Abstract: Devices and methods of enhancing narrowband communications are generally described. NPSS and NSSS are modulated to include an additional bit that indicates a duplexing scheme, a raster frequency offset (zero or non-zero), an operating mode (in-band or standalone/guard-band) or frame timing used by the eNB. The NPSS modulation uses conjugate ZC sequences multiplied by a cover code for each OFDM symbol. The NMIB may provide additional information related to the operating mode or offset. NSSS cyclic shifts may be used to indicate the offset or TDD/FDD use, as may relative locations of the NPSS and NSSS. The NSSS may use symbol-level modulation and time domain cyclic shifts to indicate the frame timing.

Abstract: Embodiments of an Evolved Node-B (eNB), User Equipment (UE), and methods for flexible duplex communication are generally described herein. The eNB may transmit a downlink control information (DCI) block to the UE during a group of time-division duplex (TDD) sub-frames. The eNB may further receive an uplink control information (UCI) block from the UE during the group of TDD sub-frames. A first candidate flexible duplex format for the TDD sub-frames may include a downlink control portion and an uplink control portion. A second candidate flexible duplex format for the TDD sub-frames may include a downlink control portion and may exclude uplink control portions.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are described for transmitting uplink control information (UCI) over an OFDMA-based uplink. In some embodiments, UCI symbols are mapped to resource elements (REs) in the time/frequency resource grid to maximize frequency diversity. In some embodiments, UCI is mapped in a manner that takes into account channel estimation performance by mapping UCI symbols to those REs that are closest (in terms of OFDM subcarriers/symbols) to REs that carry reference signals.

Abstract: A user equipment device obtains a first measurement using a first CSI-RS sub-resource and a second measurement using a second CSI-RS sub-resource. The user device derives a single CSI-process based on the first and the second measurements and reports the CSI-process to a base station. The user device receives a message from the base station configuring the first and second CSI-RS sub-resources corresponding to the single CSI-process to be reported by the user device. The message from the base station comprises a configuration of the first CSI-RS sub-resource and a separate configuration of the second CSI-RS sub-resource. The configuration of each CSI-RS sub-resource comprises, for the corresponding CSI-RS sub-resource, at least a CSI-RS sub-resource index, a periodicity, and an offset. The user device may alternatively obtain measurements using any number of CSI-RS sub-resources and then derive and report a single CSI-process based on the plurality of measurements.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein include user equipment (UE), evolved node B (eNB), methods, and systems for narrowband Internet-of-Things (IoT) communications. Some embodiments particularly relate to control channel communications between UE and eNB in narrowband IoT communications. In one embodiment, a UE blind decodes a first control transmission from an evolved node B (eNB) by processing a first physical resource block comprising all subcarriers of the transmission bandwidth and all orthogonal frequency division multiplexed symbols of a first subframe to determine the first control transmission. In various further embodiments, various resource groupings of resource elements are used as part of the control communications.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are described for transmitting uplink control information (UCI) over an OFDMA-based uplink. In some embodiments, UCI symbols are mapped to resource elements (REs) in the time/frequency resource grid to maximize frequency diversity. In some embodiments, UCI is mapped in a manner that takes into account channel estimation performance by mapping UCI symbols to those REs that are closest (in terms of OFDM subcarriers/symbols) to REs that carry reference signals.

Abstract: A user equipment device obtains a first measurement using a first CSI-RS sub-resource and a second measurement using a second CSI-RS sub-resource. The user device derives a single CSI-process based on the first and the second measurements and reports the CSI-process to a base station. The user device receives a message from the base station configuring the first and second CSI-RS sub-resources corresponding to the single CSI-process to be reported by the user device. The message from the base station comprises a configuration of the first CSI-RS sub-resource and a separate configuration of the second CSI-RS sub-resource. The configuration of each CSI-RS sub-resource comprises, for the corresponding CSI-RS sub-resource, at least a CSI-RS sub-resource index, a periodicity, and an offset. The user device may alternatively obtain measurements using any number of CSI-RS sub-resources and then derive and report a single CSI-process based on the plurality of measurements.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein include user equipment (UE), evolved node B (eNB), methods, and systems for narrowband Internet-of-Things (IoT) communications. Some embodiments particularly relate to control channel communications between UE and eNB in narrowband IoT communications. In one embodiment, a UE blind decodes a first control transmission from an evolved node B (eNB) by processing a first physical resource block comprising all subcarriers of the transmission bandwidth and all orthogonal frequency division multiplexed symbols of a first subframe to determine the first control transmission. In various further embodiments, various resource groupings of resource elements are used as part of the control communications.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are apparatuses, systems, and methods using or implementing a control channel (PDCCH) design. The PDCCH can occupy an initial number of OFDM symbols of a downlink subframe, while occupying less than the full system bandwidth. The PDCCH can be time division multiplexed (TDM) with a shared channel (PDSCH) or frequency division multiplexed (FDM) with a PDSCH. The PDCCH can further be multiplexed with another PDCCH in a contiguous or non-contiguous region. Resources allocated to the PDCCH can overlap or partially overlap resources allocated to the PDSCH. An Evolved Node-B (eNB) can provide configuration information for the PDCCH design in Radio Resource Control (RRC) signaling to a user equipment (UE), or through use of a Master Information Block (MIB) or System Information Block (SIB).

Abstract: Disclosed herein are apparatuses, systems, and methods for reference signal design for initial acquisition, by receiving a first primary synchronization signal (PSS) and a first secondary synchronization signal (SSS) from a first transmit (Tx) beam, in first contiguous orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) symbols of a downlink subframe. A UE can receive at least a second PSS and a second SSS from a second Tx beam in contiguous OFDM symbols of the downlink subframe. A UE can then detect beamforming reference signals (BRSs) corresponding to the first Tx beam and the second Tx beam, based on identification of physical cell ID information and timing information processed from the first PSS, the second PSS, the first SSS, and the second SSS. The UE can select the first Tx beam or the second Tx beam that was received with the highest power, based on the BRSs. Other embodiments are described.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein include user equipment (UE), evolved node B (eNB), methods, and systems for narrowband Internet-of-Things (IoT) communications. Some embodiments particularly relate to control channel communications between UE and eNB in narrowband IoT communications. In one embodiment, a UE blind decodes a first control resource block comprising all subcarriers of the transmission bandwidth and all orthogonal frequency division multiplexed symbols of a first subframe to determine the first control transmission. In various further embodiments, various resource groupings of resource elements are used as part of the control communications.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are apparatuses, systems, and methods using or implementing a control channel (PDCCH) design. The PDCCH can occupy an initial number of OFDM symbols of a downlink subframe, while occupying less than the full system bandwidth. The PDCCH can be time division multiplexed (TDM) with a shared channel (PDSCH) or frequency division multiplexed (FDM) with a PDSCH. The PDCCH can further be multiplexed with another PDCCH in a contiguous or non-contiguous region. Resources allocated to the PDCCH can overlap or partially overlap resources allocated to the PDSCH. An Evolved Node-B (eNB) can provide configuration information for the PDCCH design in Radio Resource Control (RRC) signaling to a user equipment (UE), or through use of a Master Information Block (MIB) or System Information Block (SIB).

Abstract: Disclosed herein are apparatuses, systems, and methods for reference signal design for initial acquisition, by receiving a first primary synchronization signal (PSS) and a first secondary synchronization signal (SSS) from a first transmit (Tx) beam, in first contiguous orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) symbols of a downlink subframe. A UE can receive at least a second PSS and a second SSS from a second Tx beam in contiguous OFDM symbols of the downlink subframe. A UE can then detect beamforming reference signals (BRSs) corresponding to the first Tx beam and the second Tx beam, based on identification of physical cell ID information and timing information processed from the first PSS, the second PSS, the first SSS, and the second SSS. The UE can select the first Tx beam or the second Tx beam that was received with the highest power, based on the BRSs. Other embodiments are described.

Abstract: A method of operating a wireless communication system (FIG. 4) is disclosed. The method includes receiving downlink control information (702) for transmission to a user equipment (UE) in an enhanced physical downlink control channel (EPDCCH). A pseudo-random number generator is initialized (706) for generating a pseudo-random sequence. A plurality of demodulation reference signals (DMRS) are generated with the pseudo-random sequence. The plurality of DMRS is mapped with the EPDCCH and transmitted to the UE (712).

Abstract: Embodiments described herein include user equipment (UE), evolved node B (eNB), methods, and systems for narrowband Internet-of-Things (IoT) communications. Some embodiments particularly relate to control channel communications between UE and eNB in narrowband IoT communications. In one embodiment, a UE blind decodes a first control transmission from an evolved node B (eNB) by processing a first physical resource block comprising all subcarriers of the transmission bandwidth and all orthogonal frequency division multiplexed symbols of a first subframe to determine the first control transmission. In various further embodiments, various resource groupings of resource elements are used as part of the control communications.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are described for transmitting uplink control information (UCI) over an OFDMA-based uplink. In some embodiments, UCI symbols are mapped to resource elements (REs) in the time/frequency resource grid to maximize frequency diversity. In some embodiments, UCI is mapped in a manner that takes into account channel estimation performance by mapping UCI symbols to those REs that are closest (in terms of OFDM subcarriers/symbols) to REs that carry reference signals.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are apparatuses, systems, and methods for reference signal design for initial acquisition, by receiving a first primary synchronization signal (PSS) and a first secondary synchronization signal (SSS) from a first transmit (Tx) beam, in first contiguous orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) symbols of a downlink subframe. A UE can receive at least a second PSS and a second SSS from a second Tx beam in contiguous OFDM symbols of the downlink subframe. A UE can then detect beamforming reference signals (BRSs) corresponding to the first Tx beam and the second Tx beam, based on identification of physical cell ID information and timing information processed from the first PSS, the second PSS, the first SSS, and the second SSS. The UE can select the first Tx beam or the second Tx beam that was received with the highest power, based on the BRSs. Other embodiments are described.

Abstract: A system and method for providing both localized and distributed transmission modes for EPDCCH is disclosed, where one EPDCCH comprises of one or multiple CCEs. Localized versus distributed transmission may be defined in terms of the EPDCCH to CCE resource mapping. In a localized transmission CCEs are restricted to be contained within one PRB. In a distributed transmission a CCE spans over multiple PRBs. A UE can be configured to either receive the EPDCCH only in localized or only in distributed transmissions. A UE can also be configured to expect EPDCCH transmissions in both localized and distributed transmissions. In each PRB configured by the higher layer as an EPDCCH resource, 24 REs that may be used for any DMRS transmission are always reserved and not used for EPDCCH transmission.

Abstract: Embodiments of an Evolved Node-B (eNB), User Equipment (UE), and methods for flexible duplex communication are generally described herein. The eNB may transmit a downlink control information (DCI) block to the UE during a group of time-division duplex (TDD) sub-frames. The eNB may further receive an uplink control information (UCI) block from the UE during the group of TDD sub-frames. A first candidate flexible duplex format for the TDD sub-frames may include a downlink control portion and an uplink control portion. A second candidate flexible duplex format for the TDD sub-frames may include a downlink control portion and may exclude uplink control portions.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are directed to a cellular communication network that can determine whether communications between one base station-UE pair may interfere with another UE that is in the same cell or a different cell. The network identifies interference parameters associated with interference signals that may be received by a UE. The interference signals may be generated by the base station itself, such as communications with other UEs, or by a neighboring base station. The base station transmits the interference parameters to the UE. The UE receives the one or more parameters comprising information about signals expected to cause intra-cell or inter-cell interference. The UE then processes received signals using the one or more parameters to suppress the intra-cell or inter-cell interference.