Uplink transmission puncturing to reduce interference between wireless services

Abstract

This application relates to uplink transmission puncturing to reduce interference between wireless services. Disclosed are techniques related to handling pre-emptive data services in cellular wireless transmissions. In some embodiments, a device wirelessly transmits uplink data for a first data service during a time-dimension duplex (TDD) scheduled transmission interval using a first frequency band. While transmitting, the device also monitors, in these embodiments, a downlink control channel using a second frequency band that does not overlap the first frequency band. The downlink control channel can be dedicated to pre-emption indicators that indicate another service is pre-empting scheduled resources. In response to detecting an indicator in the downlink control channel for a communication of a second data service in the first frequency band during the scheduled transmission interval, the device can reduce transmission of uplink data on resources for the communication of the second data service (e.g., by blanking or transmitting at a lower power).

Description

[0001] This application is a divisional application of patent application number 201910113230.1 filed on February 14, 2019 with the title “Uplink Transmission Puncturing to Reduce Interference Between Wireless Services”. TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] The present application relates to wireless communications, and more particularly to techniques for multiplexing different cellular services. BACKGROUND

[0003] The use of wireless communication systems is rapidly increasing. In addition, there are multiple different wireless communication technologies and standards. Some examples of wireless communication technologies include GSM, UMTS (e.g., associated with WCDMA or TD-SCDMA air interfaces), LTE, LTE-Advanced (LTE-A), HSPA, 3GPP2 CDMA2000 (e.g., lxRTT, lxEV-DO, HRPD, eHRPD), IEEE 802.11 (WLAN or Wi-Fi), IEEE 802.16 (WiMAX), Bluetooth, etc.

[0004] For some wireless communication standards such as 5G air interface physical layer design, for example, various different types of services are proposed. For example, an enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB) service can provide a high rate data service with a latency requirement (e.g., 4ms), and an ultra-reliable low latency (URLLC) service can provide a highly reliable service with a lower latency requirement than eMBB (e.g., 0.5ms). In general, different services using a unified physical layer framework can have very different properties in terms of reliability, latency, data rate, etc. It can be challenging to accommodate such different services while maintaining performance, low complexity, and low power consumption at both the base station and the mobile device. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0005] A better understanding of the present subject matter can be obtained when the following detailed description of the embodiments is considered in conjunction with the following drawings, in which:

[0006] Figure 1 An exemplary (and simplified) wireless communication system is illustrated in accordance with some embodiments.

[0007] Figure 2 A base station (BS) in communication with a user equipment (UE) device is illustrated in accordance with some embodiments.

[0008] Figure 3 An exemplary block diagram of a UE in accordance with some embodiments is illustrated.

[0009] Figure 4 An exemplary block diagram of a BS in accordance with some embodiments is illustrated.

[0010] Figure 5 An example puncturing of eMBB uplink transmissions based on an indication of resources for URLLC communications is illustrated in accordance with some embodiments.

[0011] Figure 6A Example signaling to UEs on other cells is illustrated in accordance with some embodiments.

[0012] Figure 6B Example indicator techniques for beam-based systems are illustrated in accordance with some embodiments.

[0013] Figure 7 Example puncturing of eMBB uplink transmissions in a TDD context is illustrated in accordance with some embodiments.

[0014] Figure 8 Example methods for puncturing UL transmissions are illustrated in accordance with some embodiments.

[0015] This Specification includes references to various embodiments that are intended to indicate that the disclosure is not intended to be restricted to one particular specific embodiment, but rather to a wide range of embodiments that fall within the spirit of the disclosure including the appended claims. Particular features, structures, or characteristics can be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments.

[0016] Within the present disclosure, different entities (which can be variously referred to as “units,” “circuits,” other components, etc.) can be described or claimed as “configured to” perform one or more tasks or operations. This

[0017] The term “configured to” is used herein to refer to an entity being structurally equipped for a certain task or operation. For example, a clock circuit configured to generate an output clock signal is intended to cover, for example, a circuit that performs this function during operation, even if the circuit in question is not currently being used (e.g., the circuit is not connected to power). Thus, an entity described or expressed as “configured to” perform a task refers to a physical thing, such as a device, circuit, memory storing executable program instructions, etc., that is used to implement the task. This phrase is not used herein to refer to intangible things.

[0018] The recitation "configured to" in the claims that follows performs one or more tasks expressly intends to disclaim any claim under 35 U.S.C. § 112(f). Thus, any claim in this application that recites a means-plus-function claim element does not invoke the patentability of the claim element under 35 U.S.C. § 112(f), unless the claim element explicitly maintains the phrase "means for" followed by a function.

[0019] As used herein, the term "based on" is used to describe one or more factors that affect a determination. This term is not exclusive, i.e., the determination can be based on additional factors not listed. That is, a determination can be based on at least the specified factors or based on the specified factors and other factors. Consider the phrase "determine A based on B." This phrase specifies that B is a factor in determining A or that B affects the determination of A. This phrase does not exclude that the determination of A can also be based on some other factor, such as C. This phrase also does not exclude that A is determined based on B alone. As used herein, the phrase "based on" is synonymous with the phrase "based at least in part on." DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0020] Acronyms

[0021] The following acronyms can be used in the present disclosure.

[0022] 3GPP: Third Generation Partnership Project

[0023] 3GPP2: Third Generation Partnership Project 2

[0024] APN: Access Point Name

[0025] BLER: Block Error Rate (same as packet error rate)

[0026] BER: Bit Error Rate

[0027] CRC: Cyclic Redundancy Check

[0028] DL: Downlink

[0029] GBR: Guaranteed Bit Rate

[0030] GSM: Global System for Mobile Communications

[0031] IMS: IP Multimedia Subsystem

[0032] IP: Internet Protocol

[0033] LTE: Long Term Evolution

[0034] MME: Mobility Management Entity

[0035] MO: Message Originating

[0036] MT: message termination

[0037] NAS: non-access stratum

[0038] PCC: policy and charging control

[0039] PCEF: policy and charging enforcement function

[0040] PCRF: policy and charging rules function

[0041] PCSCF: proxy call session control function

[0042] PGW: packet gateway

[0043] PER: packet error rate

[0044] QCI: quality of service class index

[0045] QoS: quality of service

[0046] RAT: radio access technology

[0047] RRC: radio resource control

[0048] SGW: serving gateway

[0049] SINR: signal to interference plus noise ratio

[0050] SIR: signal to interference ratio

[0051] SNR: signal to noise ratio

[0052] Tx: transmission

[0053] UE: user equipment

[0054] UL: uplink

[0055] UMTS: universal mobile telecommunications system

[0056] VoLTE: voice over long term evolution

[0057] Terminology

[0058] The following is a glossary of terms used in the disclosure:

[0059] Memory medium- any of various types of non-transitory memory devices or storage devices. The term "memory medium" is intended to include an installation medium, e.g., CD- ROM, floppy disks, or tape device; computer system memory or random access memory such as DRAM, DDR RAM, SRAM, EDO RAM, Rambus RAM, etc.; or a non-volatile memory such as flash memory, magnetic media, e.g., a hard disk drive or optical storage; registers, or other similar types of memory elements, etc. The memory medium can also include other types of non-transitory memory or combinations thereof. Moreover, the memory medium can be located in a first computer system that executes programs, or can be located in a second different computer system that connects to the first computer system over a network such as the Internet. In the latter instance, the second computer system can provide program instructions for execution by the first computer system. The term "memory medium" can include two or more memory mediums that can reside in different locations, e.g., in different computer systems that are connected over a network. The memory medium can store

[0060] Carrier medium - the memory medium as described above, and physical transmission media such as busses, networks, and / or other physical transmission mediums, such as electrical, electromagnetic, or digital signals.

[0061] Computer system - any of various types of computing or processing systems, including a personal computer system (PC), mainframe computer system, workstation, network appliance, internet appliance, personal digital assistant (PDA), television system, grid computing system, or other device or combinations of devices. In general, the term "computer system" can be broadly defined to encompass any device (or combination of devices) having at least one processor that executes instructions from a memory medium.

[0062] User equipment (UE) (or "UE device") - any of various types of computer system devices that are mobile or portable and that perform wireless communications. Examples of UE devices include mobile telephones or smart phones (e.g., iPhone TM , Android TM -based phones), portable gaming devices (e.g., Nintendo DS TM , PlayStation Portable TM , Gameboy Advance TM , iPhone TMA UE can be a wireless device, a mobile device, or a portable device, among other examples. Examples of a UE can include a mobile phone, a smart phone, a PDA, a portable computer, a wearable device (e.g., a smart watch, smart glasses), a laptop computer, a tablet, a portable Internet device, a music player, a data storage device, or other hand held devices, among other examples. Generally, the term “UE” or “UE device” can be broadly defined to encompass any electronic, computing, and / or telecommunications device (or combination of devices) that is easily transported by a user and capable of wireless communication.

[0063] Base station The term “base station” has the full breadth of its ordinary meaning, and at least includes a wireless communication station installed at a fixed location and used to communicate as part of a wireless cellular telephone system or radio system.

[0064] Processing element Refers to various elements or combinations of elements that are capable of performing the functions of a device, such as a user equipment or a cellular network device. Processing elements can include, for example: processor(s) and associated memory, portions or circuits of a single processor core, entire processor cores, processor arrays, circuits such as an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), programmable hardware elements such as a field programmable gate array (FPGA), any of various combinations thereof, among others.

[0065] Channel A medium for transmitting information from a sender (transmitter) to a receiver. It should be noted that the term “channel” as used herein can be considered to be used in a manner that is consistent with standards of the type of equipment to which the term usage is referenced, as the characteristics of the term “channel” can differ according to different wireless protocols. In some standards, the channel width can be variable (e.g., depending on device capabilities, band conditions, etc.). For example, LTE can support scalable channel bandwidths from 1.4 MHz to 20 MHz. In contrast, a WLAN channel can be 22 MHz wide, while a Bluetooth channel can be 1 MHz wide. Other protocols and standards can include different definitions of a channel. Also, some standards can define and use multiple types of channels, e.g., different channels for uplink or downlink and / or different channels for different uses such as data, control information, etc.

[0066] Band The term “band” has the full breadth of its ordinary meaning and at least includes a segment of spectrum (e.g., a frequency spectrum) in which channels are used or set aside for the same purpose.

[0067] Automatically– refers to an action or operation performed by a computer system (e.g., software executed by the computer system) or device (e.g., circuitry, programmable hardware elements, ASIC, etc.), without user input specifically specifying or performing the action or operation. Thus the term "automatically" refers to something being handled by the computer system or device without user intervention. The term "automatically" also refers to something being handled by the computer system or device in response to a user input, but without the user explicitly specifying or performing the action or operation. For example, a user can initiate a process by providing input to the computer system or device to perform an action or operation, but the computer system or device performs the action or operation without further user input. The present specification provides various examples of actions or operations that can be performed automatically by the computer system or device.

[0068] Figure 1 and Figure 2 - communication system

[0069] Figure 1 An example (and simplified) wireless communication system in accordance with some embodiments is illustrated. Note that Figure 1 The system of FIG. 1 is merely one example of a possible system, and embodiments can be implemented in any of various systems as desired.

[0070] As shown, the example wireless communication system includes a base station 102A that communicates with one or more user devices 106A, user device 106B, etc., through to user device 106N over a transmission medium. Each of the user devices can be referred to herein as a "user equipment" (UE). Thus, the user devices 106 are referred to as UEs or UE devices.

[0071] The base station 102A can be a base transceiver station (BTS) or cell site, and can include hardware that enables wireless communication with the UEs 106A-106N. The base station 102A can also be equipped to communicate with a network 100 (e.g., in various possibilities, a cellular service provider's core network, a telecommunications network such as the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN), and / or the Internet). Thus, the base station 102A can facilitate communication

[0072] The communication area (or coverage area) of a base station can be referred to as a "cell." Base station 102A and UEs 106 can be configured to communicate

[0073] Base station 102A and other similar base stations, such as base stations 102B... 102N, operating according to the same or different cellular communication standards can thus be provided as a network of cells that can provide continuous or nearly continuous overlapping service to UEs 106A-160N and similar devices via one or more cellular communication standards across a wide geographic area.

[0074] Thus, while base station 102A can act as a "serving cell" for UEs 106A-160N as Figure 1 illustrated in FIG. 1, each UE 106 can also be within the communication range of, and able to receive signals from, one or more other cells (which can be provided by base stations 102B-N and / or any other base stations) that can be referred to as "neighboring cells." Such cells can also be capable of facilitating communication between user devices and / or between user devices and network 100 according to the same wireless communication techniques as base station 102A and / or any of a variety of other possible wireless communication techniques. Such cells can include "macro" cells, "micro" cells, "pico" cells, and / or cells that provide any of a variety of other granularities of service area sizes. For example, base stations 102A-B can be macro cells, while base station 102N can be a micro cell. Other configurations are also possible. Figure 1

[0075] ​Note that the UE 106 can be capable of communicating using multiple wireless communication standards. For example, in addition to at least one cellular communication protocol (e.g., GSM, UMTS (WCDMA, TD-SCDMA), LTE, LTE-A, HSPA, 3GPP2 CDMA2000 (e.g., lxRTT, lxEV-DO, HRPD, eHRPD), etc.), the UE 106 can be configured to communicate using wireless networking (e.g., Wi-Fi) and / or peer-to-peer wireless communication protocols (e.g., BT, Wi-Fi peer-to-peer, etc.). If desired, the UE 106 can also or alternatively be configured to communicate using one or more global navigation satellite systems (GNSS, such as GPS or GLONASS), one or more mobile television broadcasting standards (such as ATSC-M / H or DVB-H), and / or any other wireless communication protocol. Other combinations of wireless communication standards (including more than two wireless communication standards) are also possible.

[0076] Figure 2 A user equipment 106 (e.g., one of the devices 106A-106N) is illustrated in communication with a base station 102 (e.g., one of the base stations 102A-102N) in accordance with some embodiments. The UE 106 can be a cellular communication-enabled device such as a mobile phone, a handset, a wearable device, a computer or a tablet, or virtually any type of wireless device.

[0077] The UE 106 can include a processor that is configured to execute program instructions stored in memory. The UE 106 can perform any of the method embodiments described herein by executing such stored instructions. Alternatively, or in addition, the UE 106 can include a programmable hardware element such as an FPGA (field programmable gate array) that is configured to perform any of the method embodiments described herein, or any portion of any of the method embodiments described herein. Alternatively, or in addition, the UE 106 can include one or more integrated circuits (ICs) that are configured to perform any of the method embodiments described herein.

[0078] The UE 106 can include one or more antennas to communicate using one or more wireless communication protocols or technologies. In some embodiments, the UE 106 is configured to communicate using any of CDMA2000 (lxRTT / lxEV-DO / HRPD / eHRPD) or LTE using a single shared radio, and / or GSM or LTE using a single shared radio. The shared radio can be coupled to a single antenna, or can be coupled to multiple antennas (e.g., for MIMO) for performing wireless communication. Generally, the radio can include any combination of a baseband processor, analog RF signal processing circuitry (e.g., including filters, mixers, oscillators, amplifiers, etc.) or digital processing circuitry (e.g., for digital modulation as well as other digital processing). Similarly, the radio can implement one or more receive and transmit chains using the aforementioned hardware. For example, the UE 106 can share one or more portions of a receive and / or transmit chain between multiple wireless communication technologies such as those discussed above.

[0079] In some embodiments, the UE 106 can include separate (and possibly multiple) transmit and / or receive chains (e.g., including separate RF and / or digital radios) for each wireless communication protocol configured to communicate therewith. As further possibilities, the UE 106 can include one or more radios shared between multiple wireless communication protocols, and one or more radios used exclusively by a single wireless communication protocol. For example, the UE 106 can include a shared radio to communicate using either of LTE or lxRTT (or LTE or GSM), and separate radios to communicate using each of Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. Other configurations are also possible.

[0080] Figure 3 - Exemplary block diagram of a UE

[0081] Figure 3An exemplary block diagram of a UE 106 according to some embodiments is illustrated. As shown, the UE 106 can include a system on chip (SOC) 300, which can include processing elements for various purposes. For example, as shown, the SOC 300 can include one or more processors 302, which can execute program instructions for the UE 106, and display circuitry 304, which can perform graphics processing and provide display signals to the display 360. The one or more processors 302 can also be coupled to memory management unit (MMU) 340, which can be configured to receive addresses from the one or more processors 302 and translate those addresses to locations in memory (e.g., memory 306, read only memory (ROM) 350, NAND flash memory 310) or to other circuits or devices, such as the display circuitry 304, wireless communication circuitry 330, connector I / F 320, and / or display 360. The MMU 340 can be configured to carry out memory protection and page table translation or set up. In some embodiments, the MMU 340 can be included as a portion of the one or more processors 302.

[0082] As shown, the SOC 300 can be coupled to various other circuits of the UE 106. For example, the UE 106 can include various types of memory (e.g., including NAND flash 310), a connector interface 320 (e.g., for coupling to computer systems, docking stations, charging stations, etc.), a display 360, and wireless communication circuitry 330 (e.g., for LTE, Wi-Fi, GPS, etc.).

[0083] The UE device 106 can include at least one antenna (and possibly a plurality of antennas, for various possibilities, such as for MIMO and / or for implementing different wireless communication technologies) for performing wireless communication with base stations and / or other devices. For example, the UE device 106 can use one or more antennas 335 to perform wireless communication. As noted above, in some embodiments, the UE 106 can be configured to use multiple wireless communication standards for wireless communication.

[0084] As further described herein, UE 106 may include hardware and software components for implementing the features and methods described herein. The processor 302 of UE device 106 may be configured to implement some or all of the methods described herein, for example, by executing program instructions stored on a memory medium (e.g., a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium). In other embodiments, processor 302 may be configured as a programmable hardware element such as a FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array) or an ASIC (Application-Specific Integrated Circuit). Alternatively (or in addition), in conjunction with one or more of other components 300, 304, 306, 310, 320, 330, 335, 340, 350, 360, the processor 302 of UE device 106 may be configured to implement some or all of the features described herein.

[0085] Figure 4 - Exemplary block diagram of a base station

[0086] Figure 4 An exemplary block diagram of a base station 102 according to some implementation schemes is shown. It should be noted that... Figure 4 The base station shown is merely one example of a possible base station. As illustrated, base station 102 may include one or more processors 404 capable of executing program instructions for base station 102. One or more processors 404 may also be coupled to a memory management unit (MMU) 440 (which may be configured to receive addresses from one or more processors 404 and translate those addresses into locations in memory (e.g., memory 460 and read-only memory (ROM) 450)) or coupled to other circuitry or devices.

[0087] Base station 102 may include at least one network port 470. Network port 470 may be configured to be coupled to a telephone network and provide access as described above. Figure 1 and Figure 2 The telephone network described herein includes multiple devices such as UE device 106.

[0088] Network port 470 (or an additional network port) may also be configured, or alternatively configured, to be coupled to a cellular network, such as the core network of a cellular service provider. The core network may provide mobility-related services and / or other services to multiple devices, such as UE device 106. In some cases, network port 470 may be coupled to a telephone network via the core network, and / or the core network may provide the telephone network (e.g., in other UE devices served by a cellular service provider).

[0089] The base station 102 can include at least one antenna 434, and possibly multiple antennas. The one or more antennas 434 can be configured to operate as a wireless transceiver and can also be configured to communicate with UE devices 106 via the radio 430. The antennas 434 communicate with the radio 430 via communication chains 432. The communication chains 432 can be receive chains, transmit chains, or both. The radio 430 can be configured to communicate via various wireless telecommunication standards including, but not limited to, LTE, LTE-A, UMTS, CDMA2000, Wi-Fi, etc.

[0090] The base station 102 can be configured to use multiple wireless communication standards for wireless communication. In some instances, the base station 102 can include multiple radios that can enable the base station 102 to communicate according to multiple wireless communication technologies. For example, as one possibility, the base station 102 can include an LTE radio for performing communication according to LTE and a Wi-Fi radio for performing communication according to Wi-Fi. In such a case, the base station 102 can be capable of operating as both an LTE base station and a Wi-Fi access point. As another possibility, the base station 102 can include a multi-mode radio capable of performing communication according to either of multiple wireless communication technologies, e.g., LTE and Wi-Fi.

[0091] The base station 102 can include hardware and software components for implementing or supporting the specific implementations described herein. The processor 404 of the base station 102 can be configured to implement or support one or more portions of the methods described herein, e.g., by executing program instructions stored on a memory medium (e.g., a non-transitory computer-readable memory medium). Alternatively, the processor 404 can be configured as a programmable hardware element, such as an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), or as an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), or a combination thereof. Alternatively (or additionally) the processor 404 of the base station 102, in conjunction with one or more of the other components 430, 432, 434, 440, 450, 460, and / or 470, can be configured to implement or support an implementation of one or more portions of the features described herein.

[0092] Overview of service multiplexing techniques

[0093] In various embodiments, supporting data services with different characteristics in a unified physical layer framework while still maintaining performance, low complexity, and low power consumption can be challenging. For example, URLLC signaling with very low latency and ultra-high reliability requirements can need to be scheduled while eMBB transmission is ongoing in order to achieve target latency (e.g., waiting for eMBB transmission to complete can take a longer amount of latency than the maximum amount of latency allowed for URLLC). Additionally, different data services can use different lengths of slots, e.g., eMBB slots can use 14 symbols, while URLLC can be able to use mini-slots with 2, 4, or 7 symbols.

[0094] Thus, in various embodiments, multiplexing techniques are used to share physical layer time and frequency resources among different services. For purposes of illustration, URLLC and eMBB are discussed herein, but URLLC and eMBB are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure; the disclosed techniques can be utilized among any of a variety of different data services.

[0095] Generally, if there are unused time and / or frequency resources during eMBB transmission, the base station can be configured to schedule URLLC transmission using the empty resources, such that the empty resources do not affect other data transmission. If unused resources are not available, in some embodiments, URLLC can be allowed to pre-empt eMBB transmission, which can meet URLLC latency requirements, but can pollute eMBB data and degrade performance of eMBB packets (e.g., reduce block error rate (BLER)). Additionally, UL eMBB transmission by a nearby UE can interfere with URLLC transmission. Thus, in some embodiments, other UEs are configured to puncture their UL resources (e.g., by refraining from transmission or transmitting at lower power) to reduce interference with URLLC communications.

[0096] Example indicators for FDD systems

[0097] Figure 5 is a block diagram illustrating exemplary puncturing of eMBB UL transmission to avoid interfering with URLLC communications. In the illustrated embodiment, the upper plot represents a DL control channel, the middle plot represents eMBB UL transmission, and the lower plot represents URLLC transmission (the URLLC transmission can be uplink or downlink). While the three plots are shown separately, the three plots can correspond to the same set of time frequency resources (e.g., URLLC data 560 is transmitted using the same time and frequency resources as UL eMBB data 540, as shown).

[0098] In the illustrated embodiment, the downlink control channel includes downlink control information (DCI) for eMBB 510, which includes control information for UL PUSCH for eMBB data 540. For example, the DCI 510 can indicate resources scheduled for UL transmission, among other information. In the illustrated embodiment, the downlink control channel also includes DCI for URLLC 520, which includes control information for URLLC data 560. In the illustrated embodiment, the DCI 520 includes an indicator 530 that indicates resources used by URLLC communication. In various embodiments, the indicator 530 can be included in the URLLC DCI, or can be transmitted independently.

[0099] In some embodiments, the indicator is UE-specific. In some embodiments, the indicator is group-specific, e.g., in a group common physical downlink control channel (GC-PDCCH). In some embodiments, the indicator is common to multiple UEs. In some embodiments, the indicator is transmitted in dedicated signaling.

[0100] In the illustrated embodiment, the UE transmitting eMBB data 540 is configured to puncture its transmission in the region (shown as punctured resources 550) to reduce interference with URLLC data 560. In some embodiments, the UE thus performs full duplex communication by monitoring the downlink control channel while transmitting uplink data. In some embodiments, different frequency bands for uplink data and downlink control channel can avoid interference between transmitted data and received control channel. When the UE detects the indicator 530 in the control channel, the UE can proceed to puncture the transmission indicated by the indicator 530.

[0101] As one example of puncturing, the UE can blank transmission entirely using the indicated resources in the time and / or frequency dimension. As another example, the UE can reduce transmission power for the indicated resources. In various embodiments, the power reduction can be controlled in the time and / or frequency dimension. For example, in some embodiments, the UE can reduce power during URLLC data communication in all frequencies, while in other embodiments, the UE can reduce power only in the specified time and frequency. In some embodiments, multiple UEs in the region monitor for the indicator 530 and puncture their transmission if needed. In various embodiments, the disclosed techniques can improve wireless performance for a UE to transmit or receive URLLC data 560 by reducing interference from one or more other UEs.

[0102] Figure 6Ais an illustration of an example neighboring cell illustrating according to some embodiments. In some embodiments, UEs in other cells can also puncture their transmissions based on the indicator 530. For example, if base station 102A is performing URLLC communications with UE 106A, UE 106B in a neighboring cell can puncture its transmissions based on the indication from base station 102A. In some embodiments, cell-specific information can enable scrambling to avoid interference between puncturing indicators from different base stations. Thus, in some embodiments, a UE can monitor for puncturing indicators from multiple different base stations while performing uplink transmissions.

[0103] Figure 6B is an illustration of an example beam-based communication illustrating according to some embodiments. In embodiments using beamforming, a device on one beam can cause very limited interference to devices on other beams. For example, in the illustrated embodiment, UL transmissions from UE 106B can substantially not interfere with communications with UE 106A. Thus, in some embodiments, a base station 102 is configured to transmit puncturing indications only along the beam or beams actually used by the URLLC device.

[0104] Example TDD techniques

[0105] Figure 7 is an illustration of an example puncturing of TDD eMBB UL transmissions based on URLLC communications. In some embodiments, time-dimension duplex (TDD) communications switch between uplink and downlink transmissions, for example, using the same set of frequency resources.

[0106] For example, as shown, the downlink DCI for eMBB 710 is transmitted using the same frequency resources as the UL eMBB data 740 it controls (but at a different time). Similarly, the downlink DCI for URLLC 720 is transmitted using the same frequency resources as the URLLC data 760. Note that the eMBB UE can not be able to detect DCI 720, for example, because the eMBB UE is in UL transmission mode and cannot perform DL reception simultaneously in a TDD implementation.

[0107] Thus, in some embodiments, a base station is configured to transmit a puncturing indicator 730 in a control band (which can be a narrow dedicated band) that is separate from the band used for TDD communications, as shown. In these embodiments, an eMBB UE can monitor the control band for the indicator while it performs TDD UL transmissions, and puncture the resources used by URLLC (e.g., punctured resources 750 in the example illustrated) appropriately.

[0108] Example method

[0109] Figure 8 is a flowchart illustrating an exemplary method performed by an eMBB UE according to some embodiments. Among other things, Figure 8 The illustrated method can be used in conjunction with any of the computer circuitry, systems, devices, elements, or components disclosed herein. In various embodiments, some of the illustrated method elements can be performed concurrently, in different orders, or omitted. Additional method elements can also be performed as desired.

[0110] At 810, in the illustrated embodiment, the UE 106 monitors a control channel for a puncturing indication. The control channel can be dedicated to puncturing indications (e.g., for TDD), or can also be used for other control information.

[0111] At 820, in the illustrated embodiment, the UE 106 transmits the scheduled UL eMBB data, at least partially in parallel with the element's monitoring 810.

[0112] At 830, in the illustrated embodiment, the UE 106 detects the puncturing indication in the control channel, and at 840 punctures its transmission. For example, the puncturing can include blanking time and / or frequency portions of one or more scheduled transmissions or transmitting at a lower power.

[0113] At 850, in the illustrated embodiment, the UE 106 resumes transmitting the scheduled UL eMBB data. For example, the UE can resend the blanked transmission later, or wait to determine whether the base station 102 received the reduced power transmission before resending.

[0114] ***

[0115] Embodiments of the disclosure can be implemented in any of various forms. For example, some embodiments can be implemented as a computer-implemented method, a computer-readable memory medium, or a computer system. Other embodiments can be implemented using one or more custom-designed hardware devices such as ASICs. Still other embodiments can be implemented using one or more programmable hardware elements such as FPGAs.

[0116] In some embodiments, an apparatus comprises means for performing one or more of the method elements of Figure 7 In some embodiments, an apparatus comprises means for performing one or more of the method elements of

[0117] In some embodiments, a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium can be configured such that it stores program instructions and / or data, where if the program instructions are executed by a computer system, the computer system is caused to perform a method, such as any of the method embodiments described herein, or any combination of method embodiments described herein, or any subset of any of the method embodiments described herein, or any combination of such subsets.

[0118] In some embodiments, a device (e.g., UE 106) can be configured to include a processor (or a set of processors) and a memory medium, where the memory medium stores program instructions, where the processor is configured to read and execute the program instructions from the memory medium, where the program instructions are executable to implement any of the various method embodiments described herein (or any combination of method embodiments described herein, or any subset of any of the method embodiments described herein, or any combination of such subsets). The device can be implemented in any of a variety of forms.

[0119] While the above embodiments have been described in considerable detail, various modifications and changes can be made therein without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. It is intended that the claims be construed to cover all such modifications and changes.

Claims

1. A method performed by a mobile device, the method comprising: receiving a first downlink control information, DCI, message on resources in a first frequency band, wherein the first DCI message indicates resources for a physical uplink shared channel, PUSCH, transmission, the PUSCH transmission is a time dimension duplex, TDD, transmission, and the PUSCH transmission is for a first data service of the mobile device; monitoring a downlink control channel on a second frequency band that is disjoint from the first frequency band while performing a TDD uplink transmission; after receiving the first DCI message, detecting an indicator in the downlink control channel, wherein the indicator indicates resources for a second data service of another mobile device; and reducing the PUSCH transmission in response to the detection, wherein reducing the PUSCH transmission comprises blanking at least a portion of the PUSCH transmission or reducing a transmission power of the PUSCH transmission in a time dimension and / or a frequency dimension for the resources for the second data service of another mobile device indicated by the indicator, and wherein the indicator in the downlink control channel is from another cell that is different from a cell that is a target of the PUSCH transmission.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising determining whether to blank the PUSCH transmission in the time dimension, in the frequency dimension, or in both the time dimension and the frequency dimension.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the first DCI message is from a same cell as a cell that is a target of the PUSCH transmission.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the indicator is transmitted in a second DCI message.

5. A mobile device comprising: a processor; and a memory storing computer-readable instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the mobile device to perform operations of the method of any of claims 1-4.

6. A computer-readable storage medium having stored thereon computer-readable instructions that, when executed by a processor in a mobile device, cause the mobile device to perform operations of the method of any of claims 1-4.

7. An apparatus for a mobile device comprising means for performing operations of the method of any of claims 1-4.

8. A method performed by a base station, the method comprising: sending a first downlink control information, DCI, message to a first user equipment on resources in a first frequency band, wherein the first DCI message indicates resources for a physical uplink shared channel, PUSCH, transmission, wherein the PUSCH transmission is a time dimension duplex, TDD, transmission, and the PUSCH transmission is for a first data service of the first user equipment; and ​ ​ in response to a request to communicate with a second user equipment for a second data service and via a downlink control channel on a second frequency band that is disjoint from the first frequency band, sending an indicator to the first user equipment to reduce the PUSCH transmission, wherein the indicator indicates resources for the second data service for the second user equipment, and reducing the PUSCH transmission comprises blanking at least a portion of the PUSCH transmission or reducing a transmission power of the PUSCH transmission in a time dimension and / or a frequency dimension for the resources for the second data service for the second user equipment; and sending an indicator to reduce the PUSCH transmission for one or more cells not associated with the base station.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the indicator indicates whether to blank the PUSCH transmission in a time dimension, in a frequency dimension, or in both a time dimension and a frequency dimension.

10. A base station comprising: a processor; and a memory storing computer-readable instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the base station to perform operations of the method of claim 8 or 9.

11. A computer-readable storage medium having stored thereon computer-readable instructions that, when executed by a processor in a base station, cause the base station to perform operations of the method of claim 8 or 9.

12. An apparatus for a base station, comprising means for performing operations of the method of claim 8 or 9.

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