Method, apparatus and computer program

Abstract

An apparatus, method and computer program are provided for causing a user equipment to perform the following: based on at least one downlink carrier obtained during an uplink transmission, at least one value indicative of self-interference is obtained by measuring a power difference between downlink resource units affected by active resource units of uplink transmissions and downlink resource units affected by null resource units of uplink transmissions.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to methods, apparatus and computer programs for measuring and / or reporting self-interference. Background Art

[0002] A communication system can be viewed as a facility that enables communication sessions between two or more entities (such as user terminals, base stations, and / or other nodes) by providing a bearer between the various entities involved in the communication session. A communication system can be provided, for example, via a communication network and one or more compatible communication devices. A communication session can include, for example, data communications for carrying communications such as voice, video, electronic mail (email), text messages, multimedia, and / or content data. Non-limiting examples of the services provided include two-way or multi-way calls, data communications or multimedia services, and access to data network systems (such as the Internet).

[0003] Communication systems and associated equipment typically operate according to a given standard or specification that specifies what the various entities associated with the system are allowed to do and how this should be achieved. The communication protocols and / or parameters that should be used for the connection are also typically defined. One example of a communication system is the UTRAN (Universal Mobile Telecommunications Service Terrestrial Radio Access Network (e.g., 3G radio)). Other examples of communication systems are the Long Term Evolution (LTE) of the Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) radio access technology and the so-called 5G or New Radio (NR) networks. NR is being standardized by the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP). Summary of the Invention

[0004] According to a first aspect, there is provided an apparatus for a user equipment, the apparatus comprising: means for obtaining at least one value indicative of self-interference by measuring a power difference of downlink resource units affected by active resource units of the uplink transmission and downlink resource units affected by empty resource units of the uplink transmission based on at least one downlink carrier received during an uplink transmission.

[0005] According to a second aspect, there is provided an apparatus for a user equipment, comprising: at least one processor; and at least one memory, comprising code, which, when executed by the at least one processor, causes the apparatus to perform: obtaining at least one value indicative of self-interference by measuring a power difference between downlink resource units affected by active resource units of uplink transmission and downlink resource units affected by empty resource units of uplink transmission, based on at least one downlink carrier received during uplink transmission.

[0006] According to a third aspect, a method for an apparatus for a user equipment is provided, the method comprising: obtaining at least one value indicative of self-interference by measuring a power difference between downlink resource units affected by active resource units of uplink transmission and downlink resource units affected by empty resource units of uplink transmission based on at least one downlink carrier received during uplink transmission.

[0007] According to a fourth aspect, a device for a user equipment is provided, which includes: an obtaining circuit system for obtaining at least one value indicating self-interference by measuring the power difference between downlink resource units affected by active resource units of uplink transmission and downlink resource units affected by empty resource units of uplink transmission based on at least one downlink carrier received during uplink transmission.

[0008] The following may apply to each (eg, at least one, optionally all) of the first to fourth aspects described above.

[0009] The apparatus may send at least one value to a network node.

[0010] Transmitting the at least one value indicative of the measured self-interference may include transmitting the at least one value using at least one of a radio resource control message, a medium access control element, or downlink control information.

[0011] The apparatus may receive a configuration from a network node, the configuration comprising: an uplink transmission mode associated with a combination of uplink and downlink carriers, wherein the uplink transmission mode is to be used by the user equipment when performing self-interference measurements, the uplink transmission mode comprising: a frequency-wise mix of active resource units (e.g., transmissions in the active resource units) and empty resource units (no transmissions creating empty resource units), wherein the means for obtaining at least one value may be performed based on the received uplink transmission mode.

[0012] The uplink transmission mode may correspond to at least one of a physical uplink shared channel demodulation reference signal, a physical uplink control channel demodulation reference signal, a sounding reference signal, or a physical uplink shared channel rate matched around a predefined zero resource element.

[0013] The transmission pattern may include consecutive active resource units followed by consecutive empty resource units allocated in consecutive frequency resources. When the source of self-interference is determined to be the uplink baseband, the number of empty resource units may be equal to or greater than the number of active resource units. When the source of self-interference is determined to be the uplink baseband, the number of empty resource units may be less than the number of active resource units.

[0014] The apparatus may also receive, from the network node, at least one indication of a transmission opportunity when the user equipment performs self-interference measurements based on a combination of uplink and downlink carriers, wherein the means for obtaining is performed during the transmission opportunity.

[0015] The apparatus may transmit using at least one of the uplink carriers during a transmission opportunity.

[0016] The at least one value indicating measured self-interference at the user equipment during a transmission opportunity may include at least one of: a measured self-interference level, a measured output power, a maximum sensitivity drop calculated by the user equipment based on a self-interference measurement performed, or a difference between a reference maximum sensitivity drop and a maximum sensitivity drop calculated by the user equipment based on the self-interference measurement.

[0017] At least one indication of a transmission opportunity may include at least one of the following: an indication of the period of transmission of the uplink transmission mode; an indication of a time slot offset; an indication of the number of measurement symbols; an indication of the number of consecutive time slots with measurements; an indication of where those measurement symbols are located within the time slot; an indication of the frequency offset of the uplink base frequency or harmonic to the downlink absolute reference channel number; an indication of the frequency offset of the uplink base frequency to the downlink absolute reference channel number; an indication of the size of a frequency subband for reporting self-interference; or a trigger for indicating a transmission opportunity.

[0018] The trigger may include an indication of whether the user equipment stops or starts performing self-interference measurement.

[0019] At least a portion of the at least one indication of a transmission opportunity may be received in a radio resource control message, and / or a medium access control element, and / or downlink control information.

[0020] The apparatus may also receive an instruction from the network node to stop performing the self-interference measurement.

[0021] The obtaining may also include aligning the self-interference measurement timing by aligning the fast Fourier transform timing with the uplink symbol grid; aligning the self-interference measurement frequency by performing frequency offset compensation to align the physical resource block grid of uplink subcarriers and / or uplink harmonic subcarriers relative to the downlink absolute radio frequency channel number, and measuring the power difference by measuring the power difference of the downlink resource units received during the active resource unit period relative to the downlink resource units received during the empty resource unit period, wherein at least one value indicates the power difference.

[0022] The obtaining may also include aligning the self-interference measurement timing by using a fast Fourier transform timing aligned with the downlink symbol grid, performing the measurement by performing time offset compensation on the uplink symbol grid using a timing advance value, aligning the self-interference measurement frequency by performing frequency offset compensation, aligning the uplink harmonic subcarriers and / or uplink fundamental frequency subcarriers relative to the physical resource block grid of the downlink absolute radio frequency channel number, and measuring the power difference by measuring the power difference of the downlink resource units received during the active resource units relative to the downlink resource units received during the empty resource units, wherein at least one value indicates the power difference.

[0023] Downlink resource units affected by active resource units of uplink transmission and downlink resource units affected by empty resource units of uplink transmission may be determined to be in alternating frequency resources.

[0024] Aligning the self-interference measurement frequency may include at least one of the following items: determining the uplink fundamental frequency or uplink harmonic to downlink frequency offset by calculating the modulus of (uplink channel number * harmonic order - downlink channel number, uplink subcarrier spacing), or determining the downlink harmonic to downlink frequency offset by calculating the modulus of (downlink channel number * harmonic order - uplink channel number, uplink subcarrier spacing).

[0025] The apparatus may receive a request for user equipment capability information from a network node; and send the user equipment capability information to the network node, the user equipment capability information including the number of symbols required by the user equipment for performing self-interference measurement.

[0026] The apparatus may receive from the network node an indication of which parameter or parameters the at least one value corresponds to.

[0027] According to one aspect, a non-transitory computer-readable medium is provided, comprising program instructions, which, when executed by an apparatus, cause the apparatus to at least perform the method according to any of the preceding aspects.

[0028] A number of different embodiments have been described above, and it will be appreciated that further embodiments may be provided by combining any two or more of the above embodiments. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0029] Embodiments will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0030] Figure 1 shows a representation of a network system according to some example embodiments;

[0031] Figure 2shows a representation of a control device according to some example embodiments;

[0032] Figure 3 shows a representation of an apparatus according to some example embodiments;

[0033] Figure 4 An example transceiver architecture is shown;

[0034] Figure 5 An example signal with active and empty resource units in a transmission mode is shown;

[0035] Figure 6 Example carrier aggregation is shown;

[0036] Figures 7 to 11 Example signaling is shown; and

[0037] Figures 12 to 14 Example operations that may be performed by the apparatus described herein are shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0038] The following describes operations that may be associated with a user equipment performing measurements for quantifying a value of self-interference experienced by the user equipment.

[0039] Specifically, the following considers a method of configuring a user equipment to perform measurements for deriving (e.g., determining) a value that quantifies the self-interference experienced by the user equipment on resource elements that both include downlink transmissions (e.g., "transmissions" or "active resource elements") and do not include downlink transmissions (e.g., "null transmissions" or "no transmission creates null resource elements").

[0040] The user equipment, or another entity to which the user equipment reports measurement results, may use the measurement results from these different types of resource units and knowledge of which resource units are empty resource units and which resource units are not empty resource units to derive a maximum sensitivity drop (MSD) value for the user equipment. The derived MSD value may be used by a network node (such as an access network node) to make radio resource control decisions (such as decisions regarding resource allocation) for the user equipment and implement these decisions (e.g., performing resource allocation based on the derived MSD value). Since these decisions are made based on empirical measurements (e.g., dynamic measurements of current radio resource conditions), they may be more efficient than if a static MSD value had been used to make such radio resource control decisions.

[0041] Figure 1 An example communication environment is shown in which example embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented.

[0042] Figure 1An example communication environment 100 is shown in which example embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented.

[0043] In a communication environment 100, a plurality of communication devices, including user equipment 110 and 115 (also referred to herein as "terminals" or "terminal devices") and a network device 120 (also referred to herein as a "network access node"), may communicate with one another. The network device 120 may serve a coverage area referred to as a cell 125. The user equipment 110 may have access to a communication network via the cell 125. In some example embodiments, both the user equipment 110 and the network device 120 may be configured to implement beamforming techniques and communicate with one another via multiple beams.

[0044] The term "terminal device" refers to any terminal device that can perform wireless communication. By way of example and not limitation, a terminal device may also be referred to as a communication device, user equipment (UE), subscriber station (SS), portable subscriber station, mobile device, mobile station (MS), or access terminal (AT). Terminal devices may include, but are not limited to, mobile phones, cellular phones, smartphones, voice over IP (VoIP) phones, wireless local loop phones, tablet computers, wearable terminal devices, personal digital assistants (PDAs), portable computers, desktop computers, image capture terminal devices (such as digital cameras), game terminal devices, music storage and playback devices, in-vehicle wireless terminal devices, wireless endpoints, mobile stations, laptop embedded devices (LEEs), laptop mounted devices (LMEs), USB dongles, smart devices, wireless customer premises equipment (CPEs), machine type communication (MTC) devices, Internet of Things (IoT) devices, watches or other wearable devices, head-mounted displays (HMDs), vehicles, drones, medical devices and applications (such as remote surgery), industrial devices and applications (such as robots and / or other wireless devices operating in the context of industrial and / or automated processing chains), consumer electronic devices, devices operating on commercial and / or industrial wireless networks, etc. The terminal device may also correspond to the mobile terminal (MT) portion of an IAB node (e.g., a relay node). In the following description, the terms "terminal device," "communication device," "terminal," "user device," "user equipment," and "UE" may be used interchangeably.

[0045] As used herein, the term "network device" is used interchangeably with "network access node" and refers to a node in a communication network via which a terminal device accesses the network and receives services. Depending on the terminology and technology applied, a network device may refer to a base station (BS) or an access point (AP), such as a Node B (NodeB or NB), an evolved Node B (eNodeB or eNB), an NR NB (also known as a gNB), a remote radio unit (RRU), a radio head (RH), a remote radio head (RRH), a relay, an integrated access and backhaul (IAB) node, a low-power node (such as a femto node, a pico node), a non-terrestrial network (NTN) or non-terrestrial network equipment (such as satellite network equipment, low earth orbit (LEO) satellites and geosynchronous orbit (GEO) satellites), an aircraft network equipment, etc. In some example embodiments, the radio access network (RAN) split architecture includes a centralized unit (CU) and a distributed unit (DU) at an IAB donor node. The IAB node includes a mobile terminal (IAB-MT) part that behaves like a UE towards a parent node, and the DU part of the IAB node behaves like a base station towards a next-hop IAB node.

[0046] In some example embodiments, the link from network device 120 to user equipment 110 or 115 is referred to as DL, and the link from user equipment 110 or 115 to network device 120 is referred to as UL. Links are also referred to as "channels" herein. In DL, network device 120 is a Tx device (or transmitter), and user equipment 110 or 115 is an Rx device (or receiver). In UL, user equipment 110 or 115 is a Tx device (or transmitter), and network device 120 is an Rx device (or receiver). The link between user equipment 110 and another user equipment (not shown) is referred to as a side link (SL). In SL, one of the user equipment is a Tx device (or transmitter), and the other of the user equipment is an Rx device (or receiver).

[0047] Communications in the communication environment 100 may be implemented according to any appropriate communication protocol(s), including but not limited to first generation (1G), second generation (2G), third generation (3G), fourth generation (4G), fifth generation (5G), sixth generation (6G), etc. cellular communication protocols, wireless local area network communication protocols (such as Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11, etc.), and / or any other protocols currently known or to be developed in the future. In addition, communications may utilize any appropriate wireless communication technology, including but not limited to: code division multiple access (CDMA), frequency division multiple access (FDMA), time division multiple access (TDMA), frequency division duplex (FDD), time division duplex (TDD), multiple input multiple output (MIMO), orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDM), discrete Fourier transform spread OFDM (DFT-s-OFDM), and / or any other technology currently known or to be developed in the future.

[0048] Hereinafter, reference will be made to both a carrier aggregation (CA) system and a dual connectivity (DC) system.

[0049] A carrier aggregation system aggregates multiple component carriers (CCs). Cells in a carrier aggregation system can be divided into primary cells, secondary cells, and / or serving cells. A primary cell refers to a cell operating at a primary frequency. A primary cell refers to a cell in which a UE performs an initial connection establishment procedure or a connection reestablishment procedure, or a cell indicated as a primary cell during a handover. A secondary cell refers to a cell operating at a secondary frequency. Once a radio resource control (RRC) connection is established, a secondary cell is used to provide additional radio resources.

[0050] A carrier aggregation system may support multiple component carriers (CCs). In other words, a carrier aggregation system may include multiple serving cells configured to communicate with a UE using at least one corresponding carrier frequency.

[0051] A dual connectivity system involves an architecture that allows a UE to connect simultaneously to different base stations (e.g., a macrocell base station and a small cell base station) using different radio access technologies. The radio access technologies combined in a dual connectivity system can be of different generations, such as fifth-generation and sixth-generation radio access technologies being used for simultaneous active operations, making it dual connectivity.

[0052] In DC, a gNodeB used for a primary cell (Pcell) may be referred to as a primary gNodeB (hereinafter referred to as MgNB). In addition, a gNodeB used only for a secondary cell (Scell) may be referred to as a secondary gNodeB (hereinafter referred to as SgNB).

[0053] A cell group including a primary cell (Pcell) implemented by an MgNB may be referred to as a primary cell group (MCG) or PUCCH cell group 1. A cell group including a secondary cell (Scell) implemented by an SeNB may be referred to as a secondary cell group (SCG) or PUCCH cell group 2.

[0054] Meanwhile, among the secondary cells in the secondary cell group (SCG), the secondary cell in which the UE can transmit uplink control information (UCI), or the secondary cell in which the UE can transmit PUCCH can be referred to as a super secondary cell (SuperSCell) or a primary secondary cell (PScell).

[0055] Both systems (dual carrier and carrier aggregation) can be considered as systems in which uplink and downlink transmissions can be scheduled simultaneously on the corresponding frequency carriers. Figure 4 The techniques described initially can be applied to any system in which uplink and downlink transmissions can be scheduled to occur simultaneously.

[0056] Figure 2 A method for enabling a network device 120 such as Figure 1 1 . The control device 200 may include at least one random access memory (RAM) 211a, at least one read-only memory (ROM) 211b, at least one processor 212, 213, and an input / output interface 214. The at least one processor 212, 213 may be coupled to the RAM 211a and the ROM 211b. The at least one processor 212, 213 may be configured to execute appropriate software code 215. The software code 215 may, for example, enable execution of one or more steps to perform one or more aspects of the present invention. The software code 215 may be stored in the ROM 211b. The control device 200 may be interconnected with another control device 200 that controls another function of the network device. In some embodiments, each function of the network device includes a control device 200. In some example embodiments, the device 200 may be implemented at the network device 120 or may be the network device 120.

[0057] Figure 3 An example of a terminal 300 is shown, such as Figure 1 The user equipment 110, 115 shown above. Terminal 300 can be provided by any device capable of sending and receiving radio signals, such as the user equipment described herein. Terminal 300 can provide, for example, data communications for carrying communications. The communications can be one or more of voice, electronic mail (email), text messaging, multimedia, data, machine data, etc.

[0058] The terminal 300 may receive signals over the air or radio interface 307 via suitable means for receiving, and may transmit signals via suitable means for transmitting radio signals. Figure 3 In FIG, the transceiver arrangement is schematically represented by block 306. The transceiver arrangement 306 may be provided, for example, by a radio component and an associated antenna arrangement. The antenna arrangement may be arranged internally or externally to the mobile device.

[0059] The terminal 300 may be provided with at least one processor 301, at least one memory ROM 302a, at least one RAM 302b and possibly other components 303 for use in software and hardware assisted execution of the tasks it is designed to perform, including access to a system (such as that described above with respect to Figure 1 and Figure 2 The network device described herein provides access to and communication with other communication devices (network access systems). At least one processor 301 is coupled to RAM 302b and ROM 302a. At least one processor 301 can be configured to execute appropriate software code 308. Software code 308 can, for example, enable implementation of one or more aspects of the present invention. Software code 308 can be stored in ROM 302a.

[0060] The processor, storage and other related control means may be provided on an appropriate circuit board and / or in a chipset. This feature is represented by reference 304. The device may optionally have a user interface such as a keyboard 305, a touch screen or touchpad, a combination thereof, or the like. Optionally, one or more of a display, a speaker and a microphone may be provided, depending on the type of device.

[0061] In some exemplary embodiments, the terminal 300 may be an apparatus comprising at least one processor and at least one memory, wherein the at least one memory stores instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the user equipment 110, 115 to perform the examples or embodiments described in this document.

[0062] When such as Figure 3 When the UE is operated with more than one transceiver active under different spectrum allocations (which may occur during carrier aggregation and / or dual connectivity operation), the UE radio hardware is potentially subject to self-interference.

[0063] Self-interference can occur in the UE's radio hardware when the UE transmitter has spectral content (e.g., uplink transmit frequency (fundamental frequency), harmonic responses, or harmonic products of uplink transmit frequency(ies)) that creates interference within the same UE's active receive band. The coupling of the transmit signal to the receiver occurs through the proximity of the transceiver printed circuit board (PCB) and through the antenna, making the impact design-dependent. Examples are in Figure 4 is shown in .

[0064] Figure 4 An example UE radio frequency architecture is shown with first to fourth front-end modules 401 to 404. Each front-end module is associated with a corresponding operating frequency range at any single time. For example, the first front-end module 401 can be configured to operate in the range of 3-5 GHz at a first time, the second front-end module 402 can be configured to operate in the range of 2.5 to 2.8 GHz at a first time, the third front-end module can be configured to operate in the range of 1.7 to 2.1 GHz at a first time, and the fourth front-end module can be configured to operate in the range of 600 MHz to 1 GHz at a first time. It should be understood that these frequency ranges are merely examples and that the front-end modules can be associated with other frequencies.

[0065] Each of the first to fourth front-end modules includes respective first and second switches 405A-406D, respective filters 407A-407D, and respective amplifiers 408A-408D. A transceiver (eg, PCB) 409 is configured to provide input to the first switches 405A-405D.

[0066] What determines the occurrence of interference is the exact frequency location of simultaneous transmission and reception activities at the UE. Figure 4 In the example frequency range of , there is coupling between the third and fourth front-end modules 403 , 404 .

[0067] There are different types of sources in the UE that can cause self-interference: uplink (UL) harmonics, harmonic mixing, cross-band interference, and intermodulation distortion. These will be described in more detail below, but can generally be grouped into two types: harmonic products and intermodulation products.

[0068] Uplink harmonics, harmonic mixing, and cross-band interference are examples of harmonic product type interference. Harmonic products are single-tone distortion products caused by device nonlinearity. In more detail, when a nonlinear device is stimulated by a signal at frequency f, spurious output signals are generated at harmonic frequencies of 2f, 3f, ... Nf, etc. The order of the harmonic product is given by the frequency multiplier. For example, the second harmonic is called the second-order product, the third harmonic is called the third-order product, etc. Harmonics are usually measured in dBc, which refers to dB below the carrier (fundamental frequency) output signal.

[0069] When the uplink harmonics fall within the bandwidth of another downlink component carrier at the fundamental carrier frequency of the downlink frequency band, the uplink harmonics may cause self-interference in the downlink component carrier.

[0070] When a combination of uplink harmonics coincides with downlink harmonics of a downlink component, the harmonic mixing may cause self-interference.

[0071] Cross-band interference is a manifestation of self-interference when the output spectrum of the UL component carrier falls within the downlink component carrier bandwidth. This can be viewed as adjacent channel leakage from the transmitter, where the leakage depends on the nonlinear behavior of the power amplifier.

[0072] Intermodulation distortion (IMD) is an example of intermodulation product interference. Intermodulation products are multitone distortion products generated when two or more signals are present at the input of a nonlinear device. The spurious products generated by the device's nonlinearity are frequency-dependent on the original input signal.

[0073] Intermodulation distortion occurs when two uplink component carriers intermodulate (e.g., mix) and the products of the intermodulation (e.g., mixing) of the uplink component carriers fall within the receiver frequency band of one or the other downlink component carrier bandwidth of the baseband carrier frequency of the downlink frequency band.

[0074] Therefore, the harmonic products and intermodulation products respectively represent the interference generated when only one uplink component carrier is used in the frequency band combination and when there are two uplink component carriers. This is shown in Table 1, which also shows these relationships. In Table 1, ULx / DLy means that the xth harmonic of the uplink can match the yth harmonic of the downlink.

[0075]

[0076]

[0077] Table 1. MSD types and combinations that cause self-interference.

[0078] A metric called the MSD value is used in current 3GPP systems to account for the impact of self-interference. The MSD value is shown in the following discussion.

[0079] When a UE is configured to simultaneously receive transmissions using one or more downlink frequency bands and send transmissions using one or more uplink frequency bands, when the frequency band of at least one of the uplink signals falls within at least one of the UE's downlink frequency bands, harmonic components and / or intermodulation distortion (IMD) components may appear in the received downlink transmission. In other words, when the UE transmits an uplink signal, harmonic components and intermodulation distortion (IMD) components may appear, which may affect the downlink frequency band of the terminal itself.

[0080] To address this issue, the terminal is configured to meet a reference sensitivity power level (REFSENS). REFSENS is the minimum average power per antenna port required for the terminal to meet the signal reception error rate specified in the standard when receiving downlink signals. When harmonic components and / or IMD components are present, due to the uplink signal transmitted by the terminal itself, there is a possibility that REFSENS for the downlink signal may not be met.

[0081] To address this issue, for a specific combination of uplink and downlink frequency bands, an MSD is defined as the value corresponding to the maximum allowed increase in REFSENS for that specific combination. When an MSD is defined for a specific operating band combination of a terminal (which may be configured as part of a carrier aggregation configuration), the REFSENS for the corresponding operating band may be relaxed by the amount of the defined MSD.

[0082] In 3GPP discussions, a study was conducted to determine whether the UE self-interference performance in multi-carrier configurations deviates significantly from the UE self-interference performance defined in the 3GPP specifications. It was found that the metric used to allow the UE to relax the reference sensitivity (in the form of a metric called "maximum sensitivity degradation" (MSD)) is outdated and less useful because the UE may have much better MSD than currently defined in the 3GPP specifications. The study concluded that a static MSD value signaled as a UE capability for the affected carrier aggregation (CA) and / or dual connectivity (DC) combinations would allow the UE to inform the network of improved MSD performance relative to the specifications, including receiver victim, transmitter aggressor (s), MSD type, power level, and MSD level.

[0083] The following aims to address at least one of the above issues.

[0084] Specifically, the following aims to provide at least one method for enabling a network to dynamically determine an MSD value for a UE. In other words, the following describes at least one method that allows a network to determine an MSD value for a particular UE using self-interference-related measurement information obtained from that particular UE. The self-interference measurement information can be reported to the network along with the associated uplink transmit power so that the network can derive an MSD value that is currently appropriate for the operating and network environment currently being experienced by the UE.

[0085] In more detail, the following describes a resource configuration pattern with known "empty" locations (e.g., empty resource elements, where an empty resource element can be considered as at least one predefined subcarrier on a predefined orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) symbol). The UE performs so-called "gapless" measurements on the resource configuration pattern, which includes measurements based on both empty resource elements and active (non-empty) resource elements in the uplink transmission. The UE reports self-interference measurements based on measurements of both types of resources to the network. The UE (or the network node to which the UE reports its measurements) can use the self-interference measurements and the current output power level to determine a specific MSD value for the UE during the measurement period. The network can then use this specific MSD value when allocating resources to the UE and / or making and implementing other types of radio resource control decisions.

[0086] The gap-free method of self-interference measurement has much less impact on downlink capacity than the non-gap-free method of self-interference measurement.

[0087] To illustrate this, an example resource configuration will first be discussed, followed by example signaling that may be performed between a UE making measurements and a network.

[0088] Typically, the resources allocated to a UE may be configured with known empty locations to be configured in. These known empty locations will be referred to herein as empty "patterns."

[0089] The configuration and implementation of the null pattern for which the UE performs self-interference measurements can be implemented using any of a variety of types of signals, including DMRS signals (e.g., DMRS type 1 or type 2 symbols, where nulls are formed by no data in other code division multiplexing (CDM) groups), sounding reference signals (SRS) (e.g., SRS for uplinks with NULLs in transmission comb-2 and other combs), and / or rate matching (e.g., by rate matching resources within a rate matching framework). These different types of implementations will be considered in turn below.

[0090] First, the null pattern configuration in DMRS will be considered.

[0091] These DMRS null patterns can be configured by using uplink DMRS symbols by setting the number of CDM groups with no data to 2 for DMRS type 1 and / or by setting the number of CDM groups with no data to 3 for DMRS type 2. In UL single-user (SU) multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) scenarios, all DMRS ports of a UE should be in the same CDM group. This allows other CDM groups to have NULLs that can be used for self-interference measurement purposes.

[0092] For example, periodic transmission of four DMRS type 1 symbols with a NULL pattern can be configured by setting the radio resource control (RRC) configuration to include a DMRS configuration information element to define: type 1, maximum length 2, additional position 1, sequence repetition, optionally: number of CDM groups with no data = 2, define period and time slot offset, and optionally signal harmonics to the DL absolute radio frequency channel number (ARFCN) frequency offset.

[0093] This RRC signaling (especially the optional "number of CDM groups" parameter) can override the corresponding parameter in the downlink control information (DCI) that schedules uplink transmissions in this resource. The sequence repetition factor can also be used to generate smaller DMRS sequences, which can be repeated multiple times to give a more uniform harmonic product.

[0094] Although the previous example shows periodic null transmissions (e.g., alternating transmissions and NULL in the previous example), it should be understood that the null pattern can include aperiodic nulls. This can be allocated by defining an RRC configuration to include a DMRS configuration information element, the DMRS configuration information element indicating that the information element is of type 1, has a maximum length of 2, and an additional position of 1, optionally harmonic to the DL ARFCN offset, and that the measurement will be triggered by signaling DCI format 0_1 ​​with antenna port index, CDM group with no data = 2, and self-interference measurement trigger: 1 bit.

[0095] Example Null Pattern Reference Configured Using Periodic Allocation of NULL for DMRS Type 1 Figure 5 is shown. Figure 5 This null pattern corresponds to a DMRS type 1 pattern with a length of 2 symbols in the UL slot and with 2 CDM groups with no data. This pattern is also repeated in harmonics, allowing the UE to measure self-interference and signal-to-self-interference ratio.

[0096] Figure 5 The pattern is included in Figure 6 In the frequency division duplex (FDD)-time division duplex (TDD) band combination shown in 5 time slots spanning 14 symbols. Figure 6In this example, the FDD transmission has a 2nd harmonic that falls within the TDD receive band. This causes the received signal to be subject to self-interference. The NULLS in the DMRS uplink symbols of the FDD transmission will cause the same on / off pattern to exist in the second harmonic response in the TDD receive symbol. The network node (e.g., an access network node) is aware of the null pattern and can therefore know and signal to the UE the allocation of dedicated time slots that the UE must use for self-interference measurements. Based on this allocation and the frequency offset information related to the FDD-FDD, FDD-TDD and / or TDD-TDD relationship provided by the network node to the UE, the UE can configure the self-interference measurement method.

[0097] Second, the SRS null mode configuration will be considered.

[0098] The uplink SRS may be used in transmit comb-2 with the required number of symbols to generate an alternating NULL pattern when the comb used to carry another SRS signal is empty.

[0099] A single antenna can be probed using an SRS sequence transmitted at predefined times. For example, periodic transmission of an SRS for self-interference measurement can be performed using an RRC configuration message. The RRC configuration message may include an uplink SRS configuration (e.g., including at least one of a transmission comb-2, number of symbols, bandwidth, sequence repetition, and an indication that self-interference measurement is to be performed), an indication of periodicity as a slot offset, and / or a harmonic to DL ARFCN offset.

[0100] The indication that self-interference measurement is to be performed may also indicate that SRS is also to be used for self-interference measurement, so the other comb will remain empty.The sequence repetition factor may be used to generate smaller SRS sequences, which may be repeated multiple times to give a more uniform harmonic product.

[0101] Similarly, for aperiodic SRS allocation, the RRC configuration information may include an uplink UL SRS configuration (e.g., including at least one of transmission comb-2, number of symbols, frequency bandwidth, sequence repetition, an indication that self-interference measurement is to be performed), an indication that DCI format 0_1 ​​is to use the resource identifier included in the RRC configuration as an aperiodic trigger, and / or a harmonic to DL ARFCN offset.

[0102] Third, the rate matching configuration of the null pattern will be considered.

[0103] The so-called rate matching (RM) framework was defined in NR Rel-15. RM supports the definition of RM resources at the resource unit level (e.g., LTE CRS patterns for 4G-5G dynamic spectrum sharing scenarios), as well as the definition of rate matching resources at the resource block and symbol levels. This allows for the "blanking" of the physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH) on any OFDM symbol in time and any resource block (RB) in frequency for (multiple) predefined time slots. Blanking is the same as creating a null transmission.

[0104] RM resources may be configured via RRC signaling and may be applied dynamically or semi-statically.Rate matching may be configured as part of the PDSCH configuration.

[0105] Rate matching resources are not used for PDSCH transmissions. Even if a PDSCH resource allocation covers those resources (at least partially), they are not taken into account when preparing the signal for transmission (e.g., they are not used). In NR, the RM framework is defined only for DL.

[0106] The RM framework currently defined for PDSCH configurations may be reused for the creation of self-interference measurement patterns for uplink (Physical Uplink Shared Channel (PUSCH)) configurations.

[0107] For example, (multiple) null patterns can be semi-statically configured as part of the PUSCH configuration using RRC signaling. A null pattern can cover one or more symbols of a slot. A null pattern can cover one or more resource blocks (of a bandwidth portion or carrier). A null pattern can cover predefined resource elements (e.g., even or odd resource elements) of the associated resource blocks. A null pattern can be configured so that it does not overlap with a PUSCH DMRS or SRS.

[0108] As another example, null pattern usage can be dynamically controlled using one or more bits in a UL grant (such as DCI format 0_1). In other words, certain DCI formats can correspond to different null patterns and / or activation of null pattern usage. For example, DCI format 0_1 ​​can indicate "with pattern," while DCI format 0_0 can indicate "no pattern."

[0109] As another example, use of the null pattern may be turned on / off using medium access control (MAC) signaling.

[0110] A combination of the above-described semi-static and dynamic signaling may also be performed. For example, one or more modes may be configured via RRC, and one of the one or more modes may be dynamically selected (from a plurality of modes) using DCI and / or MAC signaling.

[0111] Furthermore, the use of null pattern may be turned on and / or off (eg, semi-statically) via RRC signaling.

[0112] In all the above examples, the null pattern may be configured to be UE-specific and / or cell-specific.

[0113] For example, these may be beneficial for uplink multi-user (MU)-MIMO scenarios when UL DMRS symbols from co-scheduled UEs may interfere with measurements being performed by the target UE.

[0114] Once the network has configured the UE with a null pattern (eg, using DMRS signaling, SRS signaling, and / or rate matching signaling), the network may cause periodic or aperiodic use of such resources.

[0115] For example, the network may signal periodic transmission of the NULL pattern using a specific period and slot offset for self-interference measurements.

[0116] As another example, the number of measurement symbols, their position within the measurement slot, and the sequence may be preconfigured via RRC.In this case, the transmission of the NULL pattern may be triggered aperiodically using DCI format 0_1.

[0117] As another example, instead of dynamically triggering a self-interference measurement period, the network may configure the UE with a self-interference measurement period instead of triggered measurements (taking into account co-channel UE allocations for null pattern resource allocations in a non-overlapping allocation structure).

[0118] Figures 7 to 11 FIG1 shows example signaling that may be associated with a UE performing self-interference measurements. It should be understood that the above-described null pattern configuration associated with any one of DMRS signaling, SRS signaling, and / or rate matching signaling may be used for Figures 7 to 11 Any of these examples.

[0119] Figure 7 Example signaling that may be performed for periodic configuration of time slots for performing self-interference measurements is shown.

[0120] Figure 7 7 shows signaling that may be performed between a UE 701 and a network node 702. The network node may include an access network node, such as the one described above with respect to FIG. Figure 2 The UE may include the Figure 3 Describe the terminal and / or device.

[0121] During 7001, the network node 702 determines to configure the UE 701 with information of the frequency range, band, and channel being used by the network node. Based on a positive determination to perform this configuration, the following signaling may be performed.

[0122] During 7002, the network node 702 sends a signal to the UE 701. The signaling may include a system information block (SIB), such as SIB 11. The signaling may be included in an RRC message. The signaling may include a channel range for each frequency band and a list of potential carrier aggregation combinations. The UE 702 may store this information at 7002.

[0123] During 7003, the network node 702 signals the UE 701 to request UE capability information.

[0124] During 7004, UE 701 signals the network node 702 to provide the requested UE capability information. The signaling may include lower MSD capability information indicating a worse case value for the MSD value. The UE capability information may also include an indication of the UE's self-interference measurement capability using the number of symbols required for SI measurement. The network node may use the reported lower MSD capability for making RRC decisions until a dynamic MSD value is obtained via UE self-interference measurement.

[0125] During 7005, the network node identifies frequency band combinations for which the UE may be affected by self-interference. In other words, the network node 702 identifies a particular frequency band combination as a frequency band combination affected by MSD. Based on this identification, the network node determines relevant information for configuring the UE with a measurement method that allows the UE to determine the level of self-interference in the affected receive frequency band before the UE reaches maximum output power. For example, the network node 702 may determine a resource grant for the UE 702 for configuring the UE with an uplink resource allocation to perform self-interference measurements. This signaling pattern may be as described above.

[0126] During 7006, the network node 702 signals to the UE 701. The signaling may include an RRC setup message and / or an RRC reconfiguration message.

[0127] The signaling at 7006 may include additional information regarding the periodic allocation of the uplink symbol pattern. This additional information may include the periodicity of the measurements to be performed and the time slot offset for configuring the uplink transmission. Optionally, the offset between the DL ARFCN and the uplink harmonics may be included in the signaling at 7006.

[0128] During 7007, the UE configures its radio to comply with the configuration information (including the configuration included in the additional information) included in the signaling of 7006. The UE 701 may store any information related to (eg, associated with or otherwise corresponding to) the self-interference measurement configuration.

[0129] During 7008, the UE 701 signals the network node to confirm that the RRC configuration of 7006 has been applied at the UE.

[0130] During 7009, the network node 702 signals the UE to trigger a self-interference report. The trigger may be signaled as described above. In an example, the signaling may be included in a medium access control (CE) command.

[0131] During 7010, UE 701 receives a timeslot configuration to apply an uplink configuration and a measurement method for self-interference determination. Although not shown, when network node 702 signals UE 701 with an instruction to stop reporting self-interference measurement results, the UE may perform self-interference measurements according to the configuration of 7006 until 7011. The signaling of 7011 may be included in a MACCE instruction.

[0132] Figure 8 Another example in which a self-interference measurement period is configured is shown. In other words, the network node configures a period for self-interference measurement, ensuring that no co-channel UEs in the uplink (UL) generate the same pattern (as this could interfere with SI measurements). This may be useful when the number of symbols required for self-interference measurement cannot be configured within one time slot.

[0133] Figure 8 8 shows signaling that may be performed between a UE 801 and a network node 802. The network node may include an access network node, such as described above with respect to Figure 2 UE may include a terminal and / or a device, as described above. Figure 3 As described above, 8001 to 8005 may correspond to the operations of 7001 to 7005.

[0134] During 8001, the network node determines to configure the UE with information on the frequency range, frequency band and channel being used by the network node. Based on a positive determination to perform this configuration, the following signaling may be performed.

[0135] During 8002, network node 802 sends a signal to UE 801. The signaling may include a system information block (SIB), such as SIB 11. The signaling may be included in an RRC message. The signaling may include a channel range for each frequency band and a list of potential carrier aggregation combinations. UE 802 may store this information at 8002.

[0136] During 8003, the network node 802 signals the UE 801 to request UE capability information.

[0137] During 8004, UE 801 signals the network node 802 to provide the requested UE capability information. The signaling may include lower MSD capability information indicating a worse case value for the MSD value. The UE capability information may also include an indication of the UE's self-interference measurement capability using the number of symbols required for SI measurement.

[0138] During 8005, the network node identifies frequency band combinations for which the UE may be affected by self-interference. In other words, the network node 802 identifies a particular frequency band combination as a frequency band combination affected by MSD. Based on this identification, the network node determines relevant information for configuring the UE with a measurement method that allows the UE to determine the level of self-interference in the affected receive frequency band before the UE reaches maximum output power. For example, the network node 802 may determine a resource grant for the UE 802 for configuring the UE with an uplink resource allocation to perform self-interference measurements. This signaling pattern may be as described above.

[0139] During 8006, the network node 802 sends a signal to the UE 801. The signaling may include an RRC setup message and / or an RRC reconfiguration message.

[0140] The signaling at 8006 may include additional information regarding the periodic allocation of the uplink symbol pattern. This additional information may include the periodicity of the measurements to be performed and the time slot offset for configuring the uplink transmission. Optionally, the offset between the DL ARFCN and the uplink harmonics may be included in the signaling at 8006.

[0141] During 8007, the UE configures its radio to comply with the configuration information (including the configuration included in the additional information) included in the signaling of 8006. UE 801 may store any information related to (eg, associated with or otherwise corresponding to) the self-interference measurement configuration.

[0142] During 8008, UE 801 signals the network node to confirm that the RRC configuration of 8006 has been applied at the UE.

[0143] During 8009, the network node 802 signals the UE to trigger a self-interference report. The trigger may be signaled as described above. In an example, the signaling may be included in a media access control (CE) command. The request may be for a duration equal to the SI measurement period configured via 8006.

[0144] During 8010, UE 801 receives a timeslot configuration to apply an uplink configuration and a measurement method for self-interference determination. Although not shown, the UE may perform measurements on self-interference according to the configuration of 8006 until the end of the measurement period configured during 8006.

[0145] Figure 9 An example of an aperiodic configuration is shown.

[0146] Figure 9 9 shows signaling that may be performed between UE 901 and network node 902. The network node may include an access network node, such as the one described above with respect to Figure 2 UE may include a terminal and / or a device, as described above. Figure 3 As described above, steps 9001 to 9005 may correspond to the operations of steps 7001 to 7005 .

[0147] During 9001, the network node determines to configure the UE with information on the frequency range, frequency band and channel being used by the network node. Based on a positive determination to perform this configuration, the following signaling may be performed.

[0148] During 9002, network node 902 sends a signal to UE 901. The signaling may include a system information block (SIB), such as SIB 11. The signaling may be included in an RRC message. The signaling may include a channel range for each frequency band and a list of potential carrier aggregation combinations. UE 902 may store this information at 9002.

[0149] During 9003, the network node 902 signals the UE 901 to request UE capability information.

[0150] During 9004, UE 901 signals the network node 902 to provide the requested UE capability information. The signaling may include lower MSD capability information indicating a worse case value for the MSD value. The UE capability information may also include an indication of the UE's self-interference measurement capability using the number of symbols required for SI measurement.

[0151] During 9005, the network node identifies frequency band combinations for which the UE may be affected by self-interference. In other words, the network node 902 identifies a particular frequency band combination as a frequency band combination affected by MSD. Based on this identification, the network node determines relevant information for configuring the UE with a measurement method that allows the UE to determine the level of self-interference in the affected receive frequency band before the UE reaches its maximum output power. For example, the network node 902 may determine a resource grant for the UE 902 for configuring the UE with an uplink resource allocation to perform self-interference measurements. This signaling pattern may be as described above.

[0152] During 9006, the network node 902 sends a signal to the UE 901. The signaling may include an RRC setup message and / or an RRC reconfiguration message.

[0153] The signaling at 9006 may include additional information regarding the aperiodic allocation of the uplink symbol pattern. This additional information may include the periodicity of the measurements to be performed and the time slot offset for configuring the uplink transmission. Optionally, the offset between the DL ARFCN and the uplink harmonics may be included in the signaling at 9006.

[0154] During 9007, the UE configures its radio to comply with the configuration information (including the configuration included in the additional information) included in the signaling of 9006. The UE 901 may store any information related to (eg, associated with or otherwise corresponding to) the self-interference measurement configuration.

[0155] During 9008, UE 901 signals the network node to confirm that the RRC configuration of 9006 is applied at the UE.

[0156] During 9009, the network node 902 sends a signal to the UE to trigger a self-interference report. The trigger may be signaled as described above. In an example, the signaling may be included in downlink control information (e.g., via a format of DCI information, such as DCI format 0_1).

[0157] During 9010, UE 901 receives a timeslot configuration to apply an uplink configuration and a measurement method for self-interference determination. Although not shown, the UE may perform measurements on self-interference according to the configuration of 9006 until a preconfigured duration has elapsed and / or until an explicit stop request is received from a network node.

[0158] exist Figures 7 to 9 In the following, the reference UE provides a measurement report to the network node. Figures 10 to 11 It should be understood that the following discussion and features may apply to Figures 7 to 9 Any signaling operation in .

[0159] Typically, the UE may report measurement information to the network node, the measurement information indicating the uplink transmit power used by the UE and the measured self-interference (e.g., in dBm). In addition, the UE may optionally report at least one of the following: the value of the MSD expected when the UE transmits at peak power, the delta (e.g., difference) of the static MSD value reported for the band combination, or any report indicating the measured self-interference of the UE.

[0160] The number of symbols used to measure the self-interference of each sub-band may be a UE capability reported by the UE (e.g. Figures 7 to 9 Based on the UE's indicated UE capabilities, the network may choose a configuration to create a null pattern for use by the UE when performing self-interference measurements.

[0161] The reporting itself may be performed using at least one of a variety of different signaling methods. For example, the measurement report may be provided in uplink control information (e.g., channel state information (CSI), channel quality information (CQI), PMI, etc.). The measurement report may be provided separately for each subband and / or for the entire active bandwidth part (BWP).

[0162] As another example, measurement reporting may be performed using a new MAC control element that includes at least one of: a self-interference measurement or an MDF at peak power, and an increment to a static MSD reported for a band combination.

[0163] Example signaling for these different signaling methods is referenced below Figure 10 and 11 is shown.

[0164] Figure 10 An example of SI reporting that can be performed using UCI is shown.

[0165] Figure 10 Example signaling that may be performed for periodic configuration of time slots for performing self-interference measurements is shown.

[0166] Figure 10 1 shows signaling that may be performed between UE 1001 and network 1002. The network nodes may include access network nodes, such as those described above with respect to Figure 2 UE may include a terminal and / or a device, as described above. Figure 3 10001 to 10005 may correspond to the operations of 7001 to 7005.

[0167] During 10001, the network node determines to configure the UE with information about the frequency range, frequency band and channels being used by the network node. Based on a positive determination to perform this configuration, the following signaling may be performed.

[0168] During 10002, network node 1002 sends a signal to UE 1001. The signaling may include a system information block (SIB), such as SIB 11. The signaling may be included in an RRC message. The signaling may include a channel range for each frequency band and a list of potential carrier aggregation combinations. UE 1002 may store this information 10002.

[0169] During 10003 , the network node 1002 signals the UE 1001 to request UE capability information.

[0170] During 10004, UE 1001 signals network node 1002 to provide the requested UE capability information. The signaling may include lower MSD capability information indicating a worse case value for the MSD value. The UE capability information may also include an indication of the UE's self-interference measurement capability using the number of symbols required for SI measurement.

[0171] During 10005, the network node identifies frequency band combinations for which the UE may be affected by self-interference. In other words, the network node 1002 identifies a particular frequency band combination as a frequency band combination affected by MSD. Based on this identification, the network node determines relevant information to configure the UE with a measurement method that allows the UE to determine the level of self-interference in the affected receive frequency band before the UE reaches its maximum output power. For example, the network node 1002 may determine a resource grant for UE 1001 to configure the UE with an uplink resource allocation to perform self-interference measurements. This signaling pattern may be as described above.

[0172] During 10006, the network node 1002 signals the UE 1001. This signaling may be part of the signaling of any of 7006, 8006 and / or 9006, or separate therefrom.

[0173] The signaling of 10006 may include additional information for configuring self-interference measurement reporting at UE 1001. This signaling may be performed using, for example, RRC signaling (such as an RRC setup message and / or an RRC reconfiguration message).

[0174] The information for configuring the self-interference measurement report may include, for example, an indication of the frequency range over which the self-interference measurement is to be performed. For example, the information for configuring the self-interference measurement report may include an indication of a subband size (e.g., in units of PRBs) or a wideband (indicating that the entire BWP is to be measured).

[0175] The information for configuring the self-interference measurement report may include an indication of which parameters are to be reported by the UE. For example, the information for configuring the self-interference measurement report may include an indication that the measured self-interference is to be reported (dBm) and / or the output power (e.g., in dBm) is to be reported.

[0176] The information for configuring the self-interference measurement report may include a parameter reporting an MSD value expected for the UE when the UE transmits at peak power.

[0177] The information used to configure the self-interference measurement report may include timing information, such as a reporting slot offset, which indicates when the UE should provide the measurement report.

[0178] During 10007, the UE configures its radio so that it complies with the configuration information (including the reporting configuration included in the additional information) included in the signaling of 10006. The UE 1001 may store any information related to (eg, associated with or otherwise corresponding to) the self-interference measurement configuration.

[0179] During 10008 , UE 1001 signals the network node to confirm that the RRC configuration of 10006 has been applied at the UE.

[0180] During 10009, the network node 1002 signals the UE to trigger a self-interference report. The trigger may be signaled as described above. In an example, the signaling may be included in a media access control (MAC) command. The signaling may indicate whether the report is periodic or aperiodic. The signaling may identify at least one time slot in which the UE will perform self-interference measurements.

[0181] During 10010, UE 1001 performs its self-interference measurement according to its configuration. Although not shown, the UE may perform measurements on self-interference according to the configuration of any of 7006, 8006 and / or 9006.

[0182] During 10011, UE 1001 reports its self-interference measurement results according to the configuration of 10006. This signaling may use the time slot indicated during the configuration of 10006. The signaling is shown as including UCI containing the requested self-interference measurement parameters in the self-interference reporting format configured during 10006.

[0183] The network node uses the reported self-interference level and the associated output power to derive a current MSD value for the UE during 10012. The determined current MSD value may be used by the network node 1002 to make RRC management decisions.

[0184] The network can derive the MSD value based on the information of the MSD type found in the standard.

[0185] When the delta between the absolute output power level and the maximum output power level for a given configuration is known to the network, each 1 dB power increase in the UE's absolute output power may cause the self-interference level to increase according to the order of the harmonic. For example, a third-order harmonic will increase in power by 3:1. The MSD value is calculated by adding the delta between the UE's absolute power level and the maximum output power level, multiplied by the order of the harmonic, to the absolute level of self-interference. If this signal level of self-interference exceeds the REFSENS level, then the amount in dB it exceeds REFSENS is equal to the MSD value. If the level of self-interference does not exceed the REFSENS level, then the MSD value is 0 dB. The network can use this value as the accurate, dynamically measured UE MSD value, rather than the lower, statically reported MSD value found in the UE capability report, as this is a direct hit as described in the configuration based on the 3GPP specifications.

[0186] Figure 11 Example signaling that may be performed to configure a UE to report self-interference measurement information using a MAC CE is shown.

[0187] Figure 11 Example signaling that may be performed for periodic configuration of time slots for performing self-interference measurements is shown.

[0188] Figure 11 1 shows signaling that may be performed between UE 1101 and network node 1102. The network node may include an access network node, such as the one described above with respect to Figure 2 UE may include a terminal and / or a device, as described above. Figure 3 11001 to 11005 may correspond to the operations of 7001 to 7005.

[0189] During 11001, the network node determines to configure the UE with information on the frequency range, frequency band and channel being used by the network node. Based on a positive determination to perform this configuration, the following signaling may be performed.

[0190] During 11002, network node 1102 sends a signal to UE 1101. The signaling may include a system information block (SIB), such as SIB 11. The signaling may be included in an RRC message. The signaling may include a channel range for each frequency band and a list of potential carrier aggregation combinations. UE 1101 may store the information 11002.

[0191] During 11003 , the network node 1102 signals the UE 1101 to request UE capability information.

[0192] During 11004, UE 1101 signals network node 1102 to provide the requested UE capability information. The signaling may include lower MSD capability information indicating a worse case value for the MSD value. The UE capability information may also include an indication of the UE's self-interference measurement capability using the number of symbols required for SI measurement.

[0193] During 11005, the network node identifies frequency band combinations for which the UE may be affected by self-interference. In other words, the network node 1102 identifies a particular frequency band combination as a frequency band combination affected by MSD. Based on this identification, the network node determines relevant information for configuring the UE with a measurement method that allows the UE to determine the level of self-interference in the affected receive frequency band before the UE reaches maximum output power. For example, the network node 1102 may determine a resource grant for the UE 1102 to configure the UE with an uplink resource allocation to perform self-interference measurements. This signaling pattern may be as described above.

[0194] During 11006, the network node 1102 signals to the UE 1101. This signaling may be part of the signaling of any of 7006, 8006 and / or 9006, or separate therefrom.

[0195] The signaling of 11006 may include additional information for configuring self-interference measurement reporting at UE 1101. This signaling may be performed using, for example, RRC signaling (such as an RRC setup message and / or an RRC reconfiguration message).

[0196] For example, the information for configuring the self-interference measurement report may include an indication (dBm) that the measured self-interference level is to be reported.

[0197] The information for configuring the self-interference measurement report may include a parameter reporting an MSD value expected for the UE when the UE transmits at maximum output power according to a power class.

[0198] The information for configuring the self-interference measurement report may include an indication that a delta is to be reported, the delta indicating a difference between an MSD determined at the UE using the self-interference measurement information and a previously indicated MSD value for the frequency band combination.

[0199] During 11007, the UE configures its radio so that it complies with the configuration information (including the reporting configuration included in the additional information) included in the signaling of 11006. UE 1101 may store any information related to (eg, associated with or otherwise corresponding to) the self-interference measurement configuration.

[0200] During 11008 , UE 1101 signals the network node to confirm that the RRC configuration of 11006 has been applied at the UE.

[0201] During 11009, network node 1102 signals the UE to trigger self-interference reporting. The trigger may be signaled as described above. In an example, the signaling may be included in a media access control (MAC) command. The signaling may indicate whether the reporting is periodic or aperiodic. The signaling may identify at least one time slot in which the UE will perform self-interference measurements.

[0202] During 11010, UE 1101 performs its self-interference measurement according to its configuration. Although not shown, the UE may perform measurements on self-interference according to the configuration of any of 7006, 8006, and / or 9006.

[0203] During 11011, UE 1101 reports its self-interference measurement results according to the configuration of 11006. This signaling may use the time slot indicated during the configuration of 11006. The signaling is shown as including a MAC control element containing the self-interference measurement parameters requested in the self-interference reporting format configured during 11006.

[0204] The network node uses the reported self-interference level and the associated output power to derive a current MSD value for the UE during 11012. The determined current MSD value may be used by the network node 1102 to make RRC management decisions.

[0205] The network may derive the MSD value based on information on MSD types found within the 3GPP standard.

[0206] Figures 12 to 14 Descriptions are shown that may be performed by at least some of the above-described devices. It should therefore be understood that the following features may be provided with further context with reference to the above-described non-limiting examples.

[0207] Figure 12 The operations that can be performed by the apparatus for user equipment are shown. The apparatus for user equipment can be as described above with respect to Figure 3 As stated.

[0208] During 1201, an apparatus receives from a network node a configuration including an uplink transmission mode associated with a combination of uplink and downlink carriers, wherein the uplink transmission mode is to be used by a user equipment when performing self-interference measurements, the uplink transmission mode including a mix of active resource units and empty resource units. The network node may be configured as follows with respect to Figure 12 As stated.

[0209] Empty resource units may be marked as "empty transmission" and / or "inactive resource units". Active resource units may be marked as "transmission". Active resource units may include at least one uplink transmission performed on a frequency (e.g., a carrier or subcarrier) on an OFDM symbol. Empty resource units may include the absence of an uplink transmission on a frequency (e.g., a carrier or subcarrier) on an OFDM symbol. In other words, "no transmission creates empty resource units" may be understood as empty resource units (e.g., resource units that do not correspond to transmissions, or resource units that otherwise correspond to empty transmissions). No transmission creates empty resource units may be resource units in which a device abandons transmission. For example, no transmission creates empty resource units may be resource units in which data is not transmitted uplink, while active resource units may be resource units in which data is transmitted uplink.

[0210] The uplink transmission pattern may define the pattern of null and non-null frequencies used for the uplink for at least one timing unit (e.g., OFDM symbol). The uplink transmission pattern may be alternating (e.g., null-transmission-null-transmission, etc.), or may have some other pattern, such as described above.

[0211] An uplink transmission pattern may be viewed as a repeating frequency pattern for transmissions.It will be appreciated that an uplink transmission pattern may extend to only a portion of the overall uplink frequency allocation available to the user equipment.

[0212] During 1202, the apparatus receives from a network node at least one indication of a transmission opportunity when a user equipment performs self-interference measurements based on a combination of uplink and downlink carriers.

[0213] During 1203, the apparatus sends to a network node at least one value indicative of self-interference measured at the user equipment during a transmission opportunity.

[0214] The apparatus may perform self-interference measurements based on the received configuration and at least one indication of a received transmission opportunity to obtain at least one value indicative of measured self-interference. In other words, during 1203, the apparatus transmits according to the uplink transmission configuration received during the transmission opportunity and performs measurements to determine self-interference experienced by the apparatus during the transmission opportunity.

[0215] Empty resource elements may be configured to alternate with active resource elements (e.g., such that the frequency in symbol timing alternates between used resource elements and empty resource elements, such as empty-used-empty-used). This is similar to the example of DMRS Pattern 1. It will be appreciated that other empty resource element transmission patterns may be configured in the uplink transmission pattern using other mechanisms such as those described above.

[0216] The uplink transmission pattern may include consecutive active resource units followed by consecutive empty resource units allocated in consecutive frequency resources. When the source of self-interference is determined to be uplink harmonics, the number of empty resource units may be equal to or greater than the number of active resource units. When the source of self-interference is determined to be the uplink fundamental frequency, the number of empty resource units may be less than the number of active resource units.

[0217] The apparatus may perform frequency offset compensation for aligning uplink harmonic subcarriers and / or uplink fundamental frequency subcarriers with respect to a physical resource block grid of downlink absolute radio frequency channel numbers.

[0218] Performing frequency offset compensation may include performing at least one of the following items: determining the uplink harmonic to downlink frequency offset by calculating the modulus of (uplink channel number * harmonic order - downlink channel number, uplink subcarrier spacing), or may include determining the downlink harmonic to downlink frequency offset by calculating the modulus of (downlink channel number * harmonic order - uplink channel number, uplink subcarrier spacing).

[0219] The at least one value indicating self-interference measured at the user equipment during a transmission opportunity may include at least one of: a measured self-interference level, a measured output power, a maximum sensitivity drop calculated by the user equipment based on a performed self-interference measurement, or a difference between a reference maximum sensitivity drop and a maximum sensitivity drop calculated by the user equipment based on the self-interference measurement.

[0220] At least one indication of a transmission opportunity may include at least one of the following: an indication of a transmission period of the uplink transmission mode; an indication of a time slot offset (defined relative to a known timing reference, such as a time slot number within a radio frame); an indication of the number of measurement symbols; an indication of the number of consecutive time slots with measurements; an indication of where those measurement symbols are located within the time slot; an indication of the frequency offset of the uplink harmonic to the downlink absolute reference channel number; an indication of the frequency offset of the uplink baseband to the downlink absolute reference channel number; an indication of the size of a frequency subband for reporting self-interference; or a trigger for indicating a transmission opportunity.

[0221] The apparatus may receive an instruction from the network node to stop performing self-interference measurements. The instruction may be received separately from the instruction to start performing self-interference measurements, or may be received together with the instruction to start performing self-interference measurements (e.g., when it is provided in the form of a duration over which the measurements are to be performed).

[0222] The trigger may include an indication of whether the user equipment should stop or start performing self-interference measurements.

[0223] At least a portion of the at least one indication of a transmission opportunity may be received in a radio resource control message, and / or a medium access control element, and / or downlink control information.

[0224] The apparatus may be further caused to receive a request for user equipment capability information from the network node and send the user equipment capability information to the network node, the user equipment capability information comprising a number of symbols required by the user equipment for performing the self-interference measurement.

[0225] The apparatus may also be caused to receive, from the network node, an indication of which parameter or parameters the at least one value should correspond to.

[0226] Transmitting the at least one value indicative of the measured self-interference may include transmitting the at least one value using at least one of a radio resource control message, a medium access control element, or downlink control information.

[0227] The uplink transmission mode includes a mix of active resource units and empty resource units, and the uplink transmission mode can correspond to at least one of the following items: a physical uplink shared channel demodulation reference signal, a physical uplink control channel demodulation reference signal, a sounding reference signal, or a physical uplink shared channel rate matched around a predefined zero resource unit.

[0228] Figure 13 The operations that may be performed by an apparatus for a network node are shown. The network node may include a network access node, such as the one described above with respect to Figure 2 The network node may include any one of a base station, a gNB, etc.

[0229] During 1301, the apparatus determines an uplink transmission mode to be associated with a combination of uplink and downlink carriers, the uplink transmission mode comprising a mix of active resource units and empty resource units. The uplink transmission mode may be as described above with respect to Figure 12 As stated.

[0230] During 1302, the apparatus configures a user equipment with an uplink transmission mode, wherein the uplink transmission mode is to be used by the user equipment when performing self-interference measurements.

[0231] During 1303, the apparatus sends to the user equipment at least one indication of a transmission opportunity when the user equipment should perform self-interference measurements based on a combination of uplink and downlink carriers.

[0232] During 1304, the apparatus receives from a user equipment at least one value indicative of measured self-interference at the user equipment during a transmission opportunity.

[0233] The apparatus may receive according to an uplink transmission pattern during a transmission opportunity.

[0234] Empty resource elements may be configured to alternate with active resource elements (e.g., such that the frequency in symbol timing alternates between used resource elements and empty resource elements, such as empty-used-empty-used). This is similar to the example of DMRS Pattern 1. It should be understood that other empty resource element transmission patterns may be configured in the uplink transmission pattern using other mechanisms such as those described above.

[0235] At least one indication of a transmission opportunity may include at least one of: an indication of the period of transmission of the uplink transmission mode; an indication of a time slot offset; an indication of the number of measurement symbols; an indication of the number of consecutive time slots with measurements; an indication of where those measurement symbols are located within the time slot; an indication of the frequency offset of the uplink harmonic to the downlink absolute reference channel number; an indication of the frequency offset of the uplink baseband to the downlink absolute reference channel number; an indication of the size of the frequency subband for reporting self-interference; or a trigger for indicating a transmission opportunity.

[0236] The trigger may include at least one of a medium access control element instructing the user equipment to perform self-interference measurement or a downlink control information format instructing the user equipment to perform self-interference measurement, wherein the trigger includes an indication of when the user equipment should stop or start performing self-interference measurement.

[0237] The apparatus may send an instruction to the user equipment to stop performing the self-interference measurement.

[0238] At least a portion of the at least one indication of a transmission opportunity may be sent using a radio resource control message, and / or a medium access control element, and / or downlink control information.

[0239] The apparatus may also be caused to send a request for user equipment capability information to the user equipment; and receive user equipment capability information from the user equipment, the user equipment capability information comprising: a number of symbols required by the user equipment for performing self-interference measurement.

[0240] The at least one value indicating the self-interference measured at the user equipment during the transmission opportunity may include at least one of the following: a measured self-interference level, a measured output power, or a difference between a reference maximum sensitivity drop and a maximum sensitivity drop calculated by the user equipment based on the self-interference measurement. The apparatus may also be configured to: determine the maximum sensitivity drop based on (multiple) received values; and use the determined maximum sensitivity drop to make a radio resource control decision (such as resource unit allocation to the user equipment). The apparatus may implement the made RRC decision (e.g., the apparatus may use the determined maximum sensitivity drop value to perform resource allocation to the user equipment).

[0241] The at least one value indicative of self-interference measured at the user equipment during a transmission opportunity may include a maximum desensitization calculated by the user equipment based on the self-interference measurement, and the apparatus includes means for using the indicated maximum desensitization calculated by the user equipment to make a radio resource control decision.

[0242] The apparatus may send an indication to the user equipment indicating which parameter or parameters the at least one value should correspond to. For example, the apparatus may instruct the user equipment whether the MSD value determined by the user equipment is to be reported by the user equipment and / or for measurement values ​​used by the network node in determining the determined MSD value. These measurement values ​​may include, for example, an indication of an uplink transmission power and a downlink reception power pair and / or a ratio of uplink transmission power to downlink reception power for a plurality of measurements performed over a duration over which the measurement is performed.

[0243] Figure 14 1 shows operations that may be performed by an apparatus of a user equipment when causing self-interference measurements to be performed. It should be understood that the user equipment may have been as described above with respect to Figure 12 The user equipment may be configured as described above to have information for performing self-interference measurements, or may have been configured in some other manner. In other words, the following operations relate to how the user equipment performs self-interference measurements, but not to the configuration of the user equipment itself for performing these operations.

[0244] The apparatus for the user equipment may correspond to Figure 3 Describe the device.

[0245] During 1401, the apparatus obtains at least one value indicative of self-interference by measuring a power difference in downlink resource units affected by active resource units of the uplink transmission and in downlink resource units affected by empty resource units of the uplink transmission based on at least one downlink carrier received during the uplink transmission.

[0246] The apparatus may send at least one value to a network node.

[0247] Transmitting the at least one value indicative of the measured self-interference may include transmitting the at least one value using at least one of a radio resource control message, a medium access control element, or downlink control information.

[0248] The apparatus may receive a configuration from a network node, the configuration comprising: an uplink transmission mode associated with a combination of uplink and downlink carriers, wherein the uplink transmission mode is to be used by the user equipment when performing self-interference measurements, the uplink transmission mode comprising: a frequency-wise mix of active resource units (e.g., transmissions in the active resource units) and empty resource units (no transmissions creating empty resource units), wherein the means for obtaining at least one value may be performed based on the received uplink transmission mode.

[0249] The uplink transmission mode may correspond to at least one of a physical uplink shared channel demodulation reference signal, a physical uplink control channel demodulation reference signal, a sounding reference signal, or a physical uplink shared channel rate matched around a predefined zero resource element.

[0250] The transmission pattern may include consecutive active resource units followed by consecutive empty resource units allocated in consecutive frequency resources. When the source of self-interference is determined to be the uplink baseband, the number of empty resource units may be equal to or greater than the number of active resource units. When the source of self-interference is determined to be the uplink baseband, the number of empty resource units may be less than the number of active resource units.

[0251] The apparatus may also receive from the network node at least one indication of a transmission opportunity when the user equipment should perform self-interference measurements based on a combination of uplink and downlink carriers, wherein the means for obtaining is performed during the transmission opportunity.

[0252] The apparatus may transmit using at least one of the uplink carriers during a transmission opportunity.

[0253] The at least one value indicating self-interference measured at the user equipment during a transmission opportunity may include at least one of: a measured self-interference level, a measured output power, a maximum sensitivity drop calculated by the user equipment based on a self-interference measurement performed, or a difference between a reference maximum sensitivity drop and a maximum sensitivity drop calculated by the user equipment based on the self-interference measurement.

[0254] At least one indication of a transmission opportunity may include at least one of the following: an indication of the period of transmission of the uplink transmission mode; an indication of a time slot offset; an indication of the number of measurement symbols; an indication of the number of consecutive time slots with measurements; an indication of where those measurement symbols are located within the time slot; an indication of the frequency offset of the uplink base frequency or harmonic to the downlink absolute reference channel number; an indication of the frequency offset of the uplink base frequency to the downlink absolute reference channel number; an indication of the size of a frequency subband for reporting self-interference; or a trigger for indicating a transmission opportunity.

[0255] The trigger may include an indication of whether the user equipment stops or starts performing self-interference measurements.

[0256] At least a portion of the at least one indication of a transmission opportunity may be received in a radio resource control message, and / or a medium access control element, and / or downlink control information.

[0257] The apparatus may also receive an instruction from the network node to stop performing the self-interference measurement.

[0258] The obtaining may also include aligning the self-interference measurement timing by aligning the fast Fourier transform timing with the uplink symbol grid; aligning the self-interference measurement frequency by performing frequency offset compensation to align the physical resource block grid of uplink subcarriers and / or uplink harmonic subcarriers relative to the downlink absolute radio frequency channel number, and measuring the power difference by measuring the power difference of the downlink resource units received during the active resource unit period relative to the downlink resource units received during the empty resource unit period, wherein at least one value indicates the power difference.

[0259] The obtaining may also include aligning the self-interference measurement timing by using a fast Fourier transform timing aligned with the downlink symbol grid, performing the measurement by performing time offset compensation on the uplink symbol grid using a timing advance value, aligning the self-interference measurement frequency by performing frequency offset compensation, a component for aligning the uplink harmonic subcarriers and / or uplink fundamental frequency subcarriers relative to the physical resource block grid of the downlink absolute radio frequency channel number, and measuring the power difference by measuring the power difference of the downlink resource units received during the active resource unit period relative to the downlink resource units received during the empty resource unit period, wherein at least one value indicates the power difference.

[0260] Downlink resource units affected by active resource units of uplink transmission and downlink resource units affected by empty resource units of uplink transmission may be determined to be in alternating frequency resources.

[0261] Aligning the self-interference measurement frequency may include at least one of the following items: determining the uplink fundamental frequency or uplink harmonic to downlink frequency offset by calculating the modulus of (uplink channel number * harmonic order - downlink channel number, uplink subcarrier spacing), or determining the downlink harmonic to downlink frequency offset by calculating the modulus of (downlink channel number * harmonic order - uplink channel number, uplink subcarrier spacing).

[0262] The apparatus may receive a request for user equipment capability information from a network node; and send the user equipment capability information to the network node, the user equipment capability information including the number of symbols required by the user equipment for performing self-interference measurement.

[0263] The apparatus may receive from the network node an indication of which parameter or parameters the at least one value corresponds to.

[0264] The above and Figure 14 The relevant features may correspond to at least two different methods for performing self-interference.

[0265] For example, for the first method, a user equipment can be provided that is configured to perform timing alignment by using a separate FFT whose FFT window is aligned to the UL OFDM symbol frame. The user equipment can also perform frequency alignment by performing frequency offset compensation for the misalignment of the UL harmonic subcarriers relative to the DL ARFCN grid. The user equipment can separately measure the power in the even and odd subcarriers within the subband. Finally, under the assumption that there are no empty resources in the subband for the DL signal and any other external interference, the user equipment can determine the power difference between the subcarriers (e.g., odd and even subcarriers in the example) to give a value for the self-interference metric within the subband.

[0266] For example, for the second method, a user equipment can be provided that is configured to perform timing alignment by using an FFT window aligned with the DL OFDM symbol frame and using time offset compensation to compensate for the timing advance of the uplink frame (the timing advance can be received from the network via any appropriate signaling). The user equipment can also perform frequency alignment by performing frequency offset compensation for the misalignment of the UL harmonic subcarriers relative to the DL ARFCN grid. The user equipment can measure the power in the even and odd subcarriers within the subband separately. Finally, under the assumption that there are no empty resources in the subband for the DL signal and any other external interference, the user equipment can determine the power difference between the subcarriers (e.g., the odd and even subcarriers in the example) to give a value for the self-interference metric within the subband.

[0267] The above approach has a number of different advantages. For example, by enabling user equipment to perform self-interference measurements, accurate MSD determination can be performed, which can be used to avoid potential call drops / carrier drops due to carrier aggregation configurations being affected by MSD.

[0268] It should be understood that the above references to "allocation" and "scheduling" refer to the allocation of resource units (eg, time-frequency resources).

[0269] It should be understood that the apparatus may include or be coupled to other units or modules for transmission and / or reception, such as a radio component or radio head. Although the apparatus has been described as one entity, the different modules and memories may be implemented in one or more physical or logical entities.

[0270] It should be noted that although some embodiments have been described with respect to 5G networks, similar principles can be applied with respect to other networks and communication systems. Thus, although certain embodiments have been described above by way of example with reference to certain example architectures for wireless networks, technologies, and standards, the embodiments can be applied to any other suitable form of communication system in addition to the communication system shown and described herein.

[0271] It is also noted herein that while the above describes example embodiments, there are numerous variations and modifications which could be made to the disclosed solution without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0272] As used herein, “at least one of: ” and “at least one of ” and similar expressions, where a list of two or more elements is joined by “and” or “or,” mean at least any one element, or at least any two or more elements, or at least all elements.

[0273] In general, various embodiments may be implemented in hardware or dedicated circuitry, software, logic, or any combination thereof. Some aspects of the present disclosure may be implemented in hardware, while other aspects may be implemented in firmware or software that may be executed by a controller, microprocessor, or other computing device, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. Although various aspects of the present disclosure may be illustrated and described using block diagrams, flow charts, or other graphical representations, it is fully understood that, as non-limiting examples, the blocks, devices, systems, techniques, or methods described herein may be implemented in hardware, software, firmware, dedicated circuitry or logic, general-purpose hardware or a controller or other computing device, or some combination thereof.

[0274] As used in this application, the term "circuitry" may refer to one or more or all of the following:

[0275] (a) Hardware circuit implementation only (e.g., implementation only in analog and / or digital circuitry)

[0276] (b) a combination of hardware circuitry and software such as (as applicable):

[0277] (c) Combination of analog and / or digital hardware circuits and software / firmware

[0278] (d) any portion of hardware processor(s) (including digital signal processor(s)), software and memory(s) with software that work together to enable a device (such as a mobile phone or server) to perform various functions, and

[0279] (e) Hardware circuit(s) and / or processor(s), such as microprocessor(s) or portion(s) of microprocessor(s), require software (e.g., firmware) to operate, but the software may not be present when the software is not required for operation.

[0280] This definition of circuitry applies to all uses of this term in this application, including in any claims. As a further example, as used in this application, the term "circuitry" also covers an implementation of merely a hardware circuit or processor (or multiple processors) or a portion of a hardware circuit or processor and its (or their) accompanying software and / or firmware. The term "circuitry" also covers (for example, if applicable to a particular claim element) a baseband integrated circuit or processor integrated circuit for a mobile device or a similar integrated circuit in a server, cellular network device, or other computing or network device.

[0281] The embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented by computer software executable by a data processor (such as a processor entity) of a mobile device, or by hardware, or by a combination of software and hardware. Computer software or programs (also referred to as program products) include software routines, applets and / or macros that can be stored in a data storage medium readable by any device, and they include program instructions for performing specific tasks. A computer program product may include one or more computer executable components that are configured to perform an embodiment when the program is run. The one or more computer executable components may be at least one software code or a portion thereof.

[0282] In this regard, it should also be noted that any block of the logic flow in the figure can represent program steps, or interconnected logic circuits, blocks and functions, or a combination of program steps and logic circuits, blocks and functions. The software can be stored on physical media, such as memory chips or memory blocks implemented in a processor, magnetic media (such as hard disks or floppy disks), and optical media (such as, for example, DVDs and their data variants, CDs). Physical media are non-transient media.

[0283] As used herein, the term "non-transitory" is a limitation of the medium itself (ie, tangible, as opposed to a signal), not a limitation on the persistence of data storage (eg, RAM versus ROM).

[0284] The memory may be of any type suitable for the local technical environment and may be implemented using any suitable data storage technology, such as semiconductor-based memory devices, magnetic memory devices and systems, optical memory devices and systems, fixed memory, and removable memory. The data processor may be of any type suitable for the local technical environment and may include, by way of non-limiting example, one or more of the following: a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a microprocessor, a digital signal processor (DSP), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), an FPGA, a gate-level circuit, and a processor based on a multi-core processor architecture.

[0285] Embodiments of the present disclosure may be practiced in various components, such as integrated circuit modules. The design of integrated circuits is generally a highly automated process. Complex and powerful software tools are available to convert a logic-level design into a semiconductor circuit design ready to be etched and formed on a semiconductor substrate.

[0286] The scope of protection sought by various embodiments of the present disclosure is defined by the independent claims. Embodiments and features described in this specification that do not fall within the scope of the independent claims (if any) should be interpreted as examples that help understand the various embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0287] The foregoing description has provided by way of non-limiting examples a complete and informative description of exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. However, various modifications and adaptations may become apparent to those skilled in the relevant arts in view of the foregoing description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and the appended claims. Nevertheless, all such and similar modifications of the teachings of this disclosure will still fall within the scope of the present invention as defined in the appended claims. Indeed, further embodiments are possible, including combinations of one or more embodiments with any other embodiments previously discussed.

Claims

1. An apparatus for a user equipment, the apparatus comprising means for performing the following: At least one value indicative of self-interference is obtained based on at least one downlink carrier received during an uplink transmission by measuring a power difference between downlink resource units affected by active resource units of the uplink transmission and downlink resource units affected by empty resource units of the uplink transmission.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: Means for sending the at least one value to a network node.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 , wherein the means for transmitting the at least one value indicative of the measured self-interference comprises: Means for transmitting the at least one value using at least one of a radio resource control message, a medium access control element, or downlink control information.

4. An apparatus according to any preceding claim, comprising: means for receiving a configuration from the network node, the configuration comprising an uplink transmission pattern associated with a combination of uplink and downlink carriers, wherein the uplink transmission pattern is to be used by the user equipment when performing self-interference measurements, the uplink transmission pattern comprising a mix of transmissions in active resource units and no transmissions over frequency creating empty resource units, wherein the means for obtaining the at least one value is performed based on the received uplink transmission pattern.

5. The apparatus of claim 4 , wherein the uplink transmission mode corresponds to at least one of: a physical uplink shared channel demodulation reference signal, a physical uplink control channel demodulation reference signal, a sounding reference signal, or a physical uplink shared channel rate matched around predefined zero resource units.

6. The apparatus according to any one of claims 4 to 5, wherein the transmission pattern comprises consecutive active resource units followed by consecutive empty resource units allocated in consecutive frequency resources, and wherein when the source of self-interference is determined to be the uplink base frequency, the number of empty resource units is equal to or greater than the number of active resource units, and / or wherein the number of empty resource units is less than the number of active resource units.

7. The apparatus according to any preceding claim, further comprising: means for receiving from the network node at least one indication of a transmission opportunity when the user equipment performs self-interference measurements based on a combination of uplink and downlink carriers, wherein the means for obtaining is performed during the transmission opportunity.

8. The apparatus according to claim 7, further comprising: Means for transmitting using at least one of the uplink carriers during the transmission opportunity.

9. An apparatus according to any one of claims 7 to 8, wherein the at least one value indicative of the self-interference measured at the user equipment during the transmission opportunity comprises at least one of the following items: a measured self-interference level, a measured output power, a maximum sensitivity drop calculated by the user equipment based on the self-interference measurement performed, or a difference between a reference maximum sensitivity drop and a maximum sensitivity drop calculated by the user equipment based on the self-interference measurement.

10. The apparatus according to any one of claims 7 to 9, wherein the at least one indication of a transmission opportunity comprises at least one of the following: a. an indication of the transmission period of the uplink transmission mode; b. Indication of time slot offset; c. Indication of the number of measurement symbols; d. an indication of the number of consecutive time slots with measurements; e. An indication of where those measurement symbols are located within the time slot; f. Indication of the frequency offset of the uplink fundamental frequency or harmonic to the downlink absolute reference channel number; g. Indication of the frequency offset of the uplink baseband to the downlink absolute reference channel number; h. an indication of the size of the frequency sub-band used to report self-interference; or i. A trigger for indicating the transmission opportunity.

11. The apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the trigger comprises: An indication of whether the user equipment stops or starts performing self-interference measurement.

12. The apparatus according to any one of claims 7 to 11, wherein at least a part of the at least one indication of a transmission opportunity is received in a radio resource control message, and / or a medium access control element, and / or downlink control information.

13. The apparatus according to any preceding claim, further comprising: Means for receiving an instruction from the network node to stop performing self-interference measurements.

14. The apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein the means for obtaining further comprises: means for aligning self-interference measurement timing by aligning fast Fourier transform timing with an uplink symbol grid, means for aligning self-interference measurement frequencies by performing frequency offset compensation for aligning uplink subcarriers and / or uplink harmonic subcarriers with respect to a physical resource block grid of downlink absolute radio frequency channel numbers, and means for measuring a power difference by measuring a power difference of downlink resource units received during the active resource unit period relative to the downlink resource units received during the empty resource unit period, wherein the at least one value is indicative of the power difference.

15. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the means for obtaining further comprises: means for aligning self-interference measurement timing by using fast Fourier transform timing aligned with a downlink symbol grid to perform said measurement by performing time offset compensation on an uplink symbol grid using a timing advance value, means for aligning the self-interference measurement frequency by performing frequency offset compensation for aligning uplink harmonic subcarriers and / or uplink fundamental frequency subcarriers with respect to the physical resource block grid of downlink absolute radio frequency channel numbers, and means for measuring a power difference by measuring a power difference of downlink resource units received during the active resource unit period relative to the downlink resource units received during the empty resource unit period, wherein the at least one value is indicative of the power difference.

16. The apparatus according to any one of claims 14 to 15, wherein the downlink resource units affected by active resource units of uplink transmission and the downlink resource units affected by empty resource units of uplink transmission are determined to be in alternating frequency resources.

17. The apparatus according to any one of claims 14 to 16, wherein the means for aligning the self-interference measurement frequencies comprises: Means for performing at least one of the following: Determine the uplink fundamental frequency or uplink harmonic to downlink frequency offset by calculating the modulus of (uplink channel number * harmonic order - downlink channel number, uplink subcarrier spacing), or The downlink harmonic to downlink frequency offset is determined by calculating the modulo of (downlink channel number*harmonic order-uplink channel number, uplink subcarrier spacing).

18. An apparatus according to any preceding claim, further comprising means for: receiving a request for user equipment capability information from the network node; and Sending user equipment capability information to the network node, the user equipment capability information including: The number of symbols required by the user equipment to perform self-interference measurements.

19. The apparatus according to any preceding claim, further comprising: Means for receiving, from the network node, an indication of which parameter or parameters the at least one value corresponds to.

20. A method for a user equipment apparatus, the method comprising: At least one value indicative of self-interference is obtained based on at least one downlink carrier received during an uplink transmission by measuring a power difference between downlink resource units affected by active resource units of the uplink transmission and downlink resource units affected by empty resource units of the uplink transmission.

21. A computer program product comprising instructions which, when executed by a computer for a user device, cause the computer to: At least one value indicative of self-interference is obtained based on at least one downlink carrier received during an uplink transmission by measuring a power difference between downlink resource units affected by active resource units of the uplink transmission and downlink resource units affected by empty resource units of the uplink transmission.

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