Method, apparatus, and computer-readable medium for communication

Abstract

Example embodiments of the present disclosure relate to communications. According to embodiments of the present invention, a network device sends configuration information for one or more frequency hopping patterns to a terminal device. Based on the configuration information, the terminal device determines which frequency hopping pattern to use and determines multiple frequency hopping positions. This allows for more frequency hopping positions, thereby achieving greater frequency diversity gain and facilitating coverage enhancement. Furthermore, the frequency hopping frequencies can be configured more flexibly.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Embodiments of the present disclosure relate generally to the field of telecommunications, and particularly to methods, devices, and computer-readable media for communications. Background Art

[0002] As communication systems evolve, more and more technologies have been proposed. Frequency hopping is a method of transmitting radio signals by rapidly changing the carrier frequency among many frequencies occupying a large spectrum band. These changes are controlled by a code known to both the transmitter and the receiver. Frequency hopping is used to avoid interference and prevent eavesdropping. In a frequency hopping system, the transmitter changes the carrier frequency according to a specific hopping pattern. The advantage is that the signal sees a different channel and a different set of interfering signals during each hop. This avoids the problem of communication failure on a specific frequency due to fading or specific interference. Summary of the Invention

[0003] In general, example embodiments of the present disclosure provide a solution for communications.

[0004] In a first aspect, a terminal device is provided. The terminal device includes at least one processor; and at least one memory including computer program code; the at least one memory and the computer program code are configured to, together with the at least one processor, cause the terminal device to perform actions, the actions comprising: receiving configuration information for at least one frequency hopping pattern from a network device, the configuration information indicating a set of candidate frequency offsets between two hopping frequencies in the at least one frequency hopping pattern; and determining a plurality of frequency hopping positions for a target frequency hopping pattern based on the configuration information.

[0005] In a second aspect, a network device is provided. The network device includes at least one processor; and at least one memory including computer program code; the at least one memory and the computer program code are configured to, together with the at least one processor, cause the network device to perform actions, the actions comprising: generating configuration information for at least one frequency hopping pattern, the configuration information indicating a set of candidate frequency offsets between two hopping frequencies in the at least one frequency hopping pattern; and sending the configuration information to a terminal device.

[0006] In a third aspect, a method is provided, comprising receiving, at a terminal device, configuration information for at least one frequency hopping pattern from a network device, the configuration information indicating a set of candidate frequency offsets between two hopping frequencies in the at least one frequency hopping pattern; and determining, based on the configuration information, a plurality of frequency hopping positions for a target frequency hopping pattern.

[0007] In a fourth aspect, a method is provided, comprising generating, at a network device, configuration information for at least one frequency hopping pattern, the configuration information indicating a set of candidate frequency offsets between two hopping frequencies in the at least one frequency hopping pattern; and sending the configuration information to a terminal device.

[0008] In a fifth aspect, an apparatus is provided. The apparatus includes means for receiving, at a terminal device, configuration information for at least one frequency hopping pattern from a network device, the configuration information indicating a set of candidate frequency offsets between two hopping frequencies in the at least one frequency hopping pattern; and means for determining, based on the configuration information, a plurality of frequency hopping positions for a target frequency hopping pattern.

[0009] In a sixth aspect, an apparatus is provided, comprising: means for generating, at a network device, configuration information for at least one frequency hopping pattern, the configuration information indicating a set of candidate frequency offsets between two hopping frequencies in the at least one frequency hopping pattern; and means for sending the configuration information to a terminal device.

[0010] In a seventh aspect, a computer-readable medium is provided, wherein the computer-readable medium includes program instructions for causing a device to at least execute the method according to any one of the third and fourth aspects.

[0011] It should be understood that the invention summary is not intended to identify the key or essential features of the embodiments of the present disclosure, nor is it intended to be used to limit the scope of the present disclosure. Other features of the present disclosure will become readily understood through the following description. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present disclosure will become more apparent through a more detailed description of some example embodiments of the present disclosure in the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0013] Figure 1 illustrates an example communication environment in which example embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented;

[0014] Figure 2 The diagram illustrates a signaling process for counting terminal devices according to some embodiments of the present invention;

[0015] Figure 3 A schematic block diagram illustrating a frequency hopping pattern according to some embodiments of the present disclosure is illustrated;

[0016] Figure 4 A schematic block diagram illustrating interleaved resource allocation according to some embodiments of the present disclosure is illustrated;

[0017] Figure 5 A flowchart illustrating a method implemented at a terminal device according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure is shown;

[0018] Figure 6 A flowchart illustrating a method implemented at a network device according to some other example embodiments of the present disclosure; and

[0019] Figure 7 A simplified block diagram of an apparatus suitable for implementing example embodiments of the present disclosure is illustrated.

[0020] Throughout the drawings, the same or similar reference numerals refer to the same or similar elements. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0021] The principles of the present disclosure will now be described with reference to some exemplary embodiments. It should be understood that these embodiments are described merely for illustrative purposes and to help those skilled in the art understand and implement the present disclosure without implying any limitation on the scope of the present disclosure. The disclosure described herein can be implemented in various ways in addition to the manner described below.

[0022] In the following description and claims, unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure belongs.

[0023] As used herein, the term "network device" refers to a device that can provide or host a cell or coverage area in which a terminal device can communicate. Examples of network devices include, but are not limited to, Node B (NodeB or NB), evolved Node B (eNodeB or eNB), Node B in new radio access (gNB), remote radio unit (RRU), radio head (RH), remote radio head (RRH), low-power nodes such as femto nodes, pico nodes, satellite network equipment, aircraft network equipment, etc. For the purpose of discussion, some example embodiments will be described below with reference to eNB as an example of a network device.

[0024] As used herein, the term "terminal device" refers to any device with wireless or wired communication capabilities. Examples of terminal devices include, but are not limited to, user equipment (UE), personal computers, desktops, mobile phones, cellular phones, smart phones, personal digital assistants (PDAs), portable computers, tablets, wearable devices, Internet of Things (IoT) devices, Internet of Everything (IoE) devices, machine type communication (MTC) devices, vehicle-mounted devices for V2X communication (where X refers to pedestrians, vehicles, or infrastructure / networks), or image capture devices such as digital cameras, gaming devices, music storage and playback devices, or Internet devices that enable wireless or wired Internet access and browsing, etc. In the following description, the terms "terminal device," "communication device," "terminal," "user equipment," and "UE" may be used interchangeably.

[0025] The communications discussed herein may use any suitable standard, including but not limited to new radio access (NR), long term evolution (LTE), evolved LTE, advanced LTE (LTE-A), wideband code division multiple access (WCDMA), code division multiple access (CDMA), cdma2000, and global system for mobile communications (GSM), etc. In addition, communications may be performed according to any generation communication protocol currently known or developed in the future. Examples of communication protocols include but are not limited to first generation (1G), second generation (2G), 2.5G, 2.85G, third generation (3G), fourth generation (4G), 4.5G, and fifth generation (5G) communication protocols. The technology described herein may be used for the wireless networks and radio technologies mentioned above, as well as other wireless networks and radio technologies.

[0026] As used herein, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" are intended to include the plural forms as well. The term "including" and its variations should be interpreted as open-ended terms, meaning "including but not limited to." The term "based on" should be interpreted as "based at least in part on." The terms "one embodiment" and "an embodiment" should be interpreted as "at least one embodiment." The term "another embodiment" should be interpreted as "at least one other embodiment." The terms "first," "second," etc. may refer to different or identical objects. Other explicit and implicit definitions may be included below.

[0027] In some examples, values, processes, or devices are referred to as "best," "lowest," "highest," "minimum," "maximum," etc. It should be understood that such descriptions are intended to indicate that a selection may be made among many functional alternatives for use, and that such a selection is not necessarily better, lesser, higher, or otherwise preferred over other options.

[0028] As mentioned above, frequency hopping technology has been introduced. Frequency hopping is beneficial for coverage enhancement, so enhanced frequency hopping has been introduced. One solution for coverage enhancement is to increase transmission diversity, and frequency hopping can provide frequency diversity. Therefore, enhanced frequency hopping is beneficial for enhanced coverage. In New Radio (NR) systems, uplink frequency hopping is used for the Physical Uplink Shared Channel (PUSCH) and the Physical Uplink Control Channel (PUCCH).

[0029] Frequency hopping can include intra-slot hopping and inter-slot hopping. Inter-slot hopping is used together with repetition / multi-slot scheduling of PUSCH / PUCCH. The hop has two starting resource blocks (RBs), the first (even-numbered) hop uses the first starting RB and the second (odd-numbered) hop uses the second starting RB. The first starting RB is usually indicated by the frequency resource allocation in the downlink control information, and the second starting RB is the first starting RB plus an offset. The offset is indicated by the DCI from up to 4 candidates configured by RRC. In addition, interlaced resource allocation is introduced in NR for NR operation on unlicensed bands.

[0030] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a network device sends configuration information for one or more frequency hopping patterns to a terminal device. Based on the configuration information, the terminal device determines which frequency hopping pattern to use and determines multiple frequency hopping positions. This allows for more frequency hopping positions, thereby achieving greater frequency diversity gain and facilitating coverage enhancement. Furthermore, frequency hopping frequencies can be configured more flexibly.

[0031] Figure 1 The present invention illustrates a schematic diagram of a communication environment 100 in which embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented. The communication environment 100, as part of a communication network, includes terminal devices 110-1, 110-2, ..., 110-N, which may be collectively referred to as "terminal device(s) 110." The communication environment 100 also includes a network device 120 that may communicate with a first device(s) 210.

[0032] The communication environment 100 may include any suitable number of devices and cells. In the communication environment 100, the terminal device 110 and the network device 120 may transmit data and control information to each other. The network devices 2120 may also exchange information with each other.

[0033] It should be understood that Figure 1 The number of network devices and cells and their connections shown in FIG. 1 is provided for illustrative purposes and does not imply any limitation. Environment 100 may include any suitable number of devices and networks suitable for implementing embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0034] Communications in the communication environment 100 may be implemented according to any suitable communication protocol(s), including but not limited to first generation (1G), second generation (2G), third generation, fourth generation (4G), and fifth generation (5G) cellular communication protocols (3G), wireless local area network communication protocols such as Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11, and / or any other protocols currently known or developed in the future. Furthermore, communications may utilize any suitable wireless communication technology, including but not limited to code division multiple access (CDMA), frequency division multiple access (FDMA), time division multiple access (TDMA), frequency division duplex (FDD), time division duplex (TDD), multiple input multiple output (MIMO), orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM), discrete Fourier transform spread OFDM (DFT-s-OFDM), and / or any other technology currently known or developed in the future.

[0035] Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Figure 2 Reference is made to FIG, which illustrates a signaling flow 200 for frequency hopping according to an example embodiment of the present disclosure. For the purpose of discussion, reference will be made to FIG. Figure 1 1 and 2. The signaling process 200 is described below. For illustration purposes only, the signaling process 200 may involve the terminal device 110-1 and the network device 120.

[0036] Network device 120 generates 2005 configuration information for one or more frequency hopping patterns. In some embodiments, the configuration information may indicate a starting RB for the frequency hopping. The configuration information may also indicate one or more frequency offsets between two hopping frequencies. In this way, frequency diversity is increased, thereby improving coverage.

[0037] In an example embodiment, the configuration information may be for a first frequency hopping mode. In this case, the configuration information may indicate an initial frequency offset between two frequency hops. For example, for inter-slot hopping, the configuration information may indicate that the starting RB is determined based on:

[0038]

[0039] in M represents the frequency hopping number, RB offset Indicates the initial frequency offset between two frequency hoppings, RB start Indicates the starting RB within the bandwidth part (BWP), is the current slot number within the radio frame, represents the number of physical resource blocks (PRBs) in the initial uplink BWP, and m represents a multiple value of the initial frequency offset. The parameter M may be configured by the network device 120, which will be described later.

[0040] Alternatively or additionally, for inter-repetition hopping, the configuration information may indicate that the starting RB is to be determined based on:

[0041]

[0042] Where m = n mod M, M represents the number of frequency hopping, RB offset Indicates the initial frequency offset between two frequency hoppings, RB start Indicates the starting RB within the bandwidth part (BWP), n is the nth frequency hop, "n" represents the number of physical resource blocks (PRBs) in the initial uplink BWP, and "m" represents the multiple of the initial frequency offset. Parameter M can be configured by network device 120, as will be described later. In this way, embodiments of the present application are easily implemented. Furthermore, it requires less radio resource control (RRC) signaling. Furthermore, it provides flexibility for configuring frequency hopping. For illustrative purposes only, parameter "n" represents the nth frequency hop in the first frequency hopping mode, and parameter "n" is used for the second and third frequency hopping modes. The specific definition of parameter "n" will be provided later.

[0043] In another example embodiment, the configuration information may be for a second frequency hopping mode. In this case, the configuration information may indicate multiple frequency offset lists. For example, the configuration information may include a parameter "frequencyHoppingOffsetLists-r17" that represents a SEQUENCE(SIZE(1..4)) of frequencyHoppingOffset-r17. The parameter "frequencyHoppingOffset-r17" may be represented as "SEQUENCE(SIZE(1..maxNrofHopping))OFINTEGER(1..maxNrofPhysicalResourceBlocks-1)". For example, the configuration information may indicate that the starting RB is to be determined based on the following:

[0044]

[0045] Where k=n′mod K, K represents the size of frequencyHoppingOffset-r17 that can be indicated by the downlink control information in frequencyHoppingOffsetLists-r17, RB offset (k) represents the frequency offset between two hopping frequencies, RB start represents the starting RB within the bandwidth part (BWP), k is the kth frequency hop, represents the number of physical resource blocks (PRBs) in the initial uplink BWP, and n′ is the current slot number within the radio frame. In this way, frequency hopping can be configured more flexibly.

[0046] In another example embodiment, the configuration information may be for a third frequency hopping mode. In this case, the configuration information may indicate a frequency offset list. For example, the configuration information may include a parameter "frequencyHoppingOffsetLists" that represents a SEQUENCE(SIZE(1..4))OF INTEGER(1..maxNrofPhysicalResourceBlocks-1). For example, the configuration information may indicate that the starting RB is to be determined based on the following:

[0047]

[0048] Where k = n'mod K, K is the number of frequencyHoppingOffsetList plus one, RB offset (k) represents the frequency offset between two hopping frequencies, RB start Indicates the starting RB in the bandwidth part (BWP), RB offset (k) is the kth number in frequencyHoppingOffsetList, and RB offset (0)=0, represents the number of physical resource blocks (PRBs) in the initial uplink BWP, and n′ is the current slot number within the radio frame. In this way, RRC signaling can be saved.

[0049] The network device 120 sends 2010 configuration information to the terminal device 110-1. For example, the configuration information may be sent via RRC signaling. It should be noted that the configuration information may be sent via any suitable signaling, such as RRC, MACCE, or DCI.

[0050] In some embodiments, network device 120 may send 2015 control information to terminal device 110-1. In some embodiments, the control information may include an explicit indication (referred to as a "first indication") indicating a target frequency hopping pattern to be used by terminal device 110-1. For example, one or more bits in the control information may be used to indicate the target frequency hopping pattern. Alternatively, or in addition, the control information may include a second indication related to a set of candidate frequency offsets. For example, for the first frequency hopping pattern, the second indication may indicate a multiple value of the initial frequency offset. Alternatively, for the second frequency hopping pattern, the second indication may include a bit indicating which frequency offset list from a plurality of frequency offset lists is to be used. Alternatively, the control information may include an implicit indication indicating the target frequency hopping pattern. For example, if the control information indicates a multiple value of the initial frequency offset, this may implicitly indicate the use of the first frequency hopping pattern. Alternatively, if the control information includes a bit indicating which frequency offset list from a plurality of frequency offset lists is to be used, this may implicitly indicate the use of the second frequency hopping pattern.

[0051] In some embodiments, terminal device 110-1 may determine the target frequency hopping pattern from one or more frequency hopping patterns. In some embodiments, terminal device 110-1 may determine the target frequency hopping pattern based on control information. Alternatively, the target frequency hopping pattern may be determined without control information. For example, if the reserved bit field in the configuration information indicates "11," terminal device 110-1 may determine that the third frequency hopping pattern is triggered.

[0052] The terminal device 110-1 determines a plurality of hopping positions of the 2025 target frequency hopping pattern based on the configuration information. For example, in one example embodiment, the configuration information may be for a first frequency hopping pattern. The parameter M representing the number of hopping frequencies in the above formulas (1) and (2) may be configured by the network device 120. In some embodiments, the parameter M may be any suitable specified number, such as 3, 4, 6, or 8. Alternatively or additionally, if the control information is a multiple value of the initial frequency offset, the plurality of hopping positions may be determined based on the initial frequency offset (e.g., the RB in the above formulas (1) and (2)). offset ), a multiple value (e.g., m in the above formulas (1) and (2)), and a starting resource block. For example, formula (1) or (2) can be used to obtain multiple frequency hopping positions.

[0053] In other example embodiments, the configuration information may be for a second frequency hopping mode. In this case, terminal device 110-1 may select a target list of frequency hopping offsets based on the second indication, and determine multiple frequency hopping positions based on the target list of frequency hopping offsets and the starting resource block. For illustrative purposes, the multiple frequency offset lists may be {{0, 50}, {0, 20, 40, 60}}. If the second indication indicates "0," the target list of frequency hopping offsets {0, 50} is selected. Therefore, the multiple frequency hopping positions may be the starting RB, the starting RB+50.

[0054] Alternatively, if the second indication indicates "1," the target list of frequency hopping offsets {0, 20, 40, 60} is selected. It should be noted that the second indication may indicate any suitable bit value. Thus, the multiple frequency hopping positions may be the starting RB, the starting RB+20, the starting RB+40, and the starting RB+60.

[0055] In another preferred embodiment, the configuration information may be used for a third frequency hopping mode. In this case, the configuration information may indicate a frequency offset list. For illustrative purposes, the frequency offset list may be {0, 20, 40, 60}. Thus, the multiple frequency hopping positions may be the starting RB, starting RB+20, starting RB+40, and starting RB+60.

[0056] The network device may send 2030 a configuration related to a repetitive frequency hopping pattern to the terminal device 110-1. For example, the configuration may indicate a configurable number "R." The configurable number R may be used to indicate that within R time slots, a channel in one time slot may be inferred from a channel in another time slot. Alternatively, the configurable number R may be used to indicate that the hopping pattern within R time slots is the same starting RB and hopping is performed for each R time slot. The configuration may indicate a list of R values ​​via RRC.

[0057] The network device 120 may also send 2035 control information indicating the number of time slots used for one repetition and another frequency offset between two repetitions. For example, the number of time slots may be a specific R from a list of R values. The specific R may be indicated by the DCI. The terminal device 110-1 may determine 2040 the repetition frequency hopping pattern based on the number of time slots, the other frequency offset, and the configuration. In this way, cross-time slot channel estimation may be achieved, thereby improving demodulation performance. For example, the starting RB may be determined based on the following:

[0058]

[0059] Among them RB offset Indicates the frequency offset between two hopping frequencies, RB start Indicates the starting RB within the bandwidth part (BWP), represents the number of physical resource blocks (PRBs) in the initial uplink BWP, and n′ is the current slot number within the radio frame.

[0060] For example, if the other frequency offset indicated by the DCI is 50 and R is 3, the number of time slots for one repetition (for example, shown as 320) is 3. Figure 5 As shown, the frequency offset between two repetitions (eg, shown as 310) is 50. For illustration purposes only, as shown Figure 3 As shown in , the starting RB can be initial starting RB, initial starting RB, initial starting RB, initial starting RB+50, initial starting RB+50, initial starting RB+50, initial starting RB, initial starting RB, and initial starting RB.

[0061] Alternatively, the starting RB may be determined based on:

[0062]

[0063] Where m = FLOOR (n' / R) mod M, RB offset Indicates the initial frequency offset between two frequency hoppings, RB start represents the starting RB within the bandwidth part (BWP), n′ is the current slot number within the radio frame, represents the number of physical resource blocks (PRBs) in the initial uplink BWP, and m represents the multiple value of the initial frequency offset, and n′ is the current slot number within the radio frame.

[0064] Similarly, the above formulas (3) and (4) are also applicable to this scenario. That is, the starting RB can be determined based on the above formulas (3) and (4). For example, the parameter k in the above formulas (3) and (4) can be defined as

[0065] In some embodiments, if the number of interlaces is fixed, i.e., 10 interlaces for 15 KHz and 5 interlaces for 30 KHz, this is not a good solution for enhancing coverage because there are too many RBs in one interlace. In order to take advantage of interlaced resource allocation in coverage enhancement, more interlaces (fewer RBs in one interlace) are needed. The number of interlaces can be configured by dedicated RRC or broadcast RRC. In another example embodiment, network device 120 can send 2045 resource allocation information, which indicates the type of resource allocation and the number of interlaces. For example, the bit field for dynamic switching between The most significant bit indicates the resource allocation type. If the type is interleaved allocation, then The least significant bit (LSB) of the bit provides the frequency domain resource allocation, where is the number of interleavings. If the type is continuous allocation, then The least significant bit (LSB) of the bit provides the frequency domain resource allocation, where is the number of RBs in the uplink bandwidth part (BWP).

[0066] Terminal device 110-1 may determine 2050 the allocated resources based on the type of resource allocation and the number of interlaces. Figure 4 As shown in , if the number of RBs in one interlace is 3, the determined resource allocation is shown as 410; and if the number of RBs in one interlace is 5, the determined resource allocation is shown as 420.

[0067] Figure 5 1. A flow chart of an example method 500 implemented at a terminal device 110 according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure is shown. For discussion purposes, the method 500 will be described from the perspective of the terminal device 110-1.

[0068] At block 510, the terminal device 110-1 receives configuration information from the network device 120. For example, the configuration information may be sent via RRC signaling. It should be noted that the configuration information may be sent via any suitable signaling.

[0069] In some embodiments, the configuration information may indicate a starting RB for frequency hopping. The configuration information may also indicate one or more frequency offsets between two hop frequencies. In this way, frequency diversity is increased, thereby improving enhanced coverage.

[0070] In an example embodiment, the configuration information may be for a first frequency hopping pattern. In this case, the configuration information may indicate an initial frequency offset between two frequency hops.

[0071] In another example embodiment, the configuration information may be for a second frequency hopping mode. In this case, the configuration information may indicate multiple frequency offset lists. For example, the configuration information may include a parameter "frequencyHoppingOffsetLists-r17," which represents a SEQUENCE(SIZE(1..4)) of frequencyHoppingOffset-r17. The parameter "frequencyHoppingOffset-r17" may be represented as "SEQUENCE(SIZE(1..maxNrofHopping))OF INTEGER(1..maxNrofPhysicalResourceBlocks-1)."

[0072] In another example embodiment, the configuration information may be for a third frequency hopping mode. In this case, the configuration information may indicate a frequency offset list. For example, the configuration information may include a parameter "frequencyHoppingOffsetLists" that represents a SEQUENCE(SIZE(1..4))OF INTEGER(1..maxNrofPhysicalResourceBlocks-1).

[0073] In some embodiments, terminal device 110-1 may receive control information from network device 120. In some embodiments, the control information may include an explicit indication (referred to as a "first indication") to indicate a target frequency hopping pattern to be used by terminal device 110-1. For example, one or more bits in the control information may be used to indicate the target frequency hopping pattern. Alternatively, the control information may alternatively or additionally include a second indication related to a set of candidate frequency offsets. For example, for the first frequency hopping pattern, the second indication may indicate a multiple value of the initial frequency offset. Alternatively, for the second frequency hopping pattern, the second indication may include a bit indicating which frequency offset list from a plurality of frequency offset lists is to be used. Alternatively, the control information may include an implicit indication indicating the target frequency hopping pattern. For example, if the control information indicates a multiple value of the initial frequency offset, the use of the first frequency hopping pattern may be implicitly indicated. Alternatively, if the control information includes a bit indicating which frequency offset list from a plurality of frequency offset lists is to be used, the use of the second frequency hopping pattern may be implicitly indicated.

[0074] In some embodiments, terminal device 110-1 may determine a target frequency hopping pattern from one or more frequency hopping patterns. In some embodiments, terminal device 110-1 may determine the target frequency hopping pattern based on control information. Alternatively, the target frequency hopping pattern may be determined without control information. For example, if the reserved bit field in the configuration information indicates "11," terminal device 110-1 may determine that the third frequency hopping pattern is triggered.

[0075] In step 520, terminal device 110-1 determines a plurality of hopping positions of the target frequency hopping pattern based on the configuration information. For example, in one example embodiment, the configuration information may be for a first frequency hopping pattern. The parameter M representing the number of hopping frequencies in the above formulas (1) and (2) may be configured by network device 120. In some embodiments, parameter M may be any suitable specified number, such as 3, 4, 6, or 8. Alternatively or additionally, if the control information is a multiple value of the initial frequency offset, the plurality of hopping positions may be determined based on the initial frequency offset (e.g., RB in the above formulas (1) and (2)). offset), a multiple value (e.g., m in the above formulas (1) and (2)), and a starting resource block. For example, formula (1) or (2) can be used to obtain multiple frequency hopping positions.

[0076] In other example embodiments, the configuration information may be for a second frequency hopping mode. In this case, terminal device 110-1 may select a target list of frequency hopping offsets based on the second indication, and determine multiple frequency hopping positions based on the target list of frequency hopping offsets and the starting resource block. For illustrative purposes, the multiple frequency offset lists may be {{0, 50}, {0, 20, 40, 60}}. If the second indication indicates "0," the target list of frequency hopping offsets {0, 50} is selected. Therefore, the multiple frequency hopping positions may be the starting RB, the starting RB+50.

[0077] Alternatively, if the second indication indicates "1," the target list of frequency hopping offsets {0, 20, 40, 60} is selected. It should be noted that the second indication may indicate any suitable bit value. Thus, the multiple frequency hopping positions may be the starting RB, the starting RB+20, the starting RB+40, and the starting RB+60.

[0078] In another preferred embodiment, the configuration information may be used for a third frequency hopping mode. In this case, the configuration information may indicate a frequency offset list. For illustrative purposes, the frequency offset list may be {0, 20, 40, 60}. Thus, the multiple frequency hopping positions may be the starting RB, starting RB+20, starting RB+40, and starting RB+60.

[0079] Terminal device 110-1 may receive a configuration related to a repetitive frequency hopping pattern from network device 120. For example, the configuration may indicate a configurable number "R." The configurable number R may be used to indicate that within R time slots, the channel in one time slot may be inferred from the channel in another time slot. Alternatively, the configurable number R may be used to indicate that the hopping pattern within R time slots is to use the same starting RB and to hop for each R time slot. The configuration may indicate a list of R values.

[0080] Terminal device 110-1 may also receive control information indicating the number of time slots used for one repetition and a different frequency offset between repetitions. For example, the number of time slots may be a specific R from a list of R values. Terminal device 110-1 may determine a 2040 repetition frequency hopping pattern based on the number of time slots, the different frequency offset, and the configuration. This allows for cross-slot channel estimation, thereby improving demodulation performance.

[0081] In another example embodiment, network device 120 may send resource allocation information indicating the type of resource allocation and the number of interleavings. For example, the bit field for the dynamic switching between The most significant bit indicates the resource allocation type. The least significant bit (LSB) of the bit provides the frequency domain resource allocation, where Terminal device 110 - 1 may determine the allocated resources based on the resource allocation type and the interlace number.

[0082] Figure 6 A flow chart of an example method 600 implemented at a network device 120 according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure is shown. For discussion purposes, the method 600 will be described from the perspective of the network device 120.

[0083] At block 610, network device 120 generates configuration information for one or more frequency hopping patterns. In some embodiments, the configuration information may indicate a starting RB for the frequency hopping pattern. The configuration information may also indicate one or more frequency offsets between two hopping frequencies. In this way, frequency diversity is increased, thereby improving coverage.

[0084] In an example embodiment, the configuration information may be for a first frequency hopping pattern. In this case, the configuration information may indicate an initial frequency offset between two frequency hops.

[0085] In another example embodiment, the configuration information may be for a second frequency hopping mode. In this case, the configuration information may indicate multiple frequency offset lists. For example, the configuration information may include a parameter "frequencyHoppingOffsetLists-r17," which represents a SEQUENCE(SIZE(1..4)) of frequencyHoppingOffset-r17. The parameter "frequencyHoppingOffset-r17" may be represented as "SEQUENCE(SIZE(1..maxNrofHopping))OF INTEGER(1..maxNrofPhysicalResourceBlocks-1)."

[0086] In another example embodiment, the configuration information may be for a third frequency hopping mode. In this case, the configuration information may indicate a frequency offset list. For example, the configuration information may include a parameter "frequencyHoppingOffsetLists" that represents a SEQUENCE(SIZE(1..4))OF INTEGER(1..maxNrofPhysicalResourceBlocks-1).

[0087] At step 520, the network device 120 sends configuration information to the terminal device 110-1. For example, the configuration information may be sent via RRC signaling. It should be noted that the configuration information may be sent via any suitable signaling.

[0088] In some embodiments, network device 120 may send control information to terminal device 110-1. In some embodiments, the control information may include an explicit indication (referred to as a "first indication") to indicate the target frequency hopping pattern to be used by terminal device 110-1. For example, one or more bits in the control information may be used to indicate the target frequency hopping pattern. Alternatively, the control information may alternatively or additionally include a second indication related to a set of candidate frequency offsets. For example, for the first frequency hopping pattern, the second indication may indicate a multiple value of the initial frequency offset. Alternatively, for the second frequency hopping pattern, the second indication may include a bit for indicating which frequency offset list from a plurality of frequency offset lists is to be used. Alternatively, the control information may include an implicit indication for indicating the target frequency hopping pattern. For example, if the control information indicates a multiple value of the initial frequency offset, the use of the first frequency hopping pattern may be implicitly indicated. Alternatively, if the control information includes a bit for indicating which frequency offset list from a plurality of frequency offset lists is to be used, the use of the second frequency hopping pattern may be implicitly indicated.

[0089] The network device may send a configuration related to a repetitive frequency hopping pattern to terminal device 110-1. For example, the configuration may indicate a configurable number "R." The configurable number R may be used to indicate that within R time slots, the channel in one time slot may be inferred from the channel in another time slot. Alternatively, the configurable number R may be used to indicate that the hopping pattern within R time slots is the same starting RB and hopping is performed for each R time slot. The configuration may indicate a list of R values.

[0090] Network device 120 may also transmit control information indicating the number of time slots used for one repetition and a different frequency offset between two repetitions. For example, the number of time slots may be a specific R from a list of R values. Terminal device 110-1 may determine a 2040 repetition frequency hopping pattern based on the number of time slots, the different frequency offset, and the configuration. This allows for cross-slot channel estimation, thereby improving demodulation performance.

[0091] In another example embodiment, network device 120 may send resource allocation information indicating the type of resource allocation and the number of interleavings. For example, the bit field for the dynamic switching between The most significant bit indicates the resource allocation type. The least significant bit (LSB) of the bit provides the frequency domain resource allocation, where is the number of interleavings.

[0092] Figure 7 is a simplified block diagram of a device 700 suitable for implementing embodiments of the present disclosure. The device 700 can be considered as Figure 1 10 and 120. Thus, the device 700 may be implemented at the terminal device 110 or the network device 120 or as at least a part of the terminal device 110 or the network device 120.

[0093] As shown, device 700 includes a processor 710, a memory 720 coupled to processor 710, a suitable transmitter (TX) and receiver (RX) 740 coupled to processor 710, and a communication interface coupled to TX / RX 740. Memory 720 stores at least a portion of a program 730. TX / RX 740 is configured for bidirectional communication. TX / RX 740 has at least one antenna to facilitate communication, but in practice, the access nodes referred to in this application may have multiple antennas. The communication interface may represent any interface required for communication with other network elements, such as an X2 interface for bidirectional communication between eNBs, an S1 interface for communication between a Mobility Management Entity (MME) / Serving Gateway (S-GW) and an eNB, a Un interface for communication between an eNB and a relay node (RN), or a Uu interface for communication between an eNB and a terminal device.

[0094] Assume that the program 730 includes program instructions that, when executed by the associated processor 710, enable the device 700 to operate in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure, as referred to herein. Figures 2 to 6 The embodiments herein may be implemented by computer software executable by the processor 710 of the device 700, or by hardware, or by a combination of software and hardware. The processor 710 may be configured to implement various embodiments of the present disclosure. Furthermore, the combination of the processor 710 and the memory 720 may form a processing component 750 suitable for implementing various embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0095] Memory 720 may be of any type suitable for the local technology network and may be implemented using any appropriate data storage technology, such as, by way of non-limiting example, non-transitory computer-readable storage media, semiconductor-based memory devices, magnetic memory devices and systems, optical memory devices and systems, fixed memory, and removable memory. Although only one memory 720 is shown in device 700, several physically separate memory modules may be present in device 700. Processor 710 may be of any type suitable for the local technology network and, by way of non-limiting example, may include one or more of a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a microprocessor, a digital signal processor (DSP), and a processor based on a multi-core processor architecture. Device 700 may have multiple processors, such as application-specific integrated circuit chips that are time-slave to a clock synchronized with a main processor.

[0096] In general, various embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented in hardware or dedicated circuits, software, logic, or any combination thereof. Some aspects may be implemented in hardware, while other aspects may be implemented in firmware or software that may be executed by a controller, microprocessor, or other computing device. Although various aspects of the embodiments of the present disclosure are illustrated and described as block diagrams, flow charts, or using some other graphical representations, it should be understood that, as non-limiting examples, the blocks, devices, systems, techniques, or methods described herein may be implemented in hardware, software, firmware, dedicated circuits or logic, general-purpose hardware or a controller or other computing device, or some combination thereof.

[0097] The present disclosure also provides at least one computer program product tangibly stored on a non-transitory computer readable storage medium. The computer program product includes computer executable instructions, such as those included in program modules, which are executed in a device on a target real or virtual processor to perform the above-mentioned Figures 2 to 6 In general, program modules include routines, programs, libraries, objects, classes, components, data structures, etc. that perform specific tasks or implement specific abstract data types. In various embodiments, the functionality of program modules can be combined or split between program modules as desired. Machine-executable instructions for program modules can be executed on a local device or on a distributed device. In a distributed device, program modules may be located in local and remote storage media.

[0098] The program code for performing the method of the present disclosure may be written in any combination of one or more programming languages. The program code may be provided to a processor or controller of a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, or other programmable data processing device so that when the program code is executed by the processor or controller, the functions / operations specified in the flow chart and / or block diagram are implemented. The program code may be executed entirely on the machine, partially on the machine, as a stand-alone software package, partially on the machine and partially on a remote machine, or entirely on a remote machine or server.

[0099] The above program code can be embodied on a machine-readable medium, which can be any tangible medium that can contain or store a program for use by or in conjunction with an instruction execution system, device or equipment. The machine-readable medium can be a machine-readable signal medium or a machine-readable storage medium. The machine-readable medium can include, but is not limited to, an electrical, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared or semiconductor system, device or equipment, or any suitable combination of the foregoing. More specific examples of machine-readable storage media will include: an electrical connection with one or more wires, a portable computer disk, a hard disk, a random access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM or flash memory), an optical fiber, a portable compact disk read-only memory (CD-ROM), an optical storage device, a magnetic storage device, or any suitable combination of the foregoing.

[0100] In addition, although each operation is described in a specific order, this should not be understood as requiring that such operations be performed in the specific order shown or in sequence, or that all illustrated operations be performed to achieve the desired result. In some scenarios, multitasking and parallel processing may be advantageous. Similarly, although several specific implementation details are included in the above discussion, these should not be interpreted as limiting the scope of this disclosure, but rather as describing features that may be specific to a particular embodiment. Certain features described in the context of separate embodiments may also be combined in a single embodiment. On the contrary, the various features described in the context of a single embodiment may also be implemented separately in multiple embodiments or in any suitable sub-combination.

[0101] Although the present disclosure has been described in language specific to structural features and / or methodological acts, it should be understood that the present disclosure defined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the specific features or acts described above. Rather, the specific features and acts described above are disclosed as example forms of implementing the claims.

Claims

1. A user equipment (UE), comprising: a receiver configured to receive at least first information indicating a first number of time slots for inter-slot frequency hopping; as well as A processor is configured to determine a starting resource block (RB) during a current time slot within a radio frame based on the following numerical formula: in RB offset Corresponding to the frequency offset between two hop frequencies, RB start corresponding to said starting RB within the bandwidth part BWP, corresponds to the number of physical resource blocks (PRBs) in the initial uplink BWP, n' corresponds to the current slot number within the radio frame, and R corresponds to said first number of time slots.

2. The UE according to claim 1, wherein The uplink channel in a time slot can be inferred from the uplink channel in another time slot within the window.

3. The UE according to claim 2, wherein The length of the window corresponds to the first number of time slots.

4. The UE according to claim 1, wherein The inter-slot frequency hopping is used at least for Physical Uplink Shared Channel (PUSCH) repetition over multiple time slots.

5. A method for a user equipment (UE), the method comprising: receiving at least first information indicating a first number of time slots for inter-slot frequency hopping; as well as The starting resource block (RB) is determined during the current slot within a radio frame based on the following numerical formula: in RB offset Corresponding to the frequency offset between two hop frequencies, RB start corresponding to said starting RB within the bandwidth part BWP, corresponds to the number of physical resource blocks (PRBs) in the initial uplink BWP, n' corresponds to the current slot number within the radio frame, and R corresponds to said first number of time slots.

6. The method according to claim 5, wherein The uplink channel in a time slot can be inferred from the uplink channel in another time slot within the window.

7. The method according to claim 6, wherein The length of the window corresponds to the first number of time slots.

8. The method according to claim 5, wherein The inter-slot frequency hopping is used at least for Physical Uplink Shared Channel (PUSCH) repetition over multiple time slots.

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