Techniques for activating or deactivating antenna panels at a user equipment

Abstract

Aspects described herein relate to activation of one or more antenna panels at a user equipment (UE) by the UE or caused by a base station. The action time for activating or deactivating one or more antenna panels can also be used to allow for processing time related to the activation or deactivation of the antenna panels.

Description

[0001] Cross-references to related applications

[0002] This patent application claims priority to Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 090,570, filed October 12, 2020, entitled “TECHNIQUES FOR ACTIVATING OR DEACTIVATING ANTENNA PANELS AT A USER EQUIPMENT”, and U.S. Patent Application No. 17 / 498,549, filed October 11, 2021, entitled “TECHNIQUES FOR ACTIVATING OR DEACTIVATING ANTENNA PANELS AT A USER EQUIPMENT”, which are assigned to the assignee of this application and are expressly incorporated herein by reference for all purposes. Technical Field

[0003] This disclosure generally relates to wireless communication systems, and more specifically, to techniques for activating or deactivating one or more antenna panels. Background Technology

[0004] Wireless communication systems are widely deployed to provide various types of communication content, such as voice, video, packet data, messaging, broadcasting, and so on. These systems can support communication with multiple users by sharing available system resources (e.g., time, frequency, and power). Examples of such multiple access systems include fourth-generation (4G) systems, such as Long Term Evolution (LTE) systems, LTE-A Advanced (LTE-A) systems, or LTE-A Pro systems, and fifth-generation (5G) systems, which may be referred to as New Radio (NR) systems. These systems can employ technologies such as Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA), Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA), Frequency Division Multiple Access (FDMA), Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access (OFDMA), or Discrete Fourier Transform Extended Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (DFT-S-OFDM). A wireless multiple access communication system may include one or more base stations or one or more network access nodes, each of which simultaneously supports communication with multiple communication devices, also referred to as User Equipment (UE).

[0005] Some wireless communication systems can support UEs with multiple antenna panels, whereby the UE can use one or more of the multiple antenna panels to receive communication from one or more base stations at a given time. Summary of the Invention

[0006] The following is a simplified overview of one or more aspects to provide a basic understanding of such aspects. This overview is not a comprehensive overview of all anticipated aspects, and is neither intended to identify key or essential elements of all aspects, nor to define the scope of any or all aspects. Its sole purpose is to present some concepts of one or more aspects in a simplified form as a prelude to the specific implementations presented later.

[0007] In some aspects of this disclosure, a method, a computer-readable medium, and an apparatus are provided. In some aspects, the method includes determining, by a user equipment (UE), to activate or deactivate at least one of a plurality of antenna panels at the UE, sending an instruction to a base station to activate or deactivate at least one of the plurality of antenna panels, and activating or deactivating at least one of the plurality of antenna panels based on sending the instruction.

[0008] In another aspect, a method includes the UE determining at least one of a plurality of antenna panels to activate or deactivate at the UE to communicate with a base station, the UE determining the timing of activation or deactivation of at least one of the plurality of antenna panels at the UE, and activating or deactivating at least one of the plurality of antenna panels based on the timing of activation or deactivation.

[0009] In another aspect, a method includes a base station determining whether to activate or deactivate at least one of a plurality of antenna panels at a UE, wherein the determination is based on determining at least one of the following: determining the number of activated antenna panels among the plurality of antenna panels, determining that at least one antenna panel among the plurality of antenna panels is determined not to be deactivated, or determining that at least one antenna panel among the plurality of antenna panels is determined not to be activated. The method further includes sending an instruction to the UE to activate or deactivate at least one of the plurality of antenna panels.

[0010] In another aspect, a method includes a base station determining at least one of a plurality of antenna panels to be activated or deactivated at a UE; the base station determining the timing of the activation or deactivation of at least one of the plurality of antenna panels at the UE; and, based on the timing of the activation or deactivation, communicating with the UE that has activated or deactivated at least one of the plurality of antenna panels.

[0011] In another aspect, a method includes sending an indication to a base station that a UE will activate or deactivate at least one of a plurality of antenna panels; and activating or deactivating at least one of the plurality of antenna panels according to the timing of the UE's activation or deactivation of at least one of the plurality of antenna panels.

[0012] In another aspect, a method includes receiving from a user equipment (UE) an indication that the UE will activate or deactivate at least one of a plurality of antenna panels at the UE; and communicating with the UE that has activated or deactivated at least one of the plurality of antenna panels based on the timing of the UE's action to activate or deactivate at least one of the plurality of antenna panels.

[0013] To achieve the foregoing and related results, one or more aspects include the features fully described below and specifically pointed out in the claims. The following description and drawings set forth certain illustrative features of one or more aspects in detail. However, these features indicate only a few of the various ways in which the principles of each aspect can be employed, and this description is intended to encompass all such aspects and their equivalents. Attached Figure Description

[0014] Figure 1 This is a diagram illustrating an example of a wireless communication system.

[0015] Figure 2A , 2B Figures 2C and 2D respectively illustrate examples of a first fifth-generation (5G) / new radio (NR) frame including an extended view of the subframe, a downlink (DL) channel within a 5G / NR subframe, a second 5G / NR frame including an extended view of the subframe, and an uplink (UL) channel within a 5G / NR subframe.

[0016] Figure 3 This is a diagram showing an example of a base station and an example of a user equipment (UE).

[0017] Figure 4 This is a flowchart illustrating an example of a method for activating or deactivating an antenna panel according to some aspects of this disclosure.

[0018] Figure 5 This is a flowchart illustrating an example of a method for determining whether to command a UE to activate or deactivate an antenna panel, according to some aspects of this disclosure.

[0019] Figure 6 A flowchart illustrating an example of a method for activating or deactivating one or more antenna panels based on action time, according to some aspects of this disclosure, is shown.

[0020] Figure 7 A flowchart illustrating an example of a method for communication based on one or more antenna panels activated or deactivated according to some aspects of this disclosure is shown.

[0021] Figure 8 A block diagram showing an example of a wireless communication device that supports activating or deactivating an antenna panel according to some aspects of this disclosure.

[0022] Figure 9 A block diagram showing an example of a wireless communication device according to some implementations of supporting the activation or deactivation of an antenna panel, based on some aspects of this disclosure.

[0023] Figure 10 A block diagram showing an example of a wireless communication device according to some implementations of supporting the activation or deactivation of an antenna panel, based on some aspects of this disclosure.

[0024] The same reference numerals and names in the various figures denote the same elements. Detailed Implementation

[0025] The detailed description below, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, is intended as a description of various configurations and is not intended to represent the only configuration in which the concepts described herein can be practiced. The detailed description includes specific details for a thorough understanding of the various concepts. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that these concepts can be practiced without these specific details. In some cases, well-known structures and components are shown in block diagram form to avoid obscuring such concepts.

[0026] A UE can be equipped with multiple panels or arrays of antennas located at different locations within or on the UE, or facing different directions, to improve communication diversity. The UE can define one or more virtual antenna panels based on (or including) one or more panels or arrays (or a portion thereof) on the UE. In other words, each virtual antenna panel can include (or can be mapped to) one or more physical antenna panels, or a portion of one or more physical antenna panels. In some examples, all antennas in an antenna panel can share the same timing advance (TA) or power control (PC). In the following description, both physical and virtual antenna panels can be collectively referred to as "antenna panel." Thus, the reference to an antenna panel can refer to either a physical antenna panel or a virtual antenna panel. Each antenna panel, whether physical or virtual, can be associated with a corresponding antenna panel identifier.

[0027] These aspects typically involve techniques for activating or deactivating antenna panels at a user equipment (UE). In some examples, a UE with multiple antenna panels can determine which antenna panels / panels to activate or deactivate to communicate with a base station. In some examples, the UE or base station can decide which antenna panels / panels to activate or deactivate at the UE. Furthermore, once the decision to activate or deactivate antenna panels / panels is made, the UE or base station can determine the timing of the action to activate or deactivate one or more antenna panels / panels at the UE.

[0028] In some examples, the UE (or base station) may determine which of the UEs or base stations will instruct the activation or deactivation of one or more antenna panels on the UE. The UE (or base station) may make this determination based on various additional considerations, such as the number of antenna panels to be activated or deactivated, the number of panels that become active after activation or deactivation, the original or new panel state (e.g., active or inactive), etc. Furthermore, in some examples, the UE (or base station) may determine the timing of the action to implement the activation or deactivation of one or more antenna panels at the UE based on various considerations, including whether the UE or base station has instructed activation or deactivation. Additionally or alternatively, in some examples, the UE (or base station) may determine the timing of the action based on a start reference time, which may also be based on the additional considerations described herein.

[0029] Specific implementations of the subject matter described in this disclosure can achieve one or more of the following potential advantages. In some aspects of this disclosure, the described apparatus and methods that allow the UE to determine which antenna panels / panels to activate or deactivate can provide additional control at the UE without requiring signaling from the base station to process the activation or deactivation. Furthermore, in some aspects, the described apparatus and methods that allow the base station to determine which antenna panels to activate or deactivate at the UE can provide additional control at the base station. In some cases, control at the base station may be desirable because the base station can detect certain environmental conditions, such as the maximum permissible exposure (MPE) at the UE, and the base station can modify the panel configuration accordingly. Additionally, in some aspects, the described apparatus and methods for determining the timing of actions for activating or deactivating antenna panels at the UE can ensure that the UE has sufficient time to activate the panels, or can ensure that the base station has sufficient time to map the beam indication of the antenna panel to be deactivated to other activated antenna panels, etc.

[0030] Several aspects of a telecommunications system will now be presented with reference to various apparatuses and methods. These apparatuses and methods will be described in detail below and illustrated in the accompanying drawings by various blocks, components, circuits, processes, algorithms, etc. (collectively, “elements”). These elements can be implemented using electronic hardware, computer software, or any combination thereof. Whether such an element is implemented as hardware or software depends on the specific application and the design constraints imposed on the entire system.

[0031] As an example, an element, any part of an element, or any combination of elements can be implemented as a "processing system" including one or more processors. Examples of processors include microprocessors, microcontrollers, graphics processing units (GPUs), central processing units (CPUs), application processors, digital signal processors (DSPs), reduced instruction set computing (RISC) processors, system-on-a-chip (SoCs), baseband processors, field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), programmable logic devices (PLDs), state machines, logic gates, discrete hardware circuits, and other suitable hardware configured to implement the various functions described in this disclosure. One or more processors in a processing system can run software. Whether referred to as software, firmware, middleware, microcode, hardware description language, or other forms, software should be interpreted broadly as meaning instructions, instruction sets, code, code segments, program code, programs, subroutines, software components, applications, software applications, software packages, routines, subroutines, objects, executable files, threads of execution, procedures, functions, and so on.

[0032] Therefore, in one or more examples, the described functionality can be implemented in hardware, software, or any combination thereof. If implemented in software, the functionality can be stored or encoded as one or more instructions or code on or through a computer-readable medium. Computer-readable media includes computer storage media. Storage media can be any available medium that can be accessed by a computer. By way of example and not limitation, such computer-readable storage media can include random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), electrically erasable programmable ROM (EEPROM), optical disc storage, magnetic disk storage, other magnetic storage devices, combinations of computer-readable media of the foregoing types, or any other medium that can be used to store computer-executable code in the form of computer-accessible instructions or data structures.

[0033] Figure 1 This is a diagram illustrating an example of a wireless communication system 100. The wireless communication system 100 (also known as a wireless wide area network (WWAN)) includes a base station 102, a user interface (UE) 104, an evolved packet core network (EPC) 160, and another core network 190 (e.g., a 5G core (5GC)). The base station 102 may include macro cells (high-power cellular base stations) or small cells (low-power cellular base stations). A macro cell contains a base station. Small cells include femtocells, picocells, and microcells.

[0034] Base station 102 configured for 4G LTE (collectively referred to as Evolved Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) Terrestrial Radio Access Network (E-UTRAN)) can interface with EPC 160 via a first backhaul link 132 (e.g., S1 interface). Base station 102 configured for 5G NR (collectively referred to as Next Generation RAN (NG-RAN)) can interface with core network 190 via a second backhaul link 184. Among other functions, base station 102 can also perform functions related to one or more of the following: transmitting user data, radio channel encryption and decryption, integrity protection, header compression, mobility control functions (e.g., handover, dual connectivity), inter-cell interference coordination, connection setup and release, load balancing, distribution of Non-Access Layer (NAS) messages, NAS node selection, synchronization, Radio Access Network (RAN) sharing, Multimedia Broadcast Multicast Service (MBMS), subscriber and device tracking, RAN Information Management (RIM), paging, location, and delivery of warning messages. Base stations 102 can communicate with each other directly or indirectly (e.g., via EPC 160 or core network 190) via a third backhaul link 134 (e.g., an X2 interface). The third backhaul link 134 can be wired or wireless.

[0035] Base station 102 can wirelessly communicate with UE 104. Each base station 102 can provide communication coverage for its respective geographic coverage area 110. Overlapping geographic coverage areas 110 may exist. For example, small cell 102a may have coverage area 110a that overlaps with the coverage areas 110 of one or more macro base stations 102. A network that includes both small cells and macro cells can be referred to as a heterogeneous network. A heterogeneous network may also include home evolution node B (eNB) (HeNB) that can provide services to a restricted group called a closed subscriber group (CSG). The communication link 120 between base station 102 and UE 104 may include uplink (UL) (also known as reverse link) transmission from UE 104 to base station 102 and / or downlink (DL) (also known as forward link) transmission from base station 102 to UE 104. The communication link 120 may use multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) antenna technology, including spatial multiplexing, beamforming, or transmit diversity. The communication link may use one or more carriers. Base station 102 / UE 104 can allocate up to Y MHz (e.g., 5, 10, 15, 20, 100, 400 MHz, etc.) of spectrum bandwidth for each carrier in carrier aggregation up to a total of Yx MHz (x component carriers) for transmission in each direction. Carriers can be adjacent to each other or not. Carrier allocation can be asymmetrical relative to DL and UL (e.g., more or fewer carriers can be allocated to DL compared to UL). Component carriers can contain primary component carriers and one or more secondary component carriers. The primary component carrier can be referred to as the primary cell (PCell), while the secondary component carrier can be referred to as the secondary cell (SCell).

[0036] Some UEs 104 can communicate with each other using device-to-device (D2D) communication link 158. D2D communication link 158 can use DL / UL WWAN spectrum. D2D communication link 158 can use one or more sidelink channels, such as Physical Sidelink Broadcast Channel (PSBCH), Physical Sidelink Discovery Channel (PSDCH), Physical Sidelink Shared Channel (PSSCH), and Physical Sidelink Control Channel (PSCCH). D2D communication can be performed through various wireless D2D communication systems, such as FlashLinQ, WiMedia, Bluetooth, ZigBee, Wi-Fi based on the IEEE 802.11 standard, LTE, or NR.

[0037] The wireless communication system may further include a Wi-Fi access point (AP) 150 that communicates with a Wi-Fi station (STA) 152 via a communication link 154 in the 5 GHz unlicensed spectrum. When communicating in the unlicensed spectrum, the STA 152 / AP 150 may perform a free channel assessment (CCA) before communication to determine whether the channel is available.

[0038] Small cell 102a can operate in either licensed or unlicensed spectrum. When operating in unlicensed spectrum, small cell 102a can employ NR and use the same 5 GHz unlicensed spectrum as Wi-Fi AP 150. Using NR in unlicensed spectrum can increase coverage or capacity of the access network.

[0039] Base station 102, whether a small cell 102a or a large cell (e.g., a macro base station), may include or be referred to as an eNB, gNodeB (gNB), or another type of base station. Some base stations, such as gNB 180, may operate in the conventional sub-6 GHz spectrum at millimeter wave (mmW) frequencies or communicate with UE 104 at near-mmW frequencies. When gNB 180 operates at mmW or near-mmW frequencies, it may be referred to as an mmW base station. Extremely high frequency (EHF) is a portion of the electromagnetic spectrum that contains radio frequency (RF). EHF has a range from 30 GHz to 300 GHz, with wavelengths between 1 mm and 10 mm. Radio waves in this band may be referred to as millimeter waves. Near-mmW may extend down to 3 GHz frequencies with wavelengths of 100 mm. Ultra-high frequency (SHF) bands extend between 3 GHz and 30 GHz and are also known as centimeter waves. Communication using mmW / near-mmW radio bands (e.g., 3 GHz–300 GHz) has extremely high path loss and short range. mmW base station 180, together with UE 104, can utilize beamforming to generate a beamformed signal 182 (also referred to as a “beam”) to compensate for extremely high path loss and short range. Base station 180 and UE 104 may each include multiple antennas, such as antenna elements, antenna panels, or antenna arrays, to facilitate beamforming. Although base station 102 and mmW base station 180 are shown separately, aspects described herein with respect to base station 102 can relate to and can be implemented by mmW base station 180.

[0040] Base station 180 can transmit beamformed signals to UE 104 in one or more transmit directions. UE 104 can receive beamformed signals from base station 180 in one or more receive directions. UE 104 can also transmit beamformed signals to base station 180 in one or more transmit directions. Base station 180 can receive beamformed signals from UE 104 in one or more receive directions. Base station 180 / UE 104 can perform beam training to determine the optimal receive and transmit directions for each of base station 180 / UE 104. The transmit and receive directions of base station 180 can be the same or different. The transmit and receive directions of UE 104 can be the same or different.

[0041] EPC 160 may include Mobility Management Entity (MME) 162, other MMEs 164, Serving Gateway 166, Multimedia Broadcast Multicast Service (MBMS) Gateway 168, Broadcast Multicast Service Center (BM-SC) 170, and Packet Data Network (PDN) Gateway 172. MME 162 can communicate with Home Subscriber Server (HSS) 174. MME 162 is the control node that handles signaling between UE 104 and EPC 160. Typically, MME 162 provides bearer and connection management. All user Internet Protocol (IP) packets are transmitted through Serving Gateway 166, which is itself connected to PDN Gateway 172. PDN Gateway 172 provides UE IP address allocation and other functions. PDN Gateway 172 and BM-SC 170 are connected to IP Service 176. IP Service 176 may include the Internet, intranet, IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS), PS streaming service, or other IP services. The BM-SC 170 provides functions for MBMS user service configuration and delivery. The BM-SC 170 can serve as an entry point for content provider MBMS transmissions, authorize and initiate MBMS bearer services within a Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN), and schedule MBMS transmissions. The MBMS gateway 168 can distribute MBMS traffic to base station 102 belonging to a Multicast-Broadcast Single Frequency Network (MBSFN) area belonging to a broadcast-specific service, and can be responsible for session management (start / stop) and collecting charging information related to eMBMS.

[0042] The core network 190 may include Access and Mobility Management Functions (AMF) 192, other AMFs 193, Session Management Functions (SMF) 194, and User Plane Functions (UPF) 195. AMF 192 can communicate with Unified Data Management (UDM) 196. AMF 192 is the control node that handles signaling between UE 104 and the core network 190. Typically, AMF 192 provides QoS streaming and session management. All user Internet Protocol (IP) packets are transmitted through UPF 195. UPF 195 provides UE IP address allocation and other functions. UPF 195 connects to IP service 197. IP service 197 may include the Internet, intranet, IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS), PS streaming service, and / or other IP services.

[0043] Base stations may include and / or be referred to as gNB, Node B, eNB, access point, base transceiver, radio base station, radio transceiver, transceiver function, Basic Service Set (BSS), Extended Service Set (ESS), Transmitter Receiver Point (TRP), or other suitable terms. Base station 102 provides UE 104 with access to EPC 160 or core network 190. Examples of UE 104 include cellular phones, smartphones, Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) phones, laptops, personal digital assistants (PDAs), satellite radios, GPS devices, multimedia devices, video devices, digital audio players (e.g., MP3 players), cameras, game consoles, tablets, smart devices, wearable devices, vehicles, electricity meters, air pumps, large or small kitchen appliances, healthcare devices, implants, sensors / actuators, displays, or any other similar functional devices. Some UE 104 may be referred to as IoT devices (e.g., parking meters, air pumps, toasters, vehicles, heart monitors, etc.). UE 104 may also be referred to as a station, mobile station, subscriber station, mobile unit, subscriber unit, radio unit, remote unit, mobile device, radio device, wireless communication device, remote device, mobile subscriber station, access terminal, mobile terminal, radio terminal, remote terminal, handheld device, user agent, mobile client, client, or some other suitable term.

[0044] Refer again Figure 1In some aspects, UE 104 may include a communication component 198 configured to activate or deactivate an antenna panel at UE 104, or to determine the timing of an action for activating or deactivating the antenna panel. In some aspects, base station 102 may include a configuration component 199 configured to request activation or deactivation of an antenna panel at UE 104, or to determine the timing of an action for UE to activate or deactivate the antenna panel. Although the following description may be based on 5G NR and related characteristics, the concepts described herein may be applied to other domains or wireless communication technologies, such as LTE, LTE-A, CDMA, Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM), or future communication standards or technologies.

[0045] Figure 2A Figure 200 shows an example of the first subframe within a 5G / NR frame structure, including an extended view of the subframe. Figure 2B Figure 230 shows an example of a DL channel within a 5G / NR subframe. Figure 2C Figure 250 shows an example of a second subframe within a 5G / NR frame structure, including an extended view of the subframe. Figure 2D Figure 280 illustrates an example of a UL channel within a 5G / NR subframe. The 5G NR frame structure can be Frequency Division Duplex (FDD), where for a given set of subcarriers (carrier system bandwidth), subframes within that set are dedicated to either DL or UL; or the 5G NR frame structure can be Time Division Duplex (TDD), where for a given set of subcarriers (carrier system bandwidth), subframes within that set are dedicated to both DL and UL. Figure 2A and Figure 2C In the provided examples, it is assumed that the 5G / NR frame structure is TDD, where subframe 4 is configured with slot format 28 (primarily DL), where D is DL, U is UL, and X is flexibly used between DL and UL, and subframe 3 is configured with slot format 34 (mostly UL). Although subframes 3 and 4 are shown with slot formats 34 and 28 respectively, any particular subframe can be configured with any of the various available slot formats 0-61. Slot formats 0 and 1 are both DL and UL, respectively. Other slot formats 2-61 contain a mixture of DL, UL, and flexible symbols. The slot format is configured for the UE via the received Slot Format Indicator (SFI) (dynamically via DL Control Information (DCI) or semi-statically / statically via Radio Resource Control (RRC) signaling). Note that the description shown herein also applies to 5G / NR frame structures as TDD.

[0046] Other wireless communication technologies can have different frame structures or different channels. A frame (10 ms) can be divided into 10 equal-sized subframes (1 ms). Each subframe can contain one or more time slots. Subframes can also contain smaller time slots, which can contain 7, 4, or 2 symbols. Each time slot can contain 7 or 14 symbols, depending on the time slot configuration. For time slot configuration 0, each time slot can contain 14 symbols, and for time slot configuration 1, each time slot can contain 7 symbols. Symbols on the DL can be Cyclic Prefix (CP) OFDM (CP-OFDM) symbols. Symbols on the UL can be CP-OFDM symbols (for high-throughput scenarios) or Discrete Fourier Transform (DFT) Extended OFDM (DFT-s-OFDM) symbols (also known as Single Carrier Frequency Division Multiple Access (SC-FDMA) symbols) (for power-constrained scenarios; limited to single-stream transmission). The number of time slots within a subframe is based on the time slot configuration and the numbering. For slot configuration 0, different numbers μ0 through 5 allow each subframe to have 1, 2, 4, 8, 16, and 32 slots, respectively. For slot configuration 1, different numbers 0 through 2 allow each subframe to have 2, 4, and 8 slots, respectively. Therefore, for slot configuration 0 and number μ, each slot has 14 symbols, and each subframe has 2... μ Each time slot. The subcarrier spacing and symbol length / duration are functions of digital parameters. The subcarrier spacing can be equal to 2. μ *15kHz, where μ is a digit from 0 to 5. Similarly, a digital parameter μ = 0 has a subcarrier spacing of 15kHz, and a digital parameter μ = 5 has a subcarrier spacing of 480kHz. The symbol length / duration is inversely proportional to the subcarrier spacing. Figure 2A-2D An example of slot configuration 0 is provided, in which each slot has 14 symbols, and for the number μ = 0, each subframe has 1 slot. The subcarrier spacing is 15 kHz, and the symbol duration is approximately 66.7 μs.

[0047] A resource grid can be used to represent the frame structure. Each time slot contains a resource block (RB) that extends 12 consecutive subcarriers (also known as a physical RB (PRB)). The resource grid is divided into multiple resource elements (REs). The number of bits carried by each RE depends on the modulation scheme.

[0048] like Figure 2A As explained, some REs carry reference (pilot) signals (RS) for the UE. The RS may include a demodulated RS (DM-RS) (indicated as R for a specific configuration). x(where 100x is the port number, but other DM-RS configurations are also possible) and the Channel State Information Reference Signal (CSI-RS) used for channel estimation at the UE. The RS may also include the Beam Measurement RS (BRS), Beam Refinement RS (BRRS), and Phase Tracking RS (PT-RS).

[0049] Figure 2B Examples of various DL channels within a subframe of a frame are shown. The Physical Downlink Control Channel (PDCCH) carries the DCI in one or more Control Channel Elements (CCEs), each CCE containing nine RE Groups (REGs), each REG containing four consecutive REs in OFDM symbols. The Primary Synchronization Signal (PSS) can be within symbol 2 of a specific subframe of the frame. UE 104 uses the PSS to determine subframe / symbol timing and physical layer identifiers. The Secondary Synchronization Signal (SSS) can be within symbol 4 of a specific subframe of the frame. The UE uses the SSS to determine the Physical Layer Cell Identifier Group Number and radio frame timing. Based on the Physical Layer Identifier and Physical Layer Cell Identifier Group Number, the UE can determine the Physical Cell Identifier (PCI). Based on the PCI, the UE can determine the location of the aforementioned DM-RS. The Physical Broadcast Channel (PBCH) carrying the Primary Information Block (MIB) can be logically grouped with the PSS and SSS to form a Synchronization Signal (SS) / PBCH block. The MIB provides numerous RBs in the system bandwidth and system frame number (SFN). The Physical Downlink Shared Channel (PDSCH) carries user data and broadcast system information not transmitted via the PBCH, such as System Information Blocks (SIBs) and paging messages.

[0050] like Figure 2C As illustrated, some REs carry DM-RS for channel estimation at the base station (indicated as R for a specific configuration, but other DM-RS configurations are also possible). The UE can transmit DM-RS for the Physical Uplink Control Channel (PUCCH) and DM-RS for the Physical Uplink Shared Channel (PUSCH). The PUSCH DM-RS can be transmitted in the first one or two symbols preceding the PUSCH. Depending on whether a short or long PUCCH is transmitted and depending on the specific PUCCH format used, the PUCCH DM-RS can be transmitted in different configurations. Although not shown, the UE can transmit a Sounding Reference Signal (SRS). The base station can use the SRS for channel quality estimation to enable frequency-dependent scheduling on the UL.

[0051] Figure 2DExamples of various UL channels within a subframe of a frame are shown. The PUCCH can be positioned as indicated in one configuration. The PUCCH carries uplink control information (UCI), such as scheduling requests, channel quality indicators (CQI), pre-decoding matrix indicators (PMI), rank indicators (RI), and hybrid automatic repeat / request (HARQ) acknowledgment (ACK / NACK) feedback. The PUCCH carries data and can additionally be used to carry buffer status reports (BSR), power headroom reports (PHR), or UCI.

[0052] Figure 3 This is a block diagram of an example base station 310 communicating with an example UE 350 in the access network. In the DL, IP packets from EPC 160 can be provided to the controller / processor 375. The controller / processor 375 implements Layer 3 and Layer 2 functions. Layer 3 includes the Radio Resource Control (RRC) layer, and Layer 2 includes the Service Data Adaptation Protocol (SDAP) layer, Packet Data Convergence Protocol (PDCP) layer, Radio Link Control (RLC) layer, and Media Access Control (MAC) layer. The controller / processor 375 provides RRC layer functions associated with broadcasting system information (e.g., MIB and SIB), RRC connection control (e.g., RRC connection paging, RRC connection establishment, RRC connection modification, and RRC connection release), inter-Radio Access Technology (RAT) mobility, and measurement configuration for UE measurement reporting; PDCP layer functions associated with header compression / decompression, security (encryption, decryption, integrity protection, integrity verification), and handover support functions; RLC layer functions associated with upper-layer packet data unit (PDU) transmission, error correction via automatic repeat / request (ARQ), concatenation, segmentation, and reassembly of RLC service data units (SDUs), resegmentation of RLC data PDUs, and reordering of RLC data PDUs; and MAC layer functions associated with mapping between logical channels and transport channels, multiplexing of MAC SDUs to transport blocks (TBs), demultiplexing of MAC SDUs from TBs, scheduling information reporting, error correction via HARQ, priority processing, and logical channel prioritization.

[0053] Transmit (TX) processor 316 and receive (RX) processor 370 implement Layer 1 functions associated with various signal processing functions. Layer 1, which includes the physical (PHY) layer, may include error detection on the transport channel, forward error correction (FEC) encoding / decoding of the transport channel, interleaving, rate matching, mapping to the physical channel, modulation / demodulation of the physical channel, and MIMO antenna processing. TX processor 316 processes the mapping to the signal constellation based on various modulation schemes (e.g., binary phase shift keying (BPSK), quadrature phase shift keying (QPSK), M-phase shift keying (M-PSK), M-quadrature amplitude modulation (M-QAM)). The encoded and modulated symbols can then be segmented into parallel streams. Each stream can then be mapped to OFDM subcarriers, multiplexed with a reference signal (e.g., a pilot) in the time or frequency domain, and then combined using inverse fast Fourier transform (IFFT) to produce a physical channel carrying a time-domain OFDM symbol stream. The OFDM streams are spatially pre-coded to produce multiple spatial streams. The channel estimate from channel estimator 374 can be used to determine coding and modulation schemes, as well as for spatial processing. The channel estimate can be derived from a reference signal transmitted by UE 350 or from channel condition feedback. Each spatial stream can then be provided to a different antenna 320 via a separate transmitter 318TX. Each transmitter 318TX can use the corresponding spatial stream to modulate an RF carrier for transmission.

[0054] At UE 350, each receiver 354RX receives signals via its respective antenna 352. Each receiver 354RX recovers the information modulated onto the RF carrier and provides this information to the receive (RX) processor 356. The TX processor 368 and RX processor 356 implement Layer 1 functions associated with various signal processing functions. The RX processor 356 can perform spatial processing on the information to recover any spatial streams leading to UE 350. If multiple spatial streams are leading to UE 350, they can be combined by the RX processor 356 into a single OFDM symbol stream. The RX processor 356 then uses a Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) to convert the OFDM symbol stream from the time domain to the frequency domain. The frequency domain signal includes a separate OFDM symbol stream for each subcarrier of the OFDM signal. By determining the most probable signal constellation points transmitted by the base station 310, the symbols on each subcarrier, along with the reference signal, can be recovered and demodulated. These soft decisions can be based on a channel estimate calculated by the channel estimator 358. The soft decision is then decoded and deinterleaved to recover the data and control signals originally transmitted by base station 310 on the physical channel. The data and control signals are then provided to controller / processor 359, which implements Layer 3 and Layer 2 functions.

[0055] The controller / processor 359 may be associated with a memory 360 that stores program code and data. The memory 360 may be referred to as a computer-readable medium. In the UL, the controller / processor 359 provides demultiplexing, packet reassembly, decryption, header decompression, and control signal processing between the transport and logical channels to recover IP packets from the EPC 160. The controller / processor 359 is also responsible for error detection using ACK or NACK protocols to support HARQ operation.

[0056] Similar to the functions described in the DL transmission combined with base station 310, controller / processor 359 provides RRC layer functions associated with system information (e.g., MIB and SIB) acquisition, RRC connectivity, and measurement reporting; PDCP layer functions associated with header compression / decompression and security (encryption, decryption, integrity protection, and integrity verification); RLC layer functions associated with upper-layer PDU transmission, error correction via ARQ, concatenation, segmentation, and reassembly of RLC SDUs, resegmentation of RLC data PDUs, and reordering of RLC data PDUs; and MAC layer functions associated with mapping between logical channels and transport channels, multiplexing of MAC SDUs to TBs, demultiplexing of MAC SDUs from TBs, scheduling information reporting, error correction via HARQ, priority processing, and logical channel priority.

[0057] The channel estimate derived by the channel estimator 358 from the reference signal or feedback transmitted from the base station 310 can be used by the TX processor 368 to select an appropriate coding and modulation scheme and facilitate spatial processing. The spatial stream generated by the TX processor 368 can be provided to different antennas 352 via individual transmitters 354TX. Each transmitter 354TX can use the corresponding spatial stream to modulate an RF carrier for transmission.

[0058] The UL transmission is processed at base station 310 in a manner similar to that described in conjunction with the receiver function at UE 350. Each receiver 318RX receives the signal via its respective antenna 320. Each receiver 318RX recovers the information modulated onto the RF carrier and provides this information to RX processor 370.

[0059] The controller / processor 375 may be associated with a memory 376 that stores program code and data. The memory 376 may be referred to as a computer-readable medium. In the UL, the controller / processor 375 provides demultiplexing, packet reassembly, decryption, header decompression, and control signal processing between the transmission and logical channels to recover IP packets from the UE 350. IP packets from the controller / processor 375 may be provided to the EPC 160. The controller / processor 375 is also responsible for error detection using ACK or NACK protocols to support HARQ operation.

[0060] At least one of the TX processor 368, RX processor 356, and controller / processor 359 can be configured to perform operations related to... Figure 1 The communication components 198 are related to various aspects.

[0061] At least one of the TX processor 316, RX processor 370, and controller / processor 375 can be configured to perform operations related to... Figure 1 The configuration components 199 are related to various aspects.

[0062] Figure 4 This is a flowchart illustrating an example of a method 400 for activating or deactivating an antenna panel according to some aspects of this disclosure. Method 400 can be performed by a UE (such as UE 104, wireless communication device 800, or wireless communication device 900). In some examples, method 400 can be performed by a portion of UE 104, wireless communication device 800, or wireless communication device 900, such as including memory 360, memory 808, TX processor 368, RX processor 356, controller / processor 359, processor 806, or other components described herein.

[0063] Optionally, in block 402, the UE may determine to activate or deactivate at least one of a plurality of antenna panels at the UE. In some implementations, panel management component 912 may, for example, determine to activate or deactivate at least one of a plurality of antenna panels at the UE in conjunction with communication component 198 (which may include TX processor 368, RX processor 356, controller / processor 359, memory 360, receiver or transmitter 354, modem 802, radio 804, processor 806, memory 808, receiving component 908, transmitting component 910, or one or more of other components described herein). For example, panel management component 912 may determine to activate or deactivate at least one antenna panel based on various considerations, such as determining to reduce resource consumption at the UE 104 (e.g., entering or exiting a power-saving mode as part of it), detecting environmental conditions at the antenna panel (e.g., detecting congestion at the antenna panel caused by physical objects), etc. In another example, panel management component 912 can determine to activate or deactivate at least one antenna panel based on a request or instruction received from base station 102, which may indicate to activate or deactivate one or more antenna panels. For example, such a request or instruction may be received from base station 102 in RRC signaling, MAC control element (CE), or DCI in dynamically scheduled signaling.

[0064] In some examples, panel management component 912 may determine to activate or deactivate one or more antenna panels based on detecting one or more parameters or conditions (e.g., not receiving a request or instruction from base station 102). For example, panel management component 912 may determine activation or deactivation based on the total number of antenna panels activated after activation or deactivation (e.g., a threshold or difference between the current number of panels activated after activation or deactivation and the new number of panels activated), the panel status of one or more antenna panels, etc., or determine whether to activate or deactivate one or more antenna panels depending on base station 102.

[0065] In some examples, panel management component 912 can determine whether to activate or deactivate one or more antenna panels when the total number of activated antenna panels (e.g., as a result of activation or deactivation) increases, and can command activation or deactivation based on the base station when the total number of activated antenna panels remains constant or decreases. In a particular example, when the total number of activated panels increases, panel management component 912 can receive a panel status request from base station 102, or receive an instruction or request to modify the activation or deactivation of one or more antenna panels, and therefore, panel management component 912 can determine whether to reject, accept, or modify the activation or deactivation indicated in the request. In another particular example, when the total number of activated panels increases, panel management component 912 can directly notify base station 102 of the new panel status.

[0066] In another specific example, while the total number of activated panels remains constant or decreases, the panel management component 912 can receive instructions or requests from the base station 102 to activate or deactivate antenna panels (e.g., via receiving a panel status command from the base station, which may indicate which panel should be in which state, etc.). In another specific example, while the total number of activated panels remains constant or decreases, the panel management component 912 can issue a panel status request to the base station 102, or issue instructions or requests to modify the activation or deactivation of one or more antenna panels, which may be accepted, rejected, or modified by the base station 102.

[0067] In another example, similarly, panel management component 912 can determine to activate or deactivate one or more antenna panels while the total number of activated antenna panels (e.g., as a result of activation or deactivation) remains constant or decreases, and can command activation or deactivation based on the base station when the total number of activated antenna panels increases, as referenced herein. Figure 5 The method in block 502 of 500 is further described.

[0068] In another example, panel management component 912 can determine to activate one or more antenna panels based on the determination that no panel will be deactivated. In other words, for example, panel management component 912 can determine to activate but not deactivate one or more antenna panels, and can instruct UE 104 to deactivate the antenna panels depending on the base station. In such an example, panel management component 912 can activate antenna panels and can directly notify base station 102 that at least one panel is turned on. Furthermore, in such an example, if the base station issues a panel activation request, panel management component 912 can reject, accept, or modify the activation indicated in the request.

[0069] In another example, panel management component 912 can determine to deactivate one or more antenna panels based on the determination that no panel will be activated. In other words, for example, panel management component 912 can determine to deactivate but not activate one or more antenna panels, and can depend on the base station to command UE 104 to activate the antenna panels. In such an example, panel management component 912 can deactivate antenna panels and can directly notify base station 102 that at least one panel is off. Furthermore, in such an example, if the base station issues a panel deactivation request, panel management component 912 can reject, accept, or modify the deactivation indicated in the request.

[0070] Furthermore, in some examples, base station 102 can command UE 104 to disable but not activate one or more antenna panels. In such examples, panel management component 912 can issue a panel disable request to base station 102, and base station 102 can reject, accept, or modify the disable indicated in the request. Furthermore, in such examples, base station 102 can directly command UE 104 to disable any panel, and therefore, panel management component 912 can disable that panel. Furthermore, in some examples, base station 102 can command UE 104 to activate but not disable one or more antenna panels. In such examples, panel management component 912 can issue a panel activation request to base station 102, and base station 102 can reject, accept, or modify the activation indicated in the request. Furthermore, in such examples, base station 102 can directly command UE 104 to activate any panel, and therefore, panel management component 912 can activate that panel.

[0071] In yet another example, panel management component 912 may determine the activation and deactivation of the antenna panel, or may activate and deactivate both depending on a command from base station 102 (e.g., in a single instruction or request).

[0072] In method 400, at block 404, UE 104 may send an indication to the base station to activate or deactivate at least one of a plurality of antenna panels. In one aspect, panel management component 912 may, for example, in conjunction with one or more of communication component 198, TX processor 368, and RX processor 356, or controller / processor 359, memory 360, receiver or transmitter 354, modem 802, radio 804, processor 806, memory 808, receiving component 908, transmitting component 910, or other components, send an indication to the base station (e.g., base station 102) to activate or deactivate at least one of a plurality of antenna panels. In one example, the indication may include an indication that the UE wants to (or will) activate or deactivate at least one of a plurality of antenna panels. For example, the indication may include an indication of antenna panel activation, antenna panel deactivation, or both. The indication may also include a panel state of one or more antenna panels as active, inactive (which may include a deactivation level or deactivated state, such as light sleep or deep sleep, and the corresponding action time of the panel), etc. In some examples, the indication can also indicate the timing of the action for activation or deactivation, as further described herein, after which the base station can assume that the corresponding activation or deactivation takes effect at UE 104. In some examples, the panel management component 912 can send the indication as panel status information in an event trigger report. The panel management component 912 can detect reported event triggers, such as when the antenna panel status is changed at UE 104, when the UE determines to activate or deactivate the antenna panel (e.g., at box 402), etc. In some examples, the panel management component 912 can send the indication in the uplink control information (UCI) in the PUCCH / PUSCH, in the MAC-CE carrier in a known uplink grant or a new uplink grant requested by the UE via a scheduling request (SR), etc.

[0073] In method 400, at block 406, UE 104 may activate or deactivate at least one of a plurality of antenna panels based on sending the instruction. In one aspect, panel management component 912 may, for example, combine one or more of communication component 198, TX processor 368, and RX processor 356, or controller / processor 359, memory 360, receiver or transmitter 354, modem 802, radio 804, processor 806, memory 808, receiving component 908, transmitting component 910, or other components to activate or deactivate at least one of a plurality of antenna panels based on sending the instruction. In one example, panel management component 912 may activate or deactivate at least one of a plurality of antenna panels based on the action time, as further described herein. For example, panel management component 912 may activate an antenna panel by applying power to a physical antenna resource corresponding to the antenna panel, or deactivate an antenna panel by removing or reducing the power of a physical antenna source corresponding to the antenna panel. In another example, panel management component 912 can activate or deactivate an antenna panel by modifying a locally stored panel state for considering communication with base station 102. Furthermore, in some examples, panel management component 912 can determine to activate or deactivate the antenna panel based on a determined or indicated time of action, as further described herein.

[0074] In this regard, when activating or deactivating at least one of the multiple antenna panels at block 406, optionally at block 408, UE 104 may activate or deactivate at least one of the multiple antenna panels based on sending the indication and according to the timing of the action of UE activating or deactivating at least one of the multiple antenna panels. As described in further detail herein, this timing may be known at UE 104 and indicated in the configuration of UE 104, etc. This timing may allow the processing time at UE 104 or the base station to take further actions related to activating or deactivating the antenna panel before modifying the configuration of the antenna panel. For example, this timing may allow the processing time of operations such as mapping beam indication to or from an activated panel to a deactivated panel by the base station.

[0075] Figure 5This is a flowchart illustrating an example of a method 500 for determining whether to command a UE to activate or deactivate an antenna panel, according to some aspects of this disclosure. Method 500 may be performed by a base station (such as base station 102, wireless communication device 800, or wireless communication device 1000). In some examples, method 500 may be performed by a portion of base station 102, wireless communication device 800, or wireless communication device 1000, such as including memory 360, memory 808, TX processor 368, RX processor 356, controller / processor 359, processor 806, or other components described herein.

[0076] In block 502, the base station may determine to activate or deactivate at least one of a plurality of antenna panels at the UE. In some implementations, panel indication component 1012 may, for example, determine, in conjunction with configuration component 199 (which may include TX processor 368, RX processor 356, controller / processor 359, memory 360, receiver or transmitter 354, modem 802, radio 804, processor 806, memory 808, receiving component 1008, transmitting component 1010, or one or more of other components described herein) to activate or deactivate at least one of a plurality of antenna panels at the UE (e.g., UE 104). For example, panel indication component 1012 may determine to command UE 104 to activate or deactivate the at least one antenna panel based on various considerations, such as detecting environmental conditions at the antenna panel (e.g., detecting the MPE of the antenna panel).

[0077] In some examples, the panel indication component 1012 may determine to command the UE 104 to activate or deactivate one or more antenna panels based on the detection of one or more parameters or conditions (e.g., rather than commanding the UE 104 to autonomously determine to activate or deactivate one or more antenna panels). For example, the panel indication component 1012 may determine to command the UE 104 to activate or deactivate one or more antenna panels based on the total number of antenna panels activated after activation or deactivation (e.g., a threshold or difference between the current number of panels activated after activation or deactivation and the new number of panels activated), the panel status of one or more antenna panels, etc.

[0078] In some examples, panel indication component 1012 may determine to command UE 104 to activate or deactivate one or more antenna panels if the total number of activated antenna panels (e.g., as a result of activation or deactivation) remains the same or decreases by a certain value. Panel indication component 1012 may also command UE 104 to activate or deactivate antenna panels depending on the base station if the total number of activated antenna panels increases. In a particular example, if the total number of activated panels increases, panel indication component 1012 may send a panel status request to UE 104, or send an instruction or request to modify the activation or deactivation of one or more antenna panels, and thus UE 104 may determine to reject, accept, or modify the activation or deactivation indicated in the request. In another particular example, if the total number of activated panels increases, panel indication component 1012 may accept a new panel status indication from UE 104.

[0079] In another specific example, if the total number of activated panels remains constant or decreases, the panel indication component 1012 can send an instruction or request to the UE 104 to activate or deactivate an antenna panel (e.g., via receiving a panel status command from the base station, which may indicate which panel should be in which state, etc.). In another specific example, if the total number of activated panels remains the same or decreases, the panel indication component 1012 can receive a panel status request from the UE 104, or receive an instruction or request to modify the activation or deactivation of one or more antenna panels. This instruction or request may be accepted, rejected, or modified by the panel indication component 1012 to indicate one or more panels to be activated or deactivated.

[0080] In some examples, panel indication component 1012 can determine to command UE 104 to activate or deactivate one or more antenna panels if the total number of activated antenna panels (e.g., as a result of activation or deactivation) increases, and can command activation or deactivation based on the base station if the total number of activated antenna panels remains the same or decreases, as referenced above. Figure 4 The method described in box 402 of method 400.

[0081] In another example, UE 104 may activate but not deactivate one or more antenna panels, and may command UE 104 to deactivate the antenna panels depending on base station 102. In such an example, UE 104 may activate the antenna panels and may directly notify base station 102 that at least one panel is on. Furthermore, in such an example, if panel indication component 1012 issues a panel activation request, UE 104 may refuse, accept, or modify the activation indicated in the request. In another example, UE 104 may determine to deactivate but not activate one or more antenna panels, and may command UE 104 to activate the antenna panels depending on base station 102. In such an example, UE 104 may deactivate the antenna panels and may directly notify base station 102 that at least one panel is off. Furthermore, in such an example, if panel indication component 1012 issues a panel deactivation request, UE 104 may refuse, accept, or modify the deactivation indicated in the request.

[0082] Furthermore, in some examples, the panel management component 912 can determine to deactivate one or more antenna panels based on the determination that no panel will be activated. In other words, for example, the panel indication component 1012 can command the UE 104 to deactivate but not activate one or more antenna panels. In such an example, the UE 104 can issue a panel deactivation request to the base station 102, and the panel indication component 1012 can reject, accept, or modify the deactivation indicated in the request when commanding the UE 104 to activate or deactivate one or more antenna panels. Furthermore, in such an example, the panel indication component 1012 can directly command the UE 104 to deactivate any panel, and therefore, the UE 104 can deactivate that panel.

[0083] Furthermore, in some examples, the panel management component 912 can determine to activate one or more antenna panels based on the determination that no panel will be deactivated. In other words, for example, the panel indication component 1012 can command the UE 104 to activate but not deactivate one or more antenna panels. In such an example, the UE 104 can issue a panel activation request to the base station 102, and the panel indication component 1012 can reject, accept, or modify the activation indicated in the request when commanding the UE 104 to activate or deactivate one or more panels. Furthermore, in such an example, the panel indication component 1012 can directly command the UE 104 to activate any panel, and therefore, the UE 104 can activate that panel.

[0084] In yet another example, panel indication component 1012 may determine to command UE 104 to activate and deactivate the antenna panel (e.g., in a single instruction or request), or may in this case depend on UE 104 to determine activation and deactivation.

[0085] At block 504, base station 102 may send an indication to the UE to activate or deactivate at least one of a plurality of antenna panels. In some implementations, panel indication component 1012 may, for example, send an indication to the UE (e.g., UE 104) to activate or deactivate at least one of a plurality of antenna panels, in conjunction with configuration component 199 (which may include TX processor 368, RX processor 356, controller / processor 359, memory 360, receiver or transmitter 354, modem 802, radio 804, processor 806, memory 808, receiving component 1008, transmitting component 1010, or one or more of other components described herein). For example, panel indication component 1012 may send the indication in RRC signaling, MAC-CE in dynamic signaling, or DCI, etc. Furthermore, for example, configuration component 199 can determine the active antenna panel at UE 104 based on the determined activation or deactivation, and can use the determined active antenna panel when allocating resources for communication between UE 104 and base station 102. In some examples, configuration component 199 can associate the active antenna panel with the beam used in communication between UE 104 and base station 102.

[0086] Figure 6 Flowcharts of example methods 600 and 650 for activating or deactivating one or more antenna panels based on action time, according to some aspects of this disclosure, are shown. Method 600 or 650 may be performed by a UE (such as UE 104, wireless communication device 800, or wireless communication device 900). In some examples, method 600 or 650 may be performed by a portion of UE 104, wireless communication device 800, or wireless communication device 900 (such as by memory 360, memory 808, TX processor 368, RX processor 356, or controller / processor 359, processor 806, or other components).

[0087] In method 600, at block 602, the UE can determine whether to activate or deactivate at least one of a plurality of antenna panels at the UE to communicate with a base station. In some aspects, panel management component 912 can, for example, combine one or more of communication component 198, TX processor 368, and RX processor 356, or controller / processor 359, memory 360, receiver or transmitter 354, modem 802, radio 804, processor 806, memory 808, receiving component 908, transmitting component 910, or other components to determine whether to activate or deactivate at least one of a plurality of antenna panels at the UE to communicate with a base station (e.g., base station 102). For example, panel management component 912 can determine whether to activate or deactivate at least one of a plurality of antenna panels at the UE to communicate with a base station (e.g., base station 102) based on one or more of the above considerations or parameters (e.g., in...). Figure 4Method 400 (in box 402) determines whether to activate or deactivate at least one antenna panel.

[0088] In method 600, at block 604, the UE may determine the timing for activating or deactivating at least one of a plurality of antenna panels at the UE. In some aspects, timing determination component 914 may, for example, combine one or more of communication component 198, TX processor 368, and RX processor 356, or controller / processor 359, memory 360, receiver or transmitter 354, modem 802, radio 804, processor 806, memory 808, receiving component 908, transmitting component 910, or other components to determine the timing for activating or deactivating at least one of a plurality of antenna panels at the UE. For example, timing determination component 914 may determine the timing to allow activation of an idle antenna panel, allow beam indication of a panel to be activated, etc. For example, if UE 104 makes / approves a panel deactivation decision / request, base station 102 may use additional time to map one or more beam indications associated with the panel to be deactivated to one or more other panels, and timing determination component 914 may determine the timing for deactivating the panel based on this consideration. In another example, if the base station makes / approves a panel activation decision / request, the UE 104 may use additional time to activate the panel, and the timing determination component 914 may determine the action time for activating the panel based on this consideration.

[0089] In some examples, the action time may be the same or different for activation and deactivation. In this example, the timing determination component 914 may determine the action time based on whether the panel is activated or deactivated. Furthermore, in some examples, the timing determination component 914 may determine the action time as a value indicated by a wireless communication technology (such as 5G NR), which may be stored in the memory of the UE 104. In another example, the timing determination component 914 may determine the action time as or based on UE capabilities, which the communication component 198 may indicate to the base station 102 in UE capability signaling (e.g., via RRC). In yet another example, the timing determination component 914 may determine the action time from a configuration received from the base station 102, which may be received in an RRC configuration based on UE capabilities (e.g., which may be no less than those indicated in the UE capabilities) or vice versa. In yet another example, the configuration from the base station 102 may be dynamically signaled (e.g., in a panel activation or deactivation decision, request, or approval in a separate message), which may be MAC-CE / DCI. In other examples, similarly, the timing determination component 914 can be configured to the action timing of base station 102 in dynamic signaling (e.g., in a panel activation or deactivation decision, request, or approval in a separate message), which can be MAC-CE / UCI.

[0090] Furthermore, for example, the timing determination component 914 can determine the action time based on the configuration scenario. For instance, if the node that determines whether to activate or deactivate the panel is different from the node that maps the panel to the UE's beam (e.g., one node is UE 104, and the other is base station 102), the timing determination component 914 can determine the action time based on values ​​determined from wireless communication technology, indicated UE capabilities, or RRC signaling. Otherwise, the timing determination component 914 can determine the action time to be zero. In another example, if base station 102 both commands UE 104 to activate or deactivate the panel and maps the panel to the UE's beam, the timing determination component 914 can determine the panel deactivation time to be zero because UE 104 can immediately deactivate the panel.

[0091] In method 600, at block 606, the UE can activate or deactivate at least one of a plurality of antenna panels based on an action time. In some aspects, panel management component 912 can, for example, combine with one or more of communication component 198, TX processor 368, and RX processor 356, or controller / processor 359, memory 360, receiver or transmitter 354, modem 802, radio 804, processor 806, memory 808, receiving component 908, transmitting component 910, or other components to activate or deactivate at least one of a plurality of antenna panels based on an action time. For example, panel management component 912 can wait until an action time to perform activation or deactivation of at least one of a plurality of antenna panels.

[0092] Method 650 may include blocks 602, 604, and 606 described in method 600, and may include one or more additional optional blocks as described below. In method 650, optionally, at block 652, UE 104 may determine a start reference time for the operation time. In some aspects, the timing determination component 914 may determine the start reference time for the operation time, for example, in conjunction with one or more of the communication component 198, TX processor 368, and RX processor 356, or the controller / processor 359, memory 360, receiver or transmitter 354, modem 802, radio 804, processor 806, memory 808, receiving component 908, transmitting component 910, or other components. The panel management component 912 may activate or deactivate at least one of a plurality of antenna panels at the operation time determined according to the start reference time.

[0093] For example, the timing determination component 914 can determine the start reference time based on whether the UE 104 determines to activate or deactivate one or more panels or whether the base station 102 commands the UE 104 to activate or deactivate one or more panels. For instance, if the UE 104 determines to activate or deactivate one or more panels (e.g., autonomously or otherwise instructing the base station 102 that one or more panels are activated or deactivated), the timing determination component 914 can determine the start reference time from the end of the UL transmission carrying that decision or from the end of the corresponding feedback (e.g., ACK) received from the downlink transmission. In another example, if the base station 102 commands the UE 104 to activate or deactivate a panel, the timing determination component 914 can determine the start reference time from the end of the DL transmission carrying that instruction or from the end of the corresponding feedback (e.g., ACK) sent in the uplink transmission.

[0094] In another example, when UE 104 requests activation or deactivation of one or more panels and base station 102 determines panel activation or deactivation based on the request, timing determination component 914 can determine a start reference time starting from the end of the UL transmission carrying the request. The timing determination component becomes active when it receives approval or instruction for panel activation or deactivation from base station 102, or from the end of the DL transmission carrying approval or instruction based on the request, or from the end of a corresponding feedback (e.g., ACK) sent in an uplink transmission. In another example, when base station 102 requests activation or deactivation of one or more panels and UE 104 determines panel activation or deactivation based on the request, timing determination component 914 can determine a start reference time starting from the end of the DL transmission carrying the request. The timing determination component becomes active when the UE determines panel activation or deactivation, or when sending panel status to base station 102, or from the end of the UL transmission carrying panel status based on the request, or from the end of a corresponding feedback (e.g., ACK) received in a downlink transmission.

[0095] In method 650, optionally, at block 654, UE 104 may receive from the base station an indication that activation or deactivation may be performed before or after the action time. In some aspects, timing component 914 may, for example, be combined with one or more of communication component 198, TX processor 368, and RX processor 356, or controller / processor 359, memory 360, receiver or transmitter 354, modem 802, radio 804, processor 806, memory 808, receiving component 908, transmission component 910, or other components, to receive from the base station an indication that activation or deactivation may be performed before or after the action time. For example, base station 102 may dynamically notify UE 104 that panel activation or deactivation may be performed before the action time, and timing component 914 may receive the associated indication from base station 102. For example, after UE 104 decides to disable a panel and notifies base station 102, base station 102 may complete the mapping of one or more beam indicators associated with the panel to be disabled to other panels before the action time. In this case, base station 102 may instruct the UE to disable the panel before the action time for one or more purposes, such as saving power. This instruction may be explicit or implicit (e.g., the UE may disable the panel when no beam indicator is associated with it).

[0096] In another example, base station 102 may dynamically notify the UE that panel activation or deactivation can be performed after the action time, and timing determination component 914 may receive the associated indication from base station 102. For example, after UE 104 decides to deactivate a panel and notifies base station 102, base station 102 may not be able to complete the measurement before the action time to identify one or more new panels for mapping to one or more beam indications associated with the panel to be deactivated. In this case, base station 102 may indicate to the UE that more time is needed (e.g., an additional X milliseconds after the action time), and therefore, timing determination component 914 may extend the time for performing activation or deactivation of one or more antenna panels. In another example, similarly, timing determination component 914 may notify base station 102 of the updated action time based on whether the UE performs mapping before or after the action time.

[0097] Figure 7Flowcharts of example methods 700 and 750 for communication based on one or more antenna panels that are activated or deactivated on an action-time basis are shown according to some aspects of this disclosure. Method 700 or 750 may be performed by a base station (such as base station 102, wireless communication device 800, wireless communication device 1000). In some examples, method 700 or 750 may be performed by a portion of base station 102, wireless communication device 800, or wireless communication device 1000 (such as by memory 360, memory 808, TX processor 368, RX processor 356, or controller / processor 359, processor 806, or other components).

[0098] In method 700, optionally, at block 702, the base station can receive from the UE an indication to activate or deactivate at least one of a plurality of antenna panels at the UE. In some aspects, panel indication component 1012 may, for example, in conjunction with one or more of configuration component 199, TX processor 368, and RX processor 356, or controller / processor 359, memory 360, receiver or transmitter 354, modem 802, radio 804, processor 806, memory 808, receiving component 1008, transmitting component 1010, or other components, receive from the UE (e.g., UE 104) an indication to activate or deactivate at least one of a plurality of antenna panels at the UE. In one example, the indication may include an indication that the UE wants to (or will) activate or deactivate at least one of a plurality of antenna panels. For example, panel indication component 1012 may receive the indication from UE 104 in UCI or other control signaling, UE capability information, etc.

[0099] In method 700, optionally at block 704, the base station may determine to activate or deactivate at least one of a plurality of antenna panels at the UE. In some aspects, panel indication component 1012 may, for example, combine configuration component 199, TX processor 368, and RX processor 356, or controller / processor 359, memory 360, receiver or transmitter 354, modem 802, radio 804, processor 806, memory 808, receiving component 1008, transmitting component 1010, or other components to determine to activate or deactivate at least one of a plurality of antenna panels at the UE (e.g., UE 104). For example, panel indication component 912 may determine to activate or deactivate at least one antenna panel (e.g., by requesting or commanding UE 104 to activate or deactivate one or more panels based on one or more of the above considerations or parameters). Figure 5(In block 502 of method 500). In one example, panel indication component 1012 may determine to activate or deactivate at least one of a plurality of antenna panels based on an indication received from the UE (e.g., at block 702).

[0100] In method 700, optionally at block 706, the base station may determine the operating time of at least one of a plurality of antenna panels at the UE for activation or deactivation. In some aspects, timing determination component 1014 may, for example, combine with one or more of configuration component 199, TX processor 368, and RX processor 356, or controller / processor 359, memory 360, receiver or transmitter 354, modem 802, radio 804, processor 806, memory 808, receiving component 1008, transmitting component 1010, or other components to determine the operating time of at least one of a plurality of antenna panels at the UE for activation or deactivation. For example, timing determination component 1014 may determine the operating time to allow the UE to activate an idle antenna panel, allow beam indication of a panel to be activated, etc. For example, if UE 104 makes / approves a panel deactivation decision / request, panel indication component 1014 uses additional time to map one or more beam indications associated with the panel to be deactivated to one or more other panels, and timing determination component 1014 may determine the operating time for deactivating the panel based on this consideration. In another example, if the panel instruction component 1012 makes / approves a panel activation decision / request, the UE 104 may use additional time to activate the panel, and the timing determination component 1014 may determine the action time for activating the panel based on this consideration.

[0101] In some examples, the action time can be the same or different for activation and deactivation. In this example, the timing determination component 1014 can determine the action time based on whether the panel is activated or deactivated. Furthermore, in some examples, the timing determination component 1014 can determine the action time as a value indicated by a wireless communication technology (such as 5G NR), which can be stored in the memory of the UE 104. In another example, the timing determination component 1014 can determine the action time as a UE capability, which the configuration component 199 can receive from the UE 104 in UE capability signaling (e.g., via RRC). In yet another example, the timing determination component 1014 can determine the action time as indicated in the configuration from the configuration component 199, which can be based on the UE capability (e.g., it can be no less than that indicated in the UE capability) or vice versa. In yet another example, the configuration component 199 can dynamically signal the configuration indicating the action time (e.g., in a panel activation or deactivation decision, request, or approval in a separate message), which can be MAC-CE / DCI. In other examples, similarly, UE 104 may configure the action timing of base station 102 in dynamic signaling (e.g., in a panel activation or deactivation decision, request, or approval in a separate message), which may be in MAC-CE / UCI and may be received or determined by configuration component 199 or timing determination component 1014.

[0102] Furthermore, for example, the timing determination component 1014 can determine the action time based on the configuration scenario. For instance, if the node that determines whether to activate or deactivate the panel is different from the node that maps the panel to the UE's beam (e.g., one node is UE 104 and the other is base station 102), the timing determination component 1014 can determine the action time based on values ​​determined from wireless communication technology, indicated UE capabilities, or RRC signaling. Otherwise, the timing determination component 1014 can determine the action time to be zero. In another example, if the panel indication component 1012 both commands UE 104 to activate or deactivate the panel and maps the panel to the UE's beam, the timing determination component 1014 can determine the panel deactivation time to be zero because UE 104 can immediately deactivate the panel.

[0103] In method 700, at block 708, the base station can communicate with the UE based on an action time when the UE has activated or deactivated at least one of a plurality of antenna panels. In some aspects, configuration component 199 can, for example, communicate with the UE based on (or according to) an action time, in conjunction with one or more of TX processor 368 and RX processor 356, or controller / processor 359, memory 360, receiver or transmitter 354, modem 802, radio 804, processor 806, memory 808, receiving component 1008, transmitting component 1010, or other components, when the UE has activated or deactivated at least one of a plurality of antenna panels. For example, configuration component 199 can configure uplink or downlink communication with UE 104 based on a set of activated antenna panels after activation or deactivation, as illustrated in the figure.

[0104] Method 750 may include blocks 702, 704, 706, and 708 described in method 700, and may include one or more additional optional blocks described below. Optionally, in method 750, at block 752, base station 102 may determine a start reference time for the operation time. In some aspects, time determination component 1014 may determine the start reference time for the operation time, for example, in conjunction with one or more of configuration component 199, TX processor 368, and RX processor 356, or controller / processor 359, memory 360, receiver or transmitter 354, modem 802, radio 804, processor 806, memory 808, receiving component 1008, transmitting component 1010, or other components. Panel indication component 1012 may determine the activation or deactivation of at least one of a plurality of antenna panels at the operation time determined according to the start reference time.

[0105] For example, the timing determination component 1014 can determine the start reference time based on whether the UE 104 determines to activate or deactivate one or more panels, or whether the panel indication component 1012 commands the UE 104 to activate or deactivate one or more panels. For instance, if the UE 104 determines to activate or deactivate one or more panels (e.g., autonomously or otherwise instructing the base station 102 that one or more panels are activated or deactivated), the timing determination component 1014 can determine the start reference time from the end of the UL transmission carrying that decision or from the end of the corresponding feedback (e.g., ACK) sent in the downlink transmission. In another example, if the panel indication component 1012 commands the UE 104 to activate or deactivate a panel, the timing determination component 1014 can determine the start reference time from the end of the DL transmission carrying that instruction or from the end of the corresponding feedback (e.g., ACK) received in the uplink transmission.

[0106] In another example, if UE 104 requests activation or deactivation of one or more panels and panel indication component 1012 determines panel activation or deactivation based on the request, timing determination component 1014 may determine a start reference time from the end of the UL transmission carrying the request, and the timing determination component becomes effective when panel indication component 1012 determines or sends approval or instruction for panel activation or deactivation, or when the DL transmission carrying approval or instruction based on the request ends, or when a corresponding feedback (e.g., ACK) received in the uplink transmission ends. In another example, when panel indication component 1012 requests activation or deactivation of one or more panels and UE 104 determines panel activation or deactivation based on the request, timing determination component 1014 may determine a start reference time from the end of the DL transmission carrying the request, and the timing determination component becomes active when the UE determines to activate or deactivate the panel, or when it receives panel status from UE 104, or when the UL transmission carrying panel status based on the request ends, or when the corresponding feedback (e.g., ACK) sent to UE 104 in the downlink transmission ends.

[0107] In method 750, optionally, at block 754, base station 102 may send an indication to the UE that activation or deactivation can be performed before or after the action time. In some aspects, timing component 1014 may, for example, in conjunction with one or more of configuration component 199, TX processor 368, and RX processor 356, or controller / processor 359, memory 360, receiver or transmitter 354, modem 802, radio 804, processor 806, memory 808, receiving component 1008, transmitting component 1010, or other components, send the indication to the UE that activation or deactivation can be performed before or after the action time. In some examples, timing component 1014 may dynamically notify the UE 104 panel that activation or deactivation can be performed before the action time. For example, after UE 104 decides to disable a panel and notifies base station 102, the panel indication component 1012 may complete mapping one or more beam indications associated with the panel to be disabled to other panels before the action time. In this case, the timing determination component 1014 may instruct the UE to disable the panel before the action time to save power. This instruction may be explicit or implicit (e.g., the UE may disable the panel when no beam indication is associated with it), and therefore, the timing determination component 1014 may determine the early action time used by UE 104.

[0108] In another example, the timing determination component 1014 can dynamically notify the UE that panel activation or deactivation can be performed after the action time. For example, after the UE 104 decides to deactivate a panel and notifies the base station 102, the panel indication component 1012 may not be able to complete the measurement to identify one or more new panels for mapping to one or more beam indications associated with the panel to be deactivated before the action time. In this case, the timing determination component 1014 can indicate to the UE that more time is needed (e.g., an additional X milliseconds after the action time), and therefore, the timing determination component can determine to extend the action time for performing activation or deactivation of one or more antenna panels at the UE 104. In another example, similarly, the timing determination component 1014 can receive an updated action time from the UE 104 based on whether the UE performs mapping before or after the action time.

[0109] Figure 8 A block diagram showing an example of a wireless communication device 800 that supports activating or deactivating an antenna panel according to some aspects of this disclosure. In some implementations, the wireless communication device 800 may be for a UE (such as reference UE). Figure 1 Examples of devices in one of the described UEs 104. In some implementations, the wireless communication device 800 may be for a base station (such as reference UE 104 ... Figure 1 Examples of devices in the described base station 102. Wireless communication device 800 is capable of transmitting (or outputting for transmission) and receiving wireless communications (e.g., in the form of wireless packets). For example, the wireless communication device can be configured to transmit and receive packets in the form of PDCP PDUs and MAC PDUs.

[0110] The wireless communication device 800 may be or may include a chip, system-on-a-chip (SoC), chipset, package, or device that includes one or more modems 802 (collectively, "modem 802"), which may include a WWAN modem (e.g., a 3GPP 4G LTE or 5G compatible modem). In some implementations, the wireless communication device 800 may also include one or more radios 804 (collectively, "radio 804"). In some implementations, the wireless communication device 800 may further include one or more processors, processing blocks, or processing elements 806 (collectively, "processor 806") and one or more memory blocks or elements 808 (collectively, "memory 808").

[0111] Modem 802 may include intelligent hardware blocks or devices (e.g., application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs)). Modem 802 is generally configured to implement the PHY layer. For example, modem 802 is configured to modulate packets and output modulated packets to radio 804 for transmission over a wireless medium. Similarly, modem 802 is configured to acquire modulated packets received by radio 804 and demodulate these packets to provide demodulated packets. In addition to modulators and demodulators, modem 802 may further include digital signal processing (DSP) circuitry, automatic gain control (AGC), decoders, decoders, multiplexers, and demultiplexers. For example, when in transmission mode, data acquired from processor 806 is provided to a decoder, which encodes the data to provide encoded bits. The encoded bits are then mapped to points in a modulation constellation (using a selected MCS) to provide modulated symbols. The modulated symbols can then be mapped to a number of NSS spatial streams or a number of NSST spatial-temporal streams. Subsequently, the modulated symbols in the corresponding spatial or spatial-temporal stream can be multiplexed, transformed via an inverse fast Fourier transform (IFFT) block, and then provided to the DSP circuitry for windowing and filtering on the Tx. The digital signal can then be provided to a digital-to-analog converter (DAC). The resulting analog signal can then be provided to an up-converter and ultimately to Radio 804. In implementations involving beamforming, the modulated symbols in the corresponding spatial stream are pre-coded via a steering matrix before being provided to the IFFT block.

[0112] In receive mode, the digital signal received from radio 804 is provided to a DSP circuit, which is configured to acquire the received signal, for example, by detecting the presence of the signal and estimating the initial timing and frequency offset. The DSP circuit is further configured to digitally condition the digital signal, for example, using channel (narrowband) filtering, analog impairment conditioning (such as correcting I / Q imbalance), and applying digital gain to ultimately obtain a narrowband signal. The output of the DSP circuit can then be fed to an AGC, which is configured to use information extracted from the digital signal (e.g., in one or more received training fields) to determine an appropriate gain. The output of the DSP circuit is also coupled to a demodulator, which is configured to extract modulated symbols from the signal and, for example, calculate the log-likelihood ratio (LLR) for each bit position of each subcarrier in each spatial stream. The demodulator is coupled to a decoder, which is configured to process the LLR to provide decoded bits. The decoded bits from all spatial streams are then fed to a demultiplexer for demultiplexing. The demultiplexed bits can then be descrambled and provided to the MAC layer (processor 806) for processing, evaluation, or interpretation.

[0113] Radio 804 generally includes at least one radio frequency (RF) transmitter (or “transmitter chain”) and at least one RF receiver (or “receiver chain”), which can be combined into one or more transceivers. For example, the RF transmitter and receiver may include various DSP circuitry, including at least one power amplifier (PA) and at least one low-noise amplifier (LNA), respectively. The RF transmitter and receiver may then be coupled to one or more antennas. For example, in some implementations, wireless communication device 800 may include or be coupled to multiple transmitting antennas (each with a corresponding transmitting chain) and multiple receiving antennas (each with a corresponding receiving chain). Symbols output from modem 802 are provided to radio 804, which then transmits these symbols via the coupled antennas. Similarly, symbols received via the antennas are acquired by radio 804, which then provides these symbols to modem 802.

[0114] Processor 806 may include intelligent hardware blocks or devices designed to perform the functions described herein, such as, for example, processing cores, processing blocks, central processing units (CPUs), microprocessors, microcontrollers, digital signal processors (DSPs), application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), programmable logic devices (PLDs) (such as field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs)), discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof. Processor 806 processes information received via radio 804 and modem 802, and processes information to be output via modem 802 and radio 804 for transmission over a wireless medium. For example, processor 806 may implement a control plane and a MAC layer configured to perform various operations related to the generation and transmission of PDUs, frames, or packets. The MAC layer is configured to perform or facilitate frame decoding and decoding, spatial multiplexing, space-time block decoding (STBC), beamforming, and OFDMA resource allocation, and other operations or techniques. In some implementations, processor 806 may generally control modem 802 to cause the modem to perform the various operations described above.

[0115] Memory 808 may include tangible storage media, such as random access memory (RAM) or read-only memory (ROM), or combinations thereof. Memory 808 may also store non-transitory processor or computer-executable software (SW) code containing instructions that, when executed by processor 806, cause the processor to perform various operations described herein for wireless communication, including the generation, transmission, reception, and interpretation of PDUs, frames, or packets. For example, the various functions of the components disclosed herein, or the various blocks or steps of the methods, operations, processes, or algorithms disclosed herein, may be implemented as one or more modules of one or more computer programs.

[0116] Figure 9 A block diagram showing an example of a wireless communication device 900 that supports activating or deactivating an antenna panel according to some aspects of this disclosure is provided. In some implementations, the wireless communication device 900 is configured to perform the actions described above with reference to the respective references. Figure 4 and 6 Either of processes 400 and 600 is described. In some implementations, the wireless communication device 900 may be the one described above. Figure 8 Examples of implementations of the described wireless communication device 800. For example, the wireless communication device 900 may be a chip, SoC, chipset, package, or device that includes at least one processor and at least one modem (e.g., a Wi-Fi (IEEE 802.11) modem or a cellular modem).

[0117] Wireless communication device 900 includes a receiving component 908, a communication component 198, and a transmitting component 910. The communication component 198 may further include a panel management component 912 and a timing determination component 914. Each portion of one or more of components 912 and 914 may be implemented at least partially in hardware or firmware. In some implementations, at least one of components 912 and 914 is implemented at least partially as software stored in a memory (such as memory 808). For example, each portion of one or more of components 912 and 914 may be implemented as non-transitory instructions or code that can be implemented by a processor (such as processor 806) to perform the function or operation of the respective component.

[0118] The receiving component 908 is configured to receive an RX signal from another wireless communication device. The communication component 198 is configured to receive and measure the downlink beam via the transmission component 910 through one or more antenna panels, as described herein. Furthermore, as mentioned above, the panel management component 912 can activate or deactivate one or more antenna panels for communication with a base station, and the timing determination component 914 can determine the timing of actions to activate or deactivate one or more antenna panels.

[0119] Figure 10 A block diagram showing an example of a wireless communication device 1000 that supports activating or deactivating an antenna panel according to some aspects of this disclosure is provided. In some implementations, the wireless communication device 1000 is configured to perform the above-mentioned references. Figure 5 and 7 The processes 500 and 700 are described. In some implementations, the wireless communication device 1000 may be as described above. Figure 8Examples of implementations of the described wireless communication device 800. For example, the wireless communication device 1000 may be a chip, SoC, chipset, package, or device that includes at least one processor and at least one modem (e.g., a Wi-Fi (IEEE 802.11) modem or a cellular modem).

[0120] The wireless communication device 1000 includes a receiving component 1008, a configuration component 199, and a transmitting component 1010. The configuration component 199 may further include a panel indication component 1012 and a timing determination component 1014. Each portion of one or more of components 1012 or 1014 may be implemented at least partially in hardware or firmware. In some implementations, at least one of components 1012 or 1014 is implemented at least partially as software stored in a memory (such as memory 808). For example, each portion of one or more of components 1012 or 1014 may be implemented as non-transitory instructions or code that can be implemented by a processor (such as processor 806) to perform the function or operation of the respective component.

[0121] The receiving component 1008 is configured to receive an RX signal from another wireless communication device. In some implementations, the RX signal may include an uplink signal received from the UE 104. The configuration component 199 is configured to request, command, or determine the activation or deactivation of one or more antenna panels at the UE via the panel indication component 1012, or to determine the timing of the action for activating or deactivating one or more antenna panels at the UE via the timing determination component 1014.

[0122] The following aspects are merely illustrative and may be combined with aspects of other embodiments or teachings described herein without limitation.

[0123] Aspect 1 is a method for conducting wireless communication, the method comprising: a UE determining to activate or deactivate at least one of a plurality of antenna panels at the UE; sending an instruction to a base station to activate or deactivate at least one of the plurality of antenna panels; and activating or deactivating at least one of the plurality of antenna panels based on sending the instruction.

[0124] In aspect 2, the method according to aspect 1 includes, for at least one of a plurality of antenna panels, the indication indicating the state of one of the panels that is activated or deactivated, wherein the deactivated state includes a deactivated level and a corresponding action time.

[0125] In aspect 3, the method according to any one of aspects 1 or 2 includes, wherein the transmission indication is included in the uplink control information or in the MAC-CE, transmitting the indication to the base station.

[0126] In aspect 4, the method according to any one of aspects 1 to 3 includes, wherein the UE determines whether to activate or deactivate at least one of a plurality of antenna panels based on determining the number of activated antenna panels among the plurality of antenna panels.

[0127] In aspect 5, the method according to aspect 4 includes, wherein the UE determines to activate or deactivate at least one of a plurality of antenna panels based on determining, after performing activation or deactivation of at least one of the plurality of antenna panels, that the number of activated antenna panels results in the number of activated antenna panels being at least a threshold.

[0128] In aspect 6, the method according to any one of aspects 4 to 5 includes, wherein the UE determines to activate or deactivate at least one of a plurality of antenna panels based on determining, after performing activation or deactivation of at least one of the plurality of antenna panels, that the number of activated antenna panels results in the number of activated antenna panels being below a threshold.

[0129] In aspect 7, the method according to any one of aspects 1 to 6 includes, wherein the UE determines whether to activate or deactivate at least one of a plurality of antenna panels based on the fact that at least one of the plurality of antenna panels is determined not to be deactivated.

[0130] In aspect 8, the method according to any one of aspects 1 to 7 includes, wherein the UE determines whether to activate or deactivate at least one of a plurality of antenna panels based on the fact that at least one of the plurality of antenna panels is determined not to be activated.

[0131] Aspect 9 is a method for conducting wireless communication, the method comprising: a UE determining, by the UE, to activate or deactivate at least one of a plurality of antenna panels at the UE to communicate with a base station; a UE determining, by the UE, an operation time for activating or deactivating at least one of the plurality of antenna panels at the UE; and activating or deactivating at least one of the plurality of antenna panels based on the operation time.

[0132] In aspect 10, the method according to aspect 9 includes sending an instruction to a base station to activate or deactivate at least one of a plurality of antenna panels.

[0133] In aspect 11, the method according to aspect 10 includes determining the action time based on receiving an instruction from the base station to activate or deactivate at least one of a plurality of antenna panels.

[0134] In aspect 12, the method according to aspect 11 includes receiving the indication from the base station in RRC signaling, MAC-CE, or downlink control information.

[0135] In aspect 13, the method according to any one of aspects 10 to 12 includes determining the action time based on the time it takes for the base station to map a beam indication onto at least one of a plurality of antenna panels.

[0136] In aspect 14, the method according to any one of aspects 10 to 13 includes wherein activating or deactivating at least one of a plurality of antenna panels at the action time includes determining the action time based on a start reference time.

[0137] In aspect 15, the method according to aspect 14 includes determining a start reference time at which the sending of an instruction to a base station to activate or deactivate at least one of a plurality of antenna panels ends.

[0138] In aspect 16, the method according to any one of aspects 14 or 15 includes determining a start reference time at which the sending of an acknowledgment to the base station (receiving from the base station an indication to activate or deactivate at least one of a plurality of antenna panels) ends.

[0139] In aspect 17, the method according to any one of aspects 14 to 16 includes determining a start reference time that begins when the request to activate or deactivate at least one of a plurality of antenna panels is sent to the base station.

[0140] In aspect 18, the method according to aspect 17 includes determining that the start reference time is valid based on receiving approval for the request from the base station.

[0141] In aspect 19, the method according to any one of aspects 14 to 18 includes determining a start reference time that begins at the end of the approval process for receiving a request from a base station to activate or deactivate at least one of a plurality of antenna panels.

[0142] In aspect 20, the method according to any one of aspects 14 to 19 includes determining a start reference time that begins at the end of sending an approval confirmation to the base station (receiving from the base station an approval of a request to activate or deactivate at least one of a plurality of antenna panels).

[0143] In aspect 21, the method according to any one of aspects 10 to 20 includes wherein the operating time for activating at least one of the plurality of antenna panels is different from the operating time for deactivating at least one of the plurality of antenna panels.

[0144] In aspect 22, the method according to any one of aspects 10 to 21 includes, wherein the timing of the action is determined based on the UE capability indicated to the base station.

[0145] In aspect 23, the method according to any one of aspects 10 to 22 includes receiving an instruction from a base station to activate or deactivate at least one antenna panel, which can be performed before the action time, wherein the activation or deactivation of at least one antenna panel is based on the instruction and performed before the action time.

[0146] In aspect 24, the method according to aspect 23 includes wherein the indication is an explicit indication or an implicit indication determined based on a beam indication received from a base station.

[0147] In aspect 25, the method according to any one of aspects 10 to 24 includes receiving an instruction from a base station to activate or deactivate at least one antenna panel, which can be performed after the action time, wherein the activation or deactivation of at least one antenna panel is based on the instruction and performed after the action time.

[0148] Aspect 26 is a method for conducting wireless communication, the method comprising determining, by a base station, to activate or deactivate at least one of a plurality of antenna panels at a UE, wherein the determination is based on determining at least one of the following: determining the number of activated antenna panels among the plurality of antenna panels, determining that at least one antenna panel among the plurality of antenna panels is determined not to be deactivated, or determining that at least one antenna panel among the plurality of antenna panels is determined not to be activated; and sending an indication to the UE to activate or deactivate at least one antenna panel among the plurality of antenna panels.

[0149] In aspect 27, the method according to aspect 26 includes, wherein determining the number of activated antenna panels includes, after performing activation or deactivation of at least one of a plurality of antenna panels, determining the number of activated antenna panels to be at least a threshold.

[0150] In aspect 28, the method according to any one of aspects 26 to 27 includes determining that the number of activated antenna panels includes determining that the number of activated antenna panels is below a threshold after performing activation or deactivation of at least one of a plurality of antenna panels.

[0151] Aspect 29 is a method for conducting wireless communication, the method comprising: determining, by a base station, at least one of a plurality of antenna panels at a UE that is activated or deactivated; determining, by the base station, the operation time of at least one of the plurality of antenna panels at a UE that is activated or deactivated; and, based on the operation time, communicating with a UE that has activated or deactivated at least one of the plurality of antenna panels.

[0152] In aspect 30, the method according to aspect 29 includes sending an instruction to the UE to activate or deactivate at least one of a plurality of antenna panels.

[0153] In aspect 31, the method according to aspect 29 or 30 includes determining the action time based on receiving an indication from the UE to activate or deactivate at least one of a plurality of antenna panels.

[0154] In aspect 32, the method according to any one of aspects 29 to 31 includes determining the action time based on the time when the UE maps a beam indication to at least one of a plurality of antenna panels.

[0155] In aspect 33, the method according to any one of aspects 29 to 32 includes, wherein, communicating with a UE that has activated or deactivated at least one of a plurality of antenna panels at the action time includes determining the action time based on a start reference time.

[0156] In aspect 34, the method according to aspect 33 includes determining a start reference time at which the transmission of an instruction to the UE to activate or deactivate at least one of a plurality of antenna panels ends.

[0157] In aspect 35, the method according to any one of aspects 33 or 34 includes determining a start reference time at which the sending of an acknowledgment to the UE (receiving from the UE an indication to activate or deactivate at least one of a plurality of antenna panels) ends.

[0158] In aspect 36, the method according to any one of aspects 33 to 35 includes determining a start reference time that begins when the request to activate or deactivate at least one of a plurality of antenna panels is sent to the UE.

[0159] In aspect 37, the method according to aspect 36 includes determining that the start reference time is valid based on receiving approval of the request from the UE.

[0160] In aspect 38, the method according to any one of aspects 33 to 37 includes determining a start reference time that begins at the end of the approval process for receiving a request from the UE to activate or deactivate at least one of a plurality of antenna panels.

[0161] In aspect 39, the method according to any one of aspects 33 to 38 includes determining a start reference time at which the sending of an approval confirmation to the UE (receiving from the UE an approval of a request to activate or deactivate at least one of a plurality of antenna panels) ends.

[0162] In aspect 40, the method according to any one of aspects 29 to 39 includes wherein the operating time for activating at least one of the plurality of antenna panels is different from the operating time for deactivating at least one of the plurality of antenna panels.

[0163] In aspect 41, the method according to any one of aspects 29 to 40 includes determining the action time based on the UE capability indicated to the base station.

[0164] In aspect 42, the method according to any one of aspects 29 to 41 includes sending an indication of action time to the UE in RRC signaling, MAC-CE, or downlink control information.

[0165] In aspect 43, the method according to any one of aspects 29 to 42 includes sending an instruction to the UE to activate or deactivate at least one antenna panel, which may be performed before the action time, wherein the UE communicates with the UE that has activated or deactivated at least one of the plurality of antenna panels based on the instruction.

[0166] In aspect 44, the method according to aspect 43 includes wherein the indication is an explicit indication or an implicit indication based on a beam indication sent to the UE.

[0167] In aspect 45, the method according to any one of aspects 29 to 44 includes sending an instruction to the UE to activate or deactivate at least one antenna panel, which may be performed after the action time, wherein communication is made with the UE that has activated or deactivated at least one of a plurality of antenna panels based on the instruction.

[0168] Aspect 46 is a method for wireless communication at a UE, the method comprising sending to a base station an indication that the UE will activate or deactivate at least one of a plurality of antenna panels; and activating or deactivating at least one of the plurality of antenna panels according to the timing of the activation or deactivation of at least one of the plurality of antenna panels.

[0169] In aspect 47, the method according to aspect 46 includes receiving the action time from the base station in RRC signaling, MAC-CE, or downlink control information.

[0170] In aspect 48, the method according to aspect 46 or 47 includes, wherein the action time is determined based on the ability to activate or deactivate at least one of a plurality of antenna panels within a fixed duration after the start reference time.

[0171] In aspect 49, the method according to aspect 48 includes the fact that the start reference time is at the end of at least one of sending an instruction to a base station, receiving approval of the instruction from the base station, or sending an acknowledgment to the base station of the approval of the instruction received from the base station.

[0172] In aspect 50, the method according to aspect 48 includes determining whether the start reference time is valid based on receiving approval of the indication from the base station.

[0173] In aspect 51, the method according to any one of aspects 46 to 50 includes wherein the action time is based on the capability of a mapped beam, which is indicated by the activation or deactivation of at least one of a plurality of antenna panels.

[0174] In aspect 52, the method according to any one of aspects 46 to 51 includes, wherein, an indication is given for at least one of a plurality of antenna panels to indicate an active state or a deactivated state, wherein, based on the at least one of the plurality of antenna panels being in a deactivated state, the indication further includes a deactivated level and an operation time.

[0175] In aspect 53, the method according to any one of aspects 46 to 52 includes sending an indication to the base station in the uplink control information or in the MAC-CE.

[0176] In aspect 54, the method according to any one of aspects 46 to 53 includes, wherein, after performing activation or deactivation of at least one antenna panel among a plurality of antenna panels, at least one antenna panel among the plurality of antenna panels is activated or deactivated based on determining whether the number of activated antenna panels among the plurality of antenna panels will be below or above a threshold, respectively.

[0177] In aspect 55, the method according to any one of aspects 46 to 54 includes activating at least one antenna panel among a plurality of antenna panels based on the indication that at least one antenna panel among a plurality of antenna panels is not indicated as deactivated, or deactivating at least one antenna panel among a plurality of antenna panels based on the indication that at least one antenna panel among a plurality of antenna panels is not indicated as activated.

[0178] In aspect 56, the method according to any one of aspects 46 to 55 includes, wherein the operating time for activating at least one of the plurality of antenna panels is different from the operating time for deactivating at least one of the plurality of antenna panels.

[0179] In aspect 57, the method according to any one of aspects 46 to 56 includes, wherein the action time is based on the capability to indicate to the base station.

[0180] In aspect 58, the apparatus of the method according to any one of aspects 46 to 57 includes receiving a second instruction from a base station, the second instruction being to allow activation or deactivation of at least one of a plurality of antenna panels prior to an operation time, wherein, based on the second instruction, at least one of the plurality of antenna panels is activated or deactivated prior to the operation time.

[0181] In aspect 59, the method according to aspect 58 includes wherein the second indication is an explicit indication or an implicit indication determined based on a beam indication received from a base station.

[0182] In aspect 60, the method according to any one of aspects 46 to 59 includes receiving a second instruction from a base station to activate or deactivate at least one of a plurality of antenna panels, which can be performed after the action time, wherein activation or deactivation of at least one antenna panel is performed based on the second instruction after the action time.

[0183] Aspect 61 is a method for conducting wireless communication, the method comprising receiving from a UE an indication that the UE will activate or deactivate at least one of a plurality of antenna panels at the UE, and communicating with the UE that has activated or deactivated at least one of the plurality of antenna panels according to the timing of the activation or deactivation of at least one of the plurality of antenna panels.

[0184] In aspect 62, the method according to aspect 60 includes the fact that the action time is determined over a fixed duration after a start reference time, wherein the start reference time begins at the end of at least one of the following: receiving the instruction from the UE, sending approval of the instruction to the UE, or receiving from the UE an acknowledgment of approval of the instruction received from the base station.

[0185] Aspect 63 is an apparatus for performing wireless communication, the apparatus including a transceiver, a memory configured to store instructions, and one or more processors communicatively coupled to the transceiver and the memory, wherein the one or more processors are configured to implement the instructions to perform the operation of one or more methods of aspects 1 to 62.

[0186] Aspect 64 is an apparatus for conducting wireless communication, the apparatus including components for performing operations of one or more of the methods in aspects 1 to 62.

[0187] Aspect 65 is a computer-readable medium comprising code that can be implemented by one or more processors to perform operations of one or more methods of aspects 1 to 62.

[0188] The specific order or hierarchy of blocks in the disclosed process / flowchart is illustrative of the exemplary method. The specific order or hierarchy of blocks in the process / flowchart may be rearranged based on design preferences. Furthermore, some blocks may be combined or omitted. The claims accompanying the method present the elements of the various blocks in a sample order and are not intended to limit the specific order or hierarchy presented.

[0189] The preceding description is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the various aspects described herein. Various variations of these aspects will be apparent to those skilled in the art, and the general principles defined herein can be applied to other aspects. The claims are not intended to be limited to the aspects shown herein, but are to be given the full scope consistent with the language of the claims, wherein, unless expressly stated, elements referred to in the singular are not intended to mean “one and only one”, but rather “one or more”. The word “exemplary” is used herein to mean “serving as an example, instance, or illustration.” Any aspect described herein as “exemplary” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other aspects. Unless expressly stated otherwise, the term “some” means one or more. Combinations such as “at least one of A, B, or C,” “one or more of A, B, or C,” “at least one of A, B, and C,” “one or more of A, B, and C,” and “A, B, C, or any combination thereof” include any combination of A, B, or C, and may include multiples of A, multiples of B, or multiples of C. In particular, combinations such as “at least one of A, B, or C,” “one or more of A, B, or C,” “at least one of A, B, and C,” “one or more of A, B, and C,” and “A, B, C, or any combination thereof” can include only A, only B, only C, only A and B, only A and C, only B and C, or A and B and C, wherein any such combination may contain one or more members of any one of A, B, or C. All structural and functional equivalents of elements throughout the various aspects described in this disclosure that are known or will be known hereafter by those skilled in the art are expressly incorporated herein by reference and are intended to be covered by the claims. Moreover, regardless of whether the contents disclosed herein are expressly recited in the claims, they are not intended to be disclosed to the public. The words “module,” “mechanism,” “element,” “device,” etc., may not replace the word “part.” Thus, unless an element is expressly recited using the phrase “part for…,” no element in any claim should be construed as a part plus a function.

Claims

1. An apparatus for wireless communication, comprising: transceiver; Memory configured to store instructions; as well as One or more processors communicatively coupled to the transceiver and the memory, wherein the one or more processors are configured to: Based on an event triggered at the device, an indication is sent to a network node that the device will activate or deactivate at least one of a plurality of antenna panels, the event being associated with a change in the panel state of the at least one of the plurality of antenna panels. as well as The device activates or deactivates at least one of the plurality of antenna panels according to the operating time of the plurality of antenna panels. The indication indicates an active or deactivated state for at least one of the plurality of antenna panels. Based on the at least one antenna panel being deactivated, the indication further includes a deactivation level and an action time. The deactivation level indicates either light sleep or deep sleep, and the action time is associated with the ability to activate or deactivate the at least one antenna panel within a fixed duration following a start reference time.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, The one or more processors are also configured to receive the action timing from the network node in Radio Resource Control (RRC) signaling, Media Access Control (MAC) control elements (CE), or downlink control information.

3. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, The start reference time ends in at least one of the following: Send the instruction to the network node; Receive approval for the instruction from the network node; or Send a confirmation from the network node that it has received approval for the instruction.

4. The apparatus according to claim 3, wherein, The one or more processors are also configured to determine whether the start reference time is valid based on receiving approval of the indication from the network node.

5. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, The action time is associated with the capability of the mapped beam, which is indicated for the activation or deactivation of at least one of the plurality of antenna panels.

6. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, The timing for activating at least one of the plurality of antenna panels is different from the timing for deactivating at least one of the plurality of antenna panels.

7. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, The one or more processors are configured to send the indication to the network node in an uplink control message or a media access control (MAC) control element (CE).

8. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, The one or more processors are configured to: after performing the activation or deactivation of at least one of the plurality of antenna panels, activate or deactivate the at least one of the plurality of antenna panels based on determining whether the number of activated antenna panels in the plurality of antenna panels will be below or above a threshold, respectively.

9. The apparatus according to claim 1, in, The one or more processors are configured to activate at least one antenna panel among the plurality of antenna panels based on the fact that none of the at least one antenna panel among the plurality of antenna panels has been indicated as disabled by the indication, or The one or more processors are configured to deactivate at least one of the plurality of antenna panels based on the fact that at least one of the plurality of antenna panels is not indicated as active by the indication.

10. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, The one or more processors are further configured to receive from the network node a second instruction allowing activation or deactivation of at least one of the plurality of antenna panels prior to the action time, wherein the one or more processors are configured to activate or deactivate at least one of the plurality of antenna panels prior to the action time based on the second instruction.

11. The apparatus according to claim 10, wherein, The second indication is an explicit or implicit indication determined based on a beam indication received from the network node.

12. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, The one or more processors are further configured to receive from the network node a second instruction allowing activation or deactivation of at least one of the plurality of antenna panels after the action time, wherein the one or more processors are configured to activate or deactivate at least one of the plurality of antenna panels after the action time based on the second instruction.

13. A method for conducting wireless communication at a user equipment (UE), comprising: Based on an event triggered at the UE, an indication is sent to the network node that the UE will activate or deactivate at least one of a plurality of antenna panels, the event being associated with a change in the panel state of the at least one of the plurality of antenna panels; as well as The UE will activate or deactivate at least one of the plurality of antenna panels according to the operation time of the UE. The indication indicates an active or deactivated state for at least one of the plurality of antenna panels. Based on the at least one antenna panel being deactivated, the indication further includes a deactivation level and an action time. The deactivation level indicates either light sleep or deep sleep, and the action time is associated with the ability to activate or deactivate the at least one antenna panel within a fixed duration following a start reference time.

14. The method of claim 13, further comprising receiving the action time from the network node in Radio Resource Control (RRC) signaling, Media Access Control (MAC) control element (CE), or downlink control information.

15. The method according to claim 13, wherein, The start reference time ends in at least one of the following: Send the instruction to the network node; Receive approval for the instruction from the network node; or Send a confirmation from the network node that it has received approval for the instruction.

16. The method of claim 15, further comprising determining whether the start reference time is valid based on receiving approval of the indication from the network node.

17. The method according to claim 13, wherein, The action time is associated with the capability of the mapped beam, which is indicated for the activation or deactivation of at least one of the plurality of antenna panels.

18. The method according to claim 13, wherein, The timing for activating at least one of the plurality of antenna panels is different from the timing for deactivating at least one of the plurality of antenna panels.

19. The method according to claim 13, wherein, Sending the instruction includes sending the instruction to the network node in an uplink control message or a media access control (MAC) control element (CE).

20. The method according to claim 13, wherein, After activating or deactivating at least one of the plurality of antenna panels, the activation or deactivation of at least one of the plurality of antenna panels is based on determining whether the number of activated antenna panels in the plurality of antenna panels will be below or above a threshold, respectively.

21. The method according to claim 13, in, Based on the fact that at least one antenna panel among the plurality of antenna panels has not been indicated as disabled by the indicator, the at least one antenna panel among the plurality of antenna panels is activated, or Specifically, at least one of the multiple antenna panels is deactivated based on the fact that none of the at least one antenna panel among the multiple antenna panels has been indicated as activated by the indicator.

22. The method of claim 13, further comprising receiving from the network node a second indication allowing activation or deactivation of at least one of the plurality of antenna panels prior to the action time, wherein, Based on the second instruction, activate or deactivate at least one of the plurality of antenna panels before the said action time.

23. An apparatus for conducting wireless communication, comprising: transceiver; Memory configured to store instructions; as well as One or more processors communicatively coupled to the transceiver and the memory, wherein the one or more processors are configured to: Based on an event triggered at the user equipment (UE), receive from the UE an indication that the UE will activate or deactivate at least one of a plurality of antenna panels at the UE, the event being associated with a change in the panel state of the at least one of the plurality of antenna panels; as well as Based on the timing of the UE activating or deactivating at least one of the plurality of antenna panels, communication is established with the UE that has already activated or deactivated at least one of the plurality of antenna panels. The indication indicates an active or deactivated state for at least one of the plurality of antenna panels. Based on the at least one antenna panel being deactivated, the indication further includes a deactivation level and an action time. The deactivation level indicates either light sleep or deep sleep, and the action time is associated with the ability to activate or deactivate the at least one antenna panel within a fixed duration following a start reference time.

24. The apparatus according to claim 23, wherein, The action time is determined over a fixed duration following a start reference time, wherein the start reference time is at the end of at least one of the following: Receive the instruction from the UE; Send approval of the instruction to the UE; or The UE receives confirmation of approval of the instruction from the device.

25. A method for wireless communication by a network node, comprising: Based on an event triggered at the user equipment (UE), receive from the UE an indication that the UE will activate or deactivate at least one of a plurality of antenna panels at the UE, the event being associated with a change in the panel state of the at least one of the plurality of antenna panels; as well as Based on the timing of the UE activating or deactivating at least one of the plurality of antenna panels, communication is established with the UE that has already activated or deactivated at least one of the plurality of antenna panels. The indication indicates an active or deactivated state for at least one of the plurality of antenna panels. Based on the at least one antenna panel being deactivated, the indication further includes a deactivation level and an action time. The deactivation level indicates either light sleep or deep sleep, and the action time is associated with the ability to activate or deactivate the at least one antenna panel within a fixed duration following a start reference time.

26. The method of claim 25, wherein, The action time is determined over a fixed duration following a start reference time, wherein the start reference time is at the end of at least one of the following: Receive the instruction from the UE; Send approval of the instruction to the UE; or The UE receives confirmation of approval of the instruction from the network node.

27. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the one or more processors are configured to activate or deactivate at least one of the plurality of antenna panels without receiving a request or instruction from the network node.

28. An apparatus for wireless communication, comprising components for performing the method according to any one of claims 13-22.

29. An apparatus for wireless communication, comprising components for performing the method according to any one of claims 25-26.

30. A computer-readable medium having one or more computer instructions recorded thereon, which, when executed by one or more processors of a user equipment (UE), cause the one or more processors to perform the method according to any one of claims 13-22.

31. A computer-readable medium having one or more computer instructions recorded thereon, which, when executed by one or more processors of a network node, cause the one or more processors to perform the method according to any one of claims 25-26.

32. A computer program product comprising one or more computer instructions, which, when executed by one or more processors of a user equipment (UE), cause the one or more processors to perform the method according to any one of claims 13-22.

33. A computer program product comprising one or more computer instructions, which, when executed by one or more processors of a network node, cause the one or more processors to perform the method according to any one of claims 25-26.

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