WO2023151084A1

WO2023151084A1 - Synchronization adjustment in ntn communication

Info

Publication number: WO2023151084A1
Application number: PCT/CN2022/076224
Authority: WO
Inventors: Mads LAURIDSEN; Rafhael MEDEIROS DE AMORIM; Jeroen Wigard; Frank Frederiksen; Tzu-Chung Hsieh; Jing Yuan Sun
Original assignee: Nokia Shanghai Bell Co., Ltd.; Nokia Solutions And Networks Oy; Nokia Technologies Oy
Priority date: 2022-02-14
Filing date: 2022-02-14
Publication date: 2023-08-17

Abstract

Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to devices, methods, apparatuses and computer-readable storage medium for synchronization adjustment in non-terrestrial network (NTN) communication. In some example embodiments, a first device determines whether a first difference between a first timing requirement for a first segment transmitted and a second timing requirement for a second segment to be transmitted is above a predefined threshold. The first device further selects, based on the first difference, a puncturing pattern from one or more predefined puncturing patterns in accordance with a determination that the first difference is above the predefined threshold, and transmits the second segment punctured based on the selected puncturing pattern to a second device.

Description

SYNCHRONIZATION ADJUSTMENT IN NTN COMMUNICATION

TECHNICAL FIELD

Embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to the field of telecommunication, and in particular, to devices, methods, apparatuses and computer-readable storage media for synchronization adjustment in non-terrestrial network (NTN) communication.

BACKGROUND

With development of communication technology, more and more communication scenarios may relate to a non-terrestrial network (NTN) in which terminal devices may connect to a core network (CN) via satellites or drones. Currently, support for a narrow band Internet of Thing (NB-IOT) /Long Term Evolution (LTE) /enhanced Machine Type Communication (eMTC) over NTN has been agreed. Compared with terrestrial communication network, NTN has some different communication characteristics. For example, a Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite has a speed 7.56km/srelative to the earth. The propagation distance between a terminal device, such as an IoT device, user equipment or an eMTC device, and the NTN device, such as a satellite, may change rapidly when the terminal device accesses the data network via the satellite. The changing propagation distance results in a corresponding changing propagation time and Doppler shift. In this case, NTN communication may require higher capabilities of timing processing. Further, the timing advance processing for uplink transmission is a key aspect.

SUMMARY

In general, example embodiments of the present disclosure provide devices, methods, apparatuses and computer-readable storage media for puncturing in segment processing.

In a first aspect, there is provided a first device. The first device comprises at least one processor and at least one memory including computer program code. The at least one memory and the computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the first device to determine whether a first difference between a first timing requirement for a first segment transmitted and a second timing requirement for a second segment to be transmitted is above a predefined threshold. The first device is further caused to select, based on the first difference, a puncturing pattern from one or more predefined puncturing patterns in accordance with a determination that the first difference is above the predefined threshold, and transmit the second segment punctured based on the selected puncturing pattern to a second device.

In a second aspect, there is provided a second device. The second device comprises at least one processor and at least one memory including computer program code. The at least one memory and the computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the second device to receive a second segment from a first device. The second device is further caused to determine, from one or more predefined puncturing patterns, a puncturing pattern used by the first device, and decode the second segment based on the puncturing pattern.

In a third aspect, there is provided a method implemented in a first device. In the method, the first device determines whether a first difference between a first timing requirement for a first segment transmitted and a second timing requirement for a second segment to be transmitted is above a predefined threshold. The first device further selects, based on the first difference, a puncturing pattern from one or more predefined puncturing patterns in accordance with a determination that the first difference is above the predefined threshold, and transmits the second segment punctured based on the selected puncturing pattern to a second device.

In a fourth aspect, there is provided a method implemented in a second device. In the method, the second device receives a second segment from a first device. The second device further determines, from one or more predefined puncturing patterns, a puncturing pattern used by the first device, and decodes the second segment based on the puncturing pattern.

In a fifth aspect, there is provided an apparatus comprising means for performing the method according to any of the third to fourth aspects.

In an sixth aspect, there is provided computer-readable storage medium having instructions stored thereon. The instructions, when executed on at least one processor, cause the least one processor to perform the method to any of the third to fourth aspects.

Other features of the present disclosure will become easily comprehensible through the following description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Through the more detailed description of some example embodiments of the present disclosure in the accompanying drawings, the above and other objects, features and advantages of the present disclosure will become more apparent, wherein:

Fig. 1 illustrates an example environment in which example embodiments of the present disclosure can be implemented;

FIG. 2 illustrates a process for synchronization adjustment according to example embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 illustrates an example puncturing process on a segment to be transmitted in accordance with some example embodiments of the present disclosure;

Fig. 4 illustrates an example method implemented in a first device in accordance with some example embodiments of the present disclosure;

Fig. 5 illustrates an example method implemented in a second in accordance with some example embodiments of the present disclosure; and

Fig. 6 is a simplified block diagram of a device that is suitable for implementing embodiments of the present disclosure.

Throughout the drawings, the same or similar reference numerals represent the same or similar element.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Principle of the present disclosure will now be described with reference to some example embodiments. It is to be understood that these embodiments are described only for the purpose of illustration and help those skilled in the art to understand and implement the present disclosure, without suggesting any limitations as to the scope of the disclosure. The disclosure described herein can be implemented in various manners other than the ones described below.

In the following description and claims, unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skills in the art to which this disclosure belongs.

As used herein, the term “first device” refers to any device having wireless or wired communication capabilities. Examples of the first device include, but not limited to, terminal device, user equipment (UE) , personal computers, desktops, mobile phones, cellular phones, smart phones, personal digital assistants (PDAs) , portable computers, tablets, wearable devices, internet of things (IoT) devices, Internet of Everything (IoE) devices, machine type communication (MTC) devices, device on vehicle for V2X communication where X means pedestrian, vehicle, or infrastructure/network, devices for Integrated Access and Backhaul (IAB) , or image capture devices such as digital cameras, gaming devices, music storage and playback appliances, or Internet appliances enabling wireless or wired Internet access and browsing and the like. Herein, the term “terminal device” can be used interchangeably with a UE.

As used herein, the term “second device” refers to a device which is capable of providing or hosting a cell or coverage where a first device, for example a terminal device, can communicate with. Examples of a second device include, but not limited to, a network device, a Node B (NodeB or NB) , an Evolved NodeB (eNodeB or eNB) , a next generation eNB (ng-eNB) , a ng-eNB-Central Unit (ng-eNB-CU) , a ng-eNB-Distributed Unit (ng-eNB-DU) , a next generation NodeB (gNB) , a gNB-Central Unit (gNB-CU) , a gNB-Distributed Unit (gNB-DU) , a Remote Radio Unit (RRU) , a radio head (RH) , a remote radio head (RRH) , an Integrated Access and Backhaul (IAB) node, a low power node such as a femto node, a pico node, and the like. In some communication systems, the second device may be consist of multiple separate entities, for example, in NTN system, the second device may be consist of radio frequency part located in satellites or drones, and inter-frequency/base band part located in ground stations.

The term “circuitry” used herein may refer to hardware circuits and/or combinations of hardware circuits and software. For example, the circuitry may be a combination of analog and/or digital hardware circuits with software/firmware. As a further example, the circuitry may be any portions of hardware processors with software including digital signal processor (s) , software, and memory (ies) that work together to cause an apparatus, such as a terminal device or a network device, to perform various functions. In a still further example, the circuitry may be hardware circuits and or processors, such as a microprocessor or a portion of a microprocessor, that requires software/firmware for operation, but the software may not be present when it is not needed for operation. As used herein, the term circuitry also covers an implementation of merely a hardware circuit or processor (s) or a portion of a hardware circuit or processor (s) and its (or their) accompanying software and/or firmware.

As used herein, the singular forms “a” , “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. The term ‘includes’ and its variants are to be read as open terms that mean “includes, but is not limited to” . The term ‘based on’ is to be read as ‘at least in part based on. ’ The term ‘one embodiment’ and ‘an embodiment’ are to be read as ‘at least one embodiment. ’ The term ‘another embodiment’ is to be read as ‘at least one other embodiment. ’ The terms ‘first, ’ ‘second, ’ and the like may refer to different or same objects. The terms “first” , “second” and the like may refer to different or same objects. Other definitions, explicit and implicit, may be included below.

In communication employing, for example, OFDM technology and/or Single-Carrier Frequency Division Multiple Access (SC-FDMA) , in order to ensure UL synchronization, a terminal device may adjust Timing Advance (TA) of uplink data transmission with repetitions. However, as mentioned above, NTN may require higher capabilities of timing processing. With the rapid change of the propagation distance between the terminal device and the network device in the NTN, in order to ensure UL synchronization, the terminal device may need to adjust the transmission time of a plurality of symbols during an uplink data transmission with repetitions. It has been agreed that the data transmission with repetitions are divided into a plurality of segments and the terminal device processes the TA per segment. However, it is not discussed how the puncturing is to be performed and whether the puncturing impacts the current segment or the next segment to be transmitted and the reception at base station side.

Example embodiments of the present disclosure provide a scheme for synchronization adjustment for segments in NTN communication. In NTN, repetitions of an uplink data transmission to be transmitted are divided into a plurality of segments, and the TA adjustment may be processed based on the segment. In this scheme, a terminal device detects an overlap between a segment transmitted and a segment to be transmitted caused by the adjustment of TA at the end of the segment transmitted. In response to detecting the overlap, the terminal device determines whether a difference between a first timing requirement for the segment transmitted and a second timing requirement for the segment to be transmitted is above a predefined threshold. If the difference is above the predefined threshold, the terminal device selects a puncturing pattern from one or more predefined puncturing patterns based on the difference which may avoid the overlap between the consecutive segments. The terminal device performs puncturing on the segment to be transmitted based on the selected puncturing pattern and transmits the punctured segment to a network device.

In this way, the terminal device adjusts the size of segment to be transmitted by puncturing samples, symbols or slots in a controlled manner, based on a predefined set of rules, in order to avoid the overlap between consecutive segments for the uplink data transmission with repetitions. The puncturing of samples is made only at the physical (PHY) layer, to preserve coding and scrambling properties of higher layers. And the predefined set of rules enable the successful decoding process for the segment to be transmitted at the base station BS side. In other words, this scheme also allows the BS to have knowledge on the UE behavior to adjust reception accordingly.

The embodiments of disclosure are mainly discussed with reference to the term “puncture/puncturing/punctured” . Moreover, the embodiments of disclosure may be used for all the processing like “drop” or “puncture” or any related processing when samples, symbols or slots are not transmitted.

FIG. 1 illustrates an example environment 100 in which example embodiments of the present disclosure can be implemented.

The environment 100, which may be a part of a communication network, comprises three devices, referred to as a first device 110 (for example, a UE) and a second device 120 (for example, a satellite) and a ground station 130 (the second device 120 and ground station may collectively referred as network devices in NTN) , respectively. In some examples, the second device may be a ground station while the satellite is performing amplifying and forwarding. In some examples, the second device 120 may be comprised in a satellite or a ground station. The first device 110 may access to data network 140 via the network device, such as the second device 120 and the ground station 130. In this example, the second device 120 operates as a Radio Access Network (RAN) device. In some embodiments, the second device 120 may be a drone or other aviation devices and other aerospace devices. In some embodiments, the functionalities of the RAN device may also be arbitrarily divided between the second device 120 and the ground station 140 as demanded. In one example, the ground station 130 may host the non-NTN infrastructure functionality part of a RAN device, and the satellite 120 may host the RF functionality part of a RAN device. In another example, the ground station 130 may host the functionality part of a Central Unit of a RAN device (for example, a gNB-CU, or a ng-eNB CU) , and the second device 120 may host the functionality part of a Distributed Unit of a RAN device (for example, a gNB-DU, or a ng-eNB-DU) . In yet another example, the second device 120 may host the whole functionality of a RAN device (for example, a gNB or a ng-eNB) .

It is to be understood that the first and

second devices

110 and 120 may be implemented by any other suitable devices and in any other suitable structures. For example, in some example embodiments, the first device 110 and second devices120 may both implemented by terminal devices that can communicate directly from each other, and the ground station 130 may operate as a RAN device.

The communications in the environment 100 may follow any suitable communication standards or protocols, which are already in existence or to be developed in the future, such as Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) , long term evolution (LTE) , LTE-Advanced (LTE-A) , the fifth generation (5G) New Radio (NR) , Wireless Fidelity (Wi-Fi) and Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX) standards, NB-IoT, enhanced machine type communication (eMTC) , LTE-Machine to Machine (LTE-M) and employs any suitable communication technologies, including, for example, Multiple-Input Multiple-Output (MIMO) , Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) , time division multiplexing (TDM) , frequency division multiplexing (FDM) , code division multiplexing (CDM) , Bluetooth, ZigBee, and machine type communication (MTC) , enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB) , massive machine type communication (mMTC) , ultra-reliable low latency communication (URLLC) , Carrier Aggregation (CA) , Dual Connection (DC) , and New Radio Unlicensed (NR-U) technologies.

In some embodiments, the number of the devices in the environment 100 is shown for purpose of illustration without any limitation. In some embodiments, the first device 110 performs the TA adjustment in uplink (UL) data transmission to the second device 120 by proposed scheme for the switching of symbol puncturing in segment processing. In some embodiments, the second device 120 performs the adjustment in downlink (DL) data transmission to the first device 110 by proposed scheme for the switching of symbol puncturing in segment processing. For the purpose of the discussion, some embodiments will be discussed with reference to UL data transmission.

FIG. 2 illustrates a process 200 for puncturing in the segment processing according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure. For purpose of discussion, the process 200 will be described with reference to FIG. 1.

In the process 200, the first device 110 determines (210) whether a first difference between a first timing requirement for a first segment transmitted and a second timing requirement for a second segment to be transmitted is above a predefined threshold.

In some embodiments, the first device 110 may transmit a segment to the second device 120 with the first timing requirement. Further, for example, based on detecting that the location of the second device 120 has been changed to be in a pre-configured location, the first device 110 may determine that the second timing requirement (for example, a new timing requirement) should be applied to the segment to be transmitted. In this case, the terminal device 110 may detect whether an overlap between the segment transmitted and the segment to be transmitted is occurred. Upon detecting the overlap, the terminal device 110 may determine whether the first difference between the first timing requirement and the second timing requirement is above a predefined threshold.

In some embodiments, in response to another timing adjustment requirement, for example, the location of the first device 110 has changed rapidly during the transmission of the segment transmitted, the first device 110 may determine whether the first difference between the first timing requirement and the second timing requirement is above a predefined threshold.

In some embodiments, the first difference may be determined in the unit of sample of a symbol by calculating the second timing requirement minus the first timing requirement. In some embodiments, the predefined threshold may be a fixed value predefined, for example, “0” , “1” or other value as demand. In some embodiments, the predefined threshold may be received by the first device 110 from the network device 120 periodically, or being adjusted in predefined rules between the first device 110 and the network device 120.

If the first difference is above the predefined threshold, the terminal device 110 selects (220) a puncturing pattern from one or more predefined puncturing patterns based on the first difference. In some embodiments, the one or more predefined puncturing patterns may be predefined in a communication protocol. In some embodiments, the one or more predefined puncturing patterns may be received by the first device 110 from the second device 120. In some embodiments, the first device 110 may receive the one or more predefined puncturing patterns via system information broadcast or via a signaling specific to the first device 110. As such, the first device 110 and the second device 120 both have the knowledge of the one or more predefined puncturing patterns. In this way, the first device 110 may select a puncturing pattern for puncturing on the second segment to be transmitted, in order to avoid the overlap between the first segment and the second segment.

In some embodiments, if the first device 110 determines that there is a guard interval before the segment to be transmitted and the first difference is smaller than a duration of the guard interval, the terminal device 110 may select a puncturing pattern indicating the guard interval for segments. For example, the first device 110 may perform puncturing on the guard interval to meet the second timing requirement, for example, shortening the duration of the guard interval in order to avoid the overlap. In this case, the second segment to be transmitted will be transmitted to the second device 120 without puncturing any sample, symbol or slot.

In some embodiments, for example, it has been agreed that in the case that the Sub-Carrier Spacing (SCS) is 15 kHz, a first number of samples predefined for cyclic prefix (CP) of the first symbol in the segment to be transmitted is 160, and a second number of samples predefined for CP of other symbols in this segment is 140. The first device 110 may replace the first number of samples for the CP of the first symbol with the second number of samples to meet the second timing requirement.

In some embodiments, the first device 110 may determine a second difference between the first number of samples for a CP for the first symbol and the second number of samples for a CP for a second symbol in the segment to be transmitted. Further, the first device 110 may determine whether the first difference is above the second difference. If determining that the first difference is not above the second difference, the first device 110 may select a puncturing pattern that indicates the CP of the first symbol configured with the second number of samples from the one or more predefined puncturing patterns. In this way, the overlap between the first segment and the second segment can be avoided based on the selected puncturing pattern.

In some embodiments, for example, in a case that the first difference is smaller than the first number of samples predefined for CP of the first symbol, the first device 110 may use another number of samples of CP for the first symbol to meet the second timing requirement. In some embodiments, the terminal device 110 may puncture the number of samples of the CP of the first symbol to be a predefined number.

In some embodiments, the first device 110 may determine whether the first difference is above the first number of samples predefined for the CP of the first symbol in the second segment. If determining that the first difference is not above the first number, the first device 110 selects a puncturing pattern that indicates the first symbol configured with another number of samples smaller than the first number from the one or more predefined puncturing patterns, and a third difference between the first number and the other number of samples is equal to or larger than the first difference.

In some embodiments, there may be a plurality of predefined puncturing patterns which each indicate a corresponding number of the samples of the CP for the first symbol. For example, the number of samples of the CP for the first symbol may be one of: the first number, the first number minus α, the first number minus 2α, or like. In some embodiments, the α is received by the first device 110 from the second device 120. In this case, the first device 110 may select a puncturing pattern to minimize the third difference.

In some embodiments, the first device 110 may also compare the first difference with a third number of samples predefined for other symbols than the first symbol in the second segment. In some embodiments, the third number of samples may be the second number of samples predefined for the CP of other symbols than the first symbol (for example, “144” in SCS of 15kHz) plus a parameter “Delta” , and the parameter “Delta” may be predefined in a communication protocol or received by the first device 110 from the second device 120. The first device 110 may determine whether the first difference is above the third number of samples predefined for a CP of a second symbol in the segment. If the first difference is not above the third number, the first device 110 may select a puncturing pattern that indicates the first symbol configured with a fourth predefined number of samples from the one or more predefined puncturing patterns. For example, the puncturing pattern may indicate that the first device 110 punctures the number of samples of the CP equaling to the first difference minus the second number from the first symbol. In some embodiments, in addition, the terminal device 110 may further puncture a number of samples from the first symbol such that the number of punctured symbols equals to the first number.

In addition or alternatively, the first device 110 may further puncture several last samples of the first symbol to guarantee the circular convolution at the second device 120 side.

In some embodiments, if the first difference is above the third number which may cause the number of CP of the first symbol after puncturing is smaller than the smallest allowed number for this SCS, the first device 110 may select a puncturing pattern that indicates a symbol with a corresponding CP from the one or more predefined puncturing patterns. For example, this puncturing pattern may indicate that the first device 110 punctures the whole symbol with its CP.

In this case, the first difference is updated to equal to the first difference minus the number of samples of the whole symbol with its CP. Further, the first device 110 may iteratively select a puncturing pattern from one or more predefined puncturing patterns based on the updated first difference, until the second timing requirement is fulfilled.

In addition or alternatively, in some embodiments, a symbol may comprise Demodulation Reference Signal (DMRS) , for example, the symbol 3 or symbol 4. Puncturing a symbol comprising DMRS may cause a decoding failure at the second device 120 side. In this case, the first device may directly puncture a subframe comprising the symbol, if the symbol is determined as comprising DMRS. In some embodiments, the first device 110 detects whether the symbol to be punctured is associated with the DMRS. The first device 110 may select a puncturing pattern from one or more predefined puncturing patterns based on detecting the symbol is associated with the DMRS. In some embodiments, the puncturing pattern indicates the first device 110 to puncture a subframe comprising this symbol.

The first device 110 transmits (230) the second segment punctured based on the selected puncturing pattern to the second device 120.

Then, the second device 120 determines (240) a puncturing pattern used by the first device 110 from the one or more predefined puncturing patterns, and decodes (250) the second segment based on the puncturing pattern.

In some embodiments, since the one or more predefined puncturing patterns may be predefined in a communication protocol, or received from the second device via a signaling specific to the first device. The second device 120 may be aware of how the first device 110 punctures/inserts samples based on either standardized UE behavior or a transmitted signaling specific to the first device 110. For example, the second device 120 may determine the puncturing pattern used by the first device 110 based on the location (s) of the first device 110 and second device 120. In addition or alternatively, in some embodiments, the second device 120 may also determine the puncturing pattern used by the first device 110 based on the received second segment. In some embodiments, if symbols are dropped, the second device 120 may perform the reception assuming the “non-transmitted” symbols are “zeros” for the context of decoding or soft combining procedures.

In addition or alternatively, in some embodiments, if the “punctured” part is within cyclic prefix duration, no action is required by the second device 120, since the first received sample will be received with a lag of a predefined number of samples (which were punctured by the first device 110 based on a selected puncturing pattern) , still within CP.

In some embodiments, in order to maintain the circular convolution properties of the multipath channel, in an additional embodiment the first device 110 may force the last samples of the symbol (equal to the number of dropped samples on the CP part) to be zero. The second device 120 may then assume “no-knowledge” for coding purposes about these last samples.

FIG. 3 illustrates an example puncturing process 300 on a segment to be transmitted in accordance with some example embodiments of the present disclosure. For purpose of discussion, the example puncturing process 300 will be described with reference to FIG. 1.

In the example puncture process 300, at block 310, the first device 110 may determine the first difference X = TA of a new segment –TA of a previous segment (in a unit of a sample of a symbol) . Then, the process proceeds to the block 312.

At block 312, the first device 110 determines whether the X is above a predefined threshold (for example, “0” , “1” , or indicated by the second device 120) . If the X is not above the predefined threshold, the first device 110 may transmit the second segment without puncturing. This branch is omitted in FIG. 3 for simplicity.

Else if the X is above the predefined threshold, the example puncturing process 300 proceeds to block 314. At block 314, the first device 110 may determine whether the first symbol i in the current second segment is associated with DMRS.

If the first symbol i in the current second segment is associated with the DMRS, the example puncturing process proceeds to the block 316. At block 316, the first device 110 may select a puncturing pattern indicating a subframe from one or more predefined puncturing patterns. Then, the first device 110 may puncture the subframe comprising the first symbol i associated with the DMRS from the segment. The first device 110 may transmit the punctured segment to the second device 120.

If the first symbol i in the current block is not associated with the DMRS, the example puncturing process proceeds to the block 318.

At block 318, the first device determines whether there is a guard interval before the first symbol i in the current block. If there is no guard period, the example puncturing process 300 proceeds to block 326. Else if there is the guard interval, the first device 110 determines whether X>duration of the guard period. If the X<=duration of the guard period, the first device 110 may shorten the duration of the guard period, and the first symbol i is not affected (at block 322) . Then, the first device 110 transmits the second segment to the second device 120. Else if the X>duration of the guard period, the example puncturing process 300 proceeds to block 324, at block 324, the X = X-duration of the guard interval and the example puncturing process 300 proceeds to block 326.

At block 326, the first device 110 determines whether the CP in the first symbol i is the smallest allowed CP for the used SCS. If the CP is the smallest allowed, the example puncturing process 300 proceeds to block 332. Else if the CP is not the smallest allowed CP, the example puncturing process 300 proceeds to block 328. At block 328, the first device 110 determines whether there is any CP’ such that Z=the number of the CP-the number of the CP’ is above X. If there is one or more of CP’ (s) , the first device 110 select a puncturing pattern that indicates the CP of the first symbol configured with the larger one of the one or more of CP’ (s) from the one or more predefined puncturing patterns (at block 330) . Then, the first device 110 transmits the second segment punctured based on the selected puncturing pattern.

Else if there is no any CP’ such that Z=the number of the CP-the number of the CP’ is above X, the example puncturing process 300 proceeds to block 332.

At block 332, the first device 110 determines whether the X< the number of the CP + Delta. If X <= the number of the CP + Delta, the first device 334 select a puncturing pattern that indicates the first symbol i configured with a fourth predefined number of samples from the one or more predefined puncturing patterns, and perform puncturing on the second segment (at block 334) . Then, the first device 110 transmits the second segment punctured.

Else if X > the number of the CP + Delta, the example puncturing process 300 proceeds to block 336. At block 336, the first device 110 selects a puncturing pattern that indicates a symbol with a corresponding CP. In this case, the X is updated to be X=X-the number of samples of the symbol and its CP. In addition, the index i of symbol is updated to be i=i+1. Further, the example puncturing process 300 proceeds back to block 312.

With the above solutions, a scheme is provided for puncturing samples of the first symbol (s) in a new segment. It can make network device behavior simpler. The reason is that the network device needs to determine which samples to use in the Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) and if the network is not aware what samples were punctured by the terminal device, it can be challenging to get the FFT sample selection aligned with the symbol timing. However, the terminal device is always attempting to adjust the TA to ensure the transmitted UL symbols are aligned with the DL timing. Therefore, the network device will know where symbol 1 (the second symbol) of a new segment starts even if the terminal device has modified symbol 0 (the first symbol) (or the cyclic prefix of symbol 0) . Further, in some implementations at the network devices (for example, a RAN) , if the terminal instead punctures samples at the end of a symbol (i.e. at the end of the previous segment) the point of synchronization is lost and the network device cannot align the FFT to that last symbol. Although this is possible, this makes the network device behavior more complex to adjust. However, the terminal device may also puncture last samples of the previous segment in the above rules as discussed.

FIG. 4 illustrates an example method 400 implemented in a first device in accordance with some example embodiments of the present disclosure.

The method 400 can be implemented at the first device 110 shown in FIG. 1. For the purpose of discussion, the method 400 will be described with reference to FIG. 1. It is to be understood that the method 400 may include additional acts not shown and/or may omit some shown acts, and the scope of the present disclosure is not limited in this regard.

At 410, the first device 110 determines whether a first difference between a first timing requirement for a first segment transmitted and a second timing requirement for a second segment to be transmitted is above a predefined threshold.

At 420, the first device110 selects, based on the first difference, a puncturing pattern from one or more predefined puncturing patterns, in accordance with a determination that the first difference is above the predefined threshold.

At 430, the first device110 transmits the second segment punctured based on the selected puncturing pattern to a second device.

In some embodiments, the one or more predefined puncturing patterns are predefined in a communication protocol, or received from the second device via system information broadcast, or received from the second device via a signaling specific to the first device.

In some embodiments, the puncturing pattern indicates at least one of: a guard interval for segments; a number of samples of a cyclic prefix (CP) of a symbol in the second segment; one or more symbols in the second segment; and a subframe.

In some embodiments, selecting the puncturing pattern comprises: determining whether the first difference is above a second difference between a first number of samples predefined for a CP of a first symbol in the second segment and a second number of samples predefined for a CP of a second symbol in the second segment, the second symbol being different from the first symbol and the second number of samples is smaller than the first number of samples; and in accordance with a determination that the first difference is not above the second difference, selecting, from the one or more predefined puncturing patterns, a puncturing pattern that indicates the CP of the first symbol configured with the second number of samples of the CP.

In some embodiments, selecting the puncturing pattern comprises: determining whether the first difference is above a first number of samples predefined for a CP of a first symbol in the second segment; and in accordance with a determination that the first difference is not above the first number, selecting, from the one or more puncturing patterns, a puncturing pattern that indicates the CP of the first symbol configured with another number of samples smaller than the first number, a third difference between the first number and the other number of samples is equal to or larger than the first difference.

In some embodiments, selecting the puncturing pattern comprises: selecting, from the one or more predefined puncturing patterns, the puncturing pattern indicates that the CP of the first symbol configured with the other number of samples associated with the smallest third difference.

In some embodiments, selecting the puncturing pattern comprises: determining whether the first difference is above a third number of samples predefined for a CP of a second symbol in the second segment; and in accordance with a determination that the first difference is not above the third number, selecting, from the one or more predefined puncturing patterns, a puncturing pattern that indicates the first symbol configured with a fourth predefined number of samples.

In some embodiments, selecting the puncturing pattern comprises: in accordance with a determination that the first difference is above the third predefined number, selecting, from the one or more predefined puncturing patterns, a puncturing pattern that indicates a symbol with a corresponding CP in the second segment; updating the first difference based on a length of the symbol with the corresponding CP; and selecting, based on the updated first difference, a puncturing pattern from one or more predefined puncturing patterns.

In some embodiments, selecting the puncturing pattern comprises: detect whether the symbol to be punctured is associated with a Demodulation Reference Signal (DMRS) ; and select, based on detecting that the symbol to be punctured is associated with the DMRS, a puncturing pattern from one or more predefined puncturing patterns.

FIG. 5 illustrates an example method 500 implemented in a second in accordance with some example embodiments of the present disclosure.

The method 500 can be implemented at the second device 120 shown in FIG. 1. For the purpose of discussion, the method 500 will be described with reference to FIG. 1. It is to be understood that the method 500 may include additional acts not shown and/or may omit some shown acts, and the scope of the present disclosure is not limited in this regard.

At 510, the second device 120 receives a second segment from a first device 110.

At 520, the second device 120 determines, from one or more predefined puncturing patterns, a puncturing pattern used by the first device.

At 530, the second device 120 decodes the second segment based on the puncturing pattern.

In some embodiments, the one or more predefined puncturing patterns are predefined in a communication protocol, or received from the second device via a signaling specific to the first device.

Further, while operations are depicted in a particular order, this should not be understood as requiring that such operations be performed in the particular order shown or in sequential order, or that all illustrated operations be performed, to achieve desirable results. In certain circumstances, multitasking and parallel processing may be advantageous. Likewise, while several specific implementation details are contained in the above discussions, these should not be construed as limitations on the scope of the present disclosure, but rather as descriptions of features that may be specific to particular example embodiments. Certain features that are described in the context of separate example embodiments may also be implemented in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features that are described in the context of a single embodiment may also be implemented in multiple example embodiments separately or in any suitable sub-combination.

FIG. 6 is a simplified block diagram of a device 600 that is suitable for implementing example embodiments of the present disclosure. The device 600 can be implemented at the first device 110, the second device 120 as shown in FIG. 2.

As shown, the device 600 includes a processor 610, a memory 620 coupled to the processor 610, a communication module 630 coupled to the processor 610, and a communication interface (not shown) coupled to the communication module 630. The memory 620 stores at least a program 640. The communication module 630 is for bidirectional communications, for example, via multiple antennas or via a cable. The communication interface may represent any interface that is necessary for communication.

The program 640 is assumed to include program instructions that, when executed by the associated processor 610, enable the device 600 to operate in accordance with the example embodiments of the present disclosure, as discussed herein with reference to FIGS. 1 to 5. The example embodiments herein may be implemented by computer software executable by the processor 610 of the device 600, or by hardware, or by a combination of software and hardware. The processor 610 may be configured to implement various example embodiments of the present disclosure.

The memory 620 may be of any type suitable to the local technical network and may be implemented using any suitable data storage technology, such as a non-transitory computer readable storage medium, semiconductor based memory devices, magnetic memory devices and systems, optical memory devices and systems, fixed memory and removable memory, as non-limiting examples. While only one memory 620 is shown in the device 600, there may be several physically distinct memory modules in the device 700. The processor 610 may be of any type suitable to the local technical network, and may include one or more of general purpose computers, special purpose computers, microprocessors, digital signal processors (DSPs) and processors based on multicore processor architecture, as non-limiting examples. The device 600 may have multiple processors, such as an application specific integrated circuit chip that is slaved in time to a clock which synchronizes the main processor.

When the device 600 acts as the first device 110, the processor 610 may implement the operations or acts of the first device 110 as described above with reference to FIGS. 2 and 4. When the device 600 acts as the second device 120, the processor 610 may implement the operations or acts of the second device 120 as described above with reference to FIGS. 2 and 5. All operations and features as described above with reference to FIGS. 1 to 5 are likewise applicable to the device600 and have similar effects. For the purpose of simplification, the details will be omitted.

Generally, various example embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented in hardware or special purpose circuits, software, logic or any combination thereof. Some aspects may be implemented in hardware, while other aspects may be implemented in firmware or software which may be executed by a controller, microprocessor or other computing device. While various aspects of example embodiments of the present disclosure are illustrated and described as block diagrams, flowcharts, or using some other pictorial representations, it is to be understood that the block, apparatus, system, technique or method described herein may be implemented in, as non-limiting examples, hardware, software, firmware, special purpose circuits or logic, general purpose hardware or controller or other computing devices, or some combination thereof.

The present disclosure also provides at least one computer program product tangibly stored on a non-transitory computer readable storage medium. The computer program product includes computer-executable instructions, such as those included in program modules, being executed in a device on a target real or virtual processor, to carry out the operations and acts as described above with reference to FIGS. 1 to 5. Generally, program modules include routines, programs, libraries, objects, classes, components, data structures, or the like that perform particular tasks or implement particular abstract data types. The functionality of the program modules may be combined or split between program modules as desired in various example embodiments. Machine-executable instructions for program modules may be executed within a local or distributed device. In a distributed device, program modules may be located in both local and remote storage media.

Program code for carrying out methods of the present disclosure may be written in any combination of one or more programming languages. These program codes may be provided to a processor or controller of a general purpose computer, special purpose computer, or other programmable data processing apparatus, such that the program codes, when executed by the processor or controller, cause the functions/operations specified in the flowcharts and/or block diagrams to be implemented. The program code may execute entirely on a machine, partly on the machine, as a stand-alone software package, partly on the machine and partly on a remote machine or entirely on the remote machine or server.

In the context of the present disclosure, the computer program codes or related data may be carried by any suitable carrier to enable the device, apparatus or processor to perform various processes and operations as described above. Examples of the carrier include a signal, computer readable media.

The computer readable medium may be a computer readable signal medium or a computer readable storage medium. A computer readable medium may include but not limited to an electronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared, or semiconductor system, apparatus, or device, or any suitable combination of the foregoing. More specific examples of the computer readable storage medium would include an electrical connection having one or more wires, a portable computer diskette, a hard disk, a random access memory (RAM) , a read-only memory (ROM) , an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM or Flash memory) , an optical fiber, a portable compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM) , Digital Versatile Disc (DVD) , an optical storage device, a magnetic storage device, or any suitable combination of the foregoing.

Although the present disclosure has been described in languages specific to structural features and/or methodological acts, it is to be understood that the present disclosure defined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the specific features or acts described above. Rather, the specific features and acts described above are disclosed as example forms of implementing the claims.

Various example embodiments of the techniques have been described. In addition to or as an alternative to the above, the following examples are described. The features described in any of the following examples may be utilized with any of the other examples described herein.

In some aspects, a first device comprises at least one processor; and at least one memory including computer program code; and the at least one memory and the computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the second device to determine whether a first difference between a first timing requirement for a first segment transmitted and a second timing requirement for a second segment to be transmitted is above a predefined threshold; in accordance with a determination that the first difference is above the predefined threshold, select, based on the first difference, a puncturing pattern from one or more predefined puncturing patterns; transmit, to a second device, the second segment punctured based on the selected puncturing pattern.

In some embodiments, the first device 110 is caused to select the puncturing pattern by: in accordance with a determination that the first difference is above the third predefined number, selecting, from the one or more predefined puncturing patterns, a puncturing pattern that indicates a symbol with a corresponding CP in the second segment; updating the first difference based on a length of the symbol with the corresponding CP; and selecting, based on the updated first difference, a puncturing pattern from one or more predefined puncturing patterns.

In some embodiments, the first device 110 is caused to select the puncturing pattern by: detect whether the symbol to be punctured is associated with a Demodulation Reference Signal (DMRS) ; and select, based on detecting that the symbol to be punctured is associated with the DMRS, a puncturing pattern from one or more predefined puncturing patterns.

In some aspects, a second device comprises at least one processor and at least one memory including computer program code; and the at least one memory and the computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the second device to receive a second segment from a first device; determine, from one or more predefined puncturing patterns, a puncturing pattern used by the first device; and decode the second segment based on the puncturing pattern.

In some aspects, an apparatus implemented in a first device comprises: means for determining whether a first difference between a first timing requirement for a first segment transmitted and a second timing requirement for a second segment to be transmitted is above a predefined threshold; means for selecting, based on the first difference, a puncturing pattern from one or more predefined puncturing patterns in accordance with a determination that the first difference is above the predefined threshold; and means for transmitting, to a second device, the second segment punctured based on the selected puncturing pattern.

In some embodiments, the apparatus further comprises means for determining whether the first difference is above a second difference between a first number of samples predefined for a CP of a first symbol in the second segment and a second number of samples predefined for a CP of a second symbol in the second segment, the second symbol being different from the first symbol and the second number of samples is smaller than the first number of samples; and means for in accordance with a determination that the first difference is not above the second difference, selecting, from the one or more predefined puncturing patterns, a puncturing pattern that indicates the CP of the first symbol configured with the second number of samples of the CP.

In some embodiments, the apparatus further comprises means for determining whether the first difference is above a first number of samples predefined for a CP of a first symbol in the second segment; and means for in accordance with a determination that the first difference is not above the first number, selecting, from the one or more puncturing patterns, a puncturing pattern that indicates the CP of the first symbol configured with another number of samples smaller than the first number, a third difference between the first number and the other number of samples is equal to or larger than the first difference.

In some embodiments, the apparatus further comprises means for selecting, from the one or more predefined puncturing patterns, the puncturing pattern indicates that the CP of the first symbol configured with the other number of samples associated with the smallest third difference.

In some embodiments, the apparatus further comprises means for determining whether the first difference is above a third number of samples predefined for a CP of a second symbol in the second segment; and means for in accordance with a determination that the first difference is not above the third number, selecting, from the one or more predefined puncturing patterns, a puncturing pattern that indicates the first symbol configured with a fourth predefined number of samples.

In some embodiments, the apparatus further comprises means for in accordance with a determination that the first difference is above the third number, selecting, from the one or more predefined puncturing patterns, a puncturing pattern that indicates a symbol with a corresponding CP in the second segment; means for updating the first difference based on a length of the symbol with the corresponding CP; and means for selecting, based on the updated first difference, a puncturing pattern from one or more predefined puncturing patterns.

In some embodiments, the apparatus further comprises means for detecting whether the symbol to be punctured is associated with a Demodulation Reference Signal (DMRS) ; and means for selecting, based on detecting that the symbol to be punctured is associated with the DMRS, a puncturing pattern from one or more predefined puncturing patterns.

In some aspects, an apparatus implemented in a second device comprises: means for receiving a second segment from a first device; means for determining, from one or more predefined puncturing patterns, a puncturing pattern used by the first device; and means for decoding the second segment based on the puncturing pattern.

In some aspects, a computer-readable storage medium having instructions stored thereon, the instructions, when executed on at least one processor, cause the least one processor to perform the steps of the preceding aspects.

Claims

A first device, comprising:

at least one processor; and

at least one memory storing computer program code;

the at least one memory and the computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the first device to:

determine whether a first difference between a first timing requirement for a first segment transmitted and a second timing requirement for a second segment to be transmitted is above a predefined threshold;

in accordance with a determination that the first difference is above the predefined threshold, select, based on the first difference, a puncturing pattern from one or more predefined puncturing patterns;

transmit, to a second device, the second segment punctured based on the selected puncturing pattern.
The first device of claim 1, wherein the one or more predefined puncturing patterns are predefined in a communication protocol, or received from the second device via system information broadcast, or received from the second device via a signaling specific to the first device.
The first device of claim 1 or 2, wherein the puncturing pattern indicates at least one of:

a guard interval for segments;

a number of samples of a cyclic prefix (CP) of a symbol in the second segment;

one or more symbols in the second segment; and

a subframe.
The first device of claim 1 or 2, wherein the first device is caused to select the puncturing pattern by:

determining whether the first difference is above a second difference between a first number of samples predefined for a CP of a first symbol in the second segment and a second number of samples predefined for a CP of a second symbol in the second segment, the second symbol being different from the first symbol and the second number of samples is smaller than the first number of samples; and

in accordance with a determination that the first difference is not above the second difference, selecting, from the one or more predefined puncturing patterns, a puncturing pattern that indicates the CP of the first symbol configured with the second number of samples of the CP.
The first device of claim 1 or 2, wherein the first device is caused to select the puncturing pattern by:

determining whether the first difference is above a first number of samples predefined for a CP of a first symbol in the second segment; and

in accordance with a determination that the first difference is not above the first number, selecting, from the one or more puncturing patterns, a puncturing pattern that indicates the CP of the first symbol configured with another number of samples smaller than the first number, a third difference between the first number and the other number of samples is equal to or larger than the first difference.
The first device of claim 5, wherein the first device is further caused to select the puncturing pattern by:

selecting, from the one or more predefined puncturing patterns, the puncturing pattern indicates that the CP of the first symbol configured with the other number of samples associated with the smallest third difference.
The first device of claim 1 or 2, wherein the first device is caused to select the puncturing pattern by:

determining whether the first difference is above a third number of samples predefined for a CP of a second symbol in the second segment; and

in accordance with a determination that the first difference is not above the third number, selecting, from the one or more predefined puncturing patterns, a puncturing pattern that indicates the first symbol configured with a fourth predefined number of samples.
The first device of claim 7, wherein the first device is caused to select the puncturing pattern by:

in accordance with a determination that the first difference is above the third predefined number, selecting, from the one or more predefined puncturing patterns, a puncturing pattern that indicates a symbol with a corresponding CP in the second segment;

updating the first difference based on a length of the symbol with the corresponding CP; and

selecting, based on the updated first difference, a puncturing pattern from one or more predefined puncturing patterns.
The first device of claim 8, wherein the first device is further caused to:

detect whether the symbol to be punctured is associated with a Demodulation Reference Signal (DMRS) ; and

select, based on detecting that the symbol to be punctured is associated with the DMRS, a puncturing pattern from one or more predefined puncturing patterns.
A second device, comprising:

at least one processor; and

at least one memory storing computer program code;

the at least one memory and the computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the second device to:

receive a second segment from a first device;

determine, from one or more predefined puncturing patterns, a puncturing pattern used by the first device; and

decode the second segment based on the puncturing pattern.
The second device of claim 10, wherein the one or more predefined puncturing patterns are predefined in a communication protocol, or received from the second device via a signaling specific to the first device.
The second device of claim 10 or 11, wherein the puncturing pattern indicates at least one of:

a guard interval for segments;

a number of samples of a cyclic prefix (CP) of a symbol in the second segment;

one or more symbols in the second segment; and

a subframe.
A method implemented in a first device, comprising:

determining whether a first difference between a first timing requirement for a first segment transmitted and a second timing requirement for a second segment to be transmitted is above a predefined threshold;

in accordance with a determination that the first difference is above the predefined threshold, selecting, based on the first difference, a puncturing pattern from one or more predefined puncturing patterns; and

transmitting, to a second device, the second segment punctured based on the selected puncturing pattern.
The method of claim 13, wherein the one or more predefined puncturing patterns are predefined in a communication protocol, or received from the second device via system information broadcast, or received from the second device via a signaling specific to the first device.
The method of claim 13 or 14, wherein the puncturing pattern indicates at least one of:

a guard interval for segments;

a number of samples of a cyclic prefix (CP) of a symbol in the second segment;

one or more symbols in the second segment; and

a subframe.
The method of claim 13 or 14, wherein selecting the puncturing pattern comprises:

determining whether the first difference is above a second difference between a first number of samples predefined for a CP of a first symbol in the second segment and a second number of samples predefined for a CP of a second symbol in the second segment, the second symbol being different from the first symbol and the second number of samples is smaller than the first number of samples; and

in accordance with a determination that the first difference is not above the second difference, selecting, from the one or more predefined puncturing patterns, a puncturing pattern that indicates the CP of the first symbol configured with the second number of samples of the CP.
The method of claim 13 or 14, wherein selecting the puncturing pattern comprises:

determining whether the first difference is above a first number of samples predefined for a CP of a first symbol in the second segment; and

in accordance with a determination that the first difference is not above the first number, selecting, from the one or more puncturing patterns, a puncturing pattern that indicates the CP of the first symbol configured with another number of samples smaller than the first number, a third difference between the first number and the other number of samples is equal to or larger than the first difference.
The method of claim 17, wherein selecting the puncturing pattern comprises:

selecting, from the one or more predefined puncturing patterns, the puncturing pattern indicates that the CP of the first symbol configured with the other number of samples associated with the smallest third difference.
The method of claim 13 or 14, wherein selecting the puncturing pattern comprises:

determining whether the first difference is above a third number of samples predefined for a CP of a second symbol in the second segment; and

in accordance with a determination that the first difference is not above the third number, selecting, from the one or more predefined puncturing patterns, a puncturing pattern that indicates the first symbol configured with a fourth predefined number of samples.
The method of claim 19, wherein selecting the puncturing pattern comprises:

in accordance with a determination that the first difference is above the third number, selecting, from the one or more predefined puncturing patterns, a puncturing pattern that indicates a symbol with a corresponding CP in the second segment;

updating the first difference based on a length of the symbol with the corresponding CP; and

selecting, based on the updated first difference, a puncturing pattern from one or more predefined puncturing patterns.
The method of claim 13 or 14, wherein selecting the puncturing pattern comprises:

detecting whether the symbol to be punctured is associated with a Demodulation Reference Signal (DMRS) ; and

selecting, based on detecting that the symbol to be punctured is associated with the DMRS, a puncturing pattern from one or more predefined puncturing patterns.
A method implemented in a second device, comprising:

receiving a second segment from a first device;

determining, from one or more predefined puncturing patterns, a puncturing pattern used by the first device; and

decoding the second segment based on the puncturing pattern.
The method of claim 22, wherein the one or more predefined puncturing patterns are predefined in a communication protocol, or received from the second device via a signaling specific to the first device.
The method of claim 22 or 23, wherein the puncturing pattern indicates at least one of:

a guard interval for segments;

a number of samples of a cyclic prefix (CP) of a symbol in the second segment;

one or more symbols in the second segment; and

a subframe.
An apparatus implemented in a first device, comprising:

means for determining whether a first difference between a first timing requirement for a first segment transmitted and a second timing requirement for a second segment to be transmitted is above a predefined threshold;

means for selecting, based on the first difference, a puncturing pattern from one or more predefined puncturing patterns in accordance with a determination that the first difference is above the predefined threshold; and

means for transmitting, to a second device, the second segment punctured based on the selected puncturing pattern.
An apparatus implemented in a second device, comprising:

means for receiving a second segment from a first device;

means for determining, from one or more predefined puncturing patterns, a puncturing pattern used by the first device; and

means for decoding the second segment based on the puncturing pattern.
A computer-readable storage medium having instructions stored thereon, the instructions, when executed on at least one processor, cause the least one processor to perform the method of any of claims 13-21, or method of any of claims 22-24.