Resource aggregation for increasing number of channel state information reference signal ports

Abstract

A user equipment (UE), a processor, and a network device are described. The UE or processor can perform: receiving, from a network device, configuration signaling including a first channel state information reference signal (CSI-RS) resource configuration indicating a first CSI-RS resource associated with a first number of CSI-RS ports and a second CSI-RS resource configuration indicating a second CSI-RS resource associated with a second number of CSI-RS ports; and receiving, from the network device, control signaling indicating the UE to measure a third CSI-RS resource associated with a third number of CSI-RS ports. The UE or processor then determines an aggregated set of time-frequency resources associated with the third number of CSI-RS ports, the aggregated set of time-frequency resources including the first CSI-RS resource and the second CSI-RS resource. During a measurement occasion, the UE or processor receives the CSI-RS on the aggregated set of time-frequency resources.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates in its entirety to wireless communication systems, including systems, apparatus, and methods for resource aggregation for an increasing number of channel state information reference signal ports. Background Technology

[0002] Wireless mobile communication technologies use various standards and protocols to transmit data between network devices (e.g., base stations, radio heads, etc.) and wireless communication devices. Wireless communication system standards and protocols may include, for example, 3GPP Long Term Evolution (LTE) (e.g., 4G), 3GPP New Radio (NR) (e.g., 5G), and the IEEE 802.11 standard for Wireless Local Area Networks (WLANs) (often referred to as Wi-Fi within industry organizations). ® ).

[0003] As envisioned by 3GPP, different wireless communication system standards and protocols can use various radio access networks (RANs) for communication between RAN network equipment (sometimes collectively referred to as RAN nodes, network nodes, or simply nodes) and wireless communication equipment called UEs. 3GPP RANs can include, for example, Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM), Enhanced Data Rate GSM Evolution (EDGE) RAN (GERAN), Universal Terrestrial Radio Access Network (UTRAN), Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access Network (E-UTRAN), and / or Next Generation Radio Access Network (NG-RAN).

[0004] Each RAN can use one or more Radio Access Technologies (RATs) for communication between network devices and UEs. For example, GERAN implements the GSM and / or EDGE RAT, UTRAN implements the Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) RAT or other 3GPP RATs, E-UTRAN implements the LTE RAT (sometimes simply referred to as LTE), and NG-RAN implements the NR RAT (sometimes referred to herein as the 5G RAT, 5G NR RAT, or simply NR). In some deployments, E-UTRAN may also implement the NR RAT. In some deployments, NG-RAN may also implement the LTE RAT.

[0005] The network equipment used in a RAN can correspond to that RAN. An example of E-UTRAN network equipment is an Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access Network (E-UTRAN) Node B (also commonly referred to as Evolved Node B, Enhanced Node B, eNodeB, or eNB). An example of NG-RAN network equipment is a Next Generation Node B (sometimes also called gNodeB or gNB).

[0006] The RAN provides communication services to external entities through its connection with the core network (CN). For example, E-UTRAN can utilize the evolved packet core (EPC), while NG-RAN can utilize the 5G core network (5GC). Attached Figure Description

[0007] To facilitate the identification of any particular element or action in the discussion, one or more of the most significant digits in the figure reference numerals refer to the figure number in which the element was first introduced.

[0008] Figure 1 An example wireless communication system according to the implementation described herein is shown.

[0009] Figure 2A An example set of resources based on one or more aspects described in this article is shown.

[0010] Figure 2B An example set of resources based on one or more aspects described in this article is shown.

[0011] Figure 2C An example set of resources based on one or more aspects described in this article is shown.

[0012] Figure 3A An example set of resources based on one or more aspects described in this article is shown.

[0013] Figure 3B An example set of resources based on one or more aspects described in this article is shown.

[0014] Figure 4A An example set of resources based on one or more aspects described in this article is shown.

[0015] Figure 4B An example set of resources based on one or more aspects described in this article is shown.

[0016] Figure 5 An example set of resources based on one or more aspects described in this article is shown.

[0017] Figure 6A An example set of resources based on one or more aspects described in this article is shown.

[0018] Figure 6B An example set of resources based on one or more aspects described in this article is shown.

[0019] Figure 7 Another example method is shown based on one or more aspects described herein.

[0020] Figure 8Another example method is shown based on one or more aspects described herein.

[0021] Figure 9 An example architecture of a wireless communication system according to the implementation scheme described herein is illustrated.

[0022] Figure 10 An example system for performing signaling between a wireless device and a network device according to the implementation described herein is illustrated. Detailed Implementation

[0023] Various implementations are described with reference to User Equipment (UE). However, references to UE are provided for illustrative purposes only. The example implementations can be used with any electronic component capable of establishing a connection to a network and configured with hardware, software, and / or firmware for exchanging information and data with the network. Therefore, the UE described herein is used to represent any suitable electronic device.

[0024] Current techniques for multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) wireless communication involve using multiple antennas (e.g., antenna arrays using multiple antenna elements) at one or more of the transmitters and receivers in a communication system. MIMO enhances the performance of wireless communication by utilizing spatial diversity and multipath propagation. By simultaneously transmitting multiple data streams and utilizing spatial dimensions, MIMO systems improve data throughput, reliability, and overall communication efficiency.

[0025] Network devices in wireless communication systems (including those using MIMO technology) obtain Channel State Information (CSI) from the UEs they communicate with to gain a deeper understanding of the current state of the communication channel between the UE and the network devices (e.g., the base station serving the UE). The network can utilize CSI for adaptive modulation and decoding, beamforming, resource allocation, interference management, and more. Network devices transmit a CSI Reference Signal (CSI-RS) to facilitate CSI measurement and reporting by the UE.

[0026] Furthermore, the deployment of higher frequency radio frequency spectrum bands is being considered. For example, within the frequency range 1 (FR1) band, some bands may have higher frequencies. One such band includes the licensed n104 band (approximately 6.425 GHz to 7.125 GHz). In such higher frequency bands, it may be desirable to increase the number of antenna elements. For example, the increased number of antenna elements may include more than 32 antenna elements, such as 48, 64, 96, or 128 antenna elements.

[0027] Increasing the number of antenna elements can result in an increased number of corresponding CSI-RS ports. As the size of antenna arrays used for MIMO communications increases, current techniques for CSI measurements and the number of CSI-RS ports (e.g., no more than 32 ports) are insufficient. For example, larger antenna arrays may require a larger number of CSI-RS ports (e.g., more than 32 CSI-RS ports, including 48, 64, 128, and more). In some examples, this number of CSI-RS ports may be used for such higher frequency bands.

[0028] In some examples, CSI reporting may use CSI-RS Resource Indicators (CRIs). A UE may be configured with a set of non-zero power CSI-RS (NZP-CSI-RS) resources, and the network may request the UE to report a subset of these resources. Network devices (e.g., base stations) may use CRIs to switch between CSI-RS beams, which are typically more directional than other beams used by the network device (e.g., Synchronization Signal Block (SSB) beams). Current techniques for CRI-based CSI reporting for hybrid beamforming use codebook designs. For an increasing number of CSI-RS ports, it is desirable to avoid creating new codebook designs, for example, to allow backward compatibility with existing (e.g., legacy) UE devices.

[0029] However, supporting an increased number of CSI-RS ports based on legacy CSI-RS resources may require increased signaling overhead and other complexities. For example, it may be difficult to generate X-port (e.g., +45° oriented antenna elements versus -45° oriented antenna elements) CSI-RS resources with minimized specification impact (e.g., minimal or no specification changes to support an increased number of CSI-RS ports) and minimize CSI-RS overhead (e.g., by adding little or no additional CSI-RS configuration or other CSI-RS-related signaling) while still providing the ability to deploy CSI-RS ports, including deployment flexibility. It may also be difficult to support different multiplexing modes for aggregation of multiple CSI-RS resources within a time slot to enable the possibility of power enhancement for CSI-RS transmission, for example, because signaling for such modes is currently unavailable or requires significant signaling overhead. Furthermore, it may be difficult to design CSI-RS resource aggregation to avoid collisions between CSI-RS and other downlink signals (or to keep collisions below a collision threshold) while still supporting the use of an increased number of CSI-RS ports (e.g., more than 32 CSI-RS ports).

[0030] Techniques for supporting an increased number (e.g., greater than about 32) of CSI-RS ports are described, for example, by utilizing an increased number of antenna elements (e.g., an array for X ports, where X is greater than 32) to construct CSI-RS resources for multiple antenna applications. According to one or more embodiments described herein, resources for an increased number of CSI-RS ports can be generated by aggregating two or more sets of 32-port CSI-RS resources. In some examples, aggregating 32-port CSI-RS resources offers the advantage of simplicity (e.g., low signaling overhead and minimal changes to legacy configuration techniques), but may be constrained to support multiples of 32 (e.g., supporting 64-port, 96-port, 128-port CSI-RS resources, etc.). Additionally or alternatively, not all legacy UEs or other radio devices can support 32 ports, for example, because support for 32 ports may be an optional feature of legacy UEs. According to other embodiments described herein, resources for increasing the number of CSI-RS ports can be generated by aggregating two or more sets of CSI-RS resources for the same number of CSI-RS ports (e.g., three 16-port CSI-RS resources for aggregating 48-port CSI-RS resources, two 32-port CSI-RS resources for aggregating 64-port CSI-RS resources, or four 32-port CSI-RS resources for aggregating 128-port CSI-RS resources). According to other embodiments described herein, resources for increasing the number of CSI-RS ports can be generated by aggregating two or more sets of CSI-RS resources for different numbers of CSI-RS ports (e.g., 32-port and 16-port CSI-RS resources for aggregating 48-port CSI-RS resources, or two 32-port and 16-port CSI-RS resources for aggregating 80-port CSI-RS resources). In some implementations, the method used to aggregate CSI-RS resources may depend on whether such CSI-RS resources are time-domain multiplexed (TDMed), frequency-domain multiplexed (FDMed), or both TDMed and FDMed.

[0031] In one or more embodiments described herein, the UE may receive control signaling instructing the UE to measure CSI-RS associated with a set of CSI-RS ports (in some examples, more than 32 CSI-RS ports), and configuration signaling instructing a first CSI-RS resource configuration for a first number of CSI-RS ports and a second CSI-RS resource configuration for a second number of CSI-RS ports. The UE then determines an aggregated set of time-frequency resources corresponding to the multiple CSI-RS ports. The aggregated set of resources includes first CSI-RS resources of the first CSI-RS resource configuration and second CSI-RS resources of the second CSI-RS resource configuration. The UE may then measure a reference signal (e.g., CSI-RS) on the aggregated resources.

[0032] Figure 1 An example wireless communication system 100 is illustrated according to one or more aspects described herein. In one or more embodiments, the wireless communication system 100 supports one or more aspects of resource aggregation for an increasing number of channel state information reference signal ports, as further described herein.

[0033] Wireless communication system 100 includes UE 102 and network device 104. One or more UEs, including UE 102, may be served by network device 104 via communication link 120 (e.g., having a Radio Resource Control (RRC) connection established with the network device). Coverage area 110 (e.g., a cell or serving cell) is the service area of ​​an RF spectrum band utilized by network device 104. In one or more embodiments, communication link 120 may include a downlink connection and / or an uplink connection.

[0034] In one or more embodiments, network device 104 utilizes beam steering, which may also be, include, or be referred to as electronic beam steering. Additionally, in one or more embodiments, UE 102 utilizes beam steering to receive signals, transmit signals, or both. As used herein, electronic beam steering refers to, but is not limited to, the ability of a device (e.g., network device 104) to perform beamforming, beam shaping, or other multi-antenna or multi-antenna element techniques that control, direct, or otherwise shape electromagnetic energy radiated from network device 104 in different directions and at different amounts or amplitudes. Electronic beam steering also refers to the ability of network device 104 to adjust antennas or antenna elements to increase or decrease the reception of electromagnetic radiation from a particular direction. Such receive beamforming may be referred to as a "receive beam" in contrast to transmit beamforming using a "transmit beam." Network device 104 uses beam steering to transmit signals to a UE (e.g., UE 102) served by network device 104. Such signals may include data signals, control signals, or both. Control signals may include reference signals, synchronization signals, or control channels, or combinations thereof. The resulting transmit or receive beam can be beam scan 106.

[0035] Network device 104 utilizes at least one antenna array 130 for communicating with UE 102. In an example exemplified for wireless communication system 100 and network device 104, antenna array 130 comprises an array of antenna element pairs arranged in four rows and six columns, totaling 48 antenna elements. Each antenna element pair includes a first antenna element 132 orthogonally oriented to the second antenna element 134. In this example, each of the first antenna elements 132 is oriented at +45° relative to antenna array 130, and each of the second antenna elements is oriented at -45° relative to antenna array 130 (e.g., the antenna elements are cross-polarized). This relative orientation of the antenna ports may be referred to herein as an "X-port". In other examples, one or more of the following may be used for antenna array 130 consistent with the disclosure herein: different numbers of rows, different numbers of columns, different arrangements or orientations of antenna element pairs, different groups of antenna elements (e.g., one or three or more antenna elements), different polarizations of antenna elements (e.g., in addition to cross-polarization), or non-square or non-rectangular orientations of antenna elements or antenna element pairs.

[0036] In one or more embodiments, network device 104 utilizes beam steering to transmit reference signals for UE 102 to determine channel state information, including CSI-RS. Although CSI-RS is referenced, the techniques described herein can be applied to other reference signals used to determine channel state information. According to one or more techniques described herein, each CSI-RS port may correspond to an antenna port. In some examples, a first number of antenna elements of antenna array 130 (e.g., each first antenna element 132) may constitute a first set of antenna port indices, and a second number of antenna elements of antenna array 130 (e.g., each second antenna element 134) may constitute a second set of antenna port indices.

[0037] In some examples, the antenna port may correspond to a specific physical antenna element of the antenna array 130, but the correspondence does not need to be one-to-one, and according to other examples, the antenna port may correspond to different configurations of the physical antenna elements.

[0038] In an example of the wireless communication system 100, a set 122 of CSI-RS may be transmitted by network device 104 during a set 140 of time-frequency resources. In some examples, the set 140 of time-frequency resources includes time slots and physical resource blocks (PRBs); however, it should be understood that the set 122 of CSI-RS may be transmitted periodically or aperiodically according to a semi-persistent configuration, or span more than one PRB, or in other examples span multiple time slots. The set 140 of time-frequency resources includes a first CSI-RS resource 142 and a second CSI-RS resource 144.

[0039] According to one or more examples described herein, UE 102 receives control signaling 124 (e.g., from network device 104) instructing UE 102 to measure CSI-RS associated with a plurality of CSI-RS ports. In one or more examples, the plurality of CSI-RS ports correspond to antenna ports of antenna array 130. UE 102 also receives configuration signaling 126 (e.g., from network device 104) instructing a first CSI-RS resource configuration for a first number of CSI-RS ports and a second CSI-RS resource configuration for a second number of CSI-RS ports. The plurality of CSI-RS ports for measurement by UE 102 includes both the first number of CSI-RS ports and the second number of CSI-RS ports. In some embodiments, three or more sets of CSI-RS ports may be included in the plurality of CSI-RS ports, and three or more CSI-RS resource configurations may be instructed to UE 102.

[0040] UE 102 then determines an aggregate set of time-frequency resources corresponding to multiple CSI-RS ports (e.g., a first number of CSI-RS ports and a second number of CSI-RS ports). The aggregate set of time-frequency resources includes first CSI-RS resources configured with a first CSI-RS resource and second CSI-RS resources configured with a second CSI-RS resource. UE 102 can then listen to (e.g., monitor, be configured to receive) and receive reference signals (e.g., CSI-RS) on the aggregate set of time-frequency resources. In one or more embodiments, UE 102 can listen to and receive the reference signals during CSI-RS measurement opportunities (e.g., the time duration, time slot, time slot set, subframe, or frame, etc., of resources configured for UE 102 to perform CSI-RS measurements).

[0041] Figure 2A An example set 201 of resources is shown according to one or more aspects described herein. In one or more embodiments, the set 201 of resources supports one or more aspects of resource aggregation for an increasing number of channel state information reference signal ports, as further described herein.

[0042] The resource set 201 exemplifies a first set 210 of CSI-RS resources and a second set 212 of CSI-RS resources. The first set 210 of CSI-RS resources may be associated with a first number of CSI-RS ports, and the second set 212 of CSI-RS resources may be associated with a second number of CSI-RS ports. In one or more embodiments, the first number of CSI-RS ports is the same as the second number of CSI-RS ports. For example, the first number of CSI-RS ports may be the maximum number of CSI-RS ports used for the first set 210 of CSI-RS resources, and the second number of CSI-RS ports may be the maximum number of CSI-RS ports configured for the second CSI-RS resources. According to some embodiments, the first and second numbers may be 32 ports, such that both the first set 210 of CSI-RS resources and the second set 212 of CSI-RS resources are 32-port CSI-RS resources.

[0043] The aggregated set 214 of time-frequency resources includes both a first set 210 of CSI-RS resources and a second set 212 of CSI-RS resources. As illustrated with respect to set 201 of resources, the aggregated set 214 of time-frequency resources may include resources for 64 CSI-RS ports (N=2, where N is the number of aggregated resource sets). In other embodiments, the aggregated set 210 of CSI-RS resources may include three or more sets of CSI-RS resources, including CSI-RS resources for 96 ports, 128 ports, 160 ports, etc.

[0044] Figure 2B An example set 202 of resources is shown according to one or more aspects described herein. In one or more embodiments, the set 202 of resources supports one or more aspects of resource aggregation for an increasing number of channel state information reference signal ports, as further described herein.

[0045] The resource set 202 exemplifies a first set 220 of CSI-RS resources, a second set 222 of CSI-RS resources, and a third set 224 of CSI-RS resources. The first set 220 of CSI-RS resources may be associated with a first number of CSI-RS ports, the second set 222 of CSI-RS resources may be associated with a second number of CSI-RS ports, and the third set 224 of CSI-RS resources may be associated with a third number of CSI-RS ports. In one or more embodiments, the first number of CSI-RS ports is the same as the second number of CSI-RS ports. For example, the first number of CSI-RS ports may be a number less than the maximum number of CSI-RS ports used for the first set 220 of CSI-RS resources, and the second and third numbers of CSI-RS ports may be the same number less than the maximum number. According to some implementation schemes, the first number and the second number may be less than 32 ports, such that the first set 220 of CSI-RS resources, the second set 222 of CSI-RS resources and the third set 222 of CSI-RS resources are each 32-port CSI-RS resources.

[0046] The aggregated set 226 of time-frequency resources together includes a first set 220 of CSI-RS resources, a second set 222 of CSI-RS resources, and a third set 224 of CSI-RS resources. As illustrated for set 202 of resources, the aggregated set 226 of time-frequency resources may include resources for 48 CSI-RS ports (N=3, where N is the number of aggregated resource sets), where each set of resources is a “Y-port” CSI-RS resource, where in the example of set 202, Y=16 and N=3. In other embodiments, the aggregated set 210 of CSI-RS resources may include two or more sets of CSI-RS resources (N≥2), including different values ​​for Y and N. Examples of aggregated CSI-RS resources for Y=16 include 48 ports (N=3), 64 ports (N=4), 80 ports (N=5), etc. Examples of aggregated CSI-RS resources for Y=12 include those for 36 ports (N=3), 48 ports (N=4), 60 ports (N=5), etc. In other implementations, different combinations of CSI-RS resources may be used.

[0047] Figure 2C An example set 203 of resources is shown according to one or more aspects described herein. In one or more embodiments, the set 203 of resources supports one or more aspects of resource aggregation for an increasing number of channel state information reference signal ports, as further described herein.

[0048] The resource set 203 illustrates a first set 230 of CSI-RS resources and a second set 232 of CSI-RS resources. The first set 230 of CSI-RS resources may be associated with a first number of CSI-RS ports, and the second set 232 of CSI-RS resources may be associated with a second number of CSI-RS ports. In one or more embodiments, the number of the first number of CSI-RS ports differs from the number of the second number of CSI-RS ports. For example, each of the first number of CSI-RS ports and the second number of CSI-RS ports may be a number of CSI-RS ports less than the maximum number of CSI-RS ports used for the first set 230 of CSI-RS resources and the second set 232 of CSI-RS resources. In some examples, one of the first number of CSI-RS ports or the second number of CSI-RS ports may be the maximum number of CSI-RS ports for the first set 230 of CSI-RS resources or the second set 232 of CSI-RS resources, respectively, and the other of the first number of CSI-RS ports or the second number of CSI-RS ports may be a number less than the maximum number of CSI-RS ports.

[0049] The aggregated set 234 of time-frequency resources together includes a first set 230 of CSI-RS resources and a second set 232 of CSI-RS resources. As illustrated with respect to set 203 of resources, the aggregated set 234 of time-frequency resources may include resources for 48 CSI-RS ports (N1=1 and N2=1, where N1 is a first number of aggregated resource sets and N2 is a second number of aggregated resource sets). In this example, the first set 230 of CSI-RS resources includes 32-port CSI-RS resources (N1=1), and the second set 232 of CSI-RS resources includes 16-port CSI-RS resources (N2=1). In another example, N1=2 and N2=1, and the aggregated set of time-frequency resources includes two sets of CSI-RS resources each corresponding to 32 CSI-RS ports and one set of CSI-RS resources corresponding to 16 CSI-RS ports, such that the total number of CSI-RS ports for the aggregated set of resources is 80 ports.

[0050] In another example, N1=1 and N2=1, and the aggregated set of time-frequency resources includes a set of CSI-RS resources corresponding to 64 CSI-RS ports and a set of CSI-RS resources corresponding to 16 CSI-RS ports, such that the total number of CSI-RS ports used for the aggregated set of resources is 80 ports.

[0051] Figure 3A An example set 301 of resources is shown according to one or more aspects described herein. In one or more embodiments, the set 301 of resources supports one or more aspects of resource aggregation for an increasing number of channel state information reference signal ports, as further described herein.

[0052] Resource set 301 exemplifies a first set 312 and a second set 314 of CSI-RS resources, which together have resources for more than 32 CSI-RS ports. In one or more embodiments, the first set 312 and the second set 314 of CSI-RS resources may be aggregated (e.g., multiplexed) if the two sets of resources are in the same time slot and according to constraints (e.g., requirements, conditions) that the resource sets are TDMed. In some embodiments, the TDM constraint includes the absence of overlapping symbol durations between the first set 312 and the second set 314 of CSI-RS resources. In some embodiments, the TDM constraint may include the first set 312 and the second set 314 of CSI-RS resources being within the same PRB for aggregation.

[0053] In one or more embodiments, aggregated CSI-RS resources, as described in reference resource set 301, can be distributed across the time domain, making interference estimation more accurate, for example, by averaging over time. In some embodiments, TDM constraints may allow potentially more lenient network device transmitter requirements than other embodiments described herein. In some embodiments, aggregation across an increasing number of time domain resources can increase channel estimation delay compared to designs spanning a smaller number of time domain resources.

[0054] Figure 3B An example set 302 of resources is shown according to one or more aspects described herein. In one or more embodiments, the set 302 of resources supports one or more aspects of resource aggregation for an increasing number of channel state information reference signal ports, as further described herein.

[0055] Resource set 302 exemplifies a first set 322 of CSI-RS resources, a second set 324 of CSI-RS resources, and a third set 326 of CSI-RS resources, which collectively have resources for more than 32 CSI-RS ports. In one or more embodiments, if the resource sets are in the same time slot and according to constraints (e.g., requirements, conditions) that the resource sets are TDMed or FDMed, the first set 312 and the second set 314 of CSI-RS resources may be aggregated (e.g., multiplexed). In some embodiments, TDM or FDM constraints may include the resource sets (e.g., the first set 322 of CSI-RS resources, the second set 324 of CSI-RS resources, and the third set 326 of CSI-RS resources) within the same PRB for aggregation. In one or more embodiments, power boosting by network entities (e.g., by network entity transmitters) may be used, which can improve channel estimation performance.

[0056] In one or more embodiments, aggregated CSI-RS resources, as described in reference resource set 302, can be distributed across the time and frequency domains, making interference estimation more accurate, for example, by averaging over time and frequency. In some embodiments, aggregation across an increasing number of time and frequency domain resources can increase channel estimation delay compared to a design that spans a smaller number of time domain resources.

[0057] Figure 4A An example set 401 of resources is shown according to one or more aspects described herein. In one or more embodiments, the set 401 of resources supports one or more aspects of resource aggregation for an increasing number of channel state information reference signal ports, as further described herein.

[0058] The resource set 401 exemplifies a first set 410 of CSI-RS resources, a second set 412 of CSI-RS resources, a third set 414 of CSI-RS resources, and a fourth set 416 of CSI-RS resources, which together have resources for more than 32 CSI-RS ports. The aggregated set of CSI-RS resources includes resources in each of the first set 410, the second set 412, the third set 414, and the fourth set 416 of CSI-RS resources across multiple PRBs (e.g., PRB 430, PRB 432, PRB 434, and PRB 436).

[0059] In one or more embodiments, CSI-RS resources are divided into two groups, where a first group is transmitted in one set of PRBs (e.g., even-numbered PRBs) and a second group is transmitted in another set of PRBs (e.g., odd-numbered PRBs). For example, a first set 410 of CSI-RS resources may be transmitted in a first group in PRBs 432 and 436, and a second set 412, a third set 414, and a fourth set 416 of CSI-RS resources may be transmitted in a second group in PRBs 430 and 434. In one or more embodiments, indications for the first group and indications for the second group may be received at the UE (e.g., and transmitted by the network device). For example, the indication may be a value transmitted with each CSI-RS configuration (e.g., NZP-CSI-RS-Resource may include a field that assigns the resource configuration to a group, such as “nrofGroup” or “nrofGroup-r19”). As described in reference resource set 401, the indicated group is either the first group (e.g., index=0) or the second group (e.g., index=1), but any number of groups can be configured and used for aggregation.

[0060] Figure 4B An example set 402 of resources is shown according to one or more aspects described herein. In one or more embodiments, the set 402 of resources supports one or more aspects of resource aggregation for an increasing number of channel state information reference signal ports, as further described herein.

[0061] The resource set 402 exemplifies a first set 420 of CSI-RS resources, a second set 422 of CSI-RS resources, a third set 424 of CSI-RS resources, and a fourth set 426 of CSI-RS resources, which together have resources for more than 32 CSI-RS ports. The aggregated set of CSI-RS resources includes resources in each of the first set 420, the second set 422, the third set 424, and the fourth set 426 of CSI-RS resources across multiple PRBs (e.g., PRB 440, PRB 442, PRB 444, and PRB 446).

[0062] In one or more embodiments, CSI-RS resources are divided into two groups, wherein a first group is sent in one set of PRBs (e.g., even-numbered PRBs), and a second group is sent in another set of PRBs (e.g., odd-numbered PRBs). For example, a first set 420 and a third set 424 of CSI-RS resources may be sent in the first group, which consists of PRBs 442 and 446, and a second set 422 and a fourth set 426 of CSI-RS resources may be sent in the second group, which consists of PRBs 440 and 444. In one or more embodiments, the first group may include those CSI-RS resources with even-numbered resource identifiers (e.g., the value of "nzp-CSI-RS-ResourceId" is even for the CSI-RS resource configuration), and the second group may include those CSI-RS resources with odd-numbered resource identifiers (e.g., the value of "nzp-CSI-RS-ResourceId" is odd for the CSI-RS resource configuration). In such cases, the UE that monitors and receives CSI-RS, as well as the network device that sends CSI-RS, understands or is configured to understand the relationship between the resource identifier and the PRB to which the CSI-RS resource is mapped.

[0063] As described in reference resource set 402, the resource identifier is a first group (e.g., index = 0) or a second group (e.g., index = 1), but any number of groups can be configured and used for aggregation. In some embodiments, the first group may include a different number of CSI-RS resources than the second group. In some embodiments, the first group (or the second group) includes one less CSI-RS resource configuration than the second group (or the first group).

[0064] Figure 5An example set 500 of resources is shown according to one or more aspects described herein. In one or more embodiments, the set 500 of resources supports one or more aspects of resource aggregation for an increasing number of channel state information reference signal ports, as further described herein.

[0065] Resource set 501 exemplifies a first set 510 and a second set 512 of CSI-RS resources, which together have resources for more than 32 CSI-RS ports. The aggregated set of CSI-RS resources includes resources from each of the first set 510 and the second set 512 of CSI-RS resources spanning multiple PRBs (e.g., PRB 520, PRB 522, PRB 524, and PRB 526). In one or more embodiments, resources within the same PRB are prohibited from overlapping in the time domain.

[0066] In the first group of PRBs (e.g., in even-numbered PRBs such as PRB 520 and PRB 524), CSI-RS resources are transmitted based on RRC configuration. In the second group of PRBs (e.g., in odd-numbered PRBs such as PRB 522 and PRB 526), ​​CSI-RS resources are transmitted based on RRC configuration, but the first symbol switches between a first set 510 of CSI-RS resources and a second set 512 of CSI-RS resources. For example, in PRB 520 and PRB 524, the second set 510 of CSI-RS resources begins at symbol index "0" and spans four symbols, but in PRB 522 and PRB 526, the first set 512 of CSI-RS resources begins at symbol index "0" and spans five symbols. Similarly, in PRB 520 and PRB 524, the first set 510 of CSI-RS resources begins at symbolic index "7", but in PRB 522 and PRB 526, the second set 512 of CSI-RS resources begins at symbolic index "7".

[0067] In one or more implementations, CSI-RS resources can be mapped in the time domain (e.g., for CSI-RS with more than 32 ports) to minimize conflicts with signals (e.g., demodulation reference signals (DM-RS)). In some implementations, CSI-RS resources are mapped (configured, allocated) in a single time slot based on constraints (e.g., requirements, conditions), which may be known to both the UE and the network equipment. Constraints on a single time slot can provide the benefits of reduced channel estimation delay, reduced UE memory usage, or both, because the UE may not need to buffer CSI-RS across time slots for channel measurements.

[0068] In some implementations, CSI resources are mapped (configured, allocated) across multiple time slots. In some cases, due to the increased number of CSI-RS ports (e.g., more than 32 ports, such as 64 or 128 ports), multiplexing across multiple time slots may be desired, for example, to avoid other signals. For some implementations, phase drift in the time domain may affect the channel estimation performance of aggregated CSI-RS resources due to the presence of phase noise, residual frequency offset across time slots, or both. In one or more implementations, the same CSI-RS resource pattern may be mapped across multiple time slots. In other implementations, different CSI-RS resource patterns may be mapped across multiple time slots in each time slot.

[0069] Figure 6A An example set 601 of resources is shown according to one or more aspects described herein. In one or more embodiments, the set 601 of resources supports one or more aspects of resource aggregation for an increasing number of Channel State Information Reference Signal ports, as further described herein. In one or more embodiments, a first set of CSI-RS resources (e.g., for CSI-RS with more than 32 ports) may be mapped in the time domain to minimize conflicts with signals (e.g., demodulation reference signals (DM-RS)). The set 601 of resources depicts the same CSI-RS resource pattern mapped across multiple time slots.

[0070] The first CSI-RS resource 610 is mapped to the first time slot 612. Then, the first CSI-RS resource 610 is repeated in the second time slot 614. In some embodiments, the second time slot 614 immediately follows the first time slot 612. In one or more embodiments, the first CSI-RS resource 610 is periodic, for example, such that the first CSI-RS resource 610 is mapped to the third time slot 616 and then repeated in the fourth time slot 618.

[0071] In one or more embodiments, the network device may send and the UE may receive RRC signaling to indicate two parameters. The first parameter may be the location of a first timeslot (e.g., first timeslot 612 or third timeslot 616). The second parameter may be the number of timeslots on which the CSI-RS resource is repeated (e.g., indicating two repetitions for first timeslot 612 and second timeslot 614, or for third timeslot 616 and fourth timeslot 618).

[0072] Figure 6BAn example set 602 of resources is shown according to one or more aspects described herein. In one or more embodiments, the set 602 of resources supports one or more aspects of resource aggregation for an increasing number of Channel State Information Reference Signal ports, as further described herein. In one or more embodiments, a first set 620, a second set 630, and a third set 632 of CSI-RS resources for the aggregated set of resources (e.g., aggregated CSI-RS resources for more than 32-port CSI-RS) may be mapped in the time domain to minimize interference with signals (e.g., demodulation reference signals (DM-RS)). The set 602 of resources depicts multiple different CSI-RS resource patterns mapped across multiple time slots.

[0073] A first set 620 of CSI-RS resources is mapped to a first time slot 622. Second sets 630 and 632 of CSI-RS resources are mapped to a second time slot 624. Therefore, the aggregated set of CSI-RS resources spans both the first time slot 622 and the second time slot 624. In one or more embodiments, the CSI-RS resources are periodic, for example, such that the first set 620 of CSI-RS resources is mapped to a third time slot 626, and the second sets 630 and 632 of CSI-RS resources are mapped to a fourth time slot 628.

[0074] In one or more implementations, the network device may send, and the UE may receive, RRC signaling to indicate a combination of parameters for each CSI-RS resource. The first parameter may be a slot index, and the second parameter may be a per-slot CSI-RS mode.

[0075] In one or more embodiments, such as those described using resource set 601 or resource set 602, a time slot shifting mechanism may be used. This mechanism can be applied to such resources when they conflict with uplink (UL) time slots. That is, CSI-RS resources may be mapped to downlink (DL) time slots, causing UL time slot conflicts. In one or more embodiments, CSI-RS resources may be mapped to the next subsequent (e.g., previous) time slot configured as DL.

[0076] In some implementations, UL time slots designated as UL based on cell-specific TDD UL / DL configuration and dedicated TDD UL / DL configuration are counted and applied to time slot shifting. In some implementations, UL time slots designated as UL based on dynamic TDD UL / DL configuration (e.g., downlink control information (DCI) message indication) as indicated by DCI 2_0 format messages are counted and applied to time slot shifting.

[0077] In one or more implementations, the timeslot number used for CSI-RS resource mapping may depend on the antenna port number (based on it, or as a function of it). For example, the antenna port threshold may be 64. If the number of configured antenna ports does not exceed the antenna port threshold (e.g., 48 ports or 64 ports), a single timeslot number (e.g., timeslot value 1) may be used. If the number of configured antenna ports exceeds the antenna port threshold (e.g., 96 ports or 128 ports), a different timeslot number (e.g., timeslot value 2) may be used.

[0078] Figure 7 An example method 700 for wireless communication is illustrated. In one or more embodiments, method 700 supports one or more aspects of resource aggregation for an increasing number of channel state information reference signal ports, as further described herein. In some cases, the UE may be UE 102, wireless device 1002, or one of the other UEs described herein. Method 700 may be performed using a processor, transceiver (or main radio component), or other components of the UE.

[0079] At 702, method 700 includes receiving configuration signaling from a network device, the configuration signaling including a first CSI-RS resource configuration indicating a first CSI-RS resource associated with a first number of CSI-RS ports and a second CSI-RS resource configuration indicating a second CSI-RS resource associated with a second number of CSI-RS ports.

[0080] At 704, method 700 includes receiving from the network device a control signaling instructing the processor to measure a third CSI-RS resource associated with a third number of CSI-RS ports.

[0081] At 706, method 700 includes determining an aggregated set of time-frequency resources for CSI-RS associated with a third number of CSI-RS ports, the aggregated set of time-frequency resources including first CSI-RS resources configured by a first CSI-RS resource configuration and second CSI-RS resources configured by a second CSI-RS resource configuration.

[0082] At 708, method 700 includes receiving CSI-RS associated with a third number of CSI-RS ports on an aggregated set of time-frequency resources during the measurement timing.

[0083] In some embodiments, the first number of CSI-RS ports is the same as the second number of CSI-RS ports; the first number of CSI-RS ports includes the maximum number of CSI-RS ports used for the first CSI-RS resource configuration; and the second number of CSI-RS ports includes the maximum number of CSI-RS ports used for the second CSI-RS resource configuration. In some embodiments, the first number of CSI-RS ports and the second number of CSI-RS ports are thirty-two ports, and the third number of CSI-RS ports is a multiple of thirty-two ports, which is at least sixty-four ports.

[0084] In some embodiments, the first number of CSI-RS ports is the same as the second number of CSI-RS ports; the first number of CSI-RS ports is less than the maximum number of CSI-RS ports used for the first CSI-RS resource configuration; and the second number of CSI-RS ports is less than the maximum number of CSI-RS ports used for the second CSI-RS resource configuration. In some embodiments, the first number of CSI-RS ports and the second number of CSI-RS ports are less than thirty-two ports, and the third number of CSI-RS ports is greater than thirty-two ports.

[0085] In some embodiments, the first number of CSI-RS ports differs from the second number of CSI-RS ports, both the first and second number of CSI-RS ports being less than or equal to thirty-two ports, and the third number of CSI-RS ports being greater than thirty-two ports. In some embodiments, the first number of CSI-RS ports is thirty-two ports and the second number of CSI-RS ports is less than thirty-two ports.

[0086] In some implementations, the aggregate set of time-frequency resources may also include identifying that the first CSI-RS resource and the second CSI-RS resource are constrained to be time-domain multiplexed for the measurement timing.

[0087] In some implementations, the configuration signaling further indicates at least a fourth CSI-RS resource associated with a fourth number of CSI-RS ports, wherein the aggregated set of time-frequency resources includes at least the first CSI-RS resource, the second CSI-RS resource, and the fourth CSI-RS resource. Each of the first CSI-RS resource, the second CSI-RS resource, and the fourth CSI-RS resource is time-domain multiplexed or frequency-domain multiplexed with each of the other resources in the first CSI-RS resource, the second CSI-RS resource, and the fourth CSI-RS resource.

[0088] In some embodiments, determining the aggregated set of time-frequency resources further includes: a first set of resource blocks identifying the first CSI-RS resource for the aggregated set of time-frequency resources; and a second set of resource blocks identifying the second CSI-RS resource for the aggregated set of time-frequency resources. In some embodiments, the first set of resource blocks has odd index values; and the second set of resource blocks has even index values. In one or more embodiments, the method further includes receiving radio resource control signaling indicating a correspondence between the first CSI-RS resource and the first set of resource blocks, and between the second CSI-RS resource and the second set of resource blocks. In some embodiments, the first set of resource blocks is identified as being used for the first CSI-RS resource, at least in part based on both the first set of resource blocks and the first CSI-RS resource having even index values; and the second set of resource blocks is identified as being used for the second CSI-RS resource, at least in part based on both the second set of resource blocks and the second CSI-RS resource having odd index values.

[0089] In some implementations, determining the aggregate set of time-frequency resources further includes: a first set of resource blocks identifying the first CSI-RS resource for the aggregate set of time-frequency resources; and a second set of resource blocks identifying the second CSI-RS resource for the aggregate set of time-frequency resources; wherein the first set of resource blocks alternates with the second set of resource blocks in time and frequency.

[0090] In some implementations, the configuration signaling indicating the first CSI-RS resource configuration and the second CSI-RS resource configuration includes the location of the first time slot and the number of time slots for resource repetition; the first CSI-RS resource configuration indicates the first CSI-RS resource in the first time slot; and the second CSI-RS resource configuration indicates the repetition of the first CSI-RS resource in one or more time slots following the first time slot.

[0091] In one or more embodiments, the method further includes receiving an index indicating a time slot and control signaling for each time slot CSI-RS mode within that time slot.

[0092] In one or more embodiments, the method further includes identifying a conflict between a first CSI-RS timeslot and an uplink timeslot, the first CSI-RS timeslot being indicated by one or more of a first CSI-RS resource configuration or a second CSI-RS resource configuration; and wherein determining the aggregate set of time-frequency resources includes selecting timeslots to avoid the conflict.

[0093] In one or more embodiments, the method further includes identifying the number of time slots for the aggregated set of time-frequency resources based at least in part on whether the plurality of CSI-RS ports exceed a CSI-RS port number threshold.

[0094] Method 700 may be embodied, extended or modified in various ways, as described in the following paragraphs and elsewhere in this description.

[0095] Figure 8 An example method 800 for wireless communication performed by a network device is illustrated. In one or more embodiments, method 800 supports one or more aspects of resource aggregation for an increasing number of channel state information reference signal ports, as further described herein. In some cases, the network device may be one of network device 104, network device 1020, or other network devices described herein. Method 800 may be performed using a processor, transceiver (e.g., main radio component), or other components of the network device.

[0096] At 802, method 800 includes sending configuration signaling to the UE, the configuration signaling including a first CSI-RS resource configuration indicating a first CSI-RS resource associated with a first number of CSI-RS ports and a second CSI-RS resource configuration indicating a second CSI-RS resource associated with a second number of CSI-RS ports.

[0097] At 804, method 800 includes sending control signaling to the UE instructing the UE to measure the CSI-RS associated with a third number of CSI-RS ports.

[0098] At 806, method 800 includes determining an aggregated set of time-frequency resources for CSI-RS associated with a third number of CSI-RS ports, the aggregated set of time-frequency resources including first CSI-RS resources configured by a first CSI-RS resource configuration and second CSI-RS resources configured by a second CSI-RS resource configuration.

[0099] At 808, method 800 includes transmitting CSI-RS associated with a third number of CSI-RS ports on an aggregated set of time-frequency resources during the measurement timing.

[0100] In some embodiments, the first number of CSI-RS ports is the same as the second number of CSI-RS ports; the first number of CSI-RS ports includes the maximum number of CSI-RS ports used for the first CSI-RS resource configuration; and the second number of CSI-RS ports includes the maximum number of CSI-RS ports used for the second CSI-RS resource configuration. In some embodiments, the first number of CSI-RS ports and the second number of CSI-RS ports are thirty-two ports, and the third number of CSI-RS ports is a multiple of thirty-two ports, which is at least sixty-four ports.

[0101] In some embodiments, the first number of CSI-RS ports is the same as the second number of CSI-RS ports; the first number of CSI-RS ports is less than the maximum number of CSI-RS ports used for the first CSI-RS resource configuration; and the second number of CSI-RS ports is less than the maximum number of CSI-RS ports used for the second CSI-RS resource configuration. In some embodiments, the first number of CSI-RS ports and the second number of CSI-RS ports are less than thirty-two ports, and the third number of CSI-RS ports is greater than thirty-two ports.

[0102] In some embodiments, the first number of CSI-RS ports differs from the second number of CSI-RS ports, both the first and second number of CSI-RS ports are less than or equal to thirty-two ports, and the third number of CSI-RS ports is greater than thirty-two ports. In some embodiments, the first number of CSI-RS ports is thirty-two ports and the second number of CSI-RS ports is less than thirty-two ports.

[0103] In some implementations, the aggregate set of time-frequency resources may also include identifying that the first CSI-RS resource and the second CSI-RS resource are constrained to be time-domain multiplexed for the measurement timing.

[0104] In some implementations, the configuration signaling further indicates at least a fourth CSI-RS resource associated with a fourth number of CSI-RS ports, wherein the aggregated set of time-frequency resources includes at least the first CSI-RS resource, the second CSI-RS resource, and the fourth CSI-RS resource. Each of the first CSI-RS resource, the second CSI-RS resource, and the fourth CSI-RS resource is time-domain multiplexed or frequency-domain multiplexed with each of the other resources in the first CSI-RS resource, the second CSI-RS resource, and the fourth CSI-RS resource.

[0105] In some embodiments, determining the aggregated set of time-frequency resources further includes: a first set of resource blocks identifying the first CSI-RS resource for the aggregated set of time-frequency resources; and a second set of resource blocks identifying the second CSI-RS resource for the aggregated set of time-frequency resources. In some embodiments, the first set of resource blocks has odd index values; and the second set of resource blocks has even index values. In one or more embodiments, the method further includes sending radio resource control signaling to the UE, the radio resource control signaling indicating the correspondence between the first CSI-RS resource and the first set of resource blocks, and between the second CSI-RS resource and the second set of resource blocks. In some embodiments, the first set of resource blocks is identified as being used for the first CSI-RS resource, at least in part based on both the first set of resource blocks and the first CSI-RS resource having even index values; and the second set of resource blocks is identified as being used for the second CSI-RS resource, at least in part based on both the second set of resource blocks and the second CSI-RS resource having odd index values.

[0106] In some implementations, determining the aggregate set of time-frequency resources further includes: a first set of resource blocks identifying the first CSI-RS resource for the aggregate set of time-frequency resources; and a second set of resource blocks identifying the second CSI-RS resource for the aggregate set of time-frequency resources; wherein the first set of resource blocks alternates with the second set of resource blocks in time and frequency.

[0107] In some implementations, the configuration signaling indicating the first CSI-RS resource configuration and the second CSI-RS resource configuration includes a first timeslot location and a number of timeslots for resource repetition; the first CSI-RS resource configuration indicates the first CSI-RS resource in the first timeslot; and the second CSI-RS resource configuration indicates the repetition of the first CSI-RS resource in one or more timeslots following the first timeslot.

[0108] In one or more embodiments, the method further includes sending to the UE an index indicating a time slot and control signaling for each time slot CSI-RS mode within that time slot.

[0109] In one or more embodiments, the method further includes identifying a conflict between a first CSI-RS timeslot and an uplink timeslot, the first CSI-RS timeslot being indicated by one or more of a first CSI-RS resource configuration or a second CSI-RS resource configuration; wherein determining the aggregate set of time-frequency resources includes selecting timeslots to avoid the conflict.

[0110] In one or more embodiments, the method further includes identifying the number of time slots for the aggregated set of time-frequency resources based at least in part on whether the plurality of CSI-RS ports exceed a CSI-RS port number threshold.

[0111] Method 800 may be embodied, extended or modified in various ways, as described in the following paragraphs and elsewhere in this description.

[0112] The embodiments contemplated herein include one or more non-transitory computer-readable media storing instructions that, when executed by one or more processors of an electronic device, cause the electronic device to perform one or more elements of method 700 or 800. In the context of method 700, the non-transitory computer-readable medium may be, for example, the memory of a UE (such as memory 1006 of wireless device 1002 as a UE, as described herein). In the context of method 800, the non-transitory computer-readable medium may be, for example, the memory of a network device (such as memory 1024 of network device 1020, as described herein).

[0113] The embodiments contemplated herein include an apparatus having logic components, modules, or circuitry for performing one or more elements of method 700 or 800. In the context of method 700, the apparatus may be, for example, a UE (such as wireless device 1002 as a UE). In the context of method 800, the apparatus may be, for example, a network device (such as network device 1020, as described herein).

[0114] The embodiments contemplated herein include an apparatus having one or more processors and one or more computer-readable media that use or store instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to perform one or more elements of method 700 or 800. In the context of method 700, the apparatus may be, for example, a UE (such as wireless device 1002 as a UE, as described herein). In the context of method 800, the apparatus may be, for example, a network device (such as network device 1020, as described herein).

[0115] The implementation schemes envisioned herein include signals as described or associated with one or more elements of method 700 or 800.

[0116] The embodiments contemplated herein include a computer program or computer program product having instructions, wherein execution of the program by a processor causes the processor to perform one or more elements of method 700 or 800. In the context of method 700, the processor may be a processor of a UE (such as processor 1004 of wireless device 1002 as a UE, as described herein), and the instructions may be located, for example, in the processor and / or in the memory of the UE (such as memory 1006 of wireless device 1002 as a UE, as described herein). In the context of method 800, the processor may be a processor of a network device (such as processor 1022 of network device 1020, as described herein), and the instructions may be located, for example, in the processor and / or in the memory of the network device (such as memory 1024 of network device 1020, as described herein).

[0117] Figure 9 An example architecture of a wireless communication system according to the implementation scheme described herein is illustrated. The following description is provided for example wireless communication system 900, which operates in conjunction with LTE system standards or specifications and / or 5G or NR system standards or specifications as provided by 3GPP technical specifications.

[0118] As shown in the figure, the wireless communication system 900 includes UE 902 and UE 904 (but any number of UEs may be used). In this example, UE 902 and UE 904 are illustrated as smartphones (e.g., handheld touchscreen mobile computing devices capable of connecting to one or more cellular networks), but may also include any mobile or non-mobile computing device configured for wireless communication.

[0119] UE 902 and UE 904 can be configured to communicatively couple with RAN 906. In implementations, RAN 906 can be NG-RAN, E-UTRAN, etc. UE 902 and UE 904 utilize connections (or channels) with RAN 906 (shown as connection 908 and connection 910, respectively), each of these connections including a physical communication interface. RAN 906 may include one or more network devices (such as base station 912 and base station 914) implementing connection 908 and connection 910.

[0120] In this example, Connection 908 and Connection 910 are air interfaces used to implement such communication coupling and are compliant with the RAT used by RAN 906, such as LTE and / or NR, for example.

[0121] In some implementations, UE 902 and UE 904 may also exchange communication data directly via sidelink interface 916. UE 904 is shown configured to access an access point (shown as AP 918) via connection 920. By way of example, connection 920 may include a local wireless connection, such as a connection conforming to any IEEE 802.11 protocol, while AP 918 may include Wi-Fi. ® Router. In this example, AP 918 may connect to another network (e.g., the Internet) without using CN 924.

[0122] In the implementation, UE 902 and UE 904 may be configured to communicate with each other or with base station 912 and / or base station 914 on a multi-carrier communication channel using orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) communication signals according to various communication technologies, such as, but not limited to, orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA) communication technology (e.g., for downlink communication) or single-carrier frequency division multiple access (SC-FDMA) communication technology (e.g., for uplink and ProSe or sidelink communication) , but the scope of the implementation is not limited in this respect. The OFDM signal may include multiple orthogonal subcarriers.

[0123] In some implementations, all or some of the base stations in base station 912 or base station 914 may be implemented as one or more software entities running on a server computer as part of a virtual network. Furthermore, or in other implementations, base station 912 or base station 914 may be configured to communicate with each other via interface 922. In implementations where the wireless communication system 900 is an LTE system (e.g., when CN 924 is an EPC), interface 922 may be an X2 interface. This X2 interface may be defined between two or more network devices (e.g., two or more eNBs, etc.) connected to the EPC and / or between two eNBs connected to the EPC. In implementations where the wireless communication system 900 is an NR system (e.g., when CN 924 is a 5GC), interface 922 may be an Xn interface. The Xn interface may be defined between two or more network devices (e.g., two or more gNBs, etc.) connected to the 5GC, between base station 912 (e.g., gNB) and eNB connected to the 5GC, and / or between two eNBs connected to the 5GC (e.g., CN 924).

[0124] RAN 906 is shown communicatively coupled to CN 924. CN 924 may include one or more network elements 926 configured to provide various data and telecommunications services to customers / subscribers (e.g., users of UE 902 and UE 904) connected to CN 924 via RAN 906. Components of CN 924 may be implemented in a single physical device or a separate physical device including components for reading and executing instructions from machine-readable or computer-readable media (e.g., non-transitory machine-readable storage media).

[0125] In the implementation scheme, CN 924 can be an EPC, and RAN 906 can be connected to CN 924 via S1 interface 928. In the implementation scheme, S1 interface 928 can be divided into two parts: an S1 user plane (S1-U) interface, which carries service data between base station 912 or base station 914 and the service gateway (S-GW); and an S1-MME interface, which is the signaling interface between base station 912 or base station 914 and the mobility management entity (MME).

[0126] In the implementation scheme, CN 924 can be a 5GC, and RAN 906 can be connected to CN 924 via NG interface 928. In the implementation scheme, NG interface 928 can be divided into two parts: an NG user plane (NG-U) interface, which carries service data between base station 912 or base station 914 and user plane function (UPF); and an S1 control plane (NG-C) interface, which is the signaling interface between base station 912 or base station 914 and access and mobility management function (AMF).

[0127] Generally, application server 930 can be a component that provides Internet Protocol (IP) bearer resources (e.g., packet-switched data services) for use with CN 924. Application server 930 can also be configured to support one or more communication services (e.g., VoIP sessions, group communication sessions, etc.) for UE 902 and UE 904 via CN 924. Application server 930 can communicate with CN 924 via IP communication interface 932.

[0128] Figure 10 An example system 1000 for performing signaling 1038 between a wireless device 1002 and a network device 1020 according to an embodiment described herein is illustrated. System 1000 may be part of a wireless communication system as described herein. Wireless device 1002 may be, for example, a UE of a wireless communication system. Network device 1020 may be, for example, a base station (e.g., an eNB or gNB) or a radio headend of a wireless communication system.

[0129] Wireless device 1002 may include one or more processors 1004. Processor 1004 is executable instructions that cause various operations of wireless device 1002 to be performed as described herein. Processor 1004 may include one or more baseband processors, which are implemented using, for example, a central processing unit (CPU), digital signal processor (DSP), application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), controller, field-programmable gate array (FPGA) device, another hardware device, firmware device, or any combination thereof configured to perform the operations described herein.

[0130] Wireless device 1002 may include memory 1006. Memory 1006 may be a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium that stores instructions 1008, which may include, for example, instructions executed by processor 1004. Instructions 1008 may also be referred to as program code or computer program. Memory 1006 may also store data used by processor 1004 and results calculated by the processor.

[0131] Wireless device 1002 may include one or more transceivers 1010 (also collectively referred to as transceiver 1010), which may include radio frequency (RF) transmitter and / or receiver circuitry that uses antenna 1012 of wireless device 1002 to facilitate to-and / or signaling from wireless device 1002 to other devices (e.g., network device 1020) and / or from wireless device 1002 (e.g., signaling 1038) according to the corresponding RAT.

[0132] Wireless device 1002 may include one or more (e.g., one, two, four, eight or more) antennas 1012. In embodiments with multiple antennas 1012, wireless device 1002 may fully utilize the spatial diversity of such multiple antennas 1012 to transmit and / or receive multiple different data streams on the same time and frequency resources. This behavior may be referred to as, for example, MIMO behavior (referring to multiple antennas used at each of the transmitting and receiving devices to implement this aspect). MIMO transmission by wireless device 1002 may be implemented according to pre-decoding (or digital beamforming) applied to wireless device 1002, which multiplexes data streams among antennas 1012 based on known or assumed channel characteristics, such that each data stream is received with appropriate signal strength relative to the other streams and at a desired location in the spatial domain (e.g., the location of the receiver associated with that data stream). Some implementations may use a single-user MIMO (SU-MIMO) approach (where all data streams are directed to a single receiver) and / or a multi-user MIMO (MU-MIMO) approach (where individual data streams may be directed to individual (different) receivers at different locations in the spatial domain).

[0133] In some implementations with multiple antennas, wireless device 1002 may implement analog beamforming technology, whereby the phase of the signal transmitted by antenna 1012 is relatively adjusted so that the (joint) transmission of antenna 1012 can be directed (this is sometimes referred to as beam control).

[0134] Wireless device 1002 may include one or more interfaces 1014. Interface 1014 can be used to provide input to or output to wireless device 1002. For example, wireless device 1002 as a UE may include interface 1014, such as a microphone, speaker, touchscreen, button, etc., to allow input and / or output from a user of the UE to the UE. Other interfaces of such UEs may consist of transmitters, receivers, and other circuitry (e.g., in addition to the transceiver 1010 / antenna 1012 already described), allowing communication between the UE and other devices, and can be configured according to known protocols (e.g., Wi-Fi). ® ,Bluetooth ® (etc.) to perform the operation.

[0135] Wireless device 1002 may include a CSI-RS resource manager 1016. The CSI-RS resource manager 1016 may be implemented via hardware, software, or a combination thereof. For example, the CSI-RS resource manager 1016 may be implemented as a processor, circuitry, and / or instructions 1008 stored in memory 1006 and executed by processor 1004. In some examples, the CSI-RS resource manager 1016 may be integrated within processor 1004 and / or transceiver 1010. For example, the CSI-RS resource manager 1016 may be implemented by a combination of software components (e.g., executed by a DSP or general-purpose processor) and hardware components (e.g., logic gates and circuitry) within processor 1004 or transceiver 1010.

[0136] From the perspective of a wireless device or UE, the CSI-RS resource manager 1016 can be used in various aspects of this disclosure, for example, Figures 1 to 10 The CSI-RS resource manager 1016 can be configured to, for example, perform: receiving configuration signaling via transceiver 1010 and from a network device (e.g., network device 1020), the configuration signaling including a first CSI-RS resource configuration indicating a first CSI-RS resource associated with a first number of CSI-RS ports and a second CSI-RS resource configuration indicating a second CSI-RS resource associated with a second number of CSI-RS ports; receiving via transceiver 1010 and from a network device (e.g., network device 1020) a control signaling instructing the UE to measure a third CSI-RS resource associated with a third number of CSI-RS ports; determining an aggregate set of time-frequency resources for the CSI-RS associated with the third number of CSI-RS ports, the aggregate set of time-frequency resources including a first CSI-RS resource configured by the first CSI-RS resource configuration and a second CSI-RS resource configured by the second CSI-RS resource configuration; and receiving CSI-RS associated with the third number of CSI-RS ports on the aggregate set of time-frequency resources during a measurement opportunity.

[0137] Network device 1020 may include one or more processors 1022. Processor 1022 is executable instructions that cause various operations of network device 1020 to be performed as described herein. Processor 1022 may include one or more baseband processors, which are implemented using, for example, a CPU, DSP, ASIC, controller, FPGA device, another hardware device, firmware device, or any combination thereof configured to perform the operations described herein.

[0138] Network device 1020 may include memory 1024. Memory 1024 may be a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium that stores instructions 1026, which may include instructions executed, for example, by processor 1022. Instructions 1026 may also be referred to as program code or a computer program. Memory 1024 may also store data used by processor 1022 and results calculated by the processor.

[0139] Network device 1020 may include one or more transceivers 1028 (also collectively referred to as transceiver 1028), which may include RF transmitter and / or receiver circuitry that uses the antenna 1030 of network device 1020 to facilitate to-and / or signaling from network device 1020 to other devices (e.g., wireless device 1002) according to the corresponding RAT (e.g., signaling 1038).

[0140] Network device 1020 may include one or more antennas 1030 (e.g., one, two, four or more). In embodiments having multiple antennas 1030, network device 1020 may perform MIMO, digital beamforming, analog beamforming, beam control, etc., as described.

[0141] Network device 1020 may include one or more interfaces 1032. Interface 1032 can be used to provide input to or output to network device 1020. For example, RAN network device 1020 (e.g., base station, radio head, etc.) may include interfaces 1032 consisting of transmitters, receivers, and other circuitry (e.g., in addition to the transceiver 1028 / antenna 1030 already described), which enable network device 1020 to communicate with other equipment in the network and / or enable network device 1020 to communicate with external networks, computers, databases, etc., for the purpose of operating, managing, and maintaining network device 1020 or other equipment operatively connected to it.

[0142] Network device 1020 may include at least one CSI-RS resource manager 1034. The CSI-RS resource manager 1034 may be implemented via hardware, software, or a combination thereof. For example, 1034 may be implemented as a processor, circuitry, and / or instructions 1026 stored in memory 1024 and executed by processor 1022. In some examples, the CSI-RS resource manager 1034 may be integrated within processor 1022 and / or transceiver 1028. For example, the CSI-RS resource manager 1034 may be implemented by a combination of software components (e.g., executed by a DSP or general-purpose processor) and hardware components (e.g., logic gates and circuitry) within processor 1022 or transceiver 1028.

[0143] From a network device perspective, the CSI-RS Resource Manager 1034 can be used in various aspects of this disclosure, for example, Figures 1 to 10 The CSI-RS resource manager 1034 can be configured to, for example, perform the following actions: send configuration signaling via transceiver 1028 to wireless device 1002 (e.g., UE), the configuration signaling including a first CSI-RS resource configuration indicating a first CSI-RS resource associated with a first number of CSI-RS ports and a second CSI-RS resource configuration indicating a second CSI-RS resource associated with a second number of CSI-RS ports; send via transceiver 1028 to wireless device 1002 (e.g., UE) an instruction for wireless device 1002 to measure and connect to a third... The control signaling for CSI-RS associated with a third number of CSI-RS ports; determining an aggregate set of time-frequency resources for CSI-RS associated with a third number of CSI-RS ports, the aggregate set of time-frequency resources including a first CSI-RS resource configured by a first CSI-RS resource configuration and a second CSI-RS resource configured by a second CSI-RS resource configuration; and transmitting the CSI-RS associated with the third number of CSI-RS ports on the aggregate set of time-frequency resources via transceiver 1028 and during measurement timing.

[0144] For one or more embodiments, at least one of the components illustrated in one or more of the foregoing figures may be configured to perform one or more operations, techniques, processes, and / or methods as set forth herein. For example, a baseband processor (or processor) as described herein in conjunction with one or more of the foregoing figures may be configured to operate according to one or more of the examples presented herein. Similarly, circuitry associated with a UE, network device, network element, etc., as described above in conjunction with one or more of the foregoing figures may be configured to operate according to one or more of the examples presented herein.

[0145] Unless otherwise expressly stated, any of the embodiments described above may be combined with any other embodiment (or combination of embodiments). The foregoing description of one or more specific embodiments provides illustrative and descriptive purposes, but is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the scope of the embodiments to the precise form described. In light of the teachings above, modifications and variations are possible, or modifications and variations may be derived from the practice of various embodiments.

[0146] Implementations and specific embodiments of the systems and methods described herein may include various operations embodied in machine-executable instructions to be executed by a computer system. The computer system may include one or more general-purpose or special-purpose computers (or other electronic devices). The computer system may include hardware components, including specific logical parts for performing the operations; or may include a combination of hardware, software, and / or firmware.

[0147] The systems described herein relate to specific implementations but are provided as examples. These implementations may be combined into a single system, partially integrated into other systems, divided into multiple systems, or otherwise partitioned or combined. Furthermore, it is conceivable to use parameters, attributes, aspects, etc., of one implementation in one implementation. For clarity, these parameters, attributes, aspects, etc., are described only in one or more implementations, and it should be understood that, unless expressly stated herein, these parameters, attributes, aspects, etc., may be combined with or substituted for parameters, attributes, aspects, etc., of another implementation.

[0148] Although the foregoing has been described in considerable detail for clarity, it will be apparent that changes and modifications can be made without departing from the principles of the invention. It should be noted that many alternative ways exist to implement both the processes and apparatus described herein. Therefore, embodiments of the invention should be considered illustrative rather than restrictive, and this description is not limited to the details given herein, but can be modified within the scope and equivalents of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A processor configured to: The configuration signaling is received via a transceiver and from a network device. The configuration signaling includes a first CSI-RS resource configuration indicating a first CSI-RS resource associated with a first number of Channel State Information Reference Signal (CSI-RS) ports and a second CSI-RS resource configuration indicating a second CSI-RS resource associated with a second number of CSI-RS ports. Receive, via the transceiver and from the network device, control signaling instructing the processor to measure a third CSI-RS resource associated with a third number of CSI-RS ports; Determine an aggregated set of time-frequency resources for CSI-RS associated with the third number of CSI-RS ports, the aggregated set of time-frequency resources including the first CSI-RS resources configured by the first CSI-RS resource configuration and the second CSI-RS resources configured by the second CSI-RS resource configuration; and The CSI-RS associated with the third number of CSI-RS ports is received on the aggregate set of time-frequency resources via the transceiver and during the measurement timing.

2. The processor according to claim 1, wherein: The first number of CSI-RS ports is the same as the second number of CSI-RS ports; The first number of CSI-RS ports includes the maximum number of CSI-RS ports used for the first CSI-RS resource configuration; and The second number of CSI-RS ports includes the maximum number of CSI-RS ports used for the second CSI-RS resource configuration.

3. The processor according to claim 2, wherein: The first number of CSI-RS ports and the second number of CSI-RS ports are thirty-two ports, and the third number of CSI-RS ports includes at least a multiple of thirty-two ports that is sixty-four ports.

4. The processor according to claim 1, wherein: The first number of CSI-RS ports is the same as the second number of CSI-RS ports; The first number of CSI-RS ports is less than the maximum number of CSI-RS ports used for the first CSI-RS resource configuration; and The second number of CSI-RS ports is less than the maximum number of CSI-RS ports used for the second CSI-RS resource configuration.

5. The processor according to claim 4, wherein: The first number of CSI-RS ports and the second number of CSI-RS ports are less than thirty-two ports, and the third number of CSI-RS ports is greater than thirty-two ports.

6. The processor according to claim 1, wherein: The first number of CSI-RS ports is different from the second number of CSI-RS ports; The first number of CSI-RS ports and the second number of CSI-RS ports are each less than or equal to thirty-two ports; and The third number of CSI-RS ports is greater than thirty-two ports.

7. The processor according to claim 6, wherein: The first number of CSI-RS ports is thirty-two ports and the second number of CSI-RS ports is less than thirty-two ports.

8. The processor according to claim 1, wherein the processor is further configured to: The first CSI-RS resource and the second CSI-RS resource are constrained to be time-domain multiplexed for the measurement timing.

9. The processor according to claim 1, wherein: The configuration signaling further indicates at least a fourth CSI-RS resource associated with a fourth number of CSI-RS ports; The aggregated set of time-frequency resources includes at least the first CSI-RS resource, the second CSI-RS resource, and the fourth CSI-RS resource; and Each of the first CSI-RS resource, the second CSI-RS resource, and the fourth CSI-RS resource is time-domain multiplexed or frequency-domain multiplexed with each of the other resources in the first CSI-RS resource, the second CSI-RS resource, and the fourth CSI-RS resource.

10. The processor of claim 1, further configured to: A first set of resource blocks identifying the first CSI-RS resource of the aggregate set used for time-frequency resources; and A second set of resource blocks that identify the second CSI-RS resource of the aggregate set used for time-frequency resources.

11. The processor according to claim 10, wherein: The first set of resource blocks has odd index values; and The second set of resource blocks has an even index value.

12. The processor of claim 10, wherein the processor is further configured to: Receive radio resource control signaling, the radio resource control signaling indicating the correspondence between the first CSI-RS resource and the first set of resource blocks, and between the second CSI-RS resource and the second set of resource blocks.

13. The processor according to claim 10, wherein: The first set of resource blocks is identified as being used for the first CSI-RS resource, at least in part based on the fact that both the first set of resource blocks and the first CSI-RS resource have even index values; and The second set of resource blocks is identified as being used for the second CSI-RS resource, at least in part based on the fact that both the second set of resource blocks and the second CSI-RS resource have odd index values.

14. The processor of claim 1, further configured to: A first set of resource blocks identifying the first CSI-RS resource of the aggregate set used for time-frequency resources; and A second set of resource blocks that identify the second CSI-RS resource of the aggregate set used for time-frequency resources; The first set of resource blocks alternates with the second set of resource blocks in terms of time and frequency.

15. The processor according to claim 1, wherein: The configuration signaling indicating the first CSI-RS resource configuration and the second CSI-RS resource configuration includes the location of the first time slot and the number of time slots for resource repetition; The first CSI-RS resource configuration indicates the first CSI-RS resource in the first time slot; and The second CSI-RS resource configuration indicates the repetition of the first CSI-RS resource in one or more time slots following the first time slot.

16. The processor of claim 1, further configured to: Receive the index of the indicated time slot and the control signaling for each time slot's CSI-RS mode.

17. The processor of claim 1, further configured to: Identify the conflict between the first CSI-RS time slot and the uplink time slot, wherein the first CSI-RS time slot is indicated by one or more of the first CSI-RS resource configuration or the second CSI-RS resource configuration; The aggregation set for determining time-frequency resources includes selecting time slots to avoid the conflicts.

18. The processor of claim 1, further configured to: The number of time slots in the aggregate set for time-frequency resources is identified at least in part based on whether the third number of CSI-RS ports exceeds a CSI-RS port number threshold.

19. A network device, the network device comprising: transceiver; and Processor, the processor being configured to cause the network device to: The transceiver sends configuration signaling to the user equipment (UE) via the transceiver, the configuration signaling including a first CSI-RS resource configuration indicating a first CSI-RS resource associated with a first number of Channel State Information Reference Signal (CSI-RS) ports and a second CSI-RS resource configuration indicating a second CSI-RS resource associated with a second number of CSI-RS ports; The transceiver sends control signaling to the UE via the transceiver, instructing the UE to measure the CSI-RS associated with a third number of CSI-RS ports; Determine an aggregated set of time-frequency resources for the CSI-RS associated with the third number of CSI-RS ports, the aggregated set of time-frequency resources including the first CSI-RS resources configured by the first CSI-RS resource configuration and the second CSI-RS resources configured by the second CSI-RS resource configuration; and The CSI-RS associated with the third number of CSI-RS ports is transmitted via the transceiver and during the measurement period on the aggregated set of time-frequency resources.

20. A method for conducting wireless communication at a user equipment (UE), the method comprising: Receive configuration signaling from network device, the configuration signaling including a first CSI-RS resource configuration indicating a first CSI-RS resource associated with a first number of Channel State Information Reference Signal (CSI-RS) ports and a second CSI-RS resource configuration indicating a second CSI-RS resource associated with a second number of CSI-RS ports; Receive control signaling from the network device instructing the UE to measure a third CSI-RS resource associated with a third number of CSI-RS ports; Determine an aggregated set of time-frequency resources for CSI-RS associated with the third number of CSI-RS ports, the aggregated set of time-frequency resources including the first CSI-RS resources configured by the first CSI-RS resource configuration and the second CSI-RS resources configured by the second CSI-RS resource configuration; and During the measurement opportunity, the CSI-RS associated with the third number of CSI-RS ports is received on the aggregated set of time-frequency resources.

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