Systems and methods for parallel data buffering and beam training using dual polarized antennas

Abstract

Aspects of the present disclosure provide polarization direction indication that may enable UE (510, 1002) beam measurement / reporting on symbols carrying beam measurement reference signals (e.g., SSB) in a first polarization direction and UE data transmission / reception on the same symbols in a second polarization direction. Aspects of the present disclosure also provide resource mapping schemes for data (e.g., PDSCH) and associated demodulation reference signals (e.g., DMRS) to facilitate slot-based scheduling in slots containing beam measurement resources (e.g., SSB, CSI-RS, TRS, or PRS).

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates generally to wireless communications, and in particular embodiments, to performing data buffering and beam training in parallel using dual polarized antennas in a wireless communication system. [Background technology]

[0002] In fifth-generation (5G) new radio (NR), a synchronization signal-physical broadcast channel (SS-PBCH) block (SSB) is transmitted on one antenna port, i.e., antenna port p=4000 is used for transmission of the primary synchronization signal (PSS), secondary synchronization signal (SSS), physical broadcast channel (PBCH), and demodulation reference signal (DM-RS) for the PBCH. An antenna port is a virtual concept and does not necessarily equate to transmission on a given antenna. For example, a base station (BS) may use two antennas to transmit one antenna port. A user equipment (UE) may not have knowledge of the antenna architecture at the base station or how such a one-port SSB is transmitted via one or more antennas at the base station.

[0003] Dual-polarized antennas are widely used in base stations and UEs in the millimeter wave (mmWave) range (e.g., 26, 38, 39, and 73 GHz) and mid-band range (e.g., 3.5, 3.7, 4.7, and 4.9 GHz). Dual-polarized antennas often have two linearly polarized antennas stacked at the same location but separated by approximately 90 degrees in polarization direction, e.g., vertical and horizontal polarization, or ±45-degree diagonal polarization. Dual-polarized antennas can transmit independent signals from antennas with different polarization directions. There may be multiple antennas corresponding to the same polarization direction, e.g., first and second antenna groups with vertical and horizontal polarization or ±45-degree diagonal polarization, respectively. In this case, one antenna with vertical or -45-degree diagonal polarization may be stacked with one antenna with horizontal or +45-degree diagonal polarization. The first and second antenna groups for vertical and horizontal polarization or ±45° diagonal polarization may be arranged separately, for example, the first antenna group may be arranged in one position and the second antenna group may be arranged in another position. In such a case, the number of antennas in the first and second antenna groups may be the same or different.

[0004] In one-port SSB and dual-polarized antennas, the base station typically transmits the same SSB signal via a dual-polarized antenna, and the UE also makes measurements with the dual-polarized antenna. In 5G NR, the measurement results are expected to be no smaller than the results measured from either of the dual-polarized antennas at the UE when considering the polarization directions individually or the polarized antennas at the UE. The measured signals from the dual-polarized antennas at the UE may be compared or combined, and the exact method of processing is left to the UE to decide (e.g., maximum power, average power). Because the same SSB signal is transmitted via dual-polarized antennas at the base station, the UE may not be able to determine which polarization or polarization direction of the base station's polarized antenna the received signal is from. The base station may select one or more antennas with one polarization direction to transmit the SSB, but such selection is unknown to the UE.

[0005] FIG. 1 illustrates a portion of a network 10 including a base station 5 and a UE 20. The base station 5 is shown having three beams 7a, 7b, and 7c pointing in different directions in space. Each of the three beams 7a, 7b, and 7c is actually two beams being transmitted or received in the same direction by a dual-polarized antenna. For example, a first group of vertically polarized antennas is used to generate one beam, while a second group of horizontally polarized antennas is used to generate another beam pointing in the same direction in physical space but in the horizontal polarization direction. The "+" symbols shown on the three beams indicate that there are actually overlapping vertically polarized beams (represented by "|" symbols) and horizontally polarized beams (represented by "-" symbols). The UE 20 is shown having two beams 22a and 22b pointing in different directions in space. Each of the two beams 22a and 22b includes two beams being transmitted or received in the same direction by a dual-polarized antenna. For example, a first group of vertically polarized antennas may be used to generate one beam, and a second group of horizontally polarized antennas may be used to generate another beam pointing in the same direction in physical space but on the horizontal polarization. The base station 5 and the UE 20 will perform beam alignment and select the base station beam 7b and the UE beam 22a as the preferred beam pair for transmission or communication.

[0006] In mmWave frequencies, analog beamforming is typically employed by both the base station and the UE to extend signal coverage. Performing beam sweeping at the base station side incurs significant resource overhead, such as the base station transmitting 64 SSBs per SSB period (e.g., 10 ms). Without knowledge of the base station's polarization direction, the UE applies the same analog beam to its dual-polarized antenna, as described above. As a result, beam sweeping at the UE side results in significant latency for beam-based initial access. After initial access, when in connected mode, if the UE applies the same analog beam to its dual-polarized antenna to perform beam measurements on orthogonal frequency domain multiplexing (OFDM) symbols carrying SSBs, the applied analog beam is selected by the UE and is unknown to the base station. Therefore, the base station may be unable to schedule UE-specific data transmissions in these OFDM symbols, resulting in frequent scheduling restrictions and data interruptions.

[0007] In 5G NR, it was proposed to form multiple receive beams using multiple panels at the UE to support simultaneous reception of SSB and the physical downlink sharded channel (PDSCH). This proposal was intended for multi-transmit / receive point (TRP) scenarios, as multiple panels at the UE face different directions in physical space. This was not adopted due to the high complexity and power consumption for the UE.

[0008] Also, for 5G NR, for non-terrestrial network (NTN) scenarios, methods have been proposed that involve per-channel or per-signal indication of the polarization type selected from left-handed circular polarization (LHCP), right-handed circular polarization (RHCP), or linear polarization (LP). In particular, it has been proposed to use downlink control information (DCI) to indicate the polarization type of the scheduled PDSCH, which can be dynamically selected from supported polarization types. Multiplexing signals in different cells by using different polarization types has also been considered. For example, first and second base stations may transmit two signals, e.g., SSB and PDSCH, using LHCP and RHCP, respectively, simultaneously (i.e., over the same time and frequency resources), where the polarization type of the PDSCH is dynamically indicated by the scheduling downlink control indication (DCI). This scheme was also not adopted due to increased uncertainty regarding inter-cell interference (e.g., potential interference from a PDSCH transmitted by a second base station using RHCP to an SSB transmitted by a third base station also using RHCP (typically because there are three or more base stations in the network)), which would affect UEs performing initial access with the third base station. In addition, such a solution cannot reduce data interruptions caused by UE beam training from the perspective of a single UE.

[0009] In the case of a single base station communicating with a single-panel UE, there are frequent interruptions in UE-specific data transmission via OFDM symbols carrying SSB (also called SSB symbols). In the case of multiple base stations communicating with a multi-antenna panel UE, while it may be possible to reduce the interruptions in UE-specific data transmission, multiple antenna panels are required at the UE, resulting in higher complexity and power consumption. In the case of multiple base stations communicating with multiple UEs using different polarization types, it may not be possible to reduce the interruptions in UE-specific data transmission via SSB symbols from the perspective of one UE.

[0010] A method and device that addresses the above-identified shortcomings would be useful in communication systems. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0011] Aspects of the present disclosure provide solutions to overcome the above-mentioned drawbacks, as well as specific methods for reducing interruptions in UE-specific data transmission during beam training. [Means for solving the problem]

[0012] In some aspects of the present disclosure, a method is provided that includes transmitting a polarization direction indication indicating a polarization direction for UE beam measurement on a symbol carrying a beam measurement reference signal or for UE data transmission and reception on a symbol carrying a beam measurement reference signal.

[0013] In some embodiments, the reference signal for beam measurement is one of a Synchronization Signal-Physical Broadcast Channel (SS-PBCH) Block (SSB), a Channel State Information Reference Signal (CSI-RS), a Tracking Reference Signal (TRS), or a Positioning Reference Signal (PRS).

[0014] In some embodiments, the polarization direction indication includes at least one of an index of the beam measurement reference signal or an antenna port index identifying one of two antenna ports used to transmit the beam measurement reference signal, the two antenna ports corresponding to first and second polarization directions of an antenna at the base station or first and second polarization directions relative to a reference plane.

[0015] In some embodiments, the UE beam measurements include at least one of a Reference Signal Received Power (RSRP) measurement or a Signal-to-Interference-Plus-Noise Ratio (SINR) measurement, and the UE data reception includes at least one of a Physical Downlink Control Channel (PDCCH) reception and a Physical Downlink Shared Channel (PDSCH) reception.

[0016] In some embodiments, the polarization direction indication indicates the first polarization direction as the polarization direction for receiving UE data in symbols carrying a beam measurement reference signal.

[0017] In some embodiments, the method further includes at least one of receiving UE data in symbols carrying a beam measurement reference signal in a first polarization direction or performing UE beam measurements in symbols carrying a beam measurement reference signal in a second polarization direction.

[0018] In some embodiments, the polarization direction indication indicates the first polarization direction as the polarization direction for UE beam measurements on symbols carrying beam measurement reference signals.

[0019] In some embodiments, the method further includes at least one of performing UE beam measurements in symbols carrying a beam measurement reference signal in a first polarization direction or receiving UE data in symbols carrying a beam measurement reference signal in a second polarization direction.

[0020] In some embodiments, the method further includes sending instructions to the UE to configure the UE to alternate a polarization direction used to receive UE data between a first polarization direction and a second polarization direction over even and odd-indexed periods of the beam measurement reference signal.

[0021] In some embodiments, the method further includes sending instructions to configure the UE to alternate the polarization direction used for UE beam measurement between a first polarization direction and a second polarization direction over even and odd index periods of the beam measurement reference signal.

[0022] In some embodiments, the method further includes transmitting the UE data in a symbol carrying the first beam measurement reference signal when the UE data is quasi-co-located (QCL) with the second beam measurement reference signal.

[0023] In some embodiments, the first and second polarization directions are one of vertical and horizontal polarization directions, or horizontal and vertical polarization directions, or -45 degree and +45 degree diagonal polarization directions, or +45 degree and -45 degree diagonal polarization directions.

[0024] In some embodiments, transmitting UE data in symbols carrying beam measurement reference signals further includes at least one of transmitting a one-port demodulation reference signal (DMRS) in a first symbol among the symbols carrying one beam measurement reference signal, or transmitting a two-port DMRS in the first symbol after the symbol carrying one beam measurement reference signal.

[0025] In some embodiments, the one-port DMRS is transmitted via the same polarization direction as that indicated for transmitting or receiving UE data in the symbols carrying the beam measurement reference signal.

[0026] In some embodiments, transmitting UE data on symbols carrying beam measurement reference signals further includes at least one of not mapping or transmitting a PDSCH to one or more symbols before or after a symbol carrying a beam measurement reference signal, or not mapping or transmitting a PDSCH to one or more subcarriers, resource elements, or resource blocks in the frequency domain below or above a resource block carrying a beam measurement reference signal.

[0027] In some aspects of the present disclosure, a device is provided that includes a processor and a computer-readable storage medium storing computer-executable instructions that, when executed by the processor, perform a method as described above or in detail below.

[0028] In some embodiments, the device is a base station.

[0029] In some aspects of the present disclosure, a method is provided that includes receiving, by a UE, a polarization direction indication indicating a polarization direction for UE beam measurement on a symbol carrying a beam measurement reference signal or for UE data transmission or reception on a symbol carrying a beam measurement reference signal.

[0030] In some embodiments, the reference signal for beam measurement is one of SSB, CSI-RS, TRS, or PRS.

[0031] In some embodiments, the polarization direction indication includes at least one of an index of the beam measurement reference signal or an antenna port index identifying one of two antenna ports used to transmit the beam measurement reference signal, the two antenna ports corresponding to first and second polarization directions of an antenna at the base station or first and second polarization directions relative to a reference plane.

[0032] In some embodiments, the UE beam measurements include at least one of RSRP measurements or SINR measurements, and the UE data reception includes at least one of PDCCH reception and PDSCH reception.

[0033] In some embodiments, the polarization direction indication indicates the first polarization direction as the polarization direction for receiving UE data in symbols carrying a beam measurement reference signal.

[0034] In some embodiments, the method further includes at least one of receiving UE data in symbols carrying a beam measurement reference signal in a first polarization direction or performing UE beam measurements in symbols carrying a beam measurement reference signal in a second polarization direction.

[0035] In some embodiments, the polarization direction indication indicates the first polarization direction as the polarization direction for UE beam measurements on symbols carrying beam measurement reference signals.

[0036] In some embodiments, the method further includes at least one of performing UE beam measurements in symbols carrying a beam measurement reference signal in a first polarization direction or receiving UE data in symbols carrying a beam measurement reference signal in a second polarization direction.

[0037] In some embodiments, the method further includes receiving instructions to configure the UE to alternate a polarization direction used to receive UE data between a first polarization direction and a second polarization direction over even and odd index periods of the beam measurement reference signal.

[0038] In some embodiments, the method further includes receiving instructions to configure the UE to alternate a polarization direction used for UE beam measurement between a first polarization direction and a second polarization direction over even and odd index periods of the beam measurement reference signal.

[0039] In some embodiments, the method further includes receiving the UE data in symbols carrying the first beam measurement reference signal when the UE data is in the QCL with the second beam measurement reference signal.

[0040] In some embodiments, the UE sets the maximum number of layers for PDSCH reception on symbols carrying beam measurement reference signals equal to one.

[0041] In some embodiments, the first and second polarization directions are one of vertical and horizontal polarization directions, or horizontal and vertical polarization directions, or -45 degree and +45 degree diagonal polarization directions, or +45 degree and -45 degree diagonal polarization directions.

[0042] In some embodiments, receiving UE data in symbols carrying beam measurement reference signals further includes at least one of receiving a one-port DMRS in a first symbol among the symbols carrying one beam measurement reference signal, or receiving a two-port DMRS in the first symbol after the symbol carrying one beam measurement reference signal.

[0043] In some embodiments, the one-port DMRS is received via the same polarization direction as the polarization direction indicated for transmitting or receiving UE data in the symbol carrying the beam measurement reference signal.

[0044] In some embodiments, receiving UE data on symbols carrying beam measurement reference signals further includes at least one of assuming that a PDSCH is not mapped to one or more symbols before or after a symbol carrying a beam measurement reference signal, or assuming that a PDSCH is not mapped within one or more subcarriers, resource elements, or resource blocks in the frequency domain below or above a resource block carrying a beam measurement reference signal.

[0045] In some aspects of the present disclosure, a device is provided that includes a processor and a computer-readable storage medium storing computer-executable instructions that, when executed by the processor, perform a method as described above or in detail below.

[0046] In some embodiments, the device is user equipment. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0047] For a more complete understanding of the present embodiments and their advantages, reference is now made, by way of example, to the following descriptions considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0048] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing one-port SSB transmission and reception using a dual-polarized antenna.

[0049] [Figure 2A] 1 is a schematic diagram of a communication system in which embodiments of the present disclosure may occur;

[0050] [Figure 2B] FIG. 2 is another schematic diagram of a communication system in which embodiments of the present disclosure may occur.

[0051] [Figure 3] 1 is a block diagram illustrating units or modules within a device in which embodiments of the present disclosure may occur.

[0052] [Figure 4] 1 is a block diagram illustrating units or modules within a device in which embodiments of the present disclosure may occur.

[0053] [Figure 5] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing two simultaneous UE beams for measuring two-port SSB.

[0054] [Figure 6] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a beam swept transmission of an SSB from a base station according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0055] [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram illustrating UE data buffering in SSB symbols with polarization direction indication for data buffering from a base station according to an aspect of the present disclosure.

[0056] [Figure 8] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating UE beam training with a single polarization direction according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0057] [Figure 9] 1 illustrates an example of a PDSCH and demodulation reference signal (DMRS) mapping scheme for slot-based scheduling in an SSB-containing slot, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0058] [Figure 10] 1 is an example of a signaling flow diagram for signaling between a base station and a UE, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0059] For purposes of explanation, certain exemplary embodiments are described in detail below in connection with the accompanying drawings.

[0060] The embodiments described herein represent sufficient information to practice the claimed subject matter and illustrate how such subject matter can be practiced. Upon reading the following description in light of the accompanying drawings, those skilled in the art will understand the concepts of the claimed subject matter and will recognize applications of these concepts not specifically addressed herein. It is understood that these concepts and applications are within the scope of this disclosure and the appended claims.

[0061] Additionally, it will be understood that any module, component, or device disclosed herein that executes instructions may include or have access to non-transitory computer / processor-readable storage media for storage of information such as computer / processor-readable instructions, data structures, program modules, and / or other data. A non-exhaustive list of examples of non-transitory computer / processor-readable storage media includes magnetic cassettes, magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), digital video disc or digital versatile disc (i.e., DVD), optical disc such as Blu-ray Disc™ or other optical storage, volatile and non-volatile, removable and non-removable media implemented in any manner or technology, random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), flash memory, or other memory technology. Any such non-transitory computer / processor storage media may be part of the device or may be accessible or connectable to the device. Computer / processor readable / executable instructions for implementing the applications or modules described herein may be stored or otherwise maintained by such non-transitory computer / processor readable storage media.

[0062] In a co-pending application (Attorney Docket No. 92019493PCT01), the attorneys for both that application and the present application described a method for implementing a two-port SSB that utilizes dual-polarized antennas to reduce the latency and / or overhead of beam-based initial access, particularly for the mmWae frequency band. In such a two-port SSB, each SSB port transmits via one or more base station antennas over one polarization direction (e.g., a -45-degree or +45-degree diagonal polarization direction) or over one polarization direction (e.g., a vertical or horizontal polarization direction) relative to a reference plane, such as the Earth's surface. The dual-polarized antennas at the base station may apply the same or different beamforming weights (e.g., the same or different beams). In cases where the base station applies the same beamforming weights (e.g., the same beam) to the base station antennas over the two polarization directions, with identification of the polarization direction of the base station antenna using the two-port SSB and such knowledge provided to the UE, the UE may be able to separate the UE dual-polarized antennas and simultaneously measure two UE receive beams, as shown in FIG. 5. In this way, the latency of beam-based initial access may be reduced. It is worth noting that the base station and the UE can transmit and receive with different beamforming weights using antennas across two polarization directions.

[0063] FIG. 5 illustrates a portion of a network 500 including a base station 505 and a UE 510. Three base station transmit beams 507a, 507b, and 507c are shown. Each of the base station transmit beams 507a, 507b, and 507c is shown to include two polarization directions, indicated by overlapping horizontal and vertical lines represented by "+" symbols. The UE 510 is shown to have two simultaneous receive beams across the two polarization directions. A first beam 512a is shown to transmit or receive across a vertical polarization direction (|), and a second beam 512b is shown to transmit or receive across a horizontal polarization direction (-). The two polarization directions at the UE may shift if the UE changes its orientation or switches receive panels or antennas. The two simultaneous UE receive beams 512a and 512b can help reduce latency due to UE-side beam sweeping during the initial access procedure.

[0064] In 5G NR, in radio resource control (RRC) CONNECTED mode, the maximum number of multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) layers is pre-configured for the UE. Such pre-configuration allows the UE to know what to expect and how to buffer data (e.g., how many antennas to use). The scheduled number of MIMO layers may then be dynamically indicated (i.e., the UE first buffers and then detects whether there is data for the UE). Similarly, in RRC CONNECTED mode, the SSBs to be measured / reported are also pre-configured for the UE. Such pre-configuration allows the UE to know which SSBs to measure and selectively report to accommodate UE movement across base station beams corresponding to different SSBs or channel state information reference signals (CSI-RS). The active beam pairs for data reception that are likely to be selected from those reported by the UE may then be dynamically indicated to the UE via a transmission configuration indicator (TCI) state conveyed via at least one of RRC, a medium access control-control element (MAC-CE), or DCI. Included within the indicated TCI state is provided a reference signal such as SSB or CSI-RS, where the CSI-RS may be quasi-co-located (QCLed) with the SSB for QCL-Type D, which may help the UE determine receive beamforming or beam. The SSB is a collection of one or more of a synchronization signal (i.e., PSS and SSS), a reference signal (i.e., PBCH-DMRS), and a physical channel (i.e., PBCH), where the SSS can be used for beam measurement without ambiguity. The SSB may also be referred to as a type of reference signal.

[0065] Aspects of the present disclosure utilize the use of dual-polarized antennas at base stations and UEs to enable both data reception and beam measurements on OFDM symbols carrying SSBs, thereby enabling UE-specific multiplexing of data transmissions and beam measurements across polarization domains. In some embodiments, the UE beam measurements include at least one of Reference Signal Received Power (RSRP) measurements or Signal-to-Interference-Plus-Noise Ratio (SINR) measurements. In some embodiments, the UE data reception includes at least one of Physical Downlink Control Channel (PDCCH) reception or Physical Downlink Shared Channel (PDSCH) reception.

[0066] In some embodiments, a dual-polarized antenna is included in the base station and in at least one panel of the UE. In some embodiments, a method is provided in which the base station provides configuration information related to polarization directions to enable UE data reception or beam measurement at a first UE antenna group over one polarization direction or over a first polarization direction relative to a reference plane (e.g., the surface of the Earth), so that a second polarization direction relative to a second UE antenna group or reference plane can be used for other purposes (e.g., beam measurement or data reception). In some embodiments, a resource mapping scheme for data (e.g., PDSCH) and associated demodulation reference signals (e.g., DMRS) is provided to facilitate slot-based scheduling in slots that include beam measurement resources (e.g., SSB).

[0067] 2A, 2B, and 3 below provide context for networks and devices that may reside within the networks and that may implement aspects of the present disclosure.

[0068] Referring to FIG. 2A , a simplified schematic diagram of a communication system is provided by way of illustration and not limitation. The communication system 100 includes a radio access network 120. The radio access network 120 may be a next-generation (e.g., sixth-generation (6G) or later) radio access network or a legacy (e.g., 5G, 4G, 3G, or 2G) radio access network. One or more communication electrical devices (EDs) 110 a–120 j (commonly referred to as 110) may be interconnected to each other and / or alternatively connected to one or more network nodes (170 a, 170 b, commonly referred to as 170) within the radio access network 120. A core network 130 may be part of the communication system and may be dependent on or independent of the radio access technology used in the communication system 100. The communication system 100 also includes a public switched telephone network (PSTN) 140, the Internet 150, and other networks 160.

[0069] 2B illustrates an exemplary communications system 100 in which embodiments of the present disclosure can be implemented. Generally, the system 100 enables multiple wireless or wired elements to communicate data and other content. The purpose of the system 100 may be to provide content (voice, data, video, text) via broadcast, narrowcast, user device-to-user device, etc. The system 100 may operate efficiently by sharing resources such as bandwidth.

[0070] In this example, communication system 100 includes electronic devices (EDs) 110a-110c, radio access networks (RANs) 120a-120b, a core network 130, a public switched telephone network (PSTN) 140, the Internet 150, and other networks 160. Although a particular number of these components or elements are shown in Figure 2B, any reasonable number of these components or elements may be included in system 100.

[0071] The EDs 110a-110c are configured to operate, communicate, or both in the system 100. For example, the EDs 110a-110c are configured to transmit, receive, or both over a wireless communication channel. Each ED 110a-110c represents any suitable end-user device for wireless operation and may include such devices as (or may be referred to as) a user equipment / device (UE), a wireless transmit / receive unit (WTRU), a mobile station, a mobile subscriber unit, a mobile phone, a station (STA), a machine-type communication device (MTC), a personal digital assistant (PDA), a smartphone, a laptop, a computer, a touchpad, a wireless sensor, or a consumer electronics device.

[0072] 2B illustrates an exemplary communication system 100 in which embodiments of the present disclosure can be implemented. Generally, the communication system 100 enables multiple wireless or wired elements to communicate data and other content. The purpose of the communication system 100 may be to provide content (voice, data, video, text) via broadcast, multicast, unicast, user device to user device, etc. The communication system 100 may operate by sharing resources, such as bandwidth.

[0073] In this example, communication system 100 includes electronic devices (EDs) 110a-110d, radio access networks (RANs) 120a-120c, a core network 130, a public switched telephone network (PSTN) 140, the Internet 150, and other networks 160. Although a particular number of these components or elements are shown in Figure 2B, any reasonable number of these components or elements may be included in system 100.

[0074] The EDs 110a-110d are configured to operate, communicate, or both in the system 100. For example, the EDs 110a-110d are configured to transmit, receive, or both over wireless or wired communication channels. Each ED 110a-110d represents any suitable end-user device for wireless operation and may include such devices as (or may be referred to as) a user equipment / device (UE), a wireless transmit / receive unit (WTRU), a mobile station, a fixed or mobile subscriber unit, a mobile telephone, station (STA), a machine-type communication device (MTC), a personal digital assistant (PDA), a smartphone, a laptop, a computer, a tablet, a wireless sensor, or a consumer electronics device.

[0075] 2B, the RANs 120a-120b include base stations 170a-170b, respectively. Each base station 170a-170b is configured to wirelessly interface with one or more of the EDs 110a-110c to enable access to any other base stations 170a-170b, the core network 130, the PSTN 140, the Internet 150, and / or other networks 160. For example, the base stations 170a-170b may include (or be) one or more of several well-known devices, such as a base transceiver station (BTS), a NodeB (NodeB), an evolved NodeB (eNodeB), a home eNodeB, a gNodeB, a transmit / receive point (TRP), a site controller, an access point (AP), or a wireless router.

[0076] In some examples, one or more of the base stations 170a-170b may be terrestrial base stations mounted on the ground. For example, a terrestrial base station may be mounted on a building or tower. Alternatively, one or more of the base stations 172 may be non-terrestrial base stations, or non-terrestrial TRPs (NT-TRPs), that are not mounted on the ground. An airborne base station is an example of a non-terrestrial base station. An airborne base station may be implemented using communication equipment supported or carried by an airborne device. Non-limiting examples of airborne devices include airborne platforms (such as blimps or airships), balloons, quadcopters, and other aircraft. In some implementations, an airborne base station may be supported or carried by an unmanned aircraft system (UAS) or an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) such as a drone or quadcopter. An airborne base station may be a movable or mobile base station that can be flexibly deployed at different locations to meet network demands. A satellite base station is another example of a non-terrestrial base station. A satellite base station may be implemented using communication equipment supported or carried by a satellite. Satellite base stations are sometimes also called orbiting base stations.

[0077] Any of the EDs 110a-110d may alternatively or additionally be configured to interface with, access, or communicate with any other base station 170a-170b, the Internet 150, the core network 130, the PSTN 140, other networks 160, or any combination of the above.

[0078] The EDs 110a-110d and base stations 170a-170b, 172 are examples of communication equipment that may be configured to implement some or all of the operations and / or embodiments described herein. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2B , the base station 170a forms part of the RAN 120a, which may include other base stations, base station controllers (BSCs), radio network controllers (RNCs), relay nodes, elements, and / or devices. The base stations 170a-170b may be a single element as shown, multiple elements distributed across a corresponding RAN, or otherwise. Additionally, the base station 170b forms part of the RAN 120b, which may include other base stations, elements, and / or devices. Each base station 170a-170b transmits and / or receives radio signals within a particular geographic region or area, sometimes referred to as a "cell" or "coverage area." A cell may be further divided into cell sectors, and base stations 170a-170b may serve multiple sectors, e.g., utilizing multiple transceivers. In some embodiments, picocells or femtocells may be established if the radio access technology supports it. In some embodiments, multiple transceivers may be used for each cell, e.g., using multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) techniques. The number of RANs 120a-120b shown is merely exemplary. Any number of RANs may be considered when devising communications system 100.

[0079] The base stations 170a-170b, 172 communicate with one or more of the EDs 110a-110c over one or more air interfaces 190a, 190c using wireless communication links, such as radio frequency (RF), microwave, infrared (IR), etc. The air interfaces 190a, 190c may use any suitable wireless access technology. For example, the communication system 100 may implement one or more orthogonal or non-orthogonal channel access methods, such as code division multiple access (CDMA), time division multiple access (TDMA), frequency division multiple access (FDMA), orthogonal FDMA (OFDMA), or single-carrier FDMA (SC-FDMA), over the air interfaces 190a, 190c.

[0080] The base stations 170a-170b, 172 may implement Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) Terrestrial Radio Access (UTRA) to establish the air interface 190a, 190c using Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) (WCDMA). In doing so, the base stations 170a-170b, 172 may implement protocols such as High Speed ​​Packet Access (HSPA), Evolved High Speed ​​Packet Access (HSPA+), optionally including High Speed ​​Downlink Packet Access (HSDPA), High Speed ​​Packet Uplink Access (HSPUA), or both. Alternatively, the base stations 170a-170b, 172 may establish the air interface 190a, 190c with Evolved UMTS Terrestrial Radio Access (E-UTRA) using LTE, LTE-A, and / or LTE-B. It is contemplated that the communication system 100 may use multi-channel access operation, including schemes such as those described above. Other wireless technologies for implementing the air interface include IEEE 802.11, 802.15, 802.16, CDMA2000, CDMA2000 1X, CDMA2000 EV-DO, IS-2000, IS-95, IS-856, GSM, EDGE, and GERAN. Of course, other multi-access schemes and wireless protocols may also be used.

[0081] The RANs 120a-120b communicate with a core network 130 to provide various services, such as voice, data, and other services, to the EDs 110a-110c. The RANs 120a-120b and / or the core network 130 may communicate directly or indirectly with one or more other RANs (not shown), which may or may not be directly served by the communication core network 130 and which may or may not utilize the same radio access technology as the RAN 120a, RAN 120b, or both. The core network 130 may also serve as a gateway access between (i) the RANs 120a-120b and / or the EDs 110a-110c and (ii) other networks (such as the PSTN 140, the Internet 150, and other networks 160).

[0082] The EDs 110a-110d communicate with one another over one or more sidelink (SL) air interfaces 190b, 190d using wireless communication links, e.g., radio frequency (RF), microwave, infrared (IR), etc. The SL air interfaces 190b, 190d may use any suitable radio access technology and may be substantially similar to or substantially different from the air interfaces 190a, 190c through which the EDs 110a-110c communicate with one or more of the base stations 170a-170b. For example, the communication system 100 may implement one or more channel access methods, such as code division multiple access (CDMA), time division multiple access (TDMA), frequency division multiple access (FDMA), orthogonal FDMA (OFDMA), or single-carrier FDMA (SC-FDMA), in the SL air interfaces 190b, 190d. In some embodiments, the SL air interface 180 may be implemented, at least in part, over unlicensed spectrum.

[0083] Additionally, some or all of the EDs 110a-110d may operate to communicate with different wireless networks over different wireless links using different wireless technologies and / or protocols. Instead of (or in addition to) wireless communication, the EDs may communicate via wired communication channels to a service provider or switch (not shown) and to the Internet 150. The PSTN 140 may include a circuit-switched telephone network for providing plain old telephone service (POTS). The Internet 150 may include a network of computers and / or subnetworks (intranets) and may incorporate protocols such as Internet Protocol (IP), Transmission Control Protocol (TCP), and User Datagram Protocol (UDP). The EDs 110a-110d may be multimode devices capable of operating according to multiple wireless access technologies and may incorporate multiple transceivers necessary to support multiple wireless access technologies.

[0084] In some embodiments, signals are transmitted from a terrestrial BS to a UE or directly from the UE to a terrestrial BS; in both cases, the signals are not reflected by a RIS. However, signals may be reflected by obstacles and reflectors such as buildings, walls, and furniture. In some embodiments, signals are communicated between a UE and a non-terrestrial BS, such as a satellite, drone, or high-altitude platform. In some embodiments, signals are communicated between a repeater and a UE, or between a repeater and a BS, or between two repeaters. In some embodiments, signals are transmitted between two UEs. In some embodiments, when any of the transmitters and receivers include a UE, a terrestrial BS, or a non-terrestrial BS, and a repeater, one or more RISs are utilized to reflect signals from the transmitters and receivers.

[0085] 3 illustrates another example of network devices including an ED 110, base stations 170a and 170b (170), and an NT-TRP 172. The ED 110 is used to connect people, things, machines, etc. The ED 110 can be widely used in various scenarios, such as cellular communications, device-to-device (D2D), vehicle-to-everything (V2X), peer-to-peer (P2P), machine-to-machine (M2M), machine-type communications (MTC), Internet of Things (IoT), virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), industrial control, autonomous driving, telemedicine, smart grid, smart furniture, smart offices, smart wearables, smart transportation, smart cities, drones, robots, remote sensing, passive sensing, positioning, navigation and tracking, autonomous delivery, and mobility.

[0086] Each ED 110 represents any suitable end-user device for wireless operation and may include (or be referred to as) such devices as, among other possibilities, a user equipment / device (UE), a wireless transmit / receive unit (WTRU), a mobile station, a fixed or mobile subscriber unit, a cell phone, a station (STA), a machine-type communication (MTC) device, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a smartphone, a laptop, a computer, a tablet, a wireless sensor, a consumer electronic device, a smartbook, a vehicle, an automobile, a truck, a bus, a train, or an IoT device, an industrial device, or an apparatus (e.g., a communication module, a modem, or a chip) within the aforementioned devices. Next-generation EDs 110 may be referred to using other terminology. Base stations 170a, 170b are T-TRPs, hereinafter referred to as T-TRP 170. Also, as shown in FIG. 3, an NT-TRP is hereinafter referred to as NT-TRP 172. Each ED110 connected to the T-TRP170 and / or NT-TRP172 may be dynamically or semi-statically turned on (i.e., established, activated, or enabled), turned off (i.e., released, deactivated, or disabled), and / or configured depending on one or more of the availability of the connection and the need for the connection.

[0087] The ED 110 includes a transmitter 201 and a receiver 203 coupled to one or more antennas 204. Only one antenna 204 is shown. One, some, or all of the antennas may alternatively be panels. The transmitter 201 and receiver 203 may be integrated, for example, as a transceiver. The transceiver is configured to modulate data or other content for transmission by at least one antenna 204 or a network interface controller (NIC). The transceiver is also configured to demodulate data or other content received by at least one antenna 204. Each transceiver includes any suitable structure for generating signals for wireless or wired transmission and / or for processing signals received wirelessly or wired. Each antenna 204 includes any suitable structure for transmitting and / or receiving wireless or wired signals.

[0088] The ED 110 includes at least one memory 208. The memory 208 stores instructions and data used, generated, or collected by the ED 110. For example, the memory 208 may store software instructions or modules configured to implement some or all of the functionality and / or embodiments described herein and executed by the processing unit 210. Each memory 208 includes any suitable volatile and / or non-volatile storage and retrieval device. Any suitable type of memory may be used, such as random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), hard disk, optical disk, subscriber identity module card (SIM), memory stick, secure digital (SD) memory card, on-processor cache, etc.

[0089] The ED 110 may further include one or more input / output devices (not shown) or interfaces (such as a wired interface to the Internet 150 of FIG. 2A or 2B). The input / output devices enable interaction with a user or other devices in a network. Each input / output device includes any suitable structure for providing information to or receiving information from a user, such as a speaker, microphone, keypad, keyboard, display, or touch screen, including network interface communications.

[0090] The ED 110 further includes a processor 210 for performing operations, including operations related to preparing a transmission for uplink transmission to the NT-TRP 172 and / or the T-TRP 170, operations related to processing a downlink transmission received from the NT-TRP 172 and / or the T-TRP 170, and operations related to processing a sidelink transmission to or from another ED 110. Processing operations related to preparing a transmission for uplink transmission may include operations such as encoding, modulation, transmit beamforming, and generating symbols for transmission. Processing operations related to processing a downlink transmission may include operations such as receive beamforming, demodulating, and decoding received symbols. Depending on the embodiment, downlink transmissions may be received by the receiver 203, possibly using receive beamforming, and the processor 210 may extract signaling from the downlink transmission (e.g., by detecting and / or decoding the signaling). An example of signaling may be a reference signal transmitted by the NT-TRP 172 and / or the T-TRP 170. In some embodiments, processor 210 implements transmit beamforming and / or receive beamforming based on beam direction instructions, e.g., beam angle information (BAI), received from T-TRP 170. In some embodiments, processor 210 may perform operations related to network access (e.g., initial access) and / or downlink synchronization, e.g., detecting synchronization sequences, decoding and obtaining system information, etc. In some embodiments, processor 210 may perform channel estimation, e.g., using reference signals received from NT-TRP 172 and / or T-TRP 170.

[0091] Although not shown, the processor 210 may form part of the transmitter 201 and / or the receiver 203. Although not shown, the memory 208 may form part of the processor 210.

[0092] The processor 210 and the processing components of the transmitter 201 and receiver 203 may each be implemented by one or more of the same or different processors configured to execute instructions stored in a memory, such as memory 208. Alternatively, some or all of the processor 210 and the processing components of the transmitter 201 and receiver 203 may be implemented using dedicated circuitry, such as a programmed field programmable gate array (FPGA), a graphical processing unit (GPU), or an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC).

[0093] In some implementations, the T-TRP 170 may be known by other names, such as a base station, base transceiver station (BTS), radio base station, network node, network device, network-side device, transmitting / receiving node, Node B, evolved Node B (eNodeB or eNB), Home eNodeB, next-generation Node B (gNB), transmission point (TP), site controller, access point (AP), or wireless router, relay station, remote radio head, terrestrial node, terrestrial network device, or terrestrial base station, baseband unit (BBU), remote radio unit (RRU), active antenna unit (AAU), remote radio head (RRH), central unit (CU), distributed unit (DU), positioning node, etc. The T-TRP 170 may be a macro BS, pico BS, relay node, donor node, etc., or a combination thereof. The T-TRP 170 may refer to any of the above devices or to an apparatus within any of the above devices (e.g., a communication module, modem, or chip). Although the drawings and associated descriptions of examples and embodiments of the present disclosure generally use the terms AP, BS, and AP or BS, it will be understood that such devices can be any of the types described above.

[0094] In some embodiments, parts of the T-TRP 170 may be distributed. For example, some of the modules of the T-TRP 170 may be located remotely from the equipment housing the antenna of the T-TRP 170 and may be coupled to the equipment housing the antenna via a communications link (not shown), sometimes known as fronthaul, such as a Common Public Radio Interface (CPRI). Thus, in some embodiments, the term T-TRP 170 may refer to a network-side module that performs processing operations such as determining the location of the ED 110, resource allocation (scheduling), message generation, and encoding / decoding, and that is not necessarily part of the equipment housing the antenna of the T-TRP 170. The module may also be coupled to other T-TRPs. In some embodiments, the T-TRP 170 may actually be multiple T-TRPs operating together to serve the ED 110, for example, via coordinated multipoint transmission.

[0095] The T-TRP 170 includes at least one transmitter 252 and at least one receiver 254 coupled to one or more antennas 256. Only one antenna 256 is shown. One, some, or all of the antennas may alternatively be panels. The transmitter 252 and receiver 254 may be integrated as a transceiver. The T-TRP 170 further includes a processor 260 for performing operations, including operations related to preparing a transmission for downlink transmission to the ED 110, processing uplink transmissions received from the ED 110, preparing a transmission for backhaul transmission to the NT-TRP 172, and processing transmissions received via the backhaul from the NT-TRP 172. Processing operations related to preparing a transmission for downlink or backhaul transmission may include operations such as encoding, modulation, precoding (e.g., multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) precoding), transmit beamforming, and generating symbols for transmission. Processing operations related to processing transmissions received over the uplink or backhaul may include operations such as receive beamforming and demodulating and decoding received symbols. The processor 260 may also perform operations related to network access (e.g., initial access) and / or downlink synchronization, such as generating synchronization signal block (SSB) content and generating system information. In some embodiments, the processor 260 also generates beam direction instructions, e.g., BAI, that may be scheduled for transmission by the scheduler 253. The processor 260 performs other network-side processing operations described herein, such as determining the location of the ED 110, determining where to deploy the NT-TRP 172, etc. In some embodiments, the processor 260 may generate signaling, for example, to configure one or more parameters of the ED 110 and / or one or more parameters of the NT-TRP 172. Any signaling generated by the processor 260 is transmitted by the transmitter 252. It should be noted that as used herein, "signaling" may alternatively be referred to as control signaling.Dynamic signaling may be transmitted on a control channel, e.g., the Physical Downlink Control Channel (PDCCH), and static or semi-static higher layer signaling may be included in packets transmitted on a data channel, e.g., the Physical Downlink Shared Channel (PDSCH).

[0096] The scheduler 253 may be coupled to the processor 260. The scheduler 253 may be included within the T-TRP 170 or may operate separately from the T-TRP 170, which may schedule uplink, downlink, and / or backhaul transmissions, including issuing scheduling grants and / or configuring scheduling-unnecessary ("configured grant") resources. The T-TRP 170 further includes a memory 258 for storing information and data. The memory 258 stores instructions and data used, generated, or collected by the T-TRP 170. For example, the memory 258 may store software instructions or modules configured to implement some or all of the functionality and / or embodiments described herein and executed by the processor 260.

[0097] Although not shown, the processor 260 may form part of the transmitter 252 and / or the receiver 254. Also, although not shown, the processor 260 may implement the scheduler 253. Although not shown, the memory 258 may form part of the processor 260.

[0098] The processor 260, the scheduler 253, and the processing components of the transmitter 252 and the receiver 254 may each be implemented by one or more of the same or different processors configured to execute instructions stored in a memory, such as the memory 258. Alternatively, some or all of the processing components of the processor 260, the scheduler 253, and the transmitter 252 and the receiver 254 may be implemented using dedicated circuitry such as an FPGA, a GPU, or an ASIC.

[0099] Although the NT-TRP 172 is illustrated as a drone by way of example only, the NT-TRP 172 may be implemented in any suitable non-terrestrial form. The NT-TRP 172 may also be known by other names, such as a non-terrestrial node, a non-terrestrial network device, or a non-terrestrial base station, in some implementations. The NT-TRP 172 includes a transmitter 272 and a receiver 274 coupled to one or more antennas 280. Only one antenna 280 is illustrated. One, some, or all of the antennas may alternatively be panels. The transmitter 272 and the receiver 274 may be integrated as a transceiver. The NT-TRP 172 further includes a processor 276 for performing operations, including operations related to preparing transmissions for downlink transmission to the ED 110, processing uplink transmissions received from the ED 110, preparing transmissions for backhaul transmission to the T-TRP 170, and processing transmissions received via the backhaul from the T-TRP 170. Processing operations related to preparing a transmission for downlink or backhaul transmission may include operations such as encoding, modulation, precoding (e.g., MIMO precoding), transmit beamforming, and generating symbols for transmission. Processing operations related to processing a transmission received over the uplink or backhaul may include operations such as receive beamforming and demodulating and decoding received symbols. In some embodiments, the processor 276 implements transmit beamforming and / or receive beamforming based on beam direction information (e.g., BAI) received from the T-TRP 170. In some embodiments, the processor 276 may generate signals, for example, to configure one or more parameters of the ED 110. In some embodiments, the NT-TRP 172 implements physical layer processing but does not implement higher layer functions, such as functions at the media access control (MAC) or radio link control (RLC) layers. This is merely an example; more generally, the NT-TRP 172 may implement higher layer functions in addition to physical layer processing.

[0100] The NT-TRP 172 further includes a memory 278 for storing information and data. Although not shown, the processor 276 may form part of the transmitter 272 and / or the receiver 274. Although not shown, the memory 278 may form part of the processor 276.

[0101] The processor 276 and the processing components of the transmitter 272 and receiver 274 may each be implemented by one or more of the same or different processors configured to execute instructions stored in a memory, such as memory 278. Alternatively, some or all of the processor 276 and the processing components of the transmitter 272 and receiver 274 may be implemented using dedicated circuitry, such as a programmed FPGA, GPU, or ASIC. In some embodiments, the NT-TRP 172 may actually be multiple NT-TRPs operating together to provide service to the ED 110, for example, via coordinated multipoint transmission.

[0102] T-TRP170, NT-TRP172 and / or ED110 may include other components, which have been omitted for purposes of clarity.

[0103] One or more steps of the method of the embodiments provided herein may be performed by a corresponding unit or module according to FIG. 3. FIG. 3 illustrates units or modules within a device, such as within the ED 110, the T-TRP 170, or the NT-TRP 172. For example, a signal may be transmitted by a transmitting unit or a transmitting module. A signal may be received by a receiving unit or a receiving module. A signal may be processed by a processing unit or a processing module. Other steps may be performed by an artificial intelligence (AI) or machine learning (ML) module. Each unit or module may be implemented using hardware, one or more components or devices executing software, or a combination thereof. For example, one or more of the units or modules may be an integrated circuit, such as a programmed FPGA, GPU, or ASIC. It will be understood that when modules are implemented using software, for example, for execution by a processor, the modules may be retrieved by the processor, in whole or in part, individually or together, for processing as needed, in single or multiple instances, and the modules themselves may include instructions for further deployment and instantiation.

[0104] Further details regarding ED110, T-TRP170 and NT-TRP172 are known to those skilled in the art, and therefore these details are omitted here.

[0105] One or more steps of the method of the embodiments provided herein may be performed by a corresponding unit or module according to FIG. 4. FIG. 4 illustrates units or modules within a device, such as within the ED 110, the T-TRP 170, or the NT-TRP 172. For example, a signal may be transmitted by a transmitting unit or a transmitting module. A signal may be received by a receiving unit or a receiving module. A signal may be processed by a processing unit or a processing module. Other steps may be performed by an artificial intelligence (AI) or machine learning (ML) module. Each unit or module may be implemented using hardware, one or more components or devices executing software, or a combination thereof. For example, one or more of the units or modules may be an integrated circuit, such as a programmed FPGA, GPU, or ASIC. It will be understood that when modules are implemented using software, for example, for execution by a processor, the modules may be retrieved by the processor, in whole or in part, individually or together, for processing, as needed, in single or multiple instances, and the modules themselves may include instructions for further deployment and instantiation.

[0106] Further details regarding ED110, T-TRP170 and NT-TRP172 are known to those skilled in the art, and therefore these details are omitted here.

[0107] In future wireless networks, the number of new devices with diverse functionalities is likely to increase exponentially. Also, in future wireless networks, many new applications and new use cases may emerge with more diverse service quality requirements than those existing in 5G. These will bring about new key performance indicators (KPIs) for future wireless networks (e.g., 6G networks) that may be very challenging. Therefore, sensing technologies and AI technologies, especially ML (deep learning) technologies, have been introduced into telecommunications to improve system performance and efficiency.

[0108] AI / ML technologies are applied in communications, including AI / ML communications at the physical layer and media access control (MAC) layer. At the physical layer, AI / ML communications can help optimize component design and improve algorithm performance, such as AI / ML for channel coding, channel modeling, channel estimation, channel decoding, modulation, demodulation, MIMO, waveforms, multiple access, PHY element parameter optimization and update, beamforming & tracking, sensing & positioning, etc. At the MAC layer, AI / ML communications can utilize AI / ML functions with learning and prediction to make decisions to solve complex optimization problems with better strategies and optimal solutions, such as optimizing MAC functionality, such as intelligent TRP management, intelligent beam management, intelligent channel resource allocation, intelligent power control, intelligent spectrum utilization, intelligent modulation and coding scheme (MCS), intelligent hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ) strategies, and intelligent transmit / receive (Tx / Rx) mode adaptation.

[0109] AI / ML architectures typically include multiple nodes, which can be organized into two modes: centralized and distributed, both of which can be deployed in access networks, core networks, edge computing systems, or third-party networks. Centralized training and computing architectures are limited by huge communication overhead and strict user data privacy requirements. Distributed training and computing architectures include several frameworks, such as distributed machine learning and federated learning. AI / ML architectures include intelligent controllers that can run as a single agent or multiple agents based on joint or individual optimization. New protocols and signaling mechanisms are needed to enable personalized interface links to meet specific requirements with customized parameters, while minimizing signaling overhead and maximizing system-wide spectral efficiency through personalized AI techniques.

[0110] Furthermore, terrestrial and non-terrestrial networks can enable a new range of services and applications, such as earth monitoring, remote sensing, passive sensing and positioning, navigation, tracking, autonomous delivery, and mobility. Terrestrial and non-terrestrial network-based sensing can provide intelligent, context-aware networks to enhance the UE experience. For example, terrestrial and non-terrestrial network-based sensing can include opportunities for localization and sensing applications based on a new set of features and service capabilities. Applications such as THz imaging and spectroscopy have the potential to provide continuous, real-time physiological information through dynamic, non-invasive, and non-contact measurements for future digital health technologies. Simultaneous localization and mapping (SLAM) methods not only enable advanced cross-reality (XR) applications but also enhance the navigation of autonomous objects such as vehicles and drones. Furthermore, terrestrial and non-terrestrial networks can acquire measured channel data and sensing and positioning data through larger bandwidths, new spectrum, denser networks, and more light-of-sight (LOS) links. Based on these data, a radio environment map can be drawn via AI / ML methods, where channel information is linked to its corresponding positioning or environment information to provide an enhanced physical layer design based on this map.

[0111] Sensing coordinators are nodes in the network that can assist in sensing operations. These nodes can be standalone nodes dedicated solely to sensing operations, or other nodes (e.g., TRP 170, ED 110, or core network nodes) that perform sensing operations in parallel with communication transmissions. New protocols and signaling mechanisms are needed to enable corresponding interface links to be run with customized parameters to meet specific requirements while minimizing signaling overhead and maximizing overall system spectral efficiency.

[0112] AI / ML and sensing methods require large amounts of data. In order to incorporate AI / ML and sensing into wireless communications, more data must be collected, stored, and exchanged. The characteristics of wireless data expand to a vast range in multiple dimensions, e.g., from sub-6 GHz, millimeter, to terahertz carrier frequencies; from spatial, outdoor, to indoor scenarios; and from text, voice, to video. These data collection, processing, and usage operations can be performed within a unified framework or across different frameworks.

[0113] Aspects of the present disclosure may provide polarization direction indication that may enable UE data transmission / reception in an OFDM symbol carrying a Synchronization Signal-Physical Broadcast Channel (SS-PBCH) block (SSB) in a first polarization direction and beam measurement within the same OFDM symbol but in a second polarization direction. In some embodiments, multiple OFDM symbols may occur over a slot or minislot.

[0114] Aspects of the present disclosure may also provide polarization direction indication that may enable UE beam measurement / reporting in an OFDM symbol carrying SSB in a first polarization direction and UE data transmission / reception in the same OFDM symbol but in a second polarization direction.

[0115] Aspects of the present disclosure may provide a mapping scheme for PDSCH and associated DMRS on a time and frequency resource grid to facilitate slot-based data scheduling, where a slot includes an OFDM symbol carrying an SSB, and there may be variations in the number of PDSCH layers and the number of DMRS ports within a slot. In some embodiments, an additional DMRS is present on the first OFDM symbol after the OFDM symbol carrying the SSB. For example, the last OFDM symbol carrying the SSB is identified with index n, and therefore the additional DMRS is mapped on the OFDM symbol with index n+1. In some embodiments, an additional DMRS is present on the second OFDM symbol after the OFDM symbol carrying the SSB. For example, the last OFDM symbol carrying the SSB is identified with index n, and therefore the additional DMRS is mapped on the OFDM symbol with index n+2. In such a case, the PDSCH may not be mapped on the OFDM symbol with index n+1. The OFDM symbol with index n+1 may be reserved as a gap in the time domain for the UE to adjust its receiving operations, such as preparing a dual-polarized antenna or adjusting automatic gain control of the UE.

[0116] Aspects of the present invention may provide a method for base station transmit beamforming that enables transmission of UE-specific data in OFDM symbols carrying SSBs, where in an OFDM symbol carrying SSBs that are transmitted in a first beam that is different from a second beam used for data transmission to the UE, the base station may transmit data in the second beam to the UE using an additional panel or transmit / receive unit (TXRU) in addition to the panel or TXRU used for SSB transmission in the first beam.

[0117] In some embodiments, it is expected that polarization direction indication is provided to facilitate UE data transmission / reception in OFDM symbols carrying SSBs, through which UE beam measurement is also performed. In addition to configuration information for facilitating UE data reception, such as the maximum number of MIMO layers (e.g., represented by the parameter maxMIMO-Layers), the base station may provide polarization direction indication for data transmission in OFDM symbols carrying SSBs. UE data reception may include buffering the received signal and detecting whether data for the UE is present. In a two-port SSB as described above, each SSB may be transmitted from two antenna ports. In some embodiments, each antenna port of the two-port SSB is transmitted via one or more base station antennas in one polarization direction. For example, the first port may be transmitted via one or more vertically polarized antennas, and the second port may be transmitted via one or more horizontally polarized antennas. In another example, the first port may be transmitted via one or more −45-degree diagonal polarized antennas, and the second port may be transmitted via one or more +45-degree diagonal polarized antennas.

[0118] The polarization direction indication may be provided in the form of an SSB index, where one SSB corresponds to one polarization direction, or an SSB port index, where one SSB port corresponds to one polarization direction of a dual-polarized antenna at the base station or one polarization direction relative to a reference plane. In some embodiments, the configuration information for facilitating UE data reception may include an identification of a base station beam, a UE beam, or a base station and UE beam pair. In some embodiments, the configuration information for facilitating UE data reception may include a quasi-colocation (QCL) indication. An example of a beam indication or quasi-colocation (QCL) indication may include a TCI state including a CSI-RS that is QCLed to a particular SSB, representing an active beam pair for data transmission. More generally, a UE may be receiving data in an OFDM symbol carrying a first SSB or first SSB port, where the received UE data may be considered to be quasi-colocated (QCL) with a second SSB or second SSB port.

[0119] FIG. 6 illustrates a time and frequency resource plane 600 used to transmit SSBs from a base station, with time represented on the horizontal axis and frequency represented on the vertical axis. Four SSBs, namely, SSB0, SSB1, SSB2, and SSB3, are shown, with each SSB transmitted on two antenna ports, each occupying a respective portion 610, 620, 630, and 640 of the time and frequency resource plane 600. Above the four portions 610, 620, 630, and 640 of the time and frequency resource plane 600 used for each SSB, are depicted representations of four base station transmit beams 615, 625, 635, and 645, each with a specific directionality associated with a respective portion of the time and frequency resource plane 600. This directionality is intended to suggest the direction of the transmit beam used by the base station. In some embodiments, each beam may be transmitted by a dual-polarized antenna at the base station using a two-port SSB. Each of the transmit beams 615, 625, 635, and 645 is shown to include two polarization directions, indicated by overlapping horizontal (-) and vertical (|) lines and collectively represented by a "+" symbol. Also shown below the four portions 610, 620, 630, and 640 of the time and frequency resource plane 600 used for the SSBs are representations of a UE 650 and a UE beam 655. The UE beam 655 is shown below the portion 620 of the time and frequency resource plane 600 in which the base station transmits SSB1. The UE 650 may have previously measured multiple SSBs and reported SSB1 as the SSB with the highest RSRP, and the base station may have instructed the UE 650 to receive data from the base station using the UE beam 655 corresponding to SSB1 (e.g., by instructing PDCCH or PDSCH on SSB1 and QCL, or CSI-RS on SSB1 and QCL). In this case, base station beam 625 and UE beam 655 are considered an active beam pair between the base station and the UE for data transmission.

[0120] In addition to such beam direction, the base station may further instruct the UE 650 on the polarization direction for data transmission in the OFDM symbols carrying the SSB, such as port #1 of SSB1 corresponding to the horizontal polarization direction or port #0 of SSB1 corresponding to the vertical polarization direction. With such polarization direction instruction from the base station, the UE 650 may buffer the signal in the OFDM symbols carrying SSB1 using one or more antennas of the corresponding polarization direction, and then detect whether a PDSCH for this UE exists.

[0121] FIG. 7 illustrates a time and frequency resource plane 700 from the perspective of a UE after polarization direction indication for data transmission or reception in an OFDM symbol carrying an SSB has been provided, with time represented on the horizontal axis and frequency represented on the vertical axis. Four portions 710, 720, 730, and 740 are shown, each occupying a portion of the time and frequency resource plane 700. In FIG. 7, within each of portions 710, 720, 730, and 740 of the time and frequency resource plane 700, there are four base station beams 712, 722, 732, and 742 with the same or similar directionality. This indicates that in an OFDM symbol carrying multiple SSBs, the UE assumes that the data transmitted from the base station is in a Type D QCL with SSB1 and is under the same polarization direction as port #1 of SSB1, i.e., the horizontal polarization direction indicated by the horizontal line (-). Also in FIG. 7, four UE beams 714, 724, 734, and 744 are shown below portions 710, 720, 730, and 740 of the time and frequency resource plane 700. Each UE beam 714, 724, 734, and 744 has the same or similar directionality for receiving SSB1, and is shown with a horizontal polarization direction indicated by a horizontal line (-). This indicates that in an OFDM symbol carrying multiple SSBs, the UE receives data across the indicated polarization direction using the same receive beam used to receive SSB1. In some embodiments, when a UE has one TXRU across one polarization direction, the UE 750 assumes that a parameter defining the maximum number of MIMO layers (i.e., maxMIMOLayers) in an OFDM symbol carrying an SSB is set to 1 because the UE is performing data buffering and reception across only one polarization direction. In some embodiments, when a UE uses multiple TXRUs across one polarization direction (e.g., on the same UE panel), the UE 750 assumes that the parameter defining the maximum number of MIMO layers (i.e., maxMIMOlayers) within an OFDM symbol carrying an SSB is reduced to half of its preconfigured value because the UE is performing data buffering and reception across only one polarization direction.

[0122] After being configured with a polarization direction indication for data transmission or reception in OFDM symbols carrying SSB, using a dual-polarized antenna in the UE, the UE may buffer and / or receive data in the OFDM symbols carrying SSB over a first polarization direction indicated in the polarization direction indication (e.g., using the antenna with the first polarization direction to buffer and / or receive data), and the UE may perform beam measurements over a second polarization direction (e.g., using the antenna with the second polarization direction to measure a different UE beam).

[0123] FIG. 8 illustrates a time and frequency resource plane 800 from the perspective of a UE after polarization direction indication for data transmission or reception in OFDM symbols carrying SSBs has been provided, with time represented on the horizontal axis and frequency represented on the vertical axis. Four portions 810, 820, 830, and 840 are shown, each occupying a portion of the time and frequency resource plane 800. In FIG. 8, there are four base station beams 812, 822, 832, and 842 with different directions shown above each portion 810, 820, 830, and 840 of the time and frequency resource plane 800. Each base station beam 812, 822, 832, and 842 is shown transmitting a different SSB, namely, SSB0, SSB1, SSB2, and SSB3, respectively, where each SSB is transmitted over two antenna ports. The two antenna ports are represented by overlapping horizontal lines "-" and vertical lines "|," which collectively appear as a "+" symbol. Four UE beams 814, 824, 834, and 844 are shown below portions 810, 820, 830, and 840 of the time-frequency resource plane 800, each having the same polarization direction, represented by a vertical line "|." The four UE beams 814, 824, 834, and 844 are used for beam measurement in OFDM symbols carrying SSB. In some embodiments, the specific UE beam used for beam measurement may be left to the UE implementation and therefore may be unknown to the base station, represented by the dashed oval. In some embodiments, when the UE 850 is performing beam measurement across one polarization direction or with the UE antenna in one polarization direction, for robustness, the UE 850 may still measure both SSB ports from a two-port SSB. In this manner, parallel data reception and beam measurement may be possible, thereby reducing interruptions in UE data reception during beam measurement.

[0124] By superimposing the time and frequency resource planes 700 and 800 shown in Figures 7 and 8, it can be seen how a UE can receive data in an OFDM symbol carrying an SSB in a first polarization direction (e.g., a horizontal polarization direction as shown in Figure 7), and how the UE can perform beam measurements in an OFDM symbol carrying an SSB in a second polarization direction (e.g., a vertical polarization direction as shown in Figure 8).

[0125] In some embodiments, the UE may be configured with a polarization direction indication for beam measurement using a two-port SSB. Such indication may be provided in the form of an SSB port index associated with a polarization direction (e.g., port 0 for vertical polarization, or port 1 for horizontal polarization, or vice versa; port 0 for +45-degree diagonal polarization, port 1 for −45-degree diagonal polarization, or vice versa). Using such polarization direction indication configured by the base station, the UE may separate the UE dual-polarized antenna into two polarization directions. The UE may then perform beam measurement using the UE antenna corresponding to the indicated polarization direction (e.g., vertical or −45-degree diagonal polarization) across the polarization directions indicated by the base station. The UE may then receive data with the UE antenna corresponding to the remaining polarization direction (e.g., horizontal or +45-degree diagonal polarization), thereby enabling parallel data reception and beam measurement.

[0126] In some embodiments, the base station may provide an indication to the UE that the UE may alternate between two polarization directions for data reception over even- and odd-indexed SSB periods. For example, the UE may assume a vertical or −45° diagonal polarization direction for data reception in even-indexed SSB periods and a horizontal or +45° diagonal polarization direction for data reception in odd-indexed SSB periods, or vice versa. This may provide additional robustness.

[0127] In some embodiments, the base station may provide an indication to the UE that the UE may alternate between two polarization directions for beam measurements over even- and odd-indexed SSB periods. For example, the UE may assume a vertical or −45° diagonal polarization direction for beam measurements in even-indexed SSB periods and a horizontal or +45° diagonal polarization direction for beam measurements in odd-indexed SSB periods, or vice versa. This may provide additional robustness.

[0128] In some embodiments, in an OFDM symbol carrying one SSB, the base station may use an additional panel or TXRU to transmit data in a first beam toward the UE, in addition to the panel or TXRU used to transmit the SSB in a second beam toward a different direction in physical space. This allows the base station to transmit data in an OFDM symbol containing one SSB, where the target UE for the transmitted data may not be located within the same beam as the SSB.

[0129] Some embodiments of the present disclosure may utilize dual-polarized antennas at the base station and UE to enable parallel data reception and beam measurement across OFDM symbols carrying SSB, thereby avoiding interruptions in data transmission during beam measurement.

[0130] Some embodiments of the present disclosure can improve spectral efficiency because OFDM symbols carrying SSBs can also be used to transmit data, and can reduce complexity and power consumption by not requiring TRPs or multiple panels in multiple base stations or UEs.

[0131] Some embodiments provide a method for mapping a PDSCH and associated DMRS onto a time and frequency resource plane to facilitate slot-based scheduling and UE data reception in slots that contain OFDM symbols carrying SSBs. In some embodiments, instead of a slot, the time unit may be a subframe, a bundle of slots, or an OFDM symbol or a bundle of OFDM symbols.

[0132] 9 illustrates an exemplary time and frequency resource plane 900, with time represented on the horizontal axis and frequency represented on the vertical axis. The time and frequency resource plane 900 includes a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH), a demodulation reference signal (DMRS), a physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH), and a synchronization signal-physical broadcast channel (SS-PBCH) block (SSB). A first portion 905 of the time and frequency resource plane 900 is shown to include the PDCCH. A second portion 910 of the time and frequency resource plane 900 occupies a different portion of time than the first portion 905 and is shown to include two-port DMRS, i.e., DMRS0 and DMRS1, to facilitate channel estimation at the UE for the two ports used to transmit the two-tiered PDSCH in the third portion 915. A third portion 915 of the time and frequency resource plane 900 occupies a different portion of time than the first and second portions 905 and 910 and is shown to include a two-tier PDSCH, which allows a two-tier PDSCH to be received at a UE, where each PDSCH layer corresponds to one polarization direction. A fourth portion 920 of the time and frequency resource plane 900 occupies a different portion of time than the first, second, and third portions 905, 910, and 915 and is shown to include an SSB, which allows beam measurements to enable beam training or beam tracking that may be used to support cross-beam movement or mobility in a multi-beam system. A fifth portion 925 of the time and frequency resource plane 900 occupies a different portion of time than the first, second, and third portions 905, 910, and 915, but overlaps with the fourth portion 920, and is shown containing one-port DMRS, which allows for early channel estimation on the OFDM symbols carrying SSB and allows for timely updating of the channel estimate after switching to one-tier PDSCH reception. While Figure 9 shows one-port DMRS on the first OFDM symbol of the OFDM symbols carrying SSB, it should be understood that this is merely an example and is not intended to limit the various other possible arrangements.A sixth portion 930 of the time and frequency resource plane 900 occupies a different portion of time than the first, second, third, and fifth portions 905, 910, 915, and 925, but occupies a portion of time that overlaps with the fourth portion 920, and is shown to contain a one-tier PDSCH. A seventh portion 935 of the time and frequency resource plane 900 occupies a different portion of time than the first, second, third, fourth, fifth, and sixth portions 905, 910, 915, 920, 925, and 930, and contains two-port DMRS, i.e., DMRS0 and DMRS1, to facilitate channel estimation at the UE for the two ports used to transmit the two-tier PDSCH in the eighth portion 940. An eighth portion 940 of the time and frequency resource plane 900 occupies a different time portion than the first, second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh portions 905, 910, 915, 920, 925, 930 and 935 and is shown to include a two-tier PDSCH, which allows a two-tier PDSCH to be received at a UE, where each PDSCH layer corresponds to one polarization direction, if applicable.

[0133] In some embodiments, for a slot containing an OFDM symbol carrying an SSB, a two-layer PDSCH may be mapped to an OFDM symbol before or after the OFDM symbol carrying the SSB. In addition, a one-layer PDSCH may be mapped to an OFDM symbol carrying an SSB. Thus, in some implementations, the number of layers used for the PDSCH within a slot may vary, i.e., going from the third portion 915 having a two-layer PDSCH to the sixth portion 930 having a one-layer PDSCH, or from the sixth portion 930 having a one-layer PDSCH to the eighth portion 940 having a two-layer PDSCH, as shown in FIG. 9. In some embodiments, instead of the time unit being a slot, the time unit may be a subframe or a bundle of slots, or an OFDM symbol, or a bundle of OFDM symbols. In some embodiments, when mapping a PDSCH to an OFDM symbol carrying an SSB, the PDSCH is not mapped to resource blocks (RBs) occupied by the SSB, or when mapping a PDSCH to virtual or physical RBs, the RBs occupied by the SSB are skipped, where RB is defined as the number of consecutive subcarriers in the frequency domain (e.g., 12).

[0134] In some embodiments, for a slot containing an OFDM symbol carrying an SSB, when a two-tiered PDSCH is scheduled, there may be a two-port DMRS preceding the two-tiered PDSCH to facilitate channel estimation at the UE, i.e., shown in Figure 9 by the two-port DMRS in the second portion 910 preceding the two-tiered PDSCH in the third portion 915. In some embodiments, there may be a one-port DMRS preceding the one-tiered PDSCH to facilitate channel estimation in the OFDM symbol carrying an SSB and enable timely updating of the channel estimation after switching to one-tiered PDSCH reception, i.e., shown in Figure 9 by the one-port DMRS in the fifth portion 925 preceding the one-tiered PDSCH in the sixth portion 930. In some embodiments, instead of the time unit being a slot, the time unit may be a subframe or a bundle of slots, or an OFDM symbol, or a bundle of OFDM symbols.

[0135] In some embodiments, when returning to two-tiered PDSCH reception, two-port DMRS may be present in the OFDM symbol after the SSB, thereby allowing timely updates of the channel estimate. Thus, there is a change in the number of DMRS ports in a slot, shown in second portion 910 with two-port DMRS, fifth portion 925 with one-port DMRS, and seventh portion 935 with two-port DMRS. In some embodiments, instead of the time unit being a slot, the time unit may be a subframe or a bundle of slots or an OFDM symbol or a bundle of OFDM symbols.

[0136] In some embodiments, for OFDM symbols before or after the SSB, the UE may use antennas corresponding to both polarization directions for data reception, thereby supporting two-tier PDSCH reception. For OFDM symbols carrying an SSB, the UE may use an antenna corresponding to a first polarization direction for data reception to support one-tier PDSCH reception, and an antenna corresponding to a second polarization direction to perform beam measurements for beam training or beam tracking to support cross-beam movement or mobility in a multi-beam system.

[0137] In some embodiments, the base station may reserve a gap in the last one of the time domain or frequency domain. A gap in the time domain may allow time for the UE to adjust its receive antenna, such as preparing an antenna corresponding to one polarization direction to receive data and / or preparing an antenna corresponding to another polarization direction to perform beam measurement. A gap in the frequency domain may help mitigate interference. In some embodiments, as one way of implementing a gap in the time domain, there may be one or more OFDM symbols between the two-layered PDSCH and the one-port DMRS or SSB, or between the one-layered PDSCH or SSB and the two-port DMRS, which are unused or skipped when mapping the PDSCH to the time and frequency resource grid in the slot containing the OFDM symbol carrying the SSB. In some embodiments, as one way of implementing a gap in the frequency domain, there may be multiple subcarriers or resource blocks (RBs) between the SSB and the one-port DMRS or one-layered PDSCH, which are unused or skipped when mapping the PDSCH to the time and frequency resource grid in the slot containing the OFDM symbol carrying the SSB. This may reduce potential interference between the SSB and the PDSCH, such as when the PDSCH and SSB are transmitted over different TXRUs. In some embodiments, instead of the time unit being a slot, the time unit may be a time unit such as a subframe or a bundle of slots or an OFDM symbol or a bundle of OFDM symbols.

[0138] In some embodiments, the 1-port DMRS referred to in the above embodiments may instead be an N-port DMRS, and the 2-port DMRS referred to in the above embodiments may instead be a 2N-port DMRS, where N is an integer greater than 1. In some embodiments, the 1-tier DMRS referred to in the above embodiments may instead be an M-tier DMRS, and the 2-tier DMRS referred to in the above embodiments may instead be a 2M-tier DMRS, where M is an integer greater than 1. In some embodiments, the value of N may be equal to the value of M. Such embodiments may occur when a UE has multiple TXRUs in one polarization direction.

[0139] FIG. 10 is a signal flow diagram 1000 illustrating signaling or signal transmission and reception between a base station (BS) 1001 and a UE 1002 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. In step 1010, the base station 1001 transmits a configuration including an indication of a polarization direction for UE data transmission or reception within an OFDM symbol carrying an SSB. In some embodiments, the configuration information transmitted by the base station may include a polarization direction indication, which may be provided in the form of an SSB index, where one SSB corresponds to one polarization direction, or an SSB port index, where one SSB port corresponds to one polarization direction of a dual-polarized antenna at the base station or to one polarization direction relative to a reference plane. In some embodiments, the configuration information may include an identification of a base station beam, a UE beam, or a base station and UE beam pair. In some embodiments, the configuration information transmitted by the base station may include an indication that the UE can alternate between two polarization directions for data reception over even- and odd-indexed SSB periods. In some embodiments, the base station may provide an indication to the UE that the UE can alternate between two polarization directions for beam measurements over even-indexed and odd-indexed SSB periods.

[0140] In step 1020, base station 1001 transmits the SSB and PDSCH in the OFDM symbol carrying the SSB in a manner consistent with the configuration information transmitted in step 1010. For example, the transmission of the SSB and PDSCH in the OFDM symbol may coincide with time and frequency resource plane 900. In step 1030, UE 1002 performs parallel PDSCH reception in the indicated first polarization direction and beam measurement over the SSB in the second polarization direction, or vice versa.

[0141] In the above-described embodiments, for purposes of explanation, the SSB is the reference signal for beam measurement. However, it should be understood that other types of reference signals may be used for beam measurement. Other examples of reference signals for beam measurement include a channel state information reference signal (CSI-RS), a tracking reference signal (TRS), or a positioning reference signal (PRS). Furthermore, although the SSB in 5G NR includes all of the PSS, SSS, PBCH, and PBCH-DMRS, within the scope of the present disclosure, the SSB may include some or all of the PSS, SSS, PBCH, and PBCH-DMRS. For example, the SSB may include only the PSS and SSS, or only the PSS, SSS, and PBCH.

[0142] In the above-described embodiments, for purposes of explanation, OFDM is assumed as the waveform for transmission or communication, and thus OFDM is assumed as the processing unit (e.g., OFDM symbols carrying SSB). However, it should be understood that other waveforms may be used, such as Single Carrier (SC), Single-Carrier with Frequency Domain Equalization (SC-FDE), Discrete Fourier Transform spread OFDM (DFT-s-OFDM) and its variants, Single-Carrier with Offset Quadrature Amplitude Modulation (SC-OQAM), Filter Bank Multi-Carrier (FBMC), Generalized Frequency Division Multiplexing (GFDM), Universal Filtered Multi-Carrier (UFMC), or Orthogonal Time Frequency Space (OTFS). Thus, while OFDM symbols are used in the above-described embodiments, in other embodiments, symbols corresponding to the other possible waveforms described above in this paragraph may be applicable.

[0143] Some embodiments of the present disclosure may enable slot-based data scheduling with timely updates of channel estimates after a UE switches receive antennas in a slot carrying an SSB.

[0144] Some embodiments of the present disclosure may reduce DCI overhead and UE complexity compared to minislot-based scheduling, which requires multiple DCIs to schedule multiple PDSCHs.

[0145] While one or more steps of the above-described methods are based on a dual-polarized antenna having vertical or horizontal polarization, or both, it should be understood that the methods may also be performed using a dual-polarized antenna having ±45-degree diagonal polarization. Similarly, while one or more steps of the above-described methods are based on a dual-polarized antenna having a 90-degree phase difference in the polarization plane (i.e., vertical / horizontal polarization, ±45-degree diagonal polarization), it should be understood that these methods may also be performed using a dual-polarized antenna having a phase difference other than 90 degrees in the polarization plane (e.g., 60 degrees). Furthermore, while one or more steps of the above-described methods are based on a dual-polarized antenna having two polarization directions, it should be understood that these methods may also be performed using an antenna structure or architecture in which a network device or apparatus can be considered to have an antenna capable of transmitting or receiving across M polarization directions, where M is an integer greater than 2. In this case, a 2-port SSB referred to in the embodiments or examples illustrated above or elsewhere in this disclosure may be replaced with an M-port SSB.

[0146] It should be understood that one or more steps of the methods of the embodiments provided herein may be performed by a corresponding unit or module. For example, a signal may be transmitted by a transmitting unit or a transmitting module. A signal may be received by a receiving unit or a receiving module. A signal may be processed by a processing unit or a processing module. Each unit / module may be hardware, software, or a combination thereof. For example, one or more of the units / modules may be an integrated circuit such as a field programmable gate array (FPGA) or an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC). It should be understood that if the modules are software, they may be retrieved by a processor, in whole or in part, individually or together, in single or multiple instances as needed, for processing, and the modules themselves may include instructions for further deployment and instantiation.

[0147] Although the illustrated embodiments show combinations of features, not all of them need to be combined to realize the benefits of various embodiments of the present disclosure. In other words, a system or method designed in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure will not necessarily include all of the features shown in any one of the figures, or all of the portions schematically shown in the figures. Furthermore, selected features of one exemplary embodiment may be combined with selected features of other exemplary embodiments.

[0148] While the present disclosure has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, this description is not intended to be construed in a limiting sense. Various modifications and combinations of the exemplary embodiments and other embodiments of the present disclosure will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon reference to this specification. Accordingly, the appended claims are intended to cover any such modifications or embodiments.

Claims

1. transmitting a polarization direction indication indicating a polarization direction for UE beam measurement on a symbol carrying a beam measurement reference signal or for UE data transmission or reception on a symbol carrying a beam measurement reference signal; A method comprising:

2. The beam measurement reference signal is Synchronization Signal-Physical Broadcast Channel (SS-PBCH) Block (SSB); Channel State Information Reference Signal (CSI-RS), a tracking reference signal (TRS), or Positioning Reference Signal (PRS) The method of claim 1 , wherein the

3. the polarization direction indication includes at least one of an index of a beam measurement reference signal or an antenna port index identifying one of two antenna ports used to transmit the beam measurement reference signal, the two antenna ports corresponding to first and second polarization directions of an antenna in the base station or first and second polarization directions with respect to a reference plane; 3. The method according to claim 1 or 2.

4. the UE beam measurements include at least one of a Reference Signal Received Power (RSRP) measurement or a Signal-to-Interference-Plus-Noise Ratio (SINR) measurement; the UE data reception includes at least one of a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) reception and a physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH) reception; 4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. the polarization direction indication indicates a first polarization direction as the polarization direction for receiving UE data in symbols carrying beam measurement reference signals; 5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. receiving UE data in symbols carrying beam measurement reference signals in the first polarization direction; or performing UE beam measurements on symbols carrying beam measurement reference signals in a second polarization direction; The method of claim 5 , further comprising at least one of:

7. the polarization direction indication indicates a first polarization direction as the polarization direction for UE beam measurement in symbols carrying beam measurement reference signals.

5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

8. performing UE beam measurements on symbols carrying beam measurement reference signals in the first polarization direction; or receiving UE data in symbols carrying a beam measurement reference signal in a second polarization direction; The method of claim 7 , further comprising at least one of:

9. transmitting instructions to the UE to configure the UE to alternate a polarization direction used to receive UE data between a first polarization direction and a second polarization direction over even and odd index periods of the beam measurement reference signal.

9. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

10. transmitting instructions to configure the UE to alternate a polarization direction used for UE beam measurement between a first polarization direction and a second polarization direction over even and odd index periods of the beam measurement reference signal.

9. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

11. and transmitting the UE data in a symbol carrying the first beam measurement reference signal when the UE data is quasi-co-located (QCL) with the second beam measurement reference signal.

11. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

12. The first and second polarization directions are Vertical and horizontal polarization, or Horizontal and vertical polarization, or -45 and +45 degree diagonal polarization directions, or +45 degree and -45 degree oblique polarization directions, 12. The method according to claim 1, wherein the method is one of:

13. Transmitting UE data on symbols carrying beam measurement reference signals comprises: transmitting a one-port demodulation reference signal (DMRS) in a first symbol among symbols carrying a reference signal for measurement of one beam; or transmitting a two-port DMRS in a first symbol after a symbol carrying a reference signal for one beam measurement; The method of claim 1 , further comprising at least one of:

14. The one-port DMRS is transmitted via the same polarization direction as the polarization direction indicated for transmitting or receiving UE data in a symbol carrying a beam measurement reference signal. The method of claim 12.

15. Transmitting UE data on symbols carrying beam measurement reference signals comprises: Not mapping or transmitting a PDSCH in one or more symbols before or after a symbol carrying a reference signal for measuring one beam, or not mapping or transmitting a PDSCH on one or more subcarriers, resource elements, or resource blocks in the frequency domain below or above a resource block carrying a reference signal for one beam measurement; The method of claim 12 or 13, further comprising at least one of:

16. a processor; a computer-readable storage medium having stored thereon computer-executable instructions which, when executed by the processor, perform the method of any one of claims 1 to 15; Including, the device.

17. the device is a base station; 17. The device of claim 16.

18. receiving, by a user equipment (UE), a polarization direction indication indicating a polarization direction for UE beam measurement on a symbol carrying a beam measurement reference signal or for UE data transmission or reception on a symbol carrying a beam measurement reference signal; A method comprising:

19. The beam measurement reference signal is Synchronization Signal-Physical Broadcast Channel (SS-PBCH) Block (SSB); Channel State Information Reference Signal (CSI-RS), a tracking reference signal (TRS), or Positioning Reference Signal (PRS) 19. The method of claim 18, wherein the

20. the polarization direction indication includes at least one of an index of a beam measurement reference signal or an antenna port index identifying one of two antenna ports used to transmit the beam measurement reference signal, the two antenna ports corresponding to first and second polarization directions of an antenna in the base station or first and second polarization directions with respect to a reference plane; 20. The method of claim 18 or 19.

21. the UE beam measurements include at least one of a Reference Signal Received Power (RSRP) measurement or a Signal-to-Interference-Plus-Noise Ratio (SINR) measurement; the UE data reception includes at least one of a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) reception and a physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH) reception; 21. The method of any one of claims 18 to 20.

22. the polarization direction indication indicates a first polarization direction as the polarization direction for receiving UE data in symbols carrying beam measurement reference signals; 22. The method of any one of claims 18 to 21.

23. receiving UE data in symbols carrying beam measurement reference signals in the first polarization direction; or performing UE beam measurements on symbols carrying beam measurement reference signals in a second polarization direction; 23. The method of claim 22, further comprising at least one of:

24. the polarization direction indication indicates a first polarization direction as the polarization direction for UE beam measurement in symbols carrying beam measurement reference signals.

24. The method of any one of claims 18 to 23.

25. performing UE beam measurements on symbols carrying beam measurement reference signals in the first polarization direction; or receiving UE data in symbols carrying a beam measurement reference signal in a second polarization direction; 25. The method of claim 24, further comprising at least one of:

26. receiving instructions to configure the UE to alternate a polarization direction used to receive UE data between a first polarization direction and a second polarization direction over even and odd index periods of a beam measurement reference signal; 26. The method of any one of claims 18 to 25.

27. receiving instructions to configure the UE to alternate a polarization direction used for UE beam measurement between a first polarization direction and a second polarization direction over even and odd index periods of a beam measurement reference signal; 26. The method of any one of claims 18 to 25.

28. receiving UE data in symbols carrying a first beam measurement reference signal when the UE data is quasi-co-located (QCL) with a second beam measurement reference signal; 28. The method of any one of claims 18 to 27.

29. The UE sets the maximum number of layers for PDSCH reception in symbols carrying beam measurement reference signals equal to 1.

29. The method of any one of claims 18 to 28.

30. The first and second polarization directions are Vertical and horizontal polarization, or Horizontal and vertical polarization, or -45 and +45 degree diagonal polarization directions, or +45 degree and -45 degree oblique polarization directions, 30. The method of any one of claims 18 to 29, wherein the method is one of

31. Receiving UE data on symbols carrying beam measurement reference signals includes: receiving a one-port demodulation reference signal (DMRS) in a first symbol among symbols carrying a reference signal for measurement of one beam; or receiving a two-port DMRS in a first symbol after a symbol carrying a reference signal for one beam measurement; 31. The method of claim 18, further comprising at least one of:

32. the one-port DMRS is received via the same polarization direction as the polarization direction indicated for transmission or reception of UE data in symbols carrying beam measurement reference signals; 32. The method of claim 31 .

33. Reception of UE data on symbols carrying reference signals for beam measurement Assume that no PDSCH is mapped to one or more symbols before or after a symbol carrying a reference signal for one beam measurement, or Assume that no PDSCH is mapped to one or more subcarriers, resource elements, or resource blocks in the frequency domain below or above a resource block carrying a reference signal for one beam measurement; 33. The method of claim 31 or 32, further comprising at least one of:

34. a processor; a computer-readable storage medium having stored thereon computer-executable instructions which, when executed by the processor, perform the method of any one of claims 18 to 33; Including, the device.

35. the device is a user equipment; 35. The device of claim 34.

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