U.S. patent application number 16/520915 was filed with the patent office on 2019-11-14 for methods and apparatus for switching between bandwidth parts.
The applicant listed for this patent is Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd.. Invention is credited to Javad Abdoli, Zhenfei Tang.
Application Number | 20190349963 16/520915 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 67141195 |
Filed Date | 2019-11-14 |
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United States Patent
Application |
20190349963 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Abdoli; Javad ; et
al. |
November 14, 2019 |
Methods and Apparatus for Switching Between Bandwidth Parts
Abstract
A user equipment (UE) receives control signaling in a scheduling
bandwidth part (BWP). The control signaling indicates switching
from a first active BWP to a second active BWP or switching from a
first active BWP pair to a second active BWP pair for the UE. The
control signaling aligns with a time unit boundary, such as a slot
boundary, that is associated with the scheduling BWP. In the event
that a scheduled BWP for a UE has a different numerology than a
scheduling BWP that is currently active for the UE, the UE could
switch from the scheduling BWP to the scheduled BWP based on a
control signaling monitoring periodicity of the scheduled BWP.
Inventors: |
Abdoli; Javad; (Kanata,
CA) ; Tang; Zhenfei; (Ottawa, CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd. |
Shenzhen |
|
CN |
|
|
Family ID: |
67141195 |
Appl. No.: |
16/520915 |
Filed: |
July 24, 2019 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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16222288 |
Dec 17, 2018 |
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16520915 |
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62616118 |
Jan 11, 2018 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04W 72/042 20130101;
H04W 36/06 20130101; H04W 72/1263 20130101; H04W 72/02 20130101;
H04W 72/0453 20130101 |
International
Class: |
H04W 72/12 20060101
H04W072/12; H04W 72/04 20060101 H04W072/04 |
Claims
1. A method comprising: receiving, by a user equipment (UE), a
control signaling in a scheduling bandwidth part (BWP), wherein the
control signaling indicates switching from a first active BWP to a
second active BWP or switching from a first active BWP pair to a
second active BWP pair for the UE, and wherein the control
signaling aligns with a boundary associated with the scheduling
BWP.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the boundary associated with the
scheduling BWP is a slot of the scheduling BWP.
3. The method of claim 1, wherein the first active BWP is a first
active downlink (DL) BWP and the second active BWP is a second
active DL BWP.
4. The method of the claim 1, wherein the first active BWP is the
same as the scheduling BWP.
5. The method of claim 1, wherein the first active BWP is a first
uplink (UL) BWP and the second active BWP is a second active UL
BWP.
6. The method of claim 1, wherein the first active BWP pair
comprises a third active DL BWP and a third active UL BWP, and
wherein the second active BWP pair comprises a fourth active DL BWP
and a fourth active UL BWP.
7. The method of claim 6, wherein the third active DL BWP is the
same as the scheduling BWP.
8. The method of claim 7, wherein the second active BWP has a
different numerology than the first active BWP, wherein the fourth
active DL BWP has a different numerology than the third active DL
BWP, or wherein the fourth active UL BWP has a different numerology
than the third active UL BWP.
9. A user equipment (UE) comprising: a processor; and a
non-transitory processor-readable storage medium storing
instructions for execution by the processor, the instructions
causing the processor to perform a method comprising: receiving a
control signaling in a scheduling bandwidth part (BWP), wherein the
control signaling indicates switching from a first active BWP to a
second active BWP or switching from a first active BWP pair to a
second active BWP pair for the UE, and wherein the control
signaling aligns with a boundary associated with the scheduling
BWP.
10. The UE of claim 9, wherein the boundary associated with the
scheduling BWP is a slot of the scheduling BWP.
11. The UE of claim 9, wherein the first active BWP is a first
active downlink (DL) BWP and the second active BWP is a second
active DL BWP.
12. The UE of the claim 9, wherein the first active BWP is the same
as the scheduling BWP.
13. The UE of claim 9, wherein the first active BWP is a first
uplink (UL) BWP and the second active BWP is a second active UL
BWP.
14. The UE of claim 9, wherein the first active BWP pair comprises
a third active DL BWP and a third active UL BWP, and wherein the
second active BWP pair comprises a fourth active DL BWP and a
fourth active UL BWP.
15. The UE of claim 14, wherein the third active DL BWP is the same
as the scheduling BWP.
16. The UE of claim 15, wherein the second active BWP has a
different numerology than the first active BWP, wherein the fourth
active DL BWP has a different numerology than the third active DL
BWP, or wherein the fourth active UL BWP has a different numerology
than the third active UL BWP.
17. A method comprising: transmitting, by a network equipment to a
user equipment (UE), a control signaling in a scheduling bandwidth
part (BWP), wherein the control signaling indicates switching from
a first active BWP to a second active BWP or switching from a first
active BWP pair to a second active BWP pair for the UE, and wherein
the control signaling aligns with a boundary associated with the
scheduling BWP.
18. The method of claim 17, wherein the boundary associated with
the scheduling BWP is a slot of the scheduling BWP.
19. The method of claim 17, wherein the first active BWP is a first
active downlink (DL) BWP and the second active BWP is a second
active DL BWP.
20. The method of the claim 17, wherein the first active BWP is the
same as the scheduling BWP.
21. The method of claim 17, wherein the first active BWP is a first
uplink (UL) BWP and the second active BWP is a second active UL
BWP.
22. The method of claim 17, wherein the first active BWP pair
comprises a third active DL BWP and a third active UL BWP, and
wherein the second active BWP pair comprises a fourth active DL BWP
and a fourth active UL BWP.
23. The method of claim 22, wherein the third active DL BWP is the
same as the scheduling BWP.
24. A network equipment comprising: a processor; and a
non-transitory processor-readable storage medium storing
instructions for execution by the processor, the instructions
causing the processor to perform a method comprising: transmitting,
to a user equipment (UE), a control signaling in a scheduling
bandwidth part (BWP), wherein the control signaling indicates
switching from a first active BWP to a second active BWP or
switching from a first active BWP pair to a second active BWP pair
for the UE, and wherein the control signaling aligns with a
boundary associated with the scheduling BWP.
25. The method of claim 24, wherein the boundary associated with
the scheduling BWP is a slot of the scheduling BWP.
26. The method of claim 24, wherein the first active BWP is a first
active downlink (DL) BWP and the second active BWP is a second
active DL BWP.
27. The method of the claim 24, wherein the first active BWP is the
same as the scheduling BWP.
28. The method of claim 24, wherein the first active BWP is a first
uplink (UL) BWP and the second active BWP is a second active UL
BWP.
29. The method of claim 24, wherein the first active BWP pair
comprises a third active DL BWP and a third active UL BWP, and
wherein the second active BWP pair comprises a fourth active DL BWP
and a fourth active UL BWP.
30. The method of claim 29, wherein the third active DL BWP is the
same as the scheduling BWP.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser.
No. 16/222,288, entitled "Methods and Apparatus for Switching
Between Bandwidth Parts," filed on Dec. 17, 2018, which claims the
benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/616,118, entitled
"Methods and Apparatus for Switching Between Bandwidth Parts Having
Different Numerologies," filed on Jan. 11, 2018, the entire
contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The present disclosure relates to generally to
communications and, in particular, to switching between Bandwidth
Parts (BWPs), which could have different numerologies.
BACKGROUND
[0003] One or multiple BWP configurations for each of multiple
component carriers can be semi-statically signalled to a User
Equipment (UE). A bandwidth part consists of a group of contiguous
Physical Resource Blocks (PRBs). Reserved resources can be
configured within a BWP. The bandwidth of a BWP is equal to or
smaller than a maximum bandwidth capability supported by a UE, and
is at least as large as a synchronization signal (SS) block
bandwidth. A BWP might or might not, however, actually contain an
SS block.
[0004] Configuration of a BWP could include the following
properties: numerology, frequency location (such as starting
frequency), and bandwidth (such as number of PRBs). Different BWPs
could have different numerologies.
[0005] Some communication standards are intended to support the
case that a single scheduling Downlink Control Information (DCI)
block can switch the active BWP of a UE from one BWP to another BWP
of the same link direction within a given serving cell. For paired
spectrum, downlink (DL) and uplink (UL) BWPs could be configured
separately and independently for each UE-specific serving cell for
a UE. In such implementations, for active BWP switching using at
least scheduling DCI, DCI for DL is used for DL active BWP
switching and DCI for UL is used for UL active BWP switching. For
unpaired spectrum, a DL BWP and an UL BWP could be jointly
configured as a pair, with the restriction that the DL and UL BWPs
of such a DL/UL BWP pair share the same center frequency but may be
of different bandwidths for each UE-specific serving cell for a UE.
For active BWP switching using at least scheduling DCI in such
implementations, DCI for either DL or UL could be used for active
BWP switching from one DL/UL BWP pair to another pair. This applies
to at least the case where both DL and UL are activated to a UE in
corresponding unpaired spectrum.
SUMMARY
[0006] Motivations for BWP switching, with mixed numerologies in
some embodiments, could include, for example, providing different
services to a UE (Time Division Multiplexing (TDM) between
different services, and/or switching between the services for
example). BWP switching, with mixed numerologies in some
embodiments, could also or instead provide for resource sharing
between different services from a network perspective.
[0007] According to a further aspect of the present disclosure, a
method performed at a UE involves receiving control signaling in a
scheduling BWP. The control signaling indicates switching from a
first active BWP to a second active BWP or switching from a first
active BWP pair to a second active BWP pair for the UE, and aligns
with a time unit boundary that is associated with the scheduling
BWP.
[0008] According to another aspect, a non-transitory
processor-readable medium stores instructions which, when executed
by one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to
perform such a method.
[0009] A UE according to a further aspect includes a processor and
a non-transitory processor-readable storage medium storing
instructions for execution by the processor. The instructions cause
the processor to perform a method. The method involves receiving
control signaling in a scheduling BWP. The control signaling
indicates switching from a first active BWP to a second active BWP
or switching from a first active BWP pair to a second active BWP
pair for the UE, and the control signaling aligns with a time unit
boundary that is associated with the scheduling BWP.
[0010] Another method consistent with the present disclosure is
performed at network equipment. The method involves transmitting
control signaling to a UE in a scheduling BWP. The control
signaling indicates switching from a first active BWP to a second
active BWP or switching from a first active BWP pair to a second
active BWP pair for the UE, and aligns with a time unit boundary
that is associated with the scheduling BWP.
[0011] A non-transitory processor-readable medium according to
another aspect of the present disclosure stores instructions which,
when executed by one or more processors, cause the one or more
processors to perform such a method.
[0012] Network equipment according to yet another aspect includes a
processor and a non-transitory processor-readable storage medium
storing instructions for execution by the processor. The
instructions cause the processor to perform such a method, which
involves transmitting control signaling to a UE in a scheduling
BWP. The control signaling indicates switching from a first active
BWP to a second active BWP or switching from a first active BWP
pair to a second active BWP pair for the UE, and aligns with a time
unit boundary associated with the scheduling BWP.
[0013] According to a further aspect of the present disclosure, a
method performed at a UE involves: receiving an indication of a
scheduled BWP for the UE; determining whether the scheduled BWP has
a different numerology than a scheduling BWP that is currently
active for the UE; switching from the scheduling BWP to the
scheduled BWP based on a control signaling monitoring periodicity
of the scheduled BWP if the scheduled BWP has a different
numerology than the scheduling BWP.
[0014] Another aspect of the present disclosure relates to a UE
that includes a processor and a non-transitory computer readable
storage medium storing instructions for execution by the processor.
The instructions cause the processor to perform a method that
involves: receiving an indication of a scheduled BWP for the UE;
determining whether the scheduled BWP has a different numerology
than a scheduling BWP that is currently active for the UE;
switching from the scheduling BWP to the scheduled BWP based on a
control signaling monitoring periodicity of the scheduled BWP if
the scheduled BWP has a different numerology than the scheduling
BWP.
[0015] Also disclosed is a method performed at network equipment.
Such method could include: transmitting an indication of a
scheduled BWP to a UE, the scheduled BWP having a different
numerology than a scheduling BWP that is currently active for the
UE, to cause the UE to switch from the scheduling BWP to the
scheduled BWP based on a control signaling monitoring periodicity
of the scheduled BWP; and communicating with the UE using the
scheduled BWP.
[0016] Another method performed at network equipment involves:
transmitting to a UE, using a scheduling BWP that is currently
active for the UE, an indication of a scheduled BWP having a
different numerology than the scheduling BWP; transmitting data to
the UE using the scheduled BWP and based on a control signaling
monitoring periodicity of the scheduled BWP.
[0017] Network equipment could include: a processor; and a
non-transitory computer readable storage medium storing
instructions for execution by the processor, the instructions
causing the processor to perform a network equipment method as
disclosed herein.
[0018] Aspects also relate to non-transitory processor-readable
media storing instructions which, when executed by one or more
processors, cause the one or more processors to perform a method as
disclosed herein.
[0019] These and other illustrative embodiments are disclosed by
way of example in the description and claims.
[0020] Other aspects and features of embodiments of the present
disclosure will become apparent to those ordinarily skilled in the
art upon review of the following description.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0021] Examples of embodiments of the invention will now be
described in greater detail with reference to the accompanying
drawings.
[0022] FIG. 1 is a network diagram of an example communication
system.
[0023] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an example electronic
device.
[0024] FIG. 3 is a block diagram of another example electronic
device.
[0025] FIG. 4A is an example simplified block diagram of part of a
transmitter.
[0026] FIG. 4B shows a simplified block diagram of a receive
chain.
[0027] FIG. 5 is a flow diagram illustrating example methods
according to embodiments.
[0028] FIGS. 6-12 are block diagrams illustrating BWP
switching.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS
[0029] FIG. 1 illustrates an example communication system 100 in
which embodiments of the present disclosure could be implemented.
In general, the communication system 100 enables multiple wireless
or wired elements to communicate data and other content. The
purpose of the communication system 100 may be to provide content
(voice, data, video, text) via broadcast, narrowcast, user device
to user device, etc. The communication system 100 may operate by
sharing resources such as bandwidth.
[0030] In this example, the communication system 100 includes
electronic devices (ED) 110a-110c, radio access networks (RANs)
120a-120b, a core network 130, a public switched telephone network
(PSTN) 140, the internet 150, and other networks 160. Although
certain numbers of these components or elements are shown in FIG.
1, any reasonable number of these components or elements may be
included in the communication system 100.
[0031] The EDs 110a-110c are configured to operate, communicate, or
both, in the communication system 100. For example, the EDs
110a-110c are configured to transmit, receive, or both via wireless
or wired communication channels. Each ED 110a-110c represents any
suitable end user device for wireless operation and may include
such devices (or may be referred to) as a user equipment/device
(UE), wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU), mobile station, fixed
or mobile subscriber unit, cellular telephone, station (STA),
machine type communication (MTC) device, personal digital assistant
(PDA), smartphone, laptop, computer, tablet, wireless sensor, or
consumer electronics device.
[0032] In FIG. 1, the RANs 120a-120b include base stations
170a-170b, respectively. Each base station 170a-170b is configured
to wirelessly interface with one or more of the EDs 110a-110c to
enable access to any other base station 170a-170b, the core network
130, the PSTN 140, the internet 150, and/or the other networks 160.
For example, the base stations 170a-170b may include (or be) one or
more of several well-known devices, such as a base transceiver
station (BTS), a Node-B (NodeB), an evolved NodeB (eNodeB), a Home
eNodeB, a gNodeB, a transmission point (TP), a site controller, an
access point (AP), or a wireless router. Any ED 110a-110c may be
alternatively or additionally configured to interface, access, or
communicate with any other base station 170a-170b, the internet
iso, the core network 130, the PSTN 140, the other networks 160, or
any combination of the preceding. The communication system 100 may
include RANs, such as RAN 120b, wherein the corresponding base
station 170b accesses the core network 130 via the internet 150, as
shown.
[0033] The EDs 110a-110c and base stations 170a-170b are examples
of communication equipment that can be configured to implement some
or all of the functionality and/or embodiments described herein. In
the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the base station 170a forms part of
the RAN 120a, which may include other base stations, base station
controller(s) (BSC), radio network controller(s) (RNC), relay
nodes, elements, and/or devices. Any base station 170a, 170b may be
a single element, as shown, or multiple elements, distributed in
the corresponding RAN, or otherwise. Also, the base station 170b
forms part of the RAN 120b, which may include other base stations,
elements, and/or devices. Each base station 170a-170b transmits
and/or receives wireless signals within a particular geographic
region or area, sometimes referred to as a "cell" or "coverage
area". A cell may be further divided into cell sectors, and a base
station 170a-170b may, for example, employ multiple transceivers to
provide service to multiple sectors. In some embodiments there may
be established pico or femto cells where the radio access
technology supports such cells. In some embodiments, multiple
transceivers could be used for each cell, for example using
multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) technology. The number of RAN
120a-120b shown is by way of example only. Any number of RAN may be
contemplated when devising the communication system 100.
[0034] The base stations 170a-170b communicate with one or more of
the EDs 110a-110c over one or more air interfaces 190 using
wireless communication links e.g. radio frequency (RF), microwave,
infrared (IR), etc. The air interfaces 190 may utilize any suitable
radio access technology. For example, the communication system 100
may implement one or more channel access methods, such as code
division multiple access (CDMA), time division multiple access
(TDMA), frequency division multiple access (FDMA), orthogonal FDMA
(OFDMA), or single-carrier FDMA (SC-FDMA) in the air interfaces
190.
[0035] A base station 170a-170b may implement Universal Mobile
Telecommunication System (UMTS) Terrestrial Radio Access (UTRA) to
establish an air interface 190 using wideband CDMA (WCDMA). In
doing so, the base station 170a-170b may implement protocols such
as HSPA, HSPA+ optionally including HSDPA, HSUPA or both.
Alternatively, a base station 170a-170b may establish an air
interface 190 with Evolved UTMS Terrestrial Radio Access (E-UTRA)
using LTE, LTE-A, and/or LTE-B. It is contemplated that the
communication system 100 may use multiple channel access
functionality, including such schemes as described above. Other
radio technologies for implementing air interfaces include IEEE
802.11, 802.15, 802.16, CDMA2000, CDMA2000 1.times., CDMA2000
EV-DO, IS-2000, IS-95, IS-856, GSM, EDGE, and GERAN. Of course,
other multiple access schemes and wireless protocols may be
utilized.
[0036] The RANs 120a-120b are in communication with the core
network 130 to provide the EDs 110a-110c with various services such
as voice, data, and other services. The RANs 120a-120b and/or the
core network 130 may be in direct or indirect communication with
one or more other RANs (not shown), which may or may not be
directly served by core network 130, and may or may not employ the
same radio access technology as RAN 120a, RAN 120b or both. The
core network 130 may also serve as a gateway access between (i) the
RANs 120a-120b or EDs 110a-110c or both, and (ii) other networks
(such as the PSTN 140, the internet 150, and the other networks
160). In addition, some or all of the EDs 110a-110c may include
functionality for communicating with different wireless networks
over different wireless links using different wireless technologies
and/or protocols. Instead of wireless communication (or in addition
thereto), the EDs 110a-110c may communicate via wired communication
channels to a service provider or switch (not shown), and to the
internet 150. PSTN 140 may include circuit switched telephone
networks for providing plain old telephone service (POTS). Internet
150 may include a network of computers and subnets (intranets) or
both, and incorporate protocols, such as IP, TCP, UDP. EDs
110a-110c may be multimode devices capable of operation according
to multiple radio access technologies, and incorporate multiple
transceivers necessary to support such radio access
technologies.
[0037] FIGS. 2 and 3 illustrate example devices that may implement
the methods and teachings according to this disclosure. In
particular, FIG. 2 illustrates an example ED 110, and FIG. 3
illustrates an example base station 170. These components could be
used in the communication system 100 or in any other suitable
system.
[0038] As shown in FIG. 2, the ED 110 includes at least one
processing unit 200. The processing unit 200 implements various
processing operations of the ED 110. For example, the processing
unit 200 could perform signal coding, data processing, power
control, input/output processing, or any other functionality
enabling the ED 110 to operate in the communication system 100. The
processing unit 200 may also be configured to implement some or all
of the functionality and/or embodiments described in more detail
herein. Each processing unit 200 includes any suitable processing
or computing device configured to perform one or more operations.
Each processing unit 200 could, for example, include a
microprocessor, microcontroller, digital signal processor, field
programmable gate array, or application specific integrated
circuit.
[0039] The ED 110 also includes at least one transceiver 202. The
transceiver 202 is configured to modulate data or other content for
transmission by at least one antenna or Network Interface
Controller (NIC) 204. The transceiver 202 is also configured to
demodulate data or other content received by the at least one
antenna 204. Each transceiver 202 includes any suitable structure
for generating signals for wireless or wired transmission and/or
processing signals received wirelessly or by wire. Each antenna 204
includes any suitable structure for transmitting and/or receiving
wireless or wired signals. One or multiple transceivers 202 could
be used in the ED 110. One or multiple antennas 204 could be used
in the ED 110. Although shown as a single functional unit, a
transceiver 202 could also be implemented using at least one
transmitter and at least one separate receiver.
[0040] The ED 110 further includes one or more input/output devices
206 or interfaces (such as a wired interface to the internet 150).
The input/output devices 206 permit interaction with a user or
other devices in the network. Each input/output device 206 includes
any suitable structure for providing information to or receiving
information from a user, such as a speaker, microphone, keypad,
keyboard, display, or touch screen, including network interface
communications.
[0041] In addition, the ED 110 includes at least one memory 208.
The memory 208 stores instructions and data used, generated, or
collected by the ED 110. For example, the memory 208 could store
software instructions or modules configured to implement some or
all of the functionality and/or embodiments described herein and
that are executed by the processing unit(s) 200. Each memory 208
includes any suitable volatile and/or non-volatile storage and
retrieval device(s). Any suitable type of memory may be used, such
as random access memory (RAM), read only memory (ROM), hard disk,
optical disc, subscriber identity module (SIM) card, memory stick,
secure digital (SD) memory card, and the like.
[0042] As shown in FIG. 3, the base station 170 includes at least
one processing unit 250, at least one transmitter 252, at least one
receiver 254, one or more antennas 256, at least one memory 258,
and one or more input/output devices or interfaces 266. A
transceiver, not shown, may be used instead of the transmitter 252
and receiver 254. A scheduler 253 may be coupled to the processing
unit 250. The scheduler 253 may be included within or operated
separately from the base station 170. The processing unit 250
implements various processing operations of the base station 170,
such as signal coding, data processing, power control, input/output
processing, or any other functionality. The processing unit 250 can
also be configured to implement some or all of the functionality
and/or embodiments described in more detail herein. Each processing
unit 250 includes any suitable processing or computing device
configured to perform one or more operations. Each processing unit
250 could, for example, include a microprocessor, microcontroller,
digital signal processor, field programmable gate array, or
application specific integrated circuit.
[0043] Each transmitter 252 includes any suitable structure for
generating signals for wireless or wired transmission to one or
more EDs or other devices. Each receiver 254 includes any suitable
structure for processing signals received wirelessly or by wire
from one or more EDs or other devices. Although shown as separate
components, at least one transmitter 252 and at least one receiver
254 could be combined into a transceiver. Each antenna 256 includes
any suitable structure for transmitting and/or receiving wireless
or wired signals. Although a common antenna 256 is shown here as
being coupled to both the transmitter 252 and the receiver 254, one
or more antennas 256 could be coupled to the transmitter(s) 252,
and one or more separate antennas 256 could be coupled to the
receiver(s) 254. Each memory 258 includes any suitable volatile
and/or non-volatile storage and retrieval device(s) such as those
described above in connection to the ED 110. The memory 258 stores
instructions and data used, generated, or collected by the base
station 170. For example, the memory 258 could store software
instructions or modules configured to implement some or all of the
functionality and/or embodiments described herein and that are
executed by the processing unit(s) 250.
[0044] Each input/output device 266 permits interaction with a user
or other devices in the network. Each input/output device 266
includes any suitable structure for providing information to or
receiving/providing information from a user, including network
interface communications.
[0045] A UE such as an ED 110 could be configured with one or
multiple BWP configurations, one of which would be active at any
time. BWP configurations and the active BWP could be controlled by
and signalled to a UE by a base station 170 or other network
element and scheduled by the scheduler 253. According to
embodiments disclosed herein, a UE may switch between BWPs that
have different numerologies.
[0046] Frame structures that are flexible in terms of the use of
differing numerologies have been proposed. A numerology is defined
as the set of physical layer parameters of the air interface that
are used to communicate a particular signal. A numerology is
described in terms of at least subcarrier spacing (SCS) and
Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) symbol duration,
and may also be defined by other parameters such as fast Fourier
transform (FFT)/inverse FFT (IFFT) length, transmission time slot
length, and cyclic prefix (CP) length or duration. In some
implementations, the definition of the numerology may also include
which one of several candidate waveforms is used to communicate the
signal. Possible waveform candidates may include, but are not
limited to, one or more orthogonal or non-orthogonal waveforms
selected from the following: OFDM, Filtered OFDM (f-OFDM), Filter
Bank Multicarrier (FBMC), Universal Filtered Multicarrier (UFMC),
Generalized Frequency Division Multiplexing (GFDM), Single Carrier
Frequency Division Multiple Access (SC-FDMA), Low Density Signature
Multicarrier Code Division Multiple Access (LDS-MC-CDMA), Wavelet
Packet Modulation (WPM), Faster Than Nyquist (FTN) Waveform, low
Peak to Average Power Ratio Waveform (low PAPR WF), Pattern
Division Multiple Access (PDMA), Lattice Partition Multiple Access
(LPMA), Resource Spread Multiple Access (RSMA), and Sparse Code
Multiple Access (SCMA).
[0047] These numerologies may be scalable in the sense that
subcarrier spacings of different numerologies are multiples of each
other, and time slot lengths of different numerologies are also
multiples of each other. Such a scalable design across multiple
numerologies could provide implementation benefits, for example
scalable total OFDM symbol duration in a time division duplex (TDD)
context.
[0048] Table 1 below shows the parameters associated with some
example numerologies, in the four columns under "Frame structure".
Frames can be configured using one or a combination of the four
scalable numerologies. For comparison purposes, in the right hand
column of the table, the conventional fixed LTE numerology is
shown. The first column is for a numerology with 60 kHz subcarrier
spacing, which also has the shortest OFDM symbol duration because
OFDM symbol duration varies inversely with subcarrier spacing. This
may be suitable for ultra-low latency communications, such as
Vehicle-to-Any (V2X) communications. The second column is for a
numerology with 30 kHz subcarrier spacing. The third column is for
a numerology with 15 kHz subcarrier spacing. This numerology has
the same configuration as in LTE, except there are only 7 symbols
in a time slot. This may be suitable for broadband services. The
fourth column is for a numerology with 7.5 kHz spacing, which also
has the longest OFDM symbol duration among the four numerologies.
This may be useful for coverage enhancement and broadcasting.
Additional uses for these numerologies will be or become apparent
to persons of ordinary skill in the art. Of the four numerologies
listed, those with 30 kHz and 60 kHz subcarrier spacings are more
robust to Doppler spreading (fast moving conditions), because of
the wider subcarrier spacing. It is further contemplated that
different numerologies may use different values for other physical
layer parameters, such as the same subcarrier spacing and different
cyclic prefix lengths.
[0049] It is further contemplated that other subcarrier spacings
may be used, such as higher or lower subcarrier spacings. As
illustrated in the example in Table 1, the subcarrier spacing of
each numerology (7.5 kHz, 15 kHz, 30 kHz, 60 kHz) can be a factor
of 2.sup.n times the smallest subcarrier spacing, where n is an
integer. Larger subcarrier spacings that are also related by a
factor of 2.sup.n, such as 120 kHz, may also or alternatively be
used. Smaller subcarrier spacings that are also related by a factor
of 2.sup.n, such as 3.75 kHz, may also or alternatively be used.
The symbol durations of the numerologies may also be related by a
factor of 2.sup.n. Two or more numerologies that are related in
this way are sometimes referred to as scalable numerologies.
[0050] In other examples, a more limited scalability may be
implemented, in which two or more numerologies all have subcarrier
spacings that are integer multiples of the smallest subcarrier
spacing, without necessarily being related by a factor of 2.sup.n.
Examples include 15 kHz, 30 kHz, 45 kHz, 60 kHz, 120 kHz subcarrier
spacings.
[0051] In still other examples, non-scalable subcarrier spacings
may be used, which are not all integer multiples of the smallest
subcarrier spacing, such as 15 kHz, 20 kHz, 30 kHz, 60 kHz.
[0052] In Table 1, each numerology uses a first cyclic prefix
length for a first number of OFDM symbols, and a second cyclic
prefix length for a second number of OFDM symbols. For example, in
the first column under "Frame structure", the time slot includes 3
symbols with a cyclic prefix length of 1.04 .mu.s followed by 4
symbols with a cyclic prefix length of 1.3 .mu.s.
TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 Example set of Numerologies: Baseline
Parameters Frame structure (LTE) time slot 0.125 ms 0.25 ms 0.5 ms
1 ms TTI = 1 ms Length Subcarrier 60 kHz 30 kHz 15 kHz 7.5 kHz 15
kHz spacing FFT size 512 1024 2048 4096 2048 Symbol 16.67 .mu.s
33.33 .mu.s 66.67 .mu.s 133.33 .mu.s 66.67 .mu.s duration #symbols
in 7 (3, 4) 7 (3, 4) 7 (3, 4) 7 (3, 4) 14 (2, 12) each time slot CP
length 1.04 .mu.s, 1.30 .mu.s 2.08 .mu.s, 2.60 .mu.s 4.17 .mu.s,
5.21 .mu.s 8.33 .mu.s, 5.2 .mu.s, 4.7 .mu.s (32,40 point) (64,80
point) (128,160 point) 10.42 .mu.s (160,144 (256,320 point) point)
CP overhead 6.67% 6.67% 6.67% 6.67% 6.67% BW (MHz) 20 20 20 20
20
[0053] In Table 2, an example set of numerologies is shown, in
which different cyclic prefix lengths can be used in different
numerologies having the same subcarrier spacing.
TABLE-US-00002 TABLE 2 Example set of Numerologies Subcarrier
spacing (kHz) 15 30 30 60 60 60 Useful duration 66.67 33.33 33.33
16.67 16.67 16.67 T.sub.u (.mu.s) CP length (.mu.s) 5.2 5.73 2.6
2.86 1.3 3.65 (1) CP length (.mu.s) 4.7 5.08 2.34 2.54 1.17 3.13 (6
or 12) # of symbols 7(1, 13(1, 7(1, 13(1, 7(1, 25(10, per TTI 6)
12) 6) 12) 6) 15) TTI (ms) 0.5 0.5 0.25 0.25 0.125 0.5 CP overhead
6.70% 13.30% 6.70% 13.30% 6.70% 16.67%
[0054] It should be understood that the specific numerologies of
the examples of Tables 1 and 2 are for illustrative purposes, and
that a flexible frame structure combining other numerologies could
alternatively be employed.
[0055] OFDM-based signals can be employed to transmit a signal in
which multiple numerologies coexist simultaneously. More
specifically, multiple sub-band OFDM signals can be generated in
parallel, each within a different sub-band, and each sub-band
having a different subcarrier spacing (and more generally with a
different numerology). The multiple sub-band signals are combined
into a single signal for transmission, for example for downlink
transmissions. Alternatively, the multiple sub-band signals may be
transmitted from separate transmitters, for example for uplink
transmissions from multiple electronic devices (EDs), which may be
UEs. In a specific example, filtered OFDM (f-OFDM) can be employed
by using filtering to shape the frequency spectrum of each sub-band
OFDM signal, thereby producing a frequency localized waveform, and
then combining the sub-band OFDM signals for transmission. f-OFDM
lowers out-of-band emission and improves transmission, and
addresses the non-orthogonality introduced as a result of the use
of different subcarrier spacings. Alternatively, a different
approach can be used to achieve a frequency localized waveform,
such as windowed OFDM (W-OFDM).
[0056] The use of different numerologies can allow the coexistence
of a diverse set of use cases having a wide range quality of
service (QoS) requirements, such as different levels of latency or
reliability tolerance, as well as different bandwidth or signaling
overhead requirements. In one example, the base station can signal
to the ED an index representing a selected numerology, or a single
parameter (e.g., subcarrier spacing) of the selected numerology.
The signaling can be done in a dynamic or a semi-static manner, for
example in a control channel such as the physical downlink control
channel (PDCCH) or in downlink control information (DCI). Based on
this signaling, the ED may determine the parameters of the selected
numerology from other information, such as a look-up table of
candidate numerologies stored in memory.
[0057] Referring now to FIG. 4A, shown is an example simplified
block diagram of part of a transmitter that can be used to perform
channelization as described herein. In this example, there are L
supported numerologies, where L.gtoreq.2.
[0058] The transmit chain 400 for the first numerology includes a
modulator 410, subcarrier mapping and grouping block 411, IFFT 412
with subcarrier spacing SC.sub.1, parallel to serial and cyclic
prefix insertion 414, and spectrum shaping filter 416. In
operation, modulator 410 receives ED data (more generally, ED
content containing data and/or signaling) for K.sub.1 EDs, where
K.sub.1>=1. The data may be received from the output of an
encoder, for example. The modulator 410 maps the ED data for each
of the K.sub.1 EDs to a respective stream of constellation symbols
(e.g., PSK, QAM, OQAM) and outputs this at 420. The number of ED
bits per symbol depends on the particular constellation employed by
the modulator 410. In the example of 2.sup.N-quadrature amplitude
modulation (QAM), N bits from for each ED are mapped to a
respective QAM symbol.
[0059] Optionally, for example in SC-FDMA embodiments used for
uplink communication, the output 420 is received by a discrete
Fourier transform (DFT) 426. The output of the DFT is shown at 421.
Other embodiments, such as OFDM embodiments, do not include the DFT
426, in which case the output 420 is passed directly to 421.
[0060] For each OFDM symbol period, the subcarrier mapping and
grouping block 411 groups and maps the input 421 to the inputs of
the IFFT 412 at 422. The grouping and mapping is performed based on
scheduler information, which in turn is based on channelization and
resource block assignment, in accordance with a defined resource
block definition and allocation for the content of the K.sub.1 EDs
being processed in transmit chain 400. P is the size of the IFFT
412. Not all of the inputs are necessarily used for each OFDM
symbol period. The IFFT 412 receives a number of symbols less than
P, and outputs P time domain samples at 424. Following this, in
some implementations, parallel to serial conversion is performed
and a cyclic prefix is added in block 414. The spectrum shaping
filter 416 applies a filter f.sub.1(n) which limits the spectrum at
the output of the transmit chain 400 to reduce or prevent
interference with the outputs of other transmit chains such as
transmit chain 402. In some embodiments, the spectrum shaping
filter 416 also performs shifting of each sub-band to its assigned
frequency location. In other embodiments, a separate module (not
shown) performs the shifting of each sub-band to its assigned
frequency location.
[0061] The functionality of the other transmit chains, such as
transmit chain 402, is similar. The outputs of all of the transmit
chains are combined in a combiner 404 before transmission on the
channel. In an alternative embodiment, the outputs of only a subset
of the transmit chains are combined together for transmission on a
single channel, and the outputs of the remaining transmit chains
are transmitted on one or more other channels. This may be the
case, for example, if RAN slicing is being used.
[0062] Although the apparatus of FIG. 4A is shown and described in
reference to a base station, a similar structure could be
implemented in an ED. An ED could have multiple transmit chains
corresponding to multiple numerologies, or a single transmit chain.
The transmissions of multiple EDs are combined over the air, and
received together at the base station.
[0063] FIG. 4B shows a simplified block diagram of a receive chain
for a user equipment or other electronic device operating with the
first numerology depicted at 403. In some embodiments, a given
electronic device operates with a configurable numerology, and is
switchable between BWPs that have different numerologies as
disclosed herein. Flexible resource block definitions are supported
by the electronic device. The receive chain 403 includes spectrum
shaping filter 430, cyclic prefix deletion and serial to parallel
processing 432, fast Fourier transform (FFT) 434, subcarrier
de-mapping 436, optional inverse DFT (IDFT) 437 for use with
embodiment transmit chains including a DFT 426, and equalizer 438.
It is contemplated that the spectrum shaping filter 430 may be
replaced by a windowing module, a spectrally contained waveform
selection module, or any other suitable module for producing a
spectrally contained waveform. Each element in the receive chain
performs corresponding reverse operations to those performed in the
transmit chain. The receive chain for an electronic device
operating with another numerology would be similar.
[0064] Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to switching
between BWPs that have different numerologies. Although the
terminology "BWP" and "numerology" is used herein and in some
current 3.sup.rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP)
standards-related documentation, such terminology is intended to
encompass similar concepts that could be expressed in different
terms. For example, BWPs might instead be referred to as
sub-bands.
[0065] Other terminology, such as particular signaling and channels
referenced herein, are similarly intended as illustrative examples,
and not to limit embodiments only to communication systems that use
such signaling and/or channels.
[0066] In 5.sup.th Generation (5G) New Radio (NR), a UE
periodically monitors for control signaling in order to locate
incoming data. For example, Physical Downlink Control Channel
(PDCCH) monitoring periodicity is configured per BWP, and a UE
monitors PDCCH candidates at each PDCCH opportunity according to a
current configured monitoring periodicity for an active BWP. Based
on detection of a PDCCH that is associated with the UE, the UE can
locate where DL data for the UE will be located in a Physical
Downlink Shared Channel (PDSCH) or where the UE should transmit UL
data in a Physical Uplink Shared Channel (PUSCH).
[0067] Turning now to BWP switching, the BWP in which a UE receives
a scheduling signal for BWP switching is called the scheduling BWP,
and the BWP in which the PDSCH or PUSCH is scheduled is called the
scheduled BWP. In an embodiment, the scheduling signal is a
scheduling DCI in the PDCCH. The scheduled PDSCH or PUSCH of a
scheduled BWP may follow the slot structure and timing of the
scheduled BWP. The scheduled PDSCH or PUSCH may be contained within
one slot of the scheduled BWP or span multiple slots of the
scheduled BWP. The scheduling signal, among other fields, may
include a frequency domain resource allocation (RA) field, which
indicates which frequency domain resources are assigned to the
PDSCH or PUSCH for the UE. To lower complexity of PDCCH blind
decoding, the size of the RA field is based on scheduling BWP,
which is known to the UE.
[0068] FIG. 5 is a flow diagram illustrating example methods
according to embodiments. Although FIG. 5 illustrates operations
performed at network equipment such as a base station and
operations performed at a UE, these operations could be implemented
independently from each other.
[0069] In the example shown, one or more BWPs are scheduled at 502.
The BWPs could also be configured at 502 if not previously
configured, and in an embodiment up to 4 BWPs are configured per
UE. The scheduling at 502 determines which of the configured BWPs
is to be scheduled or active for each UE. At 504, control signaling
is transmitted to the UE(s), and in some embodiments the control
signaling includes an indication of the scheduled BWP. The control
signaling could be in the form of a DCI on the PDCCH, for example.
Other types of control signaling could also or instead be used to
signal BWP configuration and/or scheduling, including Radio
Resource Control (RRC) signaling, for example.
[0070] At the UE, an indication of the scheduled BWP for the UE is
received at 506, in the control signaling in the example shown. The
BWP indication could be explicit, in the form of an index, an
offset from a current active BWP in the set of BWPs for the UE, or
other information that explicitly specifies the active BWP. An
implicit BWP indication, such as an empty field or a predetermined
value, could be used to indicate that a scheduling (currently
active) BWP is to remain active.
[0071] At 508, in some embodiments it is determined at the UE
whether the scheduled BWP has a different numerology than the
scheduling BWP that is currently active for the UE. Data could be
transmitted and/or received at 510, 512 using the scheduling BWP if
there is no change in BWP. Otherwise, 508 involves switching from
the scheduling BWP to the scheduled BWP. According to some
embodiments disclosed herein, this switching is based on a control
signaling monitoring periodicity of the scheduled BWP if the
scheduled BWP has a different numerology than the scheduling
BWP.
[0072] Both slot and non-slot based scheduling at 502, and slot and
non-slot based BWP switching at 508, could be supported. For
example, in one embodiment a slot includes 14 symbols, whereas a
non-slot could include other numbers of symbols. Non-slots are also
referred to herein as mini-slots.
[0073] BWP switching based on control signaling monitoring
periodicity at 508 could involve switching to the active BWP based
not only on the monitoring periodicity, but also on timing of a
control signaling candidate after a transition time following the
receiving at 506. This is also referred to herein as Option A. For
example, the UE could switch to a slot or non-slot of the scheduled
BWP that includes a PDCCH monitoring occasion according to PDCCH
monitoring periodicity of the scheduled (new active) BWP after the
transition time.
[0074] The transition time could be considered from the receiving
at 506 as described above, or could include or otherwise be
considered after another time period such as a UE processing time
for Hybrid Automatic Repeat Request (HARQ). The following table
(reproduced from Table 2-1 in "RAN1 Chairman's Notes", 3GPP TSG RAN
WG1 Meeting 91, Reno, USA, 27 Nov.-1 Dec. 2017) provides an example
of a capability defined as UE processing time for HARQ:
TABLE-US-00003 HARQ 15 30 60 120 Timing KHz KHz KHz KHz
Configuration Parameter Units SCS SCS SCS SCS Front-loaded N1
Symbols 8 10 17 20 DMRS only Front-loaded + N1 Symbols 13 13 20 24
additional DMRS Frequency-first RE- N2.sup.1 Symbols 10 12 23 36
mapping .sup.1If 1.sup.st symbol of PUSCH is data-only or FDM data
with DMRS, then add 1 symbol to N2 in table.
In an embodiment, the transition time may depend on UE processing
time and HARQ timing capability. In another embodiment, different
transition times may be specified for different UE processing time
and HARQ timing capabilities.
[0075] In another embodiment, the BWP switching at 508 involves
switching to the scheduled BWP based on the monitoring periodicity
and timing of a control signaling candidate being aligned with a
boundary associated with the scheduled BWP. A boundary as
referenced herein is intended to denote a time unit boundary rather
than a frequency boundary of a BWP. Such a boundary could be a
frame boundary, a sub-frame boundary, a multiple sub-frame
boundary, a slot boundary, or a multi-slot boundary, for
example.
[0076] Switching to the scheduled BWP based on the monitoring
periodicity and timing of a control signaling candidate being
aligned with a boundary associated with the scheduled BWP is also
referred to herein as Option B. For example, BWP switching based on
a boundary could involve switching to a slot or non-slot which
includes a PDCCH monitoring occasion according to PDCCH monitoring
periodicity of the scheduled (new active) BWP at a slot boundary,
sub-frame boundary or multiple sub-frame boundary of the scheduled
(new active) BWP. Transition time could also be taken into account,
in which case the switching at 508 involves switching to the active
BWP based on the timing of the control signaling candidate being
aligned with the boundary associated with the scheduled BWP after a
transition time following the receiving at 506.
[0077] Boundary-based switching could also or instead have
network-side implications. For example, according to another
embodiment that is referred to herein as Option B-1, BWP switching
is initiated only at a boundary associated with the current
(scheduling) BWP. Such embodiments involve signaling BWP switching
from a non-slot or slot of the scheduling (current active) BWP at a
boundary such as a frame, sub-frame, multiple sub-frame, slot, or
multi-slot boundary associated with the scheduling BWP. For
example, network equipment could signal the indication of the
scheduled BWP to the UE only in control signaling that aligns with
a frame, sub-frame, multiple sub-frame, slot, or multi-slot
boundary of the scheduling (current active) BWP. Option B-1 need
not necessarily be implemented only in embodiments in which UEs
implement boundary-based BWP switching.
[0078] With BWP switching initiated only at a boundary associated
with the current (scheduling) BWP, control signaling transmitted by
network equipment at 504 and received by a UE at 506 in the
scheduling BWP aligns with a time unit boundary associated with the
scheduling BWP. The control signaling indicates switching from a
first active BWP to a second active BWP, or switching from a first
active BWP pair to a second active BWP pair, for the UE.
[0079] FIGS. 6-12 are block diagrams that further illustrate BWP
switching.
[0080] In FIG. 6, a BWP1 with smaller 30 kHz SCS is scheduling a
BWP2 with larger 60 kHz SCS. The example shown includes control
signaling monitoring occasions such as 602, 604, 606, 608 in each
BWP2 mini-slot, and 610, 612 in each BWP1 slot. BWP1 is initially
active for enhanced Mobile Broadband (eMBB) communications by UE1,
and a first slot is scheduled at 610. At 612, in a DCI in the PDCCH
for example, BWP switching to BWP2 is signaled. This could involve
scheduling UE1 for BWP2 by including, in a DCI or other control
signaling, an indication of BWP2 instead of BWP1. UE1 then performs
control signaling monitoring according to a monitoring periodicity
of the scheduled (new active) BWP2. Monitoring opportunity 602 in
BWP2 might not be checked for a control signaling candidate by UE1
because BWP switching in this example is signaled to UE1 at 612. At
some time after the control signaling at 612 is processed by UE1,
UE1 switches to BWP2. In embodiments disclosed herein, the switch
to BWP2 is according to monitoring periodicity associated with the
new active BWP2. In FIG. 6, total transition time to switch from
BWP1 to BWP2 is more than one BWP2 mini-slot but less than two BWP2
mini-slots, and therefore the switch is made after the BWP2
mini-slot that includes monitoring occasion 604, at the BWP2
mini-slot that includes monitoring occasion 606. Normal BWP2
scheduling for UE1 begins at 608.
[0081] FIG. 6 illustrates scheduling of a BWP2 with larger 60 kHz
SCS by a BWP1 with smaller 30 kHz SCS, for the same UE1 service,
eMBB in the example shown. Other UEs may use BWP2 for
Ultra-Reliable Low latency Communications (URLLC) in FIG. 6. This
example shows resource sharing between eMBB traffic and URLLC
traffic in BWP2.
[0082] In FIG. 7, a BWP with larger 60 kHz SCS is scheduling a BWP
with smaller 30 kHz SCS, and the two BWPs in this example are used
by UE1 for different services, URLLC and eMBB. Control signaling
monitoring occasions are shown for mini-slots and slots as in FIG.
6, but in FIG. 7 the BWP with 60 kHz SCS is initially active for
UE1. At 702, in a DCI in the PDCCH for example, BWP switching to
the BWP with 30 kHz SCS is signaled. As in the example described
above with reference to FIG. 6, this could involve scheduling UE1
for the 30 kHz BWP by including, in a DCI or other control
signaling, an indication of the 30 kHz BWP instead of the 60 kHz
BWP. UE1 performs control signaling monitoring according to a
monitoring periodicity of the scheduled (new active) the 30 kHz
BWP. Monitoring opportunity 710 in the 30 kHz BWP might not be
checked for a control signaling candidate by UE1 because BWP
switching in this example is signaled to UE1 at 702. At some time
after the control signaling at 702 is processed by UE1, UE1
switches to the 30 kHz BWP according to monitoring periodicity
associated with the new active 30 kHz BWP. The total transition
time to switch from the 60 kHz BWP to the 30 kHz BWP is less than
one 30 kHz BWP slot, and therefore the switch is made at the 30 kHz
BWP slot that includes monitoring occasion 712. Normal scheduling
for UE1 in the 30 kHz begins at a next slot, after the slot that
includes monitoring occasion 712.
[0083] FIG. 8 illustrates different scheduling options based on a
parameter K0. In some embodiments, HARQ timing is based on the
scheduled BWP, with the parameter K0 denoting the first
slot/mini-slot of the PDSCH and another parameter K2 denoting the
first slot/mini-slot of the PUSCH, for example.
[0084] In the example shown in FIG. 8, BWP switching is signaled at
810, for a switch from BWP1 to BWP2. K0 values of 0 to 3 are
labeled in BWP2. By way of example, consider K0=0, which
corresponds to the first slot or mini-slot of the scheduled BWP2
which satisfies the following conditions in an embodiment:
[0085] the slot/mini-slot includes a PDCCH monitoring occasion
according to the PDCCH monitoring periodicity of the scheduled
BWP2;
[0086] the slot/mini-slot boundary lies on or after the boundary of
the scheduling slot/mini-slot+transition time (+UE processing
time).
[0087] Thus, K0=0 can be considered an example of same-slot
scheduling. For K0=1 (second slot/mini-slot after the first slot
described above, for example), K0=2 (third slot/mini-slot after the
first slot described above, for example), K0=3 (fourth
slot/mini-slot after the first slot described above, for example)
in FIG. 8, the scheduling represents examples of cross-slot or
cross mini-slot scheduling.
[0088] FIGS. 9 and 10 illustrate further examples of K0=0
(same-slot) scheduling, for BWP switching from a 60 kHz SCS BWP to
a 30 kHz SCS BWP. In FIG. 9, BWP switching is scheduled at 902 and
the BWP switching is completed at 912 according to monitoring
periodicity for the scheduled 30 kHz SCS BWP. FIG. 10 illustrates
three examples of BWP switching, signalled at 1002, 1004, 1006, and
completed at 1012 according to monitoring periodicity for the
scheduled 30 kHz SCS BWP. In FIG. 10, transition time is presumed
to be less than one mini-slot of the 60 kHz SCS BWP for signaling
at 1006, less than two mini-slots of the 60 kHz SCS BWP for
signaling at 1004, and less than three mini-slots of the 60 kHz SCS
BWP for signaling at 1002.
[0089] The signaling and switching example shown in FIG. 9 could be
supported in embodiments by Options A, B and B-1 described above.
The examples shown in FIG. 10 could be supported in an embodiment
by Option A and B described above. An Option B-1 embodiment that is
restricted to signaling BWP switching at a slot boundary would not
support the examples shown in FIG. 10, because 1002, 1004, 1006 are
not at a slot boundary.
[0090] Additional examples are shown in FIGS. 11 and 12. FIG. 11
illustrates an example of same-slot PDSCH scheduling with K0=0, and
FIG. 12 illustrates an example of cross-slot PDSCH scheduling with
K0=1. In FIG. 11, BWP switching is signaled at 1102, and the first
slot (two blocks in the 60 kHz BWP) that has a monitoring occasion
1104 after the transition time is where the PDSCH is scheduled for
the UE that is switching from the 30 kHz BWP to the 60 kHz BWP. In
FIG. 12, BWP switching is signaled at 1202, and the second slot
(K0=1 in FIG. 12), after the first slot that has a monitoring
occasion 1204 after the transition time, is where the PDSCH is
scheduled for the UE that is switching from the 30 kHz BWP to the
60 kHz BWP.
[0091] Monitoring periodicity in FIGS. 11 and 12 is one slot (e.g.,
14 symbols) for the 30 kHz BWP, and twice per slot (e.g., 7
symbols) for the 60 kHz BWP. The transition time in the examples
shown is 1 ms. These parameters, and the K0 values of 0 and 1, are
intended solely for illustrative purposes and not to limit the
disclosed embodiments in any way.
[0092] Embodiments are described above primarily in the context of
example methods and operations. Other embodiments are also
contemplated.
[0093] For example, a non-transitory processor-readable medium
could store instructions which, when executed by one or more
processors, cause the one or more processors to perform a method
disclosed herein.
[0094] Embodiments could also or instead be implemented in
apparatus such as a UE. For example, an apparatus could include a
processor and a non-transitory computer readable storage medium
storing instructions for execution by the processor. The
instructions, in some embodiments, cause the processor to perform a
method that involves receiving an indication of a scheduled BWP for
the UE; determining whether the scheduled BWP has a different
numerology than a scheduling BWP that is currently active for the
UE; switching from the scheduling BWP to the scheduled BWP based on
a control signaling monitoring periodicity of the scheduled BWP if
the scheduled BWP has a different numerology than the scheduling
BWP.
[0095] Embodiments could include any of the following features,
alone or in any combinations:
[0096] the instructions configure the processor to switch to the
scheduled BWP based on the monitoring periodicity and timing of a
control signaling candidate after a transition time following the
receiving;
[0097] the instructions configure the processor to switch to the
scheduled BWP based on the monitoring periodicity and timing of a
control signaling candidate aligned with a boundary associated with
the scheduled BWP;
[0098] the instructions configure the processor to switch to the
scheduled BWP based on the timing of the control signaling
candidate aligned with the boundary associated with the scheduled
BWP after a transition time following the receiving;
[0099] the boundary comprises a frame boundary, a sub-frame
boundary, a multiple sub-frame boundary, a slot boundary, or a
multi-slot boundary;
[0100] the transition time is considered after a UE processing time
for HARQ;
[0101] the transition time depends on a UE processing time and HARQ
timing capability:
[0102] the transition time comprises one of different transition
times specified for different UE processing time and HARQ timing
capabilities
[0103] the indication comprises an implicit indication.
[0104] The apparatus embodiments above refer to a processor. It
should also be appreciated that one or more steps of the embodiment
methods provided herein may be performed by corresponding units or
modules. For example, a signal may be received by a receiving unit
or a receiving module. Similarly, a signal may be transmitted by a
transmitting unit or a transmitting module. A signal may be
processed by a processing unit or a processing module. Other
operations could be performed by these and/or other modules. For
example, a receiving unit, a receiving module, or a controller or
control module could perform operations associated with BWP
switching as disclosed herein.
[0105] Respective units/modules could be implemented using
hardware, software, or a combination thereof. For instance, one or
more of the units/modules may be an integrated circuit, such as
field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs) or application-specific
integrated circuits (ASICs). It will be appreciated that where the
modules are implemented using software, they may be retrieved by a
processor, in whole or part as needed, individually or together for
processing, in single or multiple instances, and that the modules
themselves may include instructions for further deployment and
instantiation.
[0106] Additional details regarding the EDs 110 and the base
stations 170 in which embodiments could be implemented are known to
those of skill in the art. As such, these details are omitted here
for clarity.
[0107] The previous description of some embodiments is provided to
enable any person skilled in the art to make or use an apparatus,
method, or computer/processor readable medium according to the
present disclosure.
[0108] Various modifications to the embodiments described herein
may be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the
generic principles of the methods and devices described herein may
be applied to other embodiments. Thus, the present disclosure is
not intended to be limited to the embodiments shown herein but is
to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and
novel features disclosed herein.
[0109] For example, a method performed at network equipment could
involve: transmitting an indication of a scheduled BWP to a UE, the
scheduled BWP having a different numerology than a scheduling BWP
that is currently active for the UE, to cause the UE to switch from
the scheduling BWP to the scheduled BWP based on a control
signaling monitoring periodicity of the scheduled BWP; and
communicating with the UE using the scheduled BWP.
[0110] Another example of a method that could be performed at
network equipment involves: transmitting to a UE, using a
scheduling BWP that is currently active for the UE, an indication
of a scheduled BWP having a different numerology than the
scheduling BWP; transmitting data to the UE using the scheduled BWP
and based on a control signaling monitoring periodicity of the
scheduled BWP. In such an embodiment, the network equipment can
determine where data is to be transmitted to the UE (and/or
received from the UE) based on the control signaling monitoring
periodicity.
[0111] Embodiments could include any of the following features,
alone or in any combinations:
[0112] the transmitting an indication comprises transmitting
control signaling comprising the indication;
[0113] the transmitting an indication comprises transmitting
scheduling downlink control information (DCI);
[0114] the indication comprises an explicit indication;
[0115] the explicit indication comprises an index, an offset from
the scheduling BWP in a set of BWPs for the UE, or other
information that explicitly specifies the scheduled BWP;
[0116] the indication comprises an implicit indication;
[0117] the communicating or the transmitting data comprises
transmitting data to the UE based on the monitoring periodicity and
timing of a control signaling candidate after a transition time
following the transmitting an indication;
[0118] the communicating or the transmitting data comprises
transmitting data to the UE based on the monitoring periodicity and
timing of a control signaling candidate aligned with a boundary
associated with the scheduled BWP;
[0119] the communicating or the transmitting data comprises
transmitting data to the UE based on the timing of the control
signaling candidate aligned with the boundary associated with the
scheduled BWP after a transition time following the transmitting an
indication;
[0120] the boundary comprises a frame boundary, a sub-frame
boundary, a multiple sub-frame boundary, a slot boundary, or a
multi-slot boundary;
[0121] the transition time is considered after a UE processing time
for HARQ;
[0122] the transition time depends on a UE processing time and HARQ
timing capability;
[0123] the transition time comprises one of different transition
times specified for different UE processing time and HARQ timing
capabilities.
[0124] Network equipment could include a processor; and a
non-transitory computer readable storage medium storing
instructions for execution by the processor. The instructions cause
the processor to perform such a method as disclosed herein.
[0125] Such a non-transitory computer readable storage medium could
also or instead be provided separately from a processor.
[0126] Various embodiments are disclosed herein, including the
following examples.
[0127] An example 1 relates to a method performed at a UE, the
method comprising: receiving an indication of a scheduled BWP for
the UE; determining whether the scheduled BWP has a different
numerology than a scheduling BWP that is currently active for the
UE; switching from the scheduling BWP to the scheduled BWP based on
a control signaling monitoring periodicity of the scheduled BWP if
the scheduled BWP has a different numerology than the scheduling
BWP.
[0128] An example 2 relates to the method of example 1, wherein the
switching comprises switching to the scheduled BWP based on the
monitoring periodicity and timing of a control signaling candidate
after a transition time following the receiving.
[0129] An example 3 relates to the method of any one of examples 1
and 2, wherein the switching comprises switching to the scheduled
BWP based on the monitoring periodicity and timing of a control
signaling candidate aligned with a boundary associated with the
scheduled BWP.
[0130] An example 4 relates to the method of example 3, wherein the
switching comprises switching to the scheduled BWP based on the
timing of the control signaling candidate aligned with the boundary
associated with the scheduled BWP after a transition time following
the receiving.
[0131] An example 5 relates to the method of example 3 or example
4, wherein the boundary comprises a frame boundary, a sub-frame
boundary, a multiple sub-frame boundary, a slot boundary, or a
multi-slot boundary.
[0132] An example 6 relates to the method of example 2 or example
4, wherein the transition time is considered after a UE processing
time for HARQ.
[0133] An example 7 relates to the method of example 2 or example
4, wherein the transition time depends on a UE processing time and
HARQ timing capability.
[0134] An example 8 relates to the method of example 2 or example
4, wherein the transition time comprises one of different
transition times specified for different UE processing time and
HARQ timing capabilities.
[0135] An example 9 relates to the method of any one of examples 1
to 8, wherein the indication comprises an implicit indication.
[0136] An example 10 relates to a non-transitory processor-readable
medium storing instructions which, when executed by one or more
processors, cause the one or more processors to perform a method
according to any one of examples 1 to 9.
[0137] An example 11 relates to a UE comprising: a processor; and a
non-transitory computer readable storage medium storing
instructions for execution by the processor, the instructions
causing the processor to perform a method comprising: receiving an
indication of a scheduled BWP for the UE; determining whether the
scheduled BWP has a different numerology than a scheduling BWP that
is currently active for the UE; switching from the scheduling BWP
to the scheduled BWP based on a control signaling monitoring
periodicity of the scheduled BWP if the scheduled BWP has a
different numerology than the scheduling BWP.
[0138] An example 12 relates to the UE of example 11, wherein the
instructions configure the processor to switch to the scheduled BWP
based on the monitoring periodicity and timing of a control
signaling candidate after a transition time following the
receiving.
[0139] An example 13 relates to the UE of any one of examples 11
and 12, wherein the instructions configure the processor to switch
to the scheduled BWP based on the monitoring periodicity and timing
of a control signaling candidate aligned with a boundary associated
with the scheduled BWP.
[0140] An example 14 relates to the UE of example 13, wherein the
instructions configure the processor to switch to the scheduled BWP
based on the timing of the control signaling candidate aligned with
the boundary associated with the scheduled BWP after a transition
time following the receiving.
[0141] An example 15 relates to the UE of example 13 or example 14,
wherein the boundary comprises a frame boundary, a sub-frame
boundary, a multiple sub-frame boundary, a slot boundary, or a
multi-slot boundary.
[0142] An example 16 relates to the UE of example 12 or example 14,
wherein the transition time is considered after a UE processing
time for HARQ.
[0143] An example 17 relates to the UE of example 12 or example 14,
wherein the transition time depends on a UE processing time and
HARQ timing capability.
[0144] An example 18 relates to the UE of example 12 or example 14,
wherein the transition time comprises one of different transition
times specified for different UE processing time and HARQ timing
capabilities.
[0145] An example 19 relates to the UE of any one of examples 11 to
18, wherein the indication comprises an implicit indication.
[0146] An example 20 relates to a method performed at network
equipment, the method comprising: transmitting an indication of a
scheduled BWP to a UE, the scheduled BWP having a different
numerology than a scheduling BWP that is currently active for the
UE, to cause the UE to switch from the scheduling BWP to the
scheduled BWP based on a control signaling monitoring periodicity
of the scheduled BWP; and communicating with the UE using the
scheduled BWP.
[0147] An example 21 relates to a method performed at network
equipment, the method comprising: transmitting to a UE, using a
scheduling BWP that is currently active for the UE, an indication
of a scheduled BWP having a different numerology than the
scheduling BWP; transmitting data to the UE using the scheduled BWP
and based on a control signaling monitoring periodicity of the
scheduled BWP.
[0148] An example 22 relates to the method of example 20 or example
21, wherein the transmitting an indication comprises transmitting
control signaling comprising the indication.
[0149] An example 23 relates to the method of any one of examples
20 to 22, wherein the transmitting an indication comprises
transmitting scheduling DCI.
[0150] An example 24 relates to the method of any one of examples
20 to 23, wherein the indication comprises an explicit
indication.
[0151] An example 25 relates to the method of example 24, wherein
the explicit indication comprises an index, an offset from the
scheduling BWP in a set of BWPs for the UE, or other information
that explicitly specifies the scheduled BWP.
[0152] An example 26 relates to the method of any one of examples
20 to 23, wherein the indication comprises an implicit
indication.
[0153] An example 27 relates to the method of example 20 or example
21, wherein the communicating or the transmitting data comprises
transmitting data to the UE based on the monitoring periodicity and
timing of a control signaling candidate after a transition time
following the transmitting an indication.
[0154] An example 28 relates to the method of any one of examples
20, 21, and 27, wherein the communicating or the transmitting data
comprises transmitting data to the UE based on the monitoring
periodicity and timing of a control signaling candidate aligned
with a boundary associated with the scheduled BWP.
[0155] An example 29 relates to the method of example 28, wherein
the communicating or the transmitting data comprises transmitting
data to the UE based on the timing of the control signaling
candidate aligned with the boundary associated with the scheduled
BWP after a transition time following the transmitting an
indication.
[0156] An example 30 relates to the method of example 28 or example
29, wherein the boundary comprises a frame boundary, a sub-frame
boundary, a multiple sub-frame boundary, a slot boundary, or a
multi-slot boundary.
[0157] An example 31 relates to the method of example 27 or example
29, wherein the transition time is considered after a UE processing
time for HARQ.
[0158] An example 32 relates to the method of example 27 or example
29, wherein the transition time depends on a UE processing time and
HARQ timing capability.
[0159] An example 33 relates to the method of example 27 or example
29, wherein the transition time comprises one of different
transition times specified for different UE processing time and
HARQ timing capabilities.
[0160] An example 34 relates to a non-transitory processor-readable
medium storing instructions which, when executed by one or more
processors, cause the one or more processors to perform a method
according to any one of examples 20 to 33.
[0161] An example 35 relates to network equipment comprising: a
processor; and a non-transitory computer readable storage medium
storing instructions for execution by the processor, the
instructions causing the processor to perform a method according to
any one of examples 20 to 33.
[0162] These examples 1 to 35 relate to switching between BWPs with
different numerologies. Other embodiments are also contemplated and
consistent with the present disclosure.
[0163] Consider, for example another method that could be performed
at a UE to control BWP switching. As noted above with reference to
FIG. 5, BWP switching could be initiated in some embodiments in
control signaling that aligns with a time unit boundary associated
with the scheduling BWP. The time unit boundary associated with the
scheduling BWP could be a slot of the scheduling BWP, for example,
and other types of time unit boundaries are also disclosed
herein.
[0164] In such embodiments, and possibly others, the control
signaling could indicate switching from a first active BWP to a
second active BWP or switching from a first active BWP pair to a
second active BWP pair for the UE. The control signaling could
include an implicit indication of the second active BWP or the
second active BWP pair. In the case of BWP pairs, an indication of
the second active BWP pair could be or include an indication of
either or both of a DL or UL BWP of the second active BWP pair.
[0165] The first active BWP could be a first active DL BWP and the
second active BWP could be a second active DL BWP, for example. In
another embodiment, the first active BWP is a first active UL BWP
and the second active BWP is a second active UL BWP.
[0166] The first active BWP could be the same as the scheduling BWP
in some embodiments.
[0167] As in other embodiments disclosed herein, the second active
BWP could have a different numerology than the first active
BWP.
[0168] A boundary-based method, and other embodiments, could
involve switching to the second active BWP at a time unit boundary
associated with the second active BWP. Examples are shown in FIGS.
6 to 12. The time unit boundary associated with the second active
BWP could be a frame boundary, a sub-frame boundary, a multiple
sub-frame boundary, a slot boundary, or a multi-slot boundary, for
example.
[0169] Regarding BWP pairs, the first active BWP pair could include
a third active DL BWP and a third active UL BWP, and the second
active BWP pair could include a fourth active DL BWP and a fourth
active UL BWP. The third active DL BWP could be the same as the
scheduling BWP. The fourth active DL BWP could have a different
numerology than the third active DL BWP. The fourth active UL BWP
could also or instead have a different numerology than the third
active UL BWP.
[0170] A method related to BWP pairs could involve switching to the
second active BWP pair at a time unit boundary associated with the
fourth active DL BWP or the fourth active UL BWP. The time unit
boundary associated with the fourth active DL BWP or the fourth
active UL BWP could be, for example, a frame boundary, a sub-frame
boundary, a multiple sub-frame boundary, a slot boundary, or a
multi-slot boundary.
[0171] A non-transitory processor-readable medium could store
instructions which, when executed by one or more processors, cause
the one or more processors to perform such a boundary-based
method.
[0172] Features could also or instead be implemented in a UE. A UE
could include a processor; and a non-transitory processor-readable
storage medium storing instructions for execution by the processor,
for example. The instructions cause the processor to perform a
method that involves receiving control signaling in a scheduling
BWP. The control signaling indicates switching from a first active
BWP to a second active BWP or switching from a first active BWP
pair to a second active BWP pair for the UE, and aligns with a time
unit boundary associated with the scheduling BWP. In an embodiment,
the time unit boundary associated with the scheduling BWP is a slot
of the scheduling BWP.
[0173] In UE embodiments, the first active BWP could be a first
active DL BWP and the second active BWP could be a second active DL
BWP, or the first active BWP could be a first active UL BWP and the
second active BWP could be a second active UL BWP. The first active
BWP and the second active BWP could have different
numerologies.
[0174] As mentioned elsewhere herein, the first active BWP could be
the same as the scheduling BWP.
[0175] The instructions could further cause the processor to switch
to the scheduled BWP at a time unit boundary associated with the
second active BWP. The time unit boundary associated with the
second active BWP could be a frame boundary, a sub-frame boundary,
a multiple sub-frame boundary, a slot boundary, or a multi-slot
boundary.
[0176] In some embodiments, the first active BWP pair includes a
third active DL BWP and a third active UL BWP and the second active
BWP pair includes a fourth active DL BWP and a fourth active UL
BWP. The third active DL BWP could be the same as the scheduling
BWP.
[0177] The fourth active DL BWP could have a different numerology
than the third active DL BWP, and/or the fourth active UL BWP could
have a different numerology than the third active UL BWP.
[0178] The instructions could further cause the processor to switch
to the second active BWP pair at a time unit boundary associated
with the fourth active DL BWP or the fourth active UL BWP. The time
unit boundary associated with the fourth active DL BWP or the
fourth active UL BWP could be a frame boundary, a sub-frame
boundary, a multiple sub-frame boundary, a slot boundary, or a
multi-slot boundary.
[0179] In some embodiments, the control signaling includes an
implicit indication of the second active BWP or the second active
BWP pair.
[0180] Some embodiments relate to network-side features. A method
performed at network equipment, for example, could involve
transmitting control signaling to a UE in a scheduling BWP. The
control signaling indicates switching from a first active BWP to a
second active BWP or switching from a first active BWP pair to a
second active BWP pair for the UE, and the control signaling aligns
with a time unit boundary associated with the scheduling BWP.
[0181] Network-side embodiments could include other features as
disclosed herein. For example, the control signaling could be or
include DCI, and/or an explicit indication of the second active BWP
or the second active BWP pair. The time unit boundary associated
with the scheduling BWP is a slot of the scheduling BWP in some
embodiments.
[0182] The first active BWP could be a first active DL BWP and the
second active BWP could be a second active DL BWP, or first active
BWP could be a first active UL BWP and the second active BWP could
be a second active UL BWP. The first active BWP is the same as the
scheduling BWP in some embodiments.
[0183] The second active BWP could have a different numerology than
the first active BWP.
[0184] A method performed by network equipment could also involve
communicating with the UE using the second active BWP based on a
time unit boundary associated with the second active BWP. The time
unit boundary associated with the second active BWP could be a
frame boundary, a sub-frame boundary, a multiple sub-frame
boundary, a slot boundary, or a multi-slot boundary.
[0185] In the case of BWP pairs, the first active BWP pair could
include a third active DL BWP and a third active UL BWP and the
second active BWP pair could include a fourth active DL BWP and a
fourth active UL BWP. The third active DL BWP could be the same as
the scheduling BWP. The fourth active DL BWP could have a different
numerology than the third active DL BWP. The fourth active UL BWP
could also or instead have a different numerology than the third
active UL BWP.
[0186] A method could also involve network equipment communicating
with the UE using the second active BWP based on a time unit
boundary associated with the fourth active DL BWP or the fourth
active UL BWP. The time unit boundary associated with the fourth
active DL BWP or the fourth active UL BWP could be a frame
boundary, a sub-frame boundary, a multiple sub-frame boundary, a
slot boundary, or a multi-slot boundary.
[0187] According to another embodiment, a non-transitory
processor-readable medium stores instructions which, when executed
by one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to
perform such a method. Network equipment could include, for
example, a processor and a non-transitory processor-readable
storage medium storing instructions for execution by the processor.
The instructions cause the processor to perform a method as
disclosed herein. Such a method could involve transmitting control
signaling to a UE in a scheduling BWP, with the control signaling
indicating switching from a first active BWP to a second active BWP
or switching from a first active BWP pair to a second active BWP
pair for the UE, and being aligned with a time unit boundary
associated with the scheduling BWP.
[0188] Network equipment could embody any one or more of various
features disclosed elsewhere herein. For example, the control
signaling could be or include DCI. The control signaling could,
also or instead, include an explicit indication of the second
active BWP or the second active BWP pair.
[0189] In some embodiments, the time unit boundary associated with
the scheduling BWP is a slot of the scheduling BWP.
[0190] The first active BWP could be or include a first active DL
BWP and the second active BWP could be or include a second active
DL BWP. Alternatively or in addition, the first active BWP could be
or include a first active UL BWP and the second active BWP could be
or include a second active UL BWP.
[0191] The first active BWP pair could be or include a third active
DL BWP and a third active UL BWP and the second active BWP pair
could be or include a fourth active DL BWP and a fourth active UL
BWP.
[0192] In an embodiment, the instructions further cause the
processor to communicate with the UE using the second active BWP
based on a time unit boundary associated with the fourth active DL
BWP or the fourth active UL BWP. The time unit boundary associated
with the fourth active DL BWP or the fourth active UL BWP could be
or include a slot boundary.
* * * * *