CN116803126A - System and method for sounding reference signal transmission - Google Patents

Abstract

Disclosed herein are a system and method for Sounding Reference Signal (SRS) transmission. In one embodiment, a method performed by a wireless communication device includes receiving, by the wireless communication device from a wireless communication node, information configuring a plurality of resources, wherein allocation of a portion of the resources is configured based on a number of repetitions of a reference signal within a slot and a Resource Block (RB) offset, and transmitting, by the wireless communication device, the plurality of reference signals to the wireless communication node using the portion of the resources. In another embodiment, a method performed by a wireless communication node includes transmitting, by the wireless communication node to a wireless communication device, information configuring a plurality of resources, wherein allocation of a portion of the resources is configured based on a number of repetitions of a reference signal within a slot and a Resource Block (RB) offset, and receiving, by the wireless communication node, the plurality of reference signals from the wireless communication device using the portion of the resources.

Description

System and method for sounding reference signal transmission

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates generally to wireless communications, and more particularly to systems and methods for Sounding Reference Signal (SRS) transmission.

Background

With the improvement of the digital degree of society, the application scene covered by the wireless communication service is more and more. The enhanced mobile broadband, ultra-high reliability low-time delay communication and mass machine type communication become three scenes supported by a fifth generation (5G) system. However, conventional systems may not be effective in mitigating power-boosted interference from User Equipment (UE) associated with Sounding Reference Signal (SRS) transmissions. Therefore, a technical scheme for Sounding Reference Signal (SRS) transmission is needed.

Disclosure of Invention

The example embodiments disclosed herein are directed to solving one or more problems associated with the prior art and providing additional features that will become apparent when reference is made to the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. According to various embodiments, example systems, methods, apparatus, and computer program products are disclosed herein. However, it should be understood that these embodiments are presented by way of example and not limitation, and that various modifications to the disclosed embodiments may be made while remaining within the scope of the disclosure, as will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art from reading the disclosure.

In one embodiment, a method performed by a wireless communication device comprises: information configuring a plurality of resources is received by a wireless communication device from a wireless communication node, wherein allocation of a portion of the resources is configured based on a number of repetitions of a reference signal within a slot and a Resource Block (RB) offset, and the portion of the resources is used by the wireless communication device to transmit the plurality of reference signals to the wireless communication node.

In another embodiment, a method performed by a wireless communication node comprises: information configuring a plurality of resources is transmitted by the wireless communication node to the wireless communication device, wherein allocation of a portion of the resources is configured based on a number of repetitions of the reference signal within the slot and a Resource Block (RB) offset, and the portion of the resources is used by the wireless communication node to receive the plurality of reference signals from the wireless communication device.

The above and other aspects and embodiments thereof are described in more detail in the accompanying drawings, description and claims.

Drawings

Various exemplary embodiments of the present solution are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The drawings are for illustrative purposes only and are for the purpose of describing exemplary embodiments of the present solution to facilitate the reader's understanding of the present solution. Accordingly, the drawings should not be taken to limit the breadth, scope, or applicability of the present solution. It should be noted that for clarity and ease of illustration, the drawings are not necessarily made to scale.

Fig. 1 illustrates an example cellular communication network in which the techniques and other aspects disclosed herein may be implemented, according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

Fig. 2 illustrates a block diagram of an example base station and user equipment device, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

Fig. 3A illustrates a first example Sounding Reference Signal (SRS) offset configuration associated with a plurality of example time periods according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

Fig. 3B illustrates a second example Sounding Reference Signal (SRS) offset configuration associated with a plurality of example time periods according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

Fig. 3C illustrates a third example Sounding Reference Signal (SRS) offset configuration associated with multiple example time periods according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

Fig. 3D illustrates a fourth example Sounding Reference Signal (SRS) offset configuration associated with a plurality of example time periods according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

Fig. 4A illustrates a first example cyclic shift hopping configuration associated with an example time period, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

Fig. 4B illustrates a second example cyclic shift hopping configuration associated with an example time period, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

Fig. 4C illustrates a third example cyclic shift hopping configuration associated with an example time period, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

Fig. 5 shows an example method for Sounding Reference Signal (SRS) transmission according to the present embodiment.

Fig. 6 illustrates an example method of Sounding Reference Signal (SRS) transmission further used for the example method of fig. 5.

Fig. 7 illustrates an example method of Sounding Reference Signal (SRS) transmission further used for the example method of fig. 5.

Fig. 8 illustrates an example method of Sounding Reference Signal (SRS) transmission further used for the example methods of fig. 6 and 7.

Fig. 9 shows another example method for Sounding Reference Signal (SRS) transmission according to the present embodiment.

Detailed Description

Various exemplary embodiments of the present solution are described below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings to enable one of ordinary skill in the art to make and use the present solution. It will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art after reading this disclosure that various changes or modifications can be made to the examples described herein without departing from the scope of the present solution. Thus, the present solution is not limited to the exemplary embodiments and applications described and illustrated herein. Moreover, the particular order or hierarchy of steps in the methods disclosed herein is only an example approach. Based on design preferences, the specific order or hierarchy of steps in the methods or processes disclosed may be rearranged while remaining within the scope of the present solution. Accordingly, those of ordinary skill in the art will understand that the methods and techniques disclosed herein present various steps or acts in an example order, and that the present solution is not limited to the particular order or hierarchy presented, unless specifically stated otherwise.

Fig. 1 illustrates an example wireless communication network and/or system 100 that can implement the techniques disclosed herein, in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure. In the discussion below, the wireless communication network 100 may be any wireless network, such as a cellular network or a narrowband internet of things (NB-IoT) network, and is referred to herein as "network 100". Such an example network 100 includes base stations 102 (hereinafter "BS 102") and user equipment devices 104 (hereinafter "UE 104") that may communicate with each other via communication links 110 (e.g., wireless communication channels), and cell clusters 126, 130, 132, 134, 136, 138, and 140 that cover a geographic area 101. In fig. 1, BS 102 and UE 104 are contained within respective geographic boundaries of cell 126. Each of the other cells 130, 132, 134, 136, 138, and 140 may include at least one base station operating on its allocated bandwidth to provide adequate radio coverage to its intended users.

For example, BS 102 may operate on an allocated channel transmission bandwidth to provide adequate coverage to UE 104. BS 102 and UE 104 may communicate via downlink radio frame 118 and uplink radio frame 124, respectively. Each radio frame 118/124 may be further divided into subframes 120/127 that may include data symbols 122/128. In the present disclosure, BS 102 and UE 104 are generally described herein as non-limiting examples of "communication nodes" that may practice the methods disclosed herein. According to various embodiments of the present solution, such communication nodes are capable of wireless and/or wired communication.

Fig. 2 illustrates a block diagram of an example wireless communication system 200 for transmitting and receiving wireless communication signals (e.g., OFDM/OFDMA signals) in accordance with some embodiments of the present solution. The system 200 may include components and elements configured to support known or conventional operational features that do not need to be described in detail herein. In one exemplary embodiment, system 200 may be used to transmit (e.g., transmit and receive) data symbols in a wireless communication environment, such as wireless communication environment 100 of fig. 1, as described above.

The system 200 generally includes a base station 202 (hereinafter "BS 202") and a user equipment device 204 (hereinafter "UE 204"). BS 202 includes BS (base station) transceiver module 210, BS antenna 212, BS processor module 214, BS memory module 216, and network communication module 218, each of which are coupled and interconnected to each other as needed by data communication bus 220. The UE 204 includes a UE (user equipment) transceiver module 230, a UE antenna 232, a UE memory module 234, and a UE processor module 236, each coupled and interconnected to each other as needed by a data communication bus 240. BS 202 communicates with UE 204 via communication channel 250, which communication channel 250 may be any wireless channel or other medium suitable for data transmission as described herein.

As will be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art, the system 200 may also include any number of modules in addition to those shown in fig. 2. Those of skill in the art will appreciate that the various illustrative blocks, modules, circuits, and processing logic described in connection with the embodiments disclosed herein may be implemented as hardware, computer readable software, firmware, or any practical combination thereof. To clearly illustrate this interchangeability and compatibility of hardware, firmware, and software, various illustrative components, blocks, modules, circuits, and steps have been described above generally in terms of their functionality. Whether such functionality is implemented as hardware, firmware, or software depends upon the particular application and design constraints imposed on the overall system. Those familiar with the concepts described herein may implement such functionality in an appropriate manner for each particular application, but such implementation decisions should not be interpreted as limiting the scope of the present disclosure.

According to some embodiments, UE transceiver 230 may be referred to herein as an "uplink" transceiver 230, which includes a Radio Frequency (RF) transmitter and an RF receiver, each including circuitry coupled to an antenna 232. A duplex switch (not shown) optionally couples the uplink transmitter or receiver to the uplink antenna in a time duplex manner. Similarly, BS transceiver 210 may be referred to herein as a "downlink" transceiver 210, which includes an RF transmitter and an RF receiver, each including circuitry coupled to an antenna 212, according to some embodiments. The downlink duplex switch may alternatively couple a downlink transmitter or receiver to the downlink antenna 212 in a time duplex manner. The operation of the two transceiver modules 210 and 230 may be coordinated in time such that the uplink receiver circuitry is coupled to the uplink antenna 232 to receive transmissions over the wireless transmission link 250 while the downlink transmitter is coupled to the downlink antenna 212. In some embodiments, there is a tight time synchronization with minimum guard time between changes in duplex direction.

The UE transceiver 230 and the base station transceiver 210 are configured to communicate via a wireless data communication link 250 and cooperate with a suitably configured RF antenna arrangement 212/232 capable of supporting a particular wireless communication protocol and modulation scheme. In some example embodiments, the UE transceiver 210 and the base station transceiver 210 are configured to support industry standards such as Long Term Evolution (LTE) and emerging 5G standards. However, it should be understood that the present disclosure is not necessarily limited to the application of particular standards and related protocols. Rather, the UE transceiver 230 and the base station transceiver 210 may be configured to support alternative or additional wireless data communication protocols, including future standards or variants thereof.

According to various embodiments, BS 202 may be, for example, an evolved node B (eNB), a serving eNB, a target eNB, a femto station, or a pico station. In some implementations, the UE 204 may be embodied in various types of user equipment, such as mobile phones, smart phones, personal Digital Assistants (PDAs), tablet computers, notebook computers, wearable computing devices, and the like. The processor modules 214 and 236 may be implemented or realized with a general purpose processor, a content addressable memory, a digital signal processor, an application specific integrated circuit, a field programmable gate array, any suitable programmable logic device, discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof, intended to perform the functions described herein. In this manner, a processor may be implemented as a microprocessor, controller, microcontroller, state machine, or the like. A processor may also be implemented as a combination of computing devices, e.g., a combination of a digital signal processor and a microprocessor, a plurality of microprocessors, one or more microprocessors in conjunction with a digital signal processor core, or any other such configuration.

Furthermore, the steps of a method or algorithm described in connection with the embodiments disclosed herein may be embodied directly in hardware, in firmware, in a software module executed by the processor modules 214 and 236, respectively, or in any practical combination thereof. Memory modules 216 and 234 may be implemented as RAM memory, flash memory, ROM memory, EPROM memory, EEPROM memory, registers, a hard disk, a removable disk, a CD-ROM, or any other form of storage medium known in the art. In this regard, the memory modules 216 and 234 may be coupled to the processor modules 210 and 230, respectively, such that the processor modules 210 and 230 may read information from the memory modules 216 and 234 and write information to the memory modules 216 and 234, respectively. Memory modules 216 and 234 may also be integrated into their respective processor modules 210 and 230. In some implementations, memory modules 216 and 234 may each include a cache memory for storing temporary variables or other intermediate information during execution of instructions executed by processor modules 210 and 230, respectively. Memory modules 216 and 234 may also each include non-volatile memory for storing instructions for execution by processor modules 210 and 230, respectively.

Network communication module 218 generally represents the hardware, software, firmware, processing logic, and/or other components of base station 202 that support bi-directional communication between base station transceiver 210 and other network components and communication nodes configured to communicate with base station 202. For example, the network communication module 218 may be configured to support Internet or WiMAX traffic. In a typical deployment, but not limited to, the network communication module 218 provides an 802.3 ethernet interface so that the base transceiver station 210 can communicate with a conventional ethernet-based computer network. In this manner, the network communication module 218 may include a physical interface for connecting to a computer network, such as a Mobile Switching Center (MSC). The terms "configured to," "configured to," and variations thereof as used herein with respect to a particular operation or function refer to a device, component, circuit, structure, machine, signal, etc. that is physically constructed, programmed, formatted and/or arranged to perform the specified operation or function.

In some embodiments, a Sounding Reference Signal (SRS) is used to measure Channel State Information (CSI) of a channel between a communication node and a communication terminal device. In some embodiments, under various communication protocols, a communication terminal device regularly transmits an Uplink (UL) SRS on the last data symbol of a subframe. In some embodiments, the communication terminal device transmits the UL SRS based at least in part on a parameter indicated by the communication node. As one example, these parameters may be associated with one or more of frequency bands, frequency domain locations, sequence cyclic shifts, periods, subframe offsets, and the like. In some embodiments, a communication node determines CSI for one or more respective UL channels of a User Equipment (UE) based on a received TTT (STS), and performs an operation according to the determined CSI. As one example, the operations may include one or more of frequency selective scheduling and closed loop power control, among others. It should be appreciated that the various protocols include, but are not limited to, one or more protocols associated with LTE. As one example, LTE may include LTE release 10.

Under various protocols, non-precoded SRS is used in UL communications. As one example, UL communication may include one antenna-specific SRS. In some embodiments, a demodulation reference signal (DMRS) of a Physical UL Shared Channel (PUSCH) performs precoding. In some embodiments, the communication node is able to estimate the original CSI by receiving the non-precoded SRS. In some embodiments, the original CSI cannot be acquired based on the precoded DMRS. In some embodiments, in this case, the communication terminal device needs more SRS resources when transmitting non-precoded SRS using multiple antennas. In some embodiments, the number of communication terminal devices multiplexed simultaneously in the system is thus reduced. In some embodiments, a communication terminal device transmits an SRS configured by higher layer signaling or Downlink Control Information (DCI). As one example, higher layer signaling may be or include a type 0 trigger. As another example, the DCI may be or include a type 1 trigger. In some embodiments, the one or more SRS transmissions configured by higher layer signaling are periodic, while the one or more SRS transmissions configured by DCI are aperiodic. Under various further protocols, the use of SRS can be divided into four categories. In some implementations, the four categories are beam management, codebook-based, non-codebook-based, and antenna switching. It should be appreciated that various further protocols include, but are not limited to, one or more protocols associated with the New Radio (NR) version 15.

In some embodiments, NR supports beam indication by informing at least one UE that a certain PDSCH and/or PDCCH transmission uses the same transmission beam as a configured reference signal. In some embodiments, the configured reference signal is or includes a CSI-RS or SS block. In some embodiments, the NR support informs the device that a certain PDSCH and/or PDCCH is transmitted using the same spatial filter as the configured reference signal. In some implementations, the beam indication is based on configuration of a Transmission Configuration Indication (TCI) state and downlink signaling. In some embodiments, each TCI state includes at least information about a reference signal. As one example, the information may be associated with at least one of a CSI-RS or SS block. In some embodiments, by associating a particular downlink transmission with a particular TCI, the network informs the device that the downlink transmission may be assumed to be done using the same spatial filter as the reference signal associated with the TCI. In some embodiments, the TCI is associated with at least one of PDCCH or PDSCH.

Fig. 3A-D show a plurality of SRS coverage configurations according to the present embodiment. To improve SRS coverage, repetition and partial frequency SRS transmission techniques may be considered jointly. In some embodiments, for partial frequency SRS transmission, the UE may power boost to enhance, extend, etc., SRS coverage. In some embodiments, the power boost introduces strong interference to UEs of neighboring cells. Thus, in some embodiments, frequency hopping of partial frequency probing is used to reduce interference between cells. As one example, RB-level fractional frequency probing may be used. In this example, when the repetition factor is equal to 4, srs_rb_offset is defined as RB level offset of the frequency hopping of the RB level partial frequency sounding.

In some embodiments, at least one of the following rules may be predefined to maximize signal compatibility, communication compatibility, transmission compatibility, etc. between the wireless network and the UE. In some embodiments, the repetition factor of the SRS is greater than or equal to 4. Here, when the UE transmits a partial frequency SRS during symbol-based repetition and intra-slot or inter-slot hopping, srs_rb_offset is cyclically changed. Accordingly, srs_rb_offset remains unchanged in other respects. In some embodiments, the repetition factor of the SRS is less than or equal to 2. Here, the UE performs SRS hopping, and srs_rb_offset remains the same during symbol-based repetition. Accordingly, srs_rb_offset is cyclically changed in other ways. In some embodiments, the repetition factor of the SRS is less than 4. Here, the UE performs intra-slot or inter-slot SRS hopping in a manner of dropping, blocking, or the like, and srs_rb_offset cyclically changes when the SRS period is less than a threshold. Accordingly, when the SRS period is not less than the threshold and the UE relinquishes, blocks, etc. intra-slot or inter-slot SRS hopping, srs_rb_offset remains unchanged. In some embodiments, SRS periodicity is less than a threshold. Here, srs_rb_offset is cyclically changed. Accordingly, when the SRS period is not less than the threshold value, srs_rb_offset remains unchanged. In some embodiments, SRS periodicity is greater than a threshold. Here, srs_rb_offset is cyclically changed. Accordingly, when the SRS period is now greater than the threshold, srs_rb_offset remains unchanged.

Fig. 3A illustrates a first example Sounding Reference Signal (SRS) offset configuration associated with a plurality of example time periods according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. As shown in the example of fig. 3A, a first example Sounding Reference Signal (SRS) offset configuration 300A includes a first at least one Resource Block (RB) 310A, a second at least one RB 312A, a third at least one RB 314A, and a fourth at least one RB 316A. In some embodiments, the second RB 312A is associated with or similar to at least one first frequency, at least in part, within the at least one first frequency. In some embodiments, third RB 314A is associated with or similar to at least one second frequency, at least in part, within at least one second frequency that is greater than the first frequency. In some embodiments, the first RB 310A is associated with or similar to at least one third frequency, at least in part, within at least one third frequency that is greater than the second frequency. In some implementations, the fourth RB 316A is associated with or similar to at least one fourth frequency that is greater than the third frequency at least in part. In some embodiments, the first RB 310A and the fourth RB 316A are associated with the first time period 302. In some implementations, the first time period 302 is associated with a symbol-based repetition time. In some embodiments, the second RB 312A and the third RB 314A are associated with the second time period 304. In some implementations, the second time period 304 is associated with a time of inter-slot frequency hopping. It should be appreciated that one or more of the time periods 302 and 304 may be continuous, discontinuous, repeated, non-repeated, and so forth. In some embodiments, each of RBs 310A, 312A, 314A, and 316A includes a first srs_rb_offset configuration including a first block region 320A and a second block region 322A. In some implementations, the first block region 320A is associated with at least one SRS transmission. In some implementations, the second block region 322A is not associated with at least one SRS transmission. In some embodiments, the first srs_rb_offset configuration is the same when the UE transmits at least one partial frequency SRS during a symbol-based repetition time and an intra-slot or inter-slot hopping time.

Fig. 3B illustrates a second example Sounding Reference Signal (SRS) offset configuration associated with a plurality of example time periods according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. As shown in the example of fig. 3B, a second example Sounding Reference Signal (SRS) offset configuration 300B includes a first at least one RB 310B, a second at least one RB 312B, a third at least one RB 314B, and a fourth RB at least one RB 316B. In some implementations, the second RB 312B is at least partially, within, associated with, or similar to at least one first frequency. In some embodiments, third RB 314B is associated with, at least in part, within, with, or similar to at least one second frequency that is greater than the first frequency. In some embodiments, the first RB 310B is associated with, or similar to, at least in part, within at least one third frequency greater than the second frequency. In some implementations, the fourth RB 316B is associated with, or similar to, at least one fourth frequency that is greater than the third frequency at least in part. In some embodiments, the first RB 310B and the fourth RB 316B are associated with the first time period 302. In some embodiments, a second RB 312B and a third RB 314B are associated with the second time period 304. In some implementations, each RB 312B and third RB 314B is associated with the second time period 304. RBs 310B, 312B, 314B, and 316B include a second srs_rb_offset configuration including a first block region 320B and a second block region 322B. In some implementations, the first block region 320B is associated with at least one SRS transmission. In some implementations, the second block region 322B is not associated with at least one SRS transmission. In some embodiments, the second srs_rb_offset configuration changes cyclically, periodically, or in a similar manner when the UE transmits at least one partial frequency SRS during a symbol-based repetition and intra-slot or inter-slot hopping time. In some embodiments, the granularity of the changed srs_rb_offset of the second srs_rb_offset configuration in the time domain is one symbol.

Fig. 3C illustrates a third example Sounding Reference Signal (SRS) offset configuration associated with multiple example time periods according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. As illustrated in the example of fig. 3C, a third example Sounding Reference Signal (SRS) offset configuration 300C includes a first at least one RB 310C, a second at least one RB 312C, a third at least one RB 314C, and a fourth at least one RB 316C. In some implementations, the second RB 312C is at least partially, within, associated with, or similar to at least one first frequency. In some embodiments, third RB 314C is associated with, at least in part, within, with, or similar to at least one second frequency that is greater than the first frequency. In some embodiments, the first RB 310C is associated with, or similar to, at least in part, within at least one third frequency greater than the second frequency. In some implementations, the fourth RB 316C is associated with, or similar to, at least one fourth frequency that is greater than the third frequency. In some embodiments, the first RB 310C and the fourth RB 316C are associated with the first time period 302. In some embodiments, a second RB 312C and a third RB 314C are associated with the second time period 304. In some implementations, each RB 312C and third RB 314C is associated with the second time period 304. RBs 310B, 312B, 314B, and 316B include a third srs_rb_offset configuration including a first block region 320C and a second block region 322C. In some implementations, the first block region 320C is associated with at least one SRS transmission. In some implementations, the second block region 322C is not associated with at least one SRS transmission. In some embodiments, the third srs_rb_offset configuration changes cyclically, periodically, or in a similar manner when the UE transmits at least one partial frequency SRS during symbol-based repetition and intra-slot or inter-slot hopping. In some embodiments, the granularity of the changed srs_rb_offset of the third srs_rb_offset configuration in the time domain is two symbols.

Fig. 3D illustrates a fourth example Sounding Reference Signal (SRS) offset configuration associated with a plurality of example time periods according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. As shown in the example in fig. 3D, a fourth example Sounding Reference Signal (SRS) offset configuration 300D includes a first at least one RB 310D, a second at least one RB 312D, a third at least one RB 314D, and a fourth at least one RB 316D. In some implementations, the second RB 312D is at least partially, within, associated with, or similar to at least one first frequency. In some embodiments, third RB 314D is associated with, at least in part, within, with, or similar to at least one second frequency that is greater than the first frequency. In some implementations, the first RB 310D is associated with, at least in part, within, with, or similar to at least one third frequency that is greater than the second frequency. In some implementations, the fourth RB 316D is at least partially within, associated with, or similar to at least one fourth frequency that is greater than the third frequency. In some implementations, the first RB 310D and the fourth RB 316D are associated with the first time period 302. In some implementations, the second RB 312D and the third RB 314D are associated with the second time period 304. In some implementations, each RB 312D and third RB 314D are associated with the second time period 304. RBs 310B, 312B, 314B, and 316B include a third srs_rb_offset configuration including first and second block regions 320C and 322C associated with first time period 302 and third and fourth block regions 30D and 332D associated with the second time period. In some implementations, the first block region 320C and the fourth block region 332D are associated with at least one SRS transmission. In some implementations, the second block region 322C and the third block region 330D are not associated with at least one SRS transmission. In some embodiments, the third srs_rb_offset configuration is the same when the UE transmits at least one partial frequency SRS during the symbol-based repetition time. In some embodiments, the third srs_rb_offset configuration is changed during intra-slot or inter-slot frequency hopping.

Fig. 4A-D show example cyclic shift hopping according to this embodiment. In some embodiments, to randomize interference between UEs, the UEs may perform cyclic shift hopping on one or more SRS symbols through repetition and partial frequency sounding.

Fig. 4A illustrates a first example cyclic shift hopping configuration associated with an example time period, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. As shown in the example in fig. 4A, an example of at least one RB 400A includes a first block region 410A and a second block region 420A in a first cyclic shift hopping configuration. In some implementations, the first block region 410A is associated with at least one SRS transmission. In some implementations, the second block region 420A is not associated with at least one SRS transmission. In some embodiments, when the UE performs SRS repetition for multiple symbols and frequency hopping for RB level partial frequency sounding using the same RB level offset, different cyclic shifts are employed on different symbols.

Fig. 4B illustrates a second example cyclic shift hopping configuration associated with an example time period, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. As shown by way of example in fig. 4B, the example at least one RB 400B includes a first block region 410B and a second block region 420B in a second cyclic shift hopping configuration. In some implementations, the first block region 410B is associated with at least one SRS transmission. In some implementations, the second block region 420B is not associated with at least one SRS transmission. In some embodiments, when the UE performs SRS repetition on multiple symbols, different cyclic shifts are employed for the symbols. In some embodiments, the hopping of RB stage partial frequency sounding employs the same RB stage offset, with corresponding or the same cyclic shifts on those symbols. In some embodiments, different RB stage offsets are employed for frequency hopping of RB stage partial frequency sounding. In some implementations, this different RB-level offset associated with RB 400B has a granularity of two symbols.

Fig. 4C illustrates a third example cyclic shift hopping configuration associated with an example time period, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. As shown in the example in fig. 4C, an example of at least one RB 400C includes a first block region 410C and a second block region 420C in a third cyclic shift hopping configuration. In some implementations, the first block region 410C is associated with at least one SRS transmission. In some implementations, the second block region 420C is not associated with at least one SRS transmission. In some embodiments, for frequency hopping of RB stage partial frequency sounding, different RB stage offsets with one symbol granularity are employed. In some embodiments, the same cyclic shift is employed for different symbols.

Fig. 5 shows an example method for Sounding Reference Signal (SRS) transmission according to the present embodiment. In some embodiments, at least one of the example systems 100 and 200 performs the method 500 according to the present embodiment. In some embodiments, method 500 begins at step 510.

At step 510, the example system receives configuration information at a User Equipment (UE) node from a Base Station (BS) node. In some embodiments, step 510 includes at least one of steps 512, 514, 516, and 518. At step 512, the example system receives configuration information for a plurality of reference resources. At step 514, the example system configures resource allocation according to the one or more reference signals. At step 516, the example system configures resource allocation according to a number of repetitions associated with one or more reference signals. At step 518, the example system configures a resource allocation according to one or more reference signals in the at least one slot and has at least one Resource Block (RB) offset. The method 500 then continues to step 520.

At step 520, the example system determines whether to determine a portion of the resources based at least in part on repetitions associated with one or more reference signals. If a portion of the resources is determined based at least in part on the repetition associated with the one or more reference signals, the method 500 continues to step 602. Alternatively, if partial resources cannot be determined based at least in part on repetition associated with one or more reference signals, method 500 continues to step 530.

At step 530, the example system determines whether to determine a portion of the resources based at least in part on the time domain granularity. If a portion of the resources is determined based at least in part on the time domain granularity, the method 500 continues to step 702. Alternatively, if a portion of the resources cannot be determined based at least in part on the time domain granularity, the method 500 continues to step 510.

Fig. 6 further illustrates an example method for Sounding Reference Signal (SRS) transmission based on the example method of fig. 5. In some embodiments, at least one of the example systems 100 and 200 performs the method 600 according to this embodiment. In some embodiments, method 600 begins at step 602. The method 600 then continues to step 610.

At step 610, the example system determines a number of repetitions. The method 600 then proceeds to step 620.

At step 620, the example system determines whether the number of repetitions is greater than or equal to 4 symbols. Based on the number of repetitions being greater than or equal to 4 symbols, method 600 continues to step 660. Optionally, the method 600 continues to step 630 based on the number of repetitions not being greater than or equal to 4 symbols.

At step 630, the example system determines whether the number of repetitions is less than 2 symbols. The method 600 continues to step 660 based on the number of repetitions being less than 2 symbols. Optionally, the method 600 continues to step 640 based on the number of repetitions not being less than 2 symbols.

At step 640, the example system determines whether the number of repetitions is less than 4 symbols. The method 600 continues to step 650 based on the number of repetitions being less than 4 symbols. Optionally, the method 600 continues to step 802 according to the number of repetitions not being less than 4 symbols.

At step 650, the example system determines whether frequency hopping is not available and whether periodicity is below a threshold. Method 600 continues to step 660 based on the frequency hopping being unavailable and the periodicity being below a threshold. Optionally, the method 600 continues to step 660 based on the frequency hopping availability or periodicity not being below a threshold. In some implementations, the method 600 continues to step 660 according to the periodicity not being below the threshold.

At step 660, the example system determines an allocation of the at least one reference resource in the frequency domain based at least in part on the at least one RB offset. In some embodiments, step 660 includes at least one of steps 662 and 664. At step 662, the example system determines partial resources based at least in part on the cyclically changed RB offset. At step 664, the example system determines partial resources based at least in part on RB offsets that vary with time domain granularity cycling. The method 600 then continues to step 802.

Fig. 7 further illustrates an example method for Sounding Reference Signal (SRS) transmission based on the example method of fig. 5. In some embodiments, at least one of the example systems 100 and 200 performs the method 700 according to this embodiment. In some embodiments, method 700 begins at step 702. The method 700 then continues to step 710.

At step 710, the example system determines a time domain granularity. The method 700 then continues to step 720.

At step 720, the example system determines whether the time domain granularity is equal to 0 symbols. Method 700 continues to step 770 based on the time domain granularity being equal to 0 symbols. Optionally, method 700 continues to step 730 based on the time domain granularity not being equal to 0 symbols.

At step 730, the example system determines whether the time domain granularity is greater than or equal to 2 symbols. Method 700 continues to step 760 based on the time domain granularity being greater than or equal to 2 symbols. Optionally, method 700 continues to step 740 based on the time domain granularity not being greater than or equal to 2 symbols.

At step 740, the example system determines if the time domain granularity is equal to 1 symbol. Method 700 continues to step 750 based on the time domain granularity being equal to 1 symbol. Optionally, method 700 continues to step 710 based on the time domain granularity not being equal to 1 symbol. Optionally, in some embodiments, method 700 ends at step 740 according to a time domain granularity of not equal to 1 symbol.

At step 750, the example system determines that the allocations of at least one reference resource in the frequency domain associated with different RB offsets have the same cyclic shift. The method 700 then continues to step 802.

At step 760, the example system determines that various subsets of the allocations of at least one reference resource in the frequency domain associated with the various RB offsets have various cyclic shifts. In some embodiments, step 760 includes at least one of steps 762 and 764. At step 762, the example system determines that a first subset of partial resources having the same RB offset are associated with different cyclic shifts. At step 764, the example system determines that a second subset of the partial resources with different RB offsets are associated with the same cyclic shift. The method 700 then continues to step 802.

At step 770, the example system determines that the allocation of at least one reference resource in the frequency domain is associated with a different cyclic shift. The method 700 then continues to step 802.

Fig. 8 further illustrates an example method for Sounding Reference Signal (SRS) transmission based on the example methods of fig. 6 and 7. In some embodiments, at least one of the example systems 100 and 200 performs the method 800 according to the present embodiment. In some embodiments, method 800 begins at step 802. The method 800 then continues to step 810.

At step 810, the example system allocates at least one reference resource in the frequency domain. In some embodiments, step 810 includes at least one of steps 812 and 814. At step 812, the example system allocates at least a portion of the resources based at least in part on the number of repetitions associated with the one or more reference signals. At step 814, the example system allocates at least a portion of the resources based at least in part on the reference signal associated with the at least one predetermined slot and the at least one RB offset. The method 800 then continues to step 820.

In step 820, the example system transmits one or more reference signals from the UE to the BS. In some embodiments, step 820 includes step 822. At step 822, the example system transmits one or more reference signals based at least in part on the allocation of the at least one reference resource in the frequency domain. In some embodiments, method 800 ends at step 820.

Fig. 9 shows another example method for Sounding Reference Signal (SRS) transmission according to the present embodiment. In some embodiments, at least one of the example systems 100 and 200 performs the method 900 according to the present embodiment. In some embodiments, method 900 begins at step 910.

At step 910, the example system receives, at a User Equipment (UE) node, configuration information from a Base Station (BS) node. In some embodiments, step 910 includes at least one of steps 912, 914, 916, and 918. At step 912, the example system receives configuration information for a plurality of reference resources. At step 914, the example system configures resource allocation in accordance with one or more reference signals. At step 916, the example system configures resource allocation according to the number of repetitions associated with the one or more reference signals. At step 918, the example system configures a resource allocation according to one or more reference signals in the at least one slot and has at least one Resource Block (RB) offset. The method 900 then continues to step 920.

At step 920, the example system allocates at least one reference resource in the frequency domain. In some embodiments, step 920 includes at least one of steps 922 and 924. At step 922, the example system allocates at least a portion of the resources based at least in part on the number of repetitions associated with the one or more reference signals. At step 924, the example system allocates at least a portion of the resources based at least in part on the reference signal associated with the at least one predetermined slot and the at least one RB offset. The method 900 then proceeds to step 930.

In step 930, the example system transmits one or more reference signals from the UE to the BS. In some embodiments, step 930 includes step 932. At step 932, the example system transmits one or more reference signals based at least in part on the allocation of the at least one reference resource in the frequency domain. In some embodiments, method 900 ends at step 932.

While various embodiments of the present solution have been described above, it should be understood that they have been presented by way of example only, and not limitation. Likewise, various figures may describe example architectures or configurations, which are provided to enable one of ordinary skill in the art to understand example features and functions of the present solution. However, those persons will appreciate that the solution is not limited to the example architecture or configuration shown, but may be implemented using a variety of alternative architectures and configurations. In addition, one or more features of one embodiment may be combined with one or more features of another embodiment described herein, as will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art. Thus, the breadth and scope of the present disclosure should not be limited by any of the above-described illustrative embodiments.

It should also be appreciated that any reference herein to an element using names such as "first," "second," etc. generally does not limit the number or order of those elements. Rather, these designations may be used herein as a convenient way of distinguishing between two or more elements or instances of an element. Thus, reference to first and second elements does not mean that only two elements can be used, or that the first element must somehow precede the second element.

Furthermore, those of ordinary skill in the art would understand that information and signals may be represented using any of a variety of different technologies and techniques. For example, data, instructions, commands, information, signals, bits, and symbols, for example, the above description may be represented by voltages, currents, electromagnetic waves, magnetic fields or particles, optical fields or particles, or any combination thereof.

Those of ordinary skill in the art will further appreciate that any of the various illustrative logical blocks, modules, processors, devices, circuits, methods, and functions described in connection with the aspects disclosed herein may be implemented with electronic hardware (e.g., digital, analog, or a combination of both), firmware, various forms of program or design code containing instructions (which may be referred to herein as "software" or "software modules" for convenience), or any combination of these techniques. To clearly illustrate this interchangeability of hardware, firmware, and software, various illustrative components, blocks, modules, circuits, and steps have been described above generally in terms of their functionality. Whether implemented as hardware, firmware, or software, or a combination of these techniques, depending on the particular application and design constraints imposed on the overall system. Skilled artisans may implement the described functionality in varying ways for each particular application, but such implementation decisions should not be interpreted as causing a departure from the scope of the present disclosure.

Furthermore, those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the various illustrative logical blocks, modules, devices, components, and circuits described herein may be implemented within or performed by an Integrated Circuit (IC), which may comprise a general purpose processor, a Digital Signal Processor (DSP), an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), a Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA), or other programmable logic device, or any combination thereof. Logic blocks, modules, and circuits may also include antennas and/or transceivers to communicate with various components within the network or within the device. A general purpose processor may be a microprocessor, but in the alternative, the processor may be any conventional processor, controller, or state machine. A processor may also be implemented as a combination of computing devices, e.g., a combination of a DSP and a microprocessor, a plurality of microprocessors, one or more microprocessors in conjunction with a DSP core, or any other suitable configuration to perform the functions described herein.

If implemented in software, the functions may be stored on a computer-readable medium as one or more instructions or code. Thus, the steps of a method or algorithm disclosed herein may be embodied as software stored on a computer readable medium. Computer-readable media includes both computer storage media and communication media including any medium that can transfer a computer program or code from one place to another. A storage media may be any available media that can be accessed by a computer. By way of example, and not limitation, such computer-readable media can comprise RAM, ROM, EEPROM, CD-ROM or other optical disk storage, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium that can be used to store desired program code in the form of instructions or data structures and that can be accessed by a computer.

In this document, the term "module" as used herein refers to software, firmware, hardware, and any combination of these elements for performing the relevant functions described herein. Further, for ease of discussion, the various modules are described as discrete modules; however, it will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that two or more modules may be combined to form a single module that performs the associated functions in accordance with embodiments of the present solution.

Furthermore, memory or other storage devices and communication components may be employed in embodiments of the present solution. It will be appreciated that for clarity purposes, the above description has described embodiments of the present solution with reference to different functional units and processors. However, it is obvious that any suitable distribution of functions between different functional units, processing logic elements or domains may be used without affecting the present solution. For example, functions illustrated as being performed by separate processing logic elements or controllers may be performed by the same processing logic elements or controllers. Thus, references to specific functional units are only references to suitable means for providing the described functionality rather than indicative of a strict logical or physical structure or organization.

Various modifications to the embodiments described in the disclosure will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the generic principles defined herein may be applied to other embodiments without departing from the scope of the disclosure. Thus, the present disclosure is not intended to be limited to the embodiments shown herein but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the novel features and principles disclosed herein, as recited in the following claims.

Claims (26)

1. A method of wireless communication, comprising:

receiving, by a wireless communication device, information from a wireless communication node, the information configuring at least one reference resource, wherein allocation of the reference resource in a frequency domain is configured based on a number of repetitions of a reference signal within a slot and a Resource Block (RB) offset; and

a plurality of reference signals are transmitted by the wireless communication device to the wireless communication node using at least one reference resource.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein each of the reference signals comprises a Sounding Reference Signal (SRS).

3. The method of claim 1, wherein in response to determining that the number of repetitions is equal to or greater than a first predetermined threshold, the method further comprises determining an allocation of the reference resources in the frequency domain from resource block offsets that vary cyclically at a time domain granularity.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein in response to determining that the number of repetitions is less than a second predetermined threshold, the method further comprises determining an allocation of the reference resource in the frequency domain from a resource block offset that varies cyclically at a time domain granularity.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein, in response to determining: (i) the number of repetitions is less than a first predetermined threshold, (ii) frequency hopping of the transmitted reference signal is not available, and (iii) periodicity of the reference signal is less than a threshold, the method further comprising determining an allocation of the reference resource in a frequency domain from a resource block offset that varies cyclically with a time domain granularity.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein in response to determining that the period of the reference signal is less than a threshold, the method further comprises determining an allocation of the reference resource in the frequency domain from a resource block offset that varies cyclically at a time domain granularity.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein in response to determining that the period of the reference signal is greater than a threshold, the method further comprises determining a portion of resources from resource block offsets that vary cyclically at a time domain granularity.

8. The method of any of claims 3 to 7, wherein the time domain granularity is equal to: 1 symbol, 2 symbols, or 4 symbols.

9. The method of any of claims 3 to 7, wherein, in response to determining that the time domain granularity is equal to 0 symbols, the method further comprises determining that the allocation of the reference resources in the frequency domain is associated with respective different cyclic shifts.

10. The method of any of claims 3 to 7, wherein, in response to determining that the time domain granularity is equal to or greater than 2 symbols, the method further comprises determining that subsets of allocations of the reference resources in the frequency domain that correspond to the same resource block offset are respectively associated with different cyclic shifts and subsets of allocations of the reference resources in the frequency domain that correspond to different resource block offsets are associated with the same cyclic shift.

11. The method of any of claims 3 to 7, wherein, in response to determining that the time domain granularity is equal to 1 symbol, the method further comprises determining that allocations of the reference resources corresponding to different resource block offsets in the frequency domain are associated with a same cyclic shift.

12. An apparatus comprising at least one processor, wherein the at least one processor is configured to perform the method of any one of claims 1 to 11.

13. A computer program product comprising computer readable program medium code stored thereon, which when executed by at least one processor causes the at least one processor to perform the method of any of claims 1 to 11.

14. A method of wireless communication, comprising:

transmitting, by a wireless communication node, information to a wireless communication device, the information configuring at least one reference resource, wherein allocation of the reference resource in a frequency domain is configured based on a number of repetitions of a reference signal within a slot and a Resource Block (RB) offset; and

a plurality of reference signals are received by the wireless communication node from the wireless communication device using the at least one reference resource.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein each of the reference signals comprises a Sounding Reference Signal (SRS).

16. The method of claim 14, wherein in response to determining that the number of repetitions is equal to or greater than a first predetermined threshold, the method further comprises determining an allocation of the reference resource in the frequency domain from a resource block offset that varies cyclically at a time domain granularity.

17. The method of claim 14, wherein in response to determining that the number of repetitions is less than a second predetermined threshold, the method further comprises determining an allocation of the reference resource in the frequency domain from a resource block offset that varies cyclically at a time domain granularity.

18. The method of claim 14, wherein, in response to determining: (i) the number of repetitions is less than a first predetermined threshold, (ii) frequency hopping of the transmitted reference signal is not available, and (iii) periodicity of the reference signal is less than a threshold, the method further comprising determining an allocation of the reference resource in a frequency domain from a resource block offset that varies cyclically with a time domain granularity.

19. The method of claim 14, wherein in response to determining that the period of the reference signal is less than a threshold, the method further comprises determining an allocation of the reference resource in the frequency domain from a resource block offset that varies cyclically with a time domain granularity.

20. The method of claim 14, wherein in response to determining that the period of the reference signal is greater than a threshold, the method further comprises determining an allocation of the reference resource in the frequency domain according to a resource block offset that varies cyclically at a time domain granularity.

21. The method of any of claims 16 to 20, wherein the time domain granularity is equal to: 1 symbol, 2 symbols, or 4 symbols.

22. The method of any of claims 16 to 20, wherein, in response to determining that the time domain granularity is equal to 0 symbols, the method further comprises determining that the allocation of the reference resources in the frequency domain is associated with respective different cyclic shifts.

23. The method of any of claims 16 to 20, wherein, in response to determining that the time domain granularity is equal to or greater than 2 symbols, the method further comprises determining that subsets of allocations of the reference resources in the frequency domain that correspond to the same resource block offset are respectively associated with different cyclic shifts and subsets of allocations of the reference resources in the frequency domain that correspond to different resource block offsets are associated with the same cyclic shift.

24. The method of any of claims 16 to 20, wherein, in response to determining that the time domain granularity is equal to 1 symbol, the method further comprises determining that allocations of the reference resources corresponding to different resource block offsets in the frequency domain are associated with a same cyclic shift.

25. An apparatus comprising at least one processor, wherein the at least one processor is configured to perform the method of any one of claims 1 to 24.

26. A computer program product comprising computer readable program medium code stored thereon, which when executed by at least one processor causes the at least one processor to perform the method of any of claims 1 to 24.