Mapping Between Control Beams and Data Channel Beams

Abstract

To provide a communication system and, more specifically, mapping between a control channel beam and a data channel beam.SOLUTION: There is a need for a beam tracking technique that reduces the time needed to perform a beamforming procedure and that reduces beam overhead. An apparatus 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 an aspect, the first type of channel may be different from the second type of channel. The apparatus may receive the first beam associated with the first type of channel and the second beam associated with the second type of channel. In an aspect, the first beam and the second beam may be received from a second device.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4A

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62 / 379,208, entitled "MAPPING BETWEEN CONTROL AND DATA BEAMS," filed August 24, 2016, and U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 426,878, entitled "MAPPING BETWEEN A CONTROL BEAM AND A DATA CHANNEL BEAM," filed February 7, 2017, which are hereby expressly incorporated by reference in their entireties.

[0002] The present disclosure relates generally to communication systems, and more particularly to mapping between control channel beams and data channel beams. [Background technology]

[0003] Wireless communication systems have been widely deployed to provide various telecommunication services, such as telephone, video, data, messaging, and broadcast. A typical wireless communication system may employ multiple access technologies capable of supporting 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 have been adopted in various telecommunications standards to provide a common protocol that allows various wireless devices to communicate at 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 promulgated by the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP®). LTE is designed to support mobile broadband access through improved spectral efficiency, lower costs, and improved service 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 in LTE technology are necessary. These improvements may also be applicable to other multiple access technologies and telecommunications standards that employ these technologies. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

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

[0006] The following presents a simplified summary of one or more aspects in order to provide a basic understanding of such aspects. This summary is not an exhaustive overview of all possible aspects, nor is it intended to identify key or critical elements of all aspects or to delineate the scope of any or all aspects. Its sole purpose is to present some concepts of one or more aspects in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later.

[0007] One way to meet the growing demand for mobile broadband may be to utilize mmW spectrum in addition to LTE. Communications using mmW radio frequency bands have extremely high path loss and short distances. Beamforming may be used to compensate for the extremely high path loss and short distances. However, with a potentially large number of antennas at the mmW base station and subarrays at the user equipment (UE), the number of potential beams that may need to be scanned during the beamforming procedure may be significant, especially when the control channel and associated data channels are transmitted using different beams. The scanning process for a large number of potential beams may take an undesirable amount of time and produce significant beam overhead. A beam tracking technique is needed that reduces the time required to perform the beamforming procedure and reduces the beam overhead.

[0008] The present disclosure provides a solution to this problem by providing a relationship between the beams used for the control channel and the beams used for the associated data channel. In a first aspect, the beams used for the control channel and the beams used for the associated data channel may be correlated via an explicit or implicit mapping of different beams. In a second aspect, the relationship between the beams used for the control channel and the beams used for the associated data channel may be independent without any explicit or implicit mapping. In the second aspect, the beams may be selected without any correlation between them based on signaling indicating which beams are used for the control channel and which beams are used for the data channel. In this way, the present 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 an aspect of the present disclosure, a method, a computer-readable medium, and an apparatus are provided. The apparatus 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 an aspect, the first type of channel may be different from the second type of channel. The apparatus may receive the first beam associated with the first type of channel and the second beam associated with the second type of channel. In an aspect, the first beam and the second beam may be received from a second device.

[0010] To the accomplishment of the above and related ends, the one or more aspects comprise the features hereinafter fully described and particularly pointed out in the claims. The following description and the annexed drawings set forth in detail certain illustrative features of the one or more aspects. These features are indicative, however, of but a few of the various ways in which the principles of the various aspects may be utilized, and the description is intended to include all such aspects and their equivalents. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a wireless communication system and access network. [Figure 2A] FIG. 1 illustrates an LTE example of a DL frame structure. [Figure 2B] FIG. 1 illustrates an LTE example of a DL channel within a DL frame structure. [Figure 2C] FIG. 1 illustrates an example of an LTE UL frame structure. [Figure 2D] FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a LTE UL channel within a UL frame structure. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of an evolved Node B (eNB) and user equipment (UE) in an access network. [Figure 4A] FIG. 1 is a diagram of an mmW communication system that can enable synchronization and beam tracking procedures in accordance with some aspects of the present disclosure. [Figure 4B] FIG. 2 is a diagram of a first group of beams that may be used in accordance with some aspects of the present disclosure. [Figure 4C] FIG. 13 is a diagram of a second group of beams that may be used in accordance with some aspects of the present disclosure. [Figure 4D] FIG. 2 is a diagram of a first set of fine beams that may be used in accordance with some aspects of the present disclosure. [Figure 4E] FIG. 13 is a diagram of a second set of fine beams that may be used in accordance with some aspects of the present disclosure. [Figure 4F] FIG. 1 is a diagram of an mmW communication system that can provide a relationship between a control channel beam and a data channel beam in accordance with some aspects of the disclosure. [Figure 5A] 1 is a flow chart of a method of wireless communication. [Figure 5B] 1 is a flow chart of a method of wireless communication. [Figure 5C] 1 is a flow chart of a method of wireless communication. [Figure 6]FIG. 2 is a conceptual data flow diagram illustrating the data flow between different means / components in an exemplary apparatus. [Figure 7] FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a hardware implementation of an apparatus utilizing a processing system. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0012] The detailed description of the embodiments described below with reference to the accompanying drawings is intended as an illustration of various configurations and is not intended to represent the only configurations in which the concepts described herein may be practiced. The detailed description includes specific details for the purpose of providing a thorough understanding of the various concepts. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that these concepts may be practiced without these specific details. In some instances, well-known structures and components are shown in block diagram form to avoid obscuring such concepts.

[0013] Several aspects of a telecommunications system will now be presented with reference to various apparatus and methods that are described in the detailed description that follows and illustrated 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 particular application and design constraints imposed on the overall system.

[0014] As an example, an element, or any portion 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, systems on chips (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 various functions described throughout this disclosure. One or more processors in a processing system may execute software. Software should be construed 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, threads of execution, procedures, functions, and the like, regardless of whether referred to as software, firmware, middleware, microcode, hardware description language, or otherwise.

[0015] Thus, 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 as one or more instructions or code on the computer-readable medium. Computer-readable media includes computer storage media. Storage media may be any available medium accessible by a computer. By way of example and not limitation, such computer-readable media may comprise 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 above types of computer-readable media, or any other medium usable to store computer-executable code in the form of instructions or data structures accessible by a computer.

[0016] 1 illustrates an example of a wireless communication system and access network 100. The wireless communication system (also referred to as a wireless wide area network (WWAN)) includes a base station 102, a UE 104, and an Evolved Packet Core (EPC) 160. The base station 102 may include macro cells (high power cellular base stations) and / or small cells (low power cellular base stations). The macro cells include eNBs. The small cells include femto cells, pico cells, and micro cells.

[0017] The base stations 102 (collectively referred to as Evolved Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) Terrestrial Radio Access Network (E-UTRAN)) interface with the EPC 160 through backhaul links 132 (e.g., an S1 interface). In addition to other functions, the base stations 102 can perform one or more of the following functions: forwarding 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 stratum (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. The base stations 102 can communicate with each other directly or indirectly (e.g., via the EPC 160) over the backhaul links 134 (e.g., an X2 interface). The backhaul links 134 can be wired or wireless.

[0018] The base stations 102 may communicate wirelessly with the UE 104. Each of the base stations 102 may provide communication coverage to a respective geographic coverage area 110. There may be overlapping geographic 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 including both small cells and macro cells may be known as a heterogeneous network. A heterogeneous network may also include a Home Evolved Node B (eNB) (HeNB) that may serve a closed group known as a Closed Subscriber Group (CSG). A communication link 120 between the base station 102 and the UE 104 may include an uplink (UL) transmission (also called a reverse link) from the UE 104 to the base station 102, and / or a downlink (DL) transmission (also called a forward link) from the base station 102 to the UE 104. The communication link 120 may use MIMO antenna techniques, including spatial multiplexing, beamforming, and / or transmit diversity. The communication link may be over one or more carriers. The base station 102 / UE 104 may use spectrum with bandwidth up to YMHz (e.g., 5, 10, 15, 20 MHz) per carrier allocated in carrier aggregation with a total of up to YxMHz (x component carriers) used for transmission in each direction. The carriers may be adjacent or non-adjacent to each other. The carrier allocation may be asymmetric with respect to DL and UL (e.g., more or fewer carriers may be allocated for DL ​​than UL). The component carriers may include a primary component carrier and one or more secondary component carriers. The primary component carrier may be referred to as a primary cell (PCell) and the secondary component carrier may be referred to as a secondary cell (SCell).

[0019] The wireless communication system may further include a Wi-Fi access point (AP) 150 in communication 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) prior to communicating to determine if a channel is available.

[0020] The small cells 102' may operate in licensed and / or unlicensed frequency spectrums. When operating in the unlicensed frequency spectrum, the small cells 102' may utilize LTE and use the same 5 GHz unlicensed frequency spectrum used by the Wi-Fi APs 150. The small cells 102' utilizing LTE in the unlicensed frequency spectrum may extend coverage to and / or increase capacity of the access network. LTE in the unlicensed spectrum may be referred to as LTE-unlicensed (LTE-U), licensed assisted access (LAA), or MuLTEfire.

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

[0022] The EPC 160 may include a Mobility Management Entity (MME) 162, other MMEs 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. The MME 162 may be in communication with a Home Subscriber Server (HSS) 174. The MME 162 is a control node that handles signaling between the UE 104 and the EPC 160. In general, the MME 162 provides bearer and connection management. All user Internet Protocol (IP) packets are forwarded through the Serving Gateway 166, which is itself connected to the PDN Gateway 172. The PDN Gateway 172 provides IP address allocation for the UE as well as other functions. The PDN Gateway 172 and the BM-SC 170 are connected to an IP Service 176. The IP services 176 may include the Internet, intranet, IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS), PS Streaming Service (PSS), and / or other IP services. The BM-SC 170 may provide functionality for provisioning and delivery of MBMS user services. The BM-SC 170 may act as an entry point for content provider MBMS transmissions, may be used to authorize and initiate MBMS bearer services in the Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN), and may be used to schedule MBMS transmissions. The MBMS Gateway 168 may be used to deliver MBMS traffic to base stations 102 that belong to a Multicast Broadcast Single Frequency Network (MBSFN) area that broadcasts a particular service, and may be responsible for session management (start / stop) and collecting eMBMS-related charging information.

[0023] A base station may also be referred to as a Node B, evolved Node B (eNB), access point, base transceiver station, radio base station, radio transceiver, transceiver function, basic service set (BSS), extended service set (ESS), or some other suitable terminology. The base station 102 provides an access point to the EPC 160 for the UE 104. Examples of the UE 104 include a mobile phone, a smart phone, a session initiation protocol (SIP) phone, a laptop, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a satellite radio, a global positioning system, a multimedia device, a video device, a digital audio player (e.g., MP3 player), a camera, a game console, a tablet, a smart device, a wearable device, or any other similarly functional device. The UE 104 may also be referred to as a station, a mobile station, a subscriber station, a mobile unit, a subscriber unit, a wireless unit, a remote unit, a mobile device, a wireless device, a wireless communication device, a remote device, a mobile subscriber station, an access terminal, a mobile terminal, a wireless terminal, a remote terminal, a handset, a user agent, a mobile client, a client, or some other suitable terminology.

[0024] Referring again to FIG. 1, in some aspects, the UE 104 and the mmW base station 180 may be configured to determine (198) a mapping between a beam used for the control channel and a different beam used for an associated data channel.

[0025] FIG. 2A is a diagram 200 illustrating an example of a DL frame structure in LTE. FIG. 2B is a diagram 230 illustrating an example of a channel in a DL frame structure in LTE. FIG. 2C is a diagram 250 illustrating an example of a UL frame structure in LTE. FIG. 2D is a diagram 280 illustrating an example of a channel in a UL frame structure in LTE. Other wireless communication technologies may have different frame structures and / or different channels. In LTE, a frame (10 ms) may be divided into 10 equally sized subframes. Each subframe may include two consecutive time slots. A resource grid may be used to represent the two time slots, with each time slot including one or more simultaneous resource blocks (RBs) (also called physical RBs (PRBs)). The resource grid is divided into multiple resource elements (REs). In LTE, for a normal cyclic prefix, an RB includes 12 consecutive subcarriers in the frequency domain and 7 consecutive symbols (OFDM symbols for DL ​​and SC-FDMA symbols for UL) in the time domain for a total of 84 REs. For the extended cyclic prefix, a 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 at the UE. The DL-RS may include cell-specific reference signals (CRS) (sometimes called common RS), UE-specific reference signals (UE-RS), and channel state information reference signals (CSI-RS). Figure 2A shows CRS for antenna ports 0, 1, 2, and 3 (denoted as R0, R1, R2, and R3, respectively), UE-RS for antenna port 5 (denoted as R5), and CSI-RS for antenna port 15 (denoted as R). Figure 2B shows an example of various channels in a DL subframe of a frame. The physical control format indicator channel (PCFICH) is in symbol 0 of slot 0 and carries a control format indicator (CFI) that indicates whether the physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) occupies one symbol, two symbols, or three symbols (Figure 2B shows a PDCCH occupying three symbols). The PDCCH carries downlink control information (DCI) in one or more control channel elements (CCEs), each CCE containing nine RE groups (REGs), each REG containing four consecutive REs in an OFDM symbol. A UE may be configured with a UE-specific enhanced PDCCH (ePDCCH) that also carries the DCI. The ePDCCH may have two, four, or eight RB pairs (FIG. 2B shows two RB pairs, each subset containing one RB pair). The physical hybrid automatic repeat request (ARQ) (HARQ) indicator channel (PHICH) is also in symbol 0 of slot 0 and carries a HARQ indicator (HI) that indicates HARQ acknowledgment (ACK) / negative acknowledgment (NACK) feedback based on the physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH). The Primary Synchronization Channel (PSCH) is located in symbol 6 of slot 0 in subframes 0 and 5 of a 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 in symbol 5 of slot 0 in subframes 0 and 5 of the frame and carries a secondary synchronization signal (SSS) used by the UE to determine a physical layer cell identity group number. Based on the physical layer identity and the physical layer cell identity group number, the UE can determine a 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 in symbols 0, 1, 2, 3 of slot 1 of subframe 0 of the frame and carries a master information block (MIB). The MIB provides the number of RBs in the DL system bandwidth, the PHICH configuration, and the system frame number (SFN). The physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH) carries user data, broadcast system information not transmitted over the PBCH, such as the system information block (SIB), and paging messages.

[0027] As shown in FIG. 2C, some of the REs carry demodulation reference signals (DM-RS) for channel estimation at the eNB. The UE may additionally transmit a sounding reference signal (SRS) in the last symbol of the 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. FIG. 2D shows an example of various channels in a UL subframe of a frame. A physical random access channel (PRACH) may be in one or more subframes in the frame based on the PRACH configuration. The PRACH may include six consecutive RB pairs in a subframe. The PRACH enables 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. The PUCCH carries uplink control information (UCI), such as scheduling requests, channel quality indicators (CQI), precoding matrix indicators (PMI), rank indicators (RI), and HARQ ACK / NACK feedback. The PUSCH carries data and may be further used to carry buffer status reports (BSR), power headroom reports (PHR), and / or UCI.

[0028] 3 is a block diagram of an eNB 310 in communication with a UE 350 in an access network. In the DL, IP packets from the EPC 160 may be provided to a controller / processor 375. The controller / processor 375 implements Layer 3 and Layer 2 functionality. Layer 3 includes a Radio Resource Control (RRC) layer, and Layer 2 includes a Packet Data Convergence Protocol (PDCP) layer, a Radio Link Control (RLC) layer, and a Medium Access Control (MAC) layer. The controller / processor 375 provides RRC layer functions related to broadcasting of system information (e.g., MIBs, SIBs), RRC connection control (e.g., RRC connection paging, RRC connection establishment, RRC connection modification, 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 transfer of 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 of MAC SDUs onto transport blocks (TBs), demultiplexing of MAC SDUs from TBs, scheduling information reporting, error correction via HARQ, priority handling, and logical channel prioritization.

[0029] The transmit (TX) processor 316 and 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 transport channels, forward error correction (FEC) coding / decoding of transport channels, interleaving, rate matching, mapping onto physical channels, modulation / demodulation of physical channels, and MIMO antenna processing. The TX processor 316 handles mapping to signal constellations based on various modulation schemes (e.g., binary phase shift keying (BPSK), quadrature phase shift keying (QPSK), M-phase shift keying (M-PSK), M-quadrature amplitude modulation (M-QAM)). The coded and modulated symbols may then be split into parallel streams. Each stream may then be mapped to OFDM subcarriers, multiplexed with a reference signal (e.g., pilot) in the time domain and / or frequency domain, and then combined together using an inverse fast Fourier transform (IFFT) to generate a physical channel carrying a time-domain OFDM symbol stream. The OFDM streams are spatially precoded to generate multiple spatial streams. Channel estimates from a channel estimator 374 may be used to determine the coding and modulation scheme, as well as for spatial processing. The channel estimates may be derived from a reference signal and / or channel condition feedback transmitted by the UE 350. Each spatial stream may then be provided to a different antenna 320 via a separate transmitter 318TX. Each transmitter 318TX may modulate an RF carrier with a respective spatial stream for transmission.

[0030] At the UE 350, each receiver 354RX receives a signal through its respective antenna 352. Each receiver 354RX recovers information modulated onto an RF carrier and provides the information to a receive (RX) processor 356. The TX processor 368 and the RX processor 356 implement layer 1 functionality related to various signal processing functions. The RX processor 356 may perform spatial processing on the information to recover any spatial streams destined for the UE 350. If multiple spatial streams are destined for the UE 350, the multiple spatial streams may be combined by the RX processor 356 into a single OFDM symbol stream. The RX processor 356 then converts the OFDM symbol stream from the time domain to the frequency domain using a fast Fourier transform (FFT). The frequency domain signal comprises a separate OFDM symbol stream for each subcarrier of the OFDM signal. The symbols on each subcarrier and the reference signal are recovered and demodulated by determining the most likely signal constellation point transmitted by the eNB 310. These soft decisions may be based on channel estimates calculated by a channel estimator 358. The soft decisions are then decoded and deinterleaved to recover the data and control signals originally transmitted by the eNB 310 on the physical channel. The data and control signals are then provided to a controller / processor 359, which implements Layer 3 and Layer 2 functions.

[0031] The controller / processor 359 may be associated with a memory 360 that stores program codes and data. The memory 360 may be referred to as a computer-readable medium. In the UL, the controller / processor 359 performs demultiplexing between transport and logical channels, packet reassembly, decryption, header decompression, and control signal processing to recover IP packets from the EPC 160. The controller / processor 359 is also responsible for error detection using an ACK and / or NACK protocol to support HARQ operations.

[0032] Similar to the functions described with respect to DL transmission by the eNB 310, the controller / processor 359 provides RRC layer functions associated with system information (e.g., MIBs, SIBs) collection, RRC connection, and measurement reporting; PDCP layer functions associated with header compression / decompression and security (encryption, decryption, integrity protection, integrity verification); RLC layer functions associated with transfer of upper layer PDUs, error correction via ARQ, concatenation, segmentation, and reassembly of RLC SDUs, resegmentation of RLC data PDUs, and reordering of RLC data PDUs; and MAC layer functions associated with mapping between logical channels and transport channels, multiplexing of MAC SDUs onto the TB, demultiplexing of MAC SDUs from the TB, scheduling information reporting, error correction via HARQ, priority handling, and logical channel prioritization.

[0033] Channel estimates derived by the channel estimator 358 from a reference signal or feedback transmitted by the eNB 310 may be used by the TX processor 368 to select an appropriate coding and modulation scheme, as well as to facilitate spatial processing. The spatial streams generated by the TX processor 368 may be provided to different antennas 352 via separate transmitters 354TX. Each transmitter 354TX may modulate an RF carrier with a respective spatial stream for transmission.

[0034] The UL transmissions are processed at the eNB 310 in a manner similar to that described with respect to the receiver functions at the UE 350. Each receiver 318RX receives a signal through its respective antenna 320. Each receiver 318RX recovers information modulated onto an RF carrier and provides the information to a RX processor 370.

[0035] The controller / processor 375 may be associated with a memory 376 that stores program codes and data. The memory 376 may be referred to as a computer-readable medium. In the UL, the controller / processor 375 performs demultiplexing between transport and logical channels, packet reassembly, decryption, header decompression, and control signal processing to recover IP packets from the UE 350. The IP packets from the controller / processor 375 may be provided to the EPC 160. The controller / processor 375 is also responsible for error detection to support HARQ operations using an ACK and / or NACK protocol.

[0036] One way to meet the growing demand for mobile broadband may be to utilize mmW spectrum in addition to LTE. mmW communication systems may operate in ultra-high frequency bands (e.g., 10.0 GHz to 300.0 GHz) where the carrier wavelength is on the order of a few millimeters. mmW systems may operate with the aid of several antennas and beamforming to overcome low-gain channels. For example, large attenuation in high carrier frequency bands may limit the range of transmitted signals to tens of meters (e.g., 1 to 50 meters). Also, the presence of obstacles (e.g., walls, furniture, people, etc.) may block the propagation of high-frequency millimeter waves. Therefore, the propagation characteristics of high carrier frequencies require directional beamforming between mmW base stations and UEs, which concentrates the transmission energy in specific spatial directions corresponding to the main spatial scatterers, reflectors, and / or diffraction paths to eliminate losses. Beamforming may be implemented via an array of antennas (e.g., a phased array) that cooperate to beamform a radio frequency signal in a particular direction to a receiving device, thus 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 information associated with the estimated channel characteristics to the mmW base station. For example, 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 can be estimated by the UE. Using information associated with the estimated channel characteristics of each of the potential access beams, the mmW base station can select an access beam with the most desirable channel characteristics and adjust the phase shift of each of the antenna ports used to transmit the channels such that the channels are spatially concentrated in the direction of the first device. Spatially concentrated channels can have a better SNR (e.g., the level of a desired signal compared to the level of background noise) than channels that are not spatially concentrated. 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] FIG. 4A is a diagram illustrating an example of a mmW communication system 400 that may perform beamforming. The mmW communication system 400 includes a UE 431 and a mmW base station 432. In an aspect, the UE 431 and the mmW base station 432 may perform initial synchronization and discovery to establish an access link that may be used for mmW communication. For example, the UE 431 and the mmW base station 432 may establish an access link along a path 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 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 that is received at 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 a first group of beams, as discussed below with respect to FIG. 4B. In another embodiment, the second set of beams may be non-adjacent beams selected from a second group of beams, as discussed below with respect to FIG. 4C. By selecting non-adjacent beams, the mmW base station 432 can sweep "coarse" beam directions to estimate L directions (also called beamforming directions or angles) corresponding to the L beam paths without having to sweep all of the potential beams during synchronization.

[0040] FIG. 4B illustrates a first group of fine beams 425 that are spaced apart by an angle less than θ. The group of beams 425 illustrated in FIG. 4B includes eight different beams that are spatially concentrated in different directions. For example, the group of beams 425 includes beams 1401 spatially concentrated in a first direction, beams 2402 spatially concentrated in a second direction, beams 3403 spatially concentrated in a third direction, beams 4404 spatially concentrated in a fourth direction, beams 5405 spatially concentrated in a fifth direction, beams 6406 spatially concentrated in a sixth direction, beams 7407 spatially concentrated in a seventh direction, and beams 8408 spatially concentrated in an eighth direction. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the number of beams illustrated in FIG. 4B is intended to be exemplary, and that more or fewer beams may be included in the first group of beams without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

[0041] 4C shows a second group of finer beams 435 that are spaced apart by an angle less than θ. The group of beams 435 shown in FIG. 4C includes eight different beams spatially concentrated in different directions. For example, the group of beams 435 includes beams 9409 spatially concentrated in a ninth direction and beams 9409 spatially concentrated in a tenth direction. 10 410 and a spatially concentrated beam in the 11th direction. 11411 and a spatially concentrated beam in the 12th direction. 12 412 and a spatially concentrated beam in the 13th direction. 13 413 and a spatially concentrated beam in the 14th direction. 14 414 and a spatially concentrated beam in the 15th direction. 15 415 and a spatially concentrated beam in the 16th direction. 16 416. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the number of beams shown in FIG. 4C is intended to be exemplary, and that more or fewer 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, the UE 431 may select the strongest beam in the first set of beams (e.g., beam n ) and the strongest beam in the second set of beams (e.g., beam v ) can be determined. For example, n may be beam 5405, and beam v Beam 13 413. In the particular example shown in Figure 4A, n = 5 and v = 13. However, the values ​​n and v are not limited to those shown in Figure 4A.

[0043] After performing initial synchronization and discovery using the first set of beams and the second set of beams, the UE 431 and the 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 (e.g., 401, 403, 405, 407, 409, 411, 413, 415) from the mmW base station 432 to the UE 431. In an aspect, L may be an integer greater than 1 (for diversity reasons). In an aspect, the mmW base station 432 and / or the UE 431 may have an estimate of the relative strengths of these L beam paths that 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 an aspect, the UE 431 may select 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 at least beam 5405 and beam 13 413, may include one or more characteristics and / or estimates associated with it.

[0045] In an aspect, the beamforming capability may be an analog beamforming capability. For example, the mmW base station 432 may have an analog beamforming capability that may enable the 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 refers to a combination of a power amplifier, a digital-to-analog converter, and a mixer when referring to the transmit side of the modem, or a combination of a low-noise amplifier, a demixer, and an analog-to-digital converter when referring to the receiver side of the modem. In an aspect, the beamforming capability may be a digital beamforming capability. For example, the mmW base station 432 may have a digital beamforming capability corresponding to as many RF chains as there are antennas, which may enable the 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 an aspect, the beamforming capability may be a hybrid beamforming capability, where the number of RF chains is greater than one and less than the number of antennas. For example, the mmW base station 432 may have a hybrid beamforming capability, which may enable the mmW base station 432 to transmit a beam from each of the mmW base station 432's RF chains. In an aspect, the beamforming capability may be the availability of multiple antenna subarrays. For example, the UE 431 may have multiple antenna subarrays, which enable the UE 431 to transmit beams from each of the antenna subarrays in different directions (e.g., in the direction of each of the beams 419, 421, 423, 425) to overcome RF obstacles, such as the hand of the user of the UE 431 inadvertently blocking the path of the beam.

[0046] In another aspect, the 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, the mmW base station 432 may have a higher antenna switching speed than the UE 431. In such an example, the higher antenna switching speed of the mmW base station 432 may be utilized by configuring the mmW base station 432 to scan different directions and / or sectors while the UE 431 transmits a beam in a fixed direction. In another example, the UE 431 may have a higher antenna switching speed than the mmW base station 432. In such an example, the higher antenna switching speed of the UE 431 may be utilized by configuring the UE 431 to scan different directions and / or sectors while the mmW base station 432 transmits a beam in a fixed direction.

[0047] After an initial synchronization and discovery phase, beam tracking may be performed by the UE 431 and / or mmW base station 432 by transmitting a signal (e.g., BRRS) using a fine beam angle ρ (e.g., angle within a narrow range), where an initial estimate of channel characteristics associated with beams separated by a coarse beam angle θ (e.g., angle within a wide range) has already been obtained by the UE 431 and / or mmW base station 432. A beam tracking algorithm typically uses the coarse beam angles (e.g., θ) learned in an initial synchronization and discovery period as initial values ​​(also called seed values), and subsequently fine-tunes these angles within a narrow range over a period where the dynamic range of angles is smaller than θ. For example, ρ may be smaller than θ.

[0048] For example, UE 431 may receive from the second device a third set of beams associated with the BRRS and a fourth set of beams associated with the BRRS. In an aspect, the third set of beams may include beam 5405 (e.g., 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 and at least one adjacent beam. In one aspect, the third set of beams may be adjacent beams selected from the first group of beams (e.g., as seen in FIG. 4B), as discussed below with respect to FIG. 4D. In a further aspect, the fourth set of beams may be adjacent beams selected from the second group of beams (e.g., as seen in FIG. 4C), as discussed below with respect to FIG. 4E.

[0049] Figure 4D shows a set of fine beams 445 that may 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 adjacent beams 4404 and 6406. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the number of beams shown in Figure 4D is intended to be exemplary, and that more or fewer beams may be included in the group of beams without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

[0050] FIG. 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 FIG. 13 413 and adjacent beams 12 412 and Beam 14 414. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the number of beams shown in Figure 4E is intended to be exemplary, and that more or fewer beams may be included in the group of beams without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

[0051] Referring again to FIG. 4A, the UE 431 may select the strongest beam (e.g., beam 401) of the third set of beams (e.g., beams 404, 405, 406). n+a ) and the strongest beam (e.g., beam 411) in the fourth set of beams (e.g., beams 412, 413, 414) v+b For example, the strongest beam in the third set of beams is beam 6406 (e.g., beam n+a, in FIG. 4A, n=5 and a=1), and the strongest beam in the fourth set of beams is beam 12 412 (e.g., Beam v+b , v=13 and b=-1 in FIG. 4A). In the particular example shown in FIG. 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 FIG. 4A. For example, the strongest beam in the third set of beams (e.g., beam n+a ) is the strongest beam in the first set of beams (e.g., beam n ), in which case a may be an integer value greater than 1 or less than −1. Similarly, the strongest beam in the fourth set of beams (e.g., beam v+b ) is the strongest beam in the second set of beams (e.g., beam v ), in which case b can have integer values ​​greater than 1 or less than −1.

[0052] In an aspect, the UE 431 may transmit information associated with the strongest beam in the third set of beams and the fourth set of beams to the mmW base station 432. In an aspect, the information may be indicated by two bits in a message transmitted to the mmW base station 432.

[0053] Because there may be a large number of antenna ports at the mmW base station and antenna subarrays at the UE, the number of potential beams (e.g., beams with different beam angles) that may need to be scanned during beam tracking may be very large (e.g., a much larger number than shown in the example described with respect to FIG. 4A), especially when the control channel and associated data channels are transmitted using different beams. Beam tracking a large number of potential channels may take an undesirable amount of time and produce significant beam overhead. A beam tracking technique is needed that reduces the time required to perform a beamforming procedure and reduces beam overhead.

[0054] The present disclosure provides a solution to the problem by providing a relationship between a control channel beam and an associated data channel beam 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 via an 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 an explicit or implicit mapping. In the 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, the present disclosure can reduce the time required to complete beam tracking and reduce the beam overhead of the system by reducing the number of potential beams that may need to be scanned, since the UE 431 and / or the mmW base station 432 may only need to determine the access beam for one of the control channel or data channel.

[0055] FIG. 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 a control channel and a second beam used to communicate an associated data channel. For example, the beam tracking procedure described with respect to FIG. 4F may be performed with explicit or implicit knowledge of the relationship between the control channel beam and the data channel beam to reduce the time required to complete beamforming. In one aspect, 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 obvious correlation between the control channel beam and the data channel beam). In a second configuration, this relationship may be specifically indicated via signaling.

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

[0057] In one configuration, the first device 434 may be the UE 431 seen in Figure 4A and the second device 436 may be the mmW base station 432 seen in Figure 4A. In another configuration, the first device 434 may be the mmW base station 432 seen in Figure 4A and the second device 436 may be the UE 431 seen in Figure 4A.

[0058] First Exemplary Embodiment In a first exemplary embodiment, the first device 434 may determine a mapping between the first and second beams by determining 440 that the widths of the first and second beams differ by a first amount. In one configuration, the first device 434 may know the width difference a priori. In another configuration, the first device 434 may receive an indication 450 that the widths of the first and second beams differ by a fixed amount.

[0059] Based on the beam tracking procedure described above with respect to FIG. 4A, the first device 434 and / or the second device 436 may, for example, 13 The first device 434 may determine that beam 413 has the most desirable channel characteristics and is to be used as the beam used to transmit one of the control channel or the data channel. 13It may be determined that the widths of 413 and beam 427 (e.g., as seen in FIG. 4A) differ by a fixed amount, so that beam 427 may be selected for transmitting the other of the control channel or 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 know a priori that the same beam is used for the first beam and the second beam. Optionally, the first device 434 may receive an indication 450 that the same beam is used to transmit the control channel and the data channel.

[0061] For example, one of beams 401, 403, 405, 407, 409, 411, 413, 415 used to transmit BRS in FIG. 4A may be used for the control channel and the data channel, or one of beams 404, 405, 406, 412, 413, 414 used to transmit BRRS in FIG. 4A may be used for the control channel and the 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 sub-array associated with a first beam is quasi co-located with a second sub-array associated with a second beam.

[0063] Based on the beam tracking procedure described above with respect to FIG. 4A, the first device 434 and / or the second device 436 may, for example, 13The first device 434 may determine that the beam 413 has the most desirable channel characteristics and will be used for either the control channel 462 or the data channel 464. 13 The subarray (e.g., antenna subarray if the first device 434 is a UE, or antenna port if the first device 434 is a mmW base station) used to receive 413 is a beam 27 427 is quasi-collocated with the subarray used to receive the control channel 462 or the data channel 464, 27 You may choose 427.

[0064] When two subarrays are quasi-collocated, the large-scale properties of the channel through which the symbols on one antenna port are carried can be inferred from the channel through which the symbols on the other antenna port are carried. For example, the large-scale properties can include one or more of 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 (440) 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.

[0066] For example, the beam n (e.g., beam 5 in Figure 4A) is a beam n+a (e.g., beam 6 in FIG. 4A), and v (For example, the beam in Fig. 4A 13 ) is a beam v+b (For example, the beam in Fig. 4A 12 ), where the beam n and beam n+aBoth are used to transmit BRS and beam v and beam v+b Both are used to transmit BRRS.

[0067] Optionally, the first device 434 may receive a beam from the second device 436. n Beam n+a and / or beam v Beam v+b In one aspect, the indication 450 may be received via a control channel (e.g., PDCCH) signaling or RRC signaling. In addition, the first device 434 may receive from the second device 436 an indication 450 that the beam is to be correlated with the first device 434. n (For example, or beam v ) may receive information 450 indicating that the channel 462 is to be used for either a control channel 462 or a data channel 464.

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

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

[0070] Additionally and / or alternatively, the first device 434 may be n is used for either the control channel 462 or the data channel, and / or v The second device 436 may receive information 450 indicating that the second device 436 is to be used for the control channel 462 or the data channel 464 .

[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 one of the BRS beams used as a data channel. Additionally 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 one of the BRRS beams used as a data channel.

[0072] For example, the beam n (e.g., beam 5405 in FIG. 4A) is a beam v (For example, the beam in Fig. 4A 13 413) and may be correlated with the beamn+a (e.g., beam 6406 in FIG. 4A) is a beam v+b (For example, the beam in Fig. 4A 12 412) can be correlated with the 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 is a beam v is used as either a control channel 462 or a data channel 464. n Alternatively, the first device 434 may determine when the beam is to be used as the control channel 462 or the data channel 464. v+b is used for either the control channel 462 or the data channel 464. n+a It may be determined when the other of the control channel 462 or data channel 464 is used.

[0074] Sixth Exemplary Embodiment In the sixth exemplary embodiment, the first device 434 is a beam x is used as the first beam, and the beam z For example, the first device 434 may determine the mapping by determining that a beam from the second device 436 is to be used as the second beam. x is used as the first beam, and the beam z The second beam may receive information 450 indicating that the second beam is to be used as the second beam. x and beam z may not be correlated in any obvious manner, so the mapping in the sixth exemplary embodiment may be an independent relationship determined by the second device 436.

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

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

[0077] 5A-5C are flowcharts 500 of a method of wireless communication. The method may be performed by a first device (e.g., a UE 431, a mmW base station 432, a first device 434, an apparatus 602 / 602′). In FIG. 5A-5C, operations shown with dashed lines represent optional operations of various aspects of the disclosure.

[0078] 5A, at 502, a first device may receive a first set of beams associated with a BRS and a second set of beams associated with the BRS. In an aspect, the first set of beams may be different from the second set of beams. For example, referring to FIG. 4A, during initial synchronization, a UE 431 may receive a signal (e.g., a BRS) on a first set of beams (e.g., beams 401, 403, 405, 407) during a first symbol of a synchronization subframe and transmit the same signal on 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 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 and the strongest beam in the second set of beams is beam v For example, referring to FIG. 4A, the UE 431 may select the strongest beam (e.g., beam n ) and the strongest beam in the second set of beams (e.g., beam v ) may be determined. For example, n may be beam 5405, and beam v Beam 13 413. In the particular example shown in Figure 4A, n = 5 and v = 13. However, the values ​​n and v are not limited to those shown in Figure 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, the 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 5406). 13 413) to the mmW base station 432. For example, the information may include at least beam 5405 and beam 13 413, may include one or more channel characteristics and / or estimates associated with the channel characteristics and / or estimates.

[0081] At 508, the first device may receive from the second device a third set of beams associated with the BRRS and a fourth set of beams associated with the BRRS. In one aspect, the third set of beams may include: n and beam n and at least one beam adjacent to the fourth set of beams.v and beam v 4A , the UE 431 may receive from the second device a third set of beams associated with the BRRS and a fourth set of beams associated with the BRRS. In an aspect, the third set of beams may include beam 5405 (e.g., beam n ) and at least one beam adjacent to beam 5405, the fourth set of beams being beams 13 413 (e.g., Beam v ) and beam 13 413 and at least one adjacent beam. In one aspect, the third set of beams (e.g., as discussed above with respect to FIG. 4D) may be adjacent beams selected from the first group of beams of FIG. 4B. In a further aspect, the fourth set of beams (e.g., as discussed above with respect to FIG. 4E) may be adjacent beams selected from the second group of beams of FIG. 4C.

[0082] At 510, the first device can determine the strongest beam in the third set of beams and the strongest beam in the fourth set of beams. In an embodiment, the strongest beam in the third set of beams is the beam n+a The strongest beam in the fourth set of beams may be beam v+b For example, referring to FIG. 4A, the UE 431 may select the strongest beam (e.g., beam 401) in the third set of beams (e.g., beams 404, 405, 406). n+a ) and the strongest beam (e.g., beam 411) in the fourth set of beams (e.g., beams 412, 413, 414) v+b For example, the strongest beam in the third set of beams may be beam 6406 (e.g., beam n+a , n=5 and a=1 in FIG. 4A), and the strongest beam in the fourth set of beams is beam 12 412 (e.g., Beam v+b, v=13 and b=-1 in FIG. 4A). In the particular example shown in FIG. 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 FIG. 4A. For example, the strongest beam in the third set of beams (e.g., beam n+a ) is the strongest beam in the first set of beams (e.g., beam n ), in which case a may be an integer value greater than 1 or less than −1. Similarly, the strongest beam in the fourth set of beams (e.g., beam v+b ) is the strongest beam in the second set of beams (e.g., beam v ), in which case b can have integer values ​​greater than 1 or less than −1.

[0083] At 512, the first device may transmit 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. For example, referring to FIG. 4A, the UE 431 may transmit information associated with the strongest beam in the third set of beams and the strongest beam in the fourth set of beams to the mmW base station 432. In one aspect, the information may be indicated by two bits in a message transmitted to the mmW base station 432.

[0084] At 514, the first device receives a beam from the second device. n or beam v 4F, the first device 434 may receive information indicating that one of the beams 432, 434, 436, 438, 439, 440, 441, 442, 443, 444, 445, 446, 447, 448, 449, 450, 451, 452, 453, 454, 455, 456, 457, 458, 459, 460, 461, 462, 463, 464, 465, 466, 467, 468, 469, 470, 471, 472, 473, 474, 475, 476, 477, 478, 479, 480, 481, 482, 483, 484, 485, 486, 487, 488, 489, 490, 491, 492, 493, 494, 495, 496, 497, 498, 499, 500, 501, 502, 503, 504, 505, 506, 507, 508, 509, 510, 511, 512, 513, 514, 515, 516, 517, 518, 519, 520, 521, 522, 523, 524, 525, 526, 527, 528, 529, 530, 531, 532, n (For example, or beam v ) may receive information 450 indicating that the selected channel is to be used for a control channel 462 or a data channel 464.

[0085] At 516, the first device may receive an indication from the second device that the widths of the first and second beams differ by a fixed amount. For example, with reference to FIG. 4F, the first device 434 may receive an indication 450 that the widths of the first and second beams differ by a fixed amount.

[0086] With reference to FIG. 5B, at 518, the first 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 an aspect, 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. With reference to FIG. 4F, the first device 434 and / or the second device 436 may perform beam tracking 485 (e.g., as described above with respect to FIG. 4A) to determine a first beam used for the first type of channel (e.g., a control channel or a data channel) and / or a 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 a relationship with the first beam. In an aspect, the first beam and the second beam may be different. In another aspect, the first beam and the second beam may be the same beam. In further aspects, the first channel type and the second channel type may be different, 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 At 520, the first device may determine the mapping by determining that the widths of the first and second beams differ by a fixed amount. For example, with reference to FIG. 4F, the first device 434 may determine the mapping between the first and second beams by determining (440) that the widths of the first and second beams differ by a first amount. In one configuration, the first device 434 may know the width difference a priori. In another configuration, the first device 434 may receive an indication 450 that the widths of the first and second beams differ by a fixed amount. Based on the beam tracking procedure described above with respect to FIG. 4A, the first device 434 and / or the second device 436 may determine the mapping between the first and second beams by, for example, determining that the widths of the first and second beams differ by a first amount. 13 The first device 434 may determine that beam 413 has the most desirable channel characteristics and is to be used as the beam used to transmit one of the control channel or the data channel. 13 413 and Beam 27 427 (e.g., as seen in FIG. 4A) may be determined to differ in width by a fixed amount, so that the beams for transmitting the other of the control channel or the data channel may be aligned in a fixed direction. 27 You may choose 427.

[0088] At 522, the first device n When is used as a second beam associated with a channel of a second type, the beam z The mapping can be determined by determining that the first beam is to be used as a first beam associated with a first type of channel. z and beam n The widths of the beams may differ by a fixed amount. For example, referring to FIG. 4A and FIG. 4F, based on a beam tracking procedure, the first device 434 and / or the second device 436 may, for example, 13The first device 434 may determine that beam 413 has the most desirable channel characteristics and is to be used as the beam used to transmit one of the control channel or the data channel. 13 413 and Beam 27 427 (e.g., as seen in FIG. 4A) may be determined to differ in width by a fixed amount, so that the beams for transmitting the other of the control channel or the data channel may be aligned in a fixed direction. 27 For example, one might choose n=13 and z=27. 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 At 524, the first device may determine that the same beam is used as the first beam and the second beam. For example, with reference to FIG. 4A and FIG. 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 know a priori that the same beam is used for the first beam and the second beam. Optionally, the first device 434 may receive an indication 450 that the same beam is used to transmit the control channel and the data channel. For example, one of beams 401, 403, 405, 407, 409, 411, 413, 415 used to transmit BRS in FIG. 4A may be used for the control channel and the data channel, or one of beams 404, 405, 406, 412, 413, 414 used to transmit BRRS in FIG. 4A may be used for the control channel and the data channel.

[0090] Third Exemplary Embodiment At 526, the first device can determine the mapping by determining that a first subarray associated with a first beam is quasi-collocated with a second subarray associated with a second beam. For example, with reference to FIGS. 4A and 4F, the first device 434 and / or the second device 436 can determine that a first subarray associated with a first beam is quasi-collocated with a second subarray associated with a second beam. 13 The first device 434 may determine that beam 413 has the most desirable channel characteristics and will be used to transmit either the control channel 462 or the data channel 464. 13 The subarray (e.g., antenna subarray if the first device 434 is a UE, or antenna port if the first device 434 is a mmW base station) used to receive 413 is a beam 27 427 is quasi-collocated with the subarray used to receive the control channel 462 or the data channel 464, 27 You may choose 427.

[0091] At 528, the first device determines a beamforming signal based on the first subarray being quasi-collocated with the second subarray. n When is used as a second beam associated with a channel of a second type, the beam z 4F, the first device 434 may determine that beam 13 The subarray (e.g., antenna subarray if the first device 434 is a UE, or antenna port if the first device 434 is a mmW base station) used to receive 413 is a beam 27 427 is quasi-collocated with the subarray used to receive the control channel 462 or the data channel 464, 27For example, one might choose n=13 and z=27. 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 Beam n+a and the beam v Beam v+b For example, referring to FIG. 4F, the first device 434 may receive an indication from the second device 436 that the beam is to be correlated with the n Beam n+a and / or beam v Beam v+b The mobile station may receive an indication 450 of the associated signal being correlated with the associated signal. In one aspect, the indication 450 may be received via a control channel (e.g., PDCCH) signaling or RRC signaling.

[0093] At 532, the first device n and beam n+a The first correlation between and the beam v and beam v+b For example, referring to FIG. 4F, the first device 434 may determine the mapping by correlating (440) 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. For example, referring to FIG. n (e.g., beam 5 in Figure 4A) is a beam n+a (e.g., beam 6 in FIG. 4A), and v (For example, the beam in Fig. 4A 13 ) is a beam v+b (For example, the beam in Fig. 4A 12 ), where the beam n and beamn+a Both are used to transmit BRS and beam v and beam v+b Both are used to transmit BRRS.

[0094] At 534, the first device determines a beam size based on the correlation. n When is used as a first beam associated with a first type of channel, the beam n+a 4F, in the first configuration, the first device 434 may determine that beam n+a Note that a beam (e.g., beam 6406 in FIG. 4A) may be used for either the control channel 462 or the data channel 464. n A determination may be made (440) when a beam (eg, beam 5405 in FIG. 4A) is to be used for the other of the control channel 462 or the data channel 464.

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

[0096] Fifth Exemplary Embodiment As seen in FIG. 5C, at 538, the first device n and beam v The third correlation between and the beam n+a and beam v+b For example, referring to FIG. 4F, the first device 434 may determine the mapping by correlating (440) one of the BRS beams used as a control channel with another one of the BRS beams used as a data channel. Additionally 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 one of the BRRS beams used as a data channel. For example, n (e.g., beam 5405 in FIG. 4A) is a beam v (For example, the beam in Fig. 4A 13 413) and may be correlated with the beam n+a(e.g., beam 6406 in FIG. 4A) is a beam v+b (For example, the beam in Fig. 4A 12 412) can be correlated with the 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 determines a beam position based on the correlation. n When is used as a first beam associated with a first type of channel, the beam v 4F, the first device 434 may determine that beam v is used as either a control channel 462 or a data channel 464. n Alternatively, the first device 434 may determine when the beam is to be used as the control channel 462 or the data channel 464. v+b is used for either the control channel 462 or the data channel 464. n+a It may be determined when the other of the control channel 462 or data channel 464 is used.

[0098] Sixth Exemplary Embodiment At 542, the first device x is used as the first beam, and the beam z The mapping can be determined by determining that the first beam is to be used as the second beam. For example, referring to FIG. 4F, the first device 434 may determine that the first beam is to be used as the second beam. x is used as the first beam, and the beam z The mapping may be determined by determining that the second beam is to be used as the second beam. x and beam zmay not be correlated in any obvious manner, so the mapping in the sixth exemplary embodiment may be an independent relationship determined by the second device 436.

[0099] At 544, the first device may receive a first beam associated with a first type of channel and a second beam associated with a second type of channel. In an aspect, the first beam and the second beam may be received from the second device. For example, with reference to FIG. 4F, after determining 440 a relationship between the first beam and the second beam according to one exemplary embodiment discussed above, the first device 434 may receive a control channel 462 and a data channel 464.

[0100] 6 is a conceptual data flow diagram 600 illustrating data flow between various means / components in an exemplary apparatus 602. The apparatus may be a first device (e.g., a first device 434, a UE 104, 350, 431, or a mmW base station 180, 310, 432) in communication with a second device 650 (e.g., a second device 436, a UE 104, 350, 431, or a mmW base station 180, 310, 432). The apparatus includes a receiving component 604 that may receive a first set of beams associated with the BRS 601 and a second set of beams associated with the BRS 601. In an aspect, the first set of beams may be different from the second set of beams. The receiving component 604 may transmit a signal 603 associated with the BRS 601 to a determining component 606. The determining component 606 may determine the strongest beam in the first set of beams and the strongest beam in the second set of beams. In one embodiment, the most intense beam in the first set of beams is beam n and the strongest beam in the second set of beams is beam v The determining component 606 may be the strongest beam information (e.g., beam n and beam v) to the transmitting component 608. The transmitting component 608 can transmit a signal 609 associated with strongest beam information for the first and second set of beams to the second device 650. The receiving component 604 can receive from the second device 650 a third set of beams associated with the BRRS 601 and a fourth set of beams associated with the BRRS 601. In one aspect, the third set of beams can include the strongest beams for the first and second set of beams. n and beam n and at least one beam adjacent to the fourth set of beams. v and beam v The receiving component can transmit a signal 603 associated with the BRRS to a determining component 606. The determining component 606 can determine the strongest beam in the third set of beams and the strongest beam in the fourth set of beams. In an aspect, the strongest beam in the third set of beams can be beam n+a The strongest beam in the fourth set of beams may be beam v+b The determining component 606 may receive the strongest beam information for the third and fourth sets of beams (e.g., beam n+a and beam v+b ) to the transmitting component 608. The transmitting component 608 can transmit a signal 609 associated with strongest beam information for the third and fourth sets of beams to the second device 650. The receiving component 604 can receive the beams 602 and 604 from the transmitting component 608. n or beam vThe receiving component 604 can receive information 601 indicating that either the first beam associated with the first type of channel or the second beam associated with the second type of channel is to be used as a first beam associated with the first type of channel or a second beam associated with the 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 a 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 aspect, the first type of channel can be different from the second type of channel. In one aspect, 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 a first exemplary embodiment, the determining component 606 can determine a mapping between the first beam associated with the first type of channel and the second beam associated with the second type of channel. n When is used as a second beam associated with a channel of a second type, the beam z The mapping can be determined by determining that the first beam is to be used as a first beam associated with a first type of channel. z and beam n The widths of the beams may differ by a fixed amount. In a second exemplary embodiment, the determining component 606 may determine (e.g., based on a priori knowledge in the determining component 606 or from a message from the second device 650) that the same beam is used as the first beam and the second beam. In a third exemplary embodiment, the determining component 606 may determine the mapping by determining that a first subarray associated with the first beam is quasi-collocated with a second subarray associated with the second beam. For example, the determining component 606 may determine that the beams are quasi-collocated with the second subarray based on the first subarray being quasi-collocated with the second subarray. n When is used as a second beam associated with a channel of a second type, the beam zIn the fourth exemplary embodiment, the receiving component 604 may determine that the first beam associated with the first type of channel is used as the first beam from the second device 650. n Beam n+a and the beam v Beam v+b The receiving component 604 can receive an indication 601 (e.g., a mapping) of the beam to be correlated with the received signal. The receiving component 604 can transmit a signal 603 associated with the mapping to a determining component 606. The determining component 606 can determine the beam n and beam n+a The first correlation between and the beam v and beam v+b For example, the determining component 606 may determine the mapping by determining a second correlation between the beam n+a When is used as a second beam associated with a channel of a second type, the beam n In the fifth exemplary embodiment, the determining component 606 may determine that the beam n and beam v The third correlation between and the beam n+a and beam v+b For example, the determining component 606 may determine the mapping by determining a fourth correlation between the beam n When is used as a first beam associated with a first type of channel, the beam v In the sixth exemplary embodiment, the receiving component 604 may determine that the beam x is used as the first beam, and the beam z The receiving component 604 can receive information 601 (e.g., an independent mapping) indicating that the first beam is to be used as the second beam. The receiving component 604 can transmit a signal 603 associated with the independent mapping to a determining component 606. The determining component 606 can determine whether the first beam is to be used as the second beam.x is used as the first beam, and the beam z may be determined to 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 a 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 apparatus may include additional components that perform each of the blocks of the algorithms in the above-mentioned flowcharts of Figures 5A-5C. Thus, each block in the above-mentioned flowcharts of Figures 5A-5C may be performed by one component, and the apparatus may include one or more of those components. The components 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 implementation by a processor, or some combination thereof.

[0102] 7 is a diagram 700 illustrating an example of a hardware implementation of an apparatus 602' utilizing a processing system 714. The processing system 714 may be implemented using a bus architecture generally represented by a bus 724. The bus 724 may include any number of interconnected buses and bridges depending on the specific application and overall design constraints of the processing system 714. The bus 724 couples together various circuits including one or more processors and / or hardware components represented by a processor 704, components 604, 606, 608, and computer readable media / memory 706. The bus 724 may also couple various other circuits such as timing sources, peripherals, voltage regulators, and power management circuits, which 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 over a transmission 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, particularly the receiving component 604. Additionally, the transceiver 710 receives information from the processing system 714, particularly the transmitting component 608, and generates signals to be applied to the 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. The software, when executed by the processor 704, 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 manipulated by the processor 704 when executing software. The processing system 714 further includes at least one of the components 604, 606, 608. Those components may be software components operating within the processor 704 and residing / stored on the computer readable medium / memory 706, one or more hardware components coupled to the processor 704, or some combination thereof. The processing system 714 may be a component of the UE 350 and may include the memory 360 and / or at least one of the TX processor 368, the RX processor 356, and the controller / processor 359.

[0104] In one configuration, the apparatus 602 / 602′ for wireless communication may include means for determining a mapping between a first beam associated with a channel of a first type and a second beam associated with a channel of a second type. In an aspect, the channel of the first type may be different from the channel of the second type. In an aspect, the channel of the first type is one of a control channel or a data channel, and the channel of the second type is the other of the control channel or the data channel. In another configuration, the apparatus 602 / 602′ for wireless communication may include means for receiving an indication 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 include means for receiving an indication from a second device that the widths of the first beam and the second beam differ by a fixed amount. n When is used as a second beam associated with a channel of a second type, the beam z The beam may be configured to determine that the first type of channel is associated with the first type of channel. z and beam n 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 a first subarray associated with the first beam is quasi-collocated with a second subarray associated with the second beam. For example, the means for determining the mapping may determine that a first subarray associated with the first beam is quasi-collocated with a second subarray based on the first subarray being quasi-collocated with the second subarray. z When is used as a second beam associated with a channel of a second type, the beam nmay be configured to determine that a first beam associated with a first type of channel is to be used as a first beam associated with the 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 an aspect, 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 a strongest beam in the first set of beams and a strongest beam in the second set of beams. In an aspect, the strongest beam in the first set of beams is beam n and the strongest beam in the second set of beams is beam v In a further configuration, the apparatus 602 / 602′ for wireless communication may include means for receiving from the second device a third set of beams associated with the BRRS and a fourth set of beams associated with the BRRS. In one aspect, the third set of beams may be n and beam n and at least one beam adjacent to the fourth set of beams. v and beam v and at least one beam adjacent to the third set of beams. In one configuration, the apparatus 602 / 602′ for wireless communication may include means for determining a strongest beam in the third set of beams and a strongest beam in the fourth set of beams. In an aspect, the strongest beam in the third set of beams may be beam n+a The strongest beam in the fourth set of beams may be beam v+b In another configuration, the apparatus 602 / 602′ for wireless communication may include means for 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. In an aspect, the means for determining the mapping may include means for determining the strongest beam in the third set of beams and the strongest beam in the fourth set of beams to the second device. n and beam n+a The first correlation between and the beam v and beamv+b and / or determining a second correlation between the beam n and beam v The third correlation between and the beam n+a and beam v+b and configured to determine a fourth correlation between the first correlation, the second correlation, the third correlation, or the fourth correlation from the second device. In one configuration, the apparatus 602 / 602′ for wireless communication may include means for receiving information associated with at least one of the first correlation, the second correlation, the third correlation, or the fourth correlation from the second device. In an aspect, the information may be received via control channel signaling or RRC signaling. In an aspect, the means for determining the mapping may determine a beamforming method based on the correlation. n When is used as a first beam associated with a first type of channel, the beam n+a In another aspect, the means for determining the mapping may be configured to determine that the beam is used as a second beam associated with a channel of a second type based on the correlation. n When is used as a first beam associated with a first type of channel, the beam v In a further aspect, the means for determining the mapping may be configured to determine that the beam is used as a second beam associated with a channel of a second type based on the correlation. n+a When is used as a second beam associated with a channel of a second type, the beam n In yet another aspect, the means for determining the mapping may be configured to determine that the beam is used as a first beam associated with the first type of channel. x is used as the first beam, and the beam zmay be configured to determine that the second beam is used as the second beam. In one configuration, the first device may be a UE and the second device may be a mmW base station. In another configuration, the first device may be a mmW base station and the second device may be a UE. The aforementioned means may be one or more of the aforementioned components of the processing system 714 of the apparatus 602 and / or the apparatus 602' configured to perform the functions recited by the aforementioned means. As described above, the processing system 714 may include the TX processor 368, the RX processor 356, and the controller / processor 359. Thus, in one configuration, the aforementioned means may be the TX processor 368, the RX processor 356, and the controller / processor 359 configured to perform the functions recited by the aforementioned means.

[0105] It is understood that the particular order or hierarchy of the blocks in the disclosed processes / flow charts represents an example approach. It is understood that the particular order or hierarchy of the blocks in the processes / flow charts may be rearranged based on design preferences. Further, some blocks may be combined or omitted. The accompanying method claims present elements of the various blocks in an example order, and are not limited to the particular order or hierarchy presented.

[0106] The above description is provided to enable those skilled in the art to practice the various aspects described herein. Various modifications to these aspects will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the general principles defined herein may be applied to other aspects. Thus, the claims are not limited to the aspects set forth herein but are to be accorded all scope consistent with the claim language, and references to elements in the singular shall mean "one or more" and not "one and only," unless so expressly stated. The word "exemplary" is used herein to mean "serving as an example, instance, or illustration." Any aspect described herein as "exemplary" should not necessarily be construed as preferred or advantageous over other aspects. Unless specifically stated otherwise, the term "some" 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," "A, B, C, or any combination thereof" include any combination of A, B, and / or C and may include multiple As, multiple Bs, or multiple Cs. 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," "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 to the elements of the various embodiments described throughout this disclosure that are known or that later become known to those of skill in the art are expressly incorporated herein by reference and are intended to be encompassed by the claims. Moreover, nothing disclosed herein is made publicly available, regardless of whether such disclosure is expressly recited in the claims.Words such as "module," "mechanism," "element," "device," and the like may not be substitutes for the word "means." Thus, no claim element should be construed as a means-plus-function unless the element is expressly recited using the phrase "means for." [Explanation of symbols]

[0107] 100 Access Network 102 Base station 104UE 110 Geographic Coverage Areas 120 Communication Links 132 backhaul links 134 backhaul links 150 Wi-Fi access points 152 Wi-Fi stations 154 Communication Links 160 EPC 162 MME 164 Other MMEs 166 Serving Gateway 168 MBMS GW 170 BM-SC 172 PDN Gateway 174 HSS 176 IP Services 180 mmW base station 182 U.S. 184 Beamforming 310 eNB 316 TX Processor 318RX Receiver 318TX Transmitter 320 Antenna 350UE 352 Antenna 354RX Receiver 354TX Transmitter 356 RX processor 358 Channel Estimator 359 Controller / Processor 360 Memory 368 TX Processor 370 RX Processor 374 Channel Estimator 375 Controller / Processor 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 Channel 464 Data Channel 465 mmW communication system 601 BRS 602 Equipment 602' equipment 603 signal 604 Receiving Component 605 Information 606 Decision Component 607 Information on the most intense beam 608 Transmission Components 609 Information on the most intense beam 650 Second Device 704 Processor 706 Computer Readable Medium / Memory 710 Transceiver 714 Processing System 720 Antenna 724 Bus

Claims

1. An apparatus for wireless communication in a first device, comprising: Memory, a first device coupled to the memory; receiving radio resource control (RRC) signaling from a second device informing the first device of a first correlation between a first beam associated with a control channel and a second beam associated with a data channel and a second correlation between a third beam and a fourth beam; receiving information from the second device indicating that the first beam is to be used for the control channel; and receiving the data channel on the second beam based on information from the second device indicating that the first beam is used for the control channel and the RRC signaling informing the first device of the first correlation between the first beam associated with the control channel and the second beam associated with the data channel. one or more processors; Device.

2. The indication of at least one of the first correlation and the second correlation is configured in a control channel signaling.

2. The apparatus of claim 1.

3. The indication of at least one of the first correlation and the second correlation is configured in a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) signaling.

2. The apparatus of claim 1.

4. The first beam is associated with a Physical Downlink Control Channel (PDCCH) and the second beam is associated with a Physical Downlink Shared Channel (PDSCH).

2. The apparatus of claim 1.

5. The one or more processors, for the first device, a set of beams associated with a corresponding reference signal, receiving a set of beams including at least one of the first beam, the second beam, the third beam, or the fourth beam; Point to the strongest beam in the set of beams 2. The apparatus of claim 1.

6. The first beam is the most intense beam.

6. The apparatus of claim 5.

7. The first device constitutes a user equipment (UE) and the second device constitutes a base station.

2. The apparatus of claim 1.

8. and one or more antennas coupled to the one or more processors.

2. The apparatus of claim 1.

9. The first beam is associated with a reference signal for synchronization.

2. The apparatus of claim 1.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the third beam is associated with the control channel; The fourth beam is associated with the data channel.

2. The apparatus of claim 1.

11. The reference signal is in a time resource for the synchronization.

10. The apparatus of claim 9.

12. The one or more processors may individually or jointly receiving the RRC signaling; receiving information indicating that the first beam is to be used for the control channel; configured to receive the data channel on the second beam.

2. The apparatus of claim 1.

13. 1. A method of wireless communication in a first device, comprising: receiving radio resource control (RRC) signaling from a second device informing the first device of a first correlation between a first beam associated with a control channel and a second beam associated with a data channel and a second correlation between a third beam and a fourth beam; receiving information from the second device indicating that the first beam is to be used for the control channel; receiving the data channel on the second beam based on information indicating that the first beam is used for the control channel from the second device and the RRC signaling notifying the first device of the first correlation between the first beam associated with the control channel and the second beam associated with the data channel; method.

14. The indication of at least one of the first correlation and the second correlation is configured in a control channel signaling. The method of claim 13.

15. The second beam is associated with a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) or a physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH). The method of claim 13.

16. The first beam is associated with a Physical Downlink Control Channel (PDCCH) and the second beam is associated with a Physical Downlink Shared Channel (PDSCH). The method of claim 13.

17. a set of beams associated with a corresponding reference signal, receiving a set of beams including at least one of the first beam, the second beam, the third beam, or the fourth beam; Indicating the strongest beam in the set of beams The method of claim 13.

18. Indicating the strongest beam includes indicating that the first beam is the strongest beam.

20. The method of claim 17.

19. The first device constitutes a user equipment (UE) and the second device constitutes a base station. The method of claim 13.

20. The first beam is associated with a reference signal for synchronization. The method of claim 13.

21. The method of claim 1, wherein the third beam is associated with the control channel; The fourth beam is associated with the data channel. The method of claim 13.

22. The reference signal is in a time resource for the synchronization.

21. The method of claim 20.

23. An apparatus for wireless communication in a first device, comprising: means for receiving radio resource control (RRC) signaling from a second device, the signaling informing the first device of a first correlation between a first beam associated with a control channel and a second beam associated with a data channel, and a second correlation between a third beam and a fourth beam; means for receiving information from the second device indicating that the first beam is to be used for the control channel; and means for receiving the data channel on the second beam based on information from the second device indicating that the first beam is used for the control channel and the RRC signaling informing the first device of the first correlation between the first beam associated with the control channel and the second beam associated with the data channel. Device.

24. The indication of at least one of the first correlation and the second correlation is configured in a control channel signaling.

24. The apparatus of claim 23.

25. The second beam is associated with a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) or a physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH).

24. The apparatus of claim 23.

26. The first beam is associated with a reference signal for synchronization.

24. The apparatus of claim 23.

27. The method of claim 27, wherein the third beam is associated with the control channel; The fourth beam is associated with the data channel.

24. The apparatus of claim 23.

28. The reference signal is in a time resource for the synchronization.

27. The apparatus of claim 26.

29. When executed by one or more processors, the method includes: receiving radio resource control (RRC) signaling from a second device informing the first device of a first correlation between a first beam associated with a control channel and a second beam associated with a data channel and a second correlation between a third beam and a fourth beam; receiving information from the second device indicating that the first beam is to be used for the control channel; and receiving the data channel on the second beam based on information from the second device indicating that the first beam is used for the control channel and the RRC signaling informing the first device of the first correlation between the first beam associated with the control channel and the second beam associated with the data channel. A non-transitory computer readable storage medium having computer executable code stored thereon.

30. The indication of at least one of the first correlation and the second correlation is configured in a control channel signaling.

30. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 29.

31. The second beam is associated with a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) or a physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH).

30. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 29.

32. The first beam is associated with a reference signal for synchronization.

30. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 29.

33. The method of claim 32, wherein the third beam is associated with the control channel; The fourth beam is associated with the data channel.

30. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 29.

34. The reference signal is in a time resource for the synchronization.

33. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 32.

35. An apparatus for wireless communication in a second device, comprising: Memory, a second device coupled to the memory; causing a first device to provide radio resource control (RRC) signaling informing the first device of a first correlation between a first beam associated with a control channel and a second beam associated with a data channel and a second correlation between a third beam and a fourth beam; causing the first device to provide information indicating that the first beam is used for the control channel; and causing the first device to provide the data channel in the second beam based on information indicating that the first beam is used for the control channel and the RRC signaling informing the first device of the first correlation between the first beam associated with the control channel and the second beam associated with the data channel. one or more processors; Device.

36. The indication of at least one of the first correlation and the second correlation is configured in a control channel signaling.

36. The apparatus of claim 35.

37. The second beam is associated with a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) or a physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH).

36. The apparatus of claim 35.

38. The one or more processors may individually or jointly providing said RRC signaling; providing information indicating that the first beam is used for the control channel; configured to provide the data channel in the second beam.

36. The apparatus of claim 35.

39. 1. A method of wireless communication in a second device, comprising: providing radio resource control (RRC) signaling to a first device to inform the first device of a first correlation between a first beam associated with a control channel and a second beam associated with a data channel, and a second correlation between a third beam and a fourth beam; providing information to the first device indicating that the first beam is used for the control channel; providing the data channel in the second beam based on information indicating to the first device that the first beam is used for the control channel and the RRC signaling informing the first device of the first correlation between the first beam associated with the control channel and the second beam associated with the data channel; method.

40. The indication of at least one of the first correlation and the second correlation is configured in a control channel signaling.

40. The method of claim 39.

41. The second beam is associated with a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) or a physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH).

40. The method of claim 39.

42. The first beam is associated with a reference signal for synchronization.

40. The method of claim 39.

43. the third beam is associated with the control channel; The fourth beam is associated with the data channel.

40. The method of claim 39.

44. The reference signal is in a time resource for the synchronization.

43. The method of claim 42.

45. When executed by the one or more processors, the method includes: causing a first device to provide radio resource control (RRC) signaling informing the first device of a first correlation between a first beam associated with a control channel and a second beam associated with a data channel and a second correlation between a third beam and a fourth beam; causing the first device to provide information indicating that the first beam is used for the control channel; and causing the first device to provide the data channel in the second beam based on information indicating that the first beam is used for the control channel and the RRC signaling informing the first device of the first correlation between the first beam associated with the control channel and the second beam associated with the data channel. A non-transitory computer readable storage medium having computer executable code stored thereon.

46. The indication of at least one of the first correlation and the second correlation is configured in a control channel signaling.

46. ​​The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 45.

47. The second beam is associated with a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) or a physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH).

46. ​​The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 45.

48. The first beam is associated with a reference signal for synchronization.

46. ​​The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 45.

49. The reference signal is in a time resource for the synchronization.

49. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 48.

50. The third beam is associated with the control channel; The fourth beam is associated with the data channel.

46. ​​The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 45.

51. An apparatus for wireless communication in a second device, comprising: means for providing radio resource control (RRC) signaling to a first device, the RRC signaling informing the first device of a first correlation between a first beam associated with a control channel and a second beam associated with a data channel, and a second correlation between a third beam and a fourth beam; means for providing information to the first device indicating that the first beam is to be used for the control channel; and means for providing the data channel on the second beam based on information indicating that the first beam is used for the control channel and the RRC signaling informing the first device of the first correlation between the first beam associated with the control channel and the second beam associated with the data channel. Device.

52. The indication of at least one of the first correlation and the second correlation is configured in a control channel signaling.

52. The apparatus of claim 51.

53. The second beam is associated with a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) or a physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH).

52. The apparatus of claim 51.

54. The first beam is associated with a reference signal for synchronization.

52. The apparatus of claim 51.

55. The reference signal is in a time resource for the synchronization.

55. The apparatus of claim 54.

56. The method of claim 56, wherein the third beam is associated with the control channel; The fourth beam is associated with the data channel.

52. The apparatus of claim 51.

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