Temporary reference signal for rapid secondary cell activation

Abstract

A method, system, and device for wireless communications are described. A user equipment (UE) may receive a secondary cell activation message from a base station indicating that a secondary cell is activated in addition to a primary cell at the UE. The UE may identify a slot location of a first portion of an aperiodic reference signal for cell activation measurements based at least in part on the secondary cell activation message and a slot offset between the first portion of the aperiodic reference signal and a second portion of the aperiodic reference signal, the slot offset comprising non-consecutive slots for the slot location. The UE may measure one or more characteristics of the secondary cell based at least in part on the aperiodic reference signal.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] cross reference This patent application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 143,662, filed January 29, 2021, and entitled "TEMPORARY REFERENCE SIGNAL FOR FAST SECONDARY CELL ACTIVATION," by TAKEDA et al., and U.S. Patent Application No. 17 / 586,574, filed January 27, 2022, and entitled "TEMPORARY REFERENCE SIGNAL FOR FAST SECONDARY CELL ACTIVATION," by TAKEDA et al., each of which is assigned to the assignee of the present application.

[0002] The following relates to wireless communications including temporary reference signals for rapid secondary cell activation. [Background technology]

[0003] Wireless communication systems are widely deployed to provide various types of communication content, such as voice, video, packet data, messaging, broadcast, and the like. These systems may be capable of supporting communication with multiple users by sharing available system resources (e.g., time, frequency, and power). Examples of such multiple access systems include fourth generation (4G) systems, such as Long Term Evolution (LTE), LTE Advanced (LTE-A), or LTE-A Pro systems, and fifth generation (5G) systems, sometimes referred to as New Radio (NR) systems. These systems may employ technologies such as Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA), Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA), Frequency Division Multiple Access (FDMA), Orthogonal FDMA (OFDMA), or Discrete Fourier Transform Spread Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (DFT-S-OFDM). A wireless multiple access communication system may include one or more base stations or one or more network access nodes, each simultaneously supporting communication for multiple communication devices, which may be known as user equipment (UE), in some cases. Summary of the Invention [Means for solving the problem]

[0004] The described techniques relate to improved methods, systems, devices, and apparatuses that support temporary reference signals for rapid secondary cell (SCell) activation. In general, the described techniques enable improved activation of SCells for user equipment (UE) more quickly and efficiently. For example, a UE may receive an SCell activation message indicating that a SCell is activated. The SCell activation message may be received from a primary cell (PCell) that may be associated with the same base station and / or a different base station as the SCell being activated. The UE may identify a non-contiguous slot arrangement of the aperiodic reference signal (e.g., a slot position of slot n and a position of slot n+k based on a slot offset between slot n and slot n+k) based on, for example, the SCell activation message and / or other configuration. That is, the UE uses the activation message to identify the slot position of slot n of a first portion of the aperiodic reference signal, as well as a slot offset, and identifies slot n+k in which a second portion of the aperiodic reference signal is transmitted by the activated SCell. The UE may then measure the aperiodic reference signal from the SCell using, for example, an associated resource of the first portion of the aperiodic reference signal in slot n and a slot offset that identifies slot n+k in which the second portion of the aperiodic reference signal, constituting a non-consecutive slot, lies. This may enable the UE to synchronize with the SCell for more quickly and efficiently conducting wireless communications.

[0005] A method for wireless communication in a UE is described. The method may include receiving an SCell activation message from a base station indicating that a SCell is activated in addition to a PCell in the UE; identifying a slot location of a first portion of an aperiodic reference signal for cell activation measurement and a slot offset between the first portion of the aperiodic reference signal and a second portion of the aperiodic reference signal based on the SCell activation message, where the slot offset includes non-consecutive slots for the slot location; and measuring one or more characteristics of the SCell based on the aperiodic reference signal. In some examples, the slot location may be for a first plurality of slots carrying the first portion of the aperiodic reference signal, and the slot offset may be between the first plurality of slots and a second plurality of slots carrying the second portion of the aperiodic reference signal, as shown in FIG. 3. In some examples, a timing domain pattern (e.g., symbols) used for the first portion of the aperiodic reference signal carried in the first plurality of slots may be reused (e.g., be the same) for the second portion of the aperiodic reference signal carried in the second plurality of slots.

[0006] An apparatus for wireless communication in a UE is described. The apparatus may include a processor, a memory coupled to the processor, and instructions stored in the memory. The instructions may be executable by the processor to cause the apparatus to receive from a base station an SCell activation message indicating that a SCell is activated in addition to a PCell in the UE, identify a slot location of a first portion of an aperiodic reference signal for cell activation measurements and a slot offset between the first portion of the aperiodic reference signal and a second portion of the aperiodic reference signal based on the SCell activation message, where the slot offset includes slots that are not consecutive with respect to the slot location, and measure one or more characteristics of the SCell based on the aperiodic reference signal.

[0007] Another apparatus for wireless communication in a UE is described, which may include means for receiving from a base station a SCell activation message indicating that a SCell is activated in addition to a PCell at the UE, means for identifying, based on the SCell activation message, a slot position of a first portion of an aperiodic reference signal for cell activation measurements and a slot offset between the first portion of the aperiodic reference signal and a second portion of the aperiodic reference signal, where the slot offset comprises non-consecutive slots with respect to the slot position, and means for measuring one or more characteristics of the SCell based on the aperiodic reference signal.

[0008] A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing code for wireless communication in a UE is described, which may include instructions executable by a processor to receive from a base station a SCell activation message indicating that a SCell is activated in addition to a PCell in the UE, identify a slot location of a first portion of an aperiodic reference signal for cell activation measurements and a slot offset between the first portion of the aperiodic reference signal and a second portion of the aperiodic reference signal based on the SCell activation message, where the slot offset includes non-consecutive slots for the slot location, and measure one or more characteristics of the SCell based on the aperiodic reference signal.

[0009] In some examples of the methods, apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein, the slot location includes a first slot that includes resources for a first portion of the aperiodic reference signal, and the slot offset identifies a second slot that includes resources for a second portion of the aperiodic reference signal, where the second slot includes a non-contiguous slot with respect to the first slot.

[0010] In some examples of the methods, apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein, resources for a first portion of an aperiodic reference signal during a first slot use a different time-domain pattern than resources for a second portion of the aperiodic reference signal during a second slot.

[0011] In some examples of the methods, apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein, the slot location includes a first set of multiple slots, each slot of the first set of multiple slots includes a resource for a first instance of an aperiodic reference signal, the slot offset identifies a second set of the multiple slots, each slot of the second set of multiple slots includes a resource for a second instance of the aperiodic reference signal, and the second set of the multiple slots includes non-contiguous slots for the first set of multiple slots.

[0012] In some examples of the methods, apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein, resources for a first instance of an aperiodic reference signal during a first set of the plurality of slots use a different time-domain pattern than resources for a second instance of the aperiodic reference signal during a second set of the plurality of slots.

[0013] Some examples of the methods, apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein may further include operations, features, means, or instructions for identifying a slot offset based on one or more of a frequency range of the SCell, a frequency band of the SCell, a frequency band combination of the SCell, a subcarrier spacing (SCS) of the SCell, a bandwidth portion (BWP) configuration of the SCell, a time domain duplexing (RDD) configuration of the SCell, or combinations thereof.

[0014] Some examples of the methods, apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein may further include an operation, function, means, or instruction for receiving a configuration signal indicating a slot offset.

[0015] In some examples of the methods, apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein, the configuration signal includes downlink control information (DCI) that includes a field indicating a slot offset, a slot position, or both.

[0016] Some examples of the methods, apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein may further include operations, features, means, or instructions for transmitting a UE capabilities message indicating a minimum slot offset value for the UE, where the slot offset may be based on the UE capabilities message.

[0017] Some examples of the methods, apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein may further include operations, features, means, or instructions for identifying a minimum slot offset value for the UE for at least one of a frequency range, a frequency band, a frequency band combination, an SCS, a BWP configuration, or a TDD configuration.

[0018] A method for wireless communication on a PCell is described that may include identifying, for a UE, a slot location of a first portion of an aperiodic reference signal for cell activation measurement of an SCell and a slot offset between the first portion of the aperiodic reference signal and a second portion of the aperiodic reference signal, where the slot offset includes slots that are not consecutive with respect to the slot location, transmitting an SCell activation message to the UE indicating that a SCell is activated in addition to the PCell at the UE, and triggering transmission of the aperiodic reference signal on the SCell according to the slot location and the slot offset.

[0019] An apparatus for wireless communication in a PCell is described. The apparatus may include a processor, a memory coupled to the processor, and instructions stored in the memory. The instructions may be executable by the processor to cause the apparatus to identify, for a UE, a slot position of a first portion of an aperiodic reference signal for cell activation measurement of an SCell and a slot offset between the first portion of the aperiodic reference signal and a second portion of the aperiodic reference signal, where the slot offset includes slots that are not consecutive with respect to the slot position, and transmit an SCell activation message to the UE indicating that the SCell is activated in addition to the PCell at the UE and triggering transmission of the aperiodic reference signal on the SCell according to the slot position and the slot offset.

[0020] Another apparatus for wireless communication on a PCell is described. The apparatus may include means for identifying, for a UE, a slot position of a first portion of an aperiodic reference signal for cell activation measurement of an SCell and a slot offset between the first portion of the aperiodic reference signal and a second portion of the aperiodic reference signal, where the slot offset comprises non-consecutive slots for the slot position, and means for transmitting an SCell activation message to the UE indicating that the SCell is activated in addition to the PCell at the UE, and triggering transmission of the aperiodic reference signal on the SCell according to the slot position and the slot offset.

[0021] A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing code for wireless communication on a PCell is described. The code may include instructions executable by a processor to identify, for a UE, a slot location of a first portion of an aperiodic reference signal for cell activation measurements of an SCell and a slot offset between the first portion of the aperiodic reference signal and a second portion of the aperiodic reference signal, where the slot offset includes slots that are not consecutive with respect to the slot location, and to transmit an SCell activation message to the UE indicating that the SCell is activated in addition to the PCell at the UE and triggering transmission of the aperiodic reference signal on the SCell according to the slot location and the slot offset.

[0022] In some examples of the methods, apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein, the slot location includes a first slot that includes resources for a first portion of the aperiodic reference signal, and the slot offset identifies a second slot that includes resources for a second portion of the aperiodic reference signal, where the second slot includes a non-contiguous slot with respect to the first slot.

[0023] In some examples of the methods, apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein, resources for a first portion of an aperiodic reference signal during a first slot use a different time-domain pattern than resources for a second portion of the aperiodic reference signal during a second slot.

[0024] In some examples of the methods, apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein, the slot location includes a first set of multiple slots, each slot of the first set of multiple slots includes a resource for a first instance of an aperiodic reference signal, the slot offset identifies a second set of the multiple slots, each slot of the second set of multiple slots includes a resource for a second instance of the aperiodic reference signal, and the second set of the multiple slots includes non-contiguous slots for the first set of multiple slots.

[0025] In some examples of the methods, apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein, resources for a first instance of an aperiodic reference signal during a first set of the plurality of slots use a different time-domain pattern than resources for a second instance of the aperiodic reference signal during a second set of the plurality of slots.

[0026] Some examples of the methods, apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein may further include operations, features, means, or instructions for identifying a slot offset based on one or more of a frequency range of the SCell, a frequency band of the SCell, a frequency band combination of the SCell, an SCS of the SCell, a BWP configuration of the SCell, a TDD configuration of the SCell, or combinations thereof.

[0027] Some examples of the methods, apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein may further include an operation, function, means, or instruction for transmitting a configuration signal indicating a slot offset.

[0028] In some examples of the methods, apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein, the configuration signal includes a DCI that includes a field indicating a slot offset, a slot position, or both.

[0029] Some examples of the methods, apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein may further include an operation, feature, means, or instruction for receiving a UE capabilities message indicating a minimum slot offset value for the UE, where the slot offset may be based on the UE capabilities message.

[0030] Some examples of the methods, apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein may further include operations, features, means, or instructions for identifying a minimum slot offset value for the UE for at least one of a frequency range, a frequency band, a frequency band combination, an SCS, a BWP configuration, or a TDD configuration. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0031] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a wireless communication system supporting temporary reference signals for rapid secondary cell (SCell) activation, according to an aspect of the present disclosure. [Diagram 2] FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a wireless communication system supporting temporary reference signals for rapid SCell activation, according to an aspect of the present disclosure. [Diagram 3] A diagram illustrating an example of an aperiodic reference signal configuration supporting temporary reference signals for rapid SCell activation, according to an aspect of the present disclosure. [Figure 4] A diagram illustrating an example of an aperiodic reference signal configuration supporting temporary reference signals for rapid SCell activation, according to an aspect of the present disclosure. [Diagram 5] A diagram illustrating an example of an aperiodic reference signal configuration supporting temporary reference signals for rapid SCell activation, according to an aspect of the present disclosure. [Figure 6] 1 is a block diagram of a device supporting temporary reference signals for fast SCell activation according to an aspect of the disclosure. [Figure 7] 1 is a block diagram of a device supporting temporary reference signals for fast SCell activation according to an aspect of the disclosure. [Figure 8] FIG. 13 is a block diagram of a communications manager supporting temporary reference signals for fast SCell activation, according to an aspect of the disclosure. [Figure 9] FIG. 1 is a diagram of a system including a device that supports temporary reference signals for rapid SCell activation, according to an aspect of the disclosure. [Figure 10] 1 is a block diagram of a device supporting temporary reference signals for fast SCell activation according to an aspect of the disclosure. [Figure 11] 1 is a block diagram of a device supporting temporary reference signals for fast SCell activation according to an aspect of the disclosure. [Figure 12] FIG. 13 is a block diagram of a communications manager supporting temporary reference signals for fast SCell activation, according to an aspect of the disclosure. [Figure 13] FIG. 1 is a diagram of a system including a device that supports temporary reference signals for rapid SCell activation, according to an aspect of the disclosure. [Figure 14] 11 is a flowchart illustrating a method for supporting temporary reference signals for fast SCell activation according to an aspect of the disclosure. [Figure 15] 11 is a flowchart illustrating a method for supporting temporary reference signals for fast SCell activation according to an aspect of the disclosure. [Figure 16] 11 is a flowchart illustrating a method for supporting temporary reference signals for fast SCell activation according to an aspect of the disclosure. [Figure 17] 11 is a flowchart illustrating a method for supporting temporary reference signals for fast SCell activation according to an aspect of the disclosure. [Figure 18] 11 is a flowchart illustrating a method for supporting temporary reference signals for fast SCell activation according to an aspect of the disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0032] Activation of a secondary cell (SCell) typically takes a significant amount of time because a user equipment (UE) must perform channel state measurements of the activated SCell based on periodic synchronization signal block (SSB) transmissions. For example, SSB transmissions in a new radio (NR) wireless communication system may occur much less frequently than cell-specific reference signal (CRS) transmissions in a long-term evolution (LTE) wireless communication system, and thus NR SCell activation may take significantly longer than the CRS period. Some wireless communication systems may support temporary reference signals (e.g., aperiodic reference signals) that may be transmitted on the SCell to enable SCell activation without having to wait for SSB transmissions. The temporary reference signal may be an example of a tracking reference signal (TRS), channel state information (CSI-RS), beam reference signal (BRS), phase tracking reference signal (PTRS), and / or a newly designed reference signal. However, such wireless communication systems are configured such that temporary reference signals may be triggered by a Medium Access Control (MAC) control element (CE), or by Downlink Control Information (DCI), but do not provide a mechanism as to how such configuration signaling is used to configure temporary reference signals, how the configuration of temporary reference signals is indicated to a UE, etc.

[0033] Furthermore, some activated SCells may be associated with an SSB period greater than a threshold (e.g., SSB period > 160 ms). In this situation, two SSBs are used, i.e., a first SSB for automatic gain control (AGC) and a second SSB for channel tracking (e.g., for channel performance measurement). Adopting this approach to the temporary reference signal technique described above can be problematic since wireless communication systems only allow temporary reference signal resources in one slot or in two consecutive slots. This can create a situation where the UE is unable to perform AGC and channel tracking using the TRS.

[0034] Aspects of the present disclosure are first described in the context of a wireless communication system. In general, the described techniques enable improved activation of a SCell for a UE in a more rapid and efficient manner. For example, a UE may receive a SCell activation message indicating that a SCell is to be activated. The SCell activation message may be received from a primary cell (PCell), which may be associated with the same base station as the SCell to be activated and / or a different base station. The UE may identify a non-contiguous slot placement of an aperiodic reference signal (e.g., a position of slot n+k based on a slot position of slot n and a slot offset between slot n and slot n+k), for example, based on the SCell activation message and / or other configurations. In this example, both n and k are positive integers.

[0035] That is, the UE uses the activation message to identify the slot location of slot n of the first portion of the aperiodic reference signal, as well as the slot offset to identify slot n+k in which the second portion of the aperiodic reference signal is transmitted by the activated SCell. The UE may then measure the aperiodic reference signal from the SCell using, for example, the associated resource of the first portion of the aperiodic reference signal in slot n and the slot offset that identifies slot n+k in which the second portion of the aperiodic reference signal is located, constituting non-consecutive slots. This may enable the UE to synchronize with the SCell for wireless communications more quickly and efficiently.

[0036] Aspects of the present disclosure are further illustrated by and described with reference to apparatus diagrams, system diagrams, and flow charts relating to temporary reference signals for rapid SCell activation.

[0037] 1 illustrates an example of a wireless communication system 100 supporting temporary reference signals for fast SCell activation according to aspects of the present disclosure. The wireless communication system 100 may include one or more base stations 105, one or more UEs 115, and a core network 130. In some examples, the wireless communication system 100 may be an LTE network, an LTE-Advanced (LTE-A) network, an LTE-A Pro network, or an NR network. In some examples, the wireless communication system 100 may support enhanced broadband communications, ultra-reliable (e.g., mission-critical) communications, low latency communications, communications with low-cost and low-complexity devices, or any combination thereof.

[0038] The base stations 105 may be distributed throughout a geographic area to form a wireless communication system 100 and may be devices of different forms or with different capabilities. The base stations 105 and the UEs 115 may communicate wirelessly via one or more communication links 125. Each base station 105 may provide a coverage area 110 over which the UEs 115 and the base stations 105 may establish one or more communication links 125. The coverage area 110 may be an example of a geographic area over which the base stations 105 and the UEs 115 may support communication of signals via one or more radio access technologies.

[0039] The UEs 115 may be distributed throughout the coverage area 110 of the wireless communication system 100, and each UE 115 may be fixed, or mobile, or both, at different times. The UEs 115 may be devices of different forms or with different capabilities. Some example UEs 115 are shown in FIG. 1. The UEs 115 described herein may be capable of communicating with various types of devices, such as other UEs 115, base stations 105, or network equipment (e.g., core network nodes, relay devices, integrated access and backhaul (IAB) nodes, or other network equipment) as shown in FIG. 1.

[0040] The base stations 105 may communicate with the core network 130, with each other, or both. For example, the base stations 105 may interface with the core network 130 through one or more backhaul links 120 (e.g., via an S1, N2, N3, or other interface). The base stations 105 may communicate with each other through the backhaul links 120 (e.g., via an X2, Xn, or other interface), either directly (e.g., directly between the base stations 105), or indirectly (e.g., via the core network 130), or both. In some examples, the backhaul links 120 may be or include one or more wireless links.

[0041] One or more of the base stations 105 described herein may include or be referred to as a base transceiver station, radio base station, access point, radio transceiver, Node B, eNode B (eNB), Next Generation Node B or Giga Node B (any of which may be referred to as a gNB), Home Node B, Home eNode B, or other suitable terminology by those skilled in the art.

[0042] The UE 115 may include or be referred to as a mobile device, a wireless device, a remote device, a handheld device, or a subscriber device, or some other suitable terminology, where a "device" may also be referred to as a unit, a station, a terminal, or a client, among other examples. The UE 115 may also include or be referred to as a personal electronic device, such as a cellular phone, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a tablet computer, a laptop computer, or a personal computer. In some examples, the UE 115 may include or be referred to as a wireless local loop (WLL) station, an Internet of Things (IoT) device, an Internet of Everything (IoE) device, or a machine type communication (MTC) device, among other examples, which may be implemented in various articles, such as an appliance, or a vehicle, a meter, among other examples.

[0043] The UEs 115 described herein may be capable of communicating with various types of devices, such as other UEs 115, which may sometimes act as relays, as shown in FIG. 1, as well as base stations 105 and network equipment, including macro eNBs or gNBs, small cell eNBs or gNBs, or relay base stations, among other examples.

[0044] The UE 115 and the base station 105 may wirelessly communicate with each other via one or more communication links 125 on one or more carriers. The term “carrier” may refer to a set of radio frequency spectrum resources having a defined physical layer structure to support the communication link 125. For example, a carrier used for the communication link 125 may include a portion (e.g., a bandwidth portion (BWP)) of a radio frequency spectrum band that operates according to one or more physical layer channels for a given radio access technology (e.g., LTE, LTE-A, LTE-A Pro, NR). Each physical layer channel may carry collection signaling (e.g., synchronization signals, system information), control signaling that coordinates operation on the carrier, user data, or other signaling. The wireless communication system 100 may support communication with the UE 115 using carrier aggregation or multi-carrier operation. The UE 115 may be configured with multiple downlink component carriers and one or more uplink component carriers according to a carrier aggregation configuration. Carrier aggregation may be used with both frequency division duplex (FDD) and time division duplex (TDD) component carriers.

[0045] In some examples (e.g., in a carrier aggregation configuration), a carrier may also have collection or control signaling to coordinate operation with respect to other carriers. A carrier may be associated with a frequency channel (e.g., an Evolved Universal Mobile Telecommunications System Terrestrial Radio Access (E-UTRA) Absolute Radio Frequency Channel Number (EARFCN)) and may be arranged according to a channel raster for discovery by the UE 115. A carrier may be operated in a standalone mode, where initial collection and connection may be made by the UE 115 over the carrier, or the carrier may be operated in a non-standalone mode, where a connection is anchored using a different carrier (e.g., of the same or different radio access technology).

[0046] The communication links 125 shown in the wireless communication system 100 may include uplink transmissions from the UE 115 to the base station 105 or downlink transmissions from the base station 105 to the UE 115. A carrier may carry downlink or uplink communications (e.g., in FDD mode) or may be configured to carry downlink and uplink communications (e.g., in TDD mode).

[0047] A carrier may be associated with a particular bandwidth of the radio frequency spectrum, and in some examples, the carrier bandwidth may be referred to as the carrier or the “system bandwidth” of the wireless communication system 100. For example, the carrier bandwidth may be one of several predefined bandwidths for a particular radio access technology carrier (e.g., 1.4, 3, 5, 10, 15, 20, 40, or 80 megahertz (MHz)). The devices of the wireless communication system 100 (e.g., the base station 105, the UE 115, or both) may have a hardware configuration that supports communication on a particular carrier bandwidth or may be configurable to support communication on one of a set of carrier bandwidths. In some examples, the wireless communication system 100 may include a base station 105 or a UE 115 that supports simultaneous communication via a carrier associated with multiple carrier bandwidths. In some examples, each served UE 115 may be configured to operate on a portion (e.g., a sub-band, BWP), or all, of the carrier bandwidth.

[0048] A signal waveform transmitted on a carrier may be composed of multiple subcarriers (e.g., using a multicarrier modulation (MCM) technique such as orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) or discrete Fourier transform spread OFDM (DFT-S-OFDM)). In a system employing MCM techniques, a resource element may consist of one symbol period (e.g., the duration of one modulation symbol) and one subcarrier, where the symbol period and the subcarrier spacing are inversely related. The number of bits carried by each resource element may depend on the modulation scheme (e.g., the order of the modulation scheme, the coding rate of the modulation scheme, or both). Thus, the more resource elements and the higher the order of the modulation scheme that the UE 115 receives, the higher the data rate of the UE 115 may be. Wireless communication resources may refer to a combination of radio frequency spectrum resources, time resources, and spatial resources (e.g., spatial layers or beams), and the use of multiple spatial layers may further increase the data rate or data integrity for communication with the UE 115.

[0049] One or more numerologies for a carrier may be supported, where the numerology may include a subcarrier spacing (Δf) and a cyclic prefix. A carrier may be divided into one or more BWPs having the same or different numerologies. In some examples, a UE 115 may be configured with multiple BWPs. In some examples, a single BWP for a carrier may be active at a given time, and communication for the UE 115 may be limited to one or more active BWPs.

[0050] The time interval for the base station 105 or the UE 115 may be, for example, T s =1 / (Δf max N f ) seconds, and may be expressed in multiples of a base time unit, where Δf max may represent the maximum supported subcarrier spacing, and N fmay represent the maximum discrete Fourier transform (DFT) size supported. The communication resource time intervals may be organized according to radio frames, each having a specified duration (e.g., 10 milliseconds (ms)). Each radio frame may be identified by a system frame number (SFN) (e.g., ranging from 0 to 1023).

[0051] Each frame may include multiple consecutively numbered subframes or slots, and each subframe or slot may have the same duration. In some examples, a frame may be divided (e.g., in the time domain) into subframes, and each subframe may be further divided into several slots. Alternatively, each frame may include a variable number of slots, and the number of slots may depend on the subcarrier spacing. Each slot may include several symbol periods (e.g., depending on the length of a cyclic prefix prepended to each symbol period). In some wireless communications systems 100, a slot may be further divided into multiple minislots containing one or more symbols. Excluding the cyclic prefix, each symbol period may include one or more (e.g., N f The duration of a symbol period may depend on the subcarrier spacing or the frequency band of operation.

[0052] A subframe, slot, minislot, or symbol may be the smallest scheduling unit (e.g., in the time domain) of the wireless communications system 100 and may be referred to as a transmission time interval (TTI). In some examples, the TTI duration (e.g., the number of symbol periods in a TTI) may be variable. Additionally or alternatively, the smallest scheduling unit of the wireless communications system 100 may be dynamically selected (e.g., in a burst of shortened TTIs (sTTIs)).

[0053] The physical channels may be multiplexed on the carriers according to various techniques. The physical control channels and the physical data channels may be multiplexed on the downlink carriers using, for example, one or more of a time division multiplexing (TDM), a frequency division multiplexing (FDM), or a hybrid TDM-FDM technique. A control region (e.g., a control resource set (CORESET)) for the physical control channels may be defined by a number of symbol periods and may extend across the system bandwidth of the carrier or a subset of the system bandwidth. One or more control regions (e.g., CORESET) may be configured for a set of UEs 115. For example, one or more of the UEs 115 may monitor or search the control region for control information according to one or more search space sets, and each search space set may include one or more control channel candidates at one or more aggregation levels located in a cascaded manner. The aggregation level for control channel candidates may refer to the number of control channel resources (e.g., control channel elements (CCEs)) associated with coded information for a control information format having a given payload size. The search space sets may include a common search space set configured for sending control information to multiple UEs 115 and a UE-specific search space set for sending control information to a specific UE 115.

[0054] Each base station 105 may provide communication coverage via one or more cells, e.g., macro cells, small cells, hot spots, or other types of cells, or any combination thereof. The term "cell" may refer to a logical communication entity used for communication with the base station 105 (e.g., on a carrier) and may be associated with an identifier (e.g., a physical cell identifier (PCID), a virtual cell identifier (VCID), or other) to distinguish neighboring cells. In some examples, a cell may also refer to a geographic coverage area 110 or a portion (e.g., a sector) of the geographic coverage area 110 in which the logical communication entity operates. Such a cell may range from a smaller area (e.g., a structure, a subset of a structure) to a larger area, depending on various factors such as the capabilities of the base station 105. For example, a cell may be or include a building, a subset of a building, or an outside space between or overlapping with the geographic coverage area 110, among other examples.

[0055] A macro cell generally covers a relatively large geographic area (e.g., a radius of several kilometers) and may allow unrestricted access by UEs 115 subscribing to the service of a network provider supporting the macro cell. A small cell may be associated with a lower power base station 105 compared to a macro cell, and the small cell may operate in the same or different (e.g., licensed, unlicensed) frequency band as the macro cell. A small cell may provide unrestricted access to UEs 115 subscribing to the service of a network provider, or may provide restricted access to UEs 115 that have an association with the small cell (e.g., UEs 115 in a closed subscriber group (CSG), UEs 115 associated with a user in a home or office). A base station 105 may support one or more cells and may also support communication on one or more cells using one or more component carriers.

[0056] In some examples, a carrier may support multiple cells, and different cells may be configured according to different protocol types (e.g., MTC, Narrowband IoT (NB-IoT), enhanced Mobile Broadband (eMBB)) that may provide access to different types of devices.

[0057] In some examples, the base stations 105 may be mobile and thus provide communication coverage to moving geographic coverage areas 110. In some examples, the different geographic coverage areas 110 associated with different technologies may overlap, but may be supported by the same base station 105. In other examples, overlapping geographic coverage areas 110 associated with different technologies may be supported by different base stations 105. The wireless communication system 100 may include a heterogeneous network, for example, where different types of base stations 105 provide coverage to various geographic coverage areas 110 using the same or different radio access technologies.

[0058] The wireless communications system 100 may support synchronous or asynchronous operation. For synchronous operation, the base stations 105 may have similar frame timing and transmissions from different base stations 105 may be approximately aligned in time. For asynchronous operation, the base stations 105 may have different frame timing and transmissions from different base stations 105 may not be aligned in time, in some examples. The techniques described herein may be used for either synchronous or asynchronous operation.

[0059] Some UEs 115, such as MTC or IoT devices, may be low-cost or low-complexity devices and may provide automated communication between machines (e.g., via machine-to-machine (M2M) communication). M2M communication or MTC may refer to data communication technologies that allow devices to communicate with each other or with the base station 105 without human intervention. In some examples, M2M communication or MTC may include communication from devices that incorporate sensors or meters to measure or capture information and relay that information to a central server or application program that utilizes such information or presents the information to a human who interacts with the application program. Some UEs 115 may be designed to collect information or enable automated behavior of machines or other devices. Examples of applications for MTC devices include smart metering, inventory monitoring, water level monitoring, equipment monitoring, healthcare monitoring, wildlife monitoring, weather and geological event monitoring, fleet management and tracking, remote security sensing, physical access control, and transaction-based business billing.

[0060] Some UEs 115 may be configured to use operating modes that reduce power consumption, such as half-duplex communication (e.g., a mode that supports one-way communication via transmission or reception, but not simultaneous transmission and reception). In some examples, the half-duplex communication may be performed at a reduced peak rate. Other power saving techniques for the UE 115 include entering a power-saving deep sleep mode when not engaged in active communication, operating over a limited bandwidth (e.g., in accordance with narrowband communication), or a combination of these techniques. For example, some UEs 115 may be configured for operation using a narrowband protocol type associated with a defined portion or range (e.g., a set of subcarriers or resource blocks (RBs)) within a carrier, within a guard band of the carrier, or outside of the carrier.

[0061] The wireless communication system 100 may be configured to support ultra-reliable or low latency communications, or various combinations thereof. For example, the wireless communication system 100 may be configured to support ultra-reliable low latency communications (URLLC) or mission-critical communications. The UE 115 may be designed to support ultra-reliable, low latency, or critical functions (e.g., mission-critical functionality). Ultra-reliable communications may include private or group communications and may be supported by one or more mission-critical services, such as mission-critical push-to-talk (MCPTT), mission-critical video (MCVideo), or mission-critical data (MCData). Support for mission-critical functions may include service prioritization, and the mission-critical services may be used for public safety or general commercial applications. The terms ultra-reliable, low latency, mission-critical, and ultra-reliable low latency may be used interchangeably herein.

[0062] In some examples, the UE 115 may also be able to communicate directly with other UEs 115 via device-to-device (D2D) communication links 135 (e.g., using a peer-to-peer (P2P) protocol or a D2D protocol). One or more UEs 115 utilizing D2D communication may be within the geographic coverage area 110 of the base station 105. Other UEs 115 in such a group may be outside the geographic coverage area 110 of the base station 105 or may not be able to receive transmissions from the base station 105 in some cases. In some examples, a group of UEs 115 communicating via D2D communication may utilize a one-to-many (1:M) system in which each UE 115 communicates to every other UE 115 in the group. In some examples, the base station 105 facilitates scheduling of resources for D2D communication. In other cases, D2D communication occurs between UEs 115 without the involvement of the base station 105.

[0063] In some systems, the D2D communication link 135 may be an example of a communication channel, such as a sidelink communication channel, between vehicles (e.g., UE 115). In some examples, the vehicles may communicate using vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication, vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) communication, or some combination thereof. The vehicles may signal information related to traffic conditions, signal scheduling, weather, safety, emergency situations, or any other information related to the V2X system. In some examples, the vehicles in the V2X system may communicate with roadside infrastructure, such as roadside units, or with a network via one or more network nodes (e.g., base stations 105) using vehicle-to-network (V2N) communication, or both.

[0064] The core network 130 may provide user authentication, access authorization, tracking, Internet Protocol (IP) connectivity, and other access, routing, or mobility functions. The core network 130 may be an Evolved Packet Core (EPC) or 5G Core (5GC), which may include at least one control plane entity (e.g., a mobility management entity (MME), an access and mobility management function (AMF)) that manages access and mobility, and at least one user plane entity (e.g., a serving gateway (S-GW), a packet data network (PDN) gateway (P-GW), or a user plane function (UPF)) that routes packets or interconnects to external networks. The control plane entity may manage non-access stratum (NAS) functions, such as mobility, authentication, and bearer management for UEs 115 served by base stations 105 associated with the core network 130. User IP packets may be forwarded through a user plane entity, which may provide IP address allocation as well as other functions. The user plane entity may be connected to one or more network operators' IP services 150. The IP services 150 may include access to the Internet, an intranet, an IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS), or packet-switched streaming services.

[0065] Some of the network devices, such as the base stations 105, may include subcomponents, such as an access network entity 140, which may be an example of an access node controller (ANC). Each access network entity 140 may communicate with the UE 115 through one or more other access network transmitting entities 145, which may be referred to as a radio head, a smart radio head, or a transmit / receive point (TRP). Each access network transmitting entity 145 may include one or more antenna panels. In some configurations, various functions of each access network entity 140 or base station 105 may be distributed across various network devices (e.g., radio heads and ANCs) or integrated into a single network device (e.g., the base station 105).

[0066] The wireless communication system 100 may operate using one or more frequency bands, typically in the range of 300 megahertz (MHz) to 300 gigahertz (GHz). The 300 MHz to 3 GHz region is commonly referred to as the ultra-high frequency (UHF) region or decimeter band because the wavelengths range from approximately 1 decimeter to 1 meter in length. Although UHF waves may be blocked or redirected by buildings and environmental features, the waves may penetrate structures sufficiently for a macrocell to serve UEs 115 located indoors. Transmission of UHF waves may be associated with smaller antennas and shorter distances (e.g., less than 100 kilometers) compared to transmissions using lower frequencies and longer waves in the short wave (HF) or very high frequency (VHF) portions of the spectrum below 300 MHz.

[0067] The wireless communication system 100 may also operate in the super high frequency (SHF) region, using a frequency band from 3 GHz to 30 GHz, also referred to as the centimeter band, or in the extremely high frequency (EHF) region of the spectrum, also referred to as the millimeter band (e.g., from 30 GHz to 300 GHz). In some examples, the wireless communication system 100 may support millimeter wave (mmW) communications between the UE 115 and the base station 105, and the EHF antennas of the respective devices may be smaller and more closely spaced than the UHF antennas. In some examples, this may facilitate the use of antenna arrays within the devices. However, propagation of EHF transmissions may experience more atmospheric attenuation and shorter distances than SHF or UHF transmissions. The techniques disclosed herein may be employed across transmissions using one or more different frequency regions, and the designated use of the bands across these frequency regions may vary by country or regulatory body.

[0068] The wireless communication system 100 may utilize both licensed and unlicensed radio frequency spectrum bands. For example, the wireless communication system 100 may employ Licensed Assisted Access (LAA), LTE Unlicensed (LTE-U) radio access technology, or NR technology in an unlicensed band, such as the 5 GHz Industrial, Scientific, and Medical (ISM) band. When operating in the unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band, devices such as the base station 105 and the UE 115 may employ carrier sensing for collision detection and collision avoidance. In some examples, operation in the unlicensed band may be based on a carrier aggregation configuration in conjunction with component carriers operating in the licensed band (e.g., LAA). Operation in the unlicensed spectrum may include downlink transmissions, uplink transmissions, P2P transmissions, or D2D transmissions, among other examples.

[0069] The base station 105 or UE 115 may be equipped with multiple antennas that may be used to employ techniques such as transmit diversity, receive diversity, multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) communications, or beamforming. The antennas of the base station 105 or UE 115 may be located in one or more antenna arrays or antenna panels that may support MIMO operations or transmit or receive beamforming. For example, one or more base station antennas or antenna arrays may be collocated in an antenna assembly such as an antenna tower. In some examples, antennas or antenna arrays associated with the base station 105 may be located in diverse geographic locations. The base station 105 may have an antenna array with several rows and columns of antenna ports that the base station 105 may use to support beamforming of communications with the UE 115. Similarly, the UE 115 may have one or more antenna arrays that may support various MIMO or beamforming operations. Additionally or alternatively, the antenna panels may support radio frequency beamforming for signals transmitted through the antenna ports.

[0070] A base station 105 or a UE 115 may use MIMO communications to exploit multipath signal propagation and increase spectral efficiency by transmitting or receiving multiple signals via different spatial layers. Such techniques may be referred to as spatial multiplexing. The multiple signals may be transmitted by a transmitting device via different antennas or different combinations of antennas, for example. Similarly, the multiple signals may be received by a receiving device via different antennas or different combinations of antennas. Each of the multiple signals may be referred to as a separate spatial stream and may carry bits related to the same data stream (e.g., the same codeword) or different data streams (e.g., different codewords). The different spatial layers may be associated with different antenna ports used for channel measurement and reporting. MIMO techniques include single-user MIMO (SU-MIMO), in which multiple spatial layers are transmitted to the same receiving device, and multi-user MIMO (MU-MIMO), in which multiple spatial layers are transmitted to multiple devices.

[0071] Beamforming, sometimes referred to as spatial filtering, directional transmission, or directional reception, is a signal processing technique that may be used in a transmitting or receiving device (e.g., base station 105, UE 115) to shape or steer an antenna beam (e.g., transmit beam, receive beam) along a spatial path between the transmitting device and the receiving device. Beamforming may be achieved by combining signals communicated through antenna elements of an antenna array such that some signals propagating in a particular orientation relative to the antenna array are subject to constructive interference, while other signals are subject to destructive interference. Adjustment of signals communicated through antenna elements may include a transmitting or receiving device applying an amplitude offset, a phase offset, or both, to signals carried through an antenna element associated with the device. The adjustments associated with each of the antenna elements may be defined by a beamforming weight set associated with a particular orientation (e.g., relative to the antenna array of the transmitting or receiving device, or to some other orientation).

[0072] The base station 105 or the UE 115 may use beam sweeping techniques as part of a beamforming operation. For example, the base station 105 may use multiple antennas or antenna arrays (e.g., antenna panels) to perform a beamforming operation for directional communication with the UE 115. Some signals (e.g., synchronization signals, reference signals, beam selection signals, or other control signals) may be transmitted by the base station 105 multiple times in different directions. For example, the base station 105 may transmit signals according to different beamforming weight sets associated with different directions of transmission. The transmissions in different beam directions may be used (e.g., by a transmitting device such as the base station 105 or by a receiving device such as the UE 115) to identify beam directions for later transmission or reception by the base station 105.

[0073] Some signals, such as data signals associated with a particular receiving device, may be transmitted by the base station 105 in a single beam direction (e.g., a direction associated with a receiving device, such as the UE 115). In some examples, the beam direction associated with a transmission along a single beam direction may be determined based on signals transmitted in one or more beam directions. For example, the UE 115 may receive one or more of the signals transmitted by the base station 105 in different directions and may report to the base station 105 an indication of the signal that the UE 115 received with the highest signal quality or possibly an acceptable signal quality.

[0074] In some examples, transmission by a device (e.g., by the base station 105 or the UE 115) may be performed using multiple beam directions, and the device may use a combination of digital precoding or radio frequency beamforming to generate a combined beam for transmission (e.g., from the base station 105 to the UE 115). The UE 115 may report feedback indicating precoding weights for one or more beam directions, and the feedback may correspond to a configured number of beams across the system bandwidth or one or more subbands. The base station 105 may transmit reference signals (e.g., cell-specific reference signals (CRS), channel state information reference signals (CSI-RS)) that may or may not be precoded. The UE 115 may provide feedback for beam selection, which may be a precoding matrix indicator (PMI) or codebook-based feedback (e.g., a multi-panel type codebook, a linear combination type codebook, a port selection type codebook). These techniques are described with reference to signals transmitted in one or more directions by the base station 105, although the UE 115 may employ similar techniques for transmitting a signal multiple times in different directions (e.g., to identify a beam direction for subsequent transmission or reception by the UE 115) or for transmitting a signal in a single direction (e.g., to transmit data to a receiving device).

[0075] A receiving device (e.g., UE 115) may attempt multiple receive configurations (e.g., directional listening) when receiving various signals, such as synchronization signals, reference signals, beam selection signals, or other control signals, from the base station 105. For example, the receiving device may attempt multiple receive directions by receiving via different antenna subarrays, by processing the received signals according to different antenna subarrays, by receiving according to different receive beamforming weight sets (e.g., different directional listening weight sets) applied to signals received at multiple antenna elements of the antenna array, or by processing the received signals according to different receive beamforming weight sets applied to signals received at multiple antenna elements of the antenna array, any of which may be referred to as "listening" with different receive configurations or receive directions. In some examples, the receiving device may use a single receive configuration to receive along a single beam direction (e.g., when receiving a data signal). The single receive configuration may be aligned to a beam direction determined based on listening with different receive configuration directions (e.g., a beam direction determined to have the highest signal strength, the highest signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), or possibly acceptable signal quality based on listening with multiple beam directions).

[0076] The wireless communication system 100 may be a packet-based network that operates according to a layered protocol stack. In the user plane, communication at the bearer or Packet Data Convergence Protocol (PDCP) layer may be IP-based. The Radio Link Control (RLC) layer may perform packet segmentation and reassembly to communicate on logical channels. The Medium Access Control (MAC) layer may perform priority handling and multiplexing of logical channels into transport channels. The MAC layer may also use error detection techniques, error correction techniques, or both to support retransmissions at the MAC layer to improve link efficiency. In the control plane, the Radio Resource Control (RRC) protocol layer may establish, configure, and maintain an RRC connection between the UE 115 and the base station 105 or core network 130, which supports radio bearers for user plane data. In the physical layer, the transport channels may be mapped to physical channels.

[0077] The UE 115 and the base station 105 may support retransmission of data to increase the likelihood that the data is successfully received. Hybrid Automatic Repeat Request (HARQ) feedback is one technique for increasing the likelihood that the data is correctly received on the communication link 125. HARQ may include a combination of error detection (e.g., using a Cyclic Redundancy Check (CRC)), forward error correction (FEC), and retransmission (e.g., Automatic Repeat Request (ARQ)). HARQ may improve throughput at the MAC layer in poor radio conditions (e.g., low signal-to-noise conditions). In some examples, a device may support same-slot HARQ feedback, in which the device may provide HARQ feedback in a particular slot for data received in a previous symbol in that slot. In other cases, the device may provide HARQ feedback in a subsequent slot or according to some other time interval.

[0078] The UE 115 may receive an SCell activation message from the base station 105 indicating that a SCell is activated in addition to the primary cell at the UE 115. The UE 115 may identify a slot location of a first portion of an aperiodic reference signal for cell activation measurements based at least in part on the SCell activation message and a slot offset between the first portion of the aperiodic reference signal and a second portion of the aperiodic reference signal, the slot offset comprising non-consecutive slots for the slot location. The UE 115 may measure one or more characteristics of the SCell based at least in part on the aperiodic reference signal.

[0079] The base station 105 (e.g., when configured as the PCell for the UE 115) may identify for the UE 115 a slot location of a first portion of an aperiodic reference signal for cell activation measurements of the SCell and a slot offset between the first portion of the aperiodic reference signal and a second portion of the aperiodic reference signal, where the slot offset includes non-consecutive slots for the slot location. The base station 105 may transmit an SCell activation message to the UE 115 indicating that the SCell is activated in addition to the primary cell at the UE 115 and triggering transmission of the aperiodic reference signal on the SCell according to the slot location and the slot offset.

[0080] 2 illustrates an example of a wireless communication system 200 supporting temporary reference signals for rapid SCell activation in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. The wireless communication system 200 may implement aspects of the wireless communication system 100. The wireless communication system 200 may include a base station 205, a base station 210, and / or a UE 215, which may be examples of corresponding devices described herein.

[0081] That is, in some aspects the base station 205 may be configured as a PCell for the UE 215, and the base station 210 may be an activated SCell (e.g., an activated SCell) for the UE 215. However, it should be understood that the activated PCell and SCell for the UE 215 may be associated with the same base station and / or may be associated with different base stations. In examples where the PCell and SCell are associated with different base stations, such base stations may coordinate aspects of communication with the UE 215 wirelessly and / or over a wired connection (e.g., over a backhaul connection).

[0082] Some wireless communication systems may support temporary reference signals supported during SCell activation to expedite the activation process in some circumstances to improve efficiency. Temporary reference signals may be supported, for example, in Frequency Range 1 (FR1) or Frequency Range 2 (FR2) for SCell activation. Broadly, temporary reference signals may support functions related to AGC settling, time, and / or frequency tracking / tuning during SCell activation, etc.

[0083] In some aspects, a temporary reference signal may be referred to as an aperiodic reference signal 220 and may be an example of a TRS, aperiodic CSI-RS, persistent CSI-RS, semi-persistent CSI-RS, sounding reference signal (SRS), PSS / SSS-based reference signal, etc. Other examples of types of reference signals that may be configured as an aperiodic reference signal 220 include, but are not limited to, a phase tracking reference signal, a beam tracking / management reference signal, etc. Thus, terms such as TRS, aperiodic reference signal, temporary reference signal, etc. may be used interchangeably herein.

[0084] Thus, in some examples, the TRS may be selected as a temporary reference signal (e.g., aperiodic reference signal 220) for SCell activation. In some examples, the temporary reference signal may be triggered by DCI, MAC CE, etc. The UE 215 may measure the triggered temporary reference signal during the SCell activation procedure within a configured time threshold or later (e.g., after slot m).

[0085] Conventionally, upon receiving an SCell activation command in a slot, the UE 215 is required to transmit a valid CSI report and to

[0086]

number

[0087] It may support applying actions related to the SCell activation command to SCells that are activated by T HARQ T may refer to the timing (in ms) between a downlink data transmission and an acknowledgment of the downlink data transmission (e.g., HARQ-ACK feedback). activation_time may refer to the SCell activation delay in ms. If the SCell to be activated is known and belongs to FR1, T activation_time If the SCell measurement cycle is less than or equal to 160 ms (e.g., to support precision tracking), T FirstSSB +5ms, or if the SCell measurement cycle is greater than 160ms (e.g., to support AGC plus precision tracking), T FirstSSB_Max +T rs +5ms. If the SCell is unknown and belongs to FR1, T activation_time (e.g., to support AGC, precision tracking, and SSB detection) FirstSSB_Max +T SMTC_Max +2*T rs Sometimes +5ms. rsGenerally, T may refer to the SSB-based measurement and timing configuration (SMTC) period of the SCell that is activated if the UE has been provided with an SMTC configuration for the SCell in the SCell addition message. Otherwise, T rs may refer to the SMTC configured in the measurement object NR (measObjectNR) with the same SSB frequency and subcarrier spacing. If the UE 215 is not given an SMTC configuration or measurement object on this frequency, T rs The requirement including T equals 5 ms, assuming an SSB transmission period of 5 ms. rs It can be applied in T FirstSSB is a slot

[0088]

number

[0089] It may refer to the time until the end of the first complete SSB burst indicated by the SMTC after T FirstSSB_Max is a slot

[0090]

number

[0091] The SSB burst time may refer to the time until the end of the first complete SSB burst indicated by the SMTC after the FR1. In the case of intra-band SCell activation, this may satisfy the requirement that all active serving cells and SCells to be activated or released are transmitting SSB bursts in the same slot. In the case of inter-band SCell activation, this may refer to the first time that the activated SCell is transmitting an SSB burst. In FR2, this may refer to the time that all active serving cells and SCells to be activated or released are transmitting SSB bursts in the same slot.

[0092] Therefore, in FR1, for SCell activation using a temporary reference signal under certain conditions (e.g., SCell measurement cycle <= 160 ms), the SCell activation delay is

[0093]

number

[0094] In this case, T HARQ Generally, T refers to the timeline until the HARQ-ACK is transmitted. activation_time Generally, T FirstTempRS +5ms, where T FirstTempRS is n+T HARQ +3ms after the start or end of the temporary reference signal. CSI_Reporting Generally, β refers to the delay until the first available CSI report includes the CSI resource uncertainty in the CSI report.

[0095] Thus, in some examples, the temporary reference signal may be a TRS (e.g., a non-zero power (NZP)-CSI-RS resource set) configured in the parameter trs-Info. Traditionally, this may include two NZP-CSI-RS resources (over two OFDM symbols) configured in a slot, or four NZP-CSI-RS resources configured in two consecutive slots. The TRS may span the bandwidth of a downlink BWP that is active when the SCell is activated (e.g., at least initially). The downlink BWP may correspond to the first active DL-BWP-id configured for the UE 215.

[0096] Either the slot, the NZP-CSI-RS resource set index, or a combination in which the temporary reference signal is transmitted may be indicated by the triggering signaling of the temporary reference signal. In one option, this may include the triggering signaling being conveyed in a MAC CE carried by a PDSCH. For example, the MAC CE triggering the temporary reference signal may be carried by a PDSCH that also carries the MAC CE that activates the SCell. In another example, the MAC CE triggering the temporary reference signal may be indicated by a different PDSCH than the PDSCH that carries the MAC CE that activates the SCell. Another option may include the triggering signaling being conveyed in a DCI. For example, this may include a DCI that schedules a PDSCH that carries the MAC CE that activates the SCell. In another example, this may include a DCI that schedules a PDSCH that carries the MAC CE that activates the SCell.

[0097] According to such conventional techniques, the time domain allocation of a temporary reference signal may generally consist of two CSI-RS resources configured in a slot, or four CSI-RS resources configured in consecutive slots (which may be the same across two consecutive slots), which may be defined by the higher layer parameter CSI-RS-resourceMapping.

[0098] Therefore, using a temporary reference signal configuration, fast SCell activation can be improved. In this context, the SCell activation delay is

[0099]

number

[0100] It can correspond to T HARQ Again, T corresponds to the timeline until the ACK is sent. activation_time Generally, T temp RS +5ms, where Ttemp RS is n+T HARQ +3 ms to TRS In some aspects, the activation time may correspond to the time during which the UE 215 sends a HARQ-ACK for the activation command, the time it takes the UE 215 to measure the TRS, and the time the UE 215 is ready to send a CSI-RS report.

[0101] While this approach may be suitable for SCells activated with a SCell measurement cycle <= 160 ms, other issues may arise for SCells activated with a SCell measurement cycle > 160 ms. For a SCell measurement cycle > 160 ms, two SSBs must be used. Since the two SSBs are separated in the time domain by at least 5 ms, the UE 215 has enough time to process AGC (e.g., using the first SSB) and track continuously (e.g., using the second SSB for tracking / fine tuning). However, the temporary reference signal techniques described above are generally limited to NZP-CSI-RS resources being present in either one slot or two consecutive slots. That is, since the NZP-CSI-RS resources are included within a short duration (e.g., up to two slots), the UE 215 may not have enough time to process AGC and perform fine tracking. That is, the slot duration (e.g., NR slot length) may be 1 ms, 0.5 ms, 0.25 ms, and 0.125 ms for SCS of 15 kHz, 30 kHz, 60 kHz, and 120 kHz, respectively. Limiting the configuration of temporary reference signal resources to within a single slot or spanning two consecutive slots may not provide enough time for the UE 215 to use the temporary reference signal to perform AGC operation and then fine-tune.

[0102] Thus, aspects of the described techniques provide various mechanisms for SCell activation using temporary reference signals across non-consecutive slots. For example, the base station 205 (which may be acting as a PCell for the UE 215) may determine that the base station 210 (e.g., the SCell in this example) is activated for the UE 215. Based on the SCell being activated for the UE 215, the base station 205 may identify a slot location of a first portion of the aperiodic reference signal 220 for cell activation measurements and a slot offset between the first portion of the aperiodic reference signal 220 and the second portion of the aperiodic reference signal 220. That is, the slot location of the first portion of the aperiodic reference signal may refer to a first slot (and / or a first plurality of slots) in which resources for the aperiodic reference signal 220 are allocated. The second portion of the aperiodic reference signal may refer to a second slot (and / or a second plurality of slots) in which resources for the aperiodic reference signal 220 are also allocated. The slot offset may correspond to a number of slots (e.g., a time domain separation) between a first portion of the aperiodic reference signal 220 and a second portion of the aperiodic reference signal 220. As shown in FIG. 2, the slot offset generally spans non-contiguous slots with respect to the slot position.

[0103] The base station 205 may then transmit an SCell activation message to the UE 215 indicating that the base station 210 (e.g., a SCell) is activated in addition to the PCell (e.g., the base station 205 in this example). In some aspects, the SCell activation message may also trigger transmission of an aperiodic reference signal 220 on the SCell according to a slot position and a slot offset. For example, the SCell activation message may be transmitted or possibly conveyed in a DCI and / or a MAC CE (e.g., a DCI and / or a different DCI that schedules a MAC CE indicating SCell activation). If the PCell and SCell are controlled or implemented by the same base station 205, the base station may use the SCell activation message as a time trigger or other criterion on which to base the timing of the aperiodic reference signal 220. Alternatively, if the PCell and the SCell are controlled or implemented by different base stations 205, the base station 205 implementing the PCell may coordinate with the base station implementing the SCell such that the SCell activation message is a signal or trigger to the base station implementing the SCell to transmit an aperiodic reference signal 220 on the SCell.

[0104] The UE 215 may identify a slot location of a first portion of the aperiodic reference signal 220 for cell activation measurements and a slot offset between the first and second portions of the aperiodic reference signal 220. For example, the UE 215 may identify the slot location and the slot offset based on an SCell activation message transmitted from the base station 205. Thus, the UE 215 may measure or possibly determine various characteristics of the SCell using the aperiodic reference signal 220. For example, the UE 215 may measure or possibly perform an AGC action using the first portion of the aperiodic reference signal 220 transmitted from the base station 210 in a slot corresponding to the slot location. The UE 215 may measure or possibly perform fine tuning (e.g., tracking) using the second portion of the aperiodic reference signal 220 transmitted from the base station 210 in a slot corresponding to a slot offset related to the slot location (e.g., during the second portion). Accordingly, the UE 215 may send a CSI report indicating the results of the measurements to the base station 210 in order to activate the base station 210 as a SCell for the UE 215.

[0105] Thus, the wireless communications system 200 may include a temporary reference signal split into two parts, with a first part (e.g., the first portion) located in slot n and a second part (e.g., the second portion) located in slot n+k, where k>=0. This may include NZP-CSI-RS resources on the same set of OFDM symbols consisting of different slots that are non-consecutive with respect to each other. That is, the slot position may correspond to a first slot that includes resources for the first portion of the aperiodic reference signal 220, and the slot offset identifies a second slot that includes resources for the second portion of the aperiodic reference signal 220. Again, the first slot and the second slot may be non-consecutive with respect to each other (e.g., there may be at least one slot between slot n that includes the first portion and slot n+k that includes the second portion). In some examples, a temporary reference signal (e.g., aperiodic reference signal 220) may be configured with multiple NZP-CSI-RS resources, with some resources configured in slot n and other resources configured in slot n+k, where k>=0. That is, the time-domain patterns of the NZP-CSI-RS resources in slot n and those in slot n+k are not necessarily identical. Thus, in this example, the resources for a first portion of the aperiodic reference signal 220 during a first slot may use a different time-domain pattern than the resources for a second portion of the aperiodic reference signal 220 during a second slot.

[0106] In another example (described in more detail with reference to FIG. 3), configuring the temporary reference signal may include repeating two TRSs, where a first TRS starts at (or ends at) slot n and a second TRS starts at slot n+k, where k>=0. That is, in this example, the slot positions may include a first plurality of slots, where each slot of the first plurality of slots includes resources for a first instance of the aperiodic reference signal 220. In this example, the slot offset may identify a second plurality of slots, where each slot of the second plurality of slots includes resources for a second instance of the aperiodic reference signal 220. Again, the time domain separation between the first and second plurality of slots may span non-contiguous slots.

[0107] In some examples, slot n may be determined by a higher layer configured offset from the slot in which the triggering PDCCH is detected. Multiple values ​​may be configured. For example, a DCI field (e.g., a CSI request) may be configured to implicitly and / or explicitly indicate at least one of the slot position and / or slot offset value.

[0108] In some aspects, the required time gap (e.g., slot offset) between the first and second parts of the temporary reference signal may depend on how much time is needed for the UE 215 to perform AGC settling. Thus, aspects of the described technique may be based on the UE 215 reporting its capabilities of a minimum configurable value of k (e.g., slot offset) to the network. Thus, this may include the UE 215 transmitting a UE capability message that identifies, or possibly indicates, the UE 215's minimum slot offset value. In one example, the UE 215 may report its minimum configurable value of k (e.g., its minimum slot offset value) based on various parameters. Examples of parameters include, but are not limited to, the FRs, frequency bands, frequency band combinations, or SCSs of the activated SCell, alone or in any combination. Thus, when reporting its capabilities, the UE 215 may, in one option, report the minimum configurable value of k for each FR, each frequency band, each frequency band combination, each SCS, etc. This may mean that the UE 215 reports multiple values ​​of the minimum configurable value of k, with each reported value being for a particular instance (eg, parameter).

[0109] In another example, the UE 215 may report a minimum configurable value of k (e.g., its minimum slot offset value) common to several FRs, frequency bands, frequency band combinations, or SCSs. Thus, the UE 215 may report a minimum configurable value of k, which may be interpreted differently for different cases (e.g., for different parameters). As one limiting example, if the UE 215 reports a minimum configurable value of k=2 in its UE capability message, this may be interpreted as two slots for a particular SCS (e.g., for SCS=30 kHz, two slots may correspond to 1 ms). 1 ms may be interpreted as a required time gap for another SCS. For example, for SCS=60 kHz, the minimum configurable value of k may be considered as 4, since the UE 215 reports k=2 for a reference SCS=30 kHz. The base station 205 may receive the UE capability message and identify or possibly select a slot offset configuration of the temporary reference signal based on the UE capability message.

[0110] In some scenarios, the UE 215 may be configured with an SMTC for the activated SCell (e.g., for the base station 210) and may have at least one serving cell in the same frequency band as the activated SCell. In this situation, the UE 215 may not be required or expected to monitor the TRS triggering DCI.

[0111] 3 illustrates an example of an aperiodic reference signal configuration 300 supporting temporary reference signals for rapid SCell activation in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. The aperiodic reference signal configuration 300 may implement aspects of the wireless communications systems 100 and / or 200. Aspects of the aperiodic reference signal configuration 300 may be implemented in or by a UE and / or a base station, which may be examples of corresponding devices herein.

[0112] As described above, aspects of the described techniques enable a base station (e.g., PCell) to trigger transmission of a temporary reference signal (e.g., aperiodic reference signal 305) from an SCell that is activated for a UE, where the aperiodic reference signal 305 is in non-consecutive slots. That is, the PCell may transmit a SCell activation message indicating that an SCell is activated in addition to the PCell in the UE. The SCell activation message may indicate and / or trigger an identification of a slot location of a first portion of the aperiodic reference signal 305 for cell activation measurements (e.g., AGC) as well as a slot offset between the first portion of the aperiodic reference signal 305 and a second portion of the aperiodic reference signal 305 that is also used for cell activation measurements (e.g., fine tuning / tracking). The slot offset may correspond to the number of slots between the first and second portions of the aperiodic reference signal 305. 3, the slot position may correspond to a slot that holds resources for a first portion of the aperiodic reference signal 305, which is a non-consecutive slot with respect to a slot that holds resources for a second portion of the aperiodic reference signal 305. The SCell activation message may be implicitly and / or explicitly conveyed or possibly conveyed by the DCI and / or MAC CE.

[0113] Accordingly, aspects of the described techniques may include the base station and / or UE determining a position of k (e.g., slot offset) for slot n+k (e.g., second portion of the aperiodic reference signal 305). That is, the slot offset may be referred to as k, where slot n corresponds to a first portion of the aperiodic reference signal 305 and slot n+k corresponds to a second portion of the aperiodic reference signal 305. Various techniques may be utilized to identify and / or convey an indication of the value of k. As discussed above, in some examples, the value of k may depend on the FR, frequency band, frequency band combination, SCS, BWP configuration, TDD UL-DL configuration, etc. of the activated SCell. Thus, the value of k may be based on UE capability signaling in some examples.

[0114] A first option may include an implicit approach to identifying and / or indicating a value of k (e.g., slot offset). In general, this may include a base station (e.g., PCell) and / or UE identifying a slot offset based on the FR of the SCell, the frequency band of the SCell, the frequency band combination of the SCell, the SCS of the SCell, the BWP configuration of the SCell, the TDD configuration of the SCell, etc. For example, the PCell and / or UE may determine the value of k based on the FR, frequency band, frequency band combination, or SCS, BWP configuration, TDD configuration, etc. for the SCell to be activated.

[0115] As one non-limiting example, if the activated SCell is configured for the FR1 frequency band, k may be set to 2, and if the activated SCell is configured for the FR2 frequency band, k may be set to 3. As another non-limiting example, if the activated SCell uses a 15 / 30 kHz SCS, k may be set to 2, and if the activated SCell uses a 60 / 120 kHz SCS, k may be set to 3.

[0116] A second option may include an explicit approach in which the values ​​of n and / or k are explicitly signaled. For example, higher layer parameters may be used to identify slot n+k. In the case of TRS-based SCell activation (e.g., SCell activation using aperiodic reference signal 305), the UE may receive a DCI format with a CSI request field, which indicates to the UE that aperiodic TRS is triggered on the activated SCell as well as where the aperiodic TRS begins (e.g., slot n is indicated along with k). That is, combinations of {n,k} values ​​may be identified by the CSI request field. In one non-limiting example, the CSI request field values ​​may include a field value of "00" indicating {4,2} (e.g., n=4, k=2), a field value of "01" indicating {5,2}, a field value of "10" indicating {4,3}, and a field value of "11" indicating {5,3}. Thus, the PCell may transmit a configuration signal to the UE indicating the slot offset, where the configuration signal includes a DCI having a field indicating the slot offset and / or slot position.

[0117] The aperiodic reference signal configuration 300 illustrates an example including a first plurality of slots (two slots are shown by way of example only) whose slot positions are associated with a first portion of the aperiodic reference signal 305 (e.g., each slot of the first plurality of slots may include resources for a first instance of the aperiodic reference signal). In the non-limiting example illustrated in FIG. 3, the first plurality of slots spans two slots, each slot including resources for a first instance of the aperiodic reference signal 305 (two instances per slot are shown by way of example only). The slot offset in this example may identify a second plurality of slots (two slots are shown by way of example only) that are associated with a second portion of the aperiodic reference signal 305 (e.g., each slot of the second plurality of slots may include resources for a second instance of the aperiodic reference signal 305). 3, the second plurality of slots spans two slots, with each slot including resources for a second instance (two instances per slot are shown by way of example only) of the aperiodic reference signal 305. Thus, the aperiodic reference signal configuration 300 illustrates an example in which a temporary reference signal includes repeating two TRSs starting (or ending) in slot n, and a second TRS starting in slot n+k, where k>=0.

[0118] 4 illustrates an example of an aperiodic reference signal configuration 400 supporting temporary reference signals for rapid SCell activation in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. The aperiodic reference signal configuration 400 may implement aspects of the wireless communications systems 100 and / or 200 and / or the aperiodic reference signal configuration 300. Aspects of the aperiodic reference signal configuration 400 may be implemented in or by a UE and / or a base station, which may be examples of corresponding devices herein.

[0119] As described above, aspects of the described techniques enable a base station (e.g., PCell) to trigger transmission of a temporary reference signal (e.g., aperiodic reference signal 405) from an SCell that is activated for a UE, where the aperiodic reference signal 405 is in non-consecutive slots. That is, the PCell may transmit a SCell activation message indicating that an SCell is activated in addition to the PCell in the UE. The SCell activation message may indicate and / or trigger an identification of a slot location of a first portion of the aperiodic reference signal 405 for cell activation measurements (e.g., AGC) as well as a slot offset between the first portion of the aperiodic reference signal 405 and a second portion of the aperiodic reference signal 405 that is also used for cell activation measurements (e.g., fine tuning / tracking). The slot offset may correspond to the number of slots between the first and second portions of the aperiodic reference signal 405. 4, the slot position may correspond to a slot that holds resources for a first portion of the aperiodic reference signal 405, which are non-consecutive slots with respect to the slot that holds resources for a second portion of the aperiodic reference signal 405. The SCell activation message may be conveyed, or possibly conveyed, implicitly and / or explicitly by the DCI and / or the MAC CE.

[0120] As also discussed above, in some aspects, the value of k may be based on the FR, frequency band, frequency band combination, SCS, BWP configuration, TDD UL-DL configuration, etc. of the activated SCell. The aperiodic reference signal configuration 400 illustrates a non-limiting example in which the value of k is based at least in part on the TDD configuration of the activated SCell.

[0121] For example, the activated SCell may be configured using a TDD configuration in which some slots are designated as downlink slots (D), uplink slots (U), and / or flexible slots (F). If the aperiodic reference signal configuration 400 is configured such that slot n corresponding to a first portion of the aperiodic reference signal 405 is a downlink slot or special slot in which NZP-CSI-RS resources for the aperiodic reference signal 405 can be mapped, and slot n+k corresponding to a second portion of the aperiodic reference signal 405 is initially configured as an uplink slot in which NZP-CSI-RS resources for the aperiodic reference signal 405 cannot be mapped, then the NZP-CSI-RS resources for the n+k slot may be postponed to the next slot that can accommodate NZP-CSI-RS resources. Thus, in this example, the value of k may be selected and / or updated based on the TDD UL-DL configuration of the activated SCell. As explained above, the values ​​of n and / or k may be implicitly and / or explicitly indicated to the UE.

[0122] 5 illustrates an example of an aperiodic reference signal configuration 500 supporting temporary reference signals for rapid SCell activation in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. The aperiodic reference signal configuration 500 may implement aspects of the wireless communications systems 100 and / or 200 and / or the aperiodic reference signal configurations 300 and / or 400. Aspects of the aperiodic reference signal configuration 500 may be implemented in or by a UE and / or a base station, which may be examples of corresponding devices herein.

[0123] As described above, aspects of the described techniques enable a base station (e.g., PCell) to trigger transmission of a temporary reference signal (e.g., aperiodic reference signal 505) from an SCell that is activated for a UE, where the aperiodic reference signal 505 is in non-consecutive slots. That is, the PCell may transmit a SCell activation message indicating that an SCell is activated in addition to the PCell in the UE. The SCell activation message may indicate and / or trigger an identification of a slot location of a first portion of the aperiodic reference signal 505 for cell activation measurements (e.g., AGC) as well as a slot offset between the first portion of the aperiodic reference signal 505 and a second portion of the aperiodic reference signal 505 that is also used for cell activation measurements (e.g., fine tuning / tracking). The slot offset may correspond to the number of slots between the first and second portions of the aperiodic reference signal 505. 5, the slot position may correspond to a slot that holds resources for a first portion of the aperiodic reference signal 405, which are non-consecutive slots with respect to the slot that holds resources for a second portion of the aperiodic reference signal 405. The SCell activation message may be implicitly and / or explicitly conveyed, or in some cases conveyed, by a DCI and / or a MAC CE, such as a triggering DCI 510.

[0124] As also discussed above, in some aspects, the value of k may be based on the FR, frequency band, frequency band combination, SCS, BWP configuration, TDD UL-DL configuration, etc. of the activated SCell. The aperiodic reference signal configuration 500 illustrates a non-limiting example in which the values ​​of n and k are explicitly indicated. That is, configuration signals may be used to indicate slot position and / or slot offset.

[0125] For example, a base station (e.g., PCell) may send a triggering DCI 510 to a UE indicating values ​​of k and n. The triggering DCI 510 may be the same DCI that activates a SCell for the UE in addition to the PCell, or may be a different DCI. The triggering DCI 510 may carry or possibly convey an indication of k and n using one or more fields. For example, a CSI request field may be used to indicate the values ​​of n and k. That is, a combination of {n,k} values ​​may be identified by the CSI request field. In one non-limiting example, the CSI request field values ​​may include a field value of "00" indicating {4,2} (e.g., n=4, k=2), a field value of "01" indicating {5,2}, a field value of "10" indicating {4,3}, and a field value of "11" indicating {5,3}. In one non-limiting example shown in FIG. 5, the triggering DCI 510 may indicate {4,3} for the SCell to be activated. Thus, the PCell may transmit a configuration signal indicating the slot offset to the UE, where the configuration signal includes a DCI having a field indicating the slot offset and / or slot position. The UE may measure the first and second parts of the aperiodic reference signal 505 (e.g., in non-consecutive slots) for cell acquisition to the SCell.

[0126] 6 illustrates a block diagram 600 of a device 605 supporting temporary reference signals for rapid SCell activation according to an aspect of the disclosure. The device 605 may be an example of an aspect of a UE 115 as described herein. The device 605 may include a receiver 610, a transmitter 615, and a communications manager 620. The device 605 may also include a processor. Each of these components may be in communication with one another (e.g., via one or more buses).

[0127] The receiver 610 may provide a means for receiving information, such as packets, user data, control information, or any combination thereof, associated with various traffic channels (e.g., control channels, data channels, traffic channels related to temporary reference signals for rapid SCell activation). The information may be passed to other components of the device 605. The receiver 610 may utilize a single antenna or a set of multiple antennas.

[0128] The transmitter 615 may provide a means for transmitting signals generated by other components of the device 605. For example, the transmitter 615 may transmit information such as packets associated with various traffic channels (e.g., control channels, data channels, traffic channels related to temporary reference signals for rapid SCell activation), user data, control information, or any combination thereof. In some examples, the transmitter 615 may be collocated with the receiver 610 in a transceiver module. The transmitter 615 may utilize a single antenna or a set of multiple antennas.

[0129] The communications manager 620, the receiver 610, the transmitter 615, or various combinations or components thereof may be examples of means for performing various aspects of the temporary reference signal for rapid SCell activation described herein. For example, the communications manager 620, the receiver 610, the transmitter 615, or various combinations or components thereof may support a method for performing one or more of the functions described herein.

[0130] In some examples, the communications manager 620, the receiver 610, the transmitter 615, or various combinations or components thereof may be implemented in hardware (e.g., in a communications management circuit). The hardware may include a processor, a digital signal processor (DSP), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field programmable gate array (FPGA) or other programmable logic device, discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof configured as a means for performing, or in some cases supporting, the functions described in this disclosure. In some examples, the processor and a memory coupled to the processor may be configured to perform one or more of the functions described herein (e.g., by the processor executing instructions stored in the memory).

[0131] Additionally or alternatively, in some examples, the communications manager 620, the receiver 610, the transmitter 615, or various combinations or components thereof may be implemented in code executed by a processor (e.g., as communications management software). If implemented in code executed by a processor, the functions of the communications manager 620, the receiver 610, the transmitter 615, or various combinations or components thereof may be performed by a general purpose processor, a DSP, a central processing unit (CPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU), an ASIC, an FPGA, or any combination of these or other programmable logic devices (e.g., configured as or in some cases supporting means for performing the functions described in this disclosure).

[0132] In some examples, the communications manager 620 may be configured to perform various operations (e.g., receiving, monitoring, transmitting) using, or possibly in cooperation with, the receiver 610, the transmitter 615, or both. For example, the communications manager 620 may receive information from the receiver 610, send information to the transmitter 615, or be integrated in combination with the receiver 610, the transmitter 615, or both to receive information, transmit information, or perform various other operations described herein.

[0133] The communications manager 620 may support wireless communications in the UE according to examples disclosed herein. For example, the communications manager 620 may be configured as, or may possibly support, a means for receiving from a base station an SCell activation message indicating that a SCell is activated in the UE in addition to a primary cell. The communications manager 620 may be configured as, or may possibly support, a means for identifying, based on the SCell activation message, a slot location of a first portion of an aperiodic reference signal for cell activation measurements and a slot offset between the first portion of the aperiodic reference signal and a second portion of the aperiodic reference signal, the slot offset including non-consecutive slots with respect to the slot location. The communications manager 620 may be configured as, or may possibly support, a means for measuring one or more characteristics of the SCell based on the aperiodic reference signal. In some examples, the slot location may be for a first plurality of slots carrying the first portion of the aperiodic reference signal, and the slot offset may be between the first plurality of slots and a second plurality of slots carrying the second portion of the aperiodic reference signal, as shown in FIG. 3. In some examples, the timing domain pattern (e.g., symbols) used for a first portion of the aperiodic reference signal carried in a first plurality of slots may be reused (e.g., be the same) for a second portion of the aperiodic reference signal carried in a second plurality of slots.

[0134] By including or configuring a communications manager 620 according to examples described herein, the device 605 (e.g., a processor controlling or possibly coupled to the receiver 610, the transmitter 615, the communications manager 620, or a combination thereof) may support techniques for improving SCell activation procedures by scheduling non-contiguous slots with aperiodic reference signals to support AGC functions, frequency / phase tracking / adjustment, etc.

[0135] 7 illustrates a block diagram 700 of a device 705 supporting temporary reference signals for rapid SCell activation according to an aspect of the disclosure. The device 705 may be an example of an aspect of a device 605 or a UE 115 as described herein. The device 705 may include a receiver 710, a transmitter 715, and a communications manager 720. The device 705 may also include a processor. Each of these components may be in communication with one another (e.g., via one or more buses).

[0136] The receiver 710 may provide a means for receiving information, such as packets, user data, control information, or any combination thereof, associated with various traffic channels (e.g., control channels, data channels, traffic channels related to temporary reference signals for rapid SCell activation). The information may be passed to other components of the device 705. The receiver 710 may utilize a single antenna or a set of multiple antennas.

[0137] The transmitter 715 may provide a means for transmitting signals generated by other components of the device 705. For example, the transmitter 715 may transmit information such as packets associated with various traffic channels (e.g., control channels, data channels, traffic channels related to temporary reference signals for rapid SCell activation), user data, control information, or any combination thereof. In some examples, the transmitter 715 may be collocated with the receiver 710 in a transceiver module. The transmitter 715 may utilize a single antenna or a set of multiple antennas.

[0138] The device 705, or various components thereof, may be an example of a means for implementing various aspects of temporary reference signals for rapid SCell activation described herein. For example, the communications manager 720 may include a SCell activation manager 725, a TRS configuration manager 730, a channel performance manager 735, or any combination thereof. The communications manager 720 may be an example of an aspect of the communications manager 620 described herein. In some examples, the communications manager 720, or various components thereof, may be configured to perform various operations (e.g., receiving, monitoring, transmitting) using or possibly cooperating with the receiver 710, the transmitter 715, or both. For example, the communications manager 720 may receive information from the receiver 710, send information to the transmitter 715, or be integrated in combination with the receiver 710, the transmitter 715, or both to receive information, transmit information, or perform various other operations described herein.

[0139] The communications manager 720 may support wireless communications in the UE according to examples disclosed herein. The SCell activation manager 725 may be configured or may support as a means for receiving from a base station a SCell activation message indicating that a SCell is activated in the UE in addition to the primary cell. The TRS configuration manager 730 may be configured or may support as a means for identifying, based on the SCell activation message, a slot location of a first portion of an aperiodic reference signal for cell activation measurements and a slot offset between the first portion of the aperiodic reference signal and a second portion of the aperiodic reference signal, the slot offset including non-consecutive slots with respect to the slot location. The channel performance manager 735 may be configured or may support as a means for measuring one or more characteristics of the SCell based on the aperiodic reference signal. In some examples, the slot location may be for a first plurality of slots carrying the first portion of the aperiodic reference signal, and the slot offset may be between the first plurality of slots and a second plurality of slots carrying the second portion of the aperiodic reference signal, as shown in FIG. 3. In some examples, the timing domain pattern (e.g., symbols) used for a first portion of the aperiodic reference signal carried in a first plurality of slots may be reused (e.g., be the same) for a second portion of the aperiodic reference signal carried in a second plurality of slots.

[0140] 8 illustrates a block diagram 800 of a communications manager 820 supporting temporary reference signals for rapid SCell activation according to an aspect of the disclosure. The communications manager 820 may be an example of an aspect of the communications manager 620, the communications manager 720, or both described herein. The communications manager 820, or various components thereof, may be an example of a means for implementing various aspects of temporary reference signals for rapid SCell activation described herein. For example, the communications manager 820 may include a SCell activation manager 825, a TRS configuration manager 830, a channel performance manager 835, a slot offset manager 840, a configuration manager 845, a UE capabilities manager 850, or any combination thereof. Each of these components may be in direct or indirect communication with one another (e.g., via one or more buses).

[0141] The communications manager 820 may support wireless communications in the UE according to examples disclosed herein. The SCell activation manager 825 may be configured with, or may possibly support, a means for receiving from a base station a SCell activation message indicating that a SCell is activated in the UE in addition to a primary cell. The TRS configuration manager 830 may be configured with, or may possibly support, a means for identifying, based on the SCell activation message, a slot location of a first portion of an aperiodic reference signal for cell activation measurements and a slot offset between the first portion of the aperiodic reference signal and a second portion of the aperiodic reference signal, the slot offset comprising non-consecutive slots with respect to the slot location. The channel performance manager 835 may be configured with, or may possibly support, a means for measuring one or more characteristics of the SCell based on the aperiodic reference signal.

[0142] In some examples, the slot location includes a first slot that includes resources for a first portion of the aperiodic reference signal, and the slot offset identifies a second slot that includes resources for a second portion of the aperiodic reference signal, the second slot including a non-contiguous slot with respect to the first slot.

[0143] In some examples, resources for a first portion of an aperiodic reference signal during a first slot use a different time domain pattern than resources for a second portion of an aperiodic reference signal during a second slot.

[0144] In some examples, the slot location includes a first set of multiple slots, each slot of the first set of multiple slots including resources for a first instance of an aperiodic reference signal, and the slot offset identifies a second set of the multiple slots, each slot of the second set of multiple slots including resources for the second instance of the aperiodic reference signal, and the second set of the multiple slots includes non-contiguous slots for the first set of multiple slots.

[0145] In some examples, resources for a first instance of an aperiodic reference signal during a first set of slots use a different time domain pattern than resources for a second instance of the aperiodic reference signal during a second set of slots.

[0146] In some examples, the slot offset manager 840 may be configured with, or in some cases may support, a means for identifying a slot offset based on one or more of a frequency range of the SCell, a frequency band of the SCell, a frequency band combination of the SCell, a subcarrier spacing of the SCell, a bandwidth portion configuration of the SCell, a time domain duplexing configuration of the SCell, or a combination thereof.

[0147] In some examples, the configuration manager 845 may be configured with or possibly support a means for receiving a configuration signal indicating a slot offset.

[0148] In some examples, the configuration signal includes downlink control information that includes a field indicating a slot offset, a slot position, or both.

[0149] In some examples, the UE capabilities manager 850 may be configured with or possibly support a means for transmitting a UE capabilities message indicating a minimum slot offset value for the UE, where the slot offset is based on the UE capabilities message.

[0150] In some examples, the UE capabilities manager 850 may be configured with, or in some cases support, a means for identifying a minimum slot offset value for a UE for at least one of a frequency range, a frequency band, a frequency band combination, a subcarrier spacing, a bandwidth portion configuration, or a time domain duplexing configuration.

[0151] FIG. 9 illustrates a diagram of a system 900 including a device 905 supporting temporary reference signals for rapid SCell activation according to an aspect of the disclosure. The device 905 may be an example of or may include components of a device 605, a device 705, or a UE 115 as described herein. The device 905 may wirelessly communicate with one or more base stations 105, UEs 115, or any combination thereof. The device 905 may include components for two-way voice and data communication, including components for transmitting and receiving communications, such as a communications manager 920, an input / output (I / O) controller 910, a transceiver 915, an antenna 925, a memory 930, code 935, and a processor 940. These components may be in electronic communication or may be coupled (e.g., operatively, communicatively, functionally, electronically, electrically) via one or more buses (e.g., bus 945).

[0152] The I / O controller 910 may manage input and output signals for the device 905. The I / O controller 910 may also manage peripheral devices that are not built into the device 905. In some cases, the I / O controller 910 may represent a physical connection or port to an external peripheral device. In some cases, the I / O controller 910 may utilize an operating system such as iOS®, ANDROID®, MS-DOS®, MS-WINDOWS®, OS / 2®, UNIX®, LINUX®, or another known operating system. Additionally or alternatively, the I / O controller 910 may represent or interact with a modem, keyboard, mouse, touch screen, or similar device. In some cases, the I / O controller 910 may be implemented as part of a processor, such as the processor 940. In some cases, a user may interact with the device 905 through the I / O controller 910 or through hardware components controlled by the I / O controller 910.

[0153] In some cases, the device 905 may include a single antenna 925. However, in some other cases, the device 905 may have two or more antennas 925, which may be capable of simultaneously transmitting or receiving multiple wireless transmissions. The transceiver 915 may communicate bidirectionally via one or more antennas 925, a wired link, or a wireless link, as described herein. For example, the transceiver 915 may represent a wireless transceiver and may communicate bidirectionally with another wireless transceiver. The transceiver 915 may also include a modem for modulating packets, providing the modulated packets to the one or more antennas 925 for transmission, and demodulating packets received from the one or more antennas 925. The transceiver 915, or the transceiver 915 and the one or more antennas 925, may be an example of the transmitter 615, the transmitter 715, the receiver 610, the receiver 710, or any combination or components thereof, as described herein.

[0154] The memory 930 may include random access memory (RAM) and read only memory (ROM). The memory 930 may store computer-readable computer-executable code 935 including instructions that, when executed by the processor 940, cause the device 905 to perform various functions described herein. The code 935 may be stored in a non-transitory computer-readable medium, such as a system memory or another type of memory. In some cases, the code 935 may not be directly executable by the processor 940, but may (e.g., when compiled and executed) cause a computer to perform functions described herein. In some cases, the memory 930 may include a basic I / O system (BIOS) that may control basic hardware or software operations, such as interaction with peripheral components or devices, among others.

[0155] The processor 940 may include an intelligent hardware device, (e.g., a general-purpose processor, a DSP, a CPU, a GPU, a microcontroller, an ASIC, an FPGA, a programmable logic device, a discrete gate or transistor logic component, a discrete hardware component, or any combination thereof). In some cases, the processor 940 may be configured to operate a memory array using a memory controller. In some other cases, the memory controller may be incorporated into the processor 940. The processor 940 may be configured to execute computer-readable instructions stored in a memory (e.g., memory 930) to cause the device 905 to perform various functions (e.g., functions or tasks supporting a temporary reference signal for rapid SCell activation). For example, the device 905 or a component of the device 905 may include a processor 940 and a memory 930 coupled to the processor 940, where the processor 940 and the memory 930 are configured to perform various functions described herein.

[0156] The communications manager 920 may support wireless communications in the UE according to examples disclosed herein. For example, the communications manager 920 may be configured as, or may possibly support, a means for receiving from a base station a SCell activation message indicating that a SCell is activated in the UE in addition to a primary cell. The communications manager 920 may be configured as, or may possibly support, a means for identifying, based on the SCell activation message, a slot location of a first portion of an aperiodic reference signal for cell activation measurements and a slot offset between the first portion of the aperiodic reference signal and a second portion of the aperiodic reference signal, the slot offset comprising non-consecutive slots with respect to the slot location. The communications manager 920 may be configured as, or may possibly support, a means for measuring one or more characteristics of the SCell based on the aperiodic reference signal.

[0157] By including or configuring a communications manager 920 according to examples described herein, the device 905 may support techniques for improving SCell activation procedures by scheduling non-contiguous slots with aperiodic reference signals to support AGC functions, frequency / phase tracking / adjustment, etc.

[0158] In some examples, the communications manager 920 may be configured to perform various operations (e.g., receiving, monitoring, transmitting) using or possibly in cooperation with the transceiver 915, the one or more antennas 925, or a combination thereof. Although the communications manager 920 is shown as a separate component, in some examples, one or more functions described with respect to the communications manager 920 may be supported or performed by the processor 940, the memory 930, the code 935, or a combination thereof. For example, the code 935 may include instructions executable by the processor 940 to cause the device 905 to perform various aspects of the temporary reference signal for rapid SCell activation as described herein, or the processor 940 and the memory 930 may be configured to perform or support such operations as the case may be.

[0159] 10 illustrates a block diagram 1000 of a device 1005 supporting temporary reference signals for rapid SCell activation according to an aspect of the disclosure. The device 1005 may be an example of an aspect of a base station 105 as described herein. The device 1005 may include a receiver 1010, a transmitter 1015, and a communications manager 1020. The device 1005 may also include a processor. Each of these components may be in communication with one another (e.g., via one or more buses).

[0160] The receiver 1010 may provide a means for receiving information, such as packets, user data, control information, or any combination thereof, associated with various traffic channels (e.g., control channels, data channels, traffic channels related to temporary reference signals for rapid SCell activation). The information may be passed to other components of the device 1005. The receiver 1010 may utilize a single antenna or a set of multiple antennas.

[0161] The transmitter 1015 may provide a means for transmitting signals generated by other components of the device 1005. For example, the transmitter 1015 may transmit information such as packets associated with various traffic channels (e.g., control channels, data channels, traffic channels related to temporary reference signals for rapid SCell activation), user data, control information, or any combination thereof. In some examples, the transmitter 1015 may be collocated with the receiver 1010 in a transceiver module. The transmitter 1015 may utilize a single antenna or a set of multiple antennas.

[0162] The communications manager 1020, the receiver 1010, the transmitter 1015, or various combinations or components thereof may be examples of means for performing various aspects of the temporary reference signal for rapid SCell activation described herein. For example, the communications manager 1020, the receiver 1010, the transmitter 1015, or various combinations or components thereof may support a method for performing one or more of the functions described herein.

[0163] In some examples, the communications manager 1020, the receiver 1010, the transmitter 1015, or various combinations or components thereof may be implemented in hardware (e.g., in a communications management circuit). The hardware may include a processor, a DSP, an ASIC, an FPGA or other programmable logic device, discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof configured as or possibly supporting means for performing the functions described in this disclosure. In some examples, the processor and a memory coupled to the processor may be configured to perform one or more of the functions described herein (e.g., by the processor executing instructions stored in the memory).

[0164] Additionally or alternatively, in some examples, the communications manager 1020, the receiver 1010, the transmitter 1015, or various combinations or components thereof may be implemented in code executed by a processor (e.g., as communications management software). When implemented in code executed by a processor, the functions of the communications manager 1020, the receiver 1010, the transmitter 1015, or various combinations or components thereof may be performed by a general purpose processor, a DSP, a CPU, a GPU, an ASIC, an FPGA, or any combination of these or other programmable logic devices (e.g., configured as or in some cases supporting a means for performing the functions described in this disclosure).

[0165] In some examples, the communications manager 1020 may be configured to perform various operations (e.g., receiving, monitoring, transmitting) using, or possibly in cooperation with, the receiver 1010, the transmitter 1015, or both. For example, the communications manager 1020 may receive information from the receiver 1010, send information to the transmitter 1015, or be integrated in combination with the receiver 1010, the transmitter 1015, or both to receive information, transmit information, or perform various other operations described herein.

[0166] The communications manager 1020 may support wireless communications in the primary cell according to examples disclosed herein. For example, the communications manager 1020 may be configured or may support as a means for identifying for the UE a slot location of a first portion of an aperiodic reference signal for cell activation measurements of the SCell and a slot offset between the first portion of the aperiodic reference signal and a second portion of the aperiodic reference signal, the slot offset including non-consecutive slots with respect to the slot location. The communications manager 1020 may be configured or may support as a means for transmitting to the UE a SCell activation message indicating that the SCell is activated in addition to the primary cell in the UE and triggering transmission of the aperiodic reference signal on the SCell according to the slot location and the slot offset. In some examples, the slot location may be for a first plurality of slots carrying the first portion of the aperiodic reference signal, and the slot offset may be between the first plurality of slots and a second plurality of slots carrying the second portion of the aperiodic reference signal, as shown in FIG. 3. In some examples, the timing domain pattern (e.g., symbols) used for a first portion of the aperiodic reference signal carried in a first plurality of slots may be reused (e.g., be the same) for a second portion of the aperiodic reference signal carried in a second plurality of slots.

[0167] By including or configuring a communications manager 1020 according to examples described herein, the device 1005 (e.g., a processor controlling or possibly coupled to the receiver 1010, the transmitter 1015, the communications manager 1020, or a combination thereof) may support techniques for improving SCell activation procedures by scheduling non-contiguous slots with aperiodic reference signals to support AGC functions, frequency / phase tracking / adjustment, etc.

[0168] 11 illustrates a block diagram 1100 of a device 1105 supporting temporary reference signals for rapid SCell activation according to an aspect of the disclosure. The device 1105 may be an example of an aspect of a device 1005 or a base station 105 as described herein. The device 1105 may include a receiver 1110, a transmitter 1115, and a communications manager 1120. The device 1105 may also include a processor. Each of these components may be in communication with one another (e.g., via one or more buses).

[0169] The receiver 1110 may provide a means for receiving information, such as packets, user data, control information, or any combination thereof, associated with various traffic channels (e.g., control channels, data channels, traffic channels related to temporary reference signals for rapid SCell activation). The information may be passed to other components of the device 1105. The receiver 1110 may utilize a single antenna or a set of multiple antennas.

[0170] The transmitter 1115 may provide a means for transmitting signals generated by other components of the device 1105. For example, the transmitter 1115 may transmit information such as packets associated with various traffic channels (e.g., control channels, data channels, traffic channels related to temporary reference signals for rapid SCell activation), user data, control information, or any combination thereof. In some examples, the transmitter 1115 may be collocated with the receiver 1110 in a transceiver module. The transmitter 1115 may utilize a single antenna or a set of multiple antennas.

[0171] The device 1105, or various components thereof, may be an example of a means for implementing various aspects of a temporary reference signal for rapid SCell activation described herein. For example, the communications manager 1120 may include a TRS configuration manager 1125, an SCell activation manager 1130, or any combination thereof. The communications manager 1120 may be an example of an aspect of a communications manager 1020 described herein. In some examples, the communications manager 1120, or various components thereof, may be configured to perform various operations (e.g., receiving, monitoring, transmitting) using or possibly cooperating with the receiver 1110, the transmitter 1115, or both. For example, the communications manager 1120 may receive information from the receiver 1110, send information to the transmitter 1115, or be integrated in combination with the receiver 1110, the transmitter 1115, or both to receive information, transmit information, or perform various other operations described herein.

[0172] The communications manager 1120 may support wireless communications in the primary cell according to examples disclosed herein. The TRS configuration manager 1125 may be configured or may support as a means for identifying, for the UE, a slot location of a first portion of an aperiodic reference signal for cell activation measurements of the SCell and a slot offset between the first portion of the aperiodic reference signal and the second portion of the aperiodic reference signal, the slot offset including non-consecutive slots with respect to the slot location. The SCell activation manager 1130 may be configured or may support as a means for transmitting, for the UE, an SCell activation message indicating that the SCell is activated in addition to the primary cell in the UE and triggering transmission of the aperiodic reference signal on the SCell according to the slot location and the slot offset.

[0173] FIG. 12 illustrates a block diagram 1200 of a communications manager 1220 supporting temporary reference signals for rapid SCell activation according to aspects of the disclosure. The communications manager 1220 may be an example of aspects of the communications manager 1020, the communications manager 1120, or both described herein. The communications manager 1220, or various components thereof, may be an example of a means for implementing various aspects of temporary reference signals for rapid SCell activation described herein. For example, the communications manager 1220 may include a TRS configuration manager 1225, an SCell activation manager 1230, a slot offset manager 1235, a configuration manager 1240, a UE capabilities manager 1245, or any combination thereof. Each of these components may be in direct or indirect communication with one another (e.g., via one or more buses).

[0174] The communications manager 1220 may support wireless communications in the primary cell according to examples disclosed herein. The TRS configuration manager 1225 may be configured or may support as a means for identifying, for the UE, a slot location of a first portion of an aperiodic reference signal for cell activation measurements of the SCell and a slot offset between the first portion of the aperiodic reference signal and the second portion of the aperiodic reference signal, the slot offset including non-consecutive slots with respect to the slot location. The SCell activation manager 1230 may be configured or may support as a means for transmitting, for the UE, an SCell activation message indicating that the SCell is activated in addition to the primary cell in the UE and triggering transmission of the aperiodic reference signal on the SCell according to the slot location and the slot offset.

[0175] In some examples, the slot location includes a first slot that includes resources for a first portion of the aperiodic reference signal, and the slot offset identifies a second slot that includes resources for a second portion of the aperiodic reference signal, the second slot including a non-contiguous slot with respect to the first slot.

[0176] In some examples, resources for a first portion of an aperiodic reference signal during a first slot use a different time domain pattern than resources for a second portion of an aperiodic reference signal during a second slot.

[0177] In some examples, the slot location includes a first set of multiple slots, each slot of the first set of multiple slots including resources for a first instance of an aperiodic reference signal, and the slot offset identifies a second set of the multiple slots, each slot of the second set of multiple slots including resources for the second instance of the aperiodic reference signal, and the second set of the multiple slots includes non-contiguous slots for the first set of multiple slots.

[0178] In some examples, resources for a first instance of an aperiodic reference signal during a first set of slots use a different time domain pattern than resources for a second instance of the aperiodic reference signal during a second set of slots.

[0179] In some examples, the slot offset manager 1235 may be configured with, or in some cases may support, a means for identifying a slot offset based on one or more of a frequency range of the SCell, a frequency band of the SCell, a frequency band combination of the SCell, a subcarrier spacing of the SCell, a bandwidth portion configuration of the SCell, a time domain duplexing configuration of the SCell, or a combination thereof.

[0180] In some examples, the configuration manager 1240 may be configured with or possibly support a means for transmitting a configuration signal indicating a slot offset.

[0181] In some examples, the configuration signal includes a DCI that includes a field indicating a slot offset, a slot position, or both.

[0182] In some examples, the UE capabilities manager 1245 may be configured with or possibly support a means for receiving a UE capabilities message indicating a minimum slot offset value for the UE, where the slot offset is based on the UE capabilities message.

[0183] In some examples, the UE capabilities manager 1245 may be configured with, or in some cases support, a means for identifying a minimum slot offset value for a UE for at least one of a frequency range, a frequency band, a frequency band combination, a subcarrier spacing, a bandwidth portion configuration, or a time domain duplexing configuration.

[0184] FIG. 13 illustrates a diagram of a system 1300 including a device 1305 supporting temporary reference signals for rapid SCell activation according to aspects of the disclosure. The device 1305 may be an example of or may include components of a device 1005, device 1105, or base station 105 as described herein. The device 1305 may wirelessly communicate with one or more base stations 105, UEs 115, or any combination thereof. The device 1305 may include components for two-way voice and data communication, including components for transmitting and receiving communications, such as a communications manager 1320, a network communications manager 1310, a transceiver 1315, an antenna 1325, a memory 1330, code 1335, a processor 1340, and an inter-station communications manager 1345. These components may be in electronic communication or may be coupled (e.g., operatively, communicatively, functionally, electronically, electrically) via one or more buses (e.g., a bus 1350).

[0185] The network communications manager 1310 may manage communications with the core network 130 (e.g., via one or more wired backhaul links). For example, the network communications manager 1310 may manage the forwarding of data communications for client devices, such as one or more UEs 115.

[0186] In some cases, the device 1305 may include a single antenna 1325. However, in some other cases, the device 1305 may have two or more antennas 1325, which may be capable of simultaneously transmitting or receiving multiple wireless transmissions. The transceiver 1315 may communicate bidirectionally via one or more antennas 1325, a wired link, or a wireless link, as described herein. For example, the transceiver 1315 may represent a wireless transceiver and may communicate bidirectionally with another wireless transceiver. The transceiver 1315 may also include a modem for modulating packets, providing the modulated packets to one or more antennas 1325 for transmission, and demodulating packets received from the one or more antennas 1325. The transceiver 1315, or the transceiver 1315 and one or more antennas 1325, may be an example of the transmitter 1015, the transmitter 1115, the receiver 1010, the receiver 1110, or any combination or components thereof, as described herein.

[0187] The memory 1330 may include RAM and ROM. The memory 1330 may store computer-readable computer-executable code 1335 including instructions that, when executed by the processor 1340, cause the device 1305 to perform various functions described herein. The code 1335 may be stored in a non-transitory computer-readable medium, such as a system memory or another type of memory. In some cases, the code 1335 may not be directly executable by the processor 1340, but may (e.g., when compiled and executed) cause a computer to perform functions described herein. In some cases, the memory 1330 may include a BIOS, which may control basic hardware or software operations, such as interaction with peripheral components or devices, among other things.

[0188] The processor 1340 may include an intelligent hardware device, (e.g., a general-purpose processor, a DSP, a CPU, a GPU, a microcontroller, an ASIC, an FPGA, a programmable logic device, a discrete gate or transistor logic component, a discrete hardware component, or any combination thereof). In some cases, the processor 1340 may be configured to operate a memory array using a memory controller. In some other cases, the memory controller may be incorporated into the processor 1340. The processor 1340 may be configured to execute computer-readable instructions stored in a memory (e.g., memory 1330) to cause the device 1305 to perform various functions (e.g., functions or tasks supporting a temporary reference signal for rapid SCell activation). For example, the device 1305 or a component of the device 1305 may include a processor 1340 and a memory 1330 coupled to the processor 1340, where the processor 1340 and the memory 1330 are configured to perform various functions described herein.

[0189] The inter-station communications manager 1345 may manage communications with other base stations 105 and may include a controller or scheduler for controlling communications with the UE 115 in cooperation with the other base stations 105. For example, the inter-station communications manager 1345 may coordinate scheduling for transmissions to the UE 115 for various interference mitigation techniques, such as beamforming or joint transmission. In some examples, the inter-station communications manager 1345 may provide an X2 interface in LTE / LTE-A wireless communications network technology to communicate between the base stations 105.

[0190] The communications manager 1320 may support wireless communications in the primary cell according to examples disclosed herein. For example, the communications manager 1320 may be configured or may support as a means for identifying for the UE a slot location of a first portion of an aperiodic reference signal for cell activation measurements of the SCell and a slot offset between the first portion of the aperiodic reference signal and a second portion of the aperiodic reference signal, the slot offset including non-consecutive slots with respect to the slot location. The communications manager 1320 may be configured or may support as a means for transmitting to the UE a SCell activation message indicating that the SCell is activated in addition to the primary cell in the UE and triggering transmission of the aperiodic reference signal on the SCell according to the slot location and the slot offset. In some examples, the slot location may be for a first plurality of slots carrying the first portion of the aperiodic reference signal, and the slot offset may be between the first plurality of slots and a second plurality of slots carrying the second portion of the aperiodic reference signal, as shown in FIG. 3. In some examples, the timing domain pattern (e.g., symbols) used for a first portion of the aperiodic reference signal carried in a first plurality of slots may be reused (e.g., be the same) for a second portion of the aperiodic reference signal carried in a second plurality of slots.

[0191] By including or configuring a communications manager 1320 according to examples described herein, the device 1305 may support techniques for improving SCell activation procedures by scheduling non-contiguous slots with aperiodic reference signals to support AGC functions, frequency / phase tracking / adjustment, etc.

[0192] In some examples, the communications manager 1320 may be configured to perform various operations (e.g., receiving, monitoring, transmitting) using or possibly in cooperation with the transceiver 1315, the one or more antennas 1325, or a combination thereof. Although the communications manager 1320 is shown as a separate component, in some examples, one or more functions described with respect to the communications manager 1320 may be supported or performed by the processor 1340, the memory 1330, the code 1335, or a combination thereof. For example, the code 1335 may include instructions executable by the processor 1340 to cause the device 1305 to perform various aspects of the temporary reference signal for rapid SCell activation as described herein, or the processor 1340 and the memory 1330 may be configured to perform or support such operations as the case may be.

[0193] FIG. 14 illustrates a flow chart illustrating a method 1400 of supporting temporary reference signals for rapid SCell activation according to aspects of the disclosure. The operations of the method 1400 may be implemented by a UE or components thereof as described herein. For example, the operations of the method 1400 may be performed by the UE 115 as described with reference to FIGS. 1-9. In some examples, the UE may execute a set of instructions to control functional elements of the UE to perform the described functions. Additionally or alternatively, the UE may perform aspects of the described functions using dedicated hardware.

[0194] At 1405, the method may include receiving an SCell activation message from the base station indicating that a SCell is to be activated in addition to the primary cell at the UE. The operations of 1405 may be performed according to examples disclosed herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of 1405 may be performed by a SCell activation manager 825 as described with reference to FIG.

[0195] At 1410, the method may include identifying, based on the SCell activation message, a slot location of a first portion of an aperiodic reference signal for cell activation measurements and a slot offset between the first portion of the aperiodic reference signal and a second portion of the aperiodic reference signal, the slot offset comprising non-consecutive slots with respect to the slot location. The operations of 1410 may be performed according to examples disclosed herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of 1410 may be performed by a TRS configuration manager 830 as described with reference to FIG. 8. In some examples, the slot location may be for a first plurality of slots carrying the first portion of the aperiodic reference signal, and the slot offset may be between the first plurality of slots and a second plurality of slots carrying the second portion of the aperiodic reference signal, as shown in FIG. 3. In some examples, a timing domain pattern (e.g., symbols) used for the first portion of the aperiodic reference signal carried in the first plurality of slots may be reused (e.g., be the same) for the second portion of the aperiodic reference signal carried in the second plurality of slots.

[0196] At 1415, the method may include measuring one or more characteristics of the SCell based on the aperiodic reference signal. The operations of 1415 may be performed according to examples disclosed herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of 1415 may be performed by a channel performance manager 835 as described with reference to FIG.

[0197] FIG. 15 illustrates a flow chart illustrating a method 1500 of supporting temporary reference signals for rapid SCell activation according to aspects of the disclosure. The operations of method 1500 may be implemented by a UE or components thereof as described herein. For example, the operations of method 1500 may be performed by a UE 115 as described with reference to FIGS. 1-9. In some examples, the UE may execute a set of instructions to control functional elements of the UE to perform the described functions. Additionally or alternatively, the UE may perform aspects of the described functions using dedicated hardware.

[0198] At 1505, the method may include receiving an SCell activation message from the base station indicating that a SCell is to be activated in addition to the primary cell at the UE. The operations of 1505 may be performed according to examples disclosed herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of 1505 may be performed by a SCell activation manager 825 as described with reference to FIG.

[0199] At 1510, the method may include identifying, based on the SCell activation message, a slot location of a first portion of an aperiodic reference signal for cell activation measurements and a slot offset between the first portion of the aperiodic reference signal and a second portion of the aperiodic reference signal, the slot offset comprising non-consecutive slots for the slot location. The operations of 1510 may be performed according to examples disclosed herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of 1510 may be performed by a TRS configuration manager 830 as described with reference to FIG. 8.

[0200] At 1515, the method may include identifying a slot offset based on one or more of a frequency range of the SCell, a frequency band of the SCell, a frequency band combination of the SCell, a subcarrier spacing of the SCell, a bandwidth portion configuration of the SCell, a time domain duplexing configuration of the SCell, or a combination thereof. The operations of 1515 may be performed according to examples disclosed herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of 1515 may be performed by a slot offset manager 840 as described with reference to FIG. 8.

[0201] At 1520, the method may include measuring one or more characteristics of the SCell based on the aperiodic reference signal. The operations of 1520 may be performed according to examples disclosed herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of 1520 may be performed by a channel performance manager 835 as described with reference to FIG.

[0202] FIG. 16 illustrates a flow chart illustrating a method 1600 for supporting temporary reference signals for rapid SCell activation according to aspects of the disclosure. The operations of the method 1600 may be implemented by a UE or components thereof as described herein. For example, the operations of the method 1600 may be performed by the UE 115 as described with reference to FIGS. 1-9. In some examples, the UE may execute a set of instructions to control functional elements of the UE to perform the described functions. Additionally or alternatively, the UE may perform aspects of the described functions using dedicated hardware.

[0203] At 1605, the method may include transmitting a UE capabilities message indicating a minimum slot offset value for the UE, the slot offset being based on the UE capabilities message. The operations of 1605 may be performed in accordance with examples disclosed herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of 1605 may be performed by a UE capabilities manager 850 as described with reference to FIG.

[0204] At 1610, the method may include receiving an SCell activation message from the base station indicating that a SCell is to be activated in addition to the primary cell at the UE. The operations of 1610 may be performed according to examples disclosed herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of 1610 may be performed by a SCell activation manager 825 as described with reference to FIG.

[0205] At 1615, the method may include identifying, based on the SCell activation message, a slot location of a first portion of an aperiodic reference signal for cell activation measurements and a slot offset between the first portion of the aperiodic reference signal and a second portion of the aperiodic reference signal, the slot offset comprising non-consecutive slots for the slot location. The operations of 1615 may be performed according to examples disclosed herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of 1615 may be performed by a TRS configuration manager 830 as described with reference to FIG. 8.

[0206] At 1620, the method may include measuring one or more characteristics of the SCell based on the aperiodic reference signal. The operations of 1620 may be performed according to examples disclosed herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of 1620 may be performed by a channel performance manager 835 as described with reference to FIG.

[0207] FIG. 17 illustrates a flow chart illustrating a method 1700 of supporting temporary reference signals for rapid SCell activation according to aspects of the disclosure. The operations of method 1700 may be implemented by a base station or components thereof as described herein. For example, the operations of method 1700 may be performed by a base station 105 as described with reference to FIGS. 1-5 and 10-13. In some examples, the base station may execute a set of instructions to control functional elements of the base station to perform the described functions. Additionally or alternatively, the base station may perform aspects of the described functions using dedicated hardware.

[0208] At 1705, the method may include identifying, for the UE, a slot location of a first portion of an aperiodic reference signal for cell activation measurements of the SCell, and a slot offset between the first portion of the aperiodic reference signal and a second portion of the aperiodic reference signal, the slot offset comprising non-consecutive slots with respect to the slot location. The operations of 1705 may be performed in accordance with examples disclosed herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of 1705 may be performed by the TRS configuration manager 1225 as described with reference to FIG. 12. In some examples, the slot location may be for a first plurality of slots carrying the first portion of the aperiodic reference signal, and the slot offset may be between the first plurality of slots and a second plurality of slots carrying the second portion of the aperiodic reference signal, as shown in FIG. 3. In some examples, a timing domain pattern (e.g., symbols) used for the first portion of the aperiodic reference signal carried in the first plurality of slots may be reused (e.g., be the same) for the second portion of the aperiodic reference signal carried in the second plurality of slots.

[0209] At 1710, the method may transmit a SCell activation message to the UE indicating that the SCell is activated in addition to the primary cell at the UE and triggering transmission of an aperiodic reference signal on the SCell according to the slot position and slot offset. The operations of 1710 may be performed according to examples disclosed herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of 1710 may be performed by the SCell activation manager 1230 as described with reference to FIG. 12.

[0210] FIG. 18 illustrates a flow chart illustrating a method 1800 of supporting temporary reference signals for rapid SCell activation according to aspects of the disclosure. The operations of the method 1800 may be implemented by a base station or components thereof as described herein. For example, the operations of the method 1800 may be performed by a base station 105 as described with reference to FIGS. 1-5 and 10-13. In some examples, the base station may execute a set of instructions to control functional elements of the base station to perform the described functions. Additionally or alternatively, the base station may perform aspects of the described functions using dedicated hardware.

[0211] At 1805, the method may include identifying, for the UE, a slot location of a first portion of an aperiodic reference signal for cell activation measurements of the SCell and a slot offset between the first portion of the aperiodic reference signal and a second portion of the aperiodic reference signal, the slot offset comprising non-consecutive slots for the slot location. The operations of 1805 may be performed according to examples disclosed herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of 1805 may be performed by a TRS configuration manager 1225 as described with reference to FIG. 12.

[0212] At 1810, the method may include transmitting a configuration signal indicating the slot offset. The operations of 1810 may be performed according to examples disclosed herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of 1810 may be performed by a configuration manager 1240 as described with reference to FIG.

[0213] At 1815, the method may transmit a SCell activation message to the UE indicating that the SCell is activated in addition to the primary cell at the UE and triggering transmission of an aperiodic reference signal on the SCell according to the slot position and slot offset. The operations of 1815 may be performed according to examples disclosed herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of 1815 may be performed by the SCell activation manager 1230 as described with reference to FIG. 12.

[0214] The following provides a summary of aspects of the disclosure.

[0215] Aspect 1: A method for wireless communications in a UE, comprising: receiving from a base station an SCell activation message indicating that a SCell is activated in the UE in addition to a PCell; identifying, based at least in part on the SCell activation message, slot positions of a first plurality of slots carrying a first portion of an aperiodic reference signal for cell activation measurements and a slot offset between the first plurality of slots and a second plurality of slots carrying a second portion of the aperiodic reference signal, wherein the slot offset includes non-consecutive slots and the second portion of the aperiodic reference signal of the second plurality of slots uses the same set of symbols as the first portion of the aperiodic reference signal of the first plurality of slots; and measuring one or more characteristics of the SCell based at least in part on the aperiodic reference signal.

[0216] Aspect 2: The method of aspect 1, wherein the SCell activation message is received in a MAC CE, a DCI message, or both.

[0217] Aspect 3: The method of aspect 1 or 2, further comprising identifying a slot offset based at least in part on one or more of a frequency range of the SCell, a frequency band of the SCell, a frequency band combination of the SCell, a subcarrier spacing of the SCell, a bandwidth portion configuration of the SCell, a time domain duplexing configuration of the SCell, or a combination thereof.

[0218] Aspect 4: The method of any of aspects 1 to 3, further comprising receiving a configuration signal indicating a slot offset.

[0219] Aspect 5: The method of aspect 4, wherein the configuration signal includes downlink control information including a field indicating a slot offset, a slot position, or both.

[0220] Aspect 6: The method of any of aspects 1-5, further comprising transmitting a UE capability message indicating a minimum slot offset value for the UE, the slot offset being based at least in part on the UE capability message.

[0221] Aspect 7: The method of aspect 6, further comprising identifying a minimum slot offset value for the UE for at least one of a frequency range, a frequency band, a frequency band combination, a subcarrier spacing, a bandwidth portion configuration, or a time domain duplexing configuration.

[0222] Aspect 8: A method for wireless communication on a PCell, comprising: identifying, for a UE, slot positions of a first plurality of slots carrying a first portion of an aperiodic reference signal for cell activation measurement of an SCell and a slot offset between the first plurality of slots and a second plurality of slots carrying a second portion of the aperiodic reference signal, where the slot offset includes non-consecutive slots and the second portion of the aperiodic reference signal in the second plurality of slots uses the same set of symbols as the first portion of the aperiodic reference signal in the first plurality of slots; and transmitting an SCell activation message to the UE indicating that the SCell is activated in addition to the PCell in the UE and triggering transmission of the aperiodic reference signal on the SCell according to the slot position and the slot offset.

[0223] Aspect 9: The method of aspect 8, wherein the SCell activation message is sent in a MAC CE, a DCI message, or both.

[0224] Aspect 10: The method of aspect 8 or 9, further comprising identifying a slot offset based at least in part on one or more of a frequency range of the SCell, a frequency band of the SCell, a frequency band combination of the SCell, a subcarrier spacing of the SCell, a bandwidth portion configuration of the SCell, a time domain duplexing configuration of the SCell, or a combination thereof.

[0225] Aspect 11: The method of any of aspects 8 to 10, further comprising transmitting a configuration signal indicating a slot offset.

[0226] Aspect 12: The method of aspect 11, wherein the configuration signal includes downlink control information including a field indicating a slot offset, a slot position, or both.

[0227] Aspect 13: The method of any of aspects 8-12, further comprising receiving a UE capability message indicating a minimum slot offset value for the UE, the slot offset being based at least in part on the UE capability message.

[0228] Aspect 14: The method of aspect 13, further comprising identifying a minimum slot offset value for the UE for at least one of a frequency range, a frequency band, a frequency band combination, a subcarrier spacing, a bandwidth portion configuration, or a time domain duplexing configuration.

[0229] Aspect 15: An apparatus for wireless communication in a UE, comprising: a processor; a memory coupled to the processor; and instructions stored in the memory and executable by the processor to cause the apparatus to perform any of the methods of aspects 1-7.

[0230] Example 16: An apparatus for wireless communication in a UE, comprising at least one means for performing the method of any of Examples 1 to 7.

[0231] Aspect 17: A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing code for wireless communication in a UE, the code including instructions executable by a processor to perform the method of any of aspects 1 to 7.

[0232] Aspect 18: An apparatus for wireless communication in a PCell, comprising: a processor; a memory coupled to the processor; and instructions stored in the memory and executable by the processor to cause the apparatus to perform any of the methods of aspects 8 to 14.

[0233] Aspect 19: An apparatus for wireless communication in a PCell, comprising at least one means for performing the method of any of aspects 8 to 14.

[0234] Aspect 20: A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing code for wireless communication in a PCell, the code including instructions executable by a processor to perform any of the methods of aspects 8 to 14.

[0235] It should be noted that the methods described herein are descriptions of possible implementations, that the acts and steps may be rearranged or otherwise modified, and that other implementations are possible. Additionally, aspects from two or more of these methods may be combined.

[0236] Although aspects of LTE, LTE-A, LTE-A Pro, or NR systems may be described as examples, and LTE, LTE-A, LTE-A Pro, or NR terminology may be used throughout much of the description, the techniques described herein may be applicable to other than LTE, LTE-A, LTE-A Pro, or NR networks. For example, the techniques described may be applicable to various other wireless communication systems, such as Ultra Mobile Broadband (UMB), Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11 (Wi-Fi), IEEE 802.16 (WiMAX), IEEE 802.20, Flash-OFDM, and other systems and radio technologies not explicitly mentioned herein.

[0237] The information and signals described herein may be represented using any of a wide variety of technologies and techniques. For example, data, instructions, commands, information, signals, bits, symbols, and chips that may be referred to throughout the description may be represented by voltages, currents, electromagnetic waves, magnetic fields or particles, optical fields or particles, or any combination thereof.

[0238] The various example blocks and components described with respect to the disclosure herein may be implemented or performed using a general purpose processor, a DSP, an ASIC, a CPU, a GPU, an FPGA or other programmable logic device, discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof designed to perform the functions described herein. A general purpose processor may be a microprocessor, but alternatively, the processor may be any processor, controller, microcontroller, or state machine. A processor may also be implemented as a combination of computing devices (e.g., a combination of a DSP and a microprocessor, multiple microprocessors, one or more microprocessors in conjunction with a DSP core, or any other such configuration).

[0239] The functions described herein may be implemented in hardware, software executed by a processor, or any combination thereof. Software shall be broadly construed to mean instructions, instruction sets, code, code segments, program code, programs, subprograms, software modules, applications, software applications, software packages, routines, subroutines, objects, executable files, threads of execution, procedures, or functions, etc., whether referred to as software, firmware, middleware, microcode, hardware description language, or otherwise. When implemented in software executed by a processor, the functions may be stored on or transmitted over a computer-readable medium as one or more instructions or code. Other examples and implementations are within the scope of this disclosure and the appended claims. For example, due to the nature of software, the functions described herein may be implemented using software executed by a processor, hardware, hardwiring, or any combination thereof. Features implementing the functions may also be physically located in various locations, including distributed such that portions of the functions are implemented in various physical locations.

[0240] Computer-readable media includes both non-transitory computer storage media and communication media, including any medium that enables transfer of a computer program from one place to another. Non-transitory storage media may be any available medium that can be accessed by a general purpose or special purpose computer. By way of example and not limitation, non-transitory computer-readable media may include RAM, ROM, Electrically Erasable Programmable ROM (EEPROM), Flash memory, Compact Disk (CD) ROM or other optical disk storage, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other non-transitory medium that can be used to carry or store desired program code means in the form of instructions or data structures and that can be accessed by a general purpose or special purpose computer or a general purpose or special purpose processor. Also, any connection is properly termed a computer-readable medium. For example, if the software is transmitted from a website, server, or other remote source using coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair, digital subscriber line (DSL), or wireless technologies such as infrared, radio, and microwave, the coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair, DSL, or wireless technologies such as infrared, radio, and microwave are included within the definition of computer-readable media. As used herein, disk and disc include CDs, laser discs, optical discs, digital versatile discs (DVDs), floppy disks, and Blu-ray discs, where disks typically reproduce data magnetically and discs reproduce data optically using lasers. Combinations of the above are also included within the scope of computer readable media.

[0241] As used herein, including in the claims, "or" as used in a list of items (e.g., a list of items beginning with a phrase such as "at least one of" or "one or more of") indicates an inclusive list, such as, for example, a list of at least one of A, B, or C means A or B or C or AB or AC or BC or ABC (i.e., A and B and C). Also, the phrase "based on" as used herein should not be construed as a reference to a closed set of conditions. For example, an exemplary step described as "based on condition A" may be based on both condition A and condition B without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. In other words, the phrase "based on" as used herein is to be construed similarly to the phrase "based at least in part on."

[0242] In the accompanying figures, similar components or features may have the same reference label. Furthermore, various components of the same type may be distinguished by following the reference label with a dash and a second label that distinguishes the similar components. If only a first reference label is used herein, the description is applicable to any of the similar components having the same first reference label, regardless of the second reference label, or any other subsequent reference label.

[0243] The description set forth herein with respect to the accompanying drawings describes exemplary configurations and does not necessarily represent all examples that may be implemented or fall within the scope of the claims. As used herein, the term "exemplary" means "serving as an example, instance, or illustration" and does not mean "preferred" or "advantageous over other examples." The detailed description includes specific details for the purposes of providing an understanding of the described techniques. However, these techniques may be practiced without these specific details. In some instances, known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form to avoid obscuring the concepts of the described examples.

[0244] The description herein is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to make or use the disclosure. Various modifications of the disclosure will be apparent to those skilled in the art, and the general principles defined herein may be applied to other variations without departing from the scope of the disclosure. Thus, the disclosure is not limited to the examples and designs described herein, but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and novel features disclosed herein. [Explanation of symbols]

[0245] 100 Wireless communication system 105 Base station 110 Coverage Area 115 UE 120 backhaul links 125 Communication Links 130 Core Network 135 Device-to-Device (D2D) Communication Links 140 Access Network Entity 145 Access Network Transmission Entity 150 IP Services 200 Wireless Communication System 205 Base Station 210 base station 215 UE 220 Aperiodic reference signal 300 Aperiodic reference signal configuration 305 Aperiodic reference signal 400 Aperiodic reference signal configuration 405 Aperiodic reference signal 500 Aperiodic Reference Signal Configuration 505 Aperiodic reference signal 510 Triggering DCI 605 Devices 610 Receiver 615 Transmitter 620 Communications Manager 705 Devices 710 Receiver 715 Transmitter 720 Communications Manager 725 SCell Activation Manager 730 TRS Configuration Manager 820 Communications Manager 825 SCell Activation Manager 830 TRS Configuration Manager 835 Channel Performance Manager 840 Slot Offset Manager 845 Configuration Manager 850 UE Capabilities Manager 905 Devices 910 Input / Output (I / O) Controller 915 Transceiver 920 Communications Manager 925 Antenna 930 Memory 935 Code 940 Processor 945 Bus 1005 Devices 1010 Receiver 1015 Transmitter 1020 Communications Manager 1105 Devices 1110 Receiver 1115 Transmitter 1120 Communications Manager 1125 TRS Configuration Manager 1130 SCell Activation Manager 1220 Communications Manager 1225 TRS Configuration Manager 1230 SCell Activation Manager 1235 Slot Offset Manager 1240 Configuration Manager 1245 UE Capabilities Manager 1305 Devices 1310 Network Communications Manager 1315 Transceiver 1320 Communications Manager 1325 Antenna 1330 Memory 1335 Code 1340 Processor 1345 Inter-Station Communications Manager 1400 methods 1500 ways 1600 methods 1700 methods 1800 methods

Claims

1. 1. A method for wireless communication in a user equipment (UE), comprising: receiving a secondary cell activation message from a base station indicating that a secondary cell is to be activated in addition to a primary cell at the UE; identifying, based at least in part on the secondary cell activation message, slot positions of a first plurality of slots carrying a first portion of an aperiodic reference signal for cell activation measurements and a slot offset between the first plurality of slots and a second plurality of slots carrying a second portion of the aperiodic reference signal, the slot offset including slots that are not consecutive in slot position, and the second portion of the aperiodic reference signal of the second plurality of slots using the same set of symbols as the first portion of the aperiodic reference signal of the first plurality of slots; measuring one or more characteristics of the secondary cell based at least in part on the aperiodic reference signal; A method comprising:

2. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the secondary cell activation message is received in a medium access control (MAC) control element (CE), a downlink control information (DCI) message, or both.

3. identifying the slot offset based at least in part on one or more of a frequency range of the secondary cell, a frequency band of the secondary cell, a frequency band combination of the secondary cell, a subcarrier spacing of the secondary cell, a bandwidth portion configuration of the secondary cell, a time domain duplexing configuration of the secondary cell, or a combination thereof. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

4. receiving a configuration signal indicating said slot offset, preferably 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the configuration signal includes downlink control information including a field indicating the slot offset, the slot position, or both.

5. 10. The method of claim 1, further comprising: transmitting a UE capability message indicating a minimum slot offset value for the UE, the slot offset being based at least in part on the UE capability message.

6. identifying the minimum slot offset value for the UE for at least one of a frequency range, a frequency band, a frequency band combination, a subcarrier spacing, a bandwidth portion configuration, or a time domain duplexing configuration; 6. The method of claim 5, further comprising:

7. 1. A method for wireless communication in a primary cell, comprising: identifying, for a user equipment (UE), slot positions of a first plurality of slots carrying a first portion of an aperiodic reference signal for cell activation measurements of a secondary cell and a slot offset between the first plurality of slots and a second plurality of slots carrying a second portion of the aperiodic reference signal, the slot offset including slots that are not consecutive in slot positions, and the second portion of the aperiodic reference signal of the second plurality of slots using the same set of symbols as the first portion of the aperiodic reference signal of the first plurality of slots; sending a secondary cell activation message to the UE, indicating that the secondary cell is activated in addition to the primary cell in the UE, and triggering transmission of the aperiodic reference signal in the secondary cell according to the slot position and the slot offset; A method comprising:

8. 8. The method of claim 7, wherein the secondary cell activation message is transmitted in a medium access control (MAC) control element (CE), a downlink control information (DCI) message, or both.

9. identifying the slot offset based at least in part on one or more of a frequency range of the secondary cell, a frequency band of the secondary cell, a frequency band combination of the secondary cell, a subcarrier spacing of the secondary cell, a bandwidth portion configuration of the secondary cell, a time domain duplexing configuration of the secondary cell, or a combination thereof.

8. The method of claim 7, further comprising:

10. transmitting a configuration signal indicating said slot offset, preferably 8. The method of claim 7, wherein the configuration signal includes downlink control information including a field indicating the slot offset, the slot position, or both.

11. 8. The method of claim 7, further comprising receiving a UE capability message indicating a minimum slot offset value for the UE, the slot offset being based at least in part on the UE capability message.

12. identifying the minimum slot offset value for the UE for at least one of a frequency range, a frequency band, a frequency band combination, a subcarrier spacing, a bandwidth portion configuration, or a time domain duplexing configuration; 12. The method of claim 11, further comprising:

13. An apparatus for wireless communication in a user equipment (UE), comprising: means for receiving a secondary cell activation message from a base station indicating that a secondary cell is to be activated in addition to a primary cell at the UE; means for identifying, based at least in part on the secondary cell activation message, slot positions of a first plurality of slots carrying a first portion of an aperiodic reference signal for cell activation measurements and a slot offset between the first plurality of slots and a second plurality of slots carrying a second portion of the aperiodic reference signal, the slot offset including slots that are not consecutive in slot position, and the second portion of the aperiodic reference signal of the second plurality of slots using the same set of symbols as the first portion of the aperiodic reference signal of the first plurality of slots; means for measuring one or more characteristics of the secondary cell based at least in part on the aperiodic reference signal; and An apparatus comprising:

14. 1. An apparatus for wireless communication in a primary cell, comprising: means for identifying, for a user equipment (UE), slot positions of a first plurality of slots carrying a first portion of an aperiodic reference signal for cell activation measurements of a secondary cell and a slot offset between the first plurality of slots and a second plurality of slots carrying a second portion of the aperiodic reference signal, the slot offset including slots that are not consecutive in slot position, and the second portion of the aperiodic reference signal of the second plurality of slots using the same set of symbols as the first portion of the aperiodic reference signal of the first plurality of slots; means for transmitting a secondary cell activation message to the UE, indicating that the secondary cell is activated in addition to the primary cell in the UE, and triggering transmission of the aperiodic reference signal in the secondary cell according to the slot position and the slot offset; An apparatus comprising:

15. A computer program comprising instructions for carrying out the method according to any one of claims 1 to 12, when said computer program is executed on a computer.

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