Beam reporting during beam failure recovery request or beam failure recovery process

Abstract

Methods, systems, and devices for wireless communications are described. In general, the described techniques provide for efficiently determining when to send a beam report indicating a new beam for communicating with a base station after a current beam for communicating with the base station fails. In one example, after detecting a beam failure, a user equipment (UE) may compare the quality of each candidate beam that can be used to communicate with the base station to a beam identification threshold, and the UE may perform beam reporting based on the comparison (e.g., avoiding sending a beam report if the quality of each candidate beam is below the beam identification threshold). In another example, after detecting a beam failure, the UE may compare the quality of each candidate beam that can be used to communicate with the base station to a beam detection threshold, and the UE may perform beam reporting based on the comparison.

Description

[0001] Cross-references

[0002] This patent application claims the benefit of U.S. Patent Application No. 16 / 742,725, filed on January 14, 2020 by Zhou et al., entitled “BEAM REPORTING IN A BEAM FAILURE RECOVERY REQUEST OR A BEAM FAILURE RECOVERY PROCEDURE,” and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 797,942, filed on January 28, 2019 by Zhou et al., entitled “BEAM REPORTING IN A BEAM FAILURE RECOVERY REQUEST OR A BEAM FAILURE RECOVERY PROCEDURE,” each of which is assigned to the assignee of this application. Technical Field

[0003] The following relates generally to wireless communications, and more particularly to beam reporting during a beam failure recovery request (BFRQ) or beam failure recovery (BFR) procedure. Background Art

[0004] Wireless communication systems are widely deployed to provide various types of communication content, such as voice, video, packet data, messaging, broadcasting, etc. These systems can support communication with multiple users by sharing available system resources (e.g., time, frequency, and power). Examples of such multiple access systems include fourth generation (4G) systems such as long term evolution (LTE) systems, advanced LTE (LTE-A) systems, or LTE-A Pro systems, and fifth generation (5G) systems that may be referred to as new radio (NR) systems. These systems may employ techniques such as code division multiple access (CDMA), time division multiple access (TDMA), frequency division multiple access (FDMA), orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA), or discrete Fourier transform spread orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (DFT-S-OFDM).

[0005] A wireless multiple access communication system may include multiple base stations or network access nodes, each of which simultaneously supports communication for multiple communication devices, which may be otherwise referred to as user equipment (UE). In some wireless communication systems, a UE may communicate with a base station using one or more beams. In such a system, a beam used for communication between a base station and a UE may fail, and it may be appropriate for the UE to perform a beam recovery procedure (e.g., if it is possible to recover the beam used for communication). Conventional techniques for performing beam recovery may have drawbacks. Summary of the invention

[0006] The described techniques relate to improved methods, systems, devices, and apparatuses for supporting beam reporting during a beam failure recovery request (BFRQ) or beam failure recovery (BFR) process. In general, the described techniques provide for efficiently determining whether to send a beam report indicating a new beam for communicating with a base station after a current beam for communicating with a base station fails. In one example, after detecting a beam failure, a user equipment (UE) may compare the quality of each candidate beam that can be used to communicate with a base station with a beam identification threshold, and the UE may perform beam reporting based on the comparison (e.g., avoiding sending a beam report if the quality of each candidate beam is below the beam identification threshold). In another example, after detecting a beam failure, the UE may compare the quality of each candidate beam that can be used to communicate with a base station with a beam detection threshold, and the UE may perform beam reporting based on the comparison.

[0007] A method for wireless communication at a UE is described. The method may include detecting a beam failure of a beam used for communication with a base station; identifying one or more candidate beams that can be used for communication with the base station, the one or more candidate beams being different from the failed beam; and refraining from sending a beam report identifying a new beam for communication with the base station based on a quality of each candidate beam being below a beam identification threshold.

[0008] A method for wireless communication at a UE is described. The method may include detecting a beam failure of a beam used for communication with a base station, identifying one or more candidate beams that can be used for communication with the base station, the one or more candidate beams being different from the failed beam; comparing the quality of each candidate beam to a beam detection threshold to attempt to identify a new beam for communication with the base station; and performing beam reporting based on the comparison.

[0009] A method of wireless communication at a base station is described. The method may include identifying a beam for communication with a UE, sending a beam report configuration to the UE indicating whether the UE should send an indication of the quality of a new beam and an indication of the new beam in a beam report when the beam for communication with the UE fails, and receiving a beam report from the UE according to the beam report configuration when the beam for communication with the UE fails. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] Figure 1 and Figure 2 An example of a wireless communication system supporting a beam failure recovery request (BFRQ) or a beam reporting during a beam failure recovery (BFR) procedure according to aspects of the present disclosure is illustrated.

[0011] Figure 3 An example of a process flow to support beam reporting in a BFRQ or BFR process according to aspects of the present disclosure is illustrated.

[0012] Figure 4 and Figure 5 A block diagram of a device supporting beam reporting in a BFRQ or BFR process according to aspects of the present disclosure is shown.

[0013] Figure 6 A block diagram of a communication manager supporting beam reporting in a BFRQ or BFR process according to aspects of the present disclosure is shown.

[0014] Figure 7 A diagram of a system including a device supporting beam reporting in a BFRQ or BFR process according to aspects of the present disclosure is shown.

[0015] Figure 8 and Fig. 9 A block diagram of a device supporting beam reporting in a BFRQ or BFR process according to aspects of the present disclosure is shown.

[0016] Fig.10 A block diagram of a communication manager supporting beam reporting in a BFRQ or BFR process according to aspects of the present disclosure is shown.

[0017] Fig.11 A diagram of a system including a device supporting beam reporting in a BFRQ or BFR process according to aspects of the present disclosure is shown.

[0018] Figure 12-14 A flow chart illustrating a method of supporting beam reporting in a BFRQ or BFR process according to aspects of the present disclosure is shown.

[0019] Fig.15 An example of an architecture supporting beam reporting in a BFRQ or BFR process according to aspects of the present disclosure is illustrated. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0020] In some wireless communication systems, a user equipment (UE) may communicate with a base station using one or more beams. In the event of a beam failure, it may be appropriate for the UE to identify and report a new beam for communicating with the base station (e.g., if a candidate beam with appropriate quality is available for communicating with the base station). For example, after a beam failure for communicating with a base station (e.g., a secondary cell (SCell)) occurs, the UE may declare a beam failure and identify a new candidate beam in or after a beam failure recovery request (BFRQ). However, in some cases, it may be challenging for the UE to perform beam reporting because the UE may or may not identify a suitable beam for communicating with the base station, and the decision on whether to report a new beam for communicating with the base station may depend on multiple thresholds (e.g., a detection threshold and a beam identification threshold).

[0021] As described herein, a UE may support efficient techniques for determining whether to send a beam report (e.g., during a beam failure recovery request (BFRQ) or a beam failure recovery (BFR) process) that indicates a new beam to be used for communicating with a base station after a current beam used for communicating with the base station fails. In one example, after detecting a beam failure, the UE may compare the quality of each available candidate beam (e.g., usable for communicating with the base station) with a beam identification threshold, and the UE may perform beam reporting based on the comparison (e.g., avoiding sending a beam report if the quality of each candidate beam is below the beam identification threshold). In another example, after detecting a beam failure, the UE may compare the quality of each available candidate beam (e.g., usable for communicating with the base station) with a beam detection threshold, and the UE may perform beam reporting based on the comparison.

[0022] The following describes various aspects of the disclosure presented herein in the context of a wireless communication system. Examples of processes and signaling exchanges to support beam reporting in a BFRQ or BFR process are then described. Various aspects of the disclosure are further illustrated and described by reference to apparatus diagrams, system diagrams, and flow charts related to beam reporting in a BFRQ or BFR process.

[0023] Figure 1 An example of a wireless communication system 100 supporting beam reporting in BFRQ or BFR process according to various aspects of the present disclosure is illustrated. The wireless communication system 100 includes a base station 105, a UE 115, and a core network 130. In some examples, the wireless communication system 100 may be a long term evolution (LTE) network, an advanced LTE (LTE-A) network, an LTE-A Pro network, or a new radio (NR) network. In some cases, the wireless communication system 100 may support enhanced broadband communication, ultra-reliable (e.g., mission-critical) communication, low-latency communication, or communication with low-cost and low-complexity devices.

[0024] The base station 105 may communicate wirelessly with the UE 115 via one or more base station antennas. The base station 105 described herein may include or may be referred to by those skilled in the art as a base station transceiver, a radio base station, an access point, a radio transceiver, a NodeB, an eNodeB (eNB), a next generation NodeB or a giga NodeB (any of which may be referred to as a gNB), a home NodeB, a home eNodeB, or some other suitable term. The wireless communication system 100 may include different types of base stations 105 (e.g., macro cell base stations or small cell base stations). The UE 115 described herein is capable of communicating with various types of base stations 105 and network devices, including macro eNBs, small cell eNBs, gNBs, relay base stations, etc.

[0025] Each base station 105 may be associated with a particular geographic coverage area 110 in which it supports communications with various UEs 115. Each base station 105 may provide communications coverage for a respective geographic coverage area 110 via a communication link 125, and the communication link 125 between the base station 105 and the UE 115 may utilize one or more carriers. The communication link 125 shown in the wireless communication system 100 may include an uplink transmission from the UE 115 to the base station 105, or a downlink transmission from the base station 105 to the UE 115. Downlink transmissions may also be referred to as forward link transmissions, and uplink transmissions may also be referred to as reverse link transmissions.

[0026] The geographic coverage area 110 of the base station 105 can be divided into sectors that constitute a portion of the geographic coverage area 110, and each sector can be associated with a cell. For example, each base station 105 can provide communication coverage for a macro cell, a small cell, a hotspot, or other type of cell, or various combinations thereof. In some examples, the base station 105 can be mobile and thus provide communication coverage for a mobile geographic coverage area 110. In some examples, different geographic coverage areas 110 associated with different technologies can overlap, and overlapping geographic coverage areas 110 associated with different technologies can be supported by the same base station 105 or different base stations 105. The wireless communication system 100 can include, for example, a heterogeneous LTE / LTE-A / LTE-A Pro or NR network, in which different types of base stations 105 provide coverage for various geographic coverage areas 110.

[0027] The term "cell" may refer to a logical communication entity used to communicate with a base station 105 (e.g., via a carrier), and may be associated with an identifier (e.g., a physical cell identifier (PCID), a virtual cell identifier (VCID)) used to distinguish between adjacent cells operating via the same or different carriers. In some examples, a carrier may support multiple cells, and different cells may be configured according to different protocol types that may provide access to different types of devices (e.g., machine type communication (MTC), narrowband Internet of Things (NB-IoT), enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB), or other). In some cases, the term "cell" may refer to a portion (e.g., a sector) of a geographic coverage area 110 on which the logical entity operates.

[0028] The term "carrier" refers to a set of radio frequency spectrum resources having a defined physical layer structure for supporting communications over the communication link 125. For example, a carrier of the communication link 125 may contain a portion of a radio spectrum band that operates according to a physical layer channel of a given radio access technology. Each physical layer channel may carry user data, control information, or other signaling. A carrier may be associated with a predefined frequency channel (e.g., an Evolved Universal Mobile Telecommunications System Terrestrial Radio Access (E-UTRA) Absolute Radio Frequency Channel Number (EARFCN)) and may be located according to a channel grid for discovery by a UE 115. A carrier may be a downlink or uplink (e.g., in frequency division duplex (FDD) mode), or may be configured to carry downlink and uplink communications (e.g., in time division duplex (TDD) mode). In some examples, a signal waveform transmitted on a carrier may be composed of multiple subcarriers (e.g., using a multi-carrier modulation (MCM) technique such as orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) or discrete Fourier transform spread OFDM (DFT-S-OFDM)).

[0029] UE 115 may be dispersed throughout the wireless communication system 100, and each UE 115 may be fixed or mobile. UE 115 may also be referred to as a mobile device, a wireless device, a remote device, a handheld device, or a subscriber device, or some other suitable term, where "device" may also be referred to as a unit, a station, a terminal, or a client. UE 115 may also be a personal electronic device, such as a cellular phone, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a tablet computer, a laptop computer, or a personal computer. In some examples, UE 115 may also refer to a wireless local loop (WLL) station, an Internet of Things (IoT) device, an Internet of Everything (IoE) device, or an MTC device, etc., which may be implemented in various articles, such as appliances, vehicles, meters, etc.

[0030] The base stations 105 may communicate with the core network 130 and with each other. For example, the base stations 105 may interface with the core network 130 via a backhaul link 132 (e.g., via S1, N2, N3, or other interface). The base stations 105 may communicate with each other directly (e.g., directly between the base stations 105) or indirectly (e.g., via the core network 130) over a backhaul link 134 (e.g., via X2, Xn, or other interface).

[0031] The core network 130 may provide user authentication, access authorization, tracking, Internet Protocol (IP) connectivity, and other access, routing, or mobility functions. The core network 130 may be an evolved packet core (EPC), which may include at least one mobility management entity (MME), at least one serving gateway (S-GW), and at least one packet data network (PDN) gateway (P-GW). The MME may manage non-access stratum (e.g., control plane) functions such as mobility, authentication, and bearer management of UEs 115 served by base stations 105 associated with the EPC. User IP packets may be delivered through the S-GW, which itself may be connected to the P-GW. The P-GW may provide IP address allocation and other functions. The P-GW may be connected to network operator IP services. Operator IP services may include access to the Internet, (multiple) intranets, IP multimedia subsystems (IMS), or packet switched (PS) streaming services.

[0032] At least some of the network devices, such as the base station 105, may include subcomponents, such as access network entities, which may be examples of access node controllers (ANCs). Each access network entity may communicate with the UE 115 through multiple other access network transport entities, which may be referred to as radio heads, smart radio heads, or transmit / receive points (TRPs). In some configurations, the various functions of each access network entity or base station 105 may be distributed across various network devices (e.g., radio heads and access network controllers) or combined into a single network device (e.g., base station 105).

[0033] The wireless communication system 100 can operate using one or more frequency bands typically in the range of 300 megahertz (MHz) to 300 gigahertz (GHz). Generally, the region from 300MHz to 3GHz is referred to as the ultra-high frequency (UHF) region or decimeter band because the wavelength distance is from about 1 decimeter to 1 meter long. Buildings and environmental features may block or redirect UHF waves. However, the waves can fully penetrate the structure of the macrocell to provide services to the UE 115 located indoors. Compared with the transmission of smaller frequencies and longer waves using the high frequency (HF) or very high frequency (VHF) portion of the spectrum below 300MHz, the transmission of UHF waves can be associated with smaller antennas and shorter distances (e.g., less than 100km).

[0034] The wireless communication system 100 may also operate in the Super High Frequency (SHF) region using frequency bands from 3 GHz to 30 GHz, also known as centimeter bands. The SHF region contains frequency bands such as the 5 GHz Industrial, Scientific, and Medical (ISM) bands, which may be used by devices that can tolerate interference from other users.

[0035] The wireless communication system 100 can also operate in the extremely high frequency (EHF) region of the spectrum (e.g., from 30 GHz to 300 GHz) (also referred to as the millimeter band). In some examples, the wireless communication system 100 can support millimeter wave (mmW) communications between the UE 115 and the base station 105, and the EHF antennas of the corresponding devices can be even smaller and more closely spaced than the UHF antennas. In some cases, this can facilitate the use of antenna arrays within the UE 115. However, the propagation of EHF transmissions may be subject to greater atmospheric attenuation and a shorter range than SHF or UHF transmissions. The technology disclosed herein can be adopted across transmissions using one or more different frequency regions, and the designated use of frequency bands across these frequency regions may vary by country or regulatory agency.

[0036] In some cases, the wireless communication system 100 can utilize both licensed and unlicensed RF spectrum bands. For example, the wireless communication system 100 can adopt license assisted access (LAA), unlicensed LTE (LTE-U) radio access technology, or NR technology in an unlicensed band such as the 5GHz ISM band. When operating in an unlicensed RF spectrum band, wireless devices such as base stations 105 and UE 115 can adopt a pre-talk listen (LBT) process to ensure that the frequency channel is idle before sending data. In some cases, operations in unlicensed bands can be based on carrier aggregation configurations together with component carriers operating in licensed bands (e.g., LAA). Operations in unlicensed spectrum can include downlink transmissions, uplink transmissions, peer-to-peer transmissions, or a combination of these transmissions. Duplexing in unlicensed spectrum can be based on FDD, TDD, or a combination of both.

[0037] In some examples, the base station 105 or UE 115 can be equipped with multiple antennas, which can be used to employ techniques such as transmit diversity, receive diversity, multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) communications, or beamforming. For example, the wireless communication system 100 can use a transmission scheme between a transmitting device (e.g., base station 105) and a receiving device (e.g., UE 115), where the transmitting device is equipped with multiple antennas and the receiving device is equipped with one or more antennas. MIMO communications can employ multipath signal propagation to improve spectral efficiency by transmitting or receiving multiple signals via different spatial layers, which can be referred to as spatial multiplexing.

[0038] For example, multiple signals may be sent by a transmitting device via different antennas or different antenna combinations. Similarly, multiple signals may be received by a receiving device via different antennas or different antenna combinations. Each of the multiple signals may be referred to as a separate spatial stream and may carry bits associated with the same data stream (e.g., the same codeword) or different data streams. Different spatial layers may be associated with different antenna ports for channel measurement and reporting. MIMO technology includes single-user MIMO (SU-MIMO) that sends multiple spatial layers to the same receiving device and multi-user MIMO (MU-MIMO) that sends multiple spatial layers to multiple devices.

[0039] Beamforming (which may also be referred to as spatial filtering, directional transmission, or directional reception) is a signal processing technique that can be used at a transmitting device or a receiving device (e.g., a base station 105 or a UE 115) to shape or steer an antenna beam (e.g., a transmit beam or a receive beam) along a spatial path between the transmitting device and the receiving device. Beamforming can be achieved by combining signals communicated via antenna elements in an antenna array so that signals propagating in a particular direction relative to the antenna array experience constructive interference, while other signals experience destructive interference. Adjustments to signals communicated via antenna elements can include the transmitting device or the receiving device applying certain amplitude and phase offsets to the signals carried via each antenna element associated with the device. The adjustments associated with each antenna element can be defined by a set of beamforming weights associated with a particular direction (e.g., relative to the antenna array of the transmitting device or the receiving device, or relative to some other direction).

[0040] In one example, the base station 105 may use multiple antennas or antenna arrays to perform beamforming operations for directional communication with the UE 115. For example, some signals (e.g., synchronization signals, reference signals, beam selection signals, or other control signals) may be sent multiple times by the base station 105 in different directions, which may include sending signals according to different beamforming weight sets associated with different transmission directions. Transmissions in different beam directions may be used to identify (e.g., by the base station 105 or a receiving device such as the UE 115) the beam direction for subsequent transmission and / or reception by the base station 105.

[0041] Some signals, such as data signals associated with a particular receiving device, may be sent by base station 105 in a single beam direction (e.g., a direction associated with a receiving device, such as UE 115). In some examples, a beam direction associated with transmission along a single beam direction may be determined based at least in part on signals sent in different beam directions. For example, UE 115 may receive one or more signals sent by base station 105 in different directions, and UE 115 may report to base station 105 an indication of the signal it received with the highest signal quality or other acceptable signal quality. Although these techniques are described with reference to signals sent by base station 105 in one or more directions, UE 115 may employ similar techniques for sending signals multiple times in different directions (e.g., for identifying a beam direction for subsequent transmission or reception by UE 115), or for sending signals in a single direction (e.g., for sending data to a receiving device).

[0042] When receiving various signals (such as synchronization signals, reference signals, beam selection signals, or other control signals) from the base station 105, a receiving device (e.g., a UE 115, which may be an example of a mmW receiving device) may try multiple receive beams. For example, the receiving device may try multiple receive directions by receiving via different antenna subarrays, processing received signals according to different antenna subarrays, receiving according to different receive beamforming weight sets applied to signals received at a set of antenna elements of an antenna array, or processing received signals according to different receive beamforming weight sets applied to signals received at multiple antenna elements of an antenna array, any of which may be referred to as "listening" according to different receive beams or receive directions. In some examples, the receiving device may use a single receive beam to receive along a single beam direction (e.g., when receiving a data signal). A single receive beam may be aligned on a beam direction determined based on listening according to different receive beam directions (e.g., a beam direction determined to have the highest signal strength, the highest signal-to-noise ratio, or other acceptable signal quality based on listening according to multiple beam directions).

[0043] In some cases, the antennas of a base station 105 or a UE 115 may be located within one or more antenna arrays that support MIMO operations, or transmit or receive beamforming. For example, one or more base station antennas or antenna arrays may be co-located at an antenna assembly such as an antenna tower. In some cases, the antennas or antenna arrays associated with a base station 105 may be located at different geographic locations. A base station 105 may have an antenna array with multiple rows and columns of antenna ports that the base station 105 may use to support beamforming for communications with a UE 115. Likewise, a UE 115 may have one or more antenna arrays that may support various MIMO or beamforming operations.

[0044] In some cases, the wireless communication system 100 can be a packet-based network operating according to a layered protocol stack. In the user plane, the communication at the bearer or packet data convergence protocol (PDCP) layer can be based on IP. The radio link control (RLC) layer can perform packet segmentation and reorganization to communicate through logical channels. The medium access control (MAC) layer can perform priority processing and multiplex logical channels into transport channels. The MAC layer can also use hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ) to provide retransmission at the MAC layer to improve link efficiency. In the control plane, the radio resource control (RRC) protocol layer can provide the establishment, configuration and maintenance of the RRC connection between the UE 115 and the base station 105 or the core network 130 supporting the radio bearer for user plane data. At the physical layer, the transport channel can be mapped to the physical channel.

[0045] As described herein, the wireless communication system 100 may support communication between a UE 115 and a base station 105 (e.g., an SCell) using one or more beams. In the event of a beam failure, the UE 115 identifies and reports that a new beam for communicating with the base station may be appropriate (e.g., if a candidate beam with appropriate quality is available for communicating with the base station). In one aspect (e.g., for SCell BFR), the UE 115 may declare a beam failure in or after a BFRQ and identify a new candidate beam. In this regard, the UE 115 may report new beam information through or after the BFRQ, and may configure a reference signal for the new candidate downlink beam (e.g., using RRC signaling or in a MAC control unit (MAC-CE)), and may be based on a channel state information reference signal (CSI-RS) or a synchronization signal block (SSB) (e.g., in the same component carrier as the current component carrier used for communication between the UE 115 and the base station 105 or in a different component carrier).

[0046] In another aspect (e.g., for SCell BFR), the UE 115 may declare a beam failure in the BFRQ. In this aspect, the UE 115 may declare a beam failure in the BFRQ, and the UE 115 may provide a new beam identification in the downlink beam management process. In yet another aspect (e.g., for SCell BFR), if the UE declares a beam failure, the UE 115 may send a BFRQ. In this aspect, the UE 115 may report new beam information during the BFR process, and may configure reference signals for new candidate downlink beams (e.g., using RRC signaling or in MAC-CE), and may be based on CSI-RS or SSB (e.g., in the same component carrier as the current component carrier used for communication between the UE 115 and the base station 105 or in a different component carrier). The UE 115 may determine whether to declare a beam failure and provide an indication of a new beam in parallel.

[0047] However, in some cases, it may be challenging for the UE 115 to perform beam reporting because the UE 115 may or may not identify a suitable beam for communicating with the base station, and the decision as to whether to report a new beam for communicating with the base station may depend on multiple thresholds. For example, the decision as to whether to report a new beam for communicating with the base station 105 may depend on a detection threshold (e.g., a threshold for detecting whether a beam is suitable for communicating with the base station 105 based on UE capabilities) or a beam identification threshold (e.g., a threshold for detecting whether a beam is suitable for communicating with the base station 105 in other ways). The UE 115 in the wireless communication system 100 may support efficient techniques for determining whether to send a beam report (e.g., during a BFRQ or BFR process) indicating a new beam for communicating with the base station 105 after a current beam for communicating with the base station 105 fails.

[0048] The actions performed by the UE 115 as described herein may be implemented to achieve one or more potential advantages. One embodiment may allow the UE 115 to save power and increase battery life by improving the process of beam selection and reselection. For example, the UE 115 may have improved service quality and reliability based on efficiently reporting beam failures and performing measurements of other beams to improve wireless communications at the UE 115.

[0049] Figure 2 An example of a wireless communication system 200 supporting beam reporting in a BFRQ or BFR process according to various aspects of the present disclosure is illustrated. The wireless communication system 200 includes a base station 105-a, which may be a reference Figure 1 The wireless communication system 200 also includes a UE 115-a, which may be a reference Figure 1 An example of a UE 115 is described. A base station 105-a may provide communication coverage for a corresponding coverage area 110-a, which may be a reference Figure 1 An example of coverage area 110 is depicted. The wireless communication system 200 may implement aspects of the wireless communication system 100. For example, a UE 115-a in the wireless communication system 200 may support efficient techniques for determining whether to send a beam report indicating a new beam for communicating with the base station 105-a after a current beam for communicating with the base station 105-a fails.

[0050] In one aspect, after detecting a beam failure, the UE 115-a may compare the quality (e.g., reference signal received power (RSRP)) of each candidate beam that may be used to communicate with the base station 105-a to a beam identification threshold, and the UE 115-a may perform beam reporting based on these comparisons. For example, if the UE 115-a determines that the quality of the candidate beam is above the beam identification threshold, the UE 115-a may (e.g., in or after a BFRQ) send a beam report that identifies the candidate beam as a new beam for communicating with the base station 105-a. In some cases, the UE 115-a may also include an indication of the quality of the candidate beam in the beam report. Alternatively, if the UE 115-a determines that the quality of each candidate beam is below the beam identification threshold, the UE 115-a may avoid sending a beam report that identifies a new beam for communicating with the base station 105-a.

[0051] On the other hand, after detecting a beam failure, the UE 115-a may compare the quality (e.g., RSRP) of each candidate beam that may be used to communicate with the base station 105-a with a beam detection threshold, and the UE 115-a may perform a beam report based on the comparison. For example, if the UE 115-a determines that the quality of the candidate beam is above the beam detection threshold, the UE 115-a may (e.g., in or after a BFRQ) send a beam report identifying the candidate beam as a new beam for communicating with the base station 105-a (e.g., regardless of whether the quality of the candidate beam is above the beam identification threshold). In some cases, the UE 115-a may also include an indication of the quality of the candidate beam in the beam report. Alternatively, if the UE 115-a determines that the quality of each candidate beam is below the beam detection threshold, the UE 115-a may (e.g., using one of a plurality of techniques) indicate to the base station 105-a that no candidate beam is suitable for communicating with the base station 105-a.

[0052] UE 115-a may send a BFRQ including a beam failure indication. UE 115-a may receive an uplink grant from base station 105-a. UE 115-a may then send a beam report to base station 105-a in or after the BFRQ based on the uplink grant, wherein the beam report may include MAC-CE signaling.

[0053] In one example, UE 115-a may refrain from sending a beam report identifying a new beam for communicating with base station 105-a. In another example, UE 115-a may send a beam report indicating that no new beam has been identified for communicating with base station 105A (e.g., by sending a reserved beam index value or a reserved beam quality value, such as a minimum reported RSRP value or a fixed value (e.g., -100 dBm)). In this example, base station 105-a may receive a beam report indicating that no new beam has been identified for communicating with base station 105-a, and base station 105-a may initiate a BFR process to identify a new beam for communicating with UE 115-a. In yet another example, UE 115-a may send a beam report indicating that no new beam has been identified for communicating with base station 105-a and that communication with base station 105-a is unrecoverable. In this example, base station 105-a may receive a beam report indicating that a new beam has not been identified for communication with base station 105-a and communication with base station 105-a is unrecoverable, and base station 105-a may avoid initiating a BFR process to identify a new beam for communication with UE 115-a.

[0054] Figure 3 An example of a process flow 300 for supporting beam reporting in a BFRQ or BFR process according to aspects of the present disclosure is illustrated. The process flow 300 illustrates aspects of a technique performed by a base station 105-b (e.g., an SCell), which may be a reference Figure 1 and Figure 2 The process flow 300 also illustrates aspects of the technique performed by the UE 115-b, which may be referenced to Figure 1 and 2 An example of UE 115 described herein. In the examples described herein, a beam report may refer to a message used to report a new beam for communication between UE 115-b and base station 105-b, and the beam report may be sent by UE 115-b in a BFRQ or after a BFRQ (e.g., during a BFR process).

[0055] At 305, the UE 115-b may communicate with the base station 105-b to select a beam for communication. At 310, the UE 115-b may identify that a beam used for communication with the base station 105-b has failed (e.g., based on a failure to receive a scheduled downlink transmission). Accordingly, it may be appropriate for the UE 115-b to identify and report a new beam for communication with the base station 105-b (e.g., if a suitable beam is available for communication with the base station 105-b). At 315, the UE 115-b may identify one or more candidate beams that may be used for communication with the base station 105-b, the one or more candidate beams being different from the current beam selected for communication with the base station 105-b (e.g., at 305), and the UE 115-b may compare the quality of each of the candidate beams to a beam identification threshold or a detection threshold (e.g., where the detection threshold is based on UE capabilities and is different from (e.g., lower than) the beam identification threshold) to determine whether to report the candidate beam for future communications with the base station 105-b.

[0056] In one example, UE 115-b may compare the quality of each candidate beam to a beam identification threshold, and UE 115-b may perform beam reporting based on the comparison. If UE 115-b determines that the quality of the candidate beam is above the beam identification threshold, then at 320, UE 115-b may (e.g., in or after a BFRQ) send a beam report identifying the candidate beam as a new beam for communicating with base station 105-b. Alternatively, if UE 115-b determines that the quality of each of the candidate beams is below the beam identification threshold, UE 115-b may avoid sending a beam report identifying a new beam for communicating with base station 105-b (i.e., based on the quality of each of the candidate beams being below the beam identification threshold).

[0057] In another example, UE 115-b may compare the quality of each candidate beam to a detection threshold, and UE 115-b may perform beam reporting based on the comparison. If UE 115-b determines that the quality of the candidate beam is above the detection threshold, UE 115-b may send (e.g., in or after a BFRQ) a beam report identifying the candidate beam as a new beam for communicating with base station 105-b (e.g., regardless of whether the quality of the candidate beam is above or below the beam identification threshold). Alternatively, if UE 115-b determines that the quality of each of the candidate beams is below the beam identification threshold, UE 115-b may avoid sending a beam report identifying a new beam for communicating with base station 105-b (e.g., by sending a reserved beam index value or a reserved beam quality value), send a beam report indicating that no new beam for communicating with base station 105-b has been identified, or send a beam report indicating that no new beam for communicating with base station 105-b has been identified and communication with base station 105-b is unrecoverable. In some cases, UE 115-b may send a BFRQ including a beam failure indication to base station 105-b. UE 115-b may receive an uplink grant from base station 105-b, and UE 115-b may then send a beam report to base station 105-b in or after the BFRQ based on the uplink grant, wherein the beam report may include MAC-CE signaling. For example, the beam report may be carried by MAC-CE signaling.

[0058] If base station 105-b receives a beam report indicating that no new beam has been identified for communication with base station 105-b (e.g., there is no indication that communication with base station 105-b is unrecoverable), base station 105-b may initiate a beam failure recovery procedure to identify a new beam for communication with UE 115-b. Alternatively, if base station 105-b receives a beam report indicating that no new beam has been identified for communication with base station 105-b and communication with base station 105-b is unrecoverable, base station 105-b may avoid initiating a beam failure recovery procedure to identify a new beam for communication with UE 115-b. In some cases, base station 105-b may send and UE 115-b may receive a beam reporting configuration that indicates whether UE 115-b should send an indication of the quality of a candidate beam in a beam report (e.g., when identifying a candidate beam as a new beam for communicating with base station 105-b), and UE 115-b may send or avoid sending an indication of the quality of the candidate beam in a beam report sent to base station 105-b based on the beam reporting configuration.

[0059] Figure 4A block diagram 400 of a device 405 supporting beam reporting in a BFRQ or BFR process according to aspects of the present disclosure is shown. The device 405 may be an example of aspects of a UE 115 as described herein. The device 405 may include a receiver 410, a communication manager 415, and a transmitter 420. The device 405 may also include a processor. Each of these components may communicate with each other (e.g., via one or more buses).

[0060] The receiver 410 may receive information such as packets, user data, or control information associated with various information channels (e.g., control channels, data channels, and information related to beam reporting in BFRQ or BFR processes, etc.). The information may be delivered to other components of the device 405. The receiver 410 may be a reference Figure 7 Examples of aspects of transceiver 720 are described. Receiver 410 may use a single antenna or a set of antennas.

[0061] The communication manager 415 may detect a beam failure of a beam used for communicating with a base station; identify one or more candidate beams that can be used for communicating with the base station, the one or more candidate beams being different from the failed beam; and avoid sending a beam report identifying a new beam for communicating with the base station based on the quality of each candidate beam being below a beam identification threshold. The communication manager 415 may also detect a beam failure of a beam used for communicating with a base station, identify one or more candidate beams that can be used for communicating with the base station, the one or more candidate beams being different from the failed beam; compare the quality of each candidate beam to a beam detection threshold to attempt to identify a new beam for communicating with the base station; and perform beam reporting based on the comparison. The communication manager 415 may be an example of aspects of the communication manager 710 described herein.

[0062] The communication manager 415 or its subcomponents may be implemented in hardware, in code (e.g., software or firmware) executed by a processor, or any combination thereof. If implemented in code executed by a processor, the functions of the communication manager 415 or its subcomponents may be performed by a general purpose processor, a digital signal processor (DSP), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field programmable gate array (FPGA) or other programmable logic device, discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof designed to perform the functions described in the present disclosure.

[0063] The communication manager 415 or its subcomponents may be physically located at various locations, including portions that are distributed so that functions are performed by one or more physical components at different physical locations. In some examples, according to various aspects of the present disclosure, the communication manager 415 or its subcomponents may be separate and distinct components. In some examples, according to various aspects of the present disclosure, the communication manager 415 or its subcomponents may be combined with one or more other hardware components, including but not limited to input / output (I / O) components, transceivers, network servers, another computing device, one or more other components described in the present disclosure, or a combination thereof.

[0064] Transmitter 420 can transmit signals generated by other components of device 405. In some examples, transmitter 420 can be co-located with receiver 410 in a transceiver module. For example, transmitter 420 can be a reference Figure 7 Examples of aspects of the described transceiver 720. The transmitter 420 may utilize a single antenna or a set of antennas.

[0065] In some examples, the communication manager 415 described herein may be implemented as a chipset for a wireless modem, and the receiver 410 and the transmitter 420 may be implemented as a collection of analog components (e.g., amplifiers, filters, phase shifters, antennas, etc.) The wireless modem may obtain and decode signals from the receiver 410 via a receive interface, and may output signals to be sent to the transmitter 420 via a transmit interface.

[0066] The communication manager 415 as described herein may be implemented to achieve one or more potential advantages. One embodiment may allow the UE 115 to save power and increase battery life by improving the process of beam selection and reselection. For example, the UE 115 may have improved service quality and reliability based on efficiently reporting beam failures and performing measurements of other beams to improve wireless communications at the UE 115.

[0067] Figure 5 A block diagram 500 of a device 505 supporting beam reporting in a BFRQ or BFR process according to aspects of the present disclosure is shown. The device 505 may be an example of aspects of the device 405 or UE 115 as described herein. The device 505 may include a receiver 510, a communication manager 515, and a transmitter 540. The device 505 may also include a processor. Each of these components may communicate with each other (e.g., via one or more buses).

[0068] The receiver 510 may receive information such as packets, user data, or control information associated with various information channels (e.g., control channels, data channels, and information related to beam reporting in BFRQ or BFR processes, etc.). The information may be delivered to other components of the device 505. The receiver 510 may be a reference Figure 7 Examples of aspects of transceiver 720 are described. Receiver 510 may use a single antenna or a set of antennas.

[0069] The communication manager 515 may be an example of aspects of the communication manager 415 as described herein. The communication manager 515 may include a beam failure manager 520, a candidate beam manager 525, a beam report manager 530, and a candidate beam quality manager 535. The communication manager 515 may be an example of aspects of the communication manager 710 as described herein.

[0070] The beam failure manager 520 may detect a beam failure of a beam used for communication with a base station. The candidate beam manager 525 may identify one or more candidate beams that may be used for communication with the base station, the one or more candidate beams being different from the failed beam. The beam report manager 530 may refrain from sending a beam report identifying a new beam for communication with the base station based on the quality of each candidate beam being below a beam identification threshold.

[0071] The beam failure manager 520 may detect a beam failure of a beam used for communication with a base station. The candidate beam manager 525 may identify one or more candidate beams that may be used for communication with the base station, the one or more candidate beams being different from the failed beam. The candidate beam quality manager 535 may compare the quality of each candidate beam to a beam detection threshold to attempt to identify a new beam for communication with the base station. The beam reporting manager 530 may perform beam reporting based on the comparison.

[0072] Transmitter 540 can transmit signals generated by other components of device 505. In some examples, transmitter 540 can be co-located with receiver 510 in a transceiver module. For example, transmitter 540 can be a reference Figure 7 Examples of aspects of the described transceiver 720. The transmitter 540 may utilize a single antenna or a set of antennas.

[0073] The processor of UE 115 can operate efficiently to save power and increase the battery life of UE 115 (e.g., as described in reference 7, controlling receiver 510, transmitter 540, or transceiver 720). For example, the processor of UE 115 can efficiently operate receiver 510 to detect beam failure of a beam that can be used to communicate with base station 105. The processor can also efficiently operate transmitter 540 to perform beam reporting based on comparison of beam quality. These functions performed by the processor can reduce latency and communication failures at UE 115 by avoiding a large number of beam failures and responding to beam failures efficiently.

[0074] Figure 6 A block diagram 600 of a communication manager 605 supporting beam reporting in a BFRQ or BFR process is shown in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. The communication manager 605 may be an example of aspects of the communication manager 415, the communication manager 515, or the communication manager 710 described herein. The communication manager 605 may include a beam failure manager 610, a candidate beam manager 615, a beam report manager 620, a candidate beam quality manager 625, a beam measurement manager 630, and a beam report configuration manager 635. Each of these modules may communicate with each other directly or indirectly (e.g., via one or more buses).

[0075] The beam failure manager 610 may detect a beam failure of a beam used for communicating with a base station. In some examples, the beam failure manager 610 may detect a beam failure of a beam used for communicating with a base station. In some cases, the base station includes a secondary cell. The candidate beam manager 615 may identify one or more candidate beams that may be used for communicating with the base station, the one or more candidate beams being different from the failed beam. In some examples, the candidate beam manager 615 may identify one or more candidate beams that may be used for communicating with the base station, the one or more candidate beams being different from the failed beam.

[0076] The beam report manager 620 may avoid sending a beam report identifying a new beam for communication with the base station based on the quality of each candidate beam being below a beam identification threshold. In some examples, the beam report manager 620 may perform beam reporting based on the comparison. In some examples, the beam report manager 620 may send a beam report identifying the candidate beam as a new beam for communication with the base station regardless of whether the quality of the candidate beam in the one or more candidate beams is above or below the beam identification threshold. In some examples, the beam report manager 620 may send the beam report to the base station in or after the BFRQ.

[0077] In some examples, the beam report manager 620 may send an indication of the quality of a candidate beam in one or more candidate beams in a beam report based on the determination. In some examples, the beam report manager 620 may avoid sending a beam report identifying a new beam for communicating with a base station based on the determination. In some examples, the beam report manager 620 may send a beam report indicating that no new beam has been identified for communicating with a base station. In some examples, the beam report manager 620 may send a reserved beam index value or a reserved beam quality value in a beam report to indicate that no new beam has been identified for communicating with a base station. In some examples, the beam report manager 620 may send a beam report indicating that no new beam has been identified for communicating with a base station and that communication with the base station is unrecoverable.

[0078] The candidate beam quality manager 625 may compare the quality of each candidate beam to a beam detection threshold in an attempt to identify a new beam for communicating with the base station. In some examples, the candidate beam quality manager 625 may compare the quality of each candidate beam to a beam identification threshold based on detecting a beam failure. In some examples, the candidate beam quality manager 625 may determine that the quality of each of the candidate beams is below a beam identification threshold, where avoiding is based on the determination. In some examples, the candidate beam quality manager 625 may determine that the quality of the candidate beams in one or more candidate beams is above a detection threshold. In some examples, the candidate beam quality manager 625 may determine that the quality of each of the candidate beams is below a detection threshold, where an attempt to identify a new beam for communicating with the base station has failed. In some cases, the detection threshold is based on the capabilities of the UE and is different from the beam identification threshold.

[0079] The beam measurement manager 630 may measure the quality of each candidate beam. In some cases, the quality of each candidate beam includes a reference signal received power. The beam report configuration manager 635 may receive a beam report configuration in a beam report, the beam report configuration indicating whether the UE should send an indication of the quality of a new beam to be used for communicating with the base station. In some examples, the beam report configuration manager 635 may receive a beam report configuration indicating whether the UE should send an indication of the quality of a candidate beam in one or more candidate beams in the beam report. In some examples, the beam report configuration manager 635 may determine that the beam report configuration indicates that the UE should send an indication of the quality of a candidate beam of one or more candidate beams in the beam report.

[0080] Figure 7A diagram of a system 700 including a device 705 supporting beam reporting in a BFRQ or BFR process according to aspects of the present disclosure is shown. The device 705 may be an example of or include components of a device 405, a device 505, or a UE 115 as described herein. The device 705 may include components for two-way voice and data communications, including components for sending and receiving communications, including a communication manager 710, an I / O controller 715, a transceiver 720, an antenna 725, a memory 730, and a processor 740. These components may be in electronic communication via one or more buses (e.g., bus 745).

[0081] The communication manager 710 may detect a beam failure of a beam used for communicating with a base station, identify one or more candidate beams that can be used for communicating with the base station, the one or more candidate beams being different from the failed beam, and avoid sending a beam report identifying a new beam for communicating with the base station based on the quality of each candidate beam being below a beam identification threshold. The communication manager 710 may also detect a beam failure of a beam used for communicating with a base station, identify one or more candidate beams that can be used for communicating with the base station, the one or more candidate beams being different from the failed beam, compare the quality of each candidate beam to a beam detection threshold to attempt to identify a new beam for communicating with the base station, and perform beam reporting based on the comparison.

[0082] I / O controller 715 can manage input and output signals for device 705. I / O controller 715 can also manage peripheral devices that are not integrated into device 705. In some cases, I / O controller 715 can represent a physical connection or port to an external peripheral device. In some cases, I / O controller 715 can utilize an operating system, such as Or another known operating system. In other cases, I / O controller 715 can represent a modem, keyboard, mouse, touch screen or similar device, or can interact with these devices. In some cases, I / O controller 715 can be implemented as part of the processor. In some cases, a user can interact with device 705 via I / O controller 715 or via hardware components controlled by I / O controller 715.

[0083] The transceiver 720 can communicate bidirectionally via one or more antennas, wired or wireless links as described herein. For example, the transceiver 720 can represent a wireless transceiver and can communicate bidirectionally with another wireless transceiver. The transceiver 720 can also include a modem to modulate packets and provide the modulated packets to an antenna for transmission, and demodulate packets received from an antenna.

[0084] In some cases, a wireless device may contain a single antenna 725. However, in some cases, a device may have more than one antenna 725 capable of concurrently transmitting or receiving multiple wireless transmissions.

[0085] The memory 730 may include random access memory (RAM) and read-only memory (ROM). The memory 730 may store computer-readable computer executable code 735 including instructions that, when executed, cause the processor to perform the various functions described herein. In some cases, the memory 730 may include, among other things, a basic I / O system (BIOS), which may control basic hardware or software operations such as interaction with peripheral components or devices.

[0086] The processor 740 may include an intelligent hardware device (e.g., a general purpose processor, a DSP, a CPU, a microcontroller, an ASIC, an FPGA, a programmable logic device, a discrete gate or transistor logic component, a discrete hardware component, or any combination thereof). In some cases, the processor 740 may be configured to operate a memory array using a memory controller. In other cases, the memory controller may be integrated into the processor 740. The processor 740 may be configured to execute computer-readable instructions stored in a memory (e.g., memory 730) to cause the device 705 to perform various functions (e.g., functions or tasks to support beam reporting in a BFRQ or BFR process).

[0087] The code 735 may include instructions for implementing various aspects of the present disclosure, including instructions for supporting wireless communications. The code 735 may be stored in a non-transitory computer-readable medium, such as a system memory or other type of memory. In some cases, the code 735 may not be directly executed by the processor 740, but may cause a computer (e.g., when compiled and executed) to perform the functions described herein.

[0088] Figure 8 A block diagram 800 of a device 805 supporting beam reporting in a BFRQ or BFR process according to aspects of the present disclosure is shown. The device 805 can be an example of aspects of a base station 105 as described herein. The device 805 can include a receiver 810, a communication manager 815, and a transmitter 820. The device 805 can also include a processor. Each of these components can communicate with each other (e.g., via one or more buses).

[0089] The receiver 810 may receive information such as packets, user data, or control information associated with various information channels (e.g., control channels, data channels, and information related to beam reporting in BFRQ or BFR processes, etc.). The information may be delivered to other components of the device 805. The receiver 810 may be a reference Fig.11Examples of various aspects of the transceiver 1120 are described. The receiver 810 may use a single antenna or a set of antennas.

[0090] The communication manager 815 may identify a beam for communicating with the UE, send a beam report configuration indicating whether the UE should send an indication of the quality of a new beam and an indication of a new beam in a beam report to the UE when the beam for communicating with the UE fails, and receive a beam report from the UE according to the beam report configuration when the beam for communicating with the UE fails. The communication manager 815 may be an example of various aspects of the communication manager 1110 described herein.

[0091] The communication manager 815 or its subcomponents may be implemented in hardware, in code (e.g., software or firmware) executed by a processor, or any combination thereof. If implemented in code executed by a processor, the functions of the communication manager 815 or its subcomponents may be performed by a general purpose processor, a DSP, an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), an FPGA or other programmable logic device, discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof designed to perform the functions described in the present disclosure.

[0092] The communication manager 815 or its subcomponents may be physically located at various locations, including portions that are distributed so that functions are performed by one or more physical components at different physical locations. In some examples, according to various aspects of the present disclosure, the communication manager 815 or its subcomponents may be separate and distinct components. In some examples, according to various aspects of the present disclosure, the communication manager 815 or its subcomponents may be combined with one or more other hardware components, including but not limited to input / output (I / O) components, transceivers, network servers, another computing device, one or more other components described in the present disclosure, or a combination thereof.

[0093] Transmitter 820 can transmit signals generated by other components of device 805. In some examples, transmitter 820 can be co-located with receiver 810 in a transceiver module. For example, transmitter 820 can be a reference Fig.11 Examples of various aspects of the described transceiver 1120. The transmitter 820 may utilize a single antenna or a set of antennas.

[0094] Fig. 9 A block diagram 900 of a device 905 supporting beam reporting in a BFRQ or BFR process according to aspects of the present disclosure is shown. The device 905 may be an example of aspects of the device 805 or base station 105 as described herein. The device 905 may include a receiver 910, a communication manager 915, and a transmitter 935. The device 905 may also include a processor. Each of these components may communicate with each other (e.g., via one or more buses).

[0095] The receiver 910 may receive information such as packets, user data, or control information associated with various information channels (e.g., control channels, data channels, and information related to beam reporting in BFRQ or BFR processes, etc.). The information may be delivered to other components of the device 905. The receiver 910 may be a reference Fig.11 Examples of various aspects of the transceiver 1120 are described. The receiver 910 may use a single antenna or a set of antennas.

[0096] The communication manager 915 may be an example of aspects of the communication manager 815 as described herein. The communication manager 915 may include a beam identifier 920, a beam report configuration manager 925, and a beam report manager 930. The communication manager 915 may be an example of aspects of the communication manager 1110 as described herein.

[0097] The beam identifier 920 may identify a beam for communicating with the UE. The beam report configuration manager 925 may send a beam report configuration to the UE, the beam report configuration indicating whether the UE should send an indication of the quality of a new beam and an indication of a new beam in a beam report when the beam used for communicating with the UE fails. The beam report manager 930 may receive a beam report from the UE according to the beam report configuration when the beam used for communicating with the UE fails.

[0098] Transmitter 935 can transmit signals generated by other components of device 905. In some examples, transmitter 935 can be co-located with receiver 910 in a transceiver module. For example, transmitter 935 can be a reference Fig.11 Examples of various aspects of the described transceiver 1120. The transmitter 935 may utilize a single antenna or a set of antennas.

[0099] Fig.10 A block diagram 1000 of a communication manager 1005 supporting beam reporting in a BFRQ or BFR process according to aspects of the present disclosure is shown. The communication manager 1005 may be an example of aspects of the communication manager 815, the communication manager 915, or the communication manager 1110 described herein. The communication manager 1005 may include a beam identifier 1010, a beam report configuration manager 1015, a beam report manager 1020, and a BFR process manager 1025. Each of these modules may communicate with each other directly or indirectly (e.g., via one or more buses).

[0100] The beam identifier 1010 may identify a beam for communicating with a UE. The beam report configuration manager 1015 may send a beam report configuration to the UE, the beam report configuration indicating whether the UE should send an indication of the quality of a new beam and an indication of the new beam in a beam report when the beam used for communicating with the UE fails. In some examples, the beam report configuration manager 1015 may send a beam report configuration indicating that the UE should send an indication of the quality of the new beam and an indication of the new beam in a beam report when the beam used for communicating with the UE fails. In some examples, the beam report configuration manager 1015 may send a beam report configuration indicating that the UE should not send an indication of the quality of the new beam and an indication of the new beam in a beam report when the beam used for communicating with the UE fails.

[0101] When a beam used for communication with the UE fails, the beam report manager 1020 may receive a beam report from the UE according to the beam report configuration. In some examples, when a beam used for communication with the UE fails, the beam report manager 1020 may receive a beam report indicating a new beam to be used for communication with the UE and a quality of the new beam. In some examples, when a beam used for communication with the UE fails, the beam report manager 1020 may receive a beam report indicating a new beam to be used for communication with the UE, wherein the beam report does not indicate the quality of the new beam.

[0102] In some examples, the beam report manager 1020 may receive a beam report indicating that no new beam is identified by the UE for communication with the base station. In some examples, the beam report manager 1020 may receive a reserved beam index value or a reserved beam quality value in a beam report indicating that no new beam is identified by the UE for communication with the base station. In some examples, the beam report manager 1020 may receive a beam report indicating that no new beam is identified for communication with the base station and that communication with the base station is unrecoverable. The BFR process manager 1025 may initiate a beam failure recovery process based on receiving the beam report. In some examples, the BFR process manager 1025 may avoid initiating a beam failure recovery process based on receiving the beam report.

[0103] Fig.11A diagram of a system 1100 including a device 1105 supporting beam reporting in a BFRQ or BFR process according to various aspects of the present disclosure is shown. The device 1105 may be an example of or include components of a device 805, a device 905, or a base station 105 as described herein. The device 1105 may include components for two-way voice and data communications, including components for sending and receiving communications, including a communication manager 1110, a network communication manager 1115, a transceiver 1120, an antenna 1125, a memory 1130, a processor 1140, and an inter-station communication manager 1145. These components may be in electronic communication via one or more buses (e.g., bus 1150).

[0104] The communication manager 1110 can identify a beam used for communicating with the UE, send a beam report configuration to the UE indicating whether the UE should send an indication of the quality of a new beam and an indication of the new beam in a beam report when the beam used for communicating with the UE fails, and receive a beam report from the UE according to the beam report configuration when the beam used for communicating with the UE fails.

[0105] The network communications manager 1115 may manage communications with the core network (eg, via one or more wired backhaul links). For example, the network communications manager 1115 may manage the sending of data communications for client devices such as one or more UEs 115.

[0106] The transceiver 1120 may communicate bidirectionally via one or more antennas, wired or wireless links as described herein. For example, the transceiver 1120 may represent a wireless transceiver and may communicate bidirectionally with another wireless transceiver. The transceiver 1120 may also include a modem to modulate packets and provide the modulated packets to an antenna for transmission, and demodulate packets received from an antenna.

[0107] In some cases, a wireless device may include a single antenna 1125. However, in some cases, a device may have more than one antenna 1125 capable of concurrently transmitting or receiving multiple wireless transmissions.

[0108] Memory 1130 may include RAM, ROM, or a combination thereof. Memory 1130 may store computer readable code 1135 containing instructions that, when executed by a processor (e.g., processor 1140), cause the device to perform various functions described herein. In some cases, memory 1130 may include, among other things, BIOS, which may control basic hardware or software operations such as interaction with peripheral components or devices.

[0109] Processor 1140 may include an intelligent hardware device (e.g., a general purpose processor, a DSP, a CPU, a microcontroller, an ASIC, an FPGA, a programmable logic device, a discrete gate or transistor logic component, a discrete hardware component, or any combination thereof). In some cases, processor 1140 may be configured to operate a memory array using a memory controller. In some cases, the memory controller may be integrated into processor 1140. Processor 1140 may be configured to execute computer-readable instructions stored in a memory (e.g., memory 1130) to cause device 1105 to perform various functions (e.g., functions or tasks to support beam reporting in a BFRQ or BFR process).

[0110] The inter-site communication manager 1145 can manage communications with other base stations 105 and can include a controller or scheduler for coordinating with other base stations 105 to control communications with UE 115. For example, the inter-site communication manager 1145 can coordinate the scheduling of transmissions to UE 115 for various interference mitigation techniques such as beamforming or joint transmission. In some examples, the inter-site communication manager 1145 can provide an X2 interface within an LTE / LTE-A wireless communication network technology to provide communications between base stations 105.

[0111] The code 1135 may include instructions to implement various aspects of the present disclosure, including instructions to support wireless communications. The code 1135 may be stored in a non-transitory computer-readable medium such as a system memory or other type of memory. In some cases, the code 1135 may not be directly executable by the processor 1140, but (e.g., when it is compiled and executed) may cause the computer to perform the functions described herein.

[0112] Fig.12 A flow chart illustrating a method 1200 for supporting beam reporting in a BFRQ or BFR process according to aspects of the present disclosure is shown. The operations of the method 1200 may be implemented by the UE 115 or components thereof as described herein. For example, the operations of the method 1200 may be implemented by the UE 115 or components thereof as described in reference to Figures 4 to 7 In some examples, the UE may execute an instruction set to control the functional elements of the UE to perform the functions described herein. In addition or alternatively, the UE may use dedicated hardware to perform various aspects of the functions described herein.

[0113] At 1205, the UE may detect a beam failure of a beam used to communicate with a base station. The operations of 1205 may be performed according to the methods described herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of 1205 may be performed as described in reference to Figures 4 to 7 The beam failure manager described is implemented.

[0114] At 1210, the UE may identify one or more candidate beams that may be used to communicate with the base station, the one or more candidate beams being different from the failed beam. The operations of 1210 may be performed according to the methods described herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of 1210 may be performed as described in reference to Figures 4 to 7 The described candidate beam manager is implemented.

[0115] At 1215, the UE may avoid sending a beam report identifying a new beam for communicating with the base station based on the quality of each candidate beam being below a beam identification threshold. The operations of 1215 may be performed according to the methods described herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of 1215 may be performed as described in reference to Figures 4 to 7 The beam report manager described is used to perform the

[0116] Fig.13 A flow chart illustrating a method 1300 for supporting beam reporting in a BFRQ or BFR process according to aspects of the present disclosure is shown. The operations of the method 1300 may be implemented by the UE 115 or components thereof as described herein. For example, the operations of the method 1300 may be implemented by the UE 115 or components thereof as described in reference to Figures 4 to 7 In some examples, the UE may execute an instruction set to control the functional elements of the UE to perform the functions described herein. In addition or alternatively, the UE may use dedicated hardware to perform various aspects of the functions described herein.

[0117] At 1305, the UE may detect a beam failure of a beam used to communicate with a base station. The operations of 1305 may be performed according to methods described herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of 1305 may be performed as described in reference to Figures 4 to 7 The beam failure manager described is implemented.

[0118] At 1310, the UE may identify one or more candidate beams that may be used to communicate with the base station, the one or more candidate beams being different from the failed beam. The operations of 1310 may be performed according to the methods described herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of 1310 may be performed as described in reference to Figures 4 to 7 The described candidate beam manager is implemented.

[0119] At 1315, the UE may compare the quality of each candidate beam to a beam detection threshold to attempt to identify a new beam for communicating with the base station. The operations of 1315 may be performed according to the methods described herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of 1315 may be described as in reference to Figures 4 to 7 The beam quality manager described is implemented.

[0120] At 1320, the UE may perform beam reporting based on the comparison. The operations of 1320 may be performed according to the methods described herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of 1320 may be as described with reference to Figures 4 to 7 The beam report manager described is used to perform the

[0121] Fig.14 A flow chart illustrating a method 1400 for supporting beam reporting in a BFRQ or BFR process according to aspects of the present disclosure is shown. The operations of the method 1400 may be implemented by the base station 105 or components thereof as described herein. For example, the operations of the method 1400 may be implemented by the base station 105 or components thereof as described in reference to Figures 8 to 11 In some examples, the base station may execute an instruction set to control the functional elements of the base station to perform the functions described herein. In addition or alternatively, the base station may use dedicated hardware to perform various aspects of the functions described herein.

[0122] At 1405, the base station may identify a beam for communicating with the UE. The operations of 1405 may be performed according to methods described herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of 1405 may be performed as described in reference to Figures 8 to 11 The beam identifier described is performed.

[0123] At 1410, the base station may send a beam reporting configuration to the UE, the beam reporting configuration indicating whether the UE should send an indication of the quality of a new beam and an indication of the new beam in a beam report when a beam used to communicate with the UE fails. The operations of 1410 may be performed according to the methods described herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of 1410 may be performed as described in reference to Figures 8 to 11 The described beam reporting configuration manager is used to perform.

[0124] At 1415, the base station may receive a beam report from the UE according to the beam report configuration when a beam used to communicate with the UE fails. The operations of 1415 may be performed according to the methods described herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of 1415 may be performed as described in reference to Figures 8 to 11 The beam manager described is implemented.

[0125] Fig.15 An example of an architectural diagram 1500 that supports determining a sub-dominant cluster in an mmW channel in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure is illustrated. In some examples, the architectural diagram 1500 can implement aspects of the wireless communication system 100 or 200 or the process flow 300. In some aspects, the diagram 1500 can be an example of a transmitting device (e.g., a first wireless device) or a receiving device (e.g., a second wireless device) as described herein.

[0126] In summary, Fig.1515 is a diagram illustrating exemplary hardware components of a wireless device according to certain aspects of the present disclosure. The illustrated components may include those components that can be used for antenna element selection or for beamforming for wireless signal transmission. There are many architectures for antenna element selection and implementation of phase shifting, and an example is illustrated here. Architecture 1500 includes a modem (modulator / demodulator) 1502, a digital-to-analog converter (DAC) 1504, a first mixer 1506, a second mixer 1508, and a splitter 1510. Architecture 1500 also includes a plurality of first amplifiers 1512, a plurality of phase shifters 1514, a plurality of second amplifiers 1516, and an antenna array 1518 including a plurality of antenna elements 1520. Transmission lines or other waveguides, wires, traces, etc. are shown connecting various components to illustrate how the signals to be transmitted propagate between components. Boxes 1522, 1524, 1526, and 1528 indicate areas in which different types of signals travel or are processed in architecture 1500. Specifically, block 1522 indicates an area where digital baseband signals propagate or are processed, block 1524 indicates an area where analog baseband signals propagate or are processed, block 1526 indicates an area where analog intermediate frequency (IF) signals propagate or are processed, and block 1528 indicates an area where analog radio frequency (RF) signals propagate or are processed. The architecture also includes local oscillator A 1530, local oscillator B 1532, and a communications manager 1534.

[0127] Each antenna element 1520 may include one or more sub-elements (not shown) for radiating or receiving RF signals. For example, a single antenna element 1520 may include a first sub-element that is cross-polarized with a second sub-element, which may be used to independently transmit a cross-polarized signal. Antenna elements 1520 may include patch antennas or other types of antennas arranged in a linear, two-dimensional, or other pattern. The spacing between antenna elements 1520 may be such that signals having a desired wavelength transmitted individually by antenna elements 1520 may interact or interfere (e.g., to form a desired beam). For example, given an expected range of wavelengths or frequencies, the spacing may provide a quarter wavelength, half a wavelength, or other fraction of a wavelength of the spacing between adjacent antenna elements 1520 to allow interaction or interference of signals transmitted by individual antenna elements 1520 within the expected range.

[0128] The modem 1502 processes and generates a digital baseband signal, and may also control the operation of the DAC 1504, the first mixer 1506 and the second mixer 1508, the splitter 1510, the first amplifier 1512, the phase shifter 1514 or the second amplifier 1516 to send a signal via one or more or all of the antenna elements 1520. The modem 1502 may process signals and control operations according to a communication standard such as the wireless standard discussed herein. The DAC 1504 may convert a digital baseband signal (to be transmitted) received from the modem 1502 into an analog baseband signal. The first mixer 1506 uses a local oscillator A1530 to up-convert the analog baseband signal into an analog IF signal within the IF. For example, the first mixer 1506 may mix a signal with an oscillating signal generated by the local oscillator A1530 to "move" the baseband analog signal to the IF. In some cases, some processing or filtering (not shown) may occur at the IF. The second mixer 1508 up-converts the analog IF signal to an analog RF signal using local oscillator B 1532. Similar to the first mixer, the second mixer 1508 can mix the signal with an oscillating signal generated by local oscillator B 1532 to "move" the IF analog signal to the RF, or frequency at which the signal will be transmitted or received. The modem 1502 or the communication manager 1534 can adjust the frequency of local oscillator A 1530 or local oscillator B 1532 to produce the desired IF or RF frequency and use it to facilitate the processing and transmission of signals within the desired bandwidth.

[0129] In the illustrated architecture 1500, the signal up-converted by the second mixer 1508 is split or replicated into multiple signals by the splitter 1510. The splitter 1510 in the architecture 1500 splits the RF signal into multiple identical or nearly identical RF signals, as indicated by its presence in the box 1528. In other examples, the splitting can occur with any type of signal, including using baseband digital, baseband analog or IF analog signals. Each of these signals can correspond to an antenna element 1520, and the signal propagates through amplifiers 1512, 1516, phase shifters 1514, or other elements corresponding to the corresponding antenna element 1520 and is processed by it to be provided to and transmitted by the corresponding antenna element 1520 of the antenna array 1518. In one example, the splitter 1510 can be an active splitter connected to a power source and providing some gain so that the RF signal leaving the splitter 1510 is at a power level equal to or greater than the signal entering the splitter 1510. In another example, the splitter 1510 is a passive splitter that is not connected to a power source, and the RF signal exiting the splitter 1510 may be at a lower power level than the RF signal entering the splitter 1510 .

[0130] After being split by the splitter 1510, the resulting RF signal may enter an amplifier (such as the first amplifier 1512) or a phase shifter 1514 corresponding to the antenna element 1520. The first amplifier 1512 and the second amplifier 1516 are illustrated with dashed lines because one or both of them may not be used in some embodiments. In one embodiment, both the first amplifier 1512 and the second amplifier 1514 exist. In another embodiment, neither the first amplifier 1512 nor the second amplifier 1514 exists. In other embodiments, one of the two amplifiers 1512, 1514 exists, but the other does not exist. For example, if the splitter 1510 is an active splitter, the first amplifier 1512 may not be used. As a further example, if the phase shifter 1514 is an active phase shifter that can provide gain, the second amplifier 1516 may not be used. The amplifiers 1512, 1516 can provide a desired level of positive gain or negative gain. Positive gain (positive dB) can be used to increase the amplitude of the radiated signal of a particular antenna element 1520. Negative gain (negative dB) may be used to reduce the amplitude or prevent radiation of a signal by a particular antenna element. Each of the amplifiers 1512, 1516 may be independently controlled (e.g., by the modem 1502 or the communications manager 1534) to provide independent control of the gain of each antenna element 1520. For example, the modem 1502 or the communications manager 1534 may have at least one control line connected to each of the splitter 1510, the first amplifier 1512, the phase shifter 1514, or the second amplifier 1516 that may be used to configure the gain to provide the desired amount of gain for each component and therefore each antenna element 1520.

[0131] The phase shifter 1514 can provide a configurable phase shift or phase offset to the corresponding RF signal to be transmitted. The phase shifter 1514 can be a passive phase shifter that is not directly connected to the power supply. The passive phase shifter may introduce some insertion loss. The second amplifier 1516 can enhance the signal to compensate for the insertion loss. The phase shifter 1514 can be an active phase shifter connected to the power supply so that the active phase shifter provides a certain amount of gain or prevents insertion loss. The setting of each phase shifter 1514 is independent, meaning that each can be set to provide a desired phase shift amount or the same phase shift amount or some other configuration. The modem 1502 or the communication manager 1534 can have at least one control line connected to each phase shifter 1514, and it can be used to configure the phase shifter 1514 to provide a desired amount of phase shift or phase offset between the antenna elements 1520.

[0132] In the illustrated architecture 1500, the RF signal received by the antenna element 1520 is provided to one or more of the first amplifiers 1556 to improve the signal strength. For example, for TDD operation, the first amplifier 1556 can be connected to the same antenna array 1518. The first amplifier 1556 can be connected to different antenna arrays 1518. The enhanced RF signal is input to one or more of the phase shifters 1554 to provide a configurable phase shift or phase offset for the corresponding received RF signal. The phase shifter 1554 can be an active phase shifter or a passive phase shifter. The settings of the phase shifters 1554 are independent, meaning that each can be set to provide a desired phase shift amount or the same phase shift amount or some other configuration. The modem 1502 or the communication manager 1534 can have at least one control line connected to each phase shifter 1554, and it can be used to configure the phase shifter 1554 to provide a desired amount of phase shift or phase offset between the antenna elements 1520.

[0133] The output of the phase shifter 1554 can be input to one or more second amplifiers 1552 for amplifying the signal of the phase shifted received RF signal. The second amplifier 1552 can be individually configured to provide a configured amount of gain. The second amplifier 1552 can be individually configured to provide a certain amount of gain to ensure that the signals input to the combiner 1550 have the same amplitude. Amplifiers 1552 or 1556 are illustrated in dashed lines because they may not be used in some embodiments. In one embodiment, both amplifier 1552 and amplifier 1556 exist. In another embodiment, neither amplifier 1552 nor 1556 exists. In other embodiments, there is one of amplifiers 1552 and 1556, but the other one does not exist.

[0134] In the illustrated architecture 1500, the signals output by the phase shifter 1554 (via the amplifier 1552 when present) are combined in the combiner 1550. The combiner 1550 in the architecture combines the RF signals into a signal, as indicated by its presence in the block 1528. The combiner 1550 can be a passive combiner, for example, not connected to a power supply, which can result in some insertion loss. The combiner 1550 can be an active combiner, for example, connected to a power supply, which can result in some signal gain. When the combiner 1550 is an active combiner, it can provide a different (e.g., configurable) amount of gain for each input signal so that the input signals have the same amplitude when combined. When the combiner 1550 is an active combiner, it can not use the second amplifier 1552, because the active combiner can provide signal amplification.

[0135] The output of combiner 1550 is input to mixers 1548 and 1546. Mixers 1548 and 1546 generally down-convert the received RF signal using inputs from local oscillators 1572 and 1570, respectively, to create intermediate or baseband signals that carry coding and modulation information. The output of mixers 1548 and 1546 is input to analog-to-digital converter (ADC) 1544 for conversion to analog signals. The analog signal output from ADC 1544 is input to modem 1502 for baseband processing, such as decoding, deinterleaving, etc.

[0136] The architecture 1500 is given by way of example to illustrate the architecture for sending or receiving signals. It should be understood that the architecture 1500 or each part of the architecture 1500 can be repeated multiple times within the architecture to accommodate or provide any number of RF chains, antenna elements or antenna panels. In addition, many replacement architectures are possible and expected. For example, although only a single antenna array 1518 is shown, two, three or more antenna arrays may be included, each antenna array having one or more of their own corresponding amplifiers, phase shifters, splitters, mixers, DACs, ADCs or modems. For example, a single UE may include two, four or more antenna arrays for sending or receiving signals at different physical locations on the UE or in different directions. In addition, in different implementation architectures, mixers, splitters, amplifiers, phase shifters and other components may be located in different signal type areas (e.g., different blocks 1522, 1524, 1526, 1528). For example, in different examples, the signal to be sent may be split into multiple signals at analog RF, analog IF, analog baseband or digital baseband frequencies. Similarly, amplification or phase shifting can also occur at different frequencies. For example, in some contemplated embodiments, one or more of the splitter 1510, amplifiers 1512, 1516, or phase shifter 1514 can be located between the DAC 1504 and the first mixer 1506 or between the first mixer 1506 and the second mixer 1508. In one example, the functionality of one or more components can be combined into one component. For example, the phase shifter 1514 can perform amplification to include or replace the first amplifier 1512 or the second amplifier 1516. As another example, the phase shift can be implemented by the second mixer 1508 to avoid using a separate phase shifter 1514. This technique is sometimes referred to as local oscillator (LO) phase shifting. In one embodiment of this configuration, there can be multiple IF to RF mixers (e.g., for each antenna element chain) within the second mixer 1508, and the local oscillator B 1532 will provide a different local oscillator signal (with a different phase offset) to each IF to RF mixer.

[0137] The modem 1502 or the communication manager 1534 may control one or more other components 1504-1572 to select one or more antenna elements 1520 or form a beam for transmitting one or more signals. For example, antenna elements 1520 may be individually selected or deselected for transmission of a signal (or multiple signals) by controlling the amplitude of one or more corresponding amplifiers such as the first amplifier 1512 or the second amplifier 1516. Beamforming includes generating a beam using multiple signals on different antenna elements, wherein one or more or all of the multiple signals are shifted in phase relative to each other. The formed beam may carry a physical or higher layer reference signal or information. When each of the multiple signals is radiated from the corresponding antenna element 1520, the radiated signals interact, interfere (constructively and destructively) and amplify each other to form the resulting beam. The shape (such as amplitude, width, or presence of side lobes) and direction (e.g., the angle of the beam relative to the surface of the antenna array 1518) can be dynamically controlled by modifying the phase shift or phase offset imparted by the phase shifter 1514 and the amplitude imparted by the amplifiers 1512, 1516 of the multiple signals relative to each other.

[0138] When the architecture 1500 is configured as a receiving device, the communication manager 1534 may send a first beam measurement report to the first wireless device, the first beam measurement report indicating a first set of beam measurements of a wireless channel between the first wireless device and the second wireless device. The communication manager 1534 may receive a cluster effectiveness metric for at least one beam in the first beam measurement report from the first wireless device. The communication manager 1534 may send a second beam measurement report to the first wireless device based at least in part on the cluster effectiveness metric, the second beam measurement report indicating a second set of beam measurements for the wireless channel, as discussed herein. When the architecture 1500 is configured as a transmitting device, the communication manager 1534 may receive a first beam measurement report from the second wireless device, the first beam measurement report indicating a first set of beam measurements of a wireless channel between the first wireless device and the second wireless device. The communication manager 1534 may send the cluster effectiveness metric for at least one beam in the first beam measurement report to the second wireless device. The communication manager 1534 may receive a second beam measurement report indicating a second set of beam measurements for the wireless channel from the second wireless device in response to sending the cluster effectiveness metric. As discussed herein, the communication manager 1534 may select a beam for transmission to the second wireless device based at least in part on the first beam measurement report and the second beam measurement report. The communication manager 1534 may be partially or completely located within one or more other components of the architecture 1500. For example, in at least one embodiment, the communication manager 1534 may be located within the modem 1502.

[0139] The following examples are given by way of illustration, and aspects of the following examples may be combined with aspects or embodiments shown or discussed with respect to the figures or elsewhere herein.

[0140] Example 1 is a method for wireless communication at a UE. The method may include detecting a beam failure of a beam used for communicating with a base station; identifying one or more candidate beams that can be used for communicating with the base station, the one or more candidate beams being different from the failed beam; and avoiding sending a beam report identifying a new beam for communicating with the base station based on a quality of each candidate beam being below a beam identification threshold.

[0141] In Example 2, the method of Example 1 includes comparing a quality of each candidate beam to a beam identification threshold based on detecting the beam failure, and determining that the quality of each candidate beam may be below the beam identification threshold, wherein the avoiding may be based on the determination.

[0142] In Example 3, the method of any one of Examples 1-2 further includes measuring a quality of each of the candidate beams.

[0143] In Example 4, the method of any one of Examples 1-3 further includes: the quality of each candidate beam includes a reference signal received power.

[0144] In Example 5, the method of any one of Examples 1-4 further includes receiving a beam reporting configuration indicating whether the UE should send an indication of the quality of a new beam to be used for communicating with the base station in a beam report.

[0145] In Example 6, the method of any one of Examples 1-5 further includes: the base station includes a secondary cell.

[0146] Example 7 is a system or apparatus comprising means for implementing the method or apparatus of any one of Examples 1-6.

[0147] Example 8 is a non-transitory computer-readable medium storing instructions executable by one or more processors to cause the one or more processors to implement the method of any of Examples 1-6.

[0148] Example 9 is a system comprising one or more processors and a memory in electronic communication with the one or more processors, the memory storing instructions executable by the one or more processors so that the system or apparatus implements a method as in any one of Examples 1-6.

[0149] Example 10 is a method for performing wireless communications at a UE, comprising detecting a beam failure of a beam used to communicate with a base station, identifying one or more candidate beams that can be used to communicate with the base station, the one or more candidate beams being different from the failed beam; comparing the quality of each candidate beam with a beam detection threshold to attempt to identify a new beam for communicating with the base station; and performing beam reporting based on the comparison.

[0150] In Example 11, the method of Example 10 further includes: determining that the quality of a candidate beam among the one or more candidate beams may be higher than a detection threshold, and sending a beam report identifying the candidate beam as a new beam for communicating with the base station regardless of whether the quality of the candidate beam among the one or more candidate beams may be higher or lower than a beam identification threshold.

[0151] In Example 12, the method of any one of Examples 10-11 further includes sending a BFRQ including a beam failure indication to a base station, receiving an uplink authorization from the base station, and sending a beam report to the base station in or after the BFRQ based on the uplink authorization, wherein the beam report includes MAC-CE signaling.

[0152] In Example 13, the method of any one of Examples 10-12 further includes receiving a beam reporting configuration indicating whether the UE should send an indication of a quality of a candidate beam in the one or more candidate beams in a beam report.

[0153] In Example 14, the method of any one of Examples 10-13 further includes: determining a beam report configuration indicating that the UE should send an indication of the quality of a candidate beam of one or more candidate beams in a beam report, and sending an indication of the quality of a candidate beam of one or more candidate beams in a beam report based on the determination.

[0154] In Example 15, the method of any one of Examples 10-14 further includes: the detection threshold may be based on the capability of the UE and may be different from the beam identification threshold.

[0155] In Example 16, the method of any one of Examples 10-15 further includes determining that a quality of each of the candidate beams may be below a detection threshold, wherein an attempt to identify a new beam for communicating with the base station may have failed.

[0156] In Example 17, the method of any one of Examples 10-16 further includes avoiding sending a beam report identifying a new beam for communicating with the base station based on the determination.

[0157] In Example 18, the method of any one of Examples 10-17 further includes sending a beam report indicating that no new beams can be identified for communicating with the base station.

[0158] In Example 19, the method of any one of Examples 10-18 further includes sending a reserved beam index value or a reserved beam quality value in a beam report to indicate that no new beam can be identified for communication with the base station.

[0159] In Example 20, the method of any one of Examples 10-19 further includes sending a beam report indicating that no new beam can be identified for communicating with the base station and that communication with the base station may be unrecoverable.

[0160] Example 21 is a system or apparatus comprising means for implementing the method or apparatus of any of Examples 10-19.

[0161] Example 22 is a non-transitory computer-readable medium storing instructions executable by one or more processors to cause the one or more processors to implement the method of any of Examples 10-19.

[0162] Example 23 is a system comprising one or more processors and a memory in electronic communication with the one or more processors, the memory storing instructions executable by the one or more processors so that the system or device implements a method as in any of Examples 10-19.

[0163] Example 24 is a method for wireless communication at a base station, the method comprising identifying a beam used for communicating with a UE, sending a beam report configuration to the UE indicating whether the UE should send an indication of the quality of a new beam and an indication of the new beam in a beam report when the beam used for communicating with the UE fails, and receiving a beam report from the UE according to the beam report configuration when the beam used for communicating with the UE fails.

[0164] In Example 25, the method of Example 24 includes: when a beam used for communicating with the UE fails, sending a beam report configuration indicating that the UE should send an indication of the quality of a new beam and an indication of the new beam in a beam report; and when the beam used for communicating with the UE fails, receiving a beam report indicating a new beam to be used for communicating with the UE and the quality of the new beam.

[0165] In Example 26, the method of any one of Examples 24-25 further includes sending a beam report configuration indicating that the UE should not send an indication of the quality of a new beam and an indication of the new beam in a beam report when the beam used for communicating with the UE fails, and receiving a beam report indicating a new beam to be used for communicating with the UE when the beam used for communicating with the UE fails, wherein the beam report does not indicate the quality of the new beam.

[0166] In Example 27, the method of any one of Examples 24-26 further includes receiving a beam report indicating that no new beam can be identified by the UE for communicating with the base station, and initiating a beam failure recovery procedure based on receiving the beam report.

[0167] In Example 28, the method of any one of Examples 24-27 further includes receiving a beam report indicating that the UE cannot recognize a new beam for communicating with the base station, and may include operations, features, components, or instructions for receiving a reserved beam index value or a reserved beam quality value in the beam report, wherein the reserved beam index value or the reserved beam quality value indicates that the UE cannot recognize a new beam for communicating with the base station.

[0168] In Example 29, the method of any of Examples 24-28 further includes receiving a beam report indicating that no new beam can be identified for communication with the base station and that communication with the base station may be unrecoverable, and avoiding initiating a beam failure recovery procedure based on receiving the beam report.

[0169] Example 30 is a system of apparatuses including components for implementing the method or apparatus of any of Examples 24-30.

[0170] Example 31 is a non-transitory computer-readable medium storing instructions executable by one or more processors to cause the one or more processors to implement the method of any of Examples 24-30.

[0171] Example 32 is a system comprising one or more processors and a memory in electronic communication with the one or more processors, the memory storing instructions executable by the one or more processors so that the system or device implements a method as in any of Examples 24-30.

[0172] It should be noted that the methods described herein describe possible implementations, and that the operations and steps may be rearranged or otherwise modified, and that other implementations are possible. Furthermore, aspects from two or more of the methods may be combined.

[0173] The technology described herein can be used in various wireless communication systems, such as code division multiple access (CDMA), time division multiple access (TDMA), frequency division multiple access (FDMA), orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA), single carrier frequency division multiple access (SC-FDMA) and other systems. CDMA systems can implement radio technologies such as CDMA2000, Universal Terrestrial Radio Access (UTRA), etc. CDMA2000 covers IS-2000, IS-95 and IS-856 standards. IS-2000 versions can be generally referred to as CDMA2000 1X, 1X, etc. IS-856 (TIA-856) is generally referred to as CDMA20001 xEV-DO, high rate packet data (HRPD), etc. UTRA includes wideband CDMA (WCDMA) and other variants of CDMA. TDMA systems can implement radio technologies such as global system for mobile communications (GSM).

[0174] OFDMA systems can implement radio technologies such as Ultra Mobile Broadband (UMB), Evolved UTRA (E-UTRA), Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11 (Wi-Fi), IEEE 802.16 (WiMAX), IEEE 802.20, Flash-OFDM, etc. UTRA and E-UTRA are part of Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS). LTE, LTE-A, and LTE-A Pro are versions of UMTS that use E-UTRA. UTRA, E-UTRA, UMTS, LTE, LTE-A, LTE-A Pro, NR, and GSM are described in documents from an organization named "3rd Generation Partnership Project" (3GPP). CDMA2000 and UMB are described in documents from an organization named "3rd Generation Partnership Project 2 (3GPP2)". The technology described herein can be used for the systems and radio technologies mentioned herein and other systems and radio technologies. Although aspects of LTE, LTE-A, LTE-A Pro, or NR systems may be described for example purposes, and LTE, LTE-A, LTE-A Pro, or NR terminology may be used in many of the descriptions, the techniques described herein are applicable beyond LTE, LTE-A, LTE-A Pro, or NR applications.

[0175] A macro cell generally covers a relatively large geographic area (e.g., a radius of several kilometers) and may allow unrestricted access to UEs with service subscriptions to a network provider. Small cells may be associated with base stations with lower power than macro cells, and small cells may operate in the same or different frequency bands (e.g., licensed, unlicensed, etc.) as macro cells. According to various examples, a small cell may include a pico cell, a femto cell, and a micro cell. A pico cell, for example, may cover a small geographic area and may allow unrestricted access to UEs with service subscriptions to a network provider. A femto cell may also cover a small geographic area (e.g., a home) and may provide restricted access to UEs associated with a femto cell (e.g., a UE in a closed subscriber group (CSG), a UE for users in a home, etc.). An eNB for a macro cell may be referred to as a macro eNB. An eNB for a small cell may be referred to as a small cell eNB, a pico eNB, a femto eNB, or a home eNB. An eNB may support one or more (e.g., two, three, four, etc.) cells and may also support communications using one or more component carriers.

[0176] The wireless communication systems described herein may support synchronous or asynchronous operation. For synchronous operation, the base stations may have similar frame timing, and transmissions from different base stations may be approximately aligned in time. For asynchronous operation, the base stations may have different frame timing, and transmissions from different base stations may not be aligned in time. The techniques described herein may be used for synchronous or asynchronous operation.

[0177] Any of a variety of different technologies and techniques may be used to represent the information and signals described herein. For example, data, instructions, commands, information, signals, bits, symbols, and chips that may be mentioned throughout the description may be represented by voltages, currents, electromagnetic waves, magnetic fields or particles, optical fields or particles, or any combination thereof.

[0178] The various illustrative blocks and modules described in conjunction with the disclosure herein may be implemented or executed with a general purpose processor, DSP, ASIC, FPGA, or other programmable logic device, discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof designed to perform the functions described herein. A general purpose processor may be a microprocessor, but alternatively, the processor may be any conventional processor, controller, microcontroller, or state machine. The processor may also be implemented as a combination of computing devices (e.g., a combination of a DSP and a microprocessor, a plurality of microprocessors, one or more microprocessors combined with a DSP core, or any other such configuration).

[0179] The functions described herein may be implemented in hardware, software executed by a processor, firmware, or any combination thereof. If implemented in software run by a processor, the functions may be stored as one or more instructions or codes on a computer-readable medium or sent via a computer-readable medium. Other examples and implementations are within the scope of the present invention and the appended claims. For example, due to the nature of software, the functions described herein may be implemented using software run by a processor, hardware, firmware, hard wiring, or any combination of these. Features implementing the functions may also be physically located at various locations, including portions distributed so that the functions are implemented at different physical locations.

[0180] Computer-readable media include both non-transitory computer storage media and communication media, and communication media include any media that helps to transfer a computer program from one place to another.Non-transitory storage media can be any available media that can be accessed by a general or special computer.As an example and not limitation, non-transitory computer-readable media can include RAM, ROM, electrically erasable programmable ROM (EEPROM), flash memory, compact disk (CD) ROM or other optical disk storage, disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or can be used to carry or store required process codes in the form of instructions or data structures and can be accessed by a general or special computer or a general or special processor.Any other non-transitory medium.In addition, any connection is appropriately referred to as a computer-readable medium.For example, if software is sent from a website, server or other remote source using coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair, digital subscriber line (DSL) or wireless technologies such as infrared, radio and microwaves, coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair, DSL or wireless technologies such as infrared, radio and microwaves are included in the definition of medium. As used herein, disk and disc includes CD, laser disc, optical disc, digital versatile disc (DVD), floppy disk and Blu-ray disc, where disks usually reproduce data magnetically, while discs reproduce data optically using lasers. Combinations of the above are also included within the scope of computer-readable media.

[0181] As used herein, including in the claims, "or" as used in a list of items (e.g., a list of items beginning with a phrase such as "at least one" or "one or more") indicates an inclusive list, so that, for example, a list of at least one of A, B, or C means A or B or C or AB or AC or BC or ABC (i.e., A and B and C). In addition, as used herein, the phrase "based on" should not be interpreted as referring to a closed set of conditions. For example, an exemplary step described as "based on condition A" can be based on both condition A and condition B without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. In other words, as used herein, the phrase "based on" should be interpreted in the same manner as the phrase "based at least in part on".

[0182] In the drawings, similar components or features may have the same reference numeral. In addition, various components of the same type may be distinguished by following the reference numeral with a dash and a second reference numeral that distinguishes the similar components. Where only the first reference numeral is used in the specification, the description applies to any of the similar components having the same first reference numeral, or to other subsequent reference numerals, regardless of the second reference numeral.

[0183] The descriptions set forth herein in conjunction with the accompanying drawings describe example configurations and do not represent all examples that may be implemented or within the scope of the claims. The term "exemplary" as used herein means "serving as an example, instance, or illustration," rather than "preferred" or "superior to other examples." To provide an understanding of the described techniques, the detailed description contains specific details. To provide an understanding of the described techniques, the detailed description contains specific details. In some examples, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form to avoid obscuring the concepts of the described examples.

[0184] The description herein is provided to enable those skilled in the art to make or use the present invention. Those skilled in the art will readily appreciate various modifications to the present invention, and the general principles defined herein may be applied to other variations without departing from the scope of the present invention. Therefore, the present disclosure is not limited to the examples and designs described herein, but should be given the broadest scope consistent with the principles and novel features disclosed herein.

Claims

1. A method for wireless communication at a user equipment UE, comprising: detecting a beam failure of a beam used for communicating with a secondary cell; identifying one or more candidate beams that can be used to communicate with the secondary cell, the one or more candidate beams being different from the failed beam; comparing the quality of each of the candidate beams to a beam detection threshold to attempt to identify a new beam for communicating with the secondary cell; determining that the quality of each of the one or more candidate beams is below the detection threshold; as well as The reserved beam index value or the reserved beam quality value is sent in the beam report to indicate that no new beam is identified for communication with the secondary cell.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein sending the beam report comprises: sending a beam failure recovery request BFRQ including an indication of the beam failure to a base station; receiving an uplink grant from the base station; as well as Based at least in part on the uplink grant, the beam report is sent to the base station in or after the beam failure recovery request (BFRQ), wherein the beam report includes medium access control - control element MAC-CE signaling.

3. The method according to claim 1, further comprising: A beam reporting configuration is received, the beam reporting configuration indicating whether the UE should send an indication of the quality of the candidate beam of the one or more candidate beams in the beam report.

4. The method according to claim 3, further comprising: determining that the beam reporting configuration indicates that the UE should send an indication of the quality of the candidate beam of the one or more candidate beams in the beam report; as well as Based at least in part on the determination, an indication of the quality of the candidate beam of the one or more candidate beams is sent in the beam report.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein: The detection threshold is based at least in part on capabilities of the UE and is different from a beam identification threshold that otherwise detects whether a beam is suitable for communicating with the secondary cell.

6. The method according to claim 1, further comprising: A beam report is sent indicating that no new beam is identified for communication with the secondary cell and that communication with the secondary cell is unrecoverable.

7. An apparatus for wireless communication at a user equipment UE, comprising: means for detecting a beam failure of a beam used for communicating with a secondary cell; means for identifying one or more candidate beams that may be used to communicate with the secondary cell, the one or more candidate beams being different from the failed beam; means for comparing the quality of each of said candidate beams to a beam detection threshold to attempt to identify a new beam for communicating with said secondary cell; means for determining that the quality of each of the one or more candidate beams is below the detection threshold; as well as Means for sending a reserved beam index value or a reserved beam quality value in a beam report to indicate that no new beam is identified for communication with the secondary cell.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the means for sending the beam report further comprises: means for sending a beam failure recovery request BFRQ including an indication of a beam failure to a base station; means for receiving an uplink grant from said base station; as well as A means for sending the beam report to the base station in or after the beam failure recovery request (BFRQ) based at least in part on the uplink grant, wherein the beam report comprises medium access control - control element (MAC-CE) signaling.

9. The apparatus according to claim 7, further comprising: Means for receiving a beam reporting configuration indicating whether the UE should send an indication of the quality of the candidate beam of the one or more candidate beams in the beam report.

10. The apparatus according to claim 9, further comprising: means for determining that the beam reporting configuration indicates that the UE should send an indication of the quality of the candidate beam of the one or more candidate beams in the beam report; as well as Means for transmitting, in the beam report, an indication of the quality of the candidate beam of the one or more candidate beams based at least in part on the determining.

11. The device according to claim 7, wherein: The detection threshold is based at least in part on capabilities of the UE and is distinct from a beam identification threshold that otherwise detects whether a beam is suitable for communicating with the secondary cell.

12. The apparatus according to claim 7, further comprising: Means for sending a beam report indicating that no new beam has been identified for communication with the secondary cell and that communication with the secondary cell is unrecoverable.

13. An apparatus for performing wireless communication at a user equipment UE, comprising: processor, a memory in electronic communication with the processor; as well as instructions stored in the memory and executable by the processor to cause the device to: detecting a beam failure of a beam used for communicating with a secondary cell; identifying one or more candidate beams that can be used to communicate with the secondary cell, the one or more candidate beams being different from the failed beam; comparing the quality of each of the candidate beams to a beam detection threshold to attempt to identify a new beam for communicating with the secondary cell; determining that the quality of each of the one or more candidate beams is below the detection threshold; as well as The reserved beam index value or the reserved beam quality value is sent in the beam report to indicate that no new beam is identified for communication with the secondary cell.

14. A non-transitory computer readable medium storing code for wireless communication at a user equipment (UE), the code comprising instructions executable by a processor to: detecting a beam failure of a beam used for communicating with a secondary cell; identifying one or more candidate beams that can be used to communicate with the secondary cell, the one or more candidate beams being different from the failed beam; comparing the quality of each of the candidate beams to a beam detection threshold to attempt to identify a new beam for communicating with the secondary cell; determining that the quality of each of the one or more candidate beams is below the detection threshold; as well as The reserved beam index value or the reserved beam quality value is sent in the beam report to indicate that no new beam is identified for communication with the secondary cell.

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