Technologies for NR coverage enhancement

Abstract

The present invention discloses a method for enhancing the coverage of an NR system for wireless devices with limited coverage. Through RRC signaling, DCI or RAR authorization, a serving base station can configure parameters for a UE with limited coverage to enable the UE to operate in a coverage enhancement mode. When connected and communicating with the serving base station, the UE can use the configuration parameters to determine whether to enter the coverage enhancement mode. When receiving PDSCH and PDCCH channels, when transmitting PUSCH and PUCCH channels, and when transmitting PUSCH Msg3 during random access, the configuration parameters can configure the UE to use both time diversity and frequency diversity to expand and enhance coverage. Advantageously, the base station can flexibly and dynamically configure coverage enhancement parameters for the UE to use time diversity and frequency diversity gains to expand the coverage of the UE as the UE moves around.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to the field of wireless communications, and more particularly, to methods for enabling a wireless communication device to extend its communication range or coverage. Other aspects are also described. Background Art

[0002] As the number of mobile devices connected to wireless networks and the demand for mobile data traffic continue to increase, changes are being made to system requirements and architectures to meet these rapidly growing demands. For example, wireless communication networks such as 5G New Radio (NR) systems and 4G Long Term Evolution (LTE) may need to extend the communication range or coverage. One recent coverage enhancement targets rural deployments of NR networks operating in the frequency range FR1, where wireless devices are located at a very long distance from the serving base station. Other coverage enhancements include urban deployments of NR networks, where outdoor base stations serve: indoor wireless devices operating in FR1, indoor deployment scenarios for FR2, urban / suburban deployment scenarios for FR2, time domain duplexing (TDD) and frequency domain duplexing (FDD) for FR1, voice over IP (VoIP) and enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB) services for FR1, eMBB services as the first priority and VoIP as the second priority for FR2, etc.

[0003] One goal of coverage enhancement for NR systems is to increase coverage performance for downlink (DL) channels, including the Physical Downlink Shared Channel (PDSCH) for FR2. Another goal is to increase coverage performance for uplink (UL) channels, including the Physical Uplink Shared Channel (PUSCH) and Physical Uplink Control Channel (PUCCH) for FR1. Solutions to address these goals include up to a certain number of time-domain retransmissions. However, such time-domain solutions may not be sufficient for the extremely long-range coverage extension required for rural deployments. Another shortcoming of existing solutions is that during random access, when a wireless device attempts to connect or synchronize with a serving base station, it cannot support coverage extension using the PUSCH carrying Message 3 (Msg3). This is because when the wireless device transmits Msg3, a Radio Resource Control (RRC) signaling connection has not yet been established. Therefore, the base station may not be able to configure the wireless device with RRC parameters to extend coverage. NR coverage needs to be improved, including PDSCH, PUSCH, and PUCCH channels, and coverage extension of PUSCH carrying Msg3 needs to be supported so that it matches other UL channels. Summary of the Invention

[0004] A method for enhancing NR system coverage for coverage-limited wireless devices, such as user equipment (UE), is disclosed. Through RRC signaling, downlink control information (DCI), or random access response (RAR) grants, a serving base station can configure parameters for a coverage-limited UE to enable the UE to operate in coverage enhancement mode. When connected and communicating with a serving base station, the UE can use the configuration parameters to determine whether to enter coverage enhancement mode. The configuration parameters can configure the UE to utilize both time diversity and frequency diversity to expand and enhance coverage when receiving PDSCH channels and when transmitting PUSCH and PUCCH channels. Advantageously, the base station can flexibly and dynamically configure the coverage enhancement parameters for the UE to utilize time diversity and frequency diversity gains to expand the UE's coverage as the UE moves around.

[0005] In one embodiment, the configuration parameters for enabling a coverage-limited UE to operate in a coverage enhancement mode may include PDSCH, PUSCH, and PUCCH configuration parameters. The UE may use the PDSCH configuration parameters to receive downlink data packets with coverage enhancement using time domain repetition and frequency hopping. In one embodiment, the UE may use the PDSCH configuration parameters to receive a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) with coverage enhancement using time domain repetition and frequency hopping. In one embodiment, the coverage of the PDCCH may be enhanced using its own PDCCH configuration parameters. The UE may use the PUSCH configuration parameters to schedule coverage-enhanced PUSCH transmissions and type 1 and type 2 PUSCH using time domain repetition and frequency hopping with the configured grant. The UE may use the PUCCH configuration parameters to transmit PUCCH channels with coverage enhancement using time domain repetition and frequency hopping.

[0006] In one embodiment, the configuration parameters for enabling a coverage-limited wireless device to operate in coverage-enhancing mode may include configuration parameters for PUSCH Msg3 transmission. During random access, the UE may use the PUSCH Msg3 configuration parameters to transmit PUSCH Msg3 using time domain repetition and frequency hopping.

[0007] The above summary does not include an exhaustive list of all aspects of the present invention. It is contemplated that the present invention includes all systems and methods that can be practiced from all suitable combinations of the various aspects summarized above and disclosed in the following detailed description and particularly pointed out in the claims filed with this patent application. Such combinations have particular advantages not specifically recited in the above summary. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] Various aspects of the present disclosure are described by way of example and not by way of limitation in the drawings, in which similar reference numerals indicate similar elements. It should be noted that references to "one" or "an" aspect in the present disclosure are not necessarily to the same aspect, and are intended to refer to at least one aspect. In addition, for the sake of brevity and to reduce the total number of drawings, a given drawing may be used to illustrate features of more than one aspect of the present disclosure, and not all elements in the drawing may be required for a given aspect.

[0009] Figure 1 An exemplary wireless communication system according to some embodiments of the present disclosure is shown.

[0010] Figure 2 A base station (BS) is shown in communication with a user equipment (UE) device according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0011] Figure 3 An exemplary block diagram of a UE according to some embodiments of the present disclosure is shown.

[0012] Figure 4 An exemplary block diagram of a BS according to some embodiments of the present disclosure is shown.

[0013] Figure 5 An exemplary block diagram of cellular communication circuitry according to some embodiments of the present disclosure is shown.

[0014] Figure 6 PDSCH time-domain repetition and frequency hopping for enhancing PDSCH coverage for coverage-limited UEs according to some embodiments of the present disclosure are shown.

[0015] Figure 7 An extension to the RAR Grant field is shown to add configuration parameters for PUSCH Msg3 transmissions from coverage-limited UEs according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0016] Figure 8 A data flow diagram according to some embodiments of the present disclosure is shown, which enables a coverage-limited UE to enter a coverage enhancement mode when connected to a serving base station to: transmit PUSCH Msg3 during random access; receive coverage enhancement PDSCH, PDCCH channels; and transmit coverage enhancement PUSCH, PUCCH channels.

[0017] Figure 9 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a method according to some embodiments of the present disclosure, for enabling a coverage-limited UE to receive configuration parameters for a coverage enhancement mode from a base station, and for enabling the UE to operate coverage-enhanced PDSCH, PDCCH, PUSCH, and PUCCH channels.

[0018] Figure 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a method according to some embodiments of the present disclosure for enabling a base station to transmit configuration parameters for a coverage enhancement mode to a coverage-limited UE, and for enabling the base station to operate coverage-enhanced PDSCH, PDCCH, PUSCH, and PUCCH channels together with the UE. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0019] Techniques for enhancing the coverage of NR systems are disclosed. Through RRC signaling, a serving base station can configure parameters for a coverage-limited UE so that the UE operates in coverage enhancement mode. In one embodiment, a synchronization signal block (SSB) reference signal received power (RSRP) measurement threshold can be configured for the UE. Based on measuring the DL SSB RSRP and comparing the measured SSB RSSP with the SSB RSRP threshold, the UE can determine whether to activate the coverage enhancement mode. In one embodiment, the base station can allocate a reserved preamble to the coverage-limited UE. The reserved preamble can be selected from a pool of contention-free preambles. When the UE activates the coverage enhancement mode, the UE can select one of the reserved preambles when requesting random access.

[0020] In one embodiment, the configuration parameters for enabling a coverage-limited UE to operate in a coverage enhancement mode may include PDSCH configuration parameters. The UE may use the PDSCH configuration parameters to receive downlink data packets that have been coverage enhanced using time domain repetition and frequency hopping. The PDSCH coverage enhancement configuration parameters may include the number of repetitions per hopping frequency, the total number of repetitions, the number of hopping frequencies, hopping pattern parameters such as two-step hopping or four-step hopping, and a hopping offset.

[0021] In one embodiment, the configuration parameters for enabling a coverage-limited UE to operate in coverage enhancement mode may include PUSCH configuration parameters. The UE may use the PUSCH configuration parameters to schedule coverage-enhancing PUSCH transmissions and Type 1 and Type 2 PUSCH using time domain repetition and frequency hopping with configured grants. The PUSCH coverage enhancement configuration parameters may include the number of repetitions per hopping frequency, the total number of repetitions, the number of hopping frequencies, hopping pattern parameters such as two-step hopping or four-step hopping, and hopping offset.

[0022] In one embodiment, the configuration parameters for enabling a coverage-limited UE to operate in coverage enhancement mode may include PUCCH configuration parameters. The UE may use the PUCCH configuration parameters to transmit a PUCCH channel with coverage enhancement using time domain repetition and frequency hopping. The PUCCH coverage enhancement configuration parameters may include the number of repetitions per hopping frequency, the total number of repetitions, the number of hopping frequencies, etc.

[0023] In one embodiment, the configuration parameters for enabling a coverage-limited UE to operate in coverage enhancement mode may include configuration parameters for PUSCH Msg3 transmission. When the UE is in various random access states such as RRC_IDLE, RRC_INACTIVE, or RRC_CONNECTED mode, the UE may use PUSCH Msg3 configuration parameters to transmit PUSCH Msg3 during random access using time domain repetition and frequency hopping. The PUSCH Msg3 configuration parameters may include the number of repetitions for each hopping frequency, the total number of repetitions, the number of hopping frequencies, modulation and coding scheme (MCS) information, etc. The PUSCH Msg3 configuration parameters may be received from the serving base station through an RAR grant.

[0024] The following description shows many specific details. However, it should be understood that aspects of the present disclosure can be practiced here without these specific details. In other cases, well-known circuits, structures, and technologies are not shown in detail to avoid obscuring the understanding of this description.

[0025] The terms used herein are only for the purpose of describing specific aspects and are not intended to limit the present invention. Spatially relative terms, such as "under...", "below...", "below...", "above...", "on...", etc., may be used herein for the convenience of description to describe the relationship between an element or feature and another one or more elements or one or more features, as shown in the accompanying drawings. It should be understood that spatially relative terms are intended to cover different orientations during use or operation of the device other than the orientation shown in the accompanying drawings. For example, if the device in the figure is flipped, the element described as "below" or "below" other elements or features can then be oriented to be "above" other elements or features. Therefore, the exemplary term "below..." can cover both orientations of "above..." and "below...". The device can be oriented in other ways (e.g., rotated 90 degrees or in other orientations), and the spatially relative descriptors used in this article are interpreted accordingly.

[0026] As used herein, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context indicates otherwise. It should be further understood that the terms "include" and "comprise" specify the presence of stated features, steps, operations, elements, or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, steps, operations, elements, components, or groups thereof.

[0027] As used herein, the terms "or" and "and / or" should be interpreted as inclusive or meaning any one or any combination. Thus, "A, B, or C" or "A, B, and / or C" means "any of the following: A; B; C; A and B; A and C; B and C; A, B, and C." An exception to this definition occurs only when a combination of elements, functions, steps, or actions are inherently mutually exclusive in some way.

[0028] Figure 1 1 shows a simplified exemplary wireless communication system according to some embodiments. Note that Figure 1 The system is only one example of a possible system, and features of the present disclosure may be implemented in any of a variety of systems as desired.

[0029] As shown, the exemplary wireless communication system includes a base station 102A that communicates with one or more user devices 106A, 106B, ..., 106N via a transmission medium. Each user device may be referred to herein as a "user equipment" (UE). Therefore, user device 106 is referred to as a UE or UE device.

[0030] Base station (BS) 102A may be a base transceiver station (BTS) or a cell site ("cellular base station") and may include hardware that enables wireless communications with UEs 106A-106N.

[0031] The communication area (or coverage area) of a base station may be referred to as a "cell." The base station 102A and the UE 106 may be configured to communicate over a transmission medium using any of a variety of radio access technologies (RATs), also known as wireless communication technologies or telecommunication standards, such as GSM, UMTS (associated with, for example, WCDMA or TD-SCDMA air interfaces), LTE, LTE-Advanced (LTE-A), 5G New Radio (5G NR), HSPA, 3GPP2 CDMA2000 (e.g., 1xRTT, 1xEV-DO, HRPD, eHRPD), etc. Note that if the base station 102A is implemented in the context of LTE, it may alternatively be referred to as an "eNodeB" or "eNB." Note that if the base station 102A is implemented in the context of 5G NR, it may alternatively be referred to as a "gNodeB" or "gNB."

[0032] As shown, base station 102A may also be configured to communicate with network 100 (e.g., a core network of a cellular service provider, a telecommunications network such as a public switched telephone network (PSTN), and / or the Internet, among other possibilities). Thus, base station 102A may facilitate communications between user devices and / or between user devices and network 100. In particular, cellular base station 102A may provide UE 106 with various telecommunications capabilities, such as voice, short message service (SMS), and / or data services.

[0033] Base station 102A and other similar base stations (such as base stations 102B...102N) operating according to the same or different cellular communication standards can therefore provide a network of cells that can provide continuous or nearly continuous overlapping service to UEs 106A-N and similar devices over a geographic area via one or more cellular communication standards.

[0034] Thus, although base station 102A may function as Figure 1 106A-N, each UE 106 may also be capable of receiving signals from (and possibly within communication range of) one or more other cells (which may be provided by base stations 102B-N and / or any other base stations), which may be referred to as "neighboring cells." Such cells may also be capable of facilitating communications between user devices and / or between user devices and network 100. Such cells may include "macro" cells, "micro" cells, "pico" cells, and / or cells of any other variety of granularities of service area size. For example, in Figure 1 The base stations 102A-B shown in FIG. 1 may be macro cells, while the base station 102N may be a micro cell. Other configurations are also possible. The UE 106 may measure the time of arrival (TOA) of positioning reference signals (PRS) transmitted by its serving base station 102A and by base stations 102B-N of neighboring cells to support position determination of the UE 106.

[0035] In some embodiments, base station 102A may be a next-generation base station, such as a 5G New Radio (5G-NR) base station or "gNB." In some embodiments, a gNB may be connected to a legacy evolved packet core (EPC) network and / or to an NR core (NRC) network. Furthermore, a gNB cell may include one or more transition and reception points (TRPs). Furthermore, a UE capable of operating in accordance with 5G NR may connect to one or more TRPs within one or more gNBs.

[0036] It is noted that the UE 106 is capable of communicating using multiple wireless communication standards. For example, in addition to at least one cellular communication protocol (e.g., GSM, UMTS (associated with, for example, WCDMA or TD-SCDMA air interfaces), LTE, LTE-A, 5G-NR, HSPA, 3GPP2 CDMA2000 (e.g., 1xRTT, 1xEV-DO, HRPD, eHRPD), etc.), the UE 106 can be configured to communicate using wireless networking (e.g., Wi-Fi) and / or peer-to-peer wireless communication protocols (e.g., Bluetooth, Wi-Fi peer-to-peer, etc.). If desired, the UE 106 can also or alternatively be configured to communicate using one or more global navigation satellite systems (GNSS, such as GPS or GLONASS), one or more mobile television broadcast standards (e.g., ATSC-M / H or DVB-H), and / or any other wireless communication protocols. Other combinations of wireless communication standards (including more than two wireless communication standards) are also possible.

[0037] Figure 2 A user equipment 106 (e.g., one of devices 106A-106N) is shown in accordance with some embodiments in communication with base station 102. UE 106 may be a device with cellular communication capabilities, such as a mobile phone, handheld device, computer or tablet, or virtually any type of wireless device.

[0038] The UE 106 may include a processor configured to execute program instructions stored in a memory. The UE 106 may perform any of the method embodiments described herein by executing such stored instructions. Alternatively or in addition, the UE 106 may include a programmable hardware element, such as an FPGA (field programmable gate array), configured to perform any of the method embodiments described herein or any portion of any of the method embodiments described herein.

[0039] UE 106 may include one or more antennas for communicating using one or more wireless communication protocols or technologies. In some embodiments, UE 106 may be configured to communicate using, for example, CDMA2000 (1xRTT / 1xEV-DO / HRPD / eHRPD) or LTE or 5G NR using a single shared radio and / or GSM or LTE or 5G NR using a single shared radio. The shared radio may be coupled to a single antenna or to multiple antennas (e.g., for MIMO) for performing wireless communications. Typically, the radio may include any combination of a baseband processor, analog radio frequency (RF) signal processing circuitry (e.g., including filters, mixers, oscillators, amplifiers, etc.), or digital processing circuitry (e.g., for digital modulation and other digital processing). Similarly, the radio may implement one or more receive chains and transmit chains using the aforementioned hardware. For example, UE 106 may share one or more portions of a receive chain and / or transmit chain between multiple wireless communication technologies, such as those described above.

[0040] In some embodiments, the UE 106 may include a separate transmit chain and / or receive chain (e.g., including separate antennas and other radio components) for each wireless communication protocol with which it is configured to communicate. As another possibility, the UE 106 may include one or more radio components shared between multiple wireless communication protocols, and one or more radio components used exclusively by a single wireless communication protocol. For example, the UE 106 may include a shared radio component for communicating using any of LTE or 5G-NR (or LTE or 1xRTT, or LTE or GSM), and separate radio components for communicating using each of Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. Other configurations are also possible.

[0041] Figure 3 1 shows an exemplary simplified block diagram of a communication device 106 according to some embodiments. Figure 3The block diagram of the communication device is only an example of a possible communication device. Depending on the embodiment, the communication device 106 can be a user equipment (UE) device, a mobile device or mobile station, a wireless device or wireless station, a desktop computer or computing device, a mobile computing device (e.g., a laptop, notebook or portable computing device), a tablet computer and / or a combination of devices, in addition to other devices. As shown, the communication device 106 may include a group of components 300 configured to perform core functions. For example, the group of components can be implemented as a system on a chip (SOC), which may include parts for various purposes. Alternatively, the group of components 300 can be implemented as a separate component or group of components for various purposes. This group of components 300 can be coupled (e.g., communicatively; directly or indirectly) to various other circuits of the communication device 106.

[0042] For example, the communication device 106 may include various types of memory (e.g., including NAND flash memory 310), input / output interfaces such as a connector I / F 320 (e.g., for connecting to a computer system; a docking station; a charging station; input devices such as a microphone, a camera, a keyboard; output devices such as a speaker; etc.), a display 360 that may be integrated with the communication device 106 or external to the communication device, and cellular communication circuitry 330 such as for 5G-NR, LTE, GSM, etc., and short-range to medium-range wireless communication circuitry 329 (e.g., Bluetooth TM and WLAN circuitry). In some embodiments, the communication device 106 may include wired communication circuitry (not shown), such as, for example, a network interface card for Ethernet.

[0043] Cellular communication circuitry 330 may be (e.g., communicatively; directly or indirectly) coupled to one or more antennas, such as antennas 335 and 336, as shown. Short-range to medium-range wireless communication circuitry 329 may also be (e.g., communicatively; directly or indirectly) coupled to one or more antennas, such as antennas 337 and 338, as shown. Alternatively, short-range to medium-range wireless communication circuitry 329 may be (e.g., communicatively; directly or indirectly) coupled to antennas 335 and 336, in addition to or in lieu of being (e.g., communicatively; directly or indirectly) coupled to antennas 337 and 338. Short-range to medium-range wireless communication circuitry 329 and / or cellular communication circuitry 330 may include multiple receive chains and / or multiple transmit chains for receiving and / or transmitting multiple spatial streams, such as in a multiple-input, multiple-output (MIMO) configuration.

[0044] In some embodiments, as further described below, the cellular communication circuitry 330 can include dedicated receive chains (including and / or (e.g., communicatively, directly or indirectly) coupled to a dedicated processor and / or radio) for multiple RATs (e.g., a first receive chain for LTE and a second receive chain for 5G NR). Furthermore, in some embodiments, the cellular communication circuitry 330 can include a single transmit chain that can switch between radios dedicated to specific RATs. For example, a first radio can be dedicated to a first RAT, such as LTE, and can communicate with a dedicated receive chain as well as a transmit chain shared with an additional radio, such as a second radio that can be dedicated to a second RAT (e.g., 5G NR) and can communicate with both the dedicated receive chain and the shared transmit chain.

[0045] The communication device 106 may also include and / or be configured for use with one or more user interface elements. User interface elements may include various elements such as a display 360 (which may be a touch screen display), a keyboard (which may be a separate keyboard or may be implemented as part of the touch screen display), a mouse, a microphone and / or speakers, one or more cameras, one or more buttons, and / or any of a variety of other elements capable of providing information to a user and / or receiving or interpreting user input.

[0046] The communication device 106 may also include one or more smart cards 345 having SIM (Subscriber Identity Module) functionality, such as one or more UICC cards (one or more Universal Integrated Circuit Cards) 345 .

[0047] As shown, the SOC 300 may include a processor 302 that may execute program instructions for the communication device 106 and a display circuit 304 that may perform graphics processing and provide display signals to a display 360. The processor 302 may also be coupled to a memory management unit (MMU) 340 (the MMU may be configured to receive addresses from the processor 302 and translate those addresses into locations in memory (e.g., memory 306, read-only memory (ROM) 350, NAND flash memory 310)) and / or to other circuits or devices (such as the display circuit 304, the short-range wireless communication circuit 229, the cellular communication circuit 330, the connector I / F 320, and / or the display 360). The MMU 340 may be configured to perform memory protection and page table translation or setup. In some embodiments, the MMU 340 may be included as part of the processor 302.

[0048] As described above, the communication device 106 can be configured to communicate using wireless and / or wired communication circuitry. The communication device 106 can be configured to transmit a request to attach to a first network node operating according to a first RAT and to transmit an indication that the wireless device is capable of maintaining substantially concurrent connections with the first network node and a second network node operating according to a second RAT. The wireless device can also be configured to transmit a request to attach to the second network node. The request can include an indication that the wireless device is capable of maintaining substantially concurrent connections with the first and second network nodes. Furthermore, the wireless device can be configured to receive an indication that dual connectivity has been established with the first network node and the second network node.

[0049] As described herein, the communication device 106 may include hardware and software components for implementing the above-described features for time-division multiplexing UL data for NSA (non-standalone) NR operation. For example, by executing program instructions stored on a memory medium (e.g., a non-transitory computer-readable memory medium), the processor 302 of the communication device 106 may be configured to implement some or all of the features described herein. Alternatively (or in addition), the processor 302 may be configured as a programmable hardware element, such as an FPGA (field programmable gate array) or an ASIC (application-specific integrated circuit). Alternatively (or in addition), in combination with one or more of the other components 300, 304, 306, 310, 320, 329, 330, 340, 345, 350, 360, the processor 302 of the communication device 106 may be configured to implement some or all of the features described herein.

[0050] Furthermore, as described herein, processor 302 may include one or more processing elements. Thus, processor 302 may include one or more integrated circuits (ICs) configured to perform the functions of processor 302. Furthermore, each integrated circuit may include circuitry (e.g., a first circuit, a second circuit, etc.) configured to perform one or more functions of processor 302.

[0051] Furthermore, as described herein, both cellular communication circuitry 330 and short-range wireless communication circuitry 329 may include one or more processing elements. In other words, one or more processing elements may be included in cellular communication circuitry 330, and similarly, one or more processing elements may be included in short-range wireless communication circuitry 329. Thus, cellular communication circuitry 330 may include one or more integrated circuits (ICs) configured to perform the functions of cellular communication circuitry 330. Furthermore, each integrated circuit may include circuitry (e.g., a first circuit, a second circuit, etc.) configured to perform the functions of cellular communication circuitry 230. Similarly, short-range wireless communication circuitry 329 may include one or more ICs configured to perform the functions of short-range wireless communication circuitry 329. Furthermore, each integrated circuit may include circuitry (e.g., a first circuit, a second circuit, etc.) configured to perform the functions of short-range wireless communication circuitry 329.

[0052] Figure 4 1 shows an exemplary block diagram of a base station 102 according to some embodiments. Note that Figure 4 The base station 102 is only one example of a possible base station. As shown, the base station 102 may include a processor 404 that may execute program instructions for the base station 102. The processor 404 may also be coupled to a memory management unit (MMU) 440 or other circuit or device that may be configured to receive addresses from the processor 404 and translate those addresses into locations in memory (e.g., memory 460 and read-only memory (ROM) 450).

[0053] The base station 102 may include at least one network port 470. The network port 470 may be configured to couple to a telephone network and provide access to the telephone network as described above. Figure 1 and Figure 2 Multiple devices of the telephone network described in, such as UE device 106.

[0054] The network port 470 (or an additional network port) may also or alternatively be configured to couple to a cellular network, such as a core network of a cellular service provider. The core network may provide mobility-related services and / or other services to a plurality of devices, such as the UE device 106. In some cases, the network port 470 may be coupled to a telephone network via the core network, and / or the core network may provide a telephone network (e.g., in other UE devices served by the cellular service provider).

[0055] In some embodiments, base station 102 may be a next-generation base station, such as a 5G New Radio (5G NR) base station or "gNB." In such embodiments, base station 102 may be connected to a legacy Evolved Packet Core (EPC) network and / or to an NR Core (NRC) network. Furthermore, base station 102 may be considered a 5G NR cell and may include one or more transition and reception points (TRPs). Furthermore, UEs capable of operating in accordance with 5G NR may connect to one or more TRPs within one or more gNBs.

[0056] The base station 102 may include at least one antenna 434 and possibly multiple antennas. The at least one antenna 434 may be configured to function as a wireless transceiver and may be further configured to communicate with the UE device 106 via the radio 430. The antenna 434 communicates with the radio 430 via a communication chain 432. The communication chain 432 may be a receive chain, a transmit chain, or both. The radio 430 may be configured to communicate via various wireless communication standards, including but not limited to 5G-NR, LTE, LTE-A, GSM, UMTS, CDMA2000, Wi-Fi, and the like.

[0057] Base station 102 may be configured to communicate wirelessly using multiple wireless communication standards. In some cases, base station 102 may include multiple radio components that enable base station 102 to communicate according to multiple wireless communication technologies. For example, as one possibility, base station 102 may include an LTE radio component for performing communication according to LTE and a 5G-NR radio component for performing communication according to 5G-NR. In such a case, base station 102 may be capable of operating as both an LTE base station and a 5G-NR base station. As another possibility, base station 102 may include a multimode radio component capable of performing communication according to any of multiple wireless communication technologies (e.g., 5G-NR and Wi-Fi, LTE and Wi-Fi, LTE and UMTS, LTE and CDMA2000, UMTS and GSM, etc.). As further described later herein, BS 102 may include hardware and software components for implementing or supporting the implementation of the features described herein. The processor 404 of base station 102 may be configured to implement or support some or all of the implementations of the methods described herein, for example, by executing program instructions stored on a memory medium (e.g., a non-transitory computer-readable memory medium). Alternatively, the processor 404 may be configured as a programmable hardware element such as an FPGA (field programmable gate array), or as an ASIC (application-specific integrated circuit), or a combination thereof. Alternatively (or in addition), in conjunction with one or more of the other components 430, 432, 434, 440, 450, 460, 470, the processor 404 of the BS 102 may be configured to implement or support some or all of the features described herein.

[0058] Furthermore, as described herein, processor 404 may be comprised of one or more processing elements. In other words, one or more processing elements may be included in processor 404. Thus, processor 404 may include one or more integrated circuits (ICs) configured to perform the functions of processor 404. Furthermore, each integrated circuit may include circuitry (e.g., a first circuit, a second circuit, etc.) configured to perform the functions of processor 404.

[0059] Additionally, as described herein, radio 430 may be comprised of one or more processing elements. In other words, one or more processing elements may be included in radio 430. Thus, radio 430 may include one or more integrated circuits (ICs) configured to perform the functions of radio 430. Furthermore, each integrated circuit may include circuitry (e.g., a first circuit, a second circuit, etc.) configured to perform the functions of radio 430.

[0060] Figure 5 An exemplary simplified block diagram of a cellular communication circuit according to some embodiments is shown. Note that Figure 5 The block diagram of the cellular communication circuitry is only one example of possible cellular communication circuitry; depending on the embodiment, the cellular communication circuitry 330 may be included in a communication device such as the aforementioned communication device 106. As described above, the communication device 106 may be a user equipment (UE) device, a mobile device or station, a wireless device or station, a desktop computer or computing device, a mobile computing device (e.g., a laptop, notebook, or portable computing device), a tablet computer, and / or a combination of devices, among other devices.

[0061] Cellular communication circuitry 330 may be (eg, communicatively; directly or indirectly) coupled to one or more antennas, such as ( Figure 3 In some embodiments, the cellular communication circuit 330 may include dedicated receive chains (including and / or (e.g., communicatively; directly or indirectly) coupled to a dedicated processor and / or radio component) for multiple RATs (e.g., a first receive chain for LTE and a second receive chain for 5G NR). For example, Figure 5 As shown, cellular communication circuitry 330 may include a modem 510 and a modem 520. Modem 510 may be configured for communication according to a first RAT, such as, for example, LTE or LTE-A, and modem 520 may be configured for communication according to a second RAT, such as, for example, 5G NR.

[0062] As shown, the modem 510 may include one or more processors 512 and a memory 516 in communication with the processor 512. The modem 510 may communicate with a radio frequency (RF) front end 530. The RF front end 530 may include circuitry for transmitting and receiving radio signals. For example, the RF front end 530 may include receive circuitry (RX) 532 and transmit circuitry (TX) 534. In some embodiments, the receive circuitry 532 may communicate with a downlink (DL) front end 550, which may include circuitry for receiving radio signals via antenna 335a.

[0063] Similarly, the modem 520 may include one or more processors 522 and a memory 526 in communication with the processor 522. The modem 520 may communicate with an RF front end 540. The RF front end 540 may include circuitry for transmitting and receiving radio signals. For example, the RF front end 540 may include receive circuitry 542 and transmit circuitry 544. In some embodiments, the receive circuitry 542 may communicate with a DL front end 560, which may include circuitry for receiving radio signals via the antenna 335b.

[0064] In some embodiments, the switch 570 can couple the transmit circuitry 534 to an uplink (UL) front end 572. Furthermore, the switch 570 can couple the transmit circuitry 544 to the UL front end 572. The UL front end 572 can include circuitry for transmitting radio signals via the antenna 336. Thus, when the cellular communication circuitry 330 receives an instruction to transmit according to a first RAT (e.g., via a transmit chain including the transmit circuitry 534 and the UL front end 572), the switch 570 can be switched to a first state that allows the modem 510 to transmit signals according to the first RAT (e.g., via a transmit chain including the transmit circuitry 534 and the UL front end 572). Similarly, when the cellular communication circuitry 330 receives an instruction to transmit according to a second RAT (e.g., via a transmit chain including the transmit circuitry 544 and the UL front end 572), the switch 570 can be switched to a second state that allows the modem 520 to transmit signals according to the second RAT (e.g., via a transmit chain including the transmit circuitry 544 and the UL front end 572).

[0065] As described herein, the modem 510 may include hardware and software components for implementing the above-described features or for time-division multiplexing UL data for NSA NR operations and various other techniques described herein. For example, by executing program instructions stored on a memory medium (e.g., a non-transitory computer-readable memory medium), the processor 512 may be configured to implement some or all of the features described herein. Alternatively (or in addition), the processor 512 may be configured as a programmable hardware element such as an FPGA (field programmable gate array) or as an ASIC (application-specific integrated circuit). Alternatively (or in addition), in combination with one or more of the other components 530, 532, 534, 550, 570, 572, 335, and 336, the processor 512 may be configured to implement some or all of the features described herein.

[0066] Furthermore, as described herein, processor 512 may include one or more processing elements. Thus, processor 512 may include one or more integrated circuits (ICs) configured to perform the functions of processor 512. Furthermore, each integrated circuit may include circuitry (e.g., a first circuit, a second circuit, etc.) configured to perform the functions of processor 512.

[0067] As described herein, the modem 520 may include hardware and software components for implementing the above-described features or for time-division multiplexing UL data for NSA NR operations and various other technologies described herein. For example, by executing program instructions stored on a memory medium (e.g., a non-transitory computer-readable memory medium), the processor 522 may be configured to implement some or all of the features described herein. Alternatively (or in addition), the processor 522 may be configured as a programmable hardware element such as an FPGA (field programmable gate array) or as an ASIC (application-specific integrated circuit). Alternatively (or in addition), in combination with one or more of the other components 540, 542, 544, 550, 570, 572, 335, and 336, the processor 522 may be configured to implement some or all of the features described herein.

[0068] Furthermore, as described herein, processor 522 may include one or more processing elements. Thus, processor 522 may include one or more integrated circuits (ICs) configured to perform the functions of processor 522. Furthermore, each integrated circuit may include circuitry (e.g., a first circuit, a second circuit, etc.) configured to perform the functions of processor 522.

[0069] Figure 6 PDSCH time domain repetition and frequency hopping for enhancing PDSCH coverage for coverage-limited UE devices according to some embodiments of the present disclosure are shown. Through RRC signaling and DCI, the base station 102 can configure PDSCH configuration parameters for the coverage-limited UE 106 so that the UE 106 receives PDSCH transmissions with coverage enhancement using time domain repetition and frequency hopping. In order to achieve frequency diversity and time diversity gains, the UE 106 can use the configured time domain repetition and frequency hopping parameters to receive PDSCH transmissions in coverage enhancement mode. The PDSCH coverage enhancement configuration parameters may include the number of repetitions for each hop, the total number of repetitions, the number of hops, hopping pattern parameters such as two-step hopping or four-step hopping, and hopping offset. In one embodiment, in order to achieve frequency diversity and time diversity gains, the UE 106 can also use the time domain repetition and frequency hopping parameters configured by the PDSCH configuration parameters to receive PDCCH transmissions in coverage enhancement mode. In one embodiment, the base station 102 may configure separate PDCCH configuration parameters for the UE 106 so that the UE 106 can receive PDCCH transmissions with coverage enhancement using time domain repetition and frequency hopping. The PDCCH coverage enhancement configuration parameters may be the same as those for the PDSCH.

[0070] Base station 102 can configure a downlink bandwidth part (DL BWP) threshold. The DL BWP physical resource blocks (PRBs) assigned to the UE can be compared to the DL BWP threshold. If the DL BWP PRB is below the DL BWP threshold, a two-step frequency hopping pattern can be applied. In one embodiment, the frequency domain resources of the first hop are indicated via DCI. The second domain resources of the second hop can be determined by a PRB offset relative to the first hop. Base station 102 can configure the PRB offset using RRC signaling.

[0071] Otherwise, if the DL BWP PRB is greater than or equal to the DL BWP threshold, a four-step frequency hopping pattern may be applied. As described above, the frequency domain resources for the first hop may be indicated via DCI. The frequency domain resources for the second, third, and fourth hops are determined via PRB offsets received via RRC signaling. The PRB offsets for each hop may be the same. In one embodiment, RRC signaling may be used to configure the determination process for the two-step or four-step frequency hopping pattern.

[0072] In one embodiment, the starting time slot for time domain repetition of PDSCH transmissions can be derived from the DCI. The same PDSCH transmission can be repeated for a configured total number of repetitions. RRC signaling can be used to configure the number of repetitions per frequency hop and the total number of repetitions. The number of hops can be determined by dividing the total number of repetitions by the total number of repetitions per frequency hop. In one embodiment, the number of PDSCH repetitions per frequency hop can be 1, 2, 4, or 8. The total number of PDSCH repetitions can be 2, 4, 8, 16, or 32.

[0073] exist Figure 6 In the example, the PDSCH transmission has a total of 8 repetitions and 4 frequency hops. Each frequency hop has two repetitions. If the number of repetitions is 16 or 32, the same time and frequency hopping pattern is repeated 2 or 3 times, respectively. In one embodiment, if the frequency domain resources extend beyond the BWP bandwidth after the frequency hopping, PRB wrapping can be applied. In one embodiment, if the PRB overlaps with a synchronization signal block (SSB) or positioning reference signal (PRS) or other system information transmitted by the base station 102, the UE 106 can assume that the PRB is not used for UE-specific PDSCH transmission.

[0074] In one embodiment, the base station 102 can configure PUSCH configuration parameters for the coverage-limited UE 106 through RRC signaling and DCI to enable the UE 106 to transmit a PUSCH with coverage enhancement using time-domain repetition and frequency hopping. To achieve frequency diversity and time diversity gains, the UE 106 can use the configured grant and the configured time-domain repetition and frequency hopping parameters to schedule coverage-enhanced PUSCH transmissions as well as Type 1 and Type 2 PUSCH transmissions. The PUSCH coverage enhancement configuration parameters may include the number of repetitions per hopping frequency, the total number of repetitions, the number of hopping frequencies, hopping pattern parameters such as two-step hopping or four-step hopping, and hopping offset.

[0075] Base station 102 can configure an uplink bandwidth part (UL BWP) threshold. UE 106 can compare the allocated UL BWP PRB to the UL BWP threshold. If the UL BWP PRB is lower than the UL BWP threshold, a two-step frequency hopping pattern can be applied. In one embodiment, the frequency domain resources of the first hop are indicated via DCI. The second domain resources of the second hop can be determined by a PRB offset relative to the first hop. Base station 102 can configure the PRB offset using RRC signaling.

[0076] Otherwise, if the UL BWP PRB is greater than or equal to the UL BWP threshold, a four-step frequency hopping pattern may be applied. As described above, the frequency domain resources for the first hop may be indicated via DCI. The frequency domain resources for the second, third, and fourth hops are determined via PRB offsets received via RRC signaling. The PRB offsets for each hop may be the same. In one embodiment, RRC signaling may be used to configure the determination process for the two-step or four-step frequency hopping pattern.

[0077] In one embodiment, the starting time slot for time domain repetition of PUSCH transmissions can be derived from the DCI. The same PUSCH transmission can be repeated for the configured total number of repetitions. RRC signaling can be used to configure the number of repetitions per frequency hop and the total number of repetitions. The number of hops can be determined by dividing the total number of repetitions by the total number of repetitions per frequency hop. In one embodiment, the number of PUSCH repetitions per frequency hop can be 1, 2, 4, or 8. The total number of PUSCH repetitions can be 2, 4, 8, 16, or 32. In one embodiment, if, after frequency hopping, the frequency domain resources extend beyond the BWP bandwidth, PRB wrapping can be applied.

[0078] In one embodiment, the base station 102 may configure PUCCH configuration parameters for a coverage-limited UE 106 through RRC signaling and DCI, so that the UE 106 can transmit a PUCCH with coverage enhancement using time-domain repetition and frequency hopping. To achieve frequency diversity and time diversity gains, the UE may use the configured time-domain repetition and frequency hopping parameters to transmit the PUCCH in a coverage enhancement mode. The PUCCH coverage enhancement configuration parameters may include the number of repetitions per hopping frequency, the total number of repetitions, the number of hopping frequencies, etc.

[0079] In one embodiment, the frequency domain resources of the first hop for coverage enhancement PUCCH transmission are indicated via DCI. The second frequency domain resources of the additional hop can be determined via a PRB offset relative to the first hop. The base station 102 can configure the PRB offset using RRC signaling. The PRB offset can be the same for each hop.

[0080] In one embodiment, the starting time slot for time domain repetition of PUCCH transmission can be derived from DCI. The same PUCCH transmission can be repeated for the configured total number of repetitions. RRC signaling can be used to configure the number of repetitions for each frequency hop and the total number of repetitions. The number of hops can be determined by dividing the total number of repetitions by the total number of repetitions for each frequency hop. In one embodiment, the number of PUCCH repetitions for each frequency hop can be 1, 2, 4, or 8. The total number of PUCCH repetitions can be 2, 4, 8, 16, or 32. In one embodiment, if the frequency domain resources extend beyond the BWP bandwidth after frequency hopping, PRB wrapping can be applied.

[0081] In one embodiment, the configuration parameters for enabling a coverage-limited UE 106 to operate in coverage enhancement mode may include configuration parameters for PUSCH Msg3 transmission. When the UE is in various random access states such as RRC_IDLE, RRC_INACTIVE, or RRC_CONNECTED, in order to achieve time diversity and frequency diversity gains, the UE 106 may use the PUSCH Msg3 configuration parameters to transmit PUSCH Msg3 using time domain repetition in addition to frequency hopping.

[0082] For example, when UE 106 is in RRC_CONNECTED or RRC_INACTIVE mode, PUSCH Msg3 configuration parameters may be included in PUSCH Msg3 transmission related information of the coverage enhancement mode indication, which is received from serving base station 102 via previous RRC signaling, DCI, or RAR grant. In one embodiment, the PUSCH Msg3 configuration parameters may include the number of repetitions per hopping frequency, the total number of repetitions, modulation and coding scheme (MCS) information, an indication of enabling / disabling the coverage enhancement mode, or an indication of inter-slot hopping. In one embodiment, the number of hopping frequencies cannot be explicitly configured because it can be determined by dividing the total number of repetitions by the number of repetitions per hopping frequency. In one embodiment, the number of PUSCH Msg3 repetitions per hopping frequency may be 2, 4, or 8. The total number of PUSCH Msg3 repetitions may be 2, 4, 8, or 16. The PUSCH Msg3 MCS information may indicate a QAM64 table or a QAM64LowSE table.

[0083] When the UE 106 is in RRC_IDLE mode, the UE 106 may receive PUSCH Msg3 configuration parameters via an RAR grant. The PUSCH Msg3 configuration parameters may also include the number of repetitions per hopping frequency, the total number of repetitions, MCS information, an indication of enabling / disabling coverage enhancement mode, or an indication of inter-slot hopping. In one embodiment, the number of PUSCH Msg3 repetitions per hopping frequency may be 2, 4, or 8. The total number of PUSCH Msg3 repetitions may be 2, 4, 8, or 16. The PUSCH Msg3 MCS information may indicate a QAM64 table or a QAM64LowSE table.

[0084] The RAR grant may be extended to include a field for the coverage enhancement mode configuration parameters for PUSCH Msg3. In one embodiment, a one-bit field may be present in the RAR grant for the inter-slot frequency hopping enable / disable indication, and a separate two-bit field may be present in the RAR grant to indicate the number of repetitions for each hopping frequency. In one embodiment, the two bits in the RAR grant may jointly encode the inter-slot frequency hopping enable / disable indication and the number of repetitions for each hopping frequency. For example, code 00 may encode no frequency hopping; code 01 may encode a frequency hopping repetition count of 2; code 10 may encode a frequency hopping repetition count of 4; and code 11 may encode a frequency hopping repetition count of 8.

[0085] Figure 7 An extension to the RAR Grant field is shown to add configuration parameters for PUSCH Msg3 transmissions from coverage-limited UE devices according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. Figure 7In IEEE 802.11a, the RAR field has been expanded to include: a 2-bit field for encoding the total number of repetitions; a 1-bit field for indicating the MCS table; a 1-bit field for enabling or disabling inter-slot hopping; and a 2-bit field for encoding the number of repetitions for each hop.

[0086] In one embodiment, PUSCH Msg3 configuration parameters may be included in the information related to the coverage enhancement mode indication and in the RAR grant. UE 106 may select which set of configuration parameters to use based on the random access state. For example, when UE 106 performs random access in RRC_IDLE mode, the configuration parameters indicated by the coverage enhancement mode are used for PUSCH Msg3 transmission. The configuration parameters may include the number of repetitions per hopping frequency, the total number of repetitions, an MCS table indication, an indication of enabling / disabling the coverage enhancement mode, or an indication of inter-slot hopping. In one embodiment, if QAM64LowSE is not mandatory, QAM64 may be assumed for the MCS table indication. The relevant configuration parameters included in the RAR grant may be ignored, or the RAR grant may simply not include the PUSCH Msg3 configuration parameters.

[0087] When UE 106 performs random access in RRC_INACTIVE or RRC_CONNECTED mode, the PUSCH Msg3 configuration field is applied to determine PUSCH Msg3 transmission. The advantage of handling PUSCH Msg3 transmission of UE 106 in different states separately is that after UE 106 connects to the network, base station 102 can obtain information about the channel from UE 106 and change the PUSCH Msg3 configuration parameters to adjust PUSCH Msg3 transmission. For example, base station 102 can adjust the number of repetitions for each hopping frequency, the total number of repetitions, or the MCS table indication. In addition, base station 102 can dynamically disable or enable frequency hopping for a single UE 106 based on network load. UE 106 also does not need to have QAM62LowSE capability.

[0088] Figure 8 A data flow diagram is shown according to some embodiments of the present disclosure, which enables a coverage-limited UE 106 to enter a coverage enhancement mode when connected to a serving base station 102 to: transmit PUSCHMsg3 during random access; receive coverage enhancement PDSCH, PDCCH channels; and transmit coverage enhancement PUSCH, PUCCH channels. During random access, the coverage-limited UE 106 may determine whether to enter coverage enhancement mode based on channel conditions and may indicate to the base station 102 that it desires to operate in coverage enhancement mode. Figure 8Base station 102 may broadcast configuration information for coverage enhancement mode to UEs to indicate that the network supports coverage enhancement mode. For example, the synchronization signal block (SSB) reference signal received power (RSRP) measurement threshold may be notified to UE 106 via system information. Base station 102 may also allocate reserved preambles to coverage-restricted UEs. The reserved preambles may be selected from a pool of contention-free preambles.

[0089] At operation 801, based on the measurement result of DL SSB RSRP and comparing the measured SSB RSRP with the SSB RSRP threshold, the UE 106 may determine whether to enter the coverage enhancement mode. If the measured SSB RSRP is lower than the SSB RSRP threshold, the UE 106 may select a corresponding reserved preamble and transmit it to the base station 102 to initiate random access.

[0090] At operation 803, the base station 102 may be informed that the coverage-limited UE desires to operate in coverage enhancement mode based on receiving the reserved preamble. The base station 102 may then transmit a RAR grant to the UE 106. The RAR grant may include a field for coverage enhancement mode configuration parameters for PUSCH Msg3.

[0091] At operation 805 , the UE 106 may decode the configuration parameters and apply them to determine PUSCH Msg3 transmission. The UE 106 may transmit a coverage-enhanced PUSCH Msg3 to the base station 102 .

[0092] At operation 807, after UE 106 connects with base station 102, base station 102 may configure parameters for PDSCH, PDCCH, PUSCH, and PUCCH to operate in coverage enhancement mode with UE 106. Base station 102 may transmit coverage enhancement mode configuration parameters for PDSCH, PDCCH, PUSCH, and PUCCH to UE 106.

[0093] At operation 809 , UE 106 may receive and apply coverage enhancement mode configuration parameters for PDSCH, PDCCH, PUSCH, and PUCCH. At operation 811 , base station 102 may transmit coverage enhancement PDSCH and PDCCH to UE 106 and may receive coverage enhancement PUSCH and PUCCH from UE 106.

[0094] At operation 813, to achieve frequency diversity and time diversity gains, the UE 106 may receive the PDSCH and PDCCH in the coverage enhancement mode using the configured time domain repetition and frequency hopping parameters. To achieve frequency diversity and time diversity gains, the UE 106 may transmit the PUSCH and PUCCH in the coverage enhancement mode using the configured time domain repetition and frequency hopping parameters.

[0095] Advantageously, the base station 102 can flexibly and dynamically configure coverage enhancement parameters for the UE 106 to extend the coverage of the UE 106 by exploiting time diversity and frequency diversity gains as the UE 106 moves around.

[0096] Figure 9 is a flow chart illustrating an example of a method 900 for causing a coverage-limited UE to receive configuration parameters for a coverage enhancement mode from a base station and for causing the UE to operate coverage-enhanced PDSCH, PDCCH, PUSCH, and PUCCH channels according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. The method 900 may be performed by processing logic that may include software, hardware, or a combination thereof. For example, the method 900 may be performed by the processor 302 or the cellular communication circuit 330 of the UE 106, such as in conjunction with Figure 1-5 As stated.

[0097] In operation 901, the UE receives configuration information for extending the communication range to the base station from the base station. The configuration information includes a time repetition parameter and a frequency hopping parameter for downlink reception and uplink transmission.

[0098] At operation 903, the UE receives downlink signals from the base station, which are repeated in time according to a frequency hopping pattern based on a time repetition parameter and a frequency hopping parameter in the configuration information.

[0099] At operation 905, the UE transmits uplink transmissions to the base station, the uplink transmissions being repeated in time in a frequency hopping pattern based on the time repetition parameters and frequency hopping parameters in the configuration information.

[0100] Figure 10 is a flow chart illustrating an example of a method 1000 for causing a base station to transmit configuration parameters for a coverage enhancement mode for a coverage-limited UE and for causing the base station to operate coverage-enhanced PDSCH, PDCCH, PUSCH, and PUCCH channels with the UE in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure. The method 1000 may be performed by processing logic that may include software, hardware, or a combination thereof. For example, the method 1000 may be performed by the processor 404 of the base station 102 (e.g., a gNB), such as in conjunction with Figure 1-5 As stated.

[0101] In operation 1001, a base station transmits configuration information for extending communication range to a UE with limited coverage. The configuration information includes a time repetition parameter and a frequency hopping parameter for downlink reception and uplink transmission.

[0102] At operation 1003, the base station transmits downlink transmissions to the UE, the downlink transmissions being repeated in time in a frequency hopping pattern based on the time repetition parameter and the frequency hopping parameter in the configuration information.

[0103] At operation 1005, the base station receives uplink transmissions from the UE, the uplink transmissions being repeated in time in a frequency hopping pattern based on the time repetition parameters and frequency hopping parameters in the configuration information.

[0104] The embodiments of the methods and apparatus for supporting devices with reduced capabilities in wireless networks described herein can be implemented in a data processing system, for example, by a network computer, a network server, a tablet computer, a smart phone, a laptop computer, a desktop computer, other consumer electronic devices, or other data processing systems. Specifically, the operations described are digital signal processing operations performed by a processor that executes instructions stored in one or more memories. The processor can read the stored instructions from the memory and execute the instructions to perform the operations described. These memory representatives can store or contain examples of machine-readable non-transitory storage media that, when executed, cause a data processing system to perform one or more methods described herein. The processor can be a processor in a local device such as a smart phone, a processor in a remote server, or a distributed processing system of multiple processors in a local device and a remote server, wherein their respective memories contain various parts of the instructions required to perform the operations described.

[0105] Although certain illustrative examples are described and shown in the drawings, it is to be understood that these examples are merely illustrative and not restrictive of the broader invention, and that the invention is not limited to the exact construction and arrangements shown and described, since various other modifications may be made by those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the description is to be regarded as illustrative rather than restrictive.

[0106] It is understood that the use of personally identifiable information should be subject to privacy policies and practices that are generally recognized to meet or exceed industry or government requirements for maintaining user privacy. Specifically, personally identifiable information data should be managed and processed to minimize the risk of unintentional or unauthorized access or use, and the nature of authorized use should be clearly stated to users.

Claims

1. A method for communicating via a wireless device, the method comprising: receiving, by the wireless device, configuration information from a base station of a wireless communication network, the configuration information being used to extend a communication range of the wireless device when communicating with the base station, the configuration information comprising a time repetition parameter and a frequency hopping parameter used by the wireless device for downlink reception and uplink transmission, wherein the time repetition parameter and the frequency hopping parameter include a number of time repetitions for each hopping frequency; receiving, by the wireless device, a downlink reception from the base station, the downlink reception being repeated in time according to a frequency hopping pattern based on the time repetition parameter and the frequency hopping parameter in the configuration information; as well as An uplink transmission is transmitted by the wireless device to the base station, the uplink transmission being repeated in time according to the frequency hopping pattern based on the time repetition parameter and the frequency hopping parameter in the configuration information.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the time repetition parameter and the frequency hopping parameter further comprise: Total number of time repetitions; and The frequency hopping pattern.

3. The method of claim 2 , wherein the downlink reception repeated in time according to the frequency hopping pattern comprises data or a control channel repeated using resources, the resources comprising: A time domain resource, the time domain resource starting from a starting time slot and continuously increasing the number of time slots by the total number of time repetitions; and Frequency domain resources, the frequency domain resources comprising a first frequency hopping resource, a second frequency hopping resource having a frequency offset added to the first frequency hopping resource, and additional frequency hopping resources having an additional iteration of the frequency offset added to the first frequency hopping resource to complete the frequency hopping pattern, wherein each of the frequency hopping resources repeats in the time domain the number of time repetitions of each hop.

4. The method according to claim 3, wherein the resources used for the downlink reception repeated in time according to the frequency hopping pattern are preempted by resources used by the base station for transmitting system information.

5. The method of claim 2, wherein the uplink transmission that repeats in time according to the frequency hopping pattern comprises a data channel that repeats using resources, the resources comprising: A time domain resource, the time domain resource starting from a starting time slot and continuously increasing the number of time slots by the total number of time repetitions; and Frequency domain resources, the frequency domain resources comprising a first frequency hopping resource, a second frequency hopping resource having a frequency offset added to the first frequency hopping resource, and additional frequency hopping resources having an additional iteration of the frequency offset added to the first frequency hopping resource to complete the frequency hopping pattern, wherein each of the frequency hopping resources repeats in the time domain the number of time repetitions of each hop.

6. The method of claim 2, wherein the frequency hopping pattern is a function of a number of frequency domain resources assigned to the wireless device.

7. The method according to claim 1, further comprising: receiving, by the wireless device, a reference signal threshold from the base station; measuring, by the wireless device, a reference signal transmitted by the base station; comparing the measured reference signal with the reference signal threshold to determine whether to enter a mode for extending the communication range of the wireless device; as well as In response to the comparison, communicating to the base station that the wireless device enters the mode to extend the communication range of the wireless device.

8. The method according to claim 1, The receiving of the configuration information by the wireless device includes: When the wireless device initiates a connection request to the base station, the wireless device receives the configuration information from the base station, the configuration information including a time repetition parameter and a frequency hopping parameter used by the wireless device for uplink transmission when the connection request is completed, and wherein transmitting, by the wireless device, the uplink transmission comprises transmitting, by the wireless device, a handshake message to the base station to complete the connection request, wherein the handshake message is repeated in time according to the frequency hopping pattern based on the time repetition parameter and the frequency hopping parameter received when the wireless device initiates the connection request.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the configuration information further includes information regarding a modulation and coding scheme used by the wireless device to transmit the handshake message.

10. A wireless device comprising: at least one radio, wherein the at least one radio is configured to communicate with a base station of a wireless communication network using at least one antenna; and at least one processor coupled to the at least one radio, wherein the at least one processor is configured to: receiving, from the base station when the wireless device is communicating with the base station, configuration information for extending a communication range of the wireless device, the configuration information including a time repetition parameter and a frequency hopping parameter used by the wireless device for downlink reception and uplink transmission, wherein the time repetition parameter and the frequency hopping parameter include a number of time repetitions for each hopping frequency; receiving a downlink reception from the base station, the downlink reception being repeated in time according to a frequency hopping pattern based on the time repetition parameter and the frequency hopping parameter in the configuration information; as well as An uplink transmission is transmitted to the base station, the uplink transmission being repeated in time according to the frequency hopping pattern based on the time repetition parameter and the frequency hopping parameter in the configuration information.

11. The wireless device of claim 10, wherein the time repetition parameter and the frequency hopping parameter further comprise: The total number of time repetitions; and The frequency hopping pattern.

12. The wireless device of claim 11 , wherein the downlink reception repeated in time according to the frequency hopping pattern comprises data or a control channel repeated using resources comprising: A time domain resource, the time domain resource starting from a starting time slot and continuously increasing the number of time slots by the total number of time repetitions; and Frequency domain resources, the frequency domain resources comprising a first frequency hopping resource, a second frequency hopping resource having a frequency offset added to the first frequency hopping resource, and additional frequency hopping resources having an additional iteration of the frequency offset added to the first frequency hopping resource to complete the frequency hopping pattern, wherein each of the frequency hopping resources repeats in the time domain the number of time repetitions of each hop.

13. The wireless device of claim 12, wherein the resources used for the downlink reception repeated in time according to the frequency hopping pattern are preempted by resources used by the base station for transmitting system information.

14. The wireless device of claim 11 , wherein the uplink transmission that repeats in time according to the frequency hopping pattern comprises a data channel that repeats using resources comprising: A time domain resource, the time domain resource starting from a starting time slot and continuously increasing the number of time slots by the total number of time repetitions; and Frequency domain resources, the frequency domain resources comprising a first frequency hopping resource, a second frequency hopping resource having a frequency offset added to the first frequency hopping resource, and additional frequency hopping resources having an additional iteration of the frequency offset added to the first frequency hopping resource to complete the frequency hopping pattern, wherein each of the frequency hopping resources repeats in the time domain the number of time repetitions of each hop.

15. The wireless device of claim 11, wherein the frequency hopping pattern is a function of a number of frequency domain resources assigned to the wireless device.

16. The wireless device of claim 10, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to: receiving a reference signal threshold from the base station; measuring a reference signal transmitted by the base station; comparing the measured reference signal with the reference signal threshold to determine whether to enter a mode for extending the communication range of the wireless device; and In response to the comparison, communicating to the base station that the wireless device enters the mode to extend the communication range of the wireless device.

17. The wireless device according to claim 10, The operation of receiving the configuration information from the base station includes: When the wireless device initiates a connection request to the base station, the operation of receiving the configuration information from the base station, wherein the configuration information includes a time repetition parameter and a frequency hopping parameter for uplink transmission by the wireless device to complete the connection request, and The operation for transmitting the uplink transmission includes: transmitting a handshake message to the base station to complete the connection request, wherein the handshake message is repeated in time according to the frequency hopping pattern based on the time repetition parameter and the frequency hopping parameter received when the wireless device initiates the connection request.

18. The wireless device of claim 17, wherein the configuration information further comprises information regarding a modulation and coding scheme used by the wireless device to transmit the handshake message.

19. A method for communicating by a base station of a wireless communication network, the method comprising: Transmitting, by the base station, to a wireless device of the communication network, configuration information for extending a communication range between the base station and the wireless device, the configuration information comprising a time repetition parameter and a frequency hopping parameter used by the base station for downlink transmission and uplink reception, wherein the time repetition parameter and the frequency hopping parameter include a number of time repetitions for each hopping frequency; transmitting, by the base station, a downlink reception to the wireless device, the downlink reception being repeated in time according to a frequency hopping pattern based on the time repetition parameter and the frequency hopping parameter in the configuration information; as well as An uplink transmission is received by the base station from the wireless device, the uplink transmission repeating in time according to the frequency hopping pattern based on the time repetition parameter and the frequency hopping parameter in the configuration information.

20. The method according to claim 19, wherein the time repetition parameter and the frequency hopping parameter further comprise: The total number of time repetitions; and The frequency hopping pattern.

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