WO2018125910A1

WO2018125910A1 - User equipment (ue), generation node-b (gnb) and methods for phase tracking reference signal (pt-rs) pre-coding

Info

Publication number: WO2018125910A1
Application number: PCT/US2017/068525
Authority: WO
Inventors: Yushu Zhang; Daewon Lee; Alexei Davydov; Wook Bong Lee; Seunghee Han
Original assignee: Intel IP Corporation
Priority date: 2016-12-30
Filing date: 2017-12-27
Publication date: 2018-07-05
Also published as: DE112017006682T5

Abstract

Embodiments of a User Equipment (UE), generation Node-B (gNB) and methods for communication are generally described herein. The UE may scale first demodulation reference signals (DM-RSs) based on a first pre-coder and may scale second DM-RSs based on a second pre-coder. The first DM-RSs and the second DM-RSs may be received in a symbol period allocated for DM-RSs. The UE may scale phase tracking reference signals (PT-RSs) based on either the first or the second pre-coder. The UE may receive downlink control information (DCI) that indicates whether the first pre-coder or the second pre-coder is to be used to scale the PT-RSs. The UE may determine common phase errors (CPEs) for the plurality of symbol periods based on phase differences between the scaled PT-RSs and at least one of: the scaled first DM-RSs and the scaled second DM-RSs.

Description

USER EQUIPMENT (UE), GENERATION NODE-B (GNB) AND METHODS FOR PHASE TRACKING REFERENCE SIGNAL (PT-RS) PRE-CODING

PRIORITY CLAIM

[0001] This application claims the benefit of priority to United States

Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 62/440,987, filed December 30, 2016, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] Embodiments pertain to wireless communications. Some embodiments relate to wireless networks including 3GPP (Third Generation

Partnership Project) networks, 3GPP LTE (Long Term Evolution) networks, and 3GPP LTE-A (LTE Advanced) networks. Some embodiments relate to Fifth Generation (5G) networks. Some embodiments relate to New Radio (NR) networks. Some embodiments relate to pre-coding and signaling of control information related to pre-coding. Some embodiments relate to phase tracking reference signals (PT-RSs).

BACKGROUND [0003] Base stations and mobile devices operating in a cellular network may exchange data. In some cases, communication may be performed at relatively high frequency ranges, such as frequency ranges around 6 GHz.

Various challenges may arise in such communication. For instance, phase noise, inter-carrier interference (ICI) and/or other artifacts may be more pronounced in a 6 GHz frequency range than in a lower frequency range, in some cases.

Accordingly, there is a general need for methods and systems to mitigate such artifacts and to enable communication in these and other scenarios. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0004] FIG. 1 is a functional diagram of an example network in

accordance with some embodiments;

[0005] FIG. 2 illustrates a block diagram of an example machine in accordance with some embodiments;

[0006] FIG. 3 illustrates a user device in accordance with some aspects;

[0007] FIG. 4 illustrates a base station in accordance with some aspects;

[0008] FIG. 5 illustrates an exemplary communication circuitry

according to some aspects;

[0009] FIG. 6 illustrates an example radio frame structure in accordance with some embodiments;

[0010] FIGs. 7A-B illustrates example frequency resources in accordance with some embodiments;

[0011] FIG. 8 illustrates the operation of a method of communication in accordance with some embodiments;

[0012] FIG. 9 illustrates the operation of another method of

communication in accordance with some embodiments;

[0013] FIG. 10 illustrates examples of demodulation reference signals

(DM-RSs) transmission and phase tracking reference signals (PT-RSs) in accordance with some embodiments;

[0014] FIG. 11 illustrates additional examples of DM-RSs and PT-RSs in accordance with some embodiments; and

[0015] FIG. 12 illustrates additional examples of DM-RSs and PT-RSs in accordance with some embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0016] The following description and the drawings sufficiently illustrate specific embodiments to enable those skilled in the art to practice them. Other embodiments may incorporate structural, logical, electrical, process, and other changes. Portions and features of some embodiments may be included in, or substituted for, those of other embodiments. Embodiments set forth in the claims encompass all available equivalents of those claims.

[0017] FIG. 1 is a functional diagram of an example network in accordance with some embodiments. In some embodiments, the network 100 may be a Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) network. It should be noted that embodiments are not limited to usage of 3GPP networks, however, as other networks may be used in some embodiments. As an example, a Fifth Generation (5G) network may be used in some cases. As another example, a New Radio (NR) network may be used in some cases. As another example, a wireless local area network (WLAN) may be used in some cases. Embodiments are not limited to these example networks, however, as other networks may be used in some embodiments. In some embodiments, a network may include one or more components shown in FIG. 1. Some embodiments may not necessarily include all components shown in FIG. 1, and some embodiments may include additional components not shown in FIG. 1.

[0018] The network 100 may comprise a radio access network (RAN)

101 and the core network 120 (e.g., shown as an evolved packet core (EPC)) coupled together through an S 1 interface 115. For convenience and brevity sake, only a portion of the core network 120, as well as the RAN 101, is shown. In a non-limiting example, the RAN 101 may be an evolved universal terrestrial radio access network (E-UTRAN). In another non-limiting example, the RAN 101 may include one or more components of a New Radio (NR) network. In another non-limiting example, the RAN 101 may include one or more components of an E-UTRAN and one or more components of another network (including but not limited to an NR network).

[0019] The core network 120 may include a mobility management entity

(MME) 122, a serving gateway (serving GW) 124, and packet data network gateway (PDN GW) 126. In some embodiments, the network 100 may include (and/or support) one or more Evolved Node-B 's (eNBs) 104 (which may operate as base stations) for communicating with User Equipment (UE) 102. The eNBs 104 may include macro eNBs and low power (LP) eNBs, in some embodiments. [0020] In some embodiments, the network 100 may include (and/or support) one or more Generation Node-B's (gNBs) 105. In some embodiments, one or more eNBs 104 may be configured to operate as gNBs 105.

Embodiments are not limited to the number of eNBs 104 shown in FIG. 1 or to the number of gNBs 105 shown in FIG. 1. In some embodiments, the network 100 may not necessarily include eNBs 104. Embodiments are also not limited to the connectivity of components shown in FIG. 1.

[0021] It should be noted that references herein to an eNB 104 or to a gNB 105 are not limiting. In some embodiments, one or more operations, methods and/or techniques (such as those described herein) may be practiced by a base station component (and/or other component), including but not limited to a gNB 105, an eNB 104, a serving cell, a transmit receive point (TRP) and/or other. In some embodiments, the base station component may be configured to operate in accordance with a New Radio (NR) protocol and/or NR standard, although the scope of embodiments is not limited in this respect. In some embodiments, the base station component may be configured to operate in accordance with a Fifth Generation (5G) protocol and/or 5G standard, although the scope of embodiments is not limited in this respect.

[0022] In some embodiments, one or more of the UEs 102, gNBs 105 and/or eNBs 104 may be configured to operate in accordance with an NR protocol and/or NR techniques. References to a UE 102, eNB 104 and/or gNB 105 as part of descriptions herein are not limiting. For instance, descriptions of one or more operations, techniques and/or methods practiced by a gNB 105 are not limiting. In some embodiments, one or more of those operations, techniques and/or methods may be practiced by an eNB 104 and/or other base station component.

[0023] In some embodiments, the UE 102 may transmit signals (data, control and/or other) to the gNB 105, and may receive signals (data, control and/or other) from the gNB 105. In some embodiments, the UE 102 may transmit signals (data, control and/or other) to the eNB 104, and may receive signals (data, control and/or other) from the eNB 104. These embodiments will be described in more detail below. [0024] The MME 122 is similar in function to the control plane of legacy

Serving GPRS Support Nodes (SGSN). The MME 122 manages mobility aspects in access such as gateway selection and tracking area list management. The serving GW 124 terminates the interface toward the RAN 101, and routes data packets between the RAN 101 and the core network 120. In addition, it may be a local mobility anchor point for inter-eNB handovers and also may provide an anchor for inter-3GPP mobility. Other responsibilities may include lawful intercept, charging, and some policy enforcement. The serving GW 124 and the MME 122 may be implemented in one physical node or separate physical nodes. The PDN GW 126 terminates an SGi interface toward the packet data network (PDN). The PDN GW 126 routes data packets between the EPC 120 and the external PDN, and may be a key node for policy enforcement and charging data collection. It may also provide an anchor point for mobility with non-LTE accesses. The external PDN can be any kind of IP network, as well as an IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) domain. The PDN GW 126 and the serving GW 124 may be implemented in one physical node or separated physical nodes.

[0025] In some embodiments, the eNBs 104 (macro and micro) terminate the air interface protocol and may be the first point of contact for a UE 102. In some embodiments, an eNB 104 may fulfill various logical functions for the network 100, including but not limited to RNC (radio network controller functions) such as radio bearer management, uplink and downlink dynamic radio resource management and data packet scheduling, and mobility management.

[0026] In some embodiments, UEs 102 may be configured to communicate Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) communication signals with an eNB 104 and/or gNB 105 over a multicarrier communication channel in accordance with an Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access (OFDMA) communication technique. In some embodiments, eNBs 104 and/or gNBs 105 may be configured to communicate OFDM communication signals with a UE 102 over a multicarrier communication channel in accordance with an OFDMA communication technique. The OFDM signals may comprise a plurality of orthogonal subcarriers.

[0027] The S I interface 115 is the interface that separates the RAN 101 and the EPC 120. It may be split into two parts: the Sl-U, which carries traffic data between the eNBs 104 and the serving GW 124, and the S l-MME, which is a signaling interface between the eNBs 104 and the MME 122. The X2 interface is the interface between eNBs 104. The X2 interface comprises two parts, the X2-C and X2-U. The X2-C is the control plane interface between the eNBs 104, while the X2-U is the user plane interface between the eNBs 104.

[0028] In some embodiments, similar functionality and/or connectivity described for the eNB 104 may be used for the gNB 105, although the scope of embodiments is not limited in this respect. In a non-limiting example, the S 1 interface 115 (and/or similar interface) may be split into two parts: the S l-U, which carries traffic data between the gNBs 105 and the serving GW 124, and the S l-MME, which is a signaling interface between the gNBs 104 and the MME 122. The X2 interface (and/or similar interface) may enable

communication between eNBs 104, communication between gNBs 105 and/or communication between an eNB 104 and a gNB 105.

[0029] With cellular networks, LP cells are typically used to extend coverage to indoor areas where outdoor signals do not reach well, or to add network capacity in areas with very dense phone usage, such as train stations. As used herein, the term low power (LP) eNB refers to any suitable relatively low power eNB for implementing a narrower cell (narrower than a macro cell) such as a femtocell, a picocell, or a micro cell. Femtocell eNBs are typically provided by a mobile network operator to its residential or enterprise customers. A femtocell is typically the size of a residential gateway or smaller and generally connects to the user's broadband line. Once plugged in, the femtocell connects to the mobile operator's mobile network and provides extra coverage in a range of typically 30 to 50 meters for residential femtocells. Thus, a LP eNB might be a femtocell eNB since it is coupled through the PDN GW 126. Similarly, a picocell is a wireless communication system typically covering a small area, such as in-building (offices, shopping malls, train stations, etc.), or more recently in-aircraft. A picocell eNB can generally connect through the X2 link to another eNB such as a macro eNB through its base station controller (BSC)

functionality. Thus, LP eNB may be implemented with a picocell eNB since it is coupled to a macro eNB via an X2 interface. Picocell eNBs or other LP eNBs may incorporate some or all functionality of a macro eNB. In some cases, this may be referred to as an access point base station or enterprise femtocell. In some embodiments, various types of gNBs 105 may be used, including but not limited to one or more of the eNB types described above.

[0030] In some embodiments, a downlink resource grid may be used for downlink transmissions from an eNB 104 to a UE 102, while uplink

transmission from the UE 102 to the eNB 104 may utilize similar techniques. In some embodiments, a downlink resource grid may be used for downlink transmissions from a gNB 105 to a UE 102, while uplink transmission from the UE 102 to the gNB 105 may utilize similar techniques. The grid may be a time- frequency grid, called a resource grid or time-frequency resource grid, which is the physical resource in the downlink in each slot. Such a time-frequency plane representation is a common practice for OFDM systems, which makes it intuitive for radio resource allocation. Each column and each row of the resource grid correspond to one OFDM symbol and one OFDM subcarrier, respectively. The duration of the resource grid in the time domain corresponds to one slot in a radio frame. The smallest time-frequency unit in a resource grid is denoted as a resource element (RE). There are several different physical downlink channels that are conveyed using such resource blocks. With particular relevance to this disclosure, two of these physical downlink channels are the physical downlink shared channel and the physical down link control channel.

[0031] 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. Embodiments described herein may be implemented into a system using any suitably configured hardware and/or software.

[0032] FIG. 2 illustrates a block diagram of an example machine in accordance with some embodiments. The machine 200 is an example machine upon which any one or more of the techniques and/or methodologies discussed herein may be performed. In alternative embodiments, the machine 200 may operate as a standalone device or may be connected (e.g., networked) to other machines. In a networked deployment, the machine 200 may operate in the capacity of a server machine, a client machine, or both in server-client network environments. In an example, the machine 200 may act as a peer machine in peer-to-peer (P2P) (or other distributed) network environment. The machine 200 may be a UE 102, eNB 104, gNB 105, access point (AP), station (STA), user, device, mobile device, base station, personal computer (PC), a tablet PC, a set- top box (STB), a personal digital assistant (PDA), a mobile telephone, a smart phone, a web appliance, a network router, switch or bridge, or any machine capable of executing instructions (sequential or otherwise) that specify actions to be taken by that machine. Further, while only a single machine is illustrated, the term "machine" shall also be taken to include any collection of machines that individually or jointly execute a set (or multiple sets) of instructions to perform any one or more of the methodologies discussed herein, such as cloud computing, software as a service (SaaS), other computer cluster configurations.

[0033] Examples as described herein, may include, or may operate on, logic or a number of components, modules, or mechanisms. Modules are tangible entities (e.g., hardware) capable of performing specified operations and may be configured or arranged in a certain manner. In an example, circuits may be arranged (e.g., internally or with respect to external entities such as other circuits) in a specified manner as a module. In an example, the whole or part of one or more computer systems (e.g., a standalone, client or server computer system) or one or more hardware processors may be configured by firmware or software (e.g., instructions, an application portion, or an application) as a module that operates to perform specified operations. In an example, the software may reside on a machine readable medium. In an example, the software, when executed by the underlying hardware of the module, causes the hardware to perform the specified operations.

[0034] Accordingly, the term "module" is understood to encompass a tangible entity, be that an entity that is physically constructed, specifically configured (e.g., hardwired), or temporarily (e.g., transitorily) configured (e.g., programmed) to operate in a specified manner or to perform part or all of any operation described herein. Considering examples in which modules are temporarily configured, each of the modules need not be instantiated at any one moment in time. For example, where the modules comprise a general -purpose hardware processor configured using software, the general-purpose hardware processor may be configured as respective different modules at different times. Software may accordingly configure a hardware processor, for example, to constitute a particular module at one instance of time and to constitute a different module at a different instance of time.

[0035] The machine (e.g., computer system) 200 may include a hardware processor 202 (e.g., a central processing unit (CPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU), a hardware processor core, or any combination thereof), a main memory 204 and a static memory 206, some or all of which may communicate with each other via an interlink (e.g., bus) 208. The machine 200 may further include a display unit 210, an alphanumeric input device 212 (e.g., a keyboard), and a user interface (UI) navigation device 214 (e.g., a mouse). In an example, the display unit 210, input device 212 and UI navigation device 214 may be a touch screen display. The machine 200 may additionally include a storage device (e.g., drive unit) 216, a signal generation device 218 (e.g., a speaker), a network interface device 220, and one or more sensors 221, such as a global positioning system (GPS) sensor, compass, accelerometer, or other sensor. The machine 200 may include an output controller 228, such as a serial (e.g., universal serial bus (USB), parallel, or other wired or wireless (e.g., infrared (IR), near field communication (NFC), etc.) connection to communicate or control one or more peripheral devices (e.g., a printer, card reader, etc.).

[0036] The storage device 216 may include a machine readable medium

222 on which is stored one or more sets of data structures or instructions 224 (e.g., software) embodying or utilized by any one or more of the techniques or functions described herein. The instructions 224 may also reside, completely or at least partially, within the main memory 204, within static memory 206, or within the hardware processor 202 during execution thereof by the machine 200. In an example, one or any combination of the hardware processor 202, the main memory 204, the static memory 206, or the storage device 216 may constitute machine readable media. In some embodiments, the machine readable medium may be or may include a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium. In some embodiments, the machine readable medium may be or may include a computer-readable storage medium.

[0037] While the machine readable medium 222 is illustrated as a single medium, the term "machine readable medium" may include a single medium or multiple media (e.g., a centralized or distributed database, and/or associated caches and servers) configured to store the one or more instructions 224. The term "machine readable medium" may include any medium that is capable of storing, encoding, or carrying instructions for execution by the machine 200 and that cause the machine 200 to perform any one or more of the techniques of the present disclosure, or that is capable of storing, encoding or carrying data structures used by or associated with such instructions. Non-limiting machine readable medium examples may include solid-state memories, and optical and magnetic media. Specific examples of machine readable media may include: non-volatile memory, such as semiconductor memory devices (e.g., Electrically Programmable Read-Only Memory (EPROM), Electrically Erasable

Programmable Read-Only Memory (EEPROM)) and flash memory devices; magnetic disks, such as internal hard disks and removable disks; magneto-optical disks; Random Access Memory (RAM); and CD-ROM and DVD-ROM disks. In some examples, machine readable media may include non-transitory machine readable media. In some examples, machine readable media may include machine readable media that is not a transitory propagating signal.

[0038] The instructions 224 may further be transmitted or received over a communications network 226 using a transmission medium via the network interface device 220 utilizing any one of a number of transfer protocols (e.g., frame relay, internet protocol (IP), transmission control protocol (TCP), user datagram protocol (UDP), hypertext transfer protocol (HTTP), etc.). Example communication networks may include a local area network (LAN), a wide area network (WAN), a packet data network (e.g., the Internet), mobile telephone networks (e.g., cellular networks), Plain Old Telephone (POTS) networks, and wireless data networks (e.g., Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11 family of standards known as Wi-Fi®, IEEE 802.16 family of standards known as WiMax®), IEEE 802.15.4 family of standards, a Long Term Evolution (LTE) family of standards, a Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) family of standards, peer-to-peer (P2P) networks, among others. In an example, the network interface device 220 may include one or more physical jacks (e.g., Ethernet, coaxial, or phone jacks) or one or more antennas to connect to the communications network 226. In an example, the network interface device 220 may include a plurality of antennas to wirelessly communicate using at least one of single-input multiple-output (SIMO), multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO), or multiple-input single-output (MISO) techniques. In some examples, the network interface device 220 may wirelessly communicate using Multiple User MIMO techniques. The term "transmission medium" shall be taken to include any intangible medium that is capable of storing, encoding or carrying instructions for execution by the machine 200, and includes digital or analog communications signals or other intangible medium to facilitate communication of such software.

[0039] FIG. 3 illustrates a user device in accordance with some aspects.

In some embodiments, the user device 300 may be a mobile device. In some embodiments, the user device 300 may be or may be configured to operate as a User Equipment (UE). In some embodiments, the user device 300 may be arranged to operate in accordance with a new radio (NR) protocol. In some embodiments, the user device 300 may be arranged to operate in accordance with a Third Generation Partnership Protocol (3GPP) protocol. The user device 300 may be suitable for use as a UE 102 as depicted in FIG. 1, in some embodiments. It should be noted that in some embodiments, a UE, an apparatus of a UE, a user device or an apparatus of a user device may include one or more of the components shown in one or more of FIGs. 2, 3, and 5. In some embodiments, such a UE, user device and/or apparatus may include one or more additional components.

[0040] In some aspects, the user device 300 may include an application processor 305, baseband processor 310 (also referred to as a baseband module), radio front end module (RFEM) 315, memory 320, connectivity module 325, near field communication (NFC) controller 330, audio driver 335, camera driver

340, touch screen 345, display driver 350, sensors 355, removable memory 360, power management integrated circuit (PMIC) 365 and smart battery 370. In some aspects, the user device 300 may be a User Equipment (UE).

[0041] In some aspects, application processor 305 may include, for example, one or more CPU cores and one or more of cache memory, low drop- out voltage regulators (LDOs), interrupt controllers, serial interfaces such as serial peripheral interface (SPI), inter-integrated circuit (I²C) or universal programmable serial interface module, real time clock (RTC), timer-counters including interval and watchdog timers, general purpose input-output (IO), memory card controllers such as secure digital / multi-media card (SD/MMC) or similar, universal serial bus (USB) interfaces, mobile industry processor interface (MIPI) interfaces and Joint Test Access Group (JTAG) test access ports.

[0042] In some aspects, baseband module 310 may be implemented, for example, as a solder-down substrate including one or more integrated circuits, a single packaged integrated circuit soldered to a main circuit board, and/or a multi-chip module containing two or more integrated circuits.

[0043] FIG. 4 illustrates a base station in accordance with some aspects.

In some embodiments, the base station 400 may be or may be configured to operate as an Evolved Node-B (eNB). In some embodiments, the base station 400 may be or may be configured to operate as a Generation Node-B (gNB). In some embodiments, the base station 400 may be arranged to operate in accordance with a new radio (NR) protocol. In some embodiments, the base station 400 may be arranged to operate in accordance with a Third Generation Partnership Protocol (3 GPP) protocol. It should be noted that in some embodiments, the base station 400 may be a stationary non-mobile device. The base station 400 may be suitable for use as an eNB 104 as depicted in FIG. 1, in some embodiments. The base station 400 may be suitable for use as a gNB 105 as depicted in FIG. 1, in some embodiments. It should be noted that in some embodiments, an eNB, an apparatus of an eNB, a gNB, an apparatus of a gNB, a base station and/or an apparatus of a base station may include one or more of the components shown in one or more of FIGs. 2, 4, and 5. In some embodiments, such an eNB, gNB, base station and/or apparatus may include one or more additional components. [0044] FIG. 4 illustrates a base station or infrastructure equipment radio head 400 in accordance with an aspect. The base station 400 may include one or more of application processor 405, baseband modules 410, one or more radio front end modules 415, memory 420, power management circuitry 425, power tee circuitry 430, network controller 435, network interface connector 440, satellite navigation receiver module 445, and user interface 450. In some aspects, the base station 400 may be an Evolved Node-B (eNB), which may be arranged to operate in accordance with a 3GPP protocol, new radio (NR) protocol and/or Fifth Generation (5G) protocol. In some aspects, the base station 400 may be a generation Node-B (gNB), which may be arranged to operate in accordance with a 3GPP protocol, new radio (NR) protocol and/or Fifth Generation (5G) protocol.

[0045] In some aspects, application processor 405 may include one or more CPU cores and one or more of cache memory, low drop-out voltage regulators (LDOs), interrupt controllers, serial interfaces such as SPI, I²C or universal programmable serial interface module, real time clock (RTC), timer- counters including interval and watchdog timers, general purpose IO, memory card controllers such as SD/MMC or similar, USB interfaces, MIPI interfaces and Joint Test Access Group (JTAG) test access ports.

[0046] In some aspects, baseband processor 410 may be implemented, for example, as a solder-down substrate including one or more integrated circuits, a single packaged integrated circuit soldered to a main circuit board or a multi-chip module containing two or more integrated circuits.

[0047] In some aspects, memory 420 may include one or more of volatile memory including dynamic random access memory (DRAM) and/or synchronous dynamic random access memory (SDRAM), and nonvolatile memory (NVM) including high-speed electrically erasable memory (commonly referred to as Flash memory), phase change random access memory (PRAM), magneto-resistive random access memory (MRAM) and/or a three-dimensional cross-point memory. Memory 420 may be implemented as one or more of solder down packaged integrated circuits, socketed memory modules and plug-in memory cards. [0048] In some aspects, power management integrated circuitry 425 may include one or more of voltage regulators, surge protectors, power alarm detection circuitry and one or more backup power sources such as a battery or capacitor. Power alarm detection circuitry may detect one or more of brown out (under- voltage) and surge (over-voltage) conditions.

[0049] In some aspects, power tee circuitry 430 may provide for electrical power drawn from a network cable to provide both power supply and data connectivity to the base station 400 using a single cable. In some aspects, network controller 435 may provide connectivity to a network using a standard network interface protocol such as Ethernet. Network connectivity may be provided using a physical connection which is one of electrical (commonly referred to as copper interconnect), optical or wireless.

[0050] In some aspects, satellite navigation receiver module 445 may include circuitry to receive and decode signals transmitted by one or more navigation satellite constellations such as the global positioning system (GPS), Globalnaya Navigatsionnaya Sputnikovaya Sistema (GLONASS), Galileo and/or BeiDou. The receiver 445 may provide data to application processor 405 which may include one or more of position data or time data. Application processor 405 may use time data to synchronize operations with other radio base stations. In some aspects, user interface 450 may include one or more of physical or virtual buttons, such as a reset button, one or more indicators such as light emitting diodes (LEDs) and a display screen.

[0051] FIG. 5 illustrates an exemplary communication circuitry according to some aspects. Circuitry 500 is alternatively grouped according to functions. Components as shown in 500 are shown here for illustrative purposes and may include other components not shown here in Fig. 5. In some aspects, the communication circuitry 500 may be used for millimeter wave

communication, although aspects are not limited to millimeter wave communication. Communication at any suitable frequency may be performed by the communication circuitry 500 in some aspects.

[0052] It should be noted that a device, such as a UE 102, eNB 104, gNB

105, the user device 300, the base station 400, the machine 200 and/or other device may include one or more components of the communication circuitry 500, in some aspects.

[0053] The communication circuitry 500 may include protocol processing circuitry 505, which may implement one or more of medium access control (MAC), radio link control (RLC), packet data convergence protocol (PDCP), radio resource control (RRC) and non-access stratum (NAS) functions. Protocol processing circuitry 505 may include one or more processing cores (not shown) to execute instructions and one or more memory structures (not shown) to store program and data information.

[0054] The communication circuitry 500 may further include digital baseband circuitry 510, which may implement physical layer (PHY) functions including one or more of hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ) functions, scrambling and/or descrambling, coding and/or decoding, layer mapping and/or de-mapping, modulation symbol mapping, received symbol and/or bit metric determination, multi-antenna port pre -coding and/or decoding which may include one or more of space-time, space-frequency or spatial coding, reference signal generation and/or detection, preamble sequence generation and/or decoding, synchronization sequence generation and/or detection, control channel signal blind decoding, and other related functions.

[0055] The communication circuitry 500 may further include transmit circuitry 515, receive circuitry 520 and/or antenna array circuitry 530. The communication circuitry 500 may further include radio frequency (RF) circuitry 525. In an aspect of the disclosure, RF circuitry 525 may include multiple parallel RF chains for one or more of transmit or receive functions, each connected to one or more antennas of the antenna array 530.

[0056] In an aspect of the disclosure, protocol processing circuitry 505 may include one or more instances of control circuitry (not shown) to provide control functions for one or more of digital baseband circuitry 510, transmit circuitry 515, receive circuitry 520, and/or radio frequency circuitry 525

[0057] In some embodiments, processing circuitry may perform one or more operations described herein and/or other operation(s). In a non-limiting example, the processing circuitry may include one or more components such as the processor 202, application processor 305, baseband module 310, application processor 405, baseband module 410, protocol processing circuitry 505, digital baseband circuitry 510, similar component(s) and/or other component(s).

[0058] In some embodiments, a transceiver may transmit one or more elements (including but not limited to those described herein) and/or receive one or more elements (including but not limited to those described herein). In a non- limiting example, the transceiver may include one or more components such as the radio front end module 315, radio front end module 415, transmit circuitry 515, receive circuitry 520, radio frequency circuitry 525, similar component(s) and/or other component(s).

[0059] One or more antennas (such as 230, 312, 412, 530 and/or others) may comprise one or more directional or omnidirectional antennas, including, for example, dipole antennas, monopole antennas, patch antennas, loop antennas, microstrip antennas or other types of antennas suitable for transmission of RF signals. In some multiple -input multiple-output (MIMO) embodiments, one or more of the antennas (such as 230, 312, 412, 530 and/or others) may be effectively separated to take advantage of spatial diversity and the different channel characteristics that may result.

[0060] In some embodiments, the UE 102, eNB 104, gNB 105, user device 300, base station 400, machine 200 and/or other device described herein may be a mobile device and/or portable wireless communication device, such as a personal digital assistant (PDA), a laptop or portable computer with wireless communication capability, a web tablet, a wireless telephone, a smartphone, a wireless headset, a pager, an instant messaging device, a digital camera, an access point, a television, a wearable device such as a medical device (e.g., a heart rate monitor, a blood pressure monitor, etc.), or other device that may receive and/or transmit information wirelessly. In some embodiments, the UE 102, eNB 104, gNB 105, user device 300, base station 400, machine 200 and/or other device described herein may be configured to operate in accordance with 3GPP standards, although the scope of the embodiments is not limited in this respect. In some embodiments, the UE 102, eNB 104, gNB 105, user device

300, base station 400, machine 200 and/or other device described herein may be configured to operate in accordance with new radio (NR) standards, although the scope of the embodiments is not limited in this respect. In some embodiments, the UE 102, eNB 104, gNB 105, user device 300, base station 400, machine 200 and/or other device described herein may be configured to operate according to other protocols or standards, including IEEE 802.11 or other IEEE standards. In some embodiments, the UE 102, eNB 104, gNB 105, user device 300, base station 400, machine 200 and/or other device described herein may include one or more of a keyboard, a display, a non-volatile memory port, multiple antennas, a graphics processor, an application processor, speakers, and other mobile device elements. The display may be an LCD screen including a touch screen.

[0061] Although the UE 102, eNB 104, gNB 105, user device 300, base station 400, machine 200 and/or other device described herein may each be illustrated as having several separate functional elements, one or more of the functional elements may be combined and may be implemented by combinations of software -configured elements, such as processing elements including digital signal processors (DSPs), and/or other hardware elements. For example, some elements may comprise one or more microprocessors, DSPs, field- programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), radio-frequency integrated circuits (RFICs) and combinations of various hardware and logic circuitry for performing at least the functions described herein. In some embodiments, the functional elements may refer to one or more processes operating on one or more processing elements.

[0062] Embodiments may be implemented in one or a combination of hardware, firmware and software. Embodiments may also be implemented as instructions stored on a computer-readable storage device, which may be read and executed by at least one processor to perform the operations described herein. A computer-readable storage device may include any non-transitory mechanism for storing information in a form readable by a machine (e.g., a computer). For example, a computer-readable storage device may include readonly memory (ROM), random-access memory (RAM), magnetic disk storage media, optical storage media, flash-memory devices, and other storage devices and media. Some embodiments may include one or more processors and may be configured with instructions stored on a computer-readable storage device.

[0063] It should be noted that in some embodiments, an apparatus used by the UE 102, eNB 104, gNB 105, machine 200, user device 300 and/or base station 400 may include various components shown in FIGs. 2-5. Accordingly, techniques and operations described herein that refer to the UE 102 may be applicable to an apparatus of a UE. In addition, techniques and operations described herein that refer to the eNB 104 may be applicable to an apparatus of an eNB. In addition, techniques and operations described herein that refer to the gNB 105 may be applicable to an apparatus of a gNB.

[0064] FIG. 6 illustrates an example of a radio frame structure in accordance with some embodiments. FIG. 7 illustrates example frequency resources in accordance with some embodiments. It should be noted that the examples shown in FIGs. 6-7 may illustrate some or all of the concepts and techniques described herein in some cases, but embodiments are not limited by the examples. For instance, embodiments are not limited by the name, number, type, size, ordering, arrangement and/or other aspects of the time resources, symbol periods, frequency resources, PRBs and other elements as shown in FIGs. 6-7. Although some of the elements shown in the examples of FIGs. 6-7 may be included in a 3GPP LTE standard, 5G standard, NR standard and/or other standard, embodiments are not limited to usage of such elements that are included in standards.

[0065] An example of a radio frame structure that may be used in some aspects is shown in FIG. 6. In this example, radio frame 600 has a duration of 10ms. Radio frame 600 is divided into slots 602 each of duration 0.5 ms, and numbered from 0 to 19. Additionally, each pair of adjacent slots 602 numbered 2i and 2i+l, where /^' is an integer, is referred to as a subframe 601.

[0066] In some aspects using the radio frame format of FIG. 6, each subframe 601 may include a combination of one or more of downlink control information, downlink data information, uplink control information and uplink data information. The combination of information types and direction may be selected independently for each subframe 602.

[0067] In some aspects, a sub-component of a transmitted signal consisting of one subcarrier in the frequency domain and one symbol interval in the time domain may be termed a resource element. Resource elements may be depicted in a grid form as shown in FIG. 7A and FIG. 7B. [0068] In some aspects, illustrated in FIG. 7A, resource elements may be grouped into rectangular resource blocks 700 consisting of 12 subcarriers in the frequency domain and the P symbols in the time domain, where P may correspond to the number of symbols contained in one slot, and may be 6, 7, or any other suitable number of symbols.

[0069] In some alternative aspects, illustrated in FIG. 7B, resource elements may be grouped into resource blocks 700 consisting of 12 subcarriers (as indicated by 702) in the frequency domain and one symbol in the time domain. In the depictions of FIG. 7A and FIG. 7B, each resource element 705 may be indexed as (k, 1) where k is the index number of subcarrier, in the range 0 to N.M-1 (as indicated by 703), where N is the number of subcarriers in a resource block, and M is the number of resource blocks spanning a component carrier in the frequency domain.

[0070] In accordance with some embodiments, the UE 102 may receive downlink control information (DCI). The UE 102 may scale first demodulation reference signals (DM-RSs) based on a first pre-coder. The first DM-RSs may be received in a symbol period allocated for DM-RSs. The UE 102 may scale second DM-RSs based on a second pre-coder. The second DM-RSs may be received in the symbol period allocated for DM-RSs. The UE 102 may scale phase tracking reference signals (PT-RSs) based on either the first or the second pre-coder. The PT-RSs may be received in a plurality of symbol periods. The DCI may include an indication of whether the first pre-coder or the second pre- coder is to be used to scale the PT-RSs. The UE 102 may determine common phase errors (CPEs) for the plurality of symbol periods based on phase differences between the scaled PT-RSs and at least one of: the scaled first DM- RSs and the scaled second DM-RSs. These embodiments are described in more detail below.

[0071] FIG. 8 illustrates the operation of a method of communication in accordance with some embodiments. It is important to note that embodiments of the method 800 may include additional or even fewer operations or processes in comparison to what is illustrated in FIG. 8. In addition, embodiments of the method 800 are not necessarily limited to the chronological order that is shown in FIG. 8. In describing the method 800, reference may be made to FIGs. 1-7 and 9- 12, although it is understood that the method 800 may be practiced with any other suitable systems, interfaces and components.

[0072] In some embodiments, a gNB 105 may perform one or more operations of the method 800, but embodiments are not limited to performance of the method 800 and/or operations of it by the gNB 105. In some

embodiments, the eNB 104 may perform one or more operations of the method 800 (and/or similar operations). In some embodiments, an eNB 104 configured to operate as a gNB 105 may perform one or more operations of the method 800 (and/or similar operations). In some embodiments, the UE 102 may perform one or more operations of the method 800 (and/or similar operations). Accordingly, although references may be made to performance of one or more operations of the method 800 by the gNB 105 in descriptions herein, it is understood that the UE 102 and/or eNB 104 may perform the same operation(s), similar operation(s) and/or reciprocal operation(s), in some embodiments.

[0073] In addition, while the method 800 and other methods described herein may refer to eNBs 104, gNBs 105 or UEs 102 operating in accordance with 3GPP standards, 5G standards and/or other standards, embodiments of those methods are not limited to just those eNBs 104, gNBs 105 or UEs 102 and may also be practiced on other devices, such as a Wi-Fi access point (AP) or user station (STA). In addition, the method 800 and other methods described herein may be practiced by wireless devices configured to operate in other suitable types of wireless communication systems, including systems configured to operate according to various IEEE standards such as IEEE 802.1 1. The method 800 may also be applicable to an apparatus of a UE 102, an apparatus of an eNB 104, an apparatus of a gNB 105 and/or an apparatus of another device described above.

[0074] It should also be noted that embodiments are not limited by references herein (such as in descriptions of the methods 800 and 900 and/or other descriptions herein) to transmission, reception and/or exchanging of elements such as frames, messages, requests, indicators, signals or other elements. In some embodiments, such an element may be generated, encoded or otherwise processed by processing circuitry (such as by a baseband processor included in the processing circuitry) for transmission. The transmission may be performed by a transceiver or other component, in some cases. In some embodiments, such an element may be decoded, detected or otherwise processed by the processing circuitry (such as by the baseband processor). The element may be received by a transceiver or other component, in some cases. In some embodiments, the processing circuitry and the transceiver may be included in a same apparatus. The scope of embodiments is not limited in this respect, however, as the transceiver may be separate from the apparatus that comprises the processing circuitry, in some embodiments.

[0075] At operation 805, the gNB 105 may determine a pre-coder to be used for phase tracking reference signals (PT-RSs). In some embodiments, the gNB 105 may determine the pre-coder as one of a plurality of candidate pre- coders. In some embodiments, the gNB 105 may determine a pre-coder to be used for downlink transmission of PT-RSs. In some embodiments, the gNB 105 may determine a pre-coder to be used, by the UE 102, for uplink transmission of PT-RSs. Non-limiting examples of determination of the pre-coder for the PT- RSs are described herein.

[0076] At operation 810, the gNB 105 may transmit control signaling. In some embodiments, the gNB 105 may transmit the control signaling to a UE 102, although the scope of embodiments is not limited in this respect. In some embodiments, the gNB 105 may transmit the control signaling to one or more UEs 102, although the scope of embodiments is not limited in this respect. Examples of control signaling may include, but are not limited to downlink control information (DCI), uplink grant, medium access control (MAC) control element (CE) and radio resource control (RRC) signaling.

[0077] In some embodiments, the control signaling may include various information, including but not limited to information related to pre-coders, DM- RSs, PT-RSs, codewords, physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH) blocks, PUSCH transmissions, physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH) blocks, PDSCH transmissions, time resource(s), frequency resource(s), information related to signal quality measurements, information related to transmission of elements (such as signals, data, control information and/or other) by a gNB 105, information related to transmission of elements (such as signals, data, control information and/or other) by a UE 102, other information described herein and/or other information. It should be noted that embodiments are not limited to these examples of control messages, as other messages, which may or may not be included in a standard, may be used in some embodiments

[0078] In some embodiments, the control signaling may indicate one or more pre-coders. For instance, the control signaling may indicate one or more pre-coders for demodulation reference signals (DM-RSs).

[0079] In some embodiments, pre-coders may be associated with layers, although the scope of embodiments is not limited in this respect. For instance, a first pre-coder may be for a first layer and a second pre-coder may be for a second layer. This example may be extended to more than two pre-coders. This example may be extended to more than two layers. In some embodiments, a pre- coder associated with one of the layers may be selected for operations such as pre-coding of PT-RSs, scaling of received PT-RSs and/or other operations.

[0080] In some embodiments, pre-coders may be associated with antenna ports, although the scope of embodiments is not limited in this respect. For instance, a first pre-coder may be for a first antenna port and a second pre-coder may be for a second antenna port. This example may be extended to more than two pre-coders. This example may be extended to more than two antenna ports. In some embodiments, a pre-coder associated with one of the antenna ports may be selected for operations such as pre-coding of PT-RSs, scaling of received PT- RSs and/or other operations.

[0081] In some embodiments, the control signaling may indicate one or more pre-coders to be used, by the gNB 105, to scale and/or pre-code DM-RSs in a multi-layer downlink transmission. For instance, the control signaling may indicate a first pre-coder to be used to scale and/or pre-code first DM-RSs and may further indicate a second pre-coder to be used to scale and/or pre-code second DM-RSs. The first DM-RSs may be transmitted in a first layer and the second DM-RSs may be transmitted in a second layer, although the scope of embodiments is not limited in this respect. This example may be extended to more than two pre-coders. This example may be extended to more than two layers. This example may be extended to more than first DMRSs and second DMRSs. [0082] In some embodiments, the control signaling may indicate one or more pre-coders to be used, by the UE 102, to scale and/or pre-code DM-RSs in a multi-layer uplink transmission. For instance, the control signaling may indicate a first pre-coder to be used to scale and/or pre-code first DM-RSs and may further indicate a second pre-coder to be used to scale and/or pre-code second DM-RSs. The first DM-RSs may be transmitted in a first layer and the second DM-RSs may be transmitted in a second layer, although the scope of embodiments is not limited in this respect. This example may be extended to more than two pre-coders. This example may be extended to more than two layers.

[0083] In some embodiments, the control signaling may indicate a pre- coder to be used, by the gNB 105, to scale and/or pre-code PT-RSs in a multilayer downlink transmission. In some embodiments, the control signaling may indicate a pre-coder to be used, by the UE 102, to scale and/or pre-code PT-RSs in a multi-layer uplink transmission. It should be noted that embodiments are not limited to usage of a single pre-coder for the PT-RSs.

[0084] In some embodiments, the control signaling may not necessarily indicate the pre-coder for the PT-RSs. Accordingly, the UE 102 may determine the pre-coder for the PT-RSs based on one or more elements. Non-limiting examples of determination of the pre-coder for the PT-RSs are described herein.

[0085] In some embodiments, the control signaling may indicate one or more modulation and coding schemes (MCSs) for a downlink transmission. For instance, the control signaling may indicate a first MCS for transmission of a first codeword in a first layer of a multi-layer downlink transmission and may further indicate a second MCS for transmission of a second codeword in a second layer of the multi-layer downlink transmission. This example may be extended to more than two MCSs. This example may be extended to more than two layers.

[0086] In some embodiments, the control signaling may indicate one or more MCSs for a multi-layer uplink transmission. For instance, the control signaling may indicate a first MCS for transmission of a first codeword in a first layer of a multi-layer uplink transmission and may further indicate a second

MCS for transmission of a second codeword in a second layer of the multi-layer uplink transmission. This example may be extended to more than two MCSs. This example may be extended to more than two layers.

[0087] It should be noted that embodiments are not limited to two pre- coders, as in some examples described herein. Some or all examples, techniques and/or operations described herein for two pre-coders may be extended to any suitable number of pre-coders. Embodiments are also not limited to two layers, as in some examples described herein. Some or all examples, techniques and/or operations described herein for two layers may be extended to any suitable number of layers.

[0088] At operation 815, the gNB 105 may scale one or more DM-RSs.

In some embodiments, the gNB 105 may scale the DM-RSs by one or more pre- coders. For instance, first DM-RSs may be scaled based on a first pre-coder, and second DM-RSs may be scaled based on a second pre-coder. This example may be extended to more than two pre-coders. This example may be extended to more than the first DM-RSs and second DM-RSs.

[0089] At operation 820, the gNB 105 may transmit the scaled DM-

RS(s). In some embodiments, the scaled DM-RSs may be transmitted in a symbol period allocated for DM-RSs, although the scope of embodiments is not limited in this respect.

[0090] At operation 825, the gNB 105 may scale the PT-RSs. At operation 830, the gNB 105 may transmit the scaled PT-RS(s). In some embodiments, the scaled PT-RSs may be transmitted in a plurality of symbol periods and in an RE allocated for PT-RSs, although the scope of embodiments is not limited in this respect. At operation 835, the gNB 105 may scale one or more codewords. At operation 840, the gNB 105 may transmit the scaled codeword(s).

[0091] In some embodiments, the gNB 105 may encode a first codeword in accordance with a first MCS. The first MCS may be included in candidate MCSs. The candidate MCSs may be mapped to an ordered plurality of MCS indexes. The gNB 105 may scale the first codeword by a first pre-coder. The gNB 105 may encode a second codeword in accordance with a second MCS included in the candidate MCSs. The gNB 105 may scale the second codeword by a second pre-coder. The gNB 105 may encode PT-RSs. If a first MCS index that corresponds to the first MCS is greater than or equal to a second MCS index that corresponds to the second MCS, the gNB 105 may scale the PT-RSs by the first pre-coder. If the first MCS index is less than the second MCS index, the gNB 105 may scale the PT-RSs by the second pre-coder. In some embodiments, the candidate MCSs may be mapped to the ordered plurality of MCS indexes based on a non-decreasing relationship between the MCS indexes and corresponding numbers of information bits per modulation symbol for the candidate MCS.

[0092] In some embodiments, the gNB 105 may map the scaled first codeword to a first plurality of REs for transmission in accordance with an OFDMA technique. The gNB 105 may map the scaled second codeword to a second plurality of REs for transmission in accordance with an OFDMA technique. In some cases, the second plurality of REs may overlap the first plurality of REs. In some cases, the second plurality of REs may not necessarily overlap the first plurality of REs. In some cases, the first and second pluralities of REs may be the same. The gNB 105 may map the scaled PT-RSs to one or more REs for transmission in accordance with an OFDMA technique.

[0093] In some embodiments, the gNB 105 may map the scaled first codeword to a first plurality of REs for transmission on a first antenna of a multiple-input multiple output (MIMO) arrangement. The gNB 105 may map the scaled second codeword to a second plurality of REs for transmission on a second antenna of the MIMO arrangement.

[0094] In some embodiments, the gNB 105 may encode first DM-RSs.

The gNB 105 may scale the first DM-RSs by a first pre-coder. The gNB 105 may map the scaled first DM-RSs to a first plurality of REs in a symbol period allocated for DM-RSs. The gNB 105 may encode second DM-RSs. The gNB 105 may scale the second DM-RSs by a second pre-coder. The gNB 105 may map the scaled second DM-RSs to a second plurality of REs in the symbol period allocated for DM-RSs. The gNB 105 may encode PT-RSs. If an RE allocated for PT-RSs is included in the first plurality of REs, the gNB 105 may scale the PT-RSs by the first pre-coder. If the RE allocated for PT-RSs is included in the second plurality of REs, the gNB 105 may scale the PT-RSs by the second pre-coder. The gNB 105 may map the scaled PT-RSs in a plurality of symbol periods to the RE allocated for PT-RSs. In some embodiments, the gNB 105 may map, for transmission in accordance with an OFDMA technique, one or more of: the scaled first DM-RSs, the scaled second DM-RSs and the scaled PT- RSs.

[0095] In some embodiments, the gNB 105 may encode a first codeword.

The gNB 105 may scale the first codeword by a first pre-coder. The gNB 105 may encode a second codeword. The gNB 105 may scale the second codeword by a second pre-coder. The gNB 105 may encode PT-RSs. The gNB 105 may determine a third pre-coder based at least partly on an average of the first pre- coder and the second pre-coder. The gNB 105 may scale the PT-RSs by the third pre-coder. In some embodiments, the gNB 105 may map the scaled first codeword to a first plurality of REs for transmission in accordance with an OFDMA technique. The gNB 105 may map the scaled second codeword to a second plurality of REs for transmission in accordance with an OFDMA technique. In some cases, the second plurality of REs may overlap the first plurality of REs. In some cases, the first and second pluralities of REs may be the same. In some cases, the first and second pluralities of REs may not necessarily overlap. The gNB 105 may map the scaled PT-RSs to one or more REs for transmission in accordance with an OFDMA technique.

[0096] It should be noted that embodiments are not limited to transmission and/or reception of codewords. Other elements (such as PDSCH blocks, PUSCH blocks, data blocks and/or other) may be transmitted and/or received, in some embodiments.

[0097] In addition, embodiments are not limited to usage of layers.

Accordingly, a pre-coder may be used to scale and/or pre-code one or more elements. In some embodiments, the pre-coder may be associated with a layer, although the scope of embodiments is not limited in this respect.

[0098] At operation 845, the gNB 105 may receive a channel state information (CSI) feedback message that includes information related to signal quality measurements. Example signal quality measurements may include, but are not limited to reference signal received power (RSRP), reference signal received quality (RSRQ), received signal power, signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and/or other. In some embodiments, the signal quality measurements may be based on signals received, at the UE 102, from the gNB 105. In some embodiments, the signal quality measurements may be based on reception in accordance with one or more pre-coders.

[0099] In a non-limiting example, the UE 102 may determine a signal quality measurement based on reception of one or more elements (such as DM- RSs, codewords and/or other) in accordance with a pre-coder. For instance, the UE 102 may determine the signal quality measurement based at least partly on a correlation between the received element (DM-RSs, codewords and/or other) and the pre-coder. The received element may be pre-coded by the pre-coder, although the scope of embodiments is not limited in this respect. Embodiments are not limited to usage of the correlations described above, as any suitable technique may be used to determine the signal quality measurement.

[00100] This example may be extended to multiple signal quality measurements. For instance, a first signal quality measurement may be determined based on reception of a first element in accordance with a first pre- coder. The first element may have been pre-coded by the first pre-coder. A second signal quality measurement may be determined based on reception of a second element in accordance with a second pre-coder. The second element may have been pre-coded by the second pre-coder. This example may be extended to more than two signal quality measurements.

[00101] Embodiments are not limited to usage of the CSI feedback message for communication of the signal quality measurements, however. Other techniques, messages, frames and/or other elements may be used.

[00102] At operation 850, the gNB 105 may determine another pre-coder to be used for PT-RSs in one or more subsequent transmissions (uplink or downlink). In some embodiments, the gNB 105 may determine the pre-coder at operation 850 based at least partly on signal quality measurements received from the UE 102. For instance, the UE 102 may determine signal quality

measurements for multiple layers/DMRSs/pre-coders. In a non-limiting example, the UE 102 may include those signal quality measurements in the CSI feedback message (and/or other element). In another non-limiting example, the UE 102 may indicate the pre-coder for which the signal quality measurement is highest (and/or best). [00103] In a non-limiting example, the gNB 105 may select the pre-coder for PT-RSs in one or more subsequent transmissions based at least partly on the signal quality measurements. For instance, a plurality of signal quality measurements may be based on reception of pre-coded DMRSs (received in accordance with corresponding pre-coder), and the gNB 105 may select the pre- coder that corresponds to a best signal quality measurement in the plurality of signal quality measurements.

[00104] In some embodiments, an apparatus of a gNB 105 may comprise memory. The memory may be configurable to store one or more pre-coders. The memory may store one or more other elements and the apparatus may use them for performance of one or more operations. The apparatus may include processing circuitry, which may perform one or more operations (including but not limited to operation(s) of the method 800 and/or other methods described herein). The processing circuitry may include a baseband processor. The baseband circuitry and/or the processing circuitry may perform one or more operations described herein, including but not limited to encoding of control signaling. The apparatus of the gNB 105 may include a transceiver to transmit the control signaling. The transceiver may transmit and/or receive other blocks, messages and/or other elements.

[00105] FIG. 9 illustrates the operation of another method of

communication in accordance with some embodiments. Embodiments of the method 900 may include additional or even fewer operations or processes in comparison to what is illustrated in FIG. 9 and embodiments of the method 900 are not necessarily limited to the chronological order that is shown in FIG. 9. In describing the method 900, reference may be made to FIGs. 1-12, although it is understood that the method 900 may be practiced with any other suitable systems, interfaces and components. In addition, embodiments of the method 900 may be applicable to UEs 102, eNBs 104, gNBs 105, APs, STAs and/or other wireless or mobile devices. The method 900 may also be applicable to an apparatus of a UE 102, eNB 104, gNB 105 and/or other device described above.

[00106] It should be noted that references to a UE 102 (such as in descriptions of the method 900 and/or other descriptions) are not limiting. In some embodiments, a gNB 105 and/or eNB 104 may perform one or more operations of the method 900.

[00107] In some embodiments, the UE 102 may perform one or more operations of the method 900, but embodiments are not limited to performance of the method 900 and/or operations of it by the UE 102. In some embodiments, the eNB 104 may perform one or more operations of the method 900 (and/or similar operations). In some embodiments, an eNB 104 may be configured to operate as a gNB 105 and may perform one or more operations of the method 900 (and/or similar operations). In some embodiments, the gNB 105 may perform one or more operations of the method 900 (and/or similar operations). Accordingly, although references may be made to performance of one or more operations of the method 900 by the UE 102 in descriptions herein, it is understood that the eNB 104 and/or gNB 105 may perform the same operation(s), similar operation(s) and/or reciprocal operation(s), in some embodiments.

[00108] It should be noted that the method 900 may be practiced by a UE 102 and may include exchanging of elements, such as frames, signals, messages and/or other elements, with a gNB 105. Similarly, the method 800 may be practiced by a gNB 105 and may include exchanging of such elements with a UE 102. In some cases, operations and techniques described as part of the method 800 may be relevant to the method 900. In some cases, operations and techniques described as part of the method 900 may be relevant to the method 800. In addition, embodiments of the method 900 may include one or more operations performed by the UE 102 that may be the same as, similar to or reciprocal to one or more operations described herein performed by the gNB 105 (including but not limited to operations of the method 800). For instance, an operation of the method 800 may include transmission of an element (such as a frame, block, message and/or other) by a gNB 105 and the method 900 may include reception of a same or similar element by the UE 102.

[00109] In addition, previous discussion of various techniques and concepts may be applicable to the method 900 in some cases, including pre- coders, control signaling, REs, symbol periods, multi-layer transmission, DM- RSs, PT-RSs, codewords, PUSCH, PDSCH, signal quality measurements and/or others. In addition, the examples shown in FIGs. 10-12 may also be applicable, in some cases, although the scope of embodiments is not limited in this respect.

[00110] At operation 905, the UE 102 may receive control signaling. In some embodiments, the UE 102 may receive the control signaling from the gNB 105, although the scope of embodiments is not limited in this respect. In some embodiments, the control signaling may be the same as or similar to the control signaling described regarding the method 800, although the scope of embodiments is not limited in this respect. In some embodiments, the control signaling may include one or more elements included in descriptions of the method 800, although the scope of embodiments is not limited in this respect.

[00111] At operation 910, the UE 102 may determine a pre-coder to be used for PT-RSs. In some embodiments, the UE 102 may determine a pre-coder to be used, by the gNB 105, for downlink transmission of the PT-RSs. In some embodiments, the UE 102 may determine a pre-coder to be used, by the UE 102, for uplink transmission of the PT-RSs.

[00112] In some embodiments, multiple MCSs may be used for transmission of codewords. The multiple MCSs may be used for transmission of codewords in multiple layers, although the scope of embodiments is not limited in this respect. In some embodiments, the MCSs may be included in candidate MCSs. The candidate MCSs may be mapped to an ordered plurality of MCS indexes based on a non-decreasing relationship between the MCS indexes and corresponding numbers of information bits per modulation symbol for the candidate MCSs. For instance, a first MCS may be related to usage of BPSK modulation and a rate 1/2 code may result in 0.5 bits/symbol. A second MCS may be related to usage of QPSK modulation and a rate 1/2 code may result in 1.0 bits/symbol. A first MCS index for the first MCS may be lower than a second MCS index for the the second MCS.

[00113] In a non-limiting example, in a downlink transmission, the gNB

105 may use a first pre-coder to scale and/or pre-code a first codeword (of a first MCS) and may use a second pre-coder to scale and/or pre-code a second codeword (of a second MCS). The gNB 105 may transmit the scaled first codeword and the scaled second codeword as part of the downlink transmission. The UE 102 may determine a pre-coder that is to be used, by the gNB 105, to scale PT-RSs in the downlink transmission. The first and second MCSs may be included in candidate MCSs, and the candidate MCSs may be mapped to an ordered plurality of MCS indexes. The UE 102 may select, from the first and second pre-coders, the one for which the corresponding MCS is highest. For instance, if a first MCS index that corresponds to the first MCS is greater than or equal to a second MCS index that corresponds to the second MCS, the UE 102 may determine that the first pre-coder to be used for the PT-RSs. If the second MCS index is greater than the first MCS index, the UE 102 may determine that the second pre-coder to be used for the PT-RSs. This example may be extended to more than two MCSs, more than two pre-coders and/or more than two layers.

[00114] In another non-limiting example, in a downlink transmission, the gNB 105 may use a first pre-coder to scale and/or pre-code a first codeword and may use a second pre-coder to scale and/or pre-code a second codeword. The gNB 105 may transmit the scaled first codeword and the scaled second codeword as part of the downlink transmission. The UE 102 may determine a pre-coder that is to be used, by the gNB 105, to scale PT-RSs in the downlink transmission. The pre-coder to be used to scale the PT-RSs may be based on the first and second pre-coders. For instance, a weighted sum, an average and/or other function may be used. This example may be extended to more than two MCSs, more than two pre-coders and/or more than two layers.

[00115] In another non-limiting example, the gNB 105 may use a first pre-coder to scale and/or pre-code first DM-RSs that are transmitted in first REs of a symbol period allocated for DM-RS transmission. The gNB 105 may use a second pre-coder to scale and/or pre-code second DM-RSs that are transmitted in second REs of the symbol period allocated for DM-RS transmission. The gNB 105 may scale and/or pre-code PT-RSs for transmission in an RE (including but not limited to a predetermined RE). If the RE is included in the first REs, the UE 102 may determine that the first pre-coder is to be used to scale the PT-RSs. If the RE is included in the second REs, the UE 102 may determine that the second pre-coder is to be used to scale the PT-RSs. This example may be extended to more than two MCSs, more than two pre-coders and/or more than two layers. [00116] The above techniques may be used in other cases. In a non- limiting example, the gNB 105 may use a same technique or similar technique to determine which pre-coder the UE 102 is to use for an uplink transmission of PT-RSs. In another non-limiting example, the gNB 105 may use a same technique or similar technique to determine which pre-coder the gNB 105 is to use for a downlink transmission of PT-RSs. In another non-limiting example, the UE 102 may use a same technique or similar technique to determine which pre-coder the UE 102 is to use for an uplink transmission of PT-RSs.

[00117] At operation 915, the UE 102 may receive one or more DM-RSs. In some embodiments, the UE 102 may receive the DM-RSs from the gNB 105, although the scope of embodiments is not limited in this respect. At operation 920, the UE 102 may scale the DM-RSs.

[00118] In a non-limiting example, the UE 102 may receive first DM-RSs.

The first DM-RSs may be pre-coded, by the gNB 105, in accordance with a first pre-coder. The UE 102 may receive second DMRSs. The second DM-RSs may be pre-coded, by the gNB 105, in accordance with a second pre-coder.

[00119] The UE 102 may scale the received first DM-RSs based on the first pre-coder. In a non-limiting example, the UE 102 may scale the received first DM-RSs based on an inversion of the first pre-coder. The UE 102 may scale the received second DM-RSs based on an inversion of the second pre- coder. For instance, the gNB 105 may scale the first DM-RSs by the first pre- coder, and the UE 102 may scale the received first DM-RSs by an inverse of the first pre-coder. The gNB 105 may scale the second DM-RSs by the second pre- coder, and the UE 102 may scale the received second DM-RSs by an inverse of the second pre-coder.

[00120] Embodiments are not limited to the techniques described above. In some embodiments, the UE 102 may process the received first DM-RSs using any suitable technique to invert the first pre-coder. The UE 102 may process the received second DM-RSs using any suitable technique to invert the second pre- coder.

[00121] In a non-limiting example, the first DM-RSs may be received in first resource elements (REs) allocated for DM-RSs in the symbol period allocated for DM-RSs. The second DM-RSs may be received in second REs allocated for DM-RSs in the symbol period allocated for DM-RSs.

[00122] The above example may be extended to cases in which one or more additional DM-RSs (in addition to the first DM-RSs and the second DM- RSs) are used. The above example may be extended to cases in which one or more additional layers (in addition to the first layer and the second layer) are used.

[00123] At operation 925, the UE 102 may receive the PT-RSs. In some embodiments, the UE 102 may receive the PT-RSs from the gNB 105, although the scope of embodiments is not limited in this respect. At operation 930, the UE 102 may scale the received PT-RSs.

[00124] In some embodiments, the PT-RSs may be pre-coded, by the gNB 105, in accordance with a pre-coder for the PT-RSs. In a non-limiting example, the pre-coder for the PT-RSs may be determined, by the UE 102, using techniques described at operation 810, although the scope of embodiments is not limited in this respect. The UE 102 may scale the received PT-RSs based on the pre-coder for the PT-RSs. In a non-limiting example, the UE 102 may scale the received PT-RSs based on an inversion of the pre-coder for the PT-RSs. For instance, the gNB 105 may scale the PT-RSs by the pre-coder for the PT-RSs, and the UE 102 may scale the received PT-RSs by an inverse of the pre-coder for the PT-RSs. Embodiments are not limited to the techniques described above. In some embodiments, the UE 102 may process the received PT-RSs using any suitable technique. Such techniques may include, but are not limited to, techniques to invert the pre-coder for the PT-RSs.

[00125] In a non-limiting example, either a first or a second pre-coder may be used to scale the PT-RSs. A DCI may include an indication of whether the first pre-coder or the second pre-coder is to be used to scale the PT-RSs.

[00126] In some embodiments, the PT-RSs may be received in a plurality of symbol periods. In a non-limiting example, the PT-RSs may be received an RE that is allocated for PT-RSs in the plurality of symbol periods. In another non-limiting example, the PT-RSs may be received in one or more REs allocated for PT-RSs in the plurality of symbol periods. [00127] In some embodiments, the plurality of symbol periods may be exclusive to the symbol period allocated for DM-RSs. In some embodiments, the plurality of symbol periods may include the symbol period allocated for DM- RSs.

[00128] At operation 935, the UE 102 may determine one or more common phase errors (CPEs). In some embodiments, the UE 102 may determine the CPEs based on phase differences between the scaled PT-RSs and one or more scaled DM-RSs. In a non-limiting example, the UE 102 may determine the CPEs for a plurality of symbol periods based on phase differences between the scaled PT-RSs and at least one of: scaled first DM-RSs and scaled second DM-RSs. This example may be extended to more than the first DM-RSs and the second DM-RSs.

[00129] At operation 940, the UE 102 may determine one or more channel estimates. In some embodiments, the UE 102 may determine the channel estimates based on DM-RSs, although the scope of embodiments is not limited in this respect.

[00130] At operation 945, the UE 102 may scale one or more codewords.

At operation 950, the UE 102 may decode the one or more codewords.

Embodiments are not limited to scaling and decoding of codewords, however. The UE 102 may scale and/or decode other elements, including but not limited to physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH) blocks.

[00131] In some embodiments, the UE 102 may scale received values in a plurality of REs in the plurality of symbol periods. The plurality of symbol periods may be exclusive to the symbol period allocated for DM-RSs, although the scope of embodiments is not limited in this respect. The plurality of REs may be exclusive to the one or more REs allocated for PT-RSs, although the scope of embodiments is not limited in this respect. In some embodiments, the values may be scaled by the CPEs on a per-symbol basis. In some embodiments, the UE 102 may decode, based on the scaled received values, a PDSCH block received in the plurality of symbol periods in the plurality of REs.

[00132] In a non-limiting example, the UE 102 may decode a received first codeword pre-coded by the first pre-coder, based on: a scale operation based on an inversion of the first pre-coder, and phase correction by one or more of the per-symbol CPEs. The UE 102 may decode a received second codeword pre- coded by the second pre-coder, based on: a scale operation based on an inversion of the second pre-coder, and phase correction by one or more of the per-symbol CPEs. In some cases, the UE 102 may determine first channel estimates based on the first DM-RSs; may decode the first codeword further based on the first channel estimates; may determine second channel estimates based on the second DM-RSs; and may decode the second codeword further based on the second channel estimates.

[00133] In a non-limiting example, the UE 102 may decode a first codeword received in a plurality of REs that overlaps first REs in which the first DM-RSs are received. The UE 102 may determine the per-symbol CPEs for per-symbol phase correction for at least the first REs. The UE 102 may decode a second codeword received in another plurality of REs that overlaps second REs in which the second DM-RSs are received. The UE 102 may determine the per- symbol CPEs for per-symbol phase correction for at least the second REs. This example may be extended to include decoding of more than two codewords.

[00134] In another non-limiting example, the UE 102 may decode a first codeword based on a scale operation that is based on an inversion of a first pre- coder. The UE 102 may decode a second codeword based on another scale operation that is based on an inversion of a second pre-coder. The first codeword may be received in a plurality of REs that at least partly overlaps another plurality of REs in which the second codeword is received. This example may be extended to include decoding of more than two codewords.

[00135] At operation 955, the UE 102 may determine one or more signal quality measurements. At operation 960, the UE 102 may transmit a channel state information (CSI) feedback message based on the signal quality measurement. Embodiments are not limited to this particular type of message, however, as other messages may be used.

[00136] In some embodiments, an apparatus of a UE 102 may comprise memory. The memory may be configurable to store one or more pre-coders.

The memory may store one or more other elements and the apparatus may use them for performance of one or more operations. The apparatus may include processing circuitry, which may perform one or more operations (including but not limited to operation(s) of the method 800 and/or other methods described herein). The processing circuitry may include a baseband processor. The baseband circuitry and/or the processing circuitry may perform one or more operations described herein, including but not limited to decoding of control signaling. The apparatus of the UE 102 may include a transceiver to receive the control signaling. The transceiver may transmit and/or receive other blocks, messages and/or other elements.

[00137] FIG. 10 illustrates examples of reference signals in accordance with some embodiments. FIG. 11 illustrates example operations in accordance with some embodiments. FIG. 12 illustrates examples of reference signal transmission in accordance with some embodiments. It should be noted that the examples shown in FIGs. 10-12 may illustrate some or all of the concepts and techniques described herein in some cases, but embodiments are not limited by the examples. For instance, embodiments are not limited by the name, number, type, size, ordering, arrangement and/or other aspects of the operations, time resources, symbol periods, frequency resources, subcarriers, REs,

transmitted/received elements (such as reference signals, PSS, SSS and/or other), bandwidths and other elements as shown in FIGs. 10-12. Although some of the elements shown in the examples of FIGs. 10-12 may be included in a 3GPP LTE standard, 5G standard, NR standard and/or other standard, embodiments are not limited to usage of such elements that are included in standards.

[00138] In some cases, a system (including but not limited to a 5G system) may operate in a relatively high frequency band (including but not limited to a frequency band at about 6 GHz or greater). A phase noise at the high frequency band may be more significant in comparison to phase noise experienced in a lower frequency band. The phase noise may cause common phase error (CPE), inter-carrier interference (ICI) and/or other effects. The CPE may refer to a common phase shift for some or all subcarriers in a same symbol. The CPE may be a dominant impact of phase noise, in some cases. An example technique to track the phase shift is usage of a Phase Tracking Reference Signal (PT-RS). Referring to FIG. 10, a non-limiting example 1000 for PT-RS resource mapping is shown. The receiver may estimate a phase error between the DMRS 1020 and PT-RS 1030, and may then track the phase for some or all symbols. In some embodiments, the DMRS 1020 may be pre-coded. Example techniques for pre-coding of the PT-RS 1030 are described herein.

[00139] In some embodiments, PT-RS precoding may be determined based on one or more DMRS pre-coders. In some embodiments, PT-RS pre- coding may be independent of DMRS pre-coding. In some cases, phase noise may be considered as the same (or at least similar) in different antenna elements for one antenna panel. But phase noise may be different between different antenna panels, in some cases.

[00140] In some embodiments, for one beam, the pre-coder of PT-RS may be the same as a pre-coder of one of the antenna ports (AP) of DMRS. In some cases, a quasi co-located (QCL) assumption may be used. In some cases, AP sharing between the PT-RS and one of the antenna ports of the DMRS may be used. In some embodiments, an antenna port index for the PT-RS may be indicated by the Downlink Control Information (DO). In some embodiments, an independent indicator may be used. In some embodiments, an indicator may be jointly coded with DMRS antenna port indicator in the DCI. In a non- limiting example, the independent indicator may include one bit. For instance, a value of "0" may indicate antenna port "x" and a value of "1" may indicate antenna port "y". Another non-limiting example of jointly coded indication with DMRS antenna port indicator is shown in the table below.

[00141] In some embodiments, a default assumption for antenna port of

PT-RS may be defined. For instance, the gNB 105 may transmit PT-RS on the first DM-RS antenna port. Embodiments are not limited to the first DM-RS antenna port, however, as any DM-RS antenna port may be used. This value may be predetermined and/or included in a standard/specification, in some embodiments.

[00142] In some embodiments, there may be multiple code-words in one beam (such as two code-words). The PT-RS may use the antenna port index in which a highest Modulation and Coding Scheme (MCS) is configured. If the MCS of the two code-words is the same, a default antenna port may be used.

For instance, the antenna port with an index of "x" may be used.

[00143] In some embodiments, when the UE 102 reports the Channel

State Information, the UE 102 may report a 1-bit indication to recommend which layer has a higher channel quality if the reported Rank Indicator (RI) is above 0. For instance, a value of "0" may indicate that layer 0 may have a higher channel quality than layer 1, and a value of "1" may indicate that layer 1 may have a higher channel quality than layer 0.

[00144] In some embodiments, the antenna port of the PT-RS may be predefined and/or configured via higher layer signaling. The UE 102 may not need to feedback an indicator to recommend the antenna port of the PT-RS, in some cases.

[00145] In some embodiments, if different antenna ports for DMRS are mapped in Frequency Division Multiplexing (FDM) manner, the frequency position (such as 1105, 1110) of the PT-RS may be determined by the PT-RS antenna port index as shown in 1100 in FIG. 11. Otherwise, the PT-RS frequency position (such as 1155) may not change, regardless of which antenna port is used for the PT-RS, as shown in 1150 of FIG. 11.

[00146] In some embodiments, the PT-RS may use an aggregated precoder from some or all DMRS layers for one beam. For instance, the pre-coder for PT-RS can be calculated by the formula below, or by a similar formula.

[00148] In the above, Wj dentoes the pre-coder of the DMRS for layer j. In some embodiments, the pre-coder for PT-RSs may be determined as a weighted sum, an average and/or other function of the pre-coders of one or more layers.

[00149] In some embodiments, the PT-RS may use a different pre-coder compared to DMRS. Then when feedback CSI, if the UE recommend a rank>l precoder, it could always feedback a rank=l precoder. Then the gNodeB could use this precoder to transmit the PT-RS. To track the phase for each symbol, the PT-RS should also be mapped to the DMRS symbol as shown in Figure 3. For UL an independent PMI for the precoder indication of PT-RS can be indicated by DCI. Alternatively if reciprocity based transmission scheme is used, the UL PT-RS precoder can be selected by UE 102. [00150] In some of the descriptions herein, an operation may be described as part of a downlink communication or an uplink communication.

Embodiments are not limited by those descriptions, however. In some embodiments, an operation may be described herein in terms of one direction of communication (uplink or downlink). The same operation, a similar operation and/or reciprocal operation may be applicable to the other direction of communication (uplink or downlink), in some embodiments. In a non-limiting example, an element may be transmitted by the gNB 105 as part of a downlink communication in descriptions herein. The same element, similar element and/or reciprocal element may be transmitted by the UE 102 as part of an uplink communication, in some embodiments. In another non-limiting example, control signaling transmitted by the gNB 105 may include control information for a downlink communication in descriptions herein. The same control information, similar control information and/or reciprocal control information may be included in control signaling transmitted by the gNB 104 for an uplink communication, in some embodiments.

[00151] In some embodiments, some embodiments, if a UE 102 is configured with one PT-RS port and if the higher layer parameters "DL-dmrs- groupl" and "DL-dmrs-group2"are not configured, the UE 102 may assume that the PT-RS antenna port is associated with DM-RS antenna ports with respect to one or more association parameters. It should be noted that one or more of the DL-dmrs-group 1 parameter, the DL-dmrs-group2 parameter and/or the association parameters may be included in an NR standard and/or other standard, although the scope of embodiments is not limited in this respect.

[00152] In some embodiments, if the UE 102 is scheduled with one codeword, the PT-RS antenna port may be associated with the lower indexed DM-RS antenna port among the DM-RS antenna ports assigned for the physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH). If the UE 102 is scheduled with two codewords, the PT-RS antenna port may be associated with the lower indexed DM-RS antenna port among the DM-RS antenna ports assigned for the codeword with the higher MCS. If the MCS indices of the two codewords are the same, the PT-RS antenna port may be associated with the lowest indexed

DMRS antenna port assigned for the codeword 0. Embodiments are not limited to usage of codeword 0, however, as a predetermined codeword (which may or may not be codeword 0) may be used, in some embodiments.

[00153] In some embodiments, if a UE 102 is configured with the higher layer parameters "UL-PTRS-present"and a number of configured PT-RS ports is 1, the UE 102 may receive an indication of a DM-RS port to be associated with the PT-RS. An uplink downlink control information (UL DCI) may be used, although the scope of embodiments is not limited in this respect. It should be noted that the UL-PTRS-present parameter may be included in an NR standard and/or other standard, although the scope of embodiments is not limited in this respect.

[00154] In Example 1, an apparatus of a User Equipment (UE) may comprise memory. The apparatus may further comprise processing circuitry. The processing circuitry may be configured to decode downlink control information (DCI). The processing circuitry may be further configured to scale first demodulation reference signals (DM-RSs) based on a first pre-coder. The first DM-RSs may be received in a symbol period allocated for DM-RSs. The processing circuitry may be further configured to scale second DM-RSs based on a second pre-coder. The second DM-RSs may be received in the symbol period allocated for DM-RSs. The processing circuitry may be further configured to scale phase tracking reference signals (PT-RSs) based on either the first or the second pre-coder. The PT-RSs may be received in a plurality of symbol periods. The DCI may include an indication of whether the first pre-coder or the second pre-coder is to be used to scale the PT-RSs. The processing circuitry may be further configured to determine common phase errors (CPEs) for the plurality of symbol periods based on phase differences between the scaled PT-RSs and at least one of: the scaled first DM-RSs and the scaled second DM-RSs. The memory may be configured to store the indication included in the DCI.

[00155] In Example 2, the subject matter of Example 1, wherein the PT-

RSs may be received in one or more REs allocated for PT-RSs in the plurality of symbol periods. The processing circuitry may be further configured to scale received values by the CPEs in a plurality of REs in the plurality of symbol periods. The received values may be scaled by the CPEs on a per-symbol basis. The plurality of REs may be exclusive to the one or more REs allocated for PT- RSs.

[00156] In Example 3, the subject matter of one or any combination of

Examples 1-2, wherein the plurality of symbol periods may be exclusive to the symbol period allocated for DM-RSs. The processing circuitry may be further configured to decode, based on the scaled received values, a physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH) block received in the plurality of symbol periods in the plurality of REs.

[00157] In Example 4, the subject matter of one or any combination of Examples 1-3, wherein the processing circuitry may be further configured to decode a received first codeword pre-coded by the first pre-coder, based on: a scale operation based on an inversion of the first pre-coder, and phase correction by one or more of the per-symbol CPEs. The processing circuitry may be further configured to decode a received second codeword pre-coded by the second pre- coder, based on: a scale operation based on an inversion of the second pre-coder, and phase correction by one or more of the per-symbol CPEs.

[00158] In Example 5, the subject matter of one or any combination of

Examples 1-4, wherein the processing circuitry may be further configured to determine first channel estimates based on the first DM-RSs. The processing circuitry may be further configured to decode the first codeword further based on the first channel estimates. The processing circuitry may be further configured to determine second channel estimates based on the second DM-RSs. The processing circuitry may be further configured to decode the second codeword further based on the second channel estimates.

[00159] In Example 6, the subject matter of one or any combination of

Examples 1-5, wherein the first DM-RSs may be received in first resource elements (REs) allocated for DM-RSs in the symbol period allocated for DM- RSs. The second DM-RSs may be received in second REs allocated for DM- RSs in the symbol period allocated for DM-RSs. The PT-RSs may be received in one or more REs allocated for PT-RSs in the plurality of symbol periods.

[00160] In Example 7, the subject matter of one or any combination of

Examples 1-6, wherein the processing circuitry may be further configured to decode a first codeword received in a plurality of REs that overlaps the first REs. The processing circuitry may be further configured to determine the per-symbol CPEs for per-symbol phase correction for at least the first REs.

[00161] In Example 8, the subject matter of one or any combination of

Examples 1-7, wherein the processing circuitry may be further configured to decode a first codeword based on a scale operation that is based on an inversion of the first pre-coder. The processing circuitry may be further configured to decode a second codeword based on another scale operation that is based on an inversion of the second pre-coder. The first codeword may be received in a plurality of REs that at least partly overlaps another plurality of REs in which the second codeword is received.

[00162] In Example 9, the subject matter of one or any combination of

Examples 1-8, wherein the processing circuitry may be further configured to scale the first DM-RSs based on an inversion of the first pre-coder. The processing circuitry may be further configured to scale second DM-RSs based on an inversion of the second pre-coder. The processing circuitry may be further configured to scale the PT-RSs based on an inversion of the pre-coder that is to be used to scale the PT-RSs.

[00163] In Example 10, the subject matter of one or any combination of

Examples 1-9, wherein the processing circuitry may be further configured to determine a first signal quality measurement based on reception of the first DM- RSs. The processing circuitry may be further configured to determine a second signal quality measurement based on reception of the second DM-RSs. The processing circuitry may be further configured to encode, for transmission, a channel state information (CSI) feedback message that includes information related to the first and second signal quality measurements.

[00164] In Example 11, the subject matter of one or any combination of

Examples 1-10, wherein the processing circuitry may be further configured to, if additional pre-coders are configured for additional DM-RSs, scale the PT-RSs based on one pre-coder of a plurality of pre-coders. The DCI may include an indication of which pre-coder of the plurality of pre-coders is to be used to scale the PT-RSs. [00165] In Example 12, the subject matter of one or any combination of

Examples 1-11, wherein the UE may be arranged to operate in accordance with a new radio (NR) protocol.

[00166] In Example 13, the subject matter of one or any combination of Examples 1-12, wherein the apparatus may further include a transceiver to receive the DCI.

[00167] In Example 14, the subject matter of one or any combination of

Examples 1-13, wherein the processing circuitry may include a baseband processor to decode the DCI.

[00168] In Example 15, a computer-readable storage medium may store instructions for execution by one or more processors to perform operations for communication by a generation Node-B (gNB). The operations may configure the one or more processors to encode a first codeword in accordance with a first modulation and coding scheme (MCS). The first MCS may be included in candidate MCSs. The candidate MCSs may be mapped to an ordered plurality of MCS indexes. The operations may further configure the one or more processors to scale the first codeword by a first pre-coder. The operations may further configure the one or more processors to encode a second codeword in accordance with a second MCS included in the candidate MCSs. The operations may further configure the one or more processors to scale the second codeword by a second pre-coder. The operations may further configure the one or more processors to encode phase tracking reference signals (PT-RSs). The operations may further configure the one or more processors to, if a first MCS index that corresponds to the first MCS is greater than or equal to a second MCS index that corresponds to the second MCS: scale the PT-RSs by the first pre-coder. The operations may further configure the one or more processors to, if the first MCS index is less than the second MCS index: scale the PT-RSs by the second pre- coder.

[00169] In Example 16, the subject matter of Example 15, wherein the operations may further configure the one or more processors to map the scaled first codeword to a first plurality of resource elements (REs) for transmission in accordance with an orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA) technique. The operations may further configure the one or more processors to map the scaled second codeword to a second plurality of REs for transmission in accordance with an OFDMA technique, wherein the second plurality of REs overlaps the first plurality of REs. The operations may further configure the one or more processors to map the scaled PT-RSs to one or more REs for transmission in accordance with an OFDMA technique.

[00170] In Example 17, the subject matter of one or any combination of

Examples 15-16, wherein the operations may further configure the one or more processors to map the scaled first codeword to a first plurality of resource elements (REs) for transmission on a first antenna of a multiple-input multiple output (MIMO) arrangement. The operations may further configure the one or more processors to map the scaled second codeword to a second plurality of REs for transmission on a second antenna of the MIMO arrangement.

[00171] In Example 18, the subject matter of one or any combination of

Examples 15-17, wherein the candidate MCSs may be mapped to the ordered plurality of MCS indexes based on a non-decreasing relationship between the MCS indexes and corresponding numbers of information bits per modulation symbol for the candidate MCSs.

[00172] In Example 19, an apparatus of a generation Node-B (gNB) may comprise memory. The apparatus may further comprise processing circuitry. The processing circuitry may be configured to encode first demodulation reference signals (DM-RSs). The processing circuitry may be further configured to scale the first DM-RSs by a first pre-coder. The processing circuitry may be further configured to map the scaled first DM-RSs to a first plurality of resource elements (REs) in a symbol period allocated for DM-RSs. The processing circuitry may be further configured to encode second DM-RSs. The processing circuitry may be further configured to scale the second DM-RSs by a second pre- coder. The processing circuitry may be further configured to map the scaled second DM-RSs to a second plurality of REs in the symbol period allocated for DM-RSs. The processing circuitry may be further configured to encode phase tracking reference signals (PT-RSs). The processing circuitry may be further configured to, if an RE allocated for PT-RSs is included in the first plurality of

REs: scale the PT-RSs by the first pre-coder. The processing circuitry may be further configured to, if the RE allocated for PT-RSs is included in the second plurality of REs: scale the PT-RSs by the second pre-coder. The processing circuitry may be further configured to map the scaled PT-RSs in a plurality of symbol periods to the RE allocated for PT-RSs. The memory may be configured to store the first and second pre-coders.

[00173] In Example 20, the subject matter of Example 19, wherein the processing circuitry may be further configured to map the scaled first DM-RSs for transmission in accordance with an orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA) technique. The processing circuitry may be further configured to map the scaled second DM-RSs for transmission in accordance with an OFDMA technique. The processing circuitry may be further configured to map the scaled PT-RSs for transmission in accordance with an OFDMA technique.

[00174] In Example 21, an apparatus of a User Equipment (UE) may comprise memory. The apparatus may further comprise processing circuitry. The processing circuitry may be configured to decode control signaling that indicates one or more demodulation reference signal (DM-RS) ports for uplink transmission of DM-RSs by the UE. The processing circuitry may be further configured to decode uplink downlink control information (UL DCI). The processing circuitry may be further configured to, if the UE has received an uplink phase tracking reference signal present (UL-PTRS-present) parameter that indicates that the UE is to transmit phase tracking reference signals (PT- RSs) on one PT-RS port: determine, based on an indicator included in the UL DCI, one of the DM-RS ports to be associated with the PT-RS. The memory may be configured to store at least a portion of the UL DCI.

[00175] In Example 22, the subject matter of Example 21, wherein one or more pre-coders may be configured for the one or more DM-RS ports. The processing circuitry may be further configured to encode the DM-RSs for transmission on the DM-RS ports. The processing circuitry may be further configured to scale the DM-RSs in accordance with the pre-coders that correspond to the DM-RS ports. The processing circuitry may be further configured to encode the PT-RSs for transmission on the PT-RS port. The processing circuitry may be further configured to scale the PT-RSs in accordance with the pre-coder of the DM-RS port that is to be associated with the PT-RS, as indicated by the UL DCI. [00176] In Example 23, an apparatus of a Generation Node-B (gNB) may comprise memory. The apparatus may further comprise processing circuitry. The processing circuitry may be configured to encode control signaling that indicates one or more demodulation reference signal (DM-RS) ports for downlink transmission of DM-RSs by the gNB. The processing circuitry may be further configured to determine one of the DM-RS ports to correspond to a phase tracking reference signal (PT-RS) port for downlink transmission of PT-RSs by the gNB. If one codeword is scheduled for a User Equipment (UE) in a physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH), the PT-RS port may be determined to correspond to the DM-RS port of lowest DM-RS index of the DM-RS ports indicated by the control signaling. If two codewords are scheduled for the UE in the PDSCH, the PT-RS port may be determined based at least partly on a comparison of modulation and coding schemes (MCSs) of the two codewords. The memory may be configured to store at least a portion of the control signaling.

[00177] In Example 24, the subject matter of Example 23, wherein the processing circuitry may be further configured to, if two codewords are scheduled for the UE in the PDSCH: if a first MCS of a first codeword of the two codewords is higher than a second MCS of a second codeword of the two codewords, determine the PT-RS port to correspond to the DM-RS port, of the one or more DM-RS ports assigned to the first codeword, for which a DM-RS index is lowest; and if the first MCS and the second MCS are the same, determine the PT-RS port to correspond to the DM-RS port, of the one or more DM-RS ports assigned to a predetermined codeword of the two codewords, for which a DM-RS index is lowest.

[00178] In Example 25, an apparatus of a generation Node-B (gNB) may comprise means for encoding a first codeword in accordance with a first modulation and coding scheme (MCS). The first MCS may be included in candidate MCSs. The candidate MCSs may be mapped to an ordered plurality of MCS indexes. The apparatus may further comprise means for scaling the first codeword by a first pre-coder. The apparatus may further comprise means for encoding a second codeword in accordance with a second MCS included in the candidate MCSs. The apparatus may further comprise means for scaling the second codeword by a second pre-coder. The apparatus may further comprise means for encoding phase tracking reference signals (PT-RSs). The apparatus may further comprise means for, if a first MCS index that corresponds to the first MCS is greater than or equal to a second MCS index that corresponds to the second MCS: scaling the PT-RSs by the first pre-coder. The apparatus may further comprise means for, if the first MCS index is less than the second MCS index: scaling the PT-RSs by the second pre-coder.

[00179] In Example 26, the subject matter of Example 25, wherein the apparatus may further comprise means for mapping the scaled first codeword to a first plurality of resource elements (REs) for transmission in accordance with an orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA) technique. The apparatus may further comprise means for mapping the scaled second codeword to a second plurality of REs for transmission in accordance with an OFDMA technique. The second plurality of REs may overlap the first plurality of REs. The apparatus may further comprise means for mapping the scaled PT-RSs to one or more REs for transmission in accordance with an OFDMA technique.

[00180] In Example 27, the subject matter of one or any combination of

Examples 25-26, wherein the apparatus may further comprise means for mapping the scaled first codeword to a first plurality of resource elements (REs) for transmission on a first antenna of a multiple -input multiple output (MIMO) arrangement. The apparatus may further comprise means for mapping the scaled second codeword to a second plurality of REs for transmission on a second antenna of the MIMO arrangement.

[00181] In Example 28, the subject matter of one or any combination of Examples 25-27, wherein the candidate MCSs may be mapped to the ordered plurality of MCS indexes based on a non-decreasing relationship between the MCS indexes and corresponding numbers of information bits per modulation symbol for the candidate MCSs.

[00182] The Abstract is provided to comply with 37 C.F.R. Section 1.72(b) requiring an abstract that will allow the reader to ascertain the nature and gist of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to limit or interpret the scope or meaning of the claims. The following claims are hereby incorporated into the detailed description, with each claim standing on its own as a separate embodiment.

Claims

CLAIMS What is claimed is:

1. An apparatus of a User Equipment (UE), the apparatus comprising: memory; and processing circuitry, configured to:

decode downlink control information (DCI);

scale first demodulation reference signals (DM-RSs) based on a first pre- coder, the first DM-RSs received in a symbol period allocated for DM-RSs; scale second DM-RSs based on a second pre-coder, the second DM-RSs received in the symbol period allocated for DM-RSs;

scale phase tracking reference signals (PT-RSs) based on either the first or the second pre-coder, the PT-RSs received in a plurality of symbol periods, wherein the DCI includes an indication of whether the first pre-coder or the second pre-coder is to be used to scale the PT-RSs; and

determine common phase errors (CPEs) for the plurality of symbol periods based on phase differences between the scaled PT-RSs and at least one of: the scaled first DM-RSs and the scaled second DM-RSs,

wherein the memory is configured to store the indication included in the

DCI.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein:

the PT-RSs are received in one or more REs allocated for PT-RSs in the plurality of symbol periods,

the processing circuitry is further configured to:

scale received values by the CPEs in a plurality of REs in the plurality of symbol periods,

wherein the received values are scaled by the CPEs on a per- symbol basis,

wherein the plurality of REs is exclusive to the one or more REs allocated for PT-RSs.

3. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein: the plurality of symbol periods is exclusive to the symbol period allocated for DM-RSs, and

the processing circuitry further configured to:

decode, based on the scaled received values, a physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH) block received in the plurality of symbol periods in the plurality of REs.

4. The apparatus according to claim 1, the processing circuitry further configured to:

decode a received first codeword pre-coded by the first pre-coder, based on:

a scale operation based on an inversion of the first pre-coder, and phase correction by one or more of the per-symbol CPEs; and decode a received second codeword pre-coded by the second pre-coder, based on:

a scale operation based on an inversion of the second pre-coder, and

phase correction by one or more of the per-symbol CPEs.

5. The apparatus according to claim 1 or 4, the processing circuitry further configured to:

determine first channel estimates based on the first DM-RSs;

decode the first codeword further based on the first channel estimates; determine second channel estimates based on the second DM-RSs; and decode the second codeword further based on the second channel estimates.

6. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein:

the first DM-RSs are received in first resource elements (REs) allocated for DM-RSs in the symbol period allocated for DM-RSs,

the second DM-RSs are received in second REs allocated for DM-RSs in the symbol period allocated for DM-RSs, and the PT-RSs are received in one or more REs allocated for PT-RSs in the plurality of symbol periods.

7. The apparatus according to claim 6, the processing circuitry further configured to:

decode a first codeword received in a plurality of REs that overlaps the first REs; and

determine the per-symbol CPEs for per-symbol phase correction for at least the first REs.

8. The apparatus according to any of claims 1 and 6-7, the processing circuitry further configured to:

decode a first codeword based on a scale operation that is based on an inversion of the first pre-coder; and

decode a second codeword based on another scale operation that is based on an inversion of the second pre-coder,

wherein the first codeword is received in a plurality of REs that at least partly overlaps another plurality of REs in which the second codeword is received.

9. The apparatus according to claim 1 , the processing circuitry further configured to:

scale the first DM-RSs based on an inversion of the first pre-coder; scale second DM-RSs based on an inversion of the second pre-coder; and scale the PT-RSs based on an inversion of the pre-coder that is to be used to scale the PT-RSs.

10. The apparatus according to claim 1, the processing circuitry further configured to:

determine a first signal quality measurement based on reception of the first DM-RSs;

determine a second signal quality measurement based on reception of the second DM-RSs; and encode, for transmission, a channel state information (CSI) feedback message that includes information related to the first and second signal quality measurements.

11. The apparatus according to any of claims 1 and 9-10, the processing circuitry further configured to:

if additional pre-coders are configured for additional DM-RSs, scale the PT-RSs based on one pre-coder of a plurality of pre-coders, wherein the DCI includes an indication of which pre-coder of the plurality of pre-coders is to be used to scale the PT-RSs.

12. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the UE is arranged to operate in accordance with a new radio (NR) protocol.

13. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the apparatus further includes a transceiver to receive the DCI.

14. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the processing circuitry includes a baseband processor to decode the DCI.

15. A computer-readable storage medium that stores instructions for execution by one or more processors to perform operations for communication by a generation Node-B (gNB), the operations to configure the one or more processors to:

encode a first codeword in accordance with a first modulation and coding scheme (MCS), the first MCS included in candidate MCSs, the candidate MCSs mapped to an ordered plurality of MCS indexes;

scale the first codeword by a first pre-coder;

encode a second codeword in accordance with a second MCS included in the candidate MCSs;

scale the second codeword by a second pre-coder;

encode phase tracking reference signals (PT-RSs); if a first MCS index that corresponds to the first MCS is greater than or equal to a second MCS index that corresponds to the second MCS:

scale the PT-RSs by the first pre-coder; and

if the first MCS index is less than the second MCS index:

scale the PT-RSs by the second pre-coder.

16. The computer-readable storage medium according to claim 15, the operations to further configure the one or more processors to:

map the scaled first codeword to a first plurality of resource elements (REs) for transmission in accordance with an orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA) technique;

map the scaled second codeword to a second plurality of REs for transmission in accordance with an OFDMA technique, wherein the second plurality of REs overlaps the first plurality of REs; and

map the scaled PT-RSs to one or more REs for transmission in accordance with an OFDMA technique.

17. The computer-readable storage medium according to claim 15, the operations to further configure the one or more processors to:

map the scaled first codeword to a first plurality of resource elements (REs) for transmission on a first antenna of a multiple-input multiple output (MIMO) arrangement; and

map the scaled second codeword to a second plurality of REs for transmission on a second antenna of the MIMO arrangement.

18. The computer-readable storage medium according to any of claims 15-17, wherein:

the candidate MCSs are mapped to the ordered plurality of MCS indexes based on a non-decreasing relationship between the MCS indexes and corresponding numbers of information bits per modulation symbol for the candidate MCSs.

19. An apparatus of a generation Node-B (gNB), the apparatus comprising: memory; and processing circuitry, configured to:

encode first demodulation reference signals (DM-RSs);

scale the first DM-RSs by a first pre-coder;

map the scaled first DM-RSs to a first plurality of resource elements (REs) in a symbol period allocated for DM-RSs;

encode second DM-RSs;

scale the second DM-RSs by a second pre-coder;

map the scaled second DM-RSs to a second plurality of REs in the symbol period allocated for DM-RSs;

encode phase tracking reference signals (PT-RSs);

if an RE allocated for PT-RSs is included in the first plurality of REs, scale the PT-RSs by the first pre-coder;

if the RE allocated for PT-RSs is included in the second plurality of REs, scale the PT-RSs by the second pre-coder; and

map the scaled PT-RSs in a plurality of symbol periods to the RE allocated for PT-RSs,

wherein the memory is configured to store the first and second pre- coders.

20. The apparatus according to claim 19, the processing circuitry further configured to:

map the scaled first DM-RSs for transmission in accordance with an orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA) technique;

map the scaled second DM-RSs for transmission in accordance with an OFDMA technique; and

map the scaled PT-RSs for transmission in accordance with an OFDMA technique.

21. An apparatus of a User Equipment (UE), the apparatus comprising: memory; and processing circuitry, configured to:

decode control signaling that indicates one or more demodulation reference signal (DM-RS) ports for uplink transmission of DM-RSs by the UE; decode uplink downlink control information (UL DCI),

if the UE has received an uplink phase tracking reference signal present

(UL-PTRS-present) parameter that indicates that the UE is to transmit phase tracking reference signals (PT-RSs) on one PT-RS port:

determine, based on an indicator included in the UL DCI, one of the DM-RS ports to be associated with the PT-RS,

wherein the memory is configured to store at least a portion of the UL

DCI.

22. The apparatus according to claim 21, wherein:

one or more pre-coders are configured for the one or more DM-RS ports, the processing circuitry is further configured to:

encode the DM-RSs for transmission on the DM-RS ports;

scale the DM-RSs in accordance with the pre-coders that correspond to the DM-RS ports;

encode the PT-RSs for transmission on the PT-RS port; and scale the PT-RSs in accordance with the pre-coder of the DM-RS port that is to be associated with the PT-RS, as indicated by the UL DCI.

23. An apparatus of a Generation Node-B (gNB), the apparatus comprising: memory; and processing circuitry, configured to:

encode control signaling that indicates one or more demodulation reference signal (DM-RS) ports for downlink transmission of DM-RSs by the gNB;

determine one of the DM-RS ports to correspond to a phase tracking reference signal (PT-RS) port for downlink transmission of PT-RSs by the gNB, wherein:

if one codeword is scheduled for a User Equipment (UE) in a physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH), the PT-RS port is determined to correspond to the DM-RS port of lowest DM-RS index of the DM-RS ports indicated by the control signaling; and if two codewords are scheduled for the UE in the PDSCH, the PT-RS port is determined based at least partly on a comparison of modulation and coding schemes (MCSs) of the two codewords,

wherein the memory is configured to store at least a portion of the control signaling.

24. The apparatus according to claim 23, the processing circuitry further configured to:

if two codewords are scheduled for the UE in the PDSCH:

if a first MCS of a first codeword of the two codewords is higher than a second MCS of a second codeword of the two codewords, determine the PT-RS port to correspond to the DM-RS port, of the one or more DM-RS ports assigned to the first codeword, for which a DM-RS index is lowest; and

if the first MCS and the second MCS are the same, determine the PT-RS port to correspond to the DM-RS port, of the one or more DM-RS ports assigned to a predetermined codeword of the two codewords, for which a DM- RS index is lowest.