Method, user equipment and processor-readable medium for autonomous interference mitigation at neighboring GNB for UL MIMO with individual power control per layer

Abstract

A method includes measuring, by a user equipment (UE), a transmission power level from a first apparatus and a second apparatus The UE derives a power level for a first uplink transmission and a second uplink transmission to the first apparatus, calculates and stores a power level difference between the derived first uplink power level transmission and the derived second uplink transmission. The UE derives a power imbalance between a transmission over a first antenna and a second antenna and determines a power amplification for the second antenna and a threshold for a power level for transmission from the second antenna based upon the received transmission power level from the second apparatus, and transmits the second uplink transmission over the second antenna to the first apparatus at a power level set based upon a comparison of the determined power amplification for the second antenna to the threshold.

Description

METHOD, USER EQUIPMENT AND PROCESSOR-READABLE MEDIUM FOR AUTONOMOUS INTERFERENCE MITIGATION AT NEIGHBORING GNB FOR UL MIMOWITH INDIVIDUAL POWER CONTROL PER LAYERFIELD

[0001] Various example embodiments relate generally to wireless networks and, more particularly, for autonomous interference mitigation at neighboring gNB for uplink (UL) Multi-in Multi-out (MiMo) with individual power control per layer.BACKGROUND

[0002] Smartphones with MiMo capabilities can receive multiple independent layers in downlink (DL), for example 4, and send multiple independent layers in uplink (UL), for example 2, in a 5G standalone network.

[0003] The antennas used in UL MiMo transmissions may differ in antenna characteristics. Such differences in antenna characteristics may result in signal to noise ratio (SINR) imbalance at the gNB for the different UL MiMo layers, leading to a lower throughput performance.SUMMARY

[0004] In an aspect of the present disclosure, a method includes measuring, by a user equipment (UE) in a radio resource control (RRC) connected state to a first network apparatus, a transmission power level from the first network apparatus and a second network apparatus. The UE derives a power level for a first uplink transmission and a second uplink transmission to the first network apparatus, and calculates and stores a power level difference between the derived first uplink power level transmission and the derived second uplink transmission. Upon receiving a multi-in multi-out (MiMo) configuration request, the UE derives a power imbalance between a transmission over a first antenna and a second antenna and determining a power amplification (PA) for the second antenna, determines a threshold for a power level for transmission from the second antenna based upon the received transmission power level from the second network apparatus, and transmits the second uplink transmission over the second antenna to the first network apparatus at a power level set based upon a comparison of the determined power amplification for the second antenna to the threshold.

[0005] In an aspect of the method, the UE measures a reference signal received power (RSRP) of a synchronization signal block (SSB) of the first network apparatus and an RSRP of an SSB of the second network apparatus.

[0006] In an aspect of the method, the UE measures the RSRP of a channel start information reference signal (CSI-RS).

[0007] In an aspect of the method, the first network apparatus is a primary g-NodeB (P-gNB) and the second network apparatus is a neighboring gNB (N-gNB).

[0008] In an aspect of the method, the deriving the power level for the first uplink transmission includes deriving a PA power level for a physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH) transmission for the P-gNB (PApuscn i>g\n) and the deriving the power level for the second uplink transmission includes deriving a PA power level for a random access channel (RACH) transmission for the P- gNB (PARACH_P-gNB).

[0009] In an aspect of the method, the comparison of the determined power amplification for the second antenna to the threshold includes determining whether the PApuscn PSNB and the power imbalance are less than the PARACH P-SNB and power level difference minus the derived threshold.

[0010] In an aspect of the method, the method further includes, upon the PApuscH PgNB and the power imbalance being less than the PARACH P-SNB and power level difference minus the derived threshold, setting the second uplink transmission over the second antenna to the first network apparatus at a power level equal to the PApuscn PSNB and the power imbalance.

[0011] In an aspect of the method, the method further includes, upon the PApuscH PgNB and the power imbalance being equal to or greater than the PARACH P-SNB and power level difference minus the derived threshold, setting the second uplink transmission over the second antenna to the first network apparatus at a power level equal to the PARACH P-SNB and power level difference minus the derived threshold.

[0012] In an aspect of the method, the second uplink transmission over the second antenna to the first network apparatus is set to a power level equal to or less than a maximum allowed transmit power per carrier.

[0013] In an aspect of the method, an upper bound value for the maximum allowed transmit power per carrier is set to a predefined upper bound value.

[0014] In an aspect of the method, the predefined upper bound value is set to 20dB.

[0015] In an aspect of the method, the power imbalance between a transmission over a first antenna and a second antenna is derived based on downlink reference signals from the first network apparatus.

[0016] In an aspect of the method, the MiMo configuration request is received from the first network apparatus.

[0017] In an aspect of the present disclosure, a UE includes at least one processor and at least one memory storing instructions which, when executed by the at least one processor, causes the UE at least to perform: measuring, by the UE, in a radio resource control (RRC) connected state to a first network apparatus, a transmission power level from the first network apparatus and a second network apparatus; deriving, by the UE, a power level for a first uplink transmission and a second uplink transmission to the first network apparatus; calculating and storing, by the UE, a power level difference between the derived first uplink power level transmission and the derived second uplink transmission; and upon receiving a multi-in multi-out (MiMo) configuration request: deriving, by the UE, a power imbalance between a transmission over a first antenna and a second antenna and determining a power amplification (PA) for the second antenna; determining, by the UE, a threshold for a power level for transmission from the second antenna based upon the received transmission power level from the second network apparatus; and transmitting, by the UE, the second uplink transmission over the second antenna to the first network apparatus at a power level set based upon a comparison of the determined power amplification for the second antenna to the threshold.

[0018] In an aspect of the present disclosure, a processor-readable medium storing instructions which, when executed by at least one processor of an apparatus, cause the apparatus at least to perform any of the foregoing methods

[0019] According to some aspects, there is provided the subject matter of the independent claims. Some further aspects are defined in the dependent claims.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] Some example embodiments will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0021] FIG. 1 is a diagram of an example embodiment of wireless networking between a network system and a user equipment (UE), according to one illustrated aspect of the disclosure;

[0022] FIG. 2 is a diagram of example components of a network system, according to one illustrated aspect of the disclosure;

[0023] FIGS. 3 A and 3B are diagrams illustrating an operation of an apparatus (e.g., which may be a UE or user device, or other apparatus), according to one illustrated aspect of the disclosure;

[0024] FIG. 4 is a diagram of an example system including gNBs and UEs utilizing individual power control per MiMo, according to one illustrated aspect of the disclosure;

[0025] FIG. 5 is a diagram of an example system including gNBs and UEs downlink and uplink signaling, according to one illustrated aspect of the disclosure;

[0026] FIG. 6 is a flow diagram of an example method of autonomous interference mitigation at a UE, according to one illustrated aspect of the disclosure; and

[0027] FIG. 7 is a diagram of an example block diagram of a wireless station or node (e.g., network node (such as gNB), user node or UE, relay node, or other node), according to one illustrated aspect of the present disclosure.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0028] In the following description, certain specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of disclosed aspects. However, one skilled in the relevant art will recognize that aspects may be practiced without one or more of these specific details or with other methods, components, materials, etc. In other instances, well-known structures associated with transmitters, receivers, or transceivers have not been shown or described in detail to avoid unnecessarily obscuring descriptions of the aspects.

[0029] Reference throughout this specification to “one aspect” or “an aspect” means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the aspect is included in at least one aspect. Thus, the appearances of the phrases “in one aspect” or “in an aspect” in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same aspect. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more aspects.

[0030] Embodiments described in the present disclosure may be implemented in wireless networking apparatuses, such as, without limitation, apparatuses utilizing Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX), Global System for Mobile communications(GSM, 2G), GSM EDGE radio access Network (GERAN), General Packet Radio Service (GRPS), Universal Mobile Telecommunication System (UMTS, 3G) based on basic wideband-code division multiple access (W-CDMA), high-speed packet access (HSPA), Long Term Evolution (LTE), LTE- Advanced, enhanced LTE (eLTE), 5G New Radio (5G NR), 5G Advance, 6G (and beyond) and 802.1 lax (Wi-Fi 6), among other wireless networking systems. The term ‘eLTE’ here denotes the LTE evolution that connects to a 5G core. LTE is also known as evolved UMTS terrestrial radio access (EUTRA) or as evolved UMTS terrestrial radio access network (EUTRAN).

[0031] The present disclosure may use the term “serving network device” to refer to a network node or network device (or a portion thereof) that services a UE. As used herein, the terms “transmit to,” “receive from,” and “cooperate with,” (and their variations) include communications that may or may not involve communications through one or more intermediate devices or nodes. The term “acquire” (and its variations) includes acquiring in the first instance or reacquiring after the first instance. The term “connection” may mean a physical connection or a logical connection.

[0032] The present disclosure uses 5G NR as an example of a wireless network and may use smartphones and / or extended reality headsets as an example of UEs. It is intended and shall be understood that such examples are merely illustrative, and the present disclosure is applicable to other wireless networks and user equipment.

[0033] FIG. 1 is a diagram depicting an example of wireless networking between a network system 100 and a user equipment (UE) 150. The network system 100 may include one or more network nodes 120, one or more servers 110, and / or one or more network equipment 130 (e.g., test equipment). The network nodes 120 will be described in more detail below. As used herein, the term “network apparatus” may refer to any component of the network system 100, such as the server 110, the network node 120, the network equipment 130, any component(s) of the foregoing, and / or any other component(s) of the network system 100. Examples of network apparatuses include, without limitation, apparatuses implementing aspects of 5G NR, among others. The present disclosure describes embodiments related to 5GNR and embodiments that involve aspects defined by 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP). However, it is contemplated that embodiments relating to other wireless networking technologies are encompassed within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0034] The following description provides further details of examples of network nodes. In a 5G NR network, a gNodeB (also known as gNB) may include, e.g., a node that provides new radio(NR) user plane and control plane protocol terminations towards the UE and that is connected via a NG interface to the 5G core (5GC), e.g., according to 3GPP TS 38.300 V16.6.0 (2021-06) section 3.2, which is hereby incorporated by reference herein.

[0035] A gNB supports various protocol layers, e.g., Layer 1 (LI) - physical layer, Layer 2 (L2), and Layer 3 (L3).

[0036] The layer 2 (L2) of NR is split into the following sublayers: Medium Access Control (MAC), Radio Link Control (RLC), Packet Data Convergence Protocol (PDCP) and Service Data Adaptation Protocol (SDAP), where, e.g.: o The physical layer offers to the MAC sublayer transport channels; o The MAC sublayer offers to the RLC sublayer logical channels; o The RLC sublayer offers to the PDCP sublayer RLC channels; o The PDCP sublayer offers to the SDAP sublayer radio bearers; o The SDAP sublayer offers to 5GC quality of service (QoS) flows; o Control channels include broadcast control channel (BCCH) and physical control channel (PCCH).

[0037] Layer 3 (L3) includes, e.g., radio resource control (RRC), e.g., according to 3GPP TS 38.300 V16.6.0 (2021-06) section 6, which is hereby incorporated by reference herein.

[0038] A gNB central unit (gNB-CU) includes, e.g., a logical node hosting, e.g., radio resource control (RRC), service data adaptation protocol (SDAP), and packet data convergence protocol (PDCP) protocols of the gNB or RRC and PDCP protocols of the en-gNB, that controls the operation of one or more gNB distributed units (gNB-DUs). The gNB-CU terminates the Fl interface connected with the gNB-DU. A gNB-CU may also be referred to herein as a CU, a central unit, a centralized unit, or a control unit.

[0039] A gNB Distributed Unit (gNB-DU) includes, e.g., a logical node hosting, e.g., radio link control (RLC), media access control (MAC), and physical (PHY) layers of the gNB or en- gNB, and its operation is partly controlled by the gNB-CU. One gNB-DU supports one or multiple cells. One cell is supported by only one gNB-DU. The gNB-DU terminates the Fl interface connected with the gNB-CU. A gNB-DU may also be referred to herein as DU or a distributed unit.

[0040] As used herein, the term “network node” may refer to any of a gNB, a gNB-CU, or a gNB-DU, or any combination of them. A RAN (radio access network) node or network node suchas, e.g., a gNB, gNB-CU, or gNB-DU, or parts thereof, may be implemented using, e.g., an apparatus with at least one processor and / or at least one memory with processor-readable instructions (“program”) configured to support and / or provision and / or process CU and / or DU related functionality and / or features, and / or at least one protocol (sub-)layer of a RAN (radio access network), e.g., layer 2 and / or layer 3. Different functional splits between the central and distributed unit are possible. An example of such an apparatus and components will be described in connection with FIG. 5 below.

[0041] The gNB-CU and gNB-DU parts may, e.g., be co-located or physically separated. The gNB-DU may even be split further, e.g., into two parts, e.g., one including processing equipment and one including an antenna. A central unit (CU) may also be called baseband unit / radio equipment controller / cloud-RAN / virtual-RAN (BBU / REC / C-RAN / V-RAN), open-RAN (O- RAN), or part thereof. A distributed unit (DU) may also be called remote radio head / remote radio unit / radio equipment / radio unit (RRH / RRU / RE / RU), or part thereof. Hereinafter, in various example embodiments of the present disclosure, a network node, which supports at least one of central unit functionality or a layer 3 protocol of a radio access network, may be, e.g., a gNB-CU. Similarly, a network node, which supports at least one of distributed unit functionality or a layer 2 protocol of the radio access network, may be, e.g., a gNB-DU.

[0042] A gNB-CU may support one or multiple gNB-DUs. A gNB-DU may support one or multiple cells and, thus, could support a serving cell for a user equipment (UE) or support a candidate cell for handover, dual connectivity, and / or carrier aggregation, among other procedures.

[0043] The user equipment (UE) 150 may be or include a wireless or mobile device, an apparatus with a radio interface to interact with a RAN (radio access network), a smartphone, an in-vehicle apparatus, an loT device, or a M2M device, among other types of user equipment. Such UE 150 may include: at least one processor; and at least one memory including program code; where the at least one memory and the computer program code are configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to perform certain operations, such as, e.g., RRC connection to the RAN. An example of components of a UE will be described in connection with FIG. 5. In embodiments, the UE 150 may be configured to generate a message (e.g., including a cell ID) to be transmitted via radio towards a RAN (e.g., to reach and communicate with a serving cell). In embodiments, the UE 150 may generate and transmit and receive RRC messagescontaining one or more RRC PDUs (packet data units). Persons skilled in the art will understand RRC protocol as well as other procedures a UE may perform.

[0044] With continuing reference to FIG. 1, in the example of a 5G NR network, the network system 100 provides one or more cells, which define a coverage area of the network system 100. As described above, the network system 100 may include a gNB of a 5G NR network or may include any other apparatus configured to control radio communication and manage radio resources within a cell. As used herein, the term “resource” may refer to radio resources, such as a resource block (RB), a physical resource block (PRB), a radio frame, a subframe, a time slot, a sub-band, a frequency region, a sub-carrier, a beam, etc. In embodiments, the network node 120 may be called a base station.

[0045] FIG. 1 provides an example and is merely illustrative of a network system 100 and a UE 150. Persons skilled in the art will understand that the network system 100 includes components not illustrated in FIG. 1 and will understand that other user equipment may be in communication with the network system 100.

[0046] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of example components of the network system 100 of FIG. 1. A 5G NR network may be described as an example of the network system 100, and it is intended that aspects of the following description shall be applicable to other types of network systems, as well. The network system may operate in accordance with the signals and connections shown in FIG. 1 such that the UE 150 is in communication with the network system 100 through the radio access network 225. Additionally, the network system may be divided into user plane components and functions and control plane components and functions, as shown and described herein. Unless indicated otherwise, the terms “component”, “function”, and “service” may be used interchangeably herein, and they may refer to and be implemented by instructions executed by one or more processors.

[0047] Example functions of the components are described below. The example functions are merely illustrative, and it shall be understood that additional operations and functions may be performed by the components described herein. Additionally, the connections between components may be virtual connections over service-based interfaces such that any component may communicate with any other component. In this manner, any component may act as a service “producer,” for any other component that is a service “consumer,” to provide services for network functions.

[0048] For example, a core network 210 is described in the control plane of the network system. The core network 210 may include an authentication server function (AUSF) 211, an access and mobility function (AMF) 212, and a session management function (SMF) 213. The core network 210 may also include a network slice selection function (NSSF) 214, a network exposure function (NEF) 215, a network repository function (NRF) 216, and a unified data management function (UDM) 217, which may include a uniform data repository (UDR) 224.

[0049] Additional components and functions of the core network 210 may include an application function 218, policy control function (PCF) 219, network data analytics function (NWDAF) 220, analytics data repository function (ADRF) 221, management data analytics function (MDAF) 222, and operations and management function (0AM) 223.

[0050] The user plane includes the UE 150, a radio access network (RAN) 225, a user plane function (UPF) 226, and a data network (DN) 227. The RAN 225 may include one or more components described in connection with FIG. 1, such as one or more network nodes. However, the RAN 225 may not be limited to such components. The UPF 226 provides connection for data being transmitted over the RAN 225. The DN 226 identifies services from service providers, Internet access, and third party services, for example.

[0051] The AMF 212 processes connection and mobility tasks. The AUSF 211 receives authentication requests from the AMF 212 and interacts with UDM 217 to authenticate and validate network responses for determination of successful authentication. The SMF 213 conducts packet data unit (PDU) session management, as well as manages session context with the UPF 226.

[0052] The NSSF 214 may select a network slicing instance (NSI) and determine the allowed network slice selection assistance information (NSSAI). This selection and determination is utilized to set the AMF 212 to provide service to the UE 150. The NEF 215 secures access to network services for third parties to create specialized network services. The NRF 216 acts as a repository to store network functions to allow the functions to register with and discover each other.

[0053] The UDM 217 generates authentication vectors for use by the AUSF 211 and ADM 212 and provides user identification handling. The UDM 217 may be connected to the UDR 224 which stores data associated with authentication, applications, or the like. The AF 218 provides application services to a user (e.g., streaming services, etc.). The PCF 219 provides policy controlfunctionality. For example, the PCF 219 may assist in network slicing and mobility management, as well as provide quality of service (QoS) and charging functionality.

[0054] The NWDAF 220 collects data (e.g., from the UE 150 and the network system) to perform network analytics and provide insight to functions that utilize the analytics in the providing of services. The ADRF 221 allows the storage, retrieval, and removal of data and analytics by consumers. The MDAF 222 provides additional data analytics services for network functions. The 0AM 223 provides provisioning and management processing functions to manage elements in or connected to the network (e.g., UE 150, network nodes, etc.).

[0055] FIG. 2 is merely an example of components of a network system, and variations are contemplated to be within the scope of the present disclosure. In embodiments, the network system may include other components not illustrated in FIG. 2. In embodiments, the network system may not include every component illustrated in FIG. 2. In embodiments, the components and connections may be implemented with different connections than those illustrated in FIG. 2. Such and other embodiments are contemplated to be within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0056] FIG. 3A is a diagram illustrating an example mechanism for uplink transmission that may include one or more operations. The one or more operations may include at least one of:Scrambling: The scrambling process may use a cell-specific scrambling sequence generated based on a cell ID and a scrambling identity. The scrambling identity may be unique for each user (UE) within a cell, ensuring that the scrambling sequences used by different UEs are orthogonal to each other.Modulation mapper: may include modulation of scrambled bits to generate complexvalued symbols. In other words, the modulation mapper may take binary digits, 0 or 1, as input and may produce complex-valued modulation symbols as output.Layer mapper: may include mapping of the complex-valued symbols onto one or several transmission layers.Transform precoder: may transform precoding to generate complex-valued symbols.Precoding: may include precoding of the complex-valued symbols.Resource element mapper: may include mapping of precoded complex-valued symbols to resource elements.Signal generation: may include generation of complex-valued time-domain single carrier frequency division multiple access (SC-FDMA) signal for an antenna port. In an example, when transform precoding is enabled, a SC-FDMA signal for uplink transmission may be generated.

[0057] These operations are illustrated as examples, and persons of skill in art may appreciate that other mechanisms may be implemented in various embodiments.

[0058] In an example embodiment, an aspect of the uplink transmission may include power control mechanisms. The power control mechanisms may be employed for the purpose of controlling the interference. In an example, the interference may be toward other cells.

[0059] In an example embodiment, power control may be applicable to uplink power control. The uplink power control may include a set of algorithms and tools by which the transmit power for different uplink physical channels and signals may be controlled to ensure that they, to the extent possible, are received by the network at an appropriate power level. For example, for an uplink physical channel, the appropriate power may be the received power needed for proper decoding of the information carried by the physical channel. In an example, high transmit power may cause unnecessarily high interference to other uplink transmissions. In an example, the appropriate transmit power may depend on the channel properties, including the channel attenuation and the noise and interference level at the receiver side. The required received power may be dependent on the data rate. For example, if the received power is too low, the transmit power may be increased and / or the data rate may be reduced. In other words, in an example implementation in the case of physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH) transmission, there is a relationship between power control and link adaptation (e.g., rate control).

[0060] In an example embodiment, uplink power control (e.g., for the case of new radio NR) may be based on a combination of open-loop power control, and / or closed loop power control. In an example, the open loop power control may include support for fractional path-loss compensation, wherein the device may estimate the uplink path loss based on downlink measurements and may set the transmit power accordingly. In an example, the closed-loop power control may be based on explicit power control commands provided by the network. For example, the power control commands may be determined based on prior network measurements of the received uplink power.

[0061] As an example, uplink transmit power for PUSCH transmissions may be calculated by the following expression:PPUSCH - min {PCMAX , Po(j) + cc(j). PL(q) + 10 . log 10 (2fl. MRB ) + ATF + 8(1)}Where:PPUSCH is the PUSCH transmit power;PCMAX is the maximum allowed transmit power per carrier;Po(.) is a network-configurable parameter that can, somewhat simplified, be described as a target received power;PL(.) is an estimate of the uplink path loss; a(.) is a network-configurable parameter (<=1) for fractional path-loss compensation; p relates to the sub-carrier spacing Af used for the PUSCH transmission;• MRB is the number of resource blocks assigned for the PUSCH transmission;• ATF relates to the modulation scheme and channel-coding rate used for the PUSCH transmission; and8(.) is the power adjustment due to the closed-loop power control.

[0062] FIG. 3B is a diagram illustrating a multiple input multiple output (MIMO) transmission. In an example embodiment, the MIMO transmission may include a technique to increase the data throughput by using multiple transmitter antenna(s) and multiple receiver antenna(s). For example, in the MIMO transmission, multiple (independent) data streams may be transmitted simultaneously to achieve higher data throughput in comparison to a single input single output (SISO) transmission. In an example embodiment, a data stream may correspond to a layer or an antenna port of the MIMO transmission.

[0063] In an example, a power amplifier (PA) of the user device or the UE may include a radio frequency (RF) power amplifier. For example, the PA (or the RF power amplifier) may include an electronic amplifier that converts a low power RF signal into a higher power RF signal. In an example, a configuration parameter of the PA may determine a gain of the PA, an output power of the PA, and / or the like. For example, the gain may include a power gain wherein the power gain is based on a ratio of the output power to the input power of the PA. In another example, the gain may include a voltage gain wherein the voltage gain is based on a ratio of the output voltage to the input voltage of the PA. In another example, the gain may include a current gain wherein the current gain is based on a ratio of the output current to the input current of the PA. In an example, the PA or the RF power amplifier may be employed in a final stage of a radio transmitter, wherein the output of the PA may drive the antenna.

[0064] Although further detail will be provided below, a method and apparatus is described herein, which in various embodiments provides interference mitigation, for a UE in communication with a first base station (e.g., primary-gNB / P-gNB), with transmissions to / from a second base station (e.g., neighboring-gNB / N-gNB).

[0065] In various embodiments, the UE adjusts the PA of a second antenna to a power level that does not interfere with communication to and from a second gNB (N-gNB).

[0066] FIG. 4 is a diagram of an example system 400 including gNBs and UEs 150 (e.g., 150a and 150b) utilizing individual power control per MiMo, according to one illustrated aspect of the disclosure. As shown in FIG. 4, UE 150a is in communication with P-gNB as its primary NB and includes a first MiMo layer PUSCHp.gNB communication and a second MiMo layer PUSCHp.gNB communication. The second MiMo layer PUSCHp.gNB communication may introduce interference on the N-gNB, which is in communication with UE 150b as shown.

[0067] In various embodiments, the 1st MiMo layer is transmitted at a certain PA power level using the antenna with the highest realized antenna gain towards the P-gNB and since the distance to the N-gNB is larger than the distance to the P-gNB and the realized antenna gain is lower, the power level of the 1st MiMo layer seen at the N-gNB may cause reduced interference. However, the 2nd MiMo layer is transmitted from a different antenna that will have less gain towards the P- gNB (contributing to the power imbalance) and could have higher antenna gain towards the N- gNB, which may result in increased interference at the N-gNB.

[0068] As such, a higher / boosted transmitted power for the 2nd MiMo layer to compensate for the power imbalance at the P-gNB, using an antenna with higher antenna gain towards the N-gNB, may increase the interference level at the N-gNB to an unacceptable level. Therefore, there is an increased risk that the boosted power level of the 2nd MIMO layer could create a much higher interference contribution at N-gNB than the 1st MIMO layer. This may increase the signal to noise ratio (SINK) for UEs that are RRC connected to the N-gNB (e.g., UE 150b), which may degrade their throughput performance.

[0069] Accordingly, in various embodiments, to harness the benefits of individual power control per MiMo layer, it may be appropriate to first find the appropriate PA power level for the 2nd MIMO layer to minimize the difference in SINK levels at P-gNB without causing interference at N-gNB.

[0070] FIG. 5 is a diagram of an example system including gNBs and UEs downlink and uplink signaling, according to one illustrated aspect of the disclosure. In various embodiments, FIG. 5 shows UE 150 (e.g., UE 150a of FIG. 4) in communication with a P-gNB and receiving signaling from the P-gNB and an N-gNB. In various embodiments, four (4) antennas / antenna elements 510 are shown included in UE 150 (e.g., 510a, 510b, 510c, and 510d). However, persons of skill in the art may appreciate that more or less antennas may be included in the UE 150.

[0071] In various embodiments, antenna 510a may be referred to as a first antenna, while antenna 510b is referred to as a second antenna. However, persons of skill in the art may appreciate that any antenna 510 may be a first antenna or second antenna.

[0072] In various embodiments, FIG. 5 shows, for example UE 150 including 4 antenna elements 510 connected to P-gNB, where the top 2 antennas (e.g., 510a and 510b) offer the 1st and 2nd best connections for a 2 layer MiMo uplink transmission.

[0073] In various embodiments, to enable individual uplink power control per MiMo layer without causing interference at neighboring cells, the UE 150 may estimate the target reception power at N-gNB (e.g., neighbouring cell), and set the appropriate PA power level for the 2nd MiMo layer antenna, which for example, may be antenna 510b.

[0074] Accordingly, in various embodiments, the UE 150 may require to know the target reception power set by the neighboring cell N-gNB (e.g., F puscHN-gNB), to avoid interfering too much when setting the PA power level of the 2nd MiMo layer transmitted to P-gNB. However, the UE may not know what that value is since it is not connected to this neighboring cell.

[0075] Accordingly, in various embodiments, the UE 150 may estimate P / lpuscHN-gNB using other parameters that it already has access to.

[0076] For example, in various embodiments, the transmission power for the physical random access channel (PRACH) of the P-gNB, PARACH P-SNB may be calculated through open loop (OL) power control based on the pathloss measured with the downlink reference signal (SSB) from P- gNB associated with the PRACH transmission. SSBs carry information regarding their transmit power, Pt. By measuring the RSRP of the received signal, Pr, the UE 150 may obtain the pathloss, PL, of the signal and adjusts PARACH P-SNB to compensate for it as follows:where PCMAXis the UE configured maximum output power defined in TS 38.213 and PPRACH, target is the target reception power of PRACH at P-gNB.

[0077] In various embodiments, the transmission power for the PUSCH of P-gNB, used to transmit the 1stMiMo layer, PApuscn p-gNB may be obtained through open loop or closed loop power control (e.g., as described in 3GPP TS 38.213). In various embodiments, this value may be higher than PARACH _p-gNB, because P-gNB may allow for a higher transmit power for data transmission, depending on external factors such as traffic load and current SINK level at the gNB.

[0078] In various embodiments, the transmission power for the physical random access channel (PRACH) of N-gNB, PARACH \-g\i>, may be obtained. Since SSBs are broadcast signals, the UE 150 may also obtain this value through the SSBs transmitted by N-gNB depending on the SMTC window configuration.

[0079] In various embodiments, although PARACH _p-gNB and PARACH \-g\i>, may have different values, it may be assumed that the range of power scaling allowed from PARACH to PApuscn,PAdiff, is similar between P-gNB and N-gNB, since they are neighboring cells and should experience the same type of traffic load. Therefore, the PUSCH PA power level that would hit the target receive power at N-gNB may be estimated in accordance with the following:

[0080] Accordingly, in various embodiments, to set the PA power level for the 2ndMiMo the UE 150 calculates what is the current power imbalance between the different uplink MiMo layers on all the antennas, Pwnmb. This may also be performed based on the RSRP levels on a downlink received signal from the P-gNB, like CSI-RS. Therefore, the ideal PA power level to set may be in accordance with the following:

[0081] If this value is equal or higher than R puscHN-gNB> itmaY cause interference to N-gNB. Therefore, a fixed per secondary MiMo antenna port threshold value, thr, may be utilized to limit the UE’s per antenna port power control increase to avoid this effect. In various embodiments, the threshold may be utilized to limit the UE’s per antenna port power control increase in accordance with the following decision equation for uplink MiMo layer power control calculation with autonomous interference mitigation:

[0082] In various embodiments, an upper bound for UE power control, R4puscHN-may be established by defining a specified common threshold thr level, that could be fixed (e.g. 20 dB). The allowed power increase for PUSCH at the P-gNB, PAdi^, may be calculated and stored by the UE.

[0083] FIG. 6 is a flow diagram of an example method 600 of autonomous interference mitigation at a UE, according to one illustrated aspect of the disclosure.

[0084] At block 601, the UE is RRC connected / connects to the P-gNB (e.g., a first network apparatus). In various embodiments, the UE may utilize a RACH procedure to RRC connect to the P-gNB.

[0085] At block 602, the UE monitors (e.g., continuously) and measures the RSRP levels of SSBs coming from the cell it is connected to (e.g., P-gNB) but also other neighboring cells, like the N-gNB. In various embodiments, the measurements may be in accordance with the SMTC window.

[0086] At block 603, the P-gNB sets the PA power level for PUSCH transmission for the current MiMo layer being transmitted. In various embodiments, this may be performed through open loop or closed loop power control on a first antenna (e.g., the best antenna to transmit).

[0087] At block 604, the UE derives the PA power level required for the RACH procedure to the P-gNB, PARACH p-gNB. Although this has been calculated at block 601, it is calculated again, since Pojp-gNB) and / or a_(p.gNB) can be changed by P-gNB over time due to, for example, a variable traffic load. In various embodiments, the Po_(p-gNB) and a_(p.gNB) level may be embedded in MIB / SIB messages broadcast via the SSB.

[0088] At block 605, the UE and store the power level differenence,(PAdiff) between the PA power level required for PUSCHp.gNB and the PA power level for RACHp.gNB.

[0089] At block 606, a configuration request for UL MiMo may be initiated by the gNB (P- gNB) or the UE, depending on whether the UL channel characterization is done by DL reference signals (NCB UL MiMo for a request from UE) or UL reference signals (CB UL MiMo for a request from gNB).

[0090] At block 607, the UE derives the power imbalance between the different UL MiMo layers on different UE antennas using reference signals like SSBs or CSI-RS. For example, in various embodiments, the UE derives the power imbalance (Pwnmb) between multiple UL MiMo layers on different antennas base on the DL reference signals from the P-gNB.

[0091] At block 608, the UE derives the PA power level required for the RACH procedure to N-gNB, PARACH N-gNB. In various embodiments, for example, the UE derives the PA power level for RACHN.gNB(PARACH N^NB) to fulfill the Po_(N-gNB) level embedded in the MIB / SIB messages broadcast via the SSB.

[0092] At block 609, the UE if the desired PA power level to compensate for MiMo layer power imbalance on the second MiMo layer transmission is lower than the estimated PA value of PAPUSCH N-gNB =PARACH N-gNB + PAdiff by a threshold level (e.g., a hardcoded level). That is, the UE determines, in various embodiments, whether PAPUSCH p-gNB + Pwr;mb is less than (PARACH N-gNB + PAdiff) - threshold.

[0093] If the PA power level to compensate for MiMo layer power imbalance on the second MiMo layer transmission is lower than the threshold (block 609), then at block 610, the PA power level of the second MIMO layer is set by the UE to the desired power level to compensate for SINR MiMo layer imbalance: PAPUSCH _p-gNB + Pwrimb if that value does not exceed the maximum power control PCmaxfor that PA. The method then reverts to block 602.

[0094] If the PA power level to compensate for MiMo layer power imbalance on the second MiMo layer transmission is not lower than the threshold (block 609), then at block 611, the PA power level of the second MIMO layer is set / limited to the highest it can be set without causing interference to the N-gNB: (PARACH N-SNB + PAdiff) - threshold = PAPUSCH N-SNB - threshold, again if that value does not exceed the maximum power control PCmaxfor that PA. The method then reverts to block 602.

[0095] The blocks / operations of FIG. 6 are merely illustrative, and variations are contemplated to be within the scope of the present disclosure. In embodiments, the operations may include other operations not illustrated in FIG. 6. In embodiments, the operations may not include every operation illustrated in FIG. 6. In embodiments, the operations may be implemented in a different order than that illustrated in FIG. 6. Such and other embodiments are contemplated to be within the scope of the present disclosure. Persons of skill in the art will appreciate that, although variousexample components are described as performing various functions, other components may perform those functions described in FIG. 6.

[0096] The following describes operations from the perspective of a UE. From such a perspective, a method may include measuring, by the UE in a radio resource control (RRC) connected state to a first network apparatus, a transmission power level from the first network apparatus and a second network apparatus. The UE derives a power level for a first uplink transmission and a second uplink transmission to the first network apparatus, and calculates and stores a power level difference between the derived first uplink power level transmission and the derived second uplink transmission. Upon receiving a multi-in multi-out (MiMo) configuration request, the UE derives a power imbalance between a transmission over a first antenna and a second antenna and determining a power amplification (PA) for the second antenna, determines a threshold for a power level for transmission from the second antenna based upon the received transmission power level from the second network apparatus, and transmits the second uplink transmission over the second antenna to the first network apparatus at a power level set based upon a comparison of the determined power amplification for the second antenna to the threshold.

[0097] FIG. 7 is a block diagram of a wireless station or node (e.g., UE, user device, AP, BS, eNB, gNB, RAN node, network node, TRP, or other node) 700, according to one illustrated aspect of the present disclosure. The wireless station 700 may include, for example, one or more (e.g., two as shown in FIG. 7) RF (radio frequency) or wireless transceivers 702A, 702B, where each wireless transceiver includes a transmitter to transmit signals and a receiver to receive signals. The wireless station also includes a processor or control unit / entity (controller) 704 to execute instructions or software and control transmission and receptions of signals, and a memory 706 to store data and / or instructions.

[0098] Processor 704 may also make decisions or determinations, generate frames, packets or messages for transmission, decode received frames or messages for further processing, and other tasks or functions described herein. Processor 704, which may be a baseband processor, for example, may generate messages, packets, frames or other signals for transmission via wireless transceiver 702 (702A or 702B). Processor 704 may control transmission of signals or messages over a wireless network, and may control the reception of signals or messages, etc., via a wireless network (e.g., after being down-converted by wireless transceiver 702, for example). Processor 704 may be programmable and capable of executing software or other instructions stored inmemory or on other computer media to perform the various tasks and functions described above, such as one or more of the tasks or methods described above. Processor 704 may be (or may include), for example, hardware, programmable logic, a programmable processor that executes software or firmware, and / or any combination of these. Using other terminology, processor 704 and transceiver 702 together may be considered as a wireless transmitter / receiver system, for example.

[0099] In addition, referring to FIG. 7, a controller (or processor) 708 may execute software and instructions, and may provide overall control for the station 700, and may provide control for other systems not shown in FIG. 7, such as controlling input / output devices (e.g., display, keypad), and / or may execute software for one or more applications that may be provided on wireless station 700, such as, for example, an email program, audio / video applications, a word processor, a Voice over IP application, or other application or software.

[0100] In addition, a storage medium may be provided that includes stored instructions, which when executed by a controller or processor may result in the processor 704, or other controller or processor, performing one or more of the functions or tasks described above.

[0101] According to another example embodiment, RF or wireless transceiver(s) 702A / 702B may receive signals or data and / or transmit or send signals or data. Processor 704 (and possibly transceivers 702A / 702B) may control the RF or wireless transceiver 702A or 702B to receive, send, broadcast or transmit signals or data.

[0102] Example embodiments are provided or described for each of the example methods, including: An apparatus (e.g., 700, FIG. 7) including means (e.g., processor 704, RF transceivers 702A and / or 702B, and / or memory 706, in FIG. 7) for carrying out any of the methods; a non- transitory computer-readable storage medium (e.g., memory 706, FIG. 7) comprising instructions stored thereon that, when executed by at least one processor (processor 704, FIG. 7), are configured to cause a computing system (e.g., 700, FIG. 7) to perform any of the example methods; and an apparatus (e.g., 700, FIG. 7) including at least one processor (e.g., processor 704, FIG. 7), and at least one memory (e.g., memory 706, FIG. 7) including computer program code, the at least one memory (706) and the computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor (704), cause the apparatus (e.g., 700) at least to perform any of the example methods.

[0103] Further embodiments of the present disclosure include the following examples.

[0104] Example 1.1. A user equipment (UE), comprising:means for measuring, by a user equipment (UE) in a radio resource control (RRC) connected state to a first network apparatus, a transmission power level from the first network apparatus and a second network apparatus; means for deriving, by the UE, a power level for a first uplink transmission and a second uplink transmission to the first network apparatus; means for calculating and storing, by the UE, a power level difference between the derived first uplink power level transmission and the derived second uplink transmission; and means for, upon receiving a multi-in multi-out (MiMo) configuration request: deriving, by the UE, a power imbalance between a transmission over a first antenna and a second antenna and determining a power amplification (PA) for the second antenna; determining, by the UE, a threshold for a power level for transmission from the second antenna based upon the received transmission power level from the second network apparatus; and transmitting, by the UE, the second uplink transmission over the second antenna to the first network apparatus at a power level set based upon a comparison of the determined power amplification for the second antenna to the threshold.

[0105] Example 1.2. The UE of example 1.1, wherein the UE measures a reference signal received power (RSRP) of a synchronization signal block (SSB) of the first network apparatus and an RSRP of an SSB of the second network apparatus.

[0106] Example 1.3. The UE of example 1.1, wherein the UE measures the RSRP of a channel start information reference signal (CSI-RS).

[0107] Example 1.4. The UE as in any one of examples 1.1 to 1.3, wherein the first network apparatus is a primary g-NodeB (P-gNB) and the second network apparatus is a neighboring gNB (N-gNB).

[0108] Example 1.5. The UE of example 1.4, wherein the deriving the power level for the first uplink transmission includes deriving a PA power level for a physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH) transmission for the P-gNB (PAPUSCH PgNB) and the deriving the power level for the second uplink transmission includes deriving a PA power level for a random access channel (RACH) transmission for the P-gNB (PARACH_P-gNB).

[0109] Example 1.6. The UE of example 1.5, wherein the comparison of the determined power amplification for the second antenna to the threshold includes determining whether thePAPUSCH PgNB and the power imbalance are less than the PARACH_P-gNB and power level difference minus the derived threshold.

[0110] Example 1.7. The UE of example 1.6, further comprising, upon the PAPUSCH PgNB and the power imbalance being less than the PARACH_P-gNB and power level difference minus the derived threshold, setting the second uplink transmission over the second antenna to the first network apparatus at a power level equal to the PAPUSCH PgNB and the power imbalance.

[0111] Example 1.8. The UE of example 1.6, further comprising, upon the PAPUSCH PgNB and the power imbalance being equal to or greater than the PARACH_P-gNB and power level difference minus the derived threshold, setting the second uplink transmission over the second antenna to the first network apparatus at a power level equal to the PARACH P- gNB and power level difference minus the derived threshold.

[0112] Example 1.9. The UE as in any one of examples 1.1 to 1.8, wherein the second uplink transmission over the second antenna to the first network apparatus is set to a power level equal to or less than a maximum allowed transmit power per carrier.

[0113] Example 1.10. The UE of example 1.9, wherein an upper bound value for the maximum allowed transmit power per carrier is set to a predefined upper bound value.

[0114] Example 1.11. The UE of example 1.10, wherein the predefined upper bound value is set to 20dB.

[0115] Example 1.12. The UE as in any one of example 1.1 to 1.11, wherein the power imbalance between a transmission over a first antenna and a second antenna is derived based on downlink reference signals from the first network apparatus.

[0116] Example 1.13. The UE as in any one of example 1.1 to 1.12, wherein the MiMo configuration request is received from the first network apparatus.

[0117] The embodiments and aspects disclosed herein are examples of the present disclosure and may be embodied in various forms. For instance, although certain embodiments herein are described as separate embodiments, each of the embodiments herein may be combined with one or more of the other embodiments herein. Specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present disclosure in virtually anyappropriately detailed structure. Like reference numerals may refer to similar or identical elements throughout the description of the figures.

[0118] The phrases “in an aspect,” “in aspects,” “in various aspects,” “in some aspects,” or “in other aspects” may each refer to one or more of the same or different aspects in accordance with this present disclosure. The phrase “a plurality of’ may refer to two or more.

[0119] In various embodiments, the terms “first message” and “second message”, as well as any subsequent messages may refer to any messages that are transmitted or received in an order and are not necessarily limited to any particular message.

[0120] The phrases “in an embodiment,” “in embodiments,” “in various embodiments,” “in some embodiments,” or “in other embodiments” may each refer to one or more of the same or different embodiments in accordance with the present disclosure. A phrase in the form “A or B” means “(A), (B), or (A and B).” A phrase in the form “at least one of A, B, or C” means “(A); (B); (C); (A and B); (A and C); (B and C); or (A, B, and C) ”

[0121] Any of the herein described methods, programs, algorithms or codes may be converted to, or expressed in, a programming language or computer program. The terms “programming language” and “computer program,” as used herein, each include any language used to specify instructions to a computer, and include (but is not limited to) the following languages and their derivatives: Assembler, Basic, Batch files, BCPL, C, C+, C++, Delphi, Fortran, Java, JavaScript, machine code, operating system command languages, Pascal, Perl, PL1, Python, scripting languages, Visual Basic, metalanguages which themselves specify programs, and all first, second, third, fourth, fifth, or further generation computer languages. Also included are database and other data schemas, and any other meta- languages. No distinction is made between languages which are interpreted, compiled, or use both compiled and interpreted approaches. No distinction is made between compiled and source versions of a program. Thus, reference to a program, where the programming language could exist in more than one state (such as source, compiled, object, or linked) is a reference to any and all such states. Reference to a program may encompass the actual instructions and / or the intent of those instructions.

[0122] While aspects of the present disclosure have been shown in the drawings, it is not intended that the present disclosure be limited thereto, as it is intended that the present disclosure be as broad in scope as the art will allow and that the specification be read likewise. Therefore, the above description should not be construed as limiting, but merely as exemplifications of particularaspects. Those skilled in the art will envision other modifications within the scope and spirit of the claims appended hereto.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A method, comprising: measuring, by a user equipment (UE) in a radio resource control (RRC) connected state to a first network apparatus, a transmission power level from the first network apparatus and a second network apparatus; deriving, by the UE, a power level for a first uplink transmission and a second uplink transmission to the first network apparatus; calculating and storing, by the UE, a power level difference between the derived first uplink power level transmission and the derived second uplink transmission; and upon receiving a multi-in multi-out (MiMo) configuration request: deriving, by the UE, a power imbalance between a transmission over a first antenna and a second antenna and determining a power amplification (PA) for the second antenna; determining, by the UE, a threshold for a power level for transmission from the second antenna based upon the received transmission power level from the second network apparatus; and transmitting, by the UE, the second uplink transmission over the second antenna to the first network apparatus at a power level set based upon a comparison of the determined power amplification for the second antenna to the threshold.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the UE measures a reference signal received power (RSRP) of a synchronization signal block (SSB) of the first network apparatus and an RSRP of an SSB of the second network apparatus.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the UE measures the RSRP of a channel start information reference signal (CSLRS).

4. The method as in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the first network apparatus is a primary g-NodeB (P-gNB) and the second network apparatus is a neighboring gNB (N-gNB).

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the deriving the power level for the first uplink transmission includes deriving a PA power level for a physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH) transmission for the P-gNB (PApuscn i>g\n) and the deriving the power level for the second uplink transmission includes deriving a PA power level for a random access channel (RACH) transmission for the P-gNB (PARACH P-SNB).

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the comparison of the determined power amplification for the second antenna to the threshold includes determining whether the PApuscn PgNB and the power imbalance are less than the PARACH P-SNB and power level difference minus the derived threshold.

7. The method of claim 6, further comprising, upon the PApuscn pgNB and the power imbalance being less than the PARACH P-SNB and power level difference minus the derived threshold, setting the second uplink transmission over the second antenna to the first network apparatus at a power level equal to the PApuscn PSNB and the power imbalance.

8. The method of claim 6, further comprising, upon the PApuscn pgNB and the power imbalance being equal to or greater than the PARACH P-SNB and power level difference minus the derived threshold, setting the second uplink transmission over the second antenna to the first network apparatus at a power level equal to the PARACH P-SNB and power level difference minus the derived threshold.

9. The method as in any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the second uplink transmission over the second antenna to the first network apparatus is set to a power level equal to or less than a maximum allowed transmit power per carrier.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein an upper bound value for the maximum allowed transmit power per carrier is set to a predefined upper bound value.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the predefined upper bound value is set to 20dB.

12. The method as in any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the power imbalance between a transmission over a first antenna and a second antenna is derived based on downlink reference signals from the first network apparatus.

13. The method as in any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the MiMo configuration request is received from the first network apparatus.

14. A user equipment (UE), comprising: at least one processor; and at least one memory storing instructions which, when executed by the at least one processor, causes the UE at least to perform: measuring, by the UE, in a radio resource control (RRC) connected state to a first network apparatus, a transmission power level from the first network apparatus and a second network apparatus; deriving, by the UE, a power level for a first uplink transmission and a second uplink transmission to the first network apparatus; calculating and storing, by the UE, a power level difference between the derived first uplink power level transmission and the derived second uplink transmission; and upon receiving a multi-in multi-out (MiMo) configuration request: deriving, by the UE, a power imbalance between a transmission over a first antenna and a second antenna and determining a power amplification (PA) for the second antenna; determining, by the UE, a threshold for a power level for transmission from the second antenna based upon the received transmission power level from the second network apparatus; and transmitting, by the UE, the second uplink transmission over the second antenna to the first network apparatus at a power level set based upon a comparison of the determined power amplification for the second antenna to the threshold.

15. A processor-readable medium storing instructions which, when executed by at least one processor of an apparatus, cause the apparatus at least to perform a method as in any one of claims 1 to 13.

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