Beam reporting triggered by data transmission

Abstract

Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to beam reporting triggered by data transmission. A first device receives configuration information about at least one candidate beam for serving the first device from a second device. The first device determines whether data is available for transmission from the first device to the second device. If the data is available for transmission, the first device selects at least one first reference signal identifying at least one candidate beam based on the configuration information. The first device sends information about the selected at least one first reference signal to the second device.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to the field of telecommunications, and more particularly, to devices, methods, apparatuses, and computer-readable storage media for beam reporting triggered by data transmission. Background Art

[0002] New Radio (NR) supports an inactive state for terminal devices. In the inactive state, terminal devices with infrequent data transmissions are usually maintained by network equipment. Prior to Release 16, the inactive state did not support data transmission. Therefore, the terminal device had to restore the connection state for any data transmission. Even if the data packets are small and infrequent, the connection establishment and subsequent release to the inactive state will occur for every data transmission. This results in unnecessary power consumption and signaling overhead. Summary of the invention

[0003] Generally speaking, example embodiments of the present disclosure provide a solution for beam reporting triggered by data transmission.

[0004] In a first aspect, a first device is provided. The first device 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 to, together with the at least one processor, enable the first device to: receive configuration information about at least one candidate beam for serving the first device from a second device; if it is determined that data can be used to be sent from the first device to the second device, select at least one first reference signal identifying at least one candidate beam based on the configuration information; and send information about the selected at least one first reference signal to the second device.

[0005] In a second aspect, a second device is provided. The second device 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 to, together with the at least one processor, enable the second device to: send configuration information about at least one candidate beam for serving the first device to a first device in an inactive state; receive information about at least one first reference signal identifying at least one candidate beam from the first device; select a target beam from at least one candidate beam based on the information about the at least one first reference signal; and serve the first device by using the target beam.

[0006] In a third aspect, a method implemented at a first device is provided. The method includes: receiving, at the first device, configuration information about at least one candidate beam for serving the first device from a second device; if it is determined that data is available for transmission from the first device to the second device, selecting at least one first reference signal identifying the at least one candidate beam based on the configuration information; and sending information about the selected at least one first reference signal to the second device.

[0007] In a fourth aspect, a method implemented at a second device is provided. The method includes: sending configuration information about at least one candidate beam for serving the first device from the second device to a first device in an inactive state; receiving information about at least one first reference signal identifying at least one candidate beam from the first device; selecting a target beam from at least one candidate beam based on the information about the at least one first reference signal; and serving the first device by using the target beam.

[0008] In a fifth aspect, an apparatus is provided, comprising components for performing the steps of the method according to the third aspect above.

[0009] In a sixth aspect, an apparatus is provided, comprising components for performing the steps of the method according to the fourth aspect above.

[0010] In a seventh aspect, a non-transitory computer-readable medium comprising a computer program is provided, the computer program being used to cause a device to at least execute the method according to the third aspect above.

[0011] In an eighth aspect, a non-transitory computer-readable medium comprising a computer program is provided, the computer program being used to cause a device to at least execute the method according to the fourth aspect above.

[0012] It should be understood that the summary is not intended to identify the key or essential features of the embodiments of the present disclosure, nor is it intended to be used to limit the scope of the present disclosure. Other features of the present disclosure will become readily understood through the following description. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] Some example embodiments will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0014] Figure 1 An example communication system is shown in which embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented;

[0015] Figure 2 A signaling diagram illustrating a procedure for beam reporting triggered by data transmission according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure is shown;

[0016] Figure 3A flowchart showing a method implemented at a first device according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure is shown;

[0017] Figure 4 A flowchart showing a method implemented at a second device according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure is shown;

[0018] Figure 5 shows a simplified block diagram of an apparatus suitable for implementing an embodiment of the present disclosure; and

[0019] Figure 6 A block diagram of an example computer-readable medium is shown according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0020] Throughout the drawings, the same or similar reference numerals refer to the same or similar elements. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0021] The principles of the present disclosure will now be described with reference to some example embodiments. It should be understood that these embodiments are described for illustrative purposes only and to help those skilled in the art understand and implement the present disclosure without implying any limitation on the scope of the present disclosure. The disclosure described herein can be implemented in various ways different from the ways described below.

[0022] In the following description and claims, unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure belongs.

[0023] References in this disclosure to "one embodiment," "an embodiment," "an example embodiment," etc., indicate that the described embodiment may include a particular feature, structure, or characteristic, but not every embodiment necessarily includes the particular feature, structure, or characteristic. Furthermore, these phrases do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment. Furthermore, when a particular feature, structure, or characteristic is described in conjunction with an exemplary embodiment, it is considered to be within the knowledge of those skilled in the art to affect such feature, structure, or characteristic in conjunction with other embodiments (whether or not explicitly described).

[0024] It should be understood that although the terms "first" and "second", etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element from another element. For example, a first element may be referred to as a second element, and similarly, a second element may be referred to as a first element, and similarly, a second element may be referred to as a first element. As used herein, the term "and / or" includes any and all combinations of one or more of the listed terms.

[0025] The terms used herein are for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and are not intended to limit the example embodiments. As used herein, the singular forms "a", "an", and "the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will also be understood that the terms "include", "comprise", "have", "have", "include" and / or "comprising" when used herein specify the presence of stated features, elements and / or components, etc., but do not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, elements, components and / or combinations thereof.

[0026] As used in this application, the term "circuitry" may refer to one, more than one, or all of the following:

[0027] (a) only hardware circuit implementation (e.g., only implementation in analog and / or digital circuits) and

[0028] (b) a combination of hardware circuitry and software, such as (where applicable):

[0029] (i) a combination of analog and / or digital hardware circuitry and software / firmware, and

[0030] (ii) a hardware processor (including a digital signal processor) with software, any portion of software and memory that work together to enable a device such as a mobile phone or server to perform various functions), and

[0031] (c) Hardware circuits and / or processors (e.g., a microprocessor or a portion of a microprocessor) that require software (e.g., firmware) to operate, but where software is not required to operate, the software may not be present.

[0032] This definition of circuitry applies to all uses of this term in this application, including in any claims. As another example, as used in this application, the term circuitry also covers an implementation of only a hardware circuit or processor (or multiple processors) or a portion of a hardware circuit or processor and its (or its) accompanying software and / or firmware. The term circuitry also covers (for example and if applicable to a particular claim element) a baseband integrated circuit or processor integrated circuit for a mobile device or a similar integrated circuit in a server, a cellular network device or other computing or network device.

[0033] As used herein, the term "communication network" refers to a network that complies with any suitable communication standard, such as a fifth generation (5G) system, long term evolution (LTE), advanced LTE (LTE-A), wideband code division multiple access (WCDMA), high speed packet access (HSPA), narrowband Internet of Things (NB-IoT), etc. In addition, the communication between the terminal device and the network device in the communication network can be performed according to any suitable generation of communication protocols, including but not limited to the first generation (1G), second generation (2G), 2.5G, 2.75G, third generation (3G), fourth generation (4G), 4.5G, future fifth generation (5G) new radio (NR) communication protocol, and / or any other protocol currently known or to be developed in the future. The embodiments of the present disclosure can be applied to various communication systems. In view of the rapid development of communications, there are of course future types of communication technologies and systems with which the present disclosure can be implemented. It should not be regarded as limiting the scope of the present invention to the above-mentioned systems.

[0034] As used herein, the term "network equipment" refers to a node in a communication network via which a terminal device accesses the network and receives services from it. Depending on the terminology and technology applied, a network equipment may refer to a base station (BS) or an access point (AP), such as a Node B (Node B or NB), an evolved Node B (eNodeB or eNB), a NR next-generation Node B (gNB), an integrated access and backhaul node, a remote radio unit (RRU), a radio head (RH), a remote radio head (RRH), a relay, a low-power node such as a femto, a pico, etc. The RAN split architecture includes a gNB-CU (centralized unit, hosting RRC, SDAP, and PDCP) that controls multiple gNB-DUs (distributed units, hosting RLC, MAC, and PHY).

[0035] The term "terminal device" refers to any terminal device capable of wireless communication. By way of example and not limitation, a terminal device may also be referred to as a communication device, user equipment (UE), subscriber station (SS), portable subscriber station, mobile station (MS) or access terminal (AT). The terminal device may include, but is not limited to, a mobile phone, a cellular phone, a smart phone, a voice over IP (VoIP) phone, a wireless local loop phone, a tablet computer, a wearable terminal device, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a portable computer, a desktop computer, an image capture terminal device such as a digital camera, a game terminal device, a music storage and playback device, a vehicle-mounted wireless terminal device, a wireless endpoint, a mobile station, a laptop embedded device (LEE), a laptop mounted device (LME), a USB dongle, a smart device, a wireless client device (CPE), an Internet of Things (IoT) device, a watch or other wearable device, a head mounted display (HMD), a vehicle, a target, medical equipment and applications (e.g., remote surgery), industrial equipment and applications (e.g., robots and / or other wireless devices operating in an industrial and / or automated process chain environment, consumer electronic devices, devices operating on a commercial and / or industrial wireless network, etc. In the following description, the terms "terminal device", "communication device", "terminal", "user equipment" and "UE" may be used interchangeably.

[0036] Although the functions described herein may be performed in fixed and / or wireless network nodes in various example embodiments, in other example embodiments, the functions may be implemented in a user equipment device (such as a cellular phone or a tablet computer or a laptop computer or a desktop computer or a mobile IoT device or a fixed IoT device). The user equipment device may, for example, be appropriately equipped with the corresponding capabilities described in conjunction with the fixed and / or wireless network nodes. The user equipment device may be a user device and / or a control device, such as a chipset or a processor, which is configured to control the user device when installed therein. Examples of such functions include a bootstrap server function and / or a home user server, which may be implemented in a user equipment device by providing the user equipment device with software configured to cause the user equipment device to execute from the perspective of these functions / nodes.

[0037] Figure 1An example communication network 100 in which an embodiment of the present disclosure may be implemented is shown. The network 100 includes a first device 110 and a second device 120 that may communicate with each other. In this example, the first device 110 is shown as a terminal device, and the second device 120 is shown as a network device serving the terminal device. Therefore, the service area of ​​the second device 120 is referred to as a cell 102. It should be understood that the number of network devices and terminal devices is only for illustrative purposes and does not imply any limitation. The system 100 may include any suitable number of network devices and terminal devices suitable for implementing an embodiment of the present disclosure. Although not shown, it should be understood that one or more terminal devices may be located in the cell 102 and served by the second device 120.

[0038] The communication in the communication system 100 may be implemented according to any suitable communication protocol, including but not limited to cellular communication protocols of the first generation (1G), second generation (2G), third generation (3G), fourth generation (4G) and fifth generation (5G) or NR, wireless local area network communication protocols such as Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11, and / or any other protocol currently known or developed in the future. In addition, the communication may utilize any suitable wireless communication technology, including but not limited to: code division multiple access (CDMA), frequency division multiple access (FDMA), time division multiple access (TDMA), frequency division duplex (FDD), time division duplex (TDD), multiple input multiple output (MIMO), orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM), discrete Fourier transform spread OFDM (DFT-s-OFDM) and / or any other technology currently known or to be developed in the future.

[0039] In some embodiments, the first device 110 may be in an inactive state. In the inactive state, the first device 110 may perform small and infrequent data transmissions to the second device 120. Examples of small and infrequent data services may involve smart phone applications or non-smart phone applications. Smart phone applications may involve at least one of the following: traffic from instant messaging (IM) services (such as whatsapp, QQ, WeChat, etc.), heartbeat or keep-alive traffic from IM or email clients and other applications, or push notifications from various applications. Non-smart phone applications may involve at least one of the following: traffic from wearables (such as periodic positioning information), sensors (industrial wireless sensor networks that send temperature, pressure readings, etc. periodically or in an event-triggered manner), or smart meters and smart meter networks that send periodic meter readings.

[0040] In some embodiments, in the case where the timing advance of the first device 110 is valid, the first device 110 may perform small and infrequent data transmissions on resources preconfigured by the second device 120. In other words, the first device 110 may perform small and infrequent data transmissions by reusing the configured grant type 1 in an inactive state. The second device 120 may preconfigure such resources for the first device 110 by using dedicated signaling or broadcast signaling. Examples of preconfigured resources may include, but are not limited to, resources on a physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH).

[0041] In other embodiments, in the case where the timing advance of the first device 110 is invalid, the first device 110 may perform small and infrequent data transmissions by performing a random access (RA) procedure. In some embodiments, the random access procedure may be a random access procedure including two steps. In other embodiments, the random access procedure may be a random access procedure including four steps.

[0042] In case of a random access procedure including two steps, the first device 110 may perform small and infrequent data transmission by using MSGA. In case of a random access procedure including four steps, the first device 110 may perform small and infrequent data transmission by using MSG3.

[0043] In an embodiment where the communication system 100 can be implemented as a NR system, the NR system will be efficient and flexible for low throughput short data bursts, support efficient signaling mechanisms and generally reduce signaling overhead. To support efficient signaling mechanisms, signaling should be smaller than the payload.

[0044] For small data packets, signaling overhead from devices in the inactive state is a common problem. With more devices in NR systems, this will become a critical issue not only for network performance and efficiency, but also for device battery performance. In general, any device with intermittent small data packets in the inactive state will benefit from enabling small data transmission in the inactive state.

[0045] In addition, for NR systems with multiple beams, different resources on the physical random access channel (PRACH) and / or the preamble can be configured for different beams. The beam can correspond to a synchronization signal block (SSB) index or a channel state information reference signal (CSI-RS) index. In other words, the resources on the PRACH and / or the preamble can be associated with different beams. Therefore, when a preamble is received from a terminal device on a resource on the PRACH, the network device can know which beam will be used to serve the terminal device. In addition, in connected mode, the terminal device maintains beam failure monitoring and triggers a beam failure recovery (BFR) process when the current beam becomes too weak.

[0046] However, given that they introduce increased resource consumption, preconfigured resources on PUSCH or resources on PRACH may only be configured for a subset of beams. Thus, even though the resources used for uplink transmission would be associated with a beam used to serve a terminal device, such a beam may not be preferred by the terminal device to be served therefrom.

[0047] In order to solve the above-mentioned technical problems and potential other technical problems in conventional solutions, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a scheme for beam reporting triggered by data transmission. In some embodiments, if data can be used to send from a first device to a second device, the first device selects at least one reference signal that identifies at least one candidate beam based on configuration information. If the selected at least one reference signal is not associated with a resource for sending data or a resource for sending an RA request from the first device to the second device, the first device sends information about the selected at least one reference signal to the second device. When receiving information about at least one reference signal, the second device selects a target beam from at least one candidate beam based on the information. Furthermore, the second device serves the first device by using the target beam.

[0048] Reference now Figure 2 , which shows a signaling diagram illustrating a process 200 for beam reporting triggered by data transmission according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure. For the purpose of discussion, reference will be made to Figure 1 Process 200 is described. Process 200 may include the following: Figure 1 The first device 110 and the second device 120 are shown. Figure 1 The process 200 is described in the communication system 100 of FIG. 1 , but the process can also be applied to other communication scenarios. Although the beam reporting performed by the first device is discussed, a similar process can be applied to the second device.

[0049] The first device 110 receives 210 configuration information about at least one candidate beam for serving the first device 110 from the second device 120 .

[0050] In some embodiments, the first device 110 receives the configuration information via dedicated signaling. Examples of dedicated signaling include, but are not limited to, a radio resource control (RRC) release message. Of course, other dedicated signaling besides the RRC release message may be used. The scope of the present disclosure is not limited in this regard.

[0051] Alternatively, the first device 110 receives the configuration information via broadcast signaling. Examples of broadcast signaling include, but are not limited to, system information.

[0052] The first device 110 determines 220 whether data is available for transmission from the first device 110 to the second device 120. If data is available for transmission, the first device 110 selects 230 at least one first reference signal identifying at least one candidate beam based on the configuration information.

[0053] The first device 110 transmits 240 information about the selected at least one first reference signal to the second device 120 .

[0054] In some embodiments, the first device 110 determines 250 whether the selected at least one first reference signal is associated with at least one of resources for sending data or resources for sending a RA request from the first device 110 to the second device 120. If the selected at least one first reference signal is not associated with resources for sending data or resources for sending a RA request, the first device 110 sends information about the selected at least one first reference signal to the second device 120.

[0055] When receiving the information about the selected at least one first reference signal from the first device 110, the second device 120 selects 260 a target beam from at least one candidate beam based on the information about the at least one first reference signal.

[0056] Next, the second device 120 serves the first device 110 by using the target beam 270. In some embodiments, the second device 120 can send a response to receiving information about the at least one first reference signal by using the target beam. In other embodiments, the second device 120 can send a response to receiving data from the first device 110 by using the target beam.

[0057] On the other hand, if the first device 110 determines at 250 that the selected at least one first reference signal is associated with a resource for sending data or a resource for sending an RA request, the first device 110 may send data on the resource for sending data or send an RA request on the resource for sending an RA request. When receiving the data or the RA request from the first device 110, the second device 120 may determine a beam for serving the first device 110 based on the resource.

[0058] According to some embodiments of the present disclosure, the first device 110 sends information about the selected at least one first reference signal to the second device 120. In this way, even if the selected at least one first reference signal is not associated with resources for sending data or resources for sending RA requests, the second device 120 can determine a beam for serving the first device 110 based on the information about the selected at least one first reference signal.

[0059] In some embodiments, the first device 110 may select the at least one first reference signal based on a comparison of the first received power of the at least one first reference signal with at least one threshold. The at least one second reference signal is associated with a resource for sending data or a resource for sending a RA request.

[0060] In such an embodiment, the first device 110 may determine whether the first received power is higher than a first threshold power. If the first received power is higher than the first threshold power, the first device 110 may further determine whether the second received power is lower than a second threshold power. The first threshold power is higher than the second threshold power. In other words, the first threshold power is greater than or equal to the second threshold power. If the second received power is lower than the second threshold power, the first device 110 may select at least one first reference signal.

[0061] Consider an example. In this example, the first device 110 receives a reference signal X associated with beam X, a reference signal Y associated with beam Y, and a reference signal Z associated with beam Z. Reference signals X and Y are not associated with resources used to send data or resources used to send RA requests. Reference signal Z is associated with resources used to send data or resources used to send RA requests.

[0062] The first device 110 measures the received power of each of the reference signals X, Y, and Z. The received power of the reference signal X is -70 dBm. The received power of the reference signal Y is -80 dBm. The received power of the reference signal Z is -90 dBm. The first threshold power is -85 dBm. Because the received powers of the reference signals X and Y are higher than the first threshold power, the first device 110 may select one of the reference signals X and Y. For example, the first device 110 may select the reference signal X. Then, the first device 110 may send information about the selected reference signal X identifying the beam X to the second device 120. Upon receiving the information about the selected reference signal X, the second device 120 may determine that the beam X will be used to serve the first device 110.

[0063] Alternatively, the first device 110 may select reference signal Y. Then, the first device 110 may send information about the selected reference signal Y identifying beam Y to the second device 120. Therefore, upon receiving the information about the selected reference signal Y, the second device 120 may determine that beam Y will be used to serve the first device 110.

[0064] Alternatively, the first device 110 may select the reference signal X and the reference signal Y. Then, the first device 110 may transmit information about the selected reference signals X and Y identifying the beams X and Y to the second device 120. Therefore, upon receiving the information about the selected reference signals X and Y, the second device 120 may select one of the beam X and the beam Y to serve the first device 110.

[0065] In some embodiments, the comparison of the first received power and the second received power with at least one threshold value may include a comparison of the difference between the first received power and the second received power with a third threshold power. In such an embodiment, the first device 110 may determine whether the difference is higher than the third threshold power. If the difference is higher than the third threshold power, the first device 110 selects at least one first reference signal.

[0066] In some embodiments, the configuration information includes information about at least one threshold value. Alternatively, at least one threshold value may be predefined.

[0067] In some embodiments, the configuration information includes information about the number of at least one first reference signal.

[0068] In some embodiments, the number of at least one first reference signal may be a variable number depending on the number of reference signals above a threshold. For example, the threshold may be a first threshold.

[0069] In some embodiments, the first device 110 may transmit the information about the selected at least one first reference signal together with the data. Alternatively, the first device 110 may transmit the information about the selected at least one first reference signal and the data separately.

[0070] In some embodiments, the at least one first reference signal comprises at least one channel state information reference signal (CSI-RS).In such embodiments, the information about the selected at least one first reference signal may comprise an index of the at least one CSI-RS.

[0071] In some embodiments, the at least one first reference signal includes at least one synchronization signal block (SSB). In such embodiments, the information about the selected at least one first reference signal may include an index of the at least one SSB.

[0072] In some embodiments, the first device 110 may send information about the selected at least one first reference signal in a media access control control element (MAC CE). In some embodiments, a new MAC CE may be defined for sending the information. Unlike a conventional BFR MAC CE, the new MAC CE may not include a bitmap for a serving cell because only one cell has data transmission and needs to send information. Because the new MAC CE may not include a bitmap, overhead may be reduced.

[0073] In some embodiments, the first device 110 may transmit a MAC protocol data unit (PDU) including a MAC subheader and a MAC CE. In some embodiments, a length field in the MAC subheader may indicate the number of the selected at least one first reference signal in the MAC CE.

[0074] Figure 3 FIG. 3 is a flowchart of an example method 300 implemented at a first device according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure. For the purpose of discussion, reference will be made to Figure 1 The method 300 is described from the perspective of the first device 110. It should be understood that the method 300 may also be implemented in Figure 1 The method is implemented at the second device 120 in the embodiment.

[0075] In block 310 , the first device 110 receives configuration information about at least one candidate beam for serving the first device 110 from the second device 120 .

[0076] At block 320 , the first device 110 determines whether data is available for transmission from the first device 110 to the second device 120 .

[0077] If data is available for transmission, the first device 110 selects at least one first reference signal identifying at least one candidate beam based on the configuration information at block 330 .

[0078] In block 340 , the first device 110 transmits information about the selected at least one first reference signal to the second device 120 .

[0079] In some embodiments, the first device 110 determines whether the selected at least one first reference signal is associated with at least one of resources for transmitting data or resources for transmitting an RA request from the first device 110 to the second device 120. If the selected at least one first reference signal is not associated with resources for transmitting data or resources for transmitting an RA request, the first device 110 transmits information about the selected at least one first reference signal to the second device 120.

[0080] In some embodiments, the first device 110 selects the at least one first reference signal based on a comparison of a first received power of the at least one first reference signal and a second received power of at least one second reference signal associated with the resource to at least one threshold.

[0081] In some embodiments, the first device 110 determines whether the first received power is higher than a first threshold power. If the first received power is higher than the first threshold power, the first device 110 determines whether the second received power is lower than a second threshold power. The first threshold power is higher than the second threshold power. If the second received power is lower than the second threshold power, the first device 110 selects at least one first reference signal.

[0082] In some embodiments, the first device 110 determines a difference between the first received power and the second received power. If the difference is above a third threshold power, the first device 110 selects at least one first reference signal.

[0083] In some embodiments, the first device 110 sends this information along with the data.

[0084] In some embodiments, the first device 110 sends the information in a MAC CE.

[0085] In some embodiments, the first device 110 receives the configuration information via at least one of: dedicated signaling or broadcast signaling.

[0086] In some embodiments, the configuration information includes information about at least one of the following: a reference signal list for the first device 110 to select at least one first reference signal, at least one threshold, or the number of at least one first reference signal, and the information about at least one of the above items will be sent to the second device 120.

[0087] In some embodiments, the first device 110 comprises a terminal device and the second device 120 comprises a network device.

[0088] Figure 4 FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an example method 400 implemented at a second device according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure. For the purpose of discussion, reference will be made to Figure 1 The method 400 is described from the perspective of the second device 120. It should be understood that the method 400 may also be implemented in Figure 1 The method is implemented at the first device 110 in the embodiment.

[0089] In block 410 , the second device 120 transmits configuration information about at least one candidate beam for serving the first device 110 , which is in an inactive state.

[0090] At block 420 , the second device 120 receives information about at least one first reference signal identifying at least one candidate beam from the first device 110 .

[0091] In block 430 , the second device 120 selects a target beam from at least one candidate beam based on information about the at least one first reference signal.

[0092] In block 440 , the second device 120 serves the first device 110 by using the target beam.

[0093] In some embodiments, the at least one first reference signal is not associated with at least one of: resources used to send data from the first device to the second device, or resources used to send a random access request from the first device to the second device.

[0094] In some embodiments, the second device 120 receives this information along with the data.

[0095] In some embodiments, the second device 120 receives the information in a MAC CE.

[0096] In some embodiments, the second device 120 sends the configuration information via at least one of: dedicated signaling or broadcast signaling.

[0097] In some embodiments, the configuration information includes information about the number of at least one first reference signal.

[0098] In some embodiments, the first device 110 comprises a terminal device and the second device 120 comprises a network device.

[0099] In some embodiments, an apparatus capable of performing any method 300 (e.g., the first device 110 or the second device 120) may include a component for performing each step of the method 300. The component may be implemented in any suitable form. For example, the component may be implemented in a circuit or a software module.

[0100] In some example embodiments, the apparatus includes: a component for receiving, at a first device, from a second device, configuration information about at least one candidate beam for serving the first device; a component for selecting, based on the configuration information, at least one first reference signal identifying the at least one candidate beam if it is determined that data is available for transmission from the first device to the second device; and a component for transmitting information about the selected at least one first reference signal to the second device.

[0101] In some embodiments, the selected at least one first reference signal is not associated with at least one of: resources used to send data, or resources used to send a random access request from the first device to the second device.

[0102] In some embodiments, the means for selecting comprises means for selecting at least one first reference signal based on a comparison of a first received power of the at least one first reference signal and a second received power of at least one second reference signal associated with the resource to at least one threshold.

[0103] In some embodiments, the component for selecting includes: a component for determining whether the second received power is lower than a second threshold power if it is determined that the first received power is higher than a first threshold power, the first threshold power being higher than the second threshold power; and a component for selecting the at least one first reference signal if it is determined that the second received power is lower than the second threshold power.

[0104] In some embodiments, the means for selecting comprises: means for determining a difference between the first received power and the second received power; and means for selecting the at least one first reference signal if the difference is determined to be above a third threshold power.

[0105] In some embodiments, means for sending information includes means for sending the information along with data.

[0106] In some embodiments, means for sending information comprises means for sending the information in a medium access control control element.

[0107] In some embodiments, means for receiving the configuration information comprises means for receiving the configuration information via at least one of: dedicated signaling or broadcast signaling.

[0108] In some embodiments, the configuration information includes information about at least one of: the at least one threshold, or the number of the at least one first reference signal.

[0109] In some embodiments, the first device comprises a terminal device and the second device comprises a network device.

[0110] In some embodiments, an apparatus capable of executing any method 400 (e.g., the first device 110 or the second device 120) may include a component for executing each step of the method 400. The component may be implemented in any suitable form. For example, the component may be implemented in a circuit or a software module.

[0111] In some example embodiments, the apparatus includes: a component for sending configuration information about at least one candidate beam for serving the first device from a second device to a first device in an inactive state; a component for receiving information about at least one first reference signal identifying at least one candidate beam from the first device; a component for selecting a target beam from the at least one candidate beam based on the information about the at least one first reference signal; and a component for serving the first device by using the target beam.

[0112] In some embodiments, the at least one first reference signal is not associated with at least one of: resources used to send data from the first device to the second device, or resources used to send a random access request from the first device to the second device.

[0113] In some embodiments, means for receiving includes means for receiving the information along with the data.

[0114] In some embodiments, the means for receiving comprises means for receiving the information in a medium access control control element.

[0115] In some embodiments, means for sending includes means for sending the configuration information via at least one of: dedicated signaling or broadcast signaling.

[0116] In some embodiments, the configuration information includes information about the number of at least one first reference signal.

[0117] In some embodiments, the first device comprises a terminal device and the second device comprises a network device.

[0118] Figure 5 5 is a simplified block diagram of a device 500 suitable for implementing an embodiment of the present disclosure. The device 500 may be provided to implement a communication device, such as Figure 1 The first device 110 or the second device 120 is shown. As shown, the device 500 includes one or more processors 510, one or more memories 520 coupled to the processors 510, and one or more communication modules 540 coupled to the processors 510.

[0119] The communication module 540 is used for two-way communication. The communication module 540 has at least one antenna to facilitate communication. The communication interface may represent any interface required to communicate with other network elements.

[0120] Processor 510 may be of any type suitable for the local technology network and may include one or more of the following: as non-limiting examples, a general purpose computer, a special purpose computer, a microprocessor, a digital signal processor (DSP), and a processor based on a multi-core processor architecture. Device 500 may have multiple processors, such as application specific integrated circuit chips that are time slaved to a clock that synchronizes a main processor.

[0121] The memory 520 may include one or more non-volatile memories and one or more volatile memories. Examples of non-volatile memories include (but are not limited to) read-only memory (ROM) 524, electrically programmable read-only memory (EPROM), flash memory, hard disk, compact disk (CD), digital video disk (DVD) and other magnetic storage devices and / or optical storage devices. Examples of volatile memories include, but are not limited to, random access memory (RAM) 522 and other volatile memories that do not persist over the duration of a power outage.

[0122] Computer program 530 includes computer executable instructions that are executed by associated processor 510. Program 530 may be stored in ROM 524. Processor 510 may perform any suitable actions and processes by loading program 530 into RAM 522.

[0123] The embodiments of the present disclosure can be implemented by means of program 530, so that the device 500 can execute the following steps: Figures 2 to 4 Any process of the present disclosure discussed. The embodiments of the present disclosure may also be implemented by hardware or a combination of software and hardware.

[0124] In some example embodiments, the program 530 may be tangibly embodied in a computer-readable medium, which may be included in the device 500 (e.g., in the memory 520) or in other storage devices accessible by the device 500. The device 500 may load the program 530 from the computer-readable medium to the RAM 522 for execution. The computer-readable medium may include any type of tangible non-volatile memory, such as ROM, EPROM, flash memory, hard disk, CD, DVD, etc. Figure 6 An example of a computer readable medium 600 in the form of a CD or DVD is shown. The computer readable medium has a program 530 stored thereon.

[0125] In general, various embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented in hardware or dedicated circuits, software, logic, or any combination thereof. Some aspects may be implemented in hardware, while other aspects may be implemented in firmware or software, which may be executed by a controller, microprocessor, or other computing device. Although various aspects of the embodiments of the present disclosure are shown and described as block diagrams, flow charts, or using some other graphical representations, it should be understood that the blocks, devices, systems, techniques, or methods described herein may be implemented in hardware, software, firmware, dedicated circuits or logic, general hardware or controllers or other computing devices, or some combination thereof, as non-limiting examples.

[0126] The present disclosure also provides at least one computer program product tangibly stored on a non-transitory computer readable storage medium. The computer program product includes computer executable instructions such as those included in a program module that are executed in a device on a target real or virtual processor to perform the above-referenced Figure 3 and Figure 4 Methods 300 and 400 are described. In general, program modules include routines, programs, libraries, objects, classes, components, data structures, etc. that perform specific tasks or implement specific abstract data types. The functions of program modules can be combined or separated between program modules as needed in various embodiments. The machine executable instructions of program modules can be executed in local or distributed devices. In distributed devices, program modules can be located in local and remote storage media.

[0127] The program code for executing the method of the present disclosure can be written in any combination of one or more programming languages. These program codes can be provided to a processor or controller of a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer or other programmable data processing device so that the program code, when executed by the processor or controller, enables the functions / operations specified in the flow chart and / or block diagram to be implemented. The program code can be executed entirely on the machine, partially on the machine, as a stand-alone software package, partially on the machine, partially on a remote machine, or entirely on a remote machine or server.

[0128] In the context of the present disclosure, computer program codes or related data may be carried by any suitable carrier to enable a device, apparatus or processor to perform various processes and operations as described above. Examples of carriers include signals, computer readable media, etc.

[0129] The computer readable medium may be a computer readable signal medium or a computer readable storage medium. The computer readable medium may include, but is not limited to, an electronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared or semiconductor system, apparatus or device, or any suitable combination of the foregoing. More specific examples of computer readable storage media would include an electrical connection having one or more conductors, a portable computer disk, a hard disk, a random access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM or flash memory), an optical fiber, a portable compact disk read-only memory (CD-ROM), an optical storage device, a magnetic storage device, or any suitable combination of the foregoing.

[0130] In addition, although operations are described in a particular order, this should not be understood as requiring the specific order shown or to perform these operations in sequence, or to perform all the operations shown, to achieve the desired result. In some cases, multitasking and parallel processing may be advantageous. Similarly, although several specific implementation details are included in the above discussion, these details should not be interpreted as limitations on the scope of the present disclosure, but should be interpreted as descriptions of features peculiar to a particular embodiment. Certain features described in the context of a separate embodiment may also be implemented in combination in a single embodiment. On the contrary, the various features described in the context of a single embodiment may also be implemented in multiple embodiments individually or in any suitable sub-combination.

[0131] Although the disclosure has been described in language specific to structural features and / or methodological actions, it should be understood that the disclosure defined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the specific features or actions described above. Instead, the specific features and actions described above are disclosed as example forms of implementing the claims.

Claims

1. A first device, 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 to, with the at least one processor, cause the first device to: receiving, from a second device, configuration information regarding at least one candidate beam associated with a preconfigured uplink resource configured by the second device for the first device; determining, when the first device is in an inactive state, that data is available for transmission to the second device via the preconfigured uplink resources; selecting, by the first device in the inactive state, a beam from the at least one candidate beam based on the configuration information, wherein the selected beam is identified by a first reference signal to the first device; as well as During the inactive state, the data is transmitted to the second device using the selected beam on the preconfigured uplink resources.

2. The first device of claim 1 , wherein the first reference signal is not associated with at least one of: resources used for the transmission of said data, or Resources for sending a random access request from the first device to the second device.

3. The first device of claim 2, wherein the selected beam is identified based on a comparison of: a first received power of the first reference signal, and a second received power of at least one second reference signal associated with the resource.

4. The first device of claim 3, wherein the first device is caused to select the beam by: Determining whether the second received power is lower than a second threshold power based on determining that the first received power is higher than a first threshold power, the first threshold power being higher than the second threshold power; and The beam is selected based on determining that the second received power is lower than the second threshold power.

5. The first device of claim 3, wherein the first device is caused to select the beam by: determining a difference between the first received power and the second received power; and Based on determining that the difference is above a third threshold power, the beam is selected.

6. The first device of claim 1 , wherein the first device is caused to receive the configuration information via at least one of: Dedicated signaling, or Broadcast signaling.

7. The first device according to claim 3, wherein the configuration information comprises information about at least one of the following: the at least one threshold, or The number of the at least one first reference signal.

8. A second device, 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 to, with the at least one processor, cause the second device to: sending configuration information about at least one candidate beam to a first device, the at least one candidate beam being associated with a preconfigured uplink resource for the first device; receiving data from the first device in an inactive state using a beam selected by the first device and identified by a first reference signal on the preconfigured uplink resources; as well as The first device is served by using the selected beam.

9. The second device of claim 8, wherein the first reference signal is not associated with at least one of: resources for sending data from the first device to the second device, or Resources for sending a random access request from the first device to the second device.

10. The second device of claim 8, wherein the second device is caused to send the configuration information via at least one of: Dedicated signaling, or Broadcast signaling. The second device according to claim 8 , wherein the configuration information includes information about the first reference signal.

12. A method comprising: receiving, at a first device, configuration information about at least one candidate beam from a second device, the at least one candidate beam being associated with a preconfigured uplink resource for the first device; When the first device is in an inactive state, determining, by the first device, that data is available for transmission to the second device via the preconfigured uplink resources; selecting, by the first device in the inactive state, a beam from the at least one candidate beam based on the configuration information, wherein the selected beam is identified by a first reference signal to the first device; as well as The data is sent, by the first device during the inactive state, to the second device using the selected beam on the preconfigured uplink resources.

13. An apparatus comprising: means for receiving, at a first device, from a second device, configuration information regarding at least one candidate beam associated with preconfigured uplink resources for the first device; means for selecting, by the first device in the inactive state, a beam from the at least one candidate beam based on the configuration information in response to determining, by the first device in the inactive state, that data is available for transmission from the first device to the second device via the preconfigured uplink resources, wherein the selected beam is identified by a first reference signal to the first device; as well as Means for transmitting, by the first device during the inactive state, the data to the second device using the selected beam on the preconfigured uplink resources.

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