EP4631279A1

EP4631279A1 - Single and multiple uplink switching techniques

Info

Publication number: EP4631279A1
Application number: EP23915310.9A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Ankit Bhamri; Chunxuan Ye; Wei Zeng; Haitong Sun; Dawei Zhang; Hong He; Yang Tang; Qiming Li
Original assignee: Apple Inc
Current assignee: Apple Inc
Priority date: 2023-01-11
Filing date: 2023-01-11
Publication date: 2025-10-15
Also published as: EP4631279A4; CN120513666A; WO2024148534A1

Abstract

A user equipment (UE) includes a set of transceivers and a processor. In some examples, the UE may receive a first downlink control information (DCI) that triggers a first uplink (UL) transmission switch from a first band or a second band to a third band. In some examples, the UE may receive a second DCI that triggers a second UL transmission switch from the first band or the second band to a fourth band. The UE may also determine that the first UL transmission switch and the second UL transmission switch are capable of being performed as a single UL transmission switching instance. Additionally, the UE may switch, during the single UL transmission switching instance, one of the first band or the second band to the third band and the other of the first band or the second band to the fourth band.

Description

SINGLE AND MULTIPLE UPLINK SWITCHING TECHNIQUES

TECHNICAL FIELD

This application relates generally to wireless communication systems, including techniques for single and multiple uplink (UL) transmission switching in wireless communication systems.

BACKGROUND

Wireless mobile communication technology uses various standards and protocols to transmit data between a network device (e.g., a base station) and a wireless communication device. Wireless communication system standards and protocols can include, for example, 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) long term evolution (LTE) (e.g., 4G) , 3GPP new radio (NR) (e.g., 5G) , and IEEE 802.11 standard for wireless local area networks (WLAN) (commonly known to industry groups as ) .
As contemplated by the 3GPP, different wireless communication systems standards and protocols can use various radio access networks (RANs) for communicating between a network device of the RAN (which may also sometimes be referred to generally as a RAN node, a network node, or simply a node) and a wireless communication device known as a user equipment (UE) . 3GPP RANs can include, for example, global system for mobile communications (GSM) , enhanced data rates for GSM evolution (EDGE) RAN (GERAN) , Universal Terrestrial Radio Access Network (UTRAN) , Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access Network (E-UTRAN) , and/or Next-Generation Radio Access Network (NG-RAN) .
Each RAN may use one or more radio access technologies (RATs) to perform communication between the network device and the UE. For example, the GERAN implements GSM and/or EDGE RAT, the UTRAN implements universal mobile telecommunication system (UMTS) RAT or other 3GPP RAT, the E-UTRAN implements LTE RAT (sometimes simply referred to as LTE) , and NG-RAN implements NR RAT (sometimes referred to herein as 5G RAT, 5G NR RAT, or simply NR) . In certain deployments, the E-UTRAN may also implement NR RAT. In certain deployments, NG-RAN may also implement LTE RAT.
A network device used by a RAN may correspond to that RAN. One example of an E-UTRAN network device or base station is an Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access Network (E-UTRAN) Node B (also commonly denoted as evolved Node B, enhanced Node B, eNodeB, or eNB) . One example of an NG-RAN network device or base station is a next generation Node B (also sometimes referred to as a g Node B or gNB) .
A RAN provides its communication services with external entities through its connection to a core network (CN) . For example, E-UTRAN may utilize an Evolved Packet Core (EPC) , while NG-RAN may utilize a 5G Core Network (5GC) .
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
To easily identify the discussion of any particular element or act, the most significant digit or digits in a reference number refer to the figure number in which that element is first introduced.
FIG. 1 illustrates an example wireless communications system including an example of a UE and one or more network devices in a 5G or NR network.
FIG. 2 illustrates a first example method of wireless communication by a UE.
FIG. 3 illustrates an example of multiple UL transmission switching for wireless communication between a UE and one or more network devices.
FIG. 4 illustrates an example of UL switching gaps for band pairs associated with multiple UL transmission switching.
FIG. 5 illustrates a second example method of wireless communication by a UE.
FIG. 6 illustrates another example of UL switching gaps for band pairs associated with multiple UL transmission switching.
FIG. 7 illustrates another example of multiple UL transmission switching for wireless communication between a UE and one or more network devices.
FIGs. 8A and 8B illustrate examples of UL switching period locations for band pairs associated with multiple UL transmission switching.
FIG. 9 illustrates a third example method of wireless communication by a UE.
FIG. 10 illustrates another example of multiple UL transmission switching for wireless communication between a UE and one or more network devices.
FIG. 11 illustrates an example architecture of a wireless communication system, according to embodiments disclosed herein.
FIG. 12 illustrates a system for performing signaling between a wireless device and a network device, according to embodiments disclosed herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Various embodiments are described with regard to a UE. However, reference to a UE is merely provided for illustrative purposes. The example embodiments may be utilized with any electronic component that may establish a connection to a network and is configured with the hardware, software, and/or firmware to exchange information and data with a network. Therefore, the UE as described herein is used to represent any appropriate electronic device.
In a 3GPP network, for example with respect to NR Release 16, a UE may have a constraint in that up to two simultaneous transmit chains are to be used during UL transmission. In such implementations, the UE may have a particular transmit chain associated with a certain band and, in some cases, may have both transmit chains being used for UL transmission. That is, a first band may be configured for a first transmit chain of the UE and a second band may be configured for a second transmit chain for the UE. The UE may switch each of two bands out of multiple bands configured for UE and associate two new bands with each of the two transmit chains. In some embodiments, the UE may determine whether multiple downlink channel information (DCIs) scheduling UL transmissions on multiple bands are to be interpreted and actuated by the UE as a single UL switching transmission instance or separate UL transmission switching instances for each of the multiple DCIs received by the UE.
FIG. 1 shows an example wireless communications system 100 in accordance with some embodiments and various aspects of the present disclosure. Wireless communications system 100 may be a 5G or NR network as an example environment in which embodiments described herein may be practiced. In some embodiments, wireless communications system 100 may include a UE 102 and one or more network devices 104 (e.g., a network device of a RAN, such as but not limited to a base station) . The UE 102 may communicate with the one or more of the network devices 104 on a DL and an UL. In some embodiments, the UE 102 may communicate with the one or more network devices 104 via UL transmissions using two transmit chains.
For example, the UE 102 may have a first band configured on a first transmit chain and a second band configured on a second transmit chain. In some cases, the first band and the second band may be radio frequency (RF) bands from a same network device 104. In some cases, the first band may be an RF band from a first network device 104 and the second band may be an RF band from a second network device 104. The network may request that the UE 102 switch one or more bands for future UL transmission. That is, for example, the network may request that the UE 102 switch one or more bands configured on one or both transmit chains to one or more different bands on one or both transmit chains for future UL transmission. In some cases, for example, the network may request that the UE 102 switch the first band configured on the first transmit chain to a third band different from the first band and the second band, while keeping the second band configured on the second transmit chain. In some cases, for example, the network may request that the UE 102 switch the second band configured on the second transmit chain to a fourth band different from the first band, second band, and third band, while keeping the first band configured on the first transmit chain.
In some embodiments, each of the first transmit chain and the second chain of UE 102 may include one or more components or circuits to support UL transmission. That is, for example, the one or more components or circuits may be a digital to analog converter (DAC) , a radio frequency (RF) mixer or switching circuitry, phase lock loop (PLL) circuitry, a power amplifier (PA) , etc. It is to be appreciated that other components and circuits may be included in each of the first transmit chain and the second chain of UE 102, and multiples of the same or similar circuit or component (e.g., multiple PAs) may be included in a particular transmit chain. In some embodiments, the first transmit chain and the second chain of UE 102 may include the same one or more components or circuits. In some embodiments, one transmit chain of the first transmit chain or the second chain of UE 102 may have at least one component or circuit different from the other transmit chain.
In some embodiments, the network may request that the UE 102 perform UL switching for multiple bands. That is, for example, the network may request that the UE 102 switch the first band configured on the first transmit chain to the third band and switch the second band configured on the second transmit chain to the fourth band. It is to be understood that any of the first band, second band, third band, or fourth band may be an RF band supported and provided to be the same or different network devices 104. These bands may be configured in Frequency Range 1 (FR1) and/or Frequency Range 2 (FR2) , for example, however other FRs are contemplated for the UL switching techniques described herein. In some embodiments, these bands on which the UE may perform simultaneous UL transmission using the first transmit chain and the second transmit chain may be time division duplex (TDD) or frequency division duplex (FDD) . That is, for example, a first band on the first transmit chain of the UE 102 may be TDD and a second band on the second transmit chain of the UE 102 may be FDD. However, in some embodiments, the first and second bands may both be TDD, or the first and second bands may both be FDD, for example. Additionally, the UE 102 may perform the UL switching techniques described herein in support of various band combinations and carrier implementations such as, but not limited to, NR carrier aggregation (CA) or multi-RAT dual connectivity (MR-DC) band combinations (e.g., next generation (NG) EUTRA-NR dual connectivity EN-DC) , NR dual connectivity (NR-DC) , NR-EUTRA dual connectivity (NE-DC) , etc.
An advantage of the UL switching techniques described herein is to enable greater scheduling flexibility between the UE 102 and the one or more network devices 104. That is, for example, when more than two bands (e.g., up to four bands in some cases) are configured for UL transmission by the UE 102, the UE 102 has access to more uplink resources. For example, if UL resources become occupied by other UEs and/or UL resources are scarce in a particular band, the UE 102 may efficiently switch to another band. Additionally or alternatively, another advantage of the techniques described herein is to enable greater spectral/power efficiency for scheduling UL transmission over multiple cells associated with the one or more network devices 104. That is, for example, bands associated with intra-band cells and/or inter-band cells in various frequency ranges configured for the two transmit chains of the UE 102 may be dynamically switched in accordance with changing RF conditions for particular transmission paths.
In some embodiments, the UL switching techniques described herein include triggering schemes and UE behaviors that can support bands configured on the two transmit chains of the UE 102 for both single timing advance group (TAG) and multiple TAG configurations. Moreover, the UL switching techniques described herein consider switching time and/or other RF constraints to provide solutions for multiple UL switching enhancements.
FIG. 2 illustrates an example method 200 of wireless communication by a UE, in accordance with some embodiments and various aspects of the present disclosure. The method 200 may be performed by the UE 102 described with reference to FIG. 1 or by other UEs described herein. The method 200 may be performed using a processor, a set of transceivers (e.g., one or more transceivers) or other components of a UE.
At 202, the method 200 may include receiving a first DCI that triggers a first UL transmission switch from a first band or a second band to a third band.
At 204, the method 200 may include receiving a second DCI that triggers a second UL transmission switch from the first band or the second band to a fourth band.
At 206, the method 200 may include determining that the first UL transmission switch and the second UL transmission switch are capable of being performed as a single UL transmission switching instance.
At 208, the method 200 may include switching, during the single UL transmission switching instance, one of the first band or the second band to the third band and the other of the first band or the second band to the fourth band.
FIG. 3 illustrates an example of multiple UL transmission switching for wireless communication between a UE and one or more network devices. The multiple UL transmission switching may be performed by the UE 102 described with reference to FIG. 1 or by other UEs described herein, and in conjunction or cooperation with the one or more network devices 104 with reference to FIG. 1 or by other network devices described herein. With reference to the example of FIG. 3, various aspects of the method 200 may be illustrated in UL switching scenario 300. In some embodiments of the method 200, for example, the UE may receive a first downlink control information (DCI) 302 that triggers a first UL transmission switch from a first band 306 (e.g., Band A) and a second band 308 (e.g., Band B) to a third band 310 (e.g., Band C) . The UE may receive a second DCI 304, for example, after receiving the first DCI 302. The second DCI 304 may trigger a second UL transmission switch from the first band 306 (e.g., Band A) and the second band 308 (e.g., Band B) to a fourth band 312 (e.g., Band D) . The UE may determine that the first UL transmission switch (e.g., an UL transmission switch from Band A and/or Band B to Band C) and the second UL transmission switch (e.g., an UL transmission switch from Band A and/or Band B to Band D) are capable of being performed as a single UL transmission switching instance. That is, for example, the UE may determine that the first UL transmission switch (e.g., an UL transmission switch from Band A and/or Band B to Band C) and the second UL transmission switch (e.g., an UL transmission switch from Band A and/or Band B to Band D) are capable of being performed as a single UL transmission switching instance based on various aspects of UL switching scenario 300.
The UE may switch, during the single UL transmission switching instance, one (e.g., the first band 306) of the first band 306 or the second band 308 to the third band 310 (e.g., Band C) and the other (e.g., the second band 308) of the first band 306 or the second band 308 to the fourth band 312 (e.g., Band D) . In some embodiments, however, the UE may switch, during the single UL transmission switching instance, one (e.g., the second band 308) of the first band 306 or the second band 308 to the third band 310 (e.g., Band C) and the other (e.g., the first band 306) of the first band 306 or the second band 308 to the fourth band 312 (e.g., Band D) .
For example, the UE may determine the single UL transmission switching instance based at least in part on the third band 310 (e.g., Band C) having a first UL transmission starting time 320 (e.g., T_{0_1}) that is the same starting time as the fourth band 312 (e.g., Band D) having a second UL transmission starting time 322 (e.g., T_{0_2}) . That is, for example, the UL transmission starting time T₀ associated with the single UL transmission switching instance for multiple UL switching may be a starting time such that T_{0_1} equal T_{0_2}. In some embodiments, however, the first UL transmission starting time 320 (e.g., T_{0_1}) need not be the same starting time as second UL transmission starting time 322 (e.g., T_{0_2}) to be a single UL transmission switching instance.
In some embodiments of the method 200, for example, the UE may determine that the first UL transmission switch (e.g., an UL transmission switch from Band A and/or Band B to Band C) and the second UL transmission switch (e.g., an UL transmission switch from Band A and/or Band B to Band D) take place within a single switching period location (e.g., scheduled to happen or capable of being scheduled to happen within the single switching period location) . That is, for example, the UE may determine that the UE is able to perform simultaneous UL switching for the first UL transmission switch and the second UL transmission switch in a single switching period location. Based at least in part on the determination that the UE is able to perform simultaneous UL switching in a single switching period location, the UE may determine that the first UL transmission switch and the second UL transmission switch are capable of being performed as the single UL transmission switching instance. In some embodiments, the UE may indicate support from dynamic UL switching (e.g., 1Tx-2Tx switching, 2Tx-2Tx switching, etc. ) via UE capability reporting or by other reporting techniques. In some embodiments, the UE may not need to indicate support from dynamic UL switching and may already be known by the network to support dynamic UL switching.
In some embodiments of the method 200, for example, the UE may report a supported length of UL switching period (e.g., a parameter or information element uplinkTxSwitchingPeriod) . In some non-limiting examples, the length of UL switching period may be indicated as 35 μs, 140 μs, etc. and the UE may determine based on the scheduling information of each of the first DCI and the second DCI that the UE is able to perform simultaneous UL switching for the first UL transmission switch and the second UL transmission switch in a single switching period location. In some embodiments, the single switching period location may be left up to UE implementation with consideration given to the various configuration information signaled by the network, including but not limited to radio resource control (RRC) signaling, the first DCI 302 and second DCI 304.
In some embodiments of the method 200, for example, the UE may determine that a first scheduled UL transmission associated with the first UL transmission switch and a second scheduled UL transmission associated with the second UL transmission switch at least partially overlap in the time domain. For example, the first scheduled UL transmission may be for the first UL transmission switch (e.g., from Band A and/or Band B to Band C) scheduled by the first DCI 302 to begin at the first UL transmission starting time 320 (e.g., T_{0_1}) . The second scheduled UL transmission may be for the second UL transmission switch (e.g., from Band A and/or Band B to Band D) scheduled by the second DCI 304 to begin at the second UL transmission starting time 322 (e.g., T_{0_2}) . As illustrated in FIG. 3, an UL transmission in the third band 310 (e.g., Band C) and an UL transmission in the fourth band 312 (e.g., Band D) fully overlap, but need only partially overlap in some embodiments. The UE may determine that the first UL transmission switch and the second UL transmission switch are capable of being performed as the single UL transmission switching instance based at least in part on the determination that the first scheduled UL transmission and the second scheduled UL transmission at least partially overlap in the time domain.
In some embodiments of the method 200, for example, the UE may perform UL switching to the third band 310 (e.g., Band C) in accordance with a first UE processing procedure time 330 (e.g., T_offset1) for the first UL transmission and to the fourth band 312 (e.g., Band D) in accordance with a second UE processing procedure time 332 (e.g., T_offset2) for the second UL transmission. In some embodiments, the first UL transmission may correspond to a physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH) transmission and the second UL transmission may correspond to a physical uplink control channel (PUCCH) transmission. In such embodiments, for example, the first UE processing procedure time 330 (e.g., T_offset1) for the PUSCH transmission may be different from the second UE processing procedure time 332 (e.g., T_offset2) for the PUCCH transmission. Additionally, in some embodiments, the UE may determine a first time threshold 340 (e.g., T_{0_1} -T_offset1) associated with the first DCI 302. The first time threshold 340 may represent the time at which a preparation procedure (e.g., packet processing) is to occur for UL switching to the third band 310 in order to begin UL transmission by the first UL transmission starting time 320 (e.g., T_{0_1}) . In some embodiments, the UE may determine a second time threshold 342 (e.g., T_{0_2} -T_offset2) associated with the second DCI 304. The second time threshold 342 may represent the time at which a preparation procedure (e.g., packet processing) is to occur for UL switching to the fourth band 312 (e.g., Band D) in order to begin UL transmission by the second UL transmission starting time 322 (e.g., T_{0_2}) .
In some embodiments of the method 200, for example, the first band 306 may be configured on a first transmit chain of the UE and the second band 308 may be configured on a second transmit chain of the UE. The UE may determine that the first UL transmission switch and the second UL transmission switch are capable of being performed as the single UL transmission switching instance based at least in part on the first band 306 configured on the first transmit chain of the UE and the second band 308 configured on the second transmit chain of the UE. That is, for example, by implicating UL switching in the two transmit chains from the first DCI 302 and the second DCI 304, the UE may understand the intent of the network for multiple UL switching and behave in accordance with that network intent, if possible, given various UL transmission switching considerations and constraints.
FIG. 4 illustrates an example of UL switching gaps for band pairs associated with multiple UL transmission switching. With further reference to the example of FIG. 4, various aspects of the method 200 may be illustrated in UL switching gap diagram 400 in conjunction with UL switching scenario 300 of FIG 3. In some embodiments of the method 200, for example, the UE may determine an UL switching period 402 for the single UL transmission switching instance. That is, because multiple UL switching occasions for various combinations of band pairs are to be considered and an UL switching gap for each band pair may be different, the UE may determine an UL switching period 402 to apply for the single UL transmission switching instance. For example, the UL switching period 402 for the single UL transmission switching instance may be a maximum of the UL switching gaps for each of the possible band pair combinations that could be switched during the single UL transmission switching instance. In some embodiments, the UE may determine a maximum of:a first UL switching gap 350 for UL switching between the first band 306 (e.g., Band A) and the third band 310 (e.g., Band C) ; a second UL switching gap 352 for UL switching between the second band 308 (e.g., Band B) and the fourth band 312 (e.g., Band D) ; a third UL switching gap 454 for UL switching between the second band 308 (e.g., Band B) and the third band 310 (e.g., Band C) ; and a fourth UL switching gap 456 for UL switching between the first band 306 (e.g., Band A) and the fourth band 312 (e.g., Band D) . In the example of FIG. 4, the UL switching period 402 may be determined as the maximum of these switching gaps and may correspond to a same gap or period as each of the first UL switching gap 350, the second UL switching gap 352 and the fourth UL switching gap 456. The third UL switching gap 454 is shorter than the other switching gaps and would not be used as the UL switching period 402.
If, for example, a fourth UL switching gap of the first band 306 (e.g., Band A) and the fourth band 312 (e.g., Band D) were longer than the first UL switching gap 350 and the second UL switching gap 352, then that longer period would be used in the single UL transmission switching instance for multiple UL switching even if the UE determines not to switch the first band 306 (e.g., Band A) to the fourth band 312 (e.g., Band D) . Additionally, in some embodiments, if the UE were to switch an UL transmission from the second band 308 (e.g., Band B) to the third band 310 (e.g., Band C) , the first UL transmission starting time 320 (e.g., T_{0_1}) would be used in accordance with the first DCI 302. And, in some embodiments, if the UE were to switch an UL transmission from the first band 306 (e.g., Band A) to the fourth band 312 (e.g., Band D) , the second UL transmission starting time 322 (e.g., T_{0_2}) would be used in accordance with the second DCI 304. In some examples, the UE may switch, during the single UL transmission switching instance, one (e.g., the first band 306) of the first band 306 (e.g., Band A) or the second band 308 (e.g., Band B) to the third band 310 (e.g., Band C) and the other (e.g., the second band 308) of the first band 306 (e.g., Band A) or the second band 308 (e.g., Band B) to the fourth band 312 (e.g., Band D) based at least in part on the UL switching period 402 for the single UL transmission switching instance.
FIG. 5 illustrates an example method 500 of wireless communication by a UE, in accordance with some embodiments and various aspects of the present disclosure. The method 500 may be performed by the UE 102 described with reference to FIG. 1 or by other UEs described herein. The method 500 may be performed using a processor, a set of transceivers (e.g., one or more transceivers) or other components of a UE.
At 502, the method 500 may include receiving a first DCI that triggers a first UL transmission switch from a first band configured on a first transmit chain to a third band.
At 504, the method 500 may include receiving a second DCI that triggers a second UL transmission switch from a second band configured on a second transmit chain to a fourth band.
At 506, the method 500 may include determining that the first UL transmission switch and the second UL transmission switch are capable of being performed as a single UL transmission switching instance.
At 508, the method 500 may include switching, during the single UL transmission switching instance, the first band to one of the third band or the fourth band and the second band to the other of the third band or the fourth band.
With reference to the example of FIG. 3, various aspects of the method 500 may be illustrated in UL switching scenario 300. In some embodiments of the method 500, for example, the UE may receive a first DCI 302 that triggers a first UL transmission switch from a first band 306 (e.g., Band A) configured on a first transmit chain to a third band 310 (e.g., Band C) . The UE may receive a second DCI 304, for example, after receiving the first DCI 302. The second DCI 304 may trigger a second UL transmission switch from a second band 308 (e.g., Band B) configured on a second transmit chain to a fourth band 312 (e.g., Band D) . The UE may determine that the first UL transmission switch (e.g., an UL transmission switch from Band A to Band C) and the second UL transmission switch (e.g., an UL transmission switch from Band B to Band D) are capable of being performed as a single UL transmission switching instance. That is, for example, the UE may determine that the first UL transmission switch (e.g., an UL transmission switch from Band A to Band C) and the second UL transmission switch (e.g., an UL transmission switch from Band B to Band D) are capable of being performed as a single UL transmission switching instance based on various aspects of UL switching scenario 300.
The UE may switch, during the single UL transmission switching instance, the first band 306 (e.g., Band A) to one (e.g., the third band 310) of the third band 310 (e.g., Band C) or the fourth band 312 (e.g., Band D) and the second band 308 (e.g., Band B) to the other (e.g., the fourth band 312) of the third band 310 (e.g., Band C) or the fourth band 312 (e.g., Band D) . In some embodiments, however, the UE may switch, during the single UL transmission switching instance, the first band 306 (e.g., Band A) to one (e.g., the fourth band 312) of the third band 310 (e.g., Band C) or the fourth band 312 (e.g., Band D) and the second band 308 (e.g., Band B) to the other (e.g., the third band 310) of the third band 310 (e.g., Band C) or the fourth band 312 (e.g., Band D) .
In some embodiments of the method 500, for example, the UE may determine whether the second DCI 304 was received at least at a dual switch time (e.g., time t) prior to a first UL transmission starting time 320 (e.g., T_{0_1}) associated with the first UL transmission switch minus a first UE processing procedure time 330 (e.g., T_offset1) associated with the first UL transmission switch. That is, for example, the UE may determine the first time threshold 340 (e.g., T_{0_1} -T_offset1) associated with the first DCI 302. The first time threshold 340 may represent the time at which the preparation procedure (e.g., packet processing) is to occur for UL switching to the third band 310 in order to begin UL transmission by the first UL transmission starting time 320 (e.g., T_{0_1}) . However, further preparation procedure (e.g., packet processing) may be warranted in some multiple UL transmission switching scenarios.
Accordingly, in some embodiments, the UE may determine the dual switch time (e.g., time t) , which may further increase the time prior to the first UL transmission starting time 320 (e.g., T_{0_1}) for which the second DCI 304 needs to be received in order to consider the UL transmission switching associated with the first DCI 302 and the second DCI 304 as a single UL transmission switching instance. In some embodiments, the UE may determine that the first UL transmission switch and the second UL transmission switch are capable of being performed as the single UL transmission switching instance based at least in part on a determination that the second DCI 304 was received at least at the dual switch time (e.g., time t) prior to the first UL transmission starting time 320 (e.g., T_{0_1}) associated with the first UL transmission switch minus the first UE processing procedure time 330 (e.g., T_offset1) associated with the first UL transmission switch.
Again, with further reference to the example of FIG. 4, various aspects of the method 500 may be illustrated in UL switching gap diagram 400 in conjunction with UL switching scenario 300 of FIG 3. In some embodiments of the method 500, for example, the UE may determine a first maximum UL switching period. As illustrated in FIG. 4, the first maximum UL switching period can correspond to the UL switching period 402, in accordance with some embodiments. For example, the first maximum UL switching period may be a maximum of the UL switching gaps for each of the possible band pair combinations that could be switched during the single UL transmission switching instance. In some embodiments, the UE may determine a maximum of: a first UL switching gap 350 for UL switching between the first band 306 (e.g., Band A) and the third band 310 (e.g., Band C) ; a second UL switching gap 352 for UL switching between the second band 308 (e.g., Band B) and the fourth band 312 (e.g., Band D) ; a third UL switching gap 454 for UL switching between the second band 308 (e.g., Band B) and the third band 310 (e.g., Band C) ; and a fourth UL switching gap 456 for UL switching between the first band 306 (e.g., Band A) and the fourth band 312 (e.g., Band D) .
The UE may also determine a second maximum UL switching period. In some embodiments, the second maximum UL switching period may be determined as the first UL switching gap 350 for UL switching between the first band 306 (e.g., Band A) and the third band 310 (e.g., Band C) . That is, for example, the second maximum UL switching period may be based on the switching gaps corresponding to the UL transmission switching (e.g., the first UL transmission switch) triggered by the first DCI 302. In some embodiments, the UE may determine that a value of the dual switch time (e.g., time t) is zero based at least in part on the first maximum UL switching period (e.g., the UL switching period 402) being equal to the second maximum UL switching period (e.g., the first UL switching gap 350) . That is, for example, the first maximum UL switching period may include the maximum switching gap of the switching gaps for all possible band pair combinations that may be triggered by the first DCI 302 and the second DCI 304. In the example of FIG. 4, the first maximum UL switching period is the UL switching period 402, where each of the first UL switching gap 350, the second UL switching gap 352, and the fourth UL switching gap 456 are the same and represent the maximum switching gap of the switching gaps for all possible band pair combinations. The second maximum UL switching period is the first UL switching gap 350 and thus the same in the example of FIG. 4. As such, the UE may determine zero to be the value of the dual switch time (e.g., time t) , and thus no further increase in the time prior to the first time threshold 340 (e.g., T_{0_1} -T_offset1) for which the second DCI 304 needs to be received would be required in the example embodiments depicted in FIGs. 3 and 4. In some embodiments, for example as illustrated in FIGs. 3 and 4, the UE may determine that the second DCI 304 was received at least at the dual switch time (e.g., time t) prior to the first time threshold 340 (e.g., T_{0_1} -T_offset1) .
FIG. 6 illustrates another example of UL switching gaps for band pairs associated with multiple UL transmission switching. With further reference to the example of FIG. 6, various aspects of the method 500 may be illustrated in UL switching gap diagram 600 in conjunction with UL switching scenario 300 of FIG 3. In some embodiments of the method 500, for example, the UE may determine a first maximum UL switching period. In some embodiments, the UE may determine a first maximum UL switching period 602. As illustrated in FIG. 6, for example, the first maximum UL switching period 602 may be a maximum of the UL switching gaps for each of the possible band pair combinations that could be switched during the single UL transmission switching instance. In some embodiments, the UE may determine a maximum of: a first UL switching gap 350 for UL switching between the first band 306 (e.g., Band A) and the third band 310 (e.g., Band C) ; a second UL switching gap 652 for UL switching between the second band 308 (e.g., Band B) and the fourth band 312 (e.g., Band D) ; a third UL switching gap 454 for UL switching between the second band 308 (e.g., Band B) and the third band 310 (e.g., Band C) ; and a fourth UL switching gap 456 for UL switching between the first band 306 (e.g., Band A) and the fourth band 312 (e.g., Band D) . As illustrated in the example of FIG. 6, the second UL switching gap 652 is the maximum is determined as the first maximum UL switching period 602.
In some embodiments, the UE may also determine a second maximum UL switching period. For example, the second maximum UL switching period may be determined as the first UL switching gap 350 for UL switching between the first band 306 (e.g., Band A) and the third band 310 (e.g., Band C) . That is, for example, the second maximum UL switching period may be based on the switching gaps corresponding to the UL transmission switching (e.g., the first UL transmission switch) triggered by the first DCI 302. In some embodiments, the UE may determine that a value of the dual switch time (e.g., time t) is the difference 604 between the first maximum UL switching period 602 (e.g., corresponding to second UL switching gap 652) and the second maximum UL switching period (e.g., corresponding to the first UL switching gap 350) based at least in part on the first maximum UL switching period 602 being greater than the second maximum UL switching period.
In some embodiments, for example, the first maximum UL switching period 602 (e.g., corresponding to second UL switching gap 652) is determined to be greater than the second maximum UL switching period (e.g., corresponding to the first UL switching gap 350) , as illustrated in the example of FIG. 6. As such, the UE may determine the value of the dual switch time (e.g., time t) to be the difference 604 and further increase the time prior to the first time threshold 340 (e.g., t – (T_{0_1} -T_offset1) for which the second DCI 304 needs to be received by the value of the difference 604 in the example embodiments depicted in FIGs. 3 and 6. In some embodiments, for example as illustrated in FIGs. 3, 4 and 6, the UE may determine that the second DCI 304 was received at least at the dual switch time (e.g., time t corresponding to the difference 604) prior to the first UL transmission starting time 320 (e.g., T_{0_1}) associated with the first UL transmission switch minus a first UE processing procedure time 330 (e.g., T_offset1) associated with the first UL transmission switch. That is, for example, if the second DCI 304 is received prior to the dual switch time (e.g., time t) extending from the first time threshold 340 (e.g., t – (T_{0_1} -T_offset1) , where the dual switch time (e.g., time t) corresponds to the difference 604, the UE will determine that the second DCI 304 was received in sufficient time to perform multiple UL switching as a single UL transmission switching instance.
In some embodiments of the method 500, for example, the first DCI 302 may further trigger the first UL transmission switch from the second band 308 (e.g., Band B) configured on the second transmit chain to the third band 310 (e.g., Band C) . Additionally or alternatively, the second DCI 304 may further trigger the second UL transmission switch from the first band 306 (e.g., Band A) configured on the first transmit chain to the fourth band 312 (e.g., Band D) . When the first DCI 302 and/or the second DCI 304 trigger an UL switch from multiple bands, the UE may make further determinations related to whether multiple UL transmission switching can be performed during a single UL transmission switching instance. Again, the UE may determine whether the second DCI 304 was received at least at a dual switch time (e.g., time t) prior to the first UL transmission starting time 320 (e.g., T_{0_1}) associated with the first UL transmission switch minus a first UE processing procedure time 330 (e.g., T_offset1) associated with the first UL transmission switch. That is, for example, the UE may determine the first time threshold 340 (e.g., T_{0_1} -T_offset1) associated with the first DCI 302. The first time threshold 340 may represent the time at which the preparation procedure (e.g., packet processing) is to occur for UL switching to the third band 310 in order to begin UL transmission by the first UL transmission starting time 320 (e.g., T_{0_1}) .
With further reference to the UL switching gap diagram 400 of the example of FIG. 4, in some embodiments of the method 500, for example, the UE may determine a first maximum UL switching period. As illustrated in FIG. 4, the first maximum UL switching period can correspond to the UL switching period 402, in accordance with some embodiments. In some embodiments, the UE may determine a maximum of: a first UL switching gap 350 for UL switching between the first band 306 (e.g., Band A) and the third band 310 (e.g., Band C) ; a second UL switching gap 352 for UL switching between the second band 308 (e.g., Band B) and the fourth band 312 (e.g., Band D) ; a third UL switching gap 454 for UL switching between the second band 308 (e.g., Band B) and the third band 310 (e.g., Band C) ; and a fourth UL switching gap 456 for UL switching between the first band 306 (e.g., Band A) and the fourth band 312 (e.g., Band D) . That is, for example, the first maximum UL switching period may include the maximum switching gap of the switching gaps for all possible band pair combinations that may be triggered by the first DCI 302 and the second DCI 304. In the example of FIG. 4, the first maximum UL switching period is the UL switching period 402, where each of the first UL switching gap 350, the second UL switching gap 352, and the fourth UL switching gap 456 are the same and represent the maximum switching gap of the switching gaps for all possible band pair combinations.
The UE may also determine a second maximum UL switching period, which can take into account that the first DCI 302 may further trigger the second UL transmission switch from the second band 308 (e.g., Band B) configured on the second transmit chain to the third band 310 (e.g., Band C) . In such embodiments, for example, the second maximum UL switching period may be determined as a maximum of: the first UL switching gap 350 for UL switching between the first band 306 (e.g., Band A) and the third band 310 (e.g., Band C) , and the second UL switching gap 352 for UL switching between the second band 308 (e.g., Band B) and the third band 310 (e.g., Band C) . That is, for example, the second maximum UL switching period may be based on the switching gaps corresponding to the UL transmission switching (e.g., the first UL transmission switch) triggered by the first DCI 302. In the example of FIG. 4, that is first UL switching gap 350 and second UL switching gap 352, which are the same value.
In some embodiments, the UE may determine that a value of the dual switch time (e.g., time t) is zero based at least in part on the first maximum UL switching period (e.g., the UL switching period 402) being equal to the second maximum UL switching period (e.g., the first UL switching gap 350 and the second UL switching gap 352) . That is, for example, because the first maximum UL switching period and the second maximum UL switching period are the same in the example of FIG. 4, the UE may determine zero to be the value of the dual switch time (e.g., time t) , and thus no further increase in the time prior to the first time threshold 340 (e.g., T_{0_1} -T_offset1) for which the second DCI 304 needs to be received would be required in the example embodiments depicted in FIGs. 3 and 4.
With reference back to FIG. 6, in some embodiments, the UE may determine a first maximum UL switching period 602. As illustrated in FIG. 6, for example, the first maximum UL switching period 602 may be a maximum of the UL switching gaps for each of the possible band pair combinations that could be switched during the single UL transmission switching instance. In some embodiments, the UE may determine a maximum of: a first UL switching gap 350 for UL switching between the first band 306 (e.g., Band A) and the third band 310 (e.g., Band C) ; a second UL switching gap 652 for UL switching between the second band 308 (e.g., Band B) and the fourth band 312 (e.g., Band D) ; a third UL switching gap 454 for UL switching between the second band 308 (e.g., Band B) and the third band 310 (e.g., Band C) ; and a fourth UL switching gap 456 for UL switching between the first band 306 (e.g., Band A) and the fourth band 312 (e.g., Band D) . As illustrated in the example of FIG. 6, the second UL switching gap 652 is the largest of the band pair combinations and is determined to be the first maximum UL switching period 602.
In some embodiments, the UE may also determine a second maximum UL switching period, which may be based at least in part on the number of band pair combinations that may be switched in accordance with the first DCI 302. For example, the second maximum UL switching period may be based on the switching gaps corresponding to the UL transmission switching (e.g., the first UL transmission switch) triggered by the first DCI 302. That is, for example, in an example embodiment where the first DCI 302 may trigger an UL switch from either the first band 306 (e.g., Band A) or the second band (e.g., Band B) to the third band 310 (e.g., Band C) , the second maximum UL switching period may be determined as a maximum of: the first UL switching gap 350 for UL switching between the first band 306 (e.g., Band A) and the third band 310 (e.g., Band C) ; and the third UL switching gap 454 for UL switching between the second band 308 (e.g., Band B) and the third band 310 (e.g., Band C) . In the example of FIG. 6, the second maximum UL switching period would be the first UL switching gap 350, which is longer than the third UL switching gap 454. That is, for example, in some embodiments, the UE may determine that a value of the dual switch time (e.g., time t) is the difference 604 between the first maximum UL switching period 602 (e.g., corresponding to second UL switching gap 652) and the second maximum UL switching period (e.g., corresponding to the first UL switching gap 350) based at least in part on the first maximum UL switching period being greater than the second maximum UL switching period. As such, the UE may determine the value of the dual switch time (e.g., time t) to be the difference 604 and further increase the time prior to the first UL transmission starting time 320 (e.g., T_{0_1}) for which the second DCI 304 needs to be received by the value of the difference 604 in the example embodiments depicted in FIGs. 3 and 6.
In some embodiments of the method 500, for example, the UE may determine that the first UL transmission starting time 320 (e.g., T_{0_1}) on the third band 310 (e.g., Band C) scheduled by the first DCI 302 is a same time as a second UL transmission starting time 322 (e.g., T_{0_2}) on the fourth band 312 (e.g., Band D) scheduled by the second DCI 304. That is, for example, the UE may make a determination that first DCI 302 and the second DCI 304 are intended to convey a multiple UL transmission switch to be performed as a single UL transmission switching instance based at least in part on the indication from the network in the first DCI 302 and the second DCI 304 that first UL transmission starting time 320 (e.g., T_{0_1}) is to begin at the same time as the second UL transmission starting time 322 (e.g., T_{0_2}) . Scheduling a same UL transmission starting time need not be the case, for example, when two separate DCIs schedule UL transmissions. Accordingly, for example, the UE may infer a network intent and determine that the first UL transmission switch and the second UL transmission switch are capable of being performed (and, in some cases, intended to be performed) as a single UL transmission switching instance based at least in part on this determination.
Additionally or alternatively, the UE may determine that the first UL transmission duration on the third band 310 (e.g., Band C) scheduled by the first DCI 302 is a same duration as a second UL transmission duration on the fourth band 312 (e.g., Band D) scheduled by the second DCI 304. As illustrated in the example of FIG. 3, the scheduled transmission duration of the first UL transmission on the third band 310 (e.g., Band C) and the second UL transmission on the fourth band 312 (e.g., Band D) are the same duration. Scheduling a same UL transmission duration need not be the case, for example, when two separate DCIs schedule UL transmissions. Accordingly, for example, the UE may consider this scheduling parameter (e.g., alone or in conjunction with other parameters or configurations described herein) as an intent from the network to perform a multiple UL switch from the two transmit chains. That is, for example, the UE may infer from a determination that the same UL transmission duration is scheduled for the first UL transmission associated with the first UL transmission switch and the second UL transmission associated with the second UL transmission switch, that these similar UL transmission characteristics imply simultaneous UL transmission switching should be performed. That is, for example, in cases where simultaneous UL multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) transmissions are to be performed (e.g., to two different nodes in the network) , the network may schedule one or both of the same UL transmission starting time and/or the same UL transmission duration for the first UL transmission and the second UL transmission via the first DCI 302 and the second DCI 304.
In some embodiments, for example, the UE may determine that the first UL transmission switch and the second UL transmission switch are capable of being performed as the single UL transmission switching instance based at least in part on the determination that the first UL transmission starting time 320 (e.g., T_{0_1}) associated with the first UL transmission switch to the third band 310 (e.g., Band C) is the same time as the second UL transmission starting time 322 (e.g., T_{0_2}) associated with the second UL transmission switch to the fourth band 312 (e.g., Band D) and/or a determination that the first UL transmission duration on the third band 310 (e.g., Band C) scheduled by the first DCI 302 is the same duration as the second UL transmission duration on the fourth band 312 (e.g., Band D) scheduled by the second DCI 304.
FIG. 7 illustrates another example of multiple UL transmission switching for wireless communication between a UE and one or more network devices. The multiple UL transmission switching may be performed by the UE 102 described with reference to FIG. 1 or by other UEs described herein, and in conjunction or cooperation with the one or more network devices 104 with reference to FIG. 1 or by other network devices described herein. With reference to the example of FIG. 7, various aspects of the method 500 may be illustrated in UL switching scenario 700. In some embodiments of the method 500, for example, the UE may determine that a first UL transmission starting time 320 (e.g., T_{0_1}) on the third band 310 (e.g., Band C) scheduled by the first DCI 302 is different from a second UL transmission starting time 722 (e.g., T_{0_2}) on the fourth band 312 (e.g., Band D) scheduled by the second DCI 304. The UE may then make further determinations to determine whether the first UL transmission switch and the second UL transmission switch are capable of being performed as a single UL transmission switching instance. That is, the UE may then determine whether the first DCI 302 and the second DC1 304 should be performed as two separate UL transmission switching instances, or if the first UL transmission switch and the second UL transmission switch scheduled by these two DCIs can (or should) be performed as a multiple UL switch in a single UL transmission switching instance despite the different UL transmission starting times.
For example, the UE may determine a starting gap difference 702 between the first UL transmission starting time 320 (e.g., T_{0_1}) and the second UL transmission starting time 722 (e.g., T_{0_2}) . The UE may also determine a last-in-time UL transmission starting time among the first UL transmission starting time 320 (e.g., T_{0_1}) and the second UL transmission starting time 722 (e.g., T_{0_2}) . The last-in-time UL transmission starting time may be, for example, the second UL transmission starting time 722 (e.g., T_{0_2}) in the example embodiment depicted in FIG. 7. However, it is to be understood that, in some embodiments, a first UL transmission starting time can be the last-in-time UL transmission starting time. The UE may also determine a last-in-time UL switching gap associated with the first UL transmission switch or the second UL transmission switch corresponding to the last-in-time UL transmission starting time (e.g., the second UL transmission starting time 722) . Here, for example, the last-in-time UL switching gap may be the second UL switching gap 352 associated with the second UL transmission switch. However, it is to be understood that, in some embodiments, a first UL switching gap can be the last-in-time UL switching gap.
In some embodiments, the UE may determine that the last-in-time UL switching gap is greater than or equal to the starting gap difference 702. Here, for example, the last-in-time UL switching gap (e.g., corresponding to the second UL switching gap 352) is greater than the starting gap difference 702, as depicted in the example embodiment of FIG. 7. The UE may determine that the first UL transmission switch and the second UL transmission switch are capable of being performed as the single UL transmission switching instance based at least in part on a determination that the last-in-time UL switching gap (e.g., corresponding to the second UL switching gap 352) being greater than or equal to the starting gap difference 702. In some embodiments, the UE may alter a position of the first UL transmission associated with the first UL transmission switch and/or the second UL transmission associated with the second UL transmission switch in implementing the single UL transmission switching instance. That is, for example, the UE may determine to move the first UL transmission starting time 320 (e.g., T_{0_1}) to align with the second UL transmission starting time 722 (e.g., T_{0_2}) , such that no UL transmissions occur during an overlap of the first UL switching gap 350 and second UL switching gap 352.
FIGs. 8A and 8B illustrate examples of UL switching period locations for band pairs associated with multiple UL transmission switching. With further reference to the examples of FIGs. 8A and 8B, various aspects of the method 500 may be illustrated in UL switching period location scenario 800a and UL switching period location scenario 800b. In some embodiments of the method 500, for example, the UE may determine the two triggers associated with the first DCI 302 and the second DCI 304 as a single UL transmission switching instance. In such embodiments, the UE is not expected to receive a configuration for a switching period location for executing the UL switching of the two bands on the two different transmit chains scheduled by the first DCI 302 and the second DCI 304. In some embodiments, when the UE determines that the first UL transmission switch and the second UL transmission switch are capable of being performed as the single UL transmission switching instance, the UE may determine that a first switching period location for the first UL transmission switch is a same location as a second switching period location for the second UL transmission switch.
In some embodiments, for example with reference to FIG. 8A, the UE may determine a first switching period location 802a for the single UL transmission switching instance to align with an end 860a of a first prior UL transmission (e.g., an UL transmission previously scheduled and/or in transmission that was not scheduled by the first DCI 302) on the first band 306 (e.g., Band A) and an end 862a of a second prior UL transmission (e.g., an UL transmission previously scheduled and/or in transmission that was not scheduled by the second DCI 304) on the second band 308 (e.g., Band B) . In some embodiments, the UE may receive a configuration for the first switching period location 802a indicating that the first switching period location 802a is to align on the {switch-from bands} for the multiple UL switch. That is, for example, the first switching period location 802a may be configured to align with a positioning of an end of the first band 306 (e.g., Band A) and a positioning of an end of the second band 308 (e.g., Band B) . In some embodiments, the first switching period location 802a may be left to UE implementation and be aligned with a positioning of an end of the first band 306 (e.g., Band A) and a positioning of an end of the second band 308 (e.g., Band B) absent any received switching period location configuration.
In some embodiments, the UE may switch, during the single UL transmission switching instance, the first band 306 (e.g., Band A) to one (e.g., third band 310) of the third band 310 (e.g., Band C) or the fourth band 312 (e.g., Band D) and the second band 308 (e.g., Band B) to the other (e.g., fourth band 312) of the third band 310 (e.g., Band C) or the fourth band 312 (e.g., Band D) as the single UL transmission switching instance using the first switching period location 802a.
In some embodiments, for example with reference to FIG. 8A, the first switching period location 802a may be equal to or greater than a largest of the switching gaps to be implemented during the single UL transmission switching instance. For example, the first switching period location 802a may be at least as long as a second UL switching gap 852a for UL switching between the second band 308 (e.g., Band B) and the fourth band 312 (e.g., Band D) . That is, for example, the second UL switching gap 852a may be longer than a first UL switching gap 850a for UL switching between the first band 306 (e.g., Band A) and the third band 310 (e.g., Band C) in accordance with some embodiments. In some embodiments, the first UL transmission starting time 820a (e.g., T_{0_1}) associated with the first UL transmission switch to the third band 310 (e.g., Band C) may be a different time as a second UL transmission starting time 822a (e.g., T_{0_2}) associated with the second UL transmission switch to the fourth band 312 (e.g., Band D) . In some embodiments, the UE may alter one or both of the UL transmission starting times (e.g., first UL transmission starting time 820a (e.g., T_{0_1}) and/or second UL transmission starting time 822a (e.g., T_{0_2}) ) different from the value provided in the first DCI 302 and/or the second DCI 304 to ensure proper positioning of the first switching period location 802a.
In some embodiments, for example with reference to FIG. 8B, the UE may determine a second switching period location 802b for the single UL transmission switching instance to align with a start of a first scheduled UL transmission (e.g., a first UL transmission starting time 820b (e.g., T_{0_1}) ) on the one (e.g., the third band 310) of the third band 310 (e.g., Band C) or the fourth band 312 (e.g., Band D) and a start of a second scheduled UL transmission (e.g., a second UL transmission starting time 822b (e.g., T_{0_2}) ) on the other (e.g., the fourth band 312) of the third band 310 (e.g., Band C) or the fourth band 312 (e.g., Band D) . That is, for example, the first scheduled UL transmission scheduled by the first DCI 302 may occur on one of either the third band 310 (e.g., Band C) or the fourth band 312 (e.g., Band D) and the second scheduled UL transmission scheduled by the second DCI 304 may occur on the other of the third band 310 (e.g., Band C) or the fourth band 312 (e.g., Band D) in accordance with some embodiments. In some embodiments, the UE may receive a configuration for the second switching period location 802b indicating that the second switching period location 802b is to align on the {switch-to bands} for the multiple UL switch. That is, for example, the second switching period location 802b may be configured to align with a positioning of a start of the third band 310 (e.g., Band C) and a positioning of a start of the fourth band 312 (e.g., Band D) . In some embodiments, the second switching period location 802b may be left to UE implementation and be aligned with a positioning of a start of the third band 310 (e.g., Band C) and a positioning of a start of the fourth band 312 (e.g., Band D) absent any received switching period location configuration.
In some embodiments, the UE may switch, during the single UL transmission switching instance, the first band 306 (e.g., Band A) to one (e.g., third band 310) of the third band 310 (e.g., Band C) or the fourth band 312 (e.g., Band D) and the second band 308 (e.g., Band B) to the other (e.g., fourth band 312) of the third band 310 (e.g., Band C) or the fourth band 312 (e.g., Band D) as the single UL transmission switching instance using the second switching period location 802b.
In some embodiments, for example with reference to FIG. 8B, the second switching period location 802b may be equal to or greater than a largest of the switching gaps to be implemented during the single UL transmission switching instance. For example, the second switching period location 802b may be at least as long as a second UL switching gap 852b for UL switching between the second band 308 (e.g., Band B) and the fourth band 312 (e.g., Band D) . That is, for example, the second UL switching gap 852b may be longer than a first UL switching gap 850b for UL switching between the first band 306 (e.g., Band A) and the third band 310 (e.g., Band C) in accordance with some embodiments. In some embodiments, an end 860b of a first prior UL transmission (e.g., an UL transmission previously scheduled and/or in transmission that was not scheduled by the first DCI 302) on the first band 306 (e.g., Band A) may not be aligned with an end 862b of a second prior UL transmission (e.g., an UL transmission previously scheduled and/or in transmission that was not scheduled by the second DCI 304) on the second band 308 (e.g., Band B) .
It is to be understood that, in some embodiments, the ends of the first prior UL transmissions associated with the single UL transmission switching instance may be the same, and the UL transmission starting times associated with the single UL transmission switching instance may be the same.
FIG. 9 illustrates an example method 900 of wireless communication by a UE, in accordance with some embodiments and various aspects of the present disclosure. The method 900 may be performed by the UE 102 described with reference to FIG. 1 or by other UEs described herein. The method 900 may be performed using a processor, a set of transceivers (e.g., one or more transceivers) or other components of a UE.
At 902, the method 900 may include receiving a single DCI that triggers a first UL transmission switch from a first band to a third band and a second UL transmission switch from a second band to a fourth band.
At 904, the method 900 may include determining that the first UL transmission switch and the second UL transmission switch is a single UL transmission instance based at least in part on a reception of the single DCI.
FIG. 10 illustrates an example of multiple UL transmission switching for wireless communication between a UE and one or more network devices. The multiple UL transmission switching may be performed by the UE 102 described with reference to FIG. 1 or by other UEs described herein, and in conjunction or cooperation with the one or more network devices 104 with reference to FIG. 1 or by other network devices described herein. With further reference to the example of FIG. 10, various aspects of the method 900 may be illustrated in UL switching scenario 1000. In some embodiments of the method 900, for example, the UE may receive a single DCI 1003 that triggers a first UL transmission switch from a first band 306 (e.g., Band A) to a third band 310 (e.g., Band C) and a second UL transmission switch from a second band 308 (e.g., Band B) to a fourth band 312 (e.g., Band D) . That is, for example, the single DCI 1003 may include fields that specify that both the first UL transmission switch and the second UL transmission switch should be performed as a single UL transmission instance. That is, for example, the UE may infer intent of the network from the information in the single DCI 1003 that the first UL transmission switch and the second UL transmission switch should be performed as the single UL transmission instance.
In some embodiments, the single DCI 1003 may explicitly inform the UE of the multiple UL switch in the single UL transmission instance. In some nonlimiting examples, the single DCI 1003 may include a carrier indicator, a bandwidth part indicator, or a frequency domain resource assignment that signals to the UE, for example, that the first band 306 (e.g., Band A) configured on a first transmit chain is to be switched to the third band 310 (e.g., Band C) and the second band 308 (e.g., Band B) configured on a second transmit chain is to be switched to the fourth band 312 (e.g., Band D) . Additionally or alternatively, the single DCI 1003 may include one or more new bit field indicators that signal to the UE, for example, that the first band 306 (e.g., Band A) configured on the first transmit chain is to be switched to the third band 310 (e.g., Band C) and the second band 308 (e.g., Band B) configured on the second transmit chain is to be switched to the fourth band 312 (e.g., Band D) . Additionally or alternatively, the single DCI 1003 may be an existing DCI format (e.g., DCI formats 0_0, 0_1, and 0_2 specified in 3GPP TS 38.212) that when interpreted by the UE in light of other band and UL switching configurations, for example, that the first band 306 (e.g., Band A) configured on the first transmit chain is to be switched to the third band 310 (e.g., Band C) and the second band 308 (e.g., Band B) configured on the second transmit chain is to be switched to the fourth band 312 (e.g., Band D) .
In some embodiments, the single DCI 1003 may indicate to the UE that the first band 306 (e.g., Band A) configured on the first transmit chain is to be switched to the fourth band 312 (e.g., Band D) and the second band 308 (e.g., Band B) configured on a second transmit chain is to be switched to the third band 310 (e.g., Band C) . In some embodiments, the first UL switching gap 350 for UL switching between the first band 306 (e.g., Band A) and the third band 310 (e.g., Band C) and the second UL switching gap 352 for UL switching between the second band 308 (e.g., Band B) and the fourth band 312 (e.g., Band D) may be received via RRC signaling, for example, in an information elements and/or higher layer parameters (e.g., uplinkTxSwitchingOption) . In some embodiments, the first UL switching gap 350 and second UL switching gap 352 may be predefined. In some embodiments, the UE may perform UL switching to the third band 310 (e.g., Band C) in accordance with a first UE processing procedure time 330 (e.g., T_offset1) for the first UL transmission and to the fourth band 312 (e.g., Band D) in accordance with a second UE processing procedure time 332 (e.g., T_offset2) for the second UL transmission based at least on receiving the single DCI 1003.
In some embodiments of the method 900, for example, the UE may determine a first time threshold 340 (e.g., T_{0_1} -T_offset1) and a second time threshold 342 (e.g., T_{0_2} -T_offset2) associated with the single DCI 1003. The UE may use the first time threshold 340 to determine the time at which a preparation procedure (e.g., packet processing) is to occur for UL switching to the third band 310 in order to begin UL transmission by the first UL transmission starting time 320 (e.g., T_{0_1}) . Additionally, the second time threshold 342 may represent the time at which a preparation procedure (e.g., packet processing) is to occur for UL switching to the fourth band 312 in order to begin UL transmission by the second UL transmission starting time 322 (e.g., T_{0_2}) .
Embodiments contemplated herein include methods in the complementary context of methods 200, 500 and 900 with respect to a network device communicating with a UE. In some embodiments, a complementary context of method 200 and/or 500 may be performed by the network device 104 described with reference to FIG. 1 or by other network devices described herein. The complementary context of method 200 and/or 500 may be performed using a processor, a set of transceivers (e.g., one or more transceivers) or other components of a network device. For example, the complementary context of method 200 and/or 500 may include transmitting a first DCI that triggers a first UL transmission switch from a first band or a second band to a third band; transmitting a second DCI that triggers a second UL transmission switch from the first band or the second band to a fourth band; and receiving, after an UL switching period for a single UL transmission switching instance, a first UL transmission on the third band and a second UL transmission on the fourth band.
In some embodiments of the complementary context of method 200 and/or 500, for example, the network device may transmit a first UL switching gap for UL switching between the first band and the third band, a second UL switching gap for UL switching between the second band and the fourth band, a third UL switching gap for UL switching between the second band and the third band, and/or a fourth UL switching gap for UL switching between the first band and the fourth band. In some embodiments, the network device may transmit the first DCI with a first UL transmission starting time on the third band and the second DCI with a second UL transmission starting time on the fourth band. In some embodiments, the first UL transmission starting time is a same time as the second UL transmission starting time. In some embodiments, the first UL transmission starting time is a different time than the second UL transmission starting time.
In some embodiments, a complementary context of method 900 may be performed by the network device 104 described with reference to FIG. 1 or by other network devices described herein. The complementary context of method 900 may be performed using a processor, a set of transceivers (e.g., one or more transceivers) or other components of a network device. For example, the complementary context of method 900 may include transmitting a single DCI that triggers a first UL transmission switch from a first band to a third band and a second UL transmission switch from a second band to a fourth band; and receiving, after an UL switching period for a single UL transmission switching instance, a first UL transmission on the third band and a second UL transmission on the fourth band responsive to the single DCI.
Embodiments contemplated herein include an apparatus having means to perform one or more elements of the method 200, 500, or 900. In the context of method 200, 500, or 900, the apparatus may be, for example, an apparatus of a UE (such as a wireless device 1202 that is a UE, as described herein) . As would be apparent given the benefit of the disclosure and embodiments described herein, in the complementary context of method 200, 500, or 900, the apparatus may be, for example, an apparatus of a network device (such as a network device 1220 that can be a network device of a RAN, as described herein) .
Embodiments contemplated herein include one or more non-transitory computer-readable media storing instructions to cause an electronic device, upon execution of the instructions by one or more processors of the electronic device, to perform one or more elements of the method 200, 500, or 900. In the context of method 200, 500, or 900, the non-transitory computer-readable media may be, for example, a memory of a UE (such as a memory 1206 of a wireless device 1202 that is a UE, as described herein) . As would be apparent given the benefit of the disclosure and embodiments described herein, in the complementary context of method 200, 500, or 900, the non-transitory computer-readable media may be, for example, a memory of a network device (such as a memory 1224 of a network device 1220 that can be a network device of a RAN, as described herein) .
Embodiments contemplated herein include an apparatus having logic, modules, or circuitry to perform one or more elements of the method 200, 500, or 900. In the context of method 200, 500, or 900, the apparatus may be, for example, an apparatus of a UE (such as a wireless device 1202 that is a UE, as described herein) . As would be apparent given the benefit of the disclosure and embodiments described herein, in the complementary context of method 200, 500, or 900, the apparatus may be, for example, an apparatus of a network device (such as a network device 1220 that can be a network device of a RAN, as described herein) .
Embodiments contemplated herein include an apparatus having one or more processors and one or more computer-readable media, using or storing instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to perform one or more elements of the method 200, 500, or 900. In the context of method 200, 500, or 900, the apparatus may be, for example, an apparatus of a UE (such as a wireless device 1202 that is a UE, as described herein) . As would be apparent given the benefit of the disclosure and embodiments described herein, in the complementary context of method 200, 500, or 900, the apparatus may be, for example, an apparatus of a network device (such as a network device 1220 that can be a network device of a RAN, as described herein) .
Embodiments contemplated herein include a signal as described in or related to one or more elements of the method 200, 500, or 900.
Embodiments contemplated herein include a computer program or computer program product having instructions, wherein execution of the program by a processor causes the processor to carry out one or more elements of the methods 200, 500, or 900. In the context of method 200, 500, or 900, the processor may be a processor of a UE (such as a processor (s) 1204 of a wireless device 1202 that is a UE, as described herein) , and the instructions may be, for example, located in the processor and/or on a memory of the UE (such as a memory 1206 of a wireless device 1202 that is a UE, as described herein) . As would be apparent given the benefit of the disclosure and embodiments described herein, in the complementary context of method 200, 500, or 900, the processor may be a processor of a network device (such as a processor (s) 1222 of a network device 1220 that can be a network device of a RAN, as described herein) , and the instructions may be, for example, located in the processor and/or on a memory of the network device (such as a memory 1224 of a network device 1220 that can be a network device of a RAN, as described herein) . In some embodiments with respect to the complementary context of method 200, 500, or 900, the processor may be a processor of a CN (such as a CN 1124 that is a network device, as described herein) , and the instructions may be, for example, located in the processor and/or on a memory of the CN (such as a memory of a CN 1124 that is a network device, as described herein) .
FIG. 11 illustrates an example architecture of a wireless communication system 1100, according to embodiments disclosed herein. The following description is provided for an example wireless communication system 1100 that operates in conjunction with the LTE system standards and/or 5G or NR system standards as provided by 3GPP technical specifications.
As shown by FIG. 11, the wireless communication system 1100 includes UE 1102 and UE 1104 (although any number of UEs may be used) . In this example, the UE 1102 and the UE 1104 are illustrated as smartphones (e.g., handheld touchscreen mobile computing devices connectable to one or more cellular networks) , but may also include any mobile or non-mobile computing device configured for wireless communication.
The UE 1102 and UE 1104 may be configured to communicatively couple with a RAN 1106. In embodiments, the RAN 1106 may be NG-RAN, E-UTRAN, etc. The UE 1102 and UE 1104 utilize connections (or channels) (shown as connection 1108 and connection 1110, respectively) with the RAN 1106, each of which includes a physical communications interface. The RAN 1106 can include one or more network devices, such as network device 1112 and network device 1114, that enable the connection 1108 and connection 1110.
In this example, the connection 1108 and connection 1110 are air interfaces to enable such communicative coupling, and may be consistent with RAT (s) used by the RAN 1106, such as, for example, an LTE and/or NR.
In some embodiments, the UE 1102 and UE 1104 may also directly exchange communication data via a sidelink interface 1116. In some embodiments, for example, the transmit chains of the UE 1102 and UE 1104 may utilize the UL switching transmission techniques described herein to exchange communication data via the sidelink interface 1116. The UE 1104 is shown to be configured to access an access point (shown as AP 1118) via connection 1120. By way of example, the connection 1120 can include a local wireless connection, such as a connection consistent with any IEEE 502.11 protocol, wherein the AP 1118 may include a router. In this example, the AP 1118 may be connected to another network (for example, the Internet) without going through a CN 1124.
In embodiments, the UE 1102 and UE 1104 can be configured to communicate using OFDM communication signals with each other or with the network device 1112 and/or the network device 1114 over a multicarrier communication channel in accordance with various communication techniques, such as, but not limited to, an orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA) communication technique (e.g., for downlink communications) or a single carrier frequency division multiple access (SC-FDMA) communication technique (e.g., for uplink and ProSe or sidelink communications) , although the scope of the embodiments is not limited in this respect. The OFDM signals can include a plurality of orthogonal subcarriers.
In some embodiments, all or parts of the network device 1112 or network device 1114 may be implemented as one or more software entities running on server computers as part of a virtual network. In addition, or in other embodiments, the network device 1112 or network device 1114 may be configured to communicate with one another via interface 1122. In embodiments where the wireless communication system 1100 is an LTE system (e.g., when the CN 1124 is an EPC) , the interface 1122 may be an X2 interface. The X2 interface may be defined between two or more network devices (e.g., two or more eNBs and the like) that connect to an EPC, and/or between two eNBs connecting to the EPC. In embodiments where the wireless communication system 1100 is an NR system (e.g., when CN 1124 is a 5GC) , the interface 1122 may be an Xn interface. The Xn interface is defined between two or more network devices (e.g., two or more gNBs and the like) that connect to 5GC, between a network device 1112 (e.g., a gNB) connecting to 5GC and an eNB, and/or between two eNBs connecting to 5GC (e.g., CN 1124) .
The RAN 1106 is shown to be communicatively coupled to the CN 1124. The CN 1124 may include one or more network elements 1126, which are configured to offer various data and telecommunications services to customers/subscribers (e.g., users of UE 1102 and UE 1104) who are connected to the CN 1124 via the RAN 1106. The components of the CN 1124 may be implemented in one physical device or separate physical devices including components to read and execute instructions from a machine-readable or computer-readable medium (e.g., a non-transitory machine-readable storage medium) .
In embodiments, the CN 1124 may be an EPC, and the RAN 1106 may be connected with the CN 1124 via an S1 interface 1128. In embodiments, the S1 interface 1128 may be split into two parts, an S1 user plane (S1-U) interface, which carries traffic data between the network device 1112 or network device 1114 and a serving gateway (S-GW) , and the S1-MME interface, which is a signaling interface between the network device 1112 or network device 1114 and mobility management entities (MMEs) .
In embodiments, the CN 1124 may be a 5GC, and the RAN 1106 may be connected with the CN 1124 via an NG interface 1128. In embodiments, the NG interface 1128 may be split into two parts, an NG user plane (NG-U) interface, which carries traffic data between the network device 1112 or network device 1114 and a user plane function (UPF) , and the S1 control plane (NG-C) interface, which is a signaling interface between the network device 1112 or network device 1114 and access and mobility management functions (AMFs) .
Generally, an application server 1130 may be an element offering applications that use internet protocol (IP) bearer resources with the CN 1124 (e.g., packet switched data services) . The application server 1130 can also be configured to support one or more communication services (e.g., VoIP sessions, group communication sessions, etc. ) for the UE 1102 and UE 1104 via the CN 1124. The application server 1130 may communicate with the CN 1124 through an IP communications interface 1132.
FIG. 12 illustrates a system 1200 for performing signaling 1238 between a wireless device 1202 and a network device 1220, according to embodiments disclosed herein. The system 1200 may be a portion of a wireless communications system as herein described. The wireless device 1202 may be, for example, a UE of a wireless communication system. The network device 1220 may be, for example, a network device (e.g., an eNB or a gNB) of a wireless communication system.
The wireless device 1202 may include one or more processor (s) 1204. The processor (s) 1204 may execute instructions such that various operations of the wireless device 1202 are performed, as described herein. The processor (s) 1204 may include one or more baseband processors implemented using, for example, a central processing unit (CPU) , a digital signal processor (DSP) , an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) , a controller, a field programmable gate array (FPGA) device, another hardware device, a firmware device, or any combination thereof configured to perform the operations described herein.
The wireless device 1202 may include a memory 1206. The memory 1206 may be a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium that stores instructions 1208 (which may include, for example, the instructions being executed by the processor (s) 1204) . The instructions 1208 may also be referred to as program code or a computer program. The memory 1206 may also store data used by, and results computed by, the processor (s) 1204.
The wireless device 1202 may include one or more transceiver (s) 1210 that may include radio frequency (RF) transmitter and/or receiver circuitry that use the antenna (s) 1212 of the wireless device 1202 to facilitate signaling (e.g., the signaling 1238) to and/or from the wireless device 1202 with other devices (e.g., the network device 1220) according to corresponding RATs.
The wireless device 1202 may include one or more antenna (s) 1212 (e.g., one, two, four, or more) . For embodiments with multiple antenna (s) 1212, the wireless device 1202 may leverage the spatial diversity of such multiple antenna (s) 1212 to send and/or receive multiple different data streams on the same time and frequency resources. This behavior may be referred to as, for example, MIMO behavior (referring to the multiple antennas used at each of a transmitting device and a receiving device that enable this aspect) . MIMO transmissions by the wireless device 1202 may be accomplished according to precoding (or digital beamforming) that is applied at the wireless device 1202 that multiplexes the data streams across the antenna (s) 1212 according to known or assumed channel characteristics such that each data stream is received with an appropriate signal strength relative to other streams and at a desired location in the spatial domain (e.g., the location of a receiver associated with that data stream) . Certain embodiments may use single user MIMO (SU-MIMO) methods (where the data streams are all directed to a single receiver) and/or multi user MIMO (MU-MIMO) methods (where individual data streams may be directed to individual (different) receivers in different locations in the spatial domain) .
In certain embodiments having multiple antennas, the wireless device 1202 may implement analog beamforming techniques, whereby phases of the signals sent by the antenna (s) 1212 are relatively adjusted such that the (joint) transmission of the antenna (s) 1212 can be directed (this is sometimes referred to as beam steering) .
The wireless device 1202 may include one or more interface (s) 1214. The interface (s) 1214 may be used to provide input to or output from the wireless device 1202. For example, a wireless device 1202 that is a UE may include interface (s) 1214 such as microphones, speakers, a touchscreen, buttons, and the like in order to allow for input and/or output to the UE by a user of the UE. Other interfaces of such a UE may be made up of transmitters, receivers, and other circuitry (e.g., other than the transceiver (s) 1210/antenna (s) 1212 already described) that allow for communication between the UE and other devices and may operate according to known protocols (e.g., and the like) .
The wireless device 1202 may include an UL transmission switching module (s) 1216. The UL transmission switching module (s) 1216 may be implemented via hardware, software, or combinations thereof. For example, the UL transmission switching module (s) 1216 may be implemented as a processor, circuit, and/or instructions 1208 stored in the memory 1206 and executed by the processor (s) 1204. In some examples, the UL transmission switching module (s) 1216 may be integrated within the processor (s) 1204 and/or the transceiver (s) 1210. For example, the UL transmission switching module (s) 1216 may be implemented by a combination of software components (e.g., executed by a DSP or a general processor) and hardware components (e.g., logic gates and circuitry) within the processor (s) 1204 or the transceiver (s) 1210.
The UL transmission switching module (s) 1216 may be used for various aspects of the present disclosure, for example, aspects of FIG. 1 through FIG. 9. The UL transmission switching module (s) 1216 may be configured to, for example, apply or implement the single and multiple UL transmission switching techniques described herein.
The network device 1220 may include one or more processor (s) 1222. The processor (s) 1222 may execute instructions such that various operations of the network device 1220 are performed, as described herein. The processor (s) 1222 may include one or more baseband processors implemented using, for example, a CPU, a DSP, an ASIC, a controller, an FPGA device, another hardware device, a firmware device, or any combination thereof configured to perform the operations described herein.
The network device 1220 may include a memory 1224. The memory 1224 may be a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium that stores instructions 1226 (which may include, for example, the instructions being executed by the processor (s) 1222) . The instructions 1226 may also be referred to as program code or a computer program. The memory 1224 may also store data used by, and results computed by, the processor (s) 1222.
The network device 1220 may include one or more transceiver (s) 1228 that may include RF transmitter and/or receiver circuitry that use the antenna (s) 1230 of the network device 1220 to facilitate signaling (e.g., the signaling 1238) to and/or from the network device 1220 with other devices (e.g., the wireless device 1202) according to corresponding RATs.
The network device 1220 may include one or more antenna (s) 1230 (e.g., one, two, four, or more) . In embodiments having multiple antenna (s) 1230, the network device 1220 may perform MIMO, digital beamforming, analog beamforming, beam steering, etc., as has been described.
The network device 1220 may include one or more interface (s) 1232. The interface (s) 1232 may be used to provide input to or output from the network device 1220. For example, a network device 1220 that is a network device may include interface (s) 1232 made up of transmitters, receivers, and other circuitry (e.g., other than the transceiver (s) 1228 and antenna (s) 1230 already described) that enables the network device to communicate with other equipment in a core network, and/or that enables the network device to communicate with external networks, computers, databases, and the like for purposes of operations, administration, and maintenance of the network device or other equipment operably connected thereto.
The network device 1220 may include an UL communication module (s) 1234. The UL communication module (s) 1234 may be implemented via hardware, software, or combinations thereof. For example, the UL communication module (s) 1234 may be implemented as a processor, circuit, and/or instructions 1226 stored in the memory 1224 and executed by the processor (s) 1222. In some examples, the UL communication module (s) 1234 may be integrated within the processor (s) 1222 and/or the transceiver (s) 1228. For example, the UL communication module (s) 1234 may be implemented by a combination of software components (e.g., executed by a DSP or a general processor) and hardware components (e.g., logic gates and circuitry) within the processor (s) 1222 or the transceiver (s) 1228.
The UL communication module (s) 1234 may be used for various aspects of the present disclosure, for example, aspects of FIG. 1 through FIG. 9. The UL communication module (s) 1234 may be configured to, for example, apply or implement the network-related UL communication and signaling in accordance with the single and multiple UL transmission switching techniques described herein.
For one or more embodiments, at least one of the components set forth in one or more of the preceding figures may be configured to perform one or more operations, techniques, processes, and/or methods as set forth herein. For example, a baseband processor as described herein in connection with one or more of the preceding figures may be configured to operate in accordance with one or more of the examples set forth herein. For another example, circuitry associated with a UE, network device, network element, etc. as described above in connection with one or more of the preceding figures may be configured to operate in accordance with one or more of the examples set forth herein.
Any of the above described embodiments may be combined with any other embodiment (or combination of embodiments) , unless explicitly stated otherwise. The foregoing description of one or more implementations provides illustration and description, but is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the scope of embodiments to the precise form disclosed. Modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings or may be acquired from practice of various embodiments.
Embodiments and implementations of the systems and methods described herein may include various operations, which may be embodied in machine-executable instructions to be executed by a computer system. A computer system may include one or more general-purpose or special-purpose computers (or other electronic devices) . The computer system may include hardware components that include specific logic for performing the operations or may include a combination of hardware, software, and/or firmware.
It should be recognized that the systems described herein include descriptions of specific embodiments. These embodiments can be combined into single systems, partially combined into other systems, split into multiple systems or divided or combined in other ways. In addition, it is contemplated that parameters, attributes, aspects, etc. of one embodiment can be used in another embodiment. The parameters, attributes, aspects, etc. are merely described in one or more embodiments for clarity, and it is recognized that the parameters, attributes, aspects, etc. can be combined with or substituted for parameters, attributes, aspects, etc. of another embodiment unless specifically disclaimed herein.
Although the foregoing has been described in some detail for purposes of clarity, it will be apparent that certain changes and modifications may be made without departing from the principles thereof. It should be noted that there are many alternative ways of implementing both the processes and apparatuses described herein. Accordingly, the present embodiments are to be considered illustrative and not restrictive, and the description is not to be limited to the details given herein, but may be modified within the scope and equivalents of the appended claims.

Claims

A user equipment (UE) , comprising:

one or more transceivers; and

a processor configured to,

receive, via the one or more transceivers, a first downlink control information (DCI) that triggers a first uplink (UL) transmission switch from a first band or a second band to a third band;

receive, via the one or more transceivers, a second DCI that triggers a second UL transmission switch from the first band or the second band to a fourth band;

determine that the first UL transmission switch and the second UL transmission switch are capable of being performed as a single UL transmission switching instance; and

switch, during the single UL transmission switching instance, one of the first band or the second band to the third band and the other of the first band or the second band to the fourth band.
The UE of claim 1, wherein the processor is further configured to:

determine that the first UL transmission switch and the second UL transmission switch take place within a single switching period location; and

determine that the first UL transmission switch and the second UL transmission switch are capable of being performed as the single UL transmission switching instance based at least in part on a determination that the first UL transmission switch and the second UL transmission switch take place within the single switching period location.
The UE of claim 1, wherein the processor is further configured to:

determine that a first scheduled UL transmission associated with the first UL transmission switch and a second scheduled UL transmission associated with the second UL transmission switch at least partially overlap in the time domain; and

determine that the first UL transmission switch and the second UL transmission switch are capable of being performed as the single UL transmission switching instance based at least in part on a determination that the first scheduled UL transmission and the second scheduled UL transmission at least partially overlap in the time domain.
The UE of claim 1, wherein:

the first band is configured on a first transmit chain and the second band is configured on a second transmit chain; and

the processor is configured to determine that the first UL transmission switch and the second UL transmission switch are capable of being performed as the single UL transmission switching instance based at least in part on the first band configured on the first transmit chain and the second band configured on the second transmit chain.
The UE of claim 1, wherein the processor is further configured to:

determine an UL switching period for the single UL transmission switching instance as a maximum of:

a first UL switching gap for UL switching between the first band and the third band;

a second UL switching gap for UL switching between the second band and the fourth band;

a third UL switching gap for UL switching between the second band and the third band; and

a fourth UL switching gap for UL switching between the first band and the fourth band; and

switch, during the single UL transmission switching instance, the one of the first band or the second band to the third band and the other of the first band or the second band to the fourth band based at least in part on the UL switching period for the single UL transmission switching instance.
A user equipment (UE) , comprising:

one or more transceivers; and

a processor configured to,

receive, via the one or more transceivers, a first downlink control information (DCI) that triggers a first uplink (UL) transmission switch from a first band configured on a first transmit chain to a third band;

receive, via the one or more transceivers, a second DCI that triggers a second UL transmission switch from a second band configured on a second transmit chain to a fourth band;

determine that the first UL transmission switch and the second UL transmission switch are capable of being performed as a single UL transmission switching instance; and

switch, during the single UL transmission switching instance, the first band to one of the third band or the fourth band and the second band to the other of the third band or the fourth band.
The UE of claim 6, wherein the processor is further configured to:

determine that the second DCI was received at least a dual switch time prior to a first UL transmission starting time associated with the first UL transmission switch minus a first UE processing procedure time associated with the first UL transmission switch; and

determine that the first UL transmission switch and the second UL transmission switch are capable of being performed as the single UL transmission switching instance based at least in part on a determination that the second DCI was received at least the dual switch time prior to the first UL transmission starting time associated with the first UL transmission switch minus the first UE processing procedure time associated with the first UL transmission switch.
The UE of claim 7, wherein the processor is further configured to:

determine a first maximum UL switching period as a maximum of:

a first UL switching gap for UL switching between the first band and the third band;

a second UL switching gap for UL switching between the second band and the fourth band;

a third UL switching gap for UL switching between the second band and the third band; and

a fourth UL switching gap for UL switching between the first band and the fourth band; and

determine a second maximum UL switching period as the first UL switching gap for UL switching between the first band and the third band.
The UE of claim 8, wherein the processor is further configured to:

determine that a value of the dual switch time is zero based at least in part on the first maximum UL switching period being equal to the second maximum UL switching period; or

determine that the value of the dual switch time is a difference between the first maximum UL switching period and the second maximum UL switching period based at least in part on the first maximum UL switching period being greater than the second maximum UL switching period.
The UE of claim 6, wherein:

the first DCI further triggers the first UL transmission switch from the second band configured on the second transmit chain to the third band; and

the second DCI further triggers the second UL transmission switch from the first band configured on the first transmit chain to the fourth band.
The UE of claim 10, wherein the processor is further configured to:

determine that the second DCI was received at least a dual switch time prior to a first UL transmission starting time associated with the first UL transmission switch minus a first UE processing procedure time associated with the first UL transmission switch; and

determine that the first UL transmission switch and the second UL transmission switch are capable of being performed as the single UL transmission switching instance based at least in part on a determination that the second DCI was received at least the dual switch time prior to the first UL transmission starting time associated with the first UL transmission switch minus the first UE processing procedure time associated with the first UL transmission switch.
The UE of claim 11, wherein the processor is further configured to:

determine a first maximum UL switching period as a maximum of:

a first UL switching gap for UL switching between the first band and the third band;

a second UL switching gap for UL switching between the second band and the fourth band;

a third UL switching gap for UL switching between the second band and the third band; and

a fourth UL switching gap for UL switching between the first band and the fourth band; and

determine a second maximum UL switching period as a maximum of:

the first UL switching gap for UL switching between the first band and the third band; and

the second UL switching gap for UL switching between the second band and the third band.
The UE of claim 12, wherein the processor is further configured to:

determine that a value of the dual switch time is zero based at least in part on the first maximum UL switching period being equal to the second maximum UL switching period; or

determine that the value of the dual switch time is a difference between the first maximum UL switching period and the second maximum UL switching period based at least in part on the first maximum UL switching period being greater than the second maximum UL switching period.
The UE of claim 6, wherein the processor is further configured to:

determine that a first UL transmission starting time on the third band scheduled by the first DCI is a same time as a second UL transmission starting time on the fourth band scheduled by the second DCI; and

determine that the first UL transmission switch and the second UL transmission switch are capable of being performed as the single UL transmission switching instance based at least in part on a determination that the first UL transmission starting time on the third band scheduled by the first DCI is the same time as the second UL transmission starting time on the fourth band scheduled by the second DCI.
The UE of claim 14, wherein the processor is further configured to:

determine that a first UL transmission duration on the third band scheduled by the first DCI is a same duration as a second UL transmission duration on the fourth band scheduled by the second DCI; and

determine that the first UL transmission switch and the second UL transmission switch are capable of being performed as the single UL transmission switching instance based at least in part on the determination that the first UL transmission starting time associated with the first UL transmission switch to the third band is the same time as the second UL transmission starting time associated with the second UL transmission switch to the fourth band and a determination that the first UL transmission duration on the third band scheduled by the first DCI is the same duration as the second UL transmission duration on the fourth band scheduled by the second DCI.
The UE of claim 6, wherein the processor is further configured to:

determine that a first UL transmission starting time on the third band scheduled by the first DCI is different from a second UL transmission starting time on the fourth band scheduled by the second DCI;

determine a starting gap difference between the first UL transmission starting time and the second UL transmission starting time;

determine a last-in-time UL transmission starting time among the first UL transmission starting time and the second UL transmission starting time for the single UL transmission switching instance;

determine a last-in-time UL switching gap associated with the first UL transmission switch or the second UL transmission switch corresponding to the last-in-time UL transmission starting time;

determine that the last-in-time UL switching gap is greater than or equal to the starting gap difference; and

determine that the first UL transmission switch and the second UL transmission switch are capable of being performed as the single UL transmission switching instance based at least in part on a determination that the last-in-time UL switching gap is greater than or equal to the starting gap difference.
The UE of claim 6, wherein the processor is further configured to:

determine that a first switching period location for the first UL transmission switch is a same location as a second switching period location for the second UL transmission switch based at least in part on a determination that the first UL transmission switch and the second UL transmission switch are capable of being performed as the single UL transmission switching instance.
The UE of claim 6, wherein the processor is further configured to:

determine a first switching period location for the single UL transmission switching instance to align with an end of a first prior UL transmission on the first band and an end of a second prior UL transmission on the second band; and

switch, during the single UL transmission switching instance, the first band to the one of the third band or the fourth band and the second band to the other of the third band or the fourth band as the single UL transmission switching instance using the first switching period location.
The UE of claim 6, wherein the processor is further configured to:

determine a second switching period location for the single UL transmission switching instance to align with a start of a first scheduled UL transmission on the one of the third band or the fourth band and a start of a second scheduled UL transmission on the other of the third band or the fourth band; and

switch, during the single UL transmission switching instance, the first band to the one of the third band or the fourth band and the second band to the other of the third band or the fourth band as the single UL transmission switching instance using the second switching period location.
A user equipment (UE) , comprising:

one or more transceivers; and

a processor configured to,

receive, via the one or more transceivers, a single downlink control information (DCI) that triggers a first uplink (UL) transmission switch from a first band to a third band and a second UL transmission switch from a second band to a fourth band; and

determine that the first UL transmission switch and the second UL transmission switch are a single UL transmission instance based at least in part on a reception of the single DCI.