Mapping between the control beam and the data channel beam

Abstract

More specifically regarding the communication system, this concerns the mapping between the control channel beam and the data channel beam. [Solution] A beam tracking technique is needed to reduce the time required to perform the beamforming procedure and reduce beam overhead. The device may determine a mapping between a first beam associated with a first type of channel and a second beam associated with a second type of channel. In some embodiments, the first type of channel may be different from the second type of channel. The device may receive the first beam associated with the first type of channel and the second beam associated with the second type of channel. In some embodiments, the first and second beams may be received from a second device.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] Cross-reference of related applications This application claims the benefits of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62 / 379,208, filed on 24 August 2016, entitled “MAPPING BETWEEN CONTROL AND DATA BEAMS,” and U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 426,878, filed on 7 February 2017, entitled “MAPPING BETWEEN A CONTROL BEAM AND A DATA CHANNEL BEAM,” which are expressly incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

[0002] This disclosure relates in general to communication systems, and more specifically to mapping between control channel beams and data channel beams. [Background technology]

[0003] Wireless communication systems are widely deployed to provide a variety of telecommunications services, including telephone, video, data, messaging, and broadcast. Typical wireless communication systems may employ multiple access technologies that enable communication with multiple users by sharing available system resources. Examples of such multiple access technologies include code division multiple access (CDMA) systems, time division multiple access (TDMA) systems, frequency division multiple access (FDMA) systems, orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA) systems, single-carrier frequency division multiple access (SC-FDMA) systems, and time division synchronous code division multiple access (TD-SCDMA) systems.

[0004] These multiple access technologies are employed in various telecommunications standards to provide a common protocol that enables various wireless devices to communicate at the city, national, regional, and even global levels. An exemplary telecommunications standard is Long Term Evolution (LTE). LTE is a set of extensions to the Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) mobile standard published by the Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP®). LTE is designed to support mobile broadband access through improved spectral efficiency, lower costs, and enhanced service by using OFDMA on the downlink, SC-FDMA on the uplink, and multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) antenna technology. However, as the demand for mobile broadband access continues to grow, further improvements to LTE technology are needed. These improvements may also be applicable to other multiple access technologies and the telecommunications standards that employ them. [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0005] One way to meet the growing demand for mobile broadband is to utilize the millimeter-wave (mmW) spectrum in addition to LTE. However, communications using the mmW radio frequency band have extremely high path loss and short range. Beamforming can be used to compensate for the extremely high path loss and short range. Currently, there is a need for beamforming techniques and methods to provide seamless and continuous coverage to UEs operating in the mmW radio frequency band. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] Below, a simplified overview of one or more embodiments is provided to enable a basic understanding of such embodiments. This overview is not a comprehensive outline of all possible embodiments, nor is it intended to identify the main or important elements of all embodiments, nor to define the scope of any or all embodiments. Its sole purpose is to present some concepts of one or more embodiments in a simplified form as an introduction to the more detailed explanations that will be presented later.

[0007] One way to meet the growing demand for mobile broadband might be to utilize the mmW spectrum in addition to LTE. Communications using the mmW radio frequency band have extremely high path loss and short range. Beamforming can be used to compensate for the extremely high path loss and short range. However, because mmW base stations may have many antennas and user equipment (UEs) may have many subarrays, the number of potential beams that may need to be scanned during the beamforming procedure can be quite large, especially when the control channel and associated data channel are transmitted using different beams. Scanning processes for a large number of potential beams can take an undesirably long time and create significant beam overhead. Beam tracking techniques are needed to reduce the time required to perform beamforming procedures and reduce beam overhead.

[0008] This disclosure provides a solution to this problem by providing a relationship between a beam used for a control channel and a beam used for an associated data channel. In a first aspect, the beam used for the control channel and the beam used for the associated data channel may be correlated through an explicit or implicit mapping of different beams. In a second aspect, the relationship between the beam used for the control channel and the beam used for the associated data channel may be independent, without explicit or implicit mapping. In the second aspect, these beams may be selected without any correlation between them, based on signaling indicating which beam is used for the control channel and which beam is used for the data channel. In this way, this disclosure can speed up the beamforming procedure and reduce beam overhead by reducing the number of potential beams that may need to be scanned.

[0009] In some aspects of this disclosure, methods, computer-readable media, and apparatus are provided. The apparatus can determine a mapping between a first beam associated with a first type of channel and a second beam associated with a second type of channel. In some aspects, the first type of channel may be different from the second type of channel. The apparatus can receive the first beam associated with the first type of channel and the second beam associated with the second type of channel. In some aspects, the first and second beams may be received from a second device.

[0010] To achieve the objectives relating to the above, one or more embodiments shall have features that are fully described below and, in particular, pointed out in the claims. The following description and accompanying drawings shall describe in detail some exemplary features of one or more embodiments. However, these features shall represent only a few of the various ways in which the principles of the various embodiments may be utilized, and this description shall include all such embodiments and their equivalents. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0011] [Figure 1] This figure shows examples of wireless communication systems and access networks. [Figure 2A] This figure shows an example of LTE with a DL frame structure. [Figure 2B] This figure shows an example of an LTE DL channel within a DL frame structure. [Figure 2C] This figure shows an example of LTE with a UL frame structure. [Figure 2D] This figure shows an example of LTE using a UL channel within a UL frame structure. [Figure 3] This diagram shows examples of evolved Node B (eNB) and user equipment (UE) within an access network. [Figure 4A] This is a diagram of an mmW communication system that may enable synchronization and beam tracking procedures according to some aspects of the present disclosure. [Figure 4B] This is a diagram of a first group of beams that may be used according to some aspects of this disclosure. [Figure 4C] This is a diagram of a second group of beams that may be used according to some aspects of this disclosure. [Figure 4D] This is a diagram of a first set of fine beams that may be used according to some aspects of the present disclosure. [Figure 4E] This is a diagram of a second set of fine beams that may be used according to some aspects of the present disclosure. [Figure 4F] This is a diagram of an mmW communication system that may provide a relationship between a control channel beam and a data channel beam according to some aspects of the present disclosure. [Figure 5A] This is a flowchart of a wireless communication method. [Figure 5B] This is a flowchart of a wireless communication method. [Figure 5C] This is a flowchart of a wireless communication method. [Figure 6]This is a conceptual data flow diagram illustrating the data flow between different means / components within an exemplary device. [Figure 7] This figure shows examples of hardware implementation configurations for devices that utilize the processing system. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0012] The modes for carrying out the invention described below with respect to the attached drawings are intended to illustrate various configurations and are not intended to represent only the configurations in which the concepts described herein can be put into practice. The detailed descriptions include specific details for the purpose of giving a complete understanding of the various concepts. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that these concepts may be put into practice without these specific details. In some cases, well-known structures and components are shown in the form of block diagrams to avoid obscuring such concepts.

[0013] Herein, several embodiments of telecommunications systems are presented with reference to various devices and methods. These devices and methods are described in embodiments for carrying out the following inventions and are shown in the accompanying drawings by various blocks, components, circuits, processes, algorithms, etc. (collectively referred to as “elements”). These elements may be implemented using electronic hardware, computer software, or any combination thereof. Whether such elements are implemented as hardware or software depends on the specific application and the design constraints imposed on the overall system.

[0014] For example, an element, or any part of an element, or any combination of elements, may be implemented as a “processing system” including one or more processors. Examples of processors include microprocessors, microcontrollers, graphics processing units (GPUs), central processing units (CPUs), application processors, digital signal processors (DSPs), reduced instruction set computing (RISC) processors, system-on-chip (SoCs), baseband processors, field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), programmable logic devices (PLDs), state machines, gate logic, discrete hardware circuits, and other suitable hardware configured to perform the various functions described throughout this disclosure. One or more processors in a processing system may execute software. Regardless of the names used, such as software, firmware, middleware, microcode, and hardware description language, software should be interpreted broadly to mean instructions, instruction sets, code, code segments, program code, programs, subprograms, software components, applications, software applications, software packages, routines, subroutines, objects, executable files, execution threads, procedures, functions, etc.

[0015] Accordingly, in one or more exemplary embodiments, the functions described may be implemented in hardware, software, or any combination thereof. If implemented in software, the functions may be stored on a computer-readable medium or encoded on a computer-readable medium as one or more instructions or codes. Computer-readable medium includes computer storage medium. Storage medium can be any available medium accessible by a computer. Such computer-readable medium may include, but not limited to, random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), electrically erasable programmable ROM (EEPROM), optical disk storage, magnetic disk storage, other magnetic storage devices, combinations of the computer-readable media of the types described above, or any other medium available for storing computer executable code in the form of instructions or data structures accessible by a computer.

[0016] Figure 1 shows an example of a wireless communication system and access network 100. The wireless communication system (also called a Wireless Wide Area Network (WWAN)) includes a base station 102, an UE 104, and an Evolved Packet Core (EPC) 160. The base station 102 may include macrocells (high-power cellular base stations) and / or small cells (low-power cellular base stations). Macrocells include eNBs. Small cells include femtocells, picocells, and microcells.

[0017] Base stations 102 (collectively referred to as the Evolved Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) Terrestrial Radio Access Network (E-UTRAN)) interface with EPC 160 via backhaul link 132 (e.g., S1 interface). In addition to other functions, base stations 102 can perform one or more of the following functions: transfer of user data, encryption and decryption of radio channels, integrity protection, header compression, mobility control functions (e.g., handover, dual connectivity), inter-cell interference coordination, connection setup and release, load balancing, distribution for non-access layer (NAS) messages, NAS node selection, synchronization, radio access network (RAN) sharing, multimedia broadcast multicast service (MBMS), subscriber and equipment tracing, RAN information management (RIM), paging, positioning, and delivery of alert messages. Base stations 102 can communicate with each other directly or indirectly (e.g., via EPC 160) over backhaul link 134 (e.g., X2 interface). Backhaul link 134 may be wired or wireless.

[0018] Base station 102 can communicate wirelessly with UE 104. Each base station 102 may provide communication coverage to its respective geographical coverage area 110. There may be overlapping geographical coverage areas 110. For example, a small cell 102' may have a coverage area 110' that overlaps with the coverage area 110 of one or more macro base stations 102. A network containing both small cells and macro cells may be known as a heterogeneous network. A heterogeneous network may also include Home Evolved Node B (eNB) (HeNB) which may serve a limited group known as a Limited Subscriber Group (CSG). The communication link 120 between base station 102 and UE 104 may include uplink (UL) transmissions from UE 104 to base station 102 (also called a reverse link) and / or downlink (DL) transmissions from base station 102 to UE 104 (also called a forward link). Communication link 120 may utilize MIMO antenna technology, including spatial multiplexing, beamforming, and / or transmit diversity. The communication link may traverse one or more carriers. Base station 102 / UE104 may use a spectrum with bandwidths of up to Y MHz (e.g., 5, 10, 15, 20 MHz) per carrier, allocated in carrier aggregation of up to Yx MHz (x component carriers) in total for transmission in each direction. Carriers may be adjacent or not adjacent to each other. Carrier allocation may be asymmetric with respect to DL and UL (e.g., more or fewer carriers may be allocated to DL than to UL). Component carriers may include primary component carriers and one or more secondary component carriers. Primary component carriers may be called primary cells (PCells), and secondary component carriers may be called secondary cells (SCells).

[0019] The wireless communication system may further include a Wi-Fi access point (AP) 150 communicating with a Wi-Fi station (STA) 152 via a communication link 154 in the 5 GHz unlicensed frequency spectrum. When communicating in the unlicensed frequency spectrum, the STA 152 / AP 150 may perform a clear channel assessment (CCA) before communication to determine whether the channel is available.

[0020] Small cell 102' can operate in licensed and / or unlicensed frequency spectrums. When operating in the unlicensed frequency spectrum, small cell 102' can utilize LTE and use the same 5GHz unlicensed frequency spectrum used by Wi-Fi AP150. Small cell 102' utilizing LTE in the unlicensed frequency spectrum can extend coverage to the access network and / or increase the capacity of the access network. LTE in the unlicensed spectrum is sometimes referred to as LTE-unlicensed (LTE-U), licensed assisted access (LAA), or MuLTEfire.

[0021] A millimeter-wave (mmW) base station 180 may operate at mmW frequencies and / or near-mmW frequencies when communicating with a UE 182. Extremely high frequency (EHF) is a part of RF in the electromagnetic spectrum. EHF has wavelengths between 30 GHz and 300 GHz and between 1 mm and 10 mm. Radio waves in this band are sometimes called millimeter waves. Near-mmW has wavelengths of 100 mm and can extend up to 3 GHz. The super high frequency (SHF) band, also called centimeter waves, extends between 3 GHz and 30 GHz. Communications using the mmW / near-mmW radio frequency band have extremely high path loss and short range. To compensate for the extremely high path loss and short range, the mmW base station 180 may utilize beamforming 184 for the UE 182.

[0022] EPC160 may include a Mobility Management Entity (MME) 162, another MME 164, a Serving Gateway 166, a Multimedia Broadcast Multicast Service (MBMS) Gateway 168, a Broadcast Multicast Service Center (BM-SC) 170, and a Packet Data Network (PDN) Gateway 172. MME 162 may communicate with a Home Subscriber Server (HSS) 174. MME 162 is a control node that handles signaling between UE 104 and EPC160. Generally, MME 162 provides bearer and connection management. All user Internet Protocol (IP) packets are forwarded through the Serving Gateway 166, which itself is connected to the PDN Gateway 172. The PDN Gateway 172 provides IP address allocation for UEs and other functions. The PDN Gateway 172 and BM-SC 170 are connected to the IP Service 176. IP service 176 may include the Internet, intranet, IP multimedia subsystem (IMS), PS streaming service (PSS), and / or other IP services. BM-SC170 may provide functionality for provisioning and delivering MBMS user services. BM-SC170 may act as an entry point for content provider MBMS transmissions, may be used to authorize and initiate MBMS bearer services within a public land mobile network (PLMN), and may be used to schedule MBMS transmissions. MBMS gateway 168 may be used to deliver MBMS traffic to base stations 102 belonging to a multicast broadcast single frequency network (MBSFN) area broadcasting specific services, and may be responsible for session management (start / stop) and collecting eMBMS-related billing information.

[0023] A base station may also be called Node B, evolved Node B (eNB), access point, transceiver base station, radio base station, radio transceiver, transceiver function, basic service set (BSS), extended service set (ESS), or any other appropriate term. Base station 102 provides UE 104 with an access point to EPC 160. Examples of UE 104 include mobile phones, smartphones, Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) phones, laptops, personal digital assistants (PDAs), satellite radios, global positioning systems, multimedia devices, video devices, digital audio players (e.g., MP3 players), cameras, game consoles, tablets, smart devices, wearable devices, or any other similar functional devices. UE 104 may also be called station, mobile station, subscriber station, mobile unit, subscriber unit, wireless unit, remote unit, mobile device, wireless device, wireless communication device, remote device, mobile subscriber station, access terminal, mobile terminal, wireless terminal, remote terminal, handset, user agent, mobile client, client, or any other appropriate term.

[0024] Referring again to Figure 1, in some embodiments, the UE104 and mmW base station 180 may be configured to determine the mapping between the beam used for the control channel and the different beam used for the associated data channel (198).

[0025] Figure 2A is Figure 200, which shows an example of a DL frame structure in LTE. Figure 2B is Figure 230, which shows an example of a channel within a DL frame structure in LTE. Figure 2C is Figure 250, which shows an example of a UL frame structure in LTE. Figure 2D is Figure 280, which shows an example of a channel within a UL frame structure in LTE. Other wireless communication technologies may have different frame structures and / or different channels. In LTE, a frame (10ms) may be divided into 10 subframes of equal size. Each subframe may contain two consecutive time slots. A resource grid may be used to represent two time slots, and each time slot contains one or more concurrent resource blocks (RBs) (also called physical RBs (PRBs)). A resource grid is divided into multiple resource elements (REs). In LTE, for a normally cyclic prefix, an RB contains 12 consecutive subcarriers in the frequency domain and 7 consecutive symbols (OFDM symbols for DL, SC-FDMA symbols for UL) for a total of 84 REs. For extended cyclic prefixes, the RB contains 12 consecutive subcarriers in the frequency domain and 6 consecutive symbols in the time domain for a total of 72 REs. The number of bits carried by each RE depends on the modulation scheme.

[0026] As shown in Figure 2A, some of the REs carry DL reference (pilot) signals (DL-RS) for channel estimation in the UE. DL-RS may include a cell-specific reference signal (CRS) (sometimes called a common RS), a UE-specific reference signal (UE-RS), and a channel status information reference signal (CSI-RS). Figure 2A shows the CRSs for antenna ports 0, 1, 2, and 3 (shown as R0, R1, R2, and R3, respectively), the UE-RS for antenna port 5 (shown as R5), and the CSI-RS for antenna port 15 (shown as R). Figure 2B shows examples of various channels within the DL subframe of a frame. The Physical Control Format Indicator Channel (PCFICH) is located in symbol 0 of slot 0 and carries a Control Format Indicator (CFI) indicating whether the Physical Downlink Control Channel (PDCCH) occupies one, two, or three symbols (Figure 2B shows a PDCCH occupying three symbols). A PDCCH carries downlink control information (DCI) within one or more control channel elements (CCEs), each CCE containing nine RE groups (REGs), and each REG containing four consecutive REs in an OFDM symbol. A UE may consist of a UE-specific enhanced PDCCH (ePDCCH) that also carries DCI. An ePDCCH may have two, four, or eight RB pairs (Figure 2B shows two RB pairs, with each subset containing one RB pair). A physical hybrid automatic retransmission request (ARQ) (HARQ) indicator channel (PHICH) is also located within symbol 0 in slot 0 and carries a HARQ indicator (HI) indicating HARQ acknowledgment (ACK) / negative acknowledgment (NACK) feedback based on the physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH). The primary synchronization channel (PSCH) is located within symbol 6 of slot 0 in subframes 0 and 5 of the frame and carries the primary synchronization signal (PSS) used by the UE to determine subframe timing and physical layer identification information.The Secondary Synchronization Channel (SSCH) is located in symbol 5 of slot 0 within subframes 0 and 5 of the frame and carries the Secondary Synchronization Signal (SSS), which is used by the UE to determine the Physical Layer Cell Identification Group Number. Based on the Physical Layer Identification and Physical Layer Cell Identification Group Number, the UE can determine the Physical Cell Identifier (PCI). Based on the PCI, the UE can determine the location of the DL-RS mentioned above. The Physical Broadcast Channel (PBCH) is located in symbols 0, 1, 2, and 3 of slot 1 in subframe 0 of the frame and carries the Master Information Block (MIB). The MIB provides the number of RBs within the DL system bandwidth, the PBCH configuration, and the System Frame Number (SFN). The Physical Downlink Shared Channel (PDSCH) carries user data, broadcast system information not transmitted via the PBCH, such as the System Information Block (SIB), and paging messages.

[0027] As shown in Figure 2C, some of the REs carry demodulated reference signals (DM-RS) for channel estimation in the eNB. The UE may also transmit a sounding reference signal (SRS) at the last symbol of a subframe. The SRS may have a comb structure, and the UE may transmit the SRS on one of the combs. The SRS may be used by the eNB for channel quality estimation to enable frequency-dependent scheduling on the UL. Figure 2D shows examples of various channels within a UL subframe of a frame. A physical random access channel (PRACH) may be in one or more subframes within a frame based on the PRACH configuration. A PRACH may contain six consecutive RB pairs within a subframe. The PRACH allows the UE to perform initial system access and achieve UL synchronization. A physical uplink control channel (PUCCH) may be located at the edge of the UL system bandwidth. PUCCH carries scheduling requests, channel quality indicators (CQI), precoding matrix indicators (PMI), rank indicators (RI), and uplink control information (UCI) such as HARQ ACK / NACK feedback. PUCCH may also be used to carry data, buffer status reports (BSR), power headroom reports (PHR), and / or UCI.

[0028] Figure 3 is a block diagram of the eNB310 communicating with the UE350 in the access network. In DL, IP packets from EPC160 may be provided to the controller / processor 375. The controller / processor 375 implements Layer 3 and Layer 2 functions. Layer 3 includes the Radio Resource Control (RRC) layer, and Layer 2 includes the Packet Data Convergence Protocol (PDCP) layer, the Radio Link Control (RLC) layer, and the Medium Access Control (MAC) layer. The controller / processor 375 provides RRC layer functions related to broadcasting system information (e.g., MIB, SIB), RRC connection control (e.g., RRC connection paging, RRC connection establishment, RRC connection correction, and RRC connection release), inter-radio access technology (RAT) mobility, and measurement configuration for UE measurement reporting; PDCP layer functions related to header compression / decompression, security (encryption, decryption, integrity protection, integrity verification), and handover support functions; RLC layer functions related to forwarding upper layer packet data units (PDUs), error correction via ARQ, concatenation, segmentation, and reassembly of RLC service data units (SDUs), re-segmentation of RLC data PDUs, and reordering of RLC data PDUs; and MAC layer functions related to mapping between logical channels and transport channels, multiplexing MAC SDUs onto transport blocks (TBs), demultiplexing MAC SDUs from TBs, scheduling information reporting, error correction via HARQ, priority processing, and logical channel prioritization.

[0029] The transmit (TX) processor 316 and the receive (RX) processor 370 implement Layer 1 functions associated with various signal processing functions. Layer 1, including the physical (PHY) layer, may include error detection on the transport channel, forward error correction (FEC) coding / decoding of the transport channel, interleaving, rate matching, mapping to the physical channel, modulation / demodulation of the physical channel, and MIMO antenna processing. The TX processor 316 handles mapping to signal constellations based on various modulation schemes (e.g., 2-phase shift keying (BPSK), 4-phase shift keying (QPSK), M-phase shift keying (M-PSK), M-quadrature amplitude modulation (M-QAM)). Coded and modulated symbols may then be divided into parallel streams. Each stream may then be mapped to an OFDM subcarrier to generate a physical channel that carries a time-domain OFDM symbol stream, multiplexed with a reference signal (e.g., a pilot) in the time-domain and / or frequency-domain, and then synthesized together using an inverse fast Fourier transform (IFFT). The OFDM streams are spatially precoded to generate multiple spatial streams. Channel estimates from channel estimator 374 may be used to determine the coding and modulation scheme, as well as for spatial processing. Channel estimates may be derived from a reference signal and / or channel state feedback transmitted by UE350. Each spatial stream may then be provided to different antennas 320 via a separate transmitter 318TX. Each transmitter 318TX can modulate RF carriers on its respective spatial stream for transmission.

[0030] In the UE350, each receiver 354RX receives signals through its respective antenna 352. Each receiver 354RX reconstructs the information modulated on the RF carrier and provides this information to the receiver (RX) processor 356. The TX processor 368 and RX processor 356 implement Layer 1 functions related to various signal processing functions. The RX processor 356 can perform spatial processing on the information to reconstruct any spatial stream destined for the UE350. If multiple spatial streams are destined for the UE350, the multiple spatial streams may be combined into a single OFDM symbol stream by the RX processor 356. The RX processor 356 then uses a Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) to convert the OFDM symbol stream from the time domain to the frequency domain. The frequency domain signal has a separate OFDM symbol stream for each subcarrier of the OFDM signal. The symbol and reference signals on each subcarrier are reconstructed and demodulated by determining the most likely signal constellation point transmitted by the eNB310. These soft decisions may be based on channel estimates calculated by the channel estimator 358. The soft decisions are then decoded and deinterleaved to recover the data and control signals initially transmitted by the eNB 310 on the physical channel. The data and control signals are then provided to the controller / processor 359, which implements the Layer 3 and Layer 2 functions.

[0031] The controller / processor 359 may be associated with memory 360, which stores program code and data. Memory 360 is sometimes referred to as computer-readable media. In UL, the controller / processor 359 performs demultiplexing between transport and logical channels, packet reassembly, decoding, header decompression, and control signal processing to reconstruct IP packets from the EPC160. The controller / processor 359 is also responsible for error detection using the ACK and / or NACK protocols to support HARQ operation.

[0032] Similar to the functions described for DL ​​transmission by eNB310, the controller / processor 359 provides RRC layer functions associated with system information (e.g., MIB, SIB) acquisition, RRC connectivity, and measurement reporting; PDCP layer functions associated with header compression / decompression and security (encryption, decryption, integrity protection, integrity verification); RLC layer functions associated with the transfer of upper layer PDUs, error correction via ARQ, concatenation, segmentation, and reassembly of RLC SDUs, resegmentation of RLC data PDUs, and sorting of RLC data PDUs; and MAC layer functions associated with mapping between logical channels and transport channels, multiplexing MAC SDUs onto TB, demultiplexing MAC SDUs from TB, scheduling information reporting, error correction via HARQ, priority processing, and logical channel prioritization.

[0033] The channel estimate derived by the channel estimator 358 from a reference signal or feedback transmitted by the eNB310 may be used by the TX processor 368 to select an appropriate coding and modulation scheme, and to facilitate spatial processing. The spatial stream generated by the TX processor 368 may be provided to different antennas 352 via a separate transmitter 354TX. Each transmitter 354TX can modulate the RF carrier in its respective spatial stream for transmission.

[0034] UL transmission is processed in the eNB310 in a manner similar to that described for the receiver function in the UE350. Each receiver 318RX receives the signal through its respective antenna 320. Each receiver 318RX reconstructs the information modulated on the RF carrier and provides this information to the RX processor 370.

[0035] The controller / processor 375 may be associated with memory 376 that stores program code and data. Memory 376 is sometimes referred to as computer-readable media. In UL, the controller / processor 375 performs demultiplexing between transport and logical channels, packet reassembly, decoding, header decompression, and control signal processing to reconstruct IP packets from the UE350. IP packets from the controller / processor 375 may be supplied to the EPC160. The controller / processor 375 is also responsible for error detection, supporting HARQ operation using the ACK and / or NACK protocols.

[0036] One way to meet the growing demand for mobile broadband might be to utilize the mmW spectrum in addition to LTE. mmW communication systems can operate in the ultra-high frequency band (e.g., 10.0 GHz to 300.0 GHz) where the carrier wavelength is on the order of millimeters. mmW systems may operate with the help of several antennas and beamforming to overcome low-gain channels. For example, significant attenuation in the high carrier frequency band can limit the range of the transmitted signal to tens of meters (e.g., 1 to 50 meters). Also, the presence of obstacles (e.g., walls, furniture, people, etc.) can obstruct the propagation of high-frequency millimeter waves. Therefore, the propagation characteristics of high carrier frequencies require directional beamforming between the mmW base station and UE, which concentrates the transmitted energy in specific spatial directions corresponding to the main spatial scatterers, reflectors, and / or diffraction paths, in order to eliminate losses. Beamforming can be implemented via an array of antennas (e.g., a phased array) that cooperate to beamform a high-frequency signal in a specific direction toward a receiving device, thereby extending the distance of the signal.

[0037] During beamforming, the UE can estimate channel characteristics associated with one or more potential access beams and transmit the estimated channel characteristics and associated information to the mmW base station. For example, the channel characteristics of at least one beam reference signal (BRS) and / or at least one beam refinement reference signal (BRRS) associated with each of the potential access beams may be estimated by the UE. Using the estimated channel characteristics and associated information for each of the potential access beams, the mmW base station can select the access beam with the most desirable channel characteristics and adjust the phase shift of each antenna port used to transmit the channel so that the channel is spatially focused toward the first device. A spatially focused channel may have a better SNR (e.g., the level of the desired signal compared to the level of background noise) than a spatially unfocused channel. Transmitting a channel with a better SNR (e.g., compared to a channel with a worse SNR) can increase the data rate that can be received at the first device.

[0038] Figure 4A shows an example of a mmW communication system 400 capable of beamforming. The mmW communication system 400 includes a UE 431 and a mmW base station 432. In one embodiment, the UE 431 and the mmW base station 432 can perform initial synchronization and discovery to establish an access link that can be used for mmW communication. For example, the UE 431 and the mmW base station 432 can establish an access link along a route 417. During initial synchronization, the mmW base station 432 may transmit a signal (e.g., a beam reference signal (BRS)) in a first set of beams (e.g., beams 401, 403, 405, 407) during a first symbol of a synchronization subframe, and the same signal in a second set of beams (e.g., beams 409, 411, 413, 415) during a second symbol of a synchronization subframe received by the UE 431.

[0039] In a first embodiment, the first set of beams may include beams 401, 403, 405, 407 and the second set of beams 409, 411, 413, 415. In one embodiment, the first set of beams may be non-adjacent beams selected from the first group of beams, as discussed below with respect to Figure 4B. In another embodiment, the second set of beams may be non-adjacent beams selected from the second group of beams, as discussed below with respect to Figure 4C. By selecting non-adjacent beams, the mmW base station 432 can sweep a "coarse" beam direction to estimate L directions (also called beamforming directions or angles) corresponding to L beam paths without having to sweep all potential beams during synchronization.

[0040] Figure 4B shows a first group 425 of fine beams separated by an angle less than θ. The group of beams 425 shown in Figure 4B includes eight different beams spatially concentrated in different directions. For example, the group of beams 425 includes beam 1401 spatially concentrated in a first direction, beam 2402 spatially concentrated in a second direction, beam 3403 spatially concentrated in a third direction, beam 4404 spatially concentrated in a fourth direction, beam 5405 spatially concentrated in a fifth direction, beam 6406 spatially concentrated in a sixth direction, beam 7407 spatially concentrated in a seventh direction, and beam 8408 spatially concentrated in an eighth direction. The number of beams shown in Figure 4B is intended to be illustrative, and those skilled in the art will understand that more or fewer beams may be included in the first group of beams without departing from the scope of this disclosure.

[0041] Figure 4C shows a second group 435 of fine beams separated by an angle smaller than θ. The group of beams 435 shown in Figure 4C includes eight different beams spatially concentrated in different directions. For example, group 435 includes beam 9409 spatially concentrated in the ninth direction and beam 9409 spatially concentrated in the tenth direction. 10 410 and a beam spatially concentrated in the 11th direction. 11411, a beam spatially focused in a twelfth direction 12 412, a beam spatially focused in a thirteenth direction 13 413, a beam spatially focused in a fourteenth direction 14 414, a beam spatially focused in a fifteenth direction 15 415, a beam spatially focused in a sixteenth direction 16 and 416. It is intended that the number of beams shown in FIG. 4C is exemplary, and a person skilled in the art will understand that a larger or smaller number of beams may be included in the second group of beams without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

[0042] Referring again to FIG. 4A, UE 431 selects the strongest beam in the first set of beams (e.g., the beam n ) and the strongest beam in the second set of beams (e.g., the beam v ) can be determined. For example, the beam n may be beam 5405, and the beam v may be the beam 13 413. In the specific example shown in FIG. 4A, n=5 and v=13. However, the values of n and v are not limited to those shown in FIG. 4A.

[0043] After performing initial synchronization and discovery using the first set of beams and the second set of beams, UE 431 and mmW base station 432 may each have an estimate of L directions (also referred to as beamforming directions or angles) corresponding to L beam paths from mmW base station 432 to UE 431 (e.g., 401, 403, 405, 407, 409, 411, 413, 415). In some aspects, L may be an integer greater than 1 (for diversity reasons). In some aspects, mmW base station 432 and / or UE 431 may have an estimate of the relative strengths of these L beam paths, which allows initial beamforming to be performed on the beam path with the most desirable channel characteristics (e.g., the strongest beam in the first set and the strongest beam in the second set).

[0044] In one embodiment, UE431 is the strongest beam in a first set of beams (e.g., beam 5405) and the strongest beam in a second set of beams (e.g., beam 5405). 13 Information associated with 413) may be transmitted to the mmW base station 432. For example, the information may include at least beam 5405 and beam 13 This may include one or more characteristics and / or assumptions associated with 413.

[0045] In some embodiments, beamforming capability may be analog beamforming capability. For example, mmW base station 432 may have analog beamforming capability that allows mmW base station 432 to transmit a single beam (e.g., beam 5405 along path 417) through one available RF chain at a time. The term RF chain, when referring to the transmitting side of a modem, refers to a combination of a power amplifier, a digital-to-analog converter, and a mixer, or when referring to the receiving side of a modem, refers to a combination of a low-noise amplifier, a demixer, and an analog-to-digital converter. In some embodiments, beamforming capability may be digital beamforming capability. For example, mmW base station 432 may have digital beamforming capability corresponding to the same number of RF chains as the number of antennas, which may allow mmW base station 432 to transmit multiple beams (e.g., one or more of beams 401, 403, 405, 407, 409, 411, 413, or 415) simultaneously by radiating electromagnetic energy in multiple directions at the expense of peak gain. In some embodiments, beamforming capability may be hybrid beamforming capability, where the number of RF chains is greater than one but the number of antennas is less. For example, mmW base station 432 may have hybrid beamforming capability, which allows mmW base station 432 to transmit beams from each of its RF chains. In some embodiments, beamforming capability may be the availability of multiple antenna subarrays. For example, UE 431 may have multiple antenna subarrays, which allow UE 431 to transmit beams from each of its antenna subarrays in different directions (e.g., in the directions of beams 419, 421, 423, and 425) to overcome RF interference, such as the user of UE 431 inadvertently obstructing the beam path.

[0046] In another embodiment, beamforming capability may be such that one device in the mmW communication system 400 has a higher antenna switching speed than another device in the mmW communication system 400. For example, mmW base station 432 may have a higher antenna switching speed than UE 431. In such an example, the higher antenna switching speed of mmW base station 432 can be utilized by configuring mmW base station 432 to scan different directions and / or sectors while UE 431 transmits a beam in a fixed direction. In another example, UE 431 may have a higher antenna switching speed than mmW base station 432. In such an example, the higher antenna switching speed of UE 431 can be utilized by configuring UE 431 to scan different directions and / or sectors while mmW base station 432 transmits a beam in a fixed direction.

[0047] After the initial synchronization and discovery phases, beam tracking may be performed by UE431 and / or mmW base station 432 by transmitting a signal (e.g., BRRS) using a fine beam angle ρ (e.g., an angle within a narrow range), where an initial estimate of channel characteristics associated with beams separated by a coarse beam angle θ (e.g., an angle within a wide range) has already been obtained by UE431 and / or mmW base station 432. The beam tracking algorithm typically uses the coarse beam angles (e.g., θ) learned during the initial synchronization and discovery period as initial values ​​(also called seeds), and then finely adjusts these angles within a narrow range over a period of time over which the dynamic range of angles is less than θ. For example, ρ may be less than θ.

[0048] For example, UE431 may receive a third set of beams associated with the BRRS and a fourth set of beams associated with the BRRS from the second device. In one embodiment, the third set of beams may include beam 5405 (for example, the strongest beam in the first set of beams) and at least one beam adjacent to beam 5405, and the fourth set of beams may include beam13 413 and beam 13 413 may include at least one beam adjacent to it. In one embodiment, the third set of beams may be adjacent beams selected from the first group of beams (for example, as seen in Figure 4B), as discussed below with respect to Figure 4D. In a further embodiment, the fourth set of beams may be adjacent beams selected from the second group of beams (for example, as seen in Figure 4C), as discussed below with respect to Figure 4E.

[0049] Figure 4D shows a set of fine beams 445 that can be separated by an angle ρ, where ρ is less than θ. The group of beams 445 shown in Figure 4D includes beam 5405 and the adjacent beams beams 4404 and beam 6406. The number of beams shown in Figure 4D is intended to be illustrative, and those skilled in the art will understand that more or fewer beams may be included in the group of beams without departing from the scope of this disclosure.

[0050] Figure 4E shows a set of fine beams 455 separated by an angle ρ, where ρ is less than θ. The group of beams 455 shown in Figure 4E is a beam 13 413 and adjacent beams 12 412 and beam 14 Including 414. The number of beams shown in Figure 4E is intended to be illustrative, and those skilled in the art will understand that more or fewer beams may be included in the group of beams without departing from the scope of this disclosure.

[0051] Referring again to Figure 4A, UE431 is the strongest beam in the third set of beams (e.g., beams 404, 405, 406) (e.g., beam 404, 405, 406). n+a ) and the strongest beam in the fourth set of beams (for example, beams 412, 413, 414) (for example, beam v+b ) can be determined. For example, the strongest beam in the third set of beams is beam 6406 (for example, beam n+aIn Figure 4A, n=5 and a=1), and the strongest beam in the fourth set of beams is beam 12 412 (for example, beam v+b In Figure 4A, this can be v=13 and b=-1). In the specific example shown in Figure 4A, n=5, v=13, a=1, and b=-1. However, the values ​​n, v, a, and b are not limited to those shown in Figure 4A. For example, the strongest beam in the third set of beams (for example, beam n+a ) is the strongest beam in the first set of beams (for example, beam n ) may not be directly adjacent, in which case a can be an integer value greater than 1 or an integer value less than -1. Similarly, the strongest beam in the fourth set of beams (for example, beam v+b ) is the strongest beam in the second set of beams (for example, beam v ) may not be directly adjacent to ), in which case b can be an integer value greater than 1 or an integer value less than -1.

[0052] In one embodiment, UE431 may transmit information to mmW base station 432 associated with the strongest beam among the third set of beams and the fourth set of beams. In one embodiment, the information may be represented by 2 bits in a message transmitted to mmW base station 432.

[0053] Because there can be numerous antenna ports at mmW base stations and antenna subarrays at UEs, the number of potential beams (e.g., beams with different beam angles) that may need to be scanned during beam tracing can be very large (e.g., much larger than shown in the example described with respect to Figure 4A), especially when the control channel and associated data channels are transmitted using different beams. Beam tracing a large number of potential channels can take an undesirably long time and create significant beam overhead. Beam tracing techniques are needed that reduce the time required to perform beamforming procedures and reduce beam overhead.

[0054] This disclosure provides a solution to the problem by providing a relationship between a control channel beam and an associated data channel beam in order to reduce the time required to complete beam tracking. In a first aspect, the control channel beam and the associated data channel beam may be correlated through explicit or implicit mapping of different beams. In a second aspect, the relationship between the control channel beam and the associated data channel beam may be independent, without explicit or implicit mapping. In a second aspect, the control channel beam and the associated data channel beam may be selected without correlation. By providing a relationship between the control channel beam and the associated data channel beam, this disclosure can reduce the time required to complete beam tracking and reduce the system's beam overhead by reducing the number of potential beams that may need to be scanned, because the UE431 and / or mmW base station 432 may only need to determine the access beam for one of the control channel or data channel.

[0055] Figure 4F is a diagram of a mmW communication system 465 that may enable a reduction in the time required to complete beam tracking and a reduction in beam overhead by providing a relationship between a first beam used to communicate the control channel and a second beam used to communicate the associated data channel. For example, the beam tracking procedure described with respect to Figure 4F may be performed using explicit or implicit knowledge of the relationship between the control channel beam and the data channel beam in order to reduce the time required to complete beamforming. In one embodiment, this relationship may be a correlation between the control channel beam and the data channel beam. In another configuration, the relationship between the control channel beam and the data channel beam may be an independent relationship (e.g., there is no apparent correlation between the control channel beam and the data channel beam). In the second configuration, this relationship may be specifically indicated by signaling.

[0056] Referring to Figure 4F, the wireless communication system 465 may include a first device 434 and a second device 436 that perform beam tracking 485 (for example, as described above with respect to Figure 4A) to determine a first beam to be used for a first type of channel (for example, a control channel or a data channel). A second beam to be used for a second type of channel (for example, a control channel or a data channel) may be determined based on its relationship to the first beam. In one embodiment, the first beam and the second beam may be different. In another embodiment, the first beam and the second beam may be the same beam. In a further embodiment, the first channel type and the second channel type may be different.

[0057] In one configuration, the first device 434 may be the UE431 shown in Figure 4A, and the second device 436 may be the mmW base station 432 shown in Figure 4A. In another configuration, the first device 434 may be the mmW base station 432 shown in Figure 4A, and the second device 436 may be the UE431 shown in Figure 4A.

[0058] First exemplary embodiment In a first exemplary embodiment, the first device 434 may determine the mapping between the first beam and the second beam by determining (440) that the widths of the first beam and the second beam differ by a first amount. In one configuration, the first device 434 may know the width difference deductively. In another configuration, the first device 434 may receive an instruction 450 that the widths of the first beam and the second beam differ by a fixed amount.

[0059] With respect to Figure 4A, based on the beam tracking procedure described above, the first device 434 and / or the second device 436, for example, beam 13 It may be determined that 413 has the most desirable channel characteristics and is used as the beam to transmit either the control channel or the data channel. The first device 434 is the beam 13It may be determined that the widths of beam 413 and beam 427 (for example, as seen in Figure 4A) differ by a fixed amount, so beam 427 may be selected to transmit either the control channel or the other of the data channel.

[0060] Second exemplary embodiment In a second exemplary embodiment, the first device 434 may determine the mapping by determining (440) that the first beam and the second beam are the same beam. In one configuration, the first device 434 may deductively know that the same beam is used for the first beam and the second beam. Optionally, the first device 434 may receive an instruction 450 that the same beam is used to transmit the control channel and the data channel.

[0061] For example, one of the beams 401, 403, 405, 407, 409, 411, 413, and 415 used to transmit the BRS in Figure 4A may be used for the control channel and data channel, or one of the beams 404, 405, 406, 412, 413, and 414 used to transmit the BRRS in Figure 4A may be used for the control channel and data channel.

[0062] Third exemplary embodiment In a third exemplary embodiment, the first device 434 may determine the mapping by determining (440) that a first subarray associated with a first beam is quasi-co-located with a second subarray associated with a second beam.

[0063] With respect to Figure 4A, based on the beam tracking procedure described above, the first device 434 and / or the second device 436, for example, beam 13It may be determined that 413 has the most desirable channel characteristics and is used for either the control channel 462 or the data channel 464. The first device 434 beam 13 The subarray used to receive 413 (for example, the antenna subarray if the first device 434 is a UE, or the antenna port if the first device 434 is an mmW base station) is beam 27 It may be determined that the subarray used to receive 427 is pseudo-colocated, so beam for either control channel 462 or data channel 464 27 Sometimes 427 is selected.

[0064] When two subarrays are pseudo-colocated, the large-scale properties of the channel carrying symbols on one antenna port can be inferred from the channel carrying symbols on the other antenna port. For example, these large-scale properties may include one or more of the following: delay spread, Doppler spread, Doppler shift, average gain, and average delay.

[0065] Fourth exemplary embodiment In a fourth exemplary embodiment, the first device 434 may determine the mapping by correlating one of the BRS beams used as either the control channel 462 or the data channel 464 with one of the BRRS beams used as either the control channel 462 or the other data channel (440).

[0066] For example, a beam n (For example, beam 5 in Figure 4A) is a beam n+a (For example, beam 6 in Figure 4A) may be correlated with beam v (For example, the beam in Figure 4A) 13 ) is a beam v+b (For example, the beam in Figure 4A) 12 ) can be correlated with, and here, beam n and beam n+aBoth are used to transmit BRS, beam v and beam v+b Both are used to send BRRS.

[0067] Optionally, the first device 434 receives a beam from the second device 436. n The beam n+a Correlated with and / or beam v The beam v+b Instruction 450 may be received, which is correlated with the following. In one embodiment, instruction 450 may be received via control channel (e.g., PDCCH) signaling or RRC signaling. In addition, the first device 434 receives beam from the second device 436. n (For example, or beam v Information 450 may be received indicating that ) is used for either control channel 462 or data channel 464.

[0068] In the first configuration, the first device 434 is a beam n+a (For example, beam 6406 in Figure 4A) can be used for either control channel 462 or data channel 464, n (For example, beam 5405 in Figure 4A) may be determined when used for control channel 462 or data channel 464 (440). Alternatively, in the first configuration, the first device 434 is beam v+b (For example, the beam in Figure 4A) 12 412) can be used for either control channel 462 or data channel 464, v (For example, the beam in Figure 4A) 13 413) may be determined when used as the other of control channel 462 or data channel 464.

[0069] In the second configuration, the first device 434 beam n(For example, beam 5405 in Figure 4A) can be used for either control channel 462 or data channel 464, n+a (For example, beam 6406 in Figure 4A) may be determined when used as the other of control channel 462 or data channel 464 (440). Alternatively, in the second configuration, the first device 434 is the beam v (For example, the beam in Figure 4A) 13 413) can be used for either control channel 462 or data channel 464, beam v+b (For example, the beam in Figure 4A) 12 412) may be determined when used as the other of control channel 462 or data channel 464 (440).

[0070] In addition, and / or instead, the first device 434 beam n This is used for either control channel 462 or data channel, and / or beam v Information 450 indicating that it is used for control channel 462 or data channel 464 may be received from the second device 436.

[0071] Fifth exemplary embodiment In a fifth exemplary embodiment, the first device 434 may determine the mapping by correlating (440) one of the BRS beams used as a control channel with another BRS beam used as a data channel. In addition and / or alternatively, the first device 434 may determine the mapping by correlating (440) one of the BRRS beams used as a control channel with another BRRS beam used as a data channel.

[0072] For example, a beam n (For example, beam 5405 in Figure 4A) is a beam v (For example, the beam in Figure 4A) 13 413) can be correlated with beamn+a (For example, beam 6406 in Figure 4A) is a beam v+b (For example, the beam in Figure 4A) 12 It can be correlated with 412). For example, beam n and beam v Both may be used to transmit BRS, and beam n+a and beam v+b Both are used to transmit BRRS.

[0073] In one configuration, the first device 434 beam v The beam is used as either control channel 462 or data channel 464. n This may be determined when it is used as the control channel 462 or the other as the data channel 464. Alternatively, the first device 434 beam v+b The beam is used for either control channel 462 or data channel 464. n+a This may be determined when it is used as either control channel 462 or data channel 464.

[0074] Sixth exemplary embodiment In a sixth exemplary embodiment, the first device 434 is a beam x This was used as the first beam, z Mapping may be determined by deciding that the first device 434 will be used as the second beam from the second device 436. x This was used as the first beam, z Information 450 may be received indicating that the beam will be used as the second beam. x and beam z Since these may not be correlated in any obvious way, the mapping in the sixth exemplary embodiment may be an independent relationship determined by the second device 436.

[0075] After determining the relationship between the first beam and the second beam based on one exemplary embodiment discussed above (440), the first device 434 may receive control channel 462 and data channel 464.

[0076] As discussed above with respect to the first, second, third, fourth, fifth, and sixth exemplary embodiments, by providing a relationship between the control channel beam and the associated data channel beam, the present disclosure can reduce the time required to complete beam tracking and reduce the system's beam overhead by reducing the number of potential beams that may need to be scanned, because the UE and / or mmW may only need to determine the access beam for either the control channel or the data channel.

[0077] Figures 5A to 5C are flowcharts of a wireless communication method. This method may be performed by a first device (e.g., UE431, mmW base station 432, first device 434, equipment 602 / 602'). In Figures 5A to 5C, the operations shown by dashed lines represent optional operations of various embodiments of this disclosure.

[0078] Referring to Figure 5A, at 502, the first device can receive a first set of beams associated with the BRS and a second set of beams associated with the BRS. In some embodiments, the first set of beams may differ from the second set of beams. For example, referring to Figure 4A, during initial synchronization, UE431 may receive a signal (e.g., the BRS) in a first set of beams (e.g., beams 401, 403, 405, 407) during a first symbol of the synchronization subframe and transmit the same signal in a second set of beams (e.g., beams 409, 411, 413, 415) during a second symbol of the synchronization subframe.

[0079] At 504, the first device may determine the strongest beam in the first set of beams and the strongest beam in the second set of beams. In one aspect, the strongest beam in the first set of beams is the beam n , and the strongest beam in the second set of beams is the beam v . For example, referring to FIG. 4A, UE 431 may determine the strongest beam in the first set of beams (e.g., the beam n ) and the strongest beam in the second set of beams (e.g., the beam v ). For example, the beam n may be beam 5405, and the beam v may be beam 13 413. In the specific example illustrated in FIG. 4A, n=5 and v=13. However, the values of n and v are not limited to those illustrated in FIG. 4A.

[0080] At 506, the first device may transmit information associated with the strongest beam in the first set of beams and the strongest beam in the second set of beams to the second device. For example, referring to FIG. 4A, UE 431 may transmit information associated with the strongest beam in the first set of beams (e.g., beam 5405) and the strongest beam in the second set of beams (e.g., beam 13 413) to the mmW base station 432. For example, the information may include one or more channel characteristics and / or estimates associated with at least beam 5405 and beam 13 413.

[0081] At 508, the first device may receive a third set of beams associated with BRRS and a fourth set of beams associated with BRRS from the second device. In one aspect, the third set of beams may include the beam n and at least one beam adjacent to the beam n , and the fourth set of beams is the beamv and a beam v and at least one beam adjacent thereto. For example, referring to FIG. 4A, UE 431 may receive, from a second device, a third set of beams associated with BRRS and a fourth set of beams associated with BRRS. In some aspects, the third set of beams may include beam 5405 (e.g., the beam n ) and at least one beam adjacent to beam 5405, and the fourth set of beams may include the beam 13 413 (e.g., the beam v ) and at least one beam 13 adjacent to 413. In one aspect, the third set of beams (e.g., as discussed above with reference to FIG. 4D) may be adjacent beams selected from the first group of beams in FIG. 4B. In a further aspect, the fourth set of beams (e.g., as discussed above with reference to FIG. 4E) may be adjacent beams selected from the second group of beams in FIG. 4C.

[0082] At 510, the first device may determine the strongest beam among the third set of beams and the strongest beam among the fourth set of beams. In some aspects, the strongest beam among the third set of beams may be the beam n+a , and the strongest beam among the fourth set of beams may be the beam v+b . For example, referring to FIG. 4A, UE 431 may determine the strongest beam (e.g., the beam n+a ) among the third set of beams (e.g., beams 404, 405, 406) and the strongest beam (e.g., the beam v+b ) among the fourth set of beams (e.g., beams 412, 413, 414). For example, the strongest beam among the third set of beams may be beam 6406 (e.g., the beam n+a , where n=5 and a=1 in FIG. 4A), and the strongest beam among the fourth set of beams may be the beam 12 412 (e.g., the beam v+bIn Figure 4A, this can be v=13 and b=-1). In the specific example shown in Figure 4A, n=5, v=13, a=1, and b=-1. However, the values ​​n, v, a, and b are not limited to those shown in Figure 4A. For example, the strongest beam in the third set of beams (for example, beam n+a ) is the strongest beam in the first set of beams (for example, beam n ) may not be directly adjacent, in which case a can be an integer value greater than 1 or an integer value less than -1. Similarly, the strongest beam in the fourth set of beams (for example, beam v+b ) is the strongest beam in the second set of beams (for example, beam v ) may not be directly adjacent to ), in which case b can be an integer value greater than 1 or an integer value less than -1.

[0083] In 512, the first device can transmit to the second device information associated with the strongest beam in the third set of beams and the strongest beam in the fourth set of beams. For example, referring to Figure 4A, UE431 can transmit to mmW base station 432 information associated with the strongest beam in the third set of beams and the fourth set of beams. In one embodiment, the information may be represented by 2 bits in a message transmitted to mmW base station 432.

[0084] In 514, the first device receives a beam from the second device. n or beam v Information can be received indicating that either of them will be used as the first beam associated with the first type of channel. For example, referring to Figure 4F, the first device 434 receives information from the second device 436 that the beam n (For example, or beam v Information 450 may be received indicating that ) is used for control channel 462 or data channel 464.

[0085] In 516, the first device may receive an instruction from the second device that the widths of the first beam and the second beam differ by a fixed amount. For example, referring to Figure 4F, the first device 434 may receive an instruction 450 that the widths of the first beam and the second beam differ by a fixed amount.

[0086] Referring to Figure 5B, in 518, the first device can determine the mapping between a first beam associated with a first type of channel and a second beam associated with a second type of channel. In one embodiment, the first type of channel may be different from the second type of channel. For example, the first type of channel may be a control channel and the second type of channel may be a data channel, or vice versa. Referring to Figure 4F, the first device 434 and / or the second device 436 may perform beam tracking 485 (for example, as described above with respect to Figure 4A) to determine the first beam used for the first type of channel (e.g., a control channel or a data channel) and / or the second beam used for the second type of channel (e.g., a control channel or a data channel). The second beam used for the second type of channel may be determined based on its relationship to the first beam. In one embodiment, the first and second beams may be different. In another embodiment, the first and second beams may be the same beam. In further embodiments, the first channel type and the second channel type may differ. For example, the first channel type may be a control channel and the second channel type may be an associated data channel, or vice versa.

[0087] First exemplary embodiment In 520, the first device can determine the mapping by determining that the widths of the first beam and the second beam differ by a fixed amount. For example, referring to Figure 4F, the first device 434 may determine the mapping between the first beam and the second beam by determining (440) that the widths of the first beam and the second beam differ by a first amount. In one configuration, the first device 434 may deductively know the width difference. In another configuration, the first device 434 may receive instruction 450 that the widths of the first beam and the second beam differ by a fixed amount. Based on the beam tracking procedure described above with respect to Figure 4A, the first device 434 and / or the second device 436, for example, beam 13 It may be determined that 413 has the most desirable channel characteristics and is used as the beam to transmit either the control channel or the data channel. The first device 434 is the beam 13 413 and beam 27 Since it may be determined that the width of 427 (for example, as seen in Figure 4A) differs by a fixed amount, a beam may be used to transmit either the control channel or the other of the data channel. 27 Sometimes 427 is selected.

[0088] In 522, the first device is beam n When used as a second beam associated with a second type of channel, the beam z The mapping can be determined by deciding that is used as a first beam associated with a first type of channel. In one embodiment, beam z and beam n The width can vary by a fixed amount. For example, referring to Figures 4A and 4F, based on the beam tracking procedure, the first device 434 and / or the second device 436, for example, the beam 13It may be determined that 413 has the most desirable channel characteristics and is used as the beam to transmit either the control channel or the data channel. The first device 434 is the beam 13 413 and beam 27 Since it may be determined that the width of 427 (for example, as seen in Figure 4A) differs by a fixed amount, a beam may be used to transmit either the control channel or the other of the data channel. 27 427 may be selected. In this particular example, n=13 and z=27. However, the values ​​of n and z are not limited to 13 and 27, respectively.

[0089] Second exemplary embodiment In 524, the first device may determine that the same beam is used as the first beam and the second beam. For example, referring to Figures 4A and 4F, the first device 434 may determine the mapping by determining (440) that the first beam and the second beam are the same beam. In one configuration, the first device 434 may deductively know that the same beam is used for the first beam and the second beam. Optionally, the first device 434 may receive an instruction 450 that the same beam is used to transmit the control channel and the data channel. For example, one of the beams 401, 403, 405, 407, 409, 411, 413, and 415 used to transmit the BRS in Figure 4A may be used for the control channel and data channel, or one of the beams 404, 405, 406, 412, 413, and 414 used to transmit the BRRS in Figure 4A may be used for the control channel and data channel.

[0090] Third exemplary embodiment In 526, the first device can determine the mapping by determining that the first subarray associated with the first beam is pseudo-colocated with the second subarray associated with the second beam. For example, referring to Figures 4A and 4F, the first device 434 and / or the second device 436, for example, beam 13 It may be determined that 413 has the most desirable channel characteristics and will be used to transmit either the control channel 462 or the data channel 464. The first device 434 beam 13 The subarray used to receive 413 (for example, the antenna subarray if the first device 434 is a UE, or the antenna port if the first device 434 is an mmW base station) is beam 27 It may be determined that the subarray used to receive 427 is pseudo-colocated, so beam for either control channel 462 or data channel 464 27 Sometimes 427 is selected.

[0091] In 528, the first device, based on the fact that the first subarray is pseudo-colocated with the second subarray, beam n When used as a second beam associated with a second type of channel, the beam z It can be determined that is used as the first beam associated with the first type of channel. For example, referring to Figure 4F, the first device 434 is the beam 13 The subarray used to receive 413 (for example, the antenna subarray if the first device 434 is a UE, or the antenna port if the first device 434 is an mmW base station) is beam 27 It may be determined that the subarray used to receive 427 is pseudo-colocated, so beam for either control channel 462 or data channel 464 27427 may be selected. In this particular example, n=13 and z=27. However, the values ​​of n and z are not limited to 13 and 27, respectively.

[0092] Fourth exemplary embodiment At 530, the first device receives a beam from the second device. n The beam n+a Correlated with, beam v The beam v+b It can receive instructions to correlate with. For example, referring to Figure 4F, the first device 434 receives a beam from the second device 436. n The beam n+a Correlated with and / or beam v The beam v+b An instruction 450 may be received that is correlated with the following. In one embodiment, the instruction 450 may be received via control channel (e.g., PDCCH) signaling or RRC signaling.

[0093] In 532, the first device is beam n and beam n+a The first correlation and beam between v and beam v+b The mapping can be determined by determining a second correlation between the two. For example, referring to Figure 4F, the first device 434 may determine the mapping by correlating one of the BRS beams used as either the control channel 462 or the data channel 464 with one of the BRRS beams used as the other of the control channel 462 or the data channel (440). For example, beam n (For example, beam 5 in Figure 4A) is a beam n+a (For example, beam 6 in Figure 4A) may be correlated with beam v (For example, the beam in Figure 4A) 13 ) is a beam v+b (For example, the beam in Figure 4A) 12 ) can be correlated with, and here, beam n and beamn+a Both are used to transmit BRS, beam v and beam v+b Both are used to send BRRS.

[0094] In 534, the first device, based on this correlation, beam n When is used as the first beam associated with the first type of channel, the beam n+a It can be determined that is used as a second beam associated with a second type of channel. For example, referring to Figure 4F, in the first configuration, the first device 434 is the beam n+a (For example, beam 6406 in Figure 4A) can be used for either control channel 462 or data channel 464, n (For example, beam 5405 in Figure 4A) may be used for control channel 462 or for the other of data channel 464 (440).

[0095] In 536, the first device, based on this correlation, beam n+a When used as a second beam associated with a second type of channel, the beam n It can be determined that is used as the first beam associated with the first type of channel. For example, referring to Figure 4F, in the first configuration, the first device 434 is the beam n+a (For example, beam 6406 in Figure 4A) can be used for either control channel 462 or data channel 464, n (For example, beam 5405 in Figure 4A) may be determined when used for control channel 462 or data channel 464 (440). Alternatively, in the first configuration, the first device 434 is beam v+b (For example, the beam in Figure 4A) 12 412) can be used for either control channel 462 or data channel 464, v (For example, the beam in Figure 4A) 13413) may be determined when used as the control channel 462 or the other of the data channel 464. In the second configuration, the first device 434 is beam n (For example, beam 5405 in Figure 4A) can be used for either control channel 462 or data channel 464, n+a (For example, beam 6406 in Figure 4A) may be determined when used as the other of control channel 462 or data channel 464 (440). Alternatively, in the second configuration, the first device 434 is the beam v (For example, the beam in Figure 4A) 13 413) can be used for either control channel 462 or data channel 464, beam v+b (For example, the beam in Figure 4A) 12 412) may be determined when used as the other of control channel 462 or data channel 464 (440).

[0096] Fifth exemplary embodiment As can be seen in Figure 5C, at 538, the first device is beam n and beam v The third correlation and beam between n+a and beam v+b The mapping can be determined by determining a fourth correlation between the beams. For example, referring to Figure 4F, the first device 434 may determine the mapping by correlating (440) one of the BRS beams used as the control channel with another BRS beam used as the data channel. In addition and / or alternatively, the first device 434 may determine the mapping by correlating (440) one of the BRRS beams used as the control channel with another BRRS beam used as the data channel. For example, beam n (For example, beam 5405 in Figure 4A) is a beam v (For example, the beam in Figure 4A) 13 413) can be correlated with beam n+a(For example, beam 6406 in Figure 4A) is a beam v+b (For example, the beam in Figure 4A) 12 It can be correlated with 412). For example, beam n and beam v Both may be used to transmit BRS, and beam n+a and beam v+b Both are used to transmit BRRS.

[0097] At 540, the first device, based on this correlation, beam n When is used as the first beam associated with the first type of channel, the beam v It can be determined that is used as a second beam associated with a second type of channel. For example, referring to Figure 4F, the first device 434 is a beam v The beam is used as either control channel 462 or data channel 464. n This may be determined when it is used as the control channel 462 or the other as the data channel 464. Alternatively, the first device 434 beam v+b The beam is used for either control channel 462 or data channel 464. n+a This may be determined when it is used as either control channel 462 or data channel 464.

[0098] Sixth exemplary embodiment In 542, the first device is beam x This was used as the first beam, z The mapping can be determined by deciding that the first beam will be used as the second beam. For example, referring to Figure 4F, the first device 434 is the beam x This was used as the first beam, z The mapping may be determined by deciding that the beam will be used as the second beam. x and beam zSince these may not be correlated in any obvious way, the mapping in the sixth exemplary embodiment may be an independent relationship determined by the second device 436.

[0099] In 544, the first device can receive a first beam associated with a first type of channel and a second beam associated with a second type of channel. In some embodiments, the first and second beams may be received from a second device. For example, referring to Figure 4F, after determining the relationship between the first and second beams based on one exemplary embodiment discussed above (440), the first device 434 may receive a control channel 462 and a data channel 464.

[0100] Figure 6 is a conceptual data flow diagram 600 showing the data flow between various means / components in an exemplary device 602. The device may be a first device (e.g., first device 434, UE104, 350, 431, or mmW base stations 180, 310, 432) communicating with a second device 650 (e.g., second device 436, UE104, 350, 431, or mmW base stations 180, 310, 432). The device includes a receiving component 604 that can receive a first set of beams associated with BRS601 and a second set of beams associated with BRS601. In some embodiments, the first set of beams may differ from the second set of beams. The receiving component 604 can transmit a signal 603 associated with BRS601 to a determining component 606. The determining component 606 can determine the strongest beam in the first set of beams and the strongest beam in the second set of beams. In one embodiment, the strongest beam in the first set of beams is the beam n This can be the case, and the strongest beam in the second set of beams is the beam v This may be the case. The decision component 606 contains information about the strongest beam (for example, beam n and beam vA signal 607 associated with ) can be transmitted to the transmitting component 608. The transmitting component 608 can transmit a signal 609 associated with information about the strongest beam for the first and second sets of beams to the second device 650. The receiving component 604 can receive a third set of beams associated with BRRS 601 and a fourth set of beams associated with BRRS 601 from the second device 650. In one embodiment, the third set of beams is a beam n and beam n It may include at least one adjacent beam, and the fourth set of beams is a beam v and beam v It may include at least one adjacent beam. The receiving component can transmit a signal 603 associated with BRRS to the determining component 606. The determining component 606 can determine the strongest beam in a third set of beams and the strongest beam in a fourth set of beams. In one embodiment, the strongest beam in the third set of beams is the beam n+a It may be the case that the strongest beam in the fourth set of beams is the beam v+b This may be the case. The determination component 606 provides information on the strongest beam for the third and fourth sets of beams (for example, beam n+a and beam v+b The receiving component 604 can transmit a signal associated with the beam to the transmitting component 608. The transmitting component 608 can transmit a signal 609 associated with information about the strongest beam for the third and fourth sets of beams to the second device 650. The receiving component 604 can transmit a signal associated with the beam n or beam vInformation 601 can be received indicating that either of the first beams is used as a first beam associated with a first type of channel or as a second beam associated with a second type of channel. The receiving component 604 can receive mapping information 601 indicating that the widths of the first beam and the second beam differ by a fixed amount. The receiving component 604 can transmit a signal 603 associated with the beam width difference to the determining component 606. The determining component 606 can determine the mapping between the first beam associated with the first type of channel and the second beam associated with the second type of channel. In one embodiment, the first type of channel may be different from the second type of channel. In one embodiment, the determining component 606 can determine the mapping by determining that the widths of the first beam and the second beam differ by a fixed amount. In the first exemplary embodiment, the determining component 606 determines the beam n When used as a second beam associated with a second type of channel, the beam z The mapping can be determined by deciding that is used as a first beam associated with a first type of channel. In one embodiment, beam z and beam n The width may differ by a fixed amount. In a second exemplary embodiment, the decision component 606 may determine that the same beam is used as the first beam and the second beam (for example, based on deductive knowledge in the decision component 606 or from a message from the second device 650). In a third exemplary embodiment, the decision component 606 may determine the mapping by determining that the first subarray associated with the first beam is pseudo-colocated with the second subarray associated with the second beam. For example, the decision component 606 may determine the beam based on the fact that the first subarray is pseudo-colocated with the second subarray. n When used as a second beam associated with a second type of channel, the beam zIt can be determined that this is used as the first beam associated with the first type of channel. In a fourth exemplary embodiment, the receiving component 604 receives the beam from the second device 650. n The beam n+a Correlated with, beam v The beam v+b The receiving component 604 can receive instructions 601 (e.g., a mapping) to be correlated with the beam. The receiving component 604 can transmit a signal 603 associated with the mapping to the determining component 606. The determining component 606 then processes the beam n and beam n+a The first correlation and beam between v and beam v+b The mapping can be determined by determining a second correlation between the two. For example, the determination component 606 determines the beam based on this correlation. n+a When used as a second beam associated with a second type of channel, the beam n It can be determined that is used as a first beam associated with a first type of channel. In a fifth exemplary embodiment, the determination component 606 is the beam n and beam v The third correlation and beam between n+a and beam v+b The mapping can be determined by determining a fourth correlation between the two. For example, the determination component 606 determines the beam based on this correlation. n When is used as the first beam associated with the first type of channel, the beam v It can be determined that is used as a second beam associated with a second type of channel. In a sixth exemplary embodiment, the receiving component 604 is beam x This was used as the first beam, z Information 601 (e.g., an independent mapping) indicating that the beam will be used as the second beam can be received. The receiving component 604 can transmit a signal 603 associated with the independent mapping to the deciding component 606. The deciding component 606 will determine the beamx This was used as the first beam, z It can be determined that this will be used as the second beam. Information 605 associated with the determined beams for the control channel and data channel determined in the first, second, third, fourth, fifth, and sixth exemplary embodiments may be transmitted to the receiving component 604. The receiving component 604 may then receive the control channel in one beam and the associated data channel 601 in a different beam.

[0101] The device may include additional components that execute each of the algorithm blocks in the flowcharts described above in Figures 5A to 5C. Thus, each block in the flowcharts described above in Figures 5A to 5C may be executed by one component, and the device may include one or more of those components. A component may be one or more hardware components specifically configured to perform the described process / algorithm, implemented by a processor configured to perform the described process / algorithm, stored in a computer-readable medium for processor implementation, or any combination thereof.

[0102] Figure 7 is a representation of Figure 700 showing an example of a hardware implementation of a device 602' utilizing the processing system 714. The processing system 714 may be implemented using a bus architecture, which is collectively represented by bus 724. Bus 724 may include any number of interconnection buses and bridges, depending on the specific application and overall design constraints of the processing system 714. Bus 724 connects one or more processors and / or hardware components represented by processor 704 to various circuits, including components 604, 606, 608 and computer-readable medium / memory 706. Bus 724 may also connect various other circuits, such as timing sources, peripherals, voltage regulators, and power management circuits, but these circuits are well known in the art and therefore will not be described further.

[0103] The processing system 714 may be coupled to a transceiver 710. The transceiver 710 is coupled to one or more antennas 720. The transceiver 710 provides a means for communicating with various other devices through a transmitting medium. The transceiver 710 receives signals from one or more antennas 720, extracts information from the received signals, and provides the extracted information to the processing system 714, in particular to the receiving component 604. Furthermore, the transceiver 710 receives information from the processing system 714, in particular to the transmitting component 608, and generates signals to be applied to one or more antennas 720 based on the received information. The processing system 714 includes a processor 704 coupled to a computer-readable medium / memory 706. The processor 704 is responsible for general processing, including the execution of software stored on the computer-readable medium / memory 706. When the software is executed by the processor 704, it causes the processing system 714 to perform various functions described above with respect to any particular device. The computer-readable medium / memory 706 may also be used to store data that is manipulated by the processor 704 when the software is executed. The processing system 714 further includes at least one of the components 604, 606, and 608. These components may be software components that operate within the processor 704 and reside in / stored in the computer-readable medium / memory 706, one or more hardware components coupled to the processor 704, or any combination thereof. The processing system 714 may be a component of the UE350 and may include memory 360, and / or at least one of the TX processor 368, RX processor 356, and controller / processor 359.

[0104] In one configuration, the device 602 / 602' for wireless communication may include means for determining a mapping between a first beam associated with a first type of channel and a second beam associated with a second type of channel. In one embodiment, the first type of channel may be different from the second type of channel. In one embodiment, the first type of channel is either a control channel or a data channel, and the second type of channel is the other of either a control channel or a data channel. In another configuration, the device 602 / 602' for wireless communication may include means for receiving instructions from a second device that the widths of the first beam and the second beam differ by a fixed amount. In the first configuration, the means for determining the mapping may be configured to determine that the widths of the first beam and the second beam differ by a fixed amount. For example, the means for determining the mapping may be beam n When used as a second beam associated with a second type of channel, the beam z It may be configured to be used as a first beam associated with a first type of channel. In one embodiment, the beam z and beam n The width may differ by a fixed amount. In another configuration, the means for determining the mapping may be configured to determine that the same beam is used as the first beam and the second beam. In a further configuration, the means for determining the mapping may be configured to determine that the first subarray associated with the first beam is pseudo-colocated with the second subarray associated with the second beam. For example, the means for determining the mapping may determine that the first subarray is pseudo-colocated with the second subarray, and based on that, the beam z When used as a second beam associated with a second type of channel, the beam nIt may be configured to determine that a first beam is to be used as a first beam associated with a first type of channel. In a further configuration, the apparatus 602 / 602' for wireless communication may include means for receiving a first set of beams associated with the BRS and a second set of beams associated with the BRS. In one embodiment, the first set of beams may be different from the second set of beams. In another configuration, the apparatus 602 / 602' for wireless communication may include means for determining the strongest beam in the first set of beams and the strongest beam in the second set of beams. In one embodiment, the strongest beam in the first set of beams is the beam n This can be the case, and the strongest beam in the second set of beams is the beam v This may be the case. In a further configuration, the device 602 / 602' for wireless communication may include means for receiving a third set of beams associated with the BRRS and a fourth set of beams associated with the BRRS from a second device. In one embodiment, the third set of beams is a beam n and beam n It may include at least one adjacent beam, and the fourth set of beams is a beam v and beam v It may include at least one beam adjacent to it. In one configuration, the device 602 / 602' for wireless communication may include means for determining the strongest beam in a third set of beams and the strongest beam in a fourth set of beams. In one embodiment, the strongest beam in the third set of beams is the beam n+a It may be the case that the strongest beam in the fourth set of beams is the beam v+b This may be the case. In another configuration, the device 602 / 602' for wireless communication may include means for transmitting information associated with the strongest beam in a third set of beams and the strongest beam in a fourth set of beams to a second device. In one embodiment, means for determining the mapping are beam n and beam n+a The first correlation and beam between v and beamv+b Determine the second correlation between and / or the beam n and beam v The third correlation and beam between n+a and beam v+b It is configured to determine a fourth correlation between the first, second, third, or fourth correlation. In one configuration, the device 602 / 602' for wireless communication may include means for receiving information from a second device associated with at least one of the first, second, third, or fourth correlations. In one embodiment, the information may be received via control channel signaling or RRC signaling. In one embodiment, means for determining the mapping may, based on this correlation, beam n When is used as the first beam associated with the first type of channel, the beam n+a It may be configured to determine that is used as a second beam associated with a second type of channel. In another embodiment, means for determining the mapping is based on this correlation, the beam n When is used as the first beam associated with the first type of channel, the beam v It may be configured to determine that is used as a second beam associated with a second type of channel. In a further embodiment, means for determining the mapping is based on this correlation, the beam n+a When used as a second beam associated with a second type of channel, the beam n It may be configured to determine that is used as a first beam associated with a first type of channel. In yet another embodiment, means for determining the mapping is beam x This was used as the first beam, zIt may be configured to determine that the first beam is to be used as the second beam. In one configuration, the first device may be a UE and the second device may be an mmW base station. In another configuration, the first device may be an mmW base station and the second device may be a UE. The means described above may be one or more of the above-described components of the processing system 714 of device 602 and / or device 602' configured to perform the functions enumerated by the means described above. As described above, the processing system 714 may include a TX processor 368, an RX processor 356, and a controller / processor 359. Thus, in one configuration, the means described above may be the TX processor 368, the RX processor 356, and the controller / processor 359 configured to perform the functions enumerated by the means described above.

[0105] It should be understood that the specific order or hierarchy of blocks in the disclosed process / flowchart is illustrative and demonstrates exemplary technique. It should also be understood that the specific order or hierarchy of blocks in the process / flowchart may be rearranged based on design preferences. Furthermore, some blocks may be combined or omitted. The attached method claims present various block elements in an exemplary order and are not limited to the specific order or hierarchy presented.

[0106] The above descriptions are provided to enable those skilled in the art to practice the various embodiments described herein. Various modifications to these embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the general principles defined herein may apply to other embodiments. Accordingly, the claims should not be limited to the embodiments shown herein, but should be given all scope consistent with the claim language, and references to elements in the singular should mean "one or more" and not "one unique" unless otherwise explicitly stated. The word "exemplary" is used herein to mean "acting as an example, case, or illustration." No embodiment described herein as "exemplary" should necessarily be construed as being preferable or advantageous to any other embodiment. Unless otherwise specifically stated, the term "several" refers to one or more. Combinations such as "at least one of A, B, or C", "one or more of A, B, or C", "at least one of A, B, and C", "one or more of A, B, and C", and "A, B, C, or any combination thereof" include any combination of A, B, and / or C, and may include multiple A's, multiple B's, or multiple C's. Specifically, combinations such as "at least one of A, B, or C", "one or more of A, B, or C", "at least one of A, B, and C", "one or more of A, B, and C", and "A, B, C, or any combination thereof" may be A only, B only, C only, A and B, A and C, B and C, or A and B and C, and any such combination may include one or more members of A, B, or C. All structural and functional equivalents of elements of various aspects described throughout this disclosure, whether known to those skilled in the art or to be known thereafter, are expressly incorporated herein by reference and are intended to be encompassed by the claims. Furthermore, nothing disclosed herein is made public, whether such disclosure is expressly enumerated in the claims.Words such as "module," "mechanism," "element," and "device" are not always substitutes for the word "means." Therefore, no claim element should be interpreted as means plus function unless it is explicitly enumerated using the phrase "means for." [Explanation of Symbols]

[0107] 100 Access Networks 102 Base station 104 UE 110 Geographic Coverage Areas 120 Communication Links 132 Backhaul Link 134 Backhaul Link 150 Wi-Fi access points 152 Wi-Fi stations 154 Communication Links 160 EPC 162 MME 164 Other MMEs 166 Serving Gateways 168 MBMS GW 170 BM-SC 172 PDN Gateway 174 HSS 176 IP Services 180 mmW base station 182 UE 184 Beamforming 310 eNB 316 TX processors 318RX Receiver 318TX Transmitter 320 Antenna 350 UE 352 Antenna 354RX Receiver 354TX Transmitter 356 RX processors 358-channel estimator 359 Controllers / Processors 360 memory 368 TX processors 370 RX processor 374 channel estimator 375 Controllers / Processors 376 memory 400 mmW communication system 425 Beam Group 431 UE 432 mmW base station 434 First device 435 Beam Group 436 Second device 445 Beam Group 455 Beam Group 462 control channels 464 data channels 465 mmW communication system 601 BRS 602 Equipment 602' equipment 603 signal 604 Receiving Components 605 Information 606 Determining Components 607 Information on the strongest beam 608 Transmitting Components 609 Information on the strongest beam 650 Second device 704 Processor 706 Computer-readable media / memory 710 Transceiver 714 Processing System 720 Antenna 724 Bus

Claims

1. A method for wireless communication for a first device, A step of determining a mapping between a first beam associated with a first type of channel and a second beam associated with a second type of channel, wherein the first type of channel is different from the second type of channel. A step of receiving the first beam associated with the first type of channel and the second beam associated with the second type of channel, wherein the first beam and the second beam are received from a second device. A method that includes [something].

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the first type of channel is either a control channel or a data channel, and the second type of channel is the other of the control channel or the data channel.

3. The step of determining the mapping is, The method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of determining that the widths of the first beam and the second beam differ by a fixed amount.

4. The method according to claim 3, further comprising the step of receiving an instruction from the second device that the widths of the first beam and the second beam differ by the fixed amount.

5. The step of determining the mapping further, beam n When is used as the second beam associated with the second type of channel, the beam z The step of determining that the beam is to be used as the first beam associated with the first type of channel, z and the beam n The method according to claim 3, wherein the width differs by the fixed amount.

6. The step of determining the mapping is, The method according to claim 1, comprising the step of determining that the same beam is to be used as the first beam and the second beam.

7. The step of determining the mapping is, The method according to claim 1, comprising the step of determining that a first subarray associated with the first beam is pseudo-colocated with a second subarray associated with the second beam.

8. The step of determining the mapping further, Based on the fact that the first subarray is pseudo-colocated with the second subarray, the beam z When is used as the second beam associated with the second type of channel, the beam n The method according to claim 7, comprising the step of determining that is used as the first beam associated with the first type of channel.

9. A step of receiving a first set of beams associated with a beam reference signal (BRS) and a second set of beams associated with the BRS, wherein the first set of beams is different from the second set of beams; A step of determining the strongest beam in the first set of beams and the strongest beam in the second set of beams, wherein the strongest beam in the first set of beams is n And the strongest beam in the second set of beams is the beam v The steps are A step of transmitting to the second device information associated with the strongest beam in the first set of beams and the strongest beam in the second set of beams; The method according to claim 1, further comprising:

10. receiving, from the second device, a third set of beams associated with a beam refinement reference signal (BRRS) and a fourth set of beams associated with said BRRS, wherein said third set of beams comprises said beam n and said beam n and at least one beam adjacent to , and said fourth set of beams comprises said beam v and said beam v and at least one beam adjacent to ; A step of determining the strongest beam in the third set of beams and the strongest beam in the fourth set of beams, wherein the strongest beam in the third set of beams is n+a And the strongest beam in the fourth set of beams is the beam v+b The steps are The steps include transmitting information associated with the strongest beam in the third set of beams and the strongest beam in the fourth set of beams to the second device, and The method according to claim 9, further comprising:

11. The step of determining the mapping is, The beam n and the beam n+a The first correlation between and the beam v and the beam v+b A step to determine a second correlation between, The beam n and the beam v The third correlation between and the beam n+a and the beam v+b Step to determine the fourth correlation between and The method according to claim 10, comprising:

12. The step of determining the mapping further, The method according to claim 11, further comprising the step of receiving information from the second device that is associated with at least one of the first correlation, the second correlation, the third correlation, or the fourth correlation.

13. The method according to claim 12, wherein the information is received via control channel signaling or radio resource control (RRC) signaling.

14. The step of determining the mapping further, Based on the first correlation, the beam n When is used as the first beam associated with the first type of channel, the beam n+a The method according to claim 11, comprising the step of determining that is used as the second beam associated with the second type of channel.

15. The step of determining the mapping further, Based on the third correlation, the beam n When is used as the first beam associated with the first type of channel, the beam v The method according to claim 11, comprising the step of determining that is used as the second beam associated with the second type of channel.

16. The step of determining the mapping further, Based on the first correlation, the beam n+a When is used as the second beam associated with the second type of channel, the beam n The method according to claim 11, comprising the step of determining that is used as the first beam associated with the first type of channel.

17. The step of determining the mapping is, beam x The above is used as the first beam, and the beam z The process includes the step of determining that the beam is to be used as the second beam. x and beam z The method according to claim 1, wherein the two cannot be correlated.

18. The method according to claim 1, wherein the first device is a user device and the second device is a millimeter-wave base station.

19. The method according to claim 1, wherein the first device is a millimeter-wave base station and the second device is user equipment.

20. A first device is a device for wireless communication, wherein the first device is Memory and At least one processor coupled to the memory and The processor is equipped with, Determining a mapping between a first beam associated with a first type of channel and a second beam associated with a second type of channel, wherein the first type of channel is different from the second type of channel. Receiving the first beam associated with the first type of channel and the second beam associated with the second type of channel, wherein the first beam and the second beam are received from a second device. A device configured to perform the following actions.

21. The apparatus according to claim 20, wherein the first type of channel is either a control channel or a data channel, and the second type of channel is the other of the control channel or the data channel.

22. The aforementioned at least one processor, The apparatus according to claim 20, configured to determine the mapping by determining that the widths of the first beam and the second beam differ by a fixed amount.

23. The aforementioned at least one processor, The apparatus according to claim 20, configured to determine the mapping by determining that the same beam is used as the first beam and the second beam.

24. The aforementioned at least one processor, The apparatus according to claim 20, configured to determine the mapping by determining that a first subarray associated with the first beam is pseudo-colocated with a second subarray associated with the second beam.

25. The aforementioned at least one processor further, Receiving a first set of beams associated with a beam reference signal (BRS) and a second set of beams associated with the BRS, wherein the first set of beams is different from the second set of beams. Determining the strongest beam in the first set of beams and the strongest beam in the second set of beams, wherein the strongest beam in the first set of beams is n And the strongest beam in the second set of beams is the beam v That is, to decide, Transmitting information associated with the strongest beam in the first set of beams and the strongest beam in the second set of beams to the second device. The apparatus according to claim 20, configured to perform the following:

26. The aforementioned at least one processor further, Receiving from the second device a third set of beams associated with a beam refinement reference signal (BRRS) and a fourth set of beams associated with the BRRS, wherein the third set of beams is the beam n and the beam n The fourth set of beams includes at least one beam adjacent to the beam v and the beam v Receiving includes at least one beam adjacent to it, Determining the strongest beam in the third set of beams and the strongest beam in the fourth set of beams, wherein the strongest beam in the third set of beams is the beam n+a And the strongest beam in the fourth set of beams is the beam v+b That is, to decide, Transmitting information associated with the strongest beam in the third set of beams and the strongest beam in the fourth set of beams to the second device The apparatus according to claim 25, configured to perform the following:

27. The aforementioned at least one processor, The beam n and the beam n+a The first correlation between and the beam v and the beam v+b To determine a second correlation between, or The beam n and the beam v The third correlation between and the beam n+a and the beam v+b To determine the fourth correlation between The apparatus according to claim 26, configured to determine the mapping by the method described above.

28. The aforementioned at least one processor, beam x The above is used as the first beam, and the beam z The mapping is determined by determining that the beam is used as the second beam. x and beam z The apparatus according to claim 20, wherein the two cannot be correlated.

29. A first device is a device for wireless communication, wherein the first device is Means for determining a mapping between a first beam associated with a first type of channel and a second beam associated with a second type of channel, wherein the first type of channel is different from the second type of channel, Means for receiving the first beam associated with the first type of channel and the second beam associated with the second type of channel, wherein the first beam and the second beam are received from a second device. A device equipped with the following features.

30. A computer-readable recording medium storing computer executable code, Determining a mapping between a first beam associated with a first type of channel and a second beam associated with a second type of channel, wherein the first type of channel is different from the second type of channel. Receiving the first beam associated with the first type of channel and the second beam associated with the second type of channel, wherein the first beam and the second beam are received from a second device. A computer-readable recording medium containing code for performing a certain action.

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