Network signaling for radio resource management enhancement in high-speed train (HST) scenarios

Abstract

The network may transmit beam deployment information or beam number information to a user equipment (UE) carried on a train and configured to operate in the millimeter wave frequency band. The deployment information may include a distance parameter or an azimuth spread parameter related to the deployment. The beam number information may indicate the number of network beams associated with the current cell. The UE may determine the number of UE receive beams based on the deployment information or the number of network beams indicated by the network. The UE may transmit feedback to the network, the feedback indicating the number of UE receive beams. Alternatively, the network may send a configuration message indicating a first number of UE receive beams to the UE, and the UE may regard the first number as an upper limit or a lower limit when it determines the expected number of UE receive beams. The UE may transmit the expected number to the network.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to the field of wireless communications, and more particularly to mechanisms for network signaling to enhance Radio Resource Management (RRM) procedures, for example in the context of High Speed ​​Train (HST) deployments. Background Art

[0002] The network may transmit to and / or receive from a user equipment (UE) traveling on a train (e.g., a high-speed train). The network may allocate cells along the train tracks using multiple transmit receive points (TRPs) per cell, for example, to take advantage of the benefits of single frequency network (SFN) operation within each cell. The UE may be handed over between cells as it moves from one cell to the next. The UE may have one or more antenna arrays to generate one or more spatially directed receive beams and / or transmit beams per array. Similarly, each TRP may include one or more antenna arrays to generate spatially directed receive beams and / or transmit beams. When operating at high frequencies (such as millimeter wave bands), it may be necessary to use beams (e.g., narrowly focused beams) to overcome issues such as propagation losses. Summary of the Invention

[0003] In some embodiments, a method for operating a user equipment (UE) device may include receiving deployment information from a cell of a network, wherein the UE device is carried by a train (or vehicle) or a customer premises equipment (CPE) device mounted atop a roof of the train. The deployment information may relate to the deployment of the cell relative to the train tracks.

[0004] In some embodiments, the deployment information may indicate the distance between consecutive transmit receive points (TRPs) of the cell.

[0005] In some embodiments, the deployment information may indicate an average value of the minimum distances between the transmit-receive points of the cell and train tracks. In some embodiments, the deployment information may indicate a spread in azimuth angles through which the UE device is expected to receive from the transmit-receive points of the cell.

[0006] In some embodiments, the method may further include calculating a preferred number of receive beams for downlink reception from the cell based on the deployment information and antenna configuration of the UE device.

[0007] In some embodiments, the method may further include transmitting feedback information to the cell, wherein the feedback information includes the preferred number.

[0008] In some embodiments, a method for operating a user equipment (UE) device may include receiving beam quantity information from a cell of a network, wherein the UE is carried on a train (or vehicle). The beam quantity information may include parameters related to the number of beams associated with the cell.

[0009] In some embodiments, the parameter may be the number of network beams per remote radio head for the cell.

[0010] In some embodiments, the beam quantity information may also include a flag indicating whether the deployment of the remote radio head (RRH) for the cell is of a unidirectional SFN type or a bidirectional SFN type. (SFN is an acronym for single frequency network.) In some embodiments, the parameter may also include the number of network beams per panel of the remote radio head for the cell.

[0011] In some embodiments, the method may further include calculating a preferred number of receive beams for downlink reception from the cell based on the beam number information and antenna configuration of the UE device.

[0012] In some embodiments, the method may further include transmitting feedback information to the cell, wherein the feedback information includes the preferred number.

[0013] In some embodiments, a method for operating a user equipment (UE) device may include receiving a configuration message from a cell of a network, wherein the configuration message indicates a first number of receive beams for the UE device, wherein the UE is carried on a train.

[0014] In some embodiments, the method may also include determining a second number of receive beams to be used by the UE device based at least in part on the first number.

[0015] In some embodiments, the first amount may be used as an upper limit for determining the second amount.

[0016] In some embodiments, the first amount may be used as a lower limit for determining the second amount.

[0017] In some embodiments, the method may further include transmitting a feedback message to the cell, wherein the feedback message indicates whether the first number is confirmed by the UE device.

[0018] In some embodiments, the method may further include transmitting a feedback message to the cell, wherein the feedback message includes a request to adjust the first quantity. In some embodiments, a non-transitory memory medium may store program instructions. When executed by a processing circuit, the program instructions may cause the processing circuit to perform any of the above method embodiments.

[0019] In some embodiments, a user equipment (UE) device may include a radio subsystem; a processing circuit coupled to the radio subsystem; and a memory storing program instructions. When executed by the processing circuit, the program instructions may cause the UE device to perform any of the above method embodiments.

[0020] In some embodiments, the non-transitory memory medium may store program instructions. When executed by a processing circuit, the program instructions may cause the processing circuit to perform any of the above method embodiments.

[0021] In some embodiments, a base station may include a radio subsystem; a processing circuit coupled to the radio subsystem; and a memory storing program instructions. The program instructions, when executed by the processing circuit, may cause the base station to perform any of the above-described method embodiments. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0022] A better understanding of the present subject matter may be obtained when the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments is considered in conjunction with the following drawings.

[0023] Figures 1 to 2 An example of a wireless communication system according to some embodiments is shown.

[0024] Figure 3 An example of a base station in communication with a user equipment device is shown according to some embodiments.

[0025] Figure 4 An exemplary block diagram of a user equipment device is shown according to some embodiments.

[0026] Figure 5 An exemplary block diagram of a base station according to some embodiments is shown.

[0027] Figure 6 An exemplary user equipment 600 is shown in accordance with some embodiments.

[0028] Figure 7 An example of a base station 700 according to some embodiments is shown. The base station 700 may be used to communicate with Figure 6 The user equipment 600 communicates with the user equipment 600.

[0029] Figure 8 and Figure 9 Scenario A and Scenario B are respectively shown in a high-speed train (HST) scenario according to some embodiments.

[0030] Figure 10A shows the azimuth angles e of transmit-receive points as seen from a user equipment (UE) located on a train at corresponding positions along the train tracks according to some embodiments. l and e2.

[0031] Figure 10B An example of using different beams as a UE carried by a train moves along a track is shown, where different beam indices are assigned to different transmit receive points (TRPs) of a cell, according to some embodiments.

[0032] Figure 11A A method is shown according to some embodiments that enables a UE device to calculate the number of receive beams based on deployment information provided by the network.

[0033] Figure 11B An example of a ServingCellConfigCommonSIB structure containing deployment information according to some embodiments is shown.

[0034] Figure 11C An example of a maxUERxBeamHighSpeedFR2-PreferenceConfig-r17 structure that may be used to indicate a UE's preference for number of beams is shown in accordance with some embodiments.

[0035] Figure 11D A method for receiving deployment information at a user equipment device according to some embodiments is shown.

[0036] Figure 11E A method for transmitting deployment information by a base station according to some embodiments is shown.

[0037] Figure 12A A method is shown according to some embodiments that enables a UE device to determine the number of receive beams based on network-side beam number information.

[0038] Figure 12B An example of a ServingCellConfigCommonSIB structure containing beam number information according to some embodiments is shown.

[0039] Figure 12C A method for receiving beam quantity information at a user equipment device according to some embodiments is shown.

[0040] Figure 12D A method for transmitting beam quantity information by a base station according to some embodiments is shown.

[0041] Figure 13 A method for configuring the number of receive beams at a UE device according to some embodiments is shown.

[0042] Figure 14 A method for operating a user equipment device to receive a beam number configuration from a network is shown according to some embodiments.

[0043] Figure 15 A method for operating a base station to transmit a beam number configuration to a user equipment device is shown in accordance with some embodiments.

[0044] While the features described herein are susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof are shown by way of example in the drawings and are herein described in detail. However, it should be understood that the drawings and detailed description thereof are not intended to limit this disclosure to the specific forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the subject matter as defined by the appended claims. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0045] Acronyms

[0046] The following acronyms are used in this disclosure:

[0047] 3GPP: Third Generation Partnership Project 3GPP2: Third Generation Partnership Project 2 5G NR: Fifth Generation New Radio

[0048] BW: Bandwidth

[0049] CSI: Channel State Information CSI-RS: CSI Reference Signal DCI: Downlink Control Information DL: Downlink

[0050] eNB (or eNodeB): Evolved Node B, i.e., the base station of 3GPP LTE gNB (or gNodeB): Next generation NodeB, i.e. base station of 5g Nr GSM: Global System for Mobile Communications

[0051] HARQ: Hybrid ARQ

[0052] LTE: Long Term Evolution

[0053] LTE-A: LTE Advanced

[0054] MAC: Media Access Control MAC-CE: MAC Control Element NR: New Radio

[0055] NR-DC: NR Dual Connectivity

[0056] NW: Network

[0057] PBCH: Physical Broadcast Channel

[0058] PDCCH: Physical Downlink Control Channel PDSCH: Physical Downlink Shared Channel RAT: Radio Access Technology

[0059] RLM: Radio Link Monitoring

[0060] RNTI: Radio Network Temporary Identifier

[0061] RRC: Radio Resource Control

[0062] RRM: Radio Resource Management

[0063] RS: Reference signal

[0064] SR: Scheduling Request

[0065] SSB: Synchronization Signal / PBCH Block TCI: Transmission Configuration Indicator UE: User Equipment

[0066] UL: Uplink

[0067] UMTS: Universal Mobile Telecommunications System

[0068] the term

[0069] The following is a glossary of terms used in this disclosure:

[0070] Memory Medium—Any of various types of memory devices or storage devices. The term "memory medium" is intended to include installation media, such as CD-ROMs, floppy disks, or tape devices; computer system memory or random access memory, such as DRAM, DDR RAM, SRAM, EDO RAM, Rambus RAM, etc.; non-volatile memory, such as flash memory, magnetic media, such as hard drives or optical storage devices; registers, or other similar types of memory elements, etc. Memory media may also include other types of memory, or a combination thereof. Furthermore, a memory medium may be located in a first computer system executing a program, or in a second, different computer system connected to the first computer system via a network, such as the Internet. In the latter case, the second computer system may provide program instructions to the first computer system for execution. The term "memory medium" may include two or more memory media that may reside in different locations, such as in different computer systems connected via a network. A memory medium may store program instructions (e.g., represented as a computer program) that may be executed by one or more processors.

[0071] Carrier Medium—storage media as described above and physical transmission media such as a bus, network, and / or other physical transmission media that transport signals such as electrical, electromagnetic, or digital signals.

[0072] Programmable hardware elements - include various hardware devices that include multiple programmable function blocks connected via programmable interconnects. Examples include FPGAs (field programmable gate arrays), PLDs (programmable logic devices), FPOAs (field programmable object arrays), and CPLDs (complex PLDs). Programmable function blocks can vary in granularity (combinatorial logic or lookup tables) to coarse granularity (arithmetic logic units or processor cores). Programmable hardware elements may also be referred to as "configurable logic units."

[0073] Computer System—Any of various types of computing or processing systems, including personal computer systems (PCs), mainframe computer systems, workstations, network appliances, Internet appliances, personal digital assistants (PDAs), personal communication devices, smartphones, television systems, grid computing systems, or other devices or combinations of devices. In general, the term "computer system" can be broadly defined to encompass any device (or combination of devices) having at least one processor that executes instructions from a memory medium.

[0074] User Equipment (UE) (or "UE device") - any device in various types of computer system equipment that is mobile or portable and performs wireless communication. Examples of UE devices include mobile phones or smart phones (e.g., iPhone TM , based on Android TM phones), portable gaming devices (e.g., Nintendo DS TM PlayStation Portable TM 、Gameboy Advance TM , iPhone TM ), wearable devices (e.g., smart watches, smart glasses), laptops, PDAs, portable network devices, music players, data storage devices, or other handheld devices, etc. In general, the term "UE" or "UE device" can be broadly defined to include any electronic, computing, and / or telecommunication device (or combination of devices) that is easily transportable by a user and capable of wireless communication.

[0075] Base Station - The term "base station" has the full breadth of its ordinary meaning and includes at least a wireless communication station that is installed at a fixed location and used to communicate as part of a wireless telephone system or radio system.

[0076] Processing Element—refers to any of various elements or combinations of elements. Processing elements include, for example, circuits such as ASICs (Application Specific Integrated Circuits), portions or circuits of individual processor cores, entire processor cores, individual processors, programmable hardware devices such as field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), and / or larger portions of systems including multiple processors.

[0077] Automatic—refers to an action or operation being performed by a computer system (e.g., software executed by the computer system) or a device (e.g., a circuit, a programmable hardware element, an ASIC, etc.) without requiring user input to directly specify or execute the action or operation. Thus, the term "automatic" is in contrast to manual execution or specification of an action by a user, where the user provides input to directly perform the action. An automatic process can be initiated by user-provided input, but the subsequent actions performed "automatically" are not specified by the user, i.e., they are not performed "manually," where the user specifies each action to be performed. For example, a user filling out an electronic form by selecting each field and providing input specifying information (e.g., by typing information, selecting checkboxes, radio selections, etc.) is not manually filling out the form, even though the computer system must update the form in response to the user's actions. The form can be automatically filled out by a computer system, where the computer system (e.g., software executing on the computer system) analyzes the fields of the form and fills it out without requiring any user input to specify the answers to the fields. As indicated above, a user can invoke automatic filling of a form without participating in the actual filling out of the form (e.g., the user does not manually specify the answers to the fields; they are automatically completed). This specification provides various examples of operations that are automatically performed in response to actions that a user has taken.

[0078] Figures 1 to 3 -Communication system

[0079] Figure 1 and Figure 2 An exemplary (and simplified) wireless communication system is shown. Note that Figure 1 and Figure 2 The systems are merely examples of some possible systems, and various embodiments may be implemented in any of a variety of ways as desired.

[0080] Figure 1 The wireless communication system of FIG. 1 includes a base station 102A that communicates with one or more user equipment (UE) devices 106A, 106B, etc., to 106N via a transmission medium. Each of the user equipment devices may be referred to herein as a "user equipment" (UE). Figure 2 In the wireless communication system, in addition to base station 102A, base station 102B also communicates (eg, simultaneously or concurrently) with UE devices 106A, 106B, etc., through 106N via a transmission medium.

[0081] Base stations 102A and 102B may be base transceiver stations (BTSs) or cell sites, and may include hardware that enables wireless communications with user devices 106A through 106N. Each base station 102 may also be equipped to communicate with a core network 100 (e.g., base station 102A may be coupled to core network 100A, while base station 102B may be coupled to core network 100B), which may be a core network of a cellular service provider. Each core network 100 may also be coupled to one or more external networks (such as external network 108), which may include the Internet, a public switched telephone network (PSTN), or any other network. Thus, base station 102A may facilitate communications between user devices and / or between user devices and network 100A; in Figure 2 In a system, base station 102B may facilitate communications between user devices and / or between user devices and network 100B.

[0082] The base stations 102A and 102B and the user equipment may be configured to communicate over a transmission medium using any of a variety of radio access technologies (RATs), also known as wireless communication technologies or telecommunication standards, such as GSM, UMTS (WCDMA), LTE, LTE-Advanced (LTE-A), 3GPP2 CDMA2000 (e.g., 1xRTT, 1xEV-DO, HRPD, eHRPD), Wi-Fi, WiMAX, and the like.

[0083] For example, base station 102A and core network 100A may operate according to a first cellular communication standard (e.g., LTE), while base station 102B and core network 100B may operate according to a second (e.g., different) cellular communication standard (e.g., GSM, UMTS, and / or one or more CDMA2000 cellular communication standards). The two networks may be controlled by the same network operator (e.g., a cellular service provider or "carrier") or different network operators. In addition, the two networks may operate independently of each other (e.g., if they operate according to different cellular communication standards), or may operate in a somewhat coupled or tightly coupled manner.

[0084] Also note that, although Figure 2The illustrated network configuration shows the use of two different networks to support two different cellular communication technologies, but other network configurations that implement multiple cellular communication technologies are also possible. As an example, base stations 102A and 102B can operate according to different cellular communication standards but be coupled to the same core network. As another example, a multi-mode base station capable of simultaneously supporting different cellular communication technologies (e.g., LTE and CDMA 1xRTT, GSM and UMTS, or any other combination of cellular communication technologies) can be coupled to a core network that also supports different cellular communication technologies. Any other various network deployment scenarios are also possible.

[0085] As another possibility, base station 102A and base station 102B may operate according to the same wireless communication technology (or a set of overlapping wireless communication technologies). For example, base station 102A and core network 100A may be operated by one cellular service provider independently from base station 102B and core network 100B, which may be operated by different (e.g., competing) cellular service providers. Thus, in this case, despite using similar and possibly compatible cellular communication technologies, UE devices 106A-106N may independently communicate with base stations 102A-102B, possibly by utilizing separate subscriber identities to communicate with different operator networks.

[0086] UE 106 is capable of communicating using multiple wireless communication standards. For example, UE 106 can be configured to communicate using either or both of a 3GPP cellular communication standard (such as LTE) and / or a 3GPP2 cellular communication standard (such as a cellular communication standard in the CDMA2000 family of cellular communication standards). As another example, UE 106 can be configured to communicate using two or more different 3GPP cellular communication standards (such as GSM, UMTS, LTE, or LTE-A). Thus, as described above, UE 106 can be configured to communicate with base station 102A (and / or other base stations) according to a first cellular communication standard (e.g., LTE) and can also be configured to communicate with base station 102B (and / or other base stations) according to a second cellular communication standard (e.g., one or more CDMA2000 cellular communication standards, UMTS, GSM, etc.).

[0087] Base stations 102A and 102B and other base stations operating according to the same or different cellular communication standards can therefore be provided as one or more cell networks that can provide continuous or nearly continuous overlapping service to UEs 106A to UE 106N and similar devices over a wide geographic area via one or more cellular communication standards.

[0088] The UE 106 may also or alternatively be configured to communicate using WLAN, Bluetooth, one or more global navigation satellite systems (GNSS, such as GPS or GLONASS), one and / or more mobile television broadcast standards (e.g., ATSC-M / H or DVB-H), etc. Other combinations of wireless communication standards, including more than two wireless communication standards, are also possible.

[0089] Figure 3 A user equipment 106 (e.g., one of devices 106A through 106N) is shown in communication with a base station 102 (e.g., one of base stations 102A or 102B). UE 106 can be a device with wireless network connectivity, such as a mobile phone, a handheld device, a computer or tablet, a wearable device, or substantially any type of wireless device.

[0090] The UE may include a processor configured to execute program instructions stored in a memory. The UE may perform any of the method embodiments described herein by executing such stored instructions. Alternatively or in addition, the UE may include a programmable hardware element such as an FPGA (field programmable gate array) configured to perform any of the method embodiments described herein, or any portion of any of the method embodiments described herein.

[0091] The UE 106 can be configured to communicate using any of a number of wireless communication protocols. For example, the UE 106 can be configured to communicate using two or more of GSM, UMTS (W-DCMA, TD-SCDMA, etc.), CDMA2000 (1xRTT, 1xEV-DO, HRPD, eHRPD, etc.), LTE, LTE-A, WLAN, or GNSS. Other combinations of wireless communication standards are also possible.

[0092] The UE 106 may include one or more antennas for communicating using one or more wireless communication protocols. Within the UE 106, one or more portions of the receive and / or transmit chains may be shared across multiple wireless communication standards; for example, the UE 106 may be configured to communicate using a single shared radio using one (or both) of GSM or LTE. The shared radio may include a single antenna, or may include multiple antennas for performing wireless communication (e.g., for MIMO or beamforming). MIMO is an acronym for Multiple Input Multiple Output.

[0093] Figure 4 -Exemplary block diagram of UE

[0094] Figure 4An exemplary block diagram of a UE 106 is shown. As shown, the UE 106 may include a system on a chip (SOC) 300, which may include components for various purposes. For example, as shown, the SOC 300 may include a processor 302 that may execute program instructions for the UE 106 and a display circuit 304 that may perform graphics processing and provide display signals to a display 345. The processor 302 may also be coupled to a memory management unit (MMU) 340 and / or other circuits or devices (such as the display circuit 304, the radio component 330, the connector I / F 320, and / or the display 345). The MMU 340 may be configured to receive addresses from the processor 302 and convert those addresses to locations in a memory (e.g., the memory 306, the read-only memory (ROM) 350, the NAND flash memory 310). The MMU 340 may be configured to perform memory protection and page table translation or setup. In some embodiments, the MMU 340 may be included as part of the processor 302.

[0095] As shown, SOC 300 may be coupled to various other circuits of UE 106. For example, UE 106 may include various types of memory (e.g., including flash memory 310), a connector interface 320 (e.g., for coupling to a computer system, a docking station, a charging station, etc.), a display 345, and a radio 330.

[0096] The radio component 330 may include one or more RF chains. Each RF chain may include a transmit chain, a receive chain, or both. For example, the radio component 330 may include two RF chains to support dual connectivity with two base stations (or two cells). The radio component may be configured to support wireless communications according to one or more wireless communication standards (e.g., one or more of GSM, UMTS, LTE, LTE-A, WCDMA, CDMA2000, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, GPS, etc.).

[0097] Radio section 330 is coupled to an antenna subsystem 335, which includes one or more antennas. For example, antenna subsystem 335 may include multiple antennas to support applications such as dual connectivity, MIMO, or beamforming. Antenna subsystem 335 transmits and receives radio signals to and from one or more base stations or devices via a radio propagation medium (typically the atmosphere).

[0098] In some embodiments, the processor 302 may include a baseband processor to generate uplink baseband signals and / or process downlink baseband signals. The processor 302 may be configured to perform data processing according to one or more wireless communication standards (e.g., one or more of GSM, UMTS, LTE, LTE-A, WCDMA, CDMA2000, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, GPS, etc.).

[0099] The UE 106 may also include one or more user interface elements. The user interface elements may include various elements such as a display 345 (which may be a touch screen display), a keyboard (which may be a separate keyboard or may be implemented as part of the touch screen display), a mouse, a microphone and / or a speaker, one or more cameras, one or more sensors, one or more buttons, sliders and / or dials, and / or any of various other elements capable of providing information to a user and / or receiving or interpreting user input.

[0100] As shown, UE 106 may also include one or more subscriber identity modules (SIMs) 360. Each of the one or more SIMs may be implemented as an embedded SIM (eSIM), in which case the SIM may be implemented in device hardware and / or software. For example, in some embodiments, UE 106 may include an embedded UICC (eUICC), e.g., a device that is built into UE 106 and non-removable. The eUICC may be programmable, such that one or more eSIMs may be implemented on the eUICC. In other embodiments, the eSIM may be installed in UE 106 software, e.g., as program instructions stored on a storage medium (such as memory 306 or Flash 310) that is executed on a processor (such as processor 302) in UE 106. As an example, SIM 360 may be an application executing on a universal integrated circuit card (UICC). Alternatively or in addition, one or more of SIMs 360 may be implemented as a removable SIM card.

[0101] The processor 302 of the UE device 106 may be configured to implement some or all of the methods described herein, for example, by executing program instructions stored on a memory medium (e.g., a non-transitory computer-readable memory medium). In other embodiments, the processor 302 may be configured as or include: a programmable hardware element such as an FPGA (field programmable gate array); or an ASIC (application-specific integrated circuit); or a combination thereof.

[0102] Figure 5 - Base station example

[0103] Figure 5 1 shows a block diagram of a base station 102. Note that Figure 5 The base station 102 is just one example of a possible base station. As shown, the base station 102 may include a processor that can execute program instructions for the base station 102.

[0104] 404. Processor 404 may also be coupled to a memory management unit (MMU) 440 or other circuit or device that may be configured to receive addresses from processor 404 and translate those addresses into locations in memory (e.g., memory 460 and read-only memory (ROM) 450).

[0105] The base station 102 may include at least one network port 470. The network port 470 may be configured to couple to a telephone network and provide (to a plurality of devices such as the UE device 106) services such as those described above in Figure 1 and Figure 2 Access to the telephone network as described in.

[0106] The network port 470 (or an additional network port) may also or alternatively be configured to couple to a cellular network, such as a core network of a cellular service provider. The core network may provide mobility-related services and / or other services to multiple devices, such as the UE device 106. In some cases, the network port 470 may couple to a telephone network via the core network, and / or the core network may provide a telephone network (e.g., in other UE devices served by the cellular service provider).

[0107] Base station 102 may include a radio 430 having one or more RF chains. Each RF chain may include a transmit chain, a receive chain, or both. (For example, base station 102 may include at least one RF chain per sector or cell.) Radio 430 is coupled to an antenna subsystem 434, which includes one or more antennas. Multiple antennas may be required, for example, to support applications such as MIMO or beamforming. Antenna subsystem 434 transmits and receives radio signals to and from UEs over a radio propagation medium (typically the atmosphere).

[0108] In some embodiments, the processor 404 may include a baseband processor to generate downlink baseband signals and / or process uplink baseband signals. The baseband processor 430 may be configured to operate according to one or more wireless telecommunications standards, including but not limited to GSM, LTE, 5G New Radio, WCDMA, CDMA2000, etc.

[0109] The processor 404 of the base station 102 can be configured to implement any of the methods described herein, for example, by executing program instructions stored on a memory medium (e.g., a non-transitory computer-readable memory medium). In some embodiments, the processor 404 may include: a programmable hardware element, such as an FPGA (field programmable gate array); or an ASIC (application-specific integrated circuit); or a combination thereof.

[0110] In some embodiments, the wireless user equipment (UE) device 600 may be configured as Figure 6UE device 600 may include: a radio subsystem 605 for performing wireless communications; and a processing element 610 operatively coupled to the radio subsystem. (UE device 600 may also include any subset of the UE features described above, for example, in combination with Figures 1 to 4 ).

[0111] The radio subsystem 605 may include one or more RF chains, for example, as described above. Each RF chain may be configured to receive signals from a radio propagation channel and / or transmit these signals to a radio propagation channel. Thus, each RF chain may include a transmit chain and / or a receive chain. The radio subsystem 605 may be coupled to one or more antennas (or one or more antenna arrays) to facilitate signal transmission and reception. Each RF chain (or some RF chains) may be tuned to a desired frequency, thereby allowing the RF chain to receive or transmit at different frequencies at different times.

[0112] Processing element 610 may be coupled to the radio subsystem and may be configured as described above. (For example, the processing element may be implemented by processor 302.) The processing element may be configured to control the state of each RF chain in the radio subsystem. The processing element may be configured to perform any of the base station-based method embodiments described herein.

[0113] In some embodiments, the processing element may include one or more baseband processors to (a) generate baseband signals to be transmitted by the radio subsystem and / or (b) process baseband signals provided by the radio subsystem.

[0114] In a dual connectivity mode of operation, the processing element may instruct the first RF chain to communicate with the first base station using a first radio access technology, and instruct the second RF chain to communicate with the second base station using a second radio access technology. For example, the first RF chain may communicate with an LTE eNB, and the second RF chain may communicate with a 5G New Radio (NR) gNB. The link with the LTE eNB may be referred to as an LTE leg. The link with the gNB may be referred to as an NR leg. In some embodiments, the processing element may include a first subcircuit for implementing baseband processing for the LTE leg and a second subcircuit for implementing baseband processing for the NR leg.

[0115] Processing element 610 may be further configured as variously described in the following sections.

[0116] In some embodiments, a wireless base station 700 of a wireless network (not shown) may be configured as follows: Figure 7The wireless base station may include: a radio subsystem 705 for performing wireless communication over a radio propagation channel; and a processing element 710 operatively coupled to the radio subsystem. (The wireless base station may also include any subset of the above-mentioned base station features, for example, the above-mentioned Figure 5 described features).

[0117] The radio subsystem 710 may include one or more RF chains. Each RF chain may be tuned to a desired frequency, thereby allowing the RF chain to receive or transmit at different frequencies at different times. The radio subsystem 710 may be coupled to an antenna subsystem, which may include one or more antennas, such as an antenna array or multiple antenna arrays. The radio subsystem may employ the antenna subsystem to transmit and receive radio signals to and from a radio wave propagation medium.

[0118] Processing element 710 may be implemented as described above. For example, in one embodiment, processing element 710 may be implemented by processor 404. In some embodiments, the processing element may include one or more baseband processors to:

[0119] (a) generating a baseband signal to be transmitted by the radio subsystem, and / or (b) processing a baseband signal provided by the radio subsystem.

[0120] Processing element 710 may be configured to perform any of the base station method implementations described herein.

[0121] Network signaling for RRM enhancements (e.g., in FR2 HST)

[0122] In some embodiments, a user equipment (UE) may be installed in or on a train (e.g., a high-speed train (HST)) and configured to operate at high frequencies, such as in the millimeter wave band. The UE may be referred to as a CPE UE, where CPE is an acronym for customer premises equipment. The cells of the network may be distributed along the train track (or path). Each cell may have one or more transmit receive points (TRPs). Each TRP may include one or more antenna panels. For example, a base station (e.g., a gNB in ​​the context of 3GPP 5G) may include a pool of baseband units (BBUs) coupled to corresponding remote radio heads (RRHs), where the RRHs implement the TRPs. As the train travels along its path, the UE may switch from one cell to the next. Within the coverage area of ​​each cell, the UE and the cell may communicate via one or more of the TRPs of the cell. When communicating via more than one TRP, the cell may behave like a single frequency network (SFN). When communicating via one TRP at a time, the transmission scheme is called DPS (dynamic point selection). As a UE moves with a cell, the base station can send a TCI status update to the UE so that the base station can use the appropriate beam for its current location. (TCI is an acronym for Transmission Configuration Indication.)

[0123] Transmissions between a cell and a UE may be bidirectional or unidirectional. Unidirectional means that the cell is configured to support communication with the UE only via TRPs that are in front of the UE, or alternatively, only via TRPs that are behind the UE (relative to the direction of train motion). (A TRP is considered to be in front of the UE if its x-coordinate is greater than the UE's x-coordinate, where the x-axis is defined by the train track and the positive x-direction is the direction of train motion. A TRP is considered to be behind the UE if its x-coordinate is less than the UE's x-coordinate.) Thus, in unidirectional mode, a UE may communicate only with one or more TRPs that are in front of the UE, or alternatively, only with one or more TRPs that are behind the UE. For example, a UE may include only forward-looking panels, and the cell's TRPs may include only rear-looking panels. (A panel is considered to be forward-looking if it is pointing at an angle of less than 90 degrees relative to the direction of train motion. A panel is considered to be rear-looking if it is pointing at an angle of less than 90 degrees relative to the direction opposite to the train motion.)

[0124] In contrast, in at least some embodiments, bidirectional means that the UE may have to switch between using a forward-pointing UE beam and using a backward-pointing UE beam because the TRP of the cell includes both a forward-looking panel and a backward-looking panel. For example, a cell may include TRPs, each of which (or some of which TRPs) includes a forward-looking panel and a backward-looking panel. Similarly, a UE may include both a forward-looking panel and a backward-looking panel. The UE's forward-looking panel may transmit and / or receive from the TRP's backward-looking panel; and the UE's backward-looking panel may transmit and / or receive from the TRP's forward-looking panel. In this context, the terms "unidirectional" and "bidirectional" do not refer to the direction of the uplink and downlink.

[0125] In some embodiments, the cell and UE may be configured to communicate in frequency range 2 (FR2) of 3GPP 5G. However, the cells and UEs of the present disclosure are not limited to operating in FR2 or in the context of 3GPP.

[0126] Figure 8 and Figure 9 Two different deployment scenarios according to some embodiments are shown. Each figure shows a view generally seen from above a train track. Although the TRPs of the cells are shown as being located on one side of the track, it should be noted that a variety of arrangements of the TRPs are possible.

[0127] The distance DS is the distance between consecutive TRPs of a cell. The distance Dmin is the minimum distance between a TRP (e.g., RRH) of a cell and a train track (or between an RRH and a UE), and each TRP will have a corresponding Dmin value.

[0128] Figure 8 An example of scenario A is shown, where the distance DS is approximately 700 meters and the distance Dmin is approximately 10 meters. Figure 8 A bidirectional example of scenario A is shown, but it should be understood that scenario A can also be implemented in a unidirectional manner. Figure 9 An example of scenario B is shown, where the distance DS is approximately 700 meters and the distance Dmin is approximately 150 meters. Figure 9 A unidirectional example of scenario B is shown, but it should be understood that scenario B can also be implemented in a bidirectional manner.

[0129] Scene parameter table

[0130] Scenario DS (m) Dmin (meter) A 700 10 B 700 150

[0131] Although scenarios A and B are introduced for ease of discussion, it should be understood that the present invention is not limited to such scenarios and a wide variety of scenarios with a wide variety of parameter value combinations are contemplated.

[0132] like Figure 8 and Figure 9 As shown, scenario A uses a smaller distance Dmin than scenario B. For example, in scenario A, the network operator may collaborate with the train operator to allow the network operator to place its TRP (e.g., RRH) close to the train track and / or in the train tunnel. In scenario B, D min Large values ​​of may be caused by any of a number of motivations (eg, safety concerns).

[0133] The number of UE beams, N, is a key parameter in the Radio Resource Management (RRM) process. Unfortunately, in the current 3GPP specifications, the value of N is fixed at 8 for SSB-related RRM measurements in both idle and connected modes when the DRX cycle is 320ms. (SSB is the acronym for Synchronization Signal / PBCH Block. PBCH is the acronym for Physical Broadcast Channel. DRX is the acronym for Discontinuous Reception.) Therefore, to enhance the performance of the RRM process, it is desirable to reduce the value of N as much as possible, rather than using a fixed value of N. Reducing the value of N reduces the overhead associated with signaling beam updates to the UE device.

[0134] The number of UE receive beams may depend on factors such as deployment scenario, UE antenna configuration, and RRH antenna configuration. The deployment scenario may include one or more fields such as: D value, Dmin value, bidirectional / unidirectional flag, etc.

[0135] In some embodiments, the network may provide the UE with information that assists the UE in determining the number of receive beams. For example, for scenario A with a unidirectional deployment, one receive beam (N=1) may be used. For scenario A with a bidirectional deployment, for example, when the UE is configured with a 4×4 antenna panel, two receive beams (N=2) may be used. For scenario B, a greater number (e.g., 4 or 8) of receive beams may be required.

[0136] The receive beam and / or transmit beam of Ue can be configured to cover the angle e l and the azimuth range defined by the angle e2, such as Figure 10A shown. Angle e l can be defined as follows: k TRP seen by UEs at or near (current TRP) k+1 Azimuth of (next TRP). Angle e l Depends on DS and D min The angle e2 can be defined as the angle between the TRP and the k+1 TRP seen by the UE k+1 azimuth.

[0137] For example, when the UE is at a distance from the TRP k+1 When the distance cDS is cDS, the angle e2 can be defined as the azimuth angle, where c is a positive constant less than 1 / 2, or less than 1 / 4, or less than 1 / 8, or less than 1 / 10, or less than 1 / 16, or less than 1 / 32, or less than 1 / 64.

[0138] In some embodiments, in a unidirectional SFN deployment, the UE may use assistance information from the network (e.g., from a cell of the network) to apply autonomous uplink timing advance (TA) adjustments between the RRHs of the cell. TA adjustments (e.g., large TA adjustments) may be expected when a TCI state switch occurs from one RRH to another. Figure 10B As shown, in a dynamic point selection (DPS) transmission scenario, each transmit receive point (TRP) of a cell may be associated with a pair (or subset) of SSB indices. For example, TRP3 may be associated with SSB indices 4 and 5, while TRP4 may be associated with SSB indices 6 and 7. When the UE switches from a TCI state associated with SSB index 5 to a TCI state associated with SSB index 6, the propagation delay may increase by a basic value (e.g., when Ds is larger). (The UE may use different beams at different positions along the track. For example, beams corresponding to SSB 4, SSB 5, SSB 6, and SSB 7 are shown at positions X1, X2, X3, and X4, respectively, where the X-axis corresponds to the track. The UE transitions from TRP3 to TRP4 between positions X3 and X4.) When transitioning from one RRH to the next, a TA adjustment (e.g., a time adjustment) may be performed, for example, based on a change in the received downlink SSB timing. To enable the UE to perform the TA adjustment, the network (e.g., the cell) may signal assistance information to the UE. In some embodiments, the auxiliary information may include the following in conjunction with Figures 11A to 11E The deployment information described above, or in combination with the following 12A to 12D The beam quantity information.

[0139] It should be noted that the specific values ​​mentioned in the above discussion are provided for the sake of illustration. min , the number of TRPs per cell, the number of panels per RRH, the number of antennas per panel, and the mapping of SSB index to TRP may each adopt various values ​​(for example, depending on the application scenario, performance requirements, etc.).

[0140] Signaling deployment information to UE

[0141] In some embodiments, the cell 1110 of the network and the CPE UE 1115 may be as follows Figure 11A11. The cell may transmit deployment information 1120 to the UE 1115. The deployment information may include physical deployment parameters describing the deployment of the cell (or TRP of the cell) relative to the track (or path) of the train on which the UE is transmitting. The network and the UE may be configured for FR2 (High Speed ​​Train) HST deployment. However, a variety of other deployments are also envisioned, for example outside the context of 3GPP 5G or outside the context of 3GPP. The deployment information may be repeatedly broadcast as part of a system information block (SIB) transmission from the cell. However, other ways of transmitting the deployment information are possible and envisioned.

[0142] In some embodiments, the deployment information may include: D for the TRP of the cell min The deployment information may include an average (or typical or representative) value of the TRP for the cell; and a Ds value for the TRP of the cell. In other embodiments, the deployment information may include an indication of the spread in azimuth angles that the UE is required (or recommended) to be covered by its receive beam and / or transmit beam. (Azimuth angle is the angle swept in the horizontal plane.) For example, the deployment information may indicate a minimum azimuth angle and a maximum azimuth angle.

[0143] In some embodiments, the deployment information may be transmitted (or broadcast) to the UE as part of a ServingCellConfigCommon structure or a ServingCellConfigCommonSIB structure. Figure 11B One implementation of ServingCellConfigCommonSIB is given in . However, a variety of other implementations are also envisioned, for example, with other different elements, different ordering of elements, different sets of possible values ​​for elements, etc.

[0144] In some embodiments, the UE may calculate a preferred number of UE receive beams based on the UE's antenna configuration and deployment information. (This calculation may be performed assuming HST FR2 as the context.) The UE may transmit feedback information 1125 to the cell, where the feedback information includes the UE's preferred number of receive beams.

[0145] In some embodiments, the preferred number of these UE receive beams may be calculated under the assumption that the pointing directions of these UE receive beams are distributed so that they together cover the azimuth spread and that they each have the same angular spread in altitude. The azimuth spread may be determined based on this deployment information.

[0146] In some embodiments, the feedback information may include the preferred number of UE receive beams per UE panel and the number of panels on which the UE may simultaneously perform measurements, such as RRM measurements. (The term "panel" refers to antenna panels.) In some embodiments, the feedback information may include the preferred number of UE receive beams for the UE, regardless of the number of UE panels. For example, if the UE has two panels, each with one receive beam, the feedback information may include the number N = 2.

[0147] In some embodiments, this feedback information may be transmitted to the cell as part of a UE capability message or as part of other configuration messages.

[0148] In some embodiments, the feedback information may include a structure called maxUERxBeamHighSpeedFR2-PreferenceConfig-r17, such as Figure 11C However, a variety of other implementations are also contemplated, e.g., with other different elements, different ordering of elements, different sets of possible values ​​for elements, etc.

[0149] After transmitting the feedback information 1125, the UE may use the preferred number of UE receive beams to conduct connected mode operations 1130. These connected mode operations may include processes such as connected mode measurements, downlink data reception, uplink data transmission, etc. (Uplink data transmission may use a number of UE transmit beams equal to the preferred number of UE receive beams.)

[0150] In some embodiments, the processing circuitry may calculate an adjustment (e.g., an autonomous, one-time adjustment) to the uplink timing advance (UL TA) based on the deployment information, e.g., as described in various ways above. The processing circuitry may then apply the calculated adjustment to the uplink timing advance when performing an uplink transmission to the cell (e.g., a TRP to the cell).

[0151] In one set of embodiments, a method 1150 for operating a user equipment (UE) device may include: Figure 11D (Method 1150 may also include any subset of the features, elements, and implementations described above.) Method 1150 may be performed by processing circuitry of a UE device (e.g., by processing element 610 of user equipment 600).

[0152] As shown at 1155, the processing circuit may receive deployment information from cells of the network, where the UE device is carried by a train. (More generally, the UE device may be carried by a vehicle traveling along a path.) For example, the UE device may be mounted on the roof of a car of the train. The deployment information may relate to the deployment of the cells (or transmit / receive points of the cells) relative to the train tracks.

[0153] In some embodiments, the UE device and the cell (i.e., the base station that governs the cell) are configured to operate in the millimeter wave band (e.g., in frequency range 2 of 3GPP 5G New Radio).

[0154] In some embodiments, the deployment information may indicate the distance between consecutive transmit receive points (TRPs) of the cell.

[0155] In some embodiments, the deployment information may indicate an average value of minimum distances between train tracks and transmit / receive points of the cells.

[0156] In some embodiments, the deployment information may indicate a spread in azimuth angles over which UE devices are expected to receive from the transmit-receive points of the cell.

[0157] In some embodiments, the processing circuit may calculate the preferred number of receive beams for downlink reception from the cell (TRP from the cell) based on deployment information and antenna configuration of the UE device.

[0158] In some embodiments, the processing circuit may transmit feedback information to the cell, wherein the feedback information includes the preferred number.

[0159] In one set of embodiments, a method 1160 for operating a base station may include the operations shown in Figure 11. (The method 1160 may include any subset of the features, elements, and embodiments described above.) The method 1160 may be performed by processing circuitry of the base station (e.g., by processing element 710 of base station 700).

[0160] As shown at 1165, the processing circuit may transmit deployment information to a user equipment (UE) device, wherein the transmit and receive points of the base station are deployed along a train track (or along a vehicle path). The UE device may be carried by a train (or vehicle). The deployment information may relate to the deployment of the base station's cells relative to the train track.

[0161] In some embodiments, the deployment information may indicate distances between consecutive transmit receive points (TRPs) of the base station.

[0162] In some embodiments, the deployment information may indicate an average value of the minimum distances between the transmit / receive points and the train tracks.

[0163] In some embodiments, the deployment information may indicate a spread in azimuths over which UE devices are expected to receive from the base station's transmit-receive points.

[0164] In some embodiments, the processing circuit may receive feedback information from the UE device, wherein the feedback information includes the number of UE receive beams preferred by the UE device.

[0165] In some embodiments, the processing circuit may: (a) perform downlink transmission to the UE device via a certain number of downlink transmit beams equal to the preferred number of the UE, and / or (b) perform uplink reception from the UE device via a certain number of uplink receive beams equal to the preferred number of the UE.

[0166] In some embodiments, the base station may be implemented by a gNB of 3GPP 5G New Radio.

[0167] In some embodiments, the base station and UE devices are configured to operate in millimeter wave frequency bands (e.g., in frequency range 2 of 3GPP 5G New Radio).

[0168] In some embodiments, the TRP of the base station is configured for bidirectional SFN operation. In other embodiments, the TRP is configured for unidirectional SFN operation.

[0169] Signaling the number of beams to the UE

[0170] In some embodiments, the cell 1210 of the network and the CPE UE 1215 may be as follows Figure 12A The network may be configured to operate along a track (or path) of a train, for example, as described above in conjunction with Figure 8 to Figure 1 0 in various ways

[0171] For example, the network and UE may be configured for a FR2 high-speed train (HST) deployment. (However, a variety of other deployments are contemplated, for example, outside the context of 3GPP 5G or outside the context of 3GPP.) The UE may be carried on a train, for example, mounted on the roof of the train.

[0172] The cell may transmit beam number information 1220 to the UE 1115. The beam number information may include one or more parameters related to the number of network beams associated with the cell. The beam number information may be repeatedly broadcast as part of a system information block (SIB) transmission from the cell. However, other ways of transmitting the beam number information are possible and contemplated.

[0173] In some embodiments, the beam quantity information may include the number of network beams for each remote radio head (RRH) of the cell and a flag indicating whether the deployment of the RRHs of the cell is of a unidirectional SFN type or a bidirectional SFN type. (SFN is an acronym for Single Frequency Network.)

[0174] In other embodiments, the beam quantity information may include the number of network beams per panel of an RRH in the cell. The RRH may include one or more antenna panels. (In a bidirectional deployment, the RRH of a cell may include at least two antenna panels: at least one antenna panel pointing generally forward, and at least one antenna panel pointing generally backward (relative to the direction of train movement).)

[0175] In some embodiments, this beam number information may be transmitted to the cell as part of ServingCellConfigCommon or as part of ServingCellConfigCommonSIB. Figure 12B One implementation of ServingCellConfigCommonSIB is given in . However, a variety of other implementations are also envisioned, for example, with other different elements, different ordering of elements, different sets of possible values ​​for elements, etc.

[0176] In some embodiments, a cell may provide beam index signaling at each RRH (or TRP) within the cell, for example, as described above in conjunction with Figure 10B Each TRP of a cell may correspond to a different pair (or subset) of SSB indices. (SSB is an acronym for synchronization signal / PBCH block.) For example, TRP1 may correspond to SSB indices 0 and 1 (beams 0 and 1); TRP2 may correspond to SSB indices 2 and 3 (beams 2 and 3); and so on. The UE may receive the SSB indices and perform beam switching based on these SSB indices.

[0177] In some embodiments, the UE may perform uplink timing advance adjustment, for example, using the SSB index and / or the above-mentioned beam number information.

[0178] In some embodiments, the UE may calculate the preferred number of UE receive beams based on the UE's antenna configuration and the beam number information 1220. (The preferred number of UE receive beams may be constrained to be less than or equal to the number of network beams.) Because the preferred number of UE antennas is typically less than the number of antennas in the network antenna configuration, the beamwidth of the UE beam is typically wider than the beamwidth of the network beam (i.e., the beamwidth of the cell's RRH).

[0179] The UE may transmit feedback information 1225 to the cell, where the feedback information includes the UE's preferred number of receive beams. Alternatively, the feedback information may include the UE's preferred number of receive beams for each UE panel and the number of panels on which the UE may simultaneously perform measurements, such as RRM measurements. The feedback information may be transmitted to the cell via one or more of its RRHs.

[0180] After transmitting the feedback information, the UE may use the preferred number of UE receive beams for connected mode operations 1230. These connected mode operations may include processes such as connected mode measurements, downlink data reception, uplink data transmission, etc. (Uplink data transmission may use a number of UE transmit beams equal to the preferred number of UE receive beams.)

[0181] In some embodiments, the processing circuitry may calculate an adjustment (e.g., an autonomous, one-time adjustment) to the uplink timing advance based at least on unidirectional deployment information provided by the cell, e.g., as described in various ways above. (E.g., the processing circuitry may calculate the adjustment in response to a handover from one remote radio head (RRH) of the cell to another remote radio head.) The processing circuitry may then apply the calculated adjustment to the uplink timing advance when transmitting an uplink signal to the cell (e.g., to the TRP of the cell).

[0182] In one set of embodiments, a method 1250 for operating a user equipment (UE) device may include: Figure 12C (Method 1250 may also include any subset of the features, elements, and implementations described above.) Method 1250 may be performed by processing circuitry of a UE device (e.g., by processing element 610 of user equipment 600).

[0183] As indicated at 1255, the processing circuit may receive beam number information from a cell of a network, wherein the UE is carried on a train (or a vehicle traveling along a path). The beam number information may include parameters related to the number of beams associated with the cell (e.g., associated with an RRH of the cell or associated with an antenna panel of the RRH).

[0184] In some embodiments, the parameter may be the number of network beams per remote radio head for the cell.

[0185] In some embodiments, the beam number information may also include a flag indicating whether the deployment of the remote radio head (RRH) of the cell belongs to a unidirectional SFN type or a bidirectional SFN type.

[0186] In some embodiments, the parameter may be the number of network beams per panel of the remote radio head of the cell.

[0187] In some embodiments, the processing circuit may calculate a preferred number of receive beams for downlink reception from the cell based on the beam number information and antenna configuration of the UE device.

[0188] In some embodiments, the processing circuit may transmit feedback information to the cell, wherein the feedback information includes the preferred number.

[0189] In some embodiments, the UE devices and cells are configured to operate in millimeter wave frequency bands (e.g., in frequency range 2 of 3GPP 5G New Radio).

[0190] In one set of embodiments, a method 1260 for operating a base station may include: Figure 12D (Method 1260 may include any subset of the features, elements, and implementations described above.) Method 1260 may be performed by processing circuitry of a base station (e.g., by processing element 710 of base station 700).

[0191] As shown at 1265, the processing circuit may transmit beam quantity information to a user equipment (UE) device, where the base station's transmit and receive points are deployed along a train track (or along a vehicle path). The UE device may be carried on a train (or vehicle). The beam quantity information may include parameters related to the number of beams associated with the base station's cell.

[0192] In some embodiments, the parameter may be the number of network beams per remote radio head for the cell.

[0193] In some embodiments, the beam number information may also include a flag indicating whether the deployment of the remote radio head (RRH) of the cell belongs to a unidirectional SFN type or a bidirectional SFN type.

[0194] In some embodiments, the parameter may be the number of network beams per panel of the remote radio head of the cell.

[0195] In some embodiments, the processing circuit may receive feedback information from the UE device, wherein the feedback information includes the number of receive beams preferred by the UE device.

[0196] In some embodiments, the processing circuit may: (a) perform downlink transmission to the UE device via a certain number of downlink transmit beams equal to the preferred number of the UE, and / or (b) perform uplink reception from the UE device via a certain number of uplink receive beams equal to the preferred number of the UE.

[0197] In some embodiments, the base station and UE devices are configured to operate in millimeter wave frequency bands (e.g., in frequency range 2 of 3GPP 5G New Radio).

[0198] In some embodiments, the base station may be implemented by a gNB of 3GPP 5G New Radio.

[0199] The network configures the number of UE receive beams

[0200] In some embodiments, the network may configure the number of UE receive beams to be used for RRM and beam management. (The network may be arranged to support HST in the mmWave band (e.g., under FR2 of 3GPP New Radio)) Figure 13 As shown, a cell 1310 of a network may transmit an indication 1320 of the number of selected or recommended receive beams for use by a CPE UE 1315. The indication 1320 may be broadcast as part of a system information block (SIB) transmission from the cell of the network. The SIB may be transmitted over a TRP at a configured SIB transmission location using a physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH) scrambled by system information (a radio network temporary identifier (SI-RNTI)).

[0201] In some embodiments, the network may determine the number of UE receive beams based on the number of network beams expected to be used by the cell for transmissions to the UE.

[0202] In some implementations, the UE may be required to use a configured number of UE receive beams (e.g., for connected mode measurements or beam management). (The amount of time and energy consumed by the UE for such procedures may be proportional to the configured number.)

[0203] In some embodiments, the configured number of UE receive beams will be treated by the UE as an upper limit on the number of receive beams to be used by the UE. In other embodiments, the configured number of UE receive beams will be treated as a lower limit on the number of receive beams to be used by the UE.

[0204] In some implementations where a cell configures the number of beams a UE receives, the network may not explicitly signal deployment information 1120 or beam number information 1220 to the UE.

[0205] In some embodiments, the UE may optionally transmit feedback information 1325 to the network, e.g., cell 1310. For example, when the network configures an upper or lower limit on the number of beams that the UE receives, the feedback information may include a message indicating that the configured number is confirmed or that an adjustment to the number of beams is required. Furthermore, in one embodiment, the UE may indicate a desired change in the configured number of beams, or whether an adjustment is requested in a positive or negative direction.

[0206] After receiving the indication 1320, or optionally transmitting feedback information, the UE may use the (finally) configured number of UE receive beams for connected mode operations 1330. These connected mode operations may include processes such as connected mode measurements, downlink data reception, uplink data transmission, etc. (Uplink data transmission may use a number of UE transmit beams equal to the preferred number of UE receive beams.)

[0207] In one set of embodiments, a method 1400 for operating a user equipment (UE) device may include: Figure 14 (Method 1400 may also include any subset of the features, elements, and implementations described above.) Method 1400 may be performed by processing circuitry of a UE device (e.g., by processing element 610 of user equipment 600).

[0208] In some embodiments, the processing circuit may receive a configuration message from a cell of the network. (The cell and network may be configured for FR2 HST deployment, e.g., as described above in conjunction with Figures 8 and 9 The configuration message may indicate a first number of receive beams for a UE device, wherein the UE is carried on a train (or on a vehicle moving along a path).

[0209] In some embodiments, the processing circuitry may determine a second number of receive beams to be used by the UE device based at least in part on the first number. (The second number may be interpreted as a preferred number of UE receive beams.) The determination may also be based on the UE device's antenna configuration. The antenna configuration may include, for example, the number of panels of the UE device and the number of beams per panel.

[0210] In some embodiments, the first amount may be used as an upper limit for determining the second amount.

[0211] In some embodiments, the first amount may be used as a lower limit for determining the second amount.

[0212] In some embodiments, the processing circuit may transmit a feedback message to the cell (eg, via one or more transmit / receive points of the cell), wherein the feedback message indicates whether the first number is confirmed, ie, accepted for use by the UE device.

[0213] In some embodiments, the processing circuit may transmit a feedback message to the cell, wherein the feedback message includes a request to adjust the first number.

[0214] In some embodiments, the UE devices and cells are configured to operate in millimeter wave frequency bands (e.g., in frequency range 2 of 3GPP 5G New Radio).

[0215] In one set of embodiments, a method 1500 for operating a base station may include: Figure 15 (Method 1500 may include any subset of the features, elements, and implementations described above.) Method 1500 may be performed by processing circuitry of a base station (e.g., by processing element 710 of base station 700).

[0216] As shown at 1510, the processing circuit may transmit a configuration message to a user equipment (UE) device, wherein a transmit / receive point of a base station is deployed along a train track (or along a vehicle path). The UE device may be carried by the train (or vehicle). The configuration message indicates a first number of receive beams for the UE device.

[0217] In some embodiments, the first number is an upper limit on the number of receive beams to be used by the UE device.

[0218] In some embodiments, the first number is a lower limit on the number of receive beams to be used by the UE device.

[0219] In some embodiments, the processing circuit may receive a feedback message from the UE device, wherein the feedback message indicates whether the first quantity is confirmed for use by the UE device.

[0220] In some embodiments, the processing circuit may receive a feedback message from a UE device, wherein the feedback message includes a request to adjust the first number. In response to receiving the request to adjust, the base station may determine an updated number of receive beams for the UE and transmit the updated number to the UE in a configuration message.

[0221] In some embodiments, the base station and UE devices are configured to operate in millimeter wave frequency bands (e.g., in frequency range 2 of 3GPP 5G New Radio).

[0222] In some embodiments, the non-transitory memory medium may store program instructions. When executed by a processing circuit, the program instructions may cause the processing circuit to perform any of the above method embodiments, and

[0223] Any combination of those embodiments.The storage medium may be incorporated as part of the base station.

[0224] The embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented in any of a variety of forms. For example, some embodiments may be implemented as computer-implemented methods, computer-readable storage media, or computer systems. Other embodiments may be implemented using one or more custom-designed hardware devices such as ASICs. Other embodiments may be implemented using one or more programmable hardware elements such as FPGAs.

[0225] In some embodiments, a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium may be configured such that it stores program instructions and / or data, wherein the program instructions, if executed by a computer system, cause the computer system to perform a method, such as any one of the method embodiments described herein, or any combination of the method embodiments described herein, or any subset of any method embodiments described herein, or any combination of such subsets.

[0226] In some embodiments, the computer system may be configured to include a processor (or a group of processors) and a memory medium, wherein the memory medium stores program instructions, wherein the processor is configured to read and execute the program instructions from the memory medium, wherein the executable program instructions are to implement any of the various method embodiments described herein (or any combination of the method embodiments described herein, or any subset of any method embodiments described herein, or any combination of such subsets). The computer system can be implemented in any of various forms. For example, the computer system can be a personal computer (in any of its various implementations), a workstation, a computer on a card, a dedicated computer in a box, a server computer, a client computer, a handheld device, a user equipment (UE) device, a tablet computer, a wearable computer, etc.

[0227] By interpreting each message / signal X received in the downlink by a user equipment (UE) communicating with a base station (or transmission-reception point) as a message / signal X transmitted by the base station (or transmission-reception point), and interpreting each message / signal Y transmitted in the uplink by the UE as a message / signal Y received by the base station (or transmission-reception point), any of the methods for operating a UE described herein can become the basis for the corresponding method for operating a base station (or transmission-reception point).

[0228] It is understood that the use of personally identifiable information should be subject to privacy policies and practices that are generally recognized to meet or exceed industry or government requirements for maintaining user privacy. Specifically, personally identifiable information data should be managed and processed to minimize the risk of unintentional or unauthorized access or use, and the nature of authorized use should be clearly stated to users.

[0229] Although the above embodiments have been described in considerable detail, numerous variations and modifications will become apparent to those skilled in the art once the above disclosure is fully appreciated. It is intended that the following claims be interpreted to encompass all such variations and modifications.

Claims

1. A method for operating a user equipment (UE), the method comprising: receiving, from a cell of a network, beam number information, wherein the UE is carried on a train, wherein the beam number information includes a parameter related to a number of beams associated with the cell; and and calculating an adjustment to the uplink timing advance based at least on deployment information provided by the cell, wherein the deployment information indicates whether transmission between the UE and the cell is unidirectional or bidirectional, wherein: For unidirectional transmission between the UE and the cell, the UE communicates with the cell only through one or more transmit / receive points (TRPs) in front of the UE or only through one or more TRPs behind the UE, relative to the direction of train movement; and For bidirectional transmission between the UE and the cell, the UE is able to communicate with the cell through one or more TRPs located in front of the UE and behind the UE relative to the direction of movement of the train. 2 . The method according to claim 1 , wherein the parameter is the number of network beams per remote radio head of the cell.

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein the beam number information further includes a flag indicating whether the deployment of the remote radio head (RRH) of the cell belongs to a unidirectional SFN type or a bidirectional SFN type. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the parameter is the number of network beams per panel of a remote radio head of the cell.

5. The method according to claim 1, further comprising: A preferred number of receive beams is calculated based on the beam number information and antenna configuration of the UE for downlink reception from the cell.

6. The method according to claim 5, further comprising: Feedback information is transmitted to the cell, wherein the feedback information includes the preferred number.

7. An apparatus for wireless communication, comprising: A processor, the processor being configured to, when executing instructions stored in the memory, perform operations including: receiving, from a cell of a network, beam number information, wherein a user equipment (UE) is carried on a train, wherein the beam number information comprises a parameter related to a number of beams associated with the cell; as well as and calculating an adjustment to the uplink timing advance based at least on deployment information provided by the cell, wherein the deployment information indicates whether transmission between the UE and the cell is unidirectional or bidirectional, wherein: For unidirectional transmission between the UE and the cell, the UE communicates with the cell only through one or more transmit / receive points (TRPs) in front of the UE or only through one or more TRPs behind the UE, relative to the direction of train movement; and For bidirectional transmission between the UE and the cell, the UE is able to communicate with the cell through one or more TRPs located in front of the UE and behind the UE relative to the direction of movement of the train.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the parameter is the number of network beams per remote radio head of the cell. 9 . The apparatus according to claim 8 , wherein the beam number information further includes a flag indicating whether deployment of the remote radio head (RRH) of the cell belongs to a unidirectional SFN type or a bidirectional SFN type.

10. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the parameter is the number of network beams per panel of a remote radio head of the cell.

11. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the operations further comprise: A preferred number of receive beams is calculated based on the beam number information and antenna configuration of the UE for downlink reception from the cell.

12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the operations further comprise: Feedback information is transmitted to the cell, wherein the feedback information includes the preferred number.

13. A user equipment (UE), comprising: radio components; as well as a processor communicatively coupled to the radio, wherein the radio and the processor are configured to perform operations comprising: receiving, from a cell of a network, beam number information, wherein the UE is carried on a train, wherein the beam number information includes a parameter related to a number of beams associated with the cell; and and calculating an adjustment to the uplink timing advance based at least on deployment information provided by the cell, wherein the deployment information indicates whether transmission between the UE and the cell is unidirectional or bidirectional, wherein: For unidirectional transmission between the UE and the cell, the UE communicates with the cell only through one or more transmit / receive points (TRPs) in front of the UE or only through one or more TRPs behind the UE, relative to the direction of train movement; and For bidirectional transmission between the UE and the cell, the UE is able to communicate with the cell through one or more TRPs located in front of the UE and behind the UE relative to the direction of movement of the train. The UE according to claim 13 , wherein the parameter is the number of network beams per remote radio head of the cell. 15 . The UE according to claim 14 , wherein the beam number information further includes a flag indicating whether deployment of the remote radio head (RRH) of the cell belongs to a unidirectional SFN type or a bidirectional SFN type.

16. The UE according to claim 13, wherein the parameter is the number of network beams per panel of a remote radio head of the cell.

17. The UE according to claim 13, wherein the operations further comprise: A preferred number of receive beams is calculated based on the beam number information and antenna configuration of the UE for downlink reception from the cell.

18. The UE according to claim 17, wherein the operations further comprise: Feedback information is transmitted to the cell, wherein the feedback information includes the preferred number.

Images