Resource block set allocation for dynamic uplink communications in New Radio Unlicensed (NR-U)

Abstract

Wireless communication systems and methods are provided related to resource block set allocation for dynamic uplink communication in a wireless communication network. For example, a method of wireless communication performed by a user equipment may include: monitoring downlink control information (DCI) in a search space of a shared radio frequency band; receiving DCI from a base station based on the monitoring, wherein the DCI includes an explicit interleaving allocation but does not include an explicit resource block set allocation; determining one or more resource block sets for sending uplink communication based on the received DCI; and sending uplink communication to the base station using the one or more resource block sets and the explicit interleaving allocation.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to wireless communication systems, and more particularly, to resource block set allocation for dynamic uplink communication in a wireless communication network. Background Art

[0002] Wireless communication systems are widely deployed to provide various types of communication content, such as voice, video, packet data, messaging, broadcast, etc. These systems may be able to support communication with multiple users by sharing available system resources (e.g., time, frequency, and power). A wireless multiple-access communication system may include multiple base stations (BSs), each of which simultaneously supports communication for multiple communication devices, which may also be referred to as user equipment (UE).

[0003] To meet the growing demand for extended mobile broadband connectivity, wireless communication technology is advancing from long-term evolution (LTE) technology to next-generation new radio (NR) technology, which can be referred to as the fifth generation (5G). For example, NR is designed to provide lower latency, higher bandwidth or higher throughput, and higher reliability than LTE. NR is designed to operate on a wide array of spectrum bands, for example, from low frequency bands below about 1 gigahertz (GHz) and mid-frequency bands from about 1 GHz to about 6 GHz, to high frequency bands such as millimeter wave (mmWave) bands. NR is also designed to operate across different spectrum types, from licensed spectrum to unlicensed and shared spectrum. Spectrum sharing enables operators to have the opportunity to aggregate spectrum to dynamically support high-bandwidth services. Spectrum sharing can extend the benefits of NR technology to operating entities that may not have access to licensed spectrum.

[0004] To schedule physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH) communications, some downlink control information (DCI) formats (e.g., DCI format 0_1) include interleaving allocations (e.g., x bits) and resource block set allocations (e.g., y bits). Therefore, the UE can use the allocated interleaving and resource block sets for uplink data communications. However, some DCI formats (e.g., DCI format 0_0) may include interleaving allocations (e.g., x bits) but not resource block set allocations. As a result, when explicit resource block set allocations are not included in the DCI, resource block set allocations for uplink communications need to be provided. Summary of the invention

[0005] The following summarizes some aspects of the present disclosure to provide a basic understanding of the discussed technology. This summary is not an extensive overview of all expected features of the present disclosure, and is neither intended to identify key or important elements of all aspects of the present disclosure, nor to delineate the scope of any or all aspects of the present disclosure. Its sole purpose is to present some concepts of one or more aspects of the present disclosure in an overview form as a prelude to a more detailed description presented later.

[0006] Some DCI formats (e.g., DCI format 0_0) may include interleaved allocations (e.g., x bits) but do not include resource block set allocations for physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH) communications. Aspects of the present disclosure provide solutions to this problem. For example, when explicit resource block set allocations are not included in the DCI, aspects of the present disclosure provide resource block set allocations for uplink communications.

[0007] In some cases, the UE determines one or more resource block sets for sending uplink communications based on the starting or first resource element group of the DCI, the ending or last resource element group of the DCI, all resource element groups of the DCI, a subset of the resource element groups of the DCI, and / or a combination thereof. For example, in some cases, the UE determines the resource block set for sending uplink communications based on the resource block set in which the starting or first resource element group of the DCI is received. Similarly, in some cases, the UE determines the resource block set for sending uplink communications based on the resource block set in which the ending or last resource element group of the DCI is received. In addition, in some cases, the UE determines one or more resource block sets for uplink communications based on the resource block set of the resource element group in which the DCI is received, which in some cases can be determined based on the resource block set (including any intermediate resource block sets) in which the starting and ending resource element groups of the DCI are received.

[0008] The method of the present disclosure may allow a BS to allocate one or more resource block sets to a UE for uplink communications by sending DCI on a specific resource block set. For example, in some cases, the BS may send DCI on multiple resource block sets to allow the UE to send uplink communications on multiple resource block sets, providing the UE with increased uplink bandwidth and / or redundancy compared to allocating a single resource block set. In addition, the BS may allocate different resource block sets to different UEs based on the frequency resources used to send the DCI in order to improve the spectrum efficiency of the network and / or limit potential interference between uplink communications of different UEs. In addition, aspects of the present disclosure provide increased flexibility and efficiency compared to methods that attempt to use default resource block sets (e.g., 0 or all sets).

[0009] In one aspect of the present disclosure, a method of wireless communication performed by a user equipment may include: monitoring downlink control information (DCI) in a search space of a shared radio frequency band; receiving DCI from a base station based on the monitoring, wherein the DCI includes an explicit interleaving allocation but does not include an explicit resource block set allocation; determining one or more resource blocks for sending uplink communications based on the received DCI; and sending uplink communications to the base station using the one or more resource block sets and the explicit interleaving allocation.

[0010] In an additional aspect of the present disclosure, a method of wireless communication performed by a base station includes: sending downlink control information (DCI) to a user equipment in a search space, wherein the DCI includes explicit interleaving allocations but does not include explicit resource block set allocations; and receiving uplink communications from the user equipment on one or more resource block sets based on the DCI.

[0011] In an additional aspect of the present disclosure, a user equipment includes: a transceiver; and a processor that communicates with the transceiver so that the transceiver and the processor are configured to: monitor downlink control information (DCI) in a search space of a shared radio frequency band; receive DCI from a base station based on the monitoring, wherein the DCI includes an explicit interleaving allocation but does not include an explicit resource block set allocation; determine one or more resource block sets for sending uplink communications based on the received DCI; and send uplink communications to the base station using the one or more resource block sets and the explicit interleaving allocation.

[0012] In an additional aspect of the present disclosure, a base station includes: a transceiver configured to: send downlink control information (DCI) to a user equipment in a search space, wherein the DCI includes explicit interleaving allocations but does not include explicit resource block set allocations; and receive uplink communications from the user equipment on one or more resource block sets based on the DCI.

[0013] In additional aspects of the present disclosure, a user equipment includes: a component for monitoring downlink control information (DCI) in a search space of a shared radio frequency band; a component for receiving DCI from a base station based on the monitoring, wherein the DCI includes an explicit interleaving allocation but does not include an explicit resource block set allocation; a component for determining one or more resource block sets for sending uplink communications based on the received DCI; and a component for sending the uplink communications to the base station using the one or more resource block sets and the explicit interleaving allocation.

[0014] In an additional aspect of the present disclosure, a base station includes: a component for sending downlink control information (DCI) to a user equipment in a search space, wherein the DCI includes an explicit interleaving allocation but does not include an explicit resource block set allocation; and a component for receiving uplink communications from the user equipment on one or more resource block sets based on the DCI.

[0015] In an additional aspect of the present disclosure, a non-transitory computer-readable medium having program code recorded thereon, the program code comprising: code for causing a base station (BS) to send system information including a frame-based equipment (FBE) configuration, the frame-based equipment (FBE) configuration indicating a plurality of frame periods, each of the plurality of frame periods including a gap period at the beginning of the frame period; and code for causing the BS to transmit communications based on the FBE configuration with a UE.

[0016] In an additional aspect of the present disclosure, a non-transitory computer-readable medium having recorded thereon program code for wireless communication by a user equipment, the program code comprising: code for causing the user equipment to monitor downlink control information (DCI) in a search space of a shared radio frequency band; code for causing the user equipment to receive DCI from a base station based on the monitoring, wherein the DCI includes an explicit interleaving allocation but does not include an explicit resource block set allocation; code for causing the user equipment to determine one or more resource block sets for sending uplink communications based on the received DCI; and code for causing the user equipment to send the uplink communication to the base station using the one or more resource block sets and the explicit interleaving allocation.

[0017] In an additional aspect of the present disclosure, a non-transitory computer-readable medium having recorded thereon program code for wireless communication by a base station, the program code comprising: code for causing the base station to send downlink control information (DCI) to a user equipment in a search space, wherein the DCI includes explicit interleaving allocations but does not include explicit resource block set allocations; and code for causing the base station to receive uplink communications from the user equipment on one or more resource block sets based on the DCI.

[0018] When reading the following description of specific exemplary embodiments of the present invention in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, other aspects, features and embodiments of the present invention will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art. Although features of the present invention may be discussed with respect to certain embodiments and drawings below, all embodiments of the present invention may include one or more advantageous features discussed herein. In other words, although one or more embodiments may be discussed as having certain advantageous features, one or more such features may also be used according to the various embodiments of the present invention discussed herein. In a similar manner, although exemplary embodiments may be discussed below as device, system or method embodiments, it should be understood that such exemplary embodiments may be implemented in various devices, systems and methods. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] Figure 1 A wireless communication network is shown in accordance with some aspects of the present disclosure.

[0020] Figure 2 A radio frame structure according to some aspects of the present disclosure is shown.

[0021] Figure 3A Aspects of shared radio frequency band communications according to some aspects of the present disclosure are shown.

[0022] Figure 3B Various aspects of an interleaving allocation scheme according to some aspects of the present disclosure are shown.

[0023] Figure 4 Various aspects of a resource block set allocation scheme according to some aspects of the present disclosure are shown.

[0024] Figure 5A Various aspects of a resource block set allocation scheme according to some aspects of the present disclosure are shown.

[0025] Figure 5B Various aspects of a resource block set allocation scheme according to some aspects of the present disclosure are shown.

[0026] Fig. 6A A resource block set allocation scheme according to some aspects of the present disclosure is shown.

[0027] Figure 6B A resource block set allocation scheme according to some aspects of the present disclosure is shown.

[0028] Figure 7 A resource block set allocation scheme according to some aspects of the present disclosure is shown.

[0029] Fig. 8A A resource block set allocation scheme according to some aspects of the present disclosure is shown.

[0030] Figure 8B A resource block set allocation scheme according to some aspects of the present disclosure is shown.

[0031] Fig. 9 A signaling diagram illustrating a resource block set allocation scheme according to some aspects of the present disclosure.

[0032] Fig.10 is a block diagram of a user equipment (UE) according to some aspects of the present disclosure.

[0033] Fig.11 is a block diagram of an exemplary base station (BS) according to some aspects of the present disclosure.

[0034] Fig.12 is a flow chart of a communication method according to some aspects of the present disclosure.

[0035] Fig.13 is a flow chart of a communication method according to some aspects of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0036] The specific embodiments described below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings are intended as descriptions of various configurations and are not intended to represent the only configurations in which the concepts described herein can be practiced. The specific embodiments include specific details in order to provide a thorough understanding of the various concepts. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that these concepts can be practiced without these specific details. In some cases, well-known structures and components are shown in block diagram form to avoid obscuring such concepts.

[0037] The present disclosure generally relates to wireless communication systems, also referred to as wireless communication networks. In various embodiments, these techniques and devices can be used in wireless communication networks, such as code division multiple access (CDMA) networks, time division multiple access (TDMA) networks, frequency division multiple access (FDMA) networks, orthogonal FDMA (OFDMA) networks, single carrier FDMA (SC-FDMA) networks, LTE networks, global mobile communication systems (GSM) networks, fifth generation (5G) or new radio (NR) networks, and other communication networks. As described herein, the terms "network" and "system" can be used interchangeably.

[0038] OFDMA network can realize radio technology, such as Evolved UTRA (E-UTRA), Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11, IEEE 802.16, IEEE 802.20, flash-OFDM, etc. UTRA, E-UTRA and GSM are parts of Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS). In particular, Long Term Evolution (LTE) is a version of UMTS using E-UTRA. UTRA, E-UTRA, GSM, UMTS and LTE are described in documents provided by an organization named "3rd Generation Partnership Project" (3GPP), and cdma2000 is described in documents from an organization named "3rd Generation Partnership Project 2" (3GPP2). These various radio technologies and standards are known or under development. For example, the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) is a collaboration between telecommunications association groups that aims to define a globally applicable third generation (3G) mobile phone specification. 3GPP Long Term Evolution (LTE) is a 3GPP plan that aims to improve the UMTS mobile phone standard. 3GPP may define specifications for next generation mobile networks, mobile systems, and mobile devices. The present disclosure relates to the evolution of wireless technologies from LTE, 4G, 5G, NR and beyond, where access to the wireless spectrum is shared between networks using a new and different set of radio access technologies or radio air interfaces.

[0039] In particular, 5G networks are expected to enable diverse deployments, diverse spectrum, and diverse services and devices using a unified OFDM-based air interface. To achieve these goals, in addition to developing new radio technologies for 5G NR networks, further enhancements to LTE and LTE-A are also being considered. 5G NR will be able to scale to provide coverage: (1) with ultra-high density (e.g., ~1M nodes / km) 2 ), ultra-low complexity (e.g., ~10s of bits / second), ultra-low energy (e.g., ~10+ years of battery life), and deep coverage with the ability to reach challenging locations; (2) mission-critical controls including strong security to protect sensitive personal, financial, or classified information, ultra-high reliability (e.g., ~99.9999% reliability), ultra-low latency (e.g., ~1ms), and users with wide-range mobility or lack of mobility; and (3) enhanced mobile broadband, including extremely high capacity (e.g., ~10Tbps / km 2 ), extremely high data rates (e.g., multi-Gbps rates, 100+Mbps user experience rates), and deep perception with advanced discovery and optimization.

[0040] 5G NR can be implemented to use an optimized OFDM-based waveform with scalable numerology and transmission time interval (TTI); with a general, flexible framework to effectively multiplex services and features with dynamic, low-latency time division duplex (TDD) / frequency division duplex (FDD) designs; and with advanced wireless technologies such as massive multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO), robust millimeter wave (mmWave) transmission, advanced channel decoding, and device-centric mobility. The scalability of the numerology in 5G NR, as well as the scaling of the subcarrier spacing, can effectively address the operation of diverse services across diverse spectrums and diverse deployments. For example, in various outdoor and macro coverage deployments of less than 3GHz FDD / TDD implementations, the subcarrier spacing may appear at 15kHz, such as on bandwidths (BW) such as 5, 10, 20MHz. For other various outdoor and small cell coverage deployments of TDD greater than 3GHz, the subcarrier spacing may appear at 30kHz on 80 / 100MHz BW. For various other indoor broadband implementations, using TDD on the unlicensed portion of the 5 GHz band, the subcarrier spacing may appear at 60 kHz over 160 MHz BW. Finally, for various deployments transmitting with the mmWave component at 28 GHz TDD, the subcarrier spacing may appear at 120 kHz over 500 MHz BW.

[0041] 5G NR's scalable parameter sets facilitate scalable TTIs for diverse latency and quality of service (QoS) requirements. For example, shorter TTIs can be used for low latency and high reliability, while longer TTIs can be used for higher spectral efficiency. Efficient multiplexing of long and short TTIs allows transmissions to start on symbol boundaries. 5G NR also anticipates a self-contained integrated subframe design with uplink / downlink scheduling information, data, and acknowledgment in the same subframe. The self-contained integrated subframe supports communications in unlicensed or contention-based shared spectrum, adaptive uplink / downlink that can be flexibly configured on a per-cell basis to dynamically switch between UL and downlink to meet current business needs.

[0042] Various other aspects and features of the present disclosure are further described below. It should be apparent that the teachings herein can be embodied in a wide variety of forms, and any specific structure, function, or both disclosed herein are merely representative and non-restrictive. Based on the teachings herein, it should be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that the aspects disclosed herein can be implemented independently of any other aspects, and two or more of these aspects can be combined in various ways. For example, any number of aspects set forth herein can be used to implement a device or practice a method. In addition, in addition to one or more aspects set forth herein, or different from one or more aspects set forth herein, other structures, functions, or structures and functionality can be used to implement such devices or practice such methods. For example, the method can be implemented as a part of a system, device, device, and / or implemented as instructions stored on a computer-readable medium for execution on a processor or computer. In addition, an aspect can include at least one element of a claim.

[0043] In order to schedule physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH) communication, some downlink control information (DCI) formats (e.g., DCI format 0_1) include interleaving allocation (e.g., x bits) and resource block set allocation (e.g., y bits). Therefore, the UE can use the allocated interleaving and resource block set for uplink data communication. However, some DCI formats (e.g., DCI format 0_0) may include interleaving allocation (e.g., x bits), but do not include resource block set allocation for physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH) communication. Various aspects of the present disclosure provide solutions to this problem. For example, when explicit resource block set allocation is not included in the DCI, various aspects of the present disclosure provide resource block set allocation for uplink communication.

[0044] In some cases, the UE determines one or more resource block sets for sending uplink communications based on the starting or first resource element group of the DCI, the ending or last resource element group of the DCI, all resource element groups of the DCI, a subset of the resource element groups of the DCI, and / or a combination thereof. For example, in some cases, the UE determines the resource block set for sending uplink communications based on the resource block set in which the starting or first resource element group of the DCI is received. Similarly, in some cases, the UE determines the resource block set for sending uplink communications based on the resource block set in which the ending or last resource element group of the DCI is received. In addition, in some cases, the UE determines one or more resource block sets for uplink communications based on the resource block set of the resource element group in which the DCI is received, which in some cases can be determined based on the resource block set (including any intermediate resource block set) in which the starting and ending resource element groups of the DCI are received.

[0045] In addition to providing an indication of a resource block set allocation for uplink communication when an explicit resource block set allocation is not available in the DCI format, the method of the present disclosure may allow a BS to allocate one or more resource block sets for uplink communication to a UE by sending a DCI on a specific resource block set. For example, in some cases, the BS may send a DCI on multiple resource block sets to allow the UE to send uplink communications on multiple resource block sets, providing the UE with increased uplink bandwidth and / or redundancy compared to allocating a single resource block set. In addition, the BS may allocate different resource block sets to different UEs based on the frequency resources used to send the DCI in order to improve the spectral efficiency of the network and / or limit potential interference between uplink communications of different UEs. In addition, aspects of the present disclosure provide increased flexibility and efficiency compared to methods that attempt to use default resource block sets (e.g., 0 or all sets).

[0046] Figure 1 A wireless communication network 100 is shown according to some aspects of the present disclosure. The network 100 may be a 5G network. The network 100 includes a number of base stations (BSs) 105 (labeled 105a, 105b, 105c, 105d, 105e, and 105f, respectively) and other network entities. The BS 105 may be a station that communicates with the UE 115, and may also be referred to as an evolved Node B (eNB), a next generation eNB (gNB), an access point, etc. Each BS 105 may provide communication coverage for a particular geographic area. In 3GPP, the term "cell" may refer to the particular geographic coverage area of ​​the BS 105 and / or the BS subsystem serving the coverage area, depending on the context in which the term is used.

[0047] BS 105 may provide communication coverage for macro cells or small cells (such as pico cells or femto cells) and / or other types of cells. Macro cells typically cover a relatively large geographic area (e.g., a radius of several kilometers) and may allow unrestricted access to UEs that subscribe to services from a network provider. Small cells such as pico cells will generally cover a relatively small geographic area and may allow unrestricted access to UEs that subscribe to services from a network provider. Small cells such as femto cells will also generally cover a relatively small geographic area (e.g., a home) and, in addition to unrestricted access, may also provide restricted access to UEs associated with the femto cells (e.g., UEs in a closed subscriber group (CSG) , UEs of users in a home, etc.). A BS for a macro cell may be referred to as a macro BS. A BS for a small cell may be referred to as a small cell BS, a pico BS, a femto BS, or a home BS. In Figure 1 In the example shown in , BS 105d and 105e may be conventional macro BSs, while BS 105a-105c may be macro BSs supporting one of three-dimensional (3D), full-dimensional (FD), or massive MIMO. BS 105a-105c may utilize their higher-dimensional MIMO capabilities to utilize 3D beamforming in elevation and azimuth beamforming to increase coverage and capacity. BS 105f may be a small cell BS, which may be a home node or a portable access point. BS 105 may support one or more (e.g., two, three, four, etc.) cells.

[0048] Network 100 may support synchronous or asynchronous operation. For synchronous operation, the BSs may have similar frame timing, and transmissions from different BSs may be approximately aligned in time. For asynchronous operation, the BSs may have different frame timing, and transmissions from different BSs may not be aligned in time.

[0049] UE 115 is dispersed throughout the wireless network 100, and each UE 115 can be fixed or mobile. UE 115 can also be referred to as a terminal, a mobile station, a subscriber unit, a station, etc. UE 115 can be a cellular phone, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a wireless modem, a wireless communication device, a handheld device, a tablet computer, a laptop computer, a cordless phone, a wireless local loop (WLL) station, etc. In one aspect, UE 115 can be a device including a universal integrated circuit card (UICC). On the other hand, UE can be a device that does not include UICC. In some aspects, UE 115 that does not include UICC can also be referred to as IoT device or Internet of Everything (IoE) device. UE 115a-115d is an example of a mobile smart phone type device that accesses the network 100. UE 115 can also be a machine specially configured for connecting communications, including machine type communication (MTC), enhanced MTC (eMTC), narrowband IoT (NB-IoT), etc. UE 115e-115h are examples of various machines configured for communication to access wireless network 100. UE 115i-115k are examples of vehicles equipped with wireless communication devices configured for communication to access network 100. UE 115 may be able to communicate with any type of BS, whether macro BS, small cell, etc. Figure 1 In the figure, lightning (e.g., communication link) indicates wireless transmission between UE 115 and serving BS 105, desired transmission between BS 105, backhaul transmission between BSs, or sidelink transmission between UE 115, where serving BS 105 is a BS designated to serve UE 115 on downlink (DL) and / or uplink (UL).

[0050] In operation, BS 105a-105c may use 3D beamforming and coordinated spatial techniques such as coordinated multipoint (CoMP) or multi-connectivity to serve UEs 115a and 115b. Macro BS 105d may perform backhaul communications with BS 105a-105c and a small cell, BS 105f. Macro BS 105d may also transmit multicast services that are subscribed to and received by UEs 115c and 115d. Such multicast services may include mobile TV or streaming video, or may include other services for providing community information, such as weather emergencies or alerts, such as yellow alerts or gray alerts.

[0051] The BS 105 may also communicate with a core network. The core network may provide user authentication, access authorization, tracking, Internet Protocol (IP) connectivity, and other access, routing, or mobility functions. At least some of the BSs 105 (e.g., which may be examples of gNBs or access node controllers (ANCs)) may interface with the core network via a backhaul link (e.g., NG-C, NG-U, etc.) and may perform radio configuration and scheduling for communicating with the UE 115. In various examples, the BSs 105 may communicate with each other directly or indirectly (e.g., through a core network) via a backhaul link (e.g., X1, X2, etc.), which may be a wired or wireless communication link.

[0052] The network 100 may also support mission-critical communications with ultra-reliable and redundant links for mission-critical devices such as UE 115e, which may be a drone. The redundant communication links with UE 115e may include links from macro BSs 105d and 105e, and links from small cell BS 105f. Other machine-type devices such as UE 115f (e.g., a thermometer), UE 115g (e.g., a smart meter), and UE 115h (e.g., a wearable device) may communicate directly with BSs such as small cell BS 105f and macro BS 105e over the wireless network 100, or in a multi-step configuration by communicating with another user device that relays its information to the network, such as UE 115f communicating temperature measurement information to smart meter UE 115g, which then reports the information to the network via small cell BS 105f. The network 100 may also provide additional network efficiency through dynamic, low latency TDD / FDD communications, such as vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V), vehicle-to-everything (V2X), cellular-V2X (C-V2X) communications between a UE 115i, 115j, or 115k and other UEs 115, and / or vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2I) communications between a UE 115i, 115j, or 115k and a BS 105.

[0053] In some implementations, the network 100 communicates using an OFDM-based waveform. An OFDM-based system can divide the system BW into multiple (K) orthogonal subcarriers, which are also commonly referred to as subcarriers, tones, bins, etc. Each subcarrier can be modulated with data. In some cases, the subcarrier spacing between adjacent subcarriers can be fixed, and the total number of subcarriers (K) can depend on the system BW. The system BW can also be divided into subbands. In other cases, the subcarrier spacing and / or the duration of the TTI can be scalable.

[0054] In some aspects, BS 105 may assign or schedule transmission resources (e.g., in the form of time-frequency resource blocks (RBs)) for downlink (DL) and uplink (UL) transmissions in network 100. DL refers to the transmission direction from BS 105 to UE 115, and UL refers to the transmission direction from UE 115 to BS 105. Communication may be in the form of radio frames. A radio frame may be divided into a plurality of subframes or time slots, such as about 10. Each time slot may be further divided into mini-time slots. In FDD mode, simultaneous UL and DL transmissions may occur in different frequency bands. For example, each subframe includes a UL subframe in a UL frequency band and a DL subframe in a DL frequency band. In TDD mode, UL and DL transmissions occur in different time periods using the same frequency band. For example, a subset of subframes in a radio frame (e.g., a DL subframe) may be used for DL ​​transmission, and another subset of subframes in a radio frame (e.g., an UL subframe) may be used for UL transmission.

[0055] DL subframes and UL subframes can be further divided into several areas. For example, each DL or UL subframe can have a predefined area for transmitting reference signals, control information and data. Reference signals are predetermined signals that facilitate communication between BS 105 and UE 115. For example, reference signals can have a specific pilot pattern or structure, wherein pilot tones can span operating BW or frequency bands, and each pilot tone is located at a predefined time and a predefined frequency. For example, BS 105 can send a cell-specific reference signal (CRS) and / or a channel state information-reference signal (CSI-RS) to enable UE 115 to estimate a DL channel. Similarly, UE 115 can send a sounding reference signal (SRS) to enable BS 105 to estimate an UL channel. Control information may include resource assignments and protocol control. Data may include protocol data and / or operational data. In some aspects, BS 105 and UE 115 may communicate using self-contained subframes. Self-contained subframes may include a portion for DL ​​communication and a portion for UL communication. A self-contained subframe may be DL-centric or UL-centric. A DL-centric subframe may include a longer duration for DL ​​communications than for UL communications. A UL-centric subframe may include a longer duration for UL communications than for DL ​​communications.

[0056] In some aspects, the network 100 may be an NR network deployed on a licensed spectrum. The BS 105 may send synchronization signals (e.g., including a primary synchronization signal (PSS) and a secondary synchronization signal (SSS)) in the network 100 to facilitate synchronization. The BS 105 may broadcast system information associated with the network 100 (e.g., including a master information block (MIB), residual system information (RMSI), and other system information (OSI)) to facilitate initial network access. In some cases, the BS 105 may broadcast the PSS, SSS, and / or MIB in the form of a synchronization signal block (SSB) on a physical broadcast channel (PBCH), and may broadcast the RMSI and / or OSI on a physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH).

[0057] In some aspects, a UE 115 attempting to access the network 100 may perform an initial cell search by detecting the PSS from the BS 105. The PSS may enable synchronization of periodic timing and may indicate a physical layer identity value. The UE 115 may then receive the SSS. The SSS may enable radio frame synchronization and may provide a cell identity value that may be combined with the physical layer identity value to identify the cell. The PSS and SSS may be located in the center portion of the carrier or any suitable frequency within the carrier.

[0058] After receiving the PSS and SSS, the UE 115 may receive the MIB. The MIB may include system information for initial network access and scheduling information for RMSI and / or OSI. After decoding the MIB, the UE 115 may receive the RMSI and / or OSI. The RMSI and / or OSI may include radio resource control (RRC) information related to random access channel (RACH) procedures, paging, control resource sets (CORESET) for physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) monitoring, physical UL control channel (PUCCH), physical UL shared channel (PUSCH), power control, and SRS.

[0059] After obtaining the MIB, RMSI and / or OSI, the UE 115 may perform a random access procedure to establish a connection with the BS 105. In some examples, the random access procedure may be a four-step random access procedure. For example, the UE 115 may send a random access preamble, and the BS 105 may respond with a random access response. The random access response (RAR) may include a detected random access preamble identifier (ID) corresponding to the random access preamble, timing advance (TA) information, UL authorization, a temporary cell radio network temporary identifier (C-RNTI), and / or a backoff indicator. Upon receiving the random access response, the UE 115 may send a connection request to the BS 105, and the BS 105 may respond with a connection response. The connection response may indicate contention resolution. In some examples, the random access preamble, RAR, connection request, and connection response may be referred to as message 1 (MSG1), message 2 (MSG2), message 3 (MSG3), and message 4 (MSG4), respectively. In some examples, the random access procedure may be a two-step random access procedure, where the UE 115 may transmit a random access preamble and a connection request in a single transmission, and the BS 105 may respond by transmitting a random access response and a connection response in a single transmission.

[0060] After establishing the connection, the UE 115 and the BS 105 may enter a normal operation phase, in which operational data may be exchanged. For example, the BS 105 may schedule the UE 115 for UL and / or DL ​​communications. The BS 105 may send an UL and / or DL ​​scheduling grant to the UE 115 via the PDCCH. The scheduling grant may be sent in the form of DL control information (DCI). The BS 105 may send a DL communication signal (e.g., carrying data) to the UE 115 via the PDSCH according to the DL scheduling grant. The UE 115 may send an UL communication signal to the BS 105 via the PUSCH and / or PUCCH according to the UL scheduling grant.

[0061] In some aspects, BS 105 may communicate with UE 115 using hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ) technology to improve communication reliability, for example, to provide ultra-reliable low-delay communication (URLLC) services. BS 105 may schedule UE 115 for PDSCH communication by sending DL grants in PDCCH. BS 105 may send DL data packets to UE 115 according to the scheduling in PDSCH. DL data packets may be transmitted in the form of transport blocks (TBs). If UE 115 successfully receives the DL data packet, UE 115 may send a HARQ confirmation (ACK) to BS 105. Conversely, if UE 115 fails to successfully receive the DL transmission, UE 115 may send a HARQ negative confirmation (NACK) to BS 105. Upon receiving a HARQ NACK from UE 115, BS 105 may retransmit the DL data packet to UE 115. The retransmission may include the same DL data decoding version as the initial transmission. Alternatively, the retransmission may include a different coded version of the DL data than the initial transmission. The UE 115 may apply soft combining to combine the coded data received from the initial transmission and the retransmission for decoding. The BS 105 and the UE 115 may also apply HARQ to UL communications using a mechanism substantially similar to DL HARQ.

[0062] In some aspects, the network 100 may operate on a system BW or a component carrier (CC) BW. The network 100 may divide the system BW into multiple BWPs (e.g., parts). The BS 105 may dynamically assign the UE 115 to operate on a certain BWP (e.g., a certain part of the system BW). The assigned BWP may be referred to as an activated BWP. The UE 115 may monitor the activated BWP to find signaling information from the BS 105. The BS 105 may schedule the UE 115 for UL or DL ​​communication in the activated BWP. In some aspects, the BS 105 may assign a pair of BWPs within a CC to the UE 115 for UL and DL communication. For example, a BWP pair may include a BWP for UL communication and a BWP for DL ​​communication.

[0063] In some aspects, the network 100 may operate on a shared channel, which may include a shared frequency band or an unlicensed frequency band. For example, the network 100 may be an NR unlicensed (NR-U) network. The BS 105 and the UE 115 may be operated by multiple network operation entities. In order to avoid conflicts, the BS 105 and the UE 115 may adopt a listen-before-talk (LBT) process to monitor the transmission opportunities (TXOPs) in the shared channel. For example, a transmitting node (e.g., a BS 105 or a UE 115) may perform LBT before transmitting in a channel. When LBT passes, the transmitting node may continue to transmit. When LBT fails, the transmitting node may suppress transmission in the channel. In an example, LBT may be based on energy detection. For example, when the signal energy measured from the channel is below a threshold, LBT results in passing. Conversely, when the signal energy measured from the channel exceeds a threshold, LBT results in failure. In another example, LBT may be based on signal detection. For example, when a channel reservation signal (e.g., a predetermined preamble signal) is not detected in the channel, LBT results in passing. In some aspects, the network 100 may utilize a FBE-based contention scheme to share a radio channel between multiple BSs 105 and / or UEs 115 of different network operating entities and / or different radio access technologies (RATs).

[0064] Figure 2 2 is a timing diagram illustrating a radio frame structure 200 according to some aspects of the present disclosure. Radio frame structure 200 may be used by a BS such as BS 105 and a UE such as UE 115 in a network such as network 100 for communication. In particular, the BS may communicate with the UE using time-frequency resources configured as shown in radio frame structure 200. Figure 2 , the x-axis represents time in some arbitrary units, and the y-axis represents frequency in some arbitrary units. Transmission frame structure 200 includes radio frame 201. The duration of radio frame 201 can vary according to various aspects. In an example, radio frame 201 can have a duration of about ten milliseconds. Radio frame 201 includes M time slots 202, where M can be any suitable positive integer. In an example, M can be about 10.

[0065] Each slot 202 includes a plurality of subcarriers 204 in frequency and a plurality of symbols 206 in time. The number of subcarriers 204 and / or the number of symbols 206 in the slot 202 may vary according to various aspects, for example, based on the channel bandwidth, subcarrier spacing (SCS) and / or CP mode. One subcarrier 204 in frequency and one symbol 206 in time form one resource element (RE) 212 for transmission. A resource block (RB) 210 is formed by a plurality of consecutive subcarriers 204 in frequency and a plurality of consecutive symbols 206 in time.

[0066] In the example, the BS (e.g., Figure 1 BS 105 in the example may schedule UEs (eg, Figure 1 1) for UL and / or DL ​​communications. Each time slot 202 may be time-divided into K mini-time slots 208. Each mini-time slot 208 may include one or more symbols 206. The mini-time slots 208 in a time slot 202 may have a variable length. For example, when a time slot 202 includes N symbols 206, a mini-time slot 208 may have a length between one symbol 206 and (N-1) symbols 206. In some aspects, a mini-time slot 208 may have a length of about two symbols 206, about four symbols 206, or about seven symbols 206. In some examples, a BS may schedule a UE with a frequency granularity of a resource block (RB) 210 (e.g., including about 12 subcarriers 204).

[0067] Figure 3A-3B Together, aspects of shared radio frequency band communications in accordance with some aspects of the present disclosure are shown. Figure 3A A communication scheme 300 is shown according to some aspects of the present disclosure. The scheme 300 may be employed by a BS (such as BS 105) and / or a UE (such as UE 115) in a network (such as network 100). Figure 3A and Figure 3B In the scheme 300, the x-axis represents time in some arbitrary units, and the y-axis represents frequency in some arbitrary units. In scheme 300, a BS and / or a UE may compete for channel occupancy time (COT) and / or fixed frame period (FFP) (e.g., in a frame-based equipment (FBE) mode) in a shared radio frequency band or an unlicensed band (e.g., New Radio Unlicensed (NR-U)). In some cases, the BS that wins the COT and / or FFP competition allocates resources for uplink communication to the UE. In some cases, the BS allocates frequency interleaving and / or resource block sets for uplink communication to the UE. The UE may then use a frequency interleaved waveform on the resource block set allocated to it to send uplink communication.

[0068] Figure 3AA shared radio frequency band 302 is shown. The band 302 may be a shared radio frequency band or an unlicensed band shared by multiple network operating entities. The band 302 may, for example, have a BW of about 10 megahertz (MHz) or about 20 MHz and a subcarrier spacing (SCS) of about 15 kilohertz (kHz), about 30 kHz, or about 20 kHz. The band 302 may be positioned at any suitable frequency. In some aspects, the band 302 may be positioned at about 3.5 GHz, 6 GHz, or 30 GHz. In order to communicate on the band 302, the BS and / or UE may perform LBT 330 to compete for COT / FFP 320 in the band 302. The LBT 330 may be a category 4 (CAT4) LBT. CAT4 LBT refers to an LBT with random backoff and a variable contention window. If the LBT 330 fails, the BS and / or UE may suppress transmission in the band 302. However, if LBT 330 is successful, the BS and / or UE may continue to use COT / FFP 320. Figure 3A In the example shown, as indicated by the check mark, the LBT 330 was successful. Thus, in some cases, the BS may allocate resources for the UE to send uplink communications to the BS during the COT / FFP 320.

[0069] In some cases, the BS sends downlink control information (DCI) indicating the allocated resources to the UE. Some downlink control information (DCI) formats (e.g., DCI format 0_1) include an interleaving allocation (e.g., x bits) and a resource block set allocation (e.g., y bits). Therefore, the UE can use the allocated interleaving and resource block set for uplink data communication. However, some DCI formats (e.g., DCI format 0_0) may include an interleaving allocation (e.g., x bits) but not a resource block set allocation for physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH) communication. In order to meet the BW occupancy requirements and / or PSD requirements in frequency band 302, the UE may use a frequency interleaving waveform (e.g., frequency interleaving) based on the allocated frequency interleaving. Figure 3B as shown) to send uplink communications.

[0070] Figure 3B 308. I(0) To 308 (M-1) As shown, where M is a positive integer. Each frequency interleaving 308 I(i) The frequency band 302 may include K RBs 310 evenly spaced across the frequency band 302, where K is a positive integer and i may vary between 0 and M-1. In other words, the specific frequency interleaving 308 I(i)RBs 310 in a frequency band are separated from each other by at least one other RB 310. The frequency interleaving 308 shown by the pattern filled blocks I(0) Contains from cluster 304 C(0) To 304 C(K-1) The values ​​of K and M may vary based on several factors, such as the bandwidth of frequency band 302, SCS and / or PSD limits, as described in more detail below.

[0071] A group of M localized RBs 310 form a cluster 304. As shown, the frequency interleaving 308 I(0) To 308 (M-1) Forming K clusters 304 C(0) To 304 C(K-1) Each RB 310 may span approximately 12 consecutive subcarriers 312 in frequency and time period 314. The subcarriers 312 may be indexed from 0 to 11. The subcarriers 312 may also be referred to as resource elements (REs). The time period 314 may span any suitable number of OFDM symbols 306. In some aspects, the time period 314 may correspond to one transmission time interval (TTI), which may include approximately fourteen OFDM symbols 306.

[0072] The number of clusters 304 or the value of K may depend on the amount of frequency distribution required to maintain a certain BW occupancy. As an example, the scheme 300 may divide the frequency band 302 into about 10 clusters 304 (e.g., K=10) and distribute the allocation across the 10 clusters 304 to increase the frequency occupancy of the allocation. In one aspect, the frequency band 302 may have a bandwidth of about 20 MHz, and each subcarrier 312 may span a frequency of about 15 kHz. In such aspects, the frequency band 302 may include about ten frequency interlaces 308 (e.g., M=10). For example, the allocation may include one frequency interlace 308 having ten distributed or equally spaced RBs 310. An interlaced allocation with ten distributed RBs 310 allows the UE to transmit with a higher BW occupancy compared to an allocation with a single RB or ten localized RBs.

[0073] In another aspect, the frequency band 302 may have a bandwidth of about 10 MHz, and each subcarrier 312 may span a frequency of about 15 kHz. In such aspects, the frequency band 302 may include about five frequency interlaces 308 (e.g., M=5). Similarly, an allocation may include one frequency interlace 308 having ten distributed RBs 310. An interlace allocation having ten distributed RBs may allow for wider BW occupancy than an allocation having a single RB or ten localized RBs.

[0074] In another aspect, the frequency band 302 may have a bandwidth of about 20 MHz, and each subcarrier 312 may span a frequency of about 30 kHz. In such aspects, the frequency band 302 may include about five frequency interlaces 308 (e.g., M=5). Similarly, an allocation may include one frequency interlace 308 having ten distributed RBs 310. An interlace allocation having ten distributed RBs may allow for wider BW occupancy than an allocation having a single RB or ten localized RBs.

[0075] In some aspects, RBs 310 are physical resource blocks (PRBs), and each frequency interlace 308 may include PRBs that are evenly spaced in frequency band 302 .

[0076] In the scheme 300, the BS may select one or more frequency interlaces 308 for uplink communication of the UE in the COT / FFP 320. As an example, the BS selects the frequency interlace 308 shown by the patterned blocks. I(0) For uplink communication of UE in COT / FFP 320. In some other examples, the BS may select different frequency interlaces 308. I(m) For uplink communication, where m can be between 1 and M-1. In addition, the BS can allocate any suitable number of frequency interlaces 308 for uplink communication, for example, between 1 and M frequency interlaces 308. Although Figure 3B The frequency interleaving 308 is shown spanning one slot or one RB 310 duration (eg, time period 314), but the frequency interleaving 308 may span a longer duration, eg, 2, 3, or more slots or any suitable number of symbols 306 durations.

[0077] Frequency Interleaving 308 I(0) The uplink communication on the DCI may include uplink data (PUSCH communication) and / or uplink control information (e.g., PUCCH communication). In some cases, the uplink communication is sent on one or more resource block sets using the allocated frequency interleaving. In this regard, in some cases, in accordance with the present disclosure, resource block sets for uplink communication are allocated and / or determined based on resource block sets of resource element groups in which the DCI is sent, where an explicit resource block set allocation is not available.

[0078] Figure 4 4 shows aspects of a resource block set allocation scheme 400 according to some aspects of the present disclosure. For example, Figure 4 A shared radio frequency band 402 is shown. Band 402 may be similar to that described above with respect to Figure 3A and Figure 3BThe frequency band 302 discussed herein. In this regard, the frequency band 402 may be a shared radio frequency band or an unlicensed band (e.g., New Radio Unlicensed (NR-U)) shared by multiple network operating entities. As shown, the frequency band 402 is divided into resource block sets 404. In the illustrated example, for clarity, the frequency band 402 is shown as having three resource block sets (404a, 404b, and 404c), but it should be understood that the frequency band 402 may be divided into any number of resource block sets in accordance with the present disclosure. In this regard, the number of resource block sets included in the frequency band 402 may be based on the number of resource blocks and / or groups (in the frequency domain) within each set and the total frequency bandwidth of the frequency band 402. In addition, although Figure 4 Resource block sets 404 are shown as being contiguous (i.e., formed by contiguous resource blocks in the frequency domain), but in other cases, resource block sets 404 may be defined based on non-contiguous resource blocks and / or groups in the frequency domain (e.g., based on a frequency hopping pattern or other distribution, including one or more interleaving patterns).

[0079] Figure 5A 5 shows aspects of a resource block set allocation scheme 500 according to some aspects of the present disclosure. For example, Figure 5A A shared radio frequency band 502 is shown. Band 502 may be similar to that described above with respect to Figure 3A , Figure 3B and Figure 4 The frequency bands 302 and / or 402 discussed. In this regard, the frequency band 502 may be a shared radio frequency band or an unlicensed frequency band (e.g., New Radio Unlicensed (NR-U)) shared by multiple network operating entities. As shown, the frequency band 502 is divided into resource block sets 504a, 504b, and 504c. Figure 5A Also shown is downlink control information 510a with resource element groups 512. In the illustrated example, for clarity, DCI 510a is shown as occupying four resource element groups (512a, 512b, 512c and 512d), but it should be understood that DCI 510a can have any suitable number of resource element groups. In addition, in the illustrated example, DCI 510a spans a partial extension of both resource block set 504a and resource block set 504b. For example, resource element groups 512a and 512b of DCI 510a are within resource block set 504a, while resource element groups 512c and 512d of DCI 510a are within resource block set 504b. In some aspects of the disclosure, the positioning of one or more of the resource element groups 512a, 512b, 512c and / or 512d of the DCI 510a relative to the resource block sets 504a, 504b and 504c determines and / or indicates the resource block sets that the UE should use for uplink communications with the BS.

[0080] Figure 5BAspects of a resource block set allocation scheme 550 are shown in accordance with some aspects of the present disclosure. Figure 5B Similar in many ways to Figure 5A , but illustrates an aspect of the present disclosure where the DCI is entirely within a single resource block set. For example, DCI 510b is entirely within resource block set 504a. That is, resource element groups 512a, 512b, 512c, and 512d of DCI 510b are within resource block set 504a. As described above, in some aspects of the present disclosure, the positioning of one or more of resource element groups 512a, 512b, 512c, and / or 512d of DCI 510b relative to resource block sets 504a, 504b, and 504c determines and / or indicates the resource block set that the UE should use for uplink communications with the BS.

[0081] Fig. 6A A resource block set allocation scheme 600 is shown according to some aspects of the present disclosure. For example, Fig. 6A A shared radio frequency band 602 is shown. Band 602 may be similar to that described above with respect to Figure 3A , Figure 3B , Figure 4 , Figure 5A and Figure 5B The frequency bands 302, 402, and / or 502 discussed. In this regard, the frequency band 602 may be a shared radio frequency band or an unlicensed frequency band (e.g., New Radio Unlicensed (NR-U)) shared by multiple network operating entities. As shown, the frequency band 602 is divided into resource block sets 604a, 604b, and 604c. Fig. 6A Also shown is downlink control information 610 having resource element groups 612. In the example shown, for clarity, the DCI 610 is shown as occupying four resource element groups (612a, 612b, 612c, and 612d), but it should be understood that the DCI 610 can have any suitable number of resource element groups. In addition, in the example shown, the DCI 610 spans a portion of both resource block set 604a and resource block set 604b. For example, resource element groups 612a and 612b of the DCI 610 are within resource block set 604a, while resource element groups 612c and 612d of the DCI 610 are within resource block set 604b. In some aspects of the present disclosure, the positioning of the first or starting resource element group 612a of the DCI 610 relative to resource block sets 604a, 604b, and 604c determines and / or indicates the resource block set that the UE should use for uplink communications with the BS. Therefore, in Fig. 6A In the example shown, because resource element group 612a is located within the frequency range of resource block set 604a, resource block set 604a is used for uplink communications 620a, as shown.

[0082] In this regard, the BS may allocate a particular set of resource blocks (e.g., 604a, 604b, or 604c) to the UE by sending DCI 610 such that resource element group 612a is positioned within the frequency range of the resource block set that the BS wishes to allocate to the UE for uplink communication. Similarly, the UE may determine which particular set of resource blocks (e.g., 604a, 604b, or 604c) to use for uplink communication based on the positioning of resource element group 612a of DCI 610. In this regard, the UE may utilize the frequency interleaving explicitly indicated in DCI 610 and the resource block set indicated by the positioning of the starting or first resource element group of the DCI.

[0083] Figure 6B A resource block set allocation scheme 650 is shown in accordance with some aspects of the present disclosure. Figure 6B Similar in many ways to Fig. 6A , but illustrates an aspect of the present disclosure, wherein the positioning of the end or last resource element group 612d of the DCI 610 relative to the resource block sets 604a, 604b, and 604c determines and / or indicates the resource block set that the UE should use for uplink communications with the BS. Figure 6B In the example shown, because resource element group 612d is located within the frequency range of resource block set 604b, resource block set 604b is used for uplink communications 620b, as shown.

[0084] In this regard, the BS may allocate a particular set of resource blocks (e.g., 604a, 604b, or 604c) to the UE by sending DCI 610 such that resource element group 612d is positioned within the frequency range of the resource block set that the BS wishes to allocate to the UE for uplink communications. Similarly, the UE may determine which particular set of resource blocks (e.g., 604a, 604b, or 604c) to use for uplink communications based on the positioning of resource element group 612d of DCI 610. In this regard, the UE may utilize the frequency interleaving explicitly indicated in DCI 610 and the resource block set indicated by the positioning of the end or last resource element group of the DCI.

[0085] In some aspects of the present disclosure, the UE determines which resource block sets 604 are occupied by the resource element groups 612a, 612b, 612c, and 612d of the DCI 610, and then selects a particular resource block set for uplink communication. For example, in some cases, the UE selects the lowest indexed resource block set from the resource block set occupied by the DCI. Fig. 6AIn the example shown, the UE can determine that the DCI 610 is located within the frequency range of resource block sets 604a and 604b, and then select resource block set 604a as the lowest indexed resource block set from the occupied resource block sets (i.e., resource block sets 604a and 604b). The UE can then utilize resource block set 604a for uplink communication 620a, as shown.

[0086] In other cases, the UE selects the resource block set with the highest index from the resource block set occupied by the DCI. Fig. 6A In the example shown, the UE can determine that the DCI 610 is located within the frequency range of resource block sets 604a and 604b, and then select resource block set 604b as the highest indexed resource block set from the occupied resource block sets (i.e., resource block sets 604a and 604b). The UE can then utilize resource block set 604b for uplink communication 620b, as shown.

[0087] Figure 7 A resource block set allocation scheme 700 is shown according to some aspects of the present disclosure. For example, Figure 7 A shared radio frequency band 702 is shown. Band 702 may be similar to that described above with respect to Figure 3A , Figure 3B , Figure 4 , Figure 5A , Figure 5B , Fig. 6A and Figure 6B The frequency bands 302, 402, 502 and / or 602 discussed. In this regard, the frequency band 702 can be a shared radio frequency band or an unlicensed frequency band (e.g., New Radio Unlicensed (NR-U)) shared by multiple network operating entities. As shown, the frequency band 702 is divided into resource block sets 704a, 704b, and 704c. Figure 7 Also shown is downlink control information 710 with resource element groups 712. In the illustrated example, for clarity, DCI 710 is shown as occupying four resource element groups (712a, 712b, 712c, and 712d), but it should be understood that DCI 710 can have any suitable number of resource element groups. In addition, in the illustrated example, DCI 710 spans a portion of both resource block set 704a and resource block set 704b. For example, resource element groups 712a and 712b of DCI 710 are within resource block set 704a, while resource element groups 712c and 712d of DCI 710 are within resource block set 704b. In some aspects of the present disclosure, the positioning of the first or starting resource element group 712a and the last or ending resource element group 712d of the DCI 710 relative to the resource block sets 704a, 704b, and 704c determines and / or indicates the resource block sets that the UE should use for uplink communications with the BS. Figure 7 In the example shown, because resource element group 712a is located within the frequency range of resource block set 704a and resource element group 712d is located within the frequency range of resource block set 704b, both resource block set 704a and resource block set 704b are used for uplink communications 720 as shown.

[0088] In this regard, the BS may allocate a specific set of resource blocks (e.g., 704a, 704b, or 704c) to the UE by sending DCI 710 so that resource element groups 712a and 712d are positioned within the frequency range of the resource block set that the BS wishes to allocate to the UE for uplink communication. Similarly, the UE may determine which specific resource block sets (e.g., 704a, 704b, and / or 704c) are used for uplink communication based on the positioning of resource element groups 712a and 712d of the DCI 710. In this regard, the UE may utilize the frequency interleaving explicitly indicated in the DCI 710 and the resource block set indicated by the positioning of the starting or ending resource element group of the DCI.

[0089] Fig. 8A A resource block set allocation scheme 800 is shown according to some aspects of the present disclosure. For example, Fig. 8A A shared radio frequency band 802 is shown. Band 802 may be similar to that described above with respect to Figure 3A , Figure 3B , Figure 4 , Figure 5A , Figure 5B , Fig. 6A , Figure 6B and Figure 7 The frequency bands 302, 402, 502, 602, and / or 702 are discussed. In this regard, the frequency band 802 may be a shared radio frequency band or an unlicensed frequency band (e.g., New Radio Unlicensed (NR-U)) shared by multiple network operating entities. As shown, the frequency band 802 is divided into resource block sets 804a, 804b, and 804c. Fig. 8A Also shown is downlink control information 810 having resource element groups 812. In the illustrated example, for clarity, DCI 810 is shown as occupying four resource element groups (812a, 812b, 812c, and 812d), but it should be understood that DCI 810 can have any suitable number of resource element groups. In addition, in the illustrated example, DCI 810 is positioned entirely within resource block set 804a. For example, resource element groups 812a, 812b, 812c, and 812d of DCI 810 are within resource block set 804a. In some aspects of the present disclosure, the positioning of the first or starting resource element group 812a of DCI 810 relative to resource block sets 804a, 804b, and 804c determines and / or indicates the resource block set that the UE should use for uplink communications with the BS. Therefore, in Fig. 8A In the illustrated example, because resource element group 812a is located within the frequency range of resource block set 804a, resource block set 804a is used for uplink communications 820a, as shown.

[0090] In this regard, the BS may allocate a particular set of resource blocks (e.g., 804a, 804b, or 804c) to the UE by sending DCI 810 such that resource element group 812a is positioned within the frequency range of the resource block set that the BS wishes to allocate to the UE for uplink communication. Similarly, the UE may determine which particular set of resource blocks (e.g., 804a, 804b, or 804c) to use for uplink communication based on the positioning of resource element group 812a of DCI 810. In this regard, the UE may utilize the frequency interleaving explicitly indicated in DCI 810 and the resource block set indicated by the positioning of the starting or first resource element group of the DCI.

[0091] Figure 8B A resource block set allocation scheme 850 is shown in accordance with some aspects of the present disclosure. Figure 8B Similar in many ways to Fig. 8A , but illustrates an aspect of the present disclosure, wherein the positioning of the end or last resource element group 812d of the DCI 810 relative to the resource block sets 804a, 804b, and 804c determines and / or indicates the resource block set that the UE should use for uplink communications with the BS. Figure 8B In the example shown, because resource element group 812d is located within the frequency range of resource block set 804a, resource block set 804a is used for uplink communications 820b, as shown.

[0092] In this regard, the BS may allocate a particular set of resource blocks (e.g., 804a, 804b, or 804c) to the UE by sending DCI 810 such that resource element group 812d is positioned within the frequency range of the resource block set that the BS wishes to allocate to the UE for uplink communications. Similarly, the UE may determine which particular set of resource blocks (e.g., 804a, 804b, or 804c) to use for uplink communications based on the positioning of resource element group 812d of the DCI 810. In this regard, the UE may utilize the frequency interleaving explicitly indicated in the DCI 810 and the resource block set indicated by the positioning of the end or last resource element group of the DCI.

[0093] Fig. 9A signaling diagram of a resource block set allocation scheme 900 according to some aspects of the present disclosure is shown. At 905, BS 105 performs LBT to compete for a COT / FFP 910 of a shared radio frequency band (e.g., New Radio Unlicensed (NR-U)). In the example shown, BS 105 wins the competition for COT / FFP 910 and can therefore occupy COT / FFP 910.

[0094] At 915, BS 105 determines an uplink grant for UE 115. In this regard, the BS may determine to allocate a frequency interlace and / or a set of resource blocks to the UE for uplink communication. In some aspects of the present disclosure, the BS explicitly indicates the allocated frequency interlace in downlink control information (DCI) and implicitly indicates the allocated resource block set to the UE by positioning one or more resource element groups of the DCI relative to the frequency range of the resource block set of the shared radio frequency band (e.g., see Fig. 6A , Figure 6B , Figure 7 , Fig. 8A and Figure 8B ).

[0095] At 920, BS 105 sends downlink control information (DCI) in a search space of a shared radio frequency band (e.g., New Radio Unlicensed (NR-U)). The BS may send DCI in a common search space of a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) and / or a user equipment specific search space of the PDCCH. In some cases, the DCI includes explicit interleaving allocations but does not include explicit resource block set allocations. In some cases, the BS sends all resource element groups of the DCI within a single resource block set. In some cases, the BS sends resource element groups of the DCI across multiple resource block sets. For example, a first resource element group of the DCI may be sent within a first resource block set, and a second resource element group of the DCI may be sent within a second resource block set different from the first resource block set. The resource element groups of the DCI may be sent on 1, 2, 3, 4, etc. resource block sets. In some cases, the DCI sent by the BS is DCI format 0_0.

[0096] At 925, UE 115 monitors DCI. In some cases, UE 115 monitors DCI in a search space of a shared radio frequency band (e.g., New Radio Unlicensed (NR-U)). UE may monitor DCI in a common search space of a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) and / or a user equipment specific search space of the PDCCH. Based on the monitoring at 925, the UE may receive DCI from BS 105. In some cases, the DCI includes explicit interleaving allocations, but does not include explicit resource block set allocations. In some cases, the UE receives all resource element groups of the DCI within a single resource block set. In some cases, the UE receives resource element groups of the DCI across multiple resource block sets. For example, a first resource element group of the DCI may be received within a first resource block set, and a second resource element group of the DCI may be received within a second resource block set different from the first resource block set. The resource element group of the DCI may be received on 1, 2, 3, 4, etc. resource block sets. In some cases, the received DCI is DCI format 0_0.

[0097] At 930, the UE 115 processes the received DCI. In this regard, the UE 115 may decode the DCI to determine the parameters explicitly indicated by the DCI (e.g., frequency interlace allocation), and also determine the positioning of the resource element group of the DCI relative to the resource block set of the shared radio frequency band. Figure 5A , Figure 5B , Fig. 6A , Figure 6B , Figure 7 , Fig. 8A and Figure 8B As discussed, the positioning of one or more of the resource element groups of the DCI relative to the resource block set of the shared radio frequency band can determine and / or indicate the resource block set that the UE 115 should use for uplink communications with the BS 105. For example, in some cases, the UE 115 determines the resource block set used to send the uplink communication based on the resource block set of the starting or first resource element group in which the DCI is received. Similarly, in some cases, the UE 115 determines the resource block set used to send the uplink communication based on the resource block set of the ending or last resource element group in which the DCI is received. In addition, in some cases, the UE 115 determines one or more resource block sets used for uplink communications based on the resource block set of the resource element group in which the DCI is received, which in some cases can be determined based on the resource block set of the starting and ending resource element groups in which the DCI is received (and in some cases, including any intermediate resource block sets).

[0098] At 935, UE 115 sends uplink communication to BS 105 based on DCI. In this regard, UE 115 can utilize frequency interleaving explicitly indicated in DCI received from BS 105 and resource block sets indicated and / or determined by the positioning of one or more resource element groups of DCI. Therefore, in some cases, UE 115 uses the resource block set of the start or first resource element group in which DCI is received to send uplink communication. Similarly, in some cases, UE 115 uses the resource block set of the end or last resource element group in which DCI is received to send uplink communication. In addition, in some cases, UE uses multiple resource block sets of one or more resource element groups in which DCI is received to send uplink communication. Regardless of which resource block sets the uplink communication is sent on, UE can utilize the interleaving allocation indicated in DCI for uplink communication. In some cases, uplink communication includes uplink data communication (e.g., physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH) communication).

[0099] Fig.10 1 is a block diagram of an exemplary UE 1000 according to some aspects of the present disclosure. UE 1000 may be the Figure 1 1000. As shown, UE 1000 may include a processor 1002, a memory 1004, an uplink scheduling and control module 1008, a transceiver 1010 including a modem subsystem 1012 and a radio frequency (RF) unit 1014, and one or more antennas 1016. These elements may communicate with each other directly or indirectly (e.g., via one or more buses).

[0100] The processor 1002 may include a central processing unit (CPU), a digital signal processor (DSP), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a controller, a field programmable gate array (FPGA) device, another hardware device, a firmware device, or any combination thereof configured to perform the operations described herein. The processor 1002 may also be implemented as a combination of computing devices, for example, a combination of a DSP and a microprocessor, a plurality of microprocessors, a combination of one or more microprocessors and a DSP core, or any other such configuration.

[0101] Memory 1004 may include cache memory (e.g., cache memory of processor 1002), random access memory (RAM), magnetoresistive RAM (MRAM), read-only memory (ROM), programmable read-only memory (PROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), flash memory, solid-state memory devices, hard drives, other forms of volatile and non-volatile memory, or a combination of different types of memory. In one aspect, memory 1004 includes a non-transitory computer-readable medium. Memory 1004 may store or have recorded thereon instructions 1006. Instructions 1006 may include instructions that, when executed by processor 1002, cause processor 1002 to perform aspects of the present disclosure described herein (e.g., Figure 2-7 and Fig.10 Instructions 1006 may also be referred to as program code. The program code may be used to cause the wireless communication device to perform the operations, for example, by causing one or more processors (such as processor 1002) to control or command the wireless communication device to do so. The terms "instructions" and "code" should be broadly interpreted to include any type of computer-readable statements. For example, the terms "instructions" and "code" may refer to one or more programs, routines, subroutines, functions, processes, etc. "Instructions" and "code" may include a single computer-readable statement or multiple computer-readable statements.

[0102] The uplink scheduling and control module 1008 may be implemented via hardware, software, or a combination thereof. For example, the uplink scheduling and control module 1008 may be implemented as a processor, circuit, and / or instructions 1006 stored in the memory 1004 and executed by the processor 1002. In some cases, the uplink scheduling and control module 1008 may be integrated within the modem subsystem 1012. For example, the uplink scheduling and control module 1008 may be implemented by a combination of software components (e.g., executed by a DSP or general purpose processor) and hardware components (e.g., logic gates and circuits) within the modem subsystem 1012.

[0103] The uplink scheduling and control module 1008 may be used in various aspects of the present disclosure, for example, Figure 2-9 and Fig.12The uplink scheduling and control module 1008 is configured to monitor downlink communications from a base station (e.g., BS 105 and / or 1100) in a search space of a shared radio frequency band, receive DCI from the BS, determine a set of resource blocks for uplink communications based on the location of one or more resource block groups in the DCI, send uplink communications (e.g., PUCCH and / or PUSCH communications) to the base station based on the DCI, and / or transmit DL communications (e.g., PDCCH and / or PDSCH) with the BS.

[0104] As shown, the transceiver 1010 may include a modem subsystem 1012 and an RF unit 1014. The transceiver 1010 may be configured to communicate bidirectionally with other devices, such as the BS 105. The modem subsystem 1012 may be configured to modulate and / or encode data from the memory 1004 and / or the uplink scheduling and control module 1008 according to a modulation and coding scheme (MCS) (e.g., a low-density parity check (LDPC) coding scheme, a turbo decoding scheme, a convolutional decoding scheme, a digital beamforming scheme, etc.). The RF unit 1014 may be configured to process (e.g., perform analog-to-digital conversion or digital-to-analog conversion, etc.) the modulated / encoded data (e.g., PUCCH control information, PRACH signals, PUSCH data) from the modem subsystem 1012 (on outbound transmissions) or the modulated / encoded data of a transmission originating from another source, such as another UE 115 or the BS 105. The RF unit 1014 may also be configured to perform analog beamforming in conjunction with digital beamforming. Although shown as integrated together in the transceiver 1010, the modem subsystem 1012 and the RF unit 1014 may be separate devices coupled together at the UE 115 to enable the UE 115 to communicate with other devices.

[0105] The RF unit 1014 may provide modulated and / or processed data, such as data packets (or more generally, data messages that may include one or more data packets and other information), to the antenna 1016 for transmission to one or more other devices. The antenna 1016 may also receive data messages transmitted from other devices. The antenna 1016 may provide received data messages for processing and / or demodulation at the transceiver 1010. The transceiver 1010 may provide demodulated and decoded data (e.g., DCI, SSB, RMSI, MIB, SIB, FBE configuration, PRACH configuration PDCCH, PDSCH) to the uplink scheduling and control module 1008 for processing. The antenna 1016 may include multiple antennas of similar or different designs to maintain multiple transmission links. The RF unit 1014 may configure the antenna 1016.

[0106] In one aspect, the UE 1000 may include multiple transceivers 1010 that implement different RATs (e.g., NR and LTE). In one aspect, the UE 1000 may include a single transceiver 1010 that implements multiple RATs (e.g., NR and LTE). In one aspect, the transceiver 1010 may include various components, where different combinations of components may implement different RATs.

[0107] Fig.11 1 is a block diagram of an exemplary BS 1100 according to some aspects of the present disclosure. BS 1100 may be as described above in Figure 1 and Figure 3A 105 in the network 100 discussed in . As shown, BS 1100 may include a processor 1102, a memory 1104, an uplink scheduling and control module 1108, a transceiver 1110 including a modem subsystem 1112 and an RF unit 1114, and one or more antennas 1116. These elements may communicate with each other directly or indirectly (e.g., via one or more buses).

[0108] The processor 1102 may have various characteristics as a particular type of processor. For example, these may include a CPU, a DSP, an ASIC, a controller, an FPGA device, another hardware device, a firmware device, or any combination thereof configured to perform the operations described herein. The processor 1102 may also be implemented as a combination of computing devices, for example, a combination of a DSP and a microprocessor, multiple microprocessors, one or more microprocessors in combination with a DSP core, or any other such configuration.

[0109] The memory 1104 may include a cache memory (e.g., a cache memory of the processor 1102), RAM, MRAM, ROM, PROM, EPROM, EEPROM, flash memory, a solid-state memory device, one or more hard disk drives, a memristor-based array, other forms of volatile and nonvolatile memory, or a combination of different types of memory. In some aspects, the memory 1104 may include a non-transitory computer-readable medium. The memory 1104 may store instructions 1106. The instructions 1106 may include instructions that, when executed by the processor 1102, cause the processor 1102 to perform the operations described herein (e.g., Figure 2-7 and Fig.11 Instructions 1106 may also be referred to as code, which may be broadly interpreted to include any type of computer-readable statements as discussed above.

[0110] The uplink scheduling and control module 1108 may be implemented via hardware, software, or a combination thereof. For example, the uplink scheduling and control module 1108 may be implemented as a processor, circuit, and / or instructions 1106 stored in the memory 1104 and executed by the processor 1102. In some cases, the uplink scheduling and control module 1108 may be integrated within the modem subsystem 1112. For example, the uplink scheduling and control module 1108 may be implemented by a combination of software components (e.g., executed by a DSP or general purpose processor) and hardware components (e.g., logic gates and circuits) within the modem subsystem 1112.

[0111] The uplink scheduling and control module 1108 may be used in various aspects of the present disclosure, for example, Figure 2-9 and Fig.13 The uplink scheduling and control module 1108 may be configured to determine an uplink grant for a UE, send downlink control information (DCI) indicating a UL grant to the UE (e.g., explicitly indicating an assigned frequency interlace and implicitly indicating an assigned resource block set), receive uplink communications based on the DCI from the UE (e.g., PUCCH and / or PUSCH communications), and / or transmit DL communications (e.g., PDCCH and / or PDSCH) with the UE.

[0112] As shown, the transceiver 1110 may include a modem subsystem 1112 and an RF unit 1114. The transceiver 1110 may be configured to communicate bidirectionally with other devices (such as UE 115 and / or 1000, another BS 105, and / or another core network element). The modem subsystem 1112 may be configured to modulate and / or encode data according to an MCS (e.g., an LDPC decoding scheme, a turbo decoding scheme, a convolutional decoding scheme, a digital beamforming scheme, etc.). The RF unit 1114 may be configured to process (e.g., perform analog-to-digital conversion or digital-to-analog conversion, etc.) modulated / encoded data (e.g., SSB, RMSI, MIB, SIB, FBE configuration, PRACH configuration PDCCH, PDSCH) from the modem subsystem 1112 (on outbound transmissions) or modulated / encoded data of a transmission originating from another source (such as UE 115). The RF unit 1114 may also be configured to perform analog beamforming in conjunction with digital beamforming. Although shown as integrated together in transceiver 1110, modem subsystem 1112 and / or RF unit 1114 may be separate devices coupled together at BS 105 to enable BS 105 to communicate with other devices.

[0113] The RF unit 1114 can provide modulated and / or processed data, such as data packets (or more generally, data messages that can include one or more data packets and other information), to the antenna 1116 for transmission to one or more other devices. The antenna 1116 can also receive data messages transmitted from other devices and provide the received data messages for processing and / or demodulation at the transceiver 1110. The transceiver 1110 can provide demodulated and decoded data (e.g., PUCCH control information, PRACH signals, PUSCH data) to the uplink scheduling and control module 1108 for processing. The antenna 1116 may include multiple antennas of similar or different designs to maintain multiple transmission links.

[0114] In one aspect, the BS 1100 may include multiple transceivers 1110 that implement different RATs (e.g., NR and LTE). In one aspect, the BS 1100 may include a single transceiver 1110 that implements multiple RATs (e.g., NR and LTE). In one aspect, the transceiver 1110 may include various components, where different combinations of components may implement different RATs.

[0115] Fig.12 1000 is a flow chart of a communication method 1000 according to some aspects of the present disclosure. The steps of method 1000 may be performed by a computing device (e.g., a processor, a processing circuit, and / or other suitable components) of an apparatus or other suitable means for performing the steps. For example, a UE (such as UE 115 and / or 1000) may utilize one or more components (such as processor 1002, memory 1004, uplink scheduling and control module 1008, transceiver 1010, and / or one or more antennas 1016) to perform the steps of method 1200. Method 1200 may employ the same techniques as described above with respect to Figure 2-9 As shown, method 1200 includes a plurality of enumerated steps, but aspects of method 1200 may include additional steps before, after, and between the enumerated steps. In some aspects, one or more of the enumerated steps may be omitted or performed in a different order.

[0116] At block 1210, the UE monitors for downlink control information (DCI) in a search space of a shared radio frequency band (e.g., New Radio Unlicensed (NR-U)). The UE may monitor for DCI in a common search space of a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) and / or a user equipment specific search space of the PDCCH.

[0117] At block 1220, the UE receives DCI from the base station based on the monitoring at 1210. In some cases, the DCI includes explicit interleaving allocations but does not include explicit resource block set allocations. In some cases, the UE receives all resource element groups of the DCI within a single resource block set. In some cases, the UE receives resource element groups of the DCI across multiple resource block sets. For example, a first resource element group of the DCI may be received within a first resource block set, and a second resource element group of the DCI may be received within a second resource block set different from the first resource block set. The resource element groups of the DCI may be received on 1, 2, 3, 4, etc. resource block sets. In some cases, the received DCI is DCI format 0_0.

[0118] In block 1230, the UE determines one or more resource block sets for sending uplink communication based on the received DCI. In some cases, the UE determines one or more resource block sets based on the starting or first resource element group of the DCI, the ending or last resource element group of the DCI, all resource element groups of the DCI, a subset of the resource element groups of the DCI, and / or a combination thereof. For example, in some cases, the UE determines the resource block set for sending uplink communication based on the resource block set of the starting or first resource element group in which the DCI is received. Similarly, in some cases, the UE determines the resource block set for sending uplink communication based on the resource block set of the ending or last resource element group in which the DCI is received. In addition, in some cases, the UE determines one or more resource block sets for uplink communication based on the resource block set of the resource element group in which the DCI is received, which in some cases can be determined based on the resource block set (including any intermediate resource block set) of the starting and ending resource element groups in which the DCI is received.

[0119] At block 1240, the UE uses one or more resource block sets (as determined at 1230) and explicit interleaved allocations (included in the DCI received at 1220) to send uplink communications to the base station. Thus, in some cases, the UE uses the resource block set of the starting or first resource element group in which the DCI is received to send uplink communications. Similarly, in some cases, the UE uses the resource block set of the ending or last resource element group in which the DCI is received to send uplink communications. In addition, in some cases, the UE uses multiple resource block sets of one or more resource element groups in which the DCI is received to send uplink communications. Regardless of which resource block sets the uplink communications are transmitted on, the UE can utilize the interleaved allocations as indicated in the DCI for uplink communications. In some cases, uplink communications include uplink data communications (e.g., physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH) communications).

[0120] Fig.131300 according to some aspects of the present disclosure. The steps of method 1300 may be performed by a computing device (e.g., a processor, a processing circuit, and / or other suitable components) of an apparatus or other suitable means for performing the steps. For example, a BS (such as BS 105 and / or 1100) may utilize one or more components (such as processor 1102, memory 1104, uplink scheduling and control module 1108, transceiver 1110, and / or one or more antennas 1116) to perform the steps of method 1300. Method 1300 may employ the same techniques as described above with respect to Figure 2-9 As shown, method 1300 includes a plurality of enumerated steps, but aspects of method 1300 may include additional steps before, after, and between the enumerated steps. In some aspects, one or more of the enumerated steps may be omitted or performed in a different order.

[0121] At block 1310, the BS sends downlink control information (DCI) to the UE in a search space of a shared radio frequency band (e.g., New Radio Unlicensed (NR-U)). The BS may send the DCI in a common search space of a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) and / or a user equipment specific search space of the PDCCH. In some cases, the DCI includes explicit interleaving allocations but does not include explicit resource block set allocations. In some cases, the BS sends all resource element groups of the DCI within a single resource block set. In some cases, the BS sends resource element groups of the DCI across multiple resource block sets. For example, a first resource element group of the DCI may be sent within a first resource block set, and a second resource element group of the DCI may be sent within a second resource block set different from the first resource block set. The resource element groups of the DCI may be sent on 1, 2, 3, 4, etc. resource block sets. In some cases, the DCI sent by the BS is DCI format 0_0.

[0122] At block 1320, the BS receives uplink communications from the UE on one or more resource block sets based on the DCI sent at 1310. In some cases, the BS receives uplink communications on a resource block set that includes the starting resource element group of the DCI. In some cases, the BS receives uplink communications on a resource block set that includes the last resource element group of the DCI. In some cases, the BS receives uplink communications on multiple resource block sets using an interleaved allocation as indicated in the DCI, wherein each resource block set in the multiple resource block sets includes at least one resource element group of the DCI. Regardless of which resource block sets the uplink communications are received on, the uplink communications can be received based on the interleaved allocation indicated in the DCI. In some cases, the BS receives uplink communications as physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH) communications.

[0123] Any of a variety of different technologies and techniques may be used to represent information and signals. For example, data, instructions, commands, information, signals, bits, symbols, and chips that may be referenced throughout the above description may be represented by voltages, currents, electromagnetic waves, magnetic fields or particles, optical fields or particles, or any combination thereof.

[0124] The various illustrative blocks and modules described in conjunction with the disclosure herein may be implemented or executed with a general purpose processor, a DSP, an ASIC, an FPGA or other programmable logic device, discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware groups, pieces, or any combination thereof designed to perform the functions described herein. A general purpose processor may be a microprocessor, but in an alternative, the processor may be any conventional processor, controller, microcontroller, or state machine. The processor may also be implemented as a combination of computing devices (e.g., a combination of a DSP and a microprocessor, a plurality of microprocessors, a combination of one or more microprocessors and a DSP core, or any other such configuration).

[0125] The functions described herein can be implemented with hardware, software executed by a processor, firmware, or any combination thereof. If implemented with software executed by a processor, these functions can be stored or transmitted as one or more instructions or codes on a computer-readable medium. Other examples and implementations are within the scope of the present disclosure and the appended claims. For example, due to the nature of software, the above functions can be implemented using software executed by a processor, hardware, firmware, hard wiring, or any combination of these. The features that implement the functions can also be physically located in various locations, including being distributed so that some functions are implemented in different physical locations. Moreover, as used herein, including in the claims, as in the list of items (e.g., a list of items ending with a phrase such as "at least one of..." or "one or more of..."), the "or" used indicates an inclusive list, so that, for example, a list of [at least one of A, B, or C] means A or B or C or AB or AC or BC or ABC (i.e., A and B and C).

[0126] As those skilled in the art will now appreciate, and depending on the particular application at hand, many modifications, substitutions and changes may be made to the materials, devices, configurations and methods of use of the apparatus of the present disclosure without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. In view of this, the scope of the present disclosure should not be limited to the scope of the specific embodiments shown and described herein, as they are merely some examples thereof, but should be fully commensurate with the scope of the claims appended hereto and their functional equivalents.

Claims

1. A method of wireless communication performed by a user equipment, the method comprising: Monitoring downlink control information DCI in a search space of a shared radio frequency band; receiving the DCI from a base station based on the monitoring, wherein the DCI includes an explicit interleaving allocation but does not include an explicit resource block set allocation; determining one or more resource block sets for transmitting uplink communications based on the location of the resource element groups of the received DCI; as well as transmitting the uplink communication to the base station using the one or more sets of resource blocks and the explicit interleaving allocation, The method further comprises: identifying one or more sets of resource blocks occupied by the DCI; The determining of one or more resource block sets for sending the uplink communication comprises selecting a resource block set from one or more resource block sets occupied by the DCI.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein: The determining the one or more resource block sets comprises identifying a first resource block set comprising a starting resource element group of the DCI; and The transmitting the uplink communication comprises transmitting the uplink communication using the first set of resource blocks.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein: The determining the one or more resource block sets comprises identifying a first resource block set comprising a last resource element group of the DCI; and The transmitting the uplink communication comprises transmitting the uplink communication using the first set of resource blocks.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein: The determining the one or more resource block sets comprises identifying a plurality of resource block sets, wherein each resource block set in the plurality of resource block sets comprises at least one resource element group of the DCI; as well as The transmitting the uplink communication comprises transmitting the uplink communication using the plurality of resource block sets.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein: The receiving the DCI includes receiving all resource element groups of the DCI within a single resource block set.

6. The method according to claim 1, wherein: The receiving the DCI includes receiving at least a first resource element group of the DCI within a first resource block set and receiving at least a second resource element group of the DCI within a second resource block set, the second resource block set being different from the first resource block set.

7. The method according to claim 1, wherein: The monitoring the DCI includes monitoring the DCI in a common search space of a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH).

8. The method according to claim 1, wherein: The monitoring the DCI includes monitoring the DCI in a user equipment specific search space of a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH).

9. The method according to claim 1, wherein: The receiving the DCI includes receiving the DCI in DCI format 0_0.

10. The method according to claim 1, wherein: The transmitting the uplink communication includes transmitting a physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH) communication.

11. The method according to claim 1, wherein: The selecting the resource block set from the one or more resource block sets occupied by the DCI comprises selecting a resource block set with a lowest index from the one or more resource block sets occupied by the DCI.

12. The method according to claim 1, wherein: The selecting the resource block set from the one or more resource block sets occupied by the DCI comprises selecting a resource block set with a highest index from the one or more resource block sets occupied by the DCI.

13. A method of wireless communication performed by a base station, the method comprising: Sending downlink control information DCI to a user equipment in a search space of a shared radio frequency band, wherein the DCI includes an explicit interlace allocation but does not include an explicit resource block set allocation; as well as receiving uplink communications from the user equipment on one or more resource block sets determined based on the positioning of the resource element groups of the DCI, The user equipment determines the one or more resource block sets for sending the uplink communication in the following manner: identifying one or more sets of resource blocks occupied by the DCI; as well as A resource block set is selected from one or more resource block sets occupied by the DCI.

14. The method according to claim 13, wherein: The receiving the uplink communication comprises: The uplink communication is received on a first set of resource blocks that includes a starting group of resource elements of the DCI.

15. The method according to claim 13, wherein: The receiving the uplink communication comprises: The uplink communication is received on a first set of resource blocks that includes a last group of resource elements of the DCI.

16. The method according to claim 13, wherein: The receiving the uplink communication comprises: The uplink communication is received on a plurality of resource block sets, wherein each resource block set of the plurality of resource block sets includes at least one resource element group for the DCI.

17. The method according to claim 13, wherein: The sending the DCI includes sending all resource element groups of the DCI within a single resource block set.

18. The method according to claim 13, wherein: The sending the DCI includes sending at least a first resource element group of the DCI in a first resource block set and sending at least a second resource element group of the DCI in a second resource block set, the second resource block set being different from the first resource block set.

19. The method according to claim 13, wherein: The sending the DCI includes sending the DCI in a common search space of a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH).

20. The method according to claim 13, wherein: The sending the DCI includes sending the DCI in a user equipment specific search space of a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH).

21. The method according to claim 13, wherein: The sending the DCI includes sending the DCI in DCI format 0_0.

22. The method according to claim 13, wherein: The receiving the uplink communication includes receiving a physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH) communication.

23. A user equipment, comprising: Transceiver; as well as a processor in communication with the transceiver such that the transceiver and the processor are configured to: Monitoring downlink control information DCI in a search space of a shared radio frequency band; receiving the DCI from a base station based on the monitoring, wherein the DCI includes an explicit interleaving allocation but does not include an explicit resource block set allocation; determining one or more resource block sets for transmitting uplink communications based on the location of the resource element groups of the received DCI; as well as transmitting the uplink communication to the base station using the one or more sets of resource blocks and the explicit interleaving allocation, The processor is further configured to: identifying one or more sets of resource blocks occupied by the DCI; The determining of one or more resource block sets for sending the uplink communication comprises selecting a resource block set from one or more resource block sets occupied by the DCI.

24. The user equipment according to claim 23, wherein: The transceiver and the processor are further configured to: determining the one or more resource block sets by identifying a first resource block set that includes a starting resource element group of the DCI; and The uplink communication is sent using the first set of resource blocks.

25. The user equipment according to claim 23, wherein: The transceiver and the processor are further configured to: determining the one or more resource block sets by identifying a first resource block set that includes a last resource element group of the DCI; and The uplink communication is sent using the first set of resource blocks.

26. The user equipment according to claim 23, wherein: The transceiver and the processor are further configured to: determining the one or more resource block sets by identifying a plurality of resource block sets, wherein each resource block set in the plurality of resource block sets includes at least one resource element group of the DCI; as well as The uplink communication is sent using the plurality of sets of resource blocks.

27. The user equipment according to claim 23, wherein: The transceiver and the processor are further configured to: All resource element groups of the DCI are received within a single resource block set.

28. The user equipment according to claim 23, wherein: The transceiver and the processor are further configured to: receiving at least a first resource element group of the DCI within a first resource block set; and At least a second group of resource elements of the DCI is received within a second set of resource blocks, the second set of resource blocks being different from the first set of resource blocks.

29. The user equipment according to claim 23, wherein: The transceiver and the processor are further configured to: The DCI is monitored in a common search space of a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH).

30. The user equipment according to claim 23, wherein: The transceiver and the processor are further configured to: The DCI is monitored in a user equipment specific search space of a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH).

31. The user equipment according to claim 23, wherein: The transceiver and the processor are further configured to: Receive the DCI of DCI format 0_0.

32. The user equipment according to claim 23, wherein: The transceiver and the processor are further configured to: The uplink communication is transmitted by transmitting a Physical Uplink Shared Channel (PUSCH) communication.

33. A base station, comprising: transceiver, which is configured as: Sending downlink control information DCI to a user equipment in a search space of a shared radio frequency band, wherein the DCI includes an explicit interlace allocation but does not include an explicit resource block set allocation; as well as receiving uplink communications from the user equipment on one or more resource block sets determined based on the positioning of the resource element groups of the DCI, The user equipment determines the one or more resource block sets for sending the uplink communication in the following manner: identifying one or more sets of resource blocks occupied by the DCI; as well as A resource block set is selected from one or more resource block sets occupied by the DCI.

34. The base station according to claim 33, wherein: The transceiver is further configured to: The uplink communication is received on a first set of resource blocks that includes a starting group of resource elements of the DCI.

35. The base station according to claim 33, wherein: The transceiver is further configured to: The uplink communication is received on a first set of resource blocks that includes a last group of resource elements of the DCI.

36. The base station according to claim 33, wherein: The transceiver is further configured to: The uplink communication is received on a plurality of resource block sets, wherein each resource block set of the plurality of resource block sets includes at least one resource element group for the DCI.

37. The base station according to claim 33, wherein: The transceiver is further configured to: All resource element groups of the DCI are transmitted within a single resource block set.

38. The base station according to claim 33, wherein: The transceiver is further configured to: transmitting at least a first resource element group of the DCI within a first resource block set; and At least a second group of resource elements of the DCI is sent within a second set of resource blocks, the second set of resource blocks being different from the first set of resource blocks.

39. The base station according to claim 33, wherein: The transceiver is further configured to: The DCI is sent in a common search space of a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH).

40. The base station according to claim 33, wherein: The transceiver is further configured to: The DCI is sent in a user equipment specific search space of a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH).

41. The base station according to claim 33, wherein: The transceiver is further configured to: Send the DCI of DCI format 0_0.

42. The base station according to claim 33, wherein: The transceiver is also configured to receive the uplink communication by receiving a physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH) communication.

43. A user equipment comprising: A means for monitoring downlink control information DCI in a search space of a shared radio frequency band; means for receiving the DCI from a base station based on the monitoring, wherein the DCI includes an explicit interlace allocation but does not include an explicit resource block set allocation; means for determining one or more sets of resource blocks for transmitting uplink communications based on the positioning of the resource element groups of the received DCI; as well as means for transmitting the uplink communication to the base station using the one or more sets of resource blocks and the explicit interleaving allocation, The user equipment further includes: means for identifying one or more sets of resource blocks occupied by the DCI; The means for determining one or more resource block sets for transmitting the uplink communication includes means for selecting a resource block set from the one or more resource block sets occupied by the DCI.

44. The user equipment of claim 43, wherein: The means for determining the one or more resource block sets comprises means for identifying a first resource block set comprising a starting resource element group of the DCI; as well as The means for transmitting the uplink communication includes means for transmitting the uplink communication using the first set of resource blocks.

45. The user equipment of claim 43, wherein: The means for determining the one or more resource block sets comprises means for identifying a first resource block set comprising a last resource element group of the DCI; as well as The means for transmitting the uplink communication comprises means for transmitting the uplink communication using the first set of resource blocks.

46. ​​The user equipment of claim 43, wherein: The means for determining the one or more resource block sets comprises means for identifying a plurality of resource block sets, wherein each resource block set of the plurality of resource block sets comprises at least one resource element group of the DCI; as well as The means for transmitting the uplink communication includes means for transmitting the uplink communication using the plurality of resource block sets.

47. The user equipment according to claim 43, wherein: The means for receiving the DCI includes means for receiving all resource element groups of the DCI within a single set of resource blocks.

48. The user equipment according to claim 43, wherein: The component for receiving the DCI includes: means for receiving at least a first resource element group of the DCI within a first set of resource blocks; and Means for receiving at least a second group of resource elements for the DCI within a second set of resource blocks, the second set of resource blocks being different from the first set of resource blocks.

49. The user equipment according to claim 43, wherein: The means for monitoring the DCI includes means for monitoring the DCI in a common search space of a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH).

50. The user equipment according to claim 43, wherein: The means for monitoring the DCI includes means for monitoring the DCI in a user equipment specific search space of a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH).

51. The user equipment according to claim 43, wherein: The means for receiving the DCI comprises means for receiving the DCI in DCI format 0_0.

52. The user equipment according to claim 43, wherein: The means for transmitting the uplink communication includes means for transmitting a Physical Uplink Shared Channel (PUSCH) communication.

53. A base station, comprising: means for sending downlink control information DCI to a user equipment in a search space of a shared radio frequency band, wherein the DCI comprises an explicit interlace allocation but does not comprise an explicit resource block set allocation; as well as means for receiving uplink communications from the user equipment on one or more resource block sets determined based on the positioning of the resource element groups of the DCI, The user equipment determines the one or more resource block sets for sending the uplink communication in the following manner: identifying one or more sets of resource blocks occupied by the DCI; as well as A resource block set is selected from one or more resource block sets occupied by the DCI.

54. The base station according to claim 53, wherein: The means for receiving the uplink communication comprises: Means for receiving the uplink communication on a first set of resource blocks that includes a starting group of resource elements for the DCI.

55. The base station according to claim 53, wherein: The means for receiving the uplink communication comprises: Means for receiving the uplink communication on a first set of resource blocks including a last group of resource elements of the DCI.

56. The base station according to claim 53, wherein: The means for receiving the uplink communication comprises: Means for receiving the uplink communication on a plurality of resource block sets, wherein each resource block set of the plurality of resource block sets comprises at least one resource element group for the DCI.

57. The base station according to claim 53, wherein: The means for transmitting the DCI includes means for transmitting all resource element groups of the DCI within a single set of resource blocks.

58. The base station according to claim 53, wherein: The component for sending the DCI includes: means for transmitting at least a first resource element group of said DCI within a first set of resource blocks; and Means for transmitting at least a second group of resource elements of the DCI within a second set of resource blocks, the second set of resource blocks being different from the first set of resource blocks.

59. The base station according to claim 53, wherein: The means for transmitting the DCI includes means for transmitting the DCI in a common search space of a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH).

60. The base station according to claim 53, wherein: The means for sending the DCI includes means for sending the DCI in a user equipment specific search space of a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH).

61. The base station according to claim 53, wherein: The means for sending the DCI includes means for sending the DCI in DCI format 0_0.

62. The base station according to claim 53, wherein: The means for receiving the uplink communication includes means for receiving a Physical Uplink Shared Channel (PUSCH) communication.

63. A non-transitory computer readable medium having recorded thereon program code for wireless communication by a user equipment, the program code comprising: A code for causing the user equipment to monitor downlink control information DCI in a search space of a shared radio frequency band; code for causing the user equipment to receive the DCI from a base station based on the monitoring, wherein the DCI includes an explicit interleaving allocation but does not include an explicit resource block set allocation; code for causing the user equipment to determine one or more resource block sets for transmitting uplink communications based on the positioning of the resource element groups of the received DCI; as well as code for causing the user equipment to transmit the uplink communication to the base station using the one or more resource block sets and the explicit interleaving allocation, The program code also includes: code for identifying one or more sets of resource blocks occupied by the DCI; The determining of one or more resource block sets for sending the uplink communication comprises selecting a resource block set from one or more resource block sets occupied by the DCI.

64. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 63, wherein: The code for causing the user equipment to determine the one or more resource block sets includes code for causing the user equipment to identify a first resource block set including a starting resource element group of the DCI; as well as The code for causing the user equipment to transmit the uplink communication includes code for causing the user equipment to transmit the uplink communication using the first set of resource blocks.

65. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 63, wherein: The code for causing the user equipment to determine the one or more resource block sets includes code for causing the user equipment to identify a first resource block set including a last resource element group of the DCI; as well as The code for causing the user equipment to transmit the uplink communication includes code for causing the user equipment to transmit the uplink communication using the first set of resource blocks.

66. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 63, wherein: The code for causing the user equipment to determine the one or more resource block sets includes code for causing the user equipment to identify a plurality of resource block sets, wherein each resource block set in the plurality of resource block sets includes at least one resource element group of the DCI; as well as The code for causing the user equipment to transmit the uplink communication includes code for causing the user equipment to transmit the uplink communication using the plurality of resource block sets.

67. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 63, wherein: The code for causing the user equipment to receive the DCI includes code for causing the user equipment to receive all resource element groups of the DCI within a single resource block set.

68. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 63, wherein the code for causing the user equipment to receive the DCI comprises: code for causing the user equipment to receive at least a first resource element group of the DCI within a first resource block set; as well as Code for causing the user equipment to receive at least a second group of resource elements of the DCI within a second set of resource blocks, the second set of resource blocks being different from the first set of resource blocks.

69. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 63, wherein: The code for causing the user equipment to monitor the DCI includes code for causing the user equipment to monitor the DCI in a common search space of a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH).

70. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 63, wherein: The code for causing the user equipment to monitor the DCI includes code for causing the user equipment to monitor the DCI in a user equipment-specific search space of a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH).

71. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 63, wherein: The code for causing the user equipment to receive the DCI includes a code for causing the user equipment to receive the DCI of DCI format 0_0.

72. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 63, wherein: The code for causing the user equipment to transmit the uplink communication includes code for causing the user equipment to transmit a physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH) communication.

73. A non-transitory computer readable medium having recorded thereon a program code for wireless communication by a base station, the program code comprising: Code for causing the base station to send downlink control information (DCI) to a user equipment in a search space of a shared radio frequency band, wherein the DCI includes an explicit interleaving allocation but does not include an explicit resource block set allocation; as well as code for causing the base station to receive uplink communications from the user equipment on one or more resource block sets determined based on the positioning of the resource element groups of the DCI, The user equipment determines the one or more resource block sets for sending the uplink communication in the following manner: identifying one or more sets of resource blocks occupied by the DCI; as well as A resource block set is selected from one or more resource block sets occupied by the DCI.

74. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 73, wherein the code for causing the base station to receive the uplink communication comprises: Code for causing the base station to receive the uplink communication on a first set of resource blocks that includes a starting group of resource elements for the DCI.

75. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 73, wherein the code for causing the base station to receive the uplink communication comprises: Code for causing the base station to receive the uplink communication on a first set of resource blocks that includes a last group of resource elements of the DCI.

76. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 73, wherein the code for causing the base station to receive the uplink communication comprises: Code for causing the base station to receive the uplink communication on a plurality of resource block sets, wherein each resource block set of the plurality of resource block sets comprises at least one resource element group for the DCI.

77. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 73, wherein: The code for causing the base station to transmit the DCI includes code for causing the base station to transmit all resource element groups of the DCI within a single resource block set.

78. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 73, wherein the code for causing the base station to send the DCI comprises: code for causing the base station to transmit at least a first resource element group of the DCI within a first resource block set; as well as Code for causing the base station to transmit at least a second group of resource elements of the DCI within a second set of resource blocks, the second set of resource blocks being different from the first set of resource blocks.

79. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 73, wherein: The code for causing the base station to transmit the DCI includes code for causing the base station to transmit the DCI in a common search space of a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH).

80. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 73, wherein: The code for causing the base station to transmit the DCI includes code for causing the base station to transmit the DCI in a user equipment-specific search space of a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH).

81. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 73, wherein: The code for causing the base station to send the DCI includes a code for causing the base station to send the DCI of DCI format 0_0.

82. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 73, wherein: The code for causing the base station to receive the uplink communication includes code for causing the base station to receive a Physical Uplink Shared Channel (PUSCH) communication.

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