MAC CE for configuring pathloss reference signals for SRS

Abstract

The invention relates to a MAC CE for configuring a pathloss reference signal for an SRS. Methods and apparatus for configuring pathloss reference signals to a set of SRS resources are disclosed. A method includes configuring a pathloss reference signal for one or more SRS resource sets by using a MAC CE, and transmitting the MAC CE over a PDSCH.

Description

[0001] This application is a divisional application of the application with PCT application number PCT / CN2020 / 070208, international filing date of January 3, 2020, Chinese application number 202080091061.7, and invention title "MAC CE for Configuring Path Loss Reference Signals for SRS", which entered the Chinese national phase on June 30, 2022. Technical Field

[0002] The subject matter disclosed herein generally relates to wireless communication, and more particularly to configuring path loss reference signals for SRS. Background Art

[0003] The following abbreviations are defined herein, at least some of which are mentioned within the following description: Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP), European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI), Frequency Division Duplexing (FDD), Frequency Division Multiple Access (FDMA), Long Term Evolution (LTE), New Radio (NR), Very Large Scale Integration (VLSI), Random Access Memory (RAM), Read Only Memory (ROM), Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory (EPROM or Flash Memory), Compact Disc Read Only Memory (CD-ROM), Local Area Network (LAN), Wide Area Network (WAN), Personal Digital Assistant (PDA), User Equipment (UE), Uplink (UL), Evolved Node B (eNB), Next Generation Node B (gNB), New Radio (NR), Downlink (DL), Central Processing Unit (CPU), Graphics Processing Unit (GPU), Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA), Dynamic RAM (DRAM), Synchronous Dynamic RAM (SDRAM), Static RAM (SRAM), Liquid Crystal Display (LCD), Light Emitting Diode (LED), Organic LED (OLED), Next Generation Node B (gNB), Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM), Radio Resource Control (RRC), Reference Signal (RS), Time Division Duplexing (TDD), Time Division Multiplexing (TDM), User Entity / Device (Mobile Terminal) (UE), Uplink (UL), Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS), Long Term Evolution (LTE), Narrow Band (NB), Physical Downlink Shared Channel (PDSCH), Physical Uplink Shared Channel (PUSCH), Physical Uplink Control Channel (PUCCH), Downlink Control Information (DCI), Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS), Evolved UMTS Terrestrial Radio Access (E-UTRA or EUTRA), Medium Access Control (MAC), Control Element (CE), Bandwidth Part (BWP), Technical Specification (TS), Path Loss Reference Signal (PL-RS), Sounding Reference Signal (SRS), Synchronization Signal Block (SSB), Non-Zero Power (NZP), Channel State Information (CSI), Reference Signal (RS), Semi-Persistent SRS (SP SRS), Aperiodic SRS (AP SRS), Component Carrier (CC).

[0004] In NR Release 15, the Path Loss Reference Signal (PL-RS) for SRS is configured via RRC signaling per SRS resource set. All SRS resources included in an SRS resource set share the same PL-RS to determine the transmit power for SRS transmission.

[0005] For UL beam management latency and overhead reduction, configuring the PL-RS via RRC signaling is not advisable because RRC signaling consumes approximately 100 ms. During this time period, the required path loss reference signal may change and the configured path loss reference signal may not be appropriate. Therefore, a new and more efficient mechanism is needed to quickly indicate (or update) the PL-RS for PUSCH.

[0006] Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a method and apparatus to achieve the indication (or update) of the path loss reference signal for SRS. Summary of the Invention

[0007] Methods and apparatuses for configuring a path loss reference signal to an SRS resource set are disclosed.

[0008] In one embodiment, a method includes configuring a path loss reference signal for one or more SRS resource sets by using a MAC CE and transmitting a PDSCH carrying the MAC CE.

[0009] In one embodiment, the MAC CE includes one or more SRS resource set IDs, each of the one or more SRS resource set IDs indicating the SRS resource set to which the MAC CE applies. The MAC CE may further include one or more SRS path loss reference signal IDs, each of the one or more SRS path loss reference signal IDs indicating the path loss reference signal configured for the SRS resource set indicated by the SRS resource set ID in the MAC CE.

[0010] In another embodiment, the MAC CE includes a single SRS resource set ID and a bitmap of S i where each S of 1 bit i indicates the activation state of the configured SRS path loss reference signal, and only a single S i is activated for the SRS resource set indicated by the single SRS resource set ID. In some embodiments, the MAC CE includes a bitmap of t i where each t of 1 bit i indicates an SRS resource set ID, and each t i indicates whether the MAC CE applies to the SRS resource set having an SRS resource set ID equal to i.

[0011] In some embodiments, the MAC CE includes a PL-RS ID, which is either an ssb-Index indicating an SS / PBCH block or a csi-RS-Index indicating an NZP CSI-RS resource, where the SS / PBCH block or the NZP CSI-RS resource is used as a path loss reference signal configured for an SRS resource set indicated by an SRS resource set ID. The MAC CE may further include a one-bit field to indicate whether the PL-RS ID is an ssb-Index or a csi-RS-Index.

[0012] In some embodiments, the MAC CE includes a serving cell ID. When the serving cell ID is within the simultaneousSpatialRelationCellList, for all BWPs in the cells within the simultaneousSpatialRelationCellList that contain the serving cell ID, path loss reference signals are configured for all SRS resource sets having the same SRS resource set ID.

[0013] In one embodiment, a base station unit includes a processor for configuring a path loss reference signal for one or more SRS resource sets by using the MAC CE; and a transmitter for transmitting a PDSCH carrying the MAC CE.

[0014] In another embodiment, a method includes receiving a PDSCH carrying a MAC CE, where the MAC CE is used to configure a path loss reference signal for one or more SRS resource sets.

[0015] In yet another embodiment, a remote unit includes a receiver for receiving a PDSCH carrying a MAC CE, where the MAC CE is used to configure a path loss reference signal for one or more SRS resource sets. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] A more particular description of the embodiments briefly described above will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments illustrated in the drawings. While understanding that these drawings depict only some embodiments and are not to be considered limiting of scope, the embodiments will be described and illustrated with additional specificity and detail by using the drawings, in which:

[0017] Figure 1 Illustrates an example of an SRS path loss reference signal indicating MAC CE according to a first embodiment;

[0018] Figure 2 Illustrates an example of an SRS path loss reference signal indicating MAC CE according to a second embodiment;

[0019] Figure 3Illustrates an example of an SRS path loss reference signal indicating MAC CE according to the third embodiment;

[0020] Figure 4 Illustrates an example of an SRS path loss reference signal indicating MAC CE according to the fourth embodiment;

[0021] Figure 5 Illustrates an example of an SRS path loss reference signal indicating MAC CE according to the sixth embodiment;

[0022] Figure 6 Is a schematic flowchart illustrating an embodiment of a method for configuring a path loss reference signal for SRS;

[0023] Figure 7 Is a schematic flowchart illustrating another embodiment of a method for configuring a path loss reference signal for SRS; and

[0024] Figure 8 Is a schematic block diagram illustrating an apparatus according to one embodiment. Detailed implementation

[0025] As those skilled in the art will appreciate, certain aspects of the embodiments can be embodied as a system, apparatus, method, or program product. Thus, the embodiments can take the form of a complete hardware embodiment, a complete software embodiment (including firmware, resident software, microcode, etc.), or an embodiment combining software and hardware aspects, which software or hardware aspects are generally referred to herein as "circuits", "modules", or "systems". In addition, the embodiments can take the form of a program product embodied in one or more computer-readable storage devices that store machine-readable code, computer-readable code, and / or program code, hereinafter referred to as "code". The storage device can be tangible, non-transitory, and / or non-transmissive. The storage device may not embody a signal. In certain embodiments, the storage device only uses a signal for accessing the code.

[0026] Certain functional units described in this specification can be labeled as "modules" to more particularly emphasize their independent implementation. For example, a module can be implemented as a hardware circuit including custom very large scale integration (VLSI) circuits or gate arrays, off-the-shelf semiconductors such as logic chips, transistors, or other discrete components. A module can also be implemented in programmable hardware devices such as field programmable gate arrays, programmable array logic, programmable logic devices, etc.

[0027] The module can also be implemented in code and / or software for execution by various types of processors. The identified module of code can, for example, include one or more physical or logical blocks of executable code, which can be organized, for example, as objects, procedures, or functions. However, the executable files of the identified module need not be physically located together, but may include different instructions stored in different locations, which, when logically joined together, include the module and implement the stated purpose of the module.

[0028] In fact, a module of code can contain a single instruction or many instructions and can even be distributed over several different code segments, among different programs, and across several memory devices. Similarly, the operational data can be identified and illustrated herein within the module and can be embodied in any suitable form and organized within any suitable type of data structure. The operational data can be collected as a single data set or can be distributed over different locations, including over different computer-readable storage devices. In the case where the module or portions of the module are implemented in software, the software portions are stored on one or more computer-readable storage devices.

[0029] Any combination of one or more computer-readable media can be utilized. The computer-readable media can be a computer-readable storage medium. The computer-readable storage medium can be a storage device that stores the code. The storage device can be, for example, but not necessarily, an electronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared, holographic, micro-mechanical, or semiconductor system, apparatus, or device, or any suitable combination of the foregoing.

[0030] A non-exhaustive list of more specific examples of storage devices will include the following: an electrical connection having one or more wires, a portable computer floppy disk, a hard disk, a random access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM or flash memory), a portable compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), an optical storage device, a magnetic storage device, or any suitable combination of the foregoing. In the context of this document, a computer-readable storage medium can be any tangible medium that can contain or store a program for use by or in connection with an instruction execution system, apparatus, or device.

[0031] The code for performing the operations of the embodiments can include any number of lines and can be written in any combination of one or more programming languages including object-oriented programming languages such as Python, Ruby, Java, Smalltalk, C++, etc., conventional procedural programming languages such as the "C" programming language, and / or machine languages such as assembly language. The code can be executed entirely on the user's computer, partially on the user's computer, as a stand-alone software package, partially on the user's computer and partially on a remote computer, or entirely on a remote computer or server. In the last scenario, the remote computer can be connected to the user's computer through any type of network including a local area network (LAN) or a wide area network (WAN), or can make a connection to an external computer (e.g., using the Internet through an Internet service provider).

[0032] References throughout the specification to "one embodiment", "an embodiment", or similar language mean that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment. Thus, unless otherwise expressly specified, the appearances of the phrases "in one embodiment", "in an embodiment", and similar language throughout the specification may, but do not necessarily, all refer to the same embodiment, but rather mean "one or more but not all embodiments". Unless otherwise expressly specified, the terms "including", "comprising", "having", and variations thereof mean "including but not limited to". Unless expressly specified, an enumerated listing of items does not imply that any or all of the items are mutually exclusive. Unless otherwise expressly specified, the terms "a", "an", and "the" also refer to "one or more".

[0033] Furthermore, the described features, structures, or characteristics of the various embodiments can be combined in any suitable manner. In the following description, numerous specific details are provided, such as examples of programming, software modules, user selections, network transactions, database queries, database structures, hardware modules, hardware circuits, hardware chips, etc., to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments. However, those skilled in the relevant art will recognize that the embodiments can be practiced without one or more of the specific details or with other methods, components, materials, etc. In other instances, well-known structures, materials, or operations are not shown or described in detail to avoid obscuring aspects of the embodiments.

[0034] Aspects of different embodiments will be described below with reference to the schematic flowcharts and / or schematic block diagrams of methods, apparatuses, systems, and program products according to embodiments. It will be understood that each block of the schematic flowcharts and / or schematic block diagrams, and combinations of blocks in the schematic flowcharts and / or schematic block diagrams, can be implemented by code. This code can be provided to a processor of a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, or other programmable data processing apparatus to produce a machine, such that the instructions executed by the processor of the computer or other programmable data processing apparatus create a device for implementing the functions specified for the block or blocks in the schematic flowchart and / or schematic block diagram.

[0035] The code can also be stored in a storage device that can direct a computer, other programmable data processing apparatus, or other device to operate in a particular manner, such that the instructions stored in the storage device produce an article of manufacture including instructions for implementing the functions specified in the block or blocks of the flowchart and / or block diagram.

[0036] The code can also be loaded onto a computer, other programmable data processing apparatus, or other device to cause a series of operational steps to be performed on that computer, other programmable apparatus, or other device to produce a computer-implemented process, such that the code executed on the computer or other programmable apparatus provides a process for implementing the functions specified in the block or blocks of the flowchart and / or block diagram.

[0037] The schematic flowcharts and / or schematic block diagrams in the figures illustrate the architecture, functionality, and operation of possible implementations of apparatuses, systems, methods, and program products according to various embodiments. In this regard, each block in the schematic flowcharts and / or schematic block diagrams can represent a module, segment, or portion of code that includes one or more executable instructions for implementing the specified logical function.

[0038] It should also be noted that in some alternative implementations, the functions noted in the blocks may not occur in the order indicated in the figures. For example, depending on the functions involved, two blocks shown in succession may be executed substantially simultaneously, or sometimes the blocks may be executed in the reverse order. Other steps and methods can be envisioned that are equivalent in function, logic, or effect to one or more blocks or portions of the illustrated figures.

[0039] Although various arrow types and line types can be employed in flowcharts and / or block diagrams, they are understood not to limit the scope of the corresponding embodiments. In fact, some arrows or other connectors can be used to indicate only the logical flow of the depicted embodiments. For example, an arrow can indicate a waiting or monitoring period of unspecified duration between the enumerated steps of the depicted embodiment. It will also be noted that each block of the block diagram and / or flowchart, and combinations of blocks in the block diagram and / or flowchart, can be implemented by a system based on dedicated hardware that performs the specified function or action, or a combination of dedicated hardware and code.

[0040] The description of the elements in each figure may refer to the elements of the previous figure. The same reference numerals in all figures refer to the same elements, including alternative embodiments of the same elements.

[0041] The MAC CE can perform configuration faster than RRC signaling. Therefore, the present invention proposes to configure the PL-RS for SRS by using the MAC CE and send the PDSCH carrying the MAC CE from a base station unit (e.g., gNB) to a remote unit (e.g., UE).

[0042] The PL-RS for SRS is configured according to the SRS resource set. That is, all SRS resources included in one SRS resource set use the same PL-RS for SRS power control to determine the transmit power for SRS transmission. When the PL-RS for SRS is first configured for an SRS resource set (i.e., the SRS resource set has not been previously configured with the PL-RS for SRS), it can be said that the PL-RS for SRS is indicated to the SRS resource set. When a new PL-RS for SRS is configured for an SRS resource set (i.e., the SRS resource set has been previously configured with the PL-RS for SRS), it can be said that the PL-RS for SRS is updated to the SRS resource set. Up to 64 path loss reference signals for SRS, i.e., SRS-PathlossReferenceRS, can be configured for the UE in the BWP according to the UE's capabilities by RRC signaling, and one of them can be selected and configured for the SRS resource set at a time.

[0043] An example of the SRS path loss reference signal indicating the MAC CE according to the first embodiment is Figure 1 illustrated in. The MAC CE according to the first embodiment is used to indicate or update the SRS path loss reference signal (SRS-PathlossReferenceRS) to an SRS resource set. It includes the following fields:

[0044] (1) Serving cell ID: This field indicates the identity of the serving cell to which the MAC CE applies. The length of the serving cell ID field is 5 bits.

[0045] (2) BWP ID: This field indicates the UL BWP for which the MAC CE is applied as the code point of the DCI bandwidth part indicator field. The length of the BWP ID field is 2 bits.

[0046] (3) SRS Resource Set ID: This field indicates the SRS resource set to which the MAC CE is applied. The length of the SRS ResourceSet ID field is 4 bits because up to 16 SRS resource sets can be configured for the UE in the BWP according to the UE's capabilities.

[0047] (4) SRS-PathlossReferenceRS-ID: This field indicates the SRS path loss reference signal (SRS-PathlossReferenceRS) configured for the SRS resource set indicated by the SRS Resource Set ID field. The length of the SRS-PathlossReferenceRS-ID is 6 bits because up to 64 SRS-PathlossReferenceRS can be configured for the UE in the BWP according to the UE's capabilities.

[0048] (5) R: Reserved bit. Each reserved bit can be set to "0".

[0049] According to the first embodiment, the SRS path loss reference signal indication MAC CE has a fixed size of 24 bits. The SRS path loss reference signal indication MAC CE according to the first embodiment can indicate (or update) the SRS path loss reference signal to one SRS resource set.

[0050] Figure 2 FIG. shows an example of the SRS path loss reference signal indication MAC CE according to the second embodiment. The MAC CE according to the second embodiment is used to indicate the SRS path loss reference signal (SRS-PathlossReferenceRS) to one SRS resource set. It includes the following fields:

[0051] (1) Serving cell ID: This field indicates the identity of the serving cell to which the MAC CE is applied. The length of the serving cell ID field is 5 bits.

[0052] (2) BWP ID: This field indicates the UL BWP for which the MAC CE is applied as the code point of the DCI bandwidth part indicator field. The length of the BWP ID field is 2 bits.

[0053] (3) SRS Resource Set ID: This field indicates the SRS resource set to which the MAC CE is applied. The length of the SRS Resource Set ID field is 4 bits because up to 16 SRS resource sets can be configured for the UE in the BWP according to the UE's capabilities.

[0054] The above fields (1)-(3) according to the second embodiment are the same as the fields (1)-(3) according to the first embodiment.

[0055] (4) S i : Each configured SRS-PathlossReferenceRS is indicated by a single bit S i For the SRS-PathlossReferenceRS with SRS-PathlossReferenceRS-Id having index i configured for the UL BWP indicated by the BWP ID field, the S i field is set to 1 (or 0) to indicate that the SRS-PathlossReferenceRS is activated (or deactivated) as the path loss reference signal of the SRS resource set indicated by the SRS resource set ID field. Obviously, for an SRS resource set, only a single SRS-PathlossReferenceRS (i.e., only one S i ) can be activated at a time. Since there can be up to 64 SRS-PathlossReferenceRSs that can be configured for the UE in the BWP according to the UE's capabilities, the SRS path loss reference signal according to the second embodiment indicates that there can be up to 64 Ss i in the MAC CE. Incidentally, under the condition that the configured SRS-PathlossReferenceRS is less than 64, the number of Ss i contained in this field can also be less than 64. That is, the number of Ss i contained in this field is equal to the number of configured PathlossReferenceRSs, up to 64.

[0056] (5) R: Reserved bit. Each reserved bit can be set to "0".

[0057] As Figure 2As shown in , when the number of PathlossReferenceRS configured for the UE in the BWP is 64, N is equal to 9. That is, under this condition, the SRS path loss reference signal indication MAC CE according to the second embodiment has a size of 80 (=8*(9+1)) bits. The size of the SRS path loss reference signal indication MAC CE according to the second embodiment depends on the number of PathlossReferenceRS configured for the UE in the BWP. The size can range from 24 to 80 and is an integer that is a multiple of 8.

[0058] According to the first and second embodiments, for a UE in a BWP, only one PathlossReferenceRS can be indicated (or updated) to one SRS resource set. According to the third embodiment, one SRS path loss reference signal indicates that the MAC CE can be applied to more than one SRS resource set. That is, one MAC CE can indicate (or update) an SRS path loss reference signal (SRS-PathlossReferenceRS) to each of multiple SRS resource sets.

[0059] Figure 3 FIG. 1 shows an example of an SRS path loss reference signal indicating a MAC CE according to the third embodiment. i The SRS-PathlossReferenceRS-ID field indicates the i-th SRS resource set ID to which the MAC CE applies. i The field indicates the configuration for the SRS Resource Set ID i The SRS path loss reference signal (SRS-PathlossReferenceRS) of the SRS resource set indicated by the field (with the same i SRS Resource Set ID of index i with the same field i field). The index i may range from 0 to 15 (ie, N-1) because a maximum of 16 (ie, N) SRS resource sets may be applied for the UEs in the BWP according to the capabilities of the UEs.

[0060] Specifically, the SRS path loss reference signal indication MAC CE according to the third embodiment includes the following fields:

[0061] (1) Serving Cell ID: This field indicates the identity of the serving cell to which the MAC CE applies. The length of the Serving Cell ID field is 5 bits.

[0062] (2) BWP ID: This field indicates the UL BWP to which the MAC CE applies as the code point of the DCI bandwidth part indicator field. The length of the BWP ID field is 2 bits.

[0063] The above-mentioned fields (1)-(2) according to the third embodiment are the same as the fields (1)-(2) according to the first embodiment.

[0064] (3)SRS Resource Set ID i : Each SRS Resource Set ID i Indicates the SRS resource set to which the MAC CE applies. Each SRS Resource Set ID i The length of is 4 bits, because up to 16 SRS resource sets can be configured for the UE in the BWP according to the UE's capability. It may be related to the 16 SRS Resource Set IDs of the SRS path loss reference signal indication MAC CE according to the third embodiment. i The SRS ResourceSet ID contained in the MAC CE according to the third embodiment i The number can be determined by the corresponding sub-header of this MAC CE.

[0065] (4)SRS-PathlossReferenceRS-ID i : Each SRS-PathlossReferenceRS-ID i Indicates the resource set ID that applies to the SRS resource set. i The SRS resource set indicated by the field has a path loss reference signal. Each SRS-PathlossReferenceRS-ID i The length of is 6 bits, because up to 64 SRS-PathlossReferenceRS can be configured for the UE in the BWP according to the capability of the UE. i The number and SRS Resource Set ID i The same number of.

[0066] (5) R: Reserved bit. Each reserved bit can be set to "0".

[0067] The SRS path loss reference signal indication MAC CE according to the third embodiment has a variable size. In particular, the MAC CE according to the third embodiment has a size of 8 + 16*N bits, where N is the number of SRS resource sets that indicate (or update) the SRS path loss reference signal (SRS-PathlossReferenceRS) to each of them, and N ranges from 1 to 16. If N = 1, the MAC CE according to the third embodiment has the same structure as that according to the first embodiment.

[0068] Figure 4 FIG. shows an example of the SRS path loss reference signal indication MAC CE according to the fourth embodiment. As Figure 4 shown, all SRS resource set IDs are represented by a bitmap in the MAC CE, where each SRS resource set ID is represented by a single bit, i.e., t i (t0 to t 15 ). Each t i field indicates whether this MAC CE is applied to the SRS resource set with an SRS-ResourceSetId equal to i. The t i field is set to 1 to indicate that the PL-RS of the SRS resource set with an SRS-ResourceSetId equal to i will be indicated or updated. The SRS-PathlossReferenceRS-ID i is the SRS-PathlossReferenceRS-ID that indicates the SRS path loss reference signal for the i-th SRS resource set, and its t i field is set to 1. The t i field is set to 0 to indicate that the PL-RS of the SRS resource with an SRS-ResourceSetId equal to i will not be updated. In other words, when t i = 1, the SRS-PathlossReferenceRS-ID i field is included to indicate the SRS path loss reference signal to be indicated or updated to the SRS resource set indicated by t i . On the other hand, when t i = 0, the SRS-PathlossReferenceRS-ID i field is not included.

[0069] As Figure 4As shown, the SRS-PathlossReferenceRS-ID0 field and the SRS-PathlossReferenceRS-ID2 field are included in an example of the SRS path loss reference signal indicating MAC CE according to the fourth embodiment. Therefore, both t0 and t2 are equal to 1. On the other hand, the SRS-PathlossReferenceRS-ID1 field is not included in the example of the SRS path loss reference signal indicating MAC CE according to the fourth embodiment. Therefore, t1 is equal to 0. That is, when the SRS-PathlossReferenceRS-ID i field is not included, t i is equal to 0.

[0070] If included, the SRS-PathlossReferenceRS-ID i field is included in sequential order (from the smallest number 0 to the largest number 15). For example, as shown in Figure 4 , since the PathlossReferenceRS-ID1 field is not included, the SRS-PathlossReferenceRS-ID0 field is included before the SRS-PathlossReferenceRS-ID2 field.

[0071] Specifically, the following fields are included in the SRS path loss reference signal indicating MAC CE according to the fourth embodiment:

[0072] (1) Serving cell ID: This field indicates the identity of the serving cell to which the MAC CE applies. The length of the serving cell ID field is 5 bits.

[0073] (2) BWP ID: This field indicates the UL BWP for which the MAC CE applies as the code point of the DCI bandwidth part indicator field. The length of the BWP ID field is 2 bits.

[0074] The above fields (1)-(2) according to the fourth embodiment are the same as the fields (1)-(2) according to the first embodiment.

[0075] (3) t i field (i.e., t0 to t 15 ): Each t i is 1 bit and indicates whether the PL-RS for the SRS resource set is indicated or updated by this MAC CE. When the PL-RS for this SRS resource set is to be indicated or updated by the SRS path loss reference signal indicated by the SRS-PathlossReferenceRS-ID i field, ti The field is set to 1. When the PL-RS for this SRS resource set is not updated by this MAC CE (i.e., maintained with the existing SRS path loss reference signal), t i The field is set to 0. When t i The field is set to 0, the SRS-PathlossReferenceRS-ID i field is not included.

[0076] (4) SRS-PathlossReferenceRS-ID i (i.e., at least one of SRS-PathlossReferenceRS-ID0 to SRS-PathlossReferenceRS-ID 15 ): When the t i field is set to 1, the SRS-PathlossReferenceRS-ID i field is included to indicate the SRS path loss reference signal of the SRS resource set to be indicated or updated by t i Each SRS-PathlossReferenceRS-ID i field is 6 bits.

[0077] (5) R: Reserved bit. Each reserved bit can be set to "0".

[0078] According to the fourth embodiment, the SRS path loss reference signal indication MAC CE has a size of 24 + 8*N bits, where N is the number of SRS resource sets for which the SRS-PathlossReferenceRS-ID is to be indicated (or updated), i.e., the number of t i fields is set to 1, and N ranges from 1 to 16.

[0079] In the above first to fourth embodiments, up to 64 SRS-PathlossReferenceRSs can be indicated or updated to the SRS resource set. According to the fifth embodiment, the existing PUCCH-PathlossReferenceRS can be reused as the SRS-PathlossReferenceRS.

[0080] It has been agreed that the maximum configurable total number of path loss signals for PUCCH, PUSCH, and SRS is 64, and it has also been agreed that up to 64 PL-RSs for PUCCH can be configured for the UE according to the BWP. Therefore, it is reasonable to use the PUCCH-PathlossReferenceRS as the PL-RS indication (or update) for SRS.

[0081] The SRS path loss reference signal indication MAC CE according to the fifth embodiment has the same structure as any SRS path loss reference signal indication MAC CE according to the first to fourth embodiments, except that the SRS-PathlossReferenceRS-ID field (the SRS-PathlossReferenceRS-ID field in the first embodiment, the S i field in the second embodiment, the SRS-PathlossReferenceRS-ID i field in the third embodiment, the SRS-PathlossReferenceRS-ID i field in the fourth embodiment) is replaced by the PUCCH-PathlossReferenceRS-Id field. In particular, each S i field in the second embodiment represents the configured SRS-PathlossReferenceRS, while each S i field in the fifth embodiment represents the configured PUCCH-PathlossReferenceRS.

[0082] In the above first to fourth embodiments, the SRS path loss reference signal (SRS-PathlossReferenceRS) is indicated or updated to the SRS resource set. The SRS-PathlossReferenceRS can only be configured as SSB or NZP-CSI-RS. According to the sixth embodiment, SSB or NZP-CSI-RS is indicated or updated to the SRS resource set.

[0083] According to the sixth embodiment, the SRS-PathlossReferenceRS-ID field is replaced by the PL-RS ID, which is the ssb-Index or NZP-CSI-RS-Resource-Index. The UE can monitor 64 SSBs, and up to 128 NZP-CSI-RS resources can be configured for the UE in the BWP according to the UE's capabilities. Therefore, the PL-RS ID can be "0 + ssb-Index" or "NZP-CSI-RS-Resource-Index", where the UE can identify the RS type (ssb-Index or NZP-CSI-RS-Resource-index) through the F i field.

[0084] The SRS path loss reference signal indication MAC CE according to the sixth embodiment has substantially the same structure as any SRS path loss reference signal indication MAC CE according to the first to fourth embodiments, except that the SRS-PathlossReferenceRS-ID field (the SRS-PathlossReferenceRS-ID field in the first embodiment, the S i field in the second embodiment, the SRS-PathlossReferenceRS-ID i field in the third embodiment, the SRS-PathlossReferenceRS-ID i field in the fourth embodiment) is replaced by the PL-RS ID field.

[0085] In particular, each S i field in the second embodiment represents the configured SRS-PathlossReferenceRS, while each S i field in the sixth embodiment represents the configured PL-RS. Additionally, since each SRS-PathlossReferenceRS-ID field occupies 6 bits and each PL-RS ID i field occupies 7 bits and each F i field occupies 1 bit, the two reserved bits in the "Oct" that are the same as the SRS-PathlossReferenceRS-ID field and the 6 bits for the SRS-PathlossReferenceRS-ID field are combined for the F i field and the PL-RS ID i field in the sixth embodiment.

[0086] Figure 5 FIG. shows an example of the SRS path loss reference signal indication MAC CE according to the sixth embodiment, where PL-RS is indicated or updated for more than one SRS resource set (similar to the third embodiment). In particular, it includes the following fields:

[0087] (1) Serving cell ID: This field indicates the identity of the serving cell to which the MAC CE applies. The length of the serving cell ID field is 5 bits.

[0088] (2) BWP ID: This field indicates the UL BWP that is the code point of the DCI bandwidth part indicator field to which the MAC CE applies. The length of the BWP ID field is 2 bits.

[0089] The above fields (1)-(2) according to the sixth embodiment are the same as the fields (1)-(2) according to the first embodiment.

[0090] (3) SRS Resource Set ID i : Each SRS Resource Set ID i indicates the SRS resource set to which the MAC CE is applied. Each SRS Resource Set ID i The length of the field is 4 bits because up to 16 SRS resource sets can be configured for the UE in the BWP according to the UE's capabilities.

[0091] The above field (3) according to the sixth embodiment is the same as the field (3) according to the third embodiment.

[0092] (4) F i : Each F i indicates the type of resource of the PL-RS that is used as the SRS resource set with the SRS-ResourceSetId indicated by the SRS Resource Set ID i field. F i is set to 1 to indicate the use of the NZP CSI-RS resource index and is set to 0 to indicate the use of the SSB index. Each F i has a length of 1 bit.

[0093] (5) PL-RS ID i : Each PL-RS ID i contains the identifier of the resource (path loss reference signal) of the SRS resource set with the SRS-ResourceSetId indicated by the SRS Resource Set ID i field. If F i is set to 0, this field contains the SSB-Index. If F i is set to 1, this field contains the NZP-CSI-RS-Resource-Index. Each PL-RS ID i has a length of 7 bits. The SSB-Index itself occupies 6 bits, while the NZP-CSI-RS-Resource-Index occupies 7 bits. Therefore, if the SSB-Index is indicated, the first bit of this field is set to 0.

[0094] (6) R: Reserved bit. Each reserved bit can be set to "0".

[0095] Figure 3 and Figure 5The comparison between them can indicate that, in the sixth embodiment, two reserved bits in "Oct" that are the same as the "SRS-PathlossReferenceRS-ID i " field in the figure are occupied because the "F i " field and the "PL-RS ID i " field together occupy eight bits.

[0096] Figure 5 The illustrated SRS path loss reference signal indicates that the size of the MAC CE is 8 + 16 * N bits, where N is the number of SRS resource sets that indicate (update) the PL-RS (SSB or NZP-CSI-RS), and N ranges from 1 to 16.

[0097] In the first to sixth embodiments, each SRS resource set is respectively indicated or updated by the SRS path loss reference signal. If the same SRS path loss reference signal is to be used to indicate or update multiple SRS resource sets configured for different BWP configurations in different cells, this may be inefficient.

[0098] According to the seventh embodiment, all SRS resource sets configured in all BWPs on multiple cells with the same SRS resource set ID can be indicated or updated by the same SRS path loss reference signal.

[0099] It has been agreed to support the simultaneous spatial relation update for SP and / or AP SRS resources by the MAC CE across multiple CC / BWPs. The list of up to 2 CCs can be configured by the RRC of each UE, for example, simultaneousSpatialRelationCellList0 and simultaneousSpatialRelationCellList1. This means that the aperiodic and / or semi-persistent SRS resources with the same SRS resource ID in all BWPs on all cells included in the simultaneousSpatialRelationCellList can share the same spatial relation for transmission.

[0100] When one or more simultaneousSpatialRelationCellList (i.e., simultaneousSpatialRelationCellList0 and / or simultaneousSpatialRelationCellList1) are configured for a UE, and the UE receives a path loss reference signal indication MAC CE for a BWP, if the serving cell ID indicated by the serving cell ID field in the MAC CE is included in a simultaneousSpatialRelationCellList, for all BWPs in all cells within this simultaneousSpatialRelationCellList that contains the serving cell ID, configure (indicate or update) the indicated path loss reference signal for all SRS resource sets having the same SRS resource set ID.

[0101] The SRS path loss reference signal indication MAC CE according to the seventh embodiment has the same structure as any one of the SRS path loss reference signal indication MAC CEs according to the first to sixth embodiments. In the first to sixth embodiments, one PL-RS is indicated or updated for a single SRS resource set (the SRS path loss reference signal indicated by SRS-PathlossReferenceRS-ID in the first embodiment, the SRS path loss reference signal indicated by S i in the second embodiment, each SRS path loss reference signal indicated by SRS-PathlossReferenceRS-ID i in the third and fourth embodiments, the PUCCH path loss reference signal used as the SRS path loss reference signal in the fifth embodiment, and each SSB or NZP-CSI-RS resource indicated by PL-RS ID i in the sixth embodiment). However, in the seventh embodiment, according to the serving cell ID field included in the MAC CE, one PL-RS can be indicated or updated for multiple SRS resource sets, that is, for all SRS resource sets having the same SRS resource set ID for all BWPs in all cells within the simultaneousSpatialRelationCellList that contains the serving cell ID indicated by the serving cell ID field.

[0102] For example, assume that cell 1, cell 2, and cell 3 are within simultaneousSpatialRelationCellList0, and the serving cell ID of the SRS path loss reference signal indicating the MAC CE according to the seventh embodiment is cell 1. Under this condition, for all BWPs (e.g., BWP1, BWP2, BWP3, and BWP4) of all cells within simultaneousSpatialRelationCellList0 (e.g., cell 1, cell 2, and cell 3), an SRS resource set with the same SRS ResourceSet ID i is indicated or updated with the PL-RS ID i (e.g., SRS-PathlossReferenceRS-ID i , or PL-RS ID i ) included in the MAC CE according to the seventh embodiment to indicate the SRS path loss reference signal.

[0103] Figure 6 FIG. is a schematic flowchart illustrating an embodiment of method 600 for configuring an SRS path loss reference signal for an SRS resource set. In some embodiments, method 600 is performed by a device such as a base station unit. In certain embodiments, method 600 may be performed by a processor executing program code such as, for example, a microcontroller, a microprocessor, a CPU, a GPU, an auxiliary processing unit, an FPGA, etc.

[0104] Method 600 may include 602 configuring a path loss reference signal for one or more SRS resource sets using a MAC CE, and 604 transmitting a PDSCH carrying the MAC CE. The MAC CE can be an SRS path loss reference signal indicating MAC CE according to any one of the first to seventh embodiments.

[0105] Figure 7 FIG. is a schematic flowchart illustrating an embodiment of method 700 for configuring an SRS path loss reference signal for an SRS resource set. In some embodiments, method 700 is performed by a device such as a remote unit (UE). In certain embodiments, method 700 may be performed by a processor executing program code such as, for example, a microcontroller, a microprocessor, a CPU, a GPU, an auxiliary processing unit, an FPGA, etc.

[0106] Method 700 may include 702 receiving a PDSCH carrying a MAC CE, where the MAC CE is used to configure a path loss reference signal for one or more SRS resource sets. The MAC CE can be an SRS path loss reference signal indicating MAC CE according to any one of the first to seventh embodiments.

[0107] Figure 8 is a schematic block diagram illustrating a device according to an embodiment.

[0108] Referring to Figure 8 , the UE (i.e., the remote unit) includes a processor, a memory, and a transceiver. The processor implements the functions, processes, and / or methods proposed in Figure 7 . The gNB (i.e., the base station unit) includes a processor, a memory, and a transceiver. The processor implements the functions, processes, and / or methods proposed in Figure 6 . The layers of the radio interface protocol can be implemented by the processor. The memory is connected to the processor to store various pieces of information for driving the processor. The transceiver is connected to the processor to transmit and / or receive radio signals. Needless to say, the transceiver can be implemented as a transmitter for transmitting radio signals and a receiver for receiving radio signals.

[0109] The memory can be located inside or outside the processor and is connected to the processor by various well-known means.

[0110] In the above embodiments, the components and features of the embodiments are combined in a predetermined form. Unless otherwise explicitly stated, each component or function should be considered an option. Each component or feature can be implemented without being associated with other components or features. In addition, embodiments can be configured by associating some components and / or features. The order of operations described in the embodiments can be changed. Some components or features of any embodiment can be included in another embodiment or replaced with components and features corresponding to another embodiment. Obviously, claims that are not explicitly recited in the claims are combined to form embodiments or are included in new claims.

[0111] Embodiments can be implemented by hardware, firmware, software, or a combination thereof. In the case of implementation by hardware, according to the hardware implementation manner, the exemplary embodiments described herein can be implemented by using one or more application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), digital signal processors (DSPs), digital signal processing devices (DSPDs), programmable logic devices (PLDs), field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), processors, controllers, microcontrollers, microprocessors, etc.

[0112] Embodiments can be practiced in other specific forms. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is thus indicated by the appended claims rather than by the preceding description. All changes falling within the equivalent meaning and scope of the claims should be covered within its scope.

Claims

1. A method performed by a base station unit, comprising: Configuring a path loss reference signal for one or more SRS resource sets by using a MAC CE; And Transmitting the MAC CE via PDSCH, wherein the MAC CE includes one or more SRS resource set IDs, each of the one or more SRS resource set IDs indicating the SRS resource set to which the MAC CE is applied, and wherein the MAC CE further includes one or more SRS path loss reference signal IDs, each of the one or more SRS path loss reference signal IDs indicating the path loss reference signal configured for the SRS resource set indicated by the SRS resource set ID in the MAC CE.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein, The MAC CE includes a single SRS resource set ID and a bitmap of S i s, Each S of 1 bit i indicates the activation status of the configured SRS path loss reference signal, and Activate only a single S for the SRS resource set indicated by the single SRS resource set ID i .

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein, The MAC CE includes a bitmap of t i and Each t of 1 bit i indicates the SRS resource set ID, Each t i Indicates whether the MAC CE is applied to the SRS resource set with the SRS resource set ID equal to i.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein The MAC CE includes a PL-RS ID, the PL-RS ID being an ssb-Index indicating an SS / PBCH block or a csi-RS-Index indicating an NZP CSI-RS resource, wherein the SS / PBCH block or the NZP CSI-RS resource is used as the path loss reference signal configured for the SRS resource set indicated by the SRS resource set ID.

5. The method according to claim 4, wherein, The MAC CE further includes a one-bit field to indicate whether the PL-RS ID is the ssb-Index or the csi-RS-Index.

6. The method according to claim 1, wherein, The MAC CE includes a serving cell ID, When the serving cell ID is within the simultaneousSpatialRelationCellList, for all BWPs in the cells within the simultaneousSpatialRelationCellList that contain the serving cell ID, configure the path loss reference signal for all SRS resource sets having the same SRS resource set ID.

7. A method performed by a remote unit, comprising: Receiving a MAC CE via PDSCH, wherein the MAC CE is used to configure a path loss reference signal for one or more SRS resource sets, wherein the MAC CE includes one or more SRS resource set IDs, each of the one or more SRS resource set IDs indicating the SRS resource set to which the MAC CE is applied, and wherein the MAC CE further includes one or more SRS path loss reference signal IDs, each of the one or more SRS path loss reference signal IDs indicating the path loss reference signal configured for the SRS resource set indicated by the SRS resource set ID in the MAC CE.

8. The method according to claim 7, wherein The MAC CE includes a single SRS resource set ID and a bitmap of S i s, Each S of 1 bit i indicates the activation status of the configured SRS path loss reference signal, and Activate only a single S for the SRS resource set indicated by the single SRS resource set ID i .

9. The method according to claim 7, wherein, The MAC CE includes a bitmap of t i ​ Each t of 1 bit i indicates the SRS resource set ID, Each t i indicates whether the MAC CE is applied to the SRS resource set with the SRS resource set ID equal to i.

10. The method according to claim 7, wherein, The MAC CE includes a PL-RS ID, where the PL-RS ID is an ssb-Index indicating an SS / PBCH block or a csi-RS-Index indicating an NZP CSI-RS resource, and the SS / PBCH block or the NZP CSI-RS resource is used as the path loss reference signal configured for the SRS resource set indicated by the SRS resource set ID.

11. The method according to claim 10, wherein, The MAC CE further includes a one-bit field to indicate whether the PL-RS ID is the ssb-Index or the csi-RS-Index.

12. The method according to claim 7, wherein, The MAC CE includes a serving cell ID. When the serving cell ID is within the simultaneousSpatialRelationCellList, for all BWPs in the cells within the simultaneousSpatialRelationCellList that contain the serving cell ID, the path loss reference signal is configured for all SRS resource sets having the same SRS resource set ID.

13. A base station unit, comprising: a processor configured to configure a path loss reference signal for one or more SRS resource sets by using a MAC CE; and a transmitter configured to transmit the MAC CE via PDSCH, wherein the MAC CE includes one or more SRS resource set IDs, and each of the one or more SRS resource set IDs indicates the SRS resource set to which the MAC CE applies, and wherein the MAC CE further includes one or more SRS path loss reference signal IDs, and each of the one or more SRS path loss reference signal IDs indicates the path loss reference signal configured for the SRS resource set indicated by the SRS resource set ID in the MAC CE.

14. The base station unit according to claim 13, wherein, The MAC CE includes a single SRS resource set ID and a bitmap of S i as shown in Each S of 1 bit i indicates the activation status of the configured SRS path loss reference signal, and Activate only a single S for the SRS resource set indicated by the single SRS resource set ID i .

15. The base station unit according to claim 13, wherein, The MAC CE includes a bitmap of t i and Each t of 1 bit i indicates the SRS resource set ID, Each t i indicates whether the MAC CE is applied to an SRS resource set having an SRS resource set ID equal to i.

16. The base station unit according to claim 13, wherein The MAC CE includes a PL-RS ID, where the PL-RS ID is an ssb-Index indicating an SS / PBCH block or a csi-RS-Index indicating an NZP CSI-RS resource, and the SS / PBCH block or the NZP CSI-RS resource is used as the path loss reference signal configured for the SRS resource set indicated by the SRS resource set ID.

17. The base station unit according to claim 16, wherein, The MAC CE further includes a one-bit field to indicate whether the PL-RS ID is the ssb-Index or the csi-RS-Index.

18. The base station unit according to claim 13, wherein, The MAC CE includes a serving cell ID. When the serving cell ID is within the simultaneousSpatialRelationCellList, for all BWPs in the cells within the simultaneousSpatialRelationCellList that contain the serving cell ID, the path loss reference signal is configured for all SRS resource sets having the same SRS resource set ID.

19. A remote unit, comprising: a receiver, configured to receive a MAC CE via a PDSCH, wherein the MAC CE is used to configure path loss reference signals for one or more SRS resource sets, wherein the MAC CE includes one or more SRS resource set IDs, and each of the one or more SRS resource set IDs indicates the SRS resource set to which the MAC CE applies, wherein the MAC CE further includes one or more SRS path loss reference signal IDs, and each of the one or more SRS path loss reference signal IDs indicates a path loss reference signal configured for the SRS resource set indicated by the SRS resource set ID in the MAC CE.

20. The remote unit according to claim 19, wherein, The MAC CE includes a single SRS resource set ID and a bitmap of S i as described. Each S of 1 bit i indicates the activation status of the configured SRS path loss reference signal, and Activate only a single S for the SRS resource set indicated by the single SRS resource set ID i .

21. The remote unit according to claim 19, wherein, The MAC CE includes a bitmap of t i ​ Each t of 1 bit i indicates the SRS resource set ID, Each t i indicates whether the MAC CE is applied to the SRS resource set with the SRS resource set ID equal to i.

22. The remote unit according to claim 19, wherein, The MAC CE includes a PL-RS ID, which is an ssb-Index indicating an SS / PBCH block or a csi-RS-Index indicating an NZP CSI-RS resource, wherein the SS / PBCH block or the NZP CSI-RS resource is used as the path loss reference signal configured for the SRS resource set indicated by the SRS resource set ID.

23. The remote unit according to claim 22, wherein, The MAC CE further includes a bit field to indicate whether the PL-RS ID is the ssb-Index or the csi-RS-Index.

24. The remote unit according to claim 19, wherein, The MAC CE includes a serving cell ID, when the serving cell ID is within the simultaneousSpatialRelationCellList, for all BWPs in the cells within the simultaneousSpatialRelationCellList that contain the serving cell ID, configure the path loss reference signals for all SRS resource sets having the same SRS resource set ID.

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