Systems and methods for configuring symbol and symbol block parameters in wireless communication

Abstract

Current frame structures in Long-Term Evolution (LTE) and New Radio (NR) impose some restrictions on the symbols transmitted in a frame, e.g., restrictions related to the duration of each symbol. In the disclosed embodiments, multi-carrier symbols and / or single-carrier symbol blocks have configurable parameters, such as configurable lengths and / or configurable positions, enabling more flexible scheduling and transmission of the symbols and / or the symbol blocks. Some embodiments aim to implement the configurable parameters in a way that attempts to reduce signaling overhead.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to wireless communication, and more particularly, to configuring parameters of symbols and / or symbol blocks, such as the duration and / or position of a symbol or symbol block. Background Art

[0002] In some wireless communication systems, a user equipment (UE) communicates wirelessly with one or more base stations. The wireless communication from the UE to the base station is called uplink communication. The wireless communication from the base station to the UE is called downlink communication. Resources are required to perform uplink and downlink communications. For example, a base station can wirelessly transmit data to a UE using downlink communication at a specific frequency for a specific duration. Frequency and duration are examples of resources.

[0003] Time-frequency resources are allocated for the communication between the UE and the base station. When scheduling multiple UEs on a set of time-frequency resources, multiple access is performed. Each UE uses a portion of the time-frequency resources to receive data from the base station (in the case of downlink communication) or transmit data to the base station (in the case of uplink communication).

[0004] The frame structure is a characteristic of the physical layer of wireless communication that defines the transmission structure of a time-domain signal to allow timing reference and timing adjustment of a basic time-domain transmission unit, etc. Wireless communication between a UE and one or more base stations is performed on the time-frequency resources controlled by the frame structure. The frame structure can sometimes be referred to as a wireless frame structure.

[0005] The current frame structures in Long-Term Evolution (LTE) and New Radio (NR) impose some restrictions on the symbols transmitted in a frame, such as restrictions related to the duration of each symbol. For example, in the NR frame structure, the time-domain granularity is limited by the duration of an orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing (OFDM) symbol, and a restriction is imposed on the length of the cyclic prefix (CP). Summary of the Invention

[0006] In the disclosed embodiments, multi-carrier symbols and / or single-carrier symbol blocks have configurable parameters, such as configurable length and / or configurable position, so that the scheduling and transmission of the symbols and / or symbol blocks are more flexible, thereby meeting the requirements of different services. The configurable position can be in the frequency domain (e.g., a configurable frequency position) and / or in the time domain (e.g., a configurable time position, such as relative to a reference point in a frame).

[0007] In some embodiments, the multi-carrier symbols and / or single-carrier symbol blocks may be transmitted in a frame structure that also has certain parameters configurable relative to a previous NR or LTE frame structure. For example, the following parameters of the frame may be configurable: the length of the frame, and / or the length of a sub-frame (if sub-frames are defined), and / or the length of a time slot, and / or the number of symbols or symbol blocks in a time slot (if time slots are defined), and / or the length of the downlink / uplink switching gap, etc.

[0008] Determine configurable parameters, such as the configurable length and / or position of symbols or symbol blocks, such that a single frame can accommodate many different application scenarios, e.g., autonomous vehicle communication, smart meters, device-to-device communication via sidelink channels, delay-tolerant communication, delay-sensitive (e.g., low-latency) communication, etc. There can even be multiple application scenarios within the same frame, depending on the implementation.

[0009] However, compared to the case where the parameters are not configurable, having configurable parameters (e.g., the configurable length and / or position of symbols or symbol blocks) results in an increase in control signaling overhead. This is because the configuration needs to be sent from the base station to the UE.

[0010] An object of embodiments of the present invention is to provide signaling that allows for the configuration of certain symbol and / or symbol block parameters. Another object of some embodiments is to implement such configuration in a way that attempts to reduce signaling overhead. For example, in some embodiments, the base station may schedule symbols and / or symbol blocks of different lengths in the same frame, achieving such flexibility with a relatively small signaling overhead, e.g., simply by signaling the selection of one of a predefined number of configurations that the UE and the base station already know in advance.

[0011] In some embodiments, a method is provided, which may include: receiving control signaling for configuring at least one parameter of a single-carrier symbol and / or a multi-carrier symbol. The method may further include: receiving a scheduling grant for scheduling the single-carrier symbol and / or the multi-carrier symbol for transmission. The method may further include: sending or receiving the single-carrier symbol and / or the multi-carrier symbol according to the scheduling grant and the at least one parameter. Examples of the at least one parameter are disclosed herein. For example, the at least one parameter may be the number of data symbols and / or the occupied bandwidth and / or the IDFT size, etc. In some embodiments, the control signaling is at least one of the following: DCI, RRC signaling, and / or MAC layer signaling. For example, the first one or more parameters may be configured in the RRC signaling, and the second one or more parameters may be configured in the DCI. In some embodiments, the method may operate in an unauthorized transmission scheme (i.e., a transmission scheme without a dynamic scheduling grant). In this case, the step of receiving the scheduling grant may be omitted. Instead, an unauthorized uplink transmission may be transmitted from the UE according to the at least one parameter. In some embodiments, a device or a network device is provided, which is used to execute the method disclosed herein.

[0012] Although the following embodiments will be mainly discussed in the context of downlink communication and uplink communication between a UE and a base station, these embodiments are also applicable to sidelink communication between two UEs. These embodiments are also applicable to various different applications, such as satellite communication and / or Internet of Vehicle (IoV).

[0013] Note that "length" and "duration" may be used interchangeably herein. The term "length" refers to the length in the time domain, i.e., the time length. Additionally, "control signaling" and "signaling" may be used interchangeably herein. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] Here, the embodiments will be described only by way of example with reference to the drawings, where:

[0015] Figure 1 is a network diagram of an exemplary communication system;

[0016] Figure 2 is a block diagram of an exemplary electronic device;

[0017] Figure 3 is a block diagram of another exemplary electronic device;

[0018] Figure 4 is a block diagram of an exemplary component module;

[0019] Figure 5 is a block diagram of an exemplary user equipment and a base station;

[0020] Figure 6 Shows an exemplary frame structure in LTE;

[0021] Figure 7 Shows an exemplary frame structure in NR;

[0022] Figure 8 Shows the generation of a single - carrier symbol block provided by one embodiment;

[0023] Figure 9 Shows the bandwidth divided into five bandwidth parts (BWPs) provided by one embodiment;

[0024] Figure 10 Shows a frame divided into four durations provided by one embodiment;

[0025] Figure 11 Shows the generation of multi - carrier symbols provided by one embodiment;

[0026] Figure 12 Shows a frame divided into four durations provided by another embodiment;

[0027] Figure 13 and Figure 14 Methods performed by network devices and apparatuses provided for the various embodiments. Detailed Description of the Invention

[0028] For illustrative purposes, specific exemplary embodiments are explained in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0029] Exemplary Communication System and Devices

[0030] Figure 1 Shows an exemplary communication system 100. Generally, the communication system 100 enables multiple wireless or wired elements to transmit data and other content. The purpose of the communication system 100 can be to provide content such as voice, data, video, and / or text through broadcasting, narrowcasting, user equipment - to - user equipment, etc. The communication system 100 can operate by sharing resources (such as bandwidth).

[0031] In this example, the communication system 100 includes electronic devices (EDs) 110a–110c, radio access networks (RANs) 120a and 120b, a core network 130, a public switched telephone network (PSTN) 140, the Internet 150, and other networks 160. Although Figure 1Certain quantities of such components or elements are shown, but any reasonable quantity of such components or elements may be included in communication system 100.

[0032] Electronic devices 110a–110c are operative and / or communicative in communication system 100. For example, electronic devices 110a–110c are operative to transmit and / or receive over wireless or wired communication channels. Electronic devices 110a–110c represent any suitable end-user device operative for wireless operation and may include, by way of example (or may be referred to as): user equipment (UE / user device), wireless transmit / receive unit (WTRU), mobile station, fixed or mobile subscriber unit, cellular phone, station (STA), machine type communication (MTC) device, personal digital assistant (PDA), smart phone, laptop computer, computer, tablet, wireless sensor, or consumer electronic device.

[0033] In Figure 1 , RANs 120a and 120b each include base stations 170a and 170b, respectively. Base stations 170a and 170b are each operative to wirelessly connect with one or more of electronic devices 110a–110c so as to enable access to any other base stations 170a and 170b, core network 130, PSTN 140, Internet 150, and / or other networks 160. For example, base stations 170a and 170b may include, by way of example (or may be), one or more of several well-known devices, such as base transceiver station (BTS), Node-B (NodeB), evolved NodeB (eNodeB), Home eNodeB, gNodeB, transmission point (TP), site controller, access point (AP), or wireless router. Any of electronic devices 110a–110c may optionally or also be operative to connect, access, or communicate with any other base stations 170a and 170b, Internet 150, core network 130, PSTN 140, other networks 160, or any combination of the foregoing. Communication system 100 may include a RAN, such as RAN 120b, where the corresponding base station 170b accesses core network 130 via Internet 150.

[0034] The electronic devices 110a–110c and the base stations 170a and 170b are examples of communication devices that can be used to implement some or all of the functions and / or embodiments described herein. In Figure 1 In the illustrated embodiment, the base station 170a forms part of the RAN 120a, which may include other base stations, a base station controller (BSC), a radio network controller (RNC), relay nodes, elements, and / or devices. Any of the base stations 170a, 170b may be a single element, as shown, or may be multiple elements distributed in the corresponding RAN, and so on. Similarly, the base station 170b is part of the RAN 120b, which may include other base stations, elements, and / or devices. Each of the base stations 170a and 170b transmits and / or receives wireless signals within a particular geographic area or region (sometimes referred to as a “cell” or “coverage area”). A cell may be further divided into cell sectors, and the base stations 170a and 170b may, for example, use multiple transceivers to serve multiple sectors. In some embodiments, there may be established pico or femto cells, and the radio access technology supports these cells. In some embodiments, multiple transceivers may use multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) technology, etc. for each cell. The number of the illustrated RANs 120a and 120b is merely exemplary. Any number of RANs may be considered when designing the communication system 100.

[0035] The base stations 170a and 170b communicate with one or more of the electronic devices 110a–110c via one or more air interfaces 190 using wireless communication links such as radio frequency (RF), microwave, infrared (IR), etc. The air interface 190 may use any suitable radio access technology. For example, the communication system 100 may implement one or more channel access methods in the air interface 190, such as code division multiple access (CDMA), time division multiple access (TDMA), frequency division multiple access (FDMA), orthogonal FDMA (OFDMA), or single-carrier FDMA (SC-FDMA).

[0036] Base stations 170a and 170b may implement Universal Mobile Telecommunication System (UMTS) Terrestrial Radio Access (UTRA) to establish the air interface 190 using wideband CDMA (WCDMA). In this case, base stations 170a and 170b may implement protocols such as HSPA, HSPA+, where HSPA+ optionally includes HSDPA and / or HSUPA. Optionally, base stations 170a and 170b may establish the air interface 190 with Evolved UTMS Terrestrial Radio Access (E-UTRA) using LTE, LTE-A, and / or LTE-B. Considering that the communication system 100 may use multi-channel access capabilities, including those described above. Other radio technologies for implementing the air interface include IEEE 802.11, 802.15, 802.16, CDMA2000, CDMA2000 1X, CDMA2000 EV-DO, IS-2000, IS-95, IS-856, GSM, EDGE, and GERAN. Other multiple access schemes and radio protocols may also be utilized.

[0037] RANs 120a and 120b communicate with the core network 130 to provide various services to the electronic devices 110a–110c, such as voice, data, and other services. RANs 120a and 120b and / or the core network 130 may communicate directly or indirectly with one or more other RANs (not shown), which may or may not be directly served by the core network 130 and may or may not employ the same radio access technology as RAN 120a and / or RAN 120b. The core network 130 may also act as a gateway access between (i) RANs 120a and 120b and / or between electronic devices 110a–110c and (ii) other networks such as the PSTN 140, the Internet 150, and other networks 160. Additionally, some or all of the electronic devices 110a–110c may include the functionality to communicate with different wireless networks over different wireless links using different wireless technologies and / or protocols. The electronic devices may communicate with a service provider or switch (not shown) and the Internet 150 via a wired communication channel instead of (or in addition to) wireless communication. The PSTN 140 may include a circuit-switched telephone network for providing plain old telephone service (POTS). The Internet 150 may include computer networks and / or subnets (intranets) and contain protocols such as IP, TCP, and UDP. The electronic devices 110a–110c may be multimode devices capable of operating according to multiple radio access technologies and include multiple transceivers required to support these technologies.

[0038] Figure 2 and Figure 3 illustrates exemplary devices in which the methods and teachings provided by the present invention may be implemented. Specifically, Figure 2 illustrates an exemplary electronic device 110, Figure 3 illustrates an exemplary base station 170. These components may be used in the communication system 100 or any other suitable system.

[0039] As Figure 2 shown, the electronic device 110 includes at least one processing unit 200. The processing unit 200 implements various processing operations of the electronic device 110. For example, the processing unit 200 may perform signal encoding, data processing, power control, input / output processing, or any other function that enables the electronic device 110 to operate in the system 100. The processing unit 200 may also be used to implement some or all of the functions and / or embodiments detailed herein. Each processing unit 200 includes any suitable processing or computing device for performing one or more operations. For example, each processing unit 200 may include a microprocessor, a microcontroller, a digital signal processor, a field programmable gate array, or an application specific integrated circuit.

[0040] The electronic device 110 further includes at least one transceiver 202. The transceiver 202 is used to modulate data or other content, where the data or other content is for transmission through at least one antenna or a Network Interface Controller (NIC) 204. The transceiver 202 is also used to demodulate the data or other content received by at least one antenna 204. Each transceiver 202 includes any suitable structure for generating signals for wireless or wired transmission and / or for processing signals received wirelessly or wiredly. Each antenna 204 includes any suitable structure for transmitting and / or receiving wireless or wired signals. One or more transceivers 202 can be used in the electronic device 110. One or more antennas 204 can be used in the electronic device 110. Although the transceiver 202 is shown as a single functional unit, at least one transmitter and at least one separate receiver can also be used to implement it.

[0041] The electronic device 110 further includes one or more input / output devices 206 or interfaces (e.g., a wired interface to the Internet 150). One or more input / output devices 206 can interact with users or other devices in the network. Each input / output device 206 includes any suitable structure for providing information to the user or receiving information from the user, such as a speaker, a microphone, a keypad, a keyboard, a display, or a touch screen, including network interface communication.

[0042] In addition, the electronic device 110 includes at least one memory 208. The memory 208 stores instructions and data used, generated, or collected by the electronic device 110. For example, the memory 208 can store software instructions or modules for implementing some or all of the functions and / or embodiments described herein and executed by one or more processing units 200. Each memory 208 includes any suitable one or more volatile and / or non-volatile storage and one or more retrieval devices. Any suitable type of memory can be used, such as random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), a hard disk, an optical disc, a subscriber identity module (SIM) card, a memory stick, a secure digital (SD) memory card.

[0043] As Figure 3As shown, base station 170 includes at least one processing unit 250, at least one transmitter 252, at least one receiver 254, one or more antennas 256, at least one memory 258, and one or more input / output devices or interfaces 266. A transceiver (not shown) may be used instead of transmitter 252 and receiver 254. Scheduler 253 may be coupled to processing unit 250. Scheduler 253 may be included within base station 170 or operate independently of base station 170. Processing unit 250 implements various processing operations of base station 170, such as signal encoding, data processing, power control, input / output processing, or any other function. Processing unit 250 may also be used to implement some or all of the functions and / or embodiments detailed herein. Each processing unit 250 includes any suitable processing device or computing device for performing one or more operations. Each processing unit 250 may include a microprocessor, a microcontroller, a digital signal processor, a field programmable gate array, or an application specific integrated circuit, etc.

[0044] Each transmitter 252 includes any suitable structure for generating signals for wireless or wired transmission to one or more electronic devices or other devices. Each receiver 254 includes any suitable structure for processing signals received from one or more electronic devices or other devices wirelessly or by wire. Although shown as separate components, at least one transmitter 252 and at least one receiver 254 may be combined into a transceiver. Each antenna 256 includes any suitable structure for transmitting and / or receiving wireless or wired signals. Although common antenna 256 is shown here coupled to transmitter 252 and receiver 254, one or more antennas 256 may be coupled to one or more transmitters 252, and one or more separate antennas 256 may be coupled to one or more receivers 254. Each memory 258 includes any suitable one or more volatile and / or non-volatile storage and one or more retrieval devices, such as those described above in connection with electronic device 110. Memory 258 stores instructions and data used, generated, or collected by base station 170. For example, memory 258 may store software instructions or modules for implementing some or all of the functions and / or embodiments described herein and executed by processing unit 250.

[0045] Each input / output device 266 may interact with users or other devices in the network. Each input / output device 266 includes any suitable structure for providing information to the user or receiving / providing information from the user, including network interface communication.

[0046] One or more steps of the example methods provided herein may be performed by the corresponding units or modules according to Figure 4 shown. Figure 4Illustrates units or modules in a device (e.g., electronic device 110 or base station 170). For example, a signal can be transmitted by a transmitting unit or transmitting module. A signal can be received by a receiving unit or receiving module. A signal can be processed by a processing unit or processing module. The processing module can include the units / modules described later, specifically processor 210 or processor 260. Figure 4 Other units / modules may be included but are not shown. Each unit / module can be hardware, software, or a combination thereof. For example, one or more units / modules can be integrated circuits, such as a field programmable gate array (FPGA) or an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC). It should be understood that if these modules are software, these modules can be retrieved in whole or in part by a processor as needed, retrieved individually or collectively for processing, retrieved in one or more instances as needed, and these modules themselves can include instructions for further deployment and instantiation.

[0047] Other details about electronic device 110 and base station 170 are known to those skilled in the art. Therefore, these details are omitted here for clarity.

[0048] Figure 5 Illustrates another example of electronic device 110 and base station 170. Electronic device 110 is hereinafter referred to as user equipment (UE) 110 or device 110.

[0049] In some implementations, the base station 170 may be referred to by other names, such as transmit and receive point (TRP), base transceiver station, radio base station, network node, network device, transmit / receive node, NodeB, evolved NodeB (eNodeB or eNB), gNB, relay station, or remote radio head. In some embodiments, the various parts of the base station 170 may be distributed. For example, some modules of the base station 170 may be remote from the device housing the antenna of the base station 170 and may be coupled to the device housing the antenna via a communication link (not shown). Thus, in some embodiments, the term "base station 170" may also refer to network-side modules that perform processing operations such as resource allocation (scheduling), message generation, and encoding / decoding, and these modules are not necessarily part of the device housing the antenna of the base station 170. These modules may also be coupled to other base stations. In some embodiments, the base station 170 may actually be multiple base stations that work together to serve the UE 110 via coordinated multi-point transmission. Additionally, the term "base station" as used herein refers to a network device, i.e., a device on the network side.

[0050] The base station 170 includes a transmitter 252 and a receiver 254 coupled to one or more antennas 256. Only one antenna 256 is shown in the figure. The transmitter 252 and the receiver 254 may be integrated into a transceiver. The base station 170 also includes a processor 260 for performing operations including operations related to preparing a transmission for downlink transmission to the UE 110 and operations related to processing an uplink transmission received from the UE 110. The processing operations related to preparing a transmission for downlink transmission include operations such as encoding, modulation, precoding (e.g., MIMO precoding), and generating single-carrier symbol blocks and multi-carrier symbols as described herein. The processing operations related to processing an uplink transmission include demodulating and decoding the single-carrier symbol blocks and multi-carrier symbols as described herein. The processor 260 may configure (e.g., select) the parameters of the single-carrier symbol blocks and multi-carrier symbols and generate signaling to indicate these parameters to the UE 110. Then, the signaling is sent by the transmitter 252. The base station 170 also includes a scheduler 253 that may schedule uplink resources to be allocated to the UE 110 for uplink transmission of single-carrier symbol blocks and multi-carrier symbols, and the scheduler 253 may also schedule downlink resources for downlink transmission of single-carrier symbol blocks and multi-carrier symbols. The scheduler 253 may configure (if the processor 260 does not perform) and schedule single-carrier symbol blocks and multi-carrier symbols with different parameters, e.g., symbols and / or symbol blocks of different lengths and / or different frequency positions, as described herein. The scheduler 253 may generate control signaling as described herein. The base station 170 also includes a memory 258 for storing information and data.

[0051] Although not shown, the processor 260 may form part of the transmitter 252 and / or the receiver 254. Additionally, although not shown, the processor 260 may implement the scheduler 253.

[0052] Each of the processor 260, the scheduler 253, and the processing components of the transmitter 252 and the receiver 254 may be implemented by the same or different one or more processors, where the processors are configured to execute instructions stored in a memory (e.g., the memory 258). Alternatively, some or all of the processor 260, the scheduler 253, and the processing components of the transmitter 252 and the receiver 254 may be implemented using dedicated circuitry, such as a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), a graphic processing unit (GPU), or an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC).

[0053] The UE 110 also includes a transmitter 201 and a receiver 203 coupled to one or more antennas 204. Only one antenna 204 is shown in the figure. The transmitter 201 and the receiver 203 may be integrated as a transceiver, such as Figure 2The transceiver 202 shown. The UE 110 also includes a processor 210 for performing operations including operations related to preparing a transmission for uplink transmission to the base station 170 and operations related to processing a downlink transmission received from the base station 170. The processing operations related to preparing a transmission for uplink transmission include operations such as encoding, modulation, and generating single-carrier symbol blocks and multi-carrier symbols as described herein. The processing operations related to processing a downlink transmission include demodulating and decoding single-carrier symbol blocks and multi-carrier symbols as described herein. The processor 210 can extract signaling from the downlink transmission (e.g., by decoding the signaling) to determine parameters of the single-carrier symbol blocks and multi-carrier symbols, e.g., determine the duration and position of the scheduled or to-be-scheduled symbols or symbol blocks. The transmission or reception of the single-carrier symbol blocks and multi-carrier symbols is performed according to a scheduling grant issued by a scheduler and according to the configured parameters of the single-carrier symbol blocks and / or the multi-carrier symbols scheduled by the scheduling grant. For example, if the UE 110 receives a transmission with a scheduling grant from the base station 170 and the scheduling grant indicates that the transmission of single-carrier symbol blocks and / or multi-carrier symbols will start at a specific time-frequency position, the UE 110 will start transmitting or receiving the single-carrier symbol blocks and / or the multi-carrier symbols from that time-frequency position. If the UE 110 also receives control signaling indicating that the single-carrier symbol blocks and / or the multi-carrier symbols will have specific parameters (e.g., a specific duration), the UE 110 will transmit or receive the single-carrier symbol blocks and / or the multi-carrier symbols according to that duration. The base station 170 also includes a memory 208 for storing information and data.

[0054] Although not shown, the processor 210 can form part of the transmitter 201 and / or the receiver 203.

[0055] Each of the processor 210 and the processing components of the transmitter 201 and the receiver 203 can be implemented by the same or different one or more processors, where the processors are for executing instructions stored in a memory (e.g., the memory 208). Alternatively, part or all of the processor 210 and the processing components of the transmitter 201 and the receiver 203 can be implemented using dedicated circuits such as FPGAs, GPUs, or ASICs.

[0056] In some embodiments, the UE 110 is not necessarily a smart phone, but can be any terminal device, such as an Internet of Things (IoT) device, a wearable device, a device for use in a vehicle, a device installed in a vehicle, an in-vehicle device, etc.

[0057] The base station 170 and the UE 110 can include other components, but these components have been omitted for clarity.

[0058] In-frame transmission

[0059] The frame structure defines the time-domain signal transmission structure to allow timing references and timing adjustments of basic time-domain transmission units, etc. Wireless communication between a UE and one or more base stations is performed on time-frequency resources that can be controlled by the frame structure.

[0060] An example of the frame structure is as Figure 6 shown. Figure 6 The frame structure in [reference] is an example type of the frame structure in LTE. Figure 6 The frame structure in [reference] has the following structure: The duration of each frame is 10 ms; each frame has 10 subframes, and the duration of each subframe is 1 ms; each subframe includes two time slots, and the duration of each time slot is 0.5 ms; each time slot is used to transmit 7 OFDM symbols (assuming normal CP); each OFDM symbol has a symbol duration t and a specific bandwidth (or partial bandwidth or bandwidth partition) related to the number of subcarriers and the subcarrier spacing. Figure 6 The frame structure in [reference] limits time-domain scheduling and symbol duration. For example, the time-domain granularity is limited by the OFDM symbol duration, and the length of the CP is limited.

[0061] Another example of the frame structure is defined in NR. In NR, multiple subcarrier spacings are supported, and each subcarrier spacing corresponds to a corresponding system parameter (numerology). The frame structure depends on the system parameter. However, in any case, the frame length is still set to 10 ms and consists of 10 subframes, each subframe being 1 ms. A time slot is defined as 14 OFDM symbols, and the time slot length depends on the system parameter. For example, Figure 7 shows the NR frame structure with a normal CP 15 kHz subcarrier spacing ("system parameter 1") and the NR frame structure with a normal CP 30 kHz subcarrier spacing ("system parameter 2"). For a 15 kHz subcarrier spacing, the time slot length is 1 ms; for a 30 kHz subcarrier spacing, the time slot length is 0.5 ms.

[0062] The NR frame structure may be more flexible than the LTE frame structure, but the NR frame structure still has obvious limitations on time-domain scheduling and symbol duration. For example, the time-domain granularity is limited by the OFDM symbol duration, and there are also limited CP length options. The minimum duration that can be retained is limited to one OFDM symbol (or multiple OFDM symbols), and the actual duration (i.e., length) of the OFDM symbol can be scaled (inversely scaled) by predefined subcarrier spacing options (15 kHz, 30 kHz, 60 kHz, etc.). For a given subcarrier spacing, the effective symbol duration in the OFDM symbol is fixed. To meet the requirements of this fixed interval, most subcarrier spacings have a fixed normal CP and corresponding effective symbol duration. Only the 60 kHz subcarrier spacing can be configured with an extended CP. The fixed effective symbol duration and limited normal CP / extended CP options in NR may not be able to meet the different requirements of different service scenarios.

[0063] In contrast, in the embodiments disclosed herein, there is greater flexibility in configuring and scheduling symbols and / or symbol blocks of different durations and / or different positions (time and / or frequency positions). This makes it possible to meet the requirements of different service scenarios in a single frame structure (even possibly in the same frame). For example, it may be possible to meet the requirements of both low-latency and delay-tolerant applications within the same frame. The frame structure in which symbols and / or symbol blocks are transmitted is referred to herein as a "flexible frame structure". The flexible frame structure is more flexible than the LTE and NR frame structures, at least because there is greater flexibility in the duration and / or time position and / or frequency position of the symbols and / or symbol blocks scheduled in the frame. Control signaling for configuring symbol and / or symbol block parameters is disclosed, such as configuring the duration and / or time position and / or frequency position of the symbols and / or symbol blocks. In some embodiments, the control signaling is designed to have a relatively small overhead.

[0064] The flexible frame structure may optionally have other configurable parameters, such as the length of the frame, and / or the length of the subframe (if defined), and / or the length of the time slot, and / or the number of symbols or symbol blocks in the time slot (if defined), and / or the length of the downlink / uplink switching gap, etc.

[0065] First, single-carrier symbol blocks with configurable flexible parameters will be discussed, and then multi-carrier symbols will be discussed.

[0066] Configurable single-carrier symbol blocks

[0067] Figure 8 Shows the generation of a single-carrier symbol block provided by an embodiment. Multiple bits 348 are mapped by a symbol mapper 350 to one or more data symbols X 1 to XK K is a natural number greater than or equal to 1. Each data symbol has a symbol duration t s The symbol duration can also be referred to as a symbol interval or a pulse interval. The K data symbols can also be referred to as K pulses. The symbol mapper 350 can be implemented by a modulator (e.g., the processor 210 or 260, or a module / unit / circuit). One example type of modulation that can be implemented by the symbol mapper 350 is quadrature amplitude modulation (QAM), in which case each of the one or more data symbols X 1 to X K is a QAM symbol that carries two or more of the multiple bits 348, depending on the constellation sequence. Optionally, a CP is added in front of the one or more data symbols X 1 to X K as shown at 352 to assist with equalization in the frequency domain, etc. The content of the CP can be a repetition of the content of one or some of the data symbols, e.g., a repetition of one or more data symbols that appear at the end of a symbol block as shown at 352, in which case the symbol carrying the CP can be referred to as a "CP symbol". Thus, a symbol block 354 is generated, and the symbol block 354 includes the CP and the K data symbols. For example, the CP is at the beginning of the symbol block 354 as shown in the figure. The CP portion has a duration t CP , and the data portion has a duration t Data , and together they constitute the duration t SB of the symbol block 354 CP = t Data + t Figure 8 . The symbol block 354 is transmitted on a specific occupied bandwidth as shown at 356. The symbol block 354 can be transmitted in the uplink or the downlink. If the symbol block 354 is an uplink transmission sent by the UE 110, the components and operations described in conjunction with Figure 8 can be implemented by the processor 210; if the symbol block 354 is a downlink transmission sent by the base station 170, the components and operations described in conjunction with

[0068] In Figure 8 , the symbol block 354 is a single-carrier symbol, i.e., it uses a single-carrier waveform. That is, the CP and the data symbols are all transmitted one after another in time using the same frequency, as shown in Figure 8 . The single-carrier symbol block 354 shown in Figure 8 includes a CP. Alternatively, the CP can be omitted from the single-carrier symbol block 354, i.e., t CP = 0.

[0069] In some embodiments, one or more of the following parameters of the single-carrier symbol block 354 may be configurable and may change from one symbol block (or a group of symbol blocks) to the next:

[0070] (1) The number of symbols K transmitted in the symbol block may be configurable. For example, it may be necessary to change K during operation according to the application scenario. For example, a longer symbol block length (which can be generated using a larger K) may be used to reduce pilot and CP overhead. However, in low-latency applications, a longer symbol block length may not be required. For example, in low-latency applications, the data should be decoded faster, and in this case, it is better to have a shorter symbol block length, such as a smaller K. Therefore, in certain application scenarios (e.g., low-latency applications), a smaller K may be required, while in other application scenarios (e.g., latency-tolerant applications), a larger K may be required. The following is a non-exhaustive list of example ways in which the number of symbols K may be sent to the UE for one or more single-carrier symbol blocks scheduled in the downlink and / or uplink:

[0071] (a) K may be signaled dynamically by the base station, e.g., in downlink control information (DCI). For example, when scheduling a symbol block, the value of K for that symbol block may be signaled dynamically by the base station.

[0072] (b) K may be signaled semi-statically by the base station, e.g., in radio resource control (RRC) signaling or the medium access control (MAC) layer. For example, for several frames, subframes, or time slots, the value of K may remain unchanged, and when the value of K changes, it is changed via RRC signaling or MAC layer information.

[0073] (c) K may be predefined based on the application scenario. For example, for low-latency applications, K is predefined as a specific (smaller) number, and for latency-tolerant applications, K is predefined as a specific (larger) number. The predefined value of K may be fixed or semi-statically configured. In some embodiments, the UE knows the value of K based on the application scenario, so the value of K may not even need to be explicitly sent to the UE.

[0074] (d) K may be determined by the UE as a function of other parameters known to the UE. For example, the value of K may be predefined based on the frequency band or carrier frequency at which the UE is operating. Another example is that the value of K may be predefined based on the time and / or frequency position of the scheduled symbol block.

[0075] (e) K may be fixed, e.g., by standard.

[0076] (2) The CP length t of a single - carrier symbol block CP can be configurable. The CP length can be sent as an absolute length or as the ratio of the CP length t CP to the data - part length t Data (e.g., the ratio of the CP to the length of the valid symbol block) or as the ratio of the CP length t CP to the total symbol - block duration t SB and is signaled. Depending on the application scenario and / or the channel, a longer CP length, a shorter CP length, or no CP (i.e., t CP = 0) may be required. The following is a non - exhaustive list of example ways in which the CP length can be signaled to the UE for one or more single - carrier symbol blocks scheduled in the downlink and / or uplink:

[0077] (a) The CP length can be signaled dynamically by the base station, e.g., in DCI. For example, when scheduling a symbol block, the base station can dynamically signal the CP length of that symbol block.

[0078] (b) The CP length can be signaled semi - statically by the base station, e.g., in RRC signaling or the MAC layer. For example, for several frames, sub - frames, or time slots, the CP length can remain unchanged, and when the CP length changes, it is changed via RRC signaling or MAC - layer information.

[0079] (c) The CP length can be predefined based on the application scenario. For example, for some application scenarios, the CP length is predefined as a specific length; for other application scenarios, the CP length is predefined as another specific length. In some embodiments, the UE knows the CP length based on the application scenario, so the CP length may not even need to be explicitly sent to the UE.

[0080] (d) The CP length can be a function of the channel conditions. In this case, the CP length may not need to be explicitly sent to the UE. For example, if both the UE and the base station can determine (or are informed of) the channel conditions and there is a predefined mapping between different channel conditions and different CP lengths.

[0081] (e) The CP length can be determined by the UE as a function of other parameters known to the UE. For example, the CP length can be predefined based on the value of K and / or based on the frequency band or carrier frequency at which the UE is operating and / or based on the time and / or frequency position of the scheduled symbol block, etc.

[0082] (f) The CP length can be fixed, e.g., by standard.

[0083] (3) The occupied bandwidth of a single - carrier symbol block can be configurable. A single - carrier waveform occupies a certain bandwidth, called the occupied bandwidth. For example,Figure 8 The occupied bandwidth 356 of the symbol block 354 in Figure 8 . The occupied bandwidth can be the symbol duration t of each symbol in the symbol block s and a function of the roll-off factor. For example, the occupied bandwidth can be related to the symbol duration and the roll-off factor as follows: Occupied bandwidth = (1 + α) / t s , where t s is the symbol duration of each symbol in the symbol block, and α is the roll-off factor. α is a real number and 0 ≤ α ≤ 1. The roll-off factor affects the peak-to-average power ratio (PAPR). When the roll-off factor is large (e.g., α = 1), the PAPR of the waveform is small, but the occupied bandwidth is large. When the roll-off factor is small, the occupied bandwidth is small, but the PAPR of the waveform is high. The roll-off factor may affect the total symbol block duration t SB . For example, for a traditional single-carrier waveform, such as based on a root-raised cosine (RRC) impulse response, the symbol block duration t SB can be t CP + K * t s + y * t s , where y is associated with the roll-off factor. For example, when α = 1, y = 2. If the UE knows the symbol duration t s and the roll-off factor α, the occupied bandwidth can be directly signaled or calculated by the UE. For example, the symbol duration t s can be signaled to the UE, and the roll-off factor α can be predefined (e.g., fixed in the standard), so the UE can determine the occupied bandwidth based on the signaled symbol duration t s and the predefined roll-off factor. The following is a non-exhaustive list of example ways in which the occupied bandwidth can be signaled to the UE for one or more single-carrier symbol blocks scheduled in the downlink and / or uplink:

[0084] (a) The occupied bandwidth can be signaled dynamically by the base station, e.g., in the DCI. For example, when scheduling a symbol block, the occupied bandwidth of the symbol block can be signaled dynamically by the base station.

[0085] (b) The occupied bandwidth can be signaled semi-statically by the base station, e.g., in the RRC signaling or the MAC layer. For example, for several frames, sub-frames, or time slots, the occupied bandwidth can remain unchanged, and when the value of the occupied bandwidth changes, it is changed through the RRC signaling or the MAC layer information.

[0086] (c) The occupied bandwidth can be predefined based on the application scenario. For example, for some scenarios, the occupied bandwidth is predefined as one value; for other scenarios, the occupied bandwidth is predefined as another value. In some embodiments, the UE knows the occupied bandwidth based on the application scenario, so the occupied bandwidth may not even need to be explicitly sent to the UE.

[0087] (d) The occupied bandwidth can be determined by the UE as a function of other parameters known to the UE. For example, the UE can calculate the occupied bandwidth based on the symbol duration t s and the roll-off factor α. The symbol duration t s and the roll-off factor α can both be signaled to the UE (e.g., in DCI, RRC, or MAC layer), or one can be predefined and the other signaled (e.g., the roll-off factor can be predefined and the symbol duration can be signaled in the DCI, RRC, or MAC layer). In some embodiments, the occupied bandwidth can be predefined based on parameters such as the frequency band or carrier frequency of the UE during operation and / or based on the time and / or frequency location of the scheduled symbol block, etc.

[0088] (e) The occupied bandwidth can be fixed, e.g., by standard.

[0089] (4) The symbol duration t s of the data symbols of a single-carrier symbol block can be configurable. The following is a non-exhaustive list of example ways to send the symbol duration t s to the UE for one or more single-carrier symbol blocks scheduled in the downlink and / or uplink:

[0090] (a) The symbol duration t s of each data symbol in the symbol block can be signaled dynamically by the base station, e.g., in DCI. For example, when scheduling a symbol block, the symbol duration of the symbol block can be signaled dynamically by the base station.

[0091] (b) The symbol duration t s of each data symbol in the symbol block can be signaled semi-statically by the base station, e.g., in RRC signaling or MAC layer. For example, for several frames, subframes, or time slots, the symbol duration can remain unchanged, and when the value of the symbol duration changes, it is changed through RRC signaling or MAC layer information.

[0092] (c) The symbol duration t sIt can be predefined based on the application scenario. For example, for certain scenarios, the symbol duration is predefined as one value; for other scenarios, the symbol duration is predefined as another value. In some embodiments, the UE knows the symbol duration based on the application scenario, so the symbol duration may not even need to be explicitly sent to the UE.

[0093] (d) The symbol duration t of each data symbol in the symbol block s can be determined by the UE as a function of other parameters known to the UE. For example, the UE can calculate the symbol duration based on the occupied bandwidth and the roll-off factor α. For example, using the equation occupied bandwidth = (1 + α) / t s . The occupied bandwidth and the roll-off factor α can both be signaled to the UE (e.g., in DCI, RRC, or MAC layer), or one can be predefined and the other signaled (e.g., the roll-off factor can be predefined, and the occupied bandwidth can be signaled in the DCI, RRC, or MAC layer). In some embodiments, the symbol duration can be predefined based on parameters such as the frequency band or carrier frequency during the operation of the UE and / or based on the time and / or frequency position of the scheduled symbol block, etc.

[0094] (e) The symbol duration t of each data symbol in the symbol block s can be fixed, e.g., according to the standard.

[0095] (5) The roll-off factor α of the data symbols of the single-carrier symbol block can be configurable. The UE knowing the roll-off factor helps to implement matched filtering at the receiver. The following is a non-exhaustive list of example ways to send the roll-off factor to the UE for one or more single-carrier symbol blocks scheduled in the downlink and / or uplink:

[0096] (a) The roll-off factor α of the data symbols of the symbol block can be signaled dynamically by the base station, e.g., in DCI. For example, when scheduling the symbol block, the roll-off factor of the symbol block can be signaled dynamically by the base station.

[0097] (b) The roll-off factor α of the data symbols of the symbol block can be signaled semi-statically by the base station, e.g., in RRC signaling or MAC layer. For example, for several frames, sub-frames, or time slots, the roll-off factor can remain unchanged, and when the value of the roll-off factor changes, it is changed through RRC signaling or MAC layer information.

[0098] (c) The roll-off factor α of the data symbols of the symbol block can be predefined based on the application scenario. For example, for certain scenarios, the roll-off factor is predefined as one value; for other scenarios, the roll-off factor is predefined as another value. In some embodiments, the UE knows the roll-off factor based on the application scenario, so the roll-off factor may not even need to be explicitly sent to the UE.

[0099] (d) The roll-off factor α for the data symbols of a symbol block may be determined by the UE as a function of other parameters known to the UE. For example, the UE may determine the roll-off factor α based on the occupied bandwidth of the symbol block and the symbol duration t of each data symbol in the symbol block. s Calculate the roll-off factor, for example, using the equation Occupied Bandwidth = (1 + α) / t s . Occupied bandwidth and symbol duration t s Both may be signaled to the UE (e.g., in the DCI, RRC, or MAC layer), or one may be predefined and the other signaled (e.g., symbol duration t s The occupied bandwidth may be predefined, and the occupied bandwidth may be sent by signaling in the DCI, RRC or MAC layer. In some embodiments, the roll-off factor may be predefined based on parameters such as the frequency band or carrier frequency at which the UE is operating and / or based on the time and / or frequency position of the scheduled symbol block.

[0100] (e) The roll-off factor α for the data symbols of a symbol block may be fixed, for example, according to a standard.

[0101] In addition to the possible configurable symbol block parameters (1) to (5) mentioned above, the UE must also know the location of the single carrier symbol block transmission in the frequency domain. The UE should know the frequency location of the single carrier symbol block, but in some embodiments, the frequency location can still be configurable.

[0102] For example, a single carrier frequency for transmitting symbols of a symbol block can be configured, for example, so that the symbol block is transmitted on a specific time-frequency resource, wherein the specific time-frequency resource does not overlap with other time-frequency resources that are transmitting another symbol or symbol block. The single carrier frequency can be the center frequency of the occupied bandwidth. In some embodiments, there is an associated bandwidth for a specific carrier frequency for communication. The associated bandwidth can be divided into different bandwidth parts (bandwidth parts, BWP). Each BWP can have an associated frequency position (for example, the center of the BWP) at which the single carrier frequency can be located. Multiple possible single carrier frequencies (each in a corresponding BWP) can be predefined, and the base station will signal which of the single carrier frequencies will be used for a specific one or more symbol blocks, for example using a bit map. For example, Figure 9 A 100 MHz bandwidth associated with a particular carrier frequency is shown. This bandwidth is divided into five BWPs of 20 MHz each. The center of each BWP is a single carrier frequency that can transmit a single carrier symbol block. The five possible single carrier frequencies are Figure 9 Marked as f 1 to f 5The frequency positions of these five different single - carrier frequencies are known to the UE in advance. The specific single - carrier frequency for scheduling a specific symbol block can be sent to the UE using a bit - map, for example, five bits, where each bit represents a corresponding different frequency among these five possible single - carrier frequencies, such as Figure 9 shown. By using a bit - map with five bits, more than one single - carrier frequency can be sent at once. In addition, three bits can also be used, for example, 001 = f 1 , 010 = f 2 , 011 = f 3 , 100 = f 4 and 101 = f 5 . Figure 9 This is just an example. More generally, the following is a non - exhaustive list of example ways to send the frequency positions of single - carrier frequencies to the UE for one or more single - carrier symbol blocks scheduled in the downlink and / or uplink:

[0103] (a) The frequency position can be signaled dynamically by the base station, for example, in DCI. For example, when scheduling a symbol block, the base station can dynamically signal the frequency position of the symbol block (for example, Figure 9 the bit - map in

[0104] (b) The frequency position can be signaled semi - statically by the base station, for example, in RRC signaling or the MAC layer. For example, for several frames, sub - frames or time slots, the frequency position can remain unchanged, and when the value of the frequency position changes, it is changed through RRC signaling or MAC layer information (for example, Figure 9 the bit - map in

[0105] (c) The frequency position can be predefined based on the application scenario. For example, for some scenarios, the frequency position is predefined as one value; for other scenarios, the frequency position is predefined as another value. In some embodiments, the UE knows the frequency position based on the application scenario, so the frequency position may not even need to be explicitly sent to the UE.

[0106] (d) The frequency position can be determined by the UE as a function of other parameters known to the UE. For example, the frequency position can be predefined based on parameters such as the scheduling time of the symbol block. For example, the frequency position can jump as a function of the time position of the symbol block in the frame. Another example is that the frequency position can be predefined based on the occupied bandwidth and / or symbol duration t s and / or the number of symbols K, etc.

[0107] (e) The frequency position can be fixed, for example, by standard.

[0108] The UE must also know the start position of the scheduled single - carrier symbol block in the time domain. In some embodiments, the time domain is divided into predefined durations, each duration starting from a specific time reference point known to both the base station and the UE. In some embodiments, each reference point can be the start of a frame, sub - frame, or time slot. In some embodiments, each symbol block is scheduled relative to one of the reference points. In some embodiments, the symbol block duration can be configured for each duration (e.g., for each sub - frame or time slot), but once configured, the symbol block duration does not change within that duration (e.g., the symbol block duration does not change within a certain sub - frame or time slot).

[0109] For example, Figure 10 A frame divided into four durations #1 to #4 is shown, each duration starting from a corresponding reference point. The durations can also be referred to as time windows. Each of the four reference points can be located at the start of a sub - frame or time slot, although this is not required. For example, the concepts of sub - frames and / or time slots may not even be defined. The duration of the single - carrier symbol block transmitted within each duration can be configurable, but within a specific duration, the duration of each single - carrier symbol block is the same. The single - carrier symbol block is scheduled in the time domain by indicating the offset from one of the reference points, e.g., using DCI or RRC signaling. For example, by indicating to the UE that symbol block 362 is within duration #2 with no offset, i.e., symbol block 362 starts from the start of duration #2, the single - carrier symbol block 362 in Figure 10 is scheduled in the time domain. As another example, by indicating to the UE that symbol block 364 is within duration #3 and offset five symbol block durations from the start of that duration (i.e., offset five symbol block durations from reference point #3), the single - carrier symbol block 364 in Figure 10 is scheduled in the time domain. The symbol block duration for a specific duration can be configured for each duration (e.g., the symbol block duration for duration #2 is t SB2 , and the symbol block duration for duration #3 is t SB3 ), where the switch occurs at the reference point. In some embodiments, the configurable symbol block parameters (e.g., symbol block duration) for each duration in a frame can be signaled at the start of the frame. These configurable symbol block parameters can be changed for each frame or remain unchanged for a specific number of frames (e.g., re - configured only every 10 frames).

[0110] In some embodiments, the time - domain resource allocation indicated by the base station can be for one or more single - carrier symbol block durations t SB , and the time - domain resource allocation can use traditional methods, e.g., by signaling the start symbol and length, perhaps listing an index in a row of a table.

[0111] In some embodiments, some or all of the configurable parameters may be changed only at a reference point. For example, one, some, or all of the following parameters may be changed only at a reference point: symbol block duration, the number of symbols K transmitted in a symbol block, the CP length t of a symbol block CP , the occupied bandwidth of a symbol block, the symbol duration t of the data symbols of a symbol block s , roll-off factor α, and / or the frequency position of a symbol block. Thus, in some embodiments, for each duration inserted between two reference points, one or more parameters of the symbol blocks scheduled within that duration may be configurable, but the configuration of all symbol blocks scheduled within that duration is the same. This may allow for a simpler implementation, since both the base station and the UE know that the configuration of all symbol blocks scheduled within a certain duration is the same, and thus the base station only needs to signal the configuration once for all symbol blocks within that certain duration.

[0112] Although Figure 10 a frame is shown divided into four different durations, the number of durations is not limited to four and may be predefined or configurable. Additionally, although Figure 10 a frame is shown divided into different durations, subframes or time slots may also be divided into different durations and scheduled in the same manner as described in connection with Figure 10 except for each time slot or each subframe (instead of for each frame).

[0113] In some embodiments, multiple time reference points may be predefined (e.g., in a standard). In some embodiments, for a frame length F, the reference points may be 0 (i.e., the start time of the frame), where is the start time of the next frame. In some embodiments, for a frame length F, the reference points may be 0 (i.e., the start time of the frame), where is the start time of the next frame, and N may be predefined or fixed (e.g., in a standard) or signaled from the base station via semi-static signaling (e.g., RRC) or dynamic signaling (e.g., DCI). If N = 1, there is a single configuration that is the same for all symbol blocks within the same frame, but the configuration may be changed for each frame. In some embodiments, N is restricted to an integer greater than zero.

[0114] In some embodiments, the base station and the UE will use the nearest reference point after receiving the relevant signaling. In other embodiments, the base station will indicate the reference point (or the corresponding duration) to which the new parameter applies. The reference point (or the corresponding duration) may be indicated together with the new parameter configured for the duration corresponding to the reference point.

[0115] In some embodiments, there are multiple time reference points, but the unit of the reference point is the sampling duration, rather than a fraction of a frame, sub-frame, or time slot. For example, the time reference point may occur once every 0, nT s , 2nT s , ……, (P-1)nT s , PnT s . T s is the sampling duration, e.g., 1 / sampling frequency. For example, the sampling frequency may be 1966.08 MHz. n defines the duration between two reference points as a function of the sampling duration. For example, if n = 2, each reference point is separated by two sampling durations, thus defining each duration as two sampling durations. In some embodiments, n may be predefined or fixed (e.g., in a standard) or signaled from the base station via semi-static signaling (e.g., RRC) or dynamic signaling (e.g., DCI). In some embodiments, n is restricted to an integer greater than zero. P is the period at which the set of reference points repeats. P may be an integer or a real number greater than zero. In one example, PnT s = 1 ms, i.e., the set of reference points is defined as lasting 1 ms. The set of reference points may repeat / restart every 1 ms.

[0116] Some specific example ways of signaling configurable single-carrier symbol block parameters will be introduced below. In the following examples, the configurable single-carrier symbol block parameters may be configured for one, multiple, or each duration inserted between two reference points. In the following examples, the parameters not signaled may be predefined, e.g., fixed or predefined based on the application scenario or the position in the frame, etc.

[0117] In some embodiments, each configurable parameter is signaled individually, which provides great flexibility but may have a large signaling overhead. For example, one, part, or all of the following parameters may be signaled individually: symbol block duration, the number of symbols K transmitted in the symbol block, the CP length t CP of the symbol block, the occupied bandwidth of the symbol block, the symbol duration t s of the data symbols of the symbol block, the roll-off factor α, and / or the frequency position of the symbol block.

[0118] In some embodiments, different parameter configurations can be signaled via a signal for different application scenarios. For example, for a symbol block used for low-latency communication, a smaller K value can be signaled via a signal. As another example, different roll-off coefficient values can be signaled via a signal according to the scenario.

[0119] In some embodiments, the frequency position of the symbol block (e.g., Figure 9 f 1 to f 5 ) and the number of data symbols K in the symbol block are signaled in the DCI, and the remaining symbol block parameters are predefined or signaled semi-statically, e.g., in the RRC signaling.

[0120] In some embodiments, one parameter is signaled (e.g., the number of data symbols K or the occupied bandwidth or the frequency position), while other parameters are predefined, e.g., in the standard.

[0121] In some embodiments, the occupied bandwidth, the roll-off coefficient, and the frequency position (e.g., in terms of the center frequency of a specific bandwidth partition or BWP) can be signaled.

[0122] In some embodiments, the occupied bandwidth or the symbol duration t s of each data symbol in the symbol block, as well as the number of symbols in the symbol block, can be signaled individually.

[0123] In some embodiments, the occupied bandwidth of the symbol block is signaled, and a quantization method is used to reduce the signaling overhead. For example, the base station can use three bits to signal one of four possible occupied bandwidth options: A, 2A, 3A, or 4A, where A is the minimum bandwidth unit. As another example, the base station can use four bits to signal one of eight possible occupied bandwidth options: A, 2A, 3A, 4A, 5A, 6A, 7A, or 8A, where A is the minimum bandwidth unit. A can be predefined or preconfigured, e.g., predefined in the standard. In some embodiments, the value of A can depend on the frequency band. For example, for the low-frequency range FR1, A can be equal to 180 Hz or 200 Hz or 400 Hz, etc. For the intermediate-frequency range FR2, A can be equal to 180 kHz or 200 kHz or 360 kHz, etc. For the large-frequency range FR3 (e.g., in the THz range), A can be equal to 100 MHz or 200 kHz, etc. The UE will know the frequency band range (FR1 or FR2 or FR3) when the UE is operating, but if there may be multiple values of A within a given frequency band range (FR1, FR2, or FR3), the value of A must be signaled to the UE, e.g., in the DCI, RRC, or in the MAC layer.

[0124] In some embodiments, the roll-off factor of the signal transmission symbol block is signaled, and a quantization method is used to reduce the signaling overhead. For example, two bits can be used to indicate one of four predefined roll-off factors: α = 0 or α = 0.25 or α = 0.5 or α = 1. As another example, three bits can be used to indicate one of eight predefined roll-off factors: α = 0 or α = 0.125 or α = 0.25 or α = 0.375 or α = 0.5 or α = 0.625 or α = 0.75 or α = 1.

[0125] In some embodiments, the data symbol duration t of the data symbols in the signal transmission symbol block s , and a quantization method is used to reduce the signaling overhead. For example, two bits can be used to indicate one of four predefined data symbol durations, and three bits can be used to indicate one of eight predefined data symbol durations, and so on. In some embodiments, the CP duration is determined by the UE based on the ratio of the CP to the duration of the valid symbol block. In some embodiments, the ratio can be signaled or predefined.

[0126] In some embodiments, to provide some flexibility but also help reduce the signaling overhead, a set of different parameter configurations can be predefined, and the selection of one of the parameter configurations can be signaled. For example, two bits can be used to indicate one of four different combination indices, e.g., 00 = combination index 0, 01 = combination index 1, 10 = combination index 2, and 11 = combination index 3. Examples of the parameter configurations that can be signaled for each combination index are shown in Tables 1 and 2 below:

[0127] Table 1

[0128] Combined Index Number of Data Symbols K Roll-off Factor α Occupied Bandwidth 1 1 1 4A 2 2 0.5 3A 3 4 0.25 2A 4 8 0 A

[0129] Table 2

[0130] Combined Index Number of Data Symbols K Roll-off Factor α <![CDATA[Data symbol duration t s > 1 1 1 4T 2 2 0.5 3T 3 4 0.25 2T 4 8 0 T

[0131] Table 2 is an alternative to Table 1, in which the data symbol duration ts is signaled instead of the occupied bandwidth.

[0132] In the example of Table 1 above, if the combined index 1 is signaled (e.g., the bit pair 00 is sent by the base station), the UE knows that for one or more scheduled single-carrier symbol blocks, the number of data symbols in each symbol block is 1, the roll-off factor of each symbol block is 1, and the occupied bandwidth of each symbol block is 4A, where A is the smallest bandwidth unit known to the base station and the UE, e.g., A = 200 Hz. For another example, in the example of Table 2 above, if the combined index 4 is signaled (e.g., the bit pair 11 is sent by the base station), the UE knows that for one or more scheduled single-carrier symbol blocks, the number of data symbols in each symbol block is 8, the roll-off factor of each symbol block is 0, and the symbol duration of each data symbol in each symbol block is T, where T is the smallest symbol duration unit known to the base station and the UE, e.g., T = 0.1 ms.

[0133] Further examples are shown in Tables 3 and 4 below:

[0134] Table 3

[0135] Combined Index Number of Data Symbols K <![CDATA[Data symbol duration t s > 1 1 4T 2 2 3T 3 4 2T 4 8 T

[0136] Table 4

[0137]

[0138]

[0139] Tables 3 and 4 are alternatives. To signal the combined index in Table 4, three bits are needed to select one of the eight options. Different from Table 2, the roll-off factor is not configured in Tables 3 and 4. For example, the roll-off factor can be configured using other signaling or predefined.

[0140] In some embodiments, the combined index selected by the base station for any one of Tables 1 to 4 can be signaled by the base station in DCI or in RRC signaling or in MAC layer signaling. In one example, the values in the table are configured semi-statically using RRC signaling, but the selected combined index is signaled in DCI.

[0141] In some embodiments, the combined index selected by the base station for any one of Tables 1 to 4 can be signaled in broadcast signaling. For example, the selected combined index can be broadcast from the base station to all UEs communicating with the base station. In some embodiments, the combined index selected by the base station for any one of Tables 1 to 4 can also be signaled in UE-specific signaling. For example, if the base station is selecting a combined index for one or more specific UEs communicating with the base station.

[0142] Configurable multi-carrier symbols

[0143] Figure 11 illustrates the generation of a multi - carrier symbol provided by an embodiment. A multi - carrier symbol can sometimes also be referred to as a multi - carrier symbol block because, like the single - carrier symbol block described above in conjunction with Figure 8 the single - carrier symbol block described above, the multi - carrier symbol transmits multiple data symbols. Multiple bits 348 are serially - to - parallelly converted in the serial - to - parallel converter 380 to generate M parallel bitstreams, where M is a natural number greater than 1. Each parallel bitstream is mapped by a corresponding symbol mapper 350A to 350M to generate M data symbols X 1 to X M . Each symbol mapper 350A to 350M can be implemented by a modulator (e.g., the processor 210 or 260, or a module / unit / circuit). An example type of modulation that can be implemented by one or more of the symbol mappers 350A to 350M is QAM. In this case, the generated data symbols are QAM symbols carrying two or more bits, depending on the constellation sequence. Each data symbol X 1 to X M is used to be transmitted on respective different carrier frequencies (i.e., sub - carriers), and the sub - carriers have a specific sub - carrier spacing. An inverse discrete Fourier transform (IDFT) 382 (which can be implemented as an inverse fast Fourier transform (IFFT) in some embodiments) is performed on the data symbols X 1 to X M to generate N time - domain sample outputs, where N is a natural number, typically greater than M, followed by parallel - to - serial conversion and CP insertion. Thus, a multi - carrier symbol 394 including a redundant (e.g., CP) part and a data part is generated. The CP part has a duration t CP (also referred to as the CP length), and the data part has a duration t Data , and together they constitute the duration t SB = t CP + t Data . The CP part can be a repetition of part of the data part, for example, a repetition of the data part that appears at the end of the symbol 394. As shown, the CP part can appear at the beginning of the symbol 394. The data part of the multi - carrier symbol 394 transmits all the data symbols X 1 to X M。The multi - carrier symbol 394 is transmitted over a specific bandwidth (or a portion of the bandwidth or a bandwidth partition), as shown at 396. The bandwidth depends on the sub - carrier spacing and the number of sub - carriers used, and these sub - carriers may occupy a designated bandwidth (or bandwidth partition) or a portion of a carrier. The multi - carrier symbol 394 can be transmitted in the uplink or the downlink. If symbol 394 is an uplink transmission sent by UE 110, then in conjunction with Figure 11 the components shown and the operations described can be implemented by processor 210; if symbol 394 is a downlink transmission sent by base station 170, then in conjunction with Figure 11 the components shown and the operations described can be implemented by processor 260.

[0144] In Figure 11 , symbol 394 is a multi - carrier symbol, i.e., it adopts a multi - carrier waveform. That is, the CP and the data symbols are transmitted over multiple sub - carriers, and the data symbols are transmitted in parallel over the multiple sub - carriers during the data duration t Data .

[0145] An example of a multi - carrier symbol is an OFDM symbol.

[0146] The size of the IDFT 382 refers to the number of output samples N of the IDFT 382. The size of the IDFT 382 affects the length of the multi - carrier symbol 394. Specifically, the larger the size of the IDFT 382 (i.e., the larger N), the longer the duration t SB of symbol 394, because there are more output samples to be transmitted. Assuming that the bandwidth for transmitting symbol 394 is fixed, the size of the IDFT 382 also directly affects the number of data symbols (M) that can be transmitted in symbol 394 and the sub - carrier spacing. A smaller IDFT size N means that fewer data symbols M can be transmitted in symbol 394, which means that the sub - carriers are spaced farther apart because fewer sub - carriers are used over the same bandwidth. For example, assume N = 1024, M = 600, and the sub - carrier spacing is 15 kHz. If the IDFT size N is then reduced to N = 512, then M = 300, which means that the number of data symbols transmitted in the OFDM symbol is halved. If the bandwidth remains the same, the sub - carrier spacing is then twice as far apart (spreading 300 data symbols over the same frequency range as the original 600 data symbols), i.e., the sub - carrier spacing is set to 30 kHz.

[0147] In some embodiments, Figure 11 the IDFT 382 in SBAnd impose restrictions on the subcarrier spacing. Scaling can only be based on a factor of two (e.g., the subcarrier spacing can be 15 kHz or 30 kHz, but not in between, and the symbol duration is also scaled based on this restriction). More generally, the power-of-two restriction imposed by the IFFT may be undesirable, so the IFFT may not necessarily be used. For example, if a specific duration t that cannot be obtained using the IFFT needs to be generated SB of symbol 394.

[0148] In some embodiments, the duration of the multi-carrier symbol 394 can be configured by configuring the CP length (t CP ) and / or by configuring the IDFT size N. The IDFT size and / or the CP length can be indirectly configured by configuring the symbol length t SB such that the symbol length t SB has a known relationship with a specific CP length t CP and / or the IDFT size N.

[0149] In some embodiments, it may be necessary to change the IDFT size N during operation according to the application scenario, etc. The following is a non-exhaustive list of example ways in which the IDFT size N can be sent to the UE for one or more multi-carrier symbols scheduled in the downlink and / or uplink:

[0150] (a) N can be signaled dynamically by the base station, e.g., in DCI. For example, when scheduling a symbol, the value of N for that symbol can be signaled dynamically by the base station.

[0151] (b) N can be signaled semi-statically by the base station, e.g., in RRC signaling or the MAC layer. For example, for several frames, subframes, or time slots, the value of N can remain constant, and when the value of N changes, it is changed via RRC signaling or MAC layer information.

[0152] (c) N can be predefined based on the application scenario. For example, for low-latency applications, N is predefined as a specific (smaller) number, and for delay-tolerant applications, N is predefined as a specific (larger) number. The predefined value of N can be fixed or semi-statically configured. In some embodiments, the UE knows the value of N based on the application scenario, so the value of N may not even need to be explicitly sent to the UE.

[0153] (d) N can be determined by the UE as a function of other parameters known to the UE. For example, the value of N can be predefined based on the frequency band or carrier frequency at which the UE is operating. Or, for another example, the value of N can be predefined based on the time and / or frequency position of the scheduled symbol.

[0154] (e) N can be fixed, e.g., by standard.

[0155] In some embodiments, it may be necessary to change the CP length t during operation according to the application scenario, etc. CP The CP length can be sent as an absolute length or as the ratio of the CP length t CP to the data part length t Data (e.g., the ratio of the CP to the effective symbol length) or as the ratio of the CP length t CP to the total symbol duration t SB by signaling. Depending on the application scenario and / or the channel, a longer CP length, a shorter CP length, or no CP (i.e., t CP = 0) may be required. The following is a non-exhaustive list of example ways in which the CP length can be sent to the UE for one or more multi-carrier symbols scheduled in the downlink and / or uplink:

[0156] (a) The CP length can be signaled dynamically by the base station, e.g., in DCI. For example, when scheduling a symbol, the base station can dynamically signal the CP length of that symbol.

[0157] (b) The CP length can be signaled semi-statically by the base station, e.g., in RRC signaling or the MAC layer. For example, for several frames, sub-frames, or time slots, the CP length can remain constant, and when the CP length changes, it is changed via RRC signaling or MAC layer information.

[0158] (c) The CP length can be predefined based on the application scenario. For example, for certain application scenarios, the CP length is predefined as a specific length; for other application scenarios, the CP length is predefined as another specific length. In some embodiments, the UE knows the CP length based on the application scenario, so the CP length may not even need to be explicitly sent to the UE.

[0159] (d) The CP length can be a function of the channel conditions. In this case, the CP length may not need to be explicitly sent to the UE. For example, if both the UE and the base station can determine (or are informed of) the channel conditions and there is a predefined mapping between different channel conditions and different CP lengths.

[0160] (e) The CP length can be determined by the UE as a function of other parameters known to the UE. For example, the CP length can be predefined based on the value of M and / or based on the value of t Data and / or based on the frequency band or carrier frequency at which the UE is operating and / or based on the time and / or frequency position of the scheduled symbol, etc.

[0161] (f) The CP length can be fixed, e.g., by standard.

[0162] It is allowed to set the IDFT size N to any number such that for the multi-carrier symbol duration tSB There is great flexibility in this regard, but at the cost of higher signaling overhead and potentially higher transmitter and / or receiver implementation complexity, because N is not limited to a set of predefined numbers that can be used for lower complexity implementations.

[0163] Therefore, in some embodiments, restrictions are still imposed on the value of N. As an example, the IDFT size N can be restricted to a specific range that can generally be implemented in commercial devices, such as 512 ≤ N ≤ 8192. Only N values within this range will be signaled by the base station. As another example, N can be restricted to a set of values that satisfy a predefined relationship or formula that allows for a lower complexity implementation of the transmitter and / or receiver. For example, if the value of N satisfies a predefined formula based on a power of a prime number, a lower complexity implementation is possible, such as N = 2 σ 3 β or N = 2 σ 3 β 5 μ , where σ, β, and μ are all integers greater than or equal to 0. In some embodiments, the base station signals the IDFT size N by signaling the values of the integers σ, β, and / or μ, and the UE uses these variables and the predefined formula to calculate N. In some embodiments, the base station signals the value of N itself to the UE.

[0164] In some embodiments, the IDFT size N is preconfigured as one of four possible sizes, and the base station signals the selection of one of the four possible sizes by signaling two bits (e.g., in DCI or RRC signaling). Tables 5 and 6 below show two alternative examples:

[0165] Table 5

[0166]

[0167] Table 6

[0168] Combined Index N 00 1024 01 2048 10 4096 11 8192

[0169] In some embodiments, the four options in Table 5 or Table 6 can be predefined in the standard or configured via RRC signaling, or even dynamically indicated in DCI. In some embodiments, the selection of a particular one of the four options applicable to a certain symbol can be signaled by the base station using DCI or RRC signaling.

[0170] In some embodiments, the IDFT size N is preconfigured to be one of eight possible sizes, and the base station signals the selection of one of the eight possible sizes by sending three bits (e.g., in DCI or RRC signaling). Table 7 below shows an example:

[0171] Table 7

[0172] Combined Index N 000 1024 001 1536 010 2048 011 3072 100 4096 101 5120 110 6144 111 7168

[0173] In some embodiments, the eight options in Table 7 can be predefined in the standard or configured via RRC signaling, or can even be dynamically indicated in DCI. In some embodiments, the selection of a particular one of the eight options applicable to a certain symbol can be signaled by the base station using DCI or RRC signaling.

[0174] Table 8 below shows another example:

[0175] Table 8

[0176] Combined Index N 000 d 001 2d 010 3d 011 4d 100 5d 101 6d 110 8d 111 9d

[0177] d is a number known to the base station and the UE, e.g., d = 512. In the specific example of Table 8, the IDFT size N = 7d cannot be selected because it does not satisfy the formula N = 2 σ 3 β or N = 2 σ 3 β 5 μ and in this example, this is a limitation on the value of N to allow for a potentially lower complexity implementation of the transmitter and / or receiver.

[0178] In some embodiments, the eight options in Table 8 can be predefined in the standard or configured via RRC signaling, or can even be dynamically indicated in DCI. In some embodiments, the selection of a particular one of the eight options applicable to a multi-carrier symbol can be signaled by the base station using DCI or RRC signaling.

[0179] Tables 5 to 8 are only examples. In other embodiments, the IDFT size N can be signaled using a different number of bits, e.g., one bit if there are only two IDFT size options, and more than three bits if there are more than eight IDFT size options.

[0180] In some embodiments, the combined index selected by the base station for any one of Tables 5 to 8 can be signaled by the base station in DCI or in RRC signaling or in MAC layer signaling. In one example, the values in Tables 5 to 8 are configured semi-statically using RRC signaling, but the selected combined index is signaled in DCI.

[0181] In some embodiments, the combined index selected by the base station for any one of Tables 5 to 8 may be signaled in broadcast signaling. For example, the selected combined index may be broadcast from the base station to all UEs communicating with the base station. In some embodiments, the combined index selected by the base station for any one of Tables 5 to 8 may also be signaled in UE-specific signaling. For example, if the base station is selecting a combined index for one or more specific UEs communicating with the base station.

[0182] In some embodiments, the complete set of possible IDFT sizes may be fixed (e.g., defined in a standard), and this complete set may be large, e.g., more than 8 different IDFT size options. In some such embodiments, RRC signaling may be used to configure the use of one, some, or all of the possible IDFT sizes. If the RRC signaling configures only one IDFT size for use, the UE will use that IDFT size. However, if the RRC signaling configures more than one IDFT size, the base station may use DCI to dynamically indicate which of the configured IDFT sizes will be used for the UE, e.g., for a given BWP or carrier or band or serving cell.

[0183] In some embodiments, rules known to the UE may be predefined and used to select the IDFT size, such as the following rules: (1) If the bandwidth of the BWP or carrier or serving cell is less than or equal to 5 MHz, the IDFT size N = 512; (2) If the bandwidth of the BWP or carrier or serving cell is greater than 5 MHz but less than or equal to 8 MHz, the IDFT size N = 768; (3) If the bandwidth of the BWP or carrier or serving cell is greater than 8 MHz but less than or equal to 10 MHz, the IDFT size N = 1024.

[0184] In some embodiments, the CP length and / or the IDFT size may change when changing from one symbol to another, or when changing from one set of symbols to another set of symbols.

[0185] In some embodiments, the occupied bandwidth of the multi-carrier symbol may also or alternatively be signaled. The UE also needs to know the position of the multi-carrier symbol in the frequency domain, which in some embodiments may be configurable and signaled to the UE (e.g., in a manner similar to Figure 9 ).

[0186] In addition to the exemplary configurable multi-carrier symbol parameters discussed above, the UE must also know the start position of the scheduled multi-carrier symbol in the time domain. In some embodiments, the time domain is divided into predefined durations, each duration starting from a specific time reference point known to both the base station and the UE. In some embodiments, each reference point can be the start of a frame, sub-frame, or time slot. In some embodiments, each multi-carrier symbol is scheduled relative to one of the reference points. In some embodiments, the multi-carrier symbol duration can be configured for each duration (e.g., for each sub-frame or time slot), but once configured, the multi-carrier symbol duration does not change within that duration (e.g., the multi-carrier symbol duration does not change within a sub-frame or time slot).

[0187] For example, Figure 12 is the same as Figure 10 but shows the transmission of multi-carrier symbols instead of the transmission of single-carrier symbol blocks. Figure 12 A frame divided into four durations #1 to #4 is shown, each duration starting from a corresponding reference point. The durations can also be referred to as time windows. Each of the four reference points can be located at the start of a sub-frame or time slot, although this is not required. For example, the concepts of sub-frames and / or time slots may not even be defined. The duration of the symbols transmitted within each duration can be configurable, but within a specific duration, the duration of each symbol is the same. Symbols are scheduled in the time domain by indicating an offset from one of the reference points, e.g., using DCI or RRC signaling. For example, by indicating to the UE that symbol 462 is within duration #2 and has no offset, i.e., symbol 462 starts from the start of duration #2, the multi-carrier symbol 462 in Figure 12 is scheduled in the time domain. As another example, by indicating to the UE that symbol 464 is within duration #3 and is offset five symbol durations from the start of that duration (i.e., offset from reference point #3 by five symbol durations), the multi-carrier symbol 464 in Figure 12 is scheduled in the time domain. The symbol duration for a specific duration can be configured for each duration (e.g., the symbol duration for duration #2 is t SB2 , and the symbol duration for duration #3 is t SB3 ), where the switch occurs at the reference point. In some embodiments, the configurable multi-carrier symbol parameters (e.g., symbol duration) for each duration in a frame can be signaled at the start of the frame. These configurable symbol parameters can be changed for each frame or remain unchanged for a specific number of frames (e.g., reconfigured only every 10 frames).

[0188] In some embodiments, the time domain resource allocation indicated by the base station can be for one or more symbol durations t SB, and the time-domain resource allocation can use traditional methods, such as by signaling a start symbol and length of a signal, and an index may be listed in a row of a table.

[0189] In some embodiments, some or all of the configurable parameters can be changed only at a reference point. For example, one, some, or all of the following parameters can be changed only at a reference point: symbol duration t SB , CP length t of a symbol CP , data length t of a symbol Data (or an equivalent parameter, such as IDFT size N), occupied bandwidth of a symbol, and / or frequency position of a symbol. Thus, in some embodiments, for each duration inserted between two reference points, one or more parameters of the multi-carrier symbols scheduled within that duration can be configurable, but the configuration of all multi-carrier symbols scheduled within that duration is the same. This can allow for a simpler implementation, because both the base station and the UE know that the configuration of all multi-carrier symbols scheduled within a certain duration is the same, so the base station only needs to signal the configuration once for all multi-carrier symbols within a certain duration.

[0190] Although Figure 12 illustrates a frame divided into four different durations, the number of durations is not limited to four and can be predefined or configurable. Additionally, although Figure 12 illustrates a frame divided into different durations, sub-frames or time slots can also be divided into different durations and scheduled in the same manner as described in connection with Figure 12 except for each time slot or each sub-frame (instead of for each frame).

[0191] In some embodiments, multiple time reference points can be predefined (e.g., in a standard). In some embodiments, for a frame length F, the reference points can be 0 (i.e., the start time of the frame), where is the start time of the next frame. In some embodiments, for a frame length F, the reference points can be 0 (i.e., the start time of the frame), where the variable N in this formula is not the IDFT size but a predefined integer greater than zero, and is the start time of the next frame. N can be predefined or fixed (e.g., in a standard) or signaled from the base station via semi-static signaling (e.g., RRC) or dynamic signaling (e.g., DCI). If N = 1, there is a single configuration that is the same for all multi-carrier symbols within the same frame, but this configuration can be changed for each frame.

[0192] In some embodiments, the base station and the UE will use the nearest reference point after receiving the relevant signaling. In other embodiments, the base station will indicate the reference point (or the corresponding duration) to which the new parameter applies. The reference point (or the corresponding duration) may be indicated together with the new parameter configured for the duration corresponding to the reference point.

[0193] In some embodiments, there are multiple time reference points, but the unit of the reference point is the sampling duration, rather than a fraction of a frame, subframe, or time slot. For example, the time reference point may occur every 0, nT s , 2nT s , ……, (P - 1)nT s , PnT s once. T s is the sampling duration, for example 1 / sampling frequency. For example, the sampling frequency may be 1966.08 MHz. n defines the duration between two reference points as a function of the sampling duration. For example, if n = 2, each reference point is separated by two sampling durations, thus defining each duration as two sampling durations. In some embodiments, n may be predefined or fixed (e.g., in a standard) or signaled from the base station via semi-static signaling (e.g., RRC) or dynamic signaling (e.g., DCI). In some embodiments, n is restricted to an integer greater than zero. P is the period in which the set of reference points repeats. P may be an integer or a real number greater than zero. In one example, PnT s = 1 ms, that is, the set of reference points is defined as lasting 1 ms. The set of reference points may repeat / restart every 1 ms.

[0194] Other embodiments and methods

[0195] In some embodiments, the configurable single - carrier symbol block parameters and / or configurable multi - carrier symbol parameters disclosed herein may only apply to UEs that have already connected to the network. For the initial access of UEs connected to the network, these parameters can be predefined according to standards, etc. For example, for the synchronization symbols and preambles in the random access channel of the initial access process, if a single - carrier waveform is used, specific symbol intervals, occupied bandwidths, and / or roll - off factors can be predefined for a given frequency band (e.g., in the standard); in some embodiments, for the uplink transmission (e.g., on the physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH)) and / or downlink transmission (e.g., on the physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH)) during the initial access process, specific symbol intervals, occupied bandwidths, and / or roll - off factors can be predefined in the standard or signaled using broadcast signaling or group - common signaling. The broadcast signaling can be the master information block (MIB) or system information block (SIB) on the physical broadcast channel (PBCH). The group - common signaling can be the DCI in the common search space of the physical layer downlink control channel (PDCCH). If a multi - carrier waveform is used, for the synchronization symbols and preambles in the random access channel of the initial access process, a specific IDFT size and / or CP length can be predefined for a given frequency band (e.g., in the standard). For PUSCH or PDSCH transmissions during the initial access process, if a multi - carrier waveform is used, a specific IDFT size and / or CP length can be signaled using broadcast signaling or group - common signaling. The broadcast signaling can be the MIB or SIB on the PBCH. The group - common signaling can be the DCI in the common search space of the PDCCH. In this way, UEs that initially access the network know the symbol and / or symbol block parameters at the time of initial access.

[0196] In the embodiments herein, the frame timing can be replaced with a general timing, such as a time - unit timing. In some embodiments, the time unit can be a time slot, a sub - frame, a frame, a super - frame, etc. In some embodiments, the time unit can be an absolute time, such as 1 ms timing, 2 ms timing, 20 ms timing, etc. Therefore, in all embodiments described herein that discuss frame timing, the frame timing can be replaced with a more general time - unit timing, e.g., it can be an absolute time and / or a time - slot timing and / or a sub - frame timing and / or a super - frame timing, etc. For example, in Figure 10 andFigure 12 In this case, a frame shown can also be an absolute time (e.g., 10 ms), or a time slot, or a subframe, or a superframe, etc., depending on the implementation.

[0197] The above description has mainly discussed configurable multi-carrier symbols and single-carrier symbol block parameters, as well as the signaling of such parameters, in the context of communication between a UE and a base station (i.e., downlink communication and uplink communication). However, the above embodiments are also applicable to sidelink communication, i.e., UE-to-UE communication, sometimes also referred to as device-to-device (D2D) communication. That is to say, a single-carrier symbol block and / or multi-carrier symbols can be directly sent from one UE to another UE, and a UE (e.g., one of the two UEs communicating with each other or the master UE) or a base station can signal the configurable parameters of the symbol block and / or the symbols. The configurable parameters can be any of the parameters discussed herein. The D2D communication may or may not be part of a D2D frame for transmission from one UE to another UE.

[0198] Figure 13 A method performed by a network device and a device for an embodiment. The network device may be the base station 170, and the device may be the UE 110.

[0199] In step 502, the network device sends control signaling for configuring at least one parameter of a single-carrier symbol block and / or multi-carrier symbols. In step 504, the device receives the control signaling. In step 506, the network device sends a scheduling grant for scheduling the single-carrier symbol block and / or the multi-carrier symbols for transmission. In step 508, the device receives the scheduling grant.

[0200] In some embodiments, step 502 and step 506 may be the same single step (e.g., the same single transmission from the network device), in which case step 504 and step 508 will also be the same single step.

[0201] In step 510, the device sends the single-carrier symbol block and / or the multi-carrier symbols according to the scheduling grant and the at least one parameter. The transmission can be to the network device or to other UEs. If the scheduling grant schedules a downlink transmission, step 510 will also involve the network device sending the single-carrier symbol block and / or the multi-carrier symbols to the device according to the scheduling grant and the at least one parameter.

[0202] In some embodiments, the at least one parameter includes at least one of the following: the number of data symbols K in the single - carrier symbol block and / or the multi - carrier symbol; the CP length t of the single - carrier symbol block and / or the multi - carrier symbol CP ; the occupied bandwidth of the single - carrier symbol block and / or the multi - carrier symbol; the symbol duration t of the data symbols of the single - carrier symbol block and / or the multi - carrier symbol s ; the roll - off factor α of the data symbols of the single - carrier symbol block and / or the multi - carrier symbol; the frequency position of the single - carrier symbol block and / or the multi - carrier symbol; the IDFT size N.

[0203] In some embodiments, the control signaling is at least one of the following: DCI; RRC signaling; MAC - layer control signaling. In some embodiments, the at least one parameter includes multiple parameters, and the first one or more of the multiple parameters are configured in RRC signaling, and the second one or more of the multiple parameters are configured in DCI.

[0204] In some embodiments, the device and the network device pre - know a predefined number of different configurations of the at least one parameter, and the control signaling indicates one of the different configurations. In some embodiments, multiple bits are used to indicate the selection of a specific configuration of the at least one parameter. In some embodiments, the at least one parameter includes the number of data symbols K in the single - carrier symbol block, and the multiple bits indicate a specific value of K. In some embodiments, the at least one parameter includes the IDFT size N, and the multiple bits indicate a specific value of N.

[0205] In some embodiments, the at least one parameter includes the frequency position of the single - carrier symbol block and / or the multi - carrier symbol, and the frequency position is signaled as a selection of one of a predefined number of frequency positions pre - known to the network device and the device.

[0206] In some embodiments, the time domain is divided into multiple time windows, and the control signaling configures the at least one parameter to be the same for all single - carrier symbol blocks and / or multi - carrier symbols scheduled in a specific time window. In some embodiments, the scheduling grant schedules the single - carrier symbol block and / or the multi - carrier symbol by defining an offset from a reference point associated with the specific time window. In some embodiments, the configuration of the at least one parameter for all single - carrier symbol blocks and / or multi - carrier symbols scheduled in the specific time window is different from the configuration of the at least one parameter for all single - carrier symbol blocks and / or multi - carrier symbols scheduled in another time window of the multiple time windows.

[0207] Figure 14 shows a Figure 13 variant applicable to the case of unconfigured scheduling authorization, such as the grant-free uplink transmission scheme. In step 602, the network device sends control signaling for configuring at least one parameter of a single-carrier symbol block and / or a multi-carrier symbol. In step 604, the device receives the control signaling. In step 606, the device sends the single-carrier symbol block and / or the multi-carrier symbol according to the at least one parameter. In step 608, the network device receives the single-carrier symbol block and / or the multi-carrier symbol according to the at least one parameter.

[0208] Note that "sending or receiving" the single-carrier symbol block and / or the multi-carrier symbol "according to" the at least one parameter means sending or receiving the single-carrier symbol block and / or the multi-carrier symbol having the at least one configured parameter. For example, if the at least one parameter is that the symbol duration is a specific length, then the symbol duration of that length is used in the transmission. "Sending or receiving" the single-carrier symbol block and / or the multi-carrier symbol "according to" the scheduling authorization means sending or receiving the single-carrier symbol block and / or the multi-carrier symbol using the resources indicated in the scheduling authorization. For example, if the scheduling authorization schedules the transmission at a specific time and / or frequency position, then the transmission is sent at that specific time and / or frequency position. Additionally, "sending or receiving" can generally be referred to as "communicating".

[0209] Note that the term "symbol block" is used herein to help better distinguish data symbols. For example, the term "single-carrier symbol block" is used in the above description. However, the term "block" is not necessary, and "single-carrier symbol block" can be replaced by "single-carrier symbol". Additionally, the terms "single-carrier" and "multi-carrier" are used herein to distinguish symbols transmitted on a single-carrier waveform and symbols transmitted on a multi-carrier waveform. However, these terms are only used to assist in the explanation and are not intended to be limiting. For example, "single-carrier symbol" (referred to as "single-carrier symbol block" in the above description) can also be replaced by "the first type of symbol" or "a symbol belonging to the first type", and "multi-carrier symbol" can also be replaced by "the second type of symbol" or "a symbol belonging to the second type". The labels "the first type" and "the second type" are used to distinguish these two types of symbols.

[0210] The present disclosure relates to signaling for flexible multi-carrier symbol parameters and / or flexible single-carrier symbol block parameters.

[0211] In some embodiments, variable symbol and / or symbol block durations (including variable CP durations, optionally no CP) can provide flexibility to meet different requirements in different scenarios. However, in some embodiments, the signaling overhead may be high. Therefore, in some embodiments, consideration is given to how to design and generate signaling with reduced overhead to support variable symbol and / or symbol block durations and possibly variable CP durations. One way disclosed is to signal a configuration selected from a set of predefined parameter configurations, e.g., as in Tables 1 to 8 described previously. In some embodiments, when configurable symbol and / or symbol block parameters change, consideration is given to how to ensure that the base station and the UE know when to use the new symbol and / or symbol block parameters. One way disclosed is to use reference points, e.g., as described above in conjunction with Figure 10 and Figure 12 described.

[0212] In some embodiments, for single-carrier waveform transmission, the symbol block parameters that may be signaled can include the occupied bandwidth and / or the frequency position (e.g., center frequency) and / or the number of data symbols in the symbol block and / or the roll-off factor. In some embodiments, a look-up table can be used to reduce the overhead signaling for different parameter combinations (e.g., Tables 1 to 4 herein).

[0213] In some embodiments, for multi-carrier waveform transmission, the symbol parameters that may be signaled can include the IDFT size and / or the preamble (e.g., CP) size and / or the occupied bandwidth of the multi-carrier waveform. In some embodiments, a look-up table can be used to reduce the overhead signaling for different parameter combinations (e.g., Tables 5 to 8 herein).

[0214] In some embodiments, a reference point can be defined to indicate when the configured symbol and / or symbol block parameters change or may change. In some embodiments, the reference point can be signaled, or rules for how to obtain the reference point can be predefined and known to both the base station and the UE. In some embodiments, the reference point can also be predefined, e.g., fixed (e.g., indicated in a standard).

[0215] In view of the above and in addition to the above, the following examples are also disclosed.

[0216] Example 1: A method performed by a device, the method comprising: receiving control signaling configuring at least one parameter of a single-carrier symbol; receiving a scheduling grant scheduling the single-carrier symbol for transmission; sending or receiving the single-carrier symbol according to the scheduling grant and the at least one parameter; wherein the at least one parameter includes at least one of the following: the number of data symbols K in the single-carrier symbol; the CP length t of the single-carrier symbol CP; The occupied bandwidth of the single - carrier symbol; The symbol duration t of the data symbol of the single - carrier symbol s ; The roll - off factor α of the data symbol of the single - carrier symbol; The frequency position of the single - carrier symbol.

[0217] Example 2: The method according to Example 1, wherein the control signaling is at least one of the following: downlink control information (DCI); radio resource control (RRC) signaling; medium access control (MAC) layer signaling.

[0218] Example 3: The method according to Example 2, wherein the at least one parameter includes a plurality of parameters, and the first one or more parameters of the plurality of parameters are configured in the RRC signaling, and the second one or more parameters of the plurality of parameters are configured in the DCI.

[0219] Example 4: The method according to Example 1, wherein the device pre - knows a predefined number of different configurations of the at least one parameter of the single - carrier symbol, and the control signaling indicates one of the different configurations.

[0220] Example 5: The method according to Example 4, wherein the at least one parameter includes a plurality of parameters, and the control signaling includes a plurality of bits, and the plurality of bits indicate a selection of a specific configuration of the plurality of parameters.

[0221] Example 6: The method according to Example 5, wherein the plurality of parameters includes the number K of data symbols in the single - carrier symbol, and the plurality of bits indicate a specific value of K.

[0222] Example 7: The method according to any one of Examples 1 to 6, wherein the at least one parameter includes the frequency position of the single - carrier symbol, and the frequency position is signaled as a selection of one of a predefined number of single - carrier frequency positions pre - known to the device.

[0223] Example 8: The method according to any one of Examples 1 to 7, wherein the time domain is divided into a plurality of time windows, the single - carrier symbol is a specific single - carrier symbol scheduled in a specific time window of the plurality of time windows, and the control signaling configures the at least one parameter to be the same for all single - carrier symbols scheduled in the specific time window.

[0224] Example 9: The method according to Example 8, wherein the scheduling authorization schedules the specific single-carrier symbol by defining an offset from a reference point associated with the specific time window.

[0225] Example 10: The method according to Example 8 or Example 9, wherein the configuration of the at least one parameter of all the single-carrier symbols scheduled in the specific time window is different from the configuration of the at least one parameter of all the single-carrier symbols scheduled in another time window of the plurality of time windows.

[0226] Example 11: The method according to any one of Examples 1 to 10, wherein the control signaling and / or the scheduling authorization is received from a network device.

[0227] Example 12: The method according to any one of Examples 1 to 10, wherein the device is a first device, and the control signaling and / or the scheduling authorization is received from a second device.

[0228] Example 13: The method according to Example 12, wherein the first device is a first user equipment (UE), and the second device is a second UE different from the first UE.

[0229] Example 14: A device for performing the method according to any one of Examples 1 to 13.

[0230] Example 15: A device comprising a processor and a memory; the memory includes processor-executable instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to control the device to perform the method according to any one of Examples 1 to 13.

[0231] Example 16: A device comprising: a receiver for receiving: control signaling configuring at least one parameter of a single-carrier symbol, and a scheduling authorization for scheduling the single-carrier symbol for transmission; a transmitter for transmitting the single-carrier symbol according to the scheduling authorization and the at least one parameter, or the receiver for receiving the single-carrier symbol according to the scheduling authorization and the at least one parameter; wherein the at least one parameter includes at least one of the following: the number of data symbols K in the single-carrier symbol; the CP length t of the single-carrier symbol CP ; the occupied bandwidth of the single-carrier symbol; the symbol duration t of the data symbol of the single-carrier symbol s ; the roll-off factor α of the data symbol of the single-carrier symbol; the frequency position of the single-carrier symbol.

[0232] Example 17: A method includes: sending control signaling for configuring at least one parameter of a single-carrier symbol to a device; sending a scheduling grant for scheduling the single-carrier symbol for transmission to the device; sending or receiving the single-carrier symbol according to the scheduling grant and the at least one parameter; wherein the at least one parameter includes at least one of the following: the number of data symbols K in the single-carrier symbol; the CP length t of the single-carrier symbol CP ; the occupied bandwidth of the single-carrier symbol; the symbol duration t of the data symbol of the single-carrier symbol s ; the roll-off factor α of the data symbol of the single-carrier symbol; the frequency position of the single-carrier symbol.

[0233] Example 18: The method according to Example 17, wherein the control signaling is at least one of the following: downlink control information (DCI); radio resource control (RRC) signaling; medium access control (MAC) layer signaling.

[0234] Example 19: The method according to Example 18, wherein the at least one parameter includes a plurality of parameters, and the first one or more parameters of the plurality of parameters are configured in RRC signaling, and the second one or more parameters of the plurality of parameters are configured in DCI.

[0235] Example 20: The method according to Example 17, wherein the device pre-knows a predefined number of different configurations of the at least one parameter of the single-carrier symbol, and the control signaling indicates one of the different configurations.

[0236] Example 21: The method according to Example 20, wherein the at least one parameter includes a plurality of parameters, and the control signaling includes a plurality of bits, and the plurality of bits indicate a selection of a specific configuration of the plurality of parameters.

[0237] Example 22: The method according to Example 21, wherein the plurality of parameters includes the number of data symbols K in the single-carrier symbol, and the plurality of bits indicate a specific value of K.

[0238] Example 23: The method according to any one of Examples 17 to 22, wherein the at least one parameter includes the frequency position of the single-carrier symbol, and the frequency position is signaled as a selection of one of a predefined number of single-carrier frequency positions pre-known to the device.

[0239] Example 24: The method according to any one of Examples 17 to 23, wherein the time domain is divided into a plurality of time windows, the single-carrier symbol is a specific single-carrier symbol scheduled in a specific time window of the plurality of time windows, and the control signaling configures the at least one parameter to be the same for all single-carrier symbols scheduled in the specific time window.

[0240] Example 25: The method according to Example 24, wherein the scheduling grant schedules the specific single-carrier symbol by defining an offset from a reference point associated with the specific time window.

[0241] Example 26: The method according to Example 24 or Example 25, wherein the configuration of the at least one parameter for all single-carrier symbols scheduled in the specific time window is different from the configuration of the at least one parameter for all single-carrier symbols scheduled in another time window of the plurality of time windows.

[0242] Example 27: The method according to any one of Examples 17 to 26, wherein the method is performed by a network device.

[0243] Example 28: The method according to any one of Examples 17 to 26, wherein the device is a first device, and the method is performed by a second device.

[0244] Example 29: The method according to Example 28, wherein the first device is a first user equipment (UE), and the second device is a second UE different from the first UE.

[0245] Example 30: A network device for performing the method according to any one of Examples 17 to 29.

[0246] Example 31: A network device comprising a processor and a memory; the memory comprises processor-executable instructions which, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to control the network device to perform the method according to any one of Examples 17 to 29.

[0247] Example 32: A device comprising: a transmitter for sending to a device: control signaling for configuring at least one parameter of a single-carrier symbol, and a scheduling grant for scheduling the single-carrier symbol for transmission; a receiver for receiving the single-carrier symbol according to the scheduling grant and the at least one parameter, or the transmitter for sending the single-carrier symbol according to the scheduling grant and the at least one parameter; wherein the at least one parameter comprises at least one of the following: the number of data symbols K in the single-carrier symbol; the CP length t of the single-carrier symbol CP; The occupied bandwidth of the single - carrier symbol; The symbol duration t of the data symbol of the single - carrier symbol s ; The roll - off factor α of the data symbol of the single - carrier symbol; The frequency position of the single - carrier symbol.

[0248] Example 33: The device according to Example 32, wherein the device is a network device or a user equipment.

[0249] Example 34: A method performed by a device, the method comprising: receiving control signaling that configures at least one parameter of a multi - carrier symbol; receiving a scheduling grant that schedules the multi - carrier symbol for transmission; sending or receiving the multi - carrier symbol according to the scheduling grant and the at least one parameter; wherein the at least one parameter includes the IDFT size N and / or the CP length t of the multi - carrier symbol CP 。

[0250] Example 35: The method according to Example 34, wherein the control signaling is at least one of the following: downlink control information (DCI); radio resource control (RRC) signaling; medium access control (MAC) layer signaling.

[0251] Example 36: The method according to Example 35, wherein the at least one parameter includes a plurality of parameters, and the first one or more of the plurality of parameters are configured in the RRC signaling, and the second one or more of the plurality of parameters are configured in the DCI.

[0252] Example 37: The method according to any one of Examples 34 to 36, wherein the device pre - knows a predefined number of different configurations of the at least one parameter of the multi - carrier symbol, and the control signaling indicates one of the different configurations.

[0253] Example 38: The method according to Example 37, wherein the control signaling includes a plurality of bits, and the plurality of bits indicate a selection of a specific one of the different configurations.

[0254] Example 39: The method according to Example 38, wherein the at least one parameter includes the IDFT size N, and the plurality of bits indicate a specific value of N.

[0255] Example 40: The method according to any one of Examples 34 to 39, wherein the time domain is divided into a plurality of time windows, the multi-carrier symbol is a specific multi-carrier symbol scheduled in a specific time window of the plurality of time windows, and the control signaling configures the at least one parameter to be the same for all multi-carrier symbols scheduled in the specific time window.

[0256] Example 41: The method according to Example 40, wherein the scheduling grant schedules the specific multi-carrier symbol by defining an offset from a reference point associated with the specific time window.

[0257] Example 42: The method according to Example 40 or Example 41, wherein the configuration of the at least one parameter for all multi-carrier symbols scheduled in the specific time window is different from the configuration of the at least one parameter for all multi-carrier symbols scheduled in another time window of the plurality of time windows.

[0258] Example 43: The method according to any one of Examples 34 to 42, wherein the control signaling and / or the scheduling grant is received from a network device.

[0259] Example 44: The method according to any one of Examples 34 to 42, wherein the device is a first device, and the control signaling and / or the scheduling grant is received from a second device.

[0260] Example 45: The method according to Example 44, wherein the first device is a first user equipment (UE), and the second device is a second UE different from the first UE.

[0261] Example 46: A device for performing the method according to any one of Examples 34 to 45.

[0262] Example 47: A device comprising a processor and a memory; the memory includes processor-executable instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to control the device to perform the method according to any one of Examples 34 to 45.

[0263] Example 48: A device comprising: a receiver for receiving: control signaling for configuring at least one parameter of a multi-carrier symbol, and a scheduling grant for scheduling the multi-carrier symbol for transmission; a transmitter for transmitting the multi-carrier symbol according to the scheduling grant and the at least one parameter, or the receiver for receiving the multi-carrier symbol according to the scheduling grant and the at least one parameter; wherein the at least one parameter includes the IDFT size N and / or the CP length t of the multi-carrier symbol CP 。

[0264] Example 49: A method includes: sending control signaling for configuring at least one parameter of a multi-carrier symbol to a device; sending a scheduling grant for scheduling the multi-carrier symbol for transmission to the device; sending or receiving the multi-carrier symbol according to the scheduling grant and the at least one parameter; wherein the at least one parameter includes an IDFT size N and / or a CP length t of the multi-carrier symbol CP 。

[0265] Example 50: The method according to Example 49, wherein the control signaling is at least one of the following: downlink control information (DCI); radio resource control (RRC) signaling; medium access control (MAC) layer signaling.

[0266] Example 51: The method according to Example 50, wherein the at least one parameter includes a plurality of parameters, and the first one or more parameters of the plurality of parameters are configured in RRC signaling, and the second one or more parameters of the plurality of parameters are configured in DCI.

[0267] Example 52: The method according to any one of Examples 49 to 51, wherein the device pre-knows a predefined number of different configurations of the at least one parameter of the multi-carrier symbol, and the control signaling indicates one of the different configurations.

[0268] Example 53: The method according to Example 52, wherein the control signaling includes a plurality of bits, and the plurality of bits indicate a selection of a specific one of the different configurations.

[0269] Example 54: The method according to Example 53, wherein the at least one parameter includes the IDFT size N, and the plurality of bits indicate a specific value of N.

[0270] Example 55: The method according to any one of Examples 49 to 54, wherein the time domain is divided into a plurality of time windows, the multi-carrier symbol is a specific multi-carrier symbol scheduled in a specific time window of the plurality of time windows, and the control signaling configures the at least one parameter to be the same for all multi-carrier symbols scheduled in the specific time window.

[0271] Example 56: The method according to Example 55, wherein the scheduling grant schedules the specific multi-carrier symbol by defining an offset from a reference point associated with the specific time window.

[0272] Example 57: The method according to Example 55 or Example 56, wherein the configuration of the at least one parameter of all multi-carrier symbols scheduled in the specific time window is different from the configuration of the at least one parameter of all multi-carrier symbols scheduled in another time window of the plurality of time windows.

[0273] Example 58: The method according to any one of Examples 49 to 57, wherein the method is performed by a network device.

[0274] Example 59: The method according to any one of Examples 49 to 57, wherein the device is a first device and the method is performed by a second device.

[0275] Example 60: The method according to Example 59, wherein the first device is a first user equipment (UE) and the second device is a second UE different from the first UE.

[0276] Example 61: A network device for performing the method according to any one of Examples 49 to 60.

[0277] Example 62: A network device comprising a processor and a memory; the memory includes processor-executable instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to control the network device to perform the method according to any one of Examples 49 to 60.

[0278] Example 63: A device comprising: a transmitter for sending to a device: control signaling for configuring at least one parameter of a multi-carrier symbol, and a scheduling grant for scheduling the multi-carrier symbol for transmission; a receiver for receiving the multi-carrier symbol according to the scheduling grant and the at least one parameter, or the transmitter for sending the multi-carrier symbol according to the scheduling grant and the at least one parameter; wherein the at least one parameter includes the IDFT size N and / or the CP length t of the multi-carrier symbol CP 。

[0279] Example 64: The device according to Example 63, wherein the device is a network device or a user equipment.

[0280] Example 65: A method performed by a device, the method comprising: receiving control signaling for configuring at least one parameter of a single-carrier symbol; sending or receiving the single-carrier symbol according to the at least one parameter; wherein the at least one parameter includes at least one of the following: the number of data symbols K in the single-carrier symbol; the CP length t of the single-carrier symbol CP; The occupied bandwidth of the single - carrier symbol; The symbol duration t of the data symbol of the single - carrier symbol s ; The roll - off factor α of the data symbol of the single - carrier symbol; The frequency position of the single - carrier symbol.

[0281] Example 66: The method according to Example 65, further comprising: receiving a scheduling grant for scheduling the single - carrier symbol for transmission; sending or receiving the single - carrier symbol according to the at least one parameter includes: sending or receiving the single - carrier symbol according to the scheduling grant and the at least one parameter.

[0282] Example 67: The method according to Example 65, wherein sending or receiving the single - carrier symbol according to the at least one parameter includes: sending the single - carrier symbol according to the at least one parameter.

[0283] Example 68: The method according to Example 67, wherein the single - carrier symbol is sent using license - free uplink transmission.

[0284] Example 69: The method according to any one of Examples 65 to 68, wherein the control signaling is at least one of the following: downlink control information (DCI); radio resource control (RRC) signaling; medium access control (MAC) layer signaling.

[0285] Example 70: The method according to Example 69, wherein the at least one parameter includes a plurality of parameters, and the first one or more of the plurality of parameters are configured in RRC signaling, and the second one or more of the plurality of parameters are configured in DCI.

[0286] Example 71: The method according to any one of Examples 65 to 70, wherein the device pre - knows a predefined number of different configurations of the at least one parameter of the single - carrier symbol, and the control signaling indicates one of the different configurations.

[0287] Example 72: The method according to Example 71, wherein the at least one parameter includes a plurality of parameters, and the control signaling includes a plurality of bits, and the plurality of bits indicate a selection of a specific configuration of the plurality of parameters.

[0288] Example 73: The method according to Example 72, wherein the plurality of parameters includes the number K of data symbols in the single - carrier symbol, and the plurality of bits indicate a specific value of K.

[0289] Example 74: The method according to any one of Examples 65 to 73, wherein the at least one parameter includes the frequency position of the single-carrier symbol, and the frequency position is signaled as a selection from a predefined number of single-carrier frequency positions that are pre-known to the device.

[0290] Example 75: The method according to Example 66, wherein the time domain is divided into a plurality of time windows, the single-carrier symbol is a specific single-carrier symbol scheduled in a specific time window of the plurality of time windows, and the control signaling configures the at least one parameter to be the same for all single-carrier symbols scheduled in the specific time window.

[0291] Example 76: The method according to Example 75, wherein the scheduling grant schedules the specific single-carrier symbol by defining an offset from a reference point associated with the specific time window.

[0292] Example 77: The method according to Example 75 or Example 76, wherein the configuration of the at least one parameter for all single-carrier symbols scheduled in the specific time window is different from the configuration of the at least one parameter for all single-carrier symbols scheduled in another time window of the plurality of time windows.

[0293] Example 78: The method according to any one of Examples 65 to 77, wherein the control signaling is received from a network device.

[0294] Example 79: The method according to any one of Examples 65 to 77, wherein the device is a first device, and the control signaling is received from a second device.

[0295] Example 80: The method according to Example 79, wherein the first device is a first user equipment (UE), and the second device is a second UE different from the first UE.

[0296] Example 81: An apparatus for performing the method according to any one of Examples 65 to 80.

[0297] Example 82: A method, comprising: sending control signaling for configuring at least one parameter of a single-carrier symbol to a device; sending or receiving the single-carrier symbol according to the at least one parameter; wherein the at least one parameter includes at least one of the following: the number of data symbols K in the single-carrier symbol; the CP length t of the single-carrier symbol CP ; the occupied bandwidth of the single-carrier symbol; the symbol duration t of the data symbol of the single-carrier symbol s; the roll-off factor α of the data symbol of the single-carrier symbol; the frequency position of the single-carrier symbol.

[0298] Example 83: A device for performing the method according to Example 82, wherein the device is a network device or a user equipment.

[0299] Example 84: A method performed by a device, the method comprising: receiving control signaling configuring at least one parameter of a multi-carrier symbol; transmitting or receiving the multi-carrier symbol according to the at least one parameter; wherein the at least one parameter includes the IDFT size N and / or the CP length t of the multi-carrier symbol VP 。

[0300] Example 85: The method according to Example 84, further comprising: receiving a scheduling grant for scheduling the multi-carrier symbol for transmission; transmitting or receiving the multi-carrier symbol according to the at least one parameter includes: transmitting or receiving the multi-carrier symbol according to the scheduling grant and the at least one parameter.

[0301] Example 86: The method according to Example 84, wherein transmitting or receiving the multi-carrier symbol according to the at least one parameter includes: transmitting the multi-carrier symbol according to the at least one parameter.

[0302] Example 87: The method according to Example 86, wherein the multi-carrier symbol is transmitted using grant-free uplink transmission.

[0303] Example 88: The method according to any one of Examples 84 to 87, wherein the control signaling is at least one of the following: downlink control information (DCI); radio resource control (RRC) signaling; medium access control (MAC) layer signaling.

[0304] Example 89: The method according to Example 88, wherein the at least one parameter includes a plurality of parameters, and the first one or more of the plurality of parameters are configured in RRC signaling, and the second one or more of the plurality of parameters are configured in DCI.

[0305] Example 90: The method according to any one of Examples 84 to 89, wherein the device pre-knows a predefined number of different configurations of the at least one parameter of the multi-carrier symbol, and the control signaling indicates one of the different configurations.

[0306] Example 91: The method according to Example 90, wherein the control signaling includes a plurality of bits, and the plurality of bits indicate a selection of a specific one of the different configurations.

[0307] Example 92: The method according to Example 91, wherein the at least one parameter includes the IDFT size N, and the plurality of bits indicate a specific value of N.

[0308] Example 93: The method according to Example 85, wherein the time domain is divided into a plurality of time windows, the multi-carrier symbol is a specific multi-carrier symbol scheduled in a specific one of the plurality of time windows, and the control signaling configures the at least one parameter to be the same for all multi-carrier symbols scheduled in the specific time window.

[0309] Example 94: The method according to Example 93, wherein the scheduling grant schedules the specific multi-carrier symbol by defining an offset from a reference point associated with the specific time window.

[0310] Example 95: The method according to Example 93 or Example 94, wherein the configuration of the at least one parameter for all multi-carrier symbols scheduled in the specific time window is different from the configuration of the at least one parameter for all multi-carrier symbols scheduled in another time window of the plurality of time windows.

[0311] Example 96: The method according to any one of Examples 84 to 95, wherein the control signaling is received from a network device.

[0312] Example 97: The method according to any one of Examples 84 to 95, wherein the device is a first device, and the control signaling is received from a second device.

[0313] Example 98: The method according to Example 97, wherein the first device is a first user equipment (UE), and the second device is a second UE different from the first UE.

[0314] Example 99: A device for performing the method according to any one of Examples 84 to 98.

[0315] Example 100: A method, comprising: sending control signaling for configuring at least one parameter of a multi-carrier symbol to a device; sending or receiving the multi-carrier symbol according to the at least one parameter; wherein the at least one parameter includes the IDFT size N and / or the CP length t of the multi-carrier symbol CP 。

[0316] Example 101: A device for performing the method according to Example 100, wherein the device is a network device or a user equipment.

[0317] Although the present invention has been described with reference to specific features and embodiments of the present invention, various modifications and combinations can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. The specification and drawings are therefore to be regarded only as illustrative of some embodiments of the present invention as defined by the appended claims, and are contemplated to cover any and all modifications, variations, combinations or equivalents within the scope of the present invention. Although the present invention and its advantages have been described in detail, various changes, substitutions and alterations can be made without departing from the present invention as defined by the appended claims. In addition, the scope of the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments of the processes, machines, manufactures, compositions of matter, modules, methods and steps described in the specification. Those of ordinary skill in the art will readily appreciate from the disclosure of the present invention that processes, machines, manufactures, compositions of matter, modules, methods or steps (including those currently existing or later developed) that can be used in accordance with the present invention to perform or achieve substantially the same functions or results as the corresponding embodiments described herein can be used. Accordingly, the appended claims include such processes, machines, manufactures, compositions of matter, modules, methods or steps.

[0318] In addition, any module, component or device that executes instructions illustrated herein can include or otherwise access one or more non-transitory computer / processor-readable storage media to store information such as computer / processor-readable instructions, data structures, program modules, and / or other data. A non-exhaustive list of examples of non-transitory computer / processor-readable storage media includes magnetic tape cartridges, tapes, magnetic disk memories or other magnetic storage devices, compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), digital video disc or digital versatile disc (DVD), Blu-ray TMOptical discs such as, or other optical storage, volatile and non-volatile, removable and non-removable media implemented in any method or technology, random-access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), flash memory or other storage technologies. Any of these non-transitory computer / processor storage media may be part of a device or may be accessed or connected by a device. Any application or module described herein may be implemented using computer / processor-readable / executable instructions that may be stored or otherwise maintained by these non-transitory computer / processor-readable storage media.

Claims

1. A method performed by a device, wherein, the method comprises: receiving control signaling for configuring at least one parameter of a symbol block, the symbol block comprising K data symbols, where K is a natural number greater than or equal to 1; receiving a scheduling grant for scheduling the symbol block for transmission; transmitting or receiving the symbol block according to the scheduling grant and the at least one parameter; wherein, the symbol block adopts a single - carrier waveform, and the at least one parameter includes the frequency position of the symbol block, and the frequency position is a selection from a predefined number of frequency positions that are pre - known to the device.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein, The at least one parameter also includes at least one of the following: the number of data symbols K in the symbol block; the CP length t of the symbol block CP ; The occupied bandwidth of the symbol block; The symbol duration t of the data symbol of the symbol block s ; The roll-off coefficient α of the data symbol of the symbol block.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein, the control signaling is at least one of the following: downlink control information (DCI); radio resource control (RRC) signaling; medium access control (MAC) layer signaling.

4. The method according to claim 3, wherein, the at least one parameter includes a plurality of parameters, and the first one or more parameters among the plurality of parameters are configured in RRC signaling, and the second one or more parameters among the plurality of parameters are configured in DCI.

5. The method according to claim 2, wherein, the device pre - knows a predefined number of different configurations of the at least one parameter of the symbol block, and the control signaling indicates one of the different configurations.

6. The method according to claim 5, wherein, the at least one parameter includes a plurality of parameters, and the control signaling includes a plurality of bits, and the plurality of bits indicate a selection of a specific configuration of the plurality of parameters.

7. The method according to claim 6, wherein, the plurality of parameters includes the number K of data symbols in the symbol block, and the plurality of bits indicate a specific value of K.

8. The method according to claim 1, wherein, the time domain is divided into a plurality of time windows, the symbol block is a specific symbol block scheduled in a specific time window among the plurality of time windows, and the control signaling configures the at least one parameter to be the same for all symbol blocks scheduled in the specific time window.

9. The method according to claim 8, wherein, the scheduling grant schedules the specific symbol block by defining an offset from a reference point associated with the specific time window.

10. The method according to claim 8, wherein, the configuration of the at least one parameter of all symbol blocks scheduled in the specific time window is different from the configuration of the at least one parameter of all symbol blocks scheduled in another time window among the plurality of time windows.

11. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein, the control signaling and / or the scheduling grant are received from a network device.

12. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein, the device is a first device, and the control signaling and / or the scheduling grant are received from a second device.

13. The method according to claim 12, wherein, the first device is a first user equipment (UE), and the second device is a second UE different from the first UE.

14. A device, wherein, comprising a processor and a memory; the memory includes processor-executable instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to control the device to execute the method according to any one of claims 1 to 13.

15. A device, wherein, the device includes: a receiver, configured to receive: control signaling configuring at least one parameter of a symbol block, and a scheduling grant scheduling the symbol block for transmission; a transmitter, configured to transmit the symbol block according to the scheduling grant and the at least one parameter, or the receiver is configured to receive the symbol block according to the scheduling grant and the at least one parameter; wherein, the at least one parameter includes a frequency position of the symbol block, and the frequency position is a selection from a predefined number of frequency positions pre-known to the device.

16. A communication method, wherein, the method includes: sending control signaling configuring at least one parameter of a symbol block to a device, the symbol block including K data symbols, where K is a natural number greater than or equal to 1; sending a scheduling grant scheduling the symbol block for transmission to the device; transmitting or receiving the symbol block according to the scheduling grant and the at least one parameter; wherein, the data symbol is a single-carrier symbol, and the at least one parameter includes a frequency position of the symbol block, and the frequency position is a selection from a predefined number of frequency positions pre-known to the device.

17. The method according to claim 16, wherein, The at least one parameter includes at least one of the following: the number of data symbols K in the symbol block; the CP length t of the symbol block CP ; the occupied bandwidth of the symbol block; the symbol duration t of the data symbols of the symbol block s ; the roll-off factor α of the data symbols of the symbol block.

18. The method according to claim 17, wherein, the control signaling is at least one of the following: downlink control information (DCI); radio resource control (RRC) signaling; medium access control (MAC) layer signaling.

19. The method according to claim 18, wherein, the at least one parameter includes a plurality of parameters, and the first one or more parameters of the plurality of parameters are configured in RRC signaling, and the second one or more parameters of the plurality of parameters are configured in DCI.

20. The method according to claim 17, wherein, the device pre-knows a predefined number of different configurations of the at least one parameter of the symbol block, and the control signaling indicates one of the different configurations.

21. The method according to claim 20, wherein, The at least one parameter includes a plurality of parameters, and the control signaling includes a plurality of bits that indicate a selection of a specific configuration of the plurality of parameters.

22. The method according to claim 21, wherein, the plurality of parameters includes the number of data symbols K in the symbol block, and the plurality of bits indicate a specific value of K.

23. The method according to claim 16, wherein, the time domain is divided into a plurality of time windows, the symbol block is a specific symbol block scheduled in a specific time window of the plurality of time windows, and the control signaling configures the at least one parameter to be the same for all symbol blocks scheduled in the specific time window.

24. The method according to claim 23, wherein, the scheduling grant schedules the specific symbol block by defining an offset from a reference point associated with the specific time window.

25. The method according to claim 23, wherein, the configuration of the at least one parameter for all symbol blocks scheduled in the specific time window is different from the configuration of the at least one parameter for all symbol blocks scheduled in another time window of the plurality of time windows.

26. The method according to any one of claims 16 to 25, wherein, the method is performed by a network device.

27. The method according to any one of claims 16 to 25, wherein, the device is a first device, and the method is performed by a second device.

28. The method according to claim 27, wherein, the first device is a first user equipment (UE), and the second device is a second UE different from the first UE.

29. A network device, wherein, comprising a processor and a memory; the memory includes processor-executable instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to control the network device to perform the method according to any one of claims 16 to 28.

30. A device, wherein, the device includes: a transmitter for sending to a device: control signaling for configuring at least one parameter of a symbol block, and a scheduling grant for scheduling the symbol block for transmission; a receiver for receiving the symbol block according to the scheduling grant and the at least one parameter, or the transmitter for sending the symbol block according to the scheduling grant and the at least one parameter; wherein, the at least one parameter includes a frequency position of the symbol block, and the frequency position is a selection of one of a predefined number of frequency positions that are pre-known to the device.

31. The device according to claim 30, wherein, the device is a network device or a user equipment.

32. A method performed by a device, wherein, the method includes: receiving control signaling for configuring at least one parameter of a symbol block, the symbol block including M data symbols, where M is a natural number greater than 1; receiving a scheduling grant for scheduling the symbol block for transmission; Transmit or receive the symbol block according to the scheduling authorization and the at least one parameter; Wherein, the symbol block adopts a multi-carrier waveform, and the at least one parameter includes the frequency position of the symbol block, and the frequency position is a selection from a predefined number of frequency positions that are pre-known to the device.

33. The method according to claim 32, Characterized in that, The at least one parameter further includes the IDFT size N and / or the CP length t of the symbol block CP .

34. The method according to claim 32, Characterized in that, The control signaling is at least one of the following: downlink control information (DCI); radio resource control (RRC) signaling; medium access control (MAC) layer signaling.

35. The method according to claim 34, Characterized in that, The at least one parameter includes a plurality of parameters, and the first one or more parameters among the plurality of parameters are configured in RRC signaling, and the second one or more parameters among the plurality of parameters are configured in DCI.

36. The method according to claim 33, Characterized in that, The device pre-knows a predefined number of different configurations of the at least one parameter of the symbol block, and the control signaling indicates one of the different configurations.

37. The method according to claim 36, Characterized in that, The control signaling includes a plurality of bits, and the plurality of bits indicate a selection of a specific one of the different configurations.

38. The method according to claim 37, Characterized in that, The at least one parameter includes the IDFT size N, and the plurality of bits indicate a specific value of N.

39. The method according to claim 32, Characterized in that, The time domain is divided into a plurality of time windows, the symbol block is a specific symbol block scheduled in a specific time window among the plurality of time windows, and the control signaling configures the at least one parameter to be the same for all symbol blocks scheduled in the specific time window.

40. The method according to claim 39, Characterized in that, The scheduling authorization schedules the specific symbol block by defining an offset from a reference point associated with the specific time window.

41. The method according to claim 39, Characterized in that, The configuration of the at least one parameter of all symbol blocks scheduled in the specific time window is different from the configuration of the at least one parameter of all symbol blocks scheduled in another time window among the plurality of time windows.

42. The method according to any one of claims 32 to 41, Characterized in that, The control signaling and / or the scheduling authorization are received from a network device.

43. The method according to any one of claims 32 to 41, Characterized in that, The device is a first device, and the control signaling and / or the scheduling authorization are received from a second device.

44. The method according to claim 43, Characterized in that, The first device is a first user equipment (UE), and the second device is a second UE different from the first UE.

45. A device, characterized in that, comprising a processor and a memory; the memory includes processor-executable instructions, and when the processor-executable instructions are executed by the processor, the processor is caused to control the device to execute the method according to any one of claims 32 to 44.

46. A device, characterized in that, the device includes: a receiver, configured to receive: control signaling for configuring at least one parameter of a symbol block, and a scheduling grant for scheduling the symbol block for transmission, the symbol block including M data symbols, where M is a natural number greater than 1; a transmitter, configured to transmit the symbol block according to the scheduling grant and the at least one parameter, or the receiver is configured to receive the symbol block according to the scheduling grant and the at least one parameter; wherein, the symbol block adopts a multi-carrier waveform, and the at least one parameter includes a frequency position of the symbol block, and the frequency position is a selection from a predefined number of frequency positions that are pre-known to the device.

47. A communication method, characterized in that, the method includes: sending control signaling for configuring at least one parameter of a symbol block to a device, the symbol block including M data symbols, where M is a natural number greater than 1; sending a scheduling grant for scheduling the symbol block for transmission to the device; transmitting or receiving the symbol block according to the scheduling grant and the at least one parameter; wherein, the symbol block adopts a multi-carrier waveform, and the at least one parameter includes a frequency position of the symbol block, and the frequency position is a selection from a predefined number of frequency positions that are pre-known to the device.

48. The method according to claim 47, characterized in that, The at least one parameter further includes the IDFT size N and / or the CP length t of the symbol block CP .

49. The method according to claim 47, characterized in that, the control signaling is at least one of the following: downlink control information (DCI); radio resource control (RRC) signaling; medium access control (MAC) layer signaling.

50. The method according to claim 49, characterized in that, the at least one parameter includes a plurality of parameters, and the first one or more parameters of the plurality of parameters are configured in RRC signaling, and the second one or more parameters of the plurality of parameters are configured in DCI.

51. The method according to claim 48, characterized in that, the device pre-knows a predefined number of different configurations of the at least one parameter of the symbol block, and the control signaling indicates one of the different configurations.

52. The method according to claim 51, characterized in that, the control signaling includes a plurality of bits, and the plurality of bits indicate a selection of a specific one of the different configurations.

53. The method according to claim 52, wherein, the at least one parameter includes the IDFT size N, and the plurality of bits indicate a specific value of N.

54. The method according to claim 47, wherein, the time domain is divided into a plurality of time windows, the symbol block is a specific symbol block scheduled in a specific time window of the plurality of time windows, and the control signaling configures the at least one parameter to be the same for all symbol blocks scheduled in the specific time window.

55. The method according to claim 54, wherein, the scheduling grant schedules the specific symbol block by defining an offset from a reference point associated with the specific time window.

56. The method according to claim 54, wherein, the configuration of the at least one parameter for all symbol blocks scheduled in the specific time window is different from the configuration of the at least one parameter for all symbol blocks scheduled in another time window of the plurality of time windows.

57. The method according to any one of claims 47 to 56, wherein, the method is performed by a network device.

58. The method according to any one of claims 47 to 56, wherein, the device is a first device, and the method is performed by a second device.

59. The method according to claim 58, wherein, the first device is a first user equipment (UE), and the second device is a second UE different from the first UE.

60. A network device, wherein, comprising a processor and a memory; the memory includes processor-executable instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to control the network device to perform the method according to any one of claims 47 to 59.

61. A device, wherein, the device includes: a transmitter for sending to a device: control signaling for configuring at least one parameter of a symbol block, and a scheduling grant for scheduling the symbol block for transmission, the symbol block including M data symbols, M being a natural number greater than 1; a receiver for receiving the symbol block according to the scheduling grant and the at least one parameter, or the transmitter for sending the symbol block according to the scheduling grant and the at least one parameter; wherein, the symbol block adopts a multi-carrier waveform, and the at least one parameter includes a frequency position of the symbol block, and the frequency position is a selection from a predefined number of frequency positions that are pre-known to the device.

62. The device according to claim 61, wherein, the device is a network device or a user equipment.

63. A method performed by a device, wherein, the method includes: receiving control signaling for configuring at least one parameter of a symbol block, the symbol block including K data symbols, K being a natural number greater than or equal to 1; sending or receiving the symbol block according to the at least one parameter; Wherein, the symbol block adopts a single - carrier waveform, and the at least one parameter includes the frequency position of the symbol block, and the frequency position is a selection from a predefined number of frequency positions that are pre - known to the device.

64. The method according to claim 63, wherein, The at least one parameter further includes at least one of the following: the number of data symbols K in the symbol block; the CP length t of the symbol block CP ; the occupied bandwidth of the symbol block; the symbol duration t of the data symbols of the symbol block s ; the roll-off factor α of the data symbols of the symbol block.

65. The method according to claim 63, wherein, The method further includes: receiving a scheduling grant for scheduling the symbol block for transmission; sending or receiving the symbol block according to the at least one parameter includes: sending or receiving the symbol block according to the scheduling grant and the at least one parameter.

66. The method according to claim 63, wherein, Sending or receiving the symbol block according to the at least one parameter includes: sending the symbol block according to the at least one parameter.

67. The method according to claim 66, wherein, The symbol block is sent using license - free uplink transmission.

68. The method according to claim 63, wherein, The control signaling is at least one of the following: downlink control information (DCI); radio resource control (RRC) signaling; medium access control (MAC) layer signaling.

69. The method according to claim 68, wherein, The at least one parameter includes a plurality of parameters, and the first one or more parameters among the plurality of parameters are configured in RRC signaling, and the second one or more parameters among the plurality of parameters are configured in DCI.

70. The method according to claim 64, wherein, The device pre - knows a predefined number of different configurations of the at least one parameter of the symbol block, and the control signaling indicates one of the different configurations.

71. The method according to claim 70, wherein, The at least one parameter includes a plurality of parameters, and the control signaling includes a plurality of bits, and the plurality of bits indicate a selection of a specific configuration of the plurality of parameters.

72. The method according to claim 71, wherein, The plurality of parameters includes the number of data symbols K in the symbol block, and the plurality of bits indicate a specific value of K.

73. The method according to claim 65, wherein, The time domain is divided into a plurality of time windows, the symbol block is a specific symbol block scheduled in a specific time window among the plurality of time windows, and the control signaling configures the at least one parameter to be the same for all symbol blocks scheduled in the specific time window.

74. The method according to claim 73, wherein, The scheduling grant schedules the specific symbol block by defining an offset from a reference point associated with the specific time window.

75. The method according to claim 73, wherein, The configuration of the at least one parameter for all symbol blocks scheduled in the specific time window is different from the configuration of the at least one parameter for all symbol blocks scheduled in another time window of the plurality of time windows.

76. The method according to any one of claims 63 to 75, wherein, the control signaling is received from a network device.

77. The method according to any one of claims 63 to 75, wherein, the device is a first device, and the control signaling is received from a second device.

78. The method according to claim 77, wherein, the first device is a first user equipment (UE), and the second device is a second UE different from the first UE.

79. A communication method, wherein, the method includes: sending control signaling for configuring at least one parameter of a symbol block to a device, the symbol block including K data symbols, and K is a natural number greater than or equal to 1; sending or receiving the symbol block according to the at least one parameter; wherein, the symbol block adopts a single-carrier waveform, and the at least one parameter includes the frequency position of the symbol block, and the frequency position is a selection from a predefined number of frequency positions known in advance to the device.

80. A method performed by a device, wherein, the method includes: receiving control signaling for configuring at least one parameter of a symbol block, the symbol block including M data symbols, and M is a natural number greater than 1; sending or receiving the symbol block according to the at least one parameter; wherein, the symbol block adopts a multi-carrier waveform, and the at least one parameter includes the frequency position of the symbol block, and the frequency position is a selection from a predefined number of frequency positions known in advance to the device.

81. The method according to claim 80, wherein, The at least one parameter further includes the IDFT size N and / or the CP length t of the symbol block CP .

82. The method according to claim 80, wherein, the method further includes: receiving a scheduling grant for scheduling the symbol block for transmission; sending or receiving the symbol block according to the at least one parameter includes: sending or receiving the symbol block according to the scheduling grant and the at least one parameter.

83. The method according to claim 80, wherein, sending or receiving the symbol block according to the at least one parameter includes: sending the symbol block according to the at least one parameter.

84. The method according to claim 83, wherein, the symbol block is sent using grant-free uplink transmission.

85. The method according to claim 80, wherein, the control signaling is at least one of the following: downlink control information (DCI); radio resource control (RRC) signaling; medium access control (MAC) layer signaling.

86. The method according to claim 85, wherein, The at least one parameter includes a plurality of parameters, and the first one or more parameters among the plurality of parameters are configured in RRC signaling, and the second one or more parameters among the plurality of parameters are configured in DCI.

87. The method according to claim 81, wherein, the device pre - knows a predefined number of different configurations of the at least one parameter of the symbol block, and the control signaling indicates one of the different configurations.

88. The method according to claim 87, wherein, the control signaling includes a plurality of bits, and the plurality of bits indicate a selection of a specific one of the different configurations.

89. The method according to claim 88, wherein, the at least one parameter includes the IDFT size N, and the plurality of bits indicate a specific value of N.

90. The method according to claim 82, wherein, the time domain is divided into a plurality of time windows, the symbol block is a specific symbol block scheduled in a specific time window among the plurality of time windows, and the control signaling configures the at least one parameter to be the same for all symbol blocks scheduled in the specific time window.

91. The method according to claim 90, wherein, the scheduling grant schedules the specific symbol block by defining an offset from a reference point associated with the specific time window.

92. The method according to claim 90, wherein, the configuration of the at least one parameter of all symbol blocks scheduled in the specific time window is different from the configuration of the at least one parameter of all symbol blocks scheduled in another time window among the plurality of time windows.

93. The method according to any one of claims 80 to 92, wherein, the control signaling is received from a network device.

94. The method according to any one of claims 80 to 92, wherein, the device is a first device, and the control signaling is received from a second device.

95. The method according to claim 94, wherein, the first device is a first user equipment (UE), and the second device is a second UE different from the first UE.

96. A communication method, wherein, the method includes: sending control signaling for configuring at least one parameter of a symbol block to a device, the symbol block including M data symbols, and M is a natural number greater than 1; sending or receiving the symbol block according to the at least one parameter; wherein, the symbol block adopts a multi - carrier waveform, the at least one parameter includes the frequency position of the symbol block, and the frequency position is a selection of one of a predefined number of frequency positions pre - known to the device.

97. A computer - readable storage medium, wherein, The computer-readable storage medium stores instructions or programs, which, when running on a communication device, implement the method according to any one of claims 1-13, or implement the method according to any one of claims 16-28, or implement the method according to any one of claims 32-44, or implement the method according to any one of claims 47-59, or implement the method according to any one of claims 63-78, or implement the method according to any one of claims 80-95.

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