Modified demodulation reference signal pattern for orthogonal frequency division multiplexing

Abstract

Methods, systems, and devices for wireless communication are described. A user equipment (UE) may receive first control signaling identifying demodulation reference signal (DMRS) patterns that may be uniformly distributed in a time domain and a frequency domain. The DMRS pattern may include a first set of resource elements for a DMRS, a second set of resource elements for protecting tones adjacent to the first set of resource elements and having a higher frequency than the first set of resource elements; and a third set of resource elements for protecting tones adjacent to the first set of resource elements and having a lower frequency than the first set of resource elements. The UE may receive second control signaling that schedules data signals to be communicated between the UE and a network node in a set of time-frequency resources. The UE may communicate the data signal according to the second control signaling and the DMRS according to the DMRS pattern.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This patent application claims the benefit of U.S. patent application No. 17 / 859,369, filed on July 7, 2022 by Patchava et al., entitled “MODIFIED DEMODULATION REFERENCE SIGNAL PATTERNS FORORTHOGONAL FREQUENCY-DIVISION MULTIPLEXING,” which is assigned to the assignee of this application and is expressly incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0002] The present disclosure relates to wireless communications, including modified demodulation reference signal (DMRS) patterns for orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM). Background Art

[0003] Wireless communication systems are widely deployed to provide various types of communication content, such as voice, video, packet data, messaging, broadcast, and the like. These systems may be able to support communication with multiple users by sharing available system resources (e.g., time, frequency, and power). Examples of such multiple access systems include fourth generation (4G) systems (such as long term evolution (LTE) systems, advanced LTE (LTE-A) systems, or LTE-A Pro systems) and fifth generation (5G) systems (which may be referred to as new radio (NR) systems). These systems may employ techniques such as code division multiple access (CDMA), time division multiple access (TDMA), frequency division multiple access (FDMA), orthogonal FDMA (OFDMA), or discrete Fourier transform spread orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (DFT-S-OFDM).

[0004] A wireless multiple access communication system may include one or more network nodes, each of which supports wireless communication of communication devices, which may be referred to as user equipment (UE). In some wireless communication systems, a communication device (e.g., one of the UE and the network node) may support a format for reporting channel state feedback, wherein the communication device uses a reference signal sent from another communication device (e.g., the other of the UE and the network node) to perform channel estimation. In some cases, existing channel estimation techniques may be deficient. Summary of the invention

[0005] The described technology relates to improved methods, systems, devices and apparatuses that support modified demodulation reference signal (DMRS) patterns for orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM). For example, the described technology provides a framework for sending DMRS with guard tones. In some examples, a user equipment (UE) may receive a first control signaling that identifies a DMRS pattern that may be evenly distributed in the time domain and the frequency domain. The DMRS pattern may include some resource elements for DMRS and other resource elements for guard tones. For example, the DMRS pattern may include a first set of resource elements for DMRS, a second set of resource elements for guard tones that are adjacent to the first set of resource elements and have a higher frequency than the first set of resource elements, and a third set of resource elements for guard tones that are adjacent to the first set of resource elements and have a lower frequency than the first set of resource elements. In some examples, the UE may receive a second control signaling that schedules a data signal to be communicated between the UE and a network node in a set of time-frequency resources. In response to receiving the second control signaling, the UE may communicate the data signal and the DMRS across the set of time-frequency resources. For example, the UE may communicate (eg, send or receive) a data signal according to the second control signaling and communicate (eg, send or receive) a DMRS according to the DMRS pattern.

[0006] A method for wireless communication at a UE is described. The method may include: receiving first control signaling identifying a DMRS pattern uniformly distributed in the time domain and the frequency domain, the DMRS pattern including a first set of one or more resource elements for DMRS, a second set of one or more resource elements for guard tones adjacent to the first set of one or more resource elements and having a higher frequency than the first set of one or more resource elements, and a third set of one or more resource elements for guard tones adjacent to the first set of one or more resource elements and having a lower frequency than the first set of one or more resource elements; receiving second control signaling scheduling a data signal to be communicated between the UE and a network node in a set of time-frequency resources; and communicating the data signal according to the second control signaling and communicating the DMRS according to the DMRS pattern across the set of time-frequency resources.

[0007] A device for wireless communication at a UE is described. The device may include a processor, a memory coupled to the processor, and instructions stored in the memory. The instructions may be executed by the processor to cause the device to receive a first control signaling identifying a DMRS pattern uniformly distributed in the time domain and the frequency domain, the DMRS pattern including a first set of one or more resource elements for DMRS, a second set of one or more resource elements adjacent to the first set of one or more resource elements and having a higher frequency than the first set of one or more resource elements for protection tones, and a third set of one or more resource elements adjacent to the first set of one or more resource elements and having a lower frequency than the first set of one or more resource elements for protection tones; receive a second control signaling for scheduling a data signal to be communicated between a UE and a network node in a set of time-frequency resources; and communicate the data signal according to the second control signaling and communicate the DMRS according to the DMRS pattern across the set of time-frequency resources.

[0008] Another apparatus for wireless communication at a UE is described. The apparatus may include: a component for receiving a first control signaling identifying a DMRS pattern uniformly distributed in the time domain and the frequency domain, the DMRS pattern including a first set of one or more resource elements for DMRS, a second set of one or more resource elements for guard tones adjacent to the first set of one or more resource elements and having a higher frequency than the first set of one or more resource elements, and a third set of one or more resource elements for guard tones adjacent to the first set of one or more resource elements and having a lower frequency than the first set of one or more resource elements; a component for receiving a second control signaling for scheduling a data signal to be communicated between the UE and a network node in a set of time-frequency resources; and a component for communicating the data signal according to the second control signaling and communicating the DMRS according to the DMRS pattern across the set of time-frequency resources.

[0009] A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing code for wireless communication at a UE is described. The code may include instructions that can be executed by a processor to receive a first control signaling identifying a DMRS pattern uniformly distributed in the time domain and the frequency domain, the DMRS pattern including a first set of one or more resource elements for DMRS, a second set of one or more resource elements adjacent to the first set of one or more resource elements and having a higher frequency than the first set of one or more resource elements for guard tones, and a third set of one or more resource elements adjacent to the first set of one or more resource elements and having a lower frequency than the first set of one or more resource elements for guard tones; receive a second control signaling scheduling a data signal to be communicated between the UE and a network node in a set of time-frequency resources; and communicate the data signal according to the second control signaling and communicate the DMRS according to the DMRS pattern across the set of time-frequency resources.

[0010] In some examples of the methods, apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein, communicating a data signal and a DMRS may include operations, features, components, or instructions for mapping the DMRS to a second set of one or more resource elements for guard tones and mapping the DMRS to a third set of one or more resource elements for guard tones.

[0011] In some examples of the methods, apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein, communicating a data signal and a DMRS may include operations, features, components, or instructions for mapping the zero-power signal to a second set of one or more resource elements for guard tones and mapping the zero-power signal to a third set of one or more resource elements for guard tones.

[0012] In some examples of the methods, apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein, a first set of one or more resource elements for DMRS includes a set of multiple adjacent resource elements in the time domain, the frequency domain, or both, forming a resource element block.

[0013] In some examples of the methods, apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein, a first set of one or more resource elements for DMRS includes a set of multiple resource element blocks uniformly distributed in a time domain, each block in the set of multiple blocks including a set of multiple resource elements uniformly distributed in the time domain, the frequency domain, or both.

[0014] In some examples of the methods, apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein, a first spacing of the set of multiple resource element blocks in the time domain may be different from a second spacing of the set of multiple resource elements in the time domain.

[0015] Some examples of the methods, apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein may also include operations, features, components, or instructions for sending an indication of the UE's ability to communicate DMRS using adjacent resource elements in the time domain, the frequency domain, or both, wherein the DMRS pattern may be based on the capability.

[0016] In some examples of the methods, apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein, receiving first control signaling identifying a DMRS pattern may include operations, features, components, or instructions for receiving an indication of a modulation and coding scheme (MCS), subcarrier spacing, or both to be used for wireless communications at a UE, wherein the DMRS pattern may be identified based on the MCS, subcarrier spacing, or both.

[0017] In some examples of the methods, apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein, a DMRS pattern may be identified based on a ratio between a Doppler frequency and subcarrier spacing associated with wireless communications at a UE.

[0018] In some examples of the methods, apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein, receiving first control signaling identifying a DMRS pattern may include operations, features, components, or instructions for receiving an indication of a DMRS configuration identifying the DMRS pattern.

[0019] In some examples of the methods, apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein, communicating data signals and DMRS may include operations, features, components, or instructions for sending data signals according to second control signaling across a set of time-frequency resources and sending DMRS according to a DMRS pattern.

[0020] In some examples of the methods, apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein, communicating data signals and DMRS may include operations, features, components, or instructions for receiving data signals according to second control signaling and receiving DMRS according to a DMRS pattern across a set of time-frequency resources.

[0021] In some examples of the methods, apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein, the data signal includes an uplink shared channel signal, a downlink shared channel signal, an uplink control channel signal, or a downlink control channel signal.

[0022] A method for wireless communication at a network node is described. The method may include: outputting first control signaling identifying a DMRS pattern uniformly distributed in the time domain and the frequency domain, the DMRS pattern including a first set of one or more resource elements for DMRS, a second set of one or more resource elements for guard tones adjacent to the first set of one or more resource elements and having a higher frequency than the first set of one or more resource elements, and a third set of one or more resource elements for guard tones adjacent to the first set of one or more resource elements and having a lower frequency than the first set of one or more resource elements; outputting second control signaling scheduling a data signal to be communicated between a UE and a network node in a set of time-frequency resources; and communicating the data signal according to the second control signaling and communicating the DMRS according to the DMRS pattern across the set of time-frequency resources.

[0023] A device for wireless communication at a network node is described. The device may include a processor, a memory coupled to the processor, and instructions stored in the memory. The instructions may be executed by the processor to cause the device to output a first control signaling identifying a DMRS pattern uniformly distributed in the time domain and the frequency domain, the DMRS pattern including a first set of one or more resource elements for DMRS, a second set of one or more resource elements adjacent to the first set of one or more resource elements and having a higher frequency than the first set of one or more resource elements for protection tones, and a third set of one or more resource elements adjacent to the first set of one or more resource elements and having a lower frequency than the first set of one or more resource elements for protection tones; output a second control signaling for scheduling a data signal to be communicated between a UE and a network node in a set of time-frequency resources; and communicate a data signal according to the second control signaling and communicate a DMRS according to the DMRS pattern across a set of time-frequency resources.

[0024] Another apparatus for wireless communication at a network node is described. The apparatus may include: a component for outputting a first control signaling identifying a DMRS pattern uniformly distributed in the time domain and the frequency domain, the DMRS pattern including a first set of one or more resource elements for DMRS, a second set of one or more resource elements adjacent to the first set of one or more resource elements and having a higher frequency than the first set of one or more resource elements for guard tones, and a third set of one or more resource elements adjacent to the first set of one or more resource elements and having a lower frequency than the first set of one or more resource elements for guard tones; a component for outputting a second control signaling for scheduling a data signal to be communicated between a UE and a network node in a set of time-frequency resources; and a component for communicating a data signal according to the second control signaling and communicating a DMRS according to the DMRS pattern across the set of time-frequency resources.

[0025] A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing code for wireless communication at a network node is described. The code may include instructions that can be executed by a processor to output a first control signaling identifying a DMRS pattern uniformly distributed in the time domain and the frequency domain, the DMRS pattern including a first set of one or more resource elements for DMRS, a second set of one or more resource elements adjacent to the first set of one or more resource elements and having a higher frequency than the first set of one or more resource elements for guard tones, and a third set of one or more resource elements adjacent to the first set of one or more resource elements and having a lower frequency than the first set of one or more resource elements for guard tones; output a second control signaling for scheduling a data signal to be communicated between a UE and a network node in a set of time-frequency resources; and communicate the data signal according to the second control signaling and communicate the DMRS according to the DMRS pattern across the set of time-frequency resources.

[0026] In some examples of the methods, apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein, communicating a data signal and a DMRS may include operations, features, components, or instructions for mapping the DMRS to a second set of one or more resource elements for guard tones and mapping the DMRS to a third set of one or more resource elements for guard tones.

[0027] In some examples of the methods, apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein, communicating a data signal and a DMRS may include operations, features, components, or instructions for mapping the zero-power signal to a second set of one or more resource elements for guard tones and mapping the zero-power signal to a third set of one or more resource elements for guard tones.

[0028] In some examples of the methods, apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein, a first set of one or more resource elements for DMRS includes a set of multiple adjacent resource elements in the time domain, the frequency domain, or both, forming a resource element block.

[0029] In some examples of the methods, apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein, a first set of one or more resource elements for DMRS includes a set of multiple resource element blocks uniformly distributed in a time domain, each block in the set of multiple blocks including a set of multiple resource elements uniformly distributed in the time domain, the frequency domain, or both.

[0030] In some examples of the methods, apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein, a first spacing of the set of multiple resource element blocks in the time domain may be different from a second spacing of the set of multiple resource elements in the time domain.

[0031] Some examples of the methods, apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein may also include operations, features, components, or instructions for obtaining an indication of a capability of a UE to communicate DMRS using adjacent resource elements in the time domain, the frequency domain, or both, wherein a DMRS pattern may be based on the capability.

[0032] In some examples of the methods, apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein, outputting first control signaling identifying a DMRS pattern may include operations, features, components, or instructions for outputting an indication of an MCS, subcarrier spacing, or both to be used for wireless communications at a UE, wherein the DMRS pattern may be identified based on the MCS, subcarrier spacing, or both.

[0033] In some examples of the methods, apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein, a DMRS pattern may be identified based on an MCS and a ratio between a Doppler frequency and subcarrier spacing associated with wireless communications at a UE.

[0034] In some examples of the methods, apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein, outputting first control signaling identifying a DMRS pattern may include operations, features, components, or instructions for outputting an indication of a DMRS configuration identifying a DMRS pattern.

[0035] In some examples of the methods, apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein, communicating a data signal and a DMRS may include operations, features, components, or instructions for obtaining a data signal according to a second control signaling and obtaining a DMRS according to a DMRS pattern across a set of time-frequency resources.

[0036] In some examples of the methods, apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein, communicating data signals and DMRS may include operations, features, components, or instructions for outputting data signals according to second control signaling across a set of time-frequency resources and outputting DMRS according to a DMRS pattern.

[0037] In some examples of the methods, apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein, the data signal includes an uplink shared channel signal, a downlink shared channel signal, an uplink control channel signal, or a downlink control channel signal. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0038] Figure 1 and Figure 2 Each illustrates an example of a wireless communication system supporting a modified demodulation reference signal (DMRS) pattern for orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure.

[0039] Figure 3A , Figure 3B, Figure 4A , Figure 4B , Figure 5A and Figure 5B Each illustrates an example of resource mapping supporting a modified DMRS pattern for OFDM according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure.

[0040] Figure 6 An example of a process flow for supporting a modified DMRS pattern for OFDM in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure is illustrated.

[0041] Figure 7 and Figure 8 A block diagram of an apparatus supporting a modified DMRS pattern for OFDM according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure is shown.

[0042] Fig. 9 A block diagram of a communication manager supporting a modified DMRS pattern for OFDM according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure is shown.

[0043] Fig.10 A diagram of a system including a device supporting a modified DMRS pattern for OFDM in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure is shown.

[0044] Fig.11 and Fig.12 A block diagram of an apparatus supporting a modified DMRS pattern for OFDM according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure is shown.

[0045] Fig.13 A block diagram of an apparatus supporting a modified DMRS pattern for OFDM according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure is shown.

[0046] Fig.14 A diagram of a system including a device supporting a modified DMRS pattern for OFDM in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure is shown.

[0047] Figures 15 to 18 A flow chart illustrating a method of supporting a modified DMRS pattern for OFDM according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0048] In some wireless communication systems, wireless communication devices may communicate via directional transmission (e.g., beams), where beamforming (e.g., using one or more antenna elements) may be applied to form beams in a certain direction. In some examples, the beamforming applied at the communication device (e.g., to select, shape, or guide a directional beam along a spatial path) may be based on channel estimation performed during communication, such as using a reference signal sent by another communication device. For example, a first communication device may send a reference signal (e.g., a demodulation reference signal (DMRS)) in the same set of time-frequency resources as a data signal, so that a second communication device may use the DMRS to estimate the channel (e.g., channel conditions, radio conditions) in which the data signal (e.g., and the DMRS) is sent. That is, the first communication device may multiplex the DMRS with the data signal (e.g., using orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM)) for channel estimation at the second communication device. In such an example, the DMRS may be sent according to a comb pattern, which may be repeated but non-uniform (e.g., irregular, unequal, variable). For example, the DMRS may be mapped to resource elements (eg, time-frequency resources) according to a comb pattern having non-uniform spacing in the time domain (eg, non-uniform symbol spacing) and non-uniform spacing in the frequency domain (eg, non-uniform subcarrier spacing).

[0049] However, in some examples, the first communication device (or the second communication device) may be a mobile device capable of traveling at a relatively high speed (e.g., approximately 30 kmph to 500 kmph). In such examples, the signal (e.g., data signal, DMRS) transmitted between the first communication device and the second communication device may experience a frequency shift (e.g., Doppler shift), and the number of DMRS (e.g., the number of time-frequency resources occupied by the DMRS transmitted according to the non-uniform comb pattern) may be inappropriate (e.g., insufficient) to consider the frequency shift in the estimated channel. In some examples, the first communication device may transmit the DMRS according to one or more other DMRS patterns, so that the DMRS may be applied uniformly (e.g., regularly, with equal spacing in the time and frequency domains) across a set of time-frequency resources allocated to the first communication device. In some examples, such a DMRS pattern may result in an increased number of time-frequency resources being occupied by the DMRS, thereby enabling the second communication device to estimate the frequency shift of the transmitted signal (e.g., data signal, DMRS). However, in such examples, the increased amount of time-frequency resources occupied by DMRS may result in interference (eg, inter-carrier interference) between data signals and DMRS (eg, due to frequency shift), which may degrade communications between the first communications device and the second communications device.

[0050] Various aspects of the present disclosure relate to techniques for modified DMRS patterns for orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM), and more specifically to a framework for sending DMRS with guard tones. For example, a second communication device may indicate a DMRS pattern to a first communication device (e.g., using control signaling). The DMRS pattern may identify (e.g., include) a first set of time-frequency resources for DMRS and a set of other time-frequency resources for guard tones (e.g., a second set of time-frequency resources and a third set of time-frequency resources). In some examples, the first set of time-frequency resources for DMRS may be evenly spaced, and the set of other time-frequency resources for guard tones may be adjacent to the time-frequency resources for DMRS in the frequency domain. For example, the second set of time-frequency resources may be adjacent to the first set of time-frequency resources and have a higher frequency than the first set of time-frequency resources, and the third set of time-frequency resources may be adjacent to the first set of time-frequency resources (e.g., and the second set of time-frequency resources) and have a lower frequency than the first set of time-frequency resources (e.g., and the second set of time-frequency resources).

[0051] In some examples, in response to receiving the indication, the first communication device may communicate with the second communication device according to the DMRS pattern. For example, the first communication device may send DMRS across a set of time-frequency resources with a first uniform interval (e.g., regularly spaced, equally spaced in the time domain and the frequency domain), and may apply guard tones to a second set of time-frequency resources and a third set of time-frequency resources. In some examples, a zero-power signal may be mapped to a guard tone. Additionally or alternatively, a DMRS may be mapped to a guard tone. In some examples, mapping a zero-power signal or a DMRS to a guard tone may result in reduced inter-carrier interference between the DMRS and adjacent data signals.

[0052] Various aspects of the subject matter described herein may be implemented to achieve one or more of the following potential advantages. For example, the techniques employed by the described communication device may provide benefits and enhancements to the operation of the communication device, including implementing frequency shift estimation while reducing inter-carrier interference. In some examples, the operations performed by the described communication device may provide improvements to the reliability of communications within a wireless communication system. In some examples, the operations performed by the described communication device to improve the reliability of communications within a wireless communication system may include sending control signaling identifying a DMRS pattern, the DMRS pattern including time-frequency resources for DMRS and adjacent time-frequency resources for guard tones. In some other examples, the operations performed by the described communication device may also support other possible benefits such as increased throughput and increased data rates.

[0053] Aspects of the disclosure are first described in the context of a wireless communication system. Aspects of the disclosure are also described in the context of resource mapping and process flows. Aspects of the disclosure are further illustrated by and described with reference to apparatus diagrams, system diagrams, and flow diagrams related to modified DMRS patterns for OFDM.

[0054] Figure 1 An example of a wireless communication system 100 supporting a modified DMRS pattern for OFDM according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure is illustrated. The wireless communication system 100 may include one or more network nodes 105, one or more UEs 115, and a core network 130. In some examples, the wireless communication system 100 may be a long term evolution (LTE) network, an advanced LTE (LTE-A) network, an LTE-A Pro network, a new radio (NR) network, or a network operating according to other systems and radio technologies (including future systems and radio technologies not explicitly mentioned herein).

[0055] The network nodes 105 may be dispersed throughout a geographic area to form a wireless communication system 100, and may include devices in different forms or with different capabilities. In various examples, the network nodes 105 may be referred to as network entities, network elements, mobility elements, radio access network (RAN) nodes, or network equipment, among other names. In some examples, the network nodes 105 and the UEs 115 may communicate wirelessly via one or more communication links 125 (e.g., radio frequency (RF) access links). For example, the network nodes 105 may support a coverage area 110 (e.g., a geographic coverage area), and the UEs 115 and the network nodes 105 may establish one or more communication links 125 over the coverage area. The coverage area 110 may be an example of a geographic area over which the network nodes 105 and the UEs 115 may support signal communications according to one or more radio access technologies (RATs).

[0056] The UEs 115 may be dispersed throughout the coverage area 110 of the wireless communication system 100, and each UE 115 may be stationary or mobile, or stationary and mobile at different times. The UEs 115 may be devices in different forms or with different capabilities. Figure 1 Some example UEs 115 are illustrated in FIG. 1 . The UEs 115 described herein may be capable of supporting communication with various types of devices, such as Figure 1 Communicate with other UEs 115 or network nodes 105) as shown.

[0057] As described herein, a node of the wireless communication system 100 (which may be referred to as a network node or a wireless node) may be a network node 105 (e.g., any network node described herein), a UE 115 (e.g., any UE described herein), a network controller, an apparatus, a device, a computing system, one or more components, or another suitable processing entity configured to perform any of the techniques described herein. For example, the node may be a UE 115. As another example, the node may be a network node 105. As another example, a first node may be configured to communicate with a second node or a third node. In one aspect of this example, the first node may be a UE 115, the second node may be a network node 105, and the third node may be a UE 115. In another aspect of this example, the first node may be a UE 115, the second node may be a network node 105, and the third node may be a network node 105. In yet other aspects of this example, the first node, the second node, and the third node may be different relative to these examples. Similarly, references to UE 115, network node 105, apparatus, device, computing system, etc. may include disclosure of UE 115, network node 105, apparatus, device, computing system, etc. as nodes. For example, disclosure that UE 115 is configured to receive information from network node 105 also discloses that the first node is configured to receive information from a second node.

[0058] In some examples, the network nodes 105 may communicate with the core network 130, or with each other, or both. For example, the network nodes 105 may communicate with the core network 130 via one or more backhaul communication links 120 (e.g., according to S1, N2, N3, or other interface protocols). In some examples, the network nodes 105 may communicate with each other via the backhaul communication links 120 (e.g., according to X2, Xn, or other interface protocols) directly (e.g., directly between the network nodes 105) or indirectly (e.g., via the core network 130). In some examples, the network nodes 105 may communicate with each other via the midhaul communication links 162 (e.g., according to the midhaul interface protocol) or the fronthaul communication links 168 (e.g., according to the fronthaul interface protocol) or any combination thereof. The backhaul communication links 120, the midhaul communication links 162, or the fronthaul communication links 168 may be or include one or more wired links (e.g., electrical links, optical fiber links), one or more wireless links (e.g., radio links, wireless optical links), etc. or various combinations thereof. UE 115 may communicate with core network 130 via communication link 155 .

[0059] One or more of the network nodes 105 described herein may include or may be referred to as a base station 140 (e.g., a transceiver base station, a radio base station, an NR base station, an access point, a radio transceiver, a Node B, an evolved Node B (eNB), a next generation Node B, or a Gigabit Node B (any of which may be referred to as a gNB), a 5G NB, a next generation eNB (ng-eNB), a Home Node B, a Home Evolved Node B, or other suitable terminology). In some examples, the network node 105 (e.g., a base station 140) may be implemented in a converged (e.g., monolithic, standalone) base station architecture that may be configured to utilize a protocol stack that is physically or logically integrated within a single network node 105 (e.g., a single RAN node, such as a base station 140).

[0060] In some examples, the network node 105 may be implemented in a disaggregated architecture (e.g., a disaggregated base station architecture, a disaggregated RAN architecture) that may be configured to utilize a protocol stack that is physically or logically distributed between two or more network nodes 105, such as an integrated access backhaul (IAB) network, an open RAN (O-RAN) (e.g., a network configuration sponsored by the O-RAN Alliance), or a virtualized RAN (vRAN) (e.g., a cloud RAN (C-RAN)). For example, the network node 105 may include one or more of the following: a central unit (CU) 160, a distributed unit (DU) 165, a radio unit (RU) 170, a RAN intelligent controller (RIC) 175 (e.g., a near real-time RIC (near RT RIC), a non-real-time RIC (non-RT RIC)), a service management and orchestration (SMO) 180 system, or any combination thereof. The RU 170 may also be referred to as a radio head, a smart radio head, a remote radio head (RRH), a remote radio unit (RRU), or a transmit receive point (TRP). One or more components of the network node 105 in the decomposed RAN architecture may be co-located, or one or more components of the network node 105 may be located in distributed locations (e.g., separate physical locations). In some examples, one or more network nodes 105 of the decomposed RAN architecture may be implemented as virtual units (e.g., virtual CU (VCU), virtual DU (VDU), virtual RU (VRU)).

[0061] The functional split between CU 160, DU 165, and RU 170 is flexible and may support different functionality depending on which functions (e.g., network layer functions, protocol layer functions, baseband functions, RF functions, and any combination thereof) are performed at CU 160, DU 165, or RU 170. For example, a functional split of a protocol stack may be employed between CU 160 and DU 165 such that CU 160 may support one or more layers of a protocol stack and DU 165 may support one or more different layers of a protocol stack. In some examples, CU 160 may host higher protocol layer (e.g., Layer 3 (L3), Layer 2 (L2)) functionality and signaling (e.g., Radio Resource Control (RRC), Service Data Adaptation Protocol (SDAP), Packet Data Convergence Protocol (PDCP)). The CU 160 may be connected to one or more DUs 165 or RUs 170, and the one or more DUs 165 or RUs 170 may host lower protocol layers, such as layer 1 (L1) (e.g., physical (PHY) layer) or L2 (e.g., radio link control (RLC) layer, medium access control (MAC) layer) functionality and signaling, and may each be at least partially controlled by the CU 160. Additionally or alternatively, a functional split of the protocol stack may be employed between the DU 165 and the RU 170, such that the DU 165 may support one or more layers of the protocol stack, and the RU 170 may support one or more different layers of the protocol stack. The DU 165 may support one or more different cells (e.g., via one or more RUs 170). In some cases, the functional split between CU 160 and DU 165 or between DU 165 and RU 170 may be within a protocol layer (e.g., some functions of a protocol layer may be performed by one of CU 160, DU 165, or RU 170, while other functions of the protocol layer are performed by a different one of CU 160, DU 165, or RU 170). CU 160 may be further functionally split into CU control plane (CU-CP) and CU user plane (CU-UP) functions. CU 160 may be connected to one or more DUs 165 via midhaul communication links 162 (e.g., F1, F1-c, F1-u), and DU 165 may be connected to one or more RUs 170 via fronthaul communication links 168 (e.g., an open fronthaul (FH) interface). In some examples, midhaul communication link 162 or fronthaul communication link 168 may be implemented according to an interface (eg, a channel) between layers of a protocol stack supported by respective network nodes 105 communicating via such communication links.

[0062] In some wireless communication systems (e.g., wireless communication system 100), infrastructure and spectrum resources for radio access may support wireless backhaul link capabilities to supplement wired backhaul connections, thereby providing an IAB network architecture (e.g., to core network 130). In some cases, in an IAB network, one or more network nodes 105 (e.g., IAB nodes 104) may be partially controlled by each other. One or more IAB nodes 104 may be referred to as a donor entity or an IAB donor. One or more DUs 165 or one or more RUs 170 may be controlled in part by one or more CUs 160 associated with a donor network node 105 (e.g., a donor base station 140). One or more donor network nodes 105 (e.g., IAB donors) may communicate with one or more additional network nodes 105 (e.g., IAB nodes 104) via supported access and backhaul links (e.g., backhaul communication links 120). The IAB node 104 may include an IAB mobile termination (IAB-MT) controlled (e.g., scheduled) by a DU 165 of a coupled IAB donor. The IAB-MT may include a collection of independent antennas for relaying communications with the UE 115, or may share the same antenna of the IAB node 104 (e.g., of the RU 170) for access via the DU 165 of the IAB node 104 (e.g., referred to as a virtual IAB-MT (vIAB-MT)). In some examples, the IAB node 104 may include a DU 165 that supports communication links with additional entities (e.g., IAB node 104, UE 115) within a relay chain or configuration (e.g., downstream) of the access network. In such cases, one or more components of the decomposed RAN architecture (e.g., one or more IAB nodes 104 or components of the IAB node 104) may be configured to operate according to the techniques described herein.

[0063] Where the techniques described herein are applied in the context of a decomposed RAN architecture, one or more components of the decomposed RAN architecture may be configured to support a modified DMRS pattern for OFDM, as described herein. For example, some operations described as being performed by a UE 115 or a network node 105 (e.g., a base station 140) may additionally or alternatively be performed by one or more components of the decomposed RAN architecture (e.g., an IAB node 104, a DU 165, a CU 160, a RU 170, a RIC 175, a SMO 180).

[0064] UE 115 may include or may be referred to as a mobile device, a wireless device, a remote device, a handheld device, or a subscriber device, or some other suitable term, where a "device" may also be referred to as a unit, a station, a terminal, or a client, etc. UE 115 may also include or may be referred to as a personal electronic device, such as a cellular phone, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a tablet computer, a laptop computer, or a personal computer. In some examples, UE 115 may include or may be referred to as a wireless local loop (WLL) station, an Internet of Things (IoT) device, an Internet of Everything (IoE) device, or a machine type communication (MTC) device, etc., which may be implemented in various objects such as appliances or vehicles, meters, etc.

[0065] The UE 115 described herein may be capable of communicating with various types of devices, such as other UEs 115, which may sometimes act as relays, and network nodes 105 and network equipment including macro eNBs or gNBs, small cell eNBs or gNBs, relay base stations, and other examples, such as Figure 1 shown.

[0066] The UE 115 and the network node 105 may wirelessly communicate with each other via one or more communication links 125 (e.g., access links) using resources associated with one or more carriers. The term "carrier" may refer to a set of RF spectrum resources with a defined physical layer structure to support the communication link 125. For example, a carrier for the communication link 125 may include a portion of an RF spectrum band (e.g., a bandwidth portion (BWP)) that operates according to one or more physical layer channels for a given radio access technology (e.g., LTE, LTE-A, LTE-A Pro, NR). Each physical layer channel may carry acquisition signaling (e.g., synchronization signals, system information), control signaling for coordinating carrier operations, user data, or other signaling. The wireless communication system 100 may support communications with the UE 115 using carrier aggregation or multi-carrier operation. Depending on the carrier aggregation configuration, the UE 115 may be configured with multiple downlink component carriers and one or more uplink component carriers. Carrier aggregation may be used for both frequency division duplex (FDD) and time division duplex (TDD) component carriers. Communication between the network node 105 and other devices may refer to communication between a device and any part (e.g., entity, sub-entity) of the network node 105. For example, the terms "send," "receive," or "communicate" when referring to the network node 105 may refer to any part of the network node 105 (e.g., base station 140, CU 160, DU 165, RU 170) of the RAN communicating with another device (e.g., directly or via one or more other network nodes 105).

[0067] The signal waveform transmitted via the carrier may include multiple subcarriers (e.g., using multi-carrier modulation (MCM) techniques, such as orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) or discrete Fourier transform spread OFDM (DFT-S-OFDM)). In a system employing MCM techniques, a resource element may refer to a resource of one symbol period (e.g., the duration of one modulation symbol) and one subcarrier, in which case the symbol period and the subcarrier spacing may be inversely related. The number of bits carried by each resource element may depend on the modulation scheme (e.g., the order of the modulation scheme, the coding rate of the modulation scheme, or both), so that a relatively high number of resource elements (e.g., within the transmission duration) and a relatively high order modulation scheme may correspond to a relatively high communication rate. Wireless communication resources may refer to a combination of RF spectrum resources, time resources, and spatial resources (e.g., spatial layers, beams), and the use of multiple spatial resources may increase the data rate or data integrity used for communication with UE 115.

[0068] One or more parameter sets for a carrier may be supported, and the parameter set may include subcarrier spacing ( ) and cyclic prefix. A carrier may be divided into one or more BWPs with the same or different parameter sets. In some examples, a UE 115 may be configured with multiple BWPs. In some examples, a single BWP for a carrier may be active at a given time, and communications of a UE 115 may be constrained to one or more active BWPs.

[0069] The time interval for the network node 105 or the UE 115 may be expressed in multiples of a basic time unit, which may be, for example, a sampling period. seconds, of which may indicate the supported subcarrier spacing, and The supported discrete Fourier transform (DFT) size may be indicated. Time intervals of communication resources may be organized according to radio frames, each having a specified duration (e.g., 10 milliseconds (ms)). Each radio frame may be identified by a system frame number (SFN) (e.g., ranging from 0 to 1023).

[0070] Each frame may include a plurality of consecutively numbered subframes or time slots, and each subframe or time slot may have the same duration. In some examples, a frame may be divided into subframes (e.g., in the time domain), and each subframe may be further divided into a certain number of time slots. Alternatively, each frame may include a variable number of time slots, and the number of time slots may depend on the subcarrier spacing. Each time slot may include a certain number of symbol periods (e.g., depending on the length of a cyclic prefix added before each symbol period). In some wireless communication systems 100, the time slot may be further divided into a plurality of micro-time slots associated with one or more symbols. Excluding the cyclic prefix, each symbol period may be associated with one or more (e.g., The duration of a symbol period may depend on the subcarrier spacing or the operating frequency band.

[0071] A subframe, a time slot, a mini-time slot, or a symbol may be the smallest scheduling unit (e.g., in the time domain) of the wireless communication system 100 and may be referred to as a transmission time interval (TTI). In some examples, the TTI duration (e.g., a certain amount of symbol periods in a TTI) may be variable. Additionally or alternatively, the smallest scheduling unit of the wireless communication system 100 may be dynamically selected (e.g., in a burst of a shortened TTI (sTTI)).

[0072] Physical channels may be multiplexed using carriers for communication according to various techniques. For example, physical control channels and physical data channels may be multiplexed using one or more of a time division multiplexing (TDM) technique, a frequency division multiplexing (FDM) technique, or a hybrid TDM-FDM technique to signal via a downlink carrier. A control region (e.g., a control resource set (CORESET)) of a physical control channel may be defined by a set of symbol periods and may extend across a system bandwidth or a subset of a system bandwidth of a carrier. One or more control regions (e.g., CORESETs) may be configured for a group of UEs 115. For example, one or more of the UEs 115 may monitor or search the control region for control information according to one or more search space sets, and each search space set may include one or more control channel candidates in one or more aggregation levels arranged in a cascaded manner. The aggregation level of the control channel candidates may refer to the amount of control channel resources (e.g., control channel elements (CCEs)) associated with the coded information for a control information format having a given payload size. The search space sets may include a common search space set configured for transmitting control information to a plurality of UEs 115 , and a UE-specific search space set for transmitting control information to a specific UE 115 .

[0073] In some examples, the network nodes 105 (e.g., base stations 140, RUs 170) may be mobile and thus provide communication coverage for mobile coverage areas 110. In some examples, different coverage areas 110 associated with different technologies may overlap, but the different coverage areas 110 may be supported by the same network node 105. In some other examples, overlapping coverage areas 110 associated with different technologies may be supported by different network nodes 105. The wireless communication system 100 may include, for example, a heterogeneous network in which different types of network nodes 105 provide coverage for various coverage areas 110 using the same or different radio access technologies.

[0074] The wireless communication system 100 may be configured to support ultra-reliable communication or low-latency communication or various combinations thereof. For example, the wireless communication system 100 may be configured to support ultra-reliable low-latency communication (URLLC). The UE 115 may be designed to support ultra-reliable, low-latency, or critical functions. Ultra-reliable communications may include private communications or group communications, and may be supported by one or more services such as push-to-talk, video, or data. Support for ultra-reliable, low-latency functions may include prioritization of services, and such services may be used for public safety or general commercial applications. The terms ultra-reliable, low-latency, and ultra-reliable low-latency may be used interchangeably herein.

[0075] In some examples, a UE 115 may be configured to support communication directly with other UEs 115 via a device-to-device (D2D) communication link 135 (e.g., according to a peer-to-peer (P2P), D2D, or sidelink protocol). In some examples, one or more UEs 115 in a group that are performing D2D communication may be within a coverage area 110 of a network node 105 (e.g., a base station 140, a RU 170), which may support aspects of such D2D communication configured (e.g., scheduled) by the network node 105. In some examples, one or more UEs 115 in such a group may be outside of the coverage area 110 of the network node 105, or may otherwise be unable or not configured to receive transmissions from the network node 105. In some examples, a group of UEs 115 communicating via D2D communication may support a one-to-many (1:M) system, in which each UE 115 transmits to each of the other UEs 115 in the group. In some examples, network node 105 may facilitate scheduling of resources for D2D communications. In some other examples, D2D communications may be performed between UEs 115 without involving network node 105.

[0076] The core network 130 may provide user authentication, access authorization, tracking, Internet Protocol (IP) connectivity, and other access, routing, or mobility functions. The core network 130 may be an evolved packet core (EPC) or a 5G core (5GC), which may include at least one control plane entity (e.g., a mobility management entity (MME), an access and mobility management function (AMF)) for managing access and mobility and at least one user plane entity (e.g., a serving gateway (S-GW)), a packet data network (PDN) gateway (P-GW), or a user plane function (UPF)) for routing packets or interconnecting to an external network. The control plane entity may manage non-access stratum (NAS) functions such as mobility, authentication, and bearer management of a UE 115 served by a network node 105 (e.g., a base station 140) associated with the core network 130. User IP packets may be delivered through the user plane entity, which may provide IP address allocation and other functions. The user plane entity may be connected to an IP service 150 for one or more network operators. IP services 150 may include access to the Internet, an intranet, an IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS), or packet-switched streaming services.

[0077] The wireless communication system 100 may operate using one or more frequency bands that may be in the range of 300 megahertz (MHz) to 300 gigahertz (GHz). Typically, the region from 300 MHz to 3 GHz is referred to as the ultra-high frequency (UHF) region or decimeter band because the wavelength range is about one decimeter to one meter long. UHF waves may be blocked or redirected by buildings and environmental features (which may be referred to as clusters), but these waves may be sufficient to penetrate structures so that macro cells provide service to UEs 115 located indoors. Communications using UHF waves may be associated with smaller antennas and shorter ranges (e.g., less than 100 kilometers) than communications using the lower frequencies and longer wavelengths of the high frequency (HF) or very high frequency (VHF) portions of the spectrum below 300 MHz.

[0078] The wireless communication system 100 can utilize licensed and unlicensed RF spectrum bands. For example, the wireless communication system 100 can use unlicensed bands (such as the 5 GHz Industrial, Scientific, and Medical (ISM) band) to adopt license assisted access (LAA), LTE unlicensed (LTE-U) radio access technology, or NR technology. When operating using unlicensed RF spectrum bands, devices such as network nodes 105 and UEs 115 can use carrier sensing for conflict detection and avoidance. In some examples, operations using unlicensed bands can be based on a carrier aggregation configuration combined with component carriers operating using licensed bands (e.g., LAA). Operations using unlicensed spectrum may include downlink transmissions, uplink transmissions, P2P transmissions, or D2D transmissions, among others.

[0079] A network node 105 (e.g., a base station 140, RU 170) or a UE 115 may be equipped with multiple antennas that may be used to employ techniques such as transmit diversity, receive diversity, multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) communications, or beamforming. The antennas of the network node 105 or UE 115 may be located within one or more antenna arrays or antenna panels that may support MIMO operations or transmit or receive beamforming. For example, one or more base station antennas or antenna arrays may be co-located at an antenna assembly, such as an antenna tower. In some examples, antennas or antenna arrays associated with the network node 105 may be located at different geographic locations. The network node 105 may include an antenna array having a set of rows and columns of antenna ports that the network node 105 may use to support beamforming for communications with the UE 115. Similarly, the UE 115 may include one or more antenna arrays that may support various MIMO or beamforming operations. Additionally or alternatively, the antenna panel may support RF beamforming for signals sent via the antenna ports.

[0080] The network node 105 or UE 115 may use MIMO communication to utilize multipath signal propagation and improve spectral efficiency by sending or receiving multiple signals via different spatial layers. Such a technique may be referred to as spatial multiplexing. The multiple signals may be, for example, sent by a transmitting device via different antennas or different combinations of antennas. Similarly, the multiple signals may be received by a receiving device via different antennas or different combinations of antennas. Each of the multiple signals may be referred to as a separate spatial stream and may carry information associated with the same data stream (e.g., the same codeword) or different data streams (e.g., different codewords). Different spatial layers may be associated with different antenna ports for channel measurement and reporting. MIMO techniques include single-user MIMO (SU-MIMO), for which multiple spatial layers are sent to the same receiving device; and multi-user MIMO (MU-MIMO), for which multiple spatial layers are sent to multiple devices.

[0081] Beamforming (which may also be referred to as spatial filtering, directional transmission, or directional reception) is a signal processing technique that may be used at a transmitting device or a receiving device (e.g., a network node 105, a UE 115) to shape or direct an antenna beam (e.g., a transmit beam, a receive beam) along a spatial path between the transmitting device and the receiving device. Beamforming may be achieved by combining signals communicated via antenna elements of an antenna array so that some signals propagating along a particular direction relative to the antenna array experience constructive interference, while other signals experience destructive interference. Adjustments to signals communicated via antenna elements may include the transmitting device or the receiving device applying an amplitude offset, a phase offset, or both to signals carried via antenna elements associated with the device. Adjustments associated with each of these antenna elements may be defined by a set of beamforming weights associated with a particular direction (e.g., relative to the antenna array of the transmitting device or the receiving device or relative to some other direction).

[0082] The network node 105 or UE 115 may use beam scanning techniques as part of a beamforming operation. For example, the network node 105 (e.g., base station 140, RU 170) may use multiple antennas or antenna arrays (e.g., antenna panels) to perform beamforming operations for directional communication with the UE 115. Some signals (e.g., synchronization signals, reference signals, beam selection signals, or other control signals) may be sent multiple times by the network node 105 along different directions. For example, the network node 105 may send signals according to different sets of beamforming weights associated with different transmission directions. Transmissions along different beam directions may be used to identify (e.g., by a transmitting device (such as the network node 105), or by a receiving device (such as the UE 115)) beam directions for later transmission or reception by the network node 105.

[0083] A transmitting device (e.g., transmitting network node 105, transmitting UE 115) may transmit some signals, such as data signals associated with a particular receiving device, along a single beam direction (e.g., a direction associated with a receiving device, such as receiving network node 105 or receiving UE 115). In some examples, a beam direction associated with transmission along a single beam direction may be determined based on signals transmitted along one or more beam directions. For example, UE 115 may receive one or more of the signals sent by network node 105 along different directions, and may report to network node 105 an indication of the signal received by UE 115 with the highest signal quality or other acceptable signal quality.

[0084] In some examples, transmission by a device (e.g., by a network node 105 or a UE 115) may be performed using multiple beam directions, and the device may generate a combined beam for transmission (e.g., from the network node 105 to the UE 115) using a combination of digital precoding or beamforming. The UE 115 may report feedback indicating precoding weights for one or more beam directions, and the feedback may correspond to a configured set of beams across a system bandwidth or one or more subbands. The network node 105 may transmit a reference signal (e.g., a cell-specific reference signal (CRS), a channel state information reference signal (CSI-RS)), which may be precoded or unprecoded. The UE 115 may provide feedback for beam selection, which may be a precoding matrix indicator (PMI) or codebook-based feedback (e.g., a multi-panel codebook, a linear combination codebook, a port selection codebook). Although these techniques are described with reference to signals sent along one or more directions by a network node 105 (e.g., base station 140, RU 170), UE 115 may use similar techniques to send signals multiple times along different directions (e.g., to identify a beam direction for subsequent transmission or reception by UE 115), or to send signals along a single direction (e.g., to send data to a receiving device).

[0085] A receiving device (e.g., UE 115) may perform receiving operations according to multiple receiving configurations (e.g., directional listening) when receiving various signals (such as synchronization signals, reference signals, beam selection signals, or other control signals) from a receiving device (e.g., network node 105). For example, the receiving device may perform reception according to multiple receiving directions by receiving via different antenna subarrays, processing received signals according to different antenna subarrays, receiving according to different receiving beamforming weight sets (e.g., different directional listening weight sets) applied to signals received at multiple antenna elements of an antenna array, or processing received signals according to different receiving beamforming weight sets applied to signals received at multiple antenna elements of an antenna array, any of which may be referred to as "listening" according to different receiving configurations or receiving directions. In some examples, the receiving device may use a single receiving configuration to receive along a single beam direction (e.g., when receiving a data signal). A single receive configuration may be aligned along a beam direction determined based on listening according to different receive configuration directions (e.g., a beam direction determined to have the highest signal strength, highest signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), or other acceptable signal quality based on listening according to multiple beam directions).

[0086] The wireless communication system 100 may support a modified DMRS pattern for OFDM. For example, the UE 115 or the network node 105 or both may support a framework for sending a DMRS with a guard tone. In some examples, the UE 115 may receive (e.g., from the network node 105) a first control signaling identifying a DMRS pattern that may be evenly distributed in the time domain and the frequency domain. The DMRS pattern may include some resource elements (e.g., time-frequency resources) for DMRS and other resource elements for guard tones (e.g., guard bands). For example, the DMRS pattern may include a first set of resource elements for DMRS, a second set of resource elements for guard tones adjacent to the first set of resource elements and having a higher frequency than the first set of resource elements, and a third set of resource elements for guard tones adjacent to the first set of resource elements (e.g., and the first set of resource elements) and having a lower frequency than the first set of resource elements (e.g., and the first set of resource elements). In some examples, the UE 115 may receive a second control signaling scheduling a data signal to be communicated between the UE 115 and the network node 105 in a set of time-frequency resources. In response to receiving the second control signaling, UE 115 may communicate the data signal and the DMRS across the set of time-frequency resources. For example, UE 115 may communicate (e.g., send to or receive from network node 105) the data signal according to the second control signaling and communicate (e.g., send to or receive from network node 105) the DMRS according to the DMRS pattern. In some examples, communicating the DMRS according to the DMRS pattern may enable frequency shift estimation (e.g., at UE 115 or network node 105, or both) while reducing inter-carrier interference, among other possible benefits.

[0087] Figure 2 An example of a wireless communication system 200 that supports a modified DMRS pattern for OFDM according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure is illustrated. In some examples, the wireless communication system 200 can implement aspects of the wireless communication system 100. For example, the wireless communication system 200 can include a UE 215 and a network node 205, which can be as described in reference Figure 1 The network node 205 may operate within a coverage area 210. The coverage area 210 may be as described in reference Figure 1 UE 215 may communicate with network node 205 via one or more communication links. For example, UE 215 may receive downlink communications from network node 205 via downlink 220 and may send uplink communications to network node 205 via uplink 221. In some examples, downlink 220 and uplink 221 may each be a network node as described above. Figure 1 An example of the communication link 125 is shown.

[0088] In some examples of the wireless communication system 200, a communication device (e.g., one of the network node 205 and the UE 215) may use a reference signal (e.g., DMRS 245) transmitted from another communication device (e.g., the other of the network node 205 or the UE 215) to perform channel estimation (e.g., estimate channel conditions, estimate radio conditions). For example, the communication device may use DMRS 245 to estimate a channel that may (e.g., subsequently) be used for data equalization. That is, DMRS 245 may be used for equalization of a data signal (e.g., data signal 240) transmitted along with DMRS 245. Some DMRS structures (e.g., for a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH), a physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH), a physical uplink control channel (PUCCH), a physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH), or a physical broadcast channel (PBCH) in OFDM) may provide multiple configurations (e.g., allowing two different configurations) and mapping types (e.g., for transmitting DMRS). For example, in the frequency domain, the DMRS 245 may occupy a certain percentage (e.g., 50%, 33%, or some other percentage) of the number of resources (e.g., time-frequency resources) allocated to the communication device (e.g., the total number of allocated resources). Additionally or alternatively, in the time domain, the DMRS 245 may occupy a certain number of symbols (e.g., up to a maximum number of symbols, about four symbols, or other suitable number of signals). That is, in the time domain, the DMRS 245 may occupy a number of symbols that may be at or above a threshold level. In some examples, the threshold level may correspond to a number of DMRSs sufficient to perform channel estimation and successfully decode (e.g., maintain or exceed a threshold percentage of successful decoding of corresponding data, or maintain or below a threshold retransmission rate) a corresponding channel (e.g., PDCCH, PDSCH, PUCCH, PUSCH, PBCH) associated with the DMRS. As described herein, in the time domain, a resource element may be associated with a specific symbol or symbol period, and in the frequency domain, a resource element may be associated with a specific subcarrier.

[0089] However, in some examples, a communication device (e.g., UE 215) may be a mobile device that can travel at a relatively high speed (e.g., about 30kph-500kph), which may result in a frequency shift (e.g., Doppler shift) in a signal (e.g., data signal 240, DMRS 245) sent from another communication device (e.g., network node 205). In such an example, the accuracy of the channel estimation performed at UE 215 (e.g., using DMRS 245) may be reduced. For example, the frequency shift of the signal (e.g., the frequency offset of the signal sent between UE 215 and network node 205) may be due to the Doppler shift in the signal caused by the relative motion between UE 215 and network node 205. That is, a user with a high Doppler spread (e.g., a user on a high speed train (HST) with a speed of up to about 500kmph) may not accurately estimate the channel due to one or more factors. For example, if a signal is transmitted to (or from) UE 215 (e.g., which may be a user traveling at a relatively high speed, such as on an HST), an estimate of inter-carrier interference using the signal may be relatively difficult to obtain in the frequency domain (e.g., due to Doppler shift). Additionally or alternatively, the number of DMRS symbols (e.g., about four DMRS symbols, based on the total number of DMRS symbols) may be insufficient to track channel changes that may occur due to the relatively high speed of UE 215 (e.g., a user traveling on an HST). That is, some DMRS configurations and mapping types may be insufficient (e.g., may not provide a sufficient number of DMRS) for UE 215 (or network node 205) to track relatively high-variance channel changes (e.g., to track a channel that may change at a relatively high rate compared to the rate at which channel estimation can be performed).

[0090] In some examples, a uniformly spaced (e.g., uniformly spaced in the time domain and uniformly spaced in the frequency domain) DMRS pattern of an OFDM waveform can enable time-varying channel estimation (e.g., relatively simple time-varying channel estimation) in relatively high Doppler scenarios. For example, according to such a pattern, the DMRS 245 can be evenly placed in the time domain and the frequency domain. In some examples, the uniformly spaced DMRS pattern can refer to a repeating pattern of uniformly spaced tones (e.g., resource elements, time-frequency resources) in the time domain (e.g., uniformly spaced over a specific set of time domain resources, a specific set of symbols, a specific set of subframes, a specific set of frames, or a specific number of ms), the frequency domain (e.g., uniformly spaced over a specific set of frequency domain resources, a specific bandwidth, or a specific number of subcarriers), or both. In some examples, uniform spacing (e.g., regular spacing, continuous spacing, static spacing, fixed spacing) can refer to equal and repeating spacing between resource elements (e.g., in the time domain or the frequency domain, or both). For example, in the time domain, the DMRS 245 may be mapped to each resource element with a spacing of one resource element, a spacing of two resource elements, or a spacing of three resource elements, etc.

[0091] like Figure 2 As illustrated in the example of , an example resource allocation for DMRS symbols (e.g., symbols occupied by DMRS 245) according to such a pattern may include a spacing of about seven subcarriers (e.g., seven subcarriers or resource elements in the frequency domain between DMRS resources) with consecutive (e.g., each, all) symbols (e.g., resource elements in the time domain). For example, DMRS 245 may be mapped to a set of resource elements with symbol indices 0 to 7 and subcarrier index 4 and another set of resource elements with symbol indices 0 to 7 and subcarrier index 12 in the resource allocation, such that the set of resource elements occupied by DMRS 245 may be separated in frequency by about seven subcarriers. In some examples, DMRS 245 may include a Zadoff-Chu sequence, a Gold sequence, an m-sequence, or any other suitable type of sequence, such as any sequence having relatively low cross-correlation, substantially no cross-correlation, no cross-correlation, no correlation, or a cross-correlation equal to or below a threshold correlation value.

[0092] In some examples, such DMRS patterns (e.g., DMRS patterns with uniform spacing) may result in inter-carrier interference from data signals occupying adjacent subcarriers. For example, a frequency shift in the signal (e.g., a frequency offset resulting from a Doppler shift in the data signal 240 or the DMRS 245 or both due to relative motion (e.g., velocity toward or away) between the UE 215 and the network node 205) may result in a loss of orthogonality between the subcarriers. Additionally or alternatively, the signals transmitted on each subcarrier (e.g., the data signal 240 or the DMRS 245 or both) may not be independent of each other, which may result in inter-subcarrier interference. That is, the DMRS 245 may be multiplexed with the data signal 240 in the frequency domain (e.g., using OFDM), and for relatively high Doppler channels (e.g., due to inter-carrier interference (ICI)), the DMRS 245 may experience interference from the data signal 240, which may affect channel estimation performance. For example, a DMRS pattern that maps DMRS 245 to subcarriers adjacent to subcarriers occupied by data signal 240 may experience inter-carrier interference between DMRS 245 and data signal 240 due to frequency offsets resulting from Doppler shifts in the corresponding signals (e.g., due to relative motion between UE 215 and network node 205).

[0093] In some examples, a modified DMRS pattern for OFDM as described herein may provide one or more benefits to time-varying channel estimation. For example, to avoid inter-carrier interference from a data signal 240 (e.g., a subcarrier occupied by the data signal 240) to a DMRS 245 in OFDM, the UE 215 or the network node 205 (or both) may employ one or more modified DMRS patterns for OFDM as described herein. For example, the UE 215 or the network node 205 (or both) may support (e.g., introduce) guard tones 250 (e.g., guard bands) around the DMRS 245, which may be occupied by the DMRS 245 (e.g., additional DMRS in the guard band or on the guard tone) or a zero-power signal. That is, a transmitting device (e.g., one of UE 215 and network node 205) may apply (e.g., place, transmit, configure) guard tones 250 around DMRS 245 in frequency to reduce (e.g., avoid) interference from data signal 240 (e.g., adjacent data signal). Guard tones 250 may be applied uniformly to, for example, reduce the interference (e.g., inter-carrier interference), which may be cyclic in nature. In some examples, a receiving device (e.g., the other of UE 215 and network node 205) may process guard tones 250 (e.g., non-zero signals or DMRS 245 mapped to guard tones) to estimate a time-varying (e.g., delay-Doppler domain) channel. For example, a receiving device may use guard tones 250 (e.g., non-zero signals or DMRS 245 mapped to guard tones) to determine a Doppler shift (e.g., Doppler variation) of a data signal 240 (e.g., transmitted with DMRS 245).

[0094] like Figure 2As illustrated in the example of , UE 215 may receive a DMRS pattern indication 225 (e.g., control signaling, such as RRC signaling) that identifies a DMRS pattern that may be evenly distributed in the time domain and the frequency domain. The DMRS pattern may include some resource elements for DMRS 245 and other resource elements for guard tones 250. For example, the DMRS pattern may include a first set of resource elements for DMRS 245 (e.g., resource elements with symbol indices 0 to 7 and subcarrier indices 4 and 12), a second set of resource elements for guard tones 250 that are adjacent to the first set of resource elements and have a higher frequency than the first set of resource elements (e.g., resource elements with symbol indices 0 to 7 and subcarrier indices 5 and 13), and a third set of resource elements for guard tones 250 that are adjacent to the first set of resource elements (e.g., and the first set of resource elements) and have a lower frequency than the first set of resource elements (e.g., and the first set of resource elements). That is, the first part of the second set of resource elements (e.g., resource elements with symbol indices 0 to 7 and subcarrier index 5) may be adjacent to the first part of the first set of resource elements (e.g., resource elements with symbol indices 0 to 7 and subcarrier index 4) and have a higher frequency than the first part of the first set of resource elements, and the first part of the third set of resource elements (e.g., resource elements with symbol indices 0 to 7 and subcarrier index 3) may be adjacent to the first part of the first set of resource elements (e.g., resource elements with symbol indices 0 to 7 and subcarrier index 4) and have a lower frequency than the first part of the first set of resource elements.

[0095] In some examples, UE 215 may receive a scheduling indication 230 (e.g., second control signaling, such as downlink control information (DCI)) that schedules a data signal to be communicated between UE 215 and network node 205 in a set of time-frequency resources. In response to receiving scheduling indication 230, UE 215 may communicate a message 235 (e.g., message 235-a, message 235-b), which may include data signal 240 and DMRS 245. For example, UE 215 may send message 235-a (or receive message 235-b) such that data signal 240 may be sent according to scheduling indication 230 and DMRS 245 may be sent according to a DMRS pattern (e.g., indicated using DMRS pattern indication 225). That is, according to the DMRS pattern, DMRS 245 can be mapped to a first set of resource elements (e.g., resource elements with symbol indices 0 to 7 and subcarrier indices 4 and 12), and guard tones 250 can be mapped to a second set of resource elements (e.g., resource elements with symbol indices 0 to 7 and subcarrier indices 5 and 13) and a third set of resource elements (e.g., resource elements with symbol indices 0 to 7 and subcarrier indices 3 and 11). In some examples, communicating DMRS 245 according to the DMRS pattern can enable frequency shift estimation (e.g., at UE 215 or network node 205, or both) while reducing inter-carrier interference from data signal 240 and DMRS 245, as well as other possible benefits.

[0096] Figure 3A and Figure 3B Each illustrates an example of a resource mapping 300 (e.g., resource mapping 300-a and resource mapping 300-b, respectively) that supports a modified DMRS pattern for OFDM according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure. In some examples, resource mapping 300-a and resource mapping 300-b can implement aspects of wireless communication system 100 and wireless communication system 200. For example, resource mapping 300-a and resource mapping 300-b can be implemented in a UE, a network node, or both (they can be as described in reference to Figure 1 and Figure 2 The embodiment is implemented at an example of the corresponding device described above.

[0097] In some examples, the UE or the network node (or both) may transmit the DMRS 310 according to one or more modified DMRS patterns for OFDM, as described herein. For example, the UE or the network node (or both) may apply guard tones around the resource elements occupied by the DMRS 310 (e.g., in the frequency domain) to reduce inter-carrier interference between the DMRS 310 and adjacent data signals (e.g., resource elements occupied by the data signal 305, which may be adjacent resource elements occupied by the DMRS 310). In some examples, the DMRS 310 may be mapped to guard tones, such as to form a clustered DMRS structure. For example, the clustered DMRS structure may include multiple adjacent resource elements in the time domain, the frequency domain, or both, which form a resource element block for the DMRS 310. In some examples, the UE or the network node (or both) may apply (e.g., place) DMRS clusters (e.g., resource element blocks occupied by the DMRS 310) uniformly in the time-frequency plane.

[0098] For example, a DMRS pattern (e.g., including a clustered DMRS structure) may include a first set of resource elements for DMRS 310 and a second set of resource elements and a third set of resource elements for guard tones. In such examples, DMRS 310 may be mapped to the first set of resource elements, the second set of resource elements, and the third set of resource elements. In such examples, signaling overhead may be reduced (e.g., compared to other examples such as examples in which zero-power signals may be mapped to guard tones). Additionally or alternatively, mapping DMRS 310 to guard tones may result in relatively high channel estimation receiver complexity, such as to extract a delay-Doppler channel (e.g., a relatively simple two-dimensional (2D) discrete Fourier transform (DFT) may not be applied to estimate the delay-Doppler channel). In some examples, a delay-Doppler channel may refer to a communication channel mapped in the delay-Doppler domain. In some examples, a UE or a network node (or both) may utilize a delay-Doppler channel to extract geometry information, compute received power measurements (eg, signal to interference plus noise ratio (SINR) measurements), and predict channel state information using reference signals such as DMRS 310 .

[0099] In some examples, DMRS 310 may be mapped to adjacent (eg, each) resource elements in the time domain according to a DMRS pattern. Figure 3A As illustrated in the example, the first set of resource elements may include resource elements with symbol indices 0 to 7 and subcarrier indices 4 and 12, the second set of resource elements may include resource elements with symbol indices 0 to 7 and subcarrier indices 5 and 13, and the third set of resource elements may include resource elements with symbol indices 0 to 7 and subcarrier indices 3 and 11.

[0100] Additionally or alternatively, according to a DMRS pattern, the DMRS 310 may be mapped in the time domain at a spacing of approximately one resource element (eg, to alternating resource elements). Figure 3B As illustrated in the example of , the first set of resource elements may include resource elements with symbol indices 0, 2, 4, and 6 and subcarrier indices 4 and 12, the second set of resource elements may include resource elements with symbol indices 0, 2, 4, and 6 and subcarrier indices 5 and 13, and the third set of resource elements may include resource elements with symbol indices 0, 2, 4, and 6 and subcarrier indices 3 and 11. Although Figure 3B The example of illustrates mapping DMRS 310 with a spacing of about one resource element in the time domain, but it should be understood that DMRS 310 can be mapped according to any spacing that can be uniform (e.g., equal and repeated). In some examples, mapping DMRS 310 according to a DMRS pattern can enable frequency shift estimation (e.g., at a UE or a network node, or both) while reducing inter-carrier interference.

[0101] Figure 4A and Figure 4B Each illustrates an example of a resource mapping 400 (e.g., resource mapping 400-a and resource mapping 400-b, respectively) that supports a modified DMRS pattern for OFDM according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure. In some examples, resource mapping 400-a and resource mapping 400-b can implement aspects of wireless communication system 100, wireless communication system 200, and resource mapping 300. For example, resource mapping 400-a and resource mapping 400-b can be implemented in a UE, a network node, or both (they can be as described in reference to Figure 1 , Figure 2 , Figure 3A and Figure 3B The embodiment is implemented at an example of the corresponding device described above.

[0102] In some examples, the UE or the network node (or both) may transmit DMRS 410 according to one or more modified DMRS patterns for OFDM, as described herein. For example, according to the DMRS pattern, the UE or the network node (or both) may transmit DMRS 410 (e.g., together with data signal 405) according to a clustered DMRS structure with guard tones at the edge of each cluster. Figure 4A and Figure 4B As illustrated in the example of , the zero power signal 415 can be mapped to the guard tone. In some examples, the clustered DMRS structure can be as shown in reference Figure 3A and Figure 3BExamples of the clustered DMRS structure. For example, the clustered DMRS structure may include a plurality of adjacent resource elements in the time domain, the frequency domain, or both, which form a resource element block occupied by the DMRS 410.

[0103] The UE or the network node (or both) may apply (e.g., place) the DMRS clusters uniformly in the time-frequency plane. For example, a DMRS pattern (e.g., including a clustered DMRS structure with guard tones) may include a first set of resource elements for DMRS 410 and a second set of resource elements and a third set of resource elements for guard tones. In such examples, DMRS 410 may be mapped to the first set of resource elements, while zero-power signal 415 may be mapped to the second set of resource elements and the third set of resource elements (e.g., guard tones, guard bands). In some examples, depending on the DMRS pattern, DMRS 410 and zero-power signal 415 may be mapped to each resource element in the time domain. For example, as Figure 4A As illustrated in the example, the first set of resource elements may include resource elements having symbol indices 0 to 7 and subcarrier indices 3 to 5 and 11 to 13, the second set of resource elements may include resource elements having symbol indices 0 to 7 and subcarrier indices 6 and 14, and the third set of resource elements may include resource elements having symbol indices 0 to 7 and subcarrier indices 2 and 10.

[0104] Additionally or alternatively, according to a DMRS pattern, DMRS 410 may be mapped in the time domain at a spacing of approximately one resource element (eg, to alternating resource elements). Figure 4B As illustrated in the example of , the first set of resource elements may include resource elements with symbol indices 0, 2, 4, and 6 and subcarrier indices 3 to 5 and 11 to 13, the second set of resource elements may include resource elements with symbol indices 0, 2, 4, and 6 and subcarrier indices 6 and 14, and the third set of resource elements may include resource elements with symbol indices 0, 2, 4, and 6 and subcarrier indices 2 and 10. Although Figure 4B The example of exemplifies mapping the DMRS 410 with a spacing of approximately one resource element in the time domain, but it should be understood that the DMRS 410 may be mapped according to any spacing that may be uniform (eg, equal and repeating).

[0105] In some examples, the number of guard tones (e.g., the number of resource elements to which zero-power signal 415 may be mapped) and the number of DMRS 410 in each cluster (e.g., the number of resource elements to which DMRS 410 may be mapped) may depend on a ratio between a Doppler frequency (e.g., a frequency shift associated with a signal communicated between a UE and a network node) and a subcarrier spacing configured for wireless communication at the UE (e.g., wireless communication between the UE and the network node). Additionally or alternatively, the number of guard tones and the number of resource elements (e.g., for DMRS 410) in each cluster (e.g., a block of adjacent resource elements) may depend on a modulation and coding scheme (MCS) configured at the UE. That is, the number of resource elements included in a DMRS pattern for DMRS 410 and the number of resource elements included in a DMRS pattern for guard tones (e.g., to which zero-power signal 415 may be mapped) may depend on the subcarrier spacing or MCS (or both) configured at the UE for wireless communication.

[0106] For example, the network node may indicate the subcarrier spacing to the UE, and the UE may select (e.g., determine, identify) a DMRS pattern based on a ratio between a Doppler shift (e.g., determined at the UE) and the indicated subcarrier spacing. Additionally or alternatively, the network node may indicate the MCS to the UE (e.g., using a scheduling indication, such as a downlink or uplink scheduling grant), and the UE may select (e.g., determine, identify) a DMRS pattern based on the indicated MCS. In some examples, the network node may indicate the DMRS pattern (e.g., the number of resource elements included in the DMRS pattern for DMRS and the number of resource elements included in the DMRS pattern for guard tones) using DCI or using RRC signaling.

[0107] In some examples, the network node may select a DMRS pattern based on UE capabilities. For example, channel estimation using DMRS sent according to a clustered DMRS structure (e.g., obtaining a single channel estimate using each DMRS 410 included in the clustered DMRS structure) may increase processing (e.g., complexity) at the UE. Therefore, the UE may send an indication of the UE's ability to receive DMRS 410 sent to the network node according to the clustered DMRS structure (e.g., and use it to perform channel estimation). In such an example, the network node may select (e.g., determine, identify) a DMRS pattern (e.g., to be indicated to the UE) based on the capability. In some examples, mapping the DMRS 410 and the zero-power signal 415 according to the DMRS pattern may enable frequency shift estimation (e.g., at the UE or the network node, or both) while reducing inter-carrier interference.

[0108] Figure 5A and Figure 5B Each illustrates an example of a resource mapping 500 (e.g., resource mapping 500-a and resource mapping 500-b) supporting a modified DMRS pattern for OFDM according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure. In some examples, resource mapping 500-a and resource mapping 500-b can implement aspects of wireless communication system 100, wireless communication system 200, resource mapping 300, and resource mapping 400. For example, resource mapping 500-a and resource mapping 500-b can be implemented in a UE, a network node, or both (they can be as described in reference to Figure 1 , Figure 2 , Figure 3A , Figure 3B , Figure 4A and Figure 4B The embodiment is implemented at an example of the corresponding device described above.

[0109] In some examples, the UE or the network node (or both) may transmit DMRS 510 according to one or more modified DMRS patterns for OFDM, as described herein. For example, according to the DMRS pattern, the UE or the network node (or both) may transmit DMRS 510 (e.g., together with data signal 505) according to a clustered DMRS structure (e.g., with or without guard tones). The clustered DMRS structure may be as described in reference Figure 3A , Figure 3B , Figure 4A and Figure 4B An example of a clustered DMRS structure as described. For example, a clustered DMRS structure may include multiple adjacent resource elements in the time domain, the frequency domain, or both, which form a resource element block occupied by the DMRS 510. In some examples, the clustered DMRS structure may include multiple resource element blocks (e.g., multiple clusters), and each block may be uniformly applied (e.g., placed) in the time domain. Additionally or alternatively, within each block, resource elements may be applied (e.g., placed) according to uniform spacing in the time domain and the frequency domain. That is, a DMRS pattern (e.g., including a clustered DMRS structure) may include a first set of resource elements, which may include multiple resource element blocks uniformly distributed in the time domain, and each block may include multiple resource elements uniformly distributed in the time domain, the frequency domain, or both. In such an example, the uniform spacing in the time domain between blocks may be the same as or different from the uniform spacing in the time domain of resource elements within each block. That is, the spacing of multiple resource element blocks in the time domain may be different from the spacing of multiple resource elements in the time domain. For example, as Figure 5A As illustrated in the example of , the first set of resource elements may include resource elements having symbol indices 0-3, 4-6, 8-10, and 12-15 and subcarrier indices 3 to 5 and 11 to 13. Figure 5AThe example illustrates that DMRS 510 is mapped to symbols 0–3, 4–6, 8–10, and 12–15 in the time domain and subcarrier indices 3 to 5 and 11 to 13 in the frequency domain, but it should be understood that DMRS 510 may be mapped according to any spacing that may be uniform (e.g., equal and repeating).

[0110] Additionally or alternatively, depending on the DMRS pattern, the UE or the network node (or both) may transmit DMRS 510 according to a clustered DMRS structure with guard tones at the edge of each cluster. Figure 5B As illustrated in the example of , the zero-power signal 515 may be mapped to a guard tone. For example, a DMRS pattern (e.g., including a clustered DMRS structure with guard tones) may include a first set of resource elements and a second set of resource elements for guard tones and a third set of resource elements, the first set of resource elements may include resource elements with symbol indices 0–3, 4–6, 8–10, and 12–15 and subcarrier indices 3 to 5 and 11 to 13. In such examples, the DMRS 510 may be mapped to the first set of resource elements, while the zero-power signal 515 may be mapped to the second set of resource elements and the third set of resource elements (e.g., guard tones). In some examples, the second set of resource elements may include resource elements with symbol indices 0–3, 4–6, 8–10, and 12–15 and subcarrier indices 6 and 14, and the third set of resource elements may include resource elements with symbol indices 0–3, 4–6, 8–10, and 12–15 and subcarrier indices 2 and 10. Although Figure 5B The example of illustrates that DMRS 510 and zero-power signal 515 are mapped to symbol indices 0-3, 4-6, 8-10, and 12-15 in the time domain, but it should be understood that DMRS 510 and zero-power signal 515 can be mapped according to any spacing that can be uniform (e.g., equal and repeated). In some examples, the network node can use DCI or RRC signaling to indicate the number of resource elements (e.g., to be occupied by DMRS 510) in each block (e.g., cluster) and the number of blocks (e.g., total number). Additionally or alternatively, the network node can use DCI or RRC signaling to indicate to the UE the number of guard tones (e.g., to be occupied by zero-power signal 515).

[0111] Figure 6An example of a process flow 600 for supporting a modified DMRS pattern for OFDM according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure is illustrated. In some examples, the process flow 600 can implement aspects of the wireless communication system 100, the wireless communication system 200, the resource mapping 300, the resource mapping 400, and the resource mapping 500. For example, the process flow 600 can illustrate a UE 615 and a network node 605 (which can be as described in reference Figure 1 , Figure 2 , Figure 3A , Figure 3B , Figure 4A , Figure 4B , Figure 5A and Figure 5B The process flow 600 may be implemented at the UE 615, the network node 605, or both. In the following description of the process flow 600, the information communicated between the UE 615 and the network node 605 may be performed in a different order or at a different time than shown. Additionally or alternatively, some operations may be omitted from the process flow 600 and other operations may be added to the process flow 600.

[0112] UE 615 and network node 605 may support a framework for transmitting DMRS with guard tones. For example, at 620, UE 615 may receive a DMRS pattern indication (e.g., first control signaling) from network node 605 that identifies a DMRS pattern that may be evenly distributed in the time domain and the frequency domain. The DMRS pattern may be as described in reference Figure 1 , Figure 2 , Figure 3A , Figure 3B , Figure 4A , Figure 4B , Figure 5A and Figure 5B Examples of the DMRS pattern described. For example, the DMRS pattern may include some resource elements for DMRS and other resource elements for guard tones. That is, the DMRS pattern may include a first set of resource elements for DMRS, a second set of resource elements for guard tones that are adjacent to the first set of resource elements and have a higher frequency than the first set of resource elements, and a third set of resource elements for guard tones that are adjacent to the first set of resource elements and have a lower frequency than the first set of resource elements.

[0113] At 625, UE 615 may receive a scheduling indication (eg, second control signaling) from network node 605. In some examples, the scheduling indication may be as described in reference Figure 2 Examples of the scheduling indications described. For example, the scheduling indication may schedule data signals to be communicated between the UE 615 and the network node 605 in a set of time-frequency resources.

[0114] At 630, UE 615 may communicate data signals and DMRS across the set of time-frequency resources. For example, UE 615 may communicate (e.g., send to or receive from network node 605) data signals according to the scheduling indication sent at 625 and communicate (e.g., send to or receive from network node 605) DMRS according to a DMRS pattern (e.g., indicated using the DMRS pattern indication sent at 620). In some examples, communicating DMRS according to a DMRS pattern may enable frequency shift estimation (e.g., at UE 115 or network node 105, or both) while reducing inter-carrier interference, among other possible benefits.

[0115] Figure 7 A block diagram 700 of a device 705 supporting a modified DMRS pattern for OFDM according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure is shown. The device 705 may be an example of aspects of the UE 115 as described herein. The device 705 may include a receiver 710, a transmitter 715, and a communication manager 720. The device 705 may also include one or more processors, a memory coupled to the one or more processors, and instructions stored in the memory that can be executed by the one or more processors to enable the one or more processors to perform the DMRS pattern communication features discussed herein. Each of these components may communicate with each other (e.g., via one or more buses).

[0116] The receiver 710 may provide means for receiving information (such as packets, user data, control information, or any combination thereof) associated with various information channels (e.g., control channels, data channels, information channels related to modified DMRS patterns for OFDM). The information may be communicated to other components of the device 705. The receiver 710 may utilize a single antenna or a collection of multiple antennas.

[0117] The transmitter 715 may provide means for transmitting signals generated by other components of the device 705. For example, the transmitter 715 may transmit information (such as packets, user data, control information, or any combination thereof) associated with various information channels (e.g., control channels, data channels, information channels associated with modified DMRS patterns for OFDM). In some examples, the transmitter 715 may be co-located with the receiver 710 in a transceiver module. The transmitter 715 may utilize a single antenna or a collection of multiple antennas.

[0118] The communication manager 720, the receiver 710, the transmitter 715, or various combinations thereof or various components thereof may be examples of means for performing various aspects of the modified DMRS pattern for OFDM as described herein. For example, the communication manager 720, the receiver 710, the transmitter 715, or various combinations thereof or components thereof may support methods for performing one or more of the functions described herein.

[0119] In some examples, the communication manager 720, the receiver 710, the transmitter 715, or various combinations or components thereof may be implemented in hardware (e.g., in a communication management circuit). The hardware may include a processor, a digital signal processor (DSP), a central processing unit (CPU), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field programmable gate array (FPGA) or other programmable logic device, a microcontroller, discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof, which is configured to or otherwise supports means for performing the functions described in the present disclosure. In some examples, a processor and a memory coupled to the processor may be configured to perform one or more functions described herein (e.g., by executing instructions stored in the memory by the processor).

[0120] Additionally or alternatively, in some examples, the communication manager 720, the receiver 710, the transmitter 715, or various combinations or components thereof may be implemented in code executed by a processor (e.g., as communication management software or firmware). If implemented in code executed by a processor, the functionality of the communication manager 720, the receiver 710, the transmitter 715, or various combinations or components thereof may be performed by a general purpose processor, a DSP, a CPU, an ASIC, an FPGA, a microcontroller, or any combination of these or other programmable logic devices (e.g., configured or otherwise supported to perform the functions described in the present disclosure).

[0121] In some examples, the communication manager 720 can be configured to perform various operations (e.g., receive, obtain, monitor, output, send) using or otherwise cooperating with the receiver 710, the transmitter 715, or both. For example, the communication manager 720 can receive information from the receiver 710, transmit information to the transmitter 715, or be integrated with the receiver 710, the transmitter 715, or both to obtain information, output information, or perform various other operations as described herein.

[0122] According to examples as disclosed herein, the communication manager 720 may support wireless communication at a UE (e.g., device 705). For example, the communication manager 720 may be configured to or otherwise support a component for receiving a first control signaling identifying a DMRS pattern uniformly distributed in a time domain and a frequency domain, the DMRS pattern including a first set of one or more resource elements for DMRS, a second set of one or more resource elements adjacent to the first set of one or more resource elements and having a higher frequency than the first set of one or more resource elements for guard tones, and a third set of one or more resource elements adjacent to the first set of one or more resource elements and having a lower frequency than the first set of one or more resource elements for guard tones. The communication manager 720 may be configured to or otherwise support a component for receiving a second control signaling scheduling a data signal to be communicated between the UE and a network node in a set of time-frequency resources. The communication manager 720 may be configured to or otherwise support a component for communicating a data signal according to the second control signaling across a set of time-frequency resources and communicating a DMRS according to the DMRS pattern.

[0123] By including or configuring a communication manager 720 according to examples as described herein, the device 705 (eg, a processor controlling or otherwise coupled with the receiver 710, the transmitter 715, the communication manager 720, or a combination thereof) may support techniques for more efficiently utilizing communication resources.

[0124] Figure 8 A block diagram 800 of a device 805 supporting a modified DMRS pattern for OFDM according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure is shown. The device 805 may be an example of aspects of the device 705 or UE 115 as described herein. The device 805 may include a receiver 810, a transmitter 815, and a communication manager 820. The device 805 may also include a processor. Each of these components may communicate with each other (e.g., via one or more buses).

[0125] The receiver 810 may provide means for receiving information (such as packets, user data, control information, or any combination thereof) associated with various information channels (e.g., control channels, data channels, information channels related to modified DMRS patterns for OFDM). The information may be communicated to other components of the device 805. The receiver 810 may utilize a single antenna or a collection of multiple antennas.

[0126] The transmitter 815 may provide means for transmitting signals generated by other components of the device 805. For example, the transmitter 815 may transmit information (such as packets, user data, control information, or any combination thereof) associated with various information channels (e.g., control channels, data channels, information channels associated with modified DMRS patterns for OFDM). In some examples, the transmitter 815 may be co-located with the receiver 810 in a transceiver module. The transmitter 815 may utilize a single antenna or a collection of multiple antennas.

[0127] The device 805 or its various components may be examples of components for performing various aspects of the modified DMRS pattern for OFDM as described herein. For example, the communication manager 820 may include a DMRS pattern component 825, a data signal component 830, a time-frequency resource component 835, or any combination thereof. The communication manager 820 may be an example of various aspects of the communication manager 720 as described herein. In some examples, the communication manager 820 or its various components may be configured to use or otherwise cooperate with the receiver 810, the transmitter 815, or both to perform various operations (e.g., receive, obtain, monitor, output, send). For example, the communication manager 820 may receive information from the receiver 810, transmit information to the transmitter 815, or be integrated with the receiver 810, the transmitter 815, or both to obtain information, output information, or perform various other operations as described herein.

[0128] According to examples as disclosed herein, the communication manager 820 may support wireless communication at a UE (e.g., device 805). The DMRS pattern component 825 may be configured to or otherwise support means for receiving a first control signaling identifying a DMRS pattern uniformly distributed in a time domain and a frequency domain, the DMRS pattern including a first set of one or more resource elements for DMRS, a second set of one or more resource elements for guard tones adjacent to the first set of one or more resource elements and at a higher frequency than the first set of one or more resource elements, and a third set of one or more resource elements for guard tones adjacent to the first set of one or more resource elements and at a lower frequency than the first set of one or more resource elements. The data signal component 830 may be configured to or otherwise support means for receiving a second control signaling scheduling a data signal to be communicated between the UE and a network node in a set of time-frequency resources. The time-frequency resource component 835 may be configured to or otherwise support means for communicating a data signal according to the second control signaling across the set of time-frequency resources and communicating a DMRS according to the DMRS pattern.

[0129] In some cases, the DMRS pattern component 825, the data signal component 830, and the time-frequency resource component 835 can each be a processor (e.g., a transceiver processor or a radio processor or a transmitter processor or a receiver processor) or at least a portion of a processor. The processor can be coupled to a memory and execute instructions stored in the memory, which enable the processor to perform or facilitate the features of the DMRS pattern component 825, the data signal component 830, and the time-frequency resource component 835 discussed herein. The transceiver processor can be co-located and / or communicate with the transceiver of the device (e.g., direct its operation). The radio processor can be co-located and / or communicate with the radio of the device (e.g., NR radio, LTE radio, Wi-Fi radio) (e.g., direct the operation of the radio). The transmitter processor can be co-located and / or communicate with the transmitter of the device (e.g., direct its operation). The receiver processor can be co-located and / or communicate with the receiver of the device (e.g., direct its operation).

[0130] Fig. 9 A block diagram 900 of a communication manager 920 supporting a modified DMRS pattern for OFDM according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure is shown. The communication manager 920 may be an example of aspects of the communication manager 720, the communication manager 820, or both as described herein. The communication manager 920 or its various components may be examples of components for performing various aspects of the modified DMRS pattern for OFDM as described herein. For example, the communication manager 920 may include a DMRS pattern component 925, a data signal component 930, a time-frequency resource component 935, a mapping component 940, a capability component 945, or any combination thereof. Each of these components may communicate with each other directly or indirectly (e.g., via one or more buses).

[0131] According to the examples disclosed herein, the communication manager 920 may support wireless communication at the UE. The DMRS pattern component 925 may be configured to or otherwise support a component for receiving a first control signaling identifying a DMRS pattern uniformly distributed in the time domain and the frequency domain, the DMRS pattern including a first set of one or more resource elements for DMRS, a second set of one or more resource elements adjacent to the first set of one or more resource elements and having a higher frequency than the first set of one or more resource elements for guard tones, and a third set of one or more resource elements adjacent to the first set of one or more resource elements and having a lower frequency than the first set of one or more resource elements for guard tones. The data signal component 930 may be configured to or otherwise support a component for receiving a second control signaling for scheduling a data signal to be communicated between the UE and the network node in a set of time-frequency resources. The time-frequency resource component 935 may be configured to or otherwise support a component for communicating a data signal according to a second control signaling across a set of time-frequency resources and communicating a DMRS according to a DMRS pattern.

[0132] In some examples, to support communicating data signals and DMRS, mapping component 940 can be configured or otherwise support means for mapping DMRS to a second set of one or more resource elements for guard tones. In some examples, to support communicating data signals and DMRS, mapping component 940 can be configured or otherwise support means for mapping DMRS to a third set of one or more resource elements for guard tones.

[0133] In some examples, to support communicating data signals and DMRS, mapping component 940 may be configured or otherwise support means for mapping the zero-power signal to a second set of one or more resource elements for guard tones. In some examples, to support communicating data signals and DMRS, mapping component 940 may be configured or otherwise support means for mapping the zero-power signal to a third set of one or more resource elements for guard tones.

[0134] In some examples, the first set of one or more resource elements for DMRS includes a set of multiple adjacent resource elements in the time domain, the frequency domain, or both that form a resource element block. In some examples, the first set of one or more resource elements for DMRS includes a set of multiple resource element blocks uniformly distributed in the time domain, each block in the set of multiple blocks includes a set of multiple resource elements uniformly distributed in the time domain, the frequency domain, or both. In some examples, the first spacing of the set of multiple resource element blocks in the time domain is different from the second spacing of the set of multiple resource elements in the time domain.

[0135] In some examples, capability component 945 may be configured as or otherwise support means for sending an indication of the UE's ability to communicate DMRS using adjacent resource elements in the time domain, the frequency domain, or both, wherein the DMRS pattern is based on the capability.

[0136] In some examples, to support receiving first control signaling identifying a DMRS pattern, DMRS pattern component 925 may be configured to or otherwise support means for receiving an indication of an MCS, subcarrier spacing, or both to be used for wireless communication at the UE, wherein the DMRS pattern is identified based on the MCS, subcarrier spacing, or both. In some examples, the DMRS pattern is identified based on a ratio between a Doppler frequency and subcarrier spacing associated with wireless communication at the UE.

[0137] In some examples, to support receiving first control signaling identifying a DMRS pattern, DMRS pattern component 925 may be configured as or otherwise support means for receiving an indication of a DMRS configuration identifying a DMRS pattern.

[0138] In some examples, to support communicating data signals and DMRS, time-frequency resource component 935 may be configured or otherwise support means for sending data signals according to second control signaling and sending DMRS according to a DMRS pattern across a set of time-frequency resources.

[0139] In some examples, to support communicating data signals and DMRS, the time-frequency resource component 935 may be configured to or otherwise support components for receiving data signals according to a second control signaling and receiving DMRS according to a DMRS pattern across a set of time-frequency resources. In some examples, the data signal includes an uplink shared channel signal, a downlink shared channel signal, an uplink control channel signal, or a downlink control channel signal.

[0140] In some cases, the DMRS pattern component 925, the data signal component 930, the time-frequency resource component 935, the mapping component 940, and the capability component 945 may each be a processor (e.g., a transceiver processor, or a radio processor, or a transmitter processor, or a receiver processor) or at least a portion of a processor. The processor may be coupled to a memory and execute instructions stored in the memory that enable the processor to perform or facilitate the features of the DMRS pattern component 925, the data signal component 930, the time-frequency resource component 935, the mapping component 940, and the capability component 945 discussed herein.

[0141] Fig.10A diagram of a system 1000 including a device 1005 supporting a modified DMRS pattern for OFDM according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure is shown. The device 1005 may be an example of a device 705, a device 805, or a UE 115 as described herein or include a component of the device 705, the device 805, or the UE 115. The device 1005 may communicate (e.g., wirelessly) with one or more network nodes 105, one or more UEs 115, or any combination thereof. The device 1005 may include components for two-way voice and data communications, including components for sending and receiving communications, such as a communication manager 1020, an input / output (I / O) controller 1010, a transceiver 1015, an antenna 1025, a memory 1030, a code 1035, and a processor 1040. These components may be electronically communicated or otherwise coupled (e.g., operatively, communicatively, functionally, electronically, electrically) via one or more buses (e.g., bus 1045).

[0142] I / O controller 1010 can manage input and output signals for device 1005. I / O controller 1010 can also manage peripheral devices that are not integrated into device 1005. In some cases, I / O controller 1010 can represent a physical connection or port to an external peripheral device. In some cases, I / O controller 1010 can utilize an operating system such as iOS. ® ANDROID ® , MS-DOS ® 、MS-WINDOWS ® , OS / 2 ® ,UNIX ® 、LINUX ® or another known operating system. Additionally or alternatively, I / O controller 1010 may represent or interact with a modem, keyboard, mouse, touch screen, or similar device. In some cases, I / O controller 1010 may be implemented as part of a processor such as processor 1040. In some cases, a user may interact with device 1005 via I / O controller 1010 or via hardware components controlled by I / O controller 1010.

[0143] In some cases, the device 1005 may include a single antenna 1025. However, in some other cases, the device 1005 may have more than one antenna 1025 that may be capable of concurrently transmitting or receiving multiple wireless transmissions. The transceiver 1015 may communicate bidirectionally via one or more antennas 1025, wired or wireless links as described herein. For example, the transceiver 1015 may represent a wireless transceiver and may communicate bidirectionally with another wireless transceiver. The transceiver 1015 may also include a modem for modulating packets, providing the modulated packets to one or more antennas 1025 for transmission, and demodulating packets received from one or more antennas 1025. The transceiver 1015 or the transceiver 1015 and one or more antennas 1025 may be examples of transmitters 715, transmitters 815, receivers 710, receivers 810, or any combination or components thereof as described herein.

[0144] The memory 1030 may include random access memory (RAM) and read-only memory (ROM). The memory 1030 may store computer-readable, computer-executable code 1035 including instructions that, when executed by the processor 1040, cause the device 1005 to perform various functions described herein. The code 1035 may be stored in a non-transitory computer-readable medium such as a system memory or another type of memory. In some cases, the code 1035 may not be directly executable by the processor 1040, but may (for example, when compiled and executed) cause the computer to perform the functions described herein. In some cases, the memory 1030 may include a basic I / O system (BIOS), etc., which may control basic hardware or software operations, such as interaction with peripheral components or devices.

[0145] Processor 1040 may include an intelligent hardware device (e.g., a general-purpose processor, a DSP, a CPU, a microcontroller, an ASIC, an FPGA, a programmable logic device, a discrete gate or transistor logic component, a discrete hardware component, or any combination thereof). In some cases, processor 1040 may be configured to operate a memory array using a memory controller. In some other cases, the memory controller may be integrated into processor 1040. Processor 1040 may be configured to execute computer-readable instructions stored in a memory (e.g., memory 1030) to enable device 1005 to perform various functions (e.g., functions or tasks of supporting a modified DMRS pattern for OFDM). For example, device 1005 or a component of device 1005 may include processor 1040 and memory 1030 coupled to or coupled to processor 1040, and processor 1040 and memory 1030 are configured to perform various functions described herein.

[0146] According to examples as disclosed herein, the communication manager 1020 may support wireless communication at a UE (e.g., device 1005). For example, the communication manager 1020 may be configured to or otherwise support a component for receiving a first control signaling identifying a DMRS pattern uniformly distributed in a time domain and a frequency domain, the DMRS pattern including a first set of one or more resource elements for DMRS, a second set of one or more resource elements adjacent to the first set of one or more resource elements and having a higher frequency than the first set of one or more resource elements for guard tones, and a third set of one or more resource elements adjacent to the first set of one or more resource elements and having a lower frequency than the first set of one or more resource elements for guard tones. The communication manager 1020 may be configured to or otherwise support a component for receiving a second control signaling scheduling a data signal to be communicated between the UE and a network node in a set of time-frequency resources. The communication manager 1020 may be configured to or otherwise support a component for communicating a data signal according to the second control signaling across a set of time-frequency resources and communicating a DMRS according to the DMRS pattern.

[0147] By including or configuring a communications manager 1020 according to examples as described herein, the device 1005 can support techniques for improving communications reliability, reducing latency, more efficiently utilizing communications resources, and improving coordination between devices.

[0148] In some examples, the communication manager 1020 may be configured to perform various operations (e.g., receive, monitor, transmit) using or otherwise cooperating with the transceiver 1015, one or more antennas 1025, or any combination thereof. Although the communication manager 1020 is illustrated as a separate component, in some examples, one or more functions described with reference to the communication manager 1020 may be supported or performed by the processor 1040, the memory 1030, the code 1035, or any combination thereof. For example, the code 1035 may include instructions that are executable by the processor 1040 to cause the device 1005 to perform various aspects of the modified DMRS pattern for OFDM as described herein, or the processor 1040 and the memory 1030 may be otherwise configured to perform or support such operations.

[0149] Fig.11A block diagram 1100 of a device 1105 supporting a modified DMRS pattern for OFDM according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure is shown. The device 1105 may be an example of aspects of the network node 105 as described herein. The device 1105 may include a receiver 1110, a transmitter 1115, and a communication manager 1120. The device 1105 may also include one or more processors, a memory coupled to the one or more processors, and instructions stored in the memory that can be executed by the one or more processors to enable the one or more processors to perform the DMRS pattern communication features discussed herein. Each of these components may communicate with each other (e.g., via one or more buses).

[0150] The receiver 1110 may provide means for obtaining (e.g., receiving, determining, identifying) information associated with various channels (e.g., control channels, data channels, information channels, channels associated with a protocol stack), such as user data, control information, or any combination thereof (e.g., I / Q samples, symbols, packets, protocol data units, service data units). The information may be delivered to other components of the device 1105. In some examples, the receiver 1110 may support obtaining information by receiving signals via one or more antennas. Additionally or alternatively, the receiver 1110 may support obtaining information by receiving signals via one or more wired (e.g., electrical, optical) interfaces, wireless interfaces, or any combination thereof.

[0151] The transmitter 1115 may provide means for outputting (e.g., transmitting, providing, communicating, transmitting) information generated by other components of the device 1105. For example, the transmitter 1115 may output information associated with various channels (e.g., control channels, data channels, information channels, channels associated with a protocol stack), such as user data, control information, or any combination thereof (e.g., I / Q samples, symbols, packets, protocol data units, service data units). In some examples, the transmitter 1115 may support outputting information by sending signals via one or more antennas. Additionally or alternatively, the transmitter 1115 may support outputting information by sending signals via one or more wired (e.g., electrical, optical) interfaces, wireless interfaces, or any combination thereof. In some examples, the transmitter 1115 and the receiver 1110 may be co-located in a transceiver, which may include a modem or be coupled to a modem.

[0152] The communication manager 1120, the receiver 1110, the transmitter 1115, or various combinations thereof, or various components thereof, may be examples of means for performing various aspects of the modified DMRS pattern for OFDM as described herein. For example, the communication manager 1120, the receiver 1110, the transmitter 1115, or various combinations thereof, or components thereof, may support methods for performing one or more of the functions described herein.

[0153] In some examples, the communication manager 1120, the receiver 1110, the transmitter 1115, or various combinations or components thereof may be implemented in hardware (e.g., in a communication management circuit). The hardware may include a processor, a DSP, a CPU, an ASIC, an FPGA or other programmable logic device, a microcontroller, discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof that is configured as or otherwise supports components for performing the functions described in the present disclosure. In some examples, a processor and a memory coupled to the processor may be configured to perform one or more functions described herein (e.g., by executing instructions stored in the memory by the processor).

[0154] Additionally or alternatively, in some examples, the communication manager 1120, the receiver 1110, the transmitter 1115, or various combinations or components thereof may be implemented in code executed by a processor (e.g., as communication management software or firmware). If implemented in code executed by a processor, the functions of the communication manager 1120, the receiver 1110, the transmitter 1115, or various combinations or components thereof may be performed by a general purpose processor, a DSP, a CPU, an ASIC, an FPGA, a microcontroller, or any combination of these or other programmable logic devices (e.g., configured as or otherwise supporting components for performing the functions described in the present disclosure).

[0155] In some examples, communication manager 1120 may be configured to perform various operations (e.g., receive, obtain, monitor, output, transmit) using or otherwise cooperating with receiver 1110, transmitter 1115, or both. For example, communication manager 1120 may receive information from receiver 1110, transmit information to transmitter 1115, or be integrated with receiver 1110, transmitter 1115, or both to obtain information, output information, or perform various other operations as described herein.

[0156] According to an example as disclosed herein, the communication manager 1120 may support wireless communication at a network node (e.g., device 1105). For example, the communication manager 1120 may be configured to or otherwise support a component for outputting a first control signaling identifying a DMRS pattern uniformly distributed in the time domain and the frequency domain, the DMRS pattern including a first set of one or more resource elements for DMRS, a second set of one or more resource elements adjacent to the first set of one or more resource elements and having a higher frequency than the first set of one or more resource elements for guard tones, and a third set of one or more resource elements adjacent to the first set of one or more resource elements and having a lower frequency than the first set of one or more resource elements for guard tones. The communication manager 1120 may be configured to or otherwise support a component for outputting a second control signaling for scheduling a data signal to be communicated between the UE and the network node in a set of time-frequency resources. The communication manager 1120 may be configured to or otherwise support a component for communicating a data signal according to the second control signaling across a set of time-frequency resources and communicating a DMRS according to the DMRS pattern.

[0157] By including or configuring a communication manager 1120 according to examples as described herein, a device 1105 (eg, a processor controlling or otherwise coupled with a receiver 1110, a transmitter 1115, a communication manager 1120, or a combination thereof) may support techniques for more efficiently utilizing communication resources.

[0158] Fig.12 A block diagram 1200 of a device 1205 supporting a modified DMRS pattern for OFDM according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure is shown. The device 1205 may be an example of aspects of the device 1105 or network node 105 as described herein. The device 1205 may include a receiver 1210, a transmitter 1215, and a communication manager 1220. The device 1205 may also include a processor. Each of these components may communicate with each other (e.g., via one or more buses).

[0159] The receiver 1210 may provide means for obtaining (e.g., receiving, determining, identifying) information associated with various channels (e.g., control channels, data channels, information channels, channels associated with a protocol stack), such as user data, control information, or any combination thereof (e.g., I / Q samples, symbols, packets, protocol data units, service data units). The information may be delivered to other components of the device 1205. In some examples, the receiver 1210 may support obtaining information by receiving signals via one or more antennas. Additionally or alternatively, the receiver 1210 may support obtaining information by receiving signals via one or more wired (e.g., electrical, optical) interfaces, wireless interfaces, or any combination thereof.

[0160] The transmitter 1215 may provide means for outputting (e.g., transmitting, providing, conveying, transmitting) information generated by other components of the device 1205. For example, the transmitter 1215 may output information associated with various channels (e.g., control channels, data channels, information channels, channels associated with a protocol stack), such as user data, control information, or any combination thereof (e.g., I / Q samples, symbols, packets, protocol data units, service data units). In some examples, the transmitter 1215 may support outputting information by transmitting signals via one or more antennas. Additionally or alternatively, the transmitter 1215 may support outputting information by transmitting signals via one or more wired (e.g., electrical, optical) interfaces, wireless interfaces, or any combination thereof. In some examples, the transmitter 1215 and the receiver 1210 may be co-located in a transceiver, which may include a modem or be coupled to a modem.

[0161] The device 1205 or its various components may be examples of components for performing various aspects of the modified DMRS pattern for OFDM as described herein. For example, the communication manager 1220 may include a DMRS pattern identification component 1225, a scheduling component 1230, a resource component 1235, or any combination thereof. The communication manager 1220 may be an example of various aspects of the communication manager 1120 as described herein. In some examples, the communication manager 1220 or its various components may be configured to use or otherwise cooperate with the receiver 1210, the transmitter 1215, or both to perform various operations (e.g., receive, obtain, monitor, output, send). For example, the communication manager 1220 may receive information from the receiver 1210, transmit information to the transmitter 1215, or be integrated with the receiver 1210, the transmitter 1215, or both to obtain information, output information, or perform various other operations as described herein.

[0162] According to examples as disclosed herein, the communication manager 1220 may support wireless communication at a network node (e.g., device 1205). The DMRS pattern identification component 1225 may be configured to or otherwise support a component for outputting a first control signaling identifying a DMRS pattern uniformly distributed in the time domain and the frequency domain, the DMRS pattern including a first set of one or more resource elements for DMRS, a second set of one or more resource elements for guard tones adjacent to the first set of one or more resource elements and at a higher frequency than the first set of one or more resource elements, and a third set of one or more resource elements for guard tones adjacent to the first set of one or more resource elements and at a lower frequency than the first set of one or more resource elements. The scheduling component 1230 may be configured to or otherwise support a component for outputting a second control signaling for scheduling a data signal to be communicated between the UE and the network node in a set of time-frequency resources. The resource component 1235 may be configured to or otherwise support a component for communicating a data signal according to a second control signaling across a set of time-frequency resources and communicating a DMRS according to a DMRS pattern.

[0163] In some cases, the DMRS pattern identification component 1225, the scheduling component 1230, and the resource component 1235 may each be a processor (e.g., a transceiver processor, or a radio processor, or a transmitter processor, or a receiver processor) or at least a part of a processor. The processor may be coupled to a memory and execute instructions stored in the memory, which enable the processor to perform or facilitate the features of the DMRS pattern identification component 1225, the scheduling component 1230, and the resource component 1235 discussed herein. The transceiver processor may be co-located with and / or communicate with (e.g., direct the operation of) the transceiver of the device. The radio processor may be co-located with and / or communicate with (e.g., direct the operation of) the radio of the device (e.g., NR radio, LTE radio, Wi-Fi radio). The transmitter processor may be co-located with and / or communicate with (e.g., direct the operation of) the transmitter of the device. The receiver processor may be co-located with and / or communicate with (e.g., direct the operation of) the receiver of the device.

[0164] Fig.13A block diagram 1300 of a communication manager 1320 supporting a modified DMRS pattern for OFDM according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure is shown. The communication manager 1320 may be an example of aspects of the communication manager 1120, the communication manager 1220, or both as described herein. The communication manager 1320 or its various components may be examples of components for performing various aspects of the modified DMRS pattern for OFDM as described herein. For example, the communication manager 1320 may include a DMRS pattern identification component 1325, a scheduling component 1330, a resource component 1335, a UE capability component 1340, a DMRS pattern identification component 1345, or any combination thereof. Each of these components may communicate with each other directly or indirectly (e.g., via one or more buses), which may include communication within a protocol layer of a protocol stack, communication associated with a logical channel of a protocol stack (e.g., between protocol layers of a protocol stack, within a device, component, or virtualized component associated with the network node 105, between devices, components, or virtualized components associated with the network node 105), or any combination thereof.

[0165] According to the examples disclosed herein, the communication manager 1320 may support wireless communication at the network node. The DMRS pattern identification component 1325 may be configured to or otherwise support a component for outputting a first control signaling identifying a DMRS pattern uniformly distributed in the time domain and the frequency domain, the DMRS pattern including a first set of one or more resource elements for DMRS, a second set of one or more resource elements adjacent to the first set of one or more resource elements and having a higher frequency than the first set of one or more resource elements for guard tones, and a third set of one or more resource elements adjacent to the first set of one or more resource elements and having a lower frequency than the first set of one or more resource elements for guard tones. The scheduling component 1330 may be configured to or otherwise support a component for outputting a second control signaling for scheduling a data signal to be communicated between the UE and the network node in a set of time-frequency resources. The resource component 1335 may be configured to or otherwise support a component for communicating a data signal according to a second control signaling across a set of time-frequency resources and communicating a DMRS according to a DMRS pattern.

[0166] In some examples, to support communicating data signals and DMRS, resource component 1335 can be configured or otherwise support means for mapping DMRS to a second set of one or more resource elements for guard tones. In some examples, to support communicating data signals and DMRS, resource component 1335 can be configured or otherwise support means for mapping DMRS to a third set of one or more resource elements for guard tones.

[0167] In some examples, to support communicating data signals and DMRS, resource component 1335 can be configured or otherwise support means for mapping zero-power signals to a second set of one or more resource elements for guard tones. In some examples, to support communicating data signals and DMRS, resource component 1335 can be configured or otherwise support means for mapping zero-power signals to a third set of one or more resource elements for guard tones.

[0168] In some examples, the first set of one or more resource elements for DMRS includes a set of multiple adjacent resource elements in the time domain, the frequency domain, or both that form a resource element block. In some examples, the first set of one or more resource elements for DMRS includes a set of multiple resource element blocks uniformly distributed in the time domain, each block in the set of multiple blocks includes a set of multiple resource elements uniformly distributed in the time domain, the frequency domain, or both. In some examples, the first spacing of the set of multiple resource element blocks in the time domain is different from the second spacing of the set of multiple resource elements in the time domain.

[0169] In some examples, UE capability component 1340 may be configured as or otherwise support components for obtaining an indication of the UE's ability to communicate DMRS using adjacent resource elements in the time domain, frequency domain, or both, where the DMRS pattern is based on the capability.

[0170] In some examples, to support outputting first control signaling identifying a DMRS pattern, the DMRS pattern identification component 1345 may be configured as or otherwise support components for outputting an indication of an MCS, subcarrier spacing, or both to be used for wireless communications at a UE, wherein the DMRS pattern is identified based on the MCS, subcarrier spacing, or both.

[0171] In some examples, the DMRS pattern is identified based on the MCS and a ratio between a Doppler frequency and a subcarrier spacing associated with wireless communication at the UE. In some examples, to support outputting a first control signaling identifying a DMRS pattern, the DMRS pattern identification component 1345 may be configured as or otherwise support a component for outputting an indication of a DMRS configuration identifying a DMRS pattern.

[0172] In some examples, to support communicating data signals and DMRS, resource component 1335 may be configured as or otherwise support means for obtaining data signals according to second control signaling and obtaining DMRS according to a DMRS pattern across a set of time-frequency resources.

[0173] In some examples, to support communicating data signals and DMRS, resource component 1335 may be configured to or otherwise support a component for outputting a data signal according to a second control signaling and outputting a DMRS according to a DMRS pattern across a set of time-frequency resources. In some examples, the data signal includes an uplink shared channel signal, a downlink shared channel signal, an uplink control channel signal, or a downlink control channel signal.

[0174] In some cases, the DMRS pattern identification component 1325, the scheduling component 1330, the resource component 1335, the UE capability component 1340, and the DMRS pattern identification component 1345 may each be a processor (e.g., a transceiver processor, or a radio processor, or a transmitter processor, or a receiver processor) or at least a portion of a processor. The processor may be coupled to a memory and execute instructions stored in the memory that enable the processor to perform or facilitate the features of the DMRS pattern identification component 1325, the scheduling component 1330, the resource component 1335, the UE capability component 1340, and the DMRS pattern identification component 1345 discussed herein.

[0175] Fig.14 A diagram of a system 1400 including a device 1405 supporting a modified DMRS pattern for OFDM according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure is shown. The device 1405 may be an example of a device 1105, a device 1205, or a network node 105 as described herein or include components thereof. The device 1405 may communicate with one or more network nodes 105, one or more UEs 115, or any combination thereof, which may include communication through one or more wired interfaces, through one or more wireless interfaces, or any combination thereof. The device 1405 may include components that support output and acquisition of communications, such as a communication manager 1420, a transceiver 1410, an antenna 1415, a memory 1425, a code 1430, and a processor 1435. These components may be electronically communicated or otherwise coupled (e.g., operatively, communicatively, functionally, electronically, electrically) via one or more buses (e.g., bus 1440).

[0176] The transceiver 1410 may support bidirectional communication via a wired link, a wireless link, or both, as described herein. In some examples, the transceiver 1410 may include a wired transceiver and may communicate bidirectionally with another wired transceiver. Additionally or alternatively, in some examples, the transceiver 1410 may include a wireless transceiver and may communicate bidirectionally with another wireless transceiver. In some examples, the device 1405 may include one or more antennas 1415 that may be capable of (e.g., concurrently) sending or receiving wireless transmissions. The transceiver 1410 may also include a modem for modulating a signal, providing the modulated signal for transmission (e.g., via one or more antennas 1415, via a wired transmitter), receiving the modulated signal (e.g., from one or more antennas 1415, from a wired receiver), and demodulating the signal. The transceiver 1410 or transceiver 1410 and one or more antennas 1415 or wired interfaces (where applicable) may be examples of transmitter 1115, transmitter 1215, receiver 1110, receiver 1210, or any combination thereof or any components thereof as described herein. In some examples, the transceiver may be operable to support communication via one or more communication links (e.g., communication link 125, backhaul communication link 120, midhaul communication link 162, fronthaul communication link 168).

[0177] Memory 1425 may include RAM and ROM. Memory 1425 may store computer-readable, computer-executable code 1430 including instructions that, when executed by processor 1435, cause device 1405 to perform various functions described herein. Code 1430 may be stored in a non-transitory computer-readable medium such as system memory or another type of memory. In some cases, code 1430 may not be directly executable by processor 1435, but may (e.g., when compiled and executed) cause a computer to perform the functions described herein. In some cases, memory 1425 may also include, among other things, a BIOS that may control basic hardware or software operations, such as interaction with peripheral components or devices.

[0178] Processor 1435 may include an intelligent hardware device (e.g., a general-purpose processor, a DSP, an ASIC, a CPU, an FPGA, a microcontroller, a programmable logic device, a discrete gate or transistor logic, a discrete hardware component, or any combination thereof). In some cases, processor 1435 may be configured to operate a memory array using a memory controller. In some other cases, the memory controller may be integrated into processor 1435. Processor 1435 may be configured to execute computer-readable instructions stored in a memory (e.g., memory 1425) to enable device 1405 to perform various functions (e.g., functions or tasks of supporting a modified DMRS pattern for OFDM). For example, device 1405 or a component of device 1405 may include processor 1435 and memory 1425 coupled to processor 1435, and processor 1435 and memory 1425 are configured to perform various functions described herein. Processor 1435 may be an example of a cloud computing platform (e.g., one or more physical nodes and supporting software such as an operating system, virtual machine, or container instance) that may host functionality (e.g., by executing code 1430 ) to perform the functionality of device 1405 .

[0179] In some examples, bus 1440 may support communications of a protocol layer (e.g., within a protocol layer) of a protocol stack. In some examples, bus 1440 may support communications associated with a logical channel of a protocol stack (e.g., between protocol layers of a protocol stack), which may include communications performed within a component of device 1405, or communications performed between different components of device 1405 that may be co-located or located in different locations (e.g., where device 1405 may refer to a system in which one or more of communication manager 1420, transceiver 1410, memory 1425, code 1430, and processor 1435 may be located in one of the different components or divided between the different components).

[0180] In some examples, the communication manager 1420 may manage aspects of communications with the core network 130 (e.g., via one or more wired or wireless backhaul links). For example, the communication manager 1420 may manage the delivery of data communications for client devices such as one or more UEs 115. In some examples, the communication manager 1420 may manage communications with other network nodes 105 and may include a controller or scheduler for controlling communications with the UEs 115 in coordination with the other network nodes 105. In some examples, the communication manager 1420 may support an X2 interface within an LTE / LTE-A wireless communication network technology to provide communications between network nodes 105.

[0181] According to examples as disclosed herein, the communication manager 1420 may support wireless communication at a network node (e.g., device 1405). For example, the communication manager 1420 may be configured to or otherwise support a component for outputting a first control signaling identifying a DMRS pattern uniformly distributed in the time domain and the frequency domain, the DMRS pattern including a first set of one or more resource elements for DMRS, a second set of one or more resource elements adjacent to the first set of one or more resource elements and having a higher frequency than the first set of one or more resource elements for guard tones, and a third set of one or more resource elements adjacent to the first set of one or more resource elements and having a lower frequency than the first set of one or more resource elements for guard tones. The communication manager 1420 may be configured to or otherwise support a component for outputting a second control signaling for scheduling a data signal to be communicated between the UE and the network node in a set of time-frequency resources. The communication manager 1420 may be configured to or otherwise support a component for communicating a data signal according to the second control signaling across a set of time-frequency resources and communicating a DMRS according to the DMRS pattern.

[0182] By including or configuring an example communication manager 1420 according to as described herein, the device 1405 can support techniques for improving communication reliability, reducing latency, more efficiently utilizing communication resources, and improving coordination between devices.

[0183] In some examples, the communication manager 1420 may be configured to perform various operations (e.g., receive, obtain, monitor, output, transmit) using or otherwise cooperating with the transceiver 1410, one or more antennas 1415 (e.g., where applicable), or any combination thereof. Although the communication manager 1420 is illustrated as a separate component, in some examples, one or more functions described with reference to the communication manager 1420 may be supported or performed by the processor 1435, the memory 1425, the code 1430, the transceiver 1410, or any combination thereof. For example, the code 1430 may include instructions that are executable by the processor 1435 to cause the device 1405 to perform various aspects of the modified DMRS pattern for OFDM as described herein, or the processor 1435 and the memory 1425 may be otherwise configured to perform or support such operations.

[0184] Fig.15 A flow chart illustrating a method 1500 for supporting a modified DMRS pattern for OFDM according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure is shown. The operations of the method 1500 may be implemented by a UE or a component thereof as described herein. For example, the operations of the method 1500 may be implemented by a UE or a component thereof as described in reference to Figures 1 to 10The UE 115 described herein may be executed. In some examples, the UE may execute an instruction set to control the functional elements of the UE to perform the described functions. Additionally or alternatively, the UE may use dedicated hardware to perform various aspects of the described functions.

[0185] At 1505, the method may include receiving first control signaling identifying a DMRS pattern uniformly distributed in the time domain and the frequency domain, the DMRS pattern including a first set of one or more resource elements for DMRS, a second set of one or more resource elements for guard tones adjacent to the first set of one or more resource elements and at a higher frequency than the first set of one or more resource elements, and a third set of one or more resource elements for guard tones adjacent to the first set of one or more resource elements and at a lower frequency than the first set of one or more resource elements. The operations of 1505 may be performed according to examples as disclosed herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of 1505 may be performed by reference to Fig. 9 The DMRS pattern component 925 is used to perform.

[0186] At 1510, the method may include receiving second control signaling that schedules data signals to be communicated between the UE and the network node in a set of time-frequency resources. The operations of 1510 may be performed according to examples as disclosed herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of 1510 may be performed as described in reference to Fig. 9 The data signal component 930 is used to perform.

[0187] At 1515, the method may include communicating the data signal according to the second control signaling across the set of time-frequency resources and communicating the DMRS according to the DMRS pattern. The operations of 1515 may be performed according to examples as disclosed herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of 1515 may be performed as described in reference Fig. 9 The time-frequency resource component 935 is used to execute.

[0188] Fig.16 A flow chart illustrating a method 1600 for supporting a modified DMRS pattern for OFDM according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure is shown. The operations of the method 1600 may be implemented by a UE or a component thereof as described herein. For example, the operations of the method 1600 may be implemented by a UE or a component thereof as described in reference to Figures 1 to 10 The UE 115 described herein may be executed. In some examples, the UE may execute an instruction set to control the functional elements of the UE to perform the described functions. Additionally or alternatively, the UE may use dedicated hardware to perform various aspects of the described functions.

[0189] At 1605, the method may include sending an indication of the UE's ability to use adjacent resource elements to communicate DMRS in the time domain, the frequency domain, or both. The operations of 1605 may be performed according to examples as disclosed herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of 1605 may be performed as described in reference to Fig. 9 The capability component 945 is used to execute.

[0190] At 1610, the method may include receiving first control signaling identifying a DMRS pattern uniformly distributed in a time domain and a frequency domain, the DMRS pattern including a first set of one or more resource elements for DMRS, a second set of one or more resource elements for guard tones adjacent to the first set of one or more resource elements and at a higher frequency than the first set of one or more resource elements, and a third set of one or more resource elements for guard tones adjacent to the first set of one or more resource elements and at a lower frequency than the first set of one or more resource elements, wherein the DMRS pattern is based on the capability. The operations of 1610 may be performed according to examples as disclosed herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of 1610 may be performed by reference to Fig. 9 The DMRS pattern component 925 is used to perform.

[0191] At 1615, the method may include receiving second control signaling that schedules data signals to be communicated between the UE and the network node in the set of time-frequency resources. The operations of 1615 may be performed according to examples as disclosed herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of 1615 may be performed as described in reference to Fig. 9 The data signal component 930 is used to perform.

[0192] At 1620, the method may include communicating the data signal according to the second control signaling across the set of time-frequency resources and communicating the DMRS according to the DMRS pattern. The operations of 1620 may be performed according to examples as disclosed herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of 1620 may be performed as described in reference to Fig. 9 The time-frequency resource component 935 is used to execute.

[0193] Fig.17 A flow chart illustrating a method 1700 for supporting a modified DMRS pattern for OFDM according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure is shown. The operations of the method 1700 may be implemented by a network node or a component thereof as described herein. For example, the operations of the method 1700 may be implemented by a network node or a component thereof as described in reference to Figures 1 to 6 and Figures 11 to 14 In some examples, the network node may execute an instruction set to control the functional elements of the network node to perform the functions. Additionally or alternatively, the network node may use dedicated hardware to perform various aspects of the described functions.

[0194] At 1705, the method may include outputting first control signaling identifying a DMRS pattern uniformly distributed in the time domain and the frequency domain, the DMRS pattern including a first set of one or more resource elements for DMRS, a second set of one or more resource elements for guard tones adjacent to the first set of one or more resource elements and at a higher frequency than the first set of one or more resource elements, and a third set of one or more resource elements for guard tones adjacent to the first set of one or more resource elements and at a lower frequency than the first set of one or more resource elements. The operations of 1705 may be performed according to examples as disclosed herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of 1705 may be performed by reference to Fig.13 The DMRS mode identification component 1325 is used to perform.

[0195] At 1710, the method may include outputting second control signaling that schedules data signals to be communicated between the UE and the network node in the set of time-frequency resources. The operations of 1710 may be performed according to examples as disclosed herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of 1710 may be performed as described in reference to Fig.13 The scheduling component 1330 executes.

[0196] At 1715, the method may include communicating the data signal according to the second control signaling across the set of time-frequency resources and communicating the DMRS according to the DMRS pattern. The operations of 1715 may be performed according to examples as disclosed herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of 1715 may be performed as described in reference Fig.13 The resource component 1335 is used to execute.

[0197] Fig.18 A flow chart illustrating a method 1800 for supporting a modified DMRS pattern for OFDM according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure is shown. The operations of the method 1800 may be implemented by a network node or a component thereof as described herein. For example, the operations of the method 1800 may be implemented by a network node or a component thereof as described in reference to Figures 1 to 6 and Figures 11 to 14 In some examples, the network node may execute an instruction set to control the functional elements of the network node to perform the functions. Additionally or alternatively, the network node may use dedicated hardware to perform various aspects of the described functions.

[0198] At 1805, the method may include obtaining an indication of the ability of the UE to communicate DMRS using adjacent resource elements in the time domain, the frequency domain, or both. The operations of 1805 may be performed according to examples as disclosed herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of 1805 may be performed as described in reference to Fig.13 The UE capability component 1340 is used to perform.

[0199] At 1810, the method may include outputting first control signaling identifying a DMRS pattern uniformly distributed in a time domain and a frequency domain, the DMRS pattern including a first set of one or more resource elements for DMRS, a second set of one or more resource elements for guard tones adjacent to the first set of one or more resource elements and at a higher frequency than the first set of one or more resource elements, and a third set of one or more resource elements for guard tones adjacent to the first set of one or more resource elements and at a lower frequency than the first set of one or more resource elements, wherein the DMRS pattern is based on the capability. The operations of 1810 may be performed according to examples as disclosed herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of 1810 may be performed by reference to Fig.13 The DMRS mode identification component 1325 is used to perform.

[0200] At 1815, the method may include outputting second control signaling that schedules data signals to be communicated between the UE and the network node in the set of time-frequency resources. The operations of 1815 may be performed according to examples as disclosed herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of 1815 may be performed as described in reference to Fig.13 The scheduling component 1330 executes.

[0201] At 1820, the method may include communicating a data signal according to a second control signaling across a set of time-frequency resources and communicating a DMRS according to a DMRS pattern. The operations of 1820 may be performed according to examples as disclosed herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of 1820 may be performed as described in reference to Fig.13 The resource component 1335 is used to execute.

[0202] The following provides an overview of various aspects of the disclosure:

[0203] Aspect 1: A method for performing wireless communication at a UE, the method comprising: receiving a first control signaling identifying a DMRS pattern uniformly distributed in a time domain and a frequency domain, the DMRS pattern comprising a first set of one or more resource elements for DMRS, a second set of one or more resource elements for protection tones adjacent to the first set of one or more resource elements and having a higher frequency than the first set of one or more resource elements, and a third set of one or more resource elements for protection tones adjacent to the first set of one or more resource elements and having a lower frequency than the first set of one or more resource elements; receiving a second control signaling scheduling a data signal to be communicated between the UE and a network node in a set of time-frequency resources; and communicating the data signal across the set of time-frequency resources according to the second control signaling and communicating the DMRS according to the DMRS pattern.

[0204] Aspect 2: The method according to Aspect 1, wherein conveying the data signal and the DMRS further comprises: mapping the DMRS to the second set of one or more resource elements for the guard tone; and mapping the DMRS to the third set of one or more resource elements for the guard tone.

[0205] Aspect 3: The method according to Aspect 1, wherein conveying the data signal and the DMRS further comprises: mapping the zero-power signal to the second set of one or more resource elements for the guard tone; and mapping the zero-power signal to the third set of one or more resource elements for the guard tone.

[0206] Aspect 4: The method according to any one of aspects 1 to 3, wherein the first set of one or more resource elements for the DMRS includes a plurality of adjacent resource elements in the time domain, the frequency domain, or both, forming a resource element block.

[0207] Aspect 5: A method according to any one of Aspects 1 to 3, wherein the first set of one or more resource elements for the DMRS includes a plurality of resource element blocks uniformly distributed in the time domain, and each of the plurality of blocks includes a plurality of resource elements uniformly distributed in the time domain, the frequency domain, or both.

[0208] Aspect 6: The method according to aspect 5, wherein a first spacing of the plurality of resource element blocks in the time domain is different from a second spacing of the plurality of resource elements in the time domain.

[0209] Aspect 7: According to any one of Aspects 1 to 6, the method also includes: sending an indication of the UE's ability to use adjacent resource elements in the time domain, the frequency domain, or both to convey DMRS, wherein the DMRS pattern is at least partially based on the capability.

[0210] Aspect 8: A method according to any one of Aspects 1 to 7, wherein receiving the first control signaling identifying the DMRS pattern includes: receiving an indication of the MCS, subcarrier spacing, or both to be used for wireless communication at the UE, wherein the DMRS pattern is identified at least in part based on the MCS, the subcarrier spacing, or both.

[0211] Aspect 9: The method of aspect 8, wherein the DMRS pattern is identified based at least in part on a ratio between a Doppler frequency associated with the wireless communication at the UE and the subcarrier spacing.

[0212] Aspect 10: The method according to any one of aspects 1 to 7, wherein receiving the first control signaling identifying the DMRS pattern includes: receiving an indication of a DMRS configuration identifying the DMRS pattern.

[0213] Aspect 11: The method according to any one of Aspects 1 to 10, wherein communicating the data signal and the DMRS comprises: sending the data signal according to the second control signaling and sending the DMRS according to the DMRS pattern across the set of time-frequency resources.

[0214] Aspect 12: The method according to any one of Aspects 1 to 10, wherein communicating the data signal and the DMRS comprises: receiving the data signal according to the second control signaling and receiving the DMRS according to the DMRS pattern across the set of time-frequency resources.

[0215] Aspect 13: The method according to any one of Aspects 1 to 12, wherein the data signal comprises an uplink shared channel signal, a downlink shared channel signal, an uplink control channel signal or a downlink control channel signal.

[0216] Aspect 14: A method for performing wireless communications at a network node, the method comprising: outputting a first control signaling identifying a DMRS pattern uniformly distributed in a time domain and a frequency domain, the DMRS pattern comprising a first set of one or more resource elements for DMRS, a second set of one or more resource elements for protection tones adjacent to the first set of one or more resource elements and having a higher frequency than the first set of one or more resource elements, and a third set of one or more resource elements for protection tones adjacent to the first set of one or more resource elements and having a lower frequency than the first set of one or more resource elements; outputting a second control signaling scheduling a data signal to be communicated between a UE and the network node in a set of time-frequency resources; and communicating the data signal across the set of time-frequency resources according to the second control signaling and communicating the DMRS according to the DMRS pattern.

[0217] Aspect 15: The method according to Aspect 14, wherein conveying the data signal and the DMRS further comprises: mapping the DMRS to the second set of one or more resource elements for the guard tone; and mapping the DMRS to the third set of one or more resource elements for the guard tone.

[0218] Aspect 16: The method according to Aspect 14, wherein conveying the data signal and the DMRS further comprises: mapping the zero-power signal to the second set of one or more resource elements for the guard tone; and mapping the zero-power signal to the third set of one or more resource elements for the guard tone.

[0219] Aspect 17: The method according to any one of aspects 14 to 16, wherein the first set of one or more resource elements for the DMRS includes a plurality of adjacent resource elements in the time domain, the frequency domain, or both, forming a resource element block.

[0220] Aspect 18: A method according to any one of Aspects 14 to 16, wherein the first set of one or more resource elements for the DMRS includes a plurality of resource element blocks uniformly distributed in the time domain, and each of the plurality of blocks includes a plurality of resource elements uniformly distributed in the time domain, the frequency domain, or both.

[0221] Aspect 19: The method according to aspect 18, wherein a first spacing of the plurality of resource element blocks in the time domain is different from a second spacing of the plurality of resource elements in the time domain.

[0222] Aspect 20: According to any one of aspects 14 to 19, the method also includes: obtaining an indication of the ability of the UE to use adjacent resource elements in the time domain, the frequency domain, or both to communicate DMRS, wherein the DMRS pattern is at least partially based on the capability.

[0223] Aspect 21: A method according to any one of Aspects 14 to 20, wherein outputting the first control signaling identifying the DMRS pattern includes: outputting an indication of the MCS, subcarrier spacing, or both to be used for wireless communication at the UE, wherein the DMRS pattern is identified at least in part based on the MCS, the subcarrier spacing, or both.

[0224] Aspect 22: The method of aspect 21, wherein the DMRS pattern is identified based at least in part on the MCS and a ratio between a Doppler frequency associated with the wireless communication at the UE and the subcarrier spacing.

[0225] Aspect 23: The method according to any one of aspects 14 to 20, wherein outputting the first control signaling identifying the DMRS pattern includes: outputting an indication of a DMRS configuration identifying the DMRS pattern.

[0226] Aspect 24: The method according to any one of Aspects 14 to 23, wherein communicating the data signal and the DMRS comprises: obtaining the data signal according to the second control signaling and obtaining the DMRS according to the DMRS pattern across the set of time-frequency resources.

[0227] Aspect 25: The method according to any one of Aspects 14 to 23, wherein communicating the data signal and the DMRS comprises: outputting the data signal according to the second control signaling and outputting the DMRS according to the DMRS pattern across the set of time-frequency resources.

[0228] Aspect 26: A method according to any one of Aspects 14 to 25, wherein the data signal comprises an uplink shared channel signal, a downlink shared channel signal, an uplink control channel signal or a downlink control channel signal.

[0229] Aspect 27: An apparatus for performing wireless communications at a UE, the apparatus comprising: a processor; a memory coupled to the processor; and instructions stored in the memory and executable by the processor to cause the apparatus to perform a method according to any one of Aspects 1 to 13.

[0230] Aspect 28: An apparatus for wireless communication at a UE, the apparatus comprising at least one component for performing a method according to any one of aspects 1 to 13.

[0231] Aspect 29: A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing a code for wireless communication at a UE, the code comprising instructions executable by a processor to perform a method according to any one of aspects 1 to 13.

[0232] Aspect 30: An apparatus for performing wireless communications at a network node, the apparatus comprising: a processor; a memory coupled to the processor; and instructions stored in the memory and executable by the processor to cause the apparatus to perform a method according to any one of Aspects 14 to 26.

[0233] Aspect 31: An apparatus for wireless communication at a network node, the apparatus comprising at least one component for performing a method according to any one of aspects 14 to 26.

[0234] Aspect 32: A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing code for wireless communication at a network node, the code comprising instructions executable by a processor to perform the method according to any one of aspects 14 to 26.

[0235] It should be noted that the methods described herein describe possible implementations, and that the operations and steps may be rearranged or otherwise modified and that other implementations are possible. Furthermore, aspects from two or more methods may be combined.

[0236] Although aspects of LTE, LTE-A, LTE-A Pro, or NR systems may be described for example purposes, and LTE, LTE-A, LTE-A Pro, or NR terminology may be used in much of the description, the techniques described herein may also be applicable to networks other than LTE, LTE-A, LTE-A Pro, or NR networks. For example, the described techniques may be applicable to various other wireless communication systems, such as Ultra Mobile Broadband (UMB), Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11 (Wi-Fi), IEEE 802.16 (WiMAX), IEEE 802.20, Flash-OFDM, and other systems and radio technologies not explicitly mentioned herein.

[0237] The information and signals described herein may be represented using any of a variety of different techniques and methods. For example, data, instructions, commands, information, signals, bits, symbols, and chips that may be mentioned throughout the specification may be represented by voltage, current, electromagnetic waves, magnetic fields or magnetic particles, optical fields or optical particles, or any combination thereof.

[0238] The various illustrative blocks and components described in conjunction with the disclosure herein may be implemented or executed using a general purpose processor, DSP, ASIC, CPU, FPGA or other programmable logic device, discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof designed to perform the functions described herein. A general purpose processor may be a microprocessor, but in an alternative, the processor may be any processor, controller, microcontroller, or state machine. The processor may also be implemented as a combination of computing devices (e.g., a combination of a DSP and a microprocessor, multiple microprocessors, one or more microprocessors in conjunction with a DSP core, or any other such configuration).

[0239] The functions described herein may be implemented using hardware, software executed by a processor, firmware, or any combination thereof. If implemented using software executed by a processor, the functions may be stored as one or more instructions or codes of a computer-readable medium, or sent using one or more instructions or codes of a computer-readable medium. Other examples and specific implementations are within the scope of this disclosure and the appended claims. For example, due to the nature of software, the functions described herein may be implemented using software executed by a processor, hardware, firmware, hard wiring, or any combination of these items. Features that implement the functions may also be physically located at different locations, including being distributed so that the various parts of the functions are implemented at different physical locations.

[0240] Computer-readable media include both non-transient computer storage media and communication media, and the communication media include any media that facilitates the transfer of computer programs from one location to another.Non-transient storage media can be any available media that can be accessed by a general or special computer.By way of example and not limitation, non-transient computer-readable media may include RAM, ROM, electrically erasable programmable ROM (EEPROM), flash memory, compact disc (CD) ROM or other optical disc storage devices, disk storage devices or other magnetic storage devices, or may be used to carry or store desired program code components in the form of instructions or data structures and any other non-transient media that can be accessed by a general or special computer, or a general or special processor.Moreover, any connection is appropriately referred to as a computer-readable medium.For example, if software is sent from a website, server or other remote source using coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair, digital subscriber line (DSL) or wireless technologies such as infrared, radio and microwaves, coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair, DSL or wireless technologies such as infrared, radio and microwaves are included in the definition of computer-readable media. As used herein, disks and optical disks include CDs, laser disks, optical disks, digital versatile disks (DVDs), floppy disks, and Blu-ray disks. Disks can reproduce data magnetically, and optical disks can reproduce data optically using lasers. Combinations of the above are also included within the scope of computer-readable media.

[0241] As used herein (including in the claims), "or" used in a list of items (e.g., a list of items followed by a phrase such as "at least one of" or "one or more of") indicates an inclusive list, so that, for example, a list of at least one of A, B, or C means A or B or C or AB or AC or BC or ABC (i.e., A and B and C). In addition, as used herein, the phrase "based on" should not be interpreted as a reference to a closed set of conditions. For example, an example step described as "based on condition A" can be based on both condition A and condition B without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. In other words, as used herein, the phrase "based on" should be interpreted in the same manner as the phrase "based at least in part on."

[0242] The term "determining" encompasses a variety of actions, and thus, "determining" may include calculating, computing, processing, deriving, investigating, looking up (such as via looking up in a table, database or other data structure), ascertaining, and the like. Additionally, "determining" may include receiving (e.g., receiving information) and accessing (e.g., accessing data stored in a memory), etc. Additionally, "determining" may include resolving, obtaining, selecting, choosing, establishing, and other such similar actions.

[0243] In the drawings, similar components or features may have the same reference label. In addition, various components of the same type may be distinguished by following the reference label with a dash and a second label to distinguish between the similar components. If only the first reference label is used in the specification, the description may apply to any of the similar components having the same first reference label regardless of the second reference label, or other subsequent reference labels.

[0244] The descriptions set forth herein in conjunction with the accompanying drawings describe example configurations and do not represent all examples that may be implemented or within the scope of the claims. The term "example" as used herein means "used as an example, instance, or illustration," rather than "preferred" or "having advantages over other examples." The specific implementation includes specific details to provide an understanding of the technology. However, the technologies may be practiced without these specific details. In some instances, known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form to avoid obscuring the concepts of the examples.

[0245] The description herein is provided to enable one of ordinary skill in the art to implement or use the present disclosure. Various modifications to the present disclosure will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art, and the general principles defined herein may be applied to other variations without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Therefore, the present disclosure is not limited to the examples and designs described herein, but should be granted the widest scope consistent with the principles and novel features disclosed herein.

Claims

1. An apparatus for wireless communication at a user equipment (UE), the apparatus comprising: processor; a memory coupled to the processor; and instructions stored in the memory and executable by the processor to cause the apparatus to: receiving first control signaling identifying a demodulation reference signal pattern uniformly distributed in time and frequency domains, the demodulation reference signal pattern comprising a first set of one or more resource elements for demodulation reference signals, a second set of one or more resource elements for guard tones adjacent to the first set of one or more resource elements and at a higher frequency than the first set of one or more resource elements, and a third set of one or more resource elements for guard tones adjacent to the first set of one or more resource elements and at a lower frequency than the first set of one or more resource elements; receiving second control signaling scheduling a data signal to be communicated between the UE and a network node in a set of time-frequency resources; as well as The data signal is communicated according to the second control signaling and the demodulation reference signal is communicated according to the demodulation reference signal pattern across the set of time-frequency resources.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the instructions are further executable by the processor to communicate the data signal and the demodulation reference signal by being executable by the processor to: mapping the demodulation reference signal to the second set of one or more resource elements for the guard tones; and The demodulation reference signal is mapped to the third set of one or more resource elements for the guard tones.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the instructions are further executable by the processor to communicate the data signal and the demodulation reference signal by being executable by the processor to: mapping a zero-power signal to the second set of one or more resource elements for the guard tones; and The zero-power signal is mapped to the third set of one or more resource elements for the guard tones. 4 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the first set of one or more resource elements for the demodulation reference signal comprises a plurality of adjacent resource elements in the time domain, the frequency domain, or both forming a block of resource elements.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the first set of one or more resource elements for the demodulation reference signal comprises a plurality of resource element blocks uniformly distributed in the time domain, each of the plurality of blocks comprising a plurality of resource elements uniformly distributed in the time domain, the frequency domain, or both. 6 . The apparatus according to claim 5 , wherein a first spacing of the plurality of resource element blocks in the time domain is different from a second spacing of the plurality of resource elements in the time domain.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the instructions are further executable by the processor to: An indication of a capability of the UE to communicate a demodulation reference signal using neighboring resource elements in the time domain, the frequency domain, or both is sent, wherein the demodulation reference signal pattern is based at least in part on the capability.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the instructions are further executable by the processor to receive the first control signaling identifying the demodulation reference signal mode by being executable by the processor to: An indication of a modulation and coding scheme, subcarrier spacing, or both to be used for wireless communication at the UE is received, wherein the demodulation reference signal pattern is identified based at least in part on the modulation and coding scheme, the subcarrier spacing, or both.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the demodulation reference signal pattern is identified based at least in part on a ratio between a Doppler frequency associated with the wireless communication at the UE and the subcarrier spacing.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the instructions are further executable by the processor to receive the first control signaling identifying the demodulation reference signal mode by being executable by the processor to: An indication of a demodulation reference signal configuration identifying the demodulation reference signal pattern is received.

11. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the instructions are further executable by the processor to communicate the data signal and the demodulation reference signal by being executable by the processor to: The set of cross-time-frequency resources sends the data signal according to the second control signaling and sends the demodulation reference signal according to the demodulation reference signal mode.

12. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the instructions are further executable by the processor to communicate the data signal and the demodulation reference signal by being executable by the processor to: The set of cross-time-frequency resources receives the data signal according to the second control signaling and receives the demodulation reference signal according to the demodulation reference signal pattern.

13. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the data signal comprises an uplink shared channel signal, a downlink shared channel signal, an uplink control channel signal, or a downlink control channel signal.

14. An apparatus for wireless communication at a network node, the apparatus comprising: processor; a memory coupled to the processor; and instructions stored in the memory and executable by the processor to cause the apparatus to: outputting first control signaling identifying a demodulation reference signal pattern uniformly distributed in time and frequency domains, the demodulation reference signal pattern comprising a first set of one or more resource elements for demodulation reference signals, a second set of one or more resource elements for guard tones adjacent to the first set of one or more resource elements and having a higher frequency than the first set of one or more resource elements, and a third set of one or more resource elements for guard tones adjacent to the first set of one or more resource elements and having a lower frequency than the first set of one or more resource elements; outputting second control signaling scheduling a data signal to be communicated between a user equipment (UE) and the network node in the set of time-frequency resources; as well as The data signal is communicated according to the second control signaling and the demodulation reference signal is communicated according to the demodulation reference signal pattern across the set of time-frequency resources.

15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the instructions are further executable by the processor to communicate the data signal and the demodulation reference signal by being executable by the processor to: mapping the demodulation reference signal to the second set of one or more resource elements for the guard tones; and The demodulation reference signal is mapped to the third set of one or more resource elements for the guard tones.

16. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the instructions are further executable by the processor to communicate the data signal and the demodulation reference signal by being executable by the processor to: mapping a zero-power signal to the second set of one or more resource elements for the guard tones; and The zero-power signal is mapped to the third set of one or more resource elements for the guard tones.

17. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the first set of one or more resource elements for the demodulation reference signal comprises a plurality of adjacent resource elements in the time domain, the frequency domain, or both forming a block of resource elements.

18. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the first set of one or more resource elements for the demodulation reference signal comprises a plurality of resource element blocks uniformly distributed in the time domain, each of the plurality of blocks comprising a plurality of resource elements uniformly distributed in the time domain, the frequency domain, or both.

19. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein a first spacing of the plurality of resource element blocks in the time domain is different from a second spacing of the plurality of resource elements in the time domain.

20. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the instructions are further executable by the processor to: An indication of a capability of the UE to communicate a demodulation reference signal using neighboring resource elements in the time domain, the frequency domain, or both is obtained, wherein the demodulation reference signal pattern is based at least in part on the capability.

21. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the instructions are further executable by the processor to output the first control signaling identifying the demodulation reference signal mode by being executable by the processor to: An indication of a modulation and coding scheme, subcarrier spacing, or both to be used for wireless communication at the UE is output, wherein the demodulation reference signal pattern is identified based at least in part on the modulation and coding scheme, the subcarrier spacing, or both.

22. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the demodulation reference signal pattern is identified based at least in part on the modulation and coding scheme and a ratio between a Doppler frequency associated with the wireless communication at the UE and the subcarrier spacing.

23. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the instructions are further executable by the processor to output the first control signaling identifying the demodulation reference signal mode by being executable by the processor to: An indication of a demodulation reference signal configuration identifying the demodulation reference signal pattern is output.

24. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the instructions are further executable by the processor to communicate the data signal and the demodulation reference signal by being executable by the processor to: The set of cross-time-frequency resources obtains the data signal according to the second control signaling and obtains the demodulation reference signal according to the demodulation reference signal pattern.

25. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the instructions are further executable by the processor to communicate the data signal and the demodulation reference signal by being executable by the processor to: The set across time-frequency resources outputs the data signal according to the second control signaling and outputs the demodulation reference signal according to the demodulation reference signal mode.

26. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the data signal comprises an uplink shared channel signal, a downlink shared channel signal, an uplink control channel signal, or a downlink control channel signal.

27. A method for wireless communication at a user equipment (UE), the method comprising: receiving first control signaling identifying a demodulation reference signal pattern uniformly distributed in time and frequency domains, the demodulation reference signal pattern comprising a first set of one or more resource elements for demodulation reference signals, a second set of one or more resource elements for guard tones adjacent to the first set of one or more resource elements and at a higher frequency than the first set of one or more resource elements, and a third set of one or more resource elements for guard tones adjacent to the first set of one or more resource elements and at a lower frequency than the first set of one or more resource elements; receiving second control signaling scheduling a data signal to be communicated between the UE and a network node in a set of time-frequency resources; as well as The data signal is communicated according to the second control signaling and the demodulation reference signal is communicated according to the demodulation reference signal pattern across the set of time-frequency resources.

28. The method of claim 27, wherein communicating the data signal and the demodulation reference signal further comprises: mapping the demodulation reference signal to the second set of one or more resource elements for the guard tones; as well as The demodulation reference signal is mapped to the third set of one or more resource elements for the guard tones.

29. A method for wireless communication at a network node, the method comprising: outputting first control signaling identifying a demodulation reference signal pattern uniformly distributed in time and frequency domains, the demodulation reference signal pattern comprising a first set of one or more resource elements for demodulation reference signals, a second set of one or more resource elements for guard tones adjacent to the first set of one or more resource elements and having a higher frequency than the first set of one or more resource elements, and a third set of one or more resource elements for guard tones adjacent to the first set of one or more resource elements and having a lower frequency than the first set of one or more resource elements; outputting second control signaling scheduling a data signal to be communicated between a user equipment (UE) and the network node in the set of time-frequency resources; as well as The data signal is communicated according to the second control signaling and the demodulation reference signal is communicated according to the demodulation reference signal pattern across the set of time-frequency resources.

30. The method of claim 29, wherein communicating the data signal and the demodulation reference signal further comprises: mapping a zero-power signal to said second set of one or more resource elements for said guard tones; as well as The zero-power signal is mapped to the third set of one or more resource elements for the guard tones.

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