Compensation for residual time-frequency error in communication

Abstract

To attain compensation for a residual time-frequency error in communication.SOLUTION: A device, a method, and a computer program for compensating for a residual time-frequency error in communication between a network node device and a client device are disclosed. The network node device determines an auxiliary reference signal indication including presence information and location information of an auxiliary reference signal in physical downlink channel transmission. The network node device transmits the auxiliary reference signal associated with the physical downlink channel to the client device according to the auxiliary reference signal indication. The client device uses the received auxiliary reference signal for compensation for the residual time-frequency error in the communication.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates generally to communication networks, and more particularly, but not exclusively, to compensation of residual time-frequency errors in communications. [Background technology]

[0002] In cellular communication networks, time synchronization is required for user equipment (UE) to access the network and establish a data communication link with the base station. In fifth generation (5G) new radio (NR) wireless networks, the need for accurate time and frequency synchronization increases further because the waveform and multiple access technique are based on orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM). In the absence of time-frequency synchronization, the received signal is significantly degraded due to, for example, interblock interference (IBI) and inter-carrier interference (ICI). Summary of the Invention

[0003] The scope of protection sought for various exemplary embodiments of the invention is indicated by the independent claims. The exemplary embodiments and features described herein that do not fall within the scope of the independent claims, if any, should be interpreted as examples useful for understanding the various exemplary embodiments of the invention.

[0004] An exemplary embodiment of a network node device comprises means for performing the steps of determining an auxiliary reference signal indication comprising presence and location information of an auxiliary reference signal in a physical downlink channel transmission, said auxiliary reference signal being used for compensation of one or more residual time-frequency errors in communication between said network node device and a client device, and causing the network node device to transmit to a client device the auxiliary reference signal associated with a physical downlink channel in accordance with the determined auxiliary reference signal indication.

[0005] In an exemplary embodiment, instead of or in addition to the above-described exemplary embodiment, the means is further configured to cause the network node device to transmit the determined auxiliary reference signal indication to a client device before transmitting an auxiliary reference signal related to the physical downlink channel.

[0006] In an exemplary embodiment, instead of or in addition to the above-mentioned exemplary embodiments, the presence and location information includes at least one of an explicit presence and / or location indication for inclusion in a master information block carried by a physical broadcast channel, the explicit presence and / or location indication indicating a multiplexing and / or occurrence pattern of the auxiliary reference signals, or an implicit presence and / or location indication for inclusion in the master information block carried by the physical broadcast channel, the implicit presence and / or location indication including derivation information for deriving the presence and / or location of an auxiliary reference signal of the physical downlink channel transmission.

[0007] In an exemplary embodiment, instead of or in addition to the above-mentioned exemplary embodiments, the auxiliary reference signal includes at least one of a demodulation reference signal of a control resource set #0 corresponding to at least one position of a common search space TYPE0, or a first orthogonal frequency division multiplexing symbol of a physical downlink shared channel carrying system information block #1, or one or more resources of the auxiliary reference signal are repeated over K consecutive symbols after the configured or reserved beam switching symbol or the first symbol reserved for a type 0 physical downlink control channel, or are repeated after L symbols over K consecutive or non-consecutive symbols of the configured or reserved beam switching symbol, or the first symbol reserved for a type 0 physical downlink control channel, or the first symbol reserved for a physical downlink shared channel carrying system information block #1, or the first symbol reserved for a demodulation reference signal of a physical downlink shared channel carrying system information block #1.

[0008] In an exemplary embodiment, instead of or in addition to the above-mentioned exemplary embodiment, the means is further configured to perform a step of determining a type of the demodulation reference signal of the control resource set #0 from the auxiliary reference signal indication.

[0009] In an exemplary embodiment, instead of or in addition to the above exemplary embodiments, the location information includes frequency / time location information or symbol / physical resource block location information.

[0010] In an example embodiment, instead or in addition to any of the above example embodiments, a means comprises at least one processor and at least one memory containing computer program code, the at least one memory and the computer program code configured to cause performance of the network node device with the at least one processor.

[0011] An exemplary embodiment of the method includes determining, by a network node device, an auxiliary reference signal indication comprising presence and location information of an auxiliary reference signal in a physical downlink channel transmission, wherein the auxiliary reference signal is used for compensation of one or more residual time-frequency errors in communication between the network node device and the client device, and transmitting, by the network node device, the auxiliary reference signal associated with a physical downlink channel to the client device in accordance with the determined auxiliary reference signal indication.

[0012] In an exemplary embodiment, instead of or in addition to the above-mentioned exemplary embodiments, the method further comprises the step of transmitting, by the network node device, the determined auxiliary reference signal indication to the client device before transmitting the auxiliary reference signal related to the physical downlink channel.

[0013] In an exemplary embodiment, instead of or in addition to the above-mentioned exemplary embodiments, the presence and location information includes at least one of an explicit presence and / or location indication for inclusion in a master information block carried by a physical broadcast channel, the explicit presence and / or location indication indicating a multiplexing and / or occurrence pattern of the auxiliary reference signals, or an implicit presence and / or location indication for inclusion in a master information block carried by the physical broadcast channel, the implicit presence and / or location indication including derivation information for deriving the presence and / or location of the auxiliary reference signals of the physical downlink channel transmission.

[0014] In an exemplary embodiment, instead of or in addition to the above-mentioned exemplary embodiments, the auxiliary reference signal includes at least one of the following: a demodulation reference signal of a control resource set #0 corresponding to at least one position of a common search space TYPE0, or a first orthogonal frequency division multiplexing symbol of a physical downlink shared channel carrying system information block #1, or one or more resources of the auxiliary reference signal are repeated over K consecutive symbols after a configured or reserved beam switching symbol or a first symbol reserved for a type 0 physical downlink control channel, or are repeated over K consecutive or non-consecutive symbols of the configured or reserved beam switching symbol, or a first symbol reserved for a type 0 physical downlink control channel, or a first symbol reserved for a physical downlink shared channel carrying the system information block #1, or a first symbol reserved for a demodulation reference signal of the physical downlink shared channel carrying the system information block #1, after L symbols.

[0015] In an exemplary embodiment, instead of or in addition to the above-mentioned exemplary embodiments, the method further includes determining a type of demodulation reference signal of control resource set #0 from the auxiliary reference signal indication.

[0016] In an exemplary embodiment, instead of or in addition to the above exemplary embodiments, the location information includes frequency / time location information or symbol / physical resource block location information.

[0017] An exemplary embodiment of a computer program is configured to cause a network node device to perform the steps of determining an auxiliary reference signal indication comprising presence and location information of an auxiliary reference signal in a physical downlink channel transmission, the auxiliary reference signal being used for compensation of one or more residual time-frequency errors in communication between the network node device and a client device, and transmitting to the client device an auxiliary reference signal associated with the physical downlink channel in accordance with the determined auxiliary reference signal indication.

[0018] An example embodiment of a network node device comprises at least one processor and at least one memory including computer program code configured to cause the network node device, with the at least one processor, to perform the steps of: determining an auxiliary reference signal indication including presence and location information of an auxiliary reference signal in a physical downlink channel transmission, the auxiliary reference signal being used for compensation of one or more residual time-frequency errors in communication between the network node device and a client device; and transmitting to the client device an auxiliary reference signal associated with the physical downlink channel according to the determined auxiliary reference signal indication.

[0019] An exemplary embodiment of a client device includes means for causing the client device to receive from a network node device an auxiliary reference signal associated with a physical downlink channel in accordance with an auxiliary reference signal indication, the auxiliary reference signal indication including information of a presence and location of the auxiliary reference signal in the physical downlink channel transmission, and means for using the received auxiliary reference signal to compensate for one or more residual time-frequency errors in communication between the client device and the network node device.

[0020] In an exemplary embodiment, instead of or in addition to the above-described exemplary embodiments, the means is further configured to cause the client device to receive the auxiliary reference signal indication from the network node device prior to receiving the auxiliary reference signal associated with the physical downlink channel.

[0021] In an exemplary embodiment, instead of or in addition to the exemplary embodiments described above, the means is further configured to perform determining a presence and location of the auxiliary reference signal during a subsequent physical downlink channel transmission based on presence and location information in the received auxiliary reference signal indication.

[0022] In an exemplary embodiment, instead of or in addition to the above-mentioned exemplary embodiments, the presence and location information comprises at least one of: an explicit presence and / or location indication included in a master information block conveyed by a physical broadcast channel, the explicit presence and / or location indication indicating a multiplexing and / or occurrence pattern of the auxiliary reference signals; or an implicit presence and / or location indication included in a master information block conveyed by the physical broadcast channel, the implicit presence and / or location indication including derivation information for deriving the presence and / or location of the auxiliary reference signals of the physical downlink channel transmission.

[0023] In an exemplary embodiment, instead of or in addition to the above-mentioned exemplary embodiments, the auxiliary reference signal includes at least one of a demodulation reference signal of a control resource set #0 corresponding to at least one position of a common search space TYPE0, or a first orthogonal frequency division multiplexing symbol of a physical downlink shared channel carrying a system information block #1, or one or more resources of the auxiliary reference signal are repeated over K consecutive symbols after a configured or reserved beam switching symbol or a first symbol reserved for a type 0 physical downlink control channel, or are repeated over L symbols after K consecutive or non-consecutive symbols of a configured or reserved beam switching symbol, or a first symbol reserved for a type 0 physical downlink control channel, or a first symbol reserved for a physical downlink shared channel carrying the system information block #1, or a first symbol reserved for a demodulation reference signal of a physical downlink shared channel carrying the system information block #1.

[0024] In an exemplary embodiment, instead of or in addition to the above-mentioned exemplary embodiment, the means is further configured to perform a step of determining a type of the demodulation reference signal of control resource set #0 from the auxiliary reference signal indication.

[0025] In an exemplary embodiment, instead of or in addition to the above exemplary embodiments, said location information comprises frequency / time location information or symbol / physical resource block location information.

[0026] In an exemplary embodiment, instead of or in addition to the exemplary embodiments described above, the means is further configured to perform determining the presence information based on a subcarrier spacing ratio between a synchronization signal block and the control resource set #0.

[0027] In an exemplary embodiment, instead or in addition to any of the above exemplary embodiments, the means comprises at least one processor and at least one memory containing computer program code, the at least one memory and computer program code configured to cause performance of the client device with the at least one processor.

[0028] An exemplary embodiment of the method includes the steps of: receiving, at a client device, from a network node device an auxiliary reference signal associated with a physical downlink channel in accordance with an auxiliary reference signal indication, the auxiliary reference signal indication including information of a presence and location of the auxiliary reference signal in the physical downlink channel transmission; and using, by the client device, the received auxiliary reference signal for compensating for one or more residual time-frequency errors in communication between the client device and the network node device.

[0029] In an exemplary embodiment, instead of or in addition to the above-described exemplary embodiments, the method further comprises receiving, at the client device, the auxiliary reference signal indication from the network node device prior to receiving the auxiliary reference signal associated with the physical downlink channel.

[0030] In an exemplary embodiment, instead of or in addition to the above-described exemplary embodiments, the method further includes determining, by the client device, a presence and location of the auxiliary reference signal in a subsequent physical downlink channel transmission based on presence and location information in the received auxiliary reference signal indication.

[0031] In an exemplary embodiment, instead of or in addition to the above-mentioned exemplary embodiments, the presence and location information comprises either an explicit presence and / or location indication included in a master information block conveyed by a physical broadcast channel, the explicit presence and / or location indication indicating a multiplexing and / or occurrence pattern of auxiliary reference signals, or an implicit presence and / or location indication included in the master information block conveyed by the physical broadcast channel, the implicit presence and / or location indication including derivation information for deriving the presence and / or location of the auxiliary reference signals of the physical downlink channel transmission.

[0032] In an exemplary embodiment, instead of or in addition to the above-mentioned exemplary embodiments, the auxiliary reference signal includes at least one of a demodulation reference signal of a control resource set #0 corresponding to at least one position of a common search space TYPE0, or a first orthogonal frequency division multiplexing symbol of a physical downlink shared channel carrying system information block #1, or one or more resources of the auxiliary reference signal are repeated over K consecutive symbols after a configured or reserved beam switching symbol or a first symbol reserved for a type 0 physical downlink control channel, or are repeated over L symbols after K consecutive or non-consecutive symbols of the configured or reserved beam switching symbol, or a first symbol reserved for a type 0 physical downlink control channel, or a first symbol reserved for the physical downlink shared channel carrying the system information block #1, or a first symbol reserved for a demodulation reference signal of a physical downlink shared channel carrying the system information block #1.

[0033] In an exemplary embodiment, instead of or in addition to the above-mentioned exemplary embodiments, the method further includes determining a type of the demodulation reference signal of the control resource set #0 from the auxiliary reference signal indication.

[0034] In an exemplary embodiment, instead of or in addition to the above exemplary embodiments, said location information comprises frequency / time location information or symbol / physical resource block location information.

[0035] In an exemplary embodiment, instead of or in addition to the above exemplary embodiment, the method further includes a step of determining the presence information based on a subcarrier spacing ratio between a synchronization signal block and control resource set #0.

[0036] An exemplary embodiment of a computer program includes instructions for causing a client device to receive, from a network node device, an auxiliary reference signal associated with a physical downlink channel in accordance with an auxiliary reference signal indication, the auxiliary reference signal indication including presence and location information of the auxiliary reference signal in the physical downlink channel transmission, and using the received auxiliary reference signal to compensate for one or more residual time-frequency errors in communication between the client device and the network node device.

[0037] An exemplary embodiment of a client device comprises at least one processor and at least one memory including computer program code configured to cause a client device, using the at least one processor, to perform the steps of receiving, from a network node device, an auxiliary reference signal associated with a physical downlink channel according to an auxiliary reference signal indication, the auxiliary reference signal indication including information of a presence and location of the auxiliary reference signal in the physical downlink channel transmission, and using the received auxiliary reference signal to compensate for one or more residual time-frequency errors in communication between the client device and the network node device.

[0038] The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of the embodiments and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate the embodiments and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the embodiments. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0039] [Figure 1] An exemplary system is shown, along with an exemplary embodiment of the subject matter described herein, in which various embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented. [Figure 2A] 1 illustrates a network node device, as well as an example embodiment of the subject matter described herein. [Figure 2B] 1 illustrates a client device and an exemplary embodiment of the subject matter described herein. [Diagram 3] 1 illustrates a method and an exemplary embodiment of the subject matter described herein. [Figure 4] 1 illustrates an extended multiplexing pattern and illustrates an exemplary embodiment of the subject matter described herein. [Figure 5A] 1 illustrates a multiplexing pattern and illustrates an exemplary embodiment of the subject matter described herein. [Figure 5B] 1 illustrates a multiplexing pattern and illustrates an exemplary embodiment of the subject matter described herein. [Figure 5C] 1 illustrates a multiplexing pattern and illustrates an exemplary embodiment of the subject matter described herein.

[0040] In the accompanying drawings, like reference numbers are used to denote like parts. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0041] Reference will now be made in detail to the embodiments, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. The detailed description provided below in connection with the accompanying drawings is intended as a description of the embodiments and is not intended to represent the only manner in which the embodiments may be constructed or utilized. The description sets forth functions of the embodiments and a sequence of steps for constructing and operating the embodiments. However, the same or equivalent functions and sequences may be accomplished by different embodiments.

[0042] FIG. 1 illustrates an example system 100 in which various embodiments of the disclosure may be implemented. The system 100 may comprise a fifth generation (5G) new radio (NR) network 110. An example representation of the system 100 is shown illustrating a network node device 200 and a client device 210. In at least some embodiments, the 5G NR network 110 may utilize high carrier frequencies, e.g., millimeter wave (mmWave) bands, in at least some of the communications between the network node device 200 and the client device 210. In at least some embodiments, the mmWave bands may comprise a carrier frequency range of 52.6 gigahertz (GHz) or greater. In at least some embodiments, the mmWave bands may comprise a carrier frequency range of 52.6 GHz to 71 GHz. In at least some embodiments, the mmWave bands may be utilized, for example, for industrial private networks, time-sensitive networks, high precision positioning, environmental sensing (e.g., radar applications), and / or audiovisual interaction (e.g., wireless augmented reality applications).

[0043] The client device 210 may include, for example, a mobile phone, a smartphone, a tablet computer, a smart watch, or any handheld or portable device or device for sidelink communication. The client device 210 may also be referred to as a user equipment (UE). The network node device 200 may be a base station. The base station may include, for example, a fifth generation base station (gNB), or any such device suitable for providing an air interface for a client device to connect to a wireless network via wireless transmission.

[0044] In the following, various exemplary embodiments are discussed. At least some of these exemplary embodiments enable residual timing error compensation for network deployments with high carrier frequencies, for example, above 52.6 GHz. In such situations, the subcarrier spacing associated with the synchronization signal block (SSB) GHz transmissions may be small compared to the control resource set #0 (CORESET#0) / physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH) / physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH). This objective may be achieved by auxiliary reference signals that may be associated with the SSB transmissions.

[0045] FIG. 2A is a block diagram of a network node device 200, according to an example embodiment.

[0046] The network node device 200 comprises means 202, 204 for causing execution of the network node device 200. The means 202, 204 may comprise one or more processors 202 and one or more memories 204 comprising computer program code. The at least one memory 204 and the computer program code may be configured to cause execution of the network node device 200 with the at least one processor 202. The network node device 200 may also include other elements, such as a transceiver 206.

[0047] Although network node device 200 is shown to include only one processor 202, network node device 200 may include more processors. In an embodiment, memory 204 may store instructions, such as an operating system and / or various applications. Additionally, memory 204 may include storage that may be used, for example, to store at least some of the information and data used in the disclosed embodiments.

[0048] Further, the processor 202 can execute stored instructions. In an embodiment, the processor 202 can be embodied as a multi-core processor, a single-core processor, or a combination of one or more multi-core processors and one or more single-core processors. For example, the processor 202 can be implemented as one or more of various processing devices, such as a co-processor, a microprocessor, a controller, a digital signal processor (DSP), a processing circuit with or without an associated DSP, or various other processing devices including integrated circuits, such as, for example, an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field programmable gate array (FPGA), a microcontroller unit (MCU), a hardware accelerator, a dedicated computer chip, etc. In an embodiment, the processor 202 can be configured to execute hard-coded functions. In an embodiment, the processor 202 can be embodied as an executor of software instructions, which, when executed, can specifically configure the processor 202 to execute the algorithms and / or operations described herein.

[0049] The memory 204 may be embodied as one or more volatile memory devices, one or more non-volatile memory devices, and / or a combination of one or more volatile and non-volatile memory devices. For example, the memory 204 may be implemented as a semiconductor memory (such as a mask ROM, a PROM (programmable ROM), an EPROM (erasable PROM), a flash ROM, a RAM (random access memory), etc.).

[0050] The network node device 200 may be a base station, which may include, for example, a fifth generation base station (gNB), or any such device that provides an air interface through which client devices connect to a wireless network via wireless transmissions.

[0051] The means 202, 204 are configured to perform determining an auxiliary reference signal indication. The auxiliary reference signal indication includes information of the presence and location (e.g., in time and / or frequency and / or multiplexing) of an auxiliary reference signal in a physical downlink channel transmission, such as a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) transmission or a physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH) transmission. The auxiliary reference signal should be used for compensation of one or more residual time-frequency errors in communication between the network node device 200 and the client device 210. Here, the term "time-frequency error" means a time domain error and / or a frequency domain error. In at least some embodiments, the location information may comprise frequency / time location information or symbol / physical resource block (PRB) location information. This may enable the client device 210 to know the frequency domain location of the auxiliary reference signal (i.e., the PRB allocation for CORESET#0).

[0052] In other words, an auxiliary reference signal is introduced into the SSB and / or MIB transmission to enable the UE 210 to compensate for the residual timing error. The signal is present when a trigger condition is met. The network node device 200 may transmit an SSB or MIB with trigger condition information (i.e., an auxiliary reference signal indication and its presence and location information) to the UE 210. The trigger condition information enables the UE 210 to determine whether an auxiliary reference signal (RS) is available in the PDCCH / PDSCH. Furthermore, the trigger condition information enables the UE 210 to determine the location of the auxiliary RS. The auxiliary reference signal may be used by the UE 210 to detect and / or compensate for the residual time-frequency error at a higher carrier frequency (such as above 52.6 GHz) for downlink and / or uplink transmission. As discussed in more detail below, the UE 210 receives the MIB and trigger condition information from the network node device 200, and the UE 210 determines whether the trigger condition is met based on the MIB and the trigger condition information. The network node device 200 transmits a PDCCH / PDSCH with the auxiliary RS at a specified position of the PDCCH / PDSCH to the UE 210. If a trigger condition is met, the UE 210 identifies the auxiliary RS in the PDCCH / PDSCH at this position.

[0053] For example, the presence and location information may comprise an explicit presence and / or location indication. The explicit presence and / or location indication should be included in a Master Information Block (MIB) carried by a Physical Broadcast Channel (PBCH). The explicit presence and / or location indication indicates a multiplexing and / or occurrence pattern of auxiliary reference signals.

[0054] In other words, the trigger conditions may be indicated via explicit indication as part of the MIB (in the PBCH). For example, the signal / RS multiplexing and occurrence pattern may be explicitly provided or indicated as part of the MIB. The MIB size may remain unchanged. The explicit indication may be implemented, for example, by providing in spare bits or by reducing the configurability of the current MIB and borrowing / reusing the reduced bits for the explicit indication.

[0055] Alternatively or additionally, the presence and location information may comprise an implicit presence and / or location indication. The implicit presence and / or location indication should be included in the MIB carried by the PBCH. The implicit presence and / or location indication comprises derivation information for deriving the presence and / or location of the auxiliary reference signal of a physical downlink channel (e.g., PDCCH and / or PDSCH) transmission.

[0056] In other words, the trigger condition may be indicated via an implicit indication. For example, the trigger condition may be derived based on the ratio of numerology between SSB and CORESET#0 indicated by the MIB: if the ratio meets a threshold and the carrier frequency is above 52.6 GHz, the UE 210 may determine that the presence of the auxiliary RS in the PDCCH / PDSCHH is guaranteed by the network node 200. If not, the UE 210 may determine that the presence of the auxiliary RS in the PDCCH and / or PDSCH is not guaranteed. For example, based on information about the subcarrier spacing (SCS) of CORESET#0 provided in the MIB, the UE 210 may determine a decision value K=SCSCORESET#0 / SCSSSB. If both the condition K≧2 and the carrier frequency>52.6 GHz are valid, the UE 210 may determine that the auxiliary reference signal is present and available for residual timing error compensation. If not, the UE 210 may determine that the presence of the auxiliary reference signal is not guaranteed.

[0057] Alternatively or additionally, the trigger condition may be indicated using dedicated signaling to the UE 210 regarding, for example, the appropriate target frequency band or range.

[0058] Alternatively or additionally, the trigger condition may be derived based on other criteria, such as, for example, pre-designating any second SSB location in the frequency as an inference that "auxiliary RS is present" and the remaining locations as an inference that "auxiliary signal RS is not present."

[0059] For example, the auxiliary reference signal may comprise a demodulation reference signal of a control resource set #0 associated with at least one position of a common search space TYPE0. In other words, an "always on" type 0-PDCCH DMRS associated with CORESET#0 may be used as an auxiliary RS, in which case UE 210 may assume that a type 0-PDCCH DMRS is present when a triggering condition is met. In at least some embodiments, the wideband DMRS may become a characteristic of CORESET when a triggering condition is met. "Always on" in this case may result in UE 210 being able to determine that CORESET#0 DMRS is transmitted even without control data.

[0060] The Type 0 PDCCH common search space is a subset of the NR PDCCH search space that may be dedicated to transmitting PDCCH for system information (SI) messages (system information block, SIB) decoding.

[0061] As used herein, a DMRS that is "always on" is - for PDCCH monitoring opportunities determined by the PDCCH common search space of type 0; - the number of antenna ports is equal to 1; - Precoding granularity is determined according to consecutive PRBs of CORESET#0; - Precoding granularity is determined based on MIB; - DMRS type is "narrowband"; or - DMRS type is "Wideband"; may comprise at least one of:

[0062] The precoder granularity parameter may relate to a precoder cycling based transmit diversity scheme (1-port), where the gNB may be able to change the fading of the Tx antennas / beams according to predefined PRBs and OFDM symbol grids. The precoder granularity in frequency defines the PRBs for which the UE may assume phase continuity, and the precoder granularity in time defines the OFDM symbols for which the UE may respectively assume phase continuity. The UE may assume that consecutive OFDM symbols of the CORESET are transmitted with the same precoder. In other words, the precoder granularity in time may correspond to the number of OFDM symbols of the CORESET. The precoder granularity in frequency may be a configuration parameter or may be implicitly derived from another DMRS characteristic. An example of implicit signaling is to define that when a wideband DMRS is configured, the precoding granularity in frequency is determined according to consecutive PRBs of the CORESET.

[0063] Alternatively / additionally, the auxiliary reference signal may comprise the first orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) symbol of the PDSCH carrying system information block #1 (SIB1). In other words, the auxiliary RS or the time-frequency tracking reference signal (TRS) may be included in the first OFDM symbol of the PDSCH carrying SIB1.

[0064] Alternatively / additionally, one or more resources of the auxiliary reference signal are repeated over K consecutive symbols after the configured or reserved beam switching symbol or the first symbol reserved for a PDCCH of type 0, or are repeated after L symbols over K consecutive or non-consecutive symbols of the configured or reserved beam switching symbol, or the first symbol reserved for a PDCCH of type 0, or the first symbol reserved for a PDSCH carrying system information block #1, or the first symbol reserved for DMRS of a PDSCH carrying system information block #1.

[0065] In other words, UE 210 may assume that the resources of the auxiliary RS are repeated over K consecutive symbols after the configured / reserved beam switching symbol or the first symbol reserved for the PDCCH of type 0, or the resources of the auxiliary RS are repeated after L symbols over K consecutive or non-consecutive symbols of the configured or reserved beam switching symbol, or the first symbol reserved for the PDCCH of type 0, or the first symbol reserved for the physical downlink shared channel carrying system information block #1, or it may be the first symbol reserved for the DMRS of the physical downlink shared channel carrying system information block #1. Alternatively, when control information is not multiplexed with the auxiliary RS, UE 210 may determine that the resources of the auxiliary RS are power boosted relative to embodiments with control information multiplexing.

[0066] The means 202, 204 may be optionally further configured to perform determining a type of demodulation reference signal (i.e., narrowband or wideband) of the control resource set #0 from the auxiliary reference signal indication. In at least some embodiments, the wideband demodulation reference signal may correspond to the case where the DMRS is transmitted over all PRBs of the control resource set #0, and the narrowband demodulation reference signal may correspond to the case where the DMRS is transmitted over PRBs that include downlink control information.

[0067] In at least some embodiments, the bandwidth for the associated auxiliary RS may be at least 20 physical resource blocks (PRBs) according to the SCSCORESET. In some other embodiments, the bandwidth of the associated auxiliary RS may be equal to the bandwidth of CORESET#0, 24, 48, or 96 PRBs, and the auxiliary RS may be present in all symbols of CORESET#0. In at least some embodiments, this may allow the auxiliary RS to be used for PDCCH demodulation with low implementation complexity.

[0068] In at least some embodiments, time division multiplexing (TDM) may be used between the auxiliary RS and the SSB. In at least some embodiments, this may maximize SSB coverage. This may also result in the auxiliary RS being with a subset of the supported SSB multiplexing patterns, such as pattern 1 of FIG. 5A and pattern 2 of FIG. 5B.

[0069] The means 202, 204 are further configured to cause the network node device 210 to transmit, to the client device 210, an auxiliary reference signal associated with a physical downlink channel (eg, a PDCCH and / or a PDSCH) according to the determined auxiliary reference signal indication.

[0070] The means 202, 204 may optionally be further configured to cause the network node device 200 to transmit the determined auxiliary reference signal indication to the client device 210 prior to transmitting an auxiliary reference signal related to a physical downlink channel (e.g., PDCCH and / or PDSCH). In at least some embodiments, the auxiliary reference signal associated with the physical downlink channel may comprise an auxiliary reference signal associated with CORESET#0 and / or a search space set. In at least some embodiments, this may mean that CORESET#0 may include a wideband auxiliary reference signal that may be used for PDCCH demodulation purposes.

[0071] FIG. 2B is a block diagram of a client device 210, according to an example embodiment.

[0072] The client device 210 comprises means 212, 214 for causing execution of the client device 210. The means 212, 214 may comprise one or more processors 212 and one or more memories 214 comprising computer program code. The at least one memory 214 and the computer program code may be configured to cause execution of the client device 210 with the at least one processor 212. The client device 210 may also include other elements, such as a transceiver 216.

[0073] Although the client device 210 is shown to include only one processor 212, the client device 210 may include more processors. In an embodiment, the memory 214 may store instructions such as an operating system and / or various applications. Additionally, the memory 214 may include storage devices that may be used, for example, to store at least some of the information and data used in the disclosed embodiments.

[0074] Further, the processor 212 may execute stored instructions. In an embodiment, the processor 212 may be embodied as a multi-core processor, a single-core processor, or a combination of one or more multi-core processors and one or more single-core processors. For example, the processor 212 may be embodied as one or more of various processing devices, such as a co-processor, a microprocessor, a controller, a digital signal processor (DSP), a processing circuit with or without an associated DSP, or various other processing devices, including integrated circuits, such as, for example, an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field programmable gate array (FPGA), a microcontroller unit (MCU), a hardware accelerator, a dedicated computer chip, and the like. In an embodiment, the processor 212 may be configured to execute hard-coded functions. In an embodiment, the processor 212 may be embodied as an executor of software instructions, which, when executed, may specifically configure the processor 212 to execute the algorithms and / or operations described herein.

[0075] The memory 214 may be embodied as one or more volatile memory devices, one or more non-volatile memory devices, and / or a combination of one or more volatile and non-volatile memory devices. For example, the memory 214 may be implemented as a semiconductor memory (such as a masked ROM, a PROM (programmable ROM), an EPROM (erasable PROM), a flash ROM, a RAM (random access memory), etc.).

[0076] The client device 210 may be any of a variety of types of devices used directly by an end user entity and capable of communication in a wireless network, such as user equipment (UE), including, but not limited to, smartphones, tablet computers, smart watches, laptop computers, Internet of Things (IoT) devices, devices for sidelink communications, etc.

[0077] The means 212, 214 are configured to cause the client device 210 to receive, in accordance with the auxiliary reference signal indication, an auxiliary reference signal associated with a physical downlink channel (e.g., a PDCCH and / or a PDSCH) from the network node device 200. As explained above, the auxiliary reference signal indication comprises presence and location information of an auxiliary reference signal during a physical downlink channel (e.g., a PDCCH or a PDSCH) transmission.

[0078] The means 212, 214 are further configured to perform, using the received auxiliary reference signal, compensation for one or more residual time-frequency errors in communication between the client device 210 and the network node device 200.

[0079] The means 212, 214 may optionally be further configured to cause the client device 210 to receive an auxiliary reference signal indication from the network node device 200 prior to receiving an auxiliary reference signal related to a physical downlink channel (e.g., a PDCCH and / or a PDSCH).

[0080] The means 212, 214 may optionally be further configured to perform determining the presence and location of an auxiliary reference signal in a subsequent physical downlink channel (e.g., a PDCCH or / and a PDSCH) transmission based on the presence and location information in the received auxiliary reference signal indication.

[0081] The means 212, 214 may optionally be further configured to perform determining the presence information based on a subcarrier spacing (SCS) ratio between a synchronization signal block (SSB) and a control resource set #0 (CORESET#0).

[0082] Further features of the client device 210 (such as those relating to auxiliary reference signals, auxiliary reference signal indications, presence and location information, explicit presence and location indications, and implicit presence and location indications) arise directly from the capabilities and parameters of the network node device 200 and will not be repeated here.

[0083] FIG. 3 illustrates an example signaling diagram of a method 300 according to an example embodiment.

[0084] In operation 301, the network node device 200 determines an auxiliary reference signal indication including presence information and location information of an auxiliary reference signal in a physical downlink channel (e.g., PDCCH and / or PDSCH) transmission. As explained above, the auxiliary reference signal is to be used for compensation of one or more residual time-frequency errors in communication between the network node device 200 and the client device 210.

[0085] In an optional operation 302 , the network node device 200 transmits the determined auxiliary reference signal indication to the client device 210 .

[0086] In an optional operation 303 , the client device 210 receives an auxiliary reference signal indication from the network node device 200 .

[0087] In optional operation 304, the client device 210 determines the presence and location of auxiliary reference signals in a subsequent physical downlink channel (e.g., PDCCH or / and PDSCH) transmission based on the presence and location information in the received auxiliary reference signal indication.

[0088] At operation 305, the network node device 200 transmits an auxiliary reference signal associated with a physical downlink channel (eg, a PDCCH and / or a PDSCH) to the client device 210 in accordance with the determined auxiliary reference signal indication.

[0089] At operation 306, the client device 210 receives an auxiliary reference signal associated with a physical downlink channel (e.g., a PDCCH and / or a PDSCH) from the network node device 200 in accordance with the auxiliary reference signal indication. As discussed above, the auxiliary reference signal indication comprises presence and location information of an auxiliary reference signal during a physical downlink channel (e.g., a PDCCH and / or a PDSCH) transmission.

[0090] In operation 307, the client device 210 uses the received auxiliary reference signal for compensation of one or more residual time-frequency errors in communication between the client device 210 and the network node device 200.

[0091] The method 300 may be performed by the network node device 200 of FIG. 2A and the client device 210 of FIG. 2B. The operations 301, 302, 305 may be performed, for example, by at least one processor 202 and at least one memory 204. The operations 303, 304, 306, 307 may be performed, for example, by at least one processor 212 and at least one memory 214. Further features of the method 300 result directly from the functions and parameters of the network node device 200 and the client device 210, and therefore will not be repeated here. The method 300 may be performed by a computer program.

[0092] FIG. 4 shows a diagram 400 of an example of an extended multiplexing pattern 2 for higher carrier frequencies (above 52.6 GHz) with 240 kilohertz (kHz) numerology for SSB and 960 kHz CORESET and PDSCH together with auxiliary RS for downlink (DL) and uplink (UL) residual timing estimation. In diagram 400, element 401 represents 240 kHz SSB, element 402 represents 960 kHz PDSCH RS, and element 403 represents 960 kHz PDCCH RS. As shown in FIG. 4, multiplexing pattern 2 is extended such that the coverage of type 0-PDCCH and PDSCH is the same as SSB (SCS=240 kHz). This is done by introducing a repetition of type 0-PDCCH / PDSCH symbols with a factor of 4. Additionally, an auxiliary "beam switching gap" symbol is added at the beginning of every half slot (marked in black in Fig. 4) to allow DL transmit (TX) beam switching without performance degradation due to the 960 kHz numerology. The reason for this is that the length of the cyclic prefix with a subcarrier spacing of 960 kHz may be too short in time compared to the time used for the TX beam switching time, i.e. 100 ns.

[0093] Figures 5A-5C show examples of multiplexing patterns 1-3. Diagram 500A in Figure 5A shows an example of multiplexing pattern 1, diagram 500B in Figure 5B shows an example of multiplexing pattern 2, and diagram 500C in Figure 5C shows an example of multiplexing pattern 3. Diagrams 500A (Pattern 1), 500B and 500C (Pattern 2 and Pattern 3, respectively) show time and frequency domain multiplexing options associated with different numerology options, e.g., from 51 to 71 GHz.

[0094] During the initial access phase, there is no RRC connection available to configure the UE 210 with parameterization of the auxiliary RS / channel / signal. Thus, without being aware of the configuration related to the auxiliary RS, the UE 210 may not be able to take advantage of the presence of the auxiliary RS for residual timing error compensation. One way to provide this information to the UE 210 is to explicitly or implicitly configure the parameterization of the auxiliary RS, as described above.

[0095] For the implicit indication, an SCS (up to two different SCS candidates) associated with an SSB may be defined for a carrier frequency, and the PBCH may carry the SCS information for CORESET#0. In the case of multiple SCS candidates for an SSB, the UE 210 may make different hypotheses on an SSB with different SCS. Otherwise, the UE 210 may know the SCS associated with the carrier frequency. After determining the SCS for the SSB, the UE 210 may receive the SCS for CORESET#0 as part of the MIB via the PBCH. Then, based on this information, the UE 210 may determine a decision value K=SCSCORESET#0 / SCSSB. When both conditions K≧2 and carrier frequency>52.6GHZ are met, the UE 210 may determine that the time position associated with the resource of the auxiliary RS is indicated relative to the start symbol of the CORESET#0 DL TX beam.

[0096] The time position may be defined as a time offset relative to the start symbol of CORESET#0, possibly taking into account the configured beam switching gap symbol. The UE 210 may determine that the single-symbol auxiliary RS is a full replica of the DMRS of type 0-PDCCH associated with CORESET#0 in terms of configurations such as sequence, sequence initialization, and time and frequency position. Furthermore, the UE 210 may determine that the control information is not multiplexed into the same symbol, for example, by energy detection or when the UE 210 does not detect any PDCCH. Since the control information is not multiplexed into the symbol, the UE 210 may determine that the resource elements associated with the resources of the auxiliary RS are power boosted for control information multiplexing. Alternatively, the UE 210 may determine that the resources of the auxiliary RS are repeated over K consecutive symbols after the configured / reserved beam switching symbol. The network node device 200 may overwrite the implicit indication by one auxiliary 1-bit payload as part of the PBCH. This bit is already present as a reserved bit in the PBCH payload.

[0097] The transmission occurrence of resources associated with the auxiliary RS may be explicitly indicated to the UE 210. This configuration may be indicated, for example, by using spare bits in the supported PBCH payload.

[0098] In multiplexing pattern 1 of Figure 5A, the TYPE0 CSS (common search space) of multiple beams may overlap. This may occur, for example, when there are two monitoring opportunities in two consecutive slots for a beam. In this case, the auxiliary RS (such as the CORESET WB DMRS) may be "always on" in the first monitoring location of the TYPE0 CSS.

[0099] The network nodes 200 can indicate one bit of payload as part of the PBCH by using a reserved state, or they can borrow / reuse from existing signaling bits that cover non-associated signaling / information elements. When appropriate bit fields of the PBCH are reused to indicate the presence of auxiliary RS and its location, the need to specify additional payload bits (which would cause reduced coverage) can be avoided.

[0100] To further illustrate the above example, Table 1 below shows an example set of resource blocks and slot symbols of CORESET for Type 0-PDCCH search space set when {SS / PBCH block, PDCCH} SCS is {240, 120} kHz. The last row of the table may be used to activate the presence of auxiliary RS.

[0101] [Table 1]

[0102] At least some of the embodiments described herein may enable compensation of residual time-frequency errors in communications.

[0103] Furthermore, at least some of the embodiments described herein may enable avoiding degradation of CORESET / PDSCH demodulation in DL and / or UL PUSCH reception caused by high residual timing error in the UL. Furthermore, at least some of the embodiments described herein may enable such a Type 0-PDCCH monitoring opportunity design with SSB multiplexing that allows using a higher numerology for CORESET / PDSCH with respect to the SSB. Furthermore, at least some of the embodiments described herein may enable an overall design with different numerology options and signaling mechanisms, as well as UE procedures, that enable efficient and flexible operation with different / mixed numerology options for SSB and CORESET / PDSCH for operation above 52.6 GHz.

[0104] The functions described herein may be performed at least in part by one or more computer program product components, such as software components. According to an embodiment, the network node device 200 and / or the client device 210 may comprise a processor configured by program code that, when executed to perform embodiments of the described operations and functions. Alternatively or additionally, the functions described herein may be performed, at least in part, by one or more hardware logic components. For example, but not limited to, exemplary types of hardware logic components that may be used include field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), program specific integrated circuits (ASICs), program specific standard products (ASSPs), systems on chips (SOCs), complex programmable logic devices (CPLDs), and graphics processing units (GPUs).

[0105] Any range or device value given herein may be expanded or modified without losing the effect sought, and any embodiment may be combined with another embodiment unless expressly denied.

[0106] Although the subject matter has been described in language specific to structural features and / or acts, it should be understood that the subject matter defined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the specific features or acts described above. Rather, the specific features and acts described above are disclosed as example forms of implementing the claims, and other equivalent features and acts are intended to be within the scope of the claims.

[0107] It will be understood that the benefits and advantages described above may relate to one embodiment or to several embodiments. The embodiments are not limited to those that solve any or all of the problems described or those that have any or all of the benefits and advantages described. It will be further understood that references to "an" or "an" item may refer to one or more of those items.

[0108] The steps of the methods described herein may be performed in any suitable order, or simultaneously where appropriate. Additionally, individual blocks may be deleted from any of the methods without departing from the spirit and scope of the subject matter described herein. Aspects of any of the above-described embodiments may be combined with aspects of any of the other embodiments described to form further embodiments without losing the desired effect.

[0109] The term "comprising" is used herein to mean including identified methods, blocks, or elements, but such blocks or elements do not include an exclusive list and a method or apparatus may include additional blocks or elements.

[0110] It will be understood that the above description is given by way of example only, and various modifications may be made by those skilled in the art. The above specification, examples and data provide a complete description of the structure and use of the exemplary embodiments. Although various embodiments have been described above in some detail, or with reference to one or more individual embodiments, those skilled in the art may make numerous modifications to the disclosed embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the present specification.

Claims

1. At least one processor; and at least one memory containing computer program code, The at least one memory and the computer program code are configured to cause the network node device, using the at least one processor, to: determining an auxiliary reference signal indication comprising information of the presence and location of an auxiliary reference signal in a physical downlink channel transmission; transmitting to a client device the auxiliary reference signal associated with a physical downlink channel according to the determined auxiliary reference signal indication; Run the command, The following a) or b): a) the auxiliary reference signal includes at least one of a demodulation reference signal of a control resource set #0 corresponding to at least one position of a common search space TYPE0, and a first orthogonal frequency division multiplexing symbol of a physical downlink shared channel carrying a system information block #1; b) the one or more resources of the auxiliary reference signal are 1) repeated over K consecutive symbols after the first symbol reserved for a Type 0 physical downlink control channel, or 2) repeated over K consecutive or non-consecutive symbols, after L symbols, of the first symbol reserved for a Type 0 physical downlink control channel, or the first symbol reserved for a physical downlink shared channel carrying the system information block #1, or the first symbol reserved for a demodulation reference signal of the physical downlink shared channel carrying the system information block #1. and, The at least one memory and the computer program code are configured to cause the network node device, using the at least one processor, to perform a step of determining a type of the demodulation reference signal of the control resource set #0 from the auxiliary reference signal indication.

2. 2. The network node device of claim 1, wherein the at least one memory and the computer program code, using the at least one processor, cause the network node device to perform the step of transmitting the determined auxiliary reference signal indication to the client device prior to transmitting the auxiliary reference signal associated with the physical downlink channel.

3. The presence and location information includes: or - an explicit presence and location indication for inclusion in a master information block conveyed by a physical broadcast channel, said explicit presence and location indication indicating a multiplexing and / or occurrence pattern of said auxiliary reference signals; or an implicit presence and location indication for inclusion in the master information block carried by the physical broadcast channel, the implicit presence and location indication including derivation information for deriving the presence and location of the auxiliary reference signal of the physical downlink channel transmission; 2. The network node device of claim 1, further comprising at least one of:

4. determining, by the network node device, an auxiliary reference signal indication comprising information of the presence and location of an auxiliary reference signal in a physical downlink channel transmission; and transmitting, by the network node device, the auxiliary reference signal associated with a physical downlink channel to a client device according to the determined auxiliary reference signal indication; The following a) or b): a) the auxiliary reference signal includes at least one of a demodulation reference signal of a control resource set #0 corresponding to at least one position of a common search space TYPE0, and a first orthogonal frequency division multiplexing symbol of a physical downlink shared channel carrying a system information block #1; b) the one or more resources of the auxiliary reference signal are 1) repeated over K consecutive symbols after the first symbol reserved for a Type 0 physical downlink control channel, or 2) repeated over K consecutive or non-consecutive symbols, after L symbols, of the first symbol reserved for a Type 0 physical downlink control channel, or the first symbol reserved for a physical downlink shared channel carrying the system information block #1, or the first symbol reserved for a demodulation reference signal of the physical downlink shared channel carrying the system information block #1. and, The method, comprising: performing, by the network node device, a step of determining a type of the demodulation reference signal of the control resource set #0 from the auxiliary reference signal indication.

5. At least one processor; at least one memory containing computer program code, The at least one memory and the computer program code are configured to, using the at least one processor, cause the client device to: receiving from a network node device an auxiliary reference signal associated with a physical downlink channel according to an auxiliary reference signal indication, the auxiliary reference signal indication including information of a presence and location of the auxiliary reference signal of the physical downlink channel transmission; The following a) or b): a) the auxiliary reference signal includes at least one of a demodulation reference signal of a control resource set #0 corresponding to at least one position of a common search space TYPE0, and a first orthogonal frequency division multiplexing symbol of a physical downlink shared channel carrying a system information block #1; b) the one or more resources of the auxiliary reference signal are 1) repeated over K consecutive symbols after the first symbol reserved for a Type 0 physical downlink control channel, or 2) repeated over K consecutive or non-consecutive symbols, after L symbols, of the first symbol reserved for a Type 0 physical downlink control channel, or the first symbol reserved for a physical downlink shared channel carrying the system information block #1, or the first symbol reserved for a demodulation reference signal of the physical downlink shared channel carrying the system information block #1. and, The at least one memory and the computer program code, using the at least one processor, cause the client device to perform a step of determining the presence and location information based on a subcarrier spacing ratio between a synchronization signal block and the control resource set #0.

6. The at least one memory and the computer program code are configured to, using the at least one processor, cause the client device to:

6. The client device of claim 5, further comprising a step of receiving the auxiliary reference signal indication from the network node device prior to receiving the auxiliary reference signal associated with the physical downlink channel.

7. The at least one memory and the computer program code are configured to, using the at least one processor, cause the client device to:

7. The client device of claim 6, further comprising: a step of determining a presence and location of the auxiliary reference signal in a subsequent physical downlink channel transmission based on the presence and location information in the received auxiliary reference signal indication.

8. The presence and location information includes: - an explicit presence and location indication included in a master information block conveyed by a physical broadcast channel, the explicit presence and location indication indicating a multiplexing and / or generation pattern of the auxiliary reference signals, or an implicit presence and location indication included in the master information block conveyed by the physical broadcast channel, the implicit presence and location indication including derivation information for deriving the presence and location of the auxiliary reference signal of the physical downlink channel transmission; 6. The client device of claim 5, further comprising at least one of:

9. 2. The network node device of claim 1, wherein the auxiliary reference signal is used for compensation of one or more residual time-frequency errors in communications between the network node device and the client device.

10. 5. The method of claim 4, wherein the auxiliary reference signal is used for compensation of one or more residual time-frequency errors in communication between the network node device and the client device.

11. 6. The client device of claim 5, wherein the at least one memory and the computer program code, with the at least one processor, cause the client device to perform a step of using the received auxiliary reference signal for compensation of one or more residual time-frequency errors in communication between the client device and the network node device.

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