Techniques for demodulation reference signal-based signal-to-noise ratio for demodulation processing

Abstract

Various aspects of the present disclosure generally relate to wireless communication. In some aspects, a user equipment (UE) can measure a first energy level of a demodulation reference signal (DMRS). The UE can measure a second energy level of at least one of a tracking reference signal (TRS) or a synchronization signal block (SSB). The UE can determine a DMRS signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) based at least in part on the first energy level and the second energy level. The UE can perform channel estimation of a physical channel associated with a communication based at least in part on the DMRS SNR to determine an estimated channel. The UE can perform demodulation processing for the communication based at least in part on the estimated channel. Numerous other aspects are described.

Description

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0002] This Patent Application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 63 / 136,932, titled “TECHNIQUES FOR DEMODULATION REFERENCE SIGNAL BASED SIGNAL-TO-NOISE RATIO FOR DEMODULATION PROCESSING” filed on January 13, 2021, U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 63 / 172,827, titled “TECHNIQUES FOR DEMODULATION REFERENCE SIGNAL BASED SIGNAL-TO-NOISE RATIO FOR DEMODULATION PROCESSING” filed on April 9, 2021, and U.S. Non-Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 17 / 647,805, titled “TECHNIQUES FOR DEMODULATION REFERENCE SIGNAL BASED SIGNAL-TO-NOISE RATIO FOR DEMODULATION PROCESSING” filed on January 12, 2022, which are expressly incorporated by reference herein. TECHNICAL FIELD

[0003] Aspects of the present disclosure generally relate to wireless communication, and more particularly to techniques and apparatuses for demodulation reference signal (DMRS) based signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) for demodulation processing. BACKGROUND

[0004] Wireless communication systems are widely deployed to provide various telecommunication services such as telephony, video, data, messaging, and broadcasts. Typical wireless communication systems can employ multiple-access technologies capable of supporting communication with multiple users by sharing available system resources (e.g., bandwidth, transmit power, etc.). Examples of such multiple-access technologies include code division multiple access (CDMA) systems, time division multiple access (TDMA) systems, frequency division multiple access (FDMA) systems, orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA) systems, single-carrier frequency division multiple access (SC-FDMA) systems, time division synchronous code division multiple access (TD-SCDMA) systems, and long term evolution (LTE). LTE / LTE-Advanced is a set of enhancements to the Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) mobile standard promulgated by the Third Generation Partnership Project (3 GPP).

[0005] A wireless network may include several base stations (BSs) capable of supporting communication for several user equipments (UEs). UEs can communicate with the BS via downlinks and uplinks. A downlink (or forward link) refers to the communication link from the BS to the UE, while an uplink (or reverse link) refers to the communication link from the UE to the BS. As will be described in more detail herein, a BS may be referred to as a Node B, gNB, Access Point (AP), Radio Head, Transmit / Receive Point (TRP), New Radio (NR) BS, 5G Node B, etc.

[0006] The aforementioned multiple access technologies have been adopted in various telecommunications standards to provide a common protocol enabling different user equipment to communicate at the municipal, national, regional, and even global levels. NR (also known as 5G) is a collection of enhancements to the LTE mobile standard issued by 3GPP. NR aims to support mobile broadband internet access by: improving spectrum efficiency, reducing costs, improving service, utilizing new spectrum, and better integrating with other open standards by using Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) with Cyclic Prefix (CP) on the downlink (DL) and CP-OFDM and / or SC-FDM (e.g., also known as Discrete Fourier Transform Extended OFDM (DFT-s-OFDM)) on the uplink (UL), as well as supporting beamforming, multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) antenna technologies and carrier aggregation. As the demand for mobile broadband access continues to increase, further improvements to LTE, NR, and other radio access technologies remain useful. Summary of the Invention

[0007] In some aspects, a wireless communication method performed by a user equipment (UE) includes: measuring a first level of a demodulation reference signal (DMRS); measuring a second level of at least one of a tracking reference signal (TRS) or a synchronization signal block (SSB); determining a DMRS signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) based at least in part on the first level and the second level; performing channel estimation of a physical channel associated with the communication based at least in part on the DMRS SNR to determine an estimated channel; and performing demodulation processing for the communication based at least in part on the estimated channel.

[0008] In some aspects, a UE for wireless communication includes a memory and one or more processors coupled to the memory, the one or more processors being configured to: measure a first level of a DMRS; measure a second level of at least one of a TRS or an SSB; determine a DMRS SNR based at least in part on the first level and the second level; perform channel estimation of a physical channel associated with the communication based at least in part on the DMRS SNR to determine an estimated channel; and perform demodulation processing for the communication based at least in part on the estimated channel.

[0009] In some aspects, a non-transitory computer-readable medium storing a set of instructions for wireless communication includes one or more instructions that, when executed by one or more processors of a UE, cause the UE to: measure a first energy level of a DMRS; measure a second energy level of at least one of a TRS or a SSB; determine a DMRS SNR based at least in part on the first energy level and the second energy level; perform channel estimation of a physical channel associated with a communication to determine an estimated channel based at least in part on the DMRS SNR; and perform demodulation processing for the communication based at least in part on the estimated channel.

[0010] In some aspects, an apparatus for wireless communication includes means for measuring a first energy level of a DMRS; means for measuring a second energy level of at least one of a TRS or a SSB; means for determining a DMRS SNR based at least in part on the first energy level and the second energy level; means for performing channel estimation of a physical channel associated with a communication to determine an estimated channel based at least in part on the DMRS SNR; and means for performing demodulation processing for the communication based at least in part on the estimated channel.

[0011] Aspects generally include a method, apparatus, system, computer program product, non-transitory computer-readable medium, user equipment, base station, wireless communication device, and / or processing system as generally described herein with reference to and as illustrated by the accompanying drawings and specification.

[0012] The foregoing has outlined rather broadly the features and technical advantages of examples according to the disclosure in order that the detailed description that follows can be better understood. Additional features and advantages will be described hereinafter. The disclosed concepts and specific examples can be readily utilized as bases for modifying or designing other structures for carrying out the same purposes of the present disclosure. Such equivalent constructions are not to be regarded as a departure from the scope of the accompanying claims. The BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0013] In order that the foregoing aspects can be understood in detail, a more particular description will be rendered by reference to various aspects, some of which are illustrated in the appended drawings. It is to be noted, however, that the appended drawings represent illustrative aspects only and are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure in any way as this description can allow for other equally effective aspects. Like reference numerals in different drawings can identify the same or similar elements.

[0014] Figure 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a wireless network, in accordance with the present disclosure.

[0015] Figure 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a base station in communication with a user equipment (UE) in a wireless network, in accordance with the present disclosure.

[0016] Figure 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of physical channels and reference signals in a wireless network, in accordance with the present disclosure.

[0017] Figure 4 and 5 is a diagram illustrating an example associated with a demodulation reference signal (DMRS) based signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) for demodulation processing, in accordance with the present disclosure.

[0018] Figure 6 is a diagram illustrating an example process associated with a DMRS based SNR for demodulation processing, in accordance with the present disclosure.

[0019] Figure 7 and 8 is a block diagram of an example apparatus for wireless communication, in accordance with the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0020] Various aspects of the disclosure are described in further detail below. The disclosure may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to any specific structure or function presented throughout this disclosure. Rather, these aspects are provided as illustrative examples so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the disclosure to others skilled in the art. Based on the teachings herein, others skilled in the art should appreciate that the scope of the disclosure is intended to cover any aspect of the disclosure disclosed herein, whether implemented independently of or combined with any other aspect of the disclosure. For example, an apparatus can be implemented or a method can be practiced using any number of the aspects set forth herein. In addition, the scope of the disclosure is intended to cover such an apparatus or method which is practiced using, as the

[0021] Several aspects of telecommunication systems will now be presented with reference to various apparatus and methods. These apparatus and methods will be described in the following detailed description and illustrated in the accompanying drawings by various blocks, modules, components, circuits, steps, processes, algorithms, etc. (collectively referred to as "elements"). These elements can be implemented using hardware, software, or combinations thereof. Whether such elements are implemented as hardware or software depends upon the particular application and design constraints imposed on the overall system.

[0022] It should be noted that while aspects can be described herein using terminology commonly associated with a 5G or NR wireless access technology (RAT), aspects of the present disclosure can be applied to other RATs, such as a 3G RAT, a 4G RAT, and / or a RAT subsequent to 5G (e.g., 6G).

[0023] Figure 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a wireless network 100, in accordance with the present disclosure. Wireless network 100 can be or include elements of a 5G (NR) network and / or an LTE network, among other examples. Wireless network 100 can include a number of base stations 110 (shown as BS 110a, BS 110b, BS 110c, and BS 1 lOd) and other network entities. A base station (BS) is an entity that communicates with user equipment (UEs) and can also be referred to as an NR BS, a Node B, a gNB, a 5G node B (NB), an access point, a transmit receive point (TRP), and / or the like. Each BS can provide communication coverage for a particular geographic area. In 3GPP, the term “cell” can refer to a coverage area of a BS and / or a BS subsystem serving the coverage area, depending on the context in which the term is used.

[0024] BSs can be referred to as macro BS, micro BS, pico BS, and / or another type of BS. A BS can be a station that communicates with user equipment (UEs). A BS can also be referred to as an NR BS, a Node B, a gNB, a 5G node B (NB), an access point, a transmit receive point (TRP), and / or the like. Each BS can provide communication coverage for a particular area. In some examples, a BS can be referred to as a “cell,” which can be a geographic area in which the BS provides service to UEs. Figure 1 In the example shown in FIG. 1, BS 110a can be a macro BS for a macro cell 102a, BS 110b can be a micro BS for a micro cell 102b, and BS 110c can be a pico BS for a pico cell 102c. A BS can support one or multiple (e.g., three) cells. The term “eNB,” “base station,” “NR BS,” “gNB,” “TRP,” “AP,” “node B,” “5G NB,” and “cell” can be used interchangeably herein.

[0025] In some aspects, a cell can not necessarily be stationary, and the geographic area of the cell can move with a mobile BS. In some aspects, BSs can be interconnected to one another and / or to one or more other BSs or network nodes in wireless network 100 through various types of backhaul interfaces such as a direct physical connection or a virtual network, using any appropriate transport network.

[0026] Wireless network 100 can also include relay stations. A relay station is an entity that can receive a transmission of data from an upstream station (e.g., a BS or a UE) and send a transmission of the data to a downstream station (e.g., a UE or a BS). A relay station can also be a UE that can relay transmissions for other UEs. Figure 1 In the example shown in Figure 1, a relay BS 1 lOd can communicate with macro BS 110a and a UE 120d in order to facilitate communications between BS 110a and UE 120d. A relay BS can also be referred to as a relay station, a relay base station, a relay, or the like.

[0027] Wireless network 100 can be a heterogeneous network that includes BSs of different types, such as macro BSs, pico BSs, femto BSs, relay BSs, or the like. These different types of BSs can have different transmit power levels, different coverage areas, and different impacts on interference. For example, macro BSs can have a high transmit power level (e.g., 5 to 40 watts) whereas pico BSs, femto BSs, and relay BSs can have relatively lower transmit power levels (e.g., 0.1 to 2 watts).

[0028] A network controller 130 can couple to a set of BSs and can provide coordination and control for these BSs. Network controller 130 can be

[0029] The UEs 120 (e.g., 120a, 120b, 120c) can be dispersed throughout the wireless network 100, and each UE can be stationary or mobile. A UE can also be referred to as an access terminal, a terminal, a mobile station, a subscriber unit, a station, etc. A UE can be a cellular phone (e.g., a smart phone), a personal digital assistant (PDA), a wireless modem, a wireless communication device, a handheld device, a laptop computer, a cordless phone, a wireless local loop (WLL) station, a tablet, a camera, a gaming device, a netbook, a smartbook, an ultrabook, a medical device or equipment, a biometric sensor / device, a wearable device such as a smart watch, smart clothing, smart glasses, a smart wrist band, a smart jewelry (e.g., a smart ring, a smart bracelet), an entertainment device (e.g., a music or video device, or a satellite radio), a vehicular component or sensor, a smart meter / sensor, industrial manufacturing equipment, a global positioning system device, or any other suitable device that is configured to communicate via a wireless or wired medium.

[0030] Some UEs can be considered machine-type communication (MTC) or evolved or enhanced machine-type communication (eMTC) UEs. MTC and eMTC UEs include, for example, robots, drones, remote devices, sensors, meters, monitors, and / or location tags, that can communicate with a base station, another device (e.g., remote device), or some other entity. A wireless node can provide, for example, connectivity for or to a network (e.g., a wide area network such as the Internet or a cellular network) via a wired or wireless communication link. Some UEs can be considered Internet-of-Things (IoT) devices, and / or can be implemented as NB-IoT (narrowband internet of things) devices. Some UEs can be considered customer premises equipment. The UE 120 can be included in a housing that houses components of the UE 120, such as processor components and / or memory components. In some aspects, the processor components and the memory components can be coupled together. For example, the processor components (e.g., one or more processors) and the memory components (e.g., a memory) can be operatively coupled, communicatively coupled, electronically coupled, and / or electrically coupled.

[0031] In general, any number of wireless networks can be deployed in a given geographic area. Each wireless network can support a particular RAT and can operate on one or more frequencies. A RAT can also be referred to as a radio technology, an air interface, etc. A frequency can also be referred to as a carrier, a frequency channel, etc. Each frequency can support a single RAT in a given geographic area in order to avoid interference between wireless networks of different RATs. In some cases, NR or 5G RAT networks can be deployed.

[0032] In some aspects, two or more UEs 120 (e.g., shown as UE 120a and UE 120e) can communicate directly using one or more sidelink channels (e.g., without using a base station 110 as an intermediary to communicate with each other). For example, UEs 120 can communicate using peer-to-peer (P2P) communications, device-to-device (D2D) communications, vehicle-to-everything (V2X) protocols (which can include vehicle-to- vehicle (V2V) protocols or vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2I) protocols), and / or netw ork d2d communications. In this case, the UE 120 can perform scheduling operations, resource selection operations, and / or other operations described elsewhere herein as being performed by the base station 110.

[0033] Devices of wireless network 100 can use electromagnetic spectrum for communications, which can be subdivided, based on frequency or wavelength, into various classes, bands, channels, and / or the like. For example, devices of wireless network 100 can communicate using an operating band having a first frequency range (FR1), which can span from 410 MHz to 7.125 GHz, and / or can communicate using an operating band having a second frequency range (FR2), which can span from 24.25 GHz to 52.6 GHz. The frequencies between FR1 and FR2 are sometimes referred to as mid-band frequencies. Although a portion of FR1 is greater than 6 GHz, FR1 is often referred to as a “sub-6 GHz” band. Similarly, FR2 is often referred to as a “millimeter wave” band, despite being different from the extremely high frequency (EHF) band, which the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) has identified as spanning from 30 GHz to 300 GHz. Thus, unless specifically stated otherwise, the term “sub-6 GHz” or the like can refer broadly to frequencies less than 6 GHz, frequencies within FR1, and / or mid-band frequencies (e.g., greater than 7.125 GHz), as appropriate. Similarly, unless specifically stated otherwise, the term “millimeter wave” or the like can refer broadly to frequencies within the EHF band, frequencies within FR2, and / or mid-band frequencies (e.g., less than 24.25 GHz), as appropriate. It is contemplated that the frequencies included in FR1 and FR2 can be modified, and that the techniques described herein apply to those modified frequency ranges.

[0034] As described above, Figure 1 are provided as examples. Other examples can differ from what is described with respect to Figure 1 the examples described with respect to

[0035] Figure 2is a diagram illustrating an example 200 of a base station 110 in communication with a UE 120 in a wireless network 100, in accordance with the present disclosure. The base station 110 can be equipped with T antennas 234a through 234t, and the UE 120 can be equipped with R antennas 252a through 252r, where in general T > 1 and R > 1.

[0036] At the base station 110, a transmit processor 220 can receive data from a data source 212 for one or more UEs, select one or more modulation and coding schemes (MCSs) for each UE based at least in part on channel quality indicators (CQIs) received from the UE, process (e.g., encode and modulate) the data for each UE based at least in part on the MCS(s) selected for the UE, and provide data symbols for all UEs. The transmit processor 220 can also process system information (e.g., for semi-static resource partitioning information (SRPI)) and control information (e.g., CQI requests, grants, and / or upper layer signaling) and provide overhead symbols and control symbols. The transmit processor 220 can also generate reference symbols for reference signals (e.g., a cell-specific reference signal (CRS) or a demodulation reference signal (DMRS)) and synchronization signals (e.g., a primary synchronization signal (PSS) or a secondary synchronization signal (SSS)). A transmit (TX) multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) processor 230 can perform spatial processing (e.g., precoding) on the data symbols, the control symbols, the overhead symbols, and / or the reference symbols, if applicable, and can provide T output symbol streams to T modulators (MODs) 232a through 232t. Each modulator 232 can process a respective output symbol stream (e.g., for OFDM) to obtain an output sample stream. Each modulator 232 can further process (e.g., convert to analog, amplify, filter, and upconvert) the output sample stream to obtain a downlink signal. T downlink signals from modulators 232a through 232t can be transmitted via T antennas 234a through 234t, respectively.

[0037] At the UE 120, the antennas 252a through 252r can receive the downlink signals from the base station 110 and / or other base stations and can provide received signals to the demodulators (DEMODs) 254a through 254r, respectively. Each demodulator 254 can condition (e.g., filter, amplify, downconvert, and digitize) a received signal to obtain input samples. Each demodulator 254 can further process the input samples (e.g., for OFDM, etc.) to obtain received symbols. A MIMO detector 256 can obtain received symbols from all R demodulators 254a through 254r, perform MIMO detection on the received symbols if applicable, and provide detected symbols. A receive processor 258 can process (e.g., demodulate and decode) the detected symbols, provide decoded data for the UE 120 to a data sink 260, and provide decoded control information and system information to a controller / processor 280. The term “controller / processor” can refer to one or more controllers, one or more processors, or combinations thereof. A channel processor can determine reference signal received power (RSRP) parameters, received signal strength indicator (RSSI) parameters, reference signal received quality (RSRQ) parameters, and / or CQI parameters, among other examples. In some aspects, one or more components of UE 120 can be included in a housing 284.

[0038] The network controller 130 can include a communication unit 294, a controller / processor 290, and a memory 292. The network controller 130 can include, for example, one or more devices in a core network. The network controller 130 can communicate with the base station 110 via the communication unit 294.

[0039] Antennas (e.g., antennas 234a through 234t and / or antennas 252a through 252r) can include or be included within one or more antenna panels, antenna groups, sets of antenna elements, and / or antenna arrays, among other examples. An antenna panel, antenna group, set of antenna elements, and / or antenna array can include one or more antenna elements. An antenna panel, antenna group, set of antenna elements, and / or antenna array can include a set of co-planar antenna elements and / or a set of non-co-planar antenna elements. An antenna panel, antenna group, set of antenna elements, and / or antenna array can include antenna elements within a single housing and / or antenna elements within multiple housings. An antenna panel, antenna group, set of antenna elements, and / or antenna array can include one or more antenna elements coupled to one or more transmit and / or receive components (such as one or more components of a transceiver 230 and / or a transceiver 270). Figure 2 An antenna panel, antenna group, set of antenna elements, and / or antenna array can include one or more antenna elements coupled to one or more transmit and / or receive components (such as one or more components of a transceiver 230 and / or a transceiver 270).

[0040] On the uplink, at UE 120, a transmit processor 264 can receive and process data from a data source 262 and control information (e.g., for reports including RSRP, RSSI, RSRQ, and / or CQI) from controller / processor 280. Transmit processor 264 can also generate reference symbols for one or more reference signals. The symbols from transmit processor 264 can be precoded by a TX MIMO processor 266 if applicable, further processed by modulators 254a through 254r (e.g., for DFT-s-OFDM or CP-OFDM), and transmitted to base station 110. In some aspects, a modulator and a demodulator (e.g., MOD / DEMOD 254) of the UE 120 can be included in a modem of the UE 120. In some aspects, the UE 120 includes a transceiver. The transceiver can include any combination of antenna(s) 252, modulators and / or demodulators 254, MIMO detector 256, receive processor 258, transmit processor 264, and / or TX MIMO processor 266. The transceiver can be used by a processor (e.g., controller / processor 280) and memory 282 to perform any of the methods described herein.

[0041] At base station 110, the uplink signals from UE 120 and other UEs can be received by antennas 234, processed by demodulators 232, detected by a MIMO detector 236 if applicable, and further processed by a receive processor 238 to obtain decoded data and control information sent by UE 120. Receive processor 238 can provide the decoded data to a data sink 239 and to controller / processor 240 for control information. Base station 110 can include communication unit 244 and communicate to network controller 130 via communication unit 244. Base station 110 can include a scheduler 246 to schedule UEs 120 for downlink and / or uplink communications. In some aspects, a modulator and a demodulator (e.g., MOD / DEMOD 232) of the base station 110 can be included in a modem of the base station 110. In some aspects, the base station 110 includes a transceiver. The transceiver can include any combination of antenna(s) 234, modulators and / or demodulators 232, MIMO detector 236, receive processor 238, transmit processor 220, and / or TX MIMO processor 230. The transceiver can be used by a processor (e.g., controller / processor 240) and memory 242 to perform any of the methods described herein.

[0042] Controller / processor 240 of base station 110, controller / processor 280 of UE 120, and / or Figure 2Any other component may perform one or more techniques associated with the DMRS-based signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) used for demodulation processing, as described in more detail elsewhere herein. For example, the controller / processor 240 of base station 110, the controller / processor 280 of UE 120, and / or Figure 2 Any other component can execute or direct, for example, Figure 6 The operation of process 600 and / or other processes described herein. Memory 242 and 282 may store data and program code for base station 110 and UE 120, respectively. In some aspects, memory 242 and / or memory 282 may include a non-transitory computer-readable medium storing one or more instructions (e.g., code and / or program code) for wireless communication. For example, one or more instructions, when executed by one or more processors of base station 110 and / or UE 120 (e.g., directly, or after compilation, translation, and / or interpretation), may cause one or more processors, UE 120, and / or base station 110 to perform or direct, for example... Figure 6 The operation of process 600 and / or other processes as described herein. In some aspects, execution instructions may include run instructions, translation instructions, compilation instructions, and / or interpretation instructions.

[0043] In some aspects, UE 120 includes components for measuring a first level of the DMRS; components for measuring a second level of at least one of the Tracking Reference Signal (TRS) or the Synchronization Signal Block (SSB); components for determining the DMRS SNR based at least in part on the first and second levels; components for performing channel estimation of the physical channel associated with the communication based at least in part on the DMRS SNR to determine the estimated channel; and / or components for performing demodulation processing for the communication based at least in part on the estimated channel. Components for UE 120 to perform the operations described herein may include, for example, one or more of antenna 252, demodulator 254, MIMO detector 256, receive processor 258, transmit processor 264, TX MIMO processor 266, modulator 254, controller / processor 280, or memory 282.

[0044] In some respects, UE 120 includes components for receiving communications over a physical channel using a beam selected at least in part based on either TRS or SSB.

[0045] In some respects, UE 120 includes components for measuring a reference signal SNR (RS-SNR) that is at least partially based on a second energy level.

[0046] In some aspects, the UE 120 includes means for determining a DMRS SNR for at least one of: a time slot during which a communication is received, an antenna port used to receive the communication, or a DMRS port associated with the DMRS.

[0047] In some aspects, the UE 120 includes means for measuring the DMRS SNR based at least in part on at least one of: the first energy level, the second energy level, a noise level associated with the DMRS, or an RS-SNR based at least in part on the second energy level.

[0048] In some aspects, the UE 120 includes means for measuring a noise level associated with the DMRS; and / or means for determining the DMRS SNR based at least in part on the first energy level and the noise level.

[0049] In some aspects, the UE 120 includes means for determining a value based at least in part on the first energy level and the second energy level; means for measuring an RS-SNR based at least in part on the second energy level; and / or means for modifying the RS-SNR by the value to obtain the DMRS SNR.

[0050] In some aspects, the UE 120 includes means for determining the value based at least in part on a function of the first energy level and the second energy level.

[0051] In some aspects, the UE 120 includes means for determining a first SNR based at least in part on the first energy level and a measured noise level associated with the DMRS; means for modifying an RS-SNR based at least in part on the second energy level by a first value to obtain a second SNR; means for determining whether a ratio of the first SNR to the second SNR satisfies a threshold; and / or means for determining that the DMRS SNR is: the first SNR if the ratio of the first SNR to the second SNR satisfies the threshold, or the second SNR if the ratio of the first SNR to the second SNR does not satisfy the threshold.

[0052] In some aspects, the UE 120 includes means for determining a first SNR based at least in part on the first energy level and a measured noise level associated with the DMRS; means for modifying an RS-SNR based at least in part on the second energy level by a first value to obtain a second SNR; means for modifying the second SNR by a second value to obtain a third SNR; and / or means for determining that the DMRS SNR is: the first SNR if the first SNR is greater than the third SNR, or the second SNR if the first SNR is less than or equal to the third SNR.

[0053] In some aspects, the UE 120 includes means for performing a delay spread estimation for the channel based at least in part on the DMRS SNR. In some aspects, the UE 120 includes means for measuring a RS-SNR based at least in part on the second energy level; means for comparing the RS-SNR to the DMRS SNR to obtain a difference between the RS-SNR and the DMRS SNR; and / or means for performing the delay spread estimation for the channel using the DMRS SNR based at least in part on the difference between the RS-SNR and the DMRS SNR satisfying a collision threshold.

[0054] In some aspects, the UE 120 includes means for performing the delay spread estimation for the channel using the DMRS SNR if the RS-SNR satisfies a reliability threshold to set a threshold for estimated delay spread of the channel to separate a signal of the channel from noise by the channel. In some aspects, the UE 120 includes means for determining that the delay spread for the channel is a default value if the RS-SNR does not satisfy the reliability threshold.

[0055] As described above, Figure 2 are provided as examples. Other examples can differ from what is described with respect to at least one of the described examples. Figure 2

[0056] Figure 3 is a diagram illustrating an example 300 of physical channels and reference signals in a wireless network, according to the present disclosure. As shown, Figure 3 Downlink channels and downlink reference signals can carry information from

[0057] ​As shown, a downlink channel can include, among other examples, a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) carrying downlink control information (DCI), a physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH) carrying downlink data, or a physical broadcast channel (PBCH) carrying system information. In some aspects, a PDSCH communication can be scheduled by a PDCCH communication. As further shown, an uplink channel can include, among other examples, a physical uplink control channel (PUCCH) carrying uplink control information (UCI), a physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH) carrying uplink data, or a physical random access channel (PRACH) for initial network access. In some aspects, a UE 120 can transmit acknowledgement (ACK) or negative acknowledgement (NACK) feedback (e.g., ACK / NACK feedback or ACK / NACK information) in UCI on a PUCCH and / or PUSCH.

[0058] As further shown, a downlink reference signal can include, among other examples, an SSB, a channel state information (CSI) reference signal (CSI-RS), a DMRS, a positioning reference signal (PRS), a phase tracking reference signal (PTRS), and / or a TRS. Also as shown, an uplink reference signal can include, among other examples, a sounding reference signal (SRS), a DMRS, and / or a PTRS.

[0059] An SSB can carry information for initial network acquisition and synchronization, such as a PSS, an SSS, a PBCH, and a PBCH DMRS. An SSB is sometimes referred to as a synchronization signal / PBCH (SS / PBCH) block. In some aspects, a base station 110 can transmit multiple SSBs on multiple respective beams, and an SSB can be used for beam selection.

[0060] CSI-RSs can carry information used for downlink channel estimation (e.g., downlink CSI acquisition), which can be used for scheduling, link adaptation, or beam management, among other examples. A base station 110 can configure a set of CSI-RSs for a UE 120, and the UE 120 can measure the configured set of CSI-RSs. Based at least in part on the measurements, the UE 120 can perform channel estimation and can report channel estimation parameters (e.g., in a CSI report) to the base station 110, such as a CQI, a precoding matrix indicator (PMI), a CSI-RS resource indicator (CRI), a layer indicator (LI), a rank indicator (RI), or an RSRP, among other examples. The base station 110 can use the CSI report to select transmission parameters for downlink communications to the UE 120, such as a number of transmission layers (e.g., a rank), a precoding matrix (e.g., a precoder), an MCS, or a refined downlink beam (e.g., using a beam refinement procedure or a beam management procedure), among other examples.

[0061] DMRSs can carry information used to estimate a radio channel for demodulation of an associated physical channel (e.g., a PDCCH, a PDSCH, a PBCH, a PUCCH, or a PUSCH). The design and mapping of DMRSs can be specific to the physical channel for which the DMRSs are used for estimation. DMRSs are UE-specific, can be beamformed, can be confined in scheduled resources (e.g., rather than transmitted over a wideband), and can be transmitted only when necessary. As illustrated, DMRSs are used for both downlink communications and uplink communications.

[0062] PTRSs can carry information used to compensate for oscillator phase noise. Typically, phase noise increases as an oscillator carrier frequency increases. Thus, PTRSs can be used at high carrier frequencies, such as millimeter wave frequencies, to mitigate phase noise. PTRSs can be used to track the phase of a local oscillator and can suppress phase noise and common phase error (CPE). As illustrated, PTRSs are used for both downlink communications (e.g., on a PDSCH) and uplink communications (e.g., on a PUSCH).

[0063] TRSs can carry information used to assist in time and frequency domain tracking. TRSs can be used to track transmission path delay spread and / or Doppler spread. TRSs can be UE-specific. In some aspects, TRSs can be transmitted in a TRS burst. A TRS burst can consist of four OFDM symbols in two consecutive slots. In some aspects, TRSs can be associated with one or more CSI-RS configurations. For example, a TRS burst can use one or more CSI-RS resources.

[0064] A PRS can carry information used to enable timing or ranging measurements by a UE 120 based on signals transmitted by the base station 110 to improve Observed Time Difference of Arrival (OTDOA) positioning performance. For example, a PRS can be a pseudo-random Quadrature Phase Shift Keying (QPSK) sequence mapped in a diagonal pattern with frequency and time shifting to avoid collision with cell-specific reference signals and control channels (e.g., PDCCH). Generally, a PRS can be designed to improve detectability by the UE 120, which can need to detect downlink signals from multiple neighboring base stations in order to perform OTDOA-based positioning. Thus, the UE 120 can receive PRSs from multiple cells (e.g., a reference cell and one or more neighboring cells), and can report a Reference Signal Time Difference (RSTD) based on OTDOA measurements associated with the PRSs received from the multiple cells. In some aspects, the base station 110 can then calculate a location of the UE 120 based on the RSTD measurements reported by the UE 120.

[0065] An SRS can carry information used for uplink channel estimation, which can be used for scheduling, link adaptation, precoder selection or beam management, among other examples. The base station 110 can configure one or more SRS resource sets for the UE 120, and the UE 120 can transmit SRSs on the configured SRS resource sets. An SRS resource set can have a configured usage, such as uplink CSI acquisition, downlink CSI acquisition for reciprocity-based operations, uplink beam management, among other examples. The base station 110 can measure the SRS, can perform channel estimation based at least in part on the measurements, and can use the SRS measurements to configure communications with the UE 120.

[0066] As described above, Figure 3 are provided as examples. Other examples can differ from what is described with respect to at least one of the described examples. Figure 3

[0067] In some cases, to perform demodulation processing of a signal, SNR information of a physical channel associated with the signal can be needed. For example, a UE can obtain an SNR to use for channel estimation of the physical channel (e.g., to determine an estimated channel). The UE can use the estimated channel to perform demodulation processing of the signal to obtain data carried by the signal.

[0068] ​In some wireless communication systems, such as millimeter wave systems (and / or for wireless communication devices operating in FR2 or other frequency ranges), a UE can measure an SNR using a TRS or SSB for channel estimation to facilitate demodulation processing of a signal. The SNR measured using a TRS or SSB can be referred to herein as an RS-SNR. However, in some cases, the measured RS-SNR can provide an inaccurate estimate of a demodulation SNR (e.g., an SNR for a physical channel and / or for a DMRS channel). For example, a physical channel and / or a channel for DMRS can experience a greater beamforming gain than a beamforming gain experienced by a TRS or SSB (e.g., resulting in the RS-SNR providing an inaccurate estimate of the demodulation SNR). Because a signal (e.g., a DMRS, a TRS, and / or an SSB) can be a beamformed signal, an energy level of the signal can vary depending on a beamforming gain experienced by the signal. As a result, the RS-SNR based on a TRS and / or an SSB can be different than an SNR of a DMRS (e.g., a DMRS channel) and / or a physical channel.

[0069] In some cases, a combination of a precoder and a beam used at a TRS port or an SSB port can introduce an imbalance (e.g., a difference) between an RS-SNR and an SNR of a DMRS. For example, a UE and a base station can select a beam (or a beam pair) for communication based at least in part on a measured beam parameter (e.g., an RSRP and / or an SNR) of the beam. The beam parameter can be measured using a TRS and / or an SSB, and can indicate an average beam parameter across multiple antenna ports of the UE. The UE and / or the base station can select a beam with a best beam parameter for communication. However, in some cases, due to different channel conditions across the antenna ports of the UE, the selected beam can result in an imbalance between the RS-SNR (e.g., measured at a TRS port or an SSB port) and the SNR of the DMRS. For example, due to a movement or a change in direction of the UE (and / or an antenna of the UE), the selected beam can result in the RS-SNR (e.g., measured by the UE at a TRS port or an SSB port) providing an inaccurate estimate of a demodulation SNR of a physical channel and / or a DMRS channel.

[0070] In some cases, a TRS or SSB can experience a collision with another signal, resulting in interference to the TRS or SSB. As a result, the interference experienced by the TRS or SSB can be different than the interference experienced by the physical channel and / or DMRS channel. For example, a neighboring cell can configure a TRS and / or SSB to use the same or similar frequencies. As a result, the TRS or SSB can collide with a TRS or SSB transmitted from the neighboring cell, resulting in interference that the physical channel and / or DMRS channel can not experience. As a result, the RS-SNR measured by the UE can provide an inaccurate estimate of the demodulation SNR of the physical channel and / or DMRS channel. By using the RS-SNR that provides an inaccurate estimate of the demodulation SNR of the physical channel and / or DMRS channel, the UE can perform an inaccurate channel estimation (e.g., a channel that results in an inaccurate estimate). Demodulation processing using the inaccurate estimated channel results in reduced demodulation performance. As a result, the UE can experience throughput degradation and / or reduced spectral efficiency for signals demodulated using the inaccurate estimated channel.

[0071] Some techniques and apparatuses described herein enable DMRS-based SNR for demodulation processing. For example, a UE can measure an SNR of a received DMRS (e.g., based at least in part on an energy level of the DMRS and a noise level of the DMRS). The UE can use the SNR of the DMRS to perform channel estimation of a physical channel (e.g., to obtain an estimated channel). The UE can perform demodulation processing of a signal based at least in part on the estimated channel. By using the SNR measured directly from the DMRS, the UE can ensure that the SNR used for channel estimation for demodulation processing is an accurate estimate of the SNR experienced by the physical channel and / or DMRS channel.

[0072] In some cases, SNR measured directly from DMRS (e.g., only from DMRS) can provide an unreliable measurement. For example, SNR measured directly from DMRS can be inaccurate due to lack of filtering since DMRS can be confined in scheduled resources (e.g., instead of being transmitted over a wideband) and / or transmitted only when necessary. Thus, in some cases, a UE can determine a DMRS SNR (e.g., SNR to use for channel estimation to facilitate demodulation processing) based at least in part on an energy level of DMRS and an energy level of TRS and / or SSB. For example, the UE can measure an RS-SNR (e.g., using TRS or SSB) and a reference signal (RS) energy level (e.g., based at least in part on TRS or SSB). The UE can determine a DMRS SNR based at least in part on a noise level of DMRS in a slot in which a signal is received and an energy level of DMRS and / or based at least in part on the RS-SNR and the RS energy level (e.g., of TRS or SSB). Thus, in scenarios where SNR measured directly from DMRS (e.g., only from DMRS) can provide an unreliable measurement, the UE can use a modified or biased RS-SNR (e.g., that is based at least in part on a ratio of the energy level of DMRS to the RS energy level) to account for the above-mentioned issues that arise from using an unmodified RS-SNR. As a result, the UE can ensure that accurate channel estimation is performed to facilitate demodulation processing. Using accurate channel estimation improves demodulation performance, improves throughput experienced by the UE, and / or improves spectral efficiency experienced by the UE, among other examples.

[0073] Figure 4 is a diagram illustrating an example 400 associated with DMRS-based SNR for demodulation processing, in accordance with the present disclosure. As shown, example 400 includes communication between a UE 120 and a base station 110. In some aspects, example 400 can include communication between a first wireless communication device (e.g., UE 120, base station 110, and / or a wireless node) and a second wireless communication device. In some aspects, UE 120 and base station 110 can be included in a wireless network, such as wireless network 100. In some aspects, the wireless network can be a millimeter wave wireless network. For example, UE 120 and base station 110 can operate in a millimeter wave operating frequency (and / or FR2). UE 120 and base station 110 can communicate via a wireless access link, which can include uplink and downlink. Figure 4

[0074] ​As shown by reference number 405, the UE 120 can receive one or more signals from the base station 110. For example, the base station 110 can transmit a communication to the UE 120 (e.g., which is to be decoded and demodulated by the UE 120). The base station 110 can transmit one or more reference signals to the UE 120. For example, the base station 110 can transmit one or more DMRSs to the UE 120. Additionally, the base station 110 can transmit one or more TRSs and / or one or more SSBs to the UE 120.

[0075] In some aspects, the UE 120 and the base station 110 can communicate using a beam selected based at least in part on a measurement of a beam parameter (e.g., RSRP or SNR). The UE 120 (or the base station 110) can measure a TRS and / or an SSB to identify a value of a beam parameter. The value of the beam parameter can be an average across multiple (or all) antenna ports of the UE 120 (or the base station 110). The UE 120 (or the base station 110) can report the beam parameter values for multiple beams. The UE 120 and / or the base station 110 can select a beam for communication based at least in part on the report of the beam parameters (e.g., a beam with a best or highest beam parameter can be selected for communication between the UE 120 and the base station 110).

[0076] As described above, the UE 120 can perform demodulation processing of a signal using an estimated channel for a physical channel used to transmit the signal. For example, as described in more detail below, the UE 120 can perform a minimum mean square error (MMSE) channel estimation to determine an estimated channel. SNR information for the physical channel can be needed as an input to perform the channel estimation (e.g., the MMSE channel estimation). As described in more detail below, the UE 120 can obtain the SNR information (e.g., an estimated SNR for the physical channel) based at least in part on a DMRS received by the UE 120.

[0077] As shown by reference number 410, the UE 120 can measure or identify an energy level of the DMRS received by the UE 120. The energy level can be a measure of a signal level of the DMRS and a noise level associated with the DMRS (e.g., the energy level can be a total received energy level of the signal plus noise of the DMRS). The energy level can be an average energy level across one or more taps or tones of the DMRS (e.g., based at least in part on the resources scheduled for the DMRS). In some aspects, the UE 120 can measure or identify a noise level of the DMRS. The UE 120 can measure or identify the energy level and / or the noise level of the DMRS using a port (e.g., a DMRS port) and a beam or channel associated with the DMRS. The UE 120 can measure or identify the energy level and / or the noise level of the DMRS for a slot (e.g., per slot) in which the DMRS or a communication to be demodulated is received, for a receive antenna port of the UE 120 (e.g., per receive antenna port), and / or for a DMRS port used to receive the DMRS (e.g., per DMRS port).

[0078] As shown by reference number 415, the UE 120 can measure or identify an energy level of at least one of the TRS or the SSB. The energy level of a reference signal (e.g., a TRS or an SSB) can be a measure of a signal level of the reference signal and a noise level associated with the reference signal (e.g., the energy level can be a total received energy level of the signal plus noise of the reference signal). In some aspects, the UE 120 can measure or identify a noise level of the reference signal (e.g., a TRS or an SSB). In some aspects, the UE 120 can measure or identify a RS-SNR of the reference signal (e.g., a TRS or an SSB) based at least in part on the energy level of the reference signal and the noise level of the reference signal. The UE 120 can measure or identify the energy level and / or the noise level of the reference signal using a port (e.g., a TRS port or an SSB port) and a beam or channel associated with the reference signal.

[0079] As shown by reference number 420, the UE 120 can determine a DMRS SNR (e.g., a SNR to be used by the UE 120 for channel estimation to facilitate demodulation processing) based at least in part on the energy level of the DMRS and / or the energy level of the reference signal (e.g., a TRS or an SSB). The UE 120 can determine the DMRS SNR based at least in part on the energy level of the DMRS, the energy level of the reference signal (e.g., a TRS or an SSB), a noise level of the DMRS, and / or a RS-SNR of the reference signal (e.g., a TRS or an SSB), among other examples.

[0080] In some aspects, the UE 120 can determine the DMRS SNR using only the energy level of the DMRS and the noise level of the DMRS. For example, the DMRS SNR can be determined according to the equation to determine, where EEdmrs DMRS is the energy level of the DMRS, and NEdmrs DMRS is the noise level of the DMRS. By determining the DMRS SNR using only the energy level of the DMRS and the noise level of the DMRS, the UE 120 can be enabled to compensate for an imbalance in the energy level of a reference signal (e.g., a TRS or SSB) compared to the energy level of the DMRS (e.g., of a DMRS channel). As a result, the UE 120 can be enabled to perform a more accurate channel estimation on a demodulation channel.

[0081] In some aspects, the UE 120 can determine the DMRS SNR based at least in part on modifying or scaling an RS-SNR of a reference signal (e.g., a TRS or SSB). For example, the UE 120 can determine a value or ratio based at least in part on the energy level of the DMRS and the energy level of the reference signal (e.g., a TRS or SSB). For example, the value or ratio can be determined based at least in part on a function of the energy level of the DMRS and the energy level of the reference signal (e.g., a ratio and / or a difference between the energy level of the DMRS and the energy level of the reference signal). The value or ratio can be indicative of a beamforming gain ratio between the DMRS and the reference signal (e.g., a TRS or SSB). That is, the value or ratio can be indicative of a received energy of the DMRS compared to a received energy of the reference signal (e.g., a TRS or SSB). The UE 120 can determine the DMRS SNR by modifying or scaling the RS-SNR (e.g., of a TRS or SSB) by the value or ratio. For example, the UE 120 can determine the DMRS SNR according to the equation , where EEdmrs DMRS is the energy level of the DMRS, EEdmrs RS is the energy level of the reference signal (e.g., a TRS or SSB), and SNR RS is the RS-SNR of the reference signal (e.g., a TRS or SSB). In some aspects, the UE 120 can determine the DMRS SNR by further modifying or scaling the modified or scaled RS-SNR. For example, the UE 120 can determine the DMRS SNR according to the equation , where N is a scaling value. By modifying or scaling the RS-SNR (e.g., of a TRS or SSB) by the value or ratio, the UE 120 can be enabled to compensate for an imbalance in the energy level of a reference signal (e.g., a TRS or SSB) compared to the energy level of the DMRS. As a result, the UE 120 can be enabled to perform a more accurate channel estimation on a demodulation channel.

[0082] In some aspects, the UE 120 can determine whether the DMRS SNR determined or computed using only the energy level of the DMRS and the noise level of the DMRS provides sufficient reliability. For example, as described above, the DMRS can be confined to the scheduled resources. As a result, in some cases, the UE 120 can not have sufficient resources to measure the energy level of the DMRS and the noise level of the DMRS to provide a reliable estimate of the DMRS SNR. In some aspects, the UE 120 can determine whether the DMRS SNR determined or computed using only the energy level of the DMRS and the noise level of the DMRS provides sufficient reliability based at least in part on the energy level of the DMRS, the energy level of a reference signal (e.g., TRS or SSB), and / or the RS-SNR of the reference signal (e.g., TRS or SSB), among other examples.

[0083] For example, the UE 120 can use a modified or scaled RS-SNR (e.g., as described above) to determine whether to use the DMRS SNR determined or computed using only the energy level of the DMRS and the noise level of the DMRS. In some aspects, the UE 120 can determine whether a ratio of a first SNR (e.g., the DMRS SNR determined or computed using only the energy level of the DMRS and the noise level of the DMRS) to the modified or scaled RS-SNR (e.g., described above) satisfies (e.g., is greater than) a threshold. For example, the UE 120 can use the equation to determine whether to use the DMRS SNR determined or computed using only the energy level of the DMRS and the noise level of the DMRS, where is the DMRS SNR determined or computed using only the energy level of the DMRS and the noise level of the DMRS, and SNR RS is the modified or scaled RS-SNR. For example, if the ratio of the first SNR (e.g., the DMRS SNR determined or computed using only the energy level of the DMRS and the noise level of the DMRS) to the modified or scaled RS-SNR satisfies the threshold, the UE 120 can use the first SNR as the DMRS SNR. If the ratio of the first SNR to the modified or scaled RS-SNR does not satisfy the threshold, the UE 120 can use the modified or scaled RS-SNR as the DMRS SNR.

[0084] In some aspects, the UE 120 can determine whether to use the first SNR (e.g., a DMRS SNR determined or computed using only the energy level of the DMRS and the noise level of the DMRS) based at least in part on whether the first SNR is greater than the modified or scaled RS-SNR. In some aspects, the UE 120 can determine whether to use the first SNR based at least in part on whether the first SNR is greater than the modified RS-SNR by a threshold value (e.g., the same value as the threshold described above or a different value). For example, the UE 120 can determine whether to use the first SNR as the DMRS SNR using the equation where is the first SNR (e.g., a DMRS SNR determined or computed using only the energy level of the DMRS and the noise level of the DMRS), and is the modified or scaled RS-SNR. If the first SNR is greater than the modified or scaled RS-SNR by the threshold value, the UE 120 can use the first SNR as the DMRS SNR. If the first SNR is less than or equal to the modified or scaled RS-SNR by the threshold value, the UE 120 can use the modified or scaled RS-SNR as the DMRS SNR.

[0085] In some aspects, the value of the threshold can be a fixed value (e.g., 3 decibels or a similar value) for all UEs. In some aspects, the value of the threshold can be specific to the UE 120. In some aspects, the value of the threshold can be variable and change over time. For example, the value of the threshold can be based at least in part on channel conditions experienced by the UE 120.

[0086] As shown by reference number 425, the UE 120 can use the DMRS SNR (e.g., determined by the UE 120 as described above) to perform channel estimation to determine an estimated channel of a physical channel associated with the signal. For example, the UE 120 can use the DMRS SNR to determine MMSE filter coefficients. The UE 120 can use the MMSE filter coefficients to determine the estimated channel of the physical channel associated with the signal.

[0087] In some aspects, the UE 120 can use the DMRS SNR (e.g., determined by the UE 120 as described above) to perform channel estimation to estimate a delay spread of the channel. For example, a multipath channel can experience a delay spread due to delays at multiple paths (e.g., due to multipath propagation). The UE 120 can perform a delay spread estimation of the channel based at least in part on the DMRS SNR to improve the delay spread estimation when the SNR of the TRS or SSB is low or unreliable.

[0088] For example, when there is an imbalance between the RS-SNR and the DMRS SNR, the UE 120 can use the DMRS SNR to improve or enhance the delay spread estimation. Generally, the UE 120 can relay on the RS-SNR (e.g., the SNR of a TRS or SSB) to perform channel estimation. However, when the TRS or SSB experiences different parameters from the physical channel or other (e.g., as described above), the delay spread estimation based on the SNR of the TRS or SSB can be unreliable or result in underestimation of the delay spread. For example, the UE 120 can detect that the TRS or SSB is experiencing different parameters from the physical channel (e.g., the TRS or SSB is experiencing a collision with another signal) based at least in part on a difference between the DMRS SNR and the RS-SNR. For example, if the difference between the DMRS SNR and the RS-SNR satisfies (e.g., is greater than or equal to) a collision threshold (e.g., 7 dB or similar value), the UE 120 can determine or detect that the TRS or SSB is experiencing different parameters from the physical channel (e.g., the TRS or SSB is experiencing a collision with another signal). Based at least in part on the difference between the DMRS SNR and the RS-SNR satisfying the collision threshold, the UE 120 can use the DMRS SNR to perform the delay spread estimation for the channel.

[0089] In some aspects, the UE 120 can determine whether the RS-SNR (e.g., the SNR of a TRS or SSB) satisfies a reliability threshold (e.g., 3 dB or similar value). If the RS-SNR satisfies the reliability threshold, the UE 120 can use the RS-SNR to compute the delay spread estimation and can use the DMRS SNR to set a threshold (e.g., a delay spread threshold) for separating the signal of the channel from the noise by the estimated delay spread of the channel. For example, the UE 120 can use the threshold to set a range from the strongest path (e.g., a dominant path associated with the highest power in the paths received by the UE 120) to ensure that all of the most significant paths of the channel are identified or included in the range. For example, the threshold can be a value that the UE 120 uses to capture paths having energy within a value of the energy of the strongest or dominant path from the reception by the UE 120. Thus, using the DMRS SNR to set the threshold (e.g., when the RS-SNR is unreliable as described above) improves the channel estimation by ensuring that the threshold is set such that all (or most) of the most significant paths of the channel are identified by the UE 120 (e.g., by ensuring that the energy of the most significant paths is within the threshold from the energy of the best or dominant path). In other words, using the DMRS SNR to set the threshold improves the channel estimation by ensuring that the UE 120 captures the most significant paths of the channel.

[0090] In some aspects, the UE 120 can determine that the RS-SNR does not satisfy (e.g., is less than) a reliability threshold. Thus, the RS-SNR can not be reliable or robust enough to be used to estimate the channel delay spread. In other words, using the RS-SNR to compute the delay spread of the channel when the RS-SNR does not satisfy (e.g., is less than) the reliability threshold can result in underestimation of the delay spread, which can result in performance loss over a fading channel. Thus, if the RS-SNR does not satisfy the reliability threshold, the UE 120 can determine that the delay spread for the channel is a default value. For example, based at least in part on the difference between the DMRS SNR and the RS-SNR satisfying a collision threshold, and based at least in part on the RS-SNR not satisfying the reliability threshold, the UE 120 can use a default value (e.g., a default delay spread value for the channel stored by the UE 120 or indicated to the UE 120) for the delay spread when performing channel estimation.

[0091] As a result, using the DMRS SNR to perform channel delay spread estimation can result in improved or enhanced channel estimation (e.g., as compared to performing channel delay spread estimation using only the RS-SNR). For example, the UE 120 can be enabled to identify or detect when the TRS or SSB experiences different parameters than the physical channel (e.g., when the TRS or SSB experiences a collision with another signal) based at least in part on the difference between the DMRS SNR and the RS-SNR. As a result, the UE 120 can use the DMRS SNR to improve channel delay spread estimation, as described above.

[0092] As shown by reference number 430, the UE 120 can perform demodulation processing of the signal using the estimated channel. For example, the UE 120 can perform demodulation processing of the signal using the estimated channel to obtain data carried by the signal. The UE 120 can communicate (e.g., transmit or receive) one or more signals with the base station 110 based at least in part on performing demodulation processing of the signal using the estimated channel as described herein. As described above, by using the DMRS SNR described above, the UE 120 can ensure that an accurate channel estimation is performed to facilitate demodulation processing. Among other examples, using an accurate channel estimation improves demodulation performance, improves throughput experienced by the UE 120, and / or improves spectral efficiency experienced by the UE 120.

[0093] As described above, Figure 4 are provided as examples. Other examples can differ from what is described with respect to at least one of the described examples. Figure 4 described with respect to the examples.

[0094] Figure 5 is a diagram illustrating an example 500 associated with a DMRS-based SNR for demodulation processing, in accordance with the present disclosure. As Figure 5As shown, example 500 depicts an example demodulation processing flow for a UE.

[0095] As shown by reference 505, the UE can perform demodulation processing (e.g., DMRS processing) of the signal using the estimated channel to obtain data carried by the signal. As shown by reference 510, the UE can measure or identify, based at least in part on the DMRS processing, an energy level of the received DMRS (shown as EE-DMRS in Figure 5 ) and a noise level of the received DMRS (e.g., shown as NE-DMRS in Figure 5 ). The UE can combine (e.g., at a mixer shown by reference 510) the energy level of the received DMRS and the noise level of the received DMRS. As shown by reference 515, the UE can subtract one from the combined energy level of the received DMRS and the noise level of the received DMRS to identify a first SNR (e.g., ) based only on the received DMRS.

[0096] As shown by reference 520, the UE can perform reference signal processing of one or more received reference signals (e.g., TRS or SSB). Based at least in part on performing the reference signal processing, the UE can measure or identify a RS-SNR of the reference signal and an energy level of the reference signal (e.g., shown as EE-RS in Figure 5 ). As shown by reference 525, the UE can combine the energy level of the DMRS and the energy level of the reference signal (e.g., at a mixer shown by reference 525) to identify a value or a ratio (e.g., ). As described above in connection with Figure 4 , the value or the ratio can be indicative of a beamforming gain of the DMRS compared to a beamforming gain of the reference signal (e.g., a ratio of the beamforming gain of the DMRS to the beamforming gain of the reference signal or a difference between the two). As shown by reference 530, the UE can modify the RS-SNR of the reference signal by the value or the ratio to determine a second SNR (e.g., ).

[0097] As shown by reference 535, the UE can determine or calculate a DMRS SNR (e.g., an SNR to be used by the UE for channel estimation to facilitate demodulation processing) based at least in part on the first SNR (as shown by A in Figure 5 ) and the second SNR (as shown by B in Figure 5 ). As described above in connection with Figure 4 , in some aspects, the UE can use the first SNR as the DMRS SNR. Alternatively, the UE can use the second SNR as the DMRS SNR.

[0098] For example, in some aspects, the UE can determine whether to use the first SNR or the second SNR as the DMRS SNR. As described above in connection with Figure 4 For example, the UE can determine whether a ratio of the first SNR to the second SNR (e.g., the first SNR divided by the second SNR) satisfies the threshold. If the ratio of the first SNR to the second SNR satisfies the threshold, the UE can use the first SNR as the DMRS SNR. If the ratio of the first SNR to the second SNR does not satisfy the threshold, the UE can use the second SNR as the DMRS SNR.

[0099] In some aspects, the UE can modify the second SNR by a value of the threshold. The UE can determine whether the first SNR is greater than the modified second SNR. If the first SNR is greater than the modified second SNR, the UE can use the first SNR as the DMRS SNR. If the first SNR is less than or equal to the modified second SNR, the UE can use the second SNR as the DMRS SNR.

[0100] As shown by reference number 540, the UE can provide the determined DMRS SNR to a MMSE filter. The UE, using the MMSE filter, can determine MMSE filter coefficients based at least in part on the DMRS SNR. The UE can provide the MMSE filter coefficients to a demodulation processing component (e.g., a DMRS processing component). The UE can use the MMSE filter coefficients to perform channel estimation for a physical channel. For example, the UE can perform channel estimation based at least in part on the DMRS SNR (e.g., using the MMSE filter coefficients) to determine an estimated channel for the physical channel. The UE can use the estimated channel to perform demodulation of a signal to obtain data carried by the signal. As described above, by determining or identifying the DMRS SNR as described above, the UE can obtain a more accurate channel estimate to facilitate demodulation processing. As a result, demodulation performance of the UE is improved.

[0101] As described above, Figure 5 are provided as examples. Other examples can differ from what is described with respect to at least one of the Figure 5 described examples.

[0102] Figure 6 is a diagram illustrating an example process 600 performed, for example, by a UE, in accordance with the present disclosure. Example process 600 is an example where the UE (e.g., UE 120) performs operations associated with DMRS-based SNR for demodulation processing.

[0103] As Figure 6As shown, in some aspects, process 600 may include measuring the first energy level of the DMRS (block 610). For example, the UE (e.g., using...) Figure 7 The measurement component 708 depicted can measure the first energy level of the DMRS, as described above.

[0104] like Figure 6 As further shown, in some aspects, process 600 may include measuring a second level (block 620) of at least one of the TRS or SSB. For example, the UE (e.g., using...) Figure 7 The measurement component 708 depicted can measure the second level of at least one of the TRS or SSB, as described above.

[0105] like Figure 6 As further shown, in some aspects, process 600 may include determining the DMRS SNR based at least in part on the first energy level and the second energy level (block 630). For example, the UE (e.g., using...) Figure 7 The determining component 710 described herein can determine the DMRS SNR at least in part based on the first and second energy levels, as described above.

[0106] like Figure 6 Further shown, in some aspects, process 600 may include performing channel estimation of the physical channel associated with the communication, at least in part based on the DMRS SNR, to determine the estimated channel (block 640). For example, the UE (e.g., using...) Figure 7 The channel estimation component 712 described herein can perform channel estimation of the physical channel associated with the communication, at least in part, based on the DMRS SNR, to determine the estimated channel, as described above.

[0107] like Figure 6 As further shown, in some aspects, process 600 may include performing demodulation processing for communication based at least in part on the estimated channel (block 650). For example, the UE (e.g., using demodulation component 714, such as...) Figure 7 The demodulation process for communication (as described above) can be performed at least in part based on the estimated channel.

[0108] Process 600 may include other aspects, such as any single aspect or any combination of aspects of one or more other processes described below and / or described elsewhere herein.

[0109] In a first aspect, process 600 includes receiving communication on a physical channel using a beam selected at least in part based on at least one of TRS or SSB.

[0110] In a second aspect, alone or in combination with the first aspect, process 600 includes measuring the RS-SNR based at least in part on the second energy level.

[0111] In a third aspect, alone or in combination with one or more of the first and second aspects, the determination of the DMRS SNR includes determining the DMRS SNR for at least one of: a time slot during which the communication is received, an antenna port used to receive the communication, or a DMRS port associated with the DMRS.

[0112] In a fourth aspect, alone or in combination with one or more of the first through third aspects, the determination of the DMRS SNR includes measuring the DMRS SNR based at least in part on at least one of: the first energy level, the second energy level, a noise level associated with the DMRS, or an RS-SNR based at least in part on the second energy level.

[0113] In a fifth aspect, alone or in combination with one or more of the first through fourth aspects, the determination of the DMRS SNR includes measuring a noise level associated with the DMRS and determining the DMRS SNR based at least in part on the first energy level and the noise level.

[0114] In a sixth aspect, alone or in combination with one or more of the first through fifth aspects, the determination of the DMRS SNR includes: determining a value based at least in part on the first energy level and the second energy level; measuring an RS-SNR based at least in part on the second energy level; and modifying the RS-SNR by the value to obtain the DMRS SNR.

[0115] In a seventh aspect, alone or in combination with one or more of the first through sixth aspects, the determination of the value includes determining the value based at least in part on a function of the first energy level and the second energy level.

[0116] In an eighth aspect, alone or in combination with one or more of the first through seventh aspects, the determination of the DMRS SNR includes: determining a first SNR based at least in part on the first energy level and a measured noise level associated with the DMRS; modifying an RS-SNR based at least in part on the second energy level by a first value to obtain a second SNR; determining whether a ratio of the first SNR to the second SNR satisfies a threshold; and determining the DMRS SNR to be: the first SNR if the ratio of the first SNR to the second SNR satisfies the threshold, or the second SNR if the ratio of the first SNR to the second SNR does not satisfy the threshold.

[0117] In a ninth aspect, alone or in combination with one or more of the first through eighth aspects, the determination of the DMRS SNR includes determining a first SNR based at least in part on the first energy level and a measured noise level associated with the DMRS, modifying a RS-SNR based at least in part on the second energy level by a first value to obtain a second SNR, modifying the second SNR by a second value to obtain a third SNR, and determining the DMRS SNR to be the first SNR if the first SNR is greater than the third SNR, or the second SNR if the first SNR is less than or equal to the third SNR.

[0118] In a tenth aspect, alone or in combination with one or more of the first through ninth aspects, the UE operates at a millimeter wave operating frequency.

[0119] In an eleventh aspect, alone or in combination with one or more of the first through tenth aspects, performing the channel estimation includes performing a delay spread estimation for the channel based at least in part on the DMRS SNR.

[0120] In a twelfth aspect, alone or in combination with one or more of the first through eleventh aspects, performing the delay spread estimation includes measuring a RS-SNR based at least in part on the second energy level, comparing the RS-SNR to the DMRS SNR to obtain a difference between the RS-SNR and the DMRS SNR, and using the DMRS SNR for the delay spread estimation for the channel based at least in part on the difference between the RS-SNR and the DMRS SNR satisfying a collision threshold.

[0121] In a thirteenth aspect, alone or in combination with one or more of the first through twelfth aspects, using the DMRS SNR to perform the delay spread estimation for the channel includes using the DMRS SNR to perform the delay spread estimation for the channel to set a threshold for separating a signal of the channel from noise by an estimated delay spread of the channel if the RS-SNR satisfies a reliability threshold.

[0122] In a fourteenth aspect, alone or in combination with one or more of the first through thirteenth aspects, using the DMRS SNR to perform the delay spread estimation for the channel includes determining a delay spread for the channel to be a default value if the RS-SNR does not satisfy a reliability threshold.

[0123] Although Figure 6 FIGURE 18 illustrates example blocks of a process 1800, in accordance with which one or more aspects described herein can be implemented. In some aspects, process 1800 can include one or more of the following blocks, in combination with one or more of the other aspects described herein. Figure 6The depicted blocks can be added to, removed from, modified, or rearranged in different ways, as compared to those depicted. Additionally or alternatively, two or more of the blocks of process 600 can be performed in parallel.

[0124] Figure 7 is a block diagram of an example apparatus 700 for wireless communication. The apparatus 700 can be a UE, or a UE can include the apparatus 700. In some aspects, the apparatus 700 includes a reception component 702 and a transmission component 704, which can be in communication with one another (for example, via one or more buses and / or one or more other components). As shown, the apparatus 700 can communicate with another apparatus 706 (such as a UE, a base station, or another wireless communication device) using the reception component 702 and the transmission component 704. As further shown, the apparatus 700 can include one or more of a measurement component 708, a determination component 710, a channel estimation component 712, or a demodulation component 714, among other examples.

[0125] In some aspects, the apparatus 700 can be configured to perform one or more operations described herein in connection with Figure 4 and / or Figure 5 one or more components of the apparatus 700 can include one or more components of the UE described above in connection with Figure 6 . Additionally or alternatively, one or more components of the apparatus 700 can be implemented within one or more components of the UE described above in connection with Figure 7 . Additionally or alternatively, one or more components of the apparatus 700 and / or one or more components of the apparatus 706 can be implemented at least in part as software stored in a memory. Figure 2 Figure 7 The reception component 702 can receive communications, such as reference signals, control information, data communications, or a combination thereof, from the apparatus 706. The reception component 702 can provide received communications to one or more other components of the apparatus 700. In some aspects, the reception component 702 can perform signal processing on the received communications (such as filtering, amplification, demodulation, analog-to-digital conversion, demultiplexing, deinterleaving, de-mapping, equalization, interference cancellation, or decoding, among other examples), and can provide the processed signals to the one or more other components of the apparatus 706. In some aspects, the reception component 702 can be collocated with the transmission component 704 in a transceiver. Figure 2

[0126] The reception component 702 can receive communications, such as reference signals, control information, data communications, or a combination thereof, from the apparatus 706. The reception component 702 can provide received communications to one or more other components of the apparatus 700. In some aspects, the reception component 702 can perform signal processing on the received communications (such as filtering, amplification, demodulation, analog-to-digital conversion, demultiplexing, deinterleaving, de-mapping, equalization, interference cancellation, or decoding, among other examples), and can provide the processed signals to the one or more other components of the apparatus 706. In some aspects, the reception component 702 can be collocated with the transmission component 704 in a transceiver. Figure 2 ​​The described one or more antennas, demodulators, MIMO detector, receive processor, controller / processor, memory, or combination thereof of the UE.

[0127] The transmission component 704 can transmit communications, such as reference signals, control information, data communications, or a combination thereof, to the apparatus 706. In some aspects, one or more other components of the apparatus 706 can generate communications and can provide the generated communications to the transmission component 704 for transmission to the apparatus 706. In some aspects, the transmission component 704 can perform signal processing on the generated communications (such as filtering, amplification, modulation, digital-to-analog conversion, multiplexing, interleaving, mapping, or encoding, among other examples), and can transmit the processed signals to the apparatus 706. In some aspects, the transmission component 704 can include one or more antennas, a modulator, a transmit MIMO processor, a transmit processor, a controller / processor, a memory, or combination thereof, as described above. Figure 2 The described one or more antennas, demodulators, MIMO detector, receive processor, controller / processor, memory, or combination thereof of the UE.

[0128] The measurement component 708 can measure a first energy level of the DMRS. The measurement component 708 can measure a second energy level of at least one of the TRS or the SSB. The determination component 710 can determine a DMRS SNR based at least in part on the first energy level and the second energy level. The channel estimation component 712 can perform channel estimation for a physical channel associated with a communication based at least in part on the DMRS SNR to determine an estimated channel. The demodulation component 714 can perform demodulation processing for the communication based at least in part on the estimated channel.

[0129] The reception component 702 can receive the communication on the physical channel using a beam selected based at least in part on at least one of the TRS or the SSB.

[0130] The measurement component 708 can measure a RS-SNR based at least in part on the second energy level.

[0131] The determination component 710 can determine a DMRS SNR for at least one of: a time slot during which the communication is received, an antenna port used to receive the communication, or a DMRS port associated with the DMRS.

[0132] The measurement component 708 and / or the determination component 710 can measure the DMRS SNR based at least in part on at least one of: the first energy level, the second energy level, a noise level associated with the DMRS, or a RS-SNR based at least in part on the second energy level.

[0133] The measurement component 708 can measure a noise level associated with the DMRS. The determination component 710 can determine the DMRS SNR based at least in part on the first energy level and the noise level.

[0134] The determination component 710 can determine a value based at least in part on the first energy level and the second energy level. The measurement component 708 can measure a RS-SNR based at least in part on the second energy level. The determination component 710 can modify the RS-SNR by the value to obtain the DMRS SNR.

[0135] The determination component 710 can determine the value based at least in part on a function of the first energy level and the second energy level.

[0136] The determination component 710 can determine a first SNR based at least in part on the first energy level and a measured noise level associated with the DMRS. The determination component 710 can modify a RS-SNR based at least in part on the second energy level by a first value to obtain a second SNR. The determination component 710 can determine whether a ratio of the first SNR to the second SNR satisfies a threshold. The determination component 710 can determine the DMRS SNR to be: the first SNR if the ratio of the first SNR to the second SNR satisfies the threshold, or the second SNR if the ratio of the first SNR to the second SNR does not satisfy the threshold.

[0137] The determination component 710 can determine a first SNR based at least in part on the first energy level and a measured noise level associated with the DMRS. The determination component 710 can modify a RS-SNR based at least in part on the second energy level by a first value to obtain a second SNR. The determination component 710 can modify the second SNR by a second value to obtain a third SNR. The determination component 710 can determine the DMRS SNR to be: the first SNR if the first SNR is greater than the third SNR, or the second SNR if the first SNR is less than or equal to the third SNR.

[0138] The channel estimation component 712 can perform a delay spread estimation for a channel based at least in part on the DMRS SNR.

[0139] Figure 7 The number and arrangement of components shown in FIG. 7 are provided as an example. In practice, there can be additional components, fewer components, different components, or differently arranged components than those shown in FIG. 7. Figure 7 Additionally, or alternatively, Figure 7 Two or more components illustrated in FIG. 7 can be implemented within a single component, or Figure 7 A single component illustrated in FIG. 7 can be implemented as multiple, distributed components. Additionally or alternatively, Figure 7The set of one or more components illustrated in FIG. 10 can perform one or more functions described as being performed by Figure 7 another set of components illustrated in FIG. 10.

[0140] Figure 8 is a block diagram of an example apparatus 800 for wireless communication. The apparatus 800 can be a base station, or a base station can include the apparatus 800. In some aspects, the apparatus 800 includes a reception component 802 and a transmission component 804, which can be in communication with one another (for example, via one or more buses and / or one or more other components). As shown, the apparatus 800 can communicate with another apparatus 806 (such as a UE, a base station, or another wireless communication device) using the reception component 802 and the transmission component 804. As further shown, the apparatus 800 can include a determination component 808, among other examples.

[0141] In some aspects, the apparatus 800 can be configured to perform one or more operations described herein with regard to Figure 4 and / or Figure 5 one or more processes described herein. Additionally, or alternatively, the apparatus 800 can be configured to perform one or more of the operations or combinations of the processes described herein. In some aspects, the apparatus 800 can operate in a first RAT and / or a second RAT. Figure 8 The apparatus 800 and / or one or more components shown in FIG. 10 can include one or more components of the base station described above in connection with FIG. 9. Additionally, or alternatively, one or more components of the apparatus 800 can be implemented within one or more components of the base station described above in connection with FIG. 9. Additionally, or alternatively, one or more components of the apparatus 800 can be implemented at least in part as software stored in a memory. Figure 2 The apparatus 800 and / or one or more components shown in FIG. 10 can include one or more components of the base station described above in connection with FIG. 9. Additionally, or alternatively, one or more components of the apparatus 800 can be implemented within one or more components of the base station described above in connection with FIG. 9. Additionally, or alternatively, one or more components of the apparatus 800 can be implemented at least in part as software stored in a memory. Figure 8 The apparatus 800 and / or one or more components shown in FIG. 10 can include one or more components of the base station described above in connection with FIG. 9. Additionally, or alternatively, one or more components of the apparatus 800 can be implemented within one or more components of the base station described above in connection with FIG. 9. Additionally, or alternatively, one or more components of the apparatus 800 can be implemented at least in part as software stored in a memory. Figure 2 The apparatus 800 and / or one or more components shown in FIG. 10 can include one or more components of the base station described above in connection with FIG. 9. Additionally, or alternatively, one or more components of the apparatus 800 can be implemented within one or more components of the base station described above in connection with FIG. 9. Additionally, or alternatively, one or more components of the apparatus 800 can be implemented at least in part as software stored in a memory.

[0142] The reception component 802 can receive communications, such as reference signals, control information, data communications, or a combination thereof, from the apparatus 806. The reception component 802 can provide received communications to one or more other components of the apparatus 800. In some aspects, the reception component 802 can perform signal processing on the received communications (such as filtering, amplification, demodulation, analog-to-digital conversion, demultiplexing, deinterleaving, de-mapping, equalization, interference cancellation, or decoding, among other examples), and can provide the processed signals to the one or more other components of the apparatus 806. In some aspects, the reception component 802 can include one or more antennas, a demodulator, a MIMO detector, a receive processor, a controller / processor, a memory, or a combination thereof, of the base station described above in connection with FIG. 9. Figure 2 The transmission component 804 can transmit communications, such as reference signals, control information, data communications, or a combination thereof, from the apparatus 800 to one or more other apparatuses. In some aspects, the transmission component 804 can perform signal processing on the communications to be transmitted (such as filtering, amplification, modulation, digital-to-analog conversion, multiplexing, interleaving, mapping, or encoding, among other examples), and can provide the processed signals to one or more other components of the apparatus 806. In some aspects, the transmission component 804 can include one or more antennas, a modulator, a transmit MIMO detector, a transmit processor, a controller / processor, a memory, or a combination thereof, of the base station described above in connection with FIG. 9.

[0143] The transmission component 804 can transmit communications, such as reference signals, control information, data communications, or a combination thereof, to the apparatus 806. In some aspects, one or more other components of the apparatus 806 can generate communications and can provide the generated communications to the transmission component 804 for transmission to the apparatus 806. In some aspects, the transmission component 804 can perform signal processing on the generated communications (such as filtering, amplification, modulation, digital-to-analog conversion, multiplexing, interleaving, mapping, or encoding, among other examples), and can transmit the processed signals to the apparatus 806. In some aspects, the transmission component 804 can include one or more antennas, a modulator, a transmit MIMO processor, a transmit processor, a controller / processor, a memory, or a combination thereof, of the described base station. In some aspects, the transmission component 804 can be co-located with the reception component 802 in a transceiver. Figure 2 The transmission component 804 can transmit communications, such as reference signals, control information, data communications, or a combination thereof, to the apparatus 806. In some aspects, one or more other components of the apparatus 806 can generate communications and can provide the generated communications to the transmission component 804 for transmission to the apparatus 806. In some aspects, the transmission component 804 can perform signal processing on the generated communications (such as filtering, amplification, modulation, digital-to-analog conversion, multiplexing, interleaving, mapping, or encoding, among other examples), and can transmit the processed signals to the apparatus 806. In some aspects, the transmission component 804 can include one or more antennas, a modulator, a transmit MIMO processor, a transmit processor, a controller / processor, a memory, or a combination thereof, of the described base station. In some aspects, the transmission component 804 can be co-located with the reception component 802 in a transceiver.

[0144] The transmission component 804 can transmit a DMRS to the UE. The transmission component 804 can transmit at least one of a TRS or a SSB to the UE. The transmission component can transmit, to the UE, a communication to be demodulated by the UE based at least in part on an energy level (at the UE) of the DMRS and an energy level (at the UE) of the TRS or the SSB. The determination component 808 can determine or select a beam for transmission of the communication based at least on the at least one of the TRS or the SSB.

[0145] Figure 8 The number and arrangement of components shown in FIG. 10 are provided as an example. In practice, there can be additional components, fewer components, different components, or differently arranged components than those shown in FIG. 10. Additionally or alternatively, the components shown in FIG. 10 can be implemented in one or more groups of components. Figure 8 Additionally or alternatively, components shown in FIG. 10 can be implemented at least in part as one or more components shown in FIG. 10. Figure 8 Additionally or alternatively, components shown in FIG. 10 can be implemented at least in part as one or more components shown in FIG. 10. Figure 8 Additionally or alternatively, components shown in FIG. 10 can be implemented at least in part as one or more components shown in FIG. 10. Figure 8 Additionally or alternatively, one or more components shown in FIG. 10 can perform one or more functions described as being performed by one or more other components shown in FIG. 10. Figure 8 Additionally or alternatively, one or more components shown in FIG. 10 can perform one or more functions described as being performed by one or more other components shown in FIG. 10.

[0146] An overview of some aspects of the present disclosure is provided below:

[0147] Aspect 1 : A method of wireless communication performed by a user equipment (UE) includes measuring a first energy level of a demodulation reference signal (DMRS), measuring a second energy level of at least one of a tracking reference signal (TRS) or a synchronization signal block (SSB), determining a DMRS signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) based at least in part on the first energy level and the second energy level, performing channel estimation of a physical channel associated with a communication based at least in part on the DMRS SNR to determine an estimated channel, and performing demodulation processing for the communication based at least in part on the estimated channel.

[0148] Aspect 2: The method of aspect 1, further comprising: receiving communications on a physical channel using a beam selected based at least in part on at least one of the TRS or the SSB.

[0149] Aspect 3: The method of any of aspects 1-2, further comprising: measuring a reference signal SNR (RS-SNR) based at least in part on the second energy level.

[0150] Aspect 4: The method of any of aspects 1-3, wherein the determining of the DMRS SNR comprises: determining the DMRS SNR for at least one of: a time slot during which the communication is received, an antenna port used to receive the communication, or a DMRS port associated with the DMRS.

[0151] Aspect 5: The method of any of aspects 1-4, wherein the determining of the DMRS SNR comprises: measuring the DMRS SNR based at least in part on at least one of: the first energy level, the second energy level, a noise level associated with the DMRS, or a reference signal SNR (RS-SNR) based at least in part on the second energy level.

[0152] Aspect 6: The method of any of aspects 1-5, wherein the determining of the DMRS SNR comprises: measuring a noise level associated with the DMRS; and determining the DMRS SNR based at least in part on the first energy level and the noise level.

[0153] Aspect 7: The method of any of aspects 1-5, wherein the determining of the DMRS SNR comprises: determining a value based at least in part on the first energy level and the second energy level; measuring a reference signal SNR (RS-SNR) based at least in part on the second energy level; and modifying the RS-SNR by the value to obtain the DMRS SNR.

[0154] Aspect 8: The method of aspect 7, wherein the determining of the value comprises: determining the value based at least in part on a function of the first energy level and the second energy level.

[0155] Aspect 9: The method of any of aspects 1-5, wherein the determination of the DMRS SNR comprises: determining a first SNR based at least in part on the first energy level and a measured noise level associated with the DMRS; modifying a reference signal SNR (RS-SNR) based at least in part on the second energy level by a first value to obtain a second SNR; determining whether a ratio of the first SNR to the second SNR satisfies a threshold; and determining the DMRS SNR to be: the first SNR if the ratio of the first SNR to the second SNR satisfies the threshold, or the second SNR if the ratio of the first SNR to the second SNR does not satisfy the threshold.

[0156] Aspect 10: The method of any of aspects 1-5, wherein the determination of the DMRS SNR comprises: determining a first SNR based at least in part on the first energy level and a measured noise level associated with the DMRS; modifying a reference signal SNR (RS-SNR) based at least in part on the second energy level by a first value to obtain a second SNR; modifying the second SNR by a second value to obtain a third SNR; and determining the DMRS SNR to be: the first SNR if the first SNR is greater than the third SNR, or the second SNR if the first SNR is less than or equal to the third SNR.

[0157] Aspect 11 : The method of any of aspects 1-10, wherein the UE operates at millimeter wave operating frequencies.

[0158] Aspect 12: The method of any of aspects 1-11, wherein performing the channel estimation comprises performing a delay spread estimation of the channel based at least in part on the DMRS SNR.

[0159] Aspect 13: The method of aspect 12, wherein performing the delay spread estimation comprises: measuring a reference signal SNR (RS-SNR) based at least in part on the second energy level; comparing the RS-SNR to the DMRS SNR to obtain a difference between the RS-SNR and the DMRS SNR; and performing the delay spread estimation for the channel using the DMRS SNR based at least in part on the difference between the RS-SNR and the DMRS SNR satisfying a collision threshold.

[0160] Aspect 14: The method of aspect 13, wherein performing the delay spread estimation for the channel using the DMRS SNR comprises: performing the delay spread estimation for the channel using the DMRS SNR to set a threshold for separating a signal of the channel from noise by an estimated delay spread of the channel if the RS-SNR satisfies a reliability threshold.

[0161] Aspect 15: The method of aspect 13, wherein performing delay spread estimation for the channel using the DMRS SNR comprises determining that the delay spread for the channel is a default value if the RS-SNR does not satisfy a reliability threshold.

[0162] Aspect 16: An apparatus for wireless communication at a device, comprising a processor; memory coupled with the processor; and instructions stored in the memory and executable by the processor to cause the apparatus to perform the method of one or more aspects of aspects 1-15.

[0163] Aspect 17: A device for wireless communication, comprising a memory and one or more processors coupled to the memory, the memory and the one or more processors configured to perform the method of one or more aspects of aspects 1-15.

[0164] Aspect 18: An apparatus for wireless communication, comprising at least one means for performing the method of one or more aspects of aspects 1-15.

[0165] Aspect 19: A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing code for wireless communication, the code comprising instructions executable by a processor to perform the method of one or more aspects of aspects 1-15.

[0166] Aspect 20: A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing a set of instructions for wireless communication, the set of instructions comprising one or more instructions that, when executed by one or more processors of a device, cause the device to perform the method of one or more aspects of aspects 1-15.

[0167] The foregoing disclosure provides illustration and description, but is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the aspects to the precise form disclosed. Modifications and variations can be possible in light of the above disclosure or from practicing the aspects.

[0168] As used herein, the term “component” is intended to be broadly interpreted to include hardware, firmware, and / or software. As used herein, a processor is implemented in hardware, firmware, and / or a combination of hardware and software. It will be apparent that systems and / or methods described herein can be implemented in different forms of hardware, firmware, and / or a combination of hardware and software. The actual specialized control hardware or software code used to implement these systems and / or methods is not limiting of the aspects. Thus, the operation and behavior of the systems and / or methods were described herein without reference to specific software code— it is understood that software and hardware can be designed to implement the systems and / or methods based, at least in part, on the description herein.

[0169] As used herein, satisfying a threshold can refer to being greater than the threshold, being greater than or equal to the threshold, being less than the threshold, being less than or equal to the threshold, being equal to the threshold, not being equal to the threshold, etc., depending on the context.

[0170] Although specific combinations of features are recited in the claims and / or disclosed in the specification, these combinations are not intended to limit the disclosure of various aspects. In fact, many of these features can be combined in ways not specifically recited in the claims and / or disclosed in the specification. Although each dependent claim listed below can stand on its own as a separate

[0171] No element, act, or instruction used herein should be construed as critical or essential unless explicitly described as such. Also, as used herein, the articles “a” and “an” are intended to include one or more items, and can be used interchangeably with “one or more.” Furthermore, as used herein, the article “the” is intended to include one or more items unless otherwise indicated by context. Moreover, as used herein, the term “set” and “group” is intended to include one or more items (e.g., related items, unrelated items, or a combination of related and unrelated items), and can be used interchangeably with “one or more.” Where only one item is intended, the phrase “only one” or similar language is used. Also, as used herein, the terms “has,” “have,” “having,” or the like are intended to be open-ended terms. Further, the phrase “based on” is intended to mean “based, at least in part, on” unless explicitly stated otherwise. Also, as used herein, the term “or” is intended to be inclusive when used in a series and can be used interchangeably with “and / or,” unless explicitly stated otherwise (e.g., if used in combination with “either,” “one of,” or “only one of”).

Claims

1. A method for wireless communication performed by a user equipment (UE), comprising: The first energy level of the demodulated reference signal DMRS is measured; Measure the second energy level of at least one of the tracking reference signal TRS or the synchronization signal block SSB; The DMRS signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) is determined at least in part based on the first energy level and the second energy level; Channel estimation of the physical channel associated with the communication is performed, at least in part, based on the DMRS SNR, to determine the estimated channel; as well as Demodulation processing for the communication is performed at least in part based on the estimated channel. Determining the DMRS SNR includes: A value is determined at least in part based on functions of the first energy level and the second energy level; The measurement is based at least in part on the reference signal SNR RS-SNR of the second energy level; and The RS-SNR is modified using the aforementioned value to obtain the DMRS SNR.

2. The method according to claim 1, further comprising: The communication on the physical channel is received using a beam selected at least in part based on either the TRS or the SSB.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the determination of the DMRS SNR comprises: Determine the DMRS SNR for at least one of the following: The time slot during which the communication is received, Antenna port used to receive the communication, or The DMRS port associated with the DMRS.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the determination of the DMRS SNR comprises: The DMRS SNR is measured based at least in part on at least one of the following: The first energy level, The second energy level, The noise level associated with the DMRS, or It is at least partially based on the reference signal SNRRS-SNR of the second energy level.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein performing the channel estimation comprises: Delay spread estimation for the channel is performed at least in part based on the DMRS SNR.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein performing the delay spread estimation comprises: The measurement is based at least in part on the reference signal SNRRS-SNR of the second energy level; The RS-SNR is compared with the DMRS SNR to obtain the difference between the RS-SNR and the DMRS SNR; as well as The delay spread estimation for the channel is performed using the DMRS SNR, at least in part, based on the fact that the difference between the RS-SNR and the DMRS SNR satisfies a collision threshold.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein using the DMRS SNR to perform the delay spread estimation for the channel comprises: If the RS-SNR meets the reliability threshold, the DMRS SNR is used to perform the delay spread estimation for the channel to set a threshold for separating the signal from the noise of the channel by the estimated delay spread of the channel.

8. The method of claim 6, wherein using the DMRS SNR to perform the delay spread estimation for the channel comprises: If the RS-SNR does not meet the reliability threshold, then the delay spread for the channel is determined to be the default value.

9. A method for wireless communication performed by a user equipment (UE), comprising: The first energy level of the demodulated reference signal DMRS is measured; Measure the second energy level of at least one of the tracking reference signal TRS or the synchronization signal block SSB; The DMRS signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) is determined at least in part based on the first energy level and the second energy level; Channel estimation of the physical channel associated with the communication is performed, at least in part, based on the DMRS SNR, to determine the estimated channel; as well as Demodulation processing for the communication is performed at least in part based on the estimated channel. Determining the DMRS SNR includes: The first SNR is determined at least in part based on the first energy level and the noise level measured in relation to the DMRS; The second SNR is obtained by modifying the reference signal SNR RS-SNR, which is at least partially based on the second energy level, using the first value; Determine whether the ratio of the first SNR to the second SNR meets a threshold; and The DMRS SNR is determined to be: The first SNR, when the ratio of the first SNR to the second SNR satisfies the threshold, or The second SNR is defined as follows: when the ratio of the first SNR to the second SNR does not meet the threshold.

10. A method for wireless communication performed by a user equipment (UE), comprising: The first energy level of the demodulated reference signal DMRS is measured; Measure the second energy level of at least one of the tracking reference signal TRS or the synchronization signal block SSB; The DMRS signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) is determined at least in part based on the first energy level and the second energy level; Channel estimation of the physical channel associated with the communication is performed, at least in part, based on the DMRS SNR, to determine the estimated channel; as well as Demodulation processing for the communication is performed at least in part based on the estimated channel. Determining the DMRS SNR includes: The first SNR is determined at least in part based on the first energy level and the noise level measured in relation to the DMRS; The second SNR is obtained by modifying the reference signal SNR RS-SNR, which is at least partially based on the second energy level, using the first value; The second SNR is modified using the second value to obtain the third SNR; and The DMRS SNR is determined to be: The first SNR, when the first SNR is greater than the third SNR, or The second SNR is defined as the case where the first SNR is less than or equal to the third SNR.

11. A user equipment (UE) for wireless communication, comprising: At least one memory including instructions; and One or more processors are configured to execute the instructions to cause the UE to: The first energy level of the demodulated reference signal DMRS is measured; Measure the second energy level of at least one of the tracking reference signal TRS or the synchronization signal block SSB; The DMRS signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) is determined at least in part based on the first energy level and the second energy level; Channel estimation of the physical channel associated with the communication is performed, at least in part, based on the DMRS SNR, to determine the estimated channel; as well as Demodulation processing for the communication is performed at least in part based on the estimated channel. In order to determine the DMRS SNR, the one or more processors are configured to execute the instructions to cause the UE to: A value is determined at least in part based on functions of the first energy level and the second energy level; The measurement is based at least in part on the reference signal SNR RS-SNR of the second energy level; as well as The RS-SNR is modified using the aforementioned value to obtain the DMRS SNR.

12. The UE of claim 11, wherein the one or more processors are further configured to execute the instructions to cause the UE to: The communication on the physical channel is received using a beam selected at least in part based on either the TRS or the SSB.

13. The UE of claim 11, wherein, in order to determine the DMRS SNR, the one or more processors are configured to execute the instructions to cause the UE to: Determine the DMRS SNR for at least one of the following: The time slot during which the communication is received, Antenna port used to receive the communication, or The DMRS port associated with the DMRS.

14. The UE of claim 11, wherein, in order to determine the DMRS SNR, the one or more processors are configured to execute the instructions to cause the UE to: The DMRS SNR is measured based at least in part on at least one of the following: The first energy level, The second energy level, The noise level associated with the DMRS, or It is at least partially based on the reference signal SNRRS-SNR of the second energy level.

15. The UE of claim 11, wherein, in order to perform the channel estimation, the one or more processors are configured to execute the instructions to cause the UE to: Delay spread estimation for the channel is performed at least in part based on the DMRS SNR.

16. The UE of claim 15, wherein, in order to perform the latency spread estimation, one or more processors are configured to execute the instructions to cause the UE to: The measurement is based at least in part on the reference signal SNR RS-SNR of the second energy level; The RS-SNR is compared with the DMRS SNR to obtain the difference between the RS-SNR and the DMRS SNR; as well as The delay spread estimation for the channel is performed using the DMRS SNR, at least in part, based on the fact that the difference between the RS-SNR and the DMRS SNR satisfies a collision threshold.

17. The UE of claim 16, wherein, in order to perform the delay spread estimation for the channel using the DMRS SNR, the one or more processors are configured to execute the instructions to cause the UE to: If the RS-SNR meets the reliability threshold, the DMRS SNR is used to perform the delay spread estimation for the channel to set a threshold for separating the signal from noise in the channel by the estimated delay spread through the channel.

18. The UE of claim 16, wherein, in order to perform the delay spread estimation for the channel using the DMRS SNR, the one or more processors are configured to execute the instructions to cause the UE to: If the RS-SNR does not meet the reliability threshold, then the delay spread for the channel is determined to be the default value.

19. A user equipment (UE) for wireless communication, comprising: At least one memory including instructions; and One or more processors are configured to execute the instructions to cause the UE to: The first energy level of the demodulated reference signal DMRS is measured; Measure the second energy level of at least one of the tracking reference signal TRS or the synchronization signal block SSB; The DMRS signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) is determined at least in part based on the first energy level and the second energy level; Channel estimation of the physical channel associated with the communication is performed, at least in part, based on the DMRS SNR, to determine the estimated channel; as well as Demodulation processing for the communication is performed at least in part based on the estimated channel. In order to determine the DMRS SNR, the one or more processors are configured to execute the instructions to cause the UE to: The first SNR is determined at least in part based on the first energy level and the noise level measured in relation to the DMRS; The second SNR is obtained by modifying the reference signal SNR RS-SNR, which is at least partially based on the second energy level, using the first value; Determine whether the ratio of the first SNR to the second SNR meets a threshold; and The DMRS SNR is determined to be: The first SNR, when the ratio of the first SNR to the second SNR satisfies the threshold, or The second SNR is defined as follows: when the ratio of the first SNR to the second SNR does not meet the threshold.

20. A user equipment (UE) for wireless communication, comprising: At least one memory including instructions; and One or more processors are configured to execute the instructions to cause the UE to: The first energy level of the demodulated reference signal DMRS is measured; Measure the second energy level of at least one of the tracking reference signal TRS or the synchronization signal block SSB; The DMRS signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) is determined at least in part based on the first energy level and the second energy level; Channel estimation of the physical channel associated with the communication is performed, at least in part, based on the DMRS SNR, to determine the estimated channel; as well as Demodulation processing for the communication is performed at least in part based on the estimated channel. In order to determine the DMRS SNR, the one or more processors are configured to: The first SNR is determined at least in part based on the first energy level and the noise level measured in relation to the DMRS; The second SNR is obtained by modifying the reference signal SNR RS-SNR, which is at least partially based on the second energy level, using the first value; The second SNR is modified using the second value to obtain the third SNR; and The DMRS SNR is determined to be: The first SNR, when the first SNR is greater than the third SNR, or The second SNR is defined as the case where the first SNR is less than or equal to the third SNR.

21. A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing a set of instructions for wireless communication, the set of instructions comprising: One or more instructions that, when executed by one or more processors of a user equipment (UE), cause the UE to: The first energy level of the demodulated reference signal DMRS is measured; Measure the second energy level of at least one of the tracking reference signal TRS or the synchronization signal block SSB; The DMRS signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) is determined at least in part based on the first energy level and the second energy level; Channel estimation of the physical channel associated with the communication is performed, at least in part, based on the DMRS SNR, to determine the estimated channel; as well as Demodulation processing for the communication is performed at least in part based on the estimated channel. In order to determine the DMRS SNR, the one or more instructions, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the UE to: A value is determined at least in part based on functions of the first energy level and the second energy level; The measurement is based at least in part on the reference signal SNR RS-SNR of the second energy level; as well as The RS-SNR is modified using the aforementioned value to obtain the DMRS SNR.

22. An apparatus for wireless communication, comprising: A component used to measure the first energy level of the demodulated reference signal DMRS; A component used to measure the second energy level of at least one of the tracking reference signal TRS or the synchronization signal block SSB; A component for determining the DMRS signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) based at least in part on the first energy level and the second energy level; Components for performing channel estimation of the physical channel associated with communication, at least in part based on the DMRS SNR, to determine the estimated channel; as well as Components for performing demodulation processing for the communication based at least in part on the estimated channel. The components used to determine the DMRS SNR include: A component for determining a value based at least in part on a function of the first energy level and the second energy level; Components for measuring the reference signal SNR RS-SNR based at least in part on the second energy level; and A component for modifying the RS-SNR using the value to obtain the DMRS SNR.

23. A computer program product comprising computer-readable instructions, which, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to perform the method of any one of claims 1-10.

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