Enhancement scheme to support increased number of DMRS ports for DMRS transmission

Abstract

A network device comprising a transceiver and a processor is disclosed. The processor is configured to determine a demodulation reference signal (DMRS) configuration type, a count of DMRS ports, and a count of DMRS code division multiplexing (CDM) groups without data. The processor is configured to determine a count of extended DMRS ports and a respective value of each extended DMRS port according to the determined count of the DMRS CDM group without data, the DMRS configuration type, and the count of DMRS ports. The transceiver is configured to transmit a physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH) scheduled by downlink control information (DCI) to a user equipment (UE). The DCI indicates a count of the extended DMRS ports and a respective value for each of the extended DMRS ports. The respective value of each extended DMRS port is greater than 7, and the DMRS comprises one symbol.

Description

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0002] This Patent Cooperation Treaty patent application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 445,626, filed on February 14, 2023, and entitled “Enhancements to Support Increased Number of DMRS Ports for Transmission of a DMRS,” the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. Technical Field

[0003] The present application generally relates to wireless communication systems, including methods for supporting an increased number of demodulation reference signal (DMRS) ports for DMRS transmission. Specifically, a frequency domain orthogonal cover code (FD-OCC) of length 4 is used to provide support for the increased number of DMRS ports. Background Art

[0004] Wireless mobile communication technologies use various standards and protocols to transmit data between network devices (e.g., base stations, network access points, or repeaters) and wireless communication devices (e.g., user equipment (UE)). Wireless communication system standards and protocols may include, for example, the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) Long Term Evolution (LTE) (e.g., 4G), 3GPP New Radio (NR) (e.g., 5G), and the IEEE 802.11 standard for wireless local area networks (WLANs), commonly referred to within industry organizations as WLANs. ).

[0005] As envisioned by 3GPP, different wireless communication system standards and protocols may use various radio access networks (RANs) to facilitate communication between network equipment (e.g., base stations, network access points, or relays) of the RAN (which may also sometimes be collectively referred to as RAN nodes, network nodes, or simply nodes) and wireless communication devices, known as user equipment (UEs). 3GPP RANs may include, for example, Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM), Enhanced Data Rates for GSM Evolution (EDGE) RAN (GERAN), Universal Terrestrial Radio Access Network (UTRAN), Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access Network (E-UTRAN), and / or Next Generation Radio Access Network (NG-RAN).

[0006] Each RAN may use one or more radio access technologies (RATs) for communication between network equipment and UEs. For example, GERAN implements GSM and / or EDGE RATs, UTRAN implements Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) RATs or other 3GPP RATs, E-UTRAN implements LTE RATs (sometimes referred to herein as LTE), and NG-RAN implements NR RATs (sometimes referred to herein as 5G RATs, 5G NR RATs, or simply NR). In some deployments, E-UTRAN may also implement NR RATs. In some deployments, NG-RAN may also implement LTE RATs.

[0007] Network equipment used by a RAN (e.g., a base station, a network access point, or a relay) may correspond to the RAN. One example of a network device may be an E-UTRAN base station, which is an Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access Network (E-UTRAN) Node B (often also referred to as an evolved Node B, enhanced Node B, eNodeB, or eNB). Another example of a network device may be an NG-RAN base station, which is a next-generation Node B (sometimes also referred to as a gNode B or gNB).

[0008] The RAN provides communication services with external entities through its connection to the Core Network (CN). For example, E-UTRAN may utilize the Evolved Packet Core (EPC), while NG-RAN may utilize the 5G Core Network (5GC). BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] To easily identify the discussion of any particular element or action, the most significant digit(s) in a reference number refers to the drawing number that first introduces that element.

[0010] Figure 1 A communication system including a user equipment (UE) communicating with a network device is shown.

[0011] Figure 2 An example method of wireless communication, as performed by a network device, is shown in accordance with some embodiments.

[0012] Figure 3 Another example method of wireless communication as performed by a network device is shown in accordance with some embodiments.

[0013] Figure 4 An example method of wireless communication, as performed by a UE, is shown in accordance with some embodiments.

[0014] Figure 5 An example architecture of a wireless communication system according to embodiments disclosed herein is illustrated.

[0015] Figure 6 A system for performing signaling between a wireless device and a network device according to embodiments disclosed herein is illustrated. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0016] Various embodiments are described with reference to network devices and / or user equipment (UE). However, reference to UE is provided for illustrative purposes only. The example embodiments can be used with any electronic component that can establish a connection with a network and is configured with hardware, software and / or firmware for exchanging information and data with the network. Therefore, the UE described herein is used to represent any appropriate electronic device. Similarly, various embodiments are described with respect to a network device, which can be a network access point, base station and / or repeater deployed in a terrestrial network (TN), a satellite and / or a high altitude platform system (HAPS) including a manned or unmanned aircraft, etc.

[0017] With the development of massive multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) wireless communication systems, the number of antenna ports that network equipment (such as base stations, network access points and / or repeaters) can support has increased. As the number of antenna ports increases, network equipment can use spatial beamforming technology to serve more UEs within the same time-frequency resources. Therefore, the number of antenna ports used to send DMRS to the UE can be increased, and / or additional patterns of DMRS ports can be indicated in downlink control information (DCI). DCI is sent to the UE and from the network equipment to schedule the physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH), which supports up to eight layers. Various patterns of one or more DMRS ports are specified in the 3GPP specification TS 38.212. However, as described herein, various embodiments disclose additional patterns of one or more DMRS ports that can be indicated by the network equipment in the DCI, thereby enhancing the ability of the network equipment to serve the UE.

[0018] Figure 1A communication system 100 is shown that includes a UE 104 in communication with a network device 102. The network device 102 can be a base station, a network access point, or a repeater deployed in a terrestrial network (TN) or a non-terrestrial network (NTN). The network device 102 can send a DCI to the UE 104 in a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH). The UE 104 can decode the PDCCH and use the DCI to schedule uplink (UL) transmissions 104b and downlink (DL) transmissions 104a with the network device 102 based on the DMRS ports specified in the DCI. As described herein, and in accordance with some embodiments, for DMRS configuration type 1 using a maximum of 1 or 2 DMRS symbols, an additional pattern of one or more DMRS ports can use a frequency domain orthogonal cover code (FD-OCC) of a predetermined length of 4. In some embodiments, and by way of non-limiting example, the length of the FD-OCC can be 4.

[0019] As shown in the table below, and in some embodiments, the value of the DMRS port that may be included in a DCI for conveying a pattern of one or more DMRS ports corresponds to the DMRS configuration type, the type of data-free code division multiplexing (CDM) group, and whether the DMRS includes 1 symbol or 2 symbols.

[0020]

[0021] As shown in the above table, for DMRS configuration type 1, 1-symbol DMRS may include DMRS ports 0 and 1 or DMRS ports 8 and 9 for CDM group 0, and 2-symbol DMRS may include DMRS ports 4 and 5 or DMRS ports 12 and 13 for CDM group 0. DMRS ports having values ​​of 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, or 7 may be referred to as non-extended DMRS ports in the present disclosure, and DMRS ports having values ​​greater than 7 may be referred to as extended DMRS ports in the present disclosure.

[0022] As described in this disclosure, various patterns of DMRS ports may be selected by a network device based on the set of subcarriers used for DMRS and / or CDM groups.

[0023] In some embodiments, for DMRS of DMRS configuration type 1 and for DMRS with a maximum of 1 symbol, the following patterns of one or more additional DMRS ports (and in particular extended DMRS ports) may be supported: Additionally or alternatively, the various patterns of one or more DMRS ports as specified in Table 7.3.1.2.2-1 of 3GPP TS 38.212 may be updated by adding a value of 8 to the specified DMRS port value.

[0024] Number of DMRS CDM groups without data DMRS port 1 8 1 9 1 8、9 2 8-10 2 8-11 2 8、10 2 8,10,11

[0025] In some embodiments, when the number of preamble symbols is 1, the pattern of one or more DMRS ports specified in the above table may also be used for DMRS configuration type 1 and a DMRS of up to 2 symbols.

[0026] In some embodiments, a network device may facilitate multi-user MIMO (MU-MIMO) scheduling by including a pattern of DMRS ports that includes both extended and unextended DMRS ports (as shown in the table below). MU-MIMO scheduling may be used for coordinated scheduling between multiple UEs. In some embodiments, and as a non-limiting example, the multiple UEs may include legacy UEs and enhanced UEs. The legacy UEs referred to herein may be UEs that may not support extended DMRS ports and only support unextended DMRS ports, and enhanced UEs may support both extended DMRS ports and unextended DMRS ports.

[0027] Number of DMRS CDM groups without data DMRS port 1 1、8 1 1,8,9 1 0,8,9 2 0,8,9 2 1,8,9 2 2,3,10 2 2,10,11 2 2、3、10、11

[0028] In some embodiments, a network device may facilitate multi-user MIMO (MU-MIMO) scheduling by using a pattern of five DMRS ports, including both extended and unextended DMRS ports (as shown in the table below). MU-MIMO scheduling may be used for coordinated scheduling between multiple UEs. In some embodiments, and as a non-limiting example, the multiple UEs may include legacy UEs and enhanced UEs. In addition, the pattern of five DMRS ports specified in the table below may be used for PDSCHs with more than four layers.

[0029] Number of DMRS CDM groups without data DMRS port 2 1、8、9、10、11 2 2、3、8、9、10 2 1、2、3、8、9

[0030] In some embodiments, the network device may send an activation command that maps the code points of the DCI field Transmission Configuration Indication (TCI) to two TCI states, and the UE may need to select a DMRS port as specified in Table 7.3.1.2.2.-1A of the 3GPP TS 38.212 specification, which is an alternative or backup to Table 7.3.1.2.2-1 of the aforementioned 3GPP TS 38.212. Additional patterns for one or more DMRS ports may be added to Table 7.3.1.2.2.-1A as shown below. The additional patterns for one or more DMRS ports shown in the following table may include extended DMRS ports and / or non-extended DMRS ports.

[0031] Number of DMRS CDM groups without data DMRS port 2 8,10,11 2 0,10,11 2 2,3,8

[0032] In some embodiments, for DMRS configuration type 1 and for DMRS with a maximum of 2 symbols, the following patterns of one or more additional DMRS ports (and in particular, extended DMRS ports) may be supported: Additionally or alternatively, the various patterns of one or more DMRS ports as specified in Table 7.3.1.2.2-2 of the 3GPP TS 38.212 specification (which correspond to DMRS configuration type 1 and DMRS with a maximum of 2 symbols) may be updated by adding a value of 8 to the specified DMRS port value.

[0033] Number of DMRS CDM groups without data DMRS port Number of front-loaded symbols 2 8 2 2 9 2 2 10 2 2 11 2 2 12 2 2 13 2 2 14 2 2 15 2 2 8、9 2 2 10、11 2 2 12、13 2 2 14、15 2 2 8、12 2 2 10、14 2 2 8,9,12 2 2 10,11,14 2 2 8、9、12、13 2 2 10、11、14、15 2 2 8、10、12、14 2

[0034] Although the various patterns of one or more DMRS ports specified in the above table are an addition to Table 7.3.1.2.2-2 of the 3GPP TS 38.212 specification, Table 7.3.1.2.2-2 of the 3GPP TS 38.212 specification can be further enhanced using a mix of one or more extended DMRS ports and one or more non-extended DMRS ports (as specified in the following table) to support up to 4 layers of PDSCH.

[0035] Number of DMRS CDM groups without data DMRS port Number of front-loaded symbols 1 0、8 1 1 0,1,8 1 1 0、1、8、9 1 2 0、8 1 2 0,1,8 2 2 0、1、8、9 2 2 0、8 2 2 4、12 2 2 0、12 2 2 0,1,8 2 2 4,5,12 2 2 0,1,12 2 2 0、1、8、9 2 2 4、5、12、13 2 2 0、1、12、13 2

[0036] In some embodiments, to support more than 4 layers of PDSCH, Table 7.3.1.2.2-2 of the 3GPP TS 38.212 specification may be enhanced by using a pattern of DMRS ports as specified in the table below. The various patterns of DMRS ports in the table below may include one or more extended DMRS ports and one or more non-extended DMRS ports.

[0037]

[0038]

[0039] In some embodiments, to support more than 4 layers of PDSCH, Table 7.3.1.2.2-2 of the 3GPP TS 38.212 specification can be enhanced by using a pattern of DMRS ports as specified in the table below. The various patterns of DMRS ports in the table below can include one or more extended DMRS ports and one or more non-extended DMRS ports. Additionally or alternatively, a value of 8 can be added to the DMRS port values ​​specified in Table 7.3.1.2.2-2 of the 3GPP TS 38.212 specification for additional patterns of one or more DMRS ports.

[0040] Number of DMRS CDM groups without data DMRS port Number of front-loaded symbols 2 8、9、10、11、12 2 2 8、9、10、11、12、14 2 2 8、9、10、11、12、13 2

[0041] In some embodiments, to support more than 4 layers of PDSCH and coordinated scheduling of multiple UEs, Table 7.3.1.2.2-2 of the 3GPP TS 38.212 specification may be enhanced by using a pattern of DMRS ports as specified in the table below. The various patterns of DMRS ports in the table below may include one or more extended DMRS ports and one or more non-extended DMRS ports.

[0042] Number of DMRS CDM groups without data DMRS port Number of front-loaded symbols 2 0、1、2、3、8 2 2 0、1、2、3、8、10 2 2 0、1、2、3、8、9、10 2 2 0、1、2、3、12 2 2 0、1、2、3、12、14 2 2 0、1、2、3、12、13、14 2

[0043] In some embodiments, to support Layer 3 or Layer 4 PDSCH, Table 7.3.1.2.2-2 of the 3GPP TS 38.212 specification may be enhanced by using a pattern of DMRS ports as specified in the table below. The various patterns of DMRS ports in the table below may include one or more extended DMRS ports and one or more non-extended DMRS ports.

[0044] Number of DMRS CDM groups without data DMRS port Number of front-loaded symbols 1 0,1,8 1 1 0,1,9 1 1 0,8,9 1 1 1,8,9 1 1 0、1、8、9 1

[0045] In some embodiments, if the network device sends an activation command that maps the code points of the DCI field Transmission Configuration Indication (TCI) to two TCI states, the UE may need to use the DMRS ports specified in Table 7.3.1.2.2.-2A of the 3GPP TS 38.212 specification, which is an alternative or backup to Table 7.3.1.2.2-2 of the aforementioned 3GPP TS 38.212. Additional patterns for one or more DMRS ports may be added to Table 7.3.1.2.2.-2A as shown below. The additional patterns for one or more DMRS ports shown in the following table may include one or more extended DMRS ports and / or one or more non-extended DMRS ports.

[0046] Number of DMRS CDM groups without data DMRS port Number of front-loaded symbols 2 8,10,11 1 2 0,10,11 1 2 2,3,8 1 2 0,14,15 2

[0047] Figure 2 An example method of wireless communication, as performed by a network device, according to some embodiments is shown. As shown in flowchart 200, at 202, the network device may determine a DMRS configuration type and a count of DMRS ports. The DMRS configuration type may be DMRS configuration type 1 or DMRS configuration type 2. The count of DMRS ports may correspond to antenna ports of the network device. DMRS ports or antenna ports referred to herein may also be referred to as PDSCH antenna ports because DMRS port or antenna port information is sent to a UE in a DCI to schedule a PDSCH, and DMRS is transmitted along with the PDSCH.

[0048] At 204, the network device may identify a count of DMRS CDM groups with no data. As described herein, according to various embodiments, the network device may select different patterns of one or more DMRS ports. Thus, at 206, based on the determined count of DMRS CDM groups with no data, the DMRS configuration type, and the count of DMRS ports, the network device may determine a count of extended DMRS ports for the pattern of DMRS ports and a corresponding value for each extended DMRS port. At 208, the network device may send a PDCCH including DCI to the UE, the DCI indicating the extended DMRS ports based on the count of extended DMRS ports determined at 206 and the corresponding value for each extended DMRS port determined at 206. At 210, the network device may send a PDSCH scheduled by the DCI and a transmission of the DMRS on the indicated extended DMRS port to the UE. The DMRS may include a maximum of 1 symbol, and the DMRS configuration type may be DMRS configuration type 1. In some embodiments, as described herein, the DCI may include non-extended DMRS ports in addition to extended DMRS ports to facilitate MU-MIMO scheduling.

[0049] Figure 3 Another example method for wireless communication, as performed by a network device, according to some embodiments is shown. As shown in flowchart 300, at 302, the network device may determine a DMRS configuration type and a count of DMRS ports. The DMRS configuration type may be DMRS configuration type 1 or DMRS configuration type 2. The count of DMRS ports may correspond to antenna ports of the network device. At 304, the network device may identify a count of DMRS CDM groups with no data. As described herein, according to various embodiments, the network device may select different patterns for one or more DMRS ports. Thus, at 306, based on the determined count of DMRS CDM groups with no data, the DMRS configuration type, and the count of DMRS ports, the network device may determine a total count of DMRS ports. The total count of DMRS ports may include a count of extended DMRS ports and a count of non-extended DMRS ports. Furthermore, a corresponding value for each DMRS port may be determined. At 308, the network device may transmit a PDCCH including DCI to the UE, the DCI indicating a corresponding value for each of the DMRS ports determined at 306. At 310, the network device may transmit the PDSCH scheduled by the DCI and the transmission of the DMRS on the indicated DMRS port to the UE. The DMRS may include a maximum of 2 symbols, and the DMRS configuration type may be DMRS configuration type 1.

[0050] In some embodiments, the count of non-extended DMRS ports may be determined to be 0, and thus the DMRS ports specified in the DCI may include only one or more extended DMRS ports. In some embodiments, the count of non-extended DMRS ports may be at least 1, and the count of extended DMRS ports may be at least 1, while the total DMRS count may be no greater than 4.

[0051] Figure 4 An example method of wireless communication, as performed by a UE, according to some embodiments is shown. As shown in flowchart 400, at 402, the UE may receive downlink control information (DCI) from a network device including a pattern of DMRS ports, the downlink control information (DCI) indicating a specific count of extended DMRS ports and a specific count of non-extended DMRS ports. The DCI may be received in a PDCCH. The pattern of DMRS ports identifies a corresponding value for each of the DMRS ports. At 404, the UE may receive DMRS on the DMRS ports specified in the DCI received at 402. The DMRS may be received in a PDSCH transmission.

[0052] Embodiments contemplated herein include an apparatus having means for performing one or more elements of methods 200, 300, or 400. In the context of method 400, the apparatus may be, for example, an apparatus that is a UE (such as wireless device 602 as a UE, as described herein). In the context of methods 200 or 300, the apparatus may be, for example, an apparatus that is a network device (such as network device 620 as a network access point or base station, as described herein).

[0053] The embodiments contemplated herein include one or more non-transitory computer-readable media storing instructions that, when executed by one or more processors of an electronic device, cause the electronic device to perform one or more elements of methods 200, 300, or 400. In the context of method 400, the non-transitory computer-readable medium may be, for example, a memory of a UE (such as memory 606 of wireless device 602 as a UE, as described herein). In the context of methods 200 or 300, the non-transitory computer-readable medium may be, for example, a memory of a network device (such as memory 624 of network device 620 as a network access point or base station, as described herein).

[0054] Embodiments contemplated herein include an apparatus having logic, modules, or circuitry for performing one or more elements of methods 200, 300, or 400. In the context of method 400, the apparatus may be, for example, an apparatus that is a UE (such as wireless device 602 as a UE, as described herein). In the context of methods 200 or 300, the apparatus may be, for example, an apparatus that is a network device (such as network device 620 as a network access point or base station, as described herein).

[0055] The embodiments contemplated herein include an apparatus having one or more processors and one or more computer-readable media that use or store instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to perform one or more elements of methods 200, 300, or 400. In the context of method 400, the apparatus may be, for example, an apparatus that is a UE (such as wireless device 602 as a UE, as described herein). In the context of methods 200 or 300, the apparatus may be, for example, an apparatus that is a network device (such as network device 620 as a network access point or base station, as described herein).

[0056] Embodiments contemplated herein include signals as described in or associated with one or more elements of methods 200 , 300 , or 400 .

[0057] The embodiments contemplated herein include a computer program or computer program product having instructions, wherein execution of the program by a processor causes the processor to perform one or more elements of method 200, 300, or 400. In the context of method 400, the processor may be a processor of a UE (such as processor 604 of wireless device 602 as a UE, as described herein), and the instructions may be located, for example, in the processor and / or on a memory of the UE (such as memory 606 of wireless device 602 as a UE, as described herein). In the context of method 200 or 300, the processor may be a processor of a network device (such as processor 622 of network device 620 as a network access point or base station, as described herein), and the instructions may be located, for example, in the processor and / or on a memory of the network device (such as memory 624 of network device 620 as a network access point or base station, as described herein).

[0058] Figure 5 An example architecture of a wireless communication system 500 according to the embodiments disclosed herein is illustrated. The description provided below is for an example wireless communication system 500 operating in conjunction with the LTE system standard and / or the 5G or NR system standard provided in the 3GPP technical specifications.

[0059] like Figure 5 As shown, wireless communication system 500 includes UE 502 and UE 504 (although any number of UEs may be used). In this example, UE 502 and UE 504 are illustrated as smartphones (e.g., handheld touchscreen mobile computing devices capable of connecting to one or more cellular networks), but may include any mobile or non-mobile computing device configured for wireless communication.

[0060] UE 502 and UE 504 can be configured to be communicatively coupled to RAN 506. In an embodiment, RAN 506 can be NG-RAN, E-UTRAN, etc. UE 502 and UE 504 utilize connections (or channels) (shown as connection 508 and connection 510, respectively) with RAN 506, where each connection (or channel) includes a physical communication interface. RAN 506 may include one or more base stations, such as base station 512 and base station 514, to implement connection 508 and connection 510. In some embodiments, RAN 506 may include one or more relays.

[0061] In this example, connection 508 and connection 510 are the air interfaces that enable such communicative coupling and may conform to the RAT used by RAN 506 , such as, for example, LTE and / or NR.

[0062] In some embodiments, UE 502 and UE 504 may also directly exchange communication data via side link interface 516. UE 504 is shown as being configured to access an access point (shown as AP 518) via connection 520. As an example, connection 520 may include a local wireless connection, such as a connection compliant with any IEEE 802.11 protocol, wherein AP 518 may include In this example, AP 518 may not be connected to another network (eg, the Internet) through CN 524.

[0063] In an embodiment, UE 502 and UE 504 may be configured to communicate with each other or with base station 512 and / or base station 514 over a multi-carrier communication channel using orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) communication signals according to various communication techniques, such as, but not limited to, orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA) communication techniques (e.g., for downlink communication) or single-carrier frequency division multiple access (SC-FDMA) communication techniques (e.g., for uplink and ProSe or sidelink communication), although the scope of the embodiments is not limited in this respect. An OFDM signal may include multiple orthogonal subcarriers.

[0064] In some embodiments, all or part of base station 512 or base station 514 may be implemented as one or more software entities running on a server computer as part of a virtual network. Additionally, or in other embodiments, base station 512 or base station 514 may be configured to communicate with each other via interface 522. In embodiments where wireless communication system 500 is an LTE system (e.g., when CN 524 is an EPC), interface 522 may be an X2 interface. This X2 interface may be defined between two or more base stations (e.g., two or more eNBs, etc.) connected to an EPC and / or between two eNBs connected to an EPC. In embodiments where wireless communication system 500 is an NR system (e.g., when CN 524 is a 5GC), interface 522 may be an Xn interface. This Xn interface is defined between two or more base stations (e.g., two or more gNBs, etc.) connected to a 5GC, between base station 512 (e.g., a gNB) and an eNB connected to a 5GC, and / or between two eNBs connected to a 5GC (e.g., CN 524).

[0065] RAN 506 is shown as being communicatively coupled to CN 524. CN 524 may include one or more network elements 526 configured to provide various data and telecommunication services to customers / subscribers (e.g., UE 502 and users of UE 504) connected to CN 524 via RAN 506. The components of CN 524 may be implemented in one physical device or separate physical devices that include components for reading and executing instructions from a machine-readable or computer-readable medium (e.g., a non-transitory machine-readable storage medium).

[0066] In an embodiment, CN 524 may be an EPC, and RAN 506 may be connected to CN 524 via an S1 interface 528. In an embodiment, S1 interface 528 may be divided into two parts: an S1 user plane (S1-U) interface, which carries traffic data between base station 512 or base station 514 and a serving gateway (S-GW); and an S1-MME interface, which is a signaling interface between base station 512 or base station 514 and a mobility management entity (MME).

[0067] In an embodiment, CN 524 may be a 5GC, and RAN 506 may be connected to CN 524 via an NG interface 528. In an embodiment, NG interface 528 may be divided into two parts: an NG user plane (NG-U) interface, which carries traffic data between base station 512 or base station 514 and a user plane function (UPF); and an S1 control plane (NG-C) interface, which is a signaling interface between base station 512 or base station 514 and an access and mobility management function (AMF).

[0068] Generally speaking, application server 530 may be an element that provides applications (e.g., packet-switched data services) that utilize Internet Protocol (IP) bearer resources with CN 524. Application server 530 may also be configured to support one or more communication services (e.g., VoIP sessions, group communication sessions, etc.) for UE 502 and UE 504 via CN 524. Application server 530 may communicate with CN 524 via IP communication interface 532.

[0069] Figure 6 A system 600 is illustrated for performing signaling 638 between a wireless device 602 and a network device 620 according to embodiments disclosed herein. The system 600 can be part of a wireless communication system as described herein. The wireless device 602 can be, for example, a UE of the wireless communication system. The network device 620 can be, for example, a base station (e.g., an eNB or gNB) or a relay of the wireless communication system.

[0070] The wireless device 602 may include one or more processors 604. The processor 604 may execute instructions to perform various operations for the wireless device 602, as described herein. The processor 604 may include one or more baseband processors implemented using, for example, a central processing unit (CPU), a digital signal processor (DSP), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a controller, a field programmable gate array (FPGA) device, another hardware device, a firmware device, or any combination thereof, configured to perform the operations described herein.

[0071] The wireless device 602 may include a memory 606. The memory 606 may be a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium that stores instructions 608 (which may include, for example, instructions executed by the processor 604). The instructions 608 may also be referred to as program code or a computer program. The memory 606 may also store data used by the processor 604 and results computed by the processor.

[0072] The wireless device 602 may include one or more transceivers 610, which may include radio frequency (RF) transmitter and / or receiver circuitry that uses an antenna 612 of the wireless device 602 to facilitate signaling (e.g., signaling 640) to and / or from the wireless device 602 and other devices (e.g., network device 620) according to a corresponding RAT.

[0073] The wireless device 602 may include one or more antennas 612 (e.g., one, two, four, or more). For implementations with multiple antennas 612, the wireless device 602 may leverage the spatial diversity of these multiple antennas 612 to transmit and / or receive multiple different data streams on the same time-frequency resources. This behavior may be referred to as, for example, multiple-input, multiple-output (MIMO) behavior (referring to the multiple antennas used at each of the transmitting and receiving devices to implement this aspect). MIMO transmission by the wireless device 602 may be implemented based on precoding (or digital beamforming) applied to the wireless device 602, which multiplexes the data streams across the antennas 612 based on known or assumed channel characteristics, such that each data stream is received at an appropriate signal strength relative to the other streams and at a desired location in the spatial domain (e.g., the location of the receiver associated with that data stream). Certain implementations may utilize single-user MIMO (SU-MIMO) methods (where all data streams are directed to a single receiver) and / or multi-user MIMO (MU-MIMO) methods (where individual data streams may be directed to separate (different) receivers at different locations in the spatial domain).

[0074] In certain embodiments with multiple antennas, the wireless device 602 may implement analog beamforming techniques whereby the phases of the signals transmitted by the antennas 612 are adjusted relative to each other so that the (joint) transmissions of the antennas 612 can be steered (this is sometimes referred to as beam steering).

[0075] The wireless device 602 may include one or more interfaces 614. The interfaces 614 may be used to provide input to or output from the wireless device 602. For example, the wireless device 602 (UE) may include interfaces 614, such as a microphone, a speaker, a touch screen, and buttons, to allow a user of the UE to provide input to and / or output to the UE. Other interfaces of such a UE may consist of transmitters, receivers, and other circuits (e.g., in addition to the transceiver 610 / antenna 612 already described) that allow communication between the UE and other devices and may be performed according to known protocols (e.g., etc.) to perform the operation.

[0076] The wireless device 602 may include one or more DMRS enhancement modules 616. The DMRS enhancement module 616 may be implemented via hardware, software, or a combination thereof. For example, the DMRS enhancement module 616 may be implemented as a processor, circuitry, and / or instructions 608 stored in the memory 606 and executed by the processor 604. In some examples, the DMRS enhancement module 616 may be integrated within the processor 604 and / or the transceiver 610. For example, the DMRS enhancement module 616 may be implemented by a combination of software components (e.g., executed by a DSP or general-purpose processor) and hardware components (e.g., logic gates and circuits) within the processor 604 or the transceiver 610.

[0077] From the perspective of the UE, the DMRS enhancement module 616 may be used in various aspects of the present disclosure, for example, Figures 1 to 4 all aspects.

[0078] The network device 620 may include one or more processors 622. The processor 622 may execute instructions to perform various operations for the network device 620, as described herein. The processor 604 may include one or more baseband processors implemented using, for example, a CPU, a DSP, an ASIC, a controller, an FPGA device, another hardware device, a firmware device, or any combination thereof configured to perform the operations described herein.

[0079] The network device 620 may include a memory 624. The memory 624 may be a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium that stores instructions 626 (which may include, for example, instructions to be executed by the processor 622). The instructions 626 may also be referred to as program code or a computer program. The memory 624 may also store data used by the processor 622 and results calculated by the processor.

[0080] The network device 620 may include one or more transceivers 628, which may include RF transmitter and / or receiver circuitry that uses the antenna 630 of the network device 620 to facilitate signaling (e.g., signaling 638) to and / or from the network device 620 and other devices (e.g., wireless device 602) according to the corresponding RAT.

[0081] Network device 620 may include one or more antennas 630 (e.g., one, two, four, or more). In embodiments with multiple antennas 630, network device 620 may perform MIMO, digital beamforming, analog beamforming, beamsteering, etc. as described.

[0082] The network device 620 may include one or more interfaces 632. The interfaces 632 may be used to provide input to or output from the network device 620. For example, the network device 620 as a base station may include an interface 632 composed of a transmitter, a receiver, and other circuits (e.g., in addition to the transceiver 628 / antenna 630 already described), which enables the base station to communicate with other equipment in the core network and / or enables the base station to communicate with external networks, computers, and databases, etc., to achieve the purpose of operating, managing, and maintaining the base station or other equipment operably connected to the base station.

[0083] The network device 620 may include one or more DMRS enhancement modules 634. The DMRS enhancement module 634 may be implemented via hardware, software, or a combination thereof. For example, the DMRS enhancement module 634 may be implemented as a processor, circuitry, and / or instructions 626 stored in the memory 624 and executed by the processor 622. In some examples, the DMRS enhancement module 634 may be integrated within the processor 622 and / or the transceiver 628. For example, the DMRS enhancement module 634 may be implemented by a combination of software components (e.g., executed by a DSP or general-purpose processor) and hardware components (e.g., logic gates and circuits) within the processor 622 or the transceiver 628.

[0084] From the perspective of the network device, the DMRS enhancement module 634 may be used in various aspects of the present disclosure, for example, Figures 1 to 4 all aspects.

[0085] For one or more embodiments, at least one of the components described in one or more of the preceding figures may be configured to perform one or more operations, techniques, processes, and / or methods as described herein. For example, a baseband processor as described herein in conjunction with one or more of the preceding figures may be configured to operate according to one or more of the examples described herein. For another example, circuitry associated with a UE, base station, network element, or the like as described above in conjunction with one or more of the preceding figures may be configured to operate according to one or more of the examples described herein.

[0086] Unless otherwise expressly stated, any of the above embodiments may be combined with any other embodiment (or combination of embodiments). The foregoing description of one or more specific implementations provides illustration and description, but is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the scope of the embodiments to the precise forms disclosed. In view of the above teachings, modifications and variations are possible or can be obtained from the practice of the various embodiments.

[0087] Embodiments and implementations of the systems and methods described herein may include various operations that may be embodied in machine-executable instructions to be executed by a computer system. A computer system may include one or more general-purpose or special-purpose computers (or other electronic devices). A computer system may include hardware components that include specific logic for performing the operations; or may include a combination of hardware, software, and / or firmware.

[0088] It should be appreciated that the systems described herein include descriptions of specific embodiments. These embodiments can be combined into a single system, partially combined into other systems, separated into multiple systems, or otherwise divided or combined. In addition, it is contemplated that parameters, attributes, aspects, etc. of one embodiment may be used in conjunction with another embodiment. For clarity, these parameters, attributes, aspects, etc. are described only in relation to one or more embodiments, and it should be appreciated that these parameters, attributes, aspects, etc. may be combined with or substituted for parameters, attributes, aspects, etc. of another embodiment unless expressly stated otherwise herein.

[0089] It is understood that the use of personally identifiable information should be subject to privacy policies and practices that are generally recognized to meet or exceed industry or government requirements for maintaining user privacy. Specifically, personally identifiable information data should be managed and processed to minimize the risk of unintentional or unauthorized access or use, and the nature of authorized use should be clearly stated to users.

[0090] Although the foregoing has been described in considerable detail for purposes of clarity, it will be apparent that certain changes and modifications may be made without departing from the principles of the invention. It should be noted that there are many alternative ways of implementing both the processes and the apparatus described herein. The embodiments of the present invention are therefore to be considered illustrative and not restrictive, and the description is not to be limited to the details given herein, but may be modified within the scope and equivalents of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A network device, comprising: transceiver; and A processor configured to: Determine a demodulation reference signal (DMRS) configuration type and a count of DMRS ports; Determining a count of DMRS code division multiplexing (CDM) groups with no data; determining a count of extended DMRS ports and a corresponding value for each extended DMRS port based on the determined count of DMRS CDM groups with no data, the DMRS configuration type, and the count of DMRS ports; and wherein the transceiver is configured to: and transmitting a physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH) scheduled by downlink control information (DCI) to a user equipment (UE), the DCI indicating the count of extended DMRS ports and the corresponding value for each extended DMRS port, wherein: The corresponding value of each extended DMRS port is greater than 7, and DMRS includes 1 symbol.

2. The network device according to claim 1, wherein: The count of the determined DMRS CDM group with no data is 1; The count of extended DMRS ports is 1; and The corresponding value of each extended DMRS port is 8 or 9.

3. The network device according to claim 1, wherein: The count of the determined DMRS CDM group with no data is 1; The count of extended DMRS ports is 2; The corresponding value of the first extended DMRS port is 8; and The corresponding value of the second extended DMRS port is 9.

4. The network device according to claim 1, wherein: The determined count of DMRS CDM groups without data is 2; The count of extended DMRS ports is 2; The corresponding value of the first extended DMRS port is 8; and The corresponding value of the second extended DMRS port is 10.

5. The network device according to claim 1, wherein: The determined count of DMRS CDM groups without data is 2; The count of extended DMRS ports is 3; The corresponding value of the first extended DMRS port is 8; The corresponding value of the second extended DMRS port is 9, 10 or 11; The corresponding value of the third extended DMRS port is 10 or 11; and The corresponding value of the second extended DMRS port is different from the corresponding value of the third extended DMRS port.

6. The network device according to claim 1, wherein: The determined count of DMRS CDM groups without data is 2; The count of extended DMRS ports is 4; The corresponding value of the first extended DMRS port is 8; The corresponding value of the second extended DMRS port is 9; The corresponding value of the third extended DMRS port is 10; and The corresponding value of the fourth extended DMRS port is 11.

7. The network device of claim 1 , wherein the processor is further configured to facilitate multi-user multiple input multiple output (MU-MIMO) scheduling by including two extended DMRS ports with values ​​of 8 and 9 and a third DMRS port with a value of 0 or 1. The network device according to claim 7 , wherein the determined count of the DMR SCDM groups without data is 1 or 2.

9. The network device according to claim 1, wherein: The processor is further configured to facilitate multi-user multiple input multiple output (MU-MIMO) scheduling by including one extended DMRS port with a value of 8 and a second DMRS port with a value of 0 or 1; and The determined count of the DMRS CDM group with no data is 1.

10. The network device according to claim 1, wherein: The processor is further configured to facilitate multi-user multiple input multiple output (MU-MIMO) scheduling by including one extended DMRS port with a value of 10, a second DMRS port with a value of 2, and a third DMRS port with a value of 3; and The determined count of DMRS CDM groups with no data is 2.

11. The network device according to claim 1, wherein: The processor is further configured to facilitate multi-user multiple input multiple output (MU-MIMO) scheduling by including two extended DMRS ports with values ​​of 10 and 11, a third DMRS port with a value of 2; and The determined count of DMRS CDM groups with no data is 2.

12. The network device according to claim 1, wherein: The processor is further configured to facilitate multi-user multiple input multiple output (MU-MIMO) scheduling by including two extended DMRS ports with values ​​of 10 and 11, a third DMRS port with a value of 2, and a fourth DMRS port with a value of 3; and The determined count of DMRS CDM groups with no data is 2.

13. The network device according to claim 1, wherein: The processor is further configured to facilitate multi-user multiple input multiple output (MU-MIMO) scheduling by indicating five DMRS ports in the DCI, the five DMRS ports including at least two extended DMRS ports; The determined count of DMRS CDM groups with no data is 2; and The DCI schedules the PDSCH having more than a specific number of layers.

14. The network device according to claim 13, wherein: The specific number of layers is greater than four.

15. A network device, comprising: transceiver; and A processor configured to: Determine a demodulation reference signal (DMRS) configuration type and a count of DMRS ports; Determining a count of DMRS code division multiplexing (CDM) groups with no data; Determining a total count of DMRS ports based on the determined count of DMRS CDM groups with no data, the DMRS configuration type, and the count of DMRS ports, comprising: Count of extended DMRS ports; A count of unextended DMRS ports; and a corresponding value for each of the DMRS ports; and wherein the transceiver is configured to: and sending a physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH) scheduled by downlink control information (DCI) to a user equipment, the DCI indicating the corresponding value for each of the DMRS ports, wherein: The corresponding value of each extended DMRS port is greater than 7; and DMRS includes 2 symbols. The network device according to claim 15 , wherein the count of unextended DMRS ports is 0.

17. The network device according to claim 15, wherein: The count of unextended DMRS ports is at least 1; The count of extended DMRS ports is at least 1; and The total count of DMRS ports is no greater than 4. The network device of claim 17 , wherein the PDSCH has no more than 4 layers.

19. The network device according to claim 15, wherein: The PDSCH has more than 4 layers.

20. A user equipment, comprising: transceiver; and A processor configured to: receiving, from a network device and via the transceiver, downlink control information (DCI) including a pattern of demodulation reference signal (DMRS) ports, the pattern of DMRS ports including a particular count of extended DMRS ports and a particular count of non-extended DMRS ports, the pattern of DMRS ports corresponding to a respective value for each of the DMRS ports; and DMRS is received on the DMRS ports including the extended DMRS ports or the non-extended DMRS ports according to the specific count of extended DMRS ports and the specific count of non-extended DMRS ports indicated in the DCI, wherein: The corresponding value of the extended DMRS port is greater than 7, and The DMRS includes 1 or 2 symbols.

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