Compensation for residual time frequency error in communications

Abstract

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

Description

Technical Field

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[0001] The present disclosure generally relates to communication networks, and more particularly, but not limited to, compensating for residual time frequency errors in communication.

Background Art

[0002] In cellular communication networks, time synchronization is required for user equipment (UE) to access the network and establish a data communication link with a base station. In the 5th generation (5G) new radio (NR) wireless network, waveform and multiplexing techniques are based on orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM), so the need for accurate time and frequency synchronization is further increased. Without time frequency synchronization, the received signal deteriorates significantly due to, for example, inter-block interference (IBI) and inter-carrier interference (ICI).

Summary of the Invention

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

[0004] <000001​​​​In exemplary embodiments, instead of or in addition to the exemplary embodiments described above, the means are further configured to cause a network node device to transmit the determined auxiliary reference signal instruction to a client device before transmitting the auxiliary reference signal associated with the physical downlink channel.

[0006] In exemplary embodiments, instead of or in addition to the exemplary embodiments described above, the presence and location information includes at least one of the following: an explicit presence and / or location indication for inclusion in a master information block carried by a physical broadcast channel, which indicates the multiplexing and / or generation pattern of the auxiliary reference signal; or an implicit presence and / or location indication for inclusion in the master information block carried by the physical broadcast channel, which includes derivation information for deriving the presence and / or location of the auxiliary reference signal of the physical downlink channel transmission.

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

[0008] In exemplary embodiments, instead of or in addition to the exemplary embodiments described above, the means are further configured to perform the step of determining the type of the demodulation reference signal of the control resource set #0 from the auxiliary reference signal indication.

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

[0010] In exemplary embodiments, instead of or in addition to the exemplary embodiments described above, the means comprises at least one processor and at least one memory containing computer program code. The at least one memory and the computer program code are configured to use the at least one processor to cause performance in the network node device.

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

[0012] In exemplary embodiments, instead of or in addition to the exemplary embodiments described above, the method further includes the step of sending the determined auxiliary reference signal instruction to the client device before the network node device transmits the auxiliary reference signal related to the physical downlink channel.

[0013] In exemplary embodiments, instead of or in addition to the exemplary embodiments described above, the presence and location information includes at least one of the following: an explicit presence and / or location indication for inclusion in a master information block carried by a physical broadcast channel, which indicates the multiplexing and / or generation pattern of the auxiliary reference signal; or an implicit presence and / or location indication for inclusion in a master information block carried by the physical broadcast channel, which includes derivation information for deriving the presence and / or location of the auxiliary reference signal for the physical downlink channel transmission.

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

[0015] In exemplary embodiments, instead of or in addition to the exemplary embodiments described above, the method further includes the step of determining the type of demodulated reference signal for control resource set #0 from the auxiliary reference signal indication.

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

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

[0018] An exemplary embodiment of a network node device comprises at least one processor and at least one memory containing computer program code. The at least one memory and the computer program code are configured to cause the network node device to perform the following steps using at least one processor: determining an auxiliary reference signal indication, including information about the presence and location of an auxiliary reference signal in a physical downlink channel transmission, wherein the auxiliary reference signal is used to compensate for one or more residual time frequency errors in communication between the network node device and a client device; and transmitting the auxiliary reference signal associated with the physical downlink channel to a client device in accordance with the determined auxiliary reference signal indication.

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

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

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

[0022] In exemplary embodiments, instead of or in addition to the exemplary embodiments described above, the presence and location information includes at least one of the following: an explicit presence and / or location indication included in a master information block carried by the physical broadcast channel, which indicates the multiplexing and / or generation pattern of the auxiliary reference signal; or an implicit presence and / or location indication included in the master information block carried by the physical broadcast channel, which includes derivation information for deriving the presence and / or location of the auxiliary reference signal of the physical downlink channel transmission.

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

[0024] In exemplary embodiments, instead of or in addition to the exemplary embodiments described above, the means is further configured to perform the step of determining the type of the demodulation reference signal of control resource set #0 from the auxiliary reference signal instruction.

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

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

[0027] In an exemplary embodiment, instead of or in addition to the above-described exemplary embodiments, the means comprises at least one processor and at least one memory including computer program code. The at least one memory and the computer program code are configured to cause the performance of the client device using at least one processor.

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

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

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

[0031] In exemplary embodiments, instead of or in addition to the exemplary embodiments described above, the presence and location information includes either an explicit presence and / or location indication contained in a master information block carried by a physical broadcast channel, which indicates the multiplexing and / or generation pattern of auxiliary reference signals, or an implicit presence and / or location indication contained in the master information block carried by the physical broadcast channel, which includes derivation information for deriving the presence and / or location of the auxiliary reference signals of the physical downlink channel transmission.

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

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

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

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

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

[0037] An exemplary embodiment of a client device comprises at least one processor and at least one memory containing computer program code. The at least one memory and the computer program code are configured to cause the client device to perform the following steps using the at least one processor: receiving an auxiliary reference signal associated with a physical downlink channel from a network node device in accordance with an auxiliary reference signal instruction, wherein the auxiliary reference signal instruction includes information about the presence and location of the auxiliary reference signal in the physical downlink channel transmission; and using the received auxiliary reference signal to compensate for one or more residual time frequency errors in communication between the client device and the network node device.

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

[0039] [Figure 1] Exemplary systems and exemplary embodiments of the subject matter described herein are shown, and various embodiments of this disclosure can be implemented. [Figure 2A] The network node device is shown, along with exemplary embodiments of the subject matter described herein. [Figure 2B] A client device is shown, along with exemplary embodiments of the subject matter described herein. [Figure 3] The method is shown, along with exemplary embodiments of the subject matter described herein. [Figure 4] This document illustrates extended multiplexing patterns and provides exemplary embodiments of the subject matter described herein. [Figure 5A] The multiplexing patterns are shown, along with exemplary embodiments of the subject matter described herein. [Figure 5B] The multiplexing patterns are shown, along with exemplary embodiments of the subject matter described herein. [Figure 5C] The multiplexing patterns are shown, along with exemplary embodiments of the subject matter described herein.

[0040] In the attached drawings, similar reference numbers are used to indicate similar parts. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0041] Embodiments are described in detail here, with examples shown in the accompanying drawings. The detailed description provided below in relation to the accompanying drawings is intended to describe this embodiment and is not intended to represent the only form in which this embodiment may be constructed or utilized. The description describes the function of the example and the sequence of steps for constructing and operating the example. However, the same or equivalent functions and sequences may be achieved by different examples.

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

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

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

[0045] Figure 2A is a block diagram of a network node device 200 according to an exemplary embodiment.

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

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

[0048] Furthermore, the processor 202 can execute stored instructions. In some embodiments, the processor 202 may be embodied as a multicore processor, a single-core processor, or a combination of one or more multicore processors and one or more single-core processors. For example, the processor 202 may be a microcontroller unit (MCU), hardware accelerator, dedicated computer chip, etc., which may be implemented as one or more of various processing devices, such as a coprocessor, microprocessor, controller, digital signal processor (DSP), processing circuitry with or without an associated DSP, or various other processing devices including integrated circuits such as application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs) and field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs). In some embodiments, the processor 202 may be configured to perform hardcoded functions. In some embodiments, the processor 202 may be embodied as a software instruction executor, and the instructions may be configured so that, specifically, when the instructions are executed, the processor 202 performs algorithms and / or operations described herein.

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

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

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

[0052] In other words, an auxiliary reference signal is introduced into the SSB and / or MIB transmission to enable the UE210 to compensate for residual timing errors. The signal is present when the trigger condition is met. The network node device 200 may transmit an SSB or MIB with trigger condition information (i.e., auxiliary reference signal indication and its presence and location information) to the UE210. The trigger condition information enables the UE210 to determine whether the auxiliary reference signal (RS) is available in the PDCCH / PDSCH. Furthermore, the trigger condition information enables the UE210 to determine the location of the auxiliary RS. The auxiliary reference signal may be used by the UE210 to detect and / or compensate for residual time frequency errors at higher carrier frequencies (such as above 52.6 GHz) for downlink and / or uplink transmissions. As will be discussed in more detail below, the UE210 receives the MIB and trigger condition information from the network node device 200, and the UE210 determines whether the trigger condition is met based on the MIB and trigger condition information. The network node device 200 transmits a PDCCH / PDSCH with an auxiliary RS at a specified location to the UE210. If the trigger condition is met, the UE210 identifies the auxiliary RS in the PDCCH / PDSCH at this location.

[0053] For example, existence and location information may include explicit existence and / or location indications. These explicit existence and / or location indications should be included in a Master Information Block (MIB) carried by a physical broadcast channel (PBCH). The explicit existence and / or location indications indicate the multiplexing and / or generation patterns of auxiliary reference signals.

[0054] In other words, trigger conditions can be indicated via explicit directives as part of the MIB (in the PBCH). For example, signal / RS multiplexing and generation patterns can be explicitly provided or indicated as part of the MIB. The MIB size may remain unchanged. Explicit directives can be implemented, for example, by providing them with spare bits, or by reducing the configurability of the current MIB and borrowing / reusing the bits that have been reduced for the explicit directives.

[0055] Alternatively or additionally, presence and location information may include implicit presence and / or location indications. These implicit presence and / or location indications should be included in the MIB carried by the PBCH. The implicit presence and / or location indications include derivation information for deriving the presence and / or location of auxiliary reference signals for physical downlink channel (e.g., PDCCH and / or PDSCH) transmissions.

[0056] In other words, trigger conditions can be indicated through implicit indications. For example, a trigger condition can be derived based on the ratio of the numerology between SSB and CORESET#0 as indicated by the MIB: if the ratio satisfies a threshold and the carrier frequency is above 52.6 GHz, UE210 may determine that the presence of auxiliary RS in PDCCH / PDSCHH is guaranteed by network node 200. Otherwise, UE210 may determine that the presence of auxiliary RS in PDCCH and / or PDSCH is not guaranteed. For example, based on information about the subcarrier spacing (SCS) of CORESET#0 provided in the MIB, UE210 can determine the determination value K = SCSCORESET#0 / SCSSSB. If both conditions K ≥ 2 and carrier frequency > 52.6 GHz are valid, UE210 may determine that an auxiliary reference signal exists and is available for residual timing error compensation. Otherwise, UE210 may determine that the presence of an auxiliary reference signal is not guaranteed.

[0057] Alternatively or additionally, trigger conditions may be indicated, for example, by dedicated signaling to the UE210 regarding an appropriate target frequency band or range.

[0058] Alternatively or additionally, trigger conditions may be derived based on other criteria, such as pre-specifying any second SSB position at a frequency as the inference that "auxiliary RS is present," and the remaining positions as the inference that "auxiliary signal RS is absent."

[0059] For example, the auxiliary reference signal may comprise a demodulated reference signal of control resource set #0 associated with at least one location in the common search space TYPE0. In other words, an “always-on” type 0-PDCCH DMRS associated with CORESET#0 may be used as the auxiliary RS, in which case UE210 may assume that the type 0-PDCCH DMRS exists when the trigger condition is met. In at least some embodiments, a broadband DMRS may become a feature of the CORESET when the trigger condition is met. “Always-on” in this case may result in UE210 being able to determine that the CORESET#0 DMRS is transmitted even without control data.

[0060] The Type 0 PDCCH Common Search Space is a subset of the NR PDCCH search space that may be dedicated to sending PDCCHs for the decoding of System Information (SI) messages (System Information Blocks, SIBs).

[0061] In this specification, DMRS, which is "always on", - Regarding PDCCH monitoring opportunities determined by the Type 0 PDCCH common search space; - The number of antenna ports is equal to 1; - Precoding granularity is determined according to the consecutive PRBs of CORESET#0; - Precoding granularity is determined based on the MIB; - DMRS type is "narrowband"; or - DMRS type is "broadband"; It may have at least one of the following.

[0062] The precoder granularity parameter may relate to a precoder cycling-based transmit diversity scheme (1-port) where the gNB may be able to modify the fading of the Tx antenna / beam according to a predefined PRB and OFDM symbol grid. The precoder granularity at frequency defines the PRB from which the UE can assume phase continuity, and the precoder granularity at time defines the OFDM symbols from which the UE can each assume phase continuity. The UE can assume that consecutive OFDM symbols in the CORESET are transmitted using the same precoder. In other words, the precoder granularity at time may correspond to the number of OFDM symbols in the CORESET. The precoder granularity at frequency may be a configuration parameter or may be implicitly derived from another DMRS characteristic. An example of implicit signaling is defining that when a broadband DMRS is configured, the precoding granularity at frequency is determined according to the consecutive PRB of the CORESET.

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

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

[0065] In other words, UE210 can assume that the resources of the auxiliary RS are repeated over K consecutive symbols after a configured / reserved beam switching symbol or a first symbol reserved for a type 0 PDCCH, or the resources of the auxiliary RS are repeated over L symbols over K consecutive or discontinuous symbols of a configured or reserved beam switching symbol, or a first symbol reserved for a type 0 PDCCH, or a first symbol reserved for a physical downlink shared channel carrying system information block #1, or a first symbol reserved for a DMRS of a physical downlink shared channel carrying system information block #1. Alternatively, when control information is not multiplexed with the auxiliary RS, UE210 can determine that the resources of the auxiliary RS are power-boosted for embodiments with control information multiplexing.

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

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

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

[0069] Means 202 and 204 are further configured to cause the network node device 210 to send auxiliary reference signals to the client device 210 that are related to the physical downlink channel (e.g., PDCCH and / or PDSCH) in accordance with the determined auxiliary reference signal instructions.

[0070] Means 202, 204 may optionally be further configured to cause the network node device 200 to send a determined auxiliary reference signal instruction to the client device 210 before sending the auxiliary reference signal associated with the physical downlink channel (e.g., PDCCH and / or PDSCH). In at least some embodiments, the auxiliary reference signal associated with the physical downlink channel may include an auxiliary reference signal associated with CORESET#0 and / or the search space set. In at least some embodiments, this may mean that CORESET#0 may include a broadband auxiliary reference signal that can be used for PDCCH demodulation purposes.

[0071] Figure 2B is a block diagram of a client device 210 according to an exemplary embodiment.

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

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

[0074] Furthermore, the processor 212 can execute stored instructions. In some embodiments, the processor 212 may be embodied as a multicore processor, a single-core processor, or a combination of one or more multicore processors and one or more single-core processors. For example, the processor 212 may be embodied as one or more of various processing devices, such as a microcontroller unit (MCU), hardware accelerator, dedicated computer chip, etc., including a coprocessor, microprocessor, controller, digital signal processor (DSP), processing circuit with or without an associated DSP, or various other processing devices, such as application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), etc. In some embodiments, the processor 212 may be configured to perform hardcoded functions. In some embodiments, the processor 212 may be embodied as a software instruction executor, and the instructions may be configured so that, specifically, when the instructions are executed, the processor 212 performs algorithms and / or operations described herein.

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

[0076] The client device 210 may be any of the various types of devices used directly by an end-user entity and capable of communicating over a wireless network, and such may be a user equipment (UE). Such devices include, but are not limited to, smartphones, tablet computers, smartwatches, laptop computers, Internet of Things (IoT) devices, and devices for sidelink communication.

[0077] Means 212 and 214 are configured to cause the client device 210 to receive auxiliary reference signals from the network node device 200 related to a physical downlink channel (e.g., PDCCH and / or PDSCH) in accordance with auxiliary reference signal instructions. As described above, the auxiliary reference signal instructions include information about the presence and location of the auxiliary reference signal being transmitted on the physical downlink channel (e.g., PDCCH or PDSCH).

[0078] Means 212 and 214 are further configured to use received auxiliary reference signals to compensate for one or more residual time frequency errors in communication between the client device 210 and the network node device 200.

[0079] Means 212 and 214 may optionally be further configured to cause the client device 210 to receive auxiliary reference signal instructions from the network node device 200 before receiving auxiliary reference signals related to physical downlink channels (e.g., PDCCH and / or PDSCH).

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

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

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

[0083] Figure 3 shows an exemplary signaling diagram of Method 300 according to an exemplary embodiment.

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

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

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

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

[0088] In operation 305, the network node device 200 transmits auxiliary reference signals to the client device 210 that are related to the physical downlink channels (e.g., PDCCH and / or PDSCH) according to the determined auxiliary reference signal instructions.

[0089] In operation 306, the client device 210 receives auxiliary reference signals from the network node device 200 in accordance with the auxiliary reference signal instruction. As described above, the auxiliary reference signal instruction includes information about the presence and location of the auxiliary reference signals being transmitted on the physical downlink channels (e.g., PDCCH and / or PDSCH).

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

[0091] Method 300 can be performed by the network node device 200 in Figure 2A and the client device 210 in Figure 2B. Operations 301, 302, and 305 can be performed, for example, by at least one processor 202 and at least one memory 204. Operations 303, 304, 306, and 307 can be performed, for example, by at least one processor 212 and at least one memory 214. Further features of Method 300 arise directly from the functions and parameters of the network node device 200 and the client device 210 and are therefore not repeated here. Method 300 can be performed by a computer program.

[0092] Figure 4 shows Figure 400, an example of Extended Multiplexing Pattern 2 for higher carrier frequencies (above 52.6 GHz), which has a 240 kHz numerology for SSB and 960 kHz CORESET and PDSCH together with auxiliary RS for downlink (DL) and uplink (UL) residual timing estimation. In Figure 400, element 401 represents 240 kHz SSB, element 402 represents 960 kHz PDSCH RS, and element 403 represents 960 kHz PDCCH RS. As shown in Figure 4, Multiplexing Pattern 2 is extended so that the coverage of type 0-PDCCH and PDSCH is the same as for SSB (SCS=240 kHz). This is done by introducing iterations of type 0-PDCCH / PDSCH symbols with a coefficient of 4. Furthermore, an auxiliary "beam switching gap" symbol has been added to the beginning of every half slot (marked in black in Figure 4) to enable DL transmit (TX) beam switching without performance degradation due to the 960 kHz numerology. This is because the length of the cyclic prefix with a 960 kHz subcarrier spacing may be too short compared to the time used for TX beam switching, i.e., 100 ns.

[0093] Figures 5A to 5C show examples of multiplexing patterns 1 to 3. Figure 500A in Figure 5A represents an example of multiplexing pattern 1, Figure 500B in Figure 5B represents an example of multiplexing pattern 2, and Figure 500C in Figure 5C represents an example of multiplexing pattern 3. Diagrams 500A (pattern 1), 500B, and 500C (patterns 2 and 3, respectively) show time and frequency domain multiplexing options related to different numerology options, for example, from 51 to 71 GHz.

[0094] During the initial access phase, there are no RRC connections available to configure the UE210 using auxiliary RS / channel / signal parameterization. Therefore, without awareness of the configuration related to the auxiliary RS, the UE210 may not be able to utilize the presence of the auxiliary RS for residual timing error compensation. One way to provide this information to the UE210 is to configure the parameterization of the auxiliary RS explicitly or implicitly, as described above.

[0095] Regarding implicit indication, an SCS (up to two different SCS candidates) associated with an SSB may be defined for a given carrier frequency, and the PBCH may carry SCS information for CORESET#0. In the case of multiple SCS candidates for an SSB, the UE210 may make different assumptions on the SSB having different SCSs. Otherwise, the UE210 may recognize the SCS associated with the carrier frequency. After determining the SCS for the SSB, the UE210 may receive the SCS for CORESET#0 as part of the MIB via the PBCH. Based on this information, the UE210 can then determine the determination value K = SCSCORESET#0 / SCSCS B. When both conditions K ≥ 2 and carrier frequency > 52.6 GHz are met, the UE210 may determine that the time position related to the auxiliary RS resource is indicated for the start symbol of the CORESET#0 DL TX beam.

[0096] The time position may be defined as a time offset relative to the start symbol of CORESET#0, and possibly taking into account the configured beam switching gap symbol. UE210 may determine that a single-symbol auxiliary RS is a full replica of the DMRS of a type 0-PDCCH associated with CORESET#0, with respect to the sequence, sequence initialization, and configuration such as time and frequency position. Furthermore, UE210 may determine, for example, by energy detection, or when UE210 does not detect any PDCCH, that control information is not multiplexed to the same symbol. Since the control information is not multiplexed to the symbol, UE210 may determine that the resource element associated with the auxiliary RS resource is power-boosted for control information multiplexing. Alternatively, UE210 may determine that the auxiliary RS resource is repeated across K consecutive symbols after the configured / reserved beam switching symbol. Network node device 200 may override the implicit instruction with a single auxiliary 1-bit payload as part of the PBCH. This bit already exists as a spare bit in the PBCH payload.

[0097] The transmission occurrence of resources related to the auxiliary RS can be explicitly indicated to the UE210. This configuration can be indicated, for example, by using a spare bit in the supported PBCH payload.

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

[0099] Network node 200 can indicate a 1-bit payload as part of the PBCH by using reserved states, or they can be borrowed / reused from existing signaling bits covering unrelated signaling / information elements. When the appropriate bit field of the PBCH is reused to indicate the presence and location of auxiliary RS, the need to specify additional payload bits (which would result in reduced coverage) can be avoided.

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

[0101] [Table 1]

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

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

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

[0105] Any range or device value given herein can be extended or modified without loss of the desired effect. Furthermore, unless expressly denied, any embodiment can be combined with another embodiment.

[0106] While this subject matter is described in language specific to structural features and / or actions, it should be understood that the subject matter defined in the attached claims is not necessarily limited to the specific features or actions described above. Rather, the specific features and actions described above are disclosed as examples of implementing the claims, and other equivalent features and actions are intended to be within the scope of the claims.

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

[0108] The steps of the methods described herein may be performed in any preferred order, or, where appropriate, simultaneously. In addition, individual blocks may be removed from any of the methods without departing from the spirit and scope of the subject matter described herein. Any aspect of the embodiments described above may be combined with any aspect of any of the other embodiments described herein to form further embodiments without losing the desired effect.

[0109] The term “comprising” is used herein to mean including an identified method, block, or element, but such block or element does not include an exclusive list, and the method or apparatus may include additional blocks or elements.

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

Claims

1. At least one processor, A network node device comprising at least one memory containing computer program code, The at least one memory and the computer program code are transmitted to the network node device using the at least one processor. The steps include determining an auxiliary reference signal indication, which includes information about the presence and location of an auxiliary reference signal in a physical downlink channel transmission, The steps include transmitting the auxiliary reference signal associated with the physical downlink channel to the client device in accordance with the determined auxiliary reference signal instruction, Make it run, a) or b) below, a) The auxiliary reference signal includes at least one of the following: a demodulated reference signal of control resource set #0 corresponding to at least one location in common search space TYPE0; a first orthogonal frequency division multiplexing symbol of a physical downlink shared channel carrying system information block #1; b) One or more resources of the auxiliary reference signal are repeated over K consecutive symbols after 1) a first symbol reserved for a type 0 physical downlink control channel, or 2) over L symbols over K consecutive or non-consecutive symbols of the first symbol reserved for the type 0 physical downlink control channel, or a first symbol reserved for the physical downlink shared channel carrying the system information block #1, or a first symbol reserved for the demodulated reference signal of the physical downlink shared channel carrying the system information block #1. and, The network node device is characterized in that the at least one memory and the computer program code cause the at least one processor to cause the network node device to perform the step of determining the type of the demodulation reference signal of the control resource set #0 from the auxiliary reference signal instruction.

2. The network node device according to claim 1, wherein the at least one memory and the computer program code cause the at least one processor to perform the step of sending the determined auxiliary reference signal instruction to the client device before sending the auxiliary reference signal related to the physical downlink channel.

3. The aforementioned information regarding existence and location is An explicit presence and location indication for inclusion in a master information block carried by a physical broadcast channel, wherein the explicit presence and location indication indicates the multiplexing and / or generation pattern of the auxiliary reference signal, or An implicit presence and location indication to be included in the master information block carried by the physical broadcast channel, the implicit presence and location indication including derivation information for deriving the presence and location of the auxiliary reference signal of the physical downlink channel transmission, The network node device according to claim 1, characterized by including at least one of the following.

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

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

6. The at least one memory and the computer program code are transmitted to the client device using the at least one processor. The client device according to claim 5, characterized in that it performs the step of receiving an auxiliary reference signal instruction from the network node device before receiving the auxiliary reference signal associated with the physical downlink channel.

7. The at least one memory and the computer program code are transmitted to the client device using the at least one processor. The client device according to claim 6, characterized in that it performs the step of determining the presence and location of the auxiliary reference signal in a subsequent physical downlink channel transmission based on the presence and location information in the received auxiliary reference signal instruction.

8. The aforementioned information regarding existence and location is An explicit indication of presence and location contained in a master information block carried by a physical broadcast channel, wherein the explicit indication of presence and location indicates the multiplexing and / or generation pattern of the auxiliary reference signal, or An implicit presence and location indication included in the master information block carried by the physical broadcast channel, the implicit presence and location indication including derivation information for deriving the presence and location of the auxiliary reference signal of the physical downlink channel transmission, The client device according to claim 5, characterized by including at least one of the following.

9. The network node device according to claim 1, characterized in that the auxiliary reference signal is used to compensate for one or more residual time frequency errors in communication between the network node device and the client device.

10. The method according to 4, characterized in that the auxiliary reference signal is used to compensate for one or more residual time frequency errors in communication between the network node device and the client device.

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

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