Millimeter wave multi-beam

Abstract

Various aspects of the present disclosure relate to devices, systems, and methods for multi-beam forming. A user equipment (UE) may determine a sampling interval for a reference signal sent by a base station for an upcoming control or data communication. For example, the UE may determine a tolerable maximum sampling interval for channel estimation and select the sampling interval based on the maximum value. In some examples, the UE determines the sampling interval based on the characteristics of its motion. The UE sends an indication of the sampling interval to the base station. Based on the indication, the base station selects an interval for the reference signal and sends the reference signal to the UE to enable it to perform channel estimation for multiple beams. The base station may determine to select an interval for the reference signal so that it is less than or equal to the sampling interval indicated by the UE.

Description

[0001] Priority information

[0002] This patent application claims priority to U.S. Patent Application No. 17 / 141,516, filed by Raghavan on January 5, 2021, entitled “Millimeter-Wave Multi-Beams,” which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 959,664, filed by Raghavan on January 10, 2020, entitled “Millimeter-Wave Multi-Beams,” both of which have been assigned to the assignee of this Agreement and are expressly incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0003] Aspects of the present disclosure relate generally to wireless communications, and in particular, to techniques and apparatus for analog beamforming for millimeter-wave multi-beamforming. Background Art

[0004] Wireless communication networks are widely deployed to provide various types of communication content, such as voice, video, packet data, messaging, broadcast, 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 known as new radio (NR) systems. These systems can use 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 communication network may include multiple network nodes, including a core network, base stations that communicate with the core network, and mobile devices served by the base stations (each referred to as a user equipment (UE)). Each base station and UE may be equipped with multiple antennas that may be used to employ techniques such as transmit diversity, multiple input multiple output (MIMO), or beamforming. Beamforming is a technique for forming a unicast beam between network nodes (e.g., between a base station and a UE, between a base station and another base station, or between a UE and another UE), which may improve the performance of a wireless communication link between two network nodes. Beamforming more specifically refers to a signal processing technique that may be used at a transmitting device or a receiving device to shape or direct an energy beam along a spatial path between a transmitting device and a receiving device. Beamforming may be achieved by combining or adjusting signals transmitted via antenna elements of a multi-antenna array so that signals propagating along a particular orientation or direction relative to the antenna array experience constructive interference while other signals experience destructive interference.

[0006] Adjustment of the signal transmitted via the corresponding antenna element may include applying amplitude and phase offsets to the signal to form a beam. The amplitude and phase offsets may be determined by performing measurements on a reference signal and estimating the channel based on the measurements. When the UE is in motion, the adequacy of the channel estimate may be reduced, which may reduce the throughput achievable via the communication link between the devices. Summary of the invention

[0007] The systems, methods and devices of the disclosure each have several innovative aspects, no single one of which is solely responsible for the desirable attributes disclosed herein.

[0008] One innovative aspect of the subject matter described in the present disclosure may be implemented in a method for performing simulated millimeter wave beamforming at a first wireless communication device. The method includes determining a first sampling interval for a set of sampling instances for a wireless channel estimation operation based on a motion of the first wireless communication device, the wireless channel estimation operation being for a multi-beam having a beam pattern with multiple main peaks. The method also includes sending first control information to a second wireless communication device, the first control information including an indication of the first sampling interval, an indication of the capability of the first wireless communication device for simulated beamforming, and a request for a plurality of wireless reference signals for the multi-beam.

[0009] In some aspects, the method further includes: receiving second control information from a second wireless communication device after the transmission of the first control information, the second control information including an indication of a second sampling interval for the set of sampling instances. The method may also include: receiving a set of wireless reference signals for a channel estimation operation from the second wireless communication device via the set of antenna elements according to the second sampling interval. The method may also include: performing one or more measurements on the set of wireless reference signals obtained via one or more corresponding antenna elements in the set of antenna elements at each sampling instance in the set of sampling instances according to the second sampling interval. The method may also include: performing a channel estimation operation based on the measurements to obtain a channel estimate for multiple beams. The method may also include: determining a set of beam weights for each of one or more subsets of antenna elements in the set of antenna elements for each of the one or more wireless reference signals based on the channel estimation operation and the capability for simulating beamforming. The method may also include: configuring a set of multi-beam weights for multiple beams based on the determination of the set of beam weights. The method may also include sending control or data information to the second wireless communication device via the configured multi-beam at the use case, or receiving control or data information from the second wireless communication device based on at least one of the time of the use case, the speed or rate associated with the first wireless communication device, or the second sampling interval.

[0010] Another innovative aspect of the subject matter described in the present disclosure can be implemented in a method for performing simulated millimeter wave beamforming at a first wireless communication device. The method includes: receiving first control information from a second wireless communication device, the first control information including: an indication of a first sampling interval for a channel estimation operation for a multi-beam having a beam pattern with multiple main peaks, an indication of the second wireless communication device's ability to simulate beamforming, and a request for multiple wireless reference signals for use by the second wireless communication device to form the multi-beam. The method also includes: sending second control information to the second wireless communication device after receiving the first control information, the second control information including an indication of a second sampling interval for a set of sampling instances. The method also includes: sending a wireless reference signal to the second wireless communication device according to the second sampling interval.

[0011] Another innovative aspect of the subject matter described in the present disclosure can be implemented in a wireless communication device configured for emulating millimeter wave beamforming. The device includes at least one modem, at least one processor communicatively coupled to the at least one modem, and at least one memory communicatively coupled to the at least one processor and storing processor readable code, the processor readable code when executed by the at least one processor in conjunction with the at least one modem is configured to perform any of the above methods. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] Figure 1 An example wireless communication network supporting multi-beamforming in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure is shown.

[0013] Figure 2 Another example wireless communication network supporting multi-beamforming in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure is shown.

[0014] Figure 3 An example of a wireless communication network supporting multi-beamforming in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure is shown.

[0015] Figure 4 A block diagram of a wireless communication device supporting multi-beamforming in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure is shown.

[0016] Figure 5 A block diagram of a wireless communication device supporting multi-beamforming in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure is shown.

[0017] Figure 6 An example timeline supporting multi-beamforming in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure is shown.

[0018] Figure 7 A block diagram of an example wireless communication device supporting multi-beamforming in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure is shown.

[0019] Figure 8 A block diagram of an example user equipment (UE) supporting multi-beamforming in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure is shown.

[0020] Fig. 9 A block diagram of a wireless communication device supporting multi-beamforming in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure is shown.

[0021] Fig.10 A block diagram of a wireless communication device supporting multi-beamforming in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure is shown.

[0022] Fig.11 A block diagram of an example wireless communication device supporting multi-beamforming in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure is shown.

[0023] Fig.12 A block diagram of an example base station supporting multi-beamforming in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure is shown.

[0024] Fig.13A and Fig. 13B A flow chart depicting a method of supporting multi-beamforming in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure is shown.

[0025] Fig.14 A flow chart depicting a method of supporting multi-beamforming in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0026] Aspects of the present disclosure relate generally to wireless communications, and in particular, to techniques and apparatus for analog beamforming for millimeter wave multi-beam generation. In various examples, a UE may determine a sampling interval of a set of wireless reference signals that have not yet been sent by a base station for upcoming control or data communications. For example, the UE may determine a maximum sampling interval for channel estimation that the UE can tolerate, and select a sampling interval based on the determined maximum value. In some examples, the UE determines the sampling interval based on a speed or velocity, a motion state, or a Doppler parameter associated with the motion of the UE. In some examples, the UE may additionally determine the sampling interval based on one or more quality of service (QoS) parameters (e.g., throughput or latency requirements). The UE may require a sampling interval that is short enough to obtain an accurate channel estimate so that it can subsequently form an accurate multi-beam. The UE may send control information indicating the selected sampling interval to the base station. The control information may also include a request for a reference signal for channel estimation.

[0027] The base station may receive control information, select an interval for a reference signal, and send the reference signal to the UE. Advantageously, the base station may determine an interval to be selected for the reference signal that is smaller or equal to a sampling interval indicated in the control information received from the UE. Upon receiving the reference signal, the UE may perform a channel estimation operation to determine a set of beam weights for forming multiple beams. The UE may also determine whether the interval associated with the reference signal is less than or equal to the determined sampling interval that it previously indicated to the base station. If so, and if the time at which a downlink or uplink grant that can use multiple beams is within a threshold time, the UE may choose to use multiple beams to receive downlink communications or send uplink communications. In some examples, the threshold time (or another parameter for determining whether to form multiple beams) may be based on a speed or velocity, a motion state, or a Doppler parameter associated with the movement of the UE.

[0028] Certain aspects of the subject matter described in the present disclosure may be implemented to achieve one or more of the following potential advantages. In some aspects, the described techniques may be used to request reference signals that are sufficiently configured to achieve quality channel estimates to enable the use of multiple beams. In some examples, by notifying the base station of a requested or maximum sampling interval, the base station may select the requested sampling interval or a sampling interval that is smaller or equal to the maximum sampling interval to ensure that the channel estimate is sufficient to achieve accurate multi-beam formation while saving resources for other purposes. In addition, the UE may send an indication of the UE's movement to the base station to assist the base station in selecting an appropriate interval for the reference signal. By enabling high-quality multi-beam formation, the techniques described herein can improve throughput and robustness to beam blocking, as well as other advantages.

[0029] Figure 1 An exemplary wireless communication network 100 supporting multi-beam generation according to aspects of the present disclosure is shown. The wireless communication network 100 may include a plurality of network nodes including a base station 102, a UE 104, and a core network 110. In some examples, the wireless communication network 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 examples, the wireless communication network 100 may support enhanced broadband communications, ultra-reliable (e.g., mission-critical) communications, low-latency communications, or communications with low-cost and low-complexity devices.

[0030] The base station 102 may include or may be referred to as a base transceiver station, a radio base station, an access point, a radio transceiver, a Node B, an eNodeB (eNB), a next generation Node B or a giga-Node B (either of which may be referred to as a gNB), a Home Node B, a Home eNodeB, or some other suitable term. In some examples, the base station 102 may be an integrated access and backhaul (IAB) node or a relay node. Each base station 102 may be associated with a geographic coverage area 106 that supports communication with various UEs 104. Each base station 102 may provide communication coverage for a corresponding geographic coverage area 106 via a wireless communication link 108. The communication link 108 between the base station 102 and the UE 104 may employ one or more carriers and include an uplink (UL) transmission from the UE 104 to the base station 102, or a downlink (DL) transmission from the base station 102 to the UE 104. Downlink transmissions may also be referred to as forward link transmissions, and uplink transmissions may also be referred to as reverse link transmissions.

[0031] The geographic coverage area 106 of the base station 102 can be divided into multiple sectors, which constitute a portion of the geographic coverage area 106, and each sector can be associated with a cell. For example, each base station 102 can provide communication coverage for a macro cell, a small cell, a hotspot, or other types of cells, or various combinations thereof. In some examples, the base station 102 can be mobile and provide communication coverage for a mobile geographic coverage area 106. In some examples, different geographic coverage areas 106 associated with different technologies can overlap, and overlapping geographic coverage areas 106 associated with different technologies can be supported by the same base station 102 or different base stations 102. The wireless communication network 100 may include, for example, a heterogeneous LTE / LTE-A / LTE-A Pro or NR network, in which different types of base stations 102 provide coverage for various geographic coverage areas 106.

[0032] The term "cell" refers to a logical communication entity used to communicate with the base station 102 (e.g., via a carrier), and may be associated with an identifier used to distinguish neighbor cells (e.g., a physical cell identifier (PCID), a virtual cell identifier (VCID) operating via the same or different carriers). In some examples, an operator may support multiple cells, and different cells may be configured according to different protocol types that may provide access rights 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 of a geographic coverage area 106 (e.g., a sector) on which the logical entity operates.

[0033] UE 104 can be dispersed throughout the wireless communication network 100, and each UE 104 can be stationary or mobile. UE 104 can also be referred to as a mobile device, a wireless device, a remote device, a handheld device, or a user device or some other suitable term, where "device" can also be referred to as a unit, a station, a terminal, or a client. UE 104 can be a personal electronic device, such as a cellular phone, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a tablet computer, a laptop, or a personal computer. In some examples, UE 104 can 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 can be implemented in various items such as electrical appliances, vehicles, meters, etc.

[0034] In some examples, UE 104 may also be able to communicate directly with other UEs 104 (e.g., using a point-to-point (P2P) or device-to-device (D2D) protocol). In some cases, one or more UEs in a group of UEs 104 using D2D communication may be located within a geographic coverage area 106 of a base station 102. Other UEs 104 in the group may be located outside the geographic coverage area 106 of the base station 102, or may not otherwise receive transmissions from the base station 102. In some cases, a group of UEs 104 communicating via D2D communication may employ a one-to-many (1:M) system, wherein each UE 104 transmits to each other UE 104 in the group. In some cases, base station 102 facilitates the scheduling of resources for D2D communication. For example, base station 102 may allocate shared resources for D2D communication via a sidelink between UEs 104. In other cases, D2D communication is performed between UEs 104 without the participation of base station 102. In some examples, the UEs may perform a beam training process to identify one or more characteristics or parameters to form directional beams over which to communicate with each other.

[0035] The base stations 102 may communicate with the core network 110 and with each other. For example, the base stations 102 may interface with the core network 110 via a backhaul link 112 (e.g., via S1, N2, N3, or other interface). The base stations 102 may communicate with each other directly (e.g., directly between the base stations 102) or indirectly (e.g., via the core network 110) via a backhaul link 114 (e.g., via X2, Xn, or other interface).

[0036] The core network 110 may provide user authentication, access authorization, tracking, Internet Protocol (IP) connectivity, and other access, routing, or mobility functions. The core network 110 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 for UEs 104 served by base stations 102 associated with the EPC. User IP packets may be transmitted 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 a network operator's IP services. The operator's IP services may include access to the Internet, an intranet, an IP multimedia subsystem (IMS), or a packet switched (PS) streaming service.

[0037] At least some of the network devices, such as the base station 102, 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 104 through multiple other access network transport entities, each of which may be referred to as a radio head, a smart radio head, or a transmit / receive point (TRP). In some configurations, the various functions of each access network entity or base station 102 may be distributed across various network devices (e.g., a radio head and an access network controller) or combined into a single network device (e.g., a base station 102).

[0038] The wireless communication network 100 can operate using one or more frequency bands, for example, in the range of 300 megahertz (MHz) to 300 gigahertz (GHz). Typically, the region from 300MHz to 3GHz is referred to as the ultra-high frequency (UHF) region or decimeter (dm) band, because the length of the wavelength ranges from about 1 decimeter (dm) to 1 meter (m). Buildings and environmental features may block or redirect UHF waves. However, these waves can fully penetrate the structure for macro cells to provide services to UE 104 located indoors. The wireless communication network 100 can also operate in the ultra-high frequency (SHF) region using a frequency band from 3GHz to 30GHz (also referred to as a centimeter (cm) band). The SHF region includes frequency bands such as the 5GHz industrial, scientific and medical (ISM) band, which includes a spectrum commonly used by Wi-Fi networks. The wireless communication network 100 can also operate in the extremely high frequency (EHF) region of the spectrum (e.g., from 30GHz to 300GHz), also referred to as the millimeter (mm or "mmWave" or "mmW") band.

[0039] In some examples, the wireless communication network 100 can support millimeter wave communications between a base station 102 and a UE 104 or between a base station 102 and other base stations 102 (e.g., between IAB nodes or relay nodes). Devices capable of mmW communications can be referred to as "mmW devices." The EHF antennas of mmW devices can be smaller and more closely spaced than UHF antennas. In some cases, the size of the EHT antenna can facilitate the use of antenna arrays within a base station 102 or UE 104. However, the propagation of EHF transmissions may suffer from greater atmospheric attenuation and shorter distances than SHF or UHF transmissions.

[0040] Figure 2Another example wireless communication network 200 supporting multi-beamforming according to aspects of the present disclosure is shown. The wireless communication network 200 may include a plurality of base stations or other access nodes 202 (hereinafter collectively referred to as "base stations", although all access nodes may not include some functions of a typical base station) and a plurality of UEs 204. The wireless communication network 200 may include a wireless backhaul network, sometimes referred to as an integrated access and backhaul (IAB) network (hereinafter, for ease of description, the wireless communication network 200 will also be referred to as the IAB network 200). In the IAB network 200, at least one base station 202 is an anchor base station 202a, also referred to as an IAB donor (or "IAB-donor"). The IAB network 200 also includes one or more non-anchor base stations 202b, sometimes referred to as relay base stations or IAB nodes (or "IAB-nodes").

[0041] The anchor base station 202a can communicate with the core network via a wired backhaul link 212 such as a fiber optic connection. For example, the Ng interface of the IAB donor 202a can terminate at the core network. Additionally or alternatively, the IAB donor 202a can be connected to one or more devices of the core network that provide core access and mobility management functions (e.g., access and mobility management function (AMF) entities). Each IAB donor 202a can include a central unit (CU) that can perform access node controller (ANC) functions, AMF functions, etc. In some aspects, the CU can configure the distributed unit (DU) of the IAB donor 202a or can configure one or more IAB nodes 202b (e.g., mobile terminals (MTs) or DUs of the IAB nodes 202b) connected to the core network via the IAB donor 202a. Therefore, the CU of the IAB donor 202a can control or configure the entire IAB network 200 connected to the core network via the IAB donor 202a, for example, by using control messages or configuration messages, such as radio resource control (RRC) configuration messages, F1 application protocol (F1AP) messages, and other examples.

[0042] The non-anchor base station 202b can communicate with the anchor base station 202a directly or indirectly (e.g., via one or more other non-anchor base stations 202b) via one or more wireless backhaul links 214 to form a backhaul path to the core network to carry backhaul traffic. In addition, each of the anchor base station 202a and the non-anchor base station 202b can communicate with one or more UEs 204 via a wireless access link 208 that carries access traffic.

[0043] The IAB network 200 may also use mmW technology for directional communication (e.g., via beamforming) between an IAB donor 202a and an IAB node 202b, between an IAB node 202b and other IAB nodes 202b, or between an IAB node 202 and a UE 204. Using directional millimeter wave communication may reduce inter-link interference. For example, a millimeter wave wireless backhaul link 214 between an IAB donor 202a and an IAB node 202b or between an IAB node 202b and other IAB nodes 202b may use beamforming to enable the corresponding IAB donor 202a or other IAB node 202b to direct the millimeter wave signal carrying information toward a target base station IAB donor 202a or other IAB node 202b. Similarly, a wireless access link 208 between an IAB node 202b and a UE 204 may enable the IAB node 202b and the UE 204 to transmit beamformed millimeter wave signals toward each other.

[0044] As described above, each base station 102 or 202 is typically equipped with multiple antennas that can be used to employ technologies such as transmit diversity, multiple input multiple output (MIMO), or beamforming. As described above, each UE 104 or 204 may also include multiple antennas that can be used to employ technologies such as receive diversity, MIMO, or beamforming. For example, MIMO communication can increase spectral efficiency by adopting multipath signal propagation by sending or receiving multiple signals via different spatial layers, which can be referred to as spatial multiplexing. Each of the multiple signals can be referred to as a separate spatial stream and can carry bits associated with the same data stream (e.g., the same codeword) or different data streams. Different spatial layers can be associated with different antenna ports for channel measurement and reporting. MIMO technology includes single-user MIMO (SU-MIMO) in which multiple spatial layers are sent to the same receiving device, and multi-user MIMO (MU-MIMO) in which multiple spatial layers are sent to multiple devices.

[0045] In some aspects, UE 104 or UE 204 may communicate with base station 102 or 202 using beamforming, or vice versa. Beamforming is a technique for forming a unicast beam between a network node (e.g., base station 102 or 202 and UE 104 or 204), which may improve the performance of a wireless communication link between the UE and the base station. Beamforming, which may also be referred to as spatial filtering, directional transmission, or directional reception, more specifically refers to a beam (e.g., a transmit beam or a receive beam) that may be used to shape or direct energy along a spatial path between a transmitting device and a receiving device at a transmitting device or a receiving device (e.g., base station 102 or 202 or UE 104 or 204). Beamforming may be achieved by combining or adjusting signals sent via antenna elements of an antenna array so that signals propagating in different orientations or directions relative to the antenna array experience constructive interference, while other signals experience destructive interference. Adjustment of signals sent via individual antenna elements may include applying amplitude and phase offsets to the signals to generate beams.

[0046] The base station 102 or 202 may use multiple antennas or antenna arrays to perform beamforming operations for directional communication with another network node such as another base station 102 or 202 or a UE 104 or 204. For example, the base station 102 or 202 may include an antenna system that includes multiple antenna modules for each of a plurality of corresponding directions. Each antenna module may include an array of antenna elements (e.g., a 16x8 patch antenna array) that may have the same polarization or one of two different polarizations. Each antenna module also includes supporting circuits such as phase shifters, radio frequency (RF) chains, and IF chains.

[0047] UE 104 or 204 may also include and use multiple antennas or antenna arrays to perform beamforming operations for directional communication with base station 102 or 202. For example, UE 104 or 204 may include an antenna system that includes an array of antenna modules. Each antenna module may include one or more antenna elements of the same or different polarizations. For example, the antenna system may include four antenna modules, each antenna module including an antenna subarray, the antenna subarray including a first antenna element having a first polarization and a second antenna element having a second opposite polarization. For example, the first antenna element may be a patch antenna, and the second antenna element may be a dipole antenna.

[0048] The beamforming operation may involve one or both of digital beamforming and analog beamforming. Digital beamforming is based on precoding performed based on a codebook and involves operations performed on signals between a baseband processor and an RF chain coupled to antenna elements of the base station 102 or 202 or UE 104 or 204. Analog beamforming involves operations performed on signals between the RF chain and the antenna elements. If the base station or UE includes more antenna elements than RF chains, the corresponding device may apply analog precoding (or "analog combining") to the signal. For example, a base station 302 with an 8×8 antenna element array may have only two or four RF chains. In such an example, the number of layers that can be sent or received by the base station may also be limited by the number of RF chains.

[0049] Typically, only one antenna module is active or otherwise used at any particular time. The antenna modules are cycled using a combination of phase shifters that apply phase offsets to perform beamforming in a particular direction. For example, a base station 102 or 202 or a UE 104 or 204 may transmit a signal in a particular direction based on the configuration of a corresponding set of beamforming weights (also referred to as a "beam weight set" or "antenna weight set") associated with the corresponding direction. Each set of beam weights may be associated with a particular transmit or receive beam and define the amplitude and phase offsets of the power amplifiers and phase shifters associated with multiple antenna elements of the antenna module, respectively, to form a transmit or receive beam. For example, a base station 102 or 202 may configure a set of beam weights for its antenna elements to generate a transmit beam that carries a signal to the UE 104 or 204 on a downlink. The UE 104 or 204 may configure a set of beam weights for a receive beam, i.e., a set of beam weights to be applied to its antenna elements to receive signals sent by the base station 102 or 202 on a downlink. Similarly, UE 104 or 204 may configure a set of beam weights for its antenna elements to generate transmit beams that carry signals on the uplink to base station 102 or 202, and base station 102 or 202 may configure a set of beam weights for receive beams for the uplink.

[0050] A transmitting device (e.g., base station 102 or 202, which may be an example of a mmW device) may try multiple transmit beams when sending various signals (e.g., synchronization signals, reference signals, beam selection signals, or other control signals) to a receiving device (e.g., UE 104 or 204, which may be an example of a mmW device). For example, the transmitting device may try multiple transmission directions by sending or processing signals based on different beam weight sets. Similarly, a receiving device (e.g., UE 104 or 204) may try multiple receive beams when receiving signals from a transmitting device (e.g., base station 102 or 202). For example, the receiving device may try multiple receive directions by receiving or processing signals based on different beam weight sets.

[0051] Figure 3 An example of a wireless communication network 300 supporting multi-beam generation according to aspects of the present disclosure is shown. In some examples, the wireless communication network 300 may implement the above-mentioned Figure 1 and Figure 2 Various aspects of the wireless communication network 100 or 200 are described. For example, the wireless communication network 300 may include a base station 302 (which may be an example of the base station 102 or 202) and a UE 304 (which may be an example of the UE 104 or 204). The base station 302 and the UE 304 may support a variety of radio access technologies (RATs), including a 4G system (e.g., an LTE system, an LTE-A system, or an LTE-A Pro system) and a 5G system (which may be referred to as an NR system).

[0052] The base station 302 may perform one or more connection procedures (e.g., one or more radio resource control (RRC) procedures, such as a cell acquisition procedure, a random access procedure, an RRC connection procedure, or an RRC configuration procedure) to establish a connection (also referred to as a radio link) for wireless communication with the UE 304. In some examples, the base station 302 and the UE 304 may also perform a connection procedure to reestablish a connection or establish a connection after a connection failure (e.g., a radio link failure) for handover to another base station. The connection procedure between the base station 302 and the UE 304 may correspond to, for example, at least one of the above-described example RATs.

[0053] exist Figure 3In the example of , the base station 302 and the UE 304 may be mmW devices operating in the mmW frequency range (e.g., 28 GHz, 40 GHz, or 60 GHz bands), and the connection process may involve a mmW NR system. As described above, the wireless communication between the base station 302 and the UE 304 at these frequencies may be beamformed. Therefore, as part of the connection process, the base station 302 and the UE 304 may perform a beam pair establishment process to establish a beam pair link (BPL) (e.g., including a downlink beam pair or an uplink beam pair) for communication between the base station 302 and the UE 304. For example, the base station 302 and the UE 304 may perform a beam scanning process, which may include a base station side beam pair refinement process and a UE side beam pair refinement process to refine the beam.

[0054] For example, upon determining an appropriate downlink beam pair, the base station 302 may send one or more beamformed communication beams ("transmit beams") in each of a plurality of different directions within the coverage area (e.g., with variable beam widths or at different elevation angles). Figure 3 In the example shown in , the base station 302 can transmit beams 305-a to 305-d according to a beam scanning pattern. The UE 304 can generate receive beams 315-a to 315-d according to the same or different beam scanning patterns. Similarly, when determining a suitable uplink beam pair, the UE 304 can generate a transmit beam in each of a plurality of different directions, and the base station 302 can form a receive beam in a plurality of different directions. In some other examples, after determining the downlink beam pair, the base station 302 and the UE 304 can determine the uplink beam pair based on the downlink beam pair. In some such examples in which channel reciprocity is assumed, the base station 302 and the UE 304 can determine the uplink beam pair so that it matches the downlink bearer pair within a calibration adjustment. For example, for the base station 302, the set of beam weights (and associated amplitude and phase offsets) configured for the downlink transmit beam can be the same as the set of beam weights configured for the uplink receive beam. Thus, beams 305-a through 305-d may also represent receive beams formed by base station 302 for receiving uplink communications. Similarly, for UE 304, the set of beam weights (and associated amplitude and phase offsets) configured for downlink receive beams may be the same as the set of beam weights configured for uplink transmit beams. Thus, beams 315-a through 315-d may also represent transmit beams formed by UE 304 for sending uplink communications.

[0055] As described above, beams (e.g., beams 305-a to 305-d of base station 302, and beams 315-a to 315-d of UE 304) may include one or more signals to support determination of a suitable beam pair. Examples of these signals may include reference signals (e.g., channel state information reference signal (CSI-RS), sounding reference signal (SRS), beam reference signal (BRS), demodulation reference signal (DMRS), or tracking reference signal (TRS)) and synchronization signals (e.g., synchronization signal block (SSB), primary synchronization signal (PSS), or secondary synchronization signal (SSS)), or any combination of these signals, which may generally be referred to as "reference signals"). Each beam may have an associated beam identifier and beam direction, and include one or more beam symbols. In this way, base station 302 and UE 304 are able to associate beam identifiers, beam directions, and beam symbols with specific beams.

[0056] In some examples, the base station 302 may sequentially send one or more downlink reference signals to the UE 304 on each of a plurality of transmit beams 305 (e.g., starting with beam 305-a and sequentially continuing through other beams 305-b, 305-c, and 305-d). For example, the base station 302 may send a CSI-RS or a DMRS, as well as other possibilities, one at a time on each beam 305. In some examples, the base station 302 and the UE 304 may perform a P1 procedure (also referred to as a "P1 scan") to enable discovery of new BPLs. To this end, the base station 302 may periodically send different symbols of a reference signal (referred to herein as a "P1-signal") on beams 305 formed in different spatial directions.

[0057] UE 304 may attempt to determine a suitable receive beam 315 for successfully receiving at least one symbol of the reference signal. For example, UE 120 may scan the available receive beams 315 and may use different receive beams 315 to identify the appropriate receive beam 315 during each occurrence of the periodic P1-signal. Based on the downlink reference signal, UE 304 may perform channel measurements on each transmit beam 305 using each receive beam 315. For example, for each beam, UE 304 may measure reference signal received power (RSRP), reference signal received quality (RSRQ), signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), signal-to-interference-plus-noise ratio (SINR), or estimated block error rate (BLER), as well as other examples. UE 304 may then report some or all channel measurements, or channel quality parameters based on the channel measurements, to base station 302. In some embodiments using the P1 process, the report may include a symbol index of the P1-signal. Base station 302 and UE 304 may select corresponding beams based on channel measurements or other channel quality parameters. For example, the base station 302 may select the beam 305 - a based in part on the SNR or RSRP, and the UE 304 may select the beam 315 - a based in part on the SINR or RSRQ.

[0058] After performing the P1 process, the base station 302 and the UE 304 may perform a BS-side beam pair refinement process, referred to herein as a P2 process (or "P2 scan"). During the P2 process, the base station 302 may use each of a second set of different transmit beams that are relatively narrower than the transmit beam 305-a selected in the P1 process and are spatially close to the selected beam (e.g., within approximately two degrees of the wider transmit beam 305-a) to send symbols of a reference signal. Similar to what was described above for the initial P1 process, during the P2 process, the UE 304 may use the receive beam 315-a selected in the P1 process to perform channel measurements on each of the second set of narrower transmit beams based on the downlink reference signal.

[0059] As described above, for each of the second set of narrower transmit beams, the UE 304 may measure RSRP, RSRQ, SNR, SINR, or estimated BLER, among other examples. The UE 304 may then report some or all of the channel measurements, or channel quality parameters, to the base station 302 based on the channel measurements. The base station 302 may then select an active (or "primary") transmit beam based on the channel measurements or other channel quality parameters. Typically, the base station 302 selects a transmit beam from the second set of narrower transmit beams that provides the best performance for the base station 302 and the UE 304. However, it should be understood that the base station 302 need not select or identify the best beam from the plurality of beams, and instead, the base station 302 may select any suitable transmit beam using any suitable criteria, factors, or thresholds.

[0060] The base station 302 and the UE 304 may also perform a UE-side beam pair refinement process, referred to herein as a P3 process (or "P3 scan"). In some examples, the base station 302 may use a single transmit beam selected after the P2 process to send symbols of a reference signal. During the P3 process, the UE 304 may receive symbols of a reference signal using each of a second set of different receive beams that are relatively narrower than the receive beam 315-a selected during the P1 process and are spatially close to the selected beam (e.g., within approximately two degrees of the wider receive beam 315-a). Similar to what was described above for the initial P1 process, during the P3 process, the UE 304 may perform channel measurements based on downlink reference signals using each of the second set of narrower receive beams.

[0061] As described above, for each of the second set of narrower receive beams, the UE 304 may measure RSRP, RSRQ, SNR, SINR, or estimated BLER, among other examples. The UE may then select an active (primary) receive beam based on the channel measurements or other channel quality parameters. Typically, the UE 304 selects a receive beam from the second set of narrower receive beams that provides the best performance for the UE 304. However, it should be understood that the UE 304 does not need to identify the current best beam among the multiple beams for selection or identification, and instead, the UE 304 may select any suitable receive beam using any suitable criteria, factors, or thresholds.

[0062] In some examples, the base station 302 and the UE 304 may then exchange reports indicating the selected active transmit beams and receive beams, respectively. For example, the base station 302 may send a report including an indication of the active transmit beam to the UE 304 via RRC signaling, a MAC control element (MAC-CE), downlink control information (DCI), or other suitable signaling. Similarly, the UE 304 may send a report including an indication of the active receive beam to the base station 302 via RRC signaling, MAC-CE, uplink control information (UCI), or other suitable signaling. As described above, once the active beam selection is performed, the base station 302 and the UE 304 may establish a BPL and a connection (e.g., such as a wireless communication link 108 or 208) to perform beamformed wireless communications using the active transmit beams and receive beams.

[0063] It should also be understood that, in addition or alternatively, UE 304 can send one or more uplink reference signals to base station 302 on each of the multiple uplink transmit beams. For example, UE 304 can send SRS or TRS on each beam, as well as other possibilities. Base station 302 can similarly receive and perform channel measurements based in part on one or more uplink reference signals. For example, base station 302 can measure RSRP, RSRQ, SNR, or SINR, and report the channel measurements to UE 304. Then, base station 302 and UE 304 can both select beams based on the measurements or other channel quality parameters.

[0064] In some examples, when selecting their respective beams for downlink or uplink communications, the base station 302 and the UE 304 may also each select a respective candidate (or "auxiliary") beam as a fallback beam in an instance where the quality of the active beam falls below a threshold (e.g., an RSRP threshold or an RSRQ threshold). For example, the base station 302 may select another transmit beam 305 (e.g., beam 305-b) as an auxiliary beam. Similarly, the UE 304 may select another receive beam 315 (e.g., beam 315-b) as an auxiliary beam. Additionally or alternatively, the base station 302 may select an auxiliary transmit beam from a second set of narrower transmit beams generated for the P2 process. Similarly, the UE 304 may select an auxiliary receive beam from a second set of narrower receive beams generated for the P3 process.

[0065] If necessary, advantageous, or otherwise desired, the base station 302 or the UE 304 may switch to the corresponding auxiliary beam (which will then become the active beam) and establish a new BPL. For example, the quality of the communication link established between the base station 302 and the UE 304 (e.g., the quality of the active beam pair) may change over time (e.g., due to the mobility of the UE 304, dynamic blocking (e.g., physical obstacles), or other changes in channel conditions). In some examples, the base station 302 may periodically or aperiodically send a reference signal to the UE 304 so that the UE 304 may perform one or more channel measurements to monitor the value of a channel quality parameter of the communication link between the base station 302 and the UE 304. For example, the UE 304 may determine that the RSRP of the active beam has fallen below a threshold (e.g., below an RSRP threshold). This determination may trigger UE 304 to switch to a new active beam (e.g., from beam 315-a to beam 315-b), and in some examples, report the measurement to base station 302, which may trigger base station 302 to perform a beam management procedure. For example, in response to the report from UE 304, base station 302 may perform a beam switching procedure to switch to the new active beam (e.g., from beam 305-a to beam 305-b). Alternatively, UE 304 may periodically or aperiodically send a reference signal to base station 302 so that base station 302 may perform one or more channel measurements to monitor the value of a channel quality parameter of the communication link.

[0066] In some examples, the base station 302 can send a beam switching message to the UE 304, the beam switching message including beam switching timing information (e.g., time (and frequency) resources, such as a time slot index) and a request for the UE 304 to perform a beam switching process during a beam switching window based on the beam switching timing information. The beam switching window can indicate a time interval (e.g., during a particular time slot or symbol) when a beam switching event is scheduled to occur. The beam switching process can cause the UE 304 to switch from communicating with the base station 302 using an active beam (e.g., beam 315-a) to communicating with the base station 302 using an auxiliary beam (e.g., beam 315-b). As a result, the UE 304 can eliminate or mitigate any interruption in communication with the base station 302, and there is no need to perform a beam failure recovery process.

[0067] As described above, in some examples, after the base station 302 and the UE 304 select their primary transmit and receive beams, the base station 302 may periodically or aperiodically send additional reference signals to the UE 304. For example, the base station 302 may periodically or aperiodically send a CSI-RS to the UE 304 (e.g., upon request by the UE 304). As described above, the UE 304 may perform measurements on the CSI-RS and send reports back to the base station 302. For example, in response to receiving the CSI-RS, the UE 304 may send a CSI report that provides an indication of the channel conditions at a particular time to the base station 302. In some examples, the CSI report may include channel quality information (CQI), a precoding matrix indicator (PMI), rank information (RI), various channel measurements, or a combination thereof. The sending of the CSI report by the UE 304 may be configurable. For example, the UE 304 may be configured to send a CSI report periodically or aperiodically. For periodic CSI reporting, the UE 304 may send CSI reports at specific periodic intervals, which may be configured by higher layers (e.g., via RRC signaling). For aperiodic CSI reporting, the UE 304 may send CSI reports in response to a request from the base station 302. For example, the base station 302 may request a CSI report from the UE 304 by signaling the request in a control message (e.g., in a DCI). In some examples, the UE 304 may identify and indicate a timestamp for one or more values ​​of a channel quality parameter or a timing of measurements performed to determine one or more values ​​of a channel quality parameter.

[0068] A receiving device such as UE 304 needs to solve a set of equations to obtain a channel estimate to select a receive beam and determine a set of beam weights for the selected beam. The form and generation of the equations are typically implementation specific. The number of equations required is based on the number of antennas to be used for beamforming. For example, in order to perform beamforming using 4 antennas, UE 304 will need to solve 4 equations. Therefore, the sampling period for each reference signal sent by base station 302 will need to include 4 sampling instances. In some examples, UE 304 may use or activate only one antenna in each sampling instance in order to obtain channel measurements for a single antenna in each sampling instance. In some other examples, UE 304 may use or activate all four antennas in each sampling instance in order to obtain channel measurements for all antennas in each sampling instance. The sampling frequency is defined by the interval between sampling instances (referred to herein as a "sampling interval") within the sampling period. For example, the sampling interval may be or be approximately 1 millisecond (ms).

[0069] In some examples, the specific transmit and receive beams selected by the base station 302 and the UE 304 may not be along the line of sight. For example, there may be multiple physical objects (or "clusters") that at least partially reflect or diffract in the area between the base station 302 and the UE 304. In such examples, the active transmit and receive beams may not provide optimal channel conditions. In addition, in some examples, auxiliary transmit and receive beams, while not as advantageous as the active transmit and receive beams, may also provide channel conditions suitable for some wireless communications.

[0070] In some aspects, the base station 302 or UE 304 may perform analog beamforming to form a transmit or receive beam based on both the corresponding selected active beam and the auxiliary beam (referred to herein as a "multi-beam"). In some examples, all antenna elements of a particular active antenna module may be used to form a corresponding transmit or receive multi-beam. For example, the base station 302 may generate a transmit beam in the form of a multi-beam based on a set of beam weights associated with beam 305-a and beam 305-b. Generating multiple beams from separate beams 305-a and 305-b may be implementation specific. Similarly, the UE 304 may generate a receive beam in the form of a multi-beam based on a set of beam weights associated with beam 315-a and beam 315-b. Unlike the single beams 305 and 315 described above, which include only a single corresponding main peak or lobe, a multi-beam is associated with a beam pattern including at least two main peaks (e.g., one main peak primarily associated with the main beam and one main peak primarily associated with the auxiliary beam).

[0071] In some examples, the base station 302 or UE 304 can dynamically switch between using a single beam scheme (e.g., the single beam scheme described above) and using a multi-beam scheme, or vice versa. For example, in a case where the UE 304 may be moving at a relatively high speed (associated with a medium or high Doppler spread), a single beam scheme may provide optimal performance for a duration or be advantageous in other aspects. However, in a case where the UE 304 is stationary or moving at a relatively low rate (associated with a low Doppler spread), using multi-beams may provide optimal performance. However, the formation of multi-beams is typically based on obtaining relatively good, effective channel estimates. Typically, the smaller the sampling interval, the better the quality of the channel estimate obtained from the measurements performed at the sampling instance.

[0072] In some examples, the base station 302 or UE 304 may not immediately apply the determined beam weights (including phase shifter values) for each multi-beam. For example, it may be necessary, beneficial, or otherwise appropriate or desirable to apply or configure beam weights for multiple beams at a future time, which may be a relatively distant time (e.g., 200 milliseconds (ms) to 1 second (s) or more after the beam weights are determined). This may be necessary due to slower circuit switching and UE-side capabilities that do not allow for rapid use of the determined beam weights. The time at which the UE 304 is to apply the beam weights is referred to herein as a "use case" and may be defined by a downlink or uplink grant from the base station 302. For example, the use case may be, or may be approximately 10ms, 14ms, 20ms, 50ms, 100ms, or 200ms after the end of a sampling period. In instances of high mobility, due to the effects of Doppler on multiple beams, the set of beam weights (and associated amplitude and phase offset values) may no longer be applicable at the time of the use case. Therefore, the duration between the sampling period and the use case is related to the relevance of the information obtained by the channel measurement during the sampling period.

[0073] Aspects of the present disclosure relate generally to wireless communications, and in particular, to techniques and apparatus for analog beamforming for millimeter wave multi-beam generation. In various examples, a UE may determine a sampling interval for a set of wireless reference signals that have not yet been sent by a base station for upcoming control or data communications. For example, the UE may determine a maximum sampling interval for channel estimation that the UE can tolerate, and select a sampling interval based on the determined maximum value. In some examples, the UE determines the sampling interval based on a speed or rate, a motion state, or a Doppler parameter associated with the motion of the UE. In some examples, the UE may additionally determine the sampling interval based on one or more quality of service (QoS) parameters (e.g., throughput or latency requirements). As described above, the UE may require a sufficiently short sampling interval to obtain an accurate channel estimate so that it can subsequently form an accurate multi-beam. The UE may send control information indicating the sampling interval to the base station. The control information may also include a request for a reference signal for channel estimation.

[0074] The base station may receive control information, select an interval for a reference signal, and send the reference signal to the UE. Advantageously, the base station may determine to select an interval for the reference signal that is smaller or equal to a sampling interval indicated in the control information received from the UE. Once the reference signal is received, the UE may perform a channel estimation operation to determine a set of beam weights for forming multiple beams. The UE may also determine whether the interval associated with the reference signal is less than or equal to the determined sampling interval that it previously indicated to the base station. If so, and if the time at which a downlink or uplink grant may be used for multiple beams is within a threshold time, the UE may choose to use multiple beams to receive downlink communications or send uplink communications. In some examples, the threshold time (or another parameter for determining whether to form multiple beams) may be based on a speed or velocity, a motion state, or a Doppler parameter associated with the movement of the UE.

[0075] Certain aspects of the subject matter described in the present disclosure may be implemented to achieve one or more of the following potential advantages. In some aspects, the described techniques may be used to request a reference signal that is sufficiently configured to achieve quality channel estimation to enable the use of multiple beams. In some examples, by notifying a base station of a requested or maximum sampling interval, the base station may select the requested sampling interval or a sampling interval that is smaller or equal to the maximum sampling interval to ensure that the channel estimate is sufficient to achieve accurate multi-beam formation while saving resources for other purposes. In addition, the UE may send an indication of the UE's movement to the base station to assist the base station in selecting an appropriate interval for the reference signal. By enabling the formation of high-quality multiple beams, the techniques described herein can improve throughput and robustness to beam blocking, as well as other examples.

[0076] Figure 4 A block diagram of a wireless communication device 405 supporting multi-beam generation according to aspects of the present disclosure is shown. The wireless communication device may be respectively referred to as Figures 1 to 3 Examples of various aspects of UE 104, 204, or 304 described herein. The wireless communication device 405 includes a receiver 410, a communication manager 415, and a transmitter 420, which can communicate with each other (e.g., via one or more buses). In some examples, the wireless communication device 405 is configured to perform the following reference FIG. 13A to FIG. 13BThe operations of process 1300 described herein. In some examples, wireless communication device 405 may include a chip, SoC, chipset, package, or device that includes at least one processor and at least one modem (e.g., a 5G modem or other cellular modem). In some examples, communication manager 415 or its subcomponents may be separate and distinct components. In some examples, at least some components of communication manager 415 are at least partially implemented as software stored in memory. For example, portions of one or more components of communication manager 415 may be implemented as non-transitory instructions (or "code") that can be executed by a processor to perform the functions or operations of the corresponding components.

[0077] The receiver 410 may receive (e.g., in a packet form) reference signals (e.g., periodically configured CSI-RS, aperiodically configured CSI-RS, or multi-beam dedicated reference signals), synchronization signals (e.g., SSB), control information, and data information via various channels including a control channel (e.g., a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH)) and a data channel (e.g., a physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH)). The received information may be delivered to other components of the device 405. The receiver 410 may be a reference Figure 7 Receiver 410 may be coupled to or otherwise utilize an antenna set (eg, the antenna set may be referenced to Figure 8 Examples of various aspects of the antenna system 825 described herein).

[0078] The transmitter 420 may transmit signals generated by the communication manager 415 or other components of the wireless communication device 405. In some examples, the transmitter 420 may be co-located with the receiver 410 in a transceiver. The transmitter 420 may be a reference Figure 7 The transmitter 420 may be coupled to or otherwise utilize an antenna set (eg, the antenna set may be referenced to Figure 8 8), which may be an antenna element shared with receiver 410. In some examples, transmitter 420 is configured to send control information in a physical uplink control channel (PUCCH) and data in a physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH).

[0079] The communication manager 415 may determine a first sampling interval for a set of sampling instances for a wireless channel estimation operation for a multi-beam having a beam pattern with multiple main peaks based on the motion of the device 405. The communication manager 415 may cause the transmitter 420 to transmit a signal to a second wireless communication device (e.g., such as a reference signal). Figure 3The base station 302 described above (such as a base station) sends first control information, which includes an indication of a first sampling interval, an indication of the ability of the device 405 to simulate beamforming, and a request for multiple radio reference signals (RS) for multiple beams.

[0080] Figure 5 A block diagram of a wireless communication device 505 supporting multi-beam generation according to aspects of the present disclosure is shown. The device 505 may be a reference Figure 1-4 Examples of various aspects of the wireless communication device 405 or UE 104, 204, or 304 described herein. The wireless communication device 505 may include a receiver 510, a communication manager 515, and a transmitter 520, which may communicate with each other (e.g., via one or more buses). In some examples, the wireless communication device 505 is configured to perform the following reference FIG. 13A to FIG. 13B The operations of the described process 1300. In some examples, the wireless communication device 505 may include a chip, SoC, chipset, package, or device that includes at least one processor and at least one modem (e.g., a 5G modem or other cellular modem). In some examples, the communication manager 515 or its subcomponents may be separate and distinct components. In some examples, at least some components of the communication manager 515 are at least partially implemented as software stored in a memory. For example, portions of one or more components of the communication manager 515 may be implemented as non-transitory code that a processor can execute to perform the functions or operations of the corresponding components.

[0081] The receiver 510 may receive a reference signal (e.g., in a packet form) (e.g., a periodically configured CSI-RS, an aperiodically configured CSI-RS, or a multi-beam dedicated reference signal), a synchronization signal (e.g., SSB), control information, and data information from a second wireless communication device (e.g., a base station) via various channels (including a control channel (e.g., PDCCH) and a data channel (e.g., PDSCH). The received information may be delivered to other components of the device 505. The receiver 510 may be a reference Figure 7 Examples of various aspects of the radio unit 706 are described in detail. The receiver 510 may include a set of RF chains coupled to a set of antennas or otherwise utilize a set of antennas (eg, the set of antennas may be referenced to Figure 8 Examples of various aspects of the antenna system 825 described herein).

[0082] The transmitter 520 may transmit signals generated by the communication manager 515 or other components of the wireless communication device 505. In some examples, the transmitter 520 may be co-located with the receiver 510 in a transceiver. The transmitter 520 may be a reference Figure 7The transmitter 520 may be coupled to or otherwise utilize an antenna set (eg, the antenna set may be referenced to Figure 8 8), which may be an antenna element shared with receiver 510. In some examples, transmitter 520 is configured to send control information in the PUCCH and to send data in the PUSCH.

[0083] The communication manager 515 may be a reference Figure 4 Examples of aspects of the communication manager 415 are described. The communication manager 515 includes a link establishment component 525, a motion determination component 530, a sampling interval determination component 535, a use case determination component 540, a channel measurement component 545, a channel estimation component 550, a beam weight determination component 555, and a beam selection and generation component 560.

[0084] The link establishment component 525 is configured to establish a link with the second wireless communication device, including establishing a BPL, for example, as described in reference Figure 3 As described. For example, the link establishment component 525 can perform a beam training operation with the second wireless communication device in combination with the beam weight determination component 555 and the beam selection and generation component 560. For example, the measurement component 545 can perform one or more measurements on a set of reference signals or synchronization signals (again collectively referred to as reference signals) obtained by the receiver 510 via one or more corresponding antenna elements in the set of antenna elements. Then, the channel estimation component 550 can perform a channel estimation operation based on the measurement performed by the measurement component 545 to obtain channel estimates for multiple candidate single beams, each candidate single beam having a corresponding beam mode with a single main peak. Then, based on the channel estimation operation performed by the channel estimation component 550, the beam weight determination component 555 can select or otherwise determine a beam weight set for each of the one or more antenna element subsets in the set of antenna elements for each reference signal in the one or more reference signals obtained by the receiver 510. Then, the beam selection and generation component 560 can select a single beam from the multiple single beams and configure the determined beam weight set for the single beam.

[0085] In some examples, based on the configuration of the single beam weight set, the receiver 510 can receive control information from the second wireless communication device via the single beam. Then, the measurement component 545 can perform one or more measurements again, and then the channel estimation component 550 can perform another channel estimation operation based on the new measurements. Based on the channel estimation operation, the beam selection and generation component 560 can determine to switch to a multi-beam with a beam pattern with multiple main peaks.

[0086] The motion determination component 530 can determine one or more motion characteristics or parameters associated with the motion of the wireless communication device 505. For example, the motion determination component 530 can receive sensor data from one or more sensors (e.g., one or more inertial sensors, gyroscope devices, or other motion sensors, etc.), and location data (e.g., from a global positioning service (GPS) component or another location determination component that can determine the location of the wireless communication device via cell triangulation, etc.). The motion determination component 530 can generate motion information or determine a motion state that quantifies or otherwise characterizes the motion of the wireless communication device 505. For example, the motion information can include or the motion state can indicate one or more motion values ​​or parameters, such as a speed or velocity associated with the motion of the wireless communication device, or a Doppler value or parameter associated with the motion. The motion determination component 530 can output signaling including the motion information. In some such examples, the first control information can also include motion information for the wireless communication device 505, or a motion state of the wireless communication device 505.

[0087] The sampling interval determination component 535 can be coupled to the motion determination component 530 and can determine a first sampling interval Δ for a set of sampling instances of a wireless channel estimation operation for the multi-beam based on the motion information received from the motion determination component 530. S1 For example, sampling interval determining component 535 can determine the first sampling interval Δ based on a speed or velocity associated with the motion of wireless communication device 505. S1 In some examples, the first sampling interval Δ S1 is the maximum sampling interval that the wireless communication device 505 can tolerate (e.g., that the wireless communication device 505 can tolerate to perform channel estimation of sufficient quality to generate multiple beams via analog beamforming). In some other examples, the sampling interval determining component 535 can determine the specific sampling interval it requests, and the first sampling interval Δ S1 is the specific sampling interval requested. In some examples, the sampling interval determination component 535 can select a value for the first sampling interval Δ from a set of preconfigured values. S1 In some examples, the sampling interval determining component 535 can further determine the first sampling interval Δ based on one or more QoS parameters. S1 , such as a data rate requirement or a delay requirement of the wireless communication device 505. In some such examples, the first control information may also include a data rate requirement or a delay requirement of the wireless communication device 505.

[0088] The communication manager 515 may send (or cause to be sent via the transmitter 520) first control information to a second wireless communication device (eg, a base station such as the base station 302), the first control information including information about the first sampling interval Δ S1 An indication of one or more capabilities of the wireless communication device 505 for simulating beamforming, and a request for a number of wireless reference signals (e.g., a CSI-RS set) or a synchronization signal (e.g., a SSB set) for multiple beams. In some specific examples, the request for a number of reference signals can be a request for a non-periodically configured CSI-RS set (e.g., a CSI-RS set corresponding to a sampling period and configured non-periodically, but it itself includes a plurality of CSI-RS resources (or simply "CSI-RS") periodically arranged within the set according to a sampling interval. In some examples, the first control information is sent in a beam report via the PUCCH.

[0089] In some examples, the indication of analog beamforming capability includes at least one of: an indication of the number of antenna elements in a set of antenna elements of the wireless communication device 505, an indication of the number of RF chains of the wireless communication device 505 coupled to the set of antenna elements, or an indication of the ability to perform channel estimation based on phase and signal strength or channel estimation based only on signal strength.

[0090] The use case determination component 540 can determine the time of the use case, or the duration or interval Δ from the beginning or end of the sampling period. U , and the time of the use case. For example, the use case determination component 540 can identify the time of a downlink grant or an uplink grant, and or determine the time of the use case based on the time of the downlink or uplink grant. For example, according to aspects of the present disclosure, the use case determination component 540 can receive scheduling information (via the receiver 510), such as in downlink control information (DCI), wherein the scheduling information identifies time and frequency resources for a downlink or uplink grant, during which the wireless communication device 505 can receive data from a second wireless communication device or send data to a second wireless communication device via a multi-beam. In some examples, the use case determination component 540 can also estimate the time of the use case based on a data rate requirement or latency requirement of the wireless communication device 505. In some examples, the use case determination component 540 can select a value from a set of preconfigured values ​​for estimating the use case. In some examples, the use case determination component 540 selects or estimates the interval Δ U The maximum duration of using the multi-beam weights that the wireless communication device 505 can tolerate. In some examples, the first control information sent to the second wireless communication device also includes information about the maximum duration ΔU instructions.

[0091] Figure 6 An exemplary timeline 600 for supporting multi-beamforming in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure is shown. The timeline 600 can be an example of aspects of operations performed by a wireless communication device 505. The timeline 600 includes a sampling period or duration 602 during which the receiver 510 receives a reference signal and the measurement component 545 performs one or more measurements at each of a plurality of sampling instances 604 according to a sampling interval. As shown, the sampling interval determination component 535 can select a first sampling interval Δ based on estimating that it needs to perform a sampling instance 604 of sufficiently high quality channel estimation operation for multi-beam. S1 The timeline 600 further illustrates an estimated time (eg, maximum interval Δ U ), as shown, the estimated time can start at the end of the sampling period 602.

[0092] Come back for reference Figure 5 , the receiver 510 may also receive second control information from the second wireless communication device after the transmission of the first control information, the second control information including information about the second sampling interval Δ for the sampling instance set 604. S2 For example, the receiver 510 may receive the second control information in the PDCCH. The second sampling interval Δ S2 can be related to the first sampling interval Δ S1 For example, it may depend on whether the second wireless communication device will accept the request from the wireless communication device 505. For example, in which the first sampling interval Δ S1 is an instance of a specific sampling interval being requested, the second wireless communication device may determine whether to use or not use the first sampling interval Δ S1 As the second sampling interval Δ S2 In which the first sampling interval Δ S1 In other examples where the maximum sampling interval is selected, the second wireless communication device may determine to select a sampling interval that is less than or equal to the first sampling interval Δ S1 The second sampling interval Δ S2 The second control information may explicitly or implicitly indicate whether the first sampling interval Δ requested by the UE is permitted. S1 .

[0093] According to the second sampling interval Δ S2, the receiver 510 may also receive a reference signal set (e.g., a periodically configured CSI-RS, an aperiodically configured CSI-RS, or a multi-beam dedicated reference signal) or a synchronization signal (e.g., SSB) for channel estimation operation from the second wireless communication device via the antenna element set. S2 , the measurement component 545 can perform one or more measurements on a set of reference signals or synchronization signals (again collectively referred to as reference signals) obtained via one or more corresponding antenna elements in the set of antenna elements at each sampling instance 604 in the set of sampling instances.

[0094] Then, the channel estimation component 550 can perform a channel estimation operation based on the measurement performed by the measurement component 545 to obtain a channel estimate for the multi-beam. In some examples, the channel estimation operation includes a channel estimate based on phase and signal strength. In some other examples, the channel estimation operation includes a channel estimate based only on signal strength. In some examples, the execution of the channel estimation operation includes: determining the signal strength for channel estimation. For example, the determination of signal strength can include determining at least one of the following: reference signal received power (RSRP), reference signal received quality (RSRQ), signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), signal-to-interference and noise ratio (SINR), signal-to-interference ratio (SIR), or received signal strength indicator (RSSI). In some examples, the execution of the channel estimation operation also includes: determining the phase for channel estimation based on a comparison of the composite signal in the in-phase (I) and quadrature (Q) components of the channel estimate.

[0095] The beam weight determination component 555 is configured to select or otherwise determine a set of beam weights for each of one or more subsets of antenna elements in the set of antenna elements based on the channel estimation operation performed by the channel estimation component 550 and based on the UE capabilities for emulating beamforming for each of the one or more reference signals obtained by the receiver 510. The beam selection and generation component 560 can then determine and configure a set of multi-beam weights for the multi-beams based on the selection of the set of beam weights.

[0096] Then, based on at least one of the time of the use case, the speed or rate associated with the UE, or the second sampling interval, the communication manager 515 may send control or data information to the second wireless communication device via the configured multi-beam (e.g., defined by a downlink or uplink grant received from the second wireless communication device via DCI or other signaling) at the actual use case, or receive control or data information from the second wireless communication device. For example, the beam selection and generation component 560 may determine whether the set of beam weights configured for the multi-beams will still be relevant or otherwise applicable to the actual use case based on comparing the time of the use case to a threshold. Additionally or alternatively, the beam selection and generation component 560 may determine whether the set of beam weights configured for the multi-beams will still be applicable to the actual use case based on comparing the speed or rate to a threshold. Additionally or alternatively, the beam selection and generation component 560 may determine whether the set of beam weights configured for the multi-beams will still be applicable to the actual use case based on comparing the speed or rate to a threshold. Additionally or alternatively, the beam selection and generation component 560 may determine whether the set of beam weights configured for the multi-beams will still be applicable to the actual use case based on comparing the second sampling interval Δ S2 The second sampling interval Δ is determined by comparing with the threshold S2 Is it narrow enough or short enough so that the quality of the channel estimation operation performed by the channel estimation component 550 is sufficient to make the set of beam weights configured for the multiple beams accurate enough for use in an actual use case. In some examples, if the beam selection and generation component 560 determines that all (or alternatively, one or more) of these conditions are met, the communication manager 515 can send or receive control or data information via multiple beams at the use case. In some examples, if the beam selection and generation component 560 determines that one or more of these conditions are not met, it can determine to switch to or use a single beam in other aspects. In this latter example, the communication manager 515 can then use a single beam to send or receive control or data information at the use case.

[0097] Figure 7A block diagram of an exemplary wireless communication device 700 supporting multi-beam generation according to aspects of the present disclosure is shown. As described herein, the device 700 may be an example of a wireless communication device 405, a wireless communication device 505, or a UE 104, 204, or 304 or include components thereof. The wireless communication device 700 may be or may include a chip, a system on a chip (SoC), a chipset, a package, or a device, which includes one or more modems 702 (e.g., a 3GPP 4G LTE or 5G compatible modem, collectively referred to as "modem 702"). The wireless communication device 700 also includes one or more processors, processing blocks, or processing elements 704 (collectively referred to as "processor 704") coupled to the modem 702. In some embodiments, the wireless communication device 700 additionally includes one or more radio units 706 (collectively referred to as "radio unit 706") coupled to the modem 702. In some embodiments, the wireless communication device 700 also includes one or more memory blocks or elements 708 (collectively referred to as "memory 708") coupled to the processor 704 or the modem 702.

[0098] The modem 702 may include an intelligent hardware block or device, such as an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) or the like. The modem 702 is typically configured to implement a PHY layer, and in some embodiments, is also configured to implement a portion of a MAC layer (e.g., a hardware portion of a MAC layer). For example, the modem 702 is configured to modulate packets and output the modulated packets to the radio unit 704 for transmission over a wireless medium. The modem 702 is similarly configured to obtain modulated packets received by the radio unit 704, and demodulate the packets to provide demodulated packets. In addition to the modulator and demodulator, the modem 702 may also include a digital signal processing (DSP) circuit, an automatic gain control (AGC) circuit, an encoder, a decoder, a multiplexer, and a demultiplexer.

[0099] The radio unit 704 typically includes at least one radio frequency (RF) transmitter (or "transmitter chain") and at least one RF receiver (or "receiver chain"), which can be combined into one or more transceivers. For example, each of the RF transmitter and receiver can include various analog circuits, including at least one power amplifier (PA) and at least one low noise amplifier (LNA), respectively. The RF transmitter and receiver can then be coupled to one or more antennas. For example, in some embodiments, the wireless communication device 700 may include multiple transmit antennas (each having a corresponding transmit chain) and multiple receive antennas (each having a corresponding receive chain), or be coupled to the multiple transmit antennas and multiple receive antennas. The symbols output from the modem 702 are provided to the radio unit 704, which then transmits the symbols via the coupled antenna. Similarly, the symbols received via the antenna are obtained by the radio unit 704, which then provides the symbols to the modem 702.

[0100] The processor 706 may include an intelligent hardware block or device designed to perform the functions described herein, such as a processing core, a processing block, a central processing unit (CPU), a microprocessor, a microcontroller, a digital signal processor (DSP), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a programmable logic device (PLD) such as a field programmable gate array (FPGA), discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof. The processor 706 processes information received through the radio unit 704 and the modem 702, and processes information to be output by the modem 702 and the radio unit 704 for transmission over a wireless medium. For example, the processor 706 may implement at least a portion of the control plane and the MAC layer, at least a portion of which is configured to perform various operations related to the generation, transmission, reception, and processing of frames or packets. In some embodiments, the MAC layer is configured to generate information blocks to provide to the PHY layer for decoding, and receive decoded information bits from the PHY layer for processing. The MAC layer may also be configured to allocate time and frequency resources, for example, for OFDMA, and other operations or technologies. In some implementations, the processor 706 may generally control the modem 702 to cause the modem to perform the various operations described above.

[0101] The memory 704 may include a tangible storage medium, such as a random access memory (RAM) or a read-only memory (ROM), or a combination thereof. The memory 704 may also store non-transitory processor or computer executable software (SW) code containing instructions that, when executed by the processor 706, cause the processor to perform various operations for wireless communication described herein, including the generation, transmission, reception, and parsing of frames or packets. For example, various functions of the components disclosed herein, or various blocks or steps of the methods, operations, processes, or algorithms disclosed herein, may be implemented as one or more modules of one or more computer programs.

[0102] In some examples, the processor 702, the modem 704, and the memory 708 implement, in whole or in part, the communication manager, for example, respectively. Figure 4 and Figure 5 The communication manager 415 or the communication manager 515 described above. The communication manager may determine a first sampling interval for a set of sampling instances for a wireless channel estimation operation based on the movement of the device 700, wherein the wireless channel estimation operation has a multi-beam with a beam pattern having multiple main peaks. The communication manager may send first control information to a second wireless communication device (e.g., a base station), the first control information including an indication of the first sampling interval, an indication of the capability of the device 700 for simulating beamforming, and a request for a number of wireless reference signals for the multi-beam.

[0103] Figure 8 A block diagram of an example UE 804 supporting multi-beamforming according to aspects of the present disclosure is shown. For example, the UE 804 may be a reference Figure 1-Figure 5 804 includes a wireless communication device 815 (although the UE 804 itself may also be generally referred to as a wireless communication device as used herein). For example, the wireless communication device 815 may be referred to as a wireless communication device. Figure 7804 also includes an antenna system 825, which includes one or more antenna modules and antenna arrays, which are coupled to the wireless communication device 815 to send and receive wireless communications. The UE 804 also includes an application processor 835 coupled to the wireless communication device 815, and a memory 845 coupled to the application processor 835. In some embodiments, the STA 804 also includes a user interface (UI) 855 (e.g., a touch screen or keyboard) and a display 865, which can be integrated with the UI 855 to form a touch screen display. In some embodiments, the UE 804 can also include one or more sensors 875, such as one or more inertial sensors, accelerometers, temperature sensors, pressure sensors, or altitude sensors. One of the above components can communicate directly or indirectly with other components via at least one bus. The UE 804 also includes a housing that contains the wireless communication device 815, the application processor 835, the memory 845, and at least a portion of the antenna system 825, the UI 855, and the display 865.

[0104] Fig. 9 A block diagram of a wireless communication device 905 supporting multi-beam generation according to aspects of the present disclosure is shown. The wireless communication device may be respectively referred to as Figure 1-Figure 3 Examples of various aspects of base stations 102, 202, or 302 described herein. The wireless communication device 905 includes a receiver 910, a communication manager 915, and a transmitter 920, which can communicate with each other (e.g., via one or more buses). In some examples, the wireless communication device 905 is configured to perform the following references Fig.14 The operations of the described process 1400. In some examples, the wireless communication device 905 may include a chip, SoC, chipset, package, or device that includes at least one processor and at least one modem (e.g., a 5G modem or other cellular modem). In some examples, the communication manager 915 or its subcomponents may be separate and distinct components. In some examples, at least some components of the communication manager 915 are at least partially implemented as software stored in a memory. For example, portions of one or more components of the communication manager 915 may be implemented as non-transitory instructions (or "code") that can be executed by a processor to perform the functions or operations of the corresponding components.

[0105] The receiver 910 may receive, for example, a reference signal (e.g., a sounding reference signal), a synchronization signal, control information, and data information in a packet form via various channels including a control channel (e.g., a PUCCH) and a data channel (e.g., a PUSCH). The received information may be delivered to other components of the device 905. The receiver 910 may be a reference Figure 7 Receiver 910 may be coupled to or otherwise utilize an antenna set (eg, the antenna set may be referenced to Figure 8 Examples of various aspects of the antenna system 825 described herein).

[0106] The transmitter 920 may transmit signals generated by the communication manager 915 or other components of the wireless communication device 905. For example, the transmitter 920 may transmit, via various channels including a control channel (e.g., PDCCH) and a data channel (e.g., PDSCH), a reference signal in a packet form (e.g., a periodically configured CSI-RS, an aperiodically configured CSI-RS, or a multi-beam dedicated reference signal), a synchronization signal (e.g., SSB), control information, and data information generated by the communication manager 915. In some examples, the transmitter 920 may be co-located with the receiver 910 in a transceiver. The transmitter 920 may be a reference Figure 7 The transmitter 920 may be coupled to or otherwise employ an antenna set (eg, the antenna set may be referenced to Figure 8 Examples of aspects of antenna system 825 described herein), which may be an antenna element shared with receiver 910.

[0107] The communication manager 915 may receive a second wireless communication device (e.g., such as a reference Figure 3 A UE such as the UE 304 described herein receives first control information including an indication of a first sampling interval for performing a channel estimation operation by a second wireless communication device, the channel estimation operation being used for a multi-beam having a beam pattern with multiple main peaks generated by the second wireless communication device. The first control information may also include an indication of the second wireless communication device's ability to simulate beamforming, and a request for a number of reference signals for use by the second wireless communication device to form the multi-beam. The communication manager 915 may generate second control information including an indication of a second sampling interval for a set of sampling instances after receiving the first control information, and cause the transmitter 920 to send the second control information to the second wireless communication device. The second sampling interval may be the same as or different from the first sampling interval described elsewhere herein. The communication manager 915 is also configured to generate a reference signal based on the second sampling interval and send the reference signal to the UE via the transmitter 920.

[0108] In some examples, the communication manager 915 is further configured to perform a beam switching operation to switch from a current single beam having a beam pattern with a single main peak to a multi-beam having a beam pattern with multiple main peaks, so that both the wireless communication device 905 and the second wireless communication device are generating multi-beams. The communication manager 915 can send control or data information to the second wireless communication device via the multi-beam, or receive control or data information from the second wireless communication device.

[0109] Fig.10 A block diagram of a wireless communication device 1005 supporting multi-beam generation according to aspects of the present disclosure is shown. The device 1005 may be a reference Figure 1-Figure 3 and Fig. 9 Examples of various aspects of the wireless communication device 905 or base station 102, 202, or 302 described herein. The wireless communication device 1005 may include a receiver 1010, a communication manager 1015, and a transmitter 1020, which may communicate with each other (e.g., via one or more buses). In some examples, the wireless communication device 1005 is configured to perform the following reference Fig.14 The operations of the described process 1400. In some examples, the wireless communication device 1005 may include a chip, SoC, chipset, package, or device that includes at least one processor and at least one modem (e.g., a 5G modem or other cellular modem). In some examples, the communication manager 1015 or its subcomponents may be separate and distinct components. In some examples, at least some components of the communication manager 1015 are at least partially implemented as software stored in a memory. For example, a portion of one or more components of the communication manager 1015 may be implemented as a non-transitory code that a processor can execute to perform the functions or operations of the corresponding components.

[0110] The receiver 1010 may receive, for example, a reference signal (e.g., a sounding reference signal), a synchronization signal, control information, and data information in a packet form via various channels including a control channel (e.g., a PUCCH) and a data channel (e.g., a PUSCH). The received information may be delivered to other components of the device 1005. The receiver 1010 may be a reference Figure 7 Receiver 1010 may be coupled to or otherwise employ an antenna set (eg, the antenna set may be referenced to Figure 8 Examples of various aspects of the antenna system 825 described herein).

[0111] The transmitter 1020 may transmit signals generated by the communication manager 1015 or other components of the wireless communication device 1005. For example, the transmitter 1020 may transmit, via various channels including a control channel (e.g., a PDCCH) and a data channel (e.g., a PDSCH), reference signals in a packet form (e.g., a periodically configured CSI-RS, an aperiodically configured CSI-RS, or a multi-beam dedicated reference signal), a synchronization signal (e.g., SSB), control information, and data information generated by the communication manager 1015. In some examples, the transmitter 1020 may be co-located with the receiver 1010 in a transceiver. The transmitter 1020 may be a reference Figure 7 The transmitter 1020 may be coupled to or otherwise employ an antenna set (eg, the antenna set may be referenced to Figure 8 Examples of aspects of antenna system 825 described herein), which may be an antenna element shared with receiver 1010.

[0112] The communication manager 1015 may be a reference Fig. 9 An example of various aspects of the communication manager 915 is described. The communication manager 1015 includes a link establishment component 1025, a sampling interval determination component 1035, a use case determination component 1040, a beam weight determination component 1055, and a beam selection and generation component 1060.

[0113] The link establishment component 1025 is configured to establish a link with the second wireless communication device, including establishing a BPL, for example, as described in reference Figure 3 As described. For example, the link establishment component 1025 can be combined with the beam weight determination component 1055 and the beam selection and generation component 1060 to perform a beam training operation with the second wireless communication device to select a single transmit beam. For example, the beam weight determination component 1055 is configured to select or otherwise determine a set of beam weights for each of one or more subsets of antenna elements in the set of antenna elements based on feedback from a channel estimation operation performed by the second wireless communication device. The beam selection and generation component 1060 can then determine and configure a set of beam weights for a single beam based on the selection of the set of beam weights.

[0114] The transmitter 1020 may periodically or aperiodically transmit a reference signal set (e.g., a periodically configured CSI-RS, an aperiodically configured CSI-RS, or a multi-beam dedicated reference signal) or a synchronization signal (e.g., SSB). The receiver 1010 may periodically or aperiodically receive a report (e.g., a CSI report) that provides an indication of channel conditions at a specific association time based on measurements performed by the second wireless communication device on the reference signal or synchronization signal. In some examples, the report may include CQI, PMI, RI, various channel measurements, or a combination thereof.

[0115] The communication manager 1015 may receive first control information from the second wireless communication device via the receiver 1010, the first control information including a first sampling interval Δ for a set of sampling instances of a wireless channel estimation operation performed by the second wireless communication device to generate a multi-beam. S1 The first control information may also include an indication of one or more capabilities of the second wireless communication device for analog beamforming, and a request for a number of reference signals (e.g., a CSI-RS set) or a synchronization signal (e.g., a SSB set) for channel estimation operations. The first control information may be received via the PUCCH.

[0116] In some examples, the indication of the capability for analog beamforming includes at least one of: an indication of the number of antenna elements of an antenna element set of the second wireless communication device, an indication of the number of RF chains of the second wireless communication device coupled to the antenna element set, or an indication of the capability for performing channel estimation based on both phase and signal strength or channel estimation based only on signal strength.

[0117] In some examples, the first control information also includes motion information or an indication of a motion state that quantifies or otherwise characterizes the motion of the second wireless communication device. For example, the motion information may include or the motion state may indicate one or more motion values ​​or parameters, such as a speed or velocity associated with the motion of the wireless communication device, or a Doppler value or parameter associated with the motion.

[0118] The sampling interval determining component 1035 may determine a second sampling interval Δ for a reference signal or a synchronization signal based on the first control information. S2 For example, the second sampling interval Δ S2 The second sampling interval Δ may indicate the period of a reference signal or synchronization signal to be sent by the wireless communication device 1005 (eg, the period of resources in these signals). S2 It can be consistent with the first sampling interval Δ indicated in the first control information S1The same or different. For example, it may depend on whether the communication manager 1015 will accept the request from the second wireless communication device. In some examples, the first sampling interval Δ indicated in the first control information S1 is the maximum sampling interval that the second wireless communication device can tolerate (e.g., the second wireless communication device can tolerate to perform channel estimation of sufficient quality to generate multiple beams via analog beamforming). In some other examples, the first sampling interval Δ indicated in the first control information S1 is a specific sampling interval requested or suggested by the second wireless communication device.

[0119] The sampling interval determination component 1035 can determine the second sampling interval Δ based on a variety of factors or parameters. S2 In which the first sampling interval Δ S1 In some examples where a specific sampling interval is requested, the sampling interval determining component 1035 may determine that the request is permitted and then set the second sampling interval Δ S2 The period of the reference signal to be sent by the wireless communication device 1005. S1 In some examples where the maximum sampling interval is the maximum sampling interval, the sampling interval determining component 1035 can receive the request and determine the selection of the first sampling interval Δ S1 Compared to a smaller or equal second sampling interval Δ S2 Alternatively, the sampling interval determining component 1035 may determine that the request is not permitted and use a sampling interval exceeding the first sampling interval Δ S1 The second sampling interval Δ S2 .

[0120] In some examples, sampling interval determining component 1035 can select a value for the second sampling interval Δ from a set of preconfigured values. S2 In some examples, the sampling interval determining component 1035 can determine the second sampling interval Δ based on the motion information indicated in the first control information (e.g., the speed or rate of motion of the second wireless communication device, or the motion state of the second wireless communication device). S2 Additionally or alternatively, in some examples, the sampling interval determining component 1035 can determine the second sampling interval Δ based on a QoS parameter such as a data rate requirement or a latency requirement of the second wireless communication device. S2 In some such examples, the first control information may also include a data rate requirement or a latency requirement of the second wireless communication device (or other QoS parameters associated with the second wireless communication device).

[0121] The use case determination component 1040 can determine the time of the use case. For example, the use case determination component 1040 can identify the time of a downlink grant or an uplink grant. According to aspects of the present disclosure, the use case determination component 1040 can send (via the transmitter 1020) (e.g., in the DCI) scheduling information identifying the time and frequency resources for the use case, i.e., the second wireless communication device can receive control or data information from the wireless communication device 1005 via multi-beam during the time and frequency resources, or send control or data information to the wireless communication device 1005. The use case determination component 1040 can determine the time of the downlink or uplink grant based on a variety of factors. In some examples, the use case determination component 1040 can determine the time of the downlink or uplink grant, and the time and frequency resources associated therewith, based on the data rate requirements or latency requirements of the second wireless communication device (or other QoS parameters associated with the second wireless communication device).

[0122] After receiving the first control information and determining the second sampling interval Δ S2 Afterwards, the communication manager 1015 may generate and transmit via the transmitter 1020 a signal including information about the second sampling interval Δ S2 For example, the transmitter 1020 may send the second control information in the PDCCH. The second control information may explicitly or implicitly indicate the first sampling interval Δ requested by the UE. S1 The second control information may also include a downlink or uplink grant of resources for subsequent data communication.

[0123] After sending the second control information, the communication manager 1015 may S2 A reference signal set (e.g., a periodically configured CSI-RS, an aperiodically configured CSI-RS, or a multi-beam dedicated reference signal) or a synchronization signal (e.g., SSB) for a channel estimation operation is generated and transmitted to the second wireless communication device via the antenna element set via the transmitter 1020. After transmitting the reference signal or the synchronization signal, the communication manager 1015 can then transmit control or data information to the second wireless communication device via each beam, or receive control or data information from the second wireless communication device.

[0124] In some examples, based on feedback from the second wireless communication device, the communication manager 1015, and in particular the beam selection and generation component 1060, can also determine to switch to a multi-beam having a beam pattern with multiple main peaks for subsequent communication with the second wireless communication device (regardless of whether the second wireless communication device is using multi-beams). In such examples, the beam weight determination component 1055 is configured to select or otherwise determine a set of multi-beam weights for forming the multi-beams.

[0125] Fig.11 A block diagram of an example wireless communication device 1100 supporting multi-beamforming according to aspects of the present disclosure is shown. As described herein, the device 1100 can be an example of or include components of the wireless communication device 905, the wireless communication device 1005, or the base station 102, 202, or 302. The wireless communication device 1100 can be or include a chip, a system on a chip (SoC), a chipset, a package, or a device, which includes one or more modems 1102 (e.g., a 3GPP 4G LTE or 5G compatible modem, collectively referred to as "modem 1102"). The wireless communication device 1100 also includes one or more processors, processing blocks, or processing elements 1104 (collectively referred to as "processors 1104") coupled to the modem 1102. In some embodiments, the wireless communication device 1100 additionally includes one or more radio units 1106 (collectively referred to as "radio units 1106") coupled to the modem 1102. In some embodiments, the wireless communication device 1100 also includes one or more storage blocks or elements 1108 (collectively referred to as “memory 1108 ”) coupled to the processor 1104 or the modem 1102 .

[0126] The modem 1102 may include an intelligent hardware block or device, such as an ASIC or the like. The modem 1102 is typically configured to implement a PHY layer, and in some embodiments, is also configured as part of a MAC layer (e.g., a hardware portion of a MAC layer). For example, the modem 1102 is configured to modulate packets and output the modulated packets to the radio unit 1104 for transmission over a wireless medium. The modem 1102 is similarly configured to obtain modulated packets received by the radio unit 1104, and demodulate the packets to provide demodulated packets. In addition to a modulator and a demodulator, the modem 1102 may also include a DSP circuit, an AGC circuit, an encoder, a decoder, a multiplexer, and a demultiplexer.

[0127] The radio unit 1104 typically includes at least one RF transmitter and at least one RF receiver, which can be combined into one or more transceivers. For example, each of the RF transmitter and receiver can include various analog circuits, each of which includes at least one PA and at least one LNA. The RF transmitter and receiver can then be coupled to one or more antennas. For example, in some embodiments, the wireless communication device 1100 may include multiple transmit antennas (each transmit antenna has a corresponding transmit chain) and multiple receive antennas (each receive antenna has a corresponding receive chain), or be coupled to the multiple transmit antennas and multiple receive antennas. The symbols output from the modem 1102 are provided to the radio unit 1104, and then the radio unit 1104 transmits the symbols via the coupled antenna. Similarly, the symbols received via the antenna are obtained by the radio unit 1104, and then the symbols are provided to the modem 1102.

[0128] The processor 1106 may include an intelligent hardware block or device designed to perform the functions described herein, such as a processing core, a processing block, a CPU, a microprocessor, a microcontroller, a DSP, an ASIC, a PLD such as an FPGA, a discrete gate or transistor logic, a discrete hardware component, or any combination thereof. The processor 1106 processes information received through the radio unit 1104 and the modem 1102, and processes information to be output by the modem 1102 and the radio unit 1104 for transmission over a wireless medium. For example, the processor 1106 may implement at least a portion of the control plane and the MAC layer, which is configured to perform various operations related to the generation, transmission, reception, and processing of frames or packets. In some embodiments, the MAC layer is configured to generate information blocks to provide to the PHY layer for decoding, and to receive decoded information bits from the PHY layer for processing. The MAC layer may also be configured to allocate time and frequency resources, such as for OFDMA, and other operations or technologies. In some embodiments, the processor 1106 may generally control the modem 1102 to cause the modem to perform the various operations described above.

[0129] The memory 1104 may include a tangible storage medium, such as a RAM or a ROM, or a combination thereof. The memory 1104 may also store non-transitory processor or computer executable SW code containing instructions, which, when executed by the processor 1106, causes the processor to perform various operations for wireless communication described herein, including the generation, transmission, reception, and parsing of frames or packets. For example, various functions of the components disclosed herein, or various blocks or steps of the methods, operations, processes, or algorithms disclosed herein, may be implemented as one or more modules of one or more computer programs.

[0130] In some examples, processor 1102, modem 1104, and memory 1108 implement, in whole or in part, a communication manager, such as, for example, respectively. Fig. 9 and Fig.10 The communication manager 915 or the communication manager 1015 described herein. The communication manager may receive first control information from a second wireless communication device (e.g., a UE), the first control information including an indication of a first sampling interval for a channel estimation operation to be performed by the second wireless communication device for multiple beams, the multiple beams being generated by a second wireless communication device having a beam pattern with multiple main peaks. The first control information may also include: an indication of the capability of the second wireless communication device for simulating beamforming, and a request for a number of reference signals for the second wireless communication device to form multiple beams. The communication manager may generate, after receiving the first control information, and send to the second wireless communication device, the second control information including an indication of a second sampling interval for a set of sampling instances. The second sampling interval may be the same as or different from the first sampling interval described elsewhere herein. The communication manager is also configured to generate a reference signal according to the second sampling interval and send it to the UE.

[0131] In some examples, the communication manager is further configured to perform a beam switching operation to switch from a current single beam having a beam pattern with a single main peak to a multi-beam having a beam pattern with multiple main peaks, so that both the wireless communication device 1100 and the second wireless communication device are generating multi-beams. The communication manager can send control or data information to the second wireless communication device via the multi-beam, or receive control or data information from the second wireless communication device.

[0132] Fig.12 A block diagram of an example base station 1202 supporting multi-beamforming according to aspects of the present disclosure is shown. For example, the base station 1202 may be a reference Figures 1 to 5 1005, or an exemplary implementation of a base station 102, 202, or 302 as described herein. The base station 1202 includes a wireless communication device 1215 (although the base station 1202 itself may also be generally referred to as a wireless communication device as used herein). For example, the wireless communication device 1215 may be a wireless communication device as described herein. Fig.11An exemplary implementation of the wireless communication device 1100 described herein. The base station 1202 also includes an antenna system 1225, which includes one or more antenna modules and antenna arrays coupled to the wireless communication device 1215 to send and receive wireless communications. The base station 1202 further includes an application processor 1235 coupled to the wireless communication device 1215, and a memory 1245 coupled to the application processor 1235. The base station 1202 also includes at least one external network interface 1250 that enables the base station 1202 to communicate with a core network or a backhaul network to obtain access to an external network including the Internet. For example, the external network interface 1250 may include one or both of a wired network interface and a wireless network interface (e.g., an IAB interface). One of the above components may communicate directly or indirectly with other components via at least one bus.

[0133] Fig.13A 1300 is shown depicting a flow chart depicting a process 1300 for supporting multi-beamforming according to aspects of the present disclosure. As described herein, the operations of process 1300 may be implemented by UE 104, 204, 304, or 804 or components thereof. For example, the operations of process 1300 may be implemented by UE 104, 204, 304, or 804 or components thereof. Figures 4 to 8 The described communication manager performs the operations of process 1300. In some examples, the UE may execute an instruction set to control the functional elements of the UE to perform the operations or functions described below. Additionally or alternatively, the UE may use dedicated hardware to perform various aspects of the operations or functions described below.

[0134] In block 1302, the UE determines a first sampling interval for a set of sampling instances for a wireless channel estimation operation for a multi-beam having a beam pattern with a plurality of main peaks based on the motion of the UE. In block 1304, the UE sends first control information to the base station, including an indication of the first sampling interval, an indication of the UE's capability for emulating beamforming, and a request for a number of wireless reference signals for the multi-beam. For example, in block 1304, the UE may send the first control information to the base station in a PUCCH.

[0135] In some examples, the indication of the UE's capability for analog beamforming includes at least one of: the number of antenna elements of a plurality of antenna elements of the first device, the number of RF chains of the UE coupled to the plurality of antenna elements, or an indication of the ability to perform channel estimation based on both phase and signal strength or channel estimation based only on signal strength.

[0136] In some examples, the first sampling interval is a maximum sampling interval that the UE can tolerate. In some other examples, the first sampling interval is a specific sampling interval requested or suggested by the UE. In these previous or later examples, the first sampling interval can be selected from a set of preconfigured values.

[0137] In some examples, process 1300 also includes: determining a speed or rate associated with the movement of the UE, and determining the first sampling interval is based on the speed or rate. In some such examples, the first control information may also include the speed or rate, or an indication of the movement state of the UE.

[0138] Additionally or alternatively, in some examples, the determination of the first sampling interval in block 1302 is further based on the data rate requirement or delay requirement (or other QoS parameters) of the UE. In such an example, the first control information sent in block 1304 may also include the data rate requirement or delay requirement (or other QoS parameters) of the UE.

[0139] In some examples, in block 1306, process 1300 may further include: estimating the time of a multi-beam based use case. For example, the UE may estimate the time of the use case based on a data rate requirement or a latency requirement (or other QoS parameter) of the UE. Additionally or alternatively, block 1306 may include: estimating a maximum duration that the UE can tolerate using multi-beam weights. For example, the UE may select a value for the maximum duration from a set of pre-configured values. In some such examples, the first control information also includes an indication of the maximum duration.

[0140] Fig. 13B A flow chart depicting a process 1310 for supporting multi-beamforming according to aspects of the present disclosure is shown. As described herein, the operations of process 1310 may be implemented by UE 104, 204, 304, or 804 or components thereof. For example, the operations of process 1310 may be performed by a communication manager, as described with reference to Figures 4 to 8 In some examples, the UE may execute an instruction set to control the functional elements of the UE to perform the operations or functions described below. Additionally or alternatively, the UE may use dedicated hardware to perform various aspects of the operations or functions described below.

[0141] In some examples, process 1310 can be performed from a reference Fig.13A The process 1300 described herein continues or otherwise follows that described in reference Fig.13A After the described process 1300. In block 1312, after the transmission of the first control information, the UE receives second control information from the base station, the second control information including an indication of a second sampling interval for the set of sampling instances, the second sampling interval may be the same as or different from the first sampling interval. For example, in block 1312, the UE may receive the second control information in a PDCCH.

[0142] After receiving the second control information, the UE receives a reference signal set for channel estimation operation according to the second sampling interval from the base station via a set of antenna elements thereof in block 1314. For example, the reference signal may include a channel state information reference signal (CSI-RS) configured periodically, a CSI-RS configured aperiodically, a multi-beam dedicated reference signal, or a synchronization signal block (SSB).

[0143] In block 1316 , the UE performs one or more measurements on a set of reference signals obtained via one or more corresponding antenna elements in the set of antenna elements at each sampling instance in the set of sampling instances according to the second sampling interval.

[0144] In block 1318, the UE determines, for each of the one or more reference signals, a set of beam weights for each of the one or more subsets of antenna elements in the set of antenna elements based on the channel estimation operation and the capability for emulating beamforming. For example, the UE may perform a channel estimation operation based on measurements to obtain a channel estimate for multiple beams, and determine the set of beam weights based on the channel estimate. Then, in block 1320, the UE may configure a set of multi-beam weights for the multiple beams based on the determined set of beam weights obtained in block 1318.

[0145] In block 1320, the UE may then send control or data information to the base station or receive control or data information from the base station via a configured multi-beam (e.g., defined by a downlink or uplink grant received from the base station via a DCI or other signaling) at the actual use case based on at least one of the time of the use case, a speed or rate associated with the UE, or a second sampling interval. For example, the UE may determine whether the set of beam weights configured for the multi-beam will still be relevant or otherwise applicable at the actual use case based on comparing the time of the use case to a threshold. Additionally or alternatively, the UE may determine whether the set of beam weights configured for the multi-beam will still be applicable to the actual use case based on comparing the speed or rate to a threshold. Additionally or alternatively, the UE may determine whether the second sampling interval is narrow enough or short enough based on comparing the second sampling interval to a threshold so that the channel estimation operation performed by the UE is of sufficient quality for the set of beam weights configured for the multi-beam to be accurate enough for the actual use case. In some examples, if the UE determines that one or more of these conditions are met, then in block 1320, the UE may send or receive control or data information via multiple beams at the use case. In some examples, if the UE determines that one or more of these conditions are not met, it may determine to switch to or otherwise use a single beam. In these latter examples, the UE may then use a single beam at the use case to send or receive control or data information.

[0146] Fig.14 A flow chart depicting a process 1400 for supporting multi-beamforming according to aspects of the present disclosure is shown. The operations of process 1400 may be implemented by a base station 102, 202, 302, or 1202, or components thereof, as described herein. For example, the operations of process 1400 may be implemented by a base station 102, 202, 302, or 1202, or components thereof, as described herein. Figures 9 to 12 The described communication manager performs the operations of process 1400. In some examples, the base station can execute an instruction set to control the functional elements of the base station to perform the following operations or functions. Additionally or alternatively, the base station can use dedicated hardware to perform various aspects of the following operations or functions.

[0147] In block 1402, the base station receives first control information from the UE, the first control information including an indication of a first sampling interval for channel estimation operation for multiple beams having a beam pattern with multiple main peaks. The first control information also includes an indication of the UE's capability for analog beamforming, and a request for a number of wireless reference signals for use by a second device to form multiple beams. For example, in block 1402, the base station may receive the first control information from the UE in a PUCCH.

[0148] After receiving the first control information, the base station sends second control information to the UE in block 1404, the second control information including an indication of a second sampling interval for the set of sampling instances. For example, the base station may send the second control information to the UE in a PDCCH in block 1404. In various examples, the second sampling interval may be the same as or different from the first sampling interval.

[0149] In block 1406, the base station may then send a reference signal to the UE according to the second sampling interval. For example, the reference signal may include a periodically configured CSI-RS, an aperiodically configured CSI-RS, a multi-beam dedicated reference signal, or an SSB.

[0150] In some examples, the indication of the UE's capability for analog beamforming includes at least one of: the number of antenna elements among the UE's multiple antenna elements, the number of RF chains of the UE coupled to the multiple antenna elements, or an indication of the ability to perform channel estimation based on both phase and signal strength or channel estimation based only on signal strength.

[0151] In some examples, the first sampling interval is a maximum sampling interval that the UE can tolerate, and the base station determines the second sampling interval based on the maximum sampling interval. In some other examples, the first sampling interval is a specific sampling interval requested or suggested by the UE, and the base station determines the second sampling interval based on the requested sampling interval.

[0152] In some examples, the first control information also includes a data rate requirement or a latency requirement of the UE, and the base station determines the second sampling interval based on the data rate requirement or the latency requirement of the second device. Additionally or alternatively, in some examples, the first control information also includes an indication of a motion state of the UE, and the base station determines the second sampling interval based on the motion state. Additionally or alternatively, in some examples, the first control information also includes an indication of a maximum duration that the UE can tolerate using multi-beam weights, and the base station determines the second sampling interval based on the indication of the maximum duration. In some examples, the second sampling interval can be selected from a set of preconfigured values.

[0153] In some examples, the base station may also perform a beam switching operation to switch from a current single beam having a beam pattern with a single main peak to a multi-beam having a beam pattern with multiple main peaks. For example, the base station may configure a multi-beam weight set for the multi-beam based on feedback from the UE. The base station may then send control or data information to the UE via the multi-beam, or receive control or data information from the UE.

[0154] It should be noted that the methods described herein describe possible implementations, and that operations and steps may be rearranged or otherwise modified, and other implementations are possible. Furthermore, aspects from two or more methods may be combined.

[0155] Any of a variety of different technologies and techniques may be used to represent the information and signals described in this application. For example, data, instructions, commands, information, signals, bits, symbols, and chips that may be referenced throughout the description may be represented by voltages, currents, electromagnetic waves, magnetic fields or particles, optical fields or particles, or any combination thereof.

[0156] The various illustrative blocks and modules described in conjunction with the present disclosure 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 in the present application. The general purpose processor may be a microprocessor, but as an alternative, 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 in conjunction with a DSP core, or any other such configuration).

[0157] The functions described herein may be implemented in hardware, software executed by a processor, firmware, or any combination thereof. If implemented in software executed by a processor, the functions may be stored on or sent via a computer-readable medium as one or more instructions or codes. Other examples and implementations are also within the scope of the present disclosure and the appended claims. For example, due to the nature of software, the functions described herein may be implemented using software executed by a processor, hardware, firmware, hardwiring, or any combination thereof. Features that implement the functions may also be physically located in various locations, including being distributed so that parts of the functions are implemented at different physical locations.

[0158] Computer-readable media include non-transitory computer storage media and communication media, and the communication media include any media that facilitates the transfer of computer programs from one place to another.Non-transitory storage media can be any available media that can be accessed by a general or special computer.For example, but not limited to, non-transitory computer-readable media can include random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), electrically erasable programmable ROM (EEPROM), flash memory, compact disc (CD) ROM or other optical disk storage, disk storage or other magnetic storage device, or can be used to carry or store any other non-transitory medium with the form of desired program code that can be accessed by a general or special computer, or a general or special processor.Moreover, any connection is suitable for being called a computer-readable medium.For example, if a coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair, digital subscriber line (DSL) or wireless technology (such as infrared, radio and microwave) is used to send software from a website, server or other remote source, the definition of the medium includes coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair, DSL or wireless technology (such as infrared, radio and microwave). Disk and disc, as used herein, 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 with lasers. Combinations of the above are also included within the scope of computer readable media.

[0159] As used herein, including in the claims, "or" used in a list of items (e.g., a list of items beginning with a phrase such as "at least one of" or "one or more of") means 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). Moreover, as used herein, the phrase "based on" should not be interpreted as a reference to a closed set of conditions. For example, an example 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."

[0160] In conjunction with the accompanying drawings, the description given herein describes exemplary configurations and does not represent all examples that may be implemented or within the scope of the claims. The term "exemplary" as used herein means "used as an example, instance, or illustration," rather than "preferred" or "better than other examples." For the purpose of providing an understanding of the described techniques, the detailed description includes specific details. However, these techniques may be implemented without these specific details. In some cases, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form to avoid obscuring the concepts of the described examples.

[0161] The description of the present application is provided to enable those skilled in the art to make or use the present disclosure. Various modifications to the present disclosure will be apparent to those skilled in the art, and the general principles defined herein may be applied to other variations without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Therefore, the present disclosure is not limited to the examples and designs described in the present application, but is consistent with the widest range of principles and novel features disclosed in the present application.

Claims

1. A method for performing analog millimeter wave beamforming at a first wireless communication device, comprising: determining, based on the motion of the first wireless communication device, a first sampling interval between each sampling instance in a set of sampling instances of a wireless channel estimation operation for a multi-beam associated with a beam pattern having at least two main peaks, each main peak being associated with a main beam and at least one auxiliary beam; Sending first control information to a second wireless communication device, the first control information comprising: an indication of the first sampling interval, an indication of a capability of the first wireless communication device for simulating beamforming, and an indication of the second wireless communication device sending one or more wireless reference signals for the multiple beams; determining a set of beam weights for generating the multi-beam based on the main beam and the at least one auxiliary beam and the capability for emulating beamforming; configuring a set of multi-beam weights for the multi-beam based on one or more of the determined sets of beam weights; and sending control or data information to or receiving control or data information from the second wireless communication device via the multiple beams based on the beam weight set; and The determination of the first sampling interval is further based on a data rate requirement of the first wireless communication device or a delay requirement of the first wireless communication device, or both.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein: The indication of the capability of the first wireless communication device for analog beamforming comprises at least one of: a number of antenna elements of a plurality of antenna elements of the first wireless communication device, a number of radio frequency (RF) chains of the first wireless communication device coupled to the plurality of antenna elements, or an indication of the capability to perform both phase and signal strength based channel estimation or signal strength based channel estimation only, or any combination thereof.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein: The first sampling interval is a maximum sampling interval tolerable by the first wireless communication device or a specifically requested sampling interval.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein: The first control information also includes: an indication of a data rate requirement of the first wireless communication device, or an indication of a latency requirement of the first wireless communication device, or both.

5. The method according to claim 1, further comprising: determining a speed or rate associated with the movement of the first wireless communication device, wherein the determination of the first sampling interval is based on the speed or the rate, and wherein the first control information also includes the speed or the rate, or an indication of a state of movement of the first wireless communication device, or a combination thereof.

6. The method according to claim 1, wherein: The one or more wireless reference signals include at least one of the following: a periodically configured channel state information reference signal (CSI-RS), an aperiodically configured CSI-RS, a multi-beam dedicated reference signal, or a synchronization signal block (SSB).

7. A method for performing analog millimeter wave beamforming at a first wireless communication device, comprising: determining, based on the motion of the first wireless communication device, a first sampling interval between each sampling instance in a set of sampling instances for a wireless channel estimation operation for a multi-beam, the multi-beam being associated with a beam pattern having at least two main peaks; Sending first control information to a second wireless communication device, the first control information comprising: an indication of the first sampling interval, an indication of a capability of the first wireless communication device for simulating beamforming, and an indication of the second wireless communication device sending one or more wireless reference signals for the multiple beams; receiving, after said sending of said first control information, second control information from said second wireless communication device, said second control information comprising an indication of a second sampling interval between each sampling instance in said set of sampling instances, said second sampling interval being the same as or different from said first sampling interval; receiving, from the second wireless communication device via a set of antenna elements, a set of wireless reference signals for the channel estimation operation according to the second sampling interval; performing, at each of the sampling instances in the set of sampling instances, one or more measurements on the set of wireless reference signals obtained via one or more corresponding antenna elements in the set of antenna elements according to the second sampling interval; performing the channel estimation operation based on the measurements to obtain channel estimates for the multiple beams; determining, based on the channel estimation operation and the capability for emulating beamforming, a set of beam weights for each of one or more subsets of antenna elements in the set of antenna elements for each of one or more wireless reference signals in the set of wireless reference signals; Based on one or more of the determined beam weight sets, configuring a multi-beam weight set for the multi-beam; transmitting control or data information to or receiving control or data information from the second wireless communication device via the multi-beam configured at the use case based on a time of the use case, a speed or rate associated with the first wireless communication device, or the second sampling interval, or any combination thereof; and The time for the use case is estimated based on a data rate requirement of the first wireless communication device or a latency requirement of the first wireless communication device, or both.

8. The method according to claim 7, further comprising: A maximum duration that the first wireless communication device can tolerate and that can use the multi-beam weights is estimated from a set of preconfigured values.

9. The method according to claim 8, wherein: The first control information further includes an indication of the maximum duration.

10. The method according to claim 7, further comprising: establishing a link with the second wireless communication device; performing a beam training operation with the second wireless communication device; selecting a first single beam from a set of single beams based on said performing of said beam training operation, each of said single beams in said set of single beams having a beam pattern with a single corresponding main peak; For the first single beam, configure a single beam weight set; receiving control information from the second wireless communication device via the first single beam based on the configuration of the single beam weight set; performing at least one measurement based on the control information received via the first single beam; as well as Based on the performing of the at least one measurement, a determination is made to switch to the multi-beam.

11. A method for performing analog millimeter wave beamforming at a first wireless communication device, comprising: Receive first control information from a second wireless communication device, the first control information comprising: an indication of a first sampling interval between each sampling instance in a set of sampling instances of a channel estimation operation for a multi-beam, the multi-beam being associated with a beam pattern having at least two main peaks, each main peak being associated with a main beam and at least one secondary beam, an indication of a capability of the second wireless communication device for analog beamforming, and an indication that the second wireless communication device transmits one or more wireless reference signals to be used by the second wireless communication device for the multiple beams; After the receiving of the first control information, sending second control information to the second wireless communication device, the second control information comprising an indication of a second sampling interval between each sampling instance in the set of sampling instances, the second sampling interval being the same as or different from the first sampling interval; sending one or more wireless reference signals to the second wireless communication device according to the second sampling interval; determining, based on the channel estimation operation and the capability for emulating beamforming, a set of beam weights for each of one or more subsets of antenna elements in the set of antenna elements for each of one or more wireless reference signals in the set of wireless reference signals; Based on one or more of the determined beam weight sets, configuring a multi-beam weight set for the multi-beam; transmitting control or data information to or receiving control or data information from the second wireless communication device via the multi-beam configured at the use case based on a time of the use case, a speed or rate associated with the first wireless communication device, or the second sampling interval, or any combination thereof; and The time for the use case is estimated based on a data rate requirement of the first wireless communication device or a latency requirement of the first wireless communication device, or both.

12. The method according to claim 11, wherein: The indication of the capability of the second wireless communication device for analog beamforming comprises at least one of the following: a number of antenna elements of a plurality of antenna elements of the second wireless communication device, a number of radio frequency (RF) chains of the second wireless communication device coupled to the plurality of antenna elements, or an indication of the ability to perform both phase and signal strength based channel estimation or signal strength based channel estimation only, or any combination thereof.

13. The method according to claim 11, wherein: The first sampling interval is a maximum sampling interval tolerable by the second wireless communication device, and wherein the method further comprises: determining the second sampling interval based on the maximum sampling interval; or The first sampling interval is a specifically requested sampling interval, and wherein the method further comprises determining the second sampling interval based on the requested sampling interval.

14. The method according to claim 11, wherein: The first control information also includes a data rate requirement of the second wireless communication device or a delay requirement of the second wireless communication device, or both, and wherein the method further includes: determining the second sampling interval further based on the data rate requirement of the second wireless communication device or the delay requirement, or both.

15. The method according to claim 11, wherein: The first control information also includes an indication of a motion state of the second wireless communication device, and wherein the method further includes determining the second sampling interval based on the motion state.

16. The method according to claim 11, wherein: The first control information further includes an indication of a maximum duration tolerable by the second wireless communication device for using the multi-beam weight set for the multi-beam, wherein the method further includes determining the second sampling interval based on the indication of the maximum duration.

17. The method according to claim 11, wherein: The transmitted one or more wireless reference signals include at least one of the following: a periodically configured channel state information reference signal (CSI-RS), an aperiodically configured CSI-RS, a multi-beam dedicated reference signal, or a synchronization signal block (SSB).

18. A user equipment (UE), comprising: at least one processor; as well as at least one memory communicatively coupled to the at least one processor and storing processor-readable code, which when executed by the at least one processor is configured to cause the UE to: determining, based on the motion of the first wireless communication device, a first sampling interval between each sampling instance in a set of sampling instances for wireless channel estimation operations for a multi-beam, the multi-beam being associated with a beam pattern having at least two main peaks, each main peak being associated with a main beam and at least one secondary beam; Sending first control information to a second wireless communication device, the first control information comprising: an indication of the first sampling interval, an indication of a capability of the first wireless communication device for simulating beamforming, and an indication of the second wireless communication device sending one or more wireless reference signals for the multiple beams; determining a set of beam weights for generating the multi-beam based on the main beam and the at least one auxiliary beam and the capability for emulating beamforming; configuring a set of multi-beam weights for the multi-beam based on one or more of the determined sets of beam weights; and Based on the set of beam weights, sending control or data information to the second wireless communication device or receiving control or data information from the second wireless communication device via the multiple beams; The determination of the first sampling interval is further based on a data rate requirement of the UE or a delay requirement of the UE, or both.

19. The UE according to claim 18, wherein: The first sampling interval is a maximum sampling interval that the UE can tolerate or a specifically requested sampling interval.

20. The UE according to claim 18, wherein: The first control information further includes: an indication of a data rate requirement of the UE, or an indication of a delay requirement of the UE, or both.

21. The UE according to claim 18, wherein: The code, when executed by the at least one processor, is also configured to: determine a speed or rate associated with the movement of the UE, wherein the determination of the first sampling interval is based on the speed or the rate, and wherein the first control information also includes: the speed or the rate, or an indication of the movement state of the UE, or a combination thereof.

22. A user equipment (UE), comprising: at least one processor; as well as at least one memory, which is communicatively coupled to the at least one processor and stores processor-readable code, which, when executed by the at least one processor, is configured to cause the UE to perform the following operations: determining, based on the motion of the UE, a first sampling interval between each sampling instance in a set of sampling instances of a wireless channel estimation operation for a multi-beam, the multi-beam being associated with a beam pattern having at least two main peaks; Sending first control information to a network node, the first control information comprising: an indication of the first sampling interval, an indication of a capability of the UE for simulating beamforming, and an indication of the network node sending a plurality of radio reference signals for the multiple beams; receiving, from the network node, second control information after the sending of the first control information, the second control information comprising an indication of a second sampling interval for the set of sampling instances, the second sampling interval being the same as or different from the first sampling interval; receiving, from the network node via a set of antenna elements, a set of wireless reference signals for the channel estimation operation according to the second sampling interval; performing, at each of the sampling instances in the set of sampling instances, one or more measurements on the set of wireless reference signals obtained via one or more corresponding antenna elements in the set of antenna elements according to the second sampling interval; performing the channel estimation operation to obtain a channel estimate for the multiple beams based on the measurements; and Wherein, when the processor readable code is executed by the at least one processor, it is configured to cause the UE to perform the following operations: determining, based on the channel estimation operation and the capability for emulating beamforming, a set of beam weights for each of one or more subsets of antenna elements in the set of antenna elements for each of one or more wireless reference signals in the set of wireless reference signals; Based on one or more of the determined beam weight sets, configuring a multi-beam weight set for the multi-beam; transmitting control or data information to or receiving control or data information from the network node via the multi-beam configured at the use case based on a time of the use case, a speed or rate associated with the UE, or the second sampling interval, or any combination thereof; and The time for the use case is estimated based on a data rate requirement of the UE or a latency requirement of the UE, or both.

23. The UE according to claim 22, wherein: The code, when executed by the at least one processor, is further configured to: estimate the time of the use case based on a data rate requirement of the UE, a latency requirement of the UE, or both.

24. The UE according to claim 22, wherein: When executed by the at least one processor, the code is further configured to: estimate a maximum duration that the UE can tolerate for using the multi-beam weights from a set of pre-configured values, wherein the first control information also includes an indication of the maximum duration.

25. A network node, comprising: at least one processor; as well as at least one memory communicatively coupled to the at least one processor and storing processor-readable code that, when executed by the at least one processor, is configured to cause the network node to: Receive first control information from a second wireless communication device, the first control information comprising: an indication of a first sampling interval between each sampling instance in a set of sampling instances of a channel estimation operation for a multi-beam, the multi-beam being associated with a beam pattern having at least two main peaks, each main peak being associated with a main beam and at least one secondary beam, an indication of a capability of the second wireless communication device for analog beamforming, and an indication that the second wireless communication device transmits one or more wireless reference signals to be used by the second wireless communication device for the multiple beams; After said receiving of said first control information, sending second control information to said second wireless communication device, said second control information comprising an indication of a second sampling interval between each sampling instance in said set of sampling instances, said second sampling interval being the same as or different from said first sampling interval; sending one or more wireless reference signals to the second wireless communication device according to the second sampling interval; determining, based on the channel estimation operation and the capability for emulating beamforming, a set of beam weights for each of one or more subsets of antenna elements in the set of antenna elements for each of one or more wireless reference signals in the set of wireless reference signals; Based on one or more of the determined beam weight sets, configuring a multi-beam weight set for the multi-beam; transmitting control or data information to or receiving control or data information from the second wireless communication device via the multi-beam configured at the use case based on a time of the use case, a speed or rate associated with the network node, or the second sampling interval, or any combination thereof; and The time for the use case is estimated based on a data rate requirement of the network node or a latency requirement of the network node, or both.

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