Communication techniques using zero-padding orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing

Abstract

Methods, systems, and devices for wireless communication are described. A receiving device may perform noise measurements on a zero-power cyclic prefix (CP) received with one or more received symbols of a slot. Additionally, or alternatively, a network entity may indicate to one or more user equipment (UEs) to communicate via a zero-power orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (ZP-OFDM) waveform based on one or more channel metrics satisfying one or more thresholds. In some cases, the one or more metrics may be associated with communications between the network entity and the one or more UEs or based on various observed channel conditions. For example, the network entity may serve one or more fast moving UEs, and may indicate to the one or more fast moving UEs to communicate according to the ZP-OFDM waveform to accommodate increased signaling noise and interference that may be due to the fast movement of the UEs.

Description

COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUES USING ZERO-PADDING ORTHOGONAL FREQUENCY-DIVISION MULTIPLEXINGCROSS REFERENCE

[0001] The present Application for Patent claims the benefit of Israel Patent Application No. 308039 by PICK et al., entitled “COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUES USING ZERO-PADDING ORTHOGONAL FREQUENCY-DIVISION MULTIPLEXING.” filed October 26, 2023, assigned to the assignee hereof, and expressly incorporated by reference herein.FIELD OF TECHNOLOGY

[0002] The following relates to wireless communication, including noise measurement using zero-padding orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) waveform.BACKGROUND

[0003] Wireless communications systems are widely deployed to provide various types of communication content such as voice, video, packet data, messaging, broadcast, and so on. These systems may be capable of supporting communication with multiple users by sharing the available system resources (e.g., time, frequency, and power). Examples of such multiple-access systems include fourth generation (4G) systems such as Long Term Evolution (LTE) systems, LTE-Advanced (LTE-A) systems, or LTE-A Pro systems, and fifth generation (5G) systems which may be referred to as New Radio (NR) systems. These systems may employ technologies such as code division multiple access (CDMA), time division multiple access (TDMA), frequency division multiple access (FDMA), orthogonal FDMA (OFDMA), or discrete Fourier transform spread orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (DFT-S-OFDM). A cyclic prefix (CP) may be transmitted at the beginning of orthogonal frequency division multiplexed (OFDM) symbols to overcome issues associated with multi-path propagation of signaling and inter-symbol interference, which may increase communications reliability. A wireless multiple-access communications system may include one or more base stations, each supporting wireless communication for communication devices, which may be known as user equipment (UE).

[0004] In some wireless communications systems, devices (e.g., UEs, network entities) may perform noise estimates (e.g., measurements) to improve communication quality. In some cases, the devices may perform the noise estimates for a channel during certain symbols (e.g., demodulation reference signal (DMRS) symbols) of a slot, which may be relatively infrequent (e.g., from one to four times per slot). Performing the noise estimation measurements at such infrequent intervals may prevent the devices from measuring fast changing channel metrics associated with the channel (e.g., channel metrics changing faster than the frequency of the DMRS symbols, changes associated with high-speed interferers).SUMMARY

[0005] The described techniques relate to improved methods, systems, devices, and apparatuses that support noise measurement (e.g., noise estimation) using a zeropadding orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (ZP-OFDM) waveform, which may have a zero-power cyclic prefix (CP). For example, the described techniques allow for a receiving device (e.g., a sixth generation (6G) device, a user equipment (UE), a network entity) to perform noise estimation measurements based on receiving a zero-power CP (e.g.. null signal prefix) within one or more received symbols of a slot. For example, the receiving device may receive signaling in a slot according to a ZP-OFDM waveform, where one or more symbols of the slot may include a zero-power CP, and the receiving device may perform noise measurements during the zero-power CP.

[0006] Additionally, or alternatively, a network entity may indicate to one or more UEs (e.g., within a cell served by the network entity) to communicate via a ZP-OFDM waveform based on one or more metrics satisfying one or more thresholds. In some cases, the one or more metrics may be associated with communications between the network entity and the one or more UEs. For example, the one or more metrics may include a noise variation (e.g., rate of change of the noise within the network, maximum differential in the noise level) associated with communicating with the one or more UEs, a mobility metric associated with the one or more UEs (e.g., a relative speed of the UEs), a power consumption associated with communicating with the one or more UEs, or any combination thereof. For example, the network entity may serve one or more fast moving UEs (e.g., fast interferers) based on a location of the network entity (e.g., near ahighway / freeway), and may indicate to the one or more fast moving UEs to communicate according to aZP-OFDM waveform (instead of or in addition to some symbols using a CP-OFDM waveform) based on the fast movement of the one or more UEs.

[0007] A method for wireless communication by an apparatus is described. The method may include receiving a set of multiple modulated OFDM symbols in a slot, each modulated OFDM symbol of the set of multiple modulated OFDM symbols including a zero-power prefix, performing respective noise estimates for at least a subset of the set of multiple modulated OFDM symbols based on the zero-power prefix of each modulated OFDM symbol of the subset, and demodulating the subset of modulated OFDM symbols based on the respective noise estimates.

[0008] An apparatus for wireless communication is described. The apparatus may include one or more memories storing processor executable code, and one or more processors coupled with the one or more memories. The one or more processors may individually or collectively operable to execute the code to cause the apparatus to receive a set of multiple modulated OFDM symbols in a slot, each modulated OFDM symbol of the set of multiple modulated OFDM symbols including a zero-power prefix, perform respective noise estimates for at least a subset of the set of multiple modulated OFDM symbols based on the zero-power prefix of each modulated OFDM symbol of the subset, and demodulate the subset of modulated OFDM symbols based on the respective noise estimates.

[0009] Another apparatus for wireless communication is described. The apparatus may include means for receiving a set of multiple modulated OFDM symbols in a slot, each modulated OFDM symbol of the set of multiple modulated OFDM symbols including a zero-power prefix, means for performing respective noise estimates for at least a subset of the set of multiple modulated OFDM symbols based on the zero-power prefix of each modulated OFDM symbol of the subset, and means for demodulating the subset of modulated OFDM symbols based on the respective noise estimates.

[0010] A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing code for wireless communication is described. The code may include instructions executable by a processor to receive a set of multiple modulated OFDM symbols in a slot, eachmodulated OFDM symbol of the set of multiple modulated OFDM symbols including a zero-power prefix, perform respective noise estimates for at least a subset of the set of multiple modulated OFDM symbols based on the zero-power prefix of each modulated OFDM symbol of the subset, and demodulate the subset of modulated OFDM symbols based on the respective noise estimates.

[0011] In some examples of the method, apparatus, and non-transitory computer- readable medium described herein, performing the respective noise estimates may include operations, features, means, or instructions for estimating a noise covariance within the zero-power prefix of each modulated OFDM symbol of the subset of the set of multiple modulated OFDM symbols.

[0012] In some examples of the method, apparatus, and non-transitory computer- readable medium described herein, performing the respective noise estimates may include operations, features, means, or instructions for performing a wideband noise covariance estimation over a frequency range allocated for transmission of the set of multiple modulated OFDM symbols.

[0013] Some examples of the method, apparatus, and non-transitory computer- readable medium described herein may further include operations, features, means, or instructions for performing one or more narrowband noise estimations on one or more demodulation reference signals (DMRSs) of the slot and combining the one or more narrowband noise estimations with the respective noise estimates for the subset of the set of multiple modulated OFDM symbols.

[0014] In some examples of the method, apparatus, and non-transitory computer- readable medium described herein, the zero-power prefix occurs prior to a data portion of each of the modulated OFDM symbols and the method, apparatuses, and non- transitory computer-readable medium may include further operations, features, means, or instructions for sampling a first portion of a modulated OFDM symbol of the subset of modulated OFDM symbols, w here the first portion of the modulated OFDM symbol extends from a sampling start point to a sampling end point, the sampling start point being within the zero-power prefix, and where demodulating the subset of modulated OFDM symbols may be based on sampling the first portion.

[0015] Some examples of the method, apparatus, and non-transitory computer- readable medium described herein may further include operations, features, means, or instructions for summing the first portion of the modulated OFDM symbol with a second portion of the modulated OFDM symbol, where the second portion of the modulated OFDM symbol starts at the sampling end point and extends for a length that may be equal to a length of the zero-power prefix, and where demodulating the subset of modulated OFDM symbols may be based on summing the first portion of the modulated OFDM symbol and the second portion of the modulated OFDM symbol.

[0016] In some examples of the method, apparatus, and non-transitory computer- readable medium described herein, the sampling start point of the first portion of the modulated OFDM symbol aligns with a start point of the second portion of the modulated OFDM symbol and the second portion includes a cyclic extension of the data portion of a data portion of the modulated OFDM symbol.

[0017] Some examples of the method, apparatus, and non-transitory’ computer- readable medium described herein may further include operations, features, means, or instructions for transmitting one or more modulated OFDM symbols via a zero-power OFDM waveform, where each modulated OFDM symbol of the one or more modulated OFDM symbols include a respective zero-power prefix.

[0018] Some examples of the method, apparatus, and non-transitory computer- readable medium described herein may further include operations, features, means, or instructions for performing a channel estimation for a wireless channel corresponding to the received set of multiple modulated OFDM symbols, w here the respective noise estimates may be performed prior to the channel estimation.

[0019] In some examples of the method, apparatus, and non-transitory computer- readable medium described herein, receiving the set of multiple modulated OFDM symbols may include operations, features, means, or instructions for receiving a first modulated OFDM sy mbol via a first receive path of multiple receive paths and receiving, in accordance with a time delay, one or more secondary modulated OFDM symbols via one or more secondary paths of the multiple receive paths.

[0020] In some examples of the method, apparatus, and non-transitory computer- readable medium described herein, a length of the zero-power prefix of each modulatedOFDM symbol may be equal to a length of a corresponding cyclic prefix of a cyclic prefix OFDM symbol.

[0021] In some examples of the method, apparatus, and non-transitory computer- readable medium described herein, the subset of the set of multiple modulated OFDM symbols includes a single modulated OFDM symbol, a configured set of modulated OFDM symbols, one or more modulated OFDM symbols based on a numerical pattern, or any combination thereof.

[0022] A method for wireless communication by a network entity is described. The method may include communicating first signaling with one or more user equipments (UEs) within a cell served by’ the network entity and communicating second signaling via a zero-power OFDM waveform with the one or more user equipment (UE)s based on one or more metrics associated with communicating the first signaling satisfying one or more thresholds, the one or more metrics including a noise variation associated with communicating the first signaling, a mobility metric of the one or more UEs, a power consumption associated with communicating the first signaling, or any combination thereof.

[0023] A network entity for wireless communication is described. The network entity may include one or more memories storing processor executable code, and one or more processors coupled with the one or more memories. The one or more processors may individually or collectively operable to execute the code to cause the network entity7to communicate first signaling with one or more user equipments (UEs) within a cell served by the network entity7and communicate second signaling via a zero-power OFDM waveform with the one or more UEs based on one or more metrics associated with communicating the first signaling satisfying one or more thresholds, the one or more metrics including a noise variation associated with communicating the first signaling, a mobility7metric of the one or more UEs, a power consumption associated with communicating the first signaling, or any combination thereof.

[0024] Another network entity for wireless communication is described. The network entity may include means for communicating first signaling with one or more user equipments (UEs) within a cell served by' the network entity and means for communicating second signaling via a zero-power OFDM waveform with the one ormore UEs based on one or more metrics associated with communicating the first signaling satisfying one or more thresholds, the one or more metrics including a noise variation associated with communicating the first signaling, a mobility metric of the one or more UEs. a power consumption associated with communicating the first signaling, or any combination thereof.

[0025] A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing code for wireless communication is described. The code may include instructions executable by a processor to communicate first signaling with one or more user equipments (UEs) within a cell served by the network entity and communicate second signaling via a zeropower OFDM waveform with the one or more UEs based on one or more metrics associated with communicating the first signaling satisfying one or more thresholds, the one or more metrics including a noise variation associated with communicating the first signaling, a mobility metric of the one or more UEs, a power consumption associated with communicating the first signaling, or any combination thereof.

[0026] Some examples of the method, network entities, and non-transitory computer-readable medium described herein may further include operations, features, means, or instructions for transmitting, to the one or more UEs, one or more control messages indicating use of the zero-power OFDM waveform, where communicating the second signaling via the zero-power OFDM waveform may be based on transmitting the one or more control messages.

[0027] In some examples of the method, netw ork entities, and non-transitory computer-readable medium described herein, the cell served by the network entity includes a set of multiple UEs including the one or more UEs and communicating the second signaling via the zero-power OFDM waveform may be based on transmitting a control message to each UE of the set of multiple UEs indicating the use of the zeropower OFDM waveform.

[0028] In some examples of the method, network entities, and non-transitory computer-readable medium described herein, the one or more control messages include a radio resource control (RRC) message, a medium access control-control element (MAC-CE), a downlink control information (DCI) message, or any combination thereof.

[0029] In some examples of the method, network entities, and non-transitory computer-readable medium described herein, communicating the second signaling via the zero-power OFDM waveform may include operations, features, means, or instructions for receiving a set of multiple modulated OFDM symbols, where each OFDM symbol of the set of multiple modulated OFDM symbols include a zero-power prefix and performing respective noise estimates for at least a subset of the set of multiple modulated OFDM symbols based on the zero-power prefix of each modulated OFDM symbol of the subset.

[0030] Some examples of the method, network entities, and non-transitory computer-readable medium described herein may further include operations, features, means, or instructions for receiving capability information from at least one UE of the one or more UEs, where communicating the second signaling via the zero-power OFDM waveform may be based on the received capability information.

[0031] In some examples of the method, network entities, and non-transitory computer-readable medium described herein, the capability information indicates a capability of the at least one UE to receive modulated OFDM symbols including a zeropower prefix in accordance with to the zero-power OFDM waveform, a capability of the at least one UE to transmit modulated OFDM symbols including a zero-power prefix in accordance with to the zero-power OFDM waveform, or both.

[0032] In some examples of the method, network entities, and non-transitory computer-readable medium described herein, the one or more thresholds includes a threshold noise variation associated wi th communicating the first signaling, a threshold average mobility metric of the one or more UEs, a threshold power consumption associated with communicating the first signaling, or any combination thereof.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0033] FIGs. 1 and 2 show examples of wireless communications systems that support noise measurement using zero-padding orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (ZP-OFDM) waveform in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure.

[0034] FIG. 3 A shows an example of a ZP-OFDM symbol diagram that supports noise measurement using a ZP-OFDM waveform in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure.

[0035] FIG. 3B shows an example of a flowchart that supports noise measurement using a ZP-OFDM waveform in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure.

[0036] FIG. 4 shows examples of process flows that support noise measurement using a ZP-OFDM waveform in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure.

[0037] FIG. 5 shows flowcharts illustrating methods that support noise measurement using a ZP-OFDM waveform in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure.

[0038] FIGs. 6 and 7 show block diagrams of devices that support noise measurement using a ZP-OFDM waveform in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure.

[0039] FIG. 8 shows a block diagram of a communications manager that supports noise measurement using a ZP-OFDM waveform in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure.

[0040] FIG. 9 shows a diagram of a system including a device that supports noise measurement using a ZP-OFDM waveform in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure.

[0041] FIGs. 10 and 11 show block diagrams of devices that support noise measurement using a ZP-OFDM waveform in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure.

[0042] FIG. 12 shows a block diagram of a communications manager that supports noise measurement using a ZP-OFDM waveform in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure.

[0043] FIG. 13 shows a diagram of a system including a device that supports noise measurement using a ZP-OFDM waveform in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure.

[0044] FIGs. 14 through 17 show flowcharts illustrating methods that support noise measurement using a ZP-OFDM waveform in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0045] In some wireless communications systems, devices (e.g., user equipment (UEs), network entities) may perform noise estimates to improve communication quality and reliability. In some cases, the devices may perform noise measurements (e.g., noise estimations) for a channel during certain symbols (e.g., demodulation reference signal (DMRS) symbols) of a slot, which may be relatively infrequent (e.g., from one to four time per slot). Performing the noise measurements at such infrequent intervals may prevent the devices from accurately measuring and mitigating noise associated with fast changing channel metrics of the channel (e.g., channel metrics changing faster than the frequency of the DMRS symbols such as changes associated with high-speed interferers). Devices in the wireless communications system may also transmit a cyclic prefix (CP) at the beginning of a symbol to overcome issues associated with multi-path propagation of signaling, which may enhance signaling reliability by reducing inter-symbol interference.

[0046] According to techniques described herein, a transmitting device may use a zero-padding CP on one or more symbols of a slot, and a receiving device (e.g., a sixth generation (6G) device, a UE, a network entity) may perform noise measurements using the zero-padding CP (e.g., a zero-power CP) of the one or more symbols. In some examples, the transmitted waveform may be a zero-padding orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (ZP-OFDM) waveform. For example, the receiving device mayreceive signaling in a slot via the ZP-OFDM waveform, where one or more symbols of the slot may include a zero-power CP. The receiving device may then perform noise measurements using the zero-pow er CP. Performing noise estimation using the zeropower prefix may increase the relative frequency of the noise measurements (e.g., the receiving device may perform relatively more noise measurements than performing thenoise measurements just on the DMRS symbols). Additionally, a device transmitting the signaling may save power due to transmitting zero-power (e.g., not transmitting data signaling or a cyclic repetition) during the zero-power CP of each ZP-OFDM symbol.

[0047] Additionally, or alternatively, a network entity may determine whether to use a ZP-OFDM waveform or a CP-OFDM waveform based on one or more channel conditions such as noise levels and mobility of devices within the network. For example, the network entity may indicate to one or more UEs (e.g., within a cell served by the network entity ) that communications will occur via a ZP-OFDM waveform based on one or more metrics satisfying one or more thresholds. In some cases, the one or more metrics may be associated with communications between the network entity and the one or more UEs, and may include a noise variation (e.g., rate of change of the noise, maximum differential in the noise level) associated with communicating with the one or more UEs, a mobility metric associated with the one or more UEs (e.g., velocity, speed, Doppler shift or spread), a power consumption metric associated with communicating with the one or more UEs, or any combination thereof. For example, the network entity may serve one or more fast moving UEs (e.g., fast interferers) based on a location of the network entity (e.g., near a highway / freeway). In some cases, the one or more fast moving UEs may be associated with a mobility metric that is higher than a threshold mobility. In such cases, the network entity' may indicate to the one or more fast moving UEs of communications via the ZP-OFDM waveform to allow the network entity, the fast-moving UEs, or both, to perform more frequent noise measurements, which may increase the communication reliability between the network entity and the one or more fast moving UEs.

[0048] Aspects of the disclosure are initially described in the context of wireless communications systems. Aspects of the disclosure are also described in the context of ZP-OFDM symbol diagrams and process flows. Aspects of the disclosure are further illustrated by and described with reference to apparatus diagrams, system diagrams, and flowcharts that relate to noise measurement using a ZP-OFDM waveform.

[0049] FIG. 1 shows an example of a wireless communications system 100 that supports noise measurement using a ZP-OFDM waveform in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure. The wireless communications system 100 may include one or more network entities 105, one or more UEs 115, and a core network130. In some examples, the wireless communications system 100 may be a Long Term Evolution (LTE) network, an LTE- Advanced (LTE-A) network, an LTE-A Pro network, a New Radio (NR) network, or a network operating in accordance w ith other systems and radio technologies, including future systems and radio technologies not explicitly mentioned herein.

[0050] The network entities 105 may be dispersed throughout a geographic area to form the wireless communications system 100 and may include devices in different forms or having different capabilities. In various examples, a network entity 105 may be referred to as a network element, a mobility element, a radio access network (RAN) node, or network equipment, among other nomenclature. In some examples, network entities 105 and UEs 1 15 may wirelessly communicate via one or more communication links 125 (e.g., a radio frequency (RF) access link). For example, a netw ork entity7105 may support a coverage area 110 (e.g., a geographic coverage area) over which the UEs 115 and the network entity 105 may establish one or more communication links 125. The coverage area 110 may be an example of a geographic area over which a network entity 105 and a UE 115 may support the communication of signals according to one or more radio access technologies (RATs).

[0051] The UEs 115 may be dispersed throughout a coverage area 110 of the wireless communications system 100, and each UE 115 may be stationary, or mobile, or both at different times. The UEs 115 may be devices in different forms or having different capabilities. Some example UEs 115 are illustrated in FIG. 1. The UEs 115 described herein may be capable of supporting communications with various types of devices, such as other UEs 115 or network entities 105, as shown in FIG. 1.

[0052] As described herein, a node of the wireless communications system 100, w hich may be referred to as a network node, or a wireless node, may be a netw ork entity 105 (e.g., any network entity described herein), a UE 115 (e.g., any UE described herein), a network controller, an apparatus, a device, a computing system, one or more components, or another suitable processing entity configured to perform any of the techniques described herein. For example, a node may be a UE 115. As another example, a node may be a network entity 105. As another example, a first node may be configured to communicate with a second node or a third node. In one aspect of this example, the first node may be a UE 115, the second node may be a network entity 105,and the third node may be a UE 1 15. In another aspect of this example, the first node may be a UE 115, the second node may be a network entity 105, and the third node may be a network entity 105. In yet other aspects of this example, the first, second, and third nodes may be different relative to these examples. Similarly, reference to a UE 115, network entity 105, apparatus, device, computing system, or the like may include disclosure of the UE 115, network entity' 105, apparatus, device, computing system, or the like being a node. For example, disclosure that a UE 115 is configured to receive information from a network entity 105 also discloses that a first node is configured to receive information from a second node.

[0053] In some examples, network entities 105 may communicate with the core network 130, or with one another, or both. For example, network entities 105 may communicate with the core network 130 via one or more backhaul communication links 120 (e.g.. in accordance with an S I, N2, N3. or other interface protocol). In some examples, network entities 105 may communicate with one another via a backhaul communication link 120 (e.g., in accordance with an X2, Xn, or other interface protocol) either directly (e.g., directly between network entities 105) or indirectly (e.g., via a core network 130). In some examples, network entities 105 may communicate with one another via a midhaul communication link 162 (e.g.. in accordance with a midhaul interface protocol) or a fronthaul communication link 168 (e.g., in accordance with a fronthaul interface protocol), or any combination thereof. The backhaul communication links 120, midhaul communication links 162, or fronthaul communication links 168 may be or include one or more wired links (e.g., an electrical link, an optical fiber link), one or more wireless links (e.g., a radio link, a wireless optical link), among other examples or various combinations thereof. A UE 115 may communicate with the core network 130 via a communication link 155.

[0054] One or more of the network entities 105 described herein may include or may be referred to as a base station 140 (e.g., a base transceiver station, a radio base station, an NR base station, an access point, a radio transceiver, aNodeB, an eNodeB (eNB), a next-generation NodeB or a giga-NodeB (either of which may be referred to as a gNB), a 5G NB, a next-generation eNB (ng-eNB), a Home NodeB, a Home eNodeB, or other suitable terminology ). In some examples, a network entity 105 (e.g., a base station 140) may be implemented in an aggregated (e.g., monolithic, standalone) basestation architecture, which may be configured to utilize a protocol stack that is physically or logically integrated within a single network entity 105 (e.g., a single RAN node, such as a base station 140).

[0055] In some examples, a network entity 105 may be implemented in a disaggregated architecture (e.g., a disaggregated base station architecture, a disaggregated RAN architecture), which may be configured to utilize a protocol stack that is physically or logically distributed among two or more network entities 105, such as an integrated access backhaul (I AB) network, an open RAN (0-RAN) (e.g., a network configuration sponsored by the O-RAN Alliance), or a virtualized RAN (vRAN) (e.g., a cloud RAN (C-RAN)). For example, a network entity 105 may include one or more of a central unit (CU) 160, a distributed unit (DU) 165, a radio unit (RU) 170, a RAN Intelligent Controller (RIC) 175 (e.g., a Near-Real Time RIC (Near-RT RIC). aNon-Real Time RIC (Non-RT RIC)), a Service Management and Orchestration (SMO) 180 system, or any combination thereof. An RU 170 may also be referred to as a radio head, a smart radio head, a remote radio head (RRH), a remote radio unit (RRU), or a transmission reception point (TRP). One or more components of the network entities 105 in a disaggregated RAN architecture may be co-located, or one or more components of the network entities 105 may be located in distributed locations (e.g., separate physical locations). In some examples, one or more network entities 105 of a disaggregated RAN architecture may be implemented as virtual units (e.g., a virtual CU (VCU), a virtual DU (VDU), a virtual RU (VRU)).

[0056] The split of functionality between a CU 160. a DU 165, and an RU 170 is flexible and may support different functionalities depending on which functions (e.g., network layer functions, protocol layer functions, baseband functions, RF functions, and any combinations thereof) are performed at a CU 160, a DU 165, or an RU 170. For example, a functional split of a protocol stack may be employed between a CU 160 and a DU 165 such that the CU 160 may support one or more layers of the protocol stack and the DU 165 may support one or more different layers of the protocol stack. In some examples, the CU 160 may host upper protocol layer (e.g., layer 3 (L3), layer 2 (L2)) functionality and signaling (e.g., Radio Resource Control (RRC), service data adaption protocol (SDAP), Packet Data Convergence Protocol (PDCP)). The CU 160 may be connected to one or more DUs 165 or RUs 170. and the one or more DUs 165 or RUs170 may host lower protocol layers, such as layer 1 (LI ) (e.g., physical (PHY) layer) or L2 (e.g., radio link control (RLC) layer, medium access control (MAC) layer) functionality and signaling, and may each be at least partially controlled by the CU 160. Additionally, or alternatively, a functional split of the protocol stack may be employed between a DU 165 and an RU 170 such that the DU 165 may support one or more layers of the protocol stack and the RU 170 may support one or more different layers of the protocol stack. The DU 165 may support one or multiple different cells (e.g., via one or more RUs 170). In some cases, a functional split between a CU 160 and a DU 165. or between a DU 165 and an RU 170 may be within a protocol layer (e.g.. some functions for a protocol layer may be performed by one of a CU 160, a DU 165, or an RU 170, while other functions of the protocol layer are performed by a different one of the CU 160, the DU 165. or the RU 170). A CU 160 may be functionally split further into CU control plane (CU-CP) and CU user plane (CU-UP) functions. A CU 160 may be connected to one or more DUs 165 via a midhaul communication link 162 (e.g.. Fl, Fl-c, Fl-u), and a DU 165 may be connected to one or more RUs 170 via a fronthaul communication link 168 (e.g., open fronthaul (FH) interface). In some examples, a midhaul communication link 162 or a fronthaul communication link 168 may be implemented in accordance with an interface (e.g., a channel) between layers of a protocol stack supported by respective network entities 105 that are in communication via such communication links.

[0057] In wireless communications systems (e.g., wireless communications system 100), infrastructure and spectral resources for radio access may support wireless backhaul link capabilities to supplement wired backhaul connections, providing an IAB network architecture (e.g., to a core network 130). In some cases, in an IAB network, one or more network entities 105 (e.g., IAB nodes 104) may be partially controlled by each other. One or more IAB nodes 104 may be referred to as a donor entity or an IAB donor. One or more DUs 165 or one or more RUs 170 may be partially controlled by one or more CUs 160 associated with a donor network entity 105 (e.g., a donor base station 140). The one or more donor network entities 105 (e.g., IAB donors) may be in communication with one or more additional network entities 105 (e.g., IAB nodes 104) via supported access and backhaul links (e.g., backhaul communication links 120). IAB nodes 104 may include an IAB mobile termination (IAB-MT) controlled (e.g..scheduled) by DUs 165 of a coupled TAB donor. An IAB-MT may include an independent set of antennas for relay of communications with UEs 115, or may share the same antennas (e g., of an RU 170) of an TAB node 104 used for access via the DU 165 of the IAB node 104 (e.g.. referred to as virtual IAB-MT (vIAB-MT)). In some examples, the IAB nodes 104 may include DUs 165 that support communication links with additional entities (e.g., IAB nodes 104, UEs 115) within the relay chain or configuration of the access network (e.g., downstream). In such cases, one or more components of the disaggregated RAN architecture (e.g., one or more IAB nodes 104 or components of IAB nodes 104) may be configured to operate according to the techniques described herein.

[0058] In the case of the techniques described herein applied in the context of a disaggregated RAN architecture, one or more components of the disaggregated RAN architecture may be configured to support noise measurement using a ZP-OFDM waveform as described herein. For example, some operations described as being performed by a UE 115 or a network entity 105 (e.g., a base station 140) may additionally, or alternatively, be performed by one or more components of the disaggregated RAN architecture (e.g., IAB nodes 104, DUs 165, CUs 160, RUs 170, RIC 175. SMO 180).

[0059] A UE 115 may include or may be referred to as a mobile device, a wireless device, a remote device, a handheld device, or a subscriber device, or some other suitable terminology, where the “device’’ may also be referred to as a unit, a station, a terminal, or a client, among other examples. A UE 115 may also include or may be referred to as a personal electronic device such as a cellular phone, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a tablet computer, a laptop computer, or a personal computer. In some examples, a UE 115 may include or be referred to as a wireless local loop (WLL) station, an Internet of Things (loT) device, an Internet of Everything (loE) device, or a machine type communications (MTC) device, among other examples, which may be implemented in various objects such as appliances, or vehicles, meters, among other examples.

[0060] The UEs 115 described herein may be able to communicate with various ty pes of devices, such as other UEs 115 that may sometimes act as relays as well as thenetwork entities 105 and the network equipment including macro eNBs or gNBs, small cell eNBs or gNBs, or relay base stations, among other examples, as shown in FIG. 1.

[0061] The UEs 115 and the network entities 105 may wirelessly communicate with one another via one or more communication links 125 (e.g.. an access link) using resources associated with one or more carriers. The term "‘carrier’7may refer to a set of RF spectrum resources having a defined physical layer structure for supporting the communication links 125. For example, a carrier used for a communication link 125 may include a portion of a RF spectrum band (e g., a bandwidth part (BWP)) that is operated according to one or more physical layer channels for a given radio access technology (e.g., LTE, LTE-A, LTE-A Pro, NR). Each physical layer channel may carry acquisition signaling (e.g., synchronization signals, system information), control signaling that coordinates operation for the carrier, user data, or other signaling. The wireless communications system 100 may support communication with a UE 115 using carrier aggregation or multi-carrier operation. A UE 115 may be configured with multiple downlink component carriers and one or more uplink component carriers according to a carrier aggregation configuration. Carrier aggregation may be used with both frequency division duplexing (FDD) and time division duplexing (TDD) component carriers. Communication between a network entity 105 and other devices may refer to communication between the devices and any portion (e.g., entity, subentity) of a netw ork entity 105. For example, the terms “transmitting,” “receiving,” or “communicating,” when referring to a network entity 105, may refer to any portion of a network entity 105 (e.g., a base station 140, a CU 160, a DU 165. a RU 170) of a RAN communicating with another device (e.g., directly or via one or more other network entities 105).

[0062] In some examples, such as in a carrier aggregation configuration, a carrier may also have acquisition signaling or control signaling that coordinates operations for other earners. A carrier may be associated with a frequency channel (e.g., an evolved universal mobile telecommunication system terrestrial radio access (E-UTRA) absolute RF channel number (EARFCN)) and may be identified according to a channel raster for discovery’ by the UEs 115. A carrier may be operated in a standalone mode, in which case initial acquisition and connection may be conducted by the UEs 115 via the carrier, or the carrier may be operated in a non-standalone mode, in which case a connection isanchored using a different carrier (e.g., of the same or a different radio access technology).

[0063] The communication links 125 shown in the wireless communications system 100 may include downlink transmissions (e.g., forward link transmissions) from a network entity 105 to a UE 115, uplink transmissions (e.g., return link transmissions) from a UE 115 to a network entity 105, or both, among other configurations of transmissions. Carriers may carry downlink or uplink communications (e.g., in an FDD mode) or may be configured to carry downlink and uplink communications (e.g., in a TDD mode).

[0064] A carrier may be associated with a particular bandwidth of the RF spectrum, and, in some examples, the carrier bandwidth may be referred to as a '‘system bandwidth” of the carrier or the wireless communications system 100. For example, the carrier bandwidth may be one of a set of bandwidths for carriers of a particular radio access technology (e.g., 1.4, 3. 5, 10, 15, 20. 40. or 80 megahertz (MHz)). Devices of the wireless communications system 100 (e.g., the network entities 105, the UEs 115, or both) may have hardware configurations that support communications using a particular carrier bandw idth or may be configurable to support communications using one of a set of carrier bandwidths. In some examples, the wireless communications system 100 may include network entities 105 or UEs 115 that support concurrent communications using carriers associated with multiple carrier bandwidths. In some examples, each served UE 115 may be configured for operating using portions (e.g., a sub-band, a BWP) or all of a carrier bandwidth.

[0065] Signal waveforms transmitted via a carrier may be made up of multiple subcarriers (e.g.. using multi-carrier modulation (MCM) techniques such as OFDM or discrete Fourier transform spread OFDM (DFT-S-OFDM)). In a system employing MCM techniques, a resource element may refer to resources of one symbol period (e.g., a duration of one modulation symbol) and one subcarrier, in which case the symbol period and subcarrier spacing may be inversely related. The quantity of bits carried by each resource element may depend on the modulation scheme (e.g., the order of the modulation scheme, the coding rate of the modulation scheme, or both), such that a relatively higher quantity' of resource elements (e.g., in a transmission duration) and a relatively higher order of a modulation scheme may correspond to a relatively higherrate of communication. A wireless communications resource may refer to a combination of an RF spectrum resource, a time resource, and a spatial resource (e.g., a spatial layer, a beam), and the use of multiple spatial resources may increase the data rate or data integrity for communications with a UE 115.

[0066] The time intervals for the network entities 105 or the UEs 115 may be expressed in multiples of a basic time unit which may, for example, refer to a sampling period of Tsseconds, for which fmaxmay represent a supported subcarrier spacing, and Nfmay represent a supported discrete Fourier transform (DFT) size. Time intervals of a communications resource may be organized according to radio frames each having a specified duration (e.g., 10 milliseconds (ms)). Each radio frame may be identified by a system frame number (SFN) (e.g., ranging from 0 to 1023).

[0067] Each frame may include multiple consecutively numbered subframes or slots, and each subframe or slot may have the same duration. In some examples, a frame may be divided (e.g., in the time domain) into subframes, and each subframe may be further divided into a quantity of slots. Alternatively, each frame may include a variable quantity of slots, and the quantity of slots may depend on subcarrier spacing. Each slot may include a quantity of symbol periods (e.g., depending on the length of the cyclic prefix prepended to each symbol period). In some wireless communications systems 100, a slot may further be divided into multiple mini-slots associated with one or more symbols. Excluding the cyclic prefix, each symbol period may be associated with one or more (e.g.. Nf) sampling periods. The duration of a symbol period may depend on the subcarrier spacing or frequency band of operation.

[0068] A subframe, a slot, a mini-slot, or a symbol may be the smallest scheduling unit (e.g., in the time domain) of the wireless communications system 100 and may be referred to as a transmission time interval (TTI). In some examples, the TTI duration (e.g., a quantity of symbol periods in a TTI) may be variable. Additionally, or alternatively, the smallest scheduling unit of the wireless communications system 100 may be dynamically selected (e.g., in bursts of shortened TTIs (sTTIs)).

[0069] Physical channels may be multiplexed for communication using a carrier according to various techniques. A physical control channel and a physical data channel may be multiplexed for signaling via a downlink carrier, for example, using one or moreof time division multiplexing (TDM) techniques, frequency division multiplexing (FDM) techniques, or hybrid TDM-FDM techniques. A control region (e.g., a control resource set (CORESET)) for a physical control channel may be defined by a set of symbol periods and may extend across the system bandwidth or a subset of the system bandwidth of the carrier. One or more control regions (e.g., CORESETs) may be configured for a set of the UEs 115. For example, one or more of the UEs 115 may monitor or search control regions for control information according to one or more search space sets, and each search space set may include one or multiple control channel candidates in one or more aggregation levels arranged in a cascaded manner. An aggregation level for a control channel candidate may refer to an amount of control channel resources (e.g., control channel elements (CCEs)) associated with encoded information for a control information format having a given payload size. Search space sets may include common search space sets configured for sending control information to multiple UEs 115 and UE-specific search space sets for sending control information to a specific UE 115.

[0070] A network entity 105 may provide communication coverage via one or more cells, for example a macro cell, a small cell, a hot spot, or other types of cells, or any combination thereof. The term “ceir may refer to a logical communication entity used for communication with a network entity 105 (e.g., using a carrier) and may be associated with an identifier for distinguishing neighboring cells (e.g., a physical cell identifier (PCID), a virtual cell identifier (VCID), or others). In some examples, a cell also may refer to a coverage area 110 or a portion of a coverage area 110 (e.g., a sector) over which the logical communication entity operates. Such cells may range from smaller areas (e.g., a structure, a subset of structure) to larger areas depending on various factors such as the capabilities of the network entity 105. For example, a cell may be or include a building, a subset of a building, or exterior spaces between or overlapping with coverage areas 110, among other examples.

[0071] A macro cell generally covers a relatively large geographic area (e.g., several kilometers in radius) and may allow unrestricted access by the UEs 1 15 with service subscriptions with the network provider supporting the macro cell. A small cell may be associated with a lower-powered network entity 105 (e.g., a lower-powered base station 140). as compared with a macro cell, and a small cell may operate using the same ordifferent (e.g., licensed, unlicensed) frequency bands as macro cells. Small cells may provide unrestricted access to the UEs 115 with service subscriptions with the network provider or may provide restricted access to the UEs 115 having an association with the small cell (e.g.. the UEs 115 in a closed subscriber group (CSG), the UEs 115 associated with users in a home or office). A network entity 105 may support one or multiple cells and may also support communications via the one or more cells using one or multiple component carriers.

[0072] In some examples, a carrier may support multiple cells, and different cells may be configured according to different protocol types (e.g.. MTC, narrowband loT (NB-IoT), enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB)) that may provide access for different types of devices.

[0073] In some examples, a network entity 105 (e.g., a base station 140, an RU 170) may be movable and therefore provide communication coverage for a moving coverage area 110. In some examples, different coverage areas 110 associated with different technologies may overlap, but the different coverage areas 110 may be supported by the same network entity 105. In some other examples, the overlapping coverage areas 110 associated with different technologies may be supported by different network entities 105. The wireless communications system 100 may include, for example, a heterogeneous network in which different types of the network entities 105 provide coverage for various coverage areas 110 using the same or different radio access technologies.

[0074] The wireless communications system 100 may be configured to support ultra-reliable communications or low-latency communications, or various combinations thereof. For example, the wireless communications system 100 may be configured to support ultra-reliable low-latency communications (URLLC). The UEs 115 may be designed to support ultra-reliable, low-latency, or critical functions. Ultra-reliable communications may include private communication or group communication and may be supported by one or more services such as push-to-talk, video, or data. Support for ultra-reliable, low-latency functions may include prioritization of services, and such services may be used for public safety or general commercial applications. The terms ultra-reliable, low-latency, and ultra-reliable low-latency may be used interchangeably herein.

[0075] In some examples, a UE 115 may be configured to support communicating directly with other UEs 115 via a device-to-device (D2D) communication link 135 (e.g., in accordance with a peer-to-peer (P2P), D2D, or sidelink protocol). In some examples, one or more UEs 115 of a group that are performing D2D communications may be within the coverage area 110 of a network entity 105 (e.g., a base station 140, an RU 170), which may support aspects of such D2D communications being configured by (e.g., scheduled by) the network entity 105. In some examples, one or more UEs 115 of such a group may be outside the coverage area 110 of a network entity 105 or may be otherwise unable to or not configured to receive transmissions from a network entity 105. In some examples, groups of the UEs 115 communicating via D2D communications may support a one-to-many (1:M) system in which each UE 115 transmits to each of the other UEs 115 in the group. In some examples, a network entity 105 may facilitate the scheduling of resources for D2D communications. In some other examples, D2D communications may be carried out between the UEs 1 15 without an involvement of a network entity 105.

[0076] In some systems, a D2D communication link 135 may be an example of a communication channel, such as a sidelink communication channel, between vehicles (e.g., UEs 115). In some examples, vehicles may communicate using vehicle-to- everything (V2X) communications, vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) communications, or some combination of these. A vehicle may signal information related to traffic conditions, signal scheduling, weather, safety, emergencies, or any other information relevant to a V2X system. In some examples, vehicles in a V2X system may communicate with roadside infrastructure, such as roadside units, or with the network via one or more network nodes (e.g., network entities 105, base stations 140, RUs 170) using vehicle-to- network (V2N) communications, or with both.

[0077] The core network 130 may provide user authentication, access authorization, tracking, Internet Protocol (IP) connectivity, and other access, routing, or mobility functions. The core network 130 may be an evolved packet core (EPC) or 5G core (5GC), which may include at least one control plane entity that manages access and mobility (e.g., a mobility management entity (MME), an access and mobility management function (AMF)) and at least one user plane entity that routes packets or interconnects to external networks (e.g.. a serving gateway (S-GW), a Packet DataNetwork (PDN) gateway (P-GW), or a user plane function (UPF)). The control plane entity may manage non-access stratum (NAS) functions such as mobility7, authentication, and bearer management for the UEs 115 served by the network entities 105 (e.g.. base stations 140) associated with the core network 130. User IP packets may be transferred through the user plane entity, which may provide IP address allocation as well as other functions. The user plane entity may be connected to IP services 150 for one or more network operators. The IP services 150 may include access to the Internet, Intranet(s), an IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS), or a Packet-Switched Streaming Service.

[0078] The wireless communications system 100 may operate using one or more frequency bands, which may be in the range of 300 megahertz (MHz) to 300 gigahertz (GHz). Generally, the region from 300 MHz to 3 GHz is known as the ultra-high frequency (UHF) region or decimeter band because the wavelengths range from approximately one decimeter to one meter in length. UHF waves may be blocked or redirected by buildings and environmental features, which may be referred to as clusters, but the waves may penetrate structures sufficiently for a macro cell to provide service to the UEs 115 located indoors. Communications using UHF waves may be associated with smaller antennas and shorter ranges (e.g., less than 100 kilometers) compared to communications using the smaller frequencies and longer waves of the high frequency (HF) or very high frequency (VHF) portion of the spectrum below 300 MHz.

[0079] The wireless communications system 100 may also operate using a super high frequency (SHF) region, which may be in the range of 3 GHz to 30 GHz, also know n as the centimeter band, or using an extremely high frequency (EHF) region of the spectrum (e.g., from 30 GHz to 300 GHz), also known as the millimeter band. In some examples, the wireless communications sy stem 100 may support millimeter wave (mmW) communications between the UEs 115 and the network entities 105 (e.g., base stations 140, RUs 170), and EHF antennas of the respective devices may be smaller and more closely spaced than UHF antennas. In some examples, such techniques may facilitate using antenna arrays within a device. The propagation of EHF transmissions, however, may be subject to even greater attenuation and shorter range than SHF or UHF transmissions. The techniques disclosed herein may be employed across transmissionsthat use one or more different frequency regions, and designated use of bands across these frequency regions may differ by country' or regulating body.

[0080] The wireless communications system 100 may utilize both licensed and unlicensed RF spectrum bands. For example, the wireless communications system 100 may employ License Assisted Access (LAA), LTE-Unlicensed (LTE-U) radio access technology, or NR technology using an unlicensed band such as the 5 GHz industrial, scientific, and medical (ISM) band. While operating using unlicensed RF spectrum bands, devices such as the network entities 105 and the UEs 115 may employ carrier sensing for collision detection and avoidance. In some examples, operations using unlicensed bands may be based on a earner aggregation configuration in conjunction with component carriers operating using a licensed band (e.g., LAA). Operations using unlicensed spectrum may include downlink transmissions, uplink transmissions, P2P transmissions, or D2D transmissions, among other examples.

[0081] A network entity 105 (e.g.. a base station 140, an RU 170) or a UE 115 may be equipped with multiple antennas, which may be used to employ techniques such as transmit diversity', receive diversity, multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) communications, or beamforming. The antennas of a netw ork entity' 105 or a UE 115 may be located within one or more antenna arrays or antenna panels, which may support MIMO operations or transmit or receive beamforming. For example, one or more base station antennas or antenna arrays may be co-located at an antenna assembly, such as an antenna tower. In some examples, antennas or antenna arrays associated with a network entity 105 may be located at diverse geographic locations. A netw ork entity' 105 may include an antenna array with a set of rows and columns of antenna ports that the network entity 105 may use to support beamforming of communications with a UE 1 15. Likewise, a UE 115 may include one or more antenna arrays that may support various MIMO or beamforming operations. Additionally, or alternatively, an antenna panel may support RF beamforming for a signal transmitted via an antenna port.

[0082] The network entities 105 or the UEs 115 may use MIMO communications to exploit multipath signal propagation and increase spectral efficiency by transmitting or receiving multiple signals via different spatial layers. Such techniques may be referred to as spatial multiplexing. The multiple signals may, for example, be transmitted by the transmitting device via different antennas or different combinations of antennas.Likewise, the multiple signals may be received by the receiving device via different antennas or different combinations of antennas. Each of the multiple signals may be referred to as a separate spatial stream and may carry information associated with the same data stream (e.g.. the same codeword) or different data streams (e.g., different codewords). Different spatial layers may be associated with different antenna ports used for channel measurement and reporting. MIMO techniques include single-user MIMO (SU-MIMO), for which multiple spatial layers are transmitted to the same receiving device, and multiple-user MIMO (MU-MIMO), for which multiple spatial layers are transmitted to multiple devices.

[0083] Beamforming, which may also be referred to as spatial filtering, directional transmission, or directional reception, is a signal processing technique that may be used at a transmitting device or a receiving device (e.g., a network entity' 105, a UE 115) to shape or steer an antenna beam (e.g., a transmit beam, a receive beam) along a spatial path between the transmitting device and the receiving device. Beamforming may be achieved by combining the signals communicated via antenna elements of an antenna array such that some signals propagating along particular orientations with respect to an antenna array experience constructive interference while others experience destructive interference. The adjustment of signals communicated via the antenna elements may include a transmitting device or a receiving device applying amplitude offsets, phase offsets, or both to signals carried via the antenna elements associated with the device. The adjustments associated with each of the antenna elements may be defined by a beamforming weight set associated with a particular orientation (e.g.. with respect to the antenna array of the transmitting device or receiving device, or with respect to some other orientation).

[0084] According to techniques described herein, a transmitting device may transmit a zero-padding CP waveform over one or more symbols of a slot, and a receiving device (e.g., a 6G device, a UE 115, a network entity 105) may perform noise measurements using the zero-padding CP. For example, the receiving device may receive signaling (e.g., from a UE 115, from a network entity 105) in a slot via a ZP- OFDM waveform, where one or more symbols of the slot may include a zero-power CP, and the receiving device may perform noise measurements within the zero-power CP, which may increase the quantity of noise measurements that the receiving device is ableto perform. Additionally, a device transmitting the signaling may save power due to transmitting a null signal (e.g., not transmitting signaling) during the zero-power CP of each ZP-OFDM symbol.

[0085] Additionally, or alternatively, a network entity 105 may indicate to one or more UEs 115 (e.g., within a cell (e.g., coverage area 110) served by the network entity 105) that a ZP-OFDM waveform may be used (e.g., in addition to or instead of a CP- OFDM waveform) based on one or more metrics satisfying one or more thresholds. In some cases, the one or more metrics may be associated with communications between the network entity 105 and the one or more UEs 115. For example, the one or more metrics may include a noise variation associated with communicating with the one or more UEs 115, a mobility metric associated with the one or more UEs 115, a power consumption associated with communicating with the one or more UEs 115, or any combination thereof. For example, a network entity 105 may serve one or more fast moving UEs (e.g., fast interferers, UEs 115 that are moving faster than a threshold speed) based on a location of the network entity 105 (e.g., near a highway / freeway). In some cases, the one or more fast moving UEs may be associated with a relatively high mobility metric (e.g., higher than a threshold, moving faster than a threshold speed). In such cases, the network entity 105 may indicate to the one or more fast moving UEs to communicate via the ZP-OFDM waveform to allow the network entity 105, the one or more fast moving UEs, or both, to perform more frequent noise measurements, which may increase the communication reliability between the network entity 105 and the one or more fast moving UEs.

[0086] FIG. 2 shows an example of a wireless communications system 200 that supports noise measurement using a ZP-OFDM waveform in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure. In some cases, aspects of the wireless communications system 200 may implement or be implemented by aspects of FIG. 1. For example, the wireless communications system 200 may include a network entity 105-a and a UE 115-a, which may be examples of the network entities 105 and the UEs 115 as described herein with respect to FIG. 1. In some aspects, the UE 115-a and the network entity 105-a may communicate via a ZP-OFDM waveform, which may support performing noise measurements on zero-power CPs included in one or more ZP-OFDM symbols.

[0087] The wireless communications system 200 may include the UE 115-a, the network entity 105-a, a capability message 205, a ZP-OFDM signal 210, and a communications channel 215. In some cases, noise graph 240 may represent noise as a function of time associated with the communications channel 215 used to communicate the ZP-OFDM signal 210 between the network entity 105-a and the UE 115-a. For example, the communications channel 215 may experience a time dependent noise 235 (e.g., highly time dependent noise). Although the noise graph 240 represents time dependent noise 235 in the context of wireless communications system 200, the techniques described herein may apply to different levels of noise, different types of noise, or different patterns of noise experienced by devices in a wireless communications system.

[0088] In some wireless communications systems experiencing the time dependent noise 235, a network entity may transmit DMRS symbols at, for example, symbol 220 and symbol 225, with a duration 230 between the symbols 220 and 225. In such wireless communications systems, the noise may fluctuate a relatively significant amount during the duration 230 such that significant variations in noise occur between each DMRS symbol. Thus, a receiving device in the wireless communications system may demodulate or decode one or more OFDM symbols during the duration 230 with a much different noise level that estimated based on the DMRS symbol at symbol 220. In some cases, this difference in noise level may cause poor communication quality and noise estimation that is not representative of the actual noise occurring in the system.

[0089] According to techniques described herein, a device (e.g., the UE 115-a, the network entity 105-a) may communicate via a ZP-OFDM waveform and may use the zero-power CP of the ZP-OFDM waveform to estimate system noise, which may improve communication quality in the wireless communications system 200 experiencing the time dependent noise 235. In some cases, each symbol transmitted according to the ZP-OFDM waveform may include a CP (e.g., a prefix) of zeros (e.g., a null signal), which may have a length equal to that of other (e.g., standard, legacy) CP lengths. The ZP-OFDM waveform may be associated with a same numerology as other waveforms (e.g., CP-OFDM, DFT-OFDM), as well as a same receiver processing (e.g., channel estimation) manner as other OFDM waveforms. The device may also receiveZP-OFDM symbols, and may perform noise measurements on the zero-power CPs of the ZP-OFDM symbols 212.

[0090] The ZP-OFDM waveform may be utilized in different ways and for different deployments on a per-cell basis. For example, a cell may implement the ZP-OFDM waveform for downlink communications (e.g., from the network entity 105-a to the UE 115-a, instead of CP-OFDM), for uplink communications (e g., from the UE 115-a to the network entity 105-a, instead of DFT-OFDM), or both. In some examples, each UE (including the UE 115-a) in a cell served by the network entity' 105-a may concurrently use the ZP-OFDM waveform (e.g., synchronously). However, other cells (e.g., served by other network entities 105) may use another waveform while (e.g., concurrent with) the cell served by the network entity 105-a uses the ZP-OFDM waveform. Additionally, or alternatively, each UE of the cell served by the network entity 105-a (e.g., including the UE 115-a) may communicate via the ZP-OFDM waveform based on receiving control signaling from the network entity 105-a. In some other examples, a network entity' 105 may switch between use of a ZP-OFDM waveform and a CP-OFDM waveform.

[0091] In some cases, the UE 115-a may communicate via the ZP-OFDM waveform based on communicating a capability message 205. For example, the capability message may indicate that the UE 1 15-a is capable of communicating according to the ZP- OFDM waveform, that the UE 1 15-a is capable of performing noise measurements during zero-power CPs associated with one or more ZP-OFDM symbols 212, or both, and the network entity 105-a may know to communicate with the UE 115-a using the ZP-OFDM waveform based on the capability message. For example, the UE 115-a may transmit the capability message 205 to the network entity 105-a. Accordingly, the network entity 105-a may communicate with the UE 115-a via the ZP-OFDM waveform based on receiving the capability message 205.

[0092] In some cases, a device may experience one or more benefits from communicating via the ZP-OFDM waveform (e.g., relative to the use of other waveforms described herein). As one exemplary benefit, the device may perform high- rate noise covariance tracking based on noise measurements associated with the ZP- OFDM waveform. For example, the device may use the zero-part (e.g., the zero-power CP. null signal portion) of one or more (e.g., each) ZP-OFDM symbols 212 for noisemeasurement (e.g., Rnn measurement), instead of or in addition to performing noise measurements on less-frequent DMRS symbols (e.g., only on DMRS symbols) of a slot. This technique may result in high-rate noise covariance tracking, as the noise measurements may be performed at a higher rate (e.g., more frequently) to accommodate the rapidly changing noise conditions. In some cases (e.g., in wireless communications systems with fast varying interferers or high Doppler shift between devices), the resultant increased frequency of noise measurement may improve communication quality and noise measurement accuracy.

[0093] For example, the network entity 105 -a may transmit a ZP-OFDM signal 210 to the UE 115-a, where the ZP-OFDM signal may include one or more ZP-OFDM symbols 212. As described herein, noise conditions over a channel associated with the ZP-OFDM signal 210 (as illustrated by the noise graph 240), may vary largely due to, for example, fast moving interferes (e.g., V2X, fast moving cars) that experience high Doppler shift or spread within a cell served by the network entity 105-a. According to the ZP-OFDM waveform described herein, the UE 115-a may perform noise measurements on the ZP-OFDM signal 210 at one or more (e.g., each) ZP-OFDM symbols 212 in the ZP-OFDM signal 210. Thus, the device may demodulate and decode each ZP-OFDM symbol 212 with a more accurate noise estimation than may be available via DMRS noise estimation.

[0094] For example, other waveforms may allow for noise measurements at DMRS symbols, which may be located, in some examples, at symbol 220 and symbol 225 within a slot and separated by a duration 230. Thus, according to the other waveforms, devices may not account for noise variations within the duration 230. whereas the network entity 105-a and the UE 115-a may account for the noise variations in the duration 230 using noise estimation via the ZP-OFDM waveform. For example, if the UE 115-a is demodulating and decoding a ZP-OFDM symbol 212 within the duration 230, the UE 115-a may demodulate and decode the ZP-OFDM symbol 212 based on noise measurements associated with the ZP-OFDM symbol 212, which may have updated information relative to noise measurements associated with the symbol 220.

[0095] As another exemplary benefit, a device communicating according to the ZP- OFDM waveform may experience decreased power usage (e.g., increased power savings). For example, the length of the zero-power CP of each ZP-OFDM symbol maybe a percentage of the ZP-OFDM symbol length (e.g., 6.57% for normal CP, 7.91 % for extended CP). Because the device transmitting according to the ZP-OFDM waveform may transmit zeros (e.g., a null signal) during the zero-power CP, the device may decrease power usage. For example, the device may save power when transmitting ZP- OFDM svmbols by a factor of - - — , where Ncvrepresents a length (e.g., a timeNCp+NppT duration, in seconds) of the zero-power CP, and NFFTrepresents a length of a ZP- OFDM symbol including the zero-power CP. In some other examples, the UE 115-a may transmit one or more ZP-OFDM symbols to the network entity 105-a in the ZP- OFDM signal 210, and may save a percentage of the power normally used (e g., 6.57% for normal CP, 7.91% for extended CP) based on transmitting the one or more ZP- OFDM symbols according to the ZP-OFDM waveform.

[0096] In some cases, different methods of noise measurement (e g., noise estimation) may be associated with different bandwidths. For example, noise measurement via DMRS symbols may provide a narrow band noise estimation for a device (e.g., the network entity 105-a, the UE 115-a), such that a noise measurement derived from a DMRS symbol may be associated with a subset of a frequency spectrum available to the device for communication. However, a noise measurement performed according to the ZP-OFDM waveform may provide a wideband noise estimation, such that a noise measurement derived from a ZP-OFDM symbol (e.g., the zero-power CP of a ZP-OFDM symbol) may be associated with an entire frequency spectrum available to the device for communication. In such wideband noise estimation, the ZP-OFDM symbol based noise measurements may be for an entire cell bandwidth or bandwidth part measured over a period of time, and DMRS symbol based noise measurements may be for a portion of the frequency spectrum at a specific time. For example, the UE 115-a may perform a noise measurement during a zero-power CP according to the ZP-OFDM waveform, and may detect noise associated with an entire available frequency spectrum (e.g., cell bandwidth, bandwidth part) based on, for example, the absence of a transmission signal from the network entity 105-a during the zero-power CP.

[0097] Additionally, or alternatively, a device (e.g., the UE 115-a, the network entity 105-a) communicating according to the ZP-OFDM waveform may combine DMRS symbol-based noise measurement and ZP-OFDM symbol based noisemeasurement, which may increase the accuracy of noise measurement. For example, the UE 115-a may receive one or more DMRS symbols, such as during symbols 220 and 225, as part of the ZP-OFDM signal 210. Accordingly, the UE 115-a may perform narrow band noise measurements via the symbols 220 and 225, and may perform wideband noise measurements via one or more ZP-OFDM symbols of the ZP-OFDM signal.

[0098] FIGs. 3A and 3B show examples of a ZP-OFDM symbol diagram 300-a and a flowchart 300-b, respectively, that support noise measurement using a ZP-OFDM waveform in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure. In some cases, aspects of the ZP-OFDM symbol diagram 300-a may implement or be implemented by aspects of FIGs. 1-2. For example, the ZP-OFDM symbol diagram 300-a may include a ZP-OFDM symbol 305 with a zero-power CP 310, which may be examples of the ZP-OFDM symbol 212 and the zero-power CP, respectively, as described herein with respect to FIGs. 1 and 2. Additionally, the flowchart 300-b may illustrate ZP-OFDM noise measurement 360, which may be an example of the ZP- OFDM symbol-based noise measurement described herein with respect to FIGs. 1 and 2. In some cases, a device (e.g., a UE 115, a network entity 105) may receive and process a ZP-OFDM symbol using the processes illustrated by the ZP-OFDM symbol diagram 300-a and the flowchart 300-b.

[0099] For example, at step 345, another device (e.g., a UE, a network entity) may transmit a ZP-OFDM symbol 305 to the device via a channel “H” 347. At step 350, the device may receive the ZP-OFDM symbol 305 (e.g., the received signal), by receiving one or more instances (e.g., taps) of the ZP-OFDM symbol 305 through (e.g., via) the channel “H” 347. For example, the device may receive an instance 320-a (e.g., a path) and an instance 320-b of the ZP-OFDM symbol 305. The device may receive multiple instances of the ZP-OFDM symbol 305 due to, for example, multipath propagation of the ZP-OFDM symbol 305, where a delay (e.g., propagation delay) may exist between the instance 320-a (e.g., a first path) and the instance 320-b (e.g., a second path). According to the ZP-OFDM waveform, each instance 320-a and 320-b of the ZP- OFDM symbol 305 may include the zero-power CP 310 and a signal portion 315.

[0100] The device may receive the instances 320-a and 320-b of the ZP-OFDM symbol 305 during a noise estimation range 325, a sampling range 330. and a copyrange 335. In some cases, the copy range 335 may begin at the end of the sampling range 330 and extend into a zero-power CP 310 of a next ZP-OFDM symbol. The sampling range 330 may begin at or before the signal portion 315 of each instance 320-a and 320-b, and the noise estimation range 325 may end at or before the signal portion 315 of each instance 320-a and 320-b. Additionally, the copy range 335 may have a length less than or equal to a length of the zero-power CP 310, and the sampling range 330 may have a length equal to a length of the signal portion 315.

[0101] The device may perform sampling 355 on the one or more instances of the ZP-OFDM symbol 305. In some cases, the device may receive the ZP-OFDM symbol 305 (e.g., the one or more instances of the ZP-OFDM symbol 305) and may determine a sampling point (e.g., a start sampling time), which the device may use as a beginning of the sampling range 330. The device may determine the sampling point to be at or before a start of the signal portion 315 for one or more (e.g., a majority) of the instances 320-a and 320-b of the ZP-OFDM symbol 305. During the sampling range 330. the device may take samples of each instance 320-a and 320-b of the ZP-OFDM symbol 305.

[0102] The device may also perform ZP-OFDM noise measurements 360 (e.g., noise covariance estimations) on the portion of each instance 320-a and 320-b in the noise estimation range 325. In some cases, the device may perform the ZP-OFDM noise measurements 360 after performing the sampling 355. In some cases, the noise estimation range 325 may include at least a portion of the zero-power CP 310 of each instance 320-a and 320-b of the ZP-OFDM symbol. Thus, the device may perform noise measurements for a duration in which no signal is transmitted (e.g., to the device). In some cases, the device may perform the noise measurements (e.g., according to the techniques described herein) prior to, or without, performing a channel estimation associated with a channel for receiving the ZP-OFDM symbol 305.

[0103] Additionally, or alternatively, the device may perform a combining 390 (e.g., a summation) between a copied portion (e g., a copied portion 340-a, a copied portion 340-b) of each instance 320-a and 320-b of the ZP-OFDM symbol 305 and the respective instance 320-a or 320-b. The device may perform the combining 390 after performing the sampling 355. The copied portion 340-a and the copied portion 340-b may be copies of each instance 320-a and 320-b from the copy range 335. For example, the device may obtain the copied portion 340-a by copying a portion of the ZP-OFDMsymbol 305 that is in the copy range 335 as part of the instance 320-a. The device may perform the combining 390 with the copied portion 340-a and the instance 320-a such that a beginning of the copied portion 340-a is aligned with a beginning of the sampling range 330. Thus, the device may maintain a cyclic property of each instance 320-a and 320-b of the ZP-OFDM symbol 305 based on performing the combining 390 with the copied portion 340-a and the copied portion 340-b and the respective instances 320-a and 320-b. For example, the copied portion 340-a and the copied portion 340-b may each include portions of the signal instances 320-a and 320-b that extends beyond the sampling range 330.

[0104] The device may perform a fast-Fourier transform (FFT) 365 on the ZP-OFDM symbol, for example, after performing the combining 390. In some cases, the FFT 365 may translate the ZP-OFDM symbol into a frequency domain. The device may also perform channel estimation 370. In some cases, and according to aspects of the present disclosure, the device may perform channel estimation 370 after performing the ZP-OFDM noise measurements 360.

[0105] The device may also perform a demodulation 375, which may be based on the ZP-OFDM noise measurements 360 and the channel estimation 370. Comparatively, legacy methods may provide for a UE to decode one or more symbols based on noise measurements performed at a DMRS symbol, which the UE may receive within a limited quantity of symbols. However, according to techniques of the present disclosure, the device may perform the demodulation 375 based on performing the ZP-OFDM noise measurements 360 for one or more (e.g., each of) ZP-OFDM symbols 305, which may enhance noise estimation (e.g., more current noise measurements, more accurate noise measurements). The device may also derive one or more log-likelihood rations (LLRs) 380 based on the demodulation 375 of the ZP-OFDM symbol and the ZP- OFDM noise measurements, and may perform a decoding 385 on the ZP-OFDM symbol 305. The device may then receive and process the ZP-OFDM symbol to achieve more frequent noise estimates and improve communication quality.

[0106] FIG. 4 shows examples of a process flow 400-a and a process flow 400-b that support noise measurement using a ZP-OFDM waveform in accordance w ith one or more aspects of the present disclosure. In some cases, aspects of the process flow' 400-a and the process flow 400-b may implement or be implemented by aspects of FIGs. 1-3.For example, the process flow 400-a and the process flow 400-b may include UEs 1 15 (e.g., a UE 115-b, a UE 115-c) and network entities 105 (e.g., a network entity 105-a, a network entity 105-b), which may be examples of the UEs 115 and the network entities 105 as described herein with respect to FIGs. 1-3. In some cases, the UEs 115 and the network entities 105 may communicate via a ZP-OFDM waveform, and the network entity' 105-c may communicate with the UE 115-c via the ZP-OFDM waveform based on one or more metrics satisfying one or more thresholds.

[0107] In the following description of the process flow 400-a and the process flow 400-b, the operations may be performed in a different order than the order shown, or other operations may be added or removed from the process flows. For example, some operations may also be left out of process flows, may be performed in different orders or at different times, or other operations may be added to the process flows. Although the UEs 115 and the network entities 105 are shown performing the operations of the process flows, some aspects of some operations may also be performed by one or more other wireless devices or network devices. For example, the UEs 115 may be replaced with network entities 105, and the network entities 105 may be replaced with core networks 130 (e.g.. as described in FIG. 1).

[0108] At 410, the UE 115-b may receive a plurality of ZP-OFDM symbols (e.g., modulated OFDM symbols) in a slot (e.g.. from the network entity 105-b), where each ZP-OFDM symbol of the plurality of ZP-OFDM symbols may include a zero-power CP (e.g., a zero-power prefix). In some cases, receiving the plurality of ZP-OFDM symbols at the UE 115-b may include receiving a first ZP-OFDM symbol via a first receive path of multiple receive paths, and receiving (e.g., in accordance with a time delay) one or more secondary ZP-OFDM symbols via one or more secondary paths of the multiple receive paths (e.g., as described herein with respect to FIG. 3A). In some examples, the time delay may be less than or equal to a time delay threshold. Additionally, or alternatively, a length of the zero-power prefix of each ZP-OFDM symbol may be equal to a length of a corresponding cyclic prefix of a CP OFDM symbol (e.g., cyclic prefixes according to other waveforms, as described herein with reference to FIG. 3A).

[0109] In some cases, the UE 115-b may receive the plurality of ZP-OFDM symbols based on capability information. For example, the UE 115-b may transmit acapability message to the network entity 105-b indicating a capability' of the UE 115-b to receive ZP-OFDM symbols, to perform ZP-OFDM noise measurements, or both.

[0110] At 415, the UE 115-b may perform noise estimates (e.g., respective noise estimates, noise measurements) for at least a subset of the plurality of ZP-OFDM symbols (e.g., received from the network entity 105-b) based on the zero-power CP of each ZP-OFDM symbol of the subset. In some cases, the subset of the plurality of ZP- OFDM symbols may include a single ZP-OFDM symbol, a configured set of ZP-OFDM symbols (e.g., configured to the UE 115-b by the network entity 105-b), one or more ZP-OFDM symbols based on a numerical pattern, or any combination thereof.

[0111] In one example, the UE 115-b may perform the noise estimates (e.g., at least in part) by estimating a noise covariance within the zero-power CP of one or more ZP- OFDM symbol of the subset of the plurality of ZP-OFDM symbols. In another example, the UE 115-b may perform the noise estimates (e.g., at least in part) by performing a wideband noise covariance estimation over a frequency range allocated for transmission of the plurality of ZP-OFDM symbols, by performing one or more narrowband noise estimations on one or more demodulation reference signals of the slot, or both. Additionally, or alternatively, the UE 115-b may combine the one or more narrowband noise estimations with the respective noise estimates for the subset of the plurality of ZP-OFDM symbols.

[0112] At 420, the UE 115-b may sample a signal portion of one or more ZP-OFDM symbols (e.g., as described herein with respect to FIGs. 3A and 3B). For example, the zero-power CP of each ZP-OFDM symbol may occur prior to a signal portion (e.g., data portion) of each of the ZP-OFDM symbols. In such examples, the UE 115-b may sample a first portion of a ZP-OFDM symbol of the subset of ZP-OFDM symbols, where the first portion of the ZP-OFDM symbol may extend from a sampling start point to a sampling end point, and the first portion may have a same length as the signal portion of the ZP-OFDM symbol. Additionally, or alternatively, the sampling start point may be in the zero-power CP of the ZP-OFDM symbol, or at the beginning of the signal portion.

[0113] At 425, the UE 115-b may perform a combining (e.g., a summing) of the first portion of the ZP-OFDM symbol with a second portion (e.g., a copied portion, asdescribed herein with respect to FIGs. 3 A and 3B) of the ZP-OFDM symbol. For example, the second portion of the ZP-OFDM symbol may start at the sampling end point, and may extend for a length that is less than or equal to a length of the zeropower CP. In some cases, the second portion may include a cyclic extension of the data portion of the signal portion of the ZP-OFDM symbol (e.g., portion of the signal extending pas the sampling end point).

[0114] In some cases, to perform the combining, the first portion of the ZP-OFDM symbol and the second portion of the ZP-OFDM symbol may be aligned. For example, the UE 115-b may align the beginning of the first portion (e.g., the sampling start point) of the ZP-OFDM symbol with a beginning (e.g., start point) of the second portion of the ZP-OFDM symbol, and may perform the combining based on the alignment.

[0115] At 430, the UE 115-b may demodulate the subset of ZP-OFDM symbols based on the noise estimates (e.g., the ZP-OFDM noise estimates, as described herein with respect to FIGs. 3 A and 3B). In some cases, demodulating the subset of ZP-OFDM symbols may be based on sampling the first portion of one or more of the ZP-OFDM symbols. Additionally, or alternatively, demodulating the subset of ZP-OFDM symbols may be based on summing the first portion of the ZP-OFDM symbol and the second portion of the ZP-OFDM symbol.

[0116] In some cases, the UE 115-b may also perform a channel estimation for a wireless channel corresponding to receiving the plurality of ZP-OFDM symbols (e.g., from the network entity 105-b), where demodulation the ZP-OFDM symbols may be based on the channel estimation. In such cases, the UE 115-b may perform the noise measurements (e g., at 415) prior to the performing the channel estimation.

[0117] At 435, the UE 115-b may transmit one or more ZP-OFDM symbols via a ZP OFDM waveform (e.g., zero-power OFDM waveform, zero-padded OFDM waveform), where each ZP-OFDM symbol of the one or more ZP-OFDM symbols may include a respective zero-power CP.

[0118] At 450, the network entity 105-c may receive a capability message indicating capability information from a UE (e.g., the UE 115-c) of one or more UEs. In some cases, the capability information may indicate a capability’ of the UE 115-c to receive ZP-OFDM symbols (e.g., modulated OFDM symbols) including a zero-power CP inaccordance with the ZP-OFDM waveform, a capability of the at least one UE to transmit modulated OFDM symbols including a zero-power prefix in accordance with to the ZP-OFDM waveform, or both.

[0119] At 455, the network entity 105-c may communicate first signaling with the one or more UEs (e.g.. including the UE 115-c) within a cell served by the network entity. In some cases, the first signaling may be communicated according to a waveform other than the ZP-OFDM waveform.

[0120] At 460, the network entity 105-c may obtain one or more metrics associated with the communicating the first signaling. For example, the one or more metrics may include a noise variation associated with communicating the first signaling (e.g., a rate of change of the noise), a mobility metric of the one or more UEs (e.g., a speed or velocity of the UE 115-c), a power consumption associated with communicating the first signaling, or any combination thereof.

[0121] At 465, the network entity 105-c may transmit, to the one or more UEs (e.g., including the UE 115-c). one or more control messages indicating a use of the ZP- OFDM waveform. In some cases, the network entity 105-c may transmit the control signals based on the one or more metrics satisfying one or more thresholds. For example, the one or more thresholds includes a threshold noise variation associated with communicating the first signaling, a threshold average mobility metric of the one or more UEs, a threshold power consumption associated with communicating the first signaling, or any combination thereof. In some cases, the one or more control messages may include a RRC message, a MAC-control element (MAC CE), a downlink control information (DCI) message, or any combination thereof.

[0122] In some cases, a cell served by the network entity 105-c may include a plurality of UEs (e.g., including the one or more UEs). In such cases, the network entity 105-c may transmit a control message (e.g., of the one or more control messages) to each UE of the plurality7of UEs, where the control message may indicate the use of the ZP-OFDM waveform. In this way, each of the UEs in the cell served by the network entity 105-c may communicate according to the ZP-OFDM waveform starting at a same time, during a same duration, or both.

[0123] At 470, the network entity 105-c may communicate second signaling via a ZP-OFDM waveform with the one or more UEs (e.g., including the UE 115-c) based on the one or more metrics associated with communicating the first signaling satisfying the one or more thresholds. In some cases, the network entity 105-c may communicate the second signaling via the zero-power OFDM waveform, at least in part, by receiving a plurality of ZP-OFDM symbols (e.g., modulated OFDM symbols, from the UE 115-c), where each ZP-OFDM symbol of the plurality of ZP-OFDM symbols may include a zero-power CP. Additionally, or alternatively, the network entity 105-c may communicate the second signaling via the ZP-OFDM waveform, at least in part, byperforming noise estimates (e g., respective noise estimates) for at least a subset of the plurality of ZP-OFDM symbols based on the zero-power CP of each ZP-OFDM symbol of the subset. In some cases, communicating the second signaling via the ZP-OFDM waveform may be based on the received capability information, transmitting the one or more control messages, transmitting the control message to each UE of the plurality of UEs, or any combination thereof.

[0124] FIG. 5 shows a flowchart 500-a and a flowchart 500-b that illustrate methods that support noise measurement using a ZP-OFDM waveform in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure. For example, the flowchart 500-a may illustrate a device communicating according to the ZP-OFDM waveform. Additionally, the flowchart 500-b may illustrate a network entity communicating with UEs based on one or more metrics.

[0125] At 505, a device may receive one or more ZP-OFDM symbols (e.g., OFDM symbols) which each include zero-padding CP. For example, the device may receive the one or more ZP-OFDM symbols in a slot, where a noise associated with a channel for receiving the ZP-OFDM symbols may fluctuate or otherwise change with time. In some cases, each zero-padded CP may have a length equal to a length of a legacy CP of a waveform other than a ZP-OFDM waveform (e.g., a CP-OFDM waveform).

[0126] At 510, the device may perform ZP-OFDM noise estimates based on the zero-padded CPs (e.g., zero-power prefixes) associated with one or more of the received ZP-OFDM symbols. In some cases, the device may perform the ZP-OFDM noise estimates on a subset of the received ZP-OFDM symbol or all of the received ZP-OFDM symbols. In some cases, the ZP-OFDM noise estimation may be a wideband noise estimation.

[0127] At 515, the device may demodulate the ZP-OFDM symbols based on the ZP- OFDM noise estimates. For example, the device may determine more accurate noise estimates via the ZP-OFDM noise estimates than legacy noise estimation methods maysupport. In some cases, the demodulation may also be based on a channel estimation of the channel for receiving the ZP-OFDM symbols. According to techniques of the present disclosure, the device may perform the ZP-OFDM noise estimates prior to performing the channel estimate.

[0128] At 520. a network entity may communicate signaling with one or more UEs. In some cases, the network entity may communicate the signaling via a waveform other than the ZP-OFDM waveform described herein. The communications may be associated with one or more metrics, where the metrics may include a noise variation associated with the communications, a mobility metric associated with the one or more UEs, a power usage associated with the communications, or any combination thereof.

[0129] At 525, the network entity may communicate with the one or more UEs via the ZP-OFDM waveform based at least one of the one or more metrics satisfying a respective threshold. In some cases, the network entity- may communicate with the one or more UEs via the ZP-OFDM waveform based on transmitting control signaling to the one or more UEs indicating the use of the ZP-OFDM waveform. In some cases, the one or more UEs may include each (e.g., every, all) UEs in a cell served by the network entity-.

[0130] FIG. 6 shows a block diagram 600 of a device 605 that supports noise measurement using a ZP-OFDM waveform in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure. The device 605 may be an example of aspects of a UE 1 15 as described herein. The device 605 may include a receiver 610, a transmitter 615, and a communications manager 620. The device 605, or one or more components of the device 605 (e.g., the receiver 610, the transmitter 615. and the communications manager 620). may include at least one processor, which may be coupled with at least one memory, to, individually' or collectively, support or enable the described techniques.Each of these components may be in communication with one another (e.g., via one or more buses).

[0131] The receiver 610 may provide a means for receiving information such as packets, user data, control information, or any combination thereof associated with various information channels (e.g., control channels, data channels, information channels related to noise measurement using a ZP-OFDM waveform). Information may be passed on to other components of the device 605. The receiver 610 may utilize a single antenna or a set of multiple antennas.

[0132] The transmitter 615 may provide a means for transmitting signals generated by other components of the device 605. For example, the transmitter 615 may transmit information such as packets, user data, control information, or any combination thereof associated with various information channels (e.g., control channels, data channels, information channels related to noise measurement using a ZP-OFDM waveform). In some examples, the transmitter 615 may be co-located with a receiver 610 in a transceiver module. The transmitter 615 may utilize a single antenna or a set of multiple antennas.

[0133] The communications manager 620, the receiver 610, the transmitter 615, or various combinations thereof or various components thereof may be examples of means for performing various aspects of noise measurement using a ZP-OFDM waveform as described herein. For example, the communications manager 620, the receiver 610, the transmitter 615, or various combinations or components thereof may be capable of performing one or more of the functions described herein.

[0134] In some examples, the communications manager 620, the receiver 610, the transmitter 615, or various combinations or components thereof may be implemented in hardware (e.g., in communications management circuitry). The hardware may include at least one of a processor, a digital signal processor (DSP), a central processing unit (CPU), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field-programmable gate array (FPGA) or other programmable logic device, a microcontroller, discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof configured as or otherwise supporting, individually or collectively, a means for performing the functions described in the present disclosure. In some examples, at least one processorand at least one memory coupled with the at least one processor may be configured to perform one or more of the functions described herein (e.g., by one or more processors, individually or collectively, executing instructions stored in the at least one memory).

[0135] Additionally, or alternatively, the communications manager 620, the receiver 610, the transmitter 615. or various combinations or components thereof may be implemented in code (e g., as communications management software or firmware) executed by at least one processor. If implemented in code executed by at least one processor, the functions of the communications manager 620, the receiver 610, the transmitter 615, or various combinations or components thereof may be performed by a general-purpose processor, a DSP, a CPU, an ASIC, an FPGA, a microcontroller, or any combination of these or other programmable logic devices (e.g., configured as or otherwise supporting, individually or collectively, a means for performing the functions described in the present disclosure).

[0136] In some examples, the communications manager 620 may be configured to perform various operations (e.g., receiving, obtaining, monitoring, outputting, transmitting) using or otherwise in cooperation with the receiver 10, the transmitter 61 , or both. For example, the communications manager 620 may receive information from the receiver 610, send information to the transmitter 615, or be integrated in combination with the receiver 610, the transmitter 615, or both to obtain information, output information, or perform various other operations as described herein.

[0137] The communications manager 620 may support wireless communication in accordance with examples as disclosed herein. For example, the communications manager 620 is capable of. configured to, or operable to support a means for receiving a set of multiple modulated OFDM symbols in a slot, each modulated OFDM symbol of the set of multiple modulated OFDM symbols including a zero-power prefix. The communications manager 620 is capable of, configured to, or operable to support a means for performing respective noise estimates for at least a subset of the set of multiple modulated OFDM symbols based on the zero-power prefix of each modulated OFDM symbol of the subset. The communications manager 620 is capable of, configured to, or operable to support a means for demodulating the subset of modulated OFDM symbols based on the respective noise estimates.

[0138] By including or configuring the communications manager 620 in accordance with examples as described herein, the device 605 (e.g., at least one processor controlling or otherwise coupled with the receiver 610, the transmitter 615, the communications manager 620. or a combination thereof) may support techniques for reduced power consumption. For example, a device implementing the techniques described herein may transmit ZP-OFDM symbols including zero-power prefixes (e.g., prefixes wherein the device does not transmit signaling). Thus, the device may consume less power based on transmitting the zero-power prefixes.

[0139] FIG. 7 shows a block diagram 700 of a device 705 that supports noise measurement using a ZP-OFDM waveform in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure. The device 705 may be an example of aspects of a device 605 or a UE 115 as described herein. The device 705 may include a receiver 710, a transmitter 715, and a communications manager 720. The device 705, or one or more components of the device 705 (e.g.. the receiver 710. the transmitter 715, and the communications manager 720), may include at least one processor, which may be coupled with at least one memory, to support the described techniques. Each of these components may be in communication with one another (e.g., via one or more buses).

[0140] The receiver 710 may provide a means for receiving information 708. such as packets, user data, control information, or any combination thereof associated with various information channels (e.g., control channels, data channels, information channels related to noise measurement using a ZP-OFDM waveform). Information may be passed on to other components of the device 705. The receiver 710 may utilize a single antenna or a set of multiple antennas.

[0141] In some cases, the information 708 may include ZP-OFDM symbols, where each ZP-OFDM symbol may include a zero-power CP and a signal portion. The receive 710 may also receive control signaling as part of the information 708, where the control signaling may indicate the use of the ZP-OFDM w aveform.

[0142] The transmitter 715 may provide a means for transmitting signals generated by other components of the device 705. For example, the transmitter 715 may transmit information 718 such as packets, user data, control information, or any combination thereof associated with various information channels (e.g., control channels, datachannels, information channels related to noise measurement using aZP-OFDM waveform). In some examples, the transmitter 715 may be co-located with a receiver 710 in a transceiver module. The transmitter 715 may utilize a single antenna or a set of multiple antennas. Additionally, or alternatively, the information 718 may include one or more ZP-OFDM symbols each including a zero-power CP which may be used for noise measurement.

[0143] The device 705, or various components thereof, may be an example of means for performing various aspects of noise measurement using a ZP-OFDM waveform as described herein. For example, the communications manager 720 may include a ZP-OFDM communication component 725, a noise estimation component 730, a demodulation component 735, or any combination thereof. The communications manager 720 may be an example of aspects of a communications manager 620 as described herein. In some examples, the communications manager 720. or various components thereof, may be configured to perform various operations (e.g., receiving, obtaining, monitoring, outputting, transmitting) using or otherwise in cooperation with the receiver 710, the transmitter 715, or both. For example, the communications manager 720 may receive information from the receiver 710, send information to the transmitter 715, or be integrated in combination with the receiver 710, the transmitter 715, or both to obtain information, output information, or perform various other operations as described herein.

[0144] The communications manager 720 may support wireless communication in accordance with examples as disclosed herein. The ZP-OFDM communication component 725 is capable of, configured to. or operable to support a means for receiving a set of multiple modulated OFDM symbols in a slot, each modulated OFDM symbol of the set of multiple modulated OFDM symbols including a zero-power prefix. Additionally, or alternatively, the ZP-OFDM communication component 725 may receive information 711 from the receive 710, where the information 711 may include the ZP-OFDM symbols. The ZP-OFDM communication component 725 may also transmit one or more portions of the ZP-OFDM symbols 714 to the noise estimation component 730, including the zero-padded CP of one or more of the ZP-OFDM symbols. The ZP-OFDM communication component 725 may also transmit one or more other ZP-OFDM symbols for transmission 717 to the transmitter 715.

[0145] The noise estimation component 730 is capable of, configured to, or operable to support a means for performing respective noise estimates for at least a subset of the set of multiple modulated OFDM symbols based on the zero-power prefix of each modulated OFDM symbol of the subset. Additionally, or alternatively, the noise estimation component may receive one or more portions of the received ZP-OFDM symbols 712 or 714 from the receiver, the ZP-OFDM communication component 725, or both, including the zero-padded CPs of one or more of the received ZP-OFDM symbols. The noise estimation component 730 may also transmit one or more ZP- OFDM noise estimations 716 and 713 to the demodulation component 735.

[0146] The demodulation component 735 is capable of, configured to, or operable to support a means for demodulating the subset of modulated OFDM symbols based on the respective noise estimates. Additionally, or alternatively, the demodulation component 735 may receive one or more ZP-OFDM noise estimates 716 from the noise estimation component 730 for use in demodulating corresponding ZP-OFDM symbols. The demodulation component 735 may also receive one or more channel estimates for use in demodulating corresponding ZP-OFDM symbols.

[0147] FIG. 8 shows a block diagram 800 of a communications manager 820 that supports noise measurement using a ZP-OFDM waveform in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure. The communications manager 820 may be an example of aspects of a communications manager 620, a communications manager 720, or both, as described herein. The communications manager 820, or various components thereof, may be an example of means for performing various aspects of noise measurement using a ZP-OFDM waveform as described herein. For example, the communications manager 820 may include a ZP-OFDM communication component 825, a noise estimation component 830, a demodulation component 835, a narrowband noise estimation component 840, a ZP-OFDM sampling component 845, a channel estimation component 850, or any combination thereof. Each of these components, or components or subcomponents thereof (e.g., one or more processors, one or more memories), may communicate, directly or indirectly, with one another (e.g., via one or more buses).

[0148] The communications manager 820 may support wireless communication in accordance with examples as disclosed herein. The ZP-OFDM communicationcomponent 825 is capable of, configured to, or operable to support a means for receiving a set of multiple modulated OFDM symbols in a slot, each modulated OFDM symbol of the set of multiple modulated OFDM symbols including a zero-power prefix. The noise estimation component 830 is capable of, configured to. or operable to support a means for performing respective noise estimates for at least a subset of the set of multiple modulated OFDM symbols based on the zero-power prefix of each modulated OFDM symbol of the subset. The demodulation component 835 is capable of, configured to, or operable to support a means for demodulating the subset of modulated OFDM symbols based on the respective noise estimates.

[0149] In some examples, to support performing the respective noise estimates, the noise estimation component 830 is capable of, configured to, or operable to support a means for estimating a noise covariance within the zero-power prefix of each modulated OFDM symbol of the subset of the set of multiple modulated OFDM symbols.

[0150] In some examples, to support performing the respective noise estimates, the noise estimation component 830 is capable of, configured to, or operable to support a means for performing a wideband noise covariance estimation over a frequency range allocated for transmission of the set of multiple modulated OFDM symbols.

[0151] In some examples, the narrowband noise estimation component 840 is capable of, configured to, or operable to support a means for performing one or more narrowband noise estimations on one or more demodulation reference signals of the slot. In some examples, the noise estimation component 830 is capable of, configured to, or operable to support a means for combining the one or more narrowband noise estimations with the respective noise estimates for the subset of the set of multiple modulated OFDM symbols.

[0152] In some examples, the zero-power prefix occurs prior to a data portion of each of the modulated OFDM symbols, and the ZP-OFDM sampling component 845 is capable of, configured to, or operable to support a means for sampling a first portion of a modulated OFDM symbol of the subset of modulated OFDM symbols, where the first portion of the modulated OFDM symbol extends from a sampling start point to a sampling end point, the sampling start point being within the zero-power prefix, andwhere demodulating the subset of modulated OFDM symbols is based on sampling the first portion.

[0153] In some examples, the ZP-OFDM sampling component 845 is capable of, configured to, or operable to support a means for summing the first portion of the modulated OFDM symbol with a second portion of the modulated OFDM symbol, where the second portion of the modulated OFDM symbol starts at the sampling end point and extends for a length that is equal to a length of the zero-power prefix, and where demodulating the subset of modulated OFDM symbols is based on summing the first portion of the modulated OFDM symbol and the second portion of the modulated OFDM symbol.

[0154] In some examples, the sampling start point of the first portion of the modulated OFDM symbol aligns with a start point of the second portion of the modulated OFDM symbol. In some examples, the second portion includes a cyclic extension of the data portion of a data portion of the modulated OFDM symbol.

[0155] In some examples, the ZP-OFDM communication component 825 is capable of, configured to, or operable to support a means for transmitting one or more modulated OFDM symbols via a zero-power OFDM waveform, where each modulated OFDM symbol of the one or more modulated OFDM symbols include a respective zeropower prefix.

[0156] In some examples, the channel estimation component 850 is capable of. configured to, or operable to support a means for performing a channel estimation for a wireless channel corresponding to the received set of multiple modulated OFDM symbols, where the respective noise estimates are performed prior to the channel estimation.

[0157] In some examples, to support receiving the set of multiple modulated OFDM symbols, the ZP-OFDM communication component 825 is capable of, configured to, or operable to support a means for receiving a first modulated OFDM symbol via a first receive path of multiple receive paths. In some examples, to support receiving the set of multiple modulated OFDM symbols, the ZP-OFDM communication component 825 is capable of, configured to, or operable to support a means for receiving, in accordancewith a time delay, one or more secondary modulated OFDM symbols via one or more secondary paths of the multiple receive paths.

[0158] In some examples, the time delay is less than or equal to a time delay threshold.

[0159] In some examples, a length of the zero-power prefix of each modulated OFDM symbol is equal to a length of a corresponding cyclic prefix of a cyclic prefix OFDM symbol.

[0160] In some examples, the subset of the set of multiple modulated OFDM symbols includes a single modulated OFDM symbol, a configured set of modulated OFDM symbols, one or more modulated OFDM symbols based on a numerical pattern, or any combination thereof.

[0161] FIG. 9 shows a diagram of a system 900 including a device 905 that supports noise measurement using a ZP-OFDM waveform in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure. The device 905 may be an example of or include the components of a device 605, a device 705. or a UE 115 as described herein. The device 905 may communicate (e.g., wirelessly) with one or more network entities 105. one or more UEs 115, or any combination thereof. The device 905 may include components for bi-directional voice and data communications including components for transmitting and receiving communications, such as a communications manager 920. an input / output (I / O) controller 910, a transceiver 915, an antenna 925, at least one memory 930, code 935, and at least one processor 940. These components may be in electronic communication or otherwise coupled (e.g., operatively, communicatively, functionally, electronically, electrically) via one or more buses (e.g., a bus 945).

[0162] The I / O controller 910 may manage input and output signals for the device 905. The I / O controller 910 may also manage peripherals not integrated into the device 905. In some cases, the I / O controller 910 may represent a physical connection or port to an external peripheral. In some cases, the I / O controller 910 may utilize an operating system such as iOS®, ANDROID®, MS-DOS®, MS-WINDOWS®, OS / 2®, UNIX®, LINUX®, or another known operating system. Additionally, or alternatively, the I / O controller 910 may represent or interact with a modem, a keyboard, a mouse, a touchscreen, or a similar device. In some cases, the I / O controller 910 may beimplemented as part of one or more processors, such as the at least one processor 940. In some cases, a user may interact with the device 905 via the I / O controller 910 or via hardware components controlled by the I / O controller 910.

[0163] In some cases, the device 905 may include a single antenna 925. However, in some other cases, the device 905 may have more than one antenna 925. which may be capable of concurrently transmitting or receiving multiple wireless transmissions. The transceiver 915 may communicate bi-directionally, via the one or more antennas 925, wired, or wireless links as described herein. For example, the transceiver 915 may represent a wireless transceiver and may communicate bi-directionally with another wireless transceiver. The transceiver 915 may also include a modem to modulate the packets, to provide the modulated packets to one or more antennas 925 for transmission, and to demodulate packets received from the one or more antennas 925. The transceiver 915, or the transceiver 915 and one or more antennas 925, may be an example of a transmitter 615, a transmitter 715, a receiver 610, a receiver 710, or any combination thereof or component thereof, as described herein.

[0164] The at least one memory 930 may include random access memory (RAM) and read-only memory' (ROM). The at least one memory' 930 may store computer- readable, computer-executable code 935 including instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor 940, cause the device 905 to perform various functions described herein. The code 935 may be stored in a non-transitory computer-readable medium such as system memory' or another ty pe of memory'. In some cases, the code 935 may not be directly executable by the at least one processor 940 but may cause a computer (e.g.. when compiled and executed) to perform functions described herein. In some cases, the at least one memory 930 may contain, among other things, a basic I / O system (BIOS) which may control basic hardware or software operation such as the interaction with peripheral components or devices.

[0165] The at least one processor 940 may include an intelligent hardware device (e.g., a general-purpose processor, a DSP, a CPU, a microcontroller, an ASIC, an FPGA, a programmable logic device, a discrete gate or transistor logic component, a discrete hardware component, or any combination thereof). In some cases, the at least one processor 940 may be configured to operate a memory' array using a memory controller. In some other cases, a memory controller may be integrated into the at leastone processor 940. The at least one processor 940 may be configured to execute computer-readable instructions stored in a memory (e.g., the at least one memory' 930) to cause the device 905 to perform various functions (e.g., functions or tasks supporting noise measurement using a ZP-OFDM waveform). For example, the device 905 or a component of the device 905 may include at least one processor 940 and at least one memory 930 coupled with or to the at least one processor 940, the at least one processor 940 and at least one memory 930 configured to perform various functions described herein. In some examples, the at least one processor 940 may include multiple processors and the at least one memory 930 may include multiple memories. One or more of the multiple processors may be coupled with one or more of the multiple memories, which may, individually or collectively, be configured to perform various functions herein. In some examples, the at least one processor 940 may be a component of a processing system, which may refer to a system (such as a series) of machines, circuitry (including, for example, one or both of processor circuitry (which may include the at least one processor 940) and memory circuitry (which may include the at least one memory 930)). or components, that receives or obtains inputs and processes the inputs to produce, generate, or obtain a set of outputs. The processing system may be configured to perform one or more of the functions described herein. As such, the at least one processor 940 or a processing system including the at least one processor 940 may be configured to, configurable to, or operable to cause the device 905 to perform one or more of the functions described herein. Further, as described herein, being “configured to,” being “configurable to.” and being “operable to” may be used interchangeably and may be associated with a capability, when executing code stored in the at least one memory 930 or otherwise, to perform one or more of the functions described herein.

[0166] The communications manager 920 may support wireless communication in accordance with examples as disclosed herein. For example, the communications manager 920 is capable of, configured to, or operable to support a means for receiving a set of multiple modulated OFDM symbols in a slot, each modulated OFDM symbol of the set of multiple modulated OFDM symbols including a zero-power prefix. The communications manager 920 is capable of, configured to, or operable to support a means for performing respective noise estimates for at least a subset of the set ofmultiple modulated OFDM symbols based on the zero-power prefix of each modulated OFDM symbol of the subset. The communications manager 920 is capable of, configured to, or operable to support a means for demodulating the subset of modulated OFDM symbols based on the respective noise estimates.

[0167] By including or configuring the communications manager 920 in accordance with examples as described herein, the device 905 may support techniques for improved communication reliability and longer battery' life. For example, a device implementing the techniques described herein may perform noise estimation for each received OFDM symbol, allowing the device to communicate more reliably based on more noise information. Additionally, the device may transmit ZP-OFDM symbols, which may reduce battery usage at the device by transmitting the zero-power prefix (e.g., not transmitting during a time), thus increasing the battery' life of the device.

[0168] In some examples, the communications manager 920 may be configured to perform various operations (e.g.. receiving, monitoring, transmitting) using or otherwise in cooperation with the transceiver 915, the one or more antennas 925, or any combination thereof. Although the communications manager 920 is illustrated as a separate component, in some examples, one or more functions described with reference to the communications manager 920 may be supported by or performed by the at least one processor 940. the at least one memory 930. the code 935, or any combination thereof. For example, the code 935 may include instructions executable by the at least one processor 940 to cause the device 905 to perform various aspects of noise measurement using a ZP-OFDM waveform as described herein, or the at least one processor 940 and the at least one memory’ 930 may be otherwise configured to, individually or collectively, perform or support such operations.

[0169] FIG. 10 shows a block diagram 1000 of a device 1005 that supports noise measurement using a ZP-OFDM waveform in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure. The device 1005 may be an example of aspects of a network entity 105 as described herein. The device 1005 may include a receiver 1010, a transmitter 1015, and a communications manager 1020. The device 1005, or one or more components of the device 1005 (e.g., the receiver 1010, the transmitter 1015, and the communications manager 1020), may include at least one processor, which may be coupled with at least one memory, to, individually or collectively, support or enable thedescribed techniques. Each of these components may be in communication with one another (e.g., via one or more buses).

[0170] The receiver 1010 may provide a means for obtaining (e.g., receiving, determining, identifying) information such as user data, control information, or any combination thereof (e.g., I / Q samples, symbols, packets, protocol data units, service data units) associated with various channels (e.g., control channels, data channels, information channels, channels associated with a protocol stack). Information may be passed on to other components of the device 1005. In some examples, the receiver 1010 may support obtaining information by receiving signals via one or more antennas. Additionally, or alternatively, the receiver 1010 may support obtaining information by receiving signals via one or more wired (e.g., electrical, fiber optic) interfaces, wireless interfaces, or any combination thereof.

[0171] The transmitter 1015 may provide a means for outputting (e g., transmitting, providing, conveying, sending) information generated by other components of the device 1005. For example, the transmitter 1015 may output information such as user data, control information, or any combination thereof (e.g., I / Q samples, symbols, packets, protocol data units, service data units) associated with various channels (e.g., control channels, data channels, information channels, channels associated with a protocol stack). In some examples, the transmitter 1015 may support outputting information by transmitting signals via one or more antennas. Additionally, or alternatively, the transmitter 1015 may support outputting information by transmitting signals via one or more wired (e.g., electrical, fiber optic) interfaces, wireless interfaces, or any combination thereof. In some examples, the transmitter 1015 and the receiver 1010 may be co-located in a transceiver, which may include or be coupled with a modem.

[0172] The communications manager 1020, the receiver 1010, the transmitter 1015, or various combinations thereof or various components thereof may be examples of means for performing various aspects of noise measurement using a ZP-OFDM waveform as described herein. For example, the communications manager 1020, the receiver 1010, the transmitter 1015, or various combinations or components thereof may be capable of performing one or more of the functions described herein.

[0173] In some examples, the communications manager 1020, the receiver 1010, the transmitter 1015, or various combinations or components thereof may be implemented in hardware (e.g., in communications management circuitry). The hardware may include at least one of a processor, a DSP, a CPU, an ASIC, an FPGA or other programmable logic device, a microcontroller, discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof configured as or otherwise supporting, individually or collectively, a means for performing the functions described in the present disclosure. In some examples, at least one processor and at least one memory coupled with the at least one processor may be configured to perform one or more of the functions described herein (e.g., by one or more processors, individually or collectively, executing instructions stored in the at least one memory).

[0174] Additionally, or alternatively, the communications manager 1020, the receiver 1010, the transmitter 1015, or various combinations or components thereof may be implemented in code (e.g., as communications management software or firmware) executed by at least one processor. If implemented in code executed by at least one processor, the functions of the communications manager 1020, the receiver 1010, the transmitter 1015, or various combinations or components thereof may be performed by a general-purpose processor, a DSP. a CPU. an ASIC, an FPGA, a microcontroller, or any combination of these or other programmable logic devices (e.g., configured as or otherwise supporting, individually or collectively, a means for performing the functions described in the present disclosure).

[0175] In some examples, the communications manager 1020 may be configured to perform various operations (e.g.. receiving, obtaining, monitoring, outputting, transmitting) using or otherwise in cooperation with the receiver 1010, the transmitter 1015, or both. For example, the communications manager 1020 may receive information from the receiver 1010, send information to the transmitter 1015, or be integrated in combination with the receiver 1010, the transmitter 1015, or both to obtain information, output information, or perform various other operations as described herein.

[0176] The communications manager 1020 may support wireless communication in accordance with examples as disclosed herein. For example, the communications manager 1020 is capable of, configured to, or operable to support a means for receivinga set of multiple modulated OFDM symbols in a slot, each modulated OFDM symbol of the set of multiple modulated OFDM symbols including a zero-power prefix. The communications manager 1020 is capable of, configured to. or operable to support a means for performing respective noise estimates for at least a subset of the set of multiple modulated OFDM symbols based on the zero-power prefix of each modulated OFDM symbol of the subset. The communications manager 1020 is capable of, configured to, or operable to support a means for demodulating the subset of modulated OFDM symbols based on the respective noise estimates.

[0177] Additionally, or alternatively, the communications manager 1020 may support wireless communication in accordance with examples as disclosed herein. For example, the communications manager 1020 is capable of, configured to, or operable to support a means for communicating first signaling with one or more user equipments (UEs) within a cell served by the network entity. The communications manager 1020 is capable of. configured to, or operable to support a means for communicating second signaling via a zero-power OFDM waveform with the one or more UEs based on one or more metrics associated with communicating the first signaling satisfying one or more thresholds, the one or more metrics including a noise variation associated with communicating the first signaling, a mobility metric of the one or more UEs, a power consumption associated with communicating the first signaling, or any combination thereof.

[0178] By including or configuring the communications manager 1020 in accordance with examples as described herein, the device 1005 (e.g., at least one processor controlling or otherwise coupled with the receiver 1010, the transmitter 1015, the communications manager 1020, or a combination thereof) may support techniques for reduced powder consumption. For example, a device implementing the techniques described herein may transmit ZP-OFDM symbols including zero-power prefixes (e.g., prefixes wherein the device does not transmit signaling). Thus, the device may consume less power based on transmitting the zero-pow er prefixes.

[0179] FIG. 11 shows a block diagram 1100 of a device 1105 that supports noise measurement using a ZP-OFDM waveform in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure. The device 1105 may be an example of aspects of a device 1005 or a network entity 105 as described herein. The device 1105 may include a receiver1 1 10, a transmitter 1 1 15, and a communications manager 1 120. The device 1 105, or one or more components of the device 1105 (e.g., the receiver 1110, the transmitter 1115, and the communications manager 1120), may include at least one processor, which may be coupled with at least one memory, to support the described techniques. Each of these components may be in communication with one another (e.g., via one or more buses).

[0180] The receiver 1110 may provide a means for obtaining (e.g., receiving, determining, identifying) information 1109 such as user data, control information, or any combination thereof (e.g., I / Q samples, symbols, packets, protocol data units, service data units) associated with various channels (e.g., control channels, data channels, information channels, channels associated with a protocol stack). Information may be passed on to other components of the device 1105. In some examples, the receiver 1110 may support obtaining information by receiving signals via one or more antennas. Additionally, or alternatively, the receiver 1110 may support obtaining information by receiving signals via one or more wired (e.g., electrical, fiber optic) interfaces, wireless interfaces, or any combination thereof.

[0181] In some cases, the information 1109 may include ZP-OFDM symbols, where each ZP-OFDM symbol include a zero-power CP and a signal portion. The receive 1110 may also receive capability information as part of the information 1109, where the capability information may indicate a capability of one or more UEs to communicate via the ZP-OFDM waveform.

[0182] The transmitter 1115 may provide a means for outputting (e.g., transmitting, providing, conveying, sending) information 1122 generated by other components of the device 1105. For example, the transmitter 1115 may output information such as user data, control information, or any combination thereof (e.g., I / Q samples, symbols, packets, protocol data units, service data units) associated with various channels (e g., control channels, data channels, information channels, channels associated with a protocol stack). In some examples, the transmitter 1115 may support outputting information by transmitting signals via one or more antennas. Additionally, or alternatively, the transmitter 1115 may support outputting information by transmitting signals via one or more wired (e.g., electrical, fiber optic) interfaces, wireless interfaces, or any combination thereof. In some examples, the transmitter 1115 and the receiver 1110 may be co-located in a transceiver, which may include or be coupled with amodem. Additionally, or alternatively, the information 1122 may include one or more ZP-OFDM symbols each including a zero-power CP which may be used for noise measurement.

[0183] The device 1105, or various components thereof, may be an example of means for performing various aspects of noise measurement using a ZP-OFDM waveform as described herein. For example, the communications manager 1120 may include a ZP-OFDM communication component 1125, a noise estimation component 1130, a demodulation component 1135, a signal communication component 1140, or any combination thereof. The communications manager 1120 may be an example of aspects of a communications manager 1020 as described herein. In some examples, the communications manager 1120, or various components thereof, may be configured to perform various operations (e.g., receiving, obtaining, monitoring, outputting, transmitting) using or otherwise in cooperation with the receiver 1110, the transmitter 1115. or both. For example, the communications manager 1120 may receive information from the receiver 1110, send information to the transmitter 1 115, or be integrated in combination with the receiver 1110, the transmitter 1115, or both to obtain information, output information, or perform various other operations as described herein.

[0184] The communications manager 1120 may support wireless communication in accordance with examples as disclosed herein. The ZP-OFDM communication component 1125 is capable of, configured to, or operable to support a means for receiving a set of multiple modulated OFDM symbols in a slot, each modulated OFDM symbol of the set of multiple modulated OFDM symbols including a zero-power prefix. Additionally, or alternatively, the ZP-OFDM communication component 1125 may receive information 1111 from the receive 1110, where the information 1111 may include the ZP-OFDM symbols. The ZP-OFDM communication component 1125 may also transmit one or more portions of the ZP-OFDM symbols 1116 to the noise estimation component 1130, including the zero-padded CP of one or more of the ZP- OFDM symbols. The ZP-OFDM communication component 1125 may also transmit one or more other ZP-OFDM symbols for transmission 1119 to the transmitter 1115.

[0185] The noise estimation component 1130 is capable of, configured to, or operable to support a means for performing respective noise estimates for at least asubset of the set of multiple modulated OFDM symbols based on the zero-power prefix of each modulated OFDM symbol of the subset. Additionally, or alternatively, the noise estimation component may receive one or more portions of the received ZP-OFDM symbols 1112, 1113. or 1116 from the receiver, the ZP-OFDM communication component 1 125, or both, including the zero-padded CPs of one or more of the received ZP-OFDM symbols. The noise estimation component 1 130 may also transmit one or more ZP-OFDM noise estimations 1117 or 1118 to the demodulation component 1135.

[0186] The demodulation component 1135 is capable of, configured to. or operable to support a means for demodulating the subset of modulated OFDM symbols based on the respective noise estimates. Additionally, or alternatively, the demodulation component 1 135 may receive one or more ZP-OFDM noise estimates 1117 from the noise estimation component 1130 for use in demodulating corresponding ZP-OFDM symbols. The demodulation component 1135 may also receive one or more channel estimates for use in demodulating corresponding ZP-OFDM symbols.

[0187] Additionally, or alternatively, the communications manager 1120 may support wireless communication in accordance with examples as disclosed herein. The signal communication component 1140 is capable of, configured to, or operable to support a means for communicating first signaling with one or more user equipments (UEs) within a cell served by the network entity. Additionally, or alternatively, the signal communication component may receive one or more signals 1114 according to one or more waveforms other than the ZP-OFDM waveform. The signal communication component 1140 may also transmit one or more signals 1121 according to one or more waveforms other than the ZP-OFDM waveform. The ZP-OFDM communication component 1125 is capable of, configured to, or operable to support a means for communicating second signaling via a zero-power OFDM waveform with the one or more UEs based on one or more metrics associated with communicating the first signaling satisfying one or more thresholds, the one or more metrics including a noise variation associated with communicating the first signaling, a mobility metric of the one or more UEs, a power consumption associated with communicating the first signaling, or any combination thereof.

[0188] FIG. 12 shows a block diagram 1200 of a communications manager 1220 that supports noise measurement using a ZP-OFDM waveform in accordance with oneor more aspects of the present disclosure. The communications manager 1220 may be an example of aspects of a communications manager 1020, a communications manager 1120. or both, as described herein. The communications manager 1220. or various components thereof, may be an example of means for performing various aspects of noise measurement using a ZP-OFDM waveform as described herein. For example, the communications manager 1220 may include a ZP-OFDM communication component 1225, a noise estimation component 1230, a demodulation component 1235, a signal communication component 1240, a narrowband noise estimation component 1245, a ZP-OFDM sampling component 1250, a channel estimation component 1255, a control message component 1260, a capability information component 1265, or any combination thereof. Each of these components, or components or subcomponents thereof (e.g., one or more processors, one or more memories), may communicate, directly or indirectly, with one another (e.g.. via one or more buses) which may include communications within a protocol layer of a protocol stack, communications associated with a logical channel of a protocol stack (e.g., between protocol layers of a protocol stack, within a device, component, or virtualized component associated with a network entity 105, between devices, components, or virtualized components associated with a network entity 105), or any combination thereof.

[0189] The communications manager 1220 may support wireless communication in accordance with examples as disclosed herein. The ZP-OFDM communication component 1225 is capable of, configured to, or operable to support a means for receiving a set of multiple modulated OFDM symbols in a slot, each modulated OFDM symbol of the set of multiple modulated OFDM symbols including a zero-power prefix. The noise estimation component 1230 is capable of, configured to, or operable to support a means for performing respective noise estimates for at least a subset of the set of multiple modulated OFDM symbols based on the zero-power prefix of each modulated OFDM symbol of the subset. The demodulation component 1235 is capable of, configured to, or operable to support a means for demodulating the subset of modulated OFDM symbols based on the respective noise estimates.

[0190] In some examples, to support performing the respective noise estimates, the noise estimation component 1230 is capable of, configured to, or operable to support ameans for estimating a noise covariance within the zero-power prefix of each modulated OFDM symbol of the subset of the set of multiple modulated OFDM symbols.

[0191] In some examples, to support performing the respective noise estimates, the noise estimation component 1230 is capable of, configured to, or operable to support a means for performing a wideband noise covariance estimation over a frequency range allocated for transmission of the set of multiple modulated OFDM symbols.

[0192] In some examples, the narrowband noise estimation component 1245 is capable of, configured to, or operable to support a means for performing one or more narrowband noise estimations on one or more demodulation reference signals of the slot. In some examples, the noise estimation component 1230 is capable of. configured to, or operable to support a means for combining the one or more narrowband noise estimations with the respective noise estimates for the subset of the set of multiple modulated OFDM symbols.

[0193] In some examples, the zero-power prefix occurs prior to a data portion of each of the modulated OFDM symbols, and the ZP-OFDM sampling component 1250 is capable of, configured to, or operable to support a means for sampling a first portion of a modulated OFDM symbol of the subset of modulated OFDM symbols, where the first portion of the modulated OFDM symbol extends from a sampling start point to a sampling end point, the sampling start point being within the zero-power prefix, and where demodulating the subset of modulated OFDM symbols is based on sampling the first portion.

[0194] In some examples, the ZP-OFDM sampling component 1250 is capable of, configured to, or operable to support a means for summing the first portion of the modulated OFDM symbol with a second portion of the modulated OFDM symbol, where the second portion of the modulated OFDM symbol starts at the sampling end point and extends for a length that is equal to a length of the zero-power prefix, and where demodulating the subset of modulated OFDM symbols is based on summing the first portion of the modulated OFDM symbol and the second portion of the modulated OFDM symbol.

[0195] In some examples, the sampling start point of the first portion of the modulated OFDM symbol aligns with a start point of the second portion of themodulated OFDM symbol. In some examples, the second portion includes a cyclic extension of the data portion of a data portion of the modulated OFDM symbol.

[0196] In some examples, the ZP-OFDM communication component 1225 is capable of, configured to, or operable to support a means for transmitting one or more modulated OFDM symbols via a zero-power OFDM waveform, where each modulated OFDM symbol of the one or more modulated OFDM symbols include a respective zeropower prefix.

[0197] In some examples, the channel estimation component 1255 is capable of, configured to, or operable to support a means for performing a channel estimation for a wireless channel corresponding to the received set of multiple modulated OFDM symbols, where the respective noise estimates are performed prior to the channel estimation.

[0198] In some examples, to support receiving the set of multiple modulated OFDM symbols, the ZP-OFDM communication component 1225 is capable of, configured to, or operable to support a means for receiving a first modulated OFDM symbol via a first receive path of multiple receive paths. In some examples, to support receiving the set of multiple modulated OFDM symbols, the ZP-OFDM communication component 1225 is capable of, configured to, or operable to support a means for receiving, in accordance with a time delay, one or more secondary modulated OFDM symbols via one or more secondary paths of the multiple receive paths.

[0199] In some examples, the time delay is less than or equal to a time delay threshold.

[0200] In some examples, a length of the zero-power prefix of each modulated OFDM symbol is equal to a length of a corresponding cyclic prefix of a cyclic prefix OFDM symbol.

[0201] In some examples, the subset of the set of multiple modulated OFDM symbols includes a single modulated OFDM symbol, a configured set of modulated OFDM symbols, one or more modulated OFDM symbols based on a numerical pattern, or any combination thereof.

[0202] Additionally, or alternatively, the communications manager 1220 may support wireless communication in accordance with examples as disclosed herein. The signal communication component 1240 is capable of, configured to, or operable to support a means for communicating first signaling with one or more user equipments (UEs) within a cell served by the network entity. In some examples, the ZP-OFDM communication component 1225 is capable of, configured to, or operable to support a means for communicating second signaling via a zero-power OFDM waveform with the one or more UEs based on one or more metrics associated with communicating the first signaling satisfying one or more thresholds, the one or more metrics including a noise variation associated with communicating the first signaling, a mobility metric of the one or more UEs, a power consumption associated with communicating the first signaling, or any combination thereof.

[0203] In some examples, the control message component 1260 is capable of, configured to, or operable to support a means for transmitting, to the one or more UEs. one or more control messages indicating use of the zero-power OFDM waveform, where communicating the second signaling via the zero-power OFDM waveform is based on transmitting the one or more control messages.

[0204] In some examples, the cell served by the network entity includes a set of multiple UEs including the one or more UEs. In some examples, communicating the second signaling via the zero-power OFDM w aveform is based on transmitting a control message to each UE of the set of multiple UEs indicating the use of the zero-pow er OFDM waveform.

[0205] In some examples, the one or more control messages include a radio resource control message, a medium access control-control element, a downlink control information message, or any combination thereof.

[0206] In some examples, to support communicating the second signaling via the zero-power OFDM waveform, the ZP-OFDM communication component 1225 is capable of, configured to, or operable to support a means for receiving a set of multiple modulated OFDM symbols, where each OFDM symbol of the set of multiple modulated OFDM symbols include a zero-power prefix. In some examples, to support communicating the second signaling via the zero-pow er OFDM waveform, the ZP-OFDM communication component 1225 is capable of, configured to, or operable to support a means for performing respective noise estimates for at least a subset of the set of multiple modulated OFDM symbols based on the zero-power prefix of each modulated OFDM symbol of the subset.

[0207] In some examples, the capability information component 1265 is capable of, configured to, or operable to support a means for receiving capability information from at least one UE of the one or more UEs, where communicating the second signaling via the zero-power OFDM waveform is based on the received capability information.

[0208] In some examples, the capability information indicates a capability of the at least one UE to receive modulated OFDM symbols including a zero-power prefix in accordance with to the zero-pow er OFDM waveform, a capability of the at least one UE to transmit modulated OFDM symbols including a zero-power prefix in accordance with to the zero-power OFDM w aveform, or both.

[0209] In some examples, the one or more thresholds includes a threshold noise variation associated with communicating the first signaling, a threshold average mobility metric of the one or more UEs, a threshold power consumption associated with communicating the first signaling, or any combination thereof.

[0210] FIG. 13 show s a diagram of a system 1300 including a device 1305 that supports noise measurement using a ZP-OFDM waveform in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure. The device 1305 may be an example of or include the components of a device 1005, a device 1 105, or a network entity 105 as described herein. The device 1305 may communicate with one or more network entities 105, one or more UEs 115. or any combination thereof, which may include communications over one or more wired interfaces, over one or more wireless interfaces, or any combination thereof. The device 1305 may include components that support outputting and obtaining communications, such as a communications manager 1320, a transceiver 1310, an antenna 1315, at least one memory 1325, code 1330, and at least one processor 1335. These components may be in electronic communication or otherwise coupled (e.g., operatively, communicatively, functionally, electronically, electrically) via one or more buses (e g., a bus 1340).

[0211] The transceiver 1310 may support bi-directional communications via wired links, wireless links, or both as described herein. In some examples, the transceiver 1310 may include a wired transceiver and may communicate bi-directionally with another wired transceiver. Additionally, or alternatively, in some examples, the transceiver 1310 may include a wireless transceiver and may communicate bidirectionally with another wireless transceiver. In some examples, the device 1305 may include one or more antennas 1315, which may be capable of transmitting or receiving wireless transmissions (e.g., concurrently). The transceiver 1310 may also include a modem to modulate signals, to provide the modulated signals for transmission (e.g., by one or more antennas 1315, by a wired transmitter), to receive modulated signals (e g., from one or more antennas 1315, from a wired receiver), and to demodulate signals. In some implementations, the transceiver 1310 may include one or more interfaces, such as one or more interfaces coupled with the one or more antennas 1315 that are configured to support various receiving or obtaining operations, or one or more interfaces coupled with the one or more antennas 1315 that are configured to support various transmitting or outputting operations, or a combination thereof. In some implementations, the transceiver 1310 may include or be configured for coupling with one or more processors or one or more memory components that are operable to perform or support operations based on received or obtained information or signals, or to generate information or other signals for transmission or other outputting, or any combination thereof. In some implementations, the transceiver 1310, or the transceiver 1310 and the one or more antennas 1315. or the transceiver 1310 and the one or more antennas 1315 and one or more processors or one or more memory components (e.g., the at least one processor 1335, the at least one memory' 1325, or both), may be included in a chip or chip assembly that is installed in the device 1305. In some examples, the transceiver 1310 may be operable to support communications via one or more communications links (e.g., a communication link 125, a backhaul communication link 120, a midhaul communication link 162, a fronthaul communication link 168).

[0212] The at least one memory 1325 may include RAM, ROM, or any combination thereof. The at least one memory 1325 may store computer-readable, computerexecutable code 1330 including instructions that, when executed by one or more of the at least one processor 1335, cause the device 1305 to perform various functionsdescribed herein. The code 1330 may be stored in a non-transitory computer-readable medium such as system memory' or another type of memory'. In some cases, the code 1330 may not be directly executable by a processor of the at least one processor 1335 but may cause a computer (e.g., when compiled and executed) to perform functions described herein. In some cases, the at least one memory 1325 may contain, among other things, a BIOS which may control basic hardware or software operation such as the interaction with peripheral components or devices. In some examples, the at least one processor 1335 may include multiple processors and the at least one memory 1325 may include multiple memories. One or more of the multiple processors may be coupled with one or more of the multiple memories which may, individually or collectively, be configured to perform various functions herein (for example, as part of a processing system).

[0213] The at least one processor 1335 may include an intelligent hardware device (e.g.. a general-purpose processor, a DSP. an ASIC, a CPU. an FPGA, a microcontroller, a programmable logic device, discrete gate or transistor logic, a discrete hardware component, or any combination thereol). In some cases, the at least one processor 1335 may be configured to operate a memory array using a memory controller. In some other cases, a memory controller may be integrated into one or more of the at least one processor 1335. The at least one processor 1335 may be configured to execute computer-readable instructions stored in a memory (e.g., one or more of the at least one memory 1325) to cause the device 1305 to perform various functions (e.g., functions or tasks supporting noise measurement using a ZP-OFDM waveform). For example, the device 1305 or a component of the device 1305 may include at least one processor 1335 and at least one memory 1325 coupled with one or more of the at least one processor 1335, the at least one processor 1335 and the at least one memory 1325 configured to perform various functions described herein. The at least one processor 1335 may be an example of a cloud-computing platform (e.g., one or more physical nodes and supporting software such as operating systems, virtual machines, or container instances) that may host the functions (e.g., by executing code 1330) to perform the functions of the device 1305. The at least one processor 1335 may be any one or more suitable processors capable of executing scripts or instructions of one or more software programs stored in the device 1305 (such as within one or more of the at least onememory 1325). In some examples, the at least one processor 1335 may include multiple processors and the at least one memory 1325 may include multiple memories. One or more of the multiple processors may be coupled with one or more of the multiple memories, which may. individually or collectively, be configured to perform various functions herein. In some examples, the at least one processor 1335 may be a component of a processing system, which may refer to a system (such as a series) of machines, circuitry (including, for example, one or both of processor circuitry' (which may include the at least one processor 1335) and memory circuitry (which may include the at least one memory 1325)), or components, that receives or obtains inputs and processes the inputs to produce, generate, or obtain a set of outputs. The processing system may be configured to perform one or more of the functions described herein. As such, the at least one processor 1335 or a processing system including the at least one processor 1335 may be configured to, configurable to, or operable to cause the device 1305 to perform one or more of the functions described herein. Further, as described herein, being “configured to,” being “configurable to,” and being “operable to” may be used interchangeably and may be associated with a capability, when executing code stored in the at least one memory’ 1325 or otheryvise, to perform one or more of the functions described herein.

[0214] In some examples, a bus 1340 may support communications of (e.g., within) a protocol layer of a protocol stack. In some examples, a bus 1340 may support communications associated with a logical channel of a protocol stack (e.g., between protocol layers of a protocol stack), which may include communications performed within a component of the device 1305, or between different components of the device 1305 that may be co-located or located in different locations (e.g., where the device 1305 may refer to a system in yvhich one or more of the communications manager 1320, the transceiver 1310, the at least one memory 1325, the code 1330, and the at least one processor 1335 may be located in one of the different components or divided between different components).

[0215] In some examples, the communications manager 1320 may manage aspects of communications with a core netyvork 130 (e.g., via one or more wired or wireless backhaul links). For example, the communications manager 1320 may manage the transfer of data communications for client devices, such as one or more UEs 115. Insome examples, the communications manager 1320 may manage communications with other network entities 105, and may include a controller or scheduler for controlling communications with UEs 115 in cooperation with other network entities 105. In some examples, the communications manager 1320 may support an X2 interface within an LTE / LTE-A wireless communications network technology to provide communication between network entities 105.

[0216] The communications manager 1320 may support wireless communication in accordance with examples as disclosed herein. For example, the communications manager 1320 is capable of, configured to, or operable to support a means for receiving a set of multiple modulated OFDM symbols in a slot, each modulated OFDM symbol of the set of multiple modulated OFDM symbols including a zero-power prefix. The communications manager 1320 is capable of, configured to, or operable to support a means for performing respective noise estimates for at least a subset of the set of multiple modulated OFDM symbols based on the zero-power prefix of each modulated OFDM symbol of the subset. The communications manager 1320 is capable of, configured to, or operable to support a means for demodulating the subset of modulated OFDM symbols based on the respective noise estimates.

[0217] Additionally, or alternatively, the communications manager 1320 may support wireless communication in accordance with examples as disclosed herein. For example, the communications manager 1320 is capable of, configured to, or operable to support a means for communicating first signaling with one or more user equipments (UEs) within a cell served by the network entity. The communications manager 1320 is capable of, configured to, or operable to support a means for communicating second signaling via a zero-power OFDM waveform with the one or more UEs based on one or more metrics associated with communicating the first signaling satisfying one or more thresholds, the one or more metrics including a noise variation associated with communicating the first signaling, a mobility metric of the one or more UEs, a power consumption associated with communicating the first signaling, or any combination thereof.

[0218] By including or configuring the communications manager 1320 in accordance with examples as described herein, the device 1305 may support techniques for improved communication reliability. For example, a device implementing thetechniques described herein may perform noise estimation for each received OFDM symbol, allowing the device to communicate more reliably based on more noise information.

[0219] In some examples, the communications manager 1320 may be configured to perform various operations (e.g.. receiving, obtaining, monitoring, outputting, transmitting) using or otherwise in cooperation with the transceiver 1310, the one or more antennas 1315 (e.g., where applicable), or any combination thereof. Although the communications manager 1320 is illustrated as a separate component, in some examples, one or more functions described with reference to the communications manager 1320 may be supported by or performed by the transceiver 1310, one or more of the at least one processor 1335, one or more of the at least one memory 1325, the code 1330, or any combination thereof (for example, by a processing system including at least a portion of the at least one processor 1335, the at least one memory 1325, the code 1330. or any combination thereof). For example, the code 1330 may include instructions executable by one or more of the at least one processor 1335 to cause the device 1305 to perform various aspects of noise measurement using a ZP-OFDM waveform as described herein, or the at least one processor 1335 and the at least one memory 1325 may be otherwise configured to, individually or collectively, perform or support such operations.

[0220] FIG. 14 shows a flowchart illustrating a method 1400 that supports noise measurement using a ZP-OFDM waveform in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. The operations of the method 1400 may be implemented by a UE or a network entity or its components as described herein. For example, the operations of the method 1400 may be performed by a UE 115 as described with reference to FIGs. 1 through 9 or a network entity as described with reference to FIGs. 1 through 5 and 10 through 13. In some examples, a UE or a network entity may execute a set of instructions to control the functional elements of the UE or the network entity to perform the described functions. Additionally, or alternatively, the UE or the network entity may perform aspects of the described functions using special-purpose hardware.

[0221] At 1405, the method may include receiving a set of multiple modulated OFDM symbols in a slot, each modulated OFDM symbol of the set of multiple modulated OFDM symbols including a zero-power prefix. The operations of block 1405may be performed in accordance with examples as disclosed herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of 1405 may be performed by a ZP-OFDM communication component 825 or a ZP-OFDM communication component 1225 as described with reference to FIGs. 8 and 12.

[0222] At 1410, the method may include performing respective noise estimates for at least a subset of the set of multiple modulated OFDM symbols based on the zeropower prefix of each modulated OFDM symbol of the subset. The operations of block 1410 may be performed in accordance with examples as disclosed herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of 1410 may be performed by a noise estimation component 830 or a noise estimation component 1230 as described with reference to FIGs. 8 and 12.

[0223] At 1415, the method may include demodulating the subset of modulated OFDM symbols based on the respective noise estimates. The operations of block 1415 may be performed in accordance with examples as disclosed herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of 1415 may be performed by a demodulation component 835 or a demodulation component 1235 as described with reference to FIGs. 8 and 12.

[0224] FIG. 15 shows a flowchart illustrating a method 1500 that supports noise measurement using a ZP-OFDM waveform in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. The operations of the method 1500 may be implemented by a UE or a network entity or its components as described herein. For example, the operations of the method 1500 may be performed by a UE 115 as described with reference to FIGs. 1 through 9 or a network entity as described with reference to FIGs. 1 through 5 and 10 through 13. In some examples, a UE or a network entity may execute a set of instructions to control the functional elements of the UE or the network entity to perform the described functions. Additionally, or alternatively, the UE or the network entity may perform aspects of the described functions using special-purpose hardware.

[0225] At 1505, the method may include receiving a set of multiple modulated OFDM symbols in a slot, each modulated OFDM symbol of the set of multiple modulated OFDM symbols including a zero-power prefix. The operations of block 1505 may be performed in accordance with examples as disclosed herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of 1505 may be performed by a ZP-OFDM communicationcomponent 825 or a ZP-OFDM communication component 1225 as described with reference to FIGs. 8 and 12.

[0226] At 1510, the method may include performing respective noise estimates for at least a subset of the set of multiple modulated OFDM symbols based on the zeropower prefix of each modulated OFDM symbol of the subset. The operations of block 1510 may be performed in accordance with examples as disclosed herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of 1510 may be performed by a noise estimation component 830 or a noise estimation component 1230 as described with reference to FIGs. 8 and 12.

[0227] At 1515, the method may include sampling a first portion of a modulated OFDM symbol of the subset of modulated OFDM symbols, where the first portion of the modulated OFDM symbol extends from a sampling start point to a sampling end point, the sampling start point being within the zero-power prefix. The operations of block 1515 may be performed in accordance with examples as disclosed herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of 1515 may be performed by a ZP-OFDM sampling component 845 or a ZP-OFDM sampling component 1250 as described with reference to FIGs. 8 and 12.

[0228] At 1520, the method may include demodulating the subset of modulated OFDM symbols based on the respective noise estimates, where demodulating the subset of modulated OFDM symbols is based on sampling the first portion. The operations of block 1520 may be performed in accordance with examples as disclosed herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of 1520 may be performed by a demodulation component 835 or a demodulation component 1235 as described with reference to FIGs. 8 and 12.

[0229] FIG. 16 shows a flowchart illustrating a method 1600 that supports noise measurement using a ZP-OFDM waveform in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. The operations of the method 1600 may be implemented by a network entity7or its components as described herein. For example, the operations of the method 1600 may be performed by7a network entity as described with reference to FIGs. I through 5 and 10 through 13. In some examples, a network entity may execute a set of instructions to control the functional elements of the network entity7to perform the describedfunctions. Additionally, or alternatively, the network entity may perform aspects of the described functions using special-purpose hardware.

[0230] At 1605, the method may include communicating first signaling with one or more UEs within a cell served by the network entity. The operations of block 1605 may be performed in accordance with examples as disclosed herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of 1605 may be performed by a signal communication component 1240 as described with reference to FIG. 12.

[0231] At 1610, the method may include communicating second signaling via a zero-power OFDM waveform with the one or more UEs based on one or more metrics associated with communicating the first signaling satisfying one or more thresholds, the one or more metrics including a noise variation associated with communicating the first signaling, a mobility metric of the one or more UEs, a power consumption associated with communicating the first signaling, or any combination thereof. The operations of block 1610 may be performed in accordance with examples as disclosed herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of 1610 may be performed by a ZP-OFDM communication component 1225 as described with reference to FIG. 12.

[0232] FIG. 17 shows a flowchart illustrating a method 1700 that supports noise measurement using a ZP-OFDM waveform in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. The operations of the method 1700 may be implemented by a network entity or its components as described herein. For example, the operations of the method 1700 may be performed by a network entity as described with reference to FIGs. 1 through 5 and 10 through 13. In some examples, a network entity7may execute a set of instructions to control the functional elements of the network entity to perform the described functions. Additionally, or alternatively, the network entity may perform aspects of the described functions using special-purpose hardware.

[0233] At 1705, the method may include communicating first signaling with one or more UE within a cell served by the network entity. The operations of block 1705 maybe performed in accordance with examples as disclosed herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of 1705 may be performed by a signal communication component 1240 as described with reference to FIG. 12.

[0234] At 1710, the method may include transmitting, to the one or more UEs, one or more control messages indicating use of a zero-power OFDM waveform. The operations of block 1710 may be performed in accordance with examples as disclosed herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of 1710 may be performed by a control message component 1260 as described with reference to FIG. 12.

[0235] At 1715, the method may include communicating second signaling via a zero-power OFDM waveform with the one or more UEs based on one or more metrics associated with communicating the first signaling satisfying one or more thresholds, the one or more metrics including a noise variation associated with communicating the first signaling, a mobility metric of the one or more UEs, a power consumption associated with communicating the first signaling, or any combination thereof, where communicating the second signaling via the zero-power OFDM waveform is based on transmitting the one or more control messages. The operations of block 1715 may be performed in accordance with examples as disclosed herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of 1715 may be performed by a ZP-OFDM communication component 1225 as described with reference to FIG. 12.

[0236] The following provides an overview of aspects of the present disclosure:

[0237] Aspect 1 : A method for wireless communication, comprising: receiving a plurality of modulated OFDM symbols in a slot, each modulated OFDM symbol of the plurality of modulated OFDM symbols comprising a zero-power prefix; performing respective noise estimates for at least a subset of the plurality of modulated OFDM symbols based at least in part on the zero-power prefix of each modulated OFDM symbol of the subset; and demodulating the subset of modulated OFDM symbols based at least in part on the respective noise estimates.

[0238] Aspect 2: The method of aspect 1, wherein performing the respective noise estimates comprises: estimating a noise covariance within the zero-power prefix of each modulated OFDM sy mbol of the subset of the plurality7of modulated OFDM symbols.

[0239] Aspect 3: The method of any of aspects 1 through 2, wherein performing the respective noise estimates comprises: performing a wideband noise covariance estimation over a frequency range allocated for transmission of the plurality of modulated OFDM symbols.

[0240] Aspect 4: The method of any of aspects 1 through 3, further comprising: performing one or more narrowband noise estimations on one or more DMRSs of the slot; and combining the one or more narrowband noise estimations with the respective noise estimates for the subset of the plurality of modulated OFDM symbols.

[0241] Aspect 5: The method of any of aspects 1 through 4. wherein the zero-power prefix occurs prior to a data portion of each of the modulated OFDM symbols, the method further comprising: sampling a first portion of a modulated OFDM symbol of the subset of modulated OFDM symbols, wherein the first portion of the modulated OFDM symbol extends from a sampling start point to a sampling end point, the sampling start point being within the zero-power prefix, and wherein demodulating the subset of modulated OFDM symbols is based at least in part on sampling the first portion.

[0242] Aspect 6: The method of aspect 5, further comprising: summing the first portion of the modulated OFDM symbol with a second portion of the modulated OFDM symbol, wherein the second portion of the modulated OFDM symbol starts at the sampling end point and extends for a length that is equal to a length of the zero-power prefix, and wherein demodulating the subset of modulated OFDM symbols is based at least in part on summing the first portion of the modulated OFDM symbol and the second portion of the modulated OFDM symbol.

[0243] Aspect 7: The method of aspect 6, wherein the sampling start point of the first portion of the modulated OFDM symbol aligns with a start point of the second portion of the modulated OFDM symbol, and the second portion comprises a cyclic extension of the data portion of a data portion of the modulated OFDM symbol.

[0244] Aspect 8: The method of any of aspects 1 through 7. further comprising: transmitting one or more modulated OFDM symbols via a zero-power OFDM waveform, wherein each modulated OFDM symbol of the one or more modulated OFDM symbols comprise a respective zero-power prefix.

[0245] Aspect 9: The method of any of aspects 1 through 8, further comprising: performing a channel estimation for a wireless channel corresponding to the received plurality of modulated OFDM symbols, wherein the respective noise estimates are performed prior to the channel estimation.

[0246] Aspect 10: The method of any of aspects 1 through 9, wherein receiving the plurality of modulated OFDM symbols comprises: receiving a first modulated OFDM symbol via a first receive path of multiple receive paths; and receiving, in accordance with a time delay, one or more secondary modulated OFDM symbols via one or more secondary paths of the multiple receive paths.

[0247] Aspect 11 : The method of any of aspects 1 through 10, wherein a length of the zero-power prefix of each modulated OFDM symbol is equal to a length of a corresponding cyclic prefix of a cyclic prefix OFDM symbol.

[0248] Aspect 12: The method of any of aspects 1 through 11, wherein the subset of the plurality of modulated OFDM symbols comprises a single modulated OFDM symbol, a configured set of modulated OFDM symbols, one or more modulated OFDM symbols based on a numerical pattern, or any combination thereof.

[0249] Aspect 13: A method for wireless communication at a network entity, comprising: communicating first signaling with one or more UEs within a cell served by the network entity; and communicating second signaling via a zero-power OFDM waveform with the one or more UEs based at least in part on one or more metrics associated with communicating the first signaling satisfying one or more thresholds, the one or more metrics comprising a noise variation associated with communicating the first signaling, a mobility metric of the one or more UEs, a power consumption associated with communicating the first signaling, or any combination thereof.

[0250] Aspect 14: The method of aspect 13, further comprising: transmitting, to the one or more UEs, one or more control messages indicating use of the zero-power OFDM waveform, wherein communicating the second signaling via the zero-power OFDM waveform is based at least in part on transmitting the one or more control messages.

[0251] Aspect 15: The method of aspect 14, wherein the cell served by the network entity comprises a plurality of UEs including the one or more UEs, and communicating the second signaling via the zero-power OFDM waveform is based at least in part on transmitting a control message to each UE of the plurality of UEs indicating the use of the zero-power OFDM waveform.

[0252] Aspect 16: The method of any of aspects 14 through 15, wherein the one or more control messages comprise an RRC message, a MAC-CE, a DCI message, or any combination thereof.

[0253] Aspect 17: The method of any of aspects 13 through 16, wherein communicating the second signaling via the zero-power OFDM waveform comprises: receiving a plurality of modulated OFDM symbols, wherein each OFDM symbol of the plurality of modulated OFDM symbols comprise a zero-power prefix; and performing respective noise estimates for at least a subset of the plurality of modulated OFDM symbols based at least in part on the zero-power prefix of each modulated OFDM symbol of the subset.

[0254] Aspect 18: The method of any of aspects 13 through 17, further comprising: receiving capability information from at least one UE of the one or more UEs, wherein communicating the second signaling via the zero-power OFDM waveform is based at least in part on the received capability information.

[0255] Aspect 19: The method of aspect 18. wherein the capability information indicates a capability of the at least one UE to receive modulated OFDM symbols comprising a zero-power prefix in accordance with to the zero-power OFDM waveform, a capability of the at least one UE to transmit modulated OFDM symbols comprising a zero-power prefix in accordance with to the zero-power OFDM waveform, or both.

[0256] Aspect 20: The method of any of aspects 13 through 19. wherein the one or more thresholds comprises a threshold noise variation associated with communicating the first signaling, a threshold average mobility metric of the one or more UEs, a threshold pow er consumption associated with communicating the first signaling, or any combination thereof.

[0257] Aspect 21: An apparatus for wireless communication, comprising one or more memories storing processor-executable code, and one or more processors coupled with the one or more memories and individually or collectively operable to execute the code to cause the apparatus to perform a method of any of aspects 1 through 12.

[0258] Aspect 22: An apparatus for wireless communication, comprising at least one means for performing a method of any of aspects 1 through 12.

[0259] Aspect 23: A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing code for wireless communication, the code comprising instructions executable by a processor to perform a method of any of aspects 1 through 12.

[0260] Aspect 24: A network entity for wireless communication, comprising one or more memories storing processor-executable code, and one or more processors coupled with the one or more memories and individually or collectively operable to execute the code to cause the network entity to perform a method of any of aspects 13 through 20.

[0261] Aspect 25: A network entity for wireless communication, comprising at least one means for performing a method of any of aspects 13 through 20.

[0262] Aspect 26: A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing code for wireless communication, the code comprising instructions executable by a processor to perform a method of any of aspects 13 through 20.

[0263] The methods described herein describe possible implementations, and that the operations and the steps may be rearranged or otherwise modified and that other implementations are possible. Further, aspects from two or more of the methods may be combined.

[0264] Although aspects of an LTE, LTE-A, LTE-A Pro, or NR system may be described for purposes of example, and LTE, LTE-A, LTE-A Pro, or NR terminology may be used in much of the description, the techniques described herein are applicable beyond LTE. LTE-A, LTE-A Pro, or NR networks. For example, the described techniques may be applicable to various other wireless communications systems such as Ultra Mobile Broadband (UMB), Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11 (Wi-Fi), IEEE 802.16 (WiMAX), IEEE 802.20, Flash-OFDM, as well as other systems and radio technologies not explicitly mentioned herein.

[0265] Information and signals described herein may be represented using any of a variety of different technologies and techniques. For example, data, instructions, commands, information, signals, bits, symbols, and chips that may be referenced throughout the description may be represented by voltages, currents, electromagnetic waves, magnetic fields or particles, optical fields or particles, or any combination thereof.

[0266] The various illustrative blocks and components described in connection with the disclosure herein may be implemented or performed using a general-purpose processor, a DSP, an ASIC, a CPU, an FPGA or other programmable logic device, discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof designed to perform the functions described herein. A general-purpose processor may be a microprocessor but, in the alternative, the processor may be any processor, controller, microcontroller, or state machine. A processor may also be implemented as a combination of computing devices (e.g.. a combination of a DSP and a microprocessor, multiple microprocessors, one or more microprocessors in conjunction with a DSP core, or any other such configuration). Any functions or operations described herein as being capable of being performed by a processor may be performed by multiple processors that, individually or collectively, are capable of performing the described functions or operations.

[0267] The functions described herein may be implemented using hardware, software executed by a processor, firmware, or any combination thereof. If implemented using software executed by a processor, the functions may be stored as or transmitted using one or more instructions or code of a computer-readable medium. Other examples and implementations are within the scope of the disclosure and appended claims. For example, due to the nature of software, functions described herein may be implemented using software executed by a processor, hardware, firmware, hardwiring, or combinations of any of these. Features implementing functions may also be physically- located at various positions, including being distributed such that portions of functions are implemented at different physical locations.

[0268] Computer-readable media includes both non-transitory computer storage media and communication media including any medium that facilitates transfer of a computer program from one location to another. A non-transitory storage medium maybe any available medium that may be accessed by a general-purpose or special-purpose computer. By way of example, and not limitation, non-transitory computer-readable media may include RAM, ROM, electrically erasable programmable ROM (EEPROM), flash memory. compact disk (CD) ROM or other optical disk storage, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other non-transitory medium that maybe used to carry or store desired program code means in the form of instructions or datastructures and that may be accessed by a general -purpose or special-purpose computer, or a general-purpose or special-purpose processor. Also, any connection is properly termed a computer-readable medium. For example, if the software is transmitted from a website, server, or other remote source using a coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair, digital subscriber line (DSL), or wireless technologies such as infrared, radio, and microwave, then the coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair, DSL, or wireless technologies such as infrared, radio, and microwave are included in the definition of computer-readable medium. Disk and disc, as used herein, include CD, laser disc, optical disc, digital versatile disc (DVD), floppy disk and Blu-ray disc. Disks may reproduce data magnetically, and discs may reproduce data optically using lasers. Combinations of the above are also included within the scope of computer-readable media. Any functions or operations described herein as being capable of being performed by a memory may be performed by multiple memories that, individually or collectively, are capable of performing the described functions or operations.

[0269] As used herein, including in the claims, “or” as used in a list of items (e.g., a list of items prefaced by a phrase such as “at least one of’ or “one or more of’) indicates an inclusive list such that, for example, a list of at least one of A, B, or C means A or B or C or AB or AC or BC or ABC (i.e.. A and B and C). Also, as used herein, the phrase “based on” shall not be construed as a reference to a closed set of conditions. For example, an example step that is described as “based on condition A” may be based on both a condition A and a condition B without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. As used herein, the phrase “based on” shall be construed in the same manner as the phrase “based at least in part on.”

[0270] As used herein, including in the claims, the article “a” before a noun is open- ended and understood to refer to “at least one” of those nouns or “one or more” of those nouns. Thus, the terms “a,” “at least one,” “one or more,” “at least one of one or more” may be interchangeable. For example, if a claim recites “a component” that performs one or more functions, each of the individual functions may be performed by a single component or by any combination of multiple components. Thus, the term “a component” having characteristics or performing functions may refer to “at least one of one or more components” having a particular characteristic or performing a particular function. Subsequent reference to a component introduced with the article “a” using theterms “the” or “said” may refer to any or all of the one or more components. For example, a component introduced with the article “a” may be understood to mean “one or more components.” and referring to “the component” subsequently in the claims may be understood to be equivalent to referring to “at least one of the one or more components.” Similarly, subsequent reference to a component introduced as “one or more components” using the terms “the” or “said” may refer to any or all of the one or more components. For example, referring to “the one or more components” subsequently in the claims may be understood to be equivalent to referring to “at least one of the one or more components.”

[0271] The term “determine” or “determining” encompasses a 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), ascertaining and the like. Also, “determining” can include receiving (e.g., receiving information), accessing (e.g., accessing data stored in memory) and the like. Also, “determining” can include resolving, obtaining, selecting, choosing, establishing, and other such similar actions.

[0272] In the appended figures, similar components or features may have the same reference label. Further, various components of the same type may be distinguished by following the reference label by a dash and a second label that distinguishes among the similar components. If just the first reference label is used in the specification, the description is applicable to any one of the similar components having the same first reference label irrespective of the second reference label, or other subsequent reference label.

[0273] The description set forth herein, in connection with the appended drawings, describes example configurations and does not represent all the examples that may be implemented or that are within the scope of the claims. The term “example” used herein means “serving as an example, instance, or illustration,” and not “preferred” or “advantageous over other examples.” The detailed description includes specific details for the purpose of providing an understanding of the described techniques. These techniques, however, may be practiced without these specific details. In some instances, known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form in order to avoid obscuring the concepts of the described examples.

[0274] The description herein is provided to enable a person having ordinary skill in the art to make or use the disclosure. Various modifications to the disclosure will be apparent to a person having ordinary skill in the art, and the generic principles defined herein may be applied to other variations without departing from the scope of the disclosure. Thus, the disclosure is not limited to the examples and designs described herein but is to be accorded the broadest scope consistent with the principles and novel features disclosed herein.

Claims

CLAIMSWhat is claimed is:1 . An apparatus, comprising: one or more memories storing processor-executable code; and one or more processors coupled with the one or more memories and individually or collectively operable to execute the code to cause the apparatus to: receive a plurality of modulated orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) symbols in a slot, each modulated OFDM symbol of the plurality of modulated OFDM symbols comprising a zero-power prefix; perform respective noise estimates for at least a subset of the plurality of modulated OFDM symbols based at least in part on the zero-power prefix of each modulated OFDM symbol of the subset; and demodulate the subset of modulated OFDM symbols based at least in part on the respective noise estimates.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein, to perform the respective noise estimates, the one or more processors are individually or collectively operable to execute the code to cause the apparatus to: estimate a noise covariance within the zero-power prefix of each modulated OFDM symbol of the subset of the plurality of modulated OFDM symbols.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein, to perform the respective noise estimates, the one or more processors are individually or collectively operable to execute the code to cause the apparatus to: perform a wideband noise covariance estimation over a frequency range allocated for transmission of the plurality' of modulated OFDM symbols.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the one or more processors are individually or collectively further operable to execute the code to cause the apparatus to: perform one or more narrowband noise estimations on one or more demodulation reference signals of the slot; and combine the one or more narrowband noise estimations with the respective noise estimates for the subset of the plurality of modulated OFDM symbols.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the zero-power prefix occurs prior to a data portion of each of the modulated OFDM symbols, and the one or more processors are individually or collectively further operable to execute the code to cause the apparatus to: sample a first portion of a modulated OFDM symbol of the subset of modulated OFDM symbols, wherein the first portion of the modulated OFDM symbol extends from a sampling start point to a sampling end point, the sampling start point being within the zero-power prefix, and wherein demodulating the subset of modulated OFDM symbols is based at least in part on sampling the first portion.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the one or more processors are individually or collectively further operable to execute the code to cause the apparatus to: sum the first portion of the modulated OFDM symbol with a second portion of the modulated OFDM symbol, wherein the second portion of the modulated OFDM symbol starts at the sampling end point and extends for a length that is equal to a length of the zero-power prefix, and wherein demodulating the subset of modulated OFDM symbols is based at least in part on summing the first portion of the modulated OFDM symbol and the second portion of the modulated OFDM symbol.

7. The apparatus of claim 6. wherein: the sampling start point of the first portion of the modulated OFDM symbol aligns with a start point of the second portion of the modulated OFDM symbol, and the second portion comprises a cyclic extension of the data portion of a data portion of the modulated OFDM symbol.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the one or more processors are individually or collectively further operable to execute the code to cause the apparatus to: transmit one or more modulated OFDM symbols via a zero-power OFDM waveform, wherein each modulated OFDM symbol of the one or more modulated OFDM symbols comprise a respective zero-power prefix.

9. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the one or more processors are individually or collectively further operable to execute the code to cause the apparatus to: perform a channel estimation for a wireless channel corresponding to the received plurality of modulated OFDM symbols, wherein the respective noise estimates are performed prior to the channel estimation.

10. The apparatus of claim 1. wherein, to receive the plurality of modulated OFDM symbols, the one or more processors are individually or collectively operable to execute the code to cause the apparatus to: receive a first modulated OFDM symbol via a first receive path of multiple receive paths; and receive, in accordance with a time delay, one or more secondary modulated OFDM symbols via one or more secondary paths of the multiple receive paths.

11. The apparatus of claim 1. wherein a length of the zero-power prefix of each modulated OFDM symbol is equal to a length of a corresponding cyclic prefix of a cyclic prefix OFDM symbol.

12. The apparatus of claim 1. wherein the subset of the plurality of modulated OFDM symbols comprises a single modulated OFDM symbol, a configured set of modulated OFDM symbols, one or more modulated OFDM symbols based on a numerical pattern, or any combination thereof.

13. A network entity, comprising: one or more memories storing processor-executable code; and one or more processors coupled with the one or more memories and individually or collectively operable to execute the code to cause the network entity to: communicate first signaling with one or more user equipments (UEs) within a cell served by the network entity; and communicate second signaling via a zero-power orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) waveform with the one or more UEs based at least in part on one or more metrics associated with communicating thefirst signaling satisfying one or more thresholds, the one or more metrics comprising a noise variation associated with communicating the first signaling, a mobility metric of the one or more UEs, a power consumption associated with communicating the first signaling, or any combination thereof.

14. The network entity of claim 13, wherein the one or more processors are individually or collectively further operable to execute the code to cause the network entity to: transmit, to the one or more UEs, one or more control messages indicating use of the zero-power OFDM waveform, wherein communicating the second signaling via the zero-power OFDM waveform is based at least in part on transmitting the one or more control messages.

15. The network entity of claim 14, wherein: the cell served by the network entity comprises a plurality7of UEs including the one or more UEs, and communicating the second signaling via the zero-power OFDM waveform is based at least in part on transmitting a control message to each UE of the plurality of UEs indicating the use of the zero-power OFDM waveform.

16. The network entity of claim 14, wherein the one or more control messages comprise a radio resource control message, a medium access control-control element, a downlink control information message, or any combination thereof.

17. The network entity of claim 13, wherein, to communicate the second signaling via the zero-power OFDM waveform, the one or more processors are individually or collectively operable to execute the code to cause the network entity to: receive a plurality of modulated OFDM symbols, wherein each OFDM symbol of the plurality of modulated OFDM symbols comprise a zero-power prefix; and perform respective noise estimates for at least a subset of the plurality of modulated OFDM symbols based at least in part on the zero-power prefix of each modulated OFDM symbol of the subset.

18. The network entity of claim 13, wherein the one or more processors are individually or collectively further operable to execute the code to cause the network entity to: receive capability information from at least one UE of the one or more UEs, wherein communicating the second signaling via the zero-power OFDM waveform is based at least in part on the received capability information.

19. The network entity of claim 18, wherein the capability information indicates a capability of the at least one UE to receive modulated OFDM symbols comprising a zero-power prefix in accordance with the zero-power OFDM waveform, a capability' of the at least one UE to transmit modulated OFDM symbols comprising a zero-power prefix in accordance with to the zero-power OFDM waveform, or both.

20. The network entity' of claim 13, wherein the one or more thresholds comprises a threshold noise variation associated with communicating the first signaling, a threshold average mobility’ metric of the one or more UEs, a threshold power consumption associated with communicating the first signaling, or any combination thereof.

21. A method for wireless communication, comprising: receiving a plurality of modulated orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) symbols in a slot, each modulated OFDM symbol of the plurality of modulated OFDM symbols comprising a zero-power prefix; performing respective noise estimates for at least a subset of the plurality of modulated OFDM symbols based at least in part on the zero-power prefix of each modulated OFDM symbol of the subset; and demodulating the subset of modulated OFDM symbols based at least in part on the respective noise estimates.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein performing the respective noise estimates comprises: estimating a noise covariance within the zero-power prefix of each modulated OFDM symbol of the subset of the plurality of modulated OFDM symbols.

23. The method of claim 21 , wherein performing the respective noise estimates comprises: performing a wideband noise covariance estimation over a frequencyrange allocated for transmission of the plurality of modulated OFDM symbols.

24. The method of claim 21, further comprising: performing one or more narrowband noise estimations on one or more demodulation reference signals of the slot; and combining the one or more narrowband noise estimations with the respective noise estimates for the subset of the plurality of modulated OFDM symbols.

25. The method of claim 21, wherein the zero-power prefix occurs prior to a data portion of each of the modulated OFDM symbols, the method further comprising: sampling a first portion of a modulated OFDM symbol of the subset of modulated OFDM symbols, wherein the first portion of the modulated OFDM symbol extends from a sampling start point to a sampling end point, the sampling start point being within the zero-power prefix, and wherein demodulating the subset of modulated OFDM symbols is based at least in part on sampling the first portion.

26. The method of claim 25, further comprising: summing the first portion of the modulated OFDM symbol with a second portion of the modulated OFDM symbol, wherein the second portion of the modulated OFDM symbol starts at the sampling end point and extends for a length that is equal to a length of the zero-power prefix, and wherein demodulating the subset of modulated OFDM symbols is based at least in part on summing the first portion of the modulated OFDM symbol and the second portion of the modulated OFDM symbol.

27. The method of claim 26, wherein: the sampling start point of the first portion of the modulated OFDM symbol aligns with a start point of the second portion of the modulated OFDM symbol, and the second portion comprises a cyclic extension of the data portion of a data portion of the modulated OFDM symbol.

28. The method of claim 21 , further comprising: transmitting one or more modulated OFDM symbols via a zero-power OFDM waveform, wherein each modulated OFDM symbol of the one or more modulated OFDM symbols comprise a respective zero-power prefix.

29. The method of claim 21, further comprising: performing a channel estimation for a wireless channel corresponding to the received plurality of modulated OFDM symbols, wherein the respective noise estimates are performed prior to the channel estimation.

30. A method for wireless communication at a network entity, comprising: communicating first signaling with one or more user equipments (UEs) within a cell served by the network entity; and communicating second signaling via a zero-power orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) waveform with the one or more UEs based at least in part on one or more metrics associated with communicating the first signaling satisfying one or more thresholds, the one or more metrics comprising a noise variation associated with communicating the first signaling, a mobility metric of the one or more UEs, a power consumption associated with communicating the first signaling, or any combination thereof.

Images