Devices, methods and computer programs for communication

Abstract

An apparatus includes: at least one processor; and at least one memory including computer program code; the at least one memory and the computer program code are configured together with the at least one processor to cause the apparatus to at least: maintain (906) a pool of measurement reports including a plurality of measurement reports provided to a base station, each measurement report indicating one or more downlink reference signals; receive (908) information from the base station indicating a selected measurement report in the measurement report pool and indicating a selected downlink reference signal in the selected measurement report; and determine (910) a serving beam based on the selected downlink reference signal in the selected measurement report.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to an apparatus, method, and computer program for allowing a terminal to determine a serving beam based on a selected downlink reference signal within a selected measurement report in a cellular system. Background Technology

[0002] A communication system can be viewed as a facility that enables a communication session between two or more entities (such as user terminals, base stations / access points, and / or other nodes) by providing carrier waves between the various entities involved in the communication path. The communication system can be provided, for example, through a communication network and one or more compatible communication devices. The communication session can include, for example, data communications used to carry the communication, such as voice, email, text messages, multimedia, and / or content data. Non-limiting examples of the services provided include two-way or multiplexed calls, data communication or multimedia services, and access to data network systems (such as the Internet). In a wireless communication system, at least a portion of the communication session between at least two stations occurs via a wireless link.

[0003] Users can access the communication system through appropriate communication equipment or terminals. The user's communication equipment is typically referred to as User Equipment (UE) or User Equipment. The communication equipment is provided with appropriate signal receiving and transmission means to enable communication, such as enabling access to a communication network or direct communication with other users. The communication equipment can access a carrier provided by a station or access point and transmit and / or receive communication on that carrier.

[0004] Communication systems and associated equipment typically operate according to required standards or specifications that define what the various entities associated with the system are allowed to do and how they should be implemented. Communication protocols and / or parameters used for connectivity are also usually defined. An example of a communication system is UTRAN (3G radio). Another example of an architecture is known as Long Term Evolution (LTE) or Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) radio access technology. Yet another example of a communication system is the so-called 5G radio or New Radio (NR) access technology. Summary of the Invention

[0005] According to one aspect, an apparatus is provided, the apparatus comprising at least one processor and at least one memory, the at least one memory including computer code for one or more programs, the at least one memory and the computer code being configured, together with the at least one processor, to enable the apparatus to at least: maintain a pool of measurement reports including a plurality of measurement reports provided to a base station, each measurement report indicating one or more downlink reference signals; receive information from the base station indicating a selected measurement report within the measurement report pool and indicating a selected downlink reference signal within the selected measurement report; and determine a serving beam based on the selected downlink reference signal within the selected measurement report.

[0006] At least one memory and computer program code may be configured, together with at least one processor, to cause the device to at least: determine a downlink receive beam associated with a selected downlink reference signal; and determine a serving beam based on the downlink receive beam associated with the selected downlink reference signal.

[0007] The serving beam may be a serving downlink receive beam; and at least one memory and computer program code may be configured, together with at least one processor, to enable the device to at least: use the serving downlink receive beam to receive one or more downlink signals or channels.

[0008] The serving beam may be a serving uplink transmission beam; and at least one memory and computer program code may be configured, together with at least one processor, to enable the device to at least: use the serving uplink transmission beam to transmit one or more uplink signals or channels.

[0009] At least one memory and computer program code may be configured, together with at least one processor, to enable the device to at least: receive indications of one or more uplink signals or channels and / or one or more downlink signals or channels from a base station.

[0010] At least one memory and computer program code may be configured, together with at least one processor, to cause the device to at least: use the serving downlink receive beam and / or uplink transmit beam for a duration determined by the switching delay or activation delay of the serving downlink receive beam and / or uplink transmit beam based on the device.

[0011] Each measurement report can be indexed by an index in the first index space, and each downlink reference signal can be indexed by an index in the second index space.

[0012] This information may include the index of the selected measurement report and the index of the selected downlink reference signal measurement.

[0013] At least one memory and computer program code may be configured, together with at least one processor, to enable the device to at least: receive a request from a base station to provide a measurement report, wherein the request includes an index of the measurement report determined by the base station.

[0014] At least one memory and computer program code may be configured, together with at least one processor, to enable the device to at least: provide a measurement report to a base station, wherein the measurement report includes an index of the measurement report determined by the device.

[0015] The measurement report pool can include a fixed number of measurement reports.

[0016] The measurement report pool can be operated based on a first-in-first-out queue or a sliding window.

[0017] The first index space can be public for measurement reports with any reporting period type, any reporting resources, any reporting settings, and / or any number of reports.

[0018] The first index space can be specific to measurement reports with a specific report configuration type, measurement reports with specific report resources, measurement reports with specific report settings, and / or measurement reports with a specific number of reports.

[0019] Reporting cycle types can include non-periodic, semi-persistent, or periodic reporting.

[0020] Each measurement report can indicate one or more of the strongest downlink reference signals.

[0021] Each measurement report can indicate two or more downlink reference signals received simultaneously.

[0022] According to one aspect, an apparatus is provided, comprising components for: maintaining a pool of measurement reports including a plurality of measurement reports provided to a base station, each measurement report indicating one or more downlink reference signals; receiving information from the base station indicating a selected measurement report within the measurement report pool and a selected downlink reference signal within the selected measurement report; and determining a serving beam based on the selected downlink reference signal within the selected measurement report.

[0023] The apparatus may include components for: determining a downlink receive beam associated with a selected downlink reference signal; and determining a serving beam based on the downlink receive beam associated with the selected downlink reference signal.

[0024] The serving beam may be a serving downlink receive beam; and the apparatus may include components for using the serving downlink receive beam to receive one or more downlink signals or channels.

[0025] The serving beam may be a serving uplink transmission beam; and the apparatus may include components for using the serving uplink transmission beam to transmit one or more uplink signals or channels.

[0026] The device may include components for indicating one or more uplink signals or channels and / or one or more downlink signals or channels from a base station.

[0027] The apparatus may include components for using the serving downlink receive beam and / or uplink transmit beam for a duration determined by a switching delay or activation delay of the serving downlink receive beam and / or uplink transmit beam based on the apparatus.

[0028] Each measurement report can be indexed by an index in the first index space, and each downlink reference signal can be indexed by an index in the second index space.

[0029] This information may include the index of the selected measurement report and the index of the selected downlink reference signal measurement.

[0030] The apparatus may include components for receiving a request from a base station to provide a measurement report, wherein the request includes an index of the measurement report determined by the base station.

[0031] The device may include components for providing measurement reports to a base station, wherein the measurement report includes an index of measurement reports determined by the device.

[0032] The measurement report pool can include a fixed number of measurement reports.

[0033] The measurement report pool can be operated based on a first-in-first-out queue or a sliding window.

[0034] The first index space can be public for measurement reports with any reporting period type, any reporting resources, any reporting settings, and / or any number of reports.

[0035] The first index space can be specific to measurement reports with a specific report configuration type, measurement reports with specific report resources, measurement reports with specific report settings, and / or measurement reports with a specific number of reports.

[0036] Reporting cycle types can include non-periodic, semi-persistent, or periodic reporting.

[0037] Each measurement report can indicate one or more of the strongest downlink reference signals.

[0038] Each measurement report can indicate two or more downlink reference signals received simultaneously.

[0039] According to one aspect, an apparatus is provided, comprising a circuit system configured to perform: maintaining a pool of measurement reports including a plurality of measurement reports provided to a base station, each measurement report indicating one or more downlink reference signals; receiving information from the base station indicating a selected measurement report within the measurement report pool and indicating a selected downlink reference signal within the selected measurement report; and determining a serving beam based on the selected downlink reference signal within the selected measurement report.

[0040] The apparatus may include circuitry configured to: determine a downlink receive beam associated with a selected downlink reference signal; and determine a serving beam based on the downlink receive beam associated with the selected downlink reference signal.

[0041] The serving beam may be a serving downlink receive beam; and the apparatus may include a circuit system configured to use the serving downlink receive beam to receive one or more downlink signals or channels.

[0042] The serving beam may be a serving uplink transmission beam; and the apparatus may include a circuit system configured to use the serving uplink transmission beam to transmit one or more uplink signals or channels.

[0043] The device may include a circuit system configured to receive indications of one or more uplink signals or channels and / or one or more downlink signals or channels from a base station.

[0044] The apparatus may include a circuit system configured to use the serving downlink receive beam and / or uplink transmit beam for a duration determined by a switching delay or activation delay of the serving downlink receive beam and / or uplink transmit beam based on the apparatus.

[0045] Each measurement report can be indexed by an index in the first index space, and each downlink reference signal can be indexed by an index in the second index space.

[0046] This information may include the index of the selected measurement report and the index of the selected downlink reference signal measurement.

[0047] The apparatus may include a circuit system configured to receive a request from a base station to provide a measurement report, wherein the request includes an index of the measurement report determined by the base station.

[0048] The device may include a circuit system configured to provide a measurement report to a base station, wherein the measurement report includes an index of the measurement report determined by the device.

[0049] The measurement report pool can include a fixed number of measurement reports.

[0050] The measurement report pool can be operated based on a first-in-first-out queue or a sliding window.

[0051] The first index space can be public for measurement reports with any reporting period type, any reporting resources, any reporting settings, and / or any number of reports.

[0052] The first index space can be specific to measurement reports with a specific report configuration type, measurement reports with specific report resources, measurement reports with specific report settings, and / or measurement reports with a specific number of reports.

[0053] Reporting cycle types can include non-periodic, semi-persistent, or periodic reporting.

[0054] Each measurement report can indicate one or more of the strongest downlink reference signals.

[0055] Each measurement report can indicate two or more downlink reference signals received simultaneously.

[0056] According to one aspect, a method is provided, the method comprising: maintaining a measurement report pool including a plurality of measurement reports provided to a base station, each measurement report indicating one or more downlink reference signals; receiving information from the base station indicating a selected measurement report within the measurement report pool and indicating a selected downlink reference signal within the selected measurement report; and determining a serving beam based on the selected downlink reference signal within the selected measurement report.

[0057] The method may include: determining a downlink receive beam associated with a selected downlink reference signal; and determining a serving beam based on the downlink receive beam associated with the selected downlink reference signal.

[0058] The serving beam may be a serving downlink receive beam; and the method may include: using the serving downlink receive beam to receive one or more downlink signals or channels.

[0059] The serving beam may be a serving uplink transmission beam; and the method may include: using the serving uplink transmission beam to transmit one or more uplink signals or channels.

[0060] The method may include receiving indications of one or more uplink signals or channels and / or one or more downlink signals or channels from a base station.

[0061] The method may include: using the serving downlink receive beam and / or uplink transmit beam for a duration determined by a switching delay or activation delay of the serving downlink receive beam and / or uplink transmit beam based on the device.

[0062] Each measurement report can be indexed by an index in the first index space, and each downlink reference signal can be indexed by an index in the second index space.

[0063] This information may include the index of the selected measurement report and the index of the selected downlink reference signal measurement.

[0064] The method may include receiving a request from a base station to provide a measurement report, wherein the request includes an index of the measurement report determined by the base station.

[0065] The method may include: providing a measurement report to a base station, wherein the measurement report includes an index of the measurement report determined by the device.

[0066] The measurement report pool can include a fixed number of measurement reports.

[0067] The measurement report pool can be operated based on a first-in-first-out queue or a sliding window.

[0068] The first index space can be public for measurement reports with any reporting period type, any reporting resources, any reporting settings, and / or any number of reports.

[0069] The first index space can be specific to measurement reports with a specific report configuration type, measurement reports with specific report resources, measurement reports with specific report settings, and / or measurement reports with a specific number of reports.

[0070] Reporting cycle types can include non-periodic, semi-persistent, or periodic reporting.

[0071] Each measurement report can indicate one or more of the strongest downlink reference signals.

[0072] Each measurement report can indicate two or more downlink reference signals received simultaneously.

[0073] According to one aspect, a computer program is provided, the computer program including computer-executable code configured, when running on at least one processor, to perform the following operations: maintaining a pool of measurement reports including a plurality of measurement reports provided to a base station, each measurement report indicating one or more downlink reference signals; receiving information from the base station indicating a selected measurement report within the measurement report pool and indicating a selected downlink reference signal within the selected measurement report; and determining a serving beam based on the selected downlink reference signal within the selected measurement report.

[0074] The computer program may include computer-executable code configured, when running on at least one processor, to: determine a downlink receive beam associated with a selected downlink reference signal; and determine a serving beam based on the downlink receive beam associated with the selected downlink reference signal.

[0075] The serving beam may be a serving downlink receive beam; and the computer program may include computer-executable code configured, when running on at least one processor, to use the serving downlink receive beam to receive one or more downlink signals or channels.

[0076] The serving beam may be a serving uplink transmission beam; and the computer program may include computer-executable code configured, when running on at least one processor, to use the serving uplink transmission beam to transmit one or more uplink signals or channels.

[0077] The computer program may include computer-executable code configured to perform the following when running on at least one processor: receiving instructions from a base station to receive one or more uplink signals or channels and / or one or more downlink signals or channels.

[0078] The computer program may include computer-executable code configured to perform the following operation when running on at least one processor: using the serving downlink receive beam and / or uplink transmit beam for a duration determined by a switching delay or activation delay of the serving downlink receive beam and / or uplink transmit beam based on the device.

[0079] Each measurement report can be indexed by an index in the first index space, and each downlink reference signal can be indexed by an index in the second index space.

[0080] This information may include the index of the selected measurement report and the index of the selected downlink reference signal measurement.

[0081] The computer program may include computer-executable code configured to perform the following operation when running on at least one processor: receiving a request from a base station to provide a measurement report, wherein the request includes an index of the measurement report determined by the base station.

[0082] The computer program may include computer-executable code configured to perform the following operation when running on at least one processor: providing a measurement report to a base station, wherein the measurement report includes an index of the measurement report determined by the device.

[0083] The measurement report pool can include a fixed number of measurement reports.

[0084] The measurement report pool can be operated based on a first-in-first-out queue or a sliding window.

[0085] The first index space can be public for measurement reports with any reporting period type, any reporting resources, any reporting settings, and / or any number of reports.

[0086] The first index space can be specific to measurement reports with a specific report configuration type, measurement reports with specific report resources, measurement reports with specific report settings, and / or measurement reports with a specific number of reports.

[0087] Reporting cycle types can include non-periodic, semi-persistent, or periodic reporting.

[0088] Each measurement report can indicate one or more of the strongest downlink reference signals.

[0089] Each measurement report can indicate two or more downlink reference signals received simultaneously.

[0090] According to one aspect, an apparatus is provided, the apparatus including at least one processor and at least one memory, the at least one memory including computer code for one or more programs, the at least one memory and the computer code being configured, together with the at least one processor, to enable the apparatus to at least: maintain a pool of measurement reports including a plurality of measurement reports received from a terminal, each measurement report indicating one or more downlink reference signals; and provide information to the terminal indicating a selected measurement report within the measurement report pool and indicating a selected downlink reference signal within the selected measurement report.

[0091] At least one memory and computer program code may be configured, together with at least one processor, to enable the device to at least: provide a terminal with one or more uplink signals or channels and / or one or more downlink signals or channels.

[0092] Each measurement report can be indexed by a first index in a first index space, and each downlink reference signal measurement can be indexed by an index in a second index space.

[0093] This information can indicate the index of the selected measurement report and the index of the selected downlink reference signal.

[0094] At least one memory and computer program code may be configured, together with at least one processor, to enable the device to at least: provide a request from a base station for providing a measurement report, wherein the request includes an index of the determined measurement report to the terminal.

[0095] At least one memory and computer program code may be configured, together with at least one processor, to enable the device to at least: receive a measurement report from a terminal, wherein the measurement report includes an index of the measurement report determined by the terminal.

[0096] The measurement report pool can include a fixed number of measurement reports.

[0097] Measurement reports can be updated according to the first-in, first-out (FIFO) rule.

[0098] The first index space can be public for measurement reports with any reporting period type, any reporting resources, any reporting settings, and / or any number of reports.

[0099] The first index space can be specific to measurement reports with a specific report configuration type, measurement reports with specific report resources, measurement reports with specific report settings, and / or measurement reports with a specific number of reports.

[0100] Reporting cycle types can include non-periodic, semi-persistent, or periodic reporting.

[0101] Each measurement report can indicate one or more of the strongest downlink reference signals.

[0102] Each measurement report can indicate two or more downlink reference signals received simultaneously.

[0103] According to one aspect, an apparatus is provided, comprising components for: maintaining a measurement report pool including a plurality of measurement reports received from a terminal, each measurement report indicating one or more downlink reference signals; and providing information to the terminal indicating a selected measurement report within the measurement report pool and indicating a selected downlink reference signal within the selected measurement report.

[0104] The device may include components for providing indications of one or more uplink signals or channels and / or one or more downlink signals or channels to a terminal.

[0105] Each measurement report can be indexed by a first index in a first index space, and each downlink reference signal measurement can be indexed by an index in a second index space.

[0106] This information can indicate the index of the selected measurement report and the index of the selected downlink reference signal.

[0107] The apparatus may include components for providing a request from a base station to provide a measurement report, wherein the request includes an index of the determined measurement report to the terminal.

[0108] The device may include components for receiving measurement reports from a terminal, wherein the measurement reports include an index of measurement reports determined by the terminal.

[0109] The measurement report pool can include a fixed number of measurement reports.

[0110] Measurement reports can be updated according to the first-in, first-out (FIFO) rule.

[0111] The first index space can be public for measurement reports with any reporting period type, any reporting resources, any reporting settings, and / or any number of reports.

[0112] The first index space can be specific to measurement reports with a specific report configuration type, measurement reports with specific report resources, measurement reports with specific report settings, and / or measurement reports with a specific number of reports.

[0113] Reporting cycle types can include non-periodic, semi-persistent, or periodic reporting.

[0114] Each measurement report can indicate one or more of the strongest downlink reference signals.

[0115] Each measurement report can indicate two or more downlink reference signals received simultaneously.

[0116] According to one aspect, an apparatus is provided, comprising a circuit system configured to perform: maintaining a pool of measurement reports including a plurality of measurement reports received from a terminal, each measurement report indicating one or more downlink reference signals; and providing information to the terminal indicating a selected measurement report within the measurement report pool and indicating a selected downlink reference signal within the selected measurement report.

[0117] The device may include a circuit system configured to provide a terminal with indications of one or more uplink signals or channels and / or one or more downlink signals or channels.

[0118] Each measurement report can be indexed by a first index in a first index space, and each downlink reference signal measurement can be indexed by an index in a second index space.

[0119] This information can indicate the index of the selected measurement report and the index of the selected downlink reference signal.

[0120] The apparatus may include a circuitry configured to provide a request from a base station for providing a measurement report, wherein the request includes an index of the determined measurement report to the terminal.

[0121] The device may include a circuit system configured to receive a measurement report from a terminal, wherein the measurement report includes an index of the measurement report determined by the terminal.

[0122] The measurement report pool can include a fixed number of measurement reports.

[0123] Measurement reports can be updated according to the first-in, first-out (FIFO) rule.

[0124] The first index space can be public for measurement reports with any reporting period type, any reporting resources, any reporting settings, and / or any number of reports.

[0125] The first index space can be specific to measurement reports with a specific report configuration type, measurement reports with specific report resources, measurement reports with specific report settings, and / or measurement reports with a specific number of reports.

[0126] Reporting cycle types can include non-periodic, semi-persistent, or periodic reporting.

[0127] Each measurement report can indicate one or more of the strongest downlink reference signals.

[0128] Each measurement report can indicate two or more downlink reference signals received simultaneously.

[0129] According to one aspect, a method is provided, the method comprising: maintaining a measurement report pool including a plurality of measurement reports received from a terminal, each measurement report indicating one or more downlink reference signals; and providing information to the terminal indicating a selected measurement report within the measurement report pool and indicating a selected downlink reference signal within the selected measurement report.

[0130] The method may include providing the terminal with indications of one or more uplink signals or channels and / or one or more downlink signals or channels.

[0131] Each measurement report can be indexed by a first index in a first index space, and each downlink reference signal measurement can be indexed by an index in a second index space.

[0132] This information can indicate the index of the selected measurement report and the index of the selected downlink reference signal.

[0133] The method may include: providing a request from a base station to provide a measurement report, wherein the request includes an index to the determined measurement report to the terminal.

[0134] The method may include: receiving a measurement report from a terminal, wherein the measurement report includes an index of the measurement report determined by the terminal.

[0135] The measurement report pool can include a fixed number of measurement reports.

[0136] Measurement reports can be updated according to the first-in, first-out (FIFO) rule.

[0137] The first index space can be public for measurement reports with any reporting period type, any reporting resources, any reporting settings, and / or any number of reports.

[0138] The first index space can be specific to measurement reports with a specific report configuration type, measurement reports with specific report resources, measurement reports with specific report settings, and / or measurement reports with a specific number of reports.

[0139] Reporting cycle types can include non-periodic, semi-persistent, or periodic reporting.

[0140] Each measurement report can indicate one or more of the strongest downlink reference signals.

[0141] Each measurement report can indicate two or more downlink reference signals received simultaneously.

[0142] According to one aspect, a computer program is provided, the computer program including computer-executable code configured, when running on at least one processor, to perform the following operations: maintaining a pool of measurement reports including a plurality of measurement reports received from a terminal, each measurement report indicating one or more downlink reference signals; and providing information to the terminal indicating a selected measurement report within the measurement report pool and indicating a selected downlink reference signal within the selected measurement report.

[0143] The computer program may include computer-executable code configured to perform the following operations when running on at least one processor: providing a terminal with one or more uplink signals or channels and / or one or more downlink signals or channels.

[0144] Each measurement report can be indexed by a first index in a first index space, and each downlink reference signal measurement can be indexed by an index in a second index space.

[0145] This information can indicate the index of the selected measurement report and the index of the selected downlink reference signal.

[0146] The computer program may include computer-executable code configured to perform the following when running on at least one processor: providing a request from a base station to provide a measurement report, wherein the request includes an index of the determined measurement report to the terminal.

[0147] The computer program may include computer-executable code configured to perform the following operation when running on at least one processor: receiving a measurement report from a terminal, wherein the measurement report includes an index of the measurement report determined by the terminal.

[0148] The measurement report pool can include a fixed number of measurement reports.

[0149] Measurement reports can be updated according to the first-in, first-out (FIFO) rule.

[0150] The first index space can be public for measurement reports with any reporting period type, any reporting resources, any reporting settings, and / or any number of reports.

[0151] The first index space can be specific to measurement reports with a specific report configuration type, measurement reports with specific report resources, measurement reports with specific report settings, and / or measurement reports with a specific number of reports.

[0152] Reporting cycle types can include non-periodic, semi-persistent, or periodic reporting.

[0153] Each measurement report can indicate one or more of the strongest downlink reference signals.

[0154] Each measurement report can indicate two or more downlink reference signals received simultaneously.

[0155] According to one aspect, a computer-readable medium is provided, the computer-readable medium including program instructions stored thereon for performing at least one of the methods described above.

[0156] According to one aspect, a non-transitory computer-readable medium is provided, the non-transitory computer-readable medium including program instructions stored thereon for performing at least one of the methods described above.

[0157] According to one aspect, a non-volatile tangible storage medium is provided, the non-volatile tangible storage medium including program instructions stored thereon for performing at least one of the methods described above.

[0158] Many different aspects have been described above. It should be understood that other aspects can be provided through a combination of any two or more of the above aspects.

[0159] Various other aspects are also described in the following detailed description and the appended claims.

[0160] List of abbreviations

[0161] ACK confirmation

[0162] AF application functions

[0163] AMF Access Management Function

[0164] AUSF Authentication Server Functionality

[0165] BS base station

[0166] CU Centralized Unit

[0167] CSI-RS Channel State Information Reference Signal

[0168] DCI Downlink Control Information

[0169] DL downlink

[0170] DN Data Network

[0171] DU Distributed Unit

[0172] eNB eNodeB

[0173] FeMIMO further enhances multiple-input multiple-output.

[0174] FIFO (First In First Out)

[0175] FR frequency range

[0176] gNB gNodeB

[0177] GSM Global Mobile Communication System

[0178] HARQ Hybrid Automatic Repeat Request

[0179] HSS (Host Subscriber Server)

[0180] IMS IP Multimedia Subsystem

[0181] IoT (Internet of Things)

[0182] IP Internet Protocol

[0183] LTE Long Term Evolution

[0184] MAC Media Access Control

[0185] MPR maximum power reduction

[0186] MS Mobile Station

[0187] MTC Machine Type Communication

[0188] NEF Network Exposure Function

[0189] NF Network Functions

[0190] NR New Radio

[0191] NZP non-zero power

[0192] PCC Policy and Billing Control

[0193] PDCCH (Physical Downlink Control Channel)

[0194] PDSCH (Physical Downlink Shared Channel)

[0195] PDU (Packet Data Unit)

[0196] PSA PDU Session Anchor

[0197] PUCCH (Physical Uplink Control Channel)

[0198] PUSCH Physical Uplink Shared Channel

[0199] QCL Quasi-co-located

[0200] RAM (Random Access Memory)

[0201] (R)AN (Radio) Access Network

[0202] ROM (Read-Only Memory)

[0203] RS reference signal

[0204] RX Receiver

[0205] SDM spatial multiplexing

[0206] SMF Session Management Function

[0207] SRS Detection Reference Signal

[0208] SSB Synchronization Signal Block

[0209] TCI Transmission Configuration Instructions

[0210] TDD (Time Division Duplex)

[0211] TRP Transport Point

[0212] TX transmission

[0213] UCI uplink control information

[0214] UE User Equipment

[0215] UL uplink

[0216] UP User Plane

[0217] UMTS Universal Mobile Telecommunication System

[0218] URLLC Ultra-Reliable Low-Latency Communication

[0219] USB Universal Serial Bus

[0220] WID Project Description

[0221] 3GPP Third Generation Partnership Project

[0222] 5G (Fifth Generation)

[0223] 5GC 5G Core Network

[0224] 5GS 5G system Attached Figure Description

[0225] The embodiments will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0226] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a 5G system is shown;

[0227] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of the control device is shown;

[0228] Figure 3 A schematic diagram of the terminal is shown;

[0229] Figure 4 A schematic diagram illustrating the process of beam acquisition, measurement, and reporting is shown.

[0230] Figure 5 A schematic diagram is shown with a non-zero power channel state information reference signal and a beam group measurement report for a single UE beam group;

[0231] Figure 6 A schematic diagram of a measurement report pool operating according to a first-in-first-out queue or a sliding window is shown;

[0232] Figure 7A schematic diagram of a measurement report cell that operates according to a first-in-first-out queue or a sliding window in relation to beam switching commands is shown.

[0233] Figure 8 A schematic diagram of the signaling diagram of the process performed by the user equipment and gNodeB is shown, which allows the user equipment to determine the serving beam based on a selected downlink reference signal within a selected measurement report;

[0234] Figure 9 A schematic diagram of a method executed by a terminal is shown, which allows the terminal to determine a serving beam based on a selected downlink reference signal within a selected measurement report;

[0235] Figure 10 A schematic diagram of a method executed by a base station is shown, which allows a terminal to determine a serving beam based on a downlink reference signal within a selected measurement report; and

[0236] Figure 11 A schematic diagram is shown of a non-volatile storage medium for storing instructions, which allow the processor to execute these instructions when they are executed by the processor. Figure 9 and Figure 10 One or more steps of the method. Detailed Implementation

[0237] In the following explanation, certain embodiments are described with reference to mobile communication devices capable of communicating via wireless cellular systems and mobile communication systems serving such mobile communication devices. Before explaining the exemplary embodiments in detail, refer to... Figure 1 , Figure 2 and Figure 3 Briefly explain some general principles of wireless communication systems, their access systems, and mobile communication devices to help understand the underlying technologies of the described examples.

[0238] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a 5G system (5GS) is shown. 5GS may include terminals, a (radio)access network ((R)AN), a 5G core network (5GC), one or more application functions (AF), and one or more data networks (DN).

[0239] 5G(R)AN may include one or more gNodeA (gNB) distributed unit functions connected to one or more gNodeB (gNB) centralized unit functions.

[0240] 5GC may include Access Management Function (AMF), Session Management Function (SMF), Authentication Server Function (AUSF), User Data Management (UDM), User Plane Function (UPF), and / or Network Exposure Function (NEF).

[0241] Figure 2 It shows the control such as Figure 1 An example of a control device 200 for the functions of (R)AN or 5GC is shown. The control device may include at least one random access memory (RAM) 211a, at least one read-only memory (ROM) 211b, at least one processor 212, 213, and an input / output interface 214. At least one processor 212, 213 may be coupled to RAM 211a and ROM 211b. At least one processor 212, 213 may be configured to execute appropriate software code 215. Software code 215 may, for example, allow the execution of one or more steps to perform one or more of the aspects herein. Software code 215 may be stored in ROM 211b. Control device 200 may be interconnected with another control device 200 controlling another function of 5G(R)AN or 5GC. In some embodiments, each function of (R)AN or 5GC includes control device 200. In alternative embodiments, two or more functions of (R)AN or 5GC may share a control device.

[0242] Figure 3 An example of terminal 300 is shown, such as Figure 1 The terminal shown is described. Terminal 300 can be provided by any device capable of transmitting and receiving radio signals. Non-limiting examples include user equipment, mobile stations (MS) or mobile devices such as mobile phones or so-called "smartphones," computers equipped with wireless interface cards or other wireless interface facilities (e.g., USB dongles), personal data assistants (PDAs) or tablets equipped with wireless communication capabilities, machine-type communication (MTC) devices, cellular Internet of Things (CIoT) devices, or any combination of these devices. Terminal 300 can provide, for example, data communication for carrying communication. Communication can be one or more of voice, email, text messages, multimedia, data, machine data, etc.

[0243] Terminal 300 can receive signals via air or radio interface 307 through appropriate means for receiving, and can transmit signals via appropriate means for transmitting radio signals. Figure 3 In the diagram, the transceiver device is schematically represented by block 306. The transceiver device 306 can be provided, for example, by means of a radio section and an associated antenna arrangement. The antenna arrangement can be located inside or outside the mobile device.

[0244] Terminal 300 may be provided with at least one processor 301, at least one memory ROM 302a, at least one RAM 302b, and other possible components 303 for use in the software and hardware-assisted execution of tasks it is designed to perform, including control of access to and communication with access systems and other communication devices. At least one processor 301 is coupled to RAM 302a and ROM 302b. At least one processor 301 may be configured to execute appropriate software code 308. Software code 308 may, for example, allow the execution of one or more aspects of the present invention. Software code 308 may be stored in ROM 302b.

[0245] The processor, storage device, and other related control devices can be housed on a suitable circuit board and / or in a chipset. This feature is indicated by reference numeral 304. The device may optionally have a user interface, such as a keyboard 305, a touch-sensitive screen or keyboard, or a combination thereof. Optionally, depending on the type of device, one or more of a display, speaker, and microphone may be provided.

[0246] One or more aspects of this disclosure relate to the development of the 3GPP NR physical layer.

[0247] One or more aspects of this disclosure relate to a novel beam indication mechanism that can be implemented with lower configuration, update, and / or signaling overhead. For example, this new beam indication mechanism can provide better support in high mobility use cases.

[0248] The further enhanced Multiple-Input Multiple-Output (FeMIMO) Work Item Description (WID) in 3GPP Release 17 states the following objectives [RP-193139]:

[0249] 1. Enhanced multi-beam operation, primarily for FR2, but also applicable to FR1:

[0250] a. Identify and specify functions to facilitate more efficient (lower latency and overhead) DL / UL beam management to support higher intra-cell and L1 / L2 centered cells.

[0251] Inter-mobility and / or a number of configurations' TCI status:

[0252] i. Common beam for data and control transmission / reception in DL and UL, especially for in-band CA

[0253] ii. Unified TCI framework for DL ​​and UL beam indication

[0254] iii. Enhance the signaling mechanisms for the above features to improve latency and efficiency by making greater use of dynamic control signaling (as opposed to RRC).

[0255] Due to technological limitations and increased coupling loss as a function of carrier frequency, system operation, particularly in the frequency range FR2 (i.e., 24 and 52.6 GHz) and above 52.6 GHz, may require the use of narrow downlink (DL) transmit (TX) beams and uplink (UL) receive (RX) beams at the gNB, and narrow UL transmit TX beams and DL RX beams at the UE. At the gNB, the narrow DL TX beams and UL RX beams can be narrower than conventional sector-wide beams. At the UE, the narrow UL TX beams and DL RX beams can be narrower than conventional omnidirectional beams.

[0256] Beam-based connections above 52.6 GHz in FR2 can be sensitive to congestion effects. As a result, procedures have been specified for handling beam failures to replace beam pairs between the gNB and the UE with alternative beam pairs (i.e., DLTX beam / DL RX beam and / or UL TX beam / UL RX beam).

[0257] However, the process for handling beam faults can be slow, for example, due to long measurement averaging based on periodic DL signals with low periodicity (e.g., 5 samples per fault detection).

[0258] Mobility / high mobility in beam-based systems can present additional challenges. The beam switching process should be fast enough to replace the beam pair link between the gNB and the UE with an alternative beam pair link (i.e., DL TX beam / DL RX beam and / or UL TX beam / UL RX beam).

[0259] In existing NR systems, the beam switching process typically includes the following steps.

[0260] In step 1, the gNB can configure candidate DL reference signals (RS) for the UE, such as synchronization signal block (SSB) and / or channel state indication reference signal (CSI-RS). Each candidate DL RS can be associated with a DL beampup link (i.e., DL TX beam and DL RX).

[0261] In step 2, the UE can measure each candidate DL RS. The UE can determine the intensity of each candidate DL RS.

[0262] In step 3, the UE can provide the gNB with a measurement report indicating the strongest candidate DL RS.

[0263] In step 4, the gNB can update the Transmission Configuration Indicator (TCI) status in the UE's DL based on the measurement report. The gNB can also update the spatial relationships in the UE's UL based on the measurement report. Updates to the TCI status in the DL can be performed by DL signal or channel. Updates to the spatial relationships in the UL can be performed by UL signal or channel.

[0264] For DL ​​signals or channels, Quasi-Co-location (QCL) characteristics have been defined. The UE can be configured with, or can implicitly determine, one or more source DL RSs that the UE has previously received and measured, which defines how to configure the DL RX beam to receive subsequent target DL physical signals or channels. To provide QCL characteristics to the UE, TCI states have been further defined.

[0265] The UE can be configured with TCI states to provide the UE with one or more source DL RSs for determining QCL characteristics. Each TCI state may include one or two source RSs that provide the UE with QCL type A, type B, type C and / or type D parameters.

[0266] The different types of parameters are as follows:

[0267] QCL Type A: {Doppler frequency shift, Doppler spread, average delay, delay spread}

[0268] QCL Type B: {Doppler frequency shift, Doppler spread}

[0269] QCL type C: {Doppler frequency shift, average delay}

[0270] QCL type D: {Space Rx parameter}

[0271] For a UL signal or channel, a parameter called spatial relation can be provided to the UE. This spatial relation provides a spatial source RS, based on which the UE can determine the UL TX beam of the subsequent target UL physical signal and channel. The spatial source RS can be a DL RS (SSB or CSI-RS) or a UL RS (SRS).

[0272] For each PUCCH and SRS resource, gNB can explicitly (i.e., directly) provide the spatial source RS. For PUSCH, gNB can implicitly (i.e., indirectly) provide the spatial source RS as follows:

[0273] PUSCH is scheduled using DCI format 0_0, and the spatial source RS can be the same as a specific PUCCH resource.

[0274] Using DCI format 0_1 ​​to schedule PUSCH, the spatial source RS can be the same as (multiple) indicated SRS resources:

[0275] An SRS resource indicated in a codebook-based transport scheme; or

[0276] One or more SRS resources indicated in a non-codebook-based transport scheme.

[0277] The beam indication in the DL can provide the UE with a QCL type D source RS based on the TCI state. Type D QCL can indicate that the UE can receive RX using the same spatial RX assumption as a given source RS. For UL transmissions, spatial relationship information can be explicitly provided to the UE. This spatial relationship information can include a spatial source RS, upon which the UE can generate the UL beam.

[0278] One problem with the aforementioned beam-switching process is the large number of steps. For UEs in a highly mobile state, these steps can lead to high processing and signaling loads, especially for the serving gNB. Therefore, it is desirable to provide a new beam-switching process that can reduce the processing and signaling load on the serving gNB.

[0279] Another issue may relate to UL coverage. A traditional bottleneck for Time Division Duplex (TDD) systems is UL coverage. Beam-based connections above 52.6 GHz in FR2 may be sensitive to congestion effects and could further challenge UL coverage. Beam fault recovery processes can be slow and may not take UL TX / UL RX beam quality into account. Beam fault recovery may only consider DL TX / DL RX beam quality. Therefore, particularly for critical uplink control information (UCI) transmissions, improved UL coverage (e.g., enhanced robustness) is desirable.

[0280] One approach to improving UL coverage robustness is to utilize beam diversity in UL transmissions. UL transmissions can utilize multiple beam pairs of links between the UE and the gNB (i.e., UL TX beam / UL RX). Multiplexing between multiple beam pairs of links can be provided using the time domain, frequency domain, and / or spatial domain.

[0281] Above 52.6 GHz in FR2, additional challenges may arise in discovering and identifying the UL TX transmit beam at the UE and the UL receive beam at the gNB.

[0282] In existing NR systems, the UL TX transmission beam at the UE can be determined based on a single DL RS. A single DL RS can be found based on DL RSs configured by the gNB and measurement reports from the UE. For example, the UE can provide the gNB with measurement reports indicating one or more strongest DL RSs (e.g., up to four strongest DL RSs), and the gNB can configure one of the one or more strongest DL RSs as the spatial source for the UE to determine the UL TX transmission beam. That is, the UE can use the DL RX beam used to receive DL RSs as the UL TX beam.

[0283] Another alternative is to configure a Sounding Reference Signal (SRS) for the UE. Each SRS can be associated with an SRS resource and a UL TX beam. Based on the received signal power measurement on the SRS, the gNB can select and indicate the SRS resource. The UE can then determine the UL TX beam associated with the SRS resource. However, SRS-based UL TX beam determination can result in significant overhead, and the latency into the overall system should be avoided.

[0284] Figure 4 A schematic diagram is shown for the process of performing beam acquisition, measurement, and reporting. This process can be broken down into sub-processes P-1, P-2, and P-3.

[0285] In P-1, the gNB can configure initial candidate DL RSs at the UE. Initial candidate DL RSs can be evaluated. Each initial candidate DL RS can be associated with a DL TX beam and a DL RX beam.

[0286] Transmission points (TRPs) such as gNBs can perform beam scanning. Beam scanning can be intra-TRP beam scanning or inter-TRP beam scanning. UEs can also perform beam scanning. In this way, the UE can measure each initial candidate DL RS and report the strongest initial candidate DL RS to the gNB.

[0287] In P-2, the gNB can determine refined candidate DL RSs based on the strongest initial candidate DL RS. Refined candidate DL RSs can be configured at the UE. Refined candidate DL RSs can be evaluated. Each refined candidate DL RS can be associated with a DL TX beam and a DL RX beam.

[0288] The DL TX beam of a refined candidate DL RS can be different from the DL TX of the strongest initial candidate DL RS (i.e., narrower than the DL TX of the strongest initial candidate DL RS). The DL RX beam of a refined candidate DL RS can be the same as the DL RX of the strongest initial candidate DL RS.

[0289] The TRP can perform beam scanning. Beam scanning can be intra-TRP beam scanning or inter-TRP beam scanning. In this way, the UE can measure each refinement candidate DL RS and report the strongest refinement candidate DL RS to the gNB.

[0290] In P-3, the UE can determine further refinement candidate DL RSs based on the strongest refinement candidate DL RS. Further refinement candidate DL RSs can be evaluated. Each further refinement candidate DL RS can be associated with both the DL TX and DL RX beams.

[0291] The DL TX beam of a further refined candidate DL RS can be the same as the DL TX beam of the strongest refined candidate DL RS. The DL RX beam of a further refined candidate DL RS can be different from the DL RX of the strongest refined candidate DL RS (i.e., narrower than the DL RX of the strongest refined candidate DL RS).

[0292] The UE can perform beam scanning. In this way, the UE can measure each further refinement candidate DL RS and report the strongest further refinement candidate DL RS to the gNB.

[0293] In 3GPP Releases 15 and 16, a UE can be configured to report a set of DL RSs that the UE can simultaneously receive using a single or multiple spatial filters. The gNB may not know whether the UE is using a single panel or multiple panels for measurement. The gNB may not know the UE's UL transmission capability with respect to the reported DL RSs (i.e., whether the UE can generate a UL TX beam based on the reported set of DL RSs).

[0294] Figure 5 An example of a beamgroup measurement report with a non-zero power Channel State Information Reference Signal (NZP-CSI-RS) and a single UE beamgroup is shown. When only a single beamgroup is configured, it can be assumed that the UE receives up to four CSI-RS Resource Indicators (CRIs) simultaneously. Here, for simplicity, only two CRIs are shown. Since multiple CRIs can be received with a single UE beamgroup, additional time may not be required when a TX beam change occurs within the beamgroup. As a result, network scheduling constraints can be reduced.

[0295] One or more aspects of this disclosure provide a beam indication / beam switching mechanism in which the UE is provided with an index indicating a previously transmitted measurement report and an index indicating a DL RS in a previously transmitted measurement beam report. The DL RS in the previously transmitted measurement beam report can be used to determine some or all of the serving beams to be used in the DL and UL signals and / or channels.

[0296] For DL ​​signals and / or channels, the UE can use the DL RX beam used for receiving DL RS to receive DL signals and / or channels.

[0297] For UL signals and / or channels, the UE can use the DL RX beam used to receive DL RS as the UL TX beam to transmit UL signals and / or channels.

[0298] One or more aspects of this disclosure relate to configuring a measurement report pool at the gNB and / or UE. The measurement report pool may include N×K elements. N may refer to the number of measurement reports in the measurement report pool or the length of the measurement report pool over time (e.g., n=0 refers to the oldest measurement report, while n=N may refer to the most recent measurement report). K may refer to the number of elements per measurement.

[0299] Each measurement report may include DL RS elements indexed from 0 to k-1. DL RS may be CSI-RS, NZP-CSI-RS, and / or SSB.

[0300] Each measurement report element with index k can include a measurement report chain or a beam report chain. The measurement report chain can provide a link between the measurement configuration index and the DL-RS resource index (e.g., measConfig(Id) → CSIReportConfig(Id) → CSIResourceConfig(Id) → resourcesForChannelMeasurement → NZP-nzp-CSI-RS-ResourceSet → CSI-RS-ResourceId). The gNB can determine the measurement report chain. The gNb can explicitly indicate the measurement report chain to the UE, or the UE can implicitly determine the measurement report chain based on a set of rules. The UE can maintain the measurement report chain.

[0301] As described above, each measurement report can be indexed within the measurement report pool (e.g., n = 0...n = N). The index can be public across different measurement and reporting configurations (each configuration can have its own cycle type and other parameters), or the index can be per measurement and reporting configuration.

[0302] The index can be provided by the gNB when requesting a measurement report (e.g., a non-periodic reporting request), or the index can be implicitly determined by the UE when providing the report. For example, the measurement report pool can have a fixed number of measurement reports (e.g., 4). The measurement report pool can be operated according to a first-in-first-out (FIFO) queue or a sliding window. The newest measurement report can be at the top of the measurement report pool. The oldest measurement report can be at the bottom of the measurement report pool. The oldest measurement report can be deleted from the measurement reports, and the newest measurement report can be added to the measurement reports. In this way, UEs with high speed / mobility can be prevented from using DL-RS within outdated measurement reports to determine the serving beam.

[0303] Figure 6 A schematic diagram of a measurement report pool operating according to a FIFO queue or a sliding window is shown.

[0304] The gNB can provide the UE with an index of the measurement report within the pool and an index of the DL-RS within the measurement report. The UE can use the DL-RS as a spatial source to determine the serving beam.

[0305] The service beam can be used for all DL and UL signals and channels or a subset of DL and UL signals and channels.

[0306] For DL ​​signals and / or channels, the UE can use the DL RX beam used for receiving DL RS to receive DL signals and / or channels.

[0307] For UL signals and / or channels, the UE can use the DL RX beam used to receive DL RS as the UL TX beam to transmit UL signals and / or channels.

[0308] DL and UL signals and channels may include PDCCH, CSI-RS for CSI, PDSCH, PUCCH, PUSCH, and SRS for UL CSI.

[0309] The gNB can, for example, use higher-level configuration to configure all DL and UL signals and channels or a subset of DL and UL signals and channels to the UE.

[0310] The serving beam can be used for a period of time. This period of time can be determined based on the handover and / or activation delays at the UE (e.g., serving beam handover delay, serving beam activation delay, panel handover delay, panel activation delay, etc.).

[0311] The indexes of measurement reports within the measurement report pool and the indexes of DL-RS within the measurement reports can be signaled to the UE using a specific DCI format. After receiving these indexes, the UE can transmit an acknowledgment to the gNB, such as a Hybrid Automatic Repeat Request Acknowledgment (HARQ ACK), to ensure reliability. The HARQ ACK can be transmitted on resources provided in the DCI (Downlink Control Information).

[0312] Figure 7 A schematic diagram illustrates a measurement report pool that operates according to a FIFO queue or sliding window in relation to a beam switching command. The beam switching command can indicate to the UE the index #1 of a measurement report within the measurement pool and the index #0 of a DL-RS within the measurement report. The UE can determine the serving beam based on the DL-RS with index #0 within the measurement with index #1.

[0313] The beam switching command and the leading edge of the sliding window are separated by a time interval t. a Beam switching commands and the use of service beams begin at time intervals t. b .

[0314] Figure 8 A schematic diagram of the signaling diagram of the process performed by the UE and gNB is shown, which allows the UE to determine the serving beam based on the selected DL-RS within the selected measurement report.

[0315] The gNB can configure the measurement report pool for the UE. The gNB can provide instructions on how the measurement report pool operates based on a FIFO queue or sliding window. The gNB can indicate FIFO queue or sliding window parameters (e.g., the size or number of measurement reports).

[0316] The UE can determine and maintain the measurement report pool based on FIFO queue or sliding window parameters. For example, the FIFO queue or sliding window size is four, and therefore the measurement report pool includes four measurement reports. Similarly, the gNB can determine and maintain the measurement report pool.

[0317] The gNB can configure candidate DL RS for the UE. Each candidate DL RS can be associated with a beam pair link (i.e., the DL TX beam and the DL RX beam).

[0318] The UE can measure candidate DL RS and can provide the gNB with a measurement report indicating one or more of the strongest DL RS.

[0319] The UE can update the measurement report pool. The UE can add measurement reports to the measurement report pool. A measurement report can be the most recent measurement report in the pool. The UE can delete the oldest measurement report from the measurement report pool.

[0320] Similarly, gNB can update the measurement report pool. gNB can add measurement reports to the measurement report pool. The measurement report can be the most recent measurement report in the measurement report pool. gNB can delete the oldest measurement report from the measurement report pool.

[0321] The UE can repeat the previous operation.

[0322] At a certain point, the gNB can provide the UE with an indication of the index of the measurement report within the measurement report pool and the index of the DL-RS within the measurement report. This indication can be a beam indication or a beam switching command. This indication can be provided via DCI or Layer 1.

[0323] The UE can provide a HARQ ACK to the gNB to indicate that the UE has successfully received the indication.

[0324] The UE can identify DL-RS based on the index of the measurement report in the measurement report pool and the index of DL-RS in the measurement report.

[0325] The UE can determine the serving DL RX beam and / or UL TX beam based on the identified DL-RS.

[0326] The UE can use the serving DL RX beam to receive DL signals and / or channels.

[0327] For DL ​​signals and / or channels, the UE can use the DL RX beam used for receiving DL RS to receive DL signals and / or channels.

[0328] For UL signals and / or channels, the UE can use the DL RX beam used to receive DL RS as the UL TX beam to transmit UL signals and / or channels.

[0329] The UE can use the serving DL RX beam and / or UL TX beam after the activation delay or switching delay time. The UE can use the serving DL RX beam and / or UL TX beam after the PDCCH decoding delay.

[0330] A similar process can be used to perform UL beam diversity transmission based on group-based beam reports.

[0331] The gNB can configure beamgroup measurement report configuration to the UE. The beamgroup measurement report configuration may include a transmission power indication (e.g., nominal or within an interval), which the UE can use to group DL RS. DL RS grouping can be used outside of or separate from spatial filter utilization at the UE.

[0332] The gNB can configure the measurement report pool for the UE. The gNB can provide instructions on how the measurement report pool operates based on a FIFO queue or sliding window. The gNB can indicate FIFO queue or sliding window parameters (e.g., the size or number of measurement reports).

[0333] The gNB can configure candidate DL RSs for the UE. Each candidate DL RS can be associated with a DL TX beam and a DL RX beam. Each candidate DL RS can include a TRP ID. Candidate DL RSs can be grouped based on their TRP IDs. The UL diversity report ID can be associated with an existing CSI-ResourceConfig (which can include a csi-RS-ResourceSetList of SSB / CSI-RS).

[0334] The UE can measure candidate DL RS and determine which candidate DL-RS can be grouped to generate UL TX and UL RX beams for UL beam diversity transmission.

[0335] A UE with a single TX panel capability can prioritize two or more DL-RSs that belong to different TRPs and are received simultaneously, for example, for spatial multiplexing (SDM). The UE can prioritize two or more DL-RSs, and based on these DL-RSs, the UE can use a single TX panel for transmission.

[0336] The UE may consider possible maximum power reduction (MPR) and / or duty cycle limitations for the DL RX beam. The UE may select DL-RS such that UL transmission capabilities (e.g., achievable effective isotropic radiated power) are feasible when using the DL-RX beam used for measuring DL-RS.

[0337] The UE can provide a measurement report to the gNB. The measurement report may include a set of DL-RS. The UE can provide an indication to the gNB to indicate the power level used for that set of DL-RS.

[0338] The UE can update the measurement report pool. The UE can add measurement reports to the measurement report pool. A measurement report can be the most recent measurement report in the pool. The UE can delete the oldest measurement report from the measurement report pool.

[0339] Similarly, gNB can update the measurement report pool. gNB can add measurement reports to the measurement report pool. The measurement report can be the most recent measurement report in the measurement report pool. gNB can delete the oldest measurement report from the measurement report pool, and so on.

[0340] The UE can repeat the previous operation.

[0341] Subsequently, the UE can receive scheduling instructions for UL transmissions (e.g., PUCCH or PUSCH). The scheduling instructions may include the index of the measurement report in the measurement report pool and the index of the DL-RS group in the measurement report.

[0342] The UE can determine the serving UL TX beam based on this set of DL-RS. The UE can use the DL RX beam used for simultaneous reception of the reference RS as the UL TX beam.

[0343] The UE can use the serving UL TX beam to transmit UL signals and / or channels.

[0344] The UE can use the serving UL TX beam after activating or switching the delay. The UE can use the serving UL TX beam after PDCCH decoding the delay.

[0345] As described above, each measurement report within the measurement report pool is indexed. The index of the measurement report belongs to the measurement report index space.

[0346] The measurement report index space can be specific to measurement reports with a particular reporting period type, or it can be common to all measurement reports, regardless of their reporting period type. Reporting period types can include aperiodic, semi-persistent, or periodic.

[0347] For example, whenever the UE transmits a measurement report of any reporting period type, the index value in the measurement report index space increases. Alternatively, whenever the UE transmits a measurement report of a specific reporting period type, the index value in the measurement report index space increases.

[0348] A specific measurement report index space can have different configurations. For example, a specific measurement report index space for a periodic measurement report can include four indexes. Alternatively, a specific measurement report index space for a periodic measurement report can include two indexes.

[0349] The measurement report index space can be specific to measurement reports that have a specific UL resource for reporting (e.g., PUCCH, PUSCH, MAC CE, beamgroup reports, reports with panel IDs).

[0350] The use of measurement report index space or indexes can be specific to measurement reports with specific per-report settings. An index may be used for a specific PUCCH report setting, but not for other PUCCH report settings.

[0351] The use of a measurement report index space or index can be specific to measurement reports with a specific number of reports (e.g., SSB reference signal received power, CSI-RS-RSRP reference signal received energy).

[0352] An index can be an explicit value that the UE can generate for each measurement report and signal as part of the report. The use of explicit values ​​can be configured according to the report configuration type (aperiodic, semi-persistent, periodic). When configured, the UE can use a specific report format that can accommodate beam reports and explicit values.

[0353] Each time the UE can provide a measurement report to the gNB, the index of the measurement report can be counted. This count can restart after a certain number of time intervals (e.g., a certain number of radio frames or time slots).

[0354] Figure 9 A schematic diagram of a method executed by a terminal is shown, which allows the terminal to determine a serving beam based on a selected measurement report within a selected measurement report.

[0355] In step 900, the terminal (e.g., the UE) can receive a measurement report pool configuration from the BS (gNB). The measurement report pool configuration may include instructions for the measurement report pool to operate according to a FIFO queue or a sliding window. The measurement report pool configuration may include FIFO queue or sliding window parameters (e.g., the size or fixed number of measurement reports).

[0356] In step 902, the terminal can receive candidate DL RS configuration from the BS. The candidate DL RS configuration can indicate candidate DL RS to the UE. Each candidate DL RS can be associated with a DL TX beam and a DL RX beam.

[0357] In step 904, the terminal may provide a measurement report to the BS. Each measurement report indicates one or more DL RSs. Each measurement report may indicate one or more DL RSs. Each measurement report may indicate one or more strongest DL RSs. Each measurement report may indicate two or more DL RSs received simultaneously.

[0358] Each measurement report can be indexed by an index in the first index space. Each DL RS can be indexed by an index in the second index space.

[0359] The first index space can be public for measurement reports with any reporting period type, any reporting resources, any reporting settings, and / or any number of reports.

[0360] The first index space can be specific to measurement reports with a specific report configuration type, measurement reports with specific report resources, measurement reports with specific report settings, and / or measurement reports with a specific number of reports.

[0361] Reporting cycle types can include non-periodic, semi-persistent, or periodic reporting.

[0362] The index of the measurement report can be determined by the BS and received from the BS in a request to provide the measurement report. Alternatively, the index of the measurement report can be determined by the terminal.

[0363] In step 906, the terminal may maintain a measurement report pool that includes measurement reports.

[0364] In step 908, the terminal may receive information indicating the selected measurement report in the measurement report pool and the selected DL RS within the selected measurement report. This information may include the index of the selected measurement report and the index of the selected DL RS.

[0365] In step 910, the terminal may determine the serving beam based on the selected DL RS within the selected measurement report.

[0366] The terminal can determine the DL RX beam associated with the selected DL RS. The terminal can determine the serving beam based on the DL RX beam associated with the selected DL RS.

[0367] In step 912, the terminal may use the serving beam to receive or transmit signals or channels.

[0368] The serving beam can serve a serving DL beam, and the terminal can use the serving DL RX beam to receive one or more DL signals or channels. The serving beam can also serve a serving UL TX beam, and the terminal can use the serving UL TX beam to transmit one or more UL signals or channels.

[0369] The terminal can receive indications of one or more UL signals or channels and / or one or more DL signals or channels from the BS.

[0370] The terminal may use the service DL RX beam and / or UL TX beam for a duration determined by the terminal-based service DL RX beam and / or UL TX beam switching delay or activation delay.

[0371] Figure 10 A schematic diagram of a method executed by a BS is shown, which allows a terminal to determine a serving beam based on a selected measurement report within a selected measurement report.

[0372] In step 1000, the BS (e.g., gNB) may transmit a measurement report pool configuration to the terminal. The measurement report pool configuration may include instructions for the measurement report pool to operate according to a FIFO queue or sliding window. The measurement report pool configuration may include FIFO queue or sliding window parameters (e.g., the size or fixed number of measurement reports).

[0373] In step 1002, the BS may transmit candidate DL RS configurations to the terminal. The candidate DL RS configurations may indicate candidate DL RSs to the UE. Each candidate DL RS may be associated with a DL TX beam and a DL RX beam.

[0374] In step 1004, the BS can receive measurement reports from the terminal. Each measurement report indicates one or more DLRSs. Each measurement report may indicate one or more DLRSs. Each measurement report may indicate one or more strongest DLRSs. Each measurement report may indicate two or more DLRSs received simultaneously.

[0375] Each measurement report can be indexed by an index in the first index space. Each DL RS can be indexed by an index in the second index space.

[0376] The first index space can be public for measurement reports with any reporting period type, any reporting resources, any reporting settings, and / or any number of reports.

[0377] The first index space can be specific to measurement reports with a specific report configuration type, measurement reports with specific report resources, measurement reports with specific report settings, and / or measurement reports with a specific number of reports.

[0378] Reporting cycle types can include non-periodic, semi-persistent, or periodic reporting.

[0379] The index of the measurement report can be determined by the BS and provided to the terminal in the request to provide the measurement report. Alternatively, the index of the measurement report can be determined by the terminal.

[0380] In step 1006, the BS can maintain a measurement report pool that includes measurement reports.

[0381] In step 1008, the BS can provide information indicating the selected measurement report in the measurement report pool and the selected DL RS within the selected measurement report. This information may include the index of the selected measurement report and the index of the selected DL RS.

[0382] Figure 11 A schematic diagram is shown of non-volatile memory media 1100a (e.g., a computer disk (CD) or digital multifunction disk (DVD)) and 1100b (e.g., a Universal Serial Bus (USB) memory stick) that store instructions and / or parameters 1102, which allow the processor to execute instructions and / or parameters 1102 when executed by the processor. Figure 9 or Figure 10 One or more of the steps in the method.

[0383] It should be noted that although exemplary embodiments have been described above, several changes and modifications can be made to the disclosed solutions without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0384] It should be understood that although the above concepts have been discussed in the context of 5GS, one or more of these concepts can be applied to other cellular systems.

[0385] Therefore, embodiments may vary within the scope of the appended claims. Generally, some embodiments may be implemented using hardware or dedicated circuitry, software, logic, or any combination thereof. For example, some aspects may be implemented in hardware, while others may be implemented using firmware or software, which may be executed by a controller, microprocessor, or other computing device, but the embodiments are not limited thereto. While various embodiments may be illustrated and described using block diagrams, flowcharts, or other illustrations, it is readily understood that, by way of non-limiting example, the blocks, apparatuses, systems, techniques, or methods described herein may be implemented in hardware, software, firmware, dedicated circuitry or logic, general-purpose hardware or controllers or other computing devices, or combinations thereof.

[0386] These embodiments can be implemented by computer software stored in memory and executable by at least one data processor of the entity concerned, or by hardware, or by a combination of software and hardware. Furthermore, it should be noted in this respect that... Figure 9 or Figure 10 Any process shown may represent program steps, or interconnected logic circuits, blocks and functions, or a combination of program steps and logic circuits, modules and functions. Software may be stored on physical media such as memory chips or memory blocks implemented within a processor, magnetic media such as hard disks or floppy disks, and optical media such as DVDs and their data variants CDs.

[0387] The memory can be of any type suitable for the local technical environment and can be implemented using any suitable data storage technology, such as semiconductor-based memory devices, magnetic memory devices and systems, optical memory devices and systems, fixed memory, and removable memory. As a non-limiting example, the data processor can be of any type suitable for the local technical environment and can include one or more of general-purpose computers, special-purpose computers, microprocessors, digital signal processors (DSPs), application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), gate-level circuits, and processors based on multi-core processor architectures.

[0388] Alternatively or additionally, some embodiments may be implemented using a circuit system. This circuit system may be configured to perform one or more of the previously described functions and / or method steps. This circuit system may be located in a base station and / or communication equipment.

[0389] In this application, the term "circuit system" may refer to one or more or all of the following:

[0390] (a) Hardware circuit implementation only (such as implementation only in analog and / or digital circuit systems);

[0391] (b) A combination of hardware circuitry and software, such as:

[0392] (i) a combination of (multiple) analog and / or digital hardware circuits and software / firmware, and (ii) any part of (multiple) hardware processors (including (multiple) digital signal processors), software, and (multiple) memories having software, which work together to enable a device such as a communication device or base station to perform the various functions described above; and

[0393] (c) (Multiple) hardware circuits and / or (multiple) processors, such as (multiple) microprocessors or a portion thereof, which require software (e.g., firmware) to operate, but may be absent when the software is not required to operate.

[0394] The definition of circuit system applies to all uses of the term in this application, including in any claim. As another example, as used herein, the term circuit system also covers the implementation of only hardware circuitry or a processor (or processors) or a portion of hardware circuitry or a microprocessor and its accompanying software and / or firmware. The term circuit system also covers, for example, integrated devices.

[0395] The foregoing description provides a complete and informative description of some embodiments by way of exemplary and non-limiting examples. However, when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and the appended claims, those skilled in the art may find various modifications and adaptations in light of the foregoing description. Nevertheless, all such and similar modifications to this teaching will still fall within the scope defined in the appended claims.

Claims

1. A device for communication, comprising: At least one processor; as well as At least one memory including computer program code; The at least one memory and the computer program code are configured, together with the at least one processor, to make the device at least: Maintenance includes a pool of measurement reports provided to the base station, each measurement report indicating one or more downlink reference signals; Information is received from the base station, the information indicating the selected measurement report in the measurement report pool and the selected downlink reference signal in the selected measurement report; as well as The serving beam is determined based on the selected downlink reference signal within the selected measurement report. Each measurement report includes a measurement report chain that provides a link between a measurement configuration index and a downlink reference signal resource index.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one memory and the computer program code are configured, together with the at least one processor, to cause the apparatus to at least: Determine the downlink receive beam associated with the selected downlink reference signal; and The serving beam is determined based on the downlink receive beam associated with the selected downlink reference signal.

3. The apparatus according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the serving beam is a serving downlink receive beam; and The at least one memory and the computer program code are configured, together with the at least one processor, to make the device at least: Use the service downlink receive beam to receive one or more downlink signals or channels.

4. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 2, wherein the serving beam is a serving uplink transmission beam; and The at least one memory and the computer program code are configured, together with the at least one processor, to make the device at least: The service uplink transmission beam is used to transmit one or more uplink signals or channels.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the at least one memory and the computer program code are configured, together with the at least one processor, to cause the apparatus to at least: Indications for receiving one or more uplink signals or channels from the base station and / or one or more downlink signals or channels.

6. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the at least one memory and the computer program code are configured, together with the at least one processor, to cause the apparatus to at least: The serving downlink receive beam and / or the uplink transmit beam are used for a duration determined based on the switching delay or activation delay of the serving downlink receive beam and / or the uplink transmit beam of the device.

7. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 2, wherein each measurement report is indexed by an index of a first index space, and each downlink reference signal is indexed by an index of a second index space.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the information includes: The index of the selected measurement report and the index of the selected downlink reference signal measurement.

9. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the at least one memory and the computer program code are configured, together with the at least one processor, to cause the apparatus to at least: A request to provide a measurement report is received from the base station, wherein the request includes the index of the measurement report determined by the base station.

10. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the at least one memory and the computer program code are configured, together with the at least one processor, to cause the apparatus to at least: A measurement report is provided to the base station, wherein the measurement report includes the index of the measurement report determined by the device.

11. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 2, wherein the measurement report pool comprises a fixed number of measurement reports.

12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the measurement report pool is operated according to a first-in-first-out queue or a sliding window.

13. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the first index space is common to: measurement reports having any reporting period type, measurement reports having any reporting resources, measurement reports having any reporting settings, and / or measurement reports having any number of reports.

14. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the first index space is specific to measurement reports having a specific report configuration type, measurement reports having specific report resources, measurement reports having specific report settings, and / or measurement reports having a specific number of reports.

15. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the reporting period type includes aperiodic, semi-persistent, or periodic reporting.

16. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 2, wherein each measurement report indicates one or more strongest downlink reference signals.

17. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 2, wherein each measurement report indicates two or more downlink reference signals received simultaneously.

18. An apparatus for communication, comprising: At least one processor; as well as At least one memory including computer program code; The at least one memory and the computer program code are configured, together with the at least one processor, to make the device at least: Maintain a pool of measurement reports that includes multiple measurement reports received from the terminal, each measurement report indicating one or more downlink reference signals; as well as Information is provided to the terminal, indicating the selected measurement report within the measurement report pool and the selected downlink reference signal within the selected measurement report. Each measurement report includes a measurement report chain that provides a link between a measurement configuration index and a downlink reference signal resource index.

19. A method of communication, comprising: Maintenance includes a pool of measurement reports provided to the base station, each measurement report indicating one or more downlink reference signals; Information is received from the base station, the information indicating the selected measurement report in the measurement report pool and the selected downlink reference signal in the selected measurement report; as well as The serving beam is determined based on the selected downlink reference signal within the selected measurement report. Each measurement report includes a measurement report chain that provides a link between a measurement configuration index and a downlink reference signal resource index.

20. A method of communication, comprising: Maintain a pool of measurement reports, which includes multiple measurement reports received from the terminal, each measurement report indicating one or more downlink reference signals; as well as Information is provided to the terminal, indicating the selected measurement report within the measurement report pool and the selected downlink reference signal within the selected measurement report. Each measurement report includes a measurement report chain that provides a link between a measurement configuration index and a downlink reference signal resource index.

21. A computer program product comprising computer-executable instructions that, when run on one or more processors, perform the steps of the method according to any one of claims 19 and 20.

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