Mitigating cell-specific reference signal interference

Abstract

Various aspects of the present disclosure generally relate to wireless communication. In some aspects, a user equipment may identify that a first one or more time intervals, from a set of time intervals, are associated with unloaded cell-specific reference signal (CRS) interference. The user equipment may measure, in association with a spectral efficiency of the first one or more time intervals, an interference level associated with the unloaded CRS interference. The user equipment may communicate, during at least one of the first one or more time intervals, a first one or more signals using one or more modified noise estimation parameters that are modified in association with the interference level. Numerous other aspects are described.

Description

MITIGATING CELL-SPECIFIC REFERENCE SIGNAL INTERFERENCECROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This Patent Application claims priority to India Provisional Patent Application No. 202341051337, filed on July 31, 2023, entitled “MITIGATING CELL-SPECIFIC REFERENCE SIGNAL INTERFERENCE,” and assigned to the assignee hereof. The disclosure of the prior Application is considered part of and is incorporated by reference into this Patent Application.FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0002] Aspects of the present disclosure generally relate to wireless communication and specifically, to techniques and apparatuses for mitigating cell-specific reference signal (CRS) interference.BACKGROUND

[0003] Wireless communication systems are widely deployed to provide various telecommunication services such as telephony, video, data, messaging, and broadcasts. Typical wireless communication systems may employ multiple-access technologies capable of supporting communication with multiple users by sharing available system resources (for example, bandwidth or transmit power). Examples of such multiple-access technologies include code division multiple access (CDMA) systems, time division multiple access (TDMA) systems, frequency division multiple access (FDMA) systems, orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA) systems, single-carrier frequency division multiple access (SC-FDMA) systems, time division synchronous code division multiple access (TD-SCDMA) systems, and Long Term Evolution (LTE). LTE / LTE-Advanced is a set of enhancements to the Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) mobile standard promulgated by the Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP).

[0004] The above multiple access technologies have been adopted in various telecommunication standards to provide a common protocol that enables different UEs to communicate on a municipal, national, regional, or global level. New Radio (NR), which may be referred to as 5G, is a set of enhancements to the LTE mobile standard promulgated by the 3GPP. NR is designed to better support mobile broadband internet access by improving spectral efficiency, lowering costs, improving services, making use of new spectrum, and better integrating with other open standards using orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) with a cyclic prefix (CP) (CP-OFDM) on the downlink, using CP-OFDM or single-carrier frequency division multiplexing (SC-FDM) (also known as discrete Fourier transform spread OFDM (DFT-s-OFDM)) on the uplink, as well as supporting beamforming, multiple-inputmultiple -output (MIMO) antenna technology, and carrier aggregation. As the demand for mobile broadband access continues to increase, further improvements in LTE, NR, and other radio access technologies remain useful.

[0005] Dynamic spectrum sharing (DSS) may allow for a deployment of both a first RAT, such as LTE, and a second RAT, such as NR, in a same frequency band. DSS may allow spectrum resources to be dynamically allocated between the first RAT and the second RAT within the same frequency band. In an NR DSS deployment, LTE and NR may share a same carrier to allow soft migration between LTE and NR.

[0006] In some examples, a network node (for example, an LTE network node) may transmit a cell-specific reference signal (CRS). A CRS may be a physical (PHY) layer signal to be used by a user equipment (UE) to estimate downlink cell power, among other examples. For example, the CRS may be used by the UE as a reference point for downlink power. To demodulate different downlink physical channels coherently, the UE may use complex valued channel estimates for each subcarrier. Known CRS symbols may be inserted into a resource grid of a downlink channel. The CRS may be mapped to resource elements (REs) spread evenly in the resource grid, in an identical pattern in every resource block (RB).SUMMARY

[0007] In some aspects, an apparatus for wireless communication at a user equipment (UE) includes one or more memories storing processor-executable code; and one or more processors, coupled to the one or more memories, at least one processor of the one or more processors configured to cause the UE to: identify that a first one or more time intervals, from a set of time intervals, are associated with unloaded cell-specific reference signal (CRS) interference; measure, in association with a spectral efficiency of the first one or more time intervals, an interference level associated with the unloaded CRS interference; and communicate, during at least one of the first one or more time intervals, a first one or more signals using one or more modified noise estimation parameters that are modified in association with the interference level.

[0008] In some aspects, a method of wireless communication performed at a UE includes identifying that a first one or more time intervals, from a set of time intervals, are associated with unloaded CRS interference; measuring, in association with a spectral efficiency of the first one or more time intervals, an interference level associated with the unloaded CRS interference; and communicating, during at least one of the first one or more time intervals, a first one or more signals using one or more modified noise estimation parameters that are modified in association with the interference level.

[0009] In some aspects, a non-transitory computer-readable medium storing a set of instructions for wireless communication includes one or more instructions that, when executed byone or more processors of a user equipment, cause the user equipment to: identify that a first one or more time intervals, from a set of time intervals, are associated with unloaded CRS interference; measure, in association with a spectral efficiency of the first one or more time intervals, an interference level associated with the unloaded CRS interference; and communicate, during at least one of the first one or more time intervals, a first one or more signals using one or more modified noise estimation parameters that are modified in association with the interference level.

[0010] In some aspects, an apparatus for wireless communication includes means for identifying that a first one or more time intervals, from a set of time intervals, are associated with unloaded CRS interference; means for measuring, in association with a spectral efficiency of the first one or more time intervals, an interference level associated with the unloaded CRS interference; and means for communicating, during at least one of the first one or more time intervals, a first one or more signals using one or more modified noise estimation parameters that are modified in association with the interference level.

[0011] Aspects generally include a method, apparatus, system, computer program product, non-transitory computer-readable medium, user equipment, base station, network node, network entity, wireless communication device, or processing system as substantially described with reference to and as illustrated by the drawings and specification.

[0012] The foregoing has outlined rather broadly the features and technical advantages of examples in accordance with the disclosure in order that the detailed description that follows may be better understood. Additional features and advantages will be described hereinafter. The conception and specific examples disclosed may be readily utilized as a basis for modifying or designing other structures for carrying out the same purposes of the present disclosure. Such equivalent constructions do not depart from the scope of the appended claims. Characteristics of the concepts disclosed herein, both their organization and method of operation, together with associated advantages will be better understood from the following description when considered in connection with the accompanying figures. Each of the figures is provided for the purposes of illustration and description, and not as a definition of the limits of the claims.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] So that the above-recited features of the present disclosure can be understood in detail, a more particular description, briefly summarized above, may be had by reference to aspects, some of which are illustrated in the appended drawings. It is to be noted, however, that the appended drawings illustrate only some typical aspects of this disclosure and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope, for the description may admit to other equally effectiveaspects. The same reference numbers in different drawings may identify the same or similar elements.

[0014] Figure 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a wireless network in accordance with the present disclosure.

[0015] Figure 2 is a diagram illustrating an example network node in communication with a user equipment (UE) in a wireless network in accordance with the present disclosure.

[0016] Figure 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a slot structure associated with dynamic spectrum sharing (DSS), in accordance with the present disclosure.

[0017] Figure 4 is a diagram of an example associated with mitigating cell-specific reference signal (CRS) interference, in accordance with the present disclosure.

[0018] Figure 5 is a diagram of an example associated with mitigating CRS interference, in accordance with the present disclosure.

[0019] Figure 6 is a diagram of an example associated with performance gains associated with mitigating CRS interference, in accordance with the present disclosure.

[0020] Figure 7 is a diagram of an example associated with performance gains associated with mitigating CRS interference, in accordance with the present disclosure.

[0021] Figure 8 is a diagram of an example associated with performance gains associated with mitigating CRS interference, in accordance with the present disclosure.

[0022] Figure 9 is a diagram illustrating an example process performed, for example, at a user equipment or an apparatus of a user equipment, in accordance with the present disclosure.

[0023] Figure 10 is a diagram of an example apparatus for wireless communication, in accordance with the present disclosure.

[0024] Figure 11 is a diagram of an example apparatus for wireless communication, in accordance with the present disclosure.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0025] Dynamic spectrum sharing (DSS) may allow for a deployment of both a first radio access technology (RAT), such as Long Term Evolution (LTE) or a 4G RAT, and a second RAT, such as New Radio (NR) or a 5G RAT, in the same frequency band. DSS may also be referred to as “NR-LTE co-existence.” DSS may allow spectrum resources to be dynamically allocated between the first RAT and the second RAT within the same frequency band. With DSS, LTE and NR RATs may dynamically share a spectrum. This allows network operators (for example, one or more network nodes) to dynamically adjust the bandwidth for LTE and NR (for example, in the shared spectrum) depending upon the current traffic demand on a corresponding technology. Moreover, DSS enables a full bandwidth of the shared spectrum to be used and therefore maximizes peak data rate on each RAT.

[0026] A user equipment (UE) may be in a location at which both which LTE (for example, 4G) and NR (for example, 5G) RAT coverage are available. In such scenarios, an NR UE (for example, a UE communicating with a network node via NR coverage) may experience interference from cell-specific reference signals (CRSs) transmitted by network nodes operating using the LTE RAT. A CRS may be a periodic reference signal with a fixed time domain and / or frequency domain allocation.

[0027] For example, the UE may be located in a cell associated with DSS operation. DSS operation enables the one or more network nodes to communicate with the UE (for example, and / or other UEs in the cell) using both the LTE RAT and the NR RAT. For example, if the UE is an NR UE (for example, if the UE operates using the NR RAT), then the UE may experience interference when receiving NR downlink communications (for example, physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH) and / or physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) communications) from a network node due to CRS transmissions from the network node or another network node.

[0028] To enable LTE-NR co-existence (for example, to enable DSS) in the downlink, time domain synchronization may be achieved via radio frame synchronization between the LTE RAT and the NR RAT. The time domain synchronization may be derived at the one or more network nodes. Time domain synchronization may enable frames, slots, and / or symbols for LTE and NR to be synchronized in the time domain. To enable DSS operation, LTE and NR time and frequency resources may be scheduled and / or shared in such a way that existing LTE “nonscheduled” resources (for example, used for a primary synchronization signal (PSS), a secondary synchronization signal (SSS), a physical broadcast channel (PBCH), and / or a CRS) are not affected. To ensure backward compatibility, it may not be possible to change the fixed resource allocation defined for these “non-scheduled” resources. In other words, a network node may schedule NR signals such that the NR signals do not overlap in the time domain the “nonscheduled” resources associated with the LTE RAT.

[0029] For example, one or more resources may be configured and / or scheduled (for example, allocated) for CRSs associated with the LTE RAT. While some examples are described herein using CRSs, the aspects described herein may be similarly applied to other non-scheduled resources associated with the LTE RAT. For example, one or more symbols (for example, in each slot) in the time domain may be allocated for CRSs to be transmitted by an LTE network node. Additionally, or alternatively, one or more symbols (for example, in each slot) may be allocated for CRSs to be transmitted by another LTE network node. As described elsewhere herein, to enable DSS operation, an NR network node may refrain from scheduling and / or allocating NR resources or NR signals that at least partially overlap in the time domain with nonscheduled resources (for example, CRS resources) associated with the LTE RAT. In other words,the NR network node may refrain from scheduling or allocation NR resources or NR signals in symbols that are allocated for CRSs.

[0030] For example, the NR network node may schedule and / or configure demodulation reference signals (DMRSs) for a first RAT (for example, the NR RAT) to be transmitted to the UE during symbols that do not overlap with symbols associated with non-scheduled resources (for example, CRSs) associated with the second RAT (for example, the LTE RAT). A DMRS may carry information used to estimate a radio channel for demodulation of an associated physical channel (for example, a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH), a physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH), a PBCH, a physical uplink control channel (PUCCH), and / or a physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH)).

[0031] For example, the UE may measure a DMRS to perform channel estimation for a channel associated with the first RAT (for example, the NR RAT). The DMRS may be transmitted during a symbol in which no non-scheduled resources (for example, no CRSs) associated with the second RAT (for example, the LTE RAT) are transmitted. In some cases, a non-scheduled resource associated with the second RAT may be transmitted via a signal that does not include data (for example, referred to as an “unloaded” resource). For example, if a network node does not have any data or control information to transmit to the UE, the network node may transmit a CRS in a signal that does not include any data or control information. In such examples, the CRS may be referred to as an “unloaded” CRS. As another example, the CRS may be referred to as a CRS transmitted via an “unloaded” cell or an “unloaded” carrier.

[0032] In examples where an unloaded CRS is transmitted via an LTE cell (for example, a network node operating using the LTE RAT), interference levels may be different in time intervals during which the unloaded CRS is transmitted compared to time intervals during which unloaded CRSs are not transmitted. For example, when a network node does not have any data or control information to transmit to the UE, the network node may transmit a CRS in symbol(s) of a slot allocated or configured for the CRS and may not transmit any signals in other symbol(s) of the slot. As a result, the channel estimation performed by the UE for an NR channel (for example, performed by measuring the DMRSs) may not account for interference caused by the unloaded CRSs transmitted via an LTE cell in a DSS spectrum. For example, symbols associated with an unloaded CRS transmission may be associated with a first interference level (for example, for an NR channel) and symbols that are not associated with an unloaded CRS transmission may be associated with a second interference level (for example, for the NR channel). However, the UE may only measure and / or estimate the NR channel during symbols that are not associated with CRSs transmissions (for example, to enable DSS operations, as described in more detail elsewhere herein). Therefore, the interference level estimated by the UE for the NR channel (forexample, obtained via measuring the DMRS(s)) may be inaccurate and / or may not account for interference caused by unloaded CRS transmissions.

[0033] The UE and the NR network node may communicate using one or more communication parameters (for example, a modulation and coding scheme (MCS), a rank, a transmit power, or another communication parameter) that are set based on the channel estimation performed by the UE (for example, via the DMRSs). As a result, the UE and the NR network node may use suboptimal communication parameters to transmit via an NR channel associated with a DSS spectrum. The suboptimal communication parameters may result in degraded throughput for the UE, errors in signals communicated via the NR channel, and / or degraded communication performance for the UE, among other examples.

[0034] Various aspects relate generally to mitigating CRS interference. Some aspects more specifically relate to mitigating unloaded CRS interference (for example, interference caused by a transmission of one or more unloaded CRSs) in a DSS spectrum. In some aspects, a UE may communicate (for example, transmit or receive) via an NR channel in a DSS spectrum using different noise estimation parameters for signals communicated during time intervals (for example, symbols) that at least partially overlap in the time domain with a CRS resource allocation (for example, for an LTE channel) as compared to signals communicated during time intervals (for example, symbols) that do not overlap in the time domain with the CRS resource allocation.

[0035] In some aspects, the UE may identify that a first one or more time intervals (for example, one or more symbols), from a set of time intervals (for example, a set of symbols included in a slot), are associated with unloaded CRS interference. In some aspects, the UE 120 may use a fixed detection parameter and / or a fixed detection method to identify that the time interval(s) are associated with unloaded CRS interference. In other aspects, the UE 120 may be configured to dynamically switch between different detection parameters and / or different detection method. The UE may measure (for example, quantify) an interference level associated with the unloaded CRS interference. The UE may perform one or more operations to mitigate the unloaded CRS interference, such as modifying one or more noise estimation parameters. As an example, the one or more noise estimation parameters may include one or more whitening coefficients of a noise covariance matrix, and / or one or more log likelihood ratio (LLR) scaling coefficients, among other examples.

[0036] Particular aspects of the subject matter described in this disclosure can be implemented to realize one or more of the following potential advantages. In some examples, the described techniques can be used to improve throughput of an NR channel for a UE operating in a DSS spectrum in the presence of one or more unloaded CRS transmissions (for example, CRS transmissions via an LTE cell in the DSS spectrum). By enabling the UE to use different noiseestimation parameters for symbols that at least partially overlap in the time domain with CRS resource allocations for LTE in the DSS spectrum and for symbols that do not overlap in the time domain with CRS resource allocations for LTE in the DSS spectrum, the UE may experience improved throughput, a reduced quantity of errors, and / or improved communication performance, among other examples. For example, the UE 120 may be enabled to account for unloaded CRS interference and to use different communication parameters during time intervals (for example, symbols) that may not be impacted by the unloaded CRS interference (for example, thereby improving the throughput, reducing errors, and / or improving communication performance of the UE 120 during the time intervals (for example, symbols) that may not be impacted by the unloaded CRS interference).

[0037] Additionally, by enabling the UE to switch between different detection parameters and / or different detection methods, the UE may be enabled to dynamically use a detection parameter and / or a detection method that performs best at current operating conditions of the UE. This may improve the ability of the UE to identify unloaded CRS interference, as described in more detail elsewhere herein. Additionally, by using multiple switching thresholds, the UE may reduce a likelihood of a “ping-pong” effect of frequent switching of the detection parameter and / or the detection method (for example, in scenarios where a value of the switching parameter is close to a given switching threshold). Reducing the likelihood of frequent switching of the detection parameter and / or the detection method may conserve processing resources, computing resources, memory resources, and / or power resources, among other examples, that would have otherwise been associated with frequently switching the detection parameter and / or the detection method used by the UE.

[0038] Various aspects of the disclosure are described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings. This disclosure may, however, be embodied in many different forms and are not to be construed as limited to any specific structure or function presented throughout this disclosure. Rather, these aspects are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the disclosure to those skilled in the art. One skilled in the art may appreciate that the scope of the disclosure is intended to cover any aspect of the disclosure disclosed herein, whether implemented independently of or combined with any other aspect of the disclosure. For example, an apparatus may be implemented or a method may be practiced using any quantity of the aspects set forth herein. In addition, the scope of the disclosure is intended to cover such an apparatus or method which is practiced using other structure, functionality, or structure and functionality in addition to or other than the various aspects of the disclosure set forth herein. Any aspect of the disclosure disclosed herein may be embodied by one or more elements of a claim.

[0039] Several aspects of telecommunication systems will now be presented with reference to various apparatuses and techniques. These apparatuses and techniques will be described in the following detailed description and illustrated in the accompanying drawings by various blocks, modules, components, circuits, steps, processes, or algorithms (collectively referred to as “elements”). These elements may be implemented using hardware, software, or a combination of hardware and software. Whether such elements are implemented as hardware or software depends upon the particular application and design constraints imposed on the overall system.

[0040] Figure 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a wireless network in accordance with the present disclosure. The wireless network 100 may be or may include elements of a 5G (for example, NR) network or a 4G (for example, Long Term Evolution (LTE)) network, among other examples. The wireless network 100 may include one or more network nodes 110 (shown as a network node (NN) 110a, a network node 110b, a network node 110c, and a network node 1 lOd), a UE 120 or multiple UEs 120 (shown as a UE 120a, a UE 120b, a UE 120c, a UE 120d, and a UE 120e), or other network entities. A network node 110 is an entity that communicates with UEs 120. As shown, a network node 110 may include one or more network nodes. For example, a network node 110 may be an aggregated network node, meaning that the aggregated network node is configured to utilize a radio protocol stack that is physically or logically integrated within a single RAN node (for example, within a single device or unit). As another example, a network node 110 may be a disaggregated network node (sometimes referred to as a disaggregated base station), meaning that the network node 110 is configured to utilize a protocol stack that is physically or logically distributed among two or more nodes (such as one or more central units (CUs), one or more distributed units (DUs), or one or more radio units (RUs)).

[0041] In some examples, a network node 110 is or includes a network node that communicates with UEs 120 via a radio access link, such as an RU. In some examples, a network node 110 is or includes a network node that communicates with other network nodes 110 via a fronthaul link or a midhaul link, such as a DU. In some examples, a network node 110 is or includes a network node that communicates with other network nodes 110 via a midhaul link or a core network via a backhaul link, such as a CU. In some examples, a network node 110 (such as an aggregated network node 110 or a disaggregated network node 110) may include multiple network nodes, such as one or more RUs, one or more CUs, or one or more DUs. A network node 110 may include, for example, an NR network node, an LTE network node, a Node B, an eNB (for example, in 4G), a gNB (for example, in 5G), an access point, or a transmission reception point (TRP), a DU, an RU, a CU, a mobility element of a network, a core network node, a network element, a network equipment, and / or a RAN node. In some examples, the network nodes 110 may be interconnected to one another or to one or more other network nodes 110 in the wireless network 100 through various types of fronthaul, midhaul, or backhaul interfaces, such asa direct physical connection, an air interface, or a virtual network, using any suitable transport network.

[0042] Each network node 110 may provide communication coverage for a particular geographic area. In the Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP), the term “cell” can refer to a coverage area of a network node 110 or a network node subsystem serving this coverage area, depending on the context in which the term is used.

[0043] A network node 110 may provide communication coverage for a macro cell, a pico cell, a femto cell, or another type of cell. A macro cell may cover a relatively large geographic area (for example, several kilometers in radius) and may allow unrestricted access by UEs 120 with service subscriptions. A pico cell may cover a relatively small geographic area and may allow unrestricted access by UEs 120 with service subscription. A femto cell may cover a relatively small geographic area (for example, a home) and may allow restricted access by UEs 120 having association with the femto cell (for example, UEs 120 in a closed subscriber group (CSG)). A network node 110 for a macro cell may be referred to as a macro network node. A network node 110 for a pico cell may be referred to as a pico network node. A network node 110 for a femto cell may be referred to as a femto network node or an in-home network node.

[0044] The wireless network 100 may be a heterogeneous network that includes network nodes 110 of different types, such as macro network nodes, pico network nodes, femto network nodes, or relay network nodes. These different types of network nodes 110 may have different transmit power levels, different coverage areas, or different impacts on interference in the wireless network 100. For example, macro network nodes may have a high transmit power level (for example, 5 to 40 watts) whereas pico network nodes, femto network nodes, and relay network nodes may have lower transmit power levels (for example, 0.1 to 2 watts). In the example shown in Figure 1, the network node 110a may be a macro network node for a macro cell 102a, the network node 110b may be a pico network node for a pico cell 102b, and the network node 110c may be a femto network node for a femto cell 102c. A network node may support one or multiple (for example, three) cells. In some examples, a cell may not necessarily be stationary, and the geographic area of the cell may move according to the location of a network node 110 that is mobile (for example, a mobile network node).

[0045] In some aspects, the terms “base station” or “network node” may refer to an aggregated base station, a disaggregated base station, an integrated access and backhaul (IAB) node, a relay node, or one or more components thereof. For example, in some aspects, “base station” or “network node” may refer to a CU, a DU, an RU, a Near-Real Time (Near-RT) RAN Intelligent Controller (RIC), and / or a Non-Real Time (Non-RT) RIC. In some aspects, the terms “base station” or “network node” may refer to one device configured to perform one or more functions, such as those described herein in connection with the network node 110. In some aspects, theterms “base station” or “network node” may refer to a plurality of devices configured to perform the one or more functions. For example, in some distributed systems, each of a quantity of different devices (which may be located in the same geographic location or in different geographic locations) may be configured to perform at least a portion of a function, or to duplicate performance of at least a portion of the function, and the terms “base station” or “network node” may refer to any one or more of those different devices. In some aspects, the terms “base station” or “network node” may refer to one or more virtual base stations or one or more virtual base station functions. For example, in some aspects, two or more base station functions may be instantiated on a single device. In some aspects, the terms “base station” or “network node” may refer to one of the base station functions and not another. In this way, a single device may include more than one base station.

[0046] A network controller 130 may couple to or communicate with a set of network nodes 110 and may provide coordination and control for these network nodes 110. The network controller 130 may communicate with the network nodes 110 via a backhaul communication link. The network nodes 110 may communicate with one another directly or indirectly via a wireless or wireline backhaul communication link. In some aspects, the network controller 130 may be a CU or a core network device, or the network controller 130 may include a CU or a core network device.

[0047] In some examples, a cell may not necessarily be stationary, and the geographic area of the cell may move in accordance with the location of a network node 110 that is mobile (for example, a mobile network node). In some examples, the network nodes 110 may be interconnected to one another or to one or more other network nodes 110 or network nodes (not shown) in the wireless network 100 through various types of backhaul interfaces, such as a direct physical connection or a virtual network, using any suitable transport network.

[0048] The wireless network 100 may include one or more relay stations. A relay station is an entity that can receive a transmission of data from an upstream station (for example, a network node 110 or a UE 120) and send a transmission of the data to a downstream station (for example, a UE 120 or a network node 110). A relay station may be a UE 120 that can relay transmissions for other UEs 120. In the example shown in Figure 1, the network node 1 lOd (for example, a relay network node) may communicate with the network node 110a (for example, a macro network node) and the UE 120d in order to facilitate communication between the network node 110a and the UE 120d. A network node 110 that relays communications may be referred to as a relay station, a relay network node, or a relay.

[0049] The UEs 120 may be dispersed throughout the wireless network 100, and each UE 120 may be stationary or mobile. A UE 120 may include, for example, an access terminal, a terminal, a mobile station, or a subscriber unit. A UE 120 may be a cellular phone (for example, a smartphone), a personal digital assistant (PDA), a wireless modem, a wireless communication device, a handheld device, a laptop computer, a cordless phone, a wireless local loop (WLL) station, a tablet, a camera, a gaming device, a netbook, a smartbook, an ultrabook, a medical device, a biometric device, a wearable device (for example, a smart watch, smart clothing, smart glasses, a smart wristband, smart jewelry (for example, a smart ring or a smart bracelet)), an entertainment device (for example, a music device, a video device, or a satellite radio), a vehicular component or sensor, a smart meter / sensor, industrial manufacturing equipment, a global positioning system device, a UE function of a network node, or any other suitable device that is configured to communicate via a wireless medium.

[0050] Some UEs 120 may be considered machine-type communication (MTC) or evolved or enhanced machine-type communication (eMTC) UEs. An MTC UE or an eMTC UE may include, for example, a robot, a drone, a remote device, a sensor, a meter, a monitor, or a location tag, that may communicate with a network node, another device (for example, a remote device), or some other entity. Some UEs 120 may be considered Intemet-of-Things (loT) devices, or may be implemented as NB-IoT (narrowband loT) devices. Some UEs 120 may be considered a Customer Premises Equipment. A UE 120 may be included inside a housing that houses components of the UE 120, such as processor components or memory components. In some examples, the processor components and the memory components may be coupled together. For example, the processor components (for example, one or more processors) and the memory components (for example, a memory) may be operatively coupled, communicatively coupled, electronically coupled, or electrically coupled.

[0051] In general, any quantity of wireless networks 100 may be deployed in a given geographic area. Each wireless network 100 may support a particular RAT and may operate on one or more frequencies. A RAT may be referred to as a radio technology or an air interface. A frequency may be referred to as a carrier or a frequency channel. Each frequency may support a single RAT in a given geographic area in order to avoid interference between wireless networks of different RATs. In some cases, NR or 5G RAT networks may be deployed.

[0052] Devices of the wireless network 100 may communicate using the electromagnetic spectrum, which may be subdivided by frequency or wavelength into various classes, bands, or channels. For example, devices of the wireless network 100 may communicate using one or more operating bands. In 5G NR, two initial operating bands have been identified as frequency range designations FR1 (410 MHz - 7.125 GHz) and FR2 (24.25 GHz - 52.6 GHz). Although a portion of FR1 is greater than 6 GHz, FR1 is often referred to (interchangeably) as a “Sub-6 GHz” band in various documents and articles. A similar nomenclature issue sometimes occurs in connection with FR2, which is often referred to (interchangeably) as a “millimeter wave” band in documents and articles, despite being different from the extremely high frequency (EHF) band (30 GHz -300 GHz) which is identified by the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) as a “millimeter wave” band.

[0053] The frequencies between FR1 and FR2 are often referred to as mid-band frequencies. Recent 5G NR studies have identified an operating band for these mid-band frequencies as frequency range designation FR3 (7.125 GHz - 24.25 GHz). Frequency bands falling within FR3 may inherit FR1 characteristics or FR2 characteristics, and thus may effectively extend features of FR1 or FR2 into mid-band frequencies. In addition, higher frequency bands are currently being explored to extend 5G NR operation beyond 52.6 GHz. For example, three higher operating bands have been identified as frequency range designations FR4a or FR4-1 (52.6 GHz - 71 GHz), FR4 (52.6 GHz - 114.25 GHz), and FR5 (114.25 GHz - 300 GHz). Each of these higher frequency bands falls within the EHF band.

[0054] With the above examples in mind, unless specifically stated otherwise, the term “sub-6 GHz,” if used herein, may broadly represent frequencies that may be less than 6 GHz, may be within FR1, or may include mid-band frequencies. Further, unless specifically stated otherwise, the term “millimeter wave,” if used herein, may broadly represent frequencies that may include mid-band frequencies, may be within FR2, FR4, FR4-a or FR4-1, or FR5, or may be within the EHF band. It is contemplated that the frequencies included in these operating bands (for example, FR1, FR2, FR3, FR4, FR4-a, FR4-1, or FR5) may be modified, and techniques described herein are applicable to those modified frequency ranges.

[0055] In some aspects, the UE 120 may include a communication manager 140. As described in more detail elsewhere herein, the communication manager 140 may identify that a first one or more time intervals, from a set of time intervals, are associated with unloaded CRS interference; measure, in association with a spectral efficiency of the first one or more time intervals, an interference level associated with the unloaded CRS interference; and communicate, during at least one of the first one or more time intervals, a first one or more signals using one or more modified (or regularized) noise estimation parameters that are modified in association with the interference level. Additionally, or alternatively, the communication manager 140 may perform one or more other operations described herein.

[0056] In some aspects, the network node 110 may include a communication manager 150. As described in more detail elsewhere herein, the communication manager 140 may transmit configuration information configuring one or more operations associated with unloaded CRS interference mitigation. Additionally, or alternatively, the communication manager 150 may perform one or more other operations described herein.

[0057] Figure 2 is a diagram illustrating an example network node in communication with a UE in a wireless network in accordance with the present disclosure. The network node may correspond to the network node 110 of Figure 1. Similarly, the UE may correspond to the UE 120of Figure 1. The network node 110 may be equipped with a set of antennas 234a through 234t, such as T antennas (T> 1). The UE 120 may be equipped with a set of antennas 252a through 252r, such as R antennas (R > 1). The network node 110 of depicted in Figure 2 includes one or more radio frequency components, such as antennas 234 and a modem 232. In some examples, a network node 110 may include an interface, a communication component, or another component that facilitates communication with the UE 120 or another network node. Some network nodes 110 may not include radio frequency components that facilitate direct communication with the UE 120, such as one or more CUs, or one or more DUs.

[0058] At the network node 110, a transmit processor 220 may receive data, from a data source 212, intended for the UE 120 (or a set of UEs 120). The transmit processor 220 may select one or more modulation and coding schemes (MCSs) for the UE 120 based at least in part on one or more channel quality indicators (CQIs) received from that UE 120. The network node 110 may process (for example, encode and modulate) the data for the UE 120 based at least in part on the MCS(s) selected for the UE 120 and may provide data symbols for the UE 120. The transmit processor 220 may process system information (for example, for semi-static resource partitioning information (SRPI)) and control information (for example, CQI requests, grants, or upper layer signaling) and provide overhead symbols and control symbols. The transmit processor 220 may generate reference symbols for reference signals (for example, a cell-specific reference signal (CRS) or a demodulation reference signal (DMRS)) and synchronization signals (for example, a primary synchronization signal (PSS) or a secondary synchronization signal (SSS)). A transmit (TX) multiple-input multiple -output (MIMO) processor 230 may perform spatial processing (for example, precoding) on the data symbols, the control symbols, the overhead symbols, or the reference symbols, if applicable, and may provide a set of output symbol streams (for example, T output symbol streams) to a corresponding set of modems 232 (for example, T modems), shown as modems 232a through 232t. For example, each output symbol stream may be provided to a modulator component (shown as MOD) of a modem 232. Each modem 232 may use a respective modulator component to process a respective output symbol stream (for example, for OFDM) to obtain an output sample stream. Each modem 232 may further use a respective modulator component to process (for example, convert to analog, amplify, filter, or upconvert) the output sample stream to obtain a downlink signal. The modems 232a through 232t may transmit a set of downlink signals (for example, T downlink signals) via a corresponding set of antennas 234 (for example, T antennas), shown as antennas 234a through 234t.

[0059] At the UE 120, a set of antennas 252 (shown as antennas 252a through 252r) may receive the downlink signals from the network node 110 or other network nodes 110 and may provide a set of received signals (for example, R received signals) to a set of modems 254 (for example, R modems), shown as modems 254a through 254r. For example, each received signalmay be provided to a demodulator component (shown as DEMOD) of a modem 254. Each modem 254 may use a respective demodulator component to condition (for example, filter, amplify, downconvert, or digitize) a received signal to obtain input samples. Each modem 254 may use a demodulator component to further process the input samples (for example, for OFDM) to obtain received symbols. A MIMO detector 256 may obtain received symbols from the modems 254, may perform MIMO detection on the received symbols if applicable, and may provide detected symbols. A receive processor 258 may process (for example, demodulate and decode) the detected symbols, may provide decoded data for the UE 120 to a data sink 260, and may provide decoded control information and system information to a controller / processor 280. The term “controller / processor” may refer to one or more controllers and / or one or more processors. A channel processor may determine a reference signal received power (RSRP) parameter, a received signal strength indicator (RSSI) parameter, a reference signal received quality (RSRQ) parameter, or a CQI parameter, among other examples. In some examples, one or more components of the UE 120 may be included in a housing 284.

[0060] The network controller 130 may include a communication unit 294, a controller / processor 290, and a memory 292. The network controller 130 may include, for example, one or more devices in a core network. The network controller 130 may communicate with the network node 110 via the communication unit 294.

[0061] One or more antennas (for example, antennas 234a through 234t or antennas 252a through 252r) may include, or may be included within, one or more antenna panels, one or more antenna groups, one or more sets of antenna elements, or one or more antenna arrays, among other examples. An antenna panel, an antenna group, a set of antenna elements, or an antenna array may include one or more antenna elements (within a single housing or multiple housings), a set of coplanar antenna elements, a set of non-coplanar antenna elements, or one or more antenna elements coupled to one or more transmission or reception components, such as one or more components of Figure 2.

[0062] On the uplink, at the UE 120, a transmit processor 264 may receive and process data from a data source 262 and control information (for example, for reports that include RSRP, RSSI, RSRQ, or CQI) from the controller / processor 280. The transmit processor 264 may generate reference symbols for one or more reference signals. The symbols from the transmit processor 264 may be precoded by a TX MIMO processor 266 if applicable, further processed by the modems 254 (for example, for DFT-s-OFDM or CP-OFDM), and transmitted to the network node 110. In some examples, the modem 254 of the UE 120 may include a modulator and a demodulator. In some examples, the UE 120 includes a transceiver. The transceiver may include any combination of the antenna(s) 252, the modem(s) 254, the MIMO detector 256, the receive processor 258, the transmit processor 264, or the TX MIMO processor 266. The transceiver maybe used by a processor (for example, the controller / processor 280) and the memory 282 to perform aspects of any of the methods described herein.

[0063] At the network node 110, the uplink signals from UE 120 or other UEs may be received by the antennas 234, processed by the modem 232 (for example, a demodulator component, shown as DEMOD, of the modem 232), detected by a MIMO detector 236 if applicable, and further processed by a receive processor 238 to obtain decoded data and control information sent by the UE 120. The receive processor 238 may provide the decoded data to a data sink 239 and provide the decoded control information to the controller / processor 240. The network node 110 may include a communication unit 244 and may communicate with the network controller 130 via the communication unit 244. The network node 110 may include a scheduler 246 to schedule one or more UEs 120 for downlink or uplink communications. In some examples, the modem 232 of the network node 110 may include a modulator and a demodulator. In some examples, the network node 110 includes a transceiver. The transceiver may include any combination of the antenna(s) 234, the modem(s) 232, the MIMO detector 236, the receive processor 238, the transmit processor 220, or the TX MIMO processor 230. The transceiver may be used by a processor (for example, the controller / processor 240) and the memory 242 to perform aspects of any of the methods described herein.

[0064] The controller / processor 240 of the network node 110, the controller / processor 280 of the UE 120, or any other component(s) of Figure 2 may perform one or more techniques associated with mitigating CRS interference, as described in more detail elsewhere herein. For example, the controller / processor 240 of the network node 110, the controller / processor 280 of the UE 120, or any other component(s) of Figure 2 may perform or direct operations of, for example, process 900 of Figure 9, or other processes as described herein. The memory 242 and the memory 282 may store data and program codes for the network node 110 and the UE 120, respectively. In some examples, the memory 242 or the memory 282 may include a non- transitory computer-readable medium storing one or more instructions (for example, code or program code) for wireless communication. For example, the one or more instructions, when executed (for example, directly, or after compiling, converting, or interpreting) by one or more processors of the network node 110 or the UE 120, may cause the one or more processors, the UE 120, or the network node 110 to perform or direct operations of, for example, process 900 of Figure 9, or other processes as described herein. In some examples, executing instructions may include running the instructions, converting the instructions, compiling the instructions, or interpreting the instructions, among other examples. In some implementations, one or more of the multiple memories may be configured to store processor-executable code that, when executed, may configure the one or more processors to perform various functions described herein (as partof a processing system). In some other implementations, the processing system may be preconfigured to perform various functions described herein.

[0065] In some aspects, the UE 120 includes means for identifying that a first one or more time intervals, from a set of time intervals, are associated with unloaded CRS interference; means for measuring, in association with a spectral efficiency of the first one or more time intervals, an interference level associated with the unloaded CRS interference; and / or means for communicating, during at least one of the first one or more time intervals, a first one or more signals using one or more modified noise estimation parameters that are modified in association with the interference level. The means for the UE 120 to perform operations described herein may include, for example, one or more of communication manager 140, antenna 252, modem 254, MIMO detector 256, receive processor 258, transmit processor 264, TX MIMO processor 266, controller / processor 280, or memory 282.

[0066] In some aspects, an individual processor may perform all of the functions described as being performed by the one or more processors. In some aspects, one or more processors may collectively perform a set of functions. For example, a first set of (one or more) processors of the one or more processors may perform a first function described as being performed by the one or more processors, and a second set of (one or more) processors of the one or more processors may perform a second function described as being performed by the one or more processors. The first set of processors and the second set of processors may be the same set of processors or may be different sets of processors. Reference to “one or more processors” should be understood to refer to any one or more of the processors described in connection with Figure 2. Reference to “one or more memories” should be understood to refer to any one or more memories of a corresponding device, such as the memory described in connection with Figure 2. For example, functions described as being performed by one or more memories can be performed by the same subset of the one or more memories or different subsets of the one or more memories.

[0067] Figure 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a slot structure associated with DSS 300, in accordance with the present disclosure. The slot structure depicted in Fig. 3 may be associated with a subcarrier spacing of 15 kilohertz, as an example.

[0068] DSS may allow for a deployment of both a first RAT, such as LTE, and a second RAT, such as NR, in a same frequency band. DSS may also be referred to as “NR-LTE co-existence.” DSS may allow spectrum resources to be dynamically allocated between the first RAT and the second RAT within the same frequency band. In an NR DSS deployment, LTE and NR may share a same carrier to allow soft migration between LTE and NR. Spectrum sharing may assist in faster 5G deployment rollout by enabling a spectrum, radio frequency (RF), and / or antenna sharing between LTE and NR RATs. Network operators can deploy NR using existing LTE lower frequency bands (for example, typically below 1 GHz). Initial NR deployments usingspectrum sharing may use a non-standalone (NSA) mode or a standalone mode with an LTE cell and / or an NR serving cell. This allows network operators (for example, one or more network nodes 110) to dynamically adjust the bandwidth for LTE and NR (for example, in the shared spectrum) depending upon the current traffic demand on a corresponding technology. Moreover, DSS enables a full bandwidth of the shared spectrum to be used and therefore maximizes peak data rate on each RAT.

[0069] As shown in Figure 3, a UE 120 may be in a location at which both which LTE (for example, 4G) and NR (for example, 5G) RAT coverage are available. In such scenarios, an NR UE (for example, a UE communicating with a network node via NR coverage) may experience interference from CRSs transmitted by network nodes operating using the LTE RAT. As described elsewhere herein, a CRS is a reference signal transmitted via an LTE cell associated with enabling the UE 120 to estimate downlink power for the LTE cell. A CRS may be a periodic reference signal with a fixed time domain and / or frequency domain allocation.

[0070] For example, the UE 120 may be located in a cell associated with DSS operation. DSS operation enables the one or more network nodes to communicate with the UE 120 (for example, and / or other UEs in the cell) using both the LTE RAT and the NR RAT. For example, if the UE 120 is an NR UE (for example, if the UE 120 operates using the NR RAT), then the UE 120 may experience interference when receiving NR downlink communications (for example, physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH) and / or physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) communications) from a network node 110 due to CRS transmissions from the network node 110 or another network node 110.

[0071] For example, a first network node 110-1 may operate using a first RAT (for example, the NR RAT), a second network node 110-2 may operating using a second RAT (for example, the LTE RAT), and a third network node 110-3 may operate using the second RAT (for example, the LTE RAT) in the same shared spectrum (for example, using one or more DSS operations). In some examples, the same network node (for example, the first network node 110-1) may communicate with the UE 120 using both the first RAT and the second RAT. To enable LTE-NR co-existence (for example, to enable DSS) in the downlink, time domain synchronization may be achieved via radio frame synchronization between the LTE RAT and the NR RAT. The time domain synchronization may be derived at the one or more network nodes 110.

[0072] For example, a frame structure shown in Figure 3 is for frequency division duplexing (FDD) in a telecommunication system, such as LTE or NR. Although Fig. 3 shows an example of FDD, the aspects described herein may be similarly applicable to a time division duplexing (TDD) structure. The transmission timeline for each of the downlink and uplink may be partitioned into units of radio frames (sometimes referred to as frames). Each radio frame may have a predetermined duration (for example, 10 milliseconds (ms)) and may be partitioned into aset ofZ (Z> 1) subframes (for example, with indices of 0 through Z-l). Each subframe may have a predetermined duration (for example, 1 ms) and may include a set of slots (for example, Im slots per subframe, where m is an index of a numerology used for a transmission, such as 1, 2, 3, 4, or another number). Each slot may include a set of L symbol periods (for example, where L is 14 in the example depicted in Figure 3). For example, each slot may include fourteen symbol periods (for example, as shown in Figure 3), seven symbol periods, or another number of symbol periods. In a case where the subframe includes two slots (for example, when m = 1), the subframe may include IL symbol periods, where the IL symbol periods in each subframe may be assigned indices of 0 through 2 / - I . In some examples, a scheduling unit for the FDD may be frame-based, subframe -based, slot-based, mini-slot based, or symbol-based, among other examples. As used herein, a “time interval” may refer to a frame, a subframe, a slot, a mini-slot, a symbol (for example, a single symbol), one or more symbols, a transmission time interval, or another time interval.

[0073] As shown in Figure 3, the time domain synchronization may enable frames, slots, and / or symbols for LTE and NR to be synchronized in the time domain. To enable DSS operation, LTE and NR time and frequency resources may be scheduled and / or shared in such a way that existing LTE “non-scheduled” resources (for example, used for a primary synchronization signal (PSS), a secondary synchronization signal (SSS), a physical broadcast channel (PBCH), and / or a CRS) are not affected. To ensure backward compatibility, it may not be possible to change the fixed resource allocation defined for these “non-scheduled” resources. In other words, a network node (for example, the first network node 110-1) may schedule NR signals such that the NR signals do not overlap in the time domain the “non-scheduled” resources associated with the LTE RAT.

[0074] For example, as shown in Figure 3, one or more resources may be configured and / or scheduled (for example, allocated) for CRSs associated with the LTE RAT. While some examples are described herein using CRSs, the aspects described herein may be similarly applied to other non-scheduled resources associated with the LTE RAT. For example, one or more symbols (for example, in each slot) in the time domain may be allocated for CRSs to be transmitted by the second network node 110-2. Additionally, or alternatively, one or more symbols (for example, in each slot) may be allocated for CRSs to be transmitted by the third network node 110-3. As described elsewhere herein, to enable DSS operation, the first network node 110-1 may refrain from scheduling and / or allocating NR resources or NR signals that at least partially overlap in the time domain with non-scheduled resources (for example, CRS resources) associated with the LTE RAT. In other words, the first network node 110-1 may refrain from scheduling or allocating NR resources or NR signals in symbols that are allocated for CRSs. For example, the first network node 110-1 may refrain from scheduling or allocatingreference signals (e.g., DMRSs) in symbols that are allocated for CRSs. In some examples, the first network node 110-1 may schedule or allocate data channel or control channel resources in symbols that are allocated for CRSs (e.g., with rate matching to avoid impacting the CRSs).

[0075] For example, as shown in Figure 3, the first network node 110-1 may schedule and / or configure DMRSs for the first RAT (for example, the NR RAT) to be transmitted to the UE 120 during symbols that do no overlap with symbols associated with non-scheduled resources (for example, CRSs) associated with the second RAT (for example, the LTE RAT). A DMRS may carry information used to estimate a radio channel for demodulation of an associated physical channel (for example, a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH), a physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH), a PBCH, a physical uplink control channel (PUCCH), and / or a physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH)). The design and mapping of a DMRS may be specific to a physical channel for which the DMRS is used for estimation. DMRSs are UE-specific, can be beamformed, can be confined in a scheduled resource (for example, rather than transmitted on a wideband), and can be transmitted only when necessary. DMRSs are used for both downlink communications and uplink communications.

[0076] For example, the UE 120 may measure a DMRS to perform channel estimation for a channel associated with the first RAT (for example, the NR RAT). As shown in Figure 3, the DMRS may be transmitted during a symbol in which no non-scheduled resources (for example, no CRSs) associated with the second RAT (for example, the LTE RAT) are transmitted. In some cases, a non-scheduled resource associated with the second RAT may be transmitted via a signal that does not include data (for example, referred to as an “unloaded” resource). For example, if a network node does not have any data or control information to transmit to the UE 120, the network node may transmit a CRS in a signal that does not include any data or control information. In such examples, the CRS may be referred to as an “unloaded” CRS. As another example, the CRS may be referred to as a CRS transmitted via an “unloaded” cell or an “unloaded” carrier.

[0077] In examples where an unloaded CRS is transmitted via an LTE cell (for example, a network node operating using the LTE RAT), interference levels may be different in time intervals during which the unloaded CRS is transmitted compared to time intervals during which unloaded CRSs are not transmitted. For example, when a network node does not have any data or control information to transmit to the UE 120, the network node may transmit a CRS in symbol(s) of a slot allocated or configured for the CRS and may not transmit any signals in other symbol(s) of the slot. As a result, the channel estimation performed by the UE 120 for an NR channel (for example, performed by measuring the DMRSs) may not account for interference caused by the unloaded CRSs transmitted via an LTE cell in a DSS spectrum. For example, symbols associated with an unloaded CRS transmission may be associated with a first interference level (for example,for an NR channel) and symbols that are not associated with an unloaded CRS transmission may be associated with a second interference level (for example, for the NR channel). However, the UE 120 may only measure and / or estimate the NR channel during symbols that are not associated with CRSs transmissions (for example, to enable DSS operations, as described in more detail elsewhere herein). Therefore, the interference level estimated by the UE 120 for the NR channel (for example, obtained via measuring the DMRS(s)) may be inaccurate and / or may not account for interference caused by unloaded CRS transmissions.

[0078] The UE 120 and the first network node 110-1 may communicate using one or more communication parameters (for example, an MCS, a rank, a transmit power, or another communication parameter) that are set based on the channel estimation performed by the UE 120 (for example, via the DMRSs). As a result, the UE 120 and the first network node 110-1 may use suboptimal communication parameters to transmit via an NR channel associated with a DSS spectrum. The suboptimal communication parameters may result in degraded throughput for the UE 120, errors in signals communicated via the NR channel, and / or degraded communication performance for the UE 120, among other examples.

[0079] Figure 4 is a diagram of an example 400 associated with mitigating CRS interference, in accordance with the present disclosure. As shown in Figure 4, one or more network nodes 110 (for example, a base station, a CU, a DU, and / or an RU) may communicate with a UE 120. In some aspects, the network node(s) 110 and the UE 120 may be part of a wireless network (for example, the wireless network 100). The UE 120 and the network node(s) 110 may have established a wireless connection prior to operations shown in Figure 4. In some aspects, the UE 120 and the network node(s) 110 may communicate via a DSS spectrum. For example, the UE 120 and the network node(s) 110 may communicate via a spectrum (for example, a frequency range, a carrier, or a frequency band) that is shared between a first RAT (for example, the NR RAT) and a second RAT (for example, the LTE RAT), such as by using one or more DSS operations (for example, as described in more detail elsewhere herein). Although examples are described herein using NR and LTE as two example RATs associated with DSS, the aspects described herein may be applied to a scenario in which any two RATs are sharing a spectrum (for example, a frequency band).

[0080] In a first operation 405, the network node 110 may transmit, and the UE 120 may receive, configuration information. In some aspects, the UE 120 may receive the configuration information via one or more of system information signaling, radio resource control (RRC) signaling, one or more medium access control (MAC) control elements (MAC-CEs), and / or downlink control information (DCI), among other examples. In some aspects, the configuration information may include an indication of one or more configuration parameters for selection bythe UE 120 and / or explicit configuration information for the UE 120 to use to configure itself, among other examples.

[0081] In some aspects, the configuration information may be based on, in response to, or otherwise associated with capability information transmitted by the UE 120 (for example, as described in more detail in connection with the second operation 410). For example, the network node 110 may configure the UE 120 to perform one or more operations described herein based on, in response to, or otherwise associated with the capability information indicating that the UE 120 supports the one or more operations. As an example, the configuration information may indicate that the UE 120 is to perform unloaded CRS interference mitigation based on, in response to, or otherwise associated with the capability report indicating that the UE 120 supports identifying, quantifying, and / or mitigating interference caused by unloaded CRS transmissions, as described in more detail elsewhere herein.

[0082] In some aspects, the configuration information may indicate one or more candidate configurations and / or communication parameters. In some aspects, the one or more candidate configurations and / or communication parameters may be selected, activated, and / or deactivated by a subsequent indication or communication. For example, the subsequent indication may select a candidate configuration and / or communication parameter from the one or more candidate configurations and / or communication parameters. In some aspects, the subsequent indication (for example, an indication described herein) may include a dynamic indication, such as one or more MAC CEs and / or one or more DCI communications, among other examples.

[0083] In some aspects, the configuration information may indicate that the UE is to communicate via a DSS spectrum. For example, the configuration information may indicate a DSS configuration. For example, a serving cell configuration (for example, a ServingCellConfigCommon RRC configuration) may configure one or more parameters than enable DSS operation. As an example, the configuration information may include a rate matching parameter for LTE-based “non-scheduled” resources, such as CRS resources, PSS resources, SSS resources, and / or PBCH resources, among other examples. For example, the configuration information may indicate a RateMatchPatternLTE-CRS information element for rate matching (for example, puncturing) an NR channel (for example, an NR PDSCH channel) around CRS resources (for example, such that the CRS resources are not affected by communications via the NR channel). As another example, the configuration information may indicate a rateMatchPatternToAddModList information element for RB-level rate matching to rate match (for example, puncture) an NR channel around PSS resources, SSS resources, and / or PBCH resources, among other examples. The configuration information may indicate a rate match pattern that indicates the location (for example, in the time domain) of non-scheduled resourcesfor the LTE RAT, such as CRS resources, PSS resources, SSS resources, and / or PBCH resources, among other examples.

[0084] In some aspects, the configuration information may indicate that the UE 120 is to perform unloaded CRS transmission mitigation (for example, for one or more NR channels). For example, the configuration information may indicate that the UE 120 is to identify, quantify, and / or mitigate interference caused by unloaded CRS transmissions, as described in more detail elsewhere herein. In some aspects, the configuration information may indicate one or more configuration parameters associated with unloaded CRS transmission mitigation. For example, the configuration information may indicate information associated with one or more detection parameters (for example, used by the UE 120 to identify (e.g., detect) interference associated with an unloaded CRS transmission), one or more detection thresholds, and / or one or more switching parameters or switching thresholds (for example, used by the UE 120 to determine when to switch between two or more detection parameters or two or more detection methods), among other examples.

[0085] The UE 120 may configure itself based at least in part on the configuration information. In some aspects, the UE 120 may be configured to perform one or more operations described herein based at least in part on the configuration information.

[0086] In a second operation 410, the UE 120 may transmit, and the network node 110 may receive, capability information. The capability information may be included in a capability report and / or a capabilities report. The capability information may indicate whether the UE 120 supports a feature and / or one or more parameters related to the feature. The UE 120 may transmit the capability information via capability signaling, a UE assistance information (UAI) communication, RRC signaling, uplink MAC-CE signaling, uplink control information signaling, a physical uplink control channel (PUCCH), and / or a physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH), among other examples. The capability report may indicate whether the UE 120 supports one or more operations described herein. For example, the capability report may indicate one or more capability parameters. In some aspects, the one or more capability parameters may be information elements that indicate whether the UE supports a given feature or operation. For example, the capability information may indicate a capability and / or parameter for unloaded CRS interference mitigation. As another example, the capabilities report may indicate a capability and / or parameter for one or more detection parameters and / or detection methods for unloaded CRS interference mitigation. One or more operations described herein may be based on capability information. For example, the UE 120 may perform a communication in accordance with the capability information, or may receive configuration information that is in accordance with the capability information. In some aspects, the capabilities report may indicate UE support for detecting, quantifying, and / or mitigating interference caused by unloaded CRS transmissions,as described in more detail elsewhere herein. In some aspects, the capability information may indicate that the UE 120 supports one or more DSS operations, such as rate matching to avoid non-scheduled resources of an LTE channel.

[0087] In some aspects, the configuration information described in connection with the first operation 405 and / or the capabilities report may include information transmitted via multiple communications. Additionally, or alternatively, the network node 110 may transmit the configuration information, or a communication including at least a portion of the configuration information, before and / or after the UE 120 transmits the capability information. For example, the network node 110 may transmit a first portion of the configuration information before the transmission of the capability information, the UE 120 may transmit at least a portion of the capability information, and the network node 110 may transmit a second portion of the configuration information after receiving the capability information.

[0088] In some aspects, in a third operation 415, the network node 110 may transmit, and the UE 120 may receive, an indication to perform unloaded CRS interference mitigation, as described in more detail elsewhere herein. For example, the network node 110 may transmit, and the UE 120 may receive, a dynamic indication activating a feature of unloaded CRS interference mitigation, as described in more detail elsewhere herein. The dynamic indication may be included in one or more MAC-CEs and / or one or more DCI communications. For example, the dynamic indication may activate a feature (for example, associated with unloaded CRS interference mitigation) that is configured via the configuration information. In some aspects, the UE 120 may receive a dynamic indication deactivating the feature of unloaded CRS interference mitigation. The UE 120 may configure itself, based at least in part on receiving the indication described above to perform unloaded CRS interference mitigation.

[0089] In a fourth operation 420, the UE 120 may identify (e.g., detect or determine) one or more time intervals associated with unloaded CRS interference. For example, the UE 120 may identify that a first one or more time intervals, from a set of time intervals, are associated with unloaded CRS interference. For example, the one or more time intervals may be associated with an NR frame or subframe (for example, the one or more time intervals may be symbols included in a slot associated with NR communications). The unloaded CRS interference may be caused by CRS transmissions via an LTE frame or subframe (for example, an unloaded CRS may be transmitted in one or more symbols included in a slot associated with LTE communications).

[0090] For example, the UE 120 may determine a detection ratio for the set of symbols with a potential overlap in the time domain with CRSs (for example, unloaded CRSs associated with the LTE RAT). The detection ratio may be based on one or more detection parameters. Additionally, or alternatively, the UE 120 may perform a neighbor LTE search and / or measurement procedureto detect one or more unloaded CRS transmissions (for example, transmitted via an LTE neighbor cell).

[0091] For example, the UE 120 may detect that a detection ratio associated with the first one or more time intervals satisfies a detection threshold. The detection ratio may be associated with a first one or more values of a detection parameter for the first one or more time intervals and a second one or more values of the detection parameter for a second one or more time intervals included in the set of time intervals.

[0092] In some aspects, the UE 120 may determine the detection ratio based on, or using, a quantity of iterations associated with a decoding procedure. For example, the detection parameter may be a quantity of iterations associated with the decoding procedure. In other words, the detection ratio may be determined as a ratio of the quantity of iterations required to decode code blocks on potentially interfered time intervals (for example, interference cause by CRS transmissions) versus other time intervals included in the set of time intervals (for example, other symbols in the slot). The detection ratio may be normalized to the quantity of CBs in each time interval. For example, the detection ratio may be determined according to Equation 1:

[0093] where the detection ratio is rati.oinstant. CRSiteris a quantity of iterations associated with decoding code blocks in time intervals that may be impacted by unloaded CRS interference (for example, time intervals that at least partially overlap with CRS resource allocations),Non — CRSiteris a quantity of iterations associated with decoding code blocks in remaining time intervals in the set of time intervals (for example, remaining symbols in a slot), Non — CRSCBis the quantity of code blocks included in the remaining time intervals in the set of time intervals, and CRSCBis the quantity of code blocks included in the time intervals that may be impacted by unloaded CRS interference (for example, the first one or more time intervals). For example, assuming a frame configuration that indicates 14 symbols in each slot, if the UE 120 receives a configuration indicating that symbols 0, 1, 4, 8, and 9 are configured or allocated for CRS transmissions in an LTE cell, then symbols 0, 1, 4, 7, 8, and 11 (for example, in the NR frame) may be the time intervals that may be impacted by unloaded CRS interference. In such examples, symbols 2, 3, 5, 6, 9, 10, 12, and 13 may be the remaining time intervals in the set of time intervals. Using the quantity of iterations associated with decoding code blocks as the detection parameter may improve a detection of unloaded CRS interference in high signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) conditions.

[0094] Additionally, or alternatively, the detection parameter may include a frequency domain energy level. For example, the UE 120 may determine the detection ratio based on, or using a ratio of an energy level of frequency domain tones (for example, in-band or sub-band) ofpotentially interfered symbols versus other symbols in a slot. For example, the detection ratio may be determined according to Equation 2:

[0095] where the detection ratio is ratioinstant, CRSFDEnergy isafrequency domain energy level for time intervals that may be impacted by unloaded CRS interference (for example, time intervals that at least partially overlap with CRS resource allocations), Non — CRSFDEnergy isafrequency domain energy level for remaining time intervals included in the set of time intervals (for example, symbols in the slot that do not overlap with CRS resource allocations), Non — CRSSymis a quantity of time intervals (for example, a quantity of symbols) included in the remaining time intervals, and CRSsymmay be a quantity of time intervals (for example, a quantity of symbols) included in the time intervals that may be impacted by unloaded CRS interference (for example, the time intervals that at least partially overlap with CRS resource allocations). The CRSFDEnergy may be an average energy level and / or an accumulated energy level of the time intervals that at least partially overlap with CRS resource allocations (for example, symbols in a slot during which a CRS is allocated for LTE). The Non — CRSFDEnergy may be an average energy level and / or an accumulated energy level of the time intervals (for example, in the set of time intervals) do not overlap with CRS resource allocations. The CRSFDEnergy and the Non — CRSFDEnergymaY be frequency domain tone energy levels. In some aspects, the CRSFDEnergy and the Non — CRSFDEnergymaY be fast Fourier transform (FFT) energy estimation (FFTEE) levels. Using the quantity of iterations associated with decoding code blocks as the detection parameter may improve a detection of unloaded CRS interference in low SNR conditions.

[0096] In some aspects, the detection ratio may be a fdtered ratio associated with a fdter coefficient. For example, the determine detection ratio may be smoothed using an infinite impulse response (IIR) filter or another type of filter. The filter may be associated with the filter coefficient. The filter coefficient may be a fixed coefficient or an adaptive coefficient. In some aspects, the network node 110 may transmit, and the UE 120 may receive, an indication of the filter coefficient (for example, via the configuration information as described in connection with the first operation 405 and / or via the indication described in connection with the third operation 415). For example, the UE 120 may determine a filtered detection ratio according to Equation 3:(3) ratiofilt= (a x ratioinstant) + ((1 - a) x ratiofilt-1)

[0097] where ratiOfm is the filtered detection ratio, a is the filter coefficient, and ratiOfnt-is a previous filtered detection ratio. The UE 120 may detect that unloaded CRS is present based on, responsive to, or otherwise associated with the filtered detection ratio satisfying a detection threshold. The filtered detection ratio may provide a more stable value to be used by the UE 120for detection of the unloaded CRS interference. As another example, the UE 120 may detect that unloaded CRS is present based on, responsive to, or otherwise associated with detection ratio (for example, an unfdtered detection ratio, such as ratioinstant) satisfying a detection threshold. For example, if symbols in a given slot that at least partially overlap with CRS resource allocations are associated with relatively higher quantity of iterations to decode code blocks (for example, as compared to symbol(s) that do not overlap with the CRS resource allocations) and / or if the symbols in a given slot that at least partially overlap with CRS resource allocations are associated with relatively higher frequency domain energy levels, this may be indicative of interference caused by unloaded CRS transmissions. As a result, the UE 120 may be enabled to detect unloaded CRS transmissions without measuring an NR reference signal during the symbols in a given slot that at least partially overlap with CRS resource allocations.

[0098] As another example, the UE 120 may perform one or more search or measurement operations associated with a RAT that is associated with the unloaded CRS interference (for example, an LTE RAT). For example, the UE 120 may perform a neighbor LTE search and / or measurement procedure as method of detecting an LTE neighbor cell. The UE 120 may detect that the first one or more time intervals are associated with unloaded CRS interference based on, responsive to, or otherwise associated with one or more measurement values, for the first one or more time intervals, that are associated with the one or more search or measurement operations. For example, the UE 120 may compare an effective SNR (for example, determined by the UE 120 in the fifth operation 425) associated with a detected LTE neighbor cell with the measured SNR from one or more NR DMRSs (or other NR reference signals). If a difference between the effective SNR and the measured SNR satisfies a detection threshold, then the UE 120 may detect that the first one or more time intervals are associated with unloaded CRS interference.

[0099] In some aspects, the UE 120 may be capable of detecting unloaded CRS interference using multiple detection methods. A first detection method may use the first detection parameter (for example, the quantity of iterations associated with decoding code blocks) and / or the Equation 1. As another example, a second detection method may use the second detection parameter (for example, frequency domain energy level) and / or the Equation 2. The UE 120 may switch between detecting unloaded CRS interference using different detection methods and / or different detection parameter based on, responsive to, or otherwise associated with a switching parameter. For example, the detection parameter is a first detection parameter or a second detection parameter responsive to whether a switching parameter satisfies one or more switching thresholds. The switching parameter may be an MCS (for example, an MCS index), a rank, a quantity of code blocks in a transport block, and / or an SNR (for example, an estimated SNR for an NR channel and / or an LTE channel), among other examples.

[0100] In some aspects, the UE 120 may use multiple switching thresholds for determining whether to switch the detection parameter and / or the detection method. For example, the switching threshold(s) may include a first switching threshold and a second switching threshold. The UE 120 may switch the detection parameter from the first detection parameter to the second detection parameter responsive to the switching parameter satisfying both the first switching threshold and the second switching threshold. As another example, the UE 120 may not switch the detection parameter responsive to the switching parameter satisfying the first switching threshold and not satisfying the second switching threshold. This may reduce a chance of frequency switching between detection parameters and / or detection methods. Enabling the UE 120 to switch between different detection parameters and / or detection methods may improve the performance of the detection of unloaded CRS interference. For example, the UE 120 may be enabled to use a detection parameter and / or detection method that performs better under the current parameters or scenario in which the UE 120 is operating. As an example, the UE 120 may be enabled to use the first detection parameter (and / or the Equation 1) in high SNR scenarios (for example, where the first detection parameter and / or the Equation 1 performs better for detection) and the second detection parameter (and / or the Equation 2) in low SNR scenarios (for example, where the second detection parameter and / or the Equation 2 performs better for detection).

[0101] In a fifth operation 425, the UE 120 may measure (or quantify) an interference level associated with one or more unloaded CRSs. For example, the UE 120 may measure an interference level associated with the detected unloaded CRS interference. The UE 120 may measure, in association with a spectral efficiency of the first one or more time intervals (for example, symbols that are detected to be impacted by unloaded CRS interference), an interference level associated with the one or more unloaded CRSs (for example, with the unloaded CRS interference). For example, as described elsewhere herein, the UE 120 may be unable to directly measure the interference level in the NR channel caused by the one or more unloaded CRS transmissions (for example, because the DSS requirement that signals and / or resources in the NR channel do not impact non-scheduled resources, such as CRSs, in the LTE channel). In other words, a reference signal in the NR channel (for example, an interference measurement resource) for interference measurement in the time intervals (for example, symbols) impacted by unloaded CRS interference may be unavailable because the UE 120 is operating in the DSS spectrum. Therefore, the UE 120 may use a spectral efficiency value to estimate the interference level (for example, by quantifying an effective SNR associated with the unloaded CRS interference).

[0102] For example, the UE 120 may determine an interference-to-signal value or a noise ratio associated with the interference level based on, responsive to, or otherwise associated with a spectral efficiency (for example, that is determined based at least in part on an MCS and / or rank). The spectral efficiency may be a measure of wireless network capacity (for example, measured ina quantity of bits transmitted over a frequency bandwidth in a specific time, such as in units of bits per second per hertz (bits / s / Hz)). For example, the spectral efficiency may be determined and / or estimated by the UE 120. In some aspects, the UE 120 may receive (for example, from the network node 110) an indication of a spectral efficiency value (for example, via the configuration information in the first operation 405 or via the indication in the third operation 415). The UE 120 may measure (for example, determine and / or quantify) the interference level according to Equation 4:(4) Interference level = (2SPEFF— 1) xbias(rank, corr)

[0103] where SPEFF is the spectral efficiency, andbias(rank, corr) is a bias factor that is based on, or otherwise associated with, the rank and an antenna correlation value. In some aspects, the bias factor may be additionally, or alternatively, based on, or otherwise associated with, one or more channel characteristics, such as delay spread and / or Doppler value, among other examples. The UE 120 may determine or identify the bias factor via a lookup operation. For example, the UE 120 may store a database or table indicating bias factors. The UE 120 may search the database or table using one or more parameters (such as the rank, antenna correlation, a quantity of antennas, and / or one or more channel characteristics) to identify the bias factor. The bias factor may enable the UE 120 to account for the one or more parameters when quantifying the interference level caused by the unloaded CRS transmissions. This may improve an accuracy of the measurement and / or determination of the interference level.

[0104] The interference level may be derived from an effective SNR. For example, the effective SNR may be a function of the interference level. The interference level (for example, as quantified via Equation 4) may represent a signal power ratio between NR and LTE cells. For example, the interference level (for example, as quantified via Equation 4) may be indicative of,or represent (for example, be a proxy for), - RSR ■, where NRserving is 311RSRP of an NR Eneighbor serving cell and LTEPgPgphboris an RSRP of an LTE neighbor cell (for example, that may transmit the unloaded CRSs via the DSS spectrum).

[0105] In some aspects, the UE 120 may measure one or more signals transmitted via an LTE cell to obtain the interference level. For example, as described elsewhere herein, the UE 120 may detect the unloaded CRS interference via a search and / or measurement procedure associated with LTE. In such examples, the UE 120 may obtain one or more measurement values associated with identified or detected LTE neighbor cells. The UE 120 may determine the interference level of the unloaded CRSs based on, in response to, or otherwise associated with the one or more measurement values associated with identified or detected LTE neighbor cells. For example, the UE 120 may measure the CRS interference from a detected LTE neighbor cell via an LTE search and / or measurement procedure.

[0106] In a sixth operation 430, the UE 120 may perform one or more actions to mitigate the unloaded CRS interference. The UE 120 may mitigate the unloaded CRS interference by modifying one or more noise estimation parameters for the first one or more time intervals in which unloaded CRS interference is detected (for example, detected as described in connection with the fourth operation 420). In other words, the UE 120 may modify or regularize one or more noise estimation parameters for time intervals (for example, symbols) that at least partially overlap with CRS resource allocation for LTE in the DSS spectrum. The modification may be a modification or regularization of one or more noise estimation parameters or statistical properties that are determined based on, in response to, or otherwise associated with a measurement of the NR channel. For example, the UE 120 may measure one or more NR reference signals (for example, one or more DMRSs) via the DSS spectrum to determine the one or more noise estimation parameters. The UE 120 may modify the one or more noise estimation parameters (for example, to obtain one or more modified noise estimation parameters) based on, in response to, or otherwise associated with the interference level associated with the unloaded CRSs (for example, measured, determined, and / or quantified by the UE 120 as described in connection with the fifth operation 425). For example, during time intervals (for example, symbols) that do not overlap with CRS resource allocations for LTE, the UE 120 may apply the one or more noise estimation parameters (for example, determined based on, in response to, or otherwise associated with a measurement of the NR channel). During time intervals (for example, symbols) that at least partially overlap with the CRS resource allocations for LTE, the UE 120 may apply the one or more modified noise estimation parameters.

[0107] The one or more noise estimation parameters may include one or more whitening coefficients for a model associated with estimating noise. The model may be a noise covariance matrix (R^). For example, the UE 120 may use different noise covariance matrices for time intervals (for example, symbols) that do not overlap with CRS resource allocations and for time intervals (for example, symbols) that at least partially overlap with the CRS resource allocations (for example, using a dual-R^ approach). For example, the UE 120 may modify one or more whitening coefficients of the noise covariance matrix (for example, a noise covariance matrix determined by the UE 120 based on, in response to, or otherwise associated with measurements of one or more NR reference signals (for example, one or more DMRSs)). The UE 120 may modify the one or more whitening coefficients based on, in response to, or otherwise associated with the interference level (for example, the effective SNR) associated with the unloaded CRS interference. For example, the UE 120 may modify the one or more whitening coefficients to account for the unloaded CRS interference. The UE 120 may determine a first noise covariance matrix (for example, determined by the UE 120 based on, in response to, or otherwise associated with measurements of one or more NR reference signals). The UE 120 may determine a secondnoise covariance matrix that includes the one or more modified whitening coefficients. The UE 120 may apply the first noise covariance matrix during time intervals (for example, symbols) that do not overlap with CRS resource allocations for LTE. The UE 120 may apply the second noise covariance matrix during time intervals (for example, symbols) that at least partially overlap (for example, in the time domain) with the CRS resource allocations for LTE.

[0108] Alternatively, the UE 120 may determine one or more whitening coefficients based on measurements of one or more NR reference signals and the determined or measured interference level of the unloaded CRS interference. The UE 120 may determine a noise covariance matrix based on the one or more whitening coefficients (for example, that account for both the interference measured via the NR channel and the interference level of the unloaded CRS interference). In such examples, the UE 120 may apply the noise covariance matrix (for example, the same noise covariance matrix) for all time intervals (for example, for all symbols). In other words, the UE 120 may determine a single set of one or more conservative whitening coefficients for all symbols.

[0109] Additionally, or alternatively, the one or more noise estimation parameters may include one or more log likelihood ratio (LLR) scaling coefficients. For example, the UE 120 may apply an LLR scaling factor and / or one or more LLR scaling coefficients to a signal (for example, to account for estimated noise associated with the channel). The UE 120 may determine one or more LLR scaling coefficients based on, in response to, or otherwise associated with measurements of one or more NR reference signals (for example, one or more DMRSs). The UE 120 may modify one or more of the LLR scaling coefficients based on, in response to, or otherwise associated with the interference level of the unloaded CRS interference. For example, the UE 120 may modify one or more LLR scaling coefficients to account for the interference level of the unloaded CRS interference. In some aspects, the UE 120 may modify LLR scaling coefficients for all tones or all resource elements associated with time intervals (for example, symbols) that at least partially overlap with the CRS resource allocations for LTE (for example, the first one or more symbols detected to be associated with unloaded CRS interference, as described in connection with the fourth operation 420). In some other aspects, the UE 120 may modify LLR scaling coefficients for tones or resource elements associated with the CRS resource allocations for LTE. In other words, the UE 120 may only modify the LLR scaling coefficients for tones or resource elements (for example, in time intervals (for example, symbols) that at least partially overlap with the CRS resource allocations) in which CRSs for LTE are to be transmitted via the DSS spectrum.

[0110] The UE 120 may apply the LLR scaling coefficients (for example, determined based on, in response to, or otherwise associated with measurements of one or more NR reference signals (for example, one or more DMRSs)) during time intervals (for example, symbols) that donot overlap with CRS resource allocations for LTE. The UE 120 may apply the one or more modified LLR scaling coefficients during time intervals (for example, symbols) that at least partially overlap (for example, in the time domain) with the CRS resource allocations for LTE (for example, where the LLR scaling coefficients are modified for all tone or all resource elements or where the LLR scaling coefficients are modified only for tones or resource elements in which a CRS resource is allocated).[OHl] In some aspects, the UE 120 may apply both one or more modified whitening coefficients (for example, for a noise covariance matrix) and one or more modified LLR scaling coefficients during time intervals (for example, symbols) that at least partially overlap (for example, in the time domain) with the CRS resource allocations for LTE (for example, to mitigate the unloaded CRS interference). Lor example, the UE 120 may combine both the dual-R^ approach (for example, applying different noise covariance matrices for different symbols depending on whether a given symbol overlaps in the time domain with a CRS resource allocation) and different LLR scaling (for example, applying different LLR scaling coefficients for different symbols depending on whether a given symbol overlaps in the time domain with a CRS resource allocation). By using both the one or more modified whitening coefficients (for example, for a noise covariance matrix) and one or more modified LLR scaling coefficients, a mitigation of the unloaded CRS interference may be improved.

[0112] Lor example, the dual-R^ approach (for example, applying different noise covariance matrices for different symbols depending on whether a given symbol overlaps in the time domain with a CRS resource allocation) may improve communication performance of the UE 120 in the presence of more than one interfering cell (for example, more than one LTE neighbor cell). The different LLR scaling approach may improve performance of the UE 120 in the presence of a single interfering cell (for example, a single LTE neighbor cell). In some aspects, the combination of both the one or more modified whitening coefficients (for example, for a noise covariance matrix) and one or more modified LLR scaling coefficients may improve the LLR scaling performed by the UE 120.

[0113] In a seventh operation 435, the UE 120 may communicate with the network node 110 based at least in part on performing the unloaded CRS interference mitigation, as described in more detail elsewhere herein. Lor example, the UE 120 and the network node 110 may communicate (for example, transmit and / or receive), during at least one of the first one or more time intervals (for example, in which CRS interference is detected as described in connection with the fourth operation 420), one or more signals using one or more modified noise estimation parameters that are modified in association with the interference level, as described in more detail elsewhere herein (such as in connection with the sixth operation 430). Lor example, the UE 120 may transmit and / or receive one or more signals (for example, during a symbol that at leastpartially overlaps with a CRS resource allocation for LTE in the DSS spectrum) using one or more modified whitening coefficients for a noise covariance matrix and / or one or more modified LLR scaling coefficients, among other examples. This may improve throughput, reduce errors, and / or improve communication performance of the UE 120 by enabling the UE 120 to account for the unloaded CRS interference.

[0114] The UE 120 may communicate with the network node 110 (for example, transmit and / or receive), during a second one or more time intervals included in the set of time intervals, one or more signals using a second one or more noise estimation parameters (for example, using unmodified noise estimation parameters). The second one or more time intervals may be symbol(s) in a slot that do not overlap (in the time domain) with CRS resource allocation for LTE in the DSS spectrum. For example, the UE 120 may determine the one or more noise estimation parameters via a measurement of the NR channel (for example, by measuring one or more DMRSs). The UE 120 may transmit and / or receive one or more signals using the one or more noise estimation parameters (and / or communication parameters, such as MCS or rank, that are based on, or otherwise associated with the one or more noise estimation parameters) during time intervals (for example, symbols) that do not overlap (for example, in the time domain) with CRS resource allocations for LTE in the DSS spectrum. In other words, the UE 120 may use different noise estimation parameters for symbols that at least partially overlap in the time domain with CRS resource allocations for LTE in the DSS spectrum and for symbols that do not overlap in the time domain with CRS resource allocations for LTE in the DSS spectrum. This improves the throughput, reduces errors, and / or improves communication performance for the UE 120 by enabling the UE 120 account for unloaded CRS interference and to use different communication parameters during time intervals (for example, symbols) that may not be impacted by the unloaded CRS interference (for example, thereby improving the throughput, reducing errors, and / or improving communication performance of the UE 120 during the time intervals (for example, symbols) that may not be impacted by the unloaded CRS interference).

[0115] As indicated above, Figure 4 is provided as an example. Other examples may differ from what is described with respect to Figure 4.

[0116] Figure 5 is a diagram of an example 500 associated with mitigating CRS interference, in accordance with the present disclosure. Figure 5 depicts an example of a manner in which a UE 120 determines a detection parameter and / or a detection method to be used to detect unloaded CRS interference (for example, detection in a similar manner as described in connection with the fourth operation 420).

[0117] As shown in Figure 5, the UE 120 may use multiple switching thresholds to determine a detection parameter and / or a detection method to be used to detect unloaded CRS interference. For example, the UE 120 may use a first switching threshold and a second switching threshold.The switching threshold(s) may be associated with respective values of a switching parameter. As described in more detail elsewhere herein, the switching parameter may be an MCS (for example, an MCS index), a rank, a quantity of code blocks in a transport block, and / or an SNR (for example, an estimated SNR for an NR channel and / or an LTE channel), among other examples.

[0118] As shown in Figure 5, a current state 505 may be a given detection parameter and / or detection method. In a first operation 510, the UE 120 may determine whether the switching parameter satisfies a first threshold (for example, a first switching threshold). If the switching parameter satisfies the first threshold (for example, “Yes”), then in a second operation 515, the UE 120 may use a detection parameter 2 for the detection of unloaded CRS interference (for example, the detection parameter 2 may be a frequency domain energy level and / or detection of unloaded CRS interference that is determined using a detection ratio that is determined according to the Equation 2). For example, in the first operation 510, the UE 120 may determine whether the switching parameter is less than or equal to the first switching threshold. The detection parameter 2 (for example, the frequency domain energy level and / or detection of unloaded CRS interference that is determined using a detection ratio that is determined according to the Equation 2) may be a detection parameter and / or detection method that has improved relative performance (for example, relative to other detection parameters and / or detection methods) at low values of the switching parameter (for example, in low SNR scenarios).

[0119] If the switching parameter does not satisfy the first threshold (for example, “No”), then in a third operation 520, the UE 120 may determine whether the switching parameter satisfies a second threshold (for example, a second switching threshold). If the switching parameter satisfies the first threshold (for example, “Yes”), then in a fourth operation 525, the UE 120 may use a detection parameter 1 for the detection of unloaded CRS interference (for example, the detection parameter 1 may be a quantity of iterations associated with a decoding procedure and / or may be determined according to the Equation 1). For example, in the third operation 520, the UE 120 may determine whether the switching parameter is greater than or equal to the second switching threshold. If yes, then the UE 120 may use the detection parameter 1 and / or a first detection method (for example, detection of unloaded CRS interference that is determined using a detection ratio that is determined according to the Equation 1). The detection parameter 1 and / or the first detection method may be associated with relatively improved detection performance (for example, relative to other detection parameters and / or detection methods) at high values of the switching parameter (for example, in high SNR scenarios).

[0120] If the switching parameter does not satisfy the second threshold (for example, “No”), then in a fifth operation 530, the UE 120 may continue to use a detection parameter and / or detection method as indicated by the current state 505. In other words, if the switching parameterdoes not satisfy the second threshold, then the UE 120 may refrain from switching the detection parameter and / or the detection method from the current state 505.

[0121] As a result, the UE 120 may be enabled to dynamically use a detection parameter and / or a detection method that performs best at current operating conditions of the UE 120. This may improve the ability of the UE 120 to detect unloaded CRS interference, as described in more detail elsewhere herein. Additionally, by using multiple switching thresholds, the UE 120 may reduce a likelihood of a “ping-pong” effect of frequent switching of the detection parameter and / or the detection method (for example, in scenarios where a value of the switching parameter is close to a given switching threshold). Reducing the likelihood of frequent switching of the detection parameter and / or the detection method may conserve processing resources, computing resources, memory resources, and / or power resources, among other examples, that would have otherwise been associated with frequently switching the detection parameter and / or the detection method used by the UE 120.

[0122] As indicated above, Figure 5 is provided as an example. Other examples may differ from what is described with respect to Figure 5.

[0123] Figure 6 is a diagram of an example 600 associated with performance gains associated with mitigating CRS interference, in accordance with the present disclosure. For example, Figure 6 depicts a graph showing throughput levels (for example, in units of megabits per second (MBPS)) at different SNR levels (for example, in units of decibels (dB)).

[0124] For example, the graph depicts a throughput level of UEs for an NR channel (for example, a PDSCH) for a DSS spectrum in the presence of one or more unloaded CRS transmissions. The line indicated by reference number 605 shows a performance of a UE 120 that performs one or more operations described herein associated with mitigating unloaded CRS interference. The line indicated by reference number 610 shows a performance of a UE 120 that does not perform unloaded CRS interference mitigation. As shown in Figure 6, the UE 120 that performs unloaded CRS interference mitigation may experience increased throughput for the NR channel as compared to the UE 120 that does not perform unloaded CRS interference mitigation.

[0125] In some aspects, the unloaded CRS interference mitigation performed by the UE 120 (for example, the UE 120 associated with the line indicated by reference number 605) may be associated with a fixed detection parameter and / or detection method (for example, used by the UE 120 to detect unloaded CRS interference). For example, the detection parameter and / or the detection method may be the first detection parameter (for example, detection of unloaded CRS interference that is determined using a detection ratio that is determined according to the Equation 1). As shown in Figure 6, by performing one or more operations described herein, a throughput level for the UE 120 may be improved.

[0126] As indicated above, Figure 6 is provided as an example. Other examples may differ from what is described with respect to Figure 6.

[0127] Figure 7 is a diagram of an example 700 associated with performance gains associated with mitigating CRS interference, in accordance with the present disclosure. For example, Figure7 depicts a graph showing throughput levels at different SNR levels.

[0128] For example, the graph depicts a throughput level of UEs for an NR channel (for example, a PDSCH) for a DSS spectrum in the presence of one or more unloaded CRS transmissions. The line indicated by reference number 705 shows a performance of a UE 120 that performs one or more operations described herein associated with mitigating unloaded CRS interference. The line indicated by reference number 710 shows a performance of a UE 120 that does not perform unloaded CRS interference mitigation. As shown in Figure 7, the UE 120 that performs unloaded CRS interference mitigation may experience increased throughput for the NR channel as compared to the UE 120 that does not perform unloaded CRS interference mitigation.

[0129] In some aspects, the unloaded CRS interference mitigation performed by the UE 120 (for example, the UE 120 associated with the line indicated by reference number 705) may be associated with a hybrid approach for determining detection parameter and / or detection method (for example, in a similar manner as described in connection with Figure 5). For example, the UE 120 may switch between different detection parameters and / or detection methods based on, in response to, or otherwise associated with a value of a switching parameter, as described in more detail elsewhere herein. As shown in Figure 7, the hybrid approach may result in improved performance (for example, improved throughput) at lower SNR values (for example, because the UE 120 is enabled to switch to a detection parameter and / or a detection method that has improved relative performance in low SNR scenarios).

[0130] As indicated above, Figure 7 is provided as an example. Other examples may differ from what is described with respect to Figure 7.

[0131] Figure 8 is a diagram of an example 800 associated with performance gains associated with mitigating CRS interference, in accordance with the present disclosure. For example, Figure8 depicts a graph showing throughput levels at different SNR levels.

[0132] The graph depicted in Figure 8 shows the performance of different UEs 120 in different scenarios. For example, the line indicated by reference number 805 may depict a performance of a UE 120 that performs one or more operations described herein associated with mitigating unloaded CRS interference (for example, in the presence of an LTE cell that transmits one or more unloaded CRSs). As shown in Figure 8, for an NR channel in a DSS spectrum, a UE 120 that performs the unloaded CRS interference mitigation described herein may have an improved throughput performance.

[0133] The line indicated by reference number 810 may depict a performance of a UE 120 that does not perform unloaded CRS interference mitigation (for example, in the presence of an LTE cell that transmits one or more unloaded CRSs). The line indicated by reference number 815 may depict a performance of a UE 120 that performs one or more operations described herein associated with mitigating unloaded CRS interference in the presence of an LTE cell that transmits one or more loaded CRSs (for example, CRS transmission in addition to data and / or control transmissions in the LTE channel). Additionally, or alternatively, the line indication by reference number 815 may depict a performance of a UE 120 in the presence of an LTE cell that transmits one or more loaded CRSs (for example, CRS transmission in addition to data and / or control transmissions in the LTE channel), where the UE 120 does not perform CRS interference mitigation. As shown in Figure 8, the throughput performance of the UE 120 in the presence of an LTE cell that transmits one or more loaded CRSs may be similar (for example, because interference across all symbols may be similar due to the data and / or control transmissions via the LTE cell, therefore the interference level for the NR channel may be accurately estimated via measurements of the NR channel).

[0134] As indicated above, Figure 8 is provided as an example. Other examples may differ from what is described with respect to Figure 8.

[0135] Figure 9 is a diagram illustrating an example process 900 performed, for example, at a user equipment or an apparatus of a user equipment, in accordance with the present disclosure. Example process 900 is an example where the apparatus or the user equipment (for example, UE 120) performs operations associated with mitigating cell-specific reference signal interference.

[0136] As shown in Figure 9, in some aspects, process 900 may include identifying that a first one or more time intervals, from a set of time intervals, are associated with unloaded CRS interference (block 910). For example, the user equipment (for example, using communication manager 1006, depicted in Figure 10) may identify that a first one or more time intervals, from a set of time intervals, are associated with unloaded CRS interference, as described above.

[0137] As further shown in Figure 9, in some aspects, process 900 may include measuring, in association with a spectral efficiency of the first one or more time intervals, an interference level associated with the unloaded CRS interference (block 920). For example, the user equipment (for example, using communication manager 1006, depicted in Figure 10) may measure, in association with a spectral efficiency of the first one or more time intervals, an interference level associated with the unloaded CRS interference, as described above.

[0138] As further shown in Figure 9, in some aspects, process 900 may include communicating, during at least one of the first one or more time intervals, a first one or more signals using one or more modified (or regularized) noise estimation parameters that are modified in association with the interference level (block 930). For example, the user equipment (forexample, using reception component 1002, transmission component 1004, and / or communication manager 1006, depicted in Figure 10) may communicate, during at least one of the first one or more time intervals, a first one or more signals using one or more modified (or regularized) noise estimation parameters that are modified in association with the interference level, as described above. In some aspects, the one or more modified noise estimation parameters may be regularized noise statistical properties.

[0139] Process 900 may include additional aspects, such as any single aspect or any combination of aspects described below and / or in connection with one or more other processes described elsewhere herein.

[0140] In a first aspect, the set of time intervals are associated with a first RAT (for example, the NR RAT), the unloaded CRS interference is associated with a second RAT (for example, the LTE RAT), and communicating the first one or more signals includes communicating the first one or more signals (for example, via a channel associated with the first RAT) via a DSS spectrum that is associated with the first RAT and the second RAT.

[0141] In a second aspect, alone or in combination with the first aspect, identifying that the first one or more time intervals are associated with unloaded CRS interference includes identifying that a detection ratio associated with the first one or more time intervals satisfies a detection threshold, the detection ratio being associated with a first one or more values of a detection parameter for the first one or more time intervals and a second one or more values of the detection parameter for a second one or more time intervals included in the set of time intervals.

[0142] In a third aspect, alone or in combination with one or more of the first and second aspects, the detection parameter includes a frequency domain energy level.

[0143] In a fourth aspect, alone or in combination with one or more of the first through third aspects, the detection ratio is a filtered ratio associated with a filter coefficient.

[0144] In a fifth aspect, alone or in combination with one or more of the first through fourth aspects, the detection parameter is a first detection parameter or a second detection parameter responsive to whether a switching parameter satisfies a switching threshold.

[0145] In a sixth aspect, alone or in combination with one or more of the first through fifth aspects, the switching parameter includes at least one of a modulation and coding scheme index, a rank, a quantity of code blocks in a transport block, or an SNR.

[0146] In a seventh aspect, alone or in combination with one or more of the first through sixth aspects, the switching threshold includes a first switching threshold and a second switching threshold, and the detection parameter is the first detection parameter, and the process 900 includes switching the detection parameter from the first detection parameter to the second detection parameter responsive to the switching parameter satisfying both the first switching threshold and the second switching threshold.

[0147] In an eighth aspect, alone or in combination with one or more of the first through seventh aspects, the switching threshold includes a first switching threshold and a second switching threshold, an initial detection parameter is the first detection parameter, and the detection parameter is the first detection parameter responsive to the switching parameter satisfying the first switching threshold and not satisfying the second switching threshold.

[0148] In a ninth aspect, alone or in combination with one or more of the first through eighth aspects, identifying that the first one or more time intervals are associated with unloaded CRS interference includes performing one or more search or measurement operations associated with a radio access technology that is associated with the unloaded CRS interference, and identifying that the first one or more time intervals are associated with unloaded CRS interference responsive to one or more measurement values, for the first one or more time intervals, that are associated with the one or more search or measurement operations.

[0149] In a tenth aspect, alone or in combination with one or more of the first through ninth aspects, the one or more modified noise estimation parameters include at least one of whitening coefficients for a model associated with estimating noise statistics, or LLR scaling coefficients.

[0150] In an eleventh aspect, alone or in combination with one or more of the first through tenth aspects, the one or more modified noise estimation parameters include one or more modified whitening coefficients for a model associated with estimating noise statistics and one or more modified LLR scaling coefficients.

[0151] In a twelfth aspect, alone or in combination with one or more of the first through eleventh aspects, the one or more modified noise estimation parameters include a first one or more noise estimation parameters, and the process 900 includes communicating, during a second one or more time intervals included in the set of time intervals, a second one or more signals using a second one or more noise estimation parameters.

[0152] In a thirteenth aspect, alone or in combination with one or more of the first through twelfth aspects, the first one or more time intervals include one or more symbols, and the set of time intervals are included in a slot.

[0153] Although Figure 9 shows example blocks of process 900, in some aspects, process 900 may include additional blocks, fewer blocks, different blocks, or differently arranged blocks than those depicted in Figure 9. Additionally, or alternatively, two or more of the blocks of process 900 may be performed in parallel.

[0154] Figure 10 is a diagram of an example apparatus 1000 for wireless communication, in accordance with the present disclosure. The apparatus 1000 may be a UE, or a UE may include the apparatus 1000. In some aspects, the apparatus 1000 includes a reception component 1002, a transmission component 1004, and / or a communication manager 1006, which may be in communication with one another (for example, via one or more buses and / or one or more othercomponents). In some aspects, the communication manager 1006 is the communication manager 140 described in connection with Figure 1. As shown, the apparatus 1000 may communicate with another apparatus 1008, such as a UE or a network node (such as a CU, a DU, an RU, or a base station), using the reception component 1002 and the transmission component 1004.

[0155] In some aspects, the apparatus 1000 may be configured to perform one or more operations described herein in connection with Figs. 4-8. Additionally, or alternatively, the apparatus 1000 may be configured to perform one or more processes described herein, such as process 900 of Figure 9, or a combination thereof. In some aspects, the apparatus 1000 and / or one or more components shown in Figure 10 may include one or more components of the UE described in connection with Figure 2. Additionally, or alternatively, one or more components shown in Figure 10 may be implemented within one or more components described in connection with Figure 2. Additionally, or alternatively, one or more components of the set of components may be implemented at least in part as software stored in one or more memories. For example, a component (or a portion of a component) may be implemented as instructions or code stored in a non-transitory computer-readable medium and executable by one or more controllers or one or more processors to perform the functions or operations of the component.

[0156] The reception component 1002 may receive communications, such as reference signals, control information, data communications, or a combination thereof, from the apparatus 1008. The reception component 1002 may provide received communications to one or more other components of the apparatus 1000. In some aspects, the reception component 1002 may perform signal processing on the received communications (such as filtering, amplification, demodulation, analog-to-digital conversion, demultiplexing, deinterleaving, de-mapping, equalization, interference cancellation, or decoding, among other examples), and may provide the processed signals to the one or more other components of the apparatus 1000. In some aspects, the reception component 1002 may include one or more antennas, one or more modems, one or more demodulators, one or more MIMO detectors, one or more receive processors, one or more controllers / processors, one or more memories, or a combination thereof, of the UE described in connection with Figure 2.

[0157] The transmission component 1004 may transmit communications, such as reference signals, control information, data communications, or a combination thereof, to the apparatus 1008. In some aspects, one or more other components of the apparatus 1000 may generate communications and may provide the generated communications to the transmission component 1004 for transmission to the apparatus 1008. In some aspects, the transmission component 1004 may perform signal processing on the generated communications (such as filtering, amplification, modulation, digital-to-analog conversion, multiplexing, interleaving, mapping, or encoding, among other examples), and may transmit the processed signals to the apparatus 1008. In someaspects, the transmission component 1004 may include one or more antennas, one or more modems, one or more modulators, one or more transmit MIMO processors, one or more transmit processors, one or more controllers / processors, one or more memories, or a combination thereof, of the UE described in connection with Figure 2. In some aspects, the transmission component 1004 may be co-located with the reception component 1002 in one or more transceivers.

[0158] The communication manager 1006 may support operations of the reception component 1002 and / or the transmission component 1004. For example, the communication manager 1006 may receive information associated with configuring reception of communications by the reception component 1002 and / or transmission of communications by the transmission component 1004. Additionally, or alternatively, the communication manager 1006 may generate and / or provide control information to the reception component 1002 and / or the transmission component 1004 to control reception and / or transmission of communications.

[0159] The communication manager 1006 may identify that a first one or more time intervals, from a set of time intervals, are associated with unloaded CRS interference. The communication manager 1006 may measure, in association with a spectral efficiency of the first one or more time intervals, an interference level associated with the unloaded CRS interference. The reception component 1002 and / or the transmission component 1004 may communicate, during at least one of the first one or more time intervals, a first one or more signals using one or more modified noise estimation parameters that are modified in association with the interference level.

[0160] The quantity and arrangement of components shown in Figure 10 are provided as an example. In practice, there may be additional components, fewer components, different components, or differently arranged components than those shown in Figure 10. Furthermore, two or more components shown in Figure 10 may be implemented within a single component, or a single component shown in Figure 10 may be implemented as multiple, distributed components. Additionally, or alternatively, a set of (one or more) components shown in Figure 10 may perform one or more functions described as being performed by another set of components shown in Figure 10.

[0161] Figure 11 is a diagram of an example apparatus 1100 for wireless communication, in accordance with the present disclosure. The apparatus 1100 may be a network node, or a network node may include the apparatus 1100. In some aspects, the apparatus 1100 includes a reception component 1102, a transmission component 1104, and / or a communication manager 1106, which may be in communication with one another (for example, via one or more buses and / or one or more other components). In some aspects, the communication manager 1106 is the communication manager 150 described in connection with Figure 1. As shown, the apparatus 1100 may communicate with another apparatus 1108, such as a UE or a network node (such as aCU, a DU, an RU, or a base station), using the reception component 1102 and the transmission component 1104.

[0162] In some aspects, the apparatus 1100 may be configured to perform one or more operations described herein in connection with Figs. 4-8. Additionally, or alternatively, the apparatus 1100 may be configured to perform one or more processes described herein. In some aspects, the apparatus 1100 and / or one or more components shown in Figure 11 may include one or more components of the network node described in connection with Figure 2. Additionally, or alternatively, one or more components shown in Figure 11 may be implemented within one or more components described in connection with Figure 2. Additionally, or alternatively, one or more components of the set of components may be implemented at least in part as software stored in one or more memories. For example, a component (or a portion of a component) may be implemented as instructions or code stored in a non-transitory computer-readable medium and executable by one or more controllers or one or more processors to perform the functions or operations of the component.

[0163] The reception component 1102 may receive communications, such as reference signals, control information, data communications, or a combination thereof, from the apparatus 1108. The reception component 1102 may provide received communications to one or more other components of the apparatus 1100. In some aspects, the reception component 1102 may perform signal processing on the received communications (such as filtering, amplification, demodulation, analog-to-digital conversion, demultiplexing, deinterleaving, de-mapping, equalization, interference cancellation, or decoding, among other examples), and may provide the processed signals to the one or more other components of the apparatus 1100. In some aspects, the reception component 1102 may include one or more antennas, one or more modems, one or more demodulators, one or more MIMO detectors, one or more receive processors, one or more controllers / processors, one or more memories, or a combination thereof, of the network node described in connection with Figure 2. In some aspects, the reception component 1102 and / or the transmission component 1104 may include or may be included in a network interface. The network interface may be configured to obtain and / or output signals for the apparatus 1100 via one or more communications links, such as a backhaul link, a midhaul link, and / or a fronthaul link.

[0164] The transmission component 1104 may transmit communications, such as reference signals, control information, data communications, or a combination thereof, to the apparatus 1108. In some aspects, one or more other components of the apparatus 1100 may generate communications and may provide the generated communications to the transmission component 1104 for transmission to the apparatus 1108. In some aspects, the transmission component 1104 may perform signal processing on the generated communications (such as filtering, amplification,modulation, digital-to-analog conversion, multiplexing, interleaving, mapping, or encoding, among other examples), and may transmit the processed signals to the apparatus 1108. In some aspects, the transmission component 1104 may include one or more antennas, one or more modems, one or more modulators, one or more transmit MIMO processors, one or more transmit processors, one or more controllers / processors, one or more memories, or a combination thereof, of the network node described in connection with Figure 2. In some aspects, the transmission component 1104 may be co-located with the reception component 1102 in one or more transceivers.

[0165] The communication manager 1106 may support operations of the reception component 1102 and / or the transmission component 1104. For example, the communication manager 1106 may receive information associated with configuring reception of communications by the reception component 1102 and / or transmission of communications by the transmission component 1104. Additionally, or alternatively, the communication manager 1106 may generate and / or provide control information to the reception component 1102 and / or the transmission component 1104 to control reception and / or transmission of communications.

[0166] In some aspects, the transmission component 1104 may transmit configuration information for a UE for unloaded CRS interference mitigation associated with a DSS spectrum.

[0167] The quantity and arrangement of components shown in Figure 11 are provided as an example. In practice, there may be additional components, fewer components, different components, or differently arranged components than those shown in Figure 11. Furthermore, two or more components shown in Figure 11 may be implemented within a single component, or a single component shown in Figure 11 may be implemented as multiple, distributed components. Additionally, or alternatively, a set of (one or more) components shown in Figure 11 may perform one or more functions described as being performed by another set of components shown in Figure 11.

[0168] The following provides an overview of some Aspects of the present disclosure:

[0169] Aspect 1 : A method of wireless communication performed at a user equipment (UE), comprising: identifying that a first one or more time intervals, from a set of time intervals, are associated with unloaded cell-specific reference signal (CRS) interference; measuring, in association with a spectral efficiency of the first one or more time intervals, an interference level associated with the unloaded CRS interference; and communicating, during at least one of the first one or more time intervals, a first one or more signals using one or more modified noise estimation parameters that are modified in association with the interference level.

[0170] Aspect 2: The method of Aspect 1, wherein the set of time intervals are associated with a first radio access technology (RAT), the unloaded CRS interference is associated with a second RAT, and communicating the first one or more signals comprises: communicating the first one ormore signals via a dynamic spectrum sharing (DSS) spectrum that is associated with the first RAT and the second RAT.

[0171] Aspect 3: The method of any of Aspects 1-2, wherein identifying that the first one or more time intervals are associated with unloaded CRS interference comprises: identifying that a detection ratio associated with the first one or more time intervals satisfies a detection threshold, the detection ratio being associated with a first one or more values of a detection parameter for the first one or more time intervals and a second one or more values of the detection parameter for a second one or more time intervals included in the set of time intervals.

[0172] Aspect 4: The method of Aspect 3, wherein the detection parameter includes a frequency domain energy level.

[0173] Aspect 5: The method of any of Aspects 3-4, wherein the detection ratio is a filtered ratio associated with a filter coefficient.

[0174] Aspect 6: The method of any of Aspects 3-5, wherein the detection parameter is a first detection parameter or a second detection parameter responsive to whether a switching parameter satisfies a switching threshold.

[0175] Aspect 7: The method of Aspect 6, wherein the switching parameter includes at least one of: a modulation and coding scheme index, a rank, a quantity of code blocks in a transport block, or a signal-to-noise ratio (SNR).

[0176] Aspect 8: The method of any of Aspects 6-7, wherein the switching threshold includes a first switching threshold and a second switching threshold, and the detection parameter is the first detection parameter, and the method further comprises: switching the detection parameter from the first detection parameter to the second detection parameter responsive to the switching parameter satisfying both the first switching threshold and the second switching threshold.

[0177] Aspect 9: The method of any of Aspects 6-8, wherein the switching threshold includes a first switching threshold and a second switching threshold, an initial detection parameter is the first detection parameter, and the detection parameter is the first detection parameter responsive to the switching parameter satisfying the first switching threshold and not satisfying the second switching threshold.

[0178] Aspect 10: The method of any of Aspects 1-9, wherein identifying that the first one or more time intervals are associated with unloaded CRS interference comprises: performing one or more search or measurement operations associated with a radio access technology that is associated with the unloaded CRS interference; and identifying that the first one or more time intervals are associated with unloaded CRS interference responsive to one or more measurement values, for the first one or more time intervals, that are associated with the one or more search or measurement operations.

[0179] Aspect 11: The method of any of Aspects 1-10, wherein the one or more modified noise estimation parameters include at least one of: whitening coefficients for a model associated with estimating noise statistics, or log likelihood ratio (LLR) scaling coefficients.

[0180] Aspect 12: The method of any of Aspects 1-11, wherein the one or more modified noise estimation parameters include one or more modified whitening coefficients for a model associated with estimating noise statistics and one or more modified log likelihood ratio (LLR) scaling coefficients.

[0181] Aspect 13: The method of any of Aspects 1-12, wherein the one or more modified noise estimation parameters include a first one or more noise estimation parameters, and the method further comprises: communicating, during a second one or more time intervals included in the set of time intervals, a second one or more signals using a second one or more noise estimation parameters.

[0182] Aspect 14: The method of any of Aspects 1-13, wherein the first one or more time intervals include one or more symbols, and the set of time intervals comprise a slot.

[0183] Aspect 15: The method of any of Aspects 1-14, further comprising: transmitting capability information indicating support for an operation or feature associated with any of Aspects 1-14.

[0184] Aspect 16: The method of any of Aspects 1-15, further comprising: receiving configuration information indicating a configuration of an operation or feature associated with any of Aspects 1-14.

[0185] Aspect 17: The method of any of Aspects 1-16, further comprising: receiving a dynamic indication activating or deactivating an operation or feature associated with any of Aspects 1-14.

[0186] Aspect 18: An apparatus for wireless communication at a device, the apparatus comprising one or more processors; one or more memories coupled with the one or more processors; and instructions stored in the one or more memories and executable by the one or more processors to cause the apparatus to perform the method of one or more of Aspects 1-17.

[0187] Aspect 19: An apparatus for wireless communication at a device, the apparatus comprising one or more memories and one or more processors coupled to the one or more memories, the one or more processors configured to cause the device to perform the method of one or more of Aspects 1-17.

[0188] Aspect 20: An apparatus for wireless communication, the apparatus comprising at least one means for performing the method of one or more of Aspects 1-17.

[0189] Aspect 21: A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing code for wireless communication, the code comprising instructions executable by one or more processors to perform the method of one or more of Aspects 1-17.

[0190] Aspect 22: A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing a set of instructions for wireless communication, the set of instructions comprising one or more instructions that, when executed by one or more processors of a device, cause the device to perform the method of one or more of Aspects 1-17.

[0191] Aspect 23: A device for wireless communication, the device comprising a processing system that includes one or more processors and one or more memories coupled with the one or more processors, the processing system configured to cause the device to perform the method of one or more of Aspects 1-17.

[0192] The foregoing disclosure provides illustration and description but is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the aspects to the precise forms disclosed. Modifications and variations may be made in light of the above disclosure or may be acquired from practice of the aspects.

[0193] As used herein, the term “component” is intended to be broadly construed as hardware or a combination of hardware and software. “Software” shall be construed broadly to mean instructions, instruction sets, code, code segments, program code, programs, subprograms, software modules, applications, software applications, software packages, routines, subroutines, objects, executables, threads of execution, procedures, or functions, among other examples, whether referred to as software, firmware, middleware, microcode, hardware description language, or otherwise. As used herein, a “processor” is implemented in hardware or a combination of hardware and software. It will be apparent that systems or methods described herein may be implemented in different forms of hardware or a combination of hardware and software. The actual specialized control hardware or software code used to implement these systems or methods is not limiting of the aspects. Thus, the operation and behavior of the systems or methods are described herein without reference to specific software code, because those skilled in the art will understand that software and hardware can be designed to implement the systems or methods based, at least in part, on the description herein.

[0194] As used herein, “satisfying a threshold” may, depending on the context, refer to a value being greater than the threshold, greater than or equal to the threshold, less than the threshold, less than or equal to the threshold, equal to the threshold, or not equal to the threshold, among other examples.

[0195] Even though particular combinations of features are recited in the claims or disclosed in the specification, these combinations are not intended to limit the disclosure of various aspects. Many of these features may be combined in ways not specifically recited in the claims or disclosed in the specification. The disclosure of various aspects includes each dependent claim in combination with every other claim in the claim set. As used herein, a phrase referring to “at least one of’ a list of items refers to any combination of those items, including single members. As an example, “at least one of: a, b, or c” is intended to cover a, b, c, a + b, a + c, b + c, and a + b + c,as well as any combination with multiples of the same element (for example, a + a, a + a + a, a + a + b, a + a + c, a + b + b, a + c + c, b + b, b + b + b, b + b + c, c + c, and c + c + c, or any other ordering of a, b, and c).

[0196] As used herein, the term “determine” or “determining” encompasses a wide variety of actions and, therefore, “determining” can include calculating, computing, processing, deriving, investigating, looking up (such as via looking up in a table, a database or another data structure), inferring, ascertaining, and / or measuring, among other examples. Also, “determining” can include receiving (such as receiving information), accessing (such as accessing data stored in memory), and / or transmitting (such as transmitting information), among other examples. Also, “determining” can include resolving, selecting, obtaining, choosing, establishing, and / or other similar actions.

[0197] No element, act, or instruction used herein should be construed as critical or essential unless explicitly described as such. Also, as used herein, the articles “a” and “an” are intended to include one or more items and may be used interchangeably with “one or more.” Further, as used herein, the article “the” is intended to include one or more items referenced in connection with the article “the” and may be used interchangeably with “the one or more.” Furthermore, as used herein, the terms “set” and “group” are intended to include one or more items and may be used interchangeably with “one or more.” Where only one item is intended, the phrase “only one” or similar language is used. Also, as used herein, the terms “has,” “have,” “having,” or the like are intended to be open-ended terms that do not limit an element that they modify (for example, an element “having” A may also have B). Further, as used herein, “based on” is intended to be interpreted in the inclusive sense, unless otherwise explicitly indicated. For example, “based on” may be used interchangeably with “based at least in part on,” “associated with”, or “in accordance with” unless otherwise explicitly indicated. Specifically, unless a phrase refers to “based on only ‘a,’” or the equivalent in context, whatever it is that is “based on ‘a,’” or “based at least in part on ‘a,’” may be based on “a” alone or based on a combination of “a” and one or more other factors, conditions or information. Also, as used herein, the term “or” is intended to be inclusive when used in a series and may be used interchangeably with “and / or,” unless explicitly stated otherwise (for example, if used in combination with “either” or “only one of’).

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. An apparatus for wireless communication at a user equipment (UE), comprising: one or more memories storing processor-executable code; and one or more processors, coupled to the one or more memories, at least one processor of the one or more processors configured to cause the UE to: identify that a first one or more time intervals, from a set of time intervals, are associated with unloaded cell-specific reference signal (CRS) interference; measure, in association with a spectral efficiency of the first one or more time intervals, an interference level associated with the unloaded CRS interference; and communicate, during at least one of the first one or more time intervals, a first one or more signals using one or more modified noise estimation parameters that are modified in association with the interference level.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the set of time intervals are associated with a first radio access technology (RAT), the unloaded CRS interference is associated with a second RAT, and wherein at least one processor of the one of the one or more processors, to cause the UE to communicate the first one or more signals, is configured to cause the UE to: communicate the first one or more signals via a dynamic spectrum sharing (DSS) spectrum that is associated with the first RAT and the second RAT.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein at least one processor of the one of the one or more processors, to cause the UE to identify that the first one or more time intervals are associated with unloaded CRS interference, is configured to cause the UE to: identify that a detection ratio associated with the first one or more time intervals satisfies a detection threshold, the detection ratio being associated with a first one or more values of a detection parameter for the first one or more time intervals and a second one or more values of the detection parameter for a second one or more time intervals included in the set of time intervals.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the detection parameter includes a frequency domain energy level.

5. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the detection parameter is a first detection parameter or a second detection parameter responsive to whether a switching parameter satisfies a switching threshold.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the switching parameter includes at least one of:a modulation and coding scheme index, a rank, a quantity of code blocks in a transport block, or a signal-to-noise ratio (SNR).

7. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the switching threshold includes a first switching threshold and a second switching threshold, and the detection parameter is the first detection parameter, and wherein at least one processor of the one of the one or more processors is configured to cause the UE to: switch the detection parameter from the first detection parameter to the second detection parameter responsive to the switching parameter satisfying both the first switching threshold and the second switching threshold.

8. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the switching threshold includes a first switching threshold and a second switching threshold, an initial detection parameter is the first detection parameter, and the detection parameter is the first detection parameter responsive to the switching parameter satisfying the first switching threshold and not satisfying the second switching threshold.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein at least one processor of the one of the one or more processors, to cause the UE to identify that the first one or more time intervals are associated with unloaded CRS interference, is configured to cause the UE to: perform one or more search or measurement operations associated with a radio access technology that is associated with the unloaded CRS interference; and identify that the first one or more time intervals are associated with unloaded CRS interference responsive to one or more measurement values, for the first one or more time intervals, that are associated with the one or more search or measurement operations.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the one or more modified noise estimation parameters include at least one of: whitening coefficients for a model associated with estimating one or more noise statistics, or log likelihood ratio (LLR) scaling coefficients.

11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the one or more modified noise estimation parameters include one or more modified whitening coefficients for a model associated with estimating one or more noise statistics and one or more modified log likelihood ratio (LLR) scaling coefficients.

12. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the one or more modified noise estimation parameters include a first one or more noise estimation parameters, and wherein at least one processor of the one of the one or more processors is configured to cause the UE to: communicate, during a second one or more time intervals included in the set of time intervals, a second one or more signals using a second one or more noise estimation parameters.

13. A method of wireless communication performed at a user equipment (UE), comprising: identifying that a first one or more time intervals, from a set of time intervals, are associated with unloaded cell-specific reference signal (CRS) interference; measuring, in association with a spectral efficiency of the first one or more time intervals, an interference level associated with the unloaded CRS interference; and communicating, during at least one of the first one or more time intervals, a first one or more signals using one or more modified noise estimation parameters that are modified in association with the interference level.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the set of time intervals are associated with a first radio access technology (RAT), the unloaded CRS interference is associated with a second RAT, and communicating the first one or more signals comprises: communicating the first one or more signals via a dynamic spectrum sharing (DSS) spectrum that is associated with the first RAT and the second RAT.

15. The method of claim 13, wherein identifying that the first one or more time intervals are associated with unloaded CRS interference comprises: identifying that a detection ratio associated with the first one or more time intervals satisfies a detection threshold, the detection ratio being associated with a first one or more values of a detection parameter for the first one or more time intervals and a second one or more values of the detection parameter for a second one or more time intervals included in the set of time intervals.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the detection parameter includes a frequency domain energy level.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein the detection parameter is a first detection parameter or a second detection parameter responsive to whether a switching parameter satisfies a switching threshold.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the switching parameter includes at least one of: a modulation and coding scheme index, a rank, a quantity of code blocks in a transport block, or a signal-to-noise ratio (SNR).

19. The method of claim 17, wherein the switching threshold includes a first switching threshold and a second switching threshold, and the detection parameter is the first detection parameter, and the method further comprises: switching the detection parameter from the first detection parameter to the second detection parameter responsive to the switching parameter satisfying both the first switching threshold and the second switching threshold.

20. The method of claim 17, wherein the switching threshold includes a first switching threshold and a second switching threshold, an initial detection parameter is the first detection parameter, and the detection parameter is the first detection parameter responsive to the switching parameter satisfying the first switching threshold and not satisfying the second switching threshold.

21. The method of claim 13 , wherein identifying that the first one or more time intervals are associated with unloaded CRS interference comprises: performing one or more search or measurement operations associated with a radio access technology that is associated with the unloaded CRS interference; and identifying that the first one or more time intervals are associated with unloaded CRS interference responsive to one or more measurement values, for the first one or more time intervals, that are associated with the one or more search or measurement operations.

22. The method of claim 13, wherein the one or more modified noise estimation parameters include at least one of: whitening coefficients for a model associated with estimating one or more noise statistics, or log likelihood ratio (LLR) scaling coefficients.

23. The method of claim 13, wherein the one or more modified noise estimation parameters include one or more modified whitening coefficients for estimating one or more noise statistics and one or more modified log likelihood ratio (LLR) scaling coefficients.

24. The method of claim 13, wherein the one or more modified noise estimation parameters include a first one or more noise estimation parameters, and the method further comprises: communicating, during a second one or more time intervals included in the set of time intervals, a second one or more signals using a second one or more noise estimation parameters.

25. A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing a set of instructions for wireless communication, the set of instructions comprising: one or more instructions that, when executed by one or more processors of a user equipment, cause the user equipment to: identify that a first one or more time intervals, from a set of time intervals, are associated with unloaded cell-specific reference signal (CRS) interference; measure, in association with a spectral efficiency of the first one or more time intervals, an interference level associated with the unloaded CRS interference; and communicate, during at least one of the first one or more time intervals, a first one or more signals using one or more modified noise estimation parameters that are modified in association with the interference level.

26. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 25, wherein the one or more instructions, that cause the user equipment to identify that the first one or more time intervals are associated with unloaded CRS interference, cause the user equipment to: identify that a detection ratio associated with the first one or more time intervals satisfies a detection threshold, the detection ratio being associated with a first one or more values of a detection parameter for the first one or more time intervals and a second one or more values of the detection parameter for a second one or more time intervals included in the set of time intervals.

27. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 26, wherein the detection parameter is a first detection parameter or a second detection parameter responsive to whether a switching parameter satisfies a switching threshold.

28. An apparatus for wireless communication, comprising:means for identifying that a first one or more time intervals, from a set of time intervals, are associated with unloaded cell-specific reference signal (CRS) interference; means for measuring, in association with a spectral efficiency of the first one or more time intervals, an interference level associated with the unloaded CRS interference; and means for communicating, during at least one of the first one or more time intervals, a first one or more signals using one or more modified noise estimation parameters that are modified in association with the interference level.

29. The apparatus of claim 28, wherein the means for identifying that the first one or more time intervals are associated with unloaded CRS interference comprises: means for performing one or more search or measurement operations associated with a radio access technology that is associated with the unloaded CRS interference; and means for identifying that the first one or more time intervals are associated with unloaded CRS interference responsive to one or more measurement values, for the first one or more time intervals, that are associated with the one or more search or measurement operations.

30. The apparatus of claim 28, wherein the one or more modified noise estimation parameters include one or more modified whitening coefficients for a model associated with estimating noise and one or more modified log likelihood ratio (LLR) scaling coefficients.

31. A method, device, apparatus, computer program product, non-transitory computer- readable medium, user equipment, base station, network node, wireless communication device, and / or processing system as substantially described herein with reference to and as illustrated by the accompanying drawings and specification.

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