WO2017111988A1 - Multiplexing of control signaling and data transmission in enhanced frame structures - Google Patents

Abstract

An arrangement is configured to be employed within one or more user equipment (UEs). The arrangement includes transceiver logic and control logic. The transceiver logic is configured to receive a subframe having a downlink control channel that is time division multiplexed (TDM) and frequency division multiplexed (FDM). The control logic is configured to obtain a downlink control channel configuration, locate the downlink control channel in the subframe, and decode downlink control information from the downlink control channel.

Description

MULTIPLEXING OF CONTROL SIGNALING AND DATA TRANSMISSION IN

ENHANCED FRAME STRUCTURES

REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional application 62/270,933, filed December 22, 2015, the contents of which are herein incorporated by reference in their entirety.

FIELD

[0002] The present disclosure relates to mobile communication and control signaling and data transmission.

BACKGROUND

[0003] Mobile communications, including cellular communications, involve the transfer of data. In order to properly configure data transfer or data transmissions for mobile communication, control information is typically needed. The control information can specify how data is to be sent, symbol types, frequencies used, bandwidth, data rate and the like.

[0004] Once the control information is exchanged, multiple devices can then perform data transmission.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0005] Fig. 1 is a diagram illustrating an arrangement for using downlink control channels that are time division multiplexed and frequency division multiplexed.

[0006] Fig. 2 is a graph depicting examples of including control information into a downlink frame or frame structure.

[0007] Fig. 3 is a diagram illustrating an enhanced or extended radio access technology (xRAT) frame or frame structure.

[0008] Fig. 4 is a diagram illustrating another xRAT frame or frame structure using multiple subframes.

[0009] Fig. 5 is a diagram illustrating a downlink subframe and an uplink subframe.

[0010] Fig. 6 is a diagram illustrating a downlink frame or frame structure for xRAT using a hybrid of TDM and FDM. [0011] Fig. 7 is a diagram illustrating a downlink frame or frame structure for xRAT using a hybrid of TDM and FDM.

[0012] Fig. 8 is a diagram illustrating a downlink frame or frame structure for xRAT using a hybrid of TDM and FDM.

[0013] Fig. 9 is a diagram illustrating an arrangement for generating downlink control signaling at a base station for downlink control channels that are time division multiplexed and frequency division multiplexed.

[0014] Fig. 1 0 is a flow diagram illustrating a method of multiplexing control signalling and data transmission.

[0015] FIG. 1 1 illustrates, for one embodiment, example components of a User Equipment (UE) device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0016] The present disclosure will now be described with reference to the attached drawing figures, wherein like reference numerals are used to refer to like elements throughout, and wherein the illustrated structures and devices are not necessarily drawn to scale. As utilized herein, terms "component," "system," "interface," and the like are intended to refer to a computer-related entity, hardware, software (e.g., in execution), and/or firmware. For example, a component can be a processor (e.g., a

microprocessor, a controller, or other processing device), a process running on a processor, a controller, an object, an executable, a program, a storage device, a computer, a tablet PC, an electronic circuit and/or a mobile phone with a processing device. By way of illustration, an application running on a server and the server can also be a component. One or more components can reside within a process, and a component can be localized on one computer and/or distributed between two or more computers. A set of elements or a set of other components can be described herein, in which the term "set" can be interpreted as "one or more."

[0017] Further, these components can execute from various computer readable storage media having various data structures stored thereon such as with a module, for example. The components can communicate via local and/or remote processes such as in accordance with a signal having one or more data packets (e.g., data from one component interacting with another component in a local system, distributed system, and/or across a network, such as, the Internet, a local area network, a wide area network, or similar network with other systems via the signal). [0018] As another example, a component can be an apparatus with specific functionality provided by mechanical parts operated by electric or electronic circuitry, in which the electric or electronic circuitry can be operated by a software application or a firmware application executed by one or more processors. The one or more processors can be internal or external to the apparatus and can execute at least a part of the software or firmware application. As yet another example, a component can be an apparatus that provides specific functionality through electronic components without mechanical parts; the electronic components can include one or more processors therein to execute software and/or firmware that confer(s), at least in part, the functionality of the electronic components.

[0019] Use of the word exemplary is intended to present concepts in a concrete fashion. As used in this application, the term "or" is intended to mean an inclusive "or" rather than an exclusive "or". That is, unless specified otherwise, or clear from context, "X employs A or B" is intended to mean any of the natural inclusive permutations. That is, if X employs A; X employs B; or X employs both A and B, then "X employs A or B" is satisfied under any of the foregoing instances. In addition, the articles "a" and "an" as used in this application and the appended claims should generally be construed to mean "one or more" unless specified otherwise or clear from context to be directed to a singular form. Furthermore, to the extent that the terms "including", "includes", "having", "has", "with", or variants thereof are used in either the detailed description and the claims, such terms are intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term

"comprising".

[0020] As used herein, the term "circuitry" may refer to, be part of, or include an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), an electronic circuit, a processor (shared, dedicated, or group), and/or memory (shared, dedicated, or group) that execute one or more software or firmware programs, a combinational logic circuit, and/or other suitable hardware components that provide the described functionality. In some embodiments, the circuitry may be implemented in, or functions associated with the circuitry may be implemented by, one or more software or firmware modules. In some embodiments, circuitry may include logic, at least partially operable in hardware.

[0021] In LTE, two physical downlink control channels are known, namely, the Physical Downlink Control Channel (PDCCH) and the Enhanced Physical Downlink Control Channel (EPDCCH). The PDCCH was standardized in LTE Rel. 8 and it is time- division multiplexed with the Physical Downlink Shared Channel (PDSCH) within a subframe. The Control Format Indicator (CFI), which defines the length of the PDCCH control region (in number of OFDM symbols) is transmitted on the Physical Control Format Indicator Channel (PCFICH) on the first OFDM symbol of a subframe. After decoding the PCFICH, the user equipment (UE) receiver knows the control region boundary from the CFI and can then decode the PDCCH. In LTE Rel. 1 1 the EPDCCH was standardized. The EPDCCH is frequency-division multiplexed with the PDSCH within a subframe. The EPDCCH starting symbol is configured via the Radio Resource Control (RRC) protocol. Similarly, for the PDSCH, the starting symbol can be configured via the Radio Resource Control (RRC) protocol.

[0022] For next generation radio access technologies (xRATs), a hybrid control channel design can be used, which includes both time-division multiplexed and frequency-division multiplexed approaches. For small to moderate subcarrier spacings in an Orthogonal Frequency-Division Multiple Access (OFDMA) system, e.g., in the realm of tens of kHz, the OFDM symbol duration is correspondingly long due to the reciprocal relationship between the two. Thus, allocating PDCCH resources in the granularity of OFDM symbols does not allow for an accurate tailoring of the configured control resources to the required ones. For example, assuming 14 OFDM symbols in one subframe, PDCCH resources can only be allocated in increments of 1 /14=7% of the total resources within one subframe. For the frequency-division multiplexed EPDCCH, control channel resources can by allocated in increments of N PRB pairs where one Physical Resource Block (PRB) comprises 1 2 subcarriers and 7 symbols (1 slot) in case of LTE for a normal cyclic prefix (CP) length. Assuming a system bandwidth of 100 PRBs (e.g., 100 MHz assuming 75kHz subcarrier spacing), and N=2, the EPDCCH overhead can be as small as 2/100=2% and additional control resources can be allocated in increments of this minimal overhead.

[0023] While frequency-division multiplexing of control resources allows for smaller overheads, it induces prolonged processing times at the UE. In LTE, the Downlink Control Information (DCI) can be transmitted on either the PDCCH or

EPDCCH. The DCI instructs the UE receiver how to decode the PDSCH. In other words, the UE is required to complete decoding of the (E)PDCCH (e.g., determine PDSCH resource allocation, etc.) prior to beginning the PDSCH processing. Since the EPDCCH spans the entire subframe (beginning from its starting symbol), the UE receiver cannot decode the PDSCH until the end of the subframe plus some processing time for the EPDCCH decoding. For the PDCCH, on the other hand, early decoding of the PDCCH is possible because the entire DCI transmission occurs prior to the PDSCH transmission, i.e., the UE receiver can decode the PDCCH after the span of the control region indicated by the CFI and can commence decoding the PDSCH in the middle of a subframe resulting in the aforementioned processing time gain.

[0024] The present disclosure provides various embodiments related to an improved or next generation physical downlink control channel (xPDCCH) that is both time division multiplexed (TDM) and frequency division multiplexed (FDM) with the PDSCH, which allows a UE to perform early decoding of DCI while maintaining the finer granularity and lower overhead. The various embodiments include signaling

procedures to indicate the xPDCCH/PDSCH rate matching behavior for the UE to facilitate control channel designs. It is appreciated that wherever xPDCCH or PDCCH is shown, the other can also be used. The use of xPDCCH and PDCCH is for illustrative purposes and should not be construed as limiting to one or the other.

Similarly, it is appreciated that where xPDSCH or PDSCH is shown, the other can also be used. The use of xPDSCH and PDSCH is for illustrative purposes and should not be construed as limiting to one or the other.

[0025] Fig. 1 is a diagram illustrating an arrangement 100 for using downlink control channels that are time division multiplexed and/or frequency division multiplexed.

[0026] The arrangement 100 includes a mobile device or UE having a control component or logic 1 02 and a receiver/transceiver logic 106 that receives a signal or communication 1 14 from a mobile station or evolved node B (eNodeB) 1 10.

[0027] The receiver logic 106 is configured to receive a subframe of the signal 1 14. The subframe includes a plurality of symbols in the time domain and a plurality of resource blocks in the frequency domain. The subframe includes an next generation physical downlink control channel (xPDCCH) and a next generation physical downlink shared channel (xPDSCH). In one example, the xPDCCH can span {1 , 2, ..., N} symbols in the time domain and {1 , 2, ..., M} physical resource blocks (PRBs) in the frequency domain. In another example, an xPDCCH can occupy a set of resource elements that belong to a set, such as {1 , 2, N} symbols in the time domain and a set of {1 , 2, M} subcarriers in the frequency domain. Other examples of

arrangements for the xPDCCH are contemplated.

[0028] The xPDSCH generally includes downlink data and is transmitted on one or more symbols in the time domain and one or more PRBs in the frequency domain. It is noted that the xPDSCH and the xPDCCH can both occupy portions of the same resource block and/or symbol.

[0029] For illustrative purposes, a single subframe 1 16 is discussed. However, it is appreciated that a plurality of subframes of the signal 1 14 can also be received.

[0030] The subframe can also utilize a next-generation radio access technology (xRAT) having enhanced subframe structures. The enhanced subframe structures include self-contained subframe structures where, for example, a downlink hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ) acknowledgement (ACK/NACK) for a packet is transmitted in the same subframe as the corresponding xPDSCH and its scheduling xPDCCH.

[0031] The control component 102 is configured to receive the subframe 1 16 and perform rate matching. Control signals and/or other information can be obtained to facilitate performing of the rate matching. The control signals and/or other information indicate which symbols and/or resource blocks are allocated to data/ xPDSCH and which are allocated to control channel information / xPDCCH.

[0032] The control component 102 includes a decoder component 1 04 configured to decode the subframe 1 16 and obtain the xPDCCH from the subframe 1 16. The decoder component 104 is configured to decode downlink control information (DCI) from the xPDCCH. The downlink control information includes information about the data being transmitted and resources allocated to uplink data. The information about the data being transmitted includes control channel elements (CCEs), which are located in a common search space and/or UE specific search space.

[0033] The control component 102 can also include a memory or storage medium 1 18 for storing information, such as downlink control information, instructions, and the like.

[0034] The control component 102 is configured to determine the location of the downlink control information, such as the xPDCCH. The location is also referred to as the downlink control channel configuration, and includes for example, a starting symbol, starting resource block and the like. The configuration indicates the location of the downlink control information and/or the data or data channel, such as xPDSCH. Once the location is known, the control component 102 can decode and/or obtain the downlink control information, such as the xPDCCH, and the downlink data, such as the xPDSCH. [0035] Some suitable examples of providing the location or downlink control channel configuration are provided.

1 . One xPDCCH set/configuration in an OFDM symbol

2. More than one xPDCCH set in an OFDM symbol

3. The xPDCCH configuration defined separately for uplink grants and downlink grants

4. The xPDCCH configuration for common signaling can be separate.

5. The xPDCCH set or configuration can include one or more of the following parameters

a. Resource blocks

b. OFDM Symbol number

c. Scrambling index

d. DMRS configuration information

e. Type of grants to detect

f. Other suitable parameters

[0036] The downlink control information and the downlink data can exist in the same symbol and/or PRB. For example, a UE detects an xPDCCH in an OFDM symbol belonging to xPDCCH set A in a subframe. An xPDSCH is also in the same subframe. If the xPDSCH resource allocation overlaps even partially with the xPDCCH in frequency domain, then the UE can determine the resources used for the xPDSCH using a suitable technique, examples of which follow.

[0037] Rate-match around all the resource elements belonging to the entire OFDM symbol corresponding to xPDCCH set A. Rate-match around the resource elements belonging to the resource blocks in OFDM symbols corresponding to xPDCCH set A. Rate-match around the resource elements belonging to the resource blocks corresponding to the detected xPDCCH in the OFDM symbol.

Rate-match around the resource elements belonging to the resource blocks in OFDM symbols corresponding to xPDCCH set X1 ,X2, etc.

[0038] A field in the DCI scheduling the PDSCH can be used to indicate to the UE which rate-matching option is used for the PDSCH.

[0039] For the embodiments herein, configurations (e.g., via RRC signaling or via broadcast of system information) can be prepared by a target cell during a handover procedure.

[0040] In one example, the downlink control information indicates a starting symbol of an associated data transmission. In another example, the downlink control information indicates a boundary of control channel resources on which additional downlink control information can be received. [0041] It is appreciated that the components of the arrangement 100 can be in the same device and/or included in separate devices, such as with radio access network

(RAN) and cellular radio access network (C-RAN) embodiments.

[0042] Fig. 2 is a graph 200 depicting examples of including control information into a downlink subframe or subframe structure. The graph 200 is provided for illustrative purposes only and it is appreciated that variations of incorporating the control information are contemplated. The graph 200 indicates a transmission time interval

(TTI) along an x-axis and frequency (f) along a y-axis.

[0043] A first example or alternative 201 shows a subframe where control information (xPDCCH) is multiplexed with data (xPDSCH) using time division multiplexing (TDM). The control information spans a set of consecutive symbols {1 , 2,

N} in the time domain. The sets are also referred to as spans of symbols.

[0044] A second example or alternative 202 shows a subframe where control information (xPDCCH) is multiplexed with data (xPDSCH) using frequency division multiplexing (FDM). Here, the control information is provided in a set of physical resource blocks (PRBs) or PRB pairs shown as {1 , 2, ..., M}. The sets are also referred to as spans of PRBs.

[0045] A third example or alternative 203 shows a subframe where control information (xPDCCH) is multiplexed with data (xPDSCH) using a hybrid approach that uses both TDM and FDM. Here, the control information spans a set of consecutive symbols {1 , 2, ..., N} in the time domain and a set of physical resource blocks (PRBs) shown as {1 , 2, M} in the frequency domain.

[0046] In one other example, another hybrid subframe includes a set of consecutive symbols {1 , 2, 4, 8, 2^N} in the time domain and a set of physical resource blocks

(PRBs) or PRB pairs shown as {1 , 2, 4, 8, 2^M} in the frequency domain.

[0047] It is appreciated that other structures can be included in the subframe. It is also appreciated that other variations are contemplated and permitted.

[0048] Fig. 3 is a diagram illustrating an enhanced or next-generation radio access technology (xRAT) subframe 300. The subframe 300 includes subframe

structures/regions that enable self-contained subframes. The subframe 300 is provided using TDM and is provided for illustrative purposes.

[0049] In this example, the subframe structure 300 includes a single subframe. The subframe includes a next-generation physical downlink control channel (xPDCCH) region, a next-generation physical downlink shared channel (xPDSCH) region, a guard period (GP) and a next-generation physical uplink control channel (xPUCCH) region for HARQ acknowledge (ACK/NACK) transmission. The subframe is self contained in that a downlink hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ) acknowledgement (ACK/NACK) for a packet is transmitted in the same subframe as the corresponding xPDSCH and its scheduling information.

[0050] In variations, the xPUCCH structure can be omitted and that portion can be used for other channels or signals. Some examples of other channels that can be included include xPDSCH, xPUSCH, and the like. The other signals can include sounding reference signals (SRS), channel state information reference signals (CSI- RS), beam refinement signals and the like.

[0051] Fig. 4 is a diagram illustrating another xRAT subframe structure 400 using multiple subframes. The subframe structure 400 is self contained with resources or structures spanning the multiple subframes, which for this example is two subframes. The subframe structure 400 also is shown using TDM and is provided for illustrative purposes.

[0052] The subframe structure 400 includes a first subframe and a second subframe. It is appreciated that a subframe structure can include one or more subframes. The first subframe includes a next-generation physical downlink control chancel (xPDCCH) region and a portion of an extended next-generation physical downlink shared channel (xPDSCH) region. The second subframe includes a second portion of the data/ xPDSCH, a guard period (GP) and a next-generation physical uplink control channel (xPUCCH) region for acknowledgements. The GP period has an associated guard time.

[0053] In other variations, the xPUCCH region can be omitted and that portion is used for other channels or signals. Some examples of other channels that can be included include xPDSCH, xPUSCH, and the like. The other signals can include sounding reference signals (SRS), channel state information reference signals (CSI- RS), beam refinement signals and the like.

[0054] Fig. 5 is a diagram illustrating a downlink subframe 501 and an uplink subframe 502. The subframes 501 and 502 use dynamic time-division duplexing (TDD) and are provided as examples for illustrative purposes.

[0055] The subframe 501 is a downlink subframe and includes a next-generation physical downlink control channel (xPDCCH) region, a next-generation physical downlink shared channel (xPDSCH) region, a guard period (GP) and a next-generation physical uplink control channel (xPUCCH) for HARQ acknowledgement (ACK/NACK) transmission.

[0056] The subframe 502 is an uplink subframe that includes downlink control information multiplexed with uplink transmissions. Thus, the subframe 502 includes a next-generation physical downlink control channel (xPDCCH) region, a next-generation physical uplink shared channel (xPUSCH) region, a guard period (GP) and a next- generationphysical uplink control channel (xPUCCH) for HARQ acknowledgement (ACK/NACK) transmission.

[0057] The controller or control component, such as the control component 102 of Fig. 1 uses a suitable technique, including signaling, to identify starting symbols and/or starting resource blocks for a data channel for a UE. The suitable technique can also be referred to as data channel identification or data channel configuration. Various examples of data channel identification or configuration are provided below.

[0058] In a first example, a location of a data channel is configured using higher layer signaling. Thus, possible PDSCH starting symbol values can be configured by the higher layer signaling, such as medium access control (MAC) or radio resource control (RRC) signaling from a different RAT, such as an LTE anchor cell, or a same, e.g., next- generation, RAT. Control signaling can be transmitted in one or more configured or known OFDM symbols, such as configured by higher layer or fixed via a specification.

[0059] Such a configuration, for instance, can occur via signaling in the Master Information Block (MIB) transmitted on the Physical Broadcast Channel (PBCH).

Hence, a UE can receive xPDCCH for some common control signaling prior to RRC connection setup (e.g., initial access, etc.). Common control signaling may be used for paging, system information acquisition, initial access to a cell, or as fallback during RRC connection re-establishment/re-configuration. For example, a UE may discover a new cell via a cell search procedure. After cell identification, the UE proceeds to acquire system information for said cell.

[0060] The UE can monitor known/configured OFDM symbol(s) for xPDCCH corresponding to an xPDSCH containing system information. In one example, the UE monitors the first OFDM symbol for an xPDCCH whose CRC is scrambled with a system information radio network temporary identifier (SI-RNTI). After acquisition of the system information, the UE transmits an enhanced Physical Random Access Channel (xPRACH) in the UL to access the cell. Subsequently, the UE monitors the first OFDM symbol for xPDCCH transmissions scheduling a random access response (RAR). For example, the UE may monitor the first OFDM symbol for an xPDCCH whose CRC is scrambled with a random access radio network temporary identifier (RA-RNTI). A UE can also transmit a next-generation physical random access channel (xPRACH) and subsequently monitor the first OFDM symbol for xPDCCH transmissions scheduling a random access response to obtain uplink (UL) synchronization.

[0061] In yet another example, the UE periodically monitors the first OFDM symbol for xPDCCH transmissions scheduling a paging message. It is appreciated that other techniques and/or examples of a UE monitoring the first OFDM symbol for control signaling are possible. For example, instead of monitoring a first symbol, the first P symbols are monitored, where P can be a fixed, configured or a signaled value.

[0062] In another example, the PDSCH starting symbol is configurable via broadcast of system information. In this example, the PDSCH starting symbol can be identical for all UEs in a cell. In another example, the starting symbol is broadcasted in the system information, however, after RRC connection establishment, the network can UE-specifically reconfigure the PDSCH starting symbol for individual UEs.

[0063] In another example, the possible PDSCH starting symbol values are configurable via broadcast of system information and the actual PDSCH starting symbol may be indicated via downlink control information (DCI) scheduling the PDSCH.

[0064] In another example, the xPDSCH starting symbol can be band-specific or carrier frequency specific. For cmWave and mmWave bands, the xPDSCH starting symbol may be always fixed to OFDM symbol #0. For carrier frequencies below 6GHz, the xPDSCH starting symbol may be defined after the xPDCCH control region.

[0065] In yet another example, the span P of the control region allocated for common control signaling can be fixed and the UE can assume that span in receiving the control signaling. Alternatively, the span P of the control region allocated for common control signaling can be signaled via an enhanced Master Information Block (xMIB) on an enhanced Physical Broadcast Channel (xPBCH). The UE can assume the control region span based on the received signaling information.

[0066] Another example involves defining a search space for control channel transmissions. The search space for xPDCCH transmissions is defined per OFDM symbol. For example, a UE attempts to blindly decode an xPDCCH according to a search space where the resource elements comprising the xPDCCH belong to the first OFDM symbol only. The UE can perform a hierarchical blind decoding strategy. If all blind decoding attempts for a given OFDM symbol do not yield a valid DCI, the UE can proceed to attempt to decode an xPDCCH according to another search space where the resource elements comprising the xPDCCH belong to a second OFDM symbol only.

[0067] In another example, a UE may search for multiple xPDCCH on one symbol.

[0068] Different xPDCCH can be differentiated by different radio network temporary identifiers (RNTIs) that scramble the Cyclic Redundancy Check (CRC) bits of the xPDCCH. Alternatively, different xPDCCH can be differentiated by different payloads. For example, a UE may receive multiple xPDCCH with different RNTIs in one symbol or a UE may receive multiple xPDCCH with different payloads in one symbol, e.g., to schedule multiple PDSCHs or both uplink (UL) and downlink (DL) transmissions. For instance, a UE can expect one or several xPDCCH in one OFDM symbol. A UE may decode one xPDCCH on one OFDM symbol and then proceed to blindly decode another xPDCCH on another OFDM symbol. Alternatively, a UE may blindly decode several xPDCCH on a single OFDM symbol before proceeding to the next OFDM symbol depending on the search space definition.

[0069] In another example, the control region span in the time domain is signaled in the downlink control information. For example, a maximum control region span P can be configured in the UE higher layers according to the embodiments herein. An eNodeB scheduler can dynamically indicate the actual control region span in the DCI. In one alternative, one bit is included in the DCI to signal the control region span. This bit indicates whether the actual control region span is either P1 or P2 where P1 and P2 denote the control region span in OFDM symbols. In another example, P1 and P2 can be fixed and the UE assumes either P1 or P2 or both. In another example, P1 and P2 are configured via RRC. Such RRC configuration can be done, for example, by broadcast of common system information or via dedicated RRC signaling. More than one bit can be used to signal the actual control region span, allowing for larger granularity for the xPDCCH region in time and frequency, i.e., P1 , P2, PN.

[0070] Fig. 6 is a diagram illustrating a downlink subframe 600 for an xRAT using both TDM and FDM for multiplexing of channels within one subframe. The subframe 600 is provided as an example for illustrative purposes.

[0071] The subframe 600 includes regions that do not occupy full PRBs or span across an entire system bandwidth. In this example, the subframe 600 is a single subframe. The subframe 600 is an example of a suitable subframe or subframe structure that can be used with the arrangement 100, described above. The subframe 600 includes a set of symbols in a time domain and a set of resources or resource blocks in a frequency domain.

[0072] The subframe includes a first xPDCCH transmission 601 for a first user equipment (UE), a first xPDSCH transmission 603 for the first UE, a second xPDCCH transmission 602 for a second UE, a second xPDSCH transmission 604 for the second UE, a guard period (GP) 605 and an xPUCCH region 606.

[0073] The GP 605 occupies one or more symbols across the full frequency.

Similarly, the xPUCCH region 606 occupies one or more symbols after the GP 605.

[0074] The first xPDCCH transmission 601 and the second xPDCCH transmission 602 occupy the same time period or symbols, but occupy different PRBs. Similarly, the first xPDSCH 603 and the second xPDSCH 604 occupy the same time periods or symbols but utilize different PRBs. It is noted that the first xPDCCH transmission 601 and the first xPDSCH transmission 603 collectively occupy different PRBs than the second xPDCCH transmission 602 and the second xPDSCH transmission 604. Thus, the resources for the first UE and the second UE are at different PRBs.

[0075] Due to the control information resources, such as xPDCCH 601 and xPDCCH 603, some data resources (e.g., 602 and 604) may span all symbols of a subframe in the time domain wherein in others the data resources can span only a subset of the symbols of the subframe.

[0076] The xPDSCH starting symbol or control region span can be informed to the first and/or second UE for proper rate matching of the data resources. Additionally, for a particular downlink data channel, the starting symbol can be different in different resource blocks based on whether the resource blocks contain potential control channel information or not.

[0077] For example, the starting symbol for the first xPDSCH 603 is a first symbol in some frequency resources or PRBs and a second symbol in other frequency resources or PRBs.

[0078] Thus, some resources span most of the OFDM symbols of a subframe in the time domain whereas some other resources occupy only a subset of the symbols in the subframe.

[0079] Fig. 7 is a diagram illustrating a downlink subframe 700 for an xRAT using both TDM and FDM for multiplexing of channels within one subframe. The subframe 600 is provided as an example for illustrative purposes. [0080] The subframe 700 is similar to the subframe 600, but includes gaps or unused portions. The subframe 700 is an example of a suitable subframe or subframe structure that can be used with the arrangement 100, described above. There is a first gap 707 and a second gap 708.

[0081] In this example, two bits are used to identify downlink data channel starting symbols although other values are not precluded. The two bits indicate that the starting symbol is {0,1 ,2,3} although other sets are not precluded. The starting symbol can be configured to be identical for all resource blocks of an associated PDSCH or xPDSCH. Thus, the first gap 707 between the xPDSCH 603 for the first UE and the xPDSCH 604 for the second UE is not used for PDSCH transmission to either UE.

[0082] It is appreciated that a starting symbol can differ for different frequency resources and the UE determines the starting symbol per PRB according to its reserved xPDCCH resources and the associated scheduling downlink control information. Some PRBs of an (x)PDSCH transmission are rate matched around resources reserved for xPDCCH transmissions whereas others start on the first OFDM symbol. If the UE receives downlink control information scheduling a PDSCH, the UE rate matches the PDSCH around both the starting symbol indicated in the DCI scheduling the PDSCH and its configured xPDCCH resources.

[0083] In the above example, assuming the DCI signals PDSCH starting symbol 0, the UE rate matches the PDSCH in some PRBs beginning with the OFDM symbol after the reserved xPDCCH resources whereas in other PRBs, the UE rate matches the PDSCH beginning with the OFDM symbol #0. In this example, it is left to eNB scheduler implementation to make sure that one UE's PDSCH does not collide with another UEs xPDCCH as one UE may not be aware of another UE's xPDCCH resources.

[0084] In yet another example, if the UE receives downlink control information scheduling a PDSCH, it rate matches the PDSCH around both the starting symbol indicated in the DCI scheduling the PDSCH and its configured xPDCCH resources. If some of the configured xPDCCH resources are not used for actual transmission of downlink control information, those resources are also used for (x)PDSCH

transmissions, i.e., instead of rate matching the PDSCH around configured xPDCCH resources, the PDSCH is rate matched around the resources actually used for transmission of the xPDCCH. In one example, the rate matching of the PDSCH around the resources actually used for transmission of the xPDCCH is around resources for transmission of the downlink control information associated with that PDSCH. In another example, the rate matching of the PDSCH around the resources actually used for transmission of the xPDCCH is around all resources for transmission of downlink control information known to the UE receiver in that subframe.

[0085] Fig. 8 is a diagram illustrating a downlink subframe 800 for a xRAT using both TDM and FDM for multiplexing of channels within one subframe. The subframe 800 is provided as an example for illustrative purposes.

[0086] The subframe 800 is similar to the subframe 600, but includes gaps or unused portions. The subframe 800 is an example of a suitable subframe or subframe structure that can be used with the arrangement 100, described above. The subframe 800 includes the gaps/periods 708, 605 and 809.

[0087] One bit indication in an xPDCCH DCI can be used to inform whether the xPDSCH transmission for the UE scheduled by an xPDCCH starts from the 1 st OFDM symbol within the subframe or from the end of the xPDCCH region although other configurations, e.g., the n-th symbol, are not precluded. The xPDCCH 604 for the second UE can indicate that xPDSCH for the second UE starts from the 1 st OFDM symbol. The second UE can perform PDSCH decoding, including the modulated symbols within the 1 st OFDM symbol, which could otherwise be used for xPDCCH. On the other hand, xPDCCH 603 for the first UE can indicate that xPDSCH 603 for the first UE starts from the end of the xPDCCH region. Thus, the first UE can perform PDSCH decoding for the symbols included only in the PDSCH region.

[0088] Fig. 9 is a diagram illustrating an arrangement 900 for generating downlink control signaling at a base station for downlink control channels that are time division multiplexed and/or frequency division multiplexed. The downlink control signaling indicates a location of downlink control channels and downlink control information within one or more frames and/or subframes.

[0089] The arrangement 900 includes control component or control logic 902 and transceiver logic 906 for a base station 914, such as an evolved node B (eNodeB). The base station 914 that sends a signal or communication 91 0 to a mobile device or UE 91 0.

[0090] The transceiver logic 906 is configured to receive a downlink control signal 904 and transmit the signal 904 with a signal 91 0 via one or more antenna 908. The transmitted signal 910 with the downlink control signal 904 is received by one or more UEs 91 2. The transmitted signal 910 can also include one or more frames or subframes that include downlink control channels, such as xPDCCH and PDCCH, and downlink data channels, such as xPDSCH and PDSCH. The one or more frames or subframes are hybrid in that the downlink control channels are time division multiplexed (TDM) and/or frequency division multiplexed (FDM), so that channel locations are configured with regard to symbols in the time domain and physical resource blocks in the frequency domain. Note that the terminology of OFDM symbols and PRBs is construed in an illustrative sense, not in a limiting sense.

[0091] The base station control component 902 is configured to generate the downlink control signaling 904. The control signaling 904 includes the downlink control channel configuration and indicates the location of a downlink control channel within one or more frames or subframes. The control signaling 904 can be directed to a group of UEs or a particular UE. The control signal 904 indicates the location as described in the above examples.

[0092] The base station control component 902 can also include a memory or storage medium 918 for storing information, such as downlink control information, downlink control signaling, instructions, and the like.

[0093] It is appreciated that the components can be in the same device and/or included in separate devices, such as with radio access network (RAN) and cellular radio access network (C-RAN) embodiments.

[0094] Fig. 1 0 is a flow diagram illustrating a method 1000 of multiplexing control signalling and data transmission. The method 1000 includes using TDM and/or FDM to multiplex downlink control channels with downlink data channels and signalling to identify channel locations within a frame or subframe.

[0095] The method 1000 begins at block 1002, wherein a signal including a subframe/frame is received. The signal can be transmitted by a base station or eNodeB. The subframe/frame includes a downlink control channel and a downlink data channel that are multiplexed using TDM and/or FDM. In one example, the signal includes a frame structure comprising a single subframe. In another example, the signal includes a frame structure comprising a plurality of subframes. In yet another example, the signal includes a single subframe that is a portion of a frame.

[0096] Downlink control signalling for the subframe/frame is obtained at block 1004. The downlink control signalling indicates a downlink control channel configuration, which indicates time and/or frequency based locations for the downlink control channel, such as xPDCCH. The time based locations can include symbols in the time domain. The frequency based locations can include physical resource blocks or some other grouping of frequency domain resources.

[0097] The downlink control channel configuration can also include location information for other channels, including data channels such as the xPDSCH and the like.

[0098] The downlink control channel configuration is determined at a UE from the downlink control signalling at block 1006. In one example the signalling indicates a predetermined downlink control channel configuration. In another example, the signalling indicates UE specific downlink control channel configuration. In another example, the signalling indicates a starting symbol.

[0099] The downlink control channel is located at block 1008 according to the downlink control channel configuration. In one example, the configuration specifies a set of symbols and a set of physical resource blocks in which the downlink control channel is located. In another example, the configuration specifies only one of the set of symbols or the set of physical resource blocks.

[00100] Downlink control information is decoded from the downlink control channel of the subframe at block 1010. A control logic and/or decoder can perform the decoding. The decoding can be performed prior to receiving all of the symbols of the frame or subframe.

[00101 ] Other data channels, including a downlink data channel, can also be decoded from the subframe.

[00102] The data or xPDSCH is decoded and rate matched according to the received/decoded downlink control information at block 101 2.

[00103] While the methods described within this disclosure are illustrated in and described herein as a series of acts or events, it will be appreciated that the illustrated ordering of such acts or events are not to be interpreted in a limiting sense. For example, some acts may occur in different orders and/or concurrently with other acts or events apart from those illustrated and/or described herein. In addition, not all illustrated acts may be required to implement one or more aspects or embodiments of the description herein. Further, one or more of the acts depicted herein may be carried out in one or more separate acts and/or phases.

[00104] Embodiments described herein can be implemented into a system using any suitably configured hardware and/or software. FIG. 1 1 illustrates, for one embodiment, example components of a User Equipment (UE) device 1 1 00. In some embodiments, the UE device 1 100 (e.g., the wireless communication device) can include application circuitry 1 1 02, baseband circuitry 1 104, Radio Frequency (RF) circuitry 1 106, front-end module (FEM) circuitry 1 1 08 and one or more antennas 1 1 10, coupled together at least as shown.

[00105] The application circuitry 1 102 can include one or more application

processors. For example, the application circuitry 1 102 can include circuitry such as, but not limited to, one or more single-core or multi-core processors. The processor(s) can include any combination of general-purpose processors and dedicated processors (e.g., graphics processors, application processors, etc.). The processors can be coupled with and/or can include memory/storage and can be configured to execute instructions stored in the memory/storage to enable various applications and/or operating systems to run on the system.

[00106] The baseband circuitry 1 104 can include circuitry such as, but not limited to, one or more single-core or multi-core processors. The baseband circuitry 1 104 can include one or more baseband processors and/or control logic to process baseband signals received from a receive signal path of the RF circuitry 1 1 06 and to generate baseband signals for a transmit signal path of the RF circuitry 1 1 06. Baseband processing circuity 1 104 can interface with the application circuitry 1 102 for generation and processing of the baseband signals and for controlling operations of the RF circuitry 1 1 06. For example, in some embodiments, the baseband circuitry 1 104 can include a second generation (2G) baseband processor 1 104a, third generation (3G) baseband processor 1 104b, fourth generation (4G) baseband processor 1 1 04c, and/or other baseband processor(s) 1 1 04d for other existing generations, generations in

development or to be developed in the future (e.g., fifth generation (5G), 6G, etc.). The baseband circuitry 1 104 (e.g., one or more of baseband processors 1 104a-d) can handle various radio control functions that enable communication with one or more radio networks via the RF circuitry 1 106. The radio control functions can include, but are not limited to, signal modulation/demodulation, encoding/decoding, radio frequency shifting, etc. In some embodiments, modulation/demodulation circuitry of the baseband circuitry 1 1 04 can include Fast-Fourier Transform (FFT), precoding, and/or constellation mapping/demapping functionality. In some embodiments, encoding/decoding circuitry of the baseband circuitry 1 1 04 can include convolution, tail-biting convolution, turbo, Viterbi, and/or Low Density Parity Check (LDPC) encoder/decoder functionality.

Embodiments of modulation/demodulation and encoder/decoder functionality are not limited to these examples and can include other suitable functionality in other embodiments.

[00107] In some embodiments, the baseband circuitry 1 1 04 can include elements of a protocol stack such as, for example, elements of an evolved universal terrestrial radio access network (EUTRAN) protocol including, for example, physical (PHY), media access control (MAC), radio link control (RLC), packet data convergence protocol (PDCP), and/or radio resource control (RRC) elements. A central processing unit (CPU) 1 104e of the baseband circuitry 1 104 can be configured to run elements of the protocol stack for signaling of the PHY, MAC, RLC, PDCP and/or RRC layers. In some embodiments, the baseband circuitry can include one or more audio digital signal processor(s) (DSP) 1 104f. The audio DSP(s) 1 1 04f can be include elements for compression/decompression and echo cancellation and can include other suitable processing elements in other embodiments. Components of the baseband circuitry can be suitably combined in a single chip, a single chipset, or disposed on a same circuit board in some embodiments. In some embodiments, some or all of the constituent components of the baseband circuitry 1 104 and the application circuitry 1 102 can be implemented together such as, for example, on a system on a chip (SOC).

[00108] In some embodiments, the baseband circuitry 1 1 04 can provide for communication compatible with one or more radio technologies. For example, in some embodiments, the baseband circuitry 1 104 can support communication with an evolved universal terrestrial radio access network (EUTRAN) and/or other wireless metropolitan area networks (WMAN), a wireless local area network (WLAN), a wireless personal area network (WPAN). Embodiments in which the baseband circuitry 1 104 is configured to support radio communications of more than one wireless protocol can be referred to as multi-mode baseband circuitry.

[00109] RF circuitry 1 106 can enable communication with wireless networks using modulated electromagnetic radiation through a non-solid medium. In various embodiments, the RF circuitry 1 106 can include switches, filters, amplifiers, etc. to facilitate the communication with the wireless network. RF circuitry 1 106 can include a receive signal path which can include circuitry to down-convert RF signals received from the FEM circuitry 1 108 and provide baseband signals to the baseband circuitry 1 104. RF circuitry 1 106 can also include a transmit signal path which can include circuitry to up-convert baseband signals provided by the baseband circuitry 1 104 and provide RF output signals to the FEM circuitry 1 1 08 for transmission. [00110] In some embodiments, the RF circuitry 1 106 can include a receive signal path and a transmit signal path. The receive signal path of the RF circuitry 1 1 06 can include mixer circuitry 1 106a, amplifier circuitry 1 106b and filter circuitry 1 106c. The transmit signal path of the RF circuitry 1 1 06 can include filter circuitry 1 106c and mixer circuitry 1 1 06a. RF circuitry 1 106 can also include synthesizer circuitry 1 1 06d for synthesizing a frequency for use by the mixer circuitry 1 106a of the receive signal path and the transmit signal path. In some embodiments, the mixer circuitry 1 106a of the receive signal path can be configured to down-convert RF signals received from the FEM circuitry 1 1 08 based on the synthesized frequency provided by synthesizer circuitry 1 1 06d. The amplifier circuitry 1 106b can be configured to amplify the down-converted signals and the filter circuitry 1 106c can be a low-pass filter (LPF) or band-pass filter (BPF) configured to remove unwanted signals from the down-converted signals to generate output baseband signals. Output baseband signals can be provided to the baseband circuitry 1 104 for further processing. In some embodiments, the output baseband signals can be zero-frequency baseband signals, although this is not a requirement. In some embodiments, mixer circuitry 1 106a of the receive signal path can comprise passive mixers, although the scope of the embodiments is not limited in this respect.

[00111 ] In some embodiments, the mixer circuitry 1 106a of the transmit signal path can be configured to up-convert input baseband signals based on the synthesized frequency provided by the synthesizer circuitry 1 1 06d to generate RF output signals for the FEM circuitry 1 108. The baseband signals can be provided by the baseband circuitry 1 1 04 and can be filtered by filter circuitry 1 1 06c. The filter circuitry 1 1 06c can include a low-pass filter (LPF), although the scope of the embodiments is not limited in this respect.

[00112] In some embodiments, the mixer circuitry 1 106a of the receive signal path and the mixer circuitry 1 1 06a of the transmit signal path can include two or more mixers and can be arranged for quadrature downconversion and/or upconversion respectively. In some embodiments, the mixer circuitry 1 1 06a of the receive signal path and the mixer circuitry 1 106a of the transmit signal path can include two or more mixers and can be arranged for image rejection (e.g., Hartley image rejection). In some embodiments, the mixer circuitry 1 106a of the receive signal path and the mixer circuitry 1 106a can be arranged for direct downconversion and/or direct upconversion, respectively. In some embodiments, the mixer circuitry 1 106a of the receive signal path and the mixer circuitry 1 1 06a of the transmit signal path can be configured for super-heterodyne operation.

[00113] In some embodiments, the output baseband signals and the input baseband signals can be analog baseband signals, although the scope of the embodiments is not limited in this respect. In some alternate embodiments, the output baseband signals and the input baseband signals can be digital baseband signals. In these alternate embodiments, the RF circuitry 1 106 can include analog-to-digital converter (ADC) and digital-to-analog converter (DAC) circuitry and the baseband circuitry 1 104 can include a digital baseband interface to communicate with the RF circuitry 1 106.

[00114] In some dual-mode embodiments, a separate radio IC circuitry can be provided for processing signals for each spectrum, although the scope of the

embodiments is not limited in this respect.

[00115] In some embodiments, the synthesizer circuitry 1 106d can be a fractional-N synthesizer or a fractional N/N+8 synthesizer, although the scope of the embodiments is not limited in this respect as other types of frequency synthesizers can be suitable. For example, synthesizer circuitry 1 106d can be a delta-sigma synthesizer, a frequency multiplier, or a synthesizer comprising a phase-locked loop with a frequency divider.

[00116] The synthesizer circuitry 1 106d can be configured to synthesize an output frequency for use by the mixer circuitry 1 106a of the RF circuitry 1 106 based on a frequency input and a divider control input. In some embodiments, the synthesizer circuitry 1 1 06d can be a fractional N/N+8 synthesizer.

[00117] In some embodiments, frequency input can be provided by a voltage controlled oscillator (VCO), although that is not a requirement. Divider control input can be provided by either the baseband circuitry 1 1 04 or the applications processor 1 102 depending on the desired output frequency. In some embodiments, a divider control input (e.g., N) can be determined from a look-up table based on a channel indicated by the applications processor 1 102.

[00118] Synthesizer circuitry 1 106d of the RF circuitry 1 106 can include a divider, a delay-locked loop (DLL), a multiplexer and a phase accumulator. In some

embodiments, the divider can be a dual modulus divider (DMD) and the phase accumulator can be a digital phase accumulator (DPA). In some embodiments, the DMD can be configured to divide the input signal by either N or N+8 (e.g., based on a carry out) to provide a fractional division ratio. In some example embodiments, the DLL can include a set of cascaded, tunable, delay elements, a phase detector, a charge pump and a D-type flip-flop. In these embodiments, the delay elements can be configured to break a VCO period up into Nd equal packets of phase, where Nd is the number of delay elements in the delay line. In this way, the DLL provides negative feedback to help ensure that the total delay through the delay line is one VCO cycle.

[00119] In some embodiments, synthesizer circuitry 1 106d can be configured to generate a carrier frequency as the output frequency, while in other embodiments, the output frequency can be a multiple of the carrier frequency (e.g., twice the carrier frequency, four times the carrier frequency) and used in conjunction with quadrature generator and divider circuitry to generate multiple signals at the carrier frequency with multiple different phases with respect to each other. In some embodiments, the output frequency can be a LO frequency (f|_o)- In some embodiments, the RF circuitry 1 106 can include an IQ/polar converter.

[00120] FEM circuitry 1 108 can include a receive signal path which can include circuitry configured to operate on RF signals received from one or more antennas 1 180, amplify the received signals and provide the amplified versions of the received signals to the RF circuitry 1 106 for further processing. FEM circuitry 1 108 can also include a transmit signal path which can include circuitry configured to amplify signals for transmission provided by the RF circuitry 1 106 for transmission by one or more of the one or more antennas 1 1 10.

[00121 ] In some embodiments, the FEM circuitry 1 1 08 can include a TX/RX switch to switch between transmit mode and receive mode operation. The FEM circuitry can include a receive signal path and a transmit signal path. The receive signal path of the FEM circuitry can include a low-noise amplifier (LNA) to amplify received RF signals and provide the amplified received RF signals as an output (e.g., to the RF circuitry 1 1 06). The transmit signal path of the FEM circuitry 1 1 08 can include a power amplifier (PA) to amplify input RF signals (e.g., provided by RF circuitry 1 106), and one or more filters to generate RF signals for subsequent transmission (e.g., by one or more of the one or more antennas 1 1 80.

[00122] In some embodiments, the UE device 1 1 00 can include additional elements such as, for example, memory/storage, display, camera, sensor, and/or input/output (I/O) interface.

[00123] Examples herein can include subject matter such as a method, means for performing acts or blocks of the method, at least one machine-readable medium including executable instructions that, when performed by a machine (e.g., a processor with memory or the like) cause the machine to perform acts of the method or of an apparatus or system for concurrent communication using multiple communication technologies according to embodiments and examples described.

[00124] Example 1 is an arrangement configured to be employed within one or more user equipment (UEs). The arrangement includes a control logic. The control logic is configured to obtain a downlink control channel configuration, locate a downlink control channel in a subframe and decode downlink control information from the downlink control channel. The downlink control channel includes a channel that is time division multiplexed (TDM) and frequency division multiplexed (FDM).

[00125] Example 2 includes the subject matter of Example 1 , including or omitting optional elements, where the downlink control channel configuration indicates a starting symbol.

[00126] Example 3 includes the subject matter of any of examples 1 -2, including or omitting optional elements, where the downlink control channel configuration indicates a starting symbol and a set of resource blocks.

[00127] Example 4 includes the subject matter of any of examples 1 -3, including or omitting optional elements, where the subframe includes a downlink data channel and the control logic is configured to decode the subframe and obtain the downlink data channel using the downlink control channel configuration.

[00128] Example 5 includes the subject matter of any of examples 1 -4, including or omitting optional elements, where the downlink control channel configuration indicates a subset of symbols and a subset of physical resource blocks that locate the downlink control channel in the subframe.

[00129] Example 6 includes the subject matter of any of examples 1 -5, including or omitting optional elements, where the subset of symbols are consecutive.

[00130] Example 7 includes the subject matter of any of examples 1 -6, including or omitting optional elements, where the subset of symbols includes a single symbol.

[00131 ] Example 8 includes the subject matter of any of examples 1 -7, including or omitting optional elements, where the subset of symbols includes two symbols.

[00132] Example 9 includes the subject matter of any of examples 1 -8, including or omitting optional elements, where the downlink control channel configuration is predetermined. [00133] Example 10 includes the subject matter of any of examples 1 -9, including or omitting optional elements, where the downlink control channel configuration is broadcast by an eNodeB.

[00134] Example 1 1 includes the subject matter of any of examples 1 -1 0, including or omitting optional elements, where signaling is received by the transceiver logic and the control logic is configured to obtain the downlink control channel configuration from the signaling.

[00135] Example 12 includes the subject matter of any of examples 1 -1 1 , including or omitting optional elements, where the downlink control channel configuration is assigned to a first UE of a plurality of UEs.

[00136] Example 13 includes the subject matter of any of examples 1 -1 2, including or omitting optional elements, where the downlink control channel configuration is associated with a target cell.

[00137] Example 14 includes the subject matter of any of examples 1 -1 3, including or omitting optional elements, where the downlink control channel is next-generation physical downlink control channel (xPDCCH).

[00138] Example 15 is an arrangement configured to be employed within an evolved Node B (eNodeB). The arrangement includes control logic. The control logic is configured to generate downlink control signaling for one or more user equipment (UEs). The downlink control signaling includes configuration information to for a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH). Additionally, the PDCCH is time division multiplexed (TDM) and frequency division multiplexed (FDM). In one variation, the arrangement also includes transceiver logic configured to transmit the downlink control signaling.

[00139] Example 16 includes the subject matter of example 15, including or omitting optional elements, where the downlink control signaling indicates a first starting symbol for a first UE of the one or more UEs and a second starting symbol for a second UE of the one or more UEs.

[00140] Example 17 includes the subject matter of any of examples 1 5-16, including or omitting optional elements, where the downlink control signaling indicates a set of symbols and a set of physical resource blocks (PRBs) for a first UE of the one or more UEs. [00141 ] Example 18 includes the subject matter of any of examples 1 5-17, including or omitting optional elements, where the downlink control signaling is broadcast to all of the one or more UEs.

[00142] Example 19 includes the subject matter of any of examples 1 5-18, including or omitting optional elements, where the downlink control signaling is broadcast to a subset of the one or more UEs.

[00143] Example 20 is directed to one or more computer-readable media having instructions. The instructions, when executed, cause one or more user equipment (UEs) to receive a signal and to obtain a subframe and downlink control signaling from the signal. The subframe includes a downlink control channel that is time division multiplexed (TDM) and frequency division multiplexed (FDM). The subframe includes a set of symbols in a time domain and a set of resource blocks in a frequency domain. Further, the instructions, when executed, cause one or more user equipment (UEs) to determine a downlink control channel configuration for a UE from the downlink control signaling. The downlink control channel configuration indicates a subset of symbols of the subframe and a subset of resource blocks of the subframe. The instructions also cause the UEs to locate the downlink control channel according to the downlink control channel configuration and decode downlink control information from the downlink control channel of the subframe prior to receiving all of the set of symbols of the subframe.

[00144] Example 21 includes the subject matter of example 20, including or omitting optional elements, where the instructions, when executed, cause one or more user equipment (UEs) to decode a physical downlink shared data channel (PDSCH) from the subframe using the downlink control signaling.

[00145] Example 22 includes the subject matter of any of examples 20-21 , including or omitting optional elements, where the instructions, when executed, cause one or more user equipment (UEs) to determine a starting symbol for the downlink control channel based on the downlink control signaling.

[00146] Example 23 includes the subject matter of any of examples 20-22, including or omitting optional elements, where the instructions, when executed, cause one or more user equipment (UEs) to perform rate matching using the downlink control channel information.

[00147] Example 24 is directed to an arrangement configured to be employed within a user equipment (UE). The arrangement includes a means for obtaining a subframe and downlink control signaling from the signal. The subframe includes a downlink control channel that is time division multiplexed (TDM) and frequency division multiplexed (FDM). Additionally, the subframe includes a set of symbols in a time domain and a set of resource blocks in a frequency domain. The arrangement also includes a means for determining a downlink control channel configuration for a UE from the downlink control signaling. The downlink control channel configuration indicates a subset of symbols of the subframe and a subset of resource blocks of the subframe. The arrangement includes a means for locating the downlink control channel according to the downlink control channel configuration. Additionally, the arrangement includes a means for decoding downlink control information from the downlink control channel of the subframe prior to receiving all of the set of symbols of the subframe.

[00148] Example 25 is directed to a method of operating a user equipment (UE). The method includes receiving a signal. A subframe and downlink control signaling are obtained from the signal. The subframe includes a downlink control channel that is time division multiplexed (TDM) and frequency division multiplexed (FDM). Additionall, the subframe includes a set of symbols in a time domain and a set of resource blocks in a frequency domain. A downlink control channel configuration for a UE from the downlink control signaling is determined. The downlink control channel configuration indicates a subset of symbols of the subframe and a subset of resource blocks of the subframe. The downlink control channel is located according to the downlink control channel configuration. Downlink control information is decoded from the downlink control channel of the subframe prior to receiving all of the set of symbols of the subframe.

[00149] Example 26 includes the subject matter of example 25, including or omitting optional elements, where the method further includes decoding a physical downlink shared data channel (PDSCH) from the subframe using the downlink control signaling.

[00150] Example 27 includes the subject matter of any of examples 25-26, including or omitting optional elements, where the method further includes determining a starting symbol for the downlink control channel based on the downlink control signaling.

[00151 ] Example 28 includes the subject matter of any of examples 25-27, including or omitting optional elements, where the method further includes performing rate matching using the downlink control channel information.

[00152] The above description of illustrated embodiments of the subject disclosure, including what is described in the Abstract, is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosed embodiments to the precise forms disclosed. While specific embodiments and examples are described herein for illustrative purposes, various modifications are possible that are considered within the scope of such embodiments and examples, as those skilled in the relevant art can recognize.

[00153] In this regard, while the disclosed subject matter has been described in connection with various embodiments and corresponding Figures, where applicable, it is to be understood that other similar embodiments can be used or modifications and additions can be made to the described embodiments for performing the same, similar, alternative, or substitute function of the disclosed subject matter without deviating therefrom. Therefore, the disclosed subject matter should not be limited to any single embodiment described herein, but rather should be construed in breadth and scope in accordance with the appended claims below.

[00154] In particular regard to the various functions performed by the above described components or structures (assemblies, devices, circuits, systems, etc.), the terms (including a reference to a "means") used to describe such components are intended to correspond, unless otherwise indicated, to any component or structure which performs the specified function of the described component (e.g., that is functionally equivalent), even though not structurally equivalent to the disclosed structure which performs the function in the herein illustrated exemplary implementations of the invention. In addition, while a particular feature may have been disclosed with respect to only one of several implementations, such feature may be combined with one or more other features of the other implementations as may be desired and advantageous for any given or particular application.

Claims

CLAIMS What is claimed is:

1 . An arrangement configured to be employed within one or more user equipment (UEs), the arrangement comprising:

control logic configured to:

obtain a downlink control channel configuration;

locate a downlink control channel in a subframe, the downlink control channel comprising a channel that is time division multiplexed (TDM) and frequency division multiplexed (FDM); and

decode downlink control information from the downlink control channel.

2. The arrangement of claim 1 , wherein the downlink control channel configuration indicates a starting symbol.

3. The arrangement of claim 1 , wherein the downlink control channel configuration indicates a starting symbol and a set of resource blocks.

4. The arrangement of claim 1 , wherein the subframe includes a downlink data channel and the control logic is configured to decode the subframe and obtain the downlink data channel using the downlink control channel configuration.

5. The arrangement of any one of claims 1 -4, wherein the downlink control channel configuration indicates a subset of symbols and a subset of physical resource blocks that locate the downlink control channel in the subframe.

6. The arrangement of claim 5, wherein the subset of symbols are consecutive.

7. The arrangement of claim 5, wherein the subset of symbols includes a single symbol.

8. The arrangement of claim 5, wherein the subset of symbols includes two symbols.

9. The arrangement of any one of claims 1 -4, wherein the downlink control channel configuration is predetermined.

10. The arrangement of any one of claims 1 -4, wherein the downlink control channel configuration is broadcast by an eNodeB.

1 1 . The arrangement of any one of claims 1 -4, wherein signaling is received by transceiver logic and the control logic is configured to obtain the downlink control channel configuration from the signaling.

12. The arrangement of any one of claims 1 -4, wherein the downlink control channel configuration is assigned to a first UE of a plurality of UEs.

13. The arrangement of any one of claims 1 -4, wherein the downlink control channel configuration is associated with a target cell.

14. The arrangement of any one of claims 1 -4, wherein the downlink control channel is next-generation physical downlink control channel (xPDCCH).

15. An arrangement configured to be employed within an evolved Node B (eNodeB), the arrangement comprising:

control logic configured to:

generate downlink control signaling for one or more user equipment (UEs), wherein the downlink control signaling includes configuration information to for a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) and the PDCCH is time division multiplexed (TDM) and frequency division multiplexed (FDM).

16. The arrangement of claim 15, wherein the downlink control signaling indicates a first starting symbol for a first UE of the one or more UEs and a second starting symbol for a second UE of the one or more UEs.

17. The arrangement of claim 15, wherein the downlink control signaling indicates a set of symbols and a set of physical resource blocks (PRBs) for a first UE of the one or more UEs.

18. The arrangement of any one of claims 15-17, wherein the downlink control signaling is broadcast to all of the one or more UEs.

19. The arrangement of any one of claims 15-17, wherein the downlink control signaling is broadcast to a subset of the one or more UEs.

20. One or more computer-readable media having instructions that, when executed, cause one or more user equipment (UEs) to:

receive a signal;

obtain a subframe and downlink control signaling from the signal, the subframe including a downlink control channel that is time division multiplexed (TDM) and frequency division multiplexed (FDM), wherein the subframe includes a set of symbols in a time domain and a set of resource blocks in a frequency domain;

determine a downlink control channel configuration for a UE from the downlink control signaling, wherein the downlink control channel configuration indicates a subset of symbols of the subframe and a subset of resource blocks of the subframe;

locate the downlink control channel according to the downlink control channel configuration; and

decode downlink control information from the downlink control channel of the subframe prior to receiving all of the set of symbols of the subframe.

21 . The computer-readable media of claim 20, comprising one or more computer- readable media having instructions that, when executed, further cause the one or more user equipment (UEs) to:

decode a physical downlink shared data channel (PDSCH) from the subframe using the downlink control signaling.

22. The computer-readable media of claim 20, comprising one or more computer- readable media having instructions that, when executed, further cause the one or more user equipment (UEs) to:

determine a starting symbol for the downlink control channel based on the downlink control signaling.

23. The computer-readable media of claim 20, comprising one or more computer- readable media having instructions that, when executed, further cause the one or more user equipment (UEs) to:

perform rate matching using the downlink control channel information.

24. An arrangement configured to be employed within a user equipment (UE), the arrangement comprising:

a means for obtaining a subframe and downlink control signaling from the signal, the subframe including a downlink control channel that is time division multiplexed (TDM) and frequency division multiplexed (FDM), wherein the subframe includes a set of symbols in a time domain and a set of resource blocks in a frequency domain;

a means for determining a downlink control channel configuration for a UE from the downlink control signaling, wherein the downlink control channel configuration indicates a subset of symbols of the subframe and a subset of resource blocks of the subframe;

a means for locating the downlink control channel according to the downlink control channel configuration; and

a means for decoding downlink control information from the downlink control channel of the subframe prior to receiving all of the set of symbols of the subframe.