CROSS-REFERENCE TO PRIORITY APPLICATION

The present application claims priority to United States provisional patent application number 62/481095, filed 3 April 2017 and entitled "Supporting Mixed Numerologies," the entirety of which is incorporated by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The application relates to systems, methods, and apparatus for wireless communication, and in particular, for configuring and identifying numerologies to be utilized for communications between a network node and a user equipment (UE).

BACKGROUND

Currently, the new 5G air-interface developed by the Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP), also referred to as "NR" (New Radio), is based on Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexed (OFDM) transmission, with the possibility for complementary Discrete Fourier Transform (DFT)-precoding in the uplink transmission direction. In addition, NR supports communications that use different numerologies for different time-frequency resources (i.e. resource blocks, resource elements, or any other areas of usable spectrum defined by a particular time period and a particular frequency range (i.e. carrier, subcarrier, etc.)) for a given frame, subframe, slot, symbol, etc. Although 3GPP has agreed that NR should support such mixed numerology, there have been no detailed discussions in 3GPP on how this will be solved in practice.

Therefore, particular methods and apparatuses are needed to realize the mixed numerology paradigm envisioned for NR.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure describes techniques for configuring a numerology to be used in communications between a network node and a UE. Specifically, a network node can indicate to a UE, implicitly or explicitly, a numerology that is to be utilized for an uplink or downlink communication over a particular time-frequency resource. In an aspect, this indication can be provided via control signaling from the network node to the UE.

In particular, the present disclosure describes an example method performed by a UE for determining a numerology to be used for communication with a network node over a subset of time-frequency resources in a wireless communication system. In an aspect, the example method can include the UE receiving a control signal from the network node and determining the numerology to be used for the communication based on the control signal. In addition, the disclosure presents a method performed by a network node for providing a UE with a numerology to be used for communication with the UE over a subset of time- frequency resources in a wireless communication system. In an aspect, the method includes determining the numerology to be used for the communication over the subset of time- frequency resources, as well as transmitting a control signal indicating the numerology to the user equipment.

The present disclosure also describes an example user equipment configured to receive a control signal from the network node and to determine, based on the control signal, a numerology to be used for communication with a network node over a subset of time-frequency resources.

Furthermore, the present disclosure describes a user equipment that includes at least one processor and a memory in communication with the at least one processor, wherein the memory stores instructions, that when executed by the at least one processor, causes the user equipment to receive a control signal from the network node and determine, based on the control signal, a numerology to be used for communication with a network node over a subset of time-frequency resources.

The disclosure also describes an example computer program comprising machine- readable instructions that, when executed by at least one processor of a user equipment, cause the user equipment to receive a control signal from the network node and to determine, based on the control signal, a numerology to be used for communication with a network node over a subset of time-frequency resources.

Furthermore, the disclosure provides for a network node configured to determine the numerology to be used for communication by the user equipment with the network node over a subset of time-frequency resources and to transmit a control signal indicating the numerology to the user equipment.

The disclosure also describes a network node that includes at least one processor and a memory in communication with the at least one processor, where the memory stores instructions, that when executed by the at least one processor, causes the user equipment to determine the numerology to be used for communication by the user equipment with the network node over a subset of time-frequency resources and transmit a control signal indicating the numerology to the user equipment.

In addition, the disclosure presents a computer program that includes machine-readable instructions that, when executed by at least one processor of a network node, cause the network node to determine the numerology to be used for communication by a user equipment with the network node over a subset of time-frequency resources and transmit a control signal indicating the numerology to the user equipment. In some embodiments, the control signal can implicitly or explicitly indicate the numerology

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Figure 1 illustrates a wireless communication system corresponding to example embodiments of the present disclosure.

Figure 2 illustrates a method performed by a user equipment according to one or more embodiments.

Figure 3 illustrates a method performed by a network node according to one or more embodiments.

Figures 4A and 4B illustrate aspects of a user equipment in example embodiments of the present invention.

Figures 5A and 5B illustrate aspects of a network node in example embodiments of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present disclosure describes example techniques for configuring and identifying a numerology to be utilized for one or more communications between a UE and a network node. Because the time-frequency resources (i.e., resource elements, resource blocks, and the like) that make up NR communication channels can be divided in such a way that multiple different numerologies can be used in a particular slot, subframe, frame, or the like, these techniques provide a way for the communicating devices to coordinate regarding these different numerologies.

In some systems, NR downlink slots can consists of three parts, as shown below in Diagram 1 : a control part in which the Physical Downlink Control Channel (PDCCH) is transmitted, a data part in which the Physical Downlink Shared Channel (PDSCH) is transmitted, and a possible "empty part" at the end of the slot (also referred to as a "tail" or "tail portion").

Diagram 1: Parts of NR Downlink Slot

The PDCCH carries downlink control information (DCI), which may include a downlink scheduling assignment informing a UE about the transmission formats for a corresponding PDSCH transmission that is to occur within the same or a subsequent downlink slot. The PDSCH may be transmitted on the same carrier as the PDCCH (same-carrier scheduling) in some examples. Alternatively, the PDSCH may be transmitted on a different carrier (i.e.

frequency, subcarrier), compared to the PDCCH, which is called inter-carrier or cross-carrier scheduling. In some instances, the DCI may additionally or alternatively include an uplink scheduling grant informing a UE about the time-frequency resources to be used by the UE for a subsequent uplink PUSCH transmissions. For purposes of the present disclosure, these PDCCH and PUSCH transmissions may be referred to, generally, as "communications" (or a "communication", individually).

A numerology associated with a communication defines at least one of a sub-carrier spacing, a cyclic prefix length, and/or slot length (e.g., in number of OFDM symbols) used for the communication. NR may support different numerologies according to Table 1 , below:

Table 1: NR Numerologies

The following should be noted that the current assumptions in 3GPP is that, for sub- carrier spacings equal or smaller than 60 kHz, there are two alternatives for the slot length corresponding to 14 OFDM symbols and 7 OFDM symbols per slot respectively. In addition to the cyclic prefixes indicated in Table 1 , for some numerologies an additional longer/extended cyclic prefix may be supported.

As introduced above, NR can support the simultaneous use of multiple numerologies on the same carrier and/or at a same time, which can be referred to as "mixed numerology." In case of mixed numerology, different numerologies can be used for different downlink transmissions targeting different UEs within a cell. Different numerologies can also be used for uplink transmissions by different UEs within a cell. In addition, different numerologies may be used for different transmission to the same UE (downlink transmission) or different

transmissions from the same UE (uplink transmission). One reason for supporting mixed numerology with NR is that the appropriate numerology to use for a certain transmission may depend on, for example, the service to be provided. As an example, a higher numerology (higher sub-carrier spacing) may be associated with a shorter slot length. Thus, the use of a higher numerology may allowfor lower latency compared to the use of a lower numerology (lower sub-carrier spacing). At the same time, a lower numerology may be associated with a larger cyclic-prefix length, potentially enabling better link performance in deployment where transmissions may experience more extended time dispersion. Thus, there may be situations when a higher numerology is appropriate for certain transmissions, for example transmissions corresponding to services that require a very low latency, while, for other transmissions, a lower numerology may be more appropriate due to potentially better link performance.

In case of mixed numerologies, different numerologies can be used at different time instances (i.e. time multiplexing of different numerologies), as shown in Diagram 2, below. Likewise, as shown in Diagram 3 below, different numerologies can also be used

simultaneously in different frequency resources (or groups thereof) of the overall carrier spectrum (i.e. frequency multiplexing of different numerologies).

Time

Numerology #1 (e.g. 30 kHz)

f§H Numerology #2 (e.g. 60 kHz)

Dia ram 2: Time multiplexing of different numerologies

Time

[ I Numerology #1 (e.g. 30 kHz)

fUl Numerology #2 (e.g. 60 kHz)

Diagram 3: Frequency multiplexing of different numerologies Although 3GPP has agreed that NR should support mixed numerology, there has been no detailed discussions in 3GPP on how this will be solved in practice. This includes

• How does a UE know what numerology is used for PDCCH?

· How does a UE know what numerology is used for PDSCH?

• How does a UE know what numerology is used for PUSCH?

• How can a UE use multiple numerologies?

Accordingly, the embodiments presented herein describe techniques for configuring (at the network node) and identifying (at the UE) a numerology that is to be utilized for one or more communications over a subset of time-frequency resources of the available time-frequency resources for a channel over a time period (such as a subframe or slot). As described further below in reference to the Figures, the solution described in the present disclosure allows for the UE to be configured with one or several numerologies and for the UE to know what numerology to use/assume for PDSCH reception and PUSCH transmission.

Figure 1 illustrates a wireless communication system 100 that includes at least one network node 106 and at least one UE 102 in wireless communication over one or more communication channels. In an aspect, these communication channels may include one or more control channels carrying control information between the UE 102 and the network node 106 (e.g., PDCCH) and/or one or more uplink and/or downlink shared channels (e.g., PUSCH, PDSCH) for transmitting, for instance, user or application payload packet data, RRC

communications, or others. In an aspect, the network node 106 may be configured to configure a numerology 1 1 1 to be utilized for a communication over one or more of these channels. As shown in Figure 1 , the network node can indicate the numerology 1 1 1 to the UE 102 via a control signal 1 14. This indication may be implicit in some instances (i.e. mapped to a numerology 1 1 1 from a specific carrier used for the control signal transmission, etc.), where in other examples the indication may be explicit (e.g., using Master Information Blocks (MIBs) or System Information Blocks (SIBs)). Furthermore, as shown in the numerology 1 1 1 arrangement 1 10 for a shared uplink channel 1 16, two numerologies 1 1 1 (#1 and #2) can be used in the same timeframe. The configuration of these numerologies 1 1 1 is provided according to several potential techniques.

This is not limited to the PUSCH, however. For instance, UE 102 can be configured with one or multiple PDCCH numerologies 1 1 1 , which can be identified with several optional methods. The configuration of PDCCH numerology 1 1 1 can, for example, be UE 102 specific, i.e. the configuration can be provided by means of dedicated signaling to a UE 102. An example of UE-specific configuration is configuration by way of so-called RRC signaling.

Alternatively, or complimentary, the configuration of PDCCH numerology 1 11 can, for example, be done by means of common broadcast signaling. In the context of NR the configuration can, for example, be included in the Master Information Block (MIB) or in a System Information Block (SIB). Alternatively, if no explicit configuration is provided, neither by means of common signaling nor by means of dedicated signaling, the PDCCH numerology 1 1 1 can, for example, be given by, the carrier frequency or the band.

The UE 102 may also be configured multiple control resource sets (CORESETs) for reception of PDCCH with each control resource set being associated with a specific numerology 1 1 1 that is explicitly indicated as part of the configuration of the control resource set either via RRC signaling or via the MIB or SIB. The configured control resource sets for different numerologies 1 1 1 may either be partially or fully overlapped. The UE 102 assumes the numerology 1 1 1 associated with a particular CORESET when searching PDCCH candidates within the CORESET.

The UE 102 may be configured with multiple search spaces for reception of PDCCH within a CORESET with each search space being assigned a particular numerology 1 1 1 for reception of PDCCH. The numerology 1 1 1 associated with a search space is indicated either via RRC signaling or via the MIB or SIB. The search spaces may reside in different OFDM symbols within the CORESET or in different PRBs within the CORESET. The UE 102 assumes the numerology 1 1 1 associated with a particular search space when searching PDCCH candidates within the search space in some examples. One alternative is for the common search space to always use a fixed numerology 1 1 1 that is readily identifiable by the UE 102.

The numerology 1 1 1 used for PDCCH may also be associated with particular sets of PRBs within the whole carrier bandwidth, with different sets of PRBs associated with different numerologies 1 1 1. The association may be configured to the UE 102 via information in the MIB or SIB or may be signaled via RRC signaling.

When searching for Downlink Control Information (DCI), the UE 102 may assume the configured PDCCH numerology 1 1 1 if the UE 102 is configured with one numerology 1 1 1. If UE 102 is configured with multiple PDCCH numerologies 1 1 1 in the same time-frequency resources, however, the UE 102 can perform a PDCCH search using each of the configured PDCCH numerology 1 1 1 in turn. For instance, in an example embodiment, the UE 102 first uses the PDCCH numerology 1 1 1 used for a most recent successful PDCCH reception (i.e. the numerology 1 1 1 of a last-found PDCCH).

In other examples, the UE 102 performs numerology 1 1 1 test based on received signals to determine which PDCCH numerology 1 1 1 is used first for PDCCH search. In one exemplary embodiment, the UE 102 compares the received signals in the cyclic prefix (CP) region and the tail region of an OFDM symbol based on each of the configured numerologies 1 1 1 of the UE 102, such as those indicated in the following diagram: OFDM symbol duration of a first numerology

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OFDM symbol duration of a second numerology

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Diagram: Illustration of the OFDM symbols of two different numerologies

This comparison can be based on one or more of a correlation between the two regions of the received signal, a sum-square difference between the two regions of the received signal, a Euclidean distance between the two regions of the received signal, and/or any other technique known in the art.

Also, in the case when a detected PDCCH includes a downlink scheduling assignment related to a corresponding PDSCH transmission on either the same carrier or a different carrier, the PDSCH numerology 1 1 1 depends on one or several of the following:

• The PDCCH numerology 1 1 1 , i.e. the numerology 1 1 1 used for the PDCCH

transmission which carries the scheduling assignment

• The PDCCH search space candidate, i.e. the search space candidate in which the PDCCH is detected

• The PDCCH search space in which the PDCCH is detected

• The CORESET within which the PDCCH candidate is detected

• The PDSCH carrier or band. i.e. the carrier or band in which the PDSCH is to be received

• The set of PRBs on the carrier within which the PDSCH is to be received

• Explicit or implicit information within the DCI in which the scheduling assignment is included The mapping from these parameters to the PDSCH numerology 1 1 1 can, for example, be UE 102 specific, i.e. information about the mapping function can be provided by means of dedicated signaling to a UE 102. Alternatively, information about the mapping function can, for example, be provided by means of common broadcast signaling. In the context of NR, information about the mapping function can, for example, be included in the Master

Information Block (MIB) or in a System Information Block (SIB). Alternatively, the mapping function can be static, i.e. information about the mapping function can be provided by the specification. Alternatively, a combination of the above means or a combination of a subset of the above means can be used.

When the PDSCH numerology 1 1 1 depends on the PDSCH carrier or band it can, for example, depend directly on the carrier or band number. Alternatively, it can, for example, depend on a Carrier Indicator Field (CIF) carried within the scheduling assignment.

When the PDSCH numerology 1 1 1 depends on information within the DCI, the information can be explicit numerology 1 1 1 information within the DCI. Alternatively, the information can, for example, be an index into a table which provides the PDSCH numerology 1 1 1 . The table can, for example, be configured by means of RRC signaling or by common broadcast signaling for example in MIB or SIB. Alternatively, the information can be implicit information carried within the DCI. The PDSCH numerology 1 1 1 can, for example, depend on a Radio Network Temporary Identifier (RNTI) carried within the DCI. The RNTI can be carried explicitly within the DCI, Alternatively, the RNTI can be carried implicitly within the DCI, for example, as a bit mask applied to a CRC.

Likewise, in the case when a detected PDCCH includes an uplink scheduling grant for sub-sequent uplink PUSCH transmission, the PUSCH numerology 1 1 1 may depend on one or several of the following (not limiting):

· The PDCCH numerology 1 1 1 , i.e. the numerology 1 1 1 used for the PDCCH

transmission which carries the scheduling grant

• The PDCCH search space candidate, i.e. the search space candidate in which the PDCCH is detected

• The PDCCH search space in which the PDCCH is detected

· The CORESET within which the PDCCH candidate is detected

• The PUSCH carrier or band, i.e. the carrier or band in which the PUSCH is to be transmitted

• The set of PRBs on the carrier within which the PUSCH is to be transmitted

• Explicit or implicit information within the DCI in which the scheduling grant is included

The mapping from these parameters to the PUSCH numerology 1 1 1 can, for example, be UE 102 specific, i.e. information about the mapping function can be provided by means of dedicated signaling to a UE 102. Alternatively, information about the mapping function can, for example, be provided by means of common broadcast signaling. In the context of NR, information about the mapping function can, for example, be included in the Master Information Block (MIB) or in a System Information Block (SIB). Alternatively, the mapping function can be static, i.e. information about the mapping function can be provided by the specification.

Alternatively, a combination of the above means or a combination of a subset of the above means can be used.

When the PUSCH numerology 1 1 1 depends on the PUSCH carrier it can, for example, depend directly on the carrier number. Alternatively, it can, for example, depend on a Carrier

Indicator Field (CIF) carried within the scheduling assignment.

When the PUSCH numerology 1 1 1 depends on information within the DCI, the information can be explicit numerology 1 1 1 information within the DCI.

Alternatively, the information can, for example, be an index into a table which provided the PUSCH numerology 1 1 1 . The table can, for example, be configured by means of RRC signaling or by common broadcast signaling for example in MIB or SIB. Alternatively, the information can be implicit information carried within the DCI. The PUSCH numerology 1 1 1 can, for example, depend on a Radio Network Temporary Identifier (RNTI) carried within the DCI.

The RNTI can be carried explicitly within the DCI, Alternatively, the RNTI can be carried implicitly within the DCI; for example, as a bit mask applied to a CRC.

Thus, in some embodiments, techniques are provided for configuring and identifying one or multiple numerologies to be used for PDCCH and PDSCH reception and for PUSCH transmission.

Turning to Figure 2, the flow chart illustrates an example method 200 performed by a UE 102 for determining a numerology to be used for communication with a network node over a subset of time-frequency resources in a wireless communication system. For instance, at block 202, the method 200 may include receiving a control signal from the network node 106.

Furthermore, at block 204, the method 200 may include determining the numerology to be used for the communication based on the control signal. As shown in Figure 2, method 200 may optionally (as indicated by the dashed lines) include determining the numerology from an implicit indication in the control signal at block 206 and/or determining the numerology from an explicit indication in the control signal at block 208.

Further aspects not explicitly shown in Figure 2 may also be realized by the UE 102 in further embodiments, including those that include the following features. For example, in method 200, the UE 102 may receive, from the network node, a mapping of different time- frequency resources to different numerologies, where the mapping is utilized to determine the numerology, for instance, based on the control signal (i.e., the time-frequency resource(s) granted or those utilized for the control signal, among others).

Additionally, the method 200 may further include receiving the control signal in a particular control signal time-frequency resource using one or more numerologies for which the UE is configured for control signal reception in the particular time-frequency resource. In an aspect, using the one or more numerologies may include using each of the numerologies for which the UE is configured for control signal reception in the particular time-frequency resource. In some examples, using the one or more numerologies comprises first using a particular numerology utilized for a most recent successful control signal reception. Alternatively or additionally, using the one or more numerologies may include receiving a signal over the particular control signal time-frequency resource, performing a comparison of a cyclic prefix region of the signal to a tail region of the signal using at least one of the configured

numerologies, and/or identifying an initial numerology of the configured numerologies to be initially utilized for the particular control signal time-frequency resource. Performing the comparison may include one or more of determining a correlation between the cyclic prefix region and the tail region, determining sum square differences between the cyclic prefix region and the tail region, and/or determining Euclidean distance between the cyclic prefix region and the tail region.

Figure 3 presents an example method 300 performed by a network node 106 for providing a user equipment with a numerology to be used for communication with the user equipment over a subset of time-frequency resources in a wireless communication system. In some examples, method 300 may include, at block 302, determining the numerology to be used for the communication over the subset of time-frequency resources. Additionally, method 300 may include, at block 304, transmitting a control signal indicating the numerology to the user equipment 102. Additionally, method 300 may optionally (as indicated by the dashed lines) include indicating the numerology via an implicit indication in the control signal at block 306 and/or indicating the numerology via an explicit indication in the control signal at block 308.

Further aspects not explicitly shown in Figure 3 may also be realized by the network node 106 in further embodiments, including those that include the following features. In some instances, method 300 may include configuring a mapping of different time-frequency resources to different numerologies and providing the mapping to one or more user equipment 102.

In addition, with reference to methods 200 and 300, both of the methods may include one or more of the following optional features. For instance, the numerology may be implicitly indicated by the control signal via one or more of the numerology of the control signal, the subset of time-frequency resources granted by the control signal, and/or the one or more time- frequency resources over which the control signal is transmitted. In an aspect, this implied indication of the numerology is based on a time-frequency resource of a plurality of search space candidate time-frequency resources utilized for the control signal. The implied indication of the numerology may alternatively or additionally be based on a search space of a plurality of search space candidates utilized for the control signal and/or a CORESET of a plurality of CORESET candidates utilized for the control signal. Similarly, the implied indication of the numerology can be based on a carrier, band, or frequency of a plurality of carrier, band, or frequency candidates utilized for the control signal in some examples. In some examples, the numerology is implicitly indicated to the user equipment, using the control signal, via a carrier to be utilized for the communication.

Generally, therefore, the numerology can be indicated to the UE 102 explicitly or implicitly (i.e., via any technique whereby the numerology is not explicitly named). In some instances, the numerology is indicated in a bitfield that indicates the numerology either explicitly or implicitly. For instance, in some examples, such a bitfield indicates the numerology implicitly by via a carrier indicator field that indicates a carrier for which the numerology is known by the UE 102 (e.g., preconfigured at the UE 102 or otherwise stored in memory accessible to the UE 102).

Regarding methods 200 and/or 300, the mapping of different time-frequency resources to different numerologies can include a mapping of the different numerologies to different subsets of time-frequency resources of a control channel over which the control signal is communicated. In some examples, the mapping may be a mapping of the different

numerologies to different subsets of time-frequency resources of a shared channel to be utilized for the communication.

Furthermore, the communication corresponding to the numerology indicated by the control signal may be performed over a shared uplink channel, an uplink control channel, or a shared downlink channel. In some examples, the numerology is one or a plurality of numerologies utilized in a slot, subframe, frame, symbol, or other time-frequency block of a shared channel to be used for the communication. The control signal itself may be a broadcast signal, dedicated UE-specific signal, group UE signal, or any other type of control signal. In some instances, the control signal may include downlink control information (DCI).

Furthermore, in some embodiments, the numerology is indicated by a Radio Network Temporary Identifier (RNTI) carried via a bit mask applied to a cyclic redundancy check (CRC) in the DCI or may be indicated explicitly by an RNTI carried within the DCI. As stated above, the control signal may be RRC signaling, an MIB or SIB message. In some instances, the numerology may be explicitly or implicitly indicated by a user ID carried within the control signal. In some examples, the numerology is associated with a search space candidate within a search space configured for the user equipment. Accordingly, the numerology can be associated with a search space out of multiple possible search spaces.

Figure 4A illustrates additional details of an example UE 102 of a wireless

communication system 100 according to one or more embodiments. The UE 102 is configured, e.g., via functional means or units (also may be referred to as modules or components herein), to implement processing to perform certain aspects described above in reference to at least method 200 of Figure 2. The UE 102 in some embodiments for example includes means or units 430 and 440 for performing aspects of method 200. In at least some embodiments, the UE 102 comprises one or more processing circuits 400 configured to implement processing of the method 200 of Figure 2 and certain associated processing of the features described in relation to other figures, such as by implementing functional means or units above. In one embodiment, for example, the processing circuit(s) 400 implements functional means or units as respective circuits. The circuits in this regard may comprise circuits dedicated to performing certain functional processing and/or one or more microprocessors in conjunction with memory 420. In embodiments that employ memory 420, which may comprise one or several types of memory such as read-only memory (ROM), random-access memory, cache memory, flash memory devices, optical storage devices, etc., the memory 420 stores program code that, when executed by the one or more for carrying out one or more microprocessors, carries out the techniques described herein.

In one or more embodiments, the UE 102 also comprises communication circuitry 410. The communication circuitry 410 includes various components (e.g., antennas) for sending and receiving data and control signals. More particularly, the circuitry 410 includes a transmitter that is configured to use known signal processing techniques, typically according to one or more standards, and is configured to condition a signal for transmission (e.g., over the air via one or more antennas). Similarly, the communication circuitry includes a receiver that is configured to convert signals received (e.g., via the antenna(s)) into digital samples for processing by the one or more processing circuits.

In an aspect, as shown in Figure 4B, the processing circuitry 400 and/or the UE 102 generally, may include a receiving module or unit 430 that may be configured to receive one or more signals from network node 106, including a control signal indicating a numerology for a subset of the total time-frequency resources of a particular channel over which a communication subject to the numerology is to be communicated. The UE and/or the processing circuitry 400 may also include determining module or unit 440 for determining a numerology for a subset of time-frequency resources. The receiving unit or module 430 and/or the determining unit or module 440 may comprise or may be in communication with the transmitter and/or receiver of the communication circuitry 410.

Figure 5A illustrates additional details of an example network node 106 of a wireless communication system 100 according to one or more embodiments. The network node 106 is configured, e.g., via functional means or units (also may be referred to as modules or components herein), to implement processing to perform certain aspects described above in reference to at least method 300 of Figure 3. The network node 106 in some embodiments for example includes means or units 530 and 540 for performing aspects of method 300.

In at least some embodiments, the network node 106 comprises one or more processing circuits 500 configured to implement processing of the method 300 of Figure 3 and certain associated processing of the features described in relation to other figures, such as by implementing functional means or units above. In one embodiment, for example, the processing circuit(s) 500 implements functional means or units as respective circuits. The circuits in this regard may comprise circuits dedicated to performing certain functional processing and/or one or more microprocessors in conjunction with memory 520. In embodiments that employ memory 520, which may comprise one or several types of memory such as read-only memory (ROM), random-access memory, cache memory, flash memory devices, optical storage devices, etc., the memory 520 stores program code that, when executed by the one or more for carrying out one or more microprocessors, carries out the techniques described herein.

In one or more embodiments, the network node 106 also comprises communication circuitry 510. The communication circuitry 510 includes various components (e.g., antennas) for sending and receiving data and control signals. More particularly, the circuitry 510 includes a transmitter that is configured to use known signal processing techniques, typically according to one or more standards, and is configured to condition a signal for transmission (e.g., over the air via one or more antennas). Similarly, the communication circuitry includes a receiver that is configured to convert signals received (e.g., via the antenna(s)) into digital samples for processing by the one or more processing circuits.

In an aspect, as shown in Figure 5B, the processing circuitry 500 and/or the network node 106 generally, may include a determining module or unit 530 that may be configured to determine a numerology for a subset of time-frequency resources over which a communication is to occur. Likewise, the UE 102 and/or processing circuitry may include a transmitting unit or module 540 for transmitting the numerology to the UE 102, for instance via a control signal. The determining unit or module 530 and/or the transmitting unit/module 540 comprise or may be in communication with the transmitter and/or receiver of the communication circuitry 510.

Those skilled in the art will also appreciate that embodiments herein further include corresponding computer programs. A computer program comprises instructions which, when executed on at least one processor of the network node 106 or UE 102, cause these devices to carry out any of the respective processing described above. Furthermore, the processing or functionality of network node 106 or UE 102 may be considered as being performed by a single instance or device or may be divided across a plurality of instances of network node 106 or UE 102 that may be present in a given system 100 such that together the device instances perform all disclosed functionality.

In an aspect, the user equipment 102 may correspond to any mobile (or even stationary) device that is configured to receive/consume user data from a network-side infrastructure, including laptops, phones, tablets, loT devices, etc. The network node 106 may be any network device, such as a base station, eNB, access point, or any other similar device.

Embodiments further include a carrier containing such a computer program. This carrier may comprise one of an electronic signal, optical signal, radio signal, or computer readable storage medium. A computer program in this regard may comprise one or more code modules corresponding to the means or units described above. The present embodiments may, of course, be carried out in other ways than those specifically set forth herein without departing from essential characteristics of the invention. The present embodiments are to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, and all changes coming within the meaning and equivalency range of the appended claims are intended to be embraced therein.