Broadcast channel transmission on antenna array systems with uncalibrated transceivers

Abstract

Methods, apparatuses, and computer program products are provided for improving broadcast channel transmission measurements for uncalibrated transceivers. An access network node, e.g., Next Generation Node B (gNB), can trigger user equipment (UE) to aggregate measurements of resources in a cell, such as tracking reference signal (TRS) resource sets, to improve channel estimation and / or offset correction. gNB can trigger UE to aggregate measurements of resources in a cell by including, into a message or signal, e.g., dedicated signaling or a broadcast message, an indication that UE are to aggregate one or more measurements across a plurality of cell resources (e.g., beams). UE can use aggregated measurements of broadcast channel transmissions, such as time-domain and / or doppler measurements, for, e.g., channel estimation during control channel demodulation.

Description

BROADCAST CHANNEL TRANSMISSION ON ANTENNA ARRAY SYSTEMS WITH UNCALIBRATED TRANSCEIVERSRelated Application

[0001] This application claims priority to US provisional Application No. 63 / 772118 filed March 14, 2025, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.Technical Field

[0002] An example embodiment relates generally to improving broadcast channel transmissions on antenna array systems with uncalibrated transceivers and, more specifically, to techniques for triggering user equipment (UEs) to aggregate broadcast channel transmission measurements during channel estimation for demodulation.Background

[0003] Nascent and future telecommunications systems, such as fifth-generation (5G) systems, sixth-generation (6G) systems, will use complex antenna array configurations and geometries, such as multiple input-multiple output (MIMO) and massive MIMO (rnMIMO) radio systems and arrays, for beamforming according to the third-generation partnership project (3GPP) new radio (NR) framework. An example antenna array can include, e.g., a circular array with four omnidirectional elements, but many other array configurations and geometries will be used. Different antenna array configurations and geometries will often produce different beamformed transmissions having different multilobe patterns. When a receiving antenna array is calibrated to a transmitting antenna array, the receiving antenna array can use calibration information to carry out sufficiently accurate channel estimation for demodulating beamformed transmissions received from the transmitting antenna array. However, small changes in location or orientation of the receiving antenna array or in the environment can cause large and rapid changes in power use for operation of the receiving antenna array.Brief Summary

[0004] Methods, apparatuses, and computer program products are provided for improving broadcast channel transmission measurements for uncalibrated transceivers. An access network node, e.g., Next Generation Node B (gNB), can trigger user equipment (UE) to aggregate measurements of tracking reference signal (TRS) resource sets for, e.g., single Doppler and / or time domain parameter estimation. gNB can trigger UE to aggregate measurements of TRSresources sets by including, into dedicated signaling or broadcast signaling, such as a configuration of TRS resource sets, an indication that UE are to aggregate measurements of TRS resource sets for, e.g., single Doppler and / or time-domain parameter estimation. UE is then configured, based on said indication, to aggregate broadcast channel transmission measurements across TRS resource sets. UE subsequently receives control or shared channel transmissions from the gNB and applies aggregated Doppler and / or time-domain parameter estimates for channel estimation during control / shared channel demodulation.

[0005] According to some aspects, there is provided the subject matter of the independent claims. Some further aspects are defined in the dependent claims. The embodiments that do not fall under the scope of the claims are to be interpreted as examples useful for understanding the disclosure.

[0006] According to an aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a method, or a method can be carried out, that comprises receiving, at a user equipment, from a network node, an indication to aggregate reception of a plurality of resources in a cell for channel measurement purposes; and based at least on the indication, aggregating reception of the plurality of resources in the cell for channel measurement purposes.

[0007] In some embodiments, the indication is received in a broadcast signal. In some embodiments, the indication is received in dedicated signaling. In some embodiments, the indication is received via a broadcast channel. In some embodiments, the indication is received via a dedicated channel. In some embodiments, the indication is received in one of: system information, downlink control information, a master information block, a system information block, or configurational information associated with the cell or a communication system in which the cell is located. In some embodiments, the indication is received utilizing a single received filter. In some embodiments, the indication to aggregate reception of the plurality of resources in the cell for channel measurement purposes is an indication to aggregate measurement values for one or more measurements across available resources in the cell.

[0008] In some embodiments, the indication received from the network node further indicates that the user equipment is to monitor all resources in the cell for system information without initiating an intra-cell beam switching procedure unless the user equipment receives a beam switching command from the network node. In some embodiments, the method further comprises, based on the indication further indicating that the user equipment is to monitor all resources in the cell for system information without initiating an intra-cell beam switching procedure unless the user equipment receives a beam switching command from the network node, monitoring all resources in the cell for system information without initiating an intra-cellbeam switching procedure; and, in an instance in which a beam switching command is received from the network node, initiating an intra-cell beam switching procedure.

[0009] In some embodiments, the indication received from the network node further indicates that the user equipment is to monitor all resources in the cell without resetting any filters used for reception of the resources in the cell. In some embodiments, the method further comprises, based on the indication further indicating that the user equipment is to monitor all resources in the cell without resetting any filters used for reception of the resources in the cell, monitoring all resources in the cell; and refraining from resetting any filters used for reception of the resources in the cell.

[0010] In some embodiments, the indication comprises one of a flag, an information element (IE), a bit, a bit sequence, a field, or a value. In some embodiments, the plurality of resources comprise a plurality of beams in the cell. In some embodiments, the method further comprises, in response to receiving the indication, initiating aggregation of one or more beam measurements across the plurality of beams in the cell each time the one or more beam measurements are subsequently performed for the plurality of beams in the cell. In some embodiments, the method further comprises using aggregated one or more beam measurements to compensate for one or more of: time offset, frequency offset, phase offset, or delay offset. In some embodiments, the method further comprises receiving, from the network node, one or more signals using the plurality of resources in the cell; and, in an instance in which the user equipment is configured to aggregate one or more measurements across available resources in cells, aggregating the one or more measurements across the plurality of resources in the cell.

[0011] In some embodiments, the indication comprises an indication that the user equipment is to aggregate measurements across downlink resource sets for one or more measurements. In some embodiments, the plurality of resources comprise a plurality of downlink resource sets. In some embodiments, the method further comprises aggregating, based at least on the indication, measurement values for one or more measurements across the plurality of downlink resource sets received from the network node. In some embodiments, the one or more measurements comprise at least one of: a doppler parameter measurement, a doppler parameter measurement estimation, a time-domain parameter measurement, or a timedomain parameter measurement estimation. In some embodiments, the method further comprises performing the one or more measurements for respective downlink resource sets of the plurality of downlink resource sets. In some embodiments, the aggregating measurements of the plurality of downlink resource sets received from the network node for the one or more measurements comprises aggregating a plurality of measurement values of the plurality ofdownlink resource sets for respective measurements from among the one or more measurement. In some embodiments, the indication is received in configuration information associated with the plurality of downlink resource sets. In some embodiments, the plurality of downlink resource sets comprises at least one of: tracked resource set (TRS) resource sets, channel start information reference signal (CSI-RS) resource set, or synchronization signal blocks (SSBs). In some embodiments, the plurality of downlink resource sets to be aggregated contain the same information.

[0012] In some embodiments, the method further comprises, subsequent to the aggregating the one or more measurements for the plurality of downlink resource sets, while performing channel estimation to receive subsequent downlink signals, applying the aggregated one or more measurements. In some embodiments, the one or more measurements comprise at least one of: a doppler parameter measurement, a doppler parameter measurement estimation, a time-domain parameter measurement, or a time-domain parameter measurement estimation. In some embodiments, the aggregating the one or more measurements generates one or more of: a doppler spread, a doppler shift, a time spread, or an average delay. In some embodiments, the method further comprises calculating, based at least upon the aggregated one or more measurements for the plurality of downlink resource sets, one or more of: the doppler spread, the doppler shift, the time spread, or the average delay computed based on the aggregated downlink resources sets. In some embodiments, the channel estimation comprises applying one or more of: the doppler spread, the doppler shift, the time spread, or the average delay computed based on the aggregated downlink resources sets. In some embodiments, the method further comprises receiving a downlink payload carried in a physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH) or a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH); and applying one or more of the aggregated doppler spread, the aggregated doppler shift, the aggregated time spread, or the aggregated average delay onto one or more channel estimators for the PDSCH or the PDCCH to form one or more modified channel estimators. In some embodiments, the method further comprises using the one or more modified channel estimators during demodulation of the PDSCH or the PDCCH.

[0013] In some embodiments, the network node comprises or is configured to communicate using an antenna array comprising a plurality of antenna elements that are each spaced a non-zero distance from other antenna elements in the antenna array. In some embodiments, the non-zero distance of each antenna element from the other antenna elements in the antenna array is more than half a signal wavelength. In some embodiments, the user equipment comprises: at least one processor; an antenna array comprising one or more antennaelements; a bidirectional transceiver configured to control reception and transmission operations of the antenna array; and at least one memory comprising processor-executable instructions stored thereon.

[0014] According to other aspects of the present disclosure, a method can be provided or carried out that comprises provisioning, by a network node, to a user equipment, an indication to aggregate reception of a plurality of resources in a cell for channel measurement purposes; and causing, by at least the provisioning of the indication, the user equipment to aggregate reception of the plurality of resources in the cell for channel measurement purposes.

[0015] In some embodiments, the indication is provisioned to the user equipment in a broadcast signal. In some embodiments, the indication is provisioned to the user equipment in dedicated signaling. In some embodiments, the indication is provisioned to the user equipment via a broadcast channel. In some embodiments, the indication is provisioned to the user equipment via a dedicated channel. In some embodiments, the indication is provisioned to the user equipment in one of: system information, downlink control information, a master information block, a system information block, or configurational information associated with the cell or a communication system in which the cell is located. In some embodiments, the indication to aggregate reception of the plurality of resources in the cell for channel measurement purposes is an indication to aggregate measurement values for one or more measurements across available resources in the cell. In some embodiments, the indication further indicates that the user equipment is to monitor all resources in the cell for system information without initiating an intra-cell beam switching procedure unless the user equipment receives a beam switching command from the network node. In some embodiments, the indication further indicates that the user equipment is to monitor all resources in the cell for system information without initiating an intra-cell beam switching procedure unless the user equipment receives a beam switching command from the network node. In some embodiments, the indication further indicates that the user equipment is to monitor all resources in the cell without resetting any filters used for reception of the resources in the cell. In some embodiments, the indication further indicates that the user equipment is to monitor all resources in the cell without resetting any filters used for reception of the resources in the cell. In some embodiments, the indication comprises one of a flag, an information element (IE), a bit, a bit sequence, a field, or a value. In some embodiments, the plurality of resources comprise a plurality of beams in the cell. In some embodiments, the indication is operable to cause the user equipment to initiate aggregation of one or more beam measurements across the plurality of beams in the cell each time the one or more beam measurements are subsequently performedfor the plurality of beams in the cell. In some embodiments, the aggregating of the one or more beam measurements across the plurality of beams in the cell generates one or more aggregated beam measurements that are usable by the user equipment to compensate for one or more of: time offset, frequency offset, phase offset, or delay offset.

[0016] In some embodiments, the method further comprises provisioning, to the user equipment, one or more signals using the plurality of resources in the cell. In some embodiments, the indication is operable to cause the user equipment to aggregate the one or more measurements across the plurality of resources in the cell for the one or more signals received using the plurality of resources in the cell. In some embodiments, the indication comprises an indication that the user equipment is to aggregate measurements across downlink resource sets for one or more measurements. In some embodiments, the plurality of resources comprise a plurality of downlink resource sets. In some embodiments, the indication is operable to cause the user equipment to aggregate measurement values for one or more measurements across the plurality of downlink resource sets provisioned to the user equipment. In some embodiments, the one or more measurements comprise at least one of: a doppler parameter measurement, a doppler parameter measurement estimation, a time-domain parameter measurement, or a time-domain parameter measurement estimation. In some embodiments, the indication is operable to cause the user equipment to perform the one or more measurements for respective downlink resource sets of the plurality of downlink resource sets. In some embodiments, the indication is operable to cause the user equipment to perform aggregation of the one or more measurements of the plurality of downlink resource sets by causing the user equipment to aggregate a plurality of measurement values of the plurality of downlink resource sets for respective measurements from among the one or more measurement. In some embodiments, the indication is provisioned to the user equipment in configuration information associated with the plurality of downlink resource sets. In some embodiments, the plurality of downlink resource sets comprises at least one of: tracked resource set (TRS) resource sets, channel start information reference signal (CSI-RS) resource set, or synchronization signal blocks (SSBs). In some embodiments, the plurality of downlink resource sets to be aggregated contain the same information. In some embodiments, the indication is operable to cause the user equipment, subsequent to aggregating the one or more measurements for the plurality of downlink resource sets, to apply the aggregated one or more measurements during channel estimation to receive subsequent downlink signals. In some embodiments, the one or more measurements comprise at least one of: a doppler parameter measurement, a doppler parameter measurement estimation, a time-domain parameter measurement, or a time-domain parametermeasurement estimation. In some embodiments, the indication is operable to cause the user equipment to aggregate the one or more measurements to generate one or more of: a doppler spread, a doppler shift, a time spread, or an average delay. In some embodiments, one or more of: the doppler spread, the doppler shift, the time spread, or the average delay are calculable based on the aggregated downlink resources sets. In some embodiments, one or more of: the doppler spread, the doppler shift, the time spread, or the average delay computed based on the aggregated downlink resources sets, when applied during channel estimation, improve a quality of the channel estimation.

[0017] In some embodiments, the method further comprises provisioning, to the user equipment, a downlink payload carried in a physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH) or a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH). In some embodiments, the indication is operable to cause the user equipment to apply one or more of the aggregated doppler spread, the aggregated doppler shift, the aggregated time spread, or the aggregated average delay onto one or more channel estimators for the PDSCH or the PDCCH to form one or more modified channel estimators. In some embodiments, the indication is operable to cause the user equipment to use the one or more modified channel estimators during demodulation of the PDSCH or the PDCCH. In some embodiments, the network node comprises an antenna array comprising a plurality of antenna elements that are each spaced a non-zero distance from other antenna elements in the antenna array. In some embodiments, the non-zero distance of each antenna element from the other antenna elements in the antenna array is more than half a signal wavelength. In some embodiments, the network node is a Next Generation node B.

[0018] According to an aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a method, or a method can be carried out, that comprises receiving, at a user equipment, from a network node, an indication to aggregate reception of a plurality of resources in a cell for channel measurement purposes; based on the indication, aggregating reception of the plurality of resources in the cell for channel measurement purposes; and, in response to a trigger, discontinuing aggregation of reception of the plurality of resources in the cell for channel measurement purposes.

[0019] In some embodiments, the trigger comprises receiving in the indication from the network node a duration for which to aggregate reception of the plurality of resources in the cell for channel measurement purposes. In some embodiments, the method further comprises, after the duration identified in the indication elapses, discontinuing aggregation of reception of the plurality of resources in the cell for channel measurement purposes. In some embodiments, the trigger is a second indication to discontinue aggregating reception of the plurality ofresources in the cell for channel measurement purposes. In some embodiments, the method further comprises receiving, from the network node, the second indication to discontinue aggregating reception of the plurality of resources in the cell for channel measurement purposes; and, in response to receiving the second indication, discontinuing aggregation reception of the plurality of resources in the cell for channel measurement purposes.

[0020] In some embodiments, the indication is received in a broadcast signal. In some embodiments, the indication is received in dedicated signaling. In some embodiments, the indication is received via a broadcast channel. In some embodiments, the indication is received via a dedicated channel. In some embodiments, the indication is received in one of: system information, downlink control information, a master information block, a system information block, or configurational information associated with the cell or a communication system in which the cell is located. In some embodiments, the indication is received utilizing a single received filter. In some embodiments, the indication to aggregate reception of the plurality of resources in the cell for channel measurement purposes is an indication to aggregate measurement values for one or more measurements across available resources in the cell. In some embodiments, the indication received from the network node further indicates that the user equipment is to monitor all resources in the cell for system information without initiating an intra-cell beam switching procedure unless the user equipment receives a beam switching command from the network node.

[0021] In some embodiments, the method further comprises, based on the indication further indication that the user equipment is to monitor all resources in the cell for system information without initiating an intra-cell beam switching procedure unless the user equipment receives a beam switching command from the network node, monitoring all resources in the cell for system information without initiating an intra-cell beam switching procedure; and, in an instance in which a beam switching command is received from the network node, initiating an intra-cell beam switching procedure. In some embodiments, the indication received from the network node further indicates that the user equipment is to monitor all resources in the cell without resetting any filters used for reception of the resources in the cell. In some embodiments, the method further comprises, based on the indication further indication that the user equipment is to monitor all resources in the cell without resetting any filters used for reception of the resources in the cell, monitoring all resources in the cell; and refraining from resetting any filters used for reception of the resources in the cell. In some embodiments, the indication comprises one of a flag, an information element (IE), a bit, a bit sequence, a field, or a value.

[0022] In some embodiments, the plurality of resources comprise a plurality of beams in the cell. In some embodiments, the method further comprises, in response to receiving the indication, initiating aggregation of one or more beam measurements across the plurality of beams in the cell each time the one or more beam measurements are subsequently performed for the plurality of beams in the cell. In some embodiments, the method further comprises using aggregated one or more beam measurements to compensate for one or more of: time offset, frequency offset, phase offset, or delay offset.

[0023] In some embodiments, the method further comprises receiving, from the network node, one or more signals using the plurality of resources in the cell; and, in an instance in which the user equipment is configured to aggregate one or more measurements across available resources in cells, aggregating the one or more measurements across the plurality of resources in the cell. In some embodiments, the indication comprises an indication that the user equipment is to aggregate measurements across downlink resource sets for one or more measurements. In some embodiments, the plurality of resources comprise a plurality of downlink resource sets. In some embodiments, the method further comprises aggregating, based at least on the indication, measurement values for one or more measurements across the plurality of downlink resource sets received from the network node. In some embodiments, the one or more measurements comprise at least one of: a doppler parameter measurement, a doppler parameter measurement estimation, a time-domain parameter measurement, or a timedomain parameter measurement estimation. In some embodiments, the method further comprises performing the one or more measurements for respective downlink resource sets of the plurality of downlink resource sets. In some embodiments, the aggregating measurements of the plurality of downlink resource sets received from the network node for the one or more measurements comprises aggregating a plurality of measurement values of the plurality of downlink resource sets for respective measurements from among the one or more measurement.

[0024] In some embodiments, the indication is received in configuration information associated with the plurality of downlink resource sets. In some embodiments, the plurality of downlink resource sets comprises at least one of: tracked resource set (TRS) resource sets, channel start information reference signal (CSI-RS) resource set, or synchronization signal blocks (SSBs). In some embodiments, the plurality of downlink resource sets to be aggregated contain the same information. In some embodiments, the method further comprises, subsequent to the aggregating the one or more measurements for the plurality of downlink resource sets, while performing channel estimation to receive subsequent downlink signals, applying theaggregated one or more measurements. In some embodiments, the one or more measurements comprise at least one of: a doppler parameter measurement, a doppler parameter measurement estimation, a time-domain parameter measurement, or a time-domain parameter measurement estimation. In some embodiments, the aggregating the one or more measurements generates one or more of: a doppler spread, a doppler shift, a time spread, or an average delay. In some embodiments, the method further comprises calculating, based at least upon the aggregated one or more measurements for the plurality of downlink resource sets, one or more of: the doppler spread, the doppler shift, the time spread, or the average delay computed based on the aggregated downlink resources sets. In some embodiments, the channel estimation comprises applying one or more of: the doppler spread, the doppler shift, the time spread, or the average delay computed based on the aggregated downlink resources sets.

[0025] In some embodiments, the method further comprises receiving a downlink payload carried in a physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH) or a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH); and applying one or more of the aggregated doppler spread, the aggregated doppler shift, the aggregated time spread, or the aggregated average delay onto one or more channel estimators for the PDSCH or the PDCCH to form one or more modified channel estimators. In some embodiments, the method further comprises using the one or more modified channel estimators during demodulation of the PDSCH or the PDCCH. In some embodiments, the network node comprises or is configured to communicate using an antenna array comprising a plurality of antenna elements that are each spaced a non-zero distance from other antenna elements in the antenna array. In some embodiments, the non-zero distance of each antenna element from the other antenna elements in the antenna array is more than half a signal wavelength. In some embodiments, the user equipment comprises at least one processor; an antenna array comprising one or more antenna elements; a bidirectional transceiver configured to control reception and transmission operations of the antenna array; and at least one memory comprising processor-executable instructions stored thereon.

[0026] In accordance with other aspects of the present disclosure, a method is provided, or can be carried out, that comprises generating an indication to aggregate reception of a plurality of resources in a cell for channel measurement purposes; provisioning, by a network node, to a user equipment, the indication to aggregate reception of the plurality of resources in the cell for channel measurement purposes; and, based upon a trigger, causing the user equipment to discontinue aggregating reception of the plurality of resources in the cell for channel measurement purposes.

[0027] In some embodiments, the trigger comprises provisioning, to the user equipment, with or in the indication, a duration for which to aggregate reception of the plurality of resources in the cell for channel measurement purposes. In some embodiments, the duration provisioned to the user equipment with or in the indication is operable to cause the user equipment to, after the duration has elapsed, discontinue aggregation of reception of the plurality of resources in the cell for channel measurement purposes. In some embodiments, the trigger comprises a second indication provisioned to the user equipment, the second indication indicating to discontinue aggregating reception of the plurality of resources in the cell for channel measurement purposes. In some embodiments, the method can further comprise provisioning, to the user equipment, the second indication to discontinue aggregating reception of the plurality of resources in the cell for channel measurement purposes. In some embodiments, the second indication is operable to cause the user equipment, in response to receiving the second indication, to discontinue aggregating reception of the plurality of resources in the cell for channel measurement purposes.

[0028] In some embodiments, the indication is provisioned to the user equipment in a broadcast signal. In some embodiments, the indication is provisioned to the user equipment in dedicated signaling. In some embodiments, the indication is provisioned to the user equipment via a broadcast channel. In some embodiments, the indication is provisioned to the user equipment via a dedicated channel. In some embodiments, the indication is provisioned to the user equipment in one of: system information, downlink control information, a master information block, a system information block, or configurational information associated with the cell or a communication system in which the cell is located. In some embodiments, the indication to aggregate reception of the plurality of resources in the cell for channel measurement purposes is an indication to aggregate measurement values for one or more measurements across available resources in the cell.

[0029] In some embodiments, the indication further indicates that the user equipment is to monitor all resources in the cell for system information without initiating an intra-cell beam switching procedure unless the user equipment receives a beam switching command from the network node. In some embodiments, the indication further indicates that the user equipment is to monitor all resources in the cell for system information without initiating an intra-cell beam switching procedure unless the user equipment receives a beam switching command from the network node. In some embodiments, the indication further indicates that the user equipment is to monitor all resources in the cell without resetting any filters used for reception of the resources in the cell. In some embodiments, the indication further indicates that the userequipment is to monitor all resources in the cell without resetting any filters used for reception of the resources in the cell. In some embodiments, the indication comprises one of a flag, an information element (IE), a bit, a bit sequence, a field, or a value. In some embodiments, the plurality of resources comprise a plurality of beams in the cell. In some embodiments, the indication is operable to cause the user equipment to initiate aggregation of one or more beam measurements across the plurality of beams in the cell each time the one or more beam measurements are subsequently performed for the plurality of beams in the cell. In some embodiments, the aggregating of the one or more beam measurements across the plurality of beams in the cell generates one or more aggregated beam measurements that are usable by the user equipment to compensate for one or more of: time offset, frequency offset, phase offset, or delay offset.

[0030] In some embodiments, the method can further comprise provisioning, to the user equipment, one or more signals using the plurality of resources in the cell. In some embodiments, the indication is operable to cause the user equipment to aggregate the one or more measurements across the plurality of resources in the cell for the one or more signals received using the plurality of resources in the cell. In some embodiments, the indication comprises an indication that the user equipment is to aggregate measurements across downlink resource sets for one or more measurements. In some embodiments, the plurality of resources comprise a plurality of downlink resource sets. In some embodiments, the indication is operable to cause the user equipment to aggregate measurement values for one or more measurements across the plurality of downlink resource sets provisioned to the user equipment. In some embodiments, the one or more measurements comprise at least one of: a doppler parameter measurement, a doppler parameter measurement estimation, a time-domain parameter measurement, or a time-domain parameter measurement estimation. In some embodiments, the indication is operable to cause the user equipment to perform the one or more measurements for respective downlink resource sets of the plurality of downlink resource sets. In some embodiments, the indication is operable to cause the user equipment to perform aggregation of the one or more measurements of the plurality of downlink resource sets by causing the user equipment to aggregate a plurality of measurement values of the plurality of downlink resource sets for respective measurements from among the one or more measurement. In some embodiments, the indication is provisioned to the user equipment in configuration information associated with the plurality of downlink resource sets. In some embodiments, the plurality of downlink resource sets comprises at least one of: tracked resource set (TRS) resource sets, channel start information reference signal (CSI-RS) resource set, or synchronization signalblocks (SSBs). In some embodiments, the plurality of downlink resource sets to be aggregated contain the same information. In some embodiments, the indication is operable to cause the user equipment, subsequent to aggregating the one or more measurements for the plurality of downlink resource sets, to apply the aggregated one or more measurements during channel estimation to receive subsequent downlink signals. In some embodiments, the one or more measurements comprise at least one of: a doppler parameter measurement, a doppler parameter measurement estimation, a time-domain parameter measurement, or a time-domain parameter measurement estimation. In some embodiments, the indication is operable to cause the user equipment to aggregate the one or more measurements to generate one or more of: a doppler spread, a doppler shift, a time spread, or an average delay. In some embodiments, one or more of: the doppler spread, the doppler shift, the time spread, or the average delay are calculable based on the aggregated downlink resources sets. In some embodiments, one or more of: the doppler spread, the doppler shift, the time spread, or the average delay computed based on the aggregated downlink resources sets, when applied during channel estimation, improve a quality of the channel estimation.

[0031] In some embodiments, the method can further comprise provisioning, to the user equipment, a downlink payload carried in a physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH) or a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH). In some embodiments, the indication is operable to cause the user equipment to apply one or more of the aggregated doppler spread, the aggregated doppler shift, the aggregated time spread, or the aggregated average delay onto one or more channel estimators for the PDSCH or the PDCCH to form one or more modified channel estimators. In some embodiments, the indication is operable to cause the user equipment to use the one or more modified channel estimators during demodulation of the PDSCH or the PDCCH. In some embodiments, the network node comprises an antenna array comprising a plurality of antenna elements that are each spaced a non-zero distance from other antenna elements in the antenna array. In some embodiments, the non-zero distance of each antenna element from the other antenna elements in the antenna array is more than half a signal wavelength. In some embodiments, the network node is a Next Generation node B.

[0032] According to other aspects of the present disclosure, there is provided an apparatus or apparatuses that are configured to perform one or more of the described methods. An apparatus can be provided that comprises at least one processor and at least one memory storing instructions therein that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to perform one or more operations or steps of a method. For example, an apparatus may include at least one processor and at least one memory storing instructions therein that, when executedby the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to perform at least some or all operations or steps of one or more of the described methods.

[0033] According to other aspects of the present disclosure, there is provided a computer program product or computer program products that are configured to cause performance of one or more of the described methods. A computer program product can be provided that comprises at least one non-transitory computer-readable storage medium comprising instructions (e.g., as codes, program codes, computer program codes, or the like) that, when executed by at least one processor of an apparatus, cause the apparatus to perform one or more operations or steps of a method. For example, a computer program product can be provided that comprises at least one non-transitory computer-readable storage medium comprising program codes stored therein that, when executed by at least one processor of an apparatus, cause the apparatus to perform at least some or all operations or steps of one or more of the described methods.

[0034] According to other aspects of the present disclosure, there is provided an apparatus or apparatuses comprising or having means for performing one or more operations or steps, such as one or more operations or steps of the described methods. For example, an apparatus may include individual means for carrying out respective operations or steps of the one or more operations or one or more steps of a described method. As another example, an apparatus may include singular means for carrying out the one or more operations or steps of a described method. As another example, an apparatus may include a single set of means, such as at least one processor and at least one memory, for carrying out the one or more operations or one or more steps of a described method.Brief Description of the Drawings

[0035] Having thus described certain example embodiments of the present disclosure in general terms, reference will hereinafter be made to the accompanying drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale, and wherein:

[0036] FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a communication network to which examples disclosed herein may be applied;

[0037] FIG. 2 is a photograph of an example antenna array, in accordance with some example embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0038] FIG. 3 is a schematic illustration of a top view of an example antenna configuration, in accordance with some example embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0039] FIG. 4 is a simplified illustration of a beamset used for beamformed transmissions, in accordance with some example embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0040] FIG. 5 is a simplified illustration of a beamset used when a signal is transmitted from all antenna elements in a multi-element antenna array, in accordance with some example embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0041] FIG. 6 is a simplified illustration of a beamset used for transmitting SSB and / or TRS signals using all antenna elements of a multi-element antenna array, in accordance with some example embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0042] FIG. 7 illustrates a block diagram of an apparatus that may be configured to perform one or more of the methods, processes, steps, or actions described herein, in accordance with some example embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0043] FIG. 8 illustrates a block diagram of an apparatus that may be configured to perform one or more of the methods, processes, steps, or actions described herein, in accordance with some example embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0044] FIG. 9 shows an example signal flow diagram for configuring a UE to aggregate certain measurements, in accordance with some example embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0045] FIG. 10 is an example flowchart of a process that may be performed by a UE, in accordance with some example embodiments of the present disclosure; and

[0046] FIG. 11 is an example flowchart of a process that may be performed by an element or function of a communication system, in accordance with some example embodiments of the present disclosure.Detailed Description

[0047] The following embodiments are exemplary. Although the specification may refer to “an”, “one”, or “some” embodiment(s) in several locations of the text, this does not necessarily mean that each reference is made to the same embodiment(s), or that a particular feature only applies to a single embodiment. Single features of different embodiments may also be combined to provide other embodiments. Further, when a particular feature, structure, or characteristic is described in connection of some embodiments, it is within the knowledge of one skilled in the art to apply such feature, structure, or characteristic in connection with other embodiments whether or not explicitly described. It shall be understood that although the terms “first,” “second” and the like may be used herein to describe various elements, these elementsshould not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element from another.

[0048] For the purposes of the present disclosure, the phrases “at least one of A or B”, “at least one of A and B”, and “A and / or B” means (A), (B), or (A and B). For the purposes of the present disclosure, the phrase “A, B, and / or C” means (A), (B), (C), (A and B), (A and C), (B and C), or (A, B, and C).

[0049] Certain embodiments described may be implemented in a communication network, such as any of the following radio access technologies (RATs): Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX), Global System for Mobile communications (GSM, 2G), GSM EDGE radio access Network (GERAN), General Packet Radio Service (GRPS), Universal Mobile Telecommunication System (UMTS, 3G) based on basic wideband-code division multiple access (W-CDMA), high-speed packet access (HSPA), Long Term Evolution (LTE), LTE- Advanced, and enhanced LTE (eLTE), 5G (also called NR), or any future RAT such as 6G. Moreover, communication within the communication network may utilize any proper wireless communication technology, including 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), and / or Discrete Fourier Transform spread OFDM (DFT-s-OFDM).

[0050] As used herein, the term “network device” or “network node” refers to a node in a communication network via which user equipment may access the network and / or which is capable of controlling radio communication and managing radio resources within a cell. The network node or network device may be referred to as a base station (BS), an access point (AP), a network node, or an access node. The network device may be, depending on the applied technology, for example, a node B (NodeB or NB), an evolved NodeB (eNodeB or eNB), an NR NB (also referred to as a gNB), a Remote Radio Unit (RRU), a radio head (RH), a remote radio head (RRH), a relay, an Integrated Access and Backhaul (IAB) node, a low power node, 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, or an aircraft network device.

[0051] Moreover, in connection of split radio access network (RAN), the network device may refer to a centralised unit (CU) of a base station and / or a distributed unit (DU) of a base station. An interface between CU and DU may be referred to as an Fl interface in NR. In the split RAN architecture, node operations may be carried out, at least partly, in thecentral / centralized unit (CU) (e.g., server, host or node) operationally coupled to the DU, (e.g. a radio head / node). One CU may control one or more DUs, acting at least as transmit / receive (Tx / Rx) nodes. In some embodiments, the DUs may include e.g. a radio link control (RLC), medium access control (MAC) layer and a physical (PHY) layer, whereas the CU may include the layers above RLC layer, such as a packet data convergence protocol (PDCP) layer, a radio resource control (RRC) and an internet protocol (IP) layers. Other functional splits are possible too. In practice, any processing task may be performed in either the CU or the DU and the boundary where the responsibility is shifted between the CU and the DU may depend on the applied implementation.

[0052] The term “terminal device” refers to any end device that may be capable of wireless communication. By way of example, a terminal device may be referred to as a communication device, user equipment (UE), a Subscriber Station (SS), or a Mobile Station (MS). The terminal device may include 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, USB dongles, 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.

[0053] A term “resource”, as used herein, may refer to radio resources in time domain, in frequency domain, in space domain, and / or in code domain. Some examples of resources include e.g. a physical resource block (PRB), a radio frame, a subframe, a time slot, a subband, a frequency region, a sub-carrier, a beam, etc. The term “transmission” and / or “reception” may refer to wirelessly transmitting and / or receiving via a wireless propagation channel on radio resources.

[0054] The term “including” means including but not limited to and should be interpreted in the manner it is typically used in the patent context. Use of broader terms such as includes, includes, and having should be understood to provide support for narrower terms such as consisting of, consisting essentially of, and included substantially of. Furthermore, to the extent that the terms “includes” and “including,” and variants thereof are used in either the detaileddescription or the claims, these terms are intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “including.”

[0055] The phrases “in some embodiments,” “according to some embodiments,” “in various embodiments”, and the like generally refer to the fact that the particular feature, structure, or characteristic following the phrase may be included in at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, but not necessarily all embodiments of the present disclosure. Thus, the particular feature, structure, or characteristic may be included in more than one embodiment of the present disclosure such that these phrases do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment.

[0056] As used herein, the terms “example,” “exemplary,” and the like are used to mean “serving as an example, instance, or illustration.” Any implementation, aspect, or design described herein as “example” or “exemplary” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other implementations, aspects, or designs. Rather, use of the terms “example,” “exemplary,” and the like are intended to present concepts in a concrete fashion.

[0057] If the specification states a component or feature “may,” “can,” “could,” “should,” “would,” “preferably,” “possibly,” “typically,” “optionally,” “for example,” “often,” or “might” (or other such language) be included or have a characteristic, that particular component or feature is not required to be included or to have the characteristic. Such component or feature may be optionally included in some embodiments, or it may be excluded.

[0058] As used herein, the term “computer-readable medium” refers to signal, non-transitory computer-readable medium and the like. The term ‘non-transitory computer-readable medium’ refers to non-transitory storage hardware, non-transitory storage device or non-transitory computer system memory that may be accessed by a controller, a microcontroller, a computational system or a module of a computational system to encode thereon computerexecutable instructions or software programs. A non-transitory “computer-readable medium” may be accessed by a computational system or a module of a computational system to retrieve and / or execute the computer-executable instructions or software programs encoded on the medium. Examples of non-transitory computer-readable media may include, but are not limited to, one or more types of hardware memory, non-transitory tangible media (for example, one or more magnetic storage disks, one or more optical disks, one or more USB flash drives), computer system memory or random-access memory (such as, DRAM, SRAM, EDO RAM), and the like.

[0059] FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a communication network to which examples disclosed herein may be applied. The communication network or a cellular communication network may include a network node 110 providing one or more cells, such as cell 100, and anetwork node 112 providing one or more other cells, such as cell 102. Each cell (e.g., 100, 102) may be, e.g., a macro cell, a micro cell, femto, or a pico cell, for example. A cell (e.g., 100, 102) may define a coverage area or a service area of the corresponding network node or access node.

[0060] In some embodiments, network node 110 may provide a user equipment (UE) 120 (or more than one UE) with wireless access to the communication network. The wireless access may include downlink (DL) communication from network node 110 to UE 120 and uplink (UL) communication from UE 120 to network node 110. Examples of uplink channels include physical uplink control channel (PUCCH) for transmitting control information and physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH) for transmitting data towards the network. Examples of downlink channels include physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) for transmitting control information and physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH) for transmit-ting data towards the user equipment.

[0061] There may be a plurality of UEs 120, 122 in the system or communication network. Each of UEs 120, 122 may be served by a same or by different network nodes 110, 112. UE, such as UE 120, 122, may be configured with dual connectivity (DC), such that UE 120 may be connected to multiple network nodes 110, 112. In some embodiments, UEs 120, 122 may communicate with each other, in case device-to-device (D2D) communication interface is established between them via a so-called sidelink (SL). Such D2D communications may be referred to as machine-to-machine, peer-to-peer (P2P) communications, or vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V), for example.

[0062] In the case of multiple network nodes (e.g., 110, 112) in the communication network, the network nodes may be connected to each other via an interface. LTE specifications call such an interface as X2 interface. An interface between an LTE node and a 5G node, or between two 5G nodes may be called Xn interface.

[0063] In some embodiments, network nodes 110, 112 may be further connected via another interface to a core network 116 of the communication network. The LTE specifications specify the core network as an evolved packet core (EPC), and the core network may include e.g. a mobility management entity (MME) and a gateway node. The MME may handle mobility of terminal devices in a tracking area encompassing a plurality of cells and handle signaling connections between the terminal devices and the core network. The gateway node may handle data routing in the core network and to / from the terminal devices. The 5G specifications specify the core network as a 5G core (5GC). The 5G core may include e.g. an access and mobility management function (AMF) and a user plane function / gateway (UPF) and other functions.The AMF may handle termination of non-access stratum (NAS) signaling, NAS ciphering & integrity protection, registration management, connection management, mobility management, access authentication and authorization, security context management. The UPF node may support packet routing and forwarding, packet inspection and quality of service (QoS) handling, for example.

[0064] Under the Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP), a New Radio (NR) framework is being established that is expected to rely to a large extent on the use of beamforming mMIMO radios with complex antenna array geometries.

[0065] NR algorithms are mainly designed based upon an assumption that one of a linear antenna array, a rectangular antenna array, or a planar antenna array will be used. Linear, rectangular, and planar antenna array configurations are typically capable of beamforming. In linear, rectangular, and planar antenna arrays, the inter-element distance is typically around half a wavelength, and such arrays can typically produce beams which have one distinct main lobe. Linear, rectangular, and planar antennas typically have a pattern that is similar to, or the same as, one or more of the pattern(s) described and defined in, e.g., 3GPP TR 38.901, in Table 7.3-1, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety for all purposes. Linear, rectangular, and planar antennas are also typically calibrated. With linear, rectangular, and planar antennas, beams can typically be generated that have a distinct direction of the main lobe, and the main lobe direction is typically also controllable, because linear, rectangular, and planar antennas are calibrated.

[0066] As such, the 3GPP standard currently assumes that there is some form and / or amount of calibration between different array elements. However, these assumptions are not always valid. For example, certain transceivers, such as remote radio head (RRH) transceivers, can be used with any of a wide array of different external antenna array configurations and geometries. In fact, external antenna arrays can have basically any geometry. Among the antenna array geometries contemplated for use in nascent and future NR and mMIMO applications are circular antenna arrays.

[0067] Referring now to FIG. 2, an example of a circular antenna array is illustrated. In FIG. 2, the example antenna array includes eight (8) separate antenna elements in the antenna array. In some embodiments, the example antenna array illustrated in FIG. 3 consists of elements that are omnidirectional in azimuthal direction.

[0068] In some embodiments, the simultaneous or nearly simultaneous transmission (TX) or reception (RX) of signals, such as beamformed signals, from the example antenna array illustrated in FIG. 2 will result in a particular beamset, or set of beams; each beam in a beamsetforms one or more directional lobes, as a radiation pattern in an antenna radiation diagram. In some embodiments, beamforming can be accomplished, in part, by biasing TX power or RX power for a particular main lobe or main beam in a beamset. In some embodiments, lower TX power or RX power is applied for side lobes and back lobes at other portions of the antenna radiation diagram outside of the main lobe or primary beam.

[0069] A beamset can be generated for each element in the antenna array in FIG. 2. Since the elements are offset spatially each from the others, each beamset created by each element, e.g., for a transmission in downlink, will overlap with the other beamsets created by the other elements in the antenna array. However, the present disclosure is not limited to any particular antenna array configuration or geometry.

[0070] Referring now to FIG. 3, another example of a circular antenna array is illustrated which uses four (4) antenna elements. In some embodiments, the example antenna array illustrated in FIG. 3 consists of elements that are omnidirectional in azimuthal direction.

[0071] Some transceivers, such as those that are configured for use with the circular antenna arrays illustrated in FIGs. 2 and 3, do not contain a calibration port. Likewise, certain circular antenna arrays also do not contain a calibration port. As such, the process for array calibration often used to calibrate other mMIMO arrays, such as linear, rectangular, and planar antenna arrays, is not possible. This means that controllable coherent transmission from several array elements is not possible in such circumstances. However, due to the dispersed spatial arrangement of different elements in such circular antenna arrays, there will always be a random phase difference between the array elements.

[0072] Referring now to FIG. 4, an example of an antenna radiation pattern is provided for an example beamset generated by an example mMIMO antenna array configured for performing SSB and TRS transmissions. In some embodiments, SSB and / or TRS signals can be transmitted in six (6) different angular directions, as illustrated in FIG. 4. Because the SSB and / or TRS signals transmitted in six (6) different angular directions, the SSB and / or TRS signals cover an angular range that is greater than the angular range that would be covered by the SSB and / or TRS signals if transmitted in less than six (6) different angular directions. For a UE located in that particular angular range covered by the six (6) different angular directions in which the SSB and / or TRS signals are transmitted, the UE will typically hear one of the lobes of the SSB or TRS signal as a strongest beam (or a primary beam). This is relatively stable situation, meaning that the UE typically can move a large distance longitudinally through the angular range before a new (different) lobe or beam of the SSB and / or TRS signal becomes the strongest or primary lobe / beam.

[0073] However, when the same signal is transmitted from all antenna elements of, e.g., a circular antenna array or another such antenna array or antenna configuration that includes multiple antenna elements that are not calibrated, the beam has multiple maxima and minima due to the relatively large distance between antenna elements. When transmitting the same DL signal from an antenna array, where the array elements are relatively distantly spaced, the outcome will look something like illustrated in FIG. 5. A beam cannot be created that is as directionally specific as that illustrated in FIG. 4. Instead, all such beams have multiple lobes. Note that since the antenna is not calibrated, the exact shape is not known, but the radiation pattern illustrated in FIG. 5 is provided as an example of the multilobe characteristics in the pattern when an uncalibrated antenna array is used.

[0074] When using an uncalibrated antenna array such as that used to generate the radiation pattern illustrated in FIG. 5 for example, small changes in the location or orientation of a UE, and / or small changes in the environment will cause large and rapid changes in the RX power.

[0075] As the cell coverage area is based on the coverage of the SSB signals, several SSBs are currently used for such antennas. For example, another radiation pattern is provided in FIG.6 that illustrates beams used for transmitting four (4) SSB using an uncalibrated antenna array, such as that illustrated in FIG. 2. As shown in the radiation pattern plotted in FIG. 6, the minima and maxima of various SSB are interleaved in order to reduce the likelihood of coverage holes in the desired angular range.

[0076] While signals such as SSB could be transmitted from only one array element of the antenna array, doing so negatively impacts coverage. In FIG. 5, for example, the antenna array generating the plotted radiation pattern was using power normalization, such that the signal which was transmitted from one element only was at the level of 0 dB. However, as these antennas and other similar antennas are desired for use in, e.g., covering large rural areas, good TX power is essential.

[0077] The expectation of typical operation for UE 120 is that it uses at least TRS resource set (single resource set at a time) for frequency and time synchronization, Doppler shift and Doppler spread measurements, delay spread and average delay measurements, etc. In some embodiments, some or all of these measurements and processes will be based on UE-specific or operator-specific algorithms. Nevertheless, TRS usage is expected. According to some embodiments, UE 120 RX will reset its “loops” upon changing the TRS resource set being used, which means that UE 120 typically cannot support dynamic TRS resource set (beam) switching. In order words, UE 120 cannot continue tracking when changing the beam for theTRS, and in such cases UE 120 requires time to reset its filter parameters meaning that UE 120 cannot properly receive and decode downlink transmissions without a scheduling gap.

[0078] Oftentimes, the further that antenna elements are spaced away from each other, the more lobe folding occurs, which results in increasingly fragmented beamset radiation patterns. In many smaller antenna arrays, the antenna elements are spaced Yi I (lambda) apart, meaning Yi a wavelength apart, in order to minimize co-phase and / or anti-phase interference. However, the receiving transceivers typically must still be calibrated for the specific element offset because the antenna element offset can lead to frequency offset, time offset, delay offset, phase offset, and / or other synchronization issues. The fragmentation of beamset radiation patterns can affect the usability and / or interoperability of SSB signaling, TCI signaling, etc. In accordance with the current standards and protocols, if a UE, such as UE 120, receives signaling having a fragmented beamset radiation pattern, such as shown in FIG. 5 and / or FIG.6, the only option for improving beam quality is to initiate an intra-cell beam handover procedure, inter-cell handover procedure, or another such resource re-evaluation and / or beam / cell switching procedure.

[0079] Instead, in accordance with various embodiments described herein, the UE 120 can perform resource aggregation and / or resource measurement aggregation. By aggregating resource (e.g., beam) measurements, the UE 120 can generate aggregated measurements, such as aggregated time-domain measurements and / or aggregated doppler measurements of the resource, that can aid the UE 120 in subsequent synchronization at receiving transceiver(s) of the UE 120. For example, the UE 120 can use aggregated measurements to improve fine frequency synchronization, time synchronization, phase synchronization, delay offset synchronization, and / or the like.

[0080] In some circumstances, such as when the UE 120 is a static UE (a UE with no mobility whatsoever, such as a building-mounted UE or the like), the UE 120 may determine (or receive an indication from the network / communication system indicating) that the best approach for handling beam fragmentation is to initiate a resource handover procedure, such as an intra-cell beam handover / beam switching procedure, an inter-cell beam handover / switching procedure, and / or the like. In certain embodiments, the UE 120 may have some freedom or autonomy to decide whether and when to

[0081] In some embodiments, the UE 120 can receive an indication that indicates the UE 120 is to perform such aggregation of measurements across multiple different resources. In some embodiments, the indication can indicate to the UE 120 that the UE 120 is to aggregate measurements across multiple resources in a cell, such as a candidate cell for the UE 120, aserving cell for the UE 120, or the like. In some embodiments, the indication can indicate to the UE 120 that the UE 120 is to aggregate measurements across all resources in a cell. In some embodiments, the resources can be or comprise beams, beamsets, TRS resource sets, a control resource set (CORESET), downlink control information (DO), physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) signaling, transmission configuration information (TCI) signaling (such as TCI states in DCI messages), CSI-RS, quasi co-location (QCL) relationship information, downlink reference symbol (DL RS) signaling, PDSCH DMRS port information, MAC CE signaling, tracking reference signal (TRS) configurations, time / frequency offset correction information, etc.

[0082] In some embodiments, the UE 120 can receive such an indication to perform such aggregation of measurements across resources in any suitable signaling or message, such as broadcast signaling, a dedicated signaling event, a system information message, and / or the like. In some embodiments, when the UE 120 receives such an indication to perform such aggregation of measurements across resources in the cell, the UE 120 can continue performing measurement aggregation for available resources for the entire time the UE is being served by the cell.

[0083] In some embodiments, the indication received by the UE 120 can include a specific duration for which the UE 120 is to perform such aggregation of measurements across resources. In some embodiments, the indication received by the UE 120 can include a referential, conditional, or dynamic duration for which the UE 120 is to perform such aggregation of measurements across resources. For example, the indication received by the UE 120 can indicate one or more conditions or triggers which may cause the UE 120 to discontinue aggregating measurements across resources in the cell.

[0084] In some embodiments, the UE 120 can receive an initial indication in broadcast signaling or the like and, based thereon, initiate aggregating measurements across resources in the cell. Thereafter, the UE 120 can continue to receive additional broadcast signaling which may or may not include the same or a different indication regarding whether the UE 120 is to aggregate measurements across resources in the cell. In some embodiments, the UE 120, upon receiving each subsequent additional broadcast signal from the network / network node, can determine if the indication in each subsequent additional broadcast signal is the same as the initial indication in the initial broadcast signaling received from the network / network node. As each subsequent additional broadcast signal or message is received at the UE 120, if the UE 120 determines that the indication in each subsequent additional broadcast signal or messageis the same as the initial indication in the initial broadcast signal or message, the UE 120 can continue aggregating measurements across multiple resources in the cell.

[0085] However, if the UE 120 receives subsequent additional broadcast signaling or a subsequent message from the network / network node that includes a second indication that is different from the initial indication, the UE 120 can decode the subsequent additional broadcast signal or subsequent message received from the network / network node and take action accordingly. For example, the UE 120 may subsequently receive a broadcast signal / message that includes a second indication to discontinue aggregating measurements across resources in the cell. As another example, the UE 120 may subsequently receive a broadcast signal / message that includes a second indication to not aggregate measurements across resources in the cell. As yet another example, the UE 120 may subsequently receive a broadcast signal / message that includes a second indication to aggregate multiple resources in the cell that are different and distinct from the resources identified in the initial indication to aggregate measurements across multiple resources in the cell. Upon receiving broadcast signaling or a message including such a second indication, the UE 120 can decode the broadcast signal / message and determine based on the second indication to discontinue measurement aggregation across resources in the cell or to change which resources in the cell across which the UE 120 is aggregating measurements.

[0086] In some embodiments, the UE 120 can be configured to store, at least temporarily, the aggregated measurements locally. The UE 120 can use the aggregated measurements, such as a single aggregated time-domain measurement that is an aggregation of time-domain measurements of multiple different resources in the cell, to perform better time offset correction and / or time synchronization procedures when attuning to the resource(s), such as beam(s), in the cell, performing channel estimation, and / or configuring its antenna(s) and / or receiving transceiver(s) for the resource(s), such as to accommodate spatial diversity, spatial multiplexing, beamforming, etc.

[0087] According to some embodiments, by aggregating measurements across resources (e.g., beams) in a cell, the UE 120 may avoid unnecessary beam switching (i.e., undesirable ping-ponging between different beams in a cell and / or between different cells). This can also reduce unnecessary signaling regarding the unnecessary beam switching, such as for beam switch request messages, beam switch command messages, acknowledgement messages, and / or the like.

[0088] While the same or similar problem(s) was(were) noted across a variety of different circular array designs and configurations, such as those illustrated in FIGs. 2 and 3, this disclosure and the methods and approaches described herein are usable in other scenarios,systems, networks, and situations, for any antenna geometry or configuration in which the array elements are relatively distantly spaced in 3D space. Even a 4T4R antenna with two distantly spaced columns causes the same problem, that is, multiple lobes in the broadcast beams, if the broadcast beams are transmitted using all array elements. Further, if broadcast beams are transmitted using only a portion of the elements only, the coverage is undesirably decreased.

[0089] As such, described herein are systems, apparatuses, methods, and computer program products configured for informing UEs of the fragmented nature of broadcast beams when a gNB downlink transmission of the broadcast beams is being accomplished using a plurality of spatially distributed antenna elements broadcasting the beams simultaneously to achieve sufficient transmission coverage. The methods described herein can be used when broadcast signals are being transmitted to UEs using antenna arrays, such as those illustrated in FIGs. 2 and 3, that have spatially distributed antenna elements that are not spatially / temporally calibrated, as well as for other scenarios in which other antenna arrays are used that have, e.g., other configurations, arrangements, geometries, number of antenna elements, etc.

[0090] In some embodiments, gNB 110 can provide indication(s), signal(s), flag(s), value(s), bit(s), or other such indicia to UE 120 that is indicative of the fragmented nature of the broadcast beams. In some embodiments, the network indicates (e.g., using the gNB 110) to UE 120 that UE 120 should aggregate reception of multiple resources of certain signals and channels, like TRS. That way UE 120 knows not to reset any filters which it is using for, e.g., frequency tracking, delay tracking, or Doppler tracking, based on its TRS reception over multiple TRS resource sets.

[0091] In some embodiments, gNB 110 can signal to UE 120 that UE 120 should monitor configured TRS resource sets (e.g., a plurality of configured TRS resource sets) and / or other relevant broadcast signals, such as PDCCHs and PDSCHs, for SIB delivery from beams corresponding to all SSB beams in a cell, without assuming and performing a beam switch. In some embodiments, the indication can include an indication of a subset or a portion of the plurality of configured TRS resource sets for which measurements should be aggregated, though aggregating measurements from only a portion of a plurality of fragmented beams may result in coverage holes or angular directional gaps in coverage. In some embodiments, the indication can include a time period during which UE 120 is to aggregate measurements for the plurality of configured TRS resource sets.

[0092] One possible problem is the fact that different patterns such as the fragmented pattern illustrated in FIG. 6, result from each beamset transmitted from each array elementbeing subject to a different propagation path, which each have different Doppler values. By adding up the different Doppler values of each different propagation path for each beamset in a fragmented beam pattern, such as illustrated in FIG. 6, a weighted average of Doppler values for the different configured TRS resource sets can be produced.

[0093] In some embodiments, gNB 110 can signal to UE 120 that UE 120 should monitor all configured TRS resource sets (more than one) and other relevant broadcast signals, like PDCCHs and PDSCHs for SIB delivery from beams corresponding to all SSB beams in a cell, without assuming and performing a beam switch. In some embodiments, the different TRS resource sets contain the same information. Therefore, even if the TRS resource set is changing from one to another, UE 120 would know that the new and old TRS resource set are logically the same, and the information UE 120 sees on them can / should be aggregated. This change of resource is expected to be frequent due to the volatility caused by the antenna patterns (such as illustrated in FIG. 6). When aggregating the signal from several recourses, UE 120 will achieve a better quality on tracking these signals, and additionally UE 120 is not required to reset the filters in its RX.

[0094] In some embodiments, gNB 110 can indicate to UE 120 which TRS resource sets to use when calculating an aggregated estimation of doppler and time domain channel parameters for the reception of downlink control and data channels.

[0095] In some embodiments, an alternative use for the aggregation of measurements across such repeated broadcast signaling could be coverage extension. Even in the case of, e.g., rectangular antenna arrays or linear antenna arrays, coverage of broadcast channels can be extended by repetition, and UE 120 can receive and aggregate the signal from all of them. As such, a similar approach for aggregation of measurements for a plurality of different TRS resource sets (beams) transmitted using a plurality of antenna elements (e.g., in a rectangular array or a linear array) can be helpful for increasing or extending the coverage area for such array configurations and geometries also.

[0096] In various embodiments, the present apparatuses, methods, and computer program products configure UE 120, network node 110, and / or the like to carry out functionality that enables UE 120 to aggregate measurements across TRS resource sets. This functionality can be communicated to UE 120 using an indication. In some embodiments, the indication can be provided to UE 120 via RRC, MAC CE, and / or the like. In some embodiments, a linkage or mapping between the TRS resource set and TRS resource set configuration information, and / or the like may be configured or indicated (e.g., via DCI, SIB, RRC, or MAC CE) or specified for UE 120. In some embodiments, UE 120 is configured or instructed (e.g., in the indication or aspart of the TRS resource set configuration information) to aggregate TRS resource set measurements and / or TRS resource set measurement estimations from some or all the TRS resource sets.

[0097] In some embodiments, UE 120 can be configured to indicate to the network (e.g., gNB 110) one or more capabilities of UE 120. UE 120 may report capability information to the network related to whether or how many physical DL channels, or TRS resource sets, it may support for the purpose of measurements (e.g., at a time, and / or for a given reporting event). UE 120 may report capability information to the network related to how many processing units the aggregated TRS resource set measurements or aggregated TRS resource set measurement estimates will consume. The capability information may be provided by UE 120 on a basis of per BWP, per cell, per carrier, per band, and / or the like.

[0098] It will be understood and appreciated that descriptions of TRS resource set measurements and reporting is exemplary and other RSs, DL channels, channel resources, and / or the like may be utilized in addition or as an alternative to TRS. For example, other RSs may include PTRS, DMRS, and / or the like. As another example, other DL channels may include PDSCH, PDCCH, and / or the like. The various embodiments described herein may be valid by supplementing or replacing TRS with PTRS or DMRS, and / or by supplementing or replacing TRS with PDCCH or PDSCH.

[0099] FIG. 7 illustrates an example of an apparatus 200 that can be configured to perform at least a portion of at least one of the methods, approaches, steps, functions, or tasks outlined herein, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure. The apparatus 200 may embody or be embodied by a user device or terminal device, such as the UE 120.

[0100] The apparatus 200 may include a processor 202, a memory 204, and a radio interface 206. The apparatus 200 may be configured to execute the operations described herein. For example, the apparatus 200 may be configured to carry out functionality shown in the signal flow diagram 400 and process 500 shown, respectively, in FIGs. 9 and 10.

[0101] A processor 202 may include circuitry, or be constituted as circuitry or circuitries, the circuitry or circuitries being configured to perform phases of methods in accordance with certain example embodiments described herein. 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 hard-ware 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 togetherto cause an apparatus, such as a user equipment, 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 re-quires software (e.g., firmware) for operation, but the software may not be pre-sent when it is not needed for operation. 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.

[0102] In some embodiments, processor 202 (and / or co-processor or any other processing circuitry assisting or otherwise associated with the processor) may be in communication with the memory 204 via a bus for passing information among components of the apparatus. The memory 204 is non-transitory and may include, for example, one or more volatile and / or nonvolatile memories. In other words, for example, the memory 204 may be an electronic storage device (e.g., a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium). The memory 204 may be configured to store information, data, content, applications, instructions, or the like for enabling the apparatus to carry out various functions in accordance with an example embodiment disclosed herein. For example, the memory 204 may store report configurations, report settings, trigger states, resource information (e.g., TRS resource sets, DMRS resources, CSI-RS resources, PTRS resources, and / or the like), time interval values, PDSCHs, PDCCHs, CSI quantities, and / or the like. The memory 204 may be implemented using any suitable data storage technology. The memory 204 may include a database for storing data. The memory 204 may be at least in part external to apparatus 200 but accessible to apparatus 200. The instructions 208 may be included in a computer readable medium or a non-transitory computer readable medium. A term non-transitory, as used herein, is a limitation of the medium itself (i.e. tangible, not a signal) as op-posed to a limitation on data storage persistency (e.g. random access memory, RAM, vs. read only memory, ROM).

[0103] The processor 202 may be embodied in a number of different ways and may, for example, include one or more processing devices configured to perform independently. In some non-limiting embodiments, the processor 202 may include one or more processors configured in tandem via a bus to enable independent execution of instructions, pipelining, and / or multithreading. The use of the term “processor” may be understood to include a singlecore processor, a multi-core processor, multiple processors internal to the apparatus, and / or remote or “cloud” processors.

[0104] In some embodiments, the processor 202 may be configured to execute instructions 208 stored in the memory 204 and / or circuitry otherwise accessible to the processor 202. In some embodiments, the processor 202 may be configured to execute hard-coded functionalities. As such, whether configured by hardware or software methods, or by a combination thereof, the processor 202 may represent an entity (e.g., physically embodied in circuitry) capable of performing operations according to various embodiments disclosed herein while configured accordingly. Alternatively, as another example, when the processor 202 is embodied as an executor of software instructions, the instructions may specifically configure the processor 202 to perform the algorithms and / or operations described herein when the instructions are executed.

[0105] In some embodiments, the apparatus 200 may optionally include input / output circuitry that may, in turn, be in communication with processor 202 to provide output to a user and / or other entity and, in some embodiments, to receive an indication of an input. The input / output circuitry may include a user interface 210 and may include a display, and may include a web user interface, a mobile application, a query-initiating computing device, a kiosk, or the like. In some embodiments, the input / output circuitry may also include a keyboard, a mouse, a joystick, a touch screen, touch areas, soft keys, a microphone, a speaker, or other input / output mechanisms. The processor and / or user interface circuitry including the processor may be configured to control one or more functions of one or more user interface elements through computer program instructions (e.g., software and / or firmware) stored on a memory accessible to the processor (e.g., memory 204, and / or the like).

[0106] The radio interface 206 may be any means such as a device or circuitry embodied in either hardware or a combination of hardware and software that is configured to provide communication capabilities to the apparatus 200, including receiving and / or transmitting data from / to a network and / or any other device, circuitry, or module in communication with the apparatus 200. In this regard, the radio interface 206 may include, for example, means for enabling communications with a wired or wireless communication network, such as the application function (AF), multicast and broadcast service function (MBSF), multicast and broadcast user plane function (MB-UPF), and / or multicast and broadcast session management function (MB-SMF). For example, the radio interface 206 may include one or more radio interface cards, antennae, buses, switches, routers, modems, and supporting hardware and / or software, or any other device suitable for enabling communications via a network.Additionally, or alternatively, the radio interface 206 may include the circuitry for interacting with the antenna / antennae to cause transmission of signals via the antenna / antennae or to handle receipt of signals received via the antenna / antennae.

[0107] The radio interface 206 may include a receiver configured to receive information in accordance with at least one cellular or non-cellular standard. The radio interface 206 may include a transmitter configured to transmit information in accordance with at least one cellular or non-cellular standard. The receiver may include more than one receiver. The transmitter may include more than one transmitter. The radio interface 206 may include a transceiver configured to receive and transmit information in accordance with at least one cellular or non-cellular standard. The transceiver may include more than one transceiver.

[0108] The apparatus 200 may include a user interface 210 including, for example, at least one of a keypad, a microphone, a touch display, a display, a speaker, etc. The user interface 210 may be used to control the apparatus by the user. The user interface 210 may be external to the apparatus 200. For example, the apparatus 200 may be connected to another device, such as a computer, either via wireless or wired connection, and the apparatus 200 is controlled by the user via the computer.

[0109] In various embodiments, at least some of the processes described herein may be carried out by an apparatus including means for carrying out at least some of the described processes. Means for performing method steps as dis-closed herein may include software and / or hardware components of the apparatus 200. For example, the at least one processor 202, the memory 204, and the computer program code 208 stored thereon form means for carrying out the method or methods as disclosed herein, and any of the embodiments thereof. As used herein the term “means” is to be construed in singular form, i.e. referring to a single element, or in plural form, i.e. referring to a combination of single elements. Therefore, terminology “means for [performing A, B, C]”, is to be interpreted to cover an apparatus in which there is only one means for performing A, B and C, or where there are separate means for performing A, B and C, or partially or fully overlapping means for performing A, B, C. Further, terminology “means for performing A, means for performing B, means for performing C” is to be interpreted to cover an apparatus in which there is only one means for performing A, B and C, or where there are separate means for performing A, B and C, or partially or fully overlapping means for performing A, B, C.

[0110] According to some embodiments, the at least one processor 202, the memory 204, and the computer program code 208 stored thereon may form means for carrying out the method or methods as disclosed herein, and any of the embodiments thereof. For example, theapparatus 200 can be configured to, or comprise means configured to, carry out one or more portions of the signaling by UE 120 towards the gNB 110 in FIG. 9. In other embodiments, the apparatus 200 can be configured to, or comprise means configured to, cause the UE 120 in FIG. 9 to carry out one or more portions of the signaling towards the gNB 110 in FIG. 9. As another example, the apparatus 200 can be configured to, or comprise means configured to, perform a method such as method 500 illustrated in FIG. 10.

[0111] FIG. 8 illustrates an example of an apparatus 300 that can be configured to perform at least a portion of at least one of the methods, approaches, steps, functions, or tasks outlined herein, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure. The apparatus 300 may embody or be embodied by a network node, such as network node 110. or one or more elements thereof (e.g., serving cell, centralized unit, candidate cell, and / or the like).

[0112] In some embodiments, at least one functionality associated with a network node may be carried out by the apparatus 300. Although these components are described with respect to the performance of various functions, it should be understood that the particular implementations necessarily include the use of particular hardware. It should also be understood that certain of these components may include similar or common hardware. For example, two sets of circuitries may both leverage use of the same processor, radio interface, storage medium, or the like to perform their associated functions, such that duplicate hardware is not required for each set of circuitries.

[0113] The apparatus 300 may include a processor 302, a memory 304, and a radio interface 306. The apparatus 300 may be configured to execute the operations described herein. For example, the apparatus 300 may be configured to carry out functionality shown in the signal flow diagram 400 and process 600 shown, respectively, in FIGs. 9 and 11.

[0114] In some embodiments, processor 302 can be similar or the same as processor 202. In other embodiments, processor 302 can be dissimilar to processor 202. For example, in some embodiments, processor 302 can comprise one or more additional elements, units, modules, components, or subcomponents than processor 202. In other embodiments, processor 302 can comprise one or more elements, units, module, components, or subcomponents than processor 202. In still other embodiments, processor 302 can comprise one or more elements, units, modules, components, or subcomponents that are different from the elements, units, modules, components, and / or subcomponents of processor 202.

[0115] In some embodiments, memory 304 can be similar or the same as memory 204. In other embodiments, memory 304 can be dissimilar to memory 204. For example, in some embodiments, memory 304 can comprise one or more additional elements, units, modules,components, or subcomponents than memory 204. In other embodiments, memory 304 can comprise one or more elements, units, module, components, or subcomponents than memory 204. In still other embodiments, memory 304 can comprise one or more elements, units, modules, components, or subcomponents that are different from the elements, units, modules, components, and / or subcomponents of memory 204.

[0116] In some embodiments, radio interface 306 can be similar or the same as radio interface 206. In other embodiments, radio interface 306 can be dissimilar to radio interface 206. For example, in some embodiments, radio interface 306 can comprise one or more additional elements, units, modules, components, or subcomponents than radio interface 206. In other embodiments, radio interface 306 can comprise one or more elements, units, module, components, or subcomponents than radio interface 206. In still other embodiments, radio interface 306 can comprise one or more elements, units, modules, components, or subcomponents that are different from the elements, units, modules, components, and / or subcomponents of radio interface 206.

[0117] In some embodiments, processor 302 may include circuitry, or be constituted as circuitry or circuitries, the circuitry or circuitries being configured to perform phases of methods in accordance with certain example embodiments described herein. In some embodiments, processor 302 (and / or co-processor or any other processing circuitry assisting or otherwise associated with the processor) may be in communication with memory 304 via a bus for passing information among components of the apparatus. The memory 304 is non-transitory and may include, for example, one or more volatile and / or non-volatile memories. In other words, for example, memory 304 may be an electronic storage device (e.g., a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium). The memory 304 may be configured to store information, data, content, applications, instructions, or the like for enabling the apparatus to carry out various functions in accordance with an example embodiment disclosed herein. For example, memory 304 may store report configurations, report settings, trigger states, resources information (e.g., TRS resource sets, DMRS resources, CSI-RS resources, PTRS resources, and / or the like), time interval values, PDSCHs, PDCCHs, CSI quantities, and / or the like. The memory 304 may be implemented using any suitable data storage technology. The memory 304 may include a database for storing data. The memory 304 may be at least in part external to apparatus 300 but accessible to apparatus 300. The instructions 308 may be included in a computer readable medium or a non-transitory computer readable medium. A term non-transitory, as used herein, is a limitation of the medium itself (i.e., tangible, not a signal) as op-posed to a limitation on data storage persistency (e.g., random access memory, RAM, vs. read only memory, ROM).

[0118] The processor 302 may be embodied in a number of different ways and may, for example, include one or more processing devices configured to perform independently. In some non-limiting embodiments, the processor 302 may include one or more processors configured in tandem via a bus to enable independent execution of instructions, pipelining, and / or multithreading. In some embodiments, processor 302 may be configured to execute instructions 308 stored in memory 304 and / or circuitry otherwise accessible to the processor 302. In some embodiments, processor 302 may be configured to execute hard-coded functionalities. As such, whether configured by hardware or software methods, or by a combination thereof, processor 302 may represent an entity (e.g., physically embodied in circuitry) capable of performing operations according to various embodiments disclosed herein while configured accordingly. Alternatively, as another example, when processor 302 is embodied as an executor of software instructions, the instructions may specifically configure processor 302 to perform the algorithms and / or operations described herein when the instructions are executed.

[0119] In some embodiments, apparatus 300 may optionally include input / output circuitry that may, in turn, be in communication with processor 302 to provide output to a user and / or other entity and, in some embodiments, to receive an indication of an input. The input / output circuitry may include a user interface 310 and may include a display, and may include a web user interface, a mobile application, a query-initiating computing device, a kiosk, or the like. In some embodiments, the input / output circuitry may also include a keyboard, a mouse, a joystick, a touch screen, touch areas, soft keys, a microphone, a speaker, or other input / output mechanisms. The processor and / or user interface circuitry including the processor may be configured to control one or more functions of one or more user interface elements through computer program instructions (e.g., software and / or firmware) stored on a memory accessible to the processor (e.g., memory 304, and / or the like).

[0120] The radio interface 306 may be any means such as a device or circuitry embodied in either hardware or a combination of hardware and software that is configured to provide communication capabilities to the apparatus 300, including receiving and / or transmitting data from / to a network and / or any other device, circuitry, or module in communication with the apparatus 300. In this regard, the radio interface 306 may include, for example, means for enabling communications with a wired or wireless communication network, such as the application function (AF), multicast and broadcast service function (MBSF), multicast andbroadcast user plane function (MB-UPF), and / or multicast and broadcast session management function (MB-SMF). For example, radio interface 306 may include one or more radio interface cards, antennae, buses, switches, routers, modems, and supporting hardware and / or software, or any other device suitable for enabling communications via a network. Additionally, or alternatively, radio interface 306 may include the circuitry for interacting with the antenna / antennae to cause transmission of signals via the antenna / antennae or to handle receipt of signals received via the antenna / antennae.

[0121] The radio interface 306 may include a receiver configured to receive information in accordance with at least one cellular or non-cellular standard. The radio interface 306 may include a transmitter configured to transmit information in accordance with at least one cellular or non-cellular standard. The receiver may include more than one receiver. The transmitter may include more than one transmitter. The radio interface 306 may include a transceiver configured to receive and transmit information in accordance with at least one cellular or non-cellular standard. The transceiver may include more than one transceiver.

[0122] The apparatus 300 may include a user interface 310 including, for example, at least one of a keypad, a microphone, a touch display, a display, a speaker, etc. The user interface 310 may be used to control the apparatus by the user. The user interface 310 may be external to the apparatus 300. For example, the apparatus 300 may be connected to another device, such as a computer, either via wireless or wired connection, and the apparatus 300 is controlled by the user via the computer.

[0123] In various embodiments, at least some of the processes described herein may be carried out by an apparatus including means for carrying out at least some of the described processes. Means for performing method steps as dis-closed herein may include software and / or hardware components of the apparatus 300. For example, the at least one processor 302, the memory 304, and the computer program code 308 stored thereon form means for carrying out the method or methods as disclosed herein, and any of the embodiments thereof. For example, the apparatus 300 can be configured to, or comprise means configured to, carry out one or more portions of the signaling by gNB 110 towards the UE 120 in FIG. 9. In other embodiments, the apparatus 300 can be configured to, or comprise means configured to, cause the gNB 110 in FIG. 9 to carry out one or more portions of the signaling towards the UE 120 in FIG. 9. As another example, the apparatus 300 can be configured to, or comprise means configured to, perform a method such as method 600 illustrated in FIG. 11.

[0124] Referring now to FIG. 9, an example signal flow diagram 400 for configuring a UE (e.g., UE 120) to aggregate measurements of TRS resource sets for doppler and time domainparameter estimation is shown. The workflow shown in FIG. 9 may be performed by, e.g., UE 120 gNB 110. In some embodiments, network node 110 embodies a gNb; as such, network node 110 and gNB 110 are used interchangeably. However, a person having ordinary skill in the art will readily understand that the functions, tasks, signaling, message provisioning, method elements, steps, and other portions of the approaches and methods described herein can be carried out by any other suitable network-side or access network-side device, element, or function.

[0125] In some embodiments, gNB 110 provides to UE 120, at 402, configuration information for a plurality of TRS resource sets (e.g., TRS resource sets 0, 1, 2, 3). The gNB 110 can further provide to UE 120, at 404, an indication to aggregate measurements of TRS resource sets 0, 1, 2, 3 for single doppler and time domain parameter estimation. While 402 and 404 are illustrated in FIG. 9 as separate transmissions from gNB 110 to UE 120, the indication to aggregate measurements of TRS resource sets 0, 1, 2, 3 for single doppler and time domain parameter estimation can alternatively be provided from gNB 110 to UE 120 with or as part of the configuration for TRS resource sets 0, 1, 2, 3.

[0126] Subsequently, gNB 110 provides to UE 120, at 406a, 406b, 406c, and 406d, TRS signal transmissions of TRS resource sets 0, 1, 2, 3. In response to receiving TRS signal transmissions of TRS resource sets 0, 1, 2, 3, UE 120 performs, at 408, aggregation of doppler and time domain estimates across received TRS resources sets 0, 1, 2, 3.

[0127] Subsequently, gNB 110 provides to UE 120, at 410, PDCCH and PDSCH transmissions. The PDCCH and PDSCH arrive modulated at UE 120. UE 120 must then perform a demodulation of the PDCCH and PDSCH in order to decode the control information and / or user information carried therein. At 412, UE 120 can apply the aggregated doppler and time domain parameter estimates onto channel estimation for PDCCH and PDSCH demodulation. By using doppler and time domain parameter estimates that are aggregated across all TRS resource sets 0, 1, 2, 3 during channel estimation, UE 120 can more accurately and precisely account for antenna element transmission fragmentation due to spatial offset of antenna elements and differences in propagation pathway and interferers along each propagation pathway between each different antenna element in the TX array and reception of the PDCCH and PDSCH at UE 120.

[0128] Referring now to FIG. 10, shown is an example flowchart of a method 500 for configuring a UE (e.g., 120) to aggregate measurements of TRS resource sets for doppler and time domain parameter estimation. The process 500, or blocks / steps / operations thereof, maybe performed by apparatus 200 as shown in FIG. 7 and described herein. In various embodiments, the apparatus performing the process 500 embodies the UE 120.

[0129] In some embodiments, at block 502, the apparatus (e.g., 200) performing method 500 can comprise means, such as the processor 202, the memory 204 storing therein program codes 208, and / or the radio interface 206 for receiving configuration of TRS resource sets 0, 1, 2, 3.

[0130] In some embodiments, the configuration information for the TRS resource sets can comprise one or more TRS resource set configurations, which may refer to the setup and definition of a collection of resources within a TRS system. The configuration information for the TRS resource sets can specify which resources are included in each TRS resource set, how changes to those resources in each TRS resource set are tracked and communicated and can provide an overall structure for the TRS resource set(s), which may allow a client device, such as apparatus 200 and / or UE 120, to monitor additions, removals, or modifications to the resources in each TRS resource set.

[0131] In some embodiments, a client device, such as apparatus 200 and / or UE 120, can use TRS resource set configuration information to determine what resources a communication system or network is exposing to the client(s). A client device can then use the TRS resource configuration information to aid in demodulation of subsequent transmissions, such as downlink broadcast transmissions (e.g., PDCCH, PDSCH, etc.).

[0132] In some embodiments, the TRS resource set configuration information is associated with one or more PDCCHs and / or one or more PDSCHs. In some embodiments, a PDCCH can be associated with a CORESET, a search space set, an aggregation level, a DCI format, and / or the like. In some embodiments, a PDSCH can be associated with a predetermined modulation, a predetermined coding scheme, and / or the like. In some embodiments, the PDSCH is associated with a minimum rank, a maximum rank, and / or the like. In some embodiments, the PDSCH is associated with a minimum number of transmission layers, a maximum number of transmission layers, and / or the like. In some embodiments, apparatus 200 receives from the network node 110 a PDCCH, a PDSCH, and / or the like. In some embodiments, the apparatus 200 obtains downlink payload, such as user data, from the PDCCH, PDSCH, and / or the like. In some embodiments, the apparatus 200 decodes the PDCCH, PDSCH, and / or the like based on the TRS resource set configuration information. In some embodiments, the

[0133] In some embodiments, at block 504, the apparatus (e.g., 200) performing the method 500 includes means, such as the processor 202, the memory 204, the radio interface206, or the like, for receiving indication to aggregate measurements of TRS resource sets 0, 1, 2, 3 for single doppler and time domain parameter estimation.

[0134] For example, the apparatus 200 may receive from a network node 110 an indication that the apparatus 200 is to aggregate measurements of TRS resource sets for doppler and time domain parameter estimation. In other embodiments, the apparatus 200 may receive from a network node 110 an indication that another apparatus or device, such as the UE 120, is to aggregate measurements of TRS resource sets for doppler and time domain parameter estimation. In some embodiments, the apparatus 200 receives the indication with or in configuration information associated with a plurality of TRS resource sets. In other embodiments, the apparatus 200 receives the indication separate from configuration information associated with the plurality of TRS resource sets.

[0135] In some embodiments, the indication may be stored in the memory 204 or, otherwise, accessible to the apparatus 200. In some embodiments, the indication is not stored by the apparatus 200, but instead the apparatus 200 uses the indication to determine whether and how to configure the apparatus 200 or another apparatus (e.g., UE 120) to aggregate measurements of TRS resource sets for doppler and time domain parameter estimation.

[0136] In various embodiments, the indication is associated with one or more specific TRS resource sets. In other embodiments, the indication is, generally, associated with all TRS resource sets. Though in some embodiments, the indication can include a specific indication to aggregate only a subset of all TRS resource sets.

[0137] In some embodiments, at block 506, the apparatus (e.g., 200) performing the method 500 includes means, such as the processor 202, the memory 204, the radio interface 206, or the like, for receiving and measuring TRS resource sets 0, 1, 2, 3.

[0138] In some embodiments, at block 508, the apparatus (e.g., 200) performing the method 500 includes means, such as the processor 202, the memory 204, the radio interface 206, or the like, for aggregating doppler and time domain estimates across received TRP resource sets 0, 1, 2, 3.

[0139] In some embodiments, at block 510, the apparatus (e.g., 200) performing the method 500 includes means, such as the processor 202, the memory 204, the radio interface 206, or the like, for receiving PDSCH and / or PUSCH.

[0140] In some embodiments, at block 512, the apparatus (e.g., 200) performing the method 500 includes means, such as the processor 202, the memory 204, the radio interface 206, or the like, for applying aggregated doppler spread, doppler shift, time spread, and average delay estimates onto channel estimator(s) for PDSCH and / or PDCCH demodulation.

[0141] Referring now to FIG. 11, shown is an example flowchart of a method 600 for configuring a UE (e.g., 120) to aggregate measurements of TRS resource sets for doppler and time domain parameter estimation. The method 600, or blocks / steps / operations thereof, may be performed by apparatus 300 as shown in FIG. 8 and described herein. In various embodiments, the apparatus performing method 600 embodies a network node 110, gNB 110, or the like.

[0142] In some embodiments, at block 602, the apparatus (e.g., 300) performing method 600 can comprise means, such as processor 302, memory 304 storing therein computer program codes 308, and / or radio interface 306 for causing provisioning, towards a UE, of a configuration of TRS resource sets 0, 1, 2, 3.

[0143] In some embodiments, the configuration information for the TRS resource sets can comprise one or more TRS resource set configurations, which may refer to the setup and definition of a collection of resources within a TRS system. The configuration information for the TRS resource sets can specify which resources are included in each TRS resource set, how changes to those resources in each TRS resource set are tracked and communicated and can provide an overall structure for the TRS resource set(s), which may allow a client device, such as apparatus 200 and / or UE 120, to monitor additions, removals, or modifications to the resources in each TRS resource set.

[0144] In some embodiments, a client device, such as apparatus 200 and / or UE 120, can use TRS resource set configuration information to determine what resources a communication system or network is exposing to the client(s). A client device can then use the TRS resource configuration information to aid in demodulation of subsequent transmissions, such as downlink broadcast transmissions (e.g., PDCCH, PDSCH, etc.).

[0145] In some embodiments, the TRS resource set configuration information is associated with one or more PDCCHs and / or one or more PDSCHs. In some embodiments, a PDCCH can be associated with a CORESET, a search space set, an aggregation level, a DCI format, and / or the like. In some embodiments, a PDSCH can be associated with a predetermined modulation, a predetermined coding scheme, and / or the like. In some embodiments, the PDSCH is associated with a minimum rank, a maximum rank, and / or the like. In some embodiments, the PDSCH is associated with a minimum number of transmission layers, a maximum number of transmission layers, and / or the like.

[0146] In some embodiments, at block 604, the apparatus (e.g., 300) performing method 600 can comprise means, such as processor 302, memory 304 storing therein computer program codes 308, and / or radio interface 306 for causing provisioning, towards the UE, of anindication, the indication being configured to cause the UE to aggregate measurements of TRS resource sets 0, 1, 2, 3 for single doppler and time domain parameter estimation.

[0147] For example, the apparatus 300 may provide to apparatus 200 an indication that apparatus 200 is to aggregate measurements of TRS resource sets for doppler and time domain parameter estimation. In other embodiments, apparatus 300 may provide to apparatus 200 an indication that another apparatus or device, such as UE 120, is to aggregate measurements of TRS resource sets for doppler and time domain parameter estimation. In still other embodiments, apparatus 300 may provide to UE 120 an indication that UE 120 is to aggregate measurements of TRS resource sets for doppler and time domain parameter estimation. In some embodiments, apparatus 300 provides the indication to apparatus 200 or UE 120 with or in configuration information associated with a plurality of TRS resource sets. In other embodiments, apparatus 300 provides the indication to apparatus 200 or UE 120 separately from configuration information associated with the plurality of TRS resource sets.

[0148] In some embodiments, the indication may be configured to cause apparatus 200 or UE 120 determine whether and how to configure apparatus 200 or UE 120 to aggregate measurements of TRS resource sets for doppler and time domain parameter estimation. In various embodiments, the indication is associated with one or more specific TRS resource sets. In other embodiments, the indication is, generally, associated with all TRS resource sets.

[0149] In some embodiments, at block 606, the apparatus (e.g., 300) performing method 600 includes means, such as processor 302, memory 304, radio interface 306, computer program codes 308, and / or the like, for subsequently causing provisioning, to apparatus 200 or UE 120, of TRS resource sets 0, 1, 2, 3 that can be measured respectively using a variety of different doppler and time domain measurements, which can be aggregated across the TRS resource sets 0, 1, 2, 3 in order to generate a single, aggregated measurement or a single, aggregated estimate for each of the variety of different doppler and time domain measurements. Apparatus 200 or UE 120 can store locally these single, aggregated measurements or estimates for the different doppler and time domain measurements in order for the single, aggregated measurements or estimates for the different doppler and time domain measurements to be used later when performing channel estimation for demodulation of modulated downlink transmissions, e.g., PDSCH, PDCCH, etc., transmitted simultaneously using multiple spatially spaced antenna elements at the same gNB.

[0150] In some embodiments, at block 608, the apparatus (e.g., 300) performing method 600 includes means, such as processor 302, memory 304, radio interface 306, computer program codes 308, and / or the like, for subsequently causing provisioning, to apparatus 200 orUE 120, of a PDCCH, a PDSCH, and / or the like. In some embodiments, the apparatus 300 can provide in the PDCCH, PDSCH, or the like, downlink payload, such as user data, which can be decoded therefrom by apparatus 200 or UE 120.

[0151] It will be understood that each block of the flowcharts and combination of blocks in the flowcharts show in the figures (e.g., FIG. 9, 10, and 11) and described herein may be implemented by various means, such as hardware, firmware, processor, circuitry, and / or communication devices associated with execution of software including one or more program instructions. For example, one or more of the procedures or operations described above may be embodied by computer program instructions. In this regard, the computer program instructions which embody the procedures or operations described above may be stored by memory 204 of apparatus 200 or memory 304 or apparatus 300 (e.g., a UE or network node employing a disclosed embodiment and executed by processor 202 of apparatus 200 or processor 302 of apparatus 300). As will be appreciated, any such computer program instructions may be loaded onto a computer or other programmable apparatus (for example, hardware) to produce a machine, such that the resulting computer or other programmable apparatus implements the functions specified in the flowchart blocks. These computer program instructions may also be stored in a computer-readable memory that may direct a computer or other programmable apparatus to function in a particular manner, such that the instructions stored in the computer-readable memory produce an article of manufacture the execution of which implements the function specified the flowchart blocks. The computer program instructions may also be loaded onto a computer or other programmable apparatus to cause a series of operations to be performed on the computer or other programmable apparatus to produce a computer-implemented process such that the instructions which execute on the computer or other programmable apparatus provide operations for implementing the functions specified in the flowchart blocks.

[0152] Many modifications and other embodiments of the present disclosure set forth herein will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which these embodiments pertain having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings. Therefore, it is to be understood that the disclosure is not to be limited to the specific embodiments disclosed and that modifications and other embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims. Moreover, although the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings describe example embodiments in the context of certain example combinations of elements and / or functions, it should be appreciated that different combinations of elements and / or functions may be provided by alternativeembodiments without departing from the scope of the appended claims. In this regard, for example, different combinations of elements and / or functions than those explicitly described above are also contemplated as may be set forth in some of the appended claims. Although specific terms are employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation.

Claims

1. ClaimsThat which is claimed is:

1. An apparatus comprising:at least one processor; andat least one memory comprising instructions stored thereon that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to perform at least:receiving, from a network node, an indication to aggregate reception of a plurality of resources in a cell for channel measurement purposes; andbased at least on the indication, aggregating reception of the plurality of resources in the cell for channel measurement purposes.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the indication is received via a broadcast channel.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the indication is received via a dedicated channel.

4. The apparatus of any of claims 1-3, wherein the indication is received in one of: system information, downlink control information, a master information block, a system information block, or configurational information associated with the cell or a communication system in which the cell is located.

5. The apparatus of any of claims 1-4, wherein the indication is received utilizing a single received filter.

6. The apparatus of any of claims 1-5, wherein the indication to aggregate reception of the plurality of resources in the cell for channel measurement purposes is an indication to aggregate measurement values for one or more measurements across available resources in the cell.

7. The apparatus of any of claims 1-6, wherein the indication received from the network node further indicates that the apparatus is to monitor all resources in the cell for system information without initiating an intra-cell beam switching procedure unless the apparatus receives a beam switching command from the network node.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the instructions stored on the at least one memory, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the apparatus to perform:based on the indication further indicating that the apparatus is to monitor all resources in the cell for system information without initiating an intra-cell beam switching procedure unless the apparatus receives a beam switching command from the network node, monitoring all resources in the cell for system information without initiating an intra-cell beam switching procedure; andin an instance in which a beam switching command is received from the network node, initiating an intra-cell beam switching procedure.

9. The apparatus of any of claims 1-8, wherein the indication received from the network node further indicates that the apparatus is to monitor all resources in the cell without resetting any filters used for reception of the resources in the cell.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the instructions stored on the at least one memory, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the apparatus to perform:based on the indication further indicating that the apparatus is to monitor all resources in the cell without resetting any filters used for reception of the resources in the cell, monitoring all resources in the cell; andrefraining from resetting any filters used for reception of the resources in the cell.

11. The apparatus of any of claims 1-10, wherein the indication comprises one of a flag, an information element (IE), a bit, a bit sequence, a field, or a value.

12. The apparatus of any of claims 1-11, wherein the plurality of resources comprise a plurality of beams in the cell.

13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the instructions stored on the at least one memory, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the apparatus to perform:in response to receiving the indication, initiating aggregation of one or more beam measurements across the plurality of beams in the cell each time the one or more beam measurements are subsequently performed for the plurality of beams in the cell.

14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the instructions stored on the at least one memory, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the apparatus to perform:using aggregated one or more beam measurements to compensate for one or more of: time offset, frequency offset, phase offset, or delay offset.

15. The apparatus of any of claims 1-14, wherein the instructions stored on the at least one memory, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the apparatus to perform:receiving, from the network node, one or more signals using the plurality of resources in the cell; andin an instance in which the apparatus is configured to aggregate one or more measurements across available resources in cells, aggregating the one or more measurements across the plurality of resources in the cell.

16. The apparatus of any of claims 1-15, wherein the indication comprises an indication that the apparatus is to aggregate measurements across downlink resource sets for one or more measurements.

17. The apparatus of any of claims 1-16, wherein the plurality of resources comprise a plurality of downlink resource sets.

18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the instructions stored on the at least one memory, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the apparatus to perform:aggregating, based at least on the indication, measurement values for one or more measurements across the plurality of downlink resource sets received from the network node.

19. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the one or more measurements comprise at least one of: a doppler parameter measurement, a doppler parameter measurement estimation, a time-domain parameter measurement, or a time-domain parameter measurement estimation.

20. The apparatus of claim 18 or 19, wherein the instructions stored on the at least one memory, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the apparatus to perform:performing the one or more measurements for respective downlink resource sets of the plurality of downlink resource sets.

21. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein the aggregating measurements of the plurality of downlink resource sets received from the network node for the one or more measurements comprises aggregating a plurality of measurement values of the plurality of downlink resource sets for respective measurements from among the one or more measurement.

22. The apparatus of any of claims 17-21, wherein the plurality of downlink resource sets comprises at least one of: tracked resource set (TRS) resource sets, channel start information reference signal (CSI-RS) resource set, or synchronization signal blocks (SSBs).

23. The apparatus of any of claims 17-22, wherein the plurality of downlink resource sets to be aggregated contain the same information.

24. The apparatus of any of claims 17-23, wherein the instructions stored on the at least one memory, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the apparatus to perform:subsequent to the aggregating the one or more measurements for the plurality of downlink resource sets, while performing channel estimation to receive subsequent downlink signals, applying the aggregated one or more measurements.

25. The apparatus of claim 24, wherein the one or more measurements comprise at least one of: a doppler parameter measurement, a doppler parameter measurement estimation, a time-domain parameter measurement, or a time-domain parameter measurement estimation.

26. The apparatus of claim 25, wherein the aggregating the one or more measurements generates one or more of: a doppler spread, a doppler shift, a time spread, or an average delay.

27. The apparatus of claim 26, wherein the instructions stored on the at least one memory, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the apparatus to perform:calculating, based at least upon the aggregated one or more measurements for the plurality of downlink resource sets, one or more of: the doppler spread, the doppler shift, the time spread, or the average delay computed based on the aggregated downlink resources sets.

28. The apparatus of claim 26 or 27, wherein the instructions stored on the at least one memory, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the apparatus to perform:receiving a downlink payload carried in a physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH) or a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH); andapplying one or more of the aggregated doppler spread, the aggregated doppler shift, the aggregated time spread, or the aggregated average delay onto one or more channel estimators for the PDSCH or the PDCCH to form one or more modified channel estimators.

29. The apparatus of claim 28, wherein the instructions stored on the at least one memory, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the apparatus to perform:using the one or more modified channel estimators during demodulation of the PDSCH or the PDCCH.

30. The apparatus of any of claims 1-29, wherein the network node comprises or is configured to communicate using an antenna array comprising a plurality of antenna elements that are each spaced a non-zero distance from other antenna elements in the antenna array.

31. The apparatus of claim 30, wherein the non-zero distance of each antenna element from the other antenna elements in the antenna array is more than half a signal wavelength.

32. The apparatus of any of claims 1-31, further comprising:an antenna array comprising one or more antenna elements; anda bidirectional transceiver configured to control reception and transmission operations of the antenna array.

33. An apparatus comprising:at least one processor; andat least one memory comprising instructions stored thereon that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to perform at least:provisioning, to a user equipment, an indication to aggregate reception of a plurality of resources in a cell for channel measurement purposes; andwherein the indication enables the user equipment to aggregate reception of the plurality of resources in the cell for channel measurement purposes.

34. A method comprising:receiving, at a user equipment, from a network node, an indication to aggregate reception of a plurality of resources in a cell for channel measurement purposes; and based at least on the indication, aggregating reception of the plurality of resources in the cell for channel measurement purposes.

35. A method comprising:provisioning, by a network node, to a user equipment, an indication to aggregate reception of a plurality of resources in a cell for channel measurement purposes; and causing, by at least the provisioning of the indication, the user equipment to aggregate reception of the plurality of resources in the cell for channel measurement purposes.

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