Sounding reference signal configuration

Abstract

The present invention provides a method performed by a user equipment (UE), the method comprising: receiving from a base station (BS) one or more messages including probe reference signal (SRS) configuration information, the SRS configuration information including a partial frequency probe indicator and additional information associated with the partial frequency probe indicator, and determining an SRS resource allocation; and sending the SRS to the BS according to the SRS configuration information.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates generally to wireless communication systems, and more specifically to test probe reference signal (SRS) configurations. Background Technology

[0002] Wireless mobile communication technologies use various standards and protocols to transmit data between base stations and wireless mobile devices. Wireless communication system standards and protocols may include the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) Long Term Evolution (LTE); the 5th Generation (5G) 3GPP New Radio (NR) standard; the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.16 standard, commonly referred to by the industry organization as Global Microwave Access Interoperability (WiMAX); and the IEEE 802.11 standard for Wireless Local Area Networks (WLANs), commonly referred to by the industry organization as Wi-Fi. In the 3GPP Radio Access Network (RAN) of an LTE system, a base station may include RAN nodes such as an Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access Network (E-UTRAN) Node B (also commonly referred to as an Evolved Node B, Enhanced Node B, eNodeB, or eNB) and / or a Radio Network Controller (RNC) in the E-UTRAN, which communicates with wireless communication equipment called User Equipment (UE). In a fifth-generation (5G) wireless RAN, RAN nodes may include 5G nodes, New Radio (NR) nodes, or gNodeBs (gNBs), which communicate with wireless communication equipment (also known as User Equipment (UE)). Summary of the Invention

[0003] According to an aspect of this disclosure, a method performed by a user equipment (UE) is provided, the method comprising: receiving from a base station (BS) one or more messages including sounding reference signal (SRS) configuration information, the SRS configuration information including a partial frequency sounding indicator and additional information associated with the partial frequency sounding indicator and determining an SRS resource allocation; and transmitting the SRS to the BS according to the SRS configuration information.

[0004] According to an aspect of this disclosure, a method performed by a base station (BS) is provided, the method comprising: sending one or more messages to a user equipment (UE) including sounding reference signal (SRS) configuration information, the SRS configuration information including a partial frequency sounding indicator and additional information associated with the partial frequency sounding indicator and determining an SRS resource allocation; and receiving SRS from the UE according to the SRS configuration information.

[0005] According to aspects of this disclosure, an apparatus for a user equipment (UE) includes one or more processors configured to perform steps of any of the methods provided herein for execution by the UE.

[0006] According to aspects of this disclosure, an apparatus for a base station (BS) includes one or more processors configured to perform steps of any of the methods performed by the BS according to the methods provided herein.

[0007] According to an aspect of this disclosure, a computer-readable medium having computer programs stored thereon, which, when executed by one or more processors, cause a device to perform the steps of any of the methods provided herein.

[0008] According to an aspect of this disclosure, an apparatus for a communication device includes means for performing the steps of a method according to any one of the methods provided herein.

[0009] According to an aspect of this disclosure, a computer program product includes computer programs that, when executed by one or more processors, cause a device to perform the steps of any of the methods provided herein. Attached Figure Description

[0010] The features and advantages of this disclosure will become apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate the features of this disclosure by way of example.

[0011] Figure 1 It is a block diagram of a system including a base station (BS) and a user equipment (UE) according to some implementation schemes.

[0012] Figure 2 A flowchart of an exemplary method executed by the UE is shown.

[0013] Figure 3 An exemplary transmission scenario with probe reference signal (SRS) configuration information is shown according to some implementation schemes.

[0014] Figure 4A An exemplary SRS configuration with offset is shown according to some implementation schemes.

[0015] Figure 4B Another exemplary SRS configuration with a different offset is shown according to some implementation schemes.

[0016] Figure 5 An exemplary SRS configuration with offset transitions according to some implementation schemes is shown.

[0017] Figure 6 Another exemplary SRS configuration with offset transitions according to some implementation schemes is shown.

[0018] Figure 7 Another exemplary SRS configuration with offset jumps is shown according to some implementation schemes.

[0019] Figure 8 An exemplary SRS configuration with a skipping mechanism is shown according to some implementation schemes.

[0020] Figure 9 A flowchart of an exemplary method performed by a BS is shown.

[0021] Figure 10 An exemplary block diagram of an apparatus for a UE according to some implementation schemes is shown.

[0022] Figure 11 An exemplary block diagram of an apparatus for a BS according to some embodiments is shown.

[0023] Figure 12 Exemplary components of a device 1200 according to some embodiments are shown.

[0024] Figure 13 An exemplary interface 1300 of a baseband circuit according to some embodiments is shown.

[0025] Figure 14 The components are shown according to some implementation schemes.

[0026] Figure 15 The architecture of a wireless network according to some implementation schemes is shown. Detailed Implementation

[0027] In this disclosure, a "base station" may include RAN nodes such as an Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access Network (E-UTRAN) node B (also commonly referred to as an evolved node B, enhanced node B, eNodeB, or eNB) and / or a Radio Network Controller (RNC) and / or a 5G node, New Radio (NR) node, or g node B (gNB), which communicates with wireless communication equipment also referred to as a User Equipment (UE). Although some examples may be described with reference to any of E-UTRAN node B, eNB, RNC, and / or gNB, such equipment can be replaced by any type of base station.

[0028] The Sound Reference Signal (SRS) is an uplink (UL) reference signal transmitted by the UE to the BS. In Rel-15, the SRS can only be transmitted in the last 6 symbols of each time slot. In Rel-16, the SRS can be transmitted in any symbol used for NR-U and NR positioning.

[0029] Figure 1A wireless network 100 according to some embodiments is shown. The wireless network 100 includes a UE 101 and a base station 150 connected via an air interface 190.

[0030] UE 101 and any other UE in the system can be, for example, a laptop computer, smartphone, tablet computer, printer, machine-type device, such as a smart meter or dedicated device for healthcare monitoring, remote security monitoring, intelligent transportation systems, or any other wireless device with or without a user interface. Base station 150 provides UE 101 with network connectivity to a wider network (not shown) via air interface 190 within the base station service area provided by base station 150. In some embodiments, such a wider network can be a wide area network operated by a cellular network provider, or it can be the Internet. Each base station service area associated with base station 150 is supported by an antenna integrated with base station 150. The service area is divided into multiple sectors associated with certain antennas. Such sectors can be physically associated with fixed antennas, or can be assigned to physical areas with tunable antennas or antenna configurations that can be adjusted during beamforming to direct signals to a particular sector. For example, one implementation of base station 150 includes three sectors, each covering a 120-degree area, wherein the antenna array is pointed at each sector to provide 360-degree coverage around base station 150.

[0031] UE 101 includes control circuitry 105 coupled to transmission circuitry 110 and receiving circuitry 115. Transmission circuitry 110 and receiving circuitry 115 may each be coupled to one or more antennas. Control circuitry 105 may be adapted to perform operations associated with MTC. In some embodiments, control circuitry 105 of UE 101 may perform calculations or initiate measurements associated with air interface 190 to determine the channel quality of an available connection to base station 150. These calculations may be performed in conjunction with control circuitry 155 of base station 150. Transmission circuitry 110 and receiving circuitry 115 may be adapted to transmit and receive data, respectively. Control circuitry 105 may be adapted or configured to perform various operations, such as the various UE-related operations described elsewhere in this disclosure. Transmission circuitry 110 may transmit multiple multiplexed uplink physical channels. These multiple uplink physical channels may be multiplexed according to time division multiplexing (TDM) or frequency division multiplexing (FDM). Transmission circuitry 110 may be configured to receive block data from control circuitry 105 for transmission across air interface 190. Similarly, receiving circuit 115 can receive multiple multiplexed downlink physical channels from air interface 190 and relay these physical channels to control circuit 105. Uplink and downlink physical channels can be multiplexed according to TDM or FDM. Transmitting circuit 110 and receiving circuit 115 can transmit and receive structured control data and content data (e.g., messages, images, video, etc.) within data blocks carried by the physical channels.

[0032] Figure 1 Base station 150 according to various embodiments is also shown. Base station 150 circuitry may include control circuitry 155 coupled to transmission circuitry 160 and receiving circuitry 165. Transmission circuitry 160 and receiving circuitry 165 may each be coupled to one or more antennas, which may be used for communication via air interface 190.

[0033] Control circuitry 155 can be adapted to perform operations associated with the MTC. Transmit circuitry 160 and receive circuitry 165 can be adapted to transmit and receive data respectively within a narrow system bandwidth, which is narrower than the standard bandwidth used for personal communications. In some embodiments, for example, the transmission bandwidth can be set to or close to 1.4 MHz. In other embodiments, other bandwidths can be used. Control circuitry 155 can perform various operations, such as those associated with the base station described elsewhere in this disclosure.

[0034] Within a narrow system bandwidth, transmission circuit 160 can transmit multiple multiplexed downlink physical channels. These multiple downlink physical channels can be multiplexed according to TDM or FDM. Transmission circuit 160 can transmit these multiple multiplexed downlink physical channels in a downlink superframe composed of multiple downlink subframes.

[0035] Within a narrow system bandwidth, receiver circuit 165 can receive multiple multiplexed uplink physical channels. These multiple uplink physical channels can be multiplexed according to TDM or FDM. Receiver circuit 165 can receive these multiple multiplexed uplink physical channels in an uplink superframe composed of multiple uplink subframes.

[0036] As further described below, control circuits 105 and 155 may be involved in measuring the channel quality of air interface 190. Channel quality may be based, for example, on physical barriers between UE 101 and base station 150, electromagnetic interference from other sources, reflections, or indirect paths between UE 101 and base station 150, or other such signal noise sources. Based on channel quality, multiple retransmissions of data blocks can be scheduled, allowing transmission circuit 110 to transmit multiple copies of the same data, and receiving circuit 115 to receive multiple copies of the same data.

[0037] Figure 2 A flowchart of an exemplary method 200 performed by the UE is shown. Figure 2 As shown, the method 200 performed by the UE may include steps 210 to 220.

[0038] In step 210, the UE receives one or more messages from the base station (BS) including Sounding Reference Signal (SRS) configuration information. The SRS configuration information includes a partial frequency sounding indicator and additional information associated with the partial frequency sounding indicator, and determines the SRS resource allocation. For example, the partial frequency sounding indicator can be represented as: P F .

[0039] In step 220, the UE sends an SRS to the BS based on the SRS configuration information.

[0040] In some implementations, the UE can receive signaling including SRS configuration information from the BS. Exemplarily, the message or signaling may be Radio Resource Control (RRC).

[0041] Figure 3 An exemplary transport scenario 300 with SRS configuration information according to some implementation schemes is shown. For example... Figure 3 As shown, the BS sends and the UE receives one or more messages containing SRS configuration information 310. SRS configuration information 310 includes a partial frequency detection indicator P. FAnd additional information associated with the partial frequency probe indicator. SRS resource allocation is determined by SRS configuration information 310. In some implementations, based on SRS configuration information 310, SRS resource allocation indicates the time and frequency resources allocated by the BS to the UE for SRS transmission. The UE transmits SRS 320 to the BS based on the allocated time and frequency resources for transmission.

[0042] In some implementations, a portion of the frequency detection indicator P F SRS transmission subbands can be configured as one or more segments. In some implementations, SRS transmission subbands can be configured according to Table 6.4.1.4.3-1 in 38.211. The c-SRS in SRS-Resource is configured with a row index in the table, i.e., C. SRS Furthermore, the b-SRS in SRS-Resource configures column indexes in the table, namely B. SRS Corresponding Determine the SRS transmission subband size.

[0043] In some implementations, additional information associated with the partial frequency probe indicator may include the subband size of the SRS transmission. and The partial frequency probe indicator identifies a group of consecutive resource blocks (RBs) in the symbols of the SRS transmission in the first time slot. For example, the symbols may be orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) symbols.

[0044] In some implementations, having A resource block (pRB)'s SRS transmission subband can be divided into multiple RB groups, and each group consists of OFDM symbols in a time slot. A continuous RB construction. In some variations, when the SRS transmission subband is divided by P... F When divided into multiple groups, each UE can be configured with a different group to reuse more UEs within the same resources. Optionally, P F The value can be selected from {2,3,4,8}.

[0045] In some specific implementations, the additional information may also include partial frequency detection offset and offset basic unit of partial frequency detection offset, and the offset basic unit and partial frequency detection offset determine the shift of consecutive RB groups in the subband of SRS transmission in the first time slot.

[0046] In some implementations, a portion of the frequency detection offset can be determined by P F The decision is made and is selected from 0, 1, ..., P. F An integer of -1.

[0047] The offset basic unit for a partial frequency probe offset defines the number of RBs shifted for each partial frequency probe offset. In some implementations, the offset basic unit can be specified in the specification, such as in 38.214 or 38.331. Alternatively, the offset basic unit can be configured as part of an RRC, such as in SRS-Resource, SRS-ResourceSet, or SRS-Config.

[0048] In some implementations, the number of RBs shifted by the offset basic unit is equal to the number of RBs in a group of consecutive RBs or equal to a constant value determined by the maximum value allowed for partial frequency detection indicators.

[0049] Figure 4A An exemplary SRS configuration 400A with a partial frequency detection offset is shown according to some implementation schemes.

[0050] refer to Figure 4A SRS can be transmitted in SRS subband 410 within one OFDM symbol in the first time slot. In some implementations, the subband size 420 of SRS subband 410 is... For example, a sub-band size of 420 can be 4 RBs, i.e. RBs. Optionally, the sub-band size 420 can be any multiple of 4 RBs.

[0051] In some implementations, a portion of the frequency detection indicator P F It can be configured to indicate consecutive RB groups 430 for SRS transmission. The consecutive RB group 430 can have... RB.

[0052] exist Figure 4A In this configuration, the offset basic unit is configured to detect offset shift for each portion of the frequency. There are 0 consecutive RBs. In some implementations, each UE transmits SRS in only one consecutive RB group, such as group 430. SRS subband 410 can allocate multiple UEs, such as UE1-UE4, to transmit SRS based on partial frequency probe offsets 440-470. In some specific implementations, partial frequency probe offsets 440 equals 0, 450 equals 1, 460 equals 2, and 470 equals 3. Therefore, the consecutive RBs shifted by partial frequency probe offset 440 are 0 RBs. The consecutive RBs shifted by partial frequency probe offset 450 are... A series of consecutive RBs. The series of RBs shifted by 460° from the partial frequency detection offset is... A series of consecutive RBs. The series of RBs shifted by 470° from the partial frequency detection offset is... A series of RBs.

[0053] Figure 4BAnother exemplary SRS configuration 400B with a different offset is shown according to some implementation schemes. Reference Figure 4B Similar reference numerals indicate similar parts, and will not be repeated here.

[0054] In some implementations, the number of RBs shifted by the offset basic unit is equal to the number of RBs allowed for use with the partial frequency detection indicator P. F The constant value determined by the maximum value of P. For example, when P... F When selecting values ​​from {2,3,4,8}, it is allowed to be used for P F The maximum value is 8. Therefore, in cases like Figure 4B In some of the embodiments shown, the number of RBs shifted by the offset basic unit is

[0055] like Figure 4B As shown, the continuous RB group 430' for UE1 has RB, that is, for UE1, P F =8. Another consecutive RB group 430' for UE2 has For UE2, P F =4. The partial frequency detection offsets at 440', 450', 460', and 470' are 0, 1, 5, and 7 respectively. The basic unit of offset is... Therefore, the SRS transmission of each UE with offset shift detected by each partial frequency is 0 RBs. RB, RB and RB.

[0056] In some implementations, the one or more messages may include RRC signaling. The RRC signaling includes a first information element (IE) and a second IE configured in the SRS-Resource, and the first IE configures a partial frequency probe indicator P. F Furthermore, the second IE configuration section includes frequency detection offset.

[0057] In some implementations, the first IE is SubbandReduction-r17 ENUMERATED{2,3,4,8}. In some variations, the second IE is PartialSubbandOffset-r17 INTEGER(0..7).

[0058] In some implementations, the two Internet Explorer windows can be configured to highlight the following sections:

[0059] SRS-Resource::=SEQUENCE{

[0060] srs-ResourceId SRS-ResourceId,

[0061] nrofSRS-Ports ENUMERATED{port1,ports2,ports4},

[0062] ptrs-PortIndex ENUMERATED{n0,n1}OPTIONAL,--Need R

[0063] transmissionComb CHOICE{

[0064] n2 SEQUENCE{

[0065] combOffset-n2 INTEGER(0..1),

[0066] cyclicShift-n2 INTEGER(0..7)

[0067] },

[0068] n4 SEQUENCE{

[0069] combOffset-n4 INTEGER(0..3),

[0070] cyclicShift-n4 INTEGER(0..11)

[0071] }

[0072] },

[0073] resourceMapping SEQUENCE{

[0074] startPosition INTEGER(0..5),

[0075] nrofSymbols ENUMERATED{n1,n2,n4},

[0076] repetitionFactor ENUMERATED{n1,n2,n4}

[0077] },

[0078] SubbandReduction-r17 ENUMERATED{2,3,4,8},

[0079] PartialSubbandOffset-r17 INTEGER(0..7),

[0080] In some implementations, P can be achieved by indicating DCI formats 0_1, 0_2, 1_1, 1_2, and 2_3 in the downlink control information (DCI). F And a dynamic indication of partial frequency detection offset.

[0081] In some specific implementations, the one or more messages may also include a DCI, and the DCI includes a partial frequency probe indicator P configured to activate or deactivate. F And a bit field for partial frequency detection offset. For example, a new 1-bit field is introduced that indicates whether the P configured in SRS-Resource should be applied. F And partial frequency detection offset.

[0082] In some variations, the one or more messages include a DCI, and the bit width of the SRS request field of the DCI is increased to configure a partial frequency probe indicator P. F And partial frequency detection offset. For example, the SRS request field bit width can be increased, with the added bits used to indicate whether P should be applied. F And offset.

[0083] In some variants, the message includes a DCI, and one or more new fields can be introduced into the DCI to configure a partial frequency probe indicator P. F And partial frequency detection offset.

[0084] In some implementations, the one or more messages may include at least one MAC-CE, and the at least one MAC-CE is configured with a partial frequency probe indicator P. F And a portion of the frequency detection offset. MAC-CE is a Media Access Control (MAC) control element sent from the BS to the UE. The BS schedules DL data to the UE and transmits the DL data on the Physical Downlink Shared Channel (PDSCH). The BS may also append some MAC layer information to the PDSCH, which includes MAC-CE. For example, the BS can transmit the PDSCH to the UE, and the PDSCH may carry DL data, MAC-CE, or both.

[0085] In some specific implementations, each MAC-CE includes a corresponding SRS-ResourceSetId, and each MAC-CE will be indicated by a partial frequency probe indicator P for all SRS-Resources indicated by the corresponding SRS-ResourceSetId. FThe configuration is set to have a first value, and each MAC-CE will be configured with a second value, consisting of a portion of the frequency probe offsets of all SRS-Resources indicated by the corresponding SRS-ResourceSetId. In some variations, the MAC-CE can be configured to apply P to each SRS-ResourceSet. F And a portion of the frequency detection offset. For example, the MAC-CE will contain the SRS-ResourceSetId, so that the MAC-CE can be used to change all SRS-Resources with the same value in the indicated SRS-ResourceSetId.

[0086] In some specific implementations, each MAC-CE includes a corresponding SRS-ResourceSetId, and each MAC-CE is independently configured with a partial frequency probe indicator P for all SRS-Resources indicated by the corresponding SRS-ResourceSetId. F And partial frequency detection offset. In some variants, MAC-CE can be configured to apply P to each SRS-Resource in the SRS-ResourceSet. F And a portion of the frequency detection offset. For example, the MAC-CE will contain the SRS-ResourceId. Furthermore, the MAC-CE can independently update each SRS-Resource in the indicated SRS-ResourceSet.

[0087] In some specific implementations, each MAC-CE includes a corresponding SRS-ResourceId, and each MAC-CE configures a partial frequency probe indicator P of the SRS-Resource based on the corresponding SRS-ResourceId. F And partial frequency detection offset. In some variants, MAC-CE can be configured to apply P to each SRS-Resource. F And a portion of the frequency detection offset. For example, the MAC-CE will contain the SRS-ResourceId, so that the MAC-CE can be used independently to change each SRS-Resource.

[0088] Overall, P is configured via DCI or MAC-CE. F The technical advantage of partial frequency detection offset is that it can be implemented faster and more dynamically than that configured by RRC SRS-Resource.

[0089] In some implementations, the additional information may also include `nrofSymbols` and `repetitionFactor`, and the SRS resource allocation indicates at least one first subset of `nrofSymbols` symbols in the first time slot, each first subset in the first time slot having `repetitionFactor` symbols. `nrofSymbols` represents the number of consecutive SRS symbols that can be configured for SRS transmission. `repetitionFactor` is used for SRS frequency hopping configuration, i.e., the SRS frequency position hops every `repetitionFactor` SRS symbols. In some variations, different subsets may be configured, for example, each subset including `repetitionFactor` SRS symbols.

[0090] In some implementations, when P F When configured, one or more attributes related to SRS transmission hop within each first subset of the first time slot. In some implementations, the partial frequency probe offset may differ for different SRS symbols, i.e., the partial frequency probe offset hops. Exemplarily, partial frequency probe offset hops may be allowed within the same frequency hop repetition (e.g., repetitionFactor symbols).

[0091] Figure 5 An exemplary SRS configuration with offset transitions according to some implementation schemes is shown. Figure 5 As shown, in this embodiment, the norrSymbols of the SRS transmission are four consecutive symbols in the first time slot (time slot n), namely, col 10 to col 13. Similarly, the SRS transmission in the second time slot (time slot n+1) also contains norrSymbols symbols, namely, four consecutive symbols from col 10 to col 13 in time slot n+1. SRS resource allocation 500 indicates two first subsets of the four SRS symbols in time slot n, namely, first subset 510 and first subset 540. First subset 510 includes SRS symbols 520 and 530. Another first subset 540 includes SRS symbols 550 and 560. In some embodiments, when the repetitionFactor is configured, for example, repetitionFactor = 2, the frequency of SRS symbol 550 in first subset 540 jumps relative to SRS symbol 520 in first subset 510. Similarly, the frequency of SRS symbol 560 in the first subset 540 jumps relative to SRS symbol 530 in the first subset 510.

[0092] In some implementations, when P F Configured, for example, P F When = 4, then due to PF The configuration allows SRS symbol 510 to be divided into 4 consecutive RB groups, with each group containing One RB. A partial subband of 522 represents a continuous group of RBs, that is, RB.

[0093] In some implementations, the partial frequency detection offset may differ for different SRS symbols. For example, the offset of partial subband 532 jumps relative to the offset of partial subband 522 within the first subset 510.

[0094] In some implementations, at least one first subset of the norfSymbols symbols in the first time slot comprises two or more first subsets, and one or more attributes related to SRS transmission hop between different first subsets in the first time slot. Exemplarily, partial frequency probe offset hopping may be allowed in overlapping repetitive symbols (e.g., repetitionFactors) with different frequency hopping patterns in the same time slot.

[0095] Figure 6 Another exemplary SRS configuration with offset transitions according to some implementation schemes is shown. Figure 6 In the accompanying drawings, similar reference numerals denote similar parts, and will not be repeated here.

[0096] refer to Figure 6 SRS resource allocation 600 indicates four SRS symbols in the first time slot. SRS resource allocation 600 also indicates two first subsets: first subset 610 and first subset 640, each containing two SRS symbols.

[0097] In some implementations, partial frequency detection offsets can be performed across different subsets of the same time slot. For example... Figure 6 As shown, the partial frequency detection offset of a portion of subband 652 in the first subset 640 abruptly changes relative to the partial frequency detection offset of a portion of subband 622 in the first subset 610. It should be noted that the abrupt change occurs within the same subset as the partial frequency detection offset (e.g., as...). Figure 5 As shown, compared to the case where offset 532 is a jump relative to 522 in the same subset 520, Figure 6 The partial frequency detection offsets in the subset will not jump within the same subset. For example, the partial frequency detection offset of subband 632 will not jump relative to the partial frequency detection offset of subband 622.

[0098] In some implementations, the SRS resource allocation indicates at least a second subset of norfSymbols symbols in a second time slot, each second subset in the second time slot having repetitionFactor symbols, and one or more attributes related to SRS transmission hopping between the at least one first subset in the first time slot and the at least one second subset in the second time slot. Exemplarily, partial frequency probe offset hopping can be allowed in cross-frequency hopping repetitions (e.g., repetitionFactor) in different time slots.

[0099] Figure 7 Another exemplary SRS configuration with offset transitions according to some implementation schemes is shown. Figure 7 In the accompanying drawings, similar reference numerals denote similar parts, and will not be repeated here.

[0100] refer to Figure 7 SRS resource allocation 700 indicates that the four SRS symbols in the first time slot (time slot n) are divided into two first subsets: first subset 710 and first subset 710. SRS resource allocation 700 also indicates that the four SRS symbols in the second time slot (time slot n+1) are divided into two second subsets: second subset 710' and second subset 740'.

[0101] In some implementations, partial frequency detection offsets can be performed across different subsets of different time slots. For example... Figure 7 As shown, the partial frequency detection offset of a portion of subband 722' in the second subset 710' abruptly changes relative to the partial frequency detection offset of a portion of subband 722 in the first subset 710 (abruptly changing across time slot n and time slot n+1). Similarly, the partial frequency detection offset of a portion of subband 732' in the second subset 710' abruptly changes relative to the partial frequency detection offset of a portion of subband 732 in the first subset 710. It should be noted that abrupt changes within the same subset as the partial frequency detection offset (e.g., as...) Figure 5 As shown, compared to the case where offset 532 is a jump relative to 522 in the same subset 520, Figure 7 The partial frequency detection offsets in the time slot will not abruptly change within the same subset. For example, the partial frequency detection offset of subband 732 will not abruptly change relative to the partial frequency detection offset of subband 722. It should also be noted that abrupt changes across different subsets within the same time slot (e.g., such as...) are also possible. Figure 6 As shown, compared to the case where offset 652 in the first time slot 640 jumps relative to offset 622 in the first time slot 610, Figure 7The partial frequency detection offsets in the first time slot will not abruptly change within the same time slot. For example, the partial frequency detection offset of partial subband 752 will not abruptly change relative to the partial frequency detection offset of partial subband 722 in the first time slot.

[0102] It should be understood that, although Figures 5 to 7 The hopping mechanism shown mentions partial frequency probe offset hopping, but other attribute or parameter hopping in each of the cases described above may also be possible.

[0103] In some implementations, the one or more attributes include at least one attribute selected from: partial frequency detection offset, SRS sequence, cyclic shift, spatial relationship, path loss RS (PLRS), closed-loop power control (CLPC), and open-loop power control (OLPC). In some variations, when more than one SRS symbol is configured for SRS transmission, one or more of these attributes can be configured independently for each subset of SRS symbols within the same SRS transmission. In some variations, for periodic or semi-persistent SRS, i.e., P-SRS or SP-SRS across different periods, one or more of these attributes can be configured independently for SRS transmission (e.g., for a periodic SRS with a periodicity of 20 ms, it may be configured independently every 20 ms with some repeating pattern).

[0104] In some implementations, when the UE transmits SRS symbols multiple times, the UE can use different SRS sequences in each of one or more SRS symbols. Exemplarily, this can be achieved through different sequences themselves or cyclic shifts of the same sequence.

[0105] In some implementations, when a UE transmits SRS symbols multiple times, the UE can use different subsets of the SRS symbols to different transmit and receive points (TRPs). Exemplarily, different TRPs may require different spatial relationships (beaming), PLRS, OLPC, and / or CLPC.

[0106] Overall, the sequence transitions and TRS transitions mentioned above can enhance SRS coverage.

[0107] In some implementations, the UE can be configured to perform SRS partial probing to skip certain subband transmissions. For example, SRS transmissions within a portion of at least one first subset of the norfSymbols symbols can be skipped.

[0108] Figure 8 An exemplary SRS configuration with a skipping mechanism according to some implementation schemes is shown. Figure 8As shown, SRS configuration allocation 800 indicates two subsets of the four SRS symbols in time slot n: the first subset 810 and 820, and two additional subsets of the four SRS symbols in time slot n+1: the second subset 830 and 840. In some implementations, SRS transmissions within the first subset 820 can be skipped. Similarly, SRS transmissions within the second subset 840 can be skipped. When some SRS transmissions (first subset 820 and second subset 840) are skipped, the UE may be able to enhance SRS transmission power.

[0109] In some implementations, due to the minimum length of the SRS sequence, the minimum subband size Further constraints compared to existing NRs (currently 4 RBs). Minimum subband size. It is P F SRS comb size K TC (Currently 1 / 2 / 4 / 8) and minimum SRS sequence length (currently is) The function of ).

[0110] In some specific implementations, additional information also includes the SRS comb size K. TC and minimum SRS sequence length Minimum length of sub-band size P F This indicates a partial frequency detection indicator. In these implementations, the UE cannot configure...

[0111] In some implementations, P may be configured or instructed under the following conditions. F Only when the SRS is configured to have frequency hopping, only when the SRS is configured to have no frequency hopping, and both when the SRS is configured to have frequency hopping and when it has no frequency hopping.

[0112] In some implementations, the maximum number of repeating symbols in a time slot and an SRS resource is increased to S and at least one S value from {8, 10, 12, 14} is supported.

[0113] In some implementations, the value of S can be configured as shown in the following highlighted section:

[0114]

[0115] In some implementations, the configuration of more than four SRS symbols for SRS transmission can be implemented by selecting at least one of the following options: RRC configuration (option 1); using MAC-CE to change the number of SRS symbols per SRS resource or per SRS resource set (option 2); and using DCI that triggers AP-SRS to change the number of SRS symbols, for example, a scaling factor (1, 2, 3) can be introduced (option 3).

[0116] In some implementations, the SRS configuration can support SRS repetitions with more than four symbols, and larger repetitionFactors can be supported in the specification. In some implementations, the repetitionFactor may include n3, n5, n6, n7, n8, n10, n12, and n14. In some variations, for S=8: repetitionFactor n8; for S=10: repetitionFactor n5, n10; for S=12: repetitionFactor n3, n6, n12; for S=14: repetitionFactor n7, n14. Exemplarily, the repetitionFactor can be configured as repetitionFactor-r17ENUMERATED{n1,n2,n3,n4,n5,n6,n7,n8,n10,n12,n14}.

[0117] In some implementations, in order to support SRS repetition with more than 4 symbols, the repetitionFactor is fixed to be the same as nrofSymbols, that is, frequency jumps within the time slot are not allowed.

[0118] In some implementations, to support SRS repetition with more than four symbols, the starting SRS symbol position is configured as startPosition, and the number of SRS symbols is configured as nrofSymbols. In some variations, if some symbols exceed the slot boundary, the UE can transmit only the SRS symbols within the SRS resource within the slot and omit the SRS symbols exceeding the slot boundary. Optionally, the UE can omit the entire SRS resource. Optionally, the UE can still transmit the entire SRS resource. In some specific implementations, the specification may describe UE behavior that skips some transmissions in subband transmission.

[0119] In some implementations, when more than four consecutive SRS symbols are configured and one or more SRS symbols conflict with downlink (DL) symbols due to semi-statically configured DL symbols, dynamically configured DL symbols via DCI format 2_0, or dynamically configured DL symbols for CSI-RS or PDSCH reception, the UE may terminate SRS transmission at the first conflicting symbol; that is, the UE will not transmit on the conflicting symbol or subsequent symbols. Alternatively, the UE may cancel SRS transmission on the conflicting symbol but subsequently resume SRS transmission. In some specific implementations, the specification will define the UE behavior, i.e., which SRS symbols the UE needs to omit.

[0120] In some implementations, to support 4T6R SRS antenna switching, the SRS configuration can use two configuration options. In some specific implementations, the SRS configuration can use configuration option 1, which configures at least one SRS resource set, wherein there are a total of two SRS resources, one with four ports and the other with two ports. In some variations, the SRS configuration can use configuration option 2, which configures at least one SRS resource set, wherein there are a total of three SRS resources, and each SRS resource has two ports.

[0121] Figure 9 A flowchart of an exemplary method 900 performed by a BS is shown. Figure 9 As shown, the method 900 performed by the BS includes steps 910 to 920.

[0122] In step 910, the BS sends one or more messages to the user equipment (UE) including SRS configuration information, which includes a partial frequency probe indicator and additional information associated with the partial frequency probe indicator, and determines the SRS resource allocation.

[0123] In step 920, the BS receives the SRS from the UE according to the SRS configuration information.

[0124] Figure 10 An exemplary block diagram of an apparatus 1000 for a UE according to some embodiments is shown. Figure 10 The apparatus 1000 shown can be used to implement method 200, such as in combination with Figure 2 As shown.

[0125] like Figure 10 As shown, the device 1000 includes a receiving unit 1010 and a transmitting unit 1020.

[0126] The receiving unit 1010 can be configured to receive from a base station (BS) one or more messages including sounding reference signal (SRS) configuration information, which includes partial frequency sounding indicators and additional information associated with the partial frequency sounding indicators, and to determine SRS resource allocation.

[0127] The sending unit 1020 can be configured to send SRS to the BS according to the SRS configuration information.

[0128] Figure 11 An exemplary block diagram of a device 1100 for a BS according to some embodiments is shown. Figure 11 The device 1100 shown can be used to implement method 900, such as in combination with Figure 9 As shown.

[0129] like Figure 11 As shown, the device 1100 includes a transmitting unit 1110 and a receiving unit 1120.

[0130] The sending unit 1110 can be configured to send one or more messages to the user equipment (UE) including SRS configuration information, which includes a partial frequency probe indicator and additional information associated with the partial frequency probe indicator and determines the SRS resource allocation.

[0131] The receiving unit 1120 can be configured to receive SRS from the UE according to SRS configuration information.

[0132] Figure 12 Exemplary components of device 1200 according to some embodiments are shown. In some embodiments, device 1200 may include at least application circuitry 1202, baseband circuitry 1204, radio frequency (RF) circuitry (shown as RF circuitry 1220), front-end module (FEM) circuitry (shown as FEM circuitry 1230), one or more antennas 1232, and power management circuitry (PMC) (shown as PMC 1234) coupled together as shown. Components of the illustrated device 1200 may be included in a UE or RAN node. In some embodiments, device 1200 may include fewer components (e.g., the RAN node may not utilize application circuitry 1202, but instead include a processor / controller to process IP data received from the EPC). In some embodiments, device 1200 may include additional components such as memory / storage devices, displays, cameras, sensors, or input / output (I / O) interfaces. In other embodiments, the components described below may be included in more than one device (e.g., the circuitry may be individually included in more than one device for a cloud-RAN (C-RAN) specific implementation).

[0133] Application circuitry 1202 may include one or more application processors. For example, application circuitry 1202 may include circuitry such as, but not limited to, one or more single-core or multi-core processors. The processor may include any combination of general-purpose processors and special-purpose processors (e.g., graphics processors, application processors, etc.). The processor may be coupled to or may include a memory / storage device and may be configured to execute instructions stored in the memory / storage device to enable various applications or operating systems to run on device 1200. In some embodiments, the processor of application circuitry 1202 may process IP data packets received from the EPC.

[0134] Baseband circuitry 1204 may include circuitry such as, but not limited to, one or more single-core or multi-core processors. Baseband circuitry 1204 may include one or more baseband processors or control logic components to process baseband signals received from the receive signal path of RF circuitry 1220 and to generate baseband signals for the transmit signal path of RF circuitry 1220. Baseband circuitry 1204 may interact with application circuitry 1202 to generate and process baseband signals and control the operation of RF circuitry 1220. For example, in some embodiments, baseband circuitry 1204 may include a third-generation (3G) baseband processor (3G baseband processor 1206), a fourth-generation (4G) baseband processor (4G baseband processor 1208), a fifth-generation (5G) baseband processor (5G baseband processor 1210), or other existing, under development, or future generations of baseband processors 1212 (e.g., second-generation (2G), sixth-generation (6G), etc.). The baseband circuitry 1204 (e.g., one or more processors in a baseband processor) can handle various radio control functions capable of communicating with one or more radio networks via the RF circuitry 1220. In other embodiments, some or all of the functions of the illustrated baseband processor may be included in modules stored in memory 1218 and may be executed via a central processing unit (CPU 1214). Radio control functions may include, but are not limited to, signal modulation / demodulation, encoding / decoding, RF shifting, etc. In some embodiments, the modulation / demodulation circuitry of the baseband circuitry 1204 may include Fast Fourier Transform (FFT), precoding, or constellation mapping / demapping functions. In some embodiments, the encoding / decoding circuitry of the baseband circuitry 1204 may include convolution, tail-biting convolution, turbo, Viterbi, or low-density parity-check (LDPC) encoder / decoder functions. Implementations of the modulation / demodulation and encoder / decoder functions are not limited to these examples, and other suitable functions may be included in other embodiments.

[0135] In some embodiments, the baseband circuitry 1204 may include a digital signal processor (DSP), such as one or more audio DSPs 1216. The one or more audio DSPs 1216 may include elements for compression / decompression and echo cancellation, and in other embodiments may include other suitable processing elements. In some embodiments, components of the baseband circuitry may be suitably combined in a single chip, a single chipset, or disposed on the same circuit board. In some embodiments, some or all components of the baseband circuitry 1204 and the application circuitry 1202 may be implemented together, for example, on a system-on-a-chip (SoC).

[0136] In some implementations, baseband circuit 1204 can provide communication compatible with one or more radio technologies. For example, in some implementations, baseband circuit 1204 can support communication with the Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access Network (EUTRAN) or other Wireless Metropolitan Area Networks (WMAN), Wireless Local Area Networks (WLAN), or Wireless Personal Area Networks (WPAN). Implementations in which baseband circuit 1204 is configured to support radio communication with more than one wireless protocol may be referred to as multimode baseband circuits.

[0137] RF circuit 1220 can communicate with a wireless network using modulated electromagnetic radiation over a non-solid medium. In various embodiments, RF circuit 1220 may include switches, filters, amplifiers, etc., to facilitate communication with the wireless network. RF circuit 1220 may include a receive signal path, which may include circuitry for down-converting the RF signal received from FEM circuit 1230 and providing a baseband signal to baseband circuit 1204. RF circuit 1220 may also include a transmit signal path, which may include circuitry for up-converting the baseband signal provided by baseband circuit 1204 and providing an RF output signal for transmission to FEM circuit 1230.

[0138] In some embodiments, the receive signal path of RF circuit 1220 may include mixer circuit 1222, amplifier circuit 1224, and filter circuit 1226. In some embodiments, the transmit signal path of RF circuit 1220 may include filter circuit 1226 and mixer circuit 1222. RF circuit 1220 may also include synthesizer circuit 1228 for synthesizing frequencies used by mixer circuit 1222 in the receive signal path and / or transmit signal path. In some embodiments, mixer circuit 1222 in the receive signal path may be configured to down-convert the RF signal received from FEM circuit 1230 based on the synthesized frequency provided by synthesizer circuit 1228. Amplifier circuit 1224 may be configured to amplify the down-converted signal, and filter circuit 1226 may be a low-pass filter (LPF) or band-pass filter (BPF) configured to remove unwanted signals from the down-converted signal to generate an output baseband signal. The output baseband signal may be provided to baseband circuit 1204 for further processing. In some implementations, although not required, the output baseband signal may be a zero-frequency baseband signal. In some implementations, the mixer circuit 1222 for the received signal path may include a passive mixer, but the scope of the implementations is not limited in this respect.

[0139] In some implementations, the mixer circuit 1222 of the transmit signal path can be configured to up-convert the input baseband signal based on the synthesized frequency provided by the synthesizer circuit 1228 to generate an RF output signal for the FEM circuit 1230. The baseband signal can be provided by the baseband circuit 1204 and can be filtered by the filter circuit 1226.

[0140] In some embodiments, the mixer circuit 1222 for the receive signal path and the mixer circuit 1222 for the transmit signal path may include two or more mixers and may be arranged for quadrature downconversion and upconversion, respectively. In some embodiments, the mixer circuit 1222 for the receive signal path and the mixer circuit 1222 for the transmit signal path may include two or more mixers and may be arranged for image rejection (e.g., Hartley image rejection). In some embodiments, the mixer circuit 1222 for the receive signal path and the mixer circuit 1222 may be arranged for direct downconversion and direct upconversion, respectively. In some embodiments, the mixer circuit 1222 for the receive signal path and the mixer circuit 1222 for the transmit signal path may be configured for superheterodyne operation.

[0141] In some embodiments, the output baseband signal and the input baseband signal may be analog baseband signals, although the scope of the embodiments is not limited in this respect. In some alternative embodiments, the output baseband signal and the input baseband signal may be digital baseband signals. In these alternative embodiments, the RF circuit 1220 may include analog-to-digital converter (ADC) and digital-to-analog converter (DAC) circuitry, and the baseband circuit 1204 may include a digital baseband interface for communicating with the RF circuit 1220.

[0142] In some dual-mode implementations, separate radio IC circuits can be provided to process signals for each spectrum, but the scope of the implementation is not limited in this respect.

[0143] In some implementations, synthesizer circuit 1228 may be a fractional N synthesizer or a fractional N / N+1 synthesizer, but the scope of implementations is not limited in this respect, as other types of frequency synthesizers may also be suitable. For example, synthesizer circuit 1228 may be a Δ-Σ synthesizer, a frequency multiplier, or a synthesizer including a phase-locked loop with a frequency divider.

[0144] Synthesizer circuit 1228 can be configured to synthesize an output frequency based on the frequency input and the divider control input for use by mixer circuit 1222 of RF circuit 1220. In some embodiments, synthesizer circuit 1228 may be a fractional N / N+1 synthesizer.

[0145] In some implementations, the frequency input may be provided by a voltage-controlled oscillator (VCO), although this is not mandatory. The divider control input may be provided by the baseband circuitry 1204 or the application circuitry 1202 (such as an application processor) according to the desired output frequency. In some implementations, the divider control input (e.g., N) may be determined from a lookup table based on the channel indicated by the application circuitry 1202.

[0146] The synthesizer circuit 1228 of the RF circuit 1220 may include a frequency divider, a delay-locked loop (DLL), a multiplexer, and a phase accumulator. In some embodiments, the frequency divider may be a dual-mode divider (DMD), and the phase accumulator may be a digital phase accumulator (DPA). In some embodiments, the DMD may be configured to divide the input signal by N or N+1 (e.g., based on carry) to provide a fractional division ratio. In some example embodiments, the DLL may include a cascaded, tunable delay element, a phase detector, a charge pump, and a set of D-type flip-flops. In these embodiments, the delay elements may be configured to divide the VCO cycle into Nd equal phase groups, where Nd is the number of delay elements in the delay line. Thus, the DLL provides negative feedback to help ensure that the total delay through the delay line is one VCO cycle.

[0147] In some embodiments, synthesizer circuitry 1228 may be configured to generate a carrier frequency as the output frequency, while in other embodiments, the output frequency may be a multiple of the carrier frequency (e.g., twice the carrier frequency, four times the carrier frequency) and used in conjunction with quadrature generator and frequency divider circuitry to generate multiple signals having multiple different phases relative to each other at the carrier frequency. In some embodiments, the output frequency may be the LO frequency (fLO). In some embodiments, RF circuitry 1220 may include an IQ / polarity converter.

[0148] FEM circuit 1230 may include a receive signal path, which may include circuitry configured to operate on RF signals received from one or more antennas 1232, amplify the received signals, and provide an amplified version of the received signals to RF circuit 1220 for further processing. FEM circuit 1230 may also include a transmit signal path, which may include circuitry configured to amplify transmit signals provided by RF circuit 1220 for transmission by one or more of the one or more antennas 1232. In various embodiments, amplification via the transmit or receive signal path may be performed only in RF circuit 1220, only in FEM circuit 1230, or in both RF circuit 1220 and FEM circuit 1230.

[0149] In some embodiments, FEM circuit 1230 may include a TX / RX switch to switch between transmit and receive mode operation. FEM circuit 1230 may include a receive signal path and a transmit signal path. The receive signal path of FEM circuit 1230 may include an LNA to amplify the received RF signal and provide the amplified received RF signal as an output (e.g., to RF circuit 1220). The transmit signal path of FEM circuit 1230 may include a power amplifier (PA) to amplify the input RF signal (e.g., provided by RF circuit 1220), and one or more filters to generate an RF signal for subsequent transmission (e.g., through one or more antennas in the one or more antennas 1232).

[0150] In some implementations, the PMC 1234 can manage the power supplied to the baseband circuitry 1204. Specifically, the PMC 1234 can control power selection, voltage scaling, battery charging, or DC-DC conversion. The PMC 1234 is typically included when the device 1200 is capable of being battery powered, for example, when the device 1200 is included in an EGE. The PMC 1234 can improve power conversion efficiency while providing the desired implementation size and thermal characteristics.

[0151] Figure 12PMC 1234 is shown coupled only to baseband circuit 1204. However, in other embodiments, PMC 1234 may additionally or alternatively be coupled to other components (such as, but not limited to, application circuit 1202, RF circuit 1220, or FEM circuit 1230) and perform similar power management operations for these components.

[0152] In some implementations, PMC 1234 can control or otherwise become part of various power-saving mechanisms of device 1200. For example, if device 1200 is in an RRC connected state, and in this state the device is still connected to the RAN node because the device expects to receive communication soon, the device may enter a state called Discontinuous Receive Mode (DRX) after a period of inactivity. During this state, device 1200 can be powered down for short intervals, thereby saving power.

[0153] If there is no data traffic activity during the extended period, device 1200 can transition to the RRC Idle state, in which the device disconnects from the network and does not perform operations such as channel quality feedback or handover. Device 1200 enters a very low power state and performs paging, in which the device periodically wakes up again to listen to the network, and then powers off again. Device 1200 cannot receive data in this state, and in order to receive data, the device must transition back to the RRC Connected state.

[0154] An additional power-saving mode allows the device to be unavailable from the network for periods exceeding the paging interval (ranging from seconds to hours). During this time, the device is completely unconnected to the network and can be completely powered off. Any data sent during this period will incur significant latency, which is assumed to be acceptable.

[0155] The processors of application circuit 1202 and baseband circuit 1204 are elements that can be used to execute one or more instances of a protocol stack. For example, the processor of baseband circuit 1204 can be used alone or in combination to execute layer 3, layer 2, or layer 1 functions, while the processor of application circuit 1202 can utilize data received from these layers (e.g., packet data) and further execute layer 4 functions (e.g., Transport Communication Protocol (TCP) and User Datagram Protocol (UDP) layers). As mentioned herein, layer 3 may include a Radio Resource Control (RRC) layer, which will be described in further detail below. As mentioned herein, layer 2 may include a Media Access Control (MAC) layer, a Radio Link Control (RLC) layer, and a Packet Data Convergence Protocol (PDCP) layer, which will be described in further detail below. As mentioned herein, layer 1 may include the physical (PHY) layer of the UE / RAN node, which will be described in further detail below.

[0156] Figure 13 An exemplary interface 1300 of a baseband circuit according to some embodiments is shown. As described above, Figure 12 The baseband circuit 1204 may include a 3G baseband processor 1206, a 4G baseband processor 1208, a 5G baseband processor 1210, other baseband processors 1212, a CPU 1214, and a memory 1318 used by the processors. As shown, each processor may include a memory interface 1302 for sending / receiving data to / from the memory 1318.

[0157] Baseband circuit 1204 may further include: one or more interfaces for communicatively coupling to other circuits / devices, such as memory interface 1304 (e.g., an interface for sending / receiving data to / from a memory external to baseband circuit 1304); application circuit interface 1306 (e.g., for sending / receiving data to / from a memory external to baseband circuit 1304); and application circuit interface 1306 (e.g., for sending / receiving data to / from a memory external to baseband circuit 1304). Figure 12 Application circuit 1202 (interface for sending / receiving data); RF circuit interface 1308 (e.g., for sending / receiving data to / from...). Figure 12 The RF circuit 1220 is an interface for transmitting / receiving data; the wireless hardware connection interface 1310 (e.g., for transmitting / receiving data to / from near field communication (NFC) components, Components (e.g.) Low Energy) Interface for sending / receiving data to / from components and other communication components); and power management interface 1312 (e.g., an interface for sending / receiving power or control signals to / from PMC 1234).

[0158] Figure 14 This is a block diagram illustrating a component 1400, according to some exemplary embodiments, capable of reading instructions from a machine-readable or computer-readable medium (e.g., a non-transitory machine-readable storage medium) and capable of executing any or more of the methods discussed herein. Specifically, Figure 14 A schematic representation of hardware resources 1402 is shown, including one or more processors 1412 (or processor cores), one or more memory / storage devices 1418, and one or more communication resources 1420, each of which is communicatively coupled via bus 1422. For implementations utilizing node virtualization (e.g., NFV), an executable hypervisor 1404 provides an execution environment for enabling one or more network slices / subslices to utilize hardware resources 1402.

[0159] Processor 1412 (e.g., a central processing unit (CPU), a reduced instruction set computing (RISC) processor, a complex instruction set computing (CISC) processor, a graphics processing unit (GPU), a digital signal processor (DSP) (such as a baseband processor), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a radio frequency integrated circuit (RFIC), another processor, or any suitable combination thereof) may include, for example, processor 1414 and processor 1416.

[0160] The memory / storage device 1418 may include main memory, disk storage, or any suitable combination thereof. The memory / storage device 1418 may include, but is not limited to, any type of volatile or non-volatile memory, such as dynamic random access memory (DRAM), static random access memory (SRAM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), flash memory, solid-state storage devices, etc.

[0161] Communication resource 1420 may include interconnect or network interface components or other suitable devices for communicating with one or more peripheral devices 1406 or one or more databases 1408 via network 1410. For example, communication resource 1420 may include wired communication components (e.g., for coupling via Universal Serial Bus (USB), cellular communication components, NFC components, etc. Components (e.g.) (low power consumption) Components and other communication components.

[0162] Instructions 1424 may include software, programs, applications, applets, or other executable code for causing at least any one of the processors 1412 to perform any or more of the methods discussed herein. Instructions 1424 may reside wholly or partially within at least one of the processor 1412 (e.g., within the processor's cache), memory / storage device 1418, or any suitable combination thereof. Furthermore, any portion of instructions 1424 may be transferred to hardware resource 1402 from any combination of peripheral device 1406 or database 1408. Thus, the memory of processor 1412, memory / storage device 1418, peripheral device 1406, and database 1408 are examples of computer-readable and machine-readable media.

[0163] For one or more embodiments, at least one of the components shown in one or more of the foregoing figures may be configured to perform one or more operations, techniques, processes, and / or methods as described in the Examples section below. For example, the baseband circuitry described above in conjunction with one or more of the foregoing figures may be configured to operate according to one or more of the examples below. As another example, circuitry associated with the UE, base station, network element, etc., described above in conjunction with one or more of the foregoing figures may be configured to operate according to one or more of the examples shown in the Examples section below.

[0164] Figure 15 The architecture of a system 1500 of a network according to some embodiments is shown. System 1500 includes one or more user equipments (UEs), shown in this example as UE 1502 and UE 1504. UE 1502 and UE 1504 are shown as smartphones (e.g., handheld touchscreen mobile computing devices capable of connecting to one or more cellular networks), but it may also include any mobile or non-mobile computing device, such as a personal data assistant (PDA), pager, laptop computer, desktop computer, wireless handheld terminal, or any computing device including a wireless communication interface.

[0165] In some implementations, either UE 1502 or UE 1 104 may include an Internet of Things (IoT) UE, which may include a network access layer designed to utilize low-power IoT applications with short-lived UE connectivity. The IoT UE may exchange data with an MTC server or device via technologies such as machine-to-machine (M2M) or machine-type communication (MTC), through a Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN), Proximity-Based Service (ProSe) or Device-to-Device (D2D) communication, sensor networks, or an IoT network. M2M or MTC data exchange may be machine-initiated data exchange. An IoT network describes interconnected IoT UEs, which may include uniquely identifiable embedded computing devices (within the Internet infrastructure) with short-lived connectivity. The IoT UE may execute background applications (e.g., keeping track of activity messages, status updates, etc.) to facilitate connectivity within the IoT network.

[0166] UE 1502 and UE 1504 can be configured to connect (e.g., communicatively coupled) to a radio access network (RAN) (shown as RAN 1506). RAN 1506 can be, for example, an Evolved Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) Terrestrial Radio Access Network (E-UTRAN), a Next Generation RAN (NG RAN), or some other type of RAN. UE 1502 and UE 1504 utilize connection 1508 and connection 1510, respectively, where each connection includes a physical communication interface or layer (discussed in further detail below); in this example, connection 1508 and connection 1510 are shown as air interfaces for communicative coupling and can be consistent with cellular communication protocols such as Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM), Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) network protocols, Push-to-Talk (PTT) protocols, Cellular PTT protocols (POC), Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) protocols, 3GPP Long Term Evolution (LTE) protocols, 5G protocols, New Radio (NR) protocols, etc.

[0167] In this implementation, UE 1502 and UE 1504 can also directly exchange communication data via ProSe interface 1512. ProSe interface 1512 may alternatively be referred to as a sidelink interface including one or more logical channels, including but not limited to the Physical Sidelink Control Channel (PSCCH), Physical Sidelink Shared Channel (PSSCH), Physical Sidelink Discovery Channel (PSDCH), and Physical Sidelink Broadcast Channel (PSBCH).

[0168] UE 1504 is shown configured to access an access point (AP) (shown as AP1 154) via connection 1516. Connection 1516 may include local wireless connectivity, such as a connection consistent with any IEEE 802.15 protocol, where AP 1514 will include Wireless Fidelity. Router. In this example, AP 1514 is connected to the Internet but not to the core network of the wireless system (described in further detail below).

[0169] RAN 1506 may include one or more access nodes enabling connections 1508 and 1510. These access nodes (ANs) may be referred to as base stations (BS), node Bs, evolved Node Bs (eNBs), next-generation Node Bs (gNBs), RAN nodes, etc., and may include ground stations (e.g., terrestrial access points) or satellite stations that provide coverage within a geographic area (e.g., a cell). RAN 1506 may include one or more RAN nodes for providing macro cells, such as macro RAN node 1518, and one or more RAN nodes for providing femtocells or picocells (e.g., cells with smaller coverage, smaller user capacity, or higher bandwidth compared to macro cells), such as low-power (LP) RAN nodes (e.g., LP RAN node 1520).

[0170] Either macro RAN node 1518 or LP RAN node 1520 can terminate the air interface protocol and can be the first point of contact for UE 1502 and UE 1504. In some implementations, either macro RAN node 1518 or LP RAN node 1520 can fulfill various logical functions of RAN 1506, including but not limited to the functions of the Radio Network Controller (RNC), such as radio bearer management, uplink and downlink dynamic radio resource management, data packet scheduling, and mobility management.

[0171] According to some implementations, UE 1502 and UE 1504 may be configured to communicate with each other or with either macro RAN node 1518 or LP RAN node 1520 on a multi-carrier communication channel using orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) communication signals, based on various communication technologies, such as, but not limited to, orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA) communication technology (e.g., for downlink communication) or single-carrier frequency division multiple access (SC-FDMA) communication technology (e.g., for uplink and ProSe or sidelink communication), but the scope of the implementation is not limited in this respect. OFDM signals may include multiple orthogonal subcarriers.

[0172] In some implementations, the downlink resource grid can be used for downlink transmissions from either RAN node 1518 or LP RAN node 1520 to UE 1502 and UE 1504, while uplink transmissions can utilize similar techniques. The grid can be a time-frequency grid, referred to as a resource grid or time-frequency resource grid, which represents the physical resources in the downlink within each time slot. This time-frequency plane representation is common practice for OFDM systems, making radio resource allocation intuitive. Each column and row of the resource grid corresponds to an OFDM symbol and an OFDM subcarrier, respectively. The duration of the resource grid in the time domain corresponds to a time slot in a radio frame. The smallest time-frequency unit in the resource grid is represented as a resource element. Each resource grid comprises multiple resource blocks that describe the mapping of certain physical channels to resource elements. Each resource block comprises a set of resource elements; in the frequency domain, this can represent the minimum amount of resources currently available for allocation. Such resource blocks are used to transmit several different physical downlink channels.

[0173] The Physical Downlink Shared Channel (PDSCH) delivers user data and higher-layer signaling to UE 1502 and UE 1504. The Physical Downlink Control Channel (PDCCH) carries information about the transmission format and resource allocation associated with the PDSCH channel. It also informs UE 1502 and UE 1504 of the transmission format, resource allocation, and H-ARQ (Hybrid Automatic Repeat Request) information associated with the uplink shared channel. Typically, downlink scheduling (allocating control and shared channel resource blocks to UE 1504 within the cell) can be performed at either macro RAN node 1518 or LP RAN node 1520 based on channel quality information fed back from either UE 1502 or UE 1504. Downlink resource allocation information can be transmitted on the PDCCH used (e.g., allocated to) each of UE 1502 and UE 1504.

[0174] PDCCH can use Control Channel Elements (CCEs) to transmit control information. Before being mapped to resource elements, the complex-valued symbols of the PDCCH are first organized into quadruplets, which are then arranged using a sub-block interleaver for rate matching. One or more of these CCEs can be used to transmit each PDCCH, where each CCE can correspond to a set of four physical resource elements (REGs) of nine. Four Quadrature Phase Shift Keying (QPSK) symbols can be mapped to each REG. Depending on the size of the Downlink Control Information (DCI) and channel conditions, one or more CCEs can be used to transmit the PDCCH. In LTE, four or more different PDCCH formats with different numbers of CCEs (e.g., aggregation levels, L = 1, 2, 4, or 8) can exist.

[0175] Some implementations may use the concept of resource allocation for control channel information, which is an extension of the above concept. For example, some implementations may utilize an enhanced physical downlink control channel (EPDCCH) that uses PDSCH resources for control information transmission. EPDCCH may be transmitted using one or more enhanced control channel elements (ECCEs). Similarly, each ECCE may correspond to a set of nine physical resource elements, referred to as an enhanced resource element group (EREG). In some cases, an ECCE may have a different number of EREGs.

[0176] RAN 1506 is communicatively coupled to the core network (CN) (shown as CN 1528) via S1 interface 1522. In various embodiments, CN 1528 may be an evolved packet core (EPC) network, a next-generation packet core (NPC) network, or some other type of CN. In this embodiment, S1 interface 1522 is divided into two parts: S1-U interface 1524, which carries traffic data between macro RAN node 1518 and LP RAN node 1520 and the serving gateway (S-GW) (shown as S-GW 1132); and S1-Mobility Management Entity (MME) interface (shown as S1-MME interface 1526), ​​which is the signaling interface between macro RAN node 1518 and LP RAN node 1520 and MME 1530.

[0177] In this implementation, CN 1528 includes an MME 1530, an S-GW 1532, a Packet Data Network (PDN) Gateway (P-GW) (shown as P-GW 1534), and a Home Subscriber Server (HSS) (shown as HSS 1536). The MME 1530 can functionally resemble the control plane of a legacy General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) Support Node (SGSN). The MME 1530 manages access-related mobility aspects such as gateway selection and tracking area list management. The HSS 1536 may include a database for network users, containing subscription-related information to support network entities in handling communication sessions. Depending on the number of mobile subscribers, equipment capacity, network organization, etc., CN 1528 may include one or more HSS 1536s. For example, the HSS 1536 may provide support for routing / roaming, authentication, authorization, naming / addressing resolution, location dependencies, etc.

[0178] The S-GW 1532 can terminate the S1 interface 322 to RAN 1506 and route data packets between RAN 1506 and CN 1528. Additionally, the S-GW 1532 can serve as a local mobility anchor for inter-RAN node handover and can also provide an anchor for inter-3GPP mobility. Other responsibilities may include lawful interception, billing, and enforcement of certain policies.

[0179] P-GW 1534 can terminate the SGi interface toward the PDN. P-GW 1534 can route data packets between CN 1528 (e.g., an EPC network) and external networks such as a network including application server 1542 (alternatively referred to as application function (AF)) via an Internet Protocol (IP) interface (shown as IP communication interface 1538). Generally, application server 1542 can be an element that provides applications that use IP bearer resources with the core network (e.g., UMTS Packet Service (PS) domain, LTE PS data service, etc.). In this embodiment, P-GW 1534 is shown communicatively coupled to application server 1542 via IP communication interface 1538. Application server 1542 can also be configured to support one or more communication services (e.g., Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) sessions, PTT sessions, group communication sessions, social networking services, etc.) for UE 1502 and UE 1504 via CN 1528.

[0180] P-GW 1534 can also be a node for policy enforcement and charging data collection. The Policy and Charging Enforcement Function (PCRF) (shown as PRCF 1540) is the policy and charging control element of CN 1528. In non-roaming scenarios, a single PCRF may exist in the domestic public land mobile network (HPLMN) associated with the ETE's Internet Protocol Connectivity Access Network (IP-CAN) session. In roaming scenarios with local traffic breaches, two PCRFs may exist associated with the UE's IP-CAN session: the home PCRF (H-PCRF) in the HPLMN and the visited PCRF (V-PCRF) in the visited public land mobile network (VPLMN). PCRF 1540 can be communicatively coupled to application server 1542 via P-GW 1534. Application server 1542 can signal PCRF 1540 to indicate new service flows and select appropriate Quality of Service (QoS) and charging parameters. PCRF1540 can configure the rule as a policy and charging enforcement function (PCEF) (not shown) with an appropriate traffic flow template (TFT) and QoS category identifier (QCI), which begins with QoS and charging specified by application server 1542.

[0181] Additional examples

[0182] For one or more embodiments, at least one of the components shown in one or more of the foregoing figures may be configured to perform one or more operations, techniques, processes, and / or methods as described in the Examples section below. For example, the baseband circuitry described above in conjunction with one or more of the foregoing figures may be configured to operate according to one or more of the examples below. As another example, circuitry associated with the UE, base station, network element, etc., described above in conjunction with one or more of the foregoing figures may be configured to operate according to one or more of the examples shown in the Examples section below.

[0183] The following examples involve alternative implementation schemes.

[0184] Example 1 is a method performed by a user equipment (UE), the method comprising:

[0185] Receive one or more messages from a base station (BS) including Sounding Reference Signal (SRS) configuration information, wherein the SRS configuration information includes partial frequency sounding indicators and additional information associated with the partial frequency sounding indicators, and determine SRS resource allocation; and

[0186] The SRS is sent to the BS according to the SRS configuration information.

[0187] Example 2 is the method according to Example 1, wherein the additional information includes the subband size of the SRS transmission. And the one described therein The partial frequency probe indicator determines the group of consecutive resource blocks (RBs) in the symbols of the SRS transmission in the first time slot.

[0188] Example 3 is the method according to Example 2, wherein the additional information further includes a partial frequency detection offset and an offset basic unit of the partial frequency detection offset, and wherein the offset basic unit and the partial frequency detection offset determine the shift of the consecutive RB group in the subband of the SRS transmission in the first time slot.

[0189] Example 4 is the method according to Example 3, wherein the number of RBs shifted by the offset basic unit is equal to the number of RBs in the group of consecutive RBs or equal to a constant value determined by the maximum value allowed for the partial frequency detection indicator.

[0190] Example 5 is the method according to Example 3 or 4, wherein the one or more messages include RRC signaling, wherein the RRC signaling includes a first information element (IE) and a second IE configured in SRS-Resource, and wherein the first IE configures the partial frequency probe indicator and the second IE configures the partial frequency probe offset.

[0191] Example 6 is the method according to Example 5, wherein the one or more messages further include downlink control information (DCI), and wherein the DCI includes bit fields configured to activate or deactivate the partial frequency probe indicator and the partial frequency probe offset.

[0192] Example 7 is the method according to Example 3 or 4, wherein one or more messages include downlink control information (DCI), and wherein the bit width of the SRS request field of the DCI is increased to configure the partial frequency probe indicator and the partial frequency probe offset.

[0193] Example 8 is the method according to Example 3 or 4, wherein one or more messages include downlink control information (DCI), and wherein one or more fields are introduced in the DCI to configure the partial frequency probe indicator and the partial frequency probe offset.

[0194] Example 9 is the method according to Example 3 or 4, wherein the one or more messages include at least one MAC-CE, and wherein the at least one MAC-CE configures the partial frequency probe indicator and the partial frequency probe offset.

[0195] Example 10 is the method according to Example 9, wherein each MAC-CE includes a corresponding SRS-ResourceSetId, and wherein each MAC-CE configures the partial frequency probe indicator of all SRS-Resources indicated by the corresponding SRS-ResourceSetId to have a first value, and each MAC-CE configures the partial frequency probe offset of all SRS-Resources indicated by the corresponding SRS-ResourceSetId to have a second value.

[0196] Example 11 is the method according to Example 9, wherein each MAC-CE includes a corresponding SRS-ResourceSetId, and wherein each MAC-CE independently configures the partial frequency probe indicator and the partial frequency probe offset for all SRS-Resources indicated by the corresponding SRS-ResourceSetId.

[0197] Example 12 is the method according to Example 9, wherein each MAC-CE includes a corresponding SRS-ResourceId, and wherein each MAC-CE configures the partial frequency probe indicator and the partial frequency probe offset of the SRS-Resource based on the corresponding SRS-ResourceId.

[0198] Example 13 is the method according to Example 3, wherein the additional information further includes nrofSymbols and repetitionFactor, and wherein the SRS resource allocation indicates at least one first subset of the norfSymbols symbols in the first time slot, each first subset of the first time slot having repetitionFactor symbols.

[0199] Example 14 is the method according to Example 13, wherein one or more attributes related to the SRS transmission change within each first subset of the first time slot.

[0200] Example 15 is the method according to Example 13, wherein the at least one first subset of the norfSymbols symbols in the first time slot includes two or more first subsets, and wherein one or more attributes related to the SRS transmission hop between different first subsets in the first time slot.

[0201] Example 16 is the method according to Example 13, wherein the SRS resource allocation indicates at least one second subset of norfSymbols symbols in a second time slot, each second subset in the second time slot having repetitionFactor symbols, and wherein one or more attributes related to the SRS transmission transition between the at least one first subset in the first time slot and the at least one second subset in the second time slot.

[0202] Example 17 is a method according to any one of Examples 14 to 16, wherein the one or more properties include at least one property selected from: the partial frequency detection offset, SRS sequence, cyclic shift, spatial relationship, path loss RS (PLRS), closed-loop power control (CLPC), and open-loop power control (OLPC).

[0203] Example 18 is the method according to Example 13, wherein the SRS transmission within a portion of at least one first subset of the norfSymbols symbols is skipped.

[0204] Example 19 is a method according to any one of Examples 2 to 18, wherein the additional information further includes the SRS comb size K. TCand minimum SRS sequence length The minimum length of the sub-band size mentioned above And P F This indicates the frequency detection indicator.

[0205] Example 20 is a method performed by a base station (BS), the method comprising:

[0206] Sending one or more messages to the user equipment (UE) including sounding reference signal (SRS) configuration information, wherein the SRS configuration information includes a partial frequency sounding indicator and additional information associated with the partial frequency sounding indicator and determines SRS resource allocation; and

[0207] The SRS is received from the UE according to the SRS configuration information.

[0208] Example 21 is the method according to Example 20, wherein the additional information includes the subband size of the SRS transmission. And the one described therein The partial frequency probe indicator determines the group of consecutive resource blocks (RBs) in the symbols of the SRS transmission in the first time slot.

[0209] Example 22 is the method according to Example 21, wherein the additional information further includes a partial frequency detection offset and an offset basic unit of the partial frequency detection offset, and wherein the offset basic unit and the partial frequency detection offset determine the shift of the consecutive RB group in the subband of the SRS transmission in the first time slot.

[0210] Example 23 is the method according to Example 22, wherein the number of RBs shifted by the offset basic unit is equal to the number of RBs in the group of consecutive RBs or equal to a constant value determined by the maximum value allowed for the partial frequency detection indicator.

[0211] Example 24 is the method according to Example 22 or 23, wherein the one or more messages include RRC signaling, wherein the RRC signaling includes a first information element (IE) and a second IE configured in SRS-Resource, and wherein the first IE configures the partial frequency probe indicator and the second IE configures the partial frequency probe offset.

[0212] Example 25 is the method according to Example 24, wherein the one or more messages further include downlink control information (DCI), and wherein the DCI includes bit fields configured to activate or deactivate the partial frequency probe indicator and the partial frequency probe offset.

[0213] Example 26 is the method according to Example 22 or 23, wherein one or more messages include downlink control information (DCI), and wherein the bit width of the SRS request field of the DCI is increased to configure the partial frequency probe indicator and the partial frequency probe offset.

[0214] Example 27 is the method according to Example 22 or 23, wherein one or more messages include downlink control information (DCI), and wherein one or more fields are introduced in the DCI to configure the partial frequency probe indicator and the partial frequency probe offset.

[0215] Example 28 is the method according to Example 22 or 23, wherein the one or more messages include at least one MAC-CE, and wherein the at least one MAC-CE configures the partial frequency probe indicator and the partial frequency probe offset.

[0216] Example 29 is the method according to Example 28, wherein each MAC-CE includes a corresponding SRS-ResourceSetId, and wherein each MAC-CE configures the partial frequency probe indicator of all SRS-Resources indicated by the corresponding SRS-ResourceSetId to have a first value, and each MAC-CE configures the partial frequency probe offset of all SRS-Resources indicated by the corresponding SRS-ResourceSetId to have a second value.

[0217] Example 30 is the method according to Example 28, wherein each MAC-CE includes a corresponding SRS-ResourceSetId, and wherein each MAC-CE independently configures the partial frequency probe indicator and the partial frequency probe offset for all SRS-Resources indicated by the corresponding SRS-ResourceSetId.

[0218] Example 31 is the method according to Example 28, wherein each MAC-CE includes a corresponding SRS-ResourceId, and wherein each MAC-CE configures the partial frequency probe indicator and the partial frequency probe offset of the SRS-Resource based on the corresponding SRS-ResourceId.

[0219] Example 32 is the method according to Example 22, wherein the additional information further includes nrofSymbols and repetitionFactor, and wherein the SRS resource allocation indicates at least one first subset of the norfSymbols symbols in the first time slot, each first subset of the first time slot having repetitionFactor symbols.

[0220] Example 33 is the method according to Example 32, wherein one or more attributes related to the SRS transmission change within each first subset of the first time slot.

[0221] Example 34 is the method according to Example 32, wherein the at least one first subset of the norfSymbols symbols in the first time slot includes two or more first subsets, and wherein one or more attributes related to the SRS transmission hop between different first subsets in the first time slot.

[0222] Example 35 is the method according to Example 32, wherein the SRS resource allocation indicates at least one second subset of norfSymbols symbols in a second time slot, each second subset in the second time slot having repetitionFactor symbols, and wherein one or more attributes related to the SRS transmission transition between the at least one first subset in the first time slot and the at least one second subset in the second time slot.

[0223] Example 36 is a method according to any one of Examples 33 to 35, wherein the one or more attributes include at least one attribute selected from: the partial frequency detection offset, SRS sequence, cyclic shift, spatial relationship, path loss RS (PLRS), closed-loop power control (CLPC), and open-loop power control (OLPC).

[0224] Example 37 is the method according to Example 32, wherein the SRS transmission within a portion of at least one first subset of the norfSymbols symbols is skipped.

[0225] Example 38 is a method according to any one of Examples 21 to 37, wherein the additional information further includes the SRS comb size K. TC and minimum SRS sequence length The minimum length of the sub-band size mentioned above And P F This indicates the frequency detection indicator.

[0226] Example 39 is an apparatus for a user equipment (UE), the apparatus comprising:

[0227] One or more processors, the one or more processors being configured to perform the steps of the method according to any one of Examples 1 to 19.

[0228] Example 40 is an apparatus for a base station (BS), the apparatus comprising:

[0229] One or more processors, the one or more processors being configured to perform the steps of the method according to any one of Examples 20 to 38.

[0230] Example 41 is a computer-readable medium having a computer program stored thereon, which, when executed by one or more processors, causes a device to perform the steps of the method according to any one of Examples 1 to 38.

[0231] Example 42 is an apparatus for a communication device, the apparatus including means for performing the steps of the method according to any one of Examples 1 to 38.

[0232] Example 43 is a computer program product comprising a computer program that, when executed by one or more processors, causes a device to perform the steps of the method according to any one of Examples 1 to 38.

[0233] Unless otherwise expressly stated, any of the examples above may be combined with any other example (or combination of examples). The foregoing description of one or more specific embodiments provides illustration and description, but is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the scope of the embodiments to the precise form disclosed. In light of the teachings above, modifications and variations are possible, or modifications and variations may be derived from practice of various embodiments.

[0234] It should be recognized that the systems described herein include descriptions of specific implementations. These implementations may be combined into a single system, partially integrated into other systems, divided into multiple systems, or otherwise partitioned or combined. Furthermore, it is conceivable to use parameters / attributes / aspects, etc., of one implementation in another implementation. For clarity, these parameters / attributes / aspects, etc., are described only in one or more implementations, and it should be recognized that unless specifically stated herein, these parameters / attributes / aspects, etc., may be combined with or replace parameters / attributes, etc., of another implementation.

[0235] As is widely recognized, the use of personally identifiable information should comply with privacy policies and practices that are generally accepted to meet or exceed industry or governmental requirements for protecting user privacy. Specifically, personally identifiable information data should be managed and processed to minimize the risk of unintentional or unauthorized access or use, and the nature of authorized use should be clearly explained to users.

[0236] Although the foregoing has been described in considerable detail for clarity, it will be apparent that certain changes and modifications can be made without departing from the principles of the invention. It should be noted that many alternative ways exist to implement both the processes and apparatus described herein. Therefore, embodiments of the invention should be considered illustrative rather than restrictive, and this specification is not limited to the details given herein, but can be modified within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. One or more computer-readable media having instructions that, when executed, cause a device to: receive, from a base station (BS), one or more messages comprising sounding reference signal (SRS) configuration information, wherein the SRS configuration information has a partial frequency sounding indicator and additional information to indicate a size of an SRS subband; determine, based on the size of the SRS subband and the partial frequency sounding indicator, a contiguous resource block (RB) group in a symbol in a first time slot, wherein the group is one of a plurality of contiguous RB groups in the SRS subband; and transmit an SRS to the BS using the contiguous RB group.

2. The one or more computer-readable media of claim 1, wherein the additional information further comprises a partial frequency sounding offset and an offset base unit of the partial frequency sounding offset, and the instructions, which when executed, further cause the device to: determine, based on the offset base unit and the partial frequency sounding offset, a shift of the contiguous RB group within the SRS subband.

3. The one or more computer-readable media of claim 2, wherein a first number of RBs shifted by the offset base unit is equal to a second number of RBs in the contiguous RB group or equal to a constant value determined by a maximum value allowed for the partial frequency sounding indicator.

4. The one or more computer-readable media of claim 2, wherein the one or more messages comprise RRC signaling, wherein the RRC signaling comprises a first information element (IE) and a second IE configured in SRS-Resource, and wherein the first IE configures the partial frequency sounding indicator and the second IE configures the partial frequency sounding offset.

5. The one or more computer-readable media of claim 4, wherein the one or more messages further comprise downlink control information (DCI), and wherein the DCI comprises a bit field configured to activate or deactivate the partial frequency sounding indicator and the partial frequency sounding offset.

6. The one or more computer-readable media of claim 2, wherein the one or more messages comprise downlink control information (DCI), and wherein a bit width of an SRS request field of the DCI is increased to configure the partial frequency sounding indicator and the partial frequency sounding offset.

7. The one or more computer-readable media of claim 2, wherein the one or more messages comprise downlink control information (DCI), and wherein one or more fields are introduced in the DCI to configure the partial frequency sounding indicator and the partial frequency sounding offset.

8. The one or more computer-readable media of claim 2, wherein the one or more messages comprise at least one MAC-CE, and wherein the at least one MAC-CE configures the partial frequency sounding indicator and the partial frequency sounding offset.

9. The one or more computer-readable media of claim 8, wherein each MAC-CE includes a corresponding SRS-ResourceSetld, and wherein each MAC-CE configures the partial frequency sounding indicator for all SRS-Resources indicated by the corresponding SRS-ResourceSetld to have a first value and configures the partial frequency sounding offset for all SRS-Resources indicated by the corresponding SRS-ResourceSetld to have a second value.

10. The one or more computer-readable media of claim 8, wherein each MAC-CE includes a corresponding SRS-ResourceSetld, and wherein each MAC-CE independently configures the partial frequency sounding indicator and the partial frequency sounding offset for all SRS-Resources indicated by the corresponding SRS-ResourceSetld.

11. The one or more computer-readable media of claim 8, wherein each MAC-CE includes a corresponding SRS-ResourceId, and wherein each MAC-CE configures the partial frequency sounding indicator and the partial frequency sounding offset for a SRS-Resource based on the corresponding SRS-ResourceId.

12. The one or more computer-readable media of claim 2, wherein the additional information further includes a number of symbols, nrofSymbols, and a repetition factor, repetitionFactor, and wherein the SRS resource allocation indicates at least one first subset of nrofSymbols symbols in the first slot, each first subset in the first slot having repetitionFactor symbols.

13. The one or more computer-readable media of claim 12, wherein one or more properties related to the SRS transmission hop across each first subset in the first slot.

14. The one or more computer-readable media of claim 12, wherein the at least one first subset of the nrofSymbols symbols in the first slot includes two or more first subsets, and wherein one or more properties related to the SRS transmission hop across different first subsets in the first slot.

15. The one or more computer-readable media of claim 1, wherein the additional information further includes a number of contiguous SRS symbols for the SRS resource allocation and a repetition factor to configure frequency hopping for the SRS resource allocation.

16. The one or more computer-readable media of claim 15, wherein the number of consecutive SRS symbols is 6 and the repetition factor is 12, the number of consecutive SRS symbols is 8 and the repetition factor is 8, the number of consecutive SRS symbols is 8 and the repetition factor is 12, or the number of consecutive SRS symbols is 12 and the repetition factor is 12.

17. The one or more computer-readable media of claim 15, wherein the repetition factor is 6, 7, 8, 10, 12, or 14.

18. A method for operating a processor circuit associated with a base station (BS), the method comprising: transmitting, to a user equipment (UE), one or more messages including sounding reference signal (SRS) configuration information, wherein the SRS configuration information includes a partial frequency sounding indicator and additional information to indicate a size of an SRS subband, wherein a consecutive resource block (RB) group in a symbol in a first time slot is determined based on the size of the SRS subband and the partial frequency sounding indicator, wherein the group is one of a plurality of consecutive RB groups in the SRS subband; and receiving, from the UE, an SRS according to the SRS configuration information and utilizing the consecutive RB group.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the additional information further includes a partial frequency sounding offset and an offset base unit of the partial frequency sounding offset, and wherein the offset base unit and the partial frequency sounding offset determine a shift of the consecutive RB group in a subband of the SRS transmission in the first time slot.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein a first number of RBs shifted by the offset base unit is equal to a second number of RBs in the consecutive RB group or equal to a constant value determined by a maximum value allowed for the partial frequency sounding indicator.

21. The method of claim 19, wherein the one or more messages include RRC signaling, wherein the RRC signaling includes a first information element (IE) and a second IE configured in an SRS-Resource, and wherein the first IE configures the partial frequency sounding indicator and the second IE configures the partial frequency sounding offset.

22. The method of claim 18, wherein the additional information further includes a number of consecutive SRS symbols for the SRS resource allocation and a repetition factor to configure frequency hopping for the SRS resource allocation.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein the repetition factor is 6, 7, 8, 10, 12, or 14.

24. The method of claim 22, wherein the partial frequency sounding indicator includes a value of 2, 3, 4, or 8.

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