Method for transmitting SRS in wireless communication network and wireless communication device

Abstract

A method performed by a wireless communication device (121) of a wireless communication network (100) for transmitting an SRS is provided. The method comprises receiving (511) an SRS configuration, where the SRS configuration indicates information regarding a mapping between one or more SRS ports of the wireless communication device and two or more RAPGs of the wireless communication device. The method comprises transmitting (512) the SRS to the network node (111) according to a mapping between the indicated SRS port and the RAPG.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The embodiments presented herein relate to methods for transmitting probe reference signals from a wireless communication device and for receiving probe reference signals at a network node, as well as wireless communication devices, network nodes, computer programs, and computer program products. Background Technology

[0002] In a typical wireless communication network, wireless devices (also known as wireless communication devices, mobile stations, stations (STAs), and / or user equipment (UEs)) communicate with one or more core networks (CNs) via a local area network (such as a Wi-Fi network) or a radio access network (RAN). RAN coverage is divided into geographical areas of service or cell areas, which may also be referred to as beams or beam groups. Each service area or cell area is served by a radio access node (such as a Wi-Fi access point) or a radio base station (RBS) (in some networks, these may also be represented as, for example, a NodeB, eNodeB (eNB), or gNB, as shown in 5G). A service area or cell area is a geographical area covered by radio coverage provided by a radio access node. A radio access node communicates with wireless devices within its range via an air interface operating on radio frequency.

[0003] The specifications for the Evolved Packet System (EPS) (also known as fourth-generation (4G) networks) have been finalized within the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP), and this work will continue in upcoming 3GPP releases, such as specifying fifth-generation (5G) networks (also known as 5G New Radio (NR)). EPS comprises the Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access Network (E-UTRAN) (also known as Long Term Evolution (LTE) Radio Access Network) and the Evolved Packet Core (EPC) (also known as the System Architecture Evolution (SAE) core network). E-UTRAN / LTE is a variant of the 3GPP Radio Access Network where radio access nodes are directly connected to the EPC core network, rather than the RNC used in 3G networks. Generally, in E-UTRAN / LTE, the functionality of the 3G RNC is distributed between the radio access nodes (e.g., eNodeB in LTE) and the core network. Therefore, the RAN of EPS has a essentially "flat" architecture, consisting of radio access nodes that are directly connected to one or more core networks; that is, they are not connected to an RNC. To compensate for this, the E-UTRAN specification defines a direct interface between radio access nodes, which is referred to as the X2 interface.

[0004] Next, we will disclose some aspects of wireless communication systems in 3GPP.

[0005] Figure 1A simplified wireless communication system is shown. Consider... Figure 1 The simplified wireless communication system in which UE 12 communicates with one or more access nodes 103-104, which in turn are connected to network node 106. Access nodes 103-104 are part of radio access network 10.

[0006] For wireless communication systems conforming to 3GPP Evolved Packet System (EPS) (also known as Long Term Evolution, LTE, or 4G) standards (such as those specified in 3GPP TS 36.300 and related specifications), access nodes 103-104 typically correspond to evolved NodeBs (eNBs), and network node 106 typically corresponds to a Mobility Management Entity (MME) and / or Serving Gateway (SGW). The eNB is part of the radio access network 10, which in this case is E-UTRAN (Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access Network), while the MME and SGW are both part of the EPC (Evolved Packet Core Network). The eNBs are interconnected via X2 interfaces and connected to the EPC via S1 interfaces; more specifically, they are connected to the MME via S1-C and to the SGW via S1-U.

[0007] On the other hand, for wireless communication systems conforming to 3GPP 5G System (5GS) (also known as New Radio (NR) or 5G) standard specifications (such as those specified in 3GPP TS 38.300 and related specifications), access nodes 103-104 typically correspond to 5G NodeBs (gNBs), and network nodes 106 typically correspond to Access and Mobility Management Functions (AMF) and / or User Plane Functions (UPF). The gNB is part of the radio access network 10, in this case, the radio access network is NG-RAN (Next Generation Radio Access Network), while the AMF and UPF are both part of the 5G Core Network (5GC). The gNBs are interconnected via Xn interfaces and connected to the 5GC via NG interfaces; more specifically, they are connected to the AMF via NG-C and to the UPF via NG-U.

[0008] To support rapid mobility between NR and LTE and avoid core network changes, LTE eNBs can also be connected to 5G-CN via NG-U / NG-C and support the Xn interface. eNBs connected to 5GC are referred to as next-generation eNBs (ng-eNBs) and are considered part of the NG-RAN. LTE connected to 5GC is not discussed further in this document; however, it should be noted that most of the solutions / features described for LTE and NR in this document also apply to LTE connected to 5GC. In this document, when the term LTE is used unless otherwise specified, it refers to LTE-EPC.

[0009] Multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) is one of the key physical layer technologies in 5G. A gNB equipped with many (e.g., 64 or more) antennas provides large array gain and / or performs spatial multiplexing of many users on the same time-frequency resources. In particular, as the number of antennas increases, spectral efficiency can be improved, or equivalently, the power required to meet quality of service requirements can be reduced.

[0010] Note: In the following text, "device" may refer to a UE node, a CPE (for FWA) node, or a node with similar functionality.

[0011] Note: In the following text, the terms "Rx chain" and "Rx port" are used interchangeably. Additionally, the terms "Tx chain" and "Tx port" are used interchangeably.

[0012] Due to the success of MIMO, systems beyond 5G and 6G are expected to utilize larger arrays not only on the gNB side but also on the UE side. In fact, equipping the UE with more antenna elements allows it to receive more Physical Downlink Shared Channel (PDSCH) layers in the DL, providing additional beamforming gain (via spatial combining) and / or performing interference mitigation. To this end, support for receiving up to 8 PDSCH layers per UE was introduced in NR Rel-16.

[0013] Layer mapping distributes modulation symbols across one or more layers for transmission using multiple antennas. It aims to improve the spectral efficiency, reliability, and capacity of wireless communication systems by leveraging advanced antenna techniques such as MIMO and beamforming. The number of layers depends on the availability of physical antennas, UE capabilities, and channel conditions.

[0014] NR Rel-17 introduced an enhancement to the Sounding Reference Signal (SRS) antenna handover to support reciprocity-based deep coding (DL) precoding for UEs with 6Rx or 8Rx chains (and up to 4Tx chains). The SRS is a reference signal used for the uplink, enabling the gNB to perform channel quality estimation for the uplink. In TDD, the gNB can use the channel estimation results from the SRS for both UL scheduling and DL scheduling based on channel reciprocity in TDD.

[0015] In addition, although UEs typically have more Rx chains than Tx chains, NR Rel-18 introduces support for 8Tx UL transport for high-end UEs, such as advanced CPE devices used for FWA deployments.

[0016] As mentioned above, 6Rx and 8Rx UEs have been supported in previous 3GPP releases. However, due to complexity and cost, it may be difficult to use such a large number of Rx chains in real-world UEs (e.g., for handheld devices). Therefore, in order to actually implement 6Rx or 8Rx (or even higher numbers of Rx chains) UEs, it is necessary to reduce the associated complexity and cost.

[0017] Based on this motivation, in the initial discussion of topics of interest in Rel-19, it is recommended to support 6Rx and 8Rx UEs with lower complexity, where the Rx chain is divided into Receive Antenna Port Groups (RAPGs) (see, for example, 3GPP RP-231928). Figure 2 An example of this setup is shown, with Q groups of receive antenna ports and N Rx chains. Generally, it is possible to consider a different number of Rx chains for each RAPG. Here, the N-Rx receiver is divided into Q sub-receivers for independent MIMO detection. That is, each sub-receiver has dedicated and independent processing capabilities, and it corresponds to a finite number of Rx chains (i.e., groups of receive antenna ports). Figure 2 In this context, the number of Rx ports in each receive antenna port group is M = N / Q. Generally, it is advisable to consider having a different number of Rx chains for each receive antenna port group.

[0018] Next, we will disclose some aspects of SRS antenna switching.

[0019] As described above, for reciprocity-based DL precoding, SRS is used to obtain CSI in the UL. The network (NW) is expected to probe all UE antennas (where probing an antenna means SRS is transmitted from that antenna), but equipping a UE with many Tx chains is costly (a UE typically has more Rx chains than Tx chains). Therefore, for UEs equipped with more Rx chains than Tx chains, the NR supports SRS antenna switching. If the UE supports antenna switching, it will report this via UE capability signaling (e.g., see Table 1). Table 1. SRS antenna switching capabilities supported by the UE (copied from 3GPP TS 38.306).

[0020] The left column of Table 1 lists the UE capabilities for SRS antenna switching that can be reported by the UE in NR Rel-15. For example, if a UE reports t1r2, it means it has two antennas (it has two Rx chains), but can only transmit from one of these antennas at a time (it has one Tx chain). In this case, the network can configure 1T2R antenna switching using two single-port SRS resources in the SRS resource set with the aid of antennaSwitching. These two SRS resources must be configured in different OFDM symbols and separated at least by a guard period depending on the SCS (see Clause 6.2.1.2 of 3GPP TS 38.214 for more details) so that both antennas can be detected (with antenna switching in between).

[0021] Generally, xTyR SRS antenna switching can be configured for UEs with x Tx chains and y Rx chains. Figure 3 An example of xTyR SRS antenna switching for a UE architecture with x=y / 2 Tx chains and y Rx chains is shown.

[0022] In NR Rel-16, additional UE capabilities for SRS antenna switching were introduced, shown in the right column of Table 1. Here, the UE can indicate support for probing only a subset of Rx antennas, which saves UE power consumption and SRS overhead at the cost of reduced channel knowledge at the gNB. For example, UE capabilities t1r1-t1r2 indicate that the gNB can configure one single-port SRS resource per SRS resource set (without antenna switching) or two single-port SRS resources per SRS resource set using antennaSwitching (same as capability t1r2 above).

[0023] In NR Rel-17, antenna switching is extended to a maximum of 6 or 8 Rx ports, and 1, 2 or 4 Tx chains. The UE can indicate support for antenna switching configurations beyond 4Rx via the higher-layer parameter srs-AntennaSwitchingBeyond4RX-r17 (see 3GPP TS 38.306 for more details).

[0024] In NR Rel-18, support for up to 8 Tx at the UE was introduced, which added the ability to switch t8r8 antennas. Summary of the Invention

[0025] To achieve appropriate deep-layer reciprocity-based communication with low-complexity wireless communication devices (such as UEs) using Receive Antenna Port Groups (RAPGs), it is beneficial for the gNB to know which SRSs are associated with which RAPGs, as it is crucial that the network knows how to suppress inter-layer interference in deep-layer transmissions. Wireless communication devices may not be able to perform complete inter-layer interference suppression across RAPGs. Therefore, the network needs to suppress this interference by using appropriate DL precoders for proper nulling.

[0026] The goal of the embodiments described herein may be to eliminate some of the problems associated with DL reciprocity-based communication with low-complexity devices having multiple antennas.

[0027] The embodiments disclosed herein include methods for wireless communication devices to map SRS ports to RAPGs using either explicit methods indicated by the network or implicit methods predefined in the specification.

[0028] According to one aspect, this objective is achieved through a method for transmitting SRS. The method may include associating an SRS port with a Receive Antenna Port Group (RAPG). The method is performed by a wireless communication device (such as a UE) using the RAPG. The method includes:

[0029] Receive SRS configuration, wherein the SRS configuration indicates information regarding the mapping between one or more SRS ports of the wireless communication device and two or more RAPGs of the wireless communication device; and

[0030] The SRS is sent to the network node according to the mapping between the indicated SRS port and the RAPG.

[0031] According to another aspect, this objective is achieved by a wireless communication device configured to perform the method described in accordance with the above aspects.

[0032] According to another approach, this objective is achieved through a method performed by a network node for receiving SRS from a wireless communication device, the wireless communication device communicating with the network node using a set of receive antenna ports. The method includes:

[0033] Send an SRS configuration to the wireless communication device, wherein the SRS configuration indicates how the wireless communication device should map SRS ports to two or more RAPGs; and

[0034] SRS is received from the wireless communication device according to the mapping between the indicated SRS port and RAPG.

[0035] According to another aspect, this objective is achieved by a network node configured to perform the method described in accordance with the above aspects.

[0036] According to another aspect, this objective is achieved by a computer program comprising instructions that, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to perform the actions described in any of the foregoing aspects.

[0037] According to another aspect, the objective is achieved by a carrier comprising a computer program including the above aspects, wherein the carrier is one of an electronic signal, an optical signal, an electromagnetic signal, a magnetic signal, an electrical signal, a radio signal, a microwave signal, or a computer-readable storage medium.

[0038] The embodiments described herein enable the network to determine a DL precoder so that the network can correctly handle inter-layer interference for devices with multiple RAPGs. Since a UE cannot easily perform inter-layer interference between layers received at different RAPGs, the network should preferably design the precoder for the layer targeted at the first RAPG so that interference from these layers received at the second RAPG is minimized, similar to what is done for MU-MIMO. Different RAPGs can be considered as different UEs. For the network to know which antenna ports belong to which RAPG, the UE needs to know which SRS ports belong to which RAPG.

[0039] In some embodiments, the method performed by the wireless communication device further includes:

[0040] This indicates that the wireless communication device has multiple RAPGs and / or the ability to use low-complexity receivers.

[0041] In some embodiments, the method performed by the network node further includes:

[0042] The receiver indicates that the wireless communication device has multiple RAPGs and / or the ability to use a low-complexity receiver.

[0043] In some embodiments, the SRS configuration includes an implicit mapping between the SRS port and the RAPG.

[0044] In some embodiments, the implicit mapping is based on predefined rules (i.e., specified rules).

[0045] In some embodiments, the rule is based on one or more of the following:

[0046] a. SRS Resource Set ID

[0047] b. SRS Resource ID

[0048] c. SRS port index.

[0049] In some embodiments, the first group of SRS ports in the SRS resource belongs to the first RAPG, and the second group of SRS ports in the same SRS resource belongs to the second RAPG.

[0050] In some embodiments, the first group of SRS ports includes the same number of SRS ports as the second group of SRS ports.

[0051] In some embodiments, the first group of SRS ports in the SRS resource are the SRS ports in the SRS resource that have the lowest SRS port index.

[0052] In some embodiments, a first number of SRS resources or SRS resource sets belong to a first RAPG, and a second number of SRS resources or SRS resource sets belong to a second RAPG.

[0053] In some embodiments, the first number of SRS resources / SRS resource sets contains the same number of SRS ports as the second number of SRS resources / SRS resource sets.

[0054] In some embodiments, the first half of the SRS ports are mapped to a first RAPG, and the second half of the SRS ports are mapped to a second RAPG.

[0055] In some embodiments, the SRS port is mapped to the RAPG based on the order of the SRS resource ID relative to other SRS resource IDs associated with the corresponding SRS resource.

[0056] In some embodiments, the SRS ports mapped to the first half of the first RAPG include an even number of SRS ports, and wherein the SRS ports mapped to the second half of the second RAPG include an odd number of SRS ports.

[0057] In some embodiments, the first half of the SRS ports and the second half of the SRS ports are determined based on the order of the SRS ports, wherein the first half of the SRS ports includes the first half of the SRS ports according to the order of the SRS ports, and the second half of the SRS ports includes the second half of the SRS ports according to the order of the SRS ports.

[0058] In some embodiments, the SRS ports are ordered according to the following operations:

[0059] a. First, when using multiple SRS resource sets, consider the lowest SRS resource set ID.

[0060] b. Then, in the case where multiple SRS resources are used in each SRS resource set, consider the lowest SRS resource ID for each SRS resource set, and

[0061] c. Then, if multiple SRS ports are used for each SRS resource, consider the lowest SRS port index within each SRS resource.

[0062] In some embodiments, a first bundle of SRS resources is mapped to a first RAPG, and a second bundle of SRS resources is mapped to a second RAPG.

[0063] In some embodiments, the SRS ports are ordered according to the SRS transmission timing.

[0064] In some embodiments, there exists: a) a sequential mapping between SRS transmission timing and RAPG, or b) a cyclic mapping between SRS transmission timing and RAPG.

[0065] Generally, unless otherwise explicitly defined herein, all terms used in the claims shall be interpreted in accordance with their ordinary meaning in the art. Unless otherwise explicitly stated, all references to “a / an / the element, device, component, part, module, step, etc.” shall be publicly interpreted as referring to at least one instance of that element, device, component, part, module, step, etc. Unless explicitly stated otherwise, the steps of any method disclosed herein need not be performed in the exact order disclosed.

[0066] When the word “includes” or “contains” is used, it should be interpreted as non-restrictive, that is, meaning “at least includes”.

[0067] The embodiments described herein are not limited to the preferred embodiments described above. Various alternatives, modifications, and equivalents may be used. Attached Figure Description

[0068] The inventive concept will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0069] Figure 1 A simplified wireless communication system is shown;

[0070] Figure 2 An example of this setup is shown for a case with Q groups of receive antenna ports and N Rx chains;

[0071] Figure 3 An example of xTyR SRS antenna switching for a UE architecture with x=y / 2 Tx chains and y Rx chains is shown;

[0072] Figure 4 This is a schematic overview of a wireless communication network 100 in which embodiments of this document may be implemented;

[0073] Figure 5a It combines signaling diagrams and flowcharts and illustrates example methods for sending SRS and communication based on DL reciprocity according to SRS;

[0074] Figure 5b An example method executed by the UE is shown;

[0075] Figure 5c An example method executed by a network node is shown;

[0076] Figure 6a A device with two RAPGs and each RAPG having three Rx chains is shown;

[0077] Figure 6b A device with two RAPGs and four RX chains in each RAPG is shown;

[0078] Figure 6c A device with two Tx chains and six Rx chains divided into two RAPGs is shown;

[0079] Figure 6d A device with 3 Tx chains and 6 Rx chains divided into two RAPGs is shown;

[0080] Figure 7 An example of a wireless communication device is shown;

[0081] Figure 8 An example of a network node is shown;

[0082] Figure 9 A communication system according to an embodiment is shown;

[0083] Figure 10 An example implementation of a UE, a base station, and a host computer according to an embodiment is shown;

[0084] Figure 11 This is a flowchart illustrating a method implemented in a communication system according to one embodiment;

[0085] Figure 12 This is a flowchart illustrating a method implemented in a communication system according to one embodiment;

[0086] Figure 13 This is a flowchart illustrating a method implemented in a communication system according to one embodiment; and

[0087] Figure 14 This is a flowchart illustrating a method implemented in a communication system according to one embodiment. Detailed Implementation

[0088] Examples of network nodes are NodeB, base station (BS), multi-standard radio (MSR) radio nodes (such as MSR BS), eNodeB, gNodeB, MeNB, SeNB, location measurement unit (LMU), integrated access backhaul (IAB) node, network controller, radio network controller (RNC), base station controller (BSC), repeater, donor node controlling repeater, base transceiver station (BTS), central unit (e.g., in gNB), distributed unit (e.g., in gNB), baseband unit, centralized baseband, C-RAN, access point (AP), transmission point, transmission node, transmit receiver point (TRP), RRU, RRH, nodes in distributed antenna system (DAS), core network nodes (e.g., MSC, MME, etc.), O&M, OSS, SON, location node (e.g., E-SMLC), etc.

[0089] The non-restrictive term "UE" refers to any type of wireless device that communicates with network nodes and / or with another UE in a cellular or mobile communication system. Examples of UEs include target devices, device-to-device (D2D) UEs, vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) UEs, machine-type UEs (MTC UEs) or UEs capable of machine-to-machine (M2M) communication, PDAs, tablet computers, mobile terminals, smartphones, devices with embedded laptops (LEEs), devices with installed laptops (LMEs), USB dongles, etc.

[0090] The term "wireless access technology" or "RAT" can refer to any RAT, such as UTRA, E-UTRA, Narrowband Internet of Things (NB-IoT), WiFi, Bluetooth, Next Generation RAT, New Radio (NR), 4G, 5G, 6G, etc. Any device represented by the terms node, network node, or radio network node is capable of supporting one or more RATs.

[0091] The term "signal" or "radio signal" as used herein can refer to any physical signal or physical channel. Examples of DL physical signals are reference signals (RS), such as PSS, SSS, CSI-RS, DMRS signals in SS / PBCH blocks (SSBs), discovery reference signals (DRS), CRS, PRS, etc. RS can be periodic; for example, RS timings carrying one or more RS can occur at regular intervals, such as 20ms, 40ms, etc. RS can also be aperiodic. Each SSB carries NR-PSS, NR-SSS, and NR-PBCH in four consecutive symbols. One or more SSBs are transmitted in an SSB burst that repeats at regular intervals, such as 5ms, 10ms, 20ms, 40ms, 80ms, and 160ms. The UE is configured with information about SSBs on a specific carrier frequency cell via one or more SS / PBCH block measurement timing configurations (SMTC). SMTC configuration includes parameters such as the SMTC period, the SMTC timing length (expressed as time or duration), and the SMTC time offset relative to a reference time (e.g., the SFN of the serving cell). Therefore, SMTC timings can also occur at fixed periods, such as 5ms, 10ms, 20ms, 40ms, 80ms, and 160ms. Examples of UL physical signals are reference signals such as SRS, DMRS, etc. The term "physical channel" refers to any channel carrying higher-layer information (e.g., data, control, etc.). Examples of physical channels are PBCH, NPBCH, PDCCH, PDSCH, sPUCCH, sPDSCH, sPUCCH, sPUSCH, MPDCCH, NPDCCH, NPDSCH, E-PDCCH, PUSCH, PUCCH, NPUSCH, etc.

[0092] The term "time resource" as used in this document can refer to any type of physical or radio resource expressed in terms of time length. Examples of time resources include: symbols, time slots, subframes, radio frames, TTI, interleaved time, time slots, sub-time slots, mini-time slots, etc.

[0093] The embodiments described herein generally relate to wireless communication networks. Figure 4This is a schematic overview illustrating a wireless communication network 100 in which embodiments of the herein may be implemented. The wireless communication network 100 includes one or more RANs and one or more CNs. The wireless communication network 100 may use a variety of different technologies, such as Wi-Fi, Long Term Evolution (LTE), LTE-Advanced, 5G, New Radio (NR), Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA), Global System for Mobile Communications / Enhanced Data Rate GSM Evolution (GSM / EDGE), Global Microwave Interconnection Access (WiMax), or Ultra Mobile Broadband (UMB), to name just a few possible implementations. The embodiments described herein relate to recent technology trends of particular interest in the context of 5G and 6G and beyond; however, the embodiments are also applicable to the further development of existing wireless communication systems, such as WCDMA and LTE.

[0094] Network nodes operate within wireless communication network 100. A network node may be, for example, an access node such as a first radio access node 111. The first radio access node 111 provides radio coverage over a geographical area, which is a service area referred to as cell 115, and may also be referred to as a beam or beam group of a first radio access technology (RAT) (such as 5G, LTE, Wi-Fi, or similar technologies). Other cells may also exist, such as a second cell 116.

[0095] The first radio access node 111 may be an NR-RAN node, a transmission and reception point (e.g., a base station), a radio access node (e.g., a wireless local area network (WLAN) access point or access point station (AP STA)), an access controller, a base station (e.g., a radio base station, such as a NodeB, evolved NodeB (eNB, eNode B), gNB, base transceiver station, radio remote unit, access point base station, base station router, transmission device of a radio base station), a stand-alone access point, or any other network element capable of communicating with wireless devices within the service area, depending on, for example, the radio access technology and terminology used. The first radio access node 111 may be referred to as the serving radio access node and communicates with the UE via downlink (DL) transmissions to the UE and uplink (UL) transmissions from the UE.

[0096] Multiple wireless communication devices operate in the wireless communication network 100, such as wireless communication device 121. Wireless communication device 121 may be a UE. Wireless communication device 121 may also be a mobile station, a non-access point (non-AP) STA, STA, user equipment, and / or a wireless terminal that communicates via one or more access networks (ANs) (e.g., RANs), such as via a first radio access node 111, with one or more core networks (CNs) including, for example, a CN node 130 (e.g., including access management functions (AMF)). Those skilled in the art will understand that "UE" is a non-limiting term that refers to any terminal, wireless communication terminal, user equipment, machine-type communication (MTC) device, device-to-device (D2D) terminal or node, such as a smartphone, laptop computer, mobile phone, sensor, repeater, mobile tablet computer, or even a small base station communicating within a cell.

[0097] In the first aspect, the method described herein can be performed by a wireless communication device 121; in the second aspect, it can be performed by a network node (such as a first radio access node 111). Alternatively, distributed nodes (DNs) and functions (e.g., included in a cloud 140, such as...) Figure 4 (As shown) can be used to execute or partially execute these methods.

[0098] As mentioned above, network performance can be improved by increasing the number of antennas at the gNB and / or equipment. While the number of gNB antennas may increase rapidly, increasing the number of antennas on equipment can be challenging due to cost and complexity. Therefore, as discussed above, it is beneficial to develop low-complexity receivers for equipment with a large number of receive antennas using the concept of receive antenna port groups.

[0099] The embodiments described herein will now be described in more detail. The embodiments described herein will be for the case of having two Receive Antenna Port Groups (RAPGs). However, the method can be extended to cases with more than two RAPGs.

[0100] The following describes a method for associating Rx ports detected via an antenna switching process with RAPGs. The network requires this association to perform DL precoding and rank adaptation for low-complexity 8Rx devices. For example, the association can be implicit and known to both the network and the device according to a predefined set of rules, or it can be explicitly configured to the device by the network. The following is based on the premise that the device has been indicated in previous steps (see (optional) actions 510, 520) to have multiple RAPGs and / or has been indicated to have the capability for low-complexity receivers.

[0101] Figure 5aThis is a combination of signaling diagrams and flowcharts, illustrating an example method for transmitting SRS and communication based on DL reciprocity according to SRS. Signaling occurs between wireless communication devices such as UE 121 and network nodes such as the first radio access node 111.

[0102] These actions can be performed in any suitable order, such as in an order different from that given below.

[0103] Action 500 (optional)

[0104] In optional action 500, the UE (such as wireless communication device 121) sends a capability report to a network node (such as first radio access node 111), indicating that the UE has multiple RAPGs and / or the capability for low-complexity receivers.

[0105] Action 501

[0106] A network node (such as the first radio access node 111) can send an SRS configuration to the wireless communication device 121. The SRS configuration instructs the wireless communication device 121 how to map the SRS port to two or more RAPGs.

[0107] Typically, the UE determines this mapping, but with specific constraints indicated by the network or specifications. For example, a specification might indicate that the first four SRS ports should be transmitted from the first RAPG, and the last four SRS ports should be transmitted from the second RAPG. However, which RAPG is the "first RAPG" depends on the UE's implementation. That is, the specification only indicates how the SRS ports should be grouped relative to the RAPG.

[0108] Therefore, wireless communication device 121 receives SRS configuration, wherein the SRS configuration instructs wireless communication device 122 how to map SRS ports to two or more RAPGs.

[0109] In other words, the SRS configuration indicates the mapping between one or more SRS ports (such as multiple SRS ports) of the wireless communication device and two or more RAPGs of the wireless communication device (i.e., how the wireless communication device should map). In some embodiments disclosed herein, this mapping maps an SRS port among multiple SRS ports to a corresponding RAPG among multiple RAPGs.

[0110] Action 502

[0111] Wireless communication device 121 sends SRS to network node 111 according to the mapping between the indicated SRS port and RAPG.

[0112] Action 503:

[0113] Based on the received SRS, the network determines the DL precoder for the layer targeted at the first RAPG, so that the interference of these layers received at the second RAPG is as small as possible, similar to what is done for MU-MIMO.

[0114] Action 504:

[0115] Based on the determined precoder, network node 111 sends DL communication to UE 121.

[0116] Figure 5b An example method executed by UE 121 is shown.

[0117] These methods include one or more of the following actions, which can be performed in any suitable order.

[0118] UE 121 is configured to communicate with network node 111.

[0119] In (optional) action 510, wireless communication device 121 indicates that wireless communication device 121 has multiple RAPGs and / or the ability to use a low-complexity receiver.

[0120] In action 511, the wireless communication device 121 receives an SRS configuration, wherein the SRS configuration instructs the wireless communication device how to map an SRS port to two or more RAPGs. In other words, the SRS configuration instructs the wireless communication device how to map one or more SRS ports (such as multiple SRS ports) to two or more RAPGs.

[0121] In action 512, wireless communication device 121 sends SRS to network node 111 according to the mapping between the indicated SRS port and RAPG.

[0122] Figure 5c An example method executed by network node 111 is shown.

[0123] These methods include one or more of the following actions, which can be performed in any suitable order.

[0124] In (optional) action 520, network node 111 receives an indication that wireless communication device 121 has multiple RAPGs and / or the ability to use a low-complexity receiver.

[0125] In action 521, network node 111 sends an SRS configuration to the wireless communication device. The SRS configuration instructs the wireless communication device how to map SRS ports to two or more RAPGs.

[0126] In action 522, network node 111 receives SRS from wireless communication device 121.

[0127] The following will disclose other aspects of the different SRS ports of each SRS resource associated with different RAPGs.

[0128] refer to Figure 6a Some embodiments for a device with two RAPGs are described, each RAPG having three Rx chains and one TX chain per RAPG, which can be switched to the probe Rx antenna associated with the same RAPG (i.e., no antenna switching across RAPGs).

[0129] In some embodiments, the device maps the first half of the SRS ports of one or more SRS resources to a first RAPG and the second half of the SRS ports of each SRS resource to a second RAPG (assuming the device has two RAPGs). This convention is reasonable if each RAPG is associated with a different Tx chain, as this minimizes SRS overhead because Tx chains associated with different RAPGs can be probed in the same OFDM symbol (note that multiple SRS resources in the same OFDM symbol are not supported for antenna switching).

[0130] for Figure 6a In the example, the 6Rx device is configured with three dual-port SRS resources (i.e., 2T6R antenna switching), which can map the first SRS port of each SRS resource to the first RAPG, and the device can map the last SRS port of each SRS resource to the second RAPG.

[0131] In some embodiments, the first and second halves of the SRS ports for each SRS resource are SRS ports with the lowest and highest SRS port numbers, respectively:

[0132] For dual-port SRS resources, SRS ports 1000 and 1001 are associated with the first and second RAPGs, respectively.

[0133] For a four-port SRS resource, SRS ports {1000, 1001} and {1002, 1003} are associated with the first and second RAPGs, respectively.

[0134] In some embodiments, for a four-port SRS resource, the first half of the SRS ports and the second half of the SRS ports for each SRS resource are SRS port numbers {1000, 1002} and {1001, 1003}, respectively.

[0135] In NR Rel-18, for those with N g =2 groups of 4 coherent antenna ports for an 8Tx UE and Ng The 8Tx UE with 4 groups of 2 coherent antenna ports introduces partial phase interference coding (but cross-group coherence is not guaranteed). Such a UE supports 8Rx detection (i.e., 8T8R antenna switching) within a single 8-port SRS resource. Within this 8-port SRS resource:

[0136] For N g In the case of 2, the SRS ports numbered {1000, 1001, 1004, 1005} are assumed to be coherent, and the SRS ports numbered {1002, 1003, 1006, 1007} ​​are assumed to be coherent.

[0137] For N g In the case of 4, SRS ports numbered {1000, 1004} are assumed to be coherent, SRS ports numbered {1001, 1005} are assumed to be coherent, SRS ports numbered {1002, 1006} are assumed to be coherent, and SRS ports numbered {1003, 1007} ​​are assumed to be coherent.

[0138] In some embodiments, since a UE with 8Tx and 8Rx (where 8Rx is partitioned across multiple RAPGs) may not be coherently precoded on antenna ports associated with different RAPGs, a set of SRS ports (on one or more SRS resource sets) is numbered as follows:

[0139] In the case of two RAPGs, the first set of SRS ports associated with the first RAPG is {1000, 1001, 1004, 1005}, and the second set of SRS ports associated with the second RAPG is {1002, 1003, 1006, 1007}.

[0140] For the case of 4 RAPGs, the first group of SRS ports associated with the first RAPG is {1000, 1004}, the second group of SRS ports associated with the second RAPG is {1001, 1005}, the third group of SRS ports associated with the third RAPG is {1002, 1006}, and the fourth group of SRS ports associated with the fourth RAPG is {1003, 1007}.

[0141] The following will disclose other aspects of the different SRS resources / resource sets associated with different RAPGs.

[0142] In the above embodiments, different SRS ports of the same SRS resource are mapped to different RAPGs. This convention is reasonable if the number of Tx chains equals the number of Rx chains (e.g., for 8T8R antenna switching). It is also reasonable if each RAPG is associated with a different set of Tx chains. For example, a device with 8 Rx, 2 RAPGs, and 2 Tx chains per RAPG can use 2T8R antenna switching to probe all 8 Rx ports in 4 SRS transmissions. A drawback of this approach is that in the event of SRS drops (e.g., if the SRS transmission timing conflicts with other UL transmissions with higher priority), the network will have partial CSI for all RAPGs (instead of full CSI for at least one RAPG). Furthermore, it is unclear how asymmetric UE architectures can be supported.

[0143] Therefore, in other embodiments, for antenna switching of more than one SRS resource set and / or multiple SRS resources in an SRS resource set, all SRS ports of the same SRS resource are mapped to the same RAPG, and different SRS resources / SRS resource sets are mapped to different RAPGs.

[0144] refer to Figure 6b Some embodiments for a device with two RAPGs, each RAPG having four RXs, are described, wherein the two TX chains can be switched across the two RAPGs using a 2T8R antenna switch. Therefore, the same TX chain can be switched across all RAPGs.

[0145] In some embodiments, a first portion of an SRS port may be mapped to a first RAPG, and a second portion of an SRS port may be mapped to a second RAPG. The first and second portions of the SRS port may be determined based on the order of the SRS ports, such that the first portion of the SRS port includes, for example, the first half of the SRS ports according to their order, and the second portion of the SRS port includes the second half of the SRS ports according to their order. In some embodiments, the SRS port order is based on the following rule:

[0146] 1. First, consider the lowest SRS resource set ID (if multiple SRS resource sets are used).

[0147] 2. Then, consider the lowest SRS resource ID for each SRS resource set (if each SRS resource set uses multiple SRS resources).

[0148] 3. Then, consider the lowest SRS port index within each SRS resource (if each SRS resource uses multiple SRS ports).

[0149] Note that in the following text, when different SRS ports on multiple SRS resources / SRS resource sets are located in the first and second halves of the SRS ports, the term "bundle" (not "set") of SRS resources associated with RAPG can be used. This is because SRS resource set is a term that already existed in the older specification, and because the SRS resources associated with RAPG do not overlap with the SRS resources associated with SRS resource sets.

[0150] In some embodiments, a first SRS resource bundle is mapped to a first RAPG, a second SRS resource bundle is mapped to a second RAPG, and so on.

[0151] ("Based on SRS Resource ID") In some embodiments, for xTyR antenna switching and two RAPGs, the first SRS resource bundle is the y / (2x) SRS resource with the lowest SRS resource ID, and the second SRS resource bundle is the y / (2x) SRS resource with the lowest SRS resource ID.

[0152] ("Based on SRS transmission timing-sequence mapping") In some embodiments, for xTyR antenna switching and two RAPGs, the first and second SRS resource bundles are the first and last y / (2x) SRS resources transmitted, respectively.

[0153] For example, if all SRS resources are sent in the same time slot, the first and second SRS resource bundles are the first and last SRS resources sent in that time slot, respectively (with the highest and lowest values ​​of the RRC parameter "startPosition" configured in SRS-Config IE).

[0154] For example, if different SRS resources are sent in different time slots, then the first and second SRS resource bundles are SRS resources sent in the time slots with the lowest and highest time slot indices, respectively.

[0155] ("Based on SRS Transmission Timing-Cyclic Mapping") In some embodiments, for xTyR antenna switching and two RAPGs, the first SRS resource bundle is the y / (2x) SRS resource transmitted in the first and third SRS transmission timings, and the second SRS resource bundle is the y / (2x) SRS resource transmitted in the second and fourth SRS transmission timings. The SRS transmission timings can be in the same time slot or in different time slots (e.g., for aperiodic SRS, in the same SRS resource set or different SRS resource sets).

[0156] Some examples (where the first and last SRS resources can be based on the above):

[0157] For example, for 1T6R antenna switching, the first three SRS resources are associated with the first RAPG, and the last three SRS resources are associated with the second RAPG.

[0158] For example, for 2T8R antenna switching, the first two SRS resources are associated with the first RAPG, and the last two SRS resources are associated with the second RAPG.

[0159] For example, for 4T8R antenna switching, the first SRS resource is associated with the first RAPG, and the last SRS resource is associated with the second RAPG.

[0160] In some embodiments, if SRS resources are distributed across multiple SRS resource sets, then all SRS resources in a first SRS resource set are associated with a first RAPG, all SRS resources in a second SRS resource set are associated with a second RAPG, and so on.

[0161] ("Based on SRS Resource Set ID") In some embodiments, the SRS resource set with the lowest SRS resource set ID is associated with the first RAPG, SRS resources belonging to the SRS resource set with the second lowest SRS resource set ID are associated with the second RAPG, and so on. Therefore, associations can be performed based on the order of SRS resource set IDs.

[0162] ("Based on SRS transmission timing-sequence mapping") In some embodiments, the first and second SRS resource sets are SRS resource sets transmitted in the first and last time slots, respectively.

[0163] ("Based on SRS transmission timing-cyclic mapping") In some embodiments, the first SRS resource set is the SRS resource set transmitted in the first and third time slots, and the second SRS resource set is the SRS resource set transmitted in the second and fourth time slots.

[0164] In some embodiments, if an SRS resource set contains multiple SRS resources, then any of the above SRS port numbering rules apply to each SRS resource set.

[0165] For example, if both the first and second SRS resource sets contain a pair of SRS resources, then in some embodiments, SRS port {1000, 1001} belongs to the first SRS resource in the first SRS resource set, SRS port {1002, 1003} belongs to the second SRS resource in the first SRS resource set, and SRS port {1004, 1005} belongs to the first SRS resource in the second SRS resource set, and SRS port {1006, 1007} ​​belongs to the second SRS resource in the second SRS resource set.

[0166] For example, if the first and second SRS resource sets contain a pair of SRS resources, then in some embodiments, SRS port {1000, 1004} belongs to the first SRS resource in the first SRS resource set, SRS port {1001, 1005} belongs to the second SRS resource in the first SRS resource set, and SRS port {1002, 1006} belongs to the first SRS resource in the second SRS resource set, and SRS port {1003, 1007} ​​belongs to the second SRS resource in the second SRS resource set.

[0167] Now refer to Figure 6c Some embodiments are described in which the device has a total of 2 Tx chains and 6 Rx chains, which are divided into two RAPGs. The first RAPG has 4 Rx chains and 1 Tx chain, while the second RAPG has 2 Rx chains and 1 Tx chain. Therefore, in Figure 6c In this context, each RAPG has its own corresponding Tx chain. To support such devices, the first and second SRS resource bundles should not contain the same number of SRS ports. For example, if targeting... Figure 6c If the device is configured with 1T6R antenna switching, then the first four SRS resources belong to the first RAPG, and the last two SRS resources belong to the second RAPG. The first and last SRS resources can be determined according to the above rules (e.g., based on SRS resource ID or SRS transmission timing).

[0168] The following sections will disclose further aspects of the implicit / explicit mapping of SRS ports / SRS resources / SRS resource sets to RAPG.

[0169] In some embodiments, there is an implicit mapping between SRS transmissions and RAPG based on whether the transmitted SRS resources overlap in time.

[0170] In some embodiments, if the network configures two SRS resources such that they overlap in time, the device maps each of the overlapping SRS resources to a separate RAPG. In a related embodiment, if the network configures two SRS resources such that they overlap in time, the SRS resource with the lowest SRS resource ID belongs to the first RAPG, and the SRS resource with the highest SRS resource ID belongs to the second RAPG. Therefore, the wireless communication device 121 can map a corresponding SRS resource to a RAPG based on the SRS resource ID, and more specifically, based on the order of the SRS resource ID relative to other SRS resource IDs associated with the corresponding SRS resource to be mapped to the RAPG. Therefore, in some embodiments, SRS ports are mapped to RAPGs based on the order of the SRS resource ID relative to other SRS resource IDs associated with the corresponding SRS resource. Alternatively, for example, SRS ports with even-numbered port numbers in the SRS resources may belong to the first RAPG, while SRS ports with odd-numbered port numbers in the SRS resources may belong to the second RAPG. Therefore, in some embodiments, the first half of the SRS ports mapped to the first RAPG includes an even number of SRS ports, and the second half of the SRS ports mapped to the second RAPG includes an odd number of SRS ports.

[0171] In some embodiments, considering explicit mapping, RRC configuration is used to associate an SRS resource set (or an SRS resource within an SRS resource set) with a RAPG.

[0172] In some embodiments, the bit field is configured by RRC according to the SRS resource set or SRS resource to indicate which SRS ports (belonging to one or more SRS resources in the SRS resource set) belong to which RAPG (all SRS ports belonging to the indicated SRS resource set and / or SRS resource should be mapped to the associated RAPG). In related embodiments, the bit field indicates a new RAPG index. An SRS resource configured with a specific RAPG index can be transmitted from the antenna port associated with that RAPG.

[0173] In some embodiments, a single bit indicator is configured by RRC according to an SRS resource set or SRS resource to indicate which SRS ports (belonging to an SRS resource or one or more SRS resources in an SRS resource set) belong to which RAPG (assuming the device has two RAPGs).

[0174] One benefit of explicitly configuring the association between SRS ports (belonging to one or more SRS resources in one or more SRS resource sets) is that it supports device architectures where the number of Rx ports or Tx ports per RAPG may vary from RAPG to RAPG.

[0175] Figure 6d An example of an asymmetric device architecture is shown, in which the UE has a total of 3 Tx chains and 6 Rx chains, which are divided into two RAPGs. The first RAPG has 4 Rx chains and 2 Tx chains, while the second RAPG has 2 Rx chains and 1 Tx chain.

[0176] To support asymmetric device architectures (e.g., ... Figure 6d As shown), in some embodiments, each RAPG is associated with a separate antenna switching configuration. For example, in Figure 6d In this configuration, a 2T4R antenna switching is set for the first RAPG, and a 1T2R antenna switching is set for the second RAPG.

[0177] In some embodiments, SRS resources and / or sets of SRS resources associated with different RAPGs can be sent simultaneously.

[0178] In some embodiments, simultaneously transmitting different SRS resources and / or sets of SRS resources associated with different RAPGs is an optional UE capability.

[0179] The following sections will disclose other aspects of the dynamic / semi-persistent signaling transmission associated with the SRS port and RAPG.

[0180] In some other embodiments, when the configured SRS resources and / or SRS resource sets are configured for the purpose of non-periodic SRS triggering, the DCI that triggers the SRS can indicate which SRS ports belong to which RAPG. For example, the code point in a field of the DCI can indicate the SRS triggering state, which contains information about which SRS ports belong to which RAPG. In one example, when the code point in a field of the DCI indicates the SRS triggering state of triggering an SRS resource set, all SRS ports belonging to the triggered SRS resource set can be mapped to the associated RAPG. In another example, when the code point in a field of the DCI indicates the SRS triggering state of triggering an SRS resource set,

[0181] The first group of SRS ports in the first SRS resource of the triggered SRS resource set can be mapped to the first associated RAPG; and

[0182] The second group of SRS ports in the second SRS resource in the triggered SRS resource set can be mapped to the second associated RAPG.

[0183] In other embodiments, when the configured SRS resources and / or SRS resource sets are configured for the purpose of semi-persistent SRS activation, the MAC CE for activating / deactivating the SRS can indicate which SRS ports belong to which RAPG. For example, fields in the MAC CE can contain information about which SRS ports belong to which RAPG. In one example, when the MAC CE activates an SRS resource set, all SRS ports belonging to the activated SRS resource set can be mapped to the associated RAPG. In another example, when the MAC CE activates an SRS resource set,

[0184] The first group of SRS ports in the first SRS resource of the activated SRS resource set can be mapped to the first associated RAPG; and

[0185] The second group of SRS ports in the second SRS resource of the activated SRS resource set can be mapped to the second associated RAPG.

[0186] In the above embodiments, the SRS port and the associated RAPG can be indicated in any of the following non-limiting ways:

[0187] A predefined set of SRS ports and associated RAPGs can be predefined in specifications (such as 3GPP specifications), and an index to one of the predefined SRS port-to-RAPG associations can be configured for an SRS resource set / SRS resource, or triggered together with an SRS resource set / SSR resource, or activated together with an SRS resource set / SRP resource.

[0188] A limited set of SRS port-to-RAPG associations can be configured by higher layers (e.g., by RRC), and an index to one of the predefined SRS port-to-RAPG associations can be configured for an SRS resource set / SRS resource, or triggered together with an SRS resource set / SSR resource, or activated together with an SRS resource set / SRP resource.

[0189] Thus, the proposed scheme enables DL reciprocity-based communication between RAPG and low-complexity devices, where the network can determine the DL precoder so that inter-layer interference can be properly handled.

[0190] Figure 7 An example of a wireless communication device 121 is shown. Figure 8 An example of network node 111 is shown.

[0191] Wireless communication device 121 and network node 111 may include corresponding input and output interfaces (IFs) 706, 806 configured to communicate with each other, see [link to relevant documentation]. Figure 7-8 The input and output interfaces may include a wireless receiver (not shown) and a wireless transmitter (not shown).

[0192] The embodiments described herein can be implemented using corresponding processors or one or more processors (such as corresponding processors 704 and 804) in the processing circuitry of the wireless communication device 121 and network node 111, which processors in Figure 7-8 The computer program code used to perform the functions and actions of the embodiments described herein is described together with the code. This program code may also be provided as a computer program product, for example, in the form of a data carrier carrying the computer program code, which, when loaded into the respective wireless communication device 121 and network node 111, is used to perform the embodiments described herein. One such carrier may be in the form of a CD-ROM. However, other data carriers are also feasible, such as a memory stick. The computer program code may also be provided as plain program code residing on a server and downloaded to the respective wireless communication device 121 and network node 111.

[0193] The wireless communication device 121 and network node 111 may also include corresponding memories 702 and 802, which include one or more storage units. The memories include instructions executable by the processors in the wireless communication device 121 and network node 111.

[0194] Each of the respective memories 702 and 802 is arranged to store, for example, information, data, configurations, and applications, which, when executed in the respective wireless communication device 121 and network node 111, perform the methods described herein.

[0195] In some embodiments, the corresponding computer programs 703 and 803 include instructions that, when executed by at least one processor, cause at least one processor of the corresponding wireless communication device 121 and network node 111 to perform the aforementioned actions.

[0196] In some embodiments, the respective carriers 705 and 805 contain a corresponding computer program, wherein the carrier is one of an electronic signal, an optical signal, an electromagnetic signal, a magnetic signal, an electrical signal, a radio signal, a microwave signal, or a computer-readable storage medium.

[0197] Those skilled in the art will also understand that the units described above can refer to a combination of analog and digital circuits, and / or one or more processors configured with software and / or firmware, such software and / or firmware being stored, for example, in the corresponding wireless communication device 121 and network node 111 described above. One or more of these processors, as well as other digital hardware, may be included in a single application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or multiple processors and various digital hardware may be distributed across multiple separate components, either individually packaged or assembled into a system-on-a-chip (SoC).

[0198] refer to Figure 9 According to one embodiment, the communication system includes a telecommunications network 3210 (such as a 3GPP-type cellular network), which includes an access network 3211 (such as a radio access network) and a core network 3214. The access network 3211 includes multiple base stations 3212a, 3212b, 3212c (such as source and destination access nodes 111, 112, AP STA NB, eNB, gNB, or other types of radio access points), each base station defining a corresponding coverage area 3213a, 3213b, 3213c. Each base station 3212a, 3212b, 3212c can be connected to the core network 3214 via a wired or wireless connection 3215. A first user equipment (UE) located in coverage area 3213c (such as a non-AP STA 3291) is configured to wirelessly connect to or be paged by a corresponding base station 3212c. A second UE 3292 (e.g., a non-AP STA) in coverage area 3213a may wirelessly connect to the corresponding base station 3212a. Although multiple UEs 3291, 3292 are shown in this example, the disclosed embodiments are equally applicable to situations where a single UE is located in the coverage area or a single UE is connected to the corresponding base station 3212.

[0199] Telecommunications network 3210 is connected to host computer 3230, which may be embodied in the hardware and / or software of a standalone server, a cloud-implemented server, a distributed server, or as processing resources in a server farm. Host computer 3230 may be under the ownership or control of a service provider, or may be operated by or on behalf of the service provider. Connections 3221 and 3222 between telecommunications network 3210 and host computer 3230 may extend directly from core network 3214 to host computer 3230, or may be via optional intermediate network 3220. Intermediate network 3220 may be one of public, private, or hosted networks, or a combination of more than one; intermediate network 3220 (if any) may be a backbone network or the Internet; in particular, intermediate network 3220 may include two or more subnetworks (not shown).

[0200] Overall, Figure 9 The communication system enables connectivity between one of the connected UEs 3291 and 3292 (e.g., UE 121) and the host computer 3230. This connectivity can be described as an over-the-top (OTT) connection 3250. The host computer 3230 and the connected UEs 3291 and 3292 are configured to transmit data and / or signaling via the OTT connection 3250 using access network 3211, core network 3214, any intermediate network 3220, and possibly other infrastructure (not shown) as intermediaries. The OTT connection 3250 can be transparent because the participating communication devices through which the OTT connection 3250 passes are unaware of the uplink and downlink communication routes. For example, the base station 3212 may not be notified or need not be notified of the past routes of incoming downlink communication for data originating from the host computer 3230 to be forwarded (e.g., handed over) to the connected UE 3291. Similarly, base station 3212 does not need to know the future route of outgoing uplink communication from UE 3291 to host computer 3230.

[0201] According to one embodiment, reference will now be made to Figure 10 Example implementations of the UE, base station, and host computer discussed in the preceding paragraphs are described. In the communication system 3300, the host computer 3310 includes hardware 3315, which includes a communication interface 3316 configured to establish and maintain wired or wireless connections with different communication devices of the communication system 3300. The host computer 3310 also includes processing circuitry 3318, which may have storage and / or processing capabilities. In particular, the processing circuitry 3318 may include one or more programmable processors, application-specific integrated circuits, field-programmable gate arrays, or combinations thereof (not shown) suitable for executing instructions. The host computer 3310 also includes software 3311, which is stored in or accessible by the host computer 3310 and executable by the processing circuitry 3318. The software 3311 includes a host application 3312. Host application 3312 is operable to provide services to remote users, such as UE 3330, connected via an OTT connection 3350 terminated between UE 3330 and host computer 3310. In providing services to remote users, host application 3312 can provide user data sent using OTT connection 3350.

[0202] The communication system 3300 also includes a base station 3320 installed in the telecommunications system, and the base station 3320 includes hardware 3325 that enables it to communicate with the host computer 3310 and the UE 3330. Hardware 3325 may include a communication interface 3326 for establishing and maintaining wired or wireless connections with different communication devices of the communication system 3300, and for establishing and maintaining connections with areas within the coverage area served by the base station 3320. Figure 10 The UE 3330 (not shown in the diagram) has at least a radio interface 3327 for a wireless connection 3370. A communication interface 3326 can be configured to facilitate a connection 3360 with a host computer 3310. The connection 3360 can be direct, or it can be connected via the core network of a telecommunications system (…). Figure 10 (Not shown) and / or via one or more intermediate networks outside the telecommunications system. In the illustrated embodiment, the hardware 3325 of base station 3320 also includes processing circuitry 3328, which may include one or more programmable processors, application-specific integrated circuits, field-programmable gate arrays, or combinations thereof (not shown) adapted to execute instructions. Base station 3320 also has software 3321 stored internally or accessible via an external connection.

[0203] The communication system 3300 also includes the previously mentioned UE 3330. The hardware 3335 of the UE 3330 may include a radio interface 3337 configured to establish and maintain a radio connection 3370 with a base station serving the coverage area where the UE 3330 is currently located. The hardware 3335 of the UE 3330 also includes processing circuitry 3338, which may include one or more programmable processors, application-specific integrated circuits, field-programmable gate arrays, or combinations thereof (not shown) suitable for executing instructions. The UE 3330 also includes software 3331, which is stored in or accessible by the UE 3330 and executable by the processing circuitry 3338. The software 3331 includes a client application 3332. The client application 3332 is operable to provide services to human or non-human users via the UE 3330 with the support of the host computer 3310. In host computer 3310, the executing host application 3312 can communicate with the executing client application 3332 via OTT connection 3350 terminated between UE 3330 and host computer 3310. When providing services to a user, client application 3332 can receive request data from host application 3312 and provide user data in response to that request data. OTT connection 3350 can transmit both request data and user data. Client application 3332 can interact with the user to generate user-provided user data. Note that... Figure 10The host computer 3310, base station 3320, and UE 3330 shown can be respectively connected to... Figure 9 The host computer 3230, one of the base stations 3212a, 3212b, and 3212c, and one of the UEs 3291 and 3292 are identical. That is to say, the internal working principles of these entities can be as follows: Figure 10 As shown, and independently, the surrounding network topology can be Figure 9 The surrounding network topology.

[0204] exist Figure 10 The OTT connection 3350 has been abstractly depicted to illustrate communication between the host computer 3310 and the user equipment 3330 via the base station 3320, without explicitly referencing any intermediate devices or the precise routing of messages via these devices. The network infrastructure can determine the routing, and can be configured to hide the routing from the UE 3330, the service provider operating the host computer 3310, or both. When the OTT connection 3350 is active, the network infrastructure can further make decisions, dynamically changing the routing accordingly (e.g., based on load balancing considerations or network reconfiguration).

[0205] The wireless connection 3370 between UE 3330 and base station 3320 is based on the teachings of embodiments described throughout this disclosure. One or more of the various embodiments improve the performance of OTT services provided to UE 3330 using OTT connection 3350 (where wireless connection 3370 forms the final segment). More specifically, the teachings of these embodiments can improve data rates, latency, and power consumption, thereby providing benefits such as reduced user wait times, relaxed file size limits, better responsiveness, and extended battery life.

[0206] Measurement procedures may be provided for the purpose of monitoring data rates, latency, and other factors improved thereon in one or more embodiments. Optional network functions may also be available for reconfiguring the OTT connection 3350 between the host computer 3310 and the UE 3330 in response to changes in measurement results. The measurement procedures and / or network functions for reconfiguring the OTT connection 3350 may be implemented in the software 3311 of the host computer 3310 or in the software 3331 of the UE 3330, or both. In embodiments, sensors (not shown) may be deployed in or associated with communication devices through which the OTT connection 3350 passes; the sensors may participate in the measurement procedures by providing values ​​of the monitored quantities as exemplified above or by providing values ​​of other physical quantities from which the software 3311, 3331 can calculate or estimate the monitored quantities. Reconfiguration of the OTT connection 3350 may include message formats, retransmission settings, preferred routing, etc. Reconfiguration does not need to affect the base station 3320, and it may be unknown or imperceptible to the base station 3320. Such procedures and functions may be known and practiced in the art. In some embodiments, the measurement may involve proprietary UE signaling, which facilitates the host computer 3310 in measuring throughput, propagation time, latency, etc. Measurements can be made because software 3311, 3331 causes the use of OTT connection 3350 to send messages, particularly empty or "dummy" messages, during its monitoring of propagation time, errors, etc.

[0207] Figure 11 This is a flowchart illustrating a method implemented in a communication system according to one embodiment. The communication system includes a host computer, a base station (e.g., an AP STA), and a UE (e.g., a non-AP STA), which may be referenced... Figure 9 and Figure 10 The host computers, base stations, and UEs described herein. For the sake of simplicity, this section includes only descriptions of... Figure 11 Referring to the accompanying drawings. In the first action 3410 of the method, the host computer provides user data. In an optional sub-action 3411 of the first action 3410, the host computer provides user data by executing a host application. In the second action 3420, the host computer initiates a transmission carrying user data to the UE. In an optional third action 3430, in accordance with the teachings of the embodiments described throughout this disclosure, the base station sends the user data carried in the transmission initiated by the host computer to the UE. In an optional fourth action 3440, the UE executes a client application associated with the host application executed by the host computer.

[0208] Figure 12This is a flowchart illustrating a method implemented in a communication system according to one embodiment. The communication system includes a host computer, a base station (e.g., an AP STA), and a UE (e.g., a non-AP STA), which may be referenced... Figure 9 and Figure 10 The host computers, base stations, and UEs described herein. For the sake of simplicity, this section includes only descriptions of... Figure 12 Referring to the accompanying drawings. In the first action 3510 of the method, the host computer provides user data. In an optional sub-action (not shown), the host computer provides user data by executing a host application. In the second action 3520, the host computer initiates a transmission carrying user data to the UE. According to the teachings of the embodiments described throughout this disclosure, this transmission can be performed via a base station. In an optional third action 3530, the UE receives the user data carried in the transmission.

[0209] Figure 13 This is a flowchart illustrating a method implemented in a communication system according to one embodiment. The communication system includes a host computer, a base station (e.g., an AP STA), and a UE (e.g., a non-AP STA), which may be referenced... Figure 9 and Figure 10 The host computers, base stations, and UEs described herein. For the sake of simplicity, this section includes only descriptions of... Figure 13 Referring to the accompanying drawings. In an optional first action 3610 of the method, the UE receives input data provided by the host computer. Additionally or alternatively, in an optional second action 3620, the UE provides user data. In an optional sub-action 3621 of the second action 3620, the UE provides user data by executing a client application. In another optional sub-action 3611 of the first action 3610, the UE executes a client application that provides user data in response to the received input data provided by the host computer. When providing user data, the executed client application may further consider user input received from the user. Regardless of the specific manner in which user data is provided, the UE initiates the transmission of user data to the host computer in an optional third sub-action 3630. In a fourth action 3640 of the method, the host computer receives user data sent from the UE, in accordance with the teachings of the embodiments described throughout this disclosure.

[0210] Figure 14 This is a flowchart illustrating a method implemented in a communication system according to one embodiment. The communication system includes a host computer, a base station (e.g., an AP STA), and a UE (e.g., a non-AP STA), which may be referenced... Figure 9 and Figure 10 The host computers, base stations, and UEs described herein. For the sake of simplicity, this section includes only descriptions of... Figure 14Refer to the accompanying drawings. In an optional first action 3710 of the method, the base station receives user data from the UE in accordance with the teachings of the embodiments described throughout this disclosure. In an optional second action 3720, the base station initiates a transmission of the received user data to a host computer. In a third action 3730, the host computer receives the user data carried in the transmission initiated by the base station.

[0211] The inventive concept has been described above primarily with reference to several embodiments. However, those skilled in the art will readily understand that other embodiments besides those disclosed above are also possible within the scope of the inventive concept as defined in the appended claims.

[0212] Numbered Examples

[0213] 1. A method for transmitting SRS performed by a wireless communication device 121 of a wireless communication network 100, the method comprising:

[0214] Receive SRS configuration, wherein the SRS configuration indicates information regarding the mapping between one or more SRS ports (such as multiple SRS ports) of the wireless communication device and two or more RAPGs of the wireless communication device (i.e., how the wireless communication device should map); and

[0215] SRS is sent to network node 111 according to the mapping between the indicated SRS port and the RAPG.

[0216] 2. The method according to Embodiment 1, wherein the SRS configuration includes an implicit mapping between the SRS port and the RAPG.

[0217] 3. The method according to Embodiment 2, wherein the implicit mapping is based on predefined rules (i.e., specified rules).

[0218] 4. The method according to Embodiment 3, wherein the rule is based on one or more of the following:

[0219] a. SRS Resource Set ID

[0220] b. SRS Resource ID

[0221] c. SRS port index.

[0222] 5. The method according to any one of embodiments 1 to 4, wherein the first group of SRS ports in the SRS resource belongs to a first RAPG, and the second group of SRS ports in the same SRS resource belongs to a second RAPG.

[0223] 6. The method according to Embodiment 5, wherein the first group of SRS ports includes the same number of SRS ports as the second group of SRS ports.

[0224] 7. The method according to Embodiment 5, wherein the first group of SRS ports includes more SRS ports than the second group of SRS ports.

[0225] 8. According to the method described in Embodiment 7, if there are an odd number of M SRS ports in the SRS resource, then the first M / 2+1 SRS ports belong to the first RAPG.

[0226] 9. The method according to any one of embodiments 5 to 8, wherein the first group of SRS ports in the SRS resource is the SRS port in the SRS resource with the lowest SRS port index.

[0227] 10. The method according to any one of embodiments 5 to 8, wherein the first group of SRS ports are SRS ports 1000, 1001, 1004 and 1005, and the second group of SRS ports are SRS ports 1002, 1003, 1006 and 1007.

[0228] 11. The method according to any one of embodiments 1 to 4, wherein a first number of SRS resources / SRS resource sets belong to a first RAPG, and a second number of SRS resources / SRS resource sets belong to a second RAPG.

[0229] 12. The method according to embodiment 11, wherein the first number of SRS resources / SRS resource sets contains the same number of SRS ports as the second number of SRS resources / SRS resource sets.

[0230] 13. The method according to embodiment 11, wherein the first number of SRS resources / SRS resource sets contains more SRS ports than the second number of SRS resources / SRS resource sets.

[0231] 14. The method according to embodiment 11, wherein the SRS ports are ordered according to the following operation:

[0232] a. First, consider the lowest SRS resource set ID (if multiple SRS resource sets are used).

[0233] b. Then, consider the lowest SRS resource ID for each SRS resource set (if each SRS resource set uses multiple SRS resources), and

[0234] c. Then, consider the lowest SRS port index within each SRS resource (if each SRS resource uses multiple SRS ports).

[0235] 15. The method according to embodiment 11, wherein the SRS ports are ordered according to the SRS transmission timing.

[0236] 16. The method according to Example 15, wherein: a) a sequential mapping between SRS transmission timing and RAPG, or b) a cyclic mapping between SRS transmission timing and RAPG.

[0237] 17. The method according to any one of embodiments 1 to 16, wherein the SRS configuration includes an explicit mapping between the SRS and the RAPG.

[0238] 18. The method according to embodiment 17, wherein the bit field is configured by RRC according to the SRS resource set or SRS resource to indicate which SRS ports belong to which RAPG.

[0239] 19. The method according to embodiment 18, wherein all said SRS ports belonging to the indicated SRS resource set or SRS resource are sent from the indicated RAPG.

[0240] 20. The method according to embodiment 19, wherein the bit field is a RAPG index.

[0241] 21. The method according to embodiment 20, wherein each RAPG has a separate antenna switching configuration.

[0242] 22. The method according to any one of embodiments 1 to 21, wherein the DCI that triggers the aperiodic SRS transmission further indicates the mapping between the SRS port (located in a different SRS resource and / or SRS resource set) and the RAPG.

[0243] 23. The method according to any one of embodiments 1 to 22, wherein the MAC CE for activating / deactivating semi-persistent SRS transmission also indicates the mapping between the SRS port (located in a different SRS resource and / or SRS resource set) and the RAPG.

[0244] 24. A wireless communication device, such as a UE, adapted to transmit SRS to a network node. The wireless communication device is adapted to perform the method according to any one of embodiments 1 to 23.

[0245] 25. A method for receiving SRS from a wireless communication device, performed by a network node 111, the wireless communication device communicating with the network node using a group of receive antenna ports, the method comprising:

[0246] Send an SRS configuration to the wireless communication device, wherein the SRS configuration indicates how the wireless communication device should map SRS ports to two or more RAPGs; and

[0247] SRS is received from the wireless communication device according to the mapping between the indicated SRS port and RAPG.

[0248] 26. A network node 111 adapted to receive SRS from a wireless communication device such as a UE using a group of receive antenna ports. The network node 111 is adapted to perform the method according to embodiment 25. abbreviations

Claims

1. A method for transmitting SRS performed by a wireless communication device (121) of a wireless communication network (100), the method comprising: Receive (511) SRS configuration, wherein the SRS configuration indicates information regarding the mapping between one or more SRS ports of the wireless communication device and two or more RAPGs of the wireless communication device; and Based on the mapping between the indicated SRS port and the RAPG, send (512) SRS to network node (111).

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein, The method further includes: Indicates (510) that the wireless communication device (121) has multiple RAPGs and / or the ability to use a low-complexity receiver.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The SRS configuration includes an implicit mapping between the SRS port and the RAPG.

4. The method according to claim 3, wherein, The implicit mapping is based on predefined rules.

5. The method according to claim 4, wherein, The rule is based on one or more of the following: a. SRS Resource Set ID b. SRS Resource ID c. SRS port index.

6. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein, The first group of SRS ports in the SRS resource belongs to the first RAPG, and the second group of SRS ports in the same SRS resource belongs to the second RAPG.

7. The method according to claim 6, wherein, The first group of SRS ports contains the same number of SRS ports as the second group of SRS ports.

8. The method according to any one of claims 6 to 7, wherein, The first group of SRS ports in the SRS resource is the SRS port with the lowest SRS port index in the SRS resource.

9. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein, The first number of SRS resources or SRS resource sets belong to the first RAPG, and the second number of SRS resources or SRS resource sets belong to the second RAPG.

10. The method according to claim 9, wherein, The first number of SRS resources / SRS resource sets contains the same number of SRS ports as the second number of SRS resources / SRS resource sets.

11. The method according to claim 9, wherein, The first half of the SRS ports are mapped to the first RAPG, and the second half of the SRS ports are mapped to the second RAPG.

12. The method according to claim 9 or 10, wherein, The SRS port is mapped to the RAPG based on the order of the SRS resource ID relative to other SRS resource IDs associated with the corresponding SRS resource.

13. The method according to claim 11, wherein, The SRS ports mapped to the first half of the first RAPG include an even number of SRS ports, and the SRS ports mapped to the second half of the second RAPG include an odd number of SRS ports.

14. The method according to claim 11, wherein, The first half of the SRS ports and the second half of the SRS ports are determined based on the order of the SRS ports, wherein the first half of the SRS ports includes the first half of the SRS ports according to the order of the SRS ports, and the second half of the SRS ports includes the second half of the SRS ports according to the order of the SRS ports.

15. The method according to claim 9, wherein, The SRS ports are sorted according to the following operation: a. First, when using multiple SRS resource sets, consider the lowest SRS resource set ID. b. Then, in the case where multiple SRS resources are used in each SRS resource set, consider the lowest SRS resource ID for each SRS resource set, and c. Then, if multiple SRS ports are used for each SRS resource, consider the lowest SRS port index within each SRS resource.

16. The method according to claim 9, wherein, The first SRS resource bundle is mapped to the first RAPG, and the second SRS resource bundle is mapped to the second RAPG.

17. The method according to claim 9, wherein, The SRS ports are ordered according to the SRS transmission timing.

18. The method according to claim 15, wherein, There exist: a) a sequential mapping between SRS transmission timing and RAPG, or b) a cyclic mapping between SRS transmission timing and RAPG.

19. A wireless communication device for transmitting SRS to a network node according to the method of any one of claims 1 to 16.

20. A computer program (703) for sending SRS to a network node (111), the computer program (703) comprising instructions that, when executed by a processor (704) of a wireless communication device (121), cause the processor (704) to perform the actions of the method according to any one of claims 1 to 16.

21. A method performed by a network node (111) for receiving SRS from a wireless communication device (121), the wireless communication device communicating with the network node (111) using a group of receiving antenna ports, the method comprising: Send (521) SRS configuration to the wireless communication device, wherein the SRS configuration indicates how the wireless communication device should map SRS ports to two or more RAPGs; and (522)SRS is received from the wireless communication device according to the mapping of the indicated SRS port to RAPG.

22. The method according to claim 19, wherein, The method further includes: The receiving (520) indicates that the wireless communication device (121) has multiple RAPGs and / or the ability to use a low-complexity receiver.

23. The method according to claim 19 or 20, wherein, The SRS configuration includes an implicit mapping between the SRS port and the RAPG.

24. The method according to claim 21, wherein, The implicit mapping is based on predefined rules.

25. The method according to claim 22, wherein, The rule is based on one or more of the following: a. SRS Resource Set ID b. SRS Resource ID c. SRS port index.

26. The method according to any one of claims 19 to 23, wherein, The first group of SRS ports in the SRS resource belongs to the first RAPG, and the second group of SRS ports in the same SRS resource belongs to the second RAPG.

27. The method according to any one of claims 19 to 23, wherein, The first number of SRS resources or SRS resource sets belong to the first RAPG, and the second number of SRS resources or SRS resource sets belong to the second RAPG.

28. A network node (111) for receiving SRS from a wireless communication device (121) according to the method of any one of claims 19 to 25.

29. A computer program (803) for receiving SRS from a wireless communication device (121), the computer program (803) comprising instructions that, when executed by a processor (804) of a network node (111), cause the processor (804) to perform the actions of the method according to any one of claims 19 to 25.

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