Method of wireless communication performed by user equipment and corresponding apparatus

Abstract

The invention provides a wireless communication method executed by user equipment and a corresponding device. The method comprises the following steps: receiving timing advance (TA) communication; and transmitting a group of uplink communications comprising a first uplink communication and a second uplink communication, where the first uplink communication is bundled for transmission with phase continuity with the second uplink communication, and where transmitting the group of uplink communications comprises: transmitting the group of uplink communications based on the TA communication and a TA value; uplink timing adjustment is performed on the second uplink communication such that the second uplink communication is transmitted without phase continuity with the first uplink communication.

Description

[0001] This divisional application is a divisional application with the application date of April 21, 2021, application number 202180029193.1, and invention name “Demodulation Reference Signal (DMRS) and Sounding Reference Signal (SRS) Bundling under Uplink Timing Advance (TA)”.

[0002] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0003] This application claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. Patent Application No. 17 / 301,972, filed on April 20, 2021, and U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 015,434, filed on April 24, 2020, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference as if fully set forth below and for all applicable purposes. Technical Field

[0004] The present application relates to wireless communication systems, and more particularly, to bundling uplink communications (e.g., demodulation reference signal (DMRS), sounding reference signal (SRS), physical uplink control channel (PUCCH) communications, physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH) communications, etc.) under timing advance (TA) conditions, including associated methods, devices, and systems. Background Art

[0005] Wireless communication systems are widely deployed to provide various types of communication content, such as voice, video, packet data, messaging, broadcast, and more. These systems can support communication with multiple users by sharing available system resources (e.g., time, frequency, and power). A wireless multiple-access communication system may include multiple base stations (BSs), each of which simultaneously supports communication with multiple communication devices, also referred to as user equipment (UEs).

[0006] To meet the growing demand for expanded mobile broadband connectivity, wireless communication technology is evolving from Long Term Evolution (LTE) to next-generation New Radio (NR) technology, which can be referred to as fifth generation (5G). For example, NR is designed to provide lower latency, higher bandwidth or higher throughput, and improved reliability than LTE. NR is designed to operate across a wide array of spectrum bands, ranging from low-frequency bands below approximately 1 gigahertz (GHz) and mid-frequency bands from approximately 1 GHz to approximately 6 GHz, to high-frequency bands such as millimeter wave (mmWave) bands. NR is also designed to operate across different spectrum types, from licensed to unlicensed and shared. Spectrum sharing enables operators to aggregate spectrum to dynamically support high-bandwidth services. Spectrum sharing can extend the benefits of NR technology to operators that may not have access to licensed spectrum.

[0007] To facilitate successful communication between a transmitter and a receiver, the transmitter may transmit one or more reference signals (alone or in conjunction with a data transmission). The reference signal(s) may comprise a predetermined sequence and may be transmitted at predetermined time and / or frequency locations. The receiver may estimate the channel response from the reference signal(s). Based on the channel estimate derived from processing the reference signal(s), either individually or in combination, the receiver may receive and decode communications from the transmitter.

[0008] In some cases, multiple reference signals may be bundled in the time domain across multiple time slots. When reference signals are bundled, a receiver can perform joint channel estimation using the reference signals received across multiple time slots, as opposed to performing separate channel estimation for each individual time slot based on the reference signal(s) received in the time slot. When reference signals are bundled in the time domain, a transmitter may transmit different reference signals that are phase-coherent to allow the receiver to perform joint channel estimation. However, in some cases, the transmitter may be scheduled to implement a timing advance (TA) between the transmissions of reference signals to be transmitted phase-coherently. In this regard, implementing TA may cause the reference signals transmitted after implementing TA to be out of phase with the reference signals transmitted before implementing TA. However, not implementing TA may cause the transmitter and receiver to be out of sync. Therefore, the present disclosure provides improved techniques for bundling uplink communication signals (including reference signals) under TA conditions. Summary of the Invention

[0009] The following summarizes some aspects of the present disclosure to provide a basic understanding of the technology discussed. This summary is not an extensive overview of all anticipated features of the present disclosure and is neither intended to identify key or important elements of all aspects of the present disclosure nor to delineate the scope of any or all aspects of the present disclosure. Its sole purpose is to present some concepts of one or more aspects of the present disclosure in an overview format as a prelude to the more detailed description that will be presented later.

[0010] Aspects of the present disclosure provide a mechanism for bundling uplink communications (e.g., demodulation reference signal (DMRS), sounding reference signal (SRS), physical uplink control channel (PUCCH) communications, physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH) communications, etc.) under timing advance (TA) conditions. In this regard, aspects of the present disclosure can enhance uplink cell coverage, particularly towards cell boundaries, by facilitating bundling of phase-coherent uplink communications while also maintaining synchronization between a user equipment (UE) and a base station (BS) via timing advance (TA).

[0011] In one aspect of the present disclosure, a method of wireless communication performed by a user equipment includes: receiving a timing advance (TA) from a base station, wherein the TA is scheduled to be implemented by the user equipment at a first time, the first time being after a first uplink communication of a group of bundled uplink communications scheduled with phase coherence starts and before a second uplink communication of the group of bundled uplink communications starts; determining whether to implement the TA at the first time or at a second time, the second time being after the transmission of the second uplink communication; and implementing the TA based on the determination.

[0012] In an additional aspect of the present disclosure, a method of wireless communication performed by a base station includes: sending a timing advance (TA) to a user equipment, wherein the TA is scheduled to be implemented by the user equipment at a first time, the first time being after a first uplink communication of a group of bundled uplink communications scheduled phase-coherently starts and before a second uplink communication of the group of bundled uplink communications starts; receiving the first uplink communication from the user equipment; receiving the second uplink communication from the user equipment; and processing the first uplink communication and the second uplink communication based on when the TA is implemented by the user equipment.

[0013] In an additional aspect of the present disclosure, a user device includes a transceiver configured to: receive a timing advance (TA) from a base station, wherein the TA is scheduled to be implemented by the user device at a first time, the first time being after a first uplink communication of a group of bundled uplink communications scheduled phase-coherently and before a second uplink communication of the group of bundled uplink communications begins; and a processor in communication with the transceiver, the processor configured to: determine whether to implement the TA at the first time or at a second time, the second time being after transmission of the second uplink communication; and implement the TA based on the determination.

[0014] In an additional aspect of the present disclosure, a base station includes a transceiver configured to: send a timing advance (TA) to a user equipment, wherein the TA is scheduled to be implemented by the user equipment at a first time, the first time being after a first uplink communication of a group of phase-coherently scheduled bundled uplink communications begins and before a second uplink communication of the group of bundled uplink communications begins; receive a first uplink communication from the user equipment; and receive a second uplink communication from the user equipment; and a processor in communication with the transceiver, the processor configured to: process the first uplink communication and the second uplink communication based on when the TA is implemented by the user equipment.

[0015] In an additional aspect of the present disclosure, a user equipment includes: a component for receiving a timing advance (TA) from a base station, wherein the TA is scheduled to be implemented by the user equipment at a first time, the first time being after the start of a first uplink communication of a group of bundled uplink communications scheduled in a phase-coherent manner and before the start of a second uplink communication of the group of bundled uplink communications; a component for determining whether to implement the TA at the first time or a second time, the second time being after the transmission of the second uplink communication; and a component for implementing the TA based on the determination.

[0016] In an additional aspect of the present disclosure, a base station includes: a component for sending a timing advance (TA) to a user equipment, wherein the TA is scheduled to be implemented by the user equipment at a first time, which is after the start of a first uplink communication of a group of bundled uplink communications scheduled in a phase-coherent manner and before the start of a second uplink communication of the group of bundled uplink communications; a component for receiving the first uplink communication from the user equipment; a component for receiving the second uplink communication from the user equipment; and a component for processing the first uplink communication and the second uplink communication based on when the TA is implemented by the user equipment.

[0017] In an additional aspect of the present disclosure, a non-transitory computer-readable medium has program code recorded thereon for wireless communication by a user device, the program code including code for causing the user device to receive a timing advance (TA) from a base station, wherein the TA is scheduled to be implemented by the user device at a first time, the first time being after a first uplink communication of a group of bundled uplink communications scheduled phase-coherently and before a second uplink communication of the group of bundled uplink communications begins; code for causing the user device to determine whether to implement the TA at the first time or at a second time, the second time being after the transmission of the second uplink communication; and code for causing the user device to implement the TA based on the determination.

[0018] In an additional aspect of the present disclosure, a non-transitory computer-readable medium has program code recorded thereon for wireless communication by a base station, the program code including code for causing the base station to send a timing advance (TA) to a user equipment, wherein the TA is scheduled to be implemented by the user equipment at a first time, the first time being after a first uplink communication of a group of bundled uplink communications scheduled phase-coherently begins and before a second uplink communication of the group of bundled uplink communications begins; code for causing the base station to receive the first uplink communication from the user equipment; code for causing the base station to receive the second uplink communication from the user equipment; and code for causing the base station to process the first uplink communication and the second uplink communication based on when the TA is implemented by the user equipment.

[0019] By reading the following description of specific exemplary embodiments of the present invention in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, other aspects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art. Although features of the present invention can be discussed with respect to certain examples and drawings below, all embodiments of the present invention can include one or more advantageous features discussed herein. In other words, although one or more embodiments can be discussed as having certain advantageous features, one or more such features can also be used according to various other embodiments of the present invention discussed herein. In a similar manner, although exemplary embodiments can be discussed below as device, system or method embodiments, it should be understood that such exemplary embodiments can be implemented in various devices, systems and methods. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] Figure 1 A wireless communication network according to some aspects of the present disclosure is shown.

[0021] Figure 2 Uplink bundling and timing advance scheduling according to some aspects of the present disclosure are shown.

[0022] Figure 3 Uplink bundling and timing advance scheduling according to some aspects of the present disclosure are shown.

[0023] Figure 4 Uplink bundling and timing advance scheduling according to some aspects of the present disclosure are shown.

[0024] Figure 5 Uplink bundling and timing advance scheduling according to some aspects of the present disclosure are shown.

[0025] Figure 6 Shown is a signal diagram illustrating uplink bundling and timing advance communication according to some aspects of the present disclosure.

[0026] Figure 7 is a block diagram of a user equipment (UE) according to some aspects of the present disclosure.

[0027] Figure 8 is a block diagram of an exemplary base station (BS) according to aspects of the present disclosure.

[0028] Figure 9 A flow chart illustrating a method of wireless communication according to some aspects of the present disclosure is shown.

[0029] Figure 10 A flowchart illustrating a wireless communication method according to some aspects of the present disclosure is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0030] The detailed description set forth below, in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, is intended as a description of various configurations and is not intended to represent the only configurations in which the concepts described herein may be practiced. The detailed description includes specific details intended to provide a thorough understanding of the various concepts. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that these concepts may be practiced without these specific details. In some cases, to avoid obscuring these concepts, well-known structures and components are shown in block diagram form.

[0031] The present disclosure generally relates to wireless communication systems, also referred to as wireless communication networks. In various embodiments, these techniques and apparatuses can be used in wireless communication networks, such as code division multiple access (CDMA) networks, time division multiple access (TDMA) networks, frequency division multiple access (FDMA) networks, orthogonal FDMA (OFDMA) networks, single-carrier FDMA (SC-FDMA) networks, LTE networks, Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) networks, fifth-generation (5G) or new radio (NR) networks, and other communication networks. As used herein, the terms "network" and "system" may be used interchangeably.

[0032] OFDMA networks can implement radio technologies such as Evolved UTRA (E-UTRA), Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11, IEEE 802.16, IEEE 802.20, Flash-OFDM, and others. UTRA, E-UTRA, and GSM are part of the Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS). Specifically, Long Term Evolution (LTE) is a version of UMTS that uses E-UTRA. UTRA, E-UTRA, GSM, UMTS, and LTE are described in documents provided by an organization called the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP), while cdma2000 is described in documents provided by the 3rd Generation Partnership Project 2 (3GPP 2). These different radio technologies and standards are either known or under development. For example, the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) is a collaboration among telecommunications associations to define globally applicable third-generation (3G) mobile phone specifications. 3GPP Long Term Evolution (LTE) is a 3GPP project aimed at improving the UMTS mobile phone standard. 3GPP may define specifications for next generation mobile networks, mobile systems, and mobile devices. This disclosure relates to the evolution of wireless technology from LTE, 4G, 5G, NR, and sharing access to the wireless spectrum between networks using a set of new and different radio access technologies or radio air interfaces.

[0033] Specifically, 5G networks consider different deployments, different spectrums, and different services and devices that can be implemented using a unified air interface based on OFDM. To implement these goals, in addition to developing new radio technologies for 5G NR networks, further enhancements to LTE and LTE-A are also considered. 5G NR will be able to scale to provide (1) coverage for massive Internet of Things (IoT) with ultra-high density (e.g., about 1M nodes / km) 2 (1) Ultra-low complexity (e.g., ~10s of bits / s), ultra-low energy (e.g., ~10+ years of battery life), and deep coverage capable of reaching challenging locations; (2) Coverage including mission-critical control with strong security to protect sensitive personal, financial, or classified information, ultra-high reliability (e.g., ~99.9999% reliability), ultra-low latency (e.g., ~1 ms), and for users with extensive mobility or lack of mobility; and (3) Coverage-enhanced mobile broadband, including very high capacity (e.g., ~10 Tbps / km 2 ), extremely high data rates (e.g., multi-Gbps rates, 100+ Mbps user experience rates), and deep awareness for advanced discovery and optimization.

[0034] 5G NR can be implemented using an optimized OFDM-based waveform with a scalable digital scheme and transmission time interval (TTI); a universal, flexible framework for efficiently multiplexing services and features using dynamic, low-latency time division duplex (TDD) / frequency division duplex (FDD) designs; and advanced wireless technologies such as massive multiple-input, multiple-output (MIMO), robust millimeter-wave (mmWave) transmission, advanced channel coding, and device-centric mobility. The scalability of the digital scheme in 5G NR, along with scalable subcarrier spacing, effectively addresses the need to operate different services across different spectrums and deployments. For example, in various outdoor and macro coverage deployments with FDD / TDD implementations less than 3 GHz, subcarrier spacing may be 15 kHz across bandwidths (BWs) such as 5, 10, and 20 MHz. For other outdoor and small cell coverage deployments with TDD greater than 3 GHz, subcarrier spacing may be 30 kHz across 80 / 100 MHz BWs. For various other indoor broadband implementations, using TDD on the unlicensed portion of the 5 GHz band, subcarrier spacing may occur at 60 kHz over 160 MHz BW. Finally, for various deployments transmitting the mmWave component using 28 GHz TDD, subcarrier spacing may occur at 120 kHz over 500 MHz BW.

[0035] 5G NR's scalable numerology facilitates scalable TTIs for different latency and quality of service (QoS) requirements. For example, shorter TTIs can be used for low latency and high reliability, while longer TTIs can be used for higher spectral efficiency. Efficient multiplexing of long and short TTIs allows transmissions to start on symbol boundaries. 5G NR also considers the design of self-contained integrated subframes with uplink / downlink scheduling information, data, and acknowledgments in the same subframe. Self-contained integrated subframes support communications in unlicensed or contention-based shared spectrum, adaptive uplink / downlink, and can be flexibly configured on a per-cell basis to dynamically switch between uplink and downlink to meet current business needs.

[0036] Various other aspects and features of the present disclosure are further described below. It will be apparent that the teachings herein can be implemented in a variety of forms, and any particular structure, function, or both disclosed herein are merely representative and non-restrictive. Based on the teachings herein, it will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that an aspect disclosed herein can be implemented independently of any other aspect, and two or more of these aspects can be combined in various ways. For example, any number of aspects set forth herein can be used to implement a device or practice a method. In addition, in addition to one or more aspects set forth herein, or different from one or more aspects set forth herein, other structures, functions, or structures and functions can be used to implement such a device or practice such a method. For example, a method can be implemented as a part of a system, device, apparatus, and / or implemented as instructions stored on a computer-readable medium for execution on a processor or computer. In addition, an aspect can include at least one element of a claim.

[0037] Aspects of the present disclosure provide a mechanism for bundling uplink communications (e.g., demodulation reference signal (DMRS), sounding reference signal (SRS), physical uplink control channel (PUCCH) communications, physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH) communications, etc.) under timing advance (TA) conditions. In this regard, aspects of the present disclosure can enhance uplink cell coverage, particularly towards cell boundaries, by facilitating bundling of phase-coherent uplink communications while also maintaining synchronization between a user equipment (UE) and a base station (BS) via timing advance (TA).

[0038] In this regard, to facilitate successful communication between a transmitter and a receiver, the transmitter may transmit one or more reference signals (alone or in conjunction with a data transmission). The reference signal(s) may include a predetermined sequence and may be transmitted at predetermined time and / or frequency locations. The receiver may estimate the channel response from the reference signal(s). Based on the channel estimate derived from processing the reference signal(s), the receiver may receive and decode communications from the transmitter, either individually or in a bundled manner.

[0039] In some cases, multiple reference signals may be bundled in the time domain across multiple time slots. When reference signals are bundled, a receiver may perform joint channel estimation using the reference signals received across multiple time slots, as opposed to performing separate channel estimation for each individual time slot based on the reference signal(s) received in the time slot. When reference signals are bundled in the time domain, a transmitter may transmit different reference signals in a phase-coherent manner to allow the receiver to perform joint channel estimation. However, in some cases, the transmitter may be scheduled to implement a timing advance (TA) between the transmissions of reference signals to be transmitted in a phase-coherent manner. In this regard, implementing TA may cause the reference signals transmitted after the implementation of TA to be out of phase with the reference signals transmitted before the implementation of TA. However, not implementing TA may cause the transmitter and receiver to be out of synchronization. The present disclosure provides improved techniques for bundling uplink communication signals (including reference signals) under TA conditions.

[0040] In some cases, TA is implemented when scheduled, while in other cases, the implementation of TA is delayed. When to implement TA can be determined based on a configuration. The configuration can be a dynamic configuration and / or a predetermined / preprogrammed configuration stored in a memory of the UE and / or BS. The configuration can provide one or more rules for determining when to implement TA. In this regard, the rules can be based on whether the bundled uplink communications are scheduled phase-coherently, the number of bundled uplink communications, the length of time required for the bundled uplink communications, the amplitude of the TA, one or more other factors and / or a combination thereof. In this regard, the configuration can provide rules for selecting the timing for delaying the implementation of TA. In this regard, the timing of the delay can be based on one or more of the switching of uplink to downlink, the switching of downlink to uplink, the time gap between uplink communications, the power variation between uplink communications and / or the uplink communications that are not scheduled phase-coherently. Additional features and benefits of the present disclosure are set forth in the following description.

[0041] Figure 1A wireless communication network 100 is shown, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. Network 100 may be a 5G network. Network 100 includes multiple base stations (BSs) 105 (labeled 105a, 105b, 105c, 105d, 105e, and 105f) and other network entities. BSs 105 may be stations that communicate with UEs 115 and may also be referred to as evolved Node Bs (eNBs), next-generation eNBs (gNBs), access points, etc. Each BS 105 may provide communication coverage for a specific geographic area. In 3GPP, the term "cell" may refer to this specific geographic coverage area of ​​a BS 105 and / or the BS subsystem serving that coverage area, depending on the context in which the term is used.

[0042] The BS 105 may provide communication coverage for a macro cell or a small cell (such as a pico cell or a femto cell) and / or other types of cells. A macro cell typically covers a relatively large geographic area (e.g., a radius of several kilometers) and may allow unrestricted access by UEs that have subscribed to services with the network provider. A small cell such as a pico cell typically covers a relatively small geographic area and may allow unrestricted access by UEs that have subscribed to services with the network provider. A small cell such as a femto cell also typically covers a relatively small geographic area (e.g., a home) and, in addition to unrestricted access, may also provide restricted access by UEs associated with the femto cell (e.g., UEs in a closed subscriber group (CSG), UEs of users in a home, etc.). The BS for a macro cell may be referred to as a macro BS. The BS for a small cell may be referred to as a small cell BS, a pico BS, a femto BS, or a home BS. In Figure 1 In the example shown, BSs 105d and 105e may be conventional macro BSs, while BSs 105a-105c may be macro BSs supporting three-dimensional (3D), full-dimensional (FD), or massive MIMO. BSs 105a-105c may utilize their higher-dimensional MIMO capabilities to increase coverage and capacity by utilizing 3D beamforming in both elevation and azimuth beamforming. BS 105f may be a small cell BS, which may be a home node or a portable access point. BS 105 may support one or more (e.g., two, three, four, etc.) cells.

[0043] Network 100 may support synchronous or asynchronous operation. For synchronous operation, the BSs may have similar frame timing, and transmissions from different BSs may be approximately aligned in time. For asynchronous operation, the BSs may have different frame timing, and transmissions from different BSs may not be aligned in time.

[0044] UEs 115 are dispersed throughout wireless network 100, and each UE 115 may be stationary or mobile. UEs 115 may also be referred to as terminals, mobile stations, subscriber units, stations, and the like. A UE 115 may be a cellular phone, personal digital assistant (PDA), wireless modem, wireless communication device, handheld device, tablet computer, laptop computer, cordless phone, wireless local loop (WLL) station, and the like. In one aspect, a UE 115 may be a device that includes a Universal Integrated Circuit Card (UICC). In another aspect, a UE may be a device that does not include a UICC. In some aspects, a UE 115 that does not include a UICC may also be referred to as an IoT device or an Internet of Everything (IoE) device. UEs 115a-115d are examples of mobile smartphone-type devices that access network 100. UEs 115 may also be machines specifically configured for connected communications, including machine-type communications (MTC), enhanced MTC (eMTC), narrowband Internet of Things (NB-IoT), and the like. UEs 115e-115k are examples of various types of machines configured for communication access to network 100. UE 115 is able to communicate with any type of BS, whether macro BS, small cell, etc. Figure 1 , lightning (eg, communication link) indicates wireless transmission between UE 115 and serving BS 105 (serving BS 105 is a BS designated to serve UE 115 on downlink and / or uplink), or desired transmission between BSs, and backhaul transmission between BSs.

[0045] In operation, BSs 105a-105c may use 3D beamforming and coordinated spatial techniques (such as coordinated multipoint (CoMP) or multi-connectivity) to serve UEs 115a and 115b. Macro BS 105d may perform backhaul communications with BSs 105a-105c and small cell BS 105f. Macro BS 105d may also transmit multicast services that may be subscribed to and received by UEs 115c and 115d. Such multicast services may include mobile television or streaming video, or may include other services for providing community information, such as weather emergencies or alerts, such as Amber Alerts or Gray Alerts.

[0046] BSs 105 may also communicate with a core network. The core network may provide user authentication, access authorization, tracking, Internet Protocol (IP) connectivity, and other access, routing, or mobility functions. At least some BSs 105 (e.g., which may be examples of gNBs or access node controllers (ANCs)) may interface with the core network via backhaul links (e.g., NG-C, NG-U, etc.) and may perform radio configuration and scheduling for communications with UEs 115. In various examples, BSs 105 may communicate with each other directly or indirectly (e.g., through the core network) via backhaul links (e.g., X1, X2, etc.), which may be wired or wireless communication links.

[0047] Network 100 can also support mission-critical communications with ultra-reliable and redundant links for mission-critical devices, such as UE 115e (which can be a drone). Redundant communication links with UE 115e can include links from macro BSs 105d and 105e, as well as a link from small cell BS 105f. Other machine-type devices, such as UE 115f (e.g., a thermometer), UE 115g (e.g., a smart meter), and UE 115h (e.g., a wearable device), can communicate directly with BSs, such as small cell BS 105f and macro BS 105e, via network 100, or in a multi-hop configuration by communicating with another user device that relays its information to the network, such as UE 115f transmitting temperature measurement information to a smart meter (UE 115g), which then reports it to the network via small cell BS 105f. Network 100 can also provide additional network efficiency through dynamic, low-latency TDD / FDD communication, such as in vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) scenarios.

[0048] In some embodiments, network 100 utilizes an OFDM-based waveform for communication. OFDM-based systems can divide the system bandwidth into multiple (K) orthogonal subcarriers, often also referred to as subcarriers, tones, or bins. Each subcarrier can be modulated with data. In some cases, the subcarrier spacing between adjacent subcarriers can be fixed, and the total number of subcarriers (K) can depend on the system bandwidth. The system bandwidth can also be divided into subbands. In other cases, the subcarrier spacing and / or the duration of a TTI can be scalable.

[0049] In one embodiment, BS 105 may allocate or schedule transmission resources (e.g., in the form of time-frequency resource blocks (RBs)) for downlink (DL) and uplink (UL) transmissions in network 100. DL refers to the transmission direction from BS 105 to UE 115, while UL refers to the transmission direction from UE 115 to BS 105. This communication may be in the form of radio frames. A radio frame may be divided into a number of subframes or time slots, e.g., approximately 10. Each time slot may be further divided into mini-slots. In FDD mode, simultaneous UL and DL transmissions may occur in different frequency bands. For example, each subframe may include a UL subframe in the UL frequency band and a DL subframe in the DL frequency band. In TDD mode, UL and DL transmissions occur using the same frequency band but in different time periods. For example, a subset of subframes (e.g., DL subframes) in a radio frame may be used for DL ​​transmissions, and another subset of subframes (e.g., UL subframes) in a radio frame may be used for UL transmissions.

[0050] DL and UL subframes can be further divided into several regions. For example, each DL or UL subframe may have a predefined region for transmitting reference signals, control information, and data. Reference signals are predetermined signals that facilitate communication between BS 105 and UE 115. For example, reference signals may have a specific pilot pattern or structure, where pilot tones may span the operating bandwidth or frequency band, with each pilot tone located at a predefined time and frequency. For example, BS 105 may transmit a cell-specific reference signal (CRS) and / or a channel state information-reference signal (CSI-RS) to enable UE 115 to estimate the DL channel. Similarly, UE 115 may transmit a sounding reference signal (SRS) to enable BS 105 to estimate the UL channel. Control information may include resource allocations and protocol control information. Data may include protocol data and / or operational data. In some embodiments, BS 105 and UE 115 may communicate using independent subframes. Independent subframes may include a portion for DL ​​communication and a portion for UL communication. Independent subframes may be DL-centric or UL-centric. A DL-centric subframe may include a longer duration for DL ​​communications than for UL communications.A UL-centric subframe may include a longer duration for UL communications than for UL communications.

[0051] In one embodiment, network 100 may be a NR network deployed on licensed spectrum. BS 105 may transmit synchronization signals (e.g., including a primary synchronization signal (PSS) and a secondary synchronization signal (SSS)) within network 100 to facilitate synchronization. BS 105 may broadcast system information associated with network 100 (e.g., including a master information block (MIB), residual system information (RMSI), and other system information (OSI)) to facilitate initial network access. In some cases, BS 105 may broadcast the PSS, SSS, and / or MIB in the form of synchronization signal blocks (SSBs) on the physical broadcast channel (PBCH), and may broadcast the RMSI and / or OSI on the physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH).

[0052] In one embodiment, a UE 115 attempting to access network 100 may perform an initial cell search by detecting the PSS from BS 105. The PSS may enable periodic timing synchronization and may indicate a physical layer identification value. UE 115 may then receive the SSS. The SSS may enable radio frame synchronization and may provide a cell identification value that may be combined with the physical layer identification value to identify a cell. The PSS and SSS may be located in the center portion of a carrier or at any suitable frequency within the carrier.

[0053] After receiving the PSS and SSS, the UE 115 may receive the MIB. The MIB may include system information for initial network access and scheduling information for RMSI and / or OSI. After decoding the MIB, the UE 115 may receive the RMSI and / or OSI. The RMSI and / or OSI may include radio resource control (RRC) information related to the random access channel (RACH) procedure, paging, control resource set (CORESET) for physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) monitoring, physical uplink control channel (PUCCH), physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH), power control, and SRS.

[0054] After obtaining the MIB, RMSI, and / or OSI, UE 115 may perform a random access procedure to establish a connection with BS 105. In some examples, the random access procedure may be a four-step random access procedure. For example, UE 115 may send a random access preamble, and BS 105 may respond with a random access response. The random access response (RAR) may include a detected random access preamble identifier (ID) corresponding to the random access preamble, timing advance (TA) information, an UL grant, a temporary cell radio network temporary identifier (C-RNTI), and / or a backoff indicator. Upon receiving the random access response, UE 115 may send a connection request to BS 105, and BS 105 may respond with a connection response. The connection response may indicate contention resolution. In some examples, the random access preamble, RAR, connection request, and connection response may be referred to as message 1 (MSG 1), message 2 (MSG 2), message 3 (MSG 3), and message 4 (MSG 4), respectively. In some examples, the random access procedure can be a two-step random access procedure, in which the UE 115 can send a random access preamble and a connection request in a single transmission, and the BS 105 can respond by sending a random access response and a connection response in a single transmission. The combined random access preamble and connection request in the two-step random access procedure can be referred to as message A (MSG A). The combined random access response and connection response in the two-step random access procedure can be referred to as message B (MSG B).

[0055] After establishing a connection, UE 115 may initiate an initial network attach procedure with network 100. When UE 115 has no active data communication with BS 105 after network attach, UE 115 may return to an idle state (e.g., RRC idle mode). Alternatively, UE 115 and BS 105 may enter an operational state or active state, in which operational data may be exchanged (e.g., RRC connected mode). For example, BS 105 may schedule UE 115 for UL and / or DL ​​communications. BS 105 may send UL and / or DL ​​scheduling grants to UE 115 via the PDCCH. BS 105 may send DL communication signals to UE 115 via the PDSCH based on the DL scheduling grant. UE 115 may send UL communication signals to BS 105 via the PUSCH and / or PUCCH based on the UL scheduling grant. In some embodiments, BS 105 and UE 115 may employ hybrid automatic request (HARQ) technology for communication to improve reliability. Additionally, the UE 115 and / or BS 105 may utilize DRX (eg, during RRC idle mode), including connected mode DRX (C-DRX) (eg, during RRC connected mode), and / or DTX modes of operation.

[0056] In one embodiment, network 100 may operate on the system BW or component carrier (CC) BW. Network 100 may divide the system BW into multiple BWPs (e.g., portions). BS 105 may dynamically assign UE 115 to operate on a BWP (e.g., a portion of the system BW). The assigned BWP may be referred to as the active BWP. UE 115 may monitor the active BWP for signaling information from BS 105. BS 105 may schedule UE 115 to conduct uplink (UL) or downlink (DL) communications in the active BWP. In some cases, BS 105 may assign a pair of BWPs within a CC to UE 115 for both uplink and downlink communications. For example, a BWP pair may include one BWP for uplink communications and one BWP for downlink communications. In some cases, BS 105 may dynamically switch UE 115 from one BWP to another, for example, from a wideband BWP to a narrowband BWP to save power, or from a narrowband BWP to a wideband BWP for communication.

[0057] BS 105 may also configure one or more CORESETs for UE 115 in the BWP. A CORESET may include a set of frequency resources that spans multiple symbols in time. BS 105 may configure one or more search spaces for PDCCH monitoring for UE 115 based on the CORESETs. UE 115 may perform blind decoding in the search spaces to search for DL ​​control information from the BS. BS 105 may configure various CORESETs and / or search spaces for UE 115 for different types of PDCCH monitoring (e.g., DL / UL scheduling and / or wake-up information). In one example, BS 105 may configure the BWP, CORESET, and / or PDCCH search space for UE 115 via RRC configuration.

[0058] In one embodiment, BS 105 may establish an RRC connection with UE 115 in a primary cell (PCell) (e.g., over a primary frequency carrier) and may subsequently configure UE 115 to communicate over a secondary cell (SCell) (e.g., over a secondary frequency carrier). In one embodiment, BS 105 may trigger UE 115 to report channel information based on a channel state information reference signal (CSI-RS) transmitted by BS 105. In some cases, the triggering may be aperiodic, which may be referred to as aperiodic CSI-RS (A-CSI-RS) triggering.

[0059] The network 100 may operate in a shared or unlicensed frequency band, for example, at approximately 3.5 gigahertz (GHz), sub-6 GHz, or higher frequencies in the mmWave band. The network 100 may divide the frequency band into multiple channels, for example, each channel occupying approximately 20 megahertz (MHz). The BS 105 and the UE 115 may be operated by multiple network operating entities that share resources in a shared communication medium and may obtain a channel occupancy time (COT) in the shared medium for communication. The COT may be discontinuous in time and may refer to the amount of time a wireless node can transmit a frame if it wins contention for the wireless medium. Each COT may include multiple transmission time slots. A COT may also be referred to as a transmission opportunity (TXOP).

[0060] In some aspects, to facilitate successful communication between a transmitter and a receiver (such as BS 105 and UE 115, or vice versa), the transmitter may transmit one or more reference signals (alone or in conjunction with data transmission), such as a demodulation reference signal (DMRS), a sounding reference signal (SRS), and the like. The reference signal(s) may include a predetermined sequence and may be transmitted at predetermined time and / or frequency locations. The receiver may then estimate the channel response from the reference signal(s). Based on the channel estimate derived from processing the reference signal(s), the receiver may receive and decode the communication from the transmitter.

[0061] Furthermore, in some aspects, multiple reference signals may be bundled in the time domain across multiple time slots. When reference signals are bundled, a receiver (e.g., BS 105 or UE 115) may perform joint channel estimation using the reference signals received across multiple time slots, as opposed to performing separate channel estimation for each individual time slot based on the reference signal(s) received in the time slot. When reference signals are bundled in the time domain, a transmitter (e.g., BS 105 or UE 115) may transmit different reference signals in a phase-coherent manner to allow a receiver to perform joint channel estimation. However, as described below with reference to Figure 2 As described, in some cases, a transmitter may be scheduled to implement a timing advance (TA) between transmissions of reference signals that are to be transmitted phase-coherently. In this regard, implementing TA may cause reference signals transmitted after implementing TA to be out of phase with reference signals transmitted before implementing TA. However, not implementing TA may cause the transmitter and receiver (e.g., BS 105 and UE 115) to become desynchronized.

[0062] Thus, the present disclosure provides improved techniques for bundling uplink communication signals (including reference signals) under TA conditions (e.g., while maintaining synchronization between the UE 115 and the BS 105). Specifically, the present disclosure provides a mechanism for the UE 115 and the BS 105 to determine whether to implement TA as scheduled or with a delay, such that synchronization between the UE 115 and the BS 105 is maintained and the bundled uplink communications between the UE 115 and the BS 105 can be correctly received and decoded (e.g., processed).

[0063] Figure 2 Uplink bundling and timing advance scheduling 200 is shown in accordance with some aspects of the present disclosure. Figure 2 The uplink bundling and timing advance scheduling 200 of FIG. 1 illustrates aspects of one or more uplink channels 210 (e.g., physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH), physical uplink control channel (PUCCH), etc.), one or more downlink channels 220 (e.g., physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH), physical downlink control channel (PDCCH), etc.), timing advance (TA) 230, and uplink communications 240 (e.g., PUSCH communications, PUCCH communications, demodulation reference signals (DMRS), sounding reference signals (SRS), etc.). Figure 2 , the x-axis represents time in arbitrary units as shown.

[0064] In some cases, DMRS bundling can be an effective technique for enhancing cell coverage, including for uplink communications near the edge or border of a cell. At the UE, DMRS can be coherently sent at different times corresponding to different uplink transmissions (e.g., PUSCH transmissions and / or PUCCH transmissions). At the BS, DMRS received at different times can be coherently filtered and / or combined to improve the accuracy of channel estimation. That is, DMRS received at different times can be processed jointly, rather than separately or individually. Similar types of bundling techniques can be applied to other types of uplink communications 240, including but not limited to bundling between SRSs, bundling between SRSs and PUCCHs, bundling between SRSs and PUSCHs, bundling between PUCCHs, bundling between PUSCHs, bundling between PUSCHs and PUCCHs, etc.

[0065] Timing advance is a technique that can be utilized to implement uplink and / or downlink synchronization within a cell. Due to propagation delay, the timing of downlink signals transmitted by a base station and received at the base station can exhibit significant delays, potentially leading to uplink / downlink collisions. Furthermore, because propagation delays from different UEs typically vary, the timing of uplink signals transmitted from different UEs can differ, potentially causing undesirable inter-symbol interference at the base station. To address this issue, TA 230 can be utilized. A UE can advance (or delay) its uplink transmission by a certain amount of time (roughly corresponding to twice the propagation delay between the UE and the base station). In some cases, the base station indicates the TA value in TA 230 transmitted on downlink channel(s) 220 (e.g., in multiples of transmitted samples (based on the sampling rate, which may depend on the subcarrier spacing)). In some cases, TA 230 is transmitted in a media access control element (MAC CE) on the PDSCH. After receiving a TA with a TA value, the UE may implement the TA value by adjusting (eg, delaying or advancing) its transmission timing.

[0066] like Figure 2 As shown, in some cases, TA 230-a is scheduled to be applied by the UE at time 260. In this regard, in some cases, TA-230a is scheduled to be implemented by the UE in an uplink transmission starting at least a time gap 270 (e.g., T_gap) after the UE receives the TA 230-a. In some cases, the length of the time gap 270 is based on the UE's TA processing time. Therefore, the time 260 at which the TA is scheduled to be implemented by the UE can be based on when the UE receives the TA from the BS, the time gap 270, the UE's TA processing time, and / or the UE's communication schedule. Figure 2 In the example shown, time gap 270 ends during time slot 250-a during which uplink communication 240-a is transmitted. Thus, in some cases, the UE is scheduled to perform TA 230-a prior to transmission of time slot 250-b and the associated uplink communication 240-b.

[0067] Although the TA 230-a applied by the UE is provided by the BS, in some cases, there may still be some slack or difference in the synchronization timing between the UE and the BS. For example, in some cases, this difference may be caused by the UE applying TA 230-a based on its estimated downlink reception timing, which is not always accurately estimated. Therefore, when the UE implements TA 230-a, the BS may need to re-estimate the uplink timing and adjust the phase of the received symbols accordingly. In other words, when the UE applies TA 230-a on the uplink transmission, the BS may need to re-estimate the uplink timing. Because the timing and phase of uplink communications are highly correlated, the timing changes caused by implementing TA 230-a will result in corresponding phase changes in the uplink communications. Therefore, in Figure 2 In the example of , if uplink communications 240-a and 240-b are bundled communications scheduled to be sent phase-coherently, implementing TA 230-a at scheduled time 260 causes uplink communications 240-a and 240-b to not be phase-coherent and, therefore, prevents the BS from coherently processing consecutive time slots 250-a and 250-b and associated communications 240-a and 240-b. This is true even in the case where the UE is phase-coherently / continuously sending uplink communications 240-a and 240-b. Accordingly, aspects of the present disclosure provide mechanisms for handling uplink bundling and TA scheduling when a TA (e.g., TA 230-a) is scheduled to be implemented by a UE between uplink communications (e.g., uplink communications 240-a and 240-b) that are scheduled to be sent phase-coherently.

[0068] Figure 3 Uplink bundling and timing advance scheduling 300 is shown in accordance with some aspects of the present disclosure. Figure 3 The uplink bundling and timing advance scheduling 300 may be similar to and implemented in Figure 2 Aspects of uplink bundling and timing advance scheduling 200. Figure 3 Uplink bundling and timing advance scheduling 300 illustrates aspects of one or more uplink channels 310 (e.g., physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH), physical uplink control channel (PUCCH), etc.), one or more downlink channels 320 (e.g., physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH), physical downlink control channel (PDCCH), etc.), timing advance (TA) 330, and uplink communications 340 (e.g., PUSCH communications, PUCCH communications, demodulation reference signals (DMRS), sounding reference signals (SRS), etc.). Figure 3 , the x-axis represents time in arbitrary units as shown.

[0069] As shown, TA 330-a is transmitted on downlink channel(s) 320. In some cases, TA 330-a is transmitted in a MAC CE via PDSCH. After receiving TA 330-a, the UE can implement the TA value by adjusting (e.g., delaying or advancing) its transmission timing.

[0070] like Figure 3 As shown, in some cases, TA 330-a is scheduled to be applied by the UE at time 360. In some cases, TA-330a is scheduled to be implemented by the UE in an uplink transmission starting at least a time gap 370 (e.g., T_gap) after the UE receives TA 330-a. In some cases, the length of time gap 370 is based on the UE's TA processing time. Therefore, the time 360 ​​at which the UE is scheduled to implement the TA can be based on when the UE receives TA 330-a from the BS, the time gap 370, the UE's TA processing time, and / or the UE's communication schedule. Figure 3 In the example shown, time gap 370 ends during time slot 350-a during which uplink communication 340-a is transmitted. Thus, in some cases, the UE is scheduled to perform TA 330-a prior to transmission of time slot 350-b and the associated uplink communication 340-b.

[0071] In some cases, the UE determines whether to implement TA 330-a at time 360 ​​or to delay implementation to a later time (e.g., after transmitting uplink communication 340-b). In some cases, the UE determines when to implement TA 330-a based on a configuration. The configuration can be a dynamic configuration received from the BS (e.g., via RRC signaling, MAC CE, DCI, or other means) or a predetermined / preprogrammed configuration stored in a memory of the UE. The configuration can provide one or more rules for the UE to determine when to implement TA 330-a. In this regard, the rules can be based on whether the bundled uplink communications are scheduled phase-coherently, the number of bundled uplink communications, the length of time required for the bundled uplink communications, the magnitude of the TA, one or more other factors, and / or a combination thereof. When implementation is to be delayed from time 360, the configuration can also provide rules for the UE to select the timing for implementing TA 330-a. In this regard, the timing may be based on one or more of uplink to downlink switching, downlink to uplink switching, time gaps between uplink communications, power variations between uplink communications, and / or uplink communications not being phase-coherently scheduled.

[0072] exist Figure 3In the example shown, the UE implements TA 330-a at time 360, as shown by adjustment 380. Note that adjustment 380 shows an amplified delay period simply to illustrate the concept and is not necessarily proportional. It should be understood that adjustment 380 can be an advance or delay of the UE's uplink timing and will be based on the value included in TA 330-a. Implementing TA 330-a at scheduling time 360 ​​can cause uplink communication 340-b to not have phase coherence with uplink communication 340-a. In other words, if the UE applies TA 330-a to uplink communication 340-b, it is not expected that the UE maintains phase coherence between uplink communications 340-a and 340-b. Therefore, in some cases, the BS processes uplink communications 340-a and 340-b separately, rather than processing them coherently together.

[0073] In some cases, the BS determines when TA 330-a is to be implemented by the UE based on received uplink communications 340-a and 340-b, the UE's TA processing capabilities, the UE's implemented configuration, and / or other factors. In some cases, as described above, the timing of the UE's implementation of TA 330-a is based on the configuration. In some cases, the BS utilizes various aspects of the configuration to estimate and / or determine when the UE will implement TA 330-a. In this regard, as described above, Figure 3 As shown in the example of , the BS may determine that the UE will implement TA at time 360 ​​and therefore determine to process uplink communications 340 - a and 340 - b separately.

[0074] Figure 4 Uplink bundling and timing advance scheduling 400 is shown in accordance with some aspects of the present disclosure. Figure 4 The uplink bundling and timing advance scheduling 400 may be similar to and implemented in Figure 2 and Figure 3 Aspects of uplink bundling and timing advance scheduling 200 and 300. Figure 4 Uplink bundling and timing advance scheduling 400 illustrates aspects of one or more uplink channels 410 (e.g., physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH), physical uplink control channel (PUCCH), etc.), one or more downlink channels 420 (e.g., physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH), physical downlink control channel (PDCCH), etc.), timing advance (TA) 430, and uplink communications 440 (e.g., PUSCH communications, PUCCH communications, demodulation reference signals (DMRS), sounding reference signals (SRS), etc.). Figure 4 , the x-axis represents time in arbitrary units as shown.

[0075] As shown, TA 430-a is transmitted on downlink channel 420. In some cases, TA 430-a is transmitted in a MAC CE via PDSCH. After receiving TA 430-a, the UE can implement the TA value by adjusting (e.g., delaying or advancing) its transmission timing.

[0076] like Figure 4 As shown, in some cases, TA 430-a is scheduled to be applied by the UE at time 460-a. In some cases, TA-430a is scheduled to be implemented by the UE starting uplink transmission at least a time gap 470 (e.g., T_gap) after the UE receives TA 430-a. In some cases, the length of time gap 470 is based on the UE's TA processing time. Therefore, the time 460-a at which the UE is scheduled to implement the TA can be based on when the UE receives TA 430-a from the BS, time gap 470, the UE's TA processing time, and / or the UE's communication schedule. Figure 4 In the example shown, time gap 470 ends during time slot 450-a during which uplink communication 440-a is transmitted. Thus, in some cases, the UE is scheduled to perform TA 430-a prior to transmission of time slot 450-b and the associated uplink communication 440-b.

[0077] In some cases, the UE determines whether to implement TA 430-a at time 460-a or to delay implementation to a later time, such as time 460-b. In some cases, the UE determines when to implement TA 430-a based on a configuration. The configuration can be a dynamic configuration received from the BS (e.g., via RRC signaling, MAC CE, DCI, or other means) or a predetermined / preprogrammed configuration stored in a memory of the UE. The configuration may provide one or more rules for the UE to determine when to implement TA 430-a. In this regard, the rules may be based on whether the bundled uplink communications are scheduled phase-coherently, the number of bundled uplink communications, the length of time required for the bundled uplink communications, the magnitude of the TA, one or more other factors, and / or a combination thereof. When implementation is to be delayed from time 460-a, the configuration may also provide rules for the UE to select the timing for implementing TA 430-a. In this regard, time 460-b may be selected based on one or more of uplink to downlink switching, downlink to uplink switching, time gaps between uplink communications, power variations between uplink communications, and / or uplink communications that are not phase-coherently scheduled.

[0078] In some cases, the configuration may specify that the UE should have a certain number (e.g., 2, 3, 4, etc.) of bundled uplink communications scheduled to be phase-coherently sent before implementing TA 430-a. In some cases, the number of bundled uplink communications that are phase-coherently sent may be less than all scheduled bundled uplink communications. As another example, the configuration may indicate that the UE should have any bundled uplink communications scheduled to be phase-coherently sent within a certain time period (e.g., number of time slots, x milliseconds, etc.) before implementing TA 430-a. Again, in some cases, the number of bundled uplink communications in the time period may be less than all scheduled bundled uplink communications. In some cases, the delay in implementing TA 430-a may be based in part on the amplitude of TA 430-a. In this regard, a TA 430-a of smaller amplitude may be allowed a longer delay period for implementation than a TA 430-a of larger amplitude. In some cases, if the magnitude of TA 430-a exceeds a threshold, the UE delays implementation of TA; otherwise, the UE applies TA at 460-a and maintains phase coherence on uplink communications 440-a and 440-b. In some cases, the UE is configured to implement TA 430-a after an uplink-to-downlink handover. In some cases, the UE is configured to implement TA 430-a after a downlink-to-uplink handover. In some cases, the UE is configured to implement TA 430-a when the gap between uplink communications (e.g., time and / or number of slots / subslots) exceeds a threshold. That is, if the gap between two uplink communications is sufficiently large, the UE may implement TA 430-a. In some cases, the UE is configured to implement TA 430-a when there is a power variation between uplink communications. In some cases, the UE is configured to implement TA 430-a between uplink communications when the uplink communications are not scheduled phase-coherently.

[0079] As a result of delaying the implementation of TA 430-a according to any of the techniques discussed above, a time gap 475 may exist between the originally scheduled implementation time 460-a and the actual implementation time 460-b. In some cases, time gap 475 may be a fixed and / or predetermined amount of time and operate in a similar manner to time gap 470. That is, the UE may implement TA 430-a after the end of time gap 475 following the scheduled time 460-a. In some cases, time gap 470 and / or time gap 475 are implemented by the UE using a timer.

[0080] exist Figure 4In the illustrated example, the UE determines to delay the implementation of TA 430-a from time 460-a to time 460-b. Consequently, in some cases, uplink communication 440-b is transmitted before TA 430-a is implemented. In this regard, as a result of delaying the implementation of TA 430-a until after uplink communication 440-b is transmitted, uplink communication 440-b can be transmitted phase-coherently with uplink communication 440-a. Consequently, due to the phase continuity, a BS receiving uplink communications 440-a and 440-b can jointly process uplink communications 440-a and 440-b, rather than processing them separately.

[0081] In some cases, the BS determines when TA 430-a is to be implemented by the UE based on received uplink communications 440-a and 440-b, the UE's TA processing capabilities, a configuration implemented by the UE, and / or other factors. In some cases, as described above, the timing of implementation of TA 430-a by the UE is based on a configuration. In some cases, the BS utilizes aspects of the configuration to estimate and / or determine when the UE will implement TA 430-a. In this regard, as described above, Figure 4 As shown in the example of , the BS may determine that the UE will implement TA 430 - a at time 460 - b and, therefore, determine to jointly process uplink communications 440 - a and 440 - b.

[0082] Figure 5 Uplink bundling and timing advance scheduling 500 is shown in accordance with some aspects of the present disclosure. Figure 5 The uplink bundling and timing advance scheduling 500 may be similar to and implemented in Figure 2-Figure 4 Aspects of uplink bundling and timing advance scheduling 200, 300 and 400. Figure 5 Uplink bundling and timing advance scheduling 500 illustrates aspects of one or more uplink channels 510 (e.g., physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH), physical uplink control channel (PUCCH), etc.), one or more downlink channels 520 (e.g., physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH), physical downlink control channel (PDCCH), etc.), timing advance (TA) 530, and uplink communications 540 (e.g., PUSCH communications, PUCCH communications, demodulation reference signals (DMRS), sounding reference signals (SRS), etc.). Figure 5 , the x-axis represents time in arbitrary units as shown.

[0083] As shown, TA 530-a is transmitted on downlink channel(s) 520. In some cases, TA 530-a is transmitted in a MAC CE via PDSCH. After receiving TA 530-a, the UE can implement the TA value by adjusting (e.g., delaying or advancing) its transmission timing.

[0084] like Figure 5 As shown, in some cases, TA 530-a is scheduled to be applied by the UE at time 560-a. In some cases, TA-530a is scheduled to be implemented by the UE starting uplink transmission at least a time gap 570 (e.g., T_gap) after the UE receives TA 530-a. In some cases, the length of time gap 570 is based on the UE's TA processing time. Therefore, the time 560-a at which the UE is scheduled to implement the TA can be based on when the UE receives TA 530-a from the BS, the time gap 570, the UE's TA processing time, and / or the UE's communication schedule. Figure 5 In the example shown, time gap 570 ends during time slot 550-a during which uplink communication 540-a is transmitted. Thus, in some cases, the UE is scheduled to perform TA 530-a prior to transmission of time slot 550-b and the associated uplink communication 540-b.

[0085] In some cases, the UE determines whether to implement TA 530-a at time 560-a or to delay the implementation to a later time, such as time 560-b. ... Figure 3 and Figure 4 The configuration in question determines when to implement TA 530-a. In this regard, the configuration may provide one or more rules for the UE to determine when to implement TA 530-a. In this regard, the rules may be based on whether the bundled uplink communications are scheduled in a phase-coherent manner, the number of bundled uplink communications, the length of time required for the bundled uplink communications, the magnitude of the TA, one or more other factors, and / or combinations thereof. When implementation is to be delayed from time 560-a, the configuration may also provide the UE with rules for selecting the timing for implementing TA 530-a. In this regard, the time 560-b may be selected based on one or more of an uplink to downlink switch, a downlink to uplink switch, a time gap between uplink communications, a power change between uplink communications, and / or uplink communications that are not scheduled in a phase-coherent manner.

[0086] Figure 5Some examples of how time 560-b may be selected according to the present disclosure are shown. For example, in some cases, the UE may be configured to phase-coherently transmit a specific number (e.g., 2, 3, 4, etc.) of scheduled bundled uplink communications before implementing TA 530-a. The number of bundled uplink communications that are phase-coherently transmitted may be all or less than all scheduled bundled uplink communications. For example, at Figure 5 In the embodiment of the present invention, the UE may be configured to transmit uplink communications 540-a and 540-b phase-coherently before implementing TA 530-a.

[0087] As another example, the UE may be configured to phase-coherently transmit any bundled uplink communications scheduled within a certain time period (e.g., number of time slots, x milliseconds, etc.) before implementing TA 530-a. Again, in some cases, the number of bundled uplink communications in the time period may be less than all scheduled bundled uplink communications. For example, Figure 5 In some embodiments, the UE may be configured to transmit uplink communications 540-a and 540-b in phase coherence during an allocated time period and then implement TA 530-a. In some cases, the UE may be configured to determine an allowable amount of delay for implementing TA 530-a based on the magnitude of TA 530-a. In this regard, a smaller magnitude of TA 530-a may be allowed a longer delay period for implementation than a larger magnitude of TA 530-a. In some cases, if the magnitude of TA 530-a is above a threshold, the UE delays implementation of TA 530-a; otherwise, the UE applies TA 530-a at 560-a and maintains phase coherence on uplink communications 540-a and 540-b.

[0088] In some cases, the UE may be configured to implement TA 530-a after an uplink to downlink switch. Figure 5 In the embodiment of the present invention, the UE may be configured to implement TA 530-a after switching from uplink timeslot 550-b to downlink timeslot 550-c. Thus, the UE may implement TA 530-a before the next uplink communication (e.g., uplink communication 540-d) and / or uplink timeslot (e.g., timeslot 550-d) after the uplink-to-downlink switch.

[0089] In some cases, the UE may be configured to implement TA 530-a after a downlink to uplink switch. Figure 5In the embodiment of the present invention, the UE may be configured to implement TA 530-a after switching from downlink timeslot 550-c to uplink timeslot 550-d. Thus, the UE may implement TA 530-a before the next uplink communication (e.g., uplink communication 540-d) and / or uplink timeslot (e.g., timeslot 550-d) after the downlink-to-uplink switch.

[0090] In some cases, the UE may be configured to implement TA 530-a when the gap between uplink communications (e.g., time and / or number of slots / subslots) exceeds a threshold. That is, if the gap between two uplink communications is large enough, the UE may implement TA 530-a. For example, Figure 5 , the UE may be configured to implement TA 530 - a between uplink communications 540 - b and 540 - d because the gap meets a threshold (eg, 1 slot), while the gap between uplink communications 540 - a and 540 - b does not meet the threshold.

[0091] In some cases, the UE may be configured to implement TA 530-a when there are power variations between uplink communications. Figure 5 In the embodiment, the UE may be configured to implement TA 530-a between uplink communications 540-b and 540-d due to power variations or differences between uplink communications 540-b and 540-d, while uplink communications 540-a and 540-b may be transmitted using the same power level.

[0092] In some cases, the UE may be configured to implement TA 530-a between uplink communications when the uplink communications are not scheduled phase-coherently. Figure 5 In the embodiment, the UE may be configured to implement TA 530-a between uplink communications 540-b and 540-d because uplink communications 540-b and 540-d are not phase-coherently scheduled, while uplink communications 540-a and 540-b may be phase-coherently scheduled.

[0093] As a result of delaying the implementation of TA 530-a according to any of the techniques discussed above, a time gap 575 may exist between the originally scheduled implementation time 560-a and the actual implementation time 560-b. In some cases, time gap 575 may be a fixed and / or predetermined amount of time and operate in a similar manner to time gap 570. That is, the UE may implement TA 530-a after the end of time gap 575 after the scheduled time 560-a. In some cases, time gap 570 and / or time gap 575 are implemented by the UE using a timer.

[0094] exist Figure 5 In the illustrated example, the UE determines to delay implementation of TA 530-a from time 560-a to time 560-b. Consequently, in some cases, uplink communication 540-b is transmitted before implementation of TA 530-a. In this regard, as a result of delaying implementation of TA 530-a until after uplink communication 540-b is transmitted, uplink communication 540-b can be transmitted phase-coherently with uplink communication 540-a. Consequently, due to the phase continuity, a BS receiving uplink communications 540-a and 540-b can jointly process uplink communications 540-a and 540-b, rather than processing them separately.

[0095] In some cases, the BS determines when TA 530-a is to be implemented by the UE based on received uplink communications 540-a and 540-b, the UE's TA processing capabilities, configuration implemented by the UE, and / or other factors. In some cases, as described above, the timing of implementation of TA 530-a by the UE is based on the configuration. In some cases, the BS utilizes aspects of the configuration to estimate and / or determine when the UE will implement TA 530-a. In this regard, as described above, Figure 5 As shown in the example of , the BS may determine that the UE will implement TA 530 - a at time 560 - b and, therefore, determine to jointly process uplink communications 540 - a and 540 - b .

[0096] Figure 6 A signal diagram 600 illustrating uplink bundling and timing advance communication according to some aspects of the present disclosure is shown. Aspects of the signal diagram 600 may be used to Figure 2-Figure 5 Uplink bundling and timing advance scheduling of 200, 300, 400 and 500.

[0097] At 605, BS 105 sends a timing advance configuration to UE 115. In some cases, the timing advance configuration is a dynamic configuration determined by the BS. The timing advance configuration can be sent to UE 115 via RRC signaling, MAC CE, DCI, or other suitable communications. In some cases, BS 105 does not send the timing advance configuration to UE 115. For example, in some cases, the configuration can be a predetermined / preprogrammed configuration stored in a memory of the UE. According to the present disclosure, at 605, the timing advance configuration can indicate when to delay the implementation of the TA. At this point, the timing advance configuration can provide one or more rules for determining when to implement the TA. At this point, the configuration can be based on whether the bundled uplink communications are scheduled phase-coherently, the number of bundled uplink communications, the length of time required for the bundled uplink communications, the amplitude of the TA, one or more other factors, and / or a combination thereof. In addition, at 605, the configuration can provide one or more rules for determining the timing of implementing the TA when the TA implementation will be delayed. In this regard, the timing of the delayed implementation may be based on one or more of an uplink to downlink switch, a downlink to uplink switch, a time gap between the second uplink communication and the third uplink communication, a power variation between the second uplink communication and the third uplink communication, and / or the third uplink communication not being scheduled phase-coherently with the first uplink communication and / or the second uplink communication.

[0098] At 610, BS 105 may schedule uplink communications for UE 115. In this regard, BS 105 may allocate resources to UE 115 for use by UE 115 in transmitting uplink communications. The allocated resources may include time and frequency resources, which UE 115 may use for any suitable communications, including but not limited to DMRS, SRS, PUCCH, PUSCH, and other uplink communications. At 615, BS 105 may indicate the resources allocated to UE 115 via an uplink grant.

[0099] At 620, the BS 105 sends a timing advance (TA) to the UE 115. In some cases, the TA is sent at 620 via a medium access control element (MAC CE) communication (e.g., via the PDSCH) or other suitable communication. As described above, in some cases, the TA is scheduled to be implemented by the UE at a time after the start of a first uplink communication of a group of phase-coherently scheduled bundled uplink communications, but before the start of a second uplink communication of the group of bundled uplink communications (e.g., see Figure 2-Figure 5In some cases, the time at which the UE is scheduled to perform TA is based on when the UE receives the TA from the BS, the UE's TA processing time, and / or the UE's communication schedule. In some cases, the UE may send a capability report indicating the UE's TA processing time to the BS and / or other information that allows the BS to determine when the UE will be scheduled to perform TA based on when the BS sends the TA to the UE.

[0100] At 625, the UE 115 processes the TA. In some cases, the UE processes the TA to determine a TA value and / or when to implement the TA. In this regard, the UE may determine whether to implement the TA at a first time or at a second time, the second time being after the transmission of the second uplink communication. In some cases, according to the present disclosure, the UE determines whether to implement the TA at the originally scheduled time or to delay implementation to a later time (e.g., see Figure 2-Figure 5 ).

[0101] At 630, the UE 115 implements the TA based on the processing of the TA at 625. In this regard, the UE 115 may implement the TA at an appropriate time relative to the uplink communications 640-a, 640-b, and / or 640-c. In some cases, two or more of the uplink communications 640-a, 640-b, and / or 640-c are bundled and scheduled to be transmitted phase-coherently. The uplink communications 640-a, 640-b, and / or 640-c may include at least one of a demodulation reference signal (DMRS), a sounding reference signal (SRS), a physical uplink control channel (PUCCH) communication, a physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH) communication, and / or another uplink communication. In some cases, the uplink communications 640-a, 640-b, and / or 640-c may each be the same type of uplink communication (e.g., DMRS, SRS, etc.). In some cases, at least one of the uplink communications 640-a, 640-b, and / or 640-c comprises a different type of uplink communication than one of the other uplink communications 640-a, 640-b, and / or 640-c.

[0102] In some cases, at step 630, UE 115 determines to implement TA at an initial scheduled time between uplink communication 640-a and uplink communication 640-b (eg, see Figure 3). Thus, in some cases, uplink communication 640-b is transmitted by UE 115 after TA is implemented. In this regard, uplink communication 640-b may be transmitted without phase coherence with uplink communication 640-a. Thus, even if uplink communications 640-a and 640-b were originally scheduled to be transmitted phase coherently, BS 105 may process uplink communications 640-a and 640-b separately at 650 rather than jointly.

[0103] In some cases, at step 630, UE 115 determines to delay implementation of the TA from the initial scheduled time between uplink communication 640-a and uplink communication 640-b to a later time (e.g., see Figure 4 and Figure 5 ). Thus, in some cases, uplink communication 640-b is sent by UE 115 before implementing TA. In this regard, as a result of delaying implementation of TA until after uplink communication 640-b is sent, uplink communication 640-b can be sent phase-coherently with uplink communication 640-a. Thus, at 650, BS 105 can jointly process uplink communications 640-a and 640-b, rather than processing them separately.

[0104] Figure 7 is a block diagram of an exemplary UE 700 according to aspects of the present disclosure. UE 700 may be the Figure 1 15 discussed in . As shown, UE 700 may include a processor 702, a memory 704, an uplink scheduling and control module 708, a transceiver 710 including a modem subsystem 712 and a radio frequency (RF) unit 714, and one or more antennas 716. These elements may communicate with each other, directly or indirectly, for example, via one or more buses.

[0105] The processor 702 may include a central processing unit (CPU), a digital signal processor (DSP), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a controller, a field programmable gate array (FPGA) device, another hardware device, a firmware device, or any combination thereof configured to perform the operations described herein. The processor 702 may also be implemented as a combination of computing devices, for example, a combination of a DSP and a microprocessor, multiple microprocessors, one or more microprocessors in conjunction with a DSP core, or any other such configuration.

[0106] Memory 704 may include cache memory (e.g., cache memory of processor 702), random access memory (RAM), magnetoresistive RAM (MRAM), read-only memory (ROM), programmable read-only memory (PROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), flash memory, a solid-state memory device, a hard drive, other forms of volatile and non-volatile memory, or a combination of different types of memory. In one embodiment, memory 704 includes a non-transitory computer-readable medium. Memory 704 may store or have recorded thereon instructions 706. Instructions 706 may include instructions that, when executed by processor 702, cause processor 702 to perform operations in conjunction with aspects of the present disclosure (e.g., Figure 3-Figure 6 and Figure 9 Instructions 706 may also be referred to as program code. The program code may be used to cause the wireless communication device (or specific component(s) of the wireless communication device) to perform these operations, for example, by causing one or more processors (such as processor 702) to control or command the wireless communication device (or specific component(s) of the wireless communication device) to do so. The terms "instructions" and "code" should be broadly interpreted to include any type of computer-readable statement(s). For example, the terms "instructions" and "code" may refer to one or more programs, routines, subroutines, functions, procedures, and the like. "Instructions" and "code" may comprise a single computer-readable statement or multiple computer-readable statements.

[0107] The uplink scheduling and control module 708 can be implemented via hardware, software, or a combination thereof. For example, the uplink scheduling and control module 708 can be implemented as a processor, circuitry, and / or instructions 706 stored in the memory 704 and executed by the processor 702. In some examples, the uplink scheduling and control module 708 can be integrated into the modem subsystem 712. For example, the uplink scheduling and control module 708 can be implemented by a combination of software components (e.g., executed by a DSP or general-purpose processor) and hardware components (e.g., logic gates and circuits) within the modem subsystem 712.

[0108] The uplink scheduling and control module 708 may be used in various aspects of the present disclosure, for example, Figure 3-Figure 6 and Figure 9The uplink scheduling and control module 708 is configured to communicate with other components of the UE 700 to receive a TA configuration, process the TA configuration, receive a TA, receive a MAC CE, determine when to implement a TA, implement a TA, send uplink communications (e.g., DMRS, SRS, PUCCH, PUSCH, etc.), perform PDCCH monitoring, perform PDSCH monitoring, determine whether a timer has expired, cancel a timer, determine whether a condition has occurred or is satisfied, and / or perform other functions related to uplink bundling and TA configuration of the UE and associated wireless communication technologies described in the present disclosure.

[0109] As shown, transceiver 710 may include a modem subsystem 712 and an RF unit 714. Transceiver 710 may be configured to communicate bidirectionally with other devices, such as BS 105. Modem subsystem 712 may be configured to modulate and / or encode data from memory 704 and / or uplink scheduling and control module 708 according to a modulation and coding scheme (MCS) (e.g., a low-density parity-check (LDPC) coding scheme, a turbo coding scheme, a convolutional coding scheme, a digital beamforming scheme, etc.). RF unit 714 may be configured to process (e.g., perform analog-to-digital conversion or digital-to-analog conversion, etc.) the modulated / coded data (e.g., UL control information, UL data) from modem subsystem 712 (on outbound transmissions) or a transmission originating from another source, such as UE 115 or BS 105. RF unit 714 may also be configured to perform analog beamforming in conjunction with digital beamforming. Although shown as integrated together in the transceiver 710, the modem subsystem 712 and the RF unit 714 may be separate devices that are coupled together at the UE 115 to enable the UE 115 to communicate with other devices.

[0110] RF unit 714 can provide modulated and / or processed data (e.g., data packets, or more generally, data messages that may include one or more data packets and other information) to antenna 716 for transmission to one or more other devices. Antenna 716 can also receive data messages sent from other devices. Antenna 716 can provide received data messages for processing and / or demodulation at transceiver 710. Transceiver 710 can provide demodulated and decoded data (e.g., PDCCH signals, radio resource control (RRC) signals, media access control (MAC) control element (CE) signals, DCI, PDSCH signals, DL / UL scheduling grants, DL data, etc.) to uplink scheduling and control module 708 for processing. Antenna 716 can include multiple antennas of similar or different designs to maintain multiple transmission links. RF unit 714 can configure antenna 716. RF unit 714 and / or transceiver 710 can include components and / or circuits that can be dynamically powered on and / or off to conserve power. Additionally or alternatively, the RF unit 714 and / or the transceiver 710 may include components and / or circuits having multiple power states, which may be configured to transition from one power state (e.g., a higher power state) to another power state (e.g., a lower power state) to save power.

[0111] In one embodiment, the UE 700 may include multiple transceivers 710 that implement different RATs (e.g., NR and LTE). In one embodiment, the UE 700 may include a single transceiver 710 that implements multiple RATs (e.g., NR and LTE). In one embodiment, the transceiver 710 may include various components, where different combinations of components may implement different RATs.

[0112] Figure 8 is a block diagram of an exemplary BS 800 according to aspects of the present disclosure. BS 800 may be the Figure 1 As shown, BS 800 may include a processor 802, a memory 804, an uplink scheduling and control module 808, a transceiver 810 including a modem subsystem 812 and an RF unit 814, and one or more antennas 816. These elements may communicate with each other directly or indirectly, for example, via one or more buses.

[0113] The processor 802 may have various characteristics as a particular type of processor. For example, these may include a CPU, a DSP, an ASIC, a controller, an FPGA device, another hardware device, a firmware device, or any combination thereof configured to perform the operations described herein. The processor 802 may also be implemented as a combination of computing devices, such as a combination of a DSP and a microprocessor, multiple microprocessors, one or more microprocessors in combination with a DSP core, or any other such configuration.

[0114] Memory 804 may include cache memory (e.g., cache memory of processor 802), RAM, MRAM, ROM, PROM, EPROM, EEPROM, flash memory, solid-state storage devices, one or more hard disk drives, memristor-based arrays, other forms of volatile and non-volatile memory, or a combination of different types of memory. In some cases, memory 804 may include non-transitory computer-readable media. Memory 804 may store instructions 806. Instructions 806 may include instructions that, when executed by processor 802, cause processor 802 to perform the operations described herein, for example, Figure 3-Figure 6 and Figure 10 Instructions 806 may also be referred to as code, which may be broadly interpreted to include any type of computer-readable statement(s) as described above.

[0115] The uplink scheduling and control module 808 can be implemented via hardware, software, or a combination thereof. For example, the uplink scheduling and control module 808 can be implemented as a processor, circuitry, and / or instructions 806 stored in the memory 804 and executed by the processor 802. In some examples, the uplink scheduling and control module 808 can be integrated into the modem subsystem 812. For example, the uplink scheduling and control module 808 can be implemented by a combination of software components (e.g., executed by a DSP or general-purpose processor) and hardware components (e.g., logic gates and circuits) within the modem subsystem 812.

[0116] The uplink scheduling and control module 808 may be used in various aspects of the present disclosure, for example, Figure 3-Figure 6 and Figure 10The uplink scheduling and control module 808 may be configured to determine a TA configuration for one or more UEs, send a TA configuration to one or more UEs, perform uplink scheduling for one or more UEs, generate a TA for one or more UEs, send a TA to one or more UEs, send a MAC CE, send a PDCCH communication, send a PDSCH communication, determine when a UE has or is about to implement a TA, monitor uplink communications (e.g., DMRS, SRS, PUCCH, PUSCH, etc.), process uplink communications (individually or jointly), determine whether a timer has expired, cancel a timer, determine whether a condition has occurred or is met, and / or perform other functions related to uplink bundling and TA configuration of a base station and associated wireless communication technologies as described in the present disclosure.

[0117] As shown, transceiver 810 may include a modem subsystem 812 and an RF unit 814. Transceiver 810 may be configured to communicate bidirectionally with other devices, such as UE 115 and / or 700 and / or another core network element. Modem subsystem 812 may be configured to modulate and / or encode data according to an MCS (e.g., an LDPC coding scheme, a turbo coding scheme, a convolutional coding scheme, a digital beamforming scheme, etc.). RF unit 814 may be configured to process (e.g., perform analog-to-digital conversion or digital-to-analog conversion, etc.) modulated / coded data (e.g., a PDCCH signal, an RRC signal, a MAC CE signal, a DCI signal, a PDSCH signal, etc.) or a transmission originating from another source (e.g., UE 115 or UE 700). RF unit 814 may also be configured to perform analog beamforming in conjunction with digital beamforming. Although shown as integrated together in transceiver 810, modem subsystem 812 and / or RF unit 814 may be separate devices coupled together at BS 105 to enable BS 105 to communicate with other devices.

[0118] The RF unit 814 can provide modulated and / or processed data (e.g., data packets, or more generally, data messages that can include one or more data packets and other information) to the antenna 816 for transmission to one or more other devices. According to aspects of the present disclosure, this can include, for example, transmitting information to the UE 115 or the UE 700. The antenna 816 can also receive data messages sent from other devices and provide the received data messages for processing and / or demodulation at the transceiver 810. The transceiver 810 can provide demodulated and decoded data (e.g., RACH message(s), ACK / NACK for PDCCH signals, UL data, ACK / NACK for DL ​​data, etc.) to the uplink scheduling and control module 808 for processing. The antenna 816 can include multiple antennas of similar or different designs to maintain multiple transmission links.

[0119] In one embodiment, the BS 800 may include multiple transceivers 810 that implement different RATs (e.g., NR and LTE). In one embodiment, the BS 800 may include a single transceiver 810 that implements multiple RATs (e.g., NR and LTE). In one embodiment, the transceiver 810 may include various components, where different combinations of components may implement different RATs.

[0120] Figure 9 900 is a flow chart of a communication method 900 according to some aspects of the present disclosure. Aspects of method 900 may be performed by a wireless communication device, such as UE 115 and / or UE 700, utilizing one or more components, such as processor 702, memory 704, uplink scheduling and control module 708, transceiver 710, modem 712, one or more antennas 716, and various combinations thereof. As shown, method 900 includes many of the enumerated steps, but method 900 may include additional steps before, after, and between the enumerated steps. For example, in some cases, one or more aspects of uplink bundling and timing advance scheduling 200, 300, 400, and / or 500 and / or signaling diagram 600 may be implemented as part of method 900. In some cases, one or more of the enumerated steps may be omitted or performed in a different order.

[0121] At step 910, method 900 includes the UE receiving a timing advance (TA) from the BS. In some cases, the TA is received via a medium access control element (MAC CE) communication (e.g., via the PDSCH) or other suitable communication from the BS. In some cases, the TA is scheduled to be implemented by the UE after a first uplink communication of a group of phase-coherently scheduled bundled uplink communications begins, but before a second uplink communication of the group of bundled uplink communications begins (e.g., see Figure 2-Figure 5 In some cases, the time at which the UE is scheduled to perform TA is based on when the UE receives the TA from the BS, the UE's TA processing time, and / or the UE's communication schedule. In some cases, the UE may send a capability report indicating the UE's TA processing time to the BS and / or other information that allows the BS to determine when the UE will be scheduled to perform TA based on when the BS sends the TA to the UE.

[0122] The first uplink communication may include at least one of a demodulation reference signal (DMRS), a sounding reference signal (SRS), a physical uplink control channel (PUCCH) communication, a physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH) communication, and / or another uplink communication. The second uplink communication may include at least one of a DMRS, an SRS, a PUCCH communication, a PUSCH communication, and / or another uplink communication. In some cases, the first uplink communication and the second uplink communication are uplink communications of the same type (e.g., DMRS and DMRS, SRS and SRS, etc.). In some cases, the first uplink communication and the second uplink communication are uplink communications of different types (e.g., DMRS and SRS, DMRS and PUSCH communication, SRS and PUCCH communication, PUCCH communication and PUSCH communication, etc.). Therefore, the phase-coherently scheduled bundled uplink communications may include uplink communications of the same and / or different types.

[0123] At step 920, method 900 includes the UE determining whether to implement the TA at a first time or a second time, the second time being after the transmission of the second uplink communication. In some cases, the UE determines whether to implement the TA at the first time or the second time based on a configuration. The configuration may be a dynamic configuration received from the base station (e.g., via RRC signaling, MAC CE, DCI, or other configuration), or a predetermined / preprogrammed configuration stored in a memory of the UE. In this regard, method 900 may include the UE receiving a configuration from the base station indicating when to delay implementation of the TA from the first time to the second time. The configuration may provide one or more rules for the UE to determine when to implement the TA at the first time and when to delay implementation of the TA to the second time. In this regard, these rules may be based on whether the bundled uplink communications are scheduled phase-coherently, the number of bundled uplink communications, the length of time required for the bundled uplink communications, the magnitude of the TA (e.g., if the TA has a magnitude greater than a threshold, then the TA is implemented at the first time), one or more other factors, and / or a combination thereof.

[0124] In addition, when TA implementation is to be delayed, the configuration can provide the UE with rules for selecting the timing of the second time. In this regard, the timing of the second time can be based on one or more of an uplink-to-downlink handover, a downlink-to-uplink handover, a time gap between the second uplink communication and the third uplink communication, a power change between the second uplink communication and the third uplink communication, and / or the third uplink communication not being scheduled phase-coherently with the first uplink communication and / or the second uplink communication.

[0125] At step 930, method 900 includes the UE implementing TA based on the determination. In this regard, the UE may implement TA at a first time or delay implementation of TA to a later time (e.g., a second time). When the UE implements TA, the UE adjusts its transmission timing based on the TA received from the BS. In this regard, implementing TA helps ensure synchronization between the UE and the BS and, as a result, ensures that the UE's uplink communications are successfully received by the BS.

[0126] In some cases, method 900 includes determining to implement TA at a first time at step 920, and implementing TA at the first time at step 930. Thus, in some cases, the second uplink communication is sent after implementing TA. In this regard, as a result of implementing TA before sending the second uplink communication, the second uplink communication can be sent without phase coherence with the first uplink communication. Thus, a BS receiving the first uplink communication and the second uplink communication can process the first uplink communication and the second uplink communication separately, rather than jointly.

[0127] In some cases, method 900 includes the UE determining, at step 920, to implement TA at the second time, and implementing TA at the second time at step 930. Thus, in some cases, the second uplink communication is sent before implementing TA. In this regard, as a result of implementing TA after sending the second uplink communication, the second uplink communication can be sent phase-coherently with the first uplink communication. Thus, a BS receiving the first and second uplink communications can jointly process the first and second uplink communications, rather than separately.

[0128] In some cases, method 900 includes the UE determining timing for a second time. For example, the timing for the second time can be based on one or more of an uplink-to-downlink handover, a downlink-to-uplink handover, a time gap between the second uplink communication and the third uplink communication, a power change between the second uplink communication and the third uplink communication, and / or whether the third uplink communication is scheduled phase-coherently with the first uplink communication and / or the second uplink communication. In this regard, the UE can determine to implement TA after an uplink-to-downlink handover occurs, after a downlink-to-uplink handover occurs, when the time gap between the second uplink communication and the third uplink communication meets a threshold amount, when there is a power change between the second uplink communication and the third uplink communication, and / or before the third uplink communication when the third uplink communication is not scheduled phase-coherently with the first uplink communication and / or the second uplink communication. In some cases, the UE implements TA before the uplink transmission after one or more of these events occur. That is, upon the occurrence of one or more of these events, the UE may delay implementing TA until closer in time to when the UE is scheduled to send uplink communications.

[0129] Figure 10 800, utilizing one or more components, such as a processor 802, a memory 804, an uplink scheduling and control module 808, a transceiver 810, a modem 812, one or more antennas 816, and various combinations thereof. As shown, method 1000 includes many of the enumerated steps, but method 1000 may include additional steps before, after, and between the enumerated steps. For example, in some cases, one or more aspects of uplink bundling and timing advance scheduling 200, 300, 400, and / or 500 and / or signaling diagram 600 may be implemented as part of method 1000. In some cases, one or more of the enumerated steps may be omitted or performed in a different order.

[0130] At step 1010, method 1000 includes the BS sending a timing advance (TA) to the UE. In some cases, the TA is sent to the UE via a medium access control element (MAC CE) communication (e.g., via the PDSCH) or other suitable communication. In some cases, the TA is scheduled to be implemented by the UE after a first uplink communication of a group of phase-coherently scheduled bundled uplink communications begins and before a second uplink communication of the group of bundled uplink communications begins (e.g., see Figure 2-Figure 5In some cases, the time at which the UE is scheduled to perform TA is based on when the UE receives the TA from the BS, the UE's TA processing time, and / or the UE's communication schedule. In some cases, the BS may receive a capability report from the UE indicating the UE's TA processing time and / or other information that allows the BS to determine when the UE will be scheduled to perform TA based on when the BS sends the TA to the UE.

[0131] At step 1020, method 1000 includes the BS receiving a first uplink communication from the UE. The first uplink communication may include at least one of a demodulation reference signal (DMRS), a sounding reference signal (SRS), a physical uplink control channel (PUCCH) communication, a physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH) communication, and / or another uplink communication.

[0132] At step 1030, method 1000 includes the BS receiving a second uplink communication from the UE. The second uplink communication may include at least one of a DMRS, an SRS, a PUCCH communication, a PUSCH communication, and / or another uplink communication.

[0133] In some cases, the first uplink communication and the second uplink communication are uplink communications of the same type (e.g., DMRS and DMRS, SRS and SRS, etc.). In some cases, the first uplink communication and the second uplink communication are uplink communications of different types (e.g., DMRS and SRS, DMRS and PUSCH communication, SRS and PUCCH communication, PUCCH communication and PUSCH communication, etc.). Therefore, the phase-coherently scheduled bundled uplink communications may include uplink communications of the same and / or different types.

[0134] At step 1040, method 1000 includes the base station processing the first uplink communication and the second uplink communication based on when the UE implements TA. In some cases, the base station determines when the UE implements TA based on the received first and second uplink communication signals, the UE's TA processing capabilities, a configuration implemented by the UE, and / or other factors. In some cases, the timing of implementing TA is based on a configuration. The configuration can be a dynamic configuration determined by the base station and sent to the UE (e.g., via RRC signaling, MAC CE, DCI, or other means), or a predetermined / preprogrammed configuration stored in memory of the base station and / or the UE. In this regard, method 1000 can include the base station sending a configuration to the UE indicating when to delay implementing TA from the first time to the second time.

[0135] The configuration may provide one or more rules for determining when to implement TA at a first time and when to delay implementation of TA to a second time. In this regard, the rules may be based on whether the bundled uplink communications are scheduled phase-coherently, the number of bundled uplink communications, the length of time required for the bundled uplink communications, the magnitude of the TA (e.g., if the TA has a magnitude greater than a threshold, then the TA is implemented at the first time), one or more other factors, and / or combinations thereof. Additionally, the configuration may provide rules for selecting a timing for implementing TA when TA implementation is to be delayed. In this regard, the timing of TA implementation may be based on one or more of an uplink-to-downlink switch, a downlink-to-uplink switch, a time gap between the second uplink communication and the third uplink communication, a power change between the second uplink communication and the third uplink communication, and / or the third uplink communication not being scheduled phase-coherently with the first uplink communication and / or the second uplink communication.

[0136] In some cases, the BS utilizes aspects of this configuration to estimate and / or determine when the UE will implement TA. For example, the BS may determine that the UE will implement TA before the third uplink communication after an uplink-to-downlink handover occurs, after a downlink-to-uplink handover occurs, when a time gap between the second uplink communication and the third uplink communication satisfies a threshold amount, when there is a power variation between the second uplink communication and the third uplink communication, and / or when the third uplink communication is not scheduled phase-coherently with the first uplink communication and / or the second uplink communication. In some cases, the BS estimates and / or determines that the UE will implement TA before an uplink transmission after one or more of these events occur. That is, when the BS estimates and / or determines that one or more of these events occur, the UE may delay implementing TA until closer in time to when the UE is scheduled to transmit an uplink communication.

[0137] In some cases, the UE implements TA at the first time. Therefore, in some cases, the second uplink communication is sent after the UE has implemented TA. In this regard, at step 1030, the BS may receive the second uplink communication without phase coherence with the first uplink communication. Therefore, at step 1040, the BS may process the first uplink communication and the second uplink communication separately, rather than jointly.

[0138] In some cases, the UE implements TA at the second time. Therefore, in some cases, the second uplink communication is sent by the UE before implementing TA. In this regard, in step 1030, as a result of the UE implementing TA after sending the second uplink communication, the second uplink communication can be received by the BS in a phase-coherent manner with the first uplink communication. Therefore, in step 1040, the BS can jointly process the first uplink communication and the second uplink communication, rather than processing them separately.

[0139] Other aspects of the present disclosure include the following:

[0140] 1. A wireless communication method performed by a user equipment, the method comprising:

[0141] receiving a timing advance (TA) from a base station, wherein the TA is scheduled to be implemented by the user equipment at a first time, the first time being after a start of a first uplink communication of a group of phase-coherently scheduled bundled uplink communications and before a start of a second uplink communication of the group of bundled uplink communications;

[0142] determining whether to implement the TA at a first time or a second time, the second time being after the transmission of the second uplink communication; and

[0143] TA is implemented based on the determination.

[0144] 2. The method according to clause 1, wherein:

[0145] Determining whether to implement the TA at a first time or a second time includes determining to implement the TA at a first time; and

[0146] Implementing TA includes implementing TA in the first place.

[0147] 3. The method according to clause 2, further comprising:

[0148] After implementing the TA, a second uplink communication is sent.

[0149] 4. The method of clause 3, wherein transmitting the second uplink communication comprises transmitting the second uplink communication non-phase-coherently with the first uplink communication.

[0150] 5. A method according to any one of clauses 1 to 4, wherein:

[0151] The first uplink communication includes at least one of a first demodulation reference signal (DMRS) or a first sounding reference signal (SRS); and

[0152] The second uplink communication includes at least one of a second DMRS or a second SRS.

[0153] 6. A method according to any one of clauses 1 to 5, wherein:

[0154] The first uplink communication includes at least one of a first physical uplink control channel (PUCCH) communication or a first physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH) communication; and

[0155] The second uplink communication includes at least one of a second PUCCH communication or a second PUSCH communication.

[0156] 7. A method according to any one of clauses 1, 5 or 6, wherein:

[0157] Determining whether to implement the TA at the first time or the second time includes determining to implement the TA at the second time; and

[0158] Implementing the TA includes implementing the TA at a second time.

[0159] 8. The method according to clause 7, further comprising:

[0160] The second uplink communication is sent before implementing the TA.

[0161] 9. The method of clause 8, wherein transmitting the second uplink communication comprises transmitting the second uplink communication phase-coherently with the first uplink communication.

[0162] 10. The method according to clause 7, further comprising:

[0163] The timing of the second time is determined based on at least one of an uplink-to-downlink switch, a downlink-to-uplink switch, a time gap between the second uplink communication and the third uplink communication, or a power change between the second uplink communication and the third uplink communication.

[0164] 11. The method of clause 7, wherein determining to implement TA at the second time is based on determining that the first uplink communication and the second uplink communication are scheduled phase-coherently.

[0165] 12. The method of clause 11, wherein determining to implement the TA at the second time is based on determining that the third uplink communication is not scheduled phase-coherently with the first uplink communication or the second uplink communication.

[0166] 13. A method according to any one of clauses 1 to 12, further comprising:

[0167] receiving a configuration from a base station indicating when to delay implementation of the TA from a first time to a second time,

[0168] The determination of whether to implement the TA at the first time or the second time is based on the configuration.

[0169] 14. A wireless communication method performed by a base station, the method comprising:

[0170] sending a timing advance (TA) to a user equipment, wherein the TA is scheduled to be implemented by the user equipment at a first time, the first time being after a start of a first uplink communication of a group of phase-coherently scheduled bundled uplink communications and before a start of a second uplink communication of the group of bundled uplink communications;

[0171] receiving a first uplink communication from a user equipment;

[0172] receiving a second uplink communication from the user equipment; and

[0173] The first uplink communication and the second uplink communication are processed based on when TA is implemented by the user equipment.

[0174] 15. The method of clause 14, wherein processing the first uplink communication and the second uplink communication comprises:

[0175] The first uplink communication is processed separately from the second uplink communication.

[0176] 16. The method of clause 15, wherein receiving the second uplink communication comprises:

[0177] After the user equipment has implemented TA, a second uplink communication is received.

[0178] 17. The method of clause 16, wherein receiving the second uplink communication comprises:

[0179] The second uplink communication is received non-phase-coherently with the first uplink communication.

[0180] 18. A method according to any of clauses 14 to 17, wherein:

[0181] Receiving the first uplink communication includes receiving at least one of a first demodulation reference signal (DMRS) or a first sounding reference signal (SRS); and

[0182] Receiving the second uplink communication includes receiving at least one of a second DMRS or a second SRS.

[0183] 19. A method according to any one of clauses 14 to 18, wherein:

[0184] Receiving the first uplink communication includes receiving at least one of a first physical uplink control channel (PUCCH) communication or a first physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH) communication; and

[0185] Receiving the second uplink communication includes receiving at least one of a second PUCCH communication or a second PUSCH communication.

[0186] 20. A method according to any of clauses 14, 18 or 19, wherein processing the first uplink communication and the second uplink communication comprises:

[0187] The first uplink communication is processed together with the second uplink communication.

[0188] 21. A method as described in clause 20, wherein the second uplink communication is sent by the user equipment before the user equipment performs the TA.

[0189] 22. The method of clause 21, wherein receiving the second uplink communication comprises:

[0190] A second uplink communication is received phase-coherently with the first uplink communication.

[0191] 23. The method of any one of clauses 14-22, further comprising:

[0192] A configuration is sent to the user equipment indicating when to delay implementation of the TA from a first time to a second time.

[0193] 24. A user equipment comprising:

[0194] transceiver, configured as:

[0195] receiving a timing advance (TA) from a base station, wherein the TA is scheduled to be implemented by the user equipment at a first time after a first uplink communication of a group of phase-coherently scheduled bundled uplink communications begins and before a second uplink communication of the group of bundled uplink communications begins; and

[0196] a processor in communication with the transceiver, the processor configured to:

[0197] determining whether to implement the TA at a first time or a second time, the second time being after the transmission of the second uplink communication; and

[0198] TA is implemented based on the determination.

[0199] 25. A user equipment according to clause 24, wherein the processor is further configured to:

[0200] Make sure to implement TA as soon as possible; and

[0201] Implement TA as soon as possible.

[0202] 26. A user equipment according to clause 25, wherein the transceiver is further configured to:

[0203] A second uplink communication is sent after implementing the TA.

[0204] 27. A user equipment according to clause 26, wherein the transceiver is further configured to:

[0205] The second uplink communication is sent non-phase-coherently with the first uplink communication.

[0206] 28. A user equipment according to any of clauses 24-27, wherein the transceiver is further configured to:

[0207] transmitting a first uplink communication comprising at least one of a first demodulation reference signal (DMRS) or a first sounding reference signal (SRS); and

[0208] A second uplink communication including at least one of a second DMRS or a second SRS is transmitted.

[0209] 29. A user equipment according to any of clauses 24-28, wherein the transceiver is further configured to:

[0210] transmitting a first uplink communication comprising at least one of a first physical uplink control channel (PUCCH) communication or a first physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH) communication; and

[0211] A second uplink communication including at least one of a second PUCCH communication or a second PUSCH communication is transmitted.

[0212] 30. A user equipment according to any of clauses 24, 28 or 29, wherein the processor is further configured to:

[0213] Determine to implement TA at the second time; and

[0214] Implement TA at the second time.

[0215] 31. A user equipment according to clause 30, wherein the transceiver is further configured to:

[0216] The second uplink communication is sent before implementing the TA.

[0217] 32. A user equipment according to clause 31, wherein the transceiver is further configured to:

[0218] The second uplink communication is sent phase-coherently with the first uplink communication.

[0219] 33. A user equipment according to clause 30, wherein the processor is further configured to:

[0220] The timing of the second time is determined based on at least one of an uplink-to-downlink switch, a downlink-to-uplink switch, a time gap between the second uplink communication and the third uplink communication, or a power change between the second uplink communication and the third uplink communication.

[0221] 34. A user equipment according to clause 30, wherein the processor is further configured to:

[0222] Determining to implement the TA at the second time is based on determining that the first uplink communication and the second uplink communication are scheduled phase-coherently.

[0223] 35. A user equipment according to clause 34, wherein the processor is further configured to:

[0224] Determining to implement the TA at the second time is based on determining that the third uplink communication is not scheduled phase-coherently with the first uplink communication or the second uplink communication.

[0225] 36. A user equipment according to any of clauses 24-35, wherein:

[0226] The transceiver is further configured to receive a configuration from the base station indicating when to delay implementation of the TA from a first time to a second time; and

[0227] The processor is further configured to determine whether to implement the TA at a first time or a second time based on the configuration.

[0228] 37. A base station comprising:

[0229] transceiver, configured as:

[0230] sending a timing advance (TA) to a user equipment, wherein the TA is scheduled to be implemented by the user equipment at a first time, the first time being after a start of a first uplink communication of a group of phase-coherently scheduled bundled uplink communications and before a start of a second uplink communication of the group of bundled uplink communications;

[0231] receiving a first uplink communication from a user equipment; and

[0232] receiving a second uplink communication from the user equipment; and

[0233] a processor in communication with the transceiver, the processor being configured to:

[0234] The first uplink communication and the second uplink communication are processed based on when TA is implemented by the user equipment.

[0235] 38. A base station according to clause 37, wherein the processor is further configured to:

[0236] The first uplink communication is processed separately from the second uplink communication.

[0237] 39. A base station according to clause 38, wherein the transceiver is further configured to:

[0238] After the user equipment has implemented TA, a second uplink communication is received.

[0239] 40. A base station according to clause 39, wherein the transceiver is further configured to:

[0240] The second uplink communication is received non-phase-coherently with the first uplink communication.

[0241] 41. A base station according to any of clauses 37-40, wherein the transceiver is further configured to:

[0242] receiving a first uplink communication comprising at least one of a first demodulation reference signal (DMRS) or a first sounding reference signal (SRS); and

[0243] A second uplink communication including at least one of a second DMRS or a second SRS is received.

[0244] 42. A base station according to any of clauses 37-41, wherein the transceiver is further configured to:

[0245] receiving a first uplink communication comprising at least one of a first physical uplink control channel (PUCCH) communication or a first physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH) communication; and

[0246] A second uplink communication including at least one of a second PUCCH communication or a second PUSCH communication is received.

[0247] 43. A base station according to any of clauses 37, 41 or 42, wherein the processor is further configured to:

[0248] The first uplink communication is processed together with the second uplink communication.

[0249] 44. A base station according to clause 43, wherein the transceiver is further configured to:

[0250] A second uplink communication is received, wherein the second uplink communication is sent by the user equipment before the user equipment implements the TA.

[0251] 45. A base station according to clause 44, wherein the transceiver is further configured to:

[0252] A second uplink communication is received phase-coherently with the first uplink communication.

[0253] 46. ​​A base station according to any of clauses 37-45, wherein the transceiver is further configured to:

[0254] A configuration is sent to the user equipment indicating when to delay implementation of the TA from a first time to a second time.

[0255] 47. A user equipment comprising:

[0256] means for receiving a timing advance (TA) from a base station, wherein the TA is scheduled to be implemented by a user equipment at a first time, the first time being after a start of a first uplink communication of a group of phase-coherently scheduled bundled uplink communications and before a start of a second uplink communication of the group of bundled uplink communications;

[0257] means for determining whether to implement the TA at a first time or a second time, the second time being after the transmission of the second uplink communication; and

[0258] Means for implementing the TA based on the determination.

[0259] 48. A user device according to clause 47, wherein:

[0260] The means for determining whether to implement the TA at a first time or a second time includes means for determining to implement the TA at a first time; and

[0261] The means for implementing the TA includes means for implementing the TA in the first place.

[0262] 49. The user equipment according to clause 48, further comprising:

[0263] Means for sending a second uplink communication after implementing the TA.

[0264] 50. The user equipment of clause 49, wherein the means for transmitting the second uplink communication comprises means for transmitting the second uplink communication non-phase-coherently with the first uplink communication.

[0265] 51. User equipment according to any of clauses 47 to 50, further comprising:

[0266] means for transmitting a first uplink communication, wherein the means for transmitting the first uplink communication comprises means for transmitting at least one of a first demodulation reference signal (DMRS) or a first sounding reference signal (SRS); and

[0267] Means for transmitting a second uplink communication, wherein the means for transmitting the second uplink communication comprises means for transmitting at least one of a second DMRS or a second SRS.

[0268] 52. A user equipment according to any of clauses 47 to 51, wherein:

[0269] means for transmitting a first uplink communication, wherein the means for transmitting the first uplink communication comprises means for transmitting at least one of a first physical uplink control channel (PUCCH) communication or a first physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH) communication; and

[0270] Means for transmitting a second uplink communication, wherein the means for transmitting the second uplink communication comprises means for transmitting at least one of a second PUCCH communication or a second PUSCH communication.

[0271] 53. User equipment according to any of clauses 47, 51 or 52, wherein:

[0272] The means for determining whether to implement the TA at a first time or a second time includes means for determining to implement the TA at a second time; and

[0273] The means for implementing the TA includes means for implementing the TA at a second time.

[0274] 54. The user equipment according to clause 53, further comprising:

[0275] Means for sending a second uplink communication prior to implementing the TA.

[0276] 55. The user equipment of clause 54, wherein the means for transmitting the second uplink communication comprises means for transmitting the second uplink communication phase-coherently with the first uplink communication.

[0277] 56. The user equipment according to clause 53, further comprising:

[0278] Means for determining timing of the second time based on at least one of an uplink-to-downlink handover, a downlink-to-uplink handover, a time gap between the second uplink communication and the third uplink communication, or a power change between the second uplink communication and the third uplink communication.

[0279] 57. A user equipment as recited in clause 53, wherein the means for determining to implement the TA at the second time comprises means for determining that the first uplink communication and the second uplink communication are scheduled phase-coherently.

[0280] 58. A user equipment as described in clause 57, wherein the means for determining to implement the TA at the second time comprises means for determining that the third uplink communication is not scheduled phase-coherently with the first uplink communication or the second uplink communication.

[0281] 59. User equipment according to any of clauses 47-58, further comprising:

[0282] means for receiving from a base station a configuration indicating when to delay implementation of the TA from a first time to a second time,

[0283] The means for determining whether to implement the TA at the first time or the second time is configured to determine whether to implement the TA at the first time or the second time based on the configuration.

[0284] 60. A base station comprising:

[0285] means for sending a timing advance (TA) to a user equipment, wherein the TA is scheduled to be implemented by the user equipment at a first time, the first time being after a start of a first uplink communication of a group of phase-coherently scheduled bundled uplink communications and before a start of a second uplink communication of the group of bundled uplink communications;

[0286] means for receiving a first uplink communication from a user equipment;

[0287] means for receiving a second uplink communication from the user equipment; and

[0288] Means for handling the first uplink communication and the second uplink communication based on when TA is implemented by the user equipment.

[0289] 61. A base station according to clause 60, wherein the means for processing the first uplink communication and the second uplink communication comprises:

[0290] Means for processing the first uplink communication separately from the second uplink communication.

[0291] 62. The base station of clause 61, wherein the means for receiving the second uplink communication comprises:

[0292] Means for receiving a second uplink communication after the user equipment has implemented TA.

[0293] 63. The base station of clause 62, wherein the means for receiving the second uplink communication comprises:

[0294] Means for receiving a second uplink communication phase-incoherent with the first uplink communication.

[0295] 64. A base station according to any of clauses 60-63, wherein:

[0296] The means for receiving a first uplink communication includes means for receiving at least one of a first demodulation reference signal (DMRS) or a first sounding reference signal (SRS); and

[0297] The means for receiving a second uplink communication includes means for receiving at least one of a second DMRS or a second SRS.

[0298] 65. A base station according to any of clauses 60-64, wherein:

[0299] The means for receiving a first uplink communication comprises means for receiving at least one of a first physical uplink control channel (PUCCH) communication or a first physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH) communication; and

[0300] The means for receiving a second uplink communication includes means for receiving at least one of a second PUCCH communication or a second PUSCH communication.

[0301] 66. A base station according to any of clauses 60, 64 or 65, wherein the means for processing the first uplink communication and the second uplink communication comprises:

[0302] Means for processing the first uplink communication together with the second uplink communication.

[0303] 67. A base station according to clause 66, wherein the means for receiving the second uplink communication comprises means for receiving the second uplink communication, wherein the second uplink communication is sent by the user equipment before the user equipment implements the TA.

[0304] 68. The base station of clause 67, wherein the means for receiving the second uplink communication comprises:

[0305] Means for receiving a second uplink communication phase-coherently with the first uplink communication.

[0306] 69. A base station according to any of clauses 60 to 68, further comprising:

[0307] Means for sending a configuration to the user equipment indicating when to delay implementation of the TA from a first time to a second time.

[0308] 70. A non-transitory computer-readable medium having program code recorded thereon for wireless communication by a user equipment, the program code comprising:

[0309] code for causing a user equipment to receive a timing advance (TA) from a base station, wherein the TA is scheduled to be implemented by the user equipment at a first time, the first time being after a start of a first uplink communication of a group of phase-coherently scheduled bundled uplink communications and before a start of a second uplink communication of the group of bundled uplink communications;

[0310] code for causing a user equipment to determine whether to implement TA at a first time or a second time, the second time being after transmission of a second uplink communication; and

[0311] Code for causing the user equipment to implement the TA based on the determination.

[0312] 71. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of clause 70, wherein:

[0313] The code for causing the user equipment to determine whether to implement TA at a first time or a second time includes code for causing the user equipment to determine to implement TA at a first time; and

[0314] The code for causing the user equipment to implement TA includes code for causing the user equipment to implement TA for the first time.

[0315] 72. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of clause 71, further comprising:

[0316] Code for causing the user equipment to transmit a second uplink communication after implementing the TA.

[0317] 73. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of clause 72, wherein the code for causing the user equipment to transmit the second uplink communication comprises code for causing the user equipment to transmit the second uplink communication non-phase-coherently with the first uplink communication.

[0318] 74. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of any of clauses 70-73, wherein:

[0319] The code for causing the user equipment to transmit the first uplink communication includes code for causing the user equipment to transmit at least one of a first demodulation reference signal (DMRS) or a first sounding reference signal (SRS); and

[0320] The code for causing the user equipment to transmit a second uplink communication includes code for causing the user equipment to transmit at least one of a second DMRS or a second SRS.

[0321] 75. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of any of clauses 70-74, wherein:

[0322] The code for causing the user equipment to transmit the first uplink communication includes code for causing the user equipment to transmit at least one of a first physical uplink control channel (PUCCH) communication or a first physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH) communication; and

[0323] The code for causing the user equipment to transmit the second uplink communication includes code for causing the user equipment to transmit at least one of a second PUCCH communication or a second PUSCH communication.

[0324] 76. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of any one of clauses 70, 74, or 75, wherein:

[0325] The code for causing the user equipment to determine whether to implement TA at a first time or a second time includes code for causing the user equipment to determine to implement TA at a second time; and

[0326] The code for causing the user equipment to implement TA includes code for causing the user equipment to implement TA at a second time.

[0327] 77. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of clause 76, further comprising:

[0328] Code for causing the user equipment to transmit a second uplink communication before implementing the TA.

[0329] 78. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of clause 77, wherein the code for causing the user equipment to transmit the second uplink communication comprises code for causing the user equipment to transmit the second uplink communication phase-coherently with the first uplink communication.

[0330] 79. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of clause 76, further comprising:

[0331] Code for causing the user equipment to determine timing of the second time based on at least one of an uplink-to-downlink handover, a downlink-to-uplink handover, a time gap between the second uplink communication and the third uplink communication, or a power change between the second uplink communication and the third uplink communication.

[0332] 80. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of clause 76, wherein the code for causing the user equipment to determine to implement the TA at the second time comprises code for causing the user equipment to determine that the first uplink communication and the second uplink communication are scheduled phase-coherently.

[0333] 81. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of clause 80, wherein the code for causing the user equipment to determine to implement the TA at the second time comprises code for causing the user equipment to determine that the third uplink communication is not scheduled phase-coherently with the first uplink communication or the second uplink communication.

[0334] 82. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of any of clauses 70-82, further comprising:

[0335] code for causing a user equipment to receive, from a base station, a configuration indicating when to delay implementation of a TA from a first time to a second time,

[0336] The code for causing the user equipment to determine whether to implement TA at a first time or a second time includes code for causing the user equipment to determine whether to implement TA at a first time or a second time based on the configuration.

[0337] 83. A non-transitory computer-readable medium having recorded thereon program code for wireless communication by a base station, the program code comprising:

[0338] code for causing a base station to send a timing advance (TA) to a user equipment, wherein the TA is scheduled to be implemented by the user equipment at a first time, the first time being after a start of a first uplink communication of a group of phase-coherently scheduled bundled uplink communications and before a start of a second uplink communication of the group of bundled uplink communications;

[0339] code for causing a base station to receive a first uplink communication from a user equipment;

[0340] code for causing the base station to receive a second uplink communication from the user equipment; and

[0341] Code for causing a base station to process a first uplink communication and a second uplink communication based on when TA is implemented by a user equipment.

[0342] 84. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of clause 83, wherein the code for causing the base station to process the first uplink communication and the second uplink communication comprises:

[0343] Code for causing a base station to process a first uplink communication separately from a second uplink communication.

[0344] 85. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of clause 84, wherein the code for causing the base station to receive the second uplink communication comprises:

[0345] Code for causing the base station to receive a second uplink communication after the user equipment has implemented TA.

[0346] 86. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of clause 85, wherein the code for causing the base station to receive the second uplink communication comprises:

[0347] Code for causing a base station to receive a second uplink communication non-phase-coherent with the first uplink communication.

[0348] 87. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of any of clauses 83-86, wherein:

[0349] The code for causing the base station to receive the first uplink communication includes code for causing the base station to receive at least one of a first demodulation reference signal (DMRS) or a first sounding reference signal (SRS); and

[0350] The code for causing the base station to receive a second uplink communication includes code for causing the base station to receive at least one of a second DMRS or a second SRS.

[0351] 88. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of any of clauses 83-87, wherein:

[0352] The code for causing the base station to receive the first uplink communication includes code for causing the base station to receive at least one of a first physical uplink control channel (PUCCH) communication or a first physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH) communication; and

[0353] The code for causing the base station to receive the second uplink communication includes code for causing the base station to receive at least one of a second PUCCH communication or a second PUSCH communication.

[0354] 89. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of any of clauses 83, 88, or 89, wherein the code for causing the base station to process the first uplink communication and the second uplink communication comprises:

[0355] Code for causing a base station to process a first uplink communication together with a second uplink communication.

[0356] 90. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of clause 89, wherein the code for causing the base station to receive the second uplink communication comprises code for causing the base station to receive the second uplink communication, wherein the second uplink communication is sent by the user equipment before the user equipment implements the TA.

[0357] 91. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of clause 90, wherein the code for causing the base station to receive the second uplink communication comprises:

[0358] Code for causing a base station to receive a second uplink communication phase-coherently with the first uplink communication.

[0359] 92. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of any of clauses 83-91, further comprising:

[0360] Code for causing a base station to send a configuration to a user equipment indicating when to delay implementation of a TA from a first time to a second time.

[0361] The various illustrative blocks and modules described in conjunction with the disclosure herein may be implemented or executed with a general purpose processor, a DSP, an ASIC, an FPGA or other programmable logic device, discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof designed to perform the functions described herein. A general purpose processor may be a microprocessor, but alternatively, the processor may be any conventional processor, controller, microcontroller, or state machine. A processor may also be implemented as a combination of computing devices (e.g., a combination of a DSP and a microprocessor, a plurality of microprocessors, a combination of one or more microprocessors and a DSP core, or any other such configuration).

[0362] The functions described herein can be implemented using hardware, software executed by a processor, firmware, or any combination thereof. If implemented in software executed by a processor, the functions may be stored or transmitted as one or more instructions or code on a computer-readable medium. Other examples and implementations are within the scope of this disclosure and the appended claims. For example, due to the nature of software, the functions described above can be implemented using software executed by a processor, hardware, firmware, hardwiring, or any combination thereof. Features implementing the functions may also be physically located in a variety of locations, including being distributed so that portions of the functions are implemented in different physical locations. Furthermore, as used herein, including in the claims, the word "or" used in a list of items (e.g., a list of items preceded by a phrase such as "at least one of" or "one or more") indicates an inclusive list, such that, for example, a list of [at least one of A, B, or C] means A or B or C or AB or AC or BC or ABC (i.e., A and B and C).

[0363] As will now be appreciated by those skilled in the art, and depending on the particular application at hand, many modifications, substitutions, and variations may be made to the materials, apparatus, configurations, and methods of use of the apparatus of the present disclosure without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. In view of this, the scope of the present disclosure should not be limited to that of the specific embodiments shown and described herein, as these are merely examples thereof, but should be fully commensurate with the scope of the appended claims and their functional equivalents.

Claims

1. A method for wireless communication performed by a user equipment, the method comprising: receiving a timing advance TA communication; and transmitting a group of uplink communications comprising a first uplink communication and a second uplink communication, wherein the first uplink communication is bundled for transmission with phase continuity with the second uplink communication, and wherein transmitting the group of uplink communications comprises: Based on the TA communication and the TA value, an uplink timing adjustment is performed on the second uplink communication so that the second uplink communication is transmitted without phase continuity with the first uplink communication.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein Performing the uplink timing adjustment includes performing the uplink timing adjustment before sending the second uplink communication, such that the uplink timing adjustment is performed between sending the first uplink communication and sending the second uplink communication.

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein: Performing the uplink timing adjustment between transmitting the first uplink communication and transmitting the second uplink communication is based on a first time the TA communication is received relative to a start of a second time the first uplink communication is transmitted.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein: The bundled group of uplink communications includes at least one of a demodulation reference signal (DMRS) or a sounding reference signal (SRS).

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein: The set of bundled uplink communications includes at least one of a Physical Uplink Control Channel, PUCCH, communication or a Physical Uplink Shared Channel, PUSCH, communication.

6. The method according to claim 1, further comprising: A configuration is received indicating one or more rules for uplink bundling.

7. The method according to claim 6, wherein: Receiving the configuration includes receiving a radio resource control (RRC) information element (IE) indicating the configuration.

8. The method according to claim 6, wherein: The group to which the uplink communication is sent is based on the configuration.

9. The method according to claim 8, wherein The one or more rules for uplink bundling include one or more rules for determining when to perform the uplink timing adjustment, and wherein performing the uplink timing adjustment is based on the configuration.

10. An apparatus for wireless communication, the apparatus comprising: Memory; and at least one processor coupled to the memory, wherein the at least one processor is configured to: receiving a timing advance TA communication; and transmitting a group of uplink communications comprising a first uplink communication and a second uplink communication, wherein the first uplink communication is bundled for transmission with phase continuity with the second uplink communication, and wherein, To transmit the group of uplink communications, the at least one processor is configured to: Based on the TA communication and the TA value, an uplink timing adjustment is performed on the second uplink communication so that the second uplink communication is transmitted without phase continuity with the first uplink communication.

Images