Reference signaling for secondary cells

Abstract

Methods, systems, and devices for wireless communications are described. A network entity may identify a set of cells associated with performing communications with a user equipment (UE). The network entity may transmit a configuration signal to the UE indicating one or more sets of reference signal formats, each set of reference signal formats including a mapping of reference signal formats to respective cells of the set of cells. The network entity may transmit a trigger signal to the UE indicating an active set of reference signal formats of the one or more sets of reference signal formats, the trigger signal indicating reference signal transmission from cells of the set of cells according to the reference signal formats associated with the active set of reference signal formats.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] cross reference This patent application claims priority to U.S. Patent Application No. 17 / 687,433, filed on March 4, 2022, titled "REFERENCE SIGNAL SIGNALING FOR SECONDARY CELLS," which is based on the interests of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 159,413, filed on March 10, 2021, filed by Takeda et al., titled "REFERENCE SIGNAL SIGNALING FOR SECONDARY CELLS," and has been assigned to the assignee of this application.

[0002] The following concerns wireless communication, including reference signaling for secondary cells. [Background technology]

[0003] Wireless communication systems are widely deployed to provide various types of communication content, including voice, video, packet data, messaging, and broadcasting. These systems may be able to support communication with multiple users by sharing available system resources (e.g., time, frequency, and power). Examples of such multiple access systems include fourth-generation (4G) systems such as Long Term Evolution (LTE) systems, LTE-Advanced (LTE-A) systems, or LTE-A Pro systems, and fifth-generation (5G) systems, sometimes referred to as New Radio (NR) systems. These systems may employ technologies such as code division multiple access (CDMA), time division multiple access (TDMA), frequency division multiple access (FDMA), orthogonal FDMA (OFDMA), or discrete Fourier transform spread orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (DFT-S-OFDM). A wireless multiple access communication system may include one or more network entities (e.g., base stations) or one or more network access nodes, each simultaneously supporting communication for multiple communication devices, which may in some cases be known as user equipment (UE). [Overview of the project] [Means for solving the problem]

[0004] The techniques described relate to improved methods, systems, devices, and apparatus for supporting reference signal (RS) signaling for secondary cells (SCells). Generally, the techniques described provide a network entity (e.g., primary cell (PCell)) for configuring a user equipment (UE) (e.g., using radio resource control (RRC) signaling) with multiple sets of RS formats, each set mapping an RS format to its respective cell. For example, a network entity (e.g., a base station) may constitute a UE with a table of possible field values ​​associated with rows in the table (e.g., an available aperiodic channel state information (A-CSI) request field, or other fields). The columns of the table may correspond to PCells and available SCells of the UE. Points corresponding to specific rows / columns may provide indications for the RS format for a PCell or SCell. The network entity may transmit a trigger signal (downlink control information (DCI) signal) to the UE indicating one of the field values. The UE may then determine the activation status of each cell in the row, and then use the columns to determine the RS format for the corresponding cell. The table and corresponding row may indicate a specific RS format to be monitored, but the UE may choose to follow the table based on the activation status of the cell. If the SCell is deactivated, the UE may ignore the RS format indicated for monitoring. If the SCell is already activated, the UE may choose to follow the indicated RS format if it corresponds to a format suitable for an already activated cell (e.g., A-CSI-RS or tracking reference signal (TRS)).If a SCell is activated, the UE may choose to follow the indicated RS format if it corresponds to a format suitable for the cell to be activated (e.g., a new temporary RS). Based on the configured and triggered RS format and the cell's activation status, the UE may determine and implement a monitoring method for the cell.

[0005] A method for wireless communication in a UE is described. The method may include: receiving a configuration signal indicating one or more sets of RS formats, each set of RS formats including a mapping of RS formats to each cell in a set of cells; receiving a trigger signal indicating an active set of RS formats of one or more sets of RS formats, the trigger signal indicating an RS transmission from a cell in a set of cells according to the RS format associated with the active set of RS formats; identifying an activation state for each cell in the set of cells; determining a monitoring scheme for at least one SCell in the set of cells based on the respective activation states of at least one SCell and each RS format in the active set of RS formats; and performing the monitoring scheme for RS transmissions from at least one SCell.

[0006] A device for wireless communication in a UE is described. The device may include a processor, memory coupled to the processor, and instructions stored in the memory. These instructions may be executable by the processor to cause the device to receive a configuration signal indicating one or more sets of RS formats, each set of RS formats including a mapping of RS formats to each cell in a set of cells; receive a trigger signal indicating an active set of RS formats of one or more sets of RS formats, the trigger signal indicating an RS transmission from a cell in a set of cells according to the RS format associated with the active set of RS formats; identify the activation state for each cell in the set of cells; determine a monitoring scheme for at least one SCell in the set of cells based on the respective activation states of at least one SCell and each RS format in the active set of RS formats; and perform the monitoring scheme for RS transmissions from at least one SCell.

[0007] Another apparatus for wireless communication in a UE is described. This apparatus may include means for receiving a configuration signal indicating one or more sets of RS formats, each set of RS formats including a mapping of RS formats to each cell of a set of cells; means for receiving a trigger signal indicating an active set of RS formats of one or more sets of RS formats, the trigger signal indicating an RS transmission from a cell of a set of cells according to the RS format associated with the active set of RS formats; means for identifying the activation state for each cell in the set of cells; means for determining a monitoring scheme for at least one SCell of the set of cells based on the respective activation states of at least one SCell and each RS format in the active set of RS formats; and means for performing a monitoring scheme for RS transmissions from at least one SCell.

[0008] The present invention describes a non-temporary computer-readable medium for storing code for wireless communication in a UE. The code may include instructions executable by a processor to receive a configuration signal indicating one or more sets of RS formats, each set of RS formats including a mapping of RS formats to each cell in a set of cells; receive a trigger signal indicating an active set of RS formats of one or more sets of RS formats, the trigger signal indicating an RS transmission from a cell in a set of cells according to the RS format associated with the active set of RS formats; identify an activation state for each cell in the set of cells; determine a monitoring scheme for at least one SCell in the set of cells based on the respective activation states of at least one SCell and each RS format in the active set of RS formats; and perform the monitoring scheme for RS transmissions from at least one SCell.

[0009] Some examples of methods, apparatus, and non-temporary computer-readable media described herein may further include operations, features, means, or instructions for performing a monitoring scheme for at least one SCell by determining that the activation state of at least one SCell may be an activated state in which at least one SCell may already be activated; determining that the RS format associated with at least one SCell in the active set of RS formats includes a temporary aperiodic RS format; and refraining from monitoring RS transmissions from at least one SCell based on the activation state of at least one SCell being an activated state and the RS format associated with at least one SCell in the active set of RS formats including a temporary aperiodic RS format.

[0010] Some examples of methods, apparatus, and non-temporary computer-readable media described herein may further include operations, features, means, or instructions for determining that a downlink transmission can be scheduled using overlapping resources that overlap with an RS transmission from at least one SCell, and decoding a downlink transmission based on the assumption that the downlink transmission was punctured or rate-matched around the overlapping resources.

[0011] Some examples of methods, apparatus, and non-temporary computer-readable media described herein may further include operations, features, means, or instructions for determining that the activation state of at least one SCell may be an activated state in which at least one SCell may already be activated; determining that the RS format associated with at least one SCell in the active set of RS formats includes a tracking RS format; and performing a monitoring scheme for at least one SCell by monitoring RS transmissions from at least one SCell based on the activation state of at least one SCell being an activated state and the RS format associated with at least one SCell in the active set of RS formats including a tracking RS format.

[0012] Some examples of methods, apparatus, and non-temporary computer-readable media described herein may further include operations, features, means, or instructions for performing a monitoring scheme for at least one SCell by determining that the activation state of at least one SCell may be an activation-planned state in which at least one SCell may be in the process of activation, determining that the RS format associated with at least one SCell in the active set of RS formats includes a tracking RS format, and refraining from monitoring RS transmissions from at least one SCcell based on the fact that the activation state of at least one SCell is an activation-planned state and that the RS format associated with at least one SCell in the active set of RS formats includes a tracking RS format.

[0013] Some examples of methods, apparatus, and non-temporary computer-readable media described herein may further include operations, features, means, or instructions for determining that the activation state of at least one SCell may be an activation-planned activation state in which at least one SCell may be in the process of activation; determining that the RS format associated with at least one SCell in the active set of RS formats includes a temporary aperiodic RS format; and performing a monitoring scheme for at least one SCell by monitoring RS transmissions from at least one SCcell based on the fact that the activation state of at least one SCell is an activation-planned state and that the RS format associated with at least one SCell in the active set of RS formats includes a temporary aperiodic RS format.

[0014] Some examples of methods, apparatus, and non-temporary computer-readable media described herein may further include operations, features, means, or instructions for determining that an RS format associated with at least one SCell in an active set of RS formats represents a first RS format associated with a first activation state and a second RS format associated with a second activation state, and for selecting a monitoring scheme for at least one SCell based on whether at least one SCell can be in a first activation state or a second activation state.

[0015] Some examples of methods, apparatus, and non-temporary computer-readable media described herein may further include operations, features, means, or instructions for receiving a SCell activation message indicating that at least one SCell can be activated in a UE, and determining, based on the SCell activation message, that at least one SCell can be in a first activated state.

[0016] Some examples of the methods, apparatuses, and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein identify that one or more sets of RS formats of the active set of RS formats include a temporary aperiodic RS format that includes a first portion of the tracking RS and a second portion of the tracking RS, and may further include operations, features, means, or instructions for performing the identification, where the first portion and the second portion may be within consecutive slots.

[0017] Some examples of the methods, apparatuses, and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein identify that one or more sets of RS formats of the active set of RS formats include a temporary aperiodic RS format that includes a first portion of the tracking RS and a second portion of the tracking RS, and may further include operations, features, means, or instructions for performing the identification, where the first portion and the second portion may be within consecutive slots and the tracking RS may be repeated within non-consecutive slots.

[0018] Some examples of the methods, apparatuses, and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein identify that one or more sets of RS formats of the active set of RS formats include a temporary aperiodic RS format that includes a first portion of the tracking RS and a second portion of the tracking RS, and may further include operations, features, means, or instructions for performing the identification, where the first portion and the second portion may be within non-consecutive slots.

[0019] Some examples of the methods, apparatuses, and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein include determining that the activation state of at least one SCell may be a deactivated state in which at least one SCell may be deactivated, and refraining from monitoring RS transmissions from at least one SCell based on the activation state of at least one SCell being a deactivated state, and may further include operations, features, means, or instructions for performing a monitoring method for at least one SCell.

[0020] Some examples of methods, apparatus, and non-temporary computer-readable media described herein include receiving a SCell activation message indicating that at least one SCell can be activated in a UE, and further including an operation, feature, means, or instruction for receiving an activation state for at least one SCell that can be obtained based on the SCell activation message.

[0021] In some examples of the methods, apparatus, and non-temporary computer-readable media described herein, SCell activation messages may be received using medium access control (MAC) control element (CE) messages.

[0022] Some examples of methods, apparatus, and non-temporary computer-readable media described herein may further include operations, features, means, or instructions for determining that a trigger signal may be received during a time window, the time window being determined based on a delay time and a threshold limit time after a constituent signal may be received, and applying an active set of RS format based on the fact that the trigger signal is received during the time window.

[0023] Some examples of methods, apparatus, and non-temporary computer-readable media described herein may further include operations, features, means, or instructions for determining that a trigger signal may be received prior to a time window, based on a delay time and threshold limit time after a constituent signal may be received, and refraining from applying an active set of RS format based on the fact that the trigger signal is received prior to the time window.

[0024] Some examples of methods, apparatus, and non-temporary computer-readable media described herein may further include operations, features, means, or instructions for determining that a trigger signal may be received after a time window, the time window being determined based on a delay time and a threshold limit time after a constituent signal may be received, and applying the active RS format of an active set of RS formats based on the fact that the trigger signal is received after the time window.

[0025] In some examples of the methods, apparatus, and non-temporary computer-readable media described herein, the configuration signal may be received within a radio resource control (RRC) message.

[0026] In some examples of the methods, apparatus, and non-temporary computer-readable media described herein, the trigger signal may be received within the non-periodic channel state information request field of MAC CE or downlink control information (DCI).

[0027] A method for wireless communication in a network entity is described. The method may include the steps of: identifying a set of cells associated with performing communication with a UE; transmitting a configuration signal to the UE indicating one or more sets of RS formats, each set of RS formats including a mapping of the RS format to each cell in the set of cells; and transmitting a trigger signal to the UE indicating an active set of RS formats of one or more sets of RS formats, the trigger signal indicating an RS transmission from a cell in the set of cells according to the RS format associated with the active set of RS formats.

[0028] A device for wireless communication in a network entity is described. The device may include a processor, memory coupled to the processor, and instructions stored in the memory. Instructions may be executable by the processor to cause the device to identify a set of cells associated with performing communication with a UE, to transmit a configuration signal to the UE indicating one or more sets of RS formats, each set of RS formats including a mapping of the RS format to each cell in the set of cells, and to transmit a trigger signal to the UE indicating an active set of RS formats of one or more sets of RS formats, the trigger signal indicating an RS transmission from a cell in the set of cells according to the RS format associated with the active set of RS formats.

[0029] Another device for wireless communication in a network entity is described. This device may include means for identifying a set of cells associated with performing communication with a UE, means for transmitting a configuration signal to the UE indicating one or more sets of RS formats, each set of RS formats including a mapping of RS formats to each cell in the set of cells, and means for transmitting a trigger signal to the UE indicating an active set of RS formats of one or more sets of RS formats, the trigger signal indicating an RS transmission from a cell in the set of cells according to the RS format associated with the active set of RS formats.

[0030] The present invention describes a non-temporary computer-readable medium for storing code for wireless communication in a network entity. The code may include instructions executable by a processor to identify a set of cells associated with performing communication with a UE, to send a configuration signal to the UE indicating one or more sets of RS formats, each set of RS formats including a mapping of the RS format to each cell in the set of cells, and to send a trigger signal to the UE indicating an active set of RS formats of one or more sets of RS formats, the trigger signal indicating an RS transmission from a cell in the set of cells according to the RS format associated with the active set of RS formats.

[0031] In some examples of the methods, apparatus, and non-temporary computer-readable media described herein, the RS format associated with at least one SCell in the active set of RS formats represents a first RS format associated with a first activation state and a second RS format associated with a second activation state.

[0032] Some examples of methods, apparatus, and non-temporary computer-readable media described herein include sending a SCell activation message to a UE indicating that at least one SCell can be activated in the UE, and further including an operation, feature, means, or instruction for sending a message which at least one SCell can be in a first activated state based on the SCell activation message.

[0033] Some examples of methods, apparatus, and non-temporary computer-readable media described herein include sending a SCell activation message indicating that at least one SCell can be activated in a UE, and further including an operation, feature, means, or instruction for sending an activation state for at least one SCell that can be obtained based on the SCell activation message.

[0034] In some examples of the methods, apparatus, and non-temporary computer-readable media described herein, the SCell activation message may be transmitted using a MAC CE message.

[0035] In some examples of the methods, apparatus, and non-temporary computer-readable media described herein, the configuration signal may be transmitted within an RRC message.

[0036] In some examples of the methods, apparatus, and non-temporary computer-readable media described herein, the trigger signal may be transmitted within the non-periodic channel state information request field of MAC CE or DCI. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0037] [Figure 1] This figure shows an example of a wireless communication system that supports reference signal (RS) signaling for a secondary cell (SCell) according to an aspect of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] This figure shows an example of a wireless communication system supporting RS signaling for SCell according to an aspect of the present disclosure. [Figure 3A] This figure shows an example of an RS format configuration that supports RS signaling for SCell according to an aspect of this disclosure. [Figure 3B] This figure shows an example of an RS format configuration that supports RS signaling for SCell according to an aspect of this disclosure. [Figure 4A]This figure shows an example of an RS format structure that supports RS signaling for SCell according to an aspect of the present disclosure. [Figure 4B] This figure shows an example of an RS format structure that supports RS signaling for SCell according to an aspect of the present disclosure. [Figure 4C] This figure shows an example of an RS format structure that supports RS signaling for SCell according to an aspect of the present disclosure. [Figure 5] This figure shows an example of a process that supports RS signaling for SCell according to an aspect of this disclosure. [Figure 6] This is a block diagram of a device supporting RS signaling for SCell according to an aspect of the present disclosure. [Figure 7] This is a block diagram of a device supporting RS signaling for SCell according to an aspect of the present disclosure. [Figure 8] This is a block diagram of a communications manager supporting RS signaling for SCell according to an aspect of the present disclosure. [Figure 9] This is a diagram of a system including a device that supports RS signaling for SCell according to an aspect of the present disclosure. [Figure 10] This is a block diagram of a device supporting RS signaling for SCell according to an aspect of the present disclosure. [Figure 11] This is a block diagram of a device supporting RS signaling for SCell according to an aspect of the present disclosure. [Figure 12] This is a block diagram of a communications manager supporting RS signaling for SCell according to an aspect of the present disclosure. [Figure 13] This is a diagram of a system including a device that supports RS signaling for SCell according to an aspect of the present disclosure. [Figure 14] This flowchart shows a method for supporting RS signaling for SCell according to an aspect of the present disclosure. [Figure 15]This flowchart shows a method for supporting RS signaling for SCell according to an aspect of the present disclosure. [Figure 16] This flowchart shows a method for supporting RS signaling for SCell according to an aspect of the present disclosure. [Figure 17] This flowchart shows a method for supporting RS signaling for SCell according to an aspect of the present disclosure. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0038] Recently, there is a consensus to use transient reference signals (RSs) to improve secondary cell (SCell) activation. Transient RSs can be different from existing RSs and can be optimized for faster SCell activation. For example, a primary cell (PCell) may be configured to be activated to transmit transient RSs, allowing a user equipment (UE) to quickly perform automatic gain control (AGC) by adjusting its receive amplifier gain and performing time / frequency tuning with the SCell. In the absence of transient RSs, the UE would use synchronization signal block (SSB) transmissions, which have a relatively long periodicity in activating the SCell. While the UE may be signaled that the SCell can be configured to transmit these transient RSs, it may want additional flexibility in deciding whether to monitor the transient RSs. In some cases, the UE may prefer to monitor already active SCells using aperiodic channel state information reference signals (A-CSI-RS), tracking reference signals (TRS), etc., for channel performance measurement / tuning.

[0039] The aspects of this disclosure will first be described in the context of a wireless communication system. Generally, the techniques described provide a network entity (e.g., PCell) for configuring a UE (e.g., using Radio Resource Control (RRC) signaling) with multiple sets of RS formats, each set mapping an RS format to its respective cell. For example, a network entity (e.g., a base station) may constitute a UE with a table of possible field values ​​associated with rows in the table (e.g., corresponding to an available non-periodic channel status information (A-CSI) request field, or other fields). The columns of the table may correspond to PCells and available SCells of the UE. Points corresponding to specific rows / columns may provide indications for RS formats for PCells or SCells. The network entity may send a trigger signal (a Downlink Control Information (DCI) signal) to the UE indicating one of the field values. The UE may then determine the activation state of each cell in the row and then use the column to determine the RS format for the corresponding cell. The table and corresponding rows may indicate specific RS formats to be monitored, but the UE may choose to follow the table based on the activation state of the cell. If a SCell is deactivated, the UE may ignore the RS format indicated for monitoring. If a SCell is already activated, the UE may choose to follow the indicated RS format if it corresponds to a format suitable for an already activated cell (e.g., A-CSI-RS or TRS). If a SCell is activated, the UE may choose to follow the indicated RS format if it corresponds to a format suitable for a cell to be activated (e.g., New Temporary RS). Based on the configured and triggered RS formats and the activation status of the cell, the UE may determine and implement a monitoring method for the cell.

[0040] Aspects of this disclosure will be further illustrated and described with reference to diagrams of the apparatus, system, and flowcharts relating to reference signaling for SCell.

[0041] Figure 1 shows an example of a wireless communication system 100 supporting reference signal signaling for SCell according to an aspect of the present disclosure. The wireless communication system 100 may include one or more network entities 105, one or more UEs 115, and a core network 130. In some examples, the wireless communication system 100 may be a Long-Term Evolution (LTE) network, an LTE Advanced (LTE-A) network, an LTE-A Pro network, or a New Radio (NR) network. In some examples, the wireless communication system 100 may support extended broadband communication, ultra-high reliability (e.g., mission-critical) communication, low-latency communication, communication with low-cost and low-complexity devices, or any combination thereof.

[0042] Network entities 105 may be distributed across a geographical area to form a wireless communication system 100 and may be devices of different forms or with different capabilities. Network entities 105 and UE 115 may communicate wirelessly via one or more communication links 125. Each network entity 105 may provide a coverage area 110 on which UE 115 and network entities 105 may establish one or more communication links 125. The coverage area 110 may be an example of a geographical area on which network entities 105 and UE 115 may support the communication of signals by one or more wireless access technologies.

[0043] The UE115 may be distributed across the entire coverage area 110 of the wireless communication system 100, and each UE115 may be stationary, mobile, or both at different times. The UE115 may be devices of different forms or with different capabilities. Several exemplary UE115 are shown in Figure 1. The UE115 described herein may communicate with various types of devices, such as other UE115, network entities 105, or network equipment (e.g., core network nodes, relay devices, integrated access and backhaul (IAB) nodes, or other network equipment), as shown in Figure 1.

[0044] Network entities 105 may communicate with the core network 130, communicate with each other, or communicate with both. For example, network entities 105 may interface with the core network 130 through one or more backhaul links 120 (e.g., via S1, N2, N3, or other interfaces). Network entities 105 may communicate with each other through the backhaul links 120 (e.g., via X2, Xn, or other interfaces) either directly (e.g., directly between network entities 105) or indirectly (e.g., via the core network 130), or both. In some examples, the backhaul links 120 may be one or more wireless links, or may include one or more wireless links.

[0045] One or more of the network entities 105 described herein may include, or be referred to as by those skilled in the art, a base station transceiver station, a base station, a radio base station, an access point, a radio transceiver, a node B, an eNode B (eNodeB: eNB), a next-generation node B or giganode B (both of which may be called gNBs), a home node B, a home eNode B, or other preferred terms.

[0046] UE115 may include, or may be referred to as, a mobile device, wireless device, remote device, handheld device, or subscriber device, or any other preferred term; “device” may also be referred to as a unit, station, terminal, or client, in the examples. UE115 may also include, or may be referred to as, a personal electronic device such as a cellular phone, personal digital assistant (PDA), tablet computer, laptop computer, or personal computer. In some examples, UE115 may include, or may be referred to as, a wireless local loop (WLL) station, an Internet of Things (IoT) device, an Internet of Everything (IoE) device, or a machine type communications (MTC) device, in the examples, or may be implemented in various items such as appliances, vehicles, meters, etc.

[0047] The UE115 described herein may be capable of communicating with various types of devices, including other UE115s that sometimes act as repeaters, as well as network entities 105 and network equipment, including, in examples, macro eNBs or gNBs, small cell eNBs or gNBs, or relay network entities 105.

[0048] UE115 and network entity 105 may communicate wirelessly with each other via one or more communication links 125 over one or more carriers. The term “carrier” may refer to a set of radio frequency spectrum resources having a defined physical layer structure for supporting communication links 125. For example, a carrier used for communication link 125 may include a portion of the radio frequency spectrum band (e.g., a bandwidth part (BWP)) operating according to one or more physical layer channels for a given radio access technology (e.g., LTE, LTE-A, LTE-A Pro, NR). Each physical layer channel may carry collected signaling (e.g., synchronization signals, system information), control signaling to coordinate operations with the carrier, user data, or other signaling. The wireless communication system 100 may support communication with UE115 using carrier aggregation or multi-carrier operation. UE115 may consist of multiple downlink component carriers and one or more uplink component carriers according to a carrier aggregation configuration. Carrier aggregation can be used with both frequency division duplexing (FDD) and time division duplexing (TDD) component carriers.

[0049] In some examples (for instance, in carrier aggregation configurations), carriers may also have collection or control signaling to coordinate their operation with other carriers. Carriers may be associated with frequency channels (e.g., evolved universal mobile telecommunication system terrestrial radio access (E-UTRA) absolute radio frequency channel number (EARFCN)) and may be arranged according to a channel raster for discovery by the UE115. Carriers may operate in standalone mode, where initial collection and connection may be performed via the carrier by the UE115, or they may operate in non-standalone mode, where connection is anchored using different carriers (e.g., the same or different radio access technologies).

[0050] The communication link 125 shown in the wireless communication system 100 may include uplink transmissions from UE 115 to network entity 105, or downlink transmissions from network entity 105 to UE 115. The carrier may carry downlink communications or uplink communications (for example, in FDD mode), or may be configured to carry downlink communications and uplink communications (for example, in TDD mode).

[0051] A carrier may be associated with a specific bandwidth in the radio frequency spectrum, and in some examples, the carrier bandwidth may be referred to as the carrier or the “system bandwidth” of the wireless communication system 100. For example, the carrier bandwidth may be one of several predetermined bandwidths for the carrier of a particular radio access technology (e.g., 1.4, 3, 5, 10, 15, 20, 40, or 80 megahertz (MHz)). Devices of the wireless communication system 100 (e.g., network entity 105, UE115, or both) may have a hardware configuration that supports communication on a specific carrier bandwidth, or may be configurable to support communication on one of a set of carrier bandwidths. In some examples, the wireless communication system 100 may include network entity 105 or UE115 that support simultaneous communication over carriers related to multiple carrier bandwidths. In some examples, each UE115 being served may be configured to operate on a portion of the carrier bandwidth (e.g., a subband, BWP), or all of it.

[0052] The signal waveform transmitted on a carrier can consist of multiple subcarriers (for example, using multi-carrier modulation (MCM) techniques such as orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) or discrete Fourier transform spread OFDM (DFT-S-OFDM). In systems employing MCM techniques, a resource element may consist of one symbol period (e.g., the duration of one modulation symbol) and one subcarrier, where the symbol period and subcarrier interval are inversely related. The number of bits carried by each resource element may depend on the modulation scheme (e.g., the order of the modulation scheme, the coding rate of the modulation scheme, or both). Therefore, the more resource elements the UE115 receives, and the higher the order of the modulation scheme, the higher the data rate of the UE115 can be. Wireless communication resources may refer to a combination of radio frequency spectral resources, temporal resources, and spatial resources (e.g., spatial layers or beams), and the use of multiple spatial layers may further increase the data rate or data integrity for communication with the UE115.

[0053] One or more numerologies may be supported for a carrier, where the numerology may include a subcarrier spacing (Δf) and a cyclic prefix. A carrier may be divided into one or more BWPs having the same or different numerologies. In some examples, UE115 may consist of multiple BWPs. In some examples, a single BWP for a carrier may be active at a given time, and communication for UE115 may be limited to one or more active BWPs.

[0054] The time interval for network entity 105 or UE115 is, for example, T s = 1 / (Δf max ·N f It can refer to a sampling period of ) seconds, and can be expressed as a multiple of the basic time unit, where Δf max This can represent the maximum supported subcarrier interval, Nf This may represent the maximum supported Discrete Fourier Transform (DFT) size. The time interval of communication resources may be organized according to radio frames, each having a specified duration (e.g., 10 milliseconds (ms)). Each radio frame may be identified by a system frame number (SFN) (e.g., ranging from 0 to 1023).

[0055] Each frame may contain multiple sequentially numbered subframes or slots, each subframe or slot having the same duration. In some examples, a frame may be divided into subframes (e.g., in the time domain), and each subframe may be further divided into several slots. Alternatively, each frame may contain a variable number of slots, the number of slots may depend on the subcarrier interval. Each slot may contain several symbol periods (e.g., depending on the length of the cyclic prefix prepared for each symbol period). In some wireless communication systems 100, a slot may be further divided into several minislots containing one or more symbols. Except for the cyclic prefix, each symbol period may contain one or more (e.g., N) symbols. f The sampling period may include (1) units. The duration of the symbol period may depend on the subcarrier interval or the frequency band of operation.

[0056] A subframe, slot, minislot, or symbol may be the smallest scheduling unit (e.g., in the time domain) of the wireless communication system 100 and may be called a transmission time interval (TTI). In some examples, the TTI duration (e.g., the number of symbol periods within the TTI) may be variable. Additionally or alternatively, the smallest scheduling unit of the wireless communication system 100 may be dynamically selected (e.g., within a burst of shortened TTIs (sTTIs)).

[0057] Physical channels may be multiplexed on the carrier according to various techniques. Physical control channels and physical data channels may be multiplexed on the downlink carrier using one or more of the following techniques: time-division multiplexing (TDM), frequency-division multiplexing (FDM), or hybrid TDM-FDM. A control region (e.g., a control resource set (CORESET)) for a physical control channel may be defined by the number of symbol periods and may extend across the carrier's system bandwidth or a subset of the system bandwidth. One or more control regions (e.g., CORESETs) may be configured for a set of UE115s. For example, one or more UE115s may monitor or search the control region for control information according to one or more search space sets, each search space set may contain one or more control channel candidates in one or more aggregation levels configured in a cascaded manner. An aggregation level for control channel candidates may refer to a number of control channel resources (e.g., control channel elements (CCEs)) associated with encoded information for a control information format having a given payload size. The search space set may include a common search space set configured to send control information to multiple UE115s, and a UE-specific search space set for sending control information to a specific UE115.

[0058] Each network entity 105 may provide communication coverage through one or more cells, such as macrocells, small cells, hotspots, or other types of cells, or any combination thereof. The term “cell” may refer to a logical communication entity used for communication with network entity 105 (for example, on a carrier) and may be associated with an identifier for distinguishing neighboring cells (e.g., a physical cell identifier (PCID), a virtual cell identifier (VCID), or other). In some examples, a cell may also refer to a geographical coverage area 110 or a portion of geographical coverage area 110 (e.g., a sector) on which the logical communication entity operates. Such cells may range from smaller areas (e.g., structures, subsets of structures) to larger areas, depending on various factors such as the capabilities of network entity 105. For example, a cell may be, in the example, a building, a subset of a building, or external space between or overlapping with geographical coverage area 110.

[0059] Macrocells typically cover relatively large geographical areas (e.g., a radius of several kilometers) and can enable unrestricted access by UE115s subscribed to the services of a network provider that supports macrocells. Small cells may be associated with lower-power network entities 105 compared to macrocells, and small cells may operate in the same or different frequency bands as macrocells (e.g., licensed, unlicensed). Small cells may provide unrestricted access to UE115s subscribed to the services of a network provider, or they may provide restricted access to UE115s associated with small cells (e.g., UE115s in a closed subscriber group (CSG), UE115s associated with users in a home or office). A network entity 105 may support one or more cells and may also support communication on one or more cells using one or more component carriers.

[0060] In some cases, a carrier can support multiple cells, and different cells may be configured according to different protocol types (e.g., MTC, narrowband IoT (NB-IoT), enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB)) that can provide access to different types of devices.

[0061] In some examples, the network entity 105 may be mobile and therefore capable of providing communication coverage to a moving geographical coverage area 110. In some examples, different geographical coverage areas 110 associated with different technologies may overlap, but these different geographical coverage areas 110 may be supported by the same network entity 105. In other examples, overlapping geographical coverage areas 110 associated with different technologies may be supported by different network entities 105. The wireless communication system 100 may include, for example, a heterogeneous network in which different types of network entities 105 provide coverage to various geographical coverage areas 110 using the same or different radio access technologies.

[0062] The wireless communication system 100 may support synchronous or asynchronous operation. In synchronous operation, network entities 105 may have similar frame timings, and transmissions from different network entities 105 may be approximately synchronized in time. In asynchronous operation, network entities 105 may have different frame timings, and transmissions from different network entities 105 may, in some cases, not be synchronized in time. The techniques described herein may be used for either synchronous or asynchronous operation.

[0063] Some UE115s, such as MTC devices or IoT devices, may be low-cost or low-complexity devices that can provide automated communication between machines (for example, via machine-to-machine (M2M) communication). M2M communication or MTC may refer to data communication technologies that enable devices to communicate with each other or with network entities 105 without human intervention. In some examples, M2M communication or MTC may include communication from devices that incorporate sensors or meters to measure or capture information and relay that information to a central server or application program that utilizes such information or presents it to a human interacting with the application program. Some UE115s may be designed to collect information or enable automated behavior of machines or other devices. Examples of applications for MTC devices include smart metering, inventory monitoring, water level monitoring, equipment monitoring, healthcare monitoring, wildlife monitoring, weather and geological event monitoring, fleet management and tracking, remote security detection, physical access control, and transaction-based business billing.

[0064] Some UE115s may be configured to use power-saving operating modes, such as half-duplex communication (e.g., modes that support one-way communication via transmit or receive, but not simultaneous transmit and receive). In some examples, half-duplex communication may be performed at a reduced peak rate. Other power-saving techniques for the UE115 include entering a power-saving deep sleep mode when not engaged in active communication, operating over a limited bandwidth (e.g., according to narrowband communication), or a combination of these techniques. For example, some UE115s may be configured for operation using narrowband protocol types associated with a defined portion or range (e.g., a set of subcarriers or resource blocks (RBs)) within, within, or outside the carrier.

[0065] The wireless communication system 100 may be configured to support ultra-reliable low-latency communications, low-latency communications, or various combinations thereof. For example, the wireless communication system 100 may be configured to support ultra-reliable low-latency communications (URLLC) or mission-critical communications. The UE 115 may be designed to support ultra-reliable, low-latency, or critical functions (e.g., mission-critical functions). Ultra-reliable communications may include private or group communications and may be supported by one or more mission-critical services, such as mission-critical push-to-talk (MCPTT), mission-critical video (MCVideo), or mission-critical data (MCData). Support for mission-critical functions may include service prioritization, and mission-critical services may be used for public safety or general commercial purposes. The terms ultra-reliable, low-latency, mission-critical, and ultra-reliable low-latency may be used interchangeably herein.

[0066] In some examples, UE115 may also be able to communicate directly with other UE115 via a device-to-device (D2D) communication link 135 (for example, using a peer-to-peer (P2P) protocol or a D2D protocol). One or more UE115s utilizing D2D communication may be within the geographical coverage area 110 of the network entity 105. Other UE115s in such a group may be outside the geographical coverage area 110 of the network entity 105, or in some cases, may not be able to receive transmissions from the network entity 105. In some examples, a group of UE115s communicating via D2D communication may utilize a one-to-many (1:M) system where each UE115 communicates with any other UE115 in the group. In some examples, the network entity 105 facilitates the scheduling of resources for D2D communication. In other cases, D2D communication is performed between UE115s without the involvement of the network entity 105.

[0067] In some systems, the D2D communication link 135 may be an example of a communication channel between vehicles (e.g., UE 115), such as a side-link communication channel. In some examples, vehicles may communicate using vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication, vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) communication, or any combination thereof. Vehicles may signal information related to traffic conditions, signal scheduling, weather, safety, emergencies, or any other information related to the V2X system. In some examples, vehicles in a V2X system may communicate with roadside infrastructure such as roadside units, or with the network via one or more network nodes (e.g., network entity 105) using vehicle-to-network (V2N) communication, or both.

[0068] The core network 130 may provide user authentication, access authorization, tracking, Internet Protocol (IP) connectivity, and other access, routing, or mobility functions. The core network 130 may be an evolved packet core (EPC) or a 5G core (5GC), which may include at least one control plane entity that manages access and mobility (e.g., a mobility management entity (MME), an access and mobility management function (AMF)), and at least one user plane entity that routes packets or interconnects to external networks (e.g., a serving gateway (S-GW), a Packet Data Network (PDN) gateway (P-GW), or a user plane function (UPF)). The control plane entity may manage non-access stratum (NAS) functions such as mobility, authentication, and bearer management for the UE 115, which is serviced by the network entity 105 associated with the core network 130. User IP packets may be forwarded through user plane entities that may provide IP address allocation and other functions. The user plane entity may be connected to IP services 150 of one or more network operators. IP services 150 may include access to the Internet, intranets, IP multimedia subsystems (IMS), or packet-switched streaming services.

[0069] Some of the network devices, such as network entity 105, may include subordinate components, such as access network entity 140, which may be an example of an access node controller (ANC). Each access network entity 140 may communicate with UE 115 through one or more other access network transmission entities 145, which may be called radio heads, smart radio heads, or transmission / reception points (TRPs). Each access network transmission entity 145 may include one or more antenna panels. In some configurations, the various functions of each access network entity 140 or base station may be distributed across various network devices (e.g., radio heads and ANCs), or integrated into a single network entity 105 (e.g., radio heads and ANCs), or integrated into a single network entity 105 (e.g., base station).

[0070] The wireless communication system 100 may typically operate using one or more frequency bands in the range of 300 megahertz (MHz) to 300 gigahertz (GHz). Generally, the region from 300 MHz to 3 GHz is called the ultra-high frequency (UHF) region or decimeter band, as wavelengths range from approximately 1 decimeter to 1 meter. While UHF waves may be blocked or redirected by building and environmental characteristics, their waves can penetrate structures well enough for a macrocell to service an indoor UE 115. Transmitting UHF waves may involve smaller antennas and shorter distances (e.g., less than 100 kilometers) compared to transmitting using lower frequencies and longer waves in the short-frequency (HF) or very high-frequency (VHF) portion of the spectrum below 300 MHz.

[0071] The wireless communication system 100 may also operate in the super high frequency (SHF) region, using a frequency band from 3 GHz to 30 GHz, also known as the centimeter band, or in the extremely high frequency (EHF) region of the spectrum, also known as the millimeter band (for example, from 30 GHz to 300 GHz). In some examples, the wireless communication system 100 may support millimeter wave (mmW) communication between the UE 115 and the network entity 105, and the EHF antennas of each device may be smaller and more closely spaced than UHF antennas. In some examples, this may facilitate the use of antenna arrays within the device. However, the propagation of EHF transmissions may be subject to greater atmospheric attenuation than SHF or UHF transmissions and may have shorter distances. The techniques disclosed herein may be employed across transmissions using one or more different frequency domains, and the specified use of bands across these frequency domains may vary by country or regulatory body.

[0072] The wireless communication system 100 may utilize both licensed and unlicensed radio frequency spectrum bands. For example, the wireless communication system 100 may employ License Assisted Access (LAA), LTE Unlicensed (LTE-U) radio access technology, or NR technology in unlicensed bands such as the 5 GHz industrial, scientific, and medical (ISM) band. When operating in unlicensed radio frequency spectrum bands, devices such as network entities 105 and UE 115 may employ carrier detection for collision detection and avoidance. In some examples, operation in the unlicensed band may be based on a carrier aggregation configuration in conjunction with component carriers operating in the licensed band (e.g., LAA). Operation in the unlicensed spectrum may include, in the examples, downlink transmission, uplink transmission, P2P transmission, or D2D transmission.

[0073] The network entity 105 or UE115 may be equipped with multiple antennas that can be used to employ techniques such as transmit diversity, receive diversity, multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) communication, or beamforming. The antennas of the network entity 105 or UE115 may be located in one or more antenna arrays or antenna panels that can support MIMO operation or transmit or receive beamforming. For example, one or more network entity antennas or antenna arrays may be juxtaposed in an antenna assembly such as an antenna tower. In some examples, the antennas or antenna arrays associated with the network entity 105 may be located in diverse geographical locations. The network entity 105 may have an antenna array having several rows and columns of antenna ports that the network entity 105 can use to support beamforming for communication with the UE115. Similarly, the UE115 may have one or more antenna arrays that can support various MIMO or beamforming operations. As an addition or alternative, an antenna panel may support radio frequency beamforming for signals transmitted through the antenna ports.

[0074] Network entities 105 or UE115 may use MIMO communication to enhance spectral efficiency by leveraging multipath signal propagation by transmitting or receiving multiple signals through different spatial layers. Such techniques are sometimes called spatial multiplexing. Multiple signals may be transmitted by a transmitting device through, for example, different antennas or different combinations of antennas. Similarly, multiple signals may be received by a receiving device through different antennas or different combinations of antennas. Each of the multiple signals may be called a separate spatial stream and may carry bits associated with the same data stream (e.g., the same codeword) or different data streams (e.g., different codewords). Different spatial layers may be associated with different antenna ports used for channel measurement and reporting. MIMO techniques include single-user MIMO (SU-MIMO), where multiple spatial layers are transmitted to the same receiving device, and multiple-user MIMO (MU-MIMO), where multiple spatial layers are transmitted to multiple devices.

[0075] Beamforming, sometimes called spatial filtering, directional transmission, or directional reception, is a signal processing technique that can be used in a transmitting or receiving device (e.g., network entity 105, UE115) to shape or steer an antenna beam (e.g., transmit beam, receive beam) along a spatial path between the transmitting and receiving devices. Beamforming can be achieved by combining signals communicated through the antenna elements of an antenna array such that several signals propagating in a particular direction relative to the antenna array undergo constructive interference, while other signals undergo destructive interference. The coordination of signals communicated through antenna elements may include the transmitting or receiving device applying amplitude offset, phase offset, or both to the signals carried through the antenna elements associated with the device. The coordination associated with each antenna element may be defined by a beamforming weight set associated with a particular direction (e.g., relative to the antenna array of the transmitting or receiving device, or to some other direction).

[0076] The network entity 105 or UE 115 may use beam sweeping techniques as part of its beamforming operation. For example, the network entity 105 may use multiple antennas or antenna arrays (e.g., antenna panels) to perform beamforming operations for directional communication with the UE 115. Several signals (e.g., synchronization signals, reference signals, beam selection signals, or other control signals) may be transmitted by the network entity 105 multiple times in different directions. For example, the network entity 105 may transmit signals according to different beamforming weight sets associated with different transmission directions. Transmissions in different beam directions may be used to identify the beam direction for subsequent transmission or reception by the network entity 105 (e.g., by a transmitting device such as the network entity 105, or by a receiving device such as the UE 115).

[0077] Some signals, such as data signals associated with a specific receiving device, may be transmitted by the network entity 105 in a single beam direction (for example, the direction associated with a receiving device such as UE 115). In some examples, the beam direction associated with transmission along a single beam direction may be determined based on signals transmitted in one or more beam directions. For example, UE 115 may receive one or more signals transmitted in different directions by the network entity 105, and UE 115 may report to the network entity 105 an indication of the signal received at the highest or possibly acceptable signal quality.

[0078] In some examples, transmission by a device (e.g., by network entity 105 or UE115) may be performed using multiple beam directions, and the device may use a combination of digital precoding or radio frequency beamforming to generate a combined beam for transmission (e.g., from network entity 105 to UE115). UE115 may report feedback indicating precoding weights for one or more beam directions, and the feedback may correspond to a configured number of beams across the system bandwidth or one or more subbands. Network entity 105 may transmit reference signals that may or may not be precoded (e.g., cell-specific reference signal (CRS), channel state information reference signal (CSI-RS)). UE115 may provide feedback for beam selection, which may be a precoding matrix indicator (PMI) or codebook-based feedback (e.g., multi-panel type codebook, linear combination type codebook, port selection type codebook). These techniques will be described with reference to signals transmitted by the network entity 105 in one or more directions, but the UE 115 may employ similar techniques to transmit signals multiple times in different directions (for example, to identify beam directions for subsequent transmission or reception by the UE 115) or to transmit signals in a single direction (for example, to transmit data to a receiving device).

[0079] When a receiving device (e.g., UE115) receives various signals from a network entity 105, such as synchronization signals, reference signals, beam selection signals, or other control signals, it may attempt multiple receiving configurations (e.g., directional listening). For example, the receiving device may attempt multiple receiving directions by receiving through different antenna subarrays, by processing the received signal according to different antenna subarrays, by receiving according to different sets of receive beamforming weights (e.g., different directional listening weights) applied to the received signal at multiple antenna elements of an antenna array, or by processing the received signal according to different sets of receive beamforming weights applied to the received signal at multiple antenna elements of an antenna array, any of which may be referred to as “listening” by different receiving configurations or receiving directions. In some examples, the receiving device may use a single receiving configuration to receive along a single beam direction (e.g., when receiving a data signal). A single receiving configuration may be matched to a beam direction determined based on listening by different receiving configuration directions (e.g., a beam direction determined to have the highest signal intensity, the highest signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), or possibly acceptable signal quality based on listening by multiple beam directions).

[0080] The wireless communication system 100 may be a packet-based network operating according to a layered protocol stack. In the user plane, communication at the bearer or Packet Data Convergence Protocol (PDCP) layer may be IP-based. The Radio Link Control (RLC) layer may perform packet segmentation and reassembly for communication on logical channels. The Medium Access Control (MAC) layer may perform priority processing and multiplexing logical channels to transport channels. The MAC layer may also use error detection techniques, error correction techniques, or both to improve link efficiency by supporting retransmission at the MAC layer. In the control plane, the Radio Resource Control (RRC) protocol layer may establish, configure, and maintain RRC connections between the UE 115 and network entities 105 or the core network 130, supporting radio bearers for user plane data. At the physical layer, transport channels may be mapped to physical channels.

[0081] UE115 and network entity 105 may support data retransmission to increase the likelihood of successful data reception. Hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ) feedback is one technique to increase the likelihood of data being correctly received on communication link 125. HARQ may include a combination of error detection (e.g., using cyclic redundancy check (CRC)), forward error correction (FEC), and retransmission (e.g., automatic repeat request (ARQ)). HARQ can improve throughput at the MAC layer under poor radio conditions (e.g., low signal-to-noise conditions). In some examples, a device may support same-slot HARQ feedback, where the device provides HARQ feedback within a slot for data received in a previous symbol within a particular slot. In other cases, the device may provide HARQ feedback in subsequent slots or according to some other time interval.

[0082] UE115 can receive configuration signals indicating one or more sets of RS formats, each set of RS formats including a mapping of RS formats to each cell in a set of cells. UE115 can receive trigger signals indicating an active set of RS formats from one or more sets of RS formats, the trigger signals indicating RS transmissions from cells in a set of cells according to the RS formats associated with the active set of RS formats. UE115 can identify the activation state for each cell in a set of cells. Based on the activation state of at least one SCell and each RS format in the active set of RS formats, UE115 can determine a monitoring scheme for at least one SCell in a set of cells. UE115 can perform a monitoring scheme for RS transmissions from at least one SCell.

[0083] Network entity 105 can identify a set of cells associated with performing communication with UE 115. Network entity 105 can send configuration signals to UE 115 indicating one or more sets of RS formats, each set of RS formats including a mapping of RS formats to each cell in the set of cells. Network entity 105 can send trigger signals to UE 115 indicating an active set of RS formats from one or more sets of RS formats, the trigger signals indicating RS transmissions from cells in the set of cells according to the RS format associated with the active set of RS formats.

[0084] Figure 2 shows an example of a wireless communication system 200 supporting RS signaling for SCell according to an aspect of this disclosure. The wireless communication system 200 may implement an aspect of the wireless communication system 100. The wireless communication system 200 may include network entities 205, 210, 215, 220, and UE 225, which may be examples of corresponding devices described herein.

[0085] That is, in some embodiments, network entity 205 may be configured to serve a PCell to the UE225, and network entities 210, 215, and / or 220 may be SCells available for communication with the UE225 (e.g., an active SCell, a SCell to be activated, or an inactive SCell). However, it should be understood that PCells and SCells may be associated with the same network entity and / or with different network entities. In examples where PCells and SCells are associated with different network entities, such network entities may coordinate the manner of communication with the UE225 wirelessly and / or via wired connections (e.g., via backhaul connections).

[0086] Some wireless communication systems may support temporary RS during SCell activation to facilitate the activation process and improve efficiency. Temporary RS may be supported for SCell activation in, for example, frequency range one (FR1), frequency range two (FR2), and / or several other FRs. More broadly, temporary RS may support functions related to AGC settling, time and / or frequency tracking / tuning during SCell activation, etc.

[0087] In some aspects, the temporary RS may also be referred to as an aperiodic RS, and may be an example such as a TRS, an aperiodic CSI-RS, a persistent CSI-RS, a semi-persistent CSI-RS, a sounding reference signal (SRS), a reference signal based on PSS / SSS, a combination of two or more, etc. Other examples of RS types that can be configured as aperiodic reference signals include, but are not limited to, a phase tracking reference signal, a beam tracking / management reference signal, etc. Therefore, terms such as TRS, aperiodic reference signal, new temporary RS, etc. may be used interchangeably herein.

[0088] Therefore, in some examples, the TRS waveform can be selected as a temporary RS (e.g., an aperiodic RS) for SCell activation. In some examples, the temporary RS may be triggered by a DCI, a MAC CE, etc. UE225 may measure the triggered temporary RS during the SCell activation procedure after a configured time threshold (e.g., after slot m).

[0089] Conventionally, upon receiving an SCell activation command within a slot, UE225 supports sending a report of valid CSI and applying actions regarding the SCell activation command for previously activated SCell. T

[0090]

Number

[0091] It may support applying actions regarding the SCell activation command for an SCell that was previously activated. T HARQ may refer to the timing (in ms) between downlink data transmission and the acknowledgement response of downlink data transmission (e.g., HARQ-ACK feedback). T activation_time may refer to the SCell activation delay in ms. When the SCell to be activated is known and belongs to FR1, T activation_timeFor example, if the SCell measurement cycle is 160ms or less (to support fine-grained tracking), T FirstSSB It may be +5ms, or if the SCell measurement cycle is greater than 160ms (for example, to support AGC plus fine time / frequency tracking), T FirstSSB_Max +T rs It can be +5ms. If SCell is unknown and belongs to FR1, then if several conditions are met, T activation_time This is to support (for example, AGC, fine time / frequency tracking, and SSB detection) T FirstSSB_Max +T SMTC_Max +2*T rs It can be +5ms. rs Generally, this may refer to the SSB-based measurement and timing configuration (SMTC) period of the SCell that is activated if the UE provides the SMTC setting for the SCell in the SCell append message. Otherwise, T rs This may refer to an SMTC set up with measObjectNR having the same SSB frequency and subcarrier spacing. If UE225 is not given an SMTC setting or object to measure at this frequency, T rs The requirement, including T, is equal to 5ms, assuming the SSB transmission period is 5ms. rs It can be applied to T FirstSSB is a slot

[0092]

number

[0093] This can sometimes refer to the time until the end of the first complete SSB burst, as later indicated by the SMTC. FirstSSB_Max is a slot

[0094]

number

[0095] This may refer to the time until the end of the first full SSB burst, as later indicated by SMTC. In FR1, for in-band SCell activation, this may satisfy the requirement that all active serving cells and SCells being activated or released are transmitting an SSB burst in the same slot. In the case of cross-band SCell activation, this may refer to the first time that the activated SCell is transmitting an SSB burst. In FR2, this may refer to the time when all active serving cells and SCells being activated or released are transmitting an SSB burst in the same slot.

[0096] Therefore, in FR1, under certain conditions (e.g., SCell measurement cycle <= 160 ms), if SCell activation is performed using a temporary RS, the SCell activation delay is:

[0097]

number

[0098] It may be equal to T. HARQ This generally refers to the timeline until a HARQ-ACK is sent. activation_time Generally, T FirstTempRS It points to +5ms, and here T FirstTempRS is n+T HARQ This is the time from the start or end of the temporary reference signal +3ms. CSI_Reporting This generally refers to the delay until the first available CSI report includes uncertainty about the CSI resources in the CSI report.

[0099] Therefore, in some examples, the transient RS may be a tracking RS (TRS) (for example, a non-zero power (NZP)-CSI-RS resource set configured with parameter trs-Info). Traditionally, this could include two NZP-CSI-RS resources configured in a slot (on two OFDM symbols), or four NZP-CSI-RS resources configured in two consecutive slots. The TRS may span the bandwidth of a downlink BWP, becoming active when the SCell is activated (for example, at least initially). The downlink BWP may correspond to a first active DL-BWP-id configured for the UE225.

[0100] The triggering signaling for the temporary RS may indicate either the slot from which the temporary RS is sent, the NZP-CSI-RS resource set index, or a combination thereof. In one option, this may involve the triggering signaling being transmitted by a MAC CE carried by a PDSCH. For example, the MAC CE that triggers the temporary RS may be carried by a PDSCH that also carries the MAC CE that activates the SCell. In another example, the MAC CE that triggers the temporary RS may be indicated by a different PDSCH than the one that carries the MAC CE that activates the SCell. Another option may involve trigger signaling transmitted by a DCI. For example, this may include a DCI that schedules a PDSCH that carries the MAC CE that activates the SCell. In yet another example, this may include a different DCI than the one that schedules the PDSCH that carries the MAC CE that activates the SCell.

[0101] According to such conventional techniques, the time domain allocation of a temporary RS can generally consist of two CSI-RS resources configured within a slot, or four CSI-RS resources configured in consecutive slots (which may be the same across two consecutive slots). This can be defined by the higher-level parameter CSI-RS-resourceMapping.

[0102] Therefore, using a temporary RS configuration may improve the speed of SCell activation. In this context, SCell activation delay is

[0103]

number

[0104] It can be addressed. HARQ In this case as well, this corresponds to the timeline until the ACK is sent. activation_time Generally, T temp RS It may point to +5ms, and here T temp RS is n+T HARQ This is the time to the TRS after +3ms. In some embodiments, the activation time may correspond to the time while the UE225 sends a HARQ-ACK in response to the activation command, the time it takes the UE225 to measure the TRS, and the time the UE225 is ready to send a CSI-RS report based on the measurement.

[0105] For example, in a known SCell with measurement cycles exceeding 160ms, a transient RS may consist of two temporally separated RS symbols. One part may be used for AGC, and the other for fine-grained time / frequency tracking. The transient RS may be a set of TRS (e.g., the NZP-CSI-RS resource set with trs-info). Alternatively, the transient RS may consist of a single RS symbol, and the UE may use both the transient RS and SSB. For example, the transient RS may be used for AGC, and the SSB for fine-grained time / frequency tracking, or vice versa.

[0106] In known SCells, a transient RS may contain four parts of a temporally separated RS symbol. A transient RS may be a set of TRSs (e.g., an NZP-CSI-RS resource set with trs-info). Alternatively, a transient RS may contain one or more parts of an RS symbol, and the UE may use a transient RS and an SSB. For example, at least four parts of one or more transient RSs and one or more SSBs may be used. Depending on the number of parts in the transient RS, the number of required SSBs may vary, and in this situation, the SCell activation delay may vary.

[0107] This method may be suitable for SCells activated with a SCell measurement cycle of <= 160ms, but other problems may arise for SCells activated with a SCell measurement cycle of > 160ms. For SCell measurement cycles > 160ms, two SSBs are commonly used. Since the two SSBs are separated in the time domain by at least 5ms, the UE225 has enough time to process AGC (e.g., using the first SSB) and to track continuously (e.g., using the second SSB for time / frequency tracking / fine-tuning). However, the transient RS technique discussed above may be limited to NZP-CSI-RS resources residing in either one slot or two consecutive slots. That is, since the NZP-CSI-RS resources are contained within a short duration (e.g., up to two slots), the UE225 may not have enough time to process AGC and perform fine-tuning. In other words, the slot duration (e.g., NR slot length) may be 1ms, 0.5ms, 0.25ms, and 0.125ms for 15kHz, 30kHz, 60kHz, and 120kHz SCS, respectively. Restricting the configuration of the temporary RS resource to a single slot or spanning two consecutive slots may not give the UE225 sufficient time to use the temporary RS for AGC operation and subsequent fine-tuning.

[0108] Furthermore, if AGC and time / frequency tracking are required for SCell activation, the UE225 may require a certain level of time gap between the RS for AGC and the RS used for time / frequency tracking. For example, a TRS (e.g., an NZP-CSI-RS resource set with trs-info) may be used for SCell activation. The TRS may contain multiple NZP-CSI-RS symbols in two consecutive slots with a minimum of four OFDM symbol isolations. This may be insufficient in some situations. Therefore, an embodiment of the technique described provides a sufficient time gap between the two parts of the transient RS (for example, the first and second parts of the transient RS may be split with a sufficient distance to support AGC and fine time / frequency tracking in the time domain).

[0109] However, in the case of an already active SCell, such a structure for a temporary RS may be unnecessary, while A-CSI-RS and TRS for CSI measurement (e.g., the NZP-CSI-RS resource set with trs-info) may still be useful for active serving cells. That is, other forms of temporary RS designs target certain specific conditions / purposes (e.g., known cells > 160ms or unknown cells with measurement cycles) and therefore may not be useful for already active cells (e.g., for cells that already have an active activation state).

[0110] Accordingly, embodiments of the techniques described may include a network entity 205 (for example, a PCell serving UE225) that configures the UE225 with one RS configuration for each cell of each code point in the configured table. For example, the network entity 205 may transmit or provide configuration signaling to the UE225 that identifies or optionally indicates a set of RS formats, in which case each set of RS formats involves mapping the RS format to each cell in a set of cells (for example, to each of network entity 205, network entity 210, network entity 215, and / or network entity 220). In some embodiments, the configuration signaling may use RRC signaling or other signaling techniques from network entity 205 to the UE225.

[0111] In some examples, the set of RS formats may include a table listing (e.g., indicating) the RS formats that each cell should use for each cell available to communicate with the UE225. The table may include multiple columns, the first column corresponding to a field value (e.g., an indication), and the other columns corresponding to each cell (e.g., the second column corresponding to PCell, the third column corresponding to SCell1, and so on). The table may include multiple rows, each row having a set of RS formats for the cells in the corresponding column. As discussed, each row may include a column (e.g., the first column) corresponding to an indication provided in a trigger signal that signals which row of the table is activated for RS transmission (e.g., indicating which set of RS formats is activated for the cell). For example, the first column in the table may correspond to a field indicating the active set of RS formats in the set of RS formats. That is, the column of field values ​​may include different field values ​​for each row, and the field value indicated in the trigger signal identifies which row / set of RS formats is active for the cell to use for RS transmission.

[0112] Therefore, the network entity 205 may send or optionally provide a trigger signal to the UE 225 indicating an active set of RS formats from a set of RS formats. The trigger signal may identify or optionally indicate an RS transmission from a cell that conforms to the RS format associated with the active set of RS formats. That is, the trigger signal (e.g., MAC CE, DCI, etc.) may include bits, fields, parameters, etc., set in a specific field value corresponding to a first column in a table. A specific field value corresponding to a specific row in the table may signal which RS format is active for an RS transmission from a cell. The active RS format in the row corresponding to the indicated field value may signal to the cell in the corresponding column which RS format each cell should use for such an RS transmission. In one non-limiting example, the instruction provided in the trigger signal may be provided in the A-CSI request field of the DCI. However, this instruction is not limited to the A-CSI request field of the DCI and may instead be signaled in a different field and / or in a different signal (e.g., in MAC CE).

[0113] In some embodiments, the active RS format may be based on the activation state of each cell. For example, UE225 may identify or possibly determine which cells are active for communication with UE225 or inactive for communication with UE225 (e.g., deactivated). Each cell may be in an inactive state, currently active, or scheduled to be activated (e.g., a cell was inactive but is transitioning to an active state to support communication with UE225).

[0114] Based on the activation status of each cell, in addition to the active set of RS formats indicated in the trigger signal, the UE225 may select, identify, or potentially determine the monitoring method for at least one SCell within the set of cells. That is, the UE225 may generally use the RS formats from the rows of the table indicated in the trigger signal to determine how it will monitor RS transmissions from active and / or cells scheduled to be activated.

[0115] The monitoring scheme can generally determine whether and / or how the UE225 monitors RS transmissions from cells within a set of cells. For example, the UE225 may use the active set of RS formats, in addition to the active state of each cell, to determine whether to monitor RS transmissions from cells and, if so, how to monitor them. Thus, the UE225 may implement (e.g., execute) a monitoring scheme for RS transmissions from at least one cell within a set of cells.

[0116] Therefore, the aspects of the technique described provide the use of the A-CSI request field (e.g., DCI formats 0_1 and / or 0_2) of the uplink DCI to indicate a triggered set of RS formats. For cells associated with field values, RRC signaling may be used as a configuration signal to configure a temporary RS format for each cell. The RS format may be a legacy TRS (e.g., an NZP-CSI-RS resource set with trs-info) or a new temporary RS format. For example, a code point in the trigger signal (e.g., an indicated field value) may indicate a legacy TRS for all indicated cells, a new temporary RS for all indicated cells, or a legacy TRS for some cells and a new temporary RS format for others. As discussed, the association between a particular code point (e.g., a field value indicated in the trigger signal) and a configuration for each cell (e.g., a set of RS formats) may be provided via a configuration signal (e.g., RRC signaling). In situations where a cell is not included in a configured set of RS formats, the UE225 may ignore that cell when triggered by a trigger signal. That is, if one or more SCells having an RS format configuration associated with a code point are deactivated (e.g., in an inactive activated state), and the code point is indicated by an A-CSI request field, the UE225 may ignore instructions regarding the deactivated cell.

[0117] If one or more SCells having associated RS format configurations for a code point are active (e.g., in an active activation state), and the RS format is for a new transient RS, and the code point is indicated by the A-CSI request field, then the UE225 may have different options available. In one option, the UE225 may ignore the instruction (e.g., not consider the new transient RS to be sent by an already activated cell). For example, the UE225 may identify or possibly determine that the activation state for at least one SCell is an activated state (e.g., already activated). The UE225 may identify or possibly determine that the RS format associated with the SCell is a transient aperiodic RS format (e.g., a new RS format). Thus, in some examples, the UE225 may implement or possibly employ monitoring schemes that include refraining from monitoring RS transmissions from SCells. This may be based, in at least some aspects, on the fact that the SCell is in an already activated activation state, and that the SCell is configured in a transient aperiodic RS format.

[0118] Based on the already activated activation state and the fact that a transient aperiodic RS format is configured and activated by a trigger signal, refraining from monitoring RS transmissions from SCell may involve different options for the UE225. One option is for the UE225 to simply ignore RS transmissions from SCell. Another option is for the UE225 to assume that if a PDSCH overlaps with an RS resource element and is scheduled on SCell, the PDSCH resource element is rate-matched or punctured around the resource element for RS. That is, the UE225 may determine that a downlink transmission (e.g., a PDSCH) is scheduled using overlapping resources that overlap at least to some extent with the RS transmission from SCell. In this example, the UE225 may decode the downlink transmission based on the assumption that the downlink transmission was either punctured or rate-matched around the overlapping resources.

[0119] In some examples, the UE225 may follow an RS format configured via an active set of RS formats indicated in the RRC signaling and trigger signals (for example, RS may be considered to be transmitted by the cell). For example, the UE225 may determine that a SCell is in an activated state and the RS format associated with the SCell is the TRS format. In this example, the monitoring scheme implemented or possibly adopted by the UE225 may include the UE225 monitoring RS transmissions from the SCell according to the configuration and trigger signals. Monitoring may, at least in this example, be based on the already activated state and the fact that the RS format configured for the SCell is the TRS RS format (for example, the legacy TRS format).

[0120] In some cases, a cell within a set of cells may be in an activation-scheduled activation state (for example, it may be in the process of being activated). In this situation, the monitoring scheme implemented or possibly adopted by UE225 may be based on the activation of the RS format for the SCell. For example, if UE225 determines that the RS format for a SCell in the active set of RS formats is the TRS format, the monitoring scheme may include UE225 refraining from monitoring RS transmissions from the SCell scheduled for activation. In situations where UE225 determines that the RS format for a SCell in the active set of RS formats is a transient aperiodic RS format (for example, a new RS format), UE225 may implement or possibly adopt a monitoring scheme that includes UE225 monitoring RS transmissions from the SCell scheduled for activation.

[0121] Continuing with the SCell activation scenario, in some examples, the UE225 may receive an SCell activation message indicating that the SCell is being activated for communication with the UE225. The SCell activation message can use MAC CE signaling to identify the activated SCell. That is, in some examples, the SCell activation message may be sent separately from the trigger signal. In other examples, the trigger signal (e.g., DCI) may be used as the SCell activation message (e.g., DCI may schedule a PDSCH carrying the MAC CE SCell activation message).

[0122] Therefore, the UE225 may use the activation state of each cell in the set of cells, in addition to the active set of RS formats indicated by the trigger signal, to deploy a monitoring scheme that the UE225 uses to monitor RS transmissions from cells in a set of cells. The UE225 may perform a monitoring scheme for each cell in the set of cells according to the configuration of the active set of RS formats and the set of RS formats.

[0123] Figures 3A and 3B show examples of RS format configurations 300 supporting RS signaling for SCell according to aspects of the present disclosure. RS format configurations 300 may implement aspects of wireless communication systems 100 and / or 200. Aspects of RS format configurations 300 may be implemented by UEs and / or network entities, which may be examples of corresponding devices described herein. In this example, the network entity may be configured as PCells and / or SCells (e.g., a set of cells) available for communication with the UE. Broadly speaking, RS format configurations 300-a in Figure 3A and RS format configurations 300-b in Figure 3B both show non-limiting examples of one or more sets of RS formats shown for the UE, where RS format configuration 300-a includes a single RS format configured for each set of RS formats for each cell, and RS format configuration 300-b includes multiple RS formats configured for each set of RS formats for several cells.

[0124] As discussed above, the aspects of the techniques described provide various mechanisms that can improve RS transmissions from cells available for communication with the UE. For example, a network entity may use configuration signaling (e.g., RRC signaling) to configure or possibly indicate to the UE one or more sets of RS formats.

[0125] Referring first to the RS format configuration 300-a in Figure 3A, each set of RS formats may correspond to line 305. For example, line 305-a may correspond to the first set of RS formats, line 305-b may correspond to the second set of RS formats, line 305-c may correspond to the third set of RS formats, and line 305-d may correspond to the fourth set of RS formats. It should be understood that a set of RS formats may contain more or fewer sets of RS formats (e.g., more lines 305 or fewer lines 305). The top row (not indicated) of RS format configuration 300-a may simply be a header row.

[0126] Each set of RS format can map the RS format to each cell in a set of cells. In this example, the set of cells could correspond to PCell mapped to column 310-b, SCell1 mapped to column 310-c, SCell2 mapped to column 310-d, and SCell3 mapped to column 310-e. Column 310-a can correspond to a set of field values ​​that may be included in the trigger signal to indicate which set of RS format is active. It should be understood that a set of cells can contain more or fewer cells within the set of cells (for example, more columns 310 or fewer columns 310). The first column 310-a generally corresponds to a set of field values ​​that may be provided in the trigger signal to indicate which set of RS format is active.

[0127] A network entity may then send a trigger signal to the UE that carries or, possibly, transmits instructions for the active set of RS formats in a set of RS formats. Broadly speaking, the trigger signal may indicate that RS transmissions from cells within a set of cells will be performed according to the RS formats associated with the active set of RS formats. In some examples, this may include a trigger signal that carries or, possibly, transmits field values ​​from column 310-a. For example, the trigger signal may indicate "00" to signal that a first set of RS formats is active for RS transmissions, and may indicate "01" to signal that a second set of RS formats is active for RS transmissions, and so on.

[0128] The UE can then determine the activation state for each cell in the set of cells. The activation state can generally correspond to an active state (e.g., the cell is already active), an inactive state, or a state scheduled for activation (e.g., a cell that is activated for communication with the UE). Active cells may be known to the UE (e.g., because the UE is already communicating with an active cell). Inactive cells may or may not be known to the UE (e.g., the UE may or may not be configured with inactive cells). Cells scheduled for activation may be known to the UE based on the network entity sending or possibly transmitting a SCell activation message to the UE to identify which cells are activated for communication with the UE. In the non-limiting example shown in RS format configuration 300-a in Figure 3A, PCell and SCell1 are active or scheduled for activation, while SCell2 and SCell3 are inactive.

[0129] Based on the activation status of each cell and the active set of RS formats indicated in the trigger signal, the UE may select, determine, or, in some cases, identify the monitoring method for the cells within the set of cells. For example, if the trigger signal indicates that the set of active RS formats corresponds to line 305-a, the UE can know (for example, based on configuration signaling) that both PCell and SCell1 will perform RS transmissions using the legacy TRS RS format. If the trigger signal indicates that the set of active RS formats corresponds to line 305-c, the UE can know (for example, based on configuration signaling) that PCell will perform RS transmissions using the A-CSI-RS RS format and SCell1 will perform RS transmissions using the new temporary RS format. Since both SCell2 and SCell3 are in an inactive, deactivated state, the UE may discard the RS formats for these cells.

[0130] Therefore, the UE can implement a monitoring scheme for RS transmissions from cells within a set of cells, according to the active RS format configured by RRC configuration signaling and the activation status of each cell. For example, the UE may refrain from monitoring RS transmissions from already activated cells configured in a temporary aperiodic RS format (e.g., the new temporary RS format), but may monitor RS transmissions from already activated cells configured in a TRS RS format (e.g., the legacy TRS format and / or the A-CSI-RS format). In another example, the UE may monitor RS transmissions from cells scheduled for activation configured in a temporary aperiodic RS format (e.g., the new temporary RS format), but may refrain from monitoring RS transmissions from cells scheduled for activation configured in a TRS RS format (e.g., the legacy TRS format and / or the A-CSI-RS format).

[0131] Next, referring to the RS format configuration 300-b in Figure 3B, in this case as well, each set of RS format may correspond to line 315. For example, line 315-a may correspond to the first set of RS format, line 315-b may correspond to the second set of RS format, line 315-c may correspond to the third set of RS format, and line 315-d may correspond to the fourth set of RS format. It should be understood that a set of RS format may contain more or fewer sets of RS format (for example, more lines 315 or fewer lines 315). The top row (not indicated) of RS format configuration 300-b may simply be a header row.

[0132] Each set of RS format can map the RS format to each cell in a set of cells. In this example, the set of cells could correspond to PCell mapped to column 320-b, SCell1 mapped to column 320-c, SCell2 mapped to column 320-d, and SCell3 mapped to column 320-e. Column 320-a can correspond to a set of field values ​​that may be included in a trigger signal to indicate which set of RS format is active. It should be understood that a set of cells can contain more or fewer cells in the set of cells (for example, more columns 320 or fewer columns 320). The first column 320-a generally corresponds to a set of field values ​​that may be provided in a trigger signal to indicate which set of RS format is active.

[0133] RS format configuration 300-b illustrates an example where configuration signaling may include two or more configured RS formats for each set of RS formats for one or more cells in a set of cells. That is, the UE may identify or possibly determine that the RS formats associated with at least one SCell include a first RS format and a second RS format. In this example, each RS format may be associated with a particular activation state of a cell in a set of cells. For example, when a trigger signal indicates "00" which signals that line 315-a is the active set of RS formats, the UE may determine the activation states for SCell1, SCell2, and SCell3. If the activation state for each cell is an active activation state (e.g., already active), the UE may determine that the active RS format for each cell is a legacy TRS RS format. If the activation state for each cell is an activation scheduled activation state (e.g., the SCell is activated, such as based on the UE receiving a SCell activation message), the UE may determine that the active RS format for each cell is a new temporary RS format.

[0134] Therefore, the UE may select and execute a monitoring scheme for each cell using the active RS format based on the activation status for each cell. For example, if the trigger signal indicates "10" where line 315-c signals that the RS format corresponds to the active set, the monitoring scheme may include the UE monitoring RS transmissions using the A-CSI-RS format from SCell1 if SCell1 is already in an activated state, or using a new temporary RS format if SCell1 is in an activated state scheduled to be activated. Thus, the UE may execute a monitoring scheme for cells within a set of cells according to the configuration of the RS format and the activated sets and the activation status of each cell.

[0135] Accordingly, embodiments of the technique described may include using A-CSI request fields in the uplink DCI (e.g., DCI formats 0_1 and / or 0_2) to indicate a triggered RS. For a serving cell associated with the code point of the field, RRC signaling may constitute one or more temporary RS structures (e.g., formats) for each serving cell, where the actual RS format is identified based on certain conditions. For example, an A-CSI request field indicating "10" may activate either an A-CSI-RS or a new temporary RS format for SCell1, depending on the conditions of SCell1 (e.g., activation state), and may activate either a legacy TRS or a new temporary RS format for SCell2, depending on the conditions of SCell2. In one non-limiting example, if SCell1 is in an inactive activation state, the field may be considered to trigger a new temporary RS format for SCell1 (e.g., SCell1 is activated). If SCell1 is in an active activated state, the field may be considered to trigger A-CSI-RS on SCell1.

[0136] For serving cells associated with a field code point, RRC configuration signaling constitutes one or more temporary RS structures (e.g., formats) for each serving cell, and the actual temporary RS formats may be identified based on a certain set of conditions.

[0137] For example, the condition may be whether the cell indicated by the field is associated with a SCell activation procedure. The SCell activation procedure may begin in slot n+k, where n is the slot from which the MAC-CE SCell activation command for the SCell is received, k may be k1+N+1, where k1 is the time offset for the HARQ-ACK feedback to the PDSCH carrying the MAC-CE SCell activation command, N is the number of slots up to slot n+M corresponding to 3ms, where M is the number of slots corresponding to a certain time period (e.g., 20ms) required for SCell activation. If DCIs that trigger A-CSI-RS, legacy TRS, or new transient RS are received on the SCell from slot n+k to slot n+M, the field triggers the RS required for the SCell activation procedure (e.g., new transient RS format). If a DCI triggering A-CSI-RS, legacy TRS, or a new temporary RS on the SCell is received after slot n+M, the field triggers a useful RS format (e.g., A-CSI-RS or legacy TRS) for the active SCell. If a DCI triggering A-CSI-RS, legacy TRS, or a new temporary RS format on the SCell is received before slot n+k, the UE may ignore its instruction to the SCell. The exact values ​​of k and M may differ from those above and may depend on various other factors.

[0138] Therefore, the UE may identify or, in some cases, determine that the trigger signal is received within a time window limited by a first threshold time limit and a second threshold time limit. The first threshold time limit may correspond to the delay time after the reception of the SCell activation message that activates the SCell. The second threshold time limit may correspond to the activation time for the SCell. The UE may apply the active set of the RS format when the trigger signal is received within the time window, or refrain from applying the active set of the RS format when the trigger signal is received prior to the time window. If the trigger signal is received after the time window, the UE may apply the RS format associated with the activation state of the SCell for the activated SCell (e.g., legacy TRS and / or A-CSI-RS format) (regardless of the active set of the RS format).

[0139] Figures 4A to 4C show examples of RS format structures 400 supporting RS signaling for SCell according to aspects of the present disclosure. RS format structures 400 may implement aspects of wireless communication systems 100 and / or 200 and / or aspects of RS format configuration 300. Aspects of RS format structures 400 may be implemented by UEs and / or network entities, which may be examples of corresponding devices described herein. In this example, the network entity may be configured as PCells and / or SCells (e.g., a set of cells) available for communication with the UE. Broadly speaking, RS format structures 400-a in Figure 4A, RS format structures 400-b in Figure 4B, and RS format structures 400-c in Figure 4C show non-limiting examples of structures in which RS transmission may be performed by cells within a set of cells.

[0140] As discussed above, the aspects of the techniques described provide various mechanisms that can improve RS transmissions from cells available for communication with the UE. For example, a network entity may use configuration signaling (e.g., RRC signaling) to configure or optionally indicate to the UE one or more sets of RS formats. Each set of RS formats may map an RS format to each cell in a set of cells. In this example, the set of cells may correspond to a PCell and one or more SCells. The network entity may then send a trigger signal to the UE that carries or optionally communicates an instruction for the active set of RS formats in the set of RS formats. Broadly speaking, the trigger signal may indicate that RS transmissions from cells in the set of cells will be performed according to the RS formats associated with the active set of RS formats.

[0141] The UE can then determine the activation state for each cell in the set of cells. The activation state can generally correspond to an active state (e.g., the cell is already active), an inactive state, or a state scheduled for activation (e.g., a cell that is being activated for communication with the UE). Active cells may be known to the UE (e.g., because the UE is already communicating with an active cell). Inactive cells may or may not be known to the UE (e.g., the UE may or may not consist of inactive cells). Cells scheduled for activation may be known to the UE based on the network entity sending or possibly transmitting a SCell activation message to the UE to identify which cells are being activated for communication with the UE.

[0142] Based on the activation status of each cell and the active set of RS formats indicated in the trigger signal, the UE may select, determine, or, in some cases, identify a monitoring scheme for cells within a set of cells. Thus, the UE may implement a monitoring scheme for RS transmissions from cells within a set of cells according to the active RS formats configured by the RRC configuration signaling and the activation status of each cell. For example, the UE may refrain from monitoring RS transmissions from already activated cells configured in a transient aperiodic RS format (e.g., the new transient RS format), but may monitor RS transmissions from already activated cells configured in a TRS RS format (e.g., the legacy TRS format and / or the A-CSI-RS format). In another example, the UE may monitor RS transmissions from cells scheduled for activation configured in a transient aperiodic RS format (e.g., the new transient RS format), but may refrain from monitoring RS transmissions from cells scheduled for activation configured in a TRS RS format (e.g., the legacy TRS format and / or the A-CSI-RS format).

[0143] Referring first to the RS format structure 400-a in Figure 4A, an active RS format may include multiple parts of an RS transmission that are separated in the time domain. For example, a UE may identify or possibly determine that the active set of an RS format includes an aperiodic RS405 (e.g., a new transient RS format, a legacy TRS format, and / or an A-CSI-RS format) which includes a first part of an RS and a second part of an RS in consecutive slots. For example, the first part of the aperiodic RS405 in the first slot (in this example, including two RS transmissions), and then the second part of the aperiodic RS405 in the next slot (in this example, also including two RS transmissions). In some examples, an RS format structure 400-a may be applied that has known cells associated with measurement cycles of 160 ms or less.

[0144] Referring to RS format structure 400-b in Figure 4B, an example is shown in which the aperiodic RS405 can be split into first and second parts within a continuous slot, then repeated within a discontinuous slot. The first iteration of the first / second parts of the aperiodic RS405 may be used by the UE for AGC, and the second iteration in the discontinuous slot may be used by the UE for fine frequency / time tuning. In some examples, RS format structure 400-b may be applied with known or unknown cells associated with measurement cycles longer than 160 ms (for example, to support both AGC and fine time / frequency tuning).

[0145] Referring to the RS format structure 400-c in Figure 4C, an example is shown in which the aperiodic RS405 is split into first and second parts across discontinuous slots. The first part of the aperiodic RS405 may be used by the UE for AGC in the first slot, and then the second part of the aperiodic RS405 may be used by the UE for fine frequency / time tuning in the second slot.

[0146] As discussed above, aperiodic RS405 can use various RS formats. For example, a transient RS (e.g., aperiodic RS405) may be a TRS (e.g., an A-CSI-RS and / or NZP-CSI-RS resource set configured with parameter trs-info) (e.g., one type of known A-CSI-RS format may be used). Additionally or alternatively, a transient RS (e.g., aperiodic RS405) may be a modified TRS, such as when the first part of the TRS is in slot n and the second part of the TRS is in slot n+k, where k>0 (e.g., a new structure may be used for the TRS). Additionally or alternatively, a transient RS may be a repeated TRS, such that the gaps between repeating TRS can be separated in the time domain by several slots or symbols (e.g., a completely new structure may be used for the transient RS).

[0147] While the RS format structure 400 generally represents a non-periodic RS405 split into two parts (for example, to support AGC and frequency / time tuning), it should be understood that in some examples, RS can be split into three or more parts.

[0148] Figure 5 shows an example of a process 500 supporting RS signaling for SCell according to an aspect of this disclosure. Process 500 may implement aspects of a wireless communication system 100 and / or 200, an RS format configuration 300, and / or an RS format structure 400. Aspects of process 500 may be implemented by or in PCell505, UE510, and / or SCell515, which may be examples of corresponding devices described herein. In some aspects, PCell505 and SCell515 may be associated with the same network entity or with separate network entities. It should be understood that two or more SCells may be included in a set of cells available for communication with UE510.

[0149] In 520, PCell505 may transmit or provide configuration signals that carry or optionally transmit instructions for one or more sets of RS formats (and UE510 may receive or optionally acquire them). Each set of RS formats may be mapped to an RS format for each cell in a set of cells, or optionally associated with them. In some embodiments, the configuration signaling may include RRC signaling or some other higher-layer signaling used to transmit instructions for sets of RS formats. In some examples, instructions may be associated with a table having multiple rows, each row corresponding to a different set of RS formats, and each column corresponding to a different cell in a set of cells.

[0150] In 525, PCell505 may transmit or optionally provide a trigger signal indicating an active set of RS formats from a configured set of RS formats (and UE510 may receive or optionally acquire it). The trigger signal may indicate to UE510 that RS transmissions from cells in a set of cells will be performed according to the RS formats associated with the active set of RS formats. In one non-limiting example, the trigger signal may include a DCI, and the indication of the active set of RS formats may be conveyed within the A-CSI request field of the DCI. In other examples, the trigger signal may be conveyed or obtained within a MAC CE, or some other signaling between PCell505 and UE510. In some examples, the indication carried or optionally conveyed within the trigger signal may include field values ​​associated with a particular row in a table enumerating sets of RS formats.

[0151] In 530, UE510 may determine or possibly identify the activation state for each cell in the set of cells. For example, UE505 may determine whether each cell (e.g., each SCell) is in an activated state, meaning the cell is already active for communication with UE510; in an inactive or deactivated state, meaning the cell is not communicating with UE510; or in an activated state, meaning the cell is in the process of being activated for communication with UE510. For example, PCell505 may send or possibly provide (and UE510 may receive or possibly obtain) an SCell activation message indicating that one or more cells in the set of cells are activated for UE510. The activation state for one or more of those cells can be determined based on the SCell activation message.

[0152] In 535, the UE510 may use the activation state of each cell, in combination with a set of active RS formats indicated by a trigger signal, to identify, or possibly determine, a monitoring scheme for at least one cell in the set of cells. That is, the UE510 may determine the activation state for a cell and the format for RS transmissions from that cell based on the active set of RS formats. This may indicate whether the UE will monitor RS transmissions from cells in the set of cells, and if so, how such monitoring will be performed (e.g., which RS formats to monitor). In 540, the UE510 may, in some examples, perform a monitoring scheme for RS transmissions from at least one SCell (e.g., SCell515) in the set of cells, in addition to RS transmissions from PCell505. For example, the UE510 may monitor RS transmissions from PCell505 using the active RS format configured for PCell505, and monitor RS transmissions from SCell515 using the active RS format configured for SCell515.

[0153] In some embodiments, the monitoring scheme may be based on the activation status of a cell, in addition to the RS format for the cell activated by the trigger signal. In one example, this may include the UE510 refraining from monitoring RS transmissions from already activated cells when the active RS format is a transient aperiodic RS format (e.g., a new transient RS format). In another example, this may include the UE510 monitoring RS transmissions from already activated cells when the active RS format is a TRS format (e.g., a legacy TRS format and / or an A-CSI-RS format). In yet another example, this may include the UE510 refraining from monitoring RS transmissions from activated cells when the active RS format is a TRS format. Conversely, in yet another example, this may include the UE510 monitoring RS transmissions from activated cells when the active RS format is a transient aperiodic RS format.

[0154] As discussed above, in some examples, the active RS format may include multiple RS formats configured for one or more cells within a set of cells, and the RS format is selected based on the activation state of the cell. For example, a first RS format and a second RS format may be configured for a particular cell and indicated as active in the triggering signal. The UE510 may identify or possibly determine the activation state of the cell and, based on the activation state, select either the first RS format or the second RS format. For example, a cell may consist of a TRS format and a new temporary RS format. The UE510 may select the TRS format if the cell is already activated, or select the new temporary RS format if the cell is in the process of being activated, or vice versa.

[0155] As discussed above, in some examples, an RS transmission can be separated into a first part and a second part, which may be in consecutive or discontinuous slots. In examples where the first and second parts are in consecutive slots, this particular RS structure may be repeated across discontinuous slots by cells within that RS transmission.

[0156] Figure 6 shows a block diagram 600 of a device 605 supporting RS signaling for SCell according to an aspect of this disclosure. Device 605 may be an example of an aspect of the UE115 described herein. Device 605 may include a receiver 610, a transmitter 615, and a communications manager 620. Device 605 may also include a processor. Each of these components may communicate with one another (for example, via one or more buses).

[0157] Receiver 610 may provide means for receiving information such as packets related to various information channels (e.g., control channels, data channels, information channels related to RS signaling for SCell), user data, control information, or any combination thereof. The information may be passed to other components of device 605. Receiver 610 may use a single antenna or a set of multiple antennas.

[0158] Transmitter 615 may provide means for transmitting signals generated by other components of device 605. For example, transmitter 615 may transmit information such as packets related to various information channels (e.g., control channel, data channel, information channel for RS signaling for SCell), user data, control information, or any combination thereof. In some examples, transmitter 615 may be placed alongside receiver 610 in the transceiver module. Transmitter 615 may utilize a single antenna or a set of antennas.

[0159] The communication manager 620, receiver 610, transmitter 615, or various combinations thereof or various components thereof may be examples of means for performing various aspects of RS signaling for SCell as described herein. For example, the communication manager 620, receiver 610, transmitter 615, or various combinations thereof or components thereof may support a method for performing one or more of the functions described herein.

[0160] In some examples, the communications manager 620, the receiver 610, the transmitter 615, or various combinations or components thereof may be implemented in hardware (for example, in a communications management circuit). The hardware may include a processor, a digital signal processor (DSP), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field-programmable gate array (FPGA) or other programmable logic device, individual gates or transistor logic, individual hardware components, or any combination thereof configured as a means for performing, or possibly supporting, the functions described herein. In some examples, the processor and memory coupled to the processor may be configured to perform one or more of the functions described herein (for example, by the processor executing instructions stored in memory).

[0161] As an addition or alternative, in some examples, the communications manager 620, receiver 610, transmitter 615, or various combinations or components thereof may be implemented in code executed by a processor (for example, as communications management software or firmware). When implemented in code executed by a processor, the functions of the communications manager 620, receiver 610, transmitter 615, or various combinations or components thereof may be performed by a general-purpose processor, DSP, central processing unit (CPU), ASIC, FPGA, or any combination thereof or other programmable logic devices (for example, configured as means for performing the functions described in this disclosure, or optionally supporting such means).

[0162] In some examples, the communications manager 620 may be configured to perform various operations (e.g., receiving, monitoring, transmitting) using, or possibly in cooperation with, the receiver 610, the transmitter 615, or both. For example, the communications manager 620 may be integrated with the receiver 610, the transmitter 615, or both to receive information from the receiver 610 and send information to the transmitter 615, or to receive information and transmit information, or to perform various other operations as described herein.

[0163] The communication manager 620 may support wireless communication in the UE in accordance with the examples disclosed herein. For example, the communication manager 620 may be configured, or may optionally support, means for receiving a configuration signal indicating one or more sets of RS formats, each set of RS formats including a mapping of RS formats to each cell in a set of cells. The communication manager 620 may be configured, or may optionally support, means for receiving a trigger signal indicating an active set of RS formats of one or more sets of RS formats, the trigger signal indicating an RS transmission from a cell in a set of cells according to the RS format associated with the active set of RS formats. The communication manager 620 may be configured, or may optionally support, means for identifying the activation state for each cell in a set of cells. The communication manager 620 may be configured, or may optionally support, means for determining a monitoring scheme for at least one SCell in a set of cells based on the respective activation states of at least one SCell and each RS format in the active set of RS formats. The communication manager 620 may be configured, or may optionally support, a means for performing a monitoring scheme for RS transmissions from at least one SCell.

[0164] By including or configuring the communications manager 620 in accordance with the examples described herein, the device 605 (for example, a processor controlling a receiver 610, a transmitter 615, the communications manager 620, or a combination thereof, or optionally coupled thereto) may support techniques for signaling RS format / activation states for cells in a set of cells configured for communication with the UE.

[0165] Figure 7 shows a block diagram 700 of a device 705 supporting RS signaling for SCell according to an aspect of this disclosure. Device 705 may be an example of an aspect of device 605 or UE115 described herein. Device 705 may include a receiver 710, a transmitter 715, and a communications manager 720. Device 705 may also include a processor. Each of these components may communicate with one another (for example, via one or more buses).

[0166] Receiver 710 may provide means for receiving information such as packets related to various information channels (e.g., control channels, data channels, information channels related to RS signaling for SCell), user data, control information, or any combination thereof. The information may be passed to other components of device 705. Receiver 710 may utilize a single antenna or a set of multiple antennas.

[0167] The transmitter 715 may provide means for transmitting signals generated by other components of device 705. For example, the transmitter 715 may transmit information such as packets related to various information channels (e.g., control channels, data channels, information channels for RS signaling for SCell), user data, control information, or any combination thereof. In some examples, the transmitter 715 may be placed alongside the receiver 710 in the transceiver module. The transmitter 715 may utilize a single antenna or a set of multiple antennas.

[0168] Device 705 or its various components may be examples of means for performing various forms of RS signaling for SCell as described herein. For example, the communications manager 720 may include an RS format configuration manager 725, a trigger signal manager 730, an activation state manager 735, a monitoring scheme manager 740, or any combination thereof. The communications manager 720 may be an example of a form of the communications manager 620 as described herein. In some examples, the communications manager 720, or its various components may be configured to perform various operations (e.g., receiving, monitoring, transmitting) using, or possibly in cooperation with, a receiver 710, a transmitter 715, or both. For example, the communications manager 720 may be integrated with the receiver 710, a transmitter 715, or both to receive information from the receiver 710 and send information to the transmitter 715, or to receive information, transmit information, or perform various other operations as described herein.

[0169] The communication manager 720 may support wireless communication in the UE in accordance with the examples disclosed herein. The RS format configuration manager 725 may be configured, or may optionally support, means for receiving configuration signals indicating one or more sets of RS formats, each set of RS formats including a mapping of RS formats to each cell in a set of cells. The trigger signal manager 730 may be configured, or may optionally support, means for receiving trigger signals indicating an active set of RS formats of one or more sets of RS formats, the trigger signal indicating an RS transmission from a cell in a set of cells according to the RS format associated with the active set of RS formats. The activation state manager 735 may be configured, or may optionally support, means for identifying the activation state for each cell in a set of cells. The monitoring scheme manager 740 may be configured, or may optionally support, means for determining a monitoring scheme for at least one SCell in a set of cells based on the activation state of at least one SCell and each RS format in the active set of RS formats. The monitoring scheme manager 740 may be configured, or may optionally support, a means for performing a monitoring scheme for RS transmissions from at least one SCell.

[0170] Figure 8 shows a block diagram 800 of a communications manager 820 supporting RS signaling for SCell according to an aspect of this disclosure. The communications manager 820 may be an example of an aspect of communications manager 620, communications manager 720, or both, as described herein. The communications manager 820 or various components thereof may be an example of means for performing various aspects of RS signaling for SCell as described herein. For example, the communications manager 820 may include an RS format configuration manager 825, a trigger signal manager 830, an activation state manager 835, a monitoring scheme manager 840, an active cell manager 845, a cell activation manager 850, a multi-RS format manager 855, an RS structure manager 860, an inactive cell manager 865, a trigger timing manager 870, or any combination thereof. Each of these components may communicate with one another directly or indirectly (for example, via one or more buses).

[0171] The communication manager 820 may support wireless communication in the UE in accordance with the examples disclosed herein. The RS format configuration manager 825 may be configured, or may optionally support, means for receiving configuration signals indicating one or more sets of RS formats, each set of RS formats including a mapping of RS formats to each cell in a set of cells. The trigger signal manager 830 may be configured, or may optionally support, means for receiving trigger signals indicating an active set of RS formats of one or more sets of RS formats, the trigger signal indicating an RS transmission from a cell in a set of cells conforming to the RS format associated with the active set of RS formats. The activation state manager 835 may be configured, or may optionally support, means for identifying the activation state for each cell in a set of cells. The monitoring scheme manager 840 may be configured, or may optionally support, means for determining a monitoring scheme for at least one SCell in a set of cells based on the respective activation states of at least one SCell and each RS format in the active set of RS formats. In some examples, the monitoring scheme manager 840 may be configured, or may support, a means for performing a monitoring scheme for RS transmissions from at least one SCell.

[0172] In some examples, the active cell manager 845 may be configured, or may support, for determining that the activation state of at least one SCell is an activated state, meaning that at least one SCell is already activated. In some examples, the active cell manager 845 may be configured, or may support, for determining that the RS format associated with at least one SCell in the active set of RS formats includes a transient aperiodic RS format. In some examples, the active cell manager 845 may be configured, or may support, for performing a monitoring scheme for at least one SCell by refraining from monitoring RS transmissions from at least one SCell based on the fact that the activation state of at least one SCell is an activated state and that the RS format associated with at least one SCell in the active set of RS formats includes a transient aperiodic RS format.

[0173] In some examples, the active cell manager 845 may be configured, or may support, a means for determining that a downlink transmission is scheduled using duplicate resources that overlap with an RS transmission from at least one SCell. In some examples, the active cell manager 845 may be configured, or may support, a means for decoding a downlink transmission based on the assumption that the downlink transmission is either punctured or rate-matched around the duplicate resources.

[0174] In some examples, the active cell manager 845 may be configured, or may support, for determining that the activation state of at least one SCell is an activated state, meaning that at least one SCell is already activated. In some examples, the active cell manager 845 may be configured, or may support, for determining that the RS format associated with at least one SCell in the active set of RS formats includes a tracking RS format. In some examples, the active cell manager 845 may be configured, or may support, for performing a monitoring scheme for at least one SCell by monitoring RS transmissions from at least one SCell based on the activation state of at least one SCell being an activated state and the RS format associated with at least one SCell in the active set of RS formats including a tracking RS format.

[0175] In some examples, the cell activation manager 850 may be configured, or may support, for determining that the activation state of at least one SCell is a scheduled activation state, meaning that at least one SCell is in the process of being activated. In some examples, the cell activation manager 850 may be configured, or may support, for determining that the RS format associated with at least one SCell in the active set of RS formats includes a tracking RS format. In some examples, the cell activation manager 850 may be configured, or may support, for performing a monitoring scheme for at least one SCell by refraining from monitoring RS transmissions from at least one SCell based on the fact that the activation state of at least one SCell is a scheduled activation state and that the RS format associated with at least one SCell in the active set of RS formats includes a tracking RS format.

[0176] In some examples, the cell activation manager 850 may be configured, or may support, for determining that the activation state of at least one SCell is a scheduled activation state, which is the process of at least one SCell being activated. In some examples, the cell activation manager 850 may be configured, or may support, for determining that the RS format associated with at least one SCell in the active set of RS formats includes a transient aperiodic RS format. In some examples, the cell activation manager 850 may be configured, or may support, for performing a monitoring scheme for at least one SCell by monitoring RS transmissions from at least one SCell based on the fact that the activation state of at least one SCell is a scheduled activation state and that the RS format associated with at least one SCell in the active set of RS formats includes a transient aperiodic RS format.

[0177] In some examples, the multi-RS format manager 855 may be configured, or may optionally support, means for determining that an RS format associated with at least one SCell in the active set of RS formats represents a first RS format associated with a first activation state and a second RS format associated with a second activation state. In some examples, the multi-RS format manager 855 may be configured, or may optionally support, means for selecting a monitoring scheme for at least one SCell based on whether at least one SCell is in a first or second activation state.

[0178] In some examples, the multi-RS format manager 855 may be configured, or may support, means for receiving SCell activation messages indicating that at least one SCell is activated in the UE. In some examples, the multi-RS format manager 855 may be configured, or may support, means for determining, based on the SCell activation messages, that at least one SCell is in a first activated state.

[0179] In some examples, the RS structure manager 860 may be configured, or may support in some cases, means for identifying that the active set of RS formats of one or more sets of RS formats includes a transient aperiodic RS format comprising a first part of a tracking RS and a second part of a tracking RS, wherein the first and second parts are located in consecutive slots.

[0180] In some examples, the RS structure manager 860 may be configured, or may optionally support, means for identifying that the active set of RS formats of one or more sets of RS formats includes a transient aperiodic RS format comprising a first part of a tracking RS and a second part of a tracking RS, where the first and second parts are in consecutive slots and the tracking RS is repeated in non-contiguous slots.

[0181] In some examples, the RS structure manager 860 may be configured, or may support in some cases, for identifying that the active set of RS formats of one or more sets of RS formats includes a transient aperiodic RS format which includes a first part of a tracking RS and a second part of a tracking RS, where the first and second parts are located in non-contiguous slots.

[0182] In some examples, the inactive cell manager 865 may be configured, or may support, for determining that the activation state of at least one SCell is an inactive state in which at least one SCell is deactivated. In some examples, the inactive cell manager 865 may be configured, or may support, for performing a monitoring scheme for at least one SCell by refraining from monitoring RS transmissions from at least one SCell based on the activation state of at least one SCell being an inactive state.

[0183] In some examples, the cell activation manager 850 may be configured or support means for receiving SCell activation messages indicating that at least one SCell is activated in the UE, and the activation status for at least one SCell is based on the SCell activation message. In some examples, the SCell activation message is received using a MAC CE message.

[0184] In some examples, the trigger timing manager 870 may be configured, or may support, as a means for determining whether a trigger signal is received within a time window, the time window being based on a delay time and a threshold limit time after the receiving of the trigger signal. In some examples, the trigger timing manager 870 may be configured, or may support, as a means for applying an active set of RS format based on whether a trigger signal is received within a time window.

[0185] In some examples, the trigger timing manager 870 may be configured, or may support, a means for determining whether a trigger signal is received prior to a time window, the time window being based on a delay time and a threshold limit time after the configuration signal is received. In some examples, the trigger timing manager 870 may be configured, or may support, a means for refraining from applying an active set of RS format based on whether a trigger signal is received prior to a time window.

[0186] In some examples, the trigger timing manager 870 may be configured, or may support, as a means for determining that a trigger signal is received after a time window, the time window being based on a delay time and a threshold limit time after the configuration signal is received. In some examples, the trigger timing manager 870 may be configured, or may support, as a means for applying the active RS format of the active set of RS formats based on the fact that the trigger signal is received after a time window. In some examples, the configuration signal is received within an RRC message. In some examples, the trigger signal is received within a non-periodic channel state information request field of MAC CE or DCI.

[0187] Figure 9 shows a diagram of a system 900 including a device 905 that supports RS signaling for SCell, according to an aspect of the present disclosure. Device 905 may be, or may include, an example of a component of device 605, device 705, or UE 115 as described herein. Device 905 may communicate wirelessly with one or more network entities 105, UE 115, or any combination thereof. Device 905 may include components for bidirectional voice and data communication, including components for transmitting and receiving communications, such as a communications manager 920, an input / output (I / O) controller 910, a transceiver 915, an antenna 925, a memory 930, a code 935, and a processor 940. These components may communicate electronically via one or more buses (e.g., bus 945), or may be coupled in some cases (e.g., operably, communicatively, functionally, electronically, electrically).

[0188] The I / O controller 910 may manage input and output signals for device 905. The I / O controller 910 may also manage peripheral devices not integrated with device 905. In some cases, the I / O controller 910 may represent physical connections or ports to external peripheral devices. In some cases, the I / O controller 910 may utilize an operating system such as iOS®, ANDROID®, MS-DOS®, MS-WINDOWS®, OS / 2®, UNIX®, LINUX®, or another known operating system. Additionally or alternatively, the I / O controller 910 may represent, or interact with, a modem, keyboard, mouse, touchscreen, or similar device. In some cases, the I / O controller 910 may be implemented as part of a processor, such as processor 940. In some cases, a user may interact with device 905 via the I / O controller 910 or via hardware components controlled by the I / O controller 910.

[0189] In some cases, device 905 may include a single antenna 925. However, in some other cases, device 905 may have two or more antennas 925, and these antennas may be capable of transmitting or receiving multiple wireless transmissions simultaneously. Transceiver 915 may communicate bidirectionally via one or more antennas 925, a wired link, or a wireless link, as described herein. For example, transceiver 915 may represent a wireless transceiver and communicate bidirectionally with another wireless transceiver. Transceiver 915 may also include a modem for modulating packets, providing the modulated packets to one or more antennas 925 for transmission, and demodulating packets received from one or more antennas 925. Transceiver 915, or transceiver 915 and one or more antennas 925, may be examples of transmitters 615, 715, 610, 710, or any combination thereof or their components, as described herein.

[0190] Memory 930 may include random access memory (RAM) and read-only memory (ROM). Memory 930 may store computer-readable, computer-executable code 935, which, when executed by the processor 940, includes instructions that cause device 905 to perform various functions described herein. Code 935 may be stored in a non-temporary computer-readable medium such as system memory or another type of memory. In some cases, code 935 may not be directly executable by the processor 940, but (for example, when compiled and executed) may cause the computer to perform the functions described herein. In some cases, memory 930 may include a basic I / O system (BIOS) that can control basic hardware or software operations, in particular, such as interaction with peripheral components or peripheral devices.

[0191] The processor 940 may include intelligent hardware devices (e.g., general-purpose processors, DSPs, CPUs, microcontrollers, ASICs, FPGAs, programmable logic devices, discrete gate or transistor logic components, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof). In some cases, the processor 940 may be configured to operate a memory array using a memory controller. In some other cases, the memory controller may be integrated with the processor 940. The processor 940 may be configured to execute computer-readable instructions stored in memory (e.g., memory 930) to cause device 905 to perform various functions (e.g., functions or tasks supporting RS signaling for SCell). For example, device 905 or components of device 905 may include the processor 940 and memory 930 coupled to the processor 940, and the processor 940 and memory 930 may be configured to perform various functions described herein.

[0192] The communication manager 920 may support wireless communication in the UE in accordance with the examples disclosed herein. For example, the communication manager 920 may be configured, or may optionally support, means for receiving a configuration signal indicating one or more sets of RS formats, each set of RS formats including a mapping of RS formats to each cell in a set of cells. The communication manager 920 may be configured, or may optionally support, means for receiving a trigger signal indicating an active set of RS formats of one or more sets of RS formats, the trigger signal indicating an RS transmission from a cell in a set of cells according to the RS format associated with the active set of RS formats. The communication manager 920 may be configured, or may otherwise support, means for identifying the activation state for each cell in a set of cells. The communication manager 920 may be configured, or may optionally support, means for determining a monitoring scheme for at least one SCell in a set of cells based on the respective activation states of at least one SCell and each RS format in the active set of RS formats. The communications manager 920 may be configured, or may support, a means for performing a monitoring scheme for RS transmissions from at least one SCell.

[0193] By including or configuring a communications manager 920 in accordance with the examples described herein, device 905 may support techniques for signaling RS format / activation states for cells in a set of cells configured for communication with the UE.

[0194] In some examples, the communications manager 920 may be configured to perform various operations (e.g., receiving, monitoring, transmitting) using, or possibly in cooperation with, the transceiver 915, one or more antennas 925, or a combination thereof. Although the communications manager 920 is shown as a separate component, in some examples, one or more functions described with respect to the communications manager 920 may be supported or performed by the processor 940, memory 930, code 935, or a combination thereof. For example, code 935 may include instructions executable by the processor 940 to cause device 905 to perform various aspects of RS signaling for SCell as described herein, or the processor 940 and memory 930 may, in some cases, be configured to perform or support such operations.

[0195] Figure 10 shows a block diagram 1000 of a device 1005 supporting RS signaling for SCell according to an aspect of this disclosure. Device 1005 may be an example of an aspect of the network entity 105 described herein. Device 1005 may include a receiver 1010, a transmitter 1015, and a communications manager 1020. Device 1005 may also include a processor. Each of these components may communicate with one another (for example, via one or more buses).

[0196] Receiver 1010 may provide means for receiving information such as packets related to various information channels (e.g., control channel, data channel, information channel for RS signaling for SCell), user data, control information, or any combination thereof. The information may be passed to other components of device 1005. Receiver 1010 may utilize a single antenna or a set of multiple antennas.

[0197] The transmitter 1015 may provide means for transmitting signals generated by other components of device 1005. For example, the transmitter 1015 may transmit information such as packets related to various information channels (e.g., control channels, data channels, information channels for RS signaling for SCell), user data, control information, or any combination thereof. In some examples, the transmitter 1015 may be placed alongside the receiver 1010 in the transceiver module. The transmitter 1015 may utilize a single antenna or a set of multiple antennas.

[0198] The communication manager 1020, receiver 1010, transmitter 1015, or various combinations thereof or various components thereof may be examples of means for performing various aspects of RS signaling for SCell as described herein. For example, the communication manager 1020, receiver 1010, transmitter 1015, or various combinations thereof or components thereof may support methods for performing one or more of the functions described herein.

[0199] In some examples, the communications manager 1020, the receiver 1010, the transmitter 1015, or various combinations or components thereof may be implemented in hardware (for example, in a communications management circuit). The hardware may include a processor, a DSP, an ASIC, an FPGA or other programmable logic device, individual gates or transistor logic, individual hardware components, or any combination thereof configured as a means for performing, or potentially supporting, the functions described herein. In some examples, a processor and memory coupled to the processor may be configured to perform one or more of the functions described herein (for example, by the processor executing instructions stored in memory).

[0200] As an addition or alternative, in some examples, the communications manager 1020, receiver 1010, transmitter 1015, or various combinations or components thereof may be implemented in code executed by a processor (for example, as communications management software or firmware). When implemented in code executed by a processor, the functions of the communications manager 1020, receiver 1010, transmitter 1015, or various combinations or components thereof may be performed by a general-purpose processor, DSP, CPU, ASIC, FPGA, or any combination thereof or other programmable logic devices (for example, configured as a means for performing or optionally supporting such functions as described in this disclosure).

[0201] In some examples, the communications manager 1020 may be configured to perform various operations (e.g., receiving, monitoring, transmitting) using, or possibly in cooperation with, the receiver 1010, the transmitter 1015, or both. For example, the communications manager 1020 may be integrated with the receiver 1010, the transmitter 1015, or both to receive information from the receiver 1010 and send information to the transmitter 1015, or to receive information and transmit information, or to perform various other operations as described herein.

[0202] The communication manager 1020 may support wireless communication in a network entity in accordance with the examples disclosed herein. For example, the communication manager 1020 may be configured, or may optionally support, means for identifying a set of cells associated with performing communication with the UE. The communication manager 1020 may be configured, or may optionally support, means for transmitting a configuration signal to the UE indicating one or more sets of RS formats, each set of RS formats including a mapping of the RS format to each cell in a set of cells. The communication manager 1020 may be configured, or may optionally support, means for transmitting a trigger signal to the UE indicating an active set of RS formats of one or more sets of RS formats, the trigger signal indicating an RS transmission from a cell in a set of cells according to the RS format associated with the active set of RS formats.

[0203] By including or configuring the communications manager 1020 in accordance with the examples described herein, the device 1005 (for example, a processor controlling the receiver 1010, transmitter 1015, communications manager 1020, or a combination thereof, or optionally coupled thereto) may support techniques for signaling RS format / activation states for cells in a set of cells configured for communication with the UE.

[0204] Figure 11 shows a block diagram 1100 of a device 1105 supporting RS signaling for SCell according to an aspect of this disclosure. Device 1105 may be an example of an aspect of device 1005 or network entity 105 as described herein. Device 1105 may include a receiver 1110, a transmitter 1115, and a communications manager 1120. Device 1105 may also include a processor. Each of these components may communicate with one another (for example, via one or more buses).

[0205] Receiver 1110 may provide means for receiving information such as packets related to various information channels (e.g., control channel, data channel, information channel for RS signaling for SCell), user data, control information, or any combination thereof. The information may be passed to other components of device 1105. Receiver 1110 may utilize a single antenna or a set of multiple antennas.

[0206] The transmitter 1115 may provide means for transmitting signals generated by other components of device 1105. For example, the transmitter 1115 may transmit information such as packets related to various information channels (e.g., control channels, data channels, information channels for RS signaling for SCell), user data, control information, or any combination thereof. In some examples, the transmitter 1115 may be placed alongside the receiver 1110 in the transceiver module. The transmitter 1115 may utilize a single antenna or a set of multiple antennas.

[0207] Device 1105 or its various components may be examples of means for performing various forms of RS signaling for SCell as described herein. For example, the communications manager 1120 may include a multicell manager 1125, a configuration manager 1130, a trigger signal manager 1135, or any combination thereof. The communications manager 1120 may be an example of an embodiment of the communications manager 1020 as described herein. In some examples, the communications manager 1120, or its various components may be configured to perform various operations (e.g., receiving, monitoring, transmitting) using, or possibly in cooperation with, the receiver 1110, the transmitter 1115, or both. For example, the communications manager 1120 may be integrated with the receiver 1110, the transmitter 1115, or both to receive information from the receiver 1110 and send information to the transmitter 1115, or to receive information, transmit information, or perform various other operations as described herein.

[0208] The communication manager 1120 may support wireless communication in a network entity in accordance with the examples disclosed herein. The multi-cell manager 1125 may be configured, or may optionally support, means for identifying a set of cells associated with performing communication with the UE. The configuration manager 1130 may be configured, or may optionally support, means for transmitting a configuration signal to the UE indicating one or more sets of RS formats, each set of RS formats including a mapping of the RS format to each cell in a set of cells. The trigger signal manager 1135 may be configured, or may optionally support, means for transmitting a trigger signal to the UE indicating an active set of RS formats of one or more sets of RS formats, the trigger signal indicating an RS transmission from a cell in a set of cells according to the RS format associated with the active set of RS formats.

[0209] Figure 12 shows a block diagram 1200 of a communications manager 1220 supporting RS signaling for SCell according to an aspect of this disclosure. The communications manager 1220 may be an example of an aspect of the communications manager 1020, communications manager 1120, or both, as described herein. The communications manager 1220 or various components thereof may be an example of means for performing various aspects of RS signaling for SCell as described herein. For example, the communications manager 1220 may include a multi-cell manager 1225, a configuration manager 1230, a trigger signal manager 1235, a cell activation trigger manager 1240, a cell activation manager 1245, or any combination thereof. Each of these components may communicate with each other directly or indirectly (for example, via one or more buses).

[0210] The communication manager 1220 may support wireless communication in a network entity in accordance with the examples disclosed herein. The multi-cell manager 1225 may be configured, or may optionally support, means for identifying a set of cells associated with performing communication with the UE. The configuration manager 1230 may be configured, or may optionally support, means for transmitting a configuration signal to the UE indicating one or more sets of RS formats, each set of RS formats including a mapping of the RS format to each cell in the set of cells. The trigger signal manager 1235 may be configured, or may optionally support, means for transmitting a trigger signal to the UE indicating an active set of RF formats of one or more sets of RS formats, the trigger signal indicating an RS transmission from a cell in a set of cells according to the RS format associated with the active set of RS formats.

[0211] In some examples, the RS formats associated with at least one SCell in the active set of RS formats represent a first RS format associated with a first activation state and a second RS format associated with a second activation state.

[0212] In some examples, the cell activation manager 1245 may be configured or support means for sending a SCell activation message to the UE indicating that at least one SCell is to be activated in the UE, and at least one SCell is in a first activated state based on the SCell activation message.

[0213] In some examples, the cell activation trigger manager 1240 may be configured, or may support, a means for sending a SCell activation message indicating that at least one SCell is activated in the UE, and the activation state for at least one SCell is based on the SCell activation message. In some examples, the SCell activation message is sent using a MAC CE message. In some examples, the configuration signal is sent via an RRC message. In some examples, the trigger signal is sent within a non-periodic channel state information request field in the DCI.

[0214] Figure 13 shows a diagram of a system 1300 including a device 1305 that supports RS signaling for SCell, according to an aspect of the present disclosure. Device 1305 may be an example of, or include, a component of, device 1005, device 1105, or network entity 105 as described herein. Device 1305 may communicate wirelessly with one or more network entities 105, UE 115, or any combination thereof. Device 1305 may include components for bidirectional voice and data communication, including components for transmitting and receiving communications, such as a communications manager 1320, a network communications manager 1310, a transceiver 1315, an antenna 1325, a memory 1330, a code 1335, a processor 1340, and an inter-station communications manager 1345. These components may communicate electronically via one or more buses (e.g., bus 1350), or may be coupled in some cases (e.g., operably, communicatively, functionally, electronically, electrically).

[0215] The network communication manager 1310 may manage communication with the core network 130 (for example, via one or more wired backhaul links). For example, the network communication manager 1310 may manage the transfer of data communications for one or more client devices such as UE 115.

[0216] In some cases, device 1305 may include a single antenna 1325. However, in some other cases, device 1305 may have two or more antennas 1325, and these antennas may be capable of transmitting or receiving multiple wireless transmissions simultaneously. Transceiver 1315 may communicate bidirectionally via one or more antennas 1325, a wired link, or a wireless link, as described herein. For example, transceiver 1315 may represent a wireless transceiver and communicate bidirectionally with another wireless transceiver. Transceiver 1315 may also include a modem for modulating packets, providing the modulated packets to one or more antennas 1325 for transmission, and demodulating packets received from one or more antennas 1325. Transceiver 1315, or transceiver 1315 and one or more antennas 1325, may be examples of transmitters 1015, 1115, receivers 1010, 1110, or any combination thereof or their components, as described herein.

[0217] Memory 1330 may include RAM and ROM. Memory 1330 may store computer-readable, computer-executable code 1335, which, when executed by processor 1340, includes instructions that cause device 1305 to perform various functions described herein. Code 1335 may be stored in a non-temporary computer-readable medium such as system memory or another type of memory. In some cases, code 1335 may not be directly executable by processor 1340, but (for example, when compiled and executed) may cause the computer to perform the functions described herein. In some cases, memory 1330 may include a BIOS that can control basic hardware or software operations, such as interaction with peripheral components or devices.

[0218] The processor 1340 may include intelligent hardware devices (e.g., general-purpose processors, DSPs, CPUs, microcontrollers, ASICs, FPGAs, programmable logic devices, discrete gate or transistor logic components, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof). In some cases, the processor 1340 may be configured to operate a memory array using a memory controller. In some other cases, the memory controller may be integrated with the processor 1340. The processor 1340 may be configured to execute computer-readable instructions stored in memory (e.g., memory 1330) to cause device 1305 to perform various functions (e.g., functions or tasks supporting RS signaling for SCell). For example, device 1305 or components of device 1305 may include the processor 1340 and memory 1330 coupled to the processor 1340, and the processor 1340 and memory 1330 may be configured to perform various functions described herein.

[0219] The inter-station communication manager 1345 may manage communication with other network entities 105 and may include a controller or scheduler for coordinating communication with the UE 115 in cooperation with the other network entities 105. For example, the inter-station communication manager 1345 may coordinate scheduling for transmissions to the UE 115 for various interference mitigation techniques such as beamforming or joint transmission. In some examples, the inter-station communication manager 1345 may provide an X2 interface within the LTE / LTE-A wireless communication network technology for communication between network entities 105.

[0220] The communication manager 1320 may support wireless communication in a network entity in accordance with the examples disclosed herein. For example, the communication manager 1320 may be configured, or may optionally support, means for identifying a set of cells related to performing communication with the UE. The communication manager 1320 may be configured, or may optionally support, means for transmitting a configuration signal to the UE indicating one or more sets of RS formats, each set of RS formats including a mapping of RS formats to each cell in a set of cells. The communication manager 1320 may be configured, or may optionally support, means for transmitting a trigger signal to the UE indicating an active set of RS formats of one or more sets of RS formats, the trigger signal indicating an RS transmission from a cell in a set of RS format-compliant cells associated with the active set of RS formats.

[0221] By including or configuring a communications manager 1320 in accordance with the examples described herein, device 1305 may support techniques for signaling RS format / activation states for cells in a set of cells configured for communication with the UE.

[0222] In some examples, the communications manager 1320 may be configured to perform various operations (e.g., receiving, monitoring, transmitting) using, or possibly in cooperation with, the transceiver 1315, one or more antennas 1325, or a combination thereof. Although the communications manager 1320 is shown as a separate component, in some examples, one or more functions described with respect to the communications manager 1320 may be supported or performed by the processor 1340, memory 1330, code 1335, or a combination thereof. For example, code 1335 may include instructions executable by the processor 1340 to cause device 1305 to perform various forms of RS signaling for SCell as described herein, or the processor 1340 and memory 1330 may, in some cases, be configured to perform or support such operations.

[0223] Figure 14 shows a flowchart illustrating a method 1400 supporting RS signaling for SCell according to an aspect of this disclosure. The operation of method 1400 may be implemented by a UE or its components as described herein. For example, the operation of method 1400 may be performed by UE 115 as described with reference to Figures 1 to 9. In some examples, the UE may execute a set of instructions to control a functional element of the UE to perform the function described. Additional or alternative, the UE may perform aspects of the function described using dedicated hardware.

[0224] In 1405, the method may include receiving a configuration signal indicating one or more sets of RS formats, wherein each set of RS formats includes a mapping of the RS format to each cell of a set of cells. The operation of 1405 may be performed according to the examples disclosed herein. In some examples, the operation of 1405 may be performed by an RS format configuration manager 825, as described with reference to Figure 8.

[0225] In 1410, the method may include receiving a trigger signal indicating an active set of one or more sets of RS formats, wherein the trigger signal indicates an RS transmission from a set of cells in the RS format associated with the active set of RS formats. The operation of 1410 may be performed according to the examples disclosed herein. In some examples, the operation of 1410 may be performed by a trigger signal manager 830, as described with reference to Figure 8.

[0226] In 1415, the method may include the step of identifying the activation state for each cell in a set of cells. The operation of 1415 may be performed according to the examples disclosed herein. In some examples, the operation of 1415 may be performed by an activation state manager 835, as described with reference to Figure 8.

[0227] In 1420, the method may include the step of determining a monitoring scheme for at least one SCell in a set of cells, based on the activation status of each of at least one SCell and each RS format in the active set of RS formats. The operation of 1420 may be performed according to the examples disclosed herein. In some examples, the operation of 1420 may be performed by a monitoring scheme manager 840, as described with reference to Figure 8.

[0228] In 1425, the method may include the step of performing a monitoring scheme for RS transmissions from at least one SCell. The operation of 1425 may be performed according to the examples disclosed herein. In some examples, the operation of 1425 may be performed by a monitoring scheme manager 840, as described with reference to Figure 8.

[0229] Figure 15 shows a flowchart illustrating a method 1500 supporting RS signaling for SCell according to an aspect of this disclosure. The operation of method 1500 may be implemented by a UE or its components as described herein. For example, the operation of method 1500 may be performed by UE 115 as described with reference to Figures 1 to 9. In some examples, the UE may execute a set of instructions to control a functional element of the UE to perform the function described. Additional or alternative, the UE may perform aspects of the function described using dedicated hardware.

[0230] In 1505, the method may include receiving a configuration signal indicating one or more sets of RS formats, wherein each set of RS formats includes a mapping of the RS format to each cell of a set of cells. The operation of 1505 may be performed according to the examples disclosed herein. In some examples, the operation of 1505 may be performed by an RS format configuration manager 825, as described with reference to Figure 8.

[0231] In 1510, the method may include receiving a trigger signal indicating an active set of one or more sets of RS formats, wherein the trigger signal indicates an RS transmission from a set of cells in the RS format associated with the active set of RS formats. The operation of 1510 may be performed according to the examples disclosed herein. In some examples, the operation of 1510 may be performed by a trigger signal manager 830, as described with reference to Figure 8.

[0232] In 1515, the method may include the step of identifying the activation state for each cell in a set of cells. The operation of 1515 may be performed according to the examples disclosed herein. In some examples, the operation of 1515 may be performed by an activation state manager 835, as described with reference to Figure 8.

[0233] In 1520, the method may include the step of determining that the activation state of at least one SCell is an activation state in which at least one SCell is already active. The operation of 1520 may be performed according to the examples disclosed herein. In some examples, the operation of 1520 may be performed by an active cell manager 845, as described with reference to Figure 8.

[0234] In 1525, the method may include the step of determining that an RS format associated with at least one SCell in the active set of RS formats includes a transient aperiodic RS format. The operation of 1525 may be performed according to the examples disclosed herein. In some examples, the operation of 1525 may be performed by an active cell manager 845, as described with reference to Figure 8.

[0235] In 1530, the method may include the step of determining a monitoring scheme for at least one SCell in a set of cells, based on the activation status of each of at least one SCell and each RS format in the active set of RS formats. The operation of 1530 may be performed according to the examples disclosed herein. In some examples, the operation of 1530 may be performed by a monitoring scheme manager 840, as described with reference to Figure 8.

[0236] In 1535, the method may include the step of performing a monitoring scheme for RS transmissions from at least one SCell. The operation of 1535 may be performed according to the examples disclosed herein. In some examples, the operation of 1535 may be performed by a monitoring scheme manager 840, as described with reference to Figure 8.

[0237] In 1540, the method may include the step of performing a monitoring scheme for at least one SCell by refraining from monitoring RS transmissions from at least one SCell based on the fact that the active state of at least one SCell is an activated state and that the RS format associated with at least one SCell in the active set of RS formats includes a transient aperiodic RS format. The operation of 1540 may be performed according to the examples disclosed herein. In some examples, the operation of 1540 may be performed by an active cell manager 845 as described with reference to Figure 8.

[0238] Figure 16 shows a flowchart illustrating a method 1600 supporting RS signaling for SCell according to an aspect of this disclosure. The operation of method 1600 may be implemented by a network entity or its components, as described herein. For example, the operation of method 1600 may be performed by a network entity 105, as described with reference to Figures 1-5 and 10-13. In some examples, the network entity may execute a set of instructions to control the functional elements of the network entity to perform the functions described. In addition or alternatively, the network entity may perform aspects of the functions described using dedicated hardware.

[0239] In 1605, the method may include the step of identifying a set of cells associated with performing communication with the UE. The operation of 1605 may be performed according to the examples disclosed herein. In some examples, the operation of 1605 may be performed by a multi-cell manager 1225, as described with reference to Figure 12.

[0240] In 1610, the method may include the step of transmitting a configuration signal to the UE indicating one or more sets of RS formats, wherein each set of RS formats includes a mapping of the RS format to each cell of a set of cells. The operation of 1610 may be performed according to the examples disclosed herein. In some examples, the operation of 1610 may be performed by a configuration manager 1230, as described with reference to Figure 12.

[0241] In 1615, the method may include the step of sending a trigger signal to the UE indicating an active set of one or more sets of RS formats, wherein the trigger signal indicates an RS transmission from a set of cells in accordance with the RS format associated with the active set of RS formats. The operation of 1615 may be performed according to the examples disclosed herein. In some examples, the operation of 1615 may be performed by a trigger signal manager 1235, as described with reference to Figure 12.

[0242] Figure 17 shows a flowchart illustrating a method 1700 supporting RS signaling for SCell according to an aspect of this disclosure. The operation of method 1700 may be implemented by a network entity or its components, as described herein. For example, the operation of method 1700 may be performed by a network entity 105, as described with reference to Figures 1-5 and 10-13. In some examples, the network entity may execute a set of instructions to control the functional elements of the network entity to perform the functions described. Additionally or alternatively, the network entity may perform aspects of the functions described using dedicated hardware.

[0243] In 1705, the method may include the step of identifying a set of cells associated with performing communication with the UE. The operation of 1705 may be performed according to the examples disclosed herein. In some examples, the operation of 1705 may be performed by a multi-cell manager 1225, as described with reference to Figure 12.

[0244] In 1710, the method may include the step of transmitting a configuration signal to the UE indicating one or more sets of RS formats, wherein each set of RS formats includes a mapping of the RS format to each cell of a set of cells. The operation of 1710 may be performed according to the examples disclosed herein. In some examples, the operation of 1710 may be performed by a configuration manager 1230, as described with reference to Figure 12.

[0245] In 1715, the method may include the step of sending a trigger signal to the UE indicating an active set of one or more sets of RS formats, wherein the trigger signal indicates an RS transmission from a set of cells in accordance with the RS format associated with the active set of RS formats. The operation of 1715 may be performed according to the examples disclosed herein. In some examples, the operation of 1715 may be performed by a trigger signal manager 1235 as described with reference to Figure 12.

[0246] In 1720, the method may include sending a SCell activation message indicating that at least one SCell is to be activated in the UE, wherein the activation status for at least one SCell is based on the SCell activation message. The operation of 1720 may be performed according to the examples disclosed herein. In some examples, the operation of 1720 may be performed by a cell activation trigger manager 1240, as described with reference to Figure 12.

[0247] The following provides an overview of the aspects of this disclosure.

[0248] Embodiment 1: A method for wireless communication in a UE, comprising: receiving a configuration signal indicating one or more sets of RS formats, each set of RS formats including a mapping of RS formats to each cell of a set of cells; receiving a trigger signal indicating an active set of RS formats of one or more sets of RS formats, the trigger signal indicating an RS transmission from a cell of a set of cells according to the RS format associated with the active set of RS formats; identifying an activation state for each cell in the set of cells; determining a monitoring scheme for at least one SCell of the set of cells based on the respective activation states of at least one SCell and each RS format in the active set of RS formats; and performing the monitoring scheme for RS transmissions from at least one SCell.

[0249] Embodiment 2: The method of Embodiment 1, further comprising the steps of: determining that the activation state of at least one SCell is an activated state, meaning that at least one SCell is already activated; determining that the RS format associated with at least one SCell in the active set of RS formats includes a transient aperiodic RS format; and performing a monitoring scheme for at least one SCell by refraining from monitoring RS transmissions from at least one SCell, at least in part on the fact that the activation state of at least one SCell is an activated state and that the RS format associated with at least one SCell in the active set of RS formats includes a transient aperiodic RS format.

[0250] Embodiment 3: The method of Embodiment 2, further comprising the steps of determining that a downlink transmission is scheduled using duplicate resources that overlap with an RS transmission from at least one SCell, and decoding the downlink transmission, at least in part on the assumption that the downlink transmission was punctured or rate-matched around the duplicate resources.

[0251] Embodiment 4: Any method of Embodiments 1 to 3, further comprising the steps of: determining that the activation state of at least one SCell is an activated state, meaning that at least one SCell is already activated; determining that the RS format associated with at least one SCell in the active set of RS formats includes a tracking RS format; and performing a monitoring scheme for at least one SCell by monitoring RS transmissions from at least one SCell, at least in part on the fact that the activation state of at least one SCell is an active state and that the RS format associated with at least one SCell in the active set of RS formats includes a tracking RS format.

[0252] Embodiment 5: Any method of Embodiments 1 to 4, further comprising the steps of: determining that the activation state of at least one SCell is a scheduled activation state, in which at least one SCell is in the process of being activated; determining that an RS format associated with at least one SCell in the active set of RS formats includes a tracking RS format; and performing a monitoring scheme for at least one SCell by refraining from monitoring RS transmissions from at least one SCell, at least in part on the fact that the activation state of at least one SCell is a scheduled activation state and that an RS format associated with at least one SCell in the active set of RS formats includes a tracking RS format.

[0253] Embodiment 6: Any method of Embodiments 1 to 5, further comprising the steps of: determining that the activation state of at least one SCell is an activation-scheduled activation state in which at least one SCell is in the process of being activated; determining that the RS format associated with at least one SCell in the active set of RS formats includes a temporary aperiodic RS format; and performing a monitoring scheme for at least one SCell by monitoring RS transmissions from at least one SCell, at least in part on the fact that the activation state of at least one SCell is an activation-scheduled state and that the RS format associated with at least one SCell in the active set of RS formats includes a temporary aperiodic RS format.

[0254] Embodiment 7: Any method of Embodiments 1 to 6, further comprising the steps of determining that an RS format associated with at least one SCell in the active set of RS formats represents a first RS format associated with a first activation state and a second RS format associated with a second activation state, and selecting a monitoring scheme for at least one SCell based at least in part on whether at least one SCell is in a first activation state or a second activation state.

[0255] Embodiment 8: The method of Embodiment 7, further comprising the steps of receiving a SCell activation message indicating that at least one SCell is activated in the UE, and determining, at least in part, that at least one SCell is in a first activated state based on the SCell activation message.

[0256] Embodiment 9: Any method of Embodiments 1 to 8, further comprising the step of identifying that the active set of RS formats of one or more sets of RS formats includes a temporary aperiodic RS format comprising a first part of a tracking RS and a second part of a tracking RS, wherein the first part and the second part are located in consecutive slots.

[0257] Embodiment 10: A method of any one of embodiments 1 to 9, further comprising the step of identifying that an active set of RS formats of one or more sets of RS formats includes a transient aperiodic RS format comprising a first part of a tracking RS and a second part of a tracking RS, wherein the first part and the second part are in consecutive slots and the tracking RS is repeated in non-continuous slots.

[0258] Embodiment 11: Any method of Embodiments 1 to 10, further comprising the step of identifying that the active set of RS formats of one or more sets of RS formats includes a temporary non-periodic RS format comprising a first part of a tracking RS and a second part of a tracking RS, wherein the first part and the second part are located in non-contiguous slots.

[0259] Embodiment 12: Any method of Embodiments 1 to 11, further comprising the steps of determining that the activation state of at least one SCell is an inactive state in which at least one SCell is deactivated, and performing a monitoring scheme for at least one SCell by refraining from monitoring RS transmissions from at least one SCell based at least in part on the activation state of at least one SCell being an inactive state.

[0260] Aspect 13: A method according to any of Aspects 1 to 12, further comprising the step of receiving a SCell activation message indicating that at least one SCell is activated in a UE, wherein an activation state for the at least one SCell is at least partially based on the SCell activation message.

[0261] Aspect 14: The method of Aspect 13, wherein the SCell activation message is received using a MAC CE message.

[0262] Aspect 15: A method according to any of Aspects 1 to 14, further comprising the step of determining that a trigger signal is received within a time window, wherein the time window is at least partially based on a delay time and a threshold limit time after a configuration signal is received, and the step of applying an active set of RS formats based at least in part on the trigger signal being received within the time window.

[0263] Aspect 16: A method according to any of Aspects 1 to 15, further comprising the step of determining that a trigger signal is received prior to the time window, wherein the time window is at least partially based on a delay time and a threshold limit time after a configuration signal is received, and the step of refraining from applying an active set of RS formats based at least in part on the trigger signal being received prior to the time window.

[0264] Aspect 17: A method according to any of Aspects 1 to 16, further comprising the step of determining that a trigger signal is received after the time window, wherein the time window is at least partially based on a delay time and a threshold limit time after a configuration signal is received, and the step of applying an active RS format of an active set of RS formats based at least in part on the trigger signal being received after the time window.

[0265] [[ID=第十九]] Aspect 18: Any of the methods of Aspects 1 to 17, wherein the configuration signal is received within an RRC message.

[0266] Aspect 19: Any of the methods of Aspects 1 to 18, wherein the trigger signal is received within the MAC CE or the aperiodic channel state information request field of DCI.

[0267] Aspect 20: A method for wireless communication in a network entity, comprising identifying a set of cells associated with communicating with a UE, and transmitting to the UE a configuration signal indicating one or more sets of RS formats, wherein each set of RS formats includes a mapping of the RS format to each cell in the set of cells, and transmitting to the UE a trigger signal indicating an active set of RS formats of one or more sets of RS formats, wherein the trigger signal indicates RS transmission from cells in the set of cells according to the RS format associated with the active set of RS formats.

[0268] Aspect 21: The method of Aspect 20, wherein the RS format associated with at least one SCell in the active set of RS formats indicates a first RS format associated with a first activation state and a second RS format associated with a second activation state.

[0269] Aspect 22: The method of Aspect 21, further comprising transmitting to the UE a SCell activation message indicating that at least one SCell is activated in the UE, wherein at least one SCell is in a first active state based at least in part on the SCell activation message.

[0270] Embodiment 23: Any method of Embodiments 20 to 22, further comprising the step of sending a SCell activation message indicating that at least one SCell is activated in the UE, wherein the activation state for at least one SCell is at least partially based on the SCell activation message.

[0271] Embodiment 24: The method of Embodiment 23, wherein the SCell activation message is sent using a MAC CE message.

[0272] Embodiment 25: Any method of Embodiments 20 to 24, wherein the configuration signal is transmitted within the RRC message.

[0273] Embodiment 26: A method according to any of embodiments 20 to 25, wherein the trigger signal is transmitted within the non-periodic channel state information request field of the DCI.

[0274] Embodiment 27: A device for wireless communication in a UE, comprising a processor, a memory coupled to the processor, and instructions stored in the memory that can be executed by the processor to cause the device to perform any of Embodiments 1 to 19.

[0275] Embodiment 28: An apparatus for wireless communication in a UE, comprising at least one means for carrying out any of the methods of Embodiments 1 to 19.

[0276] Embodiment 29: A non-temporary computer-readable medium for storing code for wireless communication in a UE, wherein the code includes instructions that can be executed by a processor to perform any of Embodiments 1 to 19.

[0277] Embodiment 30: A device for wireless communication in a network entity, comprising a processor, memory coupled to the processor, and instructions stored in the memory that can be executed by the processor to cause the device to perform any of the methods in Embodiments 20 to 26.

[0278] Embodiment 31: An apparatus for wireless communication in a network entity, comprising at least one means for performing any of the methods of Embodiments 20 to 26.

[0279] Embodiment 32: A non-temporary computer-readable medium for storing code for wireless communication in a network entity, wherein the code includes instructions that can be executed by a processor to perform any of the methods of Embodiments 20 to 26.

[0280] It should be noted that the methods described herein describe possible implementations, that the operations and steps may be reconfigured or otherwise modified, and that other implementations are possible. Furthermore, two or more embodiments of these methods may be combined.

[0281] While embodiments of LTE, LTE-A, LTE-A Pro, or NR systems may be described as examples, and the terms LTE, LTE-A, LTE-A Pro, or NR may be used extensively in the description, the techniques described herein are applicable to networks other than LTE, LTE-A, LTE-A Pro, or NR. For example, the techniques described may be applicable to various other wireless communication systems such as Ultra Mobile Broadband (UMB), IEEE 802.11 (Wi-Fi), IEEE 802.16 (WiMAX), IEEE 802.20, Flash-OFDM, and other systems and wireless technologies not expressly mentioned herein.

[0282] The information and signals described herein can be represented using a wide variety of technologies and techniques. For example, data, instructions, commands, information, signals, bits, symbols, and chips that may be mentioned throughout this description may be represented by voltage, electric current, electromagnetic waves, magnetic fields or magnetic particles, light fields or optical particles, or any combination thereof.

[0283] The various exemplary blocks and components described in this disclosure may be implemented or run using general-purpose processors, DSPs, ASICs, CPUs, FPGAs or other programmable logic devices, discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof designed to perform the functions described herein. A general-purpose processor may be a microprocessor, but alternatively, a processor may be any processor, controller, microcontroller, or state machine. A processor may also be implemented as a combination of computing devices (e.g., a combination of a DSP and a microprocessor, multiple microprocessors, one or more microprocessors working with a DSP core, or any other such configuration).

[0284] The functions described herein may be implemented in hardware, software executed by a processor, firmware, or any combination thereof. When implemented in software executed by a processor, the functions may be stored on or transmitted via a computer-readable medium as one or more instructions or codes. Other examples and implementations are within the scope of this disclosure and the accompanying claims. For example, due to the nature of the software, the functions described herein may be implemented using software executed by a processor, hardware, firmware, hardwiring, or any combination thereof. Features implementing the functions may also be physically located in various locations, including the distribution of parts of the functions so that they are implemented in different physical locations.

[0285] Computer-readable media include both non-temporary computer storage media and communication media, including any media that facilitates the transfer of computer programs from one location to another. Non-temporary storage media can be any available media that can be accessed by a general-purpose or dedicated computer. Examples, but not limited to, non-temporary computer-readable media may include RAM, ROM, electrically erasable programmable ROM (EEPROM), flash memory, compact disk (CD)ROM or other optical disk storage, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other non-temporary media that can be used to carry or store desired program code means in the form of instructions or data structures, and can be accessed by a general-purpose or dedicated computer or general-purpose or dedicated processor. Any connection is also appropriately referred to as computer-readable media. For example, if software is transmitted from a website, server, or other remote source using coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair, digital subscriber line (DSL), or wireless technologies such as infrared, radio, and microwave, then coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair, DSL, or wireless technologies such as infrared, radio, and microwave are included in the definition of computer-readable media. As used herein, disk and disc include CD, LaserDisc®, OpticalDisc, Digital Multipurpose Disc (DVD)®, FloppyDisc, and Blu-ray® Disc, where disk typically reproduces data magnetically and disc optically using a laser. Any combination of the above is also included in the scope of computer-readable media.

[0286] As used herein, including within the scope of the claims, "or" as used in a listing of items (e.g., a listing of items beginning with phrases such as "at least one of" or "one or more of") indicates an inclusive listing, such that a listing of, for example, at least one of A, B, or C means A or B or C or AB or AC or BC or ABC (i.e., A and B and C). Also, the phrase "based on" as used herein should not be construed as a reference to a closed set of conditions. For example, an exemplary step described as "based on condition A" may be based on both condition A and condition B without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. In other words, the phrase "based on" as used herein shall be construed in the same manner as the phrase "at least partially based on".

[0287] The term "determine" or "determining" encompasses a variety of actions, and thus "determining" can include calculating, computing, processing, deriving, investigating, looking up (e.g., by looking up in a table, database, or other data structure), ascertaining, etc. Also, "determining" can include receiving (e.g., receiving information), accessing (e.g., accessing data in a memory), etc. Also, "determining" can include resolving, selecting, choosing, establishing, and other such similar actions.

[0288] In the accompanying drawings, like components or features may have the same reference labels. Further, various components of the same type may be distinguished by following the reference label with a dash and a second label that distinguishes the like components. If only the first reference label is used herein, the description is applicable to any of the like components having the same first reference label regardless of the second reference label or any other subsequent reference labels.

[0289] The descriptions provided herein with respect to the accompanying drawings describe exemplary configurations and do not necessarily represent all examples that may be implemented or fall within the scope of the claims. The term “exemplary” as used herein means “acting as an example, case, or illustration,” and does not mean “preferred” or “advantageous over other examples.” Detailed descriptions include specific details to facilitate understanding of the described techniques. However, these techniques may be practiced without these specific details. In some cases, known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form to avoid obscuring the concepts of the described examples.

[0290] The descriptions herein are provided to enable those skilled in the art to create or use this disclosure. Various modifications of this disclosure will become apparent to those skilled in the art, and the general principles defined herein may be applied to other variations without departing from the scope of this disclosure. Accordingly, this disclosure should be given the broadest scope that is consistent with the principles and novel features disclosed herein, and is not limited to the examples and designs described herein. [Explanation of symbols]

[0291] 100 Wireless Communication Systems 105 Network Entities 110 coverage areas, geographical coverage areas 115 UE 120 backhaul links 125 Communication Link 130 Core Network 135 Device-to-Device (D2D) Communication Links 140 Access Network Entities 145 Access Network Transmitting Entities 150 IP services 200 Wireless Communication Systems 205 Network Entities 210 Network Entities 215 Network Entities 220 Network Entities 225 UE, PCell Serving UE 300 RS format configuration 300-a RS format configuration 300-b RS format configuration Line 305 Line 305-a Line 305-b Line 305-c Line 305-d 310 columns Column 310a Column 310-b Column 310-c Column 310-d Column 310-e 315 lines Line 315-a Line 315-b Line 315-c Line 315-d 320 columns Column 320-a, Column 1 Column 320-b 320-c column Column 320-d Column 320-e 400 RS format structure 400-a RS format structure 400-b RS format structure 400-c RS format structure 405 Aperiodic RS 500 processes 505 PCell 510 UE 515 SCell 600 Block Diagram 605 devices 610 Receiver 615 Transmitter 620 Communications Manager 700 Block Diagram 705 devices 710 Receiver 715 Transmitter 720 Communications Manager 725 RS Format Configuration Manager 730 Trigger Signal Manager 735 Activation status 740 Monitoring Method Manager 800 Block Diagram 820 Communications Manager 825 RS Format Configuration Manager 830 Trigger Signal Manager 835 Activation Status Manager 840 Monitoring Method Manager 845 Active Cell Manager 850 Cell Activation Manager 855 Multi-RS Format Manager 860 RS Structure Manager 865 Inactive Cell Manager 870 Trigger Timing Manager 900 System 905 Device 910 Input / Output (I / O) Controller 915 Transceiver 920 Communications Manager 925 Antenna 930 memory 935 Code 940 processor 945 Bus 1000 Block Diagram 1005 devices 1010 Receiver 1015 Transmitter 1020 Communications Manager 1100 Block Diagram 1105 devices 1110 Receiver 1115 Transmitter 1120 Communications Manager 1125 Multi-Cell Manager 1130 Configuration Manager 1135 Trigger Signal Manager 1200 Block Diagram 1220 Communications Manager 1225 Multi-Cell Manager 1230 Configuration Manager 1235 Trigger Signal Manager 1240 Cell Activation Trigger Manager 1245 Cell Activation Manager 1300 System 1305 devices 1310 Network Communications Manager 1315 Transceiver 1320 Communications Manager 1325 Antenna 1330 memory 1335 Code 1340 processor 1345 Inter-station communications manager 1350 Bus 1350 Bus 1400 methods 1500 ways 1600 methods 1700 methods

Claims

1. A method for wireless communication in user equipment (UE), A step of receiving a configuration signal representing one or more sets of reference signal formats, wherein each set of reference signal formats includes a mapping of the reference signal format to each cell of a set of cells, and the one or more sets of reference signal formats include at least one of a transient aperiodic reference signal format and a tracking reference signal format. The steps include receiving a trigger signal indicating the active set of the reference signal format of one or more sets of reference signal formats, The steps include identifying the activation status for each cell in the set of cells, A step of determining a monitoring scheme for at least one secondary cell of the set of cells, based on the activation state of each of the at least one secondary cell and the reference signal format of each of the reference signal formats in the active set of reference signal formats, wherein each of the activation states includes one of being already activated or being in the process of being activated. A step of performing the monitoring method for the transmission of a reference signal from at least one secondary cell, The step of refraining from monitoring RS transmission when the activation state of at least one secondary cell is an already activated state and the reference signal format is a transient non-periodic reference signal format, The step of monitoring RS transmission when the activation state of at least one secondary cell is an already activated state and the reference signal format is a tracking reference signal format, The step of monitoring RS transmission when the activation state of at least one secondary cell is an activation state in an activated process and the reference signal format is a transient aperiodic reference signal format, When the activation state of at least one secondary cell is an activation state in an activated process and the reference signal format is a tracking reference signal format, the step of refraining from monitoring RS transmission and Includes a step that further includes one of the following: method.

2. The steps include determining that the reference signal format associated with at least one secondary cell in the active set of reference signal formats represents a first reference signal format associated with a first activation state and a second reference signal format associated with a second activation state, A step of selecting the monitoring method for the at least one secondary cell, at least partially based on whether the at least one secondary cell is in the first activated state or the second activated state, The steps include receiving a secondary cell activation message indicating that at least one secondary cell is activated in the UE, A step of determining that at least one secondary cell is in the first activated state, based at least in part on the secondary cell activation message; The method according to claim 1, further comprising:

3. Steps to identify that the active set of the reference signal format of one or more sets of reference signal formats includes a transient aperiodic reference signal format comprising a first portion of a tracking reference signal and a second portion of the tracking reference signal, wherein the first portion and the second portion are located in consecutive slots. The method according to claim 1, further comprising:

4. Steps to identify that the active set of the reference signal formats of one or more sets of reference signal formats includes a transient aperiodic reference signal format comprising a first portion of a tracking reference signal and a second portion of the tracking reference signal, wherein the first portion and the second portion are in a continuous slot and the tracking reference signal is repeated in a non-continuous slot. The method according to claim 1, further comprising:

5. Steps to identify that the active set of the reference signal formats of one or more sets of reference signal formats includes a transient non-periodic reference signal format comprising a first portion of a tracking reference signal and a second portion of the tracking reference signal, wherein the first portion and the second portion are located in a non-continuous slot. The method according to claim 1, further comprising:

6. The steps include determining that the activation state of the at least one secondary cell is an inactive state in which the at least one secondary cell is deactivated, The steps of performing the monitoring scheme for the at least one secondary cell include: refraining from monitoring the reference signal transmission from the at least one secondary cell, at least partially based on the fact that the activated state of the at least one secondary cell is the inactive state; The method according to claim 1, further comprising:

7. A step of receiving a secondary cell activation message indicating that at least one secondary cell is activated in the UE, wherein the activation state for the at least one secondary cell is at least partially based on the received secondary cell activation message. The method according to claim 1, further comprising:

8. The method according to claim 7, wherein the secondary cell activation message is received using a media access control (MAC) control element (CE) message.

9. A step of determining that the trigger signal is received within a time window, wherein the time window is determined to be at least partially based on a delay time and a threshold limit time after the reception of the configuration signal. The steps of applying the active set of the reference signal format, at least in part, based on the fact that the trigger signal is received during the time window, The method according to claim 1, further comprising:

10. A step of determining that the trigger signal is received prior to a time window, wherein the time window is determined to be at least partially based on a delay time and a threshold limit time after the reception of the configuration signal. The step of refraining from applying the active set of the reference signal format, at least in part on the fact that the trigger signal is received prior to the time window. The method according to claim 1, further comprising:

11. A step of determining that the trigger signal is received after a time window, wherein the time window is determined to be at least in part based on a delay time and a threshold limit time after the reception of the configuration signal. The steps of applying the active reference signal format of the active set of reference signal formats, at least in part, based on the fact that the trigger signal is received after the time window, The method according to claim 1, further comprising:

12. The method according to claim 1, wherein the configuration signal is received in a radio resource control (RRC) message.

13. The method according to claim 1, wherein the trigger signal is received within a non-periodic channel state information request field of a media access control (MAC) control element (CE) or downlink control information (DCI).

14. A device for wireless communication in user equipment (UE), Processor and The memory coupled to the aforementioned processor, The instruction includes an instruction stored in the memory, and the instruction is used to provide the device the method according to any one of claims 1 to 13. The processor is capable of performing the following actions Device.

15. A non-temporary computer-readable recording medium for storing a code for wireless communication in a user device (UE), wherein the code is the method according to any one of claims 1 to 13. Includes instructions that can be executed by the processor to perform the task. Non-temporary computer-readable recording medium.

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