or more of a primary synchronization signal (PSS), a secondary synchronization signal (SSS), a physical broadcast channel (PBCH), or a system information block (SIB). In some instances, the DRS may be received on an anchor channel of an unlicensed band. In some other instances, the DRS may indicate a DL frequency hopping mode.

[0120] In some implementations, the skip signal may be received in a reduced residual minimum system information (RMSI) field of the DRS. In some instances, the RMSI field may include a bitmap identifying one or more UEs that are to stay on the anchor channel for at least a period of time. For example, each bit in the bitmap may be used to indicate that a corresponding UE among the one or more identified UEs is to remain on the anchor channel for the period of time. In some other instances, the RMSI field may include a bitmap identifying one or more UE groups that are to remain on the anchor channel for the period of time. In some implementations, the one or more identified UE groups may be mapped to corresponding bits of the bitmap via a radio resource control (RRC) configuration.

[0121] In some other implementations, the skip signal may be included in a frequency domain resource assignment (FDRA) field of a downlink control information (DCI) message. In some other instances, the skip signal may be indicated by a slot format indicator (SFI) format index carried by the DRS.

[0122] Fig.12 A flow chart depicting example operations 1200 for wireless communication supporting frequency hopping between a BS and a UE is shown. Operations 1200 may be performed by a wireless communication device such as Figure 1 UE 104, Figure 3 UE 350 or Figure 4 The method is performed by a device of a UE 404 of the embodiment of the present invention. At block 1202, the UE receives a discovery reference signal (DRS) indicating a downlink (DL) frequency hopping pattern and including a skip signal indicating a time period for one or more UEs to skip frequency hopping between an anchor channel and a DL frequency hopping channel of the DL frequency hopping pattern. At block 1204, the UE determines whether the skip signal identifies the UE. At block 1206, the UE selectively switches to a first DL frequency hopping channel of the DL frequency hopping pattern based on the determination.

[0123] The DL frequency hopping pattern may include a sequence of DL frequency hopping channels on which the BS may transmit DL data. Each of these DL frequency hopping channels may be associated with a corresponding DL frequency hopping frame in the sequence of DL frequency hopping frames. In some implementations, the BS may transmit DL data to one or more UEs in each of these DL frequency hopping frames.

[0124] In some implementations, the DRS in block 1202 may include one or more of a primary synchronization signal (PSS), a secondary synchronization signal (SSS), a physical broadcast channel (PBCH), a system information block (SIB), a slot format indicator (SFI), or remaining minimum system information (RMSI). The DRS may be transmitted on an anchor channel of a spectrum, such as one or more unlicensed bands. In some implementations, the spectrum may be an unlicensed band in a 2.4 GHz spectrum, and each of the DL frequency hopping channels may have a bandwidth of no more than 5 MHz. In some other implementations, the spectrum may be an unlicensed band in another spectrum, such as a 5 GHz spectrum or a 6 GHz spectrum, and one or both of the DL frequency hopping channel and the UL frequency hopping channel may have other suitable bandwidths.

[0125] In some implementations, the skip signal in block 1202 may also indicate a lack of DL data for the one or more UEs during a time period. The time period indicated by the skip signal may be one of a number of DL frequency hopping channels, a number of DRS periods, or a portion of a DRS period.

[0126] In some implementations, the skip signal in block 1202 may be included in a reduced residual minimum system information (RMSI) field of the DRS. The RMSI field may include a bitmap identifying one or more UEs that are to skip frequency hopping between an anchor channel and a DL frequency hopping channel. Each bit in the bitmap may be used to indicate a corresponding UE in the one or more identified UEs that are to skip frequency hopping between an anchor channel and a DL frequency hopping channel. In some other implementations, the RMSI field may include a bitmap identifying one or more UE groups that are to skip frequency hopping between an anchor channel and a DL frequency hopping channel. Each bit in the bitmap may be used to indicate a corresponding UE group in the one or more identified UE groups that are to skip frequency hopping between an anchor channel and a DL frequency hopping channel. In some implementations, the one or more identified UE groups may be mapped to corresponding bits of the bitmap via a radio resource control (RRC) configuration.

[0127] In some other implementations, the skip signal in block 1202 may be carried in a downlink control information (DCI) message received from the BS. The skip signal may be included in a frequency domain resource assignment (FDRA) field of the DCI message, and the DCI message may be configured in a type 3 common search space. In some other implementations, the skip signal in block 1202 may be included in a slot format indicator (SFI) carried by the DRS. In some aspects, the skip signal may be included in a reserved slot format ID of the SFI. In other aspects, the skip signal may be indicated by an SFI format index.

[0128] Fig.13A flow chart depicting example operations 1300 for wireless communication supporting frequency hopping between a BS and a UE is shown. Operations 1300 may be performed by a wireless communication device such as Figure 1 UE 104, Figure 3 UE 350 or Figure 4 In some implementations, operation 1300 may be performed by a device of a UE 404. Fig.12 In block 1306, the UE selectively switches to a first DL frequency hopping channel of the DL frequency hopping pattern. For example, at block 1302, the UE determines whether the skip signal identifies the UE. At block 1304, in response to determining that the skip signal identifies the UE, the UE stays on the anchor channel for a duration. At block 1306, in response to determining that the skip signal does not identify the UE, the UE hops to a first DL frequency hopping channel of the DL frequency hopping pattern.

[0129] Fig.14 A flow chart depicting example operations 1400 for wireless communication supporting frequency hopping between a BS and a UE is shown. Operations 1400 may be performed by a wireless communication device such as Figure 1 UE 104, Figure 3 UE 350 or Figure 4 In some implementations, operation 1400 may be performed by: Fig.13 1404. The method of claim 1405 begins after the UE resides on the anchor channel in block 1304 of the UE. For example, at block 1402, the UE detects the presence of UL data buffered in the UE. At block 1404, the UE determines an uplink (UL) frequency hopping pattern based at least in part on the DL frequency hopping pattern and an identifier unique to the UE. At block 1406, the UE switches to a first UL frequency hopping channel of the UL frequency hopping pattern based on detecting the buffered UL data. At block 1408, the UE transmits the buffered UL data on the first UL frequency hopping channel of the UL frequency hopping pattern.

[0130] The UL hopping pattern may include one or more unique UL hopping channel sequences on which one or more corresponding UEs may concurrently transmit UL data. Each UL hopping channel sequence may be associated with a unique UL hopping frame sequence on which the corresponding UE may transmit UL data. In some implementations, each UL hopping channel sequence may be allocated or assigned to a different UE, for example, so that multiple UEs may concurrently transmit UL data using their corresponding UL hopping channel sequences.

[0131] The DL frequency hopping channel sequence may be different from each of the one or more UL frequency hopping channel sequences, and the DL frequency hopping frame sequence may occupy a different channel than each of the one or more UL frequency hopping frame sequences. In some implementations, the DL frequency hopping channel may be separated from each of the UL frequency hopping channels by a gap frequency that is configured or selected to reduce interference between UL transmissions and DL transmissions.

[0132] In some implementations, the DL frequency hopping channel sequence and the one or more UL frequency hopping channel sequences may be uncoordinated with respect to each other, for example, to avoid certain FCC restrictions on communications employing frequency hopping techniques. In some other implementations, the DL frequency hopping channel sequence and the one or more UL frequency hopping channel sequences may be coordinated with each other, for example, to reduce the likelihood that UL frequency hopping channels associated with (or assigned to) different UEs do not overlap in both time and frequency. The one or more UL frequency hopping channel sequences may be orthogonal to each other and may be orthogonal to the DL frequency hopping channel sequence. In some implementations, each of the one or more UL frequency hopping channel sequences may be based on a DL frequency hopping channel sequence and an identifier unique to the associated UE (such as a UEID).

[0133] Fig.15 A flow chart depicting example operations 1500 for wireless communication supporting frequency hopping between a BS and a UE is shown. Operations 1500 may be performed by a wireless communication device such as Figure 1 UE 104, Figure 3 UE 350 or Figure 4 In some implementations, operation 1500 may be performed by: Fig.14 1408. For example, at block 1502, the UE returns to a first DL hopping channel of a DL frequency hopping pattern. At block 1504, the UE monitors the first DL hopping channel of the DL frequency hopping pattern for one of a UL retransmission grant or a random access response (RAR).

[0134] Fig.16 A flow chart depicting example operations 1600 for wireless communication supporting frequency hopping between a BS and a UE is shown. Operations 1600 may be performed by a wireless communication device such as Figure 1 UE 104, Figure 3 UE 350 or Figure 4 In some implementations, operation 1600 may be performed by: Fig.15The UE may start after monitoring the first DL frequency hopping channel in block 1504 of the UE. For example, at block 1602, the UE returns to the first UL frequency hopping channel of the UL frequency hopping pattern based on the presence of the additional UL data. At block 1604, the UE transmits the additional UL data on the first UL frequency hopping channel of the UL frequency hopping pattern.

[0135] Fig.17 A flow chart depicting example operations 1700 for wireless communication supporting frequency hopping between a BS and a UE is shown. Operations 1700 may be performed by a wireless communication device such as Figure 1 UE 104, Figure 3 UE 350 or Figure 4 In some implementations, operation 1700 may be performed by: Fig.15 The UE may monitor the first DL frequency hopping channel in block 1504 of the UL frequency hopping pattern. For example, at block 1702, the UE returns to the first UL frequency hopping channel of the UL frequency hopping pattern based on the presence of additional UL data. At block 1704, the UE fails to obtain medium access to the first UL frequency hopping channel of the UL frequency hopping pattern. At block 1706, the UE switches to the second UL frequency hopping channel of the UL frequency hopping pattern after failing to obtain medium access to the first UL frequency hopping channel of the UL frequency hopping pattern. At block 1708, the UE transmits additional UL data on the second UL frequency hopping channel of the UL frequency hopping pattern.

[0136] Fig.18 A flow chart depicting example operations 1800 for wireless communication supporting frequency hopping between a BS and a UE is shown. Operations 1800 may be performed by a wireless communication device such as Figure 1 UE 104, Figure 3 UE 350 or Figure 4 In some implementations, operation 1800 may be performed by: Figure 7 The UE may start after hopping to the first DL frequency hopping channel of the DL frequency hopping pattern in block 706 of the UE. For example, at block 1802, the UE detects a signal indicating a channel occupancy time (COT) obtained by the BS on the first DL frequency hopping channel of the DL frequency hopping pattern. At block 1804, the UE receives DL data on the first DL frequency hopping channel of the DL frequency hopping pattern.

[0137] In some implementations, the signal indicating the COT in block 1802 may be one or more of a system information channel occupancy time (SI-COT), a group common physical downlink control channel (GC-PDCCH), or a common transmit preamble. The COT may be obtained based on a CCA operation performed by the BS on a first DL hopping channel of a DL hopping pattern.

[0138] Fig.19A flow chart depicting example operations 1900 for wireless communication supporting frequency hopping between a BS and a UE is shown. Operations 1900 may be performed by a wireless communication device such as Figure 1 UE 104, Figure 3 UE 350 or Figure 4 In some implementations, operation 1900 may be performed by: Fig.18 The method begins after receiving DL data in block 1804 of the UE. For example, at block 1902, the UE detects the presence of UL data buffered in the UE. At block 1904, the UE determines an uplink (UL) frequency hopping pattern based at least in part on the DL frequency hopping pattern and an identifier unique to the UE. At block 1906, the UE switches to a first UL frequency hopping channel of the UL frequency hopping pattern based on detecting the buffered UL data. At block 1908, the UE transmits the buffered UL data on the first UL frequency hopping channel of the UL frequency hopping pattern.

[0139] In some implementations, the DL frequency hopping pattern includes a DL frequency hopping channel sequence, and the UL frequency hopping pattern includes one or more UL frequency hopping channel sequences that are different from the DL frequency hopping channel sequence. Each DL frequency hopping channel may be associated with a corresponding DL frequency hopping frame in a DL frequency hopping frame sequence, and each UL frequency hopping channel in a corresponding sequence of the one or more UL frequency hopping channel sequences may be associated with a corresponding UL frequency hopping frame in a corresponding sequence of the one or more UL frequency hopping frame sequences.

[0140] In some implementations, the DL frequency hopping channel sequence and the one or more UL frequency hopping channel sequences may be uncoordinated with respect to each other, for example, to avoid certain FCC restrictions on communications employing frequency hopping techniques. In some other implementations, the DL frequency hopping channel sequence and the one or more UL frequency hopping channel sequences may be coordinated with each other, for example, to reduce the likelihood that UL frequency hopping channels associated with (or assigned to) different UEs do not overlap in both time and frequency. The one or more UL frequency hopping channel sequences may be orthogonal to each other and may be orthogonal to the DL frequency hopping channel sequence. In some implementations, each of the one or more UL frequency hopping channel sequences may be based on a DL frequency hopping channel sequence and an identifier unique to the associated UE (such as a UEID).

[0141] Implementation examples are described in the following numbered clauses:

[0142] 1. A method for performing wireless communication by a device of a user equipment (UE), comprising:

[0143] receiving a discovery reference signal (DRS) including a skip signal identifying one or more UEs;

[0144] When the skip signal identifies the UE, staying on the anchor channel; and

[0145] When the signal does not identify the UE, a switch is made from the anchor channel to a first downlink (DL) frequency hopping channel of the DL frequency hopping pattern.

[0146] 2. The method of clause 1, wherein the DRS comprises one or more of a primary synchronization signal (PSS), a secondary synchronization signal (SSS), a physical broadcast channel (PBCH), or a system information block (SIB).

[0147] 3. A method as in any of clauses 1-2, wherein the one or more UEs identified by the skip signal are allowed to enter a low power state for one or more DRS periods.

[0148] 4. The method of any of clauses 1-3, wherein the skip signal indicates an absence of queued DL data for each of the one or more identified UEs during one or more DRS periods.

[0149] 5. The method of clause 1, wherein the DRS indicates a DL frequency hopping pattern and is received on an anchor channel.

[0150] 6. The method of any of clauses 1-5, wherein the skip signal is included in a reduced remaining minimum system information (RMSI) field of the DRS, the RMSI field comprising a bitmap identifying the one or more UEs.

[0151] 7. The method of clause 6, wherein the identified UE is mapped to a bitmap of the RMSI field via a radio resource control (RRC) configuration.

[0152] 8. The method of any of clauses 1-5, wherein the skip signal comprises a bitmap identifying one or more UE groups to stay on the anchor channel for one or more DRS periods.

[0153] 9. The method of any of clauses 1-5, wherein the skip signal is included in a frequency domain resource assignment (FDRA) field of a downlink control information (DCI) message.

[0154] 10. The method of clause 1, wherein the skip signal is indicated by a slot format indicator (SFI) format index carried by the DRS.

[0155] 11. The method of clause 10, further comprising:

[0156] detecting a signal indicative of a channel occupancy time (COT) achieved by the base station on a first DL frequency hopping channel of a DL frequency hopping pattern; and

[0157] DL data is received on a first DL frequency hopping channel of the DL frequency hopping pattern.

[0158] 12. The method of any one of clauses 1 to 11, further comprising:

[0159] detecting the presence of uplink (UL) data buffered in the UE;

[0160] selecting a UL frequency hopping pattern based at least in part on the DL frequency hopping pattern and an identifier unique to the UE;

[0161] a first UL frequency hopping channel switching to a UL frequency hopping mode based on detecting the presence of buffered UL data; and

[0162] The buffered UL data is transmitted on a first UL frequency hopping channel of the UL frequency hopping pattern.

[0163] 13. The method of clause 12, wherein a first UL hopping channel of the UL hopping pattern corresponds to one of a configured grant (CG) configuration or a physical random access channel (PRACH).

[0164] 14. The method of any of clauses 12-13, further comprising:

[0165] Returning to the first DL frequency hopping channel of the DL frequency hopping mode; and

[0166] A first DL frequency hopping channel of the DL frequency hopping pattern is monitored for one of a UL retransmission grant or a random access response (RAR).

[0167] 15. A wireless communication device, comprising:

[0168] Processing systems; and

[0169] interface, which is configured as:

[0170] Acquiring a discovery reference signal (DRS) including a skip signal identifying one or more UEs;

[0171] When the skip signal identifies the UE, staying on the anchor channel; and

[0172] When the signal does not identify the UE, a switch is made from the anchor channel to a first downlink (DL) frequency hopping channel of the DL frequency hopping pattern.

[0173] 16. The wireless communication device of clause 15, wherein the DRS indicates a DL frequency hopping pattern and is received on an anchor channel.

[0174] 17. A wireless communications device as in any of clauses 15-16, wherein the skip signal is included in a reduced remaining minimum system information (RMSI) field of the DRS, the RMSI field comprising a bitmap identifying the one or more UEs.

[0175] 18. A wireless communications device as in any of clauses 15-16, wherein the skip signal is included in a frequency domain resource assignment (FDRA) field of a downlink control information (DCI) message.

[0176] 19. The wireless communications device of clause 15, wherein the skip signal indicates an absence of queued DL data for each of the one or more identified UEs during one or more DRS periods.

[0177] 20. A wireless communication device as in any of clauses 15-18, wherein:

[0178] The processing system is configured to:

[0179] detecting the presence of uplink (UL) data buffered in the UE; and

[0180] determining a UL frequency hopping pattern based at least in part on the DL frequency hopping pattern and an identifier unique to the UE; and

[0181] The interface is further configured as:

[0182] a first UL frequency hopping channel switching to a UL frequency hopping mode based on detecting the presence of buffered UL data; and

[0183] The buffered UL data is output for transmission on a first UL frequency hopping channel of the UL frequency hopping pattern.

[0184] 21. A wireless communication device as in clause 15, wherein:

[0185] The processing system is further configured to:

[0186] detecting a signal indicative of a channel occupancy time (COT) achieved by the base station on a first DL frequency hopping channel of a DL frequency hopping pattern; and

[0187] The interface is further configured as:

[0188] DL data is obtained on a first DL frequency hopping channel of the DL frequency hopping pattern.

[0189] 22. A method for performing wireless communication by an apparatus of a base station (BS), comprising:

[0190] transmitting a discovery reference signal (DRS) including a skip signal identifying one or more user equipments (UEs);

[0191] transmitting a signal indicating a channel occupancy time (COT) achieved on a first DL frequency hopping channel of a downlink (DL) frequency hopping pattern; and

[0192] DL data is transmitted on a first DL frequency hopping channel of the DL frequency hopping pattern.

[0193] 23. The method of clause 22, wherein the DRS is transmitted on an anchor channel of the unlicensed band and indicates a DL frequency hopping pattern.

[0194] 24. The method of any of clauses 22-23, wherein the skip signal indicates an absence of queued DL data for each of the one or more identified UEs during one or more DRS periods.

[0195] 25. The method of any of clauses 22-24, wherein one or more UEs identified by the skip signal are allowed to enter a low power state for one or more DRS periods.

[0196] 26. The method of any of clauses 22-25, further comprising receiving UL data from a UE on a first uplink (UL) frequency hopping channel of a UL frequency hopping pattern.

[0197] 27. The method of clause 26, wherein a first UL hopping channel of the UL hopping pattern corresponds to one of a configured grant (CG) configuration or a physical random access channel (PRACH).

[0198] 28. A wireless communication device comprising an interface, the interface being configured to:

[0199] outputting a discovery reference signal (DRS) including a skip signal identifying one or more user equipments (UEs) for transmission;

[0200] outputting a signal for transmission indicating a channel occupancy time (COT) achieved on a first DL frequency hopping channel in a downlink (DL) frequency hopping pattern; and

[0201] DL data is output for transmission on a first DL frequency hopping channel of the DL frequency hopping pattern.

[0202] 29. The wireless communication device of clause 28, wherein the skip signal is included in a reduced residual minimum system information (RMSI) field of the DRS, and the RMSI field includes a bitmap identifying the one or more UEs or one or more UE groups.

[0203] 30. The wireless communications device of any of clauses 28-29, wherein the interface is further configured to obtain UL data from the UE on a first uplink (UL) frequency hopping channel of a UL frequency hopping pattern.

[0204] 31. A method for performing wireless communication by a device of a user equipment (UE), comprising:

[0205] receiving a discovery reference signal (DRS) indicating a downlink (DL) frequency hopping pattern and including a skip signal indicating a time period for one or more UEs to skip frequency hopping between an anchor channel and a DL frequency hopping channel of the DL frequency hopping pattern;

[0206] determining whether a skip signal identifies the UE; and

[0207] A first DL frequency hopping channel of the DL frequency hopping mode is selectively switched to based on the determination.

[0208] 32. The method of clause 31, wherein the DRS comprises one or more of a primary synchronization signal (PSS), a secondary synchronization signal (SSS), a physical broadcast channel (PBCH), or a system information block (SIB).

[0209] 33. The method of any of clauses 31-32, wherein the time period comprises a plurality of DL frequency hopping channels.

[0210] 34. A method as in any of clauses 31-32, wherein the time period includes a plurality of DRS periods.

[0211] 35. A method as in any of clauses 31-32, wherein the time period comprises a portion of a DRS period.

[0212] 36. A method as recited in any of clauses 31-35, wherein the skip signal indicates an absence of DL data for the one or more UEs during the time period.

[0213] 37. The method of any of clauses 31-32, wherein the skip signal is included in a reduced remaining minimum system information (RMSI) field of the DRS.

[0214] 38. The method of clause 37, wherein the RMSI field comprises a bitmap identifying one or more UEs that are to skip frequency hopping between the anchor channel and the DL frequency hopping channel.

[0215] 39. The method of clause 38, wherein each bit in the bitmap identifies a corresponding UE among the one or more identified UEs.

[0216] 40. The method of clause 37, wherein the skip signal comprises a bitmap identifying one or more groups of UEs that are to skip frequency hopping between the anchor channel and the DL frequency hopping channel.

[0217] 41. The method of clause 40, wherein each bit in the bitmap identifies a group of UEs that are to skip frequency hopping between the anchor channel and the DL frequency hopping channel.

[0218] 42. The method of clause 41, wherein the identified group of UEs is mapped to a bitmap of the RMSI field via a radio resource control (RRC) configuration.

[0219] 43. The method of clause 31, wherein the skip signal is carried in a downlink control information (DCI) message received from the base station.

[0220] 44. The method of clause 43, wherein the skip signal is included in a frequency domain resource assignment (FDRA) field of the DCI message.

[0221] 45. The method of clause 43, wherein the DCI message is configured in a type 3 common search space.

[0222] 46. ​​The method of clause 31, wherein the skip signal is included in a slot format indicator (SFI) carried by the DRS.

[0223] 47. A method as in clause 46, wherein the skip signal is contained in a reserved slot format ID of the SFI.

[0224] 48. The method of clause 46, wherein the skip signal is indicated by an SFI format index.

[0225] 49. The method of any of clauses 31-48, wherein selectively switching comprises, in response to determining that the skip signal identifies the UE, staying on the anchor channel for a duration.

[0226] 50. The method of clause 49, further comprising:

[0227] detecting the presence of UL data buffered in the UE;

[0228] determining an uplink (UL) frequency hopping pattern based at least in part on the DL frequency hopping pattern and an identifier unique to the UE;

[0229] a first UL frequency hopping channel that switches to a UL frequency hopping mode based on detecting the buffered UL data; and

[0230] The buffered UL data is transmitted on a first UL frequency hopping channel of the UL frequency hopping pattern.

[0231] 51. The method of clause 50, wherein a first UL hopping channel of the UL hopping pattern corresponds to one of a configured grant (CG) configuration or a physical random access channel (PRACH).

[0232] 52. The method of any of clauses 50-51, further comprising:

[0233] Returning to the first DL frequency hopping channel of the DL frequency hopping mode; and

[0234] A first DL frequency hopping channel of the DL frequency hopping pattern is monitored for one of a UL retransmission grant or a random access response (RAR).

[0235] 53. The method of clause 52, further comprising:

[0236] returning to the first UL frequency hopping channel of the UL frequency hopping mode based on the presence of the additional UL data; and

[0237] The additional UL data is transmitted on a first UL frequency hopping channel of the UL frequency hopping pattern.

[0238] 54. The method of clause 52, further comprising:

[0239] returning to the first UL frequency hopping channel of the UL frequency hopping mode based on the presence of the additional UL data;

[0240] Failure to obtain medium access to a first UL frequency hopping channel of the UL frequency hopping pattern;

[0241] switching to a second UL frequency hopping channel of the UL frequency hopping mode after failing to obtain medium access to the first UL frequency hopping channel of the UL frequency hopping mode; and

[0242] The additional UL data is transmitted on a second UL frequency hopping channel of the UL frequency hopping pattern.

[0243] 55. The method of any of clauses 31-54, wherein the selective switching comprises: responsive to determining that the skip signal does not identify the UE, hopping to a first DL frequency hopping channel of the DL frequency hopping pattern.

[0244] 56. The method of clause 55, further comprising:

[0245] detecting a signal indicative of a channel occupancy time (COT) achieved by the base station on a first DL frequency hopping channel of a DL frequency hopping pattern; and

[0246] DL data is received on a first DL frequency hopping channel of the DL frequency hopping pattern.

[0247] 57. The method of clause 56, wherein the signal comprises one or more of a system information channel occupancy time (SI-COT), a group common physical downlink control channel (GC-PDCCH), or a common transmit preamble.

[0248] 58. The method of any one of clauses 31-57, further comprising:

[0249] detecting the presence of UL data buffered in the UE;

[0250] determining an uplink (UL) frequency hopping pattern based at least in part on the DL frequency hopping pattern and an identifier unique to the UE;

[0251] a first UL frequency hopping channel that switches to a UL frequency hopping mode based on detecting the buffered UL data; and

[0252] The buffered UL data is transmitted on a first UL frequency hopping channel of the UL frequency hopping pattern.

[0253] 59. The method of clause 58, wherein the DL frequency hopping pattern comprises a DL frequency hopping channel sequence, and the UL frequency hopping pattern comprises a UL frequency hopping channel sequence that is different from the DL frequency hopping channel sequence.

[0254] 60. The method of clause 59, wherein:

[0255] Each DL frequency hopping channel in the DL frequency hopping channel sequence is associated with a corresponding DL frequency hopping frame in the DL frequency hopping frame sequence;

[0256] Each UL frequency hopping channel in the UL frequency hopping channel sequence is associated with a corresponding UL frequency hopping frame in the UL frequency hopping frame sequence;

[0257] One or more DL frequency hopping frames in the sequence of DL frequency hopping frames contain DL data for at least one wireless communication device other than the UE; and

[0258] Each UL frequency hopping frame in the UL frequency hopping frame sequence is dedicated to UL transmission from the UE.

[0259] 61. The method of any of clauses 31-60, wherein the DRS is transmitted on an anchor channel.

[0260] 62. A user equipment (UE), comprising:

[0261] one or more processors; and

[0262] A memory coupled to the one or more processors and storing instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the UE to perform operations as recited in any one or more of clauses 31-61.

[0263] 63. A user equipment (UE) comprising means for performing the operations as recited in any one or more of clauses 31-61.

[0264] 64. A non-transitory computer readable memory comprising instructions which, when executed by one or more processors of a user equipment (UE), cause the UE to perform the operations of any one or more of clauses 31-61.

[0265] As used herein, a phrase referring to "at least one" of a list of items refers to any combination of those items, including single members. As an example, "at least one of a, b, or c" is intended to cover: a, b, c, ab, ac, bc, and abc.

[0266] The various illustrative logics, logic blocks, modules, circuits, and algorithmic processes described in conjunction with the implementations disclosed herein may be implemented as electronic hardware, computer software, or a combination of both. This interchangeability of hardware and software has been generally described in terms of their functionality and illustrated in the various illustrative components, blocks, modules, circuits, and processes described above. Whether such functionality is implemented in hardware or software depends on the specific application and the design constraints imposed on the overall system.

[0267] The hardware and data processing devices for implementing the various illustrative logics, logic blocks, modules, and circuits described in conjunction with the aspects disclosed herein may be implemented or executed with a general purpose single-chip or multi-chip processor, a digital signal processor (DSP), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field programmable gate array (FPGA) or other programmable logic device designed to perform the functions described herein, discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof. A general purpose processor may be a microprocessor, or any conventional processor, controller, microcontroller, or state machine. The processor may also be implemented as a combination of computing devices (such as a combination of a DSP and a microprocessor), multiple microprocessors, one or more microprocessors in cooperation with a DSP core, or any other such configuration. In some implementations, specific processes and methods may be performed by circuit systems dedicated to a given function.

[0268] In one or more aspects, the functions described may be implemented in hardware, digital electronic circuitry, computer software, firmware (including the structures disclosed in this specification and their structural equivalents), or in any combination thereof. Implementations of the subject matter described in this specification may also be implemented as one or more computer programs, i.e., one or more modules of computer program instructions encoded on a computer storage medium for execution by a data processing apparatus or for controlling the operation of a data processing apparatus.

[0269] If implemented in software, each function can be stored on a computer-readable medium or transmitted therethrough as one or more instructions or codes. The process of the method or algorithm disclosed herein can be implemented in a processor executable software module that can reside on a computer-readable medium. Computer-readable media include both computer storage media and communication media, including any medium that can be implemented to transfer a computer program from one place to another. Storage media can be any available medium that can be accessed by a computer. As an example and not limitation, such computer-readable media may include RAM, ROM, EEPROM, CD-ROM or other optical disk storage, disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium that can be used to store the desired program code in the form of an instruction or data structure and can be accessed by a computer. Any connection may also be appropriately referred to as a computer-readable medium. As used herein, disks and discs include compact discs (CDs), laser discs, optical discs, digital versatile discs (DVDs), floppy disks and blue-ray discs, wherein disks often reproduce data magnetically and discs reproduce data optically with lasers. The above combination should also be included in the scope of computer-readable media. Additionally, the operations of a method or algorithm may reside as one or any combination or set of codes and instructions on a machine-readable medium and a computer-readable medium, which may be incorporated into a computer program product.

[0270] Various modifications to the implementations described in this disclosure may be apparent to those skilled in the art, and the universal principles defined herein may be applied to other implementations without departing from the spirit or scope of the disclosure. Thus, the claims are not intended to be limited to the implementations shown herein, but should be granted the widest scope consistent with the disclosure, the principles and novel features disclosed herein.

Claims

1. A method for performing wireless communication by a device of a user equipment (UE), comprising: receiving a discovery reference signal (DRS) including a skip signal identifying one or more UEs; When the skip signal identifies the UE, staying on the anchor channel; as well as When the signal does not identify the UE, switching is performed from the anchor channel to a first downlink (DL) frequency hopping channel of a DL frequency hopping pattern.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the DRS comprises one or more of a primary synchronization signal (PSS), a secondary synchronization signal (SSS), a physical broadcast channel (PBCH), or a system information block (SIB). 3 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the one or more UEs identified by the skip signal are allowed to enter a low power state for one or more DRS periods.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the skip signal indicates an absence of queued DL data for each of the one or more identified UEs during one or more DRS periods.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the DRS indicates the DL frequency hopping pattern and is received on the anchor channel.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the skip signal is included in a reduced remaining minimum system information (RMSI) field of the DRS, the RMSI field including a bitmap identifying the one or more UEs.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the identified UE is mapped to the bitmap of the RMSI field via a radio resource control (RRC) configuration.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the skip signal comprises a bitmap identifying one or more UE groups to stay on the anchor channel for one or more DRS periods.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the skip signal is included in a frequency domain resource assignment (FDRA) field of a downlink control information (DCI) message.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the skip signal is indicated by a slot format indicator (SFI) format index carried by the DRS.

11. The method of claim 10, further comprising: detecting a signal indicating a channel occupancy time (COT) obtained by a base station on the first DL frequency hopping channel of the DL frequency hopping pattern; as well as DL data is received on the first DL frequency hopping channel of the DL frequency hopping pattern.

12. The method of claim 1, further comprising: detecting presence of uplink (UL) data buffered in the UE; selecting a UL frequency hopping pattern based at least in part on the DL frequency hopping pattern and an identifier unique to the UE; switching to a first UL frequency hopping channel of the UL frequency hopping pattern based on detecting the presence of buffered UL data; and The buffered UL data is transmitted on the first UL frequency hopping channel of the UL frequency hopping pattern.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the first UL hopping channel of the UL hopping pattern corresponds to one of a configured grant (CG) configuration or a physical random access channel (PRACH).

14. The method of claim 12, further comprising: Returning to the first DL frequency hopping channel of the DL frequency hopping mode; as well as The first DL frequency hopping channel of the DL frequency hopping pattern is monitored for one of a UL retransmission grant or a random access response (RAR).

15. A wireless communication device, comprising: Processing systems; as well as interface, the interface being configured to: Acquiring a discovery reference signal (DRS) including a skip signal identifying one or more UEs; When the skip signal identifies the UE, staying on an anchor channel; and When the signal does not identify the UE, switching is performed from the anchor channel to a first downlink (DL) frequency hopping channel of a DL frequency hopping pattern.

16. The wireless communication device of claim 15, wherein the DRS indicates the DL frequency hopping pattern and is received on the anchor channel.

17. The wireless communication device of claim 15, wherein the skip signal is included in a reduced remaining minimum system information (RMSI) field of the DRS, the RMSI field including a bitmap identifying the one or more UEs.

18. The wireless communication device of claim 15, wherein the skip signal is included in a frequency domain resource assignment (FDRA) field of a downlink control information (DCI) message.

19. The wireless communication device of claim 15, wherein the skip signal indicates an absence of queued DL data for each of the one or more identified UEs during one or more DRS periods.

20. The wireless communication device of claim 15, wherein: The processing system is configured to: detecting the presence of uplink (UL) data buffered in the UE; and determining a UL frequency hopping pattern based at least in part on the DL frequency hopping pattern and an identifier unique to the UE; and switching to a first UL frequency hopping channel of the UL frequency hopping pattern based on detecting the presence of buffered UL data; and The interface is further configured to: The buffered UL data is output for transmission on the first UL frequency hopping channel of the UL frequency hopping pattern.

21. The wireless communication device of claim 15, wherein: The processing system is further configured to: detecting a signal indicating a channel occupancy time (COT) obtained by a base station on the first DL frequency hopping channel of the DL frequency hopping pattern; and The interface is further configured to: DL data is obtained on the first DL frequency hopping channel of the DL frequency hopping pattern.

22. A method for performing wireless communication by an apparatus of a base station (BS), comprising: transmitting a discovery reference signal (DRS) including a skip signal identifying one or more user equipments (UEs); transmitting a signal indicating a channel occupancy time (COT) achieved on a first DL frequency hopping channel of a downlink (DL) frequency hopping pattern; and DL data is transmitted on the first DL frequency hopping channel of the DL frequency hopping pattern.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein the DRS is transmitted on an anchor channel of an unlicensed band and indicates the DL frequency hopping pattern.

24. The method of claim 22, wherein the skip signal indicates an absence of queued DL data for each of the one or more identified UEs during one or more DRS periods.

25. The method of claim 22, wherein the one or more UEs identified by the skip signal are allowed to enter a low power state for one or more DRS periods.

26. The method of claim 22, further comprising receiving UL data from the UE on a first uplink (UL) frequency hopping channel of a UL frequency hopping pattern.

27. The method of claim 26, wherein the first UL hopping channel of the UL hopping pattern corresponds to one of a configured grant (CG) configuration or a physical random access channel (PRACH).

28. A wireless communication device, comprising: Processing systems; as well as interface, the interface being configured to: outputting a discovery reference signal (DRS) including a skip signal identifying one or more user equipments (UEs) for transmission; outputting a signal for transmission indicating a channel occupancy time (COT) achieved on a first DL frequency hopping channel in a downlink (DL) frequency hopping pattern; and DL data is output for transmission on the first DL frequency hopping channel of the DL frequency hopping pattern.

29. The wireless communication device of claim 28, wherein the skip signal is included in a reduced remaining minimum system information (RMSI) field of the DRS, and the RMSI field includes a bitmap identifying one or more UEs or one or more UE groups.

30. The wireless communication device of claim 28, wherein the interface is further configured to obtain UL data from a UE on a first uplink (UL) frequency hopping channel of a UL frequency hopping pattern.

31. A method for performing wireless communication by a device of a user equipment (UE), comprising: receiving a discovery reference signal (DRS) indicating a downlink (DL) frequency hopping pattern and including a skip signal indicating a time period for one or more UEs to skip frequency hopping between an anchor channel and a DL frequency hopping channel of the DL frequency hopping pattern; determining whether the skip signal identifies the UE; as well as and selectively switching to a first DL frequency hopping channel of the DL frequency hopping pattern based on the determination.

32. The method of claim 31, wherein the DRS comprises one or more of a primary synchronization signal (PSS), a secondary synchronization signal (SSS), a physical broadcast channel (PBCH), or a system information block (SIB).

33. The method of claim 31, wherein the time period includes a plurality of DL frequency hopping channels.

34. The method of claim 31, wherein the time period includes a plurality of DRS periods.

35. The method of claim 31, wherein the time period comprises a portion of a DRS period.

36. The method of claim 31, wherein the skip signal indicates an absence of DL data for the one or more UEs during the time period.

37. The method of claim 31, wherein the skip signal is included in a reduced remaining minimum system information (RMSI) field of the DRS.

38. The method of claim 37, wherein the RMSI field comprises a bitmap identifying the one or more UEs that are to skip frequency hopping between the anchor channel and the DL frequency hopping channel.

39. The method of claim 38, wherein each bit in the bitmap identifies a corresponding UE among the one or more identified UEs.

40. The method of claim 37, wherein the skip signal comprises a bitmap identifying one or more UE groups that are to skip frequency hopping between the anchor channel and the DL frequency hopping channel.

41. The method of claim 40, wherein each bit in the bitmap identifies a group of UEs that are to skip frequency hopping between the anchor channel and the DL frequency hopping channel.

42. The method of claim 41, wherein the identified group of UEs is mapped to the bitmap of the RMSI field via a radio resource control (RRC) configuration.

43. The method of claim 31, wherein the skip signal is carried in a downlink control information (DCI) message received from a base station.

44. The method of claim 43, wherein the skip signal is included in a frequency domain resource assignment (FDRA) field of the DCI message.

45. The method of claim 43, wherein the DCI message is configured in a Type 3 common search space.

46. ​​The method of claim 31, wherein the skip signal is included in a slot format indicator (SFI) carried by the DRS.

47. The method of claim 46, wherein the skip signal is contained in a reserved slot format ID of the SFI.

48. The method of claim 46, wherein the skip signal is indicated by an SFI format index.

49. The method of claim 31 , wherein selectively switching comprises: In response to determining that the skip signal identifies the UE, staying on the anchor channel for a duration.

50. The method of claim 49, further comprising: detecting presence of UL data buffered in the UE; determining an uplink (UL) frequency hopping pattern based at least in part on the DL frequency hopping pattern and an identifier unique to the UE; a first UL frequency hopping channel switched to the UL frequency hopping pattern based on detecting the buffered UL data; and The buffered UL data is transmitted on the first UL frequency hopping channel of the UL frequency hopping pattern.

51. The method of claim 50, wherein the first UL hopping channel of the UL hopping pattern corresponds to one of a configured grant (CG) configuration or a physical random access channel (PRACH).

52. The method of claim 50, further comprising: Returning to the first DL frequency hopping channel of the DL frequency hopping mode; as well as The first DL frequency hopping channel of the DL frequency hopping pattern is monitored for one of a UL retransmission grant or a random access response (RAR).

53. The method of claim 52, further comprising: returning to the first UL frequency hopping channel of the UL frequency hopping pattern based on the presence of additional UL data; as well as The additional UL data is transmitted on the first UL frequency hopping channel of the UL frequency hopping pattern.

54. The method of claim 52, further comprising: returning to the first UL frequency hopping channel of the UL frequency hopping pattern based on the presence of additional UL data; failing to obtain medium access to the first UL frequency hopping channel of the UL frequency hopping pattern; switching to a second UL frequency hopping channel of the UL frequency hopping pattern after failing to obtain medium access to the first UL frequency hopping channel of the UL frequency hopping pattern; and The additional UL data is transmitted on the second UL frequency hopping channel of the UL frequency hopping pattern.

55. The method of claim 31, wherein selective switching comprises: In response to determining that the skip signal does not identify the UE, hopping to the first DL frequency hopping channel of the DL frequency hopping pattern.

56. The method of claim 55, further comprising: detecting a signal indicating a channel occupancy time (COT) obtained by a base station on the first DL frequency hopping channel of the DL frequency hopping pattern; as well as DL data is received on the first DL frequency hopping channel of the DL frequency hopping pattern.

57. The method of claim 56, wherein the signal comprises one or more of a system information channel occupancy time (SI-COT), a group common physical downlink control channel (GC-PDCCH), or a common transmit preamble.

58. The method of claim 56, further comprising: detecting presence of UL data buffered in the UE; determining an uplink (UL) frequency hopping pattern based at least in part on the DL frequency hopping pattern and an identifier unique to the UE; a first UL frequency hopping channel switched to the UL frequency hopping pattern based on detecting the buffered UL data; and The buffered UL data is transmitted on the first UL frequency hopping channel of the UL frequency hopping pattern.

59. The method of claim 58, wherein the DL frequency hopping pattern comprises a DL frequency hopping channel sequence, and the UL frequency hopping pattern comprises a UL frequency hopping channel sequence different from the DL frequency hopping channel sequence.

60. The method of claim 59, wherein: Each DL frequency hopping channel in the DL frequency hopping channel sequence is associated with a corresponding DL frequency hopping frame in the DL frequency hopping frame sequence; Each UL frequency hopping channel in the UL frequency hopping channel sequence is associated with a corresponding UL frequency hopping frame in the UL frequency hopping frame sequence; One or more of the DL frequency hopping frames in the DL frequency hopping frame sequence contain DL data for at least one wireless communication device other than the UE; and Each UL frequency hopping frame in the UL frequency hopping frame sequence is dedicated to UL transmission from the UE.

61. The method of claim 31 , wherein the DRS is transmitted on the anchor channel.

62. A user equipment (UE), comprising: one or more processors; as well as A memory coupled to the one or more processors and storing instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the UE to perform operations as described in any one or more of claims 31-61.

63. A user equipment (UE) comprising means for performing the operations as recited in any one or more of claims 31-61.

64. A non-transitory computer readable memory comprising instructions which, when executed by one or more processors of a user equipment (UE), cause the UE to perform operations as recited in any one or more of claims 31-61.

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