U.S. patent application number 17/561643 was filed with the patent office on 2022-04-21 for reference signal acquisition.
The applicant listed for this patent is QUALCOMM Incorporated. Invention is credited to Sony AKKARAKARAN, Tao LUO, Alexandros MANOLAKOS, Sumeeth NAGARAJA.
Application Number | 20220123892 17/561643 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 1000006054268 |
Filed Date | 2022-04-21 |
View All Diagrams
United States Patent
Application |
20220123892 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
NAGARAJA; Sumeeth ; et
al. |
April 21, 2022 |
REFERENCE SIGNAL ACQUISITION
Abstract
Various aspects of the disclosure relate to techniques
associated with the acquisition of reference signals. In some
aspects, a network may request a user equipment (UE) to measure a
timing difference between neighbor cells and use that information
to generate a CSI-RS configuration. The network sends the CSI-RS
configuration to the UE to enable the UE to acquire a CSI-RS from a
neighbor cell. In some aspects, a network may send timing-related
information to a neighbor cell and the neighbor cell uses that
information to transmit a CSI-RS.
Inventors: |
NAGARAJA; Sumeeth; (Los
Altos, CA) ; LUO; Tao; (San Diego, CA) ;
AKKARAKARAN; Sony; (Poway, CA) ; MANOLAKOS;
Alexandros; (Escondido, CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
QUALCOMM Incorporated |
San Diego |
CA |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
1000006054268 |
Appl. No.: |
17/561643 |
Filed: |
December 23, 2021 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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15970816 |
May 3, 2018 |
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17561643 |
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62502353 |
May 5, 2017 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04L 5/0092 20130101;
H04L 5/005 20130101; H04L 5/0098 20130101; H04L 5/0057 20130101;
H04W 36/0072 20130101; H04L 5/0053 20130101; H04L 5/0048
20130101 |
International
Class: |
H04L 5/00 20060101
H04L005/00; H04W 36/00 20060101 H04W036/00 |
Claims
1. An apparatus for communication comprising: a memory device; and
a processing circuit coupled to the memory device and configured
to: determine a timing difference between a first cell and a second
cell; send an indication of the timing difference to the first
cell; receive a channel state information-reference signal (CSI-RS)
configuration that is based on the timing difference; and decode a
CSI-RS of the second cell based on the CSI-RS configuration.
2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the CSI-RS configuration
comprises an indication that timing for the CSI-RS of the second
cell is based on timing of the first cell,
3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the CSI-RS configuration
comprises an indication that timing for the CSI-RS of the second
cell is based on timing of the second cell.
4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the timing difference
comprises a symbol timing difference, a slot timing difference, a
mini-slot timing difference, or a system frame number timing
difference.
5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the CSI-RS configuration
comprises the indication of the timing difference.
6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the CSI-RS configuration
comprises a scrambling identifier associated with the CSI-RS of the
second cell.
7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the CSI-RS configuration
comprises a seed for obtaining a scrambling identifier associated
with the CSI-RS of the second cell.
8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the CSI-RS configuration
comprises an indication that the CSI-RS of the second cell uses one
scrambling sequence over a set of symbols.
9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the CSI-RS configuration
comprises an indication that the CSI-RS of the second cell uses
different scrambling sequences over a set of symbols.
10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the processing circuit is
further configured to: test a plurality of sequence hypotheses over
the set of symbols as a result of receiving the indication in the
CSI-RS configuration.
11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the processing circuit is
further configured to: conduct a mobility operation associated with
the second cell based on the CSI-RS of the second cell.
12. A method of communication for an apparatus, comprising:
determining a timing difference between a first cell and a second
cell; sending an indication of the timing difference to the first
cell; receiving a channel state information-reference signal
(CSI-RS) configuration that is based on the timing difference; and
decoding a CSI-RS of the second cell based on the CSI-RS
configuration.
13. The method of claim 12, further comprising testing a plurality
of sequence hypotheses over a set of symbols as a result of
receiving the indication in the CSI-RS configuration.
14. The method of claim 12, further comprising conducting a
mobility operation associated with the second cell based on the
CSI-RS of the second cell.
15. An apparatus for communication comprising: a memory device; and
a processing circuit coupled to the memory device and configured
to: determine a timing difference between a first cell and a second
cell; determine, based on the timing difference, a channel state
information-reference signal (CSI-RS) configuration for a CSI-RS of
the second cell; and send the CSI-RS configuration to a user
equipment served by the first cell,
16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the CSI-RS configuration
comprises an indication that timing for the CSI-RS of the second
cell is based on timing of the first cell.
17. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the CSI-RS configuration
comprises an indication that timing for the CSI-RS of the second
cell is based on timing of the second cell.
18. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the timing difference
comprises a symbol timing difference, a slot timing difference, a
mini-slot timing difference, or a system frame number timing
difference.
19. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the CSI-RS configuration
comprises an indication of the timing difference.
20. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the CSI-RS configuration
comprises an indication of the timing difference taking into
account a sub-carrier spacing between the first cell and the second
cell.
21. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the CSI-RS configuration
comprises a scrambling identifier associated with the CSI-RS of the
second cell.
22. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the CSI-RS configuration
comprises a seed for obtaining a scrambling identifier associated
with the CSI-RS of the second
23. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the CSI-RS configuration
comprises an indication of whether the CSI-RS of the second cell
uses one scrambling sequence or different scrambling sequences over
a set of symbols.
24. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the processing circuit is
further configured to receive an indication of the timing
difference from the user equipment.
25. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the processing circuit is
further configured to send a request to measure the timing
difference to the user equipment.
26. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the processing circuit is
further configured to: receive a first indication of the timing
difference from the user equipment and at least one second
indication of the timing difference from at least one other user
equipment; and generate an estimate of the timing difference based
on the first indication of the timing difference and the at least
one second indication of the timing difference,
27. A method of communication for an apparatus, comprising:
determining a timing difference between a first cell and a second
cell; determining, based on the timing difference, a channel state
information-reference signal (CSI-RS) configuration for a CSI-RS of
the second cell; and sending the CSI-RS configuration to a user
equipment served by the first cell.
28. The method of claim 27, wherein the determining the timing
difference comprises receiving an indication of the timing
difference from the user equipment.
29. The method of claim 27, further comprising sending a request to
measure the timing difference to the user equipment.
30. The method of claim 27, wherein the determining the timing
difference comprises: receiving a first indication of the timing
difference from the user equipment and at least one second
indication of the timing difference from at least one other user
equipment; and generating an estimate of the timing difference
based on the first indication of the timing difference and the at
least one second indication of the timing difference.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)
[0001] This application is a continuation of patent application
Ser. No. 15/970,816 filed in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
on May 3, 2018. Patent application Ser. No. 15/970,816 claims
priority to and the benefit of provisional patent application No.
62/502,353 filed in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office on May 5,
2017, the entire content of each of which is incorporated herein by
reference.
INTRODUCTION
[0002] Various aspects described herein relate to wireless
communication and more particularly, but not exclusively, to
acquiring reference signals.
[0003] Wireless communication networks are widely deployed to
provide various communication services such as telephony, video,
data, messaging, broadcasts, and so on. Such networks, which are
usually multiple access networks, support communication for
multiple users by sharing the available network resources.
[0004] In some wireless communication networks, cell-specific
reference signals (CRSs) may be used to make mobility decisions
(e.g., whether to handover to another cell). However, the use of
CRSs may be inefficient or CRSs might not be available in some
networks, Thus, there is a need for effective mobility techniques
in wireless communication networks.
SUMMARY
[0005] The following presents a simplified summary of some aspects
of the disclosure to provide a basic understanding of such aspects.
This summary is not an extensive overview of all contemplated
features of the disclosure, and is intended neither to identify key
or critical elements of all aspects of the disclosure nor to
delineate the scope of any or all aspects of the disclosure. Its
sole purpose is to present various concepts of some aspects of the
disclosure in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed
description that is presented later.
[0006] In some aspects, the disclosure provides a method of
communication. The method including: identifying a cell that
provides timing for a channel state information-reference signal
(CSI-RS); and sending an indication of the identified cell to a
user equipment (UE).
[0007] In some aspects, the disclosure provides an apparatus for
communication, including: a memory device and a processing circuit
coupled to the memory. The processing circuit is configured to:
identify a cell that provides timing for a channel state
information-reference signal (CSI-RS); and send an indication of
the identified cell to a user equipment (UE).
[0008] In some aspects, the disclosure provides an apparatus
configured for communication. The apparatus including: means for
identifying a cell that provides timing for a channel state
information-reference signal (CSI-RS); and means for sending an
indication of the identified cell to a user equipment (UE).
[0009] In some aspects, the disclosure provides a non-transitory
computer-readable medium storing computer-executable code,
including code to: identify a cell that provides timing for a
channel state information-reference signal (CSI-RS); and send an
indication of the identified cell to a user equipment (UE).
[0010] In some aspects, the disclosure provides a method of
communication. The method including: receiving an indication of a
cell that provides timing for receiving a channel state
information-reference signal (CSI-RS) at a user equipment (UE); and
receiving the CSI-RS.
[0011] in some aspects, the disclosure provides an apparatus for
communication, including: a memory device and a processing circuit
coupled to the memory. The processing circuit is configured to:
receive an indication of a cell that provides timing for receiving
a channel state information-reference signal (CSI-RS) at a user
equipment (UE); and receive the CSI-RS.
[0012] In some aspects, the disclosure provides an apparatus
configured for communication. The apparatus including: means for
receiving an indication of a cell that provides timing for
receiving a channel state information-reference signal (CSI-RS) at
a user equipment (UE); and means for receiving the CSI-RS.
[0013] In some aspects, the disclosure provides a non-transitory
computer-readable medium storing computer-executable code,
including code to: receive an indication of a cell that provides
timing for receiving a channel state information-reference signal
(CSI-RS) at a user equipment (UE); and receive the CSI-RS.
[0014] These and other aspects of the disclosure will become more
fully understood upon a review of the detailed description, which
follows. Other aspects, features, and implementations of the
disclosure will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the
art, upon reviewing the following description of specific
implementations of the disclosure in conjunction with the
accompanying figures, While features of the disclosure may be
discussed relative to certain implementations and figures below,
all implementations of the disclosure can include one or more of
the advantageous features discussed herein. In other words, while
one or more implementations may be discussed as having certain
advantageous features, one or more of such features may also be
used in accordance with the various implementations of the
disclosure discussed herein, In similar fashion, while certain
implementations may be discussed below as device, system, or method
implementations it should be understood that such implementations
can be implemented in various devices, systems, and methods.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0015] The accompanying drawings are presented to aid the
description of aspects of the disclosure and are provided solely
for illustration of the aspects and not limitations thereof.
[0016] FIG. 1 is a diagram of an example communication system in
which aspects of the disclosure may be used.
[0017] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of another example communication
system in which aspects of the disclosure may be used.
[0018] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example process for
providing and sing a CSI-RS configuration in accordance with some
aspects of the disclosure.
[0019] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example process for
using timing of a first cell to receive CM-RS from a second cell in
accordance with some aspects of the disclosure.
[0020] FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example process for
using timing of a second cell to receive CSI-RS from a second cell
in accordance with some aspects of the disclosure,
[0021] FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example process for
scheduling CSI-RS transmissions by different cells in accordance
with some aspects of the disclosure,
[0022] FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating an example hardware
implementation for an apparatus (e.g., an electronic device) that
can support communication in accordance with some aspects of the
disclosure.
[0023] FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a process
for providing an indication of CSI-RS timing in accordance with
some aspects of the disclosure.
[0024] FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a process
for providing a CSI-RS configuration in accordance with some
aspects of the disclosure.
[0025] FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a process
for communicating timing information in accordance with some
aspects of the disclosure.
[0026] FIG. 11 is a block diagram illustrating another example
hardware implementation for an apparatus (e.g., an electronic
device) that can support communication in accordance with some
aspects of the disclosure,
[0027] FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a process
for acquiring a CSI-RS in accordance with some aspects of the
disclosure.
[0028] FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a process
for acquiring a CSI-RS in accordance with some aspects of the
disclosure.
[0029] FIG. 14 is a block diagram illustrating another example
hardware implementation for an apparatus (e.g., an electronic
device) that can support communication in accordance with some
aspects of the disclosure.
[0030] FIG. 15 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a process
for providing CSI-RS in accordance with some aspects of the
disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0031] Various aspects of the disclosure relate to the acquisition
of reference signals. In some aspects, a network may send an
indication to a user equipment (UE) that tells the UE which cell
timing (e.g., serving cell timing or neighbor cell timing) to use
for receiving a CSI-RS, Cell timing may be determined, for example,
based on timing of the synchronization signal blocks (SS-blocks)
transmitted in the cell. In some aspects, a network may request a
UE to measure a timing difference between neighbor cells and use
that information to generate a CSI-RS configuration. The network
sends the CSI-RS configuration to the UE to enable the UE to
acquire a CSI-RS from a neighbor cell, In some aspects, a network
may send timing-related information to a neighbor cell and the
neighbor cell uses that information to transmit a CSI-RS.
[0032] The detailed description set forth below in connection with
the appended drawings is intended as a description of various
configurations and is not intended to represent the only
configurations in which the concepts described herein may be
practiced, The detailed description includes specific details for
the purpose of providing a thorough understanding of various
concepts. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art
that these concepts may be practiced without these specific
details. Moreover, alternate configurations may be devised without
departing from the scope of the disclosure. Additionally,
well-known elements will not be described in detail or be omitted
so as not to obscure the relevant details of the disclosure.
[0033] The various concepts presented throughout this disclosure
may be implemented across a broad variety of telecommunication
systems, network architectures, and communication standards, For
example, the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) is a
standards body that defines several wireless communication
standards for networks involving the evolved packet system (EPS),
frequently referred to as long-term evolution (LTE) networks.
Evolved versions of the LTE network, such as a fifth-generation
(5G) network, may provide for many different types of services or
applications, including but not limited to web browsing, video
streaming, VoIP, mission critical applications, multi-hop networks,
remote operations with real-time feedback (e.g., tele-surgery),
etc. Thus, the teachings herein can be implemented according to
various network technologies including, without limitation, 5G
technology, fourth generation (4G) technology, third generation
(3G) technology, and other network architectures. Also, the
techniques described herein may be used for a downlink, an uplink,
a peer-to-peer link, or some other type of link.
[0034] The actual telecommunication standard, network architecture,
and/or communication standard used will depend on the specific
application and the overall design constraints imposed on the
system. For purposes of illustration, the following may describe
various aspects in the context of a 5G system and/or an LIE system.
It should be appreciated, however, that the teachings herein may be
used in other systems as well. Thus, references to functionality in
the context of 5G and/or LIE terminology should be understood to be
equally applicable to other types of technology, networks,
components, signaling, and so on.
Example Communication System
[0035] FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a wireless communication
system 100 where a user equipment (UE) can communicate with other
devices via wireless communication signaling. For example, a first
UE 102 and a second UE 104 may communicate with a first transmit
receive point (TRP) 106 using wireless communication resources
managed by the first TRP 106 and/or other network components (e.g.,
a core network 108, an internet service provider (ISP) 110, peer
devices, and so on). In addition, devices in the system 100 may
communicate with each other directedly via a device-to-device (D2D)
link 112 or other similar links.
[0036] In accordance with the teachings herein, devices in the
wireless communication system 100 may include functionality for
CSI-RS configuration and transmission 114. For example, each of the
first UE 102, the second UE 104, the first TRP 106, and a second
TRP 116 may include functionality for CSI-RS configuration and
transmission 114 as discussed in more detail below.
[0037] The components and links of the wireless communication
system 100 may take different forms in different implementations.
For example, and without limitation, UEs may be cellular devices,
Internet of Things (IoT) devices, cellular (CIoT) devices, LTE
wireless cellular devices, machine-type communication (MTC)
cellular devices, smart alarms, remote sensors, smart phones,
mobile phones, smart meters, personal digital assistants (PDAs),
personal computers, mesh nodes, and tablet computers.
[0038] In some aspects, a TRP may refer to a physical entity that
incorporates radio head functionality for a particular physical
cell. In some aspects, the TRP may include 5G new radio (NR)
functionality with an air interface based on orthogonal frequency
division multiplexing (OFDM). NR may support, for example and
without limitation, enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB),
mission-critical services, and wide-scale deployment of IoT
devices. The functionality of a TRP may be similar in one or more
aspects to (or incorporated into) the functionality of a CIoT base
station (C-BS), a NodeB, an evolved NodeB (eNodeB), radio access
network (RAN) access node, a radio network controller (RNC), a base
station (BS), a radio base station (RBS), a base station controller
(BSC), a base transceiver station (BTS), a transceiver function
(TF), a radio transceiver, a radio router, a basic service set
(BSS), an extended service set (ESS), a macro cell, a macro node, a
Home eNB (HeNB), a femto cell, a femto node, a pica node, or some
other suitable entity. In different scenarios (e.g., NR, LTE,
etc.), a TRP may be :referred to as a gNodeB (gNB), an eNB, a base
station, or referenced using other terminology.
[0039] Various types of network-to-device links and D2D links may
be supported in the wireless communication system 100. For example,
D2D links may include, without machine-to-machine (M2M) links, MTC
links, vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) links, and vehicle-to-anything
(V2X) links. Network-to-device links may include, without
limitation, uplinks (or reverse links). downlinks (or forward
links), and vehicle-to-network (V2N) links.
Example Communication Components
[0040] FIG. 2 illustrates another example of a wireless
communication system 200 where a first device (e.g., a UE) 202 may
receive signals from different cells. For example, the first device
202 may currently receive service from a serving cell 204 (e.g., a
cell of a gNB), yet repeatedly conduct measurements of nearby cells
such as a neighbor cell 206 (e.g., a cell of another gNB). To
reduce the complexity of FIG. 2, only three entities are shown. In
practice, a wireless communication system may include more of these
entities.
[0041] In accordance with the teachings herein, the first device
202 may decode a CSI-RS from the neighbor cell 206 with assistance
from the serving cell 204. To this end, the first device 202 may
optionally include functionality 208 to measure a timing difference
(e.g., a symbol timing difference or some other timing difference)
between cells based on NR synchronization signals (NR-SSs) and to
report the timing difference to the serving cell 204. For example,
the first device 202 may measure a symbol timing difference (or
some other timing difference) between the serving cell 204 and the
neighbor cell 206 based on an NR-SS 216 received from the serving
cell 204 and an NR-SS 218 received from the neighbor cell 206. The
first device 202 may therefore optionally send an indication of the
timing difference 220 to the serving cell 204.
[0042] The serving cell 204 includes functionality 210 to determine
a CSI-RS configuration. In some scenarios, the CSI-RS configuration
may indicate which cell the first device 202 may use as a timing
reference for receiving a CSI-RS (e.g., for receiving a CSI-RS from
the neighbor cell 206). For example, the CSI-RS-configuration may
indicate that the first device 202 may base the timing of the
CSI-RS on the timing of the serving cell 204. As another example,
the CSI-RS-configuration may indicate that the first device 202 may
base the timing of the CSI-RS on the timing of the neighbor cell
206. As discussed herein, the serving cell 204 sends the CSI-RS
configuration 222 to the first device 202.
[0043] In some scenarios, the determination of the CSI-RS
configuration is based on a symbol timing difference (or some other
timing difference) between the serving cell 204 and the neighbor
cell 206. In some implementations, this determination may be based
on the timing difference 220 sent by the first device 202. In some
implementations, this determination may be based on timing
information the serving cell receives from and/or sends to the
neighbor cell. Thus, the serving cell 204 may send and/or receive
timing information 224 (e.g., CSI-RS timing information) to and/or
from the neighbor cell 206.
[0044] The neighbor cell 206 includes functionality 214 to transmit
a CSI-RS. The CSI-RS may be transmitted based on the timing of the
neighbor cell 206 and/or based on CSI-RS timing information
received from the serving cell 204 or some other entity. For
example, the CSI-RS timing information may indicate when the
neighbor cell 206 is to transmit the CSI-RS 226.
[0045] The first device 202 also includes functionality 212 to
decode the CSI-RS 226 of the neighbor cell 206. In some aspects,
this decoding may be based on the CSI-RS configuration 222 received
from the serving cell 204. Other devices of the wireless
communication system 200 may include functionality (not shown) site
to that discussed above.
CSI-RS Configuration and Transmission
[0046] For cell level mobility in Radio Resource Control (RRC)
CONNECTED mode, a CSI-RS can be used, in addition to an IDLE mode
reference signal RS (e.g., a NR-SS). The detection of a neighbor
cell for measurement is based on NR-SS.
[0047] For RRC CONNECTED mode mobility involving a CSI-RS, a UE
uses a CSI-RS configuration for measuring CSI-RS transmissions from
neighbor cells. The CSI-RS configuration may include, for example
antenna ports, CSI-RS reference signal configuration, CSI-RS
subframe configuration, and CSI-RS scrambling identity. These
parameters may be a function of neighbor cell timing, which
includes one or more of a system frame number, a sub-frame index, a
slot index, a mini slot index, or a symbol index. The timing
information may be conveyed in a physical broadcast channel (PBCH)
of each neighbor cell.
[0048] A UE in CONNECTED mode might be configured to not decode
PBCH from neighbor cells. For example, decoding of PBCH may be
avoided to reduce operational complexity during CONNECTED
measurements. Consequently, a UE might not be able to measure
CSI-RS transmissions from neighbor cells.
[0049] The disclosure relates in some aspects to enabling a UE to
decode the CSI-RS of a neighbor cell without requiring the UE to
read the neighbor cell's PBCH. For example, the network may assist
the UE in obtaining the timing (or relative timing) and/or
scrambling information of the target cell. To this end, the network
(e.g., the current serving cell) may perform one of more of the
following operations.
[0050] In some aspects, the network may configure one or more UEs
to measure a symbol timing difference (or some other timing
difference) between a serving cell and one or more neighbor
cell(s). In some scenarios, a UE may autonomously elect to conduct
such a measurement.
[0051] The network (e.g., a cell in the network) may thus obtain a
tuning difference from one or more UEs. Alternatively, or in
addition, the network may determine the timing difference based on
timing information the network receives from one or more cells.
From this timing difference or these timing differences, the
network derives an estimate of the timing difference between the
serving cell and the neighbor cell(s).
[0052] The network may use the timing difference(s) between the
serving and neighbor cells for CSI-RS configuration and
transmission. For example, the network may generate a CSI-RS
configuration of one or more neighbor cells based on the timing
difference(s) and send the CSI-RS configuration to a UE.
[0053] The CSI-RS configuration may include antenna ports, a CSI-RS
reference signal configuration, a CSI-RS sub-frame configuration,
and other information. The network may indicate to the UE that the
timing for a CSI-RS is based on timing of the serving cell or the
neighbor cell. The network may provide a subset of system frame
number (SFN), subframe index (SFI), symbol index (SI) and/or a
difference in timing (e.g., symbol timing) between the serving cell
and the neighbor cell(s) to the UE. The scrambling ID or the seed
for obtaining the scrambling ID can be provided as part of the
CSI-RS configuration. The network may also specify if (1) the same
scrambling sequence is sent or (2) different scrambling sequences
are sent over symbols during the symbol timing difference estimate
between the serving and neighbor cell(s).
[0054] The network (e.g., the current serving cell, or a network
node such as a Mobility Management Entity (MME), a gateway, etc.)
may also control transmission of CSI-RS from a neighbor cell. In
one scenario, the network may instruct the neighbor cell(s) to
transmit CSI-RS based on the neighbor cell's timing.
[0055] In another scenario, the network may instruct the neighbor
cells) to transmit CSI-RS based on the serving cell's timing, in
which case the following operations may be supported. The network
may provide to the neighbor cell(s) a subset of SFN, SFI, SI and an
estimate of symbol timing difference between the serving and the
neighbor cell(s). The network may also specify if the same
scrambling sequence is sent or different scrambling sequences are
sent over symbols during the symbol timing difference between
serving and neighbor cell. The network may also coordinate the
transmission of CSI-RS from one or more cells (e.g., by specifying
an offset between the transmission of CSI-RS by different
cells).
[0056] If configured by the network, a UE may measure the timing
difference between a serving cell and one or more neighbor cells.
In addition, if configured by the network, the UE may report the
symbol difference to the network.
Example Operations
[0057] With the above in mind, FIG. 3 illustrates a process 300 for
communication in accordance with some aspects of the disclosure.
The process 300 may be collectively performed by, for example, one
or more of: at least one UE, at least one gNB, at least one access
terminal, at least one TRP, at least one base station, and so on.
Of course, in various aspects within the scope of the disclosure,
the process 300 may be implemented by any suitable apparatuses
capable of supporting communication-related operations (e.g.,
RS-related operations).
[0058] At optional block 302, a first cell (e.g., a first gNB) may
request a UE to measure a timing difference between the first cell
and a second cell (e.g., a second gNB). For example, the first cell
may be a serving cell for the UE and the second cell may be a
neighbor cell (e.g., a potential target cell for handover).
[0059] At block 304, the UE measures the timing difference between
the first cell and the second cell. As discussed herein, this
measurement may be based on NR-SSs transmitted by the first cell
and the second cell.
[0060] At block 306, the UE reports the timing difference to the
first cell.
[0061] At block 308, the first cell determines the CSI-RS
configuration based on the timing difference.
[0062] At block 310, the first cell sends the CSI-RS configuration
to the UE.
[0063] At optional block 312, the first cell may send CSI-RS timing
information to the second cell. This information may be sent, for
example, via direct communication between the two cells (for
example, via an interface such as the X2 interface in LTE), or via
other intermediate network nodes such as an MME, a gateway,
etc.
[0064] At block 314, the second cell transmits CSI-RS. As discussed
herein, this transmission of CSI-RS may be based, at least in some
cases, on the CSI-RS timing information received from the first
cell.
[0065] At block 316, the UE uses the CSI-RS configuration to decode
the CSI-RS from the second cell. For example, the UE may determine
which sequence is used by the second cell in the transmission of
the CSR-RS based on a scrambling ID, a seed used to generate the
scrambling ID, or a symbol index used to generate the seed.
Advantageously, at this step, the UE may use the timing of the
first cell (e.g., the serving cell) instead of the timing of the
second cell (which could require reading the PBCH of the second
cell to acquire the timing of the second cell).
[0066] FIG. 4 illustrates another process 400 for communication in
accordance with some aspects of the disclosure. The process 400 may
be collectively performed by, for example, one or more of: at least
one UE, at least one gNB, at least one access terminal, at least
one TRP, at least one base station, and so on. Of course, in
various aspects within the scope of the disclosure, the process 400
may be implemented by any suitable apparatuses capable of
supporting communication-related operations (e.g., RS-related
operations).
[0067] At block 402, a first cell (e.g., a first gNB) sends a
message to a UE instructing the UE to use the timing of the first
cell to receive a CSI-RS from a second cell (e.g., a second
gNB).
[0068] At block 404, the first cell sends a CSI-RS configuration to
the UE. In some aspects, the CSI-RS configuration may be based on
timing of the second cell (e.g., based on a timing difference
between the first cell and the second cell).
[0069] At block 406, the UE uses the CSI-RS configuration to
determine at least one scrambling sequence.
[0070] At block 408, the UE uses the at least one scrambling
sequence to decode a CSI-RS transmitted by the second cell.
[0071] FIG. 5 illustrates another process 500 for communication in
accordance with some aspects of the disclosure. The process 500 may
be collectively performed by, for example, one or more of: at least
one UE, at least one gNB, at least one access terminal, at least
one TRP, at least one base station, and so on. Of course, in
various aspects within the scope of the disclosure, the process 500
may be implemented by any suitable apparatuses capable of
supporting communication-related operations (e.g., RS-related
operations).
[0072] At block 502, a first cell (e.g. a first gNB) sends a
message to a UE instructing the UE to use the timing of a second
cell (e.g. a second gNB) to receive a CSI-RS from the second
cell.
[0073] At block 504, the first cell sends a CSI-RS configuration to
a UE. In some aspects, the CSI-RS configuration may be based on
timing of the second cell (e.g., the configuration may include
timing information for the second cell).
[0074] At block 506, the UE uses the CSI-RS configuration to
determine at least one scrambling sequence.
[0075] At block 508, the UE uses the at least one scrambling
sequence to decode a CSI-RS transmitted by the second cell.
[0076] FIG. 6 illustrates another process 600 for communication in
accordance with some aspects of the disclosure. The process 600 may
be collectively performed by, for example, one or more of: at least
one network node, at least one gNB, at least one TRP, at least one
base station, and so on. Of course, in various aspects within the
scope of the disclosure, the process 600 may be implemented by any
suitable apparatuses capable of supporting communication-related
operations (e.g., RS-related operations).
[0077] At block 602, a first node (e.g. a network node or a first
gNB) determines a schedule for transmission of CSI-RS by a first
cell and transmission of CSI-RS by a second cell, where the
scheduled transmissions do not overlap.
[0078] At block 604, the first node sends the schedule to the
second cell (and, if applicable, the first cell).
[0079] At block 606, the first cell transmits its CSI-RS based on
the schedule.
[0080] At block 608, the second cell transmits its CSI-RS based on
the schedule.
Example Beamformed Operation
[0081] The teachings herein may be used in a network that uses
beamforming For example, a gNB may communicates with a first UE and
a second UE via, different beamforming directions. That is, the gNB
may communicate via any one of a first plural of directional beams,
the first UE may communicate via any one of a plural of second
directional beams, and the second UE may communicate via any one of
a plural of directional beams. Thus, the gNB may communicate with
the first UE via a first beamforming direction and communicate with
the second UE via a second beamforming direction.
[0082] A wireless multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) system may
use multiple transmit antennas to provide beamforming-based signal
transmission. Typically, beamforming-based signals transmitted from
different antennas are adjusted in phase (and optionally amplitude)
such that the resulting signal power is focused toward a receiver
device (e.g., UE).
[0083] A wireless MIME) system may support communication for a
single user at a time or for several users concurrently.
Transmissions to a single user (e.g., a single receiver device) are
commonly referred to as single-user MIMO (SU-MIMO), while
concurrent transmissions to multiple users are commonly referred to
as multi-user MIMO (MU-MIMO).
[0084] A gNB of a MIMO system employs multiple antennas for data
transmission and reception, while each UE employs one or more
antennas. The gNB communicates with the UEs via forward link
channels and reverse link channels. In some aspects, a downlink
(DL) channel refers to a communication channel from a transmit
antenna of the access point to a receive antenna of a UE, and an
uplink (UL) channel refers to a communication channel from a
transmit antenna of a UE to a receive antenna of the gNB. Downlink
and uplink may be referred to as forward link and reverse link,
respectively.
[0085] MIMO channels corresponding to transmissions from a set of
transmit antennas to a receive antenna are referred to spatial
streams since precoding (e.g., beamforming) is employed to direct
the transmissions toward the receive antenna. Consequently, in some
aspects each spatial stream corresponds to at least one dimension,
A MIMO system thus provides improved performance (e.g., higher
throughput and/or greater reliability) through the use of the
additional dimensionalities provided by these spatial streams.
First Example Apparatus
[0086] FIG. 7 illustrates a block diagram of an example hardware
implementation of an apparatus 700 configured to communicate
according to one or more aspects of the disclosure. The apparatus
700 could embody or be implemented within a gNB, a transmit receive
point (TRP), an access point, a UE, or sonic other type of device
that supports reference signals as taught herein. In various
implementations, the apparatus 700 could embody or be implemented
within a base station, an access terminal, or some other type of
device. In various implementations, the apparatus 700 could embody
or be implemented within a server, a network entity, a mobile
phone, a smart phone, a tablet, a portable computer, a personal
computer, a sensor, an alarm, a vehicle, a machine, an
entertainment device, a medical device, or any other electronic
device having circuitry,
[0087] The apparatus 700 includes a communication interface 702
(e.g., at least one transceiver), a storage medium 704, a user
interface 706, a memory device 708, and a processing circuit 710
(e.g., at least one processor), These components can be coupled to
and/or placed in electrical communication with one another via a
signaling bus or other suitable component, represented generally by
the connection lines in FIG. 7. The signaling bus may include any
number of interconnecting buses and bridges depending on the
specific application of the processing circuit 710 and the overall
design constraints. The signaling bus links together various
circuits such that each of the communication interface 702, the
storage medium 704, the user interface 706, and the memory device
708 are coupled to and/or in electrical communication with the
processing circuit 710. The signaling bus may also link various
other circuits (not shown) such as timing sources, peripherals,
voltage regulators, and power management circuits, which are well
known in the art, and therefore, will not be described any
further.
[0088] The communication interface 702 may be adapted to facilitate
wireless communication of the apparatus 700. For example, the
communication interface 702 may include circuitry and/or
programming adapted to facilitate the communication of information
hi-directionally with respect to one or more communication devices
in a network. Thus, in some implementations, the communication
interface 702 may be coupled to one or more antennas 712 for
wireless communication within a wireless communication system. In
some implementations, the communication interface 702 may be
configured for wire-based communication. For example, the
communication interface 702 could be a bus interface, a
send/receive interface, or some other type of signal interface
including drivers, buffers, or other circuitry for outputting
and/or obtaining signals (e.g., outputting signal from and/or
receiving signals into an integrated circuit). The communication
interface 702 can be configured with one or more standalone
receivers and/or transmitters, as well as one or more transceivers.
In the illustrated example, the communication interface 702
includes a transmitter 714 and a receiver 716.
[0089] The memory device 708 may represent one or more memory
devices. As indicated, the memory device 708 may maintain cell
information 718 along with other information used by the apparatus
700. In some implementations, the memory device 708 and the storage
medium 704 are implemented as a common memory component. The memory
device 708 may also be used for storing data that is manipulated by
the processing circuit 710 or some other component of the apparatus
700.
[0090] The storage medium 704 may represent one or more
computer-readable, machine-readable, and/or processor-readable
devices for storing programming, such as processor executable code
or instructions (e.g., software, firmware), electronic data,
databases, or other digital information. The storage medium 704 may
also be used for storing data that is manipulated by the processing
circuit 710 when executing programming. The storage medium 704 may
be any available media that can be accessed by a general purpose or
special purpose processor, including portable or fixed storage
devices, optical storage devices, and various other mediums capable
of storing, containing or carrying programming.
[0091] By way of example and not limitation, the storage medium 704
may include a magnetic storage device (e.g., hard disk, floppy
disk, magnetic strip), an optical disk (e.g., a compact disc (CD)
or a digital versatile disc (DVD)), a smart card, a flash memory
device (e.g., a card, a stick, or a key drive), a random access
memory (RAM), a read only memory (ROM), a programmable ROM (PROM),
an erasable PROM (EPROM), an electrically erasable PROM (EEPROM), a
register, a removable disk, and any other suitable medium for
storing software and/or instructions that may be accessed and read
by a computer. The storage medium 704 may be embodied in an article
of manufacture (e.g., a computer program product). By way of
example, a computer program product may include a computer-readable
medium in packaging materials. In view of the above, in some
implementations, the storage medium 704 may be a non-transitory
(e.g., tangible) storage medium.
[0092] The storage medium 704 may be coupled to the processing
circuit 710 such that the processing circuit 710 can read
information from, and write information to, the storage medium 704.
That is, the storage medium 704 can be coupled to the processing
circuit 710 so that the storage medium 704 is at least accessible
by the processing circuit 710, including examples where at least
one storage medium is integral to the processing circuit 710 and/or
examples where at least one storage medium is separate from the
processing circuit 710 (e.g., resident in the apparatus 700,
external to the apparatus 700, distributed across multiple
entities, etc.).
[0093] Programming stored by the storage medium 704, when executed
by the processing circuit 710, causes the processing circuit 710 to
perform one or more of the various functions and/or process
operations described herein. For example, the storage medium 704
may include operations configured for regulating operations at one
or more hardware blocks of the processing circuit 710, as well as
to utilize the communication interface 702. for wireless
communication utilizing their respective communication protocols.
In some aspects, the storage medium 704 may include a
non-transitory computer-readable medium storing computer-executable
code, including code to perform the functionality described
herein.
[0094] The processing circuit 710 is generally adapted for
processing, including the execution of such programming stored on
the storage medium 704. As used herein, the terms "code" or
"programming" shall be construed broadly to include without
limitation instructions, instruction sets, data, code, code
segments, program code, programs, programming, subprograms,
software modules, applications, software applications, software
packages, routines, subroutines, objects, executables, threads of
execution, procedures, functions, etc., whether referred to as
software, firmware, middleware, microcode, hardware description
language, or otherwise.
[0095] The processing circuit 710 is arranged to obtain, process
and/or send data, control data access and storage, issue commands,
and control other desired operations. The processing circuit 710
may include circuitry configured to implement desired programming
provided by appropriate media in at least one example. For example,
the processing circuit 710 may be implemented as one or more
processors, one or more controllers, and/or other structure
configured to execute executable programming. Examples of the
processing circuit 710 may include a general purpose processor, a
digital signal processor (DSP), an application specific integrated
circuit (ASIC), a field programmable gate array (FPGA) or other
programmable logic component, discrete gate or transistor logic,
discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof designed
to perform the functions described herein. A general purpose
processor may include a microprocessor, as well as any conventional
processor, controller, microcontroller, or state machine. The
processing circuit 710 may also be implemented as a combination of
computing components, such as a combination of a DSP and a
microprocessor, a number of microprocessors, one or more
microprocessors in conjunction with a DSP core, an ASIC and a
microprocessor, or any other number of varying configurations.
These examples of the processing circuit 710 are for illustration
and other suitable configurations within the scope of the
disclosure are also contemplated.
[0096] According to one or more aspects of the disclosure, the
processing circuit 710 may be adapted to perform any or all of the
features, processes, functions, operations and/or routines for any
or all of the apparatuses described herein. For example, the
processing circuit 710 may be configured to perform any of the
steps, functions, and/or processes described with respect to FIGS.
1-6 and 8-10. As used herein, the term "adapted" in relation to the
processing circuit 710 may refer to the processing circuit 710
being one or more of configured, used, implemented, and/or
programmed to perform a particular process, function, operation
and/or routine according to various features described herein.
[0097] The processing circuit 710 may be a specialized processor,
such as an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) that
serves as a means for (e.g., structure for) carrying out any one of
the operations described in conjunction with FIGS. 1-6 and 8-10.
The processing circuit 710 may serve as one example of a means for
transmitting and/or a means for receiving. In various
implementations, the processing circuit 710 may provide and/or
incorporate, at least in part, the functionality described above
for the serving cell 204 of FIG. 2.
[0098] According to at least one example of the apparatus 700, the
processing circuit 710 may include one or more of a circuit/module
for determining a timing difference 720, a circuit/module for
determining a CSI-RS configuration 722, a circuit/module for
sending 724, a circuit/module for determining timing for CSI-RS
726, a circuit/module for receiving 728, or a circuit/module for
identifying 730. In various implementations, the circuit/module for
determining a timing difference 720, the circuit/module for
determining a CSI-RS configuration 722, the circuit/module for
sending 724, the circuit/module for determining timing for CSI-RS
726, the circuit/module for receiving 728, or the circuit/module
for identifying 730 may provide and/or incorporate, at least in
part, the functionality described above for the serving cell 204 of
FIG. 2.
[0099] As mentioned above, programming stored by the storage medium
704, when executed by the processing circuit 710, causes the
processing circuit 710 to perform one or more of the various
functions and/or process operations described herein. For example,
the programming may cause the processing circuit 710 to perform the
various functions, steps, and/or processes described herein with
respect to FIGS. 1-6 and 8-10 in various implementations. As shown
in FIG. 7, the storage medium 704 may include one or more of code
for determining a timing difference 740, code for determining a
CSI-RS configuration 742, code for sending 744, code for
determining timing for CSI-RS 746, code for receiving 748, or code
for identifying 750. In various implementations, the code for
determining a timing difference 740, the code for determining a
CSI-RS configuration 742, the code for sending 744, the code for
determining timing for CSI-RS 746, the code for receiving 748, or
the code for identifying 750 may be executed or otherwise used to
provide the functionality described herein for the circuit/module
for determining a timing difference 720, the circuit/module for
determining a CSI-RS configuration 722, the circuit/module for
sending 724, the circuit/module for determining timing for CSI-RS
726, the circuit/module for receiving 728, or the circuit/module
for identifying 730.
First Example Process
[0100] FIG. 8 illustrates a process 800 for communication in
accordance with some aspects of the disclosure. The process 800 may
take place within a processing circuit (e.g., the processing
circuit 710 of FIG. 7), which may be located in a gNB, a TRP, a
base station, a UE, an access terminal, or some other suitable
apparatus. Of course, in various aspects within the scope of the
disclosure, the process 800 may be implemented by any suitable
apparatus capable of supporting communication-related operations
(e.g., sidelink operations).
[0101] At optional block 802, an apparatus (e.g., a gNB) may
determine a timing difference between a serving cell for a UE and a
cell that transmits a CSI-RS (e.g., a neighbor cell). In this case,
the determination of the CSI-RS configuration at block 806 may be
based on the timing difference. In some aspects, the timing
difference may include a symbol timing difference. In some aspects,
the timing difference may include a slot timing difference, a
mini-slot timing difference, a system frame number timing
difference, or any combination thereof.
[0102] In some aspects, the determination of the timing difference
may include receiving an indication of the timing difference from
the UE. In some aspects, the process 800 may further include
sending a request to measure the timing difference to the UE.
[0103] In some aspects, the determination of the timing difference
may include: receiving a first indication of the timing difference
from the UE and at least one second indication of the timing
difference from at least one other user equipment (UR), and
generating an estimate of the timing difference based on the first
indication of the timing difference and the at least one second
indication of the timing difference.
[0104] At block 804, the apparatus identifies a cell that provides
timing for a CSI-RS. For example, the apparatus may generate an
indication to inform a UE that the UE may base the timing of the
CSI-RS on the timing of a particular cell.
[0105] In some scenarios, the identified cell may include (e.g.,
may be) a serving cell for the UE. Here, in some cases, the CSI-RS
may be transmitted by a neighbor cell of the serving cell.
[0106] In some scenarios, the identified cell may include (e.g.,
may be) a neighbor cell of a serving cell for the UE. Here, in some
cases, the CSI-RS may be transmitted by the neighbor cell.
[0107] At optional block 806, the apparatus may determine a CSI-RS
configuration for the CSI-RS. In some aspects, the CSI-RS
configuration may include an indication of a sub-carrier spacing of
the CSI-RS. In some aspects, the CSI-RS configuration may include
an indication of a timing difference taking into account a
sub-carrier spacing between a serving cell for the UE and a cell
that transmits the CSI-RS.
[0108] At block 808, the apparatus sends an indication of the
identified cell to a UE, in a case where the apparatus determines a
CSI-RS configuration at block 806, the CSI-RS configuration may
include the indication of the identified cell. This, in this case,
the sending of the indication to the UE at block 808 may include
(e.g., may involve) sending the CSI-RS configuration to the UE.
[0109] In some aspects, a process in accordance with the teachings
herein may include any combination of the above operations and/or
features.
Second Example Process
[0110] FIG. 9 illustrates a process 900 for communication in
accordance with some aspects of the disclosure. The process 900 may
take place within a processing circuit (e.g., the processing
circuit 710 of FIG. 7), which may be located in a gNB, a TRP, a
base station, a UE. an access terminal, or some other suitable
apparatus. Of course, in various aspects within the scope of the
disclosure, the process 900 may be implemented by any suitable
apparatus capable of supporting communication-related operations
(e.g., sidelink operations).
[0111] At optional block 902, an apparatus (e.g., a gNB) may send a
request to measure a timing difference to a UE. For example, a
serving cell may instruct a served UE to estimate a symbol timing
difference.
[0112] At block 904, the apparatus determines a timing difference
between a first cell (e.g., a serving cell) and a second cell
(e.g., a neighbor cell). For example, the apparatus may receive an
indication of the timing difference from a UE.
[0113] At block 906, the apparatus determines, based on the timing
difference, a channel state information-reference signal (CSI-RS)
configuration for a CSI-RS of the second cell.
[0114] At block 908, the apparatus sends the CSI-RS configuration
to a UE served by the first cell.
[0115] In some aspects, the CSI-RS configuration may include an
indication that timing for the CSI-RS of the second cell is based
on timing of the first cell. In some aspects, the CSI-RS
configuration may include an indication that timing for the CSI-RS
of the second cell is based on timing of the second cell. in some
aspects, the timing difference may include a symbol timing
difference, a slot timing difference, a mini-slot timing
difference, a system frame number timing difference, or any
combination thereof. In some aspects, the CSI-RS configuration may
include an indication of the timing difference. In some aspects,
the CSI-RS configuration may include an indication of a timing
difference taking into account a sub-carrier spacing between the
first cell and the second cell. In some aspects, the CSI-RS
configuration may include a scrambling identifier associated with
the CSI-RS of the second cell. In some aspects, the CSI-RS
configuration may include a seed for obtaining a scrambling
identifier associated with the CSI-RS of the second cell. In some
aspects, the CSI-RS configuration may include an indication of
whether the CSI-RS of the second cell uses one scrambling sequence
or different scrambling sequences over a set of symbols. In some
aspects, the CSI-RS configuration may include a seed for obtaining
a scrambling identifier associated with the CSI-RS of the second
cell. In some aspects, the CSI-RS configuration may include an
indication that the CSI-RS of the second cell uses one scrambling
sequence over a set of symbols. In some aspects, the determination
of the timing difference may include receiving an indication of the
timing difference from the UE. In some aspects, the process 900 may
further include sending a request to measure the timing difference
to the UE. In some aspects, the determination of the timing
difference may include: receiving a first indication of the timing
difference from the UE and at least one second indication of the
timing difference from at least one other UE; and generating an
estimate of the timing difference based on the first indication of
the timing difference and the at least one second indication of the
timing difference.
[0116] In some aspects, a process in accordance with the teachings
herein may include any combination of the above operations and/or
features.
Third Example Process
[0117] FIG. 10 illustrates a process 1000 for communication in
accordance with some aspects of the disclosure. The process 1000
may take place within a processing circuit (e.g., the processing
circuit 710 of FIG. 7), which may be located in a gNB, a TRP, a
base station, a network node, a UE, an access terminal, or some
other suitable apparatus. Of course, in various aspects within the
scope of the disclosure, the process 1000 may be implemented by any
suitable apparatus capable of supporting communication-related
operations.
[0118] At optional block 1002, an apparatus (e.g., a gNB or a
network node) may receive an indication of a timing difference from
a user equipment (UE). For example, a first cell may receive the
indication from a UE served by a second cell.
[0119] At block 1004, the apparatus determines timing for a channel
state information-reference signal (CSI-RS) of a first cell.
[0120] At block 1006, the apparatus sends an indication of the
determined timing to the first cell.
[0121] At optional block 1008, the apparatus may send other timing
information to the first cell,
[0122] in some aspects, the determination of the timing may include
determining whether the first cell is to transmit the CSI-RS based
on timing of the first cell or timing of a second cell. In some
aspects, the indication may indicate when the first cell is to
transmit the CSI-RS. In some aspects, the indication may include at
least one offset between transmission of the CSI-RS by the first
cell and transmission of at least one CSI-RS by at least one other
cell. In some aspects, the indication may indicate that the first
cell is to transmit the CSI-RS based on timing of a second
cell.
[0123] In some aspects, the process 1000 may further include
sending to the first cell an indication of a timing difference
between the first cell and a second cell to be used for
transmission of the CSI-RS by the first cell. In some aspects, the
process 1000 may further include receiving the indication of the
timing difference from a user equipment WE) served by the second
cell. In some aspects, the process 1000 may further include sending
a request to measure the timing difference to the UE. In some
aspects, the timing difference may include a symbol timing
difference, a slot timing difference, a mini-slot timing
difference, a system frame number timing difference, or any
combination thereof. In some aspects, the process 1000 may further
include sending to the first cell an indication that transmission
of the CSI-RS by the first cell is to use one scrambling sequence
over a set of symbols. In some aspects, the process 1000 may
further include sending to the first cell an indication that
transmission of the CSI-RS by the first cell is to use different
scrambling sequences over a set of symbols. In some aspects, the
process 1000 may further include determining other timing for
another CSI-RS of a second cell; and generating the indication to
specify that the timing for the CSI-RS of the first cell does not
overlap the other timing for the other CSI-RS of the second
cell,
[0124] In some aspects, a process in accordance with the teachings
herein may include any combination of the above operations and/or
features.
[0125] Second Example Apparatus
[0126] FIG. 11 illustrates a block diagram of an example hardware
implementation of an apparatus 1100 configured to communicate
according to one or more aspects of the disclosure. The apparatus
1100 could embody or be implemented within a UE, a gNB, a transmit
receive point (TRP), an access point, or some other type of device
that supports wireless communication (e.g., with reference signals)
as taught herein. In various implementations, the apparatus 1100
could embody or be implemented within an access terminal, a base
station, or some other type of device. In various implementations,
the apparatus 1100 could embody or be implemented within a mobile
phone, a smart phone, a tablet, a portable computer, a personal
computer, a sensor, an alarm, a vehicle, a machine, a server, a
network entity, an entertainment device, a medical device, or any
other electronic device having circuitry.
[0127] The apparatus 1100 includes a communication interface 1102
(e.g., at least one transceiver), a storage medium 1104, a user
interface 1106, a memory device 1108 (e.g., storing cell
information 1118), and a processing circuit 1110 (e.g., at least
one processor). In various implementations, the user interface 1106
may include one or more of: a keypad, a display, a speaker, a
microphone, a touchscreen display, of some other circuitry for
receiving an input from or sending an output to a user. The
communication interface 1102 may be coupled to one or more antennas
1112, and may include a transmitter 1114 and a receiver 1116. In
general, the components of FIG. 11 may be similar to corresponding
components of the apparatus 700 of FIG. 7.
[0128] According to one or more aspects of the disclosure, the
processing circuit 1110 may be adapted to perform any or all of the
features, processes, functions, operations and/or routines for any
or all of the apparatuses described herein. For example, the
processing circuit 1110 may be configured to perform any of the
steps, functions, and/or processes described with respect to FIGS.
1-6, 12, and 13. As used herein, the term "adapted" in relation to
the processing circuit 1110 may refer to the processing circuit
1110 being one or more of configured, used, implemented, and/or
programmed to perform a particular process, function, operation
and/or routine according to various features described herein.
[0129] The processing circuit 1110 may be a specialized processor,
such as an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) that
serves as a means for (e.g., structure for) carrying out any one of
the operations described in conjunction with FIGS. 1-6, 12, and 13.
The processing circuit 1110 may serve as one example of a means for
transmitting and/or a means for receiving. In various
implementations, the processing circuit 1110 may provide and/or
incorporate, at least in part, the functionality described above
for the first device 202 of FIG. 2.
[0130] According to at least one example of the apparatus 1100, the
processing circuit 1110 may include one or more of a circuit/module
for determining a timing difference 1120, a circuit/module for
sending 1122, a circuit/module for receiving 1124, a circuit/module
for decoding 1126, a circuit/module for testing 1128, a
circuit/module for conducting 1130, or a circuit/module for
determining timing of a cell 1132. In various implementations, the
circuit/module for determining a timing difference 1120, the
circuit/module for sending 1122, the circuit/module for receiving
1124, the circuit/module for decoding 1126, the circuit/module for
testing 1128, the circuit/module for conducting 1130, or the
circuit/module for determining timing of a cell 1132 may provide
and/or incorporate, at least in part, the functionality described
above for the first device 202 of FIG. 2.
[0131] As mentioned above, programming, stored by the storage
medium 1104, when executed by the processing circuit 1110, causes
the processing circuit 1110 to perform one or more of the various
functions and/or process operations described herein. For example,
the programming may cause the processing circuit 1110 to perform
the various functions, steps, and/or processes described herein
with respect to FIGS. 1-6, 12, and 13 in various implementations.
As shown in FIG. 11, the storage medium 1104 may include one or
more of code for determining a timing difference 1140, code for
sending 1142, code for receiving 1144, code for decoding 1146, code
for testing 1148, code for conducting 1150, or code for determining
timing of a cell 1152. In various implementations, the code for
determining a timing difference 1140, the code for sending 1142,
the code for receiving 1144, the code for decoding 1146, the code
for testing 1148, the code for conducting 1150, or the code for
determining timing of a cell 1152 may be executed or otherwise used
to provide the functionality described herein for the
circuit/module for determining a timing difference 1120, the
circuit/module for sending 1122, the circuit/module for receiving
1124, the circuit/module for decoding 1126, the circuit/module for
testing 1128, the circuit/module for conducting 1130, or the
circuit/module for determining timing of a cell 1132.
Fourth Example Process
[0132] FIG. 12 illustrates a process 1200 for communication in
accordance with some aspects of the disclosure. The process 1200
may take place within a processing circuit (e.g., the processing
circuit 1110 of FIG. 11), which may be located in a UE, an access
terminal, a gNB, a TRP, a base station, or some other suitable
apparatus. Of course, in various aspects within the scope of the
disclosure, the process 1200 may be implemented by any suitable
apparatus capable of supporting communication-related
operations.
[0133] At block 1202, an apparatus (e.g., a UE) receives an
indication of a cell that provides timing for receiving a channel
state information-reference signal (CSI-RS) at a user equipment
(UE).
[0134] In some scenarios, the indicated cell may include (e.g., may
be) a serving cell for the UE. Here, in some cases, the CSI-RS may
be transmitted by a neighbor cell of the serving cell.
[0135] In some scenarios, the indicated cell may include (e.g., may
be) a neighbor cell of a serving cell for the UE. Here, in some
cases, the CSI-RS may be transmitted by the neighbor cell.
[0136] At optional block 1204, the apparatus may determine the
timing of the indicated cell. In this case, the receipt of the
CSI-RS at block 1206 may be based on the determined timing
[0137] At block 1206, the apparatus receives the CSI-RS. The cell
that provides timing may be the cell transmitting the CSI-RS or
some other cell. Thus, in some cases the apparatus receives the
CSI-RS from the indicated cell, while in other cases the apparatus
receives the CSI-RS from another cell, In some scenarios, the
receipt of the indication may involve receiving a CSI-RS
configuration for the CSI-RS that includes the indication. In some
aspects, the CSI-RS configuration may include an indication of a
sub-carrier spacing of the CSI-RS. In some aspects, the CSI-RS
configuration may include an indication of a timing difference
taking into account a sub-carrier spacing between a serving cell
for the UE and a cell that transmits the CSI-RS.
[0138] At optional block 1208, the apparatus may decode the CSI-RS
based on the CSI-RS configuration. In some aspects, the decoding
may include determining a scrambling sequence based on the CSI-RS
configuration, and decoding the CSI-RS based on the scrambling
sequence.
[0139] In some aspects, the CSI-RS configuration may be based on a
timing difference between a serving cell for the UE and the
indicated cell. In some aspects, the process 1200 may further
include determining the timing difference, and sending an
indication of the timing difference to the serving cell.
[0140] In some aspects, the process 1200 may further include
conducting a mobility operation associated with the indicated cell
based on the CSI-RS.
[0141] In some aspects, a process in accordance with the teachings
herein may include any combination of the above operations and/or
features.
Fifth Example Process
[0142] FIG. 13 illustrates a process 1300 for communication in
accordance with some aspects of the disclosure. The process 1300
may take place within a processing circuit (e.g., the processing
circuit 1110 of FIG. 11), which may be located in a UE, an access
terminal, a gNB, a TRP, a base station, or some other suitable
apparatus. Of course, in various aspects within the scope of the
disclosure, the process 1300 may be implemented by any suitable
apparatus capable of supporting communication-related
operations.
[0143] At block 1302, an apparatus (e.g., a UE) determines a timing
difference between a first cell and a second cell. For example, a
UE may determine a symbol timing difference based on NR-SSs
received from the first cell and NR-SSs received from the second
cell.
[0144] At block 1304, the apparatus sends an indication of the
timing difference to the first cell.
[0145] At block 1306, the apparatus receives, from the first cell,
a channel state information-reference signal (CSI-RS) configuration
that is based on the timing difference.
[0146] At block 1308, the apparatus decodes a CSI-RS of the second
cell based on the CSI-RS configuration. In some aspects, the
decoding may include determining a scrambling sequence based on the
CSI-RS configuration; and decoding the CSI-RS of the second cell
based on the scrambling sequence.
[0147] In some aspects, the CSI-RS configuration may include an
indication that timing for the CSI-RS of the second cell is based
on timing of the first cell. In some aspects, the CSI-RS
configuration may include an indication that timing for the CSI-RS
of the second cell is based on timing of the second cell. In some
aspects, the timing difference may include a symbol timing
difference, a slot timing difference, a mini-slot timing
difference, a system frame number timing difference, or any
combination thereof. In some aspects, the CSI-RS configuration may
include an indication of the timing difference, In some aspects,
the CSI-RS configuration may include timing information based on
the timing difference. In some aspects, the CSI-RS configuration
may include a scrambling identifier associated with the CSI-RS of
the second cell. In some aspects, the CSI-RS configuration may
include a seed for obtaining a scrambling identifier associated
with the CSI-RS of the second cell. In some aspects, the CSI-RS
configuration may include an indication that the CSI-RS of the
second cell uses one scrambling sequence over a set of symbols. In
some aspects, the CSI-RS configuration may include an indication
that the CSI-RS of the second cell uses different scrambling
sequences over a set of symbols.
[0148] In some aspects, the process 1300 may further include
testing (e.g., at least one test of) a plurality of sequence
hypotheses over the set of symbols as a result of receiving the
indication in the CSI-RS configuration.
[0149] In some aspects, the process 1300 may further include
conducting a mobility operation associated with the second cell
based on the CSI-RS of the second cell.
[0150] In some aspects, a process in accordance with the teachings
herein may include any combination of the above operations and/or
features.
[0151] Third Example Apparatus
[0152] FIG. 14 illustrates a block gram of an example hardware
implementation of an apparatus 1400 configured to communicate
according to one or more aspects of the disclosure. The apparatus
1400 could embody or be implemented within a gNB, a UE, a transmit
receive point (TRP), an access point, or some other type of device
that supports wireless communication (e.g., with reference signals)
as taught herein. In various implementations, the apparatus 1400
could embody or be implemented within a base station, an access
terminal, or some other type of device. In various implementations,
the apparatus 1400 could embody or be implemented within a server,
a network entity, a mobile phone, a smart phone, a tablet, a
portable computer, a personal computer, a sensor, an alarm, a
vehicle, a machine, an entertainment device, a medical device, or
any other electronic device having circuitry.
[0153] The apparatus 1400 includes a communication interface 1402
(e.g., at least one transceiver), a storage medium 1404, a user
interface 1406, a memory device 1408 (e.g., storing reference
signal information 1418), and a processing circuit 1410 (e.g., at
least one processor). In various implementations, the user
interface 1406 may include one or more of: a keypad, a display, a
speaker, a microphone, a touchscreen display, of some other
circuitry for receiving an input from or sending an output to a
user. The communication interface 1402 may be coupled to one or
more antennas 1412, and may include a transmitter 1414 and a
receiver 1416. In general, the components of FIG. 14 may be similar
to corresponding components of the apparatus 700 of FIG. 7.
[0154] According to one or more aspects of the disclosure, the
processing circuit 1410 may be adapted to perform any or all of the
features, processes, functions, operations and/or routines for any
or all of the apparatuses described herein. For example, the
processing circuit 1410 may be configured to perform any of the
steps, functions, and/or processes described with respect to FIGS.
1-6 and 15. As used herein, the term "adapted" in relation to the
processing circuit 1410 may refer to the processing circuit 1410
being one or more of configured, used, implemented, and/or
programmed to perform a particular process, function, operation
and/or routine according to various features described herein.
[0155] The processing circuit 1410 may be a specialized processor,
such as an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) that
serves as a means for (e.g., structure for) carrying out any one of
the operations described in conjunction with FIGS. 1-6 and 15. The
processing circuit 1410 may serve as one example of a means for
transmitting and/or a means for receiving. In various
implementations, the processing circuit 1410 may provide and/or
incorporate, at least in part, the functionality described above
for the neighbor cell 206 of FIG. 2.
[0156] According to at least one example of the apparatus 1400, the
processing circuit 1410 may include one or more of a circuit/module
for receiving 1420, a circuit/module for generating a CSI-RS 1422,
or a circuit/module for transmitting 1424. In various
implementations, the circuit/module for receiving 1420, the
circuit/module for generating a CSI-RS 1422, or the circuit/module,
for transmitting 1424 may provide and/or incorporate, at least in
part, the functionality described above for the neighbor cell 206
of FIG. 2.
[0157] As mentioned above, programming stored by the storage medium
1404, when executed by the processing circuit 1410, causes the
processing circuit 1410 to perform one or more of the various
functions and/or process operations described herein. For example,
the programming may cause the processing circuit 1410 to perform
the various functions, steps, and/or processes described herein
with respect to FIGS. 1-6 and 15 in various implementations. As
shown in FIG. 14, the storage medium 1404 may include one or more
of code for receiving 1430, code for generating a CSI-RS 1432, or
code for transmitting 1434. In various implementations, the code
for receiving 1430, the code for generating a CSI-RS 1432, or the
code for transmitting 1434 may be executed or otherwise used to
provide the functionality described herein for the circuit/module
for receiving 1420, the circuit/module for generating a CSI-RS
1422, or the circuit/module for transmitting, 1424.
Sixth Example Process
[0158] FIG. 15 illustrates a process 1500 for communication in
accordance with some aspects of the disclosure. The process 1500
may take place within a processing circuit (e.g., the processing
circuit 1410 of FIG. 14), which may be located in a UE, an access
terminal, a gNB, a TRP, a base station, or some other suitable
apparatus. Of course, in various aspects within the scope of the
disclosure, the process 1500 may be implemented by any suitable
apparatus capable of supporting communication-related
operations.
[0159] At block 1502, an apparatus (e.g., a gNB) receives an
indication of timing for a channel state information-reference
signal (CSI-RS) to be transmitted by a first cell,
[0160] At optional block 1504, the apparatus may receive a
scrambling sequence indication.
[0161] At block 1506, the apparatus generates the CSI-RS.
[0162] At block 1508, the apparatus outputs the CSI-RS for
transmission at a time based on the received indication of
timing,
[0163] in some aspects, the indication may indicate when the first
cell is to transmit the CSI-RS. In some aspects, the indication may
include at least one offset between transmission of the CSI-RS by
the first cell and transmission of at least one CSI-RS by at least
one other cell. In some aspects, the indication may indicate that
the first cell is to transmit the CSI-RS based on timing of the
first cell. In some aspects, the indication may indicate that the
first cell is to transmit the CSI-RS based on timing of a second
cell. In some aspects, the indication may indicate a timing
difference between the first cell and a second cell to be used for
transmission of the CSI-RS by the first cell. In some aspects, the
timing difference may include a symbol timing difference, a slot
timing difference, a mini-slot timing difference, a system frame
number timing difference, or any combination thereof. In some
aspects, the process 1500 may further include receiving another
indication that transmission of the CSI-RS by the first cell is to
use one scrambling sequence over a set of symbols, wherein the
transmission of the CSI-RS by the first cell uses one scrambling
sequence over a set of symbols as a result of receiving the other
indication. In some aspects, the process 1500 may further include
receiving another indication that transmission of the CSI-RS by the
first cell is to use different scrambling sequences over a set of
symbols, wherein the transmission of the CSI-RS by the first cell
uses different scrambling sequences over a set of symbols as a
result of receiving the other indication.
[0164] In some aspects, a process in accordance with the teachings
herein may include any combination of the above operations and/or
features.
Additional Aspects
[0165] In some aspects, the disclosure provides a method of
communication including: determining a timing difference between a
first cell and a second cell; determining, based on the timing
difference, a channel state information-reference signal (CSI-RS)
configuration for a CSI-RS of the second cell; and sending the
CSI-RS configuration to a user equipment (UE) served by the first
cell.
[0166] In some aspects, the disclosure provides an apparatus for
communication, including: a memory device and a processing circuit
coupled to the memory. The processing circuit is configured to:
determine a timing difference between a first cell and a second
cell; determine, based on the timing difference, a channel state
information-reference signal (CSI-RS) configuration for a CSI-RS of
the second cell; and send the CSI-RS configuration to a user
equipment (UE) served by the first cell.
[0167] In some aspects, the disclosure provides an apparatus
configured for communication. The apparatus including: means for
determining a timing difference between a first cell and a second
cell; means for determining, based on the timing difference, a
channel state information-reference signal (CSI-RS) configuration
for a CSI-RS of the second cell; and means for sending the CSI-RS
configuration to a user equipment (UE) served by the first
cell.
[0168] In some aspects, the disclosure provides a non-transitory
computer-readable medium storing computer-executable code,
including code to: determine a timing difference between a first
cell and a second cell; determine, based on the timing difference,
a channel state information-reference signal (CSI-RS) configuration
for a CSI-RS of the second cell; and send the CSI-RS configuration
to a user equipment (UE) served by the first cell.
[0169] In some aspects, the disclosure provides a method of
communication including: determining a timing difference between a
first cell and a second cell; sending an indication of the timing
difference to the first cell; receiving, from the first cell, a
channel state information-reference signal (CSI-RS) configuration
that is based on the timing difference; and decoding a CSI-RS of
the second cell based on the CSI-RS configuration.
[0170] In some aspects, the disclosure provides an apparatus for
communication, including: a memory device and a processing circuit
coupled to the memory. The processing circuit is configured to:
determine a timing difference between a first cell and a second
cell; send an indication of the timing difference to the first
cell; receive, from the first cell, a channel state
information-reference signal (CSI-RS) configuration that is based
on the timing difference; and decode a CSI-RS of the second cell
based on the CSI-RS configuration.
[0171] in some aspects, the disclosure provides an apparatus
configured for communication. The apparatus including: means for
determining a timing difference between a first cell and a second
cell; means for sending an indication of the timing difference to
the first cell; means for receiving, from the first cell, a channel
state information-reference signal (CSI-RS) configuration that is
based on the timing difference; and means for decoding a CSI-RS of
the second cell based on the CSI-RS configuration.
[0172] In some aspects, the disclosure provides a non-transitory
computer-readable medium storing computer-executable code,
including code to: determine a timing difference between a first
cell and a second cell; send an indication of the timing difference
to the first cell; receive, from the first cell, a channel state
information-reference signal (CSI-RS) configuration that is based
on the timing difference; and decode a CSI-RS of the second cell
based on the CSI-RS configuration.
[0173] In some aspects, the disclosure provides a method of
communication including: determining timing for a channel state
information-reference signal (CSI-RS) of a first cell; and sending
an indication of the determined timing to the first cell.
[0174] In some aspects, the disclosure provides an apparatus for
communication, including: a memory device and a processing circuit
coupled to the memory. The processing circuit is configured to:
determine timing for a channel state information-reference signal
(CSI-RS) of a first cell; and send an indication of the determined
timing to the first cell.
[0175] In some aspects, the disclosure provides an apparatus
configured for communication. The apparatus including: means for
determining timing for a channel state information-reference signal
(CSI-RS) of a first cell; and means for sending an indication of
the determined timing to the first cell.
[0176] In some aspects, the disclosure provides a non-transitory
computer-readable medium storing computer-executable code,
including code to: determine timing for a channel state
information-reference signal (CSI-RS) of a first cell; and send an
indication of the determined timing to the first cell.
[0177] In some aspects, the disclosure provides a method of
communication including: receiving an indication of timing for a
channel state information-reference signal (CSI-RS) to be
transmitted by a first cell; generating the CSI-RS; and outputting
the CSI-RS for transmission at a time based on the received
indication of timing.
[0178] In some aspects, the disclosure provides an apparatus for
communication, including: a memory device and a processing circuit
coupled to the memory. The processing circuit is configured to:
receive an indication of timing for a channel state
information-reference signal (CSI-RS) to be transmitted by a first
cell generate the CSI-RS; and output the CSI-RS for transmission at
a time based on the received indication of timing.
[0179] In some aspects, the disclosure provides an apparatus
configured for communication. The apparatus including: means far
receiving an indication of timing for a channel state
information-reference signal (CSI-RS) to be transmitted by a first
cell; means for generating the CSI-RS; and means for outputting the
CSI-RS for transmission at a time based on the received indication
of timing.
[0180] In some aspects, the disclosure provides a non-transitory
computer-readable medium storing computer-executable code,
including code to: receive an indication of timing for a channel
state information-reference signal (CSI-RS) to be transmitted by a
first cell; generate the CSI-RS; and output the CSI-RS for
transmission at a time based on the received indication of
timing.
[0181] Other Aspects
[0182] The examples set forth herein are provided to illustrate
certain concepts of the disclosure. Those of ordinary skill in the
art will comprehend that these are merely illustrative in nature,
and other examples may fall within the scope of the disclosure and
the appended claims.
[0183] As those skilled in the art will readily appreciate, various
aspects described throughout this disclosure may be extended to any
suitable telecommunication system, network architecture, and
communication standard. By way of example, various aspects may be
applied to 3GPP 5G systems and/or other suitable systems, including
those described by yet-to-be defined wide area network standards.
Various aspects may also be applied to systems using LTE (in FDD,
TDD, or both modes), LTE-Advanced (LTE-A) (in FDD, TDD, or both
modes), Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS), Global
System for Mobile Communications (GSM), Code Division Multiple
Access (CDMA), CDMA2000, Evolution-Data Optimized (EV-DO), Ultra
Mobile Broadband (UMB), IEEE 802.11 (Wi-Fi), IEEE 802.16 (WiMAX),
IEEE 802.20, Ultra-Wideband (UWB), Bluetooth, and/or other suitable
systems. Various aspects may also be applied to UMTS systems such
as W-CDMA, TD-SCDMA, and TD-CDMA. The actual telecommunication
standard, network architecture, and/or communication standard used
will depend on the specific application and the overall design
constraints imposed on the system.
[0184] Many aspects are described in terms of sequences of actions
to be performed by, for example, elements of a computing device, It
will be recognized that various actions described herein can be
performed by specific circuits, for example, central processing
units (CPUs), graphic processing units (CPUs), digital signal
processors (DSPs), application-specific integrated circuits
(ASICs), field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), or various other
types of general purpose or special purpose processors or circuits,
by program instructions being executed by one or more processors,
or by a combination of both. Additionally, these sequence of
actions described herein can be considered to be embodied entirely
within any form of computer readable storage medium having stored
therein a corresponding set of computer instructions that upon
execution would cause an associated processor to perform the
functionality described herein. Thus, the various aspects of the
disclosure may be embodied in a number of different forms, all of
which have been contemplated to be within the scope of the claimed
subject matter. In addition, for each of the aspects described
herein, the corresponding form of any such aspects may be described
herein as, for example, "logic configured to" perform the described
action.
[0185] Those of skill in the art will appreciate that information
and signals may be represented using any of a variety of different
technologies and techniques. For example, data, instructions,
commands, information, signals, bits, symbols, and chips that may
be referenced throughout the above description may be represented
by voltages, currents, electromagnetic waves, magnetic fields or
particles, optical fields or particles, or any combination
thereof.
[0186] Further, those of skill in the art will appreciate that the
various illustrative logical blocks, modules, circuits, and
algorithm steps described in connection with the aspects disclosed
herein may be implemented as electronic hardware, computer
software, or combinations of both. To clearly illustrate this
interchangeability of hardware and software, various illustrative
components, blocks, modules, circuits, and steps have been
described above generally in terms of their functionality. Whether
such functionality is implemented as hardware or software depends
upon the particular application and design constraints imposed on
the overall system. Skilled artisans may implement the described
functionality in varying ways for each particular application, but
such implementation decisions should not be interpreted as causing
a departure from the scope of the disclosure.
[0187] One or more of the components, steps, features and/or
functions illustrated in above may be rearranged and/or combined
into a single component, step, feature or function or embodied in
several components, steps, or functions. Additional elements,
components, steps, and/or functions may also be added without
departing from novel features disclosed herein. The apparatus,
devices, and/or components illustrated above may be configured to
perform one or more of the methods, features, or steps described
herein. The novel algorithms described herein may also be
efficiently implemented in software and/or embedded in
hardware.
[0188] It is to be understood that the specific order or hierarchy
of steps in the methods disclosed is an illustration of example
processes. Based upon design preferences, it is understood that the
specific order or hierarchy of steps in the methods may be
rearranged. The accompanying method claims present elements of the
various steps in a sample order, and are not meant to be limited to
the specific order or hierarchy presented unless specifically
recited therein.
[0189] The methods, sequences or algorithms described in connection
with the aspects disclosed herein may be embodied directly in
hardware, in a software module executed by a processor, or in a
combination of the two. A software module may reside in RAM memory,
flash memory, ROM memory, EPROM memory, EEPROM memory, registers,
hard disk, a removable disk, a CD-ROM, or any other form of storage
medium known in the art, An example of a storage medium is coupled
to the processor such that the processor can read information from,
and write information to, the storage medium. In the alternative,
the storage medium may be integral to the processor.
[0190] The word "exemplary" is used herein to mean "serving as an
example, instance, or illustration." Any aspect described herein as
"exemplary" is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or
advantageous over other aspects,
[0191] Likewise, the term "aspect" does not require that all
aspects include the discussed feature, advantage or mode of
operation. Based on the teachings herein one skilled in the art
should appreciate that an aspect disclosed herein may be
implemented independently of any other aspects and that two or more
of these aspects may be combined in various ways, For example, an
apparatus may be implemented or a method may be practiced using any
number of the aspects set forth herein. In addition, such an
apparatus may be implemented or such a method may be practiced
using other structure, functionality, or structure and
functionality in addition to or other than one or more of the
aspects set forth herein. Furthermore, an aspect may comprise at
least one element of a claim.
[0192] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing
particular aspects only and is not intended to be limiting of the
aspects. 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. It will be further understood that the
terms "comprises." "comprising," "includes" or "including," when
used herein, specify the presence of stated features, integers,
steps, operations, elements, or components, but do not preclude the
presence or addition of one or more other features, integers,
steps, operations, elements, components, or groups thereof.
Moreover, it is understood that the word "or" has the same meaning
as the Boolean operator "OR," that is, it encompasses the
possibilities of "either" and "both" and is not limited to
"exclusive or" ("XOR"), unless expressly stated otherwise. It is
also understood that the symbol "/" between two adjacent words has
the same meaning as "or" unless expressly stated otherwise,
Moreover, phrases such as "connected to," "coupled to" or "in
communication with" are not limited to direct connections unless
expressly stated otherwise.
[0193] Any reference to an element herein using a designation such
as "first,""second," and so forth does not generally limit the
quantity or order of those elements. Rather, these designations may
be used herein as a convenient method of distinguishing between two
or more elements or instances of an element. Thus, a reference to
first and second elements does not mean that only two elements may
be used there or that the first element must precede the second
element in some manner. Also, unless stated otherwise a set of
elements may comprise one or more elements. In addition,
terminology of the form "at least one of a, b, or c" or "a, b, c,
or any combination thereof" used in the description or the claims
means "a or b or c or any combination of these elements." For
example, this terminology may include a, or b, or c, or a and b, or
a and c, or a and b and c, or 2a, or 2b, or 2c, or 2a and b, and so
on.
[0194] As used herein, the term "determining" encompasses a wide
variety of actions. For example, "determining" may include
calculating, computing, processing, deriving, investigating,
looking up (e.g., looking up in a table, a database or another data
structure), ascertaining, and the like. Also, "determining" may
include receiving (e.g., receiving information), accessing (e.g.,
accessing data in a memory), and the like. Also, "determining" may
include resolving, selecting, choosing, establishing, and the
like.
[0195] While the foregoing disclosure shows illustrative aspects,
it should be noted that various changes and modifications could be
made herein without departing from the scope of the appended
claims. The functions, steps or actions of the method claims in
accordance with aspects described herein need not be performed in
any particular order unless expressly stated otherwise.
Furthermore, although elements may be described or claimed in the
singular, the plural is contemplated unless limitation to the
singular is explicitly stated.
* * * * *