Mechanism for reference signal switching based on time offset indication

Abstract

Example embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to methods, devices, apparatuses and computer readable storage medium for reference signal switching based on time offset indication In a method, a first apparatus transmits, to a second apparatus, capability information of the first apparatus indicating at least one switching time offset value for switching between a pair of downlink reference signal configurations. The pair of downlink reference signal configurations includes a first downlink reference signal configuration and a second downlink reference signal configuration. The first apparatus receives, from the second apparatus, the pair of downlink reference signal configurations associated with the at least one switching time offset value.

Description

MECHANISM FOR REFERENCE SIGNAL SWITCHING BASED ON TIME OFFSET INDICATIONCROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application claims the benefit of EP application No. 25163844.1, filed March 14, 2025. The content of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.FIELD

[0002] Various example embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to the field of telecommunication and in particular, to methods, devices, apparatuses and computer readable storage medium for reference signal switching based on time offset indication.BACKGROUND

[0003] In a communication network, reference signals may be used to assist in various transmission and reception processes, including channel estimation, synchronization, signal demodulation, and the like. In this case, efficient management of reference signal configurations may help optimize network performance and improve the accuracy of signal processing. Therefore, it is worth exploring enhancements to reference signal handling to support more flexible and adaptive communication strategies.SUMMARY

[0004] In a first aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a first apparatus. The first apparatus comprises at least one processor; and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the first apparatus to: transmit, to a second apparatus, capability information of the first apparatus indicating at least one switching time offset value for switching between a pair of downlink reference signal configurations, wherein the pair of downlink reference signal configurations comprises a first downlink reference signal configuration and a second downlink reference signal configuration; and receive, from the second apparatus, the pair of downlink reference signal configurations associated with the at least one switching time offset value.

[0005] In a second aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a second apparatus. The second apparatus comprises at least one processor; and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the second apparatus to: receive, from a first apparatus, capability information of the first apparatus indicating at least one switching time offset value for switching between a pair of downlink reference signal configurations, wherein the pair of downlink reference signal configurations comprises a first downlink reference signal configuration and a second downlink reference signal configuration; and transmit, to the first apparatus, the pair of downlink reference signal configurations associated with the at least one switching time offset value.

[0006] In a third aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a method. The method comprises: transmitting, to a second apparatus, capability information of the first apparatus indicating at least one switching time offset value for switching between a pair of downlink reference signal configurations, wherein the pair of downlink reference signal configurations comprises a first downlink reference signal configuration and a second downlink reference signal configuration; and receiving, from the second apparatus, the pair of downlink reference signal configurations associated with the at least one switching time offset value.

[0007] In a fourth aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a method. The method comprises: receiving, from a first apparatus, capability information of the first apparatus indicating at least one switching time offset value for switching between a pair of downlink reference signal configurations, wherein the pair of downlink reference signal configurations comprises a first downlink reference signal configuration and a second downlink reference signal configuration; and transmitting, to the first apparatus, the pair of downlink reference signal configurations associated with the at least one switching time offset value.

[0008] In a fifth aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a first apparatus. The first apparatus comprises means for transmitting, to a second apparatus, capability information of the first apparatus indicating at least one switching time offset value for switching between a pair of downlink reference signal configurations, wherein the pair of downlink reference signal configurations comprises a first downlink reference signal configuration and a second downlink reference signal configuration; and means for receiving, from the second apparatus, the pair of downlink reference signal configurations associated with the at least one switching time offset value.

[0009] In a sixth aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a second apparatus. The second apparatus comprises means for receiving, from a first apparatus, capability information of the first apparatus indicating at least one switching time offset value for switching between a pairof downlink reference signal configurations, wherein the pair of downlink reference signal configurations comprises a first downlink reference signal configuration and a second downlink reference signal configuration; and means for transmitting, to the first apparatus, the pair of downlink reference signal configurations associated with the at least one switching time offset value.

[0010] In a seventh aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a computer readable medium. The computer readable medium comprises instructions stored thereon for causing an apparatus to perform at least the method according to the third aspect.

[0011] In an eighth aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a computer readable medium. The computer readable medium comprises instructions stored thereon for causing an apparatus to perform at least the method according to the fourth aspect.

[0012] It is to be understood that the Summary section is not intended to identify key or essential features of embodiments of the present disclosure, nor is it intended to be used to limit the scope of the present disclosure. Other features of the present disclosure will become easily comprehensible through the following description.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] Some example embodiments will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, where:

[0014] FIG. 1 illustrates an example communication environment in which example embodiments of the present disclosure can be implemented;

[0015] FIG. 2 illustrates an example signaling flow of communications between a first apparatus and a second apparatus in accordance with some example embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0016] FIG. 3 illustrates another example signaling flow of communications between a first apparatus and a second apparatus in accordance with some example embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0017] FIG. 4 illustrates a further example signaling flow of communications between a first apparatus and a second apparatus in accordance with some example embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0018] FIG. 5 illustrates an example signaling flow of time offset value capability signaling for switching between different demodulation reference signal (DMRS) configurations in accordancewith some example embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0019] FIG. 6 illustrates another example signaling flow of enhanced time offset value capability signaling for switching between different DMRS configurations in accordance with some example embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0020] FIG. 7 illustrates a flowchart of a method implemented at a first apparatus in accordance with some example embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0021] FIG. 8 illustrates a flowchart of a method implemented at a second apparatus in accordance with some example embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0022] FIG. 9 illustrates a flowchart of a method implemented at a first apparatus in accordance with some example embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0023] FIG. 10 illustrates a flowchart of a method implemented at a second apparatus in accordance with some example embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0024] FIG. 11 illustrates a flowchart of a method implemented at a first apparatus in accordance with some example embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0025] FIG. 12 illustrates a flowchart of a method implemented at a second apparatus in accordance with some example embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0026] FIG. 13 illustrates a simplified block diagram of a device that is suitable for implementing example embodiments of the present disclosure; and

[0027] FIG. 14 illustrates a block diagram of an example computer readable medium in accordance with some example embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0028] Throughout the drawings, the same or similar reference numerals represent the same or similar element.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0029] Principle of the present disclosure will now be described with reference to some example embodiments. It is to be understood that these embodiments are described only for the purpose of illustration and help those skilled in the art to understand and implement the present disclosure, without suggesting any limitation as to the scope of the disclosure. Embodiments described herein can be implemented in various manners other than the ones described below.

[0030] In the following description and claims, unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skills in the art to which this disclosure belongs.

[0031] References in the present disclosure to "one embodiment,” "an embodiment,” "an example embodiment,” and the like indicate that the embodiment described may include a particular feature, structure, or characteristic, but it is not necessary that every embodiment includes the particular feature, structure, or characteristic. Moreover, such phrases are not necessarily referring to the same embodiment. Further, when a particular feature, structure, or characteristic is described in connection with an embodiment, it is submitted that it is within the knowledge of one skilled in the art to affect such feature, structure, or characteristic in connection with other embodiments whether or not explicitly described.

[0032] It shall be understood that although the terms "first,” "second,”... , etc. in front of noun(s) and the like may be used herein to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element from another and they do not limit the order of the noun(s). For example, a first element could be termed a second element, and similarly, a second element could be termed a first element, without departing from the scope of example embodiments. As used herein, the term "and / or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the listed terms.

[0033] As used herein, "at least one of the following: ” and "at least one of ” and similar wording, where the list of two or more elements are joined by "and” or "or”, mean at least any one of the elements, or at least any two or more of the elements, or at least all the elements.

[0034] As used herein, unless stated explicitly, performing a step "in response to A” does not indicate that the step is performed immediately after "A” occurs and one or more intervening steps may be included.

[0035] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of example embodiments. As used herein, the singular forms "a”, "an” and "the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms "comprises”, "comprising”, "has”, "having”, "includes” and / or "including”, when used herein, specify the presence of stated features, elements, and / or components etc., but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, elements, components and / or combinations thereof.

[0036] As used in this application, the term "circuitry” may refer to one or more or all of the following:(a) hardware-only circuit implementations (such as implementations in only analog and / or digital circuitry) and(b) combinations of hardware circuits and software, such as (as applicable):(I) a combination of analog and / or digital hardware circuit(s) with software / firmware and(ii) any portions of hardware processor(s) with software (including digital signal processor(s)), software, and memory(ies) that work together to cause an apparatus, such as a mobile phone or server, to perform various functions) and (c) hardware circuit(s) and or processor(s), such as a microprocessor(s) or a portion of a microprocessor(s), that requires software (e.g., firmware) for operation, but the software may not be present when it is not needed for operation.

[0037] This definition of circuitry applies to all uses of this term in this application, including in any claims. As a further example, as used in this application, the term circuitry also covers an implementation of merely a hardware circuit or processor (or multiple processors) or portion of a hardware circuit or processor and its (or their) accompanying software and / or firmware. The term circuitry also covers, for example and if applicable to the particular claim element, a baseband integrated circuit or processor integrated circuit for a mobile device or a similar integrated circuit in server, a cellular network device, or other computing or network device.

[0038] As used herein, the term "communication network” refers to a network following any suitable communication standards, such as New Radio (NR), Long Term Evolution (LTE), LTE-Advanced (LTE-A), Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA), High-Speed Packet Access (HSPA), Narrow Band Internet of Things (NB-loT) and so on. Furthermore, the communications between a terminal device and a network device in the communication network may be performed according to any suitable generation communication protocols, including, but not limited to, the first generation (1G), the second generation (2G), 2.5G, 2.75G, the third generation (3G), the fourth generation (4G), 4.5G, the fifth generation (5G), 5.5G, the sixth generation (6G) communication protocols, and / or any other protocols either currently known or to be developed in the future. Embodiments of the present disclosure may be applied in various communication systems. Given the rapid development in communications, there will of course alsobe future type communication technologies and systems with which the present disclosure may be embodied. It should not be seen as limiting the scope of the present disclosure to only the aforementioned system.

[0039] As used herein, the term "network device” refers to a node in a communication network via which a terminal device accesses the network and receives services therefrom. The network device may refer to a base station (BS) or an access point (AP), for example, a node B (NodeB or N B), an evolved NodeB (eNodeB or eNB), an NR NB (also referred to as a gNB), a Remote Radio Unit (RRU), a radio header (RH), a remote radio head (RRH), a relay, an Integrated Access and Backhaul (IAB) node, a low power node such as a femto, a pico, a non-terrestrial network (NTN) or non-ground network device such as a satellite network device, a low earth orbit (LEO) satellite and a geosynchronous earth orbit (GEO) satellite, an aircraft network device, and so forth, depending on the applied terminology and technology. In some example embodiments, radio access network (RAN) split architecture comprises a Centralized Unit (CU) and a Distributed Unit (DU) at an IAB donor node. An IAB node comprises a Mobile Terminal (IAB-MT) part that behaves like a UE toward the parent node, and a DU part of an IAB node behaves like a base station toward the next-hop IAB node.

[0040] The term "terminal device” refers to any end device that may be capable of wireless communication. By way of example rather than limitation, a terminal device may also be referred to as a communication device, user equipment (UE), a Subscriber Station (SS), a Portable Subscriber Station, a Mobile Station (MS), or an Access Terminal (AT). The terminal device may include, but not limited to, a mobile phone, a cellular phone, a smart phone, voice over IP (VoIP) phones, wireless local loop phones, a tablet, a wearable terminal device, a personal digital assistant (PDA), portable computers, desktop computer, image capture terminal devices such as digital cameras, gaming terminal devices, music storage and playback appliances, vehiclemounted wireless terminal devices, wireless endpoints, mobile stations, laptop-embedded equipment (LEE), laptop-mounted equipment (LME), USB dongles, smart devices, wireless customer-premises equipment (CPE), an Internet of Things (loT) device, a watch or other wearable, a head-mounted display (HMD), a vehicle, a drone, a medical device and applications (e.g., remote surgery), an industrial device and applications (e.g., a robot and / or other wireless devices operating in an industrial and / or an automated processing chain contexts), a consumer electronics device, a device operating on commercial and / or industrial wireless networks, and the like. The terminal device may also correspond to a Mobile Termination (MT) part of an IAB node (e.g., a relay node). In the following description, the terms "terminal device”, "communication device”, "terminal”, "userequipment” and "UE” may be used interchangeably.

[0041] As used herein, the term "resource,” "transmission resource,” "resource block,” "physical resource block” (PRB), "uplink resource,” or "downlink resource” may refer to any resource for performing a communication, for example, a communication between a terminal device and a network device, such as a resource in time domain, a resource in frequency domain, a resource in space domain, a resource in code domain, or any other combination of the time, frequency, space and / or code domain resource enabling a communication, and the like. In the following, unless explicitly stated, a resource in both frequency domain and time domain will be used as an example of a transmission resource for describing some example embodiments of the present disclosure. It is noted that example embodiments of the present disclosure are equally applicable to other resources in other domains.

[0042] As used herein, the term "DMRS” refers to demodulation reference signal, which is a type of reference signal used in wireless communication systems to assist in channel estimation for coherent demodulation. DMRS is typically transmitted alongside data and allows the receiver to estimate the channel characteristics, thereby improving signal detection and decoding accuracy.

[0043] FIG. 1 illustrates an example communication environment 100 in which example embodiments of the present disclosure can be implemented. In the communication environment 100, a plurality of communication devices, including a first apparatus 110 and a second apparatus 120, can communicate with each other. In the example of FIG. 1 , the first apparatus 110 may be a terminal device such as UE and the second apparatus 120 may be a network device such as a base station serving the UE. The serving area of the second apparatus 120 may be called a cell 102.

[0044] It is to be understood that the number of devices and their connections shown in FIG. 1 are only for the purpose of illustration without suggesting any limitation. The communication environment 100 may include any suitable number of devices configured to implementing example embodiments of the present disclosure. Although not shown, it would be appreciated that one or more additional devices may be located in the cell 102, and one or more additional cells may be deployed in the communication environment 100. It is noted that although illustrated as a network device, the second apparatus 120 may be another device than a network device. Although illustrated as a terminal device, the first apparatus 110 may be another device than a terminal device.

[0045] In the following, for the purpose of illustration, some example embodiments are describedwith the first apparatus 110 operating as a UE and the second apparatus 120 operating as a base station or gNB. However, in some example embodiments, operations described in connection with a terminal device may be implemented at a network device or other device, and operations described in connection with a network device may be implemented at a terminal device or other device.

[0046] In some example embodiments, a transmission direction from the second apparatus 120 to the first apparatus 110 is referred to as a downlink (DL), while a transmission direction from the first apparatus 110 to the second apparatus 120 is referred to as an uplink (UL). In DL, the second apparatus 120 is a transmitting (TX) device (or a transmitter) and the first apparatus 110 is a receiving (RX) device (or a receiver). In UL, the first apparatus 110 is a TX device (or a transmitter) and the second apparatus 120 is a RX device (or a receiver).

[0047] Communications in the communication environment 100 may be implemented according to any proper communication protocol(s), comprising, but not limited to, cellular communication protocols, wireless local network communication protocols such as Institute for Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11 and the like, and / or any other protocols currently known or to be developed in the future. Moreover, the communication may utilize any proper wireless communication technology, comprising but not limited to: Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA), Frequency Division Multiple Access (FDMA), Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA), Frequency Division Duplex (FDD), Time Division Duplex (TDD), Multiple-Input Multiple-Output (MIMO), Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple (OFDM), Discrete Fourier Transform spread OFDM (DFT-s-OFDM) and / or any other technologies currently known or to be developed in the future.

[0048] In some solutions, multi-slot scheduling with a single grant for multi-physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH) was introduced for control overhead saving for unlicensed operation. In addition, multi-slot scheduling PUSCH was extended to licensed operation as well as multi-slot scheduling PDSCH to reduce control overhead. In multi-slot scheduling, a single transmission block (TB) may span more than one slot in comparison with single slot-based scheduling. This reduces hybrid automatic request (HARQ) feedback as well as saves HARQ process IDs and aims at coverage enhancement. In general, new radio multi-slot scheduling may enhance flexibility, efficiency, and performance in resource allocation across multiple slots with respect to single-slot scheduling where resources may be allocated for one slot at a time. Moreover, multi-slot scheduling PUSCH may support rank 1 MIMO PUSCH transmission.

[0049] Furthermore, the UE may be configured with PUSCH / physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH) DMRS which provides support up to 24 antenna ports (APs) for uplink / downlink multi-user MIMO operation. In addition, the UE is supported to be configured with one or more DMRS symbols in time within a slot, for example, up to four symbols. DMRS symbol positions for PDSCH when using PUSCH type A or PDSCH type B mapping are shown in the following table 1 .Table 1. PDSCH DM-RS positions I for single-symbol DM-RS> > > > > > > > > > > > > >

[0050] Currently, the number of PDSCH DMRS symbols and related time domain positions of DMRS symbols are configured in cell-specific manner such that all UEs share the same PDSCH DMRS configuration in a serving cell for facilitating, such as MU-MIMO operation. To enhance the demodulation performance of PDSCH, it may be beneficial to adapt PDSCH DMRS configurations link specifically for a UE or a group of UEs sharing same channel and interference conditions. Inthis case, a network may have configured different UE groups, each having different multi-slot PDSCH DMRS configurations, for example, in terms of number of DMRS symbols and related symbol offsets between consecutive DMRS symbols.

[0051] In a further communication system, different UEs (i.e. handheld and / or consumer premise equipment (CPE)Zfixed wireless access (FWA) equipment) produced by different UE vendors may have different capabilities in terms of performing PDSCH DMRS channel estimation with multi-slot scheduled PDSCH transmissions with different multi-slot scheduling lengths. In addition, different devices in the further communication system (i.e. handheld, FWA / CPE UE) may also have different vendor specific capabilities to switch from one multi-slot PDSCH DMRS configuration to another multi-slot PDSCH DMRS configuration. Since different UEs may have different PDSCH DMRS channel estimation capabilities as well as different UE groups may have different DMRS configurations, the further communication system needs to provide a support for switching from one PDSCH DMRS configurations to another PDSCH DMRS configuration by taking into account different vendor specific channel estimator implementations.

[0052] In accordance with some example embodiments of the present disclosure, there is provided a solution for reference signal switching based on a time offset indication. The solution is related to physical layer design. More specifically, the solution focus on enabling capability signaling support for switching from one DMRS configuration to another PDSCH DMRS in a MIMO framework. In operation, a first apparatus transmits, to a second apparatus, capability information of the first apparatus indicating one or more switching time offset values. In this case, the one or more switching time offset values are for switching between one or more downlink reference signal configurations. Moreover, the first apparatus receives, from the second apparatus, the one or more downlink reference signal configurations associated with the one or more switching time offset values. With the solution of the present disclosure, the problem of switching between two different DMRS configurations with different vendor specific channel estimator implementations can be addressed. In this way, the use of different UE / device categories for multi-slot PDSCH scheduling with different vendor specific PDSCH DMRS channel estimator implementations can be enabled. Moreover, the use of different DMRS patterns can be enabled, for example, in conjunction with different UE groups associated with different DL MU-MIMO UEs. Furthermore, it is enabled to use different DMRS patterns within service area, such as UEs located in a cell center share one DMRS configuration and UEs located in the cell border share another DMRS configuration.

[0053] Example embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. It is noted that example embodiments described withreference to FIG. 2 to FIG. 6 can be implemented separately or in combination. For example, one or more example embodiments from one drawings can be combined with one or more example embodiments from one or more other drawings in any suitable manner.

[0054] FIG. 2 illustrates an example signaling flow 200 of communications between a first apparatus and a second apparatus in accordance with some example embodiments of the present disclosure. For the purpose of discussion, the signaling flow 200 will be described with reference to FIG. 1 , for example, some example embodiments are described by using the first apparatus 110 and the second apparatus 120. In some example embodiments, the first apparatus 110 may be a terminal device such as a user equipment, UE. Alternatively, the first apparatus 110 may be implemented in UE. In some example embodiments, the second apparatus 120 may be a base station or gNB.

[0055] In some example embodiments, the second apparatus 120 may transmit (2010), to the first apparatus 110 a capability enquiry message for capability information of the first apparatus 110. In other words, the first apparatus 110 may receive (2010) the capability enquiry message from the second apparatus 120.

[0056] The first apparatus 110 transmits (2020) capability information of the first apparatus 110 to the second apparatus 120. The capability information indicates one or more switching time offset values. In this case, the one or more switching time offset values are for switching between one or more downlink reference signal configurations. In other words, the second apparatus 120 receives (2020) the capability information of the first apparatus 110 from the first apparatus 110. For example, the capability information may be transmitted via a radio resource control, RRC.

[0057] In some example embodiments, the one or more switching time offset values may be greater than or equal to minimum switching time offset values. In some example embodiments, the first apparatus 110 may report minimum PDSCH DMRS channel estimator switching time, Dmin, via capability signaling, to switch between different PDSCH DMRS configurations. The different PDSCH DMRS configurations may be applicable for different multi-slot scheduling lengths L, for example, L=1 Lmax, and Lmax may be predefined.

[0058] In some example embodiments, the one or more downlink reference signal configurations may be applicable for a first multi-slot scheduling length. For example, the maximum length of the first multi-slot scheduling length may be predefined.

[0059] In some example embodiments, the one or more switching time offset values may be one or more predetermined values or one or more reconfigurable values. In some exampleembodiments, the one or more switching time offset values may be predefined. Alternatively, the one or more switching time offset values may be received from the second apparatus 120.

[0060] In some example embodiments, the one or more switching time offset values may be related to at least one of a numerology, a scheduling length, or a downlink reference signal configuration. In some example embodiments, the one or more switching time offset values may be common for all switching between downlink reference signal configurations. Alternatively, each of the one or more switching time offset values may correspond to one switching between downlink reference signal configurations.

[0061] In some example embodiments, one minimum switching time offset value (in symbols / slots) with or without DMRS type information, is applicable for all DMRS switching configurations, and scheduling lengths as well as numerology options. As an example, Dmin (i.e., the minimum switching time offset value) may equal to 42 symbols for all scheduling lengths and sub-carrier spacing (SCS) values applicable for all DMRS types. As another example, Dmin may equal to 14 symbols for all scheduling lengths and SCS values applicable for typel and type2 DMRS. In some examples, Dmin may equal to 28 symbols for all scheduling lengths and SCS values applicable for e-type1 DMRS. In some other examples, Dmin may equal to 42 symbols for all scheduling lengths and SCS values applicable for e-type2 DMRS.

[0062] In some example embodiments, for each numerology option, one minimum switching time offset value (in symbols / slots) with or without DMRS type information, may be applicable for all DMRS switching configurations and scheduling lengths. For example, if the SCS value equals to 15KHz, Dmin may equal to 28 symbols. Alternatively, if the SCS value equals to 15KHz, Dmin may equal to 56 symbols.

[0063] In some other example embodiments, for each scheduling length option, one minimum switching time offset value (in symbols / slots) with or without DMRS type information, may be applicable for all DMRS switching configurations and numerology options. For example, if the scheduling length equals to 1 , Dmin may equal to 28 symbols. In some examples, if the scheduling length equals to 2, Dmin may equal to 56 symbols. In some other examples, if the scheduling length equals to 4, Dmin may equal to 112 symbols.

[0064] Furthermore, the second apparatus 120 transmits (2030) the one or more downlink reference signal configurations associated with the one or more switching time offset values to the first apparatus 110. In some example embodiments, switching offset value(s) between the one or more downlink reference signal configurations may be equal to the one or more switching timeoffset values indicated in the capability information which is transmitted (2020) to the second apparatus 120. Alternatively, the switching time offset value(s) between the one or more downlink reference signal configurations may be greater than the one or more switching time offset values indicated in the capability information which is transmitted (2020) to the second apparatus 120. In other words, the first apparatus 110 receives (2030) the one or more downlink reference signal configurations from the second apparatus 120. In this way, it enables the use of different DMRS patterns e.g. in conjunction with different UE groups associated with different DL MU-MIMO UEs.

[0065] In some example embodiments, based on at least one of: the one or more downlink reference signal configurations or the one or more switching time offset values, the first apparatus 110 may perform (2040) the switching between the one or more downlink reference signal configurations. In this way, the use of different downlink reference signal configurations can be enabled.

[0066] FIG. 3 illustrates an example signaling flow 300 of communications between a first apparatus and a second apparatus in accordance with some example embodiments of the present disclosure. For the purpose of discussion, the signaling flow 300 will be described with reference to FIG. 1 , for example, some example embodiments are described by using the first apparatus 110 and the second apparatus 120. In some example embodiments, the first apparatus 110 may be a terminal device such as a user equipment, UE. Alternatively, the first apparatus 110 may be implemented in UE. In some example embodiments, the second apparatus 120 may be a base station or gNB.

[0067] In some example embodiments, the second apparatus 120 may transmit (3010), to the first apparatus 110, a capability enquiry message for the capability information of the first apparatus 110. In other words, the first apparatus 110 may receive (3010) the capability enquiry message from the second apparatus 120.

[0068] The first apparatus 110 transmits (3020), to a second apparatus 120, capability information of the first apparatus 110 indicating at least one switching time offset value for switching between a pair of downlink reference signal configurations. In this case, the pair of downlink reference signal configurations includes a first downlink reference signal configuration and a second downlink reference signal configuration. In other words, the second apparatus 120 receives (3020) the capability information of the first apparatus 110 from the first apparatus 110. For example, the capability information may be transmitted via a radio resource control, RRC.

[0069] In some example embodiments, the at least one switching time offset value may begreater than or equal to a minimum switching time offset value. In some example embodiments, the first apparatus 110 may report, via capability signaling, at least one minimum PDSCH DMRS channel estimator switching time offset values, Dmin associated with one or more PDSCH DMRS switching configuration pairs. The one or more PDSCH DMRS switching configuration pairs may be applicable for different multi-slot scheduling lengths L, for example, L=1 Lmax, and Lmax may be predefined.

[0070] In some example embodiments, the pair of downlink reference signal configurations may be applicable for a first multi-slot scheduling length. For example, the maximum length of the first multi-slot scheduling length and the second multi-slot scheduling length may be predefined. In some example embodiments, the at least one switching time offset value may be predefined. Alternatively, the at least one switching time offset value may be received from the second apparatus 120.

[0071] In some example embodiments, the pair of downlink reference signal switching configurations may be associated with a number of demodulation reference signal, DMRS, symbols. As an example, for each scheduling length option with or without DMRS type information, if the scheduling length equals to 1 , one or more minimum switching time offset values associated with one or more pairs of DMRS configuration with different number of DMRS symbols f °MRS, mayanother example, if the scheduling length equals to 2, one or more minimum switching time offset values associated with one or more pairs of DMRS configuration with different number of DMRS symbols NLDMRS, may^ / VLD=^RS= 10).

[0072] In some example embodiments, a first switching offset value of a switching from the first downlink reference signal configuration to the second downlink reference signal configuration may be same as a second switching offset value of a switching from the second downlink reference signal configuration to the first downlink reference signal configuration (that is, symmetric DMRS switching configurations). As an example, for each scheduling length option with or without DMRS type information, for symmetric DMRS switching configurations, if the scheduling length equals to 1 , one or more minimum switching time offset values associated with one or more pairs of DMRS configuration with different number of DMRS symbols / LDMRS, and symbol offsets between consecutive DMRS symbols, A£M RS, may be Dmin#0L=i ,( / LD=S= 2, A^RS= 6 / LD=S=4 ADMRS = 3) Dmin#i ( / VL™RS= 2, A^RS= 6 ^ / V™RS= 6, A?_MRS= 2). As anotherexample, if the scheduling length equals to 2, one or more minimum switching time offset values associated with one or more pairs of DMRS configuration with different number of DMRS symbols NLMRS, and symbol offsets between consecutive DMRS symbols, LMRS, may be Dmin#0L=2In some other example embodiments, a first switching offset value of a switching from the first downlink reference signal configuration to the second downlink reference signal configuration may be different from a second switching offset value of a switching from the second downlink reference signal configuration to the first downlink reference signal configuration (that is, asymmetric DMRS switching configurations). As an example, for each scheduling length option with or without DMRS type information, for asymmetric DMRS switching configurations, if the scheduling length equals to 2, one or more minimum switching time offset values associated with one or more pairs of DMRS configuration with different number of DMRS symbols / LDMRS, and symbol offsets between consecutive DMRS symbols, A°MRS, may be Dmin#0L=2 , ( fV°=^,RS= 2, A°=2RS= 14 -> vDMRS=4 *DMRS= 7x □min#1L=2(N™RS= 4,AM9RS= 7D-M7RS= 2,APM?RS= 14). For example, if the first device 110 switches from the DMRS configuration with N2RS= 2 to the DMRS configuration with N™2RS= 4, the minimum switching time offset values is Dmin#0L=2, while if the first device 110 switches from the DMRS configuration with N™RS= 4 to the DMRS configuration with N™2RS= 2, the minimum switching time offset values is Dmin#1L=2.

[0073] In some example embodiments, the capability information may include at least one of the first switching offset value or the second switching offset value. In other words, only one minimum switching time offset value (in symbols / slots) may be reported per asymmetric DMRS switching pair associated with one direction (i.e. first DMRS configuration in a pair is associated with reported minimum switching time) and for opposite direction some predefined value is assumed. For example, if the scheduling length equals to 2, Dmin#0L=2 , N™2RS= 2, A°=2RS= 14

[0074] In some example embodiments, the at least one switching time offset value may be common for all switching between downlink reference signal configurations. Alternatively, each of the at least one switching time offset value may correspond to one switching between downlink reference signal configurations.

[0075] Furthermore, the second apparatus transmits (3030), to the first apparatus 110, the pair of downlink reference signal configurations associated with the at least one switching time offsetvalue. In some example embodiments, switching offset value(s) between the pair of downlink reference signal configurations may be equal to the at least one switching time offset values indicated in the capability information which is transmitted (3020) to the second apparatus 120. Alternatively, the switching offset value(s) between the pair of downlink reference signal configurations may be greater than the at least one switching time offset values indicated in the capability information which is transmitted (3020) to the second apparatus 120. In other words, the first apparatus 110 receives (3030), from the second apparatus 120, the pair of downlink reference signal configurations associated with the at least one switching time offset value. In this way, it enables the use of different DMRS patterns e.g. in conjunction with different UE groups associated with different DL MU-MIMO UEs.

[0076] In some example embodiments, based on at least one of: the pair of downlink reference signal configurations or the at least one switching time offset value, the first apparatus 110 may perform (3040) the switching between the pair of downlink reference signal configurations. In this way, the use of different downlink reference signal configurations can be enabled.

[0077] FIG. 4 illustrates an example signaling flow 400 of communications between a first apparatus and a second apparatus in accordance with some example embodiments of the present disclosure. For the purpose of discussion, the signaling flow 400 will be described with reference to FIG. 1 , for example, some example embodiments are described by using the first apparatus 110 and the second apparatus 120. In some example embodiments, the first apparatus 110 may be a terminal device such as a user equipment, UE. Alternatively, the first apparatus 110 may be implemented in UE. In some example embodiments, the second apparatus 120 may be a base station or gNB.

[0078] In some example embodiments, the second apparatus 120 may transmit (4010), to the first apparatus 110, a capability enquiry message for the capability information of the first apparatus 110. In other words, the first apparatus 110 may receive (4010) the capability enquiry message from the second apparatus 120. Moreover, in some example embodiments, the first apparatus 110 may transmit (4020), to the second apparatus 120, the capability information of the first apparatus 110 indicating at least one switching time offset value. In other words, the second apparatus 120 may receive (4020), from the first apparatus 110, the capability information of the first apparatus 110 indicating the at least one switching time offset value. In some example embodiments, the at least one switching time offset value may be greater than or equal to a minimum switching time offset value.

[0079] The second apparatus 120 determines (4030) first information for downlink referencesignal configuration switching. In some example embodiments, the second apparatus 120 may determine (4030) the first information for downlink reference signal configuration switching based on the at least one switching time offset value. For example, based on the capability information of the first apparatus 110, the second apparatus 120 may determine one or more PDSCH DMRS configuration pairs where minimum switching time offset may applied (i.e. switch from one PDSCH DMRS configuration (N, D, L) to another PDSCH DMRS configuration (N’, D', L) as well as their related minimum switching time offset value(s), Dmin). In this case, N may represent the number of DMRS symbols, D may represent an offset between two consecutive DMRS, and L may represent a scheduling length.

[0080] Moreover, the second apparatus 120 transmits (4040) the first information for downlink reference signal configuration switching to the first apparatus 110. In other words, the first apparatus 110 receives (4040), from a second apparatus 120, the first information for downlink reference signal configuration switching. For example, the first information may be transmitted via a radio resource control, RRC.

[0081] Furthermore, the first apparatus 110 performs (4050), at least based on the first information, a switching from a first downlink reference signal configuration to a second downlink reference signal configuration. In this way, the use of different downlink reference signal configurations can be enabled.

[0082] In some example embodiments, the one or more switching time offset values may be one or more predetermined value or one or more reconfigurable value. In some example embodiments, the one or more switching time offset values may be predefined or received from the second apparatus 120.

[0083] In some example embodiments, different reference signal configurations may be applied to a first set of first apparatuses including the first apparatus 110 and a second set of first apparatuses. For example, different DMRS configurations may be applied within PDSCH service area associated with such as two different groups first apparatuses (for MU-MIMO) located in different positions in a cell or two different cells / transmission reception points (e.g. sharing same or different physical cell ID) associated with PDSCH transmission. In this way, it enables to use different DMRS patterns within service area, such as UEs located in a cell center share one DMRS configuration and UEs located in the cell border share another DMRS configuration.

[0084] In some example embodiments, the first information for downlink reference signal configuration switching may include at least one of the following: a parameter indicating whetherthe switching is applied, one or more switching time offset values, or a parameter indicating at least one of pairs for downlink reference signal configurations switching. In some example embodiments, if the parameter indicates that the switching is applied, the first apparatus 110 may apply a reference signal switching time offset value configured by the first information. In some other example embodiments, if the parameter indicates that the switching is not applied, the first apparatus 110 may apply at least one of: a first default switching time offset value associated with a numerology, or a second default switching time offset value associated with a scheduling length. For example, the parameter indicating whether the switching is applied may be dmrs-switching = ‘Enabled / Disabled’ . If dmrs-switching = ‘enabled’, the first apparatus 110 may apply configured minimum DMRS switching time offset values, and if dmrs-switching = ‘disabled’, the first apparatus 110 may apply only default numerology and / or scheduling length specific switching time offset values.

[0085] As an example, the one or more switching time offset values may include at least one of the following: a first time offset value, a second time offset value associated with a scheduling length, a third time offset value associated with a numerology, a fourth time offset value associated with a pair of downlink reference signal configurations, a fifth time offset value associated with a symmetric pair of downlink reference signal configurations, or a sixth time offset value associated with an asymmetric pair of downlink reference signal configurations. In some examples, the first time offset value may be a higher layer parameter dmrs-Dmin-switching-offset-all, which represents one minimum time offset value, with or without DMRS type information, applicable for all DMRS switching configurations, and scheduling lengths as well as numerology options. In some examples, the second time offset value associated with a scheduling length may be a higher layer parameter dmrs-Dmin-switching-offset-all-L-values, which represents one minimum time offset value for each scheduling length, L, with or without DMRS type information, applicable for all DMRS switching configurations, as well as numerology options. In some examples, the third time offset value associated with a numerology may be a higher layer parameter dmrs-Dmin-switching-offset-all-Numerology-values, which represents one minimum time offset value for each scheduling length, L, with or without DMRS type information, applicable for all DMRS switching configurations, as well as numerology options.

[0086] In some examples, the fourth time offset value associated with a pair of downlink reference signal configurations may be a higher layer parameter dmrs-Dmin-switching-offsets-Nmb-DMRS, which represents one or more minimum time offset values that are associated with PDSCH DMRS configuration with switching pairs with different number of DMRS symbols / °MRS.For example, two minimum offset values may be dmrs-Dmin-switching-offsets-L2-N4ToN8={D0}, dmrs-Dmin-switching-offsets-L2-N8ToN10 ={D1}. Alternatively, DMRS switching pairs may be configured as list and corresponding switching time as another list. As an example, for the scheduling length equal to 2, the following may be used: if N= / V[DMRS, dmrs-switching-Nmb-DMRS-list-L2 ={N2ToN8, N8ToN10,}, or dmrs-Dmin-Nmb-DMRS-list-L2 ={D0,D1}.

[0087] In some examples, the fifth time offset value associated with a symmetric pair of downlink reference signal configurations may be a higher layer parameter dmrs-switching-configuration-symmetric-list, which represents one or more symmetric pairs of DMRS switching configurations with corresponding higher layer parameter dmrs-switching-Dmin-symmetric-list minimum offset values. As an example, the following may be used: if N=N^MRS, D = ALMRS, dmrs-switching-configuration-symmetric-list-L2 = { N2D14ToN4D7, N2D6ToN6D2}, or dmrs-switching-Dmin-symmetric-list ={ D0,D1}.

[0088] In some examples, the sixth time offset value associated with an asymmetric pair of downlink reference signal configurations may be a higher layer parameter dmrs-switching-configuration-asymmetric-list, which represents one or more asymmetric pairs of DMRS switching configurations with corresponding higher layer parameter dmrs-switching-Dmin-asymmetric-list minimum offset values. As an example, the following may be used: if N=NMRS, D = ALMRS, dmrs-switching-configuration-asymmetric-list-L2 = { N2D14ToN4D7, N2D6ToN6D2}, or dmrs-switching-Dmin-asymmetric-list ={ D0,D1}. It is noted that a first configuration in the DMRS pair is associated with configured minimum switching time, and for opposite direction, that is, a second configuration in the DMRS pair, some predefined value may be assumed.

[0089] In some example embodiments, the first apparatus 110 may be configured with DMRS configuration switching enabled and one common minimum time offset may be applied for all DMRS configuration switches across different scheduling lengths and numerology options. In the following, an example of PDSCH DMRS configuration with DMRS switching options is shown in the table 2.Table 2. PDSCH DMRS configuration with DMRS switching options

[0090] In some example embodiments, the first apparatus 110 may be configured with DMRS configuration switching enabled and set of different symmetric DMRS switching configurations may be configured with corresponding minimum switching time offset values. Moreover, the first apparatus 110 may be configured with set of asymmetric DMRS switching configurations with corresponding switching time offset values. In the following, an example of PDSCH DMRS configuration is shown in the table 3.Table 3. PDSCH DMRS configuration

[0091] FIG. 5 illustrates an example signaling flow 500 of time offset value capability signaling for switching between different DMRS configurations in accordance with some example embodiments of the present disclosure. The example signaling flow 500 is an implementation of the example signaling flow 200 of FIG. 2. In particular, in the example embodiments discussed with respect to FIG. 5, a gNB 510 is an example of the second apparatus 120 shown in FIG. 2, and a UE 520 is an example of the first apparatus 110 shown in FIG. 2.

[0092] As shown in FIG. 5, the UE 520 transmits (5010) a minimum time offset PDSCH DMRSchannel estimator capability to the gNB 510. The minimum time offset PDSCH DMRS channel estimator capability is for the switching from one multi-slot PDSCH DMRS configuration to another multi-slot PDSCH DMRS configuration, and the capability includes at least one of the following information: one minimum switching time offset value for all DMRS switching configurations, and scheduling lengths as well as numerology options. For each numerology option, one minimum switching time offset value, in symbols / slots, with or without DMRS type information, is applicable for all DMRS switching configurations, and scheduling lengths. For each scheduling length option, one minimum switching time offset value, in symbols / slots, with or without DMRS type information, is applicable for all DMRS switching configurations and numerology options. After the reception (5020) of PDSCH DMRS channel estimator capability information associated with switching between at least two different DMRS multi-slot configurations, the gNB 510 determines (5030) DMRS switching configurations with supported symbol offset values with number of DMRS symbols with minimum switching offsets for same or different numerology values with multi-slot PDSCH transmissions with different multi-slot scheduling lengths. Moreover, the gNB 510 configures (5040) the UE 520, for example, via RRC, with DMRS configurations with minimum time offset switching offset Dmin, associated with PDSCH multi-slot, and the UE 520 receives (5050) the PDSCH DMRS configurations associated with minimum time offset value.

[0093] FIG. 6 illustrates an example signaling flow 600 of enhanced time offset value capability signaling for switching between different DMRS configurations in accordance with some example embodiments of the present disclosure. The example signaling flow 600 is an implementation of the example signaling flow 300 of FIG. 3. In particular, in the example embodiments discussed with respect to FIG. 6, a gNB 610 is an example of the second apparatus 120 shown in FIG. 3, and a UE 620 is an example of the first apparatus 110 shown in FIG. 3.

[0094] As shown in FIG. 6, the UE 620 transmits (6010) a PDSCH DMRS channel estimator capability to the gNB 610. The PDSCH DMRS channel estimator capability is for the switching from one multi-slot PDSCH DMRS configuration to another multi-slot PDSCH DMRS configuration, and the capability includes at least one of the following information: a set of supported symmetric and / or asymmetric switching configurations with number of DMRS symbols, minimum supported DMRS symbol switching offset between two different DMRS configurations. In addition, the above information may be be specific for a certain numerology and / or PDSCH multi-slot scheduling length or common for all supported multi-slot PDSCH scheduling lengths. After the reception (6020) of PDSCH DMRS channel estimator capability information associated with switching between at least two different DMRS multi-slot configurations, the gNB 610 determines (6030) DMRS switchingconfigurations with supported symbol offset values with number of DMRS symbols with minimum switching offsets for same or different numerology values with multi-slot PDSCH transmissions with different multi-slot scheduling lengths. Moreover, the gNB 610 configures (6040) the UE 620, for example, via RRC, with at least two DMRS configurations with minimum time offset switching offset Dmin, which support switching from one to another DMRS configuration, associated with same or different PDSCH multi-slot scheduling lengths, and the UE 620 receives (6050) the at least two PDSCH DMRS configurations associated with different number of DMRS symbols and PDSCH multi-slot scheduling lengths associated with minimum switching offset Dmin.

[0095] FIG. 7 shows a flowchart of an example method 700 implemented at a first apparatus in accordance with some example embodiments of the present disclosure. For the purpose of discussion, the method 700 will be described from the perspective of the first apparatus 110 in FIG.1.

[0096] At block 710, the first apparatus transmits, to a second apparatus, capability information of the first apparatus indicating one or more switching time offset values. The one or more switching time offset values are for switching between one or more downlink reference signal configurations.

[0097] At block 720, the first apparatus receives, from the second apparatus, the one or more downlink reference signal configurations associated with the one or more switching time offset values.

[0098] In some example embodiments, the method 700 further comprises: performing, based on at least one of: the one or more downlink reference signal configurations or the one or more switching time offset values, the switching between the one or more downlink reference signal configurations.

[0099] In some example embodiments, the one or more switching time offset values are one or more predetermined values or one or more reconfigurable values.

[0100] In some example embodiments, the one or more switching time offset values are predefined or received from the second apparatus.

[0101] In some example embodiments, the method 700 further comprises: receiving, from the second apparatus, a capability enquiry message for the capability information of the first apparatus.

[0102] In some example embodiments, the one or more switching time offset values are related to at least one of a numerology, a scheduling length, or a downlink reference signal configuration.

[0103] In some example embodiments, the one or more switching time offset values are commonfor all switching between downlink reference signal configurations.

[0104] In some example embodiments, each of the one or more switching time offset values corresponds to one switching between downlink reference signal configurations.

[0105] In some example embodiments, the one or more downlink reference signal configurations are applicable for a first multi-slot scheduling length.

[0106] In some example embodiments, the maximum length of the first multi-slot scheduling length is predefined.

[0107] In some example embodiments, the capability information is transmitted via a radio resource control, RRC.

[0108] In some example embodiments, the first apparatus comprises a terminal device, and the second apparatus comprises a network device.

[0109] FIG. 8 shows a flowchart of an example method 800 implemented at a second apparatus in accordance with some example embodiments of the present disclosure. For the purpose of discussion, the method 800 will be described from the perspective of the second apparatus 120 in FIG. 1.

[0110] At block 810, the second apparatus receives, from a first apparatus, capability information of the first apparatus indicating one or more switching time offset values. The one or more switching time offset values are for switching between one or more downlink reference signal configurations.

[0111] At block 820, the second apparatus transmits, to the first apparatus, the one or more downlink reference signal configurations associated with the one or more switching time offset values.

[0112] In some example embodiments, the one or more switching time offset values are one or more predetermined values or one or more reconfigurable values.

[0113] In some example embodiments, the one or more switching time offset values are predefined or transmitted to the first apparatus.

[0114] In some example embodiments, the method 800 further comprises: transmitting, to the first apparatus, a capability enquiry message for the capability information of the first apparatus.

[0115] In some example embodiments, the one or more switching time offset values are related to at least one of a numerology, a scheduling length, or a downlink reference signal configuration.

[0116] In some example embodiments, the one or more switching time offset values are common for all switching between downlink reference signal configurations.

[0117] In some example embodiments, each of the one or more switching time offset values corresponds to one switching between downlink reference signal configurations.

[0118] In some example embodiments, the one or more downlink reference signal configurations are applicable for a first multi-slot scheduling length.

[0119] In some example embodiments, the maximum length of the first multi-slot scheduling length is predefined.

[0120] In some example embodiments, the capability information is transmitted via a radio resource control, RRC.

[0121] In some example embodiments, the first apparatus comprises a terminal device, and the second apparatus comprises a network device.

[0122] FIG. 9 shows a flowchart of an example method 900 implemented at a first apparatus in accordance with some example embodiments of the present disclosure. For the purpose of discussion, the method 900 will be described from the perspective of the first apparatus 110 in FIG.1.

[0123] At block 910, the first apparatus transmits, to a second apparatus, capability information of the first apparatus indicating at least one switching time offset value for switching between a pair of downlink reference signal configurations, wherein the pair of downlink reference signal configurations comprises a first downlink reference signal configuration and a second downlink reference signal configuration.

[0124] At block 920, the first apparatus receives, from the second apparatus, the pair of downlink reference signal configurations associated with the at least one switching time offset value.

[0125] In some example embodiments, the method 900 further comprises: performing, based on at least one of the pair of downlink reference signal configurations or the at least one switching time offset value, the switching between the pair of downlink reference signal configurations.

[0126] In some example embodiments, the pair of downlink reference signal switching configurations is associated with a number of demodulation reference signal, DMRS, symbols.

[0127] In some example embodiments, the at least one switching time offset value is predefined, or the at least one switching time offset value is received from the second apparatus.

[0128] In some example embodiments, the method 900 further comprises: receiving, from the second apparatus, a capability enquiry message for the capability information of the first apparatus.

[0129] In some example embodiments, a first switching offset value of a switching from the first downlink reference signal configuration to the second downlink reference signal configuration is same as a second switching offset value of a switching from the second downlink reference signal configuration to the first downlink reference signal configuration.

[0130] In some example embodiments, a first switching offset value of a switching from the first downlink reference signal configuration to the second downlink reference signal configuration is different from a second switching offset value of a switching from the second downlink reference signal configuration to the first downlink reference signal configuration.

[0131] In some example embodiments, the capability information comprises at least one of the first switching offset value or the second switching offset value.

[0132] In some example embodiments, the at least one switching time offset value is common for all switching between downlink reference signal configurations.

[0133] In some example embodiments, each of the at least one switching time offset value corresponds to one switching between downlink reference signal configurations.

[0134] In some example embodiments, the pair of downlink reference signal configurations are applicable for a first multi-slot scheduling length.

[0135] In some example embodiments, the maximum length of the first multi-slot scheduling length and the second multi-slot scheduling length is predefined.

[0136] In some example embodiments, the capability information is transmitted via a radio resource control, RRC.

[0137] In some example embodiments, the first apparatus comprises a terminal device, and the second apparatus comprises a network device.

[0138] FIG. 10 shows a flowchart of an example method 1000 implemented at a second apparatus in accordance with some example embodiments of the present disclosure. For the purpose of discussion, the method 1000 will be described from the perspective of the second apparatus 120 in FIG. 1 .

[0139] At block 1010, the second apparatus receives, from a first apparatus, capability information of the first apparatus indicating at least one switching time offset value for switchingbetween a pair of downlink reference signal configurations, wherein the pair of downlink reference signal configurations comprises a first downlink reference signal configuration and a second downlink reference signal configuration.

[0140] At block 1020, the second apparatus transmits, to the first apparatus, the pair of downlink reference signal configurations associated with the at least one switching time offset value.

[0141] In some example embodiments, the pair of downlink reference signal switching configurations is associated with a number of demodulation reference signal, DMRS, symbols.

[0142] In some example embodiments, the at least one switching time offset value is predefined, or the at least one switching time offset value is transmitted to the first apparatus.

[0143] In some example embodiments, a first switching offset value of a switching from the first downlink reference signal configuration to the second downlink reference signal configuration is same as a second switching offset value of a switching from the second downlink reference signal configuration to the first downlink reference signal configuration.

[0144] In some other example embodiments, a first switching offset value of a switching from the first downlink reference signal configuration to the second downlink reference signal configuration is different from a second switching offset value of a switching from the second downlink reference signal configuration to the first downlink reference signal configuration.

[0145] In some example embodiments, the capability information comprises at least one of the first switching offset value or the second switching offset value.

[0146] In some example embodiments, the at least one switching time offset value is common for all switching between downlink reference signal configurations.

[0147] In some example embodiments, each of the at least one switching time offset value corresponds to one switching between downlink reference signal configurations.

[0148] In some example embodiments, the pair of downlink reference signal configurations are applicable for a first multi-slot scheduling length.

[0149] In some example embodiments, the maximum length of the first multi-slot scheduling length and the second multi-slot scheduling length is predefined.

[0150] FIG. 11 shows a flowchart of an example method 1100 implemented at a first apparatus in accordance with some example embodiments of the present disclosure. For the purpose of discussion, the method 1100 will be described from the perspective of the first apparatus 110 inFIG. 1

[0151] At block 1110, the first apparatus receives, from a second apparatus, first information for downlink reference signal configuration switching.

[0152] At block 1120, the first apparatus performs, at least based on the first information, a switching from a first downlink reference signal configuration to a second downlink reference signal configuration.

[0153] In some example embodiments, the method 1100 further comprises: transmitting, to the second apparatus, capability information of the first apparatus indicating at least one switching time offset value.

[0154] In some example embodiments, the method 1100 further comprises: receiving, from the second apparatus, a capability enquiry message for the capability information of the first apparatus.

[0155] In some example embodiments, different reference signal configurations are applied to a first set of first apparatuses including the first apparatus and a second set of first apparatuses.

[0156] In some example embodiments, the first information for downlink reference signal configuration switching comprises at least one of the following: a parameter indicating whether the switching is applied, one or more switching time offset values, or a parameter indicating at least one of pairs for downlink reference signal configurations switching.

[0157] In some example embodiments, the one or more switching time offset values comprise at least one of the following: a first time offset value, a second time offset value associated with a scheduling length, a third time offset value associated with a numerology, a fourth time offset value associated with a pair of downlink reference signal configurations, a fifth time offset value associated with a symmetric pair of downlink reference signal configurations, or a sixth time offset value associated with an asymmetric pair of downlink reference signal configurations.

[0158] In some example embodiments, the one or more switching time offset values are one or more predetermined value or one or more reconfigurable value.

[0159] In some example embodiments, the one or more switching time offset values are predefined or received from the second apparatus.

[0160] In some example embodiments, the method 1100 further comprises: in accordance with a determination that the parameter indicates that the switching is applied, applying a reference signal switching time offset value configured by the first information.

[0161] In some example embodiments, the method 1100 further comprises: in accordance with a determination that the parameter indicates that the switching is not applied, applying at least one of: a first default switching time offset value associated with a numerology, or a second default switching time offset value associated with a scheduling length.

[0162] In some example embodiments, the first information is transmitted via a radio resource control, RRC.

[0163] In some example embodiments, the first apparatus comprises a terminal device, and the second apparatus comprises a network device.

[0164] FIG. 12 shows a flowchart of an example method 1200 implemented at a second apparatus in accordance with some example embodiments of the present disclosure. For the purpose of discussion, the method 1200 will be described from the perspective of the second apparatus 120 in FIG. 1 .

[0165] At block 1210, the second apparatus determines first information for downlink reference signal configuration switching.

[0166] At block 1220, the second apparatus transmits, to the first apparatus, the first information for downlink reference signal configuration switching.

[0167] In some example embodiments, the method 1200 further comprises: receiving, from the first apparatus, capability information of the first apparatus, wherein the capability information indicates at least one switching time offset value.

[0168] In some example embodiments, the method 1200 further comprises: determining, based on the at least one switching time offset value, the first information for downlink reference signal configuration switching.

[0169] In some example embodiments, the method 1200 further comprises: transmitting, to the first apparatus, a capability enquiry message for the capability information of the first apparatus.

[0170] In some example embodiments, different reference signal configurations are applied to a first set of first apparatuses including the first apparatus and a second set of first apparatuses.

[0171] In some example embodiments, the first information for downlink reference signal configuration switching comprises at least one of the following: a parameter indicating whether the switching is applied, one or more switching time offset values, or a parameter indicating at least one of pairs for downlink reference signal configurations switching.

[0172] In some example embodiments, the one or more switching time offset values comprise at least one of the following: a first time offset value, a second time offset value associated with a scheduling length, a third time offset value associated with a numerology, a fourth time offset value associated with a pair of downlink reference signal configurations, a fifth time offset value associated with a symmetric pair of downlink reference signal configurations, or a sixth time offset value associated with an asymmetric pair of downlink reference signal configurations.

[0173] In some example embodiments, the one or more switching time offset values are one or more predetermined value or one or more reconfigurable value.

[0174] In some example embodiments, the one or more switching time offset values are predefined or transmitted to the first apparatus.

[0175] In some example embodiments, the first information is transmitted via a radio resource control, RRC.

[0176] In some example embodiments, the first apparatus comprises a terminal device, and the second apparatus comprises a network device.

[0177] In some example embodiments, a first apparatus capable of performing any of the method 700 (for example, the first apparatus 110 in FIG. 1) may comprise means for performing the respective operations of the method 700. The means may be implemented in any suitable form. For example, the means may be implemented in a circuitry or software module. The first apparatus may be implemented as or included in the first apparatus 110 in FIG. 1.

[0178] In some example embodiments, the first apparatus comprises means for transmitting, to a second apparatus, capability information of the first apparatus indicating one or more switching time offset values, wherein the one or more switching time offset values are for switching between one or more downlink reference signal configurations; and means for receiving, from the second apparatus, the one or more downlink reference signal configurations associated with the one or more switching time offset values.

[0179] In some example embodiments, the first apparatus further comprises: means for performing, based on at least one of: the one or more downlink reference signal configurations or the one or more switching time offset values, the switching between the one or more downlink reference signal configurations.

[0180] In some example embodiments, the one or more switching time offset values are one or more predetermined values or one or more reconfigurable values.

[0181] In some example embodiments, the one or more switching time offset values are predefined or received from the second apparatus.

[0182] In some example embodiments, the first apparatus further comprises: means for receiving, from the second apparatus, a capability enquiry message for the capability information of the first apparatus.

[0183] In some example embodiments, the one or more switching time offset values are related to at least one of a numerology, a scheduling length, or a downlink reference signal configuration.

[0184] In some example embodiments, the one or more switching time offset values are common for all switching between downlink reference signal configurations.

[0185] In some example embodiments, each of the one or more switching time offset values corresponds to one switching between downlink reference signal configurations.

[0186] In some example embodiments, the one or more downlink reference signal configurations are applicable for a first multi-slot scheduling length.

[0187] In some example embodiments, the maximum length of the first multi-slot scheduling length is predefined.

[0188] In some example embodiments, the capability information is transmitted via a radio resource control, RRC.

[0189] In some example embodiments, the first apparatus comprises a terminal device, and the second apparatus comprises a network device.

[0190] In some example embodiments, a second apparatus capable of performing any of the method 800 (for example, the second apparatus 120 in FIG. 1) may comprise means for performing the respective operations of the method 800. The means may be implemented in any suitable form. For example, the means may be implemented in a circuitry or software module. The second apparatus may be implemented as or included in the second apparatus 120 in FIG. 1 .

[0191] In some example embodiments, the second apparatus comprises means for receiving, from a first apparatus, capability information of the first apparatus indicating one or more switching time offset values, wherein the one or more switching time offset values are for switching between one or more downlink reference signal configurations; and means for transmitting, to the first apparatus, the one or more downlink reference signal configurations associated with the one or more switching time offset values.

[0192] In some example embodiments, the one or more switching time offset values are one or more predetermined values or one or more reconfigurable values.

[0193] In some example embodiments, the one or more switching time offset values are predefined or transmitted to the first apparatus.

[0194] In some example embodiments, the second apparatus further comprises: means for transmitting, to the first apparatus, a capability enquiry message for the capability information of the first apparatus.

[0195] In some example embodiments, the one or more switching time offset values are related to at least one of a numerology, a scheduling length, or a downlink reference signal configuration.

[0196] In some example embodiments, the one or more switching time offset values are common for all switching between downlink reference signal configurations.

[0197] In some example embodiments, each of the one or more switching time offset values corresponds to one switching between downlink reference signal configurations.

[0198] In some example embodiments, the one or more downlink reference signal configurations are applicable for a first multi-slot scheduling length.

[0199] In some example embodiments, the maximum length of the first multi-slot scheduling length is predefined.

[0200] In some example embodiments, the capability information is transmitted via a radio resource control, RRC.

[0201] In some example embodiments, the first apparatus comprises a terminal device, and the second apparatus comprises a network device.

[0202] In some example embodiments, a first apparatus capable of performing any of the method 900 (for example, the first apparatus 110 in FIG. 1) may comprise means for performing the respective operations of the method 900. The means may be implemented in any suitable form. For example, the means may be implemented in a circuitry or software module. The first apparatus may be implemented as or included in the first apparatus 110 in FIG. 1.

[0203] In some example embodiments, the first apparatus comprises means for transmitting, to a second apparatus, capability information of the first apparatus indicating at least one switching time offset value for switching between a pair of downlink reference signal configurations, wherein the pair of downlink reference signal configurations comprises a first downlink reference signalconfiguration and a second downlink reference signal configuration; and means for receiving, from the second apparatus, the pair of downlink reference signal configurations associated with the at least one switching time offset value.

[0204] In some example embodiments, the first apparatus further comprises: means for performing, based on at least one of the pair of downlink reference signal configurations or the at least one switching time offset value, the switching between the pair of downlink reference signal configurations.

[0205] In some example embodiments, the pair of downlink reference signal switching configurations is associated with a number of demodulation reference signal, DMRS, symbols.

[0206] In some example embodiments, the at least one switching time offset value is predefined, or the at least one switching time offset value is received from the second apparatus.

[0207] In some example embodiments, the first apparatus further comprises: means for receiving, from the second apparatus, a capability enquiry message for the capability information of the first apparatus.

[0208] In some example embodiments, a first switching offset value of a switching from the first downlink reference signal configuration to the second downlink reference signal configuration is same as a second switching offset value of a switching from the second downlink reference signal configuration to the first downlink reference signal configuration.

[0209] In some example embodiments, a first switching offset value of a switching from the first downlink reference signal configuration to the second downlink reference signal configuration is different from a second switching offset value of a switching from the second downlink reference signal configuration to the first downlink reference signal configuration.

[0210] In some example embodiments, the capability information comprises at least one of the first switching offset value or the second switching offset value.

[0211] In some example embodiments, the at least one switching time offset value is common for all switching between downlink reference signal configurations.

[0212] In some example embodiments, each of the at least one switching time offset value corresponds to one switching between downlink reference signal configurations.

[0213] In some example embodiments, the pair of downlink reference signal configurations are applicable for a first multi-slot scheduling length.

[0214] In some example embodiments, the maximum length of the first multi-slot scheduling length and the second multi-slot scheduling length is predefined.

[0215] In some example embodiments, the capability information is transmitted via a radio resource control, RRC.

[0216] In some example embodiments, the first apparatus comprises a terminal device, and the second apparatus comprises a network device.

[0217] In some example embodiments, a second apparatus capable of performing any of the method 1000 (for example, the second apparatus 120 in FIG. 1) may comprise means for performing the respective operations of the method 1000. The means may be implemented in any suitable form. For example, the means may be implemented in a circuitry or software module. The second apparatus may be implemented as or included in the second apparatus 120 in FIG. 1.

[0218] In some example embodiments, the second apparatus comprises means for receiving, from a first apparatus, capability information of the first apparatus indicating at least one switching time offset value for switching between a pair of downlink reference signal configurations, wherein the pair of downlink reference signal configurations comprises a first downlink reference signal configuration and a second downlink reference signal configuration; and means for transmitting, to the first apparatus, the pair of downlink reference signal configurations associated with the at least one switching time offset value.

[0219] In some example embodiments, the pair of downlink reference signal switching configurations is associated with a number of demodulation reference signal, DMRS, symbols.

[0220] In some example embodiments, the at least one switching time offset value is predefined, or the at least one switching time offset value is transmitted to the first apparatus.

[0221] In some example embodiments, a first switching offset value of a switching from the first downlink reference signal configuration to the second downlink reference signal configuration is same as a second switching offset value of a switching from the second downlink reference signal configuration to the first downlink reference signal configuration. In some example embodiments, a first switching offset value of a switching from the first downlink reference signal configuration to the second downlink reference signal configuration is different from a second switching offset value of a switching from the second downlink reference signal configuration to the first downlink reference signal configuration.

[0222] In some example embodiments, the capability information comprises at least one of thefirst switching offset value or the second switching offset value.

[0223] In some example embodiments, the at least one switching time offset value is common for all switching between downlink reference signal configurations.

[0224] In some example embodiments, each of the at least one switching time offset value corresponds to one switching between downlink reference signal configurations.

[0225] In some example embodiments, the pair of downlink reference signal configurations are applicable for a first multi-slot scheduling length.

[0226] In some example embodiments, the maximum length of the first multi-slot scheduling length and the second multi-slot scheduling length is predefined.

[0227] In some example embodiments, a first apparatus capable of performing any of the method 1100 (for example, the first apparatus 110 in FIG. 1) may comprise means for performing the respective operations of the method 1100. The means may be implemented in any suitable form. For example, the means may be implemented in a circuitry or software module. The first apparatus may be implemented as or included in the first apparatus 110 in FIG. 1.

[0228] In some example embodiments, the first apparatus comprises means for receiving, from a second apparatus, first information for downlink reference signal configuration switching; and means for performing, at least based on the first information, a switching from a first downlink reference signal configuration to a second downlink reference signal configuration.

[0229] In some example embodiments, the first apparatus further comprises: means for transmitting, to the second apparatus, capability information of the first apparatus indicating at least one switching time offset value.

[0230] In some example embodiments, the first apparatus further comprises: means for receiving, from the second apparatus, a capability enquiry message for the capability information of the first apparatus.

[0231] In some example embodiments, different reference signal configurations are applied to a first set of first apparatuses including the first apparatus and a second set of first apparatuses.

[0232] In some example embodiments, the first information for downlink reference signal configuration switching comprises at least one of the following: a parameter indicating whether the switching is applied, one or more switching time offset values, or a parameter indicating at least one of pairs for downlink reference signal configurations switching.

[0233] In some example embodiments, the one or more switching time offset values comprise at least one of the following: a first time offset value, a second time offset value associated with a scheduling length, a third time offset value associated with a numerology, a fourth time offset value associated with a pair of downlink reference signal configurations, a fifth time offset value associated with a symmetric pair of downlink reference signal configurations, or a sixth time offset value associated with an asymmetric pair of downlink reference signal configurations.

[0234] In some example embodiments, the one or more switching time offset values are one or more predetermined value or one or more reconfigurable value.

[0235] In some example embodiments, the one or more switching time offset values are predefined or received from the second apparatus.

[0236] In some example embodiments, the first apparatus further comprises: means for in accordance with a determination that the parameter indicates that the switching is applied, applying a reference signal switching time offset value configured by the first information.

[0237] In some example embodiments, the first apparatus further comprises: means for in accordance with a determination that the parameter indicates that the switching is not applied, applying at least one of: a first default switching time offset value associated with a numerology, or a second default switching time offset value associated with a scheduling length.

[0238] In some example embodiments, the first information is transmitted via a radio resource control, RRC.

[0239] In some example embodiments, the first apparatus comprises a terminal device, and the second apparatus comprises a network device.

[0240] In some example embodiments, a second apparatus capable of performing any of the method 1200 (for example, the second apparatus 120 in FIG. 1) may comprise means for performing the respective operations of the method 1200. The means may be implemented in any suitable form. For example, the means may be implemented in a circuitry or software module. The second apparatus may be implemented as or included in the second apparatus 120 in FIG. 1.

[0241] In some example embodiments, the second apparatus comprises means for determining first information for downlink reference signal configuration switching; and means for transmitting, to the first apparatus, the first information for downlink reference signal configuration switching.

[0242] In some example embodiments, the second apparatus further comprises: means for receiving, from the first apparatus, capability information of the first apparatus, wherein thecapability information indicates at least one switching time offset value.

[0243] In some example embodiments, the second apparatus further comprises: means for determining, based on the at least one switching time offset value, the first information for downlink reference signal configuration switching.

[0244] In some example embodiments, the second apparatus further comprises: means for transmitting, to the first apparatus, a capability enquiry message for the capability information of the first apparatus.

[0245] In some example embodiments, different reference signal configurations are applied to a first set of first apparatuses including the first apparatus and a second set of first apparatuses.

[0246] In some example embodiments, the first information for downlink reference signal configuration switching comprises at least one of the following: a parameter indicating whether the switching is applied, one or more switching time offset values, or a parameter indicating at least one of pairs for downlink reference signal configurations switching.

[0247] In some example embodiments, the one or more switching time offset values comprise at least one of the following: a first time offset value, a second time offset value associated with a scheduling length, a third time offset value associated with a numerology, a fourth time offset value associated with a pair of downlink reference signal configurations, a fifth time offset value associated with a symmetric pair of downlink reference signal configurations, or a sixth time offset value associated with an asymmetric pair of downlink reference signal configurations.

[0248] In some example embodiments, the one or more switching time offset values are one or more predetermined value or one or more reconfigurable value.

[0249] In some example embodiments, the one or more switching time offset values are predefined or transmitted to the first apparatus.

[0250] In some example embodiments, the first information is transmitted via a radio resource control, RRC.

[0251] In some example embodiments, the first apparatus comprises a terminal device, and the second apparatus comprises a network device.

[0252] FIG. 13 is a simplified block diagram of a device 1300 that is suitable for implementing example embodiments of the present disclosure. The device 1300 may be provided to implement a communication device, for example, the first apparatus 110 or the second apparatus 120 asshown in FIG. 1. As shown, the device 1300 includes one or more processors 1310, one or more memories 1320 coupled to the processor 1310, and one or more communication modules 1340 coupled to the processor 1310.

[0253] The communication module 1340 is for bidirectional communications. The communication module 1340 has one or more communication interfaces to facilitate communication with one or more other modules or devices. The communication interfaces may represent any interface that is necessary for communication with other network elements. In some example embodiments, the communication module 1340 may include at least one antenna.

[0254] The processor 1310 may be of any type suitable to the local technical network and may include one or more of the following: general purpose computers, special purpose computers, microprocessors, digital signal processors (DSPs) and processors based on multicore processor architecture, as non-limiting examples. The device 1300 may have multiple processors, such as an application specific integrated circuit chip that is slaved in time to a clock which synchronizes the main processor.

[0255] The memory 1320 may include one or more non-volatile memories and one or more volatile memories. Examples of the non-volatile memories include, but are not limited to, a Read Only Memory (ROM) 1324, an electrically programmable read only memory (EPROM), a flash memory, a hard disk, a compact disc (CD), a digital video disk (DVD), an optical disk, a laser disk, and other magnetic storage and / or optical storage. Examples of the volatile memories include, but are not limited to, a random-access memory (RAM) 1322 and other volatile memories that will not last in the power-down duration.

[0256] A computer program 1330 includes computer executable instructions that are executed by the associated processor 1310. The instructions of the program 1330 may include instructions for performing operations / acts of some example embodiments of the present disclosure. The program 1330 may be stored in the memory, e.g., the ROM 1324. The processor 1310 may perform any suitable actions and processing by loading the program 1330 into the RAM 1322.

[0257] The example embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented by means of the program 1330 so that the device 1300 may perform any process of the disclosure as discussed with reference to FIG. 2 to FIG. 12. The example embodiments of the present disclosure may also be implemented by hardware or by a combination of software and hardware.

[0258] In some example embodiments, the program 1330 may be tangibly contained in a computer readable medium which may be included in the device 1300 (such as in the memory1320) or other storage devices that are accessible by the device 1300. The device 1300 may load the program 1330 from the computer readable medium to the RAM 1322 for execution. In some example embodiments, the computer readable medium may include any types of non-transitory storage medium, such as ROM, EPROM, a flash memory, a hard disk, CD, DVD, and the like. The term "non-transitory,” as used herein, is a limitation of the medium itself (i.e., tangible, not a signal) as opposed to a limitation on data storage persistency (e.g., RAM vs. ROM).

[0259] FIG. 14 shows an example of the computer readable medium 1400 which may be in form of CD, DVD or other optical storage disk. The computer readable medium 1400 has the program 1330 stored thereon.

[0260] Generally, various embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented in hardware or special purpose circuits, software, logic or any combination thereof. Some aspects may be implemented in hardware, and other aspects may be implemented in firmware or software which may be executed by a controller, microprocessor or other computing device. Although various aspects of embodiments of the present disclosure are illustrated and described as block diagrams, flowcharts, or using some other pictorial representations, it is to be understood that the block, apparatus, system, technique or method described herein may be implemented in, as nonlimiting examples, hardware, software, firmware, special purpose circuits or logic, general purpose hardware or controller or other computing devices, or some combination thereof.

[0261] Some example embodiments of the present disclosure also provide at least one computer program product tangibly stored on a computer readable medium, such as a non-transitory computer readable medium. The computer program product includes computer-executable instructions, such as those included in program modules, being executed in a device on a target physical or virtual processor, to carry out any of the methods as described above. Generally, program modules include routines, programs, libraries, objects, classes, components, data structures, or the like that perform particular tasks or implement particular abstract data types. The functionality of the program modules may be combined or split between program modules as desired in various embodiments. Machine-executable instructions for program modules may be executed within a local or distributed device. In a distributed device, program modules may be located in both local and remote storage media.

[0262] Program code for carrying out methods of the present disclosure may be written in any combination of one or more programming languages. The program code may be provided to a processor or controller of a general-purpose computer, special purpose computer, or other programmable data processing apparatus, such that the program code, when executed by theprocessor or controller, cause the functions / operations specified in the flowcharts and / or block diagrams to be implemented. The program code may execute entirely on a machine, partly on the machine, as a stand-alone software package, partly on the machine and partly on a remote machine or entirely on the remote machine or server.

[0263] In the context of the present disclosure, the computer program code or related data may be carried by any suitable carrier to enable the device, apparatus or processor to perform various processes and operations as described above. Examples of the carrier include a signal, computer readable medium, and the like.

[0264] The computer readable medium may be a computer readable signal medium or a computer readable storage medium. A computer readable medium may include but not limited to an electronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared, or semiconductor system, apparatus, or device, or any suitable combination of the foregoing. More specific examples of the computer readable storage medium would include an electrical connection having one or more wires, a portable computer diskette, a hard disk, a random-access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM or Flash memory), an optical fiber, a portable compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), an optical storage device, a magnetic storage device, or any suitable combination of the foregoing.

[0265] Further, although operations are depicted in a particular order, this should not be understood as requiring that such operations be performed in the particular order shown or in sequential order, or that all illustrated operations be performed, to achieve desirable results. In certain circumstances, multitasking and parallel processing may be advantageous. Likewise, although several specific implementation details are contained in the above discussions, these should not be construed as limitations on the scope of the present disclosure, but rather as descriptions of features that may be specific to particular embodiments. Unless explicitly stated, certain features that are described in the context of separate embodiments may also be implemented in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, unless explicitly stated, various features that are described in the context of a single embodiment may also be implemented in a plurality of embodiments separately or in any suitable sub-combination.

[0266] Although the present disclosure has been described in languages specific to structural features and / or methodological acts, it is to be understood that the present disclosure defined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the specific features or acts described above. Rather, the specific features and acts described above are disclosed as example forms of implementing the claims.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:1 . A first apparatus comprising:at least one processor; andat least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the first apparatus to:transmit, to a second apparatus, capability information of the first apparatus indicating at least one switching time offset value for switching between a pair of downlink reference signal configurations, wherein the pair of downlink reference signal configurations comprises a first downlink reference signal configuration and a second downlink reference signal configuration; and receive, from the second apparatus, the pair of downlink reference signal configurations associated with the at least one switching time offset value.

2. The first apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the first apparatus is caused to:perform, based on at least one of the pair of downlink reference signal configurations or the at least one switching time offset value, the switching between the pair of downlink reference signal configurations.

3. The first apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the pair of downlink reference signal switching configurations is associated with a number of demodulation reference signal, DMRS, symbols.

4. The first apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the at least one switching time offset value is predefined, orwherein the at least one switching time offset value is received from the second apparatus.

5. The first apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the first apparatus is caused to:receive, from the second apparatus, a capability enquiry message for the capability information of the first apparatus.

6. The first apparatus of claim 1 , wherein a first switching offset value of a switching from the first downlink reference signal configuration to the second downlink reference signal configuration is same as a second switching offset value of a switching from the second downlink reference signal configuration to the first downlink reference signal configuration.

7. The first apparatus of claim 1 , wherein a first switching offset value of a switching from the first downlink reference signal configuration to the second downlink reference signal configuration is different from a second switching offset value of a switching from the second downlink reference signal configuration to the first downlink reference signal configuration.

8. The first apparatus of claim 6 or 7, wherein the capability information comprises at least one of the first switching offset value or the second switching offset value.

9. The first apparatus of any of claims 1 to 8, wherein the at least one switching time offset value is common for all switching between downlink reference signal configurations.

10. The first apparatus of any of claims 1 to 8, wherein each of the at least one switching time offset value corresponds to one switching between downlink reference signal configurations.

11. The first apparatus of any of claims 1 to 10, wherein the pair of downlink reference signal configurations are applicable for a first multi-slot scheduling length.

12. The first apparatus of claim 11 , wherein the maximum length of the first multi-slot scheduling length and the second multi-slot scheduling length is predefined.

13. A second apparatus comprising:at least one processor; andat least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the second apparatus to:receive, from a first apparatus, capability information of the first apparatus indicating at least one switching time offset value for switching between a pair of downlink reference signal configurations, wherein the pair of downlink reference signal configurations comprises a first downlink reference signal configuration and a second downlink reference signal configuration; and transmit, to the first apparatus, the pair of downlink reference signal configurations associated with the at least one switching time offset value.

14. The second apparatus of claim 13, wherein the pair of downlink reference signal switching configurations is associated with a number of demodulation reference signal, DMRS,symbols.

15. The second apparatus of claim 13, wherein the at least one switching time offset value is predefined, orwherein the at least one switching time offset value is transmitted to the first apparatus.

16. The second apparatus of claim 13, wherein a first switching offset value of a switching from the first downlink reference signal configuration to the second downlink reference signal configuration is same as a second switching offset value of a switching from the second downlink reference signal configuration to the first downlink reference signal configuration, or wherein a first switching offset value of a switching from the first downlink reference signal configuration to the second downlink reference signal configuration is different from a second switching offset value of a switching from the second downlink reference signal configuration to the first downlink reference signal configuration.

17. The second apparatus of claim 16, wherein the capability information comprises at least one of the first switching offset value or the second switching offset value.

18. The second apparatus of any of claims 13 to 17, wherein the at least one switching time offset value is common for all switching between downlink reference signal configurations.

19. The second apparatus of any of claims 13 to 17, wherein each of the at least one switching time offset value corresponds to one switching between downlink reference signal configurations.

20. The second apparatus of any of claims 13 to 19, wherein the pair of downlink reference signal configurations are applicable for a first multi-slot scheduling length.

21. The second apparatus of claim 20, wherein the maximum length of the first multi-slot scheduling length and the second multi-slot scheduling length is predefined.

22. A method comprising:transmitting, at a first apparatus and to a second apparatus, capability information of the first apparatus indicating at least one switching time offset value for switching between a pair ofdownlink reference signal configurations, wherein the pair of downlink reference signal configurations comprises a first downlink reference signal configuration and a second downlink reference signal configuration; andreceiving, from the second apparatus, the pair of downlink reference signal configurations associated with the at least one switching time offset value.

23. A method comprising:receiving, at a second apparatus and from a first apparatus, capability information of the first apparatus indicating at least one switching time offset value for switching between a pair of downlink reference signal configurations, wherein the pair of downlink reference signal configurations comprises a first downlink reference signal configuration and a second downlink reference signal configuration; andtransmitting, to the first apparatus, the pair of downlink reference signal configurations associated with the at least one switching time offset value.

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