Systems and methods for fast beam tracking in cellular environments

Abstract

The present invention discloses methods and apparatus for performing fast beam tracking in a wireless communication environment. A UE signals its capability for intra-symbol beam scanning to the gNB. Depending on the configuration, the UE may assume that intra-symbol beam scanning will be configured, or wait for a response from the gNB before implementing intra-symbol beam scanning. While this is typically performed during initial access between the UE and the gNB, the beam scanning configuration can be dynamically updated by the UE or the gNB during established communication. For example, the UE may signal the desired change via its MAC CE, and the gNB may signal the change to the UE via DCI.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Various aspects may generally relate to the field of wireless communications. Summary of the Invention

[0002] Some embodiments include apparatus, methods, and computer program products for implementing fast beam tracking in a wireless communication environment. In Rel-15 of the Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP), synchronization signal blocks (SSBs) and channel state information reference signals (CSI-RSs) are used for beam measurement and reporting. Traditionally, one SSB consists of four symbols. Therefore, a gNB may be able to apply different beams to different symbols of an SSB, thereby generating up to four receive beams for one SSB. On the other hand, the CSI-RS only consists of one symbol in the current specification. Therefore, in one embodiment, an interleaved frequency division multiple access (IFDMA) structure is used to transmit beams via the CSI-RS.

[0003] If the gNB transmits anything other than this structure, the UE will see interference from other elements and will not be able to observe repetition. Similarly, if the UE applies intra-symbol beam scanning, the UE may not be able to receive other signals in the same symbol via the same panel. Therefore, the UE will not be able to perform intra-symbol beam scanning.

[0004] Therefore, aspects of the present disclosure ensure that the gNB does not transmit anything that may interfere with these CSI resources in order to allow intra-symbol beam scanning. Aspects of the present disclosure for achieving this goal include signaling the UE to report whether intra-symbol UE beam scanning will be used, controlling signaling to configure whether intra-symbol UE beam scanning can be used, and simultaneously receiving CSI-RS and other signals with intra-symbol beam scanning.

[0005] It is understood that the use of personally identifiable information should be subject to privacy policies and practices that are generally recognized to meet or exceed industry or government requirements for maintaining user privacy. Specifically, personally identifiable information data should be managed and processed to minimize the risk of unintentional or unauthorized access or use, and the nature of authorized use should be clearly stated to users. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0006] Figure 1 An exemplary wireless communication environment according to an aspect of the present disclosure is shown;

[0007] Figure 2 An exemplary CSI-RS frame according to an aspect of the present disclosure is shown;

[0008] Figure 3 shows a communication schedule from the perspective of a UE according to an aspect of the present disclosure;

[0009] Figure 4 A flowchart illustrating an exemplary method for performing fast beam tracking by a UE according to one embodiment is shown;

[0010] Figure 5 A flow chart illustrating an exemplary method for dynamically changing an intra-symbol beam scanning configuration according to one embodiment is shown;

[0011] Figure 6 A flow chart illustrating an exemplary method for dynamically changing an intra-symbol beam scanning configuration according to one embodiment is shown;

[0012] Figure 7 shows a block representation of an exemplary general-purpose computer system capable of implementing certain aspects of the present disclosure; and

[0013] Figure 8 A block diagram illustrating an exemplary system of electronic devices according to some aspects of the present disclosure is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0014] Beam sweeping is a technique in which a next-generation nodeB (gNB) transmits beams in all predefined directions in bursts at regular intervals. The first step in the attach process for a mobile terminal (user equipment, UE) is initial access, where it synchronizes with the gNB and receives minimal system information broadcast. Therefore, each beam carries a synchronization signal block (SS block or SSB), which carries the primary synchronization signal (PSS), secondary synchronization signal (SSS), and physical broadcast channel (PBCH) necessary to allow the UE to properly synchronize with the gNB.

[0015] Upon receiving a transmission signal from the gNB, the UE performs measurement operations with respect to each of the transmission beams to determine the best or preferred beam from among those transmitted by the gNB. The UE then reports this selection to the gNB for future transmissions.

[0016] Figure 1An exemplary wireless communication environment 100 according to one aspect of the present disclosure is shown. Exemplary system 100 is provided for illustrative purposes only and does not limit the disclosed aspects. System 100 may include, but is not limited to, a network node (e.g., a base station such as an eNB, gNB, etc.) 110 and an electronic device (e.g., a UE) 150. Electronic device 150 (hereinafter referred to as UE 150) may include an electronic device configured to operate based on a variety of wireless communication technologies. These technologies may include, but are not limited to, technologies based on the Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) standards. For example, UE 150 may include an electronic device configured to operate using Release 15 (Rel-15), Release 16 (Rel-16), or a subsequent 3GPP release. UE 150 may include, but is not limited to, a wireless communication device, a smartphone, a laptop, a desktop computer, a tablet, a personal assistant, a monitor, a television, a wearable device, an Internet of Things (IoT), a vehicular communication device, and the like. Network node 110 (hereinafter referred to as a base station) may include a node configured to operate based on a variety of wireless communication technologies, such as, but not limited to, technologies based on 3GPP standards. For example, base station 110 may include a node configured to operate using Rel-15, Rel-16, or a subsequent 3GPP release. In some aspects, a base station may belong to a cell. UE 150 may connect to a cell via base station 110. The cell may be a primary cell for UE 150.

[0017] like Figure 1 As shown, gNB 110 communicates with UE 150 via a wireless communication channel. During initial access, gNB 110 transmits several beams 120 to the UE. Figure 1 As shown, each of beams 120a, 120b, 120c, and 120d is transmitted in a different direction toward UE 150. UE 150 receives the transmitted beam 120, performs beam measurements, and then reports the preferred beam back to gNB 110 for future transmissions.

[0018] In Rel-15 of the Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP), SSBs and channel state information reference signals (CSI-RSs) are used for beam measurement and reporting. Traditionally, one SSB consists of four symbols. Therefore, a gNB may be able to apply different beams to different symbols of the SSB, resulting in up to four receive beams for one SSB. On the other hand, CSI-RSs only consist of one symbol in the current specification. Therefore, in one embodiment, an interleaved frequency division multiple access (IFDMA) structure is used to transmit beams via the CSI-RSs.

[0019] Figure 2 FIG. 4 shows an exemplary CSI-RS frame according to an aspect of the present disclosure. Figure 2As shown, CSI-RS 210 is shown in the frequency domain relative to subcarriers 215. Some of these subcarriers are loaded with beam information 220 in the CSI-RS. When converted from the frequency domain to the time domain, CSI-RS 220 includes a cyclic prefix (CP) 225 followed by multiple repetitions 227. These repetitions 227a-227d in the time domain correspond to the beam information 220a-220d located in the frequency domain CSI-RS, respectively. These repetitions give the UE the opportunity to receive different beams in the same symbol, enabling intra-symbol beam scanning.

[0020] If the gNB transmits anything other than this structure, the UE will observe interference from other elements and will not be able to observe repetition. Similarly, if the UE applies intra-symbol beam scanning, the UE may not be able to receive other signals in the same symbol through the same antenna panel. Therefore, the UE will not be able to perform Figure 3 Intra-symbol beam scanning is shown.

[0021] Therefore, one aspect of this disclosure is to ensure that the gNB does not transmit anything that could interfere with these CSI resources carrying beam information in order to allow intra-symbol beam scanning. Aspects of this disclosure to achieve this goal include signaling the UE to report whether intra-symbol UE beam scanning will be used, controlling signaling to configure whether intra-symbol UE beam scanning can be used, and simultaneously receiving CSI-RS and other signals with intra-symbol beam scanning.

[0022] Signaling / beam scanning scheme

[0023] In a first aspect of the present disclosure, signaling is used to allow the UE to inform the gNB whether intra-symbol beam scanning will be used for 1-port CSI-RS. In an embodiment, this is based on UE capabilities.

[0024] Multiple different types of CSI are defined in the 3GPP specifications. For example, one type is used for Layer 1 Reference Signal Received Power (L1-RSRP) or Layer 1 Signal-to-Interference-and-Noise (L1-SINR) measurements, another type is used for beam failure detection, another type is used for radio link monitoring, and so on. Furthermore, some types of CSI are configured with repetitions, while others are not. In a first implementation, the UE signals to the gNB whether it generally supports intra-symbol beam scanning for all CSI. In this case, only one bit is needed to convey this information.

[0025] In another embodiment, the UE signals to the gNB whether it supports intra-symbol beam scanning for different groups of CSI types, or for each CSI type separately. For example, the UE can signal whether it supports intra-symbol beam scanning for repetition-type CSI. Alternatively, the UE can signal whether it supports intra-symbol beam scanning for each individual CSI. In this case, multiple bits (e.g., 3 bits) are required to convey this information.

[0026] Once the UE has completed this signaling to the gNB, the system must be configured for how to operate based on the UE signaling to ensure that the UE accurately predicts subsequent transmissions from the gNB. In a first implementation, the gNB is configured not to multiplex any other signals with symbols designated for beam scanning. In other words, the gNB does not transmit downlink signals in unused resource elements within the resource blocks allocated for CSI-RS in the active bandwidth portion. Therefore, the UE can assume that no other signals will be multiplexed with the beam scanning symbols and can perform intra-symbol beam scanning immediately after the UE reports to the gNB.

[0027] In another embodiment, the gNB can transmit other signals simultaneously with the beam sweeping symbols, but is configured to transmit only in uncorrelated directions. In other words, the gNB does not transmit downlink signals spatially correlated with the CSI-RS in unused resource elements within the resource blocks allocated for CSI-RS in the active bandwidth portion. The gNB is still allowed to transmit uncorrelated signals, as such signals introduce only weak interference.

[0028] In another embodiment, the gNB replies to the UE signaling with response signaling. Specifically, when the UE reports its capabilities, the gNB transmits response signaling to the UE indicating whether the intra-frequency beam scanning feature is enabled. In one embodiment, this response signaling is performed via radio resource control (RRC) signaling. Additionally, the indication to the UE can be configured per CSI-RS resource or per CSI-RS resource set.

[0029] 3GPP specification 38.321 (e.g., version 16.1.0, released on July 24, 2020), section 6.3.2 defines conventional RRC signaling. In an embodiment, the RRC signaling may be modified as follows: "...intraSymbolBeamSweepingENUMERATED(enabled)OPTIONAL,--Need R" is added to the sequence of NZP-CSI-RS-Resource or NZP-CSI-RS-ResourceSet.

[0030] In the above-described embodiments, signaling occurs during the initial or early stages of communication with the gNB. However, changing conditions and / or circumstances may require changes to the intra-symbol beam scanning configuration. For example, once the gNB enables intra-symbol beam scanning, it cannot transmit any other signals in the same signal (as discussed above). This introduces scheduling constraints for the gNB. Therefore, in one embodiment, signaling can be performed dynamically to update the intra-symbol beam scanning configuration over time.

[0031] In this implementation, the gNB can use downlink control information (DCI) or DCI and RRC signaling to indicate to the UE whether intra-symbol beam scanning can be performed on aperiodic CSI-RS resources or resource sets. In one configuration, the gNB can indicate whether intra-symbol beam scanning is allowed via a new field in the DCI. In a second configuration, an existing field can be used to indicate a change in beam scanning with a new RRC parameter. For example, the CSIRequest field can be reused for this purpose. In this configuration, the indication of whether intra-symbol beam scanning is enabled can be added to the RRC parameters CSI-AssociatedReportConfigInfo or CSI-AperiodicTriggerState.

[0032] In another configuration, the gNB can dynamically inform the UE whether intra-symbol beam scanning is permitted using the starting control channel element (CCE) index of the DCI. In practice, the gNB uses the structure of the physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) to indicate to the UE whether beam scanning is permitted. This configuration reduces overhead because no fields are required. The CCE index is used to determine the location of the PDCCH within the signal.

[0033] Beam scanning in this embodiment is enabled based on the location of the PDCCH. Therefore, for different locations, the UE infers whether intra-symbol beam scanning is enabled. In one such configuration, a specific index (e.g., position) indicates that intra-symbol beam scanning is allowed. All other indices indicate no. In another configuration, the indication of whether beam scanning is allowed is based on whether the index is odd or even, where one indicates that beam scanning is allowed and the other indicates that beam scanning is prohibited.

[0034] Specification 38.321 (Section 6.3.2) defines current DCI and RRC signaling. In one embodiment, dynamic signaling can be implemented using the CSI-AperiodicTriggerState sequence to include "intraSymbolBeamSweepingENUMERATED{enabled}OPTIONAL,--Need R" and by using the CSI-AssociatedReportConfigInfo sequence to include "intraSymbolBeamSweeping ENUMERATED{enabled}OPTIONAL,--Need R".

[0035] Much like the gNB, the UE's situation can also change over time. Therefore, in one embodiment, the UE can also dynamically inform the gNB whether intra-symbol beam scanning should be configured. In one embodiment, this signaling is performed in the Medium Access Control (MAC) Control Element (CE) of the UE's uplink transmission.

[0036] Figure 3 3 shows a communication schedule 300 from the perspective of a UE according to an aspect of the present disclosure. Figure 3 As shown, schedule 300 includes several uplink and downlink transmissions in the time domain. Scheduling begins with the UE transmitting a Scheduling Request (SR) to the gNB. In response, the UE receives an uplink grant 320 from the gNB specifying a time-frequency slot during which the UE can transmit. The UE then transmits its MAC CE 330 to the gNB, including a beam scanning notification.

[0037] After processing this information, the gNB responds to MAC CE 330 with a MAC CE response 340, indicating to the UE whether beam sweeping has been configured. In one embodiment, the response is an uplink grant used to schedule a new transmission for the same Hybrid Automatic Repeat Request (HARQ) process as the one used to transmit MAC CE 330. The gNB then applies the beam sweeping scheme 350 reported by the MAC CE. To allow for configuration by the UE and gNB, a minimum of 28 symbols is provided between response 340 and the application of beam sweeping scheme 350. However, the present disclosure is not limited to a minimum of 28 symbols. This minimum symbol value may be predefined or reported by UE capabilities. In one embodiment, MAC CE 330 is triggered by a scheduling request 310 specifically configured by RRC. If no SR is configured, the UE instead uses normal signaling requests or the Physical Random Access Channel (PRACH). In one embodiment, intra-symbol beam sweeping is disabled by default.

[0038] When the UE is relatively stable, dynamic signaling may not be necessary. However, if the UE is moving very fast, it may be important for the UE to try several beams. In this case, dynamic signaling becomes significantly more useful.

[0039] Simultaneous reception

[0040] If the UE wants to operate intra-symbol, it cannot receive any other signals during the specified time period. In this case, if the gNB expects to transmit additional information, such as a control element (CE), on a different component carrier at the same time as the beam sweeping symbol, the UE must be able to process this simultaneous information. For example, for a single-antenna panel UE (e.g., a UE that does not support QCL Type D and / or receiver beamforming), the UE cannot receive CSI-RS and other signals with intra-symbol beam sweeping from the same serving cell or different serving cells in the same frequency band or band group, but they can be configured with QCL Type D.

[0041] Therefore, implementations are provided to configure the UE for simultaneous reception. In the first such implementation, simultaneous reception is simply disabled. Therefore, the gNB should not schedule any other signals during the beam sweep symbol. In the second implementation, priority rules are predefined that dictate whether the UE should discard CSI-RS or other interfering signals.

[0042] In yet another embodiment, the UE can be configured to automatically disable intra-symbol beam scanning when receiving multiple signals. In this embodiment, the UE receives CSI and the Physical Downlink Shared Channel (PDSCH) together. The Transmission Configuration Indicator (TCI) is a beam indicator for the downlink signal. In this embodiment, the action time for the TCI state indication based on the reception of the CSI-RS should assume that the UE applies symbol-level beam scanning. In other words, if the gNB instructs the UE to switch to beam 1, sufficient time should be allocated to allow the UE to perform beam scanning to check beam 1. For example, if the UE performs symbol-level beam scanning on 8 receive beams, the gNB is configured to reserve 8 symbols as the beam scanning delay (one symbol per beam). Meanwhile, if the UE is configured for intra-symbol beam scanning, the gNB reserves 2 symbols as the action time for the new TCI state. In one embodiment, these action time configurations are predefined in the 3GPP specifications.

[0043] Figure 4 1 is a flow chart illustrating an exemplary method 400 for performing fast beam tracking by a UE according to one embodiment. Figure 4As shown, the UE determines the desired intra-symbol beam scanning (410). As described above, beam scanning is the process by which the gNB transmits multiple beams to the UE covering the spatial area. Intra-symbol beam scanning is referred to above with reference to Figure 2 The UE is described as enabling the UE to receive and evaluate multiple beams in a single symbol. As a result, the UE signals its intra-symbol beam scanning capability to the gNB (420). In reply, the UE receives an acknowledgement message (430) from the gNB informing the UE that intra-symbol beam scanning has been enabled. In an embodiment, this reply signal can be configured per CSI-RS resource or per CSI-RS resource set via RRC signaling. In various embodiments, this step is optional or can be omitted.

[0044] Thereafter, the UE receives multiple transmitted beams from the gNB (440). The UE performs measurements with respect to each of the beams (450). Based on the measurements, the UE identifies the best or preferred beam from the received beams and then notifies the gNB of the selected beam (460). Thereafter, the UE receives transmissions from the gNB on the selected beam (470).

[0045] Figure 5 1 shows a flow chart of an exemplary method 500 for dynamically changing a beam scanning configuration within a symbol, according to one embodiment. Figure 5 As shown, the gNB has established communication with the UE according to a particular communication and / or beam scanning scheme (510). At some point thereafter, the gNB detects a change in conditions that necessitates a change in the scheme (520). As described above, such a change in conditions may include a variety of factors, including bandwidth issues, channel conditions, or whether the UE's mobility state has changed. As a result of the changed conditions, the gNB generates downlink control information (DCI) to the UE including a beam scanning update for transmission (530), and then transmits the DCI to the UE (540). In one embodiment, the beam scanning update is for an aperiodic CSI-RS resource or resource set. In one embodiment, the beam scanning update is provided to the UE via the DCI and RRC signaling.

[0046] After transmitting the response to the UE, the gNB waits a predetermined amount of time (550) to allow the UE to reconfigure. The gNB then begins transmitting signals to the UE using the updated beam scanning configuration notified in the DCI (560).

[0047] Figure 6 1 shows a flow chart of an exemplary method 600 for dynamically changing the intra-symbol beam scanning configuration according to one embodiment. Figure 6As shown, the UE communicates with the gNB according to the current communication and / or beam scanning scheme. The UE then detects a change in conditions that would require a change in scheme (620). In response, the UE transmits a beam scanning update in a MAC CE of its uplink transmission (630).

[0048] In response, the UE receives an acknowledgement message from the gNB (640). Thereafter, the UE waits for a predetermined amount of time (650) and then assumes that the new beam scanning scheme has been activated (660).

[0049] Although the above method has been described in terms of one specific implementation, it should be understood that many of the steps may be performed in a different order or omitted depending on the specifics of the application.

[0050] Figure 8 A block diagram of an exemplary system 800 of an electronic device that implements various aspects of fast beam tracking according to some aspects of the present disclosure is shown. System 800 can be any of the electronic devices of system 100 (e.g., base station 110, UE 150). System 800 includes a processor 810, one or more transceivers 820, communication infrastructure 840, memory 850, an operating system 852, applications 854, and one or more antennas 860. The illustrated system is provided as an exemplary portion of system 800, and system 800 may include other circuits and subsystems. Moreover, although the system of system 800 is shown as a single component, aspects of the present disclosure may include any combination of these components, fewer components, or more components.

[0051] The memory 850 may include random access memory (RAM) and / or cache memory, and may include control logic components (e.g., computer software) and / or data. The memory 850 may include other storage devices or memories, such as, but not limited to, a hard drive and / or a removable storage device / unit. According to some examples, an operating system 852 may be stored in the memory 850. The operating system 852 may manage the transfer of data from the memory 850 and / or one or more applications 854 to the processor 810 and / or one or more transceivers 820. In some examples, the operating system 852 supports one or more network protocol stacks (e.g., an Internet protocol stack and a cellular protocol stack, etc.), which may include several logical layers. At the corresponding layer of the protocol stack, the operating system 852 includes control mechanisms and data structures to perform the functions associated with that layer.

[0052] According to some examples, applications 854 may be stored in memory 850. Applications 854 may include applications used by wireless system 800 and / or a user of wireless system 800 (e.g., user applications). Applications in applications 854 may include, for example, but not limited to, Siri.TM , FaceTime TM , broadcast streaming, video streaming, remote control and / or other user applications.

[0053] The system 800 may also include a communication infrastructure 840. The communication infrastructure 840 provides, for example, communication between the processor 810, one or more transceivers 820, and the memory 850. In some implementations, the communication infrastructure 840 may be a bus. The processor 810, together with instructions stored in the memory 850, performs operations that enable the system 800 to implement fast beam tracking operations, as described herein with respect to the system 100, as discussed above.

[0054] One or more transceivers 820 transmit and receive intra-symbol beam scanning messages. According to some aspects, one or more transceivers 820 can be coupled to an antenna 860. Antenna 860 can include one or more antennas that can be the same or different types. One or more transceivers 820 allow the system 800 to communicate with other devices that can be wired and / or wireless. In some examples, one or more transceivers 820 may include circuits / devices such as processors, controllers, radio components, sockets, plugs, buffers, etc. for connecting to a network and communicating on the network. According to some examples, one or more transceivers 820 include one or more circuits for connecting to and communicating on a wired and / or wireless network.

[0055] According to some aspects of the present disclosure, the one or more transceivers 820 may include a cellular subsystem, a WLAN subsystem, and / or a Bluetooth subsystem. TM The subsystems each include their own radio transceiver and protocol, as will be understood by those skilled in the art based on the discussion provided herein. In some implementations, the one or more transceivers 820 may include more or fewer systems for communicating with other devices.

[0056] In some examples, transceiver(s) 820 may include one or more circuits, including a WLAN transceiver, to enable connection and communication via a WLAN network, such as, but not limited to, a network based on the standards described in IEEE 802.11.

[0057] Additionally or alternatively, the one or more transceivers 820 may include one or more circuits (including Bluetooth TM transceiver) to implement Bluetooth-based TM Protocol, Bluetooth TM Low energy protocol, or Bluetooth TMFor example, one or more transceivers 820 may include Bluetooth TM transceiver.

[0058] In addition, the one or more transceivers 820 may include one or more circuits (including cellular transceivers) for connecting to and communicating on a cellular network. Cellular networks may include, but are not limited to, 3G / 4G / 5G networks such as Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS), Long Term Evolution (LTE), etc. For example, the one or more transceivers 820 may be configured to operate in accordance with one or more of Rel-15, Rel-16, Rel-17, or later versions of the 3GPP standards.

[0059] According to some aspects of the present disclosure, the processor 810, alone or in combination with computer instructions stored in the memory 850 and / or one or more transceivers 820, implements the methods and mechanisms discussed in the present disclosure. For example, the processor 810, alone or in combination with computer instructions stored in the memory 850 and / or one or more transceivers 820, implements a mechanism for fast beam tracking. According to some aspects of the present disclosure, the processor 810, alone or in combination with computer instructions stored in the memory 850 and / or one or more transceivers 820, may provide a signal to a base station (e.g., Figure 1 The base station 110) transmits a message to inform the base station of the intra-symbol beam scanning capability of the device 800.

[0060] For example, one or more computer systems such as Figure 7 The computer system 700 shown is used to implement various aspects. The computer system 700 can be any known computer capable of performing the functions described herein, such as Figure 7 Device 710, 720, or Figure 2 200. Computer system 700 includes one or more processors (also known as central processing units or CPUs), such as processor 704. Processor 704 is connected to a communication infrastructure 706 (e.g., a bus). Computer system 700 also includes user input / output devices 703, such as a monitor, keyboard, pointing device, etc., that communicate with communication infrastructure 706 via user input / output interface 702. Computer system 700 also includes main memory or primary storage 708, such as random access memory (RAM). Main memory 708 may include one or more levels of cache. Main memory 708 has control logic components (e.g., computer software) and / or data stored therein.

[0061] The computer system 700 may also include one or more secondary storage devices or memories 710. The secondary storage 710 may include, for example, a hard disk drive 712 and / or a removable storage device or drive 714. The removable storage drive 714 may be a floppy disk drive, a tape drive, an optical disk drive, an optical storage device, a tape backup device, and / or any other storage device / drive.

[0062] The removable storage drive 714 can interact with a removable storage unit 718. The removable storage unit 718 includes a computer-usable or readable storage device having computer software (control logic) and / or data stored thereon. The removable storage unit 718 can be a floppy disk, a magnetic tape, a compact disk, a DVD, an optical storage disk, and / or any other computer data storage device. The removable storage drive 714 reads from and / or writes to the removable storage unit 718 in a well-known manner.

[0063] According to some aspects, the secondary memory 710 may include other devices, tools, or other means for allowing the computer system 700 to access computer programs and / or other instructions and / or data. Such devices, tools, or other means may include, for example, a removable storage unit 722 and an interface 720. Examples of the removable storage unit 722 and interface 720 may include a program cartridge and cartridge interface (such as found in video game devices), a removable memory chip (such as an EPROM or PROM) and an associated socket, a memory stick and USB port, a memory card and an associated memory card slot, and / or any other removable storage unit and associated interface.

[0064] The computer system 700 may also include a communication or network interface 724. The communication interface 724 enables the computer system 700 to communicate and interact with any combination of remote devices, remote networks, remote entities, and the like (individually and collectively referenced by reference numeral 728). For example, the communication interface 724 may allow the computer system 700 to communicate with the remote device 728 via a communication path 726, which may be wired and / or wireless and may include any combination of a LAN, a WAN, the Internet, and the like. Control logic components and / or data may be transferred to and from the computer system 700 via the communication path 726.

[0065] The operations in the foregoing aspects can be implemented in various configurations and architectures. Thus, some or all of the operations in the foregoing aspects may be performed in hardware, software, or in both hardware and software. In some aspects, a tangible, non-transient device or article includes a tangible, non-transient computer-usable or readable medium on which a control logic component (software) is stored, also referred to herein as a computer program product or program storage device. This includes, but is not limited to, a computer system 700, a main memory 708, an auxiliary memory 710, and removable storage units 718 and 722, as well as tangible articles embodying any combination of the foregoing. Such control logic components, when executed by one or more data processing devices (such as computer system 700), cause such data processing devices to operate as described herein.

[0066] Based on the teachings contained in this disclosure, it will be apparent to those skilled in the relevant art how to use Figure 7 The various aspects of the present disclosure may be made and used with data processing devices, computer systems, and / or computer architectures other than those shown. In particular, the various aspects may operate with software, hardware, and / or operating system implementations other than those described herein.

[0067] It should be understood that the Detailed Description section, and not the Summary and Abstract sections, is intended to be used to interpret the claims. The Summary and Abstract sections may set forth one or more but not all exemplary aspects of the present disclosure as contemplated by the inventor(s), and thus, are not intended to limit the present disclosure and the appended claims in any way.

[0068] The present disclosure has been described above with the aid of functional building blocks, which illustrate the implementation of specified functions and their relationships. For ease of description, the boundaries of these functional building blocks have been arbitrarily defined herein. As long as the specified functions and their relationships are properly performed, alternative boundaries may be defined.

[0069] The above description of specific aspects will fully demonstrate the general nature of the present disclosure, so that others can easily modify and / or adjust various applications of such specific aspects by applying knowledge within the technical scope of the art without undue experimentation, without departing from the general concept of the present disclosure. Therefore, based on the teachings and guidance presented herein, such adjustments and modifications are intended to be within the meaning and scope of equivalents of the aspects disclosed herein. It should be understood that the wording or terminology herein is for illustrative purposes only and not for limiting purposes, so the terms or wording of this specification will be interpreted by the skilled person in accordance with the teachings and guidance.

[0070] The breadth and scope of the present disclosure should not be limited by any of the above-described exemplary aspects, but should be defined only in accordance with the following claims and their equivalents.

[0071] Example

[0072] Embodiment 1 includes a user equipment having a transceiver configured to transmit and receive signals with a base station and one or more processors coupled to the transceiver. The one or more processors are configured to generate a message indicating whether the UE is capable of beam scanning, and transmit the message to the base station via the transceiver.

[0073] Embodiment 2 includes the user equipment of embodiment 1, wherein the one or more processors are further configured to receive a response signal from the base station confirming the reception configuration.

[0074] Embodiment 3 includes the user equipment of embodiment 1, wherein the message signal identifies whether intra-symbol beam scanning is supported for all channel state information (CSI) types.

[0075] Embodiment 4 includes the user equipment of embodiment 1, wherein the message identifies whether intra-symbol beam scanning is supported for a subset of channel state information (CSI) types.

[0076] Embodiment 5 includes the user equipment of embodiment 1, wherein the message identifies whether intra-symbol beam scanning is supported for each channel state information (CSI) type.

[0077] Embodiment 6 includes a user equipment according to embodiment 1, wherein the one or more processors are further configured to implement a reception configuration based on a message, and to receive a transmission signal from a base station using the reception configuration, wherein the received transmission signal includes auxiliary information transmitted together with the beam scanning symbol in a direction unrelated to the beam scanning symbol.

[0078] Embodiment 7 includes the user equipment of claim 2, wherein the response signal is received in a radio resource control (RRC) signal.

[0079] Embodiment 8 includes the user equipment of claim 1, wherein the one or more processors are further configured to establish an initial communication scheme with the base station, detect a change in communication conditions, determine a new communication scheme based on the change in communication conditions, transmit a notification signal requesting the new communication scheme to the base station, and use the new communication scheme to process subsequent transmissions from the base station.

[0080] Embodiment 9 includes the user equipment of embodiment 8, wherein the notification signal is transmitted in a medium access control (MAC) control element (CE) of an uplink transmission.

[0081] Embodiment 10 includes the user equipment of claim 9, wherein the transceiver is further configured to receive a response from the base station in response to the notification signal, and wherein the one or more processors are further configured to process the response.

[0082] Embodiment 11 includes the user equipment of embodiment 10, wherein the one or more processors are further configured to implement the new communication scheme a predetermined amount of time after receiving the response from the base station.

[0083] Embodiment 12 includes the user equipment of embodiment 11, wherein the predetermined amount of time is a duration of 28 signal symbols.

[0084] Embodiment 13 includes the user equipment of embodiment 10, wherein the response is an uplink grant used to plan a new transmission for the same hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ) process used for transmission of the MAC CE.

[0085] Embodiment 14 includes the user equipment of embodiment 8, wherein the change in communication conditions includes a moving speed of the user equipment.

[0086] Embodiment 15 includes a base station for dynamically updating a communication scheme with a user equipment (UE), the UE including a transceiver configured to communicate with the UE and one or more processors. The one or more processors are configured to establish an initial communication scheme with the UE, detect a change in a communication condition, generate a notification signal to the UE for notifying the UE of a new communication scheme, transmit the notification signal to the UE, and implement the new communication scheme in response to the transmission of the notification signal.

[0087] Embodiment 16 includes the base station of embodiment 15, wherein the notification signal is transmitted in downlink control information (DCI).

[0088] Embodiment 17 includes the base station of embodiment 16, wherein the notification signal is transmitted as a new field in the DCI.

[0089] Embodiment 18 includes the base station of embodiment 16, wherein the notification signal is transmitted as a new usage of an existing field in the DCI.

[0090] Embodiment 19 includes the base station of embodiment 18, wherein the existing field is a CSIRequest field.

[0091] Embodiment 20 includes the base station of embodiment 15, wherein the one or more processors are further configured to wait a predetermined amount of time after transmitting the notification signal to implement the new communication scheme.

[0092] Embodiment 21 includes any one of the above embodiments, wherein multiple beams are transmitted via a synchronization signal block signal.

[0093] Embodiment 22 includes any of the above embodiments, wherein each of the beams transmits in a different direction.

[0094] Embodiment 23 includes any of the above embodiments, wherein at least some of the signaling between the UE and the base station is performed using a channel state information reference signal (CSI-RS).

[0095] Embodiment 24 includes any one of the above embodiments, wherein the CSI-RS has an interleaved frequency division multiple access (IFDMA) structure.

[0096] Embodiment 25 includes any of the above embodiments, wherein the subset of CSI types includes those CSI types with repetitions or those CSI types without repetitions.

[0097] Embodiment 26 includes any of the above embodiments, wherein the dynamic update transmitted by the base station is added to the RRC parameter CSI-AssociatedReportConfigInfo or CSI-AperiodicTriggerState.

[0098] Embodiment 27 includes the UE of embodiment 1, wherein the reception configuration enables simultaneous reception of the beam sweeping transmission and the second transmission from the base station.

[0099] Embodiment 28 includes the UE of embodiment 27, wherein the one or more processors are configured to disable beam scanning operation in response to simultaneous reception.

[0100] Embodiment 29 includes the UE of embodiment 27, wherein the one or more processors are further configured to receive a transmission configuration indicator (TCI) from a base station via a transceiver, and set an action time for performing beam scanning before implementing the reception configuration.

[0101] Embodiment 30 includes the UE of embodiment 15, wherein the one or more processors are further configured to transmit a response signal confirming the new communication scheme to the UE, wherein the response signal is transmitted in a radio resource control (RRC) signal.

[0102] Embodiment 31 includes the UE of embodiment 3, wherein the subset of CSI types is repeatable CSI.

[0103] Embodiment 32 comprises a method for implementing beam scanning at a user equipment (UE), the method comprising generating a message indicating whether the UE is capable of beam scanning, and transmitting the message to a base station via a transceiver.

[0104] Embodiment 33 includes the method of embodiment 32, wherein the message identifies whether intra-symbol beam scanning is supported.

[0105] Embodiment 34 includes the method of embodiment 32, wherein the message identifies whether intra-symbol beam scanning is supported for all channel state information (CSI) types.

[0106] Embodiment 35 includes the method of embodiment 32, wherein the message identifies whether intra-symbol beam scanning is supported for a subset of channel state information (CSI) types.

[0107] Embodiment 36 includes the method of embodiment 32, wherein the message identifies whether intra-symbol beam scanning is supported for each channel state information (CSI) type.

[0108] Embodiment 37 includes the method according to claim 32, further comprising implementing a receiving configuration based on a message, and using the receiving configuration to receive a transmission signal from a base station, wherein the received transmission signal includes auxiliary information transmitted together with the beam scanning symbol in a direction unrelated to the beam scanning symbol.

[0109] Embodiment 38 includes the method of claim 32, further comprising receiving a response signal from the base station confirming reception of the configuration, wherein the response signal is received in a radio resource control (RRC) signal.

[0110] Embodiment 39 includes a method for dynamically updating a communication scheme with a user equipment (UE), the method comprising: establishing an initial communication scheme with the UE, detecting a change in communication conditions, generating a notification signal to the UE for notifying the UE of a new communication scheme, transmitting the notification signal to the UE via a transceiver, and implementing the new communication scheme in response to the transmission of the notification signal.

[0111] Embodiment 40 includes the method of embodiment 39, wherein the notification signal is transmitted in downlink control information (DCI).

[0112] Embodiment 41 includes the method of embodiment 39, wherein the notification signal is transmitted as a new field in the DCI.

[0113] Embodiment 42 includes the method of embodiment 39, wherein the notification signal is transmitted as a new usage of an existing field in the DCI.

[0114] Embodiment 43 includes the method of embodiment 42, wherein the existing field is a CSIRequest field.

[0115] Embodiment 44 includes the method of embodiment 39, further comprising waiting a predetermined amount of time after transmitting the notification signal to implement the new communication scheme.

[0116] Embodiment 45 includes a base station comprising a transceiver configured to transmit and receive wireless signals with a user equipment (UE) and one or more processors coupled to the transceiver. The one or more processors are configured to receive a message from the UE indicating whether the UE is capable of beam scanning, and transmit a beam scanning message to the UE via the transceiver based on the received message.

[0117] Embodiment 46 includes the method of embodiment 45, wherein the message identifies whether intra-symbol beam scanning is supported.

[0118] Embodiment 47 includes the method of embodiment 45, wherein the message identifies whether intra-symbol beam scanning is supported for all channel state information (CSI) types.

[0119] Embodiment 48 includes the method of embodiment 45, wherein the message identifies whether intra-symbol beam scanning is supported for a subset of channel state information (CSI) types.

[0120] Embodiment 49 includes the method of embodiment 45, wherein the message identifies whether intra-symbol beam scanning is supported for each channel state information (CSI) type.

[0121] Embodiment 50 includes a method according to embodiment 45, wherein the one or more processors are further configured to implement a transmission configuration based on the received message and transmit a signal to the UE using the transmission configuration, wherein the transmitted signal includes auxiliary information transmitted together with the beam scanning symbol in a direction unrelated to the beam scanning symbol.

[0122] Embodiment 51 includes the method of embodiment 45, wherein the one or more processors are further configured to transmit a response signal confirming the transmission configuration to the UE, wherein the response signal is transmitted in a radio resource control (RRC) signal.

[0123] Embodiment 52 includes a method according to embodiment 45, wherein the one or more processors are further configured to receive a notification signal from the UE requesting a new communication scheme, the notification signal being transmitted during an uplink transmission following an uplink grant from the base station, and to transmit subsequent transmissions to the UE using the new communication scheme.

[0124] Embodiment 53 includes the method of embodiment 52, wherein the notification signal is received in a medium access control (MAC) control element (CE) of an uplink transmission.

[0125] Embodiment 54 includes the method of embodiment 53, wherein the transceiver is further configured to transmit a response to the UE in response to the notification signal.

[0126] Embodiment 55 includes the method of embodiment 54, wherein the one or more processors are further configured to implement the new communication scheme a predetermined amount of time after transmitting the response to the UE.

[0127] Embodiment 56 includes the method of embodiment 55, wherein the predetermined amount of time is a duration of 28 signal symbols.

[0128] Embodiment 57 includes the method of embodiment 52, wherein the response is an uplink grant used to plan a new transmission for the same hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ) process used for transmission of the MAC CE.

Claims

1. A user equipment (UE), comprising: a transceiver configured to transmit and receive wireless signals with the base station; as well as one or more processors coupled to the transceiver and configured to: generating a message indicating whether the UE is capable of intra-symbol beam scanning; transmitting the message to the base station via the transceiver; Implementing a receiving configuration based on the message; and receiving a transmission signal from the base station using the receiving configuration, The received transmission signal includes auxiliary information transmitted together with the beam scanning symbol in a direction unrelated to the beam scanning symbol.

2. The UE according to claim 1, wherein the message identifies whether the UE supports intra-symbol beam scanning for at least one channel state information (CSI) type.

3. The UE according to claim 1, wherein the message identifies whether intra-symbol beam scanning is supported for all channel state information (CSI) types, or identifies whether intra-symbol beam scanning is supported for a subset of CSI types. 4 . The UE of claim 1 , wherein the one or more processors are further configured to determine whether the UE is capable of intra-symbol beam scanning. 5 . The UE according to claim 1 , wherein the message identifies whether intra-symbol beam scanning is supported for each channel state information (CSI) type. 6 . The UE of claim 1 , wherein the one or more processors are further configured to receive a response signal from the base station confirming the reception configuration, wherein the response signal is received in a radio resource control (RRC) signal.

7. The UE according to claim 1, wherein the one or more processors are further configured to: establishing an initial communication scheme with the base station; Detect changes in communication conditions; determining a new communication solution based on the change in the communication condition; transmitting, via the transceiver, to the base station a notification signal requesting the new communication scheme, the notification signal being transmitted during uplink transmission following an uplink grant from the base station; and Subsequent transmissions from the base station are processed using the new communication scheme. 8 . The UE according to claim 7 , wherein the notification signal is transmitted in a Medium Access Control (MAC) Control Element (CE) of uplink transmission.

9. The UE of claim 8, wherein the transceiver is further configured to receive a response from the base station in response to the notification signal, and wherein the one or more processors are further configured to process the response.

10. The UE of claim 9, wherein the one or more processors are further configured to implement the new communication scheme a predetermined amount of time after receiving the response from the base station. The UE of claim 10 , wherein the predetermined amount of time is a duration of 28 signal symbols.

12. The UE of claim 9, wherein the response is an uplink grant used to plan a new transmission for the same hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ) process used for transmission of the MAC CE.

13. The UE of claim 7, wherein the change in the communication condition comprises a moving speed of the user equipment.

14. The UE of claim 1, wherein the reception configuration enables simultaneous reception of a beam sweeping transmission and a second transmission from the base station.

15. The UE of claim 14, wherein the one or more processors are configured to disable beam scanning operations in response to the simultaneous reception.

16. The UE of claim 14, wherein the one or more processors are further configured to: receiving a transmission configuration indicator (TCI) from the base station via the transceiver; and An action time for performing beam scanning is set before implementing the reception configuration. The UE of claim 3 , wherein the subset of CSI types is repeatable CSI.

18. A method for implementing beam scanning at a user equipment (UE), the method comprising: generating a message indicating whether the UE is capable of intra-symbol beam scanning; transmitting the message to a base station via a transceiver; Implementing a receiving configuration based on the message; as well as receiving a transmission signal from the base station using the receiving configuration, The received transmission signal includes auxiliary information transmitted together with the beam scanning symbol in a direction unrelated to the beam scanning symbol.

19. The method according to claim 18, wherein the message indicates whether intra-symbol beam scanning is supported for at least one channel state information (CSI) type identifier.

20. The method of claim 18, wherein the message identifies whether intra-symbol beam scanning is supported for all channel state information (CSI) types, or identifies whether intra-symbol beam scanning is supported for a subset of CSI types.

21. The method of claim 18, further comprising determining whether intra-symbol beam scanning is supported.

22. The method according to claim 18, wherein the message identifies whether intra-symbol beam scanning is supported for each channel state information (CSI) type.

23. The method of claim 18, further comprising receiving a response signal confirming the reception configuration from the base station, wherein the response signal is received in a radio resource control (RRC) signal.

24. A base station, comprising: a transceiver configured to transmit and receive wireless signals with a user equipment UE; as well as one or more processors coupled to the transceiver and configured to: receiving a message from the UE indicating whether the UE is capable of beam scanning; transmitting, via the transceiver, a beam scanning message to the UE based on the received message; Implementing a transmission configuration based on the received message; and transmitting a signal to the UE using the transmission configuration, The transmitted signal includes auxiliary information transmitted together with the beam scanning symbol in a direction unrelated to the beam scanning symbol.

25. The base station of claim 24, wherein the message identifies whether intra-symbol beam scanning is supported.

26. The base station according to claim 24, wherein the message identifies whether intra-symbol beam scanning is supported for all channel state information (CSI) types.

27. The base station of claim 24, wherein the message identifies whether intra-symbol beam scanning is supported for a subset of channel state information (CSI) types.

28. The base station according to claim 24, wherein the message identifies whether intra-symbol beam scanning is supported for each channel state information (CSI) type.

29. The base station of claim 24, wherein the one or more processors are further configured to transmit a response signal confirming the transmission configuration to the UE, wherein the response signal is transmitted in a radio resource control (RRC) signal.

30. The base station of claim 24, wherein the one or more processors are further configured to: receiving a notification signal requesting a new communication scheme from the UE, the notification signal being transmitted during uplink transmission following an uplink grant from the base station; and A subsequent transmission is transmitted to the UE using the new communication scheme.

31. The base station according to claim 30, wherein the notification signal is received in a Medium Access Control (MAC) Control Element (CE) of uplink transmission.

32. The base station of claim 31, wherein the transceiver is further configured to transmit a response to the UE in response to the notification signal.

33. The base station of claim 32, wherein the one or more processors are further configured to implement the new communication scheme a predetermined amount of time after transmitting the response to the UE.

34. The base station of claim 33, wherein the predetermined amount of time is a duration of 28 signal symbols.

35. The base station of claim 32, wherein the response is an uplink grant used to plan a new transmission for the same hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ) process used for transmission of the MAC CE.

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