Slot format switching for multiplexing reference signals and data

Abstract

Methods, systems, and devices for wireless communication are described. A user equipment (UE) may receive a control message indicating a switch from a first slot format to a second slot format. The first slot format may include symbols for reference signal transmission and symbols for data transmission. Thus, the first slot format may be a full time division multiplexing (TDM) slot that supports time division multiplexing (TDM) of reference signals and data. The second slot format may be a hybrid TDM / frequency division multiplexing (FDM) slot or a full FDM slot that includes at least one symbol for frequency division multiplexing (FDM) of the reference signal and the data. Based on capabilities of the UE and the control message, the UE may switch to the second slot format and convey reference signals in symbols configured for FDM. That is, the reference signal can be FDM with data according to the second slot format.

Description

[0001] Cross-references

[0002] This patent application claims priority to U.S. Patent Application No. 18 / 464,151, filed September 8, 2023, entitled “SLOT FORMATSWITCHING FOR MULTIPLEXING REFERENCE SIGNALS AND DATA”, which is assigned to the assignee of this application and is expressly incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Technical Field

[0003] The following content relates to wireless communication, including time slot format switching for multiplexing reference signals and data. Background Technology

[0004] Wireless communication systems are widely deployed to provide various types of communication content, such as voice, video, packet data, message sending and receiving, broadcasting, and so on. These systems can support communication with multiple users by sharing available system resources (e.g., time, frequency, and power). Examples of such multiple access systems include fourth-generation (4G) systems (such as Long Term Evolution (LTE) systems, LTE-A Advanced (LTE-A) systems, or LTE-A Pro systems) and fifth-generation (5G) systems (which may be referred to as New Radio (NR) systems). These systems may employ technologies such as Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA), Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA), Frequency Division Multiple Access (FDMA), Orthogonal FDMA (OFDMA), or Discrete Fourier Transform Extended Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (DFT-S-OFDM). A wireless multiple access communication system may include one or more base stations, each supporting wireless communication of communication devices, which may be referred to as User Equipment (UE). Summary of the Invention

[0005] The described technology relates to improved methods, systems, devices, and apparatuses for supporting time slot format switching for multiplexing reference signals and data. For example, the described technology enables switching from a time slot format based on time division multiplexing (TDM) to a time slot format based on full frequency division multiplexing (FDM) or a hybrid TDM / FDM in response to a control message, taking into account the capabilities and / or usage of the user equipment (UE). In some examples, the UE receives a control message instructing it to switch from a first time slot format to a second time slot format to transmit reference signals (e.g., demodulation reference signals (DMRS), channel state information (CSI) reference signals (CSI-RS)) and data. The first time slot format may include a set of symbols for transmitting the reference signal and a set of symbols for transmitting the data, in which TDM can be performed on the reference signal and the data. Therefore, the first time slot format may be a fully TDM time slot format. The second time slot format may include at least one symbol in which the UE can perform FDM on the reference signal and the data. In other words, the second time slot format can be a fully FDM time slot format, which includes a set of symbols for FDM of the reference signal and data; or, the second time slot format can be a hybrid TDM and FDM time slot format, which may include at least one symbol for transmitting the reference signal, at least one symbol for transmitting the data, and at least one symbol for FDM of the reference signal and data. In some aspects, the UE may send a capability message indicating its ability to switch from the first time slot format to the second time slot format. Based on this control message, and after switching to the second time slot format, the UE may transmit the reference signal according to the second time slot format.

[0006] A method for wireless communication by a UE is described. The method may include: receiving a control message indicating a switch from a first time slot format to a second time slot format, wherein the first time slot format includes one or more symbols for transmitting a reference signal and one or more symbols for transmitting data, and wherein the second time slot format includes at least one symbol for performing FDM on the reference signal and data; and transmitting the reference signal via the at least one symbol based on the switch from the first time slot format to the second time slot format, wherein the reference signal is FDM-equipped with the data according to the second time slot format.

[0007] A UE for wireless communication is described. The UE may include: one or more memories storing processor-executable code; and one or more processors coupled to the one or more memories. The one or more processors may operate individually or jointly to execute the code to cause the UE to: receive a control message indicating a switch from a first time slot format to a second time slot format, wherein the first time slot format includes one or more symbols for transmitting a reference signal and one or more symbols for transmitting data, and wherein the second time slot format includes at least one symbol for performing FDM on the reference signal and data; and to transmit the reference signal via the at least one symbol, at least in part, based on the switch from the first time slot format to the second time slot format, wherein the reference signal is FDMed with the data according to the second time slot format.

[0008] Another UE for wireless communication is described. The UE may include: means for receiving a control message indicating a switch from a first time slot format to a second time slot format, wherein the first time slot format includes one or more symbols for transmitting a reference signal and one or more symbols for transmitting data, and wherein the second time slot format includes at least one symbol for performing FDM on the reference signal and data; and means for transmitting the reference signal via the at least one symbol based on the switch from the first time slot format to the second time slot format, wherein the reference signal is FDMed with the data according to the second time slot format.

[0009] A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing code for wireless communication is described. The code may include instructions executable by a processor to perform the following actions: receiving a control message indicating a switch from a first time slot format to a second time slot format, wherein the first time slot format includes one or more symbols for transmitting a reference signal and one or more symbols for transmitting data, and wherein the second time slot format includes at least one symbol for performing FDM on the reference signal and data; and transmitting the reference signal via the at least one symbol, at least in part, based on the switch from the first time slot format to the second time slot format, wherein the reference signal is FDMed with the data according to the second time slot format.

[0010] In some examples of the method, UE, and non-transitory computer-readable medium described herein, the second time slot format includes at least one symbol for both data transmission and reference signal transmission, and includes at least one symbol for the data transmission.

[0011] The method described herein, some examples of the UE and non-transitory computer-readable medium may further include operations, features, components or instructions for receiving downlink control information (DCI) that activates at least one symbol for both the data transmission and the reference signal transmission, and at least one symbol for the data transmission, wherein the second time slot format includes at least a first symbol associated with the UE for the data transmission and a second symbol associated with the second UE for both the data transmission and the reference signal transmission.

[0012] The method described herein, some examples of the UE and non-transitory computer-readable media may further include operations, features, components or instructions for receiving a medium access control (MAC) control element (MAC-CE) that activates at least one symbol for both the data transmission and the reference signal transmission, and the at least one symbol for the data transmission, based on a modulation and decoding scheme (MCS) change in the time slot.

[0013] In some examples of the method, UE, and nontransitory computer-readable medium described herein, conveying the reference signal may include operations, features, components, or instructions for: conveying the one or more reference signals via a set of symbols for FDM of the one or more reference signals and the data, wherein the second time slot format includes the set of symbols, and wherein the set of symbols includes the at least one symbol.

[0014] In some examples of the method, UE, and nontransitory computer-readable medium described herein, conveying the one or more reference signals may include operations, features, components, or instructions for: conveying a first reference signal via a first symbol to perform FDM on the first reference signal and the data for the UE, and conveying a second reference signal via a second symbol to perform FDM on the second reference signal and the data for a second UE, wherein the second time slot format includes the first symbol and the second symbol.

[0015] In some examples of the method, UE, and nontransitory computer-readable medium described herein, conveying the reference signal may include operations, features, components, or instructions for: receiving a first reference signal via a first symbol for transmission of the reference signal according to the first time slot format; and receiving a second reference signal via the at least one symbol according to the second time slot format, wherein the second reference signal may be FDMed with the data in the at least one symbol.

[0016] The method described herein, and some examples of the UE and non-transitory computer-readable media, may further include operations, features, components, or instructions for sending a capability message indicating the UE's ability to switch from the first time slot format to the second time slot format.

[0017] The method described herein, some examples of the UE and non-transitory computer-readable medium may further include operations, features, components or instructions for switching from the first time slot format to the second time slot format based on the UE's ability to perform TDM and FDM on the reference signal and the data, wherein the second time slot format includes at least one symbol for both data transmission and reference signal transmission and includes at least one symbol for the data transmission.

[0018] The method described herein, some examples of the UE and nontransitory computer-readable media may further include operations, features, components or instructions for switching from the first time slot format to the second time slot format based on the UE's ability to perform TDM or FDM on the reference signal and the data, wherein the second time slot format includes at least one symbol for both data transmission and reference signal transmission.

[0019] In some examples of the method described herein, the UE, and the non-transitory computer-readable medium, the data may be associated with a shared channel, and the reference signal may be DMRS or CSI-RS.

[0020] A method for wireless communication by a network entity is described. The method may include: sending a control message to a UE instructing a switch from a first time slot format to a second time slot format, wherein the first time slot format includes one or more symbols for transmitting a reference signal and one or more symbols for transmitting data, and wherein the second time slot format includes at least one symbol for performing FDM on the reference signal and data; and conveying the reference signal via the at least one symbol based on the control message instructing the UE to switch from the first time slot format to the second time slot format, wherein the reference signal is FDM-equipped with the data according to the second time slot format.

[0021] A network entity for wireless communication is described. The network entity may include: one or more memories storing processor-executable code; and one or more processors coupled to the one or more memories. The one or more processors may operate individually or jointly to execute the code to cause the network entity to: transmit a control message to a UE instructing a switch from a first time slot format to a second time slot format, wherein the first time slot format includes one or more symbols for transmitting a reference signal and one or more symbols for transmitting data, and wherein the second time slot format includes at least one symbol for performing FDM on the reference signal and data; and at least partially based on the control message instructing the UE to switch from the first time slot format to the second time slot format to convey the reference signal via the at least one symbol, wherein the reference signal is FDM-equipped with the data according to the second time slot format.

[0022] Another network entity for wireless communication is described. This network entity may include: components for transmitting a control message instructing a UE to switch from a first time slot format to a second time slot format, wherein the first time slot format includes one or more symbols for transmitting a reference signal and one or more symbols for transmitting data, and wherein the second time slot format includes at least one symbol for performing FDM on the reference signal and data; and components for conveying the reference signal via the at least one symbol based on the control message instructing the UE to switch from the first time slot format to the second time slot format, wherein the reference signal is FDM-equipped with the data according to the second time slot format.

[0023] A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing code for wireless communication is described. The code may include instructions executable by a processor to perform the following actions: sending a control message to a UE instructing a switch from a first time slot format to a second time slot format, wherein the first time slot format includes one or more symbols for transmitting a reference signal and one or more symbols for transmitting data, and wherein the second time slot format includes at least one symbol for performing FDM on the reference signal and data; and transmitting the reference signal via the at least one symbol, at least in part, based on the control message instructing the UE to switch from the first time slot format to the second time slot format, wherein the reference signal is FDM-equipped with the data according to the second time slot format.

[0024] In some examples of the method, network entity, and non-transitory computer-readable medium described herein, the second time slot format includes at least one symbol for both data transmission and reference signal transmission, and includes at least one symbol for the data transmission.

[0025] The method described herein, network entities, and some examples of non-transitory computer-readable media may further include operations, features, components, or instructions for: transmitting a DCI that activates at least one symbol for both the data transmission and the reference signal transmission, and at least one symbol for the data transmission, wherein the second time slot format includes at least a first symbol associated with the UE for the data transmission and a second symbol associated with the second UE for both the data transmission and the reference signal transmission.

[0026] The method described herein, network entities, and some examples of nontransitory computer-readable media may further include operations, features, components, or instructions for: transmitting a MAC-CE that activates at least one symbol for both the data transmission and the reference signal transmission, and the at least one symbol for the data transmission, based on a time slot MCS change.

[0027] In some examples of the method, network entity, and nontransitory computer-readable medium described herein, conveying the reference signal may include operations, features, components, or instructions for: conveying the one or more reference signals via a set of symbols for FDM of the one or more reference signals and the data, wherein the second time slot format includes the set of symbols, and wherein the set of symbols includes the at least one symbol.

[0028] In some examples of the method, network entity, and nontransitory computer-readable medium described herein, conveying the one or more reference signals may include operations, features, components, or instructions for: conveying a first reference signal via a first symbol to perform FDM on the first reference signal and the data for the UE, and conveying a second reference signal via a second symbol to perform FDM on the second reference signal and the data for a second UE, wherein the second time slot format includes the first symbol and the second symbol.

[0029] In some examples of the method, network entity, and nontransitory computer-readable medium described herein, conveying the reference signal may include operations, features, components, or instructions for: transmitting a first reference signal via a first symbol for transmission of the reference signal according to the first time slot format; and transmitting a second reference signal via the at least one symbol according to the second time slot format, wherein the second reference signal may be FDMed with the data in the at least one symbol.

[0030] The method described herein, network entities, and some examples of non-transitory computer-readable media may further include operations, features, components, or instructions for receiving a capability message indicating the UE's ability to switch from the first time slot format to the second time slot format.

[0031] In some examples of the method, network entity, and nontransitory computer-readable medium described herein, the capability message indicates that the UE supports the capability of TDM and FDM of the reference signal and the data, and wherein the second time slot format includes at least one symbol for both data transmission and reference signal transmission and includes at least one symbol for the data transmission.

[0032] In some examples of the method, network entity, and nontransitory computer-readable medium described herein, the capability message indicates that the UE supports the capability of TDM or FDM of the reference signal and the data, and wherein the second time slot format includes at least one symbol for both the data transmission and the reference signal transmission.

[0033] In some examples of the method, network entity, and non-transitory computer-readable medium described herein, the data may be associated with a shared channel, and the reference signal may be DMRS or CSI-RS. Attached Figure Description

[0034] Figure 1 An example of a wireless communication system supporting time slot format switching for multiplexing reference signals and data, according to one or more aspects of this disclosure, is shown.

[0035] Figure 2 An example of a wireless communication system supporting time slot format switching for multiplexing reference signals and data, according to one or more aspects of this disclosure, is shown.

[0036] Figure 3 An example of a time slot format switching mode supporting time slot format switching for multiplexing reference signals and data, according to one or more aspects of this disclosure, is shown.

[0037] Figure 4 An example of a process flow supporting time slot format switching for multiplexing reference signals and data, according to one or more aspects of this disclosure, is shown.

[0038] Figure 5 and Figure 6 A block diagram of an apparatus for time slot format switching of multiplexed reference signals and data, according to one or more aspects of this disclosure, is shown.

[0039] Figure 7 A block diagram is shown of a communication manager that supports time slot format switching for multiplexing reference signals and data, according to one or more aspects of this disclosure.

[0040] Figure 8A diagram is shown of a system including a device for switching time slot formats for multiplexing reference signals and data, according to one or more aspects of this disclosure.

[0041] Figure 9 and Figure 10 A block diagram of an apparatus for time slot format switching of multiplexed reference signals and data, according to one or more aspects of this disclosure, is shown.

[0042] Figure 11 A block diagram is shown of a communication manager that supports time slot format switching for multiplexing reference signals and data, according to one or more aspects of this disclosure.

[0043] Figure 12 A diagram is shown of a system including a device for switching time slot formats for multiplexing reference signals and data, according to one or more aspects of this disclosure.

[0044] Figures 13 to 18 A flowchart illustrating a method for switching time slot formats for multiplexing reference signals and data, according to one or more aspects of this disclosure, is shown. Detailed Implementation

[0045] Wireless communication systems can support Discrete Fourier Transform (DFT) Extended Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (DFT-s-OFDM) waveforms, which allow the transmitter to utilize time division multiplexing (TDM) of the reference signal and data. In some examples, user equipment (UE) can benefit from using the full frequency bandwidth of a time slot to transmit a reference signal (e.g., a demodulated reference signal (DMRS)) for channel estimation, and thus the UE can perform TDM on the reference signal and data within the time slot. Alternatively, the UE can utilize a portion of the full bandwidth, and thus reduce overhead by performing FDM on the reference signal and data within the time slot. In multi-user systems, multiple UEs communicating using the same time slot can perform FDM on their respective reference signals and data in the corresponding symbols of the time slot. Therefore, performing FDM on the reference signal and data across the entire time slot can degrade channel estimation performance, as the UE may be limited to transmitting a smaller amount of reference signal.

[0046] The techniques described herein support time slot format switching for multiplexing (e.g., TDM, FDM) reference signals and data. Depending on the UE's usage and capabilities, the UE may benefit from performing TDM on the reference signals and data in some symbols of a time slot and FDM on the reference signals and data in other symbols of that time slot. Therefore, wireless communication systems can support hybrid TDM and FDM time slot modes or formats for multiplexing reference signals and data within time slots used for DFT-s-OFDM waveforms. For example, based on a specific time slot format, the UE can switch from a fully TDM time slot format (in which the UE can perform TDM on the reference signals and data) to a fully FDM time slot format (in which the UE can perform FDM on the reference signals and data) or a hybrid TDM and FDM time slot format (in which the UE can use either TDM or FDM in specific symbols of the time slot) to accommodate different use cases.

[0047] In some examples, the UE may receive a control message instructing it to switch from a first timeslot format to a second timeslot format to transmit reference signals (e.g., DMRS) and data. The first timeslot format may include a set of one or more symbols for transmitting the reference signal and a set of symbols for transmitting the data, wherein TDM is performed on the reference signal and the data. Therefore, the first timeslot format may be a fully TDM timeslot format. The second timeslot format may include at least one symbol in which the UE can perform FDM on the reference signal and data. That is, the second timeslot format may be a fully FDM timeslot format, which includes a set of one or more symbols for FDM on the reference signal and data; or, the second timeslot format may be a hybrid TDM and FDM timeslot format, which may include at least one symbol for transmitting the reference signal, at least one symbol for transmitting the data, and at least one symbol for FDM on the reference signal and data. In some aspects, the UE may send a capability message instructing it to switch from the first timeslot format to the second timeslot format. Based on this control message, and after switching to the second timeslot format, the UE may communicate the reference signal according to the second timeslot format.

[0048] The aspects of this disclosure are first described in the context of a wireless communication system. Then, the aspects of this disclosure are described in the context of time slot format switching modes and process flows. The aspects of this disclosure are further illustrated by apparatus diagrams, system diagrams, and flowcharts relating to time slot format switching for multiplexing reference signals and data, and are described with reference to these diagrams.

[0049] Figure 1An example of a wireless communication system 100 supporting time slot format switching for multiplexing reference signals and data, according to one or more aspects of this disclosure, is shown. The wireless communication system 100 may include one or more network entities 105, one or more UEs 115, and a core network 130. In some examples, the wireless communication system 100 may be a Long Term Evolution (LTE) network, an Advanced LTE (LTE-A) network, an LTE-A Pro network, a New Radio (NR) network, or a network operating under other systems and radio technologies, including future systems and radio technologies not explicitly mentioned herein.

[0050] Network entity 105 may be distributed across a geographical area to form wireless communication system 100, and may include devices employing different forms or having different capabilities. In various examples, network entity 105 may be referred to as a network element, mobility element, radio access network (RAN) node, or network equipment, etc. In some examples, network entity 105 and UE 115 may wirelessly communicate via one or more communication links 125 (e.g., radio frequency (RF) access links). For example, network entity 105 may support coverage area 110 (e.g., a geographical coverage area) within which UE 115 and network entity 105 may establish one or more communication links 125. Coverage area 110 may be an example of a geographical area within which network entity 105 and UE 115 may support the transmission of signals according to one or more radio access technologies (RATs).

[0051] UE 115 can be distributed throughout the coverage area 110 of wireless communication system 100, and each UE 115 can be stationary or mobile, or stationary and mobile at different times. UE 115 can be devices in different forms or with different capabilities. Figure 1 Examples of UE 115 are illustrated herein. The UE 115 described herein can be able to support communication with various types of devices, such as other UE 115s or network entities 105, such as Figure 1 As shown.

[0052] As described herein, nodes of the wireless communication system 100 (which may be referred to as network nodes or wireless nodes) may be network entity 105 (e.g., any network entity described herein), UE 115 (e.g., any UE described herein), network controller, apparatus, device, computing system, one or more components, or another suitable processing entity configured to perform any of the techniques described herein. For example, a node may be UE 115. Alternatively, a node may be network entity 105. Furthermore, a first node may be configured to communicate with a second or third node. In one aspect of this example, the first node may be UE 115, the second node may be network entity 105, and the third node may be UE 115. In another aspect of this example, the first node may be UE 115, the second node may be network entity 105, and the third node may be network entity 105. In other aspects of this example, the first node, the second node, and the third node may be different from these examples. Similarly, references to UE 115, network entity 105, device, equipment, computing system, etc., may include disclosures of UE 115, network entity 105, device, equipment, computing system, etc., as nodes. For example, a disclosure that UE 115 is configured to receive information from network entity 105 also discloses that a first node is configured to receive information from a second node.

[0053] In some examples, network entity 105 may communicate with core network 130, communicate with each other, or both. For example, network entity 105 may communicate with core network 130 via one or more backhaul communication links 120 (e.g., according to S1, N2, N3, or other interface protocols). In some examples, network entities 105 may communicate with each other directly (e.g., directly between network entities 105) or indirectly (e.g., via core network 130) via backhaul communication links 120 (e.g., according to X2, Xn, or other interface protocols). In some examples, network entities 105 may communicate with each other via midhaul communication link 162 (e.g., according to midhaul interface protocol) or fronthaul communication link 168 (e.g., according to fronthaul interface protocol) or any combination thereof. Backhaul communication link 120, midhaul communication link 162, or fronthaul communication link 168 may be or include one or more wired links (e.g., electrical links, fiber optic links), one or more wireless links (e.g., radio links, wireless optical links), etc., or various combinations thereof. UE 115 can communicate with core network 130 via communication link 155.

[0054] One or more network entities in network entity 105 described herein may include or be referred to as base station 140 (e.g., transceiver base station, radio base station, NR base station, access point, radio transceiver, node B, eNodeB (eNB), next-generation node B or gigabit node B (any of which may be referred to as gNB), 5G NB, next-generation eNB (ng-eNB), home node B, home evolution node B, or other suitable terms). In some examples, network entity 105 (e.g., base station 140) may be implemented in an aggregated (e.g., monolithic, standalone) base station architecture that may be configured to utilize a protocol stack that is physically or logically integrated within a single network entity 105 (e.g., a single RAN node, such as base station 140).

[0055] In some examples, network entity 105 may be implemented in a decomposed architecture (e.g., a decomposed base station architecture, a decomposed RAN architecture) that can be configured to utilize protocol stacks physically or logically distributed across two or more network entities 105, such as an Integrated Access Backhaul (IAB) network, an Open RAN (O-RAN) (e.g., a network configuration sponsored by the O-RAN Alliance), or a Virtualized RAN (vRAN) (e.g., a Cloud RAN (C-RAN)). For example, network entity 105 may include one or more of the following: a Central Unit (CU) 160, a Distributed Unit (DU) 165, a Radio Unit (RU) 170, a RAN Intelligent Controller (RIC) 175 (e.g., a near-real-time RIC, a non-real-time RIC), a Service Management and Orchestration (SMO) 180 system, or any combination thereof. 170 may also be referred to as a radio headend, intelligent radio headend, remote radio headend (RRH), remote radio unit (RRU), or transmit / receive point (TRP). One or more components of network entity 105 in a decomposed RAN architecture may be co-located, or one or more components of network entity 105 may be located in distributed locations (e.g., separate physical locations). In some examples, one or more network entities 105 in a decomposed RAN architecture may be implemented as virtual units (e.g., virtual CU (VCU), virtual DU (VDU), virtual RU (VRU)).

[0056] The functional splitting among CU 160, DU 165, and RU 170 is flexible and can support different functionalities depending on which functions (e.g., network layer functions, protocol layer functions, baseband functions, RF functions, and any combination thereof) are performed at CU 160, DU 165, or RU 170. For example, a protocol stack functional splitting can be used between CU 160 and DU 165, allowing CU 160 to support one or more layers of the protocol stack, and DU 165 to support one or more different layers of the protocol stack. In some examples, CU 160 can host higher protocol layer (e.g., Layer 3 (L3), Layer 2 (L2)) functionalities and signaling (e.g., Radio Resource Control (RRC), Serving Data Adaptation Protocol (SDAP), Packet Data Convergence Protocol (PDCP)). CU 160 can connect to one or more DU 165 or RU 170, and one or more DU 165 or RU 170 can host lower protocol layers, such as Layer 1 (L1) (e.g., Physical (PHY) layer) or L2 (e.g., Radio Link Control (RLC) layer, Medium Access Control (MAC) layer) functionality and signaling, and each can be at least partially controlled by CU 160. Additionally or alternatively, a protocol stack functional split can be employed between DU 165 and RU 170, such that DU 165 can support one or more layers of the protocol stack, and RU 170 can support one or more different layers of the protocol stack. DU 165 can support one or more different cells (e.g., via one or more RU 170). In some cases, functional decomposition between CU 160 and DU 165, or between DU 165 and RU 170, can be performed within the protocol layer (e.g., some functions of the protocol layer can be performed by one of CU 160, DU 165, or RU 170, while other functions of the protocol layer can be performed by different of CU 160, DU 165, or RU 170). CU 160 can be further functionally decomposed into CU control plane (CU-CP) functions and CU user plane (CU-UP) functions. CU 160 can be connected to one or more DU 165 via midhaul communication link 162 (e.g., F1, F1-c, F1-u), and DU 165 can be connected to one or more RU 170 via fronthaul communication link 168 (e.g., open fronthaul (FH) interface). In some examples, the midhaul communication link 162 or the fronthaul communication link 168 may be implemented based on the interfaces (e.g., channels) between the layers of the protocol stack, which are supported by the corresponding network entities 105 communicating via such communication links.

[0057] In a wireless communication system (e.g., wireless communication system 100), the infrastructure and spectrum resources for radio access can support wireless backhaul link capabilities to supplement wired backhaul connections, thereby providing an IAB network architecture (e.g., to core network 130). In some cases, in an IAB network, one or more network entities 105 (e.g., IAB node 104) may be partially controlled by each other. One or more IAB nodes 104 may be referred to as donor entities or IAB donors. One or more DU 165s or one or more RU 170s may be partially controlled by one or more CU 160s associated with donor network entity 105 (e.g., donor base station 140). One or more donor network entities 105 (e.g., IAB donors) may communicate with one or more additional network entities 105 (e.g., IAB node 104) via supported access and backhaul links (e.g., backhaul communication link 120). IAB node 104 may include an IAB mobile terminal (IAB-MT) controlled (e.g., scheduled) by a DU 165 of a coupled IAB donor. The IAB-MT may include a separate set of antennas for relaying communication with UE 115, or may share the same antennas (e.g., those of RU 170) for access to IAB node 104 via DU 165 of IAB node 104. (e.g., referred to as a virtual IAB-MT (vIAB-MT)). In some examples, IAB node 104 may include a DU 165 that supports communication links with additional entities (e.g., IAB node 104, UE 115) within a relay chain or configuration (e.g., downstream) of the access network. In such cases, one or more components of the decomposed RAN architecture (e.g., one or more IAB nodes 104 or components of IAB node 104) may be configured to operate according to the techniques described herein.

[0058] In the context of applying the techniques described herein to a decomposed RAN architecture, one or more components of the decomposed RAN architecture can be configured to support time slot format switching for multiplexing reference signals and data as described herein. For example, some operations described as being performed by UE 115 or network entity 105 (e.g., base station 140) may additionally or alternatively be performed by one or more components of the decomposed RAN architecture (e.g., IAB node 104, DU 165, CU 160, RU 170, RIC 175, SMO 180).

[0059] UE 115 may include or be referred to as a mobile device, wireless device, remote device, handheld device, or subscriber device, or any other suitable term, wherein "device" may also be referred to as a cell, station, terminal, or client, etc. UE 115 may also include or be referred to as a personal electronic device, such as a cellular phone, personal digital assistant (PDA), tablet computer, laptop computer, or personal computer. In some examples, UE 115 may include or be referred to as a wireless local loop (WLL) station, Internet of Things (IoT) device, Internet of Everything (IoE) device, or machine-type communication (MTC) device, etc., which may be implemented in various objects such as appliances or vehicles, meters, etc.

[0060] The UE 115 described herein can communicate with various types of devices, such as other UEs 115 that sometimes act as relays, network entities 105, and network equipment including macro eNBs or gNBs, small cell eNBs or gNBs, relay base stations, etc. Figure 1 As shown.

[0061] UE 115 and network entity 105 can wirelessly communicate with each other via one or more communication links 125 (e.g., access links) using resources associated with one or more carriers. The term "carrier" can refer to a set of RF spectrum resources having a defined physical layer structure for supporting communication link 125. For example, a carrier for communication link 125 may include a portion of the RF spectrum band (e.g., a bandwidth portion (BWP)) operating according to one or more physical layer channels for a given radio access technology (e.g., LTE, LTE-A, LTE-A Pro, NR). Each physical layer channel may carry acquisition signaling (e.g., synchronization signals, system information), control signaling coordinating carrier operation, user data, or other signaling. Wireless communication system 100 can support communication with UE 115 using carrier aggregation or multi-carrier operation. Depending on the carrier aggregation configuration, UE 115 can be configured using multiple downlink component carriers and one or more uplink component carriers. Carrier aggregation can be used in conjunction with both frequency division duplex (FDD) component carriers and time division duplex (TDD) component carriers. Communication between network entity 105 and other devices can refer to communication between these devices and any part of network entity 105 (e.g., entity, sub-entity). For example, the terms “send,” “receive,” or “communicate” when referring to network entity 105 can refer to any part of the RAN’s network entity 105 (e.g., base station 140, CU160, DU 165, RU 170) communicating with another device (e.g., directly or via one or more other network entities 105).

[0062] In some examples, such as in carrier aggregation configurations, a carrier may also have acquisition signaling or control signaling to coordinate the operation of other carriers. A carrier may be associated with a frequency channel (e.g., an Evolved Universal Mobile Telecommunications System Terrestrial Radio Access (E-UTRA) Absolute RF Channel Number (EARFCN)) and may be identified according to a channel grating used for discovery by UE 115. A carrier may operate in standalone mode, in which case initial acquisition and connection can be performed by UE 115 via that carrier, or the carrier may operate in non-standalone mode, in which case different carriers (e.g., the same or different radio access technologies) are used to anchor the connection.

[0063] The communication link 125 shown in the wireless communication system 100 may include downlink transmission (e.g., forward link transmission) from network entity 105 to UE 115, uplink transmission (e.g., return link transmission) from UE 115 to network entity 105, or both, as well as other transmission configurations. A carrier may carry downlink communication or uplink communication (e.g., in FDD mode), or may be configured to carry both downlink and uplink communication (e.g., in TDD mode).

[0064] A carrier may be associated with a specific bandwidth of the RF spectrum, and in some examples, the carrier bandwidth may be referred to as the carrier or the “system bandwidth” of the wireless communication system 100. For example, the carrier bandwidth may be one bandwidth in a set of bandwidths for a particular radio access technology (e.g., 1.4 MHz, 3 MHz, 5 MHz, 10 MHz, 15 MHz, 20 MHz, 40 MHz, or 80 MHz). Devices of the wireless communication system 100 (e.g., network entity 105, UE 115, or both) may have a hardware configuration that supports communication using a specific carrier bandwidth, or may be configured to support communication using one of the carrier bandwidths in the set of carrier bandwidths. In some examples, the wireless communication system 100 may include a network entity 105 or UE 115 that supports concurrent communication using carriers associated with multiple carrier bandwidths. In some examples, each served UE 115 may be configured to operate using a portion (e.g., subband, BWP) or all of the carrier bandwidth.

[0065] The signal waveform transmitted via a carrier may include multiple subcarriers (e.g., using multi-carrier modulation (MCM) techniques, such as orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) or discrete Fourier transform extended OFDM (DFT-S-OFDM)). In a system employing MCM, a resource element may refer to a resource of one symbol period (e.g., the duration of one modulation symbol) and one subcarrier, where the symbol period and subcarrier spacing may be inversely related. The number of bits carried by each resource element may depend on the modulation scheme (e.g., the order of the modulation scheme, the decoding rate of the modulation scheme, or both), such that a relatively high number of resource elements (e.g., in the transmission duration) and a relatively high-order modulation scheme can correspond to a relatively high communication rate. Wireless communication resources may refer to a combination of RF spectrum resources, temporal resources, and spatial resources (e.g., spatial layers or beams), and the use of multiple spatial resources can increase the data rate or data integrity used for communication with UE 115.

[0066] It can support one or more sets of parameters for a carrier, and the set of parameters may include subcarrier spacing ( (and cyclic prefix). A carrier can be divided into one or more BWPs with the same or different sets of parameters. In some examples, multiple BWPs can be used to configure UE 115. In some examples, a single BWP of a carrier can be active at a given time, and communication for UE 115 can be constrained to one or more active BWPs.

[0067] The time interval for network entity 105 or UE 115 can be expressed as a multiple of a basic time unit, such as the sampling period. seconds, in response This can represent the supported subcarrier spacing, and The supported Discrete Fourier Transform (DFT) size can be represented. Time intervals for communication resources can be organized according to radio frames, each with a specified duration (e.g., 10 milliseconds (ms)). Each radio frame can be identified by a System Frame Number (SFN) (e.g., ranging from 0 to 1023).

[0068] Each frame may include multiple consecutively numbered subframes or time slots, and each subframe or time slot may have the same duration. In some examples, a frame may (e.g., in the time domain) be divided into subframes, and each subframe may be further divided into a number of time slots. Alternatively, each frame may include a variable number of time slots, and the number of time slots may depend on the subcarrier spacing. Each time slot may include a number of symbol periods (e.g., depending on the length of the cyclic prefix appended to each symbol period). In some wireless communication systems 100, time slots may be further divided into multiple micro-time slots associated with one or more symbols. Excluding the cyclic prefix, each symbol period may be associated with one or more (e.g., The duration of a symbol period is associated with a (number) sampling period. The duration of a symbol period can depend on the subcarrier spacing or the operating frequency band.

[0069] A subframe, time slot, micro-time slot, or symbol can be the smallest scheduling unit of the wireless communication system 100 (e.g., in the time domain) and can be referred to as a transmission time interval (TTI). In some examples, the duration of the TTI (e.g., the number of symbol periods in the TTI) can be variable. Additionally or alternatively, the smallest scheduling unit of the wireless communication system 100 can be dynamically selected (e.g., in a burst of shortened TTIs (sTTIs)).

[0070] Depending on the technology, physical channels can be multiplexed using carriers for communication. For example, one or more of TDM, FDM, or hybrid TDM-FDM technologies can be used to multiplex physical control channels and physical data channels for signaling via downlink carriers. The control region (e.g., control resource set (CORESET)) of the physical control channel can be defined by a set of symbol periods and can extend across the system bandwidth of the carrier or a subset of that bandwidth. One or more control regions (e.g., CORESET) can be configured for a set of UEs 115. For example, one or more UEs in UE 115 can monitor or search for control regions to obtain control information based on one or more search space sets, and each search space set can include one or more control channel candidates in one or more aggregation levels arranged in a concatenated manner. The aggregation level of control channel candidates can refer to the amount of control channel resources (e.g., control channel elements (CCEs)) associated with coded information for a control information format having a given payload size. The search space set may include: a common search space set configured to transmit control information to multiple UEs 115, and a UE-specific search space set used to transmit control information to a specific UE 115.

[0071] In some examples, network entity 105 (e.g., base station 140, RU 170) may be mobile, and thus provide communication coverage to mobile coverage areas 110. In some examples, different coverage areas 110 associated with different technologies may overlap, but the different coverage areas 110 may be supported by the same network entity 105. In some other examples, overlapping coverage areas 110 associated with different technologies may be supported by different network entities 105. The wireless communication system 100 may include, for example, a heterogeneous network in which different types of network entities 105 use the same or different radio access technologies to provide coverage for various coverage areas 110.

[0072] Wireless communication system 100 may be configured to support ultra-reliable communication or low-latency communication, or various combinations thereof. For example, wireless communication system 100 may be configured to support ultra-reliable low-latency communication (URLLC). UE 115 may be designed to support ultra-reliable or low-latency or critical functions. Ultra-reliable communication may include private or group communication and may be supported by one or more services, such as push-to-talk, video, or data. Support for ultra-reliable, low-latency functions may include prioritization of services, and such services may be used for public safety or general business applications. The terms “ultra-reliable,” “low-latency,” and “ultra-reliable low-latency” are used interchangeably herein.

[0073] In some examples, UE 115 may be configured to support direct communication with other UE 115s via device-to-device (D2D) communication link 135 (e.g., according to peer-to-peer (P2P), D2D, or sidelink protocols). In some examples, one or more UE 115s performing D2D communication in a group may be within the coverage area 110 of network entity 105 (e.g., base station 140, RU 170), which may support aspects of such D2D communication configured (e.g., scheduled by network entity 105). In some examples, one or more UE 115s in such a group may be outside the coverage area 110 of network entity 105, or may otherwise be unable or not configured to receive transmissions from network entity 105. In some examples, the group of UE 115s communicating via D2D communication may support a one-to-many (1:M) system in which each UE 115 transmits to each of the other UE 115s in the group. In some examples, network entity 105 may facilitate the scheduling of resources used for D2D communication. In other examples, D2D communication may be performed between UEs 115 without involving network entity 105.

[0074] Core network 130 provides user authentication, access authorization, tracking, Internet Protocol (IP) connectivity, and other access, routing, or mobility functions. Core network 130 may be an evolved packet core (EPC) or a 5G core (5GC), which may include at least one control plane entity (e.g., a mobility management entity (MME), access and mobility management function (AMF)) for managing access and mobility, and at least one user plane entity (e.g., a serving gateway (S-GW), packet data network (PDN) gateway (P-GW), or user plane function (UPF)) for routing packets or interconnecting to external networks. The control plane entity manages non-access stratum (NAS) functions, such as mobility, authentication, and bearer management of UE 115 served by network entity 105 (e.g., base station 140) associated with core network 130. User IP packets can be delivered through the user plane entity, which provides IP address allocation and other functions. The user plane entity may connect to one or more network operator IP services 150. IP services 150 may include access to the Internet, intranets, IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS), or packet-switched streaming services.

[0075] Wireless communication system 100 can operate using one or more frequency bands in the range of 300 MHz to 300 GHz. Generally, the area from 300 MHz to 3 GHz is referred to as the Ultra High Frequency (UHF) band or decimeter band because the wavelength range is approximately one decimeter to one meter in length. UHF waves may be blocked or redirected by buildings and environmental features (which may be referred to as clusters), but these waves are sufficient to penetrate structures so that macrocells can provide service to UE 115 located indoors. Compared to communication using smaller frequencies and longer wavelengths in the High Frequency (HF) or Very High Frequency (VHF) portions of the spectrum below 300 MHz, communication using UHF waves can be associated with smaller antennas and shorter ranges (e.g., less than 100 km).

[0076] Wireless communication system 100 may utilize both licensed and unlicensed RF spectrum bands. For example, wireless communication system 100 may employ Licensed Assisted Access (LAA), LTE Unlicensed (LTE-U) radio access technology, or NR technology using unlicensed frequency bands (such as the 5 GHz Industrial, Scientific, and Medical (ISM) band). When operating using unlicensed RF spectrum bands, devices such as network entity 105 and UE 115 may employ carrier sensing for collision detection and avoidance. In some examples, operation using unlicensed frequency bands may be based on carrier aggregation configurations combined with component carriers operating using licensed frequency bands (e.g., LAA). Operation using unlicensed spectrum may include downlink transmission, uplink transmission, P2P transmission, or D2D transmission, etc.

[0077] Network entity 105 (e.g., base station 140, RU 170) or UE 115 may be equipped with multiple antennas that can be used to employ techniques such as transmit diversity, receive diversity, multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) communication, or beamforming. The antennas of network entity 105 or UE 115 may be located within one or more antenna arrays or antenna panels, which can support MIMO operation or transmit or receive beamforming. For example, one or more base station antennas or antenna arrays may be co-located at an antenna assembly (such as an antenna tower). In some examples, the antennas or antenna arrays associated with network entity 105 may be located at different geographical locations. Network entity 105 may include an antenna array having a collection of multiple rows and columns of antenna ports that network entity 105 can use to support beamforming for communication with UE 115. Similarly, UE 115 may include one or more antenna arrays that can support various MIMO or beamforming operations. Additionally or alternatively, the antenna panel may support RF beamforming for signals transmitted via the antenna ports.

[0078] Network entity 105 or UE 115 may use MIMO communication to leverage multipath signal propagation and improve spectral efficiency by transmitting or receiving multiple signals via different spatial layers. This technique may be referred to as spatial multiplexing. The multiple signals may be transmitted, for example, by a transmitting device via different antennas or different combinations of antennas. Similarly, the multiple signals may be received by a receiving device via different antennas or different combinations of antennas. Each of the multiple signals may be referred to as a separate spatial stream and may carry information associated with the same data stream (e.g., the same codeword) or different data streams (e.g., different codewords). Different spatial layers may be associated with different antenna ports used for channel measurement and reporting. MIMO techniques include: single-user MIMO (SU-MIMO), for which multiple spatial layers are transmitted to the same receiving device; and multi-user MIMO (MU-MIMO), for which multiple spatial layers are transmitted to multiple devices.

[0079] Beamforming (also known as spatial filtering, directional transmission, or directional reception) is a signal processing technique that can be used at a transmitting or receiving device (e.g., network entity 105, UE 115) to shape or guide an antenna beam (e.g., a transmit beam, a receive beam) along a spatial path between the transmitting and receiving devices. Beamforming can be achieved by combining signals transmitted via antenna elements of an antenna array such that some signals propagating along a specific orientation relative to the antenna array experience constructive interference, while other signals experience destructive interference. Adjustments to the signals transmitted via the antenna elements may include applying amplitude shifts, phase shifts, or both to the signals carried via the antenna elements associated with the device. The adjustments associated with each of these antenna elements may be defined by a beamforming weight set associated with a specific orientation (e.g., relative to the antenna array of the transmitting or receiving device or relative to some other orientation).

[0080] The wireless communication system 100 can be a packet-based network operating according to a layered protocol stack. In the user plane, communication at the bearer or PDCP layer can be IP-based. The RLC layer can perform packet segmentation and reassembly for transmission via logical channels. The MAC layer can perform priority handling and multiplexing of logical channels to transport channels. The MAC layer can also use error detection, error correction, or both to support retransmission to improve link efficiency. In the control plane, the RRC layer can provide the establishment, configuration, and maintenance of RRC connections between the UE 115 and network entity 105 or core network 130 that support user plane data radio bearers. The PHY layer can map transport channels to physical channels.

[0081] UE 115 and network entity 105 can support FDM of reference signals (such as DMRS) with data channels (e.g., PUSCH, PDSCH) to improve signaling throughput. For example, waveforms based on cyclic prefix OFDM (CP-OFDM) can allow multiplexing of reference signals with PDSCH or PUSCH in the frequency domain within the same symbol. Specific PDSCH or PUSCH DMRS configurations (e.g., type 1 or type 2) can define different DMRS resource element densities for symbols. In some examples, waveforms based on DFT-s-OFDM can allow multiplexing in the frequency domain (e.g., FDM of phase tracking reference signals (PTRS) and data); however, this may result in peak-to-average power ratio (PAPR) loss.

[0082] Performing FDM on the reference signal (e.g., DMRS) and data can benefit UE 115 and network entity 105 in various use cases, particularly for DFT-s-OFDM waveforms. For example, frequency-domain DMRS (i.e., DMRS after DFT) can reduce the complexity of channel estimation and equalization. Furthermore, performing FDM on DMRS and data (e.g., in high Doppler scenarios) can reduce overhead. However, current technology may require network entity 105 to configure dedicated DMRS symbols, making it possible that DMRS is performed TDM with data instead of FDM. In situations where high signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) operating points may exist, performing FDM on DMRS and data can reduce overhead, allowing UE 115 to achieve improved channel estimation performance with less overhead.

[0083] In some examples, FDM of the reference signal (e.g., DMRS) and data used for the DFT-s-OFDM waveform may depend on whether UE 115 has access to DFT-pre-decoded data samples, DFT-pre-decoded reference signals, or both. That is, whether DFT pre-decoding is performed on the reference signal samples determines different FDM techniques. For example, if the reference signal is DFT-pre-decoded (i.e., not DFT-pre-decoded), the reference signal and data can be FDMed directly without puncturing, which can be done across the entire frequency allocation for a given UE 115 or other user equipment. However, such cases may require changing the DFT size each time FDM is performed, which can increase overhead and power consumption. Alternatively, for example, for reference signal samples modulated by binary phase shift keying (BPSK), network entity 105 may utilize two narrowband DFTs to perform DFT-pre-multiplexing of the reference signal and data. However, such techniques can be very complex because variable DFT sizes can exist for both the reference signal and the data.

[0084] For each of these FDM technologies, network entity 105 (e.g., transmitter) may perform frequency mapping between the reference signal and data (one or both of which may be pre-decoded before DFT), subcarrier mapping, and inverse fast Fourier transform (IFFT) to output multiplexed reference signal and data. UE 115 (e.g., receiver) may perform frequency demapping of the reference signal and data to obtain each reference signal and data. In some examples, if there is a DMRS (reference signal) density less than or equal to 50% (i.e., there are fewer DMRS than data samples or the same number of DMRS and data samples), then each... The pitch can be a DMRS pitch, where This can represent the DMRS density (i.e., the density of DMRS distributed in the frequency domain). In other words, a total of [number] DMRS can exist. DMRS tones and One data tone, of whichM This can represent the total number of reference signal resource elements. Reference signal resource elements can be DFT pre-decoded (in which case, network entity 105 can utilize two narrowband DFTs to perform DFT pre-multiplexing of the reference signal and data) or non-DFT pre-decoded (e.g., direct insertion, in which case network entity 105 can perform FDM on the reference signal and data without puncturing). Therefore, if Then every third tone can be a DMRS tone (e.g., data[1], data[2], reference signal (RS)[1], data[3], data[4], RS[2], and so on).

[0085] If DMRS density If the frequency mapping between the reference signal and the data is greater than 50%, then the frequency mapping between the reference signal and the data can lead to each... Each pitch is a data pitch, with a total quantity of [number missing]. Each data pitch and A DMRS tone. For example, if Then every third tone can be a data tone (e.g., RS[1], RS[2], data[1], RS[3], RS[4], data[2], and so on). In some examples, the PAPR of the waveform can depend on the type of sequence used for FDM of the reference signal and data (e.g., quadrature phase shift keying (QPSK), quadrature amplitude modulation (QAM)), and also on .

[0086] The wireless communication system 100 can support time slot format switching for multiplexing (e.g., TDM, FDM) reference signals and data. Depending on the usage and capabilities of the UE 115, the UE 115 can benefit from performing TDM on the reference signals and data in some symbols of a time slot and FDM on the reference signals and data in other symbols of that time slot. Therefore, the wireless communication system can support a hybrid TDM and FDM time slot mode or format for multiplexing reference signals and data within the time slots used for DFT-s-OFDM waveforms.

[0087] In some examples, UE 115 may receive a control message instructing UE 115 to switch from a first timeslot format to a second timeslot format to transmit a reference signal (e.g., DMRS) and data. The first timeslot format may include a set of one or more symbols for transmitting the reference signal and a set of one or more symbols for transmitting the data, wherein TDM is performed on the reference signal and the data. Therefore, the first timeslot format may be a fully TDM timeslot format. The second timeslot format may include at least one symbol in which UE 115 can perform FDM on the reference signal and data. That is, the second timeslot format may be a fully FDM timeslot format, which includes a set of symbols for FDM on the reference signal and data; or, the second timeslot format may be a hybrid TDM and FDM timeslot format, which may include at least one symbol for transmitting the reference signal, at least one symbol for transmitting the data, and at least one symbol for FDM on the reference signal and data. In some aspects, UE 115 may transmit a capability message instructing UE 115 to switch from the first timeslot format to the second timeslot format, the switch being based on the control message. Based on this control message, and after switching to the second time slot format, UE 115 can convey reference signals according to the second time slot format.

[0088] Figure 2 Examples of a wireless communication system 200 supporting time slot format switching for multiplexing reference signals and data according to one or more aspects of this disclosure are shown. In some examples, the wireless communication system 200 may implement aspects of the wireless communication system 100, or may be implemented by aspects of the wireless communication system 100. For example, the wireless communication system 200 may include a UE 115-a and a network entity 105-a (e.g., a base station, gNB), which may be examples of corresponding devices as described herein. The UE 115-a and network entity 105-a may support multiple time slot formats that provide symbols for TDM, FDM, or both of the reference signals (e.g., DMRS or CSI-RS) and data (e.g., Physical Downlink Shared Channel (PDSCH) or Physical Uplink Shared Channel (PUSCH), also referred to herein as PxSCH transmission) transmission.

[0089] The wireless communication system 200 can support communication between UE 115-a and network entity 105. For example, UE 115-a and network entity 105-a can transmit uplink and downlink messages via a corresponding communication link 205, which can be referenced herein. Figure 1An example of the described communication link 125. To reduce overhead and lower the complexity associated with multiplexing reference signals and data for DFT-s-OFDM waveforms, UE 115-a and network entity 105-a may support multiplexing of reference signals (e.g., DMRS or CSI-RS) and data (e.g., TDM and FDM) based on a specific timeslot format configured for UE 115-a.

[0090] The described techniques can be employed in high Doppler scenarios and in systems with high SNR operating points. Additionally or alternatively, the described techniques may be advantageous where a dedicated reference signal can be allocated for nonlinear power amplifier (NLPA) compensation at the receiver (e.g., a DMRS for linear channel estimation can be FDMed with data, and a reference signal solely for NLPA compensation at the receiver can be FDMed with data). In some aspects, the described techniques can benefit multi-user MIMO (MU-MIMO) scenarios where multiple UEs 115 or other users within a downlink time slot can each FDM their own DMRS with data.

[0091] To support TDM and FDM for DMRS and data, network entity 105-a can configure UE 115-a to switch from a first timeslot format to a second timeslot format. In some examples, UE 115-a can send a capability message 210 to network entity 105-a indicating that UE 115-a supports the ability to handle handover between TDM DMRS processing and FDM DMRS processing (i.e., between the first timeslot format and the second timeslot format). Network entity 105-a can also configure UE 115-a to switch from a first timeslot format (which may correspond to TDM timeslot 220) to a second timeslot format (which may correspond to hybrid TDM / FDM timeslot 225). For example, network entity 105-a can send a control message 215 indicating this handover.

[0092] In some examples, TDM time slot 220 may include one or more symbols (DMRS symbol 230) for reference signal transmission and one or more symbols (data symbol 235) for data transmission, such that the reference signal and data can be TDMed in TDM time slot 220. For example, TDM time slot 220 may include DMRS symbols 230-a and 230-b and data symbols 235-a, 235-b, 235-c, and 235-d. In some cases, TDM time slot 220 may include additional DMRS symbols 230, data symbols 235, or both. Hybrid TDM / FDM time slot 225 may include at least one symbol for FDM of the reference signal and data. For example, hybrid TDM / FDM slot 225 may include DMRS symbols 230-c for transmitting DMRS or other reference signals, data symbols 235-e, 235-f, 235-g, and 235-h for transmitting data, and FDM symbols 240 for FDM of the reference signals and data (e.g., DMRS and PxSCH). That is, FDM symbol 240 can be used for both data transmission and reference signal transmission, and data symbol 235 can be used for data transmission but not for reference signal transmission. Hybrid TDM / FDM slot 225 may include additional DMRS symbols 230, data symbols 235, FDM symbols 240, or any combination thereof. In some examples, network entity 105-a may instruct UE 115-a to switch to an FDM slot (full FDM slot) that supports FDM (instead of TDM) for reference signals and data, as described herein. Figure 3 This was described.

[0093] Depending on the usage and requirements of UE 115-a, the handover can be dynamic (e.g., indicated via downlink control information (DCI), or via uplink control information (UCI) if the handover is indicated by another UE), semi-static (e.g., indicated via MAC control element (MAC-CE)), or static (e.g., indicated via RRC message). For example, UE 115-a may receive an RRC message that may include one or more information elements indicating whether UE 115-a should use TDM slot 220 or should switch to (e.g., activate) hybrid TDM / FDM slot 225. Based on the activation of hybrid TDM / FDM slot 225, UE 115-a may receive a DCI that can activate specific symbols of that hybrid TDM / FDM slot for TDM or hybrid TDM / FDM of reference signals and data. In such cases, the DCI may include an explicit indication of which specific symbols to activate. For example, UE 115-a may receive (and thus activate) DCI indicating (and thus activating) the FDM symbol 240 (e.g., at least one symbol for both data transmission and reference signal transmission) and at least one data symbol 235 (e.g., at least one symbol for data transmission) in the hybrid TDM / FDM time slot 225. In a MU-MIMO scenario (with a DFT-s-OFDM waveform), the handover can be a dynamic handover based on DCI, where at least one data symbol 235 (e.g., a TDM symbol) is associated with UE 115-a, and the FDM symbol 240 is associated with a second UE 115. That is, the individual symbols of the hybrid TDM / FDM time slot 225 can be used by different UEs 115 for TDM or FDM of the reference signal and data.

[0094] In some examples, there may be changes in the modulation and decoding scheme (MCS) within a time slot. For example, a first set of one or more symbols within TDM time slot 220 may correspond to a first MCS (e.g., MCS 1, which may correspond to QPSK and requires a low SNR operating point), and a second set of one or more symbols within TDM time slot 220 may correspond to a second MCS (e.g., MCS 5, which can be used for link adaptation purposes and may require a higher SNR operating point for clean channel estimation). In such cases, to perform channel estimation, UE 115-a may use FDM reference signals and data based on the first MCS in the first set of symbols, and UE 115-a may use TDM reference signals and data based on the second MCS in the second set of symbols (e.g., allocating DMRS symbols 230 entirely for DMRS for clean channel estimation). In other words, UE115-a can receive MAC-CE, which activates FDM symbol 240 and at least one data symbol 235 in hybrid TDM / FDM time slot 225 based on the MCS change of TDM time slot 220.

[0095] Based on receiving a control message (e.g., RRC, DCI, or MAC-CE) instructing a switch from a first timeslot format to a second timeslot format, and based on the capabilities of UE 115-a, UE 115-a can switch from the first timeslot format to the second timeslot format. For example, if UE 115-a supports TDM for DMRS in DMRS symbol 230 and data in data symbol 235, and FDM for DMRS and data in FDM symbol 240, then UE 115-a can switch from TDM timeslot 220 to hybrid TDM / FDM timeslot 225.

[0096] UE 115-a may transmit one or more reference signals 245 (e.g., DMRS, CSI-RS) via at least FDM symbols 240 based on a switch from a first timeslot format to a second timeslot format (i.e., from TDM timeslot 220 to hybrid TDM / FDM timeslot 225). In this manner, the reference signals 245 may be FDM-enabled with data (e.g., PxSCH) according to the second timeslot format. In some examples, UE 115-a may transmit the reference signals 245 depending on the active timeslot format. For example, UE 115-a may receive a first reference signal (e.g., a first DMRS) via DMRS symbol 230 of TDM timeslot 220 according to the first timeslot format and receive a second reference signal (e.g., a second DMRS) via FDM symbol 240 of hybrid TDM / FDM timeslot 225 according to the second timeslot format, wherein the second reference signal is FDM-enabled with data in FDM symbol 240.

[0097] Switching to hybrid TDM / FDM time slot 225 in this manner (corresponding to the second time slot format) results in multiple TDM-enabled DMRS symbols 230 distributed across a hybrid TDM and FDM-enabled DMRS symbol 230 (e.g., DMRS symbol 230-c supporting TDM-enabled reference signals and data, and FDM symbol 240 supporting FDM-enabled reference signals and data), which reduces signaling overhead. Furthermore, the hybrid TDM / FDM time slot 225 supports hybrid TDM and FDM-enabled DMRS symbols 230 that improves tracking of time-varying channels with reasonable overhead. Additionally, if multiple UEs 115 are served by downlink in the time slot, the hybrid TDM / FDM time slot 225 allows different UEs 115 to utilize different TDM or FDM modes so that different symbols can be used for TDM or FDM of reference signals and data for different UEs.

[0098] Figure 3 Examples of a time slot format switching mode 300 supporting time slot format switching for multiplexing reference signals and data, according to one or more aspects of this disclosure, are shown. In some examples, the time slot format switching mode 300 may be implemented in aspects of wireless communication systems 100 and 200, or may be implemented by aspects of wireless communication systems 100 and 200. For example, as referenced... Figure 2 As described, UE 115-a and network entity 105-a (e.g., base station, gNB) can support multiple time slot formats that provide symbols for TDM, FDM, or both of reference signals (e.g., DMRS or CIS-RS) and data (e.g., PDSCH and PUSCH, also referred to herein as PxSCH). Figure 3 As depicted, the first time slot format may correspond to a fully TDM time slot (TDM time slot 305), and the second time slot format may correspond to a fully FDM time slot (FDM time slot 310).

[0099] To reduce overhead and lower the complexity associated with multiplexing reference signals and data for DFT-s-OFDM waveforms, UE 115-a and network entity 105-a can support multiplexing of reference signals (e.g., DMRS or CSI-RS) and data (e.g., TDM and FDM) based on a specific timeslot format configured for UE 115-a. (See references herein.) Figure 2As described, network entity 105-a can configure UE 115-a to switch from a first timeslot format to a second timeslot format. In some examples, UE 115-a may support switching between full TDM and full FDM DMRS processing (i.e., switching between the first and second timeslot formats, but UE 115-a may lack support for performing TDM and FDM processing within the same timeslot). Network entity 105-a can (e.g., via control messages) configure UE 115-a to switch from a first timeslot format (which may correspond to TDM timeslot 305) to a second timeslot format (which may correspond to FDM timeslot 310).

[0100] In some examples, TDM time slot 305 may include one or more symbols (DMRS symbol 315) for reference signal transmission and one or more symbols (data symbol 320) for data transmission, such that the reference signal and data can be TDMed in TDM time slot 305. For example, TDM time slot 305 (i.e., a full TDM time slot) may include DMRS symbols 315-a and 315-b and data symbols 320-a, 320-b, 320-c, and 320-d. In some cases, TDM time slot 305 may include additional DMRS symbols 315, data symbols 320, or both. FDM time slot 310 (i.e., a full FDM time slot) may include at least one symbol for FDMing of the reference signal and data. For example, FDM time slot 310 may include data symbols 320-e, 320-f, 320-g, and 320-h for transmitting data, and FDM symbols 325-a and 325-b for FDM of reference signals and data (e.g., DMRS and PxSCH). That is, FDM symbol 325 may be used for both data transmission and reference signal transmission, and data symbol 320 may be used for data transmission but not for reference signal transmission. FDM time slot 310 may include additional data symbols 320, FDM symbols 325, or both.

[0101] As described herein, depending on the usage and requirements of UE 115-a, UE 115-a can switch from a first timeslot format to a second timeslot format dynamically, semi-statically, or statically. For example, UE 115-a may receive an RRC message activating FDM timeslot 310, followed by a DCI or MAC-CE that activates a specific symbol of FDM timeslot 310 as FDM symbol 325 (for FDM of reference signals and data) or data symbol 320 (for transmitting data). In MU-MIMO scenarios (with DFT-s-OFDM waveforms), the handover can be a dynamic DCI-based handover, where FDM symbol 325-a can be associated with UE 115-a, and FDM symbol 325-b can be associated with a second UE 115, allowing UE 115 to perform FDM of its reference signals and data in the corresponding symbol of FDM timeslot 310. Additionally or alternatively, if there is a change in the MCS within a time slot (e.g., TDM time slot 305), UE 115-a may receive MAC-CE of at least one FDM symbol in FDM symbol 325 that is active in FDM time slot 310.

[0102] Based on receiving a control message (e.g., RRC, DCI, or MAC-CE) instructing a switch from a first timeslot format to a second timeslot format, and based on UE 115-a's ability to switch from a full TDM timeslot to a full FDM timeslot, UE 115-a can switch from the first timeslot format to the second timeslot format. For example, if UE 115-a supports TDM for DMRS in DMRS symbol 315 and data in data symbol 320, or FDM for DMRS in FDM symbol 325 and data, then UE 115-a can switch from TDM timeslot 305 to FDM timeslot 310.

[0103] UE 115-a can transmit one or more reference signals (e.g., DMRS, CSI-RS) via at least one FDM symbol in FDM symbol 325 based on a switch from a first time slot format to a second time slot format (i.e., from TDM time slot 305 to FDM time slot 310). In this way, the reference signals can be FDMed with data (e.g., PxSCH) according to the second time slot format, and UE 115-a can avoid performing TDM on the reference signals and data in FDM time slot 310.

[0104] Switching to FDM slot 310 in this manner (corresponding to the second slot format) results in multiple TDM-enabled DMRS symbols 230 being distributed within a set of FDM-enabled DMRS symbols 230 (e.g., FDM symbols 325 that can support FDM-enabled reference signals and data), which reduces signaling overhead. Furthermore, the FDM symbols 325 supported by FDM slot 310 can improve tracking of time-varying channels with reasonable overhead (e.g., one FDM-enabled symbol reduces overhead, two or more FDM-enabled symbols improve tracking of time-varying channels). Additionally, if multiple UEs 115 are served by a downlink in the slot, FDM slot 310 can allow different UEs 115 to utilize different FDM modes, such that each UE 115 can perform FDM with its own reference signals and data in a specific symbol of FDM slot 310.

[0105] Figure 4 An example of a process flow 400 supporting time slot format switching for multiplexing reference signals and data, according to one or more aspects of this disclosure, is shown. Process flow 400 may implement aspects of wireless communication systems 100 and 200, or may be implemented through aspects of wireless communication systems 100 and 200. For example, process flow 400 may exemplify operations between UE 115-b and network entity 105-b (which may be examples of corresponding devices described herein). In the following description of process flow 400, operations between UE 115-b and network entity 105-b may be transmitted in a different order than the example order shown, or operations performed by UE 115-b and network entity 105-b may be performed in a different order or at different times. Some operations may also be omitted from process flow 400, and other operations may be added to process flow 400.

[0106] At position 405, UE 115-b may send a capability message to network entity 105-b indicating its ability to switch from a first timeslot format to a second timeslot format (this switch is based on receiving a control message from network entity 105-b). The first timeslot format may include one or more symbols for reference signal transmission (e.g., DMRS, CSI-RS) and one or more symbols for data transmission (e.g., PDSCH, PUSCH), and the second timeslot format may include at least one symbol for FDM of the reference signals and data. Therefore, the capability message may indicate UE 115-b's ability to switch from a full TDM timeslot to a hybrid TDM / FDM timeslot or a full FDM timeslot.

[0107] At 410, UE 115-b may receive from network entity 105-b a control message indicating a switch from a first timeslot format to a second timeslot format. In some examples, the control message may include an RRC message activating the second timeslot format (e.g., corresponding to a full FDM timeslot or a hybrid TDM / FDM timeslot) and one or more symbols activating the second timeslot format for FDM DCI or MAC-CE of the reference signals and data. That is, the control message may include an RRC message activating the second timeslot format and one or more symbols activating the second timeslot format for FDM DCI or MAC-CE of the reference signals and data together. In some examples, the symbols may correspond to a specific UE 115, such that multiple UEs 115 may multiplex their own reference signals and data on the corresponding symbols.

[0108] At 415, UE 115-b can switch from a first timeslot format to a second timeslot format based on its ability to support TDM and / or FDM of reference signals and data. For example, if UE 115-b supports both TDM and FDM of reference signals and data in a timeslot, UE 115-b can switch to a hybrid TDM / FDM timeslot. Alternatively, if UE 115-b supports either TDM or FDM of reference signals and data in a timeslot, UE 115-b can switch to a fully FDM timeslot.

[0109] At 420, UE 115-b may communicate (e.g., send and receive messages) reference signals with network entity 105-b via at least one symbol based on the switch from a first timeslot format to a second timeslot format. The reference signals are FDM-enabled with data according to the second timeslot format. In some examples, UE 115-b may receive some reference signals for TDM-enabled data and some reference signals for FDM-enabled data.

[0110] Figure 5 A block diagram 500 is shown of a device 505 supporting time slot format switching for multiplexing reference signals and data, according to one or more aspects of this disclosure. Device 505 may be an example of various aspects of UE 115 as described herein. Device 505 may include a receiver 510, a transmitter 515, and a communication manager 520. Device 505, or one or more components of device 505 (e.g., receiver 510, transmitter 515, and communication manager 520), may include at least one processor that may be coupled to at least one memory to individually or jointly support or implement the described techniques. Each of these components may communicate with each other (e.g., via one or more buses).

[0111] Receiver 510 may provide components for receiving information (such as packets, user data, control information, or any combination thereof) associated with various information channels (e.g., control channels, data channels, information channels related to time slot format switching for multiplexing reference signals and data). The information may be delivered to other components of device 505. Receiver 510 may utilize a single antenna or a collection of antennas.

[0112] Transmitter 515 may provide components for transmitting signals generated by other components of device 505. For example, transmitter 515 may transmit information associated with various information channels (e.g., control channels, data channels, information channels related to time slot format switching for multiplexing reference signals and data), such as packets, user data, control information, or any combination thereof. In some examples, transmitter 515 may be co-located with receiver 510 in a transceiver module. Transmitter 515 may utilize a single antenna or a collection of multiple antennas.

[0113] The communication manager 520, receiver 510, transmitter 515, or various combinations thereof, or various components thereof, may be examples of components used to perform various aspects of time slot format switching for multiplexing reference signals and data as described herein. For example, the communication manager 520, receiver 510, transmitter 515, or various combinations thereof, or components thereof, may be able to perform one or more of the functions described herein.

[0114] In some examples, the communication manager 520, receiver 510, transmitter 515, or various combinations or components thereof may be implemented in hardware (e.g., in communication management circuitry). The hardware may include at least one of the following: a processor, digital signal processor (DSP), central processing unit (CPU), application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), field-programmable gate array (FPGA) or other programmable logic device, microcontroller, discrete gate or transistor logic device, discrete hardware component, or any combination thereof, configured as or otherwise individually or collectively to support components for performing the functions described herein. In some examples, at least one processor and at least one memory coupled to said at least one processor may be configured to perform one or more of the functions described herein (e.g., instructions stored in at least one memory are executed individually or collectively by one or more processors).

[0115] Additionally or alternatively, the communication manager 520, receiver 510, transmitter 515, or various combinations or components thereof may be implemented in code (e.g., as communication management software or firmware) executed by at least one processor. If implemented in code executed by at least one processor, the functionality of the communication manager 520, receiver 510, transmitter 515, or various combinations or components thereof may be performed by a general-purpose processor, DSP, CPU, ASIC, FPGA, microcontroller, or any combination of these or other programmable logic devices (e.g., configured as or otherwise individually or jointly to support components for performing the functions described in this disclosure).

[0116] In some examples, the communication manager 520 may be configured to use or otherwise cooperate with the receiver 510, transmitter 515, or both to perform various operations (e.g., receiving, acquiring, monitoring, outputting, transmitting). For example, the communication manager 520 may receive information from the receiver 510, transmit information to the transmitter 515, or be integrated in combination with the receiver 510, transmitter 515, or both to acquire information, output information, or perform various other operations as described herein.

[0117] The communication manager 520 may support wireless communication according to examples disclosed herein. For example, the communication manager 520 may be capable of, configured to, or operated to support components for: receiving a control message instructing a switch from a first time slot format to a second time slot format, wherein the first time slot format includes one or more symbols for transmitting a reference signal and one or more symbols for transmitting data, and wherein the second time slot format includes at least one symbol for FDM of the reference signal and data. The communication manager 520 may be capable of, configured to, or operated to support components for: transmitting the reference signal via the at least one symbol at least in part based on the switch from the first time slot format to the second time slot format, wherein the reference signal is FDMed with the data according to the second time slot format.

[0118] By including or configuring a communication manager 520 according to an example as described herein, device 505 (e.g., at least one processor that controls or otherwise couples receiver 510, transmitter 515, communication manager 520, or a combination thereof) can support techniques for switching time slot formats for multiplexing reference signals and data, thereby reducing overhead, increasing signaling throughput, reducing processing, improving communication resource utilization, improving channel estimation performance, and improving tracking of time-varying channels.

[0119] Figure 6A block diagram 600 is shown of a device 605 supporting time slot format switching for multiplexing reference signals and data, according to one or more aspects of this disclosure. Device 605 may be an example of aspects of device 505 or UE 115 as described herein. Device 605 may include a receiver 610, a transmitter 615, and a communication manager 620. Device 605 or one or more components of device 605 (e.g., receiver 610, transmitter 615, and communication manager 620) may include at least one processor that may be coupled to at least one memory to support the described techniques. Each of these components may communicate with each other (e.g., via one or more buses).

[0120] Receiver 610 may provide components for receiving information (such as packets, user data, control information, or any combination thereof) associated with various information channels (e.g., control channels, data channels, information channels related to time slot format switching for multiplexing reference signals and data). The information may be delivered to other components of device 605. Receiver 610 may utilize a single antenna or a collection of antennas.

[0121] Transmitter 615 may provide components for transmitting signals generated by other components of device 605. For example, transmitter 615 may transmit information associated with various information channels, such as control channels, data channels, and information channels related to time slot format switching for multiplexing reference signals and data, including packets, user data, control information, or any combination thereof. In some examples, transmitter 615 may be co-located with receiver 610 in a transceiver module. Transmitter 615 may utilize a single antenna or a collection of multiple antennas.

[0122] Device 605 or its various components may be examples of parts for performing various aspects of time slot format switching for multiplexing reference signals and data as described herein. For example, communication manager 620 may include control message component 625, reference signal component 630, or any combination thereof. Communication manager 620 may be examples of aspects of communication manager 520 as described herein. In some examples, communication manager 620 or its various components may be configured to use or otherwise cooperate with receiver 610, transmitter 615, or both to perform various operations (e.g., receiving, acquiring, monitoring, outputting, transmitting). For example, communication manager 620 may receive information from receiver 610, transmit information to transmitter 615, or be integrated in combination with receiver 610, transmitter 615, or both to acquire information, output information, or perform various other operations as described herein.

[0123] Communication manager 620 may support wireless communication according to examples disclosed herein. Control message component 625 is capable of, configured to, or operable to support components for receiving a control message instructing a switch from a first time slot format to a second time slot format, wherein the first time slot format includes one or more symbols for transmitting a reference signal and one or more symbols for transmitting data, and wherein the second time slot format includes at least one symbol for FDM of the reference signal and data. Reference signal component 630 is capable of, configured to, or operable to support components for transmitting a reference signal via the at least one symbol based on the switch from the first time slot format to the second time slot format, wherein the reference signal is FDMed with the data according to the second time slot format.

[0124] Figure 7 A block diagram 700 is shown of a communication manager 720 supporting time slot format switching for multiplexing reference signals and data, according to one or more aspects of this disclosure. The communication manager 720 may be an example of aspects of the communication manager 520, communication manager 620, or both as described herein. The communication manager 720 or its various components may be examples of parts for performing various aspects of time slot format switching for multiplexing reference signals and data as described herein. For example, the communication manager 720 may include a control message component 725, a reference signal component 730, a capability component 735, a DCI component 740, a MAC-CE component 745, a switching component 750, or any combination thereof. Each of these components, or its components or sub-components (e.g., one or more processors, one or more memories), may communicate directly or indirectly with each other (e.g., via one or more buses).

[0125] The communication manager 720 may support wireless communication according to examples disclosed herein. The control message component 725 is capable of, configured to, or operable to support components for receiving a control message instructing a switch from a first time slot format to a second time slot format, wherein the first time slot format includes one or more symbols for transmitting a reference signal and one or more symbols for transmitting data, and wherein the second time slot format includes at least one symbol for FDM of the reference signal and data. The reference signal component 730 is capable of, configured to, or operable to support components for transmitting a reference signal via the at least one symbol based on the switch from the first time slot format to the second time slot format, wherein the reference signal is FDMed with the data according to the second time slot format.

[0126] In some examples, the second time slot format includes at least one symbol for both data transmission and reference signal transmission, and includes at least one symbol for the data transmission.

[0127] In some examples, the DCI component 740 is capable of, configured to, or able to operate to support components for: receiving a DCI that activates at least one symbol for both the data transmission and the reference signal transmission, and at least one symbol for the data transmission, wherein the second time slot format includes at least a first symbol associated with the UE for the data transmission and a second symbol associated with the second UE for both the data transmission and the reference signal transmission.

[0128] In some examples, the MAC-CE component 745 is capable of, configured to, or able to operate to support components for the following actions: receiving a MAC-CE that activates at least one symbol for both the data transmission and the reference signal transmission, and the at least one symbol for the data transmission, based on a time slot MCS change.

[0129] In some examples, in order to support the transmission of the reference signal, the reference signal component 730 is capable of, configured to, or able to operate to support components for the following actions: transmitting the one or more reference signals via a set of symbols for FDM of the one or more reference signals and the data, wherein the second time slot format includes the set of symbols, and wherein the set of symbols includes the at least one symbol.

[0130] In some examples, in order to support the transmission of the one or more reference signals, the reference signal component 730 is capable of, configured to, or able to operate to support components for: transmitting a first reference signal via a first symbol to perform FDM on the first reference signal and the data for the UE, and transmitting a second reference signal via a second symbol to perform FDM on the second reference signal and the data for a second UE, wherein the second time slot format includes the first symbol and the second symbol.

[0131] In some examples, to support the transmission of the reference signal, the reference signal component 730 is capable of, configured to, or operable to support components for receiving a first reference signal via a first symbol for transmission of the reference signal according to the first time slot format. In some examples, to support the transmission of the reference signal, the reference signal component 730 is capable of, configured to, or operable to support components for receiving a second reference signal via the at least one symbol according to the second time slot format, wherein the second reference signal is FDMed with the data in the at least one symbol.

[0132] In some examples, capability component 735 is capable of, configured to, or able to operate to support components for the following action: sending capability messages instructing the UE to switch from the first timeslot format to the second timeslot format.

[0133] In some examples, the switching component 750 is capable of, configured to, or able to operate to support components for switching from the first time slot format to the second time slot format based on the UE's ability to perform TDM and FDM on the reference signal and the data, wherein the second time slot format includes at least one symbol for both data transmission and reference signal transmission and includes at least one symbol for the data transmission.

[0134] In some examples, the handover component 750 is capable of, configured to, or able to operate to support components for switching from the first timeslot format to the second timeslot format based on the UE's ability to perform TDM or FDM on the reference signal and the data, wherein the second timeslot format includes at least one symbol for both data transmission and reference signal transmission. In some examples, the data is associated with a shared channel, and the reference signal is DMRS or CSI-RS.

[0135] Figure 8 A diagram of a system 800 including device 805 for time slot format switching for multiplexing reference signals and data, according to one or more aspects of this disclosure, is shown. Device 805 may be an example of device 505, device 605, or UE 115 as described herein, or may include components thereof. Device 805 may communicate with one or more network entities 105, one or more UEs 115, or any combination thereof (e.g., wirelessly). Device 805 may include components for bidirectional voice and data communication, including components for transmitting and receiving communications, such as a communication manager 820, an input / output (I / O) controller 810, a transceiver 815, an antenna 825, at least one memory 830, code 835, and at least one processor 840. These components may communicate electronically or be coupled in other ways (e.g., operational ground, communication ground, functional ground, electronic ground, electrical ground) via one or more buses (e.g., bus 845).

[0136] I / O controller 810 manages the input and output signals of device 805. I / O controller 810 can also manage peripheral devices not integrated into device 805. In some cases, I / O controller 810 may represent a physical connection or port to an external peripheral device. In some cases, I / O controller 810 may utilize an operating system such as iOS. ® ANDROID ® MS-DOS ® MS-WINDOWS ® OS / 2 ® UNIX ®LINUX ® Or another known operating system. Additionally or alternatively, the I / O controller 810 may represent or interact with a modem, keyboard, mouse, touchscreen, or similar device. In some cases, the I / O controller 810 may be implemented as part of one or more processors, such as at least one processor 840. In some cases, a user may interact with the device 805 via the I / O controller 810 or via hardware components controlled by the I / O controller 810.

[0137] In some cases, device 805 may include a single antenna 825. However, in other cases, device 805 may have more than one antenna 825, which may be capable of concurrently transmitting or receiving multiple wireless transmissions. Transceiver 815 may communicate bidirectionally via one or more antennas 825 as described herein, or via a wired or wireless link. For example, transceiver 815 may represent a wireless transceiver and may communicate bidirectionally with another wireless transceiver. Transceiver 815 may also include a modem for: modulating packets; providing the modulated packets to one or more antennas 825 for transmission; and demodulating packets received from one or more antennas 825. Transceiver 815, or transceiver 815 and one or more antennas 825, may be an example of transmitter 515, transmitter 615, receiver 510, receiver 610, or any combination thereof or components thereof as described herein.

[0138] At least one memory 830 may include random access memory (RAM) and read-only memory (ROM). At least one memory 830 may store computer-readable, computer-executable code 835, including instructions that, when executed by at least one processor 840, cause device 805 to perform the various functions described herein. Code 835 may be stored in a non-transitory computer-readable medium, such as system memory or another type of memory. In some cases, code 835 may not be directly executable by at least one processor 840, but may enable a computer (e.g., when compiled and executed) to perform the functions described herein. In some cases, at least one memory 830 may include a basic I / O system (BIOS) that controls basic hardware or software operations, such as interaction with peripheral components or devices.

[0139] At least one processor 840 may include intelligent hardware devices (e.g., general-purpose processors, DSPs, CPUs, microcontrollers, ASICs, FPGAs, programmable logic devices, discrete gate or transistor logic components, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof). In some cases, at least one processor 840 may be configured to operate a memory array using a memory controller. In some other cases, the memory controller may be integrated into at least one processor 840. At least one processor 840 may be configured to execute computer-readable instructions stored in memory (e.g., at least one memory 830) to cause device 805 to perform various functions (e.g., functions or tasks supporting time slot format switching for multiplexing reference signals and data). For example, device 805 or components of device 805 may include at least one processor 840 and at least one memory 830 coupled to or coupled to at least one processor 840, at least one processor 840 and at least one memory 830 configured to perform the various functions described herein. In some examples, at least one processor 840 may include multiple processors, and at least one memory 830 may include multiple memories. One or more of a plurality of processors may be coupled to one or more of a plurality of memories, which may be configured individually or collectively to perform the various functions described herein.

[0140] The communication manager 820 may support wireless communication according to examples disclosed herein. For example, the communication manager 820 may be capable of, configured to, or operated to support components for: receiving a control message instructing a switch from a first time slot format to a second time slot format, wherein the first time slot format includes one or more symbols for transmitting a reference signal and one or more symbols for transmitting data, and wherein the second time slot format includes at least one symbol for FDM of the reference signal and data. The communication manager 820 may be capable of, configured to, or operated to support components for: transmitting the reference signal via the at least one symbol at least in part based on the switch from the first time slot format to the second time slot format, wherein the reference signal is FDMed with the data according to the second time slot format.

[0141] By including or configuring a communication manager 820 according to an example as described herein, device 805 can support techniques for switching time slot formats for multiplexing reference signals and data, thereby reducing overhead, increasing signaling throughput, reducing processing, improving communication resource utilization, improving channel estimation performance, and improving tracking of time-varying channels.

[0142] In some examples, the communication manager 820 may be configured to use or otherwise coordinate with the transceiver 815, one or more antennas 825, or any combination thereof to perform various operations (e.g., receiving, monitoring, transmitting). Although the communication manager 820 is illustrated as a separate component, in some examples, one or more functions described with reference to the communication manager 820 may be supported or performed by at least one processor 840, at least one memory 830, code 835, or any combination thereof. For example, code 835 may include instructions that can be executed by at least one processor 840 to cause the device 805 to perform various aspects of time slot format switching for multiplexing reference signals and data as described herein, or at least one processor 840 and at least one memory 830 may be otherwise configured to perform or support such operations individually or jointly.

[0143] Figure 9 A block diagram 900 illustrates a device 905 supporting time slot format switching for multiplexing reference signals and data, according to one or more aspects of this disclosure. Device 905 may be an example of aspects of network entity 105 as described herein. Device 905 may include a receiver 910, a transmitter 915, and a communication manager 920. Device 905, or one or more components of device 905 (e.g., receiver 910, transmitter 915, and communication manager 920), may include at least one processor that may be coupled to at least one memory to individually or jointly support or implement the described techniques. Each of these components may communicate with each other (e.g., via one or more buses).

[0144] Receiver 910 may provide components for acquiring (e.g., receiving, determining, identifying) information (such as user data, control information, or any combination thereof (e.g., I / Q samples, symbols, packets, protocol data units, service data units)) associated with various channels (e.g., control channels, data channels, information channels, channels associated with a protocol stack). The information may be delivered to other components of device 905. In some examples, receiver 910 may support acquiring information by receiving signals via one or more antennas. Additionally or alternatively, receiver 910 may support acquiring information by receiving signals via one or more wired (e.g., electrical, fiber optic) interfaces, wireless interfaces, or any combination thereof.

[0145] Transmitter 915 may provide components for outputting (e.g., transmitting, providing, conveying, transmitting) information generated by other components of device 905. For example, transmitter 915 may output information associated with various channels (e.g., control channels, data channels, information channels, channels associated with a protocol stack), such as user data, control information, or any combination thereof (e.g., I / Q samples, symbols, packets, protocol data units, service data units). In some examples, transmitter 915 may support outputting information by transmitting signals via one or more antennas. Additionally or alternatively, transmitter 915 may support outputting information by transmitting signals via one or more wired (e.g., electrical, fiber optic) interfaces, wireless interfaces, or any combination thereof. In some examples, transmitter 915 and receiver 910 may be co-located in a transceiver, which may include or be coupled to a modem.

[0146] The communication manager 920, receiver 910, transmitter 915, or various combinations thereof, or various components thereof, may be examples of components used to perform various aspects of time slot format switching for multiplexing reference signals and data as described herein. For example, the communication manager 920, receiver 910, transmitter 915, or various combinations thereof, or components thereof, may be able to perform one or more of the functions described herein.

[0147] In some examples, the communication manager 920, receiver 910, transmitter 915, or various combinations or components thereof may be implemented in hardware (e.g., in communication management circuitry). The hardware may include at least one of a processor, DSP, CPU, ASIC, FPGA, or other programmable logic device, microcontroller, discrete gate or transistor logic device, discrete hardware component, or any combination thereof, configured as or otherwise individually or collectively to support components for performing the functions described herein. In some examples, at least one processor and at least one memory coupled to said at least one processor may be configured to perform one or more of the functions described herein (e.g., instructions stored in at least one memory are executed individually or collectively by one or more processors).

[0148] Additionally or alternatively, the communication manager 920, receiver 910, transmitter 915, or various combinations or components thereof may be implemented in code executed by at least one processor (e.g., as communication management software or firmware). If implemented in code executed by at least one processor, the functionality of the communication manager 920, receiver 910, transmitter 915, or various combinations or components thereof may be performed by a general-purpose processor, DSP, CPU, ASIC, FPGA, microcontroller, or any combination of these or other programmable logic devices (e.g., configured as or otherwise individually or jointly to support components for performing the functions described in this disclosure).

[0149] In some examples, the communication manager 920 may be configured to use or otherwise cooperate with the receiver 910, transmitter 915, or both to perform various operations (e.g., receiving, acquiring, monitoring, outputting, transmitting). For example, the communication manager 920 may receive information from the receiver 910, transmit information to the transmitter 915, or be integrated in combination with the receiver 910, transmitter 915, or both to acquire information, output information, or perform various other operations as described herein.

[0150] The communication manager 920 may support wireless communication according to examples disclosed herein. For example, the communication manager 920 may be capable of, configured to, or operated to support components for: transmitting a control message instructing the UE to switch from a first time slot format to a second time slot format, wherein the first time slot format includes one or more symbols for transmitting a reference signal and one or more symbols for transmitting data, and wherein the second time slot format includes at least one symbol for FDM of the reference signal and data. The communication manager 920 may be capable of, configured to, or operated to support components for: transmitting the reference signal via the at least one symbol, at least in part, based on the control message instructing the UE to switch from the first time slot format to the second time slot format, wherein the reference signal is FDMed with the data according to the second time slot format.

[0151] By including or configuring a communication manager 920 according to an example as described herein, device 905 (e.g., at least one processor that controls or otherwise couples receiver 910, transmitter 915, communication manager 920, or a combination thereof) can support techniques for switching time slot formats for multiplexing reference signals and data, thereby reducing overhead, increasing signaling throughput, reducing processing, improving communication resource utilization, improving channel estimation performance, and improving tracking of time-varying channels.

[0152] Figure 10A block diagram 1000 of a device 1005 supporting time slot format switching for multiplexing reference signals and data, according to one or more aspects of this disclosure, is shown. Device 1005 may be an example of aspects of device 905 or network entity 105 as described herein. Device 1005 may include receiver 1010, transmitter 1015, and communication manager 1020. Device 1005 or one or more components of device 1005 (e.g., receiver 1010, transmitter 1015, and communication manager 1020) may include at least one processor that may be coupled to at least one memory to support the described techniques. Each of these components may communicate with each other (e.g., via one or more buses).

[0153] Receiver 1010 may provide components for acquiring (e.g., receiving, determining, identifying) information (such as user data, control information, or any combination thereof (e.g., I / Q samples, symbols, packets, protocol data units, service data units)) associated with various channels (e.g., control channels, data channels, information channels, channels associated with a protocol stack). The information may be delivered to other components of device 1005. In some examples, receiver 1010 may support acquiring information by receiving signals via one or more antennas. Additionally or alternatively, receiver 1010 may support acquiring information by receiving signals via one or more wired (e.g., electrical, fiber optic) interfaces, wireless interfaces, or any combination thereof.

[0154] Transmitter 1015 may provide components for outputting (e.g., transmitting, providing, conveying, transmitting) information generated by other components of device 1005. For example, transmitter 1015 may output information associated with various channels (e.g., control channels, data channels, information channels, channels associated with a protocol stack), such as user data, control information, or any combination thereof (e.g., I / Q samples, symbols, packets, protocol data units, service data units). In some examples, transmitter 1015 may support outputting information by transmitting signals via one or more antennas. Additionally or alternatively, transmitter 1015 may support outputting information by transmitting signals via one or more wired (e.g., electrical, fiber optic) interfaces, wireless interfaces, or any combination thereof. In some examples, transmitter 1015 and receiver 1010 may be co-located in a transceiver, which may include or be coupled to a modem.

[0155] Device 1005 or its various components may be examples of parts used to perform various aspects of time slot format switching for multiplexing reference signals and data as described herein. For example, communication manager 1020 may include control message manager 1025, reference signal manager 1030, or any combination thereof. Communication manager 1020 may be examples of aspects of communication manager 920 as described herein. In some examples, communication manager 1020 or its various components may be configured to use or otherwise cooperate with receiver 1010, transmitter 1015, or both to perform various operations (e.g., receiving, acquiring, monitoring, outputting, transmitting). For example, communication manager 1020 may receive information from receiver 1010, transmit information to transmitter 1015, or be integrated in combination with receiver 1010, transmitter 1015, or both to acquire information, output information, or perform various other operations as described herein.

[0156] Communication manager 1020 may support wireless communication according to examples disclosed herein. Control message manager 1025 is capable of, configured to, or operable to support components for: transmitting a control message to the UE instructing a switch from a first time slot format to a second time slot format, wherein the first time slot format includes one or more symbols for transmitting a reference signal and one or more symbols for transmitting data, and wherein the second time slot format includes at least one symbol for FDM of the reference signal and data. Reference signal manager 1030 is capable of, configured to, or operable to support components for: transmitting the reference signal via the at least one symbol based on the control message instructing the UE to switch from the first time slot format to the second time slot format, wherein the reference signal is FDMed with the data according to the second time slot format.

[0157] Figure 11A block diagram 1100 is shown of a communication manager 1120 supporting time slot format switching for multiplexing reference signals and data, according to one or more aspects of this disclosure. The communication manager 1120 may be an example of a communication manager 920, a communication manager 1020, or aspects thereof as described herein. The communication manager 1120 or its various components may be examples of parts for performing various aspects of time slot format switching for multiplexing reference signals and data as described herein. For example, the communication manager 1120 may include a control message manager 1125, a reference signal manager 1130, a capability manager 1135, a DCI manager 1140, a MAC-CE manager 1145, or any combination thereof. These components, or each of their components or sub-components (e.g., one or more processors, one or more memories), may communicate directly or indirectly with each other (e.g., via one or more buses), and such communication may include communication within protocol layers of the protocol stack, communication associated with logical channels of the protocol stack (e.g., between protocol layers of the protocol stack, within devices, components, or virtualization components associated with network entity 105, between devices, components, or virtualization components associated with network entity 105), or any combination thereof.

[0158] Communication manager 1120 may support wireless communication according to examples disclosed herein. Control message manager 1125 is capable of, configured to, or operable to support components for: transmitting a control message to the UE instructing a switch from a first time slot format to a second time slot format, wherein the first time slot format includes one or more symbols for reference signal transmission and one or more symbols for data transmission, and wherein the second time slot format includes at least one symbol for FDM of the reference signal and data. Reference signal manager 1130 is capable of, configured to, or operable to support components for: transmitting the reference signal via the at least one symbol based on the control message instructing the UE to switch from the first time slot format to the second time slot format, wherein the reference signal is FDMed with the data according to the second time slot format. In some examples, the second time slot format includes at least one symbol for both data transmission and reference signal transmission, and includes at least one symbol for data transmission.

[0159] In some examples, the DCI manager 1140 is capable of, configured to, or able to operate to support components for the following actions: transmitting a DCI that activates at least one symbol for both the data transmission and the reference signal transmission, and at least one symbol for the data transmission, wherein the second time slot format includes at least a first symbol associated with the UE for the data transmission and a second symbol associated with the second UE for both the data transmission and the reference signal transmission.

[0160] In some examples, the MAC-CE manager 1145 is capable of, configured to, or able to operate to support components for: sending a MAC-CE that activates at least one symbol for both the data transmission and the reference signal transmission, and the at least one symbol for the data transmission, based on a time slot MCS change.

[0161] In some examples, in order to support the transmission of the reference signal, the reference signal manager 1130 is capable, configured, or operable to support components for the following actions: transmitting the one or more reference signals via a set of symbols for FDM of the one or more reference signals and the data, wherein the second time slot format includes the set of symbols, and wherein the set of symbols includes the at least one symbol.

[0162] In some examples, in order to support the transmission of the one or more reference signals, the reference signal manager 1130 is capable, configured, or operable to support components for: transmitting a first reference signal via a first symbol to perform FDM on the first reference signal and the data for the UE, and transmitting a second reference signal via a second symbol to perform FDM on the second reference signal and the data for a second UE, wherein the second time slot format includes the first symbol and the second symbol.

[0163] In some examples, to support the transmission of the reference signal, the reference signal manager 1130 is capable, configured, or operable to support components for transmitting a first reference signal via a first symbol for transmission of the reference signal according to the first time slot format. In some examples, to support the transmission of the reference signal, the reference signal manager 1130 is capable, configured, or operable to support components for transmitting a second reference signal via the at least one symbol according to the second time slot format, wherein the second reference signal is FDMed with the data in the at least one symbol.

[0164] In some examples, the capability manager 1135 is capable of, configured to, or able to operate to support components for receiving capability messages indicating that the UE can switch from the first time slot format to the second time slot format.

[0165] In some examples, the capability message indicates that the UE supports the capability of TDM and FDM of the reference signal and the data, and wherein the second time slot format includes at least one symbol for both data transmission and reference signal transmission and includes at least one symbol for data transmission.

[0166] In some examples, the capability message indicates that the UE supports the capability of TDM or FDM of the reference signal and the data, and wherein the second timeslot format includes at least one symbol for both data transmission and reference signal transmission. In some examples, the data is associated with a shared channel, and wherein the reference signal is DMRS or CSI-RS.

[0167] Figure 12 A diagram of a system 1200 including device 1205 for supporting time slot format switching for multiplexing reference signals and data, according to one or more aspects of this disclosure, is shown. Device 1205 may be an example of device 905, device 1005, or network entity 105 as described herein, or may include components thereof. Device 1205 may communicate with one or more network entities 105, one or more UEs 115, or any combination thereof, and such communication may include communication via one or more wired interfaces, one or more wireless interfaces, or any combination thereof. Device 1205 may include components that support output and enable communication, such as a communication manager 1220, a transceiver 1210, an antenna 1215, at least one memory 1225, code 1230, and at least one processor 1235. These components may communicate electronically or otherwise (e.g., operative ground, communication ground, functional ground, electronic ground, electrical ground) via one or more buses (e.g., bus 1240).

[0168] Transceiver 1210 may support bidirectional communication via a wired link, a wireless link, or both, as described herein. In some examples, transceiver 1210 may include a wired transceiver and be capable of bidirectional communication with another wired transceiver. Additionally or alternatively, in some examples, transceiver 1210 may include a wireless transceiver and be capable of bidirectional communication with another wireless transceiver. In some examples, device 1205 may include one or more antennas 1215 that are capable of transmitting or receiving wireless transmissions (e.g., concurrently). Transceiver 1210 may also include a modem for: modulating a signal; providing the modulated signal for transmission (e.g., via one or more antennas 1215, via a wired transmitter); receiving the modulated signal (e.g., from one or more antennas 1215, from a wired receiver); and demodulating the signal. In some embodiments, transceiver 1210 may include one or more interfaces, such as one or more interfaces coupled to one or more antennas 1215 configured to support various receive or acquire operations, or one or more interfaces coupled to one or more antennas 1215 configured to support various transmit or output operations, or combinations thereof. In some embodiments, transceiver 1210 may include one or more processors or one or more memory components or be configured to couple to said one or more processors or one or more memory components, said one or more processors or one or more memory components being operable to perform or support operations based on received or acquired information or signals, or to generate information or other signals for transmission or other output, or any combination thereof. In some embodiments, transceiver 1210, or transceiver 1210 and one or more antennas 1215, or transceiver 1210 and one or more antennas 1215 and one or more processors or one or more memory components (e.g., at least one processor 1235, at least one memory 1225, or both) may be included in a chip or chip assembly mounted in device 1205. In some examples, transceiver 1210 may be able to operate to support communication via one or more communication links (e.g., communication link 125, backhaul communication link 120, midhaul communication link 162, and fronthaul communication link 168).

[0169] At least one memory 1225 may include RAM, ROM, or any combination thereof. At least one memory 1225 may store computer-readable, computer-executable code 1230 including instructions that, when executed by one or more of the at least one processor 1235, cause the device 1205 to perform the various functions described herein. The code 1230 may be stored in a non-transitory computer-readable medium, such as system memory or another type of memory. In some cases, the code 1230 may not be directly executable by one of the at least one processor 1235, but may enable a computer (e.g., when compiled and executed) to perform the functions described herein. In some cases, at least one memory 1225 may contain a BIOS, etc., that controls basic hardware or software operation, such as interaction with peripheral components or devices. In some examples, at least one processor 1235 may include multiple processors, and at least one memory 1225 may include multiple memories. One or more of the multiple processors may be coupled to one or more of the multiple memories, which may be configured individually or collectively to perform the various functions described herein (e.g., as part of a processing system).

[0170] At least one processor 1235 may include intelligent hardware devices (e.g., general-purpose processors, DSPs, ASICs, CPUs, FPGAs, microcontrollers, programmable logic devices, discrete gate or transistor logic devices, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof). In some cases, at least one processor 1235 may be configured to operate a memory array using a memory controller. In some other cases, the memory controller may be integrated into one or more processors in at least one processor 1235. At least one processor 1235 may be configured to execute computer-readable instructions stored in memory (e.g., one or more memories in at least one memory 1225) to cause device 1205 to perform various functions (e.g., functions or tasks supporting time slot format switching for multiplexing reference signals and data). For example, device 1205 or components of device 1205 may include at least one processor 1235 and at least one memory 1225 coupled to one or more processors in at least one processor 1235, wherein at least one processor 1235 and at least one memory 1225 are configured to perform the various functions described herein. At least one processor 1235 may be an example of a cloud computing platform (e.g., one or more physical nodes and supporting software such as an operating system, virtual machine, or container instance) that can (e.g., by executing code 1230) host functions for performing the functions of device 1205. At least one processor 1235 may be any one or more suitable processors capable of executing scripts or instructions of one or more software programs stored in device 1205 (such as within one or more memories of at least one memory 1225). In some implementations, at least one processor 1235 may be a component of a processing system. A processing system generally refers to a system or series of machines or components that receive input and process that input to produce a set of outputs (which may be passed to other systems or components, such as device 1205). For example, the processing system of device 1205 may refer to a system that includes various other components or sub-components of device 1205 (such as at least one processor 1235, transceiver 1210, communication manager 1220, or other components or combinations of components of device 1205). The processing system of device 1205 can interface with other components of device 1205 and can process information (such as inputs or signals) received from other components or output information to other components. For example, the chip or modem of device 1205 may include a processing system and one or more interfaces for outputting information or for acquiring information, or both. The one or more interfaces may be implemented as or otherwise include a first interface configured to output information and a second interface configured to acquire information, or the same interface configured to both output and acquire information, and other specific implementations.In some embodiments, one or more interfaces may refer to the interface between the processing system of the chip or modem and the transmitter, enabling device 1205 to transmit information output from the chip or modem. Additionally or alternatively, in some embodiments, one or more interfaces may refer to the interface between the processing system of the chip or modem and the receiver, enabling device 1205 to receive information or signal input, and such information can be transmitted to the processing system. Those skilled in the art will readily recognize that the first interface may also receive information or signal input, and the second interface may also output information or signal output.

[0171] In some examples, bus 1240 may support communication at the protocol layer of the protocol stack (e.g., within a protocol layer). In some examples, bus 1240 may support communication associated with logical channels of the protocol stack (e.g., between protocol layers of the protocol stack), which may include communication performed within components of device 1205, or communication performed between different components of device 1205 that are co-addressable or may be located in different locations (e.g., where device 1205 may refer to a system in which one or more of communication manager 1220, transceiver 1210, at least one memory 1225, code 1230 and at least one processor 1235 may be located in one component of different components or partitioned between different components).

[0172] In some examples, the communication manager 1220 may manage (e.g., via one or more wired or wireless backhaul links) various aspects of communication with the core network 130. For example, the communication manager 1220 may manage the delivery of data communications by client devices, such as one or more UEs 115. In some examples, the communication manager 1220 may manage communication with other network entities 105 and may include a controller or scheduler for cooperating with other network entities 105 to control communication with UE 115. In some examples, the communication manager 1220 may support an X2 interface within LTE / LTE-A wireless communication network technology to provide communication between network entities 105.

[0173] The communication manager 1220 may support wireless communication according to examples disclosed herein. For example, the communication manager 1220 may be capable of, configured to, or operated to support components for: transmitting a control message instructing the UE to switch from a first time slot format to a second time slot format, wherein the first time slot format includes one or more symbols for transmitting a reference signal and one or more symbols for transmitting data, and wherein the second time slot format includes at least one symbol for FDM of the reference signal and data. The communication manager 1220 may be capable of, configured to, or operated to support components for: transmitting the reference signal via the at least one symbol, at least in part, based on the control message instructing the UE to switch from the first time slot format to the second time slot format, wherein the reference signal is FDMed with the data according to the second time slot format.

[0174] By including or configuring a communication manager 1220 according to an example as described herein, device 1205 can support techniques for switching time slot formats for multiplexing reference signals and data, thereby reducing overhead, increasing signaling throughput, reducing processing, improving communication resource utilization, improving channel estimation performance, and improving tracking of time-varying channels.

[0175] In some examples, the communication manager 1220 may be configured to use or otherwise coordinate with the transceiver 1210, one or more antennas 1215 (e.g., where applicable), or any combination thereof to perform various operations (e.g., receive, acquire, monitor, output, transmit). Although the communication manager 1220 is illustrated as a separate component, in some examples, one or more functions described with reference to the communication manager 1220 may be supported or performed by the transceiver 1210, one or more processors in at least one processor 1235, one or more memories in at least one memory 1225, code 1230, or any combination thereof (e.g., by a processing system including at least a portion of at least one processor 1235, at least one memory 1225, code 1230, or any combination thereof). For example, code 1230 may include instructions that can be executed by one or more processors of at least one processor 1235 to cause device 1205 to perform various aspects of time slot format switching for multiplexing reference signals and data as described herein, or at least one processor 1235 and at least one memory 1225 may be otherwise configured to perform or support such operations individually or jointly.

[0176] Figure 13 A flowchart illustrating a method 1300 for time slot format switching for multiplexing reference signals and data, according to various aspects of this disclosure, is shown. Operation of method 1300 can be implemented by a UE or its components as described herein. For example, operation of method 1300 can be implemented by, as described in the reference...Figures 1 to 8 The described UE 115 performs. In some examples, the UE may execute an instruction set to control functional elements of the UE to perform the described functions. Additionally or alternatively, the UE may use dedicated hardware to perform aspects of the described functions.

[0177] At 1305, the method may include: receiving a control message indicating a switch from a first slot format to a second slot format, where the first slot format includes one or more symbols for reference signal transmission and one or more symbols for data transmission, and where the second slot format includes at least one symbol for performing FDM on the reference signal and the data. The operation of 1305 may be performed in accordance with examples disclosed herein. In some examples, aspects of the operation of 1305 may be performed by a control message component 725 as described in reference to Figure 7 the described control message component 725.

[0178] At 1310, the method may include: conveying the reference signal via the at least one symbol based on the switch from the first slot format to the second slot format, where the reference signal is FDM with the data according to the second slot format. The operation of 1310 may be performed in accordance with examples disclosed herein. In some examples, aspects of the operation of 1310 may be performed by a reference signal component 730 as described in reference to Figure 7 the described reference signal component 730.

[0179] Figure 14 A flowchart illustrating a method 1400 in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure that supports a slot format switch for multiplexing a reference signal and data is shown. The operations of method 1400 may be implemented by a UE or its components as described herein. For example, the operations of method 1400 may be performed by a UE 115 as described in reference to Figures 1 to 8 the described UE 115. In some examples, the UE may execute an instruction set to control functional elements of the UE to perform the described functions. Additionally or alternatively, the UE may use dedicated hardware to perform aspects of the described functions.

[0180] At 1405, the method may include: transmitting a capability message indicating the UE's capability to switch from the first slot format to the second slot format. The operation of 1405 may be performed in accordance with examples disclosed herein. In some examples, aspects of the operation of 1405 may be performed by a capability component 735 as described in reference to Figure 7 the described capability component 735.

[0181] At 1410, the method may include: receiving a control message indicating a switch from a first time slot format to a second time slot format, wherein the first time slot format includes one or more symbols for transmitting a reference signal and one or more symbols for transmitting data, and wherein the second time slot format includes at least one symbol for FDM of the reference signal and data. The operation of 1410 may be performed according to examples as disclosed herein. In some examples, aspects of the operation of 1410 may be provided by reference to... Figure 7 The described control message component 725 is executed.

[0182] At 1415, the method may include: switching from the first time slot format to the second time slot format based on the UE's ability to perform TDM and FDM on the reference signal and the data, wherein the second time slot format includes at least one symbol for both data transmission and reference signal transmission, and includes at least one symbol for the data transmission. The operation of 1415 may be performed according to examples as disclosed herein. In some examples, aspects of the operation of 1415 may be determined by reference to... Figure 7 The described switching component 750 is executed.

[0183] At 1420, the method may include: transmitting the reference signal via the at least one symbol based on the switch from the first time slot format to the second time slot format, wherein the reference signal is FDM-equipped with the data according to the second time slot format. Operation of 1420 may be performed according to the examples disclosed herein. In some examples, aspects of the operation of 1420 may be provided by reference to... Figure 7 The reference signal component 730 described is executed.

[0184] Figure 15 A flowchart illustrating a method 1500 for time slot format switching for multiplexing reference signals and data, according to various aspects of this disclosure, is shown. Operation of method 1500 can be implemented by a UE or its components as described herein. For example, operation of method 1500 can be implemented by, as described in the reference... Figures 1 to 8 The UE 115 described herein performs the following: In some examples, the UE can execute a set of instructions to control the functional elements of the UE to perform the described functions. Additionally or alternatively, the UE may use dedicated hardware to perform aspects of the described functions.

[0185] At 1505, the method may include: sending a capability message indicating the UE's ability to switch from the first timeslot format to the second timeslot format. The operation of 1505 may be performed according to the examples disclosed herein. In some examples, aspects of the operation of 1505 may be provided by reference to... Figure 7 The described capability component 735 is executed.

[0186] At 1510, the method may include: receiving a control message indicating a switch from a first time slot format to a second time slot format, wherein the first time slot format includes one or more symbols for transmitting a reference signal and one or more symbols for transmitting data, and wherein the second time slot format includes at least one symbol for FDM of the reference signal and data. The operation of 1510 may be performed according to the examples disclosed herein. In some examples, aspects of the operation of 1510 may be provided by reference to... Figure 7 The described control message component 725 is executed.

[0187] At 1515, the method may include: switching from the first time slot format to the second time slot format based on the UE's ability to perform TDM or FDM on the reference signal and the data, wherein the second time slot format includes at least one symbol for both data transmission and reference signal transmission. The operation of 1515 may be performed according to the examples disclosed herein. In some examples, aspects of the operation of 1515 may be provided by reference to... Figure 7 The described switching component 750 is executed.

[0188] At 1520, the method may include: transmitting the reference signal via the at least one symbol based on the switch from the first time slot format to the second time slot format, wherein the reference signal is FDM-equipped with the data according to the second time slot format. Operation of 1520 may be performed according to the examples disclosed herein. In some examples, aspects of the operation of 1520 may be provided by reference to... Figure 7 The reference signal component 730 described is executed.

[0189] Figure 16 A flowchart illustrating a method 1600 for time slot format switching for multiplexing reference signals and data, according to various aspects of this disclosure, is shown. The operation of method 1600 can be implemented by a network entity or its components as described herein. For example, the operation of method 1600 can be implemented by, as described in the reference... Figures 1 to 4 as well as Figures 9 to 12 The described network entity performs the functions. In some examples, the network entity may execute a set of instructions to control the functional elements of the network entity to perform the described functions. Additionally or alternatively, the network entity may use dedicated hardware to perform aspects of the described functions.

[0190] At 1605, the method may include: sending a control message to the UE instructing a switch from a first timeslot format to a second timeslot format, wherein the first timeslot format includes one or more symbols for transmitting reference signals and one or more symbols for transmitting data, and wherein the second timeslot format includes at least one symbol for FDM of the reference signals and data. The operation of 1605 may be performed according to the examples disclosed herein. In some examples, aspects of the operation of 1605 may be provided by reference to... Figure 11 The described control message manager 1125 is executed.

[0191] At 1610, the method may include: conveying the reference signal via the at least one symbol based on the control message instructing the UE to switch from the first time slot format to the second time slot format, wherein the reference signal is FDM-enabled with the data according to the second time slot format. Operation of 1610 may be performed according to the examples disclosed herein. In some examples, aspects of the operation of 1610 may be provided by reference to... Figure 11 The reference signal manager 1130 described is executed.

[0192] Figure 17 A flowchart illustrating a method 1700 for time slot format switching for multiplexing reference signals and data, according to various aspects of this disclosure, is shown. The operation of method 1700 can be implemented by a network entity or its components as described herein. For example, the operation of method 1700 can be implemented by, as described in the reference... Figures 1 to 4 as well as Figures 9 to 12 The described network entity performs the functions. In some examples, the network entity may execute a set of instructions to control the functional elements of the network entity to perform the described functions. Additionally or alternatively, the network entity may use dedicated hardware to perform aspects of the described functions.

[0193] At 1705, the method may include: sending a control message to the UE instructing a switch from a first timeslot format to a second timeslot format, wherein the first timeslot format includes one or more symbols for reference signal transmission and one or more symbols for data transmission, and wherein the second timeslot format includes at least one symbol for both data transmission and reference signal transmission and includes at least one symbol for the data transmission. The operation of 1705 may be performed according to the examples disclosed herein. In some examples, aspects of the operation of 1705 may be provided by reference to... Figure 11 The described control message manager 1125 is executed.

[0194] At 1710, the method may include: transmitting a DCI that activates at least one symbol for both the data transmission and the reference signal transmission, and the at least one symbol for the data transmission, wherein the second time slot format includes at least a first symbol associated with the UE for the data transmission and a second symbol associated with the second UE for both the data transmission and the reference signal transmission. Operation of 1710 may be performed according to examples as disclosed herein. In some examples, aspects of operation of 1710 may be provided by reference to... Figure 11 The described DCI manager 1140 is executed.

[0195] At 1715, the method may include: conveying the reference signal via the at least one symbol based on the control message instructing the UE to switch from the first time slot format to the second time slot format, wherein the reference signal is FDM-enabled with the data according to the second time slot format. Operation of 1715 may be performed according to the examples disclosed herein. In some examples, aspects of the operation of 1715 may be provided by reference to... Figure 11 The reference signal manager 1130 described is executed.

[0196] Figure 18 A flowchart illustrating a method 1800 for time slot format switching for multiplexing reference signals and data, according to various aspects of this disclosure, is shown. The operation of method 1800 can be implemented by a network entity or its components as described herein. For example, the operation of method 1800 can be implemented by, as described in the reference... Figures 1 to 4 as well as Figures 9 to 12 The described network entity performs the functions. In some examples, the network entity may execute a set of instructions to control the functional elements of the network entity to perform the described functions. Additionally or alternatively, the network entity may use dedicated hardware to perform aspects of the described functions.

[0197] At 1805, the method may include: sending a control message to the UE instructing a switch from a first timeslot format to a second timeslot format, wherein the first timeslot format includes one or more symbols for reference signal transmission and one or more symbols for data transmission, and wherein the second timeslot format includes at least one symbol for both data transmission and reference signal transmission and includes at least one symbol for the data transmission. The operation of 1805 may be performed according to the examples disclosed herein. In some examples, aspects of the operation of 1805 may be provided by reference to... Figure 11 The described control message manager 1125 is executed.

[0198] At 1810, the method may include: transmitting a MAC-CE that activates at least one symbol for both the data transmission and the reference signal transmission, and the at least one symbol for the data transmission, based on a time slot MCS change. The operation of 1810 may be performed according to examples as disclosed herein. In some examples, aspects of the operation of 1810 may be provided by reference to... Figure 11 The MAC-CE Manager 1145 described is executed.

[0199] At 1815, the method may include: transmitting the reference signal via the at least one symbol based on the control message instructing the UE to switch from the first time slot format to the second time slot format, wherein the reference signal is FDM-enabled with the data according to the second time slot format. Operation of 1815 may be performed according to the examples disclosed herein. In some examples, aspects of the operation of 1815 may be provided by reference to... Figure 11 The reference signal manager 1130 described is executed.

[0200] The following provides an overview of the various aspects of this disclosure: Aspect 1: A method for wireless communication at a UE, the method comprising: receiving a control message indicating a switch from a first time slot format to a second time slot format, wherein the first time slot format includes one or more symbols for transmitting a reference signal and one or more symbols for transmitting data, and wherein the second time slot format includes at least one symbol for performing FDM on the reference signal and the data; and conveying the reference signal via the at least one symbol based at least in part on the switch from the first time slot format to the second time slot format, wherein the reference signal is performed FDM on the data according to the second time slot format.

[0201] Aspect 2: According to the method of aspect 1, the second time slot format includes at least one symbol for both data transmission and reference signal transmission, and includes at least one symbol for the data transmission.

[0202] Aspect 3: According to the method of aspect 2, the method further includes: receiving a DCI, the DCI activating at least one symbol for both the data transmission and the reference signal transmission, and the at least one symbol for the data transmission, wherein the second time slot format includes at least a first symbol associated with the UE for the data transmission and a second symbol associated with a second UE for both the data transmission and the reference signal transmission.

[0203] Aspect 4: The method according to any one of Aspects 2 to 3, the method further comprising: receiving a MAC-CE, the MAC-CE activating at least one symbol for both the data transmission and the reference signal transmission, and the at least one symbol for the data transmission, at least in part based on a time slot MCS change.

[0204] Aspect 5: The method according to any one of Aspects 1 to 4, wherein conveying the reference signal comprises: conveying the one or more reference signals via a set of symbols for FDM of the one or more reference signals and the data, wherein the second time slot format includes the set of symbols, and wherein the set of symbols includes the at least one symbol.

[0205] Aspect 6: According to the method of aspect 5, wherein conveying the one or more reference signals comprises: conveying a first reference signal via a first symbol to perform FDM on the first reference signal and the data for the UE and conveying a second reference signal via a second symbol to perform FDM on the second reference signal and the data for the second UE, wherein the second time slot format includes the first symbol and the second symbol.

[0206] Aspect 7: The method according to any one of Aspects 1 to 6, wherein transmitting the reference signal comprises: receiving a first reference signal via a first symbol for transmitting the reference signal according to a first time slot format; and receiving a second reference signal via the at least one symbol according to a second time slot format, wherein the second reference signal is FDMed with the data in the at least one symbol.

[0207] Aspect 8: The method according to any one of Aspects 1 to 7, the method further comprising: sending a capability message indicating the ability of the UE to switch from the first time slot format to the second time slot format.

[0208] Aspect 9: According to the method of aspect 8, the method further includes: switching from the first time slot format to the second time slot format based at least in part on the UE's ability to perform TDM on the reference signal and the data as well as FDM on the reference signal and the data, wherein the second time slot format includes at least one symbol for both data transmission and reference signal transmission and includes at least one symbol for the data transmission.

[0209] Aspect 10: The method according to any one of Aspects 8 to 9, the method further comprising: switching from the first time slot format to the second time slot format based at least in part on the UE's ability to perform TDM or FDM on the reference signal and the data, wherein the second time slot format includes at least one symbol for both the data transmission and the reference signal transmission.

[0210] Aspect 11: The method according to any one of Aspects 1 to 10, wherein the data is associated with a shared channel, and wherein the reference signal is DMRS or CSI-RS.

[0211] Aspect 12: A method for wireless communication at a network entity, the method comprising: transmitting a control message to a UE instructing a switch from a first time slot format to a second time slot format, wherein the first time slot format includes one or more symbols for transmitting a reference signal and one or more symbols for transmitting data, and wherein the second time slot format includes at least one symbol for performing FDM on the reference signal and the data; and conveying the reference signal via the at least one symbol based at least in part on the control message instructing the UE to switch from the first time slot format to the second time slot format, wherein the reference signal is FDM-equipped with the data according to the second time slot format.

[0212] Aspect 13: According to the method of aspect 12, the second time slot format includes at least one symbol for both data transmission and reference signal transmission, and includes at least one symbol for the data transmission.

[0213] Aspect 14: The method according to aspect 13, the method further comprising: transmitting a DCI, the DCI activating at least one symbol for both the data transmission and the reference signal transmission, and the at least one symbol for the data transmission, wherein the second time slot format includes at least a first symbol associated with the UE for the data transmission and a second symbol associated with a second UE for both the data transmission and the reference signal transmission.

[0214] Aspect 15: The method according to any one of Aspects 13 to 14, the method further comprising: transmitting a MAC-CE, the MAC-CE activating at least one symbol for both the data transmission and the reference signal transmission, and the at least one symbol for the data transmission, at least in part based on a time slot MCS change.

[0215] Aspect 16: The method according to any one of Aspects 12 to 15, wherein conveying the reference signal comprises: conveying the one or more reference signals via a set of symbols for FDM of the one or more reference signals and the data, wherein the second time slot format includes the set of symbols, and wherein the set of symbols includes the at least one symbol.

[0216] Aspect 17: According to the method of aspect 16, wherein conveying the one or more reference signals comprises: conveying a first reference signal via a first symbol to perform FDM on the first reference signal and the data for the UE and conveying a second reference signal via a second symbol to perform FDM on the second reference signal and the data for the second UE, wherein the second time slot format includes the first symbol and the second symbol.

[0217] Aspect 18: The method according to any one of Aspects 12 to 17, wherein transmitting the reference signal comprises: transmitting a first reference signal via a first symbol for transmitting the reference signal according to a first time slot format; and transmitting a second reference signal via the at least one symbol according to a second time slot format, wherein the second reference signal is FDMed with the data in the at least one symbol.

[0218] Aspect 19: The method according to any one of Aspects 12 to 18, the method further comprising: receiving a capability message indicating the capability of the UE to switch from the first time slot format to the second time slot format.

[0219] Aspect 20: According to the method of aspect 19, wherein the capability message indicates that the UE supports the capability of TDM and FDM for the reference signal and the data, and wherein the second time slot format includes at least one symbol for both data transmission and reference signal transmission and includes at least one symbol for the data transmission.

[0220] Aspect 21: The method according to any one of Aspects 19 to 20, wherein the capability message indicates that the UE supports the capability of TDM or FDM of the reference signal and the data, and wherein the second time slot format includes at least one symbol for both the data transmission and the reference signal transmission.

[0221] Aspect 22: The method according to any one of Aspects 12 to 21, wherein the data is associated with a shared channel, and wherein the reference signal is DMRS or CSI-RS.

[0222] Aspect 23: A UE for wireless communication, the UE comprising: one or more memories storing processor-executable code; and one or more processors coupled to the one or more memories and capable of operating individually or jointly to execute the code to cause the UE to perform a method according to any one of Aspects 1 to 11.

[0223] Aspect 24: A UE for wireless communication, the UE comprising at least one component for performing a method according to any one of aspects 1 to 11.

[0224] Aspect 25: A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing code for wireless communication, said code including instructions executable by a processor to perform the method according to any one of aspects 1 to 11.

[0225] Aspect 26: A network entity for wireless communication, the network entity comprising: one or more memories storing processor-executable code; and one or more processors coupled to the one or more memories and capable of operating individually or jointly to execute the code, so that the network entity performs a method according to any one of aspects 12 to 22.

[0226] Aspect 27: A network entity for wireless communication, the network entity comprising at least one component for performing the method according to any one of aspects 12 to 22.

[0227] Aspect 28: A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing code for wireless communication, said code including instructions executable by a processor to perform a method according to any one of aspects 12 to 22.

[0228] It should be noted that the methods described herein describe possible specific implementations, and the operations and steps can be rearranged or otherwise modified, and other specific implementations are also possible. Furthermore, aspects from two or more of these methods can be combined.

[0229] While aspects of LTE, LTE-A, LTE-A Pro, or NR systems may be described for illustrative purposes, and the terms LTE, LTE-A, LTE-A Pro, or NR may be used in most of the description, the techniques described herein are also applicable to networks outside of LTE, LTE-A, LTE-A Pro, or NR networks. For example, the techniques described are applicable to a variety of other wireless communication systems, such as Ultra Mobile Broadband (UMB), IEEE 802.11 (Wi-Fi), IEEE 802.16 (WiMAX), IEEE 802.20, Flash-OFDM, and other systems and radio technologies not explicitly mentioned herein.

[0230] The information and signals described herein can be represented using any of a variety of different techniques and methods. For example, data, instructions, commands, information, signals, bits, symbols, and chips mentioned throughout the description can be represented by voltage, current, electromagnetic waves, magnetic fields or magnetic particles, light fields or optical particles, or any combination thereof.

[0231] The various exemplary blocks and components described herein can be implemented or performed using a general-purpose processor, DSP, ASIC, CPU, FPGA or other programmable logic device, discrete gate or transistor logic unit, discrete hardware component, or any combination thereof, designed to perform the functions described herein. A general-purpose processor may be a microprocessor, but in alternative embodiments, a processor may be any processor, controller, microcontroller, or state machine. A processor may also be implemented as a combination of computing devices (e.g., a combination of a DSP and a microprocessor, multiple microprocessors, one or more microprocessors combined with a DSP core, or any other such configuration). Any function or operation described herein that can be performed by a processor may be performed by multiple processors capable of performing the described functions or operations individually or jointly.

[0232] The functionality described herein can be implemented using hardware, software executed by a processor, firmware, or any combination thereof. When implemented using software executed by a processor, the functionality can be stored as one or more instructions or code on a computer-readable medium or transmitted using one or more instructions or code on a computer-readable medium. Other examples and specific implementations are within the scope of this disclosure and the appended claims. For example, due to the nature of software, the functionality described herein can be implemented using software executed by a processor, hardware, firmware, hardwiring, or any combination of these. Features implementing the functionality can also be physically located in various locations, including portions distributed such that the functionality is implemented at different physical locations.

[0233] Computer-readable media includes both non-transitory computer storage media and communication media, encompassing any medium that facilitates the transfer of a computer program from one location to another. Non-transitory storage media can be any available medium accessible by a general-purpose or special-purpose computer. By way of example, and not limitation, non-transitory computer-readable media may include RAM, ROM, electrically erasable programmable ROM (EEPROM), flash memory, compressed optical disc (CD) ROM or other optical disc storage devices, magnetic disk storage devices or other magnetic storage devices, or any other non-transitory medium that can be used to carry or store desired program code components in the form of instructions or data structures, and accessible by a general-purpose or special-purpose computer or a general-purpose or special-purpose processor. Furthermore, any connection is appropriately referred to as computer-readable media. For example, if software is transmitted from a website, server, or other remote source using coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair, digital subscriber line (DSL), or wireless technologies such as infrared, radio, and microwave, then coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair, DSL, or wireless technologies such as infrared, radio, and microwave are included within the definition of computer-readable media. As used herein, disks and optical discs include CDs, laser discs, optical discs, digital multifunction discs (DVDs), floppy disks, and Blu-ray discs. Disks can magnetically reproduce data, and optical discs can optically reproduce data using lasers. Combinations of the above are also included within the scope of computer-readable media. Any function or operation described herein that can be performed by memory can be performed by multiple memories capable of performing the described function or operation individually or jointly.

[0234] As used herein, the word "or" in a list of items (e.g., a list of items accompanied by phrases such as "at least one of" or "one or more of") in the claims indicates an inclusive list, such that a list of at least one of, for example, A, B, or C means A or B or C or AB or AC or BC or ABC (i.e., A and B and C). Furthermore, as used herein, the phrase "based on" should not be construed as a reference to a closed set of conditions. For example, an example step described as "based on condition A" could be based on both condition A and condition B without departing from the scope of this disclosure. In other words, as used herein, the phrase "based on" should be interpreted in the same manner as the phrase "at least partially based on".

[0235] As used herein, including in claims, the article “a” preceding a noun is open-ended and is understood to refer to “at least one” or “one or more” of those nouns. Therefore, the terms “a,” “at least one,” “one or more,” and “at least one of one or more” are interchangeable. For example, where a claim enumerates “components” performing one or more functions, each of the individual functions may be performed by a single component or by any combination of multiple components. Thus, the term “component” having a characteristic or performing a function may refer to “at least one of one or more components” having a particular characteristic or performing a particular function. Subsequent references to a component introduced with the article “a” using the terms “the” or “the” can refer to any or all of the one or more components. For example, a component introduced with the article “a” can be understood to mean “one or more components,” and subsequent reference to “the component” in a claim can be understood as equivalent to referring to “at least one of the one or more components.” Similarly, subsequent references to a component introduced with the terms “the” or “the” as “one or more components” can refer to any or all of the one or more components. For example, reference to "the one or more components" in the subsequent claims can be understood as equivalent to reference to "at least one of the one or more components".

[0236] The term "determine" encompasses a variety of actions, and therefore, "determine" can include calculation, computation, processing, derivation, investigation, lookup (such as by searching in a table, database, or other data structure), identification, and similar actions. Furthermore, "determine" can include receiving (e.g., receiving information), accessing (e.g., accessing data stored in memory), etc. Moreover, "determine" can include parsing, obtaining, selecting, choosing, building, and other similar actions.

[0237] In the accompanying drawings, similar components or features may have the same reference numerals. Furthermore, various components of the same type can be distinguished by adding a dash after the reference numerals and a second reference numeral for differentiation between similar components. If only the first reference numeral is used in the description, the description applies to any of the similar components having the same first reference numeral, regardless of the second or other subsequent reference numerals.

[0238] The description herein, illustrated with reference to the accompanying drawings, describes an example configuration and does not represent all achievable examples or those within the scope of the claims. The term "example" as used herein means "serving as an example, instance, or illustration," not "preferred" or "advantageous over other examples." The detailed description includes specific details used to provide an understanding of the described techniques. However, these techniques can be practiced without these specific details. In some instances, known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form to avoid obscuring the concept of the described examples.

[0239] The description herein is provided to enable those skilled in the art to implement or use this disclosure. Various modifications to this disclosure will be apparent to those skilled in the art, and the general principles defined herein may be applied to other variations without departing from the scope of this disclosure. Therefore, this disclosure is not limited to the examples and designs described herein, but should be granted the widest scope consistent with the principles and novel features disclosed herein.

Claims

1. An apparatus for wireless communication at a user equipment (UE), the apparatus comprising: One or more processors; and Instructions, which are stored in one or more memories and can be executed individually or jointly by the one or more processors, to cause the device to: Receive a control message indicating a switch from a first time slot format to a second time slot format, wherein the first time slot format includes one or more symbols for transmitting a reference signal and one or more symbols for transmitting data, and wherein the second time slot format includes at least one symbol for frequency division multiplexing of the reference signal and data; as well as The reference signal is conveyed via the at least one symbol based at least in part on the switching from the first time slot format to the second time slot format, wherein the reference signal is frequency-division multiplexed with the data according to the second time slot format.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the second time slot format includes at least one symbol for both data transmission and reference signal transmission, and includes at least one symbol for the data transmission.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the one or more processors are individually or jointly further operable to execute the instructions to cause the apparatus to: Receive downlink control information, the downlink control information activating at least one symbol for both data transmission and reference signal transmission, and at least one symbol for data transmission, wherein the second time slot format includes at least a first symbol associated with the UE for data transmission and a second symbol associated with the second UE for both data transmission and reference signal transmission.

4. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the one or more processors are individually or jointly further operable to execute the instructions to cause the apparatus to: A medium access control element is received, which activates at least one symbol for both data transmission and reference signal transmission, and at least one symbol for data transmission, based at least in part on a modulation and decoding scheme change of a time slot.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein, in order to transmit the reference signal, the one or more processors are capable of operating individually or jointly to execute the instructions to cause the apparatus to: The one or more reference signals are conveyed via a set of symbols for frequency division multiplexing of one or more reference signals and the data, wherein the second time slot format includes the set of symbols, and wherein the set of symbols includes the at least one symbol.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein, in order to transmit the one or more reference signals, the one or more processors are capable of operating individually or jointly to execute the instructions to cause the apparatus to: A first reference signal is transmitted via a first symbol to perform frequency division multiplexing of the first reference signal and the data for the UE, and a second reference signal is transmitted via a second symbol to perform frequency division multiplexing of the second reference signal and the data for the second UE, wherein the second time slot format includes the first symbol and the second symbol.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein, in order to transmit the reference signal, the one or more processors are capable of operating individually or jointly to execute the instructions to cause the apparatus to: Receive a first reference signal according to the first time slot format via a first symbol for transmitting the reference signal; and A second reference signal is received via the at least one symbol according to the second time slot format, wherein the second reference signal is frequency-division multiplexed with the data in the at least one symbol.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the one or more processors are individually or jointly further operable to execute the instructions to cause the apparatus to: Send a capability message instructing the UE to switch from the first time slot format to the second time slot format.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the one or more processors are individually or jointly further operable to execute the instructions to cause the apparatus to: The UE switches from the first time slot format to the second time slot format at least in part based on its ability to perform time-division multiplexing of the reference signal and the data, as well as frequency-division multiplexing of the reference signal and the data, wherein the second time slot format includes at least one symbol for both data transmission and reference signal transmission, and includes at least one symbol for data transmission.

10. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the one or more processors are individually or jointly further operable to execute the instructions to cause the apparatus to: The UE switches from the first time slot format to the second time slot format at least in part based on its ability to support time-division multiplexing of the reference signal and the data or frequency-division multiplexing of the reference signal and the data, wherein the second time slot format includes at least one symbol for both data transmission and reference signal transmission.

11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the data is associated with a shared channel, and wherein the reference signal is a demodulation reference signal or a channel state information reference signal.

12. An apparatus for wireless communication at a network entity, the apparatus comprising: One or more processors; and Instructions, which are stored in one or more memories and can be executed individually or jointly by the one or more processors, to cause the device to: Send a control message to the user equipment (UE) instructing it to switch from a first time slot format to a second time slot format, wherein the first time slot format includes one or more symbols for transmitting reference signals and one or more symbols for transmitting data, and wherein the second time slot format includes at least one symbol for frequency division multiplexing of the reference signals and data; as well as The reference signal is conveyed via the at least one symbol based at least in part on the control message instructing the UE to switch from the first time slot format to the second time slot format, wherein the reference signal is frequency-division multiplexed with the data according to the second time slot format.

13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the second time slot format includes at least one symbol for both data transmission and reference signal transmission, and includes at least one symbol for the data transmission.

14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the one or more processors are individually or jointly further operable to execute the instructions to cause the apparatus to: Downlink control information is transmitted, which activates at least one symbol for both data transmission and reference signal transmission, and at least one symbol for data transmission, wherein the second time slot format includes at least a first symbol associated with the UE for data transmission and a second symbol associated with the second UE for both data transmission and reference signal transmission.

15. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the one or more processors are individually or jointly further operable to execute the instructions to cause the apparatus to: A medium access control element is transmitted, which activates at least one symbol for both data transmission and reference signal transmission, and at least one symbol for data transmission, based at least in part on a modulation and decoding scheme change of a time slot.

16. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein, in order to transmit the reference signal, the one or more processors are capable of operating individually or jointly to execute the instructions to cause the apparatus to: The one or more reference signals are conveyed via a set of symbols for frequency division multiplexing of one or more reference signals and the data, wherein the second time slot format includes the set of symbols, and wherein the set of symbols includes the at least one symbol.

17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein, in order to convey the one or more reference signals, the one or more processors are capable of operating individually or jointly to execute the instructions to cause the apparatus to: A first reference signal is transmitted via a first symbol to perform frequency division multiplexing of the first reference signal and the data for the UE, and a second reference signal is transmitted via a second symbol to perform frequency division multiplexing of the second reference signal and the data for the second UE, wherein the second time slot format includes the first symbol and the second symbol.

18. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein, in order to transmit the reference signal, the one or more processors are capable of operating individually or jointly to execute the instructions to cause the apparatus to: A first reference signal is transmitted via a first symbol for transmission of the reference signal according to the first time slot format; and A second reference signal is transmitted via the at least one symbol according to the second time slot format, wherein the second reference signal is frequency-division multiplexed with the data in the at least one symbol.

19. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the one or more processors are individually or jointly further operable to execute the instructions to cause the apparatus to: Receive a capability message indicating the UE's ability to switch from the first time slot format to the second time slot format.

20. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the capability message indicates that the UE supports the capability of time-division multiplexing of the reference signal and the data and frequency-division multiplexing of the reference signal and the data, and wherein the second time slot format includes at least one symbol for both data transmission and reference signal transmission and includes at least one symbol for the data transmission.

21. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the capability message indicates that the UE supports the capability of time-division multiplexing of the reference signal and the data or frequency-division multiplexing of the reference signal and the data, and wherein the second time slot format includes at least one symbol for both data transmission and reference signal transmission.

22. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the data is associated with a shared channel, and wherein the reference signal is a demodulation reference signal or a channel state information reference signal.

23. A method for conducting wireless communication at a user equipment (UE), the method comprising: Receive a control message indicating a switch from a first time slot format to a second time slot format, wherein the first time slot format includes one or more symbols for transmitting a reference signal and one or more symbols for transmitting data, and wherein the second time slot format includes at least one symbol for frequency division multiplexing of the reference signal and data; as well as The reference signal is conveyed via the at least one symbol based at least in part on the switching from the first time slot format to the second time slot format, wherein the reference signal is frequency-division multiplexed with the data according to the second time slot format.

24. The method of claim 23, wherein the second time slot format includes at least one symbol for both data transmission and reference signal transmission, and includes at least one symbol for the data transmission.

25. The method of claim 24, further comprising: Receive downlink control information, the downlink control information activating at least one symbol for both data transmission and reference signal transmission, and at least one symbol for data transmission, wherein the second time slot format includes at least a first symbol associated with the UE for data transmission and a second symbol associated with the second UE for both data transmission and reference signal transmission.

26. The method of claim 24, further comprising: A medium access control element is received, which activates at least one symbol for both data transmission and reference signal transmission, and at least one symbol for data transmission, based at least in part on a modulation and decoding scheme change of a time slot.

27. A method for conducting wireless communication at a network entity, the method comprising: Send a control message to the user equipment (UE) instructing it to switch from a first time slot format to a second time slot format, wherein the first time slot format includes one or more symbols for transmitting reference signals and one or more symbols for transmitting data, and wherein the second time slot format includes at least one symbol for frequency division multiplexing of the reference signals and data; as well as The reference signal is conveyed via the at least one symbol based at least in part on the control message instructing the UE to switch from the first time slot format to the second time slot format, wherein the reference signal is frequency-division multiplexed with the data according to the second time slot format.

28. The method of claim 27, wherein the second time slot format includes at least one symbol for both data transmission and reference signal transmission, and includes at least one symbol for the data transmission.

29. The method of claim 28, further comprising: Downlink control information is transmitted, which activates at least one symbol for both data transmission and reference signal transmission, and at least one symbol for data transmission, wherein the second time slot format includes at least a first symbol associated with the UE for data transmission and a second symbol associated with the second UE for both data transmission and reference signal transmission.

30. The method of claim 28, further comprising: A medium access control element is transmitted, which activates at least one symbol for both data transmission and reference signal transmission, and at least one symbol for data transmission, based at least in part on a modulation and decoding scheme change of a time slot.

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