may apply to the SRS resource indicated by a SRS resource ID field contained in the MAC CE. Alternatively, the P_Fvalue and the value indicating k_offsetmay apply to all SRS resources contained in the SRS resource set containing the SRS resource indicated by a SRS resource ID field contained in the MAC CE.

In one embodiment, a method comprises transmitting a MAC CE indicating a P_Fvalue and a value indicating a starting position offset k_offsetin frequency domain for a SRS resource; and receiving the SRS resource in m_Pcontiguous resource blocks starting from

k
0

(

p
i

)

+

k

o
⁢
f
⁢
f
⁢
s
⁢
e
⁢
t

,

where m_Pis the largest integer that is equal to or smaller than

⌊

1

P
F

⁢

m

SRS
,

B
SRS

⌋

,

wherein m_SRS,B_SRSis the allocated sounding frequency band of the SRS resource configured by RRC signaling, and

k
0

(

p
i

)

is the start position of the SRS resource determined by RRC signaling.

In another embodiment, a remote unit comprises a receiver that receives a MAC CE indicating a P_Fvalue and a value indicating a starting position offset k_offsetin frequency domain for a SRS resource; and a transmitter that transmits the SRS resource in m_Pcontiguous resource blocks starting from

k
0

(

p
i

)

+

k

o
⁢
f
⁢
f
⁢
s
⁢
e
⁢
t

,

where m_Pis the largest integer that is equal to or smaller than

⌊

1

P
F

⁢

m

SRS
,

B
SRS

⌋

,

wherein m_SRS,B_SRSis the allocated sounding frequency band of the SRS resource configured by RRC signaling, and

k
0

(

p
i

)

is the start position of the SRS resource determined by RRC signaling.

In yet another embodiment, a base unit comprises a transmitter that transmits a MAC CE indicating a P_Fvalue and a value indicating a starting position offset k_offsetin frequency domain for a SRS resource; and a receiver that receives the SRS resource in m_Pcontiguous resource blocks starting from

k
0

(

p
i

)

+

k

o
⁢
f
⁢
f
⁢
s
⁢
e
⁢
t

,

where m_Pis the largest integer that is equal to or smaller than

⌊

1

P
F

⁢

m

SRS
,

B
SRS

⌋

,

wherein m_SRS,B_SRSis the allocated sounding frequency band of the SRS resource configured by RRC signaling, and

k
0

(

p
i

)

is the start position of the SRS resource determined by RRC signaling.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A more particular description of the embodiments briefly described above will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments that are illustrated in the appended drawings. Understanding that these drawings depict only some embodiments, and are not therefore to be considered to be limiting of scope, the embodiments will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a comparison between full frequency resources and partial frequency resources for a SRS resource;

FIG. 2 illustrates a first example of partial frequency sounding MAC CE;

FIG. 3 illustrates a second example of partial frequency sounding MAC CE;

FIG. 4 illustrates a third example of partial frequency sounding MAC CE;

FIG. 5 illustrates a fourth example of partial frequency sounding MAC CE;

FIG. 6 is a schematic flow chart diagram illustrating an embodiment of a method;

FIG. 7 is a schematic flow chart diagram illustrating a further embodiment of a method; and

FIG. 8 is a schematic block diagram illustrating apparatuses according to one embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As will be appreciated by one skilled in the art that certain aspects of the embodiments may be embodied as a system, apparatus, method, or program product. Accordingly, embodiments may take the form of an entirely hardware embodiment, an entirely software embodiment (including firmware, resident software, micro-code, etc.) or an embodiment combining software and hardware aspects that may generally all be referred to herein as a “circuit”, “module” or “system”. Furthermore, embodiments may take the form of a program product embodied in one or more computer readable storage devices storing machine-readable code, computer readable code, and/or program code, referred to hereafter as “code”. The storage devices may be tangible, non-transitory, and/or non-transmission. The storage devices may not embody signals. In a certain embodiment, the storage devices only employ signals for accessing code.

Certain functional units described in this specification may be labeled as “modules”, in order to more particularly emphasize their independent implementation. For example, a module may be implemented as a hardware circuit comprising custom very-large-scale integration (VLSI) circuits or gate arrays, off-the-shelf semiconductors such as logic chips, transistors, or other discrete components. A module may also be implemented in programmable hardware devices such as field programmable gate arrays, programmable array logic, programmable logic devices or the like.

Modules may also be implemented in code and/or software for execution by various types of processors. An identified module of code may, for instance, include one or more physical or logical blocks of executable code which may, for instance, be organized as an object, procedure, or function. Nevertheless, the executables of an identified module need not be physically located together, but, may include disparate instructions stored in different locations which, when joined logically together, include the module and achieve the stated purpose for the module.

Indeed, a module of code may contain a single instruction, or many instructions, and may even be distributed over several different code segments, among different programs, and across several memory devices. Similarly, operational data may be identified and illustrated herein within modules and may be embodied in any suitable form and organized within any suitable type of data structure. This operational data may be collected as a single data set, or may be distributed over different locations including over different computer readable storage devices. Where a module or portions of a module are implemented in software, the software portions are stored on one or more computer readable storage devices.

Any combination of one or more computer readable medium may be utilized. The computer readable medium may be a computer readable storage medium. The computer readable storage medium may be a storage device storing code. The storage device may be, for example, but need not necessarily be, an electronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared, holographic, micromechanical, or semiconductor system, apparatus, or device, or any suitable combination of the foregoing.

A non-exhaustive list of more specific examples of the storage device would include the following: an electrical connection having one or more wires, a portable computer diskette, a hard disk, random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), crasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM or Flash Memory), portable compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), an optical storage device, a magnetic storage device, or any suitable combination of the foregoing. In the context of this document, a computer-readable storage medium may be any tangible medium that can contain or store a program for use by or in connection with an instruction execution system, apparatus, or device.

Code for carrying out operations for embodiments may include any number of lines and may be written in any combination of one or more programming languages including an object-oriented programming language such as Python, Ruby, Java, Smalltalk, C++, or the like, and conventional procedural programming languages, such as the “C” programming language, or the like, and/or machine languages such as assembly languages. The code may be executed entirely on the user's computer, partly on the user's computer, as a stand-alone software package, partly on the user's computer and partly on a remote computer or entirely on the remote computer or server. In the very last scenario, the remote computer may be connected to the user's computer through any type of network, including a local area network (LAN) or a wide arca network (WAN), or the connection may be made to an external computer (for example, through the Internet using an Internet Service Provider).

Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment”, “an embodiment”, or similar language means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment. Thus, appearances of the phrases “in one embodiment”, “in an embodiment”, and similar language throughout this specification may, but do not necessarily, all refer to the same embodiment, but mean “one or more but not all embodiments” unless expressly specified otherwise. The terms “including”. “comprising”, “having”, and variations thereof mean “including but are not limited to”, unless otherwise expressly specified. An enumerated listing of items does not imply that any or all of the items are mutually exclusive, otherwise unless expressly specified. The terms “a”, “an”, and “the” also refer to “one or more” unless otherwise expressly specified.

Furthermore, described features, structures, or characteristics of various embodiments may be combined in any suitable manner. In the following description, numerous specific details are provided, such as examples of programming, software modules, user selections, network transactions, database queries, database structures, hardware modules, hardware circuits, hardware chips, etc., to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize, however, that embodiments may be practiced without one or more of the specific details, or with other methods, components, materials, and so forth. In other instances, well-known structures, materials, or operations are not shown or described in detail to avoid any obscuring of aspects of an embodiment.

Aspects of different embodiments are described below with reference to schematic flowchart diagrams and/or schematic block diagrams of methods, apparatuses, systems, and program products according to embodiments. It will be understood that each block of the schematic flowchart diagrams and/or schematic block diagrams, and combinations of blocks in the schematic flowchart diagrams and/or schematic block diagrams, can be implemented by code.

This code may be provided to a processor of a general purpose computer, special purpose computer, or other programmable data processing apparatus to produce a machine, such that the instructions, which are executed via the processor of the computer or other programmable data processing apparatus, create means for implementing the functions specified in the schematic flowchart diagrams and/or schematic block diagrams for the block or blocks.

The code may also be stored in a storage device that can direct a computer, other programmable data processing apparatus, or other devices, to function in a particular manner, such that the instructions stored in the storage device produce an article of manufacture including instructions which implement the function specified in the schematic flowchart diagrams and/or schematic block diagrams block or blocks.

The code may also be loaded onto a computer, other programmable data processing apparatus, or other devices, to cause a series of operational steps to be performed on the computer, other programmable apparatus or other devices to produce a computer implemented process such that the code executed on the computer or other programmable apparatus provides processes for implementing the functions specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks.

The schematic flowchart diagrams and/or schematic block diagrams in the Figures illustrate the architecture, functionality, and operation of possible implementations of apparatuses, systems, methods and program products according to various embodiments. In this regard, each block in the schematic flowchart diagrams and/or schematic block diagrams may represent a module, segment, or portion of code, which includes one or more executable instructions of the code for implementing the specified logical function(s).

It should also be noted that in some alternative implementations, the functions noted in the block may occur out of the order noted in the Figures. For example, two blocks shown in succession may substantially be executed concurrently, or the blocks may sometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending upon the functionality involved. Other steps and methods may be conceived that are equivalent in function, logic, or effect to one or more blocks, or portions thereof, to the illustrated Figures.

Although various arrow types and line types may be employed in the flowchart and/or block diagrams, they are understood not to limit the scope of the corresponding embodiments. Indeed, some arrows or other connectors may be used to indicate only the logical flow of the depicted embodiment. For instance, an arrow may indicate a waiting or monitoring period of unspecified duration between enumerated steps of the depicted embodiment. It will also be noted that each block of the block diagrams and/or flowchart diagrams, and combinations of blocks in the block diagrams and/or flowchart diagrams, can be implemented by special purpose hardware-based systems that perform the specified functions or acts, or combinations of special purpose hardware and code.

The description of elements in each Figure may refer to elements of proceeding figures. Like numbers refer to like elements in all figures, including alternate embodiments of like elements.

FIG. 1 illustrates the comparison between full frequency resources and partial frequency resources for a SRS resource.

In the left part of FIG. 1 labeled as “(a) Full frequency sounding”, the frequency resources used for a SRS resource with SRS antenna port p_iare determined by a starting position

k
0

(

p
i

)

in frequency domain and the allocated sounding frequency band (maybe referred to as “full sounding frequency band”) that is calculated based on the number of RBs (m_SRS,B_SRS). The starting position

k
0

(

p
i

)

is an index of the start subcarrier, and is determined by a set of RRC parameters. The allocated sounding frequency band refers to the number of subcarriers used for the SRS resource. The allocated sounding frequency band can be calculated as

m

SRS
,

B

S
⁢
R
⁢
S

×

N

s
⁢
c

R
⁢
B

,

where m_SRS,B_SRSis the number of RBs (resource blocks) used for the SRS resource, and

N

s
⁢
c

R
⁢
B

is the number of subcarriers in one RB (Resource Block) (e.g. equal to 12 subcarriers). The number of RBs (m_SRS,B_SRS) is determined by the RRC parameters C_SRSand B_SRSconfigured per SRS resource (see Table 1).

In the right part of FIG. 1 labeled as “(b) Partial frequency sounding”, the frequency resources used for a SRS resource with SRS antenna port p_iis determined by a new starting position

k
0

(

p
i

)

+

k

o
⁢
f
⁢
f
⁢
s
⁢
e
⁢
t

in frequency domain and a partial allocated sounding frequency band. The partial allocated sounding frequency band is within the full frequency band. The new starting position is obtained by adding an offset value k_offsetto the starting position

k
0

(

p
i

)

used for the SRS resource with SRS antenna port p_ifor full frequency sounding. The offset value k_offsetis a number of subcarriers. The partial frequency band is obtained by multiplying a fraction (e.g.

1

P
F

,

where P_Fis a coefficient that is larger than 1 (e.g. 2, 4, or 8)) to the full frequency sounding band (i.e. the allocated frequency band used for the SRS resource transmission) and performing a round down of the multiplying product. If the full frequency sounding band is represented by m_SRS,B_SRS(the number of RBs), the partial frequency band (used for the SRS resource for partial frequency sounding) can be represented by m_Pcontiguous RBs, where m_Pis the largest integer that is equal to or smaller than

⌊

1

P
F

⁢

m

SRS
,

B
SRS

⌋

,

i
.
e
.

m
P

=

rounddown
⁢

(

⌊

1

P
F

⁢

m

SRS
,

B
SRS

⌋

)

.

For example, if

m

SRS
,

B
SRS

=
32

,

P
F

=
4

,

then
⁢

⌊

1

P
F

⁢

m

SRS
,

B
SRS

⌋

=

32
/
4

=
8

,

m
p

=
8.

For another example, if

m

SRS
,

B
SRS

=
17

,

P
F

=
4

,

then
⁢

⌊

1

P
F

⁢

m

SRS
,

B
SRS

⌋

=

17
/
4

,

m
P

=

4
.

Incidentally, the present disclosure is only related to the frequency resources used for the SRS resource while it is not related to the time resources used for the SRS resource. In other words, the time resources used for the SRS resource for “partial frequency sounding” are the same as those used for the SRS resource for “full frequency sounding”, e.g. 1 OFDM symbol (that can be configured by RRC signaling).

For the frequency resources used for the SRS resource with SRS antenna port p_ifor “partial frequency sounding”, it is necessary to indicate the starting position

k
0

(

p
i

)

+

k

o
⁢
f
⁢
f
⁢
s
⁢
e
⁢
t

(the subcarrier index of the starting subcarrier) in frequency domain and to indicate the frequency band

m
P

=

rounddown
⁢

(

⌊

1

P
F

⁢

m

SRS
,

B
SRS

⌋

)

(e.g. by the number of subcarriers).

In principle, the starting position

k
0

(

p
i

)

+

k

o
⁢
f
⁢
f
⁢
s
⁢
e
⁢
t

in frequency domain and the frequency band

m
P

=

rounddown
⁢

(

⌊

1

P
F

⁢

m

SRS
,

B
SRS

⌋

)

can be indicated by any of RRC signaling, MAC CE and DCI.

If they are configured by RRC signaling, the frequency band

m
P

=

rounddown
⁢

(

⌊

1

P
F

⁢

m

SRS
,

B
SRS

⌋

)

can be directly configured by a new parameter

m

SRS
,

B
SRS

′

=

1

P
F

⁢

m
P

(which can be implemented by reconfiguring the related parameters, e.g., C_SRSand B_SRSof the SRS resource) while the starting position

k
0

(

p
i

)

+

k

o
⁢
f
⁢
f
⁢
s
⁢
e
⁢
t

can be directly configured a new parameter

k
0

′
⁡
(

p
i

)

=

k
0

(

p
i

)

+

k

o
⁢
f
⁢
f
⁢
s
⁢
e
⁢
t

.

However, the configuration by RRC signaling is slow.

If they are indicated in a DCI, at least for periodic and semi-persistent SRS, the overhead of the DCI would be too large. In addition, a new dedicated DCI format is necessary. The partial frequency sounding targets SRS capacity enhancement for multi-user scenario with lower mobility and small delay spread. The multiplexing pattern of different SRS resources of different users is semi-statically changed. So, the starting position and the frequency band for the SRS resource for partial frequency sounding are not necessarily changed dynamically (e.g. by indication of DCI).

As a whole, it is not favorite to indicate the starting position and the frequency band for the SRS resource for partial frequency sounding by RRC signaling or by DCI.

MAC CE based indication of the starting position and the frequency band for the SRS resource for partial frequency sounding can make a good trade-off for flexibility and signaling overhead.

MAC CE based indication and update of the starting position (e.g. by indicating k_offset) and the frequency band (e.g. by indicating P_F) for the SRS resource for partial frequency sounding are discussed in detail as follows:

For the frequency band

m
P

=

rounddown
⁢

(

⌊

1

P
F

⁢

m

SRS
,

B
SRS

⌋

)

for the SRS resource for partial frequency sounding, because the m_SRS,B_SRShas been configured before the SRS (e.g. aperiodic SRS, semi-persistent SRS or periodic SRS) resource is scheduled or triggered, it is only necessary to indicate the parameter P_Ffor the SRS resource that supports partial frequency sounding. For the starting position

(

k
0

(

p
i

)

+

k

o
⁢
f
⁢
f
⁢
s
⁢
e
⁢
t

)

for the SRS resource for partial frequency sounding, because the

k
0

(

p
i

)

has been configured before the SRS (e.g. aperiodic SRS, semi-persistent SRS or periodic SRS) resource is scheduled or triggered, it is only necessary to indicate the parameter k_offsetfor the SRS resource that supports partial frequency sounding. As a whole, it is only necessary to indicate P_Fand k_offsetfor the SRS resource for partial frequency sounding.

A partial frequency sounding MAC CE is used to indicate or update the starting position (e.g. by indicating k_offset) and the frequency band (e.g. by indicating P_F) for partial frequency sounding. In the following description, the partial frequency sounding MAC CE is abbreviated as the MAC CE.

A SRS resource set consists of multiple SRS resources. So, the starting position (e.g. k_offset) and the frequency band (e.g. P_F) can be configured and/or indicated to a SRS resource set or to a SRS resource.

For P_F, multiple P_Fvalues can be configured for one SRS resource or one SRS resource set by RRC signaling. The base station (e.g. gNB) can select a certain P_Fvalue by indicating a P_Fvalue index with a P_Ffield of the MAC CE.

For example, if P_Fvalues∈{1, 2, 4, 8} (i.e. 4 P_Fvalues) are configured for a UE, a P_Ffield with two (2=┌log₂(4)┐) bits can be contained in the MAC CE. For example, the 2 bits P_Ffield can be defined by Table 2. The bit length of the P_Ffield is determined by the number of P_Fvalues (N_P_F). In particular, the bit length of the P_Ffield is the smallest integer that is equal to or larger than log₂(N_P_F), i.e. roundup(log₂(N_P_F)). Incidentally, if the P_Fvalue is 1, the frequency band

m
P

=

rounddown
⁢

(

⌊

1

P
F

⁢

m

SRS
,

B
SRS

⌋

=

m

SRS
,

B
SRS

(which means full frequency sounding).

TABLE 2

Mapping between P_Ffield and P_Fvalues

P_Ffield
P_Fvalue

00
1

01
2

10
4

11
8

The k_offsetcan be indicated by the number of resource blocks (RBs) (N_offset). That is,

k
0

′
⁡
(

p
i

)

=

k
0

(

p
i

)

+

k

o
⁢
f
⁢
f
⁢
s
⁢
e
⁢
t

=

k
0

(

p
i

)

+

N

o
⁢
f
⁢
f
⁢
s
⁢
e
⁢
t

×

N
sc

R
⁢
B

,

N

o
⁢
f
⁢
f
⁢
s
⁢
e
⁢
t

∈

{

0
,
1
,
…

,
255

}

,

where

N

s
⁢
c

R
⁢
B

(e.g. equal to 12) is the number of subcarriers per RB (resource block). When N_offsetis indicated by a 8 bits field, the possible values of N_offsetis 0 to 255. On the other hand, in order to ensure that the partial allocated sounding frequency band is within the full frequency band, the candidate values of N_offsetshall be no more than

P
ˆ

F

-
1

P
ˆ

F

⁢

m

SRS
,

B
SRS

,

where {circumflex over (P)}_Fis the P_Fvalue indicated by the P_Ffield.

A first example of the MAC CE is illustrated in FIG. 2. The P_Fvalue is indicated by a 2 (i.e. roundup(log₂(N_P_F))=roundup(log₂(4))=2) bits field (P_Ffield) and represents a P_Fvalue according to Table 2. The N_offsetvalue is indicated by a 8 bits field (N_offsetfield) and represents the number of RBs. The N_offsetvalue (i.e. the number of RBs) can be an integer that is no more than

P
ˆ

F

-
1

P
ˆ

F

⁢

m

SRS
,

B
SRS

selected from any of 0 to 255, where {circumflex over (P)}_Fis the P_Fvalue indicated by the P_Ffield. In FIG. 2, the N_offsetvalue and the P_Fvalue are indicated to a SRS resource set indicated by a 4 bits SRS resource set ID field, where all SRS resources within the SRS resource set indicated by the SRS resource set ID field share the same N_offsetvalue and the same P_Fvalue indicated in the MAC CE. In FIG. 2, the Serving Cell ID field (with 5 bits) indicates the identity of the Serving Cell for which the MAC CE applies; the BWP ID field (with 2 bits) indicates a DL BWP for which the MAC CE applies; and the R field is reserved and set to 0.

A second example of the MAC CE is illustrated in FIG. 3. The P_Fvalue is indicated by a 2 (i.e. roundup(log₂(N_P_F))=roundup(log₂(4))=2) bits field (P_Ffield) and represents a P_Fvalue according to Table 2. The N_offsetvalue is indicated by a 8 bits field (N_offsetfield) and represents the number of RBs. The N_offsetvalue (i.e. the number of RBs) can be an integer that is no more than

P
ˆ

F

-
1

P
ˆ

F

⁢

m

SRS
,

B
SRS

selected from any of 0 to 255 where {circumflex over (P)}_Fis the P_Fvalue indicated by the P_Ffield. In FIG. 3, the N_offsetvalue and the P_Fvalue are indicated to a SRS resource indicated by a 6 bits SRS resource ID field, where the SRS resource indicated by the SRS resource ID field is indicated with the N_offsetvalue and the P_Fvalue indicated by the N_offsetfield and the P_Ffield of the MAC CE. In FIG. 3, the Serving Cell ID field (with 5 bits) indicates the identity of the Serving Cell for which the MAC CE applies; the BWP ID field (with 2 bits) indicates a DL BWP for which the MAC CE applies; and the R field is reserved and set to 0.

From the performance perspective, all SRS resources within a same SRS resource set prefer to be configured with the same N_offsetvalue and the same P_Fvalue. Therefore, the MAC CE illustrated in FIG. 3 can be understood as: the N_offsetvalue and the P_Fvalue indicated by the N_offsetfield and the P_Ffield of the MAC CE applies to all SRS resources within the SRS resource set containing the SRS resource indicated by the SRS resource ID field of the MAC CE.

The k_offsetcan be alternatively indicated by the number of m_PRBs, where m_Pis the largest integer that is equal to or smaller than

⌊

1

P
F

⁢

m

SRS
,

B
SRS

⌋

.

That is,

k
0

′
⁡
(

p
i

)

=

k
0

(

p
i

)

+

k

o
⁢
f
⁢
f
⁢
s
⁢
e
⁢
t

=

k
0

(

p
i

)

+

M

o
⁢
f
⁢
f
⁢
s
⁢
e
⁢
t

×

m
P

×

N
sc

R
⁢
B

,

M

o
⁢
f
⁢
f
⁢
s
⁢
e
⁢
t

∈

{

0
,
1
,
…

,

P
^

F

-
1

}

,

where

N

s
⁢
c

R
⁢
B

(e.g. equal to 12) is the number of subcarriers per RB (resource block). The bit length of M_offsetfield is determined by ┌log₂(max(P_F))┐. For example, if the maximum value of P_F(max(P_F)) is 8, M_offsetvalue can be indicated by a 3 (=log₂8) bits M_offsetfield of the MAC CE illustrated in FIG. 4 or the MAC CE illustrated in FIG. 5. {circumflex over (P)}_Fis the P_Fvalue indicated by the P_Ffield.

FIG. 4 differs from FIG. 2 only in that the N_offsetfield (with 8 bits) is replaced with a M_offsetfield (with 3 bits) and 5 R fields are added.

Similar to FIG. 2, in FIG. 4, the M_offsetvalue indicated by M_offsetfield and the P_Fvalue indicated by P_Ffield are indicated to the SRS resource set indicated by the SRS resource set ID field, where all SRS resources within the SRS resource set indicated by the SRS resource set ID field share the same M_offsetvalue and the same P_Fvalue.

FIG. 5 differs from FIG. 3 only in that the N_offsetfield (with 8 bits) is replaced with a M_offsetfield (with 3 bits) and 5 R fields are added.

Similar to FIG. 3, in FIG. 5, the M_offsetvalue indicated by M_offsetfield and the P_Fvalue indicated by P_Ffield are indicated to the SRS resource indicated by the SRS resource ID field. Alternatively, the MAC CE illustrated in FIG. 5 can be understood as: the M_offsetvalue indicated by M_offsetfield and the P_Fvalue indicated by P_Ffield of the MAC CE applies to all SRS resources within the SRS resource set containing the SRS resource indicated by the SRS resource ID field.

When the UE receives the MAC CE (e.g. the partial frequency sounding MAC CE) indicating the start position (e.g. by the starting position offset k_offset) and the frequency band (e.g. by the P_Fvalue) for a SRS resource with SRS antenna port p_ifor partial frequency sounding, if the SRS (aperiodic SRS, semi-persistent SRS or periodic SRS) resource is scheduled or triggered with the allocated sounding frequency band of m_SRS,B_SRSand the start position of

k
0

(

p
i

)

,

the UE would transmit the SRS resource in m_Pcontiguous RBs starting from

k
0

(

p
i

)

+

k

o
⁢
f
⁢
f
⁢
s
⁢
e
⁢
t

,

where m_Pis the largest integer that is equal to or smaller than

⌊

1

P
F

⁢

m

SRS
,

B
SRS

⌋

.

FIG. 6 is a schematic flow chart diagram illustrating an embodiment of a method 600 according to the present application. In some embodiments, the method 600 is performed by an apparatus, such as a base unit. In certain embodiments, the method 600 may be performed by a processor executing program code, for example, a microcontroller, a microprocessor, a CPU, a GPU, an auxiliary processing unit, a FPGA, or the like.

The method 600 may include 602 receiving a MAC CE indicating a P_Fvalue and a value indicating a starting position offset k_offsetin frequency domain for a SRS resource; and 604 transmitting the SRS resource in m_Pcontiguous resource blocks starting from

k
0

(

p
i

)

+

k

o
⁢
f
⁢
f
⁢
s
⁢
e
⁢
t

,

where m_Pis the largest integer that is equal to or smaller than

⌊

1

P
F

⁢

m

SRS
,

B
SRS

⌋

,

wherein m_SRS,B_SRSis the allocated sounding frequency band of the SRS resource configured by RRC signaling, and

k
0

(

p
i

)

is the start position of the SRS resource determined by RRC signaling.

The P_Fvalue is one of multiple P_Fvalues configured by RRC signaling. The P_Fvalue is indicated by a P_Ffield with a bit length determined by ┌log₂(N_P_F)┐, where N_P_Fis the number of the multiple P_Fvalues.

The starting position offset k_offsetmay be determined by the number of resource blocks (N_offset) indicated by an N_offsetfield, where

k

o
⁢
f
⁢
f
⁢
s
⁢
e
⁢
t

=

N

o
⁢
f
⁢
f
⁢
s
⁢
e
⁢
t

×

N

s
⁢
c

R
⁢
B

,

where

N

s
⁢
c

R
⁢
B

is the number of subcarriers per resource block. N_offsetis no more than

P
^

F

-
1

P
^

F

⁢

m

SRS
,

B
SRS

,

where {circumflex over (P)}_Fis the indicated P_Fvalue. Alternatively, the starting position offset k_offsetmay be indicated by the number of m_Presource blocks (M_offset) indicated by an M_offsetfield, where

k

o
⁢
f
⁢
f
⁢
s
⁢
e
⁢
t

=

M

o
⁢
f
⁢
f
⁢
s
⁢
e
⁢
t

×

m
P

×

N

s
⁢
c

R
⁢
B

,

where

N

s
⁢
c

R
⁢
B

is the number of subcarriers per resource block, M_offsetis one of 0, 1, . . . , and {circumflex over (P)}_F−1, where {circumflex over (P)}_Fis the P_Fvalue indicated by the P_Ffield.

The P_Fvalue and the value indicating k_offsetmay apply to all SRS resources within the SRS resource set indicated by a SRS resource set ID field contained in the MAC CE. Alternatively, the P_Fvalue and the value indicating k_offsetmay apply to the SRS resource indicated by a SRS resource ID field contained in the MAC CE. Further alternatively, the P_Fvalue and the value indicating k_offsetmay apply to all SRS resources contained in the SRS resource set containing the SRS resource indicated by a SRS resource ID field contained in the MAC CE.

FIG. 7 is a schematic flow chart diagram illustrating a further embodiment of a method 700 according to the present application. In some embodiments, the method 700 is performed by an apparatus, such as a remote unit. In certain embodiments, the method 700 may be performed by a processor executing program code, for example, a microcontroller, a microprocessor, a CPU, a GPU, an auxiliary processing unit, a FPGA, or the like.

The method 700 may include 702 transmitting a MAC CE indicating a P_Fvalue and a value indicating a starting position offset k_offsetin frequency domain for a SRS resource; and 704 receiving the SRS resource in m_Pcontiguous resource blocks starting from

k
0

(

p
i

)

+

k

o
⁢
f
⁢
f
⁢
s
⁢
e
⁢
t

,

where m_Pis the largest integer that is equal to or smaller than

⌊

1

P
F

⁢

m

SRS
,

B
SRS

⌋

,

wherein M_SRS,B_SRSis the allocated sounding frequency band of the SRS resource configured by RRC signaling, and

k
0

(

p
i

)

is the start position of the SRS resource determined by RRC signaling.

The P_Fvalue is one of multiple P_Fvalues configured by RRC signaling. The P_Fvalue is indicated by a P_Ffield with a bit length determined by ┌log₂(N_P_F)┐, where N_SC^RBis the number of the multiple P_Fvalues.

The starting position offset k_offsetmay be determined by the number of resource blocks (N_offset) indicated by an N_offsetfield, where

k

o
⁢
f
⁢
f
⁢
s
⁢
e
⁢
t

=

N

o
⁢
f
⁢
f
⁢
s
⁢
e
⁢
t

×

N

s
⁢
c

R
⁢
B

,

where

N

s
⁢
c

R
⁢
B

is the number of subcarriers per resource block, N_offsetis no more than

P
^

F

-
1

P
^

F

⁢

m

SRS
,

B
SRS

,

where {circumflex over (P)}_Fis the indicated P_Fvalue. Alternatively, the starting position offset k_offsetmay be indicated by the number of m_Presource blocks (M_offset) indicated by an M_offsetfield, where

k

o
⁢
f
⁢
f
⁢
s
⁢
e
⁢
t

=

M

o
⁢
f
⁢
f
⁢
s
⁢
e
⁢
t

×

m
P

×

N

s
⁢
c

R
⁢
B

,

where

N

s
⁢
c

R
⁢
B

is the number of subcarriers per resource block, M_offsetis one of 0, 1, . . . , and {circumflex over (P)}_F−1, where {circumflex over (P)}_Fis the P_Fvalue indicated by the P_Ffield.

The P_Fvalue and the value indicating k_offsetmay apply to all SRS resources within the SRS resource set indicated by a SRS resource set ID field contained in the MAC CE. Alternatively, the P_Fvalue and the value indicating k_offsetmay apply to the SRS resource indicated by a SRS resource ID field contained in the MAC CE. Further alternatively, the P_Fvalue and the value indicating k_offsetmay apply to all SRS resources contained in the SRS resource set containing the SRS resource indicated by a SRS resource ID field contained in the MAC CE.

FIG. 8 is a schematic block diagram illustrating apparatuses according to one embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 8, the UE (i.e. the remote unit) includes a processor, a memory, and a transceiver. The processor implements a function, a process, and/or a method which are proposed in FIG. 6.

The UE comprises a receiver that receives a MAC CE indicating a P_Fvalue and a value indicating a starting position offset k_offsetin frequency domain for a SRS resource; and a transmitter that transmits the SRS resource in m_Pcontiguous resource blocks starting from

k
0

(

p
i

)

+

k

o
⁢
f
⁢
f
⁢
s
⁢
e
⁢
t

,

wherein m_Pis the largest integer that is equal to or smaller than

⌊

1

P
F

⁢

m

SRS
,

B
SRS

⌋

,

wherein m_SRS,B_SRSis the allocated sounding frequency band of the SRS resource configured by RRC signaling, and

k
0

(

p
i

)

is the start position of the SRS resource determined by RRC signaling.

The P_Fvalue is one of multiple P_Fvalues configured by RRC signaling. The P_Fvalue is indicated by a P_Ffield with a bit length determined by ┌log₂(N_P_F)┐, where N_p_Fis the number of the multiple P_Fvalues.

The starting position offset k_offsetmay be determined by the number of resource blocks (N_offset) indicated by an N_offsetfield, where

k

o
⁢
f
⁢
f
⁢
s
⁢
e
⁢
t

=

N

o
⁢
f
⁢
f
⁢
s
⁢
e
⁢
t

×

N

s
⁢
c

R
⁢
B

,

where

N

s
⁢
c

R
⁢
B

is the number of subcarriers per resource block. N_offsetis no more than

P
^

F

-
1

P
^

F

⁢

m

SRS
,

B
SRS

,

where {circumflex over (P)}_Fis the indicated P_Fvalue. Alternatively, the starting position offset k_offsetmay be indicated by the number of m_Presource blocks (M_offset) indicated by an M_offsetfield, where

k

o
⁢
f
⁢
f
⁢
s
⁢
e
⁢
t

=

M

o
⁢
f
⁢
f
⁢
s
⁢
e
⁢
t

×

m
P

×

N

s
⁢
c

R
⁢
B

,

where

N

s
⁢
c

R
⁢
B

is the number of subcarriers per resource block. M_offsetis one of 0, 1, . . . , and {circumflex over (P)}_F−1, where {circumflex over (P)}_Fis the P_Fvalue indicated by the P_Ffield.

The P_Fvalue and the value indicating k