New radio over cable modifications for efficiency

Abstract

Various aspects of the present disclosure generally relate to communication. In some aspects, a cable modem may receive, from a cable modem termination system (CMTS), a configuration message indicating that a channel should exclude demodulation reference signals (DMRSs). Accordingly, the cable modem may communicate with the CMTS on the channel, in response to the configuration message, without any DMRSs within a slot. Additionally, or alternatively, the cable modem may receive, from the CMTS, a radio resource control (RRC) message indicating a modulation and coding scheme (MCS) for a channel and may receive, from the CMTS, downlink control information (DCI) providing a grant to use on the channel, where the DCI lacks an MCS indication. Accordingly, the cable modem may communicate with the CMTS on the channel according to the grant and using the MCS indicated in the RRC message. Numerous other aspects are described.

Description

NEW RADIO OVER CABLE MODIFICATIONS FOR EFFICIENCYCROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This Patent Application claims priority to India Patent Application No.202541027683, filed on March 25, 2025, entitled “NEW RADIO OVER CABLE MODIFICATIONS FOR EFFICIENCY,” and assigned to the assignee hereof. The disclosure of the prior Application is considered part of and is incorporated by reference into this Patent Application.FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0002] Aspects of the present disclosure generally relate to communication and specifically relate to techniques, apparatuses, and methods associated with modifications to New Radio over cable for increasing efficiency.DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED TECHNOLOGY

[0003] Wireless communication systems are widely deployed to provide various services, which may involve carrying or supporting voice, text, other messaging, video, data, or other traffic. Typical wireless communication systems may employ multiple-access radio access technologies (RATs) capable of supporting communication among multiple wireless communication devices including user devices or other devices by sharing the available system resources (for example, time domain resources, frequency domain resources, spatial domain resources, or device transmit power, among other examples). Such multiple-access RATs are supported by technological advancements that have been adopted in various telecommunication standards, which define common protocols that enable different wireless communication devices to communicate on a local, municipal, national, regional, or global level. An example telecommunication standard is New Radio (NR). NR, which also may be referred to as 5G, is part of a continuous mobile broadband evolution promulgated by the Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP). As the demand for connectivity continues to increase, further improvements in NR may be implemented, and other RATs, such as 6G and beyond, may be introduced to enable new applications and facilitate new use cases.

[0004] Generally, wired communication is performed according to data over cable service interface specification (DOCSIS) standards. However, NR specifications may be used instead, where a user equipment (UE) of the NR standards functions as a cable modem of the DOCSIS standards, and a base station (or gNB) of the NR standards functions as a cable modem termination system (CMTS) of the DOCSIS standards.0097-6158PCTSUMMARY

[0005] The systems, methods, and devices of this disclosure each have several innovative aspects, no single one of which is solely responsible for the desirable attributes disclosed herein.

[0006] Some aspects described herein relate to a method of communication performed by a cable modem. The method may include receiving, from a cable modem termination system (CMTS), a configuration message indicating that a channel should exclude demodulation reference signals (DMRSs). The method may include communicating with the CMTS on the channel, in response to the configuration message, without any DMRSs within a slot.

[0007] Some aspects described herein relate to a method of communication performed by a CMTS. The method may include transmitting, to a cable modem, a configuration message indicating that a channel should exclude DMRSs. The method may include communicating with the cable modem on the channel, in response to the configuration message, without any DMRSs within a slot.

[0008] Some aspects described herein relate to a method of communication performed by a cable modem. The method may include receiving, from a CMTS, a radio resource control (RRC) message indicating a modulation and coding scheme (MCS) for a channel. The method may include receiving, from the CMTS, downlink control information (DCI) providing a grant to use on the channel, wherein the DCI lacks an MCS indication. The method may include communicating with the CMTS on the channel according to the grant and using the MCS indicated in the RRC message.

[0009] Some aspects described herein relate to a method of communication performed by a CMTS. The method may include transmitting, to a cable modem, an RRC message indicating an MCS for a channel. The method may include transmitting, to the cable modem, DCI providing a grant to use on the channel, wherein the DCI lacks an MCS indication. The method may include communicating with the cable modem on the channel according to the grant and using the MCS indicated in the RRC message.

[0010] Some aspects described herein relate to a method of communication performed by a cable modem. The method may include receiving, from a CMTS, an indication of a set of MCSs corresponding to a respective set of layers to be used on a channel. The method may include communicating with the CMTS on the channel using each MCS, in the set of MCSs, for a respective layer in the respective set of layers.

[0011] Some aspects described herein relate to a method of communication performed by a CMTS. The method may include transmitting, to a cable modem, an indication of a set of MCSs corresponding to a respective set of layers to be used on a channel. The method may include communicating with the cable modem on the channel using each MCS, in the set of MCSs, for a respective layer in the respective set of layers.0097-6158PCT

[0012] Some aspects described herein relate to a method of communication performed by a cable modem. The method may include receiving, from a CMTS, an indication of respective resource blocks (RBs) to skip for each layer in a set of layers to be used on a channel. The method may include communicating with the CMTS on the channel ignoring the respective RBs to skip for each layer in the set of layers.

[0013] Some aspects described herein relate to a method of communication performed by a CMTS. The method may include transmitting, to a cable modem, an indication of respective RBs to skip for each layer in a set of layers to be used on a channel. The method may include communicating with the cable modem on the channel ignoring the respective RBs to skip for each layer in the set of layers.

[0014] Some aspects described herein relate to a cable modem. The cable modem may include a processing system. The processing system may include one or more processors and one or more code-storing memories coupled with the one or more processors. The processing system may be configured to cause the cable modem to receive, from a CMTS, a configuration message indicating that a channel should exclude DMRSs. The processing system may be configured to cause the cable modem to communicate with the CMTS on the channel, in response to the configuration message, without any DMRSs within a slot.

[0015] Some aspects described herein relate to a CMTS. The cable modem termination system may include a processing system. The processing system may include one or more processors and one or more code-storing memories coupled with the one or more processors. The processing system may be configured to cause the CMTS to transmit, to a cable modem, a configuration message indicating that a channel should exclude DMRSs. The processing system may be configured to cause the CMTS to communicate with the cable modem on the channel, in response to the configuration message, without any DMRSs within a slot.

[0016] Some aspects described herein relate to a cable modem. The cable modem may include a processing system. The processing system may include one or more processors and one or more code-storing memories coupled with the one or more processors. The processing system may be configured to cause the cable modem to receive, from a CMTS, an RRC message indicating an MCS for a channel. The processing system may be configured to cause the cable modem to receive, from the CMTS, DCI providing a grant to use on the channel, wherein the DCI lacks an MCS indication. The processing system may be configured to cause the cable modem to communicate with the CMTS on the channel according to the grant and using the MCS indicated in the RRC message.

[0017] Some aspects described herein relate to a CMTS. The cable modem termination system may include a processing system. The processing system may include one or more processors and one or more code-storing memories coupled with the one or more processors.0097-6158PCTThe processing system may be configured to cause the CMTS to transmit, to a cable modem, an RRC message indicating an MCS for a channel. The processing system may be configured to cause the CMTS to transmit, to the cable modem, DCI providing a grant to use on the channel, wherein the DCI lacks an MCS indication. The processing system may be configured to cause the CMTS to communicate with the cable modem on the channel according to the grant and using the MCS indicated in the RRC message.

[0018] Some aspects described herein relate to a cable modem. The cable modem may include a processing system. The processing system may include one or more processors and one or more code-storing memories coupled with the one or more processors. The processing system may be configured to cause the cable modem to receive, from a CMTS, an indication of a set of MCSs corresponding to a respective set of layers to be used on a channel. The processing system may be configured to cause the cable modem to communicate with the CMTS on the channel using each MCS, in the set of MCSs, for a respective layer in the respective set of layers.

[0019] Some aspects described herein relate to a CMTS. The cable modem termination system may include a processing system. The processing system may include one or more processors and one or more code-storing memories coupled with the one or more processors. The processing system may be configured to cause the CMTS to transmit, to a cable modem, an indication of a set of MCSs corresponding to a respective set of layers to be used on a channel. The processing system may be configured to cause the CMTS to communicate with the cable modem on the channel using each MCS, in the set of MCSs, for a respective layer in the respective set of layers.

[0020] Some aspects described herein relate to a cable modem. The cable modem may include a processing system. The processing system may include one or more processors and one or more code-storing memories coupled with the one or more processors. The processing system may be configured to cause the cable modem to receive, from a CMTS, an indication of respective RBs to skip for each layer in a set of layers to be used on a channel. The processing system may be configured to cause the cable modem to communicate with the CMTS on the channel ignoring the respective RBs to skip for each layer in the set of layers.

[0021] Some aspects described herein relate to a CMTS. The cable modem termination system may include a processing system. The processing system may include one or more processors and one or more code-storing memories coupled with the one or more processors. The processing system may be configured to cause the CMTS to transmit, to a cable modem, an indication of respective RBs to skip for each layer in a set of layers to be used on a channel. The processing system may be configured to cause the CMTS to communicate with the cable modem on the channel ignoring the respective RBs to skip for each layer in the set of layers.0097-6158PCT

[0022] Some aspects described herein relate to a non-transitory computer-readable medium that stores a set of instructions for communication by a cable modem. The set of instructions, when executed by one or more processors of the cable modem, may cause the cable modem to receive, from a CMTS, a configuration message indicating that a channel should exclude DMRSs. The set of instructions, when executed by one or more processors of the cable modem, may cause the cable modem to communicate with the CMTS on the channel, in response to the configuration message, without any DMRSs within a slot.

[0023] Some aspects described herein relate to a non-transitory computer-readable medium that stores a set of instructions for communication by a CMTS. The set of instructions, when executed by one or more processors of the CMTS, may cause the CMTS to transmit, to a cable modem, a configuration message indicating that a channel should exclude DMRSs. The set of instructions, when executed by one or more processors of the CMTS, may cause the CMTS to communicate with the cable modem on the channel, in response to the configuration message, without any DMRSs within a slot.

[0024] Some aspects described herein relate to a non-transitory computer-readable medium that stores a set of instructions for communication by a cable modem. The set of instructions, when executed by one or more processors of the cable modem, may cause the cable modem to receive, from a CMTS, an RRC message indicating an MCS for a channel. The set of instructions, when executed by one or more processors of the cable modem, may cause the cable modem to receive, from the CMTS, DCI providing a grant to use on the channel, wherein the DCI lacks an MCS indication. The set of instructions, when executed by one or more processors of the cable modem, may cause the cable modem to communicate with the CMTS on the channel according to the grant and using the MCS indicated in the RRC message.

[0025] Some aspects described herein relate to a non-transitory computer-readable medium that stores a set of instructions for communication by a CMTS. The set of instructions, when executed by one or more processors of the CMTS, may cause the CMTS to transmit, to a cable modem, an RRC message indicating an MCS for a channel. The set of instructions, when executed by one or more processors of the CMTS, may cause the CMTS to transmit, to the cable modem, DCI providing a grant to use on the channel, wherein the DCI lacks an MCS indication. The set of instructions, when executed by one or more processors of the CMTS, may cause the CMTS to communicate with the cable modem on the channel according to the grant and using the MCS indicated in the RRC message.

[0026] Some aspects described herein relate to a non-transitory computer-readable medium that stores a set of instructions for communication by a cable modem. The set of instructions, when executed by one or more processors of the cable modem, may cause the cable modem to receive, from a CMTS, an indication of a set of MCSs corresponding to a respective set of0097-6158PCTlayers to be used on a channel. The set of instructions, when executed by one or more processors of the cable modem, may cause the cable modem to communicate with the CMTS on the channel using each MCS, in the set of MCSs, for a respective layer in the respective set of layers.

[0027] Some aspects described herein relate to a non-transitory computer-readable medium that stores a set of instructions for communication by a CMTS. The set of instructions, when executed by one or more processors of the CMTS, may cause the CMTS to transmit, to a cable modem, an indication of a set of MCSs corresponding to a respective set of layers to be used on a channel. The set of instructions, when executed by one or more processors of the CMTS, may cause the CMTS to communicate with the cable modem on the channel using each MCS, in the set of MCSs, for a respective layer in the respective set of layers.

[0028] Some aspects described herein relate to a non-transitory computer-readable medium that stores a set of instructions for communication by a cable modem. The set of instructions, when executed by one or more processors of the cable modem, may cause the cable modem to receive, from a CMTS, an indication of respective RBs to skip for each layer in a set of layers to be used on a channel. The set of instructions, when executed by one or more processors of the cable modem, may cause the cable modem to communicate with the CMTS on the channel ignoring the respective RBs to skip for each layer in the set of layers.

[0029] Some aspects described herein relate to a non-transitory computer-readable medium that stores a set of instructions for communication by a CMTS. The set of instructions, when executed by one or more processors of the CMTS, may cause the CMTS to transmit, to a cable modem, an indication of respective RBs to skip for each layer in a set of layers to be used on a channel. The set of instructions, when executed by one or more processors of the CMTS, may cause the CMTS to communicate with the cable modem on the channel ignoring the respective RBs to skip for each layer in the set of layers.

[0030] Some aspects described herein relate to an apparatus for communication. The apparatus may include means for receiving, from a CMTS, a configuration message indicating that a channel should exclude DMRSs. The apparatus may include means for communicating with the CMTS on the channel, in response to the configuration message, without any DMRSs within a slot.

[0031] Some aspects described herein relate to an apparatus for communication. The apparatus may include means for transmitting, to a cable modem, a configuration message indicating that a channel should exclude DMRSs. The apparatus may include means for communicating with the cable modem on the channel, in response to the configuration message, without any DMRSs within a slot.0097-6158PCT

[0032] Some aspects described herein relate to an apparatus for communication. The apparatus may include means for receiving, from a CMTS, an RRC message indicating an MCS for a channel. The apparatus may include means for receiving, from the CMTS, DCI providing a grant to use on the channel, wherein the DCI lacks an MCS indication. The apparatus may include means for communicating with the CMTS on the channel according to the grant and using the MCS indicated in the RRC message.

[0033] Some aspects described herein relate to an apparatus for communication. The apparatus may include means for transmitting, to a cable modem, an RRC message indicating an MCS for a channel. The apparatus may include means for transmitting, to the cable modem, DCI providing a grant to use on the channel, wherein the DCI lacks an MCS indication. The apparatus may include means for communicating with the cable modem on the channel according to the grant and using the MCS indicated in the RRC message.

[0034] Some aspects described herein relate to an apparatus for communication. The apparatus may include means for receiving, from a CMTS, an indication of a set of MCSs corresponding to a respective set of layers to be used on a channel. The apparatus may include means for communicating with the CMTS on the channel using each MCS, in the set of MCSs, for a respective layer in the respective set of layers.

[0035] Some aspects described herein relate to an apparatus for communication. The apparatus may include means for transmitting, to a cable modem, an indication of a set of MCSs corresponding to a respective set of layers to be used on a channel. The apparatus may include means for communicating with the cable modem on the channel using each MCS, in the set of MCSs, for a respective layer in the respective set of layers.

[0036] Some aspects described herein relate to an apparatus for communication. The apparatus may include means for receiving, from a CMTS, an indication of respective RBs to skip for each layer in a set of layers to be used on a channel. The apparatus may include means for communicating with the CMTS on the channel ignoring the respective RBs to skip for each layer in the set of layers.

[0037] Some aspects described herein relate to an apparatus for communication. The apparatus may include means for transmitting, to a cable modem, an indication of respective RBs to skip for each layer in a set of layers to be used on a channel. The apparatus may include means for communicating with the cable modem on the channel ignoring the respective RBs to skip for each layer in the set of layers.

[0038] Aspects of the present disclosure may generally be implemented by or as a method, apparatus, system, computer program product, non-transitory computer-readable medium, user equipment, network node, communication device, or processing system as substantially described in the Detailed Description with reference to, and as illustrated by, the accompanying0097-6158PCTdrawings. Details of one or more implementations of the subject matter described in this disclosure are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features, aspects, and advantages will become apparent from the description, the drawings, and the claims. Note that the relative dimensions of the following figures may not be drawn to scale.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0039] So that the above-recited features of the present disclosure can be understood in detail, a more particular description, briefly summarized above, may be had by reference to aspects, some of which are illustrated in the appended drawings. It is to be noted, however, that the appended drawings illustrate only some aspects of this disclosure and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope, for the description may admit to other equally effective aspects. The same reference numbers in different drawings may identify the same or similar elements.

[0040] Fig. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a communication network.

[0041] Fig. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example disaggregated cable modem termination system (CMTS) architecture.

[0042] Fig. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of multiplexing in New Radio over cable (NRoC).

[0043] Fig. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example associated with excluding demodulation reference signals in NRoC deployments.

[0044] Fig. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example associated with reducing downlink control information (DCI) complexity or improving DCI performance in NRoC deployments.

[0045] Fig. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example associated with per-layer modulation and coding schemes in NRoC deployments.

[0046] Fig. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example associated with null avoidance in NRoC deployments.

[0047] Fig. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example process performed, for example, by a cable modem.

[0048] Fig. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example process performed, for example, by a CMTS.

[0049] Fig. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example process performed, for example, by a cable modem.

[0050] Fig. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example process performed, for example, by a CMTS.

[0051] Fig. 12 is a diagram illustrating an example process performed, for example, by a cable modem.0097-6158PCT

[0052] Fig. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example process performed, for example, by a CMTS.

[0053] Fig. 14 is a diagram illustrating an example process performed, for example, by a cable modem.

[0054] Fig. 15 is a diagram illustrating an example process performed, for example, by a CMTS.

[0055] Figs. 16 and 17 are diagrams of example apparatuses for wireless communication.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0056] New Radio (NR) specifications promulgated by the Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) may be used in a wired environment in an implementation referred to as NR over cable (NRoC). For example, NR specifications may be used in lieu of data over cable service interface specification (DOCSIS) standards. For example, user equipment (UE) operations set forth in the NR standards may be applied to a cable modem entity defined by the DOCSIS standards, and base station or gNB operations set forth in the NR standards may be applied to a cable modem termination system (CMTS) entity defined by the DOCSIS standards.

[0057] Various aspects relate generally to excluding demodulation reference signals (DMRSs) from a channel. Some aspects more specifically relate to a CMTS indicating that a downlink channel (e.g., a physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH)) or an uplink channel (e.g., a physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH)) should exclude DMRSs.

[0058] Additionally, or alternatively, various aspects relate generally to removing modulation and coding scheme (MCS) indications, precoding matrix indicators (PMIs), precoding and layer information, or precoding type indicators (PTIs) from downlink control information (DCI). For example, a CMTS may exclude an MCS indication, a PMI, precoding and layer information, a PTI, or a combination thereof, from DCI. Alternatively, the CMTS may use reserve bits in place of an MCS indication, a PMI, precoding and layer information, a PTI, or a combination thereof.

[0059] Additionally, or alternatively, various aspects relate generally to configuring different MCSs for different transmission layers. For example, a CMTS may configure a set of MCSs to be used with a respective set of layers. Additionally, in some aspects, a cable modem may report different channel quality indicators (CQIs) for different layers based at least in part on measurements of reference signals.

[0060] Additionally, or alternatively, various aspects relate generally to skipping different sets of resource blocks (RBs) on different transmission layers. For example, a CMTS may indicate respective RBs to be skipped for each layer. Additionally, in some aspects, a cable modem may report null RBs for each layer based at least in part on measurements of reference signals.0097-6158PCT

[0061] Particular aspects of the subject matter described in this disclosure can be implemented to realize one or more of the following potential advantages. In some examples, the described techniques can be used to increase capacity on a channel by excluding DMRSs from the channel. Additionally, or alternatively, the described techniques can be used to reduce transmission size (or at least improve performance) of DCI. Additionally, or alternatively, the described techniques can be used to improve quality and reliability of transmissions across layers by using different MCSs. Additionally, or alternatively, the described techniques can be used to improve quality and reliability of transmissions by avoiding different RBs on different layers.

[0062] 5G NR may support enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB) access, Internet of Things (loT) networks or reduced capability (RedCap) device deployments, ultra-reliable low-latency communication (URLLC) applications, or massive machine-type communication (mMTC), among other examples. To support these and other target verticals, a wireless communication system may be designed to implement a modularized functional infrastructure, a disaggregated and service-based network architecture, network function virtualization, network slicing, multiaccess edge computing, millimeter wave (mmWave) technologies including massive multipleinput multiple -output (MIMO), beamforming, loT device or RedCap device connectivity and management, industrial connectivity, licensed and unlicensed spectrum access, sidelink and other device-to-device direct communication (for example, cellular vehicle -to-everything (CV2X) communication), frequency spectrum expansion, overlapping spectrum use, small cell deployments, non-terrestrial network (NTN) deployments, device aggregation, advanced duplex communication (for example, sub-band full-duplex (SBFD)), multiple-subscriber implementations, high-precision positioning, radio frequency (RF) sensing, network energy savings (NES), low-power signaling and radios, or artificial intelligence or machine learning (AI / ML), among other examples.

[0063] The foregoing and other technological improvements may support use cases, such as wireless fronthauls, wireless midhauls, wireless backhauls, wireless data centers, extended reality (XR) and metaverse applications, meta services for supporting vehicle connectivity, holographic and mixed reality communication, autonomous and collaborative robots, vehicle platooning and cooperative maneuvering, sensing networks, gesture monitoring, human-brain interfacing, digital twin applications, asset management, and universal coverage applications using non-terrestrial or aerial platforms, among other examples.

[0064] The methods, operations, apparatuses, and techniques described herein may enable one or more of the foregoing technologies or new technologies or support one or more of the foregoing use cases or new use cases.0097-6158PCT

[0065] Fig. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a communication network 100. The communication network 100 may be or may include elements of a 5G network or a 6G network (e.g., in an NRoC configuration), among other examples. The communication network 100 may include multiple CMTSs 110. For example, in Fig. 1, the communication network 100 includes multiple CMTSs 110, including a CMTS 110a and a CMTS 110b (each of which also may be referred to herein simply as a “CMTS 110”). The CMTSs 110 may support communications with multiple cable modems 120. For example, in Fig. 1, the CMTSs 110 support communication with a cable modem 120a, a cable modem 120b, and a cable modem 120c (each of which also may be referred to herein simply as a “cable modem 120”). In some examples, a cable modem 120 also may communicate with other cable modems 120 and a CMTS 110 also may communicate with a core network and with other CMTSs 110.

[0066] The CMTSs 110 and the cable modems 120 of the communication network 100 may communicate using the electromagnetic spectrum (e.g., along fiber optic cables, in one example), which may be subdivided into various licensed or unlicensed operating bands, frequency ranges, component carriers, or channels that define associated frequencies available for communications. In some examples, each of the CMTSs 110 and the cable modems 120 may communicate using one or multiple component carriers in one or more operating bands or ranges. Typically, various operating bands are defined as frequency range designations FR1 (410 MHz through 7.125 GHz), FR2 (24.25 GHz through 52.6 GHz), FR3 (7.125 GHz through 24.25 GHz), FR4a or FR4-1 (52.6 GHz through 71 GHz), FR4 (52.6 GHz through 114.25 GHz), and FR5 (114.25 GHz through 300 GHz). Although a portion of FR1 is greater than 6 GHz, FR1 is often referred to (interchangeably) as a “sub-6 GHz” band in some documents and articles. Similarly, FR2 is often referred to (interchangeably) as a “millimeter wave” band in some documents and articles.

[0067] A CMTS 110 or a cable modem 120 may include one or more devices, components, or systems that enable communication with other devices, components, or systems of the communication network 100. For example, a cable modem 120 and a CMTS 110 may each include one or more chips, system-on-chips (SoCs), chipsets, packages, or devices that individually or collectively constitute or comprise a processing system. As shown in Fig. 1, each cable modem 120 includes a processing system 140 and each CMTS 110 includes a processing system 145. A processing system (for example, the processing system 140 or the processing system 145) includes processor (or “processing”) circuitry in the form of one or multiple processors, microprocessors, processing units (such as central processing units (CPUs), graphics processing units (GPUs), neural processing units (NPUs) (also referred to as neural network processors or deep learning processors (DUPs)), or digital signal processors (DSPs)), processing blocks, application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), programmable logic devices (PUDs), or other discrete gate or transistor logic or circuitry (any one or more of which may be0097-6158PCTgenerally referred to herein individually as a “processor” or collectively as “the processor” or “the processor circuitry”). Such processors may be individually or collectively configurable or configured to perform various functions or operations described herein. A group of processors collectively configurable or configured to perform a set of functions may include a first processor configurable or configured to perform a first function of the set and a second processor configurable or configured to perform a second function of the set. In some other examples, each of a group of processors may be configurable or configured to perform a same set of functions.

[0068] The processing system 140 and the processing system 145 may each include memory circuitry in the form of one or multiple memory devices, memory blocks, memory elements, or other discrete gate or transistor logic or circuitry, each of which may include or implement tangible storage media, such as random-access memory, or read-only memory, or combinations thereof (any one or more of which may be generally referred to herein individually as a “memory” or collectively as “the memory” or “the memory circuitry”). One or more of the memories may be coupled (for example, operatively coupled, communicatively coupled, electronically coupled, or electrically coupled) with one or more of the processors. One or more of the memories may individually or collectively store processor-executable code or instructions (such as software) (for example, which may be referred to as “one or more code-storing memories” or “code-storing memory circuitry”). For example, “code-storing memory” or “code-storing memory circuitry” refers to memory (or memory circuitry) that is configured to store processor-executable code or instructions. The processor-executable code or instructions, when executed by one or more of the processors, may configure one or more of the processors (or processing circuitry) to perform various functions or operations described herein.Additionally, or alternatively, in some examples, one or more of the processors may be configured to perform various functions or operations described herein without requiring configuration by software. Software shall be construed broadly to mean instructions, instruction sets, code, code segments, program code, programs, subprograms, software modules, applications, software applications, software packages, routines, subroutines, objects, executables, threads of execution, procedures, or functions, among other examples, whether referred to as software, firmware, middleware, microcode, hardware description language, or otherwise.

[0069] The processing system 140 and the processing system 145 may each include or be coupled with multiple radios (collectively “the radio”), multiple RF chains, or multiple transceivers, each of which may in turn be coupled with one or more of multiple antennas. In some examples, one or more processors of the processing system 140 or the processing system 145 may include or implement one or more of the radios, RF chains, or transceivers. An RF chain may include one or more filters, mixers, oscillators, amplifiers, analog-to-digital0097-6158PCTconverters (ADCs), or other devices that convert between an analog signal (such as for transmission or reception via an air interface) and a digital signal (such as for processing by the processing system 140 or by the processing system 145).

[0070] A CMTS 110 and a cable modem 120 may each include one or multiple antennas or antenna arrays. Typical CMTSs 110 and cable modems 120 may include multiple antennas, which may be organized or structured into one or more antenna panels, one or more antenna groups, one or more sets of antenna elements, or one or more antenna arrays, among other examples. As used herein, the term “antenna” can refer to one or more antennas, one or more antenna panels, one or more antenna groups, one or more sets of antenna elements, or one or more antenna arrays. The term “antenna panel” can refer to a group of antennas (such as antenna elements) arranged in an array or panel, which may facilitate beamforming by manipulating parameters associated with the group of antennas. The term “antenna module” may refer to circuitry including one or more antennas as well as one or more other components (such as filters, amplifiers, or processors) associated with integrating the antenna module into a wireless communication device, such as the CMTS 110 and the cable modem 120.

[0071] A CMTS 110 may be, may include, or also may be referred to as an NR network node, a 5G network node, a 6G network node, a Node B, a gNB, an access point (AP), a transmission reception point (TRP), a network entity, a network element, a network equipment, or another type of device, component, or system included in a radio access network (RAN). In various deployments, a CMTS 110 may be implemented as a single physical node (for example, a single physical structure) or may be implemented as two or more physical nodes (for example, two or more distinct physical structures). For example, a CMTS 110 may be a device or system that implements a part of a radio protocol stack, a device or system that implements a full radio protocol stack (such as a full gNB protocol stack), or a collection of devices or systems that collectively implement the full radio protocol stack. For example, and as shown, a CMTS 110 may be an aggregated network node having an aggregated architecture, meaning that the CMTS 110 may implement a full radio protocol stack that is physically and logically integrated within a single physical structure in the communication network 100. For example, an aggregated CMTS 110 may include a single standalone base station or a single TRP that operates with a full radio protocol stack to enable or facilitate communication between a cable modem 120 and a core network of the communication network 100.

[0072] Alternatively, and as also shown, a CMTS 110 may be a disaggregated CMTS 110 (sometimes referred to as a disaggregated base station), having a disaggregated architecture, meaning that the CMTS 110 may operate with a radio protocol stack that is physically distributed or logically distributed among two or more nodes in the same geographic location or in different geographic locations. In some deployments, disaggregated CMTSs 110 may be used in an integrated access and backhaul (IAB) network, in an open radio access network (O-0097-6158PCTRAN) (such as a network configuration in compliance with the O-RAN Alliance), or in a virtualized radio access network (vRAN), also known as a cloud radio access network (C-RAN), to facilitate scaling by separating network functionality into multiple units or modules that can be individually deployed.

[0073] The disaggregated CMTSs 110 of the communication network 100 may include one or more central units (CUs), one or more distributed units (DUs), and one or more radio units (RUs). A CU may host one or more higher layers, such as a radio resource control (RRC) layer, a packet data convergence protocol (PDCP) layer, and a service data adaptation protocol (SDAP) layer, among other examples. A DU may host one or more of a radio link control (RLC) layer, a medium access control (MAC) layer, or one or more higher physical (PHY) layers depending, at least in part, on a functional split, such as a functional split defined by the 3GPP. In some examples, a DU also may host a lower PHY layer that is configured to perform functions, such as a fast Fourier transform (FFT), an inverse FFT (IFFT), beamforming, or physical random access channel (PRACH) extraction and filtering, among other examples. An RU may perform RF processing functions or lower PHY layer functions, such as an FFT, an IFFT, beamforming, or PRACH extraction and filtering, among other examples, according to a functional split, such as a lower layer split (UUS). In such an architecture, each RU can be operated to handle wired communication with one or more cable modems 120. In some examples, a single CMTS 110 may include a combination of one or more CUs, one or more DUs, or one or more RUs. In some examples, a CU, a DU, or an RU may be implemented as a virtual unit, such as a virtual central unit (VCU), a virtual distributed unit (VDU), or a virtual radio unit (VRU), among other examples, which may be implemented as a virtual network function, such as in a cloud deployment.

[0074] In some examples, the communication network 100 may be a heterogeneous network that includes CMTSs 110 of various types. Different types of CMTSs 110 may generally operate on the same or different operating bands, transmit at different power levels, or serve different coverage areas, each of which may be referred to as or associated with a particular cell.

[0075] The cable modems 120 may be physically dispersed throughout the coverage area of the communication network 100, and each cable modem 120 may be stationary or mobile. A cable modem 120 may be, may include, or also may be referred to as a UE, an access terminal, a mobile station, a client device, or a subscriber unit. A cable modem 120 may be, include, or be coupled with a cellular phone (for example, a smart phone), a personal digital assistant (PDA), a wireless modem, a wireless communication device, a handheld device, a laptop computer, a cordless phone, a wireless local loop (WEE) station, a tablet, a camera, a netbook, a smartbook, an ultrabook, a medical device, a biometric device, a wearable device (for example, a smart watch, smart clothing, smart glasses, a smart wristband, or smart jewelry), a gaming device, an0097-6158PCTentertainment device (for example, a music device, a video device, or a satellite radio), an XR device, a vehicular component or sensor, a smart meter or sensor, industrial manufacturing equipment, a Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) device (such as a Global Positioning System device or another type of positioning device), an artificially intelligent robot or other device implementing artificial intelligence, a UE function of a network node, or any other suitable device or function that may communicate in the communication network 100.

[0076] Some cable modems 120 may be classified according to different categories in association with different complexities or different capabilities. Cable modems 120 in a first category may be associated with relatively low complexity or cost such as NB-IoT devices or eMTC UEs. Cable modems 120 in a second category may include higher complexity or cost devices, such as mission-critical loT devices, baseline UEs, high-tier UEs, advanced UEs, fullcapability UEs, or premium UEs that are capable of URLLC, eMBB, or precise positioning in the communication network 100. A third category of cable modems 120 may have mid-tier complexity or capabilities (for example, capabilities between that of the cable modems 120 of the first category and the cable modems 120 of the second category). A cable modem 120 of the third category may be referred to as a reduced capability UE (“RedCap UE”), a mid-tier UE, an NR-Light UE, or an NR-Lite UE, among other examples.

[0077] In some examples, a CMTS 110 may be, may include, or may operate as an RU, a TRP, or a base station that communicates with one or more cable modem 120 via an access link (which may be referred to as a “Uu” link). The access link may include a downlink and an uplink. “Downlink” (or “DL”) refers to a communication direction from a CMTS 110 to a cable modem 120, and “uplink” (or “UL”) refers to a communication direction from a cable modem 120 to a CMTS 110. Downlink and uplink resources may include time domain resources (for example, frames, subframes, slots, and symbols), frequency domain resources (for example, frequency bands, component carriers (CCs), subcarriers, resource blocks, and resource elements), and spatial domain resources (for example, particular transmit directions or beams).

[0078] Frequency domain resources may be subdivided into bandwidth parts (BWPs). A BWP may be a block of frequency domain resources (for example, a continuous set of RBs within a full component carrier bandwidth) that may be configured at a modem-specific level. A cable modem 120 may be configured with both an uplink BWP and a downlink BWP (which may be the same or different). Each BWP may be associated with its own numerology (indicating a sub-carrier spacing (SCS) and cyclic prefix (CP)). A BWP may be dynamically configured or activated (for example, by a CMTS 110 transmitting a DCI configuration to the one or more cable modems 120) or reconfigured (for example, in real-time or near-real-time) according to changing network conditions in the communication network 100 or specific requirements of one or more cable modems 120. An active BWP defines the operating bandwidth of the cable modem 120 within the operating bandwidth of the serving cell.0097-6158PCT

[0079] As used herein, a downlink signal may be or include a reference signal, control information, or data. For example, downlink reference signals include a primary synchronization signal (PSS), a secondary SS (SSS), an SS block (SSB) (for example, that includes a PSS, an SSS, and a physical broadcast channel (PBCH)), a DMRS, a phase tracking reference signal (PTRS), a tracking reference signal (TRS), and a channel state information (CSI) reference signal (CSI-RS), among other examples. A downlink signal carrying control information or data may be transmitted via a downlink channel. Downlink channels may include one or more control channels for transmitting control information and one or more data channels for transmitting data. Downlink reference signals may be transmitted in addition to, or multiplexed with, downlink control channel communications or downlink data channel communications. A downlink control channel may be specifically used to transmit DCI from a CMTS 110 to a cable modem 120. DCI generally contains the information the cable modem 120 needs to identify RBs in a subsequent subframe and how to decode them, including an MCS or redundancy version parameters. Different DCI formats carry different information, such as scheduling information in the form of downlink or uplink grants, slot format indicators (SFIs), preemption indicators (Pls), transmit power control (TPC) commands, hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ) information, new data indicators (NDIs), among other examples. A downlink data channel may be used to transmit downlink data (for example, user data associated with a cable modem 120) from a CMTS 110 to a cable modem 120. Downlink control channels may include physical downlink control channels (PDCCHs), and downlink data channels may include PDSCHs. Control information or data communications may be transmitted on a PDCCH and PDSCH, respectively. For example, a PDCCH can carry DCI, while a PDSCH can carry a MAC control element (MAC-CE), an RRC message, or user data, among other examples. Each PDSCH may carry one or more transport blocks (TBs) of data.

[0080] As used herein, an uplink signal may include a reference signal, control information, or data. For example, uplink reference signals include a sounding reference signal (SRS), a PTRS, and a DMRS, among other examples. An uplink signal carrying control information or data may be transmitted via an uplink channel. An uplink channel may include one or more control channels for transmitting control information and one or more data channels for transmitting data. Uplink reference signals may be transmitted in addition to, or multiplexed with, uplink control channel communications or uplink data channel communications. An uplink control channel may be specifically used to transmit uplink control information (UCI) from a cable modem 120 to a CMTS 110. An uplink data channel may be used to transmit uplink data (for example, user data associated with a cable modem 120) from a cable modem 120 to a CMTS 110. Uplink control channels may include physical uplink control channels (PUCCHs), and uplink data channels may include PUSCHs. Control information or data communications may be transmitted on a PUCCH and PUSCH, respectively. For example, a0097-6158PCTPUCCH can carry UCI, while a PUSCH can carry a MAC-CE, an RRC message, or user data, among other examples. UCI can include a scheduling request (SR), HARQ feedback information (for example, a HARQ acknowledgement (ACK) indication or a HARQ negative acknowledgement (NACK) indication), uplink power control information (for example, an uplink TPC parameter), or CSI, among other examples. CSI can include a CQI (indicative of downlink channel conditions to facilitate selection of transmission parameters, such as an MCS, by a CMTS 110), a PMI, a CSI-RS resource indicator (CRI) (for example, indicative of a beam used to transmit a CSI-RS), an SS / PBCH resource block indicator (SSBRI) (for example, indicative of a beam used to transmit an SSB), a layer indicator (LI), a rank indicator (RI), or measurement information (for example, a layer 1 (LI)- reference signal received power (RSRP) parameter, a received signal strength indicator (RS SI) parameter, a reference signal received quality (RSRQ) parameter, among other examples) which can be used for beam management, among other examples. Each PUSCH may carry one or more TBs of data.

[0081] The information (for example, data, control information, or reference signal information) transmitted by a CMTS 110 to a cable modem 120, or vice versa, may be represented as a sequence of binary bits that are mapped (for example, modulated) to an analog signal waveform (for example, a discrete Pourier transform (DFT) -spread-orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) (DFT-s-OFDM) waveform or a CP-OFDM waveform) that is transmitted by the CMTS 110 or cable modem 120 over a wireless communication channel. In some examples, the CMTS 110 or the cable modem 120 (for example, using the processing system 145 or the processing system 140, respectively) may select an MCS (for example, an order of quadrature amplitude modulation (QAM), such as 64-QAM, 128-QAM, or 256-QAM, among other examples) for a downlink signal or an uplink signal. For example, the CMTS 110 may select an MCS for a downlink signal in accordance with UCI received from the cable modem 120 or may transmit, to the cable modem 120, an indication of an MCS to be applied for an uplink signal.

[0082] A CMTS 110 or a cable modem 120 (such as by using the processing system 145 or the processing system 140, respectively, or one or more coupled modems) may perform signal processing on the information (such as filtering, amplification, modulation, digital-to-analog conversion, an IFFT operation, multiplexing, interleaving, mapping, or encoding, among other examples) to generate a processed signal in accordance with the selected MCS. In some examples, the CMTS 110 or the cable modem 120 (for example, using the processing system 145 or the processing system 140, respectively, or one or more coupled encoders or modems) may perform a channel coding operation or a forward error correction (FEC) operation to control errors in transmitted information. For example, the CMTS 110 or the cable modem 120 may perform an encoding operation to generate encoded information (such as by selectively introducing redundancy into the information, typically using an error correction code (ECC),0097-6158PCTsuch as a polar code or a low -density parity-check (LDPC) code). The CMTS 110 or the cable modem 120 (for example, using the processing system 145 or one or more modems) may further perform spatial processing (for example, precoding) on the encoded information to generate one or more processed or precoded signals for downlink or uplink transmission, respectively. In some examples, the CMTS 110a or the cable modem 120a may perform codebook-based precoding or non -codebook-based precoding. Codebook-based precoding may involve selecting a precoder (for example, a precoding matrix) using a codebook. For example, the CMTS 110a may provide precoding information indicating which precoder, defined by the codebook, is to be used by the cable modem 120a. Non-codebook-based precoding may involve selecting or deriving a precoder based on, or otherwise associated with, one or more downlink or uplink signal measurements. The CMTS 110a or the cable modem 120a may transmit the processed downlink or uplink signals, respectively, via one or more antennas.

[0083] The CMTS 110a or the cable modem 120a may receive uplink signals or downlink signals, respectively, via one or more antennas. The CMTS 110a or the cable modem 120a (for example, using the processing system 145 or the processing system 140, respectively, or one or more coupled modems) may perform signal processing (for example, in accordance with the MCS) on the received uplink or downlink signals, respectively (such as filtering, amplification, demodulation, analog-to-digital conversion, an FFT operation, demultiplexing, deinterleaving, de-mapping, equalization, interference cancellation, or decoding, among other examples), to map the received signal(s) to a sequence of binary bits (for example, received information) that estimates the information transmitted by the CMTS 110 or the cable modem 120 via the downlink or uplink signals. The CMTS 110a or the cable modem 120a (for example, using the processing system 145 or the processing system 140, respectively, or a coupled decoder or one or more modems) may decode the received information (such as by using an ECC, a decoding operation, or an FEC operation) to detect errors or correct bit errors in the received information to generate decoded information. The decoded information may estimate the information transmitted via the downlink or uplink signals.

[0084] In some examples, a cable modem 120 and a CMTS 110 may perform MIMO communication. MIMO communication generally refers to transmitting or receiving multiple signals (such as multiple layers or multiple data streams) simultaneously over the same time and frequency resources. A CMTS 110 or a cable modem 120 may communicate using single-user MIMO or multi-user MIMO (MU -MIMO), the latter of which being used by a CMTS 110 to simultaneously transmit signals to multiple cable modems 120. MIMO techniques may involve spatial multiplexing (multi-layer transmission) or beamforming. To implement beamforming, the amplitudes or phases of signals transmitted via antenna elements may be modulated and shifted relative to each other (such as by manipulating a phase shift, a phase offset, or an amplitude) to generate one or more beams. The term “beam” may refer to a directional0097-6158PCTtransmission of a signal toward a receiving device or otherwise in a desired direction, a directional reception of a wireless signal from a transmitting device or otherwise in a desired direction, a direction associated with such a directional transmission or directional reception, a set of directional resources associated with a signal transmission or signal reception (for example, an angle of arrival, a horizontal direction, or a vertical direction), or a set of parameters or resources associated with one or more aspects of a directional signal, among other examples.

[0085] In some examples, a CMTS 110 or a cable modem 120 may implement massive MIMO, which may be associated with an increased (for example, “massive”) quantity of antennas at the CMTS 110 or at the UE cable modem, such as in a network implementing mmWave technology, which enables more precise beamforming or reduced interference. In some examples, the communication network 100 may implement multi -TRP (mTRP) operation (including redundant transmission or reception on multiple TRPs) or non-coherent joint transmission (NC-JT).

[0086] The CMTS 110 and the cable modem 120 may establish a communication link or beam pair, and otherwise increase reliability, throughput, signal strength, or other signal properties for MIMO communications, by performing beam management operations, such as an initial beam acquisition operation, a beam refinement operation, or a beam recovery operation. For example, an initial beam acquisition operation may involve the CMTS 110 transmitting signals (for example, SSBs or other signals) via respective beams and the cable modem 120 receiving and measuring the signal(s) via respective beams of multiple beams to identify a best beam (or beam pair) for communication between the cable modem 120 and the CMTS 110. A beam refinement operation may involve a first device (for example, the cable modem 120 or the CMTS 110) transmitting signal(s) via a subset of beams (for example, identified based on, or otherwise associated with, measurements reported as part of one or more other beam management operations). A second device (for example, the CMTS 110 or the cable modem 120) may receive the signal(s) via a single beam (for example, to identify the best beam for communication from the subset of beams). The beam(s) may be identified or defined via one or more spatial parameters, such as a transmission configuration indicator (TCI) state or a quasi co-location (QCL) parameter, among other examples.

[0087] Some aspects and techniques as described herein may be implemented, at least in part, using an artificial intelligence (Al) program (for example, referred to herein as an “AI / ML model”), such as a program that includes a machine learning (ML) model or an artificial neural network (ANN) model. The AI / ML model may be deployed at one or more devices 165 (for example, one or more CMTSs 110, one or more cable modems 120, one or more servers, or one or more components of a cloud computing network, among other examples). For example, in a deployment in which AI / ML functionality is performed independently at a device 165,0097-6158PCTsometimes referred to as “overlay AI / ML,” the AI / ML model (or an instance or portion of the AI / ML model) may be deployed at a cable modem 120 (for example, by the processing system 140), a CMTS 110 (for example, by the processing system 145), one or more servers, or one or more components of a cloud computing network, among other examples. Additionally, or alternatively, in a deployment where AI / ML functionality is coordinated between different devices 165, sometimes referred to as “coordinated AI / ML,” or performed at all device and network layers, sometimes referred to as “native AI / ML,” the AI / ML model (or an instance of the AI / ML model) may be deployed at multiple devices 165 (for example, a first portion of the AI / ML model may be deployed at a cable modem 120 and a second portion of the AI / ML model may be deployed at a CMTS 110). In other examples of coordinated AI / ML or native AI / ML, a first AI / ML model may be deployed at a cable modem 120 and a second AI / ML model may be deployed at a CMTS 110. The AI / ML model(s) may be configured to enhance various aspects of the communication network 100 (for example, to increase privacy, reliability, or efficient use of network bandwidth, or to reduce latency, among other examples). For example, the AI / ML model(s) may be trained to identify patterns or relationships in data corresponding to the communication network 100, a device, or an air interface, among other examples. The AI / ML model(s) may support operational decisions relating to one or more aspects associated with wireless communications devices, networks, or services.

[0088] Accordingly, in some examples, the AI / ML model(s) may enable Al-as-a-Service (for example, an end-to-end AI / ML service via a user plane) for use cases, such as a self-organizing network (SON), minimization of drive test (MDT), quality of experience (QoE), positioning, sensing, predictive mobility, or traffic prediction, among other examples. In some examples, Al-as-a-Service use cases may include measurement collection reporting by a cable modem 120, device selection criteria (for example, according to a geographical area where measurements are to be collected or cable modem capabilities to be used to collected measurements), or reporting configurations (for example, reporting parameters such as location, time, or sensor information, among other examples). Additionally, or alternatively, the AI / ML model(s) may enable AI / ML procedures (for example, RAN-triggered service establishment, configuration, inferencing using UE-side or network-side models, performance monitoring or management, or capability signaling, among other examples). Additionally, or alternatively, the AI / ML model(s) may enable RAN-based AI / ML services via one or more application program interfaces (APIs) or management interfaces for use cases, such as beam management, radio resource monitoring (RRM) relaxation, mobility prediction, load prediction, network energy savings, or coverage and capacity improvements, among other examples).

[0089] In some aspects, the cable modem 120 may include a processing system 140 with a communication manager 150. As described in more detail elsewhere herein, the communication manager 150 may receive (e.g., from a CMTS 110) a configuration message indicating that a0097-6158PCTchannel should exclude DMRSs and may communicate (e.g., with the CMTS 110) on the channel, in response to the configuration message, without any DMRSs within a slot.Additionally, or alternatively, as described in more detail elsewhere herein, the communication manager 150 may receive (e.g., from a CMTS 110) an RRC message indicating an MCS for a channel; may receive (e.g., from the CMTS 110) DCI providing a grant to use on the channel, where the DCI lacks an MCS indication; and may communicate (e.g., with the CMTS 110) on the channel according to the grant and using the MCS indicated in the RRC message.Additionally, or alternatively, as described in more detail elsewhere herein, the communication manager 150 may receive (e.g., from a CMTS 110) an indication of a set of MCS s corresponding to a respective set of layers to be used on a channel and may communicate (e.g., with the CMTS 110) on the channel using each MCS, in the set of MCSs, for a respective layer in the respective set of layers. Additionally, or alternatively, as described in more detail elsewhere herein, the communication manager 150 may receive (e.g., from a CMTS 110) an indication of respective RBs to skip for each layer in a set of layers to be used on a channel and may communicate (e.g., with the CMTS 110) on the channel, ignoring the respective RBs to skip for each layer in the set of layers. Additionally, or alternatively, the communication manager 150 may perform one or more other operations described herein.

[0090] In some aspects, the CMTS 110 may include a processing system 145 with a communication manager 155. As described in more detail elsewhere herein, the communication manager 155 may transmit (e.g., to a cable modem 120) a configuration message indicating that a channel should exclude DMRSs and may communicate (e.g., with the cable modem 120) on the channel, in response to the configuration message, without any DMRSs within a slot.Additionally, or alternatively, as described in more detail elsewhere herein, the communication manager 155 may transmit (e.g., to a cable modem 120) an RRC message indicating an MCS for a channel; may transmit (e.g., to the cable modem 120) DCI providing a grant to use on the channel, where the DCI lacks an MCS indication; and may communicate (e.g., with the cable modem 120) on the channel according to the grant and using the MCS indicated in the RRC message. Additionally, or alternatively, as described in more detail elsewhere herein, the communication manager 155 may transmit (e.g., to a cable modem 120) an indication of a set of MCSs corresponding to a respective set of layers to be used on a channel and may communicate (e.g., with the cable modem 120) on the channel using each MCS, in the set of MCSs, for a respective layer in the respective set of layers. Additionally, or alternatively, as described in more detail elsewhere herein, the communication manager 155 may transmit (e.g., to a cable modem 120) an indication of respective RBs to skip for each layer in a set of layers to be used on a channel and may communicate (e.g., with the cable modem 120) on the channel, ignoring the respective RBs to skip for each layer in the set of layers. Additionally, or alternatively, the communication manager 155 may perform one or more other operations described herein.0097-6158PCT

[0091] Fig. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example disaggregated CMTS architecture 200. One or more components of the example disaggregated CMTS architecture 200 may be, may include, or may be included in one or more CMTSs (such one or more CMTSs 110). The disaggregated CMTS architecture 200 may include a CU 210 that can communicate directly with a core network 220 via a backhaul link, or that can communicate indirectly with the core network 220 via one or more disaggregated control units, such as a non-real-time (Non-RT) RAN intelligent controller (RIC) 250 associated with a Service Management and Orchestration (SMO) Framework 260 or a near-real-time (Near-RT) RIC 270 (for example, via an E2 link). The CU 210 may communicate with one or more DUs 230 via respective midhaul links, such as via Fl interfaces. Each of the DUs 230 may communicate with one or more RUs 240 via respective fronthaul links. Each of the RUs 240 may communicate with one or more cable modems 120 via respective access links. In some deployments, a cable modem 120 may be simultaneously served by multiple RUs 240.

[0092] Each of the components of the disaggregated CMTS architecture 200, including the CUs 210, the DUs 230, the RUs 240, the Near-RT RICs 270, the Non-RT RICs 250, and the SMO Framework 260, may include one or more interfaces or may be coupled with one or more interfaces for transmitting or receiving signals, such as data, control information, or reference signals via a wired or wireless transmission medium.

[0093] In some aspects, the CU 210 may be logically split into one or more CU user plane (CU-UP) units and one or more CU control plane (CU-CP) units. A CU-UP unit may communicate bidirectionally with a CU-CP unit via an interface, such as the El interface when implemented in an O-RAN configuration. The CU 210 may be deployed to communicate with one or more DUs 230, as necessary, for network control and signaling. Each DU 230 may correspond to a logical unit that includes one or more base station functions to control the operation of one or more RUs 240. For example, a DU 230 may host various layers, such as an RLC layer, a MAC layer, or one or more PHY layers, such as one or more high PHY layers or one or more low PHY layers. Each layer (which also may be referred to as a module) may be implemented with an interface for communicating signals with other layers (and modules) hosted by the DU 230, or for communicating signals with the control functions hosted by the CU 210. Each RU 240 may implement lower layer functionality. In some aspects, real-time and non-real-time aspects of control and user plane communication with the RU(s) 240 may be controlled by the corresponding DU 230.

[0094] The SMO Framework 260 may support RAN deployment and provisioning of nonvirtualized and virtualized network elements. For non-virtualized network elements, the SMO Framework 260 may support the deployment of dedicated physical resources for RAN coverage requirements, which may be managed via an operations and maintenance interface, such as an 01 interface. For virtualized network elements, the SMO Framework 260 may interact with a 0097-6158PCTcloud computing platform (such as an open cloud (O-Cloud) platform 290) to perform network element life cycle management (such as to instantiate virtualized network elements) via a cloud computing platform interface, such as an 02 interface. A virtualized network element may include, but is not limited to, a CU 210, a DU 230, an RU 240, a non-RT RIC 250, or a Near-RT RIC 270. In some aspects, the SMO Framework 260 may communicate with a hardware aspect of a 4G RAN, a 5G NR RAN, or a 6G RAN, such as an open eNB (O-eNB) 280, via an 01 interface. Additionally, or alternatively, the SMO Framework 260 may communicate directly with each of one or more RUs 240 via a respective 01 interface. In some deployments, this configuration can enable each DU 230 and the CU 210 to be implemented in a cloud-based RAN architecture, such as a vRAN architecture.

[0095] The Non-RT RIC 250 may include or may implement a logical function that enables non-real-time control and optimization of RAN elements and resources, AI / MU workflows including model training and updates, or policy-based guidance of applications or features in the Near-RT RIC 270. The Non-RT RIC 250 may be coupled to or may communicate with (such as via an Al interface) the Near-RT RIC 270. The Near-RT RIC 270 may include or may implement a logical function that enables near-real-time control and optimization of RAN elements and resources via data collection and actions via an interface (such as via an E2 interface) connecting one or more CUs 210, one or more DUs 230, or an O-eNB 280 with the Near-RT RIC 270.

[0096] In some aspects, to generate AI / MU models to be deployed in the Near-RT RIC 270, the Non-RT RIC 250 may receive parameters or external enrichment information from external servers. Such information may be utilized by the Near-RT RIC 270 and may be received at the SMO Framework 260 or the Non-RT RIC 250 from non-network data sources or from network functions. In some examples, the Non-RT RIC 250 or the Near-RT RIC 270 may tune RAN behavior or performance. For example, the Non-RT RIC 250 may monitor long-term trends and patterns for performance and may employ AI / MU models to perform corrective actions via the SMO Framework 260 (such as reconfiguration via an 01 interface) or via creation of RAN management policies (such as Al interface policies).

[0097] The CMTS 110, the processing system 145 of the CMTS 110, the cable modem 120, the processing system 140 of the cable modem 120, the CU 210, the DU 230, the RU 240, or any other componcnt(s) of Fig. 1 or Fig. 2 may implement one or more techniques or perform one or more operations associated with modifying NRoC for increasing efficiency, as described in more detail elsewhere herein. For example, the processing system 145 of the CMTS 110, the processing system 140 of the cable modem 120, the CU 210, the DU 230, or the RU 240 may perform or direct operations of, for example, process 800 of Fig. 8, process 900 of Fig. 9, process 1000 of Fig. 10, process 1100 of Fig. 11, process 1200 of Fig. 12, process 1300 of Fig.13, process 1400 of Fig. 14, process 1500 of Fig. 15, or other processes as described herein0097-6158PCT(alone or in conjunction with one or more other processors). Memory of the CMTS 110 may store data and program code (or instructions) for the CMTS 110, the CU 210, the DU 230, or the RU 240. In some examples, the memory of the CMTS 110 may store data relating to a cable modem 120, such as RRC state information or UE context. Memory of a cable modem 120 may store data and program code (or instructions) for the cable modem 120, such as context information. In some examples, the memory of the cable modem 120 or the memory of the CMTS 110 may include a non-transitory computer-readable medium storing a set of instructions for wireless communication. For example, the set of instructions, when executed by one or more processors (for example, of the processing system 145 or the processing system 140) of the CMTS 110, the cable modem 120, the CU 210, the DU 230, or the RU 240, may cause the one or more processors to perform process 800 of Fig. 8, process 900 of Fig. 9, process 1000 of Fig. 10, process 1100 of Fig. 11, process 1200 of Fig. 12, process 1300 of Fig. 13, process 1400 of Fig. 14, process 1500 of Fig. 15, or other processes as described herein. In some examples, executing instructions may include running the instructions, converting the instructions, compiling the instructions, or interpreting the instructions, among other examples.

[0098] In some aspects, a cable modem (e.g., cable modem 120 or apparatus 1600 of Fig. 16) may include means for receiving, from a CMTS, a configuration message indicating that a channel should exclude DMRSs, and means for communicating with the CMTS on the channel, in response to the configuration message, without any DMRSs within a slot. Additionally, or alternatively, the cable modem may include means for receiving, from a CMTS, an RRC message indicating an MCS for a channel; means for receiving, from the CMTS, DCI providing a grant to use on the channel, wherein the DCI lacks an MCS indication; and means for communicating with the CMTS on the channel according to the grant and using the MCS indicated in the RRC message. Additionally, or alternatively, the cable modem may include means for receiving, from a CMTS, an indication of a set of MCSs corresponding to a respective set of layers to be used on a channel, and means for communicating with the CMTS on the channel using each MCS, in the set of MCSs, for a respective layer in the respective set of layers. Additionally, or alternatively, the cable modem may include means for receiving, from a CMTS, an indication of respective RBs to skip for each layer in a set of layers to be used on a channel, and means for communicating with the CMTS on the channel, ignoring the respective RBs to skip for each layer in the set of layers. In some aspects, the means for the cable modem to perform operations described herein may include, for example, one or more of communication manager 150, processing system 140, a radio, one or more RF chains, one or more transceivers, one or more antennas, one or more modems, a reception component (for example, reception component 1602 depicted and described in connection with Fig. 16), or a transmission component (for example, transmission component 1604 depicted and described in connection with Fig. 16), among other examples.0097-6158PCT

[0099] In some aspects, a CMTS (e.g., CMTS 110, RU 240, DU 230, CU 210, or apparatus 1700 of Fig. 17) may include means for transmitting, to a cable modem, a configuration message indicating that a channel should exclude DMRSs, and means for communicating with the cable modem on the channel, in response to the configuration message, without any DMRSs within a slot. Additionally, or alternatively, the CMTS may include means for transmitting, to a cable modem, an RRC message indicating an MCS for a channel; means for transmitting, to the cable modem, DCI providing a grant to use on the channel, wherein the DCI lacks an MCS indication; and means for communicating with the cable modem on the channel according to the grant and using the MCS indicated in the RRC message. Additionally, or alternatively, the CMTS may include means for transmitting, to a cable modem, an indication of a set of MCSs corresponding to a respective set of layers to be used on a channel, and means for communicating with the cable modem on the channel using each MCS, in the set of MCSs, for a respective layer in the respective set of layers. Additionally, or alternatively, the CMTS may include means for transmitting, to a cable modem, an indication of respective RBs to skip for each layer in a set of layers to be used on a channel, and means for communicating with the cable modem on the channel, ignoring the respective RBs to skip for each layer in the set of layers. In some aspects, the means for the CMTS to perform operations described herein may include, for example, one or more of communication manager 155, processing system 145, a radio, one or more RF chains, one or more transceivers, one or more antennas, one or more modems, a reception component (for example, reception component 1702 depicted and described in connection with Fig. 17), or a transmission component (for example, transmission component 1704 depicted and described in connection with Fig. 17), among other examples.

[0100] Fig. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example 300 of multiplexing in NRoC. As shown in Fig. 3, a downlink signal 310 received over a cable may be encoded using three CCs (labeled “CC0,” “CC1,” and “CC2” in Fig. 3) and using two transmission layers (labeled “L0” and “LI” in Fig. 3). In the cable, the transmission layers may be divided across frequency. In a cable modem 120, a downlink signal 320 may be decoded from the downlink signal 310. In the downlink signal 320, the transmission layers are multiplexed in the same three CCs.

[0101] Similarly, an uplink signal 330 encoded by a cable modem 120 may be encoded using two CCs (labeled “CC0” and “CC1” in Fig. 3) and using two transmission layers (labeled “L0” and “LI” in Fig. 3). The transmission layers may be multiplexed in the same two CCs. The cable modem 120 may further encode an uplink signal 340, for transmission in a cable, from the uplink signal 330. In the uplink signal 340, the transmission layers may be divided across frequency.

[0102] As indicated above, Fig. 3 is provided as an example. Other examples may differ from what is described with respect to Fig. 3.0097-6158PCT

[0103] Fig. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example 400 associated with excluding DMRSs in NRoC deployments. As shown in Fig. 4, a CMTS 110 and a cable modem 120 may communicate with one another (e.g., in communication network 100 of Fig. 1 and over a fiber optic cable or another type of wired connection).

[0104] As shown by reference number 405, the cable modem 120 may transmit, and the CMTS 110 may receive, a capability message indicating that the cable modem 120 supports DMRS-less channels. For example, the capability message may include a UECapabilitylnformation message (e.g., as defined in 3GPP specifications). The capability message may include a flag (e.g., a bit or another type of indicator) indicating that the cable modem 120 can transmit and receive information in a slot without a DMRS. As used herein, “slot” may refer to a portion of a subframe, which in turn may be a fraction of a radio frame within an LTE, 5G, or another wireless communication structure. In some aspects, a slot may include one or more symbols. Additionally, “symbol” may refer to an OFDM symbol or another similar symbol within a slot.

[0105] In one example, the CMTS 110 may transmit, and the cable modem 120 may receive, a capability enquiry (e.g., a UECapabilityEnquiry message, as defined in 3GPP specifications), and the cable modem 120 may transmit, and the CMTS 110 may receive, the capability message in response to the capability enquiry.

[0106] As shown by reference number 410, the CMTS 110 may transmit, and the cable modem 120 may receive, a configuration message associated with a channel. The channel may be a downlink channel (e.g., a PDSCH) or an uplink channel (e.g., a PUSCH). The configuration message may therefore include a DMRS-DownlinkConfig message or a DMRS-UplinkConfig message (e.g., as defined in 3GPP specifications).

[0107] The configuration message may indicate that the channel should exclude DMRSs. In some aspects, the configuration message may include an information element (IE) associated with a position of an additional DMRS (e.g., beyond a default position), and the configuration message may set the IE to an enumerated value associated with excluding all DMRSs. In one example, the configuration message may include a dmrs-AdditionalPosition IE that is set to an enumerated value of posml .

[0108] In some aspects, the CMTS 110 may transmit, and the cable modem 120 may receive, the configuration message based at least in part on the capability message. For example, the CMTS 110 may determine, using the capability message, that the cable modem 120 is capable of processing the configuration message and may transmit the configuration message in response to determining that the cable modem 120 is capable of processing the configuration message.0097-6158PCT

[0109] As shown by reference number 415, the cable modem 120 and the CMTS 110 may communicate on the channel, in response to the configuration message, without any DMRSs within a slot. For example, if the channel is for downlink, the CMTS 110 may refrain from encoding any DMRS in the slot. Similarly, if the channel is for uplink, the cable modem 120 may refrain from encoding any DMRS in the slot. As a result, capacity and throughput is increased (e.g., by at least 8.33%). Additionally, because the CMTS 110 and the cable modem 120 tend to be relatively stationary, quality and reliability is not significantly impacted by a lack of DMRSs. For example, the cable modem 120 or the CMTS 110 may use previous DMRS measurements to decode within the slot.

[0110] In some aspects, the cable modem 120 and the CMTS 110 may communicate on the channel with a PTRS in the slot. For example, the CMTS 110 may transmit, and the cable modem 120 may receive, a configuration message associated with the channel indicating that the PTRS should be used (even though DMRS is not). The configuration message may include a PTRS-DownlinkConfig message or a DMRS-UplinkConfig message (e.g., as defined in 3GPP specifications). As a result, the cable modem 120 or the CMTS 110 may improve quality and reliability of the channel by using the PTRS.[OHl] In some aspects, the CMTS 110 may periodically use a DMRS to improve quality and reliability on the channel. For example, the CMTS 110 may configure DMRS to be used when the CMTS 110 performs RB re-allocation for the channel or when sufficient time has passed since a previous DMRS measurement was performed (by either the CMTS 110 or the cable modem 120). As shown by reference number 420, the CMTS 110 may transmit, and the cable modem 120 may receive, an additional configuration message associated with the channel. The additional configuration message may include a DMRS-DownlinkConfig message or a DMRS-UplinkConfig message (e.g., as defined in 3GPP specifications).

[0112] The additional configuration message may indicate that the channel should include at least one DMRS. In some aspects, the configuration message may include an IE associated with a position of an additional DMRS (e.g., beyond a default position), and the configuration message may set the IE to an enumerated value associated with including at least one DMRS. In one example, the configuration message may include a dmrs-AdditionalPosition IE that is set to an enumerated value of pos0,posl,pos2, or pos3.

[0113] As shown by reference number 425, the cable modem 120 and the CMTS 110 may communicate on the channel, in response to the additional configuration message, with at least one DMRS in an additional slot. For example, if the channel is for downlink, the CMTS 110 may encode at least one DMRS in the additional slot. Similarly, if the channel is for uplink, the cable modem 120 may encode at least one DMRS in the additional slot.0097-6158PCT

[0114] The CMTS 110 or the cable modem 120 may thus measure the at least one DMRS to determine an updated channel estimate for the channel. The CMTS 110 may then reconfigure the channel to exclude DMRS again (e.g., as described in connection with reference number 410).

[0115] As indicated above, Fig. 4 is provided as an example. Other examples may differ from what is described with respect to Fig. 4.

[0116] Fig. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example 500 associated with reducing DCI complexity or improving DCI performance in NRoC deployments. As shown in Fig. 5, a CMTS 110 and a cable modem 120 may communicate with one another (e.g., in communication network 100 of Fig. 1 and over a fiber optic cable or another type of wired connection).

[0117] As shown by reference number 505, the cable modem 120 may transmit, and the CMTS 110 may receive, a capability message indicating that the cable modem 120 supports semi-static MCS configuration. For example, the capability message may include a UECapabilitylnformation message (e.g., as defined in 3GPP specifications). The capability message may include a flag (e.g., a bit or another type of indicator) indicating that the cable modem 120 can process DCI that lacks an MCS indication, a PMI, precoding and layer information, a PTI, or a combination thereof.

[0118] In one example, the CMTS 110 may transmit, and the cable modem 120 may receive, a capability enquiry (e.g., a UECapabilityEnquiry message, as defined in 3GPP specifications), and the cable modem 120 may transmit, and the CMTS 110 may receive, the capability message in response to the capability enquiry.

[0119] As shown by reference number 510, the CMTS 110 may transmit, and the cable modem 120 may receive, an RRC message indicating an MCS for a channel. The channel may be a downlink channel (e.g., a PDSCH) or an uplink channel (e.g., a PUSCH). The configuration message may therefore include a PDSCH-Config message or a PUSCH-Config message (e.g., as defined in 3GPP specifications).

[0120] In some aspects, the RRC message may include an IE that indicates the MCS to use for the channel. Additionally, or alternatively, the RRC message may include an IE that indicates a PMI to use for the channel, an IE that indicates precoding and layer information to use for the channel, an IE that indicates a PTI to use for the channel, or a combination thereof.

[0121] In some aspects, the CMTS 110 may transmit, and the cable modem 120 may receive, the RRC message based at least in part on the capability message. For example, the CMTS 110 may determine, using the capability message, that the cable modem 120 is capable of processing the RRC message and may transmit the RRC message in response to determining that the cable modem 120 is capable of processing the RRC message.0097-6158PCT

[0122] As shown by reference number 515, the CMTS 110 may transmit, and the cable modem 120 may receive, DCI lacking an MCS indication and providing a grant to use on the channel. Additionally, or alternatively, the DCI may lack a PMI, precoding and layer information, a PTI, or a combination thereof.

[0123] The DCI may be in DCI format 0 0, DCI format 0 1, DCI format 0 2, DCI format 1 0, DCI format 1 1, or DCI format 1 2, as defined in 3GPP specifications. Accordingly, the DCI may lack an MCS indication, a PMI, precoding and layer information, a PTI, or a combination thereof, because corresponding fields are set to ‘0’ (or another type of reserve bit). Therefore, the CMTS 110 may reduce processing complexity associated with decoding the DCI (and thus allow the cable modem 120 to conserve processing resources and improve control channel (CCH) performance). Alternatively, the DCI may be in a new format and thus lack an MCS indication, a PMI, precoding and layer information, a PTI, or a combination thereof, because such information is excluded (that is, not included) altogether. Therefore, the CMTS 110 may reduce a size of the DCI.

[0124] As shown by reference number 520, the CMTS 110 and the cable modem 120 may communicate on the channel according to the grant (in the DCI) and using the MCS indicated in the RRC message. Additionally, or alternatively, the CMTS 110 and the cable modem 120 may communicate on the channel using the PMI, the precoding and layer information, or the PTI indicated in the RRC message.

[0125] In some aspects, the CMTS 110 may indicate an MCS (optionally with a PMI, precoding and layer information, a PTI, or a combination thereof) in DCI if the CMTS 110 releases a configuration indicated in the RRC message. For example, as shown by reference number 525, the CMTS 110 may transmit, and the cable modem 120 may receive, a command to release the configuration associated with the RRC message. The command may be included in DCI, a MAC-CE, or another RRC message.

[0126] As shown by reference number 530, the CMTS 110 may transmit, and the cable modem 120 may receive, additional DCI including an MCS indication and providing an additional grant to use on the channel. The DCI may further include a PMI, precoding and layer information, a PTI, or a combination thereof.

[0127] As shown by reference number 535, the CMTS 110 and the cable modem 120 may communicate on the channel according to the additional grant (in the additional DCI) and using the MCS indicated in the additional DCI. The CMTS 110 and the cable modem 120 may further communicate on the channel using the PMI, the precoding and layer information, or the PTI indicated in the additional DCI. Therefore, the CMTS 110 may revert to using DCI to indicate an MCS, a PMI, precoding and layer information, a PTI, or a combination thereof by releasing the configuration indicated in the RRC message.0097-6158PCT

[0128] As indicated above, Fig. 5 is provided as an example. Other examples may differ from what is described with respect to Fig. 5.

[0129] Fig. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example 600 associated with per-layer MCSs in NRoC deployments. As shown in Fig. 6, a CMTS 110 and a cable modem 120 may communicate with one another (e.g., in communication network 100 of Fig. 1 and over a fiber optic cable or another type of wired connection).

[0130] As shown by reference number 605, the cable modem 120 may transmit, and the CMTS 110 may receive, a capability message indicating that the cable modem 120 supports per-layer MCS indication. For example, the capability message may include a UECapabilitylnformation message (e.g., as defined in 3GPP specifications). The capability message may include a flag (e.g., a bit or another type of indicator) indicating that the cable modem 120 can process an RRC message or DCI that indicates multiple MCSs to use for different layers.

[0131] In one example, the CMTS 110 may transmit, and the cable modem 120 may receive, a capability enquiry (e.g., a UECapabilityEnquiry message, as defined in 3GPP specifications), and the cable modem 120 may transmit, and the CMTS 110 may receive, the capability message in response to the capability enquiry.

[0132] As shown by reference number 610, the CMTS 110 may transmit, and the cable modem 120 may receive, one or more reference signals. The reference signal(s) may include a CSI-RS, a TRS, an SSB, or a combination thereof, among other examples. The cable modem 120 may perform one or more measurements on the reference signal(s). For example, the cable modem 120 may determine a CQI for a channel (between the CMTS 110 and the cable modem 120) by measuring the reference signal(s). The reference signal(s) may be associated with a respective set of layers (e.g., a plurality of layers), and thus the cable modem 120 may determine a set of CQIs (e.g., a plurality of CQIs) corresponding to the respective set of layers.

[0133] As shown by reference number 615, the cable modem 120 may transmit, and the CMTS 110 may receive, a report including the set of CQIs (corresponding to the respective set of layers). Therefore, the CMTS 110 may determine a set of MCSs (e.g., a plurality of MCSs), corresponding to the respective set of layers, based at least in part on the set of CQIs. For example, the CMTS 110 may select an MCS that is associated with greater throughput for a layer (in the respective set of layers) that corresponds to a better CQI (in the set of CQIs). On the other hand, the CMTS 110 may select an MCS that is associated with greater reliability for a layer (in the respective set of layers) that corresponds to a worse CQI (in the set of CQIs). Because the CMTS 110 and the cable modem 120 are using a wired channel, the respective set of layers are divided across frequency, as described in connection with Fig. 3. Therefore, CQI variation across layers tends to be larger (due to larger signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) variation0097-6158PCTacross layers because the layers are divided across frequency). The CMTS 110 may therefore improve reliability and quality on the channel by using different MCSs for different layers.

[0134] Although the example 600 is described is connection with the CMTS 110 selecting the set of MCSs based at least in part on the set of CQIs from the cable modem 120, other examples may include the CMTS 110 selecting the set of MCSs based at least in part on one or more measurements of one or more reference signals from the cable modem 120. For example, the cable modem 120 may transmit, and the CMTS 110 may receive, the reference signal(s) (e.g., one or more SRSs), such that the CMTS 110 may perform the measurement(s) on the reference signal(s). The CMTS 110 may determine the set of CQIs, corresponding to the respective set of layers, based at least in part on the measurement(s). For example, the CMTS 110 may select an MCS that is associated with greater throughput for a layer (in the respective set of layers) that corresponds to a measurement indicating better channel quality. On the other hand, the CMTS 110 may select an MCS that is associated with greater reliability for a layer (in the respective set of layers) that corresponds to a measurement indicating worse channel quality.

[0135] As shown by reference number 620, the CMTS 110 may transmit, and the cable modem 120 may receive, an indication of the set of MCSs, corresponding to the respective set of layers, to be used on the channel. The channel may be a downlink channel (e.g., a PDSCH) or an uplink channel (e.g., a PUS CH). The indication may be included in an RRC message or in DCI.

[0136] As shown by reference number 625, the CMTS 110 and the cable modem 120 may communicate on the channel using each MCS (in the set of MCSs) for a respective layer (in the respective set of layers). Therefore, the CMTS 110 or the cable modem 120 may encode data into the respective set of layers using the set of MCSs, and the cable modem 120 or the CMTS 110, respectively, may decode the data using the set of MCSs.

[0137] A TB size (TBS) for the channel may be determined differently because different layers use different MCSs. For example, the CMTS 110 or the cable modem 120 may determine the TBS using a code rate and a modulation order for each respective layer as follows:number of layers (in the respective set of layers), NRErepresents a total number of resource elements (REs) allocated for the channel, Rkrepresents a code rate for layer k. and Qmkrepresents a modulation order for layer k. Additionally, C may be determined using an average code rate R' =The CMTS 110 or the cable modem 120 may0097-6158PCTdetermine the code rate and the modulation order for each layer using the MCS for the layer (e.g., using a look-up table (LUT) or another type of data structure that maps MCSs to code rates and modulation orders). In another example, the CMTS 110 or the cable modem 120 may determine the TBS using a code rate and a modulation order for each respective layer as follows:N'info + 248 - 24.8The CMTS 110 or the cable modem 120 may determine to use C in response to an average code rate satisfying a code rate threshold (e.g., when the average code rate R' < 1 / 4. where R' =Lk=iRkQmk) I ( .Lk=iQmk))-

[0138] In some aspects, the CMTS 110 or the cable modem 120 may determine the TBS using the code rate and the modulation order for each respective layer in response to a quantity of bits to be transmitted (or received) satisfying a size threshold. For example, the CMTS 110 or the cable modem 120 may determine the TBS as described above when Ninf0> 3824. On the other hand, when Ntnf0< 3824, the CMTS 110 or the cable modem 120 may use an LUT (e.g., defined in 3GPP specifications) to determine the TBS using—6). Therefore, when Ninf0< 3824, the CMTS 110 or the cable modem 120 may use a same MCS for all layers.

[0139] A low-density parity check (LDPC) base graph for the channel may be selected differently because different layers use different MCSs. For example, the CMTS 110 or the cable modem 120 may select the LDPC base graph using a weighted average of code rates over the set of layers. The weighted average may be as follows:Accordingly, the CMTS 110 or the cable modem 120 may select base graph 2 (e.g., as defined in 3GPP specifications) when the weighted average satisfies a code rate threshold (e.g., when the weighted average is less than, or equal to, 0.25). Alternatively, the CMTS 110 or the cable modem 120 may select base graph 1 (e.g., as defined in 3GPP specifications) when the weighted average fails to satisfy the code rate threshold.

[0140] In some aspects, the CMTS 110 or the cable modem 120 may select the LDPC base graph using the weighted average in response to a quantity of bits to be transmitted (or received) satisfying a size threshold. For example, the CMTS 110 or the cable modem 120 may select the LDPC base graph as described above when A > 3824, where A represents a payload size of a TB. On the other hand, when A < 3824, the CMTS 110 or the cable modem 120 may select base graph 2 (e.g., as defined in 3GPP specifications).0097-6158PCT

[0141] Rate matching for the channel may be performed differently because different layers use different MCSs. For example, the CMTS 110 or the cable modem 120 may determine a length of a rate matching output sequence as:where G represents a total number of coded bits available for a TB, and C is a number of code blocks (CBs) of the TB or is a number of scheduled CBs of the TB by DCI. Therefore, data is rate-matched for the channel using a summation of modulation orders over the respective set of layers.

[0142] As indicated above, Fig. 6 is provided as an example. Other examples may differ from what is described with respect to Fig. 6.

[0143] Fig. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example 700 associated with null avoidance in NRoC deployments. As shown in Fig. 7, a CMTS 110 and a cable modem 120 may communicate with one another (e.g., in communication network 100 of Fig. 1 and over a fiber optic cable or another type of wired connection).

[0144] As shown by reference number 705, the cable modem 120 may transmit, and the CMTS 110 may receive, a capability message indicating that the cable modem 120 supports null avoidance. For example, the capability message may include a UECapabilitylnformation message (e.g., as defined in 3GPP specifications). The capability message may include a flag (e.g., a bit or another type of indicator) indicating that the cable modem 120 can process an RRC message or DCI that indicates different RBs to skip for different layers.

[0145] In one example, the CMTS 110 may transmit, and the cable modem 120 may receive, a capability enquiry (e.g., a UECapabilityEnquiry message, as defined in 3GPP specifications), and the cable modem 120 may transmit, and the CMTS 110 may receive, the capability message in response to the capability enquiry.

[0146] As shown by reference number 710, the CMTS 110 may transmit, and the cable modem 120 may receive, a set of CSI-RSs. For example, the CMTS 110 may transmit, and the cable modem 120 may receive, a configuration for the set of CSI-RSs, such that the CMTS 110 transmits (and the cable modem 120 measures) the set of CSI-RSs in response to the configuration.

[0147] The cable modem 120 may perform measurements on the set of CSI-RSs. For example, the cable modem 120 may determine which RBs on a channel (between the CMTS 110 and the cable modem 120) are experiencing nulls (e.g., caused by reflections or ingress interference) by measuring the set of CSI-RSs. The set of CSI-RSs may be associated with a set of layers (e.g., a plurality of layers), and thus the cable modem 120 may determine which RBs, in each layer of the set of layers, are experiencing nulls.0097-6158PCT

[0148] As shown by reference number 715, the cable modem 120 may transmit, and the CMTS 110 may receive, a report indicating respective RBs to skip, for each layer in the set of layers, based at least in part on the measurements. For example, the cable modem 120 may determine the respective RBs to skip by determining which RBs in each layer are experiencing nulls. Because the CMTS 110 and the cable modem 120 are using a wired channel, the set of layers are divided across frequency, as described in connection with Fig. 3. Therefore, different layers experience nulls in different RBs. The CMTS 110 may therefore improve reliability and quality on the channel by skipping RBs that are experiencing nulls. The CMTS 110 may additionally improve capacity and throughput by only skipping an RB in a layer where that RB is experiencing a null rather than skipping the RB across all layers.

[0149] In some aspects, the report may include a bitmap across the set of layers and across all RBs in each layer in an order that indicates which RBs are experiencing nulls. This per-layer, per-RB bitmap may have a size equal to a size of a currently active BWP. Alternatively, the report may include a list of RB indices that indicates which RBs are experiencing nulls. This per-layer list may include RB indices (e.g., represented by N) grouped by layer index (e.g., represented by z). The report may further indicate a number of layers in the set of layers (e.g., represented by L) or a number of nulls per layer (e.g., represented by Ni).

[0150] Although the example 700 is described is connection with the cable modem 120 determining the respective RBs to skip for each layer, other examples may include the CMTS 110 determining the respective RBs to skip for each layer. For example, the cable modem 120 may transmit, and the CMTS 110 may receive, a set of SRSs, such that the CMTS 110 may perform measurements on the set of SRSs. The CMTS 110 may determine the respective RBs to skip for each layer based at least in part on the measurements. For example, the CMTS 110 may determine the respective RBs to skip by determining which RBs in each layer are experiencing nulls.

[0151] As shown by reference number 720, the CMTS 110 may transmit, and the cable modem 120 may receive, an indication of the respective RBs to skip for each layer in the set of layers to be used on the channel. The channel may be a downlink channel (e.g., a PDSCH) or an uplink channel (e.g., a PUSCH). The indication may be included in an RRC message or in DCI.

[0152] As shown by reference number 725, the CMTS 110 and the cable modem 120 may communicate on the channel while ignoring the respective RBs to skip for each layer in the set of layers. Therefore, the CMTS 110 or the cable modem 120 may encode data into the respective set of layers, skipping the respective RBs for each layer, and the cable modem 120 or the CMTS 110, respectively, may decode the data assuming that the respective RBs were skipped.0097-6158PCT

[0153] A TBS for the channel may be determined differently because the respective RBs are skipped. For example, the CMTS 110 or the cable modem 120 may determine the TBS by subtracting the respective RBs to skip for each layer as follows:where n = \log2(Ninfo- 24)] - 5 and Ninfo= .k=i NRE ~ RBdis k’min (156, N'RE))RkQmk, where RBdis krepresents the respective RBs to skip for layer k and N'REis a function of a number of subcarriers in a physical resource block (PRB), a number of symbols in a slot the channel, a number of REs for DMRS per PRB, and an overhead configured by a higher parameter layer. In another example, the CMTS 110 or the cable modem 120 may determine the TBS as follows:N'info + 241The CMTS 110 or the cable modem 120 may determine to use C in response to an average code rate satisfying a code rate threshold (e.g., when the average code rate R' < 1 / 4, where R' =Lk=lRkQmk) I Xk=lQmk)).

[0154] Rate matching for the channel may be performed differently because the respective RBs are skipped. For example, the CMTS 110 or the cable modem 120 may determine a length of a rate matching output sequence as:where G = Z ' k=i(^RE ~ RBdis k■ min (156, N'RE)Qmk. Therefore, data is rate-matched for the channel using a quantity of coded bits that is reduced by the respective RBs to skip for each layer.

[0155] As indicated above, Fig. 7 is provided as an example. Other examples may differ from what is described with respect to Fig. 7.

[0156] Fig. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example process 800 performed, for example, at a cable modem or an apparatus of a cable modem. Example process 800 is an example where the apparatus or the cable modem (e.g., cable modem 120) performs operations associated with excluding DMRS in NRoC deployments.

[0157] As shown in Fig. 8, in some aspects, process 800 may include receiving, from a CMTS, a configuration message indicating that a channel should exclude DMRSs (block 810). For example, the cable modem (e.g., using reception component 1602 or communication manager 1606, depicted in Fig. 16) may receive, from a CMTS, a configuration message indicating that a channel should exclude DMRSs, as described herein.0097-6158PCT

[0158] As further shown in Fig. 8, in some aspects, process 800 may include communicating with the CMTS on the channel, in response to the configuration message, without any DMRSs within a slot (block 820). For example, the cable modem (e.g., using reception component 1602, transmission component 1604, or communication manager 1606, depicted in Fig. 16) may communicate with the CMTS on the channel, in response to the configuration message, without any DMRSs within a slot, as described herein.

[0159] Process 800 may include additional aspects, such as any single aspect or any combination of aspects described below or in connection with one or more other processes described elsewhere herein.

[0160] In a first aspect, the configuration message includes an RRC message.

[0161] In a second aspect, alone or in combination with the first aspect, the configuration message indicates that the channel should exclude DMRSs by including an IE, associated with a position of an additional DMRS, that is set to an enumerated value associated with excluding all DMRSs.

[0162] In a third aspect, alone or in combination with one or more of the first and second aspects, the channel includes a PDSCH.

[0163] In a fourth aspect, alone or in combination with one or more of the first through third aspects, the channel includes a PUSCH.

[0164] In a fifth aspect, alone or in combination with one or more of the first through fourth aspects, process 800 includes transmitting (e.g., using transmission component 1604 or communication manager 1606), to the CMTS, a capability message indicating that the cable modem supports DMRS-less channels, such that the configuration message is received based at least in part on the capability message.

[0165] In a sixth aspect, alone or in combination with one or more of the first through fifth aspects, communicating with the CMTS on the channel includes communicating with the CMTS on the channel with a PTRS included in the slot.

[0166] In a seventh aspect, alone or in combination with one or more of the first through sixth aspects, process 800 includes receiving (e.g., using reception component 1602 or communication manager 1606), from the CMTS, an additional configuration message indicating that the channel should include at least one DMRS, and communicating with the CMTS (e.g., using reception component 1602, transmission component 1604, or communication manager 1606) on the channel, in response to the additional configuration message, with at least one DMRS within an additional slot.

[0167] Although Fig. 8 shows example blocks of process 800, in some aspects, process 800 may include additional blocks, fewer blocks, different blocks, or differently arranged blocks0097-6158PCTthan those depicted in Fig. 8. Additionally, or alternatively, two or more of the blocks of process 800 may be performed in parallel.

[0168] Fig. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example process 900 performed, for example, at an CMTS or an apparatus of an CMTS. Example process 900 is an example where the apparatus or the CMTS (e.g., CMTS 110) performs operations associated with excluding DMRS in NRoC deployments.

[0169] As shown in Fig. 9, in some aspects, process 900 may include transmitting, to a cable modem, a configuration message indicating that a channel should exclude DMRSs (block 910). For example, the CMTS (e.g., using transmission component 1704 or communication manager 1706, depicted in Fig. 17) may transmit, to a cable modem, a configuration message indicating that a channel should exclude DMRSs, as described herein.

[0170] As further shown in Fig. 9, in some aspects, process 900 may include communicating with the cable modem on the channel, in response to the configuration message, without any DMRSs within a slot (block 920). For example, the CMTS (e.g., using reception component 1702, transmission component 1704, or communication manager 1706, depicted in Fig. 17) may communicate with the cable modem on the channel, in response to the configuration message, without any DMRSs within a slot, as described herein.

[0171] Process 900 may include additional aspects, such as any single aspect or any combination of aspects described below or in connection with one or more other processes described elsewhere herein.

[0172] In a first aspect, the configuration message includes an RRC message.

[0173] In a second aspect, alone or in combination with the first aspect, the configuration message indicates that the channel should exclude DMRSs by including an IE, associated with a position of an additional DMRS, that is set to an enumerated value associated with excluding all DMRSs.

[0174] In a third aspect, alone or in combination with one or more of the first and second aspects, the channel includes a PDSCH.

[0175] In a fourth aspect, alone or in combination with one or more of the first through third aspects, the channel includes a PUSCH.

[0176] In a fifth aspect, alone or in combination with one or more of the first through fourth aspects, process 900 includes receiving (e.g., using reception component 1702 or communication manager 1706), from the cable modem, a capability message indicating that the cable modem supports DMRS-less channels, such that the configuration message is transmitted based at least in part on the capability message.0097-6158PCT

[0177] In a sixth aspect, alone or in combination with one or more of the first through fifth aspects, communicating with the cable modem on the channel includes communicating with the cable modem on the channel with a PTRS included in the slot.

[0178] In a seventh aspect, alone or in combination with one or more of the first through sixth aspects, process 900 includes transmitting (e.g., using transmission component 1704 or communication manager 1706), to the cable modem, an additional configuration message indicating that the channel should include at least one DMRS, and communicating with the cable modem (e.g., using reception component 1702, transmission component 1704, or communication manager 1706) on the channel, in response to the additional configuration message, with at least one DMRS within an additional slot.

[0179] Although Fig. 9 shows example blocks of process 900, in some aspects, process 900 may include additional blocks, fewer blocks, different blocks, or differently arranged blocks than those depicted in Fig. 9. Additionally, or alternatively, two or more of the blocks of process 900 may be performed in parallel.

[0180] Fig. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example process 1000 performed, for example, at a cable modem or an apparatus of a cable modem. Example process 1000 is an example where the apparatus or the cable modem (e.g., cable modem 120) performs operations associated with reducing DCI complexity in NRoC deployments.

[0181] As shown in Fig. 10, in some aspects, process 1000 may include receiving, from a CMTS, an RRC message indicating an MCS for a channel (block 1010). For example, the cable modem (e.g., using reception component 1602 or communication manager 1606, depicted in Fig. 16) may receive, from a CMTS, an RRC message indicating an MCS for a channel, as described herein.

[0182] As further shown in Fig. 10, in some aspects, process 1000 may include receiving, from the CMTS, DCI providing a grant to use on the channel and lacking an MCS indication (block 1020). For example, the cable modem (e.g., using reception component 1602 or communication manager 1606) may receive, from the CMTS, DCI providing a grant to use on the channel and lacking an MCS indication, as described herein.

[0183] As further shown in Fig. 10, in some aspects, process 1000 may include communicating with the CMTS on the channel according to the grant and using the MCS indicated in the RRC message (block 1030). For example, the cable modem (e.g., using reception component 1602, transmission component 1604, or communication manager 1606, depicted in Fig. 16) may communicate with the CMTS on the channel according to the grant and using the MCS indicated in the RRC message, as described herein.0097-6158PCT

[0184] Process 1000 may include additional aspects, such as any single aspect or any combination of aspects described below or in connection with one or more other processes described elsewhere herein.

[0185] In a first aspect, the RRC message includes a PMI, and the DCI further lacks a PMI indication.

[0186] In a second aspect, alone or in combination with the first aspect, the RRC message includes a precoding and layer information, and the DCI further lacks a precoding and layer indication.

[0187] In a third aspect, alone or in combination with one or more of the first and second aspects, the RRC message includes a PTI, and the DCI further lacks a PTI indication.

[0188] In a fourth aspect, alone or in combination with one or more of the first through third aspects, the channel includes a PDSCH.

[0189] In a fifth aspect, alone or in combination with one or more of the first through fourth aspects, the channel includes a PUSCH.

[0190] In a sixth aspect, alone or in combination with one or more of the first through fifth aspects, process 1000 includes transmitting (e.g., using transmission component 1604 or communication manager 1606), to the CMTS, a capability message indicating that the cable modem supports semi-static MCS configuration, such that the RRC message is received based at least in part on the capability message.

[0191] In a seventh aspect, alone or in combination with one or more of the first through sixth aspects, process 1000 includes receiving (e.g., using reception component 1602 or communication manager 1606), from the CMTS, a command to release a configuration associated with the RRC message; receiving (e.g., using reception component 1602 or communication manager 1606), from the CMTS, additional DCI providing an additional grant to use on the channel and including an MCS indication; and communicating with the CMTS (e.g., using reception component 1602, transmission component 1604, or communication manager 1606) on the channel according to the additional grant and using the MCS indication in the additional DCI.

[0192] Although Fig. 10 shows example blocks of process 1000, in some aspects, process 1000 may include additional blocks, fewer blocks, different blocks, or differently arranged blocks than those depicted in Fig. 10. Additionally, or alternatively, two or more of the blocks of process 1000 may be performed in parallel.

[0193] Fig. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example process 1100 performed, for example, at an CMTS or an apparatus of an CMTS. Example process 1100 is an example where the apparatus or the CMTS (e.g., CMTS 110) performs operations associated with reducing DCI complexity in NRoC deployments.0097-6158PCT

[0194] As shown in Fig. 11, in some aspects, process 1100 may include transmitting, to a cable modem, an RRC message indicating an MCS for a channel (block 1110). For example, the CMTS (e.g., using transmission component 1704 or communication manager 1706, depicted in Fig. 17) may transmit, to a cable modem, an RRC message indicating an MCS for a channel, as described herein.

[0195] As further shown in Fig. 11, in some aspects, process 1100 may include transmitting, to the cable modem, DCI providing a grant to use on the channel and lacking an MCS indication (block 1120). For example, the CMTS (e.g., using transmission component 1704 or communication manager 1706) may transmit, to the cable modem, DCI providing a grant to use on the channel and lacking an MCS indication, as described herein.

[0196] As further shown in Fig. 11, in some aspects, process 1100 may include communicating with the cable modem on the channel according to the grant and using the MCS indicated in the RRC message (block 1130). For example, the CMTS (e.g., using reception component 1702, transmission component 1704, or communication manager 1706, depicted in Fig. 17) may communicate with the cable modem on the channel according to the grant and using the MCS indicated in the RRC message, as described herein.

[0197] Process 1100 may include additional aspects, such as any single aspect or any combination of aspects described below or in connection with one or more other processes described elsewhere herein.

[0198] In a first aspect, the RRC message includes a PMI, and the DCI further lacks a PMI indication.

[0199] In a second aspect, alone or in combination with the first aspect, the RRC message includes a precoding and layer information, and the DCI further lacks a precoding and layer indication.

[0200] In a third aspect, alone or in combination with one or more of the first and second aspects, the RRC message includes a PTI, and the DCI further lacks a PTI indication.

[0201] In a fourth aspect, alone or in combination with one or more of the first through third aspects, the channel includes a PDSCH.

[0202] In a fifth aspect, alone or in combination with one or more of the first through fourth aspects, the channel includes a PUSCH.

[0203] In a sixth aspect, alone or in combination with one or more of the first through fifth aspects, process 1100 includes receiving (e.g., using reception component 1702 or communication manager 1706), from the cable modem, a capability message indicating that the cable modem supports semi-static MCS configuration, such that the RRC message is transmitted based at least in part on the capability message.0097-6158PCT

[0204] In a seventh aspect, alone or in combination with one or more of the first through sixth aspects, process 1100 includes transmitting (e.g., using transmission component 1704 or communication manager 1706), to the cable modem, a command to release a configuration associated with the RRC message; transmitting (e.g., using transmission component 1704 or communication manager 1706), to the cable modem, additional DCI providing an additional grant to use on the channel and including an MCS indication; and communicating with the cable modem (e.g., using reception component 1702, transmission component 1704, or communication manager 1706) on the channel according to the additional grant and using the MCS indication in the additional DCI.

[0205] Although Fig. 11 shows example blocks of process 1100, in some aspects, process 1100 may include additional blocks, fewer blocks, different blocks, or differently arranged blocks than those depicted in Fig. 11. Additionally, or alternatively, two or more of the blocks of process 1100 may be performed in parallel.

[0206] Fig. 12 is a diagram illustrating an example process 1200 performed, for example, at a cable modem or an apparatus of a cable modem. Example process 1200 is an example where the apparatus or the cable modem (e.g., cable modem 120) performs operations associated with using pc rd aver MCSs in NRoC deployments.

[0207] As shown in Fig. 12, in some aspects, process 1200 may include receiving, from a CMTS, an indication of a set of MCSs corresponding to a respective set of layers to be used on a channel (block 1210). For example, the cable modem (e.g., using reception component 1602 or communication manager 1606, depicted in Fig. 16) may receive, from a CMTS, an indication of a set of MCSs corresponding to a respective set of layers to be used on a channel, as described herein.

[0208] As further shown in Fig. 12, in some aspects, process 1200 may include communicating with the CMTS on the channel using each MCS, in the set of MCSs, for a respective layer in the respective set of layers (block 1220). For example, the cable modem (e.g., using reception component 1602, transmission component 1604, or communication manager 1606, depicted in Fig. 16) may communicate with the CMTS on the channel using each MCS, in the set of MCSs, for a respective layer in the respective set of layers, as described herein.

[0209] Process 1200 may include additional aspects, such as any single aspect or any combination of aspects described below or in connection with one or more other processes described elsewhere herein.

[0210] In a first aspect, the indication is included in an RRC message.

[0211] In a second aspect, alone or in combination with the first aspect, the indication is included in DCI.0097-6158PCT

[0212] In a third aspect, alone or in combination with one or more of the first and second aspects, a TBS for the channel is determined using a code rate and a modulation order for each respective layer over the set of layers.

[0213] In a fourth aspect, alone or in combination with one or more of the first through third aspects, the TBS for the channel is determined using the code rate and the modulation order for each respective layer in response to a quantity of bits to be transmitted or received satisfying a size threshold.

[0214] In a fifth aspect, alone or in combination with one or more of the first through fourth aspects, an LDPC base graph for the channel is selected using a weighted average of code rates over the set of layers.

[0215] In a sixth aspect, alone or in combination with one or more of the first through fifth aspects, data is rate-matched for the channel using a summation of modulation orders over the set of layers.

[0216] In a seventh aspect, alone or in combination with one or more of the first through sixth aspects, process 1200 includes transmitting (e.g., using transmission component 1604 or communication manager 1606), to the CMTS, a capability message indicating that the cable modem supports per-layer MCS indication, such that the indication of the set of MCSs is received based at least in part on the capability message.

[0217] In an eighth aspect, alone or in combination with one or more of the first through seventh aspects, process 1200 includes transmitting (e.g., using transmission component 1604 or communication manager 1606), to the CMTS, a report including a set of CQIs corresponding to the respective set of layers, such that the indication of the set of MCSs is received in response to the report.

[0218] Although Fig. 12 shows example blocks of process 1200, in some aspects, process 1200 may include additional blocks, fewer blocks, different blocks, or differently arranged blocks than those depicted in Fig. 12. Additionally, or alternatively, two or more of the blocks of process 1200 may be performed in parallel.

[0219] Fig. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example process 1300 performed, for example, at an CMTS or an apparatus of an CMTS. Example process 1300 is an example where the apparatus or the CMTS (e.g., CMTS 110) performs operations associated with using per-layer MCSs in NRoC deployments.

[0220] As shown in Fig. 13, in some aspects, process 1300 may include transmitting, to a cable modem, an indication of a set of MCSs corresponding to a respective set of layers to be used on a channel (block 1310). For example, the CMTS (e.g., using transmission component 1704 or communication manager 1706, depicted in Fig. 17) may transmit, to a cable modem, an0097-6158PCTindication of a set of MCSs corresponding to a respective set of layers to be used on a channel, as described herein.

[0221] As further shown in Fig. 13, in some aspects, process 1300 may include communicating with the cable modem on the channel using each MCS, in the set of MCSs, for a respective layer in the respective set of layers (block 1320). For example, the CMTS (e.g., using reception component 1702, transmission component 1704, or communication manager 1706, depicted in Fig. 17) may communicate with the cable modem on the channel using each MCS, in the set of MCSs, for a respective layer in the respective set of layers, as described herein.

[0222] Process 1300 may include additional aspects, such as any single aspect or any combination of aspects described below or in connection with one or more other processes described elsewhere herein.

[0223] In a first aspect, the indication is included in an RRC message.

[0224] In a second aspect, alone or in combination with the first aspect, the indication is included in DCI.

[0225] In a third aspect, alone or in combination with one or more of the first and second aspects, a TBS for the channel is determined using a code rate and a modulation order for each respective layer over the set of layers.

[0226] In a fourth aspect, alone or in combination with one or more of the first through third aspects, the TBS for the channel is determined using the code rate and the modulation order for each respective layer in response to a quantity of bits to be transmitted or received satisfying a size threshold.

[0227] In a fifth aspect, alone or in combination with one or more of the first through fourth aspects, an LDPC base graph for the channel is selected using a weighted average of code rates over the set of layers.

[0228] In a sixth aspect, alone or in combination with one or more of the first through fifth aspects, data is rate-matched for the channel using a summation of modulation orders over the set of layers.

[0229] In a seventh aspect, alone or in combination with one or more of the first through sixth aspects, process 1300 includes receiving (e.g., using reception component 1702 or communication manager 1706), from the cable modem, a capability message indicating that the cable modem supports per-layer MCS indication, such that the indication of the set of MCSs is transmitted based at least in part on the capability message.

[0230] In an eighth aspect, alone or in combination with one or more of the first through seventh aspects, process 1300 includes receiving (e.g., using reception component 1702 or communication manager 1706), from the cable modem, a report including a set of CQIs0097-6158PCTcorresponding to the respective set of layers, such that the set of MCSs are based at least in part on the set of CQIs.

[0231] Although Fig. 13 shows example blocks of process 1300, in some aspects, process 1300 may include additional blocks, fewer blocks, different blocks, or differently arranged blocks than those depicted in Fig. 13. Additionally, or alternatively, two or more of the blocks of process 1300 may be performed in parallel.

[0232] Fig. 14 is a diagram illustrating an example process 1400 performed, for example, at a cable modem or an apparatus of a cable modem. Example process 1400 is an example where the apparatus or the cable modem (e.g., cable modem 120) performs operations associated with avoiding nulls in NRoC deployments.

[0233] As shown in Fig. 14, in some aspects, process 1400 may include receiving, from a CMTS, an indication of respective RBs to skip for each layer in a set of layers to be used on a channel (block 1410). For example, the cable modem (e.g., using reception component 1602 or communication manager 1606, depicted in Fig. 16) may receive, from a CMTS, an indication of respective RBs to skip for each layer in a set of layers to be used on a channel, as described herein.

[0234] As further shown in Fig. 14, in some aspects, process 1400 may include communicating with the CMTS on the channel ignoring the respective RBs to skip for each layer in the set of layers (block 1420). For example, the cable modem (e.g., using reception component 1602, transmission component 1604, or communication manager 1606, depicted in Fig. 16) may communicate with the CMTS on the channel ignoring the respective RBs to skip for each layer in the set of layers, as described herein.

[0235] Process 1400 may include additional aspects, such as any single aspect or any combination of aspects described below or in connection with one or more other processes described elsewhere herein.

[0236] In a first aspect, the indication is included in an RRC message.

[0237] In a second aspect, alone or in combination with the first aspect, the indication is included in DCI.

[0238] In a third aspect, alone or in combination with one or more of the first and second aspects, a TBS for the channel is determined by subtracting the respective RBs to skip for each layer.

[0239] In a fourth aspect, alone or in combination with one or more of the first through third aspects, data is rate-matched for the channel using a quantity of coded bits that is reduced by the respective RBs to skip for each layer.

[0240] In a fifth aspect, alone or in combination with one or more of the first through fourth aspects, process 1400 includes receiving (e.g., using reception component 1602 or0097-6158PCTcommunication manager 1606), from the CMTS, a configuration for a CSI report for null avoidance; performing measurements (e.g., using reception component 1602 or communication manager 1606) on a set of CSI-RSs according to the configuration; and transmitting (e.g., using transmission component 1604 or communication manager 1606), to the CMTS, a report indicating the respective RBs to skip, for each layer in the set of layers, based at least in part on the measurements.

[0241] In a sixth aspect, alone or in combination with one or more of the first through fifth aspects, process 1400 includes transmitting (e.g., using transmission component 1604 or communication manager 1606), to the CMTS, a capability message indicating that the cable modem supports null avoidance, such that the indication of the respective RBs to skip, for each layer in the set of layers, is received based at least in part on the capability message.

[0242] Although Fig. 14 shows example blocks of process 1400, in some aspects, process 1400 may include additional blocks, fewer blocks, different blocks, or differently arranged blocks than those depicted in Fig. 14. Additionally, or alternatively, two or more of the blocks of process 1400 may be performed in parallel.

[0243] Fig. 15 is a diagram illustrating an example process 1500 performed, for example, at an CMTS or an apparatus of an CMTS. Example process 1500 is an example where the apparatus or the CMTS (e.g., CMTS 110) performs operations associated with avoiding nulls in NRoC deployments.

[0244] As shown in Fig. 15, in some aspects, process 1500 may include transmitting, to a cable modem, an indication of respective RBs to skip for each layer in a set of layers to be used on a channel (block 1510). For example, the CMTS (e.g., using transmission component 1704 or communication manager 1706, depicted in Fig. 17) may transmit, to a cable modem, an indication of respective RBs to skip for each layer in a set of layers to be used on a channel, as described herein.

[0245] As further shown in Fig. 15, in some aspects, process 1500 may include communicating with the cable modem on the channel ignoring the respective RBs to skip for each layer in the set of layers (block 1520). For example, the CMTS (e.g., using reception component 1702, transmission component 1704, or communication manager 1706, depicted in Fig. 17) may communicate with the cable modem on the channel ignoring the respective RBs to skip for each layer in the set of layers, as described herein.

[0246] Process 1500 may include additional aspects, such as any single aspect or any combination of aspects described below or in connection with one or more other processes described elsewhere herein.

[0247] In a first aspect, the indication is included in an RRC message.0097-6158PCT

[0248] In a second aspect, alone or in combination with the first aspect, the indication is included in DCI.

[0249] In a third aspect, alone or in combination with one or more of the first and second aspects, a TBS for the channel is determined by subtracting the respective RBs to skip for each layer.

[0250] In a fourth aspect, alone or in combination with one or more of the first through third aspects, data is rate-matched for the channel using a quantity of coded bits that is reduced by the respective RBs to skip for each layer.

[0251] In a fifth aspect, alone or in combination with one or more of the first through fourth aspects, process 1500 includes transmitting (e.g., using transmission component 1704 or communication manager 1706), to the cable modem, a configuration for a CSI report for null avoidance; transmitting (e.g., using transmission component 1704 or communication manager 1706) a set of CSI-RSs according to the configuration; and receiving (e.g., using reception component 1702 or communication manager 1706), from the cable modem, a report indicating the respective RBs to skip, for each layer in the set of layers, based at least in part on measurements of the set of CSI-RSs.

[0252] In a sixth aspect, alone or in combination with one or more of the first through fifth aspects, process 1500 includes receiving (e.g., using reception component 1702 or communication manager 1706), from the cable modem, a capability message indicating that the cable modem supports null avoidance, such that the indication of the respective RBs to skip for each layer in the set of layers is transmitted based at least in part on the capability message.

[0253] Although Fig. 15 shows example blocks of process 1500, in some aspects, process 1500 may include additional blocks, fewer blocks, different blocks, or differently arranged blocks than those depicted in Fig. 15. Additionally, or alternatively, two or more of the blocks of process 1500 may be performed in parallel.

[0254] Fig. 16 is a diagram of an example apparatus 1600 for wireless communication. The apparatus 1600 may be a cable modem, or a cable modem may include the apparatus 1600. In some aspects, the apparatus 1600 includes a reception component 1602, a transmission component 1604, or a communication manager 1606, which may be in communication with one another (for example, via one or more buses or one or more other components). In some aspects, the communication manager 1606 is the communication manager 150 described in connection with Fig. 1. As shown, the apparatus 1600 may communicate with another apparatus 1608, such as a cable modem or a CMTS (such as a CU, a DU, an RU, or a base station), using the reception component 1602 and the transmission component 1604. The communication manager 1606 may be included in, or implemented via, a processing system (for example, the processing system 140 described in connection with Fig. 1) of the cable modem.0097-6158PCT

[0255] In some aspects, the apparatus 1600 may be configured to perform one or more operations described herein in connection with Figs. 4-7. Additionally, or alternatively, the apparatus 1600 may be configured to perform one or more processes described herein, such as process 800 of Fig. 8, process 1000 of Fig. 10, process 1200 of Fig. 12, process 1400 of Fig. 14, or a combination thereof. In some aspects, the apparatus 1600 or one or more components shown in Fig. 16 may include one or more components of the cable modem described in connection with Fig. 1. Additionally, or alternatively, one or more components shown in Fig.16 may be implemented within one or more components described in connection with Fig. 1. Additionally, or alternatively, one or more components of the set of components may be implemented at least in part as software stored in one or more memories. For example, a component (or a portion of a component) may be implemented as instructions or code stored in a non-transitory computer-readable medium and executable by one or more controllers or one or more processors to perform the functions or operations of the component.

[0256] The reception component 1602 may receive communications, such as reference signals, control information, data communications, or a combination thereof, from the apparatus 1608. The reception component 1602 may provide received communications to one or more other components of the apparatus 1600. In some aspects, the reception component 1602 may perform signal processing on the received communications, and may provide the processed signals to the one or more other components of the apparatus 1600. In some aspects, the reception component 1602 may include one or more components of the cable modem described above in connection with Fig. 1, such as a radio, one or more RF chains, one or more transceivers, or one or more modems, each of which may in turn be coupled with one or more antennas of the cable modem.

[0257] The transmission component 1604 may transmit communications, such as reference signals, control information, data communications, or a combination thereof, to the apparatus 1608. In some aspects, one or more other components of the apparatus 1600 may generate communications and may provide the generated communications to the transmission component 1604 for transmission to the apparatus 1608. In some aspects, the transmission component 1604 may perform signal processing on the generated communications, and may transmit the processed signals to the apparatus 1608. In some aspects, the transmission component 1604 may include one or more components of the cable modem described above in connection with Fig. 1, such as a radio, one or more RF chains, one or more transceivers, or one or more modems, each of which may in turn be coupled with one or more antennas of the cable modem described in connection with Fig. 1. In some aspects, the transmission component 1604 may be co-located with the reception component 1602.

[0258] The communication manager 1606 may support operations of the reception component 1602 or the transmission component 1604. For example, the communication0097-6158PCTmanager 1606 may receive information associated with configuring reception of communications by the reception component 1602 or transmission of communications by the transmission component 1604. Additionally, or alternatively, the communication manager 1606 may generate or provide control information to the reception component 1602 or the transmission component 1604 to control reception or transmission of communications.

[0259] In some aspects, the reception component 1602 may receive (e.g., from the apparatus 1608) a configuration message indicating that a channel should exclude DMRSs. Accordingly, the reception component 1602 or the transmission component 1604 may communicate (e.g., with the apparatus 1608) on the channel, in response to the configuration message, without any DMRSs within a slot. Additionally, the reception component 1602 may receive (e.g. from the apparatus 1608) an additional configuration message indicating that the channel should include at least one DMRS. Accordingly, the reception component 1602 or the transmission component 1604 may communicate (e.g., with the apparatus 1608) on the channel, in response to the additional configuration message, with at least one DMRS within an additional slot. In some aspects, the transmission component 1604 may transmit (e.g., to the apparatus 1608) a capability message indicating that the apparatus 1600 supports DMRS4ess channels, such that the reception component 1602 receives the configuration message based at least in part on the capability message.

[0260] In some aspects, the reception component 1602 may receive (e.g., from the apparatus 1608) an RRC message indicating an MCS for a channel. Additionally, the reception component 1602 may receive (e.g., from the apparatus 1608) DCI providing a grant to use on the channel, where the DCI lacks an MCS indication. Accordingly, the reception component 1602 or the transmission component 1604 may communicate (e.g., with the apparatus 1608) on the channel according to the grant and using the MCS indicated in the RRC message.Additionally, the reception component 1602 may receive (e.g., from the apparatus 1608) a command to release a configuration associated with the RRC message, and the reception component 1602 may receive (e.g., from the apparatus 1608) additional DCI providing an additional grant to use on the channel, where the additional DCI includes an MCS indication. Accordingly, the reception component 1602 or the transmission component 1604 may communicate (e.g., with the apparatus 1608) on the channel according to the additional grant and using the MCS indication in the additional DCI. In some aspects, the transmission component 1604 may transmit (e.g., to the apparatus 1608) a capability message indicating that the apparatus 1600 supports semi-static MCS configuration, such that the reception component 1602 receives the RRC message based at least in part on the capability message.

[0261] In some aspects, the reception component 1602 may receive (e.g., from the apparatus 1608) an indication of a set of MCSs corresponding to a respective set of layers to be used on a channel. Accordingly, the reception component 1602 or the transmission component 1604 may0097-6158PCTcommunicate (e.g., with the apparatus 1608) on the channel using each MCS, in the set of MCSs, for a respective layer in the respective set of layers. In some aspects, the transmission component 1604 may transmit (e.g., to the apparatus 1608) a report including a set of CQIs corresponding to the respective set of layers, such that the reception component 1602 receives the indication of the set of MCSs in response to the report. In some aspects, the transmission component 1604 may transmit (e.g., to the apparatus 1608) a capability message indicating that the apparatus 1600 supports per-layer MCS indication, such that the reception component 1602 receives the indication of the set of MCSs based at least in part on the capability message.

[0262] In some aspects, the reception component 1602 may receive (e.g., from the apparatus 1608) an indication of respective RBs to skip for each layer in a set of layers to be used on a channel. Accordingly, the reception component 1602 or the transmission component 1604 may communicate (e.g., with the apparatus 1608) on the channel, ignoring the respective RBs to skip for each layer in the set of layers. In some aspect, the reception component 1602 may receive (e.g., from the apparatus 1608) a configuration for a CSI report for null avoidance and may perform measurements on a set of CSI-RSs according to the configuration. Accordingly, the transmission component 1604 may transmit (e.g., to the apparatus 1608) a report indicating the respective RBs to skip, for each layer in the set of layers, based at least in part on the measurements. In some aspects, the transmission component 1604 may transmit (e.g., to the apparatus 1608) a capability message indicating that the apparatus 1600 supports null avoidance, such that the reception component 1602 receives the indication of the respective RBs to skip, for each layer in the set of layers, based at least in part on the capability message.

[0263] The number and arrangement of components shown in Fig. 16 are provided as an example. In practice, there may be additional components, fewer components, different components, or differently arranged components than those shown in Fig. 16. Furthermore, two or more components shown in Fig. 16 may be implemented within a single component, or a single component shown in Fig. 16 may be implemented as multiple, distributed components. Additionally, or alternatively, a set of (one or more) components shown in Fig. 16 may perform one or more functions described as being performed by another set of components shown in Fig.16.

[0264] Fig. 17 is a diagram of an example apparatus 1700 for wireless communication. The apparatus 1700 may be a CMTS, or a CMTS may include the apparatus 1700. In some aspects, the apparatus 1700 includes a reception component 1702, a transmission component 1704, or a communication manager 1706, which may be in communication with one another (for example, via one or more buses or one or more other components). In some aspects, the communication manager 1706 is the communication manager 155 described in connection with Fig. 1. As shown, the apparatus 1700 may communicate with another apparatus 1708, such as a cable modem or a CMTS (such as a CU, a DU, an RU, or a base station), using the reception0097-6158PCTcomponent 1702 and the transmission component 1704. The communication manager 1706 may be included in, or implemented via, a processing system (for example, the processing system 145 described in connection with Fig. 1) of the CMTS.

[0265] In some aspects, the apparatus 1700 may be configured to perform one or more operations described herein in connection with Figs. 4-7. Additionally, or alternatively, the apparatus 1700 may be configured to perform one or more processes described herein, such as process 900 of Fig. 9, process 1100 of Fig. 11, process 1300 of Fig. 13, process 1500 of Fig. 15, or a combination thereof. In some aspects, the apparatus 1700 or one or more components shown in Fig. 17 may include one or more components of the CMTS described in connection with Fig. 1. Additionally, or alternatively, one or more components shown in Fig. 17 may be implemented within one or more components described in connection with Fig. 1. Additionally, or alternatively, one or more components of the set of components may be implemented at least in part as software stored in one or more memories. For example, a component (or a portion of a component) may be implemented as instructions or code stored in a non-transitory computer-readable medium and executable by one or more controllers or one or more processors to perform the functions or operations of the component.

[0266] The reception component 1702 may receive communications, such as reference signals, control information, data communications, or a combination thereof, from the apparatus 1708. The reception component 1702 may provide received communications to one or more other components of the apparatus 1700. In some aspects, the reception component 1702 may perform signal processing on the received communications, and may provide the processed signals to the one or more other components of the apparatus 1700. In some aspects, the reception component 1702 may include one or more components of the CMTS described above in connection with Fig. 1, such as a radio, one or more RF chains, one or more transceivers, or one or more modems, each of which may in turn be coupled with one or more antennas of the CMTS.

[0267] The transmission component 1704 may transmit communications, such as reference signals, control information, data communications, or a combination thereof, to the apparatus 1708. In some aspects, one or more other components of the apparatus 1700 may generate communications and may provide the generated communications to the transmission component 1704 for transmission to the apparatus 1708. In some aspects, the transmission component 1704 may perform signal processing on the generated communications, and may transmit the processed signals to the apparatus 1708. In some aspects, the transmission component 1704 may include one or more components of the CMTS described above in connection with Fig. 1, such as a radio, one or more RF chains, one or more transceivers, or one or more modems, each of which may in turn be coupled with one or more antennas of the CMTS described in0097-6158PCTconnection with Fig. 1. In some aspects, the transmission component 1704 may be co-located with the reception component 1702.

[0268] The communication manager 1706 may support operations of the reception component 1702 or the transmission component 1704. For example, the communication manager 1706 may receive information associated with configuring reception of communications by the reception component 1702 or transmission of communications by the transmission component 1704. Additionally, or alternatively, the communication manager 1706 may generate or provide control information to the reception component 1702 or the transmission component 1704 to control reception or transmission of communications.

[0269] In some aspects, the transmission component 1704 may transmit (e.g., to the apparatus 1708) a configuration message indicating that a channel should exclude DMRSs. Accordingly, the reception component 1702 or the transmission component 1704 may communicate (e.g., with the apparatus 1708) on the channel, in response to the configuration message, without any DMRSs within a slot. Additionally, the transmission component 1704 may transmit (e.g., to the apparatus 1708) an additional configuration message indicating that the channel should include at least one DMRS. Accordingly, the reception component 1702 or the transmission component 1704 may communicate (e.g., with the apparatus 1708) on the channel, in response to the additional configuration message, with at least one DMRS within an additional slot. In some aspects, the reception component 1702 may receive (e.g., from the apparatus 1708) a capability message indicating that the apparatus 1708 supports DMRS-less channels, such that the transmission component 1704 transmits the configuration message based at least in part on the capability message.

[0270] In some aspects, the transmission component 1704 may transmit (e.g., to the apparatus 1708) an RRC message indicating an MCS for a channel. Additionally, the transmission component 1704 may transmit (e.g., to the apparatus 1708) DCI providing a grant to use on the channel, where the DCI lacks an MCS indication. Accordingly, the reception component 1702 or the transmission component 1704 may communicate (e.g., with the apparatus 1708) on the channel according to the grant and using the MCS indicated in the RRC message. Additionally, the transmission component 1704 may transmit (e.g., to the apparatus 1708) a command to release a configuration associated with the RRC message and may transmit (e.g., to the apparatus 1708) additional DCI providing an additional grant to use on the channel, wherein the additional DCI includes an MCS indication. Accordingly, the reception component 1702 or the transmission component 1704 may communicate (e.g., with the apparatus 1708) on the channel according to the additional grant and using the MCS indication in the additional DCI. In some aspects, the reception component 1702 may receive (e.g., from the apparatus 1708) a capability message indicating that the apparatus 1708 supports semi-static MCS0097-6158PCTconfiguration, such that the transmission component 1704 transmits the RRC message based at least in part on the capability message.

[0271] In some aspects, the transmission component 1704 may transmit (e.g., to the apparatus 1708) an indication of a set of MCSs corresponding to a respective set of layers to be used on a channel. Accordingly, the reception component 1702 or the transmission component 1704 may communicate (e.g., with the apparatus 1708) on the channel using each MCS, in the set of MCSs, for a respective layer in the respective set of layers. In some aspects, the reception component 1702 may receive (e.g., from the apparatus 1708) a report including a set of CQIs corresponding to the respective set of layers, such that the set of MCSs are based at least in part on the set of CQIs. In some aspects, the reception component 1702 may receive (e.g., from the apparatus 1708) a capability message indicating that the apparatus 1708 supports per-layer MCS indication, such that the transmission component 1704 transmits the indication of the set of MCSs based at least in part on the capability message.

[0272] In some aspects, the transmission component 1704 may transmit (e.g., to the apparatus 1708) an indication of respective RBs to skip for each layer in a set of layers to be used on a channel. Accordingly, the reception component 1702 or the transmission component 1704 may communicate (e.g., with the apparatus 1708) on the channel ignoring the respective RBs to skip for each layer in the set of layers. In some aspects, the transmission component 1704 may transmit (e.g., to the apparatus 1708) a configuration for a CSI report for null avoidance and may transmit a set of CSI-RSs according to the configuration. Accordingly, the reception component 1702 may receive (e.g., from the apparatus 1708) a report indicating the respective RBs to skip, for each layer in the set of layers, based at least in part on measurements of the set of CSI-RSs. In some aspects, the reception component 1702 may receive (e.g., from the apparatus 1708) a capability message indicating that the apparatus 1708 supports null avoidance, such that the transmission component 1704 transmits the indication of the respective RBs to skip for each layer in the set of layers based at least in part on the capability message.

[0273] The number and arrangement of components shown in Fig. 17 are provided as an example. In practice, there may be additional components, fewer components, different components, or differently arranged components than those shown in Fig. 17. Furthermore, two or more components shown in Fig. 17 may be implemented within a single component, or a single component shown in Fig. 17 may be implemented as multiple, distributed components. Additionally, or alternatively, a set of (one or more) components shown in Fig. 17 may perform one or more functions described as being performed by another set of components shown in Fig.17.

[0274] The following provides an overview of some Aspects of the present disclosure:0097-6158PCT

[0275] Aspect 1 : A method of communication performed by a cable modem, comprising: receiving, from a cable modem termination system (CMTS), a configuration message indicating that a channel should exclude demodulation reference signals (DMRSs); and communicating with the CMTS on the channel, in response to the configuration message, without any DMRSs within a slot.

[0276] Aspect 2: The method of Aspect 1, wherein the configuration message comprises a radio resource control message.

[0277] Aspect 3: The method of any of Aspects 1-2, wherein the configuration message indicates that the channel should exclude DMRSs by including an information element, associated with a position of an additional DMRS, that is set to an enumerated value associated with excluding all DMRSs.

[0278] Aspect 4: The method of any of Aspects 1-3, wherein the channel comprises a physical downlink shared channel.

[0279] Aspect 5: The method of any of Aspects 1-3, wherein the channel comprises a physical uplink shared channel.

[0280] Aspect 6: The method of any of Aspects 1-5, further comprising: transmitting, to the CMTS, a capability message indicating that the cable modem supports DMRS-less channels, wherein the configuration message is received based at least in part on the capability message.

[0281] Aspect 7: The method of any of Aspects 1-6, wherein communicating with the CMTS on the channel comprises: communicating with the CMTS on the channel with a phase -tracking reference signal (PTRS) included in the slot.

[0282] Aspect 8: The method of any of Aspects 1-7, further comprising: receiving, from the CMTS, an additional configuration message indicating that the channel should include at least one DMRS; and communicating with the CMTS on the channel, in response to the additional configuration message, with at least one DMRS within an additional slot.

[0283] Aspect 9: A method of communication performed by a cable modem termination system (CMTS), comprising: transmitting, to a cable modem, a configuration message indicating that a channel should exclude demodulation reference signals (DMRSs); and communicating with the cable modem on the channel, in response to the configuration message, without any DMRSs within a slot.

[0284] Aspect 10: The method of Aspect 9, wherein the configuration message comprises a radio resource control message.

[0285] Aspect 11 : The method of any of Aspects 9-10, wherein the configuration message indicates that the channel should exclude DMRSs by including an information element, associated with a position of an additional DMRS, that is set to an enumerated value associated with excluding all DMRSs.0097-6158PCT

[0286] Aspect 12: The method of any of Aspects 9-11, wherein the channel comprises a physical downlink shared channel.

[0287] Aspect 13: The method of any of Aspects 9-11, wherein the channel comprises a physical uplink shared channel.

[0288] Aspect 14: The method of any of Aspects 9-13, further comprising: receiving, from the cable modem, a capability message indicating that the cable modem supports DMRS-less channels, wherein the configuration message is transmitted based at least in part on the capability message.

[0289] Aspect 15: The method of any of Aspects 9-14, wherein communicating with the cable modem on the channel comprises: communicating with the cable modem on the channel with a phase -tracking reference signal (PTRS) included in the slot.

[0290] Aspect 16: The method of any of Aspects 9-15, further comprising: transmitting, to the cable modem, an additional configuration message indicating that the channel should include at least one DMRS; and communicating with the cable modem on the channel, in response to the additional configuration message, with at least one DMRS within an additional slot.

[0291] Aspect 17: A method of communication performed by a cable modem, comprising: receiving, from a cable modem termination system (CMTS), a radio resource control (RRC) message indicating a modulation and coding scheme (MCS) for a channel; receiving, from the CMTS, downlink control information (DCI) providing a grant to use on the channel, wherein the DCI lacks an MCS indication; and communicating with the CMTS on the channel according to the grant and using the MCS indicated in the RRC message.

[0292] Aspect 18: The method of Aspect 17, wherein the channel comprises a physical uplink shared channel.

[0293] Aspect 19: The method of Aspect 18, wherein the RRC message includes a precoding matrix indicator (PMI), and the DCI further lacks a PMI indication.

[0294] Aspect 20: The method of any of Aspects 18-19, wherein the RRC message includes a precoding and layer information, and the DCI further lacks a precoding and layer indication.

[0295] Aspect 21: The method of Aspect 17, wherein the channel comprises a physical downlink shared channel.

[0296] Aspect 22: The method of Aspect 21, wherein the RRC message includes a precoding type indicator (PTI), and the DCI further lacks a PTI indication.

[0297] Aspect 23: The method of any of Aspects 17-22, further comprising: transmitting, to the CMTS, a capability message indicating that the cable modem supports semi-static MCS configuration, wherein the RRC message is received based at least in part on the capability message.0097-6158PCT

[0298] Aspect 24: The method of any of Aspects 17-23, further comprising: receiving, from the CMTS, a command to release a configuration associated with the RRC message; receiving, from the CMTS, additional DCI providing an additional grant to use on the channel, wherein the additional DCI includes an MCS indication; and communicating with the CMTS on the channel according to the additional grant and using the MCS indication in the additional DCI.

[0299] Aspect 25 : A method of communication performed by a cable modem termination system (CMTS), comprising: transmitting, to a cable modem, a radio resource control (RRC) message indicating a modulation and coding scheme (MCS) for a channel; transmitting, to the cable modem, downlink control information (DCI) providing a grant to use on the channel, wherein the DCI lacks an MCS indication; and communicating with the cable modem on the channel according to the grant and using the MCS indicated in the RRC message.

[0300] Aspect 26: The method of Aspect 25, wherein the channel comprises a physical uplink shared channel.

[0301] Aspect 27: The method of Aspect 26, wherein the RRC message includes a precoding matrix indicator (PMI), and the DCI further lacks a PMI indication.

[0302] Aspect 28: The method of any of Aspects 26-27, wherein the RRC message includes a precoding and layer information, and the DCI further lacks a precoding and layer indication.

[0303] Aspect 29: The method of Aspect 25, wherein the channel comprises a physical downlink shared channel.

[0304] Aspect 30: The method of Aspect 29, wherein the RRC message includes a precoding type indicator (PTI), and the DCI further lacks a PTI indication.

[0305] Aspect 31 : The method of any of Aspects 25-30, further comprising: receiving, from the cable modem, a capability message indicating that the cable modem supports semi-static MCS configuration, wherein the RRC message is transmitted based at least in part on the capability message.

[0306] Aspect 32: The method of any of Aspects 25-31, further comprising: transmitting, to the cable modem, a command to release a configuration associated with the RRC message; transmitting, to the cable modem, additional DCI providing an additional grant to use on the channel, wherein the additional DCI includes an MCS indication; and communicating with the cable modem on the channel according to the additional grant and using the MCS indication in the additional DCI.

[0307] Aspect 33: A method of communication performed by a cable modem, comprising: receiving, from a cable modem termination system (CMTS), an indication of a set of modulation and coding schemes (MCSs) corresponding to a respective set of layers to be used on a channel; and communicating with the CMTS on the channel using each MCS, in the set of MCSs, for a respective layer in the respective set of layers.0097-6158PCT

[0308] Aspect 34: The method of Aspect 33, wherein the indication is included in a radio resource control message.

[0309] Aspect 35: The method of Aspect 33, wherein the indication is included in downlink control information.

[0310] Aspect 36: The method of any of Aspects 33-35, wherein a transport block size (TBS) for the channel is determined using a code rate and a modulation order for each respective layer over the set of layers.

[0311] Aspect 37: The method of Aspect 36, wherein the TBS for the channel is determined using the code rate and the modulation order for each respective layer in response to a quantity of bits to be transmitted or received satisfying a size threshold.

[0312] Aspect 38: The method of any of Aspects 33-37, wherein a low-density parity check base graph for the channel is selected using a weighted average of code rates over the set of layers.

[0313] Aspect 39: The method of any of Aspects 33-38, wherein a data is rate-matched for the channel using a summation of modulation orders over the set of layers.

[0314] Aspect 40: The method of any of Aspects 33-39, further comprising: transmitting, to the CMTS, a capability message indicating that the cable modem supports per-layer MCS indication, wherein the indication of the set of MCSs is received based at least in part on the capability message.

[0315] Aspect 41: The method of any of Aspects 33-40, further comprising: transmitting, to the CMTS, a report including a set of channel quality indicators corresponding to the respective set of layers, wherein the indication of the set of MCSs is received in response to the report.

[0316] Aspect 42: A method of communication performed by a cable modem termination system (CMTS), comprising: transmitting, to a cable modem, an indication of a set of modulation and coding schemes (MCSs) corresponding to a respective set of layers to be used on a channel; and communicating with the cable modem on the channel using each MCS, in the set of MCSs, for a respective layer in the respective set of layers.

[0317] Aspect 43: The method of Aspect 42, wherein the indication is included in a radio resource control message.

[0318] Aspect 44: The method of Aspect 42, wherein the indication is included in downlink control information.

[0319] Aspect 45: The method of any of Aspects 42-44, wherein a transport block size (TBS) for the channel is determined using a code rate and a modulation order for each respective layer over the set of layers.0097-6158PCT

[0320] Aspect 46: The method of Aspect 45, wherein the TBS for the channel is determined using the code rate and the modulation order for each respective layer in response to a quantity of bits to be transmitted or received satisfying a size threshold.

[0321] Aspect 47: The method of any of Aspects 42-46, wherein a low-density parity check base graph for the channel is selected using a weighted average of code rates over the set of layers.

[0322] Aspect 48: The method of any of Aspects 42-47, wherein a data is rate-matched for the channel using a summation of modulation orders over the set of layers.

[0323] Aspect 49: The method of any of Aspects 42-48, further comprising: receiving, from the cable modem, a capability message indicating that the cable modem supports per-layer MCS indication, wherein the indication of the set of MCSs is transmitted based at least in part on the capability message.

[0324] Aspect 50: The method of any of Aspects 42-49, further comprising: receiving, from the cable modem, a report including a set of channel quality indicators (CQIs) corresponding to the respective set of layers, wherein the set of MCSs are based at least in part on the set of CQIs.

[0325] Aspect 51 : A method of communication performed by a cable modem, comprising: receiving, from a cable modem termination system (CMTS), an indication of respective resource blocks (RBs) to skip for each layer in a set of layers to be used on a channel; and communicating with the CMTS on the channel ignoring the respective RBs to skip for each layer in the set of layers.

[0326] Aspect 52: The method of Aspect 51, wherein the indication is included in a radio resource control message.

[0327] Aspect 53: The method of Aspect 51, wherein the indication is included in downlink control information.

[0328] Aspect 54: The method of any of Aspects 51-53, wherein a transport block size (TBS) for the channel is determined by subtracting the respective RBs to skip for each layer.

[0329] Aspect 55: The method of any of Aspects 51-54, wherein a data is rate-matched for the channel using a quantity of coded bits that is reduced by the respective RBs to skip for each layer.

[0330] Aspect 56: The method of any of Aspects 51-55, further comprising: receiving, from the CMTS, a configuration for a channel state information (CSI) report for null avoidance; performing measurements on a set of CSI reference signals (CSI-RSs) according to the configuration; and transmitting, to the CMTS, a report indicating the respective RBs to skip, for each layer in the set of layers, based at least in part on the measurements.

[0331] Aspect 57: The method of any of Aspects 51-56, further comprising: transmitting, to the CMTS, a capability message indicating that the cable modem supports null avoidance,0097-6158PCTwherein the indication of the respective RBs to skip, for each layer in the set of layers, is received based at least in part on the capability message.

[0332] Aspect 58: A method of communication performed by a cable modem termination system (CMTS), comprising: transmitting, to a cable modem, an indication of respective resource blocks (RBs) to skip for each layer in a set of layers to be used on a channel; and communicating with the cable modem on the channel ignoring the respective RBs to skip for each layer in the set of layers.

[0333] Aspect 59: The method of Aspect 58, wherein the indication is included in a radio resource control message.

[0334] Aspect 60: The method of Aspect 58, wherein the indication is included in downlink control information.

[0335] Aspect 61: The method of any of Aspects 58-60, wherein a transport block size (TBS) for the channel is determined by subtracting the respective RBs to skip for each layer.

[0336] Aspect 62: The method of any of Aspects 58-61, wherein a data is rate-matched for the channel using a quantity of coded bits that is reduced by the respective RBs to skip for each layer.

[0337] Aspect 63: The method of any of Aspects 58-62, further comprising: transmitting, to the cable modem, a configuration for a channel state information (CSI) report for null avoidance; transmitting a set of CSI reference signals (CSI-RSs) according to the configuration; and receiving, from the cable modem, a report indicating the respective RBs to skip, for each layer in the set of layers, based at least in part on measurements of the set of CSI-RSs.

[0338] Aspect 64: The method of any of Aspects 58-63, further comprising: receiving, from the cable modem, a capability message indicating that the cable modem supports null avoidance, wherein the indication of the respective RBs to skip for each layer in the set of layers is transmitted based at least in part on the capability message.

[0339] Aspect 65 : An apparatus for communication at a device, the apparatus comprising one or more processors; one or more memories coupled with the one or more processors; and instructions stored in the one or more memories and executable by the one or more processors to cause the apparatus to perform the method of one or more of Aspects 1-64.

[0340] Aspect 66: An apparatus for communication at a device, the apparatus comprising one or more memories and one or more processors coupled to the one or more memories, the one or more processors configured to cause the device to perform the method of one or more of Aspects 1-64.

[0341] Aspect 67: An apparatus for communication, the apparatus comprising at least one means for performing the method of one or more of Aspects 1-64.0097-6158PCT

[0342] Aspect 68: A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing code for communication, the code comprising instructions executable by one or more processors to perform the method of one or more of Aspects 1-64.

[0343] Aspect 69: A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing a set of instructions for communication, the set of instructions comprising one or more instructions that, when executed by one or more processors of a device, cause the device to perform the method of one or more of Aspects 1-64.

[0344] Aspect 70: A device for communication, the device comprising a processing system that includes one or more processors and one or more memories coupled with the one or more processors, the processing system configured to cause the device to perform the method of one or more of Aspects 1-64.

[0345] Aspect 71 : An apparatus for communication at a device, the apparatus comprising one or more memories and one or more processors coupled to the one or more memories, the one or more processors individually or collectively configured to cause the device to perform the method of one or more of Aspects 1-64.

[0346] Aspect 72: A device comprising a processing system that includes one or more processors and one or more code-storing memories coupled with the one or more processors, the processing system configured to cause the device to perform the method of one or more of Aspects 1-64.

[0347] Aspect 73: A device comprising a processing system that includes processor circuitry and code-storing memory circuitry, the processing system configured to cause the device to perform the method of one or more of Aspects 1-64.

[0348] It will be apparent that systems or methods described herein may be implemented in different forms of hardware or a combination of hardware and software. A component being configured to perform a function means that the component has a capability to perform the function, and does not require the function to be actually performed by the component, unless noted otherwise.

[0349] As used herein, the term “determine” or “determining” can encompass one or more of a wide variety of actions. For example, “determining” can include one or more of calculating, computing, processing, deriving, detecting, estimating, investigating, looking up, inferring, ascertaining, measuring, resolving, selecting, choosing, obtaining, identifying, interpreting, demodulating, decoding, reading, establishing, forming or generating, among other examples. In some such examples, determining can involve a processor performing some type of calculating, computing, deriving, estimating, inferring, ascertaining, resolving, predicting or other processing to obtain one or more numerical values, sets, elements or other information or results. In some other such examples, determining can involve a processor identifying, looking0097-6158PCTup, investigating or otherwise obtaining some type of value, set, element or other information or result from a table, a data structure, a database or other memory device or location. In some other such examples, determining can involve a processor identifying, interpreting, demodulating, decoding, detecting, reading or otherwise obtaining some type of value, set, element or other information or result signaled in, for example, a received wireless packet. In some other such examples, determining can involve a processor selecting or choosing one or more values, sets, elements or other information or results from a larger set of values, sets elements or other information or results. In some other such examples, determining can involve a processor performing a measurement, such as on a received signal.

[0350] As used herein, the articles “a” and “an” are intended to refer to one or more items and may be used interchangeably with “one or more” or “at least one.” As used herein, a phrase referring to “at least one of’ or “one or more of’ a list of items refers to any combination of those items, including single members. As an example, “at least one of: a, b, or c” is intended to cover: a, b, c, a-b, a-c, b-c, and a-b-c. Additionally, as used herein, a phrase referring to “a” or “an” element refers to one or more of such elements acting individually or collectively to perform the recited function(s). Additionally, as used herein, a “set” can refer to one or more items, and a “subset” can refer to a whole set or less than the whole set, but not an empty set. “Set,” “group,” and similar terms are intended to include one or more items and may be used interchangeably with “one or more.” Furthermore, as used herein, the term “or” is intended to be interpreted in the inclusive sense (such as when referring to a series) and may be used interchangeably with “and / or,” unless otherwise explicitly indicated (for example, if used in conjunction with “either” or “only one of’). For example, “A or 5” may include A only, B only, or a combination of A and B. Also, as used herein, the terms “has,” “have,” “having,” “comprise,” “comprising,” “include” and “including,” and derivatives thereof or similar terms are intended to be open-ended terms that do not limit an element that they modify (for example, an element “having” A also may have B).

[0351] As used herein, the phrase “associated with” is intended to be interpreted in the inclusive sense, unless otherwise explicitly indicated. For example, the phrase “associated with” is not to be construed as a reference to a closed set of conditions, factors, criteria, elements, components, or actions, among other examples. Specifically, unless a phrase refers to “associated with only ‘a,’” or the equivalent in context, whatever it is that is “associated with ‘a,’” may be associated with “a” alone or associated with a combination of “a” and one or more other conditions, factors, criteria, elements, components, or actions, among other examples. In various examples, the phrase “associated with” may be interpreted to mean “in association with,” “in accordance with,” “based on,” “based at least in part on,” “as a function of,” “in response to,” “responsive to,” or “using” as appropriate in the relevant context unless otherwise explicitly indicated. Furthermore, what follows the phrase “associated with,” “in association0097-6158PCTwith,” “in accordance with,” “based on,” “based at least in part on,” “as a function of,” “in response to,” “responsive to,” or “using” is not necessarily the focal point or primary factor associated with the limitation preceding the phrase.

[0352] As used herein, “satisfying a threshold” may, depending on the context, refer to a value being greater than the threshold, greater than or equal to the threshold, less than the threshold, less than or equal to the threshold, equal to the threshold, or not equal to the threshold, among other examples.

[0353] Even though particular combinations of features are recited in the claims or disclosed in the specification, these combinations are not intended to limit the scope of all aspects described herein. Many of these features may be combined in ways not specifically recited in the claims or disclosed in the specification. The disclosure of various aspects includes each dependent claim in combination with every other claim in the claim set.0097-6158PCT

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A cable modem, comprising:a processing system that includes one or more processors and one or more code-storing memories coupled with the one or more processors, the processing system configured to cause the cable modem to:receive, from a cable modem termination system (CMTS), a configuration message indicating that a channel should exclude demodulation reference signals (DMRSs); andcommunicate with the CMTS on the channel, in response to the configuration message, without any DMRSs within a slot.

2. The cable modem of claim 1, wherein the configuration message comprises a radio resource control message.

3. The cable modem of claim 1, wherein the configuration message indicates that the channel should exclude DMRSs by including an information element, associated with a position of an additional DMRS, that is set to an enumerated value associated with excluding all DMRSs.

4. The cable modem of claim 1, wherein the channel comprises a physical downlink shared channel.

5. The cable modem of claim 1, wherein the channel comprises a physical uplink shared channel.

6. The cable modem of claim 1, wherein the processing system is configured to cause the cable modem to:transmit, to the CMTS, a capability message indicating that the cable modem supports DMRS-less channels,wherein the configuration message is received based at least in part on the capability message.

7. The cable modem of claim 1, wherein, to communicate with the CMTS on the channel, the processing system is configured to cause the cable modem to:communicate with the CMTS on the channel with a phase -tracking reference signal (PTRS) included in the slot.0097-6158PCT8. The cable modem of claim 1, wherein the processing system is configured to cause the cable modem to:receive, from the CMTS, an additional configuration message indicating that the channel should include at least one DMRS; andcommunicate with the CMTS on the channel, in response to the additional configuration message, with at least one DMRS within an additional slot.

9. A cable modem termination system (CMTS), comprising:a processing system that includes one or more processors and one or more code-storing memories coupled with the one or more processors, the processing system configured to cause the CMTS to:transmit, to a cable modem, a configuration message indicating that a channel should exclude demodulation reference signals (DMRSs); andcommunicate with the cable modem on the channel, in response to the configuration message, without any DMRSs within a slot.

10. The CMTS of claim 9, wherein the configuration message comprises a radio resource control message.

11. The CMTS of claim 9, wherein the configuration message indicates that the channel should exclude DMRSs by including an information element, associated with a position of an additional DMRS, that is set to an enumerated value associated with excluding all DMRSs.

12. The CMTS of claim 9, wherein the channel comprises a physical downlink shared channel.

13. The CMTS of claim 9, wherein the channel comprises a physical uplink shared channel.

14. The CMTS of claim 9, wherein the processing system is configured to cause the CMTS to:receive, from the cable modem, a capability message indicating that the cable modem supports DMRS-less channels,wherein the configuration message is transmitted based at least in part on the capability message.

15. The CMTS of claim 9, wherein, to communicate with the cable modem on the channel, the processing system is configured to cause the CMTS to:0097-6158PCTcommunicate with the cable modem on the channel with a phase -tracking reference signal (PTRS) included in the slot.

16. The CMTS of claim 9, wherein the processing system is configured to cause the CMTS to:transmit, to the cable modem, an additional configuration message indicating that the channel should include at least one DMRS; andcommunicate with the cable modem on the channel, in response to the additional configuration message, with at least one DMRS within an additional slot.

17. A cable modem, comprising:a processing system that includes one or more processors and one or more code-storing memories coupled with the one or more processors, the processing system configured to cause the cable modem to:receive, from a cable modem termination system (CMTS), a radio resource control (RRC) message indicating a modulation and coding scheme (MCS) for a channel;receive, from the CMTS, downlink control information (DCI) providing a grant to use on the channel, wherein the DCI lacks an MCS indication; and communicate with the CMTS on the channel according to the grant and using the MCS indicated in the RRC message.

18. The cable modem of claim 17, wherein the channel comprises a physical uplink shared channel.

19. The cable modem of claim 18, wherein the RRC message includes a precoding matrix indicator (PMI), and the DCI further lacks a PMI indication.

20. The cable modem of claim 18, wherein the RRC message includes a precoding and layer information, and the DCI further lacks a precoding and layer indication.

21. The cable modem of claim 17, wherein the channel comprises a physical downlink shared channel.

22. The cable modem of claim 21, wherein the RRC message includes a precoding type indicator (PTI), and the DCI further lacks a PTI indication.0097-6158PCT23. The cable modem of claim 17, wherein the processing system is configured to cause the cable modem to:transmit, to the CMTS, a capability message indicating that the cable modem supports semi-static MCS configuration,wherein the RRC message is received based at least in part on the capability message.

24. The cable modem of claim 17, wherein the processing system is configured to cause the cable modem to:receive, from the CMTS, a command to release a configuration associated with the RRC message;receive, from the CMTS, additional DCI providing an additional grant to use on the channel, wherein the additional DCI includes an MCS indication; andcommunicate with the CMTS on the channel according to the additional grant and using the MCS indication in the additional DCI.

25. A cable modem termination system (CMTS), comprising:a processing system that includes one or more processors and one or more code-storing memories coupled with the one or more processors, the processing system configured to cause the CMTS to:transmit, to a cable modem, a radio resource control (RRC) message indicating a modulation and coding scheme (MCS) for a channel;transmit, to the cable modem, downlink control information (DCI) providing a grant to use on the channel, wherein the DCI lacks an MCS indication; and communicate with the cable modem on the channel according to the grant and using the MCS indicated in the RRC message.

26. The CMTS of claim 25, wherein the channel comprises a physical uplink shared channel.

27. The CMTS of claim 26, wherein the RRC message includes a precoding matrix indicator (PMI), and the DCI further lacks a PMI indication.

28. The CMTS of claim 26, wherein the RRC message includes a precoding and layer information, and the DCI further lacks a precoding and layer indication.0097-6158PCT29. The CMTS of claim 25, wherein the channel comprises a physical downlink shared channel.

30. The CMTS of claim 29, wherein the RRC message includes a precoding type indicator (PTI), and the DCI further lacks a PTI indication.

31. A method, device, apparatus, computer program product, non-transitory computer-readable medium, user equipment, base station, network node, node, communication device, and / or processing system as substantially described herein with reference to and as illustrated by the accompanying drawings and specification.0097-6158PCT

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