CN116545485A

CN116545485A - Signal transmission method, device and storage medium

Info

Publication number: CN116545485A
Application number: CN202210094959.0A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 索士强; 秦海超; 黄秋萍; 苏昕
Original assignee: Datang Mobile Communications Equipment Co Ltd
Current assignee: Datang Mobile Communications Equipment Co Ltd
Priority date: 2022-01-26
Filing date: 2022-01-26
Publication date: 2023-08-04
Also published as: WO2023143086A1

Abstract

The embodiment of the application provides a signal transmission method, a signal transmission device and a storage medium, wherein the method comprises the following steps: transmitting the first beam measurement result to a first base station; the first beam measurement result is used for determining association parameters of mixed beam forming by the first base station; the association parameter is used for the first base station to transmit signals by adopting a mixed wave beam forming mode; and receiving a target signal sent by the first base station, wherein the target signal is sent by the first base station based on the association parameter by adopting a hybrid wave beam forming mode. According to the signal transmission method, the signal transmission device and the storage medium, the first base station respectively obtains the first beam measurement result sent by the first terminal and the second beam measurement result sent by the second terminal, then determines the association parameter of the mixed beam forming based on the first beam measurement result and the second beam measurement result, and sends the target signal to the first terminal in the mixed beam forming mode based on the association parameter, so that the interference suppression effect is improved.

Description

Method and apparatus for semi-persistent sounding reference signal resource activation or deactivation

The present application is a divisional application of patent application No. 201980013429.5, entitled "effective MAC CE indication for spatial relationship of semi-persistent SRS", filed on 1 month 25 2019.

Cross Reference to Related Applications

The present application claims the benefit of provisional patent application Ser. No. 62/631,243 filed on day 15, 2, 2018, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to wireless communication systems, and more particularly, to Sounding Reference Signals (SRS) in wireless communication systems.

Background

It is expected that a large portion of future New Radio (NR) networks will be deployed for time division multiplexing (TDD). One benefit of employing TDD, as compared to frequency division multiplexing (FDD), is that TDD enables reciprocity-based beamforming, which may be applied at both the transmit-receive points (TRPs) (i.e., for the downlink) and the user equipment devices (UEs) (i.e., for the uplink). For reciprocity-based downlink transmission, it is expected that the UE will send a Sounding Reference Signal (SRS) that the TRP will use to estimate the channel between the TRP and the UE. The channel estimate will then be used at the TRP to find the best precoding weights for the upcoming downlink transmission (e.g., by using eigenbeamforming). In a similar manner, it is expected that channel state information reference signals (CSI-RS) will be used as sounding signals for reciprocity-based uplink transmission. It has been agreed in the NR that TRP may indicate spatial relationship hypotheses to downlink reference signals (e.g., CSI-RS and Synchronization Signal Blocks (SSBs)) sent earlier and from SRS that the UE may use in determining uplink precoding of SRS resources.

Codebook-based uplink transmission

Multi-antenna techniques can significantly increase the data rate and reliability of wireless communication systems. Performance is particularly improved if both the transmitter and the receiver are equipped with multiple antennas, which results in a multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) communication channel. Such systems and/or related techniques are commonly referred to as MIMO.

NR standards are currently being specified. The core in NR is support for MIMO antenna deployment and MIMO related techniques. It is expected that NR will support uplink MIMO with at least four layers of spatial multiplexing using at least four antenna ports and channel dependent precoding. The spatial multiplexing mode is intended for high data rates under favorable channel conditions. An illustration of the spatial multiplexing operation is provided in fig. 1, where cyclic prefix orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (CP-OFDM) is used for the uplink.

As shown, the information carrying the symbol vector s is multiplied by N _T X r precoder matrix W for distributing transmit energy over N _T (corresponding to N _T Antenna ports) in the vector space. The precoder matrix is typically selected from a codebook of possible precoder matrices and is typically indicated by means of a Transmit Precoder Matrix Indicator (TPMI) that specifies a unique precoder matrix in the codebook for a given number of symbol streams. R symbols in s each correspond to a layer, and r is referred to as the transmission rank. In this way, spatial multiplexing is achieved because multiple symbols can be transmitted simultaneously on the same time/frequency resource element (TFRE). The number of symbols r is generally adapted to the current channel characteristics.

Thus, the received N for a certain TFRE (or alternatively, the data TFRE number N) on subcarrier N _R X 1 vector y _n Modeling is performed by the following equation:

y _n ＝H _n Ws _n +e _n equation 1

Wherein e _n Is a noise/interference vector obtained as an implementation of a random process. The precoder W may be a wideband precoder that is frequency-constant, or frequency-selectable. However, for NR version 15, only wideband precoding indications are supported in the uplink.

The precoder matrix W is often selected by the NR base station, which is referred to as the next generation or NR base station (gNB), to match N _R ×N _T MIMO channel matrix H _n Resulting in so-called channel dependent precoding. This is also commonly referred to as closed loop precoding and essentially strives to concentrate the transmit energy into a subspace that is strong in the sense that much of the transmit energy is transferred to the gNB. In addition, the precoder matrix may alsoTo be selected to strive for orthogonalizing the channel, which means that after proper linear equalization at the gNB, the inter-layer interference is reduced.

One example method for the gNB to select the precoder matrix W may be to select W that maximizes the Frobenius norm of Luo Beini of the hypothetical equivalent channel _k ：

Wherein:

●is a channel estimate that can be derived from SRS;

●W _k Is a hypothetical precoder matrix with index k; and

●is assumed to be equivalent to the channel.

In closed loop precoding for NR uplink, TRP transmits TPMI to a UE that the UE should use on its uplink antenna based on channel measurements in the reverse link (uplink). The gNB configures the UE to transmit SRS that it wants the UE to use for uplink transmissions to enable channel measurements, depending on the number of UE antennas. A single precoder that is expected to cover a large bandwidth (wideband precoding) may be signaled. It may also be beneficial to match the frequency variation of the channel and instead feed back frequency selectable precoding reports (e.g., several precoders and/or several TPMI, one per sub-band).

Information other than TPMI is typically used to determine uplink MIMO transmission status, such as SRS Resource Indication (SRI) and Transmission Rank Indication (TRI). These parameters, as well as the Modulation Coding State (MCS) and the uplink resources in which the Physical Uplink Shared Channel (PUSCH) is to be transmitted, are also determined by channel measurements taken from SRS transmissions from the UE. The transmission rank and thus the number of spatial multiplexing layers is reflected in the number of columns of precoder W. For efficient performance, it is important to select a transmission rank that matches the channel characteristics.

SRS transmission setup

How SRS transmission should be completed (e.g., which SRS resource to use, the number of ports per SRS resource, etc.) needs to be signaled from the TRP to the UE. One way to address this in a low overhead manner is to use higher layer signaling (e.g., radio Resource Control (RRC)) to predefine a set of "SRS transmission settings" and then indicate in the Downlink Control Information (DCI) which "SRS transmission settings" the UE should apply. The "SRS transmission setup" may, for example, contain information about which SRS resources and SRS ports the UE should use in the upcoming SRS transmission.

How to configure and trigger SRS transmission exactly for NR is still under discussion.

Disclosure of Invention

Systems and methods for semi-persistent sounding reference signal resource set activation or deactivation are disclosed. In some embodiments, a method of operation of a wireless device in a cellular communication network includes receiving a Medium Access Control (MAC) Control Element (CE) from a network node. The MAC CE includes an indication that the semi-persistent sounding reference signal resource set is to be activated or deactivated and information indicating a spatial relationship for the semi-persistent sounding reference signal resource set to be activated or deactivated. In this way, the MAC CEs for semi-persistent sounding reference signal resource set activation or deactivation are provided in a manner that gives spatial relationship information in an efficient and flexible manner.

In some embodiments, the information indicative of the spatial relationship comprises an indication of a reference signal type to which the spatial relationship is provided and an identifier of a reference signal resource set for the reference signal type to which the spatial relationship is provided.

In some embodiments, the indication of the reference signal type indicates that the reference signal type is a channel state information reference signal (CSI-RS), a Synchronization Signal Block (SSB), or a Sounding Reference Signal (SRS).

In some other embodiments, the indication of the reference signal type comprises two bits indicating the reference signal type, wherein a first state of the two bits indicates that the reference signal type is a first reference signal type, a second state of the two bits indicates that the reference signal type is a second reference signal type, and a third state of the two bits indicates that the reference signal type is a third reference signal type. In some embodiments, the first reference signal type is CSI-RS, the second reference signal type is SSB, and the third reference signal type is SRS.

In some embodiments, the MAC CE includes: a first octet comprising an indication that a set of semi-persistent sounding reference signal resources is to be activated or deactivated; and a second octet comprising an indication of the reference signal type to which the spatial relationship is provided; and an identifier of a reference signal resource set for a reference signal type to which the spatial relationship is provided.

In some embodiments, if the first bit in the second octet is set to the first state, the first bit is used as an indication of a reference signal type to which the spatial relationship is provided, and the reference signal type to which the spatial relationship is provided is a CSI-RS, and the remaining bits in the second octet are used as identifiers of a reference signal resource set for the CSI-RS. If the first bit in the second octet is set to the second state and the second bit in the second octet is set to the first state, the first bit and the second bit are used as an indication of a reference signal type to which the spatial relationship is provided, and the reference signal type to which the spatial relationship is provided is SSB, and the remaining bits in the second octet are used as identifiers of a reference signal resource set for SSB. If the first bit in the second octet is set to the second state and the second bit in the second octet is set to the second state, the first bit and the second bit are used as an indication of a reference signal type to which the spatial relationship is provided, and the reference signal type to which the spatial relationship is provided is SRS, and all bits except one of the remaining bits in the second octet are used as identifiers of a reference signal resource set for SRS.

In some other embodiments, a first bit in the second octet is set to a first state such that the first bit is used as an indication of a reference signal type to which the spatial relationship is provided, and the reference signal type to which the spatial relationship is provided is a CSI-RS, and the remaining bits in the second octet are used as identifiers of a reference signal resource set for the CSI-RS.

In some other embodiments, a first bit in the second octet is set to the second state and a second bit in the second octet is set to the first state such that the first bit and the second bit are used as an indication of a reference signal type to which the spatial relationship is provided and the reference signal type to which the spatial relationship is provided is SSB and the remaining bits in the second octet are used as identifiers of a reference signal resource set for SSB.

In some other embodiments, a first bit of the second octet is set to a second state, and a second bit of the second octet is set to the second state such that the first bit and the second bit are used as an indication of a reference signal type to which the spatial relationship is provided, and the reference signal type to which the spatial relationship is provided is SRS, and all bits except one of the remaining bits of the second octet are used as identifiers of a reference signal resource set for SRS.

In some embodiments, if a first bit of the octets of the MAC CE is set to a first state, the remaining bits of the octets comprise a first set of fields, if the first bit of the octets is set to a second state and the second bit of the octets is set to the first state, the remaining bits of the octets comprise a second set of fields, and if the first bit of the octets is set to the second state and the second bit of the octets is set to the second state, the remaining bits of the octets comprise a third set of fields. Further, in some embodiments, the first set of fields includes a field including bits providing an identifier of a CSI-RS resource set indicating a spatial relationship. In some embodiments, the second set of fields includes a field including bits providing an identifier of the SSB resource set indicating the spatial relationship. In some embodiments, the third set of fields includes a field including bits that provide an identifier of the SRS resource set indicating the spatial relationship.

In some embodiments, the indication is an indication to activate a set of semi-persistent sounding reference signal resources, and the method further comprises transmitting the sounding reference signal on the activated set of semi-persistent sounding reference signal resources.

Embodiments of a wireless device are also disclosed. In some embodiments, a wireless device for activating a set of semi-persistent sounding reference signal resources for a wireless device in a cellular communication network is adapted to receive a MAC CE from a network node, the MAC CE comprising an indication that the set of semi-persistent sounding reference signal resources is to be activated or deactivated and information indicating a spatial relationship for the set of semi-persistent sounding reference signal resources to be activated or deactivated.

In some embodiments, a wireless device for activating a semi-persistent set of sounding reference signal resources for a wireless device in a cellular communication network includes an interface including radio front-end circuitry and processing circuitry associated with the interface. The processing circuitry is configured to cause the wireless device to receive, via the interface, a MAC CE from the network node, the MAC CE comprising an indication that the set of semi-persistent sounding reference signal resources is to be activated or deactivated and information indicating a spatial relationship for the set of semi-persistent sounding reference signal resources to be activated or deactivated.

Embodiments of a method of operation of a network node are also disclosed. In some embodiments, a method of operation of a network node for activating a set of semi-persistent sounding reference signal resources for a wireless device in a cellular communication network includes transmitting to the wireless device a MAC CE including an indication that the set of semi-persistent sounding reference signal resources is to be activated or deactivated and information indicating a spatial relationship for the set of semi-persistent sounding reference signal resources to be activated or deactivated.

In some embodiments, the indication of the reference signal type indicates that the reference signal type is CSI-RS, SSB, or SRS.

In some embodiments, the indication of the reference signal type comprises two bits indicating the reference signal type, wherein a first state of the two bits indicates that the reference signal type is a first reference signal type, a second state of the two bits indicates that the reference signal type is a second reference signal type, and a third state of the two bits indicates that the reference signal type is a third reference signal type. In some embodiments, the first reference signal type is CSI-RS, the second reference signal type is SSB, and the third reference signal type is SRS.

In some embodiments, a first bit in the second octet is set to a first state such that the first bit is used as an indication of a reference signal type to which the spatial relationship is provided, and the reference signal type to which the spatial relationship is provided is a CSI-RS, and the remaining bits in the second octet are used as identifiers of a reference signal resource set for the CSI-RS.

In some embodiments, a first bit in the second octet is set to the second state and a second bit in the second octet is set to the first state such that the first bit and the second bit are used as an indication of a reference signal type to which the spatial relationship is provided and the reference signal type to which the spatial relationship is provided is SSB and the remaining bits in the second octet are used as identifiers of a reference signal resource set for SSB.

In some embodiments, a first bit of the second octet is set to a second state, the second bit of the second octet is set to the second state such that the first bit and the second bit are used as an indication of a reference signal type to which the spatial relationship is provided, and the reference signal type to which the spatial relationship is provided is SRS, and all bits except one of the remaining bits of the second octet are used as identifiers of a reference signal resource set for SRS.

In some embodiments, if a first bit of the octets of the MAC CE is set to a first state, the remaining bits of the octets comprise a first set of fields, if the first bit of the octets is set to a second state and the second bit of the octets is set to the first state, the remaining bits of the octets comprise a second set of fields, and if the first bit of the octets is set to the second state and the second bit of the octets is set to the second state, the remaining bits of the octets comprise a third set of fields. In some embodiments, the first set of fields includes a field including bits providing an identifier of a CSI-RS resource set indicating a spatial relationship. In some embodiments, the second set of fields includes a field including bits providing an identifier of the SSB resource set indicating the spatial relationship. In some embodiments, the third set of fields includes a field including bits that provide an identifier of the SRS resource set indicating the spatial relationship.

Embodiments of a network node are also disclosed. In some embodiments, a network node for activating a set of semi-persistent sounding reference signal resources for a wireless device in a cellular communication network is adapted to send a MAC CE to the wireless device, the MAC CE comprising an indication that the set of semi-persistent sounding reference signal resources is to be activated or deactivated and information indicating a spatial relationship for the set of semi-persistent sounding reference signal resources to be activated or deactivated.

In some embodiments, a network node for activating a semi-persistent set of sounding reference signal resources for a wireless device in a cellular communication network includes an interface and processing circuitry associated with the interface. The processing circuitry is configured to cause the network node to transmit a MAC CE to the wireless device, the MAC CE comprising an indication that the set of semi-persistent sounding reference signal resources is to be activated or deactivated and information indicating a spatial relationship for the set of semi-persistent sounding reference signal resources to be activated or deactivated.

Drawings

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and form a part of this specification, illustrate various aspects of the present disclosure and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the disclosure.

FIG. 1 is a diagram of a spatial multiplexing operation;

fig. 2 is a diagram of a beamformed channel state information reference signal (CSI-RS);

fig. 3 illustrates a Medium Access Control (MAC) Control Element (CE) according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure;

fig. 4 shows a MAC CE according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure;

fig. 5 illustrates an example of a wireless network in which embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented;

fig. 6 illustrates one example of a user equipment device (UE) in which embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented;

FIG. 7 is a schematic block diagram illustrating a virtualized environment in which functionality implemented by some embodiments of the present disclosure may be virtualized;

FIG. 8 illustrates an example communication system in which embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented;

FIG. 9 illustrates an example implementation of the UE, base station, and host computer of FIG. 8;

fig. 10 to 13 are flowcharts showing a method implemented in a communication system such as fig. 8 and 9;

fig. 14 depicts a method of operation of a network node and a wireless device in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure; and

fig. 15 illustrates a schematic block diagram of an apparatus in a wireless device, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

Detailed Description

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

A radio node: as used herein, a "radio node" is a radio access node or wireless device.

Radio access node: as used herein, a "radio access node" or "radio network node" is any node in a radio access network of a cellular communication network that operates to wirelessly transmit and/or receive signals. Some examples of radio access nodes include, but are not limited to, base stations (e.g., next generation or New Radio (NR) base stations (gNB) in third generation partnership project (3 GPP) fifth generation (5G) NR networks or enhanced or evolved Node bs (enbs) in 3GPP Long Term Evolution (LTE) networks)), high power or macro base stations, low power base stations (e.g., micro base stations, pico base stations, home enbs, etc.), and relay nodes.

Core network node: as used herein, a "core network node" is any type of node in a core network. Some examples of core network nodes include, for example, mobility Management Entities (MMEs), packet data network gateways (P-GWs), service capability opening functions (SCEFs), and so forth.

A wireless device: as used herein, a "wireless device" is any type of device that accesses a cellular communication network (i.e., is served by the cellular communication network) by wirelessly transmitting and/or receiving signals to a radio access node. Some examples of wireless devices include, but are not limited to, user Equipment (UE) and Machine Type Communication (MTC) devices in 3GPP networks.

Network node: as used herein, a "network node" is any node that is any part of a radio access network or core network of a cellular communication network/system.

Note that the description given herein focuses on a 3GPP cellular communication system, and thus, 3GPP terminology or terminology similar to 3GPP terminology is often used. However, the concepts disclosed herein are not limited to 3GPP systems.

Note that in the description herein, reference may be made to the term "cell"; however, with respect to the 5G NR concept in particular, beams may be used instead of "cells", and therefore it is important to note that the concepts described herein apply equally to both cells and beams.

As described above, how to configure and trigger SRS transmission exactly for NR is still under discussion. Text suggestions for third generation partnership project (3 GPP) Technical Specification (TS) 38.331 defining SRS-related parameters are given below.

2.1.1.1 SRS-Config

The SRS-Config IE is used to configure sounding reference signal transmission. The configuration defines an SRS-Resource list and an SRS-Resource set list. Each Resource set defines a set of SRS-resources. The network triggers transmission of the set of SRS-resources using a configured apeeriodics SRS-Resource trigger (which is carried in the physical layer downlink control information "L1 DCI").

SRS-Config information element

Thus, RRC configuration of "SRS transmission setup" is accomplished with an Information Element (IE) SRS-Config that contains a list of SRS-resources (the list constituting a "pool" of resources), where each SRS Resource contains information of a physical mapping of reference signals on a time-frequency grid, time-domain information, sequence Identifier (ID), etc. The SRS-Config also contains a SRS resource set list containing the SRS resource list and associated DCI trigger states. Thus, when a certain DCI state is triggered, it indicates that SRS resources in the associated set should be transmitted by the UE.

In NR, the following three types of SRS transmission are supported:

periodic SRS (P SRS): the SRS is transmitted periodically in some slots. The SRS transmission is semi-statically configured by the RRC using parameters such as SRS resources, periodicity, and slot offset.

Aperiodic SRS (AP SRS): this is a single SRS transmission that may occur within any slot. Here, single means that SRS transmission occurs only once at each trigger. SRS resources (i.e., resource element positions including subcarrier positions and Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) symbol positions) for the AP SRS are semi-statically configured. The transmission of the AP SRS is triggered by dynamic signaling through a Physical Downlink Control Channel (PDCCH). Multiple AP SRS resources may be grouped into SRS resource sets and triggering is done at the set level.

Semi-persistent SRS (SP SRS): similar to P SRS, resources for SP SRS transmission are semi-statically configured with parameters such as periodicity and slot offset. However, unlike PSRS, dynamic signaling is required to activate and possibly deactivate SRS transmission.

In the case of SP SRS, the gNB first configures SP SRS resources for the UE through RRC. The SP SRS resource set is then activated via a Medium Access Control (MAC) Control Element (CE).

The NR supports a spatial relationship indication for SRS resources, where the spatial relationship may be for downlink Reference Signals (RSs) (SSB or CSI-RS) or SRS previously transmitted by the UE. The spatial relationship is mainly used to indicate the uplink transmission beam that the UE can use to precode SRS, i.e. it is in the form of an uplink beam indication. If the UE is able to do beam mapping, the uplink beam may be taken from the downlink beam management procedure and the spatial relationship with the downlink RS may be indicated on which the UE may transmit SRS in the opposite direction as how it sets its receive beam when receiving the downlink RS. Alternatively, an uplink beam management procedure may be used in which the UE transmits SRS beam scanning and the gNB re-references one of the scanned beams in the previously transmitted SRS resources to indicate a spatial relationship with the SRS resources. The following table outlines how the spatial relationship with the target SRS resource is indicated for different time domain behaviors.

MAC CE activation of CSI-RS is provided in Long Term Evolution (LTE). Release 13 full-dimensional MIMO (FD-MIMO) specifications in LTE support enhanced CSI-RS reporting of CSI-RS for beamforming (which is referred to as class B). Wherein the LTE rrc_connected UE may be configured with K beams (where 1<K +.8), where each beam may include 1, 2, 4, or 8 CSI-RS ports. For CSI feedback purposes (precoder matrix indication (PMI), rank Indication (RI), and Channel Quality Information (CQI)), there is one CSI-RS resource indication per CSI-RS. As part of CSI, the UE reports a CSI-RS index (CRI) to indicate a preferred beam where CRI is wideband. Other CSI components such as RI/CQI/PMI are based on a legacy codebook (i.e., release 12), and CRI reporting periodicity is an integer multiple of RI reporting periodicity. A diagram of the beamformed CSI-RS is given in fig. 2. In fig. 2, the UE reports cri=2, which corresponds to RI/CQI/PMI calculated using "beamformed CSI-RS 2".

For release 14 enhanced FD-MIMO (eFD-MIMO), aperiodic beamformed CSI-RS with two different sub-styles (sub-flavor) are introduced. The two sub-styles are aperiodic CSI-RS and semi-persistent CSI-RS. In both styles, the CSI-RS resources are configured for UEs with K CSI-RS resources as in release 13, and MAC CE activation (n.ltoreq.k) of N of the K CSI-RS resources is specified. Alternatively stated, after the K CSI-RS resources are configured as aperiodic CSI-RS or semi-persistent CSI-RS, the UE waits for MAC CE activation of N of the K CSI-RS resources. In case of aperiodic CSI-RS, a DCI trigger is transmitted to the UE in addition to MAC CE activation, such that one of the activated CSI-RS resources is selected by the UE for CSI calculation and subsequent reporting. In the case of semi-persistent CSI-RS, once the CSI-RS resources are activated by the MAC CE, the UE may use the activated CSI-RS resources for CSI calculation and reporting.

The MAC CE activation/deactivation command is specified in section 5.19 of TS 36.321, the specification text is reproduced below:

"the network may activate and deactivate the configured CSI-RS resources of the serving cell by transmitting the activation/deactivation of the CSI-RS resource MAC control element described in sub-clause 6.1.3.14. The configured CSI-RS resources are initially deactivated after configuration and after handover. "

The 6.1.3.14 section of TS 36.321 described above is reproduced below:

the activation/deactivation of the CSI-RS resource MAC control element is identified by a MAC PDU subheader with LCID as specified in table 6.2.1-1. It has a size that is variable with the number (N) of configured CSI processes and is defined in fig. 6.1.3.14-1. An activate/deactivate CSI-RS command is defined in fig. 6.1.3.14-2, and the CSI-RS resources for the CSI process are activated or deactivated. Activation/deactivation of the CSI-RS resource MAC control element is applicable to the serving cell on which the UE receives activation/deactivation of the CSI-RS resource MAC control element. "

Activation/deactivation of the CSI-RS resource MAC control element is defined as follows:

“-R _i : this field indicates the activation/deactivation status of the CSI-RS resources associated with CSI-RS-ConfigNZPId i for the CSI-RS procedure. The Ri field is set to "1" to indicate and CSI-RS-Con for CSI-RS procedure The CSI-RS resources associated with figNZPId i should be activated. The Ri field is set to "0" to indicate that CSI-RS-ConfigNZPId should be deactivated;

fig. 6.1.3.14-1: activation/deactivation of CSI-RS resource MAC control elements

Fig. 6.1.3.14-2: activating/deactivating CSI-RS commands "

MAC activation is introduced in LTE to be able to configure the UE with more CSI-RS resources than the maximum number of CSI-RS resources that the UE can support for CSI feedback. The MAC CE may then selectively activate the maximum number of CSI-RS resources supported by the UE for CSI feedback. The benefit of MAC CE activation for CSI-RS is that the network may activate another set of N CSI-RS resources among the K resources configured for the UE without requiring RRC reconfiguration.

There are currently some challenges. In particular, medium Access Control (MAC) Control Element (CE) Sounding Reference Signal (SRS) set activation has not been specified in NR, but is required in that spatial relationship information to both downlink and uplink Reference Signals (RSs) needs to be communicated.

Certain aspects of the present disclosure and embodiments thereof may provide solutions to these and other challenges. Disclosed herein are systems and methods for efficiently indicating spatial relationships for semi-persistent SRS (SP SRS) resources in a MAC CE (e.g., populating MAC CE octets using a 1-2 bit format field along with a resource Identifier (ID) having a variable size). In some embodiments, the format field ranges from 1 bit to 2 bits instead of the usual 2 bits, as there are three types of identifiers. This allows the format field and identifier to fit one octet.

Certain embodiments may provide one or more of the following technical advantages. Due to the disclosed format indicator presented herein, the MAC CE for SRS resource set activation is provided as follows: quasi co-location (QCL) information for each resource in a set of resources is presented in an efficient and flexible manner.

Two example embodiments are described below. The difference between these embodiments is how the size of the format (F) field is captured. The mechanism in the receiver of the MAC CE may be the same. In the first embodiment, the size of the F field is described as 1 bit. In a second embodiment, the size of the F field is 2 bits. Note that these example embodiments are merely examples. Other variations may be used after reading this disclosure, as will be apparent to those of skill in the art.

In a first embodiment, SP SRS activation or deactivation (denoted herein as activation/deactivation) is provided via a MAC CE as described below. As described, the MAC CE also provides an indication of the spatial relationship for the activated/deactivated SP SRS resources. Although the term SP SRS "resource" is sometimes used herein, it should be understood that, at least in some embodiments, the SP SRS resource may be a SP SRS "resource set". Fig. 3 shows a design of a MAC CE according to the first embodiment.

The MAC CE is fixed size and has the following fields:

a: indicating whether the MAC CE is used for activation (set to "1") or deactivation (set to "0"). The size of the field is 1 bit. The a field is also referred to herein as an "activate" field or an "activate/deactivate" field.

C: indicating whether the MAC CE is for a normal uplink carrier (set to "1") or a supplementary uplink carrier (set to "0"). The size of the field is 1 bit. The C field is also referred to herein as the "carrier" field.

F: indicating which ID exists in the ID field. If the field is set to "1", the ID field contains a 7-bit CSI-RS resource ID. If the field is set to "0", then the remaining 6 bits of the ID field contain a 6-bit Synchronization Signal Block (SSB) ID if the first bit of the ID field is "1". If the field is set to "0", if the first bit of the ID field is "0", the remaining 6 bits of the ID field contain one reserved bit and 5 bits of SRS resource ID. The size of this field is 1 bit. The F field is also referred to herein as the "format" field.

ID: this field carries an ID as indicated by the F field. If the A field is set to "0," the MAC entity should ignore the field. The size of the field is 7 bits.

In an alternative of the first embodiment, the meaning of the bits is exchanged such that if the F field is set to "0", the ID field contains a CSI-RS resource ID of 7 bits, and if the F field is set to "1", the remaining 6 bits of the ID field contain an SSB ID of 6 bits, etc. if the first bit of the ID field is "0".

In a second embodiment, SP SRS activation/deactivation is provided via MAC CE as described below. As described, the MAC CE also provides an indication of the spatial relationship for the activated/deactivated SP SRS resources. Fig. 4 shows a design of a MAC CE for the second embodiment.

The MAC CE is a fixed size and has the following fields:

F: indicating which ID exists in the ID field. If the first bit of the field is set to "1", the ID field contains six of seven bits of the CSI-RS resource ID. Along with the second bit of this field, a complete 7-bit CSI-RS resource ID may be constructed. If this field is set to "01", then the ID field contains the SSB ID. If this field is set to "00", the ID field contains 1R bit and 5 bits of SRS resource ID. The size of this field is 2 bits. The F field is also referred to herein as the "format" field.

ID: this field carries an ID as indicated by the F field. If the A field is set to 0, the MAC entity should ignore the field. The size of the field is 7 bits.

Common part of both alternatives

Both the first embodiment and the second embodiment include the following common aspects. For example, the format field is fit for 8 bits along with the resource ID. This is constructed as follows. The MAC CE octet has 8 bits and one of the following is sent:

SSB ID (size of ID < = 6 bits)

SRS resource ID (size of ID < =5 bits)

Channel state information RS (CSI-RS) resource ID (size of ID < = 7 bits)

The common solution is to use a 2-bit format field with four code points to indicate which type of field is the one signaled above. However, that becomes 2+7=9 bits. Embodiments of the present disclosure enable both format indication and resource ID to fit into the 8-bit octet of the MAC CE. For example:

for the entire octet (f+id):

if the first bit is set to 1, then:

the remaining 7 bits are the CSI-RS resource ID.

Otherwise, if the first bit (F field) is set to 0, then:

if the second bit (first bit of ID field) is set to 1, then:

the remaining 6 bits are the SSB ID.

If the second bit (first bit of ID field) is set to 0, then:

there is one reserved bit and the remaining 5 bits are SRS resource IDs.

Although the subject matter described herein may be implemented in any suitable type of system using any suitable components, the embodiments disclosed herein are described with respect to a wireless network, such as the example wireless network shown in fig. 5. For simplicity, the wireless network of fig. 5 depicts only network 506, network nodes 560 and 560B, and Wireless Devices (WD) 510, 510B, and 510C. Indeed, the wireless network may also include any additional elements suitable for supporting communication between wireless devices or between a wireless device and another communication device, such as a landline telephone, a service provider, or any other network node or terminal device. In the illustrated components, the network node 560 and WD 510 are shown in additional detail. The wireless network may provide communications and other types of services to one or more wireless devices to facilitate access and/or use of the wireless devices by the wireless network or via services provided by the wireless network.

The wireless network may include and/or interface with any type of communication, telecommunications, data, cellular, and/or radio network or other similar type of system. In some embodiments, the wireless network may be configured to operate according to certain criteria or other types of predefined rules or procedures. Thus, particular embodiments of the wireless network may implement communication standards such as global system for mobile communications (GSM), universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS), LTE, and/or other suitable second, third, fourth, or fifth generation (2G, 3G, 4G, or 5G) standards; wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) standards, such as IEEE 802.11 standards; and/or any other suitable wireless communication standard, such as worldwide interoperability for microwave access (WiMax), bluetooth, Z wave, and/or ZigBee standards.

Network 506 may include one or more backhaul networks, core networks, internet Protocol (IP) networks, public Switched Telephone Networks (PSTN), packet data networks, optical networks, wide Area Networks (WANs), local Area Networks (LANs), WLANs, wired networks, wireless networks, metropolitan area networks, and other networks that enable communication between devices.

The network node 560 and WD 510 include various components that are described in more detail below. These components work together to provide network node and/or wireless device functionality, such as providing wireless connectivity in a wireless network. In different embodiments, a wireless network may include any number of wired or wireless networks, network nodes, base stations, controllers, wireless devices, relay stations, and/or any other components or systems that may facilitate or participate in the communication of data and/or signals via wired or wireless connections.

As used herein, a network node refers to a device that is capable of, configured, arranged, and/or operable to communicate directly or indirectly with a wireless device and/or with other network nodes or devices in a wireless network to enable and/or provide wireless access to the wireless device and/or to perform other functions (e.g., management) in the wireless network. Examples of network nodes include, but are not limited to, access Points (APs) (e.g., radio APs), base Stations (BSs) (e.g., radio base stations, node BS, enbs, and gnbs). Base stations may be classified based on the amount of coverage they provide (or, in other words, their transmit power level) and may then also be referred to as femto base stations, pico base stations, micro base stations, or macro base stations. The base station may be a relay node or a relay donor node controlling the relay. The network node may also include one or more (or all) portions of a distributed radio base station, such as a centralized digital unit and/or a Remote Radio Unit (RRU), sometimes referred to as a Remote Radio Head (RRH). Such RRU may or may not be integrated with an antenna as an antenna integrated radio. The portion of the distributed radio base station may also be referred to as a node in a Distributed Antenna System (DAS). Still further examples of network nodes include multi-standard radio (MSR) devices such as MSR BSs, network controllers such as Radio Network Controllers (RNCs) or BS controllers (BSCs), base Transceiver Stations (BTSs), transmission points, transmission nodes, multi-cell/Multicast Coordination Entities (MCEs), core network nodes (e.g., mobile Switching Centers (MSCs), MMEs), operation and maintenance (O & M) nodes, operation Support System (OSS) nodes, self-organizing network (SON) nodes, positioning nodes (e.g., evolved serving mobile positioning centers (E-SMLCs)), and/or drive test Minimization (MDT). As another example, the network node may be a virtual network node as described in more detail below. More generally, however, a network node may represent any suitable device (or group of devices) capable of, configured, arranged and/or operable to enable and/or provide a wireless device having access to a wireless network or to provide some service to a wireless device that has access to a wireless network.

In fig. 5, network node 560 includes processing circuitry 570, device-readable medium 580, interface 590, auxiliary device 584, power supply 586, power supply circuitry 587, and antenna 562. Although network node 560 shown in the example wireless network of fig. 5 may represent a device that includes the illustrated combination of hardware components, other embodiments may include network nodes having different combinations of components. It should be understood that the network node includes any suitable combination of hardware and/or software necessary to perform the tasks, features, functions, and methods disclosed herein. Moreover, while the components of network node 560 are depicted as a single block within a larger block or nested within multiple blocks, in practice a network node may comprise multiple different physical components (e.g., device-readable medium 580 may comprise multiple separate hard drives and multiple Random Access Memory (RAM) modules) that make up a single depicted component.

Similarly, network Node 560 may include multiple physically separate components (e.g., node B component and RNC component, or BTS component and BSC component, etc.), which may each have their own respective components. In certain scenarios where network node 560 includes multiple separate components (e.g., BTS and BSC components), one or more of the separate components may be shared among the multiple network nodes. For example, a single RNC may control multiple node bs. In such a scenario, in some instances, each unique node B and RNC pair may be considered a single, separate network node. In some embodiments, network node 560 may be configured to support multiple Radio Access Technologies (RATs). In such embodiments, some components may be duplicated (e.g., separate device-readable mediums 580 for different RATs), and some components may be reused (e.g., the same antenna 562 may be shared by RATs). The network node 560 may also include multiple sets of various illustrated components for different wireless technologies integrated into the network node 560, such as, for example, GSM, wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA), LTE, NR, wiFi, or bluetooth wireless technologies. These wireless technologies may be integrated into the same or different chips or chip sets and other components within network node 560.

The processing circuitry 570 is configured to perform any determination, calculation, or similar operations (e.g., certain acquisition operations) described herein as being provided by a network node. These operations performed by processing circuitry 570 may include processing information obtained by processing circuitry 570 by: for example, converting the obtained information into other information, comparing the obtained information or the converted information with information stored in a network node, and/or performing one or more operations based on the obtained information or the converted information, and as a result of the processing, making a determination.

The processing circuitry 570 may include a combination of one or more of the following: a microprocessor, controller, microcontroller, central Processing Unit (CPU), digital Signal Processor (DSP), application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA), or any other suitable computing device, resource, or combination of hardware, software, and/or encoded logic operable to provide the functionality of network node 560 alone or in combination with other network node 560 components such as device readable medium 580. For example, processing circuitry 570 may execute instructions stored in device-readable medium 580 or memory within processing circuitry 570. Such functionality may include providing any of the various wireless features, functions, or benefits discussed herein. In some embodiments, processing circuitry 570 may include a system on a chip (SOC).

In some embodiments, processing circuitry 570 may include one or more of Radio Frequency (RF) transceiver circuitry 572 and baseband processing circuitry 574. In some embodiments, the RF transceiver circuit 572 and the baseband processing circuit 574 may be located on separate chips (or chip sets), boards, or units (such as radio units and digital units). In alternative embodiments, a portion or all of the RF transceiver circuit 572 and the baseband processing circuit 574 may be located on the same chip or chipset, board, or unit.

In some embodiments, some or all of the functionality described herein as provided by a network node, base station, eNB, or other such network device may be performed by processing circuitry 570 executing instructions stored on device-readable medium 580 or memory within processing circuitry 570. In alternative embodiments, some or all of the functionality may be provided by processing circuitry 570, such as in a hardwired manner, without executing instructions stored on separate or stand-alone device readable media. In any of those particular embodiments, the processing circuitry 570, whether executing instructions stored on a device-readable storage medium or not, may be configured to perform the described functions. The benefits provided by such functionality are not limited to processing circuitry alone or other components of network node 560, but are enjoyed in their entirety by network node 560 and/or generally by the end user and the wireless network.

Device-readable media 580 may include any form of volatile or non-volatile computer-readable memory including, but not limited to, persistent storage, solid-state memory, remote-mounted memory, magnetic media, optical media, RAM, read-only memory (ROM), mass storage media (e.g., hard disk), removable storage media (e.g., flash drives, compact Discs (CDs) or Digital Video Discs (DVDs)), and/or any other volatile or non-volatile, non-transitory device-readable memory device and/or computer-executable memory device that stores information, data, and/or instructions usable by processing circuitry 570. The device-readable medium 580 may store any suitable instructions; data or information, including computer programs; software; an application comprising one or more of logic, rules, code, tables, etc.; and/or other instructions capable of being executed by processing circuitry 570 and utilized by network node 560. The device-readable medium 580 may be used to store any calculations performed by the processing circuit 570 and/or any data received via the interface 590. In some embodiments, the processing circuitry 570 and the device-readable medium 580 may be considered to be integrated.

The interface 590 is used in wired or wireless communication of signaling and/or data between the network node 560, the network 506, and/or the WD 510. As shown, interface 590 includes a port/terminal 594 that sends data to network 506 and receives data from network 906, for example, through a wired connection. The interface 590 also includes radio front-end circuitry 592, which radio front-end circuitry 592 may be coupled to the antenna 562 or, in some embodiments, be part of the antenna 562. Radio front-end circuit 592 includes a filter 598 and an amplifier 596. Radio front-end circuitry 592 may be coupled to antenna 562 and processing circuitry 570. Radio front-end circuitry 592 may be configured to condition signals communicated between antenna 562 and processing circuitry 570. The radio front-end circuit 592 may receive digital data to be sent to other network nodes or WDs via a wireless connection. Radio front-end circuitry 592 may use a combination of filters 598 and/or amplifiers 596 to convert digital data into radio signals having appropriate channel and bandwidth parameters. The radio signal may then be transmitted via an antenna 562. Similarly, when receiving data, the antenna 562 may collect radio signals that are then converted to digital data by the radio front-end circuit 592. The digital data may be passed to processing circuitry 570. In other embodiments, interface 590 may include different components and/or different combinations of components.

In certain alternative embodiments, network node 560 may not include a separate radio front-end circuit 592; instead, the processing circuitry 570 may include radio front-end circuitry and may be connected to the antenna 562 without the need for separate radio front-end circuitry 592. Similarly, in some embodiments, all or a portion of the RF transceiver circuit 572 may be considered part of the interface 590. In other embodiments, interface 900 may include one or more ports or terminals 594, radio front-end circuitry 592, and RF transceiver circuitry 572 as part of a radio unit (not shown), and interface 590 may communicate with baseband processing circuitry 574, which baseband processing circuitry 574 is part of a digital unit (not shown).

The antenna 562 may include one or more antennas or antenna arrays configured to transmit and/or receive wireless signals. The antenna 562 may be coupled to the radio front-end circuit 592 and may be any type of antenna capable of wirelessly transmitting and receiving data and/or signals. In some embodiments, antenna 562 may include one or more omni-directional, sector, or plate antennas operable to transmit/receive radio signals, for example, between 2 gigahertz (GHz) and 66 GHz. An omni-directional antenna may be used to transmit/receive radio signals in any direction, a sector antenna may be used to transmit/receive radio signals from devices within a particular area, and a patch antenna may be a line-of-sight antenna for transmitting/receiving radio signals on a relatively straight line. In some examples, the use of more than one antenna may be referred to as Multiple Input Multiple Output (MIMO). In some embodiments, antenna 562 may be separate from network node 560 and may be connectable to network node 560 through an interface or port.

The antenna 562, interface 590 and/or processing circuit 570 may be configured to perform any receiving operations and/or certain obtaining operations described herein as being performed by a network node. Any information, data, and/or signals may be received from the WD, another network node, and/or any other network device. Similarly, the antenna 562, interface 590, and/or processing circuit 570 may be configured to perform any transmit operations described herein as being performed by a network node. Any information, data, and/or signals may be sent to the WD, another network node, and/or any other network device.

The power supply circuit 587 may include or be coupled to a power management circuit and is configured to supply power to components of the network node 560 for performing the functions described herein. The power supply circuit 587 may receive power from the power supply 586. The power supply 586 and/or the power supply circuitry 587 may be configured to provide power to various components of the network node 560 in a form suitable for the respective components (e.g., at the voltage and current levels required by each respective component). The power supply 586 may be included in the power supply circuit 587 and/or the network node 560, or may be external to the power supply circuit 987 and/or the network node 960. For example, the network node 560 may be connected to an external power source (e.g., an electrical outlet) via an input circuit or interface (such as a cable), whereby the external power source provides power to the power circuit 587. As another example, the power supply 586 may include a power supply in the form of a battery or battery pack that is connected to or integrated in the power circuit 587. The battery may provide backup power if the external power source fails. Other types of power sources, such as photovoltaic devices, may also be used.

Alternative embodiments of network node 560 may include additional components other than those shown in fig. 5 that may be responsible for providing certain aspects of the network node's functionality, including any of the functions described herein and/or any functions required to support the subject matter described herein. For example, network node 560 may include a user interface device that allows information to be input into network node 560 and allows information to be output from network node 560. This may allow a user to perform diagnostic, maintenance, repair, and other management functions for network node 560.

As used herein, WD refers to a device capable of, configured, arranged, and/or operable to wirelessly communicate with a network node and/or other WD. Unless otherwise indicated, the term WD may be used interchangeably herein with UE. Wireless communication may involve the transmission and/or reception of wireless signals using electromagnetic waves, radio waves, infrared waves, and/or other types of signals suitable for conveying information over the air. In some embodiments, WD may be configured to send and/or receive information without direct human interaction. For example, WD may be designed to send information to the network according to a predetermined schedule when triggered by an internal or external event or in response to a request from the network. Examples of WD include, but are not limited to, smart phones, mobile phones, cell phones, voice over IP (VoIP) phones, wireless local loop phones, desktop computers, personal Digital Assistants (PDAs), wireless cameras, game consoles or devices, music storage devices, playback devices, wearable terminal devices, wireless endpoints, mobile stations, tablet computers, notebook computers, laptop embedded devices (LEEs), laptop mounted devices (LMEs), smart devices, wireless Consumer Premise Equipment (CPE), in-vehicle wireless terminal devices, and the like. WD may support device-to-device (D2D) communications, for example, by implementing 3GPP standards for sidelink communications, vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V), vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2I), vehicle-to-everything (V2X), and may be referred to as D2D communications devices in this case. As yet another particular example, in an internet of things (IoT) scenario, a WD may represent a machine or other device that performs monitoring and/or measurements and sends the results of such monitoring and/or measurements to another WD and/or network node. In this case, WD may be a machine-to-machine (M2M) device, which may be referred to as an MTC device in a 3GPP context. As one particular example, WD may be a UE that implements 3GPP narrowband IoT (NB-IoT) standards. Specific examples of such machines or devices are sensors, metering devices such as electric meters, industrial machines, household or personal appliances (e.g. refrigerator, television, etc.), or personal clothing (e.g. watches, fitness trackers, etc.). In other scenarios, WD may represent a vehicle or other device capable of monitoring and/or reporting its operational status or other functions associated with its operation. WD as described above may represent an endpoint of a wireless connection, in which case the device may be referred to as a wireless terminal. Furthermore, as described above, the WD may be mobile, in which case the WD may also be referred to as a mobile device or mobile terminal.

As shown in fig. 5, WD 510 includes antenna 511, interface 514, processing circuitry 520, device readable medium 530, user interface device 532, auxiliary device 534, power supply 536, and power supply circuitry 537.WD 510 may include multiple sets of one or more of the illustrated components for different wireless technologies supported by WD 510, such as, for example, GSM, WCDMA, LTE, NR, wiFi, wiMAX, or bluetooth wireless technologies, to name a few. These wireless technologies may be integrated into the same or different chips or chip sets as other components within WD 510.

Antenna 511 may include one or more antennas or antenna arrays configured to transmit and/or receive wireless signals and connected to interface 514. In certain alternative embodiments, antenna 511 may be separate from WD 510 and may be connected to WD 510 through an interface or port. Antenna 511, interface 514, and/or processing circuitry 520 may be configured to perform any of the receiving or transmitting operations described herein as being performed by WD. Any information, data, and/or signals may be received from the network node and/or another WD. In some embodiments, the radio front-end circuitry and/or antenna 511 may be considered an interface.

As shown, interface 514 includes radio front-end circuitry 512 and antenna 511. The radio front-end circuit 512 includes one or more filters 518 and an amplifier 516. The radio front-end circuit 512 is connected to the antenna 511 and the processing circuit 520 and is configured to condition signals passing between the antenna 511 and the processing circuit 520. The radio front-end circuit 512 may be coupled to the antenna 511 or be part of the antenna 511. In some embodiments, WD 510 may not include a separate radio front-end circuit 512; instead, the processing circuitry 520 may include radio front-end circuitry and may be connected to the antenna 511. Similarly, in some embodiments, some or all of RF transceiver circuitry 522 may be considered to be part of interface 514. The radio front-end circuit 512 may receive digital data to be sent to other network nodes or WDs via a wireless connection. The radio front-end circuit 512 may use a combination of filters 518 and/or amplifiers 516 to convert the digital data into a radio signal having appropriate channel and bandwidth parameters. The radio signal may then be transmitted via antenna 511. Similarly, when receiving data, the antenna 511 may collect radio signals, which are then converted to digital data by the radio front-end circuit 512. The digital data may be passed to processing circuitry 520. In other embodiments, interface 514 may include different components and/or different combinations of components.

The processing circuitry 520 may include a combination of one or more of the following: a microprocessor, controller, microcontroller, CPU, DSP, ASIC, FPGA, or any other suitable computing device, resource, or combination of hardware, software, and/or encoded logic operable to provide WD 510 functionality, alone or in combination with other WD 510 components, such as device-readable medium 530. Such functionality may include providing any of the various wireless features or benefits discussed herein. For example, processing circuitry 520 may execute instructions stored in device-readable medium 530 or memory within processing circuitry 520 to provide the functionality disclosed herein.

As shown, processing circuitry 520 includes one or more of the following: RF transceiver circuitry 522, baseband processing circuitry 524, and application processing circuitry 526. In other embodiments, processing circuitry 520 may include different components and/or different combinations of components. In certain embodiments, the processing circuitry 520 of the WD 510 may include an SOC. In some embodiments, the RF transceiver circuitry 522, baseband processing circuitry 524, and application processing circuitry 526 may be located on separate chips or chip sets. In alternative embodiments, part or all of baseband processing circuit 524 and application processing circuit 526 may be combined into one chip or chipset, and RF transceiver circuit 522 may be located on a separate chip or chipset. In other alternative embodiments, some or all of the RF transceiver circuitry 522 and baseband processing circuitry 524 may be located on the same chip or chipset, and the application processing circuitry 526 may be located on a separate chip or chipset. In other alternative embodiments, some or all of the RF transceiver circuitry 522, baseband processing circuitry 524, and application processing circuitry 526 may be combined on the same chip or chipset. In various embodiments, RF transceiver circuitry 522 may be part of interface 514. RF transceiver circuitry 522 may condition RF signals for processing circuitry 520.

In certain embodiments, some or all of the functions described herein as being performed by the WD may be provided by processing circuitry 520 executing instructions stored on device-readable medium 530, which device-readable medium 530 may be a computer-readable storage medium in certain embodiments. In alternative embodiments, some or all of the functionality may be provided by processing circuitry 520, such as in a hardwired manner, without executing instructions stored on separate or stand-alone device-readable storage media. In any of those particular embodiments, the processing circuitry 520, whether executing instructions stored on a device-readable storage medium or not, may be configured to perform the described functions. The benefits provided by such functionality are not limited to only the processing circuitry 520 or other components of the WD 510, but are enjoyed by the WD 510 as a whole and/or generally by the end user and the wireless network.

The processing circuitry 520 may be configured to perform any determination, calculation, or similar operations (e.g., certain obtaining operations) described herein as being performed by the WD. These operations, as performed by processing circuitry 520, may include processing information obtained by processing circuitry 520 by: for example, converting the obtained information into other information, comparing the obtained information or the converted information with information stored by WD 510, and/or performing one or more operations based on the obtained information or the converted information, and as a result of the processing, making a determination.

The device-readable medium 530 may be operable to store a computer program; software; applications, including one or more of logic, rules, code, tables, etc.; and/or other instructions capable of being executed by processing circuitry 520. Device-readable media 530 may include computer memory (e.g., RAM or ROM), mass storage media (e.g., hard disk), removable storage media (e.g., CD or DVD), and/or any other volatile or non-volatile, non-transitory device-readable and/or computer-executable memory device that stores information, data, and/or instructions that may be used by processing circuitry 520. In some embodiments, the processing circuitry 520 and the device-readable medium 530 may be considered to be integrated.

The user interface device 532 may provide components that allow a human user to interact with WD 510. Such interaction may take many forms, such as visual, auditory, tactile, and the like. The user interface device 532 may be operable to generate output to a user and allow the user to provide input to WD 510. The type of interaction may vary depending on the type of user interface device 532 installed in WD 510. For example, if WD 510 is a smart phone, the interaction may be via a touch screen; if the WD 510 is a smart meter, the interaction may be through a screen that provides usage (e.g., the number of gallons used) or a speaker that provides an audible alert (e.g., if smoke is detected). The user interface device 532 may include input interfaces, devices, and circuits, and output interfaces, devices, and circuits. The user interface device 532 is configured to allow information to be input into the WD 510 and is connected to the processing circuit 520 to allow the processing circuit 520 to process the input information. The user interface device 532 may include, for example, a microphone, proximity or other sensor, keys/buttons, a touch display, one or more cameras, a Universal Serial Bus (USB) port, or other input circuitry. The user interface device 532 is also configured to allow information from the WD 510 to be output and to allow the processing circuit 520 to output information from the WD 510. The user interface device 532 may include, for example, a speaker, a display, a vibration circuit, a USB port, a headphone interface, or other output circuitry. WD 510 may communicate with end users and/or wireless networks using one or more input and output interfaces, devices, and circuits of user interface device 532 and allow them to benefit from the functionality described herein.

The auxiliary device 534 may be operable to provide more specific functions that may not normally be performed by the WD. This may include specialized sensors for making measurements for various purposes, interfaces for additional types of communications (such as wired communications), and so forth. The inclusion and type of components of the auxiliary device 534 may vary depending on the embodiment and/or the scenario.

In some embodiments, the power supply 536 may be in the form of a battery or battery pack. Other types of power sources may also be used, such as external power sources (e.g., electrical sockets), photovoltaic devices, or batteries. The WD 510 may also include a power circuit 537 for delivering power from the power supply 536 to portions of the WD 510 that require power from the power supply 536 to perform any of the functions described or indicated herein. In some embodiments, the power circuit 537 may include a power management circuit. The power circuit 537 may additionally or alternatively be operable to receive power from an external power source, in which case the WD 510 may be capable of being connected to an external power source (such as an electrical outlet) via an input circuit or an interface such as a power cable. In some embodiments, the power circuit 537 may also be operable to deliver power from an external power source to the power source 536. This may be used, for example, for charging of the power supply 536. The power circuit 537 may perform any formatting, conversion, or other modification to the power from the power supply 536 to generate power suitable for the respective components of the powered WD 510.

Fig. 6 illustrates one embodiment of a UE in accordance with aspects described herein. As used herein, a user equipment or UE may not necessarily have a user in the sense of a human user who owns and/or operates the relevant device. Conversely, a UE may represent a device (e.g., an intelligent sprinkler controller) intended to be sold to or operated by a human user, but which may or may not be initially associated with a particular human user. Alternatively, the UE may represent a device (e.g., a smart meter) that is not intended to be sold to or operated by an end user, but may be associated with or operated for the benefit of the user. The UE 600 may be any UE identified by 3GPP, including NB-IoT UEs, MTC UEs, and/or enhanced MTC (eMTC) UEs. As shown in fig. 6, UE 600 is one example of a WD configured for communicating according to one or more communication standards promulgated by 3GPP, such as the GSM, UMTS, LTE, and/or 5G standards of 3 GPP. As mentioned previously, the terms WD and UE may be used interchangeably. Thus, while fig. 6 is UE, the components discussed herein are equally applicable to WD and vice versa.

In fig. 6, the UE includes processing circuitry 601, the processing circuitry 601 being operably coupled to an input/output interface 605, an RF interface 609, a network connection interface 611, memory 615 (including RAM 617, ROM 619, and storage medium 621, etc.), a communication subsystem 631, a power supply 613, and/or any other components, or any combination thereof. The storage medium 621 includes an operating system 623, application programs 625, and data 627. In other embodiments, storage medium 621 may include other similar types of information. Some UEs may utilize all or only a subset of the components shown in fig. 6. The degree of integration between components may vary for different UEs. Further, some UEs may include multiple instances of components, such as multiple processors, memories, transceivers, transmitters, receivers, and so forth.

In fig. 6, processing circuitry 601 may be configured to process computer instructions and data. The processing circuit 601 may be configured to implement: any sequential state machine, such as one or more hardware-implemented state machines (e.g., in discrete logic, FPGA, ASIC, etc.), operable to execute machine instructions stored as a machine-readable computer program in memory; programmable logic along with appropriate firmware; one or more stored programs, a general-purpose processor, such as a microprocessor or DSP, along with appropriate software; or any combination of the above. For example, the processing circuit 601 may include two CPUs. The data may be information in a form suitable for use by a computer.

In the depicted embodiment, the input/output interface 605 may be configured to provide a communication interface to an input device, an output device, or both. The UE 600 may be configured to use an output device via the input/output interface 605. The output device may use the same type of interface port as the input device. For example, a USB port may be used to provide input to UE 600 and output from UE 600. The output device may be a speaker, sound card, video card, display, monitor, printer, actuator, transmitter, smart card, another output device, or any combination thereof. The UE 600 may be configured to use an input device via the input/output interface 605 to allow a user to capture information into the UE 600. Input devices may include a touch-sensitive or presence-sensitive display, a camera (e.g., digital camera, digital video camera, webcam, etc.), a microphone, a sensor, a mouse, a trackball, a trackpad, a scroll wheel, a smart card, and so forth. The presence-sensitive display may include a capacitive or resistive touch sensor that senses input from a user. The sensor may be, for example, an accelerometer, gyroscope, tilt sensor, force sensor, magnetometer, optical sensor, proximity sensor, other similar sensor, or any combination thereof. For example, the input devices may be accelerometers, magnetometers, digital cameras, microphones, and optical sensors.

In fig. 6, the RF interface 609 may be configured to provide a communication interface to RF components, such as a transmitter, receiver, and antenna. The network connection interface 611 may be configured to provide a communication interface to the network 643A. Network 634A may encompass wired and/or wireless networks such as LANs, WANs, computer networks, wireless networks, telecommunication networks, other similar networks, or any combination thereof. For example, the network 643A may include a WiFi network. The network connection interface 611 may be configured to include receiver and transmitter interfaces for communicating with one or more other devices over a communication network according to one or more communication protocols, such as: ethernet, transmission Control Protocol (TCP)/IP, synchronous Optical Network (SONET), asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM), etc. The network connection interface 611 may implement receiver and transmitter functions suitable for communication network links (e.g., optical, electrical, etc.). The transmitter and receiver functions may share circuit components, software, or firmware, or alternatively may be implemented separately.

RAM 617 may be configured to interface to processing circuitry 601 via bus 602 to provide storage or caching of data or computer instructions during execution of software programs (such as an operating system, application programs, and device drivers). ROM 619 may be configured to provide computer instructions or data to processing circuit 601. For example, ROM 619 may be configured to store low-level system code or data that is invariant to basic system functions, such as basic input and output (I/O) stored in non-volatile memory, startup, or receipt of keystrokes from a keyboard. The storage medium 621 may be configured to include memory such as RAM, ROM, programmable ROM (PROM), erasable PROM (EPROM), electrically EPROM (EEPROM), magnetic disk, optical disk, floppy disk, hard disk, removable disk, or flash drive. In one example, the storage medium 621 may be configured to include an operating system 623, an application program 625, such as a web browser application, a widget or gadget engine, or another application, and a data file 627. The storage medium 621 may store any of a variety of different operating systems or combinations of operating systems for use by the UE 600.

The storage medium 621 may be configured to include a plurality of physical drive units, such as a Redundant Array of Independent Disks (RAID), a floppy disk drive, a flash memory, a USB flash drive, an external hard disk drive, a thumb drive, a pen drive, a key drive, a high-density digital versatile disk (HD-DVD) optical drive, an internal hard disk drive, a blu-ray disc drive, a Holographic Digital Data Storage (HDDS) optical drive, an external mini-Dual Inline Memory Module (DIMM), a Synchronous Dynamic RAM (SDRAM), an external micro DIMM SDRAM, a smart card memory (such as a Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) or Removable User Identity (RUIM) module), other memory, or any combination thereof. The storage medium 621 may allow the UE 600 to access computer-executable instructions, applications, etc. stored on a transitory or non-transitory memory medium to offload data or upload data. An article of manufacture, such as an article of manufacture utilizing a communication system, may be tangibly embodied in a storage medium 621, which storage medium 621 may comprise a device-readable medium.

In fig. 6, the processing circuit 601 may be configured to communicate with a network 643B using a communication subsystem 631. The network 643A and the network 643B may be the same network or networks or different networks or networks. The communications subsystem 631 may be configured to include one or more transceivers for communicating with the network 643B. For example, the communication subsystem 631 may be configured to include one or more transceivers for communicating with one or more remote transceivers of another device capable of wireless communication, such as another WD, UE, or base station of a Radio Access Network (RAN), in accordance with one or more communication protocols, such as IEEE 802.6, code Division Multiple Access (CDMA), WCDMA, GSM, LTE, universal Terrestrial RAN (UTRAN), wiMax, etc. Each transceiver can include a transmitter 633 and/or a receiver 635 that respectively implement transmitter or receiver functionality for a RAN link (e.g., frequency allocation, etc.). Further, the transmitter 633 and receiver 635 of each transceiver may share circuit components, software, or firmware, or alternatively may be implemented separately.

In the illustrated embodiment, the communication functions of the communication subsystem 631 may include data communication, voice communication, multimedia communication, short-range communication (such as bluetooth, near field communication), location-based communication (such as using a Global Positioning System (GPS) to determine location), other similar communication functions, or any combination thereof. For example, the communication subsystem 631 may include cellular communication, wiFi communication, bluetooth communication, and GPS communication. The network 643B may encompass wired and/or wireless networks, such as LANs, WANs, computer networks, wireless networks, telecommunication networks, other similar networks, or any combination thereof. For example, the network 643B may be a cellular network, a WiFi network, and/or a near field network. The power supply 613 may be configured to provide Alternating Current (AC) or Direct Current (DC) power to components of the UE 600.

The features, benefits, and/or functions described herein may be implemented in one of the components of the UE 600 or divided across multiple components of the UE 600. Further, the features, benefits, and/or functions described herein may be implemented in any combination of hardware, software, or firmware. In one example, the communication subsystem 631 may be configured to include any of the components described herein. Further, the processing circuitry 601 may be configured to communicate with any of such components over the bus 602. In another example, any such components may be represented by program instructions stored in a memory that, when executed by processing circuitry 601, perform the corresponding functions described herein. In another example, the functionality of any such component may be divided between the processing circuitry 601 and the communications subsystem 631. In another example, the non-computationally intensive functions of any such component may be implemented in software or firmware, and the computationally intensive functions may be implemented in hardware.

FIG. 7 is a schematic block diagram illustrating a virtualized environment 700 in which functions implemented by some embodiments may be virtualized. In the present context, virtualization means creating a virtual version of an apparatus or device, which may include virtualized hardware platforms, storage devices, and network resources. As used herein, virtualization may apply to an implementation of a node (e.g., a virtualized base station or virtualized radio access node) or device (e.g., a UE, WD, or any other type of communication device) or component thereof and involves at least a portion of the functionality being implemented as one or more virtual components (e.g., via one or more applications, components, functions, virtual machines, or containers executing on one or more physical processing nodes in one or more networks).

In some embodiments, some or all of the functionality described herein may be implemented as virtual components executed by one or more virtual machines implemented in one or more virtual environments 700 hosted by one or more of hardware nodes 730. Further, in embodiments where the virtual node is not a radio access node or does not require a radio connection (e.g., a core network node), then the network node may be fully virtualized.

The functions may be implemented by one or more applications 720 (which may alternatively be referred to as software instances, virtual devices, network functions, virtual nodes, virtual network functions, etc.), which applications 720 are operable to implement some of the features, functions, and/or benefits of some of the embodiments disclosed herein. The application 720 runs in a virtualized environment 700, which virtualized environment 700 provides hardware 730 that includes processing circuitry 760 and memory 790. Memory 790 contains instructions 795 executable by processing circuitry 760 wherein application 720 is operable to provide one or more of the features, benefits, and/or functions disclosed herein.

The virtualized environment 700 includes a general purpose or special purpose network hardware device 730, which general purpose or special purpose network hardware device 730 includes a set of one or more processors or processing circuits 760, which may be commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) processors, special purpose ASICs, or any other type of processing circuits including digital or analog hardware components or special purpose processors. Each hardware device 730 may include a memory 790-1, which memory 790-1 may be non-persistent memory for temporarily storing instructions 795 or software executed by processing circuitry 760. Each hardware device 730 may include one or more Network Interface Controllers (NICs) 770 (also referred to as network interface cards), which Network Interface Controllers (NICs) 770 include a physical network interface 780. Each hardware device 730 may also include a non-transitory, persistent, machine-readable storage medium 790-2 in which software 795 and/or instructions executable by processing circuitry 760 may be stored. The software 795 may include any type of software including software for instantiating one or more virtual layers 750 (also referred to as a hypervisor), executing the virtual machine 740, and allowing the functions, features, and/or benefits described in connection with some embodiments described herein to be performed.

Virtual machine 740 includes virtual processing, virtual memory, virtual networking or interfaces, and virtual storage, and is executable by a corresponding virtual layer 750 or hypervisor. Different embodiments of instances of virtual device 720 may be implemented on one or more virtual machines 740, and these implementations may be accomplished in different ways.

During operation, processing circuitry 760 executes software 795 that instantiates a hypervisor or virtual layer 750, which may sometimes be referred to as a Virtual Machine Monitor (VMM). Virtual layer 750 may present virtual machine 740 with a virtual operating platform that appears to be network hardware.

As shown in fig. 7, hardware 730 may be a stand-alone network node with general or specific components. Hardware 730 may include antenna 7225 and may implement some functions via virtualization. Alternatively, hardware 730 may be part of a larger hardware cluster (e.g., in a data center or CPE), where many hardware nodes work together and are managed via management and orchestration (MANO) 7100, which manages and orchestrates (MANO) 7100, among other things, oversees lifecycle management of applications 720.

Virtualization of hardware is referred to in some contexts as Network Function Virtualization (NFV). NFV can be used to incorporate many network device types onto industry standard mass server hardware, physical switches, and physical storage devices, which can be located in data centers and CPEs.

In the context of NFV, virtual machine 740 may be a software implementation of a physical machine that runs programs as if they were executing on a physical non-virtualized machine. The portion of each virtual machine 740 and hardware 730 that executes the virtual machine 740 (i.e., hardware dedicated to that virtual machine 740 and/or hardware shared by that virtual machine with other virtual machines 740) forms a separate Virtual Network Element (VNE).

Still in the context of NFV, a Virtual Network Function (VNF) is responsible for handling specific network functions running in one or more virtual machines 740 above the hardware network infrastructure 730 and corresponds to the application 720 in fig. 7.

In some embodiments, one or more radio units 7200, each including one or more transmitters 7220 and one or more receivers 7210, may be coupled to one or more antennas 7225. The radio unit 7200 may communicate directly with the hardware node 730 via one or more suitable network interfaces and may be combined with virtual components for providing a virtual node with wireless capability, such as a wireless access node or a base station.

In some embodiments, some signaling may be implemented using the control system 7230, alternatively the control system 7230 may be used for communication between the hardware node 730 and the radio unit 7200.

Referring to fig. 8, a communication system includes a telecommunication network 810, such as a 3 GPP-type cellular network, the telecommunication network 810 including an access network 811 (such as a RAN), and a core network 814, according to an embodiment. The access network 811 includes a plurality of base stations 812A, 812B, 812C, such as Node bs, enbs, gnbs, or other types of wireless APs, each base station 812A, 812B, 812C defining a corresponding coverage area 813A, 813B, 813C. Each base station 812A, 812B, 812C may be coupled to the core network 814 through a wired or wireless connection 815. The first UE 891 located in coverage area 813C is configured to connect wirelessly to the corresponding base station 812C or to be called by the corresponding base station 812C. A second UE 892 in coverage area 813A may be wirelessly connected to a corresponding base station 812A. Although multiple UEs 891, 892 are shown in this example, the disclosed embodiments are equally applicable where individual UEs are in coverage areas or where individual UEs are connected to corresponding base stations 812.

The telecommunications network 810 itself is connected to a host computer 830, which host computer 830 may be embodied in hardware and/or software in a stand-alone server, a cloud-implemented server, a distributed server, or as a processing resource in a server farm. The host computer 830 may be under the ownership or control of the service provider or may operate by or on behalf of the service provider. Connections 821 and 822 between telecommunications network 810 and host computer 830 may extend from core network 814 directly to host computer 830 or may occur via optional intermediate network 820. The intermediate network 820 may be one of a public, private, or host network, or a combination of more than one of a public, private, or host network; the intermediate network 820 may be a backbone network or the internet, if any; in particular, intermediate network 820 may include two or more subnetworks (not shown).

The communication system of fig. 8 enables connectivity between connected UEs 891, 892 and a host computer 830 as a whole. Connectivity may be described as "Over-the-Top" (OTT) connections 850. Host computer 830 and connected UEs 891, 892 are configured to communicate data and/or signaling via OTT connection 850 using access network 810, core network 814, any intermediate network 820, and possibly further infrastructure (not shown) as intermediaries. OTT connection 850 may be transparent in the sense that the participating communication devices through which OTT connection 850 passes are unaware of the routing of uplink and downlink communications. For example, the base station 812 may not or need to be informed of past routing of incoming downlink communications in which data originating from the host computer 830 is to be forwarded (e.g., handed over) to the connected UE 891. Similarly, the base station 812 need not know the future routing of outgoing uplink communications originating from the UE 891 towards the host computer 830.

An example implementation according to an embodiment of the UE, base station and host computer discussed in the preceding paragraphs will now be described with reference to fig. 9. In communication system 900, host computer 910 includes hardware 915, which hardware 915 includes a communication interface 916 configured to establish and maintain wired or wireless connections with interfaces of different communication devices of communication system 900. The host computer 910 also includes processing circuitry 918, which processing circuitry 918 may have storage and/or processing capabilities. In particular, the processing circuit 918 may include one or more programmable processors, ASICs, FPGAs, or a combination of these (not shown) adapted to execute instructions. The host computer 910 also includes software 911, which software 911 is stored in the host computer 910 or accessible to the host computer 910 and executable by the processing circuit 918. The software 911 includes a host application 912. The host application 912 may be operable to provide services to remote users, such as a UE 930 connected via an OTT connection 950 that terminates at the UE 930 and the host computer 910. In providing services to remote users, host application 912 may provide user data sent using OTT connection 950.

The communication system 900 further comprises a base station 920, which base station 920 is provided in a telecommunication system and comprises hardware 925 enabling the base station 920 to communicate with the host computer 910 and the UE 930. The hardware 925 may include a communication interface 926 for establishing and maintaining an interface wired or wireless connection with a different communication device of the communication system 900, and a radio interface 927 for establishing and maintaining a wireless connection 970 with at least a UE 930 located in a coverage area (not shown in fig. 9) served by the base station 920. Communication interface 926 may be configured to facilitate connection 960 to host computer 910. The connection 960 may be direct or it may pass through a core network of the telecommunication system (not shown in fig. 9) and/or one or more intermediate networks external to the telecommunication system. In the illustrated embodiment, the hardware 925 of the base station 920 further includes processing circuitry 928, which processing circuitry 928 may include one or more programmable processors, ASICs, FPGAs, or a combination of these (not shown) adapted to execute instructions. Base station 920 also includes software 921 that is internally stored or accessible via an external connection.

The communication system 900 further comprises the already mentioned UE 930. The hardware 935 of the UE 930 may include a radio interface 937, which radio interface 937 is configured to establish and maintain a wireless connection 970 with a base station serving the coverage area in which the UE 930 is currently located. The hardware 935 of the UE 930 also includes processing circuitry 938, which processing circuitry 938 may include one or more programmable processors, ASICs, FPGAs, or a combination of these (not shown) adapted to execute instructions. The UE 930 also includes software 931, which software 931 is stored in the UE 930 or accessible to the UE 930 and executable by the processing circuitry 938. Software 931 includes a client application 932. The client application 932 may be operable to provide services to human or non-human users via the UE 930 with the support of the host computer 910. In the host computer 910, the executing host application 912 may communicate with the executing client application 932 via an OTT connection 950 that terminates at the UE 930 and the host computer 910. In providing services to users, the client application 932 may receive request data from the host application 912 and provide user data in response to the request data. OTT connection 950 may transmit both request data and user data. The client application 932 may interact with the user to generate user data that it provides.

It should be noted that the host computer 910, base station 920, and UE 930 shown in fig. 9 may be similar to or the same as one of the host computer 830, base stations 812A, 812B, 812C, and one of the UEs 891, 892, respectively, of fig. 8. That is, the internal workings of these entities may be as shown in fig. 9, and independently, the surrounding network topology may be the network topology of fig. 8.

In fig. 9, OTT connection 950 has been abstracted to illustrate communications between host computer 910 and UE 930 via base station 920 without explicitly referencing any intermediate devices and precise routing of messages via these devices. The network infrastructure may determine a routing that may be configured to evade the UE 930 or a service provider operating the host computer 910, or both. Although OTT connection 950 is effective, the network infrastructure may also take its decision to dynamically change routing (e.g., based on load balancing considerations or reconfiguration of the network).

The wireless connection 970 between the UE 930 and the base station 920 is consistent with the teachings of the embodiments described throughout this disclosure. One or more of the various embodiments improve the performance of OTT services provided to UE 930 using OTT connection 950, in which OTT connection 950 wireless connection 970 forms the last segment. More precisely, the teachings of these embodiments may improve, for example, data rates, delays, and/or power consumption and thereby provide benefits such as, for example, reduced user latency, relaxed limits on file size, better responsiveness, and/or delayed battery life.

The measurement process may be provided for the purpose of monitoring improved data rates, delays, and other factors for one or more embodiments. There may also be optional network functions for reconfiguring the OTT connection 950 between the host computer 910 and the UE 930 in response to a change in the measurement results. The measurement procedure and/or network functions for reconfiguring OTT connection 950 may be implemented in software 911 and hardware 915 of host computer 910 or in software 931 and hardware 935 of UE 930 or in both. In some embodiments, a sensor (not shown) may be deployed in or associated with a communication device through which OTT connection 950 passes; the sensor may participate in the measurement procedure by supplying the value of the monitored quantity exemplified above or from which the supply software 911, 931 may calculate or estimate the value of other physical quantities of the monitored quantity. Reconfiguration of OTT connection 950 may include message format, retransmission settings, preferred routing, etc.; the reconfiguration need not affect base station 920 and may be unknown or imperceptible to base station 920. Such processes and functions may be known and practiced in the art. In some embodiments, the measurements may involve proprietary UE signaling that facilitates measurements of throughput, propagation time, delay, etc. of the host computer 910. Measurements may be made because the software 911 and 931 causes messages (particularly null or "dummy" messages) to be sent using OTT connection 950 as it monitors for travel time, errors, etc.

Fig. 10 is a flow chart illustrating a method implemented in a communication system according to one embodiment. The communication system includes a host computer, a base station, and a UE, which may be the host computer, the base station, and the UE described with reference to fig. 8 and 9. For simplicity of this disclosure, only the reference numerals of fig. 10 will be included in this section. In step 1010, the host computer provides user data. In sub-step 1011 of step 1010 (which may be optional), the host computer provides user data by executing the host application. In step 1020, the host computer initiates a transmission to the UE carrying user data. In step 1030 (which may be optional), the base station transmits user data carried in the host computer initiated transmission to the UE in accordance with the teachings of the embodiments described throughout this disclosure. In step 1040 (which may also be optional), the UE executes a client application associated with a host application executed by the host computer.

Fig. 11 is a flow chart illustrating a method implemented in a communication system according to one embodiment. The communication system includes a host computer, a base station, and a UE, which may be the host computer, the base station, and the UE described with reference to fig. 8 and 9. For simplicity of this disclosure, only the reference numerals of fig. 11 will be included in this section. In step 1110 of the method, the host computer provides user data. In an optional sub-step (not shown), the host computer provides user data by executing a host application. In step 1120, the host computer initiates a transmission to the UE carrying user data. Transmissions may be communicated via a base station in accordance with the teachings of embodiments described throughout this disclosure. In step 1130 (which may be optional), the UE receives user data carried in the transmission.

Fig. 12 is a flow chart illustrating a method implemented in a communication system according to one embodiment. The communication system includes a host computer, a base station, and a UE, which may be the host computer, the base station, and the UE described with reference to fig. 8 and 9. For simplicity of this disclosure, only the reference numerals of fig. 12 will be included in this section. In step 1210 (which may be optional), the UE receives input data provided by a host computer. Additionally or alternatively, in step 1220, the UE provides user data. In sub-step 1221 of step 1220 (which may be optional), the UE provides user data by executing the client application. In sub-step 1211 of step 1210 (which may be optional), the UE executes a client application providing user data in response to the received input data provided by the host computer. The executing client application may also take into account user input received from the user when providing the user data. Regardless of the particular manner in which the user data is provided, in sub-step 1230 (which may be optional), the UE initiates transmission of the user data to the host computer. In step 1240 of the method, the host computer receives user data sent from the UE according to the teachings of the embodiments described throughout this disclosure.

Fig. 13 is a flow chart illustrating a method implemented in a communication system according to one embodiment. The communication system includes a host computer, a base station, and a UE, which may be the host computer, the base station, and the UE described with reference to fig. 8 and 9. For simplicity of this disclosure, only the reference numerals of fig. 13 will be included in this section. In step 1310 (which may be optional), the base station receives user data from the UE according to the teachings of the embodiments described throughout this disclosure. In step 1320 (which may be optional), the base station initiates transmission of the received user data to the host computer. In step 1330 (which may be optional), the host computer receives user data carried in a transmission initiated by the base station.

Fig. 14 depicts a method in accordance with a particular embodiment, which begins at step 1400, in which a network node 560 (e.g., a base station) transmits a MAC CE that includes an indication of SP SRS resources to be activated/deactivated (activated/deactivated) and information indicating spatial relationships for the SP SRS resources (step 1400). Further, as noted above, although the term SP SRS "resource" is sometimes used herein, it should be understood that, at least in some embodiments, the SP SRS resource may be a SP SRS "resource set. The MAC CE may be any of the embodiments described herein (e.g., any of the first and second embodiments described above with respect to, for example, fig. 3 and 4). WD 510 receives the MAC CE (step 1402) and, optionally, transmits the SRS based on the information received in the MAC CE (step 1404). For example, if the SP SRS resource is activated, WD 510 transmits SRS on the activated SP SRS resource using, for example, an uplink beam indicated by the spatial relationship indicated in the MAC CE.

Fig. 15 illustrates a schematic block diagram of an apparatus 1500 in a wireless network (e.g., the wireless network shown in fig. 5). The apparatus may be implemented in a wireless device or a network node (e.g., WD 510 or network node 560 shown in fig. 5). The apparatus 1500 is operable to perform the example methods described with reference to 14 and possibly any other process or method disclosed herein. It should also be appreciated that the method of fig. 14 need not be performed solely by the apparatus 1500. At least some operations of the method may be performed by one or more other entities.

Virtual device 1500 can include processing circuitry, which can include one or more microprocessors or microcontrollers, as well as other digital hardware, which can include DSPs, dedicated digital logic, and the like. The processing circuitry may be configured to execute program code stored in a memory, which may include one or more types of memory, such as ROM, RAM, cache memory, flash memory devices, optical storage devices, and the like. In various embodiments, the program code stored in the memory includes program instructions for performing one or more telecommunications and/or data communication protocols and instructions for performing one or more of the techniques described herein. In some implementations, processing circuitry may be used to cause one or more units 1502, and any other suitable units in apparatus 1500, to perform corresponding functions in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.

The term unit may have a conventional meaning in the field of electronic devices, electrical equipment, and/or electronic equipment, and may include, for example, electrical and/or electronic circuits, devices, modules, processors, memory, logical solid state and/or discrete devices, computer programs or instructions for performing corresponding tasks, procedures, calculations, output, and/or display functions, etc., such as those described herein.

Some example embodiments are as follows:

group A examples

Example 1: a method of operation of a wireless device for activating semi-persistent sounding reference signal resources for the wireless device in a cellular communication network, comprising: receiving a medium access control, MAC, control element, CE, from a network node, the MAC CE comprising: an indication that the set of semi-persistent sounding reference signal resources is to be activated/deactivated; and information indicating a spatial relationship for the semi-persistent sounding reference signal resource to be activated/deactivated.

Example 2: the method of embodiment 1, wherein the information indicative of the spatial relationship comprises: an indication of the type of reference signal that is provided with a spatial relationship; and an identifier of a reference signal resource set for a reference signal type to which the spatial relationship is provided.

Example 3: the method of embodiment 2, wherein the indication of the reference signal type indicates that the reference signal type is a channel state information reference signal, CSI-RS, a synchronization signal block, SSB, or a sounding reference signal, SRS.

Example 4: the method of embodiment 2, wherein the indication of the reference signal type comprises two bits indicating the reference signal type, wherein: the first state of the two bits indicates that the reference signal type is a first reference signal type; the second state of the two bits indicates that the reference signal type is a second reference signal type; and the third state of the two bits indicates that the reference signal type is a third reference signal type.

Example 5: the method of embodiment 4 wherein the first reference signal type is a channel state information reference signal, CSI-RS, the second reference signal type is a synchronization signal block, SSB, and the third reference signal type is a sounding reference signal, SRS.

Example 6: the method of embodiment 2, wherein the MAC CE includes: a first octet comprising an indication that a set of semi-persistent sounding reference signal resources is to be activated/deactivated; and a second octet comprising an indication of the reference signal type to which the spatial relationship is provided and an identifier of a reference signal resource set for the reference signal type to which the spatial relationship is provided.

Example 7: the method of embodiment 6, wherein:

if the first bit in the second octet is set to the first state:

the first bit is used as an indication of the type of reference signal to which the spatial relationship is provided, and the type of reference signal to which the spatial relationship is provided is a channel state information reference signal, CSI-RS; and

the remaining bits in the second octet serve as identifiers for reference signal resources for CSI-RS;

● If the first bit in the second octet is set to the second state:

if the second bit in the second octet is set to the first state:

■ The first bit and the second bit are used as an indication of a reference signal type to which the spatial relationship is provided, and the reference signal type to which the spatial relationship is provided is a synchronization signal block SSB; and

■ The remaining bits in the second octet serve as identifiers for the reference signal resources of the SSB; and

if the second bit in the second octet is set to the second state:

■ The first bit and the second bit are used as an indication of a type of reference signal to which the spatial relationship is provided, and the type of reference signal to which the spatial relationship is provided is a sounding reference signal, SRS; and

■ All but one of the remaining bits in the second octet serve as identifiers of reference signal resources for the SRS.

Example 8: the method of embodiment 6, wherein: the first bit in the second octet is set to a first state such that the first bit is used as an indication of a reference signal type to which the spatial relationship is provided, and the reference signal type to which the spatial relationship is provided is a channel state information reference signal, CSI-RS; and the remaining bits in the second octet serve as identifiers for the reference signal resource set of the CSI-RS.

Example 9: the method of embodiment 6, wherein: the first bit in the second octet is set to a second state; the second bit in the second octet is set to a first state such that the first bit and the second bit are used as an indication of a reference signal type to which the spatial relationship is provided, and the reference signal type to which the spatial relationship is provided is a synchronization signal block SSB; and the remaining bits in the second octet serve as identifiers for the reference signal resources of the SSB.

Example 10: the method of embodiment 6 wherein the first bit in the second octet is set to a second state; the second bit in the second octet is set to a second state such that the first bit and the second bit are used as an indication of a type of reference signal to which the spatial relationship is provided, and the type of reference signal to which the spatial relationship is provided is a sounding reference signal, SRS; and all bits except one of the remaining bits in the second octet are used as identifiers of reference signal resources for the SRS.

Example 11: the method of embodiment 1, wherein if a first bit of the octet of the MAC CE is set to a first state, remaining bits of the octet comprise a first set of fields; if the first bit of the octet is set to the second state and the second bit of the octet is set to the first state, the remaining bits in the octet comprise a second set of fields; and if the first bit of the octet is set to the second state and the second bit of the octet is set to the second state, the remaining bits in the octet comprise a third set of fields.

Example 12: the method of embodiment 11 wherein the first set of fields includes a field including bits providing an identifier of a channel state information reference signal, CSI-RS, resource of the indicated spatial relationship.

Example 13: the method of embodiment 11 or 12 wherein the second set of fields includes a field containing bits that provide an identifier of the synchronization signal block, SSB, resource of the indicated spatial relationship.

Example 14: the method according to any of embodiments 11-13, wherein the third set of fields comprises a field comprising bits providing an identifier of a sounding reference signal, SRS, resource for the indicated spatial relationship.

Example 15: the method of any of the preceding embodiments, further comprising: providing user data; and forwarding the user data to a host computer via a transmission to the base station.

Group B examples

Example 16: a method of operation of a network node (e.g., base station) for activating semi-persistent sounding reference signal resources for a wireless device in a cellular communication network, comprising: transmitting a medium access control, MAC, control element, CE, to a wireless device, the MAC CE comprising: an indication that the set of semi-persistent sounding reference signal resources is to be activated/deactivated; and information indicating a spatial relationship for the semi-persistent sounding reference signal resource to be activated/deactivated.

Example 17: the method of embodiment 16 wherein the information indicative of spatial relationships comprises: an indication of the type of reference signal that is provided with a spatial relationship; and an identifier of a reference signal resource set for a reference signal type to which the spatial relationship is provided.

Example 18: the method of embodiment 17, wherein the indication of the reference signal type indicates that the reference signal type is a channel state information reference signal, CSI-RS, a synchronization signal block, SSB, or a sounding reference signal, SRS.

Example 19: the method of embodiment 17 wherein the indication of the reference signal type comprises two bits indicating the reference signal type, wherein: the first state of the two bits indicates that the reference signal type is a first reference signal type; the second state of the two bits indicates that the reference signal type is a second reference signal type; and the third state of the two bits indicates that the reference signal type is a third reference signal type.

Example 20: the method of embodiment 19 wherein the first reference signal type is a channel state information reference signal, CSI-RS, the second reference signal type is a synchronization signal block, SSB, and the third reference signal type is a sounding reference signal, SRS.

Example 21: the method of embodiment 17, wherein the MAC CE includes: a first octet comprising an indication that a set of semi-persistent sounding reference signal resources is to be activated/deactivated; and a second octet comprising an indication of the reference signal type to which the spatial relationship is provided and an identifier of a reference signal resource for the reference signal type to which the spatial relationship is provided.

Example 22: the method of embodiment 21, wherein:

● If the first bit in the second octet is set to the first state:

● If the first bit in the second octet is set to the second state:

if the second bit in the second octet is set to the first state:

if the second bit in the second octet is set to the second state:

Example 23: the method of embodiment 21, wherein: the first bit in the second octet is set to a first state such that the first bit is used as an indication of a reference signal type to which the spatial relationship is provided, and the reference signal type to which the spatial relationship is provided is a channel state information reference signal, CSI-RS; and the remaining bits in the second octet serve as identifiers for reference signal resources for the CSI-RS.

Example 24: the method of embodiment 21, wherein: the first bit in the second octet is set to a second state; the second bit in the second octet is set to a first state such that the first bit and the second bit are used as an indication of a reference signal type to which the spatial relationship is provided, and the reference signal type to which the spatial relationship is provided is a synchronization signal block SSB; and the remaining bits in the second octet serve as identifiers for the reference signal resources of the SSB.

Example 25: the method of embodiment 21, wherein: the first bit in the second octet is set to a second state; the second bit in the second octet is set to a second state such that the first bit and the second bit are used as an indication of a type of reference signal to which the spatial relationship is provided, and the type of reference signal to which the spatial relationship is provided is a sounding reference signal, SRS; and all bits except one of the remaining bits in the second octet are used as identifiers of reference signal resources for the SRS.

Example 26: the method of embodiment 16, wherein: if the first bit of the octet of the MAC CE is set to the first state, the remaining bits of the octet include a first set of fields; if the first bit of the octet is set to the second state and the second bit of the octet is set to the first state, the remaining bits in the octet comprise a second set of fields; and if the first bit of the octet is set to the second state and the second bit of the octet is set to the second state, the remaining bits in the octet comprise a third set of fields.

Example 27: the method of embodiment 26 wherein the first set of fields includes a field including bits providing an identifier of a channel state information reference signal, CSI-RS, resource of the indicated spatial relationship.

Example 28: the method of embodiment 26 or 27 wherein the second set of fields includes a field including bits providing an identifier of a synchronization signal block, SSB, resource of the indicated spatial relationship.

Example 29: the method according to any one of embodiments 26-28, wherein the third set of fields comprises a field comprising bits providing an identifier of a sounding reference signal, SRS, resource for the indicated spatial relationship.

Example 30: the method of any of the preceding embodiments, further comprising: obtaining user data; and forwarding the user data to a host computer or wireless device.

Group C examples

Example 31: a wireless device for activating semi-persistent sounding reference signal resources for a wireless device in a cellular communication network, the wireless device comprising: processing circuitry configured to perform any of the steps of any of the group a embodiments; and a power circuit configured to supply power to the wireless device.

Example 32: a base station for activating semi-persistent sounding reference signal resources for a wireless device in a cellular communication network, the base station comprising: processing circuitry configured to perform any of the steps of any of the group B embodiments; a power circuit configured to supply power to the base station.

Example 33: a user equipment, UE, for activating semi-persistent sounding reference signal resources for a wireless device in a cellular communication network, the UE comprising: an antenna configured to transmit and receive wireless signals; a radio front-end circuit connected to the antenna and the processing circuit and configured to condition signals communicated between the antenna and the processing circuit; the processing circuitry is configured to perform any of the steps of any of the group a embodiments; an input interface connected to the processing circuitry and configured to allow information to be input into the UE for processing by the processing circuitry; an output interface connected to the processing circuitry and configured to output information from the UE that has been processed by the processing circuitry; and a battery connected to the processing circuitry and configured to power the UE.

Example 34: a communication system comprising a host computer, the host computer comprising: processing circuitry configured to provide user data; and a communication interface configured to forward the user data to a cellular network for transmission to a user equipment, UE, wherein the cellular network comprises a base station having a radio interface and processing circuitry, the processing circuitry of the base station being configured to perform any of the steps of any of the group B embodiments.

Example 35: the communication system according to the previous embodiment further comprises a base station.

Example 36: the communication system according to the 2 previous embodiments, further comprising a UE, wherein the UE is configured to communicate with the base station.

Example 37: the communication system according to the preceding 3 embodiments, wherein: the processing circuitry of the host computer is configured to execute the host application to provide user data; and the UE includes processing circuitry configured to execute a client application associated with the host application.

Example 38: a method implemented in a communication system comprising a host computer, a base station, and a user equipment, UE, the method comprising: providing, at a host computer, user data; and initiating, at the host computer, a transmission carrying user data to the UE via a cellular network comprising the base station, wherein the base station performs any of the steps of any of the group B embodiments.

Example 39: the method of the preceding embodiment, further comprising, at the base station, transmitting user data.

Example 40: the method of the preceding 2 embodiments, wherein the user data is provided at the host computer by executing the host application, the method further comprising, at the UE, executing a client application associated with the host application.

Example 41: a user equipment, UE, configured to communicate with a base station, the UE comprising a radio interface and processing circuitry configured to perform the method according to the preceding 3 embodiments.

Example 42: a communication system comprising a host computer, the host computer comprising: processing circuitry configured to provide user data; and a communication interface configured to forward user data to the cellular network for transmission to the user equipment UE, wherein the UE comprises a radio interface and processing circuitry, the components of the UE being configured to perform any of the steps of any of the group a embodiments.

Example 43: the communication system of the preceding embodiment, wherein the cellular network further comprises a base station configured to communicate with the UE.

Example 44: the communication system according to the foregoing 2 embodiments, wherein: the processing circuitry of the host computer is configured to execute the host application to provide user data; and the processing circuitry of the UE is configured to execute a client application associated with the host application.

Example 45: a method implemented in a communication system comprising a host computer, a base station, and a user equipment, UE, the method comprising: providing, at a host computer, user data; and initiating, at the host computer, a transmission carrying user data to the UE via the cellular network including the base station, wherein the UE performs any of the steps of any of the group a embodiments.

Example 46: the method according to the previous embodiment, further comprising: at the UE, user data from a base station is received.

Example 47: a communication system comprising a host computer, the host computer comprising: a communication interface configured to receive user data originating from a transmission from a user equipment UE to a base station, wherein the UE comprises a radio interface and processing circuitry configured to perform any of the steps of any of the group a embodiments.

Example 48: the communication system according to the previous embodiment, further comprising a UE.

Example 49: the communication system according to the 2 previous embodiments, further comprising a base station, wherein the base station comprises a radio interface configured to communicate with the UE and a communication interface configured to forward user data carried by a transmission from the UE to the base station to the host computer.

Example 50: the communication system according to the preceding 3 embodiments, wherein: the processing circuitry of the host computer is configured to execute a host application; and the processing circuitry of the UE is configured to execute a client application associated with the host application, thereby providing user data.

Example 51: the communication system according to the foregoing 4 embodiments, wherein: the processing circuitry of the host computer is configured to execute the host application to provide the requested data; and the processing circuitry of the UE is configured to execute a client application associated with the host application to provide user data in response to the request data.

Example 52: a method implemented in a communication system comprising a host computer, a base station, and a user equipment, UE, the method comprising: at the host computer, user data is received that is sent from the UE to the base station, wherein the UE performs any of the steps of any of the group a embodiments.

Example 53: the method of the preceding embodiment, further comprising, at the UE, providing user data to the base station.

Example 54: the method according to the 2 previous embodiments, further comprising: at the UE, executing a client application to provide user data to be transmitted; and executing, at the host computer, a host application associated with the client application.

Example 55: the method according to the preceding 3 embodiments, further comprising: executing, at the UE, a client application; and receiving, at the UE, input data for the client application, the input data provided at the host computer by executing a host application associated with the client application, wherein the user data to be transmitted is provided by the client application in response to the input data.

Example 56: a communication system comprising a host computer comprising a communication interface configured to receive user data originating from a transmission from a user equipment, UE, to a base station, wherein the base station comprises a radio interface and processing circuitry, the processing circuitry of the base station being configured to perform any of the steps of any of the group B embodiments.

Example 57: the communication system according to the previous embodiment further comprises a base station.

Example 58: the communication system according to the 2 previous embodiments, further comprising a UE, wherein the UE is configured to communicate with the base station.

Example 59: the communication system according to the preceding 3 embodiments, wherein: the processing circuitry of the host computer is configured to execute a host application; the UE is configured to execute a client application associated with the host application to provide user data to be received by the host computer.

Example 60: a method implemented in a communication system comprising a host computer, a base station, and a user equipment, UE, the method comprising: at the host computer, user data originating from transmissions that the base station has received from the UE is received from the base station, wherein the UE performs any of the steps of any of the group a embodiments.

Example 61: the method according to the previous embodiment, further comprising: at the base station, user data from the UE is received.

Example 62: the method according to the 2 previous embodiments, further comprising: at the base station, transmission of the received user data to the host computer is initiated.

At least some of the following abbreviations may be used in this disclosure. If there is a discrepancy between abbreviations, the abbreviations used hereinabove should be intended to be employed. If listed multiple times below, the first listed item should be better than any subsequent listed item(s).

Second generation of 2G

Third generation of 3G

3GPP third Generation partnership project

Fourth generation of 4G

5G fifth generation

AC power

AP access point

AP SRS aperiodic sounding reference Signal

ASIC specific integrated circuit

ATM asynchronous transfer mode

BS base station

BSC base station controller

BTS base transceiver station

CD disk

CDMA code division multiple access

CE control element

COTS commercial off-the-shelf

CP-OFDM cyclic prefix orthogonal frequency division multiplexing

CPE customer premises equipment

CPU central processing unit

CQI channel quality information

CRI channel state information reference signal index

CSI-RS channel state information reference signal

D2D device-to-device

DAS distributed antenna system

DC direct current

DCI downlink control information

DIMM dual in-line memory module

DSP digital Signal processor

DVD digital video disc

EEPROM electrically erasable programmable read only memory

eFD-MIMO enhanced full-dimensional multiple-input multiple-output

eMTC enhanced machine type communication

eNB enhancement or evolution node B

EPROM erasable programmable read-only memory

E-SMLC evolution service mobile positioning center

FDD frequency division multiplexing

FD-MIMO all-dimensional multiple-input multiple-output

FPGA field programmable gate array

GHz gigahertz

gNB next generation or new radio base station

GPS global positioning system

GSM Global System for Mobile communications

HDDS holographic digital data storage

HD-DVD high density digital versatile disc

ID identifier

IE information element

I/O input and output

IoT (internet of things) network

IP Internet protocol

LAN local area network

LEE laptop embedded device

LME laptop mounting device

LTE Long term evolution

M2M machine-to-machine

MAC media access control

MANO management and orchestration

MCE multi-cell/multicast coordination entity

MCS modulation and coding state

Minimization of MDT drive test

MIMO multiple input multiple output

MME mobility management entity

MSC mobile switching center

MSR multi-standard radio

MTC machine type communication

NB-IoT narrowband internet of things

NFV network function virtualization

NIC network interface controller

NR new radio

O & M operation and maintenance

OFDM orthogonal frequency division multiplexing

OSS operation support system

OTT over-roof

PDA personal digital assistant

PDCCH physical downlink control channel

P-GW packet data network gateway

PMI precoder matrix indication

PROM programmable read-only memory

P SRS periodic sounding reference signal

PSTN public switched telephone network

PUSCH physical uplink shared channel

QCL quasi co-location

RAID redundant array of independent disks

RAM random access memory

RAN radio access network

RAT radio Access technology

RF radio frequency

RI rank indication

RNC radio network controller

ROM read-only memory

RRC radio resource control

RRH remote radio head

RRU remote radio unit

RS reference signal

RUIM removable user identification

SCEF service capability open function

SDRAM synchronous dynamic random access memory

SIM subscriber identity Module

SOC System on chip

SON self-organizing network

SONET synchronous optical network

SP SRS semi-persistent sounding reference signal

SRI sounding reference signal resource indication

SRS sounding reference Signal

SSB synchronization signal block

TCP Transmission control protocol

TDD time division multiplexing

TFRE time/frequency resource elements

TPMI transmit precoder matrix indication

TRI transmission rank indication

TRP transmitting-receiving point

TS specification

UE user equipment

UMTS universal mobile telecommunication system

USB universal serial bus

UTRAN universal terrestrial radio access network

V2I vehicle pair infrastructure

V2V vehicle-to-vehicle

V2X vehicle vs. everything

VMM virtual machine monitor

VNE virtual network element

VNF virtual network functions

VoIP Voice over Internet protocol

WAN wide area network

WCDMA wideband code division multiple access

WD wireless device

Worldwide interoperability for microwave access with WiMax

WLAN wireless local area network

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

Claims

1. A method of operation of a wireless device in a cellular communication network, comprising:

receiving a medium access control, MAC, control element, CE, from a network node, the MAC CE comprising:

a first octet comprising: an indication that the set of semi-persistent sounding reference signal resources is to be activated or deactivated; and

a second octet comprising:

information indicating a spatial relationship for the set of semi-persistent sounding reference signal resources to be activated or deactivated; and

an indication of a reference signal type provided with the spatial relationship and an identifier of a set of reference signal resources for the reference signal type provided with the spatial relationship;

wherein:

when a first bit of the second octet is set to a first state, the first bit is used as the indication of the reference signal type to which the spatial relationship is provided, and the reference signal type to which the spatial relationship is provided is a channel state information reference signal, CSI-RS; and remaining bits in the second octet are used as identifiers for a reference signal resource set for the CSI-RS; and

When the first bit of the second octet is set to a second state, the second bit of the second octet is set to a first state such that the first bit and the second bit are used as the indication of the reference signal type to which the spatial relationship is provided, and the reference signal type to which the spatial relationship is provided is a synchronization signal block SSB; and the remaining bits in the second octet serve as identifiers for the reference signal resource set of the SSB.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the indication of the reference signal type comprises two bits indicating the reference signal type, wherein:

a first state of the two bits indicates that the reference signal type is a first reference signal type;

a second state of the two bits indicates that the reference signal type is a second reference signal type; and

a third state of the two bits indicates that the reference signal type is a third reference signal type.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein:

when the second bit in the second octet is set to a second state:

the first bit and the second bit are used as the indication of the reference signal type to which the spatial relationship is provided, and the reference signal type to which the spatial relationship is provided is a sounding reference signal, SRS; and

All but one of the remaining bits in the second octet serve as identifiers for the reference signal resource set for the SRS.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the indication provided in the first octet is an indication to activate the set of semi-persistent sounding reference signal resources, and further comprising: the sounding reference signal is transmitted on the activated set of semi-persistent sounding reference signal resources.

5. A wireless device for a cellular communication network, the wireless device comprising:

an interface comprising a radio front-end circuit; and

processing circuitry associated with the interface, the processing circuitry configured to cause the wireless device to:

receiving a medium access control, MAC, control element, CE, from a network node via the interface, the MAC CE comprising:

a second octet comprising:

Wherein:

6. A method of operation of a network node in a cellular communication network, comprising:

transmitting a medium access control, MAC, control element, CE, to a wireless device, the MAC CE comprising:

A second octet comprising:

wherein:

7. The method according to claim 6, wherein:

when the second bit in the second octet is set to a second state: