Uplink transmission in cellular communication network using multiple antenna arrangements

Abstract

According to an example aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a method comprising receiving, by a user equipment, control information from a wireless network node, the control information scheduling uplink transmissions and comprising a first uplink reference signal resource identifier and a second uplink reference signal resource identifier, the first uplink reference signal resource identifier is associated with a first indicated uplink reference signal resource of a first resource set, and the second uplink reference signal resource identifier is associated with a second indicated uplink reference signal resource of a second resource set; deriving, by the user equipment based on the first uplink reference signal resource identifier and the second uplink reference signal resource identifier, a first maximum rank value equal to a first number of antenna ports indicating the uplink reference signal resource and a second maximum rank value equal to a second number of antenna ports indicating the uplink reference signal resource; the second maximum rank value is equal to a second antenna port number of a second indication uplink reference signal resource; determining, by the user equipment, a first uplink transmission parameter based on the first maximum rank value and a second uplink transmission parameter based on the second maximum rank value; uplink transmissions are performed by the user equipment via a first antenna arrangement of the user equipment based at least in part on the first uplink transmission parameters, and via a second antenna arrangement of the user equipment based at least in part on the second uplink transmission parameters.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Various example embodiments generally relate to cellular communication networks, and more specifically, to uplink transmissions in such networks using a multi-antenna arrangement. Background Technology

[0002] Uplink transmission using multiple antenna arrangements can be used to enhance the operation of wireless communication systems. Uplink transmission using multiple antenna arrangements can be used, for example, in various cellular communication networks, such as cellular communication networks operating according to 5G radio access technology. 5G radio access technology can also be referred to as New Radio (NR) access technology. The 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) developed standards for 5G / NR, and one of the topics in 3GPP discussions involved using multiple antenna arrangements for uplink transmission. According to the discussions, there is a need to provide methods, apparatus, and computer programs related to enhancements for multiple antenna arrangements for uplink transmission in cellular communication networks. Such enhancements can also be beneficial in other wireless communication networks, such as in future 6G networks. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The subject matter of the independent claims is provided in several respects. Several example embodiments are defined in the dependent claims.

[0004] The scope of protection sought by the various exemplary embodiments of the present invention is set forth in the independent claims. Exemplary embodiments and features (if any) described in this specification that do not fall within the scope of the independent claims should be interpreted as examples that aid in understanding the various exemplary embodiments of the invention.

[0005] According to a first aspect of the present invention, an apparatus is provided, the apparatus comprising: at least one processing core; at least one processor; and at least one memory storing instructions, which, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least: receive control information from a wireless network node, the control information scheduling uplink transmissions and including a first uplink reference signal resource identifier and a second uplink reference signal resource identifier, the first uplink reference signal resource identifier being associated with a first indication uplink reference signal resource of a first resource set, and the second uplink reference signal resource identifier being associated with a second indication uplink reference signal resource of a second resource set; based on the first uplink reference... Considering the signal resource identifier and the second uplink reference signal resource identifier, derive a first maximum rank value and a second maximum rank value, the first maximum rank value being equal to the first antenna port number indicating the first uplink reference signal resource and the second maximum rank value being equal to the second antenna port number indicating the second uplink reference signal resource; determine a first uplink transmission parameter based on the first maximum rank value and determine a second uplink transmission parameter based on the second maximum rank value; and perform uplink transmission at least partially based on the first uplink transmission parameter via the first antenna arrangement of the device and at least partially based on the second uplink transmission parameter via the second antenna arrangement of the device.

[0006] Example embodiments of the first aspect may include at least one feature from the following list of emphasized features or any combination of the following features: The first uplink transmission parameters and the second uplink transmission parameters are the transmit precoder matrix; The control information also includes a first transmit precoder matrix identifier (TMPI) and a second transmit precoder matrix identifier (TPMI), the first TMPI being associated with a first indication uplink reference signal resource and the second TPMI being associated with a second indication uplink reference signal resource. When executed by at least one processor, the stored instructions also cause the device to at least: send first capability information to a wireless network node, the first capability information indicating a first maximum number of antenna ports supported by a first antenna arrangement, a second maximum number of antenna ports supported by a second antenna arrangement, and a total maximum number of antenna ports supported by the device. Where the first maximum number of antenna ports is less than or equal to the total maximum number of antenna ports, and the second maximum number of antenna ports is less than or equal to the total maximum number of antenna ports; When executed by at least one processor, the stored instructions also cause the device to at least: send second capability information to a wireless network node, the second capability information indicating supported antenna port combinations across the first antenna arrangement and the second antenna arrangement, wherein the supported antenna port combinations respectively include: a number of first antenna ports for the first antenna arrangement less than or equal to the first maximum number of antenna ports, and a number of second antenna ports for the second antenna arrangement less than or equal to the second maximum number of antenna ports, and the sum of the number of first antenna ports and the number of second antenna ports is less than or equal to the total maximum number of antenna ports; The first and second antenna arrangements are associated with the corresponding capability indexes; When executed by at least one processor, the stored instructions also cause the device to at least: receive configuration information from a wireless network node, the configuration information indicating a first resource set including a first configured uplink reference signal resource and a second resource set including a second configured uplink reference signal resource; The first configuration of uplink reference signal resources includes: the number of first antenna ports, which is less than or equal to the first maximum number of antenna ports supported by the first antenna arrangement; and the second configuration of uplink reference signal resources includes: the number of second antenna ports, which is less than or equal to the second maximum number of antenna ports supported by the second antenna arrangement. The sum of the number of first antenna ports of the first configuration uplink reference signal resource in the first resource set and the number of second antenna ports of the second configuration uplink reference signal resource in the second resource set is strictly greater than the total maximum number of antenna ports supported by the device. The first configuration uplink reference signal resource of the first resource set is restricted to time-division multiplexing with the second configuration uplink reference signal resource of the second resource set; If the sum of the number of first antenna ports of the first configuration uplink reference signal resource and the number of second antenna ports of the second configuration uplink reference signal resource is less than or equal to the total maximum number of antenna ports supported by the device, then the first configuration uplink reference signal resource of the first resource set and the second configuration uplink reference signal resource of the second resource set are spatially multiplexed, frequency-division multiplexed, or time-division multiplexed. The first configured uplink reference signal resource and the second configured uplink reference signal resource are sounding reference signal (SRS) resources, and the first resource set and the second resource set are SRS resource sets.

[0007] According to a second aspect of the present invention, an apparatus is provided, the apparatus comprising: at least one processing core; at least one processor; and at least one memory storing instructions, which, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least: send control information to a user equipment, the control information scheduling uplink transmissions and including a first uplink reference signal resource identifier and a second uplink reference signal resource identifier, the first uplink reference signal resource identifier being associated with a first indication uplink reference signal resource of a first resource set, and the second uplink reference signal resource identifier being associated with a second indication uplink reference signal resource of a second resource set; based on the first uplink reference signal... Resource identifier and second uplink reference signal resource identifier; derive first maximum rank value and second maximum rank value, the first maximum rank value being equal to the first antenna port number indicating the first uplink reference signal resource, the second maximum rank value being equal to the second antenna port number indicating the second uplink reference signal resource; determine first uplink transmission parameters based on the first maximum rank value, and determine second uplink transmission parameters based on the second maximum rank value; and receive uplink transmission at least partially based on the first uplink transmission parameters via the first antenna arrangement of the user equipment, and receive uplink transmission at least partially based on the second uplink transmission parameters via the second antenna arrangement of the user equipment.

[0008] Example embodiments of the second aspect may include at least one feature from the following list of emphasized features or any combination of the following features: The first uplink transmission parameters and the second uplink transmission parameters are the transmission precoder matrix; The control information also includes a first transmit precoder matrix identifier (TMPI) and a second transmit precoder matrix identifier (TPMI), the first TMPI being associated with a first indication uplink reference signal resource and the second TPMI being associated with a second indication uplink reference signal resource. When the stored instructions are executed by at least one processor, the device also causes the device to at least: receive first capability information from the user equipment, the first capability information indicating a first maximum number of antenna ports supported by the first antenna arrangement, a second maximum number of antenna ports supported by the second antenna arrangement, and a total maximum number of antenna ports supported by the user equipment. Where the first maximum number of antenna ports is less than or equal to the total maximum number of antenna ports, and the second maximum number of antenna ports is less than or equal to the total maximum number of antenna ports; When executed by at least one processor, the stored instructions further cause the device to at least: receive second capability information from the user equipment, the second capability information indicating supported antenna port combinations across the first antenna arrangement and the second antenna arrangement, wherein the supported antenna port combinations respectively include: a number of first antenna ports for the first antenna arrangement less than or equal to a first maximum number of antenna ports, and a number of second antenna ports for the second antenna arrangement less than or equal to a second maximum number of antenna ports, and the number of first antenna ports and the number of second antenna ports are less than or equal to the total maximum number of antenna ports; The first and second antenna arrangements are associated with the corresponding capability indexes; When the stored instructions are executed by at least one processor, the device also causes the device to at least: send configuration information to the user equipment, the configuration information indicating a first resource set including a first configured uplink reference signal resource and a second resource set including a second configured uplink reference signal resource; The first configuration of uplink reference signal resources includes: the number of first antenna ports, which is less than or equal to the first maximum number of antenna ports supported by the first antenna arrangement; and the second configuration of uplink reference signal resources includes: the number of second antenna ports, which is less than or equal to the second maximum number of antenna ports supported by the second antenna arrangement. The sum of the number of first antenna ports of the first configuration uplink reference signal resource in the first resource set and the number of second antenna ports of the second configuration uplink reference signal resource in the second resource set is strictly greater than the total maximum number of antenna ports supported by the user equipment. The first configuration uplink reference signal resource of the first resource set is restricted to time-division multiplexing with the second configuration uplink reference signal resource of the second resource set; If the sum of the number of first antenna ports of the first configured uplink reference signal resource and the number of second antenna ports of the second configured uplink reference signal resource is less than or equal to the total maximum number of antenna ports supported by the user equipment, then the first configured uplink reference signal resource of the first resource set and the second configured uplink reference signal resource of the second resource set are spatially multiplexed, frequency-division multiplexed, or time-division multiplexed. The first configured uplink reference signal resource and the second configured uplink reference signal resource are sounding reference signal (SRS) resources, and the first resource set and the second resource set are SRS resource sets.

[0009] According to a third aspect of the present invention, a method is provided, the method comprising: receiving control information from a wireless network node by a user equipment, the control information scheduling uplink transmission and including a first uplink reference signal resource identifier and a second uplink reference signal resource identifier, the first uplink reference signal resource identifier being associated with a first indicating uplink reference signal resource of a first resource set, and the second uplink reference signal resource identifier being associated with a second indicating uplink reference signal resource of a second resource set; deriving a first maximum rank value and a second maximum rank value by the user equipment based on the first uplink reference signal resource identifier and the second uplink reference signal resource identifier, the first maximum rank value being equal to the number of first antenna ports of the first indicating uplink reference signal resource, and the second maximum rank value being equal to the number of second antenna ports of the second indicating uplink reference signal resource; determining first uplink transmission parameters by the user equipment based on the first maximum rank value, and determining second uplink transmission parameters based on the second maximum rank value; and performing uplink transmission by the user equipment at least partially based on the first uplink transmission parameters via a first antenna arrangement of the user equipment, and at least partially based on the second uplink transmission parameters via a second antenna arrangement of the user equipment.

[0010] According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, a method is provided, the method comprising: sending control information to a user equipment by means of means, the control information scheduling uplink transmission and including a first uplink reference signal resource identifier and a second uplink reference signal resource identifier, the first uplink reference signal resource identifier being associated with a first indicating uplink reference signal resource of a first resource set, and the second uplink reference signal resource identifier being associated with a second indicating uplink reference signal resource of a second resource set; deriving a first maximum rank value and a second maximum rank value by means of means of means based on the first uplink reference signal resource identifier and the second uplink reference signal resource identifier, the first maximum rank value being equal to the number of first antenna ports of the first indicating uplink reference signal resource, and the second maximum rank value being equal to the number of second antenna ports of the second indicating uplink reference signal resource; determining first uplink transmission parameters by means of means of means based on the first maximum rank value, and determining second uplink transmission parameters by means of ...

[0011] According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, an apparatus is provided, comprising: means for receiving control information from a wireless network node, the control information scheduling uplink transmission and including a first uplink reference signal resource identifier and a second uplink reference signal resource identifier, the first uplink reference signal resource identifier being associated with a first indicating uplink reference signal resource of a first resource set, and the second uplink reference signal resource identifier being associated with a second indicating uplink reference signal resource of a second resource set; means for deriving a first maximum rank value and a second maximum rank value based on the first uplink reference signal resource identifier and the second uplink reference signal resource identifier, the first maximum rank value being equal to the number of first antenna ports of the first indicating uplink reference signal resource, and the second maximum rank value being equal to the number of second antenna ports of the second indicating uplink reference signal resource; means for determining a first uplink transmission parameter based on the first maximum rank value and determining a second uplink transmission parameter based on the second maximum rank value; and means for performing uplink transmission at least partially based on the first uplink transmission parameter via a first antenna arrangement of the apparatus and at least partially based on the second uplink transmission parameter via a second antenna arrangement of the apparatus.

[0012] According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, an apparatus is provided, the apparatus comprising: means for transmitting control information to a user equipment, the control information scheduling uplink transmission and including a first uplink reference signal resource identifier and a second uplink reference signal resource identifier, the first uplink reference signal resource identifier being associated with a first indicating uplink reference signal resource of a first resource set, and the second uplink reference signal resource identifier being associated with a second indicating uplink reference signal resource of a second resource set; means for deriving a first maximum rank value and a second maximum rank value based on the first uplink reference signal resource identifier and the second uplink reference signal resource identifier, the first maximum rank value being equal to the number of first antenna ports of the first indicating uplink reference signal resource, and the second maximum rank value being equal to the number of second antenna ports of the second indicating uplink reference signal resource; means for determining first uplink transmission parameters based on the first maximum rank value and determining second uplink transmission parameters based on the second maximum rank value; and means for receiving uplink transmissions by the apparatus at least partially based on the first uplink transmission parameters via a first antenna arrangement of the user equipment and at least partially based on the second uplink transmission parameters via a second antenna arrangement of the user equipment.

[0013] According to a seventh aspect of the invention, a non-transitory computer-readable medium is provided, wherein a set of computer-readable instructions is stored thereon, the set of computer-readable instructions causing a device to perform at least a first method when executed by at least one processor. According to an eighth aspect of the invention, a non-transitory computer-readable medium is provided, wherein a set of computer-readable instructions is stored thereon, the set of computer-readable instructions causing a device to perform at least a second method when executed by at least one processor.

[0014] According to a ninth aspect of the invention, a computer program including instructions is provided, which, when executed by a device, cause the device to perform a first method. According to a tenth aspect of the invention, a computer program including instructions is provided, which, when executed by a device, cause the device to perform a second method. Attached Figure Description

[0015] Figure 1 Examples of network scenarios according to at least some example embodiments are shown; Figure 2a An example of a dual-panel antenna arrangement with 4-port {3+1} transmission is shown according to at least some example embodiments; Figure 2b An example of a dual-panel antenna arrangement with 4-port {4+0} transmission is shown according to at least some example embodiments; Figure 2c An example of a dual-panel antenna arrangement with 4-port {0+4} transmission is shown according to at least some example embodiments; Figure 2d An example of a dual-panel antenna arrangement with 4-port {2+2} transmission is shown according to at least some example embodiments; Figure 2e An example of a dual-panel antenna arrangement with 4-port {2+2} transmission is shown according to at least some example embodiments; Figure 2f An example of a dual-panel antenna arrangement with 4-port {1+3} transmission is shown according to at least some example embodiments; Figure 3 Examples of possible reuse options according to at least some example embodiments are shown; Figure 4 Signaling diagrams according to at least some example embodiments are shown; Figure 5 An example apparatus capable of supporting at least some of the example embodiments is shown; Figure 6 A flowchart of a method according to at least some example embodiments is shown.

[0016] Example Implementation Embodiments of this disclosure provide improvements to uplink transmission using multiple antenna arrangements in cellular communication networks. More specifically, embodiments of this disclosure enable the use of flexible architectures for user equipment (UEs) including at least two antenna arrangements. The antenna ports of the at least two antenna arrangements can be shared in a flexible manner, so the number of antenna ports to be used for uplink transmission can vary for different antenna arrangements of the UE. The antenna arrangements can be physical antenna arrangements or logical antenna arrangements. Furthermore, the antenna ports can be associated with any data channel (e.g., Physical Uplink Shared Channel PUSCH), control channel (e.g., Physical Uplink Control Channel PUCCH), or reference signal (e.g., Uplink Detection Reference Signal SRS).

[0017] Figure 1 Examples of network scenarios according to at least some example embodiments are shown. Figure 1 In an example scenario, a communication system may exist, comprising a UE 110, a wireless network node 120, and a core network element 130. The UE 110 may connect to the wireless network node 120 via an air interface 115. The UE 110 may connect to the wireless network node 120, for example, by using multiple beams simultaneously or one at a time. That is, the air interface 115 may be a beam-based air interface.

[0018] UE 110 may include, for example, a smartphone, cellular phone, machine-to-machine (M2M) communication device, node, machine-type communication (MTC) device, node, Internet of Things (IoT) device, node, automotive telemetry unit, laptop computer, tablet computer, or virtually any suitable wireless terminal. Wireless network node 120 may be considered a serving node of UE 110, and a cell of wireless network node 120 may be a serving cell of UE 110.

[0019] The air interface between UE 110 and wireless network node 120 can be configured according to the radio access technology (RAT) supported by both UE 110 and wireless network node 120. Examples of cellular RATs include Long Term Evolution (LTE), New Radio (NR), which can also be referred to as 5G, radio access technology, and MulteFire.

[0020] For example, in the context of LTE, Radio Network Node 120 may be referred to as an eNB, while in the context of NR, Radio Network Node 120 may be referred to as a gNB. In some example embodiments, Radio Network Node 120 may be referred to as a Transceiver Point (TRP), or control may be provided for multiple TRPs, which may be co-located or non-co-located. In any case, the example embodiments of this disclosure are not limited to any particular wireless technology. Rather, the example embodiments can be utilized in any wireless communication system in which multi-panel uplink transmission is used.

[0021] The exemplary embodiments of this disclosure may relate to the use of multiple antenna arrangements for uplink transmission of PUSCH in both single-TRP and multi-TRP environments. For example, the exemplary embodiments of this disclosure may be applied when operating in the frequency range 2FR2, but may also be relevant in FR1. Alternatively or additionally, the exemplary embodiments of this disclosure may be applied to FR3 (7 GHz - 20 GHz), and possibly at least to 6G.

[0022] Wireless network node 120 can be connected directly or via at least one intermediate node, and is connected to core network 130 via interface 125. Core network 130 can in turn connect to another network via interface 135. Figure 1 (Not shown in the diagram) Coupling, a connection to other networks can be obtained via this other network (e.g., via a global interconnection network). Wireless network node 120 can be connected directly to core network 130 or to another core network, either directly or via at least one intermediate node.

[0023] In some example embodiments, the network scenario may include a relay node as a replacement or supplement to UE 110 and / or wireless network node 120. For example, a repeater may be used when operating on millimeter-wave frequencies. One example of a relay node may be an Integrated Access and Backhaul (IAB) node. An IAB node may also be referred to as a self-backhaul repeater. Another example of a repeater may be an out-of-band repeater. Typically, a relay node may include two parts: The distributed unit (DU) portion facilitates the functionality of the wireless network node 120 (such as a gNB). Therefore, in some example embodiments, the DU portion of the repeater may be referred to as the wireless network node 120, and the DU may perform the tasks of the wireless network node 120. The mobile terminal MT portion, which facilitates the functionality of UE 110 (i.e., the backhaul link), can be a communication link between a parent node (DU) (such as the DU portion of wireless network node 120) and a repeater (such as an IAB node). In some example embodiments, the MT portion may be referred to as UE 110 and perform the tasks of UE 110.

[0024] UE 110 may include multiple antenna arrangements for uplink transmission. For example, UE 110 may be a multi-panel STxMP UE that transmits simultaneously. That is, UE 110 may include at least two multi-antenna arrangements for uplink transmission. Therefore, UE 110 can have a flexible UE architecture. For example, UE 110 may have an architecture in which a total of four digital ports exist that can be flexibly shared in the antenna arrangements of UE 110. Furthermore, each antenna arrangement of UE 110 may support, for example, as shown in the following appendix. Figures 2a to 2f The maximum number of antenna ports shown is four. Figures 2a to 2f The illustration shows a scenario where up to four antenna ports of UE 110 can be used for uplink transmission at a time. In some example embodiments, the antenna arrangement may be referred to as an antenna panel.

[0025] Figure 2a An example of dual-panel 4-port {3+1} transmission according to at least some example embodiments is shown. Figure 2a In the figure, the first antenna arrangement of UE 110 is represented by 212, and the second antenna arrangement of UE 110 is represented by 214. As shown, each of the first antenna arrangement 212 and the second antenna arrangement 214 may include four uplink reference signal ports, such as SRS ports. In addition, digital antenna ports are represented by 216.

[0026] Figure 2a An example of a dual-panel antenna arrangement with 4-port {3+1} transmission is shown according to at least some example embodiments. Figure 2a In the process, three antenna ports are transmitted through the first antenna arrangement 212, and one antenna port is transmitted through the second antenna arrangement 214.

[0027] Figure 2b An example of a dual-panel antenna arrangement with 4-port {4+0} transmission is shown according to at least some example embodiments. Figure 2b In the process, four antenna ports are transmitted through the first antenna arrangement 212, but no antenna ports are transmitted through the second antenna arrangement 214.

[0028] Figure 2c An example of a dual-panel antenna arrangement with 4-port {0+4} transmission is shown according to at least some example embodiments. Figure 2c In the process, four antenna ports are transmitted through the second antenna arrangement 214, but no antenna ports are transmitted through the first antenna arrangement 212.

[0029] Figure 2d An example of a dual-panel antenna arrangement with 4-port {2+2} transmission is shown according to at least some example embodiments. Figure 2dIn the process, two antenna ports are transmitted through the first antenna arrangement 212, and two antenna ports are transmitted through the second antenna arrangement 214.

[0030] Figure 2e An example of a dual-panel antenna arrangement with 4-port {2+2} transmission is shown according to at least some example embodiments. Figure 2e In the middle, two antenna ports are transmitted through the first antenna arrangement 212, and the two antenna ports are transmitted through having a connection with... Figure 2d The second antenna arrangement 214 with different configurations is transmitted.

[0031] Figure 2f An example of a dual-panel antenna arrangement with 4-port {1+3} transmission is shown according to at least some example embodiments. Figure 2f In the process, one antenna port is transmitted through the first antenna arrangement 212, and three antenna ports are transmitted through the second antenna arrangement 214.

[0032] The embodiments of this disclosure enable the use of Figures 2a to 2f The flexible UE architecture is shown. According to at least some example embodiments of this disclosure, the number of uplink reference signal antenna ports may differ within the same uplink reference signal resource set. In some example embodiments, the uplink reference signal antenna port may be referred to as an SRS port. The uplink reference signal resource may be referred to as an SRS resource, and the uplink reference signal resource set may be referred to as an SRS resource set.

[0033] In some example embodiments, UE 110 may receive control information from radio network node 120, which schedules uplink transmissions. The control information may include the following code point fields: a first uplink reference signal resource identifier and a second uplink reference signal resource identifier, the first uplink reference signal resource identifier being associated with a first indication uplink reference signal resource of a first resource set, and the second uplink reference signal resource identifier being associated with a second indication uplink reference signal resource of a second resource set. UE 110 may derive a first maximum rank value and a second maximum rank value based on the first uplink reference signal resource identifier and the second uplink reference signal resource identifier, the first maximum rank value being equal to the number of first antenna ports of the first indication uplink reference signal resource, and the second maximum rank value being equal to the number of second antenna ports of the second indication uplink reference signal resource; and determine first uplink transmission parameters based on the first maximum rank value, and determine second uplink transmission parameters based on the second maximum rank value. Subsequently, UE110 can perform uplink transmission at least partially based on the first uplink transmission parameters via the first antenna arrangement, and at least partially based on the second uplink transmission parameters via the second antenna arrangement. Note that the first and second uplink reference signal resources may not refer to specific resources within a resource set, such as the first or second resource of the resource set. It should also be noted that neither the first nor the second uplink reference signal resources refer to any priority order or DCI coding order, etc.

[0034] For example, uplink transmissions can be codebook-based or non-codebook-based PUSCH transmissions, and the control information can be downlink control information (DCI). The maximum rank value for PUSCH transmission timing can be dynamically determined by the UE 110 per DCI based on the number of antenna ports (such as SRS antenna ports of SRS resources). In some example embodiments, the number of SRS antenna ports of SRS resources can be indicated by the SRS resource indicator (SRI) in the scheduling DCI. In some example embodiments, the maximum rank value can be referred to as the maximum layer number for uplink transmissions (such as PUSCH transmissions).

[0035] In some example embodiments, the first uplink transmission parameter and the second uplink transmission parameter may be a transmit precoder matrix. Alternatively or additionally, the control information may also include a first transmit precoder matrix identifier (TMPI) and a second TPMI, the first TMPI being associated with a first indicative uplink reference signaling resource and the second TPMI being associated with a second indicative uplink reference signaling resource. That is, UE 110 may determine the TPMI for uplink transmission based on the control information. For example, UE 110 may dynamically determine the maximum number of layers for PUSCH transmission timing from the SRS resources indicated by the SRI in the scheduling DCI, in order to also determine the appropriate TPMI index. In some example embodiments, UE 110 may refer to the correct layer number and TPMI value in the table for precoding information and layer number in 3GPP standard specification 38.212, where standard specification 38.211 provides the actual complex value precoder weight for the indicated TPMI value and rank combination.

[0036] In some example embodiments, resource element mapping of antenna ports associated with uplink reference signals (such as SRS resource element mapping of antenna ports in both the frequency and time domains) can allow UE 110 to transmit up to four-port transmissions. Antenna port resource element mapping can allow UE 110 to transmit both single-panel and multi-panel transmissions. That is, resource elements associated with antenna ports can facilitate UE 110 having shared digital ports across multiple TX antenna panels of UE 110. In other words, resource elements associated with antenna ports can allow UE 110 to transmit via a single antenna arrangement or multiple antenna arrangements simultaneously.

[0037] In some example embodiments, UE 110 may send first capability information of UE 110 to radio network node 120. The first capability information may indicate a first maximum number of antenna ports supported by a first antenna arrangement of UE 110, a second maximum number of antenna ports supported by a second antenna arrangement of UE 110, and a total maximum number of antenna ports supported by UE 110. Therefore, the first capability information may include information about the maximum number of antenna ports for each of a plurality of antenna arrangements of UE 110. That is, UE 110 may provide a maximum number of antenna ports based on its antenna arrangements. Furthermore, UE 110 may provide its total maximum number of antenna ports.

[0038] In some example embodiments, the maximum number of antenna ports per antenna arrangement of UE 110 may be less than or equal to the total maximum number of antenna ports of UE 110. For example, the first maximum number of antenna ports may be less than or equal to the total maximum number of antenna ports, and the second maximum number of antenna ports may be less than or equal to the total maximum number of antenna ports.

[0039] In some example embodiments, UE 110 may provide second capability information about two supported panel combinations (e.g., {1+3, 2+2, 3+1}) via capability signaling. In this case, the supported combinations of UE 110 may be {0+4, 1+3, 2+2, 3+1, 4+0} or any subset thereof.

[0040] For example, UE 110 may send second capability information to radio network node 120, indicating supported antenna port combinations across the first and second antenna arrangements. The supported antenna port combinations may include: a number less than or equal to a first maximum number of antenna ports, a number of first antenna ports for the first antenna arrangement, and a number less than or equal to a second maximum number of antenna ports, a number of second antenna ports for the second antenna arrangement, wherein the sum of the first and second antenna port numbers is less than or equal to the total maximum number of antenna ports.

[0041] In some example embodiments, each antenna arrangement of UE 110 may be allocated an uplink reference signal resource set. For example, each antenna arrangement may be allocated an SRS resource set.

[0042] In some example embodiments, the first antenna arrangement and the second antenna arrangement are associated with corresponding capability indices.

[0043] Each antenna arrangement can be abstracted by a UE 110 that provides a list of capability indices, where each index refers to a specific antenna arrangement. For example, for the {1+3} combination, maximumNumberOfSRSPortsForSharedArchitecture(index0) = 1, where index0 refers to the first antenna arrangement of UE 110 with index0, and maximumNumberOfSRSPortsSharedArchitecture(index1) = 3, where index1 refers to the second antenna arrangement of UE 110 with index1. In other words, a list of different antenna arrangements can be provided to the radio network node 120 via capability signaling.

[0044] In some example embodiments, the number of antenna ports per uplink reference signal resource may be the same as the maximum number of antenna ports per antenna arrangement of the UE 110. For example, the SRS resource may reach the maximum number of antenna ports per panel provided by the UE capabilities (i.e., as provided in the capability information).

[0045] In some example embodiments, the following rules may be applied to time-domain resource allocation. When the total number of antenna ports to be used for uplink reference signal transmission is less than or equal to the total maximum number of antenna ports supported by the UE 110, which may be provided by the UE's capabilities, simultaneous transmission of uplink reference signal resources (such as SRS resources) from different resource sets may be triggered. That is, in this case, simultaneous uplink reference signal resources can be used. Alternatively, when the total number of antenna ports to be used for uplink reference signal transmission is strictly greater than the total maximum number of antenna ports supported by the UE 110, simultaneous transmission is not allowed, and the uplink reference signal resources can be configured to be transmitted in time-division multiplexing (TDM). In other words, if the total maximum number of antenna ports for simultaneous SRS resources is less than or equal to the total maximum number provided by the UE's capabilities, the SRS resources can be configured for simultaneous transmission.

[0046] In other words, UE 110 can receive configuration information from radio network node 120. This configuration information indicates a first resource set including a first configured uplink reference signal resource and a second resource set including a second configured uplink reference signal resource. The first configured uplink reference signal resource may include: a first number of antenna ports, which is less than or equal to a first maximum number of antenna ports supported by the first antenna arrangement; and the second configured uplink reference signal resource may include: a second number of antenna ports, which is less than or equal to a second maximum number of antenna ports supported by the second antenna arrangement.

[0047] The sum of the number of first antenna ports of the first configured uplink reference signal resources of the first resource set and the number of second antenna ports of the second configured uplink reference signal resources of the second resource set can be strictly greater than the total maximum number of transmission layers or the total maximum number of antenna ports supported by UE 110. In this case, the first configured uplink reference signal resources of the first resource set can be time-division multiplexed with the second configured uplink reference signal resources of the second resource set. That is, the first configured uplink reference signal resources of the first resource set can be restricted to time-division multiplexing with the second configured uplink reference signal resources of the second resource set.

[0048] In some example embodiments, the following selection may be applied to at least one uplink transmission, such as a PUSCH transmission. The radio network node 120 may send an indication to the UE 110 indicating a selection between single-location or multi-location uplink transmissions.

[0049] For example, wireless network node 120 may provide the option of single-panel or multi-panel transmission via two-bit code points in the DCI scheduling, for example, as follows: 00: Can indicate single-panel transmission, where the maximum number of layers is the number of SRS ports in the SRS resources indicated by the SRI of the first SRS resource set; 01: Can indicate single-panel transmission, where the maximum number of layers is the number of SRS ports in the SRS resources indicated by the SRI of the second SRS resource set; 11: May indicate, for example, dual-panel transmission toward multiple TRPs, wherein the maximum number of layers is the number of SRS ports in the SRS resources indicated by the SRI of the first SRS resource set for the first antenna arrangement of UE 110, and wherein the maximum number of layers is the number of SRS ports in the SRS resources indicated by the SRI of the second SRS resource set for the second antenna arrangement of UE 110.

[0050] In some example embodiments, the maximum number of layers per antenna arrangement of UE 110 can be dynamically determined based on a given SRI (i.e., based on the number of SRS antenna ports in the referenced SRS resource).

[0051] Figure 3 Examples of possible reuse options according to at least some example embodiments are shown. Figure 3 For example, the uplink reference signal resources can be configured as follows to support flexible digital port allocation in the antenna layout ports of UE 110.

[0052] Even in Figure 3 The example of using SRS as an uplink reference signal can also be applied to other similar reference signals. Similarly, even though PUSCH scheduling is used as an example below, this example can be applied to other uplink transmissions. In some example embodiments, UE 110 can determine the maximum number of layers for each received scheduling grant and SRI. Referring to Figure 2, in Figure 3 In the above, the first resource set (SRS resource set #0) for the first antenna arrangement 212 of UE 110 is represented by 312, and the second resource set (SRS resource set #1) for the second antenna arrangement 214 is represented by 314.

[0053] according to Figure 3 For example, the following configuration can be applied: For PUSCH scheduling, upon receiving SRS resource set indicator code point 00 and SRI#1, UE 110 can assume TPMI on all four antenna ports. That is, UE 110 can determine that the maximum number of layers is 4 for SRS resource set #0 and 0 for SRS resource set #1. Then, UE 110 can use the maximum number of layers (i.e., 4 for the first antenna arrangement 212) to transmit PUSCH. In this case, the maximum number of layers for the second antenna arrangement 214 can be determined to be 0. For PUSCH scheduling, upon receiving SRS resource set indicator code point 00 and SRI#4, UE 110 can assume TPMI on both antenna ports. That is, UE 110 can determine that the maximum number of layers is 2 for SRS resource set #0 and 0 for SRS resource set #1. Then, UE 110 can use the maximum number of layers (i.e., 2 for the first antenna arrangement 212) to transmit PUSCH. In this case, the maximum number of layers for the second antenna arrangement 214 can be determined to be 0; For PUSCH scheduling, TPMI does not exist upon receiving SRS resource set indicator code point 01 and SRI#5 because PUSCH will be a single-port transmission. That is, UE 110 can determine that the maximum number of layers is 0 for SRS resource set #0 and 1 for SRS resource set #1. Then, UE 110 can use the maximum number of layers (i.e., 1 for the second antenna arrangement 214) to transmit PUSCH. In this case, the maximum number of layers for the first antenna arrangement 212 can be determined to be 0; For PUSCH scheduling, upon receiving SRS resource set indicator code point 11 and SRI#3 and SRI#9, UE 110 can transmit the hypothetical TPMI on three antenna ports in the first panel and on a single port in the second panel (transmitted when SRS#9 is transmitted). That is, UE 110 can determine that the maximum number of layers for SRS resource set #0 is 3, and the maximum number of layers for SRS resource set #0 is 1. Then, UE 110 can use the maximum number of layers to transmit PUSCH, i.e., 3 for the first antenna arrangement 212 and 1 for the second antenna arrangement 214.

[0054] for Figure 3 In the first two cases 302, since the sum of the number of SRS ports of the first SRS resource and the second SRS resource exceeds the total maximum number of antenna ports supported by the UE 110, SDM / FDM is not allowed as a multiplexing scheme, and TDM can be used only. In the latter four cases 304, since the sum of the number of SRS ports of the first SRS resource and the second SRS resource does not exceed the total maximum number of antenna ports supported by the UE 110, SDM / FDM / TDM is allowed as a multiplexing scheme.

[0055] Figure 4 A signaling diagram according to at least some example embodiments is shown. UE110 and wireless network node120 are arranged from left to right on the vertical axis. Time progresses from top to bottom.

[0056] At step 410, UE 110 may send first capability information to Radio Network Node 120, indicating a first maximum number of antenna ports supported by a first antenna configuration of UE 110, a second maximum number of antenna ports supported by a second antenna configuration of UE 110, and a total maximum number of antenna ports supported by UE 110. For example, UE 110 may perform a report of the maximum number of antenna ports supported by each capability index plus the total number of antenna ports via Radio Resource Control (RRC) signaling. The report may be semi-static.

[0057] In some example embodiments, the first maximum number of antenna ports may be less than or equal to the total maximum number of antenna ports, and the second maximum number of antenna ports may be less than or equal to the total maximum number of antenna ports.

[0058] At step 420, UE 110 may send second capability information to radio network node 120. For example, UE 110 performs a report on supported antenna port combinations. The report may be semi-static. The second capability information may indicate supported antenna port combinations across the first antenna arrangement and the second antenna arrangement. The supported antenna port combinations may include: a number of first antenna ports for the first antenna arrangement less than or equal to the first maximum number of antenna ports, and a number of second antenna ports for the second antenna arrangement less than or equal to the second maximum number of antenna ports. The sum of the number of first antenna ports and the number of second antenna ports may be less than or equal to the total maximum number of antenna ports.

[0059] At step 430, UE 110 may receive configuration information from the radio network node 120, which indicates a first resource set including one or more first configuration uplink reference signaling resources and a second resource set including one or more second configuration uplink reference signaling resources. For example, UE 110 may receive SRS configuration (first resource set and second resource set) and quasi-co-location QCL type association with the corresponding CSI-RS / SSB via RRC. The configuration may be semi-static.

[0060] In some example embodiments, the first configured uplink reference signal resources may include: a first number of antenna ports, which is less than or equal to the first maximum number of antenna ports supported by the first antenna arrangement of UE 110, and the second configured uplink reference signal resources may include: a second number of antenna ports, which is less than or equal to the second maximum number of antenna ports supported by the second antenna arrangement of UE 110.

[0061] In some example embodiments, the sum of the number of first antenna ports of the first configured uplink reference signal resources of the first resource set and the number of second antenna ports of the second configured uplink reference signal resources of the second resource set can be significantly greater than the total maximum number of antenna ports supported by the UE 110.

[0062] At this point, the first configuration uplink reference signal resource of the first resource set can be restricted to time-division multiplexing with the second configuration uplink reference signal resource of the second resource set. The time-division multiplexing restriction may only apply if the sum is strictly greater than the total maximum number of antenna ports.

[0063] In some example embodiments, if the sum of the number of first antenna ports of the first configured uplink reference signal resource and the number of second antenna ports of the second configured uplink reference signal resource is less than or equal to the total maximum number of antenna ports supported by the UE 110, then the first configured uplink reference signal resource of the first resource set and the second configured uplink reference signal resource of the second resource set are spatially multiplexed, frequency-division multiplexed, or time-division multiplexed.

[0064] In some example embodiments, the first configured uplink reference signal resource and the second configured uplink reference signal resource are sounding reference signal (SRS) resources, and the first resource set and the second resource set are SRS resource sets.

[0065] At step 440, a beam management procedure can be performed. For example, a beam management procedure with CSI reporting can be performed (reporting N optimal CRI / SSB_Index and corresponding antenna arrangement capability indices via PUCCH; semi-dynamic reporting).

[0066] At step 450, UE 110 may perform SRS transmission, for example, based on configured / indicated SRS resources.

[0067] At step 460, wireless network node 120 can perform CSI calculations (SRI, RI, TPMI).

[0068] At step 470, UE 110 may receive control information from radio network node 120. This control information schedules uplink transmissions and includes a first uplink reference signal resource identifier (SRI) and a second uplink reference signal resource identifier (TPMI). The first uplink reference signal resource identifier is associated with a first indicated uplink reference signal resource of a first resource set, and the second uplink reference signal resource identifier is associated with a second indicated uplink reference signal resource of a second resource set. For example, radio network node 120 may perform a DCI scheduling of PUSCH (DCI format 0_x) including the indicated first SRI and second SRI (SRI, RI, TPMI).

[0069] Then, UE 110 can derive a first maximum rank value and a second maximum rank value based on a first uplink reference signal resource identifier and a second uplink reference signal resource identifier. The first maximum rank value is equal to the first number of first antenna ports indicating uplink reference signal resources, and the second maximum rank value is equal to the second number of second antenna ports indicating uplink reference signal resources. UE 110 can also determine first uplink transmission parameters based on the first maximum rank value and determine second uplink transmission parameters based on the second maximum rank value. Furthermore, UE 110 can perform uplink transmission at least partially based on the first uplink transmission parameters via the device's first antenna arrangement and at least partially based on the second uplink transmission parameters via the device's second antenna arrangement. Radio network node 120 can similarly perform the derivation and determination, and then receive uplink transmissions accordingly.

[0070] Figure 5 An example apparatus capable of supporting at least some of the example embodiments is shown. A device 500 is shown, which may include, for example, a UE 110 or a wireless network node 120, or a control device configured to potentially control its functions when installed therein. Device 500 includes a processor 510, which may include, for example, a single-core or multi-core processor, wherein a single-core processor includes one processing core, and a multi-core processor includes more than one processing core. Processor 510 typically includes a control device. Processor 510 may include more than one processor. Processor 510 may be a control device. Processing cores may include, for example, a Cortex-A8 processing core manufactured by ARM Holdings or a Steamroller processing core manufactured by Advanced Micro Devices Corporation. Processor 510 may include at least one Qualcomm Snapdragon and / or Intel Atom processor. Processor 510 may include at least one application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC). Processor 510 may include at least one field-programmable gate array (FPGA). Processor 510 may be a component for performing method steps in device 500. Processor 510 may be configured, at least in part, by computer instructions to perform actions.

[0071] A processor may include or be configured as one or more circuit systems configured to perform stages of the methods according to the example embodiments described herein. As used herein, the term "circuit system" may refer to one or more or all of the following: (a) a circuit implementation that is only hardware, such as an implementation that is only in analog and / or digital circuit systems; and (b) a combination of hardware circuitry and software, such as, if applicable: (i) a combination of analog and / or digital hardware circuitry with software / firmware; and (ii) any part of a hardware processor having software (including digital signal processors, software, and memory that work together to enable a device (such as a mobile phone or server) to perform various functions); and (c) hardware circuitry and / or processors that require software (e.g., firmware) for operation, such as a microprocessor or a portion thereof, but where the software is not required for operation, the software may be absent.

[0072] This definition of circuit system applies to all uses of the term in this application (including any claims). As another example, as used in this application, the term circuit system also covers only the implementation of hardware circuitry or a processor (or processors) or a portion thereof and its accompanying software and / or firmware. The term circuit system also covers, for example and if applicable to elements of a particular claim, baseband integrated circuits or processor integrated circuits for mobile devices, or similar integrated circuits in servers, cellular network devices, or other computing or network devices.

[0073] Device 500 may include memory 520. Memory 520 may include random access memory and / or permanent memory. Memory 520 may include at least one RAM chip. Memory 520 may include, for example, solid-state, magnetic, optical, and / or holographic memory. Memory 520 may be at least partially accessible by processor 510. Memory 520 may be at least partially included in processor 510. Memory 520 may be a component for storing information. Memory 520 may include computer instructions configured to be executed by processor 510. When computer instructions configured to cause processor 510 to perform certain actions are stored in memory 520, and device 500 is generally configured to operate under the guidance of processor 510 using computer instructions from memory 520, processor 510 and / or at least one of its processing cores may be considered to be configured to perform said certain actions. Memory 520 may be at least partially included in processor 510. Memory 520 may be at least partially external to device 500, but accessible by device 500.

[0074] Device 500 may include a transmitter 530. Device 500 may include a receiver 540. Transmitter 530 and receiver 540 may be configured to transmit and receive information according to at least one cellular or non-cellular standard, respectively. Transmitter 530 may include more than one transmitter. Receiver 540 may include more than one receiver. Transmitter 530 and / or receiver 540 may be configured to operate according to standards such as GSM, WCDMA, LTE, and / or 5G / NR.

[0075] Device 500 may include a near-field communication (NFC) transceiver 550. The NFC transceiver 550 may support at least one NFC technology, such as Bluetooth, Wibree, or similar technologies.

[0076] Device 500 may include a user interface (UI) 560. UI 560 may include at least one of a display, keyboard, touchscreen, vibrator arranged to transmit signals to the user by causing device 500 to vibrate, speaker, and microphone. The user can operate device 500 via UI 560, for example, by accepting incoming telephone calls, initiating telephone or video calls, browsing the Internet, managing digital files stored in memory 520 or accessible in the cloud via transmitter 530 and receiver 540 or via NFC transceiver 550, and / or playing games.

[0077] Device 500 may include or be arranged to accept a user identity module 570. User identity module 570 may include, for example, a subscriber identity module SIM card that can be installed in device 500. User identity module 570 may include subscription information identifying the user of device 500. User identity module 570 may include password information that can be used to verify the identity of the user of device 500 and / or facilitate the encryption of transmitted information and the billing of communications performed by the user of device 500 via device 500.

[0078] Processor 510 may be equipped with a transmitter arranged to output information from processor 510 to other devices included in device 500 via electrical leads within device 500. Such a transmitter may include a serial bus transmitter arranged to output information to memory 520 for storage, for example, via at least one electrical lead. As an alternative to a serial bus, the transmitter may include a parallel bus transmitter. Similarly, processor 510 may include a receiver arranged to receive information within processor 510 from other devices included in device 500 via electrical leads within device 500. Such a receiver may include a serial bus receiver arranged to receive information from receiver 540, for example, via at least one electrical lead, for processing within processor 510. As an alternative to a serial bus, the receiver may include a parallel bus receiver.

[0079] Device 500 may include Figure 5 Other devices not shown. For example, in the case where device 500 includes a smartphone, it may include at least one digital camera. Some devices 500 may include a rear camera and a front camera, wherein the rear camera may be designed for digital photography and the front camera for video calling. Device 500 may include a fingerprint sensor arranged to at least partially authenticate the user of device 500. In some example embodiments, device 500 lacks at least one of the above-mentioned devices. For example, some devices 500 may lack an NFC transceiver 550 and / or a user identity module 570.

[0080] Processor 510, memory 520, transmitter 530, receiver 540, NFC transceiver 550, UI 560, and / or user identity module 570 can be interconnected in various ways via electrical leads within device 500. For example, each of the aforementioned devices can be connected to a main bus within device 500 to allow the devices to exchange information. However, as those skilled in the art will understand, this is merely an example, and various ways of interconnecting at least two of the foregoing devices may be chosen depending on the exemplary embodiment without departing from the scope of the exemplary embodiment.

[0081] In some example embodiments, device 500 may include receiver 580, such as WUR. Transmitter 530 and receiver 540 may form a transceiver for communication (such as an NR transceiver), while receiver 580 may be used for receiving rather than transmitting. The transceiver formed by transmitter 530 and receiver 540 may be referred to as first radio entity 210, while receiver 580 may be referred to as second radio entity 220.

[0082] Figure 6This is a flowchart of a method according to at least some example embodiments. The steps of the method can be performed by the UE 110 or by a control device configured to control its functions (possibly installed therein).

[0083] The method may include, at step 610, receiving control information from a wireless network node, the control information scheduling uplink transmission and including a first uplink reference signal resource identifier and a second uplink reference signal resource identifier, the first uplink reference signal resource identifier being associated with a first indication uplink reference signal resource of a first resource set, and the second uplink reference signal resource identifier being associated with a second indication uplink reference signal resource of a second resource set. The method may further include, at step 620, deriving a first maximum rank value and a second maximum rank value based on the first uplink reference signal resource identifier and the second uplink reference signal resource identifier, the first maximum rank value being equal to the number of first antenna ports of the first indication uplink reference signal resource, and the second maximum rank value being equal to the number of second antenna ports of the second indication uplink reference signal resource. Additionally, the method may include, at step 630, determining first uplink transmission parameters based on the first maximum rank value, and determining second uplink transmission parameters based on the second maximum rank value. Finally, the method may include: at step 640, performing uplink transmission at least in part based on first uplink transmission parameters via a first antenna arrangement of the user equipment, and performing uplink transmission at least in part based on second uplink transmission parameters via a second antenna arrangement of the user equipment.

[0084] It should be understood that the disclosed example embodiments are not limited to the specific structures, process steps, or materials disclosed herein, but are extended to their equivalents, as will be recognized by those skilled in the art. It should also be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular example embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting.

[0085] References to an exemplary embodiment or an exemplary embodiment throughout this specification mean that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the exemplary embodiment is included in at least one exemplary embodiment. Therefore, the phrases "in one exemplary embodiment" or "in an exemplary embodiment" appearing throughout this specification do not necessarily refer to the same exemplary embodiment. Precise numerical values ​​are also disclosed where terms such as, for example, about or substantially refer to numerical values.

[0086] As used herein, for convenience, multiple items, structural elements, constituent elements, and / or materials may be presented in a common list. However, these lists should be interpreted as if each member of the list were individually identified as a separate and unique member. Therefore, a single member of such a list should not be construed as being substantially equivalent to any other member of the same list solely based on their presentation in the common group, without any indication to the contrary. Furthermore, various exemplary embodiments and examples may be mentioned herein along with alternatives to their various components. It should be understood that such exemplary embodiments, examples, and alternatives should not be construed as being substantially equivalent to each other, but rather as separate and autonomous representations.

[0087] In the example embodiments, an apparatus such as, for example, UE 110 or wireless network node 120 may include components for performing the example embodiments described above and any combination thereof.

[0088] In exemplary embodiments, a computer program may be configured to cause a method according to the above exemplary embodiments and any combination thereof. In exemplary embodiments, a computer program product embodied on a non-transitory computer-readable medium may be configured to control a processor to perform processes including the above exemplary embodiments and any combination thereof.

[0089] In the example embodiments, an apparatus such as UE 110 or wireless network node 120 may include at least one processor and at least one memory including computer program code, wherein the at least one memory and the computer program code are configured, together with the at least one processor, to enable the apparatus to perform at least the example embodiments described above and any combination thereof.

[0090] Furthermore, the described features, structures, or characteristics can be combined in any suitable manner in one or more exemplary embodiments. Numerous specific details, such as examples of length, width, shape, etc., have been provided in the foregoing description to provide a thorough understanding of exemplary embodiments of this disclosure. However, those skilled in the art will recognize that this disclosure can be practiced without one or more specific details or using other methods, components, materials, etc. In other instances, well-known structures, materials, or operations have not been shown or described in detail to avoid obscuring various aspects of this disclosure.

[0091] While the foregoing examples are illustrative of the principles of exemplary embodiments in one or more specific applications, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that many modifications can be made in form, use, and implementation details without applying aspects of the invention and without departing from the principles and concepts of this disclosure. Therefore, this disclosure is not intended to be limited except by the claims set forth below.

[0092] The verbs “comprising” and “including” are used in this document as open restrictions that neither exclude nor require the presence of undescribed features. Unless otherwise expressly stated, the features described in the dependent claims may be freely combined with each other. Furthermore, it should be understood that the use of “a” or “an,” i.e., the singular form, throughout this document does not exclude a plurality.

[0093] Industrial applicability At least some example implementations have found industrial applications in cellular communication networks, such as 3GPP networks.

[0094] List of abbreviations 3GPP Third Generation Partnership Project BS base station CSI Channel Status Information DCI downlink control information DU Distributed Unit FR frequency range GSM Global Mobile Communication System IAB Integration Access and Backhaul IoT LTE Long Term Evolution M2M (Machine-to-Machine) MT mobile terminal NFC Near Field Communication NR New Radio PUCCH (Physical Uplink Control Channel) PUSCH Physical Uplink Shared Channel QCL Quasi-common Positioning RAT radio access technology RRC Radio Resource Control RI rank indicator RS reference signal SRI SRS resource indicator SRS detection reference signal SSB Synchronization Signal Block STxMP transmits data to multiple panels simultaneously. TDM Time Division Multiplexing TPMI transmit precoding matrix indicator TRP transceiver point UE User Equipment UI (User Interface) WCDMA Wideband Code Division Multiple Access WiMAX Global Microwave Access Interoperability WLAN wireless local area network List of reference numerals

Claims

1. An apparatus comprising: At least one processor; as well as At least one memory stores instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the device to at least: - Receive control information from a wireless network node, the control information scheduling uplink transmission and including a first uplink reference signal resource identifier and a second uplink reference signal resource identifier, the first uplink reference signal resource identifier being associated with a first indication uplink reference signal resource of a first resource set, and the second uplink reference signal resource identifier being associated with a second indication uplink reference signal resource of a second resource set; -Based on the first uplink reference signal resource identifier and the second uplink reference signal resource identifier, derive the first maximum rank value and the second maximum rank value, where the first maximum rank value is equal to the first antenna port number of the first indicator uplink reference signal resource, and the second maximum rank value is equal to the second antenna port number of the second indicator uplink reference signal resource. - Determine the first uplink transmission parameters based on the first maximum rank value, and determine the second uplink transmission parameters based on the second maximum rank value; as well as The uplink transmission is performed at least in part based on the first uplink transmission parameters via the first antenna arrangement of the device, and at least in part based on the second uplink transmission parameters via the second antenna arrangement of the device.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first uplink transmission parameters and the second uplink transmission parameters are a transmission precoder matrix.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the control information further includes a first transmit precoder matrix identifier (TMPI) and a second transmit precoder matrix identifier (TPMI), the first TMPI being associated with a first indicated uplink reference signal resource and the second TPMI being associated with a second indicated uplink reference signal resource.

4. The apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the stored instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the apparatus to at least: - Send first capability information to the wireless network node, the first capability information indicating the first maximum number of antenna ports supported by the first antenna arrangement, the second maximum number of antenna ports supported by the second antenna arrangement, and the total maximum number of antenna ports supported by the device.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the first maximum number of antenna ports is less than or equal to the total maximum number of antenna ports, and the second maximum number of antenna ports is less than or equal to the total maximum number of antenna ports.

6. The apparatus of claim 4 or claim 5, wherein the stored instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the apparatus to at least: - Send second capability information to the wireless network node, the second capability information indicating supported antenna port combinations across the first antenna arrangement and the second antenna arrangement, wherein the supported antenna port combinations respectively include: The number of first antenna ports arranged for the first antenna is less than or equal to the first maximum number of antenna ports, and the number of second antenna ports arranged for the second antenna is less than or equal to the second maximum number of antenna ports, and the sum of the number of first antenna ports and the number of second antenna ports is less than or equal to the total maximum number of antenna ports.

7. The apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first antenna arrangement and the second antenna arrangement are associated with a corresponding capability index.

8. The apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the stored instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the apparatus to at least: - Receive configuration information from the wireless network node, the configuration information indicating a first resource set including a first configured uplink reference signal resource and a second resource set including a second configured uplink reference signal resource.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the first configuration uplink reference signal resources respectively include: The number of first antenna ports is less than or equal to the first maximum number of antenna ports supported by the first antenna arrangement, and the second configuration uplink reference signal resources respectively include: the number of second antenna ports is less than or equal to the second maximum number of antenna ports supported by the second antenna arrangement.

10. The apparatus of claim 8 or claim 9, wherein the sum of the number of first antenna ports of the first configured uplink reference signal resources of the first resource set and the number of second antenna ports of the second configured uplink reference signal resources of the second resource set is strictly greater than the total maximum number of antenna ports supported by the apparatus.

11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the first configured uplink reference signal resource of the first resource set is restricted to time-division multiplexing with the second configured uplink reference signal resource of the second resource set.

12. The apparatus according to any one of claims 8 to 11, wherein if the sum of the number of first antenna ports of the first configured uplink reference signal resource and the number of second antenna ports of the second configured uplink reference signal resource is less than or equal to the total maximum number of antenna ports supported by the apparatus, then the first configured uplink reference signal resource of the first resource set and the second configured uplink reference signal resource of the second resource set are spatially multiplexed, frequency-division multiplexed, or time-division multiplexed.

13. The apparatus according to any one of claims 8 to 12, wherein the first configured uplink reference signal resource and the second configured uplink reference signal resource are sounding reference signal (SRS) resources, and the first resource set and the second resource set are SRS resource sets.

14. An apparatus comprising: At least one processor; as well as At least one memory stores instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the device to at least: - Send control information to the user equipment, the control information scheduling uplink transmission and including a first uplink reference signal resource identifier and a second uplink reference signal resource identifier, the first uplink reference signal resource identifier being associated with a first indication uplink reference signal resource of a first resource set, and the second uplink reference signal resource identifier being associated with a second indication uplink reference signal resource of a second resource set; -Based on the first uplink reference signal resource identifier and the second uplink reference signal resource identifier, derive the first maximum rank value and the second maximum rank value, where the first maximum rank value is equal to the first antenna port number of the first indicator uplink reference signal resource, and the second maximum rank value is equal to the second antenna port number of the second indicator uplink reference signal resource. - Determine the first uplink transmission parameters based on the first maximum rank value, and determine the second uplink transmission parameters based on the second maximum rank value; as well as - The uplink transmission is received at least in part based on the first uplink transmission parameters via the first antenna arrangement of the user equipment, and at least in part based on the second uplink transmission parameters via the second antenna arrangement of the user equipment.

15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the first uplink transmission parameters and the second uplink transmission parameters are a transmission precoder matrix.

16. The apparatus of claim 14 or claim 15, wherein the control information further comprises a first transmit precoder matrix identifier TMPI and a second TPMI, the first TMPI being associated with a first indicated uplink reference signal resource and the second TPMI being associated with the second indicated uplink reference signal resource.

17. The apparatus according to any one of claims 14 to 16, wherein the stored instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the apparatus to at least: - Receive first capability information from the user equipment, the first capability information indicating a first maximum number of antenna ports supported by the first antenna arrangement, a second maximum number of antenna ports supported by the second antenna arrangement, and a total maximum number of antenna ports supported by the user equipment.

18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the first maximum number of antenna ports is less than or equal to the total maximum number of antenna ports, and the second maximum number of antenna ports is less than or equal to the total maximum number of antenna ports.

19. The apparatus of claim 17 or claim 18, wherein the stored instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the apparatus to at least: - Receive second capability information from the user equipment, the second capability information indicating supported antenna port combinations across the first antenna arrangement and the second antenna arrangement, wherein the supported antenna port combinations respectively include: The number of first antenna ports arranged for the first antenna is less than or equal to the first maximum number of antenna ports, and the number of second antenna ports arranged for the second antenna is less than or equal to the second maximum number of antenna ports, and the number of first antenna ports and the number of second antenna ports are less than or equal to the total maximum number of antenna ports.

20. The apparatus according to any one of claims 14 to 19, wherein the first antenna arrangement and the second antenna arrangement are associated with a corresponding capability index.

21. The apparatus according to any one of claims 14 to 20, wherein the stored instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the apparatus to at least: - Send configuration information to the user equipment, the configuration information indicating a first resource set including a first configuration uplink reference signal resource and a second resource set including a second configuration uplink reference signal resource.

22. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the first configuration uplink reference signal resources respectively include: The number of first antenna ports is less than or equal to the first maximum number of antenna ports supported by the first antenna arrangement, and the second configuration uplink reference signal resources respectively include: the number of second antenna ports is less than or equal to the second maximum number of antenna ports supported by the second antenna arrangement.

23. The apparatus of claim 21 or claim 22, wherein the sum of the number of first antenna ports of the first configured uplink reference signal resources of the first resource set and the number of second antenna ports of the second configured uplink reference signal resources of the second resource set is strictly greater than the total maximum number of antenna ports supported by the user equipment.

24. The apparatus of claim 23, wherein the first configured uplink reference signal resource of the first resource set is restricted to time-division multiplexing with the second configured uplink reference signal resource of the second resource set.

25. The apparatus according to any one of claims 21 to 24, wherein if the sum of the number of first antenna ports of the first configured uplink reference signal resource and the number of second antenna ports of the second configured uplink reference signal resource is less than or equal to the total maximum number of antenna ports supported by the user equipment, then the first configured uplink reference signal resource of the first resource set and the second configured uplink reference signal resource of the second resource set are spatially multiplexed, frequency-division multiplexed, or time-division multiplexed.

26. The apparatus according to any one of claims 21 to 25, wherein the first configured uplink reference signal resource and the second configured uplink reference signal resource are sounding reference signal (SRS) resources, and the first resource set and the second resource set are SRS resource sets.

27. A method comprising: - The user equipment receives control information from the wireless network node. The control information schedules uplink transmission and includes a first uplink reference signal resource identifier and a second uplink reference signal resource identifier. The first uplink reference signal resource identifier is associated with a first indication uplink reference signal resource of a first resource set, and the second uplink reference signal resource identifier is associated with a second indication uplink reference signal resource of a second resource set. - The user equipment derives a first maximum rank value and a second maximum rank value based on the first uplink reference signal resource identifier and the second uplink reference signal resource identifier. The first maximum rank value is equal to the number of first antenna ports indicating the first uplink reference signal resource, and the second maximum rank value is equal to the number of second antenna ports indicating the second uplink reference signal resource. - The user equipment determines the first uplink transmission parameters based on the first maximum rank value, and determines the second uplink transmission parameters based on the second maximum rank value; as well as The uplink transmission is performed by the user equipment at least in part based on the first uplink transmission parameters via the first antenna arrangement of the user equipment, and at least in part based on the second uplink transmission parameters via the second antenna arrangement of the user equipment.

28. A method comprising: - The device sends control information to the user equipment, the control information scheduling uplink transmission and including a first uplink reference signal resource identifier and a second uplink reference signal resource identifier, the first uplink reference signal resource identifier being associated with a first indication uplink reference signal resource of a first resource set, and the second uplink reference signal resource identifier being associated with a second indication uplink reference signal resource of a second resource set; - The device derives a first maximum rank value and a second maximum rank value based on the first uplink reference signal resource identifier and the second uplink reference signal resource identifier. The first maximum rank value is equal to the number of first antenna ports indicating the first uplink reference signal resource, and the second maximum rank value is equal to the number of second antenna ports indicating the second uplink reference signal resource. - The device determines the first uplink transmission parameters based on the first maximum rank value, and determines the second uplink transmission parameters based on the second maximum rank value; as well as The device receives the uplink transmission at least in part based on the first uplink transmission parameters via the first antenna arrangement of the user equipment, and at least in part based on the second uplink transmission parameters via the second antenna arrangement of the user equipment.

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