Improved decoding reliability for demodulation reference signal (DMRS) bundled transmission using phase tracking reference signal (PTRS) hopping

Abstract

Certain embodiments of this disclosure provide a method for wireless communication performed by a user equipment (UE). The UE receives an indication of a phase tracking reference signal (PTRS) hop offset from a network entity. The UE can process PTRS transmitted in different transmissions spanning multiple symbols or time slots. In one instance, processing PTRS may include transmitting PTRS in an uplink (UL) time slot. In another instance, processing PTRS may include monitoring PTRS in a downlink (DL) time slot. Frequency resources used for PTRS may be varied across different transmissions based on the PTRS hop offset.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This patent application claims priority to U.S. Application No. 17 / 516,455, filed November 1, 2021, which has been assigned to the assignee of this application and whose entire contents are incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] The various aspects of this disclosure relate to wireless communication, and more specifically, the various aspects of this disclosure relate to techniques for processing phase tracking reference signals (PTRS) transmitted in different transmissions spanning multiple symbols or time slots. Prior Technology

[0003] Wireless communication systems are widely deployed to provide various telecommunications services such as telephone, video, data, messaging, and broadcasting. These wireless communication systems may employ multiplexing access technologies that support communication with multiple users by sharing available system resources (e.g., bandwidth, transmit power). Examples of such multiplexing access systems include the 3GPP Long Term Evolution (LTE) system, the improved LTE (LTE-A) system, Code Division Multiplexing (CDMA) systems, Time Division Multiplexing (TDMA) systems, Frequency Division Multiplexing (FDMA) systems, Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDMA) systems, Single Carrier Frequency Division Multiplexing (SC-FDMA) systems, and Time Division Synchronous Code Division Multiplexing (TD-SCDMA) systems.

[0004] These multiplexing access technologies have been adopted in various telecommunications standards to provide a common protocol that enables different wireless devices to communicate at the city, country, region, and even global levels. New Radio (NR) (e.g., fifth generation (5G)) is an example of an emerging telecommunications standard. NR is an enhancement set of the LTE mobile service standard released by 3GPP. NR is designed to better support mobile broadband internet access by improving spectrum efficiency, reducing costs, improving service, utilizing new spectrum, and using OFDMA with cyclic prefixes (CP) on the downlink (DL) and uplink (UL) to better integrate with other open standards. For these purposes, NR supports beamforming, multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) antenna technology, and carrier aggregation.

[0005] However, with the continued growth in demand for mobile broadband access, there is a need for further improvements to NR and LTE technologies. Preferably, such improvements should be applicable to other multiplexing access technologies and telecommunications standards that employ such technologies. Summary of the Invention

[0006] The systems, methods, and apparatus of this disclosure all have several states, with no single state solely responsible for its desired properties. After considering this discussion, and especially after reading the section entitled "Implementation," the reader will understand how the features of this disclosure provide advantages, including improved and desired techniques for processing Phase Tracking Reference Signals (PTRS) transmitted in different repetitions across multiple time slots.

[0007] Some aspects of the subject matter described in this disclosure can be implemented in a method for wireless communication performed by a user equipment (UE). In summary, the method includes: receiving from a network entity an indication of at least one PTRS bridging offset; and processing PTRS transmitted across multiple symbols or time slots in different transmissions, wherein frequency resources for the PTRS are changed across the different transmissions based on at least one PTRS bridging offset.

[0008] Some aspects of the subject matter described in this disclosure can be implemented in an apparatus for wireless communication performed by a UE. In general, the apparatus includes at least one application processor and memory configured to: receive an indication of at least one PTRS bridging offset from a network entity; and process PTRS transmitted in different transmissions spanning multiple symbols or time slots, wherein frequency resources for the PTRS are changed across the different transmissions based on at least one PTRS bridging offset.

[0009] Some aspects of the subject matter described in this disclosure can be implemented in an apparatus for wireless communication performed by a UE. In general, the apparatus includes: means for receiving an indication of at least one PTRS bridging offset from a network entity; and means for processing PTRS transmitted in different transmissions spanning multiple symbols or time slots, wherein frequency resources for the PTRS are changed across the different transmissions based on at least one PTRS bridging offset.

[0010] Some aspects of the subject matter described in this disclosure can be implemented in a computer-readable medium on which computer-executable code for wireless communication performed by a UE is stored. In general, the computer-readable medium includes: code for receiving an indication of at least one PTRS bridging offset from a network entity; and code for processing PTRS transmitted across multiple symbols or time slots, wherein frequency resources for PTRS are changed across the different transmissions based on at least one PTRS bridging offset.

[0011] Some aspects of the subject matter described in this disclosure can be implemented in a method for wireless communication performed by a network entity. In summary, the method includes: sending an indication to a UE for at least one PTRS hop offset; and processing PTRS transmitted across multiple symbols or time slots in different transmissions, wherein frequency resources for the PTRS are changed across the different transmissions based on at least one PTRS hop offset.

[0012] Some aspects of the subject matter described in this disclosure can be implemented in an apparatus for wireless communication performed by a network entity. In general, the apparatus includes at least one application processor and memory configured to: send an indication to a UE for at least one PTRS bridging offset; and process PTRS transmitted in different transmissions spanning multiple symbols or time slots, wherein frequency resources for the PTRS are changed across the different transmissions based on at least one PTRS bridging offset.

[0013] Some aspects of the subject matter described in this disclosure can be implemented in an apparatus for wireless communication performed by a network entity. In general, the apparatus includes: means for transmitting to a UE an indication of at least one PTRS bridging offset; and means for processing PTRS transmitted in different transmissions spanning multiple symbols or time slots, wherein frequency resources for the PTRS are changed across the different transmissions based on at least one PTRS bridging offset.

[0014] Certain aspects of the subject matter described in this disclosure can be implemented in a computer-readable medium on which computer-executable code for wireless communication by a network entity is stored. In general, the computer-readable medium includes: code for sending an indication to a UE of at least one PTRS bridging offset; and code for processing PTRS transmitted across multiple symbols or time slots, wherein frequency resources for PTRS are changed across the different transmissions based on at least one PTRS bridging offset.

[0015] To achieve the foregoing and related objectives, one or more forms include the features fully described below and specifically pointed out in the claims. The following description and figures illustrate certain illustrative features of one or more forms in detail. However, these features indicate only a few of the various ways in which the principles of the various forms may be employed. Simple Explanation of the Diagram

[0016] To gain a more detailed understanding of the features described above in this disclosure, a more specific description can be made by referring to various embodiments (briefly outlined above), some of which are shown in the figures. However, it should be noted that the figures only illustrate certain embodiments of this disclosure, and this description may allow for other equally valid embodiments.

[0017] Figure 1 is a block diagram conceptually illustrating some aspects of an example wireless communication network according to this disclosure.

[0018] Figure 2 is a block diagram conceptually illustrating the design of an example base station (BS) and user equipment (UE) according to certain aspects of this disclosure.

[0019] Figure 3 is an example frame format for certain wireless communication systems (e.g., New Radio (NR)) according to certain aspects of this disclosure.

[0020] Figure 4 illustrates example transmissions associated with different repetitions of transport blocks (TBs) accompanied by demodulation reference signals (DMRS) according to certain states of this disclosure.

[0021] Figure 5 illustrates example transmissions associated with different repetitions of a TB having DMRS and Phase Tracking Reference Signal (PTRS) according to certain states of this disclosure.

[0022] Figure 6 illustrates example transmissions associated with different repetitions of a TB having a PTRS spanning multiple time slots, according to certain states of this disclosure.

[0023] Figure 7 is a flowchart illustrating some examples of wireless communication performed by a UE according to this disclosure.

[0024] Figure 8 is a flowchart illustrating example operations for wireless communication performed by a network entity according to certain aspects of this disclosure.

[0025] Figures 9 and 10 illustrate example transmissions associated with different repetitions of TBs of PTRS spanning multiple time slots according to certain states of this disclosure.

[0026] Figure 11 illustrates a communication device of some form according to this disclosure, which may include various components configured to perform operations for the techniques disclosed herein.

[0027] Figure 12 illustrates a communication device of some form according to this disclosure, which may include various components configured to perform operations for the techniques disclosed herein.

[0028] To aid understanding, the same element symbols are used wherever possible to designate common elements for the purposes of the accompanying drawings. It is conceivable that elements shown in one specification may be usefully used in other specifications without the need for specific description. Implementation

[0029] Various embodiments of this disclosure provide apparatus, methods, processing systems, and computer-readable media for phase tracking reference signal (PTRS) bridging within repetitions of physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH) / physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH) transmission and / or PDSCH / PUSCH transmission.

[0030] For example, a network entity can send an indication of PTRS hop offset to a user equipment (UE). The UE can process PTRS transmitted across different repetitions spanning multiple symbols or time slots, where the frequency resources used for PTRS change across different repetitions based on the PTRS hop offset. The UE can transmit PTRS in uplink (UL) time slots and / or receive (monitor) PTRS in downlink (DL) time slots.

[0031] The techniques described herein improve the decoding of demodulation reference signal (DMRS) accompanying transmissions (e.g., including some repeating PTRSs and other repeating DMRSs). For example, in conventional systems, the static configuration of PTRSs in the case of DMRS accompanying transmissions (e.g., the same frequency resources used to span different repeating PTRSs) can lead to high code rates (e.g., due to the high number of repetitions). However, based on the techniques described herein, PTRSs are allocated across different frequency resources according to PTRS hop offsets. Therefore, the diversity is superior because PTRSs are extended across different frequency resources. This can result in lower code rates and facilitates coherent decoding of DMRS accompanying transmissions.

[0032] The following description provides examples of processing PTRS in a communication system and does not limit the scope, applicability, or examples set forth in the claims. Changes may be made to the function and arrangement of the elements discussed without departing from the scope of this disclosure. Various procedures or components may be omitted, substituted, or added as appropriate in each example. For example, the described method may be performed in a different order than described, and various steps may be added, omitted, or combined. Furthermore, features described with respect to some examples may be combined with some other examples. For example, an apparatus or method may be implemented using any number of the arrangements set forth herein. Moreover, the scope of this disclosure is intended to cover such apparatus or methods implemented using structures, functionalities, or structures and functionalities other than those set forth herein or different from those set forth herein. It should be understood that any arrangement of the disclosed content may be embodied by one or more elements of the claim. The term "exemplary" is used herein to mean "serving as an example, instance, or illustration." Any state described as "exemplary" in this document is not necessarily to be interpreted as preferred or superior to other states.

[0033] Typically, any number of wireless networks can be deployed in a given geographical area. Each wireless network can support a specific Radio Access Technology (RAT) and can operate on one or more frequencies. A RAT may also be referred to as a radio technology, air interface, etc. A frequency may also be referred to as a carrier, subcarrier, frequency channel, tone, subband, etc. Each frequency can support a single RAT in a given geographical area to avoid interference between wireless networks with different RATs.

[0034] The techniques described herein can be used in a variety of wireless networks and radio technologies. Although this document may use terms commonly associated with third-generation (3G), 4G, and / or new radio (e.g., 5G New Radio (NR)) wireless technologies to describe various forms, the forms disclosed herein can be applied to communication systems based on other generations.

[0035] NR Access supports a variety of wireless communication services, such as enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB) targeting wide bandwidth, millimeter wave (mmW), massive machine-type communications (mMTC) targeting backward-incompatible MTC technology, and / or mission-critical ultra-reliable low-latency communications (URLLC). These services may include latency and reliability requirements. They may also have different transmission time intervals (TTIs) to meet corresponding quality of service (QoS) requirements. Furthermore, these services can coexist within the same subframe.

[0036] The electromagnetic spectrum is typically subdivided into various categories, bands, channels, etc., based on frequency / wavelength. In 5G NR, the two initial operating bands have been designated as frequency range names FR1 (410 MHz – 7.125 GHz) and FR2 (24.25 GHz – 52.6 GHz). The frequencies between FR1 and FR2 are usually referred to as the band center frequencies. Although a portion of FR1 is greater than 6 GHz, in various documents and articles, FR1 is often (interchangeably) referred to as the "Sub-6 GHz" band. Similar naming issues sometimes arise regarding FR2; although FR2 differs from the extremely high frequency (EHF) band (30 GHz – 300 GHz), it is often (interchangeably) referred to as the "millimeter wave" band in documents and articles, while the EHF band is designated as the "millimeter wave" band by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU).

[0037] In light of the above, unless otherwise specifically stated, it should be understood that the term "sub-6 GHz," as used herein, can broadly refer to frequencies less than 6 GHz, within FR1, or including the center frequency of a frequency band. Furthermore, unless otherwise specifically stated, it should be understood that the term "millimeter wave," as used herein, can broadly refer to frequencies that can include the center frequency of a frequency band, within FR2, or within the EHF band.

[0038] NR supports beamforming and allows for dynamic beam direction configuration. It also supports MIMO transmission with pre-coded MIMO. MIMO configurations in DL can support up to 8 transmit antennas, with up to 8 streams in multi-layer DL transmission and up to 2 streams per UE. Multi-layer transmission with up to 2 streams per UE is supported. Aggregation of multiple cells with up to 8 serving cells is supported.

[0039] Example wireless communication system

[0040] Figure 1 illustrates an example wireless communication network 100 in which various forms of this disclosure may be performed. For example, according to some forms, the wireless communication network 100 may include a base station (BS) 110 and / or a user equipment (UE) 120 configured to manage the processing of a phase tracking reference signal (PTRS). As shown in Figure 1, UE 120a includes a PTRS manager 122 configured to perform operation 700 of Figure 7, and BS 110a includes a PTRS manager 112 configured to perform operation 800 of Figure 8.

[0041] Wireless communication network 100 may be a new radio (NR) system (e.g., a fifth-generation (5G) NR network). As shown in Figure 1, wireless communication network 100 may communicate with a core network. The core network may communicate with BS 110a-z (each of which is also individually referred to herein as BS 110 or collectively as BS 110) and / or UE 120a-y (each of which is also individually referred to herein as UE 120 or collectively as UE 120) in wireless communication network 100 via one or more interfaces.

[0042] BS 110 can provide communication coverage for a specific geographic area (sometimes referred to as a "cell"), which may be fixed or movable depending on the location of the mobile BS 110. In some instances, BS 110 can interconnect with each other and / or with one or more other BSs or network nodes (not shown) in the wireless communication network 100 using any suitable transport network via various types of backhaul interfaces (e.g., direct physical connection, wireless connection, virtual network, etc.). In the example shown in Figure 1, BS 110a, 110b, and 110c may be macro BSs for macro cells 102a, 102b, and 102c, respectively. BS 110x may be a pico BS for pico cells 102x. BS 110y and 110z may be femto BSs for femto cells 102y and 102z, respectively. BS 110 can support one or more cells.

[0043] BS 110 communicates with UE 120 in the wireless communication network 100. UE 120 (e.g., 120x, 120y, etc.) may be distributed throughout the wireless communication network 100, and each UE 120 may be fixed or mobile. The wireless communication network 100 may also include relay stations (e.g., relay station 110r) (also referred to as repeaters, etc.), which receive data and / or other information transmissions from upstream stations (e.g., BS 110a or UE 120r) and send data and / or other information transmissions to downstream stations (e.g., UE 120 or BS 110), or relay transmissions between UE 120 to facilitate communication between devices.

[0044] Network controller 130 can communicate with a group of BSs 110 and provide coordination and control (e.g., via backhaul) for these BSs 110. In various forms, network controller 130 can communicate with core network 132 (e.g., 5G core network (5GC)), which provides various network functions such as access and mobility management, communication period management, user plane functions, policy control functions, authentication server functions, unified data management, application functions, network exposure functions, network repository functions, network slice selection functions, etc.

[0045] Figure 2 illustrates example components of BS 110a and UE 120a (e.g., in the wireless communication network 100 of Figure 1).

[0046] At BS 110a, the transmitting processor 220 can receive data from data source 212 and control information from controller / processor 240. Control information can be used for Entity Broadcast Channel (PBCH), Entity Control Format Indicator Channel (PCFICH), Entity Hybrid ARQ (Automatic Repeat Request) Indicator Channel (PHICH), Entity Downlink Control Channel (PDCCH), Group Common PDCCH (GC PDCCH), etc. Data can be used for Entity Downlink Shared Channel (PDSCH), etc. The Media Access Control-Control Element (MAC-CE) is a MAC layer communication structure used for exchanging control commands between wireless nodes. The MAC-CE can be carried in shared channels (such as PDSCH, Entity Uplink Shared Channel (PUSCH), or Entity Side-Link Shared Channel (PSSCH)).

[0047] Transmit processor 220 can process (e.g., encoding and symbol mapping) data and control information separately to obtain data symbols and control symbols. Processor 220 can also generate reference signals (such as for primary synchronization signal (PSS), secondary synchronization signal (SSS), and channel status information reference symbols (CSI-RS)). Transmit (TX) multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) processor 230 can perform spatial processing (e.g., precoding, if applicable) on data symbols, control symbols, and / or reference symbols, and can provide output symbol streams to modulators (MODs) in transceivers 232a-232t. Each MOD in transceivers 232a-232t can process the corresponding output symbol stream (e.g., for quadrature frequency division multiplexing (OFDM), etc.) to obtain an output sample stream. Each MOD in transceivers 232a-232t can further process (e.g., convert to analog, amplify, filter, and upconvert) the output sample stream to obtain a downlink (DL) signal. The DL signal from the MOD in the transceiver 232a-232t can be transmitted via antennas 234a-234t respectively.

[0048] At UE 120a, antennas 252a-252r can receive DL signals from BS 110a and can provide the received signals to demodulators (DEMODs) in transceivers 254a-254r respectively. Each DEMOD of transceivers 254 can adjust (e.g., filter, amplify, downconvert, and digitize) the corresponding received signal to obtain an input sample. Each DEMOD of transceivers 254 can further process the input sample (e.g., for OFDM, etc.) to obtain received symbols. MIMO detector 256 can obtain received symbols from all DEMODs in transceivers 254a-254r, perform MIMO detection on the received symbols (if applicable), and provide the detected symbols. The receiver processor 258 can process (e.g., demodulate, deinterleave, and decode) the detected symbols, provide decoded data for UE 120a to the data slot 260, and provide decoded control information to the controller / processor 280.

[0049] On the uplink (UL), at UE 120a, the transmitting processor 264 can receive and process data from data source 262 (e.g., for PUSCH) and control information from controller / processor 280 (e.g., for Physical Uplink Control Channel (PUCCH)). The transmitting processor 264 can also generate reference symbols for reference signals (e.g., for Sounding Reference Signal (SRS)). Symbols from the transmitting processor 264 can be pre-encoded (if applicable) by the transmitting MIMO processor 266, further processed by demodulators (e.g., for SC-FDM, etc.) in transceivers 254a-254r, and transmitted to BS 110a. At BS 110a, the UL signal from UE 120a can be received by antenna 234, processed by DEMOD in transceiver 232, detected (if applicable) by MIMO detector 236, and further processed by receiving processor 238 to obtain decoded data and control information transmitted by UE 120a. The receiver processor 238 can provide decoded data to the data slot 239 and decoded control information to the controller / processor 240.

[0050] Memory units 242 and 282 can store data and code for BS 110a and UE 120a, respectively. Scheduler 244 can schedule UE 120a for data transmission on DL and / or UL.

[0051] The antenna 252, processors 266, 258, 264, and / or controller / processor 280 of UE 120a and / or the antenna 234, processors 220, 230, 238, and / or controller / processor 240 of BS 110a can be used to perform the various techniques and methods described herein. For example, as shown in FIG2, the controller / processor 240 of BS 110a has a PTRS manager 241, which can be configured to perform the operations shown in FIG8 and other operations disclosed herein. As shown in FIG2, the controller / processor 280 of UE 120a has a PTRS manager 281, which can be configured to perform the operations shown in FIG7 and other operations disclosed herein. Although shown at the controller / processor, other components of UE 120a and BS 110a can be used to perform the operations described herein.

[0052] NR can utilize OFDM with a cyclic prefix (CP) on both UL and DL. NR supports half-duplex operation using time-division duplex (TDD). OFDM and single-carrier frequency-division multiplexing (SC-FDM) divide the system bandwidth into multiple orthogonal subcarriers, which are often referred to as tones, bins, etc. Data can be used to modulate each subcarrier. Modulation symbols can be transmitted in the frequency domain using OFDM and in the time domain using SC-FDM. The spacing between adjacent subcarriers can be fixed, and the total number of subcarriers can depend on the system bandwidth. The minimum resource configuration, called a resource block (RB), is 12 consecutive subcarriers. The system bandwidth can also be divided into subbands. For example, a subband can cover multiple RBs. NR supports a basic subcarrier spacing (SCS) of 15 kHz and other SCSs (e.g., 30 kHz, 60 kHz, 120 kHz, 240 kHz, etc.) can be defined relative to the basic SCS.

[0053] Figure 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of frame format 300 for NR. Transmission isochrones for each of DL and UL can be divided into radio frames. Each radio frame may have a predetermined duration (e.g., 10 ms) and may be divided into 10 sub-frames with indices from 0 to 9, each sub-frame being 1 ms long. Each sub-frame may include a variable number of time slots (e.g., 1, 2, 4, 8, 16... time slots), depending on the SCS. Each time slot may include a variable number of symbol periods (e.g., 7, 12, or 14 symbols), depending on the SCS. Indices may be assigned to the symbol periods in each time slot. The sub-slot structure may indicate transmission time intervals with durations shorter than the time slots (e.g., 2, 3, or 4 symbols). Each symbol of a time slot may be configured for a link direction (e.g., DL, UL, or flexible) for data transmission, and the link direction of each sub-frame may be dynamically switched. The link direction may be based on the time slot format. Each time slot may include DL / UL data and DL / UL control information.

[0054] In NR, a synchronization signal block (SSB) is transmitted. In some configurations, the SSB can be transmitted in short pulses, where each short pulse's SSB corresponds to a different beam direction used for UE-side beam management (e.g., including beam selection and / or beam refinement). The SSB includes the PSS, SSS, and a two-symbol PBCH. The SSB can be transmitted in fixed time slot locations (such as symbols 0-3 shown in Figure 3). The PSS and SSS can be used by the UE for cell search and capture. The PSS provides half-frame timing, and the synchronization signal (SS) provides CP length and frame timing. The PSS and SSS provide cell identity. The PBCH carries basic system information such as DL system bandwidth, timing information within the radio frame, SS short pulse set periodicity, and system frame number. SSBs can be organized into SS short pulses to support beam scanning. Additional system information, such as Residual Minimum System Information (RMSI), System Block (SIB), and Other System Information (OSI), can be transmitted on the PDSCH in certain sub-frames. For mmWave, SSBs can be transmitted up to sixty-four times, for example, using up to sixty-four different beam directions. Multiple transmissions of SSBs are called SS short pulse sets. SSBs in an SS short pulse set can be transmitted in the same frequency region, while SSBs in different SS short pulse sets can be transmitted in different frequency regions.

[0055] Example Phase Tracking Reference Signal (PTRS)

[0056] In New Radio (NR), a Phase Tracking Reference Signal (PTRS) is used to track the phase of the Local Oscillator (LO) at both the transmitter and receiver. For example, a User Equipment (UE) can use a Downlink (DL) PTRS (in the Physical Downlink Shared Channel (PDSCH)) to track the phase of its LO, while a Network Entity (e.g., gNB) can use an Uplink (UL) PTRS (in the Physical Uplink Shared Channel (PUSCH)) to track the phase of its LO. Phase tracking enables suppression of phase noise and Common Phase Error (CPE), particularly at higher frequencies (e.g., mmWave).

[0057] In NR, Radio Resource Control (RRC) signal delivery can provide semi-static configuration for both DL PTRS and UL PTRS. Specific time-domain and frequency-domain resources (presence and density) for the PTRS can be dynamically determined. For example, time density (e.g., which symbols) is determined by the scheduling modulation and coding scheme (MCS), while frequency density is determined by the scheduling bandwidth (e.g., in terms of the number of resource blocks (RBs)).

[0058] In some cases, PTRS can be used to estimate and correct the phase of quadrature amplitude modulation (QAM) signals. In some cases, the impact of phase noise is greater for UEs assigned a higher MCS as the modulation order increases.

[0059] PTRS can be configured based on oscillator quality, carrier frequency, subcarrier spacing, and / or the MCS used for transmission. In some cases, the UE may receive signal transmissions indicating parameters (e.g., K_ptrs, L_ptrs, and Kref) that specify the resource element (RE) allocated for PTRS within the PDSCH in the DL or the PUSCH in the time-frequency resources allocated by the UE's UL. In some cases (e.g., for a given PTRS time-frequency density), Kref can be used to shift PTRS REs in the frequency domain within a resource block (RB).

[0060] Example Demodulation Reference Signal (DMRS) included

[0061] The new radio (NR) supports the aggregation of up to eight repeated transmissions for coverage enhancement. For such repetitions of transmissions completed within or between time slots, NR can support the accompaniment of a demodulation reference signal (DMRS) across one or more time slots in the time domain to enable coherent decoding of the DMRS-accompanied transmission. The DMRS is estimated by the receiver using radio channels for demodulation of the associated physical channels. The DMRS design and mapping can be specific to each downlink (DL) and uplink (UL) NR channel.

[0062] When DMRS is configured, the User Equipment (UE) can perform (joint) channel estimation based on DMRS received across multiple symbols or time slots, rather than performing channel estimation separately for each individual time slot based on DMRS received in that time slot. For example, DMRS is transmitted along with a control channel (e.g., the Physical Downlink Control Channel (PDCCH)) that enables the receiving device to accompany (e.g., coherently combine) DMRS over time. DMRS can be transmitted coherently at different times. At the receiver, channel estimates determined based on DMRS at different times can be coherently combined to enhance channel estimation performance and improve channel estimation accuracy.

[0063] In some cases, when DMRS is transmitted across different time slots, it may be enabled only on certain repetitions. For example, as shown in Figure 4, DMRS is enabled only on the first and last repetitions. DMRS may not be allocated to intermediate repetitions to reduce the code rate in those transport blocks (TBs). Therefore, although a lower code rate is achieved by not allocating DMRS to intermediate repetitions, this may also lead to reduced channel estimation performance.

[0064] To further improve efficiency, as shown in Figure 5, a low-density reference signal (e.g., a phase tracking reference signal (PTRS)) is allocated in intermediate repetitions where no DMRS is assigned. This allows for maintaining low code rate and phase continuity across transmissions and facilitates coherent decoding of the data. As shown in Figure 6, PTRS is transmitted across multiple time slots (e.g., 4 time slots) and different repetitions (e.g., 4 repetitions) of symbols based on a static PTRS configuration (e.g., the same frequency resources used for PTRS across different repetitions).

[0065] In some cases (e.g., use cases with long repetitions and sub-6 operations), the PTRS density must be adjusted to improve performance (e.g., to achieve a lower bit rate). However, if the PTRS density is increased to further improve performance, this will render the purpose of DMRS accompaniment invalid and limit the bit rate in repetitions where the PTRS density is increased.

[0066] Example PTRS jumps in different repetitions based on PTRS jump offset

[0067] Various embodiments of this disclosure provide apparatus, methods, processing systems, and computer-readable media for phase tracking reference signal (PTRS) bridging within repetitions of physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH) / physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH) transmission and / or PDSCH / PUSCH transmission.

[0068] PTRS hopping (e.g., changing the frequency resources used for PTRS across different repetitions based on PTRS hopping offset) can achieve demodulation reference signal (DMRS) accompaniment (including PTRS repetitions) with greater efficiency. For example, in conventional systems, static PTRS configuration in the case of DMRS accompaniment (e.g., the same frequency resources used for PTRS across different repetitions) can lead to high code rates (e.g., due to a high number of repetitions). However, based on the technique described herein, PTRS is allocated across different frequency resources according to PTRS hopping offset. Therefore, the diversity is superior because PTRS is extended across different frequency resources. This can result in lower code rates and facilitates coherent decoding of DMRS accompaniment transmissions.

[0069] Figure 7 is a flowchart illustrating an example operation 700 for wireless communication performed by a user equipment (UE) according to certain embodiments of this disclosure. Operation 700 may be performed, for example, by a UE 120a in a wireless communication network 100. Operation 700 may be implemented as a software component executed and performed on one or more processors (e.g., the controller / processor 280 of Figure 2). Furthermore, the transmission and reception of signals by the UE in operation 700 may be achieved, for example, via one or more antennas (e.g., antenna 252 of Figure 2). In some embodiments, the transmission and / or reception of signals by the UE may be achieved via a bus interface for acquiring and / or outputting signals by one or more processors (e.g., the controller / processor 280).

[0070] At 702, operation 700 is initiated by receiving an indication of at least one PTRS hop offset from a network entity. For example, the UE may use the antenna and receiver / transceiver components of the UE 120a shown in FIG. 1 or FIG. 2 and / or the device shown in FIG. 11 to receive the indication of at least one PTRS hop offset from a network entity.

[0071] At 704, the UE processes PTRS transmitted across different transmissions spanning multiple symbols or time slots, and the frequency resources used for the PTRS are varied across the different transmissions based on at least one PTRS hop offset. For example, the UE may use the processor, antenna, and / or transceiver components of UE 120a shown in Figure 1 or 2 and / or the device shown in Figure 11 to process PTRS transmitted across different transmissions spanning multiple symbols or time slots. The different transmissions are part of an aggregation or repetition pattern of transmissions. In some cases, processing PTRS may include transmitting PTRS in an uplink (UL) time slot. In some cases, processing PTRS may include monitoring PTRS in a downlink (DL) time slot.

[0072] Figure 8 is a flowchart illustrating an example operation 800 for wireless communication performed by a network entity according to certain embodiments of the present disclosure. Operation 800 may be performed, for example, by a network entity (e.g., BS 110a in wireless communication network 100). Operation 800 may be implemented as software components executed and performed on one or more processors (e.g., controller / processor 240 of Figure 2). Furthermore, the transmission and reception of signals by the network entity in operation 800 may be achieved, for example, via one or more antennas (e.g., antenna 234 of Figure 2). In some embodiments, the transmission and / or reception of signals by the network entity may be achieved via bus interfaces for acquiring and / or outputting signals of one or more processors (e.g., controller / processor 240).

[0073] At 802, operation 800 is initiated by sending an indication to the UE for at least one PTRS hop offset. For example, the network entity may use the antenna and transmitter / transceiver elements of the BS 110a shown in FIG. 1 or FIG. 2 and / or the device shown in FIG. 12 to send an indication to the UE for at least one PTRS hop offset.

[0074] At 804, the network entity processes PTRS transmitted across different transmissions spanning multiple symbols or time slots, and the frequency resources used for the PTRS are varied across different transmissions based on at least one PTRS hop offset. For example, the network entity may use the processor, antenna, and / or transceiver components of the BS 110a shown in Figure 1 or 2 and / or the device shown in Figure 12 to process PTRS transmitted across different transmissions spanning multiple symbols or time slots. In some cases, processing PTRS may include monitoring PTRS in the UL time slot. In some cases, processing PTRS may include transmitting PTRS in the DL time slot.

[0075] The operations shown in Figures 7 and 8 can be understood by referring to Figures 9 and 10.

[0076] In some configurations, the network entity sends a signal transmission of an indication parameter (e.g., Kref) to the UE. This parameter indicates the initial value (e.g., the value could be 0 to 11) of the PTRS subcarrier used in a configurable transmission offset from the initial transmission. The UE can determine the frequency resources for the PTRS in each subsequent transmission after the initial transmission based on a first algorithm (e.g., (Kref + PTRS hop offset) / 12). In the first algorithm, Kref represents the value of the PTRS subcarrier used for the previous transmission.

[0077] As shown in Figure 9, PTRS is transmitted across multiple time slots (e.g., 4 time slots) and different repetitions of symbols (e.g., 4 repetitions). In the example shown, the network entity allocates 3 resource blocks (RBs) for the PTRS. The network entity configures the Kref value (e.g., the initial value of the PTRS subcarrier) of the PTRS in the initial repetition (e.g., repetition number 0) to 0. The network entity configures the PTRS hop offset value to 4. For each scheduled repetition of the PTRS, the allocation of frequency resources for the PTRS is shifted, and the frequency resources for the PTRS are determined based on a first algorithm. For example, in the next repetition of the PTRS after the initial repetition (e.g., repetition number 1), the new value of the Kref of the PTRS is determined based on the first algorithm (e.g., (0+4) / 12=4), which is based on the Kref value of the previous repetition (e.g., 0) and the PTRS hop offset. In subsequent repetitions of the PTRS (e.g., repetition number 2), the new value of Kref for the PTRS is determined based on a first algorithm (e.g., (4+4) / 12=8), which is based on the Kref value of the previous repetition (e.g., 4) and the PTRS transition offset. In the final repetition of the PTRS (e.g., repetition number 3), the new value of Kref for the PTRS is determined based on a first algorithm (e.g., (8+4) / 12=0), which is based on the Kref value of the previous repetition (e.g., 8) and the PTRS transition offset. Therefore, the PTRS extends across different frequency resources across repetitions according to the PTRS transition offset.

[0078] In certain scenarios, the UE can detect collisions between frequency resources and DC subcarriers (e.g., determined using a first algorithm for a given PTRS repetition). When a collision is detected, the UE can adjust the frequency resources determined using the first algorithm for the PTRS to avoid the collision.

[0079] As shown in Figure 10, PTRS is transmitted across multiple time slots (e.g., 4 time slots) and different repetitions of symbols (e.g., 4 repetitions). The network entity configures the Kref value (e.g., the initial value of the PTRS subcarrier) of the PTRS in the initial repetition (e.g., repetition number 0) to 4. The network entity configures the PTRS hop offset value to 1. The UE determines the frequency resources for the PTRS in each subsequent repetition after the initial repetition based on a first algorithm. In the last repetition of the PTRS (e.g., repetition number 3), the UE can detect a conflict between the frequency resources for the PTRS determined using the first algorithm and the DC subcarrier. To prevent this conflict, the UE determines a new value for the Kref of the PTRS in the last repetition based on a second algorithm (e.g., (Kref + PTRS hop offset + 1) / 12). The frequency resources for the PTRS determined using the second algorithm avoid conflict with the DC subcarrier.

[0080] In certain configurations, to prevent potential conflicts between PTRS resource elements (REs) and DC subcarriers, network entities can configure the PTRS hop offset value to ensure that there are no conflicts between PTRS REs and DC subcarriers.

[0081] In some configurations, the UE receives a signal delivery (e.g., Downlink Control Information (DCI) or Media Access Control (MAC) element (CE)) from a network entity that enables PTRS hopping across different transmissions spanning multiple symbols or time slots, based on the PTRS hopping offset. For example, based on the PTRS hopping offset, PTRS hopping can be enabled in one or more repetitions of a PUSCH transmission. In another instance, based on the PTRS hopping offset, PTRS hopping can be enabled in one or more repetitions of a PDSCH transmission. When PTRS hopping is enabled, PTRS is extended across different frequency resources across repetitions based on the PTRS frequency hopping offset.

[0082] In some configurations, the UE receives a signal from the network entity that disables PTRS hops across different transmissions spanning multiple symbols or time slots. When PTRS hops are disabled, PTRS extension is not performed across different frequency resources. In other configurations, the UE receives a signal from the network entity indicating an updated value for the PTRS hop offset. Therefore, PTRS extension is subsequently performed across different frequency resources based on the updated PTRS hop offset value.

[0083] In some scenarios, the UE receives a reset signal from the network entity indicating the number of hops. After the reset, the UE can determine the PTRS frequency resources for subsequent PTRS transmissions based on the initial value of the PTRS subcarrier. In some cases, when determining the offset of all hops and the REs used for hops, the network entity may consider the DC subcarrier position reported by the DL or UL UE to avoid the PTRS RE falling on the DC tone.

[0084] In some states, the UE receives from the network entity indications of different PTRS configurations corresponding to different PTRS hop offsets. In one instance, different PTRS hop offsets are based on different modulation and coding schemes (MCS). In another instance, different PTRS hop offsets are based on different frequency ranges. In yet another instance, different PTRS hop offsets are based on different frequency bands. In another instance, different PTRS hop offsets are based on different subcarrier spacings. In yet another instance, different PTRS hop offsets are based on one or more of different MCS, frequency ranges, frequency bands, and subcarrier spacings. In some states, the UE may receive from the network entity signaling for dynamically switching different PTRS configurations on or off. In some states, the UE may receive from the network entity signaling for enabling a specific PTRS configuration from different PTRS configurations.

[0085] In some configurations, the UE can be configured with multiple coded characters for multi-level scheduling / transmission. In this case, the UE can receive from the network entity indications of different PTRS hop offsets corresponding to different coded characters.

[0086] In certain scenarios, the network entity can configure multiple UEs in multi-user (MU) multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) mode with PTRS configuration. In this case, the network entity can send the rate matching mode and the PTRS configuration of other UEs to each UE.

[0087] The techniques described herein can be utilized when the allocation of transport block (TB) in a time slot overlaps (e.g., rate matching) with other reference signals (RS) such as channel status information-RS (CSI-RS). In such cases, parameters (e.g., in the form of hop offsets) provide flexibility to avoid overlap with other RSs. The techniques described herein also provide flexibility to select different PTRS hop offsets to avoid any conflicts with the DC subcarrier.

[0088] The techniques described herein overcome the problems associated with static PTRS configuration in the case of DMRS appendages and longer repetitions, and achieve DMRS appendages with greater efficiency. For example, based on the techniques described herein, on repetitions with unallocated DMRS, PTRS are allocated across different frequency resources spanning the repetition according to the PTRS jump offset. Therefore, the diversity is superior due to the extension of PTRS across different frequency resources, and this can facilitate coherent decoding of DMRS appendage transmissions. Furthermore, the techniques described herein enable PTRS allocation within DMRS time slots, and PTRS RE jumps can occur in transmissions / repetitions that may have DMRS symbols. Moreover, the techniques described herein may not violate any rules of phase estimation within the allocation of TBs, because within the allocation, PTRS positions do not jump (since PTRS only jump from one TB to another).

[0089] Example wireless communication device

[0090] Figure 11 illustrates a communication device 1100, which may include various components (e.g., corresponding means plus function components) configured to perform operations for the techniques disclosed herein (such as those shown in Figure 7). The communication device 1100 includes a processing system 1102 coupled to a transceiver 1108 (e.g., a transmitter and / or receiver). The transceiver 1108 is configured to transmit and receive signals for the communication device 1100 via an antenna 1110, such as the various signals described herein. The processing system 1102 is configured to perform processing functions for the communication device 1100 (including processing signals received and / or to be transmitted by the communication device 1100).

[0091] Processing system 1102 includes processor 1104 coupled to computer-readable media / memory 1112 via bus 1106. In some embodiments, computer-readable media / memory 1112 is configured to store instructions (e.g., computer-executable code) that, when executed by processor 1104, cause processor 1104 to perform the operations shown in FIG. 7 or other operations for performing the various techniques discussed herein. In some embodiments, computer-readable media / memory 1112 stores code 1114 for receiving and code 1116 for processing. Code 1114 for receiving may include code for receiving an indication from a network entity of at least one phase tracking reference signal (PTRS) bridging offset. Code 1116 for processing may include code for processing PTRS transmitted in different transmissions spanning multiple symbols or time slots, wherein frequency resources for PTRS are varied across different transmissions based on at least one PTRS bridging offset.

[0092] Processor 1104 may include circuitry configured to implement code stored in computer-readable media / memory 1112, such as for performing the operations shown in FIG. 7 and other operations for performing the various techniques discussed herein. For example, processor 1104 includes circuitry 1118 for receiving and circuitry 1120 for processing. Circuitry 1118 for receiving may include circuitry for receiving an indication of at least one PTRS bridging offset from a network entity. Circuitry 1120 for processing may include circuitry for processing PTRS transmitted across different transmissions spanning multiple symbols or time slots, wherein frequency resources for PTRS are varied across different transmissions based on at least one PTRS bridging offset.

[0093] Figure 12 illustrates a communication device 1200, which may include various components (e.g., corresponding means plus function components) configured to perform operations for the techniques disclosed herein (such as those shown in Figure 8). The communication device 1200 includes a processing system 1202 coupled to a transceiver 1208 (e.g., a transmitter and / or receiver). The transceiver 1208 is configured to transmit and receive signals for the communication device 1200 via an antenna 1210, such as the various signals described herein. The processing system 1202 is configured to perform processing functions for the communication device 1200 (including processing signals received and / or to be transmitted by the communication device 1200).

[0094] Processing system 1202 includes processor 1204 coupled to computer-readable media / memory 1212 via bus 1206. In some embodiments, computer-readable media / memory 1212 is configured to store instructions (e.g., computer-executable code) that, when executed by processor 1204, cause processor 1204 to perform the operations shown in FIG. 8 or other operations for performing the various techniques discussed herein. In some embodiments, computer-readable media / memory 1212 stores code 1214 for transmission and code 1216 for processing. Code 1214 for transmission may include code for sending an indication to the UE of at least one PTRS bridging offset. Code 1216 for processing may include code for processing PTRS transmitted across multiple symbols or time slots, wherein frequency resources for PTRS are changed across different transmissions based on at least one PTRS bridging offset.

[0095] Processor 1204 may include circuitry configured to implement code stored in computer-readable media / memory 1212, such as for performing the operations shown in FIG. 8 and other operations for performing the various techniques discussed herein. For example, processor 1204 includes circuitry 1218 for transmission and circuitry 1220 for processing. Transmission circuitry 1218 may include circuitry for transmitting an indication to the UE of at least one PTRS bridging offset. Processing circuitry 1220 may include circuitry for processing PTRS transmitted across different transmissions spanning multiple symbols or time slots, wherein frequency resources for PTRS are varied across different transmissions based on at least one PTRS bridging offset.

[0096] Example state

[0097] Implementation examples are described in the following numbered formats.

[0098] In a first embodiment, a method for wireless communication performed by a user equipment (UE) includes: receiving from a network entity an indication of at least one phase tracking reference signal (PTRS) bridging offset; and processing PTRS transmitted in different transmissions spanning multiple symbols or time slots, wherein frequency resources for the PTRS are changed across the different transmissions based on the at least one PTRS bridging offset.

[0099] In the second state sample, either alone or in combination with the first state sample, the processing includes at least one of the following: transmitting the PTRS in an uplink (UL) time slot; or monitoring the PTRS in a downlink (DL) time slot.

[0100] In the third state sample, a signal transmission of parameters is received from the network entity, either alone or in combination with one or more of the first and second state samples, the parameters indicating the initial value of the PTRS subcarrier for the PTRS in a configurable transmission offset from the initial transmission.

[0101] In the fourth state sample, the frequency resource for the PTRS in each subsequent transmission, either alone or in combination with one or more of the first to third state samples, is determined based on an algorithm that is based on the value of the PTRS subcarrier used for the previous transmission and the at least one PTRS hop offset.

[0102] In the fifth state sample, either alone or in combination with one or more of the first to fourth state samples, a conflict between the frequency resource determined by the PTRS for a given transmission using the algorithm and the DC subcarrier is detected; and the frequency resource determined using the algorithm is adjusted to avoid the conflict.

[0103] In the sixth state sample, either alone or in combination with one or more of the first to fifth state samples, the network entity receives a signal transmission that enables or disables PTRS bridging in the different transmissions spanning the plurality of symbols or time slots based on the at least one PTRS bridging offset.

[0104] In the seventh state, a signal transmission indicating an updated PTRS hop offset is received from the network entity, either alone or in combination with one or more of the first to sixth state states.

[0105] In the eighth state, a reset signal indicating the number of hops is received from the network entity, either alone or in combination with one or more of the first to seventh state samples; and the PTRS frequency resources for subsequent transmissions are determined based on the initial value of the PTRS subcarrier after the reset.

[0106] In the ninth state sample, either alone or in combination with one or more states from the first to the eighth state samples, the different transmission is part of an aggregated or repeated transmission pattern.

[0107] In the tenth state sample, either alone or in combination with one or more states from the first to the ninth state samples, PTRS bridging is enabled in one or more repetitions of the physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH) transmission and the physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH) transmission, based on the at least one PTRS bridging offset.

[0108] In the eleventh state sample, either alone or in combination with one or more of the first to tenth state samples, the UE is configured with multiple coded characters, and the UE receives different PTRS hop offsets for different coded characters.

[0109] In the twelfth state sample, either alone or in combination with one or more of the first to eleventh state samples, the indication indicates a different PTRS transition offset based on one or more of the following: different modulation and coding schemes (MCS), different frequency ranges, frequency bands, and subcarrier spacing.

[0110] In the thirteenth state sample, either alone or in combination with one or more of the first to twelfth state samples, the indication is used to indicate different PTRS configurations corresponding to different PTRS transition offsets, and wherein the UE receives a signal transmission for dynamically switching the different PTRS configurations on or off.

[0111] In the fourteenth state sample, either alone or in combination with one or more state samples from the first to the thirteenth state samples, the indication is used to indicate different PTRS configurations corresponding to different PTRS transition offsets, and wherein the UE receives a signal transmission for enabling a specific PTRS configuration from the different PTRS configuration.

[0112] In the fifteenth state, a method for wireless communication performed by a network entity includes: sending an indication to a user equipment (UE) of at least one phase tracking reference signal (PTRS) bridging offset; and processing the PTRS transmitted in different transmissions spanning multiple symbols or time slots, wherein frequency resources for the PTRS are changed across the different transmissions based on the at least one PTRS bridging offset.

[0113] In the sixteenth state sample, alone or in combination with the fifteenth state sample, the processing includes at least one of the following: monitoring the PTRS in an uplink (UL) time slot; or transmitting the PTRS in a downlink (DL) time slot.

[0114] In the seventeenth state sample, either alone or in combination with one or more of the fifteenth and sixteenth state samples, a parameter signal is transmitted to the UE, the parameter indicating the initial value of the PTRS subcarrier for the PTRS in a configurable transmission offset from the initial transmission.

[0115] In the eighteenth state sample, the frequency resource for the PTRS in each subsequent transmission, either alone or in combination with one or more of the fifteenth to seventeenth state samples, is determined based on an algorithm that is based on the value of the PTRS subcarrier used for the previous transmission and the at least one PTRS hop offset.

[0116] In the nineteenth state sample, either alone or in combination with one or more of the fifteenth to eighteenth state samples, a signal transmission is sent to the UE to enable or disable PTRS relay in the different transmissions spanning the multiple symbols or time slots according to the at least one PTRS relay offset.

[0117] In the twentieth state sample, a signal indicating an updated PTRS hop offset is transmitted to the UE, either alone or in combination with one or more of the fifteenth to nineteenth state samples.

[0118] In the 21st state sample, a reset signal indicating the number of hops is sent to the UE, either alone or in combination with one or more of the 15th to 20th state samples, wherein the PTRS frequency resources for subsequent transmission are determined based on the initial value of the PTRS subcarrier after the reset.

[0119] In the 22nd state sample, either alone or in combination with one or more state samples from the 15th to 21st states, multiple UEs in the multi-user (MU) multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) mode are configured with PTRS configuration; and rate matching mode and PTRS configuration of other UEs are sent to each UE.

[0120] In the 23rd state sample, either alone or in combination with one or more states from the 15th to the 22nd state samples, the different transmission is part of an aggregated or repetitive transmission pattern.

[0121] In the 24th state sample, either alone or in combination with one or more states from the 15th to the 23rd state samples, PTRS bridging is enabled in one or more repetitions of the physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH) transmission and the physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH) transmission, based on the at least one PTRS bridging offset.

[0122] In the 25th state sample, either alone or in combination with one or more of the 15th to 24th state samples, the indication indicates different PTRS transition offsets based on one or more of the following: different modulation and coding schemes (MCS), different frequency ranges, frequency bands, and subcarrier spacing.

[0123] In the 26th state sample, alone or in combination with one or more of the 15th to 25th state samples, the indication is used to indicate different PTRS configurations corresponding to different PTRS hop offsets, and wherein the network entity sends a signal transmission to the UE for dynamically switching the different PTRS configurations on or off.

[0124] In the 27th state sample, alone or in combination with one or more state samples from the 15th to 26th state samples, the indication is used to indicate different PTRS configurations corresponding to different PTRS hop offsets, and wherein the network entity sends a signal transmission to the UE to enable a specific PTRS configuration from the different PTRS configuration.

[0125] An apparatus for wireless communication includes: at least one processor; and memory coupled to the at least one processor, the memory including code executable by the at least one processor to cause the apparatus to perform any one of a first to a twenty-seventh state.

[0126] An apparatus comprising: means for performing the method of any one of a first state sample to a twenty-seventh state sample.

[0127] A computer-readable medium having computer-executable code thereon for wireless communication, the computer-executable code causing a device to perform any one of a first to a twenty-seventh state when executed by at least one processor.

[0128] Additional considerations

[0129] The methods disclosed herein include one or more steps or actions for implementing the methods. These method steps and / or actions may be interchanged without departing from the scope of the claim. In other words, unless a specific order of steps or actions is specified, the order and / or use of a particular step and / or action may be modified without departing from the scope of the patent application.

[0130] As used herein, the phrase "at least one of" in a list of items refers to any combination of those items, including a single member. For example, "at least one of the following: a, b, or c" is intended to cover a, b, c, ab, ac, bc, and abc, and any combination of multiples of the same element (e.g., aa, aaa, aab, aac, abb, acc, bb, bbb, bbbc, cc, and ccc, or any other ordering of a, b, and c).

[0131] As used herein, the term "decision" encompasses a wide variety of actions. For example, "decision" can include calculation, operation, processing, deduction, investigation, examination (e.g., examining a table, database, or other data structure), ascertainment, etc. Furthermore, "decision" can include receiving (e.g., receiving information), accessing (e.g., accessing data in memory), etc. Additionally, "decision" can include parsing, selecting, choosing, creating, allocating, etc.

[0132] The foregoing description is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to implement the various embodiments described herein. Various modifications to these embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the overall principles defined herein can be applied to other embodiments. Therefore, the claim is not intended to be limited to the embodiments shown herein, but is given the full scope consistent with the wording of the claim, wherein, unless specifically stated otherwise, references to elements in the singular form are not intended to mean "one and only one," but rather "one or more." Unless otherwise expressly stated, the term "some" indicates one or more. All structural and functional equivalents of the elements throughout the various embodiments described in this disclosure are expressly incorporated herein by reference and intended to be included by the claim, such structural and functional equivalents being known or to be known by those skilled in the art. Furthermore, nothing disclosed herein is intended to be offered to the public, whether or not such disclosure is expressly stated in the claims of the patent application. No claim element is to be interpreted in accordance with the provisions of patent law unless the element is explicitly described using the phrase "means for..." or, in the case of a method claim, the element is described using the phrase "steps for...".

[0133] The various operations of the methods described above can be performed by any suitable means capable of performing the corresponding functions. These units may include various hardware and / or software components and / or modules, including but not limited to: circuits, application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), or processors. Typically, in the presence of the operations shown in the figures, these operations may have corresponding paired means plus functional components with similar numbering.

[0134] The various illustrative logic blocks, modules, and circuits described in this disclosure may be implemented or executed using a general-purpose processor, digital signal processor (DSP), application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), field-programmable gate array (FPGA) or other programmable logic device (PLD), discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof, designed to perform the functions described herein. The general-purpose processor may be a microprocessor, but alternatively, the processor may be any commercially available processor, controller, microcontroller, or state machine. The processor may also be implemented as a combination of computing devices, such as a combination of a DSP and a microprocessor, multiple microprocessors, one or more microprocessors combined with a DSP core, or any other such configuration.

[0135] If implemented in hardware, an example hardware setup may include a processing system in a wireless node. The processing system may be implemented using a bus architecture. Depending on the specific application and overall design constraints of the processing system, the bus may include any number of interconnecting buses and bridges. The bus can connect various circuits, including processors, machine-readable media, and bus interfaces. In addition, the bus interface can also be used to connect network interface cards (NICs) to the processing system via the bus. The NIC can be used to implement signal processing functions at the PHY layer. In the case of user equipment (UE) 120 (see Figure 1), user interfaces (e.g., keypad, display, mouse, joystick, etc.) may also be connected to the bus. The bus may also connect various other circuits, such as timing sources, peripheral devices, voltage regulators, power management circuits, etc., which are well known in the art and therefore will not be described further. The processor may be implemented using one or more general-purpose and / or special-purpose processors. Examples include microprocessors, microcontrollers, DSP processors, and other circuits that can execute software. Those skilled in the art will recognize how to optimally achieve the functionality described for the processing system, based on the specific application and the overall design constraints imposed on the system as a whole.

[0136] If implemented in software, the function can be stored on or transmitted via a computer-readable medium as one or more instructions or codes. Whether referred to as software, firmware, middleware, microcode, hardware description language, or other terms, software should be broadly interpreted to mean instructions, data, or any combination thereof. Computer-readable media includes both computer storage media and communication media, with communication media encompassing any media that facilitates the transfer of computer programs from one location to another. The processor may be responsible for managing the bus and general-purpose processing (including executing software modules stored on machine-readable storage media). The computer-readable storage media may be coupled to the processor, allowing the processor to read information from and write information to the storage media. Alternatively, the storage media may be an integral part of the processor. For example, machine-readable media may include transmission lines, data-modulated carrier waves, and / or separate computer-readable storage media containing instructions stored thereon, all accessible to the processor via a bus interface. Alternatively or additionally, machine-readable media, or any portion thereof, may be integrated into the processor; for example, this could be cache memory and / or a general-purpose temporary storage stack. Examples of machine-readable storage media include RAM (Random Access Memory), flash memory, ROM (Read-Only Memory), PROM (Programmable Read-Only Memory), EPROM (Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory), EEPROM (Electronic Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory), temporary storage, magnetic disks, optical disks, hard drives, or any other suitable storage media, or any combination thereof. Machine-readable media may be embodied in computer program products.

[0137] Software modules may include a single instruction or many instructions, and may be distributed across several different code segments, within different programs, and across multiple storage media. Computer-readable media may include multiple software modules. Software modules include instructions that, when executed by a device such as a processor, cause the processing system to perform various functions. Software modules may include transmit and receive modules. Each software module may reside in a single storage device or be distributed across multiple storage devices. For example, when a trigger event occurs, a software module may be loaded from a hard drive into RAM. During the execution of a software module, the processor may load some of the instructions into cache memory to increase access speed. Subsequently, one or more cache memory lines may be loaded into a general-purpose temporary register heap for execution by the processor. When the functionality of a software module is referred to below, it will be understood that this functionality is implemented by the processor when executing the instructions from that software module.

[0138] Furthermore, any connection is 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, DSL, or wireless technology (such as infrared (IR), radio, and microwave), then coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair, DSL, or wireless technology (such as infrared, radio, and microwave) is included in the definition of media. As used herein, disk and disc include compressed optical discs (CD), laser discs, optical discs, digital versatile discs (DVD), floppy disks, and Blu-ray® discs, where disks typically magnetically copy data, while discs optically copy data using lasers. Therefore, in some cases, computer-readable media may include non-transitory computer-readable media (e.g., physical media). Furthermore, in other cases, computer-readable media may include transient computer-readable media (e.g., signals). Combinations of the above should also be included within the scope of computer-readable media.

[0139] Therefore, certain forms may include a computer program product for performing the operations provided herein. For example, such a computer program product may include a computer-readable medium having instructions stored (and / or encoded thereon) thereon, which are executable by one or more processors to perform the operations described herein, such as instructions for performing the operations described herein and shown in Figures 7 and 8.

[0140] Furthermore, it should be understood that modules and / or other suitable means for performing the methods and techniques described herein may be downloaded and / or otherwise obtained by the user terminal and / or base station, where applicable. For example, such a device may be coupled to a server to facilitate the transmission of means for performing the methods described herein. Alternatively, the various methods described herein may be provided via storage means (e.g., RAM, ROM, physical storage media such as CDs or floppy disks, etc.) so that the user terminal and / or base station can access the various methods when a storage unit is coupled to or provided to the device. In addition, any other suitable techniques for providing the methods and techniques described herein to the device may be used.

[0141] It should be understood that the requested items are not limited to the precise configurations and components shown above. Various modifications, alterations, and variations may be made to the arrangement, operation, and details of the methods and apparatus described above without departing from the scope of the requested items.

[0142] 0: Subcarrier 1: Subcarrier 2: Subcarrier 3: Subcarrier 4: Subcarrier 5: Subcarrier 6: Subcarrier 7: Subcarrier 8: Subcarrier 9: Subcarrier 10: Subcarrier 11: Subcarrier 12: Subcarrier 13: Subcarrier 100: Subcarrier 102a: Macrocell 102b: Macrocell 102c: Macrocell 102x: microcells 102y: femtocellular 102z: femtocells 110a:BS 110b:BS 110c:BS 110r: Relay Station 110x:BS 110y:BS 110z:BS 112: PTRS Manager 120:UE 120a:UE 120r:UE 120x:UE 120y:UE 122: PTRS Manager 130: Network Controller 132: Core Network 220: Sending Processor 232a: Transceiver 232t: Transceiver 234a: Antenna 234t: Antenna 244: Scheduler 252a: Antenna 252r: Antenna 254a: Transceiver 254r: Transceiver 256: MIMO Detector 258: Receiver Processor 260: Data Slot 262: Source 264: Send Processor 280: Controller / Processor 281: PTRS Manager 282: Memory 300: Frame Format 700: Operation 702: Steps 704: Steps 800: Operation 802: Operation 804: Operation 1100: Communication equipment 1102: Processing System 1104: Processor 1106: Processing System 1108: Transceiver 1110: Antenna 1112: Computer-readable media / memory 1114: Code 1116: Code 1118: Circuit 1120: Circuit 1200: Communication equipment 1202: Processing System 1204: Processor 1206: Busbar 1208: Transceiver 1210: Antenna 1212: Computer-readable media / memory 1214: Code 1216: Code 1218: Circuit 1220: Circuit DC: Direct Current DMRS: Demodulation Reference Signal PBCH: Physical Broadcast Channel PSS: Primary Synchronization Signal PTRS: Phase Tracking Reference Signal SSS: Secondary Synchronization Signal

[0143] Domestic storage information (please note in order of storage institution, date, and number) none Overseas storage information (please note in the order of storage country, institution, date, and number) none

Claims

1. An apparatus for wireless communication performed by a user equipment (UE), comprising: One or more memories, the one or more memories including: instructions; and one or more processors configured to execute the instructions and cause the apparatus to perform the following steps: receiving from a network entity an indication of at least one PTRS bridging offset from a plurality of phase tracking reference signal (PTRS) bridging offsets, wherein the PTRS bridging offset indicates a change for frequency resources across two or more repeated PTRSs, and wherein the plurality of PTRS bridging offsets are based on different modulation and coding schemes (MCS); and processing PTRS transmitted in different demodulation reference signal (DMRS) accompanying transmissions across a plurality of symbols or time slots, wherein the frequency resources for the PTRSs are changed across the different DMRS accompanying transmissions based on the at least one PTRS bridging offset.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the one or more processors are configured to execute the instructions and cause the apparatus to process the PTRS by at least one of: transmitting the PTRS in an uplink (UL) time slot; or monitoring the PTRS in a downlink (DL) time slot.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the one or more processors are configured to execute the instructions and cause the apparatus to receive a signal transmission of a parameter from the network entity, the parameter indicating an initial value of a PTRS subcarrier of the PTRS in a configurable transmission from an initial transmission offset.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the frequency resources for the PTRS in each subsequent transmission are determined based on an algorithm based on a value of the PTRS subcarrier for a previous transmission and the at least one PTRS hop offset.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the one or more processors are configured to execute the instructions and cause the apparatus to perform the following steps: detecting a conflict between frequency resources determined by the PTRS for a given transmission using the algorithm and a DC subcarrier; and adjusting the frequency resources determined using the algorithm to avoid the conflict.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the one or more processors are configured to execute the instructions and cause the apparatus to receive from the network entity a signal transmission enabling or disabling PTRS hopping in the various DMRS accompanying transmissions spanning the plurality of symbols or time slots based on the at least one PTRS hopping offset.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the one or more processors are configured to execute the instructions and cause the apparatus to receive a signal transmission from the network entity indicating an updated PTRS hop offset.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the one or more processors are configured to execute the instructions and cause the apparatus to perform the following steps: receiving a reset signal transmission from the network entity indicating a number of hops; and determining PTRS frequency resources for a subsequent transmission based on an initial value of a PTRS subcarrier after the reset.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the different DMRS accompanying transmissions are part of an aggregation or repetition pattern of a transmission.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein PTRS bridging is enabled in one or more repetitions of an entity uplink shared channel (PUSCH) transmission and an entity downlink shared channel (PDSCH) transmission, and the PUSCH transmission and the PDSCH transmission, based on the at least one PTRS bridging offset.

11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the UE is configured with a plurality of coded characters, and wherein the UE receives different PTRS hop offsets for different coded characters.

12. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the indication indicates different PTRS hop offsets based on one or more of the following: different frequency ranges, frequency bands, and subcarrier spacing.

13. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the indication is used to indicate different PTRS configurations corresponding to different PTRS transition offsets, and wherein the UE receives a signal transmission for dynamically switching the different PTRS configurations on or off.

14. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the indication is used to indicate different PTRS configurations corresponding to different PTRS hop offsets, and wherein the UE receives a signal transmission for enabling a specific PTRS configuration from the different PTRS configurations.

15. An apparatus for wireless communication conducted by a network entity, comprising the steps of: one or more memories, the one or more memories comprising: instruction; and one or more processors configured to execute the instructions and cause the apparatus to perform the following steps: sending to a user equipment (UE) an indication of at least one PTRS bridging offset from a plurality of phase tracking reference signal (PTRS) bridging offsets, wherein the PTRS bridging offset indicates a change in frequency resources across two or more repeated PTRSs, and wherein the plurality of PTRS bridging offsets are based on different modulation and coding schemes (MCS); and processing PTRSs transmitted in different demodulation reference signal (DMRS) accompanying transmissions across a plurality of symbols or time slots, wherein the frequency resources for such PTRSs are changed across the different transmissions based on the at least one PTRS bridging offset.

16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the one or more processors are configured to execute the instructions and cause the apparatus to process the PTS by at least one of: monitoring the PTRS in an uplink (UL) time slot; or transmitting the PTRS in a downlink (DL) time slot.

17. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the one or more processors are configured to execute the instructions and cause the apparatus to send a signal transmission of a parameter to the UE, the parameter indicating an initial value for a PTRS subcarrier of the PTRS in a configurable transmission from an initial transmission offset.

18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the frequency resources for the PTRS in each subsequent transmission are determined based on an algorithm based on a value of the PTRS subcarrier for a previous transmission and the at least one PTRS hop offset.

19. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the one or more processors are configured to execute the instructions and cause the apparatus to send to the UE a signal transmission enabling or disabling PTRS bridging in the various transmissions spanning the plurality of symbols or time slots based on the at least one PTRS bridging offset.

20. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the one or more processors are configured to execute the instructions and cause the apparatus to send a signal transmission to the UE indicating an updated PTRS hop offset.

21. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the one or more processors are configured to execute the instructions and cause the apparatus to send a reset signal transmission to the UE indicating a number of hops, wherein the PTRS frequency resources for a subsequent transmission are determined based on an initial value of a PTRS subcarrier after the reset.

22. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the one or more processors are configured to execute the instructions and cause the apparatus to perform the following steps: configuring multiple UEs in a multi-user (MU) multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) mode with PTRS configuration; and sending rate matching mode and PTRS configuration of other UEs to each UE.

23. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the different transmissions are part of an aggregation or repetition pattern of a transmission.

24. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein PTRS bridging is enabled in one or more repetitions of an entity uplink shared channel (PUSCH) transmission and an entity downlink shared channel (PDSCH) transmission, and the PUSCH transmission and the PDSCH transmission, based on the at least one PTRS bridging offset.

25. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the indication indicates different PTRS hop offsets based on one or more of the following: different frequency ranges, frequency bands, and subcarrier spacing.

26. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the indication is used to indicate different PTRS configurations corresponding to different PTRS hop offsets, and wherein the network entity sends a signal transmission to the UE for dynamically switching the different PTRS configurations on or off.

27. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the indication is used to indicate different PTRS configurations corresponding to different PTRS hop offsets, and wherein the network entity sends a signal transmission to the UE for enabling a specific PTRS configuration from the different PTRS configurations.

28. A method for wireless communication performed by a user equipment (UE), comprising: Receive from a network entity an indication of at least one PTRS bridging offset from a plurality of phase tracking reference signal (PTRS) bridging offsets, wherein the PTRS bridging offset indication pertains to a change in frequency resources across two or more repeated PTRSs, and wherein the plurality of PTRS bridging offsets are based on different modulation and coding schemes (MCS); and process PTRS transmitted in different demodulation reference signal (DMRS) accompanying transmissions across multiple symbols or time slots, wherein the frequency resources for such PTRSs are changed across such different DMRS accompanying transmissions based on the at least one PTRS bridging offset.

29. The method of request item 28, wherein the processing includes at least one of the following: transmitting the PTRS in an uplink (UL) time slot; or monitoring the PTRS in a downlink (DL) time slot.

30. A method for wireless communication conducted by a network entity, comprising: Sending to a user equipment (UE) an indication of at least one PTRS bridging offset from a plurality of phase tracking reference signal (PTRS) bridging offsets, wherein the PTRS bridging offset indication pertains to a change in frequency resources across two or more repeated PTRSs, and wherein the plurality of PTRS bridging offsets are based on different modulation and coding schemes (MCS); and processing PTRSs transmitted in different demodulation reference signal (DMRS) accompanying transmissions across multiple symbols or time slots, wherein the frequency resources for such PTRSs are changed across the different transmissions based on the at least one PTRS bridging offset.

31. The method of request item 30, wherein the processing includes at least one of the following: monitoring the PTRS in an uplink (UL) time slot; or transmitting the PTRS in a downlink (DL) time slot.

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