BACKGROUND

[0001] Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to apparatus and method for wireless communication.

[0002] Wireless communication systems are widely deployed to provide various telecommunication services such as telephony, video, data, messaging, and broadcasts. In cellular communication, such as the 4th-generation (4G) Long Term Evolution (LTE) and the 5th- generation (5G) New Radio (NR), the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3 GPP) defines various operations for downlink (DL) preemption.

SUMMARY

[0003] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a method of wireless communication of a user equipment (UE) is provided. The method may include receiving, from a base station, preemption notification (PN) information associated with PN monitoring. The method may include identifying a PN monitoring space based on the PN information. The method may include monitoring the PN monitoring space for a PN. In some embodiments, the PN may indicate a set of punctured resources associated with a DL transmission.

[0004] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, an apparatus for wireless communication of a UE is provided. The apparatus may include at least one processor. The apparatus may include a memory storing instructions, which when executed by the at least one processor, may cause the at least one processor to perform receiving, from a base station, PN information associated with PN monitoring. The memory storing instructions, which when executed by the at least one processor, may cause the at least one processor to perform identifying a PN monitoring space based on the PN information. The memory storing instructions, which when executed by the at least one processor, may cause the at least one processor to perform monitoring the PN monitoring space for a PN. In some embodiments, the PN may indicate a set of punctured resources associated with DL transmission.

[0005] According to yet another aspect of the present disclosure, a non-transitory computer-readable medium encoding instructions for a UE is provided. The non-transitory computer-readable medium encoding instructions, which when executed by at least one processor of a UE, may cause the at least one processor to perform receiving, from a base station, PN information associated with PN monitoring. The non-transitory computer-readable medium encoding instructions, which when executed by at least one processor of a UE, may cause the at least one processor to perform identifying a PN monitoring space based on the PN information. The non-transitory computer-readable medium encoding instructions, which when executed by at least one processor of a UE, may cause the at least one processor to perform monitoring the PN monitoring space for a PN. In some embodiments, the PN may indicate a set of punctured resources associated with a DL transmission.

[0006] According to yet another aspect of the present disclosure, a method of wireless communication of a base station is disclosed. The method may include selecting a first PN interval based on first network-traffic conditions at a first time. The method may include sending, to a first UE, first PN information that indicates a first PN monitoring space associated with the first PN interval. The method may include sending, to the first UE, a DL grant allocating a set of resources for a DL transmission. The method may include identifying, based on a set of QoS flows, a preemption of at least one resource of the set of resources allocated to the first UE for the DL transmission. In some embodiments, the preemption of the at least one resource of the set of resources may be associated with a higher-priority transmission for a second UE different than the first UE. The method may include sending, to the first UE, a PN that indicates the at least one resource allocated to the DL transmission that is preempted for the higher-priority transmission. The method may include puncturing the at least one resource allocated to the DL transmission with the higher-priority transmission. The method may include sending, to the first UE, the DL transmission with the at least one resource of the set of resources punctured with the higher-priority transmission.

[0007] According to a further aspect of the present disclosure, an apparatus for wireless communication of a base station is provided. The apparatus may include at least one processor. The apparatus may include a memory storing instructions, which when executed by the at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to perform selecting a first PN interval based on first network-traffic conditions at a first time. The apparatus may include at least one processor. The apparatus may include a memory storing instructions, which when executed by the at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to perform sending, to a first UE, first PN information that indicates a first PN monitoring space associated with the first PN interval. The apparatus may include at least one processor. The apparatus may include a memory storing instructions, which when executed by the at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to perform sending, to the first UE, a DL grant allocating a set of resources for a DL transmission. The apparatus may include at least one processor. The apparatus may include a memory storing instructions, which when executed by the at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to perform identifying, based on a set of QoS flows, a preemption of at least one resource of the set of resources allocated to the first UE for the DL transmission. In some embodiments, the preemption of the at least one resource of the set of resources being associated with a higher-priority transmission for a second UE different than the first UE. The apparatus may include at least one processor. The apparatus may include a memory storing instructions, which when executed by the at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to perform sending, to the first UE, a PN that indicates the at least one resource allocated to the DL transmission that is preempted for the higher-priority transmission. The apparatus may include at least one processor. The apparatus may include a memory storing instructions, which when executed by the at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to perform puncturing the at least one resource allocated to the DL transmission with the higher-priority transmission. The apparatus may include at least one processor. The apparatus may include a memory storing instructions, which when executed by the at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to perform sending, to the first UE, the DL transmission with the at least one resource of the set of resources punctured with the higher-priority transmission.

[0008] According to yet a further aspect of the present disclosure, a non-transitory computer-readable medium of a base station is provided. The non-transitory computer-readable medium encoding instructions, which when executed by at least one processor of a base station, may cause the at least one processor to perform selecting a first PN interval based on first networktraffic conditions at a first time. The non-transitory computer-readable medium encoding instructions, which when executed by at least one processor of a base station, may cause the at least one processor to perform sending, to a first UE, first PN information that indicates a first PN monitoring space associated with the first PN interval. The non-transitory computer-readable medium encoding instructions, which when executed by at least one processor of a base station, may cause the at least one processor to perform sending, to the first UE, a DL grant allocating a set of resources for a DL transmission. The non-transitory computer-readable medium encoding instructions, which when executed by at least one processor of a base station, may cause the at least one processor to perform identifying, based on a set of QoS flows, a preemption of at least one resource of the set of resources allocated to the first UE for the DL transmission. In some embodiments, the preemption of the at least one resource of the set of resources may be associated with a higher-priority transmission for a second UE different than the first UE. The non-transitory computer-readable medium encoding instructions, which when executed by at least one processor of a base station, may cause the at least one processor to perform sending, to the first UE, a PN that indicates the at least one resource allocated to the DL transmission that is preempted for the higher-priority transmission. The non-transitory computer-readable medium encoding instructions, which when executed by at least one processor of a base station, may cause the at least one processor to perform puncturing the at least one resource allocated to the DL transmission with the higher-priority transmission. The non-transitory computer-readable medium encoding instructions, which when executed by at least one processor of a base station, may cause the at least one processor to perform sending, to the first UE, the DL transmission with the at least one resource of the set of resources punctured with the higher-priority transmission.

[0009] These illustrative embodiments are mentioned not to limit or define the present disclosure, but to provide examples to aid understanding thereof. Additional embodiments are discussed in the Detailed Description, and further description is provided there.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated herein and form a part of the specification, illustrate embodiments of the present disclosure and, together with the description, further serve to explain the principles of the present disclosure and to enable a person skilled in the pertinent art to make and use the present disclosure.

[0011] FIG. 1A illustrates a frame structure that includes an enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB) transmission preempted by an ultra-low latency communication (URLLC) transmission. [0012] FIG. IB illustrates a different view of the frame structure that includes the eMBB transmission preempted by the URLLC transmission of FIG. 1A.

[0013] FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary wireless network, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0014] FIG. 3 illustrates a block diagram of an exemplary node, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0015] FIG. 4A illustrates a conceptual flow diagram for implementing an exemplary PN monitoring technique, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. [0016] FIG. 4B illustrates a first exemplary frame structure that includes a PN monitoring space and punctured DL transmission resources, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0017] FIG. 4C illustrates a second exemplary frame structure that includes a PN monitoring space and punctured DL transmission resources, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0018] FIG. 5A is a flowchart of a first method of wireless communication, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0019] FIG. 5B is a flowchart of a second method of wireless communication, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0020] FIG. 6 is a conceptual data flow diagram illustrating the data flow between different means/components in a first exemplary apparatus, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0021] FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware implementation for a first apparatus employing a processing system, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0022] FIGs. 8A and 8B are a flowchart of a third method of wireless communication, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0023] FIG. 9 is a conceptual data flow diagram illustrating the data flow between different means/components in a first exemplary apparatus, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0024] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware implementation for a second apparatus employing a processing system, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0025] Embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0026] Although specific configurations and arrangements are discussed, it should be understood that this is done for illustrative purposes only. A person skilled in the pertinent art will recognize that other configurations and arrangements can be used without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. It will be apparent to a person skilled in the pertinent art that the present disclosure can also be employed in a variety of other applications.

[0027] It is noted that references in the specification to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” “an example embodiment,” “some embodiments,” “certain embodiments,” etc., indicate that the embodiment described may include a particular feature, structure, or characteristic, but every embodiment may not necessarily include the particular feature, structure, or characteristic. Moreover, such phrases do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment. Further, when a particular feature, structure, or characteristic is described in connection with an embodiment, it would be within the knowledge of a person skilled in the pertinent art to effect such feature, structure, or characteristic in connection with other embodiments whether or not explicitly described.

[0028] In general, terminology may be understood at least in part from usage in context. For example, the term “one or more” as used herein, depending at least in part upon context, may be used to describe any feature, structure, or characteristic in a singular sense or may be used to describe combinations of features, structures or characteristics in a plural sense. Similarly, terms, such as “a,” “an,” or “the,” again, may be understood to convey a singular usage or to convey a plural usage, depending at least in part upon context. In addition, the term “based on” may be understood as not necessarily intended to convey an exclusive set of factors and may, instead, allow for existence of additional factors not necessarily expressly described, again, depending at least in part on context.

[0029] Various aspects of wireless communication systems will now be described with reference to various apparatus and methods. These apparatus and methods will be described in the following detailed description and illustrated in the accompanying drawings by various blocks, modules, units, components, circuits, steps, operations, processes, algorithms, etc. (collectively referred to as “elements”). These elements may be implemented using electronic hardware, firmware, computer software, or any combination thereof. Whether such elements are implemented as hardware, firmware, or software depends upon the particular application and design constraints imposed on the overall system.

[0030] The techniques described herein may be used for various wireless communication networks, such as code division multiple access (CDMA) system, time division multiple access (TDMA) system, frequency division multiple access (FDMA) system, orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA) system, single-carrier frequency division multiple access (SC- FDMA) system, wireless local area network (WLAN) system, and other networks. The terms “network” and “system” are often used interchangeably. A CDMA network may implement a radio access technology (RAT), such as Universal Terrestrial Radio Access (UTRA), evolved UTRA (E-UTRA), CDMA 2000, etc. A TDMA network may implement a RAT, such as the Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM). An OFDMA network may implement a RAT, such as LTE or NR. A WLAN system may implement a RAT, such as Wi-Fi. The techniques described herein may be used for the wireless networks and RATs mentioned above, as well as other wireless networks and RATs.

[0031] In recent years, there has been an emergence of unprecedented services and applications such as autonomous vehicles, drone-based deliveries, smart cities and factories, remote medical diagnosis, robotic surgery, and artificial intelligence-based personalized assistants, just to name a few. Communication mechanisms associated with these new applications and services are different from traditional human-centric communications in terms of latency, energy efficiency, reliability, flexibility, and connection density. Therefore, 5G NR has been designed to support the coexistence of human-centric and machine-type services as well as hybrids of these service-types. To address diversified services and applications, 5G services have been classified into three use cases, e.g., massive Machine Type Communications (mMTC), enhanced Mobile Broadband (eMBB), and Ultra-Reliable Low Latency Communications (URLLC).

[0032] Each of the aforementioned use cases has its own set of requirements related to peak/average data rate, capacity, latency, mobility, coverage, and so on. mMTC is a service category that supports the access of a large number of machine-type devices to the 5G NR network. mMTC-based services, such as sensing, tagging, metering, and monitoring, utilize high-connection density, while providing energy efficiency at the same time. mMTC devices provide low-power consumption, low-operation cost, and improved coverage. In general, eMBB requires a high data- rate to support applications such as 4K/8K high-definition video streaming. On the other hand, URLLC, as the name suggests, requires low-latency and high-reliability to support delay-critical applications such as autonomous -driving applications and smart-medical devices, for example. URLLC typically has moderate data-rate requirements, but stringent-latency requirements of 1ms or less and high-reliability requirements with a packet error rate of 10’ ⁵ or lower.

[0033] In a 5G cellular wireless system, the base station allocates time-domain and frequency-domain resources to a UE for uplink and downlink data transmissions. The scheduling of eMBB data transmissions is usually on a per slot basis. In other words, the scheduling assignments may be transmitted at the start of every slot using the Physical Downlink Control Channel (PDCCH) occasion. Each slot consists of a fixed number of orthogonal frequencydivision multiplexed (OFDM) symbols, e.g., 14 symbols for a normal cyclic prefix (CP) and 12 OFDM symbols for an extended CP. The slot duration varies with numerology, decreasing with the sub-carrier space (SCS). The maximum slot duration in 5G NR is 1ms.

[0034] To support low-latency communication, the base station may schedule UREEC data transmissions using a smaller scheduling unit, which is referred to as a mini-slot. A mini-slot is a fraction of a slot that includes 2, 4, or 7 OFDM symbols. The UREEC UE may be configured to monitor the scheduling assignments more frequently, e.g., once every mini-slot, than an eMBB UE, for instance. This helps reduce latency when assigning resources for URLLC data transmissions.

[0035] When scheduling the URLLC transmission, to meet its low latency requirement, the base station may punctuate resources previously scheduled for eMBB transmissions and re-allocate them to the URLLC transmission. This is called downlink (DL) preemption and is depicted in the example frame structures 100, 150 depicted in FIGs. 1A and IB, respectively. DL preemption may occur when URLLC DL data arrives at the base station (from the network) during the transfer of the DL eMBB data and/or after the DL grant scheduling the DL eMBB data has been sent to the eMBB UE. There are no sufficient resources available to schedule URLLC in the current slot. Instead of waiting for the completion of the current slot, the base station schedules the URLLC transmission immediately by punctuating a part of the scheduled eMBB transmission and allocating the resources to the URLLC data. This preemptive scheduling minimizes the scheduling latency of URLLC data.

[0036] Referring to FIG. 1A, frame structure 100 is used to carry mMTC transmission(s) 101, eMBB transmission(s) 104, and/or URLLC transmission(s) 106 from a base station. As seen in FIG. 1A, when a transport block, which includes three code blocks (CBs), is used for sending eMBB transmissions 104, each code block (CB) may be mapped sequentially to the scheduled time-frequency resources. Thus, when the URLLC data transmission is initiated in the middle of the eMBB transport block, one or more symbol(s) in the third CB originally scheduled for an eMBB transmission 104 may be punctured by URLLC transmission 106. Another example of URLLC preemption is depicted in FIG. IB. In FIG. IB, symbols 1-13 were initially allocated to an eMBB UE for an eMBB transmission 104. However, due to higher-priority URLLC DL data arriving at while the eMBB transmission 104 is ongoing, the base station punctures symbols 6 and 7 (e.g., a mini-slot) with the URLLC transmission 106. [0037] In some systems, the base station may indicate the puncturing of the eMBB transmission 104 by a preemption indication (e.g., downlink control information format 2_1 (DCI2_1) transmission), which may be sent to the eMBB UE in the physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) occasion located in the following slot. The preemption indication informs the eMBB UE which symbols of the eMBB transmission 104 were punctured. However, until the preemption indication is received, the eMBB UE does not know that certain symbols of eMBB transmission 104 are punctured. Blind to the preemption, the eMBB UE performs its normal data reception of eMBB transmission 104 and may detect CB errors due to the preemption. These normal operations consume power unnecessarily since the eMBB UE processes and attempt to decode erroneous data, which is buffered in the same way as in poor channel conditions. The eMBB UE may trigger re-transmission by sending a negative acknowledgement (NACK) associated with the erroneous data (e.g., symbols 6 and 7) to the base station. The re- transmitted data may include the unpunctured eMBB data of symbols 6 and 7, and the performance of hybridautomatic repeat request (HARQ) soft-combining may be degraded if the eMBB UE combines the buffered erroneous data and the correct re-transmitted data.

[0038] Thus, there exists an unmet need for a technique to indicate preemption to an eMBB UE before the preemption occurs in order to reduce power consumption, memory usage, and signaling overhead, while at the same time increasing performance.

[0039] To overcome these and other challenges, the present disclosure provides a preemption notification (PN) technique that defines an exemplary PN monitoring space in each slot in which preemption may occur. The PN monitoring space may include one or more PN transmission opportunities, which may be defined as the time-frequency location(s) in which a PN may be sent. By way of example, the PN transmission opportunities may occur once per slot, every other symbol per slot, every third symbol per slot, and so on. The PN monitoring space may be configured for a single UE, a group of UEs, or all UEs in the cell. PN monitoring information may be used to indicate various PN monitoring parameters, e.g., such as the time-frequency resources used for the PN monitoring space and their associated interval, the PN monitoring mode (e.g., enable or disable), PN frame format (e.g., symbol-based, RB-based, etc.), etc. Based on the presence of URLLC quality-of-service (QoS) flows, the base station may dynamically enable or disable PN monitoring at the eMBB UE. Moreover, the base station may dynamically adjust the PN monitoring space (e.g., the interval of the PN transmission opportunities) based on the availability of network resources. [0040] Based on URLLC QoS flows, the base station may decide to puncture one or more resources previously allotted to an eMBB UE. When this happens, the base station may send a PN using one of the PN transmission opportunities located before the upcoming preemption in the time-domain. In some embodiments, the PN may be sent in the same slot in which the preemption occurs. The PN may indicate to the eMBB UE which resources (e.g., symbols, RB(s), CB(s), etc.) of the eMBB transmission are affected by preemption. When PN monitoring mode is enabled, the eMBB UE may attempt to decode each PN transmission opportunity in the PN monitoring space. When a PN is successfully decoded, the present eMBB UE may discard the punctured resources without proceeding to receive processing. Additionally and/or alternatively, the eMBB UE may enter a reduced-power mode for the duration of the preempted resources (e.g., a mini-slot).

[0041] Using the exemplary PN monitoring space defined by the base station, an eMBB UE of the present disclosure may adapt its behavior in a preemption scenario so that less power and fewer computational and memory resources are consumed, as compared to other systems, while at the same time reducing network- signaling overhead. Additional details of the present PN monitoring technique are provided below in connection with FIGs. 2-10.

[0042] Although some examples of preemptions are discussed herein with respect to eMBB transmissions and URLLC transmissions, the present PN monitoring technique is not limited thereto. It is understood that the present PN monitoring technique may be applied to any scenario or wireless communication system in which a DL transmission is preempted by a higher-priority transmission. As used herein, the term “higher-priority transmission” may include any DL or UL transmission with a latency requirement that preempts the latency requirement of another previously scheduled transmission; the term “lower-priority transmission” may include any scheduled DL or UL transmission that is preempted by the latency requirement of an incoming higher-priority transmission. To that end, the present PN monitoring technique may be applied to wireless communication networks beyond 5G NR, e.g., such as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, 6G, 7G, 8G, and beyond.

[0043] FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary wireless network 200, in which some aspects of the present disclosure may be implemented, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 2, wireless network 200 may include a network of nodes, such as UE 202, an access node 204, and a core network element 206. User equipment 202 may be any terminal device, such as a mobile phone, a desktop computer, a laptop computer, a tablet, a vehicle computer, a gaming console, a printer, a positioning device, a wearable electronic device, a smart sensor, or any other device capable of receiving, processing, and transmitting information, such as any member of a vehicle to everything (V2X) network, a cluster network, a smart grid node, or an Intemet-of-Things (loT) node. It is understood that user equipment 202 is illustrated as a mobile phone simply by way of illustration and not by way of limitation.

[0044] Access node 204 may be a device that communicates with user equipment 202, such as a wireless access point, a base station (BS), a Node B, an enhanced Node B (eNodeB or eNB), a next-generation NodeB (gNodeB or gNB), a cluster master node, or the like. Access node 204 may have a wired connection to user equipment 202, a wireless connection to user equipment 202, or any combination thereof. Access node 204 may be connected to user equipment 202 by multiple connections, and user equipment 202 may be connected to other access nodes in addition to access node 204. Access node 204 may also be connected to other user equipments. When configured as a gNB, access node 204 may operate in millimeter wave (mmW) frequencies and/or near mmW frequencies in communication with the user equipment 202. When access node 204 operates in mmW or near mmW frequencies, the access node 204 may be referred to as an mmW base station. Extremely high frequency (EHF) is part of the radio frequency (RF) in the electromagnetic spectrum. EHF has a range of 30 GHz to 300 GHz and a wavelength between 1 millimeter and 10 millimeters. Radio waves in the band may be referred to as a millimeter wave. Near mmW may extend down to a frequency of 3 GHz with a wavelength of 200 millimeters. The super high frequency (SHF) band extends between 3 GHz and 30 GHz, also referred to as centimeter wave. Communications using the mmW or near mmW radio frequency band have extremely high path loss and a short range. The mmW base station may utilize beamforming with user equipment 202 to compensate for the extremely high path loss and short range. It is understood that access node 204 is illustrated by a radio tower by way of illustration and not by way of limitation.

[0045] Access nodes 204, which are collectively referred to as E-UTRAN in the evolved packet core network (EPC) and as NG-RAN in the 5G core network (5GC), interface with the EPC and 5GC, respectively, through dedicated backhaul links (e.g., SI interface). In addition to other functions, access node 204 may perform one or more of the following functions: transfer of user data, radio channel ciphering and deciphering, integrity protection, header compression, mobility control functions (e.g., handover, dual connectivity), inter-cell interference coordination, connection setup and release, load balancing, distribution for non-access stratum (NAS) messages, NAS node selection, synchronization, radio access network (RAN) sharing, multimedia broadcast multicast service (MBMS), subscriber and equipment trace, RAN information management (RIM), paging, positioning, and delivery of warning messages. Access nodes 204 may communicate directly or indirectly (e.g., through the 5GC) with each other over backhaul links (e.g., X2 interface). The backhaul links may be wired or wireless.

[0046] Core network element 206 may serve access node 204 and user equipment 202 to provide core network services. Examples of core network element 206 may include a home subscriber server (HSS), a mobility management entity (MME), a serving gateway (SGW), or a packet data network gateway (PGW). These are examples of core network elements of an evolved packet core (EPC) system, which is a core network for the LTE system. Other core network elements may be used in LTE and in other communication systems. In some embodiments, core network element 206 includes an access and mobility management function (AMF), a session management function (SMF), or a user plane function (UPF) of the 5GC for the NR system. The AMF may be in communication with a Unified Data Management (UDM). The AMF is the control node that processes the signaling between the user equipment 202 and the 5GC. Generally, the AMF provides QoS flow and session management. All user Internet protocol (IP) packets are transferred through the UPF. The UPF provides user equipment (UE) IP address allocation as well as other functions. The UPF is connected to the IP Services. The IP Services may include the Internet, an intranet, an IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS), a PS Streaming Service, and/or other IP services. It is understood that core network element 206 is shown as a set of rack-mounted servers by way of illustration and not by way of limitation.

[0047] Core network element 206 may connect with a large network, such as the Internet 208, or another Internet Protocol (IP) network, to communicate packet data over any distance. In this way, data from user equipment 202 may be communicated to other user equipments connected to other access points, including, for example, a computer 210 connected to Internet 208, for example, using a wired connection or a wireless connection, or to a tablet 212 wirelessly connected to Internet 208 via a router 214. Thus, computer 210 and tablet 212 provide additional examples of possible user equipments, and router 214 provides an example of another possible access node. [0048] A generic example of a rack-mounted server is provided as an illustration of core network element 206. However, there may be multiple elements in the core network including database servers, such as a database 216, and security and authentication servers, such as an authentication server 218. Database 216 may, for example, manage data related to user subscription to network services. A home location register (HLR) is an example of a standardized database of subscriber information for a cellular network. Likewise, authentication server 218 may handle authentication of users, sessions, and so on. In the NR system, an authentication server function (AUSF) device may be the entity to perform user equipment authentication. In some embodiments, a single server rack may handle multiple such functions, such that the connections between core network element 206, authentication server 218, and database 216, may be local connections within a single rack.

[0049] Each element in FIG. 2 may be considered a node of wireless network 200. More detail regarding the possible implementation of a node is provided by way of example in the description of a node 300 in FIG. 3. Node 300 may be configured as user equipment 202, access node 204, or core network element 206 in FIG. 2. Similarly, node 300 may also be configured as computer 210, router 214, tablet 212, database 216, or authentication server 218 in FIG. 2. As shown in FIG. 3, node 300 may include a processor 302, a memory 304, and a transceiver 306. These components are shown as connected to one another by a bus, but other connection types are also permitted. When node 300 is user equipment 202, additional components may also be included, such as a user interface (UI), sensors, and the like. Similarly, node 300 may be implemented as a blade in a server system when node 300 is configured as core network element 206. Other implementations are also possible.

[0050] Transceiver 306 may include any suitable device for sending and/or receiving data. Node 300 may include one or more transceivers, although only one transceiver 306 is shown for simplicity of illustration. An antenna 308 is shown as a possible communication mechanism for node 300. Multiple antennas and/or arrays of antennas may be utilized for receiving multiple spatially multiplex data streams. Additionally, examples of node 300 may communicate using wired techniques rather than (or in addition to) wireless techniques. For example, access node 204 may communicate wirelessly to user equipment 202 and may communicate by a wired connection (for example, by optical or coaxial cable) to core network element 206. Other communication hardware, such as a network interface card (NIC), may be included as well.

[0051] As shown in FIG. 3, node 300 may include processor 302. Although only one processor is shown, it is understood that multiple processors can be included. Processor 302 may include microprocessors, microcontroller units (MCUs), digital signal processors (DSPs), application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), programmable logic devices (PEDs), state machines, gated logic, discrete hardware circuits, and other suitable hardware configured to perform the various functions described throughout the present disclosure. Processor 302 may be a hardware device having one or more processing cores. Processor 302 may execute software. Software shall be construed broadly to mean instructions, instruction sets, code, code segments, program code, programs, 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. Software can include computer instructions written in an interpreted language, a compiled language, or machine code. Other techniques for instructing hardware are also permitted under the broad category of software. [0052] As shown in FIG. 3, node 300 may also include memory 304. Although only one memory is shown, it is understood that multiple memories can be included. Memory 304 can broadly include both memory and storage. For example, memory 304 may include random-access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), static RAM (SRAM), dynamic RAM (DRAM), ferroelectric RAM (FRAM), electrically erasable programmable ROM (EEPROM), compact disc readonly memory (CD-ROM) or other optical disk storage, hard disk drive (HDD), such as magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, Flash drive, solid-state drive (SSD), or any other medium that can be used to carry or store desired program code in the form of instructions that can be accessed and executed by processor 302. Broadly, memory 304 may be embodied by any computer-readable medium, such as a non-transitory computer-readable medium.

[0053] Processor 302, memory 304, and transceiver 306 may be implemented in various forms in node 300 for performing wireless communication functions. In some embodiments, processor 302, memory 304, and transceiver 306 of node 300 are implemented (e.g., integrated) on one or more system-on-chips (SoCs). In one example, processor 302 and memory 304 may be integrated on an application processor (AP) SoC (sometimes known as a “host,” referred to herein as a “host chip”) that handles application processing in an operating system (OS) environment, including generating raw data to be transmitted. In another example, processor 302 and memory 304 may be integrated on a baseband processor (BP) SoC (sometimes known as a “modem,” referred to herein as a “baseband chip”) that converts the raw data, e.g., from the host chip, to signals that can be used to modulate the carrier frequency for transmission, and vice versa, which can run a real-time operating system (RTOS). In still another example, processor 302 and transceiver 306 (and memory 304 in some cases) may be integrated on an RF SoC (sometimes known as a “transceiver,” referred to herein as an “RF chip”) that transmits and receives RF signals with antenna 308. It is understood that in some examples, some or all of the host chip, baseband chip, and RF chip may be integrated as a single SoC. For example, a baseband chip and an RF chip may be integrated into a single SoC that manages all the radio functions for cellular communication.

[0054] Referring back to FIG. 2, in some embodiments, UE 202 and access node 204 may be configured to perform the exemplary preemption notification (PN) technique described herein. When access node 204 serves at least one URLLC UE or when preemption of a DL transmission scheduled for UE 202 is otherwise possible, access node 204 may define an exemplary PN monitoring space based on network-resource availability, among others. The PN monitoring space may be defined such that it includes one or more PN transmission opportunities, which are the time-frequency location(s) in which a PN may be sent to UE 202. By way of example, these PN transmission opportunities may occur once per slot, every other symbol per slot, every third symbol per slot, and so on. The PN monitoring space may be configured for a single UE (e.g., UE 202), a group of UEs, or all UEs in the cell. Access node 204 may send PN monitoring information to indicate to UE 202 various PN monitoring parameters, e.g., such as the time-frequency resources used for the PN monitoring space and their associated interval, the PN monitoring mode (e.g., enable or disable), PN frame format (e.g., symbol-based, RB-based, etc.), etc. Based on the presence of higher-priority quality-of-service (QoS) flow(s) of another/other UE/UE(s), access node 204 may dynamically enable or disable PN monitoring at UE 202 using PN monitoring information. Moreover, access node 204 may dynamically adjust the PN monitoring space (e.g., the interval at which PN transmission opportunities occur) based on a change in the availability of network resources. UE 202 may attempt to decode each PN transmission opportunity in the PN monitoring space.

[0055] Based on a change of QoS flows, access node 204 may determine to puncture a subset of resources previously scheduled for a lower-priority DL transmission scheduled for UE 202 with a higher-priority DL transmission for another UE. When this happens, access node 204 may send a PN to UE 202 using one of the PN transmission opportunities located prior to the upcoming preemption in the time-domain. In some embodiments, the PN may be sent in the same slot in which the preemption occurs. UE 202 may identify the subset of punctured resource(s) (e.g., symbols, RB(s), CB(s), etc.) based on information included in the PN. UE 202 may discard the punctured resources without proceeding to further receive processing for the affected resources. Additionally and/or alternatively, UE 202 may enter a reduced-power mode for the duration of the preempted resources (e.g., a mini-slot).

[0056] Using the exemplary PN monitoring space defined by access node 204, UE 202 may adapt its behavior in the event of a preemption so that less power and fewer computational and memory resources are consumed, as compared to other systems, while at the same time reducing network- signaling overhead. Additional details of the present PN monitoring technique are provided below in connection with FIGs. 4-10.

[0057] FIG. 4A illustrates a conceptual flow diagram of an exemplary data flow 400 that may be used to implement the present PN monitoring technique, according to certain aspects of the present disclosure. It is to be appreciated that some of the operations may be optional, and some of the steps may be performed simultaneously, or in a different order than shown in FIG. 4A. FIG. 4B illustrates a first exemplary frame structure 430 that includes a PN monitoring space and punctured DL transmission resources, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. FIG. 4C illustrates a second exemplary frame structure 450 that includes a PN monitoring space and punctured DL transmission resources, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. FIGs. 4A-4C will be described together.

[0058] Referring to FIG. 4A, the exemplary data flow 400 may be implemented by, e.g., a first UE 402a, a second UE 402b, and a base station 404. First UE 402a may be associated with lower-priority DL transmissions as compared to those of second UE 402b. First UE 402a may be an eMBB UE (or mMTC UE) that receives lower-priority eMBB (or mMTC) DL transmissions from base station 404, while second UE 402b may be a URLLC UE that receives higher-priority URLLC DL transmissions.

[0059] Still referring to FIG. 4A, when base station 404 serves at least one URLLC UE (e.g., second UE 402b) or when preemption of a DL transmission scheduled for first UE 402a is otherwise possible, base station 404 may select/define an exemplary PN monitoring space based on network-resource availability, among others. The PN monitoring space may include timefrequency location(s) allocated for a recurring PN transmission opportunity 410 that may be used to carry a PN 411, as depicted in FIGs. 4B and 4C. By way of example, the PN monitoring space may be selected such that PN transmission opportunity 410 occurs at various intervals, e.g., once per slot, every other symbol per slot (e.g., as shown in FIGs. 4B and 4C), every third symbol per slot, and so on. The PN monitoring space may be configured for a single UE (e.g., first UE 402a), a group of UEs, or all UEs in the cell. Base station 404 may send (at 401) PN monitoring information to first UE 402a to indicate various PN monitoring parameters, e.g., such as the timefrequency location(s) allocated for a recurring PN transmission opportunity 410, the interval of the PN transmission opportunity 410, the PN monitoring mode (e.g., enable or disable), PN frame format (e.g., symbol-based, RB-based, etc.), PN monitoring level (e.g., mode-level, slot-level, symbol-level, RB-level, CB-level, etc.), etc. In some embodiments, base station 404 may send (at 401) the PN monitoring information via radio resource control (RRC) signaling.

[0060] First UE 402a may enable (at 403 a) PN monitoring mode and identify (at 403b) the PN monitoring space based at least in part on the time-frequency resources indicated by the PN monitoring information. PN monitoring may be performed at different levels, e.g., depending on system design/implementation and/or configuration by base station 404. The different levels may include, e.g., 1) a mode-level associated with an enabled PN monitoring mode, 2) a slot-level associated with the PN monitoring mode and a scheduled DL transmission, or 3) a symbol-level associated with the PN monitoring mode, a scheduled DL transmission, and early turnoff.

[0061] At the mode-level, first UE 402a may turn on PN monitoring when the PN monitoring information enables the PN monitoring mode. Here, first UE 402a may turn off PN monitoring if subsequent PN monitoring information disables the PN monitoring mode. In other words, first UE 402a monitors each PN transmission opportunity 410 regardless of whether a DL transmission is scheduled for that slot until the base station 404 sends subsequent PN information instructing first UE 402a to disable PN monitoring.

[0062] Slot-level PN monitoring (e.g., an example of which is depicted in FIG. 4B) may apply to instances in which the scheduled DL transmission occupies all physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH) resources in the slot, as well as to instances in which the scheduled DL transmission does not occupy all PDSCH resource in the slot. At the slot- level, first UE 402a turns on PN monitoring at the start of a slot in which a DL transmission is scheduled, e.g., as depicted in FIG. 4B; otherwise, first UE 402a turns off PN monitoring at the end of the current slot (regardless of whether the DL transmission is carried in all PDSCH symbols in the slot). In the non-limiting example of FIG. 4B, symbol 13 is an unused resource 420 in that it does not carry an eMBB data 413a for first UE 402a. However, at the slot- level, first UE 402a waits to turn off PN monitoring at the end of the slot. Slot-level PN monitoring may reduce power consumption as compared to enabled mode-level PN monitoring, in some instances. However, slot-level PN monitoring may be more computationally complex than mode-level PN monitoring, in some scenarios.

[0063] Symbol-level PN monitoring (e.g., an example of which is depicted in FIG. 4C) may apply to instances in which the scheduled DL transmission does not occupy all resources in the slot. For example, at the symbol -level, first UE 402a turns on PN monitoring at the start of a slot in which a DL transmission is scheduled and turns off PN monitoring after the last symbol that carries eMBB data 413a. In the non-limiting example of FIG. 4C, symbol 13 does not carry an eMBB data 413a for first UE 402a and is an unused resource 420. In this example, first UE 402a turns off PN monitoring at the end of slot 12. Symbol-level PN monitoring may reduce power consumption as compared to slot-level PN monitoring, in some instances. However, symbol-level PN monitoring may be more computationally complex than slot-level PN monitoring, in some scenarios.

[0064] Referring again to FIG. 4A, either before or after the PN monitoring information is conveyed, base station 404 may schedule (at 405a) a DL transmission for first UE 402a based on in-coming DL data packets. Base station 404 may schedule (at 405a) the DL transmission by one or more of, e.g., 1) identifying information associated with one or more in-coming DL data packets for first UE 402a based on various QoS flows, 2) identifying available DL resources to carry the one or more in-coming DL data packets, and 3) allocating those resources for the DL transmission. To that end, base station 404 may generate and send (at 405b) a DL grant to first UE 402a. The DL grant indicates the resources scheduled/allocated for the DL transmission. As depicted in FIGs. 4B and 4C, the scheduled resources may include one or more symbols within a slot. In the nonlimiting example of FIG. 4B, all PDSCH symbols (e.g., symbols 1-13) in the slot are allocated for the DL transmission (e.g., eMBB data 413a). In the non-limiting example shown in FIG. 4C, a portion of the PDSCH symbols (e.g., symbols 1-12) in the slot are allocated for the DL transmission. At the beginning of the slot (e.g., start of symbol 0 in FIGs. 4B and 4C) in which the resources scheduled for the DL transmission are located, first UE 402a may turn on (at 407) PN monitoring. Once turned on, first UE 402a may attempt to decode each PN transmission opportunity 410 for a PN 411.

[0065] After sending the DL grant, base station 404 may identify a set of QoS flows for a higher-priority DL transmission (e.g., URLLC data 413b) associated with second UE 402b. The QoS flows for the higher-priority DL transmission may have a more stringent latency requirement than the DL transmission scheduled for first UE 402a. Based on the availability of network resources, base station 404 may identify (at 409) that at least a subset of the resources previously scheduled for first UE 402a will be preempted by the higher-priority DL transmission (e.g., URLLC data 413b) for second UE 402b. This preemption may ensure that the latency requirements of the higher-priority QoS flows are met. Base station 404 may generate and send (at 41 la) a PN 411, which indicates the subset of resources that will be preempted in the DL transmission, to first UE 402a. Base station 404 may puncture eMBB data 413a with URLLC data 413b, as depicted in

FIGs. 4B and 4C.

[0066] First UE 402a may identify (at 411b) the subset of punctured resources based on information included in PN 411. In the non- limiting examples depicted in FIGs. 4B and 4C, first UE 402a may identify symbols 6 and 7 as the punctured symbols. First UE 402a may decode (at 415) all symbols carrying eMBB data 413a in the slot except for symbols 6 and 7. First UE 402a may discard the UREEC data 413b (if received) and/or turn off reception for symbols 6 and 7. At the end of the slot (see FIG. 4B) or after symbol 12 (see FIG. 4C), first UE 402a may turn off (at 417) PN monitoring. However, when enabled mode- level PN monitoring is implemented, first UE 402a may continue monitoring the PN transmission opportunities in the follow slot even when the following slot does not carry another DE transmission scheduled for first UE 402a.

[0067] In some scenarios, after PN monitoring is enabled at first UE 402a, base station 404 may later determine that resources can or should no longer be allocated for PN monitoring, e.g., such as during periods of increased network traffic or when QoS flows change, such that preemption is unlikely to occur. In either case, base station 404 may generate and send (at 419) subsequent PN monitoring information that instructs first UE 402a to disable its PN monitoring mode. Once the subsequent PN monitoring information is received, first UE 402a may disable (at 421) PN monitoring mode. Conversely, if additional network resources become available and/or the likelihood of preemption increases, base station 404 may send subsequent PN monitoring information to increase the interval of the PN transmission opportunity 410, so that first UE 402a monitors for PN 411 more frequently.

[0068] In some embodiments, base station 404 may select a new PN monitoring space based on changing network-resource availability, among others. The new PN monitoring space may include new time-frequency location(s) allocated for a recurring PN transmission opportunity 410. By way of example, the PN monitoring space may be selected such that PN transmission opportunity 410 occurs more frequently when network traffic decreases; conversely, the PN monitoring space may be selected such that PN transmission opportunity 410 occurs less frequency when network traffic increases.

[0069] Using the exemplary PN monitoring space described above in connection with FIGs. 4A-4C, first UE 402a may adapt its behavior in the event of a preemption so that less power and fewer computational and memory resources are consumed, as compared to other systems, while at the same time reducing network- signaling overhead. [0070] FIG. 5A illustrates a flowchart of an exemplary method 500 of wireless communication, according to embodiments of the disclosure. Exemplary method 500 may be performed by an apparatus for wireless communication, e.g., such as UE 202, node 300, first UE 402a, apparatus 650/650’, first UE 960a. Method 500 may include steps 502-526 as described below. It is to be appreciated that some of the steps may be optional, and some of the steps may be performed simultaneously, or in a different order than shown in FIG. 5A.

[0071] Referring to FIG. 5A, at 502, the apparatus may receive a PN monitoring space configuration. For example, referring to FIG. 4 A, base station 404 may send (at 401) PN monitoring information to first UE 402a to indicate various PN monitoring parameters, e.g., such as the time- frequency location(s) allocated for a recurring PN transmission opportunity 410, the interval of the PN transmission opportunity 410, the PN monitoring mode (e.g., enable or disable), PN frame format (e.g., symbol-based, RB-based, etc.), PN monitoring level (e.g., mode-level, slotlevel, symbol-level, RB-level, CB-level, etc.), etc. In some embodiments, base station 404 may send (at 401) the PN monitoring information via RRC signaling.

[0072] At 504, the apparatus may initiate PN monitoring. For example, referring to FIG. 4 A, first UE 402a may enable (at 403 a) PN monitoring mode and identify (at 403b) the PN monitoring space based at least in part on the time-frequency resources indicated by the PN monitoring information. PN monitoring may be performed at different levels, e.g., depending on system design/implementation and/or configuration by base station 404. The different levels may include, e.g., 1) a mode-level associated with an enabled PN monitoring mode, 2) a slot-level associated with the PN monitoring mode and a scheduled DL transmission, or 3) a symbol-level associated with the PN monitoring mode, a scheduled DL transmission, and early turnoff. At the mode-level, first UE 402a may turn on PN monitoring when the PN monitoring information enables the PN monitoring mode. Here, first UE 402a may turn off PN monitoring if subsequent PN monitoring information disables the PN monitoring mode. In other words, first UE 402a monitors each PN transmission opportunity 410 regardless of whether a DL transmission is scheduled for that slot until the base station 404 sends subsequent PN information instructing first UE 402a to disable PN monitoring. Slot-level PN monitoring (e.g., an example of which is depicted in FIG. 4B) may apply to instances in which the scheduled DL transmission occupies all PDSCH resources in the slot, as well as to instances in which the scheduled DL transmission does not occupy all PDSCH resource in the slot. At the slot-level, first UE 402a turns on PN monitoring at the start of a slot in which a DL transmission is scheduled, e.g., as depicted in FIG. 4B; otherwise, first UE 402a turns off PN monitoring at the end of the current slot (regardless of whether the DL transmission is carried in all PDSCH symbols in the slot). In the non-limiting example of FIG. 4B, symbol 13 is an unused resource 420 in that it does not carry an eMBB data 413a for first UE 402a. However, at the slot-level, first UE 402a waits to turn off PN monitoring at the end of the slot. Slot- level PN monitoring may reduce power consumption as compared to enabled mode- level PN monitoring, in some instances. However, slot-level PN monitoring may be more computationally complex than mode-level PN monitoring, in some scenarios. Symbol-level PN monitoring (e.g., an example of which is depicted in FIG. 4C) may apply to instances in which the scheduled DL transmission does not occupy all resources in the slot. For example, at the symbol -level, first UE 402a turns on PN monitoring at the start of a slot in which a DL transmission is scheduled and turns off PN monitoring after the last symbol that carries eMBB data 413a. In the non-limiting example of FIG. 4C, symbol 13 does not carry an eMBB data 413a for first UE 402a and is an unused resource 420. In this example, first UE 402a turns off PN monitoring at the end of slot 12. Symbol-level PN monitoring may reduce power consumption as compared to slot-level PN monitoring, in some instances. However, symbol-level PN monitoring may be more computationally complex than slot-level PN monitoring, in some scenarios.

[0073] At 506, the apparatus may wait for the next slot. For example, referring to FIGs. 4A-4C, first UE 402a may wait until the subsequent slot regardless of a scheduled DL transmission (e.g., mode-level PN monitoring) or until the subsequent slot in which a DL transmission is scheduled (e.g., slot- level PN monitoring or symbol-level PN monitoring).

[0074] At 508, the apparatus may receive a start trigger for the next slot. For example, referring to FIGs. 4B and 4C, first UE 402a may receive a start trigger at the beginning of symbol 0.

[0075] At 510, the apparatus may determine whether PN monitoring mode (NET_MNT_MODE) is enabled by the network. In response to determining PN monitoring mode is enabled (YES: 510), the operations may move to 512; otherwise, in response to determining PN monitoring mode is node enabled (NO: 510), the operations may move to 524.

[0076] At 512, the apparatus may determine whether a DL transmission is scheduled in the current slot (e.g., slot-level PN monitoring, symbol-level PN monitoring, etc.). For example, referring to FIGs. 4A-4C, first UE 402a may determine that eMBB data 413a is scheduled in at least a portion of the symbols of the current slot. In response to determining a DL transmission is scheduled in the current slot, the operations may move to 514; otherwise, in response to determining a DL transmission is not scheduled for the current slot, the operations may move to 524.

[0077] At 514, the apparatus may determine whether PN monitoring is turned off. In response to determining PN monitoring is turned off (YES: 514), the operations may move to 516; otherwise, in response to determining PN monitoring is turned on (NO: 514), the operations may move to 518.

[0078] At 516, the apparatus may turn on PN monitoring (e.g., CURR_PN_MNT = ON). For example, referring to FIGs. 4A-4C, at the beginning of the slot (e.g., start trigger at the beginning of symbol 0 in FIGs. 4B and 4C) in which the resources scheduled for the DE transmission are located, first UE 402a may turn on (at 407) PN monitoring.

[0079] At 518, the apparatus may search for a PN in the next PN transmission opportunity. For example, referring to FIGs. 4A-4C, once turned on, first UE 402a may attempt to decode (e.g., search for a PN) the PN transmission opportunity 410 in slot 0 for a PN 411.

[0080] At 520, the apparatus may determine whether there is additional DL data to receive in the current slot. In response to determining there is additional DL data to receive in the current slot (YES: 520), the operations may move to 522. For example, referring to FIGs. 4 A and 4C, after the attempted decoding of the PN transmission opportunity 410 of slot 0, first UE 402a may determine there is eMBB data 413a to receive in the slot. In response to determining there is no additional DL data to receive in the current slot (NO: 520), the operations may move to 526. For example, referring to FIGs. 4A and 4C, after the attempted decoding of PN transmission opportunity 410 in slot 12, first UE 402a may determine there is no additional eMBB data 413a to decode in the current slot.

[0081] At 522, the apparatus may determine whether there is at least one additional PN transmission opportunity in the current slot. In response to determining there is at least one additional PN transmission opportunity in the current slot (YES: 522), the operations my return to 518. For example, referring to FIGs. 4A-4C, after the attempted decoding of PN transmission opportunity 410 in symbol 0, first UE 402a may determine there are additional PN transmission opportunities in the slot. In response to determining there is not an additional PN transmission opportunity in the current slot (NO: 522), the operations may return to 506. For example, referring to FIGs. 4A-4C, after attempting to decode PN transmission opportunity 410 in symbol 12, first UE 402a may determine there are no remaining PN transmission opportunities in the current slot. [0082] At 524, the apparatus may determine whether PN monitoring for the current slot is turned off. In response to determining PN monitoring for the current slot is turned off (YES: 524), the operations may return to 506; otherwise, in response to determining PN monitoring for the current slot is not turned off (NO: 524), the operations may move to 526.

[0083] At 526, the apparatus may turn off PN monitoring until the start trigger of the next slot in which a DL transmission is scheduled. For example, referring to FIGs. 4A and 4C, first UE 402a may turn off PN monitoring for the current slot after receiving eMBB data 413a in symbol 12. First UE 402a may wait until the start trigger of the next slot in which eMBB data for first UE 402a is scheduled.

[0084] FIG. 5B illustrates a flowchart of an exemplary method 550 of wireless communication, according to embodiments of the disclosure. Exemplary method 550 may be performed by an apparatus for wireless communication, e.g., such as UE 202, node 300, first UE 402a, apparatus 650/650’, first UE 960a. Method 550 may include steps 552-568 as described below. It is to be appreciated that some of the steps may be optional and may be shown with dashed lines, and some of the steps may be performed simultaneously, or in a different order than shown in FIG. 5B.

[0085] Referring to FIG. 5B, at 552, the apparatus may receive, from a base station, PN information associated with PN monitoring. For example, referring to FIG. 4A, base station 404 may send (at 401) PN monitoring information to first UE 402a to indicate various PN monitoring parameters, e.g., such as the time-frequency location(s) allocated for a recurring PN transmission opportunity 410, the interval of the PN transmission opportunity 410, the PN monitoring mode (e.g., enable or disable), PN frame format (e.g., symbol-based, RB-based, etc.), PN monitoring level (e.g., mode-level, slot-level, symbol-level, RB-level, CB-level, etc.), etc. In some embodiments, base station 404 may send (at 401) the PN monitoring information via RRC signaling.

[0086] At 554, the apparatus may identify a PN monitoring space based on the PN information. For example, referring to FIG. 4A, first UE 402a may identify (at 403b) the PN monitoring space based at least in part on the time-frequency resources indicated by the PN monitoring information. PN monitoring may be performed at different levels, e.g., depending on system design/implementation and/or configuration by base station 404. The different levels may include, e.g., 1) a mode-level associated with an enabled PN monitoring mode, 2) a slot-level associated with the PN monitoring mode and a scheduled DE transmission, or 3) a symbol-level associated with the PN monitoring mode, a scheduled DL transmission, and early turnoff. [0087] At 556, the apparatus may receive, from the base station, a DL grant allocating a set of DL resources for the DL transmission. For example, referring to FIG. 4A, base station 404 may generate and send (at 405b) a DL grant to first UE 402a. The DL grant indicates the resources scheduled/allocated for the DL transmission. As depicted in FIGs. 4B and 4C, the scheduled resources may include one or more symbols within a slot. In the non-limiting example of FIG. 4B, all PDSCH symbols (e.g., symbols 1-13) in the slot are allocated for the DL transmission (e.g., eMBB data 413a). In the non-limiting example shown in FIG. 4C, aportion of the PDSCH symbols (e.g., symbols 1-12) in the slot are allocated for the DL transmission.

[0088] At 558, the apparatus may enable (e.g., turn on, activate, etc.) PN monitoring at a beginning of the slot in which the set of DL resources allocated for the DL transmission are located and monitor (e.g., attempt to decode) the PN monitoring space for a PN. For example, referring to FIGs. 4A-4C, at the beginning of the slot (e.g., start of symbol 0 in FIGs. 4B and 4C) in which the resources scheduled for the DL transmission are located, first UE 402a may turn on (at 407) PN monitoring. Once turned on, first UE 402a may attempt to decode each PN transmission opportunity 410 for a PN 411.

[0089] At 560, the apparatus may receive, from the base station, the PN in the PN monitoring space. For example, referring to FIGs. 4A-4C, base station 404 may generate and send (at 411a) a PN 411, which indicates the subset of resources that will be preempted in the DL transmission and may be received by first UE 402a.

[0090] At 562, the apparatus may identify a set of punctured resources associated with the DL transmission based on the PN. For example, referring to FIGs. 4A-4C, first UE 402a may identify (at 411b) the subset of punctured resources based on information included in PN 411. In the non-limiting examples depicted in FIGs. 4B and 4C, first UE 402a may identify symbols 6 and 7 as the punctured symbols.

[0091] At 564, the apparatus may receive and decode the DL transmission that includes the set of punctured resources. For example, referring to FIGs. 4A-4C, first UE 402a may receive and decode (at 415) all symbols carrying eMBB data 413a in the slot except for symbols 6 and 7. First UE 402a may discard the URLLC data 413b (if received) and/or turn off reception for symbols 6 and 7.

[0092] At 566, the apparatus may, in response to implementing slot-level PN monitoring, disabling PN monitoring at an end of the slot in which the set of DL resources allocated for the DL transmission are located. For example, referring to FIGs. 4A and 4B, at the end of the slot (see FIG. 4B), first UE 402a may turn off (at 417) PN monitoring.

[0093] At 568, the apparatus may, in response to implementing symbol-level PN monitoring, disabling PN monitoring after a last symbol carrying the DL transmission within the slot. For example, referring to FIGs. 4A and 4C, after symbol 12 (see FIG. 4C), first UE 402a may turn off (at 417) PN monitoring.

[0094] FIG. 6 is a conceptual data flow diagram 600 illustrating the data flow between different means/components in an exemplary apparatus 650. Apparatus 650 may be a UE, e.g., such as UE 202, node 300, first UE 402a, 950a, apparatus 650’. Apparatus 650 may be communication with a base station 660. Apparatus 650 may include a reception component 602, a PN monitoring component 604, a DL resource identification component 606, a punctured resource identification component 608, a decoding component 610, a HARQ component 612, and a transmission component 614.

[0095] Reception component 602 may be configured to perform receiving, from base station 660, PN monitoring information associated with PN monitoring. In some embodiments, the PN monitoring information may be received via RRC signaling. The PN monitoring information may be sent to PN monitoring component 604. PN monitoring component 604 may be configured to perform identifying a PN monitoring space based on the PN information. A signal indicating the PN monitoring space may be sent to reception component 602, which may be configured to perform monitoring the PN monitoring space for a PN. Reception component 602 may be configured to perform the monitoring of the PN monitoring space at the above-described mode- level, slot- level, or symbol-level, depending on system design and/or configuration by base station 660. For instance, reception component 602 may be configured to perform enabling PN monitoring at a beginning of the slot in which the set of DL resources allocated for the DL transmission are located.

[0096] Reception component 602 may be configured to perform receiving, from the base station 660, a DL grant allocating a set of DL resources for the DL transmission. In some embodiments, the DL grant may be received prior to a PN. The DL grant may be sent to DL resource identification component 606. DL resource identification component 606 may be configured to perform identifying the DL resources allocated for a DL transmission scheduled for apparatus 650. Information associated with the allocated DL resources may be sent to reception component 602.

[0097] Reception component 602 may be configured to perform receiving, from base station 660, a PN in the PN monitoring space. In some embodiments, the PN may be received in a slot in which the set of DL resources allocated for the DL transmission are located. In some embodiments, the PN may indicate to apparatus 650 a set of punctured resources associated with a DL transmission. The PN may be sent to punctured resource identification component 608. Punctured resource identification component 608 may be configured to perform identifying the set of punctured resources associated with the DL transmission based on the PN. Punctured resource identification component 608 may be configured to perform the identifying the set of punctured resources associated with the DL transmission based on the PN by identifying the set of punctured resources within the set of DL resources allocated for the DL transmission. Information associated with the set of punctured resources may be sent to reception component 602.

[0098] Reception component 602 may be configured to perform receiving the DL transmission that includes the set of punctured resources. Reception component 602 may be configured to perform receiving the DL transmission. The DL transmission may be sent to decoding component 610, which may perform decoding the DL transmission except for the set of punctured resources. In some embodiments, reception component 602 may not receive the set of punctured resources; thus, the set of punctured resources may not be sent to decoding component 610, in some instances.

[0099] In some embodiments, reception component 602 may be configured to perform, in response to implementing slot-level PN monitoring, disabling PN monitoring at an end of the slot in which the set of DL resources allocated for the DL transmission are located. In some embodiments, reception component 602 may be configured to perform, in response to implementing symbol-level PN monitoring, disabling PN monitoring after a last symbol carrying the DL transmission within the slot. In some embodiments, the last symbol carrying the DL transmission within the slot may arrive prior to a final symbol associated with the end of the slot. [0100] HARQ component 612 may be configured to perform implementing an error check of the decoded DL transmission and generate an acknowledgement (ACK) or negative ACK (NACK) for each resource of the DL transmission, depending on whether the error check for that resource passes. HARQ component 612 may send the ACK/NACK to transmission component 614. Transmission component 614 may send the ACK/NACK to base station 660. Base station 660 may send a re-transmission of one or more of the resources based on a NACK. HARQ component 612 may not perform an error check for the punctured resources, thereby eliminating improper NACK generation and reducing re-transmission overhead. [0101] The apparatus may include additional components that perform each of the blocks of the algorithm in the aforementioned flowcharts of FIGs. 5 A and/or 5B. As such, each block in the aforementioned flowchart of FIGs. 5A and/or 5B may be performed by a component and the apparatus may include one or more of those components. The components may be one or more hardware components specifically configured to carry out the stated processes/algorithm, implemented by a processor configured to perform the stated processes/algorithm, stored within a computer-readable medium for implementation by a processor, or some combination thereof.

[0102] FIG. 7 is a diagram 700 illustrating an example of a hardware implementation for an apparatus 650’ employing a processing system 714. The processing system 714 may be implemented with a bus architecture, represented generally by the bus 724. The bus 724 may include any number of interconnecting buses and bridges depending on the specific application of the processing system 714 and the overall design constraints. The bus 724 links together various circuits including one or more processors and/or hardware components, represented by the processor 704, the components 602, 604, 606, 608, 610, 612, 614, and the computer-readable medium I memory 706. The bus 724 may also link various other circuits 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.

[0103] The processing system 714 may be coupled to a transceiver 710. The transceiver 710 is coupled to one or more antennas 720. The transceiver 710 provides a means for communicating with various other apparatus over a transmission medium. The transceiver 710 receives a signal from the one or more antennas 720, extracts information from the received signal, and provides the extracted information to the processing system 714, specifically the reception component 602. In addition, the transceiver 710 receives information from the processing system 714, specifically the transmission component 614, and based on the received information, generates a signal to be applied to the one or more antennas 720. The processing system 714 includes a processor 704 coupled to a computer-readable medium I memory 706. The processor 704 is responsible for general processing, including the execution of software stored on the computer-readable medium I memory 706. The software, when executed by the processor 704, causes the processing system 714 to perform the various functions described supra for any particular apparatus. The computer-readable medium I memory 706 may also be used for storing data that is manipulated by the processor 704 when executing software. The processing system 714 further includes at least one of the components 602, 604, 606, 608, 610, 612, 614. The components may be software components running in the processor 704, resident/stored in the computer-readable medium I memory 706, one or more hardware components coupled to the processor 704, or some combination thereof.

[0104] FIGs. 8A and 8B illustrate a flowchart of an exemplary method 800 of wireless communication, according to embodiments of the disclosure. Exemplary method 800 may be performed by an apparatus for wireless communication, e.g., such as access node 204, node 300, base station 404, 860, apparatus 950/950’. Method 800 may include steps 802-820 as described below. It is to be appreciated that some of the steps may be optional, and some of the steps may be performed simultaneously, or in a different order than shown in FIGs. 8 A and 8B.

[0105] Referring to FIG. 8A, at 802, the apparatus may select a first PN interval based on first network-traffic conditions at a first time. For example, referring to FIG. 4A, when base station 404 serves at least one UREEC UE (e.g., second UE 402b) or when preemption of a DE transmission scheduled for first UE 42a is otherwise possible, base station 404 may select/define an exemplary PN monitoring space based on network-resource availability, among others. The PN monitoring space may include time-frequency location(s) allocated for a recurring PN transmission opportunity 410 that may be used to carry a PN 411, as depicted in FIGs. 4B and 4C. By way of example, the PN monitoring space may be selected such that PN transmission opportunity 410 occurs at various intervals, e.g., once per slot, every other symbol per slot (e.g., as shown in FIGs. 4B and 4C), every third symbol per slot, and so on. The PN monitoring space may be configured for a single UE (e.g., first UE 402a), a group of UEs, or all UEs in the cell.

[0106] At 804, the apparatus may send, to a first UE, first PN information that indicates a first PN monitoring space associated with the first PN interval. For example, referring to FIG. 4A, base station 404 may send (at 401) PN monitoring information to first UE 402a to indicate various PN monitoring parameters, e.g., such as the time-frequency location(s) allocated for a recurring PN transmission opportunity 410, the interval of the PN transmission opportunity 410, the PN monitoring mode (e.g., enable or disable), PN frame format (e.g., symbol-based, RB-based, etc.), PN monitoring level (e.g., mode-level, slot-level, symbol-level, RB-level, CB-level, etc.), etc. In some embodiments, base station 404 may send (at 401) the PN monitoring information via RRC signaling.

[0107] At 806, the apparatus may send, to the first UE, a DL grant allocating a set of resources for a DL transmission. For example, referring to FIG. 4A, either before or after the PN monitoring information is conveyed, base station 404 may schedule (at 405a) a DL transmission for first UE 402a based on in-coming DL data packets. Base station 404 may schedule (at 405a) the DL transmission by one or more of, e.g., 1) identifying information associated with one or more in-coming DL data packets for first UE 402a based on various QoS flows, 2) identifying available DL resources to carry the one or more in-coming DL data packets, and 3) allocating those resources for the DL transmission. To that end, base station 404 may generate and send (at 405b) a DL grant to first UE 402a. The DL grant indicates the resources scheduled/allocated for the DL transmission. [0108] At 808, the apparatus may identify, based on a set of QoS flows, a preemption of at least one resource of the set of resources allocated to the first UE for the DL transmission. In some aspects, the preemption of the at least one resource of the set of resources may be associated with a higher-priority transmission for a second UE different than the first UE. For example, referring to FIG. 4A, after sending the DL grant, base station 404 may identify a set of QoS flows for a higher-priority DL transmission (e.g., URLLC data 413b) associated with second UE 402b. The QoS flows for the higher-priority DL transmission may have a more stringent latency requirement than the DL transmission scheduled for first UE 402a. Based on the availability of network resources, base station 404 may identify (at 409) that at least a subset of the resources previously scheduled for first UE 402a will be preempted by the higher-priority DL transmission (e.g., URLLC data 413b) for second UE 402b. This preemption may ensure that the latency requirements of the higher-priority QoS flows are met.

[0109] At 810, the apparatus may send, to the first UE, a PN that indicates the at least one resource allocated to the DL transmission that is preempted for the higher-priority transmission. For example, referring to FIG. 4A, base station 404 may generate and send (at 411a) a PN, a PN, which indicates the subset of resources that will be preempted in the DL transmission, to first UE 402a.

[0110] At 812, the apparatus may puncture the at least one resource allocated to the DL transmission with the higher-priority transmission. For example, referring to FIGs. 4A-4C, base station 404 may puncture eMBB data 413a with URLLC data 413b, as depicted in FIGs. 4B and 4C.

[0111] At 814, the apparatus may send, to the first UE, the DL transmission with the at least one resource of the set of resources punctured with the higher-priority transmission. For example, referring to FIGs. 4A-4C, base station 404 may send eMBB data 413a to first UE 402a punctured by URLLC data 413bs.

[0112] Referring to FIG. 8B, at 816, the apparatus may select a second PN interval based on second network-traffic conditions at a second time different than the first time. For example, referring to FIG. 4A, base station 404 may select a new PN monitoring space based on changing network-resource availability, among others. The new PN monitoring space may include new time-frequency location(s) allocated for a recurring PN transmission opportunity 410. By way of example, the PN monitoring space may be selected such that PN transmission opportunity 410 occurs more frequently when network traffic decreases; conversely, the PN monitoring space may be selected such that PN transmission opportunity 410 occurs less frequently when network traffic increases.

[0113] At 818, the apparatus may send, to the first UE, second PN information that indicates a second PN monitoring space associated with the second PN interval. In some aspects, the first PN interval and the second PN interval may be different. For example, referring to FIG. 4A, base station 404 may send second PN information to first UE 402a when a new PN monitoring space with a different PN interval is selected based on changing network conditions.

[0114] At 820, the apparatus may send, to the second UE, the higher-priority transmission by puncturing the at least one resource of the set of resources initially allocated to the first UE for the DL transmission. For example, referring to FIG. 4A, base station 404 may send URLLC data 413b to second UE 402b, where URLLC data 413b punctures eMBB data 413a scheduled for first UE 402a.

[0115] FIG. 9 is a conceptual data flow diagram 900 illustrating the data flow between different means/components in an exemplary apparatus 950. Apparatus 950 may be a base station, e.g., such as access node 204, node 300, base station 404, 660, apparatus 950’. Apparatus 950 may include reception component 902, network-traffic component 904, PN information component 906, DL grant component 908, eMBB component 910, URLLC component 912, PN component 914, and transmission component 916.

[0116] Network-traffic component 904 may be configured to perform identifying network-traffic conditions. Information associated with network- traffic conditions may be sent to PN information component 906. PN information component 906 may also be configured to perform receiving information indicating the potential for DL preemption, e.g., from URLLC component 912, PN component 914, or from another component.

[0117] PN information component 906 may be configured to perform selecting a first PN monitoring space with a first PN monitoring interval based on first network-traffic conditions at a first time. PN information component 906 may be configured to perform generating first PN monitoring information based on the selected first PN monitoring space with the first PN monitoring interval. The first PN monitoring information may be sent to transmission component 916, which may send the first PN monitoring information to first UE 960a (e.g., an eMBB UE).

[0118] DL grant component 908 may be configured to perform scheduling a set of resources for a DL transmission for first UE 960a and generating a DL grant indicating the set of scheduled resources. Transmission component 916 may be configured to perform sending the DL grant allocating the set of resources to first UE 960a.

[0119] PN component 914 may be configured to perform identifying, based on a set of QoS flows, a preemption of at least one resource of the set of resources allocated to first UE 960a for the DL transmission. In some embodiments, the preemption of the at least one resource of the set of resources may be associated with a higher-priority transmission (e.g., URLLC transmission) for second UE 960b, which is different than first UE 960a. PN component 914 may be configured to perform generating a PN indicating the preemption of the at least one resource of the set of resources allocated to first UE 960a for the DL transmission. The PN may be sent to transmission component 916, which may be configured to perform sending, to first UE 960a, the PN that indicates the at least one resource allocated to the DL transmission that is preempted for the higher- priority transmission.

[0120] URLLC component 912 may be configured to perform generating the higher- priority transmission, which may be sent to eMBB component 910. eMBB component 910 may be configured to perform generating the lower-priority DL transmission and puncturing the at least one resource of the set of resources initially allocated for the lower-priority transmission (e.g., the DL transmission) for first UE 960a. Transmission component 916 may be configured to perform sending, to first UE 960a, the DL transmission with the at least one resource of the set of resources punctured with the higher-priority transmission. Transmission component 916 may be configured to perform sending, to second UE 960b, the higher-priority transmission by puncturing the at least one resource of the set of resources initially allocated to first UE 960a for the DL transmission.

[0121] Network-traffic component 904 may be configured to perform, at a second time, identifying a change in network-traffic conditions (e.g., second network- traffic conditions). Information associated with the change network-traffic conditions may be sent to PN information component 906.

[0122] PN information component 906 may be configured to perform selecting a second PN monitoring space with a second PN interval based on second network-traffic conditions at a second time different than the first time. PN information component 906 may be configured to perform generating second PN information indicating the second PN monitoring space with the second PN interval, which may be sent to transmission component 916. Transmission component 916 may be configured to perform sending, to first UE 960a, second PN information that indicates a second PN monitoring space associated with the second PN interval. In some embodiments, the first PN interval and the second PN interval may be different.

[0123] Reception component 902 may be configured to perform receiving HARQ feedback (e.g., associated with lower-priority DL transmission) from first UE 960a and/or receiving HARQ feedback (e.g., associated with higher-priority transmission). The HARQ feedback received from first UE 960a may not be associated with the punctured at least one resource of the set of resources initially allocated for the lower-priority DL transmission.

[0124] The apparatus may include additional components that perform each of the blocks of the algorithm in the aforementioned flowcharts of FIGs. 8A and 8B. As such, each block in the aforementioned flowcharts of FIGs. 8A and 8B may be performed by a component and the apparatus may include one or more of those components. The components may be one or more hardware components specifically configured to carry out the stated processes/algorithm, implemented by a processor configured to perform the stated processes/algorithm, stored within a computer-readable medium for implementation by a processor, or some combination thereof.

[0125] FIG. 10 is a diagram 1000 illustrating an example of a hardware implementation for an apparatus 950' employing a processing system 1014. The processing system 1014 may be implemented with a bus architecture, represented generally by the bus 1024. The bus 1024 may include any number of interconnecting buses and bridges depending on the specific application of the processing system 1014 and the overall design constraints. The bus 1024 links together various circuits including one or more processors and/or hardware components, represented by the processor 1004, the components 902, 904, 906, 908, 910, 912, 914, 916, and the computer-readable medium I memory 1006. The bus 1024 may also link various other circuits 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.

[0126] The processing system 1014 may be coupled to a transceiver 1010. The transceiver 1010 is coupled to one or more antennas 1020. The transceiver 1010 provides a means for communicating with various other apparatus over a transmission medium. The transceiver 1010 receives a signal from the one or more antennas 1020, extracts information from the received signal, and provides the extracted information to the processing system 1014, specifically the reception component 902. In addition, the transceiver 1010 receives information from the processing system 1014, specifically the transmission component 916, and based on the received information, generates a signal to be applied to the one or more antennas 1020. The processing system 1014 includes a processor 1004 coupled to a computer-readable medium I memory 1006. The processor 1004 is responsible for general processing, including the execution of software stored on the computer-readable medium I memory 1006. The software, when executed by the processor 1004, causes the processing system 1014 to perform the various functions described supra for any particular apparatus. The computer-readable medium I memory 1006 may also be used for storing data that is manipulated by the processor 1004 when executing software. The processing system 1014 further includes at least one of the components 902, 904, 906, 908, 910, 912, 914, 916. The components may be software components running in the processor 1004, resident/stored in the computer-readable medium I memory 1006, one or more hardware components coupled to the processor 1004, or some combination thereof.

[0127] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a method of wireless communication of a UE is provided. The method may include receiving, from a base station, PN information associated with PN monitoring. The method may include identifying a PN monitoring space based on the PN information. The method may include monitoring the PN monitoring space for a PN. In some embodiments, the PN may indicate a set of punctured resources associated with a DL transmission.

[0128] In some embodiments, the method may include receiving, from the base station, the PN in the PN monitoring space. In some embodiments, the method may include identifying the set of punctured resources associated with the DL transmission based on the PN.

[0129] In some embodiments, the method may include receiving, from the base station, the DL transmission that includes the set of punctured resources. In some embodiments, the method may include decoding the DL transmission except for the set of punctured resources.

[0130] In some embodiments, the method may include receiving, from the base station, a DL grant allocating a set of DL resources for the DL transmission. In some embodiments, the DL grant may be received prior to the PN.

[0131] In some embodiments, the identifying the set of punctured resources associated with the DL transmission based on the PN may include identifying the set of punctured resources within the set of DL resources allocated for the DL transmission. In some embodiments, the PN may be received in a slot in which the set of DL resources allocated for the DL transmission are located.

[0132] In some embodiments, the method may include enabling PN monitoring at a beginning of the slot in which the set of DL resources allocated for the DL transmission are located. [0133] In some embodiments, the method may include, in response to implementing slotlevel PN monitoring, disabling PN monitoring at an end of the slot in which the set of DL resources allocated for the DL transmission are located. In some embodiments, the method may include, in response to implementing symbol-level PN monitoring, disabling PN monitoring after a last symbol carrying the DL transmission within the slot. In some embodiments, the last symbol carrying the DL transmission within the slot may arrive prior to a final symbol associated with the end of the slot.

[0134] In some embodiments, the PN information may be received via RRC signaling.

[0135] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, an apparatus for wireless communication of a UE is provided. The apparatus may include at least one processor. The apparatus may include a memory storing instructions, which when executed by the at least one processor, may cause the at least one processor to perform receiving, from a base station, PN information associated with PN monitoring. The memory storing instructions, which when executed by the at least one processor, may cause the at least one processor to perform identifying a PN monitoring space based on the PN information. The memory storing instructions, which when executed by the at least one processor, may cause the at least one processor to perform monitoring the PN monitoring space for a PN. In some embodiments, the PN may indicate a set of punctured resources associated with DL transmission.

[0136] In some embodiments, the memory storing instructions, which when executed by the at least one processor, may further cause the at least one processor to perform receiving, from the base station, the PN in the PN monitoring space. In some embodiments, the memory storing instructions, which when executed by the at least one processor, may further cause the at least one processor to perform identifying the set of punctured resources associated with the DL transmission based on the PN.

[0137] In some embodiments, the memory storing instructions, which when executed by the at least one processor, may further cause the at least one processor to perform receiving, from the base station, the DL transmission that includes the set of punctured resources. In some embodiments, the memory storing instructions, which when executed by the at least one processor, may further cause the at least one processor to perform decoding the DL transmission except for the set of punctured resources.

[0138] In some embodiments, the memory storing instructions, which when executed by the at least one processor, may further cause the at least one processor to perform receiving, from the base station, a DL grant allocating a set of DL resources for the DL transmission. In some embodiments, the DL grant may be received prior to the PN.

[0139] In some embodiments, the memory storing instructions, which when executed by the at least one processor, may cause the at least one processor to perform the identifying the set of punctured resources associated with the DL transmission based on the PN by identifying the set of punctured resources within the set of DL resources allocated for the DL transmission. In some embodiments, the PN may be received in a slot in which the set of DL resources allocated for the DL transmission are located.

[0140] In some embodiments, the memory storing instructions, which when executed by the at least one processor, may further cause the at least one processor to perform enabling PN monitoring at a beginning of the slot in which the set of DL resources allocated for the DL transmission are allocated.

[0141] In some embodiments, the memory storing instructions, which when executed by the at least one processor, may further cause the at least one processor to perform, in response to implementing slot-level PN monitoring, disabling PN monitoring at an end of the slot in which the set of DL resources allocated for the DL transmission are located. In some embodiments, the memory storing instructions, which when executed by the at least one processor, may further cause the at least one processor to perform, in response to implementing symbol-level PN monitoring, disabling PN monitoring after a last symbol carrying the DL transmission within the slot. In some embodiments, the last symbol carrying the DL transmission within the slot may arrive prior to a final symbol associated with the end of the slot.

[0142] According to yet another aspect of the present disclosure, a non-transitory computer-readable medium encoding instructions for a UE is provided. The non-transitory computer-readable medium encoding instructions, which when executed by at least one processor of a UE, may cause the at least one processor to perform receiving, from a base station, PN information associated with PN monitoring. The non-transitory computer-readable medium encoding instructions, which when executed by at least one processor of a UE, may cause the at least one processor to perform identifying a PN monitoring space based on the PN information. The non-transitory computer-readable medium encoding instructions, which when executed by at least one processor of a UE, may cause the at least one processor to perform monitoring the PN monitoring space for a PN. In some embodiments, the PN may indicate a set of punctured resources associated with a DL transmission.

[0143] In some embodiments, the non-transitory computer-readable medium encoding instructions, which when executed by at least one processor of a UE, may cause the at least one processor to perform receiving, from the base station, the PN in the PN monitoring space. In some embodiments, the non-transitory computer-readable medium encoding instructions, which when executed by at least one processor of a UE, may cause the at least one processor to perform identifying the set of punctured resources associated with the DL transmission based on the PN.

[0144] In some embodiments, the non-transitory computer-readable medium encoding instructions, which when executed by at least one processor of a UE, may cause the at least one processor to perform receiving, from the base station, the DL transmission that includes the set of punctured resources. In some embodiments, the non-transitory computer-readable medium encoding instructions, which when executed by at least one processor of a UE, may cause the at least one processor to perform decoding the DL transmission except for the set of punctured resources.

[0145] In some embodiments, the non-transitory computer-readable medium encoding instructions, which when executed by at least one processor of a UE, may cause the at least one processor to perform receiving, from the base station, a DL grant allocating a set of DL resources for the DL transmission. In some embodiments, the DL grant may be received prior to the PN.

[0146] In some embodiments, the non-transitory computer-readable medium encoding the instructions, which when executed by the at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to perform the identifying the set of punctured resources associated with the DL transmission based on the PN by identifying the set of punctured resources within the set of DL resources allocated for the DL transmission. In some embodiments, the PN may be received in a slot in which the set of DL resources allocated for the DL transmission are located.

[0147] According to yet another aspect of the present disclosure, a method of wireless communication of a base station is disclosed. The method may include selecting a first PN interval based on first network-traffic conditions at a first time. The method may include sending, to a first UE, first PN information that indicates a first PN monitoring space associated with the first PN interval. The method may include sending, to the first UE, a DL grant allocating a set of resources for a DL transmission. The method may include identifying, based on a set of QoS flows, a preemption of at least one resource of the set of resources allocated to the first UE for the DL transmission. In some embodiments, the preemption of the at least one resource of the set of resources may be associated with a higher-priority transmission for a second UE different than the first UE. The method may include sending, to the first UE, a PN that indicates the at least one resource allocated to the DL transmission that is preempted for the higher-priority transmission. The method may include puncturing the at least one resource allocated to the DL transmission with the higher-priority transmission. The method may include sending, to the first UE, the DL transmission with the at least one resource of the set of resources punctured with the higher-priority transmission.

[0148] In some embodiments, the method may include selecting a second PN interval based on second network-traffic conditions at a second time different than the first time. In some embodiments, the method may include sending, to the first UE, second PN information that indicates a second PN monitoring space associated with the second PN interval. In some embodiments, the first PN interval and the second PN interval may be different.

[0149] In some embodiments, the method may include sending, to the second UE, the higher-priority transmission by puncturing the at least one resource of the set of resources initially allocated to the first UE for the DL transmission.

[0150] According to a further aspect of the present disclosure, an apparatus for wireless communication of a base station is provided. The apparatus may include at least one processor. The apparatus may include a memory storing instructions, which when executed by the at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to perform selecting a first PN interval based on first network-traffic conditions at a first time. The apparatus may include at least one processor. The apparatus may include a memory storing instructions, which when executed by the at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to perform sending, to a first UE, first PN information that indicates a first PN monitoring space associated with the first PN interval. The apparatus may include at least one processor. The apparatus may include a memory storing instructions, which when executed by the at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to perform sending, to the first UE, a DL grant allocating a set of resources for a DL transmission. The apparatus may include at least one processor. The apparatus may include a memory storing instructions, which when executed by the at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to perform identifying, based on a set of QoS flows, a preemption of at least one resource of the set of resources allocated to the first UE for the DL transmission. In some embodiments, the preemption of the at least one resource of the set of resources being associated with a higher-priority transmission for a second UE different than the first UE. The apparatus may include at least one processor. The apparatus may include a memory storing instructions, which when executed by the at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to perform sending, to the first UE, a PN that indicates the at least one resource allocated to the DL transmission that is preempted for the higher-priority transmission. The apparatus may include at least one processor. The apparatus may include a memory storing instructions, which when executed by the at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to perform puncturing the at least one resource allocated to the DL transmission with the higher-priority transmission. The apparatus may include at least one processor. The apparatus may include a memory storing instructions, which when executed by the at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to perform sending, to the first UE, the DL transmission with the at least one resource of the set of resources punctured with the higher-priority transmission.

[0151] In some embodiments, the apparatus may include at least one processor. The apparatus may include a memory storing instructions, which when executed by the at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to perform selecting a second PN interval based on second network-traffic conditions at a second time different than the first time. In some embodiments, the apparatus may include at least one processor. The apparatus may include a memory storing instructions, which when executed by the at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to perform sending, to the first UE, second PN information that indicates a second PN monitoring space associated with the second PN interval. In some embodiments, the first PN interval and the second PN interval may be different.

[0152] In some embodiments, the apparatus may include at least one processor. The apparatus may include a memory storing instructions, which when executed by the at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to perform sending, to the second UE, the higher-priority transmission by puncturing the at least one resource of the set of resources initially allocated to the first UE for the DL transmission.

[0153] According to yet a further aspect of the present disclosure, a non-transitory computer-readable medium of a base station is provided. The non-transitory computer-readable medium encoding instructions, which when executed by at least one processor of a base station, may cause the at least one processor to perform selecting a first PN interval based on first networktraffic conditions at a first time. The non-transitory computer-readable medium encoding instructions, which when executed by at least one processor of a base station, may cause the at least one processor to perform sending, to a first UE, first PN information that indicates a first PN monitoring space associated with the first PN interval. The non-transitory computer-readable medium encoding instructions, which when executed by at least one processor of a base station, may cause the at least one processor to perform sending, to the first UE, a DL grant allocating a set of resources for a DL transmission. The non-transitory computer-readable medium encoding instructions, which when executed by at least one processor of a base station, may cause the at least one processor to perform identifying, based on a set of QoS flows, a preemption of at least one resource of the set of resources allocated to the first UE for the DL transmission. In some embodiments, the preemption of the at least one resource of the set of resources may be associated with a higher-priority transmission for a second UE different than the first UE. The non-transitory computer-readable medium encoding instructions, which when executed by at least one processor of a base station, may cause the at least one processor to perform sending, to the first UE, a PN that indicates the at least one resource allocated to the DL transmission that is preempted for the higher-priority transmission. The non-transitory computer-readable medium encoding instructions, which when executed by at least one processor of a base station, may cause the at least one processor to perform puncturing the at least one resource allocated to the DL transmission with the higher-priority transmission. The non-transitory computer-readable medium encoding instructions, which when executed by at least one processor of a base station, may cause the at least one processor to perform sending, to the first UE, the DL transmission with the at least one resource of the set of resources punctured with the higher-priority transmission.

[0154] In some embodiments, the non-transitory computer-readable medium encoding instructions, which when executed by at least one processor of a base station, may cause the at least one processor to perform selecting a second PN interval based on second network-traffic conditions at a second time different than the first time. In some embodiments, the non-transitory computer-readable medium encoding instructions, which when executed by at least one processor of a base station, may cause the at least one processor to perform sending, to the first UE, second PN information that indicates a second PN monitoring space associated with the second PN interval. In some embodiments, the first PN interval and the second PN interval may be different. [0155] The foregoing description of the specific embodiments will so reveal the general nature of the present disclosure that others can, by applying knowledge within the skill of the art, readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific embodiments, without undue experimentation, without departing from the general concept of the present disclosure. Therefore, such adaptations and modifications are intended to be within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments, based on the teaching and guidance presented herein. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation, such that the terminology or phraseology of the present specification is to be interpreted by the skilled artisan in light of the teachings and guidance.

[0156] Embodiments of the present disclosure have been described above with the aid of functional building blocks illustrating the implementation of specified functions and relationships thereof. The boundaries of these functional building blocks have been arbitrarily defined herein for the convenience of the description. Alternate boundaries can be defined so long as the specified functions and relationships thereof are appropriately performed.

[0157] The Summary and Abstract sections may set forth one or more but not all exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure as contemplated by the inventor(s), and thus, are not intended to limit the present disclosure and the appended claims in any way.

[0158] Various functional blocks, modules, and steps are disclosed above. The particular arrangements provided are illustrative and without limitation. Accordingly, the functional blocks, modules, and steps may be re-ordered or combined in different ways than in the examples provided above. Likewise, certain embodiments include only a subset of the functional blocks, modules, and steps, and any such subset is permitted.

[0159] The breadth and scope of the present disclosure should not be limited by any of the above-described exemplary embodiments, but should be defined only in accordance with the following claims and their equivalents.