Systems and techniques for secure sounding reference signal communications

Abstract

Methods, systems, and devices for wireless communication are described. A user equipment (UE) and a network entity may pseudo-randomly generate a frequency hopping index to support secure communication of sounding reference signals (SRS). For example, the UE may securely obtain a key associated with communication of a set of SRS via a respective portion of a system bandwidth used to communicate with the network entity. The UE and the network entity 7 may generate a set of frequency hopping indexes using the key. The set of frequency hopping indices may correspond to the set of SRS, and each frequency hopping index may indicate a respective portion of the system bandwidth for communication of the corresponding SRS. The UE and the network entity 7 may communicate the SRS set according to the frequency hopping index set.

Description

[0001] Cross-references

[0002] This patent application claims the benefit of U.S. patent application No. 18 / 051,814, entitled “SYSTEMS AND TECHNIQUES FOR SECURE SOUNDING REFERENCE SIGNAL COMMUNICATION,” filed by Rodriguez Fernandez et al. on November 1, 2022, which is assigned to the assignee of this application and is expressly incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0003] The following relates to wireless communications, including systems and techniques for communicating a safety sounding reference signal (SRS). Background Art

[0004] Wireless communication systems are widely deployed to provide various types of communication content, such as voice, video, packet data, messaging, broadcasting, 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). A wireless multiple access communication system may include one or more base stations, each of which supports wireless communications for communication devices, which may be referred to as user equipment (UE).

[0005] In some wireless communication systems, a UE may be configured to send a sounding reference signal (SRS), for example, to enable a network entity to obtain channel information. In some examples, the UE may send the SRS to the network entity based on a frequency hopping index, which may be completely deterministic. Therefore, the communication of the SRS may be subject to security threats and attacks. Summary of the invention

[0006] The described technology relates to improved methods, systems, devices and apparatuses for supporting systems and technologies for secure sounding reference signal (SRS) communication. For example, the described technology provides secure generation of a frequency hopping index according to which an SRS can be communicated. For example, a user equipment (UE) and a network entity can communicate via a system bandwidth, and the UE can send an SRS to the network entity via a corresponding portion of the system bandwidth. The SRS can be communicated according to a frequency hopping index, each frequency hopping index indicating a corresponding portion of the system bandwidth for the transmission of the corresponding SRS. In order to securely determine the frequency hopping index, the UE and the network entity can use a key (e.g., a secret key, a security key) to generate (e.g., pseudo-randomly) a frequency hopping index. Because the UE and the network entity can use the same key, the frequency hopping index generated by the UE and the network entity can be the same. However, a device that does not know the key may not be able to generate a frequency hopping index, and the frequency hopping performed by the UE to send the SRS according to the frequency hopping index may appear to be random for such a device, which can improve security. Therefore, the UE and the network entity can securely communicate the SRS according to the securely generated frequency hopping index.

[0007] A method for wireless communication at a UE is described. The method may include: receiving a control message indicating a key associated with the transmission of an SRS set via a system bandwidth for communicating with a network entity; using the key to generate a set of frequency hopping indices corresponding to the SRS set, each frequency hopping index in the set of frequency hopping indices indicating a corresponding portion of the system bandwidth for transmission of the corresponding SRS; and transmitting the SRS set via the corresponding portion of the system bandwidth according to the set of frequency hopping indices.

[0008] An apparatus for wireless communication at a UE is described. The apparatus may include a processor, a memory coupled to the processor, and instructions stored in the memory. The instructions may be executable by the processor to cause the apparatus to: receive a control message indicating a key associated with the transmission of an SRS set via a system bandwidth for communicating with a network entity; generate a set of hopping indices corresponding to the SRS set using the key, each hopping index in the set of hopping indices indicating a corresponding portion of the system bandwidth for transmission of the corresponding SRS; and transmit the SRS set via the corresponding portion of the system bandwidth according to the set of hopping indices.

[0009] Another apparatus for wireless communication at a UE is described. The apparatus may include: a component for receiving a control message indicating a key associated with the transmission of a set of SRSs via a system bandwidth for communicating with a network entity; a component for generating a set of frequency hopping indices corresponding to the set of SRSs using the key, each frequency hopping index in the set of frequency hopping indices indicating a corresponding portion of the system bandwidth for transmission of the corresponding SRS; and a component for transmitting the set of SRSs via the corresponding portion of the system bandwidth according to the set of frequency hopping indices.

[0010] 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 the processor to perform the following operations: receiving a control message indicating a key associated with the transmission of an SRS set via a system bandwidth for communicating with a network entity; using the key to generate a set of frequency hopping indices corresponding to the SRS set, each frequency hopping index in the set of frequency hopping indices indicating a corresponding portion of the system bandwidth for transmission of the corresponding SRS; and transmitting the SRS set via the corresponding portion of the system bandwidth according to the set of frequency hopping indices.

[0011] In some examples of the methods, apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein, receiving a control message indicating a key may include operations, features, components, or instructions for receiving a binary sequence encrypted via an encryption key shared by a UE and a network entity and decrypting the binary sequence using the encryption key, wherein the binary sequence may be a key.

[0012] In some examples of the methods, apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein, receiving a control message indicating a key may include operations, features, components, or instructions for receiving one or more encryption keys based on a secure registration of the UE with a network, each of the one or more encryption keys corresponding to a corresponding cell, wherein the key may be an encryption key corresponding to a cell via which the UE and a network entity communicate.

[0013] In some examples of the methods, apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein, receiving a control message indicating a key may include operations, features, components, or instructions for receiving the control message based on authentication of the UE within a UE group associated with a cell via which the UE and the network entity communicate, wherein the key may be common to the UE group.

[0014] In some examples of the methods, apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein, a control message indicating a key may be received from a second UE in the group of UEs based on authentication of the UE within the group of UEs.

[0015] In some examples of the methods, apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein, generating the set of frequency hopping indices may include operations, features, components, or instructions for: generating one or more bit vectors using the key, each bit in the bit vector indicating whether to exchange a corresponding subset of frequency hopping indices in a corresponding set of frequency hopping indices, and applying the one or more bit vectors to a second set of frequency hopping indices to generate the set of frequency hopping indices.

[0016] Some examples of the methods, devices, and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein may also include operations, features, components, or instructions for determining a second set of frequency hopping indices based on an orthogonal variable spreading factor (OVSF) code, wherein the one or more bit vectors may be applied to the second set of frequency hopping indices based on the determination.

[0017] Some examples of the methods, apparatuses, and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein may also include operations, features, components, or instructions for determining a corresponding subset of frequency hopping indices to which bits of the bit vector correspond based on a third set of frequency hopping indices generated using the key.

[0018] In some examples of the methods, apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein, generating one or more bit vectors may include operations, features, components, or instructions for inputting a key and one or more additional inputs into a pseudo-random function that outputs the one or more bit vectors, the one or more additional inputs including a cell identifier (ID) of a cell via which the UE and a network entity communicate, a time, a seed received from the network entity, or a combination thereof.

[0019] Some examples of the methods, apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein may also include operations, features, components, or instructions for receiving a second control message from a network entity, the second control message instructing the UE to generate a frequency hopping index set using a key associated with the transmission of the SRS set.

[0020] Some examples of the methods, apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein may also include operations, features, components, or instructions for: generating a mapping between a set of time slot offsets and a set of indices corresponding to the set of time slot offsets using the key or a second key received from the network entity, each time slot offset in the set of time slot offsets indicating an offset from an initial time slot of a transmit time interval (TTI) associated with the transmission of a corresponding SRS; and receiving a second control message from the network entity based on the mapping indicating a first index in the set of indices corresponding to a first time slot offset in the set of time slot offsets, wherein at least a subset of the SRS set may be transmitted via the corresponding TTI according to the first time slot offset.

[0021] Some examples of the methods, apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein may also include operations, features, components, or instructions for: generating a second mapping between a set of time slot offsets and a set of indices using a key or a second key, wherein the second mapping may be different from the mapping; and receiving a third control message from a network entity based on the second mapping indicating a second index in the index set corresponding to a second time slot offset in the set of time slot offsets, wherein a second subset of the SRS set may be sent via a corresponding TTI according to the second time slot offset.

[0022] Some examples of the methods, apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein may also include operations, features, components, or instructions for receiving a third control message from a network entity that instructs the UE to generate a mapping using a key associated with the transmission of the SRS set or a second key.

[0023] Some examples of the methods, devices, and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein may also include operations, features, components, or instructions for: using the key or a second key received from the network entity to generate a mapping between a periodicity set associated with the transmission of the SRS set and an index set corresponding to the periodicity set; and receiving a second control message from the network entity based on the mapping indicating a first index in the index set corresponding to a first periodicity in the periodicity set, wherein at least a subset of the SRS set can be transmitted via a corresponding TTI according to the first periodicity.

[0024] Some examples of the methods, devices, and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein may also include operations, features, components, or instructions for: generating a second mapping between a periodicity set and an index set using a key or a second key, wherein the second mapping may be different from the mapping; and receiving a third control message from a network entity based on the second mapping indicating a second index in the index set corresponding to a second periodicity in the periodicity set, wherein a second subset of the SRS set may be sent via a corresponding TTI according to the second periodicity.

[0025] Some examples of the methods, apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein may also include operations, features, components, or instructions for receiving a third control message from a network entity that instructs the UE to generate a mapping using a key associated with the transmission of the SRS set or a second key.

[0026] In some examples of the methods, apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein, the key may be common to a cell via which the UE and the network entity communicate, or common to a corresponding group of UEs associated with a cell including the UE.

[0027] A method for wireless communication at a network entity is described. The method may include: outputting a control message indicating a key associated with communication of a set of SRSs via a corresponding portion of a system bandwidth used for communication with a UE; generating a set of frequency hopping indices corresponding to the set of SRSs using the key, each frequency hopping index in the set of frequency hopping indices indicating a corresponding portion of the system bandwidth used for communication of the corresponding SRS; and obtaining the set of SRSs via the corresponding portion of the system bandwidth according to the set of frequency hopping indices.

[0028] An apparatus for wireless communication at a network entity is described. The apparatus may include a processor, a memory coupled to the processor, and instructions stored in the memory. The instructions may be executable by the processor to cause the apparatus to: output a control message indicating a key associated with a communication of a set of SRSs via a corresponding portion of a system bandwidth used for communicating with a UE; generate a set of hopping indices corresponding to the set of SRSs using the key, each hopping index in the set of hopping indices indicating a corresponding portion of the system bandwidth used for communication of the corresponding SRS; and obtain the set of SRSs via the corresponding portion of the system bandwidth according to the set of hopping indices.

[0029] Another apparatus for wireless communication at a network entity is described. The apparatus may include: a component for outputting a control message indicating a key associated with communication of a set of SRSs via a corresponding portion of a system bandwidth for communication with a UE; a component for generating a set of frequency hopping indices corresponding to the set of SRSs using the key, each frequency hopping index in the set of frequency hopping indices indicating a corresponding portion of the system bandwidth for communication of the corresponding SRS; and a component for obtaining the set of SRSs via the corresponding portion of the system bandwidth according to the set of frequency hopping indices.

[0030] A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing code for wireless communication at a network entity is described. The code may include instructions executable by the processor to: output a control message indicating a key associated with communication of a set of SRSs via a corresponding portion of a system bandwidth used for communication with a UE; generate a set of frequency hopping indices corresponding to the set of SRSs using the key, each frequency hopping index in the set of frequency hopping indices indicating a corresponding portion of the system bandwidth used for communication of the corresponding SRS; and obtain the set of SRSs via the corresponding portion of the system bandwidth according to the set of frequency hopping indices.

[0031] In some examples of the methods, apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein, outputting a control message indicating a key may include operations, features, components, or instructions for outputting a binary sequence encrypted via an encryption key shared by a UE and a network entity, where the binary sequence may be a key.

[0032] In some examples of the methods, apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein, outputting a control message indicating a key may include operations, features, components, or instructions for: outputting one or more encryption keys based on a secure registration of the UE with a network entity, each of the one or more encryption keys corresponding to a corresponding cell, wherein the key may be an encryption key corresponding to a cell via which the UE and the network entity communicate.

[0033] In some examples of the methods, apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein, outputting a control message indicating a key may include operations, features, components, or instructions for outputting a control message based on authentication of a UE within a UE group associated with a cell via which the UE and a network entity communicate, wherein the key may be common to the UE group.

[0034] In some examples of the methods, apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein, generating the set of frequency hopping indices may include operations, features, components, or instructions for: generating one or more bit vectors using the key, each bit in the bit vector indicating whether to exchange a corresponding subset of frequency hopping indices in a corresponding set of frequency hopping indices, and applying the one or more bit vectors to a second set of frequency hopping indices to generate the set of frequency hopping indices.

[0035] Some examples of the methods, apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein may also include operations, features, components, or instructions for determining a second set of frequency hopping indices based on an OVSF code, wherein the one or more bit vectors may be applied to the second set of frequency hopping indices based on the determination.

[0036] Some examples of the methods, apparatuses, and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein may also include operations, features, components, or instructions for determining a corresponding subset of frequency hopping indices to which bits of the bit vector correspond based on a third set of frequency hopping indices generated using the key.

[0037] In some examples of the methods, apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein, generating one or more bit vectors may include operations, features, components, or instructions for inputting a key and one or more additional inputs into a pseudo-random function that outputs the one or more bit vectors, the one or more additional inputs including a cell ID of a cell via which the UE and the network entity communicate, a time, a seed generated by the network entity, or a combination thereof.

[0038] Some examples of the methods, apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein may also include operations, features, components, or instructions for outputting a second control message that instructs the UE to generate the frequency hopping index set using a key associated with communication of the SRS set, wherein the frequency hopping index set may be generated by a network entity based on the second control message.

[0039] Some examples of the methods, apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein may also include operations, features, components, or instructions for: using a key or a second key to generate a mapping between a set of time slot offsets and a set of indices corresponding to the set of time slot offsets, each time slot offset in the set of time slot offsets indicating an offset from an initial time slot of a TTI associated with communication of a corresponding SRS; and outputting a second control message indicating a first index in the set of indices corresponding to a first time slot offset in the set of time slot offsets based on the mapping, wherein at least a subset of the set of SRSs can be obtained via the corresponding TTI based on the first time slot offset.

[0040] Some examples of the methods, apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein may also include operations, features, components, or instructions for: generating a second mapping between a set of time slot offsets and a set of indices using a key or a second key, wherein the second mapping may be different from the mapping; and outputting a third control message indicating a second index in the index set corresponding to a second time slot offset in the set of time slot offsets based on the second mapping, wherein a second subset of the SRS set may be obtained via a corresponding TTI based on the second time slot offset.

[0041] Some examples of the methods, apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein may also include operations, features, components, or instructions for outputting a third control message that instructs the UE to generate a mapping using a key associated with communication of the SRS set or a second key, wherein the mapping may be generated by a network entity based on the third control message.

[0042] Some examples of the methods, devices, and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein may also include operations, features, components, or instructions for: using a key or a second key to generate a mapping between a periodicity set associated with communication of an SRS set and an index set corresponding to the periodicity set; and outputting a second control message indicating a first index in the index set corresponding to a first periodicity in the periodicity set based on the mapping, wherein at least a subset of the SRS set can be obtained via a corresponding TTI based on the first periodicity.

[0043] Some examples of the methods, devices, and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein may also include operations, features, components, or instructions for: generating a second mapping between a periodicity set and an index set using a key or a second key, wherein the second mapping may be different from the mapping; and outputting a third control message indicating a second index in the index set corresponding to a second periodicity in the periodicity set based on the second mapping, wherein a second subset of the SRS set may be obtained via a corresponding TTI based on the second periodicity.

[0044] Some examples of the methods, apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein may also include operations, features, components, or instructions for outputting a third control message that instructs the UE to generate a mapping using a key associated with communication of the SRS set or a second key, wherein the mapping may be generated by a network entity based on the third control message.

[0045] In some examples of the methods, apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein, the key may be common to a cell via which the UE and the network entity communicate, or common to a corresponding group of UEs associated with a cell including the UE. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0046] Figure 1 and Figure 2 An example of a wireless communication system supporting systems and techniques for safety sounding reference signal (SRS) communications in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure is illustrated.

[0047] Figure 3 An example of a hopping diagram that supports systems and techniques for secure SRS communications in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure is illustrated.

[0048] Figure 4 An example of a process flow supporting systems and techniques for secure SRS communications in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure is illustrated.

[0049] Figure 5

[0046] An example of a bit generation diagram that supports systems and techniques for secure SRS communications in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure is illustrated.

[0050] Figure 6 An example of a communication diagram supporting systems and techniques for secure SRS communications in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure is illustrated.

[0051] Figure 7 and Figure 8 A block diagram illustrating a device supporting systems and techniques for secure SRS communications in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure is illustrated.

[0052] Fig. 9 A block diagram of a communications manager that supports systems and techniques for secure SRS communications in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure is illustrated.

[0053] Fig.10 A schematic diagram illustrating a system including devices supporting systems and techniques for secure SRS communications in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure is illustrated.

[0054] Fig.11 and 12 A block diagram illustrating a device supporting systems and techniques for secure SRS communications in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure is illustrated.

[0055] Fig.13 A block diagram of a communications manager that supports systems and techniques for secure SRS communications in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure is illustrated.

[0056] Fig.14 A schematic diagram illustrating a system including devices supporting systems and techniques for secure SRS communications in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure is illustrated.

[0057] Figures 15 to 20 A flow chart illustrating a method of supporting systems and techniques for secure SRS communications in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure is illustrated. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0058] In some wireless communication systems, a user equipment (UE) may send a sounding reference signal (SRS) to a network entity so that the network entity can perform channel measurements on the SRS and obtain (e.g., estimate) channel information, such as the channel quality of an uplink channel via which the UE sends the SRS. In some examples, the network entity may use the channel information to support resource scheduling and allocation, beam management, transmit power management, or downlink channel estimation (e.g., due to channel reciprocity), among other operations. The UE may send one or more SRSs so that the network entity may obtain channel information for an entire given bandwidth (e.g., a system bandwidth via which the UE and the network entity communicate). For example, the UE may send the SRS via a wide bandwidth spanning the system bandwidth (e.g., a bandwidth spanning a frequency range that is higher than a threshold range or portion of the system bandwidth). Alternatively, if the configured bandwidth of the SRS is less than a threshold portion of the system bandwidth, the UE may send multiple SRSs via corresponding portions of the system bandwidth that span the system bandwidth together. In other words, the UE may perform frequency hopping between different portions of the system bandwidth when sending SRS to a network entity so that the network entity may obtain channel information of the system bandwidth (eg, to enable scanning of the entire desired bandwidth, such as the system bandwidth).

[0059] The UE may hop between bandwidth portions according to a set of frequency hopping indices. For example, each frequency hopping index may indicate a corresponding portion of the system bandwidth used for communication of the corresponding SRS. However, in some cases, the frequency hopping may be completely determined (e.g., and repeated) based on an orthogonal variable spreading factor (OVSF) code (e.g., an OVSF code tree). That is, the frequency hopping performed by the UE to send the SRS may be completely determined by any device (including malicious actors) using the OVSF code. Therefore, the SRS sent according to the deterministic frequency hopping index may be subject to some security threats. For example, a malicious actor may block the bandwidth via which the SRS is communicated to prevent a network entity from obtaining channel information, which may result in a denial of service. Additionally or alternatively, a malicious actor may extract (e.g., estimate, determine) some channel information, such as a channel quality indicator (CQI) or path loss information, to determine whether the UE is nearby or far away, as well as other security threats.

[0060] This document describes technologies, systems, and devices for supporting secure SRS communications. For example, a UE and a network entity may introduce security into SRS frequency hopping by securely generating a set of frequency hopping indices, based on which the UE and the network entity may communicate the SRS set. In order to securely generate the set of frequency hopping indices, the UE and the network entity may use a key (e.g., a security key, a secret key) to pseudo-randomly generate the set of frequency hopping indices. Because the UE and the network entity may use the same key, the set of frequency hopping indices generated by the UE and the network entity may be the same. However, the key may be securely obtained by the UE and the network entity, and devices that cannot obtain the key (e.g., including malicious actors) may not be able to generate frequency hopping indices. Therefore, the frequency hopping performed by the UE to send the SRS according to the set of frequency hopping indices may appear to be random to such devices, which improves the security of the transmission of the SRS. Therefore, the UE and the network entity may securely communicate the SRS based on the securely generated set of frequency hopping indices.

[0061] Communicating SRS according to a pseudo-randomly generated frequency hopping index can reduce the likelihood of a malicious actor successfully determining the frequency hopping pattern used to communicate SRS. Therefore, the likelihood of successful security attacks such as denial of service or information extraction can be reduced, thereby increasing the reliability of SRS and the accuracy of channel information obtained by network entities, among other benefits.

[0062] Aspects of the present disclosure are first described in the context of wireless communication systems. Aspects of the present disclosure are additionally described in the context of transition diagrams, bit generation diagrams, process flows, and communication diagrams. Aspects of the present disclosure are further illustrated by apparatus diagrams, system diagrams, and flow diagrams relating to systems and techniques for secure SRS communications, and are described with reference to these diagrams.

[0063] Figure 1An example of a wireless communication system 100 supporting systems and techniques for secure SRS communication according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure is illustrated. The wireless communication system 100 may include one or more network entities 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.

[0064] The network entities 105 may be dispersed throughout a geographic area to form the wireless communication system 100, and may include devices in different forms or with different capabilities. In various examples, the network entities 105 may be referred to as network elements, mobility elements, radio access network (RAN) nodes, or network equipment, among other nomenclature. In some examples, the network entities 105 and the UE 115 may communicate wirelessly via one or more communication links 125 (e.g., radio frequency (RF) access links). For example, the network entity 105 may support a coverage area 110 (e.g., a geographic coverage area) within which the UE 115 and the network entity 105 may establish one or more communication links 125. The coverage area 110 may be an example of a geographic area within which the network entity 105 and the UE 115 may support signal communications according to one or more radio access technologies (RATs).

[0065] 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 both 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 communications with various types of devices, such as Figure 1 Other UEs 115 or network entities 105 are shown.

[0066] 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 entity 105 (e.g., any network entity 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 entity 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 entity 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 entity 105, and the third node may be a network entity 105. In 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 entity 105, apparatus, device, computing system, etc. may include disclosure of UE 115, network entity 105, apparatus, device, computing system, etc. as nodes. For example, a disclosure that UE 115 is configured to receive information from network entity 105 also discloses that the first node is configured to receive information from a second node.

[0067] In some examples, the network entities 105 may communicate with the core network 130 or with each other or both. For example, the network entities 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 entities 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 entities 105) or indirectly (e.g., via the core network 130). In some examples, the network entities 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 .

[0068] One or more of the network entities 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 entity 105 (e.g., a base station 140) may be implemented in an aggregated (e.g., monolithic, stand-alone) base station architecture, which may be configured to utilize a protocol stack that is physically or logically integrated within a single network entity 105 (e.g., a single RAN node, such as a base station 140).

[0069] In some examples, the network entity 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 entities 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 entity 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 entity 105 in the decomposed RAN architecture may be co-located, or one or more components of the network entity 105 may be located in distributed locations (e.g., separate physical locations). In some examples, one or more network entities 105 of the decomposed RAN architecture may be implemented as virtual units (e.g., virtual CU (VCU), virtual DU (VDU), virtual RU (VRU)).

[0070] The functional split between CU 160, DU 165, and RU 170 is flexible and can support different functions, 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 can be employed between CU 160 and DU 165, such that CU 160 can support one or more layers of a protocol stack and DU 165 can support one or more different layers of a protocol stack. In some examples, CU 160 can host higher protocol layer (e.g., layer 3 (L3), layer 2 (L2)) functions 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) functions 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 different ones 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 based on an interface (e.g., a channel) between layers of a protocol stack supported by respective network entities 105 that communicate via such communication links.

[0071] 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 entities 105 (e.g., IAB nodes 104) may be partially controlled by each other. One or more IAB nodes 104 may be referred to as donor entities or IAB donors. 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 entity 105 (e.g., donor base station 140). One or more donor network entities 105 (e.g., IAB donors) may communicate with one or more additional network entities 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 terminal (IAB-MT) controlled (e.g., scheduled) by a coupled IAB donor's DU 165. The IAB-MT may include an independent set of antennas for relaying communications with the UE 115, or may share the same antennas 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.

[0072] Where the techniques described herein are applied to the context of a decomposed RAN architecture, one or more components of the decomposed RAN architecture may be configured to support systems and techniques for secure SRS communications as described herein. For example, some operations described as being performed by a UE 115 or a network entity 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).

[0073] 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.

[0074] 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, as well as network entities 105 and network equipment including macro eNBs or gNBs, small cell eNBs or gNBs, or relay base stations, etc. Figure 1 shown.

[0075] The UE 115 and the network entity 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 collection of RF spectrum resources having a physical layer structure defined for supporting 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 to have 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 entity 105 and other devices may refer to communication between these devices and any portion (e.g., entity, sub-entity) of the network entity 105. For example, the terms "send," "receive," or "communicate" when referring to the network entity 105 may refer to any portion of a network entity 105 (e.g., base station 140, CU 160, DU 165, RU 170) of a RAN communicating with another device (e.g., directly or via one or more other network entities 105).

[0076] In some examples, such as in a carrier aggregation configuration, a carrier may also have acquisition signaling or control signaling that coordinates the operation of other carriers. A carrier may be associated with a frequency channel (e.g., an Evolved Universal Mobile Telecommunications System Terrestrial Radio Access (E-UTRA) Absolute RF Channel Number (EARFCN)) and may be identified according to a channel raster for discovery by UE 115. A carrier may operate in a standalone mode, in which case initial acquisition and connection may be performed by UE 115 via the carrier, or a carrier may operate in a non-standalone mode, in which case the connection is anchored using a different carrier (e.g., a different carrier of the same or different radio access technology).

[0077] The communication link 125 shown in the wireless communication system 100 may include downlink transmissions (e.g., forward link transmissions) from the network entity 105 to the UE 115, uplink transmissions (e.g., return link transmissions) from the UE 115 to the network entity 105, or both, among other transmission configurations. A carrier may carry either downlink communications or uplink communications (e.g., in an FDD mode), or may be configured to carry both downlink communications and uplink communications (e.g., in a TDD mode).

[0078] A carrier may be associated with a particular bandwidth of the RF spectrum, and in some examples, the carrier bandwidth may be referred to as a "system bandwidth" of the carrier or wireless communication system 100. For example, the carrier bandwidth may be one of a set of bandwidths (e.g., 1.4 megahertz (MHz), 3 MHz, 5 MHz, 10 MHz, 15 MHz, 20 MHz, 40 MHz, or 80 MHz) of a carrier of a particular radio access technology. A device (e.g., a network entity 105, a UE 115, or both) of the wireless communication system 100 may have a hardware configuration that supports communications using a particular carrier bandwidth or may be capable of being configured to support communications using one of a set of carrier bandwidths. In some examples, the wireless communication system 100 may include a network entity 105 or a UE 115 that supports concurrent communications using carriers associated with multiple carrier bandwidths. In some examples, each served UE 115 may be configured to operate using a portion (e.g., a sub-band, a BWP) or all of a carrier bandwidth.

[0079] 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 using MCM technology, a resource element may refer to a symbol period (e.g., the duration of a modulation symbol) and a resource of a 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., in the transmission duration) and a relatively high order modulation scheme may correspond to a relatively high rate of communication. Wireless communication resources may refer to a combination of RF spectrum resources, time resources, and spatial resources (e.g., spatial layers or beams), and the use of multiple spatial resources may increase the data rate or data integrity used for communication with UE 115.

[0080] One or more parameter sets for a carrier may be supported, and the parameter sets may include subcarrier spacing (Δf) and cyclic prefixes. 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.

[0081] The time interval for the network entity 105 or the UE 115 may be expressed in multiples of a basic time unit, which may be, for example, a sampling period T s =1 / (Δf max ·N f ) seconds, for which Δf max It can represent the supported subcarrier spacing, and N f The supported discrete Fourier transform (DFT) size may be indicated. The time intervals of the 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).

[0082] Each frame may include multiple consecutively numbered subframes or time slots, and each subframe or time slot may have the same duration. In some examples, the 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 the cyclic prefix appended in front of 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., N f The duration of a symbol period may depend on the subcarrier spacing or the operating frequency band.

[0083] A subframe, slot, mini-slot, or 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 transmit time interval (TTI). In some examples, the TTI duration (e.g., the number 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)).

[0084] According to various techniques, physical channels may be multiplexed using carriers for communication. Physical control channels and physical data channels may be multiplexed for signaling via downlink carriers, for example, using one or more of a time division multiplexing (TDM) technique, a frequency division multiplexing (FDM) technique, or a hybrid TDM-FDM technique. 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 of a carrier or a subset of that system bandwidth. One or more control regions (e.g., CORESETs) may be configured for a set of UEs 115. For example, one or more UEs in UE 115 may monitor or search a control region to obtain 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 a control channel candidate may refer to the amount of control channel resources (e.g., control channel elements (CCEs)) associated with 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 multiple UEs 115 , and a UE-specific search space set for transmitting control information to a specific UE 115 .

[0085] The network entity 105 may provide communication coverage via one or more cells (e.g., macro cells, small cells, hotspots, or other types of cells, or any combination thereof). The term "cell" may refer to a logical communication entity used to communicate with the network entity 105 (e.g., using a carrier), and may be associated with an identifier (ID) used to distinguish adjacent cells (e.g., a physical cell ID (PCID), a virtual cell ID (VCID), etc.). In some examples, a cell may also refer to a coverage area 110 or a portion of a coverage area 110 (e.g., a sector) on which the logical communication entity operates. Depending on various factors such as the capabilities of the network entity 105, such cells may range from smaller areas (e.g., structures, subsets of structures) to larger areas. For example, a cell may be or may include a building, a subset of a building, or an external space between or overlapping coverage areas 110, and the like.

[0086] A macro cell generally covers a relatively large geographic area (e.g., several kilometers in radius) and may allow unrestricted access to a UE 115 that has a service subscription with a network provider that supports the macro cell. A small cell may be associated with a lower power network entity 105 (e.g., a lower power base station 140) than a macro cell, and the small cell may operate using the same or different (e.g., licensed, unlicensed) frequency band as the macro cell. A small cell may provide unrestricted access to a UE 115 that has a service subscription with a network provider, or may provide restricted access to a UE 115 associated with a small cell (e.g., a UE 115 in a closed subscriber group (CSG), a UE 115 associated with a user in a home or office). A network entity 105 may support one or more cells, and may also use one or more component carriers to support communications via one or more cells.

[0087] In some examples, a carrier may support multiple cells, and different cells may be configured according to different protocol types (e.g., MTC, narrowband IoT (NB-IoT), enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB)) that may provide access to different types of devices.

[0088] In some examples, the network entities 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 entity 105. In some other examples, overlapping coverage areas 110 associated with different technologies may be supported by different network entities 105. The wireless communication system 100 may include, for example, a heterogeneous network in which different types of network entities 105 provide coverage for various coverage areas 110 using the same or different radio access technologies.

[0089] 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). UE 115 may be designed to support ultra-reliable or low-latency or critical functions. Ultra-reliable communication may include private communication or group communication, 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.

[0090] In some examples, the 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 entity 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 entity 105. In some examples, one or more UEs 115 in such a group may be outside of the coverage area 110 of the network entity 105, or may otherwise be unable or not configured to receive transmissions from the network entity 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 entity 105 may facilitate scheduling of resources for D2D communications. In some other examples, D2D communications may be performed between UEs 115 without involving network entity 105.

[0091] 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 UE 115 served by a network entity 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 the IP service 150 of 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.

[0092] 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). Generally speaking, the region from 300 MHz to 3 GHz is referred to as the ultra-high frequency (UHF) region or decimeter band because the wavelength ranges from about one decimeter to one meter in length. 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 services to UEs 115 located indoors. Communications using UHF waves may be associated with smaller antennas and shorter ranges (e.g., less than 100 kilometers) compared to communications using lower frequencies and longer waves in the high frequency (HF) or very high frequency (VHF) portions of the spectrum below 300 MHz.

[0093] The wireless communication system 100 may also operate using a super high frequency (SHF) region (also known as a centimeter band) that may be in the range of 3 GHz to 30 GHz or an extremely high frequency (EHF) region (e.g., 30 GHz to 300 GHz) (also known as a millimeter band) using a spectrum. In some examples, the wireless communication system 100 may support millimeter wave (mmW) communications between UE 115 and network entity 105 (e.g., base station 140, RU 170), and the EHF antenna of the corresponding device may be smaller and closer than the UHF antenna. In some examples, such technology may facilitate the use of antenna arrays within the device. However, the propagation of EHF transmissions may be affected by greater attenuation and shorter range than SHF or UHF transmissions. The technology disclosed herein may be adopted across transmissions using one or more different frequency regions, and the use of frequency bands specified across these frequency regions may vary by country or regulatory agency.

[0094] The wireless communication system 100 may utilize licensed and unlicensed RF spectrum bands. For example, the wireless communication system 100 may use unlicensed bands (such as the 5 GHz Industrial, Scientific, and Medical (ISM) band) to employ 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 entity 105 and UE 115 may employ carrier sensing for conflict detection and avoidance. In some examples, operations using unlicensed bands may be based on carrier aggregation configuration (e.g., LAA) in conjunction with component carriers operating using licensed bands. Operations using unlicensed spectrum may include downlink transmissions, uplink transmissions, P2P transmissions, or D2D transmissions, and the like.

[0095] The network entity 105 (e.g., base station 140, RU 170) or UE 115 may be equipped with multiple antennas that can be used to employ technologies such as transmit diversity, receive diversity, multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) communications, or beamforming. The antennas of the network entity 105 or UE 115 may be located in one or more antenna arrays or antenna panels, which 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 integration, such as an antenna tower. In some examples, antennas or antenna arrays associated with the network entity 105 may be located at different geographical locations. The network entity 105 may include an antenna array having a collection of multiple rows and columns of antenna ports that the network entity 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.

[0096] 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 entity 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 conveyed 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 conveyed 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).

[0097] The wireless communication system 100 may be a packet-based network that operates according to a layered protocol stack. In the user plane, communications at the bearer or PDCP layer may be IP-based. The RLC layer may perform packet segmentation and reassembly to communicate via logical channels. The MAC layer may perform priority processing and multiplexing of logical channels into transport channels. The MAC layer may also implement error detection techniques, error correction techniques, or both to support retransmission to improve link efficiency. In the control plane, the RRC layer may provide the establishment, configuration, and maintenance of an RRC connection that supports a radio bearer for user plane data between the UE 115 and the network entity 105 or the core network 130. The PHY layer may map a transport channel to a physical channel.

[0098] For example, UE 115 may transmit an SRS (e.g., using a predetermined sequence such as a Zadoff-Chu sequence) to enable network entity 105 to estimate uplink channel quality. SRS transmission may not be associated with data transmission on another channel. In some examples, SRS may be periodically transmitted over a wide bandwidth (e.g., a bandwidth including more subcarriers than are allocated for uplink data transmission). In some examples, SRS may be scheduled over multiple antenna ports and still be considered a single SRS transmission. SRS transmissions may be classified as type 0 (periodically transmitted at equidistant intervals) SRS or type 1 (non-periodically) SRS. Network entity 105 may control the timing of SRS transmission by notifying UE 115 which TTIs (e.g., subframes, time slots) may support the transmission of SRS. Information collected by network entity 105 from SRS may be used to inform UE 115 of scheduling of uplink transmissions (such as frequency-dependent transmissions). The network entity 105 may also utilize the SRS to check the timing alignment status and transmit a time alignment command to the UE 115 .

[0099] In some examples, the configured bandwidth over which the SRS is sent may be less than a desired bandwidth that network entity 105 wants to measure and obtain channel information (e.g., a system bandwidth over which network entity 105 communicates with UE 115). UE 115 may be configured to perform frequency hopping, wherein multiple SRSs are sent over respective portions of a desired bandwidth, such that the bandwidths of the multiple SRSs may together span the desired bandwidth.

[0100] According to the examples described herein, the UE 115 may securely perform frequency hopping associated with sending an SRS to the network entity 105. For example, the UE 115 may send a given SRS via a portion of a bandwidth indicated by a corresponding frequency hopping index. The network entity 105 may also know the frequency hopping index and may therefore determine the portion of the bandwidth via which the SRS is received (e.g., obtained). In order to support secure frequency hopping, the UE 115 and the network entity 105 may securely generate a set of frequency hopping indices, according to which the UE 115 and the network entity 105 may communicate a set of SRSs. The UE 115 and the network entity 105 may generate the set of frequency hopping indices using a key known to the network entity 105 and the UE 115, such that a frequency hopping pattern corresponding to the set of frequency hopping indices may appear random to a device that does not know the key. Therefore, the UE 115 and the network entity 105 may securely communicate the SRS according to the set of frequency hopping indices.

[0101] Figure 2 An example of a wireless communication system 200 that supports systems and techniques for secure SRS communications according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure is illustrated. The wireless communication system 200 may be implemented as described in reference Figure 1Various aspects of the wireless communication system 100 described may be implemented by various aspects of the wireless communication system. For example, the wireless communication system 200 may include a network entity 105-a and one or more UEs 115 (e.g., UE 115-a, UE 115-b, and UE 115-c), which may include reference Figure 1 Examples of corresponding devices described in this article.

[0102] The wireless communication system 200 may support communication between the UE 115 and the network entity 105-a. For example, the network entity 105-a and the UE 115 may communicate via a corresponding communication link 215. The communication link 215 may be a reference Figure 1 The wireless communication system 200 may also support communication between UEs 115, for example, via communication link 220, which may be referenced. Figure 1 An example of a D2D communication link 135 is described.

[0103] The network entity 105-a may support a coverage area 205 over which the UE 115 and the network entity 105-a may communicate, which may be a reference area. Figure 1 An example of coverage area 110 is described. In some examples, coverage area 205 may be associated with a cell for which network entity 105-a provides coverage. For example, coverage area 205 may correspond to a geographic area covered by a cellular cell.

[0104] The network entity 105-a and one or more UEs 115 may communicate via a system bandwidth spanning a frequency range. The one or more UEs 115 may send an SRS 230 to the network entity 105-a, and the network entity 105-a may obtain channel information based on the SRS. To support scanning the entire system bandwidth (e.g., obtaining channel information associated with the entire system bandwidth), the one or more UEs 115 may perform frequency hopping between SRS transmissions to send multiple SRSs 230 via corresponding portions of the system bandwidth that together span the system bandwidth.

[0105] The one or more UEs 115 may perform frequency hopping according to a frequency hopping pattern. For example, the one or more UEs 115 may generate a set of frequency hopping indices, each frequency hopping index corresponding to a corresponding SRS transmission. That is, each frequency hopping index may indicate a corresponding portion of the system bandwidth via which the UE 115 is to transmit the corresponding SRS 230.

[0106] In order to improve the security of communication of SRS230, UE 115 and network entity 105-a can securely generate a set of hopping indexes, and UE 115 and network entity 105-a will communicate SRS230 according to the set of hopping indexes. For example, UE 115-a can obtain a key (e.g., a security key, a secret key) that is also known to (e.g., determined or obtained by) network entity 105-a. UE115-a and network entity 105-a can use the key to generate (e.g., pseudo-randomly) the set of hopping indexes. For example, UE115-a and network entity 105-a can use the key as an input to a pseudo-random function, which can output a set of hopping indexes or can output other information used to generate the set of hopping indexes. Refer to the following Figures 3 to 5 Describes additional details related to using a key to generate a frequency hopping index set. Figure 4 and Figure 5 Additional details related to using a pseudo-random function as part of the generation of a set of frequency hopping indices are described.

[0107] UE 115-a may send a set of SRS230 to network entity 105-a according to the set of frequency hopping indices. For example, UE115-a may send SRS230-a to SRS230-n via corresponding portions of the system bandwidth according to the set of frequency hopping indices, each SRS230 corresponding to a frequency hopping index in the set of frequency hopping indices. In some examples, the bandwidth of SRS230-a to SRS230-n may span the system bandwidth together. In some examples, the bandwidth of SRS230-a to SRS230-n may span the system bandwidth together multiple times. For example, a first subset of SRS230 may span the system bandwidth together for the first time, a second subset of SRS230 may span the system bandwidth together for the second time, and so on.

[0108] The key may be securely obtained by UE 115-a such that authorized devices (e.g., network entity 105-a, UE 115-a, 115-b, and 115-c) are able to generate the set of hopping indices (e.g., and one or more other sets of hopping indices), while unauthorized devices (e.g., malicious actors) are unable to generate the set of hopping indices. For example, network entity 105-a may send a key message 225 indicating (e.g., including) the key to UE 115-a (e.g., via an encrypted message or secure link between UE 115-a and network entity 105-a). In some examples, key message 225 may include a binary sequence encrypted via an encryption key (e.g., a secret) shared by UE 115-a and network entity 105-a. For example, the network entity 105-a and the UE 115-a may communicate an encryption key before communicating the key message 225, and the encryption key may be used to encrypt and decrypt various signaling communicated between the network entity 105-a and the UE 115-a. The network entity 105-a may use the encryption key to encrypt the key message 225 (e.g., Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) encryption using a binary sequence of the encryption key). Here, the binary sequence may be the key, and the UE 115-a may use the encryption key to decrypt the binary sequence to determine (e.g., obtain) the key.

[0109] In some examples, the key message 225 may include one or more encryption keys that are cell-specific keys that each correspond to a corresponding cell. For example, in response to (e.g., as part of) a secure registration of UE 115-a to a network (e.g., core network 130), network entity 105-a may send one or more encryption keys for encrypting and decrypting signaling communicated between UE 115-a and the network via the corresponding cell. In some examples, the key may correspond to an encryption key of the one or more encryption keys corresponding to a cell supported by network entity 105-a. That is, the key may be a cell-specific encryption key corresponding to a cell via which UE 115-a and network entity 105-a communicate. In some examples, UE 115-a and network entity 105-a may determine (e.g., identify, select) a cell-specific encryption key based on a cell ID of the cell.

[0110] In some examples, UE 115-a may obtain the key based on authentication of UE 115-a within group 210 of UEs 115. For example, within a cell supported by network entity 105-a, there may be one or more groups 210 of UEs 115. Figure 2In some examples, UE 115-a may authenticate within group 210 including UE 115-b and UE 115-c. Based on the authentication within group 210, UE 115-a may receive a key message 225 including a key (e.g., an encryption key) that is common to group 210 (e.g., shared by UEs 115 of group 210). In some examples, UE 115-a may receive key message 225 including a public key from network entity 105-a. In some examples, UE 115-a may receive key message 225 including a public key from another UE 115 (e.g., UE 115-c) via communication link 220. In some cases, the key used to generate the set of frequency hopping indices may be a public key.

[0111] In some examples, network entity 105-a may indicate to UE 115-a whether to use a key or to generate the set of hopping indices, e.g., based on a deterministic OVSF code. For example, network entity 105-a may send control message 235 instructing UE 115-a to use the key to generate the set of hopping indices. In some examples, control message 235 may use the key to activate generation of the set of hopping indices based on SRS communication. In some cases, another control message 235 may use the key to deactivate generation of the set of hopping indices.

[0112] The network entity 105-a and one or more UEs 115 may support increased SRS communication security with respect to the time domain. For example, the network entity 105-a may indicate a time slot offset according to which the UE 115-a is to send the SRS 230. For example, the time slot offset may indicate the time slot (e.g., subframe) of the TTI via which the UE 115-a is to send the SRS 230 by indicating an offset from the initial time slot of the TTI. Additionally or alternatively, the network entity 105-a may indicate a periodicity according to which the UE 115-a is to send the SRS 230 (e.g., SRS 230-a to 230-n). In order to indicate the time slot offset or periodicity, the network entity 105-a may send an index message 240 indicating an index corresponding to a particular time slot offset or periodicity. To introduce communication security with respect to the time domain, the UE 115-a and the network entity 105-a may use the key (e.g., or a second key) to pseudo-randomly generate a mapping between an index and a corresponding time slot offset or periodicity. In some examples, the network entity 105-a may send a control message 235 instructing the UE 115-a to generate a mapping using the key (e.g., to activate or deactivate generation of a mapping using the key). Figure 6 and Figure 7 Additional details are described for secure SRS communications equivalent to the time domain.

[0113] In some examples, the key may be used to generate a frequency hopping index within a first time period (e.g., a certain number of subframes, a certain number of time slots). In some examples, a new key may be obtained by UE 115-a after the first time period, and the new key may be used for a second time period, such as as part of a refresh process that occurs based on expiration of the first time period (e.g., after or in response to the end of the first time period).

[0114] Figure 3 An example of a hopping diagram 300 that supports systems and techniques for secure SRS communications according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure is illustrated. The hopping diagram 300 may be referenced by Figure 1 and Figure 2 The hopping diagram 300 may be implemented by various aspects of the wireless communication system 100 or 200 described herein. For example, the hopping diagram 300 may be implemented by one or more UEs 115 and network entities 105 to support communication of SRS according to a securely generated frequency hopping index, and these UEs and network entities may be described herein (including references to Figure 1 and Figure 2 ) describes an example of a corresponding device.

[0115] Hopping diagram 300 may include hopping pattern 305-a and hopping pattern 305-b. Hopping pattern 305 may correspond to an overall hopping pattern according to which UE 115 may send SRS to network entity 105. For example, in some cases, multiple UEs 115 may concurrently send respective SRS via respective portions of the system bandwidth, so that network entity 105 may concurrently obtain respective channel information associated with each UE 115. In order to support concurrent SRS transmissions by multiple UEs 115, a hopping index may be generated so that there is no conflict between the concurrently transmitted SRSs. That is, the hopping index may be generated to avoid overlap in the respective bandwidths of the concurrently transmitted SRSs.

[0116] For example, in Figure 3 In the example of , the hopping pattern 305 may depict a system bandwidth divided into eight portions, as indicated by numbers 0-8 along the indicated frequency axis. The hopping pattern may also depict eight transmission intervals, as indicated by numbers 0-8 along the indicated transmission interval axis, during which respective UEs 115 may transmit respective SRSs. For example, a first UE 115 may transmit respective SRSs 310 during the transmission interval, a second UE 115 may transmit respective SRSs 315 during the transmission interval, and a third UE 115 may transmit respective SRSs 320 during the transmission interval. Other numbers of UEs 115 may be configured to transmit respective SRSs during the transmission intervals. For example, a fourth UE 115 may be configured to transmit respective SRSs 325 during the transmission interval, although in Figure 3In the example of FIG. 5 , the bandwidth spanned by the SRS 325 may be unused.

[0117] The SRS may be transmitted according to a frequency hopping index. For example, the SRS of hopping pattern 305-a may be transmitted according to a hopping matrix H O The frequency hopping index included in is conveyed, and the SRS of the hopping pattern 305-b may be transmitted according to the hopping matrix H S To convey, each of them is reproduced as follows:

[0118]

[0119] Each row of the hopping matrix H may correspond to a corresponding set of frequency hopping indices according to which a corresponding UE 115 may transmit an SRS. For example, the first row of frequency hopping indices may be the frequency hopping indices according to which the first UE 115 transmits a corresponding SRS 310, the second row of frequency hopping indices may be the frequency hopping indices according to which the second UE transmits a corresponding SRS 315, and so on. Each column of the hopping matrix H may correspond to a corresponding SRS transmission. For example, the first column of frequency hopping indices may be the frequency hopping indices according to which the UE 115 may transmit a corresponding SRS during transmission interval 1, the second column of frequency hopping indices may be the frequency hopping indices according to which the UE 115 may transmit a corresponding SRS during transmission interval 2, and so on.

[0120] In some examples, each row of the hopping matrix H may correspond to a corresponding SRS transmission layer, which may be referred to as a layer. For example, a layer may correspond to a bandwidth spanned by the SRS transmitted in the layer. For example, the SRS transmission may span a bandwidth of the system. Where layer_idx corresponds to the layer index. Thus, layer 1 SRS transmissions may span 1 / 2 of the system bandwidth, layer 2 SRS transmissions may span 1 / 4 of the system bandwidth, layer 3 transmissions may span 1 / 8 of the system bandwidth, and so on. The first row of the hopping matrix H may correspond to layer 1 transmissions, the second row of the hopping matrix H may correspond to layer 2 transmissions, and so on. Thus, SRS 310 may span 1 / 2 of the system bandwidth, SRS 315 may span 1 / 4 of the system bandwidth, and SRS 320 may span 1 / 8 of the system bandwidth. Figure 3 In the example of , 1 / 8 of the system bandwidth represented by SRS 325 may be unused during each transmission interval.

[0121] In some examples, the portion of the system bandwidth indicated by the corresponding frequency hopping index may depend on the frequency hopping index of the lower layer. Figure 3 In the example of , a hopping index of 0 may indicate that UE 115 transmits SRS in the lower portion of the remaining system bandwidth (eg, bandwidth not used by lower layer SRS transmissions), while a hopping index may indicate that UE 115 transmits SRS in the upper portion of the remaining system bandwidth.

[0122] For example, the transition matrix H O It may be indicated that during transmission interval 1, the first UE 115 is to transmit SRS 310 in the lower portion of the remaining system bandwidth based on the corresponding hopping index being 0. Since no system bandwidth is already used by lower layer transmissions and SRS 310 spans 1 / 2 of the system bandwidth, the first UE 115 may transmit SRS 310 via the lower 1 / 2 of the system bandwidth during transmission interval 1. Similarly, the hopping matrix H O The second UE 115 may be instructed to transmit SRS 310 in the lower portion of the system bandwidth remaining after allocating SRS 315. Since the lower 1 / 2 of the system bandwidth is allocated for transmission of SRS 310, the second UE 115 may transmit SRS 315 during transmission interval 1 via the lower 1 / 4 of the upper 1 / 2 of the system bandwidth (e.g., spanning portions 4-6 of the system bandwidth). Similarly, the third UE 115 may transmit SRS 320 during transmission interval 1 via the lower 1 / 8 of the upper 1 / 4 of the system bandwidth according to the bandwidth allocation of SRS 310 and 315 and the corresponding frequency hopping index. In this manner, corresponding portions of the bandwidth of the SRS may be allocated according to the frequency hopping index of the hopping matrix H.

[0123] In some cases, the hopping matrix H O It can be generated based on the OVSF code. Therefore, any device including a malicious actor can determine the hopping matrix H O , and thus a resource allocation for a given SRS may be determined. In some examples, a malicious actor may use the determined resource allocation to block the bandwidth of a given SRS, for example, by sending other signals via the same resources. The resulting collision may reduce the reliability of the SRS transmission, which may prevent the network entity 105-a from obtaining channel information, thereby resulting in a denial of service. Alternatively, the malicious actor may measure the SRS via the determined resources to obtain channel information, which may enable the device to obtain, for example, CQI or path loss information to determine whether the UE 115 sending the SRS is nearby or far away.

[0124] To reduce the likelihood that a malicious actor can determine the SRS resource allocation, the UE 115 and the network entity 105 may generate the hopping matrix H using the key associated therewith. S (For example, the jump matrix H S For example, the UE 115 and the network entity 105 may use the key to pseudo-randomly generate a hopping matrix H S , so that the jump matrix H SIt is known to UE 115 and network entity 105, but unknown to other devices. In some examples, UE 115 and network entity 105 may use the key to generate instructions, such as how to convert the hopping matrix H O Transformed into the transition matrix H S The bit vector of . Figure 4 Additional details related to the generation of the hopping matrix HS are described.

[0125] In some examples, for generating the hopping matrix H S (For example, the jump matrix H S The key for generating the hopping matrix H (e.g., the hopping index of the hopping pattern 305-b) may be common (e.g., known) to the network entity 105 and the UE 115 following the hopping pattern 305-b. For example, the network entity 105 and the UE 115 (e.g., the first UE 115, the second UE 115, and the third UE 115) may use the same key to generate the same hopping matrix H S To avoid conflicts when communicating SRS according to the securely generated hopping index. In some examples, the key can be common to the cell via which the network entity 105 and the UE 115 communicate, or common to a group of UEs 115 associated with the cell (e.g., group 210). That is, the UEs 115 of the cell or group can obtain the same key so that the SRS can be communicated according to the same hopping pattern 305 (e.g., hopping pattern 305-b). In some examples, the key that is common to the cell or to the corresponding group of UEs 115 can be configured via RRC signaling, via a system information block (SIB), or a combination thereof.

[0126] In some examples, the rules may indicate that the frequency hopping index generated according to the OVSF code may be generated such that any 2 layer _idx 2 consecutive SRS transmissions may scan (eg, span together) the system bandwidth. To support the secure generation of frequency hopping indices using a key, the rule may be modified so that 2 layer_idx Each disjoint subset of consecutive SRS transmissions can scan the system bandwidth. The disjoint subsets correspond to (2 layer_idx i+1,2 layer_idx i+2,…,2 layer_idx i+2 layer_idx ) set of consecutive SRS transmissions.

[0127] Figure 4Illustrates an example of process flow 400 that supports systems and techniques for secure SRS communication according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure. Process flow 400 may be implemented by aspects of wireless communication system 100 or 200. For example, process flow 400 may illustrate the application of bit vector 402 by UE 115 or network entity 105 to securely generate a hopping index associated with SRS communication, and the UE or network entity may be an example of the corresponding device described herein (including with reference to Figures 1 to 3 ).

[0128] In the following description of process flow 400, operations may be performed in an order different from that shown. Specific operations may also be excluded from process flow 400, or other operations may be added to process flow 400. Additionally, although some operations or signaling are shown as occurring at different times for discussion purposes, these operations may actually occur simultaneously.

[0129] At 405, UE 115 or network entity 105 may determine a hopping matrix 401-a, which is represented by hopping matrix H O and reproduced as follows:

[0130]

[0131] Hopping matrix H O may be an example of hopping matrix H Figure 3 described with reference to O . For example, UE 115 or network entity 105 may determine hopping matrix H O based on OVSF codes. Note that hopping matrix H O is an example hopping matrix determined based on OVSF codes, and other OVSF code-based hopping matrices are possible. Each row of hopping matrix H O may correspond to a respective set of hopping indices according to which a respective UE 115 may transmit an SRS set, as described with reference to Figure 3 .

[0132] At 410, UE 115 or network entity 105 may apply bit vector 402-a, represented by bit vector b 1 , to hopping matrix H O to generate hopping matrix 401-b, represented by hopping matrix H 1 . For example, each bit of bit vector b 1 may indicate whether to swap a respective subset of hopping indices of a respective set of hopping indices (e.g., hopping matrix H OThe bit vector 402 may be sequentially (e.g., iteratively) applied layer by layer to the hopping matrix H to generate a security hopping matrix (e.g., hopping matrix H-). That is, the first bit vector 402 may be applied to the layer 1 hopping index (e.g., the first row of the hopping matrix), the second bit vector 402 may be applied to the layer 2 hopping index (e.g., the second row of the hopping matrix), and so on. Therefore, the bit vector b 1 Can be applied to the hopping matrix H O The first row of (e.g., layer 1 hopping index) is used to generate the hopping matrix H 1 , reproduced as follows:

[0133]

[0134] As stated, the bit vector b 1 Each bit of may indicate whether to swap the corresponding subset of layer 1 frequency hopping indices. Figure 4 In the example, the bit vector b 1 =[1 0 0 1], where "1" indicates that the UE 115 or the network entity 105 exchanges the corresponding frequency hopping index subset, and "0" indicates that the corresponding frequency hopping index subset is not exchanged. 1 Each bit of may correspond to two hopping indices of the layer 1 hopping index. Figure 4 In the example, the bit vector b 1 The first bit of may correspond to the first layer 1 frequency hopping index and the second layer 1 frequency hopping index (eg, the first column and the second column of the hopping matrix), and the bit vector b 1 The second bit of may correspond to the third layer 1 frequency hopping index and the fourth layer 1 frequency hopping index, and so on. The bit vector b 1 Other correspondences between the bits of and the layer 1 frequency hopping indices are possible (eg, each bit may correspond to a corresponding pair of "0" and "1" frequency hopping indices). 1 , the first layer 1 frequency hopping index and the second layer 1 frequency hopping index as well as the seventh layer 1 frequency hopping index and the eighth layer 1 frequency hopping index may be exchanged, and the third layer 1 frequency hopping index and the fourth layer 1 frequency hopping index as well as the fifth layer 1 frequency hopping index and the sixth layer 1 frequency hopping index may not be exchanged, resulting in a hopping matrix H 1 With the first row being [1 0 0 1 0 1 10].

[0135] At 415, the UE 115 or the network entity 105 may 2 The bit vector 402-b represented by is applied to the transition matrix H 1 To generate the transition matrix H 2 For example, the bit vector b 2 Can be applied to the hopping matrix H 1The second row of (e.g., layer 2 hopping index) is used to generate the hopping matrix H 2 , reproduced as follows:

[0136]

[0137] Bit vector b 2 Each bit of may indicate whether to swap the corresponding subset of layer 2 frequency hopping indices. Figure 4 In the example, the bit vector b 2 =[1 0 1 0]. Bit vector b 2 The correspondence between the bits of and the corresponding subset of the layer 2 frequency hopping index can be based on the bit vector b 1 Application to Layer 1 frequency hopping index. For example, the bit vector b 2 The bit vector b may indicate whether to swap layer 2 frequency hopping indices within the "0" layer 1 frequency hopping index set and the "1" layer 1 frequency hopping index set. 2 The first bit of may indicate whether to swap layer 2 frequency hopping indices within the first column of the layer 1 frequency hopping index set of "0" or "1", as indicated by the bit vector b 2 And the jump matrix H- 1 The following renditions are in bold:

[0138]

[0139] As depicted, the bit vector b 2 The first bit of may indicate a layer 1 frequency hopping index set including a first "0" or "1" (eg, Figure 4 The first and fourth columns of the bit vector b are swapped with the first and fourth columns of the layer 2 hopping indexes in the first and fourth columns. 2 The second bit of may indicate that the layer 2 hopping indexes in the second and third columns are not swapped based on the second and third columns including the second set of "0" or "1" layer 1 hopping indexes, and so on. The bit vector b 2 Other correspondences between the bits of and the layer 2 frequency hopping index are possible. 2 The first bit of the bit vector may correspond to a layer 2 hopping index in a column of the first "0" layer 1 hopping index set, the second bit of the bit vector may correspond to a layer 2 hopping index in a column of the first "1" layer 1 hopping index set, and so on, among other possibilities.

[0140] According to the bit vector b 2 , the first layer 2 frequency hopping index and the fourth layer 2 frequency hopping index as well as the fifth layer 2 frequency hopping index and the eighth layer 2 frequency hopping index may be exchanged, and the second layer 2 frequency hopping index and the third layer 2 frequency hopping index as well as the sixth layer 2 frequency hopping index and the seventh layer 2 frequency hopping index may not be exchanged, resulting in a hopping matrix H 2With a second row of [1 0 1 0 1 01 0].

[0141] At 420, the UE 115 or the network entity 105 may 3 The bit vector 402-c represented by is applied to the transition matrix H 2 To generate the transition matrix H S For example, the bit vector b 3 Can be applied to the hopping matrix H 2 The third row of (e.g., layer 3 hopping index) is used to generate the hopping matrix H S , reproduced as follows:

[0142]

[0143] Bit vector b 3 Each bit of may indicate whether to swap the corresponding subset of layer 3 frequency hopping indices. Figure 4 In the example, the bit vector b 3 =[1 1 0 1]. Bit vector b 3 The correspondence between the bits of and the corresponding subset of the layer 3 frequency hopping index can be based on the bit vector b 1 and b 2 For example, the bit vector b 3 The bit of may indicate whether to swap the layer 3 frequency hopping index within the set of tuples of layer 1 and layer 2 frequency hopping indexes, such as and A set of layer 1 and layer 2 hopping index tuples. For example, the bit vector b 2 The first bit of The set of layer 1 and layer 2 hopping index tuples is exchanged within the column of the layer 3 hopping index, as represented by the bit vector b 3 And the jump matrix H- 2 The following renditions are in bold:

[0144]

[0145] As depicted, the bit vector b 3 The first bit may indicate a The second and eighth columns of the set of layer 1 and layer 2 hopping index tuples are exchanged with the layer 3 hopping index in the second and eighth columns. Similarly, the bit vector b 3 The second bit may indicate a The fourth and sixth columns of the set of layer 1 and layer 2 hopping index tuples are swapped with the layer 3 hopping index in the fourth and sixth columns, and so on. The bit vector b 3 Other correspondences between the bits of and the layer 3 frequency hopping index are possible.3 Any bit of may correspond to a layer 3 frequency hopping index within a column of either of the layer 1 and layer 2 frequency hopping index tuples.

[0146] According to the bit vector b 3 , the second layer 3 frequency hopping index and the eighth layer 3 frequency hopping index, the fourth layer 3 frequency hopping index and the sixth layer 3 frequency hopping index, and the first layer 3 frequency hopping index and the seventh layer 3 frequency hopping index may be exchanged, and the third layer 3 frequency hopping index and the fifth layer 3 frequency hopping index may not be exchanged, resulting in a hopping matrix H S With a third row [1 1 0 1 1 0 00].

[0147] In this manner, bit vector 402 may be sequentially applied to pseudo-randomly generate a hopping matrix H S That is, it is possible to determine the transition matrix H O Devices with the same set of bit vectors b may be able to determine the same hopping matrix H S In some examples, the bit vector b may be generated using a key (eg, a secret key, a security key) shared by the network entity 105 and the UE 115. Thus, each of the network entity 105 and the UE 115 may separately generate the same hopping matrix H S , and transmits SRS according to the corresponding frequency hopping index set.

[0148] Figure 5 An example of a bit generation diagram 500 that supports systems and techniques for secure SRS communication according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure is illustrated. The bit generation diagram 500 may be referenced by Figure 1 and Figure 2 The various aspects of the wireless communication system 100 or 200 described herein may be implemented. For example, the bit generation map 500 may be implemented by the UE 115 and the network entity 105 to support communication of the SRS according to the securely generated frequency hopping index, and the UE and the network entity may be the embodiments of the present invention (including references to Figures 1 to 4 ) describes an example of a corresponding device.

[0149] The bit generation diagram 500 may include a function 505 that may be used to generate one or more bit vectors 402, which may be reference vectors. Figure 4 An example of a bit vector 520 described herein. Function 505 may be a pseudo-random function that uses one or more inputs to generate a bit vector 520 that may be applied to a set of frequency hopping indices as described herein. That is, if different devices (e.g., network entity 105, UE 115) each implement function 505 and input the same information into function 505, function 505 will output the same set of bit vectors 520. However, different information input into function 505 will result in different sets of bit vectors 520.

[0150] The network entity 105 or the UE 115 may input a key 510 into the function 505. The key 510 may be a key shared by the network entity 105 and the UE 115 (e.g., known to both) and used in association with the secure generation of the frequency hopping index as described herein (e.g., a key obtained via the key message 225). In some examples, the network entity 105 or the UE 115 may input one or more additional inputs 515 into the function 505, such as inputs 515-a through 515-n. In some cases, the one or more additional inputs 515 may be a cell ID of a cell via which the UE 115 and the network entity 105 communicate, a time (e.g., a current time), a seed received from the network entity 105 (e.g., a binary sequence received from the network entity 105, an encrypted binary sequence received from the network entity 105), or a combination thereof. The function 505 may output one or more bit vectors 520 based on the input of the key 510, the one or more inputs 515, or a combination thereof.

[0151] Figure 6 An example of a communication diagram 600 that supports systems and techniques for secure SRS communications according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure is illustrated. The communication diagram 600 may be referenced by Figure 1 and Figure 2 The communication diagram 600 may be implemented by various aspects of the wireless communication system 100 or 200 described herein. For example, the communication diagram 600 may be implemented by the UE 115 and the network entity 105 to support increased SRS communication security equivalent to the time domain, and the UE and the network entity may be a device described herein (including references to Figures 1 to 5 ) describes an example of a corresponding device.

[0152] The communication diagram 600 may include a mapping 605 that maps the index 610 to a time parameter 615. In some examples, the time parameter 615 may be a respective slot offset indicating an offset 630 from an initial slot of a TTI 620 associated with the transmission of the SRS. For example, the slot offset 630 may be used to determine which slot 625 of the TTI 620 the UE 115 is to transmit the SRS via. In some examples, the time parameter 615 may be a respective periodicity 635 associated with the transmission of the SRS. That is, each periodicity 635 may indicate how often the UE 115 is to transmit the SRS. For example, a periodicity of 10 may indicate that the UE 115 is to transmit the SRS once every 10 TTIs 620 (e.g., 10 subframes).

[0153] Mapping 605 may support indication by network entity 105 of specific time parameters according to which UE 115 is to send SRS. For example, network entity 105 may send an index message (e.g., index message 240) indicating a specific index 610. UE 115 may determine a time parameter 615 corresponding to the indicated index 610 and send one or more SRS to network entity 105 according to the determined time parameter.

[0154] In some examples, the mapping 605 between the index 610 and the time parameter 615 can be deterministic (e.g., defined). The network entity 105 and the UE 115 can support pseudo-randomization of the mapping 605 so that each index 610 can be mapped to a new time parameter 615. For example, the network entity 105 and the UE 115 can use a key (e.g., a key obtained via the key message 225 or another control message) to generate a mapping 605-a between the index 610 and the time parameter 615. For example, indexes 3, 4, 6, 1, 2, 8, 5, 7 can be mapped to time parameters A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, respectively. In some examples, the network entity 105 and the UE 115 can input the key (e.g., and one or more other inputs) into a pseudo-random function (e.g., function 505) to generate the mapping 605-a.

[0155] The network entity 105 may send a control message (e.g., control message 235) including the index 610 to the UE 115, and the UE 115 may send one or more SRSs to the network entity 105 according to the time parameter 615 mapped to the index 610 by the mapping 605-a. For example, the UE 115 may determine an offset 630-a corresponding to the indicated index 610 and send the one or more SRSs in a time slot 625-a of one or more TTIs 620. Additionally or alternatively, the UE 115 may determine a periodicity 635-a and send the SRSs, e.g., via TTIs 620-c-1 and 620-c-2 (e.g., etc.) according to the periodicity 635-a.

[0156] In some examples, network entity 105 may send a control message (e.g., control message 235) to indicate to UE 115 whether to use a key to generate mapping 605 or, for example, to use a deterministic mapping 605. For example, network entity 105 may send a control message instructing UE 115 to use the key to generate mapping 605-a. In some examples, the control message may activate generation of mapping 605 using the key based on SRS communication. In some cases, another control message may deactivate generation of mapping 605 using the key.

[0157] In some examples, the UE 115 and the network entity 105 may use a key (e.g., or another key, such as a refreshed key) to periodically generate a new mapping 605. For example, the mapping 605-a may be applied during a first time period and may be refreshed after a certain number of TTIs 620 (e.g., a certain number of time slots, a certain number of subframes). For example, the UE 115 and the network entity 105 may use the mapping 605-a associated with communication of the SRS within a set of TTIs 620-a or a set of TTIs 620-c. The UE 115 and the network entity 105 may generate a new mapping 605 (e.g., mapping 605-b) of the index 610 to the time parameter 615 for use in association with communication of the SRS within a second time period (e.g., a set of TTIs 620-b, a set of TTIs 620-d).

[0158] For example, the network entity 105 may send a second control message indicating the second index 610, and the UE 115 may send one or more SRS to the network entity 105 according to the time parameter 615 mapped to the index 610 by the mapping 605-b. For example, the UE 115 may determine an offset 630-b corresponding to the indicated index 610 and send the one or more SRS in a time slot 625-b of one or more TTIs 620 in the set of TTIs 620-b. Additionally or alternatively, the UE 115 may determine a periodicity 635-b and send the SRS via TTIs 620-d-1 and 620-d-2 (e.g., etc.), for example, according to the periodicity 635-b.

[0159] Figure 7 A block diagram 700 of a device 705 supporting systems and techniques for secure SRS communications according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure is illustrated. 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 a processor. Each of these components may communicate with each other (e.g., via one or more buses).

[0160] 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 systems and techniques for secure SRS communications). 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.

[0161] 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 associated with various information channels (e.g., control channels, data channels, information channels related to systems and techniques for secure SRS communications), such as packets, user data, control information, or any combination thereof. 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.

[0162] 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 systems and techniques for secure SRS communications 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.

[0163] 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 that is configured to or otherwise supports components for performing the functions described in the present disclosure. In some examples, the processor and a memory coupled to the processor may be configured to perform one or more of the functions described herein (e.g., by executing instructions stored in the memory by the processor).

[0164] 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 (e.g., configured as or otherwise supporting components for performing the functions described in the present disclosure), a DSP, a CPU, an ASIC, an FPGA, a microcontroller, or any combination of these or other programmable logic devices.

[0165] 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 integrate with the receiver 710, the transmitter 715, or both to obtain information, output information, or perform various other operations as described herein.

[0166] According to examples as disclosed herein, the communication manager 720 may support wireless communications at a UE. For example, the communication manager 720 may be configured to or otherwise support a component for receiving a control message indicating a key associated with the transmission of an SRS set via a system bandwidth for communicating with a network entity. The communication manager 720 may be configured to or otherwise support a component for generating a set of hopping indices corresponding to the SRS set using the key, each hopping index in the set of hopping indices indicating a corresponding portion of the system bandwidth for transmission of the corresponding SRS. The communication manager 720 may be configured to or otherwise support a component for transmitting the SRS set via the corresponding portion of the system bandwidth according to the set of hopping indices.

[0167] By including or configuring the communication manager 720 according to the examples described herein, the device 705 (e.g., a processor controlling or otherwise coupled to the receiver 710, the transmitter 715, the communication manager 720, or a combination thereof) can support techniques for secure SRS communications, which can reduce the likelihood of denial of service attacks or information extraction by malicious actors. Thus, SRS communication reliability can be increased, which can support more accurate channel measurements and communication improvements (e.g., more efficient communication resource utilization, more efficient power usage, etc.) based on improved channel measurement accuracy, as well as other benefits.

[0168] Figure 8 A block diagram 800 of a device 805 supporting systems and techniques for secure SRS communications according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure is illustrated. 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).

[0169] 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 systems and techniques for secure SRS communications). 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.

[0170] 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 associated with various information channels (e.g., control channels, data channels, information channels related to systems and techniques for secure SRS communications), such as packets, user data, control information, or any combination thereof. 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.

[0171] Device 805 or its various components may be examples of components for performing various aspects of systems and techniques for secure SRS communication as described herein. For example, communication manager 820 may include key component 825, jump index component 830, SRS component 835, or any combination thereof. Communication manager 820 may be an example of various aspects of communication manager 720 as described herein. In some examples, communication manager 820 or its various components may be configured to perform various operations (e.g., receive, obtain, monitor, output, send) using or otherwise in conjunction with receiver 810, transmitter 815, or both. For example, communication manager 820 may receive information from receiver 810, transmit information to transmitter 815, or integrate with receiver 810, transmitter 815, or both in combination to obtain information, output information, or perform various other operations as described herein.

[0172] According to examples as disclosed herein, the communication manager 820 may support wireless communications at the UE. The key component 825 may be configured to or otherwise support components for receiving a control message indicating a key associated with the transmission of a set of SRSs via a system bandwidth for communicating with a network entity. The hopping index component 830 may be configured to or otherwise support components for generating a set of hopping indices corresponding to the set of SRSs using the key, each hopping index in the set of hopping indices indicating a corresponding portion of the system bandwidth for transmission of the corresponding SRS. The SRS component 835 may be configured to or otherwise support components for transmitting the set of SRSs via the corresponding portion of the system bandwidth according to the set of hopping indices.

[0173] Fig. 9A block diagram 900 of a communication manager 920 supporting systems and techniques for secure SRS communications according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure is illustrated. 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 systems and techniques for secure SRS communications as described herein. For example, the communication manager 920 may include a key component 925, a hopping index component 930, an SRS component 935, a control component 940, a slot offset component 945, an index component 950, a periodic component 955, or any combination thereof. Each of these components may communicate directly or indirectly with each other (e.g., via one or more buses).

[0174] According to examples as disclosed herein, the communication manager 920 may support wireless communications at the UE. The key component 925 may be configured to or otherwise support components for receiving a control message indicating a key associated with the transmission of an SRS set via a system bandwidth for communicating with a network entity. The hopping index component 930 may be configured to or otherwise support components for generating a set of hopping indices corresponding to the SRS set using the key, each hopping index in the set of hopping indices indicating a corresponding portion of the system bandwidth for transmission of the corresponding SRS. The SRS component 935 may be configured to or otherwise support components for transmitting the SRS set via the corresponding portion of the system bandwidth according to the set of hopping indices.

[0175] In some examples, to support receiving a control message indicating a key, key component 925 may be configured or otherwise support means for receiving a binary sequence encrypted via an encryption key shared by the UE and a network entity. In some examples, to support receiving a control message indicating a key, key component 925 may be configured or otherwise support means for decrypting a binary sequence using an encryption key, wherein the binary sequence is the key.

[0176] In some examples, to support receiving a control message indicating a key, key component 925 may be configured as or otherwise support components for receiving one or more encryption keys based on a secure registration of the UE with the network, each of the one or more encryption keys corresponding to a respective cell, wherein the key is an encryption key corresponding to the cell via which the UE and the network entity communicate.

[0177] In some examples, to support receiving a control message indicating a key, the key component 925 may be configured as or otherwise support components for receiving the control message based on authentication of the UE within a UE group associated with a cell via which the UE and the network entity communicate, wherein the key is common to the UE group.

[0178] In some examples, the control message indicating the key is received from a second UE in the group of UEs based on authentication of the UE within the group of UEs.

[0179] In some examples, to support generating the set of frequency hopping indices, the hopping index component 930 may be configured to or otherwise support means for using the key to generate one or more bit vectors, each bit of the bit vector indicating whether to swap a corresponding subset of the frequency hopping indices of the corresponding set of frequency hopping indices. In some examples, to support generating the set of frequency hopping indices, the hopping index component 930 may be configured to or otherwise support means for applying the one or more bit vectors to the second set of frequency hopping indices to generate the set of frequency hopping indices.

[0180] In some examples, hopping index component 930 may be configured to or otherwise support components for determining a second set of hopping indices based on the OVSF code, wherein the one or more bit vectors are applied to the second set of hopping indices based on the determination.

[0181] In some examples, hopping index component 930 can be configured to or otherwise support means for determining a respective subset of hopping indices to which bits of the bit vector correspond based on a third set of hopping indices generated using the key.

[0182] In some examples, to support generating the one or more bit vectors, the hopping index component 930 may be configured as or otherwise support components for inputting the key and one or more additional inputs into a pseudo-random function that outputs the one or more bit vectors, the one or more additional inputs including a cell ID of a cell via which the UE and the network entity communicate, a time, a seed received from the network entity, or a combination thereof.

[0183] In some examples, control component 940 may be configured or otherwise support means for receiving a second control message from the network entity that instructs the UE to generate a set of frequency hopping indices using a key associated with transmission of a set of SRSs.

[0184] In some examples, the time slot offset component 945 may be configured to or otherwise support means for generating a mapping between a set of time slot offsets and a set of indices corresponding to the set of time slot offsets using the key or a second key received from the network entity, each time slot offset in the set of time slot offsets indicating an offset from an initial time slot of a TTI associated with the transmission of a corresponding SRS. In some examples, the index component 950 may be configured to or otherwise support means for receiving, from the network entity based on the mapping, a second control message indicating a first index in the set of indexes corresponding to a first time slot offset in the set of time slot offsets, wherein at least a subset of the set of SRSs is transmitted via the corresponding TTI according to the first time slot offset.

[0185] In some examples, the time slot offset component 945 can be configured to or otherwise support components for generating a second mapping between the set of time slot offsets and the set of indexes using the key or the second key, wherein the second mapping is different from the mapping. In some examples, the index component 950 can be configured to or otherwise support components for receiving a third control message from the network entity indicating a second index in the set of indexes corresponding to a second time slot offset in the set of time slot offsets based on the second mapping, wherein the second subset of the SRS set is sent via a corresponding TTI according to the second time slot offset.

[0186] In some examples, control component 940 may be configured or otherwise support means for receiving a third control message from a network entity that instructs the UE to generate a mapping using a key associated with transmission of the SRS set or a second key.

[0187] In some examples, the periodicity component 955 may be configured or otherwise support means for generating a mapping between a periodicity set associated with the transmission of the SRS set and a set of indexes corresponding to the periodicity set using the key or a second key received from the network entity. In some examples, the index component 950 may be configured or otherwise support means for receiving, from the network entity based on the mapping, a second control message indicating a first index in the set of indexes corresponding to a first periodicity in the set of periodicities, wherein at least a subset of the SRS set is transmitted via a corresponding TTI according to the first periodicity.

[0188] In some examples, the periodicity component 955 may be configured or otherwise support means for generating a second mapping between the periodicity set and the index set using the key or the second key, wherein the second mapping is different from the mapping. In some examples, the index component 950 may be configured or otherwise support means for receiving, from the network entity based on the second mapping, a third control message indicating a second index in the index set corresponding to a second periodicity in the periodicity set, wherein the second subset of the SRS set is sent via a corresponding TTI according to the second periodicity.

[0189] In some examples, control component 940 may be configured or otherwise support means for receiving a third control message from a network entity that instructs the UE to generate a mapping using a key associated with transmission of the SRS set or a second key.

[0190] In some examples, the key is common to the cell via which the UE and the network entity communicate, or is common to a corresponding group of UEs associated with the cell including the UE.

[0191] Fig.10 A schematic diagram of a system 1000 including a device 1005 supporting systems and techniques for secure SRS communications according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure is illustrated. The device 1005 may be an example of a device 705, a device 805, or a UE 115 as described herein or include components thereof. The device 1005 may communicate (e.g., wirelessly) with one or more network entities 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., a bus 1045).

[0192] I / O controller 1010 can manage input signals and output signals of 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 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.

[0193] 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, which may be capable of concurrently transmitting or receiving multiple wireless transmissions. The transceiver 1015 may communicate bidirectionally via one or more antennas 1025, a wired or wireless link, 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 thereof or components thereof as described herein.

[0194] 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 (e.g., when compiled and executed) cause the computer to perform the functions described herein. In some cases, the memory 1030 may also contain, among other things, a basic I / O system (BIOS) that may control basic hardware or software operations, such as interaction with peripheral components or devices.

[0195] 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 cause device 1005 to perform various functions (e.g., functions or tasks that support systems and techniques for secure SRS communications). 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 the various functions described herein.

[0196] According to examples as disclosed herein, the communication manager 1020 may support wireless communications at a UE. For example, the communication manager 1020 may be configured to or otherwise support a component for receiving a control message indicating a key associated with the transmission of an SRS set via a system bandwidth for communicating with a network entity. The communication manager 1020 may be configured to or otherwise support a component for generating a set of hopping indices corresponding to the SRS set using the key, each hopping index in the set of hopping indices indicating a corresponding portion of the system bandwidth for transmission of the corresponding SRS. The communication manager 1020 may be configured to or otherwise support a component for transmitting the SRS set via the corresponding portion of the system bandwidth according to the set of hopping indices.

[0197] By including or configuring a communications manager 1020 according to examples as described herein, device 1005 may support techniques for secure SRS communications, improved communications reliability, reduced likelihood of successful denial of service attacks or information extraction, more efficient utilization of communications resources, and improved coordination between devices, among other benefits.

[0198] 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 executable by the processor 1040 to cause the device 1005 to perform various aspects of the systems and techniques for secure SRS communications as described herein, or the processor 1040 and the memory 1030 may be otherwise configured to perform or support such operations.

[0199] Fig.11 A block diagram 1100 of a device 1105 supporting systems and techniques for secure SRS communications according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure is illustrated. The device 1105 may be an example of aspects of the network entity 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 a processor. Each of these components may communicate with each other (e.g., via one or more buses).

[0200] 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 passed to other components of device 1105. In some examples, receiver 1110 may support obtaining information by receiving signals via one or more antennas. Additionally or alternatively, 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.

[0201] The transmitter 1115 may provide a means for outputting (e.g., sending, providing, conveying, 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.

[0202] 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 systems and techniques for secure SRS communications 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.

[0203] 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 of the functions described herein (e.g., by executing instructions stored in the memory by the processor).

[0204] 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 functionality 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 (e.g., configured as or otherwise supporting components for performing the functions described in the present disclosure), a DSP, a CPU, an ASIC, an FPGA, a microcontroller, or any combination of these or other programmable logic devices.

[0205] In some examples, communication manager 1120 may be configured to perform various operations (e.g., receive, obtain, monitor, output, send) 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 in conjunction with receiver 1110, transmitter 1115, or both to obtain information, output information, or perform various other operations as described herein.

[0206] According to examples as disclosed herein, the communication manager 1120 may support wireless communications at a network entity. For example, the communication manager 1120 may be configured to or otherwise support a component for outputting a control message indicating a key associated with a communication of a set of SRSs via a corresponding portion of a system bandwidth for communicating with a UE. The communication manager 1120 may be configured to or otherwise support a component for generating a set of hopping indices corresponding to the set of SRSs using the key, each hopping index in the set of hopping indices indicating a corresponding portion of the system bandwidth for communication of the corresponding SRS. The communication manager 1120 may be configured to or otherwise support a component for obtaining a set of SRSs via the corresponding portion of the system bandwidth according to the set of hopping indices.

[0207] By including or configuring the communication manager 1120 according to the examples described herein, the device 1105 (e.g., a processor controlling or otherwise coupled to the receiver 1110, the transmitter 1115, the communication manager 1120, or a combination thereof) can support techniques for secure SRS communications, which can reduce the likelihood of denial of service attacks or information extraction by malicious actors. Thus, SRS communication reliability can be increased, which can support more accurate channel measurements and communication improvements (e.g., more efficient communication resource utilization, more efficient power usage, etc.) based on improved channel measurement accuracy, as well as other benefits.

[0208] Fig.12 A block diagram 1200 of a device 1205 supporting systems and techniques for secure SRS communications according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure is illustrated. The device 1205 may be an example of aspects of the device 1105 or network entity 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).

[0209] 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 passed to other components of device 1205. In some examples, receiver 1210 may support obtaining information by receiving signals via one or more antennas. Additionally or alternatively, 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.

[0210] The transmitter 1215 may provide means for outputting (e.g., sending, 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 sending signals via one or more antennas. Additionally or alternatively, the transmitter 1215 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 1215 and the receiver 1210 may be co-located in a transceiver, which may include a modem or be coupled to a modem.

[0211] Device 1205 or its various components may be examples of components for performing various aspects of systems and techniques for secure SRS communication as described herein. For example, communication manager 1220 may include key component 1225, jump index component 1230, SRS component 1235, or any combination thereof. Communication manager 1220 may be an example of various aspects of communication manager 1120 as described herein. In some examples, communication manager 1220 or its various components may be configured to perform various operations (e.g., receive, obtain, monitor, output, send) using or otherwise in conjunction with receiver 1210, transmitter 1215, or both. For example, communication manager 1220 may receive information from receiver 1210, transmit information to transmitter 1215, or integrate with receiver 1210, transmitter 1215, or both in combination to obtain information, output information, or perform various other operations as described herein.

[0212] According to examples as disclosed herein, the communication manager 1220 may support wireless communications at a network entity. The key component 1225 may be configured to or otherwise support means for outputting a control message indicating a key associated with communication of a set of SRSs via a corresponding portion of a system bandwidth for communicating with a UE. The hopping index component 1230 may be configured to or otherwise support means for generating a set of hopping indices corresponding to the set of SRSs using the key, each hopping index in the set of hopping indices indicating a corresponding portion of the system bandwidth for communication of the corresponding SRS. The SRS component 1235 may be configured to or otherwise support means for obtaining a set of SRSs via the corresponding portion of the system bandwidth according to the set of hopping indices.

[0213] Fig.13 A block diagram 1300 of a communication manager 1320 supporting systems and techniques for secure SRS communications according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure is illustrated. The communication manager 1320 can 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 can be examples of components for performing various aspects of the systems and techniques for secure SRS communications as described herein. For example, the communication manager 1320 can include a key component 1325, a hopping index component 1330, an SRS component 1335, a control component 1340, a slot offset component 1345, an index component 1350, a periodicity component 1355, or any combination thereof. Each of these components may communicate directly or indirectly with each other (e.g., via one or more buses), which communication 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 entity 105, between devices, components, or virtualized components associated with the network entity 105), or any combination thereof.

[0214] According to examples as disclosed herein, the communication manager 1320 may support wireless communications at a network entity. The key component 1325 may be configured to or otherwise support components for outputting a control message indicating a key associated with a communication of a set of SRSs via a corresponding portion of a system bandwidth for communicating with a UE. The hopping index component 1330 may be configured to or otherwise support components for generating a set of hopping indices corresponding to the set of SRSs using the key, each hopping index in the set of hopping indices indicating a corresponding portion of the system bandwidth for communication of the corresponding SRS. The SRS component 1335 may be configured to or otherwise support components for obtaining a set of SRSs via the corresponding portion of the system bandwidth according to the set of hopping indices.

[0215] In some examples, to support outputting a control message indicating a key, key component 1325 may be configured or otherwise support means for outputting a binary sequence encrypted via an encryption key shared by the UE and a network entity, where the binary sequence is the key.

[0216] In some examples, to support outputting a control message indicating a key, key component 1325 may be configured as or otherwise support components for outputting one or more encryption keys based on a secure registration of the UE with a network entity, each of the one or more encryption keys corresponding to a respective cell, wherein the key is an encryption key corresponding to the cell via which the UE and the network entity communicate.

[0217] In some examples, to support outputting a control message indicating a key, key component 1325 may be configured as or otherwise support components for outputting the control message based on authentication of the UE within a UE group associated with a cell via which the UE and the network entity communicate, wherein the key is common to the UE group.

[0218] In some examples, to support generating the set of frequency hopping indices, the hopping index component 1330 may be configured to or otherwise support means for using the key to generate one or more bit vectors, each bit of the bit vector indicating whether to swap a corresponding subset of the frequency hopping indices of the corresponding set of frequency hopping indices. In some examples, to support generating the set of frequency hopping indices, the hopping index component 1330 may be configured to or otherwise support means for applying the one or more bit vectors to a second set of frequency hopping indices to generate the set of frequency hopping indices.

[0219] In some examples, hopping index component 1330 may be configured to or otherwise support components for determining a second set of hopping indices based on the OVSF code, wherein the one or more bit vectors are applied to the second set of hopping indices based on the determination.

[0220] In some examples, hopping index component 1330 can be configured to or otherwise support means for determining a respective subset of hopping indices to which bits of the bit vector correspond based on a third set of hopping indices generated using the key.

[0221] In some examples, to support generating the one or more bit vectors, the hop index component 1330 may be configured as or otherwise support components for inputting the key and one or more additional inputs into a pseudo-random function that outputs the one or more bit vectors, the one or more additional inputs including a cell ID of a cell via which the UE and the network entity communicate, a time, a seed generated by the network entity, or a combination thereof.

[0222] In some examples, control component 1340 may be configured to or otherwise support components for outputting a second control message that instructs the UE to generate the frequency hopping index set using a key associated with communication with the SRS set, wherein the frequency hopping index set is generated by the network entity based on the second control message.

[0223] In some examples, the time slot offset component 1345 may be configured to or otherwise support means for generating a mapping between a set of time slot offsets and a set of indices corresponding to the set of time slot offsets using the key or the second key, each time slot offset in the set of time slot offsets indicating an offset from an initial time slot of a TTI associated with communication of a corresponding SRS. In some examples, the index component 1350 may be configured to or otherwise support means for outputting a second control message indicating a first index in the set of indices corresponding to a first time slot offset in the set of time slot offsets based on the mapping, wherein at least a subset of the set of SRSs is obtained via the corresponding TTI according to the first time slot offset.

[0224] In some examples, the time slot offset component 1345 can be configured to or otherwise support means for generating a second mapping between the set of time slot offsets and the set of indices using the key or the second key, wherein the second mapping is different from the mapping. In some examples, the index component 1350 can be configured to or otherwise support means for outputting a third control message indicating a second index in the set of indices corresponding to a second time slot offset in the set of time slot offsets based on the second mapping, wherein the second subset of the SRS set is obtained via the corresponding TTI according to the second time slot offset.

[0225] In some examples, control component 1340 may be configured to or otherwise support components for outputting a third control message that instructs the UE to generate a mapping using a key associated with communications with the SRS set or a second key, wherein the mapping is generated by the network entity based on the third control message.

[0226] In some examples, the periodicity component 1355 may be configured or otherwise support a component for generating a mapping between a periodicity set associated with communication of the SRS set and a set of indexes corresponding to the periodicity set using the key or the second key. In some examples, the index component 1350 may be configured or otherwise support a component for outputting a second control message indicating a first index in the index set corresponding to a first periodicity in the periodicity set based on the mapping, wherein at least a subset of the SRS set is obtained via a corresponding TTI according to the first periodicity.

[0227] In some examples, the periodic component 1355 may be configured to or otherwise support components for generating a second mapping between the periodic set and the index set using the key or the second key, where the second mapping is different from the mapping. In some examples, the index component 1350 may be configured to or otherwise support components for outputting a third control message indicating a second index in the index set corresponding to a second periodicity in the periodic set, where a second subset of the SRS set is obtained according to the second periodicity via corresponding TTIs.

[0228] In some examples, the control component 1340 may be configured to or otherwise support components for outputting a third control message indicating that the UE uses the key or the second key associated with communication of the SRS set to generate a mapping, where the mapping is generated by the network entity based on the third control message.

[0229] In some examples, the key is common to the cell through which the UE and the network entity communicate, or is common to a corresponding UE group associated with the cell including the UE.

[0230] Fig.14 FIG. illustrates a schematic diagram of a system 1400 including a device 1405 that supports systems and techniques for secure SRS communication in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure. The device 1405 may be an example of the device 1105, the device 1205, or the network entity 105 as described herein or include components thereof. The device 1405 may communicate with one or more network entities 105, one or more UEs 115, or any combination thereof, and such communication may include communication via one or more wired interfaces, via one or more wireless interfaces, or any combination thereof. The device 1405 may include components that support outputting and obtaining communication, such as a communication manager 1420, a transceiver 1410, an antenna 1415, a memory 1425, code 1430, and a processor 1435. These components may be electronically communicated or otherwise (e.g., operatively, communicatively, functionally, electronically, electrically) coupled via one or more buses (e.g., bus 1440).

[0231] As described herein, the transceiver 1410 may support bidirectional communication via a wired link, a wireless link, or both. 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, which may be capable of (e.g., concurrently) sending or receiving wireless transmissions. The transceiver 1410 may also include a modem for modulating a signal, for providing a modulated signal for transmission (e.g., via one or more antennas 1415, via a wired transmitter), for receiving a modulated signal (e.g., from one or more antennas 1415, from a wired receiver), and for demodulating the signal. In some implementations, the transceiver 1410 may include one or more interfaces, such as one or more interfaces coupled to one or more antennas 1415 configured to support various receiving or obtaining operations, or one or more interfaces coupled to one or more antennas 1415 configured to support various sending or outputting operations, or a combination thereof. In some implementations, the transceiver 1410 may include or be configured to be coupled to one or more processors or memory components, which are operable to perform the following operations: perform or support operations based on received or obtained information or signals, or generate information or other signals for transmission or other output, or any combination of these operations. In some implementations, the transceiver 1410 or the transceiver 1410 and one or more antennas 1415 or the transceiver 1410 and one or more antennas 1415 and one or more processors or memory components (e.g., processor 1435 or memory 1425 or both) may be included in a chip or chip integration installed in the device 1405. In some examples, the transceiver may be operable to support communications via one or more communication links (eg, communication link 125, backhaul communication link 120, midhaul communication link 162, fronthaul communication link 168).

[0232] 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 include, among other things, a BIOS that may control basic hardware or software operations, such as interaction with peripheral components or devices.

[0233] 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 that support systems and technologies for secure SRS communications). 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, a virtual machine, or a container instance), which may host functions (e.g., by executing code 1430) to perform functions of device 1405. The processor 1435 may be any one or more suitable processors capable of executing scripts or instructions of one or more software programs stored in the device 1405 (such as in the memory 1425). In some specific implementations, the processor 1435 may be a component of a processing system. A processing system may generally refer to a system or a series of machines or components that receive inputs and process these inputs to produce a set of outputs (which may be delivered to, for example, other systems or components of the device 1405). For example, the processing system of the device 1405 may refer to a system including various other components or subcomponents of the device 1405, such as the processor 1435, or the transceiver 1410, or the communication manager 1420, or other components or combinations of components of the device 1405. The processing system of the device 1405 may interface with other components of the device 1405, and may process information (such as input or signals) received from other components or output information to other components. For example, a chip or modem of the device 1405 may include a processing system and one or more interfaces for outputting information or for obtaining information or both. One or more interfaces may be implemented as or otherwise include a first interface configured to output information and a second interface configured to obtain information or the same interface configured to output information and obtain information, as well as other specific implementations. In some specific implementations, one or more interfaces may refer to an interface between a processing system of a chip or modem and a transmitter, so that the device 1405 can send information output from the chip or modem. Additionally or alternatively, in some specific implementations, one or more interfaces may refer to an interface between a processing system of a chip or modem and a receiver, so that the device 1405 can obtain information or signal input, and the information can be passed to the processing system.One of ordinary skill in the art will readily recognize that the first interface may also obtain information or signal input, and the second interface may also output information or signal output.

[0234] In some examples, bus 1440 may support communications of protocol layers (e.g., within a protocol layer) of a protocol stack. In some examples, bus 1440 may support communications associated with logical channels of a protocol stack (e.g., between protocol layers of a protocol stack), which may include communications performed within components 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).

[0235] 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 entities 105 and may include a controller or scheduler for controlling communications with the UE 115 in coordination with the other network entities 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 entities 105.

[0236] According to examples as disclosed herein, the communication manager 1420 may support wireless communications at a network entity. For example, the communication manager 1420 may be configured to or otherwise support a component for outputting a control message indicating a key associated with a communication of a set of SRSs via a corresponding portion of a system bandwidth for communicating with a UE. The communication manager 1420 may be configured to or otherwise support a component for generating a set of hopping indices corresponding to the set of SRSs using the key, each hopping index in the set of hopping indices indicating a corresponding portion of the system bandwidth for communication of the corresponding SRS. The communication manager 1420 may be configured to or otherwise support a component for obtaining a set of SRSs via the corresponding portion of the system bandwidth according to the set of hopping indices.

[0237] By including or configuring a communications manager 1420 according to examples as described herein, device 1405 may support techniques for secure SRS communications, improved communications reliability, reduced likelihood of successful denial of service attacks or information extraction, more efficient utilization of communications resources, and improved coordination between devices, among other benefits.

[0238] 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 transceiver 1410, the processor 1435, the memory 1425, the code 1430, 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 systems and techniques for secure SRS communications as described herein, or the processor 1435 and the memory 1425 may be otherwise configured to perform or support such operations.

[0239] Fig.15 A flowchart illustrating a method 1500 for supporting systems and techniques for secure SRS communication according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure is illustrated. 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 10 The described UE 115 may be performed. 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.

[0240] At 1505, the method may include receiving a control message indicating a key associated with transmission of an SRS set via a system bandwidth for communicating with a network entity. 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 as described in reference to Fig. 9 The described key component 925 is performed.

[0241] At 1510, the method may include using the key to generate a set of frequency hopping indices corresponding to the set of SRSs, each frequency hopping index in the set of frequency hopping indices indicating a corresponding portion of the system bandwidth used for transmission of the corresponding SRS. 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 described jump index component 930 is performed.

[0242] At 1515, the method may include transmitting the SRS set via the corresponding portion of the system bandwidth according to the set of frequency hopping indices. 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 to Fig. 9 The described SRS component 935 is executed.

[0243] Fig.16 A flowchart illustrating a method 1600 for supporting systems and techniques for secure SRS communication according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure is illustrated. 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 described UE 115 may be performed. 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.

[0244] At 1605, the method may include receiving a control message indicating a key associated with transmission of an SRS set via a system bandwidth for communicating with a network entity. 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 described key component 925 is performed.

[0245] At 1610, the method may include using the key to generate a set of frequency hopping indices corresponding to the SRS set, each frequency hopping index in the set of frequency hopping indices indicating a corresponding portion of the system bandwidth used for transmission of the corresponding SRS. In some examples, generating the set of frequency hopping indices may include using the key to generate one or more bit vectors, each bit of the bit vector indicating whether to exchange a corresponding subset of frequency hopping indices of the corresponding set of frequency hopping indices. In some examples, generating the set of frequency hopping indices may include applying the one or more bit vectors to a second set of frequency hopping indices to generate the set of frequency hopping indices. 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 as described in reference to Fig. 9 The described jump index component 930 is performed.

[0246] At 1615, the method may include transmitting the SRS set via the corresponding portion of the system bandwidth according to the set of frequency hopping indices. 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 described SRS component 935 is executed.

[0247] Fig.17 A flowchart illustrating a method 1700 for supporting systems and techniques for secure SRS communication according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure is illustrated. The operations of the method 1700 may be implemented by a UE or a component thereof as described herein. For example, the operations of the method 1700 may be implemented by a UE or a component thereof as described in reference to Figures 1 to 10The described UE 115 may be performed. 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.

[0248] At 1705, the method may include receiving a control message indicating a key associated with transmission of an SRS set via a system bandwidth for communicating with a network entity. 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 as described in reference to Fig. 9 The described key component 925 is performed.

[0249] At 1710, the method may include receiving a second control message from the network entity, the second control message instructing the UE to generate a frequency hopping index set using a key associated with the transmission of the SRS set. 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. 9 The control component 940 described is executed.

[0250] At 1715, the method may include using the key to generate a set of frequency hopping indices corresponding to the set of SRSs, each frequency hopping index in the set of frequency hopping indices indicating a corresponding portion of the system bandwidth used for transmission of the corresponding SRS. 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 to Fig. 9 The described jump index component 930 is performed.

[0251] At 1720, the method may include transmitting the SRS set via the corresponding portion of the system bandwidth according to the set of frequency hopping indices. The operations of 1720 may be performed according to examples as disclosed herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of 1720 may be performed as described in reference to Fig. 9 The described SRS component 935 is executed.

[0252] Fig.18 A flowchart illustrating a method 1800 for supporting systems and techniques for secure SRS communications according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure is illustrated. The operations of the method 1800 may be implemented by a network entity or a component thereof as described herein. For example, the operations of the method 1800 may be implemented by a network entity or a component thereof as described herein. Figures 1 to 6 as well as Figures 11 to 14 The network entity described herein may be executed by the network entity described herein. In some examples, the network entity may execute an instruction set to control the functional elements of the network entity to perform the described functions. Additionally or alternatively, the network entity may use dedicated hardware to perform various aspects of the described functions.

[0253] At 1805, the method may include outputting a control message indicating a key associated with the communication of the SRS set via a corresponding portion of the system bandwidth used to communicate with the UE. 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 described key component 1325 is performed.

[0254] At 1810, the method may include using the key to generate a set of frequency hopping indices corresponding to the set of SRSs, each frequency hopping index in the set of frequency hopping indices indicating a corresponding portion of the system bandwidth used for communication of the corresponding SRS. 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 as described in reference to Fig.13 The described jump index component 1330 is performed.

[0255] At 1815, the method may include obtaining the SRS set via the corresponding portion of the system bandwidth according to the set of frequency hopping indices. The operations of 1815 may be performed according to examples disclosed herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of 1815 may be performed as described in reference to Fig.13 The described SRS component 1335 is executed.

[0256] Fig.19 A flowchart illustrating a method 1900 for supporting systems and techniques for secure SRS communications according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure is illustrated. The operations of the method 1900 may be implemented by a network entity or a component thereof as described herein. For example, the operations of the method 1900 may be implemented by a network entity or a component thereof as described herein. Figures 1 to 6 as well as Figures 11 to 14 The network entity described herein may be executed by the network entity described herein. In some examples, the network entity may execute an instruction set to control the functional elements of the network entity to perform the described functions. Additionally or alternatively, the network entity may use dedicated hardware to perform various aspects of the described functions.

[0257] At 1905, the method may include outputting a control message indicating a key associated with the communication of the SRS set via a corresponding portion of the system bandwidth used to communicate with the UE. The operations of 1905 may be performed according to examples as disclosed herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of 1905 may be performed as described in reference to Fig.13 The described key component 1325 is performed.

[0258] At 1910, the method may include using the key to generate a set of frequency hopping indices corresponding to the SRS set, each frequency hopping index in the set of frequency hopping indices indicating a corresponding portion of the system bandwidth used for communication of the corresponding SRS. In some examples, generating the set of frequency hopping indices may include using the key to generate one or more bit vectors, each bit of the bit vector indicating whether to exchange a corresponding subset of frequency hopping indices of the corresponding set of frequency hopping indices. In some examples, generating the set of frequency hopping indices may include applying the one or more bit vectors to a second set of frequency hopping indices to generate the set of frequency hopping indices. The operations of 1910 may be performed according to examples as disclosed herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of 1910 may be performed as described in reference to Fig.13 The described jump index component 1330 is performed.

[0259] At 1915, the method may include obtaining the SRS set via the corresponding portion of the system bandwidth according to the set of frequency hopping indices. The operations of 1915 may be performed according to examples as disclosed herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of 1915 may be performed as described in reference to Fig.13 The described SRS component 1335 is executed.

[0260] Fig. 20 A flowchart illustrating a method 2000 for supporting systems and techniques for secure SRS communications according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure is illustrated. The operations of the method 2000 may be implemented by a network entity or a component thereof as described herein. For example, the operations of the method 2000 may be implemented by a network entity or a component thereof as described herein. Figures 1 to 6 as well as Figures 11 to 14 The network entity described herein may be executed by the network entity described herein. In some examples, the network entity may execute an instruction set to control the functional elements of the network entity to perform the described functions. Additionally or alternatively, the network entity may use dedicated hardware to perform various aspects of the described functions.

[0261] At 2005, the method may include outputting a control message indicating a key associated with the communication of the SRS set via a corresponding portion of the system bandwidth used to communicate with the UE. The operations of 2005 may be performed according to examples as disclosed herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of 2005 may be performed as described in reference to Fig.13 The described key component 1325 is performed.

[0262] At 2010, the method may include outputting a second control message that instructs the UE to generate a frequency hopping index set using a key associated with communication of the SRS set. The operations of 2010 may be performed according to examples as disclosed herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of 2010 may be performed as described in reference to Fig.13 The described control component 1340 is executed.

[0263] At 2015, the method may include using the key to generate the set of frequency hopping indices corresponding to the set of SRSs, each frequency hopping index in the set of frequency hopping indices indicating a corresponding portion of the system bandwidth used for communication of the corresponding SRS, wherein the set of frequency hopping indices is generated by the network entity based on the second control message. The operations of 2015 may be performed according to examples disclosed herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of 2015 may be performed as described in reference Fig.13 The described jump index component 1330 is performed.

[0264] At 2020, the method may include obtaining the SRS set via the corresponding portion of the system bandwidth according to the set of frequency hopping indices. The operations of 2020 may be performed according to examples as disclosed herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of 2020 may be performed as described in reference to Fig.13 The described SRS component 1335 is executed.

[0265] The following provides an overview of various aspects of the disclosure:

[0266] Aspect 1: A method for performing wireless communications at a UE, comprising: receiving a control message indicating a key associated with the transmission of an SRS set via a system bandwidth used for communicating with a network entity; using the key to generate a frequency hopping index set corresponding to the SRS set, each frequency hopping index in the frequency hopping index set indicating a corresponding portion of the system bandwidth used for transmitting a corresponding SRS; and transmitting the SRS set via the corresponding portion of the system bandwidth according to the frequency hopping index set.

[0267] Aspect 2: A method according to Aspect 1, wherein receiving the control message indicating the key includes: receiving a binary sequence encrypted via an encryption key shared by the UE and the network entity; and decrypting the binary sequence using the encryption key, wherein the binary sequence is the key.

[0268] Aspect 3: A method according to Aspect 1, wherein receiving the control message indicating the key includes: receiving one or more encryption keys based at least in part on the secure registration of the UE with the network, each of the one or more encryption keys corresponding to a corresponding cell, wherein the key is an encryption key corresponding to the cell via which the UE and the network entity communicate.

[0269] Aspect 4: A method according to Aspect 1, wherein receiving the control message indicating the key includes: receiving the control message based at least in part on the authentication of the UE within a UE group associated with a cell via which the UE and the network entity communicate, wherein the key is common to the UE group.

[0270] Aspect 5: The method of aspect 4, wherein the control message indicating the key is received from a second UE in the group of UEs based at least in part on the authentication of the UE within the group of UEs.

[0271] Aspect 6: A method according to any one of Aspects 1 to 5, wherein generating the frequency hopping index set comprises: using the key to generate one or more bit vectors, each bit of the bit vector indicating whether to exchange a corresponding subset of the frequency hopping indexes of the corresponding set of frequency hopping indexes; and applying the one or more bit vectors to a second set of frequency hopping indexes to generate the frequency hopping index set.

[0272] Aspect 7: The method according to aspect 6 also includes: determining the second set of frequency hopping indexes based at least in part on the OVSF code, wherein the one or more bit vectors are applied to the second set of frequency hopping indexes based at least in part on the determination.

[0273] Aspect 8: The method according to any one of Aspects 6 to 7 further includes: determining the corresponding subset of frequency hopping indices to which the bits of the bit vector correspond based at least in part on a third set of frequency hopping indices generated using the key.

[0274] Aspect 9: A method according to any one of Aspects 6 to 8, wherein generating the one or more bit vectors includes: inputting the key and one or more additional inputs into a pseudo-random function that outputs the one or more bit vectors, the one or more additional inputs including the cell ID of the cell via which the UE and the network entity communicate, time, a seed received from the network entity, or a combination thereof.

[0275] Aspect 10: The method according to any one of Aspects 1 to 9 further includes: receiving a second control message from the network entity, wherein the second control message instructs the UE to use the key associated with the sending of the SRS set to generate the frequency hopping index set.

[0276] Aspect 11: The method according to any one of Aspects 1 to 10 further includes: generating a mapping between a set of timing offsets and a set of indexes corresponding to the set of timing offsets by using the key or a second key received from the network entity, where each timing offset in the set of timing offsets indicates an offset from an initial time slot of a transmission time interval (TTI) associated with the transmission of a corresponding sounding reference signal (SRS); and receiving, at least in part based on the mapping, a second control message from the network entity indicating a first index in the set of indexes corresponding to a first timing offset in the set of timing offsets, where at least one subset of the set of SRSs is transmitted via a corresponding TTI according to the first timing offset.

[0277] Aspect 12: The method according to Aspect 11 further includes: generating a second mapping between the set of timing offsets and the set of indexes by using the key or the second key, where the second mapping is different from the mapping; and receiving, at least in part based on the second mapping, a third control message from the network entity indicating a second index in the set of indexes corresponding to a second timing offset in the set of timing offsets, where a second subset of the set of SRSs is transmitted via a corresponding TTI according to the second timing offset.

[0278] Aspect 13: The method according to any one of Aspects 11 to 12 further includes: receiving a third control message from the network entity, where the third control message instructs the user equipment (UE) to generate the mapping by using the key or the second key associated with the transmission of the set of SRSs.

[0279] Aspect 14: The method according to any one of Aspects 1 to 13 further includes: generating a mapping between a set of periodicities associated with the transmission of the set of SRSs and a set of indexes corresponding to the set of periodicities by using the key or a second key received from the network entity; and receiving, at least in part based on the mapping, a second control message from the network entity indicating a first index in the set of indexes corresponding to a first periodicity in the set of periodicities, where at least one subset of the set of SRSs is transmitted via a corresponding TTI according to the first periodicity.

[0280] Aspect 15: The method according to Aspect 14 further includes: generating a second mapping between the set of periodicities and the set of indexes by using the key or the second key, where the second mapping is different from the mapping; and receiving, at least in part based on the second mapping, a third control message from the network entity indicating a second index in the set of indexes corresponding to a second periodicity in the set of periodicities, where a second subset of the set of SRSs is transmitted via a corresponding TTI according to the second periodicity.

[0281] Aspect 16: The method according to any one of Aspects 14 to 15 further includes: receiving a third control message from the network entity, the third control message instructing the UE to use the key associated with the sending of the SRS set or the second key to generate the mapping.

[0282] Aspect 17: A method according to any one of aspects 1 to 16, wherein the key is common to a cell via which the UE and the network entity communicate, or is common to a corresponding UE group associated with the cell including the UE.

[0283] Aspect 18: A method for performing wireless communications at a network entity, comprising: outputting a control message indicating a key associated with a communication of an SRS set via a corresponding portion of a system bandwidth used for communicating with a UE; using the key to generate a frequency hopping index set corresponding to the SRS set, each frequency hopping index in the frequency hopping index set indicating a corresponding portion of the system bandwidth used for communication of the corresponding SRS; and obtaining the SRS set via the corresponding portion of the system bandwidth according to the frequency hopping index set.

[0284] Aspect 19: The method according to aspect 18, wherein outputting the control message indicating the key comprises: outputting a binary sequence encrypted via an encryption key shared by the UE and the network entity, wherein the binary sequence is the key.

[0285] Aspect 20: A method according to Aspect 18, wherein outputting the control message indicating the key includes: outputting one or more encryption keys based at least in part on the secure registration of the UE with the network entity, each of the one or more encryption keys corresponding to a corresponding cell, wherein the key is an encryption key corresponding to the cell via which the UE and the network entity communicate.

[0286] Aspect 21: A method according to Aspect 18, wherein outputting the control message indicating the key includes: outputting the control message based at least in part on the authentication of the UE within a UE group associated with a cell via which the UE and the network entity communicate, wherein the key is common to the UE group.

[0287] Aspect 22: A method according to any one of Aspects 18 to 21, wherein generating the frequency hopping index set comprises: using the key to generate one or more bit vectors, each bit of the bit vector indicating whether to exchange a corresponding subset of the frequency hopping indexes of the corresponding set of frequency hopping indexes; and applying the one or more bit vectors to a second set of frequency hopping indexes to generate the frequency hopping index set.

[0288] Aspect 23: The method according to Aspect 22 further includes: determining the second set of frequency hopping indices based at least in part on the OVSF code, wherein the one or more bit vectors are applied to the second set of frequency hopping indices based at least in part on the determination.

[0289] Aspect 24: The method according to any one of Aspects 22 to 23 further includes: determining the corresponding subset of frequency hopping indices to which the bits of the bit vector correspond based at least in part on a third set of frequency hopping indices generated using the key.

[0290] Aspect 25: A method according to any one of Aspects 22 to 24, wherein generating the one or more bit vectors includes: inputting the key and one or more additional inputs into a pseudo-random function that outputs the one or more bit vectors, the one or more additional inputs including the cell ID of the cell via which the UE and the network entity communicate, time, a seed generated by the network entity, or a combination thereof.

[0291] Aspect 26: The method according to any one of Aspects 18 to 25 further includes: outputting a second control message, wherein the second control message instructs the UE to use the key associated with the communication of the SRS set to generate the frequency hopping index set, wherein the frequency hopping index set is generated by the network entity at least in part based on the second control message.

[0292] Aspect 27: The method according to any one of Aspects 18 to 26, further comprising: using the key or the second key to generate a mapping between a set of time slot offsets and a set of indexes corresponding to the set of time slot offsets, each time slot offset in the set of time slot offsets indicating an offset from an initial time slot of a TTI associated with communication of a corresponding SRS; and outputting a second control message indicating a first index in the set of indexes corresponding to a first time slot offset in the set of time slot offsets based at least in part on the mapping, wherein at least a subset of the SRS set is obtained via the corresponding TTI based on the first time slot offset.

[0293] Aspect 28: The method according to Aspect 27 further includes: using the key or the second key to generate a second mapping between the time slot offset set and the index set, wherein the second mapping is different from the mapping; and outputting a third control message indicating a second index in the index set corresponding to a second time slot offset in the time slot offset set based at least in part on the second mapping, wherein the second subset of the SRS set is obtained via the corresponding TTI based on the second time slot offset.

[0294] Aspect 29: The method according to any one of Aspects 27 to 28 further includes: outputting a third control message, wherein the third control message instructs the UE to use the key or the second key associated with the communication of the SRS set to generate the mapping, wherein the mapping is generated by the network entity at least in part based on the third control message.

[0295] Aspect 30: The method according to any one of Aspects 18 to 29 further includes: using the key or the second key to generate a mapping between a periodicity set associated with communication of the SRS set and an index set corresponding to the periodicity set; and outputting a second control message indicating a first index in the index set corresponding to a first periodicity in the periodicity set based at least in part on the mapping, wherein at least a subset of the SRS set is obtained via a corresponding TTI based on the first periodicity.

[0296] Aspect 31: The method according to Aspect 30 further includes: using the key or the second key to generate a second mapping between the periodicity set and the index set, wherein the second mapping is different from the mapping; and outputting a third control message indicating a second index in the index set corresponding to a second periodicity in the periodicity set based at least in part on the second mapping, wherein a second subset of the SRS set is obtained via the corresponding TTI based on the second periodicity.

[0297] Aspect 32: The method according to any one of Aspects 30 to 31 further includes: outputting a third control message, wherein the third control message instructs the UE to use the key or the second key associated with the communication of the SRS set to generate the mapping, wherein the mapping is generated by the network entity at least in part based on the third control message.

[0298] Aspect 33: A method according to any one of aspects 18 to 32, wherein the key is common to a cell via which the UE and the network entity communicate, or is common to a corresponding UE group associated with the cell including the UE.

[0299] Aspect 34: An apparatus for performing wireless communications at a UE, 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 17.

[0300] Aspect 35: An apparatus for wireless communication at a UE, comprising at least one component for performing a method according to any one of aspects 1 to 17.

[0301] Aspect 36: 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 17.

[0302] Aspect 37: An apparatus for wireless communication at a network entity, 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 18 to 33.

[0303] Aspect 38: An apparatus for wireless communication at a network entity, comprising at least one component for performing a method according to any one of aspects 18 to 33.

[0304] Aspect 39: A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing code for wireless communication at a network entity, the code comprising instructions executable by a processor to perform the method according to any one of aspects 18 to 33.

[0305] 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 other implementations are possible. In addition, aspects from two or more methods may be combined.

[0306] 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 techniques described 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.

[0307] 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 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.

[0308] The various illustrative blocks and components described in conjunction with the disclosure herein may be implemented or performed 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).

[0309] The functions described herein can be implemented using hardware, software executed by a processor, firmware, or any combination thereof. When implemented using software executed by a processor, the functions can 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 the present disclosure and the appended claims. For example, due to the nature of software, the functions described herein can be implemented using software executed by a processor, hardware, firmware, hard wiring, or a combination of any of these items. Features that implement the functions can also be physically located at different locations, including being distributed so that the various parts of the functions are implemented at different physical locations.

[0310] Computer-readable medium includes both non-transient computer storage medium and communication medium, and it includes any medium that facilitates computer program to be transmitted from one position to another position.Non-transient storage medium can be any available medium that can be accessed by general or special-purpose computer.By way of example and not limitation, non-transient computer-readable medium can include RAM, ROM, electrically erasable programmable ROM (EEPROM), flash memory, compact disc (CD) ROM or other optical disc storage device, disk storage device or other magnetic storage device or can be used for carrying or storing desired program code parts and any other non-transient medium that can be accessed by general or special-purpose computer or general or special-purpose processor in the form of instruction or data structure.Moreover, any connection is appropriately referred to as computer-readable medium.For example, if software is sent from website, server or other remote source using coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair, digital subscriber line (DSL) or wireless technology such as infrared, radio and microwave, then coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair, DSL or wireless technology such as infrared, radio and microwave are included in the definition of computer-readable medium. Disks and optical disks as used herein include CDs, laser optical disks, optical optical disks, digital versatile disks (DVDs), floppy disks, and Blu-ray disks. Disks can reproduce data magnetically, while optical disks can reproduce data optically using lasers. Combinations of the above are also included within the scope of computer-readable media.

[0311] 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."

[0312] The terms "determine" or "determining" encompass 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. Furthermore, "determining" may include receiving (e.g., receiving information), accessing (e.g., accessing data stored in a memory), etc. Additionally, "determining" may include parsing, obtaining, selecting, choosing, establishing, and other such similar actions.

[0313] 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 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 or other subsequent reference labels.

[0314] 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 "advantageous over other examples." The specific implementation includes specific details to provide an understanding of the described techniques. However, these techniques may be practiced without these specific details. In some cases, known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form to avoid obscuring the concepts of the described examples.

[0315] 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. Thus, 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. A method for wireless communication at a user equipment (UE), the method include: receiving a control message indicating a key associated with transmission of a set of sounding reference signals via a system bandwidth for communicating with a network entity; generating a set of frequency hopping indices corresponding to the set of sounding reference signals using the key, each frequency hopping index in the set of frequency hopping indices indicating a corresponding portion of the system bandwidth used for transmission of a corresponding sounding reference signal; as well as The set of sounding reference signals is sent via the corresponding portion of the system bandwidth according to the set of frequency hopping indices.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein receiving the control message indicating the key include: receiving a binary sequence encrypted via an encryption key shared by the UE and the network entity; as well as The binary sequence is decrypted using the encryption key, wherein the binary sequence is the key.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein receiving the control message indicating the key include: One or more encryption keys are received based at least in part on a secure registration of the UE with a network, each of the one or more encryption keys corresponding to a respective cell, wherein the key is an encryption key corresponding to the cell via which the UE and the network entity communicate.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein receiving the control message indicating the key include: The control message is received based at least in part on authentication of the UE within a group of UEs associated with a cell via which the UE and the network entity communicate, wherein the key is common to the group of UEs.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the control message indicating the key is received from a second UE in the group of UEs based at least in part on the authentication of the UE within the group of UEs.

6. The method according to claim 1, wherein the frequency hopping index set is generated include: generating one or more bit vectors using the key, each bit of the bit vector indicating whether to exchange a corresponding subset of frequency hopping indices of a corresponding set of frequency hopping indices; as well as The one or more bit vectors are applied to a second set of frequency hopping indices to generate the set of frequency hopping indices.

7. The method according to claim 6, further comprising: include: The second set of frequency hopping indices is determined based at least in part on an orthogonal variable spreading factor code, wherein the one or more bit vectors are applied to the second set of frequency hopping indices based at least in part on the determination.

8. The method according to claim 6, further comprising: include: The respective subset of frequency hopping indices to which bits of the bit vector correspond is determined based at least in part on a third set of frequency hopping indices generated using the key.

9. The method of claim 6, wherein generating the one or more bit vectors include: The key and one or more additional inputs are input into a pseudo-random function that outputs the one or more bit vectors, the one or more additional inputs including a cell identifier of a cell via which the UE and the network entity communicate, a time, a seed received from the network entity, or a combination thereof.

10. The method according to claim 1, further comprising: include: A second control message is received from the network entity, the second control message instructing the UE to generate the set of frequency hopping indices using the key associated with the transmission of the set of sounding reference signals.

11. The method according to claim 1, further comprising: include: generating, using the key or a second key received from the network entity, a mapping between a set of slot offsets and a set of indices corresponding to the set of slot offsets, each slot offset in the set of slot offsets indicating an offset from an initial slot of a transmission time interval associated with transmission of a corresponding sounding reference signal; as well as A second control message indicating a first index in the index set corresponding to a first time slot offset in the time slot offset set is received from the network entity at least in part based on the mapping, wherein at least a subset of the sounding reference signal set is sent via a corresponding transmission time interval according to the first time slot offset.

12. The method according to claim 11, further comprising: include: generating a second mapping between the set of slot offsets and the set of indices using the key or the second key, wherein the second mapping is different from the mapping; as well as A third control message is received from the network entity based at least in part on the second mapping, indicating a second index in the index set corresponding to a second time slot offset in the time slot offset set, wherein a second subset of the sounding reference signal set is sent via a corresponding transmission time interval according to the second time slot offset.

13. The method according to claim 11, further comprising: include: A third control message is received from the network entity, the third control message instructing the UE to generate the mapping using the key or the second key associated with the transmission of the sounding reference signal set.

14. The method according to claim 1, further comprising: include: generating, using the key or a second key received from the network entity, a mapping between a set of periodicities associated with the transmission of the set of sounding reference signals and a set of indices corresponding to the periodicity set; as well as A second control message indicating a first index in the set of indexes corresponding to a first periodicity in the set of periodicities is received from the network entity based at least in part on the mapping, wherein at least a subset of the set of sounding reference signals is sent via a corresponding transmission time interval according to the first periodicity.

15. The method according to claim 14, further comprising: include: generating a second mapping between the periodicity set and the index set using the key or the second key, wherein the second mapping is different from the mapping; as well as A third control message indicating a second index in the set of indices corresponding to a second periodicity in the set of periodicities is received from the network entity based at least in part on the second mapping, wherein a second subset of the set of sounding reference signals is sent via a corresponding transmission time interval according to the second periodicity.

16. The method according to claim 14, further comprising: include: A third control message is received from the network entity, the third control message instructing the UE to generate the mapping using the key or the second key associated with the transmission of the sounding reference signal set.

17. The method of claim 1, wherein the key is common to a cell via which the UE and the network entity communicate, or is common to a corresponding group of UEs associated with the cell including the UE.

18. A method for wireless communication at a network entity, the method include: outputting a control message indicating a key associated with communication of a set of sounding reference signals via a corresponding portion of a system bandwidth used for communication with a user equipment (UE); generating a set of frequency hopping indices corresponding to the set of sounding reference signals using the key, each frequency hopping index in the set of frequency hopping indices indicating a respective portion of the system bandwidth used for communication of a corresponding sounding reference signal; as well as The set of sounding reference signals is obtained via the corresponding portion of the system bandwidth according to the set of frequency hopping indices.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the control message indicating the key is output include: Outputting a binary sequence encrypted via an encryption key shared by the UE and the network entity, wherein the binary sequence is the key.

20. The method of claim 18, wherein the control message indicating the key is output include: Outputting one or more encryption keys based at least in part on a secure registration of the UE with the network entity, each of the one or more encryption keys corresponding to a respective cell, wherein the key is an encryption key corresponding to the cell via which the UE and the network entity communicate.

21. The method of claim 18, wherein the control message indicating the key is output include: The control message is output based at least in part on authentication of the UE within a group of UEs associated with a cell via which the UE and the network entity communicate, wherein the key is common to the group of UEs.

22. The method of claim 18, wherein the frequency hopping index set is generated include: generating one or more bit vectors using the key, each bit of the bit vector indicating whether to exchange a corresponding subset of frequency hopping indices of a corresponding set of frequency hopping indices; as well as The one or more bit vectors are applied to a second set of frequency hopping indices to generate the set of frequency hopping indices.

23. The method according to claim 22, further comprising: include: The second set of frequency hopping indices is determined based at least in part on an orthogonal variable spreading factor code, wherein the one or more bit vectors are applied to the second set of frequency hopping indices based at least in part on the determination.

24. The method according to claim 22, further comprising: include: The respective subset of frequency hopping indices to which bits of the bit vector correspond is determined based at least in part on a third set of frequency hopping indices generated using the key.

25. The method of claim 22, wherein generating the one or more bit vectors include: The key and one or more additional inputs are input into a pseudo-random function that outputs the one or more bit vectors, the one or more additional inputs including a cell identifier of a cell via which the UE and the network entity communicate, a time, a seed generated by the network entity, or a combination thereof.

26. The method according to claim 18, further comprising: include: Outputting a second control message, the second control message instructing the UE to generate the set of frequency hopping indices using the key associated with the communication of the set of sounding reference signals, wherein the set of frequency hopping indices is generated by the network entity based at least in part on the second control message.

27. The method according to claim 18, further comprising: include: generating, using the key or a second key, a mapping between a set of slot offsets and a set of indices corresponding to the set of slot offsets, each slot offset in the set of slot offsets indicating an offset from an initial slot of a transmission time interval associated with communication of a corresponding sounding reference signal; as well as A second control message indicating a first index in the index set corresponding to a first time slot offset in the time slot offset set is output at least in part based on the mapping, wherein at least a subset of the sounding reference signal set is obtained via a corresponding transmission time interval based on the first time slot offset.

28. The method according to claim 18, further comprising: include: generating, using the key or a second key, a mapping between a set of periodicities associated with the communication of the set of sounding reference signals and a set of indices corresponding to the periodicity set; as well as A second control message indicating a first index in the index set corresponding to a first periodicity in the periodicity set is output based at least in part on the mapping, wherein at least a subset of the sounding reference signal set is obtained via a corresponding transmission time interval according to the first periodicity.

29. An apparatus for wireless communication at a user equipment (UE), the apparatus include: processor; a memory coupled to the processor; and instructions stored in the memory and executable by the processor to cause the apparatus to: receiving a control message indicating a key associated with transmission of a set of sounding reference signals via a system bandwidth for communicating with a network entity; generating a set of frequency hopping indices corresponding to the set of sounding reference signals using the key, each frequency hopping index in the set of frequency hopping indices indicating a corresponding portion of the system bandwidth used for transmission of a corresponding sounding reference signal; as well as The set of sounding reference signals is sent via the corresponding portion of the system bandwidth according to the set of frequency hopping indices.

30. An apparatus for wireless communication at a network entity, the apparatus include: processor; a memory coupled to the processor; and instructions stored in the memory and executable by the processor to cause the apparatus to: outputting a control message indicating a key associated with communication of a set of sounding reference signals via a corresponding portion of a system bandwidth used for communication with a user equipment (UE); generating a set of frequency hopping indices corresponding to the set of sounding reference signals using the key, each frequency hopping index in the set of frequency hopping indices indicating a respective portion of the system bandwidth used for communication of a corresponding sounding reference signal; as well as The set of sounding reference signals is obtained via the corresponding portion of the system bandwidth according to the set of frequency hopping indices.

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