Method and computing device for multi-beam resource management in wireless network

Abstract

A method for multi-beam resource management in a wireless network involves a computing device that: performs beam management according to a first beam management configuration; receives a first type of reference signal; receives a second type of reference signal; determines that the resources of the received first type of reference signal have met the criteria of a trigger event; determines whether the resources of the received first type of reference signal are quasi-co-located with the resources of the received second type of reference signal; and based on the trigger event determination and the quasi-co-location determination, stops performing beam management according to the first beam management configuration and starts performing beam management according to the second beam management configuration.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates generally to wireless networks and, more particularly, to methods and computing devices for multi-beam resource management in wireless networks. Background Art

[0002] Targeting the growing market and mobile communications society, the development of next-generation systems (5G systems) will utilize frequencies up to 100 GHz. Using high operating frequencies (i.e., greater than 6 GHz) results in significantly higher propagation losses. To address this, antenna arrays using massive multiple-input, multiple-output (MIMO) and beamforming (BF) training techniques (e.g., 1024 antenna elements per node) will be employed to achieve beam alignment and obtain sufficiently high antenna gain.

[0003] With the adoption of a large number of beams, beam management functions such as beam scanning, beam determination, beam reporting (e.g., reporting beam ID and layer 1 (L1) reference signal received power (RSRP) etc.) and beam switching are introduced to select the most appropriate one or more serving beams for the corresponding UE. UE-specific channel state information reference signals (CSI-RS) are designated for the purpose of beam management. In order to compensate for the high propagation loss due to operation at high frequencies (i.e., above 6 GHz) and to ensure a relatively long range, UE-specific CSI-RSs are limited to the narrow spatial coverage provided by their respective beams. At the same time, in order to aim for wider spatial coverage, a large number of beams (beams used to transmit CSI-RSs, sometimes referred to herein as "CSI-RS-based beams") should be radiated. For example, if the base station (BS) has a MIMO antenna array comprising 1024 antenna elements, the number of narrow CSI-RS-based beams can be as high as 4096.

[0004] In order to identify which of these beams are suitable or "best" for communication, the UE should continuously perform beam scanning, beam measurement, beam determination, and CSI-RS beam-based reporting (periodic or aperiodic). If too many beams are configured for a specific UE (for example, all CSI-RS based beams are configured for the UE), the UE will need to consume considerable power. In addition, dedicating a large number of beams to a specific UE will put a processing burden on the UE. At the same time, the high level of CSI-RS reporting activity caused by the large number of beams will introduce large signaling overhead and higher resource consumption in the air. On the contrary, if too few beams are configured for the UE, beam management decisions may be sub-optional and the UE has a higher risk of beam link failure or radio link failure (for example, when too few beams are measured and reported and blocking occurs). BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0005] While the appended claims set forth the features of the present technology with particularity, these technologies and their objects and advantages are best understood from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0006] Figure 1 is a diagram of a system in which various embodiments of the present disclosure are implemented.

[0007] Figure 2 An example hardware architecture according to an embodiment is shown.

[0008] Figure 3 is a diagram depicting a framework for providing beam management configuration according to an embodiment.

[0009] Figure 4 and Figure 5 is a diagram depicting an implementation of a cell-specific reference signal according to an embodiment.

[0010] Figure 6 The trajectory of the user equipment and the quasi-co-location relationship between the cell-specific reference signal resources and the user equipment-specific reference signal resources are depicted.

[0011] describe

[0012] According to one embodiment, a method for multi-beam resource management in a wireless network involves a computing device (e.g., a user device or a relay node) that: performs beam management according to a first beam management configuration; receives a first type of reference signal (e.g., a user device-specific reference signal such as a channel state information reference signal); receives a second type of reference signal (e.g., a cell-specific reference signal such as a synchronization signal); determines that resources for the first type of reference signal have met criteria for a trigger event; determines whether the resources for the first type of reference signal are quasi-co-located with resources for the second type of reference signal; and based on the trigger event determination and the quasi-co-location determination, stops performing beam management according to the first beam management configuration and starts performing beam management according to the second beam management configuration.

[0013] According to one embodiment, a method for multi-beam resource management in a wireless network includes: sending a first beam management configuration to a computing device, wherein the first beam management configuration specifies a triggering event; receiving a message from the computing device indicating that a resource of a first type of reference signal received by a user device has met criteria for the triggering event; determining whether the resource is quasi-co-located with a resource of a second type of reference signal; and based on the received message and the quasi-co-location determination, sending a beam management command to the computing device, which indicates that the computing device will change its beam management configuration.

[0014] In one embodiment, a method for multi-beam resource management in a wireless network involves a computing device that: wirelessly receives a first type of reference signal and a second type of reference signal; performs measurements on resources of the first type of reference signal according to a received measurement configuration; based on the measurement results, determines that the resources of the first type of reference signal have triggered an event specific to the resources of the first type of reference signal; determines resources of the second type of reference signal that are quasi-co-located with the resources of the first type of reference signal; and performs beam management on the resources of the second type of reference signal.

[0015] According to one embodiment, a method for multi-beam resource management in a wireless network involves a first computing device, which: sends a measurement configuration to a second computing device, wherein the measurement configuration specifies a resource-specific event for a first type of reference signal; receives a message from the second computing device indicating that a resource of the first type of reference signal received by the second computing device has triggered a resource-specific event for the first type of reference signal; determines a resource of a second type of reference signal that is quasi-co-located with the resource of the first type of reference signal; and sends a beam management signal to the second computing device, indicating that the second computing device will perform beam management based on information contained in the beam management signal.

[0016] Figure 1 A wireless communication system 100 is depicted in which various embodiments may be deployed. The communication system 100 includes a plurality of communication nodes. The depicted communication node is a base station (BS) 102. A user equipment (UE) 104 is also depicted. It should be understood that there may be many other communication nodes, and Figure 1 The communication nodes shown in FIG. 1 are for example purposes only. In one embodiment, the wireless communication system 100 has many nodes that are not shown in FIG. Figure 1 Components depicted in the figure include other base stations, other UEs, wireless infrastructure, wired infrastructure, and other equipment commonly found in wireless networks.

[0017] Possible implementations of UE 104 include any device capable of wireless communication, such as smartphones, tablets, laptops, and non-traditional devices (e.g., home appliances or other parts of the "Internet of Things").

[0018] It should be noted that when the present disclosure refers to a UE without a reference number, Figure 1 The UE 104 of the UE 104 can be considered to have performed the action in question or received the result of the action in question. Similarly, when the present disclosure refers to a BS, a node or a "network", the UE 104 from Figure 1 The BS 104 may be considered to perform the action in question or to receive the result of the action in question.

[0019] Figure 2 Shown by Figure 1The basic (computing device) hardware architecture implemented by the elements of (including BS 102 and UE 104). Figure 1 The element also has other components. Figure 2 The hardware architecture depicted in FIG includes logic circuitry 202, memory 204, transceiver 206, and one or more antennas represented by antenna 208. Memory 204 may be or include a buffer that, for example, holds incoming transmissions until the logic circuitry is able to process the transmission. Each of these elements is communicatively linked to one another via one or more data paths 210. Examples of data paths include wires, conductive paths on a microchip, and wireless connections.

[0020] As used herein, the term "logic circuit" refers to a circuit (a type of electronic hardware) designed to perform complex functions defined according to mathematical logic. Examples of logic circuits include microprocessors, controllers, or application-specific integrated circuits. When the present disclosure refers to a device that performs an action, it should be understood that this may also mean that the logic circuitry integrated with the device is actually performing the action.

[0021] Recent proposals for wireless networking in cellular environments introduce at least two new types of reference signals (RS). The first type of RS is provided by a synchronization signal (SS). The SS includes one or more SS blocks. Each SS block includes at least a primary synchronization signal (PSS), a secondary synchronization signal (SSS), and a physical broadcast channel (PBCH). The second type of RS is provided by a CSI-RS. Each CSI-RS is transmitted using a CSI-RS resource. One or more CSI-RS resources can be configured for a single UE for receiving one or more CSI-RSs. Different CSI-RS resources can be configured for different UEs. A CSI-RS resource configuration for receiving CSI-RS for a given UE includes at least one of the following: a cell ID; a CSI-RS identifier; a timing configuration (including time offset and periodicity); the number of antenna ports; a resource element (RE) mapping; and parameters for sequence generation. Both SS and CSI-RS signals are beamformed signals, each with a specific radio propagation direction. The SS can be considered a cell-specific configured RS, while the CSI-RS can be considered a UE-specific configured RS, which is not always in an on-transmission state but can effectively be turned on and off. SS can cover a wide area within a cell and serve all UEs within that wide area, but its spatial resolution is low (i.e., it is transmitted as a wide beam). On the other hand, CSI-RS provides higher spatial resolution (i.e., narrow beam) and stronger signals within the narrow beam, but only covers a narrow area. Figure 1 In this case, the SS and CSI-RS signals will be sent by BS 102 and used by UE 104.

[0022] When the UE is in the IDLE state, the UE uses the SS for radio resource management (RRM) measurements. When the UE is in the CONNECTED state, in addition to using the SS, the UE may use the CSI-RS for RRM measurements (if the UE is configured to do so by the network (e.g., by the base station)). A UE in the CONNECTED state performs beam management (including beam scanning, beam measurement, beam determination, beam reporting, etc.) based at least on the CSI-RS.

[0023] In order to identify which of the CSI-RS based beams are suitable or "best" for communication with a specific UE, the network should provide the UE with CSI-RS based beam management configuration parameters. The network signals these configuration parameters to the UE via RRC signaling. Figure 3 A framework for providing beam management configuration is shown. When signaling the configuration, the network can configure a CSI measurement setup with N ≥ 1 CSI reporting settings, M ≥ 1 resource settings, and one CSI measurement setup, where the CSI measurement setup includes L ≥ 1 links. Each of the L links is configured to correspond to a CSI reporting setting and a resource setting. The resource setting defines the CSI-RS resources based on which the UE should perform L1 measurements for beam management. Each of the configured CSI-RS resource settings can be configured with one or more CSI-RS resource sets. Each CSI-RS resource set can be configured with K ≥ 1 CSI-RS resources.

[0024] The UE performs L1 measurements (e.g., beam scanning, beam measurement, and beam determination) based on the beam management configuration signaled to the UE by the network (e.g., by the base station). As used herein, the term "beam" may refer to a radio propagation direction formulated by a transmit signal from a single CSI-RS resource, or a radio propagation direction formulated by a transmit signal from a CSI-RS resource set. The association of CSI-RS resources with Tx beams may depend on the specific network implementation. For example, each CSI-RS resource may transmit a specific Tx beam, or each CSI-RS resource set may correspond to one Tx beam. The UE generates a CSI-RS-based beam report based on the L1 measurement results. If the network (e.g., BS) sends a command to the UE indicating that the UE needs to change one or more serving beams, the UE switches the one or more serving beams according to the command.

[0025] A connected UE performs RRM measurements based on the SS used for Layer 3 mobility. More specifically, the UE performs RRM measurements on the Secondary Synchronization Signal (SSS) according to the measurement configuration signaled from the network. This process is sometimes referred to as the network "configuring UE measurement reporting" or "configuring UE measurement reporting."

[0026] The types of information contained in the measurement configuration may include a list of measurement objects, a list of reporting configurations, and a list of measurement identifiers, where each measurement identifier links a measurement object to a reporting configuration. By configuring multiple measurement identifiers, more than one measurement object can be linked to the same reporting configuration, or more than one reporting configuration can be linked to the same measurement object. Each measurement object is associated with a carrier frequency. Each reporting configuration includes at least a reporting criterion that indicates the criterion for triggering the UE to send a measurement report. For example, the reporting criterion may be an event triggering criterion, such as event A4 (neighboring cell becomes better than a threshold) or event A3 (neighboring cell becomes better than the primary cell (PCell) / primary secondary cell (PSCell) offset). The measured RS type may also be included in the reporting configuration to indicate which RS the UE uses for the corresponding measurement object linked to the reporting configuration via the measurement identifier. For the purpose of Layer 3 mobility, the UE performs measurements on the configured measurement objects (carrier frequencies), which are linked to at least one reporting configuration via the measurement identifier (multiple identifiers). The UE then sends one or more measurement reports to the network.

[0027] A more specific example of an event triggering criterion is as follows: If at least one of the cells on the measurement object (carrier frequency) triggers a corresponding event specified in the corresponding reporting configuration linked to the measurement object via a measurement identifier, the UE sends one or more measurement reports to the network. The identifier(s) and quality(s) of the one or more cells that triggered the event are included in the measurement report. Upon receiving the one or more measurement reports from the UE, the network can select a target cell and indicate to the UE that it should be handed over to the selected target cell.

[0028] Steering Figure 4 , the implementation of SS will now be described. SS includes one or more SS blocks. As used herein, the term "SS resource" refers to an SS block or a SS block group. Figure 4 In the embodiment of the present invention, SS is sent periodically. In each period, six SS blocks are sent continuously (in Figure 4 Each SS block is transmitted in a different radio propagation direction than the other blocks. In this example, the SS resources correspond to the SS blocks. For example, Figure 4 SS0 to SS5 in correspond to SS resource 0 to SS resource 5.

[0029] Steering Figure 5 , another example of SS will now be described. As in the previous example, Figure 5 The SS in is sent periodically, and six SS blocks (in Figure 5 SB0 to SB5) are sent continuously. Figure 5In the example of , SS blocks are sent with a repetition factor of K=2, which means that every two consecutive SS blocks are sent in the same radio propagation direction, which can be regarded as a single beam. K consecutive SS blocks sent on the same beam constitute an "SS block group". For example, in Figure 5 In this example, SB0 and SB1, SB2 and SB3, and SB4 and SB5 form three separate SS block groups. In this example, SS resources correspond to SS block groups. For example, SB0 and SB1 correspond to SS resource 0, SB2 and SB3 correspond to SS resource 1, and SB4 and SB5 correspond to SS resource 2.

[0030] It should be noted that in the above two examples, SS blocks are sent continuously within the period, for example, an SS block is sent immediately after the previous block is sent. However, subsequent SS blocks may also be sent with some gaps in the time domain.

[0031] It should also be noted that, as used herein, the term "resource" refers to any network or protocol resource, such as a physical resource block, a physical resource element, a time slot, a subframe, or a subcarrier, which can be allocated to one or more UEs for sending signals (e.g., for sending synchronization signals).

[0032] In addition to the control parameters configured in the measurement configuration for Layer 3 mobility purposes, the network includes at least one reporting configuration in the measurement configuration it sends to the UE, which includes SS resource-specific events. Each reporting configuration (including SS resource-specific events) is linked to one or more corresponding measurement objects (one or more carrier frequencies) through one or more measurement identifiers.

[0033] Examples of SS resource-specific events will now be described. In these examples, the measurement object to which the SS resource-specific event is linked (i.e., what the UE measures) is the serving carrier (at the serving carrier frequency). The target of the serving cell is configured for the purpose of assisting beam management. The SS resource-specific event in this example can be one of the following events:

[0034] 1. Event S1: SS resources become better than the threshold

[0035] Event S1 is an event specific to SS resources. The SS resources used here are the SS resources of the serving cell.

[0036] The UE in this example will:

[0037] (a) when the condition S1-1 specified below is met, the entry condition of event S1 is considered to be met; and

[0038] (b) The leaving condition of event S1 is considered to be met when condition S1-2 as specified below is met.

[0039] Condition S1-1 (entry condition): Mssr + Ossr – Hys > Thresh

[0040] Condition S1-2 (exit condition): Mssr + Ossr + Hys < Thresh

[0041] Where: Mssr is the measurement result of the SS resource without considering any offset; Ossr is the offset specific to the SS resource; Hys is the hysteresis parameter of the event; Thresh is the threshold parameter of the event.

[0042] If at least one of the SS resources triggers event S1, the UE will send a measurement report to the network. If, within the time period defined for event S1, the measurement result of the SS resource satisfies the entry condition of event S1, the UE considers that event S1 has been triggered. The measurement report includes at least information about which SS resource triggered the corresponding SS resource-specific event. Such information includes at least the SS resource ID. For example, if the SS resource is defined as an SS block, the SS resource ID is the SS block ID. If the SS resource is defined as an SS block group, the SS resource ID is the SS block ID of the SS block in the SS block group or the SS block group ID (if the SS block group ID is specified).

[0043] Similarly, if, within the time period defined for this event S1, the measurement result of the SS resource for which the SS resource-specific event S1 has been triggered by the UE satisfies the exit condition of event S1, the SS resource is also considered to have triggered event S1. If this occurs, the UE sends a measurement report but does not include information about which (which) SS resource satisfies the exit condition of event S1.

[0044] 2. Event S2: The SS resource is within X dB of the best SS resource

[0045] In this example, event S2 is an SS resource-specific event. The SS resource and the best SS resource in this example are the SS resources of the serving cell. When the condition S2 specified below is met, the UE considers that the entry condition of event S2 is satisfied.

[0046] Condition S2 (entry condition): Mssr + Ossr – Hys ± X ≥ Mssrb + Ossrb. If Mssr ≥ Mssrb, then –X; otherwise if Mssr < Mssrb, then +X.

[0047] Where: Mssr, Ossr, and Hys are the same as those discussed previously; Mssrb is the measurement result of the best SS resource without considering any offset; Ossrb is the offset specific to the best SS resource; X is the threshold parameter specified for event S2.

[0048] If the measurement results of an SS resource meet the entry criteria for event S2 within the time period defined for this event S2, the SS resource is considered to have triggered event S2. If at least one of the SS resources triggers event S2, the UE sends a measurement report. The measurement report includes at least information about which SS resource triggered event S2. This information includes at least the SS resource ID discussed previously.

[0049] 3. Event S3: Change in optimal SS resources

[0050] In this example, event S3 is an SS resource specific event. As used herein, the SS resource and the best SS resource are the SS resources of the serving cell. In this example, the UE considers that the entry condition of event S3 is met when the condition S3 specified below is met:

[0051] Condition S3 (entry condition): Mssr+Ossr–Hys≥Mssrb+Ossrb

[0052] If the measurement results of an SS resource meet the entry criteria for Event S3 within the time period defined for Event S3, the SS resource is considered to have triggered Event S3. If at least one of the SS resources triggers an SS resource-specific Event S3, the UE sends a measurement report. The measurement report includes at least information about which SS resource triggered Event S3. This information includes at least the SS resource ID described previously.

[0053] According to one embodiment, one or both of BS 102 and UE 104 performs beam management based on information about one or more SS resources triggering SS resource specific events and about QCL relationships between one or more CSI-RS resources and one or more SS resources.

[0054] To provide context, if resources of two different types of RS (e.g., resources of SSS and CSI-RS) share the same or similar channel properties, such resources are considered to be "quasi-co-located (QCL)". The channel properties used to determine whether two or more resources are QCL may include one or more of the following properties: (1) Doppler spread; (2) Doppler shift; (3) delay spread; (4) average delay; (5) average gain; and (6) spatial parameters. As used herein, "Doppler spread" refers to the frequency domain spread of a received multipath component, "Doppler shift" refers to the frequency difference in carrier frequency between a carrier component observed by a receiver and a carrier component transmitted by a transmitter, "delay spread" refers to the time difference between the arrival time of the first received multipath component (usually a line-of-sight (LOS) component) and the arrival time of the last received multipath component (usually a non-line-of-sight (NLOS) component), "average delay" refers to the weighted average of the delays of all multipath components multiplied by the power of each component, "average gain" refers to the average transmission power per antenna port or resource element, and "spatial parameters" refers to the spatial domain properties of the multipath components observed by the receiver, such as angle of arrival (AoA), spatial correlation, etc. This information of channel properties can be pre-defined or configured to the UE by Layer 1 or higher level signaling (e.g., RRC signaling).

[0055] For example, it can be predefined that two channel attributes are similar when their respective parameter values are within 5% or 10% of each other. A UE with this information about the channel attributes can use this information to determine whether resources of two different types of RS are QCL. Alternatively, if two resources are determined to be QCL, for example, CSI-RS resource X is determined to be QCL with SS resource Y, the QCL relationship between the two resources can be signaled to the UE.

[0056] In one embodiment, for the purpose of beam management, the network (e.g., a node of the network such as a base station) may configure a UE with M≥1 CSI-RS resource settings. Each resource setting may include one or more CSI-RS resource sets, and each CSI-RS resource set may include K≥1 CSI-RS resources. If all K CSI-RS resources in a CSI-RS resource set are QCL with an SS resource, then the CSI-RS resource set is said to be QCL with the SS resource. If all CSI-RS resource sets in a CSI-RS resource setting are QCL with an SS resource, then the CSI-RS resource setting is said to be QCL with the SS resource. The QCL relationship between the CSI-RS resource (or CSI-RS resource set or CSI-RS resource setting) and the SS resource may be signaled to the UE. The QCL relationship between two types of RS (e.g., SS and CSI-RS) may be used to facilitate beam management.

[0057] Go to Figure 6 , shows an example of the trajectory of a UE and the QCL relationship between SS resources and CSI-RS resources. In this example, a connected UE moves from the coverage of SS resource 2 to SS resource 3 in the serving cell. In this example, it is assumed that CSI-RS resources 1 to CSI-RS resources 4 are QCL with SS resource 2, and CSI-RS resources 5 to CSI-RS resources 8 are QCL with SS resource 3 (QCL resources are in Figure 6 ). It is also assumed here that each individual CSI-RS resource transmits a specific Tx beam. In other words, each CSI-RS resource corresponds to a beam. The network configures CSI-RS resources 1 to CSI-RS resources 4 in one CSI-RS resource set (which will be referred to as CSI-RS resource set X), and configures CSI-RS resources 5 to CSI-RS resources 8 in another CSI-RS resource set (which will be referred to as CSI-RS resource set Y). Each CSI-RS resource setting in this example is configured to have only one CSI-RS resource set. For example, one CSI-RS resource setting (which will be referred to as CSI-RS resource setting M) is configured to include CSI-RS resource set X, while another CSI-RS resource setting (which will be referred to as CSI-RS resource setting N) is configured to include CSI-RS resource set Y.

[0058] In this example, for Layer 3 mobility purposes, the UE is configured with SS resource specific event S3 (best SS resource change) in the measurement configuration. When the UE is within the coverage of SS resource 2 ( Figure 6At time T1 in FIG1 , the network sends a measurement configuration to the UE. During this time, the UE measures SS resource 2 and determines that SS resource 2 is the best SS resource. The UE gradually moves from the coverage of SS resource 2 to the coverage of SS resource 3. At time T2, event S3 is triggered by SS resource 3, and the UE sends a report including information about SS resource 3 to the network.

[0059] In one embodiment, regarding SS resources ( Figure 6 The information of the SS resource 3) in the example of FIG can be used to assist beam management purposes according to one of the following alternatives:

[0060] Alternative 1: Provide beam management configuration based on the reported one or more SS resource information and the QCL relationship between one or more CSI-RS resources and one or more SS resources.

[0061] According to one embodiment, the wireless network (e.g., node 102) provides a beam management configuration to a UE (e.g., UE 104) based on a QCL relationship between one or more CSI-RS resources and one or more SS resources. This QCL relationship is determined based on information sent by the UE to the network. For example, again referring to Figure 6 When the UE stays in the coverage area of SS resource 2, the UE is provided with CSI-RS resource setting M, which means that the UE should perform beam management on CSI-RS resource set X (CSI-RS resource 1 to CSI-RS resource 4). Assuming a scenario in which SS resource 3 triggers event S3, the UE will send a measurement report to the network (e.g., to the base station) (in response to event S3 being triggered), and the measurement report will include information about SS resource 3.

[0062] Upon receiving the report, the network analyzes the information about SS resource 3. For the sake of this example, assume that the network determines that SS resource 3 is the best SS resource or is becoming the best SS resource, and finds that CSI-RS resource setting N (i.e., CSI-RS resource set Y or CSI-RS resource 5 to CSI-RS resource 8) is QCL with SS resource 3. Based on this determination, the network updates the beam management configuration for the UE. In this example, the network updates the CSI-RS resource setting from M to N (i.e., CSI-RS resource set Y or CSI-RS resource 5 to CSI-RS resource 8) as a measurement object for performing beam management in the beam management configuration. In other words, for the purpose of facilitating beam management, the network signals to the UE that the UE should measure CSI-RS resource set Y from now on. The network provides this beam management configuration to the UE through higher layer signaling (e.g., RRC signaling). In response to receiving the updated beam management configuration, the UE will now perform L1 measurements or beam management (e.g., beam scanning, beam measurement, and beam determination) on CSI-RS resources 5 to CSI-RS resources 8 instead of on CSI-RS resources 1 to CSI-RS resources 4.

[0063] Alternative 2: Provide beam management commands based on the reporting information of one or more SS resources and the QCL relationship between one or more CSI-RS resources and one or more SS resources.

[0064] In one embodiment, when a UE accesses a serving cell, the network (e.g., a BS) provides the UE with all possible CSI-RS resources for beam management in the cell. For example, the network may provide the UE with all CSI-RS resources in the serving cell. Figure 6 For example, the UE initially accesses the serving cell under the coverage of SS resource 2, so the network provides the UE with CSI-RS resources that are QCL with SS resource 1, CSI-RS resources that are QCL with SS resource 2 (for example, CSI-RS resource setting M), and CSI-RS resources that are QCL with SS resource 3 (CSI-RS resource setting N). And during the time when the UE stays under the coverage of SS resource 2, the network can issue a beam management command to the UE to activate beam management of CSI-RS resource setting M. In other words, the network indicates to the UE that the UE will perform L1 measurement or beam management (for example, beam scanning, beam measurement, and beam determination) on the CSI-RS resources specified by CSI-RS resource setting M.

[0065] Assuming a scenario in which SS resource 3 triggers event S3, the UE will (in response to event S3 being triggered) send a measurement report to the network (e.g., to the BS), which will include information about SS resource 3. Upon receiving the report, the network analyzes the information about SS resource 3. For the sake of this example, assume that the network determines that SS resource 3 is the best SS resource or is becoming the best SS resource, and finds that CSI-RS resource setting N (i.e., CSI-RS resource set Y or CSI-RS resource 5 to CSI-RS resource 8) is QCL with SS resource 3. Based on this determination, the network issues one or more new beam management commands to the UE to activate CSI-RS resource setting N. In other words, the network indicates to the UE that the UE will use the CSI-RS resources specified by CSI-RS resource setting N to perform L1 measurements or beam management. The one or more new beam management commands also tell the UE to deactivate CSI-RS resource setting M. In other words, the one or more new beam management commands tell the UE to stop using the CSI-RS resources specified in CSI-RS resource setting M for measurements or beam management.

[0066] In other words, in this example, the network determines that beam management with N set for CSI-RS resources should be activated and beam management with M set for CSI-RS resources should be deactivated. The network makes this determination based on the QCL relationship between the SS resources and the CSI-RS resources. Various possible ways in which the network can issue one or more beam management commands include: issuing a command to the UE via Layer 2 signaling (e.g., a medium access control (MAC) control element (MAC CE)) or via Layer 1 signaling (e.g., downlink control information (DCI) on a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH)). Upon receiving the beam management command, the UE performs L1 measurements or beam management (e.g., beam scanning, beam measurement, and beam determination) on CSI-RS resources 5 to CSI-RS resources 8 instead of CSI-RS resources 1 to CSI-RS resources 4.

[0067] Alternative solution 3: Based on one or more SS resources triggering one or more SS resource-specific events and the QCL relationship between one or more CSI-RS resources and one or more SS resources, the UE autonomously activates / deactivates or switches CSI-RS resources for beam management.

[0068] According to one embodiment, based on (1) one or more SS resources that trigger one or more SS resource-specific events and (2) the QCL relationship between one or more CSI-RS resources and one or more SS resources, the UE autonomously activates / deactivates or switches CSI-RS resources for beam management. As in the previously described embodiment, when the UE accesses the serving cell, the UE is provided with all possible CSI-RS resources for beam management in the cell. For example, the network can provide the UE with all CSI-RS resources in the serving cell. Figure 6 For example, the UE initially accesses the serving cell under the coverage of SS resource 2, so the network provides the UE with a CSI-RS resource that is QCL with SS resource 1, a CSI-RS resource that is QCL with SS resource 2 (for example, CSI-RS resource setting M), and a CSI-RS resource that is QCL with SS resource 3 (CSI-RS resource setting N). And during the time when the UE stays under the coverage of SS resource 2, the UE measures and estimates that SS resource 2 is the best SS resource. The UE determines that CSI-RS resource setting M is QCL with SS resource 2 based on the channel attributes predefined or configured to the UE or based on the QCL relationship provided to the UE by the network. The UE autonomously activates L1 measurement or beam management for CSI-RS resource setting M, and does not perform beam management on other configured CSI-RS resources. Or at the same time, if the UE is configured with an SS resource-specific event S1, the UE measures and determines that SS resource 1 triggers event S1. In addition to CSI-RS resource setting M, the UE also autonomously activates L1 measurement or beam management for the CSI-RS resource setting (or CSI-RS resource set or one or more CSI-RS resources) that is QCL with SS resource 1.

[0069] As the UE moves, the UE performs measurements and determines that SS resource 3 triggers event S3. The UE also determines that SS resource 3 is the best SS resource or is becoming the best SS resource. The UE also determines (based on information about channel properties predefined at the UE or provided to the UE by the network, or based on the QCL relationship provided to the UE by the network) that CSI-RS resource setting N is QCL with SS resource 3. The UE then autonomously (1) activates L1 measurement or beam management using CSI-RS resource setting N, and (2) deactivates beam management for CSI-RS resource setting M (and if the UE autonomously activates the above, the CSI-RS resource is QCL with SS resource 1). At the same time, the UE may send a measurement report to the network that includes information about SS resource 3. The network may use the measurement report to update or reconfigure the beam management configuration of the UE.

[0070] According to various embodiments, a receiver (eg, a UE) receives a measurement configuration from a transmitter (eg, a BS). The measurement configuration includes at least an event specific to an SS resource. The receiver performs measurements on the SS resource according to the received measurement configuration.

[0071] If at least one of the SS resources triggers a corresponding SS resource-specific event, the receiver sends a measurement report. The measurement report includes at least information about the one or more SS resources that triggered the corresponding SS resource-specific event. The receiver then performs beam management based on the information signaled from the transmitter, including one of the following:

[0072] 1. The receiver receives a beam management configuration from the transmitter. The beam management configuration includes the configuration of at least one CSI-RS resource. The beam management configuration is configured based on reported information for one or more SS resources and the QCL relationship between the one or more CSI-RS resources and the one or more SS resources. The receiver performs beam management according to the beam management configuration.

[0073] 2) The receiver receives a beam management command from the transmitter. The beam management command includes information about CSI-RS resources that the receiver should activate for beam management and / or information about CSI-RS resources that the receiver should deactivate for beam management.

[0074] The information of the CSI-RS resource may be one of the following: a CSI-RS resource identifier (a plurality of CSI-RS resource identifiers); a CSI-RS resource set (identifier); and a CSI-RS resource setting (identifier).

[0075] A receiver (eg, a UE) receives a measurement configuration from a transmitter (eg, a BS). The measurement configuration includes at least an event specific to an SS resource. The receiver performs measurements on the SS resource according to the received measurement configuration.

[0076] The receiver autonomously activates / deactivates or switches SS resources for beam management based on one or more SS resources triggering one or more SS resource-specific events and a QCL relationship between one or more CSI-RS resources and one or more SS resources.

[0077] The QCL relationship between one or more CSI-RS resources and one or more SS resources may be determined according to information of channel properties predefined or configured to the receiver or according to a QCL relationship provided to the receiver.

[0078] Any and all methods described herein are performed by or on one or more computing devices. In addition, instructions for performing any or all methods described herein may be stored on a non-transitory computer-readable medium, such as any of the various types of memory described herein.

[0079] It should be understood that the exemplary embodiments described herein should be considered merely illustrative and not for purposes of limitation. The description of features or aspects in each embodiment should generally be considered applicable to other similar features or aspects in other embodiments. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that various changes in form and detail may be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the appended claims. For example, the steps of various methods may be reordered in a manner apparent to those skilled in the art.

Claims

1. A method for multi-beam resource management in a wireless network, the method being performed by a user equipment, the method comprising: receiving a user equipment-specific reference signal resource configuration comprising a first resource set and a second resource set; receiving a cell-specific reference signal comprising a first resource and a second resource, wherein the user equipment-specific reference signal first resource set and the cell-specific reference signal first resource are quasi-co-located; Performing beam management on a beam corresponding to a first set of reference signal resources specific to a user equipment according to a first beam management configuration; determining that a second resource of the received cell-specific reference signal has met criteria for a triggering event; sending a measurement report to a node of the wireless network, the measurement report indicating that a second resource of a cell-specific reference signal received by the user equipment has met a criterion for the triggering event; determining whether a second set of resources for a received user equipment-specific reference signal is quasi-co-located with a second set of resources for a received cell-specific reference signal; Based on determining that the second resource of the received cell-specific reference signal has met the criteria of the triggering event and determining that the second resource set of the received user equipment-specific reference signal is quasi-co-located with the second resource of the received cell-specific reference signal, a beam management command is received, wherein the beam management command instructs the user equipment to stop performing beam management on the beam corresponding to the first resource set of the user equipment-specific reference signal according to the first beam management configuration, and start performing beam management on the beam corresponding to the second resource set of the user equipment-specific reference signal according to the second beam management configuration, wherein the beam management command specifies an identifier of the user equipment-specific reference signal second resource set or a user equipment-specific resource setting, and wherein the resource setting includes one or more user equipment-specific reference signal second resource sets. 2 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising receiving a first beam management configuration from the wireless network. 3 . The method of claim 2 , further comprising receiving a measurement configuration from the wireless network, wherein the measurement configuration specifies the triggering event.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising sending a message to the wireless network indicating that the user equipment is performing beam management according to the second beam management configuration. 5 . The method of claim 1 , wherein performing beam management comprises performing one or more of a beam scanning operation, a beam determination operation, a beam reporting operation, and a beam switching operation.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein performing beam management comprises changing one or more user equipment-specific reference signal beams that the user equipment should periodically measure.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the beam management configuration specifies a user equipment-specific reference signal beam set.

8. The method according to claim 1, wherein the user equipment-specific reference signal is a channel state information reference signal, and the cell-specific reference signal is a synchronization signal.

9. The method according to claim 1, wherein determining that the resource of the user equipment-specific reference signal and the resource of the cell-specific reference signal are quasi-co-located comprises: Determining a channel attribute of a resource of a reference signal specific to the user equipment; determining a channel attribute of a resource of the cell-specific reference signal; and Based on a difference between the determined channel property of the resource of the user equipment-specific reference signal and the determined channel property of the resource of the cell-specific reference signal being within a predetermined threshold amount, it is determined that the corresponding resources are quasi co-located.

10. The method according to claim 1, wherein the triggering event comprises the user equipment entering a coverage area of the cell-specific reference signal. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the triggering event comprises the user equipment leaving a coverage area of the cell-specific reference signal.

12. A method for multi-beam resource management in a wireless network, the method being performed by a node of the wireless network, the method comprising: sending a user equipment-specific reference signal resource configuration including a first resource set and a second resource set to the user equipment; Sending a cell-specific reference signal including a first resource and a second resource to a user equipment, wherein the user equipment-specific reference signal first resource set and the cell-specific reference signal first resource are quasi-co-located; Sending a beam management configuration to a user equipment, where the beam management configuration enables the user equipment to perform beam management on a beam corresponding to a first set of user equipment-specific reference signal resources; Sending a measurement configuration to a user equipment, wherein the measurement configuration specifies a triggering event; receiving a message from the user equipment indicating that a second resource of a cell-specific reference signal received by the user equipment has satisfied the criteria of the triggering event; determining whether a second set of resources for a user equipment-specific reference signal received by the user equipment is quasi-co-located with a second set of resources for a received cell-specific reference signal; and Based on receiving a message indicating that the second resource of the cell-specific reference signal received by the user equipment has met the criteria of the trigger event and determining that the second resource set of the user equipment-specific reference signal received by the user equipment is quasi-co-located with the second resource of the received cell-specific reference signal, a beam management command is sent to the user equipment, wherein the beam management command indicates that the user equipment will change the beam management configuration, wherein the beam management command specifies an identifier of the user equipment-specific reference signal second resource set or a user equipment-specific resource setting, and wherein the resource setting includes one or more user equipment-specific reference signal second resource sets.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the message received from the user equipment includes information identifying resources of the cell-specific reference signal.

14. The method according to claim 13, wherein the information identifying the resource of the cell-specific reference signal is a synchronization signal block identifier, a synchronization signal block group identifier or an identifier of a synchronization signal block within a block group.

15. The method of claim 12, further comprising transmitting the user equipment-specific reference signal and the cell-specific reference signal.

16. The method of claim 12, wherein performing beam management comprises performing one or more of a beam scanning operation, a beam determination operation, a beam reporting operation, and a beam switching operation.

17. The method of claim 12, wherein performing beam management comprises changing one or more user equipment-specific reference signal beams that the user equipment should periodically measure.

18. The method of claim 12, wherein the beam management configuration specifies a user equipment-specific reference signal beam set.

19. The method of claim 12, wherein the user equipment-specific reference signal is a channel state information reference signal, and the cell-specific reference signal is a synchronization signal.

20. The method according to claim 12, wherein determining whether the resource of the user equipment-specific reference signal and the resource of the cell-specific reference signal are quasi-co-located comprises: Determining a channel attribute of a resource of a reference signal specific to the user equipment; determining a channel attribute of a resource of the cell-specific reference signal; and Based on a difference between the determined channel property of the resource of the user equipment-specific reference signal and the determined channel property of the resource of the cell-specific reference signal being within a predetermined threshold amount, it is determined that the corresponding resources are quasi co-located.

21. The method according to claim 12, wherein the triggering event comprises the user equipment entering a coverage area of the cell-specific reference signal.

22. The method of claim 12, wherein the triggering event comprises the user equipment leaving a coverage area of the cell-specific reference signal.

23. A method for multi-beam resource management in a wireless network, the method being performed by a first computing device, the method comprising: wirelessly receiving a first type of reference signal comprising a first resource and a second resource and a second type of reference signal resource configuration comprising a first resource set and a second resource set, wherein the second type reference signal first resource set is quasi-co-located with the first type reference signal first resource, and wherein the first type of reference signal is a cell-specific reference signal and the second type of reference signal is a user equipment-specific reference signal; Performing beam management on the beam corresponding to the first resource set of the second type reference signal according to the first beam management configuration; performing measurement on a second resource of the first type of reference signal according to the received measurement configuration; determining, based on the measurement result, that the second resource of the first type of reference signal has triggered an event specific to the second resource of the first type of reference signal; sending a measurement report to a second computing device, the measurement report indicating that a second resource of the first type of reference signal received by the first computing device has triggered a second resource-specific event for the first type of reference signal; determining a second resource set for the second type of reference signal that is quasi-co-located with a second resource for the first type of reference signal; Based on the trigger event determination and the quasi co-location determination, receiving a beam management signal, wherein the beam management signal instructs the first computing device to stop performing beam management on the beam corresponding to the first resource set of the second type of reference signal according to the first beam management configuration, and to start performing beam management on the beam corresponding to the second resource set of the second type of reference signal according to the second beam management configuration, The beam management signal specifies any one of the following: an identifier of one or more second resource sets of the second type reference signal to be used by the first computing device to perform beam management, an identifier of one or more second resource set settings of the second type reference signal to be used by the first computing device to perform beam management, a configuration of one or more second resource sets of the second type reference signal to be used by the first computing device to perform beam management, and a configuration of one or more second resource set settings of the second type reference signal to be used by the first computing device to perform beam management.

24. The method according to claim 23, further comprising: wirelessly receiving the measurement configuration from the second computing device, The measurement configuration specifies a resource-specific event of the first type of reference signal.

25. The method of claim 23, further comprising receiving a configuration of resources for the second type of reference signal from a second computing device.

26. The method of claim 23, wherein determining resources of the second type of reference signal that are quasi-co-located with resources of the first type of reference signal comprises: According to the quasi-co-location relationship information between the resources of the first type of reference signal and the resources of the second type of reference signal received from the second computing device, it is determined that the corresponding resources are quasi-co-located.

27. The method according to claim 23, wherein determining that resources of the second type of reference signal and resources of the first type of reference signal are quasi co-located comprises: determining a channel attribute of a resource of the second-type reference signal; determining a channel attribute of a resource of the first type of reference signal; and Based on a difference between the determined channel properties of the resources of the second type of reference signal and the determined channel properties of the resources of the first type of reference signal being within a predetermined threshold amount, determining that the respective resources are quasi co-located.

28. The method of claim 27, wherein the channel properties of the first type of reference signal and the channel properties of the second type of reference signal are Doppler spread, Doppler shift, delay spread, average delay, average gain, or spatial parameters.

29. The method according to claim 23, wherein The resource-specific event of the first-type reference signal is one of the following: The resource of the first type of reference signal becomes better than a threshold; The signal power of the resource of the first type of reference signal is within a predetermined power amount of the best resource of the first type of reference signal; and The optimal resource of the first type reference signal changes.

30. A method for multi-beam resource management in a wireless network, the method being performed by a first computing device, the method comprising: sending, to a second computing device, a first type of reference signal comprising a first resource and a second resource and a second type of reference signal resource setting comprising a first resource set and a second resource set, wherein the second type reference signal first resource set is quasi-co-located with the first type reference signal first resource, and wherein the first type reference signal is a cell-specific reference signal and the second type reference signal is a user equipment-specific reference signal; sending a measurement configuration to the second computing device, wherein the measurement configuration specifies a resource-specific event of a first type of reference signal; Sending a first beam management configuration to the second computing device, where the first beam management configuration enables the second computing device to perform beam management on a beam corresponding to a first resource set of a second type of reference signal; receiving a message from the second computing device indicating that a second resource of the first type of reference signal received by the second computing device has triggered a second resource-specific event for the first type of reference signal; determining a second resource set of a second type of reference signal that is quasi-co-located with a second resource of the first type of reference signal that has triggered a second resource specific event of the first type of reference signal; and sending a beam management signal to the second computing device, instructing the second computing device to perform beam management on a beam corresponding to a second resource set of a second type of reference signal according to a second beam management configuration included in the beam management signal; The beam management signal specifies any one of the following: an identifier of one or more second resource sets of the second type reference signal to be used by the second computing device to perform beam management, an identifier of one or more second resource set settings of the second type reference signal to be used by the second computing device to perform beam management, a configuration of one or more second resource sets of the second type reference signal to be used by the second computing device to perform beam management, and a configuration of one or more second resource set settings of the second type reference signal to be used by the second computing device to perform beam management.

31. The method of claim 30, wherein the message received from the second computing device includes information identifying resources of the first type of reference signal.

32. The method of claim 31, wherein the information identifying the resource of the first type of reference signal is a synchronization signal block identifier, a synchronization signal block group identifier, or an identifier of a synchronization signal block within a block group.

33. A method according to claim 30, wherein the beam management signal further specifies: an identifier of one or more resources of the second type of reference signal for which the second computing device does not perform beam management, an identifier of one or more resource sets of the second type of reference signal for which the second computing device does not perform beam management, or an identifier of one or more resource set settings of the second type of reference signal for which the second computing device does not perform beam management.

34. The method of claim 30, wherein performing beam management comprises performing one or more of a beam scanning operation, a beam determination operation, a beam reporting operation, and a beam switching operation.

35. The method of claim 30, wherein: The first type reference signal is a synchronization signal, and the second type reference signal is a channel state information reference signal.

36. The method according to claim 30, wherein the resource of the first type reference signal is a synchronization signal block or a synchronization signal block group including a plurality of synchronization signal blocks.

37. The method according to claim 30, wherein determining that resources of the second type of reference signal and resources of the first type of reference signal are quasi co-located comprises: determining a channel attribute of a resource of the second-type reference signal; determining a channel attribute of a resource of the first type of reference signal; and Based on a difference between the determined channel properties of the resources of the second type of reference signal and the determined channel properties of the resources of the first type of reference signal being within a predetermined threshold amount, determining that the respective resources are quasi co-located.

38. The method of claim 37, wherein the channel properties of the first type of reference signal and the channel properties of the second type of reference signal are Doppler spread, Doppler shift, delay spread, average delay, average gain, or spatial parameters.

39. The method according to claim 30, wherein The resource-specific event of the first-type reference signal is one of the following: The resource of the first type of reference signal becomes better than a threshold; The signal power of the resource of the first type of reference signal is within a predetermined power amount of the best resource of the first type of reference signal; and The optimal resource of the first type reference signal changes.

40. A computing device configured to perform the method of any one of claims 1 to 39.

41. A non-transitory computer-readable medium having stored thereon computer-executable instructions for performing any one of claims 1 to 39.

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