SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR SUPPORTING DATA TRANSMISSION IN A WIRELESS NETWORK - Patent application

Abstract

Aspects of the present disclosure provide systems and methods for supporting multi-layer data transmission, with the goal of enabling multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) transmission or multi-layer transmission at an earlier point in time, e.g., immediately after or during an initial access procedure. A device (e.g., a user equipment) may generate a channel state information (CSI) report based on measurements of synchronization signal physical broadcast channel (SS-PBCH) blocks (SSBs) transmitted via multiple antenna ports upon request of a network device (e.g., a base station). The CSI report may include device-specific CSI information and / or information indicative of subchannel quality. The network device may transmit configuration information for the CSI report, SSB measurement configurations, and / or configurations for supporting early MIMO transmission. The methods described in this disclosure reduce the long latency between SSB detection during the initial access procedure and MIMO transmission.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE The present disclosure relates generally to wireless communications, and more particularly to systems and methods for supporting multi-layer data transmission in wireless communications systems. [Background technology]

[0002] In fifth-generation (5G) New Radio (NR), a synchronization signal physical broadcast channel (SS-PBCH) block (SSB) is transmitted by one antenna port, i.e., antenna port p=4000 is used to transmit 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 know the antenna architecture at the base station or how such a one-port SSB is transmitted by one or more antennas at the base station.

[0003] Dual-polarized antennas are widely used in base stations and UEs at frequencies within the millimeter-wave (mmWave) range (e.g., 26, 38, 29, and 73 GHz) and mid-band range (e.g., 3.5, 3.7, 4.7, and 4.9 GHz). With dual-polarized antennas, two linearly polarized antennas are often co-located but separated by approximately 90 degrees in polarization direction, e.g., vertical and horizontal polarization or ±45-degree tilt polarization. With dual-polarized antennas, independent signals can be transmitted from antennas with different polarization directions. There may be multiple antennas corresponding to the same polarization direction; for example, there may be a first antenna group and a second antenna group for vertical and horizontal polarization or ±45-degree tilt polarization, respectively. In this case, one antenna with vertical polarization or −45-degree tilt polarization may be co-located with one antenna with horizontal polarization or +45-degree tilt polarization. The first and second antenna groups may be arranged separately for the vertical and horizontal polarization directions or the ±45-degree tilt polarization directions, for example, the first antenna group may be arranged in one location and the second antenna group may be arranged in another location, and in such a case, the number of antennas in the first and second antenna groups may be the same or different.

[0004] With one-port SSB and dual-polarized antennas, a base station typically transmits the same SSB signal via a dual-polarized antenna, and a UE also measures it via a dual-polarized antenna. In 5G NR, it is expected that the measured results, when considered individually, should be less than the results based on measurements from either antenna of the device's dual-polarized antenna, or the results based on measurements from the device's polarized antenna across either polarization direction. The measured signals from the UE's dual-polarized antenna may be compared or combined, and the UE is responsible for determining the exact method of processing (e.g., maximum power, average power). When the same SSB signal is transmitted via a dual-polarized antenna at a base station, the UE may be unable to distinguish which polarized antenna or polarized antenna across which polarization direction the received signal is from at the base station. The base station may select one or more antennas across one polarization direction to transmit the SSB, but such selection is not visible to the UE.

[0005] In existing wireless communication systems, which may include 4G Long Term Evolution (LTE) and 5G NR, data transmission, such as multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) transmission, can only be enabled after a radio resource control (RRC) connection is established. As shown in Figure 1, which illustrates a signal flow diagram between a base station (BS) 10 and a UE 15, signals and channels, such as an SSB, a physical random access channel (PRACH), a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH), a physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH) carrying system information (SI) or a random access response (RAR) or an RRC connection setup message, and / or a physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH) carrying Msg3, are transmitted using one antenna port or by one layer.

[0006] In existing wireless communication systems, the base station 10 may configure the UE 15 to measure multi-port channel state reference signals (CSI-RS) and report channel state information (CSI) after an RRC connection is established, and MIMO (e.g., two-layer transmission) is enabled after the CSI is reported to the base station 10, e.g., in step 25. As a result, in existing wireless communication systems, as depicted in FIG. 1, there may be a large latency 20 between the detection of the first SSB by the UE 15 and the MIMO transmission to the UE 15 in RRC connected mode in step 29. Summary of the Invention

[0007] As described above, in existing wireless communication systems (e.g., 4G LTE, 5G NR), there may be a large latency between SSB detection in the initial access procedure and MIMO data transmission in RRC connected mode. A device (e.g., a user equipment (UE)) cannot transmit a CSI report using a PUSCH scheduled by an RAR uplink grant in a non-contention-based random access procedure. This is because the device does not know whether a multi-port reference signal (RS) exists or how the multi-port RS is configured until an RRC connection is established. When a network device (e.g., a base station) is deployed with a dual-polarized antenna, using existing measurement and reporting techniques, the network device may not be aware of the quality of the polarization subchannels (e.g., whether they are vertically or horizontally polarized, or ±45-degree tilted polarization), the isolation or interference between the polarization subchannels, or both.

[0008] Aspects of the present disclosure provide methods and apparatus for overcoming the above-mentioned drawbacks and specific methods for enabling MIMO transmission or multi-layer transmission at an earlier point in time. In some embodiments, the earlier point in time can be immediately after an initial access procedure. In some embodiments, the earlier point in time can be during the initial access procedure. Aspects of the present disclosure also provide methods and apparatus for reducing the long latency between initial access and MIMO transmission.

[0009] According to an aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a method for supporting data transmission in a wireless network, the method including receiving a request for a channel state information (CSI) report associated with one or more synchronization signal physical broadcast channel (SS-PBCH) blocks (SSBs), the one or more SSBs being transmitted via two antenna ports. The method may further include transmitting a response to the request for the CSI report on a physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH) or a physical uplink control channel (PUCCH), the response including at least one of an indication of whether a CSI report is included in the response or a CSI report based on measurements of the one or more SSBs transmitted via the two antenna ports.

[0010] In some embodiments, if receiving the request for the CSI report is performed in a random access response (RAR), the method may further include transmitting a physical random access channel (PRACH) before receiving the RAR in response. In some embodiments, the one or more SSBs transmitted via the two antenna ports may be received before transmitting the PRACH. In some embodiments, the one or more SSBs transmitted via the two antenna ports associated with transmitting the PRACH may be received within a period between transmitting the PRACH and receiving the request for the CSI report.

[0011] In some embodiments, the CSI report may include at least one of an SSB resource indicator (SSBRI), a reference signal received power (RSRP), a signal-to-interference-and-noise ratio (SINR), a rank indicator (RI), a channel quality indicator (CQI), a precoding matrix indicator (PMI), a signal-to-interference-and-noise ratio (SINR) per SSB port or a CQI per SSB port, where each SINR or CQI is associated with each SSB port, or a SINR per PMI or a CQI per PMI, where each SINR or CQI is associated with each PMI. In some embodiments, if the CSI report includes an RI indicating a matrix rank, after transmitting the CSI report, the device may determine whether the maximum number of layers of a physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH) is equal to or less than the reported maximum rank or the smallest integer 2 that is less than or equal to the reported maximum rank. n where n=0, 1, 2, 3, .... In some embodiments, for each SINR per SSB port or CQI per SSB port, the SINR per SSB port or CQI per SSB port is determined based on each SSB port of the same SSB and one or more remaining SSB ports, which are considered as interference during the determination of the SINR per SSB port or CQI per SSB port.

[0012] In some embodiments, the CSI report may be transmitted from the Message-3 PUSCH during random access (RA).

[0013] In some embodiments, the method may further include receiving one or more signals indicating system information in a Master Information Block (MIB), a Secondary Information Block (SIB), or both. In some embodiments, the one or more signals may include one or more of information regarding at least one of a measurement configuration or a reporting configuration of a CSI report based on one or more SSBs transmitted via two antenna ports, information indicating whether the CSI report should be transmitted via a Message-3 PUSCH, information indicating whether the CSI report should be transmitted via a PUCCH, and information regarding a demodulation reference signal (DMRS) configuration supporting transmission of a multi-layer PDSCH after transmitting the CSI report. In some embodiments, the information regarding at least one of the measurement configuration or reporting configuration of the CSI report may include at least one of: information indicating whether one or more SSBRIs should be reported; information indicating the number of one or more SSBRIs to be reported; information indicating which one or more parameters among the SSBRI, RSRP, SINR, RI, CQI, PMI, SINR or CQI per SSB port, SINR or CQI per PMI should be reported; or information indicating whether the CSI report is limited to the SSB associated with the transmission of the PRACH.

[0014] In some embodiments, the one or more SSBs transmitted over the two antenna ports may include one or more primary synchronization signals (PSSs), one or more secondary synchronization signals (SSSs), a physical broadcast channel (PBCH), and one or more DMRSs for the PBCH.

[0015] In some embodiments, the device is a user equipment (UE), although it should be noted that the device may be other types of devices such as, but not limited to, access points (APs) and transmit / receive points (TRPs).

[0016] According to an aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an apparatus for supporting data transmission in a wireless network, the apparatus including a processor and a computer-readable medium having stored thereon computer-executable instructions that, when executed, cause the processor to perform a method according to the above-described embodiments. Examples of various types of apparatus include user equipment (UE), base station (BS), access point (AP), and transmit / receive point (TRP). These include, but are not limited to:

[0017] According to an aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a method that includes transmitting a request for a channel state information (CSI) report associated with one or more synchronization signal physical broadcast channel (SS-PBCH) blocks (SSBs), the one or more SSBs being transmitted via two antenna ports. The method may further include receiving a response to the request for the CSI report on a physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH) or a physical uplink control channel (PUCCH), the response including at least one of an indication of whether a CSI report is included in the response or a CSI report based on measurements of the one or more SSBs transmitted via the two antenna ports.

[0018] In some embodiments, if the request for the CSI report is sent in a random access response (RAR), the method may further include receiving a physical random access channel (PRACH) before sending the RAR. In some embodiments, the one or more SSBs transmitted via the two antenna ports may be transmitted before receiving the PRACH. In some embodiments, the one or more SSBs transmitted via the two antenna ports associated with transmitting the PRACH may be transmitted within a period between receiving the PRACH and transmitting the request for the CSI report.

[0019] In some embodiments, the CSI report may include at least one of an SSB resource indicator (SSBRI), a reference signal received power (RSRP), a signal-to-interference-and-noise ratio (SINR), a rank indicator (RI), a channel quality indicator (CQI), a precoding matrix indicator (PMI), a signal-to-interference-and-noise ratio (SINR) per SSB port or a CQI per SSB port, where each SINR or CQI is associated with each SSB port, or a SINR per PMI or a CQI per PMI, where each SINR or CQI is associated with each PMI. In some embodiments, if the CSI report includes an RI indicating a matrix rank, then after receiving the CSI report, the network device may operate based on the assumption that the maximum number of layers of the physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH) is equal to the reported maximum rank or the smallest integer 2n that is less than or equal to the reported maximum rank, where n=0, 1, 2, 3, . In some embodiments, for each SINR per SSB port or CQI per SSB port, the SINR per SSB port or CQI per SSB port is determined based on each SSB port and one or more remaining SSB ports of the same SSB, and the one or more remaining SSB ports are considered as interference during the determination of the SINR per SSB port or CQI per SSB port.

[0020] In some embodiments, a network device may receive a CSI report from a Message-3 PUSCH during random access (RA).

[0021] In some embodiments, the method may further include transmitting one or more signals indicating system information in a Master Information Block (MIB), a Secondary Information Block (SIB), or both. In some embodiments, the one or more signals may include one or more of information regarding at least one of a measurement configuration or a reporting configuration of a CSI report based on one or more SSBs transmitted via two antenna ports, information indicating whether the CSI report should be transmitted via a Message-3 PUSCH, information indicating whether the CSI report should be transmitted via a PUCCH, and information regarding a demodulation reference signal (DMRS) configuration supporting transmission of a multi-layer PDSCH after transmitting the CSI report. In some embodiments, the information regarding at least one of the measurement configuration or reporting configuration of the CSI report may include at least one of: information indicating whether one or more SSBRIs should be reported; information indicating the number of one or more SSBRIs to be reported; information indicating which one or more parameters among the SSBRI, RSRP, SINR, RI, CQI, PMI, SINR or CQI per SSB port, SINR or CQI per PMI should be reported; or information indicating whether the CSI report is limited to the SSB associated with the transmission of the PRACH.

[0022] In some embodiments, the one or more SSBs transmitted over the two antenna ports include one or more primary synchronization signals (PSSs), one or more secondary synchronization signals (SSSs), a physical broadcast channel (PBCH), and one or more DMRSs for the PBCH.

[0023] In some embodiments, the network device is a base station, although it should be noted that the network device may be other types of devices such as, but not limited to, an access point (AP), a transmit / receive point (TRP), and a user equipment (UE).

[0024] According to an aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a network device supporting data transmission in a wireless network, the network device including a processor and a computer-readable medium having computer-executable instructions stored thereon that, when executed, cause the processor to perform a method according to the above-described embodiments. Examples of various types of network devices include, but are not limited to, a base station (BS), an access point (AP), a transmit / receive point (TRP), and a user equipment (UE).

[0025] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, MIMO transmission or multi-layer PDSCH transmission (e.g., two-layer PDSCH transmission) for one user and multiple users is enabled at an earlier point in time, for example, during or immediately after the initial access procedure. In some embodiments of the present disclosure, a device (e.g., a UE) can perform instantaneous broadband transmission with double the capacity. In some embodiments of the present disclosure, multi-user multiplexing and cell capacity during the initial access procedure can be improved.

[0026] For a more complete understanding of the present disclosure and its advantages, reference is now made to the following description, taken by way of example in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0027] [Figure 1] 1 illustrates an example of why large latency can occur between initial access and multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) transmission in existing wireless communication systems. [Figure 2A] 1 is a schematic diagram of a communication system in which embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented; [Figure 2B] FIG. 2 is another schematic diagram of a communication system in which embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented. [Figure 3] FIG. 1 is a block diagram representing units or modules within a device in which embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented. [Figure 4]FIG. 1 is a block diagram representing units or modules within a device in which embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented. [Figure 5] This is a schematic diagram showing one-port SSB transmission and reception using a dual-polarized antenna. [Figure 6] This is a schematic diagram showing two-port SSB transmission using a dual-polarized antenna. [Figure 7] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a network device that does not understand the quality of and / or separation between polarization subchannels measured at a UE. [Figure 8] 1 illustrates an example signal flow diagram between a network device and an apparatus, such as a UE, that can reduce latency between SSB detection and MIMO transmission using CSI reports transmitted on a PUSCH, such as an Msg3 PUSCH, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 9] 1 illustrates an example of a CSI report transmitted on a PUSCH from an apparatus to a network device, the CSI report including at least one of a rank indicator (RI) or a channel quality indicator (CQI), according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 10] 1 illustrates an example of a CSI report transmitted on a PUSCH from a device to a network device, the CSI report including a signal-to-interference-and-noise ratio (SINR) for each SSB port, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 11] 1 illustrates an example signal flow diagram for transmission of configuration information and / or demodulation reference signals (DMRS) for CSI reports in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 12] 10 illustrates an example of how a CSI report may be determined for an SSB different from the SSB associated with a PRACH transmission, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 13] 1 illustrates an example of inter-device polarization-based multiplexing for multiple UEs using the same beam transmitted from a network device, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0028] For purposes of illustration, exemplary embodiments will now be described in more detail with reference to the figures.

[0029] The embodiments presented herein provide sufficient information to implement the claimed subject matter and explain how to implement such subject matter. Upon reading the following description in light of the accompanying drawings, one 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.

[0030] It will further be understood that any module, component, or device described herein that executes instructions may include or have access to one or more 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. Non-exhaustive examples of examples of non-transitory computer / processor-readable storage media include magnetic cassettes, magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, compact disk read-only memory (CD-ROM), optical disks such as digital video disks or digital versatile disks (e.g., DVDs), Blu-ray Discs, 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-readable storage medium may be part of the device or accessible or connectable thereto. Computer / processor readable / executable instructions for implementing the applications or modules described herein may be stored by or otherwise maintained by such non-transitory computer / processor readable storage media.

[0031] Aspects of the present disclosure use dual-polarized antennas at a network device (e.g., a base station) and a device (e.g., a UE) to enable MIMO data transmission during or immediately thereafter an initial access procedure. In some embodiments, the device may receive a request for a channel state information (CSI) report. The request for the CSI report may be transmitted in a random access response (RAR). The CSI report may be generated based on measurements of one or more synchronization signal physical broadcast channel (SS-PBCH) blocks (SSBs) transmitted via two antenna ports. The one or more SSBs transmitted via two antenna ports may be referred to in this disclosure as one or more two-port SSBs. The CSI report may be transmitted to the network device on a physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH) or a physical uplink control channel (PUCCH), for example, using an Msg3 PUSCH.

[0032] In some embodiments, one or more two-port SSBs may be transmitted from a dual-polarized antenna of a network device (e.g., a base station). In some cases, each port of the two-port SSB may be transmitted by the antenna of the network device over one polarization direction (e.g., a -45 or +45 degree tilt polarization direction) or over one polarization direction relative to a reference plane, e.g., a vertical or horizontal polarization direction relative to the Earth's surface.

[0033] In some embodiments, a CSI report related to one or more SSBs transmitted via two antenna ports (i.e., a CSI report related to a two-port SSB) may include information related to device-specific CSI or information indicative of subchannel quality, or both. The information related to device-specific CSI may include at least one of a rank indicator (RI), a channel quality indicator (CQI), or a precoding matrix indicator (PMI), which is primarily used for single-user MIMO transmission for a specific device. The information indicative of subchannel quality may include a signal-to-interference-and-noise ratio (SINR) per SSB port, a CQI per SSB port, a SINR per PMI, or a CQI per PMI. The SINR per SSB port, the CQI per SSB port, the SINR per PMI, or the CQI per PMI may reflect the quality of the subchannels, or the separation between the subchannels (e.g., subchannels across vertical and horizontal polarization directions), or both, to enable intra-device or inter-device multiplexing of the same or different signals / channels, or both. The subchannels may be measured at a specific device to determine the quality of the subchannels or the separation between the subchannels. In some cases, the specific device may be a UE. In some cases, information indicative of the quality of the subchannels may also be considered a type or part of CSI.

[0034] Aspects of the present disclosure include signaling to facilitate or utilize CSI reporting related to one or more SSBs transmitted via two antenna ports (i.e., two-port SSBs). The signaling may include broadcast signaling indicating whether a device is expected to determine or calculate CSI based on measurements of one or more SSBs transmitted via two antenna ports (i.e., two-port SSBs). The broadcast signaling may additionally or alternatively indicate whether a device may report CSI related to one or more SSBs different from the SSB associated with a PRACH transmission. The broadcast signaling may additionally or alternatively indicate whether beam measurements are limited to the one SSB associated with a PRACH transmission. This information may be particularly relevant or useful if a device moves during an initial access procedure. This information may also be particularly relevant or useful if the quality of a newly measured SSB is better than the quality of the SSB associated with a PRACH transmission.

[0035] When the phrase "initial access" is used above or subsequently below, it should be understood that "initial access" can be rephrased as "contention-based random access" or "contention-free random access."

[0036] 2A, 2B, and 3, which follow, provide an overview of networks and devices that may be within the networks and that may implement aspects of the present disclosure.

[0037] Referring to FIG. 2A, a simplified schematic diagram of a communication system is provided by way of example 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 electronic devices (EDs) 110a-120j (collectively referred to as 110) may be interconnected to each other and also or alternatively connected to one or more network nodes (collectively referred to as 170a, 170b, and 170c) within the radio access network 120. A core network 130 may be part of the communication system and may or may not depend on 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.

[0038] 2B illustrates an exemplary communications system 100 in which embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented. Generally, system 100 enables multiple wired or wireless elements to communicate data and other content. The purpose of system 100 may be to broadcast, narrowcast, provide content (audio, data, video, text) to user devices via user devices, etc. System 100 may operate efficiently by sharing resources such as bandwidth.

[0039] 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 FIG. 2B, any reasonable number of these components or elements may be included in system 100.

[0040] 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 wireless communication channels. Each ED 110a-110c represents any suitable end-user device for wireless operation, and may include (or be referred to as) such devices as a user equipment / device (UE), a wireless transmit / receive unit (WTRU), a mobile station, a mobile subscriber unit, a cellular telephone, 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.

[0041] 2B illustrates an exemplary communication system 100 in which embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented. Generally, communication system 100 enables multiple wired or wireless elements to communicate data and other content. The purpose of system 100 may be to provide content (audio, data, video, text) to user devices via broadcast, multicast, unicast, etc. Communication system 100 may operate by sharing resources, such as bandwidth.

[0042] 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 FIG. 2B, any reasonable number of these components or elements may be included in system 100.

[0043] The EDs 110a-110d are configured to operate, communicate, or both in the communication 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 (or be referred to as) such a device as a user equipment / device (UE), a wireless transmit / receive unit (WTRU), a mobile station, a fixed or mobile subscriber unit, a cellular telephone, a station (STA), a machine type communication (MTC) device, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a smartphone, a laptop, a computer, a touchpad, a wireless sensor, or a consumer electronics device.

[0044] 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 station 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.

[0045] In some examples, one or more of the base stations 170a-170b may be terrestrial base stations that are installed on the ground. For example, terrestrial base stations may be mounted on buildings or towers. Alternatively, one or more of the base stations 172 may be non-terrestrial base stations, or non-terrestrial TRPs (NT-TRPs), i.e., not installed 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 (e.g., blimps or airships), balloons, quadrotors, and other airborne vehicles. In some implementations, an airborne base station may be supported or carried by an unmanned aerial system (UAS) or unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), such as a drone or quadrotor. An airborne base station may be a movable or mobile base station that can be flexibly deployed in various 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. A satellite base station may also be called an orbital base station.

[0046] Any of the EDs 110a-110d may alternatively or additionally 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 thereof.

[0047] The EDs 110a-110d and base stations 170a-170b, 172 are examples of communication equipment that may be configured to perform 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. Any of the base stations 170a-170b may be a single element, as shown, or may be multiple elements distributed across a corresponding RAN or otherwise. The base station 170b also 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 use multiple transceivers, for example, to provide service to multiple sectors. In some embodiments, pico- or femto-cells may be established that support such radio access technologies. In some embodiments, multiple transceivers may be used per cell, for example, using multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) techniques. The number of RANs 120a-120b shown is for illustrative purposes only. Any number of RANs may be considered when designing communications system 100.

[0048] 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. 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, or single-carrier FDMA (SC-FDMA), over the air interfaces 190a, 190c.

[0049] The base stations 170a-170b, 172 may implement Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) Terrestrial Radio Access (UTRA) to establish the air interfaces 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) or Evolved High Speed ​​Packet Access (HSPA+), which optionally includes 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 interfaces 190a, 190c with Evolved UMTS Terrestrial Radio Access (E-UTRA) using LTE, LTE-A, and / or LTE-B. It is contemplated that the communications system 100 may use multiple channel access operations, 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 schemes and wireless protocols may also be used.

[0050] The RANs 120a-120b communicate with the 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 can communicate directly or indirectly with one or more other RANs (not shown), which may or may not be served directly by the core network 130 and which may or may not use 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 or the EDs 110a-110c, or both, and (ii) other networks (e.g., the PSTN 140, the Internet 150, and other networks 160).

[0051] 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 utilize 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.

[0052] Additionally, some or all of the EDs 110a-110d may include operations for communicating 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 providing Plain Old Telephone Service (POTS). The Internet 150 may include computer networks and subnets (intranets), or both, and may incorporate protocols such as Internet Protocol (IP), Transmission Control Protocol (TCP), and User Datagram Protocol (UDP). The EDs 110a-110d may be devices capable of operating according to multiple wireless access technologies and may incorporate multiple transceivers necessary to support multiple wireless access technologies.

[0053] In some embodiments, signals are transmitted from a terrestrial BS to a UE or directly from a UE to a terrestrial BS; in either case, 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 relay and a UE, or a relay and a BS, or between two relays. In some embodiments, signals are transmitted between two UEs. In some embodiments, one or more RISs are utilized to reflect signals from transmitters and receivers, both of which include UEs, terrestrial or non-terrestrial BSs, and relays.

[0054] 3 illustrates another example of an ED 110 and network devices including base stations 170a, 170b (170d) 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 grids, smart furniture, smart offices, smart wearables, smart transportation, smart cities, drones, robots, remote sensing, passive sensing, positioning, navigation and tracking, autonomous delivery and mobility, etc.

[0055] Each ED 110 represents any suitable end-user device for wireless operation, and may include (or be referred to as) such a device as, among others, a user equipment / device (UE), a wireless transmit / receive unit (WTRU), a mobile station, a fixed or mobile subscriber unit, a cellular telephone, 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 electronics 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, modem, or chip) within any of the above devices. Future generations of EDs 110 may be referred to using different terminology. Base stations 170a and 170b are T-TRPs and are hereinafter referred to as T-TRPs 170. As also shown in FIG. 3, an NT-TRP is 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 connection availability and connection need.

[0056] 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 a signal to be transmitted wirelessly or via a wired line and / or for processing a signal received wirelessly or via a wired line. Each antenna 204 includes any suitable structure for transmitting and / or receiving wireless or wired signals.

[0057] 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 may include any suitable volatile and / or non-volatile storage and readout 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 (SIM) card, memory stick, secure digital (SC) memory card, on-processor cache, etc.

[0058] ED 110 may further include one or more input / output devices (not shown) or interfaces (such as, for example, a wired interface to the Internet 150 in 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.

[0059] 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 downlink transmissions received from the NT-TRP 172 and / or the T-TRP 170, and operations related to processing sidelink transmissions to and from other EDs 110. The processing operations related to preparing a transmission for uplink transmission may include operations such as encoding, modulation, transmit beamforming, and generating symbols for transmission. The processing operations related to processing downlink transmissions may include operations such as receive beamforming, demodulation, and decoding received symbols. Depending on the embodiment, the downlink transmission may be received by the receiver 203, possibly using receive beamforming, and the processor 210 may extract the signaling from the downlink transmission (e.g., by detecting and / or decoding the signaling). An example of signaling may be reference signals transmitted by the NT-TRP 172 and / or the T-TRP 170. In some embodiments, the processor 210 performs transmit beamforming and / or receive beamforming based on beam direction instructions, e.g., beam angle information (BAI), received from the T-TRP 170. In some embodiments, the processor 210 may perform operations related to network access (e.g., initial access) and / or downlink synchronization, such as operations related to detecting synchronization sequences, decoding and acquiring system information, etc. In some embodiments, the processor 210 may perform channel estimation, e.g., using reference signals received from the NT-TRP 172 and / or the T-TRP 170.

[0060] 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.

[0061] 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 (e.g., in 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).

[0062] The T-TRP 170 may be known by other names in some implementations, such as a base station, base transceiver station (BTS), radio base station, network node, network device, network-side device, transmit / receive 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 the above devices or to an apparatus (e.g., a communication module, modem, or chip) within the above devices. Although the drawings and accompanying description of examples and embodiments of the present disclosure generally use the terms AP, BS, and AP or BS, it should be understood that such devices may be any of the types described above.

[0063] In some embodiments, portions 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 T-TRP 170's antenna 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 also refer to network-side modules that perform processing operations such as ED 110 location determination, resource allocation (scheduling), message generation, and encoding / decoding, and that are not necessarily part of the equipment housing the T-TRP 170's antenna. Modules 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, through coordinated multipoint transmission.

[0064] 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 an uplink transmission received from the ED 110, preparing a transmission for backhaul transmission to the NT-TRP 172, and processing a transmission received via the backhaul from the NT-TRP 172. Processing operations related to receiving 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 on the uplink or via the backhaul may include operations such as receive beamforming and demodulation and decoding of 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 indications, e.g., BAIs, 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 and determining where to deploy the NT-TRP 172. 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 "signaling" as used herein 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), while static or semi-static, higher level signaling may be included in packets transmitted on a data channel, e.g., the Physical Downlink Shared Channel (PDSCH).

[0065] The scheduler 253 may be coupled to the processor 260. The scheduler 253 may be included within the T-TRP 170 or operate separately from the T-TRP 170 to schedule uplink, downlink, and / or backhaul transmissions, including issuing scheduling grants and / or configuring scheduling-free (“granted”) 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 executed by the processing unit 260, configured to implement some or all of the functionality and / or embodiments described herein.

[0066] 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.

[0067] The processing components of processor 260, scheduler 253, and transmitter 252 and 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 memory 258. Alternatively, some or all of the processing components of processor 260, scheduler 253, and transmitter 252 and receiver 254 may be implemented using dedicated circuitry such as an FPGA, GPU, or ASIC.

[0068] Although the NT-TRP 172 is depicted as a drone merely as an example, the NT-TRP 172 may be embodied in any suitable non-terrestrial form. The NT-TRP 172 may also be known in some embodiments by other names, such as a non-terrestrial node, a non-terrestrial network device, or a non-terrestrial base station. The NT-TRP 172 includes a transmitter 272 and a receiver 274 coupled to one or more antennas 280. Only one antenna 280 is depicted. 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 a transmission for downlink transmission to the ED 110, processing an uplink transmission received from the ED 110, preparing a transmission for backhaul transmission to the T-TRP 170, and processing a transmission received via the backhaul from the T-TRP 170. Processing operations related to receiving 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 on the uplink or via the backhaul may include operations such as receive beamforming and demodulation and decoding of received symbols. In some embodiments, the processor 276 performs transmit beamforming and / or receive beamforming based on beam direction instructions (e.g., BAIs) received from the T-TRP 170. In some embodiments, the processor 276 may generate signaling, for example, to configure one or more parameters of the ED 110. In some embodiments, the NT-TRP 172 performs physical layer processing but does not perform higher layer functions, such as functions at the Medium Access Control (MAC) or Radio Link Control (RLC) layers. This is merely an example; more generally, the NT-TRP 172 may perform higher layer functions in addition to physical layer processing.

[0069] 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.

[0070] 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, e.g., 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, e.g., through coordinated multipoint transmission.

[0071] T-TRP170, NT-TRP172, and / or ED110 may include other components, which have been omitted for clarity.

[0072] 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 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 a programmed FPGA, GPU, or integrated circuit, such as an ASIC. It will be understood that when modules are implemented using software executed by a processor, for example, they may be read by the processor, individually or together, as needed, in single or multiple instances, for processing, and the modules themselves may include instructions for further deployment and instantiation.

[0073] Further details regarding ED110, T-TRP170, and NT-TRP172 are known to those skilled in the art, and therefore these details are omitted here.

[0074] 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 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 a programmed FPGA, GPU, or integrated circuit, such as an ASIC. It will be understood that when modules are implemented using software executed by a processor, for example, they may be read by the processor, individually or together, as needed, in whole or in part, in single or multiple instances, for processing, and the modules themselves may include instructions for further deployment and instantiation.

[0075] Further details regarding ED110, T-TRP170, and NT-TRP172 are known to those skilled in the art, and therefore these details are omitted here.

[0076] For future wireless networks, the number of new networks may increase exponentially with diverse functions. Also, in future wireless networks, many more new applications and new use cases may emerge with more diverse qualities of service demand than exist in 5G. This will lead to new key performance indicators (KPIs) for future wireless networks (e.g., 6G networks), which may be very difficult. Therefore, sensing technology and AI technology, especially ML (deep learning) technology, have been introduced into communications to improve system performance and efficiency.

[0077] AI / ML technologies have been applied to communications, including AI / ML communications at the physical layer and medium access control (MAC) layer. For the physical layer, AI / ML communications can help optimize component design and improve algorithm performance, such as channel coding, channel modeling, channel estimation, channel decoding, modulation, demodulation, MIMO, waveforms, multiple access, PHY element parameter optimization and update, beamforming and tracking, and sensing and positioning. For the MAC layer, AI / ML communications can leverage AI / ML capabilities involving learning, prediction, and decision-making to solve complex optimization problems with better strategies and optimal solutions, optimizing MAC functions 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.

[0078] AI / ML architectures typically include multiple nodes and can be organized in two modes: centralized and distributed. Both can be deployed in access networks, core networks, edge computing systems, or third-party networks. Centralized training and computing architectures are limited by significant communication overhead and strict user data privacy. 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 personalize corresponding interface links with customized parameters to meet specific requirements, while minimizing signaling overhead and maximizing system-wide spectral efficiency through personalized AI technology.

[0079] Further terrestrial and non-terrestrial networks can enable a new range of services and applications, including earth monitoring, remote sensing, passive sensing and positioning, navigation and tracking, and autonomous delivery and mobility. Terrestrial and non-terrestrial network-based sensing can provide intelligent, context-aware networks that enhance the UE experience. For example, terrestrial and non-terrestrial network-based sensing may include opportunities for localization and sensing applications based on a new set of features and service capabilities. Applications such as THz imaging and spectroscopy could 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 offer wider bandwidths, new spectrum, denser networks, and more light-of-sight (LOS) links to capture measured channel data as well as sensing and positioning data. Based on these data, an AI / ML method can be used to create a radio environment map, in which channel information is linked to its corresponding positioning or environment information, and based on this map, an enhanced physical layer design can be provided.

[0080] A sensing coordinator is a node in the network that can assist in sensing operations. These nodes can be standalone nodes dedicated to sensing operations or other nodes (e.g., TRP170, ED110, or core network nodes) that perform sensing operations in parallel with communication transmissions. To meet specific requirements while minimizing signaling overhead and maximizing overall system spectral efficiency, new protocols and signaling mechanisms are needed to enable corresponding interface links to be run with customized parameters.

[0081] AI / ML and sensing techniques require large amounts of data. In order to incorporate AI / ML and sensing into wireless communications, more and more data must be collected, stored, and exchanged. The characteristics of wireless data are multidimensional and very wide-ranging, from sub-6 GHz to millimeter to terahertz carrier frequencies, from space and 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.

[0082] In some embodiments, control information is referred to herein. Control information is sometimes referred to as control signaling or signaling. In some cases, control information may be dynamically communicated at the physical layer, for example, in a control channel, such as a physical uplink control channel (PUCCH) or a physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH) or a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH). An example of dynamically indicated control information is information transmitted in physical layer control signaling, for example, uplink control information (UCI) transmitted in a PUCCH or a PUSCH or downlink control information (DCI) transmitted in a PDCCH. A dynamic indication may be an indication in a lower layer, for example, physical layer / Layer 1 signaling, rather than in a higher layer (e.g., rather than in RRC signaling or MAC CE). A semi-static indication may be an indication in semi-static signaling. As used herein, semi-static signaling may refer to signaling that is not dynamic, e.g., higher layer signaling (e.g., RRC signaling) and / or MAC CE. As used herein, dynamic signaling may refer to signaling that is dynamic, e.g., physical layer control signaling transmitted at the physical layer, such as DCI transmitted on the PDCCH or UCI transmitted on the PUCCH or PUSCH.

[0083] In existing wireless communication systems (e.g., 4G LTE, 5G NR), a grant for uplink (UL) transmission carried in the RAR includes a one-bit field for a CSI request.

[0084] In 4G LTE, this 1-bit CSI request field may be used in a non-contention-based random access procedure (e.g., a radio resource control (RRC) connection is already established for the UE and the UE uses only the random access preamble assigned to the UE itself) to request CSI, so that a CSI report can be received from the UE via a PUSCH scheduled by an RAR UL grant. In a contention-based random access procedure (e.g., an RRC connection is not established for the UE; initial access procedure), this 1-bit CSI request field is reserved and may not be used. In 5G NR, this CSI request field is inherited from 4G LTE, but is reserved in various versions of the 5G NR standard up to Release 17.

[0085] In 5G NR, SSBs are transmitted using one antenna port, and in RRC connected mode, reference signal received power (RSRP) is used for beam measurement and reporting (e.g., CSI reporting). A device (e.g., a UE) has no knowledge of the antenna polarization at a network device (e.g., a base station (BS)). For example, the UE cannot recognize whether the base station transmits and receives signals using a left-handed circularly polarized antenna, a right-handed circularly polarized antenna, a linearly polarized antenna, or a dual-polarized antenna. If the device and the network device have dual-polarized antennas, the network device typically transmits the same SSB signal via the dual-polarized antenna, and the device also performs measurements with the dual-polarized antenna. Figure 5 illustrates a portion of a network 600 including a base station 605 and a UE 610. A single base station beam 607 and a single UE beam 612 are shown as examples, representing only one of many beams that may be used by each device. These beams 607, 612 may be beam pairs previously measured, reported, and / or selected as preferred beam pairs for device-to-device communications at that time. The base station beam 607 and the UE beam 612 are each shown to include two polarization directions, horizontal and vertical, indicated by overlapping horizontal and vertical lines within the "+" symbol. At millimeter wave (mmWave) frequencies, a device (e.g., a UE) performs measurements using its dual-polarized antennas under the same receive beamforming weights. The beam measurement results reported by the device are expected to be comparable to or better than results based on measurements from either of the device's dual-polarized antennas when considered individually, or to be comparable to or better than results based on measurements from the device's polarized antennas across either polarization direction. The exact processing for the measurement (maximum power, average power, etc.) is determined by the device. One-port SSB transmission and reception with dual-polarized antennas is depicted in FIG. 5. Additionally, in RRC connected mode, the device can perform RSRP measurements based on two-port channel state information reference signals (CSI-RS). The RSRP value reported to the network device (e.g., a base station) is the average of the RSRP values ​​measured from the two CSI-RS ports.

[0086] In a co-pending application (Assignee Docket No. 920194963PCT01), the assignee of 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 in mmWave frequency bands. With such a two-port SSB, each SSB port transmits via a base station antenna over one polarization direction (e.g., a −45 degree or +45 degree tilt polarization direction) or over one polarization direction relative to a reference plane, e.g., vertical or horizontal polarization direction relative to the ground.

[0087] FIG. 6 illustrates a base station 705. Three base station beams 707a, 707b, and 707c are shown. Each of the base station beams 707a, 707b, and 707c is shown to include two polarization directions, indicated by overlapping horizontal and vertical lines represented by "+" symbols. To reduce latency and / or overhead, one or more SSBs transmitted through two antenna ports (i.e., one or more two-port SSBs) may be used in the initial access procedure. As illustrated in FIG. 6, each SSB port of a two-port SSB corresponds to a base station antenna spanning one polarization direction (e.g., a -45-degree or +45-degree tilt polarization direction) or one polarization direction relative to a reference plane (e.g., vertical / horizontal polarization direction relative to the ground, ±45-degree tilt polarization direction relative to the light beam emanating from the Earth). A device (e.g., a UE) may map its own dual-polarized antenna to the dual-polarized antenna of a network device (e.g., a base station). Such mapping and association allows the device to reduce the time required for the initial access procedure by performing parallel beam training for dual polarized antennas or dual polarization directions.

[0088] As described above, existing wireless communication systems have limitations when enabling MIMO data transmission. These limitations include a large latency between SSB detection in the initial access procedure and MIMO data transmission in RRC connected mode. The limitations may also include the inability to obtain early CSI. Specifically, a device (e.g., a UE) may not transmit a CSI report using a PUSCH scheduled by an RAR uplink grant in a non-contention-based random access procedure because the device does not know whether a multi-port reference signal (RS) exists or how the multi-port RS is configured until an RRC connection is established.

[0089] Other drawbacks may include the inability of network devices to recognize the quality of polarization subchannels, the separation or interference between polarization subchannels, or both, as illustrated in FIG. 7. FIG. 7 illustrates a portion of a network 800 including a base station 805 and a UE 810. A single base station beam 807 and a single UE beam 812 are shown as examples, each of which is only one of multiple beams that may be used by each device. These beams 807, 812 may be beam pairs previously measured, reported, and / or selected as preferred beam pairs for device-to-device communications at that time. The base station beam 807 and the UE beam 812 are each shown to include two polarization directions, i.e., the polarization direction associated with a dual-polarized antenna, e.g., vertical polarization indicated by a "|" sign above the beam and horizontal polarization indicated by a "-" sign below the beam. Existing beam measurement and / or reporting mechanisms mix measurements across two polarization directions, e.g., from a vertically polarized antenna of the base station 805 to a vertically polarized antenna of the UE 810 (i.e., V2V) and from a horizontally polarized antenna of the base station 805 to a horizontally polarized antenna of the UE 810 (i.e., H2H). As a result, a base station equipped with dual-polarized antennas may not know about the quality of the polarization subchannels for a particular UE, the separation or interference between the polarization subchannels (e.g., vertical polarization direction, horizontal polarization direction, etc.), or both, when using existing beam measurement and / or reporting mechanisms.

[0090] The present disclosure provides systems and methods that can address some or all of the above-described shortcomings of existing communication systems and enable single-user and multi-user MIMO transmission during or immediately thereafter an initial access procedure. Aspects of the present disclosure can reduce the latency between SSB detection in the initial access procedure and MIMO data transmission. This can enable MIMO data transmission earlier than existing communication systems, thereby improving user experience and spectral efficiency.

[0091] 8 illustrates an example signal flow diagram 900 of signaling occurring between a network device 901 and an apparatus 902. This can reduce latency between SSB detection at the apparatus 902 and MIMO transmission by the network device 901 by using a CSI report transmitted via a PUSCH or a PUSCCH in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. For example, the CSI report can be transmitted using a Message-3 (Msg3) PUSCH in the case of contention-based random access. The CSI report relates to the SSB because it is transmitted via two antenna ports and is determined based on measurements of the SSB.

[0092] In step 910, network device 901 (e.g., a base station) transmits one or more two-port SSBs on at least one beam using the dual-polarized antenna of network device 901. Although FIG. 8 depicts the two-port SSBs being transmitted from network device 901 toward device 902 (e.g., UE), network 901 may transmit the two-port SSBs in a broadcast manner. In some embodiments, each antenna port (e.g., each SSB port) of network device 901's two-port SSB corresponds to an antenna of network device 901 spanning one polarization direction (e.g., vertical or horizontal polarization direction, -45 degree or +45 degree tilt polarization direction).

[0093] In step 915, the device 902 may measure a reference signal received power (RSRP) of the SSB and may further measure a CSI report or may determine the CSI based on measurements of one or more SSBs transmitted via a two-port antenna (e.g., a two-port SSB) or a two-port SSB associated with a PRAC transmission. The CSI report may be referred to as a two-port CSI report because the CSI report is based on measurements of a two-port SSB (i.e., an SSB transmitted via two antenna ports).

[0094] In some embodiments, the one or more SSBs transmitted over the two antenna ports in step 910 include one or more signals, such as one or more primary synchronization signals (PSSs), one or more secondary synchronization signals (SSSs), a physical broadcast channel (PBCH), and / or one or more demodulation reference signals for the PBCH.

[0095] In some embodiments, the network device 901 transmits one or more signals indicating system information. The one or more signals indicating system information may be transmitted in a Master Information Block (MIB), a Secondary Information Block (SIB), or both. The MIB or SIB may be included in or outside of one or more two-port SSBs.

[0096] In step 920, the apparatus 902 transmits a random access preamble on a physical random access channel (PRACH) to the network device 901. The PRACH transmission in step 920 is associated with at least one SSB transmitted in step 901.

[0097] In some embodiments, the network device 901 may periodically transmit one or more two-port SSBs in at least one beam using the dual-polarized antenna of the network device 901. This periodic transmission of the one or more two-port SSBs may occur within a random access response (RAR) window 925, as shown in step 930, or within the period between the transmission of a PRACH and the receipt of a request for a CSI report sent by the network device 901 in step 940. In some embodiments, the at least one SSB transmitted in step 930 is associated with the PRACH transmission of step 920. In some embodiments, step 930 is shown in FIG. 8 using dashed arrows, since the periodic transmission of one or more two-port SSBs may or may not occur within the RAR window 925. If one or more two-port SSBs are transmitted within the RAR window 925, a CSI report may be determined based on measurements of the one or more SSBs transmitted in step 930. If a two-port SSB is not transmitted within the RAR window 925, the CSI report may be determined based on measurements of one or more SSBs transmitted in step 910. As discussed in more detail below, periodic transmission of one or more two-port SSBs within the RAR window or other periods described above can be particularly useful when the device is in motion and can provide updated, more relevant SSB measurements compared to the initial SSB measurements in step 910.

[0098] In step 940, the network device 901 sends a request for a CSI report to the apparatus 902. In some embodiments, the request for the CSI report may be sent in an RAR in response to the transmission of the PRACH in step 920.

[0099] Upon receiving the request for the CSI report, the device 902 transmits a response corresponding to the CSI report request in step 950. In some embodiments, the response may be transmitted using the PUSCH during a random access (RA) procedure, for example, using the Msg3 PUSCH. In some embodiments, the response may be transmitted on the PUCCH. The response may include at least one of the CSI report or an indication of whether the CSI report is included in the response. As described above, the CSI report may be determined based on measurements of one or more SSBs transmitted via two antenna ports (i.e., one or more two-port SSBs) in step 910 or step 930. The CSI report may be determined based on measurements of the most recent or last received SSBs associated with a PRACH transmission that is at least X symbols or slots earlier than the symbol or slot in which the PUSCH or PUCCH carrying the CSI report is transmitted, where X is a positive integer.

[0100] In some embodiments, if one or more two-port SSBs are transmitted in step 930, which is within the RAR window 925 or the period between the transmission of the PRACH (in step 920) and the response to the request for a CSI report (in step 940), the device 902 may determine the CSI report based on the most recent measurement of the SSBs associated with the PRACH transmission or the measurement of the one or more two-port SSBs most recently received. These SSBs are newer and therefore more up-to-date than those transmitted in step 910. In this way, the CSI report reported in step 950 can remain up-to-date when an RAR including a CSR report is transmitted to the device 902.

[0101] In step 960, after the network device 901 receives the CSI report, the network device 901 enables multi-layer transmission to the device 902. The CSI report received by the network device 901 may include information about device-specific CSI, or information indicative of subchannel quality, or both. In some embodiments, the information about the device-specific CSI may include at least one of a rank indicator (RI), a channel quality indicator (CQI), or a precoding matrix indicator (PMI), which are primarily used for single-user MIMO transmission for the specific device. In some embodiments of the signal flow diagram 900, the specific device may be the device 902. The information indicative of subchannel quality may include a signal-to-interference-and-noise ratio (SINR) per SSB port, a CQI per SSB port, a SINR per PMI, or a CQI per PMI. The SINR per SSB port, the CQI per SSB port, the SINR per PMI, or the CQI per PMI may reflect the quality of subchannels or the separation between subchannels (e.g., subchannels across vertical polarization directions and subchannels across horizontal polarization directions), or both, to enable intra-device and / or inter-device multiplexing of the same or different signals / channels. The subchannels may be measured at device 902 to determine the quality of the subchannels or the separation between the subchannels. In some cases, device 902 may be a UE. In some cases, information indicative of the quality of the subchannels may also be considered a type or part of CSI.

[0102] 9 illustrates example content of a CSI report 980 transmitted via a PUCCH or PUSCH according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, where the CSI report includes at least one of a rank indicator (RI) or a channel quality indicator (CQI). FIG. 9 illustrates a portion of a network 907 including a network device 901 (e.g., a base station) and an apparatus 902 (e.g., a UE). A single network device beam 977 and a single apparatus beam 982 are shown by way of example, each having two directions indicated by a "+" sign (horizontal polarization direction "-" and vertical polarization direction "|"). In FIG. 9, the CSI report 980 is shown to include an RI of RI=2 and a CQI of CQI=7. While CSI report 980 is shown to include an RI and a CQI, this is merely exemplary, and CSI report 980 may include one or more of an SSB resource indicator (SSBRI), an RSRP, a SINR, an RI, a CQI, a precoding matrix indicator (PMI), an SINR per SSB port, a CQI per SSB port, an SINR per PMI, or a CQI per PMI. In some embodiments, where the CSI report includes an RI indicating a maximum rank, after transmitting the CSI report, device 902 determines whether the maximum number of layers for the physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH) is equal to the value of the advertised rank indicator (i.e., the maximum reported rank) or the smallest integer 2 that is less than or equal to the maximum reported rank. n (n=0, 1, 2, 3, . . . ). Based on this assumption, the apparatus 902 may not wait for an explicit configuration of the maximum MIMO layers of the PDSCH from the network device. For example, if the rank indicator included in the CSI report is greater than 1, e.g., RI=4, the apparatus 902 may assume multi-layer physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH) reception with up to four layers without waiting for receipt of an explicit configuration to receive the multi-layer PDSCH from the network device 901.

[0103] In some embodiments, the CSI report may alternatively or additionally include a SINR or CQI per SSB port, a SINR or CQI per PMI, or some combination thereof. In some embodiments, each SINR or CQI is associated with each SSB port, each PMI, or both. The SINR per SSB port or CQI per SSB port may indicate one or more of subchannel quality, parallel subchannel separation, or parallel subchannel interference. When deriving the SINR or CSI for one (specific) SSB port, one or more other SSB ports of the same SSB may be considered as interferers. In this way, parallel subchannel separation or interference across dual polarization directions is reflected in the reported SINR per SSB port or CQI per SSB port. The SINR per PMI or CQI per PMI may indicate one or more of subchannel quality, parallel subchannel separation, or parallel subchannel interference.

[0104] 10 illustrates another example of the content of a CSI report 981 determined and transmitted from an apparatus 902 (e.g., a UE) to a network device 901 (e.g., a base station) in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The CSI report 981 of FIG. 10 is transmitted via a PUCCH or a PUSCH and is shown to include a per-SSB-port SINR indicating the quality of a subchannel from a vertically polarized antenna of the network device 901 to a vertically polarized antenna of the apparatus 902 (i.e., a V2V SINR) and a per-SSB-port SINR indicating the quality of a subchannel from a horizontally polarized antenna of the network device 901 to a horizontally polarized antenna of the apparatus 902 (i.e., an H2H SINR). In some embodiments, the CSI report is transmitted via a PUCCH or a PUSCH and includes a per-SSB-port CQI, such as a V2V CQI and an H2H CQI. To account for possible movement and / or rotation of network device 901 and / or apparatus 902, in some embodiments, the CSI report may include the SINR or CQI of each SSB port (SINR per SSB port or CQI per SSB port) or the SINR or CQI of each reported PMI (SINR per PMI or CQI per PMI). In such cases, how each SSB port is transmitted by network device 901 (e.g., via polarized antennas across one or more polarization directions or with transmit precoding by multiple antennas) and how each SSB port is received by apparatus 902 (e.g., via polarized antennas across one polarization direction or with receive precoding by multiple antennas) are left to the selection of network device 901 and apparatus 902, respectively.

[0105] Each SINR or CQI is associated with a respective SSB port. Each SSB port may be transmitted via the antenna of network device 901 over one polarization direction. For example, each SSB port may be transmitted from the antenna of network device 901 over a vertical polarization direction or a horizontal polarization direction. The SINR per SSB port or the CQI per SSB port may reflect the reception quality of the subchannel over one polarization direction.

[0106] To enable simultaneous transmission on parallel subchannels across dual polarization directions, each SINR or CQI per SSB port value may be determined based on a particular SSB port and one or more other SSB ports of the same SSB. When determining the SINR or CQI for a particular SSB port, one or more other SSB ports of the same SSB may be considered as interference. In this manner, the determined SINR or CQI included in the CSI report may reflect the isolation or interference between subchannels across dual polarization directions. In some embodiments, the SINR or CQI per SSB port may also facilitate network devices scheduling intra-device spatial multiplexing of signals or channels, polarization domain multiplexing of signals or channels, or both. In some embodiments, the SINR or CQI per SSB port may also facilitate network devices scheduling inter-device spatial multiplexing of signals or channels, polarization domain multiplexing of signals and / or channels.

[0107] In some embodiments, the CSI report includes a SINR per PMI or a CQI per PMI. Each SINR or CQI is associated with a respective PMI. When determining the SINR or CQI for a particular PMI, one or more other PMIs may be considered as interference to that particular PMI. In some embodiments, the SINR per PMI or the CQI per PMI may also facilitate a network device to schedule intra-device multiplexing of signals and / or channels. The network device may schedule multiplexing of the same or different signals and / or channels.

[0108] In accordance with some embodiments, a signaling method is provided to enable transmission of a CSI report associated with one or more SSBs transmitted via two antenna ports (i.e., one or more two-port SSBs). In some embodiments, the CSI report may be transmitted on a PUSCH (e.g., Msg3 PUSCH) or a PUCCH.

[0109] FIG. 11 illustrates a CSI report and / or Demodulation Reference Signal (DMRS) 1 illustrates an example of a signal flow diagram for transmitting configuration information regarding a device.

[0110] In step 1110, the network device 901 (e.g., a base station) may transmit one or more signals to the device 902 (e.g., a UE) carrying configuration information that can be used by the device 902 to determine whether and / or how to generate or transmit a CSI report based on one or more two-port SSBs. Although FIG. 11 depicts the configuration information being transmitted from the network device 901 to the device 902 (e.g., a UE), the network device 901 may transmit the configuration information in a broadcast manner. In some embodiments, the configuration information transmitted in step 1110 may be included in an MIB carried over the PBCH, for example, as part of the signaling transmitted in step 910 of FIG. 8. In some embodiments, the configuration information transmitted in step 1110 may be a separate signaling step, either before or after the signaling transmitted in step 910 of FIG. 8.

[0111] In some embodiments, the configuration information may take the form of system information. The configuration information may be transmitted in a MIB or SIB, or both. In such cases, the configuration information may be transmitted by the network device 901 in, after, or along with one or more two-port SSBs. In other words, in some embodiments, the network device 901 may broadcast the configuration information in, after, or along with one or more two-port SSBs in step 1110. In some embodiments where the configuration information takes the form of system information, if the configuration information is included in the MIB, the configuration is carried over the PBCH, which may be included in one or more two-port SSBs. If the configuration information is included in an SIB, the configuration information is carried over the PDSCH. The configuration information may be transmitted after one or more two-port SSBs (e.g., received by the UE in a slot later than the slot of the two-port SSB) or may be transmitted along with one or more two-port SSBs.

[0112] The information carried by the configuration information may include one or more of: measurement configuration information or configuration information regarding report format configuration for a CSI report based on one or more two-port SSBs (i.e., based on one or more SSBs transmitted via two antenna ports of the network device 901); configuration information indicating whether the CSI report should be transmitted via a PUSCH such as an Msg3 PUSCH; configuration information indicating whether the CSI report should be transmitted via a PUCCH; or information regarding a demodulation reference signal (DMRS) configuration to support multi-layer PDSCH transmission after transmitting the CSI report.

[0113] The configuration information regarding measurement configuration information can relate to, for example, informing device 902 which reference signals (e.g., SSS, PBCH-DMRS, additional CSI-RS, additional CSI-RS for tracking) should be measured in step 910 or 915 of Figure 8 or what measurements (e.g., RSRP, SINR, RI, CQI, PMI, SINR per SSB port, CQI per SSB port, SINT per PMI, CQI per PMI) it can perform in step 915 of Figure 8. The report format configuration information can relate to, for example, informing device 902 what type of report information (e.g., RSRP, SINR, RI, CQI, PMI, SINR per SSB port, CQI per SSB port, SINT per PMI, CQI per PMI) it should send back to network device 901 in step 950 of Figure 8.

[0114] In some embodiments, each of the specified configuration information types may be included in one respective signal. In some embodiments, any number of the specified configuration information types may be included in one signal.

[0115] In some embodiments, the network device 901 may transmit one or more signals including configuration information regarding at least one of measurement configuration information or report format configuration information for one or more dual-port SSB-based CSI reports (i.e., based on one or more SSBs transmitted via two antenna ports of the network device 901) in step 1110. The configuration information regarding at least one of measurement configuration information or report format configuration information for one or more dual-port SSB-based CSI reports includes at least one of information indicating whether an SSB resource indicator (SSBRI) should be reported, information indicating the number of SSBRIs to be reported, information indicating which one or more parameters among SSBRI, RSRP, SINR, RI, CQI, PMI, SINR per SSB port, CQI per SSB port, SINR per PMI, or CQI per PMI should be reported, or information indicating whether the CSI report is limited to an SSB associated with the transmission of the PRACH.

[0116] 11 , after receiving one or more signals carrying a CSI report and / or configuration information related to the DMRS, the apparatus 902 may transmit a response in step 1120, e.g., to the network device 901. The response may include an indication of whether a CSI report is included in the response, the CSI report, or both. The CSI report may be based on measurements of one or more SSBs transmitted via two antenna ports of the network device 901 (i.e., one or more two-port SSBs transmitted from the network device 901). If the response includes a CSI report, the CSI report may be transmitted in the manner described above with respect to step 950 of FIG. 8. Thus, in some embodiments, step 1120 may correspond to step 950 of FIG. 8 or may include information that is part of the signaling transmitted in step 950 of FIG. 8.

[0117] In some embodiments, a network device transmits (e.g., broadcasts) a signal including configuration information (e.g., information to be included in a CSI report) indicating whether a device is expected to determine or measure CSI based on one or more two-port SSBs. The information to be included in a CSI report includes at least one of SSBRI, RSRP, SINR, RI, CQI, PMI, SINR per SSB port, CQI per SSB port, SINR per PMI, or CQI per PMI, where each SINR or CQI is associated with a respective SSB port or a respective PMI, or both. In some embodiments, the signaling including information indicating whether a device is expected to determine or measure CSI based on one or more two-port SSBs may enable the network device to enable this CSI determination or measurement operation in potential devices, e.g., disable this operation if there is no urgent need for MIMO data transmission. This may allow the associated network device and / or device to conserve energy.

[0118] In some embodiments, the network device transmits (broadcasts) a signal including configuration information indicating whether the measurement resource is restricted to the SSB associated with the PRACH transmission. Based on this indication, the device may report CSI for one or more SSBs different from the SSB associated with the PRACH transmission. Because of this indication, the device does not need to be restricted to reporting CSI for the SSB associated with the PRACH transmission, but can report CSI for other recently received SSBs with better reception quality. In some embodiments, the SSBRI may be reported via a PUSCH, such as an Msg3 PUSCH. In some embodiments, the information indicating whether the measurement resource is restricted to the SSB associated with the PRACH transmission may be transmitted in the MIB, the SIB, or both. In this way, the device may report CSI for an SSB or network device beam different from the SSB or network device beam associated with the PRACH transmission, such as when there is cross-SSB or cross-beam movement of the device during the initial access process, as shown in FIG. 12.

[0119] FIG. 12 illustrates an example of determining a CSI report based on an SSB different from an SSB associated with a PRACH transmission, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 12 illustrates a portion of a network 970 including a network device 901 and an apparatus 902. In FIG. 12, SSB#1 and SSB#2 are periodically transmitted in different beam directions, i.e., beams 992 and 994. At a first time instance, the apparatus 902 measures and selects SSB#1 for PRACH transmission. That is, the apparatus 902 selects a PRACH resource, occasion, or sequence associated with SSB#1. Here, SSB#1 is the SSB associated with the PRACH transmission. If the apparatus 902 moves in the direction indicated by arrow 1200, at a second time instance, e.g., in the period between the PRACH transmission and the receipt of the CSI report request, the measurement of SSB#2 may be of better quality than the SSB#1 associated with the PRACH transmission. Thus, a CSI report may be determined based on the measurement of SSB#2.

[0120] In some embodiments, a network device transmits (broadcasts) a signal including configuration information regarding report format configuration information for one or more two-port SSB-based CSI reports to be transmitted from a device to the network device via a PUSCH or a PUCCH. The network device may indicate report format configuration information for a CSI report based on one or more of the following: SSBRI, RSRP, SINR, RI, CQI, PMI, SINR per SSB port, CQI per SSB port, SINR per PMI, or CQI per PMI. For example, the network device may indicate parameters to be reported in the CSI report, such as the SSBRI, RSRP, SINR, RI, CQI, PMI, SINR per SSB port, CQI per SSB port, SINR per PMI, or CQI per PMI. This allows the device to know which information to include in the CSI report. This information may also enable the network device to select a desired operating mode. Examples of operational modes include a device-specific throughput maximization mode, an intra-device polarization domain multiplexing mode, an intra-device PMI-based multiplexing mode, and an inter-device polarization-based multiplexing mode (even when the beams transmitted from the network devices are the same). Report formatting information for one or more two-port SSB-based CSI reports can be transmitted in the MIB or SIB, or both.

[0121] Figure 13 illustrates an example of inter-device polarization-based multiplexing using the same beam transmitted from network devices in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 13 illustrates a portion of a network 970 including a base station 901, a first UE 1301, and a second UE 1302. A single base station beam 1307 is shown. The base station beam 1307 is shown to include two polarization directions: a vertical polarization direction indicated by a "|" sign above the beam and a horizontal polarization direction indicated by a "-" sign below the beam. A signal transmitted by the base station 901 in the vertical polarization direction is detected and received at the first UE 1301 by beam 1304 in the vertical polarization direction, and a signal transmitted by the base station 901 in the horizontal polarization direction is detected and received at the second UE 1302 by beam 1305 in the horizontal polarization direction.

[0122] As described above, upon receiving a request for a CSI report, the device transmits a response to the request for a CSI report. In some embodiments, the device includes in the response an indication of whether a CSI report is included in the response. Provided that the response is transmitted on a PUSCH or a PUCCH, this indication may provide an indication as to whether a CSI report is present in a message carried on the PUSCH or a PUCCH. The indication of whether a CSI report is included in the response to the CSI report request may be necessary because the device may choose not to generate a CSI report for power saving purposes. For example, the network device may broadcast signaling, such as a MIB or SIB, or both, indicating that a CSI report should be transmitted via the PUSCH, e.g., in Msg3, while the device may choose not to generate a CSI report to save energy at the device. If the device chooses not to generate a CSI report, the device may include in the response (e.g., the response to the CSI report request) an indication that a CSI report is not included, so that the network device need not look for the CSI report in the response received from the device. If the CSI report is included in the response, the device may include an indication that the CSI report is included in the response corresponding to the request for the CSI report. In this manner, the complexity of blind detection may be reduced at the network device.

[0123] In some embodiments, a network device may transmit (e.g., broadcast) one or more signals to convey information regarding DMRS configuration information supporting multi-layer (or multi-port) PDSCH transmission. To enable MIMO transmission or multi-layer PDSCH transmission (e.g., two-layer transmission) immediately after transmission of a CSI report via a PUSCH (e.g., Msg3 PUSCH) or a PUCCH, a device may be provided with DMRS configuration information supporting multi-layer PDSCH transmission. Such DMRS configuration information may be provided to a device before enabling MIMO transmission or multi-layer PDSCH transmission. In some embodiments, DMRS configuration information supporting multi-layer PDSCH transmission may be predefined or signaled by a network device using a MIB, SIB, or RAR. In some embodiments in which DMRS configuration information supporting multi-layer PDSCH transmission is signaled using a MIB, SIB, or RAR, a device may determine the presence or bit length of an antenna port indication in a DCI format that the device can detect based on the received DMRS configuration information.

[0124] While one or more steps of the above-described method are based on a dual-polarized antenna with vertical or horizontal polarization, or both, it should be understood that the method may also be performed using a dual-polarized antenna with ±45-degree tilt polarization. Similarly, while one or more steps of the above-described method are based on a dual-polarized antenna with polarizations that differ by approximately 90 degrees (i.e., vertical / horizontal polarization, ±45-degree tilt polarization), it should be understood that the method may also be performed using a dual-polarized antenna with polarizations that differ by an angle other than 90 degrees (e.g., 60 degrees). Furthermore, while one or more steps of the above-described method are based on a dual-polarized antenna with two polarizations, it should be understood that the method may also be performed using an antenna structure or architecture that can be considered as a network device or apparatus equipped with an antenna capable of transmitting or receiving across M polarizations, where M is an integer greater than 2. In this case, the 2-port SSB described above or in the embodiments or examples described elsewhere in this disclosure may be replaced with an M-port SSB.

[0125] Of course, one or more steps of the method 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 an integrated circuit, such as a field programmable gate array (FPGA) or an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC). It will be understood that when modules are software, they may be read by a processor, individually or together, as needed, for processing, in single or multiple instances, in whole or in part, as needed, and the modules themselves may include instructions for further deployment and instantiation.

[0126] Although combinations of features are shown in the illustrated embodiments, 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 shown schematically in the figures. Furthermore, selected features of one example embodiment may be combined with selected features of other example embodiments.

[0127] While the present disclosure has been described with reference to illustrative embodiments, this description is not intended to be construed in a limiting sense. Various modifications and combinations of the illustrative embodiments, as well as other embodiments of the present disclosure, will be apparent to those skilled in the art upon reference to the description. It is therefore intended that the appended claims cover any such modifications or embodiments.

Claims

1. 1. A method by an apparatus for supporting data transmission in a wireless network, comprising: receiving a request for a channel state information (CSI) report associated with one or more synchronization signal physical broadcast channel (SS-PBCH) blocks (SSBs), the one or more SSBs being transmitted via two antenna ports; transmitting a response to the request for the CSI report on a Physical Uplink Shared Channel (PUSCH) or a Physical Uplink Control Channel (PUCCH), the response comprising: an indication of whether the CSI report is included in the response; or the CSI report based on measurements of the one or more SSBs transmitted via the two antenna ports; the transmitting step including at least one of: A method comprising:

2. If receiving the request for the CSI report is in a Random Access Response (RAR), the method further comprises: and transmitting a Physical Random Access Channel (PRACH) before receiving the RAR in response. The method of claim 1.

3. The one or more SSBs transmitted via the two antenna ports are received before transmission of the PRACH. The method of claim 2.

4. the one or more SSBs transmitted via the two antenna ports associated with the transmission of the PRACH are received within a period between the transmission of the PRACH and the reception of the request for the CSI report. The method of claim 2.

5. The CSI report: SSB Resource Indicator (SSBRI), Reference Signal Received Power (RSRP), Signal to Interference and Noise Ratio (SINR), Rank Indicator (RI), Channel Quality Indicator (CQI), Precoding Matrix Indicator (PMI), a signal-to-interference-and-noise ratio (SINR) per SSB port or a CQI per SSB port, where each SINR or CQI is associated with a respective SSB port; or SINR or CQI per PMI, where each SINR or CQI is associated with each PMI at least one of:

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

6. If the CSI report includes the RI indicating the matrix rank, after transmitting the CSI report, the device may determine whether the maximum number of layers of a physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH) is equal to or less than the reported maximum rank or the smallest integer 2 that is less than or equal to the reported maximum rank. ｎ where n=0 to N, where N is an integer. The method of claim 5.

7. For each of the SINR per SSB port or the CQI per SSB port, the SINR per SSB port or the CQI per SSB port is determined based on each SSB port of the same SSB and one or more remaining SSB ports, which are considered as interference during the determination of the SINR per SSB port or the CQI per SSB port.

7. The method according to claim 5 or 6.

8. The CSI report is transmitted from a Message-3 PUSCH during random access (RA).

8. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

9. receiving one or more signals indicating system information in a Master Information Block (MIB), a Secondary Information Block (SIB), or both; 9. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

10. The one or more signals Information regarding at least one of a measurement configuration or a reporting configuration of the CSI report based on the one or more SSBs transmitted via the two antenna ports; Information indicating whether the CSI report should be transmitted via the Message-3 PUSCH; Information indicating whether the CSI report should be transmitted via the PUCCH; and Information about a demodulation reference signal (DMRS) configuration that supports transmission of a multi-layer PDSCH after transmitting the CSI report including one or more of:

10. The method of claim 9.

11. the information regarding the at least one of a measurement configuration or a reporting configuration of the CSI report; Information indicating whether one or more SSBRIs should be reported; information indicating the number of the one or more SSBRIs being reported; Information indicating whether one or more of the following parameters should be reported: SSBRI, RSRP, SINR, RI, CQI, PMI, SINR or CQI per SSB port, SINR or CQI per PMI; or Information indicating whether the CSI report is limited to an SSB associated with a PRACH transmission. at least one of: The method of claim 10.

12. The one or more SSBs transmitted via the two antenna ports are one or more Primary Synchronization Signals (PSS); one or more Secondary Synchronization Signals (SSS); Physical Broadcast Channel (PBCH), and One or more DMRS for PBCH including one or more of:

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

13. the device is a user equipment (UE); 13. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 12.

14. 1. An apparatus for supporting data transmission in a wireless network, comprising: a processor; a computer-readable medium having stored thereon computer-executable instructions that, when executed, cause the processor to perform the method of any one of claims 1 to 13; A device having:

15. 1. A method by a network device for supporting data transmission in a wireless network, comprising: transmitting a request for a channel state information (CSI) report associated with one or more synchronization signal physical broadcast channel (SS-PBCH) blocks (SSBs), the one or more SSBs being transmitted via two antenna ports; receiving a response to the request for the CSI report on a Physical Uplink Shared Channel (PUSCH) or a Physical Uplink Control Channel (PUCCH), the response comprising: an indication of whether the CSI report is included in the response; or the CSI report based on measurements of the one or more SSBs transmitted via the two antenna ports; the receiving includes at least one of: A method comprising:

16. When the request for the CSI report is sent in a Random Access Response (RAR), the method further comprises: receiving a physical random access channel (PRACH) before transmitting the RAR.

16. The method of claim 15.

17. The one or more SSBs transmitted via the two antenna ports are transmitted before receiving the PRACH.

17. The method of claim 16.

18. the one or more SSBs transmitted via the two antenna ports associated with the transmission of the PRACH are transmitted within a period between reception of the PRACH and transmission of the request for the CSI report.

17. The method of claim 16.

19. The CSI report: SSB Resource Indicator (SSBRI), Reference Signal Received Power (RSRP), Signal to Interference and Noise Ratio (SINR), Rank Indicator (RI), Channel Quality Indicator (CQI), Precoding Matrix Indicator (PMI), a signal-to-interference-and-noise ratio (SINR) per SSB port or a CQI per SSB port, where each SINR or CQI is associated with a respective SSB port; or SINR or CQI per PMI, where each SINR or CQI is associated with each PMI at least one of:

19. The method of any one of claims 15 to 18.

20. If the CSI report includes the RI indicating the matrix rank, after receiving the CSI report, the network device may determine whether the maximum number of layers of a physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH) is equal to or less than the reported maximum rank, or the smallest integer 2 that is less than or equal to the reported maximum rank. ｎ where n=0 to N, where N is an integer.

20. The method of claim 19.

21. For each of the SINR per SSB port or the CQI per SSB port, the SINR per SSB port or the CQI per SSB port is determined based on each SSB port of the same SSB and one or more remaining SSB ports, which are considered as interference during the determination of the SINR per SSB port or the CQI per SSB port.

21. The method of claim 19 or 20.

22. The network device receives the CSI report from a Message-3 PUSCH during random access (RA).

22. The method of any one of claims 15 to 21.

23. transmitting one or more signals indicating system information in a Master Information Block (MIB), a Secondary Information Block (SIB), or both.

23. The method of any one of claims 15 to 22.

24. The one or more signals Information regarding at least one of a measurement configuration or a reporting configuration of the CSI report based on the one or more SSBs transmitted via the two antenna ports; Information indicating whether the CSI report should be transmitted via the Message-3 PUSCH; Information indicating whether the CSI report should be transmitted via the PUCCH; and Information about a demodulation reference signal (DMRS) configuration that supports transmission of a multi-layer PDSCH after transmitting the CSI report including one or more of:

24. The method of claim 23.

25. the information regarding the at least one of a measurement configuration or a reporting configuration of the CSI report; Information indicating whether one or more SSBRIs should be reported; information indicating the number of the one or more SSBRIs being reported; Information indicating whether one or more of the following parameters should be reported: SSBRI, RSRP, SINR, RI, CQI, PMI, SINR or CQI per SSB port, SINR or CQI per PMI; or Information indicating whether the CSI report is limited to an SSB associated with a PRACH transmission. at least one of:

25. The method of claim 24.

26. The one or more SSBs transmitted via the two antenna ports are one or more Primary Synchronization Signals (PSS); one or more Secondary Synchronization Signals (SSS); Physical Broadcast Channel (PBCH), and One or more DMRS for PBCH including one or more of:

26. The method of any one of claims 15 to 25.

27. the network device is a base station; 27. The method of any one of claims 15 to 26.

28. 1. A network device supporting data transmission in a wireless network, comprising: a processor; a computer-readable medium having stored thereon computer-executable instructions that, when executed, cause the processor to perform the method of any one of claims 15 to 27; A network device having:

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