Method and apparatus for resource allocation for carrier aggregation

Abstract

Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a method and apparatus for resource allocation for carrier aggregation (CA). One embodiment of the present application provides a method comprising receiving signaling for configuring a first set of carriers; determining a payload size of a downlink control information (DCI) format based on a maximum number of carriers scheduled by the DCI format; and receiving the DCI format, wherein the DCI format includes an indicator indicating a second set of carriers allocated for transmission of data, and the second set of carriers is a subset of the first set of carriers.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Embodiments of this disclosure relate to wireless communication technology, and more particularly to a method and apparatus for resource allocation in carrier aggregation (CA). Background Technology

[0002] Under the existing scheduling framework in CA, a single downlink control information (DCI) format can schedule at most one carrier via cross-carrier scheduling or self-scheduling. Clearly, when multiple carriers are configured for a UE, this incurs significant signaling overhead for the physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) used to schedule the physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH). If a single DCI format could be used to schedule multiple PDSCHs on multiple configured carriers, the signaling overhead could be significantly reduced.

[0003] However, different carriers can use different parameter sets (numerology) and can have different bandwidths, and therefore a solution is desired for indicating the resource allocation of multiple PDSCHs in the time and frequency domains. Summary of the Invention

[0004] Embodiments of this disclosure pertain to 3GPP 5G New Radio (NR), particularly for HARQ-ACK determination for CA.

[0005] Embodiments of this application provide a method comprising: receiving signaling for configuring a first set of carriers; determining the payload size of the DCI format based on the maximum number of carriers scheduled via a downlink control information (DCI) format; and receiving the DCI format, wherein the DCI format includes an indicator indicating a second set of carriers allocated for data transmission, and the second set of carriers is a subset of the first set of carriers.

[0006] Another embodiment of this application provides a method comprising: transmitting signaling for configuring a first set of carriers; determining a payload size of a DCI format based on a maximum number of carriers scheduled via a DCI format; and transmitting the DCI format, wherein the DCI format includes an indicator indicating a second set of carriers allocated for transmitting data, and the second set of carriers is a subset of the first set of carriers.

[0007] Another embodiment of this application provides an apparatus comprising: a non-transitory computer-readable medium having computer-executable instructions stored thereon; a receiving circuit; a transmitting circuit; and a processor coupled to the non-transitory computer-readable medium, the receiving circuit, and the transmitting circuit, wherein the computer-executable instructions cause the processor to perform a method comprising: receiving signaling for configuring a first set of carriers; determining a payload size of the DCI format based on a maximum number of carriers scheduled via a DCI format; and receiving the DCI format, wherein the DCI format includes an indicator indicating a second set of carriers allocated for transmitting data, and the second set of carriers is a subset of the first set of carriers.

[0008] Another embodiment of this application provides an apparatus comprising: a non-transitory computer-readable medium having computer-executable instructions stored thereon; receiving circuitry; transmitting circuitry; and a processor coupled to the non-transitory computer-readable medium, the receiving circuitry, and the transmitting circuitry, wherein the computer-executable instructions cause the processor to perform a method comprising: transmitting signaling for configuring a first set of carriers; determining a payload size of the DCI format based on a maximum number of carriers scheduled via the DCI format; and transmitting the DCI format, wherein the DCI format includes an indicator indicating a second set of carriers allocated for transmitting data, and the second set of carriers is a subset of the first set of carriers. Attached Figure Description

[0009] Figure 1 A schematic diagram illustrating a wireless communication system according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0010] Figure 2 This describes an example of scheduling three PDSCH DCI formats.

[0011] Figure 3 A flowchart illustrating a method for wireless communication according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0012] Figure 4 A block diagram illustrating a UE according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0013] Figure 5 A block diagram illustrating a BS according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Detailed Implementation

[0014] The detailed description of the accompanying drawings is intended to illustrate the presently preferred embodiments of the invention and is not intended to represent the only form in which the invention can be practiced. It should be understood that the same or equivalent functionality may be achieved through different embodiments intended to be covered within the spirit and scope of the invention.

[0015] These embodiments provide a method and apparatus for CA (Computer-Aided Communication). For ease of understanding, embodiments are provided within specific network architectures and new service scenarios, such as 3GPP 5G and 3GPP LTE version 8. Those skilled in the art will readily recognize that the embodiments in this disclosure are also applicable to similar technical problems as network architectures and new service scenarios evolve in the future.

[0016] Figure 1 A wireless communication system 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is described.

[0017] like Figure 1 As shown, the wireless communication system 100 includes at least one UE 101 and BS 102. Specifically, for illustrative purposes only, the wireless communication system 100 includes three UEs 101 and three BSs 102. Even in Figure 1 A specific number of UEs 101 and BSs 102 are depicted in the description, but those skilled in the art will recognize that the wireless communication system 100 may contain any number of UEs 101 and BSs 102.

[0018] UE 101 may include computing devices such as desktop computers, laptop computers, personal digital assistants (PDAs), tablet computers, smart TVs (e.g., TVs connected to the Internet), set-top boxes, game consoles, security systems (including security cameras), in-vehicle computers, network devices (e.g., routers, switches, and modems), or the like. According to embodiments of this disclosure, UE 101 may include portable wireless communication devices, smartphones, cellular phones, flip phones, devices with subscriber identification modules, personal computers, selective call receivers, or any other devices capable of transmitting and receiving communication signals on a wireless network. In some embodiments, UE 101 includes wearable devices such as smartwatches, fitness trackers, optical head-mounted displays, or the like. Furthermore, UE 101 may be referred to as a subscriber unit, mobile phone, mobile station, user, terminal, mobile terminal, wireless terminal, fixed terminal, subscriber station, user terminal, or any device described using other terms used in the art. UE 101 may communicate directly with BS 102 via uplink (UL) communication signals.

[0019] BS 102 may be distributed across a geographic area. In some embodiments, each of BS 120 may also be referred to as an access point, access terminal, base station, macro cell, Node B, enhanced Node B (eNB), gNB, home Node B, relay node, or any device described using other terms used in the art. BS 102 is typically part of a radio access network that may include one or more controllers communicatively coupled to one or more corresponding BS 102.

[0020] The wireless communication system 100 is compatible with any type of network capable of transmitting and receiving wireless communication signals. For example, the wireless communication system 100 is compatible with wireless communication networks, cellular telephone networks, time division multiple access (TDMA) based networks, code division multiple access (CDMA) based networks, orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA) based networks, LTE networks, 3GPP-based networks, 3GPP 5G networks, satellite communication networks, high-altitude platform networks, and / or other communication networks.

[0021] In some embodiments, the wireless communication system 100 is compatible with 5G New Radio (NR) according to the 3GPP protocol, wherein the BS 102 transmits data using an Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) modulation scheme on the downlink, and the UE 101 transmits data using a Discrete Fourier Transform-Spread-OFDM (DFT-S-OFDM) or Cyclic Prefix-OFDM (CP-OFDM) scheme on the uplink. However, more generally, the wireless communication system 100 may implement other open or proprietary communication protocols, such as WiMAX and other protocols.

[0022] In some other embodiments, BS 102 may communicate using other communication protocols, such as the IEEE 802.11 family of wireless communication protocols. Furthermore, in some embodiments, BS 102 may communicate on licensed spectrum, while in others, BS 102 may communicate on unlicensed spectrum. This disclosure is not intended to limit implementation to any particular wireless communication system architecture or protocol. In another embodiment, BS 102 may communicate with UE 101 using 3GPP 5G protocols.

[0023] In CA mode, NR supports a maximum of 16 component carriers (CCs), or in dual connectivity (DC) mode, NR supports a maximum of 32 CCs. When configuring multiple carriers for a UE, scheduling multiple configured carriers using a single DCI format is more efficient than scheduling a single configured carrier using a single DCI format. In the following text, a DCI format may also be referred to as a DCI signaling or a segment of DCI, etc. For example, Figure 2 This illustrates a scenario where a single DCI format schedules three PDSCHs, such as PDSCH 1 on CC1, PDSCH 2 on CC2, and PDSCH 3 on CC3. Scheduling three PDSCHs on three different carriers using a single DCI format significantly reduces signaling overhead. In some other embodiments, a single DCI format can also be used to schedule multiple PUSCHs across multiple carriers, for example, three PUSCHs across three carriers: PUSCH 1 on CC1, PUSCH 2 on CC2, and PUSCH 3 on CC3.

[0024] However, different carriers can use different parameter sets and may have different bandwidths. A solution needs to be found for how to indicate the resource allocation of multiple PDSCHs or PUSCHs in both the time and frequency domains.

[0025] On the other hand, before receiving the DCI format, the UE needs to know the exact payload size of the target DCI format. Since the number of scheduled carriers in the DCI format can change dynamically, the DCI payload size can also change dynamically. Therefore, how to determine the payload size also needs to be addressed.

[0026] Embodiments of this disclosure present several methods for indicating resource allocation and determining the size of a DCI format. These methods can be applied to scheduling multiple PDSCHs on multiple carriers using a DCI format, and also to scheduling multiple PUSCHs on multiple carriers using a DCI format. Further details regarding embodiments of this disclosure will be described below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0027] The first method of indicating resource allocation

[0028] In some embodiments of this disclosure, a first method proposes introducing a new field for carrier indication in existing DCIs that schedules multiple PDSCHs or PUSCHs on multiple carriers. The new field is used to indicate a scheduled carrier among configured carriers and may be named a "carrier indicator".

[0029] The design of carrier indicators involves several parameters. One of these is the maximum number of carriers that can be scheduled through a single DCI format, and this maximum number can be configured via Radio Resource Control (RRC) signaling or predefined in the standard, and is referred to below as: M. Another parameter is the number of carriers configured to the UE, and this number is referred to as: N.

[0030] In the first approach, the carrier indicator can indicate two parameters: i) the index of the starting carrier; and ii) the number of consecutively scheduled carriers in the frequency domain. Each carrier has a unique index in the frequency domain, such as a carrier index or a serving cell index. Consecutive carriers refer to carriers with consecutive indices among the configured carriers. Therefore, in this approach, only consecutive carriers can be scheduled.

[0031] According to some embodiments of this disclosure, two parameters are indicated separately: i) the starting carrier index, and ii) the number of consecutive carriers. When the total number of carriers configured to the UE is N, the starting carrier index has N possibilities, and needs to be... The unit digit indicates the index of the starting carrier. Given a maximum of M carriers that can be scheduled via a single DCI format, the number of scheduled carriers has M possibilities, and requires... The unit digit indicates the number of consecutive carriers. Therefore, the size of the carrier indicator is equal to or greater than... In such embodiments, a single carrier can be scheduled using the DCI format.

[0032] In some other embodiments, two parameters are indicated separately: i) the starting carrier index, and ii) the number of consecutive carriers. Additionally, DCI format scheduling of at least two carriers is allowed. With a total of N carriers configured to the UE, the starting carrier index has N possibilities, and therefore requires... The unit digit indicates the index of the starting carrier. Meanwhile, given a maximum of M carriers that can be scheduled using a single DCI format, there are M-1 possibilities for selecting at least two consecutive carriers from them, and therefore require... The unit digit indicates the number of consecutive carriers. A different DCI format is needed when only one carrier needs to be scheduled. For example, another DCI format used only for scheduling a single carrier can be used solely for scheduling that single carrier.

[0033] In some and other embodiments, two parameters are commonly indicated: i) the starting carrier index, and ii) the number of consecutive carriers. When the total number of carriers configured to the UE is N and the maximum number of carriers that can be scheduled via a single DCI format is M, scheduling at least one carrier has... This possibility, and therefore requires The unit digit indicates the index of the starting carrier and the number of consecutive carriers. This type of embodiment allows the DCI format to schedule a single carrier.

[0034] In some other embodiments, two parameters are also commonly indicated: i) the starting carrier index, and ii) the number of consecutive carriers. When the total number of carriers configured to the UE is N and the maximum number of carriers that can be scheduled via a single DCI format is M, scheduling at least two carriers has... This possibility, and therefore requires The unit digit indicates the index of the starting carrier and the number of consecutive carriers. A different DCI format is needed when only one carrier needs to be scheduled. For example, another DCI format for scheduling only a single carrier can be used solely for scheduling that single carrier.

[0035] The second method of indicating resource allocation

[0036] According to some embodiments of this disclosure, a second method is proposed, wherein a carrier indicator can indicate the number of consecutively scheduled carriers in the frequency domain. The starting carrier of the scheduled carriers is the carrier receiving the DCI. Therefore, only consecutive carriers can be scheduled. Each carrier has a unique index in the frequency domain, such as a carrier index or a serving cell index. Consecutive carriers refer to carriers with consecutive indices among the configured carriers.

[0037] In some embodiments of this disclosure, in the first method, the DCI used for scheduling multiple carriers can also be used to schedule a single carrier. The number of scheduled carriers in the DCI can range from 1 to M. In other words, the number of scheduled carriers has M possibilities, and therefore requires [variable] in the DCI format. The unit digit indicates the number of consecutive carriers.

[0038] According to some embodiments of this disclosure, a DCI format that schedules multiple carriers schedules at least two carriers and cannot be used to schedule a single carrier. The number of scheduled carriers in a DCI can range from 2 to M. In other words, the number of scheduled carriers has M-1 possibilities, and therefore requires... The unit digit indicates the number of consecutive carriers. When only one carrier needs to be scheduled, a different DCI format is required. For example, another DCI format used only for scheduling a single carrier can be used solely for scheduling a single carrier. These two DCI formats are different. Basically, the DCI format for scheduling a single carrier can be the existing DCI format 1-0, DCI format 1-1, or DCI format 1-2. The DCI format for scheduling multiple carriers can be a new DCI format, such as DCI format 1-3.

[0039] Compared to the first method, the second method does not require indicating the starting carrier index, and therefore reduces signaling overhead in DCI.

[0040] A third method for instructing resource allocation

[0041] Some embodiments of this disclosure propose a third method in which a carrier indicator can indicate a scheduled carrier via a bitmap. The length of the bitmap is equal to the number of configured carriers available for DL ​​scheduling, and each bit in the bitmap corresponds to one of the configured carriers. Therefore, scheduling flexibility is guaranteed in this solution, and discontinuous carriers can also be scheduled. The only limitation is that the number of scheduled carriers indicated by the bitmap should not exceed the maximum number of carriers that can be scheduled through a single DCI format, i.e., M.

[0042] The fourth method of instructing resource allocation

[0043] Some embodiments of this disclosure propose a fourth method, wherein the field indicates an index corresponding to one of the carrier groups, and each group is defined as grouping one or more carriers into a single group. The carrier groups are configured by RRC signaling or predefined in the standard. The DCI format can schedule multiple carriers by indicating the field used for a specific carrier group index. Since the maximum number of carriers that can be scheduled through a single DCI format is M, the number of carriers in a carrier group is no greater than M when carriers are grouped.

[0044] In addition to the various methods for scheduling carriers mentioned above, carriers can be grouped in different ways, and several principles for carrier grouping are proposed as follows.

[0045] According to the first carrier grouping method, carrier grouping is based on subcarrier spacing (SCS). Configured carriers with the same subcarrier spacing are grouped into the same group to simplify scheduling indication in the time domain. For example, the first group contains all configured carriers with a 15 kHz SCS, the second group contains all configured carriers with a 30 kHz SCS, and the third group contains all configured carriers with a 60 kHz SCS; therefore, the two bits used to indicate the carrier group index are sufficient in the DCI format. When there are more than M carriers with the same subcarrier spacing, one or more carrier groups are needed to ensure that each carrier group contains no more than M carriers. For example, when there are 3M carriers with a 15 kHz SCS, the carriers with a 15 kHz SCS should be grouped into three groups. Accordingly, the number of bits required to indicate the carrier group index also increases.

[0046] According to the second carrier grouping method, carrier grouping is frequency-based. Configured carriers located within the same frequency band are grouped into the same group to share similar channel conditions. Assuming the total number of frequency bands configured into the UE's carriers is j, then the index used to indicate the carrier group is... In DCI format, a single bit is sufficient. When there are more than M carriers in the same frequency band, one or more carrier groups are needed to ensure that each carrier group does not exceed M carriers. For example, when there are 2M carriers in the first frequency band, the carriers should be grouped into two groups. Accordingly, the number of bits required to indicate the carrier group index also increases.

[0047] According to the third carrier grouping method, carrier grouping is based on licensed or unlicensed spectrum. Configured carriers located in licensed spectrum are grouped into one group, while configured carriers located in unlicensed spectrum are grouped into another group. One bit for indicating the carrier group index is sufficient in the DCI format. When there are more than M carriers in the same spectrum, one or more carrier groups are needed to ensure that each carrier group does not exceed M carriers. Accordingly, the number of bits required to indicate the carrier group index also increases.

[0048] According to the fourth carrier grouping method, carrier groups are configured via RRC signaling to select two or more configured carriers into a single carrier group to save signaling overhead. The number of carriers in a carrier group should not exceed M. Assuming there are five configured carriers, such as CC1, CC2, CC3, CC4, and CC5, and the DCI format can schedule at least two and at most four carriers, then the possible carrier groups are those listed in Table 1 below.

[0049] Table 1: Examples of possible carrier groups

[0050] 0 CC1 and CC2 1 CC2 and CC3 2 CC3 and CC4 3 CC4 and CC5 4 CC1, CC2 and CC3 5 CC2, CC3 and CC4 6 CC3, CC4 and CC5 7 CC1, CC2, CC3 and CC4 8 CC2, CC3, CC4 and CC5

[0051] In Table 1, since there are 9 possible carrier groups configured, 4 bits are needed in the DCI format to indicate the scheduled carrier group.

[0052] Some other embodiments of this disclosure propose introducing a new field in the DCI for carrier indication, which indicates a carrier combination from a list of possible carrier combinations. The list of possible carrier combinations can be configured via RRC signaling.

[0053] According to some embodiments of this disclosure, the list of possible carrier combinations contains multiple entries, and each entry corresponds to a carrier combination. The payload size in DCI format is determined based on the maximum number of carriers in the carrier combination among all carrier combinations in the list. For example, when the list of possible carrier combinations is defined as Table 1, since the maximum number of carriers in the carrier combinations in Table 1 is 4, the UE uses 4 to determine the payload size based on the list of carrier combinations.

[0054] In embodiments of this disclosure, the list of carrier combinations does not include combinations with only one carrier. In other words, the DCI format should schedule at least two carriers. When a single carrier is to be scheduled, another DCI format is required. When five configured carriers exist, such as CC1, CC2, CC3, CC4, and CC5, possible carrier combinations can be listed in Table 2 below.

[0055] Table 2 Examples of possible carrier groups

[0056] 0 CC1 and CC2 2 1 CC2 and CC3 2 2 CC3 and CC4 2 3 CC4 and CC5 2 4 CC1, CC2 and CC3 3 5 CC2, CC3 and CC4 3 6 CC3, CC4 and CC5 3 7 CC1, CC2, CC3 and CC4 4 8 CC2, CC3, CC4 and CC5 4 9 CC1, CC2, CC3, CC4 and CC5 5

[0057] Table 2 lists 10 possible carrier combinations, thus requiring 4 bits in the DCI format to indicate the scheduled carrier combination. The maximum number of carrier combinations in Table 2 is 5, therefore the UE uses 5 bits to determine the payload size based on the list of carrier combinations.

[0058] In another embodiment of this disclosure, the list of carrier combinations includes a single carrier; that is, the DCI format may schedule one or more carriers depending on the indicated entry. For example, assuming there are five configured carriers, such as CC1, CC2, CC3, CC4, and CC5, possible carrier combinations can be listed in Table 3 below.

[0059] Table 3: Examples of Possible Carrier Combinations

[0060] 0 CC1 1 1 CC2 1 2 CC3 1 3 CC4 1 4 CC5 1 5 CC1 and CC2 2 6 CC2 and CC3 2 7 CC3 and CC4 2 8 CC4 and CC5 2 9 CC1, CC2 and CC3 3 10 CC2, CC3 and CC4 3 11 CC3, CC4 and CC5 3 12 CC1, CC2, CC3 and CC4 4 13 CC2, CC3, CC4 and CC5 4 14 CC1, CC2, CC3, CC4 and CC5 5

[0061] In Table 3, since 15 possible carrier combinations are configured, 4 bits are needed in the DCI format to indicate the scheduled carrier combination. The maximum number of carrier combinations in Table 3 is 5, therefore the UE uses 5 bits to determine the payload size based on the list of carrier combinations.

[0062] Determining the size of the DCI format

[0063] Before receiving the DCI format, the UE needs to determine the payload size of the DCI format. The payload size of the DCI depends on several parameters, such as the carrier indicator introduced in this disclosure. The size of the carrier indicator depends on the maximum number of carriers that can be scheduled through a single DCI format, and is therefore also referred to as M for simplicity.

[0064] The payload size of the DCI format can also depend on the Bandwidth Part (BWP) indicator in the DCI format. In embodiments of this disclosure, each scheduled carrier corresponds to one BWP, and for M scheduled carriers, there are M independent BWP indicators in the DCI format. In another embodiment, a single BWP indicator exists in the DCI format, wherein the single BWP indicator is applied to each of the scheduled carriers, i.e., all scheduled PDSCHs are transmitted on BWPs with the same index on the corresponding carriers. In yet another embodiment, there is no BWP indicator in the DCI format for scheduling multiple PDSCHs on multiple carriers, i.e., the scheduled PDSCHs are transmitted on the currently active BWP on the corresponding carriers. In this case, the DCI format does not change the active BWP of each scheduled carrier, and BWP switching depends on the DCI format for scheduling a single carrier.

[0065] The payload size of DCI format for scheduling multiple PDSCHs on multiple carriers can also depend on a single frequency resource allocation indication. For resource allocation type 1, each of the scheduled PDSCHs or PUSCHs has the same resource block group (RBG) bitmap; and for resource allocation type 2, each of the scheduled PDSCHs or PUSCHs has the same starting resource block (RB) index and the same number of consecutive RBs.

[0066] According to some embodiments of this disclosure, for resource allocation type 1, since the currently active BWPs on the scheduled carriers can have different RBG sizes due to different BWP bandwidths, the number of bits required to indicate resource allocation type 1 is equal to the maximum number of RBGs among the multiple scheduled BWPs. For BWPs with fewer RBGs, several least significant bits (LSBs) or most significant bits (MSBs) are ignored depending on the difference from the maximum number of RBGs.

[0067] For resource allocation type 2, since the currently active BWPs on the scheduled carriers can have different BWP bandwidths, the number of bits required to indicate resource allocation type 2 is based on the maximum number of Physical Resource Blocks (PRBs) among the multiple scheduled BWPs. For BWPs with fewer PRBs, several LSBs or MSBs are ignored depending on the difference from the maximum number of PRBs.

[0068] The payload size of a DCI format for scheduling multiple PDSCHs on multiple carriers can further depend on fields such as New Data Indicator (NDI), Redundancy Version (RV), Modulation and Coding Scheme (MCS), or similar, which are independent for each scheduled PDSCH on multiple carriers. Since M is the maximum number of carriers that can be scheduled through a single DCI format, when determining the payload size of a DCI format for scheduling multiple carriers, there are M independent NDI bits, M independent RV bits, and M independent MCS bits.

[0069] According to some embodiments of this disclosure, a single HARQ process number field in the DCI format is used to indicate the first HARQ process number of the scheduled PDSCH or PUSCH. Taking PDSCH as an example, assuming the HARQ process number in the DCI format indicates a value of X, and the DCI format schedules Y PDSCHs, then the first scheduled PDSCH has an associated HARQ process number X, the second scheduled PDSCH has an associated HARQ process number (X+1) modulo Z, the third scheduled PDSCH has an associated HARQ process number (X+2) modulo Z, ..., and the Yth scheduled PDSCH has an associated HARQ process number (X+Y-1) modulo Z, where Z is the maximum number of HARQ processes configured to the UE. For example, Z can be equal to 16 or 8. The order of each of the scheduled PDSCHs is based on the serving cell index of the transmitted PDSCH, in ascending order of the serving cell index.

[0070] According to some embodiments of this disclosure, there is no Block Group Transmission Information (CBGTI) in the DCI format for scheduling multiple PDSCHs on multiple carriers. Therefore, the UE does not need to consider CBGTI when calculating the payload size of the DCI.

[0071] On the UE side, regarding the configuration of the maximum number of schedulable carriers and the number of configured carriers, assuming N is the number of configured carriers for the UE, in some embodiments of this disclosure, it is not desirable for the UE to be configured such that N is less than M. In some other embodiments, when the UE is configured such that N is less than M, the UE determines the DCI format payload size based on N rather than M.

[0072] The payload size of a DCI format for scheduling multiple PDSCHs on multiple carriers can be further determined by the Single Time Domain Resource Allocation (TDRA) field in the DCI format. The TDRA field is applied to each of the scheduled carriers to indicate the same start symbol index and the number of consecutive symbols in the time domain for each of the scheduled carriers. Since the parameter sets used for different carriers may differ, the indicated start symbol index and the number of consecutive symbols are applied independently to each of the scheduled PDSCHs according to the corresponding parameter set of the carrier.

[0073] Through the above solutions or methods, the BS indicates to the UE the resource allocation of multiple PDSCHs or PUSCHs on multiple carriers, and the UE can determine the size of the DCI and receive the DCI accordingly.

[0074] Figure 3 The flowcharts illustrate methods for wireless communication according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. For those skilled in the art, the sequence of steps in the flowcharts is for clear illustration only and should not be considered a limitation on the nature of the procedure. The same applies hereinafter. Furthermore, the following figures only illustrate the basic procedures of methods according to some embodiments of the present disclosure, and further details can be found in the above description.

[0075] refer to Figure 3 On the network side, in step 301, BS 102 transmits signaling for configuring the first group of carriers to UE 101. In step 303, BS 102 determines the payload size of the DCI format based on the maximum number of carriers scheduled via the DCI format. The maximum number of carriers scheduled via the DCI format can be configured by RRC signaling or predefined in the standard. In step 305, BS 102 transmits the DCI format, which includes an indicator indicating a second group of carriers allocated for data transmission, and the second group of carriers is a subset of the first group of carriers. That is, the indicator indicates some carriers determined from the first group of carriers configured for UE 101.

[0076] Accordingly, on the UE side, in step 302, UE 101 receives signaling for configuring the first group of carriers. Before receiving the DCI format, UE 101 needs to determine the payload size of the DCI format. The payload size of the DCI depends on several parameters, such as the maximum number of carriers that can be scheduled through a single DCI format. In step 304, UE 101 may determine the maximum number of carriers that can be scheduled through a single DCI format, for example, based on RRC signaling from the network side or related standards. Based on the maximum number of carriers that can be scheduled through a single DCI format or other relevant parameters, UE 101 receives the DCI format in step 306.

[0077] BS 102 can receive data or transmit data on the second set of carriers. That is, BS 102 can receive PUSCH transmissions or transmit PDSCH transmissions on the second set of carriers. Similarly, UE 101 can transmit PUSCH transmissions or receive PDSCH transmissions on the second set of carriers.

[0078] The indicator can indicate the second carrier group in different ways. For example, the indicator can indicate two parameters: i) the index of the starting carrier, and ii) the number of carriers in the second group, where the second group of carriers is consecutive. These two parameters can be indicated separately in the indicator, or they can be indicated together in the indicator.

[0079] In some other embodiments of this disclosure, the indicator indicates the total number of the second group of carriers, and the second group of carriers is continuous, and the starting carrier of the second group of carriers is a carrier in the received DCI format.

[0080] In some other embodiments of this disclosure, the indicator points to a bitmap, and each bit in the bitmap corresponds to a carrier in the first group of carriers.

[0081] In some other embodiments of this disclosure, the indicator indicates a second group of carriers via carrier groups. The carrier groups are grouped based on one or more of the following: subcarrier spacing, such as 15kHz SCS, 15kHz SCS, etc.; frequency band, such as configured carriers located in the same frequency band being grouped in the same group; and carriers in licensed or unlicensed spectrum. The carrier groups can be configured via RRC signaling.

[0082] According to some embodiments of this disclosure, BS 102 may further transmit RRC signaling of a list of configured carrier combinations to UE 101. The maximum number of carriers scheduled via DCI format is set to the maximum number of carrier combinations among all carrier combinations in the list. An indicator can be used to indicate a second group of carriers via carrier combinations in the list.

[0083] In addition to the maximum number of carriers that can be scheduled through a single DCI format, another exemplary parameter for determining the payload size of a DCI format is the total number of BWP indicators equal to 0, 1, or the maximum number of carriers that can be scheduled through the DCI format. The DCI format may also include a single frequency resource allocation indicator, and each of the second group of carriers has the same resource block index in the frequency domain. Each of the following three parameters—the total number of NDI bits in the DCI format, the total number of RV fields in the DCI format, and the total number of MCS fields in the DCI format—has the same size as the maximum number of carriers that can be scheduled through the DCI format.

[0084] According to some embodiments of this disclosure, the DCI format may also include a single Hybrid Automatic Repeat Request (HARQ) process digital segment. The DCI format still includes a single Time Domain Resource Allocation (TDRA) field, and data on each of the second set of carriers is transmitted with the same start symbol index and the same number of consecutive symbols.

[0085] Figure 4 This diagram illustrates a UE according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The UE may include receiving circuitry, a processor, and transmitting circuitry. In one embodiment, UE 101 may include: a non-transitory computer-readable medium storing computer-executable instructions thereon; receiving circuitry; transmitting circuitry; and a processor coupled to the non-transitory computer-readable medium, receiving circuitry, and transmitting circuitry. The computer-executable instructions may be programmed to implement methods using the receiving circuitry, transmitting circuitry, and processor (e.g., ...). Figure 3 (The method described in the text). That is, the receiving circuit can receive signaling from the BS for configuring the first set of carriers, and the processor determines the payload size of the DCI format based on the maximum number of carriers scheduled through the downlink control information (DCI) format. Then the receiving circuit further receives the DCI format, which contains an indicator indicating a second set of carriers allocated for data transmission, and the second set of carriers is a subset of the first set of carriers.

[0086] Figure 5 This diagram illustrates a block diagram of a BS according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The BS may include receiving circuitry, a processor, and transmitting circuitry. In one embodiment, the BS may include: a non-transitory computer-readable medium having computer-executable instructions stored thereon; receiving circuitry; transmitting circuitry; and a processor coupled to the non-transitory computer-readable medium, the receiving circuitry, and the transmitting circuitry. The computer-executable instructions may be programmed to implement methods using the receiving circuitry, the transmitting circuitry, and the processor (e.g., ...). Figure 3 (The method described in the text). That is, the transmission circuit transmits signaling for configuring the first set of carriers to the UE, and the processor determines the payload size of the DCI format based on the maximum number of carriers scheduled through the downlink control information (DCI) format. Then, the transmission circuit further transmits the DCI format, which contains an indicator indicating a second set of carriers allocated for data transmission, and the second set of carriers is a subset of the first set of carriers.

[0087] The methods disclosed herein can be implemented on a programmable processor. However, the controller, flowchart, and modules can also be implemented on a general-purpose or special-purpose computer, a programmable microprocessor or microcontroller and peripheral integrated circuit elements, integrated circuits, hardware electronics or logic circuits such as discrete element circuits, programmable logic devices, or the like. Generally, any device having a finite state machine capable of implementing the flowcharts shown in the figures can be used to implement the processing functions of this disclosure.

[0088] Although this disclosure has been described with reference to specific embodiments thereof, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that many alternatives, modifications, and variations will be readily apparent. For example, various components of the embodiments may be interchanged, added to, or substituted in other embodiments. Furthermore, not all elements shown in each figure are essential to the operation of the disclosed embodiments. For example, those skilled in the art of the disclosed embodiments will be able to make and use the teachings of this disclosure by simply employing the elements of the independent claims. Therefore, the embodiments of this disclosure as set forth herein are intended to be illustrative and not restrictive. Various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of this disclosure.

[0089] In this disclosure, relational terms such as “first,” “second,” and similar terms may be used only to distinguish one entity or action from another, and do not necessarily require or imply any actual such relationship or order between these entities or actions. The term “comprises / comprising” or any other variations thereof is intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that includes a list of elements may include not only those elements but also other elements not expressly listed or inherent to the process, method, article, or apparatus. Elements beginning with “a,” “an,” or similar terms do not exclude the presence of additional identical elements in the process, method, article, or apparatus that includes said element, without further limitation. Furthermore, the term “another” is defined as at least a second or more. The terms “comprising,” “having,” and similar terms as used herein are defined as “including.”

Claims

1. A device for wireless communication, comprising: At least one memory; and At least one processor, coupled to and configured such that the device: Receive signaling for configuring the first group of carriers; The payload size of the DCI format is determined based on the maximum number of carriers scheduled using the downlink control information (DCI) format; and After determining the payload size of the DCI format, the DCI format is received, wherein the DCI format includes a field indicating a second set of carriers allocated for data transmission. The second group of carriers is a subset of the first group of carriers; and The DCI format includes a single Time Domain Resource Allocation (TDRA) field, and based on the TDRA, data on each of the second set of carriers is transmitted with a start symbol index and a number of consecutive symbols.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the at least one processor is further configured such that the device: The data is received on the second set of carriers.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein the at least one processor is further configured such that the device: The data is transmitted on the second set of carriers.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein the field indicates the index of the starting carrier and the number of the second group of carriers, and wherein the second group of carriers is consecutive.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein the second group of carriers is continuous, wherein the field indicates the total number of the second group of carriers, and wherein the starting carrier of the second group of carriers is a carrier receiving the DCI format.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein the field indicates a bitmap, and wherein each bit in the bitmap corresponds to a carrier of the first group of carriers.

7. The device of claim 1, wherein the field indicates the second group of carriers via a carrier group.

8. The device of claim 1, wherein the at least one processor is further configured such that the device: Receive Radio Resource Control (RRC) signaling to configure the carrier combination list.

9. The device of claim 8, wherein the maximum number of carriers scheduled via the DCI format is the maximum number of carriers among all carrier combinations in the carrier combination list.

10. The device of claim 8, wherein the field indicates the second group of carriers by a combination of carriers in the list.

11. The device of claim 1, wherein the total number of bandwidth portion BWP indicators is equal to 0, 1, or the maximum number of carriers scheduled via the DCI format.

12. The device of claim 1, wherein the DCI format includes a single frequency resource allocation indication, and each of the second group of carriers has the same resource block index in the frequency domain.

13. The device of claim 1, wherein the total number of New Data Indicator (NDI) bits in the DCI format is equal to the maximum number of carriers scheduled through the DCI format.

14. The device of claim 1, wherein the total number of redundant version RV fields in the DCI format is equal to the maximum number of carriers scheduled through the DCI format.

15. The device of claim 1, wherein the total number of modulation and coding scheme (MCS) fields in the DCI format is equal to the maximum number of carriers scheduled through the DCI format.

16. The device of claim 1, wherein the DCI format comprises a single Hybrid Automatic Repeat Request (HARQ) process digital segment.

17. The device of claim 1, wherein the maximum number of carriers scheduled via the DCI format is configured or predefined via Radio Resource Control (RRC) signaling.

18. A device for wireless communication, comprising: At least one memory; and At least one processor, coupled to and configured such that the device: Transmit signaling for configuring the first group of carriers; The payload size of the DCI format is determined based on the maximum number of carriers scheduled using the downlink control information (DCI) format; and The DCI format is transmitted, wherein the DCI format includes a Time Domain Resource Allocation (TDRA) field indicating a second set of carriers allocated for data transmission. The second set of carriers is a subset of the first set of carriers, and based on the TDRA, data on each of the second set of carriers is transmitted with a start symbol index and a number of consecutive symbols.

19. The device of claim 18, wherein the at least one processor is further configured such that the device: The data is transmitted on the second set of carriers.

20. The device of claim 18, wherein the at least one processor is further configured such that the device: The data is received on the second set of carriers.

21. The device of claim 18, wherein the index of the starting carrier and the total number of the second group of carriers are separately indicated in the field.

22. The device of claim 18, wherein the index of the starting carrier and the total number of the second group of carriers are jointly indicated in the field.

23. The device of claim 18, wherein the second group of carriers is continuous, the field indicates the number of the second group of carriers, and the starting carrier of the second group of carriers is a carrier receiving the DCI format.

24. The device of claim 18, wherein the field indicates a bitmap, each bit in the bitmap corresponding to a carrier of the first group of carriers.

25. The device of claim 18, wherein the field indicates the second group of carriers via a carrier group.

26. The device of claim 25, wherein the carrier groups are grouped based on one or more of the following: Subcarrier spacing; Frequency band; and Carriers in licensed or unlicensed spectrum.

27. The apparatus of claim 25, wherein the carrier group is grouped via Radio Resource Control (RRC) signaling.

28. The device of claim 18, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to cause the device to Radio Resource Control (RRC) signaling is used to transmit a list of carrier combinations.

29. The device of claim 28, wherein the maximum number of carriers scheduled via the DCI format is the maximum number of carriers among all carrier combinations in the carrier combination list.

30. The device of claim 28, wherein the field indicates the second group of carriers by a combination of carriers in the list.

31. A method performed by a user equipment (UE), the method comprising: Receive signaling for configuring the first group of carriers; The payload size of the DCI format is determined based on the maximum number of carriers scheduled through the downlink control information (DCI) format. and After determining the determined payload size of the DCI format, the DCI format is received, wherein the DCI format includes a field indicating a second set of carriers allocated for data transmission, and The second group of carriers is a subset of the first group of carriers, and The DCI format includes a single Time Domain Resource Allocation (TDRA) field, and based on the TDRA, data on each of the second set of carriers is transmitted with a start symbol index and a number of consecutive symbols.

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