Antenna group selection and indication in frequency band

Abstract

Methods, systems, and devices for wireless communications are described, wherein a first wireless device (e.g., a user equipment (UE)) can select a different set of antenna element groups to be preferred for millimeter wave communications at the first wireless device. The first wireless device can provide an indication of the different set of antenna element groups to a second wireless device (e.g., a base station). The second wireless device can initiate beam training based on the different set of antenna element groups to establish one or more beams for communication using one or more of the different antenna element groups indicated by the first wireless device.

Description

[0001] Cross-references

[0002] This patent application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 966,488, filed by Raghavan et al. on January 27, 2020, entitled “ANTENNA GROUP SELECTION AND INDICATION IN UPPER MILLIMETER WAVE BANDS”; and U.S. Patent Application No. 17 / 156,763, filed by Raghavan et al. on January 22, 2021, entitled “ANTENNA GROUP SELECTION AND INDICATION IN FREQUENCY BANDS”, each of which has been assigned to the assignee of this application. Technical Field

[0003] Generally speaking, the following relates to wireless communications, and more specifically, the following relates to managing antenna group selection in wireless communications. Background Art

[0004] Wireless communication systems are widely deployed to provide various types of communication content such as voice, video, packet data, messaging, broadcasting, etc. These systems may be able to support communication with multiple users by sharing available system resources (e.g., time, frequency, and power). Examples of such multiple access systems include fourth generation (4G) systems such as long term evolution (LTE) systems, advanced LTE (LTE-A) systems, or LTE-A Pro systems, and fifth generation (5G) systems that may be referred to as new radio (NR) systems. These systems may employ techniques such as code division multiple access (CDMA), time division multiple access (TDMA), frequency division multiple access (FDMA), orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA), or discrete Fourier transform spread spectrum orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (DFT-S-OFDM). A wireless multiple access communication system may include one or more base stations or one or more network access nodes, each base station or network access node supporting communication for multiple communication devices (which may also be referred to as user equipment (UE)) simultaneously. Summary of the invention

[0005] A method for wireless communications is described. The method may include sending, from a first wireless device, an indication of a different set of antenna element groups and one or more attributes of each group in the different set of antenna element groups to a second wireless device communicating with the first wireless device using a first antenna element group, the one or more attributes including one or more beam characteristics associated with each group, wherein each group includes one or more antenna elements from one or more arrays or subarrays in a set of multiple antenna element arrays or subarrays. The method may also include, in response to the indication of the different set of antenna element groups, receiving an antenna group switching indication from the second wireless device indicating that communications of the first wireless device are to use a second antenna element group from the different set of antenna element groups.

[0006] An apparatus for wireless communication is described. The apparatus may include a processor, a memory coupled to the processor, the processor and the memory being configured to: send an indication of a different set of antenna element groups and one or more attributes of each group in the different set of antenna element groups from a first wireless device to a second wireless device communicating with the first wireless device using a first antenna element group, the one or more attributes including one or more beam characteristics associated with each group, wherein each group includes one or more antenna elements from one or more arrays or subarrays in a set of multiple antenna element arrays or subarrays. The processor and the memory may also be configured to: in response to the indication of the different set of antenna element groups, receive an antenna group switching indication from the second wireless device indicating that the communication of the first wireless device will use a second antenna element group from the different set of antenna element groups.

[0007] Another apparatus for wireless communication is described. The apparatus may include means for sending, from a first wireless device using a first antenna element group, an indication of a different set of antenna element groups and one or more attributes of each group in the different set of antenna element groups to a second wireless device communicating with the first wireless device, the one or more attributes including one or more beam characteristics associated with each group, wherein each group includes one or more antenna elements from one or more arrays or subarrays in a set of multiple antenna element arrays or subarrays. The apparatus may also include means for receiving, in response to the indication of the different set of antenna element groups, an antenna group switching indication from the second wireless device indicating that communications from the first wireless device will use a second antenna element group from the different set of antenna element groups.

[0008] A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing code for wireless communication is described. The code may include instructions executable by a processor to perform the following operations: send an indication of a different set of antenna element groups and one or more attributes of each group in the different set of antenna element groups from a first wireless device to a second wireless device communicating with the first wireless device using a first antenna element group, the one or more attributes including one or more beam characteristics associated with each group, wherein each group includes one or more antenna elements from one or more arrays or subarrays in a set of multiple antenna element arrays or subarrays. The code may also include instructions executable by the processor to perform the following operations: in response to the indication of the different set of antenna element groups, receive an antenna group switching indication from the second wireless device indicating that the communication of the first wireless device is to use a second antenna element group from the different set of antenna element groups.

[0009] In some examples of the methods, apparatus, or non-transitory computer-readable media described herein, the first wireless device may communicate with the second wireless device via a millimeter frequency band.

[0010] In some examples of the methods, apparatus, or non-transitory computer-readable media described herein, the one or more attributes of each group in the different sets of antenna element groups also include one or more of the following: a set of antenna indices of the antenna elements in each group, an antenna array size and geometry of each group, or any combination thereof.

[0011] In some examples of the methods, apparatus, or non-transitory computer-readable media described herein, the indication of each group and the one or more attributes associated with each group may be provided as the set of antenna indexes that may be enabled when the group may be selected.

[0012] In some examples of the methods, apparatus, or non-transitory computer-readable media described herein, the one or more beam characteristics of each group in the different sets of antenna element groups include one or more of the following: the narrowest possible beamwidth in the azimuth and / or elevation dimensions from each group, the peak array gain possible in the azimuth and / or elevation dimensions from each group, sidelobes observed in azimuth and / or elevation and associated with the peak array gain from each group, or any combination thereof.

[0013] In some examples of the methods, apparatus, or non-transitory computer-readable media described herein, the indication of the different sets of antenna element groups and the one or more attributes of the different antenna element groups may be sent to the second wireless device in a control channel transmission, in a medium access control unit (MAC-CE), in a radio resource control (RRC) communication, in downlink control information (DCI), or any combination thereof.

[0014] Some examples of the methods, apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein may also include operations, features, units, or instructions for: receiving, from the second wireless device, beam training commands associated with each group from the different sets of antenna element groups; measuring one or more training signals from the second wireless device using each group in the different sets of antenna element groups; and sending an indication of one or more preferred training signals to the second wireless device in response to the measurements.

[0015] In some examples of the methods, apparatus, or non-transitory computer-readable media described herein, the one or more training signals each correspond to a certain group from the different sets of antenna element groups.

[0016] In some examples of the methods, apparatus, or non-transitory computer-readable media described herein, the different sets of antenna element groups can be determined in part based on power consumption associated with the carrier frequency of the millimeter wave frequency band, performance indicators associated with the carrier frequency of the millimeter wave frequency band, or any combination thereof.

[0017] In some examples of the methods, apparatus, or non-transitory computer-readable media described herein, the first wireless device may be a UE in a wireless communication system, and the second wireless device may be a base station in the wireless communication system.

[0018] In some examples of the methods, apparatus, or non-transitory computer-readable media described herein, each of the first wireless device and the second wireless device can be one of a base station, a customer premises equipment (CPE), a relay device, a router, a repeater, or an integrated access and backhaul (IAB) node.

[0019] A method for wireless communication is described. The method may include receiving, at a second wireless device, an indication of a set of different antenna element groups for communicating via a millimeter wave frequency band from a first wireless device that uses a first antenna element group to communicate with the second wireless device via the millimeter wave frequency band, and one or more attributes associated with each of the different sets of antenna element groups, the one or more attributes of each of the different sets of antenna element groups including one or more beam characteristics associated with each group, wherein each group includes one or more antenna elements from one or more arrays or subarrays in a set of multiple antenna element arrays or subarrays. The method may also include sending an antenna group switching indication to the first wireless device indicating that the communication of the first wireless device will use the second antenna element group.

[0020] An apparatus for wireless communication is described. The apparatus may include a processor, a memory coupled to the processor, the processor and the memory being configured to: receive, at a second wireless device, an indication of a set of different antenna element groups for communicating via a millimeter wave frequency band from a first wireless device using a first antenna element group to communicate with the second wireless device via the millimeter wave frequency band, and one or more attributes associated with each of the different sets of antenna element groups, the one or more attributes of each of the different sets of antenna element groups including one or more beam characteristics associated with each group, wherein each group includes one or more antenna elements from one or more arrays or subarrays in a set of multiple antenna element arrays or subarrays. The processor and the memory may also be configured to: send an antenna group switching indication to the first wireless device indicating that the communication of the first wireless device will use the second antenna element group.

[0021] Another apparatus for wireless communication is described. The apparatus may include: a unit for receiving, at a second wireless device, an indication of a set of different antenna element groups for communicating via a millimeter wave frequency band from a first wireless device that uses a first antenna element group to communicate with the second wireless device via the millimeter wave frequency band, and one or more attributes associated with each group in the different sets of antenna element groups, the one or more attributes of each group in the different sets of antenna element groups including one or more beam characteristics associated with each group, wherein each group includes one or more antenna elements from one or more arrays or subarrays in a set of multiple antenna element arrays or subarrays. The apparatus may also include: a unit for sending an antenna group switching indication to the unit of the first wireless device indicating that the communication of the first wireless device will use the second antenna element group.

[0022] A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing code for wireless communication is described. The code may include instructions executable by a processor to perform the following operations: receiving, at a second wireless device, from a first wireless device that communicates with the second wireless device via a millimeter wave frequency band using a first antenna element group, an indication of a set of different antenna element groups for communicating via the millimeter wave frequency band and one or more attributes associated with each group in the different sets of antenna element groups, the one or more attributes of each group in the different sets of antenna element groups including one or more beam characteristics associated with each group, wherein each group includes one or more antenna elements from one or more arrays or subarrays in a set of multiple antenna element arrays or subarrays. The code may also include instructions executable by the processor to perform the following operations: sending an antenna group switching indication to the first wireless device indicating that the first wireless device's communications will use the second antenna element group.

[0023] In some examples of the methods, apparatus, or non-transitory computer-readable media described herein, the one or more attributes of each group in the different sets of antenna element groups also include one or more of the following: a set of antenna indices of the antenna elements in each group, an antenna array size and geometry of each group, or any combination thereof.

[0024] In some examples of the methods, apparatus, or non-transitory computer-readable media described herein, the indication of each group and the one or more attributes associated with each group may be provided as the set of antenna indexes that may be enabled when the group may be selected.

[0025] In some examples of the methods, apparatus, or non-transitory computer-readable media described herein, the one or more beam characteristics of each group in the different sets of antenna element groups include one or more of the following: the narrowest possible beamwidth in the azimuth and / or elevation dimensions from each group, the peak array gain possible in the azimuth and / or elevation dimensions from each group, sidelobes observed in azimuth and / or elevation and associated with the peak array gain from each group, or any combination thereof.

[0026] In some examples of the methods, apparatus, or non-transitory computer-readable media described herein, the indication of the different sets of antenna element groups and the one or more attributes of the different antenna element groups may be received from the first wireless device in a control channel transmission, in a MAC-CE, in an RRC communication, in a DCI, or any combination thereof.

[0027] Some examples of the methods, apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein may also include operations, features, units, or instructions for: sending a beam training command associated with each group from the different sets of antenna element groups to the first wireless device; sending one or more training signals to the first wireless device associated with each group in the different sets of antenna element groups; and receiving a measurement report indicating one or more preferred training signals for the first wireless device from the first wireless device in response to the sending of the one or more training signals.

[0028] In some examples of the methods, apparatus, or non-transitory computer-readable media described herein, the one or more training signals each correspond to a certain group from the different sets of antenna element groups.

[0029] In some examples of the methods, apparatus, or non-transitory computer-readable media described herein, the first wireless device may be a UE in a wireless communication system, and the second wireless device may be a base station in the wireless communication system.

[0030] In some examples of the methods, apparatus, or non-transitory computer-readable media described herein, each of the first wireless device and the second wireless device may be one of a base station, a CPE, a relay device, a router, a repeater, or an IAB node.

[0031] A wireless communication method is described. The method may include: identifying, at a first wireless device that communicates with a second wireless device via a millimeter wave frequency band using a first antenna element group, a different set of antenna element groups for communicating via the millimeter wave frequency band, wherein each group includes one or more antenna elements from one or more arrays or subarrays in a set of antenna element arrays or subarrays; sending an indication of the different set of antenna element groups and one or more attributes associated with each group in the different set of antenna element groups to the second wireless device; and in response to the indication of the different set of antenna element groups, receiving an antenna group switching indication from the second wireless device indicating that communications of the first wireless device are to use a second antenna element group from the different set of antenna element groups.

[0032] An apparatus for wireless communication is described. The apparatus may include: a processor; a memory coupled to the processor, the processor and the memory being configured to: identify, at a first wireless device that communicates with a second wireless device via a millimeter wave frequency band using a first antenna element group, a different set of antenna element groups for communicating via the millimeter wave frequency band, wherein each group includes one or more antenna elements from one or more arrays or subarrays in a set of antenna element arrays or subarrays; send an indication of the different set of antenna element groups and one or more attributes associated with each group in the different set of antenna element groups to the second wireless device; and in response to the indication of the different set of antenna element groups, receive an antenna group switching indication from the second wireless device indicating that the communication of the first wireless device will use a second antenna element group from the different set of antenna element groups.

[0033] Another apparatus for wireless communication is described. The apparatus may include means for: identifying, at a first wireless device communicating with a second wireless device via a millimeter wave frequency band using a first antenna element group, a different set of antenna element groups for communicating via the millimeter wave frequency band, wherein each group includes one or more antenna elements from one or more arrays or subarrays in a set of antenna element arrays or subarrays; sending an indication of the different set of antenna element groups and one or more attributes associated with each group in the different set of antenna element groups to the second wireless device; and in response to the indication of the different set of antenna element groups, receiving an antenna group switching indication from the second wireless device indicating that communications of the first wireless device are to use a second antenna element group from the different set of antenna element groups.

[0034] A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing code for wireless communication is described. The code may include instructions executable by a processor to perform the following operations: identifying, at a first wireless device that communicates with a second wireless device via a millimeter wave frequency band using a first antenna element group, a different set of antenna element groups for communicating via the millimeter wave frequency band, wherein each group includes one or more antenna elements from one or more arrays or subarrays in a set of antenna element arrays or subarrays; sending an indication of the different set of antenna element groups and one or more attributes associated with each group in the different set of antenna element groups to the second wireless device; and in response to the indication of the different set of antenna element groups, receiving from the second wireless device a beam and antenna group switching indication indicating that the communication of the first wireless device will use a second antenna element group from the different set of antenna element groups.

[0035] In some examples of the methods, apparatus, or non-transitory computer-readable media described herein, the one or more attributes of each group in the different sets of antenna element groups include one or more of the following: a set of antenna indices for the antenna elements in each group, an antenna array size and geometry for each group, one or more beam characteristics associated with each group, or any combination thereof.

[0036] In some examples of the methods, apparatus, or non-transitory computer-readable media described herein, the one or more beam characteristics of each group in the different sets of antenna element groups include one or more of the following: the narrowest possible beamwidth in the azimuth and / or elevation dimensions from each group, the peak array gain possible in the azimuth and / or elevation dimensions from each group, sidelobes observed in azimuth and / or elevation and associated with the peak array gain from each group, or any combination thereof.

[0037] In some examples of methods, apparatuses, or non-transitory computer-readable media described herein, the indication of each group and the one or more attributes associated with each group are provided as the set of antenna indexes enabled when the group is selected. In some examples of methods, apparatuses, or non-transitory computer-readable media described herein, the indication of the different sets of antenna element groups and the one or more attributes of the different antenna element groups are sent to the second wireless device in a control channel transmission, in a MAC-CE, in an RRC communication, or any combination thereof.

[0038] Some examples of the methods, apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein may also include operations, features, units, or instructions for: receiving, from the second wireless device, beam training commands associated with each group from the different sets of antenna element groups; measuring one or more training signals from the second wireless device using each group in the different sets of antenna element groups; and sending an indication of one or more preferred training signals to the second wireless device in response to the measurements.

[0039] In some examples of the methods, apparatuses, or non-transitory computer-readable media described herein, the one or more training signals each correspond to a group from the different sets of antenna element groups. In some examples of the methods, apparatuses, and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein, the millimeter wave frequency band includes a frequency that may be greater than 52.6 GHz. In some examples of the methods, apparatuses, or non-transitory computer-readable media described herein, the different sets of antenna element groups are determined based in part on power consumption associated with a carrier frequency of the millimeter wave frequency band, a performance indicator associated with the carrier frequency of the millimeter wave frequency band, or any combination thereof. In some examples of the methods, apparatuses, or non-transitory computer-readable media described herein, the first wireless device may be a UE in a wireless communication system, and the second wireless device may be a base station in the wireless communication system. In some examples of the methods, apparatuses, or non-transitory computer-readable media described herein, each of the first wireless device and the second wireless device may be one of a base station, a CPE, a relay device, a router, a repeater, or an IAB node.

[0040] A wireless communication method is described. The method may include: receiving, at a second wireless device, an indication of a set of different antenna element groups for communicating via a millimeter wave frequency band from a first wireless device that uses a first antenna element group to communicate with the second wireless device via the millimeter wave frequency band, and one or more attributes associated with each group in the set of different antenna element groups, wherein each group includes one or more antenna elements from one or more arrays or subarrays in a set of antenna element arrays or subarrays; determining that communication with the first wireless device is to be switched from the first antenna element group to a second antenna element group from the set of different antenna element groups; and in response to the determination, sending an antenna group switching indication to the first wireless device indicating that communication with the first wireless device is to use the second antenna element group.

[0041] An apparatus for wireless communication is described. The apparatus may include a processor, a memory coupled to the processor, and the processor and the memory are configured to: receive, at a second wireless device, an indication of a set of different antenna element groups for communicating via a millimeter wave frequency band from a first wireless device using a first antenna element group to communicate with the second wireless device via the millimeter wave frequency band, and one or more attributes associated with each group in the set of different antenna element groups, wherein each group includes one or more antenna elements from one or more arrays or subarrays in a set of antenna element arrays or subarrays; determine that communication with the first wireless device is to be switched from the first antenna element group to a second antenna element group from the set of different antenna element groups; and in response to the determination, send an antenna group switching indication to the first wireless device indicating that communication with the first wireless device is to use the second antenna element group.

[0042] Another apparatus for wireless communication is described. The apparatus may include means for: receiving, at a second wireless device, an indication of a set of different antenna element groups for communicating via a millimeter wave frequency band from a first wireless device that uses a first antenna element group to communicate with the second wireless device via the millimeter wave frequency band, and one or more attributes associated with each of the different sets of antenna element groups, wherein each group includes one or more antenna elements from one or more arrays or subarrays in a set of antenna element arrays or subarrays; determining to switch communications with the first wireless device from the first antenna element group to a second antenna element group from the different sets of antenna element groups; and in response to the determination, sending an antenna group switching indication to the first wireless device indicating that communications of the first wireless device will use the second antenna element group.

[0043] A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing code for wireless communication is described. The code may include instructions executable by a processor to: receive, at a second wireless device, from a first wireless device communicating with the second wireless device via a millimeter wave frequency band using a first antenna element group, an indication of a set of different antenna element groups for communicating via the millimeter wave frequency band and one or more attributes associated with each group in the set of different antenna element groups, wherein each group includes one or more antenna elements from one or more arrays or subarrays in a set of antenna element arrays or subarrays; determine to switch communications with the first wireless device from the first antenna element group to a second antenna element group from the set of different antenna element groups; and in response to the determination, send an antenna group switching indication to the first wireless device indicating that communications of the first wireless device will use the second antenna element group.

[0044] In some examples of the methods, apparatus, or non-transitory computer-readable media described herein, the one or more attributes of each group in the different sets of antenna element groups include one or more of the following: a set of antenna indices for the antenna elements in each group, an antenna array size and geometry for each group, one or more beam characteristics associated with each group, or any combination thereof.

[0045] In some examples of the methods, apparatus, or non-transitory computer-readable media described herein, the one or more beam characteristics of each group in the different sets of antenna element groups include one or more of the following: the narrowest possible beamwidth in the azimuth and / or elevation dimensions from each group, the peak array gain possible in the azimuth and / or elevation dimensions from each group, sidelobes observed in azimuth and / or elevation and associated with the peak array gain from each group, or any combination thereof.

[0046] In some examples of the methods, apparatus, or non-transitory computer-readable media described herein, the indication of each group and the one or more attributes associated with each group may be provided as the set of antenna indexes that are enabled when the group can be selected. In some examples of the methods, apparatus, or non-transitory computer-readable media described herein, the indication of the different sets of antenna element groups and the one or more attributes of the different antenna element groups are received from the first wireless device in a control channel transmission, in a MAC-CE, in an RRC communication, or any combination thereof.

[0047] Some examples of the methods, apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein may also include operations, features, units, or instructions for: sending a beam training command associated with each group from the different sets of antenna element groups to the first wireless device; sending one or more training signals to the first wireless device associated with each group in the different sets of antenna element groups; and receiving a measurement report indicating one or more preferred training signals for the first wireless device from the first wireless device in response to the sending of the one or more training signals.

[0048] In some examples of the methods, apparatuses, or non-transitory computer-readable media described herein, the one or more training signals each correspond to a group from the different sets of antenna element groups. In some examples of the methods, apparatuses, and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein, the millimeter wave band includes frequencies that may be greater than 52.6 GHz. In some examples of the methods, apparatuses, or non-transitory computer-readable media described herein, the first wireless device may be a UE in a wireless communication system, and the second wireless device may be a base station in the wireless communication system. In some examples of the methods, apparatuses, or non-transitory computer-readable media described herein, each of the first wireless device and the second wireless device may be one of a base station, a CPE, a relay device, a router, a repeater, or an IAB node. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0049] Figure 1 An example of a system for wireless communication supporting antenna group selection and indication in a frequency band in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure is shown.

[0050] Figure 2 An example of a wireless communication device with multiple antenna arrays supporting antenna group selection and indication in a frequency band in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure is shown.

[0051] Figure 3 An example of a portion of a wireless communication system supporting antenna group selection and indication in a frequency band in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure is shown.

[0052] Figure 4 An example of antenna groups of an antenna array supporting antenna group selection and indication in a frequency band in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure is shown.

[0053] Figure 5 An example of a process flow supporting antenna group selection and indication in a frequency band in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure is shown.

[0054] Figure 6 and Figure 7 A block diagram of a device supporting antenna group selection and indication in a frequency band is shown in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure.

[0055] Figure 8 A block diagram of a communication manager supporting antenna group selection and indication in a frequency band is shown according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure.

[0056] Fig. 9 A diagram of a system including a device supporting antenna group selection and indication in a frequency band is shown in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure.

[0057] Fig.10 and Fig.11 A block diagram of a device supporting antenna group selection and indication in a frequency band is shown in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure.

[0058] Fig.12 A block diagram of a communication manager supporting antenna group selection and indication in a frequency band is shown according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure.

[0059] Fig.13 A diagram of a system including a device supporting antenna group selection and indication in a frequency band is shown in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure.

[0060] Figures 14 to 17 A flow chart of a method supporting antenna group selection and indication in a frequency band according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0061] In some deployments, wireless communication systems may operate in the millimeter wave (mmW) frequency range (e.g., 24 GHz, 26 GHz, 28 GHz, 39 GHz, 52.6–71 GHz, etc.). Wireless communications at these frequencies may be associated with increased signal attenuation (e.g., path loss, penetration loss, blocking loss), which may be affected by various factors, such as diffraction, propagation environment, blocking density, material properties, etc. Therefore, signal processing techniques (e.g., beamforming) may be used to coherently combine energy and overcome path losses at these frequencies. Due to the increased amount of path, penetration, and blocking losses in mmW communication systems, transmissions between wireless devices (e.g., from base stations and / or UEs) may be beamformed. In addition, a receiving device may use beamforming techniques to configure an antenna and / or antenna array and / or antenna array module to receive transmissions in a directional manner.

[0062] In some deployments, communications at millimeter wave frequencies may use so-called frequency range 2 (FR2), corresponding to deployments in 24–52.6 GHz (e.g., 24 GHz, 26 GHz, 28 GHz, 39 GHz, etc.). As wireless communication needs increase, some deployments may require additional mmW frequencies, such as frequency range 4 (FR4) (also informally referred to as the upper mmW bands), which may be associated with 52.6 GHz and higher. In many FR2 deployments, wireless devices use antenna modules that include multiple antenna elements, such as an array of four antenna elements per module arranged in a 4x1 array, as well as other example configurations. Higher mmW frequency bands have shorter wavelengths, so more antenna elements can be placed in the same physical aperture of FR4 compared to FR2. For example, a FR4 device may have multiple antenna modules, each containing four 4x4 subarrays. In some cases, it may be easier for a wireless device (e.g., UE) to use or manage some possible combinations of antenna elements across subarrays within an antenna module or between antenna modules than other antenna elements.

[0063] Various aspects of the present disclosure provide such a technique: a first wireless device (e.g., a UE) selects a set of different antenna element groups that are preferred for use at the first wireless device, and provides an indication of the set of different antenna element groups to a second wireless device (e.g., a base station). In some examples, the indication may also include one or more antenna group attributes, such as one or more beam characteristics associated with each group (e.g., the narrowest possible beam width in azimuth and / or elevation dimensions from each group, the peak array gain in azimuth and / or elevation dimensions from each group, the side lobes observed in azimuth and / or elevation and associated with the peak array gain from each group, or any combination thereof), one or more of a set of antenna indices for antenna elements in each group, one or more of an antenna array size and geometry for each group, or any combination thereof. For example, the narrowest beam width may have the smallest azimuth width and elevation width in the angular dimensions in which communication is still valid (e.g., compared to the beam widths of other groups). Since beam width is closely related to directivity and gain, changes in beam width provide proportional changes in these two parameters. In addition, the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), such as the ratio of signal strength to unwanted interference (noise), will also change accordingly. If the beam width is narrowed, the gain and directivity will increase. This also increases the SNR. For this reason, narrow beam width is an effective tool for certain forms of communication. For example, array gain can involve the power gain of a transmitted signal or a received signal that can be achieved by using multiple antennas or antenna elements at a transmitter or receiver. In some cases, the array gain can be the ratio of the array SNR to the SNR of a single antenna. The possible peak array gain in azimuth and / or elevation from each group can be determined by determining the array gain for each antenna in one or more directions in the azimuth and / or elevation directions. The peak array gain can be determined based on the antenna with the maximum array gain in each group in one or more directions in the azimuth and / or elevation directions. For example, the side lobes observed in azimuth and / or elevation and associated with the peak array gain from each group may be the influence of the antennas in each group radiated by each antenna element. Adjacent radiation may result in diffraction, which may appear in the radiation pattern of the antenna array in one or more azimuth and / or elevation directions and may affect the peak array gain. In some cases, the second wireless device may initiate beam training based on a set of different antenna element groups to establish one or more beams for communication using one or more antenna element groups in the set of different antenna element groups indicated by the first wireless device.

[0064] Such techniques can be used to indicate preferred groups of antenna elements. For example, thermal management may indicate that only a certain number of antenna elements need to be used at a particular subarray of an antenna module because the temperature at that particular subarray is relatively high. In this case, the wireless device may select different groups of antenna elements based on such thermal management. Additionally or alternatively, different antenna subarrays of an antenna module may each have a separate radio frequency integrated circuit (RFIC), and it may be desirable to enable less than all of the RFICs to save power and avoid overheating, and therefore it may be desirable to avoid using antenna elements associated with one or more RFICs, which may affect the selection of different sets of antenna element groups. Similarly, maximum permissible exposure (MPE) limits may cause some antenna elements of one or more subarrays to be unavailable for a period of time, which may also affect the selection of different sets of antenna element groups.

[0065] Thus, techniques such as those discussed herein provide enhanced antenna module management at a wireless device, which may allow different combinations of antenna elements to be used based on operating conditions at the wireless device. Such techniques may improve the efficiency of a wireless device by providing communications using a preferred set of antenna elements, which may result in reduced power consumption, increased bandwidth, or both when certain antenna modules or subarrays need to be powered down or not used based on current conditions.

[0066] Various aspects of the present disclosure are first described in the context of a wireless communication system. Examples of antenna modules and antenna element groups are then discussed for certain aspects. Various aspects of the present disclosure are further illustrated and described with reference to apparatus diagrams, system diagrams, and flow charts related to antenna group selection and indication in millimeter wave bands.

[0067] Figure 1 An example of a wireless communication system 100 supporting antenna group selection and indication in a frequency band according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure is shown. The wireless communication system 100 may include one or more base stations 105, one or more UEs 115, and a core network 130. In some examples, the wireless communication system 100 may be an LTE network, an LTE-A network, an LTE-APro network, or an NR network. In some examples, the wireless communication system 100 may support enhanced broadband communications, ultra-reliable (e.g., mission-critical) communications, low-latency communications, communications with low-cost and low-complexity devices, or any combination thereof.

[0068] The base stations 105 may be dispersed throughout a geographic area to form the wireless communication system 100, and may be devices of different forms or with different capabilities. The base stations 105 and the UEs 115 may communicate wirelessly via one or more communication links 125. Each base station 105 may provide a coverage area 110 over which the UEs 115 and the base stations 105 may establish one or more communication links 125. The coverage area 110 may be an example of a geographic area over which the base stations 105 and the UEs 115 may support communication of signals according to one or more radio access technologies.

[0069] The UEs 115 may be dispersed throughout the coverage area of ​​the wireless communication system 100, and each UE 115 may be stationary, mobile, or both at different times. The UEs 115 may be devices of different forms or with different capabilities. Figure 1 Some example UEs 115 are shown in FIG. 1. The UEs 115 described herein may be able to communicate with various types of devices, such as other UEs 115, base stations 105, or network devices (e.g., core network nodes, relay devices, repeater devices, CPE, IAB nodes, router devices, or other network devices), such as Figure 1 shown.

[0070] The base stations 105 may communicate with the core network 130, with each other, or both. For example, the base station 105 may be connected to the core network 130 via one or more backhaul links 120 (e.g., via S1, N2, N3 or other interfaces). The base stations 105 may communicate with each other via the backhaul link 120 (e.g., via X2, Xn or other interfaces) directly (e.g., directly between the base stations 105) or indirectly (e.g., via the core network 130) or in both ways. In some examples, the backhaul link 120 may be or include one or more wireless links. In some examples, one or more base stations 105 may provide a backhaul connection between another base station 105 and the core network 130 via a backhaul link 160 while acting as an IAB node. The UE 115 may communicate with the core network 130 via a communication link 155.

[0071] One or more of the base stations 105 described herein may include or may be referred to by those skilled in the art as a base station transceiver, a wireless base station, an access point, a radio transceiver, a Node B, an eNodeB (eNB), a next generation Node B or a Gigabit Node B (any of which may be referred to as a gNB), a Home Node B, a Home eNodeB, or other suitable terminology.

[0072] UE 115 may include or may be referred to as a mobile device, a wireless device, a remote device, a handheld device, or a subscriber device, or some other suitable terminology, where a "device" may also be referred to as a unit, a station, a terminal, or a client, etc. UE 115 may also include or may be referred to as a personal electronic device, such as a cellular phone, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a tablet computer, a laptop computer, or a personal computer. In some examples, UE 115 may include or be referred to as a wireless local loop (WLL) station, an Internet of Things (IoT) device, an Internet of Everything (IoE) device or a MTC) device or a machine type communication (MTC) device, etc., which may be implemented in various objects such as appliances, vehicles, meters, etc.

[0073] The UE 115 described herein may be able to communicate with various types of devices, such as other UEs 115, which may sometimes act as relays, routers, or CPEs, as well as base stations 105 and network devices, including, for example, Figure 1 The macro eNB or gNB, small cell eNB or gNB, IAB node or relay base station, etc. are shown.

[0074] UE 115 and base station 105 can communicate with each other wirelessly via one or more communication links 125 on one or more carriers. The term "carrier" can refer to a collection of radio spectrum resources with a defined physical layer structure for supporting communication link 125. For example, a carrier for communication link 125 may include a portion of a radio frequency spectrum band (e.g., bandwidth portion (BWP)) that operates according to one or more physical layer channels for a given radio access technology (e.g., LTE, LTE-A, LTE-A Pro, NR). Each physical layer channel can carry acquisition signaling (e.g., synchronization signals, system information), control signaling for coordinating operations for the carrier, user data, or other signaling. The wireless communication system 100 can use carrier aggregation or multi-carrier operation to support communication with UE 115. UE 115 can be configured with multiple downlink component carriers and one or more uplink component carriers according to the carrier aggregation configuration. Carrier aggregation can be used for both frequency division duplex (FDD) and time division duplex (TDD) component carriers.

[0075] The communication link 125 shown in the wireless communication system 100 may include an uplink transmission from the UE 115 to the base station 105, or a downlink transmission from the base station 105 to the UE 115. A carrier may carry downlink or uplink communications (e.g., in FDD mode), or may be configured to carry both downlink and uplink communications (e.g., in TDD mode).

[0076] A carrier may be associated with a particular bandwidth of a radio spectrum, and in some examples, the carrier bandwidth may be referred to as a "system bandwidth" of the carrier or wireless communication system 100. For example, the carrier bandwidth may be one of a plurality of determined bandwidths of a carrier of a particular radio access technology (e.g., 1.4, 3, 5, 10, 15, 20, 40, or 80 megahertz (MHz)). A device of the wireless communication system 100 (e.g., a base station 105, a UE 115, or both) may have a hardware configuration that supports communications on a particular carrier bandwidth, or may be configured to support communications on one of a set of carrier bandwidths. In some examples, the wireless communication system 100 may include a base station 105 or a UE 115 that supports simultaneous communications via carriers associated with a plurality of carrier bandwidths. In some examples, each served UE 115 may be configured to operate on a portion (e.g., a subband, a BWP) or all of the carrier bandwidth.

[0077] The electromagnetic spectrum is often subdivided into various categories, bands, channels, etc. based on frequency / wavelength. In 5G NR, two initial operating bands have been identified with the frequency range names FR1 (410MHz–7.125GHz) and FR2 (24.25GHz–52.6GHz). It should be understood that FR1 is often referred to (interchangeably) as the “sub-6GHz” band in various documents and articles, even though a portion of FR1 is greater than 6GHz. A similar naming issue sometimes arises with FR2, which is often (interchangeably) referred to as the “millimeter wave” band in documents and articles, even though it is different from the extremely high frequency (EHF) band (30GHz–300GHz) band identified as the “millimeter wave” band by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU).

[0078] Frequencies between FR1 and FR2 are often referred to as mid-band frequencies. Recent 5G NR research has identified the operating band for these mid-band frequencies as the frequency range designation FR3 (7.125 GHz-24.25 GHz). Frequency bands that fall within FR3 may inherit FR1 characteristics and / or FR2 characteristics, and thus may effectively extend the characteristics of FR1 and / or FR2 to mid-band frequencies. In addition, higher frequency bands are currently being explored to extend 5G NR operations above 52.6 GHz. For example, three higher operating bands have been identified as the frequency range designations FR4a or FR4-1 (52.6 GHz-71 GHz), FR4 (52.6 GHz-114.25 GHz), and FR5 (114.25 GHz-300 GHz). Each of these higher frequency bands falls within the EHF band.

[0079] In view of the above, unless otherwise explicitly stated, it should be understood that the term "sub-6 GHz" and the like, if used in this document, can be broadly referred to as less than 6 GHz, can be within FR1, or can include mid-band frequencies. In addition, unless otherwise explicitly stated, it should be understood that the term "millimeter wave" and the like, if used in this document, can be broadly referred to as including mid-band frequencies, can be within FR2, FR4, FR4-a or FR4-1, and / or FR5, or can be in the EHF band.

[0080] The signal waveform sent on the carrier may be composed of multiple subcarriers (e.g., using multicarrier modulation (MCM) techniques such as orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) or DFT-s-OFDM). In a system employing MCM techniques, a resource unit may be composed of a symbol period (e.g., the duration of a modulation symbol) and a subcarrier, where the symbol period and subcarrier spacing are inversely related. The number of bits carried by each resource unit may depend on the modulation scheme (e.g., the order of the modulation scheme, the coding rate of the modulation scheme, or both). Therefore, the more resource units received by UE 115 and the higher the order of the modulation scheme, the higher the data rate of UE 115 may be. Wireless communication resources may refer to a combination of radio spectrum resources, time resources, and spatial resources (e.g., spatial layers or beams), and the use of multiple spatial layers may also increase the data rate or data integrity used to communicate with UE 115.

[0081] The time interval of the base station 105 or the UE 115 may be expressed as a multiple of a basic time unit, which may be referred to as T s =1 / (Δf max ·N f ) seconds sampling period, where Δf max It can represent the maximum supported subcarrier spacing, and N f The maximum supported discrete Fourier transform (DFT) size may be indicated. The time intervals of the communication resources may be organized according to radio frames, each radio frame having a specified duration (e.g., 10 milliseconds (ms)). Each radio frame may be identified by a system frame number (SFN) (e.g., ranging from 0 to 1023).

[0082] Each frame may include multiple consecutively numbered subframes or time slots, and each subframe or time slot may have the same duration. In some examples, the frame may be divided into (e.g., in the time domain) subframes, and each subframe may be further divided into multiple time slots. Alternatively, each frame may include a variable number of time slots, and the number of time slots may depend on the subcarrier spacing. Each time slot may include multiple symbol periods (e.g., depending on the length of the cyclic prefix that precedes each symbol period). In some wireless communication systems 100, the time slots may be further divided into multiple mini-time slots containing one or more symbols. Excluding the cyclic prefix, each symbol period may contain one or more (e.g., N f ) sampling period. The duration of a symbol period may depend on the subcarrier spacing or the operating frequency band.

[0083] A subframe, slot, mini-slot, or symbol may be the smallest scheduling unit (e.g., in the time domain) of the wireless communication system 100 and may be referred to as a transmission time interval (TTI). In some examples, the TTI duration (e.g., the number of symbol periods in a TTI) may be variable. Additionally or alternatively, the smallest scheduling unit of the wireless communication system 100 may be dynamically selected (e.g., in a burst of a shortened TTI (sTTI)).

[0084] Physical channels may be multiplexed on a carrier according to various techniques. For example, physical control channels and physical data channels may be multiplexed on a downlink carrier using one or more of a time division multiplexing (TDM) technique, a frequency division multiplexing (FDM) technique, or a hybrid TDM-FDM technique. A control region (e.g., a control resource set (CORESET)) for a physical control channel may be defined by the number of symbol periods and may extend across a system bandwidth of a carrier or a subset of a system bandwidth of a carrier. One or more control regions (e.g., CORESETs) may be configured for a set of UEs 115. For example, one or more UEs 115 may monitor or search a control region for control information according to one or more search space sets, and each search space set may include one or more control channel candidates arranged in a cascaded manner in one or more aggregation levels. An aggregation level for a control channel candidate may refer to a plurality of control channel resources (e.g., control channel elements (CCEs)) associated with coded information for a control information format having a given payload size. The search space sets may include a common search space set configured to transmit control information to multiple UEs 115 and a UE-specific search space set for transmitting control information to a specific UE 115 .

[0085] In some examples, base stations 105 may be mobile and thus provide communication coverage for mobile geographic coverage areas 110. In some examples, different geographic coverage areas 110 associated with different technologies may overlap, but the different geographic coverage areas 110 may be supported by the same base station 105. In other examples, overlapping geographic coverage areas 110 associated with different technologies may be supported by different base stations 105. The wireless communication system 100 may include, for example, a heterogeneous network in which different types of base stations 105 provide coverage for various geographic coverage areas 110 using the same or different radio access technologies.

[0086] Some UEs 115 (such as MTC or IoT devices) may be low-cost or low-complexity devices and may provide automated communication between machines (e.g., via machine-to-machine (M2M) communication). M2M communication or MTC may refer to data communication technology that allows devices to communicate with each other or with a base station 105 without human intervention. In some examples, M2M communication or MTC may include communications from devices that integrate sensors or meters for measuring or capturing information and passing the information to a central server or application, which may utilize the information or present the information to a person interacting with the program or application. Some UEs 115 may be designed to collect information or implement automated behavior of machines or other devices. Examples of applications for MTC devices include smart metering, inventory monitoring, water level monitoring, equipment monitoring, medical monitoring, wildlife monitoring, weather and geological event monitoring, fleet management and tracking, remote security sensing, physical access control, and transaction-based business charging.

[0087] The wireless communication system 100 can be configured to support ultra-reliable communication or low-latency communication or various combinations thereof. For example, the wireless communication system 100 can be configured to support ultra-reliable low-latency communication (URLLC) or mission-critical communication. UE115 can be designed to support ultra-reliable, low-latency or critical functions (e.g., mission-critical functions). Ultra-reliable communication can include private communication or group communication, and can be supported by one or more mission-critical services (e.g., mission-critical push-to-talk (MCPTT), mission-critical video (MCVideo), or mission-critical data (MCData)). Support for mission-critical functions can include service priorities, and mission-critical services can be used for public safety or general commercial applications. The terms ultra-reliable, low-latency, mission-critical, and ultra-reliable low-latency can be used interchangeably in this article.

[0088] In some examples, UE 115 is also able to communicate directly with other UEs via a device-to-device (D2D) communication link 135 (e.g., using a peer-to-peer (P2P) or D2D protocol). One or more UEs 115 utilizing D2D communication may be within a geographic coverage area 110 of a base station 105. Other UEs 115 in such a group may be located outside the geographic coverage area 110 of the base station 105, or may not be able to receive transmissions from the base station 105. In some examples, a group of UEs 115 communicating via D2D communication may use a 1-to-many (1:M) system in which each UE 115 transmits to each other UE 115 in the group. In some examples, the base station 105 facilitates the scheduling of resources for D2D communication. In other cases, D2D communication is performed between the UEs 115 without the involvement of the base station 105.

[0089] In some systems, the D2D communication link 135 can be an example of a communication channel (e.g., a sidelink communication channel) between vehicles (e.g., UE 115). In some examples, vehicles can communicate using vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication, vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) communication, or some combination of these. Vehicles can send information related to traffic conditions, signal scheduling, weather, safety, emergency situations, or any other information related to the V2X system. In some examples, vehicles in a V2X system can communicate with roadside infrastructure (e.g., roadside units), or communicate with a network using vehicle-to-network (V2N) communication via one or more network nodes (e.g., base station 105), or communicate with both.

[0090] The core network 130 may provide user authentication, access authorization, tracking, Internet Protocol (IP) connection, and other access, routing, or mobility functions. The core network 130 may be an evolved packet core (EPC) or a 5G core (5GC), which may include at least one control plane entity (e.g., a mobility management entity (MME), an access and mobility management function (AMF)) for managing access and mobility, and at least one user plane entity (e.g., a serving gateway (S-GW), a packet data network (PDN) gateway (P-GW), or a user plane function (UPF)) for routing packets or interconnections to an external network. The control plane entity may manage non-access stratum (NAS) functions, such as mobility, authentication, and bearer management for UE 115 served by a base station 105 associated with the core network 130. User IP packets may be transmitted through a user plane entity, which may provide IP address allocation and other functions. The user plane entity may be connected to a network operator IP service 150. The operator IP service 150 may include access to the Internet, an intranet, an IP multimedia subsystem (IMS), or a packet-switched streaming service.

[0091] Some network devices (e.g., base station 105) may include subcomponents (e.g., access network entity 140), which may be examples of access node controllers (ANCs). Each access network entity 140 may communicate with UE 115 through one or more other access network transport entities 145, which may be referred to as radio heads, smart radio heads, or transmit / receive points (TRPs). Each access network transport entity 145 may include one or more antenna curtains. In some configurations, the various functions of each access network entity 140 or base station 105 may be distributed across various network devices (e.g., radio heads and ANCs) or merged into a single network device (e.g., base station 105).

[0092] The wireless communication system 100 may operate using one or more frequency bands, sometimes in the range of 300 MHz to 300 GHz. Typically, the region from 300 MHz to 3 GHz is referred to as the ultra-high frequency (UHF) region or decimeter band because the wavelengths range from about one decimeter to one meter in length. UHF waves may be blocked or redirected by buildings and environmental features, yet the waves may penetrate structures sufficiently for a macro cell to provide service to a UE 115 located indoors. Transmissions using UHF waves may be associated with smaller antennas and shorter distances (e.g., less than 100 kilometers) than transmissions using the lower frequencies and longer waves of the high frequency (HF) or very high frequency (VHF) portion of the spectrum below 300 MHz.

[0093] The wireless communication system 100 may also operate in a super high frequency (SHF) region using a frequency band from 3 GHz to 30 GHz (also referred to as a centimeter band), or in an extremely high frequency (EHF) region of the spectrum (e.g., from 30 GHz to 300 GHz), which is also referred to as a millimeter band. In some examples, the wireless communication system 100 may support mmW communications between UE 115 and base station 105, and the EHF antennas of each device may be smaller and more closely spaced than UHF antennas. In some examples, this may facilitate the use of antenna arrays within the device. However, the propagation of EHF transmissions may suffer from greater atmospheric attenuation and a shorter range than SHF or UHF transmissions. The technology disclosed herein may be applied across transmissions using one or more different frequency regions, and the designated use of frequency bands across these frequency regions may vary from country to country or administrative body.

[0094] The wireless communication system 100 can utilize both licensed and unlicensed radio frequency spectrum bands. For example, the wireless communication system 100 can employ license assisted access (LAA) or LTE unlicensed (LTE-U) radio access technology or NR technology in an unlicensed band such as the 5 GHz Industrial, Scientific and Medical (ISM) band. When operating in an unlicensed radio frequency band, wireless devices (such as base stations 105 and UEs 115) can employ a listen-before-talk (LBT) process to ensure that the frequency channel is idle before sending data. In some examples, operations in an unlicensed band can be combined with component carriers operating in a licensed band (e.g., LAA) based on a carrier aggregation configuration. Operations in an unlicensed spectrum can include downlink transmissions, uplink transmissions, P2P transmissions, or D2D transmissions, among others.

[0095] The base station 105 or UE 115 may be equipped with multiple antennas, which may be used to employ techniques such as transmit diversity, receive diversity, multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) communications, or beamforming. The antennas of the base station 105 or UE 115 may be located within one or more antenna arrays or antenna curtains, which may support MIMO operations or transmit or receive beamforming. For example, one or more base station antennas or antenna arrays may be co-located at an antenna assembly such as an antenna tower. In some examples, the antennas or antenna arrays associated with the base station 105 may be located at different geographic locations. The base station 105 may have an antenna array having multiple rows and columns of antenna ports that the base station 105 may use to support beamforming for communications with the UE 115. Similarly, the UE 115 may have one or more antenna arrays that may support various MIMO or beamforming operations. Additionally or alternatively, the antenna curtain may support radio frequency beamforming for signals sent via the antenna ports.

[0096] The base station 105 or UE 115 can use MIMO communication to utilize multipath signal propagation and improve spectral efficiency by sending or receiving multiple signals via different spatial layers. Such a technology may be referred to as spatial multiplexing. For example, multiple signals may be sent by a transmitting device via different antennas or different antenna combinations. Similarly, multiple signals may be received by a receiving device via different antennas or different antenna combinations. Each of the multiple signals may be referred to as a separate spatial stream and may carry bits associated with the same data stream (e.g., the same codeword) or different data streams (e.g., different codewords). Different spatial layers may be associated with different antenna ports for channel measurement and reporting. MIMO technology includes single-user MIMO (SU-MIMO) in which multiple spatial layers are sent to the same receiving device, and multi-user MIMO (MU-MIMO) in which multiple spatial layers are sent to multiple devices.

[0097] Beamforming (which may also be referred to as spatial filtering, directional transmission, or directional reception) is a signal processing technique that can be used at a transmitting device or a receiving device (e.g., a base station 105, a UE 115) to shape an antenna beam or to steer an antenna beam (e.g., a transmit beam, a receive beam) along a spatial path between the transmitting device and the receiving device. Beamforming can be achieved by combining signals transmitted via antenna elements of an antenna array so that some signals propagating in a particular direction relative to the antenna array experience constructive interference while other signals experience destructive interference. Adjustment of signals transmitted via antenna elements may include the transmitting device or the receiving device applying an amplitude offset, a phase offset, or both to signals carried via antenna elements associated with the device. The adjustment associated with each of these antenna elements may be defined by a set of beamforming weights associated with a particular direction (e.g., relative to the antenna array of the transmitting device or the receiving device or relative to some other direction).

[0098] The base station 105 or the UE 115 may use beam scanning techniques as part of a beamforming operation. For example, the base station 105 may use multiple antennas or antenna arrays (e.g., antenna curtains) to perform beamforming operations for directional communications with the UE 115. The base station 105 may send some signals (e.g., synchronization signals, reference signals, beam selection signals, or other control signals) multiple times in different directions. For example, the base station 105 may send signals according to different sets of beamforming weights associated with different transmission directions. Transmissions in different beam directions may be used to identify (e.g., by a transmitting device such as the base station 105, or by a receiving device such as the UE 115) the beam direction for later transmission or reception by the base station 105.

[0099] Some signals, such as data signals associated with a particular receiving device, may be sent by base station 105 in a single beam direction (e.g., a direction associated with a receiving device such as UE 115). In some examples, the beam direction associated with transmissions along a single beam direction may be determined based on signals sent in one or more beam directions. For example, UE 115 may receive one or more signals sent by base station 105 in different directions, and UE 115 may report to base station 105 an indication of the signal received by UE 115 with the highest signal quality or an acceptable signal quality.

[0100] In some examples, transmissions by a device (e.g., by a base station 105 or a UE 115) may be performed using multiple beam directions, and the device may use a combination of digital precoding or radio frequency beamforming to generate a combined beam for transmission (e.g., from the base station 105 to the UE 115). The UE 115 may report feedback indicating precoding weights for one or more beam directions, and the feedback may correspond to a configured number of beams across the system bandwidth or one or more subbands. The base station 105 may send a reference signal (e.g., a cell-specific reference signal (CRS), a channel state information reference signal (CSI-RS)), which may be precoded or unprecoded. The UE 115 may provide feedback for beam selection, which may be a precoding matrix indicator (PMI) or codebook-based feedback (e.g., a multi-faceted codebook, a linear combination codebook, a port selection codebook). Although these techniques are described with reference to signals sent by base station 105 in one or more directions, UE 115 may employ similar techniques for sending signals multiple times in different directions (e.g., for identifying a beam direction for subsequent transmission or reception by UE 115), or for sending signals in a single direction (e.g., for sending data to a receiving device).

[0101] A receiving device (e.g., UE 115) may try multiple reception configurations (e.g., directional listening) when receiving various signals (e.g., synchronization signals, reference signals, beam selection signals, or other control signals) from a base station 105. For example, a receiving device may try multiple reception directions by receiving via different antenna subarrays, processing received signals according to different antenna subarrays, receiving according to different sets of receive beamforming weights applied to signals received at a plurality of antenna element sets of an antenna array (e.g., different sets of directional listening weights), or processing received signals according to different sets of receive beamforming weights applied to signals received at a plurality of antenna elements of an antenna array, any of which may be referred to as "listening" according to different reception configurations or reception directions. In some examples, a receiving device may use a single reception configuration to receive along a single beam direction (e.g., when receiving a data signal). A single receive configuration may be aligned on a beam direction determined based on listening according to different receive configuration directions (e.g., a beam direction determined to have the highest signal strength, highest signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), or other acceptable signal quality based on listening according to multiple beam directions).

[0102] UE 115 may include one or more antenna modules that may include a relatively large number of antenna elements for mmW communications and may be an example of a first wireless device discussed herein. UE communication manager 101 may manage mmW communications and in some cases may select a set of different antenna element groups that are preferably used at UE 115 from one or more antenna modules. UE communication manager 101 may provide an indication of a set of different antenna element groups to a second wireless device (e.g., base station 105). In some cases, the second wireless device may initiate beam training based on the different antenna element group sets to establish one or more beams for communication using one or more antenna element groups in the set of different antenna element groups indicated by UE communication manager 101.

[0103] One or more base stations 105 may be examples of the second wireless device discussed herein and may include a base station communication manager 102. The base station communication manager 102 may receive an indication of a different set of antenna element groups from the first wireless device and, in some cases, may initiate a beam training process based on the different set of antenna element groups. The beam training process may be used to determine one or more beams for communication using one or more of the different antenna element groups indicated by the first wireless device.

[0104] Figure 2 An example of a wireless communication device with multiple antenna arrays 200 supporting antenna group selection and indication in a frequency band according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure is shown. In some examples, the wireless communication device with multiple antenna arrays 200 can implement some aspects of the wireless communication system 100. In this example, the wireless communication device can be a UE 115-a, although in other cases the wireless communication device can be a different device, such as a CPE, a relay device, a router, a repeater, or an IAB node.

[0105] In this example, UE 115-a includes a plurality of different antenna modules, including a first antenna module 205, a second antenna module 210, and a third antenna module 215. Each antenna module in the antenna modules 205 to 215 may include a plurality of antenna element subarrays 220. In this example, the first antenna module 205 may include four subarrays 220, including a first subarray 220-a, a second subarray 220-b, a third subarray 220-c, and a fourth subarray 220-d. Each subarray 220 in this example may include 16 individual antenna elements 225 arranged in a 4x4 array configuration. In some cases, each antenna element 225 may be a patch antenna element configured to communicate in a high-band mmW deployment. In some cases, the spacing of the antenna elements 225 within each subarray 220 may be configured to provide efficient analog beamforming at a wavelength associated with high-band mmW communications. In addition, in this example, each subarray 220 may include an associated RFIC 230.

[0106] exist Figure 2 In the example of , the second antenna module 210 may also include multiple subarrays 235, including a fifth subarray 235-a and a sixth subarray 235-b. In this example, the fifth subarray 235-a includes eight antenna elements arranged in a 4x2 array configuration, and the sixth subarray 235-b includes four antenna elements arranged in a 4x1 array configuration. In this case, a single RFIC (RFIC5) 240 may be coupled to the subarray 235, although multiple RFICs may be used or the RFIC may be shared with one or more other antenna modules in the antenna module 205 or 215. Although the antenna module 210 is illustrated as having multiple subarrays 235 of different sizes, other examples may have the same number of subarrays 235, each having the same size (e.g., four 4x4 antenna subarrays similar to those shown in the first antenna module 205). The techniques discussed herein may be applied to any number of antenna modules 205 to 215, any number of subarrays included in each antenna module, any number of antennas per subarray, or any combination thereof.

[0107] As discussed herein, a wireless device may use multiple RFICs 230 and associated antenna subarrays 220 at different times. For example, in a case where the wireless device is a UE 115-a Figure 2In some cases, it may be desirable to operate using a subset of antenna modules 205-215, using a subset of antenna subarrays 220 and associated RFICs 230, using a subset of antenna elements 225 within one or more subarrays 220, or any combination thereof. For example, such operation may allow the UE 115-a to manage power consumption in order to reduce the power used by RFIC components. In other cases, in addition to or alternatively to power consumption considerations, the UE 115-a may determine one or more MPE limitations, one or more thermal limitations, or a combination thereof, such that it is desirable to use some groups of antenna elements 225 of one or more subarrays 220. Thus, even if a relatively large number of antenna elements 225 are available at the UE 115-a, not all of the elements may be used at any particular moment in time. For example, the UE 115-a may have a total of N antenna elements 225 on each of the different antenna modules 205-215, and may select K antenna elements 225 for communication, which results in N C K , which may result in a relatively large number of combinations of different antenna elements 225. Thus, in some cases, UE 115-a may select a relatively small list of antenna groups that are useful at a given time (e.g., based on power consumption, MPE considerations, thermal considerations, etc.). UE 115-a may provide an indication of the selected antenna group to a second wireless device (e.g., a base station), and communication may be established using one of the indicated antenna groups. Figures 3 to 5 Various examples of indications of different antenna group sets and processes based on such indications are discussed.

[0108] Figure 3 An example of a wireless communication system 300 that supports antenna group selection and indication in a frequency band according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure is shown. In some examples, the wireless communication system 300 can implement aspects of the wireless communication system 100. In some examples, the wireless communication system 300 can include a UE 115-b and a base station 105-a, which can be reference Figure 1-Figure 2 1 and 105. In addition, UE 115-b can be an example of a first wireless device and base station 105-a can be an example of a second wireless device. UE 115-b and base station 105-a can communicate using beamforming communications, wherein UE 115-b sends uplink communications 305 to base station 105-a and base station 105-a sends downlink communications 310 to UE 115-b.

[0109] In some cases, UE 115-b may include a relatively large number of antenna elements, which may be distributed across one or more antenna subarrays and one or more antenna modules. UE 115-b may send antenna set information 315 to base station 105-a, which antenna set information 315 indicates multiple different antenna groups that have been selected at UE 115-b and are preferred for establishing transmission beams for mmW communications. Base station 105-a may receive antenna set information 315 and determine one or more beamforming parameters for communication with UE 115-b. In some cases, based on the antenna set information 315 received from UE 115-b, base station 105-a may send antenna switching indication 320 to UE 115-b to indicate switching to one of the indicated antenna groups for subsequent beamforming communications. Such an antenna switching indication 320 may provide an indication to switch antenna groups, switch beams to be used for communication (e.g., switch to a preferred beam associated with an antenna group), or any combination thereof (e.g., use a different antenna group but have the same final beam, use a different beam within the same antenna group (e.g., use fewer antenna elements for beamforming), or switch to a different beam and a different antenna group).

[0110] In some cases, the beam and antenna switching indication 320 can initiate one or more processes to use one of the indicated antenna groups, such as by initiating a beam training process based on the indicated antenna group, in which different base station beams 325 and different UE beams 330 can be tested and measured to identify a preferred beam for communication. For example, UE 115-b can measure reference signals of multiple base station beams 325 using multiple UE beams 330 and select a preferred beam, and provide feedback to base station 105-a on the selected beam, such as through a selected transmission configuration indication (TCI) state. In some cases, UE 115-b can send a CSI measurement report to base station 105-a based on the measurements of the beam training process.

[0111] Such indications provided by UE 115-b can be used to determine the rate and power control of the communication, and the number of antennas used can determine the array gain and therefore the achievable data rate, as well as determine that the transmit power to be used is within a certain link budget. In addition, antenna information can be used for beam switching and maintenance, and the beams used at base station 105-a and UE 115-b can depend on the array size. In addition, base station 105-a can use indications of antenna groups to help with scheduling, because better rates with different array sizes can lead to better scheduling possibilities. In some cases, the antenna set information 315 provided by UE115-b may include all or part of the information about the different antenna element groups selected. For example, the complete information may be the antenna index excited in each group (e.g., a list of each index value of each antenna element in the group, including the antenna index, the identification of the subarray, and an indication of the antenna module). Partial information may include, for example, the array size of each antenna element group (e.g., 2x2, 4x1, etc.). Partial information may also include information about the array geometry (e.g., planar array, linear array, distributed array, irregular array, etc.). Additionally, the partial information may include information about the narrowest beamwidth, the best array gain, and the highest sidelobe seen by the beams available on each group.

[0112] Figure 4 An example of an antenna group of an antenna array 400 that supports antenna group selection and indication in a frequency band according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure is shown. In some examples, the antenna group of the antenna array 400 can implement aspects of the wireless communication system 100 or 300. In this example, the antenna subarray 405 can include multiple individual antenna elements 410, and in this example is a 4x4 subarray with 16 antenna elements 410. The antenna subarray 405 can be included in an antenna module (e.g., Figure 2 Although referred to as a subarray of an antenna module as discussed herein, in other cases such a collection of antenna elements 410 may be simply referred to as an antenna array (e.g., which may be part of a superarray of multiple antenna arrays having antenna modules), or any of a number of other terms associated with a particular collection or subset of antenna elements for a wireless device.

[0113] In this example, each antenna element 410 of the antenna subarray 405 can have an antenna index that maps each particular antenna element 410 to a location of the antenna subarray 405. In some cases, the first wireless device may include that the antenna subarray 405 can send indications of different sets of antenna element groups to the second wireless device for use in establishing a beam for wireless communication, determining one or more parameters for beamforming transmission (e.g., MCS, transmit power, etc.), or any combination thereof. In this example, the first wireless device can select four groups of antenna elements, including a first group 405-a that can be a planar 2x2 array, a second group 405-b that can be a linear 4x1 array, a third group 405-c that can be a planar 4x2 array, and a fourth group 405-d that can be a distributed array of two 2x1 arrays. As shown in reference Figure 3 As discussed, in some cases, the first wireless device may send an indication of a different set of antenna element groups to the second wireless device, which indication may include all or part of the information regarding the selected different set of antenna element groups.

[0114] Table 1 below provides an example of different types of full or partial information that may be provided. In this example, the full information may be the antenna index that is excited in each group (e.g., a list of each index value for each antenna element in the group as shown in the "Antenna Index" column of Table 1). In other cases, the full information may also include identification of a subarray of a plurality of different subarrays, an indication of an antenna module in a plurality of different antenna modules, or any combination thereof. Additionally, in this example, the partial information may include the array size of each antenna element group (e.g., the number of antenna elements per group as indicated in the "Number of Elements" column of Table 1), array geometry (e.g., planar array, linear array, distributed array, irregular array, etc., and a plurality of differently sized antenna elements as shown in the "Array Type" column of Table 1), information about the narrowest beamwidth (e.g., as shown in the "Narrowest Beamwidth" column of Table 1), optimal array gain, the highest sidelobe seen in the beam available on each group, or any combination thereof. In some cases, information about different selected antenna groups can be provided by the first wireless device to the second wireless device in control signaling (e.g., in a control channel transmission, such as an uplink control channel, a downlink control channel, or a sidelink control channel transmission), in a MAC-CE, or a combination thereof. In some cases, the antenna group information can be provided in RRC signaling. Additionally or alternatively, the first wireless device can be configured by a different wireless device (e.g., a base station or node of a core network) to provide information related to the selected antenna group, such as through RRC configuration.

[0115] Antenna Group Number of components Antenna Index Array Type Narrowest bandwidth Group 1 4 0,1,4,5 Plane 2x2 55°x55° Group 2 4 4,5,6,7 Linear 4x1 25°x90° Group 3 8 4–11 Planar 4x2 55°x25° Group 4 4 4,7,8,11 Distributed 2*(2x1) 55°(with grating lobes)

[0116] Table 1 - All or part of the antenna group information

[0117] Figure 5 An example of a process flow 500 supporting antenna group selection and indication in a frequency band according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure is shown. In some examples, the process flow 500 can implement aspects of the wireless communication system 100 or 300. The process flow 500 can be implemented by a first wireless device 505 and a second wireless device 510 as described herein. The following alternative examples can be implemented, where some of the steps are performed in a different order than described or not performed at all. In some cases, the steps may include additional features not mentioned below, or other steps may be added.

[0118] At 515, the first wireless device 505 and the second wireless device 510 may establish communication using the first antenna group of the first wireless device. In some cases, the first wireless device 505 and the second wireless device 510 may establish communication according to a beam training procedure as part of an initial access of the first wireless device 505 at the second wireless device 510, or as part of a beam training and refinement procedure.

[0119] At 520, the first wireless device 505 may identify a set of antenna element groups for beam or antenna group switching. In some cases, the first wireless device 505 may identify one or more antenna element subarrays that are desired for beamforming communication. For example, the first wireless device 505 may have a plurality of different antenna modules, each of which may have one or more antenna subarrays. In addition, in some cases, each antenna subarray may have its own associated RFIC. The first wireless device 505 may wish to limit the number of antenna modules and / or RFICs active at any particular time in order to save power, manage thermal characteristics, manage MPE, or any combination thereof. In these cases, the first wireless device 505 may identify antenna elements associated with a particular antenna subarray that is desired for a particular time period. Then, the first wireless device 505 may identify one or more antenna element groups of a particular antenna subarray that may be used for beamforming communication with the second wireless device 510.

[0120] At 525, in some cases, the first wireless device 505 may identify the attributes of each antenna element group period, and the first wireless device 505 may identify the antenna index mapped with the antenna elements at each antenna subarray. In these cases, the first wireless device 505 may identify the antenna index of each antenna element in each antenna element group as the associated attribute. In other cases, the attributes of each antenna element group may include partial information of each identified antenna element group. Such partial information may include, for example, array geometry, array size, the number of antenna elements in the array, array type, the narrowest beam width associated with the antenna group, or any combination thereof. At 530, the first wireless device 505 may send an antenna group indication to the second wireless device 510. The antenna group indication may include the identified attributes of each antenna element group.

[0121] Optionally, at 535, the second wireless device 510 may determine beam training parameters based on the indicated antenna group provided in the antenna group indication. In some cases, the second wireless device 510 may identify a specific beam suitable for communicating with the identified antenna element group. Optionally, at 540, the second wireless device 510 may send a beam training indication to the first wireless device 505. The beam training indication may indicate that one or more reference signals will be sent using one or more beams according to the determined beam training parameters. Optionally, at 545, the second wireless device 510 may send a reference signal transmission (e.g., a CSI reference signal using two or more determined beams) according to the determined beam training parameters. Optionally, at 550, the first wireless device 505 may measure the received reference signal and send a measurement report (e.g., a CSI measurement report), which may include an indication of the preferred beam identified at the first wireless device 505. Optionally, at 555, the measurement report may be sent to the second wireless device 510.

[0122] At 560, the second wireless device 510 may determine beam and antenna group switching information. In some cases, the beam and antenna group switching information may be determined based on an antenna group indication received from the first wireless device 505, based on a measurement report if provided by the first wireless device 505, or any combination thereof. At 565, the second wireless device 510 may send an antenna group switching indication to the first wireless device 505. Subsequently, the first wireless device 505 and the second wireless device 510 may communicate using one or more beams or antenna groups indicated in the antenna group switching indication. In some cases, a new transmit or receive beam at the first wireless device 505 may use one or more of the antenna element groups identified by the first wireless device 505, and may allow the first wireless device 505 to operate in a more energy-efficient manner to manage thermal performance of device components, manage MPE, or any combination thereof.

[0123] Figure 6 A block diagram 600 of a device 605 supporting antenna group selection and indication in a frequency band according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure is shown. The device 605 can be an example of some aspects of the first wireless device described herein, such as a UE 115, a CPE, a relay, a router, a repeater, a base station, or an IAB node. The device 605 may include: a receiver 610, a communication manager 615, and a transmitter 620. The device 605 may also include a processor. Each of these components can communicate with each other (e.g., via one or more buses).

[0124] The receiver 610 may receive information associated with various information channels (e.g., control channels, data channels, and information related to antenna group selection and indication in the millimeter wave band, etc.), such as packets, user data, or control information. The information may be passed to other components of the device 605. The receiver 610 may be a reference Fig. 9 Examples of various aspects of the transceiver 920 are described. The receiver 610 may use a single antenna or a collection of antennas.

[0125] The communication manager 615 can send, from the first wireless device using the first antenna element group, an indication of a different set of antenna element groups and one or more attributes associated with each group in the different set of antenna element groups to a second wireless device communicating with the first wireless device, the one or more attributes including one or more beam characteristics associated with each group, wherein each group includes one or more antenna elements from one or more arrays or subarrays of a plurality of antenna element arrays or subarrays; and in response to the indication of the different set of antenna element groups, receive from the second wireless device an antenna group switching indication indicating that the communication of the first wireless device is to use a second antenna element group from the different set of antenna element groups. The communication manager 615 can be an example of aspects of the communication manager 910 described herein.

[0126] The communication manager 615 may be implemented as described herein to achieve one or more potential advantages. An implementation may allow the device 605 to provide an indication of a preferred antenna group, which may enable efficient power management, thermal management, or MPE management when beamforming communications are used. Additionally, implementations may allow the device 605 to utilize processing resources more efficiently, among other advantages.

[0127] The communication manager 515 may be an example of a means for performing various aspects of managing antenna group selection as described herein. The communication manager 515 or its subcomponents may be implemented in hardware (e.g., in a communication management circuit). The circuit may include a processor, a digital signal processor (DSP), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field programmable gate array (FPGA) or other programmable logic device, discrete gate or transistor logic devices, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof designed to perform the functions described in the present disclosure.

[0128] In another embodiment, the communication manager 615 or its subcomponents may be implemented in code executed by a processor (e.g., as communication management software or firmware), or any combination thereof. If implemented as code executed by a processor, the communication manager 615 or its subcomponents may be executed by a general purpose processor, a digital signal processor (DSP), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field programmable gate array (FPGA), or other programmable logic device.

[0129] In some examples, communications manager 615 may be configured to perform various operations (eg, receive, transmit, measure) using or otherwise cooperating with receiver 610 , transmitter 620 , or both.

[0130] The communication manager 615 or its subcomponents may be physically located in various locations, including being distributed such that portions of functionality are implemented by one or more physical components at different physical locations. In some examples, according to various aspects of the present disclosure, the communication manager 615 or its subcomponents may be separate and distinct components. In some examples, according to various aspects of the present disclosure, the communication manager 615 or its subcomponents may be combined with one or more other hardware components, including but not limited to input / output (I / O) components, a transceiver, a network server, another computing device, one or more other components described in the present disclosure, or a combination thereof.

[0131] The transmitter 620 can transmit signals generated by other components of the device 605. In some examples, the transmitter 620 can be co-located with the receiver 610 in a transceiver module. For example, the transmitter 620 can be a reference Fig. 9 Examples of various aspects of the transceiver 920 are described. The transmitter 620 may use a single antenna or a collection of antennas.

[0132] Figure 7A block diagram 700 of a device 705 supporting antenna group selection and indication in a frequency band according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure is shown. The device 705 may be an example of some aspects of the device 605 or UE 115, CPE, relay, router, base station, or IAB node described herein. The device 705 may include: a receiver 710, a communication manager 715, and a transmitter 735. The device 705 may also include a processor. Each of these components may communicate with each other (e.g., via one or more buses).

[0133] The receiver 710 may receive information associated with various information channels (e.g., control channels, data channels, and information related to antenna group selection and indication in the millimeter wave band, etc.), such as packets, user data, or control information. The information may be delivered to other components of the device 705. The receiver 710 may be a reference Fig. 9 Examples of various aspects of the transceiver 920 are described. The receiver 710 may use a single antenna or a collection of antennas.

[0134] The communication manager 715 may be an example of aspects of the communication manager 615 described herein. The communication manager 715 may include an antenna group indication component 725 and a beam manager 730. The communication manager 715 may be an example of aspects of the communication manager 910 described herein.

[0135] The antenna group indication component 725 can send, from a first wireless device using a first antenna element group, an indication of a different set of antenna element groups and one or more attributes associated with each group in the different set of antenna element groups to a second wireless device communicating with the first wireless device, the one or more attributes including one or more beam characteristics associated with each group, wherein each group includes one or more antenna elements from one or more of a plurality of antenna element arrays or subarrays.

[0136] The beam manager 730 may receive, in response to the indication of the different set of antenna element groups, an antenna group switching indication from the second wireless device indicating that communications of the first wireless device are to use a second set of antenna element groups from the different set of antenna element groups.

[0137] The transmitter 735 can transmit signals generated by other components of the device 705. In some examples, the transmitter 735 can be co-located with the receiver 710 in a transceiver module. For example, the transmitter 735 can be a reference Fig. 9 Examples of various aspects of the transceiver 920 are described. The transmitter 735 may use a single antenna or a collection of antennas.

[0138] Figure 8A block diagram 800 of a communication manager 805 supporting antenna group selection and indication in a frequency band is shown in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure. The communication manager 805 can be an example of aspects of the communication manager 615, the communication manager 715, or the communication manager 910 described herein. The communication manager 805 can include an antenna group indication component 815, a beam manager 820, an antenna group mapping component 825, a beam training manager 830, and a measurement component 835. Each of these modules can communicate with each other directly or indirectly (e.g., via one or more buses).

[0139] The antenna group indication component 815 can send an indication of different sets of antenna element groups and one or more attributes associated with each group in the different sets of antenna element groups from the first wireless device to a second wireless device communicating with the first wireless device using the first antenna element group, the one or more attributes including one or more beam characteristics associated with each group, wherein each group includes one or more antenna elements from one or more arrays or subarrays of a plurality of antenna element arrays or subarrays. In some cases, the one or more attributes of each group in the different sets of antenna element groups also include one or more of the following: a set of antenna indices of the antenna elements in each group, an antenna array size and geometry of each group, or any combination thereof. In some cases, the one or more beam characteristics of each group in the different sets of antenna element groups include one or more of the following: the narrowest possible beamwidth in azimuth and / or elevation dimensions from each group, the peak array gain in azimuth and / or elevation dimensions from each group, the sidelobes observed in azimuth and / or elevation and associated with the peak array gain from each group, or any combination thereof. In some cases, an indication of different sets of antenna element groups and one or more attributes of the different antenna element groups are sent to the second wireless device in a control channel transmission, in a MAC-CE, in an RRC communication, in a DCI, or any combination thereof.

[0140] In some cases, the first wireless device is a UE in a wireless communication system, and the second wireless device is a base station in the wireless communication system. In some cases, each of the first wireless device and the second wireless device is one of a base station, a CPE, a relay device, a router, a repeater, or an IAB node.

[0141] The beam manager 820 may receive, in response to the indication of the different set of antenna element groups, an antenna group switching indication from the second wireless device indicating that communications of the first wireless device are to use a second set of antenna element groups from the different set of antenna element groups. In some cases, the millimeter wave frequency band includes frequencies greater than 52.6 GHz. In some cases, the different set of antenna element groups is determined based in part on power consumption associated with a carrier frequency of the millimeter wave frequency band, a performance metric associated with a carrier frequency of the millimeter wave frequency band, or any combination thereof.

[0142] The antenna group mapping component 825 may provide a mapping between antenna elements, antenna groups, antenna modules, or a combination thereof and one or more indexes that may be used for identification. In some cases, an indication of each group and one or more attributes associated with each group are provided as a set of antenna indexes enabled when the group is selected.

[0143] The beam training manager 830 can receive beam training commands associated with each group from the different sets of antenna element groups from the second wireless device. In some examples, the beam training manager 830 can send an indication of one or more preferred training signals to the second wireless device in response to measuring the one or more reference signals. In some cases, the one or more training signals each correspond to a group from the different sets of antenna element groups. The measurement component 835 can measure the one or more training signals from the second wireless device using each group in the different sets of antenna element groups.

[0144] Fig. 9 A diagram of a system 900 including a device 905 supporting antenna group selection and indication in a frequency band according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure is shown. The device 905 may be an example of or include components of the device 605, device 705, UE 115, IAB node, relay, router, or repeater described herein. The device 905 may include components for two-way voice and data communications, including components for sending and receiving communications, including a communication manager 910, an I / O controller 915, a transceiver 920, an antenna 925, a memory 930, and a processor 940. These components may communicate electronically via one or more buses (e.g., a bus 945).

[0145] The communication manager 910 can send an indication of a different set of antenna element groups and one or more attributes associated with each group in the different set of antenna element groups from a first wireless device to a second wireless device communicating with the first wireless device using a first antenna element group, the one or more attributes including one or more beam characteristics associated with each group, wherein each group includes one or more antenna elements from one or more arrays or subarrays of a plurality of antenna element arrays or subarrays; and in response to the indication of the different set of antenna element groups, receive an antenna group switching indication from the second wireless device indicating that the communication of the first wireless device will use a second antenna element group from the different set of antenna element groups.

[0146] The communication manager 910 may be implemented as described herein to achieve one or more potential advantages. An implementation may allow the device 605 to provide an indication of a preferred antenna group, which may enable efficient power management, thermal management, or MPE management when beamforming communications are used. Additionally, implementations may allow the device 905 to utilize processing resources more efficiently, among other advantages.

[0147] I / O controller 915 can manage input and output signals for device 905. I / O controller 915 can also manage peripheral devices that are not integrated into device 905. In some cases, I / O controller 915 can represent a physical connection or port to an external peripheral device. In some cases, I / O controller 915 can use a physical interface such as a 905. In some cases, the I / O controller 915 may represent or interact with a modem, keyboard, mouse, touch screen, or similar device. In some cases, the I / O controller 915 may be implemented as a part of a processor. In some cases, a user may interact with the device 905 via the I / O controller 915 or via a hardware component controlled by the I / O controller 915.

[0148] As described herein, the transceiver 920 can communicate bidirectionally via one or more antennas, wired or wireless links. For example, the transceiver 920 can represent a wireless transceiver and can communicate bidirectionally with another wireless transceiver. The transceiver 920 can also include a modem for modulating packets and providing modulated packets to an antenna for transmission, and demodulating packets received from an antenna.

[0149] In some cases, a wireless device may include a single antenna 925. However, in some cases, the device may have more than one antenna 925, which may be capable of sending or receiving multiple wireless transmissions simultaneously.

[0150] The memory 930 may include random access memory (RAM) and read-only memory (ROM). The memory 930 may store computer-readable, computer-executable code 935, which includes instructions that, when executed, cause the processor to perform the various functions described herein. In some cases, the memory 930 may contain, among other things, a basic I / O system (BIOS) that may control basic hardware or software operations, such as interaction with peripheral components or devices.

[0151] The processor 940 may include an intelligent hardware device (e.g., a general-purpose processor, a DSP, a CPU, a microcontroller, an ASIC, an FPGA, a programmable logic device, a discrete gate or transistor logic device, a discrete hardware component, or any combination thereof). In some cases, the processor 940 may be configured to operate a memory array using a memory controller. In other cases, the memory controller may be integrated into the processor 940. The processor 940 may be configured to execute computer-readable instructions stored in a memory (e.g., memory 930) to cause the device 905 to perform various functions (e.g., functions or tasks that support antenna group selection and indication in a millimeter wave band).

[0152] The code 935 may include instructions for implementing various aspects of the present disclosure, including instructions for supporting wireless communications. The code 935 may be stored in a non-transitory computer-readable medium such as a system memory or other type of memory. In some cases, the code 935 may not be directly executable by the processor 940, but may enable a computer (e.g., when compiled and executed) to perform the functions described herein.

[0153] Fig.10 A block diagram 1000 of a device 1005 supporting antenna group selection and indication in a frequency band according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure is shown. The device 1005 may be an example of some aspects of a base station 105, a CPE, a relay, a router, a repeater, a UE, or an IAB node described herein. The device 1005 may include: a receiver 1010, a communication manager 1015, and a transmitter 1020. The device 1005 may also include a processor. Each of these components may communicate with each other (e.g., via one or more buses).

[0154] The receiver 1010 may receive information associated with various information channels (e.g., control channels, data channels, and information related to antenna group selection and indication in the millimeter wave band, etc.), such as packets, user data, or control information. The information may be delivered to other components of the device 1005. The receiver 1010 may be a reference Fig.13 Examples of various aspects of the transceiver 1320 are described. The receiver 1010 may use a single antenna or a collection of antennas.

[0155] The communication manager 1015 may receive, at the second wireless device, an indication of a set of different antenna element groups for communicating via the millimeter wave frequency band and one or more attributes associated with each group in the different sets of antenna element groups from a first wireless device that communicates with a second wireless device via the millimeter wave frequency band using a first antenna element group, the one or more attributes of each group in the different sets of antenna element groups including one or more beam characteristics associated with each group, wherein each group includes one or more antenna elements from one or more arrays or subarrays in a set of antenna element arrays or subarrays; and send an antenna group switching indication to the first wireless device indicating that the communication of the first wireless device will use a second antenna element group. The communication manager 1015 may be an example of aspects of the communication manager 1310 described herein.

[0156] The communication manager 1015 may be an example of a means for performing various aspects of managing antenna group selection as described herein. The communication manager 1015 or its subcomponents may be implemented in hardware (e.g., in a communication management circuit). The circuit may include a processor, a digital signal processor (DSP), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field programmable gate array (FPGA) or other programmable logic device, discrete gate or transistor logic devices, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof designed to perform the functions described in the present disclosure.

[0157] In another embodiment, the communication manager 1015 or its subcomponents may be implemented in code executed by a processor (e.g., as communication management software or firmware), or any combination thereof. If implemented as code executed by a processor, the communication manager 1015 or its subcomponents may be executed by a general purpose processor, a digital signal processor (DSP), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field programmable gate array (FPGA), or other programmable logic device.

[0158] In some examples, communications manager 1015 may be configured to perform various operations (eg, receive, transmit) using or otherwise cooperating with receiver 1010, transmitter 1020, or both.

[0159] The communication manager 1015 or its subcomponents may be physically located in various locations, including being distributed such that portions of functionality are implemented by one or more physical components at different physical locations. In some examples, according to various aspects of the present disclosure, the communication manager 1015 or its subcomponents may be separate and distinct components. In some examples, according to various aspects of the present disclosure, the communication manager 1015 or its subcomponents may be combined with one or more other hardware components, including but not limited to input / output (I / O) components, a transceiver, a network server, another computing device, one or more other components described in the present disclosure, or a combination thereof.

[0160] Transmitter 1020 can transmit signals generated by other components of device 1005. In some examples, transmitter 1020 can be co-located with receiver 1010 in a transceiver module. For example, transmitter 1020 can be a reference Fig.13 Examples of various aspects of the transceiver 1320 are described. The transmitter 1020 may use a single antenna or a collection of antennas.

[0161] Fig.11 A block diagram 1100 of a device 1105 supporting antenna group selection and indication in a frequency band according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure is shown. The device 1105 may be an example of some aspects of the device 1005 or base station 105, CPE, relay, router, repeater, UE, or IAB node described herein. The device 1105 may include: a receiver 1110, a communication manager 1115, and a transmitter 1130. The device 1105 may also include a processor. Each of these components may communicate with each other (e.g., via one or more buses).

[0162] The receiver 1110 may receive information associated with various information channels (e.g., control channels, data channels, and information related to antenna group selection and indication in the millimeter wave band, etc.), such as packets, user data, or control information. The information may be delivered to other components of the device 1105. The receiver 1110 may be a reference Fig.13 Examples of various aspects of the transceiver 1320 are described. The receiver 1110 may use a single antenna or a collection of antennas.

[0163] The communication manager 1115 may be an example of aspects of the communication manager 1015 described herein. The communication manager 1115 may include an antenna group manager 1120 and a beam manager 1125. The communication manager 1115 may be an example of aspects of the communication manager 1310 described herein.

[0164] The antenna group manager 1120 can receive, at a second wireless device, an indication of different sets of antenna element groups for communicating via a millimeter wave frequency band and one or more attributes associated with each group in the different sets of antenna element groups from a first wireless device that communicates with a second wireless device via a millimeter wave frequency band using a first antenna element group, the one or more attributes of each group in the different sets of antenna element groups including one or more beam characteristics associated with each group, wherein each group includes one or more antenna elements from one or more arrays or subarrays in a set of antenna element arrays or subarrays.

[0165] The beam manager 1125 may send an antenna group switching indication to the first wireless device indicating that communications of the first wireless device will use the second antenna element group.

[0166] The transmitter 1130 may transmit signals generated by other components of the device 1105. In some examples, the transmitter 1130 may be co-located with the receiver 1110 in a transceiver module. For example, the transmitter 1130 may be a reference Fig.13 Examples of various aspects of the transceiver 1320 are described. The transmitter 1130 may use a single antenna or a collection of antennas.

[0167] Fig.12 A block diagram 1200 of a communication manager 1205 supporting antenna group selection and indication in a frequency band is shown in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure. The communication manager 1205 may be an example of aspects of the communication manager 1015, the communication manager 1115, or the communication manager 1310 described herein. The communication manager 1205 may include an antenna group manager 1210, a beam manager 1215, an antenna group indication component 1220, an antenna group mapping component 1225, and a beam training manager 1230. Each of these modules may communicate with each other directly or indirectly (e.g., via one or more buses).

[0168] The antenna group manager 1210 may receive, at a second wireless device, an indication of a set of different antenna element groups for communicating via a millimeter wave frequency band and one or more attributes associated with each of the different sets of antenna element groups from a first wireless device that communicates with a second wireless device via a millimeter wave frequency band using a first antenna element group, the one or more attributes of each of the different sets of antenna element groups including one or more beam characteristics associated with each group, wherein each group includes one or more antenna elements from one or more arrays or subarrays in a set of antenna element arrays or subarrays. In some cases, the first wireless device is a UE in a wireless communication system, and the second wireless device is a base station in the wireless communication system. In some cases, each of the first wireless device and the second wireless device is one of a base station, a CPE, a relay device, a router, a repeater, or an IAB node.

[0169] The beam manager 1215 may send an antenna group switching indication to the first wireless device indicating that communications of the first wireless device will use the second antenna element group. In some cases, the millimeter wave frequency band includes frequencies greater than 52.6 GHz.

[0170] The antenna group indication component 1220 can receive an indication of different antenna group sets provided by the first wireless device. In some cases, the one or more attributes of each group in the different antenna element group sets also include one or more of the following: an antenna index set of antenna elements in each group, an antenna array size and geometry of each group, or any combination thereof. In some cases, the one or more beam characteristics of each group in the different antenna element group sets include one or more of the following: the narrowest beam width possible in azimuth and / or elevation dimensions from each group, the peak array gain possible in azimuth and / or elevation dimensions from each group, the side lobes observed in azimuth and / or elevation and associated with the peak array gain from each group, or any combination thereof. In some cases, the indication of different antenna element group sets and the one or more attributes of the different antenna element groups are received from the first wireless device in a control channel transmission, in a MAC-CE, in an RRC communication, in a DCI, or any combination thereof.

[0171] The antenna group mapping component 1225 can provide a mapping between one or more indexes and antenna elements, antenna groups, antenna modules, or any combination thereof. In some cases, an indication of each group and one or more attributes associated with each group are provided as a set of antenna indexes enabled when the group is selected.

[0172] The beam training manager 1230 may send a beam training command associated with each group from the different sets of antenna element groups to the first wireless device. In some examples, the beam training manager 1230 may send one or more training signals to the first wireless device associated with each group in the different sets of antenna element groups. In some examples, the beam training manager 1230 may receive a measurement report from the first wireless device indicating one or more preferred training signals for the first wireless device. In some cases, the one or more training signals each correspond to a group from the different sets of antenna element groups.

[0173] Fig.13 A diagram of a system 1300 including a device 1305 supporting antenna group selection and indication in a frequency band according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure is shown. The device 1305 may be an example of or include components of the device 1005, device 1105, or base station 105, CPE, relay, router, repeater, UE, or IAB node described herein. The device 1305 may include components for two-way voice and data communications, including components for sending and receiving communications, including a communication manager 1310, a network communication manager 1315, a transceiver 1320, an antenna 1325, a memory 1330, a processor 1340, and an inter-station communication manager 1345. These components may communicate electronically via one or more buses, such as a bus 1350.

[0174] The communication manager 1310 can receive, at a second wireless device, an indication of a set of different antenna element groups for communicating via a millimeter wave frequency band and one or more attributes associated with each group in the different sets of antenna element groups from a first wireless device that communicates with a second wireless device via a millimeter wave frequency band using a first antenna element group, the one or more attributes of each group in the different sets of antenna element groups including one or more beam characteristics associated with each group, wherein each group includes one or more antenna elements from one or more arrays or subarrays in a set of antenna element arrays or subarrays; and send an antenna group switching indication to the first wireless device indicating that the first wireless device's communication will use a second antenna element group.

[0175] The network communications manager 1315 may manage communications with the core network (eg, via one or more wired backhaul links). For example, the network communications manager 1315 may manage the transmission of data communications for client devices (eg, one or more UEs 115).

[0176] As described herein, the transceiver 1320 can communicate bidirectionally via one or more antennas, wired or wireless links. For example, the transceiver 1320 can represent a wireless transceiver and can communicate bidirectionally with another wireless transceiver. The transceiver 1320 can also include a modem for modulating packets and providing modulated packets to an antenna for transmission, and demodulating packets received from an antenna.

[0177] In some cases, a wireless device may include a single antenna 1325. However, in some cases, the device may have more than one antenna 1325, which may be capable of sending or receiving multiple wireless transmissions simultaneously.

[0178] Memory 1330 may include RAM, ROM, or a combination thereof. Memory 1330 may store computer readable code 1335, which includes instructions that, when executed by a processor (e.g., processor 1340), cause the device to perform various functions described herein. In some cases, memory 1330 may include, among other things, a BIOS that may control basic hardware or software operations, such as interaction with peripheral components or devices.

[0179] Processor 1340 may include an intelligent hardware device (e.g., a general purpose processor, a DSP, a CPU, a microcontroller, an ASIC, an FPGA, a programmable logic device, a discrete gate or transistor logic device, a discrete hardware component, or any combination thereof). In some cases, processor 1340 may be configured to operate a memory array using a memory controller. In some cases, the memory controller may be integrated into processor 1340. Processor 1340 may be configured to execute computer-readable instructions stored in a memory (e.g., memory 1330) to cause device 1305 to perform various functions (e.g., functions or tasks that support antenna group selection and indication in a millimeter wave band).

[0180] The inter-site communication manager 1345 may manage communications with other base stations 105 and may include a controller or scheduler for cooperating with other base stations 105 to control communications with UE 115. For example, the inter-site communication manager 1345 may coordinate scheduling of transmissions to UE 115 for various interference mitigation techniques such as beamforming and / or joint transmission. In some examples, the inter-site communication manager 1345 may provide an X2 interface within an LTE / LTE-A wireless communication network technology to provide communications between base stations 105.

[0181] The code 1335 may include instructions for implementing various aspects of the present disclosure, including instructions for supporting wireless communications. The code 1335 may be stored in a non-transitory computer-readable medium such as a system memory or other type of memory. In some cases, the code 1335 may not be directly executable by the processor 1340, but may cause a computer (e.g., when compiled and executed) to perform the functions described herein.

[0182] Fig.14 1400 for supporting antenna group selection and indication in a frequency band according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure. As described herein, the operations of the method 1400 may be implemented by a first wireless device or a component thereof. For example, the operations of the method 1400 may be implemented by reference to Figures 6 to 9 In some examples, the wireless device may execute an instruction set to control the functional units of the wireless device to perform the functions described herein. Additionally or alternatively, the wireless device may perform aspects of the functions described herein using dedicated hardware.

[0183] At 1405, a first wireless device communicating with a second wireless device via a millimeter wave frequency band using a first antenna element group may send an indication of a different set of antenna element groups and one or more attributes associated with each group in the different set of antenna element groups to the second wireless device, the one or more attributes including one or more beam characteristics associated with each group, wherein each group includes one or more antenna elements from one or more arrays or subarrays of a plurality of antenna element arrays or subarrays. The operations of 1405 may be performed according to methods described herein. In some examples, some aspects of the operations of 1405 may be performed as described in reference to Figures 6 to 9 The antenna group manager described is executed.

[0184] At 1410, the first wireless device may receive, in response to the indication of the different set of antenna element groups, an antenna group switching indication from the second wireless device indicating that communications of the first wireless device will use a second set of antenna element groups from the different set of antenna element groups. The operations of 1410 may be performed according to the methods described herein. In some examples, some aspects of the operations of 1410 may be described with reference to Figures 6 to 9 The beam manager described is implemented.

[0185] Fig.15 1 is a flow chart showing a method 1500 for supporting antenna group selection and indication in a frequency band according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure. As described herein, the operations of the method 1500 may be implemented by a first wireless device or a component thereof. For example, the operations of the method 1500 may be implemented by a reference Figures 6 to 9In some examples, the first wireless device may execute an instruction set to control a functional unit of the first wireless device to perform the functions described herein. Additionally or alternatively, the wireless device may perform aspects of the functions described herein using dedicated hardware.

[0186] At 1505, a first wireless device communicating with a second wireless device via a millimeter wave frequency band using a first antenna element group may send an indication of a different set of antenna element groups and one or more attributes associated with each group in the different set of antenna element groups to the second wireless device, the one or more attributes including one or more beam characteristics associated with each group, wherein each group includes one or more antenna elements from one or more arrays or subarrays of a plurality of antenna element arrays or subarrays. The operations of 1505 may be performed according to methods described herein. In some examples, some aspects of the operations of 1505 may be performed as described in reference to Figures 6 to 9 The antenna group manager described is executed.

[0187] At 1510, the first wireless device may receive, in response to the indication of the different set of antenna element groups, an antenna group switching indication from the second wireless device indicating that communications of the first wireless device will use a second set of antenna element groups from the different set of antenna element groups. The operations of 1510 may be performed according to the methods described herein. In some examples, some aspects of the operations of 1510 may be described with reference to Figures 6 to 9 The beam manager described is implemented.

[0188] At 1515, the first wireless device may receive beam training commands associated with each group from a different set of antenna element groups from the second wireless device. The operations of 1515 may be performed according to the methods described herein. In some examples, some aspects of the operations of 1515 may be described with reference to Figures 6 to 9 The beam training manager described is used to perform the

[0189] At 1520, the first wireless device may measure one or more training signals from the second wireless device using each of the different antenna element group sets. The operations of 1520 may be performed according to the methods described herein. In some examples, some aspects of the operations of 1520 may be as described in reference to Figures 6 to 9 The described measurement components are performed.

[0190] At 1525, the first wireless device may send an indication of one or more preferred training signals to the second wireless device in response to the measurement. The operations of 1525 may be performed according to the methods described herein. In some examples, some aspects of the operations of 1525 may be described with reference to Figures 6 to 9 The beam training manager described is used to perform the

[0191] Fig.16 1 shows a flow chart of a method 1600 for supporting antenna group selection and indication in a frequency band according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure. As described herein, the operations of the method 1600 may be implemented by a second wireless device or a component thereof. For example, the operations of the method 1600 may be implemented by a reference Figures 10 to 13 In some examples, the second wireless device may execute an instruction set to control a functional unit of the second wireless device to perform the functions described herein. Additionally or alternatively, the wireless device may perform aspects of the functions described herein using dedicated hardware.

[0192] At 1605, the second wireless device may receive, from the first wireless device communicating with the second wireless device via the millimeter wave frequency band using the first antenna element group, an indication of a set of different antenna element groups for communicating via the millimeter wave frequency band and one or more attributes associated with each group in the different sets of antenna element groups, the one or more attributes of each group in the different sets of antenna element groups including one or more beam characteristics associated with each group, wherein each group includes one or more antenna elements from one or more arrays or subarrays in the set of antenna element arrays or subarrays. The operations of 1605 may be performed according to the methods described herein. In some examples, some aspects of the operations of 1605 may be performed as described with reference to Figures 10 to 13 The antenna group manager described is executed.

[0193] At 1610, the second wireless device may send an antenna group switching indication to the first wireless device indicating that communications of the first wireless device will use the second antenna element group. The operations of 1610 may be performed according to the methods described herein. In some examples, some aspects of the operations of 1610 may be described with reference to Figures 10 to 13 The beam manager described is implemented.

[0194] Fig.17 1700 is a flowchart of a method 1700 for supporting antenna group selection and indication in a frequency band according to aspects of the present disclosure. As described herein, the operations of the method 1700 may be implemented by a second wireless device or a component thereof. For example, the operations of the method 1700 may be implemented by a reference Figures 10 to 13 In some examples, the second wireless device may execute an instruction set to control a functional unit of the second wireless device to perform the functions described herein. Additionally or alternatively, the wireless device may perform aspects of the functions described herein using dedicated hardware.

[0195] At 1705, the second wireless device may receive, from the first wireless device communicating with the second wireless device via the millimeter wave frequency band using the first antenna element group, an indication of a set of different antenna element groups for communicating via the millimeter wave frequency band and one or more attributes associated with each group in the different sets of antenna element groups, the one or more attributes of each group in the different sets of antenna element groups including one or more beam characteristics associated with each group, wherein each group includes one or more antenna elements from one or more arrays or subarrays in the set of antenna element arrays or subarrays. The operations of 1705 may be performed according to the methods described herein. In some examples, some aspects of the operations of 1705 may be performed as described with reference to Figures 10 to 13 The antenna group manager described is executed.

[0196] At 1710, the second wireless device may send an antenna group switching indication to the first wireless device indicating that communications of the first wireless device will use the second antenna element group. The operations of 1710 may be performed according to the methods described herein. In some examples, some aspects of the operations of 1710 may be described with reference to Figures 10 to 13 The beam manager described is implemented.

[0197] At 1715, the second wireless device may send beam training commands associated with each group from a different set of antenna element groups to the first wireless device. The operations of 1715 may be performed according to the methods described herein. In some examples, some aspects of the operations of 1715 may be described with reference to Figures 10 to 13 The beam training manager described is used to perform the

[0198] At 1720, the second wireless device may send one or more training signals to the first wireless device associated with each group in the different sets of antenna element groups. The operations of 1720 may be performed according to the methods described herein. In some examples, some aspects of the operations of 1720 may be described with reference to Figures 10 to 13 The beam training manager described is used to perform the

[0199] At 1725, the second wireless device may receive a measurement report from the first wireless device indicating one or more preferred training signals of the first wireless device in response to sending the one or more training signals. The operations of 1725 may be performed according to the methods described herein. In some examples, some aspects of the operations of 1725 may be described with reference to Figures 10 to 13 The beam training manager described is used to perform the

[0200] It should be noted that the methods described herein describe possible implementations, and operations and steps may be rearranged or otherwise modified, and other implementations are possible. In addition, aspects of two or more of these methods may be combined.

[0201] Aspect 1: A method for wireless communication, comprising: sending an indication of a different set of antenna element groups and one or more attributes associated with each group in the different set of antenna element groups from a first wireless device to a second wireless device communicating with the first wireless device using a first antenna element group, the one or more attributes including one or more beam characteristics associated with each group, wherein each group includes one or more antenna elements from one or more arrays or subarrays of a plurality of antenna element arrays or subarrays; and in response to the indication of the different set of antenna element groups, receiving an antenna group switching indication from the second wireless device indicating that communication of the first wireless device will use a second antenna element group from the different set of antenna element groups.

[0202] Aspect 2: The method according to aspect 1, wherein the first wireless device communicates with the second wireless device via a millimeter frequency band.

[0203] Aspect 3: A method according to any aspect of Aspect 1 or 2, wherein the one or more attributes of each group in the set of different antenna element groups also include one or more of the following: an antenna index set of the antenna elements in each group, an antenna array size and geometry of each group, or any combination thereof.

[0204] Aspect 4: A method according to any of Aspects 1 to 3, wherein the one or more beam characteristics of each group in the set of different antenna element groups include one or more of the following: the narrowest possible beamwidth in the azimuth and / or elevation dimensions from each group, the possible peak array gain in the azimuth and / or elevation dimensions from each group, side lobes observed in azimuth and / or elevation and associated with the peak array gain from each group, or any combination thereof.

[0205] Aspect 5: The method according to any aspect of aspect 3, wherein the indication of each group and the one or more attributes associated with each group are provided as the set of antenna indexes enabled when the group is selected.

[0206] Aspect 6: A method according to any of Aspects 1 to 5, wherein the indication of the different sets of antenna element groups and the one or more attributes of the different antenna element groups are sent to the second wireless device in a control channel transmission, in a MAC-CE, in an RRC communication, in a DCI, or any combination thereof.

[0207] Aspect 7: The method according to any aspect of Aspects 1 to 6 further includes: receiving a beam training command associated with each group from the different sets of antenna unit groups from the second wireless device; measuring one or more training signals from the second wireless device using each group in the different sets of antenna unit groups; and sending an indication of one or more preferred training signals to the second wireless device in response to the measurement.

[0208] Aspect 8: The method according to aspect 7, wherein the one or more training signals each correspond to a certain group from the different sets of antenna element groups.

[0209] Aspect 9: A method according to any of Aspects 1 to 8, wherein the different sets of antenna element groups are determined at least in part based on power consumption associated with the carrier frequency of the millimeter wave frequency band, performance indicators associated with the carrier frequency of the millimeter wave frequency band, or any combination thereof.

[0210] Aspect 10: The method according to any of aspects 1 to 9, wherein the first wireless device is a UE in a wireless communication system, and the second wireless device is a base station in the wireless communication system.

[0211] Aspect 11: The method according to any of aspects 1 to 10, wherein each of the first wireless device and the second wireless device is one of a base station, a CPE, a relay device, a router, a repeater, or an IAB node.

[0212] Aspect 12: An apparatus comprising at least one unit for executing the method of any of aspects 1 to 11.

[0213] Aspect 13: An apparatus for wireless communication, comprising a processor; a memory coupled to the processor; the processor and the memory are configured to execute the method of any of Aspects 1 to 11.

[0214] Aspect 14: A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing a code for wireless communication, the code comprising instructions executable by a processor to perform the method of any of aspects 1 to 11.

[0215] Aspect 15: A method for wireless communication, comprising: receiving at a second wireless device an indication of a set of different antenna element groups for communicating via a millimeter wave frequency band and one or more attributes associated with each group in the different sets of antenna element groups from a first wireless device that communicates with the second wireless device via a millimeter wave frequency band using a first antenna element group, wherein the one or more attributes of each group in the different sets of antenna element groups include one or more beam characteristics associated with each group, wherein each group includes one or more antenna elements from one or more arrays or subarrays of a plurality of antenna element arrays or subarrays; and sending an antenna group switching indication to the first wireless device indicating that the communication of the first wireless device will use the second antenna element group.

[0216] Aspect 16: A method according to Aspect 15, wherein the one or more attributes of each group in the set of different antenna element groups also include one or more of the following: a set of antenna indexes of the antenna elements in each group, an antenna array size and geometry of each group, or any combination thereof.

[0217] Aspect 17: A method according to any of Aspects 15 or 16, wherein the one or more beam characteristics of each group in the set of different antenna element groups include one or more of the following: the narrowest possible beamwidth in the azimuth and / or elevation dimensions from each group, the possible peak array gain in the azimuth and / or elevation dimensions from each group, side lobes observed in azimuth and / or elevation and associated with the peak array gain from each group, or any combination thereof.

[0218] Aspect 18: The method according to aspect 16, wherein the indication of each group and the one or more attributes associated with each group are provided as the set of antenna indexes enabled when the group is selected.

[0219] Aspect 19: A method according to any of Aspects 15 to 18, wherein the indication of the different sets of antenna element groups and the one or more attributes of the different antenna element groups are received from the first wireless device in a control channel transmission, in a MAC-CE, in an RRC communication, in a DCI, or any combination thereof.

[0220] Aspect 20: The method according to any aspect of Aspects 15 to 19 further includes: sending a beam training command associated with each group from the different sets of antenna element groups to the first wireless device; sending one or more training signals to the first wireless device associated with each group in the different sets of antenna element groups; and in response to sending the one or more training signals, receiving a measurement report indicating one or more preferred training signals of the first wireless device from the first wireless device.

[0221] Aspect 21: The method according to aspect 20, wherein the one or more training signals each correspond to a certain group from the different sets of antenna element groups.

[0222] Aspect 22: The method according to any of aspects 15 to 21, wherein the first wireless device is a UE in a wireless communication system, and the second wireless device is a base station in the wireless communication system.

[0223] Aspect 23: The method according to any of aspects 15 to 22, wherein each of the first wireless device and the second wireless device is one of a base station, a CPE, a relay device, a router, a repeater, or an IAB node.

[0224] Aspect 24: An apparatus comprising at least one unit for executing the method of any of aspects 15 to 23.

[0225] Aspect 25: An apparatus for wireless communication, comprising a processor and a memory coupled to the processor; the processor and the memory are configured to perform the method described in any of Examples 15 to 23.

[0226] Aspect 26: A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing a code for wireless communication, the code comprising instructions executable by a processor to perform the method of any of aspects 15 to 23.

[0227] Although some aspects of LTE, LTE-A, LTE-A Pro, or NR systems may be described for example purposes, and LTE, LTE-A, LTE-A Pro, or NR terminology may be used in most of the description, the techniques described herein may be applicable beyond LTE, LTE-A, LTE-A Pro, or NR networks. For example, the described techniques may be applicable to various other wireless communication systems, such as Ultra Mobile Broadband (UMB), Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11 (Wi-Fi), IEEE 802.16 (WiMAX), IEEE 802.20, Flash OFDM, and other systems and radio technologies not explicitly mentioned herein.

[0228] Any of a variety of different technologies and methods may be used to represent the information and signals described herein. For example, data, instructions, commands, information, signals, bits, symbols, and chips mentioned throughout this specification may be represented by voltage, current, electromagnetic waves, magnetic fields or magnetic particles, optical fields or optical particles, or any combination thereof.

[0229] The various illustrative blocks and components described in conjunction with the disclosure herein may be implemented or executed using a general purpose processor, DSP, ASIC, CPU, FPGA or other programmable logic device, discrete gate or transistor logic device, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof designed to perform the functions described herein. A general purpose processor may be a microprocessor, but, in an alternative, the processor may be any processor, controller, microcontroller, or state machine. A processor may also be implemented as a combination of computing devices (e.g., a combination of a DSP and a microprocessor, a plurality of microprocessors, a combination of one or more microprocessors and a DSP core, or any other such structure).

[0230] The functions described herein may be implemented by hardware, software executed by a processor, firmware, or any combination thereof. If implemented by software executed by a processor, the functions may be stored on a computer-readable medium or transmitted by a computer-readable medium as one or more instructions or codes. Other examples and implementations are within the scope of the present application and the appended claims. For example, due to the nature of software, the functions described herein may be implemented by software executed by a processor, hardware, firmware, hard wiring, or any combination thereof. Features that implement the functions may also be physically placed in various locations, including portions that are distributed so as to implement the functions at different physical locations.

[0231] Computer readable medium includes both non-transitory computer storage medium and communication medium, and the communication medium includes any medium that helps to transfer a computer program from one place to another place.Non-transitory storage medium can be any available medium that can be accessed by a general-purpose computer or a special-purpose computer.By way of example and not limitation, non-transitory computer readable medium can include RAM, ROM, electrically erasable programmable ROM (EEPROM), flash memory, compact disk (CD) ROM or other optical disk storage, disk storage or other magnetic storage device, or can be used for carrying or storing the program code with the expectation of instruction or data structure form and can be accessed by general-purpose or special-purpose computer or general-purpose or special-purpose processor any other non-transitory medium.In addition, any connection can be appropriately referred to as computer readable medium.For example, if software is sent from a website, server or other remote source using coaxial cable, optical fiber cable, twisted pair, digital subscriber line (DSL) or wireless technology such as infrared, radio and microwave, then coaxial cable, optical fiber cable, twisted pair, DSL or wireless technology such as infrared, radio and microwave are included in the definition of computer readable medium. As used herein, disk and disc include CD, laser disc, optical disc, digital versatile disc (DVD), floppy disk and Blu-ray disc, wherein disks usually reproduce data magnetically, while discs use lasers to reproduce data optically. The above combinations should also be included in the scope of computer-readable media.

[0232] As used herein, including in the claims, "or" as used in a list of items (e.g., a list of items preceded by a phrase such as "at least one of" or "one or more of") indicates an inclusive list, so that, for example, a list of at least one of A, B, or C means A, or B, or C, or AB, or AC, or BC, or ABC (i.e., A and B and C). In addition, as used herein, the phrase "based on" should not be interpreted as a reference to a closed set of conditions. For example, an example step described as "based on condition A" can be based on both condition A and condition B without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. In other words, as used herein, the phrase "based on" is to be interpreted in the same manner as the phrase "based at least in part on."

[0233] In the accompanying drawings, similar components or features may have the same reference number. In addition, individual components of the same type may be distinguished by following the reference number with a dash and a second reference number for distinguishing between similar components. If only the first reference number is used in this specification, the description applies to any of the similar components having the same first reference number, regardless of the second reference number or other subsequent reference numbers.

[0234] The description set forth herein in conjunction with the accompanying drawings describes example configurations and does not represent all examples that can be implemented or are within the scope of the claims. The term "example" used throughout this specification means "used as an example, instance, or illustration," rather than "preferred" or "advantageous" relative to other examples. In order to provide an understanding of the described techniques, the detailed description includes specific details. However, these techniques may be implemented without using these specific details. In some cases, in order to avoid obscuring the concepts of the described examples, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form.

[0235] The description herein is provided to enable one of ordinary skill in the art to implement or use the disclosure. Various modifications to the disclosure will be apparent to those skilled in the art, and the general principles defined herein may be applicable to other variations without departing from the scope of the disclosure. Therefore, the disclosure is not limited to the examples and designs described herein, but is in accordance with the broadest scope consistent with the principles and novel features disclosed herein.

Claims

1. A method for wireless communication, comprising: identifying, at a first wireless device communicating with a second wireless device using a first antenna element group, a different set of antenna element groups, each group including one or more antenna elements from one or more of a plurality of antenna element arrays or subarrays; sending, to the second wireless device, an indication indicating the different sets of antenna element groups and indicating one or more attributes of each of the different sets of antenna element groups, the one or more attributes including one or more beam characteristics associated with each group; as well as In response to the indication, receiving from the second wireless device an antenna group switching indication indicating that communications by the first wireless device are to use a second antenna element group from the different set of antenna element groups, wherein the first wireless device communicates with the second wireless device via a millimeter wave frequency band; and The one or more attributes of each group in the different sets of antenna element groups further include one or more of the following: an antenna index set of the antenna elements in each group, an antenna array size and geometry of each group, or any combination thereof.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein: The one or more beam characteristics of each group in the different sets of antenna element groups include one or more of the following: the narrowest possible beamwidth in the azimuth and / or elevation dimensions from each group, the possible peak array gain in azimuth and / or elevation from each group, the sidelobes observed in azimuth and / or elevation and associated with the peak array gain from each group, or any combination thereof.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein: The indication indicating the different sets of antenna element groups and indicating the one or more properties are provided as the set of antenna indices enabled when a group is selected.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein: The indication for indicating the different sets of antenna element groups and for indicating the one or more attributes is sent to the second wireless device in a control channel transmission, in a medium access control control element (MAC-CE), in a radio resource control (RRC) communication, in downlink control information (DCI), or any combination thereof.

5. The method according to claim 1, further comprising: receiving, from the second wireless device, beam training commands associated with each group from the different sets of antenna element groups; measuring one or more training signals from the second wireless device using each of the different sets of antenna element groups; as well as In response to the measuring, an indication of one or more preferred training signals is sent to the second wireless device.

6. The method according to claim 5, wherein: The one or more training signals each correspond to a certain group from the different sets of antenna element groups.

7. The method according to claim 1, wherein: The different sets of antenna element groups are determined based at least in part on power consumption associated with a carrier frequency in a millimeter wave frequency band, a performance metric associated with the carrier frequency in the millimeter wave frequency band, or any combination thereof.

8. The method according to claim 1, wherein: The first wireless device is a user equipment (UE) in a wireless communication system, and the second wireless device is a network device in the wireless communication system.

9. The method according to claim 1, wherein: Each of the first wireless device and the second wireless device is one of a network node, a customer premises equipment (CPE), a relay device, a router, a repeater, or an integrated access and backhaul (IAB) node.

10. A method for wireless communication, comprising: receiving, at a second wireless device, from a first wireless device that communicates with the second wireless device via a millimeter wave frequency band using a first antenna element group, an indication indicating a set of different antenna element groups for communicating via the millimeter wave frequency band and indicating one or more properties of each of the different sets of antenna element groups, the one or more properties of each of the different sets of antenna element groups including one or more beam characteristics associated with each group, each group including one or more antenna elements from one or more of a plurality of antenna element arrays or subarrays; as well as sending an antenna group switching indication to the first wireless device indicating that communications of the first wireless device are to use a second antenna element group from the different set of antenna element groups, The one or more attributes of each group in the different sets of antenna element groups further include one or more of the following: an antenna index set of the antenna elements in each group, an antenna array size and geometry of each group, or any combination thereof.

11. The method according to claim 10, wherein: The one or more beam characteristics of each group in the different sets of antenna element groups include one or more of the following: the narrowest possible beamwidth in the azimuth and / or elevation dimensions from each group, the possible peak array gain in azimuth and / or elevation from each group, the sidelobes observed in azimuth and / or elevation and associated with the peak array gain from each group, or any combination thereof.

12. The method according to claim 10, wherein: The indication indicating the different sets of antenna element groups and indicating the one or more properties are provided as the set of antenna indices enabled when a group is selected.

13. The method according to claim 10, wherein: The indication for indicating the different sets of antenna element groups and for indicating the one or more attributes is received from the first wireless device in a control channel transmission, in a medium access control control element (MAC-CE), in a radio resource control (RRC) communication, in downlink control information (DCI), or any combination thereof.

14. The method according to claim 10, further comprising: sending, to the first wireless device, beam training commands associated with each group from the different sets of antenna element groups; sending one or more training signals to the first wireless device associated with each of the different sets of antenna element groups; as well as In response to the sending the one or more training signals, receiving a measurement report from the first wireless device indicating one or more preferred training signals for the first wireless device.

15. The method according to claim 14, wherein: The one or more training signals each correspond to a certain group from the different sets of antenna element groups.

16. The method according to claim 10, wherein: The first wireless device is a user equipment (UE) in a wireless communication system, and the second wireless device is a network device in the wireless communication system.

17. The method according to claim 10, wherein: Each of the first wireless device and the second wireless device is one of a network node, a customer premises equipment (CPE), a relay device, a router, a repeater, or an integrated access and backhaul (IAB) node.

18. An apparatus for wireless communication at a first wireless device, comprising: one or more memories; as well as one or more processors coupled to the one or more memories, the one or more processors configured to cause the first wireless device to: identifying, at the first wireless device for communicating with a second wireless device using first antenna element groups, a different set of antenna element groups, each group including one or more antenna elements from one or more of a plurality of antenna element arrays or subarrays; sending, to the second wireless device, an indication indicating the different sets of antenna element groups and indicating one or more attributes of each of the different sets of antenna element groups, the one or more attributes including one or more beam characteristics associated with each group; as well as In response to the indication, receiving from the second wireless device an antenna group switching indication indicating that communications by the first wireless device are to use a second antenna element group from the different set of antenna element groups, wherein the first wireless device communicates with the second wireless device via a millimeter wave frequency band; and The one or more attributes of each group in the different sets of antenna element groups further include one or more of the following: an antenna index set of the antenna elements in each group, an antenna array size and geometry of each group, or any combination thereof.

19. The device according to claim 18, wherein: The one or more beam characteristics of each group in the different sets of antenna element groups include one or more of the following: the narrowest possible beamwidth in the azimuth and / or elevation dimensions from each group, the possible peak array gain in azimuth and / or elevation from each group, the sidelobes observed in azimuth and / or elevation and associated with the peak array gain from each group, or any combination thereof.

20. The device according to claim 18, wherein The indication indicating the different sets of antenna element groups and indicating the one or more properties are provided as the set of antenna indices enabled when a group is selected.

21. The device according to claim 18, wherein The indication for indicating the different sets of antenna element groups and for indicating the one or more attributes is sent to the second wireless device in a control channel transmission, in a medium access control control element (MAC-CE), in a radio resource control (RRC) communication, in downlink control information (DCI), or any combination thereof.

22. The device according to claim 18, wherein The one or more processors are further configured to cause the first wireless device to: receiving, from the second wireless device, beam training commands associated with each group from the different sets of antenna element groups; measuring one or more training signals from the second wireless device via use of each of the different sets of antenna element groups; as well as In response to the measuring of the one or more training signals, an indication of one or more preferred training signals is sent to the second wireless device.

23. The apparatus of claim 18, further comprising one or more of the following: an antenna array or an antenna subarray, wherein: The antenna array or the antenna subarray comprises the first group of antenna elements.

24. An apparatus for wireless communication at a second wireless device, comprising: one or more memories; as well as one or more processors coupled to the one or more memories, the one or more processors configured to cause the second wireless device to: receiving, at the second wireless device, from a first wireless device that communicates with the second wireless device via a millimeter wave frequency band using a first antenna element group, an indication indicating a set of different antenna element groups for communicating via the millimeter wave frequency band and indicating one or more properties of each of the different sets of antenna element groups, the one or more properties of each of the different sets of antenna element groups including one or more beam characteristics associated with each group, each group including one or more antenna elements from one or more of a plurality of antenna element arrays or subarrays; as well as sending an antenna group switching indication to the first wireless device indicating that communications of the first wireless device are to use a second antenna element group from the different set of antenna element groups, The one or more attributes of each group in the different sets of antenna element groups further include one or more of the following: an antenna index set of the antenna elements in each group, an antenna array size and geometry of each group, or any combination thereof.

25. The apparatus according to claim 24, further comprising: at least one antenna, wherein the one or more processors and the at least one antenna are further configured to cause the second wireless device to: transmitting, via the at least one antenna, to the first wireless device, beam training commands associated with each group from the different sets of antenna element groups; transmitting, via the at least one antenna, one or more training signals to the first wireless device associated with each of the different sets of antenna element groups; and In response to sending the one or more training signals, receiving a measurement report from the first wireless device via the at least one antenna indicating one or more preferred training signals for the first wireless device.

26. A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing code for wireless communication at a first wireless device, the code comprising instructions executable by one or more processors to cause the first wireless device to: identifying, at the first wireless device for communicating with a second wireless device using first antenna element groups, a different set of antenna element groups, each group including one or more antenna elements from one or more of a plurality of antenna element arrays or subarrays; sending, to the second wireless device, an indication indicating the different sets of antenna element groups and indicating one or more attributes of each of the different sets of antenna element groups, the one or more attributes including one or more beam characteristics associated with each group; as well as In response to the indication, receiving from the second wireless device an antenna group switching indication indicating that communications by the first wireless device are to use a second antenna element group from the different set of antenna element groups, wherein the first wireless device communicates with the second wireless device via a millimeter wave frequency band; and The one or more attributes of each group in the different sets of antenna element groups further include one or more of the following: an antenna index set of the antenna elements in each group, an antenna array size and geometry of each group, or any combination thereof.

27. A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing code for wireless communication at a second wireless device, the code comprising instructions executable by one or more processors to cause the second wireless device to: receiving, at a second wireless device, from a first wireless device that communicates with the second wireless device via a millimeter wave frequency band using a first antenna element group, an indication indicating a set of different antenna element groups for communicating via the millimeter wave frequency band and indicating one or more properties of each of the different sets of antenna element groups, the one or more properties of each of the different sets of antenna element groups including one or more beam characteristics associated with each group, each group including one or more antenna elements from one or more of a plurality of antenna element arrays or subarrays; and sending an antenna group switching indication to the first wireless device indicating that communications of the first wireless device are to use a second antenna element group from the different set of antenna element groups, in, The one or more attributes of each group in the different sets of antenna element groups further include one or more of: a set of antenna indices of the antenna elements in each group, an antenna array size and geometry of each group, or any combination thereof.

28. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 27, wherein: The indication indicating the different sets of antenna element groups and indicating the one or more properties are provided as the set of antenna indices enabled when a group is selected.

29. An apparatus for wireless communication, comprising: means for identifying, at a first wireless device for communicating with a second wireless device using a first antenna element group, a different set of antenna element groups, each group comprising one or more antenna elements from one or more of a plurality of antenna element arrays or subarrays; means for sending, to the second wireless device, an indication indicating the different sets of antenna element groups and indicating one or more properties of each of the different sets of antenna element groups, the one or more properties including one or more beam characteristics associated with each group; as well as means for receiving, in response to the indication, from the second wireless device an antenna group switching indication indicating that communications by the first wireless device are to use a second antenna element group from the different set of antenna element groups, wherein the first wireless device communicates with the second wireless device via a millimeter wave frequency band; and The one or more attributes of each group in the different sets of antenna element groups further include one or more of the following: an antenna index set of the antenna elements in each group, an antenna array size and geometry of each group, or any combination thereof.

30. The device according to claim 29, wherein: The one or more beam characteristics of each group in the different sets of antenna element groups include one or more of the following: the narrowest possible beamwidth in the azimuth and / or elevation dimensions from each group, the possible peak array gain in azimuth and / or elevation from each group, the sidelobes observed in azimuth and / or elevation and associated with the peak array gain from each group, or any combination thereof.

31. The device according to claim 29, wherein: The indication indicating the different sets of antenna element groups and indicating the one or more properties are provided as the set of antenna indices enabled when a group is selected.

32. The device according to claim 29, wherein: The indication for indicating the different sets of antenna element groups and for indicating the one or more attributes is sent to the second wireless device in a control channel transmission, in a medium access control control element (MAC-CE), in a radio resource control (RRC) communication, in downlink control information (DCI), or any combination thereof.

33. The apparatus of claim 29, further comprising: means for receiving, from the second wireless device, beam training commands associated with each group from the different sets of antenna element groups; means for measuring one or more training signals from the second wireless device using each of the different sets of antenna element groups; as well as Means for sending, in response to the measuring, an indication of one or more preferred training signals to the second wireless device.

34. The device according to claim 33, wherein The one or more training signals each correspond to a certain group from the different sets of antenna element groups.

35. The apparatus of claim 29, wherein: The different sets of antenna element groups are determined based at least in part on power consumption associated with a carrier frequency in a millimeter wave frequency band, a performance metric associated with the carrier frequency in the millimeter wave frequency band, or any combination thereof.

36. The apparatus of claim 29, wherein: The first wireless device is a user equipment (UE) in a wireless communication system, and the second wireless device is a network device in the wireless communication system.

37. The apparatus of claim 29, wherein: Each of the first wireless device and the second wireless device is one of a network node, a customer premises equipment (CPE), a relay device, a router, a repeater, or an integrated access and backhaul (IAB) node.

38. An apparatus for wireless communication, comprising: means for receiving, at a second wireless device, from a first wireless device that communicates with the second wireless device via a millimeter wave frequency band using a first antenna element group, an indication indicating a set of different antenna element groups for communicating via the millimeter wave frequency band and indicating one or more properties of each of the different sets of antenna element groups, the one or more properties of each of the different sets of antenna element groups including one or more beam characteristics associated with each group, each group including one or more antenna elements from one or more of a plurality of antenna element arrays or subarrays; as well as means for sending to the first wireless device an antenna group switching indication indicating that communications of the first wireless device are to use a second antenna element group from the different set of antenna element groups, The one or more attributes of each group in the different sets of antenna element groups further include one or more of the following: an antenna index set of the antenna elements in each group, an antenna array size and geometry of each group, or any combination thereof.

39. The device according to claim 38, wherein The one or more beam characteristics of each group in the different sets of antenna element groups include one or more of the following: the narrowest possible beamwidth in the azimuth and / or elevation dimensions from each group, the possible peak array gain in azimuth and / or elevation from each group, the sidelobes observed in azimuth and / or elevation and associated with the peak array gain from each group, or any combination thereof.

40. The apparatus of claim 38, wherein: The indication indicating the different sets of antenna element groups and indicating the one or more properties are provided as the set of antenna indices enabled when a group is selected.

41. The apparatus of claim 38, wherein: The indication for indicating the different sets of antenna element groups and for indicating the one or more attributes is received from the first wireless device in a control channel transmission, in a medium access control control element (MAC-CE), in a radio resource control (RRC) communication, in downlink control information (DCI), or any combination thereof.

42. The apparatus of claim 38, further comprising: means for sending, to the first wireless device, beam training commands associated with each group from the different sets of antenna element groups; means for sending one or more training signals to the first wireless device associated with each of the different sets of antenna element groups; as well as Means for receiving, in response to the sending the one or more training signals, from the first wireless device a measurement report indicating one or more preferred training signals for the first wireless device.

43. The device according to claim 42, wherein: The one or more training signals each correspond to a certain group from the different sets of antenna element groups.

44. The apparatus of claim 38, wherein: The first wireless device is a user equipment (UE) in a wireless communication system, and the second wireless device is a network device in the wireless communication system.

45. The apparatus of claim 38, wherein: Each of the first wireless device and the second wireless device is one of a network node, a customer premises equipment (CPE), a relay device, a router, a repeater, or an integrated access and backhaul (IAB) node.

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