Methods and apparatuses for physical resource block bundling size configuration

Abstract

Systems, methods, apparatuses, and computer program products relating to physical resource block (PRB) bundling size and/or precoding resource block group (PRG) configuration are provided. One method may include determining a minimum PRG size based at least on a user equipment's operating bandwidth, defining a configurable PRG set based on the minimum PRG size, and signaling the PRG set to the user equipment.

We claim: 
     
       1. A method, comprising:
 determining a minimum precoding resource block group (PRG) size based at least on a user equipment's operating bandwidth; 
 defining a configurable precoding resource block group (PRG) set based on the minimum precoding resource block group (PRG) size; and 
 signaling information associated with the precoding resource block group (PRG) set to the user equipment. 
 
     
     
       2. The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the determining comprises determining the minimum precoding resource block group (PRG) size to be different for user equipment with different operating bandwidths. 
     
     
       3. The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the determining comprises determining the minimum precoding resource block group (PRG) size to be different for each subcarrier spacing. 
     
     
       4. The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the defining comprises forming the precoding resource block group (PRG) set with values of one and/or multiples of the minimum precoding resource block group (PRG) size. 
     
     
       5. The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the defining comprises defining the precoding resource block group (PRG) set to be user equipment (UE)-specific. 
     
     
       6. The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the signaling comprises signaling the information associated with the precoding resource block group (PRG) set via downlink control information (DCI). 
     
     
       7. The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the signaling comprises signaling the information associated with the precoding resource block group (PRG) set with demodulation reference signal (DMRS) configuration. 
     
     
       8. The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the defining of the precoding resource block group (PRG) set comprises calculating physical resource block (PRB) bundling size as a function of demodulation reference signal (DMRS) patterns. 
     
     
       9. The method according  claim 1 , wherein the defining of the precoding resource block group (PRG) set comprises defining the precoding resource block group (PRG) set according to radio channel conditions and/or transmission schemes. 
     
     
       10. An apparatus, comprising:
 at least one processor; and 
 at least one memory including computer program code, 
 the at least one memory and the computer program code are configured, with the at least one processor, to cause the apparatus at least to 
 determine a minimum precoding resource block group (PRG) size based at least on a user equipment's operating bandwidth; 
 define a configurable precoding resource block group (PRG) set based on the minimum precoding resource block group (PRG) size; and 
 signal information associated with the precoding resource block group (PRG) set to the user equipment. 
 
     
     
       11. The apparatus according to  claim 10 , wherein when determining the minimum precoding resource block group (PRG) size, the at least one memory and the computer program code are configured, with the at least one processor, to cause the apparatus at least to determine the minimum precoding resource block group (PRG) size to be different for user equipment with different operating bandwidths. 
     
     
       12. The apparatus according to  claim 10 , wherein when determining the minimum precoding resource block group (PRG) size, the at least one memory and the computer program code are configured, with the at least one processor, to cause the apparatus at least to determine the minimum precoding resource block group (PRG) size to be different for each subcarrier spacing. 
     
     
       13. The apparatus according to  claim 10 , wherein when defining the configurable precoding resource block group (PRG) set, the at least one memory and the computer program code are configured, with the at least one processor, to cause the apparatus at least to form the precoding resource block group (PRG) set with values of one and/or multiples of the minimum precoding resource block group (PRG) size. 
     
     
       14. The apparatus according to  claim 10 , wherein when defining the configurable precoding resource block group (PRG) set, the at least one memory and the computer program code are configured, with the at least one processor, to cause the apparatus at least to define the precoding resource block group (PRG) set to be user equipment (UE)-specific. 
     
     
       15. The apparatus according to  claim 10 , wherein when signaling the information, the at least one memory and the computer program code are configured, with the at least one processor, to cause the apparatus at least to signal the information associated with the precoding resource block group (PRG) set via downlink control information (DCI). 
     
     
       16. The apparatus according to  claim 10 , wherein when signaling the information, the at least one memory and the computer program code are configured, with the at least one processor, to cause the apparatus at least to signal the information associated with the precoding resource block group (PRG) set with demodulation reference signal (DMRS) configuration. 
     
     
       17. The apparatus according to  claim 10 , wherein when defining the precoding resource block group (PRG) set, the at least one memory and the computer program code are configured, with the at least one processor, to cause the apparatus at least to define the precoding resource block group (PRG) set by calculating physical resource block (PRB) bundling size as a function of demodulation reference signal (DMRS) patterns. 
     
     
       18. The apparatus according  claim 10 , wherein when defining the precoding resource block group (PRG) set, the at least one memory and the computer program code are configured, with the at least one processor, to cause the apparatus at least to define the precoding resource block group (PRG) set according to radio channel conditions and/or transmission schemes. 
     
     
       19. A computer program, embodied on a non-transitory computer readable medium, wherein the computer program is configured to control a processor to perform a process, comprising:
 determining a minimum precoding resource block group (PRG) size based at least on a user equipment's operating bandwidth; 
 defining a configurable precoding resource block group (PRG) set based on the minimum precoding resource block group (PRG) size; and 
 signaling information associated with the precoding resource block group (PRG) set to the user equipment. 
 
     
     
       20. A method, comprising:
 receiving, at the user equipment, an indication associated with a precoding resource block group (PRG) set;   wherein the precoding resource block group (PRG) set is defined based on a minimum precoding resource block group (PRG) size, and wherein the minimum precoding resource block group (PRG) size is determined based at least on a user equipment's operating bandwidth; and   applying the precoding resource block group (PRG) set.   
     
     
       21. The method according to claim 20, wherein the receiving comprises receiving the indication associated with the precoding resource block group (PRG) set implicitly with demodulation reference signal (DMRS) configuration. 
     
     
       22. The method according to claim 20, wherein the receiving comprises receiving the indication associated with the precoding resource block group (PRG) set via dynamic signaling. 
     
     
       23. An apparatus, comprising:
 at least one processor; and   at least one memory including computer program code,   the at least one memory and the computer program code are configured, with the at least one processor, to cause the apparatus at least to   receive an indication associated with a precoding resource block group (PRG) set;   wherein the precoding resource block group (PRG) set is defined based on a minimum precoding resource block group (PRG) size, and wherein the minimum precoding resource block group (PRG) size is determined based at least on the user equipment's operating bandwidth; and   apply the precoding resource block group (PRG) set.   
     
     
       24. The apparatus according to claim 23, wherein when receiving the indication, the at least one memory and the computer program code are configured, with the at least one processor, to cause the apparatus at least to receive the indication associated with the precoding resource block group (PRG) set implicitly with demodulation reference signal (DMRS) configuration. 
     
     
       25. The apparatus according to claim 23, wherein when receiving the indication, the at least one memory and the computer program code are configured, with the at least one processor, to cause the apparatus at least to receive the indication associated with the precoding resource block group (PRG) set via dynamic signaling. 
     
     
       26. A computer program, embodied on a non-transitory computer readable medium, wherein the computer program is configured to control a processor to perform a process, comprising:
 receiving, at the user equipment, an indication associated with a precoding resource block group (PRG) set;   wherein the precoding resource block group (PRG) set is defined based on a minimum precoding resource block group (PRG) size, and wherein the minimum precoding resource block group (PRG) size is determined based at least on a user equipment's operating bandwidth; and   applying the precoding resource block group (PRG) set.