Method and User Equipment for Scheduling with Multiple Cells

Abstract

A method and user equipment (UE) for scheduling with multiple cells is provided. Specifically, the UE can be connected to multiple cells in a network. The UE can determine a specific time slot for receiving a CSI-RS from a first cell. The index of the specific time slot is n+X+L, where n is the time slot index for receiving DCI from a second cell, X is the time slot offset for triggering the CSI-RS, and L includes parameters associated with the SCS of the first cell and the second cell. The UE can receive the CSI-RS from the first cell in the specific time slot.

Description

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0002] This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119 to U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 186,859, filed on May 11, 2021, and entitled “UE Transmission / Reception Behavior with CA with Non-Aligned Frame Boundaries,” the subject matter of which is incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0003] The disclosed embodiments relate generally to wireless communications, and more particularly to methods and user equipment for scheduling with multiple cells. Background Art

[0004] In the legacy network of the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) 5G New Radio (NR), a channel state information-reference signal (CSI-RS) (e.g., aperiodic CSI-RS) is transmitted in a specific time slot (i.e., time slot Ks defined in the 3GPP technical specification).

[0005] In addition, in the conventional 3GPP 5G NR network, CSI reference resources for user equipment are introduced to report CSI reports only when at least one CSI-RS transmission opportunity for channel measurement and CSI-RS and / or CSI-IM opportunity for interference measurement are received no later than the discontinuous reception (DRX) active time of the CSI reference resource, otherwise the CSI report is discarded.

[0006] However, based on the conventional determination of a specific time slot (ie, time slot Ks) and CSI reference resources, when carrier aggregation (CA) time slot offset is introduced in a network with multiple cells, the result may be erroneous. Summary of the Invention

[0007] A method and user equipment (UE) for scheduling with multiple cells are provided. In some embodiments, the UE can be connected to multiple cells in a network. The UE can determine a specific time slot for receiving a CSI-RS from a first cell among the multiple cells. The index of the specific time slot is n+X+L, where n is the index of the time slot for receiving downlink control information (DCI) from a second cell among the multiple cells, X is the time slot offset for triggering the CSI-RS, and L includes parameters related to the sub-carrier space (SCS) of the first cell and the second cell. The UE can receive the CSI-RS from the first cell in the specific time slot.

[0008] In some embodiments, a UE may be connected to multiple cells in a network. The UE may receive DCI from a first cell in the multiple cells. The DCI instructs the UE to send a CSI report in an uplink timeslot n′ in a second cell in the multiple cells ... CSI_ref ) Determine the CSI reference resource for CSI reporting. CSI_ref is the time slot index of the CSI reference, n is μ DL is the SCS index of the first cell, μ UL is the SCS index of the second cell, and L includes parameters associated with the SCS of the first cell and the second cell.

[0009] According to the method and user equipment for scheduling with multiple cells provided by the present invention, time slot errors caused by reporting CSI reports in specific time slots when introducing carrier aggregation time slot offsets can be avoided.

[0010] Other embodiments and advantages are described in the detailed description that follows. This summary is not intended to define the invention. The invention is defined by the claims. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] The accompanying drawings, wherein like numerals represent like components, illustrate embodiments of the present invention.

[0012] Figure 1 An exemplary 5G New Radio network supporting scheduling with multiple cells according to an embodiment of the present invention is illustrated.

[0013] Figure 2 is a simplified block diagram of a cell and a UE according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0014] Figure 3 An example of time slots of cells with different SCSs according to an embodiment of the present invention is illustrated.

[0015] Figure 4 An example of time slots of cells with different SCSs according to an embodiment of the present invention is illustrated.

[0016] Figure 5 is a flowchart of a method for scheduling using multiple cells according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0017] Figure 6 is a flowchart of a method for scheduling using multiple cells according to an embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0018] Reference will now be made in detail to some embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

[0019] Figure 1 An exemplary 5G NR network 100 supporting scheduling with multiple cells according to aspects of the present disclosure is illustrated. The 5G NR network 100 includes a UE 110 communicatively connected to multiple cells 121.

[0020] Each cell 121 can use a radio access technology (RAT) (e.g., 5G NR technology) to provide radio access. UE 110 can be a smartphone, a wearable device, an Internet of Things (IoT) device, a tablet, etc. Alternatively, UE 110 can be a notebook (NB) or a personal computer (PC) with a data card inserted or installed. The data card includes a modem and one or more radio frequency transceivers to provide wireless communication capabilities.

[0021] Each cell 121 may provide communication coverage for a geographic coverage area, wherein communication with a UE 110 is supported via a communication link 101. The communication link 101 shown in the 5G NR network 100 may include an uplink (UL) transmission from the UE 110 to the cell 121 (e.g., on a physical uplink control channel (PUCCH) or a physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH)) or a downlink (DL) transmission from the cell 121 to the UE 110 (e.g., on a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) or a physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH)). The cells 121 may communicate with each other via a communication link 122 between the two cells 121.

[0022] Figure 2 1 is a simplified block diagram of cell 121 and UE 110 according to an embodiment of the present invention. For cell 121, antenna 197 transmits and receives radio signals. A radio frequency (RF) transceiver module 196, coupled to the antenna, receives RF signals from the antenna, converts them to baseband signals, and transmits the baseband signals to processor 193. RF transceiver 196 also converts baseband signals received from processor 193, converts them to RF signals, and transmits them to antenna 197. Processor 193 processes the received baseband signals and invokes various functional modules and circuits to perform functions in cell 121. Memory 192, including volatile and non-volatile computer-readable storage media, stores program instructions and data 190 for controlling the operation of cell 121.

[0023] Similarly, for UE 110, antenna 177 transmits and receives RF signals. An RF transceiver module 176, coupled to the antenna, receives RF signals from the antenna, converts them to baseband signals, and transmits the baseband signals to processor 173. RF transceiver 176 also converts baseband signals received from processor 173, converts them to RF signals, and transmits them to antenna 177. Processor 173 processes the received baseband signals and invokes various functional modules and circuits to execute features in UE 110. Memory 172, which includes both volatile and nonvolatile computer-readable storage media, stores program instructions and data 170 to control the operation of UE 110.

[0024] The cell 121 and the UE 110 also include several functional modules and circuits that can be implemented and configured to perform the embodiments of the present invention. Figure 2 In the example shown, cell 121 includes a set of control functional modules and circuits 180. Scheduling circuitry 182 handles scheduling of multiple cells and related network parameters for UE 110. Configuration and control circuitry 181 provides various parameters for configuring and controlling UE 110. UE 110 includes a set of control functional modules and circuits 160. Scheduling circuitry 162 handles scheduling of multiple cells and related network parameters. Configuration and control circuitry 161 processes configuration and control parameters from unit 121.

[0025] Note that the various functional modules and circuits may be implemented and configured via software, firmware, hardware, or any combination thereof. When executed by processors 193 and 173 (e.g., by executing program codes 190 and 170), the functional modules and circuits allow cell 121 and UE 110 to perform embodiments of the present invention.

[0026] In some embodiments, UE 110 may connect to cell 121. After connecting to cell 121, UE 110 may determine a specific time slot for receiving a CSI-RS from a first cell in cells 121. The index of the specific time slot is n+X+L, where n is the index of a time slot for receiving DCI from a second cell in cell 121, X is a time slot offset for triggering CSI-RS, and L includes parameters associated with the SCSs of the first cell and the second cell. UE 110 may transmit a CSI-RS in the specific time slot.

[0027] In some embodiments, L is

[0028]

[0029] is the first carrier aggregation (CA) slot offset associated with the first cell used to transmit CSI-RS, is the second CA slot offset associated with the second cell for receiving DCI, μ offset，CSIRS is the first SCS index with the maximum value among the lowest configured SCSs of multiple cells, μ offset，PDCCH is the second SCS index having the maximum value among the lowest configured SCSs of the multiple cells, μ CSIRS It is the index of the SCS of the first cell.

[0030] In some embodiments, and μ offset，PDCCHis determined by a higher layer configuration (e.g., radio resource control (RRC) configuration) of the second cell, and and μ offset，CSIRS Determined by higher layer configuration (eg, RRC configuration of the first cell). In some embodiments, the CSI-RS may include an aperiodic CSI-RS.

[0031] Figure 3 An example of time slots of cells 121 with different SCSs according to one novel aspect is illustrated. Specifically, after connecting to cell 121, some specific cells in cell 121 are determined. In this example, cell 121a with SCS 120kHz is the primary cell (PCell), cell 121b with 30kHz SCS is used to transmit PDCCH, and cell 121c with 30kHz SCS is used to receive CSI-RS. More specifically, it is determined that: (1) PDCCH is transmitted between UE 110 and cell 121b with 30kHz SCS; (2) CSI-RS is sent between UE 110 and cell 121c with 30kHz SCS. The SCSs of cells 121b and 121c are the same.

[0032] In this example, DCI is transmitted in slot '0' of cell 121b and the slot offset for triggering CSI-RS is configured as '0'.

[0033] Based on the reference time slot of PCell 121a (i.e., time slot '0'), the first CA time slot offset of cell 121b is determined to be '3'. More specifically, the time slot difference between time slot '0' of cell 121b and time slot '0' of PCell 121a is three time slots of PCell 121a. In other words, time slot '0' of cell 121b begins at time slot '3' of PCell 121a.

[0034] Based on the reference time slot of PCell 121a (i.e., time slot '0'), the second CA time slot offset of cell 121c is determined to be '0'. More specifically, there is no time slot difference between time slot '0' of cell 121c and time slot '0' of PCell 121a. In other words, time slot '0' of cell 121c begins at time slot '0' of PCell 121a.

[0035] According to Table 1 below, the SCS index of PCell 121a is '3', the SCS index of cell 121b is '1', and the SCS index of cell 121c is '1'. The SCS index with the maximum value is '3'. Therefore, μ offset，PDCCH is '3', μ offset，CSIRSis '3', the SCS index of cell 121c is '1' (ie, μ CSIRS is '1').

[0036] μ frequency 0 15KHZ 1 30KHZ 2 60KHZ 3 120KHZ 4 240KHZ

[0037] Table 1

[0038] Therefore, according to the formula n+X+L, in this example, the index of the specific time slot where the CSI-RS is received is Therefore, UE 110 may receive the CSI-RS in slot '0' of cell 121c.

[0039] In some embodiments, after connecting to cell 121, UE 110 may receive DCI from a first cell of cell 121. The DCI may instruct UE 110 to send a CSI report in uplink timeslot n′ in a second cell of cell 121. UE 110 may then send a CSI report based on downlink timeslots (nn CSI_ref ) Determine the CSI reference resource for CSI reporting. CSI_ref is the time slot index of the CSI reference (i.e., n defined in the 3GPP technical specification CSI_ref , n is And μ DL is the index of the SCS of the first cell, μ UL is the index of the SCS of the second cell, and L includes parameters associated with the SCS of the first cell and the second cell.

[0040] In some embodiments, when DRX is configured in the network, UE 110 may report a CSI report only when at least one CSI-RS transmission opportunity for channel measurement and a CSI-RS and / or CSI-IM opportunity for interference measurement is received no later than the DRX active time of the CSI reference resource, and otherwise discard the report.

[0041] In some embodiments, L is

[0042]

[0043] and is the first CA slot offset associated with the first cell for receiving DCI, is the second CA slot offset associated with the second cell used to send the CSI report, μ offset，DL is the first SCS index with the maximum value among the minimum configuration SCSs of multiple cells, μ offset，UL is the second SCS index with the maximum value among the minimum configuration SCSs of multiple cells, μ DL It is the index of the SCS of the first cell.

[0044] In some embodiments, and μ offset，DL is determined by the higher layer configuration of the first cell, and and μ offset，UL Determined by the higher layer configuration of the second cell.

[0045] Figure 4 An example of time slots of cell 121 with different SCSs according to one novel aspect is illustrated. Specifically, after connecting to cell 121, some specific cells of cell 121 are determined. In this example, cell 121x with an SCS of 120 kHz is the PCell, cell 121y with an SCS of 30 kHz is used for downlink PDCCH transmission, and cell 121z with an SCS of 30 kHz is used for uplink CSI report transmission.

[0046] In this example, the first CA slot offset for cell 121y is determined to be '3' based on the reference slot of PCell 121x (i.e., slot '0'). More specifically, the slot difference between slot '0' of cell 121y and slot '0' of PCell 121x is three slots of PCell 121x. In other words, slot '0' of cell 121y begins at slot '3' of PCell 121x.

[0047] Based on the reference slot of PCell 121x (i.e., slot '0'), the second CA slot offset of cell 121z is determined to be '0'. More specifically, there is no slot difference between slot '0' of cell 121z and slot '0' of PCell 121x. In other words, slot '0' of cell 121z begins at slot '0' of PCell 121x.

[0048] According to Table 1, the SCS index of PCell 121x is '3', the SCS index of cell 121y is '1', and the SCS index of cell 121z is '1'. The SCS index with the maximum value is '3'. Therefore, μ offset，DL '3', μ offset，UL '3' and the SCS index of cell 121y is '1' (ie, μ DL is '1').

[0049] In this example, the DCI instructs UE 110 to send a CSI report in cell 121z. Therefore, in the time domain, the CSI reference resources for the CSI report in uplink slot "0" (ie, n'=0) consist of a single downlink slot nn. CSI_ref Definition, where n is UE 110 receives the downlink time slots '0-n' of cell 121y. CSI_ref'Determine the time slot of the CSI reference resource.

[0050] Figure 5 This invention is a flow chart of a method for scheduling with multiple cells from the perspective of a UE in a 5G / NR network according to one novel aspect. In step 501, a UE connects to multiple cells in the network. In step 502, the UE determines a specific time slot for receiving a CSI-RS from a first cell among the multiple cells. The index of the specific time slot is n+X+L, where n is the index of a time slot for receiving DCI from a second cell among the multiple cells, X is the time slot offset for triggering the CSI-RS, and L includes parameters associated with the SCS of the first and second cells. In step 503, the UE receives the CSI-RS from the first cell in the specific time slot.

[0051] In some embodiments, L is

[0052]

[0053] and is the first CA slot offset associated with the first cell for transmitting CSI-RS, is the second CA slot offset associated with the second cell for receiving DCI, μ offset，CSIRS is the first SCS index with the maximum value among the lowest configured SCSs of multiple cells, μ offset，PDCCH is the second SCS index having the maximum value among the lowest configured SCSs of the multiple cells, μ CSIRS It is the index of the SCS of the first cell.

[0054] In some embodiments, the first CA slot offset and the second CA slot offset are determined based on a reference slot of a primary cell among the plurality of cells.

[0055] In some embodiments, the offset first SCS index and the offset second SCS index are determined based on the RRC configuration.

[0056] In some embodiments, and μ offset，PDDCCH is determined by the higher layer configuration of the second cell, and μ offset，CSIRS and μ offset，CSIRS Determined by higher layer configuration of the first cell.

[0057] In some embodiments, the CSI-RS includes an aperiodic CSI-RS. In some embodiments, the SCS of the first cell and the second cell are the same.

[0058] Figure 66 is a flow chart of a method for scheduling with multiple cells from the perspective of a UE in a 5G / NR network according to one novel aspect. In step 601, a UE is connected to multiple cells in the network. In step 602, the UE receives DCI from a first cell of the multiple cells. The DCI instructs the UE to send a CSI report in an uplink time slot n' in a second cell of the multiple cells. In step 603, the UE sends a CSI report based on the downlink time slot (nn) of the UE. CSI_ref ) Determine the CSI reference resource for the CSI report. CSI_ref is the index of the CSI reference slot, n is And μ DL is the index of the SCS of the first cell, μ UL is the index of the SCS of the second cell, and L includes parameters associated with the SCS of the first cell and the second cell.

[0059] In some embodiments, L is

[0060]

[0061] is the first CA slot offset associated with the first cell for receiving DCI, is the second CA slot offset associated with the second cell used to send the CSI report, μ offset，DL is the first SCS index with the maximum value among the minimum configuration SCSs of multiple cells, μ offset，UL is the second SCS index with the maximum value among the minimum configuration SCSs of multiple cells, μ DL It is the index of the SCS of the first cell.

[0062] In some embodiments, and μ offset，DL is determined by the higher layer configuration of the first cell, and and μ offset，UL Determined by the higher layer configuration of the second cell.

[0063] Although the present invention has been described in conjunction with certain specific embodiments for guiding purposes, it is not limited thereto. Therefore, various modifications, amendments and combinations of the various features of the described embodiments may be implemented without departing from the scope of the invention as set forth in the claims.

Claims

1. A method for scheduling with multiple cells, comprising: Connecting to multiple cells in the network through user equipment (UE); determining, by the user equipment, a specific time slot for receiving a channel state information reference signal (CSI-RS) from a first cell among the plurality of cells, wherein an index of the specific time slot is n+X+L, where n is an index of a time slot for receiving downlink control information (DCI) from a second cell among the plurality of cells, X is a time slot offset for triggering the CSI-RS, and L includes a parameter associated with a subcarrier spacing (SCS) of the first cell and the second cell, wherein the SCS of the first cell and the second cell are the same; and The user equipment receives the CSI-RS from the first cell in the specific time slot.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that L is is a first carrier aggregation (CA) slot offset associated with the first cell for transmitting the CSI-RS, is the second CA slot offset associated with the second cell for receiving the DCI, μ offset，CSIRS is the first SCS index with the maximum value among the lowest configured SCSs of multiple cells, μ offset，PDCCH is the second SCS index having the maximum value among the lowest configured SCSs of the multiple cells, μ CSIRS It is the index of the SCS of the first cell.

3. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that The first CA time slot offset and the second CA time slot offset are determined based on radio resource control configurations of the plurality of cells.

4. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that The first SCS index offset and the second SCS index offset are determined based on the radio resource control configuration.

5. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that and μ offset，PDCCH is determined by a higher layer configuration of the second cell, and and μ offset，CSIRS Determined by the higher layer configuration of the first cell.

6. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that The CSI-RS includes an aperiodic CSI-RS.

7. A method for scheduling with multiple cells, comprising: Connecting to multiple cells in the network through user equipment; as well as The user equipment receives downlink control information (DCI) from a first cell of the plurality of cells, wherein the DCI instructs the user equipment to send a channel state information (CSI) report in an uplink timeslot n′ in a second cell of the plurality of cells; as well as The user equipment according to the downlink time slot (nn CSI_ref ) determine a CSI reference resource for the CSI report, where n CSI_ref is the index of the CSI reference slot, n is And μ DL is the index of the subcarrier spacing (SCS) of the first cell, μ UL is the index of the SCS of the second cell, and L includes parameters associated with the SCS of the first cell and the second cell.

8. The method according to claim 7, characterized in that L is is a first carrier aggregation (CA) slot offset associated with the first cell for receiving the DCI, is the second CA time slot offset associated with the second cell for sending the CSI report, μ offset，DL is the first SCS index with the maximum value among the minimum configuration SCSs of the multiple cells, μ offset，UL is the second SCS index with the maximum value among the lowest configured SCSs of the multiple cells, μ DL is the index of the SCS of the first cell.

9. The method according to claim 8, characterized in that and μ offset，DL is determined by a higher layer configuration of the first cell, and and μ offset，UL Determined by the higher layer configuration of the second cell.

10. A user equipment for scheduling with multiple cells, comprising: a transceiver for connecting to multiple cells in the network; a scheduling circuit configured to determine a specific time slot for receiving a channel state information reference signal (CSI-RS) from a first cell among the plurality of cells, wherein an index of the specific time slot is n+X+L, where n is an index of a time slot for receiving downlink control information (DCI) from a second cell among the plurality of cells, X is a time slot offset for triggering the CSI-RS, and L includes a parameter associated with a subcarrier spacing (SCS) of the first cell and the second cell, wherein the SCS of the first cell and the second cell are the same; and The CSI-RS is received from the first cell in the specific time slot by the transceiver.

11. The user equipment according to claim 10, wherein: L is is a first carrier aggregation (CA) slot offset associated with the first cell for transmitting the CSI-RS, is the second CA slot offset associated with the second cell for receiving the DCI, μ offset，CSIRS is the first SCS index with the maximum value among the lowest configured SCSs of multiple cells, μ offset，PDCCH is the second SCS index having the maximum value among the lowest configured SCSs of the multiple cells, μ CSIRS It is the index of the SCS of the first cell.

12. The user equipment according to claim 11, wherein: The first CA time slot offset and the second CA time slot offset are determined based on radio resource control configurations of the plurality of cells.

13. The user equipment according to claim 11, wherein: The first SCS index offset and the second SCS index offset are determined based on the radio resource control configuration.

14. The user equipment according to claim 11, wherein: and μ offset，PDCCH is determined by a higher layer configuration of the second cell, and and μ offset，CSIRS Determined by the higher layer configuration of the first cell.

15. The user equipment according to claim 10, wherein: The CSI-RS includes an aperiodic CSI-RS.

16. A user equipment for scheduling with multiple cells, comprising: a transceiver for connecting to multiple cells in the network; as well as receiving downlink control information (DCI) from a first cell of the plurality of cells, wherein the DCI instructs the user equipment to send a channel state information (CSI) report in an uplink timeslot n′ in a second cell of the plurality of cells; Scheduling circuit for downlink time slot (nn CSI_ref ) determine a CSI reference resource for the CSI report, where n CSI_ref is the index of the CSI reference slot, n is And μ DL is the index of the subcarrier spacing (SCS) of the first cell, μ UL is the index of the SCS of the second cell, and L includes parameters associated with the SCS of the first cell and the second cell.

17. The user equipment according to claim 16, wherein: L is is a first carrier aggregation (CA) slot offset associated with the first cell for receiving the DCI, is the second CA time slot offset associated with the second cell for sending the CSI report, μ offset，DL is the first SCS index with the maximum value among the minimum configuration SCSs of the multiple cells, μ offset，UL is the second SCS index with the maximum value among the lowest configured SCSs of the multiple cells, μ DL is the index of the SCS of the first cell.

18. The user equipment according to claim 17, wherein: and μ offset，DL is determined by a higher layer configuration of the first cell, and and μ offset，UL Determined by the higher layer configuration of the second cell.

19. A non-volatile computer-readable storage medium storing program instructions and data, which, when executed by a processor of a user equipment for scheduling with multiple cells, causes the user equipment to perform the operations described in any one of claims 1 to 9.

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