Apparatus and method for communication

Abstract

An apparatus is provided that includes at least one processor, and at least one memory that stores instructions, which when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least perform: providing measurements to a network; receiving, from the network in response to the provided measurements, a configuration of mutually exclusive transmission and reception patterns for a discontinuous intra-band carrier aggregation operation for the apparatus, wherein a transmission pattern is associated with an uplink component carrier and a reception pattern is associated with a downlink component carrier; and applying the configuration of mutually exclusive transmission and reception patterns for the discontinuous intra-band carrier aggregation operation.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Various embodiments of this disclosure generally relate to methods, apparatuses, and computer programs, particularly but not limited to dynamic downlink methods for switched carrier aggregation. Background Technology

[0002] A communication system can be viewed as a facility that enables communication sessions between two or more communication devices, or provides communication devices with access to a network. Mobile or wireless communication networks are an example of communication networks. Application servers can provide services to communication devices.

[0003] Mobile or wireless communication networks can operate according to multiple standards, such as those provided by 3GPP (3rd Generation Partnership Project) or ETSI (European Telecommunications Standards Institute). Examples of mobile or wireless communication networks operating according to 3GPP standards are often referred to as 4G (4th generation) networks, 5G (5th generation) networks, 5G-Advanced networks, and 6G networks. Summary of the Invention

[0004] Some embodiments of this disclosure will be described with respect to several aspects. These aspects are not intended to indicate key or essential features of the various exemplary embodiments of this disclosure, nor are they intended to be used to limit the scope of this disclosure. In view of this disclosure, other features, aspects, and elements will be apparent to those skilled in the art. For example, it should be understood that additional aspects may be provided by combining any two or more of the various aspects described herein.

[0005] In a first aspect, a method is provided, comprising: providing a measurement to a network; receiving from the network in response to the provided measurement a configuration of mutually exclusive transmit and receive modes for the apparatus for non-contiguous intra-band carrier aggregation operation, wherein the transmit mode is associated with an uplink component carrier and the receive mode is associated with a downlink component carrier; and applying the configuration of the mutually exclusive transmit and receive modes for non-contiguous intra-band carrier aggregation operation.

[0006] The transmission mode can be associated with an uplink component carrier that causes interference at the downlink component carrier.

[0007] The transmission mode can be associated with two uplink component carriers, and the transmission mode includes switching between a first uplink component carrier and a second uplink component carrier.

[0008] Component carriers may include non-continuous in-band component carriers.

[0009] Measurements may include at least one of the following: an indication of maximum power reduction, a power margin report, or a buffer status report.

[0010] The method may include providing the network with an indication that the device supports mutually exclusive transmit and receive modes for non-contiguous in-band carrier aggregation operation.

[0011] This method can be performed at a device. The device can be, include, or be included in a user equipment.

[0012] In a second aspect, a method is provided, comprising: receiving measurements from a user equipment; determining a downlink component carrier degradation caused by an uplink component carrier; and, based on the determined measurements and the received measurements, providing the user equipment with a configuration of mutually exclusive transmit and receive modes for non-contiguous in-band carrier aggregation operation, wherein the receive mode is associated with the uplink component carrier and the transmit mode is associated with the downlink component carrier.

[0013] Measurements may include at least one of the following: an indication of maximum power reduction, a power margin report, or a buffer status report.

[0014] The configuration can be based on a machine learning model, where the inputs to the machine learning model include measurements and the quality of the downlink component carriers, and the output includes the configuration.

[0015] Component carriers may include non-continuous in-band component carriers.

[0016] The method may include receiving from the user equipment an indication that the user equipment supports mutually exclusive transmit and receive modes for non-contiguous in-band carrier aggregation operation.

[0017] In a third aspect, an apparatus is provided that includes components for performing the method according to the first or second aspect.

[0018] In a fourth aspect, an apparatus is provided, the apparatus comprising at least one processor and at least one memory storing instructions which, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to perform at least the method according to the first aspect or the second aspect.

[0019] In a fifth aspect, a non-transitory computer-readable medium is provided, including instructions, wherein when executed by at least one processor of the device, the instructions cause the device to perform the method according to the first or second aspect.

[0020] In a sixth aspect, a computer program is provided, including instructions that, when executed by a device, cause the device to perform at least the method according to the first or second aspect.

[0021] Some embodiments of the present invention are defined in the dependent claims.

[0022] Many different aspects have been described above. As previously stated, it should be understood that additional aspects may be provided by combining any two or more of the aspects described above (or otherwise in this disclosure).

[0023] Various other aspects are also described in the following detailed description and claims. Attached Figure Description

[0024] Some embodiments will be described by way of non-limiting and illustrative examples only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0025] Figure 1 An example of a communication network is shown, and the examples disclosed herein can be applied to that communication network;

[0026] Figure 2a A schematic diagram of the segmented spectrum is shown;

[0027] Figure 2b A schematic diagram of the segmented spectrum is shown;

[0028] Figure 3 A schematic diagram of FDD UL and DL segmented carriers is shown;

[0029] Figure 4 A schematic diagram of FDD UL and DL segmented carriers is shown;

[0030] Figure 5 A schematic diagram of FDD UL and DL segmented carriers with mutually exclusive transmit and receive modes is shown;

[0031] Figure 6 A schematic diagram of FDD UL and DL segmented carriers with mutually exclusive transmit and receive modes is shown;

[0032] Figure 7 A schematic diagram of FDD UL and DL segmented carriers with mutually exclusive transmit and receive modes is shown;

[0033] Figure 8 An example signaling flow between the NW and the UE is shown;

[0034] Figure 9 A flowchart of the example method is shown;

[0035] Figure 10 A flowchart of the example method is shown;

[0036] Figure 11 A schematic diagram of FDD UL and DL segmented carriers with mutually exclusive transmit and receive modes relative to output power is shown;

[0037] Figure 12 A schematic diagram of the AI ​​model is shown;

[0038] Figure 13 An example signaling flow between the NW and the UE is shown;

[0039] Figure 14 An example of the device is shown. Detailed Implementation

[0040] The following embodiments are provided by way of non-limiting and illustrative examples. Although this specification may refer to "an," "a," or "some" embodiments in several places in the text, this does not necessarily mean that each reference is for the same embodiment(s), or that a particular feature applies only to a single embodiment. Individual features of different embodiments may also be combined to provide other embodiments. Furthermore, when a particular feature, structure, or characteristic is described in connection with an embodiment, this is intended to apply such feature, structure, or characteristic in conjunction with other embodiments (whether explicitly described or not).

[0041] It should be understood that although the terms "first," "second," etc., may be used in this document to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element from another.

[0042] For the purposes of this disclosure, the phrases “at least one of A or B,” “at least one of A and B,” and “A and / or B” mean (A), (B), or (A and B). For the purposes of this disclosure, the phrases “A, B, and / or C” mean (A), (B), (C), (A and B), (A and C), (B and C), or (A, B, and C).

[0043] As used herein, the term “or” means non-exclusive “or” unless otherwise stated (e.g., “otherwise” or “alternative”).

[0044] As used herein, unless otherwise expressly stated, performing a feature, step, or function in response to A does not indicate that the corresponding feature, step, or function is performed immediately after A occurs, because one or more intermediate features, steps, or functions may be performed (at least in part) between the occurrence of the corresponding feature, step, or function and A. Similarly, performing a feature, step, or function based on A does not indicate that the corresponding feature, step, or function is performed solely based on A, because the corresponding feature, step, or function may also be based on one or more other features, steps, or functions besides A.

[0045] The embodiments described herein can be implemented in communication networks such as any of the following radio access technologies (RATs): Global Microwave Access Interoperability (WiMAX), Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM, 2G), GSM EDGE Radio Access Network (GERAN), General Packet Radio Service (GRPS), Universal Mobile Telecommunications System based on Basic Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (W-CDMA) (UMTS, 3G), High-Speed ​​Packet Access (HSPA), Long Term Evolution (LTE), LTE-Advanced, and Enhanced LTE (eLTE), 5G (also known as NR), or any future RAT, such as 6G. Furthermore, communication within the communication network can utilize any suitable wireless communication technology, including but not limited to: Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA), Frequency Division Multiple Access (FDMA), Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA), Frequency Division Duplex (FDD), Time Division Duplex (TDD), Multiple-Input Multiple-Output (MIMO), Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM), and / or Discrete Fourier Transform Extended OFDM (DFT-s-OFDM).

[0046] As used herein, the term "network device" or "network node" refers to a node in a communication network through which user equipment can access the network and / or which is configured to control radio communications and manage radio resources within a cell. A network node or network device may be referred to as a base station (BS), access point (AP), or access node. Depending on the technology applied, a network device may be, for example, a Node B (NodeB or NB), an evolved Node B (eNodeB or eNB), an NR NB (also known as a gNB), a Remote Radio Unit (RRU), a Radio Head (RH), a Remote Radio Head (RRH), a relay, an Integrated Access and Backhaul (IAB) node, a low-power node, a non-terrestrial network (NTN), or a non-terrestrial network device such as satellite network equipment, low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites and geostationary Earth orbit (GEO) satellites, or aircraft network equipment.

[0047] Additionally, in conjunction with split radio access network (RAN), network equipment can refer to a centralized unit (CU) and / or a distributed unit (DU) of a base station. The interface between the CU and DU may be referred to as the F1 interface in NR. In a split RAN architecture, node operations can be performed at least partially in a central / centralized unit (CU, e.g., a server, host, or node) operatively coupled to a DU (e.g., a radio head / node). A CU can control one or more DUs, at least acting as a transmit / receive (Tx / Rx) node. In some embodiments, a DU may include, for example, a Radio Link Control (RLC) layer, a Media Access Control (MAC) layer, and a Physical (PHY) layer, while a CU may include layers above the RLC layer, such as a Packet Data Convergence Protocol (PDCP) layer, a Radio Resource Control (RRC) layer, and an Internet Protocol (IP) layer. Other functional splits are also possible. In fact, any processing task can be performed in a CU or a DU, and the boundary of responsibility transfer between the CU and DU can depend on the applied implementation.

[0048] The term "terminal device" refers to any terminal device that can be configured to perform wireless communication. For example, a terminal device may be referred to as a communication device, user equipment (UE), subscriber station (SS), or mobile station (MS). Terminal devices can include mobile phones, cellular phones, smartphones, Voice over IP (VoIP) phones, wireless local loop phones, tablets, wearable terminal devices, personal digital assistants (PDAs), portable computers, desktop computers, image capture terminal devices such as digital cameras, gaming terminal devices, music storage and playback devices, in-vehicle wireless terminal devices, USB dongles, Internet of Things (IoT) devices, watches or other wearable devices, head-mounted displays (HMDs), vehicles, drones, medical devices and applications (e.g., remote surgery), industrial devices and applications (e.g., robots and / or other wireless devices operating in the context of industrial and / or automated processing chains), consumer electronics devices, devices operating on commercial and / or industrial wireless networks, and so on.

[0049] As used herein, the term "resource" can refer to radio resources in the time domain, frequency domain, spatial domain, and / or code domain. Some examples of resources may include, for example, physical resource blocks (PRBs), radio frames, subframes, time slots, subbands, frequency regions, subcarriers, beams, etc. The terms "transmit" and / or "receive" can refer to wireless transmission and / or reception over radio resources via a wireless propagation channel.

[0050] Figure 1An example of a communication network is illustrated, and the examples disclosed herein can be applied to such a communication network. This communication network, or cellular communication network, may include network node 110 and network node 112, wherein network node 110 is configured to provide one or more cells (such as cell 100), and network node 112 is configured to provide one or more other cells (such as cell 102). Each cell may be, for example, a macro cell, micro cell, femtocell, or picocell. A cell may define the coverage area or service area of ​​a corresponding access node.

[0051] Network nodes (110, 112) can be configured to provide radio access to a communication network to user equipment (UE) 120 (one or more UEs). Radio access may include downlink (DL) communication from network nodes (110, 112) to UE 120, and uplink (UL) communication from UE 120 to network nodes (110, 112). Examples of uplink channels may include a Physical Uplink Control Channel (PUCCH) for transmitting control information and a Physical Uplink Shared Channel (PUSCH) for transmitting data to the network. Examples of downlink channels may include a Physical Downlink Control Channel (PDCCH) for transmitting control information and a Physical Downlink Shared Channel (PDSCH) for transmitting data to the user equipment.

[0052] Multiple UEs (120, 122) can exist in the system. Each of the multiple UEs can be served by the same or different network nodes (110, 112). UEs can be configured with dual connectivity (DC), where a UE (e.g., UE 120) can be connected to multiple network nodes (110, 112). UEs (120, 122) can communicate with each other when a device-to-device (D2D) communication interface is established between UEs (120, 122) via a so-called side link (SL). For example, such D2D communication can be referred to as machine-to-machine communication, point-to-point (P2P) communication, or vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) communication, etc.

[0053] In a communication network with multiple network nodes, these nodes can be interconnected via interfaces. For example, the LTE specification refers to such interfaces as the X2 interface. The interface between an LTE node and a 5G node, or between two 5G nodes, can be called an Xn interface.

[0054] Network nodes 110 and 112 can also be connected to the core network 116 of the communication network via another interface. The LTE specification defines this core network as an Evolved Packet Core (EPC), which may include multiple entities (e.g., Mobility Management Entity (MME) and gateway nodes). The MME can handle the mobility of terminal devices within a tracking area containing multiple cells and handle signaling connections between the terminal devices and the core network. Gateway nodes can handle data routing within the core network, as well as to / from terminal devices. The 5G specification defines the core network as a 5G Core (5GC). For example, the 5GC may include Access and Mobility Management Functions (AMF) and User Plane Functions / Gateways (UPF), among other functions. The AMF can handle the termination of Non-Access Stratum (NAS) signaling, NAS encryption and integrity protection, registration management, connection management, mobility management, access authentication and authorization, and security context management. For example, UPF nodes can support packet routing and forwarding, packet inspection, and Quality of Service (QoS) processing.

[0055] The following section deals with segmented carriers. Segmented carriers are carriers in a given bandwidth of the spectrum that are separated by frequency intervals; that is, these carriers are non-contiguous. Non-contiguous in-band carrier aggregation is an example implementation using segmented carriers. These segmented carriers are within the same frequency band. Segmented carrier aggregation describes a UE with a hardware configuration that enables the reception of multiple segmented in-band carriers over a single RX RF chain.

[0056] Figure 2a An example of segmented carriers in an operator's spectrum is shown. Figure 2a The diagram shows n25 (which shares the same spectrum as n2 but is 5 MHz lower), n7, and n66 in Canada. Different numbers (1, 2, 3, 4) indicate different operator spectrum ownership.

[0057] Figure 2b The n26 / n5 ratio in Australia is shown. Figure 2b The spectrum shown is allocated based on a key. For example... Figure 2a and 2b As can be seen, the carrier bandwidth is separated by frequency intervals, which may include another carrier bandwidth allocated to different operators.

[0058] Reference sensitivity can be defined as the minimum receiver input power measured at the antenna connector at which the BER does not exceed a specific value. When discussing the basic reference sensitivity for a device, a wider channel bandwidth will result in lower sensitivity. An example approximation is an increase of approximately 3 dB REFSENS for every doubling of the channel bandwidth. Table 2 shows the two-antenna-port reference sensitivity QPSKP for TDD, SDL, and FDD in variable-duplex operating band scenarios.REFSENS The above approximation is in 10Log. 10 As can be seen from the expression, this expression will N RB Divide by the minimum number of RBs in the channel for the corresponding frequency band in the 3GPP specification for TDD channels, as shown in Table 1. Table 1 shows the reference sensitivity QPSK P of the two antenna ports in the case of variable duplex operation for TDD, SDL, and FDD. REFSENS Tables 2 and 3 show the example number of NRBs for each SCS and channel bandwidth. Table 1 Table 2 Table 3

[0059] When moving to FDD, where the uplink and downlink frequencies are separate, the situation is different, as shown in Table 4. Table 4

[0060] As shown in Table 4, REFSENS no longer decreases by about 3dB with each bandwidth doubling, but instead begins to decrease more at higher RB counts (channel bandwidth), especially when the channel width exceeds 20MHz. This is due to the reduced distance between the channel edges of the uplink and downlink band boundaries, which reduces the channel bandwidth compared to the duplex distance between the uplink and downlink for FDD.

[0061] Because segmented carriers use a single receive chain for multiple carriers, and there is a distance between downlink carriers (e.g., ... Figure 2a and 2b As shown in the diagram, REFSENS is used for the entire bandwidth and no longer for a single carrier itself.

[0062] In n3 and n7, with duplex distances up to 120 MHz, the difference from 25 MHz bandwidth to 50 MHz reduces REFSENS by at least 8.5 dB, exceeding the 3 dB explanation given by the approximation above. The same can be observed for n25, with channel bandwidths from 20 MHz to 40 MHz (80 MHz duplex distance).

[0063] If the UL channel used in segmented carrier aggregation for DL ​​is selected such that another DL carrier is between the UL and DL duplex carrier pairs, then the duplex distance between the UL and the second DL carrier is no longer maintained.

[0064] observe Figure 2a In the n25 example, the first segment of operator 2 is 25MHz and the second segment of operator 2 is 15MHz, but the combined bandwidth used to receive through an RF link is 50MHz (25MHz + 10MHz + 15MHz of operator 1). This is an example in Table 4, where REFSENS drops significantly when moving from the original 10MHz and 25MHz to 50MHz.

[0065] The aforementioned issues (i.e., wider combined channels and duplex distance not being maintained towards each DL carrier) have led to a further relaxation of the REFSENS requirements. Since the current requirements aim to capture worst-case conditions, i.e., such as... Figure 3 The location of the PCC shown (closest to the DL band) is discussed below, with emphasis on its relationship to... Figure 3 The worst-case scenario involves the uplink impact on operations.

[0066] exist Figure 3In this context, the segmented secondary component carrier (SCC) of the non-contiguous intra-band DL CA carrier is positioned between the UL and DL duplex carrier pairs. The duplex filter provides insufficient attenuation / isolation for the uplink carrier, as shown by the Δ relaxation of REFSENS, i.e., the Δ reference sensitivity (ΔR) in intra-band non-contiguous carrier aggregation. IBNC ).

[0067] Figure 4 Another illustration of this arrangement for an FDD with a lower-side UL band is shown. In this example, the DLSCC is positioned between the UL and DL duplex carrier pairs. Because the duplex distance is not maintained, the REFSENS of the SCC is reduced due to interference from the uplink of the PCC to the downlink of the SCC.

[0068] A static approach to modifying mode configuration is proposed to utilize more uplink spectrum while addressing downlink carrier desensitization. A mode for managing downlink operation desensitization has been proposed as an example mode, and requires changes to the uplink configuration within the downlink mode. Figures 5 to 7 It is shown in the middle.

[0069] For example, the UE can be configured with mutually exclusive transmit and receive modes for non-contiguous in-band carrier aggregation operation, wherein the receive mode is associated with a downlink component carrier and the transmit mode is associated with a UL component carrier. The component carriers may include non-contiguous in-band component carriers.

[0070] In the example, the uplink component carrier and the downlink component carrier use frequency division duplex.

[0071] Transmit and receive modes are mutually exclusive. That is, the UL carrier (associated with the transmit mode) and the DL carrier are not simultaneously scheduled for transmit and receive, respectively. Therefore, the device and UE are aligned in terms of when uplink and downlink are scheduled. Mutually exclusive receive modes may include scheduling constraints. Mutually exclusive transmit modes may include puncturing transmission.

[0072] Figure 5 An example of a punched single-carrier uplink is shown when the uplink carrier faces the DL band. Scheduling constraints are configured on the DL SCC carrier.

[0073] Figure 6 An example scenario is shown where there are two UL component carriers (non-contiguous uplink carrier aggregation (NCULCA)) and a UL CC puncture causing interference at DL CC CC1. Scheduling constraints are configured on the DL CC1 carrier.

[0074] Figure 7An example scenario is shown where there are two UL component carriers and the transmission mode includes switching between a first uplink component carrier of the uplink component carrier and a second UL component carrier of the UL component carrier (referred to as ULTxSwitching).

[0075] Mode configuration can be managed by the NW based on measurements or indications from the UE's downlink performance, for example, such as Figure 8 As shown in the image.

[0076] At step 1, the UE indicates UE capabilities during registration, including new segmented CA capabilities for TX and RX mutually exclusive modes, to mitigate potential downlink quality degradation during segmented carrier operation.

[0077] In box 2, option A is called option A, and no mitigation is applied.

[0078] In step 3, the UE is configured for segmented carrier operation.

[0079] In step 4, the UE confirms the configuration.

[0080] In box 5, option B, which is the mitigation measure, is applied.

[0081] At step 6, the network determines that there is a risk of downlink degradation of SCC.

[0082] At step 7, the network configures the UE to have a configuration that includes mutually exclusive TX and RX modes between the UL and the downlink, for example, as Figures 5 to 7 As shown in the diagram. Mutual exclusion means that when UL is being transmitted, the device cannot receive on the downlink, and vice versa.

[0083] At step 8, the UE responds to the configuration.

[0084] When the NW determines downlink component carrier degradation caused by uplink component carriers, the NW can determine application mitigation. Determining downlink component carrier degradation can be based on power margin measurements on the uplink carriers and / or channel bandwidth, for example, based on Tables 1 through 4.

[0085] The disadvantage of NCULCA is that it has a large maximum power reduction (MPR) associated with operation, as seen in "Error! Reference source not found." This shows that when approaching the maximum output power, the output power reduction is allowed to decrease by 9dB to 15dB to avoid the effects of UE uplink intermodulation products.

[0086] When uplink power does not cause desensitization, use as described above and as follows Figures 5 to 8 The mitigation shown may lead to a waste of resources.

[0087] For example, due to transmission such as Figure 5 and Figure 6 The perforation shown may result in wasted uplink and downlink resources if the UE operates at an output power level far below the point where interference is generated in DL CC1 / SCC.

[0088] exist Figure 7 In the example shown, ULTxSwitching can be used to avoid IMD, thereby eliminating MPR fallback; however, it also presents the error message "Error! Reference source not found." Figure 5 and Figure 6 This has a similar drawback when the UE output power is less than the power that causes desensitization at DL CC1 / SCC.

[0089] The bandwidth loss caused by static configuration due to mode can be avoided.

[0090] The following aims to maintain high data throughput before applying the desired pattern. The problem of adapting to rapidly changing channel conditions has also been addressed.

[0091] Figure 9 A flowchart of a method according to an example embodiment is shown. This method can be performed at a device. The device can be a UE, include a UE, or be included in a UE.

[0092] At 901, the method includes: providing measurements to the network.

[0093] At 902, the method: receives from the provided measurement network a configuration of mutually exclusive transmit and receive modes for the device for non-continuous in-band carrier aggregation operation, wherein the transmit mode is associated with an uplink component carrier and the receive mode is associated with a downlink component carrier.

[0094] At 903, the method includes: applying a configuration of mutually exclusive transmit and receive modes for non-contiguous in-band carrier aggregation operation.

[0095] Figure 10 A flowchart of a method according to an example embodiment is shown. This method can be performed at a device. The device can be a network (NW), include an NW, or be included in an NW, such as a RAN or NF of an NW.

[0096] At 1001, the method includes: receiving a measurement from a user equipment.

[0097] At 1002, the method includes: determining the degradation of the downlink component carrier caused by the uplink component carrier.

[0098] At 1003, the method includes: providing a user equipment with a configuration of mutually exclusive transmit and receive modes for non-continuous in-band carrier aggregation operation based on determination and received measurements, wherein the receive mode is associated with an uplink component carrier and the transmit mode is associated with a downlink component carrier.

[0099] Measurements can be related to UE output power information. Measurements may include at least one of the following: Maximum Power Reduction (MPR) indication, Power Headroom Report (PHR), or Buffer Status Report (BSR).

[0100] Component carriers may include non-continuous in-band component carriers.

[0101] In the example, the uplink component carrier and downlink component carrier use frequency division duplex.

[0102] Transmit and receive modes are mutually exclusive. That is, the UL carrier (associated with the transmit mode) and the DL link carrier are not simultaneously scheduled for transmit and receive, respectively. Therefore, the devices and user equipment are aligned in terms of when the uplink is scheduled and when the downlink is scheduled. Mutually exclusive receive modes can include scheduling constraints.

[0103] Mutually exclusive transmission modes can include punched transmission.

[0104] The transmission mode can be associated with a UL carrier that causes interference at the DL carrier. The UL carrier can include at least two UL component carriers, which can be non-contiguous in-band component carriers. This is as referenced. Figure 5 or Figure 6 Examples of the described patterns.

[0105] A transmission mode can be associated with two UL component carriers (e.g., non-contiguous in-band component carriers). The transmission mode can include switching between a first uplink component carrier and a second uplink component carrier. This is a reference. Figure 7 Examples of the described patterns.

[0106] In dynamic operation, based on measurements (e.g., measurements related to output power), the network determines / learns when the output power will cause desensitization in the downlink carriers of (multiple) UEs. Alternatively or additionally, the NW can also hard-code a level (e.g., the output power value), which the NW uses as a trigger for dynamic operation. Dynamic operation switches between handover and continuous operation in Tx-Tx mode (also implicitly Tx-Rx mode).

[0107] The uplink can affect more than one DL carrier; therefore, the receive mode can be applied at one or more downlink carriers in the frequency band.

[0108] The configuration may include configurations for more than one mutually exclusive receive and transmit mode. The configuration may include an indication of using a previously configured mode (e.g., via a mode index) and the time when the configuration should be applied (e.g., a start time).

[0109] Figure 11 A schematic diagram of the configured transmit and receive modes relative to output power is shown. The horizontal direction is based on the device's output power, and the vertical direction is based on the UL device's requirements and capabilities.

[0110] In the first line, configuration for segmented CA is supported, and there are few requirements for UL data; therefore, uplink gaps can be used to mitigate DL interference as output power increases. As power increases, DL scheduling constraints are applied to both DL carriers.

[0111] In the second row of the attached diagram, the UE supports NCULCA and has a higher demand for UL data compared to what can be provided by punctured CC2 / PCC UL. In this case, as the output power increases, the UE applies punctured transmission to the UL carrier that causes interference on the DL carrier, and as the output power increases, scheduling constraints are applied to both DL carriers.

[0112] In the third line, the UE only supports NCULCA as a Tx operation for handover and requires UL RF resources at full output power, but this makes the PCC face the DL band, causing DL interference. As the output power increases, ULTxswitching is applied, while setting DL scheduling constraints on one DL carrier, and then setting DL scheduling constraints on both DL carriers.

[0113] NW can configure all options regarding the mode for the UE application and can dynamically change the mode used. This is achieved by monitoring the quality of measurements reported by the UE and downlink data transmission.

[0114] For reference Figure 9 and Figure 10 The method may include determining the configuration based on a machine learning model, wherein the inputs to the machine learning model include the quality of the measurements and DL component carriers, and the output includes the configuration.

[0115] Figure 12The illustration shows an example AI modeling for the performance of each UE for each configuration, establishing the triggering conditions for mode switching. The inputs to the AI ​​method in this example are the current mode being used, DL quality, MPR, and BSR. The model's output is the mode to be applied.

[0116] For reference Figure 10 The method may include providing the network with an indication that the device supports mutually exclusive transmit and receive modes for non-contiguous in-band carrier aggregation operation.

[0117] Figure 13 The signaling diagram between the UE and NW is shown in the example.

[0118] At step 1, the UE indicates its capabilities during registration, including a new segmented CA capability for mutually exclusive TX and RX modes to mitigate potential downlink quality degradation during segmented carrier operation and to support dynamic switching between modes within the actual CA configuration. This is an example of providing the network with an indication that the UE supports mutually exclusive transmit and receive modes for non-contiguous in-band carrier aggregation operation.

[0119] At step 2, the UE is configured in segmented carrier operation, which is supported and each CC, UL, and DL also has at least one mode configuration individually. The device is also configured via PHR and BSR measurements. The network can configure all carriers, but may not activate all carriers immediately, for example, the second UL carrier. This superset configuration is assumed and referred to as the root configuration. This is an example of a configuration for mutually exclusive transmit and receive modes for non-contiguous in-band carrier aggregation operation, where the transmit mode is associated with the uplink component carrier and the receive mode is associated with the downlink component carrier.

[0120] At step 3, the UE reports the configured PHR and BSR measurements. This is an example of providing measurements to the network.

[0121] In step 4, the network combines the ongoing evaluation of the DL channel conditions, evaluates the received measurements, and determines whether a mode change for each CC is needed.

[0122] In this example, the change is determined, and at step 5, the network configures the UE to use a specific mode index (including the start time) from the previously applied RRC reconfiguration message to ensure absolute synchronization of the configuration used between the UE and the NW. This is an example of determining downlink component carrier degradation caused by uplink component carriers, and based on the determination and the received measurements, providing the user equipment with a configuration of mutually exclusive transmit and receive modes for non-contiguous in-band carrier aggregation operation. This configuration may include an indication of using the previously configured mode (e.g., via the mode index) and the time when the configuration should be applied (e.g., the start time).

[0123] In step 6, the UE applies the mode configured at the specified time.

[0124] NW can be pre-configured in any mode and can dynamically change between modes based on channel conditions.

[0125] The UE supports the dynamic enabling / disabling of pre-configured modes, which allows the UE to have optimal access to resources in segmented configurations.

[0126] The network has the option to monitor and learn UE performance relative to its own TX.

[0127] The network can adapt the triggers for changing patterns to individual devices / manufacturers / models and link them to a given configuration, saving the model for each combination.

[0128] Figure 14 A block diagram of apparatus 10 is shown as an example. Apparatus 10 includes, for example, at least one processor 12 and at least one memory 14 storing instructions 15, which, when executed by the at least one processor, cause apparatus 10 to perform at least one or more methods (or portions thereof) as disclosed herein, and any embodiments (or corresponding portions thereof). In the example, at least one memory and instructions (e.g., computer program code, software) are configured, together with at least one processor, to cause apparatus 10 to perform one or more methods (or portions thereof) as disclosed herein, and any embodiments (or corresponding portions thereof).

[0129] The processor 12 may include, or be configured as, one or more circuit systems configured to perform phases of the method according to the embodiments described herein.

[0130] As used herein, the term "circuit system" may refer to one or more or all of the following: (a) a hardware circuit implementation only (such as an implementation in an analog and / or digital circuit system only), and (b) a combination of hardware circuitry and software, such as (if applicable): (i) a combination of (multiple) analog and / or digital hardware circuitry with software / firmware, and (ii) any portion of (multiple) hardware processors (including (multiple) digital signal processors) having software, software, and (multiple) memories, which work together to enable a device (such as a user equipment) to perform various functions, and (c) (multiple) hardware circuitry and / or (multiple) processors (such as (multiple) microprocessors or portions of (multiple) microprocessors) that require software (e.g., firmware) to operate, but may be absent when operation does not require software. This definition of circuit system applies to all uses of the term herein, including in any claim. As another example, as used herein, the term circuit system also covers implementations of hardware circuitry or processors (or multiple processors) only, or portions of hardware circuitry or processors and their accompanying software and / or firmware. The term "circuit system" also covers, for example and if applicable to certain claim elements, baseband integrated circuits or processor integrated circuits for mobile devices, or similar integrated circuits in servers, cellular network devices, or other computing or network devices.

[0131] The memory 14 can be implemented using any suitable data storage technology. The memory may include a database for storing data. For example, the memory 14 may be at least partially located outside the device 10, but accessible to the device 10.

[0132] Instruction 15 may be included in a computer-readable medium or a non-transitory computer-readable medium. As used herein, the term non-transitory refers to limitations of the medium itself (i.e., tangible rather than tactile), rather than limitations on the persistence of data storage (e.g., random access memory (RAM) and read-only memory (ROM).

[0133] For example, device 10 is a terminal device, such as a UE. As another example, the device is included in such a terminal device, for example, as a chipset configured to control the terminal device. Device 10 may be made, configured, or included for at least performing... Figure 9 The methods and / or components of any one or more embodiments described in the examples herein.

[0134] For example, device 10 can be a network node, such as a base station. As another example, the device is included in such a node, for example, as a chipset configured to control the node. Device 10 can be made, configured, or included for at least performing... Figure 10The methods and / or components of any one or more embodiments described in the examples herein.

[0135] Device 10 includes a radio interface 16. The radio interface 16 can provide communication capabilities to device 10. The radio interface 16 may include a receiver configured to receive information according to at least one cellular or non-cellular standard. The radio interface 16 may include a transmitter configured to transmit information according to at least one cellular or non-cellular standard. The receiver may include more than one receiver. The transmitter may include more than one transmitter. The radio interface 16 may include a transceiver configured to receive and transmit information according to at least one cellular or non-cellular standard. The transceiver may include more than one transceiver.

[0136] Device 10 may include a user interface 18, such as at least one of the following: a keyboard, a microphone, a touch screen, a display screen, a speaker, etc. The user interface 18 can be used to control the device by a user. The user interface 18 may be external to device 10. For example, device 10 may be connected to another device (such as a computer) via a wireless or wired connection, and device 10 may be controlled by a user via that computer.

[0137] In embodiments, at least some of the processes described herein may be performed by means including components for performing at least some of the processes described herein. Components for performing the method steps disclosed herein may include software and / or hardware components of apparatus 10. For example, at least one processor 12, memory 14, and computer program code form components for performing one or more methods (or portions thereof) disclosed herein and any embodiments (or corresponding portions thereof). As used herein, the term “component” should be interpreted as either singular (i.e., a single element) or plural (i.e., a combination of single elements). Thus, the term “component for [performing A, B, C]” should be interpreted to encompass apparatus in which only one component for performing A, B, and C exists, or in which separate components for performing A, B, and C exist, or in which components for performing A, B, and C partially or completely overlap. Furthermore, the terms “component for performing A, component for performing B, component for performing C” should be interpreted as encompassing an apparatus in which only one component for performing A, B, and C exists, or in which separate components for performing A, B, and C exist, or in which partially or completely overlapping components for performing A, B, and C exist.

[0138] Although this disclosure has been described above with reference to the accompanying drawings and non-limiting and illustrative examples, it is apparent that the scope of this disclosure is not limited thereto, but can be modified in many different ways. As technology advances, it will become apparent to those skilled in the art how this disclosure can be further implemented and / or modified in various ways. Furthermore, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the embodiments described herein can, but must, be combined with other embodiments described herein in various ways.

Claims

1. An apparatus for communication, the apparatus comprising at least one processor and at least one memory, the at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to perform at least the following: Provide measurements to the network; The network receives, in response to the provided measurement, a configuration for mutually exclusive transmit and receive modes for the device to perform non-continuous in-band carrier aggregation operation, wherein the transmit mode is associated with an uplink component carrier and the receive mode is associated with a downlink component carrier. as well as The configuration described herein is used for mutually exclusive transmit and receive modes in non-continuous in-band carrier aggregation operation.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the transmission mode is associated with an uplink component carrier that causes interference at the downlink component carrier.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the transmission mode is associated with two uplink component carriers, and the transmission mode includes: Switching between the first uplink component carrier and the second uplink component carrier of the two uplink component carriers.

4. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the component carrier comprises a non-continuous in-band component carrier.

5. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the measurement includes at least one of: an indication of maximum power reduction, a power margin report, or a buffer status report.

6. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the at least one memory stores instructions, which, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the apparatus to perform: providing the network with an indication that the apparatus supports mutually exclusive transmit and receive modes for non-contiguous in-band carrier aggregation operation.

7. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the apparatus is a user equipment, includes a user equipment, or is included in a user equipment.

8. An apparatus for communication, the apparatus comprising at least one processor and at least one memory, the at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to perform at least the following: Receive measurements from user equipment; Determine the downlink component carrier degradation caused by the uplink component carrier; as well as Based on the determination and the received measurement, the user equipment is provided with a configuration of mutually exclusive transmit and receive modes for non-continuous in-band carrier aggregation operation, wherein the receive mode is associated with the uplink component carrier and the transmit mode is associated with the downlink component carrier.

9. A method for communication, comprising: Provide measurements to the network; The network receives, in response to the provided measurement, a configuration for mutually exclusive transmit and receive modes for the device to perform non-continuous in-band carrier aggregation operation, wherein the transmit mode is associated with an uplink component carrier and the receive mode is associated with a downlink component carrier. as well as The configuration described herein is used for mutually exclusive transmit and receive modes in non-continuous in-band carrier aggregation operation.

10. A method for communication, comprising: Receive measurements from user equipment; Determine the downlink component carrier degradation caused by the uplink component carrier; as well as Based on the determination and the received measurement, the user equipment is provided with a configuration of mutually exclusive transmit and receive modes for non-continuous in-band carrier aggregation operation, wherein the receive mode is associated with the uplink component carrier and the transmit mode is associated with the downlink component carrier.

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