Sub-band configuration for sub-band non-overlapping full duplex

Abstract

The embodiment of the invention relates to equipment, a method, a device and a computer readable storage medium for sub-band configuration of sub-band non-overlapping full duplex (SBFD). The method comprises: receiving, from a second device, an indication indicating a start of an allocated resource for a transmission from a first device to the second device, the indication comprising an offset relative to a predetermined sub-band of a control resource set; and performing the transmission based at least on the indication. In this manner, less bits may be used to indicate the UL subband frequency location on the SBFD slot, and signaling overhead may be further reduced for both SIB and RRC.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to the field of telecommunications, and more particularly, to an apparatus, method, device, and computer-readable storage medium for sub-band configuration for sub-band non-overlapping full duplex (SBFD). Background Art

[0002] Generally, in the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) New Radio (NR), two duplex modes are supported, namely, Frequency Division Duplexing (FDD) for paired frequency bands and Time Division Duplexing (TDD) for unpaired frequency bands. In TDD, time domain resources are divided between the downlink and the uplink. Allocating a limited duration for the uplink in TDD will result in reduced coverage, increased latency, and reduced capacity. Summary of the Invention

[0003] Generally speaking, example embodiments of the present disclosure provide a solution for sub-band configuration for SBFD.

[0004] In a first aspect, a first device is provided. The first device includes: at least one processor; and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the first device to at least perform: receiving from a second device an indication of the start of resources allocated for transmission from the first device to the second device, the indication including an offset relative to a predetermined sub-band of a control resource set; and performing a transmission based at least on the indication.

[0005] In a second aspect, a second device is provided. The second device includes: at least one processor; and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the first device to at least perform: sending to the first device an indication of the start of resources allocated for transmission from the first device to the second device, the indication including an offset relative to a predetermined sub-band of a control resource set; and receiving a transmission from the first device based at least on the indication.

[0006] In a third aspect, a method is provided. The method includes: receiving from a second device an indication of the start of resources allocated for transmission from the first device to the second device, the indication including an offset relative to a predetermined sub-band of a control resource set; and performing a transmission based at least on the indication.

[0007] In a fourth aspect, a method is provided. The method includes: sending to a first device an indication of the start of resources allocated for transmission from the first device to the second device, the indication including an offset relative to a predetermined sub-band of a control resource set; and receiving a transmission from the first device based at least on the indication.

[0008] In a fifth aspect, a device is provided, the device comprising: means for receiving from a second device an indication indicating the start of resources allocated for a transmission from a first device to the second device, the indication including an offset with respect to a predetermined subband of a control resource set; and means for performing the transmission based at least on the indication.

[0009] In a sixth aspect, a device is provided, the device comprising: means for sending to a first device an indication indicating the start of resources allocated for a transmission from a first device to the second device, the indication including an offset with respect to a predetermined subband of a control resource set; and means for receiving the transmission from the first device based at least on the indication.

[0010] In a seventh aspect, a computer-readable medium is provided, on which a computer program is stored, which when executed by at least one processor of a device causes the device to perform the method according to the third or fourth aspect.

[0011] When read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, other features and advantages of embodiments of the present disclosure will also become apparent from the following description of specific embodiments, which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of embodiments of the present disclosure. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] Embodiments of the present disclosure are presented by way of example and their advantages are explained in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0013] Figure 1 An example environment is shown in which example embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented;

[0014] Figure 2 A signaling diagram is shown illustrating a process of subband configuration for SBFD according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0015] Figures 3A to 3C An example of a UL subband is shown according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0016] Figure 4 A flowchart of an example method of subband configuration for SBFD according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure is shown;

[0017] Figure 5 A flowchart of an example method of subband configuration for SBFD according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure is shown;

[0018] Figure 6 A simplified block diagram of a device suitable for implementing example embodiments of the present disclosure is shown; and

[0019] Figure 7 A block diagram of an example computer-readable medium according to some embodiments of the present disclosure is shown.

[0020] Throughout the drawings, the same or similar reference numerals may denote the same or similar elements. Detailed Implementation Modes

[0021] The principles of the present disclosure will now be described with reference to some example embodiments. It should be understood that these embodiments are described for illustrative purposes only and help those skilled in the art understand and implement the present disclosure, without implying any limitation on the scope of the present disclosure. The embodiments described herein can be implemented in various ways other than those described below.

[0022] In the following description and claims, unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein may have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure pertains.

[0023] References in this disclosure to "one embodiment", "an embodiment", "example embodiment", etc., indicate that the described embodiment may include a particular feature, structure, or characteristic, but not necessarily every embodiment includes the particular feature, structure, or characteristic. Moreover, such phrases do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment. Further, when a particular feature, structure, or characteristic is described in connection with an embodiment, it is considered within the knowledge of those skilled in the art to combine such feature, structure, or characteristic with other embodiments, whether or not explicitly described.

[0024] It should be understood that although the terms "first", "second", etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element from another. For example, the first element may be referred to as the second element, and similarly, the second element may be referred to as the first element, without departing from the scope of the example embodiments. As used herein, the term "and / or" includes any and all combinations of one or more of the listed terms.

[0025] As used herein, "at least one of the following: <list of two or more elements>" and "at least one of <list of two or more elements>" and similar phrases, where the list of two or more elements is joined by "and" or "or", means at least any one of the elements, or at least any two or more of the elements, or at least all of the elements.

[0026] As used herein, unless explicitly stated, performing a step "in response to A" does not indicate that the step is performed immediately after A occurs, and one or more intermediate steps may be included.

[0027] The terms used herein are for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and are not intended to limit the example embodiments. As used herein, the singular forms "a", "an" and "the" are also intended to include the plural forms unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms "comprises", "comprising", "has", "having", "includes" and / or "including", when used herein, specify the presence of the stated features, elements and / or components, etc., but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, elements, components and / or combinations thereof.

[0028] As used in this application, the term "circuitry" can refer to one or more or all of the following: (a) Only hardware circuit implementations (such as those implemented only in analog and / or digital circuitry) and (b) Combinations of hardware circuits and software, such as (if applicable): (i) Combinations of analog and / or digital hardware circuits and software / firmware; and (ii) Any portions of (multiple) hardware processors, software, and (multiple) memories with software (including (multiple) digital signal processors) that work together to enable a device such as a mobile phone or a server to perform various functions; and (c) (Multiple) hardware circuits and / or (multiple) processors such as (multiple) microprocessors or portions of (multiple) microprocessors that require software (e.g., firmware) to operate, but the software may not be present when not needed for operation.

[0029] This definition of circuitry applies to all uses of the term in this application (including in any claims). As another example, as used in this application, the term circuitry also covers implementations of only hardware circuits or processors (or multiple processors) or portions of hardware circuits or processors and their accompanying software and / or firmware. The term circuit also covers, for example and if applicable to a particular claim element, a baseband integrated circuit or a processor integrated circuit for a mobile device or a similar integrated circuit in a server, a cellular network device, or other computing or network devices.

[0030] As used herein, the term "communication network" refers to a network that complies with any suitable communication standard, such as New Radio (NR), Long Term Evolution (LTE), LTE-Advanced (LTE-A), Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA), High-Speed Packet Access (HSPA), Narrowband Internet of Things (NB-IoT), etc. Additionally, the communication between the terminal device and the network device in the communication network can be performed according to any suitable communication protocol, which includes but is not limited to the first-generation (1G) communication protocol, second-generation (2G) communication protocol, 2.5G communication protocol, 2.75G communication protocol, third-generation (3G) communication protocol, fourth-generation (4G) communication protocol, 4.5G communication protocol, fifth-generation (5G) communication protocol, and / or any other protocol known currently or developed in the future. Embodiments of the present disclosure can be applied to various communication systems. Given the rapid development of communication, of course, there will also be future types of communication technologies and systems in which the present disclosure can be embodied. It should not be construed as limiting the scope of the present disclosure to the foregoing systems.

[0031] As used herein, the term "network device" refers to a node in a communication network through which a terminal device accesses the network and receives services therefrom. The network device may refer to a base station (BS) or an access point (AP), for example, Node B (NodeB or NB), evolved Node B (eNodeB or eNB), NR NB (also known as gNB), Remote Radio Unit (RRU), Radio Head (RH), Remote Radio Head (RRH), relay, Integrated Access and Backhaul (IAB) node, low-power node (such as femto, pico), Non-Terrestrial Network (NTN) or non-terrestrial network device (such as satellite network device, Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite, and Geostationary Earth Orbit (GEO) satellite), aircraft network device, etc., depending on the terms and technologies applied. In some example embodiments, the radio access network (RAN) split architecture includes a Central Unit (CU) and a Distributed Unit (DU) at the IAB donor node. The IAB node includes a Mobile Terminal (IAB-MT) part that acts like a UE towards the parent node, and the DU part of the IAB node acts like a base station towards the next-hop IAB node.

[0032] The term "terminal device" refers to any terminal device capable of wireless communication. By way of example and not limitation, a terminal device may also be referred to as a communication device, a user equipment (UE), a subscriber station (SS), a portable subscriber station, a mobile station (MS), or an access terminal (AT). A terminal device may include, but is not limited to, a mobile phone, a cellular phone, a smart phone, an IP voice (VoIP) phone, a wireless local loop phone, a tablet computer, a wearable terminal device, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a portable computer, a desktop computer, an image capture terminal device such as a digital camera, a game terminal device, a music storage and playback appliance, a vehicle-mounted wireless terminal device, a wireless endpoint, a mobile station, a lap-mounted embedded device (LEE), a lap-mounted device (LME), a USB dongle, a smart device, a wireless customer premise equipment (CPE), an Internet of Things (IoT) device, a watch or other wearable device, a head-mounted display (HMD), a vehicle, a drone, a medical device and application (e.g., remote surgery), an industrial device and application (e.g., a robot and / or other wireless devices operating in the context of an industrial and / or automated processing chain), a consumer electronic device, a device operating on a commercial and / or industrial wireless network, etc. A terminal device may also correspond to the mobile terminal (MT) part of an IAB node (e.g., a relay node). In the following description, the terms "terminal device", "communication device", "terminal", "user equipment", and "UE" may be used interchangeably.

[0033] As used herein, the terms "resource", "transmission resource", "resource block", "physical resource block" (PRB), "uplink resource", or "downlink resource" may refer to any resource used to perform communication, e.g., communication between a terminal device and a network device, such as a time domain resource, a frequency domain resource, a space domain resource, a code domain resource, or any other resource capable of communication, etc. In the following, unless otherwise specified, resources in the frequency domain and the time domain will be used as examples of transmission resources for describing some example embodiments of the present disclosure. Note that the example embodiments of the present disclosure are equally applicable to other resources in other domains.

[0034] Figure 1 An example communication network 100 is shown in which embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented. As Figure 1 shown, the communication network 100 may include a first device 110. In the following, the first device 110 may also be referred to as a terminal device or a UE.

[0035] The communication network 100 may also include a second device 120. In the following, the second device 120 may also be referred to as a gNB or a network device. The first device 110 may communicate with the second device 120.

[0036] It should be understood that Figure 1The number of network devices and terminal devices shown is given for illustrative purposes and does not imply any limitation. The communication network 100 may include any suitable number of network devices and terminal devices.

[0037] In some example embodiments, the link from the second device 120 to the first device 110 may be referred to as a downlink (DL), and the link from the first device 110 to the second device 120 may be referred to as an uplink (UL). In the DL, the second device 120 is a transmitting (TX) device (or transmitter), and the first device 110 is a receiving (RX) device (or receiver). In the UL, the first device 110 is a TX device (or transmitter), and the second device 120 is an RX device (or receiver).

[0038] Communication in the communication environment 100 may be implemented according to any suitable communication protocol, including but not limited to cellular communication protocols of the first generation (1G), second generation (2G), third generation (3G), fourth generation (4G), fifth generation (5G), sixth generation (6G), etc., wireless local area network communication protocols such as Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11, and / or any other protocol known currently or developed in the future. In addition, the communication may utilize any suitable wireless communication technology, including but not limited to: code division multiple access (CDMA), frequency division multiple access (FDMA), time division multiple access (TDMA), frequency division duplex (FDD), time division duplex (TDD), multiple input multiple output (MIMO), orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDM), discrete Fourier transform spread OFDM (DFT-s-OFDM), and / or any other technology known currently or developed in the future.

[0039] 3GPP has agreed to initiate a research project on the evolution of duplex operation in NR. One of the goals of this research project is to allow simultaneous downlink (DL) transmission and uplink (UL) transmission on different physical resource blocks (PRBs) within an unpaired wideband NR cell. To support simultaneous DL transmission and UL transmission, some duplex schemes such as TDD, FDD, and SBFD have been proposed.

[0040] For the semi-static configuration of the subband frequency positions for SBFD operation, at least an explicit indication of the frequency position of the UL subband is required. However, how to indicate the frequency position of the UL subband may still need to be discussed.

[0041] Embodiments of the present disclosure propose a mechanism for indicating the frequency position of a UL subband. In this solution, the first device 110 receives from the second device 120 an indication indicating the start of the resources allocated for the transmission from the first device 110 to the second device 120. This indication includes an offset with respect to a predetermined subband of a control resource set. Then, the first device 110 performs a transmission based at least on the indication.

[0042] Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0043] Now refer to Figure 2 , which shows a signaling diagram 200 for communication according to some exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. As Figure 2 shown, the signaling diagram 200 involves a first device 110 and a second device 120. For the purpose of discussion, refer to Figure 1 to describe the signaling diagram 200.

[0044] Now refer to Figure 2 , the second device 120 may send 202, for example, a control resource set #0 (CORESET0) configuration to the first device via a master information block MIB. The second device 120 may also indicate the frequency band allowed for transmission, for example, between the first device 110 and the second device 120.

[0045] In addition, the second device 120 may also indicate the number of time slots / symbols, where the frequency band may be divided into multiple sub-bands, and where at least one sub-band is used for DL transmission and at least one sub-band is used for UL transmission, i.e., SBFD time slots / symbols, and the position of the number of time slots / symbols in the radio frame. The second device 120 may also indicate the number of time slots / symbols, where the entire frequency band is used for DL transmission or UL transmission, i.e., non-SBFD time slots / symbols, and the position of the number of time slots / symbols in the radio frame. As Figure 3A shown, the time slots / symbols in time slots #0 / #1 / #2 / #3 are SBFD time slots / symbols, and the time slots / symbols in time slot #4 are non-SBFD time slots / symbols. For example, the entire frequency band in time slot #4 is only used for UL transmission.

[0046] The second device 120 may send 204, for example, via a system information block (SIB), an indication indicating the frequency position of the initial UL sub-band. For example, the frequency position of the initial UL sub-band may be indicated by an offset of the sub-band relative to the frequency assigned to CORESET0. The term "initial UL sub-band" used hereinafter may be referred to as the UL sub-band for UL transmission in the access procedure of the first device 110. It should be understood that the second device 120 may send an indication indicating the frequency position of the initial UL sub-band and any other configuration (such as the CORESET0 configuration described above). That is, action 204 may be performed together with action 202.

[0047] In some exemplary embodiments, depending on whether the sub-band assigned to CORESET0 is in the upper DL sub-band or the lower DL sub-band, i.e., the sub-band assigned to CORESET0 is in a DL sub-band having a higher or lower frequency position than the UL sub-band, the offset may be positive or negative.

[0048] The first device 110 may determine 206 the initial UL subband based on the allocated subband and offset for CORESET0.

[0049] As an option, if CORESET0 is in the lower DL subband (e.g., the DL subband below the threshold subband), the offset is positive and relative to the top of the allocated subband for CORESET0. Then, in this case, the initial UL subband can be determined from the lower frequency to the higher frequency, i.e., starting RB < ending RB. As Figure 3B shown, CORESET0 310 is in the lower DL subband 320, the offset 301 should be positive and relative to the top of the allocated subband for CORESET0 320, and then the initial UL subband 330 is above the allocated subband for CORESET0 320 and separated by the offset 301.

[0050] As another option, if CORESET0 is in the upper DL subband (e.g., the DL subband above the threshold subband), the offset is negative and relative to the bottom of the allocated subband for CORESET0. Then, in this case, the initial UL subband can be determined from the higher frequency to the lower frequency, i.e., starting RB > ending RB. As Figure 3C shown, CORESET0 310 is in the upper DL subband 320, the offset 301 should be negative and relative to the bottom of the allocated subband for CORESET0 320, and then the initial UL subband 330 is below the allocated subband for CORESET0 320 and separated by the offset 301.

[0051] Alternatively or additionally, the offset can also be used to determine the guard band to be used to avoid inter-subband interference. As an option, if CORESET0 is in the lower DL subband (e.g., the DL subband below the threshold subband), the frequency position from the top of the allocated subband for CORESET0 to the start of the initial UL subband is determined as the guard band. As Figure 3B shown, the guard band is located from the top of the allocated subband for CORESET0310 to the start of the initial UL subband 330.

[0052] As another option, if CORESET0 is in the upper DL subband (the DL subband above the threshold subband), the frequency position from the bottom of the allocated subband for CORESET0 to the start of the initial UL subband is determined as the guard band. As shown in 3C, the guard band is located from the bottom of the allocated subband for CORESET0 310 to the start of the initial UL subband 330.

[0053] It should be understood that if the UL sub - band is allocated between two DL sub - bands, a similar guard - band size can be applied to the other side of the UL sub - band.

[0054] In addition, the number of RBs of the initial UL sub - band can also be indicated in the SIB. For example, SIB1 can define the number of RBs for the initial UL sub - band. As another option, the number of RBs is equal to the scaled - down CORESET0 size. The scaling ratio can be indicated in the SIB. Alternatively, the ratio can also be specified. For example, the ratio can be 1 / 8, 1 / 4, 1 / 3, 1 / 2, 1, 2, ……

[0055] It can also be specified that the number of RBs of the initial UL sub - band can be the same as the CORESET0 size. In this case, there is no additional information about the number of RBs of the initial UL sub - band in SIB1.

[0056] It should be understood that the frequency position of the initial SBFD UL sub - band can also be relative to other broadcast DL channels / signals, such as the synchronization signal and the physical broadcast channel block (SSB).

[0057] Back to Figure 2 , the first device 110 can perform an initial UL transmission on the initial UL sub - band. For example, the first device 110 can send UL common channels within the initial UL sub - band, such as the physical uplink control channel (PUCCH), the physical random access channel (PRACH), the sounding reference signal (SRS), the physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH), etc.

[0058] In some example embodiments, desirably in SIB1, the second device 120 can also send 210 an indication indicating the frequency position of the UL sub - band. Hereinafter, the term "UL sub - band" can be referred to as the UL sub - band used for UL transmission after the initial UL transmission. For example, the second device 120 can send the UL sub - band indication via radio resource control (RRC) signaling.

[0059] As an option, the UL sub - band indication can include an offset of the sub - band relative to the frequency allocated for CORESET0, which can be used to narrow the range of the number of RBs that can be configured.

[0060] As another option, the indication can also indicate the number of RBs of the UL sub - band and the start of the RBs. For example, the frequency position of the UL sub - band can be indicated in a manner similar to configuring the position and bandwidth of the BWP by using a resource indication value (RIV) indicator for the starting RB and the number of RBs of the UL sub - band. Specifically, the resource allocation field includes the RIV corresponding to the starting virtual resource block (RB start ) and the length (L) represented by the continuously allocated resource blocksRBs )。The resource indication value is defined as: If then Otherwise where L RBs ≥ 1 and should not exceed

[0061] If the frequency position of SIB1 relative to coreset0 is set with a positive offset, the bandwidth part of the size is: Total BW - NumofRB (from CRB0 to the top of CORESET0)

[0062] If the frequency position of SIB1 relative to coreset0 is set with a negative offset, the bandwidth part of the size is: NumofRB (from CRB0 to the bottom of CORESET0)

[0063] Alternatively, the number of RBs and the starting RB for the UL sub - band (with a positive or negative offset relative to the coreset0 edge, including or excluding the guard band) can be defined in the SIB (e.g., SIB1).

[0064] Alternatively, the indication of the UL sub - band can also include a ratio for the first device 110 to determine the number of RBs for the UL sub - band based on a scaled - down initial UL sub - band. For example, the ratio can be 1 / 4, 1 / 2, 1, 2, 3, 4, …….

[0065] Alternatively, the indication of the UL sub - band can also indicate that the starting RB position for the UL sub - band is equal to the starting RB or the ending RB of the initial UL sub - band.

[0066] As described above, based on the indication received from the second device 120, the first device 110 can determine the starting RB position for the first device 110 to transmit UL channels (such as PUCCH, PRACH, SRS, PUSCH, etc.) in the SBFD time slot and within the range of the UL sub - band. Then, the first device 110 can transmit 214 such UL channels in the determined UL sub - band.

[0067] By introducing a mechanism for the initial UL sub - band indication and / or the UL sub - band indication, fewer bits can be used to indicate the UL sub - band frequency position on the SBFD time slot, and the signaling overhead can be further reduced for both SIB and RRC.

[0068] Figure 4The flowchart of an example method 400 for sub-band configuration for SBFD according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure is shown. Method 400 may be implemented at a first device 110 as shown in Figure 1 For the purpose of discussion, method 400 will be described with reference to Figure 1 At 410, the first device 110 receives from a second device an indication indicating the start of resources allocated for a transmission from the first device to the second device, the indication including an offset with respect to a predetermined sub-band of a control resource set.

[0069] At 420, the first device performs the transmission based at least on the indication.

[0070] In some example embodiments, the indication indicates a first sub-band allocated for an initial uplink transmission from the first device to the second device.

[0071] In some example embodiments, the first device may receive the indication in the SIB.

[0072] In some example embodiments, the number of resource blocks of the initial uplink transmission is equal to the size of the control resource set, or a scaled size of the control resource set.

[0073] In some example embodiments, the number of resource blocks of the initial uplink transmission is indicated in the SIB.

[0074] In some example embodiments, the first sub-band is determined based on the predetermined sub-band and the offset, and if the predetermined sub-band is in a downlink sub-band below a threshold sub-band, the value of the offset is positive and is relative to the top of the predetermined sub-band, or if the predetermined sub-band is in a downlink sub-band above the threshold sub-band, the value of the offset is negative and is relative to the bottom of the predetermined sub-band.

[0075] In some example embodiments, the first device may determine a guard band for avoiding inter-sub-band interference based on the offset.

[0076] In some example embodiments, if the predetermined sub-band is in a downlink sub-band below a threshold sub-band, the first device may determine the frequency position from the top of the predetermined sub-band to the start point of the first sub-band as the guard band, or if the predetermined sub-band is in a downlink sub-band above the threshold sub-band, the first device determines the frequency position from the bottom of the predetermined sub-band to the start point of the first sub-band as the guard band.

[0077] In some example embodiments, the indication indicates a second sub-band allocated for an additional uplink transmission to the second device after the initial uplink transmission. In some example embodiments, the first device may receive the indication in RRC signaling.

[0078] In some example embodiments, the indication indicates a second sub-band allocated for an additional uplink transmission to the second device after the initial uplink transmission. In some example embodiments, the first device may receive the indication in RRC signaling.

[0079] In some example embodiments, the first device may determine the number of resource blocks and the starting resource block of the second subband according to radio resource control signaling.

[0080] In some example embodiments, the number of resource blocks of the second subband is predetermined, and the starting resource block of the second subband is determined based on the edge and offset of the control resource set.

[0081] In some example embodiments, the number of resource blocks of the second subband is equal to the scaled number of resource blocks of the first subband, and the starting resource block of the second subband is the starting resource block or the ending resource block of the first subband.

[0082] In some example embodiments, the configurable range of the number of resource blocks of the second subband is narrowed by an offset relative to a predetermined subband.

[0083] Figure 5 A flowchart of an example method 500 for subband configuration for SBFD according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure is shown. Method 500 may be implemented at a second device 120 as shown in Figure 1 For the purpose of discussion, method 500 will be described with reference to Figure 1 In 510, the second device sends an indication to the first device indicating the start of the resources allocated for the transmission from the first device to the second device, the indication including an offset relative to a predetermined subband of the control resource set.

[0084] In 520, the second device receives the transmission from the first device based at least on the indication.

[0085] In 520, the second device receives the transmission from the first device based at least on the indication.

[0086] In some example embodiments, the indication indicates a first subband allocated for an initial uplink transmission to the second device.

[0087] In some example embodiments, the second device may send the indication in the SIB.

[0088] In some example embodiments, the number of resource blocks of the initial uplink transmission is equal to the size of the control resource set, or the scaled size of the control resource set.

[0089] In some example embodiments, the number of resource blocks of the initial uplink transmission is indicated in the SIB.

[0090] In some example embodiments, the first sub - band is determined based on a predetermined sub - band and an offset, and if the predetermined sub - band is in a downlink sub - band below the threshold sub - band, the value of the offset is positive and relative to the top of the predetermined sub - band, or if the predetermined sub - band is in a downlink sub - band above the threshold sub - band, the value of the offset is negative and relative to the bottom of the predetermined sub - band.

[0091] In some example embodiments, the guard band for avoiding inter - sub - band interference is determined based on the offset.

[0092] In some example embodiments, if the predetermined sub - band is in a downlink sub - band below the threshold sub - band, the frequency position from the top of the predetermined sub - band to the start of the first sub - band is determined as the guard band, or if the predetermined sub - band is in a downlink sub - band above the threshold sub - band, the frequency position from the bottom of the predetermined sub - band to the start of the first sub - band is determined as the guard band.

[0093] In some example embodiments, the indication indicates a second sub - band allocated for a further uplink transmission to a second device after an initial uplink transmission. In some example embodiments, the second device may send the indication in RRC signaling.

[0094] In some example embodiments, the number of resource blocks of the second sub - band is predetermined, and the starting resource block of the second sub - band is determined based on the edge of the control resource set and the offset.

[0095] In some example embodiments, the number of resource blocks of the second sub - band is equal to the number of resource blocks of the scaled - down first sub - band, and the starting resource block of the second sub - band is the starting resource block or the ending resource block of the first sub - band.

[0096] In some example embodiments, the configurable range of the number of resource blocks of the second sub - band is reduced by an offset relative to the predetermined sub - band.

[0097] In some example embodiments, an apparatus capable of performing method 400 (e.g., implemented at the first device 110) may include components for performing the corresponding steps of method 400. The components may be implemented in any suitable form. For example, the components may be implemented in a circuit system or a software module.

[0098] In some example embodiments, the apparatus includes: a component for receiving from a second device an indication indicating the start of resources allocated for a transmission from a first device to the second device, the indication including an offset relative to a predetermined sub - band of a control resource set; and a component for performing the transmission based at least on the indication.

[0099] In some example embodiments, an apparatus capable of performing method 500 (e.g., implemented at the second device 120) may include components for performing the corresponding steps of method 500. The components may be implemented in any suitable form. For example, the components may be implemented in circuitry or software modules.

[0100] In some example embodiments, the apparatus includes: a component for receiving an indication from the first device that indicates a start of resources allocated for a transmission from the first device to the second device, the indication including an offset with respect to a predetermined sub-band of a control resource set; and a component for receiving a transmission from the first device based at least on the indication.

[0101] Figure 6 is a simplified block diagram of a device 600 suitable for implementing example embodiments of the present disclosure. The device 600 may be provided to implement a communication device, e.g., Figure 1 the first device 110 or the second device 120 as shown. As shown, the device 600 includes one or more processors 610, one or more memories 620 coupled to the processors 610, and one or more communication modules 640 coupled to the processors 610.

[0102] The communication module 640 is for two-way communication. The communication module 640 has one or more communication interfaces to facilitate communication with one or more other modules or devices. The communication interface may represent any interface necessary for communicating with other network elements. In some example embodiments, the communication module 640 may include at least one antenna.

[0103] As a non-limiting example, the processor 610 may be of any type suitable for a local technology network and may include one or more of the following: a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a microprocessor, a digital signal processor (DSP), and a processor based on a multi-core processor architecture. The device 600 may have multiple processors, such as application-specific integrated circuit chips that are clocked subordinate to a synchronous master processor over time.

[0104] The memory 620 may include one or more non-volatile memories and one or more volatile memories. Examples of non-volatile memories include, but are not limited to, read-only memory (ROM) 624, electrically programmable read-only memory (EPROM), flash memory, hard disk, compact disc (CD), digital versatile disc (DVD), optical disc, laserdisc, and other magnetic storage and / or optical storage. Examples of volatile memories include, but are not limited to, random access memory (RAM) 622 and other volatile memories that will not last for a duration without power.

[0105] The computer program 630 includes computer-executable instructions that are executed by an associated processor 610. The instructions of program 630 may include instructions for performing the operations / actions of some example embodiments of the present disclosure. Program 630 may be stored in a memory, such as ROM 624. The processor 610 may execute any suitable actions and processing by loading program 630 into RAM 622.

[0106] Example embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented by means of program 630 such that device 600 may execute any process of the present disclosure as discussed with reference to Figures 2 to 5 the present disclosure. Example embodiments of the present disclosure may also be implemented by hardware or by a combination of software and hardware.

[0107] In some example embodiments, program 630 may be tangibly embodied in a computer-readable medium that may be included in device 600 (such as in memory 620) or other storage devices accessible by device 600. Device 600 may load program 630 from the computer-readable medium into RAM 622 for execution. In some example embodiments, the computer-readable medium may include any type of non-transitory storage medium, such as ROM, EPROM, flash memory, hard disk, CD, DVD, etc. As used herein, the term "non-transitory" is a limitation of the medium itself (i.e., tangible, rather than a signal), rather than a limitation on data storage persistence (e.g., RAM versus ROM).

[0108] Figure 7 An example of a computer-readable medium 700 that may be in the form of a CD, DVD, or other optical storage disk is shown. Program 630 is stored on computer-readable medium 700.

[0109] In general, the various embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented in hardware or in special-purpose circuitry, software, logic, or any combination thereof. Some aspects may be implemented in hardware, while other aspects may be implemented in firmware or software that may be executed by a controller, microprocessor, or other computing device. Although the various aspects of the embodiments of the present disclosure are shown and described as block diagrams, flowcharts, or using some other graphical representation, it should be understood that, as a non-limiting example, the blocks, devices, systems, techniques, or methods described herein may be implemented in hardware, software, firmware, special-purpose circuitry or logic, general-purpose hardware or a controller or other computing device, or some combination thereof.

[0110] Some example embodiments of the present disclosure also provide at least one computer program product tangibly stored on a computer-readable medium, such as a non-transitory computer-readable medium. The computer program product includes computer-executable instructions, such as those included in program modules executed in a device on a target entity or virtual processor, to perform any of the methods described above. Generally, program modules include routines, programs, libraries, objects, classes, components, data structures, etc. that perform specific tasks or implement specific abstract data types. In various embodiments, the functions of program modules may be combined or divided among program modules as needed. The machine-executable instructions for program modules may be executed within a local device or a distributed device. In a distributed device, program modules may be located in both local storage media and remote storage media.

[0111] The program code for performing the methods of the present disclosure may be written in any combination of one or more programming languages. The program code may be provided to a processor or controller of a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, or other programmable data processing apparatus such that the program code, when executed by the processor or controller, causes the functions / operations specified in the flowchart and / or block diagram to be implemented. The program code may execute entirely on the machine, partly on the machine, as a stand-alone software package, partly on the machine and partly on a remote machine, or entirely on a remote machine or server.

[0112] In the context of the present disclosure, the computer program code or related data may be carried by any suitable carrier such that a device, apparatus, or processor can perform the various processes and operations described above. Examples of carriers include signals, computer-readable media, etc.

[0113] The computer-readable medium may be a computer-readable signal medium or a computer-readable storage medium. The computer-readable medium may include, but is not limited to, electronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared, or semiconductor systems, apparatus, or devices, or any suitable combination of the foregoing. More specific examples of the computer-readable storage medium will include an electrical connection having one or more wires, a portable computer disk, a hard disk, a random access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM or flash memory), an optical fiber, a portable compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), an optical storage device, a magnetic storage device, or any suitable combination of the foregoing.

[0114] Moreover, although the operations are depicted in a particular order, this should not be construed as requiring that the operations be performed in the particular order shown or in sequential order, or that all of the illustrated operations be performed to achieve the desired result. In some cases, multitasking and parallel processing may be advantageous. Similarly, although several specific implementation details are included in the above discussion, these should not be construed as limitations on the scope of the present disclosure, but rather as descriptions of features that may be specific to particular embodiments. Certain features that are described in the context of separate embodiments may also be implemented in combination in a single embodiment, unless expressly stated otherwise. Conversely, various features that are described in the context of a single embodiment may also be implemented separately or in any suitable sub-combination in multiple embodiments, unless expressly stated otherwise.

[0115] Although the present disclosure has been described in language specific to structural features and / or methodological acts, it is to be understood that the disclosure defined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the specific features or acts described above. Rather, the above specific features and acts are disclosed as example forms of implementing the claims.

Claims

1. A first device, comprising: at least one processor; and at least one memory storing instructions which, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the first device to at least perform: receive from a second device an indication indicating the start of resources allocated for a transmission from the first device to the second device, the indication including an offset relative to a predetermined subband of a control resource set; and perform the transmission at least based on the indication.

2. The first device according to claim 1, wherein the indication indicates a first subband allocated for an initial uplink transmission from the first device to the second device.

3. The first device according to claim 2, wherein receiving the indication comprises: receiving the indication in a system information block.

4. The first device according to claim 2, wherein the number of resource blocks of the initial uplink transmission is equal to the size of the control resource set, or the size of the control resource set scaled proportionally.

5. The first device according to claim 4, wherein the number of the resource blocks of the initial uplink transmission is indicated in a system information block.

6. The first device according to claim 2, wherein the first subband is determined based on the predetermined subband and the offset, and wherein if the predetermined subband is in a downlink subband below a threshold subband, the value of the offset is positive and relative to the top of the predetermined subband, or if the predetermined subband is in a downlink subband above a threshold subband, the value of the offset is negative and relative to the bottom of the predetermined subband.

7. The first device according to claim 2, further comprising: determine a guard band for avoiding inter-subband interference based on the offset.

8. The first device according to claim 7, wherein determining the guard band comprises: if the predetermined subband is in a downlink subband below a threshold subband, determining the frequency position from the top of the predetermined subband to the start point of the first subband as the guard band, or if the predetermined subband is in a downlink subband above a threshold subband, determining the frequency position from the bottom of the predetermined subband to the start point of the first subband as the guard band.

9. The first device according to claim 2, wherein the indication indicates a second subband allocated for a further uplink transmission to the second device after the initial uplink transmission.

10. The first device according to claim 9, wherein receiving the indication comprises: receiving the indication in radio resource control signaling.

11. The first device according to claim 10, further comprising: determine the number of resource blocks and the starting resource block of the second subband according to the radio resource control signaling.

12. The first device according to claim 9, wherein the number of resource blocks of the second subband is predetermined, and the starting resource block of the second subband is determined based on the edge of the control resource set and the offset.

13. The first device according to claim 9, wherein the number of resource blocks of the second sub-band is equal to the scaled number of resource blocks of the first sub-band, and the starting resource block of the second sub-band is the starting resource block or the ending resource block of the first sub-band.

14. The first device according to claim 9, wherein the configurable range of the number of resource blocks of the second sub-band is reduced by the offset with respect to the predetermined sub-band.

15. A second device, comprising: at least one processor; and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the second device to at least perform: send an indication to a first device indicating the start of resources allocated for a transmission from the first device to the second device, the indication including an offset with respect to a predetermined sub-band of a control resource set; and receive the transmission from the first device at least based on the indication.

16. The second device according to claim 15, wherein the indication indicates a first sub-band allocated for an initial uplink transmission to the second device.

17. The second device according to claim 16, wherein sending the indication includes: sending the indication in a system information block.

18. The second device according to claim 16, wherein the number of resource blocks of the initial uplink transmission is equal to the size of the control resource set, or the scaled size of the control resource set.

19. The second device according to claim 18, wherein the number of the resource blocks of the initial uplink transmission is indicated in a system information block.

20. The second device according to claim 16, wherein the first sub-band is determined based on the predetermined sub-band and the offset, and wherein if the predetermined sub-band is in a downlink sub-band below a threshold sub-band, the value of the offset is positive and relative to the top of the predetermined sub-band, or if the predetermined sub-band is in a downlink sub-band above a threshold sub-band, the value of the offset is negative and relative to the bottom of the predetermined sub-band.

21. The second device according to claim 16, wherein a guard band for avoiding inter-sub-band interference is determined based on the offset.

22. The second device according to claim 21, wherein if the predetermined sub-band is in a downlink sub-band below a threshold sub-band, the frequency position from the top of the predetermined sub-band to the start of the first sub-band is determined as the guard band, or if the predetermined sub-band is in a downlink sub-band above a threshold sub-band, the frequency position from the bottom of the predetermined sub-band to the start of the first sub-band is determined as the guard band.

23. The second device according to claim 16, wherein the indication indicates a second sub-band allocated for a further uplink transmission to the second device after the initial uplink transmission.

24. The second device according to claim 23, wherein sending the indication includes: sending the indication in radio resource control signaling.

25. The second device according to claim 23, wherein the number of resource blocks of the second sub-band is predetermined, and the starting resource block of the second sub-band is determined based on the edge of the control resource set and the offset.

26. The second device according to claim 23, wherein the number of resource blocks of the second sub-band is equal to the number of resource blocks of the first sub-band scaled proportionally, and the starting resource block of the second sub-band is the starting resource block or the ending resource block of the first sub-band.

27. The second device according to claim 23, wherein the configurable range of the number of resource blocks of the second sub-band is reduced by the offset relative to the predetermined sub-band.

28. A method, comprising: receiving, at a first device and from a second device, an indication indicating the start of resources allocated for a transmission from the first device to the second device, the indication including an offset relative to a predetermined sub-band of a control resource set; and performing the transmission based at least on the indication.

29. A method, comprising: sending, from a second device and to a first device, an indication indicating the start of resources allocated for a transmission from the first device to the second device, the indication including an offset relative to a predetermined sub-band of a control resource set; and receiving the transmission from the first device based at least on the indication.

30. An apparatus, comprising: means for receiving, from a second device, an indication indicating the start of resources allocated for a transmission from the apparatus to the second device, the indication including an offset relative to a predetermined sub-band of a control resource set; and means for performing the transmission based at least on the indication.

31. An apparatus, comprising: means for sending, from a second device and to a first device, an indication indicating the start of resources allocated for a transmission from the apparatus to the second device, the indication including an offset relative to a predetermined sub-band of a control resource set; and means for receiving the transmission from the apparatus based at least on the indication.

32. A non-transitory computer-readable medium, comprising program instructions for causing a device to perform at least the method according to claim 28 or claim 29.

Images