Layer 1 / Layer 2 Triggered Mobility Beam Indication (LTM)

Description

1 / 44 Layer 1 / Layer 2 Triggered Mobility Beam Indication (LTM) FIELD

[0001] Several exemplary embodiments generally refer to wireless networks and, more particularly, to beam indication for mobility triggered by layer 1 / layer 2 (LTM) in wireless networks. BACKGROUND

[0002] Wireless networks provide significant advantages for user mobility. A user's ability to remain connected while on the move provides advantages not only for the user but also provides greater efficiency and productivity for society as a whole. As user expectations regarding connection reliability, data speed, and device battery life become more demanding, wireless network technology must also keep pace with these expectations. Consequently, there is ongoing interest in improving wireless network technology. SUMMARY

[0003] According to aspects of the present disclosure, a user equipment device includes at least one processor; and at least one memory. The at least one memory stores instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the user equipment device to at least receive, from a service cell, a medium access control element (MAC-CE) that includes an indication of a candidate cell and an activation of one or more transmission configuration indicator (TCI) states for the candidate cell; receive, from the service cell via lower-layer signaling, a cell switching command indicating the candidate cell as a target cell; and switch, in response to the cell switching command, communication with the service cell to communication with the target cell, wherein communication with the target cell includes communication with the target cell applying at least one of the one or more TCI states. Petition 870250090173, dated 03 / 10 / 2025, pp. 74 / 271 2 / 44

[0004] In one aspect of the present disclosure, the MAC-CE may include a first field; and a second field to indicate whether information in the first field is for the service cell or the candidate cell.

[0005] In one aspect of the present disclosure, the MAC-CE may include a first value; and a second value to indicate that the first value identifies the candidate cell.

[0006] In one aspect of the present disclosure, the MAC-CE may include a list of candidate cell-specific TCI states including one or more TCI states.

[0007] In one aspect of the present disclosure, the cell switching command may additionally include a reference to at least one of the one or more TCI states.

[0008] In one aspect of the present disclosure, the instructions, when executed by at least one processor, can additionally cause the user equipment device to at least receive the cell switching command by receiving downlink control (DCI) information including an indication of the candidate cell and a TCI code point referencing at least one of one or more TCI states.

[0009] In one aspect of the present disclosure, the instructions, when executed by at least one processor, can additionally cause the user equipment device to at least receive the cell switching command by receiving downlink control information (DCI) including an indication of a list of candidate cell-activated TCIs including the candidate cell and a TCI code point referencing at least one of one or more TCI states.

[0010] In one aspect of the present disclosure, the instructions, when executed by at least one processor, can additionally cause the user equipment device to at least receive the cell switching command by receiving downlink control information (DCI) including a reference to at least one of the one or more TCI states and an indication that at least one of the one or more TCI states is for the candidate cell.

[0011] In one aspect of the present disclosure, the instructions, when executed by at least one processor, can additionally cause the user equipment device to at least perform intra-cell beam management in the target cell based on one or more TCI states. Petition 870250090173, dated 03 / 10 / 2025, pp. 75 / 271 3 / 44

[0012] In one aspect of the present disclosure, one or more TCI states are associated with more than one physical cell identifier (PCI), and the instructions, when executed by at least one processor, can additionally cause the user equipment appliance to at least perform at least one intra-cell beam management or inter-cell beam management on the target cell based on one or more TCI states.

[0013] In one aspect of the present disclosure, the instructions, when executed by at least one processor, can additionally cause the user equipment device to at least retain, while operating in the target cell, a list of TCI states activated by the service cell.

[0014] In one aspect of the present disclosure, the instructions, when executed by at least one processor, can additionally cause the user equipment device to at least transmit an indication of a user equipment capability, wherein at least one of a number of one or more activated TCI states in the MAC-CE for the candidate cell or a number of activated TCI states in multiple cells in the user equipment device is based on the user equipment capability.

[0015] According to aspects of the present disclosure, a method is implemented by a user equipment device. The method includes receiving, from a service cell, a medium access control element (MAC-CE) including an indication of a candidate cell and an activation of one or more transmission configuration indicator (TCI) states for the candidate cell; receiving, from the service cell via lower layer signaling, a cell switching command indicating the candidate cell as a target cell; and switching, in response to the cell switching command, communication with the service cell to communication with the target cell, wherein communication with the target cell includes communication with the target cell applying at least one of the one or more TCI states.

[0016] In one aspect of the present disclosure, the MAC-CE may include a first field; and a second field to indicate whether information in the first field is for the service cell or the candidate cell.

[0017] In one aspect of the present disclosure, the MAC-CE may include a first value; and a second value to indicate that the first value identifies the candidate cell. Petition 870250090173, dated 03 / 10 / 2025, pp. 76 / 271 4 / 44

[0018] In one aspect of the present disclosure, the MAC-CE may include a list of candidate cell-specific TCI states including one or more TCI states.

[0019] In one aspect of the present disclosure, the cell switching command may additionally include a reference to at least one of the one or more TCI states.

[0020] In one aspect of the present disclosure, receiving the cell switching command may include receiving downlink control (DCI) information including an indication of the candidate cell and a TCI code point referencing at least one of one or more TCI states.

[0021] In one aspect of the present disclosure, receiving the cell switching command may include receiving downlink control (DCI) information including an indication of a list of candidate cell-enabled TCI states including the candidate cell and a TCI code point referencing at least one of the one or more TCI states.

[0022] In one aspect of the present disclosure, receiving the cell switching command may include receiving downlink control (DCI) information including a reference to at least one of the one or more TCI states and an indication that at least one of the one or more TCI states is for the candidate cell.

[0023] In one aspect of the present disclosure, the method may further include one or more TCI states being associated with more than one physical cell identifier (PCI), performing intracellular beam management in the target cell based on one or more TCI states.

[0024] In one aspect of the present disclosure, one or more TCI states are associated with more than one physical cell identifier (PCI), and the method may additionally include performing at least one intra-cell management or inter-cell management in the target cell based on one or more TCI states.

[0025] In one aspect of the present disclosure, the method may additionally include retaining, while operating on the target cell, a list of TCI states activated by the service cell.

[0026] In one aspect of the present disclosure, the method may additionally include transmitting an indication of a user equipment capability, wherein by Petition 870250090173, dated 03 / 10 / 2025, pp. 77 / 271 5 / 44 minus one of a number of one or more activated TCI states in the MAC-CE for the candidate cell or a number of activated TCI states in multiple cells in the user equipment device is based on UE capability.

[0027] According to aspects of the present disclosure, a network device includes at least one processor; and at least one memory. The at least one memory stores instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the network device to at least transmit, to a user equipment device, a medium access control element (MAC-CE) including an indication of a candidate cell and an activation of one or more transmission configuration indicator (TCI) states for the candidate cell; transmit, to the user equipment device via lower-layer signaling, a cell switching command indicating the candidate cell as a target cell; and perform a handover from the user equipment device to the target cell responsive to the cell switching command.

[0028] According to aspects of the present disclosure, a method is implemented by a network device. The method includes transmitting, to a user equipment device, a medium access control element (MAC-CE) including an indication of a candidate cell and an activation of one or more transmission configuration indicator (TCI) states for the candidate cell; and transmitting, to the user equipment device via lower layer signaling, a cell switching command indicating the candidate cell as a target cell; and performing a handover from the user equipment device to the target cell responsive to the cell switching command.

[0029] In some respects, the subject matter of the independent claims is provided. Some additional aspects are defined in the dependent claims. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0030] Some exemplary embodiments will now be described with reference to the attached drawings.

[0031] FIG. 1 is a diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a wireless network between a network device and a user equipment (UE) device, according to an illustrated aspect of the present disclosure; Petition 870250090173, dated 03 / 10 / 2025, pp. 78 / 271 6 / 44

[0032] FIG. 2 is a diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a UE sweeping reception beams for synchronization signal block bursts (SSB), according to an illustrated aspect of the disclosure;

[0033] FIG. 3 is a diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a UE in communications with a master node (MN) and a secondary node (SN), according to an illustrated aspect of the disclosure;

[0034] FIG. 4 is a diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a layer 1 / layer 2 triggered mobility scenario, according to an illustrated aspect of the present disclosure;

[0035] FIG. 5 is a diagram of an exemplary embodiment of operations for LTM, according to an illustrated aspect of the present disclosure;

[0036] FIG. 6 is a diagram of an exemplary configuration for LTM provisioning, according to an illustrated aspect of the present disclosure;

[0037] FIG. 7 is a diagram of an exemplary media access control (MAC-CE) transmission configuration indicator (TCI) state activation control element for a candidate cell supporting LTM, according to an illustrated aspect of the present disclosure;

[0038] FIG. 8 is an exemplary flow diagram of operations from a UE to LTM, according to an illustrated aspect of the present disclosure;

[0039] FIG. 9 is a flow diagram of exemplary operations of a network device for LTM, according to an illustrated aspect of the present disclosure; and

[0040] FIG. 10 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of components of a UE or network device, according to an illustrated aspect of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0041] In the following detailed description, certain specific details are presented to provide a comprehensive understanding of the aspects disclosed. However, one skilled in the relevant art will recognize that aspects can be practiced without one or more of these specific details or with other methods, components, materials, etc. In other cases, well-known structures associated with transmitters, receivers, or transceivers have not been shown or described in detail to avoid unnecessarily obscuring descriptions of the aspects.

[0042] Reference throughout this descriptive report to “one (1) aspect” or “one Petition 870250090173, dated 03 / 10 / 2025, pp. 79 / 271 7 / 44 aspect” means that a particular feature, structure or characteristic described in conjunction with the aspect is included in at least one aspect. Thus, occurrences of the expressions “in one (1) aspect” or “in one aspect” at various points throughout this descriptive report do not all necessarily refer to the same aspect. Furthermore, particular features, structures or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more aspects.

[0043] The modalities described in this disclosure may be implemented in wireless networking devices, such as, without limitation, devices that utilize Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX), Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM, 2G), GSM Edge Radio Access Network (GERAN), General Packet Radio Service (GPRS), Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS, 3G) based on basic broadband code division multiple access (W-CDMA), high-speed packet access (HSPA), Long Term Evolution (LTE), Advanced LTE, Enhanced LTE (eLTE), 5G New Radio (5G NR), Advanced 5G, 6G (and beyond) and 802.11ax (Wi-Fi 6), among other wireless networking systems. The term “eLTE”, herein, denotes the evolution of LTE that connects to the 5G core. LTE is also known as evolved UMTS terrestrial radio access (EUTRA) or as evolved UMTS terrestrial radio access network (EUTRAN).

[0044] Recently, wireless networking technology has benefited from beamforming. Beamforming is a technique by which an array of antennas can be directed to transmit radio signals or receive radio signals in a specific spatial direction. Beamforming can include adjusting the phases of signals transmitted by or received from the antenna elements so that the transmitted or received signals can provide constructive interference in the desired spatial direction and destructive interference in other spatial directions. For example, in a wireless network, a base station and a user equipment (UE) device may each be equipped with one or more antenna panels or antenna arrays with antenna elements that can be configured to focus transmit signal energy and / or receive signal energy in a certain spatial direction and / or within a certain spatial angular width or sector.The base station can transmit multiple reference signals in several different beam directions to facilitate access and communication. Petition 870250090173, dated 03 / 10 / 2025, p. 80 / 271 8 / 44 UE with the network. The base station can configure the UE to perform signal measurements (e.g., received power of the Layer 1 reference signal (L1-RSRP)) and report these signal measurements so that the base station and UE can select a beam direction with a stronger signal strength for communication. In one example, the base station can transmit synchronization signal blocks (SSBs) in bursts. The base station can transmit the SSB bursts in multiple beam directions, for example, sweeping across a range of beam directions. To facilitate intra-frequency and inter-frequency beam management, the base station can provide the UE with information such as a physical cell identification (PCI) or a logical ID, time-domain information (e.g., periodicity or SSB measurement configuration (SMTC) and SSB time position in a burst).To facilitate interfrequency beam management, the base station can provide the UE with frequency domain information such as the center frequency of the SSBs and / or the subcarrier spacing (SCS) of the SSBs. In general, the base station can transmit any suitable reference signals (e.g., a predetermined waveform or predetermined sequence) and provide the UE with any suitable parameters and / or settings to facilitate signal measurements, measurement reporting, beam indication, and selection.

[0045] In an example of 5th Generation New Radio (5G NR) as defined by the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP), a unified TCI frame is used for beam configurations and / or indications. For example, a base station can configure the UE with a set of TCI states. Each TCI state can indicate at least one certain beam direction or a group of beam directions, which can correspond to a certain reference signal. In one example, a TCI state might be a downlink (DL) TCI state for DL ​​communication from the base station to the UE. In other examples, a TCI state might be an uplink (UL) TCI state for UL communication from the UE to the base station. In a further example, a TCI state might be a joint TCI state for UL and DL communications between the base station and the UE. The base station can activate the UE with at least a subset of the configured TCI states.In some examples, the base station may activate one or more of the TCI states configured in the set and deactivate one or more of the other TCI states configured in the set. To communicate with the UE, Petition 870250090173, dated 03 / 10 / 2025, page 81 / 271 9 / 44 the base station can select one of the activated TCI states and indicate the selected TCI state to the UE.

[0046] Because an UE can move from one area to another, handover or mobility procedures may be important to support continuous communication (without any interruption or at least minimal interruption) of the UE with the network. In one example, the UE can be configured to monitor certain reference signal(s) (e.g., SSBs, Channel State Information Reference Signals (CSI-RSs), DL Reference Signals (RSs)) from one or more base stations, perform signal measurements of the reference signal(s), and report these signal measurements to the network so that a determination of a handover from the UE to a neighboring base station can be made (upon detection of signal quality degradation). The initiation of a handover can typically be done from the network.In a 5G NR example, a handover initiation or handover command might be signaled via upper-layer signaling, for example, Radio Resource Control (RRC) signaling. Upper-layer signaling can involve the network and thus may have high latency. However, some UEs may be highly mobile devices and / or may be located in a highly mobile wireless communications system. Thus, a UE might benefit from a more efficient handover procedure triggered via lower-layer signaling, for example, L1 / L2 signaling, which has lower latency than upper-layer signaling. As used in this document, a handover triggered via lower-layer signaling may be referred to as lower-layer triggered mobility (LTM). In some cases, a candidate cell for LTM may be referred to as an LTM candidate cell.

[0047] Aspects of the present disclosure provide techniques for beam indications in LTM procedures using cell-specific TCI states or cell-specific TCI state lists. In one aspect of the present disclosure, a service cell (e.g., a base station, a centralized unit (CU) (e.g., server or host), a distributed unit (DU) (e.g., radio head), a network node, or, more generally, a service cell appliance) may configure a UE with one or more candidate cells and a list of one or more TCI states for each of the candidate cells. For an individual candidate cell, the service cell may activate one or more of the respective configured TCI states. In other Petition 870250090173, dated 03 / 10 / 2025, page 82 / 271 In short, the activation of TCI state is cell-specific. The service cell can subsequently transmit a cell switching command via lower-layer signaling (e.g., L1 / L2 signaling) to the UE. In one example, the cell switching command can be transmitted upon detection of a degradation in signal quality between the UE and the base station. The cell switching command can indicate one of the candidate cells as a target cell (for handover). In response to the cell switching command, the UE can switch to communicate with the target cell (e.g., a base station, a CU, a DU, a network node, or, more generally, a device of the target cell). The UE can communicate with the target cell by applying at least one or more activated TCI states. In one aspect, the activation of TCI state(s) for a candidate cell can be via medium access control element signaling (MACE-CE).

[0048] Aspects of the present disclosure provide several advantages. For example, (pre)activating a TCI state for a candidate cell while the UE is in a service cell enables the UE to begin tracking RSs (from the candidate cell) associated with the TCI state at an earlier time (e.g., before the beam indication that tells the UE to apply the beam / TCI state(s) for communication). Thus, this can allow and / or enable a more efficient cell switching process (e.g., a reduction in cell switching latency) compared to the case where the UE is not endowed with any (pre)activated TCI state.

[0049] The present disclosure may use the term “service cell” to refer to a base station, a CU, a DU, a network node or a network device of a service cell of a UE and may use the term “target cell” to refer to a base station, a CU, a DU, a network node or a network device of a target cell for cell switching. A service cell may be a PCell (primary cell or SpCell, special cell) or an SCell (secondary cell).

[0050] FIG. 1 is a diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a wireless network between a network device 110 and a user equipment (UE) device 150. The network device 110 is configured to form beams 120 in multiple directions, and the UE 150 is also configured to form beams 160 in multiple directions. As those skilled in the art will understand, the ability to form beams in multiple directions can be implemented using arrangements of multiple radiating elements, which Petition 870250090173, dated 03 / 10 / 2025, p. 83 / 271 11 / 44 can also be referred to as “arrays” of radiating elements. Beamforming (also known as spatial filtering) achieves directional signal reception or transmission by utilizing separate arrays and / or combining elements in an array such that signals at particular angles can result in constructive or destructive interference. The description below may refer to a “wide beam.” Skilled in the art will understand and recognize a wide beam for any given array. For example, skilled in the art will understand and recognize a wide beam based on half-power beamwidth. In modalities, a wide beam may be produced by a single radiating element of an array or by multiple radiating elements with specific weights (i.e., phase shifter configurations).

[0051] Examples of wireless networking devices that apply multidirectional beamforming include, without limitation, devices that implement 5G NR and devices that implement Wi-Fi 6, among others. This disclosure describes embodiments related to 5G NR (and generations beyond 5G) and embodiments involving aspects defined by 3GPP. With respect to such embodiments, the 110 networking device may be a gNodeB (also known as gNB). However, it is contemplated that embodiments related to other wireless networking technologies are encompassed within the scope of this disclosure.

[0052] In radio communications, a node can be implemented, at least partially, by a CU (e.g., server or host) that is operationally coupled to one or more DUs (e.g., a radio head). In modalities, it is possible that node operations can be distributed among multiple centralized units (e.g., servers or hosts). In modalities, a network node in a 5G wireless network can be implemented based on a so-called CU-DU split. In modalities, a processing task can be performed in the CU or in the DU, and the exchange of responsibility between the CU and the DU can be configurable according to a particular implementation.

[0053] In continued reference to FIG. 1, in the example of a 5G NR network, the 110 network appliance provides a cell, which defines a coverage area of ​​the 110 network appliance. As described above, the 110 network appliance can be a gNB of the 5G NR network or it can be any other appliance configured to control radio communication and manage radio resources within a cell. As used herein Petition 870250090173, dated 03 / 10 / 2025, page 84 / 271 In document 12 / 44, the term "resource" can refer to radio resources, such as a physical resource block (PRB), a radio frame, a subframe, a time slot, a subband, a frequency region, a subcarrier, a beam, etc. In modalities, the 110 network device can be called a base station.

[0054] The UE 150 may include, but is not limited to, a smartphone, a tablet, laptops, vehicle-mounted wireless terminal devices, an Internet of Things (IoT) device, and / or a watch or other wearable device, among others. The 110 network appliance may provide the UE 150 with wireless access to other networks, such as the Internet. Wireless access may include downlink (DL) communication from the 110 network appliance to the UE 150 and uplink (UL) communication from the UE 150 to the 110 network appliance. As used herein, the terms “transmission” and / or “reception” may refer, respectively, to wirelessly transmitting and / or receiving via a wireless propagation channel in radio resources. There may be another UE in the cell, and each of them may be served by the same or different network appliances, such as the 110 network appliance.

[0055] 3GPP defines 5G NR frequency bands, such as Frequency Band 2 (FR2) covering 24.25 GHz to 52.6 GHz, which include high frequencies and bands with very high bandwidths that can accommodate high data rate use cases. Such bands may be subject to challenging propagation conditions, such as high path loss, environmental absorption, and penetration losses, among other conditions. To address such conditions, beam management procedures can be used, such as the use of highly directional beams in the Network Appliance 110 and UE 150.

[0056] With continued reference to FIG. 1, several examples of 120 beams are illustrated for the 110 network apparatus and several examples of 160 beams are illustrated for the UE 150. A consequence of using highly directional beams is that some of the 120 network apparatus beams may not be usable with some of the UE 160 beams due to large directional differences. Thus, the UE 150 “sweeps” its 160 beams and the 110 network apparatus “sweeps” its 120 beams to determine which pair of beams has the highest signal strength and is therefore best usable for communications. It is possible that beams that are not perfectly aligned directionally may have the highest signal strength due to various propagation conditions. The sweeps will be Petition 870250090173, dated 03 / 10 / 2025, p. 85 / 271 13 / 44 described in more detail in conjunction with FIG. 2. After identifying such a pair of beams, the UE 150 and the network device 110 can use the identified beams to initiate access procedures so that the UE 150 can access the network device 110.

[0057] FIG. 2 is a diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a UE sweeping receiving beams for SSB bursts. Using the exemplary beams illustrated in FIG. 1, the 110 network apparatus forms beams B1, B2, B3, and B4 successively. Each beam formation is referred to as a “burst.” The 110 network apparatus can generate the bursts at intervals for the UE 150 to observe. Each moment between intervals is referred to as the “burst period,” which can be longer than the duration of a burst. As those skilled in the art will understand, beamforming for a transmission is implemented by controlling the phase and relative amplitude of the transmission signal at each radiating element in an array, to create a desired pattern of constructive and destructive interference on a desired wavefront.Beamforming for reception, on the other hand, is implemented by combining information from different elements of an array so that radiation in a target spatial region is preferentially observed.

[0058] In the 5G NR example, each beam in a burst transmits information about the beam in what is referred to as a Synchronization Signal Block (SSB). A 110 network appliance, which may be a gNodeB, transmits an SSB in each beam in a burst. In some examples, the 110 network appliance may operate using one SSB (single beam operation) or using multiple SSBs (multi-beam operation). In some modes, the UE 150 may receive one SSB burst for each of its receiving beams. In the example of four receiving beams R1, R2, R3, and R4, shown in FIG. 1, reception of the bursts uses four intervals, as shown in FIG. 2. In some examples, the UE 150 may operate using a single beam (e.g., omnidirectional beam). The SSBs of a burst of SS can be provided by one or more TRP(s) (transmit / receive points) (co- or non-co-located). The duration between bursts is referred to as "burst periodicity".In a 5G NR network, SSB bursts can each last 5 ms, and the burst periodicity can have a standard duration of 20 ms. None of the aspects in this document are limited to a particular downlink reference signal. As an example, a downlink beam can be identified by a CSI-RS identifier (reference signal of...). Petition 870250090173, dated 03 / 10 / 2025, p. 86 / 271 14 / 44 channel status information) and / or by SSB identifier (e.g., SS / PBCH block, synchronization signal / physical broadcast channel) and / or any sequence / reference signal transmitted using the spatial / beam filter.

[0059] In the 5G NR example, each SSB includes System Information (SI) in the form of Master Information Blocks (MIB) and various System Information Blocks (SIB). SI is divided into Minimum SI and Other SI. Minimum SI includes basic information usable for accessing the network node and information for acquiring any other SI. Minimum SI includes the MIB, which contains bus cell status information and physical layer information of the cell to receive additional system information (e.g., CORESET#0 configuration). MIB is periodically broadcast on a broadcast channel (BCH). Minimum SI also includes a System Information Block 1 (SIB1), which defines the scheduling of other system information blocks and contains information for accessing the network node. SIB1 may also be referred to as Remaining Minimum SI (RMSI) and is periodically broadcast on a shared downlink channel (DL-SCH).

[0060] More specifically, in modes, a MIB on a public broadcast channel (PBCH) can provide a UE 150 with parameters (e.g., CORESET#0 setting) to monitor a public downlink control channel (PDCCH) for scheduling a public downlink shared channel (PDSCH) carrying an SIB1. In modes, a PBCH can indicate that there is no associated SIB1, in which case the UE 150 can be pointed to another frequency on which to search for an SSB that is associated with an SIB1, and can be pointed to a frequency band where the UE 150 can assume that no SSB associated with an SIB1 is present. The indicated frequency band can be confined within a contiguous spectrum allocation of the same operator where the SSB is detected.

[0061] With continuous reference to FIG. 2, for each pair of transmit / receive beams, the UE 150 measures the received reference signal power (RSRP). In modes, the beam pair with the maximum RSRP is selected. In modes, any beam pair with sufficient RSRP can be selected. After the beam pair is identified, the UE 150 decodes the SSB of the selected network node transmit beam and decodes its contents as a MIB and / or a SIB1. As mentioned above, a MIB contains information from a cell to receive. Petition 870250090173, dated 03 / 10 / 2025, page 87 / 271 15 / 44 additional system information, and SIB1 defines the scheduling of other system information blocks and contains information for accessing the network node. This information can be used by UE 150 to establish a connection with network device 110.

[0062] In some examples, the characteristics of each of the transmit / receive beam pair can be mapped to TCI states. In one example, a transmit / receive beam pair can be mapped to a DL TCI state for DL ​​communication from the network to the UE and a UL TCI state for UL communication from the UE to the network. In another example, a transmit / receive beam pair can be mapped to a joint TCI state for UL and DL communication between the network and the UE.

[0063] The examples in FIGS. 1 and 2 are merely illustrative. In embodiments, the number and direction of grid node beams and the number and direction of UE beams may vary and may differ from those illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2.

[0064] In some examples, it may be beneficial for a network to utilize dual connectivity and / or carrier aggregation in addition to beamforming to increase bandwidth and bit rate for communication with UEs, as will be discussed more fully below in conjunction with FIG. 3.

[0065] FIG. 3 is a diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a UE 310 in communications with an MN 320 and an SN 330. The UE 310 may be substantially similar to the UE 150 of FIG. 1. In embodiments, the MN 320 and / or the SN 330 may be a 5G NR node (e.g., gNB) or an LTE network node (e.g., eNB), among other node types. In embodiments, the MN 320 and / or SN 330 may be base stations. The UE 310 may operate in a dual connectivity mode. Dual Connectivity allows the UE 310 to simultaneously connect to two network nodes (e.g., the MN 320 and the SN 330 as shown).

[0066] In some modes, the MN 320 connects to a core network, such as a 5G core (5GC), and provides a control plane connection between a UE 310 and the core network, while the SN 330 connects to the MN 320 (e.g., via an Xn interface) and provides additional capabilities for user plane traffic. In some modes, the MN 320 handles signaling messages, such as RRC signaling messages. In some modes, using signaling radio carriers (SRBs) for LTE networks (by Petition 870250090173, dated 03 / 10 / 2025, pp. 88 / 271 For example, for 16 / 44, SRB0, SRB1, and / or SRB2) and / or for 5G NR networks (e.g., SRB3), SN 330 can handle signaling messages, such as RRC signaling messages as well. As those skilled in the art will understand, RRC is used by a node and a UE for various radio resource operations, such as, but not limited to, connection management and mobility functions, among others. As used herein, the term "resource" may refer to radio resources such as a physical resource block (PRB), a radio frame, a subframe, a time slot, a sub-band, a frequency region, a subcarrier, a beam, etc. As used herein, the term "transmission" and / or "reception" may refer, respectively, to wirelessly transmitting and / or receiving via a wireless propagation channel on radio resources. Those skilled in the art will understand RRC and SRB.

[0067] As further shown in the example in FIG. 3, carrier aggregation can be used in conjunction with dual connectivity. Carrier aggregation enables a UE 310 to simultaneously connect with multiple cells to operate on multiple frequencies at the same time. In some modes, the multiple cells may be located in a single base station and / or in a common location (e.g., small cells or femtocells in a facility). One or more cells that can be usable by a UE in carrier aggregation can be referred to as a “cell group”. When carrier aggregation is used with dual connectivity, the MN and / or the SN may have a cell group. A cell group of an MN may be referred to as a master cell group (MCG), and a cell group of an SN may be referred to as a secondary cell group (SCG). The MCG includes a primary cell (PCell) and may include one or more secondary cells (SCell).The SCG includes a primary cell from a group of secondary cells (PSCell) and may include one or more secondary cells (SCell). In the illustrated example of FIG. 3, the MN 320 includes a PCell 322 and an SCell 324. Similarly, the SN 330 includes a PCell 332 and an SCell 334. Each of the PCell 322, SCell 324, PCell 332, and SCell 334 can be operated by a network apparatus substantially similar to the network apparatus 110 of FIG. 1. Those skilled in the art will understand the characteristics and functions of such cells and groups of cells.

[0068] In some examples, MN 320 and / or SN 330 may use beamforming techniques to communicate with UE 310 as discussed above in reference. Petition 870250090173, dated 03 / 10 / 2025, p. 89 / 271 17 / 44 to FIGS. 1 and 2.

[0069] As explained above, an UE can move from one area to another, and thus handover or mobility procedures can be important to support continuous UE communication with the network. Furthermore, a more efficient handover process, such as LTM, can be beneficial in avoiding or at least reducing any disruption to UE service as the UE moves from one cell coverage area to another.

[0070] FIG. 4 is a diagram of an exemplary embodiment of an LTM scenario. As shown in FIG. 4, a UE 410 may be in communication with and served by a 420 network appliance (e.g., a base station, a gNB) as indicated by the solid arrow. The UE 410 may be substantially similar to the UE 150 of FIG. 1 and / or the UE 310 of FIG. 3. The 420 network appliance may be substantially similar to the 110 network appliance of FIG. 1 and / or to the PCell 322, SCell 324, PCell 332 and SCell 334 of FIG. 3. The 420 network appliance that is actively or currently serving the UE 410 may be referred to as a service cell. As the UE 410 moves toward the edge of a cell or area 402 served by (or under the coverage of) network appliance 420, a handover procedure can be performed to handover the UE 410 to a neighboring cell served by another network appliance. The example shown in FIG.4. A neighboring cell is served by a 430 network device, and another neighboring cell is served by a 440 network device. The 440 network device can cover (or serve) a 406 cell or area, while the 430 network device can cover a 404 area. In some examples, areas 402, 404, and 406 may partially overlap, as shown. In other examples, areas 402, 404, and 406 may not overlap. In the context of handover, neighboring cells may be referred to as candidate cells. In the context of LTM, neighboring cells may be referred to as LTM candidate cells.

[0071] In one aspect, each of the 420, 430, and 440 network devices and the UE 410 can implement beamforming as discussed above in reference to FIG. 1. Furthermore, each of the 420, 430, and 440 network devices can transmit RSs, such as the SSBs discussed above in reference to FIG. 2, to facilitate signal measurements and / or reporting by a UE such as the UE 410. Additionally, the UE 410 can be served by multiple cells concurrently, for example, using carrier aggregation. Petition 870250090173, dated 03 / 10 / 2025, pp. 90 / 271 18 / 44 and / or dual connectivity as discussed above with reference to FIG. 3.

[0072] To facilitate LTM, the 420 network appliance (or service cell) can configure the UE 410 for signal measurements (e.g., L1-RSRP) in a variety of ways. In one example, the UE 410 can be equipped with settings for L1 measurements of RSs under ServingCellConfig for its service cell(s). In some cases, it may be useful to reuse Intercell Beam Management (ICBM) mechanisms as defined in 3GPP Release 17. In a second example, the UE 410 can be equipped with settings for L1 measurements under CellGroupConfig for candidate cell(s). In a third example, the UE 410 can be provided separately under ServingCellConfig for L1 measurements of RSs for service cell(s) and under CellGroupConfig for L1 measurements of RSs for candidate cell(s). Those versed in the technique will understand the characteristics and functions of such ServingCellConfig and CellGroupConfig.

[0073] To further facilitate beam indications for LTM, the UE 410 can be equipped with beam indications associated with candidate cell(s) before a cell switching, after a cell switching, or as part of a cell switching command. Consequently, there is a need to design an LTM frame to incorporate beam indications.

[0074] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, network appliance 420 (the service cell) can serve UE 410 for a certain period of time and can pre-activate UE 410 with TCI state(s) for candidate cell(s). The pre-activation can be cell-specific. In this sense, network appliance 420 can transmit an indication of one or more candidate cells (e.g., network appliances 430 and 440) and an activation of a respective list of one or more TCI states for each of the one or more candidate cells. Upon detection of degradation in operations or communications with UE 410, the service cell network appliance 420 can transmit a cell switching command to UE 410 via lower-layer signaling (e.g., L1 / L2 signaling). The cell switching command can indicate one or more selected candidate cells as a target cell for cell switching.In response to receiving the cell switching command, the UE 410 can switch to communicate with the target cell by applying at least one or more of the respective activated TCI states. Petition 870250090173, dated 03 / 10 / 2025, pp. 91 / 271 19 / 44

[0075] In the example illustrated in FIG. 4, the UE 410 can use multiple beams for communication. To avoid overloading the drawings in FIG. 4, only two beams, 412 and 414, are illustrated. Beams 412 and 414 may be substantially similar to the beams discussed above in reference to FIGS. 1-2. Network device 420 (the service cell) can activate, in the UE 410, a TCI state corresponding to beam 412 for the candidate cell operated by network device 430. Network device 420 can additionally activate, in the UE 410, a TCI state corresponding to beam 414 for the candidate cell operated by network device 440. For LTM, network device 420 can indicate a cell operated by network device 430 as the target cell. As part of cell switching, the UE 410 can switch to communicate with the network appliance 430 (the target cell) as indicated by the dashed arrow.The UE 410 can communicate with the target cell using beam 412 corresponding to the TCI state activated by the service cell. Mechanisms for LTM beam indications will be discussed more fully below with reference to FIGS. 5-7.

[0076] The examples in FIGS. 3 and 4 are merely illustrative. In modalities, the number of PCells and SCells in an MN and / or in an SN, the number of candidate cells and the number of activated TCI states (or bundles) may vary and may be different from those illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4.

[0077] FIGS. 5-7 are discussed in relation to each other to illustrate mechanisms for LTM beam indications using TCI states, for example, to extend the unified TCI framework defined by 3GPP.

[0078] FIG. 5 is a diagram of an exemplary embodiment of operations for LTM. The operations are implemented from a UE 510, a service cell 520, and a target cell 530 for LTM. In some examples, each of the UE 510, a service cell 520, and a target cell 530 may implement the operation using an appliance with components as shown in FIG. 11. One or more of the following operations may be implemented in conjunction with the operations of the present disclosure, as the examples discussed above in reference to FIGS. 1-4. The UE 510 may be similar to UEs 150, 310, and / or 410. The service cell 520 and the target cell 530 may be similar to network appliances 110, 420, and / or 430. As illustrated, FIG. 5 includes several enumerated steps, but aspects of the operations in FIG. 5 may include additional steps before, after, and between the enumerated steps. In some respects, Petition 870250090173, dated 03 / 10 / 2025, page 92 / 271 20 / 44 One or more of the enumerated steps may be omitted or performed in a different order.

[0079] In some examples, carrier aggregation can be used between UE 510, service cell 520, and target cell 530 (if the target cell is an SCell). For example, service cell 520 can be a PCell similar to PCells 322 and / or 332, and target cell 530 can be a PCell or an SCell similar to SCells 324 and / or 334. In other words, the LTM operations of FIG. 5 can be used to switch UE 510 from a service PCell to a target PCell or from a service PCell to a target SCell. However, the initiation or triggering of the cell switching can be from a service PCell. In some examples, intercell beam management can be used between UE 510, service cell 520, and target cell 530 (when the target has a PCI different from a service cell). In other In other words, the intercell beam management operations of FIG. 5 can be used before switching the UE 510 from a service PCell to a target cell.In general, the LTM operations described in this document may be applicable to PCell and / or SCell and / or cells with PCI different from a service cell in a handover or cell switching process.

[0080] As shown in FIG. 5, in 502, service cell 520 transmits, and UE 510 receives a configuration. The configuration may be received, for example, during an LTM preparation phase. The configuration may include configurations from one or more cells, for example, including a service cell and / or one or more candidate cells, and a list of one or more TCI states for each of the one or more cells. The configuration may be in a variety of formats, for example, as discussed below in reference to FIG. 6.

[0081] FIG. 6 is a diagram of an exemplary configuration 600 for LTM provisioning. Configuration 600 can be referred to as a CellGroupConfig. In general, configuration 600 can refer to a set of cells that are configured for LTM operation (this may include one or more service cells and / or one or more candidate cells). Configuration 600 can include a configuration for each of a plurality of cells associated with LTM. In the example illustrated in FIG. 6, configuration 600 includes a configuration 610, which can be referred to as a ServingCellConfig, for a PCell identified by an index 0 and Petition 870250090173, dated 03 / 10 / 2025, p. 93 / 271 21 / 44 an LTM index 0. Configuration 600 additionally includes a configuration 620, which can be referred to as a ServingCellConfig, for a candidate cell identified by an LTM index 1. Configuration 600 additionally includes a configuration 630, which can be referred to as a ServingCellConfig, for a candidate cell identified by an LTM index 2. Cells may have other index values ​​depending on which cell is serving the UE (thus providing the configuration), for example, the LTM cell (with index 2) may be a PCell of another UE. The LTM index referred to in this document is an example and the LTM cell may be referred to with a cell identifier, LTM configuration index, or any identifier that may be used to refer to the specific cell. The service cell (e.g., PCell) may also be an LTM cell (and may be referred to with an LTM index or similar).

[0082] Each of the configurations 610, 620 and 630 may include a TCI configuration for a respective cell. For example, as further shown in FIG. 6, configuration 610 includes a TCI configuration 614 including a list of TCI states 612 for a PCell (e.g., service cell 520) that is currently serving a UE (e.g., UE 510). Configuration 620 includes a TCI configuration 624 including a TCI state list 622 for an LTM candidate identified by LTM index 1. Similarly, configuration 630 includes a TCI configuration 634 including a TCI state list 632 for an LTM candidate identified by LTM index 2. Each of the TCI state lists 612, 622, and 632 can include one or more TCI states (e.g., 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, or more).In one aspect, each cell (e.g., service cell, candidate cell) can have independent TCI state configurations or TCI state lists. Thus, a TCI state with a certain value (e.g., 1) for one cell may refer to specific (or different) cell transmission and / or reception characteristic(s) from a TCI state with the same value for another cell. In other words, the TCI state ID# of cell 1 may contain different information than the TCI state ID# of cell 2. In general, a TCI state can include any suitable parameters related to a beam or transmission.

[0083] In one aspect, configuration of TCI state list(s) (or TCI state pool) associated with each candidate cell can be provided for UE 510, by Petition 870250090173, dated 03 / 10 / 2025, page 94 / 271 22 / 44 example, in the LTM preparation phase. In one example, TCI state lists can be provided / updated using RRC. In one example, such a configuration can be part of a reference RRC configuration that the UE 510 can retain and / or maintain across multiple cell switches. As shown in FIG. 6, configuration of TCI state lists respective to each configured LTM candidate cell can be provided in a cell group configuration (CellGroupConfig), or as part of another RRC configuration, and each LTM cell can be referenced using an LTM candidate cell identifier within the service cell. In one example, each TCI state list can be referenced using an LTM candidate cell identifier (or LTM index, or LTM configuration ID) within the service cell.In another example, the respective TCI state list(s) configuration for each configured LTM candidate cell can be provided outside of any cell group configuration. In another example, the respective TCI state list(s) configuration for each configured LTM candidate cell can be provided using RRC signaling. For example, an LTM-specific configuration message can be used to provide LTM candidate cell TCI state configurations.

[0084] The examples in FIG. 6 are for illustrative purposes only. In embodiments, the number of candidate LTM cells and / or the LTM indices indicated in a configuration may vary and may differ from those illustrated in FIG. 6.

[0085] Returning to FIG. 5, in 504, service cell 520 transmits, and UE 510 receives a MAC-CE (an LTM / candidate cell TCI state activation MAC-CE, or generally a message) including an indication of a candidate cell (e.g., a neighboring cell / LTM cell as discussed above in reference to FIG. 4) and an activation of one or more TCI states for the candidate cell. The MAC-CE may include a candidate cell ID to indicate the candidate cell. The one or more activated TCI states for the candidate cell may be referred to as a list of activated TCI states (a candidate cell-specific list of activated TCIs). One or more activated TCI states may include at least a subset of the one or more configured TCI states configured for the candidate cell in 502. In some cases, service cell 520 may exclude at least one of the one or more TCI states configured for the candidate cell. Or Petition 870250090173, dated 03 / 10 / 2025, page 95 / 271 23 / 44 That is, at least one of the TCI states configured for the candidate cell may remain disabled. In other cases, service cell 520 may activate all of one or more TCI states configured for the candidate cell. The MAC-CE for TCI state activation may be in a variety of formats, for example, as discussed below with reference to FIG. 7.

[0086] FIG. 7 is a diagram of an exemplary TCI 700 state activation MAC-CE for a candidate cell to support LTM. As shown in FIG. 7, the MAC-CE 700 includes a Service Cell Identifier (ID) / LTM ID field (e.g., LTM Index, LTM Configuration ID, or any ID that identifies the LTM / candidate cell) 702, an S / L field 704, and a TCI State List field 710. The Service Cell ID / LTM ID field 702 can be 5 bits long and can indicate a Service Cell ID that identifies a Service Cell or an LTM ID that identifies a candidate cell to which the MAC-CE 700 applies. The LTM ID may also be referred to as an LTM ID cell, an LTM ID candidate cell, or an LTM Configuration ID.The S / L field 704 can have a length of 1 bit and can indicate whether the Service Cell ID / LTM ID field 702 includes a value for a Service Cell ID or an LTM ID (for a candidate cell) to which MAC-CE 700 applies. For example, a bit value of 1 in the S / L field 704 can indicate that the Service Cell ID / LTM ID field 702 includes a Service Cell ID, and a bit value of 0 in the S / L field 704 can indicate that the Service Cell ID / LTM ID field 702 includes an LTM ID, or vice versa. The TCI State List field 710 can have a variable length and can include a list of one or more TCI states to be activated for a cell identified by the Service Cell ID / LTM ID field 702 to which MAC-CE 700 applies.In other words, if the Service Cell ID / LTM ID field 702 indicates a Service Cell ID, the TCI State List field 710 includes TCI state(s) to be activated for the Service Cell identified by the Service Cell ID. Alternatively, if the Service Cell ID / LTM ID field 702 indicates an LTM ID, the TCI State List field 710 includes TCI state(s) or TCI State ID(s) to be activated for a candidate cell identified by the LTM ID.

[0087] As additionally shown in FIG. 7, the MAC-CE 700 includes a plurality of reserved fields 701 shown by R, a part ID field Petition 870250090173, dated 03 / 10 / 2025, pp. 96 / 271 24 / 44 bandwidth (BWP) of DL 703, a BWP ID field of UL 705, a plurality of Pi fields 706 shown by Pi to P8 (e.g., i ranges from 1 to 8), and a plurality of D / U fields 707 shown by D / U. To avoid overloading the drawing of FIG. 7, only one of the reserved fields is labeled 701, only one of the Pi fields is labeled 706, and only one of the D / U fields is labeled 707.

[0088] In one example, if the service cell indicated in the Service Cell ID / LTM ID field (for example, an LTM index, an LTM configuration ID, or any ID that identifies the LTM / candidate cell) 702 is configured as part of simultaneousU-TCI-UpdateList1, simultaneousU-TCI-UpdateList2, simultaneousU-TCI-UpdateList3, or simultaneousU-TCI-UpdateList4 as specified in 3GPP TS 38.331, this MAC-CE 700 applies to all service cells in the simultaneousU-TCI-UpdateList1, simultaneousU-TCI-UpdateList2, simultaneousU-TCI-UpdateList3, or simultaneousU-TCI-UpdateList4 set, respectively, for the service cell.

[0089] The DL 703 BWP field indicates a DL BWP to which MAC-CE 700 applies as the DCI bandwidth portion indicator field code point as specified in 3GPP document TS 38.212. The length of the DL 703 BWP ID field is 2 bits.

[0090] The UL 705 BWP field indicates a UL BWP to which MAC-CE 700 applies as the DCI bandwidth portion indicator field code point as specified in 3GPP document TS 38.212. The UL 705 BWP ID field length is 2 bits.

[0091] Pi field 706 indicates whether each TCI code point has multiple TCI states or a single TCI state. If Pi field 706 is set to 1, this indicates that the i-th TCI code point includes a DL TCI state and a UL TCI state. If Pi field 706 is set to 0, this indicates that the i-th TCI code point includes a joint DL / TCI state or a UL TCI state. The code point to which a TCI state is mapped is determined by its ordinal position among all TCI state ID fields in the TCI state list field 710.

[0092] The D / U 707 fields indicate whether the TCI state ID is in the same octet. Petition 870250090173, dated 03 / 10 / 2025, pp. 97 / 271 25 / 44 is for joint TCI state / downlink or uplink. If this field is set to 1, the TCI state ID in the same octet is for uplink or vice versa.

[0093] The TCI state ID in the TCI state list field 710 indicates the TCI state identified by TCI-StateId as specified in 3GPP document TS 38.331. If D / U field 707 is set to 1, a 7-bit long TCI state ID, i.e., TCI-StateId as specified in 3GPP document TS 38.331, is used. If a D / U field 707 is set to 0, the most significant bit of the TCI state ID is considered the reserved bit, and the remaining 6 bits indicate UL-TCIState-Id as specified in 3GPP document TS 38.331. In some instances, the maximum number of activated TCI states may be 16.

[0094] The reserved field 701 is a reserved bit and can be set to 0.

[0095] Those skilled in the art will understand simultaneousU-TCI-UpdateList1, simultaneousU-TCI-UpdateList2, simultaneousU-TCI-UpdateList3, simultaneousUTCI-UpdateList4, DL BWP and UL BWP.

[0096] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, the MAC-CE 700 can be part of a unified TCI framework configured to support LTM. For example, the MAC-CE 700 can be used to carry intercell beam indication for LTM-based cell switching and / or subsequent communications for intracell and / or intercell beam management by a UE (e.g., UEs 150, 310, 410 and / or 510) in the new target cell as will be discussed more fully below.

[0097] In one example, the Unified TCI State Enable / Deactivate MAC-CE as defined in 3GPP document TS 38.321 can be modified as shown in MAC-CE 700 of FIG. 7. In one aspect, the service cell ID in the Unified TCI State Enable / Deactivate MAC-CE can be reinterpreted to include a service cell ID or an LTM configuration ID (e.g., an ID to indicate a candidate LTM cell including the current service cell). The Unified TCI State Enable / Deactivate MAC-CE may include a bit field (e.g., the S / L 704 field) on which the interpretation may depend. For example, the bit field in the MAC-CE indicates whether Petition 870250090173, dated 03 / 10 / 2025, pp. 98 / 271 26 / 44 TCI state activation is for the service cell (service cell ID, S) or an LTM candidate cell (LTM configuration index, “L”). If the bit field indicates S, activation is for the service cell ID and for service cell beam management (e.g., for intra / inter-cell beam management). Alternatively, if the bit field indicates L, the active TCI states in MAC-CE are for the LTM candidate cell (e.g., including the current service cell) that the field indicates.

[0098] The examples in FIG. 7 are merely illustrative. In general, a MAC-CE can be used to provide activation for one or more LTM candidate cells or candidate cell IDs.

[0099] As discussed above, a candidate cell TCI state activation MAC-CE can be in a variety of formats. In one aspect, a first field (e.g., the 702 Service Cell ID / LTM ID field) in a MAC-CE refers to a candidate cell identity or candidate cell configuration that is conditionally present or conditionally interpreted when the MAC-CE is received. For example, the first field in the MAC-CE is interpreted in a manner based on a bit field value (e.g., the 704 S / L field) in the MAC-CE.As an example, one value (e.g., a first value) of the bit field might indicate that a UE should interpret the information in the first field of the MAC-CE as a service cell ID, and another value (e.g., a second value) of the bit field might indicate that the UE should interpret the information in the first field in the MAC-CE as an LTM candidate cell configuration ID or additional PCI value(s) or any other identity used to indicate an LTM candidate cell. For example, the first value might be 1 and the second value might be 0, or vice versa. In another example, one value (e.g., 1) of a bit field in the MAC-CE might indicate that a UE should read a first field in the MAC-CE as an LTM candidate cell configuration ID or additional PCI value or any other identity used to indicate an LTM candidate cell.In other words, the MAC-CE can use the bit field to indicate that there is information identifying the LTM candidate cell in the MAC-CE.

[0100] In general, a MAC-CE of candidate cell TCI state activation Petition 870250090173, dated 03 / 10 / 2025, pp. 99 / 271 27 / 44 may include a first field and a second field to indicate whether information (e.g., cell ID or TCI status ID(s)) in the first field is for the service cell or the candidate cell.

[0101] Returning to FIG. 5, in 506, UE 510 and service cell 520 can communicate with each other. In some instances, service cell 520 can transmit, and UE 510 can receive signal measurement configuration(s) (e.g., L1-RSRP measurement configurations for SSBs, CSI-RSs, DL RSs, and / or any RSs). In response, UE 510 can transmit, and service cell 520 can receive signal measurement report(s) as discussed above. In general, service cell 520 can serve UE 510 by communicating any suitable communication signals with UE 510 in 506.

[0102] In 508, service cell 520 transmits, and UE 510 receives, via lower-layer signaling (e.g., via medium access control (MAC) or physical layer signaling, L1 / L2 signaling), a cell switching command indicating the candidate cell (for which one or more TCI states are activated in 504) as a target cell (shown by target cell 530). For example, the cell switching command may include an indication of a target cell ID corresponding to a candidate cell ID in the MAC-CE in 504. Service cell 520 may select the candidate cell using any suitable mechanisms, for example, based on a candidate cell's superior signal quality from among a set of candidate cells.

[0103] In 509, in response to the cell switching command, service cell 520 can perform a handover from UE 510 to target cell 530. The handover may include forwarding information and / or any pending data associated with UE 510 to the target cell.

[0104] In 512, in response to the cell switching command, UE 510 switches communication to target cell 530. UE 510 communicates with target cell 530 by applying at least one of the one or more TCI states activated in 504.

[0105] In one aspect, the TCI state activation for the candidate cell in 504 may include a single (only one) TCI state activated, and the cell switching command in 508 may exclude any indication of TCI state or may indicate that no TCI state is provided. In this sense, when the UE Petition 870250090173, dated 03 / 10 / 2025, pp. 100 / 271 28 / 44 If cell 510 receives the cell switching command without any TCI state or indication that no TCI state is provided, UE 510 considers that the cell switching command implicitly indicated the single activated TCI state. Consequently, UE 510 can apply the single activated TCI state in 512 for communication with target cell 530. In another aspect, if the TCI state activation for the candidate cell in 504 includes a single (only one) TCI state and the cell switching command in 508 includes an indication of TCI states, UE 510 can consider that a TCI state is indicated (for a cell switching) when the TCI state in the cell switching command is the same as (or matches) the activated TCI state ID.

[0106] In one aspect, the UE 510 may consider the TCI states activated for the LTM cell received in a MAC-CE (e.g., in 504) as valid upon receipt of the MAC-CE. In another aspect, when the UE 510 subsequently receives another MAC-CE activating (or updating) TCI states for the same LTM cell, the previously activated TCI states may be updated by the TCI states activated by the most recent MAC-CE.

[0107] In one aspect, the UE 510 can be configured to receive one or more MAC-CEs that provide TCI state activation. The configuration can be based on a UE capacity. The UE capacity can indicate, for example, how many MAC-CEs associated with different LTM candidate cells can be provided to the UE 510 and / or how many cells can be associated with the lists of activated TCI states as described in this document. In one example, there might be a maximum number (or threshold number) of N activated TCI states in the different LTM candidate cells supported by the UE 510. In one example, the value N might include the active TCI states used for cell beam management in the current service cell. In other words, the value N could be a total number of active TCI states supported by the UE 510 for the current service cell and any other LTM candidate cells.In another example, the value N could exclude active TCI states used for cell beam management in the current service cell. In other words, N could be the total number of active TCI states supported by UE 510 for LTM candidate cells.

[0108] In one aspect, a DCI-based beam indication can be used Petition 870250090173, dated 03 / 10 / 2025, pp. 101 / 271 29 / 44 to indicate a cell switching command (e.g., in 508) when MAC-CE-based TCI state activation(s) are provided for LTM as described in this document. In a first example, a DCI-based beam indication may include an LTM index, LTM configuration ID, or similar (e.g., additional PCI index which is a logical index to the list of PCIs configured as LTM candidates) and a TCI code point mapping to the TCI indication. With reference to the exemplary TCI state activation MAC-CE 700 shown in FIG. 7, each of the TCI state IDs in the TCI state list field 710 may be referenced by a TCI code point according to the order of the TCI state IDs in the TCI state list field 710.In other words, a TCI code point that has a value of 0 can refer to (or point to) TCI state ID 1 in the TCI state list field 710, a TCI code point that has a value of 1 can refer to (or point to) TCI state ID 2 in the TCI state list field 710, and so on, assuming that each TCI code point includes a TCI state. To indicate the enabled TCI state ID 2 (in the TCI state list field 710) for a cell switch to a candidate cell identified by the LTM ID in the LTM / Service Cell ID field 702, the DCI-based beam indication can include a TCI code point value of 2. In a second example, the DCI-based beam indication can include an indication of an LTM / Cell ID candidate pool and a TCI code point referencing at least one of the one or more enabled TCI states in the TCI state list field 710.In a third example, the DCI-based beam indication may include an LTM flag indicating that the DCI beam indication refers to a list of LTM candidate cell TCI states and not a list of service cell beam management TCI states.

[0109] In general, a cell switching command may be ported in DCI or a MAC-CE. The DCI or MAC-CE may include an indication of a candidate cell (as a target cell for cell switching) and a TCI code point. The TCI code point may reference at least one TCI state from a list of one or more activated TCI states for the candidate cell, where activation may be based on a flagged candidate LTM configuration ID. Petition 870250090173, dated 03 / 10 / 2025, pp. 102 / 271 30 / 44 (or similar) in a candidate cell TCI state activation MAC-CE.

[0110] In one aspect, upon receiving and applying the cell switching command, the UE 510 can determine to use the list of activated TCI states (activated in 504) for the new service cell (e.g., target cell 530) to which the cell switching command is applied. As an example, when the UE 510 enters the new target cell (e.g., target cell 530), the UE 510 considers the “list of activated TCI states” as valid for intra-cell beam management. In other words, the list is the list of activated TCI states for the current service cell (e.g., a PCell) to which the UE 510 performed the switching. The activated TCI states in the list of activated TCI states may refer to the TCI states provided in the RRC configuration.As an example, the UE retains the list of activated TCI states after cell switching and the list of TCI states (configured by RRC) from which the TCI states were activated. In another example, if the list of activated TCI states (activated on 506) for service cell 520 is associated with more than one PCI, when UE 510 enters the new target cell, UE 510 considers the “list of activated TCI states” as valid for inter-cell beam management and intra-cell beam management. Beam management can generally refer to processes and / or mechanisms that are related to beam formation, control, and / or detection. Beam management can include several phases, for example, during an initial access by a UE or while the UE is in a connected mode.In inter-cell beam management, the UE can be configured to communicate with a cell that has a different PCI than the service cell while maintaining a connection to the service cell.

[0111] In one aspect, when UE 510 applies the MAC-CE that is used to activate TCI states for an LTM cell (e.g., at 504), the activated TCI states are considered valid until the cell switching command is applied at 508. The cell (e.g., target cell 530) for which cell switching is triggered / signaled, the list (of activated TCI states) becomes the intra-cell (or inter-cell) beam management list. For other cells, the TCI states are not considered active (i.e., they are deactivated). Petition 870250090173, dated 03 / 10 / 2025, page 103 / 271 31 / 44

[0112] In one aspect, the UE 510 can retain a list of activated TCI states from the source cell (the previous service cell 520) while operating on the target cell 530. The list of activated TCI states can be for the previous service cell 520, any previous service cell, or other candidate cells. For example, the UE 510 can store the list of activated TCI states in a memory (e.g., memory 1150) of the UE 510 upon receiving the list of activated TCI states and may not overwrite or delete the stored list of activated TCI states. In another aspect, it is possible to configure whether active TCI states are maintained and / or retained in the UE 510 after cell switching. The configuration can be cell-specific.For example, the UE may receive a configuration (e.g., from service cell 520) or indication indicating whether the list of active TCI states (for the target cell and / or other candidate cells for which TCI states have been activated) should be deactivated or maintained after UE 510 enters target cell 530. In one aspect, UE 510 may receive this configuration or indication as part of the cell switching command (e.g., in DCI) or an RRC configuration (e.g., an RRC pre-configuration).

[0113] In a further aspect, a current service cell ID (which may also be identified by an LTM configuration index or an LTM index) can be referenced with a MAC-CE that activates TCI states for intra-cell beam management. In an example, if the current service cell 520 is referenced in a MAC-CE that activates TCI state(s) using a specific LTM index (e.g., the current service cell is referred to as the, or referenced with a, candidate cell (LTM) index), UE 510 determines that the TCI state(s) provided in the activation MAC-CE are activated upon UE 510 applying cell switching to the new target cell 530. In other words, the service cell can be configured and activated with TCI states that are for LTM operation (and at the same time the service cell can have a list of TCI states activated for intra-cell beam management).

[0114] The examples in FIG. 5 are merely illustrative. In embodiments, the number of MAC-CEs for activating the TCI state of a candidate cell from service cell 520 to UE 510, the number of candidate cells for activating the TCI state in each MAC-CE for activating the candidate cell's TCI state, and / or the Petition 870250090173, dated 03 / 10 / 2025, page 104 / 271 32 / 44 The number of TCI states for activation for each candidate cell may vary and may differ from those illustrated in FIG. 5. In some examples, service cell 520 may transmit a MAC-CE to activate TCI state(s) for each LTM candidate cell. In other examples, service cell 520 may transmit a MAC-CE to activate TCI state(s) for multiple LTM candidate cells. In some examples, a candidate cell TCI state activation MAC-CE may include a candidate cell-specific active TCI state list for each candidate cell. In some examples, a candidate cell TCI state activation MAC-CE may include a list of candidate cells, include multiple candidate cell IDs, and a separate active TCI state list for each of the multiple candidate cells.In some examples, a candidate cell TCI state activation MAC-CE may be a modified or extended unified TCI state activation MAC-CE as defined by 3GPP. In other examples, a candidate cell TCI state activation MAC-CE may be a MAC-CE (or, more generally, a message) identified by a specific ID for TCI state activation for LTM candidate cells. FIG. 8 is a flow diagram of exemplary UE operations, such as UEs 150, 310, 410, and / or 510, for LTM. The operations in FIG. 8 may include similar mechanisms as discussed above in reference to FIGS. 5-7. As illustrated, FIG. 8 includes several enumerated steps, but aspects of the operations in FIG. 8 may include additional steps before, after, and between the enumerated steps. In some aspects, one or more of the enumerated steps may be omitted or performed in a different order.

[0115] In 802, operations include receiving a MACCE from a service cell, an indication of a candidate cell, and an activation of one or more TCI states for the candidate cell. In one example, the service cell might correspond to service cell 520. In one example, the MAC-CE might be received from a service cell network appliance, such as network appliance 110, MN 320, PCell 322 (e.g., a PCell network node), a CU, a DU, and / or network appliances 420, 430, 440.

[0116] In one aspect, the MAC-CE includes a first field and a second field to indicate whether information in the first field is for the service cell or the cell Petition 870250090173, dated 03 / 10 / 2025, page 105 / 271 33 / 44 candidate. For example, the second field may be similar to the S / L 704 field in MAC-CE 700 of FIG. 7 to provide conditional interpretation of the first field. In one aspect, the MAC-CE includes a first value and a second value to indicate that the first value identifies the candidate cell. In one aspect, the MAC-CE includes a value to indicate that one or more TCI states are activated for the candidate cell. In one aspect, the MAC-CE includes a list of candidate cell-specific TCI states including an indication of the candidate cell (e.g., an LTM ID) and the activation of one or more TCI states (for the candidate cell).

[0117] In 804, operations include receiving, from the service cell via lower layer signaling, a cell switching command indicating the candidate cell as a target cell. Lower layer signaling includes at least one of L1 signaling or L2 signaling.

[0118] In one aspect, receiving the cell switching command includes receiving DCI including an indication of the candidate cell and a TCI code point referencing at least one of the one or more TCI states. In one aspect, receiving the cell switching command includes receiving DCI including an indication of a list of TCI states activated by the candidate cell including the candidate cell and a TCI code point referencing at least one of the one or more TCI states. In one aspect, receiving the cell switching command includes receiving DCI including a reference to at least one of the one or more TCI states and an indication that at least one of the one or more TCI states is for the candidate cell.

[0119] In 806, operations include switching, in response to the cell switching command, communication with the target cell. Switching to the target cell includes communication with the target cell applying at least one of the one or more TCI states. In one aspect, carrier aggregation can be used for communication with the UE as discussed above with reference to FIG. 3 (if the target cell is a SCell). In such an aspect, the service cell can be a PCell and the candidate cell can be a candidate PCell. Consequently, switched communication to the target cell can refer to switched communication from the service PCell to the target PCell. In another aspect, the service cell can be a PCell and the candidate cell can be a candidate PCell. Consequently, switched communication to the target cell can be Petition 870250090173, dated 03 / 10 / 2025, p. 106 / 271 34 / 44 refers to switched communication from a service PCell to the target SCell.

[0120] In one aspect, the cell switching command in 804 additionally includes a reference (e.g., a TCI code point) to at least one of the one or more TCI states (enabled in 802). In a further example, this can be configurable if the cell switching command provides beam indication / TCI state indication in the form of a TCI code point or TCI state ID. In one example, the cell switching command may have an indication of whether at least one TCI state is indicated using a TCI code point or the TCI state ID(s). In one example, if separate TCI states (separate TCI states for uplink and downlink) are indicated, the cell switching command may refer to a TCI code point that refers to the TCI states (e.g., for less indication overhead).In one example, if separate TCI states (separate TCI states for uplink and downlink) are indicated in the cell switching command, the cell switching TCI state IDs for downlink and uplink are given. The TCI states can be listed in the order of DL TCI state ID and UL TCI state ID. In one example, the DCI scheduling the cell switching command might understand a TCI code point indicating the TCI state(s) for the target cell. The cell switching command (in either mode) that provides an indication of a TCI state (e.g., a beam indication) can refer to any MAC CE that activates TCI states for beam indication based on LTM (and / or for additional communication in the target cell).

[0121] In one aspect, the cell switching command in 804 additionally includes a reference to a TCI state, and the application of at least one of the one or more TCI states is based on a match between the TCI state referenced in the cell switching command and at least one of the one or more TCI states. As an example, if the cell switching command indicates a TCI state ID of 2 and the one or more activated TCI states include the same TCI state ID of 2, the UE can apply TCI state ID of 2 for communication with the target cell. If, however, the cell switching command indicates a TCI state ID of 2 and the one or more activated TCI states do not include a TCI state ID of 2, the UE can Petition 870250090173, dated 03 / 10 / 2025, pp. 107 / 271 35 / 44 not applying TCI state ID 2 as indicated by the cell switching command. In this case, the UE may determine to trigger a random access procedure on the candidate cell. Alternatively, the UE may use TCI state ID 2 as the target / indicated TCI state ID and determine that TCI state ID (#2) is an unknown TCI state for the UE and additionally apply a longer beam application time (i.e., time after which the UE is supposed to use / apply the new TCI state). Beam application time may involve performing one or more measurements on the DL RS indicated by the TCI state.

[0122] In one aspect, the UE additionally performs intra-cell beam management in the target cell based on one or more TCI states. In one aspect, the one or more TCI states are associated with more than one PCI, and the UE performs intra-cell beam management and inter-cell beam management in the target cell based on one or more TCI states. Some exemplary beam management operations may include beam shaping, control, and / or detection.

[0123] In one aspect, the UE may additionally retain, while operating in the target cell, a list of TCI states activated by the service cell (e.g., a previous source cell) in 802. In one aspect, the retention, while operating in the target cell, of the list of TCI states activated by the service cell is based on a configuration including an indication to retain the list of TCI states activated by the previous service cell. In one aspect, the configuration is a cell-specific configuration.In one aspect, the cell switching command in 804 includes the configuration. In another aspect, the UE can additionally receive the configuration in an RRC configuration (e.g., a cell-specific RRC configuration).

[0124] In one aspect, the UE may additionally transmit an indication of a UE capability (for example, indicating a threshold number of activated TCI states supported by the UE), wherein at least one of a number of one or more TCI states in the MAC-CE for the candidate cell or a number of activated TCI states in multiple cells is based on the UE capability.

[0125] In one aspect, the UE may additionally receive, from the service cell, another MAC-CE that includes an indication of one or more TCI states to be activated for the service cell after switching to the target cell. In another aspect, the UE may Petition 870250090173, dated 03 / 10 / 2025, pp. 108 / 271 36 / 44 additionally receive a configuration including an indication of one or more candidate cells for mobility triggered by a low layer and a list of TCI states for each of the one or more candidate cells.

[0126] FIG. 9 is a flow diagram of exemplary operations of a network appliance, such as network appliance 110, MN 320, PCell 322 (e.g., a PCell network node), a CU, a DU, network appliances 420, 430, 440 and / or service cell 520 (e.g., a network node service cell). The operations in FIG. 9 may include similar mechanisms as discussed above in reference to FIGS. 5-7. As illustrated, FIG. 9 includes several enumerated steps, but aspects of the operations in FIG. 9 may include additional steps before, after, and between the enumerated steps. In some aspects, one or more of the enumerated steps may be omitted or performed in a different order.

[0127] In 902, operations include transmitting, to a UE (e.g., UEs 150, 310, 410, 510), a MAC-CE that includes an indication of a candidate cell and an activation of one or more TCI states for the candidate cell. In one aspect, the MAC-CE includes a first field and a second field to indicate whether information in the first field is for the service cell or the candidate cell. For example, the second field may be similar to the S / L 704 field in the MAC-CE 700 of FIG. 7 to provide conditional interpretation of the first field. In one aspect, the MAC-CE includes a first value and a second value to indicate that the first value identifies the candidate cell. In one aspect, the MAC-CE includes a value to indicate that one or more TCI states are activated for the candidate cell.In one aspect, MAC-CE includes a list of candidate cell-specific TCI states, including an indication of the candidate cell (e.g., an LTM ID) and the activation of one or more TCI states (for the candidate cell).

[0128] In 904, operations include transmitting, to the UE via lower layer signaling, a cell switching command indicating the candidate cell as a target cell. In one aspect, the cell switching command additionally indicates a reference to at least one of the one or more TCI states (enabled in 902). In another aspect, the cell switching command does not include any additional TCI state indication or reference, and the network appliance may expect the UE to use the one or more TCI states (enabled in 902) upon switching to the target cell. Petition 870250090173, dated 03 / 10 / 2025, pp. 109 / 271 37 / 44

[0129] In 906, operations include performing a handover from the UE to the target cell in response to the cell switching command. The handover may include forwarding information and / or any pending data associated with UE 510 to the target cell.

[0130] FIG. 10 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a block diagram of exemplary components of a UE or a network device. For example, the UE may correspond to UE 150, 310, 410 or 510, and the network device may correspond to network device 110, MN 320, PCell 322 (e.g., a PCell network node), network devices 420, 430, 440 or a network device (which may be a network node, a CU, or a DU) of service cell 520. The device includes an electronic storage 1110, a processor 1120, a memory 1150 and a network interface 1140. The various components may be communicatively coupled to each other. The 1120 processor can be, and may include, any type of processor, such as a single-core central processing unit (CPU), a multi-core CPU, a microprocessor, a digital signal processor (DSP), a System on a Chip (SoC), or any other type of processor.Memory 1150 can be a volatile type of memory, for example, RAM, or a non-volatile type of memory, for example, NAND flash memory. Memory 1150 includes computer-readable instructions that are executable by the processor 1120 to make the device perform various operations, including beam indications (e.g., TCI status pre-activations and / or TCI status indication) for LTM as discussed in this document.

[0131] Electronic storage 1110 may be and include any type of electronic storage used to store data, such as hard disk drives, solid-state drives, and / or optical discs, among other types of electronic storage. Electronic storage 1110 stores software instructions for the device to perform its operations and stores data associated with such operations, such as storing data related to 5G NR standards, among other data. Network interface 1140 may implement wireless network technologies, such as 5G NR, Wi-Fi 6, and / or other wireless network technologies, and may include one or more arrangements of radiating elements, such as those described in conjunction with FIGS. 1-7.

[0132] The components shown in FIG. 10 are merely examples, and versed Petition 870250090173, dated 03 / 10 / 2025, pp. 110 / 271 38 / 44 in the art will understand that an apparatus includes other components not illustrated and may include multiples of any of the illustrated components. These and other embodiments are contemplated as being within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0133] Additional embodiments of the present disclosure include the following examples.

[0134] Example 1 includes a method implemented by a user equipment device, wherein the method includes receiving, from a service cell, a medium access control (MAC-CE) element including an indication of a candidate cell and an activation of one or more transmission configuration indicator (TCI) states for the candidate cell; receiving, from the service cell via lower layer signaling (e.g., via medium access control (MAC) or physical layer signaling, L1 / L2 signaling), a cell switching command indicating the candidate cell as a target cell; and switching, in response to the cell switching command, communication to the target cell, wherein the switching includes communication with the target cell applying at least one of the one or more TCI states.

[0135] In Example 2, the method in Example 1 may optionally include where the MAC-CE includes a first field; and a second field to indicate whether information in the first field is for the service cell or the candidate cell.

[0136] In Example 3, the method of either of examples 1-2 may optionally include where MAC-CE includes a first value; and a second value to indicate that the first value identifies the candidate cell.

[0137] In Example 4, the method of any of examples 1-3 may optionally include where MAC-CE includes a list of candidate cell-specific TCI states including one or more TCI states.

[0138] In Example 5, the method of any of Examples 1-4 may optionally include where the cell switching command additionally includes a reference to at least one of the one or more TCI states.

[0139] In Example 6, the method any of examples 1-5 may optionally include wherein receiving the cell switching command includes receiving downlink control (DCI) information including an indication of the candidate cell and a TCI code point referencing at least one of the one or more Petition 870250090173, dated 03 / 10 / 2025, pp. 111 / 271 39 / 44 TCI states.

[0140] In Example 7, the method of any of Examples 1-5 may optionally include wherein the receipt of the cell switching command includes receiving downlink control (DCI) information including an indication of a list of candidate cell-enabled TCIs including the candidate cell and a TCI code point referencing at least one of the one or more TCI states.

[0141] In Example 8, the method of any of Examples 1-5 may optionally include wherein the receipt of the cell switching command includes receiving downlink control information (DCI) including a reference to at least one of the one or more TCI states and an indication that at least one of the one or more TCI states is for the candidate cell.

[0142] In Example 9, the method any of examples 1-7 may optionally include where the cell switching command additionally includes a reference to a TCI state, where communication with the target cell using at least one or more TCI states is based on a match between the TCI state referenced in the cell switching command and at least one of the one or more TCI states.

[0143] In Example 10, the method of any of Examples 1-9 may optionally include performing intracellular beam management in the target cell based on one or more TCI states.

[0144] In Example 11, the method in any of Examples 1-9 may optionally include where one or more TCI states are associated with more than one physical cell identifier (PCI), and where the method additionally includes performing at least one intra-cell management or inter-cell management in the target cell based on one or more TCI states.

[0145] In Example 12, the method in any of Examples 1-11 may optionally include retaining, while operating on the target cell, a list of TCI states activated by the service cell.

[0146] In Example 13, the method of any of Examples 1-12 may optionally include where the retention, while operating on the target cell, of the list of TCI states activated by the service cell is based on a setting including an indication to retain the list of TCI states activated by the service cell. Petition 870250090173, dated 03 / 10 / 2025, pp. 112 / 271 40 / 44

[0147] In Example 14, the method of any of Examples 1-13 may optionally include where the configuration is a cell-specific configuration.

[0148] In Example 15, the method of any of Examples 1-14 may optionally include receiving the configuration in a Radio Resource Control (RRC) configuration.

[0149] In Example 16, the method of any of Examples 1-14 may optionally include where the cell switching command includes the configuration.

[0150] In Example 17, the method of any of Examples 1-6 may optionally include transmitting an indication of a UE capability (e.g., indicating a threshold number of activated TCI states supported by the UE), where at least one of a number of one or more activated TCI states in the MAC-CE for the candidate cell or a number of activated TCI states in multiple cells in the user equipment appliance is based on the user equipment capability.

[0151] In Example 18, the method in any of Examples 1-17 may optionally include receiving, from the service cell, another MAC-CE that includes an indication of a candidate cell ID corresponding to the service cell and one or more TCI states to be activated for the service cell after switching to the target cell.

[0152] In Example 19, the method in any of Examples 1-18 may optionally include receiving a configuration including an indication of one or more candidate cells for low-layer triggered mobility and a list of TCI states for each of the one or more candidate cells.

[0153] In Example 20, the method of any of Examples 1-19 may optionally include where the service cell is a primary cell.

[0154] Example 21 includes an apparatus that includes at least one processor; and at least one memory that stores instructions that, when executed by at least one processor, cause a user equipment apparatus to at least perform the method of any of Examples 1-20.

[0155] Example 22 includes an apparatus that includes means at least to perform the method of any of Examples 1-20.

[0156] Example 23 includes a non-transient, computer-readable medium that includes Petition 870250090173, dated 03 / 10 / 2025, page 113 / 271 41 / 44 program code that, when executed by one or more processors, causes one or more processors to at least perform the method of any of the examples 120.

[0157] Example 24 includes a method performed by a network appliance of a service cell that includes transmitting, to a user equipment appliance, a medium access control element (MAC-CE) including an indication of a candidate cell and an activation of one or more transmission configuration indicator (TCI) states for the candidate cell; and transmitting, to the user equipment appliance via lower layer signaling, a cell switching command indicating the candidate cell as a target cell; and performing a handover from the user equipment appliance to the target cell responsive to the cell switching command.

[0158] In Example 25, the method in Example 24 may optionally include where the MAC-CE includes a first field; and a second field to indicate whether information in the first field is for the service cell or the candidate cell.

[0159] In Example 26, the method of any of examples 24-25 may optionally include where MAC-CE includes a first value; and a second value to indicate that the first value identifies the candidate cell.

[0160] In Example 27, the method of any of Examples 24-26 may optionally include where MAC-CE includes a list of candidate cell-specific TCI states including one or more TCI states.

[0161] In Example 28, the method of any of Examples 24-27 may optionally include where the cell switching command additionally includes a reference to at least one of the one or more TCI states.

[0162] In Example 29, the method of any of Examples 24-28 may optionally include wherein the transmission of the cell switching command includes transmitting downlink control (DCI) information including an indication of the candidate cell and a TCI code point referencing at least one of the one or more TCI states.

[0163] In Example 30, the method of any of Examples 24-28 may optionally include wherein the transmission of the cell switching command includes transmitting downlink control information (DCI) including an indication Petition 870250090173, dated 03 / 10 / 2025, page 114 / 271 42 / 44 of a list of TCI-activated candidate cells including the candidate cell and a TCI code point referencing at least one of the one or more TCI states.

[0164] In Example 31, the method of any of Examples 24-28 may optionally include wherein the transmission of the cell switching command includes transmitting downlink control (DCI) information including a reference to at least one of the one or more TCI states and an indication that at least one of the one or more TCI states is for the candidate cell.

[0165] In Example 32, the method of any of Examples 24-31 may optionally include transmitting a configuration including an indication of whether the user equipment device should retain a list of enabled TCI states after switching to the target cell.

[0166] In Example 33, the method of any of Examples 24-32 may optionally include where the configuration is an RRC configuration.

[0167] In Example 34, the method of any of examples 24-33 may optionally include where the setting is a cell-specific setting.

[0168] In Example 35, the method of any of Examples 24-33 may optionally include where the cell switching command includes a setting including an indication of whether the user equipment device should retain a list of enabled TCI states after switching to the target cell.

[0169] In Example 36, the method in any of Examples 24-35 may optionally include receiving, from the UE, an indication of a UE capability (for example, indicating a threshold number of enabled TCI states supported by the UE); and configuring a number of TCI states to be enabled in one or more cells for the UE based on the UE capability.

[0170] In Example 37, the method in any of Examples 24-36 may optionally include transmitting to the UE another MAC-CE that includes an indication of a candidate cell ID corresponding to the service cell and one or more TCI states to be activated for the service cell after switching to the target cell.

[0171] In Example 38, the method in any of Examples 24-37 may optionally include transmitting a configuration including an indication of one or more candidate cells for low-layer triggered mobility and a list of TCI states for each of the one or more candidate cells. Petition 870250090173, dated 03 / 10 / 2025, p. 115 / 271 43 / 44

[0172] Example 39 includes a device that includes at least one processor; and at least one memory that stores instructions that, when executed by at least one processor, cause the network appliance to at least perform the method of any of Examples 24-38.

[0173] Example 40 includes an apparatus that includes means at least to perform the method of any of Examples 24-38.

[0174] Example 41 includes a nontransient, computer-readable medium that includes program code which, when executed by one or more processors, causes the one or more processors to at least perform the method of any of the examples 2438.

[0175] The embodiments and aspects disclosed herein are examples of the present disclosure and may be incorporated in various ways. For example, although certain embodiments herein are described as separate embodiments, each of the embodiments herein may be combined with one or more of the other embodiments herein. Specific functional and structural details disclosed herein are not to be construed as limiting, but as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to employ the present disclosure in a variety of ways in virtually any appropriate detailed framework. Similar reference numerals may refer to similar or identical elements throughout the description of the figures.

[0176] The expressions “in one aspect,” “in aspects,” “in several aspects,” “in some aspects,” or “in other aspects” can each refer to one or more of the same or different aspects according to this present revelation. The expression “a plurality of” can refer to two or more.

[0177] The expressions “in one modality”, “in modalities”, “in several modalities”, “in some modalities” or “in other modalities” may each refer to one or more of the modalities that are the same or different according to the present disclosure. An expression in the form “A or B” means “(A), (B) or (A and B)”. An expression in the form “at least one of A, B or C” means “(A); (B); (C); (A and B); (A and C); (B and C); or (A, B and C)”.

[0178] Any of the methods, programs, algorithms, or codes described in Petition 870250090173, dated 03 / 10 / 2025, pp. 116 / 271 44 / 44 The content of this document may be converted into, or expressed in, a programming language or computer program. The terms “programming language” and “computer program,” as used in this document, each include any language used to specify instructions for a computer, and include (but are not limited to) the following languages ​​and their derivatives: Assembler, Basic, Batch files, BCPL, C, C+, C++, Delphi, Fortran, Java, JavaScript, machine code, operating system command languages, Pascal, Perl, PL1, Python, scripting languages, Visual Basic, metalanguages ​​that themselves specify programs, and all computer languages ​​of the first, second, third, fourth, fifth, or later generations. Also included are databases and other data schemas, and any other metalanguages. No distinction is made between languages ​​that are interpreted, compiled, or that use both compiled and interpreted approaches.No distinction is made between compiled and source versions of a program. Thus, a reference to a program, where the programming language can exist in more than one state (such as source, compiled, object, or linked), is a reference to any and all of these states. A reference to a program can encompass the actual instructions and / or the intent of those instructions.

[0179] Although aspects of the present disclosure have been shown in the drawings, it is not intended that the present disclosure be limited to them, since it is intended that the present disclosure be as broad in scope as the art permits and that the descriptive report be read in the same manner. Therefore, the above description should not be interpreted as limiting, but merely as exemplifications of particular aspects. Those skilled in the art will conceive other modifications within the scope and spirit of the claims appended thereto. Petition 870250090173, dated 03 / 10 / 2025, p. 117 / 271

Claims

1 / 5 CLAIMS 1. User equipment device characterized by comprising: at least one processor; and at least one memory that stores instructions which, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the user equipment device to at least: receive, from a service cell, a medium access control (MAC-CE) element including an indication of a candidate cell and an activation of one or more transmission configuration indicator (TCI) states for the candidate cell; receive, from the service cell via lower layer signaling, a cell switching command indicating the candidate cell as a target cell; and switch, in response to the cell switching command, communication with the service cell to communication with the target cell, wherein communication with the target cell comprises communicating with the target cell by applying at least one of the one or more TCI states.

2. User equipment device, according to claim 1, characterized in that the MAC-CE includes: a first field; and a second field to indicate whether information in the first field is for the service cell or the candidate cell.

3. User equipment device, according to claim 1, characterized in that the MAC-CE includes: a first value; and a second value to indicate that the first value identifies the candidate cell.

4. User equipment device, according to claim 1, characterized in that the MAC-CE includes a list of candidate cell-specific TCI states including one or more TCI states.

5. User equipment device according to claim 1, characterized in that the cell switching command additionally includes Petition 870250090173, dated 10 / 03 / 2025, page 118 / 271 2 / 5 a reference to at least one of the one or more TCI states.

6. User equipment device, according to claim 1, characterized in that the instructions, when executed by at least one processor, additionally cause the user equipment device to at least receive the cell switching command: receive downlink control information (DCI) including an indication of the candidate cell and a TCI code point referencing at least one of one or more TCI states.

7. User equipment device, according to claim 1, characterized in that the instructions, when executed by at least one processor, additionally cause the user equipment device to at least receive the cell switching command: receive downlink control information (DCI) including an indication of a list of candidate cell-activated TCIs including the candidate cell and a TCI code point referencing at least one of one or more TCI states.

8. User equipment device, according to claim 1, characterized in that the instructions, when executed by at least one processor, additionally cause the user equipment device to at least receive the cell switching command: receive downlink control information (DCI) including a reference to at least one of the one or more TCI states and an indication that at least one of the one or more TCI states is for the candidate cell.

9. User equipment device, according to claim 1, characterized in that the instructions, when executed by at least one processor, additionally cause the user equipment device to at least: perform intra-cell beam management in the target cell based on one or more TCI states.

10. User equipment device according to claim 1, characterized in that one or more TCI states are associated with more than one physical cell identifier (PCI), and wherein the instructions, when executed by at least one processor, additionally cause the user equipment device to at least: perform at least one intra-cell beam management or inter-cell beam management on the target cell based on one or more TCI states.

11. User equipment device, according to claim 1, characterized in that the instructions, when executed by at least one processor, additionally cause the user equipment device to at least: retain, while operating in the target cell, a list of TCI states activated by the service cell.

12. User equipment device, according to claim 1, characterized in that the instructions, when executed by at least one processor, additionally cause the user equipment device to at least: transmit an indication of a user equipment capability, wherein at least one of a number of one or more activated TCI states in the MAC-CE for the candidate cell or a number of activated TCI states in multiple cells in the user equipment device is based on the user equipment capability.

13. Method performed by a user equipment device, wherein the method is characterized by comprising: receiving, from a service cell, a medium access control element (MAC-CE) including an indication of a candidate cell and an activation of one or more transmission configuration indicator (TCI) states for the candidate cell; receiving, from the service cell via lower layer signaling, a cell switching command indicating the candidate cell as a target cell; and switching, in response to the cell switching command, communication with the service cell to communication with the target cell, wherein communication with the target cell comprises communicating with the target cell by applying at least one or more TCI states.

14. Method according to claim 13, characterized in that the MAC-CE includes: a first field; and a second field to indicate whether information in the first field is for the service cell or the candidate cell.

15. Method according to claim 13, characterized in that the MAC-CE includes: a first value; and a second value to indicate that the first value identifies the candidate cell.

16. Method according to claim 13, characterized in that the MAC-CE includes a list of candidate cell-specific TCI states including one or more TCI states.

17. Method according to claim 13, characterized in that the cell switching command additionally includes a reference to at least one of the one or more TCI states.

18. A method according to claim 13, wherein one or more TCI states are associated with more than one physical cell identifier (PCI), and wherein the method is characterized by further comprising: performing at least one intra-cell management or inter-cell management in the target cell based on one or more TCI states.

19. Method according to claim 13, characterized by further comprising: transmitting an indication of a UE capability, wherein at least one of a number of one or more activated TCI states in the MAC-CE for the candidate cell or a number of activated TCI states in multiple cells in the user equipment device is based on the UE capability. Petition 870250090173, dated 10 / 03 / 2025, pp. 121 / 271 5 / 5 20. Network device characterized by comprising: at least one processor; and at least one memory that stores instructions which, when executed by at least one processor, cause the network device to at least: transmit, to a user equipment device, a medium access control element (MAC-CE) including an indication of a candidate cell and an activation of one or more transmission configuration indicator (TCI) states for the candidate cell; transmit, to the user equipment device via lower-layer signaling, a cell switching command indicating the candidate cell as a target cell; and perform a handover from the user equipment device to the target cell responsive to the cell switching command. Petition 870250090173, dated 03 / 10 / 2025, pp. 122 / 271

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