Method and apparatus for subband-based PDCCH frequency hopping in wireless communications

Abstract

A method for wireless communication, the method is used to support reduced capacity new radio (NR) in the case of a larger control resource set (CORESET) bandwidth available. An example of the method includes a frequency hopping CORESET, the frequency hopping CORESET having a predefined hopping pattern, which is configured by higher layers such as RRC signaling or MAC control elements (CE) on a per CORESET basis for each UE or only on a per UE basis. The hopping pattern for CORESET transmission includes using PRBs of the CORESET mirrored with the center frequency of the active bandwidth part (BWP) and using random parameters to step through the frequency pattern. The subband position of the PDSCH scheduled by the PDCCH can be indicated using the DCI format, or can be based on the last time slot used for the PDCCH transmission.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Various aspects may generally relate to the field of wireless communications. Summary of the invention

[0002] An aspect is described, which is a user equipment (UE) with reduced bandwidth capability. The UE includes a receiver and a processor circuit. The receiver is configured to receive a control resource set (CORESET) transmission from a gNB, the CORESET transmission following a frequency hopping pattern over a set of subbands, each subband in the set of subbands being a subset of a system bandwidth available for use from the gNB. The processor circuit is configured to determine a subband position associated with the CORESET transmission, the subband position being determined from information received from a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) transmission.

[0003] Another aspect is a method for communicating by a reduced bandwidth capable user equipment (UE), wherein the method comprises the following steps. The method comprises receiving a CORESET transmission from a gNB, wherein the CORESET transmission follows a frequency hopping pattern over a set of subbands, wherein each subband in the set of subbands is a subset of a system bandwidth available for use from the gNB. The method further comprises the step of determining a subband position associated with the CORESET transmission, the subband position being determined from information received from a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) transmission.

[0004] Another aspect is described, which is a computer readable medium (CRM) including computer instructions, which when executed by one or more processors of an electronic device, causes the electronic device to perform various steps. The steps include receiving a CORESET transmission from a gNB, wherein the CORESET transmission follows a frequency hopping pattern on a set of subbands, wherein each subband in the set of subbands is a subset of the system bandwidth available for use from the gNB. The steps also include determining a subband position associated with the CORESET transmission, the subband position being determined from information received from a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) transmission. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0005] Figure 1

[0013] Reduced bandwidth associated with a reduced bandwidth UE is shown in accordance with some aspects.

[0006] Figure 2 A set of subbands for CORESET frequency hopping is shown in accordance with some aspects.

[0007] Figure 3 A subband layout of a frequency hopping region is shown in accordance with some aspects.

[0008] Figure 4A frequency hopping pattern in the time domain is shown in accordance with some aspects.

[0009] Figure 5 An equation defining monitoring opportunities according to some aspects is shown.

[0010] Figure 6 A mirroring method for monitoring opportunities according to some aspects is shown.

[0011] Figure 7 PDSCH transmission with frequency hopping PDCCH is shown in accordance with some aspects.

[0012] Figure 8 Exemplary procedures are depicted for practicing various aspects discussed herein.

[0013] Fig. 9 An exemplary system 900 implementing mechanisms for communication between an electronic device and a network according to some aspects of the present disclosure is shown.

[0014] Fig.10 A block diagram of an exemplary system of electronic devices implementing communications according to some aspects of the present disclosure is shown.

[0015] Fig.11 An exemplary computer system for implementing some aspects or portions thereof.

[0016] The present disclosure will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the accompanying drawings, the same reference numerals represent the same or functionally similar elements. In addition, the leftmost digit of a reference numeral identifies the drawing in which the reference numeral first appears. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0017] The present disclosure will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the accompanying drawings, the same reference numerals represent the same or functionally similar elements. In addition, the leftmost digit of a reference numeral identifies the drawing in which the reference numeral first appears.

[0018] The following “Detailed Description” refers to the accompanying drawings to illustrate exemplary aspects consistent with the present disclosure. References to “an exemplary aspect”, “exemplary aspects”, “example exemplary aspects”, etc. in the “Detailed Description” indicate that the exemplary aspects described may include specific features, structures, or characteristics, but not every exemplary aspect may include the specific features, structures, or characteristics. In addition, such wording does not necessarily refer to the same exemplary aspects. In addition, when the present disclosure describes a specific feature, structure, or characteristic in conjunction with an exemplary aspect, a person skilled in the relevant art will know how to combine other exemplary aspects to affect the feature, structure, or characteristic, whether or not explicitly described.

[0019] The exemplary aspects described herein provide illustrative examples and are not limiting. Other exemplary aspects are possible, and the exemplary aspects may be modified within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. Therefore, the "Detailed Description" does not limit the present disclosure. On the contrary, only the following claims and their equivalents define the scope of the present disclosure.

[0020] Hardware (e.g., circuits), firmware, software, or any combination thereof may be used to implement various aspects. Various aspects may also be implemented as instructions stored on a machine-readable medium and read and executed by one or more processors. A machine-readable medium includes any mechanism for storing or sending information in a machine (e.g., a computing device) readable form. For example, in some aspects, a machine-readable medium includes a read-only memory ("ROM"); a random access memory (RAM); a disk storage medium; an optical storage medium; a flash memory device; an electrical, optical, acoustic, or other form of propagation signal (e.g., a carrier wave, an infrared signal, a digital signal, etc.), and others. In addition, firmware, software, routines, instructions may be described herein as performing certain actions. However, it should be understood that such descriptions are merely for convenience, and that the actions are generated by a computing device, processor, controller, or other device that executes the firmware, software, routines, and / or instructions.

[0021] Any reference to the term "module" should be understood to include at least one of software, firmware, and hardware (such as one or more circuits, microchips, or devices, or any combination thereof), and any combination thereof. In addition, those skilled in the relevant art will understand that each module may include one component or more than one component within an actual device, and each component forming part of the module may function cooperatively or independently with any other component forming part of the module. Conversely, the multiple modules described herein may represent a single component within an actual device. In addition, the components within a module may be in a single device, or distributed between multiple devices in a wired or wireless manner.

[0022] The following "Detailed Description" of exemplary aspects will fully demonstrate the general nature of the present disclosure, so that others can easily modify and / or customize various applications of such exemplary aspects by applying the knowledge of technicians in the relevant fields without undue experimentation and without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. Therefore, based on the teachings and guidance presented herein, such modifications fall within the meaning and multiple equivalents of the exemplary aspects. Here, the terms or terms are for illustrative purposes, not for limitation, so the terms or terms of this specification should be interpreted by technicians in the relevant fields in accordance with the teachings of this article.

[0023] Fig. 9An exemplary system 900 for implementing a mechanism for communication between an electronic device and a network according to some aspects of the present disclosure is shown. The exemplary system 900 is provided for illustrative purposes only and is not intended to limit the disclosed aspects. The system 900 may include, but is not limited to, network nodes (e.g., base stations such as eNBs) 901 and 903 and electronic devices (e.g., UEs) 905. The electronic device 905 (hereinafter referred to as UE 905) may include an electronic device configured to operate based on a variety of wireless communication technologies. These technologies may include, but are not limited to, technologies based on the third generation partnership project (3GPP) standard. The UE 905 may include, but is not limited to, wireless communication devices, smart phones, laptop computers, desktop computers, tablet computers, personal assistants, monitors, televisions, wearable devices, Internet of Things (IoT), vehicle communication devices, etc. The network nodes 901 and 903 (referred to herein as base stations) may include nodes configured to operate based on a variety of wireless communication technologies (such as, but not limited to, technologies based on 3GPP standards).

[0024] According to some aspects, UE 905 is configured to communicate with base station 901 and / or a network associated with base station 901 (and / or 903). For example, before connecting to base station 901, UE 905 may search for a cell to attach to. After completing the search, UE 905 may perform a radio resource control (RRC) connection setup process. In one example, UE 905 may send an attachment request to base station 901 and / or a mobility management entity (MME) (not shown) associated with base station 901. In some examples, the attachment request may include an identifier of UE 905. In some aspects, if the MME accepts the attachment request, the MME may send a setup request to, for example, base station 901. In some examples, after receiving the setup request, and if base station 901 does not know the capabilities of UE 905, base station 901 may send a request to UE 905 to request the capabilities of UE 905. According to some aspects, UE 905 may send its capabilities to base station 901. In response, the base station 901 may send an RRC connection reconfiguration message back to the UE 905. The UE 905 may then start data communications using the base station 901.

[0025] Fig.10A block diagram of an exemplary system 1000 of an electronic device implementing a mechanism for communication according to some aspects of the present disclosure is shown. System 1000 can be any electronic device in the electronic devices of system 100 (e.g., base stations 101, 103, UE 105). System 1000 includes a processor 1010, one or more transceivers 1020a-1020n, a communication infrastructure 1040, a memory 1050, an operating system 1052, an application 1054, and an antenna 1060. The system shown is provided as an exemplary portion of system 1000, and system 1000 may include other circuits and subsystems. In addition, although the system of system 1000 is illustrated as separate components, aspects of the present disclosure may include any combination of these components, fewer components, or more components.

[0026] The memory 1050 may include random access memory (RAM) and / or cache, and may include control logic components (e.g., computer software) and / or data. The memory 1050 may include other storage devices or memories, such as, but not limited to, a hard drive and / or a removable storage device / unit. According to some examples, an operating system 1052 may be stored in the memory 1050. The operating system 1052 may manage data transmission from the memory 1050 and / or one or more applications 1054 to the processor 1010 and / or one or more transceivers 1020a-1020n. In some examples, the operating system 1052 maintains one or more network protocol stacks (e.g., an Internet protocol stack, a cellular protocol stack, etc.) that may include multiple logical layers. At the corresponding layer of the protocol stack, the operating system 1052 includes control mechanisms and data structures to perform functions associated with the layer.

[0027] According to some examples, applications 1054 may be stored in memory 1050. Applications 1054 may include applications used by wireless system 1000 and / or a user of wireless system 1000 (e.g., user applications). Applications in applications 1054 may include applications such as, but not limited to, Siri, TM , FaceTime TM , broadcast streaming, video streaming, remote control and / or other user applications.

[0028] The system 1000 may also include a communication infrastructure 1040. The communication infrastructure 1040 provides, for example, communication between the processor 1010, one or more transceivers 1020a-1020n, and the memory 1050. In some implementations, the communication infrastructure 1040 may be a bus. The processor 1010, together with instructions stored in the memory 1050, executes operations that enable the system 200 of the system 100 to implement the mechanisms for communication as described herein. Additionally, or alternatively, the one or more transceivers 1020a-1020n execute operations that enable the system 1000 of the system 100 to implement the mechanisms for communication as described herein.

[0029] According to some aspects, one or more transceivers 1020a-1020n transmit and receive communication signals supporting a mechanism for communication and may be coupled to antenna 1060. Antenna 1060 may include one or more antennas that may be the same or different types. One or more transceivers 1020a-1020n allow system 1000 to communicate with other devices that may be wired and / or wireless. In some examples, one or more transceivers 1020a-1020n may include processors, controllers, radio components, sockets, plugs, buffers, and similar circuits / devices for connecting to a network and communicating on the network. According to some examples, one or more transceivers 1020a-1020n include one or more circuits for connecting to a wired network and / or a wireless network and communicating on a wired network and / or a wireless network.

[0030] In addition, one or more transceivers 1020a-1020n may include one or more circuits (including cellular transceivers) for connecting to and communicating on a cellular network. Cellular networks may include, but are not limited to, 3G / 4G / 5G networks such as Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS), Long Term Evolution (LTE), etc. For example, one or more transceivers 1020a-1020n may be configured to operate in accordance with one or more of Rel-15, Rel-16, Rel-17, or later versions of the 3GPP standard.

[0031] According to some aspects of the present disclosure, the processor 1010 alone or in combination with computer instructions stored in the memory 1050 and / or one or more transceivers 1020a-1020n implements the communication methods discussed herein. For example, the transceiver 1020a may transmit a first carrier (e.g., Fig. 9 In this example, concurrently, transceiver 1020b may detect and / or measure a second carrier (eg, Fig. 9909), the transceiver 1020c can detect and / or measure the third carrier, and the transceiver 1020n can detect and / or measure the fourth carrier. As described above, the first carrier, the second carrier, the third carrier, and the fourth carrier can be associated with the same or different base stations.

[0032] Additionally, or alternatively, the wireless system 1000 may include one transceiver configured to operate on different carriers. According to some examples, the processor 1010 may be configured to control the one transceiver to switch between different carriers.

[0033] According to some aspects of the present disclosure, the processor 1010, alone or in combination with computer instructions stored in the memory 1050 and / or one or more transceivers 1020a-1020n, implements mechanisms for communication as discussed herein. Although the operations discussed herein are discussed with respect to the processor 1010, it is noted that the processor 1010 may implement these operations alone or in combination with computer instructions stored in the memory 1050 and / or one or more transceivers 1020a-1020n. For example, the processor 1010 is configured to transmit the system 1000 as per-UE capabilities to the base station (and / or a network associated with the base station) during the above-mentioned initial communication (or any other initial access). The processor 1010 may use RRC layer signaling, MAC layer and / or PHY layer signaling to communicate as per-UE capabilities.

[0034] At the Radio Access Network (RAN) 86 Technical Specification Group meeting, a new work item ("WI") titled "Support of Reduced Capability NR Devices" was approved. The purpose of this work item is to study a list of UE features and parameters associated with user equipment (UE) with lower terminal capabilities relative to 3GPP Release 16 enhanced mobile broadband ("eMBB") and ultra-reliable low latency communications ("URLLC") new radio ("NR"). Three use cases were identified in this work item, including industrial wireless sensors, video surveillance equipment, and wearable devices. More specifically, a list of potential UE reduced features was identified for further study, including: (1) UEs with a reduced number of UE RX / TX antennas; (2) UEs with reduced bandwidth; (3) half-duplex FDD transmission; (4) UEs that require relaxed processing time; and (5) UEs that require relaxed processing capabilities.

[0035] Turning to the subject of UEs with reduced bandwidth, it is noted that the 3GPP Rel-15 Control Resource Set ("CORESET") 0 bandwidth may be up to 17 MHz. This CORESET bandwidth may be greater than the maximum bandwidth ("BW") for a Reduced Capability UE (REDCA-UE). In an exemplary aspect, the reduced capability UE may have a bandwidth of 10 MHz. In another exemplary aspect, the reduced capability UE may have a bandwidth of 5 MHz. One of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that these specific bandwidths are examples of possible bandwidths and do not limit the basic principles described herein. In view of the reduced bandwidth of these UEs, the challenge faced by the inventors is how to design physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) transmissions to schedule system information transmissions that can be received by these UEs. Another challenge is how to efficiently multiplex resources between REDCA-UE and legacy UEs. In this other challenge, the inventors investigated how to maximize resource efficiency in proposing possible solutions to these challenges.

[0036] Figure 1 A reduced bandwidth associated with a reduced bandwidth UE is shown in accordance with some aspects. In the illustrated aspect, for a conventional UE, a CORESET 110 is illustrated as having 48 resource blocks (RBs) and a synchronization signal block (SSB) 120 is illustrated as having 20 RBs. For a conventional UE, a system information block (SIB1) is also shown that provides system information (SI) for the UE. Also, in Figure 1 , for a reduced capability UE, CORESET 140 is illustrated as being associated with SIB1 150 and for this example, it has 24 RBs.

[0037] According to certain aspects of the present disclosure, a frequency hopping method may be used in the design of PDCCH transmissions to schedule system information transmissions for UEs with reduced capabilities. In some aspects, a frequency hopping CORESET with a predefined frequency hopping pattern may be configured by higher layers, such as radio resource control (RRC) signaling or a media access control (MAC) control element (CE). This higher layer configuration may be done on a per CORESET basis for each UE or only on a per UE basis. In further aspects of the frequency hopping method, a check may be performed to ensure that sufficient bandwidth is available. When such a check is performed, frequency hopping may be enabled based on the bandwidth of the CORESET and the corresponding component carrier (CC) bandwidth.

[0038] Various examples fall within the scope of the frequency hopping method for design of PDCCH transmission for reduced capability UEs. In some designs, the set (S) of subbands used for CORESET frequency hopping may span the entire downlink system bandwidth. In other designs, the set (S) of subbands used for CORESET frequency hopping may span a subset of the downlink system bandwidth.

[0039] A subband is a group of k consecutive physical resource blocks (PRBs). In one aspect, k is a function of the component carrier (CC) bandwidth or a function of the bandwidth part (BWP) bandwidth, or is configured by higher layers such as RRC signaling on a per-UE or per-CORESET basis. In some other design aspects, k is a reduced bandwidth of a REDCA-UE. There are at least two options available for the definition of possible subbands, such as Figure 2 As shown. Figure 2 In the first option 210 of , the last subband in set S may have less than k consecutive PRBs, depending on the corresponding CC or BWP bandwidth. In this option, assuming that the subband is confined within the BWP, The number of subbands is given as follows:

[0040] N is determined by ceiling limited

[0041] In this regard, the subbands may be indexed in order of increasing frequency and non-increasing size, starting with the lowest frequency.

[0042] exist Figure 2 In the second option 220 in , the number of subbands is given as follows:

[0043]

[0044] In this second option 220, the remaining resource blocks (RBs) are evenly divided at both ends of the active BWP, such as Figure 2 (220) In some design aspects, for CORESET frequency hopping, subbands overlapping with synchronization signal blocks (SSBs) may be excluded.

[0045] Figure 3 An exemplary sub-band layout for CORESET frequency hopping (FH) is shown. In this example, Figure 3 Five subbands are shown, each with a nominal size of 50 PRBs(k). The BWP size is 80 MHz, which has 217 PRBs, resulting in the last subband size being 17 PRBs. Figure 3 In the example of FIG. 4 , the frequency hopping bandwidth spans sub-bands 0 to 2. Figure 3 An example of frequency hopping is shown, and those skilled in the art will recognize that Figure 3 Other variations of the basic principles indicated in the examples.

[0046] More generally, in some respects, if the subband size Greater than or equal to CORESET (which is configured by higher layers), then the subband is valid for CORESET frequency hopping. An exemplary high-level configuration method is to use RRC signaling to achieve this configuration. Figure 3 In the example shown in , if according to this rule, The last subband (identified as #4) is invalid for CORESET frequency hopping operation.

[0047] It should be noted that in various design aspects, the UE may be configured with a frequency hopping bandwidth is through higher layers, for example using RRC signaling. Depending on the higher layer configuration, this configuration may limit the range of RBs used for CORESET frequency hopping operation. For example, in one aspect, where Frequency hopping for the CORESET may be disabled. Alternatively, in another example, frequency hopping for the CORESET may be explicitly disabled or enabled via RRC signaling as part of the CORESET configuration. Again, refer to Figure 3 In the example shown, the frequency hopping of CORESET can be limited to subbands 0 / 1 / 2 / 3, where

[0048] Figure 4 An exemplary CORESET frequency hopping pattern in the time domain according to various aspects is shown. Figure 4 , a plurality of PDCCH monitoring opportunities 410 are shown when frequency hopping is located in the first sub-band. In other words, for the PDCCH monitoring opportunities 410, no frequency hopping exists or frequency hopping is temporarily disabled. Figure 4 Also shown are a plurality of monitoring opportunities 430 at a later time, where the frequency hopping has moved to a second sub-band. Figure 4 Also shown are multiple monitoring opportunities 440 at another later time, where the frequency hopping has moved to the third sub-band. Figure 4 As shown, when frequency hopping is enabled for a CORESET, the same PRB position is used for at least X PDCCH monitoring opportunities (MO) 410 of the search space associated with the CORESET. Figure 4 In , X takes the value of 4. In order to allow cross-slot / cross-MO channel estimation to improve PDCCH decoding performance, it is important to keep the PDCCH monitoring opportunity 410 in the same PRB position without frequency hopping. In certain design aspects, the same precoding matrix is ​​assumed on a "per antenna port" basis across X monitoring opportunities located in the same PRB without frequency hopping to operate across MO channel estimation.

[0049] In various aspects, the value of X can be configured separately on a per-search space set (SSS) or per-SSS base group basis, for example depending at least on the periodicity of the configured SSS. For the group-based configuration method, the SSS can first be divided into different groups, and each group is configured with an X value for frequency hopping operation.

[0050] In another aspect, the UE may be configured with another parameter “Y” to accommodate the retuning time 420. The CORESET frequency position should be switched every Y consecutive time slots. More specifically, Y ≥ X. Figure 4 shown.

[0051] With the sub-bands determined for CORESET frequency hopping, several methods can be used to design the frequency hopping pattern for CORESET transmissions. Figure 5 and Figure 6 An exemplary frequency hopping pattern for CORESET transmission is shown. In this exemplary aspect, the PRBs for the CORESET can mirror the center frequency of the active BWP. Figure 5 The mathematical relationship describing the mirroring process is shown in . Thus, in such a mirroring process, the sequence in the pattern of the subbands used for frequency hopping switches from high to low to high as one steps through the sequence. Figure 5 In , i represents the PDCCH monitoring index when stepping through the frequency hopping sequence, and X represents the total number of steps in the complete frequency hopping sequence. Figure 5 As shown, the formula for the location of the PRB for the CORESET at any particular step in the hopping sequence switches between two sub-formulas, depending on whether the index generates an even or odd number. These two sub-formulas reflect Figure 6 The mirroring method is further described in .

[0052] Figure 6 A frequency hopping sequence is shown that steps from the high subband to the low subband over time, where the high and low subbands are mirror images about a center point in the available bandwidth. The corresponding monitoring opportunities 610, 620 are shown, respectively. Figure 6 Two examples are shown in , where one high-low subband pair is located at the extremes of the available bandwidth, and the other high-low subband pair is closer to the center point in the available bandwidth. Each approach has benefits including frequency diversity and better handles UEs that are moving at high speeds or whose mobility is relatively low:

[0053] Figure 6 In the second aspect of the frequency hopping pattern of the CORESET pattern, the CORESET associated with monitoring occasion i may use the following formula for the subband To map:

[0054]

[0055] in:

[0056] X is the number of monitoring opportunities that the CORESETS are at the same subband before jumping to another subband;

[0057] i0 is the first PDCCH monitoring opportunity;

[0058] · Represents the number of sub-bands for CORESET frequency hopping;

[0059] · represents the subband offset between one subband and the next subband desired by the CORESET, expressed as the number of DL subbands; and

[0060] · is the total number of DL subbands.

[0061] In a third aspect for a frequency hopping mode, the random parameter R p,i can be added to the determination of the subband to avoid continual PDCCH transmission blocking for a given CORESETp.

[0062]

[0063] In a specific example of random parameters, R p,l =(K*R p,l-1 )mod(D), R p,-1 =n RNTI , K=39827, D=65537.

[0064] In this regard, the CORESET frequency hopping pattern is defined in a UE-specific manner, and CORESETs associated with different UEs may hop to different subbands in the next hop, and thus conflicts between different UEs may be resolved.

[0065] On the other hand, the random parameters can be set as follows: in is the physical layer cell identifier. Using this method, conflicts between CORESETs of different cells can be minimized because different subbands can be used in the next hop after a conflict.

[0066] In some other design aspects, Where c(n)=(x1(n+N c )+x2(n+N c )))mod2,x1(n+31)=(x1(n+3)+x1(n))mod2;

[0067] x2(n+31)=(x2(n+3)+x2(n+2)+x2(n))mod2

[0068] Figure 7 Different possible subband locations for a physical data shared channel (PDSCH) according to certain aspects of the present disclosure are shown. In one type of location, a PDCCH 710 is transmitted in one subband, where a PDSCH 730 occurs in the same subband k slots 720 later. In another type of location, a PDCCH 740 is transmitted in one subband, where a PDSCH 760 occurs in a different subband k slots 750 later.

[0069] More generally, the subband positions of the PDSCH are scheduled by a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH).In various aspects of the present disclosure, the subband positions of the PDSCH may be determined in various ways as follows.

[0070] In a first option, the location is indicated by means of a downlink control information (DCI) format.In one aspect, an information field such as a subband indicator field (SIF) may be included in the DCI format to indicate the subband and additionally indicate the resource allocation within the subband.

[0071] In the second option, the same subband location as the associated PDCCH monitoring (i.e., SSS and CORESET) is assumed for PDSCH without explicit signaling. This option is beneficial because it avoids dynamic switching and re-tuning errors. However, this option results in a loss of scheduling flexibility.

[0072] In other design aspects, the PDSCH may start at slot n+k, where n is the last slot used for PDCCH transmission. In a first option, the k value is fixed or configured by higher layers (e.g., RRC or MAC control element (CE)) on a per-UE basis to 1 or 2. If k=2, the PDSCH is allowed to use a different subband than the associated PDCCH. If k=1, the PDSCH is restricted to the same subband as the associated PDCCH. As described above, this is Figure 7 Shown in.

[0073] In the second option, the k value is variable and its value is signaled via the DCI format. More importantly, the UE is allowed to provide the preferred minimum K value to the gNB via RRC signaling. The UE does not expect the K signaled in the DCI format to be smaller than the K reported by the UE.

[0074] Figure 8A flow chart of a method 800 of a method for communicating by a user equipment (UE) with reduced bandwidth capability is shown, wherein the method includes the following steps. Step 810 of the method includes determining a subband location associated with a CORESET transmission, the subband location being determined from information received from a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) transmission. Step 820 of the method includes the step of receiving the CORESET transmission from a gNB, the CORESET transmission following a frequency hopping pattern over a set of subbands, each subband in the set of subbands being a subset of a system bandwidth available for use from the gNB, and wherein a subband in the set of subbands is located at the subband location.

[0075] For example, one or more computer systems such as Fig.11 The computer system 1100 shown in the figure can be used to implement various aspects. The computer system 1100 can be any well-known computer capable of performing the functions described herein, such as Fig. 9 Device 901, 903, 905 or Fig.10 1000. The computer system 1100 includes one or more processors (also referred to as central processing units or CPUs), such as a processor 1104. The processor 1104 is connected to a communication infrastructure 1106 (e.g., a bus). The computer system 1100 also includes a user input / output device 1103, such as a monitor, keyboard, pointing device, etc., which communicates with the communication infrastructure 1106 through a user input / output interface 1102. The computer system 1100 also includes a main memory or primary storage 1108, such as a random access memory (RAM). The main memory 1108 may include one or more levels of cache. The main memory 1108 has control logic components (e.g., computer software) and / or data stored therein.

[0076] The computer system 1100 may also include one or more secondary storage devices or memories 1110. The secondary storage 1110 may include, for example, a hard disk drive 1112 and / or a removable storage device or drive 1114. The removable storage drive 1114 may be a floppy disk drive, a tape drive, an optical drive, an optical storage device, a tape backup device, and / or any other storage device / drive.

[0077] The removable storage drive 1114 can interact with a removable storage unit 1118. The removable storage unit 1118 includes a computer usable or readable storage device having computer software (control logic components) and / or data stored thereon. The removable storage unit 1118 can be a floppy disk, a magnetic tape, an optical disk, a DVD, an optical storage disk, and / or any other computer data storage device. The removable storage drive 1114 reads and / or writes to the removable storage unit 1118 in a well-known manner.

[0078] According to some aspects, secondary storage 1110 may include other devices, tools, or other methods for allowing computer programs and / or other instructions and / or data to be accessed by computer system 1100. Such devices, tools, or other methods may include, for example, a removable storage unit 1122 and an interface 1120. Examples of removable storage unit 1122 and interface 1120 may include a program cartridge and cartridge interface (such as found in a video game device), a removable memory chip (such as an EPROM or PROM) and associated socket, a memory stick and USB port, a memory card and associated memory card slot, and / or any other removable storage unit and associated interface.

[0079] The computer system 1100 may also include a communication or network interface 1124. The communication interface 1124 enables the computer system 1100 to communicate and interact with any combination of remote devices, remote networks, remote entities, etc. (individually and collectively referenced by reference numeral 1128). For example, the communication interface 1124 may allow the computer system 1100 to communicate with the remote device 1128 via a communication path 1126, which may be wired and / or wireless and may include any combination of a LAN, a WAN, the Internet, etc. Control logic components and / or data may be transmitted to and from the computer system 1100 via the communication path 1126.

[0080] The operations in the foregoing aspects can be implemented in various configurations and architectures. Thus, some or all of the operations in the foregoing aspects may be performed in hardware, software, or in both hardware and software. In some aspects, a tangible, non-transient device or article includes a tangible, non-transient computer-usable or readable medium on which a control logic component (software) is stored, also referred to herein as a computer program product or program storage device. This includes, but is not limited to, a computer system 1100, a main memory 1108, an auxiliary memory 1110, and removable storage units 1118 and 1122, as well as tangible articles embodying any combination of the foregoing. When executed by one or more data processing devices (such as, computer system 1100), such control logic components cause such data processing devices to operate as described herein.

[0081] Based on the teachings contained in this disclosure, it will be apparent to those skilled in the relevant art how to use Fig.11 The various aspects of the present disclosure may be made and used with data processing devices, computer systems, and / or computer architectures other than those shown. In particular, the various aspects may operate with software, hardware, and / or operating system implementations other than those described herein.

[0082] It should be understood that the Detailed Description section, rather than the Summary and Abstract sections, is intended to be used to interpret the claims. The Summary and Abstract sections may set forth one or more but not all exemplary aspects of the present disclosure as contemplated by the inventors, and thus are not intended to limit the present disclosure or the appended claims in any way.

[0083] Although the present disclosure has been described herein with reference to exemplary aspects of exemplary fields and applications, it should be understood that the present disclosure is not limited thereto. Other aspects and modifications are possible and are within the scope and essence of the present disclosure. For example, and without limiting the generality of this paragraph, the various aspects are not limited to the software, hardware, firmware and / or entities shown in the figures and / or described herein. In addition, the various aspects (whether or not explicitly described herein) have significant practicality for fields and applications outside the examples described herein.

[0084] Various aspects have been described herein by means of functional building blocks that illustrate specific implementations of specific functions and relationships thereof. For ease of description, the boundaries of these functional building blocks have been arbitrarily defined herein. As long as the specified functions and relationships (or their equivalents) are properly performed, alternative boundaries may be defined. In addition, alternative aspects may perform functional blocks, steps, operations, methods, etc., in an order different from that described herein.

[0085] References herein to "one aspect," "aspects," "exemplary aspects," or similar phrases indicate that the described aspects may include particular features, structures, or characteristics, but each aspect may not necessarily include the particular features, structures, or characteristics. Furthermore, such phrases do not necessarily refer to the same aspect. Furthermore, when particular features, structures, or characteristics are described in conjunction with one aspect, it is within the knowledge of those skilled in the relevant art to incorporate such features, structures, or characteristics into other aspects, whether or not explicitly mentioned or described herein.

[0086] The breadth and scope of the present disclosure should not be limited by any of the above-described exemplary aspects, but should be defined only in accordance with the following claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A user equipment (UE) with reduced bandwidth capability, the UE comprising: a receiver configured to receive a control resource set (CORESET) transmission from a gNB, the CORESET transmission following a frequency hopping pattern over a set of subbands, each subband in the set of subbands being a subset of a system bandwidth available for use from the gNB; and A processor circuit, the processor circuit being configured to: determining a subband position associated with the CORESET transmission, the subband position being determined from information received from a Physical Downlink Control Channel (PDCCH) transmission, and controlling the receiver according to the determined sub-band positions, The frequency hopping pattern further comprises using a randomization parameter to determine each subband so as to avoid continual Physical Downlink Control Channel (PDCCH) transmission blocking.

2. The UE according to claim 1, wherein the frequency hopping pattern comprises a pattern mirrored by a center frequency of the active bandwidth part BWP.

3. The UE of claim 1, wherein the frequency hopping pattern is based on a number of monitoring opportunities, a number of subbands used in the frequency hopping pattern, a subband offset relative to another subband, or a total number of downlink subbands. 4 . The UE of claim 3 , wherein the frequency hopping pattern further comprises frequency hopping with a frequency hopping window, the frequency hopping window comprising a plurality of consecutive PDCCH monitoring opportunities.

5. The UE of claim 4, wherein the frequency hopping operates across the consecutive PDCCH monitoring opportunities in different frequency hopping windows, and wherein the frequency hopping does not operate for the consecutive PDCCH monitoring opportunities within the frequency hopping window. 6 . The UE according to claim 4 , wherein the UE is configured to use the same precoder for resource blocks (RBs) of the consecutive PDCCH monitoring occasions within the frequency hopping window.

7. The UE of claim 1, wherein the receiver re-tunes between sub-bands, and the processor circuit includes tolerance for re-tuning time in its processing.

8. The UE of claim 1, wherein the information received from the physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) transmission is in a subband indicator field (SIF) in a download control information (DCI) format.

9. The UE of claim 1, wherein the subband position is based on a last time slot of the PDCCH transmission.

10. A method for communicating by a user equipment (UE) having reduced bandwidth capabilities, the method comprising: determining a subband position associated with a CORESET transmission, the subband position being determined from information received from a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) transmission; as well as receiving the CORESET transmission from a gNB, the CORESET transmission following a frequency hopping pattern over a set of subbands, each subband in the set of subbands being a subset of a system bandwidth available for use from the gNB, and wherein a subband in the set of subbands is located at the subband location, The frequency hopping pattern further comprises using a randomization parameter to determine each subband so as to avoid continual Physical Downlink Control Channel (PDCCH) transmission blocking.

11. The method according to claim 10, wherein the frequency hopping pattern comprises a pattern mirrored with a center frequency of the active bandwidth part BWP.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein the frequency hopping pattern is based on a number of monitoring opportunities, a number of subbands used in the frequency hopping pattern, a subband offset relative to another subband, or a total number of downlink subbands.

13. The method according to claim 10, further comprising: Retune between subbands, Wherein said determining said sub-band positions comprises allowing for re-tuning time in said determining.

14. The method of claim 10, wherein the information received from the physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) transmission is in a subband indicator field (SIF) in a download control information (DCI) format.

15. The method of claim 10, wherein the subband location is based on a last time slot of the PDCCH transmission.

16. A non-transitory computer-readable medium comprising instructions that, when executed by one or more processors of an electronic device, cause the electronic device to perform one of a plurality of elements of a method, the method comprising: determining a subband position associated with a CORESET transmission, the subband position being determined from information received from a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) transmission; as well as causing reception of the CORESET transmission from the gNB, the CORESET transmission following a frequency hopping pattern over a set of subbands, each subband in the set of subbands being a subset of a system bandwidth available for use from the gNB, and wherein a subband in the set of subbands is located at the subband location, The frequency hopping pattern further comprises using a randomization parameter to determine each subband so as to avoid continual Physical Downlink Control Channel (PDCCH) transmission blocking.

17. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 16, wherein the frequency hopping pattern comprises a pattern mirrored with a center frequency of an active bandwidth part (BWP).

18. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 16, wherein the frequency hopping pattern is based on a number of monitoring opportunities, a number of subbands used in the frequency hopping pattern, a subband offset relative to another subband, or a total number of downlink subbands.

19. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 16, wherein the information received from the physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) transmission is in a subband indicator field (SIF) in a download control information (DCI) format.

20. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 16, wherein the subband location is based on a last time slot of the PDCCH transmission.

21. A base station gNB configured to operate with a user equipment UE having reduced bandwidth capabilities, the gNB comprising: A processor circuit, the processor circuit being configured to: Determine the subband location associated with the control resource set CORESET transmission, generating a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) transmission including an indication of said subband location, and controlling a transmitter based at least on the determined sub-band position; and a transmitter configured to transmit the PDCCH transmission and the CORESET transmission to the UE, the CORESET transmission following a frequency hopping pattern over a set of subbands, each subband in the set of subbands being a subset of a system bandwidth available for use from the gNB, The frequency hopping pattern further comprises using a randomization parameter to determine each subband so as to avoid continual Physical Downlink Control Channel (PDCCH) transmission blocking.

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