Systems and methods for channel state information buffering

Abstract

Systems and methods for Channel State Information (CSI) buffering are disclosed herein. In some embodiments, the method includes: receiving configuration of one or more periodic resources; receiving a first signal indicating to start measurement and / or computation of one or more CSI reporting quantities based on the periodic resources; determining a CSI buffering duration of finite number of slots / symbols associated with a first CSI-RS occasion(s) of the periodic resources that occur after receiving the first signal; or buffering CSI related information in the periodically repeating CSI buffer durations where the information is based on the CSI-RS occasions associated with the periodically repeating CSI buffer durations. With control of which periodic CSI-RS resources to measure for which CSI reports at a given time by using the CSI measurement start trigger, the method allows the network to flexibly manage CSI reporting with limited CSI capability (e.g., maximum number of CSI buffering units).

Description

SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR CHANNEL STATE INFORMATION BUFFERINGRELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No.63 / 743,053, filed January 8, 2025, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] The present disclosure is generally related to channel state information reporting.BACKGROUND

[0003] Codebook-based precoding

[0004] Multi-antenna techniques can significantly increase the data rates and reliability of a wireless communication system. The performance is in particular improved if both the transmitter and the receiver are equipped with multiple antennas, which results in a multipleinput multiple-output (MIMO) communication channel. Such systems and / or related techniques are commonly referred to as MIMO.

[0005] A core component of the fifth Generation (5G) wireless network or New Radio (NR) is the support of MIMO antenna deployments and MIMO related techniques such as spatial multiplexing. Spatial multiplexing can be used to increase data rates in favorable channel conditions. Figure 1 shows an example of spatial multiplexing. An information carrying symbol vector s is multiplied by an NTX r precoding matrix or precoder W, which serves to distribute the transmit energy in a subspace of the NTdimensional vector space. The precoding matrix is typically selected from a codebook of possible precoding matrices, and typically indicated by means of a precoding matrix indicator (PMI), which specifies a unique precoding matrix in the codebook for a given number of symbol streams. The r symbols in s each correspond to a MIMO layer and r is referred to as the transmission rank, which equals to the number of columns of the precoder W . In this way, spatial multiplexing is achieved since multiple symbols can be transmitted simultaneously over the same time / frequency resource element (RE). The number of symbols r is typically adapted to suit the current channel properties.

[0006] NR uses Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) in downlink. The received NRX 1 vector ynat a UE on a certain RE can be expressed as:where enis a receiver noise / interference vector. The precoder W can be constant over frequency (i.e., wideband), or frequency selective (i.e., per subband).

[0007] The precoder W is chosen to match the characteristics of the NRX NTMIMO channel matrix Hn, resulting in so-called channel dependent precoding. This is also commonly referred to as closed-loop precoding.

[0008] In closed-loop precoding, the UE feeds back recommendations on a suitable precoder to the gNB in the form of a PMI based on downlink channel measurements. For that purpose, the UE is configured with a channel state information (CSI) report configuration including CSI reference signals (CSI-RS) for channel measurements and a codebook of candidate precoders. In addition to precoders, the feedback may also include a rank indicator (RI) and one or two channel quality indicators (CQIs). RI, PMI and CQI are part of a CSI feedback. In NR, CSI feedback can be either wideband, where one CSI is reported for the entire channel bandwidth, or frequency-selective, where one CSI is reported for each subband, which is defined as a number of contiguous physical resource blocks (PRBs) ranging between 4-32 PRBs depending on the band width part (BWP) size.

[0009] Given the CSI feedback from the UE, the gNB determines the transmission parameters it wishes to use to transmit to the UE, including the precoding matrix, transmission rank, and modulation and coding scheme (MCS).

[0010] 2D Antenna arrays

[0011] Two-dimensional antenna arrays are widely used and such antenna arrays can be described by a number of antenna ports, Nr, in a first dimension (e.g., the horizontal dimension), a number of antenna ports, N2, in the second dimension perpendicular to the first dimension (e.g., the vertical dimension), and a number of polarizations Np. The total number of antenna ports is thus N = N1N2Np. The concept of an antenna port is non-limiting in the sense that it can refer to any virtualization (e.g., linear mapping) to the physical antenna elements. For example, pairs of physical antenna elements could be fed the same signal, and hence share the same virtualized antenna port.

[0012] An example of a 4 X 4 (i.e., N1X N2l) array with dual-polarized antenna elements (i.e., Np= 2) is illustrated below in Figure 2.

[0013] Precoding may be interpreted as multiplying the signal to be transmitted by a set of beamforming weights on the antenna ports prior to transmission. A typical approach is to tailor the precoder to the antenna form factor, i.e. taking into account NltN2and Npwhen designing the precoder codebook.

[0014] Channel State Information Reference Signals (CSI-RS)

[0015] For CSI measurement and feedback, CSI-RS are defined. A CSI-RS is transmitted on an antenna port at the gNB and is used by a UE to measure downlink channel between the antenna port and each of the UE’s receive antenna ports. The transmit antenna ports are also referred to as CSI-RS ports. The supported number of CSI-RS ports in NR are {1,2,4,8,12,16,24,32}. By measuring the received CSI-RS, a UE can estimate the channel that the CSI-RS is traversing, including the radio propagation channel and antenna gains. The CSI-RS for the above purpose is also referred to as Non-Zero Power (NZP) CSI-RS.

[0016] CSI-RS can be configured to be transmitted in certain REs in a slot and certain slots. Figure 3 shows an example of CSI-RS REs for 12 antenna ports, where IRE per RB per port is shown.

[0017] In addition, interference measurement resource (IMR) is also defined in NR for a UE to measure interference. An IMR resource contains 4 REs, either 4 adjacent RE in frequency in the same OFDM symbol or 2 by 2 adjacent REs in both time and frequency in a slot. By measuring both the channel based on Non-Zero Power Channel State Information Reference Signal (NZP CSI-RS) and the interference based on an IMR, a UE can estimate the effective channel and noise plus interference to determine the CSI. Furthermore, a UE in NR may be configured to measure interference based on one or multiple NZP CSI-RS resource.

[0018] CSI framework in NR

[0019] In NR, a UE can be configured with multiple CSI reporting settings and multiple CSI-RS resource settings. Each resource setting can contain multiple resource sets, and each resource set can contain up to 8 CSI-RS resources. For each CSI reporting setting, a UE feeds back a CSI report.

[0020] Each CSI reporting setting contains at least the following information:• A CSI-RS resource setting for channel measurement• An IMR resource set for interference measurement• Optionally, a CSI-RS resource set for interference measurement• Time-domain behavior, i.e. periodic, semi-persistent, or aperiodic reportingFrequency granularity, i.e. wideband or subbandCSI parameters to be reported such as RI, PMI, CQI, and CSI-RS resource indicator (CRI) in case of multiple CSI-RS resources in a resource set• Codebook types, i.e. type I or II, and codebook subset restriction• Measurement restriction• Subband size. One out of two possible subband sizes is indicated, the value range depends on the bandwidth of the BWP. One CQI / PMI (if configured for subband reporting) is fed back per subband).

[0021] Active resource counting in NR

[0022] In NR, a UE is allowed to indicate the number of simultaneous NZP-CSI-RS resources (referred to as active resource counting herein) it supports per component carrier as shown in component 4a of the table below. Furthermore, according to Component 4 of the table below, the UE can set a cap on the number of active NZP-CSI-RS resources across all component carriers in case of carrier aggregation involving more than one component carrier. The below table is given in 3GPP TR38.822 V17.1.0.

[0023] It should be noted that in NR, the UE is allowed to report a low capability value of 1 for the number of active resources in a component carrier (see component-4a candidate values in the above table). Furthermore, the component 4 in the above table further restricts the number of active NZP CSI-RSs per component carrier when carrier aggregation is configured.

[0024] According to T38.214 V18.4.0 subclause 5.2.1.6, active resource counting for a periodic NZP-CSI-RS is defined as follows:SUMMARY

[0025] Systems and methods for Channel State Information (CSI) buffering are disclosed herein. In some embodiments, the method includes one or more of: receiving configuration of one or more periodic resources from a network node; receiving a first signal indicating to start measurement and / or computation of one or more CSI reporting quantities based on the one or more periodic resources; determining a CSI buffering duration of finite number of slots / symbols associated with a first CSI-RS occasion(s) of the one or more periodic resources that occur(s) after receiving the first signal; and buffering CSI related information in the periodically repeating CSI buffer durations wherein the CSI related information is based on the CSI-RS occasion(s) associated with the periodically repeating CSI buffer durations. In some embodiments, the method can include any of the features disclosed herein.

[0026] Some embodiments of the current disclosure propose periodically repeating CSI buffering durations for periodic NZP CSI-RS resource(s) wherein the periodically repeating CSI buffering durations are initiated by a CSI measurement start trigger. The number of periodically repeating CSI buffering durations are either indicated by the CSI measurement start trigger or a separate CSI measurement stop trigger. Each CSI buffering duration is preceded by an active resource counting duration. The CSI related information to be buffered in each CSI buffering duration is determined by the actions performed by the UE during the preceding active resourcecounting duration. Furthermore, UE procedures related to when the CSI buffering units are reset are covered in this disclosure.

[0027] With control of which periodic CSI-RS resource(s) to measure for which CSI report(s) at a given time by using the CSI measurement start trigger, the method allows the network to flexibly manage CSI reporting by a UE with limited CSI capability (e.g., maximum number of CSI buffering units). For example, the UE may be configured with multiple periodic CSI-RS resources and multiple CSI report configurations, but not all of them need to be buffered at the same time. Hence, the same CSI buffering units can be used to buffer CSI related information associated with more than one CSI reporting configuration which provides the network with flexibility.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0028] The accompanying drawing figures incorporated in and forming a part of this specification illustrate several aspects of the disclosure, and together with the description serve to explain the principles of the disclosure.

[0029] Figure 1 shows an example of spatial multiplexing;

[0030] Figure 2 illustrates a two-dimensional antenna array of dual-polarized antenna elements ( Np= 2) , with= 4 horizontal antenna elements and N2= 4 vertical antenna elements;

[0031] Figure 3 shows an example of CSI-RS Resource Elements (REs) for 12 antenna ports, where one RE per Resource Block (RB) per port is shown;

[0032] Figures 4-6 illustrate example embodiments of CSI buffering;

[0033] Figure 7 illustrates a method performed by a wireless device for CSI buffering;

[0034] Figure 8 illustrates a method performed by a network node;

[0035] Figure 9 shows an example of a communication system in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0036] Figure 10 is another example of a communication system according to some embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0037] Figure 11 shows a wireless device, which may be configured to operate in the communication system of Figure 9 or in the communication system of Figure 10;

[0038] Figure 12 shows a network node in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure; and

[0039] Figure 13 is a block diagram illustrating a virtualization environment in which functions implemented by some embodiments of the present disclosure may be virtualized.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0040] The embodiments set forth below represent information to enable those skilled in the art to practice the embodiments and illustrate the best mode of practicing the embodiments. Upon reading the following description in light of the accompanying drawing figures, those skilled in the art will understand the concepts of the disclosure and will recognize applications of these concepts not particularly addressed herein. It should be understood that these concepts and applications fall within the scope of the disclosure.

[0041] Some of the embodiments contemplated herein will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings. Embodiments are provided by way of example to convey the scope of the subject matter to those skilled in the art.

[0042] There currently exist certain challenge(s). In current systems, the UE is seen as occupied continuously for buffering of CSI measurements or CSI computation, when periodic NZP CSLRS is used. Hence, each such configuration consumes one buffering resource all the time. This will limit the number of periodic NZP CSI-RS resources that can be configured since the current system assumes the UE continuously buffers CSI related information associated with each of the configured periodic NZP CSI-RS resources. The current system is designed for the worst case, which is inefficient and lacks flexibility which is a problem.

[0043] Certain aspects of the disclosure and their embodiments may provide solutions to these or other challenges. Some embodiments of the present disclosure propose periodically repeating CSI buffering durations for periodic NZP CSI-RS resource(s) wherein the periodically repeating CSI buffering durations are initiated by a CSI measurement start trigger. The number of periodically repeating CSI buffering durations are either indicated by the CSI measurement start trigger or a separate CSI measurement stop trigger. Each CSI buffering duration is preceded by a active resource counting duration. The CSI related information to be buffered in each CSI buffering duration is determined by the actions performed by the UE during the preceding active resource counting duration. Furthermore, UE procedures related to when the CSI buffering units are reset are covered in this disclosure.

[0044] In some embodiments, a method for channel state information (CSI) buffering at the UE includes one or more of:• Receiving configuration of one or more periodic NZP CSI-RS resources from a network node;• Receiving a first signal from the network node indicating the UE to start measurement and / or computation of one or more CSI reporting quantities based on the one or more periodic NZP CSI-RS resources wherein the first signal is different from a second signalreceived from the network node that indicates uplink resources for carrying one or more CSI reports comprising the one or more CSI reporting quantities;• Determining a CSI buffering duration of finite number of slots / symbols associated with a first CSI-RS occasion(s) of the one or more periodic NZP CSI-RS resources that occur(s) after receiving the first signal, and the CSI buffering duration periodically repeating and are associated with subsequent CSI-RS occasion(s) of the one or more periodic NZP CSI- RS resources until a last CSI-RS occasion(s) of the one or more periodic NZP CSI-RS resources;• Buffering CSI related information in the periodically repeating CSI buffer durations wherein the CSI related information is based on the CSI-RS occasion(s) associated with the periodically repeating CSI buffer durations.

[0045] In some embodiments, the periodically repeating CSI buffer durations are preceded by periodically repeating active resource counting durations. In some embodiments, when the UE performs channel measurements on the CSI-RS occasion(s) associated with the periodically repeating CSI buffer durations in the preceding periodically repeating active resource counting durations, the CSI related information are the channel measurements.

[0046] In some embodiments, when the UE performs CSI computations of the one or more CSI reporting quantities based on channel measurements on the CSI-RS occasion(s) associated with the periodically repeating CSI buffer durations in the preceding periodically repeating active resource counting durations, the CSI related information buffered are the computed one or more CSI reporting quantities.

[0047] In some embodiments, the first signal is a CSI measurement start trigger which may be a downlink related Downlink Control Information (DCI) or a downlink Medium Access Control Control Element (MAC CE). In some embodiments, the second signal is an uplink related DCI providing Uplink (UL) resources for carrying the one or more CSI reports. In some embodiments, the second signal is a MAC CE that provides UL resources for carrying the one or more CSI reports. In some embodiments, the second signal is a configured grant that provides UL resources for carrying the one or more CSI reports wherein the second signal is based on an Radio Resource Control (RRC) message.

[0048] In some embodiments, the second signal is a CSI reporting trigger. In some embodiments, the one or more CSI reports are reported using the UL resources provided. In some embodiments, information on the last CSI-RS occasion(s) of the one or more periodic NZP CSI-RS resources is provided by a third signal different from the first signal and the second signal. Insome embodiments, the third signal is a CSI measurement stop trigger. In some embodiments, information on the last CSI-RS occasion(s) of the one or more periodic NZP CSI-RS resources is provided by the first signal.

[0049] Certain embodiments may provide one or more of the following technical advantage(s). With control of which periodic CSI-RS resource(s) to measure for which CSI report(s) at a given time by using the CSI measurement start trigger, the method allows the network to flexibly manage CSI reporting by a UE with limited CSI capability (e.g., maximum number of CSI buffering units). For example, the UE may be configured with multiple periodic CSI-RS resources and multiple CSI report configurations, but not all of them need to be buffered at the same time. Hence, the same CSI buffering units can be used to buffer CSI related information associated with more than one CSI reporting configuration which provides the network flexibility. The teachings of certain embodiments may improve the e.g., data rate, latency, power consumption, etc.

[0050] Some embodiments relate to how a buffering resource can be used for, e.g., different CSI-RS resources or in general when a UE can reset a buffer for other CSI measurement purposes. In some embodiments, this will increase the number of CSI-RS resources that can be configured for a UE. In some cases, the legacy system assumes the UE continuously buffers CSI related information associated with each of the configured periodic NZP CSI-RS resources. This is achieved by coordination between the UE and the network so that they have the same understanding of when a UE resets a buffer for a periodic CSI-RS(i) and can possibly use it for another periodic CSI-RS(j) and when the network shall trigger the report and expect a valid report. In some embodiments, the coordination can be either via capability report or by the network configuration.

[0051] Embodiment 1

[0052] Figure 4 shows an example embodiment of CSI buffering. In this embodiment, a UE receives configuration of a periodic NZP CSI-RS resource from a network node with periodicity Poas shown in the figure. Note that such configuration indicates a presence of the NZP CSI-RS , e.g. for PDSCH rate matching purposes, but the UE does not perform any measurements on these RS, according to the present embodiment until the UE receives a CSI measurement start trigger.

[0053] In this embodiment, CSI measurement by a UE on the periodic NZP CSI-RS resource is started by a CSI measurement start trigger. The UE may also perform CSI calculations based on the measurement, according to the configured CSI report type or quantity. The CSI measurement start trigger indicates information regarding the periodic NZP CSI-RS resource thatthe UE shall measure to compute a CSI reporting quantity such as e.g., rank indicator (RI), precoder matrix indicator (PMI), channel quality indicator (CQI), etc. In a further embodiment, the CSI measurement start trigger indicates information to the UE such as NZP CSI-RS resource identifier, the periodicity Poof the periodic NZP CSI-RS resource, the slots and / or symbols in which the periodic NZP CSI-RS resource occurs.

[0054] Note that from network perspective, the periodic NZP CSI-RS is an ongoing transmission and can thus be transmitted before the CSI measurement start trigger. The periodic NZP CSI-RS can be transmitted to all UEs in a serving cell. However, the UE does not perform any measurement based on the NZP CSI-RS until the CSI measurement start trigger is received.

[0055] In Figure 4, the CSI measurement start trigger is received by the UE from the network in the slot labeled 17. Note that in this embodiment the CSI measurement start trigger is different from a CSI report trigger which triggers the CSI report. In Figure 4, the CSI report trigger is received by the UE from the network node in the slot labeled 30. In response to the CSI report trigger, the CSI report is reported by the UE to the network node in the slot labeled 34.

[0056] Following the CSI measurement start trigger, each CSI-RS occasion of the periodic NZP CSI-RS is measured by the UE until a CSI measurement strop trigger is received. In the example of Figure 4, the first CSI-RS occasion after the CSI measurement start trigger occurs at slot 21 and the last CSI-RS occasion before the CSI measurement stop trigger occurs at slot 41. Each of the CSI-RS occasions in between the CSI measurement start trigger and the CSI measurement stop trigger is associated with an Active Resource Counting (ARC) duration.

[0057] In some embodiments of the current disclosure, the ARC duration is followed by a CSI buffer duration. This is introduced to solve the flexibility problem mentioned earlier. Also, some embodiments of the current disclosure relate to the UE’s behavior during, e.g., ARC (e.g., if the UE measures a raw CSI or full CSI) and how it affects the buffer duration and triggering report offset, etc.

[0058] As used herein, the one buffering resource is referred to as a CSI Buffering Unit (CBU). Although the CBU terminology is used in this disclosure, this terminology may not necessarily be captured in 3GPP specifications and an alternative terminology may be used instead.

[0059] Here, a CSI buffer duration is introduced which better should correspond to the time where the UE buffers the CSI related information, and this allows for introduction of time gaps where the CBUs at the UE can be reused for buffering CSI related information associated with different CSI reports which improves flexibility.

[0060] During a CSI buffer duration, the UE should be ready or get ready to transmit the associated CSI report. After the CSI buffer duration ends, the network node knows that• the UE is not performing any computation; or• the UE is not buffering any CSI measurements; or• the UE is not buffering any computed CSI reporting quantity related to the CSI report.

[0061] Hence, the network node knows that it needs to send a trigger or provide uplink resources to request a CSI report during the CSI buffer duration in order to receive an accurate CSI report from the UE.

[0062] Figure 5 shows a second example embodiment that shows the benefit of proposed CSI buffering methods. Consider a scenario where the UE is capable of one CBU which can be used to buffer information on CSI related to either CSI-RS 1 or CSI-RS 2 in the example of Figure 5. According to some embodiments proposed herein, the one CBU at the UE can be used to buffer CSI related information of both CSI-RS 1 and CSI-RS 2 in a time multiplexed fashion as follows:• After the CSI measurement start trigger, the CSI information related to the first CSI-RS occasion of CSI-RS 1 can be buffered in the one CBU in slots 25-29; as the first CSI buffer duration associated with CSI-RS 1 ends at slot 29, the one CBU can be reset in slot 30.• The CSI information related to the first CSI-RS occasion of CSI-RS 2 can then be buffered in the same one CBU in slots 35-39; as the first CSI buffer duration associated with CSI- RS 2 ends at slot 39, the one CBU can be reset in slot 40.• The CSI information related to the second CSI-RS occasion of CSI-RS 1 can now be buffered in the same one CBU in slots 45-49; as the second CSI buffer duration associated with CSI-RS 1 ends at slot 49, the one CBU can be reset in slot 50.• The CSI information related to the second CSI-RS occasion of CSI-RS 2 can be buffered in the same one CBU in slots 55-59; as the second CSI buffer duration associated with CSI-RS 2 ends at slot 59, the one CBU can be reset in slot 60.

[0063] Hence, the example in Figure 5 demonstrates that even when the UE is capable of small number of CBUs, the proposed methods allow the network to configure the UE with multiple CSI-RSs wherein the CSI related information of the multiple CSI-RSs can be buffered using the small number of CBUs.

[0064] Let us denote the CSI buffer duration by NBuff wherein NBu^ can be given in either symbols or slots. As shown in Figure 4, the CSI buffer duration starts from the end of the ARC duration and ends NBu^ slots or symbols later. In the example of Figure 4, NBu^ = 11 slots andthe periodicity of the NZP CSI-RS is Po= 20 slots. In one embodiment, NBu^ < Powhich means that the UE must buffer the CSI for a duration of NBu^ in the period between two CSI-RS occasions that occur between the CSI measurement start trigger and the CSI measurement stop trigger. In another embodiment, NBuff < ’o—^ARC) wherein NARCdenotes the ARC duration.

[0065] In one embodiment, the CSI buffer duration NBuff is predefined in 3GPP specifications. In another embodiment, the CSI buffer duration NBuff is predefined for different values of Po. For a longer NZP CSI-RS periodicity Po, a longer CSI buffer duration NBu^ may be predefined; for a shorter NZP CSI-RS periodicity Po, a shorter CSI buffer duration NBuff may be predefined. For example, when Po= 80 slots, a CSI buffer duration of NBu^ = 50 slots may be predefined while when Po= 20 slots, a CSI buffer duration of NBu^ = 11 slots may be predefined.

[0066] In another embodiment, the CSI buffer duration NBuff is reported as part of UE capability from the UE to the network. In a further embodiment, as part of UE capability, the CSI buffer duration NBuff capability reported by the UE may depend on the value of supported NZP CSI-RS periodicities by the UE (i.e., the values of Posupported by the UE). When a longer NZP CSI-RS periodicity Pois supported by the UE, a longer CSI buffer duration NBuff may be indicated as part of UE capability reporting to the network node. When a shorter NZP CSI-RS periodicity Pois supported by the UE, a shorter CSI buffer duration NBu^ may be indicated as part of UE capability reporting to the network node. In a further embodiment, when the UE supports multiple NZP CSI-RS periodicities, multiple corresponding CSI buffer durations may be indicated as part of UE capability reporting. For example, when the UE supports Po= 80 slots, a CSI buffer duration of NBu^ = 50 slots may be indicated as part of UE capability while when Po= 20 slots , a CSI buffer duration of NBu^ = 11 slots may be indicated as part of UE capability. When the UE supports both Po= 20 slots and Po= 80 slots, the UE may indicate as part of UE capability reporting to the network node that the CSI buffer durations respectively corresponding to these two Povalues as NBu^ = 11 slots and NBu^ = 50 slots.

[0067] In yet another embodiment, the CSI buffer duration NBuff is configured to the UE by the network node. The CSI buffer duration may be configured as part of a CSI reporting configuration for which channel measurements are performed using the NZP CSI-RS resource. If the network node would like the UE to keep a channel measurement or computed CSI reporting quantity for a longer time, then the network node can configure a longer CSI buffer duration. The network node then has more flexibility on when to trigger the CSI report.

[0068] It should be noted that the CSI buffer durations only occur in between the slot in which CSI measurement start trigger is received and the slot in which CSI measurement stop trigger is received. Note that CSI buffer durations are not applicable to CSI-RS occasions in slots labeled 1 and 61 of Figure 4 as these slots do not occur in between the slot in which CSI measurement start trigger is received and the slot in which CSI measurement stop trigger is received.

[0069] In a further embodiment, CSI buffering capability of the UE may include information of a total number of CSI-RS ports that can be buffered.

[0070] In some embodiments, the UE may report an invalid or inaccurate CSI when the UE is triggered to report a CSI after the CSI buffer duration has expired.

[0071] Embodiment 1A

[0072] In one detailed embodiment, during the ARC duration, the UE performs channel measurement(s) on the CSI-RS occasion associated with the ARC duration. The ARC duration can be determined based on the time required for completing the channel measurement. In this detailed embodiment, the UE does not perform CSI computation (i.e., computation of a CSI reporting quantity to be reported) using the channel measurement performed during the ARC duration. Hence, when the CSI buffer duration begins, the UE buffers the channel measurements in one or more CBUs. A CBU, for example, can be defined as a memory required for buffering channel measurement for a certain number of CSI-RS ports, e.g., 4 CSI-RS ports. In the example of Figure 4, the UE starts buffering channel measurements as follows:• in slot 25, the UE buffers channel measurements performed using the CSI-RS occasion in slot 21 in one or more CBUs; and• in slot 45, the UE buffers channel measurements performed using the CSI-RS occasion in slot 42 in one or more CBUs.

[0073] In an alternative embodiment, when only raw channel measurement is buffered, the ARC duration is the same as the CSI-RS duration (i.e., the number of symbols spanned by a NZP CSI-RS resource).

[0074] If there are multiple CSI report configurations associated to a same periodic CSI-RS resource, the same buffered channel measurement based on the CSI-RS resource is used for computing CSIs for the multiple CSI report configurations. In this case, instead of counting the CSI-RS resource multiple times as in legacy NR, only a single active CSI-RS resource can be counted for the multiple CSI report configurations.

[0075] In this embodiment, if the UE receives a CSI report trigger during the CSI buffer duration, then the UE computes the CSI reporting quantity (e.g., a rank indicator, RI, a precoding matrix indicator, PMI, and a channel quality indicator, CQI) to be reported. In the example of Figure 4, a CSI report trigger is received in slot 30 and the UE computes the CSI reporting quantity using the channel measurements buffered in the one or more CBUs. The computed CSI reporting quantity is reported as part of the CSI report in slot 34.

[0076] In some embodiments, after the CSI report in slot 34, the CSI buffer is reset, or emptied. That is, the one or more CBUs in which the channel measurements were stored will be reset, and these one or more CBUs are released so that they become available for buffering channel measurements related to other CSI reports.

[0077] In an alternative embodiment, the UE still keeps the channel measurements buffered in the one or more CBUs after slot 34 and only resets, or empties, the CSI buffer at the end of the CSI buffer duration. In this alternative embodiment, the channel measurements buffered in the one or more CBUs are reset in slot 36 (which is after the end of the CSI buffer duration in slots 25-35).

[0078] Note that in the example of Figure 4, the UE does not receive a CSI report trigger in the CSI buffer duration in slots 45-55. Hence, in this case the UE keeps the channel measurements buffered in the one or more CBUs until slot 55, and the CSI buffer is reset in slot 56.

[0079] In an alternative embodiment, the channel measurement is buffered until a new channel measurement for the same periodic CSI-RS resource is available. The channel measurement in the buffer is overwritten by the new channel measurement. In this case, the CSI buffer is always occupied after CSI measurement is enabled by the CSI measurement start trigger.

[0080] Embodiment IB

[0081] In another detailed embodiment, during the ARC duration, the UE performs channel measurement(s) on the CSI-RS occasion associated with the ARC duration and also computes the CSI reporting quantity. In this case, the ARC duration can be determined based on the maximum time required for completing the computation of the CSI reporting quantity. In this detailed embodiment, the CSI reporting quantity is computed and ready to be buffered at the end of the ARC duration. Hence, when the CSI buffer duration begins, the UE buffers the computed CSI reporting quantity in one or more dedicated CBUs. In the example of Figure 4, the UE starts buffering channel measurements as follows:• in slot 25, the UE buffers the CSI reporting quantity computed based on the channel measurements performed using the CSI-RS occasion in slot 21 in one or more CBUs; andin slot 45, the UE buffers the CSI reporting quantity computed based on the channel measurements performed using the CSI-RS occasion in slot 42 in one or more CBUs.

[0082] In some embodiments, if there are multiple CSI report configurations associated to a same periodic CSI-RS resource, multiple buffers (or multiple CBUs), each associated to one CSI report configuration, are needed. The ARC duration can be determined based on the maximum time required for completing computation of the multiple CSIs.

[0083] In this embodiment, CSIs associated to the same periodic CSI-RS resource are precomputed before they are triggered. Hence, when the UE receives a CSI report trigger during the CSI buffer duration, the UE reports the CSI reporting quantity which is buffered in the one or more CBUs. In the example of Figure 4, a CSI report trigger is received in slot 30 and the UE reports the CSI reporting quantity buffered in the one or more CBUs to the network node in slot 34. Note that even though Figure 4 shows a gap of 4 slots between CSI report trigger and CSI report (i.e., the gap between slots 30 and 34), this gap can be shorter for this embodiment as the UE does not need to perform CSI computation during CSI buffer duration.

[0084] In some embodiments, after the CSI report in slot 34, the CSI buffer associated to the CSI report is reset or emptied. That is, the one or more CBUs in which the CSI reporting quantity were stored will be reset, and these one or more CBUs are released so that they become available for buffering CSI reporting quantities related to other CSI reports.

[0085] In an alternative embodiment, the UE still keeps the CSI reporting quantity buffered in the one or more CBUs after slot 34 and only resets the CSI buffer at the end of the CSI buffer duration. In this alternative embodiment, the CSI reporting quantity buffered in the one or more CBUs are reset in slot 36 (which is after the end of the CSI buffer duration in slots 25-35).

[0086] Note that in the example of Figure 4, the UE does not receive a CSI report trigger in the CSI buffer duration in slots 45-55. Hence, in this case the UE keeps the CSI reporting quantity buffered in the one or more CBUs until slot 55, and the CSI buffer is reset in slot 56.

[0087] Embodiment 2

[0088] Figure 6 shows an example of Embodiment 2. This embodiment is similar to Embodiment 1 except that the UE does not receive CSI measurement stop triggers. Instead, the CSI measurement start trigger indicates information on the number of CSI-RS occasions to measure on the periodic NZP CSI-RS resource. Hence, the CSI Measurement start trigger contains an indication of duration of measurements (i.e. a measurement window), and in this case there is no need for a stop trigger. Embodiments similar to Embodiment 1A and IB can be defined byremoving the CSI measurement stop trigger and indicating the number of CSI-RS occasions to measure on the periodic NZP CSI-RS resource as part of the CSI measurement start trigger.

[0089] Although CSI report trigger is shown in the above embodiments, the current disclosure is non-limiting in the sense that the CSI report may be triggered by a signal that provides an uplink grant (i.e., resources to carry the CSI report). Hence, the CSI report trigger in the above embodiments can be replaced by a signal that provides an uplink grant. In one embodiment, the signal that provides the uplink grant to carry the CSI report is an uplink related DCI that the UE receives from the network node. In another embodiment, the signal that provides the uplink grant to carry the CSI report is a downlink MAC CE.

[0090] In yet another embodiment, the CSI reports are carried by periodic resources that are configured via a configured grant which allows scheduling PUSCH resources to carry the CSI report without a DCI. In this embodiment the signal that provides the UL grant is an RRC message that schedules the PUSCH resources to carry the CSI report.

[0091] In one embodiment, the CSI measurement start trigger is received via a DCI. In a detailed embodiment, the CSI measurement start trigger is a downlink related DCI received by the UE from the network node which triggers the UE to measure the periodic NZP CSI-RS resource and to compute a CSI reporting quantity. The downlink related DCI does not trigger the UE to report a CSI in this embodiment.

[0092] In another embodiment, the CSI measurement start trigger is received via a MAC CE from the network node to the UE. In a detailed embodiment, the CSI measurement start trigger is a downlink MAC CE received by the UE from the network node which triggers the UE to measure the periodic NZP CSI-RS resource and to compute a CSI reporting quantity. The downlink MAC CE does not trigger the UE to report a CSI in this embodiment.

[0093] In one embodiment, the CSI measurement stop trigger is received via a DCI. In a detailed embodiment, the CSI measurement stop trigger is a downlink related DCI received by the UE from the network node which triggers the UE to stop measurement of the periodic NZP CSI-RS resource. The downlink related DCI does not trigger the UE to report a CSI in this embodiment.

[0094] In one embodiment, the CSI measurement stop trigger is received via a MAC CE from the network node to the UE. In a detailed embodiment, the CSI measurement stop trigger is a downlink MAC CE received by the UE from the network node which triggers the UE to stop measurement of the periodic NZP CSI-RS resource. The downlink MAC CE does not trigger the UE to report a CSI in this embodiment.

[0095] Figure 7 illustrates a method performed by a wireless device for CSI buffering. In some embodiments, the method includes one or more of: receiving (step 700) configuration of oneor more periodic resources from a network node; receiving (step 702) a first signal indicating to start measurement and / or computation of one or more CSI reporting quantities based on the one or more periodic resources; determining (step 704) a CSI buffering duration of finite number of slots / symbols associated with a first CSI-RS occasion(s) of the one or more periodic resources that occur(s) after receiving the first signal; and buffering (step 706) CSI related information in the periodically repeating CSI buffer durations wherein the CSI related information is based on the CSI-RS occasion(s) associated with the periodically repeating CSI buffer durations. In some embodiments, the method can include any of the features disclosed herein.

[0096] Figure 8 illustrates a method performed by a network node. In some embodiments, the method includes one or more of: transmitting (step 800), to a wireless device, configuration of one or more periodic resources; transmitting (step 802), to the wireless device, a first signal indicating to start measurement and / or computation of one or more CSI reporting quantities based on the one or more periodic resources; determining (step 804) a CSI buffering duration of finite number of slots / symbols; and receiving (step 806) buffered CSI related information. In some embodiments, the method can include any of the features disclosed herein.

[0097] In some embodiments, the same setup is used for semi-persistent configurations. In some embodiments, pre-defined rules (e.g., the UE resets the buffer of CSI-RS 1 before receiving CSI-RS2 or resetting the buffer after the report) are used. In some embodiments, the same setup is used for CSI-IM.

[0098] Figure 9 shows an example of a communication system 900 in accordance with some embodiments.

[0099] In the example, the communication system 900 includes a telecommunications network 902 that includes an access network 904, such as a radio access network (RAN), and a core network 906, which includes one or more core network nodes 908. The access network 904 includes one or more access network nodes or base stations of various types, access network nodes 910A and 910B are depicted (which may be collectively referred to as network nodes 910), or any other similar 3rdGeneration Partnership Project (3GPP) access nodes or non-3GPP access points (APs). Some embodiments of the access network 904 may include more than one access network technology. The network nodes 910 of access network 904 facilitate direct or indirect connection of wireless devices, also referred to as user equipments (UEs), such as by connecting UEs 912A, 912B, 912C, and 912D (one or more of which may be generally referred to as UEs 912) to the core network 906 over one or more wireless connections.

[0100] Moreover, a network node is not necessarily limited to an implementation in which a radio portion and a baseband portion are supplied and integrated by a single vendor. Thus, it willbe understood that network nodes include disaggregated implementations or portions thereof. For example, in some embodiments, the telecommunications network 902 includes one or more Open-RAN (ORAN) network nodes. An ORAN network node is a network node in the telecommunications network 902 that supports an ORAN specification (e.g., a specification published by the O-RAN Alliance, or any similar organization) and may operate alone or together with other network nodes to implement one or more functionalities of any network node in the telecommunications network 902, including one or more access network nodes 910 and / or core network nodes 908.

[0101] Examples of an ORAN network node include an open radio unit (O-RU), an open distributed unit (O-DU), an open central unit (O-CU), including an O-CU control plane (O-CU-CP) or an O-CU user plane (O-CU-UP), a RAN intelligent controller (near-real time or non-real time) hosting software or software plug-ins, such as a near-real time control application (e.g., xApp) or a non-real time control application (e.g., rApp), or any combination thereof (the adjective “open” designating support of an ORAN specification). An ORAN network node may support a specification by, for example, supporting an interface defined by the ORAN specification, such as an Al, Fl, Wl, El, E2, X2, Xn interface, an open fronthaul user plane interface, or an open fronthaul management plane interface. Moreover, an ORAN network node may be a logical node in a physical node. Furthermore, an ORAN network node may be implemented in a virtualization environment (described further below) in which one or more network functions are virtualized. For example, the virtualization environment may include an O-Cloud computing platform orchestrated by a Service Management and Orchestration Framework via an O-2 interface defined by the O-RAN Alliance or comparable technologies.

[0102] The network nodes 910 facilitate direct or indirect connection of one or more UEs 912 to the core network 906 over one or more wireless connections. Example wireless communications over a wireless connection include transmitting and / or receiving wireless signals using electromagnetic waves, radio waves, infrared waves, and / or other types of signals suitable for conveying information without the use of wires, cables, or other material conductors. Moreover, in different embodiments, the communication system 900 may include any number of wired or wireless networks, network nodes, UEs, and / or any other components or systems that may facilitate or participate in the communication of data and / or signals whether via wired or wireless connections. The communication system 900 may include and / or interface with any type of communication, telecommunication, data, cellular, radio network, and / or other similar type of system.

[0103] The UEs 912 may be any of a wide variety of communication devices, including wireless devices arranged, configured, and / or operable to communicate wirelessly with the network nodes 910 and other communication devices. Similarly, the network nodes 908, 910 are arranged, capable, configured, and / or operable to communicate directly or indirectly (e.g., via other devices of telecommunications network 902) with the UEs 912 and / or with other network nodes or equipment in the telecommunications network 902 to enable and / or provide network access, such as wireless network access, and / or to perform other functions, such as administration in the telecommunications network 902. More specifically, UEs 912 may send messages, data, and / or other signals to network nodes 908, 910 or other elements of the telecommunications network 902 by transmitting such signals to the relevant device directly without the signals passing through any intervening devices or by transmitting such signals to the relevant device indirectly through an intervening device (or multiple intervening devices) that then transmit the signal to the relevant device. Similarly, network nodes 908, 910 may send messages, data, and other signals to UEs 9122, other network nodes 908, 910, and other devices in telecommunications network 902 directly or indirectly. As one specific example, a core network node 108 may transmit a particular message to a UE 912 by transmitting the message to an access network node 910 that will then transmit the message to the intended UE 912. Similarly, a core network node 108 may receive a particular message from a UE 912 by receiving the message from an access network node 910 that itself received the message from the UE 912.

[0104] In the depicted example, the core network 906 connects elements of the access network 904 (e.g., one or more of the network nodes 910) to one or more host computing systems, such as host 916. These connections may be direct or indirect via one or more intermediary networks or devices. In other examples, network nodes may be directly coupled to hosts. The core network 906 includes one or more core network nodes (e.g., core network node 908) of various types, one or more of which may be generally referred to as network nodes 908. Network nodes 908 are structured with hardware and software components. Features of these components may be substantially similar to those described with respect to the UEs, access network nodes, and / or hosts, such that the descriptions thereof are generally applicable to the corresponding components of the core network node 908. Example core network nodes provide functions of one or more of a Mobile Switching Center (MSC), Mobility Management Entity (MME), Home Subscriber Server (HSS), Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF), Session Management Function (SMF), Authentication Server Function (AUSF), Subscription Identifier De-concealing function (SIDE), Unified Data Management (UDM), Security Edge Protection Proxy (SEPP), Network Exposure Function (NEF), and / or a User Plane Function (UPF).

[0105] The host 916 may be under the ownership or control of a service provider other than an operator or provider of the access network 904 and / or the telecommunications network 902. The host 916 may be operated by the service provider or on behalf of the service provider. The host 916 may host a variety of applications to provide one or more service. Examples of such applications include live and pre-recorded audio / video content, data collection services such as retrieving and compiling data on various ambient conditions detected by a plurality of UEs, analytics functionality, social media, functions for controlling or otherwise interacting with remote devices, functions for an alarm and surveillance center, or any other such function performed by a server.

[0106] As a whole, the communication system 900 of Figure 9 enables connectivity between the UEs, network nodes, and hosts. In that sense, the communication system 900 may be configured to operate according to predefined rules or procedures, such as specific standards that include, but are not limited to: Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM); Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS); Long Term Evolution (LTE), and / or other suitable 2G, 3G, 4G, 5G standards, or any applicable future generation standard (e.g., 6G); wireless local area network (WLAN) standards, such as the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11 standards (Wi-Fi); and / or any other appropriate wireless communication standard, such as the Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (Wi-Max), Bluetooth, Z-Wave, Near Field Communication (NFC) ZigBee, Li-Fi, and / or any low-power wide-area network (LPWAN) standards such as LoRa and Sigfox. Moreover, the communication system 900 may be configured to support multiple different standards, protocols, or other rule sets, with individual components supporting all of the relevant rule sets or with different components or sub-systems within the communication system 900 supporting different standards, protocols, or rule sets.

[0107] As one example, in certain embodiments, access network 904 may contain some access network nodes 910 that support 3GPP radio access technologies (RAT), such as LTE or NR, while other access network nodes 910 support (or the same access network nodes 910 additionally support) non-3GPP RATs, such as Wi-Fi or a proprietary RAT. As another example, telecommunications network 902 may support multiple generations of related communication standards (e.g., 4G and 5G 3GPP communication standards) and, as a result, may include an access network 104 and / or a core network 106 that supports multiple different standard generations or may include multiple access networks 104 and / or multiple core networks 106 with individual networks 104, 106 supporting different standard generations.

[0108] Telecommunications network 902 may support network slicing to provide different logical networks to different devices that are connected to the telecommunications network 902.For example, the telecommunications network 902 may provide Ultra Reliable Low Latency Communication (URLLC) services to some UEs, while providing Enhanced Mobile Broadband (eMBB) services to other UEs, and / or Massive Machine Type Communication (mMTC) / Massive loT services to yet further UEs.

[0109] In some examples, one or more of the UEs 912 are configured to transmit and / or receive information without direct human interaction. For instance, a UE may be designed to transmit information to the access network 904 on a predetermined schedule, when triggered by an internal or external event, or in response to requests from the access network 904. Additionally, a UE may be configured for operating in single- or multi-RAT or multi-standard mode. For example, a UE may operate with any one or combination of Wi-Fi, NR (New Radio) and LTE, i.e. being configured for multi-radio dual connectivity (MR-DC), such as E-UTRAN (Evolved-UMTS Terrestrial Radio Access Network) New Radio - Dual Connectivity (EN-DC).

[0110] In the example, the hub 914 communicates with the access network 904 to facilitate indirect communication between one or more UEs (e.g., UE 912C and / or 912D) and network nodes (e.g., network node 910B). In some examples, the hub 914 may be a controller, router, content source and analytics, or any of the other communication devices described herein regarding UEs. For example, the hub 914 may be a broadband router enabling access to the core network 906 for the UEs. As another example, the hub 914 may be a controller that sends commands or instructions to one or more actuators in the UEs. Commands or instructions may be received from the UEs, network nodes 910, or by executable code, script, process, or other instructions in the hub 914.

[0111] As another example, the hub 914 may be a data collector that acts as temporary storage for UE data and, in some embodiments, may perform analysis or other processing of the data. As another example, the hub 914 may be a content source. For example, for a UE that is a VR headset, display, loudspeaker or other media delivery device, the hub 914 may retrieve VR assets, video, audio, or other media or data related to sensory information via a network node, which the hub 914 then provides to the UE either directly, after performing local processing, and / or after adding additional local content. In still another example, the hub 914 acts as a proxy server or orchestrator for the UEs, in particular if one or more of the UEs are low energy loT devices.

[0112] The hub 914 may have a constant / persistent or intermittent connection to the network node 910B. The hub 914 may also allow for a different communication scheme and / or schedule between the hub 914 and UEs (e.g., UE 912C and / or 912D), and between the hub 914 and the core network 906. In other examples, the hub 914 is connected to the core network 906 and / or one or more UEs via a wired connection. Moreover, the hub 914 may be configured to connect to an M2M service provider over the access network 904 and / or to another UE over a direct connection.In some scenarios, UEs may establish a wireless connection with the network nodes 910 while still connected via the hub 914 via a wired or wireless connection. In some embodiments, the hub 914 may be a dedicated hub - that is, a hub whose primary function is to route communications to / from the UEs from / to the network node 91 OB. In other embodiments, the hub 914 may be a nondedicated hub - that is, a device which is capable of operating to route communications between the UEs and network node 91 OB, but which is additionally capable of operating as a communication start and / or end point for certain data channels.

[0113] Figure 10 is another example of a communication system 1000 according to some embodiments. As used herein, the communication system 1000 includes multiple access points (APs) 1010 (with four exemplary APs 1010A, 1010B, 1010C, and 1010D being depicted) and multiple wireless devices, referred to in the context of communication system 1000 as stations (STAs) 1012 (referred to individually as STA 1012A, STA 1012B, STA 1012C, STA 1012D, and STA 1012E). STA 1012A is served by AP 1010A in a first basic service set (BSS) 1020A. STA 1010B and STA 1010C are served by AP 1010B in a second BSS, BSS 1020B. STA 1012D is served by AP 1010C in a third BSS, BSS 1020C. STA 1012E is served by AP 1010D in a fourth BSS, BSS 1020D. Stations 1012 may be non-AP STAs and correspond to various kinds of wireless devices, for example, user terminals, such as mobile or stationary computing devices like smartphones, laptop computers, desktop computers, tablet computers, gaming devices, headmounted displays (HMDs) for Augmented Reality (AR) or Virtual Reality (VR), or the like. Further, stations 1012 could, for example, correspond to other kinds of equipment like smart home devices, printers, multimedia devices, data storage devices, or the like.

[0114] Each of STAs 1012 may connect through a radio link to one of APs 1010. For example, depending on location or channel conditions experienced by a given STA 1012, the STA may select an appropriate AP and BSS for establishing the radio link. The radio link may be based on one or more orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing (OFDM) carriers from a frequency spectrum that is shared on the basis of a contention-based mechanism, e.g., an unlicensed or license exempt band like 2.4 GHz Industrial, Scientific, and Medical (ISM) band, the 5 GHz band, the 6 GHz band, or the 60 GHz band.

[0115] Each AP 1010 may provide data connectivity to STAs 1012 connected to a particular AP 1010. As illustrated, APs 1010 may be connected to a data network 1030. In this way, APs 1010 may also provide data connectivity between STAs 1012 and other entities, e.g., to one or more servers, service providers, data sources, data sinks, user terminals, or the like. Accordingly, the radio link established between a given STA 1012 and its serving AP 1010 may be used for providing various kinds of services to STA 1012, e.g., a voice service, a multimedia service, orother data service. Such services may be based on applications that are executed on STA 1012 and / or on a device linked to STA 1012. By way of example, Figure 10 illustrates an application service platform 1032 provided in data network 1030. The application(s) executed on STA 1012 and / or on one or more other devices linked to STA 1012 may use the radio link for data communication with one or more other STA 1012 and / or the application service platform 1032, thereby enabling utilization of the corresponding service(s) at STA 1012.

[0116] Figure 11 shows a wireless device 1100, which may be configured to operate in communication system 900 of Figure 9 or in communication system 1000 of Figure 10. The wireless device 1100 may be alternatively referred to as a UE 1100, like a UE 912 within the context of communication system 900, or as a station (STA) 1100 or as a non-access-point station (non-AP STA) 1100, like a STA 1012 within the context of the communication system 1000, in accordance with respective embodiments. As used herein, a wireless device refers to a device capable, configured, arranged and / or operable to communicate wirelessly with network nodes and / or other wireless devices. Examples of a wireless device include, but are not limited to, a smart phone, mobile phone, cell phone, voice over IP (VoIP) phone, wireless local loop phone, desktop computer, personal digital assistant (PDA), wireless cameras, gaming console or device, music storage device, playback appliance, wearable terminal device, wireless endpoint, mobile station, tablet, laptop, laptop-embedded equipment (LEE), laptop-mounted equipment (LME), smart device, wireless customer-premise equipment (CPE), vehicle, vehicle-mounted or vehicle embedded / integrated wireless device, and wireless terminal. Other examples include any type of UE identified by the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP), including a narrow band internet of things (NB-IoT) UE, a machine type communication (MTC) UE, and / or an enhanced MTC (eMTC) UE.

[0117] A wireless device 1100 may support device-to-device (D2D) communication, for example by implementing a 3GPP standard for sidelink communication, Dedicated Short-Range Communication (DSRC), vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V), vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2I), or vehicle-to-everything (V2X). In other examples, wireless device 1100 may not necessarily have a user in the sense of a human user who owns and / or operates the relevant device. Instead, wireless device 1100 may represent a device that is intended for sale to, or operation by, a human user but which may not, or which may not initially, be associated with a specific human user (e.g., a smart sprinkler controller). Alternatively, wireless device 1100 may represent a device that is not intended for sale to, or operation by, an end user but which may be associated with or operated for the benefit of a user (e.g., a smart power meter).

[0118] In particular embodiments, wireless device 1100 includes processing circuitry 1102 that is operatively coupled via a bus 1104 to an input / output interface 1106, a power source 1108, a memory 1110, a communication interface 1112, and / or any other component, or any combination thereof. Certain embodiments of wireless device 1100 may include all or a subset of the components shown in Figure 11. The level of integration between the components may vary from one embodiment of wireless device 1100 to another. In general, in a particular embodiment of wireless device 1100, processing circuitry 1102, input / output interface 1106, power source 1108, memory 1110, and communication interface 1112 may, in whole or in part, represent or include physical components common to or shared by one or more of the other elements of wireless device 1100. Further, certain embodiments of wireless devices 1100 may contain multiple instances of a component, such as multiple processors, memories, transceivers, transmitters, receivers, etc.

[0119] The processing circuitry 1102 is configured to process instructions and data and may be configured to implement any sequential state machine operative to execute instructions stored as machine-readable computer programs in the memory 1110. The processing circuitry 1102 may be implemented as one or more hardware-implemented state machines (e.g., in discrete logic, field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), etc.); programmable logic together with appropriate firmware; one or more stored computer programs, general-purpose processors, such as a microprocessor or digital signal processor (DSP), together with appropriate software; or any combination of the above. For example, the processing circuitry 1102 may include multiple central processing units (CPUs).

[0120] In the example, the input / output interface 1106 may be configured to provide an interface or interfaces to an input device, output device, or one or more input and / or output devices. Examples of an output device include a speaker, a sound card, a video card, a display, a monitor, a printer, an actuator, an emitter, a smartcard, another output device, or any combination thereof. An input device may allow a user to capture information into wireless device 1100. Examples of an input device include a touch- sensitive or presence-sensitive display, a camera (e.g., a digital camera, a digital video camera, a web camera, etc.), a microphone, a sensor, a mouse, a trackball, a directional pad, a trackpad, a scroll wheel, a smartcard, and the like. The presence-sensitive display may include a capacitive or resistive touch sensor to sense input from a user. A sensor may be, for instance, an accelerometer, a gyroscope, a tilt sensor, a force sensor, a magnetometer, an optical sensor, a proximity sensor, a biometric sensor, etc., or any combination thereof. An output device may use the same type of interface port as an input device. For example, a Universal Serial Bus (USB) port may be used to provide an input device and an output device.

[0121] In some embodiments, the power source 1108 is structured as a battery or battery pack. Other types of power sources, such as an external power source (e.g., an electricity outlet), photovoltaic device, or power cell, may be used to supply power to circuitry or to charge an associated battery. The power source 1108 may further include power circuitry for delivering power from the power source 1108 itself, and / or an external power source, to the various parts of wireless device 1100 via input circuitry or an interface such as an electrical power cable. Power source 1108 may perform any formatting, converting, or other modification to make accessible power suitable for the respective components of the wireless device 1100 to which power is supplied.

[0122] The memory 1110 may be or be configured to include memory such as random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), programmable read-only memory (PROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), magnetic disks, optical disks, hard disks, removable cartridges, flash drives, and so forth. In one example, the memory 1110 includes one or more programs 1114, such as an operating system, web browser application, a widget, gadget engine, or other application, and corresponding data 1116. The memory 1110 may store, for use by wireless device 1100, any of a variety of various operating systems or combinations of operating systems.

[0123] The memory 1110 may be configured to include a number of physical drive units, such as redundant array of independent disks (RAID), flash memory, USB flash drive, external hard disk drive, thumb drive, pen drive, key drive, high-density digital versatile disc (HD-DVD) optical disc drive, internal hard disk drive, Blu-Ray optical disc drive, holographic digital data storage (HDDS) optical disc drive, external mini-dual in-line memory module (DIMM), synchronous dynamic random access memory (SDRAM), external micro-DIMM SDRAM, smartcard memory such as tamper resistant module in the form of a universal integrated circuit card (UICC) including one or more subscriber identity modules (SIMs), such as a USIM and / or ISIM, other memory, or any combination thereof. The UICC may for example be an embedded UICC (eUICC), integrated UICC (iUICC) or a removable UICC commonly known as ‘SIM card.’ The memory 1110 may allow wireless device 1100 to access instructions, programs, and the like, stored on transitory or non-transitory memory media, to off-load data, or to upload data. An article of manufacture, such as one utilizing a communication system may be tangibly embodied as or in the memory 1110, which may be or comprise a device-readable storage medium.

[0124] The processing circuitry 1102 may be configured to communicate with an access network or other network via or using the communication interface 1112. The communication interface 1112 may comprise one or more communication subsystems and may include or becommunicatively coupled to an antenna 1122. The communication interface 1112 may include one or more transceivers used to communicate, such as by communicating with one or more remote transceivers of another device capable of wireless communication (e.g., another wireless device or a network node in an access network). Each transceiver may include a transmitter 1118 and / or a receiver 1120 appropriate to provide network communications (e.g., optical, electrical, frequency allocations, and so forth). Moreover, the transmitter 1118 and receiver 1120 may be coupled to one or more antennas (e.g., antenna 1122) and may share circuit components, software, or firmware, or alternatively be implemented separately.

[0125] In the illustrated embodiment, communication functions of the communication interface 1112 may include cellular communication, Wi-Fi communication (e.g., according to an IEEE 802.11 family standard), LPWAN communication, data communication, voice communication, multimedia communication, short-range communications such as Bluetooth, near-field communication, location-based communication such as the use of the global positioning system (GPS) to determine a location, another like communication function, or any combination thereof. Communications may be implemented according to one or more communication protocols and / or standards, such as IEEE 802.11, Code Division Multiplexing Access (CDMA), Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA), GSM, LTE, New Radio (NR), UMTS, WiMax, Ethernet, transmission control protocol / internet protocol (TCP / IP), synchronous optical networking (SONET), Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM), QUIC, Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP), and so forth.

[0126] In particular embodiments, wireless device 1100 may provide an output of data captured via a sensor, through its communication interface 1112, via a wireless connection to a network node, and / or in any appropriate manner. Data captured by sensors of a wireless device 1100 can be communicated through a wireless connection to a network node via another wireless device 1100. In particular embodiments, such output may be periodic (e.g., once every 15 minutes if it reports the sensed temperature), random (e.g., to even out the load from reporting from several sensors), in response to a triggering event (e.g., when moisture is detected an alert is sent), in response to a request (e.g., a user initiated request), or a continuous stream (e.g., a live video feed of a patient).

[0127] As another example, wireless device 1100 comprises an actuator, a motor, or a switch, related to a communication interface configured to receive wireless input from a network node via a wireless connection. In response to the received wireless input the states of the actuator, the motor, or the switch may change. For example, wireless device 1100 may comprise a motor thatadjusts the control surfaces or rotors of a drone in flight according to the received input or to a robotic arm performing a medical procedure according to the received input.

[0128] Wireless device 1100, when in the form of an Internet of Things (loT) device, may be a device for use in one or more application domains, these domains comprising, but not limited to, wearable technology, extended industrial application and healthcare. Non-limiting examples of such an loT device are a device which is or which is embedded in: a connected refrigerator or freezer, a TV, a connected lighting device, an electricity meter, a robot vacuum cleaner, a voice controlled smart speaker, a home security camera, a motion detector, a thermostat, a smoke detector, a door / window sensor, a flood / moisture sensor, an electrical door lock, a connected doorbell, an air conditioning system like a heat pump, an autonomous vehicle, a surveillance system, a weather monitoring device, a vehicle parking monitoring device, an electric vehicle charging station, a smart watch, a fitness tracker, a wearable for tactile augmentation or sensory enhancement, a water sprinkler, an animal- or item-tracking device, a sensor for monitoring a plant or animal, an industrial robot, an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV), and any kind of medical device, like a heart rate monitor or a remote controlled surgical robot. In particular embodiments, wireless device 1100 represents an loT device that comprises circuitry and / or software in dependence of the intended application of the loT device in addition to other components as described in relation to the example embodiment of wireless device 1100 shown in Figure 11.

[0129] As yet another specific example, in an loT scenario, wireless device 1100 may represent a machine or other device that performs monitoring and / or measurements, and transmits the results of such monitoring and / or measurements to another wireless device and / or a network node. Wireless device 1100 may in this case be an M2M device, which may in a 3GPP context be referred to as an MTC device. As one particular example, wireless device 1100 may implement the 3GPP NB-IoT standard. In other scenarios, wireless device 1100 may represent a vehicle, such as a car, a bus, a truck, a ship and an airplane, or other equipment that is capable of monitoring and / or reporting on its operational status or other functions associated with its operation.

[0130] In practice, any number of wireless devices 1100 may be used together with respect to a single use case. For example, a first wireless device 1100 might be or be integrated in a drone and provide the drone’s speed information (obtained through a speed sensor) to a second wireless device 1100 that is a remote controller operating the drone. When a user makes changes from the remote controller, the first wireless device 1100 may adjust the throttle on the drone (e.g., by controlling an actuator) to increase or decrease the drone’s speed. The first and / or the second wireless device 1100 can also include more than one of the functionalities described above. Forexample, wireless device 1100 might comprise the sensor and the actuator, and handle communication of data for both the speed sensor and the actuators.

[0131] Figure 12 shows a network node 1200 in accordance with some embodiments. As used herein, network node refers to equipment capable, configured, arranged and / or operable to communicate directly or indirectly with a UE and / or with other network nodes or equipment, in a telecommunications network. In accordance with respective embodiments, network node 1200 may be configured to operate in communication system 900 of Figure 9, like network nodes 908 or 910, or in communication system 1000 of Figure 10, like an AP 1010 or a station 1012. Examples of network nodes include, but are not limited to, access points (APs) (e.g., radio access points), base stations (BSs) (e.g., radio base stations, Node Bs, evolved Node Bs (eNBs) and NR NodeBs (gNBs)), O-RAN nodes or components of an O-RAN node (e.g., O-RU, O-DU, O-CU).

[0132] Network nodes 1200 may be categorized based on the amount of coverage they provide (or, stated differently, their transmit power level) and so, depending on the provided amount of coverage, may be referred to as femto base stations, pico base stations, micro base stations, or macro base stations. Network node 1200 may be a relay node or a relay donor node controlling a relay. Network nodes 1200 may also include one or more (or all) parts of a distributed radio base station such as centralized digital units, distributed units (e.g., in an O-RAN access node) and / or remote radio units (RRUs), sometimes referred to as Remote Radio Heads (RRHs). Such remote radio units may or may not be integrated with an antenna as an antenna integrated radio. Parts of a distributed radio base station may also be referred to as nodes in a distributed antenna system (DAS).

[0133] Other examples of network nodes 1200 include multiple transmission point (multi-TRP) 5G access nodes, multi-standard radio (MSR) equipment such as MSR BSs, network controllers such as radio network controllers (RNCs) or base station controllers (BSCs), base transceiver stations (BTSs), transmission points, transmission nodes, multi-cell / multicast coordination entities (MCEs), Operation and Maintenance (O&M) nodes, Operations Support System (OSS) nodes, Self-Organizing Network (SON) nodes, positioning nodes (e.g., Evolved Serving Mobile Location Centers (E-SMLCs)), and / or Minimization of Drive Tests (MDTs).

[0134] In particular embodiments, network node 1200 includes a processing circuitry 1202, a memory 1204, a communication interface 1206, and a power source 1208. In general, in a particular embodiment of network node 1200, processing circuitry 1202, memory 1204, communication interface 1206, and power source 1208 may, in whole or in part, represent or include physical components common to or shared by one or more of the other elements of network node 1200.

[0135] The network node 1200 may be composed of multiple distinct network entities (e.g., a NodeB entity and a RNC entity, or a BTS entity and a BSC entity, etc.), which may each have or utilize their own respective physical components. In certain scenarios in which the network node 1200 comprises multiple such entities (e.g., BTS and BSC), one or more of the separate entities may be shared among several network nodes. For example, a single RNC may control multiple NodeBs. In such a scenario, each unique NodeB and RNC pair, may in some instances be considered a single separate network node. In some embodiments, the network node 1200 may be configured to support multiple radio access technologies (RATs). In such embodiments, some components may be duplicated (e.g., separate memories 1204 or portions of memory 1204 for different RATs) and some components may be reused (e.g., a same antenna 1210 may be shared by different RATs). The network node 1200 may also include multiple sets of the various illustrated components for different wireless technologies integrated into network node 1200, for example GSM, WCDMA, LTE, NR, Wi-Fi (e.g., according to an IEEE 802.11 family standard), Zigbee, Z-wave, LoRaWAN, Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) or Bluetooth wireless technologies. These wireless technologies may be integrated into the same or different chip or set of chips and other components within network node 1200.

[0136] The processing circuitry 1202 may comprise a combination of one or more of a microprocessor, controller, microcontroller, central processing unit, digital signal processor, application- specific integrated circuit, field programmable gate array, or any other suitable computing device, resource, or combination of hardware, software and / or encoded logic operable to provide, either alone or in conjunction with other components, such as the memory 1204, to provide network node 1200 functionality.

[0137] In some embodiments, the processing circuitry 1202 includes a system on a chip (SOC). In some embodiments, the processing circuitry 1202 includes one or more of radio frequency (RF) transceiver circuitry 1212 and baseband processing circuitry 1214. In some embodiments, the RF transceiver circuitry 1212 and the baseband processing circuitry 1214 may be on separate chips (or sets of chips), boards, or units, such as radio units and digital units. In alternative embodiments, part or all of RF transceiver circuitry 1212 and baseband processing circuitry 1214 may be on the same chip or set of chips, boards, or units.

[0138] The memory 1204 may comprise any form of volatile or non-volatile computer-readable memory including, without limitation, persistent storage, solid-state memory, remotely mounted memory, magnetic media, optical media, random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), mass storage media (for example, a hard disk), removable storage media (for example, a flash drive, a Compact Disk (CD) or a Digital Video Disk (DVD)), and / or any othervolatile or non-volatile, non-transitory device-readable and / or computer-executable memory devices that store information, data, and / or instructions that may be used by the processing circuitry 1202. The memory 1204 may store any suitable instructions, data, or information, including a computer program, software, an application including one or more of logic, rules, code, tables, and / or other instructions capable of being executed by the processing circuitry 1202 and utilized by the network node 1200. The memory 1204 may be used to store any calculations made by the processing circuitry 1202 and / or any data received via the communication interface 1206. In some embodiments, the processing circuitry 1202 and memory 1204 is integrated.

[0139] The communication interface 1206 is used in wired or wireless communication of signaling and / or data with UEs, other network nodes, and / or any other network equipment. In the illustrated embodiment, communication interface 1206 comprises port(s) / terminal(s) 1216 to send and receive data, for example to and from a network over a wired connection. In particular embodiments, network node 1100 may be capable of wireless communication and communication interface 1206 may also include radio front-end circuitry 1218 that may be coupled to, or in certain embodiments a part of, an antenna 1210. Particular embodiments of radio front-end circuitry 1218 include filter(s) 1220 and amplifier(s) 1222. The radio front-end circuitry 1218 may be connected to an antenna 1210 and processing circuitry 1202. The radio front-end circuitry may be configured to condition signals communicated between antenna 1210 and processing circuitry 1202. The radio front-end circuitry 1218 may receive digital data that is to be sent out to other network nodes or UEs via a wireless connection. The radio front-end circuitry 1218 may convert the digital data into a radio signal(s) having the appropriate channel and bandwidth parameters using a combination of filters 1220 and / or amplifiers 1222. The radio signal(s) may then be transmitted via the antenna 1210. Similarly, when receiving data, the antenna 1210 may collect radio signals which are then converted into digital data by the radio front-end circuitry 1218. The digital data may be passed to the processing circuitry 1202. In other embodiments, the communication interface may comprise different components and / or different combinations of components.

[0140] In certain alternative embodiments, network node 1200 may be capable of wireless communication but does not include separate radio front-end circuitry 1218, instead, the processing circuitry 1202 includes radio front-end circuitry and is connected to the antenna 1210. Similarly, in some embodiments, all or some of the RF transceiver circuitry 1212 is part of the communication interface 1206. In still other embodiments, the communication interface 1206 includes one or more ports or terminals 1216, the radio front-end circuitry 1218, and the RF transceiver circuitry 1212, as part of a radio unit (not shown), and the communication interface1206 communicates with the baseband processing circuitry 1214, which is part of a digital unit (not shown).

[0141] The antenna 1210 may include one or more antennas, or antenna arrays, configured to send and / or receive wireless signals. The antenna 1210 may be coupled to the radio front-end circuitry 1218 and may be any type of antenna capable of transmitting and receiving data and / or signals wirelessly. In certain embodiments, the antenna 1210 is separate from the network node 1200 and connectable to the network node 1200 through one or more interfaces or ports.

[0142] The antenna 1210, communication interface 1206, and / or the processing circuitry 1202 may be configured to perform some or all of the receiving operations and / or obtaining operations described herein as being performed by the network node 1200. Any information, data, and / or signals may be received from a UE, another network node, and / or any other network equipment. Similarly, the antenna 1210, the communication interface 1206, and / or the processing circuitry 1202 may be configured to perform some or all of the transmitting or sending operations described herein as being performed by the network node 1200. Any information, data and / or signals may be transmitted to a UE, another network node, and / or any other network equipment.

[0143] The power source 1208 provides power to the various components of network node 1200 in a form suitable for the respective components (e.g., at a voltage and current level needed for each respective component). The power source 1208 may further comprise, or be coupled to, power management circuitry to supply the components of the network node 1200 with power for performing the functionality described herein. For example, the network node 1200 may be connectable to an external power source (e.g., the power grid, an electricity outlet) via an input circuitry or interface such as an electrical cable, whereby the external power source supplies power to power circuitry of the power source 1208. As a further example, the power source 1208 may comprise a source of power in the form of a battery or battery pack which is connected to, or integrated in, power circuitry. The battery may provide backup power should the external power source fail.

[0144] Embodiments of the network node 1200 may include additional components beyond those shown in Figure 12 for providing certain aspects of the network node’s functionality, including any of the functionality described herein and / or any functionality necessary to support the subject matter described herein. For example, the network node 1200 may include user interface equipment to allow input of information into the network node 1200 and to allow output of information from the network node 1200. This may allow a user to perform diagnostic, maintenance, repair, and other administrative functions for the network node 1200.

[0145] Figure 13 is a block diagram illustrating a virtualization environment 1300 in which functions implemented by some embodiments may be virtualized. In the present context, virtualizing means creating virtual versions of apparatuses or devices which may include virtualizing hardware platforms, storage devices and networking resources. As used herein, virtualization can be applied to any device described herein, or components thereof, and relates to an implementation in which at least a portion of the functionality is implemented as one or more virtual components. Some or all of the functions described herein may be implemented as virtual components executed by one or more virtual machines (VMs) implemented in one or more virtual environments 1300 hosted by one or more of hardware nodes, such as a hardware computing device that operates as an access network node, UE, core network node, or host. Further, in embodiments in which a virtual node does not require radio connectivity (e.g., a core network node or host), then the node may be entirely virtualized. In some embodiments, the virtualization environment 1300 includes components defined by the O-RAN Alliance, such as an O-Cloud environment orchestrated by a Service Management and Orchestration Framework via an O-2 interface.

[0146] Applications 1302 (which may alternatively be called software instances, virtual appliances, network functions, virtual nodes, virtual network functions, etc.) are run in the virtualization environment 1200 to implement some of the features, functions, and / or benefits of some of the embodiments disclosed herein.

[0147] Hardware 1304 includes processing circuitry, memory that stores software and / or instructions executable by hardware processing circuitry, and / or other hardware devices as described herein, such as a network interface, input / output interface, and so forth. Software may be executed by the processing circuitry to instantiate one or more virtualization layers 1306 (also referred to as hypervisors or virtual machine monitors (VMMs)), provide VM 1308 A and VM 1308B (which may be collectively referred to as VMs 1308), and / or perform any of the functions, features and / or benefits described in relation with some embodiments described herein. The virtualization layer 1306 may present a virtual operating platform that appears like networking hardware to one or more of the VMs 1308.

[0148] The VMs 1308 comprise virtual processing, virtual memory, virtual networking or interface and virtual storage, and may be run by virtualization layer 1306. Different embodiments of the instance of a virtual appliance 1302 may be implemented on one or more of VMs 1308, and the implementations may be made in different ways. Virtualization of the hardware is in some contexts referred to as network function virtualization (NFV). NFV may be used to consolidate many network equipment types onto industry standard high volume server hardware, physicalswitches, and physical storage, which can be located in data centers, and customer premise equipment.

[0149] In the context of NFV, each of the VMs 1308 may be a software implementation of a physical machine that runs programs as if they were executing on a physical, non-virtualized machine. Each of the VMs 1308, and that part of hardware 1304 that executes that VM, be it hardware dedicated to that VM and / or hardware shared by that VM with others of the VMs, forms separate virtual network elements. Still in the context of NFV, a virtual network function is responsible for handling specific network functions that run in one or more of the VMs 1308 on top of the hardware 1304 and corresponds to an application 1302.

[0150] Hardware 1304 may be implemented in a standalone network node with generic or specific components. Hardware 1304 may implement some functions via virtualization. Alternatively, hardware 1304 may be part of a larger cluster of hardware (e.g., such as in a data center or CPE) where many hardware nodes work together and are managed via management and orchestration 1310, which, among others, oversees lifecycle management of applications 1302. In some embodiments, hardware 1304 is coupled to one or more radio units that each include one or more transmitters and one or more receivers that may be coupled to one or more antennas. Radio units may communicate directly with other hardware nodes via one or more appropriate network interfaces and may be used in combination with the virtual components to provide a virtual node with radio capabilities, such as a radio access node or a base station. In some embodiments, some signaling can be provided with the use of a control system 1312 which may alternatively be used for communication between hardware nodes and radio units.

[0151] Although the computing devices described herein (e.g., UEs, network nodes, hosts) may include the illustrated combination of hardware components, other embodiments may comprise computing devices with different combinations of components. It is to be understood that these computing devices may comprise any suitable combination of hardware and / or software needed to perform the tasks, features, functions, and methods disclosed herein. Determining, calculating, obtaining or similar operations described herein may be performed by processing circuitry, which may process information by, for example, converting the obtained information into other information, comparing the obtained information or converted information to information stored in the network node, and / or performing one or more operations based on the obtained information or converted information, and as a result of said processing making a determination. Moreover, while components are depicted as single boxes located within a larger box, or nested within multiple boxes, in practice, computing devices may comprise multiple different physical components that make up a single illustrated component, and functionality maybe partitioned between separate components. For example, a communication interface may be configured to include any of the components described herein, and / or the functionality of the components may be partitioned between the processing circuitry and the communication interface. In another example, non-computationally intensive functions of any of such components may be implemented in software or firmware and computationally intensive functions may be implemented in hardware.

[0152] In certain embodiments, some or all of the functionality described herein may be provided by processing circuitry executing instructions stored on in memory, which in certain embodiments may be a computer program product in the form of a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium. In alternative embodiments, some or all of the functionality may be provided by the processing circuitry without executing instructions stored on a separate or discrete device-readable storage medium, such as in a hard-wired manner. In any of those particular embodiments, whether executing instructions stored on a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium or not, the processing circuitry can be configured to perform the described functionality. The benefits provided by such functionality are not limited to the processing circuitry alone or to other components of the computing device, but are enjoyed by the computing device as a whole, and / or by end users and a wireless network generally.

[0153] Those skilled in the art will recognize improvements and modifications to the embodiments of the present disclosure. All such improvements and modifications are considered within the scope of the concepts disclosed herein.

[0154] EMBODIMENTS

[0155] Group A Embodiments

[0156] Embodiment 1: A method performed by a wireless device for Channel State Information, CSI, buffering, the method comprising one or more of: receiving (700) configuration of one or more periodic resources from a network node; receiving (702) a first signal indicating to start measurement and / or computation of one or more CSI reporting quantities based on the one or more periodic resources; determining (704) a CSI buffering duration of finite number of slots / symbols associated with a first CSI-RS occasion(s) of the one or more periodic resources that occur(s) after receiving the first signal; and buffering (706) CSI related information in the periodically repeating CSI buffer durations wherein the CSI related information is based on the CSI-RS occasion(s) associated with the periodically repeating CSI buffer durations.

[0157] Embodiment 2: The method of embodiment 1 wherein the one or more periodic resources comprise one or more periodic NZP CSI-RS resources.

[0158] Embodiment 3: The method of any of the previous embodiments wherein the first signal is different from a second signal received from the network node that indicates uplink resources for carrying one or more CSI reports comprising the one or more CSI reporting quantities.

[0159] Embodiment 4: The method of any of the previous embodiments wherein the CSI buffering duration periodically repeating and are associated with subsequent CSI-RS occasion(s) of the one or more periodic resources until a last CSI-RS occasion(s) of the one or more periodic resources.

[0160] Embodiment 5: The method of any of the previous embodiments wherein the periodically repeating CSI buffer durations are preceded by periodically repeating active resource counting durations.

[0161] Embodiment 6: The method of any of the previous embodiments wherein when the UE performs channel measurements on the CSI-RS occasion(s) associated with the periodically repeating CSI buffer durations in the preceding periodically repeating active resource counting durations, the CSI related information are the channel measurements.

[0162] Embodiment 7: The method of any of the previous embodiments wherein when the UE performs CSI computations of the one or more CSI reporting quantities based on channel measurements on the CSI-RS occasion(s) associated with the periodically repeating CSI buffer durations in the preceding periodically repeating active resource counting durations, the CSI related information buffered are the computed one or more CSI reporting quantities.

[0163] Embodiment 8: The method of any of the previous embodiments wherein the first signal is a CSI measurement start trigger which may be a downlink related DCI or a downlink MAC CE.

[0164] Embodiment 9: The method of any of the previous embodiments wherein the second signal is an uplink related DCI providing UL resources for carrying the one or more CSI reports.

[0165] Embodiment 10: The method of any of the previous embodiments wherein the second signal is a MAC CE that provides UL resources for carrying the one or more CSI reports.

[0166] Embodiment 11 : The method of any of the previous embodiments wherein the second signal is a configured grant that provides UL resources for carrying the one or more CSI reports wherein the second signal is based on a RRC message.

[0167] Embodiment 12: The method of any of the previous embodiments wherein the second signal is a CSI reporting trigger.

[0168] Embodiment 13: The method of any of the previous embodiments wherein the one or more CSI reports are reported using the UL resources provided.

[0169] Embodiment 14: The method of any of the previous embodiments wherein information on the last CSI-RS occasion(s) of the one or more periodic NZP CSI-RS resources is provided by a third signal different from the first signal and the second signal.

[0170] Embodiment 15: The method of any of the previous embodiments wherein the third signal is a CSI measurement stop trigger.

[0171] Embodiment 16: The method of any of the previous embodiments wherein information on the last CSI-RS occasion(s) of the one or more periodic NZP CSI-RS resources is provided by the first signal.

[0172] Embodiment 17: The method of any of the previous embodiments wherein the CSI measurement start trigger indicates information such as NZP CSI-RS resource identifier, the periodicity P_0 of the periodic NZP CSI-RS resource, the slots and / or slots in which the periodic NZP CSI-RS resource occurs.

[0173] Embodiment 18: The method of any of the previous embodiments wherein the CSI measurement start trigger is different from a CSI report trigger which triggers the CSI report.

[0174] Embodiment 19: The method of any of the previous embodiments wherein one CBU can be used to buffer CSI related information of both CSI-RS 1 and CSI-RS 2 in a time multiplexed fashion.

[0175] Embodiment 20: The method of any of the previous embodiments, further comprising: providing user data; and forwarding the user data to a host via the transmission to the network node.

[0176] Group B Embodiments

[0177] Embodiment 21 : A method performed by a network node, the method comprising one or more of: transmitting (800), to a wireless device, configuration of one or more periodic resources; transmitting (802), to the wireless device, a first signal indicating to start measurement and / or computation of one or more CSI reporting quantities based on the one or more periodic resources; determining (804) a CSI buffering duration of finite number of slots / symbols; and receiving (806) buffered CSI related information.

[0178] Embodiment 22: The method of the previous embodiment further comprising any features from Group A Embodiments.

[0179] Embodiment 23: The method of any of the previous embodiments, further comprising: obtaining user data; and forwarding the user data to a host or a user equipment.

[0180] Group C Embodiments

[0181] Embodiment 24: A wireless device, comprising: processing circuitry configured to perform any of the operations of any of the Group A embodiments; and a power source configured to supply power to the processing circuitry.

[0182] Embodiment 25: A network node, the network node comprising: processing circuitry configured to perform any of the operations of any of the Group B embodiments; a power source circuitry configured to supply power to the processing circuitry.

[0183] Embodiment 26: A wireless device, the wireless device comprising: one or more antennas; communication interface connected to the one or more antennas and to processing circuitry; the processing circuitry being configured to perform any of the operations of any of the Group A embodiments; an input interface connected to the processing circuitry and configured to allow input of information into the UE to be processed by the processing circuitry; an output interface connected to the processing circuitry and configured to output information from the UE that has been processed by the processing circuitry; and a power source connected to the processing circuitry and configured to supply power to the UE.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A method performed by a wireless device for Channel State Information, CSI, buffering, the method comprising:receiving (700) configuration of one or more periodic resources from a network node; receiving (702) a first signal indicating to start measurement and / or computation of one or more CSI reporting quantities based on the one or more periodic resources;determining (704) a CSI buffering duration of finite number of slots / symbols associated with a first CSI-RS occasion of the one or more periodic resources that occur after receiving the first signal; andbuffering (706) CSI related information in the CSI buffering durations wherein the CSI related information is based on the CSI-RS occasion(s) associated with the periodically repeating CSI buffer durations.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the one or more periodic resources comprise one or more periodic NZP CSI-RS resources.

3. The method of any of claims 1-2 wherein the first signal is different from a second signal received from the network node that indicates uplink resources for carrying one or more CSI reports comprising the one or more CSI reporting quantities.

4. The method of any of claims 1-3 wherein the CSI buffering duration are associated with subsequent CSI-RS occasion(s) of the one or more periodic resources until a last CSI-RS occasion(s) of the one or more periodic resources.

5. The method of any of claims 1-4 wherein the periodically repeating CSI buffer durations are preceded by periodically repeating active resource counting durations.

6. The method of claim 5 wherein when the wireless device performs channel measurements on the CSI-RS occasion(s) associated with the periodically repeating CSI buffer durations in the preceding periodically repeating active resource counting durations, the CSI related information are the channel measurements.

7. The method of any of claims 1-6 wherein when the wireless device performs CSIcomputations of the one or more CSI reporting quantities based on channel measurements on the CSI-RS occasion(s) associated with the periodically repeating CSI buffer durations in the preceding periodically repeating active resource counting durations, the CSI related information buffered are the computed one or more CSI reporting quantities.

8. The method of any of claims 1-7 wherein the first signal is a CSI measurement start trigger which may be a downlink related DCI or a downlink MAC CE.

9. The method of any of claims 1-8 wherein the second signal is an uplink related DCI providing UL resources for carrying the one or more CSI reports.

10. The method of any of claims 1-9 wherein the second signal is a MAC CE that provides UL resources for carrying the one or more CSI reports.

11. The method of any of claims 1-10 wherein the second signal is a configured grant that provides UL resources for carrying the one or more CSI reports wherein the second signal is based on a Radio Resource Control, RRC, message.

12. The method of any of claims 1-11 wherein the second signal is a CSI reporting trigger.

13. The method of any of claims 1-12 wherein the one or more CSI reports are reported using the UL resources provided.

14. The method of any of claims 2-13 wherein information on the last CSLRS occasion(s) of the one or more periodic NZP CSI-RS resources is provided by a third signal different from the first signal and the second signal.

15. The method of any of claims 1-14 wherein the third signal is a CSI measurement stop trigger.

16. The method of any of claims 1-15 wherein information on the last CSI-RS occasion(s) of the one or more periodic NZP CSI-RS resources is provided by the first signal.

17. The method of any of claims 1-16 wherein the CSI measurement start trigger indicatesinformation such as NZP CSI-RS resource identifier, the periodicity Poof the periodic NZP CSI-RS resource, the slots and / or symbols in which the periodic NZP CSI-RS resource occurs.

18. The method of any of claims 1-17 wherein the CSI measurement start trigger is different from a CSI report trigger which triggers the CSI report.

19. The method of any of claims 1-18 wherein one CSI Buffering Unit, CBU, can be used to buffer CSI related information of both CSI-RS 1 and CSI-RS 2 in a time multiplexed fashion.

20. A method performed by a network node, the method comprising:transmitting (800), to a wireless device, configuration of one or more periodic resources; transmitting (802), to the wireless device, a first signal indicating to start measurement and / or computation of one or more Channel State Information, CSI, reporting quantities based on the one or more periodic resources;determining (804) a CSI buffering duration of finite number of slots / symbols; and receiving (806) buffered CSI related information.

21. A wireless device, comprising:processing circuitry configured to perform:receive configuration of one or more periodic resources from a network node; receive a first signal indicating to start measurement and / or computation of one or more Channel State Information, CSI, reporting quantities based on the one or more periodic resources;determine a CSI buffering duration of finite number of slots / symbols associated with a first CSI-RS occasion(s) of the one or more periodic resources that occur(s) after receiving the first signal; andbuffer CSI related information in the periodically repeating CSI buffer durations wherein the CSI related information is based on the CSI-RS occasion(s) associated with the periodically repeating CSI buffer durations; anda power source configured to supply power to the processing circuitry.

22. A network node, the network node comprising:processing circuitry configured to perform:transmit, to a wireless device, configuration of one or more periodic resources;transmit, to the wireless device, a first signal indicating to start measurement and / or computation of one or more Channel State Information, CSI, reporting quantities based on the one or more periodic resources;determine a CSI buffering duration of finite number of slots / symbols; and receive buffered CSI related information; anda power source circuitry configured to supply power to the processing circuitry.

23. A wireless device, the wireless device comprising:one or more antennas;communication interface connected to the one or more antennas and to processing circuitry;the processing circuitry being configured to perform:receive configuration of one or more periodic resources from a network node; receive a first signal indicating to start measurement and / or computation of one or more Channel State Information, CSI, reporting quantities based on the one or more periodic resources;determine a CSI buffering duration of finite number of slots / symbols associated with a first CSI-RS occasion(s) of the one or more periodic resources that occur(s) after receiving the first signal; andbuffer CSI related information in the periodically repeating CSI buffer durations wherein the CSI related information is based on the CSI-RS occasion(s) associated with the periodically repeating CSI buffer durations;an input interface connected to the processing circuitry and configured to allow input of information into the wireless device to be processed by the processing circuitry;an output interface connected to the processing circuitry and configured to output information from the wireless device that has been processed by the processing circuitry; and a power source connected to the processing circuitry and configured to supply power to the UE.

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