Physical uplink control channel demodulation reference signal bundling indication for physical uplink control channel repetition

Abstract

This provides a configuration that allows the UE to perform DMRS bundling in PUCCH repetitions in response to an instruction from the base station. The UE receives an instruction from the base station to perform the configuration of bundling DMRS in repetitions of uplink control channel transmissions. The UE determines the DMRS bundling window based on the configuration. The UE transmits the bundled DMRS within the DMRS bundling window. The base station processes the bundled DMRS. Improved link quality and signal gain between the UE and the base station can be achieved by applying DMRS bundling accordingly through multiple repetitions of PUCCH transmissions.

Description

[0001] Cross-reference to related applications

[0002] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Serial No. 63 / 137,695, filed January 14, 2021, entitled “PUCCH DMRS BUNDLING INDICATION FOR PUCCH REPETITIONS”, the disclosure of which is expressly incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Technical Field

[0003] This disclosure generally relates to communication systems, and more specifically, to a wireless communication system between a user equipment (UE) and a base station. Background Technology

[0004] Wireless communication systems are widely deployed to provide a variety of telecommunications services such as telephone, video, data, messaging, and broadcasting. Typical wireless communication systems can employ multiple access technologies capable of supporting communication with multiple users by sharing available system resources. 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, and Time Division Synchronous Code Division Multiple Access (TD-SCDMA) systems.

[0005] Various telecommunications standards employ these multiple access technologies to provide a common protocol enabling different wireless devices to communicate at the city, country, region, and even global levels. An example telecommunications standard is 5G New Radio (NR). 5G NR is part of the Continuous Evolution of Mobile Broadband (CEM) program issued by the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) to meet new requirements associated with latency, reliability, security, scalability (e.g., the Internet of Things (IoT)), and other requirements. 5G NR includes services associated with enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB), massive machine-type communications (mMTC), and ultra-reliable low-latency communications (URLLC). Some aspects of 5G NR can be based on the 4G Long Term Evolution (LTE) standard. Further improvements to 5G NR technology are needed. These improvements also apply to other multiple access technologies and telecommunications standards that employ these technologies. Summary of the Invention

[0006] The following presents a brief overview of one or more aspects to provide a basic understanding of them. This overview is not a comprehensive summary of all anticipated aspects, nor is it intended to identify key or important elements of all aspects, nor to depict the scope of any or all aspects. Its sole purpose is to present some concepts of one or more aspects in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed descriptions that follow.

[0007] In this disclosure, a method, computer-readable medium, and apparatus are provided. The apparatus may be a UE (User Equipment). The apparatus receives from a base station a configuration indicating the bundling of demodulation reference signals (DMRS) in repetitions transmitted on the uplink control channel. The apparatus determines a DMRS bundling window based on the configuration and transmits the bundled DMRS within the DMRS bundling window.

[0008] In this disclosure, a method, computer-readable medium, and apparatus are provided. The apparatus may be a base station. The apparatus sends a configuration to the UE indicating the bundling of DMRS in repetitions of uplink control channel transmission. The apparatus receives the bundled DMRS within the DMRS bundling window based on the configuration and processes the bundled DMRS.

[0009] To achieve the foregoing and related objectives, one or more aspects include the features fully described below and specifically pointed out in the claims. The following description and drawings set forth certain illustrative features of one or more aspects in detail. However, these features indicate only a few of the various ways in which the principles of each aspect can be employed, and this description is intended to include all such aspects and their equivalents. Attached Figure Description

[0010] Figure 1 This is a diagram illustrating an example of a wireless communication system and access network.

[0011] Figure 2A A diagram illustrating an example of the first frame according to various aspects of this disclosure.

[0012] Figure 2B This is a diagram illustrating an example of a DL channel within a subframe according to various aspects of this disclosure.

[0013] Figure 2C This is a diagram illustrating an example of the second frame according to various aspects of this disclosure.

[0014] Figure 2D This is a diagram illustrating an example of a UL channel within a subframe according to various aspects of this disclosure.

[0015] Figure 3 This is a diagram illustrating an example of a base station and user equipment (UE) in an access network.

[0016] Figure 4A and Figure 4B This is a diagram illustrating an example of DMRS carried in repetitions of uplink control channel transmissions.

[0017] Figure 5 This is a diagram illustrating an example of a DMRS bundled window in the repetition of uplink control channel transmission.

[0018] Figure 6 This is another example of a DMRS bundled window illustrating the repetition of uplink control channel transmission.

[0019] Figure 7 This is a call flow diagram between the UE and the base station.

[0020] Figure 8 This is a flowchart of the wireless communication method at the UE.

[0021] Figure 9 This is a flowchart of the wireless communication method at the base station.

[0022] Figure 10 This is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware implementation of an example device (i.e., UE).

[0023] Figure 11 This is a diagram illustrating another example of a hardware implementation of another example device (i.e., a base station). Detailed Implementation

[0024] The detailed description that follows, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, is intended as a description of various configurations and not as representing only configurations in which the concepts described herein can be practiced. The detailed description includes specific details provided for the purpose of providing a thorough understanding of the various concepts. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that these concepts can be practiced without these specific details. In some instances, well-known structures and components are shown in block diagram form to avoid confusion with these concepts.

[0025] When a UE transmits information (e.g., uplink control information (UCI)) on the Physical Uplink Control Channel (PUCCH), it can transmit a demodulation reference signal (DMRS) in each time slot carrying the information. For example, when transmitting DMRS on the PUCCH, the UE can transmit DMRS in repeating consecutive time slots carrying the UCI. The base station can process the DMRS to generate a channel estimate for demodulation of the PUCCH. For example, the base station can measure the reference signal received power (RSRP) of the DMRS in one symbol of a time slot and determine the channel quality indicator (CQI) based on the RSRP of the DMRS in that particular time slot. The base station can similarly measure the RSRP and determine the CQI based on the DMRS in other individual time slots. Therefore, the base station can use the DMRS individually for each time slot to estimate the channel.

[0026] However, in some cases, performing this DMRS processing individually for each time slot can lead to channel estimation errors. For example, if the UE is located at the cell edge, the RSRP of the DMRS may vary between time slots (e.g., due to interference between the UE and the base station or other factors), and therefore the CQI that the base station may determine individually for one time slot may be inaccurate for the next time slot. Consequently, if the base station performs link adaptation based on erroneous channel estimation, the quality of the communication link between the base station and the UE may degrade.

[0027] To prevent link quality degradation based on erroneous channel estimation, DMRS bundling can be applied. In DMRS bundling, when a transmitter (e.g., a UE) transmits DMRS to a receiver (e.g., a base station) in multiple time slots—for example, one DMRS in one time slot, another in the next, etc.—the transmitter maintains power consistency and phase continuity between the DMRS. For example, to maintain phase continuity, the DMRS can be transmitted using the same modulation and coding scheme (MCS) (e.g., Binary Phase Shift Keying (BPSK) or Quadrature Phase Shift Keying (QPSK)), the same duplex scheme (e.g., Time Division Duplex (TDD) or Frequency Division Duplex (FDD)) in the time slots, or the DMRS can be transmitted using consecutive, allocated time-domain resources. Similarly, to maintain power consistency, the DMRS can be transmitted using the same transmission power. After the receiver receives the bundled DMRS in multiple time slots, the receiver jointly processes the DMRS (e.g., for channel estimation). For example, the receiver can measure the average RSRP from the RSRP of a DMRS with consistent power and continuous phase across multiple time slots and identify the CQI based on the average RSRP. Therefore, the receiver can jointly process the DMRS across multiple time slots. In this way, the possibility of erroneous channel estimation due to RSRP variations between time slots may be reduced (and potentially lead to signal gain) due to DMRS bundling.

[0028] Therefore, improving link quality through joint channel estimation and signal gain can result from the application of DMRS bundling through multiple repetitions of PUCCH transmissions. Thus, it is desirable to specify a mechanism to achieve DMRS bundling or joint channel estimation through multiple repetitions of PUCCH transmissions (e.g., with consistent DMRS transmission power and phase continuity). To this end, aspects of this disclosure are provided that allow a base station to configure DMRS bundling (and thus achieve joint channel estimation) and allow the UE to determine, based on the configuration, the PUCCH transmissions to be bundled (e.g., a DMRS bundling window). For example, when a base station configures DMRS bundling in a repetition of PUCCH transmissions, the base station can configure the UE to maintain power consistency and phase continuity between the DMRS in the repetitions, such that when the base station receives DMRS with consistent power and phase continuity, the base station can jointly process the DMRS (e.g., for channel estimation). Furthermore, the UE can determine a DMRS bundling window, which includes a start time corresponding to one of the repetitions (e.g., the first physical or available time slot or symbol for the initial PUCCH repetition / transmission) and an end time corresponding to the other repetition (e.g., the last physical or available time slot or symbol for the final PUCCH repetition / transmission), wherein the UE maintains power consistency and phase continuity between the DMRSs. Therefore, when the base station instructs the UE to bundle DMRSs, the base station can configure the UE to transmit power-consistent and phase-continuous DMRSs through multiple PUCCH time slots within the determined DMRS bundling window, and when the base station receives the bundled DMRSs, the base station can perform joint channel estimation based on the power-consistent and phase-continuous DMRSs received within the DMRS bundling window. In this way, the aforementioned benefits of improving link quality and signal gain through DMRS bundling can be achieved.

[0029] Several aspects of a telecommunications system will now be presented with reference to various apparatuses and methods. These apparatuses and methods will be described in detail below and illustrated in the accompanying drawings by various blocks, components, circuits, processes, algorithms, etc. (collectively referred to as “elements”). These elements can be implemented using electronic hardware, computer software, or any combination thereof. Whether these elements are implemented as hardware or as software depends on the specific application and design constraints imposed on the overall system.

[0030] As an example, an element, any part of an element, or any combination of elements may be implemented as a “processing system” including one or more processors. Examples of processors include microprocessors, microcontrollers, graphics processing units (GPUs), central processing units (CPUs), application processors, digital signal processors (DSPs), reduced instruction set computing (RISC) processors, system-on-a-chip (SoCs), baseband processors, field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), programmable logic devices (PLDs), state machines, gated logic, discrete hardware circuits, and other suitable hardware configured to perform the various functionalities described throughout this disclosure. One or more processors in a processing system may execute software. Whether referred to as software, firmware, middleware, microcode, hardware description language, or otherwise, software should be broadly interpreted as instructions, instruction sets, code, code segments, program code, programs, subroutines, software components, applications, software applications, software packages, routines, subroutines, objects, executable programs, threads of execution, procedures, functions, etc.

[0031] Therefore, in one or more example embodiments, the described functionality may be implemented in hardware, software, or any combination thereof. If implemented in software, the functionality may be stored or encoded as one or more instructions or code on a computer-readable medium. Computer-readable media include computer storage media. Storage media may be any available medium accessible to a computer. By way of example and not limitation, such computer-readable media may include random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), electrically erasable programmable ROM (EEPROM), optical disk storage, magnetic disk storage, other magnetic storage devices, combinations of computer-readable media of the types described above, or any other medium that may be used to store computer-executable code in the form of computer-accessible instructions or data structures.

[0032] Figure 1 This diagram illustrates an example of a wireless communication system and access network 100. The wireless communication system (also known as a wireless wide area network (WWAN)) includes a base station 102, user equipment (UE) 104, an evolved packet core (EPC) 160, and another core network 190 (e.g., a 5G core (5GC)). Base station 102 may include macro cells (high-power cellular base stations) and / or small cells (low-power cellular base stations). Macro cells include base stations. Small cells include femtocells, picocells, and microcells.

[0033] Base station 102 configured for 4G Long Term Evolution (LTE) (collectively referred to as Evolved Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) Terrestrial Radio Access Network (E-UTRAN)) can interface with EPC 160 via a first backhaul link 132 (e.g., S1 interface). Base station 102 configured for 5G New Radio (NR) (collectively referred to as Next Generation RAN (NG-RAN)) can interface with core network 190 via a second backhaul link 184. Among other functions, base station 102 can perform one or more of the following functions: user data transmission, radio channel encryption and decryption, integrity protection, header compression, mobility control functions (e.g., handover, dual connectivity), inter-cell interference coordination, connection establishment and release, load balancing, distribution of Non-Access Stratum (NAS) messages, NAS node selection, synchronization, Radio Access Network (RAN) sharing, Multimedia Broadcast Multicast Service (MBMS), user and equipment tracking, RAN Information Management (RIM), paging, location, and warning message delivery. Base station 102 can communicate with each other directly or indirectly (e.g., via EPC 160 or core network 190) via third backhaul link 134 (e.g., X2 interface). First backhaul link 132, second backhaul link 184 and third backhaul link 134 can be wired or wireless.

[0034] Base station 102 can wirelessly communicate with UE 104. Each of base stations 102 can provide communication coverage for a corresponding geographic coverage area 110. Overlapping geographic coverage areas 110 may exist. For example, small cell 102' may have a coverage area 110' that overlaps with the coverage areas 110 of one or more macro base stations 102. A network that includes both small cells and macro cells can be referred to as a heterogeneous network. The heterogeneous network may also include Home Evolved Node B (eNB) (HeNB), which can provide services to restricted groups referred to as Closed Subscriber Groups (CSGs). The communication link 120 between base station 102 and UE 104 may include uplink (UL) (also referred to as reverse link) transmission from UE 104 to base station 102 and / or downlink (DL) (also referred to as forward link) transmission from base station 102 to UE 104. The communication link 120 may use multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) antenna technologies, including spatial multiplexing, beamforming, and / or transmit diversity. The communication link may be via one or more carriers. Base station 102 / UE 104 may allocate up to Y MHz (x component carriers) of spectrum per carrier in carrier aggregation used for transmission in each direction, with each carrier utilizing a bandwidth of up to Y MHz (e.g., 5 MHz, 10 MHz, 15 MHz, 20 MHz, 100 MHz, 400 MHz, etc.). Carriers may or may not be adjacent to each other. Carrier allocation may be asymmetrical relative to DL and UL (e.g., more or fewer carriers may be allocated to DL than to UL). Component carriers may include primary component carriers and one or more auxiliary component carriers. The primary component carrier may be referred to as the primary cell (PCell), while the auxiliary component carriers may be referred to as secondary cells (SCells).

[0035] Some UEs 104 can communicate with each other using device-to-device (D2D) communication link 158. D2D communication link 158 can use DL / UL WWAN spectrum. D2D communication link 158 can use one or more sideline channels, such as the Physical Sideline Broadcast Channel (PSBCH), Physical Sideline Discovery Channel (PSDCH), Physical Sideline Shared Channel (PSSCH), and Physical Sideline Control Channel (PSCCH). D2D communication can be via various wireless D2D communication systems, such as WiMedia, Bluetooth, ZigBee, Wi-Fi based on the IEEE 802.11 standard, LTE, or NR.

[0036] The wireless communication system may further include a Wi-Fi access point (AP) 150 that communicates with a Wi-Fi station (STA) 152 via a communication link 154, for example, in an unlicensed spectrum of 5 GHz. When communicating in unlicensed spectrum, the STA 152 / AP 150 may perform a free channel assessment (CCA) before communication to determine whether the channel is available.

[0037] Cell 102' can operate in licensed and / or unlicensed spectrum. When operating in unlicensed spectrum, cell 102' can employ NR and use the same unlicensed spectrum (e.g., 5 GHz, etc.) as the Wi-Fi AP 150. Employing NR in unlicensed spectrum can extend the coverage and / or increase the capacity of the access network.

[0038] Based on frequency / wavelength, the electromagnetic spectrum is typically subdivided into various categories, bands, channels, etc. In 5G NR, two initial operating frequency bands are designated as frequency ranges FR1 (410MHz to 7.125GHz) and FR2 (24.25GHz to 52.6GHz). The frequencies between FR1 and FR2 are generally referred to as midband frequencies. Although a portion of FR1 is greater than 6GHz, FR1 is often (interchangeably) referred to as the "sub-6GHz" band in various documents and articles. Similar naming issues sometimes arise with FR2; although different from the Ultra High Frequency (EHF) band (30GHz to 300GHz) designated as the "millimeter wave" band by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), FR2 is often (interchangeably) referred to as the "millimeter wave" band in documents and articles.

[0039] In light of the foregoing, unless otherwise stated, it should be understood that the terms "sub-6GHz" and the like (if used herein) can broadly refer to frequencies that may be below 6GHz, within FR1, or may include midband frequencies. Additionally, unless otherwise stated, it should be understood that the terms "millimeter wave" and the like (if used herein) can broadly refer to frequencies that may include midband frequencies, within FR2, or within the EHF band.

[0040] Base station 102, whether a small cell 102' or a large-scale (e.g., macro base station), may include and / or be referred to as an eNB, gNodeB (gNB), or another type of base station. Some base stations, such as gNB 180, may operate in communication with UE 104 in conventional sub-6 GHz spectrum, millimeter wave frequencies, and / or near-millimeter wave frequencies. When gNB 180 operates in millimeter wave or near-millimeter wave frequencies, gNB 180 may be referred to as a millimeter wave base station. Millimeter wave base station 180 may utilize beamforming 182 with UE 104 to compensate for path loss and short ranging. Base station 180 and UE 104 may each include multiple antennas, such as antenna elements, antenna panels, and / or antenna arrays, to facilitate beamforming.

[0041] Base station 180 can transmit beamforming signals to UE 104 in one or more transmit directions 182'. UE 104 can receive beamforming signals from base station 180 in one or more receive directions 182'. UE 104 can also transmit beamforming signals to base station 180 in one or more transmit directions. Base station 180 can receive beamforming signals from UE 104 in one or more receive directions. Base station 180 / UE 104 can perform beamforming training to determine the optimal receive and transmit directions for each of base station 180 / UE 104. The transmit and receive directions of base station 180 can be the same or different. The transmit and receive directions of UE 104 can be the same or different.

[0042] EPC 160 may include Mobility Management Entity (MME) 162, other MMEs 164, Serving Gateway 166, MBMS Gateway 168, Broadcast Multicast Service Center (BM-SC) 170, and Packet Data Network (PDN) Gateway 172. MME 162 can communicate with Home Subscriber Server (HSS) 174. MME 162 is the control node that handles signaling between UE 104 and EPC 160. Typically, MME 162 provides bearer and connection management. All user Internet Protocol (IP) packets are transmitted through Serving Gateway 166, which is itself connected to PDN Gateway 172. PDN Gateway 172 provides UE IP address allocation and other functions. PDN Gateway 172 and BM-SC 170 are connected to IP Service 176. IP Service 176 may include the Internet, intranet, IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS), PS streaming service, and / or other IP services. BM-SC 170 can provide functions for MBMS user service provisioning and delivery. The BM-SC 170 can be used as an entry point for content provider MBMS transmissions, authorized and initiated within a Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN), and scheduled for MBMS transmissions. The MBMS gateway 168 can be used to distribute MBMS services to base stations 102 belonging to Multicast-Broadcast Single Frequency Network (MBSFN) areas belonging to broadcast-specific services, and can be responsible for session management (start / stop) and collecting billing information related to eMBMS.

[0043] The core network 190 may include Access and Mobility Management Functions (AMF) 192, other AMFs 193, Session Management Functions (SMF) 194, and User Plane Functions (UPF) 195. AMF 192 may communicate with Unified Data Management (UDM) 196. AMF 192 is the control node that handles signaling between UE 104 and the core network 190. Typically, AMF 192 provides Quality of Service (QoS) streaming and session management. All user IP packets are transmitted via UPF 195. UPF 195 provides UE IP address allocation and other functions. UPF 195 is connected to IP service 197. IP service 197 may include the Internet, intranet, IMS, packet-switched (PS) streaming services, and / or other IP services.

[0044] Base stations may include and / or be referred to as gNB, Node B, eNB, access point, base transceiver station, radio base station, radio transceiver, transceiver function, Basic Service Set (BSS), Extended Service Set (ESS), Transmit-Receive Point (TRP), or some other suitable terminology. Base station 102 provides UE 104 with access to EPC 160 or core network 190. Examples of UE 104 include cellular phones, smartphones, Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) phones, laptops, personal digital assistants (PDAs), satellite radios, GPS devices, multimedia devices, video devices, digital audio players (e.g., MP3 players), cameras, game consoles, tablet computers, smart devices, wearable devices, vehicles, electricity meters, air pumps, large or small kitchen appliances, healthcare devices, implants, sensors / actuators, displays, or any other similar functional devices. Some UE 104 may be referred to as IoT devices (e.g., parking timers, air pumps, toasters, vehicles, heart monitors, etc.). UE 104 may also be referred to as station, mobile station, user station, mobile unit, user unit, radio unit, remote unit, mobile device, radio device, wireless communication device, remote device, mobile user station, access terminal, mobile terminal, radio terminal, remote terminal, mobile phone, user agent, mobile client, client, or some other suitable term.

[0045] Refer again Figure 1 In some respects, UE 104 may include UE DMRS bundling component 198. UE DMRS bundling component 198 is configured to receive from the base station a configuration indicating the bundling of DMRS in repetitions transmitted on the uplink control channel, determine a DMRS bundling window based on the configuration, and transmit the bundled DMRS within the DMRS bundling window.

[0046] Refer again Figure 1 In some respects, base station 102 / 180 may include BS DMRS bundling component 199. BS DMRS bundling component 199 is configured to send a configuration to the UE indicating the bundling of DMRS in repetitions of uplink control channel transmission, receive the bundled DMRS in the DMRS bundling window based on the configuration, and process the bundled DMRS.

[0047] Although this disclosure may focus on 5G NR, the concepts and aspects described herein may be applied to other similar fields, such as LTE, LTE-A Advanced, Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA), Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) or other wireless / radio access technologies.

[0048] Figure 2A Figure 200 illustrates an example of the first subframe within a 5G NR frame structure. Figure 2BFigure 230 illustrates an example of a DL channel within a 5G NR subframe. Figure 2C Figure 250 illustrates an example of the second subframe within a 5G NR frame structure. Figure 2D Figure 280 illustrates an example of the UL channel within a 5G NR subframe. The 5G NR frame structure can be Frequency Division Duplex (FDD), where, for a given set of subcarriers (carrier system bandwidth), subframes within that set are dedicated to either DL or UL; or it can be Time Division Duplex (TDD), where, for a given set of subcarriers (carrier system bandwidth), subframes within that set are dedicated to both DL and UL. Figure 2A , Figure 2C In the provided example, the 5G NR frame structure is assumed to be TDD, where subframe 4 is configured with slot format 28 (primarily DL), where D is DL, U is UL, and F is flexibly used between DL / UL, and subframe 3 is configured with slot format 34 (primarily UL). Although subframes 3 and 4 are shown as having slot formats 34 and 28, respectively, any particular subframe can be configured with any of the various available slot formats 0 to 61. Slot formats 0 and 1 are both DL and UL, respectively. Other slot formats 2 to 61 include a mixture of DL, UL, and flexible symbols. The UE is configured with a slot format via the received Slot Format Indicator (SFI) (dynamically via DL Control Information (DCI), or semi-statically / statically via Radio Resource Control (RRC) signaling). It should be noted that the following description also applies to the 5G NR frame structure as TDD.

[0049] Other wireless communication technologies can have different frame structures and / or different channels. For example, a 10-millisecond (ms) frame can be divided into 10 equal-sized subframes (1ms). Each subframe can include one or more time slots. Subframes can also include micro-slots, which can include 7, 4, or 2 symbols. Depending on the time slot configuration, each time slot can include 7 or 14 symbols. For time slot configuration 0, each time slot can include 14 symbols, while for time slot configuration 1, each time slot can include 7 symbols. Symbols on the DL can be Cyclic Prefix (CP) Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) (CP-OFDM) symbols. Symbols on the UL can be CP-OFDM symbols (for high throughput) or Discrete Fourier Transform (DFT) Extended OFDM (DFT-s-OFDM) symbols (also known as Single Carrier Frequency Division Multiple Access (SC-FDMA) symbols) (for power-constrained situations; limited to single-stream transmission). The number of time slots within a subframe is based on the time slot configuration and digital parameters. For slot configuration 0, different digital parameters μ0 to 4 allow 1, 2, 4, 8, and 16 slots per subframe, respectively. For slot configuration 1, different digital parameters 0 to 2 allow 2, 4, and 8 slots per subframe, respectively. Therefore, for slot configuration 0 and digital parameter μ, there are 14 symbols / slot and 2... μ Each time slot / subframe. Subcarrier spacing and symbol length / duration are functions of digital parameters. Subcarrier spacing can be equal to 2. μ *15 kHz, where μ is a digital parameter from 0 to 4. Therefore, a digital parameter μ = 0 has a subcarrier spacing of 15 kHz, and a digital parameter μ = 4 has a subcarrier spacing of 240 kHz. The symbol length / duration is inversely proportional to the subcarrier spacing. Figures 2A to 2D An example is provided with a slot configuration of 0 (14 symbols per slot) and a digital parameter μ=2 (4 slots per subframe). The slot duration is 0.25 ms, the subcarrier spacing is 60 kHz, and the symbol duration is approximately 16.67 μs. Within the frame set, there may be one or more different bandwidth portions (BWPs) that are frequency-division multiplexed (see...). Figure 2B Each BWP can have specific numerical parameters.

[0050] A resource grid can be used to represent the frame structure. Each time slot consists of a resource block (RB) that extends 12 consecutive subcarriers (also known as a physical RB (PRB)). The resource grid is divided into multiple resource elements (REs). The number of bits carried by each RE depends on the modulation scheme.

[0051] like Figure 2A As shown, some REs carry reference (pilot) signals (RS) for the UE. The RS may include a demodulated RS (DM-RS) (indicated as R for a specific configuration). x(where 100x is the port number, but other DM-RS configurations are also possible) and the Channel State Information Reference Signal (CSI-RS) for channel estimation at the UE. RS may also include Beam Measurement RS (BRS), Beam Refinement RS (BRRS), and Phase Tracking RS (PT-RS).

[0052] Figure 2B Examples of various DL channels within a subframe of a frame are provided. The Physical Downlink Control Channel (PDCCH) carries the DCI within one or more Control Channel Elements (CCEs), each CCE comprising nine RE Groups (REGs), each REG comprising four consecutive REs in an OFDM symbol. The PDCCH within a BWP can be referred to as a Control Resource Set (CORESET). Additional BWPs can reside at higher and / or lower frequencies in the channel bandwidth. The Primary Synchronization Signal (PSS) can be located within symbol 2 of a specific subframe of the frame. The PSS is used by the UE 104 to determine subframe / symbol timing and physical layer identity. The Secondary Synchronization Signal (SSS) can be located within symbol 4 of a specific subframe of the frame. The SSS is used by the UE to determine the Physical Layer Cell Identity Group Number and radio frame timing. Based on the physical layer identity and Physical Layer Cell Identity Group Number, the UE can determine the Physical Cell Identifier (PCI). Based on the PCI, the UE can determine the location of the aforementioned DM-RS. The Physical Broadcast Channel (PBCH), carrying the Master Information Block (MIB), can be logically grouped with the PSS and SSS to form a Synchronization Signal (SS) / PBCH block (also known as an SS block (SSB)). The MIB provides the number of Restricted Frames (RBs) and the System Frame Number (SFN) in the system bandwidth. The Physical Downlink Shared Channel (PDSCH) carries user data, broadcast system information such as System Information Blocks (SIBs) that are not transmitted via the PBCH, and paging messages.

[0053] like Figure 2C As shown, some REs carry DM-RS for channel estimation at the base station (indicated as R for a specific configuration, but other DM-RS configurations are also possible). The UE can transmit DM-RS for the Physical Uplink Control Channel (PUCCH) and DM-RS for the Physical Uplink Shared Channel (PUSCH). The PUSCH DM-RS can be transmitted in the first or second symbols of the PUSCH. The PUCCH DM-RS can be transmitted in different configurations depending on whether a short or long PUCCH is transmitted, and depending on the specific PUCCH format used. The UE can transmit a Sounding Reference Signal (SRS). The SRS can be transmitted in the last symbol of a subframe. The SRS can have a comb structure, and the UE can transmit the SRS on one of the combs. The SRS can be used by the base station for channel quality estimation to enable frequency-dependent scheduling on the UL.

[0054] Figure 2D Examples of various UL channels within a subframe of an illustration frame. The PUCCH can be positioned as indicated in a configuration. The PUCCH carries uplink control information (UCI), such as scheduling requests, channel quality indicators (CQI), precoding matrix indicators (PMI), rank indicators (RI), and hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ) acknowledgment (ACK) / non-acknowledgment (NACK) feedback. The PUCCH carries data and can additionally be used to carry buffer status reports (BSR), power headroom reports (PHR), and / or UCI.

[0055] Figure 3 This is a block diagram of base station 310 communicating with UE 350 in the access network. In the DL, IP packets from EPC 160 can be provided to controller / processor 375. Controller / processor 375 implements Layer 3 and Layer 2 functionality. Layer 3 includes the Radio Resource Control (RRC) layer, and Layer 2 includes the Service Data Adaptation Protocol (SDAP) layer, Packet Data Convergence Protocol (PDCP) layer, Radio Link Control (RLC) layer, and Media Access Control (MAC) layer. The controller / processor 375 provides RRC layer functionality associated with broadcasting system information (e.g., MIB, SIB), RRC connection control (e.g., RRC connection paging, RRC connection establishment, RRC connection modification, and RRC connection release), inter-Radio Access Technology (RAT) mobility, and measurement configuration for UE measurement reporting; PDCP layer functionality associated with header compression / decompression, security (encryption, decryption, integrity protection, integrity verification), and handover support functions; RLC layer functionality associated with upper-layer packet data unit (PDU) delivery, error correction via ARQ, concatenation, segmentation, and reassembly of RLC service data units (SDUs), resegmentation of RLC data PDUs, and reordering of RLC data PDUs; and MAC layer functionality associated with mapping between logical channels and transport channels, multiplexing of MAC SDUs onto transport blocks (TBs), demultiplexing of MAC SDUs from TBs, scheduling information reporting, error correction via HARQ, priority processing, and logical channel prioritization.

[0056] Transmit (TX) processor 316 and receive (RX) processor 370 implement Layer 1 functionality associated with various signal processing functions. Layer 1, including the physical (PHY) layer, may include error detection on the transport channel, forward error correction (FEC) encoding / decoding of the transport channel, interleaving, rate matching, mapping to the physical channel, modulation / demodulation of the physical channel, and MIMO antenna processing. TX processor 316 processes the mapping to the signal constellation based on various modulation schemes (e.g., binary phase shift keying (BPSK), quadrature phase shift keying (QPSK), M-phase shift keying (M-PSK), M-quadrature amplitude modulation (M-QAM)). The encoded and modulated symbols can then be divided into parallel streams. Each stream can then be mapped to OFDM subcarriers, multiplexed with a reference signal (e.g., pilot) in the time and / or frequency domains, and then combined using inverse fast Fourier transform (IFFT) to produce a physical channel carrying a stream of time-domain OFDM symbols. The OFDM streams are spatially precoded to produce multiple spatial streams. The channel estimate from channel estimator 374 can be used to determine coding and modulation schemes, as well as for spatial processing. The channel estimate can be derived from a reference signal and / or channel condition feedback transmitted by UE 350. Each spatial stream can then be provided to a different antenna 320 via a separate transmitter 318TX. Each transmitter 318TX can modulate an RF carrier with the corresponding spatial stream for transmission.

[0057] At UE 350, each receiver 354RX receives signals through its corresponding antenna 352. Each receiver 354RX recovers the information modulated onto the RF carrier and provides the information to the receive (RX) processor 356. The TX processor 368 and RX processor 356 implement Layer 1 functionality associated with various signal processing functions. The RX processor 356 can perform spatial processing on the information to recover any spatial streams destined for UE 350. If multiple spatial streams are destined for UE 350, these spatial streams can be combined by the RX processor 356 into a single OFDM symbol stream. The RX processor 356 then uses a Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) to transform the OFDM symbol stream from the time domain to the frequency domain. The frequency domain signal consists of a separate OFDM symbol stream for each subcarrier of the OFDM signal. The symbols and reference signals on each subcarrier are recovered and demodulated by determining the most probable signal constellation points transmitted by base station 310. These soft decisions can be based on channel estimates calculated by channel estimator 358. The soft decision is then decoded and deinterleaved to recover the data and control signals originally transmitted by base station 310 on the physical channel. The data and control signals are then provided to controller / processor 359, which implements layer 3 and layer 2 functionality.

[0058] The controller / processor 359 may be associated with a memory 360 that stores program code and data. The memory 360 may be referred to as a computer-readable medium. In the UL, the controller / processor 359 provides demultiplexing, packet reassembly, decryption, header decompression, and control signal processing between the transport and logical channels to recover IP packets from the EPC 160. The controller / processor 359 is also responsible for error detection to support HARQ operation using ACK and / or NACK protocols.

[0059] Similar to the functionality described in the DL transmission combined with base station 310, controller / processor 359 provides RRC layer functionality associated with system information (e.g., MIB, SIB) acquisition, RRC connectivity, and measurement reporting; PDCP layer functionality associated with header compression / decompression and security (encryption, decryption, integrity protection, integrity verification); RLC layer functionality associated with upper-layer PDU transmission, error correction via ARQ, concatenation, segmentation and reassembly of RLC SDUs, resegmentation of RLC data PDUs, and reordering of RLC data PDUs; and MAC layer functionality associated with mapping between logical channels and transport channels, multiplexing of MAC SDUs to TBs, demultiplexing of MAC SDUs from TBs, scheduling information reporting, error correction via HARQ, priority processing, and logical channel prioritization.

[0060] The channel estimate derived by the channel estimator 358 from the reference signal or feedback transmitted from the base station 310 can be used by the TX processor 368 to select an appropriate coding and modulation scheme and facilitate spatial processing. The spatial stream generated by the TX processor 368 can be provided to different antennas 352 via individual transmitters 354TX. Each transmitter 354TX can use the corresponding spatial stream to modulate an RF carrier for transmission.

[0061] The UL transmission is processed at base station 310 in a manner similar to that described in conjunction with the receiver function at UE 350. Each receiver 318RX receives the signal through its corresponding antenna 320. Each receiver 318RX recovers the information modulated onto the RF carrier and provides the information to the RX processor 370.

[0062] Controller / processor 375 may be associated with memory 376, which stores program code and data. Memory 376 may be referred to as computer-readable medium. In the UL, controller / processor 375 provides demultiplexing, packet reassembly, decryption, header decompression, and control signal processing between transport and logical channels to recover IP packets from UE 350. IP packets from controller / processor 375 may be provided to EPC 160. Controller / processor 375 is also responsible for error detection to support HARQ operation using ACK and / or NACK protocols.

[0063] At least one of the TX processor 368, RX processor 356, and controller / processor 359 can be configured to perform operations related to... Figure 1 The relevant aspects of UE DMRS bundled components 198.

[0064] At least one of the TX processor 316, RX processor 370, and controller / processor 375 can be configured to perform operations related to... Figure 1 The relevant aspects of the BS DMRS bundled component 199.

[0065] The UE can transmit uplink control information (UCI) in the PUCCH, including HARQ-ACK information, scheduling requests (SR), and channel state information (CSI). For example, when a base station provides DCI to a UE scheduling downlink data on the PDSCH, the UE can provide HARQ feedback to the base station in the configured PUCCH resources to acknowledge the reception of downlink data. The PUCCH resources available to the UE can be provided in a PUCCH configuration (e.g., pucch-Config or another name) that the base station can send to the UE via dedicated RRC signaling. Each PUCCH resource can also be within one or more PUCCH resource sets (e.g., provided by configuring pucch-ResourceSet or another name) and can include a configuration of the PUCCH format that the base station can configure for the UE (e.g., provided by pucch-FormatConfig or another name). Each PUCCH format can indicate the number of symbols allocated to PUCCH transmissions and the number of bits of information that can be carried in the PUCCH transmission. For example, PUCCH format 0 can include 1 to 2 symbols and can carry up to two UCI bits, PUCCH format 1 can include 4 to 14 symbols and can carry up to two UCI bits, PUCCH format 2 can include 1 to 2 symbols and can carry more than two UCI bits, and PUCCH formats 3 and 4 can each include 4 to 14 symbols and can carry more than two UCI bits.

[0066] Furthermore, depending on the PUCCH format associated with the PUCCH transmission, the UE can be configured with the number of repeating time slots for PUCCH transmission. For example, for PUCCH resources associated with PUCCH formats 1, 3, or 4, the UE can repeat HARQ-ACK transmissions in the same symbols within two, four, or eight time slots (or another configured number of time slots provided by nrofSlots or another name in pucch-FormatConfig). Therefore, the base station can indicate or configure the number of repetitions for PUCCH transmissions via RRC (e.g., in the PUCCH format configuration via nrofSlots). Alternatively, the base station can indicate the number of repetitions in the DCI.

[0067] Additionally, when the UE transmits information (e.g., UCI) on the uplink control channel (e.g., on the PUCCH), the UE may transmit DMRS in each time slot carrying the information. For example, when transmitting DMRS on the PUCCH, the UE may transmit DMRS in consecutive time slots carrying HARQ repetitions to acknowledge the reception of scheduled downlink data. The base station may process the DMRS to generate channel estimates for demodulation of the physical channel (e.g., PUCCH). Figure 4A Example 400 illustrates multiple time slots 402 carrying information in a PUCCH including DMRS 404. The information transmitted in each of the time slots 402 can be a repetition of earlier transmitted information (e.g., a duplicate transport block). For example, if the UE is far from the base station, the UE can transmit the same transport block multiple times to provide coverage enhancement. When the base station receives the information in each of the time slots 402, the base station can process the DMRS 404 in each time slot individually for channel estimation. For example, the base station can measure the RSRP of the DMRS 404 in symbol 406 of one of the time slots 402 and determine the CQI based on the RSRP for the DMRS in that particular time slot. The base station can similarly measure the RSRP and determine the CQI based on the DMRS in other individual time slots. Therefore, the base station can use the DMRS individually for each time slot to estimate the channel.

[0068] However, in some cases, performing this DMRS processing individually for each time slot can lead to channel estimation errors. For example, if the UE is located at the cell edge, the RSRP of the DMRS may vary between time slots (e.g., due to interference between the UE and the base station or other factors), and therefore the CQI that the base station may determine individually for one time slot may be inaccurate for the next time slot. Consequently, if the base station performs link adaptation based on erroneous channel estimation, the quality of the communication link between the base station and the UE may degrade.

[0069] To prevent link quality degradation based on erroneous channel estimation, DMRS bundling can be applied. In DMRS bundling, when a transmitter (e.g., a UE) transmits DMRS to a receiver (e.g., a base station) across multiple time slots—for example, one DMRS per time slot, another DMRS in the next time slot, etc.—the transmitter maintains phase continuity and power consistency between the DMRS. For example, to maintain phase coherence between DMRS, the DMRS can be transmitted using the same MCS (e.g., BPSK or QPSK), the DMRS can be transmitted using the same duplex scheme (e.g., TDD or FDD) in the time slots, or the DMRS can be transmitted using consecutive, allocated time-domain resources. Similarly, to maintain power consistency between DMRS, the DMRS can be transmitted using the same transmission power. After the receiver receives the bundled DMRS across multiple time slots, the receiver jointly processes the DMRS (e.g., for channel estimation). For example, the receiver can measure the average RSRP from the RSRP of the power-consistent and phase-continuous DMRS across multiple time slots and identify the CQI based on the average RSRP. Therefore, the receiver can process DMRS jointly across multiple time slots. In this way, the possibility of erroneous channel estimation due to RSRP variations between time slots may be reduced due to DMRS bundling.

[0070] For example, Figure 4B Example 450 illustrates multiple time slots 452 carrying information in a PUCCH including bundled DMRS 454. The information transmitted in each of the time slots 402 may be a repetition of earlier transmitted information (e.g., a duplicate transport block). Furthermore, the DMRS in each of the time slots 452 are phase-coherent (bundled). Therefore, when the base station receives information in each of the time slots 402, the base station can jointly process the bundled DMRS 454 in the time slots for channel estimation. For example, the base station can perform joint channel estimation by measuring the average RSRP of the DMRS in symbols 456, 458, and 460 of each of the time slots, and determine the CQI based on the average RSRP of the DMRS in the multiple time slots. Therefore, the risk of erroneous channel estimation due to RSRP variations between time slots 452 can be reduced.

[0071] therefore, Figure 4B This section explains the potential benefits of multiple repetitions of DMRS bundles transmitted via PUCCH (e.g., improved link quality through joint channel estimation). Therefore, it is desirable to specify a mechanism to support DMRS bundles for multiple repetitions transmitted via PUCCH (e.g., with consistent DMRS transmission power and phase continuity).

[0072] To this end, aspects of this disclosure are provided that allow a base station to configure DMRS bundling and allow a UE to determine, based on the configuration, the PUCCH transmissions to be bundled with DMRS (e.g., a DMRS bundling window). For example, when a base station configures DMRS bundling in a repetition of a PUCCH transmission, the base station can configure the UE to maintain power consistency and phase continuity between DMRSs in the repetition, such that when the base station receives power-consistent and phase-continuous DMRSs, the base station can jointly process the DMRSs (e.g., for channel estimation). Furthermore, the UE can determine a DMRS bundling window, which includes a start time corresponding to one of the repetitions (e.g., the first physical or available time slot or symbol for the initial PUCCH repetition / transmission) and an end time corresponding to the other repetition (e.g., the last physical or available time slot or symbol for the final PUCCH repetition / transmission), wherein the UE wants to maintain power consistency and phase continuity between the DMRSs. Therefore, when the base station instructs the UE to bundle DMRS, the base station can configure the UE to transmit DMRS with consistent power and continuous phase through multiple PUCCH slots within a determined DMRS bundling window. Furthermore, when the base station receives the bundled DMRS, it can perform joint channel estimation based on the received DMRS with consistent power and continuous phase within the DMRS bundling window. In this way, the aforementioned benefits of improving link quality and signal gain through DMRS bundling can be achieved.

[0073] Although the examples described below for DMRS bundling involve PUCCH transmissions occupying the same frequency (e.g., such as...) Figure 4B The example shown involves multiple physical resource blocks (the same 12 subcarriers) without frequency hopping. However, in other examples, the transmission may alternatively occupy multiple frequencies (e.g., with inter-slot frequency hopping). Therefore, joint channel estimation based on DMRS bundling can be performed with or without inter-slot frequency hopping. Furthermore, although the examples described below for DMRS bundling involve PUCCH transmissions occupying a single DMRS bundling window, in other examples, the transmission may alternatively occupy multiple consecutive or discontinuous DMRS bundling windows or be split across multiple consecutive or discontinuous bundling windows. The parameters of each of these multiple DMRS bundling windows, such as the duration or start / end time of each window, can be configured in the same or similar manner as a single DMRS bundling window as described below.

[0074] In the first example, the base station may provide the UE with a configuration that instructs or enables the UE to repeatedly perform DMRS binding over the PUCCH. For example, the base station may provide the UE with a configuration that enables DMRS binding for each PUCCH format within a PUCCH format configuration (e.g., in PUCCH-FormatConfig), for each PUCCH resource set configuration (e.g., in PUCCH-ResourceSetConfig), or for each PUCCH resource within the PUCCH configuration itself (e.g., PUCCH-Config). The configuration may be, for example, one or more bits or flags indicating whether the UE wants to bind DMRS in time slots carrying repeated uplink information on the PUCCH (e.g., to maintain DMRS power consistency and phase continuity), allowing the base station to jointly process the DMRS received from the UE (e.g., to perform joint channel estimation). For example, the configuration may include one or more bits indicating that the UE transmits DMRS in each time slot of a repeated PUCCH using the same MCS, the same TDD or FDD duplex scheme, in consecutive time-domain resources, or with the same transmission power. Therefore, in this example, the UE can determine the DMRS bundling window to cover the indicated number of repetitions (e.g., in the PUCCH format configuration via parameter nrOfSlots, or in the DCI), and the base station can perform joint channel estimation of DMRS within the DMRS bundling window.

[0075] In the second example, the UE can indicate the capability to support PUCCH DMRS bundling for PUCCH repetitions. For example, when the base station sends a UE capability query message to the UE during initial access or at some other time, the UE can report to the base station in a capability information message that the UE is capable of performing DMRS bundling (e.g., maintaining power consistency and phase continuity between DMRSs) over a specified number of PUCCH repetitions. For example, the UE can inform the base station that the UE is capable of transmitting DMRS in two, four, or eight time slots carrying repetitive UCIs with the same MCS, the same TDD or FDD duplex scheme, in consecutive time domain resources, or with the same transmission power.

[0076] Furthermore, the indication of a UE's ability to support PUCCH DMRS bundling for PUCCH repetitions can be UE-specific or band-specific. For example, when a UE reports its DMRS bundling capability to the base station in a capability information message, the UE can indicate whether DMRS transmitted from the UE in the PUCCH can be bundled (e.g., the capability is UE-specific), or whether DMRS in a specific band can be bundled (e.g., the capability is band-specific). Therefore, when the capability is UE-specific, the base station can determine that the UE will bundle DMRS through multiple PUCCH repetitions (e.g., to maintain power consistency and phase continuity between DMRS), and the base station can jointly process the DMRS received from the UE in those repetitions. Similarly, when the capability is band-specific, the capability information message can indicate one or more bands in which the UE will bundle DMRS through multiple PUCCH repetitions, and the base station can jointly process the DMRS received from the UE in the PUCCH repetitions within the indicated band.

[0077] In the third example, when the base station indicates the number of repetitions via an RRC message (e.g., via the parameter nrOfSlots in the PUCCH format configuration), the UE can determine that the DMRS bundling window begins from the first physical or available time slot or symbol carrying the initial configuration PUCCH repetition and ends at the last physical or available time slot or symbol carrying the final configuration PUCCH repetition. Available time slots can be transmission times for PUCCH repetitions (e.g., valid time slots or time slots including valid symbols, such as uplink time slots or time slots including uplink symbols). Physical time slots can be any time slot (valid or invalid) for PUCCH repetitions (e.g., valid or invalid time slots or time slots including valid or invalid symbols, such as uplink time slots or downlink time slots, or time slots including uplink or downlink symbols). When bundling DMRS within the DMRS bundling window, the UE maintains power consistency and phase continuity in the DMRS of adjacent PUCCH transmissions. For example, Figure 5 Example 500 illustrates time slot 502, where each time slot 502 includes uplink control information on DMRS 504 and PUCCH 506, wherein the UE is configured to transmit this uplink control information based on the PUCCH configuration. Figure 4BIn this configuration, time slot 502 can correspond to time slot 452, and DMRS 504 can correspond to bundled DMRS 454. The base station can configure the UE to send K PUCCH repetitions via RRC, where K corresponds to the number of repetitions indicated in the PUCCH format configuration. For example, K can be a value of 2, 4, 8, or other configured number of repetitions. When the UE receives the number of repetitions K, the UE can determine that the DMRS bundling window 508 has a start time 510 corresponding to the first physical or available time slot or symbol of the initial repetition (repetition 1) and an end time 512 corresponding to the last physical or available time slot or symbol of the final repetition (repetition K). Therefore, the UE can determine the duration of the DMRS bundling window 508 as K repetitions or time slot 502. After determining the DMRS bundling window, the UE can bundle DMRS 504 in slot 502 within the window by transmitting DMRS in each consecutive or adjacent slot with the same MCS, the same TDD or FDD duplex scheme, in consecutive time domain resources, or with the same transmission power, in order to maintain power consistency and phase continuity among the DMRS. Once the base station receives the bundled DMRS, the base station can jointly process the DMRS. For example, the base station can perform joint channel estimation (e.g., by identifying the average RSRP of DMRS 504 in slot 502 within the DMRS bundling window 508).

[0078] In the fourth example, the UE can be dynamically instructed to transmit uplink control information in the PUCCH in multiple time slots following the receipt of the DCI. For example, when the base station provides the DCI to a UE that schedules downlink data on the PDSCH, the DCI may include a HARQ feedback timing indicator (e.g., provided by PDSCH-to-HARQ_feedback or another name). The HARQ feedback timing indicator represents the HARQ feedback timing T relative to the PDSCH reception (e.g., 1 to 8 time slots). For example, if the base station configures the HARQ feedback timing indicator value to 4 time slots, the UE can determine to begin transmitting PUCCH transmission (including transmission repetition and DMRS) four time slots after the time slot in which the downlink data scheduled using the DCI is received.

[0079] Furthermore, when the base station dynamically indicates the number of repetitions (e.g., via DCI), the UE can determine a DMRS bundling window to begin with an additional number of symbols after the HARQ feedback time T. This additional number of symbols can represent an additional time gap d between the reception of DCI and the transmission of uplink data on the PUCCH in a configured repetition. Therefore, the start time of the DMRS bundling window can correspond to the first physical or available time slot or symbol of the first configured PUCCH repetition scheduled to be transmitted at time T+d after the DCI is received, while the end time of the DMRS bundling window can correspond to the last physical or available time slot or symbol of the last configured PUCCH repetition. As in the previous example, when DMRSs are bundled within the DMRS bundling window, the UE maintains power consistency and phase continuity among DMRSs transmitted in adjacent PUCCHs. In contrast, for DMRSs not within the DMRS bundling window (e.g., DMRSs transmitted during the additional time gap d), the UE does not actively seek to maintain power consistency and phase continuity among those DMRSs because those DMRSs are not bundled.

[0080] The additional time gap d can be an element of a set of durations (e.g., d ∈ {0, 1, 2} symbols, or a set of some other number of symbols), which the UE can determine based on the subcarrier spacing (SCS). For example, the UE can determine the smaller SCS between the SCS associated with the DCI and the SCS associated with PUCCH repetition, and identify the additional time gap d as 0, 1, or 2 symbols depending on the value of the smaller SCS.

[0081] Additionally, the UE can report the additional time interval d that the UE determines to apply its PUCCH repetitions as a UE capability. For example, when the base station sends a UE capability query message to the UE during initial access or at some other time, the UE can report to the base station in a capability information message the additional time interval d that the UE has selected based on the SCS (and therefore can apply to DMRS binding). For example, the UE can report to the base station that the UE can apply the additional time interval d ∈ {0, 1, 2} symbols between the reception of the DCI and the start of the DMRS binding window. Therefore, when the UE sends its PUCCH repetitions according to the determined additional time interval d, the base station can monitor the PUCCH repetitions accordingly based on the capability information message. For example, depending on the d value indicated in the capability information message, the base station can determine that the bound DMRS will be received 0, 1, or 2 symbols after the HARQ feedback time T.

[0082] For example, Figure 6Example 600 illustrates time slot 602, where each time slot 602 includes uplink control information on DMRS 604 and PUCCH 606, and the UE is configured to transmit this uplink control information based on the PUCCH configuration. Figure 4B In this configuration, time slot 602 can correspond to time slot 452, and DMRS 604 can correspond to bundled DMRS 454. The base station can configure the UE to send a certain number of PUCCH repetitions via DCI 608 (e.g., 2, 4, 8, or other configured repetitions). When the UE receives the number of repetitions in DCI 608, the UE can determine a DMRS bundling window 610, the start time of which corresponds to the configured PUCCH repetition scheduled to occur after HARQ feedback time 612(T) and an additional time slot 614(d). Furthermore, the additional time slot 614 can be determined based on the smaller SCS between SCS 616 associated with DCI 608 and SCS 618 associated with time slot 602, which includes the PUCCH repetition. The end time of the DMRS bundling window can correspond to the last of the configured PUCCH repetitions. After determining the DMRS bundling window, the UE can bundle DMRS 604 in slot 602 within the window by transmitting DMRS in each consecutive or adjacent slot with the same MCS, the same TDD or FDD duplex scheme, in consecutive time domain resources, or with the same transmission power, in order to maintain power consistency and phase continuity among the DMRS. Once the base station receives the bundled DMRS, the base station can jointly process the DMRS. For example, the base station can perform joint channel estimation (e.g., by identifying the average RSRP of DMRS 604 in slot 602 within the DMRS bundling window 610).

[0083] In the fifth example, the base station can provide the UE with a configuration for a DMRS bundling window, including the window size or duration and the window's start time or time slot. For example, the base station can provide the configuration to the UE within a PUCCH configuration (e.g., PUCCH-Config), a PUCCH format configuration (e.g., PUCCH-FormatConfig), or a PUCCH resource set configuration (e.g., PUCCH-ResourceSetConfig). Alternatively, the configuration can be separate from the PUSCH configuration, PUCCH format configuration, or PUCCH resource set configuration.

[0084] The configuration can explicitly indicate that the DMRS binding window starts from the first physical or available slot or symbol of the first configuration's PUCCH repeat and continues until the last physical or available slot or symbol of the last configuration's PUCCH repeat.

[0085] The configuration can also explicitly indicate that the DMRS bundling window starts from the nth in the repetition until the last in the repetition N, where 1 ≤ n < N. Thus, the configuration can indicate the start time of the DMRS bundling window as corresponding to any one (except the last repetition) of the PUCCH repetitions scheduled for transmission.

[0086] In addition, the configuration can define the size or duration of the DMRS bundling window as the number of available symbols for the PUCCH repetition / transmission (e.g., symbols excluding downlink symbols), or as the number of available time slots for the PUCCH repetition / transmission (e.g., time slots excluding downlink time slots). For example, if the UE is scheduled to transmit PUCCH repetitions in a sequence of ten time slots with the following format: DDDUUDDDUU (where D represents a downlink time slot and U represents an uplink time slot), the configuration can explicitly indicate the size of the DMRS bundling window as four available time slots, because the total number of time slots for the PUCCH repetition (excluding downlink time slots) is four. Thus, in this example, the UE can determine the DMRS bundling window as four available time slots based on the configuration.

[0087] Alternatively, the configuration can define the size or duration of the DMRS bundling window as the number of physical symbols for the PUCCH repetition / transmission (e.g., symbols including uplink and downlink symbols), the number of physical time slots for the PUCCH repetition / transmission (e.g., time slots including uplink time slots and downlink time slots), the number of subframes, the number of frames, or an amount of time. Thus, the DMRS bundling window can be defined based on the total number represented in symbols, time slots, subframes, frames, milliseconds, or some other time representation. For example, if the UE is scheduled to transmit PUCCH repetitions in a sequence of ten time slots with the following format: DDDUUDDDUU (where D represents a downlink time slot and U represents an uplink time slot), the configuration can explicitly indicate the size of the DMRS bundling window as ten physical time slots, ten subframes (assuming 15 kHz SCS), one frame, or 10 ms. Thus, the UE can determine the DMRS bundling window as ten physical time slots (or ten subframes, one frame, 10 ms, etc.) based on the configuration, even though the UE can actually bundle DMRS only in four of the ten time slots (available time slots or uplink time slots).

[0088] The UE can indicate its capability to support DMRS bundling window sizes. For example, when the base station sends a UE capability query message to the UE during initial access or at some other time, the UE can report to the base station in a capability information message that it can perform DMRS bundling (e.g., maintaining power consistency and phase continuity) within a specified number of slots, symbols, subframes, frames, or time increments. The supported DMRS bundling window size (e.g., a specified number of slots, symbols, or time increments) can exclude downlink slots, downlink symbols, or downlink transmission times. Alternatively, the supported DMRS bundling window size can include uplink and downlink slots, uplink and downlink symbols, or uplink and downlink transmission times. For example, the UE can inform the base station that it can transmit DMRS in PUCCH repetitions within a DMRS bundling window of four slots (excluding downlink slots) or ten slots (including downlink slots) with the same MCS, the same TDD or FDD duplex scheme, in consecutive time-domain resources, or with the same transmission power. Therefore, the base station can explicitly configure the DMRS bundling window based on the UE's capabilities.

[0089] The base station may indicate the configuration of the DMRS bundling window in system information (e.g., in the SIB), in the Media Access Control (MAC) element (CE), in the DCI, or in the RRC message. After determining the start time and duration of the DMRS bundling window according to the configuration, when DMRSs are bundled within the DMRS bundling window, the UE maintains power consistency and phase continuity among DMRSs transmitted via adjacent PUCCHs. In contrast, for DMRSs not within the DMRS bundling window, the UE does not actively seek to maintain power consistency and phase continuity among those DMRSs because those DMRSs are not bundled.

[0090] Figure 7 This example illustrates a call flow 704 between UE 702 and base station 704. The UE may send a capability information message 706 to the base station. Referring to the second example, the capability information message may indicate that the UE supports the capability of PUCCH DMRS bundling for PUCCH repetition. The capability information message may indicate the capability of the supported DMRS bundling window size. Furthermore, referring to the fourth example, the capability information message may include an additional time gap d, which the UE may apply in a configured repetition between the reception of DCI and the transmission of uplink control information on the PUCCH, the additional time gap d determining the start time of the DMRS bundling window. The included capability information message may be sent in response to a capability information query from the base station (e.g., during initial access). For example, refer to... Figure 6, the UE may report an additional time gap 614 that the UE determines to apply its PUCCH repetition as UE capability. For example, the UE may report to the base station in a capability information message that the UE has selected and is thus capable of applying an additional time gap d for DMRS bundling based on SCS 616, 618.

[0091] The base station 704 may provide a DMRS bundling configuration 708 to the UE 702. For example, referring to the first example above, the DMRS bundling configuration 708 may be a configuration that instructs or enables the UE to perform DMRS bundling for joint channel estimation via PUCCH repetition. The configuration may be provided within the PUCCH format configuration (e.g., in PUCCH-FormatConfig), within the PUCCH resource set configuration (e.g., in PUCCH-ResourceSetConfig), within the PUCCH configuration (e.g., PUCCH-Config), or within the DCI 710 sent by the base station to the UE. Alternatively, referring to the fifth example above, the DMRS bundling configuration 708 may be separate from the PUCCH configuration, PUCCH format configuration, PUCCH resource set configuration, or DCI 810. In another example, referring to the third example above, the base station may send the DMRS bundling configuration 708 and the number of repetitions scheduled for the PUSCH to the UE via RRC as different parameters of the PUCCH configuration (or PUCCH format configuration). Alternatively, the number of repetitions may be indicated in the DCI 710. For example, referring to the fourth example above and Figure 6 , the base station may provide the UE with a DCI 608 that indicates the number of configured PUCCH repetitions. In another example, referring to the fifth example above, the DMRS bundling configuration 708 may include the size or duration of the DMRS bundling window and the start time or time slot of the window. The DMRS bundling configuration 708 may explicitly indicate that the DMRS bundling window starts from the first or the nth in the repetition until the last in the repetition N, where 1 ≤ n < N. In addition, the DMRS bundling configuration 708 may define the size or duration of the DMRS bundling window as the number of symbols (e.g., available symbols) that do not include downlink symbols, or as the number of time slots (e.g., available time slots) that do not include downlink time slots. Alternatively, the DMRS bundling configuration 708 may define the size or duration of the DMRS bundling window as the number of symbols (e.g., physical symbols) that include uplink and downlink symbols, the number of time slots (e.g., physical time slots) that include uplink and downlink time slots, the number of subframes, the number of frames, or the amount of time. The base station may indicate the DMRS bundling configuration 708 to the UE in system information (e.g., in SIB), in MAC-CE, in DCI (e.g., DCI 810), or in an RRC message.

[0092] At 712, after receiving the DMRS bundling configuration 708 and optional DCI 710 from base station 704, UE 702 determines the DMRS bundling window based on the DMRS bundling configuration. For example, referring to the first example above, after the base station provides the DMRS bundling configuration instructing the UE to perform DMRS bundling by the indicated number of PUCCH repetitions (e.g., in the PUSCH format configuration via parameter nrOfSlots, or in DCI 710), the UE can determine the DMRS bundling window to cover the indicated number of repetitions. In another example, referring to the third example above and Figure 5 The UE can determine that the DMRS bundling window begins from the first physical or available symbol or time slot carrying the first configuration PUCCH repetition and ends at the last physical or available symbol or time slot carrying the last configuration PUCCH repetition. For example, the UE can determine that the DMRS bundling window 508 has a start time 510 corresponding to the initial repetition (repetition 1) and an end time 512 corresponding to the last repetition (repetition K). Therefore, the UE can determine the duration of the DMRS bundling window 508 as K repetitions or time slots 502. In another example, refer to the fourth example above and Figure 6 The UE can determine the number of symbols to append in the DMRS bundling window after the HARQ feedback time T. Therefore, the UE can determine the start time of the DMRS bundling window to correspond to a PUCCH repetition scheduled to be transmitted at time T+d after receiving the DCI, while the end time of the DMRS bundling window can correspond to the last configured PUCCH repetition. For example, the UE can determine a DMRS bundling window 610, the start time of which corresponds to the initial PUCCH repetition scheduled to occur after the HARQ feedback time 612(T) and the append time gap 614(d). In an additional example, referring to the fifth example above, the UE can explicitly determine the DMRS bundling window based on the DMRS bundling configuration 708, which includes the start time and size or duration of the DMRS bundling window. When bundling DMRS within a DMRS bundling window, the UE maintains power consistency and phase continuity in DMRS transmitted via adjacent PUCCHs. In contrast, for DMRS not within a DMRS bundling window, the UE does not actively seek to maintain power consistency or phase continuity between those DMRS because they are not bundled.

[0093] At 714, the UE can determine the time gap between the reception of DCI and the start time of the DMRS binding window. The time gap (e.g., an additional time gap d) can be an element of a set of durations (e.g., d ∈ {0, 1, 2} symbols, or a set of some other number of symbols), which the UE can determine based on the SCS. For example, the UE can determine the smaller SCS between the SCS associated with DCI and the SCS associated with PUCCH repetition, and identify the additional time gap d as 0, 1, or 2 symbols depending on the value of the smaller SCS. For example, referring to the fourth example above and relative to... Figure 6 After the UE receives DCI 608, the UE can determine the additional time slot 614 based on the smaller SCS between the SCS 616 associated with DCI 608 and the SCS 618 associated with time slot 602 including PUCCH repetition.

[0094] After determining the DMRS bundling window at 712 and optionally the time slot at 714, UE 702 can bundle DMRSs in the time slots of PUCCH repetition. For example, at 715, the UE can maintain power coherence and phase continuity between DMRSs. For example, refer to Figure 5 and Figure 6 The UE can bundle DMRS 504 and 604 in time slots 502 and 602 within the DMRS bundling windows 508 and 610 by transmitting DMRS in each consecutive or adjacent time slot with the same MCS, the same TDD or FDD duplex scheme, in consecutive time domain resources, or with the same transmit power, in order to maintain power consistency and phase continuity between DMRS. The UE 702 can transmit uplink control information 716 on the PUCCH in repetitions including the bundled DMRS.

[0095] Once base station 704 receives the bundled DMRS at 718, the base station can jointly process the received DMRS. For example, the base station can perform joint channel estimation based on the bundled DMRS. For example, refer to... Figure 5 and Figure 6 The base station can perform joint channel estimation (e.g., by identifying the average RSRP of DMRS 504, 604 in slots 502, 602 within DMRS bundling windows 508, 610).

[0096] Figure 8This is a flowchart 800 of a wireless communication method. The method can be performed by a UE (e.g., UE 104, 350, 702; device 1002). Optional aspects are illustrated with dashed lines. The method allows the UE to perform DMRS bundling in PUCCH repetition in response to an instruction from a base station (e.g., base station 102 / 180, 310, 704) or to enable the UE to perform DMRS bundling configuration.

[0097] At point 802, the UE can report to the base station an indication of support for repeated DMRS bundling transmissions on the uplink control channel. For example, 802 can be performed by support component 1040. (See reference...) Figure 7 UE 702 can send a capability information message 706 to base station 704, which instructs the UE to support the capability of PUCCH DMRS bundling for PUCCH repetition. For example, UE 702 can inform base station 704 that the UE can maintain power consistency and phase continuity between DMRSs within a DMRS bundling window. For instance, the UE can transmit DMRSs with the same MCS, the same TDD or FDD duplex scheme, in consecutive time-domain resources, or with the same transmit power in a specified number of time slots carrying repetitive UCIs. Furthermore, the indication of support for repetitive DMRS bundling can be UE-specific or associated with one or more frequency bands. For example, refer to... Figure 7 When UE 702 provides a capability information message 706 that includes an indication of the UE's ability to support PUCCH DMRS bundling for PUCCH repetition, the indication can be UE-specific or frequency band-specific. For example, UE 702 can indicate whether DMRS transmitted from the UE in the PUCCH can be bundled, or whether DMRS in a specific frequency band can be bundled.

[0098] At point 804, the UE receives from the base station a configuration indicating the bundling of DMRS in repetitions transmitted on the uplink control channel. For example, point 804 can be performed by configuration component 1042. For example, refer to... Figure 7 UE 702 can receive DMRS bundling configuration 708 from base station 704. In one example, refer to... Figures 5 to 7 DMRS bundling configuration 708 can be a configuration that instructs UE 702 or enables UE 702 to perform DMRS bundling for joint channel estimation via PUCCH repetition (e.g., repetition of UCI in PUCCH 506 or 606). The configuration can be received in PUCCH configuration, PUCCH format configuration, or PUCCH resource set configuration. For example, refer to... Figure 7, the DMRS bundling configuration 708 can be provided within the PUCCH format configuration (e.g., in PUCCH-FormatConfig), within the PUCCH resource set configuration (e.g., in PUCCH-ResourceSetConfig), within the PUCCH configuration (e.g., PUCCH-Config), or within the DCI 710 sent by the base station to the UE.

[0099] In another example, the configuration can include the start time of the DMRS bundling window and the duration of the DMRS bundling window. For example, referring to Figure 5 and Figure 7 , the DMRS bundling configuration 708 can include the size or duration of the DMRS bundling window 508 and the start time 510 or start slot 502 of the window. The configuration can indicate the start time as corresponding to the nth in the repetition, where 1 ≤ n < N, and where N is the last in the repetition. For example, referring to Figure 5 and Figure 7 , the DMRS bundling configuration 708 can explicitly indicate that the DMRS bundling window 508 starts from the first physical or first available slot of the first or the nth in the repetition (e.g., repetition 1 of the data in PUCCH 506) until the last physical or last available slot of the last in the repetition N (e.g., repetition K of the data in PUCCH 506), where 1 ≤ n < N. The configuration can indicate the duration of the DMRS bundling window as the number of available symbols for the repetition (e.g., excluding downlink symbols) or the number of available slots for the repetition (e.g., excluding downlink slots). For example, referring to Figure 5 and Figure 7 , the DMRS bundling configuration 708 can define the size or duration of the DMRS bundling window 508 as the number of symbols (e.g., symbols 456, 458, 460) excluding downlink symbols, or as the number of slots (e.g., slots 452, 502) excluding downlink slots. Alternatively, the configuration can indicate the duration of the DMRS bundling window as the number of physical symbols (e.g., including uplink and downlink symbols) for the repetition, the number of physical slots (e.g., including uplink and downlink slots) for the repetition, the number of subframes, the number of frames, or an amount of time. The configuration can be received in the system information, MAC-CE, DCI, or RRC message. For example, referring to Figure 7Base station 704 may indicate DMRS bundling configuration 708 to UE 702 in system information (e.g., in SIB), in MAC-CE, in DCI (e.g., DCI 710), or in RRC messages. Configuration may also be received in response to the reception of a capability information message indicating the supported duration of the DMRS bundling window. For example, when the base station sends a UE capability query message to the UE during initial access or at some other time, the UE may report to the base station in the capability information message that the UE is capable of performing DMRS bundling (maintaining power consistency and phase continuity) over a specified number of slots, symbols, subframes, frames, or time increments, and the base station may explicitly configure the DMRS bundling window based on the UE's capabilities.

[0100] At point 806, the UE determines the DMRS bundling window based on its configuration. For example, point 806 can be performed by the bundling window component 1044. For example, refer to... Figure 7 At 712, UE 702 can determine the DMRS bundling window based on the DMRS bundling configuration 708 received from base station 704. As an example of 806, at 808, in response to receiving an RRC message indicating the number of repetitions, the UE can determine the start time of the DMRS bundling window as the initial timeslot corresponding to the initial configuration repetition in the repetition (e.g., physically or available), and determine the end time of the DMRS bundling window as the last timeslot corresponding to the last repetition in the repetition (e.g., physically or available). For example, 808 can be performed by bundling window component 1044. For example, refer to... Figure 5 In response to receiving an indicated number of PUCCH repetitions (e.g., via parameter nrOfSlots in the PUCCH format configuration), UE 702 can determine that the DMRS bundling window 508 has a start time 510 corresponding to the initial repetition (repetition 1) and an end time 512 corresponding to the last repetition (repetition K). Therefore, the UE can determine the duration of the DMRS bundling window 508 as K repetitions or slots 502.

[0101] At 810, in response to receiving a DCI indicating the number of repetitions, the UE can determine the time gap between the reception of the DCI and the start time of the DMRS bundling window. For example, 810 can be performed by the time gap component 1046. For example, refer to... Figure 6 and Figure 7At 714, UE 702 can determine the time gap (e.g., T+d) between the reception of DCI 608, 710 and the start time of DMRS binding window 610. The time gap can include HARQ feedback timing (e.g., HARQ feedback time 612 or T) and additional time gaps (e.g., additional time gap 614 or d). The additional time gap can be the minimum SCS between the first SCS of the DCI and the second SCS transmitted on the uplink control channel. For example, refer to... Figure 6 and Figure 7 After UE 702 receives DCIs 608 and 710, UE can determine additional time slot 614 based on the smaller SCS between SCS 616 associated with DCIs 608 and 710 and SCS 618 associated with time slot 602, which includes PUCCH repetition (e.g., repetition of UCI in PUCCH 606).

[0102] At point 812, the UE can report additional time slots to the base station in the capability information message. For example, point 812 can be performed by capability information component 1048. For example, refer to... Figure 6 and Figure 7 UE 702 can send a capability information message 706 to base station 704, which includes the UE determining additional time intervals 614 to be applied to its PUCCH repetition.

[0103] At point 811, the UE can maintain power consistency between the bundled DMRSs. For example, 811 can be performed by the bundled DMRS component 1050. Similarly, at point 813, the UE can maintain phase continuity between the bundled DMRSs. For example, 813 can be performed by the bundled DMRS component 1050. For example, refer to... Figure 7 At 715, UE 702 can maintain power consistency and phase continuity between DMRSs. The UE can maintain power consistency, for example, by applying the same transmit power to the DMRSs within the DMRS bundling window, and the UE can maintain phase continuity, for example, by applying the same MCS, the same TDD or FDD scheme, or the allocation of continuous time domain resources to the DMRSs within the DMRS bundling window.

[0104] Finally, at point 814, the UE transmits the bundled DMRS within the DMRS bundling window. For example, point 814 can be performed by the bundled DMRS component 1050. For example, refer to... Figures 5 to 7 UE 702 can transmit uplink control information 716 on the PUCCH in repetitions of bundled DMRS (e.g., DMRS 504, 604) (e.g., repetitions of UCI in PUCCH 506, 606). Reference Figure 5 and Figure 6 The UE can maintain power consistency and phase continuity between DMRS 504 and 604 in time slots 502 and 602 within the DMRS bundling windows 508 and 610 by transmitting DMRS in each consecutive or adjacent time slot with the same MCS, the same TDD or FDD duplex scheme, in consecutive time domain resources, or with the same transmit power.

[0105] Figure 9 This is a flowchart 900 of a wireless communication method. The method can be performed by a base station (e.g., base station 102 / 180, 310, 704; device 1102). Optional aspects are illustrated with dashed lines. The method allows the base station to configure a UE (e.g., UE 104, 350, 702) to perform DMRS bundling during PUCCH repetitions, enabling the base station to jointly process the received DMRS (e.g., perform joint channel estimation).

[0106] At point 902, the base station can receive from the UE an indication of repeated DMRS bundle support for uplink control channel transmissions. For example, 902 can be performed by support component 1140. For example, refer to... Figure 7 UE 702 can send a capability information message 706 to base station 704, which instructs the UE to support the capability of PUCCH DMRS bundling for PUCCH repetition. For example, UE 702 can inform base station 704 that the UE can maintain power consistency and phase continuity between DMRSs within a DMRS bundling window. For instance, the UE can transmit DMRS with the same MCS, the same TDD or FDD duplex scheme, in consecutive time-domain resources, or with the same transmission power in a specified number of time slots carrying repetitive UCIs. Furthermore, the indication of support for repetitive DMRS bundling can be UE-specific or associated with one or more frequency bands. For example, refer to... Figure 7 When UE 702 provides a capability information message 706 that includes an indication of the UE's ability to support PUCCH DMRS bundling for PUCCH repetition, the indication can be UE-specific or frequency band-specific. For example, UE 702 can indicate whether DMRS transmitted from the UE in the PUCCH can be bundled, or whether DMRS in a specific frequency band can be bundled.

[0107] At 904, the base station sends a configuration to the UE instructing the bundling of DMRS in repetitions of uplink control channel transmissions. For example, 904 can be performed by configuration component 1142. For example, refer to... Figure 7 UE 702 can receive DMRS bundling configuration 708 from base station 704. In one example, refer to... Figures 5 to 7, the DMRS bundling configuration 708 can be a configuration that indicates or enables the UE 702 to perform DMRS bundling for joint channel estimation through PUCCH repetition (e.g., repetition of data in PUCCH 506 or 606). The configuration can be sent in the PUCCH configuration, PUCCH format configuration, or PUCCH resource set configuration. For example, referring to Figure 7 , the DMRS bundling configuration 708 can be provided within the PUCCH format configuration (e.g., in PUCCH-FormatConfig), within the PUCCH resource set configuration (e.g., in PUCCH-ResourceSetConfig), within the PUCCH configuration (e.g., PUCCH-Config), or within the DCI 710 sent from the base station to the UE.

[0108] In another example, the configuration can include the start time of the DMRS bundling window and the duration of the DMRS bundling window. For example, referring to Figure 5 and Figure 7 , the DMRS bundling configuration 708 can include the size or duration of the DMRS bundling window 508 and the start time 510 or start slot 502 of the window. The configuration indicates the start time as corresponding to the nth of the repetitions, where 1 ≤ n < N, and where N is the last of the repetitions. For example, referring to Figure 5 and Figure 7 , the DMRS bundling configuration 708 can explicitly indicate that the DMRS bundling window 508 starts from the first physical or first available slot of the first or nth of the repetitions (e.g., repetition 1 of data in PUCCH 506) until the last physical or last available slot of the last of the repetitions N (e.g., repetition K of data in PUCCH 506), where 1 ≤ n < N. The configuration can indicate the duration of the DMRS bundling window as the number of available symbols for the repetition (e.g., excluding downlink symbols) or the number of available slots for the repetition (e.g., excluding downlink slots). For example, referring to Figure 5 and Figure 7The DMRS bundling configuration 708 can define the size or duration of the DMRS bundling window 508 as the number of symbols excluding downlink symbols (e.g., symbols 456, 458, 460), or as the number of time slots excluding downlink time slots (e.g., time slots 452, 502). Alternatively, the configuration can indicate the duration of the DMRS bundling window as the number of repeating physical symbols (e.g., including uplink and downlink symbols), the number of repeating physical time slots (e.g., including uplink and downlink time slots), the number of subframes, the number of frames, or the amount of time. The configuration can be sent in system information, MAC-CE, DCI, or RRC messages. For example, refer to... Figure 7 Base station 704 may indicate DMRS bundling configuration 708 to UE 702 in system information (e.g., in SIB), in MAC-CE, in DCI (e.g., DCI 710), or in RRC messages. Configuration may be in response to a capability information message indicating the supported duration of the DMRS bundling window. For example, when the base station sends a UE capability query message to the UE during initial access or at some other time, the UE may report to the base station in the capability information message that the UE is capable of performing DMRS bundling (maintaining power consistency and phase continuity) over a specified number of slots, symbols, subframes, frames, or time increments, and the base station may explicitly configure the DMRS bundling window based on the UE's capabilities.

[0109] At 906, the base station receives bundled DMRSs within the DMRS bundling window based on configuration. For example, 906 can be performed by the bundled DMRS component 1144. Power coherence can be maintained between bundled DMRSs. Similarly, phase continuity can be maintained between bundled DMRSs. For example, the DMRSs can have the same MCS, the same TDD or FDD scheme, or allocation in consecutive time-domain resources for phase continuity, or the same transmission power for power coherence. For example, refer to... Figures 5 to 7 In response to sending DMRS bundling configuration 708 to UE 702, the base station can receive uplink control information 716 on the PUCCH within repetitions of bundled DMRS (e.g., DMRS 504, 604) within DMRS bundling windows (e.g., DMRS bundling windows 508, 610) (e.g., repetitions of UCI in PUCCH 506, 606). Reference Figure 6 and Figure 7The UE can maintain power consistency and phase continuity between DMRS 504 and 604 in time slots 502 and 602 within the DMRS bundling windows 508 and 610 by transmitting DMRS in each consecutive or adjacent time slot with the same MCS, the same TDD or FDD duplex scheme, in consecutive time domain resources, or with the same transmission power.

[0110] In one example, in response to an RRC message indicating the number of repetitions, the start time of the DMRS bundling window can correspond to the initial time slot (e.g., physical or available) of the initial configuration repetition in the repetition, and the end time of the DMRS bundling window can correspond to the last time slot (e.g., physical or available) of the last configuration repetition in the repetition. For example, refer to... Figure 5 In response to receiving an indicated number of PUCCH repetitions (e.g., via parameter nrOfSlots in the PUCCH format configuration), UE 702 can determine that the DMRS bundling window 508 has a start time 510 corresponding to the initial repetition (repetition 1) and an end time 512 corresponding to the last repetition (repetition K). Therefore, the UE can determine the duration of the DMRS bundling window 508 as K repetitions or slots 502.

[0111] In another example, in response to the DCI indicating the number of repetitions, the bundled DMRS may be received after the time gap between the UE receiving the DCI and the start time of the DMRS bundling window. For example, refer to Figure 6 and Figure 7 At 714, UE702 can determine the time gap (e.g., T+d) between the reception of DCI 608, 710 and the start time of DMRS binding window 610. The time gap can include HARQ feedback timing (e.g., HARQ feedback time 612 or T) and additional time gaps (e.g., additional time gap 614 or d). The additional time gap can be the minimum SCS between the first SCS of the DCI and the second SCS transmitted on the uplink control channel. For example, refer to... Figure 6 and Figure 7 After UE 702 receives DCI 608, 710, UE can determine additional time slot 614 based on the smaller SCS between SCS 616 associated with DCI 608, 710 and SCS 618 associated with time slot 602, which includes PUCCH repetition (e.g., repetition of UCI in PUCCH 606).

[0112] At point 908, the base station can receive an additional time slot from the UE in the capability information message. For example, 908 can be performed by the additional time slot component 1146. For example, refer to... Figure 6 and Figure 7UE 702 can send a capability information message 706 to base station 704, which includes the UE determining additional time intervals 614 to be applied to its PUCCH repetition.

[0113] Finally, at 910, the base station processes the bundled DMRS. For example, 910 can be performed by processing component 1148. For example, refer to... Figure 7 Once base station 704 receives the bundled DMRS, at 718, the base station can process the bundled DMRS (e.g., perform joint channel estimation based on the bundled DMRS). For example, refer to... Figure 6 and Figure 7 The base station can perform joint channel estimation by identifying the average RSRP of DMRS 504 and 604 in time slots 502 and 602 within the DMRS bundling windows 508 and 610 and determining the CQI associated with the channel based on the identified average RSRP.

[0114] Figure 10Figure 1000 illustrates an example of a hardware implementation of device 1002. Device 1002 is a UE and includes a cellular baseband processor 1004 (also referred to as a modem) coupled to a cellular RF transceiver 1022 and one or more Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) cards 1020, an application processor 1006 coupled to a Secure Digital Card (SD) card 1008 and a screen 1010, a Bluetooth module 1012, a Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) module 1014, a Global Positioning System (GPS) module 1016, and a power supply 1018. The cellular baseband processor 1004 communicates with the UE 104 and / or BS 102 / 180 via the cellular RF transceiver 1022. The cellular baseband processor 1004 may include computer-readable media / memory. The computer-readable media / memory may be non-transitory. The cellular baseband processor 1004 is responsible for general processing, including executing software stored on the computer-readable media / memory. When executed by the cellular baseband processor 1004, the software causes the cellular baseband processor 1004 to perform the various functions described above. The computer-readable medium / memory can also be used to store data manipulated by the cellular baseband processor 1004 during software execution. The cellular baseband processor 1004 further includes a receiving component 1030, a communication manager 1032, and a transmitting component 1034. The communication manager 1032 includes one or more of the components shown. The components within the communication manager 1032 can be stored in a computer-readable medium / memory and / or configured as hardware within the cellular baseband processor 1004. The cellular baseband processor 1004 can be a component of the UE 350 and can include a memory 360 and / or at least one of a TX processor 368, an RX processor 356, and a controller / processor 359. In one configuration, the device 1002 can be a modem chip and includes only the baseband processor 1004, while in another configuration, the device 1002 can be the entire UE (e.g., see...). Figure 3 (350), and includes the aforementioned additional module of device 1002.

[0115] Communication manager 1032 includes a support component 1040 configured to report to the base station an indication of support for repeated DMRS bundling in uplink control channel transmissions, for example, as described in conjunction with 802. Communication manager 1032 further includes a configuration component 1042 configured to receive from the base station a configuration indicating DMRS bundling in repeated uplink control channel transmissions, for example, as described in conjunction with 804. Communication manager 1032 further includes a bundling window component 1044 receiving input in the form of a configuration from configuration component 1042 and configured to determine a DMRS bundling window based on the configuration, for example, as described in conjunction with 806. For example, the bundling window component may be configured to determine the start time of the DMRS bundling window as the initial timeslot corresponding to the initial configuration repeated in the repeateds when the number of repeateds is indicated in the RRC message, and to determine the end time of the DMRS bundling window as the last timeslot corresponding to the last configuration repeated in the repeateds, for example, as described in conjunction with 808. The communication manager 1032 further includes a time-slot component 1046, which receives input in the form of a configuration from the configuration component 1042 and is configured to determine a time slot between the reception of the DCI and the start time of the DMRS bundling window when the number of repetitions is indicated in the DCI. The time slot includes HARQ feedback timing and additional time slots, for example, as described in conjunction with 810. The communication manager 1032 further includes a capability information component 1048, which receives input in the form of a time slot from the time-slot component 1046 and is configured to report additional time slots to the base station in a capability information message, for example, as described in conjunction with 812. The communication manager 1032 further includes a bundled DMRS component 1050, which receives input in the form of a DMRS bundling window from the bundling window component 1044 and is configured to transmit bundled DMRS within the DMRS bundling window, for example, as described in conjunction with 814. The bundled DMRS component 1050 can be further configured to maintain power consistency between the bundled DMRS, for example, as described in conjunction with 811, and to maintain phase continuity between the bundled DMRS, for example, as described in conjunction with 813.

[0116] The apparatus may include execution Figure 8 The additional components of each block of the algorithm in the aforementioned flowchart. Thus, Figure 8Each block in the aforementioned flowchart can be executed by a component, and the apparatus can include one or more of these components. A component can be one or more hardware components specifically configured to execute the process / algorithm, implemented by a processor configured to execute the process / algorithm, stored in a computer-readable medium for implementation by a processor, or some combination thereof.

[0117] In one configuration, apparatus 1002, particularly cellular baseband processor 1004, includes: components for receiving from a base station a configuration indicating the bundling of DMRS in repetitions transmitted on the uplink control channel; components for determining a DMRS bundling window based on the configuration; and components for transmitting the bundled DMRS within the DMRS bundling window.

[0118] In one configuration, the device 1002, particularly the cellular baseband processor 1004, further includes components for reporting to the base station an indication of support for repeated DMRS bundling.

[0119] In one configuration, the component used for determination may be further configured to determine the start time of the DMRS bundling window as the initial timeslot corresponding to the initial configuration repetition in the repetition, and to determine the end time of the DMRS bundling window as the last timeslot corresponding to the last configuration repetition in the repetition, when the number of repetitions is indicated in the RRC message.

[0120] In one configuration, the component used for determination may be further configured to determine the time gap between the reception of the DCI and the start time of the DMRS bundling window when the number of repetitions is indicated in the DCI, wherein the time gap includes HARQ feedback timing and an additional time gap.

[0121] In one configuration, device 1002, particularly cellular baseband processor 1004, may include components for reporting additional time gaps to a base station in a capability information message.

[0122] In one configuration, device 1002, particularly cellular baseband processor 1004, may include components for maintaining power consistency between bundled DMRSs and components for maintaining phase continuity between bundled DMRSs.

[0123] The aforementioned components may be one or more of the aforementioned components of the device 1002 configured to perform the functions listed above. As described above, the device 1002 may include a TX processor 368, an RX processor 356, and a controller / processor 359. Thus, in one configuration, the aforementioned components may be the TX processor 368, the RX processor 356, and the controller / processor 359 configured to perform the functions listed above.

[0124] Figure 11 Figure 1100 illustrates an example of a hardware implementation of device 1102. Device 1102 is a BS and includes a baseband unit 1104. Baseband unit 1104 can communicate with UE 104 via a cellular RF transceiver. Baseband unit 1104 may include computer-readable medium / memory. Baseband unit 1104 is responsible for general processing, including executing software stored on the computer-readable medium / memory. When executed by baseband unit 1104, the software causes baseband unit 1104 to perform the various functions described above. The computer-readable medium / memory can also be used to store data manipulated by baseband unit 1104 when executing the software. Baseband unit 1104 further includes a receiving component 1130, a communication manager 1132, and a transmitting component 1134. Communication manager 1132 includes one or more of the components shown. Components within communication manager 1132 may be stored in computer-readable medium / memory and / or configured as hardware within baseband unit 1104. The baseband unit 1104 may be a component of the BS 310 and may include at least one of the memory 376 and / or the TX processor 316, the RX processor 370 and the controller / processor 375.

[0125] Communication manager 1132 includes a support component 1140 configured to receive from the UE an indication of support for repeated DMRS bundling in uplink control channel transmissions, for example, as described in conjunction with 902. Communication manager 1132 includes a configuration component 1142 configured to send to the UE a configuration indicating the bundling of DMRS in repeated uplink control channel transmissions, for example, as described in conjunction with 904. Communication manager 1132 further includes a bundled DMRS component 1144, which receives input in the form of a configuration from configuration component 1142 and is configured to receive bundled DMRS in a DMRS bundling window based on the configuration, for example, as described in conjunction with 906. Communication manager 1132 further includes an additional time slot component 1146 configured to receive additional time slots from the UE in a capability information message, for example, as described in conjunction with 908. The communication manager 1132 further includes a processing component 1148 that receives input in the form of a bundled DMRS from the bundled DMRS component 1144 and is configured to process the bundled DMRS, for example, as described in conjunction with 910.

[0126] The apparatus may include execution Figure 9 The additional components of each block of the algorithm in the aforementioned flowchart. Thus, Figure 9Each block in the aforementioned flowchart can be executed by a component, and the apparatus can include one or more of these components. A component can be one or more hardware components specifically configured to execute the process / algorithm, implemented by a processor configured to execute the process / algorithm, stored in a computer-readable medium for implementation by a processor, or some combination thereof.

[0127] In one configuration, apparatus 1102, particularly baseband unit 1104, includes components for transmitting to the UE a configuration indicating that DMRS are bundled in repetitions of uplink control channel transmission; components for receiving bundled DMRS in a DMRS bundling window based on the configuration; and components for processing the bundled DMRS.

[0128] In one configuration, the receiving component can be further configured to receive from the UE an indication of support for repeated DMRS bundles.

[0129] In one configuration, the receiving component can be further configured to receive additional time gaps from the UE in a capability information message.

[0130] The aforementioned components may be one or more of the aforementioned components of device 1102 configured to perform the functions listed above. As described above, device 1102 may include TX processor 316, RX processor 370, and controller / processor 375. Thus, in one configuration, the aforementioned components may be TX processor 316, RX processor 370, and controller / processor 375 configured to perform the functions listed above.

[0131] It should be understood that the specific order or hierarchy of boxes in the disclosed process / flowchart is illustrative of the exemplary method. Based on design preferences, it should be understood that the specific order or hierarchy of boxes in the process / flowchart can be rearranged. Furthermore, some boxes can be combined or omitted. The appended method claims present the elements of various boxes in an exemplary order and are not intended to limit one to the specific order or hierarchy presented.

[0132] The foregoing description is provided to enable those skilled in the art to practice the various aspects described herein. Various modifications to these aspects will readily be apparent to those skilled in the art, and the general principles defined herein may be applied to other aspects. Therefore, the claims are not intended to be limited to the aspects shown herein, but should be given the full scope consistent with the language of the claims, wherein, unless specifically stated otherwise, references to elements in the singular form do not mean “one and only one,” but rather “one or more.” Terms such as “if,” “when,” and “at,” should be interpreted as “under the condition of,” rather than implying a direct temporal relationship or reaction. That is, these phrases, such as “when,” do not imply an immediate action in response to the occurrence of an action or during the occurrence of an action, but simply imply that an action will occur if the condition is met, without requiring a specific or immediate temporal constraint on the occurrence of the action. The word “exemplary” is used herein to mean “serving as an example, instance, or illustration.” Any aspect described herein as “exemplary” is not necessarily to be construed as more preferred or advantageous than other aspects. Unless specifically stated otherwise, the term “some” means one or more. Combinations such as "at least one of A, B, or C", "one or more of A, B, or C", "at least one of A, B, and C", "one or more of A, B, and C", and "A, B, C, or any combination thereof" include any combination of A, B, and / or C, and may include multiples of A, multiples of B, or multiples of C. Specifically, combinations such as "at least one of A, B, or C", "one or more of A, B, or C", "at least one of A, B, and C", "one or more of A, B, and C", and "A, B, C, or any combination thereof" may be only A, only B, only C, A and B, A and C, B and C, or A and B and C, wherein any such combination may include one or more members of A, B, or C. All structural and functional equivalents of elements throughout the various aspects described in this disclosure that are known to or will be known thereafter by those skilled in the art are expressly incorporated herein by reference and are intended to be covered by the claims. Furthermore, nothing disclosed herein is intended to be offered to the public, whether or not such disclosure is expressly stated in the claims. The terms “module,” “mechanism,” “component,” and “equipment” cannot replace the term “part.” Therefore, unless the phrase “part for…” is used to explicitly state the component, no claim can assert that a component is interpreted as a part plus a function.

[0133] The following examples are merely illustrative and may be combined with other embodiments or aspects of the teachings described herein, without limitation.

[0134] Example 1 is a method for wireless communication at a user equipment (UE), comprising: receiving from a base station a configuration indicating the bundling of demodulation reference signals (DMRS) in repetitions transmitted on an uplink control channel; determining a DMRS bundling window based on the configuration; and transmitting the bundled DMRS within the DMRS bundling window.

[0135] Example 2 is the method of Example 1, wherein the configuration is received in the Physical Uplink Control Channel (PUCCH) configuration, PUCCH format configuration, or PUCCH resource set configuration.

[0136] Example 3 is a method of Example 1 or 2, further including: reporting to the base station an indication of support for repeated DMRS bundling.

[0137] Example 4 is the method of Example 3, wherein the indication is UE-specific or associated with one or more frequency bands.

[0138] Example 5 is a method of any one of Examples 1 to 4, wherein determining includes: in response to the number of repetitions indicated in the Radio Resource Control (RRC) message, determining the start time of the DMRS bundling window as the initial timeslot corresponding to the initial configuration repetition in the repetition, and determining the end time of the DMRS bundling window as the last timeslot corresponding to the last configuration repetition in the repetition.

[0139] Example 6 is a method of any one of Examples 1 to 4, further comprising: in response to the number of repetitions being indicated in the downlink control information (DCI), determining a time gap between the reception of the DCI and the start time of the DMRS bundling window, wherein the time gap includes Hybrid Automatic Repeat Request (HARQ) feedback timing and an additional time gap.

[0140] Example 7 is the method of Example 6, wherein the additional time slot is based on the minimum subcarrier spacing (SCS) between the first SCS of the DCI and the second SCS transmitted on the uplink control channel.

[0141] Example 8 is a method of Example 6 or 7, further including: reporting additional time gaps to the base station in a capability information message.

[0142] Example 9 is a method of any of Examples 1 through 8, wherein the configuration includes the start time of the DMRS bundle window and the duration of the DMRS bundle window.

[0143] Example 10 is the method of Example 9, wherein the configuration indicates the start time as corresponding to the nth in the repetition, where 1 ≤ n < N, and where N is the last in the repetition.

[0144] Example 11 is a method of Example 9 or 10, wherein the configuration indicates the duration of the DMRS bundle window as the number of available symbols for repetition or the number of available time slots for repetition.

[0145] Example 12 is a method of any of Examples 1 to 11, wherein the configuration is received in system information, media access control (MAC) control element (MAC-CE), downlink control information (DCI), or radio resource control (RRC) messages.

[0146] Example 13 is an apparatus for wireless communication, comprising: a processor; a memory coupled to the processor; and instructions stored in the memory and, when executed by the processor, operable to cause the apparatus to: receive from a base station an indication of a configuration for bundling demodulation reference signals (DMRS) in repetitions transmitted on an uplink control channel; determine a DMRS bundling window based on the configuration; and transmit the bundled DMRS within the DMRS bundling window.

[0147] Example 14 is an apparatus of Example 13, wherein the configuration is received in a Physical Uplink Control Channel (PUCCH) configuration, a PUCCH format configuration, or a PUCCH resource set configuration.

[0148] Example 15 is an apparatus of Example 13 or 14, wherein, when executed by the processor, the instructions further cause the apparatus to: report to the base station an indication of support for repeated DMRS bundling.

[0149] Example 16 is an apparatus of Example 15, wherein the indication is UE-specific or associated with one or more frequency bands.

[0150] Example 17 is an apparatus of any one of Examples 13 to 16, wherein, when executed by the processor, the instructions further cause the apparatus to: determine the start time of the DMRS bundling window to correspond to the initial timeslot of the initial configuration repeat in the repeat, in response to the number of repeats indicated in the Radio Resource Control (RRC) message, and determine the end time of the DMRS bundling window to correspond to the last timeslot of the last configuration repeat in the repeat.

[0151] Example 18 is an apparatus of any one of Examples 13 to 16, wherein, when executed by the processor, the instructions further cause the apparatus to: determine a time gap between the reception of the DCI and the start time of the DMRS bundling window in response to the number of repetitions being indicated in the downlink control information (DCI), wherein the time gap includes hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ) feedback timing and additional time gaps.

[0152] Example 19 is an apparatus of Example 18, wherein the additional time slot is based on the minimum subcarrier spacing (SCS) between the first SCS of the DCI and the second SCS transmitted on the uplink control channel.

[0153] Example 20 is an apparatus of Example 18 or 19, wherein, when executed by the processor, the instructions further cause the apparatus to: report additional time slots to the base station in a capability information message.

[0154] Example 21 is an apparatus of any one of Examples 13 to 20, wherein the configuration includes the start time of the DMRS bundling window and the duration of the DMRS bundling window.

[0155] Example 22 is an apparatus of Example 21, wherein the configuration indicates the start time as corresponding to the nth in a repetition, where 1 ≤ n < N, and where N is the last in the repetition.

[0156] Example 23 is an apparatus of Example 21 or 22, wherein the configuration indicates the duration of the DMRS bundling window as the number of available symbols for repetition or the number of available time slots for repetition.

[0157] Example 24 is an apparatus of any one of Examples 13 to 23, wherein the configuration is received in system information, media access control (MAC) control element (MAC-CE), downlink control information (DCI), or radio resource control (RRC) messages.

[0158] Example 25 is an apparatus for wireless communication, comprising: components for receiving from a base station a configuration indicating the bundling of demodulation reference signals (DMRS) in repetitions transmitted on an uplink control channel; components for determining a DMRS bundling window based on the configuration; and components for transmitting the bundled DMRS within the DMRS bundling window.

[0159] Example 26 is an apparatus of Example 25, wherein the configuration is received in a Physical Uplink Control Channel (PUCCH) configuration, a PUCCH format configuration, or a PUCCH resource set configuration.

[0160] Example 27 is an apparatus of Example 25 or 26, further comprising: a component for reporting to a base station an indication of support for repeated DMRS bundling.

[0161] Example 28 is an apparatus of Example 27, wherein the indication is UE-specific or associated with one or more frequency bands.

[0162] Example 29 is an apparatus of any one of Examples 25 to 28, wherein the component for determining is further configured to, in response to the number of repetitions indicated in the Radio Resource Control (RRC) message, determine the start time of the DMRS bundling window as the initial timeslot corresponding to the initial configuration repetition in the repetition, and determine the end time of the DMRS bundling window as the last timeslot corresponding to the last configuration repetition in the repetition.

[0163] Example 30 is an apparatus of any one of Examples 25 to 28, wherein the component for determining is further configured to determine a time gap between the reception of the DCI and the start time of the DMRS bundling window in response to the number of repetitions being indicated in the downlink control information (DCI), wherein the time gap includes hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ) feedback timing and additional time gaps.

[0164] Example 31 is an apparatus of Example 30, wherein the additional time slot is based on the minimum subcarrier spacing (SCS) between the first SCS of the DCI and the second SCS transmitted on the uplink control channel.

[0165] Example 32 is an apparatus of Example 30 or 31, further comprising: a component for reporting additional time gaps to a base station in a capability information message.

[0166] Example 33 is an apparatus of any one of Examples 25 to 32, wherein the configuration includes the start time of the DMRS bundling window and the duration of the DMRS bundling window.

[0167] Example 34 is an apparatus of Example 33, wherein the configuration indicates the start time as corresponding to the nth in a repetition, where 1 ≤ n < N, and where N is the last in a repetition.

[0168] Example 35 is an apparatus of Example 33 or 34, wherein the configuration indicates the duration of the DMRS bundling window as the number of available symbols for repetition or the number of available time slots for repetition.

[0169] Example 36 is an apparatus of any one of Examples 25 to 35, wherein the configuration is received in system information, media access control (MAC) control element (MAC-CE), downlink control information (DCI), or radio resource control (RRC) messages.

[0170] Example 37 is a computer-readable medium storing computer-executable code that, when executed by a processor, causes the processor to: receive from a base station an indication of a configuration for bundling demodulation reference signals (DMRS) in repetitions transmitted on an uplink control channel; determine a DMRS bundling window based on the configuration; and transmit the bundled DMRS within the DMRS bundling window.

[0171] Example 38 is a method for wireless communication at a base station, comprising: sending to a user equipment (UE) a configuration indicating that a demodulation reference signal (DMRS) is bundled in a repetition of transmission on an uplink control channel; receiving the bundled DMRS in a DMRS bundling window based on the configuration; and processing the bundled DMRS.

[0172] Example 39 is the method of Example 38, wherein the configuration is sent in the Physical Uplink Control Channel (PUCCH) configuration, PUCCH format configuration, or PUCCH resource set configuration.

[0173] Example 40 is a method of Example 38 or 39, further comprising: receiving from the UE an indication of support for repeated DMRS bundling.

[0174] Example 41 is a method of Example 40, wherein the indication is UE-specific or associated with one or more frequency bands.

[0175] Example 42 is a method of any of Examples 38 to 41, wherein, in response to the number of repetitions indicated in the Radio Resource Control (RRC) message, the start time of the DMRS bundling window corresponds to the initial timeslot of the initial configuration repetition in the repetition, and the end time of the DMRS bundling window corresponds to the last timeslot of the last configuration repetition in the repetition.

[0176] Example 43 is a method of any of Examples 38 to 41, wherein the number of repetitions is indicated in the downlink control information (DCI), and the bundled DMRS is received after a time gap between the UE reception of the DCI and the start time of the DMRS bundling window, wherein the time gap includes the Hybrid Automatic Repeat Request (HARQ) feedback timing and an additional time gap.

[0177] Example 44 is the method of Example 43, wherein the additional time slot is based on the minimum subcarrier spacing (SCS) between the first SCS of the DCI and the second SCS transmitted on the uplink control channel.

[0178] Example 45 is a method of Example 43 or 44, further comprising: receiving an additional time gap from the UE in a capability information message.

[0179] Example 46 is a method of any of Examples 38 to 45, wherein the configuration includes the start time of the DMRS bundle window and the duration of the DMRS bundle window.

[0180] Example 47 is a method of Example 46, wherein the configuration indicates the start time as corresponding to the nth in the repetition, where 1 ≤ n < N, and where N is the last in the repetition.

[0181] Example 48 is a method of Example 46 or 47, wherein the configuration indicates the duration of the DMRS bundle window as the number of available symbols for repetition or the number of available time slots for repetition.

[0182] Example 49 is a method of any of Examples 38 to 48, wherein the configuration is sent in a system information, media access control (MAC) control element (MAC-CE), downlink control information (DCI), or radio resource control (RRC) message.

[0183] Example 50 is an apparatus for wireless communication, comprising: a processor; a memory coupled to the processor; and instructions stored in the memory and, when executed by the processor, operable to cause the apparatus to: transmit to a user equipment (UE) a configuration indicating the bundling of demodulation reference signals (DMRS) in repetitions of uplink control channel transmission; receive the bundled DMRS in a DMRS bundling window based on the configuration; and process the bundled DMRS.

[0184] Example 51 is an apparatus of Example 50, wherein the configuration is transmitted in a Physical Uplink Control Channel (PUCCH) configuration, a PUCCH format configuration, or a PUCCH resource set configuration.

[0185] Example 52 is an apparatus of Example 50 or 51, wherein, when executed by the processor, the instructions further cause the apparatus to: receive from the UE an indication of support for repeated DMRS bundling.

[0186] Example 53 is an apparatus of Example 52, wherein the indication is UE-specific or associated with one or more frequency bands.

[0187] Example 54 is an apparatus of any one of Examples 50 to 53, wherein, in response to the number of repetitions indicated in the Radio Resource Control (RRC) message, the start time of the DMRS bundling window corresponds to the initial timeslot of the initial configuration repetition in the repetition, and the end time of the DMRS bundling window corresponds to the last timeslot of the last configuration repetition in the repetition.

[0188] Example 55 is an apparatus of any one of Examples 50 to 53, wherein the number of repetitions is indicated in the downlink control information (DCI), and the bundled DMRS is received after a time gap between the UE reception of the DCI and the start time of the DMRS bundling window, wherein the time gap includes Hybrid Automatic Repeat Request (HARQ) feedback timing and an additional time gap.

[0189] Example 56 is an apparatus of Example 55, wherein the additional time slot is based on the minimum subcarrier spacing (SCS) between the first SCS of the DCI and the second SCS transmitted on the uplink control channel.

[0190] Example 57 is an apparatus of Example 55 or 56, wherein, when executed by the processor, the instructions further cause the apparatus to: receive an additional time gap from the UE in a capability information message.

[0191] Example 58 is an apparatus of any one of Examples 50 to 57, wherein the configuration includes the start time of the DMRS bundling window and the duration of the DMRS bundling window.

[0192] Example 59 is an apparatus of Example 58, wherein the configuration indicates the start time as corresponding to the nth in a repetition, where 1 ≤ n < N, and where N is the last in a repetition.

[0193] Example 60 is an apparatus of Example 58 or 59, wherein the configuration indicates the duration of the DMRS bundling window as the number of available symbols for repetition or the number of available time slots for repetition.

[0194] Example 61 is an apparatus of any one of Examples 50 to 60, wherein the configuration is transmitted in system information, media access control (MAC) control element (MAC-CE), downlink control information (DCI), or radio resource control (RRC) messages.

[0195] Example 62 is an apparatus for wireless communication, comprising: components for transmitting to a user equipment (UE) a configuration indicating a bundled demodulation reference signal (DMRS) in a repetition transmitted on an uplink control channel; components for receiving the bundled DMRS in a DMRS bundling window based on the configuration; and components for processing the bundled DMRS.

[0196] Example 63 is an apparatus of Example 62, wherein the configuration is transmitted in a Physical Uplink Control Channel (PUCCH) configuration, a PUCCH format configuration, or a PUCCH resource set configuration.

[0197] Example 64 is an apparatus of Example 62 or 63, wherein the receiving component is further configured to receive an indication of support for repeated DMRS bundling to the base station.

[0198] Example 65 is an apparatus of Example 64, wherein the indication is UE-specific or associated with one or more frequency bands.

[0199] Example 66 is an apparatus of any one of Examples 62 to 65, wherein, in response to the number of repetitions indicated in the Radio Resource Control (RRC) message, the start time of the DMRS bundling window corresponds to the initial timeslot of the initial configuration repetition in the repetition, and the end time of the DMRS bundling window corresponds to the last timeslot of the last configuration repetition in the repetition.

[0200] Example 67 is an apparatus of any of Examples 62 to 65, wherein the number of repetitions is indicated in the downlink control information (DCI), and the bundled DMRS is received after a time gap between the UE reception of the DCI and the start time of the DMRS bundling window, wherein the time gap includes Hybrid Automatic Repeat Request (HARQ) feedback timing and an additional time gap.

[0201] Example 68 is an apparatus of Example 67, wherein the additional time slot is based on the minimum subcarrier spacing (SCS) between the first SCS of the DCI and the second SCS transmitted on the uplink control channel.

[0202] Example 69 is an apparatus of Example 67 or 68, wherein the receiving component is further configured to receive an additional time gap from the UE in a capability information message.

[0203] Example 70 is an apparatus of any one of Examples 62 to 69, wherein the configuration includes the start time of the DMRS bundling window and the duration of the DMRS bundling window.

[0204] Example 71 is an apparatus of Example 70, wherein the configuration indicates the start time as corresponding to the nth in a repetition, where 1 ≤ n < N, and where N is the last in the repetition.

[0205] Example 72 is an apparatus of Example 70 or 71, wherein the configuration indicates the duration of the DMRS bundling window as the number of available symbols for repetition or the number of available time slots for repetition.

[0206] Example 73 is an apparatus of any one of Examples 62 to 72, wherein the configuration is transmitted in system information, media access control (MAC) control element (MAC-CE), downlink control information (DCI), or radio resource control (RRC) messages.

[0207] Example 74 is a computer-readable medium storing computer-executable code that, when executed by a processor, causes the processor to: send to a user equipment (UE) a configuration indicating the bundling of demodulation reference signals (DMRS) in repetitions transmitted on the uplink control channel; receive the bundled DMRS in a DMRS bundling window based on the configuration; and process the bundled DMRS.

[0208] Example 75 is a method of Examples 1 to 12, wherein the configuration indicates the duration of the DMRS bundle window as the number of physical symbols used for repetition, the number of physical time slots used for repetition, the number of subframes, the number of frames, or the amount of time.

[0209] Example 76 is a method of any of Examples 1 to 12 or 75, wherein configuration is received in response to a capability information message indicating the duration of support for the DMRS bundle window.

[0210] Example 77 is a method of any one of Examples 1 to 15, 75 or 76, further comprising maintaining power consistency between bundled DMRSs and maintaining phase continuity between bundled DMRSs, wherein the bundled DMRSs include DMRSs having the same modulation and coding scheme (MCS), the same time division duplex (TDD) or frequency division duplex (FDD) scheme, allocation in continuous time domain resources or the same transmission power.

[0211] Example 78 is an apparatus of any of Examples 13 to 24, wherein the configuration indicates the duration of the DMRS bundling window as the number of physical symbols used for repetition, the number of physical time slots used for repetition, the number of subframes, the number of frames, or the amount of time.

[0212] Example 79 is an apparatus of any one of Examples 13 to 24 or 78, wherein configuration is received in response to a capability information message indicating the duration of support for the DMRS bundle window.

[0213] Example 80 is an apparatus of any one of Examples 13 to 24, 78 or 79, wherein the instructions, when executed by the processor, further enable the apparatus to maintain power consistency between bundled DMRSs and to maintain phase continuity between bundled DMRSs, wherein the bundled DMRSs include DMRSs having the same modulation and coding scheme (MCS), the same time division duplex (TDD) or frequency division duplex (FDD) scheme, allocation in continuous time domain resources or the same transmission power.

[0214] Example 81 is an apparatus of any of Examples 25 to 36, wherein the configuration indicates the duration of the DMRS bundling window as the number of physical symbols used for repetition, the number of physical time slots used for repetition, the number of subframes, the number of frames, or the amount of time.

[0215] Example 82 is an apparatus of any one of Examples 25 to 36 or 81, wherein configuration is received in response to a capability information message indicating the support duration of the DMRS bundling window.

[0216] Example 83 is an apparatus of any one of Examples 25 to 36, 81 or 82, further including components for maintaining power consistency between bundled DMRSs and for maintaining phase continuity between bundled DMRSs, wherein the bundled DMRSs include DMRSs having the same modulation and coding scheme (MCS), the same time division duplex (TDD) or frequency division duplex (FDD) scheme, allocation in continuous time domain resources or the same transmission power.

[0217] Example 84 is a method of Examples 38 to 49, wherein the configuration indicates the duration of the DMRS bundle window as the number of physical symbols used for repetition, the number of physical time slots used for repetition, the number of subframes, the number of frames, or the amount of time.

[0218] Example 85 is a method of any of Examples 38 to 49 or 84, wherein configuration is received in response to a capability information message indicating the duration of support for the DMRS bundle window.

[0219] Example 86 is a method of any one of Examples 38 to 49, 84 or 85, wherein power coherence is maintained between bundled DMRSs and phase continuity is maintained between bundled DMRSs, wherein the bundled DMRSs include DMRSs having the same modulation and coding scheme (MCS), the same time division duplex (TDD) or frequency division duplex (FDD) scheme, allocation in continuous time domain resources or the same transmission power.

[0220] Example 87 is an apparatus of any of Examples 50 to 61, wherein the configuration indicates the duration of the DMRS bundling window as the number of physical symbols used for repetition, the number of physical time slots used for repetition, the number of subframes, the number of frames, or the amount of time.

[0221] Example 88 is an apparatus of any one of Examples 50 to 61 or 87, wherein configuration is received in response to a capability information message indicating the duration of support for the DMRS bundle window.

[0222] Example 89 is an apparatus of any one of Examples 50 to 61, 87 or 88, wherein power coherence is maintained between bundled DMRSs and phase continuity is maintained between bundled DMRSs, wherein the bundled DMRSs include DMRSs having the same modulation and coding scheme (MCS), the same time division duplex (TDD) or frequency division duplex (FDD) scheme, allocation in continuous time domain resources or the same transmission power.

[0223] Example 90 is an apparatus of any of Examples 62 to 73, wherein the configuration indicates the duration of the DMRS bundling window as the number of physical symbols used for repetition, the number of physical time slots used for repetition, the number of subframes, the number of frames, or the amount of time.

[0224] Example 91 is an apparatus of any one of Examples 62 to 73 or 90, wherein configuration is received in response to a capability information message indicating the duration of support for the DMRS bundle window.

[0225] Example 92 is an apparatus of any one of Examples 62 to 73, 90 or 91, wherein power coherence is maintained between bundled DMRSs and phase continuity is maintained between bundled DMRSs, wherein the bundled DMRSs include DMRSs having the same modulation and coding scheme (MCS), the same time division duplex (TDD) or frequency division duplex (FDD) scheme, allocation in continuous time domain resources or the same transmission power.

Claims

1. A method for wireless communication at a user equipment (UE), comprising: The configuration of receiving instructions from the base station to bundle demodulation reference signals (DMRS) in repetitions transmitted in the uplink control channel; The DMRS bundling window is determined based on the configuration; and Sending the bundled DMRS in the DMRS bundling window, wherein the method further includes: Maintain power consistency between the bundled DMRS; and Maintain phase continuity between the bundled DMRS.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein, The configuration is received in the Physical Uplink Control Channel (PUCCH) configuration, PUCCH format configuration, or PUCCH resource set configuration.

3. The method according to claim 1, further comprising: Report to the base station an indication of support for the repeated DMRS bundles.

4. The method according to claim 3, wherein, The indication is UE-specific or associated with one or more frequency bands.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein, The determination includes: In response to receiving a Radio Resource Control (RRC) message indicating the number of repetitions, the start time of the DMRS bundling window is determined to be the initial time slot corresponding to the initial configuration repetition in the repetitions, and the end time of the DMRS bundling window is determined to be the last time slot corresponding to the last configuration repetition in the repetitions.

6. The method according to claim 1, wherein, The configuration includes the start time and duration of the DMRS bundling window.

7. The method according to claim 6, wherein, The configuration indicates the start time as corresponding to the nth repetition, where 1 ≤ n < N, and where N is the last repetition.

8. The method according to claim 6, wherein, The configuration indicates the duration of the DMRS bundle window as the number of available symbols for the repeat or the number of available time slots for the repeat.

9. The method according to claim 6, wherein, The configuration indicates the duration of the DMRS bundling window as the number of physical symbols used for the repetition or the number of physical time slots used for the repetition.

10. The method according to claim 6, wherein, The configuration is received in system information or radio resource control (RRC) messages.

11. The method of claim 1, further comprising: In response to receiving a downlink control information (DCI) indicating the number of repetitions, a time gap is determined between the reception of the DCI and the start time of the DMRS bundling window, wherein the time gap includes Hybrid Automatic Repeat Request (HARQ) feedback timing and an additional time gap.

12. The method according to claim 11, wherein, The additional time gap is based on the minimum subcarrier spacing (SCS) between the first SCS of the DCI and the second SCS transmitted on the uplink control channel.

13. The method of claim 11, further comprising: The additional time gap is reported to the base station in the capability information message.

14. An apparatus for wireless communication, comprising: processor; Memory, coupled to the processor; as well as Instructions, stored in the memory and operable when executed by the processor, cause the device to perform the following operations: The configuration of receiving instructions from the base station to bundle demodulation reference signals (DMRS) in repetitions transmitted in the uplink control channel; The DMRS bundling window is determined based on the configuration; and The bundled DMRS is sent within the DMRS bundling window, wherein, when executed by the processor, the instructions further cause the device to perform the following operations: Maintain power consistency between the bundled DMRS; and Maintain phase continuity between the bundled DMRS.

15. A method for wireless communication at a base station, comprising: Send to the user equipment (UE) an instruction to configure the bundling of demodulation reference signals (DMRS) in the repetitions of uplink control channel transmission; Based on the configuration, receive the bundled DMRS in the DMRS bundling window; and Process the bundled DMRS, Power consistency is maintained among the bundled DMRSs, and phase continuity is maintained among the bundled DMRSs.

16. The method according to claim 15, wherein, The configuration is sent in the Physical Uplink Control Channel (PUCCH) configuration, PUCCH format configuration, or PUCCH resource set configuration.

17. The method of claim 15, further comprising: Receive an indication from the UE to support the repeated DMRS bundles.

18. The method according to claim 17, wherein, The indication is UE-specific or associated with one or more frequency bands.

19. The method according to claim 15, wherein, In response to a Radio Resource Control (RRC) message indicating the number of repetitions, the start time of the DMRS bundling window corresponds to the initial time slot of the initial configuration repetition in the repetition, and the end time of the DMRS bundling window corresponds to the last time slot of the last configuration repetition in the repetition.

20. The method of claim 15, wherein, The configuration includes the start time and duration of the DMRS bundling window.

21. The method according to claim 20, wherein, The configuration indicates the start time as corresponding to the nth repetition, where 1 ≤ n < N, and where N is the last repetition.

22. The method according to claim 20, wherein, The configuration indicates the duration of the DMRS bundle window as the number of available symbols for the repeat or the number of available time slots for the repeat.

23. The method of claim 20, wherein, The configuration indicates the duration of the DMRS bundling window as the number of physical symbols used for the repetition or the number of physical time slots used for the repetition.

24. The method of claim 20, wherein, The configuration is sent in a system information or radio resource control (RRC) message.

25. The method according to claim 15, wherein, In response to a downlink control information (DCI) indicating the number of repetitions, the bundled DMRS is received after a time gap between the UE receiving the DCI and the start time of the DMRS bundling window, wherein the time gap includes a Hybrid Automatic Repeat Request (HARQ) feedback timing and an additional time gap.

26. An apparatus for wireless communication, comprising: processor; Memory, coupled to the processor; as well as Instructions, stored in the memory and operable when executed by the processor, cause the device to perform the following operations: Send to the user equipment (UE) an instruction to configure the bundling of demodulation reference signals (DMRS) in the repetitions of uplink control channel transmission; Based on the configuration, receive the bundled DMRS in the DMRS bundling window; and Process the bundled DMRS, Power consistency is maintained among the bundled DMRSs, and phase continuity is maintained among the bundled DMRSs.

27. A computer-readable medium storing computer-executable code, which, when executed by a processor, causes the processor to perform the method according to any one of claims 1-13 and 15-25.

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