Partial frequency detection for wireless communication

Abstract

Various aspects relate to performing sounding on a subset of available sounding resources. A user equipment (UE) may transmit a sounding reference signal (SRS) on a subset of frequency resources available for hopping of an SRS hopping sequence. The UE may be configured to use a subset of frequency resources, or the UE may autonomously identify the subset. A base station may send a bitmap to the UE to indicate the subset of resources to be used for hopping. Each bit of the bitmap may indicate that the UE is to transmit an SRS on a specific RB or on a specific group of RBs. The same subset of resources may be specified for each hop, or different subsets of resources may be specified for different hops. An indication of a subset of resources may be provided for each hop. The subset of resources may be cycled for different hops.

Description

Technical Field

[0001]

[0011] The techniques discussed below relate generally to wireless communications, and more particularly, to techniques for sounding on a subset of available sounding resources. Background Art

[0002] A next-generation wireless communication system (e.g., 5GS) may include a 5G core network and a 5G radio access network (RAN) (e.g., New Radio (NR)-RAN). NR-RAN supports communication via one or more cells. For example, a wireless communication device (e.g., user equipment (UE)) may access a first cell of a first base station (BS) (e.g., gNB) and / or access a second cell of a second base station.

[0003] The base station may schedule access to a cell to support access by multiple UEs. For example, the base station may allocate different resources (eg, time domain resources and frequency domain resources) to different UEs operating within the cell of the base station.

[0004] The UE can send a reference signal to enable the base station to estimate the channel between the UE and the base station. For example, the UE can generate a sounding reference signal (SRS) based on a known sequence and send the SRS on resources allocated by the base station. The base station can then estimate the quality of the uplink channel from the UE based on the SRS. The base station can use this channel estimate to more efficiently allocate resources and / or specify transmission parameters for communication on the channel. Summary of the Invention

[0005] In order to provide a basic understanding of one or more aspects of the present disclosure, an overview of such aspects is provided below. This overview is not a general review of all anticipated features of the present disclosure and is neither intended to identify key or important elements of all aspects of the present disclosure nor to delineate the scope of any or all aspects of the present disclosure. Its sole purpose is to present some concepts of one or more aspects of the present disclosure in a form that serves as a prelude to a more detailed description that will be provided later.

[0006] The base station can allocate a set of frequency resources to be used by the UE to transmit the SRS. These frequency resources can be wideband or defined according to a frequency hopping pattern. For frequency hopping, at the first hop, the UE can transmit the first SRS on a first set of resource blocks (RBs) corresponding to a first frequency range. Subsequently, at the second hop, the UE can transmit the second SRS on a second set of RBs corresponding to a second frequency range, which can be different from the first frequency range. This frequency hopping process can continue for the third hop, the fourth hop, and so on, for all hops defined within the specified SRS bandwidth.

[0007] In some aspects, the present disclosure relates to performing sounding on a subset of available sounding resources. In some examples, the UE transmits on a subset of frequency resources available for a given hop (e.g., the first set of RBs mentioned above) instead of transmitting on all available frequency resources for the hop. For example, if four RBs are available for transmitting SRS for a given hop, the UE may transmit on one RB (e.g., the first RB, the second RB, the third RB, or the fourth RB) for the hop, on two RBs (e.g., the first RB and the second RB, the third RB and the fourth RB, the first RB and the third RB, the first RB and the fourth RB, the second RB and the third RB, or the second RB and the fourth RB), or on three RBs (e.g., the first RB, the second RB, and the third RB; the second RB, the third RB, the fourth RB; the first RB, the second RB, and the fourth RB; or the first RB, the third RB, and the fourth RB).

[0008] The UE may be configured to use a subset of frequency resources, or the UE may autonomously identify the subset. As an example of the first scenario, the base station may send an indication to the UE of the specific subset of resources to be used. As an example of the second scenario, the UE may identify the specific subset of resources to be used based on a defined algorithm (e.g., an algorithm that will also be used by the base station to determine which resources the UE will use) or in some other manner.

[0009] In some examples, the indication of the subset of resources to be used sent by the base station can be in the form of a bitmap. Here, each bit of the bitmap can indicate that the UE is to transmit SRS on a specific RB or on a specific group of RBs. For example, the first bit of the bitmap set to "1" can indicate that the UE is to transmit on the first RB among the RBs available for a specific hop, the second bit of the bitmap set to 1 can indicate that the UE is to transmit on the second RB among the RBs available for the specific hop, and so on. As another example, the first bit of the bitmap set to "1" can indicate that the UE is to transmit on the first RB and the second RB among the RBs available for the specific hop, the second bit of the bitmap set to "1" can indicate that the UE is to transmit on the third RB and the fourth RB among the RBs available for the specific hop, and so on. In other examples, other groups of RBs and / or other types of bitmaps can be used.

[0010] In some examples, the same subset of resources may be specified for each hop. For example, the first hop may send SRS only on the first RB used for the hop, the second hop may send SRS only on the first RB used for the hop, etc. In other examples, other subsets of RBs may be used.

[0011] In some examples, different resource subsets may be designated for different hops. For example, for a first hop, an SRS may be sent only on the first RB used for that hop, for a second hop, an SRS may be sent only on the second RB used for that hop, and so on. In other examples, other subsets of RBs may be used. Furthermore, in different examples, different resource subsets for different hops may be designated in different ways.

[0012] In some examples, a separate indication of a subset of resources is provided for each hop. For example, the base station may send a first bitmap to the UE specifying a subset for a first hop, a second bitmap specifying a subset for a second hop, and so on.

[0013] In some examples, subsets of resources can be cycled for different hops (e.g., subsets can be shifted at each hop). For example, the subset used for the second hop can be a shift of the subset used for the first hop (e.g., a shift of one or more RB positions), the subset used for the third hop can be a shift of the subset used for the second hop, etc. In some examples, an additional indication can specify whether a shift is to be applied at a particular hop.

[0014] In some examples, a method of wireless communication at a user equipment may include: receiving a first configuration; determining a first bandwidth for transmitting a sounding reference signal (SRS) based on the first configuration; receiving a second configuration; determining at least one second bandwidth associated with at least one frequency hop of the SRS based on the second configuration; receiving a third configuration; determining, based on the third configuration, that fewer than all resource blocks in a plurality of resource blocks associated with at least one second bandwidth associated with at least one frequency hop of the SRS are to be used for transmitting the SRS; generating the SRS; and transmitting the SRS to a base station in each of the at least one frequency hop via at least one resource block in the plurality of resource blocks. The at least one resource block may be fewer than all resource blocks in the plurality of resource blocks associated with at least one second bandwidth associated with at least one frequency hop of the SRS. A union of the at least one second bandwidth across the plurality of frequency hops may correspond to the first bandwidth.

[0015] In some examples, a user equipment may include: a transceiver; a memory; and a processor communicatively coupled to the transceiver and the memory. The processor and the memory may be configured to: receive a first configuration via the transceiver; determine a first bandwidth for transmitting a sounding reference signal (SRS) based on the first configuration; receive a second configuration via the transceiver; determine at least one second bandwidth associated with at least one hop frequency of the SRS based on the second configuration; receive a third configuration via the transceiver; determine, based on the third configuration, that fewer than all resource blocks in a plurality of resource blocks associated with at least one second bandwidth associated with at least one hop frequency of the SRS are to be used for transmitting the SRS; generate the SRS; and transmit the SRS to a base station via the transceiver in each hop frequency of the at least one hop frequency via at least one resource block in the plurality of resource blocks. The at least one resource block may be fewer than all resource blocks in the plurality of resource blocks associated with at least one second bandwidth associated with at least one hop frequency of the SRS. The union of the at least one second bandwidth across the plurality of hop frequencies may correspond to the first bandwidth.

[0016] In some examples, a user equipment may include: means for receiving a first configuration; means for determining a first bandwidth for transmitting a sounding reference signal (SRS) based on the first configuration; means for receiving a second configuration; means for determining at least one second bandwidth associated with at least one frequency hop of the SRS based on the second configuration; means for receiving a third configuration; means for determining, based on the third configuration, that fewer than all resource blocks in a plurality of resource blocks associated with at least one second bandwidth associated with at least one frequency hop of the SRS are to be used for transmitting the SRS; means for generating the SRS; and means for transmitting the SRS to a base station in each of the at least one frequency hop via at least one resource block in the plurality of resource blocks. The at least one resource block may be fewer than all resource blocks in the plurality of resource blocks associated with at least one second bandwidth associated with at least one frequency hop of the SRS. A union of the at least one second bandwidth across the plurality of frequency hops may correspond to the first bandwidth.

[0017] In some examples, an article of manufacture for use with a user device includes a computer-readable medium having instructions stored therein executable by one or more processors of the user device to: receive a first configuration; determine a first bandwidth for transmitting a sounding reference signal (SRS) according to the first configuration; receive a second configuration; determine at least one second bandwidth associated with at least one frequency hop of the SRS according to the second configuration; determine less than all resource blocks in a plurality of resource blocks associated with the at least one second bandwidth associated with the at least one frequency hop of the SRS to be used for transmitting the SRS according to a third configuration; generate the SRS; and transmit the SRS to a base station in each of the at least one frequency hop via at least one resource block in the plurality of resource blocks. The at least one resource block may be less than all resource blocks in the plurality of resource blocks associated with the at least one second bandwidth associated with the at least one frequency hop of the SRS. A union of the at least one second bandwidth across the plurality of frequency hops may correspond to the first bandwidth.

[0018] In some examples, receiving the third configuration may include: receiving a medium access control-control element (MAC-CE) including the third configuration, receiving downlink control information (DCI) including the third configuration, or receiving a radio resource control (RRC) message including the third configuration. In some examples, the third configuration may specify the position of at least one resource block within a plurality of resource blocks associated with at least one second bandwidth associated with at least one frequency hop of the SRS. In some examples, the at least one resource block may include at least two resource blocks, and the third configuration may specify the positions of at least two resource blocks within the plurality of resource blocks. In some examples, the third configuration may include a bitmap, a first bit of the bitmap may be mapped to a first subset of the plurality of resource blocks, and a second bit of the bitmap may be mapped to a second subset of the plurality of resource blocks.

[0019] In some examples, a method of wireless communication at a base station may include: generating a first configuration indicating a first bandwidth for transmitting a sounding reference signal (SRS); transmitting the first configuration to a user equipment; generating a second configuration indicating at least one second bandwidth associated with at least one hop frequency of the SRS; transmitting the second configuration to the user equipment; generating a third configuration that specifies that less than all resource blocks of a plurality of resource blocks associated with the at least one second bandwidth associated with the at least one hop frequency of the SRS are to be used for transmitting the SRS; and transmitting the third configuration to the user equipment. A union of the at least one second bandwidth across the plurality of hop frequencies may correspond to the first bandwidth.

[0020] In some examples, a base station may include: a transceiver; a memory; and a processor communicatively coupled to the transceiver and the memory. The processor and the memory may be configured to: generate a first configuration indicating a first bandwidth for transmitting a sounding reference signal (SRS); transmit the first configuration to a user equipment via the transceiver; generate a second configuration indicating at least one second bandwidth associated with at least one hop frequency of the SRS; transmit the second configuration to the user equipment via the transceiver; generate a third configuration that specifies that less than all resource blocks of a plurality of resource blocks associated with at least one second bandwidth associated with at least one hop frequency of the SRS are to be used for transmitting the SRS; and transmit the third configuration to the user equipment via the transceiver. A union of the at least one second bandwidth across the plurality of hop frequencies may correspond to the first bandwidth.

[0021] In some examples, a base station may include: means for generating a first configuration indicating a first bandwidth for transmitting a sounding reference signal (SRS); means for transmitting the first configuration to a user equipment; means for generating a second configuration indicating at least one second bandwidth associated with at least one hop frequency of the SRS; means for transmitting the second configuration to the user equipment; means for generating a third configuration, the third configuration specifying that less than all resource blocks of a plurality of resource blocks associated with the at least one second bandwidth associated with the at least one hop frequency of the SRS are to be used for transmitting the SRS; and means for transmitting the third configuration to the user equipment. A union of the at least one second bandwidth over the plurality of hop frequencies may correspond to the first bandwidth.

[0022] In some examples, an article of manufacture for use with a base station includes a computer-readable medium having instructions stored therein executable by one or more processors of the base station to: generate a first configuration indicating a first bandwidth for transmitting a sounding reference signal (SRS); transmit the first configuration to a user equipment; generate a second configuration indicating at least one second bandwidth associated with at least one hop frequency of the SRS; transmit the second configuration to the user equipment; generate a third configuration specifying less than all resource blocks of a plurality of resource blocks associated with the at least one second bandwidth associated with the at least one hop frequency of the SRS to be used for transmitting the SRS; and transmit the third configuration to the user equipment. A union of the at least one second bandwidth over the plurality of hop frequencies may correspond to the first bandwidth.

[0023] In some examples, a third configuration can be generated to increase SRS signaling capacity. In some examples, a number of bits for the third configuration can be specified to indicate which of a plurality of resource block groups is to be used to transmit the SRS. In some examples, the number of resource blocks can be associated with each bit in a number of bits. In some examples, sending the third configuration can include: sending a medium access control-control element (MAC-CE) including the third configuration, sending downlink control information (DCI) including the third configuration, or sending a radio resource control (RRC) message including the third configuration. In some examples, the third configuration can specify a position of at least one resource block within a plurality of resource blocks associated with at least one second bandwidth associated with at least one frequency hop of the SRS.

[0024] In some examples, a method of wireless communication at a user equipment may include: receiving at least one first sounding reference signal (SRS) configuration; determining, based on the at least one first SRS configuration, a first bandwidth for a first SRS frequency hopping of a plurality of frequency-hopping SRS transmissions; receiving a second SRS configuration; determining, based on the second SRS configuration, that fewer than all resource blocks in a plurality of resource blocks associated with a first bandwidth for the first SRS frequency hopping are to be used for transmitting the first SRS; generating the first SRS; and transmitting the first SRS to a base station via at least one first resource block in the plurality of resource blocks associated with the first bandwidth for the first SRS frequency hopping. The at least one first resource block may be fewer than all resource blocks in the plurality of resource blocks associated with the first bandwidth for the first SRS frequency hopping.

[0025] In some examples, a user equipment may include: a transceiver; a memory; and a processor communicatively coupled to the transceiver and the memory. The processor and the memory may be configured to: receive at least one first sounding reference signal (SRS) configuration via the transceiver; determine a first bandwidth for a first SRS frequency hopping of multiple frequency-hopping SRS transmissions based on the at least one first SRS configuration; receive a second SRS configuration via the transceiver; determine, based on the second SRS configuration, that fewer than all resource blocks in a plurality of resource blocks associated with a first bandwidth for the first SRS frequency hopping are to be used for transmitting the first SRS; generate the first SRS; and transmit the first SRS to a base station via the transceiver via at least one first resource block in the plurality of resource blocks associated with the first bandwidth for the first SRS frequency hopping. The at least one first resource block may be fewer than all resource blocks in the plurality of resource blocks associated with the first bandwidth for the first SRS frequency hopping.

[0026] In some examples, a user equipment may include: means for receiving at least one first sounding reference signal (SRS) configuration; means for determining a first bandwidth for a first SRS frequency hopping of multiple frequency-hopping SRS transmissions based on the at least one first SRS configuration; means for receiving a second SRS configuration; means for determining, based on the second SRS configuration, that fewer than all resource blocks in a plurality of resource blocks associated with a first bandwidth for the first SRS frequency hopping are to be used for transmitting the first SRS; means for generating the first SRS; and means for transmitting the first SRS to a base station via at least one first resource block in the plurality of resource blocks associated with the first bandwidth for the first SRS frequency hopping. The at least one first resource block may be fewer than all resource blocks in the plurality of resource blocks associated with the first bandwidth for the first SRS frequency hopping.

[0027] In some examples, an article of manufacture for use with a user device includes a computer-readable medium having instructions stored therein executable by one or more processors of the user device to: receive at least one first sounding reference signal (SRS) configuration; determine, based on the at least one first SRS configuration, a first bandwidth for a first SRS frequency hopping of a plurality of frequency-hopping SRS transmissions; receive a second SRS configuration; determine, based on the second SRS configuration, that fewer than all resource blocks in a plurality of resource blocks associated with a first bandwidth for the first SRS frequency hopping are to be used for transmitting the first SRS; generate the first SRS; and transmit the first SRS to a base station via at least one first resource block in the plurality of resource blocks associated with the first bandwidth for the first SRS frequency hopping. The at least one first resource block may be fewer than all resource blocks in the plurality of resource blocks associated with the first bandwidth for the first SRS frequency hopping.

[0028] In some examples, a method of wireless communication at a base station may include: generating at least one first sounding reference signal (SRS) configuration, the at least one first SRS configuration indicating a first bandwidth for a first SRS hop for multiple frequency-hopping SRS transmissions; sending the at least one first SRS configuration to a user device; generating a second SRS configuration, the second SRS configuration specifying less than all resource blocks of a plurality of resource blocks associated with the first bandwidth for the first SRS hop to be used for sending the first SRS; and sending the second SRS configuration to the user device.

[0029] In some examples, a base station may include: a transceiver; a memory; and a processor communicatively coupled to the transceiver and the memory. The processor and the memory may be configured to: generate at least one first sounding reference signal (SRS) configuration, the at least one first SRS configuration indicating a first bandwidth for a first SRS frequency hopping of a plurality of frequency-hopping SRS transmissions; transmit the at least one first SRS configuration to a user equipment via the transceiver; generate a second SRS configuration, the second SRS configuration specifying less than all resource blocks of a plurality of resource blocks associated with the first bandwidth for the first SRS frequency hopping to be used for transmitting the first SRS; and transmit the second SRS configuration to the user equipment via the transceiver.

[0030] In some examples, a base station may include: a unit for generating at least one first sounding reference signal (SRS) configuration, the at least one first SRS configuration indicating a first bandwidth for a first SRS hop for multiple frequency-hopping SRS transmissions; a unit for sending the at least one first SRS configuration to a user device; a unit for generating a second SRS configuration, the second SRS configuration specifying that less than all resource blocks of a plurality of resource blocks associated with the first bandwidth for the first SRS hop are to be used for sending the first SRS; and a unit for sending the second SRS configuration to the user device.

[0031] In some examples, an article for use with a base station includes a computer-readable medium having instructions stored therein executable by one or more processors of the base station to: generate at least one first sounding reference signal (SRS) configuration, the at least one first SRS configuration indicating a first bandwidth for a first SRS hop of multiple frequency-hopping SRS transmissions; send the at least one first SRS configuration to a user device; generate a second SRS configuration, the second SRS configuration specifying less than all resource blocks of a plurality of resource blocks associated with the first bandwidth for the first SRS hop to be used for sending the first SRS; and send the second SRS configuration to the user device.

[0032] After reviewing the following detailed description, these aspects and other aspects of the present disclosure will become more fully understood. After reviewing the following description of the specific example embodiments of the present disclosure in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, other aspects, features and embodiments of the present disclosure will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art. Although the features of the present disclosure may be discussed below with respect to certain embodiments and the accompanying drawings, all embodiments of the present disclosure may include one or more features in the advantageous features discussed herein. In other words, although one or more embodiments may be discussed as having certain advantageous features, one or more features in such features can also be used according to the various embodiments of the present disclosure discussed herein. In a similar manner, although example embodiments may be discussed below as device, system or method embodiments, it should be understood that such example embodiments can be implemented in various devices, systems and methods. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0033] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a wireless communication system according to some aspects.

[0034] Figure 2 is a conceptual diagram of an example of a radio access network in accordance with some aspects.

[0035] Figure 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of wireless resources in an air interface utilizing orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) in accordance with some aspects.

[0036] Figure 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of time slots according to some aspects.

[0037] Figure 5 is a conceptual diagram of an example of a sounding reference signal (SRS) use case in accordance with some aspects.

[0038] Figure 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of SRS frequency hopping in accordance with some aspects.

[0039] Figure 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of using a subset of available SRS resources in accordance with some aspects.

[0040] Figure 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of SRS frequency hopping using a subset of available SRS resources in accordance with some aspects.

[0041] Figure 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of a bitmap for indicating a subset of available SRS resources in accordance with some aspects.

[0042] Figure 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of using a cycle to indicate a subset of available SRS resources in accordance with some aspects.

[0043] Figure 11 is a diagram illustrating another example of SRS frequency hopping using a subset of available SRS resources specified by round-robin according to some aspects.

[0044] Figure 12 is a diagram illustrating an example of using selective cycling at different hops to indicate a subset of available SRS resources in accordance with some aspects.

[0045] Figure 13 is a diagram illustrating an example bitmap for indicating resource block groups in accordance with some aspects.

[0046] Figure 14 is a signaling diagram illustrating an example of signaling for indicating fractional frequency sounding in accordance with some aspects.

[0047] Figure 15 is a signaling diagram illustrating another example of signaling for indicating partial frequency sounding in accordance with some aspects.

[0048] Figure 16 is a signaling diagram illustrating another example of signaling for indicating partial frequency sounding in accordance with some aspects.

[0049] Figure 17 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a hardware implementation for a user device employing a processing system according to some aspects.

[0050] Figure 18 is a flow chart of an example process for partial frequency detection in accordance with some aspects.

[0051] Figure 19 is a flow chart of another example process for fractional frequency detection in accordance with some aspects.

[0052] Figure 20 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a hardware implementation for a base station employing a processing system according to some aspects.

[0053] Figure 21 is a flow chart of an example process for configuring fractional frequency sounding in accordance with some aspects.

[0054] Figure 22 is a flow chart of an example process for configuring fractional frequency sounding in accordance with some aspects. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0055] The detailed description set forth below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings is intended as a description of various configurations and is not intended to represent the only configuration in which the concepts described herein may be practiced. For the purpose of providing a comprehensive understanding of the various concepts, the detailed description includes specific details. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that these concepts may be practiced without these specific details. In some cases, well-known structures and components are shown in block diagram form in order to avoid obscuring such concepts.

[0056] Although various aspects and embodiments are described in this application by illustrating some examples, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that additional implementations and use cases can be generated in many different arrangements and scenarios. The innovations described herein can be implemented across many different platform types, devices, systems, shapes, sizes, and packaging arrangements. For example, embodiments and / or uses can be generated via integrated chip embodiments and other devices based on non-module components (e.g., end-user devices, vehicles, communication devices, computing devices, industrial devices, retail / purchase devices, medical devices, devices that enable artificial intelligence, etc.). Although some examples may or may not be specifically for use cases or applications, there can be a variety of applicability of the described innovations. The scope of implementation can range from chip-level or modular components to non-modular, non-chip-level implementations, and further to aggregated, distributed, or OEM devices or systems incorporating one or more aspects of the described innovations. In some actual settings, the devices incorporating the described aspects and features may also necessarily include additional components and features for the implementation and practice of the claimed and described embodiments. For example, the transmission and reception of wireless signals necessarily include several components for analog and digital purposes (e.g., hardware components including antennas, RF chains, power amplifiers, modulators, buffers, processors, interleavers, adders / summers, etc.). It is intended that the innovations described herein can be practiced in a variety of devices, chip-level components, systems, distributed arrangements, end-user devices, etc., having different sizes, shapes, and configurations.

[0057] The various concepts presented throughout this disclosure can be implemented across a wide variety of telecommunication systems, network architectures, and communication standards. Figure 1By way of illustrative example and not limitation, various aspects of the present disclosure are described with reference to a wireless communication system 100. The wireless communication system 100 includes three interacting domains: a core network 102, a radio access network (RAN) 104, and at least one scheduled entity 106. In the following discussion, the at least one scheduled entity 106 may be referred to as a user equipment (UE) 106. The RAN 104 includes at least one scheduling entity 108. In the following discussion, the at least one scheduling entity 108 may be referred to as a base station (BS) 108. By means of the wireless communication system 100, the UE 106 is enabled to perform data communications with an external data network 110, such as, but not limited to, the Internet.

[0058] The RAN 104 may implement any one or more suitable wireless communication technologies to provide radio access to the UE 106. As one example, the RAN 104 may operate in accordance with the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) New Radio (NR) specifications (often referred to as 5G). As another example, the RAN 104 may operate in accordance with a hybrid of 5G NR and Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access Network (eUTRAN) standards (often referred to as LTE). 3GPP refers to this hybrid RAN as the Next Generation RAN, or NG-RAN. Of course, many other examples may be utilized within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0059] As shown, the RAN 104 includes multiple base stations 108. In broad terms, a base station is a network element in a radio access network that is responsible for radio transmission and reception to or from a UE in one or more cells. In different technologies, standards, or contexts, those skilled in the art may refer to a base station as a base transceiver station (BTS), a radio base station, a radio transceiver, a transceiver functional unit, a basic service set (BSS), an extended service set (ESS), an access point (AP), a node B (NB), an evolved node B (eNB), a gNode B (gNB), a transmit receive point (TRP), or some other appropriate terminology. In some examples, a base station may include two or more TRPs that may be co-located or non-co-located. The TRPs may communicate on the same carrier frequency or on different carrier frequencies within the same frequency band or different frequency bands.

[0060] Radio access network 104 is also shown as supporting wireless communications for multiple mobile devices. In the 3GPP standard, a mobile device may be referred to as a user equipment (UE), but may also be referred to by those skilled in the art as a mobile station (MS), subscriber station, mobile unit, subscriber unit, wireless unit, remote unit, mobile device, wireless device, wireless communication device, remote device, mobile subscriber station, access terminal (AT), mobile terminal, wireless terminal, remote terminal, handset, terminal, user agent, mobile client, client, or some other appropriate terminology. A UE may be a device that provides a user with access to network services.

[0061] Within this document, a "mobile" device does not necessarily need to have the ability to move and can be stationary. The term mobile device or mobile device broadly refers to a wide variety of devices and technologies. A UE may include several hardware structural components whose size, shape, and arrangement are used to facilitate communication; such components may include antennas, antenna arrays, RF chains, amplifiers, one or more processors, etc. that are electrically coupled to each other. For example, some non-limiting examples of mobile devices include mobile stations, cellular (cell) phones, smartphones, Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) phones, laptops, personal computers (PCs), notebooks, netbooks, smartbooks, tablet devices, personal digital assistants (PDAs), and various embedded systems (e.g., corresponding to the "Internet of Things" (IoT)). In addition, a mobile device may be a car or other means of transportation, a remote sensor or actuator, a robot or robotic device, a satellite radio unit, a global positioning system (GPS) device, an object tracking device, a drone, a multi-rotor helicopter, a quadcopter, a remote control device, a consumer device, and / or a wearable device (such as glasses, wearable cameras, virtual reality devices, smart watches, health or fitness trackers, digital audio players (e.g., MP3 players), cameras, game consoles, etc.). In addition, the mobile device may be a digital home or smart home device, such as home audio, video and / or multimedia equipment, appliances, vending machines, smart lighting, home security systems, smart meters, etc. In addition, the mobile device may be a smart energy device, security equipment, solar panels or solar arrays, municipal infrastructure equipment that controls power (e.g., smart grid), lighting, water use, etc., industrial automation and enterprise equipment, logistics controllers, agricultural equipment, military defense equipment, vehicles, aircraft, ships and weapons, etc. Furthermore, the mobile device may provide connected medicine or telemedicine support (i.e., healthcare at a distance). Telemedicine devices may include telemedicine monitoring devices and telemedicine management devices, whose communications may be given priority processing or priority access relative to other types of information, for example, in terms of priority access for the transmission of critical service data and / or associated QoS for the transmission of critical service data.

[0062] The wireless communication between RAN 104 and UE 106 can be described as utilizing an air interface. Transmissions from a base station (e.g., base station 108) to one or more UEs (e.g., UE 106) over the air interface can be referred to as downlink (DL) transmissions. According to certain aspects of the present disclosure, the term downlink can refer to point-to-multipoint transmissions originating from a scheduling entity (described further below; e.g., base station 108). Another way to describe this scheme can be to use the term broadcast channel multiplexing. Transmissions from a UE (e.g., UE 106) to a base station (e.g., base station 108) can be referred to as uplink (UL) transmissions. According to further aspects of the present disclosure, the term uplink can refer to point-to-point transmissions originating from a scheduled entity (described further below; e.g., UE 106).

[0063] In some examples, access to the air interface can be scheduled, wherein a scheduling entity (e.g., base station 108) allocates resources for communication among some or all devices and apparatuses within its service area or cell. Within the present disclosure, as discussed further below, a scheduling entity can be responsible for scheduling, assigning, reconfiguring, and releasing resources for one or more scheduled entities. That is, for scheduled communications, UE 106 (which can be a scheduled entity) can utilize resources allocated by scheduling entity 108.

[0064] Base station 108 is not the only entity that can act as a scheduling entity. That is, in some examples, a UE can act as a scheduling entity that schedules resources for one or more scheduled entities (e.g., one or more other UEs).

[0065] like Figure 1 As shown, the scheduling entity 108 can broadcast downlink traffic 112 to one or more scheduled entities 106. Broadly speaking, the scheduling entity 108 is a node or device responsible for scheduling traffic in the wireless communication network, including downlink traffic 112 and, in some examples, uplink traffic 116 from one or more scheduled entities 106 to the scheduling entity 108. On the other hand, the scheduled entity 106 is a node or device that receives downlink control information 114 (including, but not limited to, scheduling information (e.g., grants), synchronization or timing information, or other control information) from another entity in the wireless communication network, such as the scheduling entity 108.

[0066] In addition, uplink and / or downlink control information and / or traffic information can be divided into frames, subframes, time slots and / or symbols by time. As used herein, a symbol can refer to a time unit in which each carrier carries a resource element (RE) in an orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) waveform. A time slot can carry 7 or 14 OFDM symbols. A subframe can refer to a duration of 1ms. Multiple subframes or time slots can be grouped together to form a single frame or radio frame. Of course, these definitions are not required, and any appropriate scheme for organizing a waveform can be utilized, and the various time divisions of a waveform can have any appropriate duration.

[0067] Typically, base stations 108 may include a backhaul interface for communicating with a backhaul portion 120 of a wireless communication system. Backhaul 120 may provide a link between base stations 108 and core network 102. Furthermore, in some examples, a backhaul network may provide interconnections between respective base stations 108. Various types of backhaul interfaces may be employed, such as a direct physical connection, a virtual network, or a backhaul interface using any suitable transport network.

[0068] The core network 102 may be part of the wireless communication system 100 and may be independent of the radio access technology used in the RAN 104. In some examples, the core network 102 may be configured according to 5G standards (e.g., 5GC). In other examples, the core network 102 may be configured according to 4G Evolved Packet Core (EPC) or any other appropriate standard or configuration.

[0069] Now refer to Figure 2 , by way of example and not limitation, a schematic diagram of a RAN 200 is provided. In some examples, the RAN 200 may be similar to the one described above and in Figure 1 The geographic area covered by the RAN 200 may be divided into a number of cellular regions (cells) that a user equipment (UE) can uniquely identify based on an identity broadcast from an access point or base station. Figure 2 Macro cells 202, 204, and 206, and small cell 208 are shown, each of which may include one or more sectors (not shown). A sector is a sub-area of ​​a cell. All sectors within a cell are served by the same base station. Radio links within a sector can be identified by a single logical identifier belonging to that sector. In a cell divided into multiple sectors, the multiple sectors within the cell may be formed by multiple groups of antennas, each of which is responsible for communicating with UEs in a portion of the cell.

[0070] Various base station arrangements can be utilized. For example, Figure 2, two base stations 210 and 212 are shown in cells 202 and 204; and a third base station 214 is shown as being used to control a remote radio head (RRH) 216 in cell 206. That is, the base stations may have integrated antennas or may be connected to antennas or RRHs via feeder cables. In the example shown, cells 202, 204, and 206 may be referred to as macro cells because base stations 210, 212, and 214 support cells having large sizes. In addition, base station 218 is shown in a small cell 208 (e.g., a micro cell, a pico cell, a femto cell, a home base station, a home node B, a home eNodeB, etc.), which may overlap with one or more macro cells. In this example, cell 208 may be referred to as a small cell because base station 218 supports cells having relatively small sizes. Cell size settings may be made based on system design and component constraints.

[0071] It will be understood that the radio access network 200 may include any number of wireless base stations and cells. In addition, relay nodes may be deployed to extend the size or coverage area of ​​a given cell. Base stations 210, 212, 214, 218 provide wireless access points to the core network for any number of mobile devices. In some examples, base stations 210, 212, 214, and / or 218 may be similar to those described above and in Figure 1 The base station / scheduling entity 108 shown in FIG.

[0072] Within the RAN 200, cells may include UEs that may communicate with one or more sectors of each cell. Furthermore, each base station 210, 212, 214, and 218 may be configured to provide connectivity to the core network (e.g., as in FIG) for all UEs in the corresponding cell. Figure 1 For example, UEs 222 and 224 may communicate with base station 210; UEs 226 and 228 may communicate with base station 212; UEs 230 and 232 may communicate with base station 214 by way of RRH 216; and UE 234 may communicate with base station 218. In some examples, UEs 222, 224, 226, 228, 230, 232, 234, 238, 240, and / or 242 may communicate with the base stations described above and in the accompanying drawings. Figure 1 The UE / scheduled entity 106 shown in FIG. 1 is the same as that shown in FIG.

[0073] In some examples, an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) 220 (which may be a drone or a quadcopter) may be a mobile network node and may be configured to act as a UE. For example, UAV 220 may operate within cell 202 by communicating with base station 210. In some examples, UAV 220 may be configured to act as a base station. That is, in some examples, a cell may not necessarily be stationary, and the geographic area of ​​the cell may move depending on the location of a mobile base station (such as UAV 220).

[0074] In the radio access network 200, the ability of a UE to communicate while moving (independent of its location) is called mobility. The various physical channels between the UE and the radio access network are usually established, maintained, and released under the control of the Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF). Figure 2 The UE may include a Security Context Management Function (SCMF) that manages security contexts for both control plane and user plane functions and a Security Anchor Function (SEAF) that performs authentication.

[0075] Radio access network 200 can utilize either DL-based mobility or UL-based mobility to implement mobility and handover (i.e., the transfer of a UE's connection from one radio channel to another). In a network configured for DL-based mobility, during a call with a scheduling entity, or at any other time, a UE can monitor various parameters of the signal from its serving cell and various parameters of neighboring cells. Based on the quality of these parameters, the UE can maintain communication with one or more of the neighboring cells. During this time, if the UE moves from one cell to another, or if the signal quality from a neighboring cell exceeds the signal quality from the serving cell for a given amount of time, the UE can perform a handoff or handover from the serving cell to the neighboring (target) cell. For example, UE 224 (illustrated as a vehicle, but any suitable form of UE may be used) can move from the geographic area corresponding to its serving cell 202 to the geographic area corresponding to neighboring cell 206. When the signal strength or quality from neighboring cell 206 exceeds the signal strength or quality of its serving cell 202 for a given amount of time, UE 224 can send a report message to its serving base station 210 indicating this condition. In response, UE 224 may receive a handover command, and the UE may proceed with handover to cell 206 .

[0076] In a network configured for UL-based mobility, the network can utilize the UL reference signal from each UE to select a serving cell for each UE. In some examples, base stations 210, 212, and 214 / 216 can broadcast a unified synchronization signal (e.g., a unified primary synchronization signal (PSS), a unified secondary synchronization signal (SSS), and a unified physical broadcast channel (PBCH)). UEs 222, 224, 226, 228, 230, and 232 can receive the unified synchronization signal, derive carrier frequency and slot timing based on the synchronization signal, and send an uplink pilot or reference signal in response to the derived timing. The uplink pilot signal sent by a UE (e.g., UE 224) can be received simultaneously by two or more cells (e.g., base stations 210 and 214 / 216) within the radio access network 200. Each of these cells may measure the strength of the pilot signal, and the radio access network (e.g., base stations 210 and 214 / 216 and / or one or more of the central nodes within the core network) may determine a serving cell for UE 224. As UE 224 moves through radio access network 200, the network may continue to monitor the uplink pilot signals sent by UE 224. When the signal strength or quality of the pilot signal measured by a neighboring cell exceeds the signal strength or quality measured by the serving cell, network 200 may handover UE 224 from the serving cell to the neighboring cell with or without notifying UE 224.

[0077] Although the synchronization signal transmitted by base stations 210, 212, and 214 / 216 may be uniform, the synchronization signal may not identify a specific cell, but may identify a region of multiple cells operating on the same frequency and / or with the same timing. The use of regions in 5G networks or other next-generation communication networks implements an uplink-based mobility framework and improves the efficiency of both the UE and the network because the number of mobility messages that need to be exchanged between the UE and the network can be reduced.

[0078] In various implementations, the air interface in the radio access network 200 can utilize licensed spectrum, unlicensed spectrum, or shared spectrum. Licensed spectrum generally provides exclusive use of a portion of the spectrum with the help of a mobile network operator purchasing a license from a government regulator. Unlicensed spectrum provides shared use of a portion of the spectrum without the need for a government-granted license. While it is generally still required to comply with some technical regulations to access unlicensed spectrum, generally, any operator or device can gain access. Shared spectrum can fall between licensed and unlicensed spectrum, where technical regulations or restrictions may be required to access the spectrum, but the spectrum can still be shared by multiple operators and / or multiple RATs. For example, the holder of a license for a portion of licensed spectrum can provide licensed shared access (LSA) to share the spectrum with other parties (e.g., with appropriate licensee-determined conditions to obtain access).

[0079] The electromagnetic spectrum is typically subdivided into various categories, bands, channels, etc. based on frequency / wavelength. In 5G NR, two initial operating bands have been identified with the frequency range names FR1 (410 MHz - 7.125 GHz) and FR2 (24.25 GHz - 52.6 GHz). Frequencies between FR1 and FR2 are typically referred to as mid-band frequencies. Although a portion of FR1 is greater than 6 GHz, FR1 is often (interchangeably) referred to as the "Sub-6 GHz" band in various documents and articles. Similar naming issues sometimes arise with respect to FR2, which is often (interchangeably) referred to as the "millimeter wave" band in documents and articles, although it is different from the extremely high frequency (EHF) band (30 GHz - 300 GHz), which is identified as the "millimeter wave" band by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU).

[0080] In view of the above, unless otherwise specified, it should be understood that the term "sub-6 GHz" and the like (if used herein) can broadly refer to frequencies that may be less than 6 GHz, may be within FR1, or may include mid-band frequencies. In addition, unless otherwise specified, it should be understood that the term "millimeter wave" and the like (if used herein) can broadly refer to frequencies that may be less than 6 GHz, may be within FR1, or may include mid-band frequencies.

[0081] The air interface in the radio access network 200 may utilize one or more multiplexing and multiple access algorithms to enable simultaneous communication of various devices. For example, the 5G NR specification utilizes orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) with a cyclic prefix (CP) to provide multiple access for UL transmissions from UEs 222 and 224 to the base station 210, as well as multiplexing for DL ​​transmissions from the base station 210 to one or more UEs 222 and 224. In addition, for UL transmissions, the 5G NR specification provides support for discrete Fourier transform spread OFDM (DFT-s-OFDM) with CP (also known as single carrier FDMA (SC-FDMA)). However, within the scope of the present disclosure, multiplexing and multiple access are not limited to the above schemes and may be provided using time division multiple access (TDMA), code division multiple access (CDMA), frequency division multiple access (FDMA), sparse code multiple access (SCMA), resource spread multiple access (RSMA), or other appropriate multiple access schemes. Furthermore, multiplexing of DL transmissions from base station 210 to UEs 222 and 224 may be provided using time division multiplexing (TDM), code division multiplexing (CDM), frequency division multiplexing (FDM), orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM), sparse code multiplexing (SCM), or other suitable multiplexing schemes.

[0082] The air interface in the radio access network 200 may also utilize one or more duplex algorithms. Duplex refers to a point-to-point communication link in which two endpoints can communicate with each other in both directions. Full-duplex means that two endpoints can communicate with each other simultaneously. Half-duplex means that only one endpoint can send information to the other endpoint at a given time. Half-duplex emulation is often implemented for wireless links using time division duplexing (TDD). In TDD, transmissions in different directions on a given channel are separated from each other using time division multiplexing. That is, at some times, the channel is dedicated to transmission in one direction, while at other times, the channel is dedicated to transmission in the other direction, where the direction can change very quickly (e.g., several times per time slot). In wireless links, full-duplex channels typically rely on physical isolation of the transmitter and receiver and appropriate interference cancellation techniques. Full-duplex emulation is often implemented for wireless links using frequency division duplexing (FDD) or space division duplexing (SDD). In FDD, transmissions in different directions operate at different carrier frequencies. In SDD, transmissions in different directions on a given channel are separated from each other using spatial division multiplexing (SDM). In other examples, full-duplex communication can be implemented within an unpaired spectrum (e.g., within a single carrier bandwidth), where transmissions in different directions occur within different sub-bands of the carrier bandwidth. This type of full-duplex communication may be referred to as sub-band full-duplex (SBFD), also known as flexible duplexing.

[0083] In another aspect of RAN 200, sidelink signals can be used between UEs without having to rely on scheduling or control information from a base station. For example, two or more UEs (e.g., UE 226 and 228) can communicate with each other using peer-to-peer (P2P) or sidelink signals 227 without relaying the communication through a base station (e.g., base station 212). In another example, UE 238 is shown communicating with UEs 240 and 242. Here, UE 238 can act as a scheduling entity or a primary sidelink device, and UEs 240 and 242 can act as scheduled entities or non-primary (e.g., auxiliary) sidelink devices. In another example, a UE can act as a scheduling entity in a device-to-device (D2D), peer-to-peer (P2P), or vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) network and / or in a mesh network. In the mesh network example, UEs 240 and 242 can optionally communicate directly with each other in addition to communicating with UE 238 (e.g., acting as a scheduling entity). Thus, in a wireless communication system having scheduled access to time-frequency resources and having a cellular configuration, a P2P configuration, or a mesh configuration, a scheduling entity and one or more scheduled entities can communicate using the scheduled resources. In some examples, sidelink signals 227 include sidelink traffic (e.g., a physical sidelink shared channel) and sidelink control (e.g., a physical sidelink control channel).

[0084] In some examples, two or more UEs (e.g., UEs 226 and 228) within the coverage area of ​​serving base station 212 can communicate with base station 212 using both cellular signals and with each other using direct link signals (e.g., sidelink signals 227) without relaying the communications through the base station. In an example of a V2X network within the coverage area of ​​base station 212, base station 212 and / or one or both of UEs 226 and 228 can act as a scheduling entity to schedule sidelink communications between UEs 226 and 228.

[0085] Various aspects of the present disclosure will be described with reference to OFDM waveforms. Figure 3 An example of an OFDM waveform is schematically shown in FIG. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that various aspects of this disclosure can be applied to SC-FDMA waveforms in substantially the same manner as described herein below. That is, while some examples of this disclosure may focus on OFDM links for clarity, it will be appreciated that the same principles can also be applied to SC-FDMA waveforms.

[0086] Now refer to Figure 3, shows an expanded view of an example DL subframe (SF) 302A showing an OFDM resource grid 304. However, as those skilled in the art will readily appreciate, the physical layer (PHY) transmission structure used for any particular application may differ from the examples described herein depending on any number of factors. Here, time is in the horizontal direction, in units of OFDM symbols, and frequency is in the vertical direction, in units of subcarriers. 5G NR supports scalable numerology, where different numerology can be used for different RF spectra, different bandwidths, etc. For example, a subcarrier spacing (SCS) of 15kHz, 30kHz, 60kHz, etc. can be used in different scenarios.

[0087] Resource grid 304 can be used to schematically represent the time-frequency resources used for a given antenna port. That is, in a multiple-input, multiple-output (MIMO) implementation with multiple available antenna ports, corresponding multiple resource grids 304 can be available for communication. Resource grid 304 is divided into multiple resource elements (REs) 306. An RE (which is 1 carrier x 1 symbol) is the smallest discrete portion of the time-frequency grid and contains a single complex value representing data from a physical channel or signal. Depending on the modulation utilized in a particular implementation, each RE can represent one or more bits of information. In some examples, a block of REs can be referred to as a physical resource block (PRB), or more simply, a resource block (RB) 308, which contains any suitable number of consecutive subcarriers in the frequency domain. In one example, an RB can include 12 subcarriers, regardless of the digital scheme used. In some examples, depending on the digital scheme, an RB can include any suitable number of consecutive OFDM symbols in the time domain. Within this disclosure, it is assumed that a single RB (such as RB 308) corresponds entirely to a single direction of communication (either transmit or receive for a given device).

[0088] Scheduling a UE (e.g., a scheduled entity) for downlink, uplink, or sidelink transmissions typically involves scheduling one or more resource elements 306 within one or more subbands or bandwidth parts (BWPs). Each BWP may include two or more contiguous or consecutive RBs. Thus, a UE typically utilizes only a subset of the resource grid 304. In some examples, an RB may be the smallest unit of resources that can be allocated to a UE. Therefore, the more RBs scheduled for a UE and the higher the modulation scheme selected for the air interface, the higher the data rate for the UE. RBs may be scheduled by a base station (e.g., gNB, eNB, RSU, etc.) or may be self-scheduled by the UE enabling D2D sidelink communication.

[0089] In this diagram, RB 308 is shown as occupying less than the entire bandwidth of subframe 302A, with some subcarriers shown above and below RB 308. In a given implementation, subframe 302A may have a bandwidth corresponding to any number of one or more RBs 308. Furthermore, in this diagram, while RB 308 is shown as occupying less than the entire duration of subframe 302A, this is merely one possible example.

[0090] Each 1ms subframe 302A may include one or more adjacent time slots. Figure 3 In the example shown in , a subframe 302B includes four time slots 310 as an illustrative example. In some examples, a time slot can be defined according to a specified number of OFDM symbols with a given cyclic prefix (CP) length. For example, a time slot can include 7 or 14 OFDM symbols with a nominal CP. Additional examples may include mini-slots with shorter durations (e.g., one or two OFDM symbols). In some cases, these mini-slots can be sent occupying resources scheduled for ongoing time slot transmissions for the same UE or for different UEs. Any number of resource blocks can be utilized within a subframe or time slot.

[0091] An expanded view of one of the time slots 310 shows that the time slot 310 includes a control region 312 and a data region 314. Typically, the control region 312 may carry a control channel (e.g., PDCCH), and the data region 314 may carry a data channel (e.g., PDSCH or PUSCH). Of course, a time slot may contain all DL, all UL, or at least one DL portion and at least one UL portion. Figure 3 The structure shown in is merely an example, and a different slot structure may be utilized, and the different slot structure may include one or more regions in each of the control region and the data region.

[0092] Despite Figure 3 Although not shown, each RE 306 within an RB 308 may be scheduled to carry one or more physical channels (including a control channel, a shared channel, a data channel, etc.). Other REs 306 within an RB 308 may also carry pilot or reference signals, including but not limited to a demodulation reference signal (DMRS), a control reference signal (CRS), or a sounding reference signal (SRS). These pilot or reference signals may enable a receiving device to perform channel estimation for the corresponding channel, which may enable coherent demodulation / detection of the control and / or data channels within the RB 308.

[0093] In some examples, time slot 310 may be used for broadcast or unicast communication. In a V2X or D2D network, broadcast communication may refer to point-to-multipoint transmission from one device (e.g., a vehicle, a base station (e.g., RSU, gNB, eNB, etc.), a UE, or other similar device) to other devices. Unicast communication may refer to point-to-point transmission from one device to a single other device.

[0094] In one example, the control region 312 of the time slot 310 may include a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH), which includes downlink control information (DCI) sent by a base station (e.g., gNB, eNB, RSU, etc.) to one or more UEs in a set of UEs, which may include one or more sidelink devices (e.g., V2X / D2D devices). In some examples, the DCI may include synchronization information, which is used to synchronize communications performed by multiple sidelink devices on the sidelink channel. In addition, the DCI may include scheduling information, which indicates one or more resource blocks within the control region 312 and / or the data region 314 that are allocated to the sidelink device for sidelink communication. For example, the control region 312 of the time slot may also include control information sent by the sidelink device on the sidelink channel, while the data region 314 of the time slot 310 may include data sent by the sidelink device on the sidelink channel. In some examples, control information may be sent within a physical sidelink control channel (PSCCH), while data may be sent within a physical sidelink shared channel (PSSCH).

[0095] In a DL transmission (e.g., over a Uu interface), a transmitting device (e.g., a scheduling entity) may allocate one or more REs 306 (e.g., within a control region 312) to carry DL control information for one or more scheduled entities, including one or more DL control channels (e.g., PBCH and / or Physical Downlink Control Channel (PDCCH), etc.). The transmitting device may also allocate one or more REs 306 to carry other DL signals, such as DMRS, Phase Tracking Reference Signal (PT-RS), Channel State Information-Reference Signal (CSI-RS), Primary Synchronization Signal (PSS), and Secondary Synchronization Signal (SSS).

[0096] The PDCCH may carry downlink control information (DCI), including but not limited to power control commands, scheduling information, grants and / or assignments of REs for DL ​​transmission and UL transmission. The PHY carries HARQ feedback transmissions, such as acknowledgments (ACKs) or negative acknowledgments (NACKs). HARQ is a technology well known to those skilled in the art, in which the integrity of packet transmissions may be checked for accuracy on the receiving side, for example, using any appropriate integrity check mechanism, such as a checksum or a cyclic redundancy check (CRC). If the integrity of the transmission is confirmed, an ACK may be sent, whereas if the integrity of the transmission is not confirmed, a NACK may be sent. In response to a NACK, the transmitting device may send a HARQ retransmission, which may enable append combining, incremental redundancy, and the like.

[0097] In an UL transmission (e.g., over a Uu interface), a transmitting device (e.g., a scheduled entity) may utilize one or more REs 306 to carry UL control information including one or more UL control channels, such as a physical uplink control channel (PUCCH), to a scheduling entity. The UL control information may include a variety of packet types and categories, including pilots, reference signals, and information configured to enable or assist in decoding uplink data transmissions. For example, the UL control information may include a DMRS or an SRS. In some examples, the control information may include a scheduling request (SR), i.e., a request for a scheduling entity to schedule an uplink transmission. Here, in response to the SR sent on the control channel, the scheduling entity may send downlink control information, which may schedule resources for uplink packet transmission. The UL control information may also include HARQ feedback, channel state feedback (CSF), or any other appropriate UL control information.

[0098] In addition to control information, one or more REs 306 (e.g., within the data region 314) may also be allocated for user data or traffic data. Such traffic may be carried on one or more traffic channels (e.g., PDSCH for DL ​​transmissions or Physical Uplink Shared Channel (PUSCH) for UL transmissions). In some examples, one or more REs 306 within the data region 314 may be configured as a SIB (e.g., SIB1), which carries system information that may enable access to a given cell.

[0099] The physical channels described above are typically multiplexed and mapped to transport channels for processing at the medium access control (MAC) layer. Transport channels carry blocks of information called transport blocks (TBs). The transport block size (TBS), which may correspond to the number of bits of information, may be a controlled parameter based on the modulation and coding scheme (MCS) and the number of RBs in a given transmission.

[0100] References Figure 1-3 The channels or carriers described are not necessarily all of the channels or carriers that may be utilized between a scheduling entity and a scheduled entity, and one of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that other channels or carriers may be utilized in addition to those shown, such as other traffic, control, and feedback channels.

[0101] A UE can send a sounding reference signal (SRS) to a base station over a specific bandwidth to enable the base station to estimate the uplink channel over that bandwidth. In this way, the base station can better schedule uplink transmissions from the UE (e.g., the base station can select which frequency band the UE will use for uplink transmissions).

[0102] The base station may allocate frequency resources to be used by the UE to transmit the SRS. For example, the base station may send SRS configuration information to the UE, which specifies the SRS resources and other parameters to be used by the UE to transmit the SRS.

[0103] NR supports NR SRS resources that span adjacent symbols. In NR Release 15, in a time slot (such as Figure 4 SRS is sent in the last 6 symbols of a representative time slot (as shown in 400 of FIG). Here, the SRS resource can span 1, 2, or 4 adjacent symbols. In this case, SRS is sent after PUSCH in that time slot. In NR Release 16, SRS can be sent in the last 6 symbols of a time slot (as shown in FIG). Figure 4 The SRS may be transmitted in any symbol of the symbol in the representative time slot 400. Here, the SRS resource may span up to 12 adjacent symbols.

[0104] The base station can configure one or more SRS resource sets (e.g., two SRS resource sets) for the UE. The SRS resource set specifies the set of SRS resources to be used by the UE to transmit the SRS. In some examples, the UE can use different resource sets for transmission at different symbols. A defined number of antenna ports can be used for each SRS resource. In some examples, a given antenna port can correspond to a specific set of antenna elements and / or other beamforming parameters (e.g., signal phase and / or amplitude). In some examples, all ports of the SRS resource are probed in each symbol of the time slot.

[0105] Figure 5 Diagram 500 shows an example of four SRS resources: SRS resource 1 502, SRS resource 2 504, SRS resource 3 506, and SRS resource 4 508. The SRS resource set may be sent aperiodically (e.g., the base station may indicate the SRS resource set to be used by the UE in a DCI), semi-persistently, or periodically.

[0106] A UE may be configured with multiple SRS resources, which may be grouped into SRS resource sets based on use cases. Examples of SRS use cases include antenna switching-based detection, codebook-based detection, non-codebook-based detection, beam management detection, and positioning detection. For example, Figure 5 504, SRS resource 3 506, and SRS resource 4 508 are grouped for antenna switching based detection 510. Figure 5 In the example of , SRS resources 4508 are also designated for codebook-based sounding 512.

[0107] In some examples, the SRS transmission may be a wideband transmission (e.g., the SRS is transmitted over the entire allocated SRS bandwidth). In some examples, the SRS transmission may be a subband transmission (e.g., the SRS is transmitted over one or more subbands of the allocated SRS bandwidth). In some examples, the SRS bandwidth is defined as a multiple of four PRBs.

[0108] In some examples, the UE may use frequency hopping to transmit the SRS on different subbands. The base station may configure the hopping scheme for each SRS resource set used for the UE. For frequency hopping, the SRS bandwidth may refer to the total bandwidth that will be hopped across all hops (e.g., during a slot, a set of slots, a set of symbols, or some other time span).

[0109] Equation 1 is an example of an algorithm for specifying an SRS frequency hopping sequence. Here, if the hopping bandwidth is less than the total SRS bandwidth (b hop SRS ), then frequency hopping is enabled, and the frequency position index n b (ie, the starting RB position for each hop) is defined by the following equation:

[0110]

[0111] Among them, N b is defined (e.g., by the 3GGP standard),

[0112]

[0113] Parameter m SRS,b Corresponds to the SRS hopping bandwidth (eg, the bandwidth of each hop). Parameter N b is the index of the RB to be used for SRS transmission (eg, the index of the starting point for SRS transmission at each hop). In some examples, the parameter N bhop =1, and N b The value of is irrelevant. SRS ​Counts the number of SRS transmissions (e.g., the number of symbols). Parameter n RRC For the case of SRS resources configured as aperiodic by the higher layer parameter resourceType, the number of SRS transmissions is determined by the number of hops sent in it. Symbol SRS resource time slot To give. The repetition factor is given by the field repetitionFactor contained in the higher layer parameter resourceMapping. For the case of SRS resources configured as periodic or semi-persistent by the higher layer parameter resourceType, for resources that meet The SRS counter is given by Equation 2, where , can be defined (e.g., by the 3GGP standard) in a time slot with a time slot offset T offset The period T in the time slot SRS .

[0114]

[0115] Figure 6 An example of a frequency hopping pattern 600 is shown, in which a first hopping sequence 602 for a first UE (UE1) and a second hopping sequence 604 for a second UE (UE2) are defined. For example, a first hop for the first hopping sequence 602 is indicated by a first RB set 606, a second hop for the first hopping sequence 602 is indicated by a second RB set 608, and so on. Figure 6 , the x-axis represents frequency (eg, RB), and the y-axis represents time (eg, symbol, time slot, etc.).

[0116] If the frequency hopping of SRS is enabled, srs-HoppingBandwidth (e.g., m SRS,b ) is smaller than srs-Bandwidth (e.g., B SRS). If srs-Bandwidth = bw3 and srs-HoppingBandwidth = hbw0 as defined by the 3GPP standard, then SRS bandwidth = 48 PRBs and SRS hopping bandwidth = 4 PRBs. For the first UE (UE1) and the second UE (UE2), the parameter transmissionComb = 0, and for UE1, freqDomainPosition = 0, while for UE2, freqDomainPosition = 2. The parameter transmissionComb controls which subcarriers within each RB are used to transmit SRS. In this example, since srs-Bandwidth is set to 3, the two UEs use four RBs in each subframe for SRS transmission. Here, UE1 is transmitting SRS over the entire bandwidth of interest (SRS bandwidth = 48 PRBs), but not in a single time slot. That is, the bandwidth used for each hop (e.g., m SRS,b ) in the total number of transitions (e.g., n RRC ) corresponds to the total SRS bandwidth (e.g., B SRS ). UE2 operates in a similar manner.

[0117] The base station may send at least one SRS configuration to the UE, the at least one SRS configuration specifying, for example, an SRS bandwidth and an SRS hopping bandwidth to be used by the UE for each configured SRS resource set. SRS ), which targets C SRS Different values ​​of m are used to specify different m for different RB groups SRS,b Therefore, the base station can send an SRS bandwidth configuration (e.g., a specific C SRS value) to configure SRS transmission by the UE.

[0118] In some aspects, the present disclosure relates to fractional frequency sounding. For example, a base station can configure a UE to transmit SRS using only a subset of the RBs available at each hop. In some aspects, fractional frequency sounding can provide more flexibility in SRS frequency resource allocation, allowing SRS transmission for additional UEs within legacy SRS frequency resources. For example, by using fractional frequency sounding, SRS capacity can be increased without impacting legacy UEs currently using SRS resources.

[0119] In some examples, for fractional frequency sounding, the bandwidth used by the UE to send SRS at each hop can be based on three parameters configured by the base station. SRS) defines the total bandwidth to be hopped, SRS hopping bandwidth (e.g., m SRS,b ) specifies the bandwidth available for each hop, and the frequency selectivity indication (e.g., fractional frequency sounding indication) identifies the subset of the SRS hopping bandwidth that will actually be used to transmit SRS at a given hop.

[0120] In some aspects, the present disclosure relates to signaling a frequency selective indication that identifies SRS resources to be used by a UE. In some examples, a base station may send such an indication to a UE via unicast signaling.

[0121] In some examples, the indication may specify to the UE a portion of a frequency resource per SRS resource or per hop. For hopping, the UE will transmit SRS on the indicated sub-hopping frequency resource. In some examples, the sub-hopping frequency resource may be one or more RBs in a set of RBs allocated for SRS hopping.

[0122] In some examples, the sub-hop is fixed across all hops. For example, in each hop, the UE may transmit the SRS in the first RB used for that hop. In this case, the indication may be a local RB index within each hop (e.g., a bitmap corresponding to the first RB, the second RB, etc.). In other examples, other sub-hops (e.g., RBs) may be used. For example, this approach may be advantageous for scenarios where a uniform distribution of SRS across frequency is desired.

[0123] In some examples, a sub-hop loop can be used. Here, the sub-hop used to send the SRS in one hop can be shifted for the next hop. For example, for the first hop, the UE can send the SRS in the first RB for the hop, and for the second hop, the UE can send the SRS in the second RB for the hop, and so on. In other examples, other forms of loops can be used (for example, different ways of shifting for each hop). In some examples, the base station can configure the UE to loop in a specific manner (for example, shifting 1 bit per hop, shifting 2 bits per hop, etc.). In some examples, the UE can be pre-configured to loop in a specific manner. For example, this approach may be advantageous for scenarios where interference mitigation is required for traditional UEs that perform detection across the entire hop bandwidth.

[0124] In different examples, the UE can be configured to use different types of hopping (e.g., fixed RBs for each hop, cyclic RB positions, etc.). In some examples, the UE can be pre-configured to use one type of hopping. In some examples, the base station can signal the UE to use a specific type of hopping.

[0125] In some aspects, the present disclosure relates to different signaling options for sending a partial frequency sounding indication. In some examples, the base station sends the indication via MAC-CE. In some examples, the base station sends the indication via dynamic DCI. In some examples, the base station sends the indication via DCI and RRC messages. In some examples, the type of partial frequency sounding used (e.g., static or cyclic) can depend on the signaling used. In some examples, the UE can be configured to use a specific type of partial frequency sounding (e.g., static or cyclic).

[0126] In some examples, the MAC-CE indicates a bitmap of frequency resources. One bit can be mapped to a group of RBs (e.g., 4 PRBs). This grouping can be used with or without hopping enabled. The number of bits can be configurable. The number of RBs to which each bit is mapped can also be configurable.

[0127] For the optional sub-hopping cycle, multiple bitmaps may be indicated (eg, one bitmap per hopping). Alternatively, a single bitmap may be used for the first hopping in conjunction with cycles for other hopping (eg, bit rotation).

[0128] In some examples, cycling can be enabled or disabled for each transition. For example, given an enable / disable sequence of 0011, if the bitmap is 1000 for the first transition, cycling is not performed for the second transition (sequence bit = 0). Therefore, the bitmap for the second transition is 1000. Cycling is not performed for the third transition (sequence bit = 0). Therefore, the bitmap for the third transition is 1000. Cycling is performed for the fourth transition (sequence bit = 1). Therefore, the bitmap for the fourth transition is 0100. Cycling is performed for the fifth transition (sequence bit = 1). Therefore, the bitmap for the fifth transition is 0010.

[0129] In some examples, a bitmap may be used to activate / deactivate SRS transmission on a per-hop basis. For example, the base station may send a bitmap indication (eg, outer loop on / off hopping indication) in a MAC-CE.

[0130] The above techniques may be applicable to periodic, semi-persistent, and aperiodic SRS resources for all SRS use cases (eg, SRS for positioning, etc.).

[0131] In some examples, the DCI may implicitly or explicitly indicate the frequency resources of the SRS. For example, a method or bitmap similar to frequency domain resource allocation (FDRA) may be used to indicate the RB or RB group to be used for each SRS transmission. In some examples, such an indication may identify the starting RB position and the number of RBs to be used for each hop. In some examples, DCI format 0_1 ​​may be used in scenarios where the DCI does not schedule data transmission. In this case, one or more bits of the DCI (e.g., FDRA) may be repurposed to indicate the frequency resources. Here, the transmit power control (TPC) may be updated accordingly.

[0132] In some examples, SRS can implicitly indicate partial frequency detection. The SRS request field takes the value [00, 01, 10, 11]. Each SRS resource set is associated with a TriggerList, which also takes the value [00, 01, 10, 11]. In some examples, these values ​​can be associated with full frequency detection or partial frequency detection. For example, SRS resources can be associated with TriggerLists of 01 and 10. TriggerList=01 can be associated with partial frequency detection, while TriggerList=10 can be associated with full detection. Therefore, all SRS resources triggered by TriggerList=00 can use partial frequency detection. In some examples, another indication (for example, sent to the UE via RRC configuration) can indicate the specific RBs to be used when partial frequency detection is enabled.

[0133] In some aspects, the present disclosure relates to different techniques for scaling SRS resources and SRS resource sets triggered by DCI. In some examples, the FDRA (or some other set of bits) includes a bit mask for all triggered SRS resources / sets. In some examples, the FDRA, along with other fields, is divided into blocks, where each block specifies the frequency resources for a corresponding SRS resource set. For example, for a 20-bit FDRA and a DCI triggering a set of 4 resources, the 20 bits can be split into 5-bit blocks. The i-th block controls the sub-hop being detected in the i-th resource in the triggered set.

[0134] In some examples, partial frequency detection can be indicated by a single bit in the DCI or RRC configuration flag. When enabled, the SRS resources will be partially frequency detected. In different examples, the sub-hop index can be selected in different ways. In some examples, the UE can randomly select the index (e.g., based on floor(scrambling ID / N_sub-hop)). In this case, the index can be fixed across all hops. As another example, the UE can select the index based on a round-robin scheme across hops and / or using a loop.

[0135] Figure 7 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of using a subset of available SRS resources according to some aspects. Here, a bitmap 702 identifies a subset 704 of RB positions to be used for SRS transmission for hopping of an available RB set 706. In this case, the first bit of the bitmap 702 maps to the first RB (RB0) allocated for hopping, the second bit of the bitmap 702 maps to the second RB (RB1) allocated for hopping, and so on. Given a value

[1100] for the bitmap 702, for a given hop, the UE will transmit SRS on both the first RB (RB0) and the second RB (RB1).

[0136] Figure 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of SRS frequency hopping using a subset of available SRS resources according to some aspects. Here, frequency hopping pattern 800 includes a first hopping sequence 802 for a first UE (UE1), a second hopping sequence 804 for a second UE (UE2), and a third hopping sequence 806 for a third UE (UE3). In some examples, the first UE may be a legacy UE, while the second and third UEs may support fractional frequency sounding. As indicated, for example, by sub-hops 808 and 810 for the second UE, the second UE uses one sub-hop (RB) at each hop to transmit SRS. Furthermore, all hops use the same sub-hop (the first RB allocated for the hop). Similarly, as indicated, for example, by sub-hops 812 and 814 for the third UE, the third UE uses one sub-hop (RB) at each hop to transmit SRS. Furthermore, all hops use the same sub-hop (the fourth RB allocated for the hop).

[0137] Figure 9is a diagram illustrating an example of a bitmap for indicating a subset of available SRS resources according to some aspects. Here, a first bitmap 902 is provided for a first hop, a second bitmap 904 is provided for a second hop, a third bitmap 906 is provided for a third hop, and a fourth bitmap 908 is provided for a fourth hop. Given a value of

[1000] for the first bitmap 902, for the first hop, the UE will transmit SRS on the first RB (RB0). Given a value of

[0100] for the second bitmap 904, for the second hop, the UE will transmit SRS on the second RB (RB1), and so on.

[0138] Figure 10 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of using a cycle to indicate a subset of available SRS resources in accordance with some aspects. Here, the RB position 1002 used for its SRS transmission for a first hop is rotated (shifted) (as indicated by arrow 1004) so ​​that the second hop uses the RB position 1006 for its SRS transmission. Here, for the first hop, the UE will transmit the SRS on the first RB (RB0), for the second hop, the UE will transmit the SRS on the second RB (RB1), and so on. Figure 10 It is also shown that the cyclic pattern may repeat as indicated by arrow 1008. For example, for the fifth hop, the UE will send SRS on the first RB (RB0), for the sixth hop, the UE will send SRS on the second RB (RB1), and so on.

[0139] Figure 11 1 is a diagram illustrating another example of SRS frequency hopping using a subset of available SRS resources designated by a cycle, according to some aspects. Here, a frequency hopping pattern 1100 includes a first hopping sequence 1102 for a first UE (UE1) and a second hopping sequence 1104 for a second UE (UE2). The sub-hops (RBs) used to transmit the SRS shift from hop to hop, as indicated, for example, by sub-hops 1106, 1108, and 1110. Here, for sub-hop 1106, the UE will transmit the SRS on the first RB (RB0), for sub-hop 1108, the UE will transmit the SRS on the second RB (RB1), and so on.

[0140] Figure 12is a diagram illustrating an example of using selective cycling to indicate subsets of available SRS resources at different hops in accordance with some aspects. Here, a hop rotation enable / disable sequence (e.g., a bitmap) 1202 is used to indicate whether sub-hop rotation is applied to a given hop. In this example, as indicated by sub-hops (RBs) 1204, 1206, and 1208, sub-hop rotation is not applied to hops two and three because the bits for hops two and three in the enable / disable sequence 1202 are set to 0. Conversely, sub-hop rotation is applied to hops four and five (e.g., as indicated by arrows 1210 and sub-hop (RB) 1212) because the bits for hops four and five in the enable / disable sequence 1202 are set to 1.

[0141] Figure 13 13 is a diagram illustrating an example bitmap for indicating resource block groups according to some aspects. Here, the first bit of the bitmap 1302 maps to the first RB group of the set of available RBs 1304 for hopping, the second bit of the bitmap 1302 maps to the second RB group of the set of available RBs 1304 for the hopping, and so on.

[0142] Figure 14 1400 is a signaling diagram illustrating an example of SRS-related signaling in a wireless communication system including a base station (BS) 1402 and a UE 1404. In some examples, the BS 1402 may correspond to Figure 1 、 Figure 2 、 Figure 15 、 Figure 16 and Figure 20 In some examples, UE 1404 may correspond to any of the base stations or scheduling entities shown in any of the figures. Figure 1 、 Figure 2 、 Figure 15 、 Figure 16 and Figure 17 Any one of the UEs or scheduled entities shown in any of the figures.

[0143] exist Figure 14 At step 1406, BS 1402 may send SRS resource allocation information to UE 1404. For example, BS 1402 may identify at least one resource set to be used by the UE for SRS transmission, a bandwidth configuration (e.g., hopping parameters) for SRS transmission, and / or other SRS configuration information. In some examples, BS 1402 may send a first configuration specifying an SRS bandwidth to UE 1404. In some examples, BS 1402 may send a second configuration specifying an SRS hopping bandwidth to UE 1404. BS 1402 may send the SRS resource allocation information to UE 1404 via RRC signaling, DCI, MAC-CE, or some other type of signaling.

[0144] At step 1408, BS 1402 elects to use fractional frequency sounding. For example, BS 1402 may determine that a higher SRS capacity is required to adequately serve the UEs under BS 1402. In some examples, the determination may also consider whether the channel to UE 1404 is sufficiently constant (e.g., the channel has low selectivity) such that SRS information for RBs that UE 1404 does not use to transmit SRS (due to fractional frequency sounding) may be interpolated from SRS information received from the UE in other RBs (e.g., RBs adjacent to the RBs that the UE does not use to transmit SRS due to fractional frequency sounding).

[0145] At step 1410, BS 1402 sends a MAC-CE to UE 1404, where the MAC-CE explicitly or implicitly indicates fractional frequency sounding. For example, the MAC-CE may include a bitmap identifying the subset RBs to be used for each hop. Also as mentioned above, the MAC-CE may include a bit mask indicating which SRS resource sets are to use fractional frequency sounding.

[0146] At optional step 1412, BS 1402 may send an RRC configuration that identifies a subset of RBs to be used by UE 1404 for each hop.

[0147] At step 1414, UE 1404 identifies a subset of RBs to use for each hop based on the MAC-CE sent at step 1410, the RRC configuration sent at step 1412, and / or SRS configuration information maintained at UE 1404. In some examples, the SRS configuration information may indicate one or more of how the cycling will occur, how the bitmap is mapped to blocks of RBs, other partial frequency sounding information, or a combination thereof.

[0148] In some examples, UE 1404 may determine the SRS bandwidth to use based on a first configuration (e.g., the SRS resource allocation discussed above) received from base station 1402. In some examples, UE 1404 may determine the SRS hopping bandwidth to use based on a second configuration (e.g., the SRS resource allocation or RRC message discussed above) received from base station 1402. In some examples, UE 1404 may determine the RB to use at each hop based on a third configuration (e.g., the MAC-CE discussed above) received from base station 1402.

[0149] At step 1416, the UE 1404 transmits an SRS at each hop using the subset of RBs identified at step 1414. For example, the UE 1404 may generate an SRS for a specified number of RBs for the hop (e.g., one RB, two RBs, etc.). The UE 1404 may then transmit the SRS on the first RB for the first hop, on the first RB or the second RB for the second hop, and so on.

[0150] At step 1418, BS 1402 may estimate the uplink channel from UE 1404 to BS 1402 based on the SRS received from UE 1404. BS 1402 may then use the channel estimate for subsequent scheduling of UE 1404.

[0151] Figure 15 15 is a signaling diagram 1500 illustrating another example of SRS-related signaling in a wireless communication system including a base station (BS) 1502 and a UE 1504. In some examples, the BS 1502 may correspond to Figure 1 、 Figure 2 、 Figure 14 、 Figure 16 and Figure 20 In some examples, UE 1504 may correspond to any of the base stations or scheduling entities shown in any of the figures. Figure 1 、 Figure 2 、 Figure 14 、 Figure 16 and Figure 17 Any one of the UEs or scheduled entities shown in any of the figures.

[0152] exist Figure 15 At step 1506, BS 1502 may send SRS resource allocation information to UE 1504. In some examples, BS 1502 may send SRS resource allocation information in the same manner as described above. Figure 14 The SRS related information is sent to the UE 1504 in a similar manner as discussed in step 1406 .

[0153] At step 1506, BS 1502 elects to use partial frequency sounding. For example, BS 1502 may perform the same procedure as described above. Figure 14 The operation is similar to the operation discussed at step 1408.

[0154] At step 1510, BS 1502 sends DCI to UE 1504, where the DCI explicitly or implicitly indicates partial frequency sounding. For example, the DCI may include a bitmap that identifies a subset of RBs to be used for each hop. As another example, partial frequency sounding may be indicated based on an SRS request field and an associated TriggerList carried by the DCI, as discussed above. Also as mentioned above, the DCI may include a bit mask indicating which SRS resource sets are to use partial frequency sounding. In addition, in some examples, some of the bits of the DCI (e.g., the FDRA bit when the DCI is not scheduling data transmission) may be repurposed to carry partial frequency sounding information (e.g., a bitmap).

[0155] At optional step 1512, BS 1502 may send an RRC configuration that identifies a subset of RBs to be used by UE 1504 for each hop.

[0156] At step 1514, UE 1504 identifies a subset of RBs to use for each hop based on the DCI sent at step 1510, the RRC configuration sent at step 1512, and / or SRS configuration information maintained at UE 1504. In some examples, the SRS configuration information may indicate one or more of how cycling will occur, a TriggerList association for partial frequency sounding, how a bitmap is mapped to blocks of RBs, other partial frequency sounding information, or a combination thereof.

[0157] In some examples, UE 1504 may determine the SRS bandwidth to use based on a first configuration (e.g., the SRS resource allocation discussed above) received from base station 1502. In some examples, UE 1504 may determine the SRS hopping bandwidth to use based on a second configuration (e.g., the SRS resource allocation or RRC message discussed above) received from base station 1502. In some examples, UE 1504 may determine the RB to use at each hop based on a third configuration (e.g., the MAC-CE discussed above) received from base station 1502.

[0158] At step 1516, the UE 1504 transmits an SRS at each hop using the subset of RBs identified at step 1514. For example, the UE 1504 may generate an SRS for a specified number of RBs for the hop (e.g., one RB, two RBs, etc.). The UE 1504 may then transmit the SRS on the first RB for the first hop, on the first RB or the second RB for the second hop, and so on.

[0159] At step 1518, BS 1502 may estimate the uplink channel from UE 1504 to BS 1502 based on the SRS received from UE 1504. BS 1502 may then use the channel estimate for subsequent scheduling of UE 1504.

[0160] Figure 16 16 is a signaling diagram 1600 illustrating another example of SRS-related signaling in a wireless communication system including a base station (BS) 1602 and a UE 1604. In some examples, the BS 1602 may correspond to Figure 1 、 Figure 2 、 Figure 14 、 Figure 15 and Figure 20 In some examples, UE 1604 may correspond to any of the base stations or scheduling entities shown in any of the figures. Figure 1 、 Figure 2 、 Figure 14 、 Figure 15 and Figure 17 Any one of the UEs or scheduled entities shown in any of the figures.

[0161] exist Figure 16 At step 1606, BS 1602 may send SRS resource allocation information to UE 1604. In some examples, BS 1602 may send SRS resource allocation information in the same manner as described above. Figure 14 The SRS related information is sent to the UE 1604 in a manner similar to that discussed at step 1406.

[0162] At step 1606, BS 1602 elects to use partial frequency sounding. In some examples, BS 1602 may perform the same steps described above. Figure 14 The operation is similar to the operation discussed at step 1408.

[0163] At step 1608, BS 1602 transmits DCI to UE 1604, wherein the DCI indicates that UE 1604 is to use fractional frequency sounding. For example, the DCI may include a bit with a value of "1" indicating that fractional frequency sounding is enabled for UE 1604.

[0164] At optional step 1610, BS 1602 may send an RRC configuration that identifies a subset of RBs to be used by UE 1604 for each hop.

[0165] At step 1612, UE 1604 identifies a specific subset of RBs to use at each hop. In some examples, identification of the subset of RBs is based on an autonomous selection by UE 1604, the RRC configuration sent at step 1612, and / or SRS configuration information maintained at UE 1604. As discussed above, in some examples, autonomous selection by UE 1604 can involve identifying the subset of RBs using a random selection process (e.g., based on a scrambling ID or some other known seed). Also as discussed above, in some examples, autonomous selection by UE 1604 can involve a round-robin selection process for identifying the subset of RBs.

[0166] In some examples, UE 1604 may determine the SRS bandwidth to use based on a first configuration (e.g., the SRS resource allocation discussed above) received from base station 1602. In some examples, UE 1604 may determine the SRS hopping bandwidth to use based on a second configuration (e.g., the SRS resource allocation or RRC message discussed above) received from base station 1602. In some examples, UE 1604 may determine the RB to use at each hop based on a third configuration (e.g., the MAC-CE discussed above) received from base station 1602.

[0167] At step 1614, the UE 1604 transmits an SRS at each hop using the subset of RBs identified at step 1614. For example, the UE 1604 may generate an SRS for a specified number of RBs for the hop (e.g., one RB, two RBs, etc.). The UE 1604 may then transmit the SRS on the first RB for the first hop, on the first RB or the second RB for the second hop, and so on.

[0168] In a scenario where the UE 1604 uses an autonomous selection process (e.g., an algorithm) to identify a specific subset of RBs to use at each hop, the BS 1602 may perform a similar process to identify a specific subset of RBs to use at each hop by the UE 1604. For example, the BS 1602 may use the same random selection process (e.g., based on a scrambling ID or some other known seed) to identify the subset of RBs, use the same round-robin selection process to identify the subset of RBs, etc.

[0169] At step 1616, BS 1602 may estimate the uplink channel from UE 1604 to BS 1602 based on the SRS received from UE 1604. BS 1602 may then use the channel estimate for subsequent scheduling of UE 1604.

[0170] Figure 1717 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a hardware implementation for a UE 1700 employing a processing system 1714. For example, the UE 1700 may be a device configured to communicate wirelessly with a base station, such as in Figure 1-16 In some implementations, UE 1700 may correspond to any one or more of the following figures. Figure 1 、 Figure 2 、 Figure 5-9 、 Figure 12-15 and Figure 16 Any one of the UEs or scheduled entities shown in any of the figures.

[0171] According to various aspects of the present disclosure, an element or any portion of an element or any combination of elements can be implemented using a processing system 1714. The processing system 1714 may include one or more processors 1704. Examples of processors 1704 include microprocessors, microcontrollers, digital signal processors (DSPs), field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), programmable logic devices (PLDs), state machines, gated logic, discrete hardware circuits, and other suitable hardware configured to perform the various functionalities described throughout the present disclosure. In various examples, the UE 1700 can be configured to perform any one or more of the functions described herein. That is, the processor 1704 as utilized in the UE 1700 can be used to implement any one or more of the processes and procedures described herein.

[0172] In some cases, the processor 1704 may be implemented via a baseband or modem chip, while in other implementations, the processor 1704 itself may comprise several devices distinct and separate from the baseband or modem chip (e.g., in scenarios that can work together to implement the embodiments discussed herein). And as mentioned above, various hardware arrangements and components beyond the baseband modem processor may be used in various implementations (including RF chains, power amplifiers, modulators, buffers, interleavers, adders / summers, etc.).

[0173] In this example, processing system 1714 can be implemented using a bus architecture, generally represented by bus 1702. Depending on the specific application and overall design constraints of processing system 1714, bus 1702 can include any number of interconnecting buses and bridges. Bus 1702 communicatively couples various circuits including one or more processors (generally represented by processor 1704), memory 1705, and computer-readable media (generally represented by computer-readable media 1706). Bus 1702 can also link various other circuits such as timing sources, peripherals, voltage regulators, and power management circuits, which are well known in the art and therefore will not be described in any further detail. Bus interface 1708 provides an interface between bus 1702 and transceiver 1710 and between bus 1702 and interface 1730. Transceiver 1710 provides a communication interface or unit for communicating with various other devices over a wireless transmission medium. In some examples, the UE may include two or more transceivers 1710, each transceiver being configured to communicate with a corresponding network type (e.g., terrestrial or non-terrestrial). The interface 1730 provides a communication interface or unit for communicating with various other devices and equipment (e.g., other devices housed in the same device as the UE or other external devices) on an internal bus or external transmission medium (such as an Ethernet cable). Depending on the nature of the device, the interface 1730 may include a user interface (e.g., a keypad, display, speaker, microphone, joystick). Of course, such a user interface is optional and may be omitted in some examples (such as IoT devices).

[0174] The processor 1704 is responsible for managing the bus 1702 and general processing, which includes executing software stored on a computer-readable medium 1706. The software, when executed by the processor 1704, causes the processing system 1714 to perform the various functions described below for any particular device. The computer-readable medium 1706 and memory 1705 may also be used to store data that is manipulated by the processor 1704 when executing the software.

[0175] One or more processors 1704 in the processing system can execute software. Whether referred to as software, firmware, middleware, microcode, hardware description language, or other terms, software should be construed broadly to mean instructions, instruction sets, code, code segments, program code, programs, subroutines, software modules, applications, software applications, software packages, routines, subroutines, objects, executable files, threads of execution, procedures, functions, etc. The software may reside on a computer-readable medium 1706.

[0176] Computer-readable medium 1706 may be a non-transitory computer-readable medium. For example, non-transitory computer-readable media include magnetic storage devices (e.g., hard disks, floppy disks, magnetic tapes), optical disks (e.g., compact discs (CDs) or digital versatile discs (DVDs)), smart cards, flash memory devices (e.g., cards, sticks, or key drives), random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), programmable ROM (PROM), erasable PROM (EPROM), electrically erasable PROM (EEPROM), registers, removable disks, and any other suitable medium for storing software and / or instructions that can be accessed and read by a computer. Computer-readable medium 1706 may be located within processing system 1714, external to processing system 1714, or distributed across multiple entities including processing system 1714. Computer-readable medium 1706 may be embodied in a computer program product. For example, a computer program product may include a computer-readable medium having packaging material. Those skilled in the art will recognize how to best implement the described functionality presented throughout this disclosure based on the specific application and the overall design constraints imposed on the entire system.

[0177] UE 1700 may be configured to perform any one or more of the operations described herein (e.g., as described above in conjunction with Figure 1-16 Described and combined as follows Figure 18 and Figure 19 In some aspects of the present disclosure, the processor 1704, as utilized in the UE 1700, may include circuits configured for various functions.

[0178] Processor 1704 may include communication and processing circuitry 1741. Communication and processing circuitry 1741 may be configured to communicate with a base station, such as a gNB. Communication and processing circuitry 1741 may include one or more hardware components that provide the physical structure for performing various processes related to wireless communication (e.g., signal reception and / or signal transmission) as described herein. Communication and processing circuitry 1741 may also include one or more hardware components that provide the physical structure for performing various processes related to signal processing (e.g., processing received signals and / or processing signals for transmission) as described herein. In some examples, communication and processing circuitry 1741 may include two or more transmit / receive chains, each configured to process signals of a different RAT (or RAN) type. Communication and processing circuitry 1741 may also be configured to execute communication and processing software 1751, contained on computer-readable medium 1706, to implement one or more functions described herein.

[0179] In some examples, the communication and processing circuitry 1741 may be configured to receive and process downlink beamforming signals at mmWave frequencies or sub-6 GHz frequencies via the transceiver 1710 and the antenna array 1720. For example, the communication and processing circuitry 1741 may be configured to receive a corresponding reference signal (e.g., SSB or CSI-RS) on each of a plurality of downlink beams from a base station via at least one first antenna panel of the antenna array 1720 during downlink beam scanning. The communication and processing circuitry 1741 may also be configured to send a beam measurement report to the base station.

[0180] In some examples, communication and processing circuitry 1741 may also be configured to generate an uplink beamforming signal at a mmWave frequency or a sub-6 GHz frequency and transmit the uplink beamforming signal via transceiver 1710 and antenna array 1720. For example, communication and processing circuitry 1741 may be configured to transmit a corresponding reference signal (e.g., an SRS or DMRS) on each of a plurality of uplink beams to a base station via at least one second antenna panel of antenna array 1720 during an uplink beam scan.

[0181] The communication and processing circuit 1741 may also be configured to generate a request and send the request to the base station. For example, the request may be included in a MAC-CE carried in a PUSCH, UCI in a PUCCH or PUSCH, a random access message, or an RRC message. The communication and processing circuit 1741 may also be configured to generate a scheduling request and send the scheduling request to the base station (e.g., via UCI in a PUCCH) to receive an uplink grant for a PUSCH carrying a MAC-CE including a request for uplink beam refinement.

[0182] The communication and processing circuit 1741 may also be configured to generate an uplink signal and transmit the uplink signal on one or more uplink transmit beams applied to the uplink signal. The uplink signal may include, for example, PUCCH, PUSCH, SRS, DMRS, or PRACH.

[0183] The communication and processing circuitry 1741 may also be configured to control the antenna array 1720 and the transceiver 1710 to search for and identify multiple downlink transmit beams during downlink beam scanning. The communication and processing circuitry 1741 may also be configured to obtain, for each of the identified downlink transmit beams, multiple beam measurements for each of the multiple downlink receive beams via the antenna array 1720. The communication and processing circuitry 1741 may also be configured to generate a beam measurement report for transmission to the base station using the communication and processing circuitry 1741.

[0184] The communication and processing circuitry 1741 may also be configured to identify one or more selected uplink beams based on beam measurements obtained from the downlink beam reference signal. In some examples, the communication and processing circuitry 1741 may be configured to compare the respective RSRPs (or other beam measurements) measured for each of the serving downlink transmit beams with each of the downlink receive beams to identify the serving downlink receive beam and further use the serving downlink receive beam as the selected uplink transmit beam. Each serving downlink receive beam may have the highest measured RSRP (or other beam measurement) for one of the downlink transmit beams.

[0185] The communication and processing circuitry 1741 may be configured to generate one or more uplink transmit beams for transmission in an uplink beam sweep. Each uplink transmit beam may carry an uplink reference signal (e.g., an SRS) for measurement by the base station. The communication and processing circuitry 1741 may also be configured to identify a selected uplink transmit beam selected by the base station based on the uplink beam measurement. For example, the communication and processing circuitry 1741 may be configured to receive an indication of the selected uplink transmit beam from the base station.

[0186] In some implementations where communication involves receiving information, the communication and processing circuitry 1741 may obtain information from a component of the UE 1700 (e.g., from a transceiver 1710 that receives information via radio frequency signaling or some other type of signaling suitable for the applicable communication medium), process (e.g., decode) the information, and output the processed information. For example, the communication and processing circuitry 1741 may output the information to another component of the processor 1704, to the memory 1705, or to the bus interface 1708. In some examples, the communication and processing circuitry 1741 may receive one or more of a signal, a message, other information, or any combination thereof. In some examples, the communication and processing circuitry 1741 may receive the information via one or more channels. In some examples, the communication and processing circuitry 1741 may include functionality of a means for receiving. In some examples, the communication and processing circuitry 1741 may include functionality of a means for decoding.

[0187] In some implementations where communication involves sending (e.g., transmitting) information, the communication and processing circuitry 1741 may obtain information (e.g., from another component of the processor 1704, the memory 1705, or the bus interface 1708), process (e.g., encode) the information, and output the processed information. For example, the communication and processing circuitry 1741 may output the information to the transceiver 1710 (e.g., which transmits the information via radio frequency signaling or some other type of signaling appropriate for the applicable communication medium). In some examples, the communication and processing circuitry 1741 may transmit one or more of a signal, a message, other information, or any combination thereof. In some examples, the communication and processing circuitry 1741 may transmit the information via one or more channels. In some examples, the communication and processing circuitry 1741 may include functionality of a means for sending (e.g., a means for transmitting). In some examples, the communication and processing circuitry 1741 may include functionality of a means for encoding.

[0188] Processor 1704 may include SRS configuration circuitry 1742 configured to perform SRS configuration related operations as discussed herein (e.g., in conjunction with Figure 7-16 The SRS configuration circuit 1742 may include the functionality of a unit for receiving (e.g., as in Figure 14 Steps 1406, 1410 and / or step 1412, Figure 15 Step 1510 and / or steps 1506, 1510 and / or 1512, Figure 16 At steps 1606, 1608 and / or step 1610, Figure 18 At blocks 1802, 1806, and / or 1810, and / or at Figure 19The SRS configuration circuit 1742 may include the functionality of a unit for determining bandwidth (e.g., as described in blocks 1902 and / or 1906 of FIG. 19 ). Figure 14 Step 1414, Figure 15 Step 1514, Figure 16 At step 1612, Figure 18 Block 1804 and / or 1808 and / or at Figure 19 The SRS configuration circuit 1742 may include functionality for determining that fewer than all RBs are to be used for transmitting the SRS (e.g., as described in block 1904 of FIG. 1 ). Figure 14 Step 1414, Figure 15 Step 1514, Figure 16 At step 1612, Figure 18 at block 1812 and / or at Figure 19 The SRS configuration circuitry 1742 may also be configured to execute SRS configuration software 1752 included on the computer-readable medium 1706 to implement one or more functions described herein.

[0189] The processor 1704 may include an SRS processing circuit 1743 configured to perform SRS processing related operations as discussed herein (e.g., in conjunction with Figure 7-16 The SRS processing circuit 1743 may include the functionality of a unit for generating an SRS (e.g., as in Figure 14 Step 1414, Figure 15 Step 1514, Figure 16 At step 1612, Figure 18 at block 1814 and / or at Figure 19 The SRS processing circuit 1743 may include the functionality of a unit for transmitting an SRS (e.g., as described in block 1910 of FIG. 1). Figure 14 Step 1416, Figure 15 Step 1516, Figure 16 At step 1614, Figure 18 at block 1816 and / or at Figure 19 The SRS processing circuitry 1743 may also be configured to execute SRS processing software 1753 included on the computer-readable medium 1706 to implement one or more functions described herein.

[0190] Figure 18is a flow chart illustrating an example process 1800 for a wireless communication system according to some aspects of the present disclosure. As described below, some or all of the illustrated features may be omitted in certain implementations within the scope of the present disclosure, and some illustrated features may not be required for implementation of all embodiments. In some examples, process 1800 may be performed by Figure 17 In some examples, process 1800 can be performed by any suitable device or unit for performing the functions or algorithms described below.

[0191] At block 1802, the UE may receive a first configuration. Figure 17 The SRS configuration circuitry 1742 shown and described, along with the communication and processing circuitry 1741 and transceiver 1710, may monitor a designated downlink channel (e.g., PDCCH or PDSCH) from the gNB and decode signals received on that channel to identify information directed to the UE (e.g., DCI, MAC-CE, or RRC configuration).

[0192] At block 1804, the UE may determine a first bandwidth for transmitting a sounding reference signal (SRS) according to the first configuration. For example, the SRS configuration circuit 1742 may process the configuration received at block 1802 to determine an SRS bandwidth indicated by the SRS configuration.

[0193] At block 1806, the UE may receive a second configuration. Figure 17 The illustrated and described SRS configuration circuitry 1742, along with the communication and processing circuitry 1741 and transceiver 1710, can monitor a designated downlink channel (e.g., PDCCH or PDSCH) from the gNB and decode signals received on the channel to identify information directed to the UE (e.g., DCI, MAC-CE, or RRC configuration). In some examples, the first configuration and the second configuration can be received in the same message. In some examples, the first configuration and the second configuration can be received in a common configuration.

[0194] At block 1808, the UE may determine at least one second bandwidth associated with at least one hopping frequency of the SRS according to the second configuration, wherein a union of the at least one second bandwidth across a plurality of hopping frequencies corresponds to the first bandwidth. For example, the SRS configuration circuit 1742 may process the configuration received at block 1806 to determine the SRS hopping bandwidth indicated by the SRS configuration.

[0195] At block 1810, the UE may receive a third configuration. Figure 17The SRS configuration circuitry 1742 shown and described, along with the communication and processing circuitry 1741 and transceiver 1710, may monitor a designated downlink channel (e.g., PDCCH or PDSCH) from the gNB and decode signals received on that channel to identify information directed to the UE (e.g., DCI, MAC-CE, or RRC configuration).

[0196] In some examples, receiving the third configuration may include: receiving a medium access control-control element (MAC-CE) including the third configuration, receiving downlink control information (DCI) including the third configuration, or receiving a radio resource control (RRC) message including the third configuration.

[0197] At block 1812, the UE may determine, according to the third configuration, that fewer than all of the plurality of resource blocks associated with at least one second bandwidth associated with at least one frequency hopping of the SRS are to be used for transmitting the SRS. For example, the SRS configuration circuitry 1742 may process (e.g., parse) the message received at block 1810 to determine whether the message implicitly or explicitly indicates that the UE is to use fractional frequency sounding.

[0198] At block 1814, the UE may generate an SRS. Figure 17 The illustrated and described SRS processing circuit 1743 may generate an SRS sequence for each hop by cyclically shifting a base sequence (eg, a Zadoff-Chu sequence). In some examples, the generation of the SRS may depend on the number of RBs in which the SRS is to be transmitted.

[0199] At block 1816, the UE may transmit an SRS to the base station in each of the at least one frequency hop via at least one of the plurality of resource blocks, wherein the at least one resource block is less than all of the plurality of resource blocks associated with at least one second bandwidth associated with the at least one frequency hop of the SRS. For example, the SRS processing circuitry 1743, in conjunction with the communication and processing circuitry 1741, and the transceiver 1710, may identify, for each hop having the SRS bandwidth, a specific RB to be used for SRS transmission. In some examples, the same RB may be used for each hop. In some examples (e.g., where a loop is employed), different RBs may be used for different hops. Then, for each hop, the SRS processing circuitry 1743, in conjunction with the communication and processing circuitry 1741, and the transceiver 1710, may transmit the SRS generated for that hop at block 1804 on the appropriate RB.

[0200] In some examples, the third configuration further specifies a location of at least one resource block within a plurality of resource blocks associated with at least one second bandwidth associated with at least one frequency hop of the SRS. In some examples, the at least one resource block may include at least two resource blocks, and the third configuration further specifies the locations of the at least two resource blocks within the plurality of resource blocks.

[0201] In some examples, the third configuration may include a bitmap, wherein a first bit of the bitmap is mapped to a first subset of the plurality of resource blocks, and a second bit of the bitmap is mapped to a second subset of the plurality of resource blocks. In some examples, the method may further include: determining that the first bit is set; and after determining that the first bit is set, transmitting the SRS on the first subset of the plurality of resource blocks.

[0202] In some examples, the at least one frequency hopping may include a plurality of frequency hopping SRS transmissions. In some examples, the plurality of resource blocks may include a first set of resource blocks from a plurality of resource block sets designated for the plurality of frequency hopping SRS transmissions. In some examples, the third configuration may include an index indicating at least one resource block position for each of the plurality of resource block sets, and the method may further include transmitting the plurality of frequency hopping SRS transmissions at the at least one resource block position for each of the plurality of resource block sets.

[0203] In some examples, the third configuration further specifies a rotation of resource blocks to be used for different hops of the multiple frequency hopping SRS transmissions. In some examples, the rotation can be indicated by a first bitmap for a first hop of the multiple frequency hopping SRS transmissions and a second bitmap for a second hop of the multiple frequency hopping SRS transmissions. In some examples, the rotation can include a shift of resource block positions. In some examples, each of the multiple resource block sets can include a first resource block position and a second resource block position, and the rotation of the resource blocks indicates that the first SRS transmission for the first hop occurs at the first resource block position and the second SRS transmission for the second hop occurs at the second resource block position. In some examples, the third configuration further specifies whether the rotation is to be applied to a specific hop of the multiple frequency hopping SRS transmissions. In some examples, the third configuration can include a bitmap specifying whether the rotation is to be applied to multiple resource block positions.

[0204] In some examples, the third configuration further specifies whether the hopping for the multiple frequency hopping SRS transmissions activates or deactivates the SRS transmission. In some examples, the third configuration may further include a bitmap comprising: a first bit specifying whether the first hopping for the multiple frequency hopping SRS transmissions activates or deactivates the SRS transmission; and a second bit specifying whether the second hopping for the multiple frequency hopping SRS transmissions activates or deactivates the SRS transmission.

[0205] In some examples, the third configuration further specifies a range of resource blocks for the at least one resource block. In some examples, the third configuration further specifies a starting resource block and a number of resource blocks for the at least one resource block.

[0206] In some examples, receiving the third configuration may include receiving downlink control information (DCI) format 0_1 ​​including the third configuration. In some examples, receiving the third configuration may include receiving downlink control information (DCI) that does not schedule data transmission and includes a repurposed bit carrying the third configuration.

[0207] In some examples, receiving the third configuration may include receiving downlink control information (DCI) that specifies a first SRS resource set and a second SRS resource set, the first SRS resource set being associated with a first trigger list and the second SRS resource set being associated with a second trigger list, the first trigger list indicating whether to transmit the first SRS on all resource blocks of a plurality of resource blocks less than the first SRS resource set, and the second trigger list indicating whether to transmit the second SRS on all resource blocks of a plurality of resource blocks less than the second SRS resource set. In some examples, the method may further include receiving a radio resource control (RRC) message that identifies at least one resource in the first SRS resource set designated for transmitting the first SRS. In some examples, the third configuration may include a bitmap that identifies at least one resource in the first SRS resource set designated for transmitting the first SRS. In some examples, the third configuration may further include a first bitmap that identifies at least one resource in the first SRS resource set designated for transmitting the first SRS and a second bitmap that identifies at least one resource in the second SRS resource set designated for transmitting the second SRS.

[0208] In some examples, receiving the third configuration may include receiving downlink control information (DCI) or radio resource control (RRC) configuration, and the DCI or RRC configuration may include bits indicating that less than all resource blocks of a plurality of resource blocks designated for transmitting the SRS are to be used for transmitting the SRS. In some examples, the method may further include randomly selecting at least one resource block (for transmitting the SRS). In some examples, randomly selecting at least one resource block is based on a scrambling identifier for the user equipment. In some examples, the method may further include selecting at least one resource block (for transmitting the SRS) according to an order defined for hopping of a plurality of frequency hopping SRS transmissions.

[0209] Figure 19is a flow chart illustrating an example process 1900 for a wireless communication system according to some aspects of the present disclosure. As described below, some or all of the illustrated features may be omitted in certain implementations within the scope of the present disclosure, and some illustrated features may not be required for implementation of all embodiments. In some examples, process 1900 may be performed by Figure 17 In some examples, process 1900 can be performed by any suitable device or unit for performing the functions or algorithms described below.

[0210] At block 1902, the UE may receive at least one first sounding reference signal (SRS) configuration. Figure 17 The SRS configuration circuitry 1742 shown and described, along with the communication and processing circuitry 1741 and transceiver 1710, may monitor a designated downlink channel (e.g., PDCCH or PDSCH) from the gNB and decode signals received on that channel to identify information directed to the UE (e.g., DCI, MAC-CE, or RRC configuration).

[0211] At block 1904, the UE may determine a first bandwidth for a first SRS frequency hopping of a plurality of frequency-hopping SRS transmissions based on at least one first SRS configuration. For example, the SRS configuration circuit 1742 may process the configuration received at block 1906 to determine an SRS hopping bandwidth indicated by the SRS configuration.

[0212] At block 1906, the UE may receive a second SRS configuration. Figure 17 The SRS configuration circuitry 1742 shown and described, along with the communication and processing circuitry 1741 and transceiver 1710, may monitor a designated downlink channel (e.g., PDCCH or PDSCH) from the gNB and decode signals received on that channel to identify information directed to the UE (e.g., DCI, MAC-CE, or RRC configuration).

[0213] In some examples, receiving the second SRS configuration may include: receiving a medium access control-control element (MAC-CE) including the second SRS configuration, receiving downlink control information (DCI) including the second SRS configuration, or receiving a radio resource control (RRC) message including the second SRS configuration.

[0214] At block 1908, the UE may determine, based on the second SRS configuration, that fewer than all of the plurality of resource blocks associated with the first bandwidth for the first SRS frequency hopping are to be used for transmitting the first SRS. For example, the SRS configuration circuitry 1742 may process (e.g., parse) the message received at block 1906 to determine whether the message implicitly or explicitly indicates that the UE is to use fractional frequency sounding.

[0215] At block 1910, the UE may generate a first SRS. Figure 17 The illustrated and described SRS processing circuit 1743 may generate an SRS sequence for each hop by cyclically shifting a base sequence (eg, a Zadoff-Chu sequence). In some examples, the generation of the SRS may depend on the number of RBs in which the SRS is to be transmitted.

[0216] At block 1912, the UE may transmit a first SRS to the base station via at least one first resource block from a plurality of resource blocks associated with a first bandwidth for a first SRS frequency hop, wherein the at least one first resource block is less than all resource blocks from the plurality of resource blocks associated with the first bandwidth for the first SRS frequency hop. For example, the SRS processing circuitry 1743, in conjunction with the communication and processing circuitry 1741 and the transceiver 1710, may identify, for each hop having the SRS bandwidth, a specific RB to be used for SRS transmission. In some examples, the same RB may be used for each hop. In some examples (e.g., where a loop is employed), different RBs may be used for different hops. Then, for each hop, the SRS processing circuitry 1743, in conjunction with the communication and processing circuitry 1741 and the transceiver 1710, may transmit the SRS generated for that hop at block 1910 on the appropriate RB.

[0217] In some examples, the method may further include determining an SRS bandwidth based on the at least one first SRS configuration. In some examples, a sum of multiple second bandwidths (including the first bandwidth) over multiple frequency-hopping SRS transmissions including the first SRS frequency hopping corresponds to the SRS bandwidth.

[0218] In some examples, the method may also include: determining a second bandwidth for a second SRS frequency hopping for multiple frequency hopping SRS transmissions based on at least one first SRS configuration; determining, based on the second SRS configuration, that fewer than all resource blocks in a plurality of resource blocks associated with the second bandwidth for the second SRS frequency hopping are to be used for sending the second SRS; generating a second SRS; and sending the second SRS to the base station via at least one second resource block in a plurality of resource blocks associated with the second bandwidth for the second SRS frequency hopping, wherein the at least one second resource block is fewer than all resource blocks in the plurality of resource blocks associated with the second bandwidth for the second SRS frequency hopping.

[0219] In some examples, the second SRS configuration further specifies a position of at least one first resource block within the plurality of resource blocks. In some examples, the at least one first resource block may include at least two resource blocks, and the second SRS configuration further specifies a position of at least two resource blocks within the plurality of resource blocks.

[0220] In some examples, the second SRS configuration may include a bitmap, a first bit of the bitmap being mapped to a first subset of the plurality of resource blocks, and a second bit of the bitmap being mapped to a second subset of the plurality of resource blocks. In some examples, the method may further include: determining that the first bit is set; and after determining that the first bit is set, transmitting the first SRS on the first subset of the plurality of resource blocks.

[0221] In some examples, the plurality of resource blocks may include a first set of resource blocks in a plurality of sets of resource blocks designated for the plurality of frequency hopping SRS transmissions. In some examples, the second SRS configuration may include an index indicating at least one resource block position for each of the plurality of sets of resource blocks, and the method may further include transmitting each hop of the plurality of frequency hopping SRS transmissions at at least one resource block position for a corresponding set of the plurality of sets of resource blocks.

[0222] In some examples, the second SRS configuration specifies a cycle of resource blocks to be used for different hops of the multiple frequency hopping SRS transmissions. In some examples, the cycle is indicated by a first bitmap for a first SRS frequency hop and a second bitmap for a second SRS frequency hop of the multiple frequency hopping SRS transmissions. In some examples, the cycle can include a shift of resource block positions. In some examples, each of the multiple resource block sets can include a first resource block position and a second resource block position, and the cycle of resource blocks indicates that the first SRS transmission for the first SRS frequency hop occurs at the first resource block position and the second SRS transmission for the second SRS frequency hop of the multiple frequency hopping SRS transmissions occurs at the second resource block position.

[0223] In some examples, the second SRS configuration further specifies whether cycling is to be applied to a particular hop of the multiple frequency hopping SRS transmissions.In some examples, the second SRS configuration may include a bitmap specifying whether cycling is to be applied to multiple resource block locations.

[0224] In some examples, the second SRS configuration specifies whether hopping for multiple frequency hopping SRS transmissions activates or deactivates SRS transmission. In some examples, the second SRS configuration may include a bitmap having: a first bit that specifies whether SRS transmission is activated or deactivated for a first SRS frequency hopping; and a second bit that specifies whether SRS transmission is activated or deactivated for a second SRS frequency hopping for the multiple frequency hopping SRS transmissions.

[0225] In some examples, the second SRS configuration specifies a range of resource blocks for the at least one first resource block. In some examples, the second SRS configuration specifies a starting resource block and a number of resource blocks for the at least one first resource block.

[0226] In some examples, receiving the second SRS configuration may include receiving downlink control information (DCI) format 0_1 ​​including the second SRS configuration. In some examples, receiving the second SRS configuration may include receiving downlink control information (DCI) that does not schedule data transmission and includes a repurposed bit carrying the second SRS configuration.

[0227] In some examples, receiving the second SRS configuration may include receiving downlink control information (DCI) that specifies a first SRS resource set and a second SRS resource set, the first SRS resource set being associated with a first trigger list, the second SRS resource set being associated with a second trigger list, the first trigger list indicating whether to transmit the first SRS on all resource blocks in a plurality of resource blocks less than the first SRS resource set, and the second trigger list indicating whether to transmit the second SRS on all resource blocks in a plurality of resource blocks less than the second SRS resource set. In some examples, the method may further include receiving a radio resource control (RRC) message that identifies at least one resource in the first SRS resource set that is designated for transmitting the first SRS.

[0228] In some examples, the second SRS configuration may include a bitmap that identifies at least one resource in the first SRS resource set that is designated for sending the first SRS. In some examples, the second SRS configuration may also include a first bitmap that identifies at least one resource in the first SRS resource set that is designated for sending the first SRS and a second bitmap that identifies at least one resource in the second SRS resource set that is designated for sending the second SRS.

[0229] In some examples, receiving the second SRS configuration may include receiving downlink control information (DCI) or radio resource control (RRC) configuration, and the DCI or RRC configuration may include bits indicating that less than all resource blocks of the plurality of resource blocks are to be used for transmitting the first SRS. In some examples, the method may further include randomly selecting at least one first resource block. In some examples, randomly selecting at least one first resource block is based on a scrambling identifier for the user equipment. In some examples, the method may further include selecting at least one first resource block according to an order defined for hopping of the plurality of frequency hopping SRS transmissions.

[0230] Figure 20is a conceptual diagram illustrating an example of a hardware implementation for a base station (BS) 2000 employing a processing system 2014. In some implementations, the BS 2000 may correspond to a Figure 1 、 Figure 2 、 Figure 5-9 、 Figure 12-15 ,and Figure 16 Any one of the BSs (e.g., gNBs) or scheduling entities shown in any of the figures.

[0231] According to various aspects of the present disclosure, an element or any portion of an element or any combination of elements may be implemented using a processing system 2014. The processing system may include one or more processors 2004. The processing system 2014 may be used with Figure 17 The processing system 1714 shown in FIG2 is substantially the same and includes a bus interface 2008, a bus 2002, a memory 2005, a processor 2004, and a computer-readable medium 2006. In addition, the BS 2000 may include an interface 2030 (e.g., a network interface) that provides a means for communicating with at least one other device within the core network and with at least one radio access network.

[0232] BS 2000 may be configured to perform any one or more of the operations described herein (e.g., as described above in conjunction with Figure 1-16 Described and combined as follows Figure 21 and Figure 22 In some aspects of the present disclosure, the processor 2004, as utilized in the BS 2000, may include circuits configured for various functions.

[0233] Processor 2004 may be configured to generate, schedule, and modify resource assignments or grants of time-frequency resources (e.g., a set of one or more resource elements). For example, processor 2004 may schedule time-frequency resources within a plurality of time division duplex (TDD) and / or frequency division duplex (FDD) subframes, slots, and / or mini-slots to carry user data traffic and / or control information to and / or from a plurality of UEs.

[0234] The processor 2004 may be configured to schedule resources for transmission of downlink reference signals (e.g., SSBs or CSI-RSs) on multiple downlink beams for downlink beam scanning based on the selected downlink beam scanning type and the number of selected downlink reference signal resources indicated in the request for uplink beam refinement received from the UE. The processor 2004 may also be configured to schedule resources for uplink transmission of uplink reference signals (e.g., SRSs) on multiple uplink beams for uplink beam scanning based on the selected beam scanning type and the number of selected uplink reference signal resources indicated in the request. The processor 2004 may also be configured to schedule resources that may be used by the UE to send the request. For example, the uplink beam refinement request resources may include resources scheduled for transmission of PUCCH, PUSCH, PRACH opportunities, or RRC messages. In some examples, processor 2004 may be configured to schedule PUSCH resources for an uplink beam refinement request in response to receiving a scheduling request from a UE.

[0235] Processor 2004 may also be configured to schedule resources for transmission of uplink signals. In some examples, based on an indication of an uplink signal associated with one or more uplink transmit beams included in the request, resources may be associated with one or more uplink transmit beams and one or more corresponding receive beams applied to the uplink signal (e.g., based on an uplink BPL). In some examples, resources may be associated with an uplink transmission scheme that indicates the number of uplink transmit beams to be used for the uplink signal, the number of repetitions per uplink transmit beam of the uplink signal, and a multiplexing scheme when more than one uplink transmit beam is used to transmit the uplink signal.

[0236] In some aspects of the present disclosure, the processor 2004 may include a communication and processing circuit 2041. The communication and processing circuit 2044 may be configured to communicate with the UE. The communication and processing circuit 2041 may include one or more hardware components that provide a physical structure for performing various processes related to communication (e.g., signal reception and / or signal transmission) as described herein. The communication and processing circuit 2041 may also include one or more hardware components that provide a physical structure for performing various processes related to signal processing (e.g., processing received signals and / or processing signals for transmission) as described herein. The communication and processing circuit 2041 may also be configured to execute communication and processing software 2051 included on the computer-readable medium 2006 to implement one or more functions described herein.

[0237] In some examples, the communication and processing circuitry 2041 can be configured to receive and process uplink beamforming signals at mmWave frequencies or sub-6 GHz frequencies via the transceiver 2010 and the antenna array 2020. For example, the communication and processing circuitry 2041 can be configured to receive a respective reference signal (e.g., an SSB or DMRS) from the UE on each of a plurality of uplink beams during uplink beam scanning.

[0238] In some examples, the communication and processing circuitry 2041 may also be configured to generate a downlink beamforming signal at a mmWave frequency or a sub-6 GHz frequency and transmit the downlink beamforming signal via the transceiver 2010 and the antenna array 2020. For example, the communication and processing circuitry 2041 may be configured to transmit a corresponding downlink reference signal (e.g., SSB or CSI-RS) on each of the multiple downlink beams to the UE via at least one first antenna panel of the antenna array 2020 during downlink beam scanning. The communication and processing circuitry 2041 may also be configured to receive a beam measurement report from the UE.

[0239] The communication and processing circuit 2041 may also be configured to receive a request from the UE. For example, the request may be included in a MAC-CE carried in a PUSCH, UCI in a PUCCH or PUSCH, a random access message, or an RRC message. The communication and processing circuit 2041 may also be configured to receive a scheduling request from the UE for an uplink grant for a PUSCH carrying a MAC-CE including a request for uplink beam refinement (e.g., via UCI in a PUCCH).

[0240] The communication and processing circuitry 2041 may also be configured to receive uplink signals on one or more uplink receive beams via one or more uplink transmit beams applied to the uplink signals. For example, the communication and processing circuitry 2041 may be configured to receive uplink signals on one or more uplink receive beams via at least one second antenna panel of the antenna array 2020. The uplink signals may include, for example, PUCCH, PUSCH, SRS, DMRS, or PRACH.

[0241] The communication and processing circuitry 2041 may also be configured to control the antenna array 2020 and the transceiver 2010 to generate multiple downlink transmit beams during downlink beam scanning. The communication and processing circuitry 2041 may also be configured to receive beam measurement reports from the UE using the communication and processing circuitry 2044. The communication and processing circuitry 2041 may also be configured to identify one or more selected uplink beams based on the beam measurements. In some examples, the communication and processing circuitry 2041 may be configured to compare the respective RSRPs (or other beam measurements) measured on each downlink receive beam in the downlink receive beams for each of the serving downlink transmit beams to identify the serving downlink receive beam, and further identify the serving downlink receive beam as the selected uplink transmit beam. Each serving downlink receive beam may have the highest measured RSRP (or other beam measurement) for one of the downlink transmit beams.

[0242] The communication and processing circuitry 2041 may be configured to receive one or more uplink transmit beams in an uplink beam scan. Each uplink transmit beam may carry an uplink reference signal (e.g., an SRS) for measurement by the communication and processing circuitry 2041. The communication and processing circuitry 2041 may also be configured to obtain, for each of the uplink transmit beams, a plurality of beam measurements for each of the plurality of uplink receive beams of the antenna array 2020. The communication and processing circuitry 2041 may also be configured to select the selected uplink transmit beam and the corresponding uplink receive beam that forms the corresponding uplink BPL based on the uplink beam measurements.

[0243] In some implementations where communication involves receiving information, the communication and processing circuitry 2041 may obtain information from a component of the BS 2000 (e.g., from the transceiver 2010 that receives information via radio frequency signaling or some other type of signaling suitable for the applicable communication medium), process (e.g., decode) the information, and output the processed information. For example, the communication and processing circuitry 2041 may output the information to another component of the processor 2004, to the memory 2005, or to the bus interface 2008. In some examples, the communication and processing circuitry 2041 may receive one or more of a signal, a message, other information, or any combination thereof. In some examples, the communication and processing circuitry 2041 may receive the information via one or more channels. In some examples, the communication and processing circuitry 2041 may include functionality of a means for receiving. In some examples, the communication and processing circuitry 2041 may include functionality of a means for decoding.

[0244] In some implementations where communication involves sending (e.g., transmitting) information, the communication and processing circuitry 2041 may obtain the information (e.g., from another component of the processor 2004, the memory 2005, or the bus interface 2008), process (e.g., encode) the information, and output the processed information. For example, the communication and processing circuitry 2041 may output the information to the transceiver 2010 (e.g., which transmits the information via radio frequency signaling or some other type of signaling appropriate for the applicable communication medium). In some examples, the communication and processing circuitry 2041 may transmit one or more of a signal, a message, other information, or any combination thereof. In some examples, the communication and processing circuitry 2041 may transmit the information via one or more channels. In some examples, the communication and processing circuitry 2041 may include functionality of a means for sending (e.g., a means for transmitting). In some examples, the communication and processing circuitry 2041 may include functionality of a means for encoding.

[0245] The processor 2004 may include an SRS configuration circuit 2042 configured to perform SRS configuration related operations as discussed herein (e.g., in conjunction with Figure 7-16 The SRS configuration circuit 2042 may include functionality for generating a configuration unit (e.g., as described in Figure 14 Steps 1406, 1410 and / or step 1412, Figure 15 Steps 1506, 1510 and / or 1512, Figure 16 At steps 1606, 1608 and / or 1610, Figure 21 Boxes 2102, 2106 and / or 2110, and / or in Figure 22 SRS configuration circuitry 2042 may include functionality of means for transmitting configurations (e.g., as described in blocks 2202 and / or 2206 of FIG. 2 ). Figure 14 Steps 1406, 1410 and / or 1412, Figure 15 Steps 1506, 1510 and / or 1512, Figure 16 At steps 1606, 1608 and / or 1610, Figure 21 At blocks 2104, 2108, and / or 2112, and / or at Figure 22 The SRS configuration circuitry 2042 may also be configured to execute SRS configuration software 2052 included on the computer-readable medium 2006 to implement one or more functions described herein.

[0246] The processor 2004 may include an SRS processing circuit 2043 configured to perform SRS processing related operations as discussed herein (e.g., in conjunction with Figure 7-16 The SRS processing circuit 2043 may include functionality of a unit for receiving an SRS. For example, the SRS processing circuit 2043 may monitor SRS resources at RB locations corresponding to a designated subset of RBs used for partial frequency sounding. The SRS processing circuit 2043 may decode the energy received on those resources to recover the SRS. The SRS processing circuit 2043 may include functionality of a unit for generating a channel estimate based on the SRS. For example, the SRS processing circuit 2043 may compare the received SRS with a known original SRS sent by the UE. The SRS processing circuit 2043 may then generate a channel estimate based on any difference between the received SRS and the known original SRS. The SRS processing circuit 2043 may also be configured to execute SRS processing software 2053 included on the computer-readable medium 2006 to implement one or more functions described herein.

[0247] Figure 21 is a flow chart illustrating an example process 2100 for wireless communication according to some aspects of the present disclosure. As described below, some or all of the illustrated features may be omitted in certain implementations within the scope of the present disclosure, and some illustrated features may not be required for implementation of all embodiments. In some examples, process 2100 may be performed by Figure 20 In some examples, process 2100 can be performed by any suitable device or unit for performing the functions or algorithms described below.

[0248] At block 2102, the BS may generate a first configuration indicating a first bandwidth for transmitting a sounding reference signal (SRS). Figure 20 The illustrated and described SRS configuration circuitry 2042 may allocate one or more sets of SRS resources for a UE and select an SCS configuration (eg, indicating a particular SRS bandwidth) for the UE to use for SRS transmission.

[0249] At block 2104, the BS may send a first configuration to the user equipment. Figure 20The SRS configuration circuitry 2042, along with the communication and processing circuitry 2041 and the transceiver 2010 shown and described, may encode for transmission the message or other information (e.g., DCI, MAC-CE, or RRC configuration) from block 2102. The SRS configuration circuitry 2042, along with the communication and processing circuitry 2041 and the transceiver 2010, may then transmit the information to the UE on a designated downlink channel (e.g., PDCCH or PDSCH).

[0250] At block 2106, the BS may generate a second configuration indicating at least one second bandwidth associated with at least one hop frequency of the SRS, wherein a union of at least one second bandwidth over a plurality of hop frequencies corresponds to the first bandwidth. Figure 20 The illustrated and described SRS configuration circuitry 2042 may schedule a UE for frequency hopping SRS transmission and select an SCS configuration (eg, indicating a particular SRS hopping bandwidth) for the UE to use for SRS transmission.

[0251] At block 2108, the BS may send a second configuration to the user equipment. Figure 20 The SRS configuration circuitry 2042, along with the communication and processing circuitry 2041 and the transceiver 2010 shown and described, may encode for transmission the message or other information (e.g., DCI, MAC-CE, or RRC configuration) from block 2106. The SRS configuration circuitry 2042, along with the communication and processing circuitry 2041 and the transceiver 2010, may then transmit the information to the UE on a designated downlink channel (e.g., PDCCH or PDSCH).

[0252] At block 2110, the BS may generate a third configuration that specifies that less than all resource blocks of a plurality of resource blocks associated with at least one second bandwidth associated with at least one frequency hop of the SRS are to be used for transmitting the SRS. Figure 20 The illustrated and described SRS configuration circuit 2042 may determine that increased SRS capacity is required and / or that the channel to the UE is sufficiently constant to implement SRS interpolation as discussed herein. The SRS configuration circuit 2042 may then generate a message or other information (e.g., DCI, MAC-CE, or RRC configuration) that implicitly or explicitly indicates to the UE that fractional frequency sounding is to be used. In some examples, a third configuration may explicitly indicate which RBs the UE is to use for each hop.

[0253] At block 2112, the BS may send a third configuration to the user equipment. Figure 20The SRS configuration circuitry 2042, along with the communication and processing circuitry 2041 and transceiver 2010 shown and described, may encode for transmission the message or other information (e.g., DCI, MAC-CE, or RRC configuration) from block 2110. The SRS configuration circuitry 2042, along with the communication and processing circuitry 2041 and transceiver 2010, may then transmit the information to the UE on a designated downlink channel (e.g., PDCCH or PDSCH).

[0254] In some examples, sending the third configuration may include: sending a medium access control-control element (MAC-CE) including the third configuration, sending downlink control information (DCI) including the third configuration, or sending a radio resource control (RRC) message including the third configuration.

[0255] In some examples, the method may also include selecting to generate a third configuration to increase SRS signaling capacity.

[0256] In some examples, the method may further include specifying a number of bits for a third configuration to indicate which of the plurality of resource block groups is to be used for transmitting the SRS. In some examples, the method may further include specifying a number of resource blocks associated with each bit in the number of bits.

[0257] In some examples, the third configuration further specifies a location of at least one resource block for transmitting the SRS within a plurality of resource blocks associated with at least one second bandwidth associated with at least one frequency hop of the SRS. In some examples, the at least one resource block may include at least two resource blocks, and the third configuration further specifies the locations of the at least two resource blocks within the plurality of resource blocks.

[0258] In some examples, the third configuration may include a bitmap, wherein: a first bit of the bitmap is mapped to a first subset of the plurality of resource blocks, and a second bit of the bitmap is mapped to a second subset of the plurality of resource blocks. In some examples, the method may further include: setting the first bit; and after setting the first bit, receiving the SRS on the first subset of the plurality of resource blocks.

[0259] In some examples, the at least one frequency hopping includes a plurality of frequency hopping SRS transmissions. In some examples, the plurality of resource blocks may include a first set of resource blocks from a plurality of resource block sets designated for the plurality of frequency hopping SRS transmissions. In some examples, the third configuration may include an index indicating at least one resource block position for each of the plurality of resource block sets, and the method may further include receiving the plurality of frequency hopping SRS transmissions on a resource block at the at least one resource block position for each of the plurality of resource block sets.

[0260] In some examples, the third configuration further specifies a rotation of resource blocks to be used for different hops of the multiple frequency hopping SRS transmissions. In some examples, the rotation can be indicated by a first bitmap for a first hop of the multiple frequency hopping SRS transmissions and a second bitmap for a second hop of the multiple frequency hopping SRS transmissions. In some examples, the rotation can include a shift of resource block positions. In some examples, each of the multiple resource block sets can include a first resource block position and a second resource block position, and the rotation of the resource blocks indicates that the first SRS transmission for the first hop occurs at the first resource block position and the second SRS transmission for the second hop occurs at the second resource block position. In some examples, the third configuration further specifies whether the rotation is to be applied to a specific hop of the multiple frequency hopping SRS transmissions. In some examples, the third configuration can include a bitmap specifying whether the rotation is to be applied to multiple resource block positions.

[0261] In some examples, the third configuration further specifies whether the hopping for the multiple frequency hopping SRS transmissions activates or deactivates the SRS transmission. In some examples, the third configuration may further include a bitmap comprising: a first bit specifying whether the first hopping for the multiple frequency hopping SRS transmissions activates or deactivates the SRS transmission; and a second bit specifying whether the second hopping for the multiple frequency hopping SRS transmissions activates or deactivates the SRS transmission.

[0262] In some examples, the third configuration further specifies a range of resource blocks to be used for transmitting the SRS. In some examples, the third configuration further specifies a starting resource block and a number of resource blocks to be used for transmitting the SRS.

[0263] In some examples, sending the third configuration may include sending downlink control information (DCI) format 0_1 ​​including the third configuration. In some examples, sending the third configuration may include sending downlink control information (DCI) that does not schedule data transmission and includes a repurposed bit carrying the third configuration.

[0264] In some examples, sending the third configuration may include sending downlink control information (DCI), the DCI specifying a first SRS resource set and a second SRS resource set, the first SRS resource set being associated with a first triggering list, the second SRS resource set being associated with a second triggering list, the first triggering list indicating whether to send the first SRS on all resource blocks less than a plurality of resource blocks in the first SRS resource set, and the second triggering list indicating whether to send the second SRS on all resource blocks less than a plurality of resource blocks in the second SRS resource set. In some examples, the method may further include sending a radio resource control (RRC) message, the RRC message identifying at least one resource in the first SRS resource set designated for sending the first SRS. In some examples, the third configuration may include a bitmap identifying at least one resource in the first SRS resource set designated for sending the first SRS. In some examples, the third configuration may further include a first bitmap identifying at least one resource in the first SRS resource set designated for sending the first SRS, and a second bitmap identifying at least one resource in the second SRS resource set designated for sending the second SRS.

[0265] In some examples, sending the third configuration may include sending downlink control information (DCI) or radio resource control (RRC) configuration, and the DCI or RRC configuration may include bits indicating that less than all resource blocks of a plurality of resource blocks designated for transmitting the SRS are to be used for transmitting the SRS. In some examples, the method may further include randomly selecting at least one resource block for receiving the SRS. In some examples, randomly selecting at least one resource block is based on a scrambling identifier for the user equipment. In some examples, the method may further include selecting at least one resource block for receiving the SRS according to an order defined for hopping of the plurality of frequency hopping SRS transmissions.

[0266] Figure 22 is a flow chart illustrating an example process 2200 for wireless communication according to some aspects of the present disclosure. As described below, some or all of the illustrated features may be omitted in certain implementations within the scope of the present disclosure, and some illustrated features may not be required for implementation of all embodiments. In some examples, process 2200 may be performed by Figure 20 In some examples, process 2000 can be performed by any suitable device or unit for performing the functions or algorithms described below.

[0267] At block 2102, the BS may generate at least one first sounding reference signal (SRS) configuration, the at least one first SRS configuration indicating a first bandwidth for a first SRS frequency hopping of a plurality of frequency hopping SRS transmissions. Figure 20 The illustrated and described SRS configuration circuitry 2042 may allocate one or more SRS resource sets for a UE. Additionally, the SRS configuration circuitry 2042 may schedule a UE for frequency-hopping SRS transmissions and select an SCS configuration (e.g., indicating a specific SRS hopping bandwidth) for the UE to use for SRS transmissions.

[0268] At block 2204, the BS may send at least one first SRS configuration to the user equipment. Figure 20 The SRS configuration circuitry 2042, along with the communication and processing circuitry 2041 and the transceiver 2010 shown and described, may encode for transmission the message or other information (e.g., DCI, MAC-CE, or RRC configuration) from block 2202. The SRS configuration circuitry 2042, along with the communication and processing circuitry 2041 and the transceiver 2010, may then transmit the information to the UE on a designated downlink channel (e.g., PDCCH or PDSCH).

[0269] At block 2206, the BS may generate a second SRS configuration that specifies that less than all of the plurality of resource blocks associated with the first bandwidth for the first SRS frequency hopping are to be used for transmitting the first SRS. Figure 20 The illustrated and described SRS configuration circuit 2042 may determine that increased SRS capacity is required and / or that the channel to the UE is sufficiently constant to implement SRS interpolation as discussed herein. The SRS configuration circuit 2042 may then generate a message or other information (e.g., DCI, MAC-CE, or RRC configuration) that implicitly or explicitly indicates to the UE that fractional frequency sounding is to be used. In some examples, the second SRS configuration may explicitly indicate which RBs the UE is to use for each hop.

[0270] At block 2208, the BS may send a second SRS configuration to the user equipment. Figure 20 The SRS configuration circuitry 2042, along with the communication and processing circuitry 2041 and the transceiver 2010 shown and described, may encode for transmission the message or other information (e.g., DCI, MAC-CE, or RRC configuration) from block 2206. The SRS configuration circuitry 2042, along with the communication and processing circuitry 2041 and the transceiver 2010, may then transmit the information to the UE on a designated downlink channel (e.g., PDCCH or PDSCH).

[0271] In some examples, sending the second SRS configuration may include: sending a medium access control-control element (MAC-CE) including the second SRS configuration, sending downlink control information (DCI) including the second SRS configuration, or sending a radio resource control (RRC) message including the second SRS configuration.

[0272] In some examples, the at least one first SRS configuration further indicates an SRS bandwidth. In some examples, a sum of multiple second bandwidths (including the first bandwidth) over multiple frequency-hopping SRS transmissions including the first SRS frequency hopping corresponds to the SRS bandwidth.

[0273] In some examples, at least one first SRS configuration indicates a second bandwidth for a second SRS frequency hopping of the plurality of frequency hopping SRS transmissions, and the second SRS configuration further specifies that less than all of the plurality of resource blocks associated with the second bandwidth for the second SRS frequency hopping are to be used for sending the second SRS.

[0274] In some examples, the method may also include selecting to generate a second SRS configuration to increase SRS signaling capacity.

[0275] In some examples, the method may further include specifying a number of bits for a second SRS configuration to indicate which of a plurality of resource block groups is to be used for transmitting the first SRS. In some examples, the method may further include specifying a number of resource blocks associated with each bit in the number of bits.

[0276] In some examples, the second SRS configuration further specifies a location of at least one resource block within the plurality of resource blocks for transmitting the first SRS. In some examples, the at least one resource block may include at least two resource blocks, and the second SRS configuration further specifies the locations of the at least two resource blocks within the plurality of resource blocks.

[0277] In some examples, the second SRS configuration may include a bitmap, a first bit of the bitmap being mapped to a first subset of the plurality of resource blocks, and a second bit of the bitmap being mapped to a second subset of the plurality of resource blocks. In some examples, the method may further include: setting the first bit; and after setting the first bit, receiving the first SRS on the first subset of the plurality of resource blocks.

[0278] In some examples, the plurality of resource blocks may include a first set of resource blocks in a plurality of sets of resource blocks designated for the plurality of frequency hopping SRS transmissions. In some examples, the second SRS configuration may include an index indicating at least one resource block position for each of the plurality of sets of resource blocks, and the method may further include receiving each hop of the plurality of frequency hopping SRS transmissions at at least one resource block position for a corresponding set of the plurality of sets of resource blocks.

[0279] In some examples, the second SRS configuration further specifies a cycle of resource blocks to be used for different hops of the multiple frequency hopping SRS transmissions. In some examples, the cycle is indicated by a first bitmap for a first SRS frequency hop and a second bitmap for a second SRS frequency hop of the multiple frequency hopping SRS transmissions. In some examples, the cycle can include a shift of resource block positions. In some examples, each of the multiple resource block sets can include a first resource block position and a second resource block position, and the cycle of resource blocks indicates that the first SRS transmission for the first SRS frequency hop occurs at the first resource block position and the second SRS transmission for the second SRS frequency hop of the multiple frequency hopping SRS transmissions occurs at the second resource block position.

[0280] In some examples, the second SRS configuration further specifies whether cycling is to be applied to a particular hop of the multiple frequency hopping SRS transmissions.In some examples, the second SRS configuration may include a bitmap specifying whether cycling is to be applied to multiple resource block locations.

[0281] In some examples, the second SRS configuration further specifies whether hopping for multiple frequency-hopping SRS transmissions activates or deactivates SRS transmission. In some examples, the second SRS configuration may further include a bitmap, which may include: a first bit that specifies whether SRS transmission is activated or deactivated for the first SRS frequency hopping; and a second bit that specifies whether SRS transmission is activated or deactivated for the second SRS frequency hopping for the multiple frequency-hopping SRS transmissions.

[0282] In some examples, the second SRS configuration further specifies a range of resource blocks to be used for transmitting the first SRS. In some examples, the second SRS configuration further specifies a starting resource block and a number of resource blocks to be used for transmitting the first SRS.

[0283] In some examples, transmitting the second SRS configuration may include transmitting downlink control information (DCI) format 0_1 ​​including the second SRS configuration. In some examples, transmitting the second SRS configuration may include transmitting downlink control information (DCI) that does not schedule data transmission and includes a repurposed bit carrying the second SRS configuration.

[0284] In some examples, transmitting the second SRS configuration may include transmitting downlink control information (DCI), the DCI specifying a first SRS resource set and a second SRS resource set, the first SRS resource set being associated with a first trigger list; the second SRS resource set being associated with a second trigger list, the first trigger list indicating whether to transmit the first SRS on all resource blocks of a plurality of resource blocks less than the first SRS resource set, and the second trigger list indicating whether to transmit the second SRS on all resource blocks of a plurality of resource blocks less than the second SRS resource set. In some examples, the method may further include transmitting a radio resource control (RRC) message identifying at least one resource in the first SRS resource set designated for transmitting the first SRS. In some examples, the second SRS configuration may include a bitmap identifying at least one resource in the first SRS resource set designated for transmitting the first SRS. In some examples, the second SRS configuration may further include a first bitmap identifying at least one resource in the first SRS resource set designated for transmitting the first SRS and a second bitmap identifying at least one resource in the second SRS resource set designated for transmitting the second SRS.

[0285] In some examples, transmitting the second SRS configuration may include transmitting downlink control information (DCI) or a radio resource control (RRC) configuration. In some examples, the DCI or RRC configuration may include bits indicating that less than all resource blocks in the plurality of resource blocks are to be used for transmitting the first SRS.

[0286] In some examples, the method may further include randomly selecting at least one resource block from the plurality of resource blocks for receiving the first SRS. In some examples, the randomly selecting the at least one resource block is based on a scrambling identifier for the user equipment. In some examples, the method may further include selecting at least one resource block from the plurality of resource blocks for receiving the first SRS according to an order defined for hopping of the plurality of frequency-hopping SRS transmissions.

[0287] In some examples, a first method of wireless communication at a user device includes: receiving a first configuration; determining a first bandwidth for transmitting a sounding reference signal (SRS) according to the first configuration; receiving a second configuration; determining at least one second bandwidth associated with at least one hop frequency of the SRS according to the second configuration, wherein a union of the at least one second bandwidth across a plurality of hop frequencies corresponds to the first bandwidth; receiving a third configuration; determining, according to the third configuration, that fewer than all resource blocks in a plurality of resource blocks associated with at least one second bandwidth associated with at least one hop frequency of the SRS are to be used for transmitting the SRS; generating the SRS; and transmitting the SRS to a base station in each hop frequency of the at least one hop frequency via at least one resource block in the plurality of resource blocks, wherein the at least one resource block is fewer than all resource blocks in the plurality of resource blocks associated with at least one second bandwidth associated with at least one hop frequency of the SRS. In some examples, the first user device includes: a transceiver; a memory; and a processor communicatively coupled to the transceiver and the memory. In some examples, the processor and memory are configured to: receive a first configuration via a transceiver; determine a first bandwidth for sending a sounding reference signal (SRS) based on the first configuration; receive a second configuration via the transceiver; determine at least one second bandwidth associated with at least one frequency hop of the SRS based on the second configuration, wherein the union of at least one second bandwidth on multiple frequency hops corresponds to the first bandwidth; receive a third configuration via the transceiver; determine, based on the third configuration, that less than all resource blocks in a plurality of resource blocks associated with at least one second bandwidth associated with at least one frequency hop of the SRS are to be used for sending the SRS; generate the SRS; and send the SRS to a base station in each hop of at least one frequency hop via the transceiver via at least one resource block in the plurality of resource blocks, wherein at least one resource block is less than all resource blocks in the plurality of resource blocks associated with the at least one second bandwidth associated with at least one frequency hop of the SRS. In some examples, the second user device includes: a unit for receiving a first configuration; a unit for determining a first bandwidth for sending a sounding reference signal (SRS) based on the first configuration; a unit for receiving a second configuration; a unit for determining at least one second bandwidth associated with at least one frequency hop of the SRS based on the second configuration, wherein the union of at least one second bandwidth on multiple frequency hops corresponds to the first bandwidth; a unit for receiving a third configuration; a unit for determining, based on the third configuration, that less than all resource blocks in a plurality of resource blocks associated with at least one second bandwidth associated with at least one frequency hop of the SRS are to be used for sending the SRS; a unit for generating the SRS; and a unit for sending the SRS to a base station in each hop in at least one frequency hop via at least one resource block among a plurality of resource blocks, wherein at least one resource block is less than all resource blocks in the plurality of resource blocks associated with at least one second bandwidth associated with at least one frequency hop of the SRS.In some examples, a first article for use with a user device in a wireless communication system includes a computer-readable medium having instructions stored therein executable by one or more processors of the user device to perform the following operations: receiving a first configuration; determining a first bandwidth for sending a sounding reference signal (SRS) based on the first configuration; receiving a second configuration; determining at least one second bandwidth associated with at least one hop frequency of the SRS based on the second configuration, wherein the union of at least one second bandwidth over multiple hop frequencies corresponds to the first bandwidth; receiving a third configuration; determining, based on the third configuration, that less than all resource blocks in a plurality of resource blocks associated with at least one second bandwidth associated with at least one hop frequency of the SRS are to be used for sending the SRS; generating the SRS; and sending the SRS to a base station in each hop frequency of at least one hop frequency via at least one resource block among the plurality of resource blocks, wherein the at least one resource block is less than all resource blocks in the plurality of resource blocks associated with at least one second bandwidth associated with at least one hop frequency of the SRS.

[0288] In some examples, any one of the first method, the first user device, the second user device, the first article, or a combination thereof may include any of the following features or any combination thereof: 1) receiving the third configuration includes: receiving a medium access control-control element (MAC-CE) including the third configuration, receiving downlink control information (DCI) including the third configuration, or receiving a radio resource control (RRC) message including the third configuration; 2) the third configuration further specifies a location of at least one resource block within a plurality of resource blocks associated with at least one second bandwidth associated with at least one frequency hop of the SRS; 3) the at least one resource block includes at least two resource blocks; and the third configuration further specifies a location of at least two resource blocks within the plurality of resource blocks. position; 4) a third configuration includes a bitmap; a first bit of the bitmap is mapped to a first subset of the plurality of resource blocks; and a second bit of the bitmap is mapped to a second subset of the plurality of resource blocks; 5) determining that the first bit is set; and after determining that the first bit is set, transmitting the SRS on the first subset of the plurality of resource blocks; 6) at least one frequency hopping comprises a plurality of frequency hopping SRS transmissions; and the plurality of resource blocks comprises a first set of resource blocks in a plurality of resource block sets designated for the plurality of frequency hopping SRS transmissions; 7) the third configuration includes an index indicating at least one resource block position for each of the plurality of resource block sets; and transmitting the plurality of frequency hopping SRS transmissions at at least one resource block position for each of the plurality of resource block sets; 8) the third configuration a first bitmap for a first hop of the plurality of frequency hopping SRS transmissions; and a second bitmap for a second hop of the plurality of frequency hopping SRS transmissions; 10) the looping includes a shift of resource block positions; 11) each of the plurality of resource block sets includes a first resource block position and a second resource block position; and the looping of the resource blocks indicates that: a first SRS transmission for the first hop occurs at the first resource block position, and a second SRS transmission for the second hop occurs at the second resource block position; 12) the third configuration further specifies whether the looping is to be applied to a specific hop of the plurality of frequency hopping SRS transmissions; 13) the third configuration includes an indication a bitmap indicating whether a cycle is to be applied to multiple resource block positions; 14) a third configuration specifies whether a hopping for multiple frequency hopping SRS transmissions activates or deactivates SRS transmission; 15) the third configuration includes a bitmap including: a first bit specifying whether a first hopping for multiple frequency hopping SRS transmissions activates or deactivates SRS transmission; and a second bit specifying whether a second hopping for multiple frequency hopping SRS transmissions activates or deactivates SRS transmission; 16) the third configuration specifies a range of resource blocks for at least one resource block; 17) the third configuration specifies a starting resource block and a number of resource blocks for at least one resource block; 18) receiving the third configuration includes receiving downlink control information (DCI) format 0_1 ​​including the third configuration;19) Receiving a third configuration includes receiving downlink control information (DCI), the DCI not scheduling data transmission and including a repurposed bit containing the third configuration; 20) Receiving the third configuration includes receiving downlink control information (DCI); the DCI specifies a first SRS resource set and a second SRS resource set; the first SRS resource set is associated with a first trigger list; the second SRS resource set is associated with a second trigger list; the first trigger list indicates whether the first SRS is sent on all resource blocks in a plurality of resource blocks less than the first SRS resource set; and the second trigger list indicates whether the second SRS is sent on all resource blocks in a plurality of resource blocks less than the second SRS resource set; 21) Receiving a radio resource control (RRC) message, the RRC message identifying at least one resource in the first SRS resource set designated for sending the first SRS; 22) The The third configuration includes a bitmap that identifies at least one resource in the first SRS resource set that is designated for transmitting the first SRS; 23) the third configuration also includes: a first bitmap that identifies at least one resource in the first SRS resource set that is designated for transmitting the first SRS; and a second bitmap that identifies at least one resource in the second SRS resource set that is designated for transmitting the second SRS; 24) receiving the third configuration includes receiving downlink control information (DCI) or a radio resource control (RRC) configuration; and the DCI or RRC configuration includes bits indicating that less than all resource blocks in the plurality of resource blocks are to be used for transmitting the SRS; 25) randomly selecting at least one resource block; 26) randomly selecting at least one resource block is based on a scrambling identifier for the user equipment; 27) selecting at least one resource block according to an order defined for hopping of the plurality of frequency hopping SRS transmissions.

[0289] In some examples, a second method of wireless communication performed at a base station includes: generating a first configuration indicating a first bandwidth for transmitting a sounding reference signal (SRS); transmitting the first configuration to a user equipment; generating a second configuration indicating at least one second bandwidth associated with at least one hop frequency of the SRS, wherein a union of the at least one second bandwidth across a plurality of hop frequencies corresponds to the first bandwidth; transmitting the second configuration to the user equipment; generating a third configuration, the third configuration specifying that less than all resource blocks of a plurality of resource blocks associated with the at least one second bandwidth associated with the at least one hop frequency of the SRS are to be used for transmitting the SRS; and transmitting the third configuration to the user equipment. In some examples, the first base station includes: a transceiver; a memory; and a processor communicatively coupled to the transceiver and the memory. In some examples, the processor and memory are configured to: generate a first configuration indicating a first bandwidth for sending a sounding reference signal (SRS); send the first configuration to a user device via a transceiver; generate a second configuration indicating at least one second bandwidth associated with at least one frequency hop of the SRS, wherein the union of at least one second bandwidth over a plurality of frequency hops corresponds to the first bandwidth; send the second configuration to the user device via the transceiver; generate a third configuration, the third configuration specifying less than all resource blocks of a plurality of resource blocks associated with at least one second bandwidth associated with at least one frequency hop of the SRS to be used for sending the SRS; and send the third configuration to the user device via the transceiver. In some examples, the second base station includes: a unit for generating a first configuration indicating a first bandwidth for sending a sounding reference signal (SRS); a unit for sending the first configuration to a user device; a unit for generating a second configuration indicating at least one second bandwidth associated with at least one frequency hop of the SRS, wherein the union of at least one second bandwidth over a plurality of frequency hops corresponds to the first bandwidth; a unit for sending the second configuration to the user device; a unit for generating a third configuration, the third configuration specifying that less than all resource blocks of a plurality of resource blocks associated with at least one second bandwidth associated with at least one frequency hop of the SRS are to be used for sending the SRS; and a unit for sending the third configuration to the user device. In some examples, a second article for use by a base station in a wireless communication network includes a computer-readable medium having instructions stored therein executable by one or more processors of the base station to: generate a first configuration indicating a first bandwidth for sending a sounding reference signal (SRS); send the first configuration to a user device; generate a second configuration indicating at least one second bandwidth associated with at least one frequency hop of the SRS, wherein a union of at least one second bandwidth over a plurality of frequency hops corresponds to the first bandwidth; send the second configuration to the user device; generate a third configuration specifying less than all of a plurality of resource blocks associated with at least one second bandwidth associated with at least one frequency hop of the SRS to be used for sending the SRS; and send the third configuration to the user device.

[0290] In some examples, any one of the second method, the first base station, the second base station, the second article, or a combination thereof may include any or any combination of the following features: 1) selecting to generate a third configuration to increase SRS signaling capacity; 2) specifying a number of bits for the third configuration to indicate which of a plurality of resource block groups is to be used for sending SRS; 3) specifying a number of resource blocks associated with each bit in a number of bits; 4) sending the third configuration includes: sending a medium access control-control element (MAC-CE) including the third configuration, sending downlink control information (DCI) including the third configuration, or sending a radio resource control (RRC) message including the third configuration; 5) the third configuration also specifies in the first bit being mapped to a first subset of the plurality of resource blocks; and the second bit being mapped to a second subset of the plurality of resource blocks; 8) setting the first bit; and after setting the first bit, receiving the SRS on the first subset of the plurality of resource blocks; 9) the at least one frequency hopping comprises a plurality of frequency hopping SRS transmissions; and the plurality of resource blocks comprises a first set of resource blocks from a plurality of sets of resource blocks designated for the plurality of frequency hopping SRS transmissions; 10) the third configuration comprises an instruction to use wherein the plurality of resource block sets are each configured to receive a plurality of frequency hopping SRS transmissions at least one resource block position for each of the plurality of resource block sets; and the method further comprises: receiving a plurality of frequency hopping SRS transmissions at at least one resource block position for each of the plurality of resource block sets; 11) the third configuration further specifies a rotation of resource blocks for different hops of the plurality of frequency hopping SRS transmissions; 12) the rotation is indicated by: a first bitmap for a first hop of the plurality of frequency hopping SRS transmissions; and a second bitmap for a second hop of the plurality of frequency hopping SRS transmissions; 13) the rotation comprises a shift of the resource block positions; 14) each of the plurality of resource block sets comprises a first resource block position and a second resource block position; and the rotation of the resource blocks indicates: a first bitmap for a first hop of the plurality of frequency hopping SRS transmissions; and a second bitmap for a second hop of the plurality of frequency hopping SRS transmissions; The SRS transmission occurs at a first resource block location, and a second SRS transmission for a second hop occurs at a second resource block location; 15) the third configuration further specifies whether cycling is to be applied to a particular hop of the multiple frequency hopping SRS transmissions; 16) the third configuration includes a bitmap that specifies whether cycling is to be applied to the multiple resource block locations; 17) the third configuration further specifies whether hopping for the multiple frequency hopping SRS transmissions activates or deactivates the SRS transmission; 18) the third configuration also includes a bitmap that includes: a first bit that specifies whether a first hop for the multiple frequency hopping SRS transmissions activates or deactivates the SRS transmission; and a second bit that specifies whether a second hop for the multiple frequency hopping SRS transmissions activates or deactivates the SRS transmission;19) The third configuration further specifies a range of resource blocks to be used for sending SRS; 20) The third configuration further specifies a starting resource block and a number of resource blocks to be used for sending SRS; 21) Sending the third configuration includes sending downlink control information (DCI) format 0_1 ​​including the third configuration; 22) Sending the third configuration includes sending downlink control information (DCI), the DCI does not schedule data transmission and includes a repurposed bit containing the third configuration; 23) Sending the third configuration includes sending downlink control information (DCI); the DCI specifies a first SRS resource set and a second SRS resource set; the first SRS resource set is associated with a first trigger list; the second SRS resource set is associated with a second trigger list; the first trigger list indicates whether the first SRS is sent on all resource blocks in a plurality of resource blocks less than the first SRS resource set; and the second trigger list indicates whether the second SRS is sent on all resource blocks in a plurality of resource blocks less than the second SRS resource set; 24) Sending a radio resource control (RRC) message, R The RC message identifies at least one resource in the first SRS resource set designated for transmitting the first SRS; 25) a third configuration includes a bitmap that identifies at least one resource in the first SRS resource set designated for transmitting the first SRS; 26) the third configuration also includes: a first bitmap that identifies at least one resource in the first SRS resource set designated for transmitting the first SRS; and a second bitmap that identifies at least one resource in the second SRS resource set designated for transmitting the second SRS; 27) transmitting the third configuration includes transmitting downlink control information (DCI) or a radio resource control (RRC) configuration; and the DCI or RRC configuration includes bits indicating that less than all resource blocks in the plurality of resource blocks are to be used for transmitting the SRS; 28) randomly selecting at least one resource block for receiving the SRS; 29) randomly selecting at least one resource block based on a scrambling identifier for the user equipment; 30) selecting at least one resource block for receiving the SRS according to an order defined for hopping of the plurality of frequency-hopping SRS transmissions.

[0291] In some examples, a third method of wireless communication at a user device includes: receiving at least one first sounding reference signal (SRS) configuration; determining a first bandwidth for a first SRS frequency hopping of a plurality of frequency-hopping SRS transmissions based on the at least one first SRS configuration; receiving a second SRS configuration; determining, based on the second SRS configuration, that less than all of a plurality of resource blocks associated with a first bandwidth for the first SRS frequency hopping are to be used for transmitting the first SRS; generating the first SRS; and transmitting the first SRS to a base station via at least one first resource block in a plurality of resource blocks associated with the first bandwidth for the first SRS frequency hopping, wherein the at least one first resource block is less than all of the resource blocks in the plurality of resource blocks associated with the first bandwidth for the first SRS frequency hopping. In some examples, the third user device includes: a transceiver; a memory; and a processor communicatively coupled to the transceiver and the memory. In some examples, the processor and memory are configured to: receive at least one first sounding reference signal (SRS) configuration via a transceiver; determine a first bandwidth for a first SRS hop for multiple hopping SRS transmissions based on the at least one first SRS configuration; receive a second SRS configuration via the transceiver; determine, based on the second SRS configuration, that less than all resource blocks in a plurality of resource blocks associated with the first bandwidth for the first SRS hop are to be used for sending the first SRS; generate a first SRS; and send the first SRS to a base station via the transceiver via at least one first resource block in a plurality of resource blocks associated with the first bandwidth for the first SRS hop, wherein the at least one first resource block is less than all resource blocks in the plurality of resource blocks associated with the first bandwidth for the first SRS hop. In some examples, the fourth user device includes: a unit for receiving at least one first sounding reference signal (SRS) configuration; a unit for determining a first bandwidth for a first SRS hop for multiple hopping SRS transmissions based on the at least one first SRS configuration; a unit for receiving a second SRS configuration; a unit for determining, based on the second SRS configuration, that less than all resource blocks in a plurality of resource blocks associated with the first bandwidth for the first SRS hop are to be used for sending the first SRS; a unit for generating the first SRS; and a unit for sending the first SRS to the base station via at least one first resource block in a plurality of resource blocks associated with the first bandwidth for the first SRS hop, wherein the at least one first resource block is less than all resource blocks in the plurality of resource blocks associated with the first bandwidth for the first SRS hop.In some examples, a third article for use with a user device in a wireless communication network includes a computer-readable medium having instructions stored therein executable by one or more processors of the user device to: receive at least one first sounding reference signal (SRS) configuration; determine a first bandwidth for a first SRS hop for multiple hopping SRS transmissions based on the at least one first SRS configuration; receive a second SRS configuration; determine, based on the second SRS configuration, that fewer than all resource blocks in a plurality of resource blocks associated with the first bandwidth for the first SRS hop are to be used for sending the first SRS; generate the first SRS; and send the first SRS to a base station via at least one first resource block in a plurality of resource blocks associated with the first bandwidth for the first SRS hop, wherein the at least one first resource block is fewer than all resource blocks in the plurality of resource blocks associated with the first bandwidth for the first SRS hop.

[0292] In some examples, any of the third method, third user device, fourth user device, third article, or combination thereof may include any or any combination of the following features: 1) determining an SRS bandwidth based on at least one first SRS configuration; wherein a sum of multiple second bandwidths including the first bandwidth on multiple frequency-hopping SRS transmissions including the first SRS frequency hopping corresponds to the SRS bandwidth; 2) determining a second bandwidth for a second SRS frequency hop for the multiple frequency-hopping SRS transmissions based on at least one first SRS configuration; determining, based on the second SRS configuration, that less than all resource blocks in a plurality of resource blocks associated with the second bandwidth for the second SRS frequency hopping are to be used for transmitting a second SRS; generating a second SRS; and transmitting the second SRS via a communication channel for transmitting the second SRS. The method further comprises: transmitting the second SRS to the base station by using at least one second resource block in the plurality of resource blocks associated with the second bandwidth for the second SRS frequency hopping, wherein the at least one second resource block is less than all resource blocks in the plurality of resource blocks associated with the second bandwidth for the second SRS frequency hopping; 3) receiving the second SRS configuration comprises: receiving a medium access control-control element (MAC-CE) including the second SRS configuration, receiving downlink control information (DCI) including the second SRS configuration, or receiving a radio resource control (RRC) message including the second SRS configuration; 4) the second SRS configuration further specifies a position of at least one first resource block within the plurality of resource blocks; 5) the at least one first resource block comprises at least two resource blocks; and The second SRS configuration further specifies positions of at least two resource blocks within the plurality of resource blocks; 6) the second SRS configuration includes a bitmap; a first bit of the bitmap is mapped to a first subset of the plurality of resource blocks; and a second bit of the bitmap is mapped to a second subset of the plurality of resource blocks; 7) determining that the first bit is set; and after determining that the first bit is set, transmitting a first SRS on the first subset of the plurality of resource blocks; 8) the plurality of resource blocks includes a first set of resource blocks in a plurality of sets of resource blocks designated for a plurality of frequency hopping SRS transmissions; 9) the second SRS configuration includes an index indicating at least one resource block position for each set of the plurality of sets of resource blocks; and the method further includes transmitting at least one resource block position for a corresponding set of the plurality of sets of resource blocks each hop of the plurality of frequency hopping SRS transmissions is transmitted at a block location; 10) the second SRS configuration specifies a cycle of resource blocks to be used for different hops of the plurality of frequency hopping SRS transmissions; 11) the cycle is indicated by: a first bitmap for a first SRS frequency hop; and a second bitmap for a second SRS frequency hop of the plurality of frequency hopping SRS transmissions; 12) the cycle includes a shift of resource block locations; 13) each set of the plurality of resource block sets includes a first resource block location and a second resource block location; and the cycle of resource blocks indicates that: a first SRS transmission for the first SRS frequency hop occurs at the first resource block location, and a second SRS transmission for the second SRS frequency hop of the plurality of frequency hopping SRS transmissions occurs at the second resource block location;14) The second SRS configuration further specifies whether looping is to be applied to a particular hop of the multiple frequency hopping SRS transmissions; 15) The second SRS configuration includes a bitmap that specifies whether looping is to be applied to a plurality of resource block locations; 16) The second SRS configuration specifies whether hopping for the multiple frequency hopping SRS transmissions activates or deactivates the SRS transmission; 17) The second SRS configuration also includes a bitmap that includes: a first bit that specifies whether the SRS transmission is to be activated or deactivated for the first SRS frequency hopping; and a second bit that specifies whether the SRS transmission is to be activated or deactivated for the second SRS frequency hopping for the multiple frequency hopping SRS transmissions; 18) The second SRS configuration specifies a range of resource blocks for at least one first resource block ; 19) the second SRS configuration specifies a starting resource block and a number of resource blocks for at least one first resource block; 20) receiving the second SRS configuration includes receiving downlink control information (DCI) format 0_1 ​​including the second SRS configuration; 21) receiving the second SRS configuration includes receiving downlink control information (DCI), the DCI does not schedule data transmission and includes a repurposed bit containing the second SRS configuration; 22) receiving the second SRS configuration includes receiving downlink control information (DCI); the DCI specifies a first SRS resource set and a second SRS resource set; the first SRS resource set is associated with a first trigger list; the second SRS resource set is associated with a second trigger list associated; the first trigger list indicates whether to send the first SRS on all resource blocks in a plurality of resource blocks less than the first SRS resource set; and the second trigger list indicates whether to send the second SRS on all resource blocks in a plurality of resource blocks less than the second SRS resource set; 23) receiving a radio resource control (RRC) message, the RRC message identifying at least one resource in the first SRS resource set designated for sending the first SRS; 24) the second SRS configuration includes a bitmap, the bitmap identifying at least one resource in the first SRS resource set designated for sending the first SRS; 25) the second SRS configuration also includes: a first bitmap, which identifies the at least one resource in the first SRS resource set designated for sending the first SRS at least one resource designated for transmitting a first SRS; and a second bitmap identifying at least one resource in a second SRS resource set designated for transmitting the second SRS; 26) receiving the second SRS configuration includes receiving downlink control information (DCI) or a radio resource control (RRC) configuration; and the DCI or RRC configuration includes bits indicating that less than all resource blocks of a plurality of resource blocks are to be used for transmitting the first SRS; 27) randomly selecting the at least one first resource block; 28) randomly selecting the at least one first resource block is based on a scrambling identifier for the user equipment; 29) selecting the at least one first resource block according to an order defined for hopping of the plurality of frequency hopping SRS transmissions.

[0293] In some examples, a fourth method of wireless communication performed at a base station includes: generating at least one first sounding reference signal (SRS) configuration, the at least one first SRS configuration indicating a first bandwidth for a first SRS frequency hopping of a plurality of frequency-hopping SRS transmissions; transmitting the at least one first SRS configuration to a user device; generating a second SRS configuration, the second SRS configuration specifying that less than all resource blocks in a plurality of resource blocks associated with the first bandwidth for the first SRS frequency hopping are to be used for transmitting the first SRS; and transmitting the second SRS configuration to the user device. In some examples, a third base station includes: a transceiver; a memory; and a processor communicatively coupled to the transceiver and the memory. In some examples, the processor and the memory are configured to: generate at least one first sounding reference signal (SRS) configuration, the at least one first SRS configuration indicating a first bandwidth for a first SRS frequency hopping of the plurality of frequency-hopping SRS transmissions; transmitting the at least one first SRS configuration to the user device via the transceiver; generating a second SRS configuration, the second SRS configuration specifying that less than all resource blocks in a plurality of resource blocks associated with the first bandwidth for the first SRS frequency hopping are to be used for transmitting the first SRS; and transmitting the second SRS configuration to the user device via the transceiver. In some examples, a fourth base station includes: means for generating at least one first sounding reference signal (SRS) configuration, the at least one first SRS configuration indicating a first bandwidth for a first SRS frequency hopping of a plurality of frequency-hopping SRS transmissions; means for sending the at least one first SRS configuration to a user device; means for generating a second SRS configuration, the second SRS configuration specifying that less than all of a plurality of resource blocks associated with the first bandwidth for the first SRS frequency hopping are to be used for transmitting the first SRS; and means for sending the second SRS configuration to the user device. In some examples, a fourth article of manufacture for use by a base station in a wireless communication network includes a computer-readable medium having instructions stored therein executable by one or more processors of the base station to: generate at least one first sounding reference signal (SRS) configuration, the at least one first SRS configuration indicating a first bandwidth for a first SRS frequency hopping of a plurality of frequency-hopping SRS transmissions; sending the at least one first SRS configuration to the user device; generating a second SRS configuration, the second SRS configuration specifying that less than all of a plurality of resource blocks associated with the first bandwidth for the first SRS frequency hopping are to be used for transmitting the first SRS; and sending the second SRS configuration to the user device.

[0294] In some examples, any one of the fourth method, the third base station, the fourth base station, the fourth article, or a combination thereof may include any of the following features or any combination: 1) at least one first SRS configuration also indicates an SRS bandwidth; and the sum of multiple second bandwidths including the first bandwidth on multiple hopping SRS transmissions including the first SRS hop corresponds to the SRS bandwidth; 2) at least one first SRS configuration indicates a second bandwidth for a second SRS hop for multiple hopping SRS transmissions; and the second SRS configuration also specifies that less than all resource blocks in a plurality of resource blocks associated with the second bandwidth for the second SRS hop are to be used for sending the second SRS; 3) selecting to generate the second SRS configuration to increase SRS signaling capacity ; 4) specifying a number of bits for a second SRS configuration to indicate which of a plurality of resource block groups is to be used for transmitting the first SRS; 5) specifying a number of resource blocks associated with each bit in a number of bits; 6) sending a medium access control-control element (MAC-CE) including the second SRS configuration, sending downlink control information (DCI) including the second SRS configuration, or sending a radio resource control (RRC) message including the second SRS configuration; 7) the second SRS configuration further specifies a position of at least one resource block within the plurality of resource blocks for transmitting the first SRS; 8) the second SRS configuration further specifies positions of at least two resource blocks within the plurality of resource blocks; 9) the second SRS configuration includes bitmap; a first bit of the bitmap is mapped to a first subset of the plurality of resource blocks; and a second bit of the bitmap is mapped to a second subset of the plurality of resource blocks; 10) setting the first bit; and after setting the first bit, receiving a first SRS on the first subset of the plurality of resource blocks; 11) the plurality of resource blocks includes a first set of resource blocks in a plurality of sets of resource blocks designated for a plurality of frequency hopping SRS transmissions; 12) a second SRS configuration includes an index indicating at least one resource block position for each set of the plurality of sets of resource blocks; and the method further includes: receiving each hop of the plurality of frequency hopping SRS transmissions at at least one resource block position for a corresponding set of the plurality of sets of resource blocks; 13) the second SRS configuration also specifies a first set of resource blocks to be used for the plurality of sets of resource blocks 14) the cycling is indicated by: a first bitmap for a first SRS frequency hop; and a second bitmap for a second SRS frequency hop of the plurality of frequency hopping SRS transmissions; 15) the cycling comprises a shifting of resource block positions; 16) each of the plurality of resource block sets comprises a first resource block position and a second resource block position; and the cycling of the resource blocks indicates: a first SRS transmission for the first SRS frequency hop occurs at the first resource block position, and a second SRS transmission for the second SRS frequency hop of the plurality of frequency hopping SRS transmissions occurs at the second resource block position; 17) the second SRS configuration further specifies whether the cycling is to be applied to a particular hop of the plurality of frequency hopping SRS transmissions;18) The second SRS configuration includes a bitmap that specifies whether a loop is to be applied to multiple resource block locations; 19) The second SRS configuration further specifies whether a hopping for multiple frequency hopping SRS transmissions is to activate or deactivate the SRS transmission; 20) The second SRS configuration further includes a bitmap that includes: a first bit that specifies whether the SRS transmission is to be activated or deactivated for the first SRS frequency hopping; and a second bit that specifies whether the second SRS frequency hopping for the multiple frequency hopping SRS transmissions is to be activated or deactivated SRS transmission; 21) The second SRS configuration further specifies a range of resource blocks to be used for sending the first SRS; 22) The second SRS configuration further specifies a starting resource block and a resource block to be used for sending the first SRS number; 23) sending a second SRS configuration includes sending downlink control information (DCI) format 0_1 ​​including the second SRS configuration; 24) sending the second SRS configuration includes sending downlink control information (DCI), the DCI does not schedule data transmission and includes a repurposed bit containing the second SRS configuration; 25) sending the second SRS configuration includes sending downlink control information (DCI); the DCI specifies a first SRS resource set and a second SRS resource set; the first SRS resource set is associated with a first trigger list; the second SRS resource set is associated with a second trigger list; the first trigger list indicates whether a plurality of resource blocks less than the first SRS resource set are used. and a second trigger list indicating whether to send the second SRS on all resource blocks in a plurality of resource blocks less than the second SRS resource set; 26) sending a radio resource control (RRC) message, the RRC message identifying at least one resource in the first SRS resource set that is designated for sending the first SRS; 27) the second SRS configuration includes a bitmap, the bitmap identifying at least one resource in the first SRS resource set that is designated for sending the first SRS; 28) the second SRS configuration further includes: a first bitmap identifying at least one resource in the first SRS resource set that is designated for sending the first SRS; and a second bitmap identifying the second at least one resource in the SRS resource set designated for transmitting a second SRS; 29) transmitting the second SRS configuration includes transmitting downlink control information (DCI) or a radio resource control (RRC) configuration; and the DCI or RRC configuration includes bits indicating that fewer than all resource blocks in the plurality of resource blocks are to be used for transmitting the first SRS; 30) randomly selecting at least one resource block in the plurality of resource blocks for receiving the first SRS; 31) randomly selecting the at least one resource block is based on a scrambling identifier for a user equipment; 32) selecting at least one resource block in the plurality of resource blocks for receiving the first SRS according to an order defined for hopping of the plurality of frequency hopping SRS transmissions.

[0295] Several aspects of wireless communication networks have been presented with reference to example implementations. As those skilled in the art will readily appreciate, various aspects described throughout this disclosure may be extended to other telecommunication systems, network architectures, and communication standards.

[0296] By way of example, various aspects may be implemented within other systems defined by 3GPP, such as Long Term Evolution (LTE), Evolved Packet System (EPS), Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS), and / or Global System for Mobile (GSM). Various aspects may also be extended to systems defined by the 3rd Generation Partnership Project 2 (3GPP2), such as CDMA2000 and / or Evolution-Data Optimized (EV-DO). Other examples may be implemented within systems employing IEEE 802.11 (Wi-Fi), IEEE 802.16 (WiMAX), IEEE 802.20, Ultra-Wideband (UWB), Bluetooth, and / or other suitable systems. The actual telecommunication standard, network architecture, and / or communication standard employed will depend on the specific application and the overall design constraints imposed on the system.

[0297] Within this disclosure, the word "exemplary" is used to mean "serving as an example, instance, or illustration." Any implementation or aspect described herein as "exemplary" should not be construed as preferred or advantageous over other aspects of the disclosure. Likewise, the term "aspect" does not require that all aspects of the disclosure include the discussed feature, advantage, or mode of operation. The term "coupled" is used herein to refer to a direct coupling or an indirect coupling between two objects. For example, if object A physically contacts object B, and object B contacts object C, objects A and C can still be considered to be coupled to each other, even if they are not in direct physical contact with each other. For example, a first object can be coupled to a second object, even if the first object has never been in direct physical contact with the second object. The terms "circuit" and "circuitry" are used broadly and are intended to include both hardware implementations of electronic devices and conductors that, when connected and configured, enable the performance of the functions described in this disclosure, without limitation as to the type of electronic circuitry, and software implementations of information and instructions that, when executed by a processor, enable the performance of the functions described in this disclosure.

[0298] exist Figure 1-22 One or more of the components, steps, features and / or functions shown in the drawings may be rearranged and / or combined into a single component, step, feature or function, or embodied in several components, steps or functions. Additional elements, components, steps and / or functions may also be added without departing from the novel features disclosed herein. Figure 1-22The apparatus, device and / or component shown in any figure in can be configured to perform one or more of the methods, features or steps described herein. The novel algorithms described herein can also be efficiently implemented in software and / or embedded in hardware.

[0299] It is to be understood that the specific order or hierarchy of steps in the disclosed methods is an illustration of example processes. It is to be understood that the specific order or hierarchy of steps in these methods can be rearranged based on design preferences. The accompanying method claims present elements of the various steps in a sample order, and are not intended to be limited to the specific order or hierarchy presented unless expressly recited herein.

[0300] The preceding description is provided to enable anyone skilled in the art to practice the various aspects described herein. Various modifications to these aspects will be apparent to those skilled in the art, and the general principles defined herein may be applied to other aspects. Accordingly, the claims are not intended to be limited to the aspects shown herein, but are to be given the full scope consistent with the text of the claims, wherein, unless expressly stated otherwise, reference to an element in the singular is not intended to mean "one and only one," but rather "one or more." Unless otherwise expressly stated, the term "some" refers to one or more. A phrase referring to "at least one" of a list of items refers to any combination of those items, including a single member. For example, "at least one of the following: a, b, or c" is intended to cover: a; b; c; a and b; a and c; b and c; and a, b, and c. All structural and functional equivalents of the elements of the various aspects described throughout this disclosure that are known or will become known to those of ordinary skill in the art are expressly incorporated herein by reference and are intended to be encompassed by the claims. In addition, no disclosure herein is intended to be dedicated to the public, regardless of whether such disclosure is expressly recited in the claims.

Claims

1. A method for wireless communication performed at a user equipment, the method comprising: receiving a first configuration; determining a first bandwidth for transmitting a sounding reference signal (SRS) according to the first configuration; receiving a second configuration; determining at least one second bandwidth associated with at least one frequency hop of the SRS according to the second configuration, wherein a union of the at least one second bandwidth over a plurality of frequency hops corresponds to the first bandwidth, and wherein the at least one frequency hop comprises a plurality of frequency hopping SRS transmissions; receiving a third configuration; determining, according to the third configuration, that fewer than all resource blocks of a plurality of resource blocks associated with the at least one second bandwidth associated with the at least one frequency hopping of the SRS are to be used for transmitting the SRS, wherein the plurality of resource blocks comprises a first set of resource blocks of a plurality of sets of resource blocks designated for the multiple frequency hopping SRS transmissions, and wherein the third configuration specifies a cycle of the first set of resource blocks for different hops to be used for the multiple frequency hopping SRS transmissions; generating the SRS; and The SRS is transmitted to a network element in each of the at least one frequency hop via at least one resource block in the first set of resource blocks, wherein the at least one resource block is less than all resource blocks in the plurality of resource blocks associated with the at least one second bandwidth associated with the at least one frequency hop of the SRS.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein Receiving the third configuration includes: A medium access control-control element (MAC-CE) including the third configuration is received, downlink control information (DCI) including the third configuration is received, or a radio resource control (RRC) message including the third configuration is received.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein The third configuration further specifies a location of the at least one resource block within the plurality of resource blocks associated with the at least one second bandwidth associated with the at least one frequency hopping of the SRS.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein: The at least one resource block comprises at least two resource blocks; and The third configuration further specifies positions of the at least two resource blocks within the plurality of resource blocks.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein: The third configuration includes a bitmap; A first bit of the bitmap is mapped to a first subset of the plurality of resource blocks; and A second bit of the bitmap is mapped to a second subset of the plurality of resource blocks.

6. The method according to claim 5, further comprising: determining that the first bit is set; as well as After determining that the first bit is set, the SRS is transmitted on the first subset of the plurality of resource blocks.

7. The method according to claim 1, wherein The cycle is indicated by: a first bitmap for a first hop of the plurality of frequency hopping SRS transmissions; and A second bitmap for a second hopping of the plurality of frequency hopping SRS transmissions.

8. The method according to claim 1, wherein The cycling includes a shifting of resource block positions.

9. The method according to claim 1, wherein: Each of the plurality of resource block sets comprises a first resource block position and a second resource block position; and The resource block cycle indicates that a first SRS transmission for a first hop occurs at the first resource block location and a second SRS transmission for a second hop occurs at the second resource block location.

10. The method according to claim 1, wherein The third configuration also specifies whether the cycling is to be applied to a particular hop of the plurality of frequency-hopping SRS transmissions.

11. The method according to claim 1, wherein The third configuration includes a bitmap specifying whether the round robin is to be applied to a plurality of resource block positions.

12. The method according to claim 1, wherein The third configuration specifies whether hopping for the plurality of frequency hopping SRS transmissions activates or deactivates SRS transmissions.

13. The method according to claim 1, wherein The third configuration includes a bitmap, the bitmap including: a first bit that specifies whether a first hop for the plurality of frequency-hopping SRS transmissions activates or deactivates SRS transmission; and A second bit specifies whether a second hopping for the plurality of frequency hopping SRS transmissions is to activate or deactivate SRS transmission.

14. The method according to claim 1, wherein The third configuration specifies a range of resource blocks for the at least one resource block.

15. The method according to claim 1, wherein The third configuration specifies a starting resource block and a number of resource blocks for the at least one resource block.

16. The method according to claim 1, wherein The receiving the third configuration includes: A downlink control information (DCI) format 0_1 ​​including the third configuration is received.

17. The method according to claim 1, wherein The receiving the third configuration includes: Downlink control information (DCI) is received, the DCI not scheduling data transmission and including repurposed bits containing the third configuration.

18. The method of claim 1, wherein: The receiving the third configuration includes receiving downlink control information (DCI); The DCI specifies a first SRS resource set and a second SRS resource set; The first SRS resource set is associated with a first trigger list; The second SRS resource set is associated with a second trigger list; The first trigger list indicates whether to transmit a first SRS on all resource blocks in a plurality of resource blocks less than the first SRS resource set; and The second triggering list indicates whether to transmit the second SRS on all resource blocks of a plurality of resource blocks less than the second SRS resource set.

19. The method according to claim 18, further comprising: A radio resource control (RRC) message is received, the RRC message identifying at least one resource in the first set of SRS resources designated for sending the first SRS.

20. The method according to claim 18, wherein The third configuration includes a bitmap that identifies at least one resource in the first SRS resource set that is designated for sending the first SRS.

21. The method according to claim 18, wherein The third configuration further includes: a first bitmap identifying at least one resource in the first SRS resource set designated for sending the first SRS; and A second bitmap identifies at least one resource in the second SRS resource set that is designated for sending the second SRS.

22. The method of claim 1, wherein: The receiving the third configuration includes receiving downlink control information (DCI) or radio resource control (RRC) configuration; and The DCI or the RRC configuration includes bits indicating that fewer than all resource blocks of the plurality of resource blocks are to be used for transmitting the SRS.

23. The method according to claim 22, further comprising: The at least one resource block is randomly selected.

24. The method according to claim 23, wherein The randomly selecting the at least one resource block is based on a scrambling identifier for the user equipment.

25. The method of claim 22, further comprising: The at least one resource block is selected according to a defined order for hopping of the plurality of frequency hopping SRS transmissions.

26. A user equipment comprising: transceiver; Memory; as well as a processor communicatively coupled to the transceiver and the memory, wherein the processor and the memory are configured to: receiving, via the transceiver, a first configuration; determining a first bandwidth for transmitting a sounding reference signal (SRS) according to the first configuration; receiving, via the transceiver, a second configuration; determining at least one second bandwidth associated with at least one frequency hop of the SRS according to the second configuration, wherein a union of the at least one second bandwidth over a plurality of frequency hops corresponds to the first bandwidth, and wherein the at least one frequency hop comprises a plurality of frequency hopping SRS transmissions; receiving, via the transceiver, a third configuration; determining, according to the third configuration, that fewer than all resource blocks of a plurality of resource blocks associated with the at least one second bandwidth associated with the at least one frequency hopping of the SRS are to be used for transmitting the SRS, wherein the plurality of resource blocks comprises a first set of resource blocks of a plurality of sets of resource blocks designated for the multiple frequency hopping SRS transmissions, and wherein the third configuration specifies a cycle of the first set of resource blocks for different hops to be used for the multiple frequency hopping SRS transmissions; generating the SRS; and The SRS is transmitted, via the transceiver, to a network element in each of the at least one frequency hop via at least one resource block from the first set of resource blocks, wherein the at least one resource block is less than all of the plurality of resource blocks associated with the at least one second bandwidth associated with the at least one frequency hop of the SRS.

27. The user equipment according to claim 26, wherein: The processor and the memory are further configured to: A medium access control-control element (MAC-CE) including the third configuration is received, downlink control information (DCI) including the third configuration is received, or a radio resource control (RRC) message including the third configuration is received.

28. The user equipment according to claim 26, wherein: The third configuration further specifies a location of the at least one resource block within the plurality of resource blocks associated with the at least one second bandwidth associated with the at least one frequency hopping of the SRS.

29. The user equipment according to claim 26, wherein: The at least one resource block comprises at least two resource blocks; and The third configuration further specifies positions of the at least two resource blocks within the plurality of resource blocks.

30. The user equipment according to claim 26, wherein: The third configuration includes a bitmap; A first bit of the bitmap is mapped to a first subset of the plurality of resource blocks; and A second bit of the bitmap is mapped to a second subset of the plurality of resource blocks.

31. The user equipment according to claim 30, wherein: The processor and the memory are further configured to: determining that the first bit is set; and After determining that the first bit is set, the SRS is transmitted on the first subset of the plurality of resource blocks.

32. The user equipment according to claim 26, wherein: The cycle is indicated by: a first bitmap for a first hop of the plurality of frequency hopping SRS transmissions; and A second bitmap for a second hopping of the plurality of frequency hopping SRS transmissions.

33. The user equipment according to claim 26, wherein: The cycling includes a shifting of resource block positions.

34. The user equipment of claim 26, wherein: Each of the plurality of resource block sets comprises a first resource block position and a second resource block position; and The resource block cycle indicates that a first SRS transmission for a first hop occurs at the first resource block location and a second SRS transmission for a second hop occurs at the second resource block location.

35. The user equipment according to claim 26, wherein: The third configuration also specifies whether the cycling is to be applied to a particular hop of the plurality of frequency-hopping SRS transmissions.

36. The user equipment according to claim 26, wherein: The third configuration includes a bitmap specifying whether the round robin is to be applied to a plurality of resource block positions.

37. The user equipment according to claim 26, wherein: The third configuration specifies whether hopping for the plurality of frequency hopping SRS transmissions activates or deactivates SRS transmissions.

38. The user equipment according to claim 26, wherein: The third configuration further includes a bitmap, the bitmap including: a first bit that specifies whether a first hop for the plurality of frequency-hopping SRS transmissions activates or deactivates SRS transmission; and A second bit specifies whether a second hopping for the plurality of frequency hopping SRS transmissions is to activate or deactivate SRS transmission.

39. The user equipment according to claim 26, wherein: The third configuration specifies a range of resource blocks for the at least one resource block.

40. The user equipment according to claim 26, wherein The third configuration specifies a starting resource block and a number of resource blocks for the at least one resource block.

41. The user equipment according to claim 26, wherein: The processor and the memory are further configured to: A downlink control information (DCI) format 0_1 ​​including the third configuration is received.

42. The user equipment according to claim 26, wherein: The processor and the memory are further configured to: Downlink control information (DCI) is received, the DCI not scheduling data transmission and including repurposed bits containing the third configuration.

43. The user equipment of claim 26, wherein: The processor and the memory are further configured to receive downlink control information (DCI); The DCI specifies a first SRS resource set and a second SRS resource set; The first SRS resource set is associated with a first trigger list; The second SRS resource set is associated with a second trigger list; The first trigger list indicates whether to transmit a first SRS on all resource blocks in a plurality of resource blocks less than the first SRS resource set; and The second triggering list indicates whether to transmit the second SRS on all resource blocks of a plurality of resource blocks less than the second SRS resource set.

44. The user equipment according to claim 43, wherein: The processor and the memory are further configured to: A radio resource control (RRC) message is received, the RRC message identifying at least one resource in the first set of SRS resources designated for sending the first SRS.

45. The user equipment according to claim 43, wherein The third configuration includes a bitmap that identifies at least one resource in the first SRS resource set that is designated for sending the first SRS.

46. ​​The user equipment according to claim 43, wherein The third configuration further includes: a first bitmap identifying at least one resource in the first SRS resource set designated for sending the first SRS; and A second bitmap identifies at least one resource in the second SRS resource set that is designated for sending the second SRS.

47. The user equipment of claim 26, wherein: The processor and the memory are further configured to: receive downlink control information (DCI) or radio resource control (RRC) configuration; and The DCI or the RRC configuration includes bits indicating that fewer than all resource blocks of the plurality of resource blocks are to be used for transmitting the SRS.

48. The user equipment according to claim 47, wherein The processor and the memory are further configured to: The at least one resource block is randomly selected.

49. The user equipment according to claim 47, wherein The processor and the memory are further configured to: The at least one resource block is randomly selected based on a scrambling identifier for the user equipment.

50. The user equipment according to claim 47, wherein The processor and the memory are further configured to: The at least one resource block is selected according to a defined order for hopping of the plurality of frequency hopping SRS transmissions.

51. A user equipment comprising: means for receiving a first configuration; means for determining a first bandwidth for transmitting a sounding reference signal (SRS) according to the first configuration; means for receiving a second configuration; means for determining at least one second bandwidth associated with at least one frequency hopping of the SRS according to the second configuration, wherein a union of the at least one second bandwidth over a plurality of hopping frequencies corresponds to the first bandwidth, and wherein the at least one frequency hopping comprises a plurality of frequency hopping SRS transmissions; means for receiving a third configuration; means for determining, based on the third configuration, that fewer than all of a plurality of resource blocks associated with the at least one second bandwidth associated with the at least one frequency hopping of the SRS are to be used for transmitting the SRS, wherein the plurality of resource blocks comprises a first set of resource blocks in a plurality of sets of resource blocks designated for the multiple frequency hopping SRS transmissions, and wherein the third configuration specifies a rotation of the first set of resource blocks for different hops to be used for the multiple frequency hopping SRS transmissions; means for generating the SRS; and means for transmitting the SRS to a network element in each of the at least one frequency hop via at least one resource block in the first set of resource blocks, wherein the at least one resource block is less than all resource blocks in the plurality of resource blocks associated with the at least one second bandwidth associated with the at least one frequency hop of the SRS.

52. An article of manufacture for use with a user equipment in a wireless communication network, the article of manufacture comprising: A computer-readable medium having instructions stored therein executable by one or more processors of the user device to: receiving a first configuration; determining a first bandwidth for transmitting a sounding reference signal (SRS) according to the first configuration; receiving a second configuration; determining at least one second bandwidth associated with at least one frequency hop of the SRS according to the second configuration, wherein a union of the at least one second bandwidth over a plurality of frequency hops corresponds to the first bandwidth, and wherein the at least one frequency hop comprises a plurality of frequency hopping SRS transmissions; receiving a third configuration; determining, according to the third configuration, that fewer than all resource blocks of a plurality of resource blocks associated with the at least one second bandwidth associated with the at least one frequency hopping of the SRS are to be used for transmitting the SRS, wherein the plurality of resource blocks comprises a first set of resource blocks of a plurality of sets of resource blocks designated for the multiple frequency hopping SRS transmissions, and wherein the third configuration specifies a cycle of the first set of resource blocks for different hops to be used for the multiple frequency hopping SRS transmissions; generating the SRS; and The SRS is transmitted to a network element in each of the at least one frequency hop via at least one resource block in the first set of resource blocks, wherein the at least one resource block is less than all resource blocks in the plurality of resource blocks associated with the at least one second bandwidth associated with the at least one frequency hop of the SRS.

53. A method of wireless communication at a network element, the method comprising: generating a first configuration indicating a first bandwidth for transmitting a sounding reference signal (SRS); Sending the first configuration to the user equipment; generating a second configuration indicating at least one second bandwidth associated with at least one frequency hop of the SRS, wherein a union of the at least one second bandwidth over a plurality of frequency hops corresponds to the first bandwidth, and wherein the at least one frequency hop comprises a plurality of frequency hopping SRS transmissions; Sending the second configuration to the user equipment; generating a third configuration that specifies fewer than all resource blocks from a plurality of resource blocks associated with the at least one second bandwidth associated with the at least one frequency hopping of the SRS to be used for transmitting the SRS, wherein the plurality of resource blocks includes a first set of resource blocks from a plurality of sets of resource blocks specified for the multiple frequency hopping SRS transmissions, and wherein the third configuration specifies a rotation of the first set of resource blocks for different hops to be used for the multiple frequency hopping SRS transmissions; and Send the third configuration to the user equipment.

54. The method of claim 53, further comprising: The third configuration is selected to increase SRS signaling capacity.

55. The method of claim 53, further comprising: The number of bits used for the third configuration is designated to indicate which of a plurality of resource block groups is to be used for transmitting the SRS.

56. The method of claim 55, further comprising: The number of resource blocks associated with each of the number of bits is specified.

57. The method of claim 53, wherein: The sending the third configuration includes: A medium access control-control element (MAC-CE) including the third configuration is transmitted, downlink control information (DCI) including the third configuration is transmitted, or a radio resource control (RRC) message including the third configuration is transmitted.

58. The method of claim 53, wherein The third configuration further specifies a location of at least one resource block within the plurality of resource blocks associated with the at least one second bandwidth associated with the at least one frequency hopping of the SRS.

59. The method of claim 58, wherein: The at least one resource block comprises at least two resource blocks; and The third configuration further specifies positions of the at least two resource blocks within the plurality of resource blocks.

60. The method of claim 53, wherein: The third configuration includes a bitmap; A first bit of the bitmap is mapped to a first subset of the plurality of resource blocks; and A second bit of the bitmap is mapped to a second subset of the plurality of resource blocks.

61. The method of claim 60, further comprising: Setting the first bit; as well as After setting the first bit, the SRS is received on the first subset of the plurality of resource blocks.

62. The method of claim 53, wherein: The cycle is indicated by: a first bitmap for a first hop of the plurality of frequency hopping SRS transmissions; and A second bitmap for a second hopping of the plurality of frequency hopping SRS transmissions.

63. The method of claim 53, wherein: The cycling includes a shifting of resource block positions.

64. The method of claim 53, wherein: Each of the plurality of resource block sets comprises a first resource block position and a second resource block position; and The resource block cycle indicates that a first SRS transmission for a first hop occurs at the first resource block location and a second SRS transmission for a second hop occurs at the second resource block location.

65. The method of claim 53, wherein The third configuration also specifies whether the cycling is to be applied to a particular hop of the plurality of frequency-hopping SRS transmissions.

66. The method of claim 53, wherein The third configuration includes a bitmap specifying whether the round robin is to be applied to a plurality of resource block positions.

67. The method of claim 53, wherein The third configuration further specifies whether hopping for the plurality of frequency hopping SRS transmissions activates or deactivates SRS transmissions.

68. The method of claim 53, wherein The third configuration further includes a bitmap, the bitmap including: a first bit that specifies whether a first hop for the plurality of frequency-hopping SRS transmissions activates or deactivates SRS transmission; and A second bit specifies whether a second hopping for the plurality of frequency hopping SRS transmissions is to activate or deactivate SRS transmission.

69. The method of claim 53, wherein The third configuration further specifies a range of resource blocks to be used for transmitting the SRS.

70. The method of claim 53, wherein The third configuration further specifies a starting resource block and a number of resource blocks to be used for transmitting the SRS.

71. The method of claim 53, wherein The sending the third configuration includes: Downlink control information (DCI) format 0_1 ​​including the third configuration is sent.

72. The method of claim 53, wherein: The sending the third configuration includes: Downlink control information (DCI) is sent, the DCI not scheduling data transmission and including the repurposed bits containing the third configuration.

73. The method of claim 53, wherein: The sending of the third configuration includes sending downlink control information (DCI); The DCI specifies a first SRS resource set and a second SRS resource set; The first SRS resource set is associated with a first trigger list; The second SRS resource set is associated with a second trigger list; The first trigger list indicates whether to transmit a first SRS on all resource blocks in a plurality of resource blocks less than the first SRS resource set; and The second triggering list indicates whether to transmit the second SRS on all resource blocks of a plurality of resource blocks less than the second SRS resource set.

74. The method of claim 73, further comprising: A radio resource control (RRC) message is sent, the RRC message identifying at least one resource in the first SRS resource set that is designated for sending the first SRS.

75. The method of claim 73, wherein The third configuration includes a bitmap that identifies at least one resource in the first SRS resource set that is designated for sending the first SRS.

76. The method of claim 73, wherein The third configuration further includes: a first bitmap identifying at least one resource in the first SRS resource set designated for sending the first SRS; and A second bitmap identifies at least one resource in the second SRS resource set that is designated for sending the second SRS.

77. The method of claim 53, wherein: The sending the third configuration includes sending downlink control information (DCI) or radio resource control (RRC) configuration; and The DCI or the RRC configuration includes bits indicating that fewer than all resource blocks of the plurality of resource blocks are to be used for transmitting the SRS.

78. The method of claim 77, further comprising: At least one resource block for receiving the SRS is randomly selected.

79. The method of claim 78, wherein The randomly selecting the at least one resource block is based on a scrambling identifier for the user equipment.

80. The method of claim 77, further comprising: At least one resource block for receiving the SRS is selected according to a defined order for hopping of the plurality of frequency hopping SRS transmissions.

81. A network element comprising: transceiver; Memory; as well as a processor communicatively coupled to the transceiver and the memory, wherein the processor and the memory are configured to: generating a first configuration indicating a first bandwidth for transmitting a sounding reference signal (SRS); sending the first configuration to a user equipment via the transceiver; generating a second configuration indicating at least one second bandwidth associated with at least one frequency hop of the SRS, wherein a union of the at least one second bandwidth over a plurality of frequency hops corresponds to the first bandwidth, and wherein the at least one frequency hop comprises a plurality of frequency hopping SRS transmissions; sending the second configuration to the user equipment via the transceiver; generating a third configuration that specifies fewer than all resource blocks from a plurality of resource blocks associated with the at least one second bandwidth associated with the at least one frequency hopping of the SRS to be used for transmitting the SRS, wherein the plurality of resource blocks includes a first set of resource blocks from a plurality of sets of resource blocks specified for the multiple frequency hopping SRS transmissions, and wherein the third configuration specifies a rotation of the first set of resource blocks for different hops to be used for the multiple frequency hopping SRS transmissions; and The third configuration is sent to the user equipment via the transceiver.

82. The network element of claim 81, wherein: The processor and the memory are further configured to: The third configuration is selected to increase SRS signaling capacity.

83. The network element of claim 81, wherein: The processor and the memory are further configured to: The number of bits used for the third configuration is designated to indicate which of a plurality of resource block groups is to be used for transmitting the SRS.

84. The network element of claim 83, wherein: The processor and the memory are further configured to: The number of resource blocks associated with each of the number of bits is specified.

85. The network element of claim 81 , wherein: The processor and the memory are further configured to: A medium access control-control element (MAC-CE) including the third configuration is transmitted, downlink control information (DCI) including the third configuration is transmitted, or a radio resource control (RRC) message including the third configuration is transmitted.

86. The network element of claim 81, wherein: The third configuration further specifies a location of at least one resource block within the plurality of resource blocks associated with the at least one second bandwidth associated with the at least one frequency hopping of the SRS.

87. The network element of claim 86, wherein: The at least one resource block comprises at least two resource blocks; and The third configuration further specifies positions of the at least two resource blocks within the plurality of resource blocks.

88. The network element of claim 81 , wherein: The third configuration includes a bitmap; A first bit of the bitmap is mapped to a first subset of the plurality of resource blocks; and A second bit of the bitmap is mapped to a second subset of the plurality of resource blocks.

89. The network element of claim 88, wherein: The processor and the memory are further configured to: Setting the first bit; and After setting the first bit, the SRS is received on the first subset of the plurality of resource blocks.

90. The network element of claim 81 , wherein: The cycle is indicated by: a first bitmap for a first hop of the plurality of frequency hopping SRS transmissions; and A second bitmap for a second hopping of the plurality of frequency hopping SRS transmissions.

91. The network element of claim 81 , wherein: The cycling includes a shifting of resource block positions.

92. The network element of claim 81 , wherein: Each of the plurality of resource block sets comprises a first resource block position and a second resource block position; and The resource block cycle indicates that a first SRS transmission for a first hop occurs at the first resource block location and a second SRS transmission for a second hop occurs at the second resource block location.

93. The network element of claim 81 , wherein: The third configuration also specifies whether the cycling is to be applied to a particular hop of the plurality of frequency-hopping SRS transmissions.

94. The network element of claim 81 , wherein: The third configuration includes a bitmap specifying whether the round robin is to be applied to a plurality of resource block positions.

95. The network element of claim 81 , wherein: The third configuration further specifies whether hopping for the plurality of frequency hopping SRS transmissions activates or deactivates SRS transmissions.

96. The network element of claim 81 , wherein: The third configuration further includes a bitmap, the bitmap including: a first bit that specifies whether a first hop for the plurality of frequency-hopping SRS transmissions activates or deactivates SRS transmission; and A second bit specifies whether a second hopping for the plurality of frequency hopping SRS transmissions is to activate or deactivate SRS transmission.

97. The network element of claim 81 , wherein: The third configuration further specifies a range of resource blocks to be used for transmitting the SRS.

98. The network element of claim 81 , wherein: The third configuration further specifies a starting resource block and a number of resource blocks to be used for transmitting the SRS.

99. The network element of claim 81 , wherein: The processor and the memory are further configured to: Downlink control information (DCI) format 0_1 ​​including the third configuration is sent.

100. The network element of claim 81, wherein: The processor and the memory are further configured to: Downlink control information (DCI) is sent, the DCI not scheduling data transmission and including the repurposed bits containing the third configuration.

101. The network element of claim 81 , wherein: The processor and the memory are further configured to transmit downlink control information (DCI); The DCI specifies a first SRS resource set and a second SRS resource set; The first SRS resource set is associated with a first trigger list; The second SRS resource set is associated with a second trigger list; The first trigger list indicates whether to transmit a first SRS on all resource blocks in a plurality of resource blocks less than the first SRS resource set; and The second triggering list indicates whether to transmit the second SRS on all resource blocks of a plurality of resource blocks less than the second SRS resource set.

102. The network element of claim 101, wherein: The processor and the memory are further configured to: A radio resource control (RRC) message is sent, the RRC message identifying at least one resource in the first SRS resource set that is designated for sending the first SRS.

103. The network element of claim 101, wherein: The third configuration includes a bitmap that identifies at least one resource in the first SRS resource set that is designated for sending the first SRS.

104. The network element of claim 101, wherein: The third configuration further includes: a first bitmap identifying at least one resource in the first SRS resource set designated for sending the first SRS; and A second bitmap identifies at least one resource in the second SRS resource set that is designated for sending the second SRS.

105. The network element of claim 81 , wherein: The processor and the memory are further configured to: send downlink control information (DCI) or radio resource control (RRC) configuration; and The DCI or the RRC configuration includes bits indicating that fewer than all resource blocks of the plurality of resource blocks are to be used for transmitting the SRS.

106. The network element of claim 105, wherein: The processor and the memory are further configured to: At least one resource block for receiving the SRS is randomly selected.

107. The network element of claim 105, wherein: The processor and the memory are further configured to: The at least one resource block is randomly selected based on a scrambling identifier for the user equipment.

108. The network element of claim 105, wherein: The processor and the memory are further configured to: At least one resource block for receiving the SRS is selected according to a defined order for hopping of the plurality of frequency hopping SRS transmissions.

109. A network element comprising: means for generating a first configuration indicating a first bandwidth for transmitting a sounding reference signal (SRS); a unit configured to send the first configuration to a user equipment; means for generating a second configuration indicating at least one second bandwidth associated with at least one frequency hop of the SRS, wherein a union of the at least one second bandwidth over a plurality of frequency hops corresponds to the first bandwidth, and wherein the at least one frequency hop comprises a plurality of frequency hopping SRS transmissions; means for sending the second configuration to the user equipment; means for generating a third configuration, the third configuration specifying less than all of a plurality of resource blocks associated with the at least one second bandwidth associated with the at least one frequency hop of the SRS to be used for transmitting the SRS, wherein the plurality of resource blocks comprises a first set of resource blocks in a plurality of sets of resource blocks specified for the multiple frequency hopping SRS transmissions, and wherein the third configuration specifies a rotation of the first set of resource blocks for different hops to be used for the multiple frequency hopping SRS transmissions; and Means for sending the third configuration to the user equipment.

110. An article of manufacture for use with a network element in a wireless communication network, the article comprising: A computer-readable medium having instructions stored therein executable by one or more processors of the network element to: generating a first configuration indicating a first bandwidth for transmitting a sounding reference signal (SRS); Sending the first configuration to the user equipment; generating a second configuration indicating at least one second bandwidth associated with at least one frequency hop of the SRS, wherein a union of the at least one second bandwidth over a plurality of frequency hops corresponds to the first bandwidth, and wherein the at least one frequency hop comprises a plurality of frequency hopping SRS transmissions; Sending the second configuration to the user equipment; generating a third configuration that specifies fewer than all resource blocks from a plurality of resource blocks associated with the at least one second bandwidth associated with the at least one frequency hopping of the SRS to be used for transmitting the SRS, wherein the plurality of resource blocks includes a first set of resource blocks from a plurality of sets of resource blocks specified for the multiple frequency hopping SRS transmissions, and wherein the third configuration specifies a rotation of the first set of resource blocks for different hops to be used for the multiple frequency hopping SRS transmissions; and Send the third configuration to the user equipment.

111. A method of wireless communication at a user equipment, the method comprising: receiving at least one first sounding reference signal (SRS) configuration; determining a first bandwidth for a first SRS frequency hopping of a plurality of frequency hopping SRS transmissions according to the at least one first SRS configuration; receiving a second SRS configuration; determining, based on the second SRS configuration, that fewer than all resource blocks of a plurality of resource blocks associated with the first bandwidth for frequency hopping of the first SRS are to be used for transmitting the first SRS, wherein the plurality of resource blocks includes a first set of resource blocks of a plurality of sets of resource blocks designated for the plurality of frequency hopping SRS transmissions, and wherein the second SRS configuration specifies a rotation of the first set of resource blocks for different hoppings of the plurality of frequency hopping SRS transmissions; generating the first SRS; and The first SRS is transmitted to a network element via at least one first resource block in the first set of resource blocks associated with the first bandwidth for the first SRS frequency hopping, wherein the at least one first resource block is less than all resource blocks in the plurality of resource blocks associated with the first bandwidth for the first SRS frequency hopping.

112. The method of claim 111, further comprising: determining an SRS bandwidth according to the at least one first SRS configuration; The sum of multiple second bandwidths including the first bandwidth over multiple frequency-hopping SRS transmissions including the first SRS frequency hopping corresponds to the SRS bandwidth.

113. The method of claim 111, further comprising: determining a second bandwidth for a second SRS frequency hopping of the plurality of frequency hopping SRS transmissions based on the at least one first SRS configuration; determining, based on the second SRS configuration, that fewer than all resource blocks of a plurality of resource blocks associated with the second bandwidth for second SRS frequency hopping are to be used for transmitting a second SRS; generating the second SRS; as well as The second SRS is transmitted to the network element via at least one second resource block of the plurality of resource blocks associated with the second bandwidth for the second SRS frequency hopping, wherein the at least one second resource block is less than all resource blocks of the plurality of resource blocks associated with the second bandwidth for the second SRS frequency hopping.

114. The method according to claim 111, wherein The receiving the second SRS configuration includes: A medium access control-control element (MAC-CE) including the second SRS configuration is received, downlink control information (DCI) including the second SRS configuration is received, or a radio resource control (RRC) message including the second SRS configuration is received.

115. The method according to claim 111, wherein The second SRS configuration also specifies a location of the at least one first resource block within the plurality of resource blocks.

116. The method of claim 111, wherein: The at least one first resource block includes at least two resource blocks; and The second SRS configuration further specifies locations of the at least two resource blocks within the plurality of resource blocks.

117. The method of claim 111, wherein: The second SRS configuration includes a bitmap; A first bit of the bitmap is mapped to a first subset of the plurality of resource blocks; and A second bit of the bitmap is mapped to a second subset of the plurality of resource blocks.

118. The method of claim 117, further comprising: determining that the first bit is set; as well as After determining that the first bit is set, the first SRS is transmitted on the first subset of the plurality of resource blocks.

119. The method according to claim 111, wherein The cycle is indicated by: a first bitmap for the first SRS frequency hopping; and A second bitmap for a second SRS frequency hopping of the plurality of frequency hopping SRS transmissions.

120. The method of claim 111, wherein The cycling includes a shifting of resource block positions.

121. The method of claim 111, wherein: Each of the plurality of resource block sets comprises a first resource block position and a second resource block position; and The resource block cycle indicates that a first SRS transmission for the first SRS frequency hopping occurs at the first resource block location and a second SRS transmission for a second SRS frequency hopping of the multiple frequency hopping SRS transmissions occurs at the second resource block location.

122. The method of claim 111, wherein The second SRS configuration also specifies whether the cycling is to be applied to a particular hop of the plurality of frequency-hopping SRS transmissions.

123. The method according to claim 111, wherein The second SRS configuration includes a bitmap specifying whether the cycling is to be applied to a plurality of resource block locations.

124. The method of claim 111, wherein The second SRS configuration specifies whether hopping for the plurality of frequency hopping SRS transmissions activates or deactivates SRS transmission.

125. The method of claim 111, wherein The second SRS configuration further includes a bitmap, the bitmap including: a first bit specifying whether SRS transmission is activated or deactivated for the first SRS frequency hopping; and The second bit specifies whether a second SRS frequency hopping for the plurality of frequency hopping SRS transmissions activates or deactivates SRS transmission.

126. The method of claim 111, wherein The second SRS configuration specifies a range of resource blocks for the at least one first resource block.

127. The method of claim 111, wherein The second SRS configuration specifies a starting resource block and a number of resource blocks for the at least one first resource block.

128. The method of claim 111, wherein The receiving the second SRS configuration includes: Downlink control information (DCI) format 0_1 ​​including the second SRS configuration is received.

129. The method of claim 111, wherein The receiving the second SRS configuration includes: Downlink control information (DCI) is received, the DCI not scheduling data transmission and including repurposed bits containing the second SRS configuration.

130. The method of claim 111, wherein: The receiving the second SRS configuration includes receiving downlink control information (DCI); The DCI specifies a first SRS resource set and a second SRS resource set; The first SRS resource set is associated with a first trigger list; The second SRS resource set is associated with a second trigger list; The first trigger list indicates whether to transmit the first SRS on all resource blocks in a plurality of resource blocks less than the first SRS resource set; and The second triggering list indicates whether to transmit the second SRS on all resource blocks of a plurality of resource blocks less than the second SRS resource set.

131. The method of claim 130, further comprising: A radio resource control (RRC) message is received, the RRC message identifying at least one resource in the first set of SRS resources designated for sending the first SRS.

132. The method of claim 130, wherein: The second SRS configuration includes a bitmap, the bitmap identifying at least one resource in the first SRS resource set designated for sending the first SRS.

133. The method of claim 130, wherein: The second SRS configuration further includes: a first bitmap identifying at least one resource in the first SRS resource set designated for sending the first SRS; and A second bitmap identifies at least one resource in the second SRS resource set that is designated for sending the second SRS.

134. The method of claim 111, wherein: The receiving the second SRS configuration includes receiving downlink control information (DCI) or radio resource control (RRC) configuration; and The DCI or the RRC configuration includes bits indicating that fewer than all resource blocks of the plurality of resource blocks are to be used for transmitting the first SRS.

135. The method of claim 134, further comprising: The at least one first resource block is randomly selected.

136. The method of claim 135, wherein The randomly selecting the at least one first resource block is based on a scrambling identifier for the user equipment.

137. The method of claim 134, further comprising: The at least one first resource block is selected according to a defined order for hopping of the plurality of frequency hopping SRS transmissions.

138. A user device comprising: transceiver; Memory; as well as A processor communicatively coupled to the transceiver and the memory, wherein the processor and the memory are configured to perform the method according to any one of claims 111 to 137.

139. A user device comprising: means for receiving at least one first sounding reference signal (SRS) configuration; means for determining a first bandwidth for a first SRS frequency hopping of a plurality of frequency hopping SRS transmissions based on the at least one first SRS configuration; means for receiving a second SRS configuration; means for determining, based on the second SRS configuration, that fewer than all resource blocks of a plurality of resource blocks associated with the first bandwidth for frequency hopping of the first SRS are to be used for transmitting the first SRS, wherein the plurality of resource blocks includes a first set of resource blocks of a plurality of sets of resource blocks designated for the plurality of frequency hopping SRS transmissions, and wherein the second SRS configuration specifies a rotation of the first set of resource blocks for different hoppings of the plurality of frequency hopping SRS transmissions; means for generating the first SRS; and means for transmitting the first SRS to a network element via at least one first resource block in the first set of resource blocks associated with the first bandwidth for the first SRS frequency hopping, wherein the at least one first resource block is less than all resource blocks in the plurality of resource blocks associated with the first bandwidth for the first SRS frequency hopping.

140. An article of manufacture for use with a user equipment in a wireless communication network, the article comprising: A computer-readable medium having instructions stored therein executable by one or more processors of the user device to: receiving at least one first sounding reference signal (SRS) configuration; determining a first bandwidth for a first SRS frequency hopping of a plurality of frequency hopping SRS transmissions according to the at least one first SRS configuration; receiving a second SRS configuration; determining, based on the second SRS configuration, that fewer than all resource blocks of a plurality of resource blocks associated with the first bandwidth for frequency hopping of the first SRS are to be used for transmitting the first SRS, wherein the plurality of resource blocks includes a first set of resource blocks of a plurality of sets of resource blocks designated for the plurality of frequency hopping SRS transmissions, and wherein the second SRS configuration specifies a rotation of the first set of resource blocks for different hoppings of the plurality of frequency hopping SRS transmissions; generating the first SRS; and The first SRS is transmitted to a network element via at least one first resource block in the first set of resource blocks associated with the first bandwidth for the first SRS frequency hopping, wherein the at least one first resource block is less than all resource blocks in the plurality of resource blocks associated with the first bandwidth for the first SRS frequency hopping.

141. A method of wireless communication at a network element, the method comprising: generating at least one first sounding reference signal (SRS) configuration, the at least one first SRS configuration indicating a first bandwidth for a first SRS frequency hop of a plurality of frequency hopping SRS transmissions; sending the at least one first SRS configuration to a user equipment; generating a second SRS configuration that specifies fewer than all resource blocks from a plurality of resource blocks associated with the first bandwidth for frequency hopping of the first SRS to be used for transmitting the first SRS, wherein the plurality of resource blocks includes a first set of resource blocks from a plurality of sets of resource blocks specified for the plurality of frequency hopping SRS transmissions, and wherein the second SRS configuration specifies a rotation of the first set of resource blocks to be used for different hoppings of the plurality of frequency hopping SRS transmissions; and Sending the second SRS configuration to the user equipment.

142. The method of claim 141, wherein: The at least one first SRS configuration further indicates an SRS bandwidth; and A sum of a plurality of second bandwidths including the first bandwidth over the plurality of frequency-hopping SRS transmissions including the first SRS frequency hopping corresponds to the SRS bandwidth.

143. The method of claim 141, wherein: The at least one first SRS configuration indicates a second bandwidth for a second SRS frequency hopping of the plurality of frequency hopping SRS transmissions; and The second SRS configuration also specifies that less than all resource blocks of a plurality of resource blocks associated with the second bandwidth for the second SRS frequency hopping are to be used for transmitting a second SRS.

144. The method of claim 141, further comprising: The second SRS configuration is selected to increase SRS signaling capacity.

145. The method of claim 141, further comprising: The number of bits used for the second SRS configuration is designated to indicate which of a plurality of resource block groups is to be used for transmitting the first SRS.

146. The method of claim 145, further comprising: The number of resource blocks associated with each of the number of bits is specified.

147. The method of claim 141, wherein The sending the second SRS configuration includes: A medium access control-control element (MAC-CE) including the second SRS configuration is transmitted, downlink control information (DCI) including the second SRS configuration is transmitted, or a radio resource control (RRC) message including the second SRS configuration is transmitted.

148. The method of claim 141, wherein The second SRS configuration further specifies a location of at least one resource block within the plurality of resource blocks for transmitting the first SRS.

149. The method of claim 148, wherein: The at least one resource block comprises at least two resource blocks; and The second SRS configuration further specifies locations of the at least two resource blocks within the plurality of resource blocks.

150. The method of claim 141, wherein: The second SRS configuration includes a bitmap; A first bit of the bitmap is mapped to a first subset of the plurality of resource blocks; and A second bit of the bitmap is mapped to a second subset of the plurality of resource blocks.

151. The method of claim 150, further comprising: Setting the first bit; as well as After setting the first bit, the first SRS is received on the first subset of the plurality of resource blocks.

152. The method of claim 141, wherein The cycle is indicated by: a first bitmap for the first SRS frequency hopping; and A second bitmap for a second SRS frequency hopping of the plurality of frequency hopping SRS transmissions.

153. The method of claim 141, wherein The cycling includes a shifting of resource block positions.

154. The method of claim 141, wherein: Each of the plurality of resource block sets comprises a first resource block position and a second resource block position; and The resource block cycle indicates that a first SRS transmission for the first SRS frequency hopping occurs at the first resource block location and a second SRS transmission for a second SRS frequency hopping of the multiple frequency hopping SRS transmissions occurs at the second resource block location.

155. The method of claim 141, wherein The second SRS configuration also specifies whether the cycling is to be applied to a particular hop of the plurality of frequency-hopping SRS transmissions.

156. The method of claim 141, wherein The second SRS configuration includes a bitmap specifying whether the cycling is to be applied to a plurality of resource block locations.

157. The method of claim 141, wherein The second SRS configuration further specifies whether hopping for the plurality of frequency hopping SRS transmissions activates or deactivates SRS transmissions.

158. The method of claim 141, wherein The second SRS configuration further includes a bitmap, the bitmap including: a first bit specifying whether SRS transmission is activated or deactivated for the first SRS frequency hopping; and The second bit specifies whether a second SRS frequency hopping for the plurality of frequency hopping SRS transmissions activates or deactivates SRS transmission.

159. The method of claim 141, wherein The second SRS configuration also specifies a range of resource blocks to be used for transmitting the first SRS.

160. The method of claim 141, wherein The second SRS configuration further specifies a starting resource block and a number of resource blocks to be used for transmitting the first SRS.

161. The method of claim 141, wherein The sending the second SRS configuration includes: Downlink control information (DCI) format 0_1 ​​including the second SRS configuration is transmitted.

162. The method of claim 141, wherein The sending the second SRS configuration includes: Downlink control information (DCI) is sent, the DCI not scheduling data transmission and including the repurposed bits containing the second SRS configuration.

163. The method of claim 141, wherein: Sending the second SRS configuration includes sending downlink control information (DCI); The DCI specifies a first SRS resource set and a second SRS resource set; The first SRS resource set is associated with a first trigger list; The second SRS resource set is associated with a second trigger list; The first trigger list indicates whether to transmit the first SRS on all resource blocks in a plurality of resource blocks less than the first SRS resource set; and The second triggering list indicates whether to transmit the second SRS on all resource blocks of a plurality of resource blocks less than the second SRS resource set.

164. The method of claim 163, further comprising: A radio resource control (RRC) message is sent, the RRC message identifying at least one resource in the first set of SRS resources designated for sending the first SRS.

165. The method of claim 163, wherein The second SRS configuration includes a bitmap, the bitmap identifying at least one resource in the first SRS resource set designated for sending the first SRS.

166. The method of claim 163, wherein The second SRS configuration further includes: a first bitmap identifying at least one resource in the first SRS resource set designated for sending the first SRS; and A second bitmap identifies at least one resource in the second SRS resource set that is designated for sending the second SRS.

167. The method of claim 141, wherein: The sending of the second SRS configuration includes sending downlink control information (DCI) or radio resource control (RRC) configuration; and The DCI or the RRC configuration includes bits indicating that fewer than all resource blocks of the plurality of resource blocks are to be used for transmitting the first SRS.

168. The method of claim 167, further comprising: At least one resource block for receiving the first SRS is randomly selected from among the plurality of resource blocks.

169. The method of claim 168, wherein The randomly selecting the at least one resource block is based on a scrambling identifier for the user equipment.

170. The method of claim 167, further comprising: At least one resource block of the plurality of resource blocks for receiving the first SRS is selected according to a defined order for hopping of the plurality of frequency hopping SRS transmissions.

171. A network element comprising: transceiver; Memory; as well as A processor communicatively coupled to the transceiver and the memory, wherein the processor and the memory are configured to perform the method according to any one of claims 141 to 170.

172. A network element comprising: means for generating at least one first sounding reference signal (SRS) configuration, the at least one first SRS configuration indicating a first bandwidth for a first SRS frequency hop of a plurality of frequency hopping SRS transmissions; means for sending the at least one first SRS configuration to a user equipment; means for generating a second SRS configuration, the second SRS configuration specifying fewer than all resource blocks of a plurality of resource blocks associated with the first bandwidth for frequency hopping of the first SRS to be used for transmitting the first SRS, wherein the plurality of resource blocks includes a first set of resource blocks of a plurality of sets of resource blocks specified for the plurality of frequency hopping SRS transmissions, and wherein the second SRS configuration specifies a rotation of the first set of resource blocks to be used for different hoppings of the plurality of frequency hopping SRS transmissions; and The device is configured to send the second SRS configuration to the user equipment.

173. An article of manufacture for use with a network element in a wireless communication network, the article comprising: A computer-readable medium having instructions stored therein executable by one or more processors of the network element to: generating at least one first sounding reference signal (SRS) configuration, the at least one first SRS configuration indicating a first bandwidth for a first SRS frequency hop of a plurality of frequency hopping SRS transmissions; sending the at least one first SRS configuration to a user equipment; generating a second SRS configuration that specifies fewer than all resource blocks from a plurality of resource blocks associated with the first bandwidth for frequency hopping of the first SRS to be used for transmitting the first SRS, wherein the plurality of resource blocks includes a first set of resource blocks from a plurality of sets of resource blocks specified for the plurality of frequency hopping SRS transmissions, and wherein the second SRS configuration specifies a rotation of the first set of resource blocks to be used for different hoppings of the plurality of frequency hopping SRS transmissions; and Sending the second SRS configuration to the user equipment.

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