System and method for user equipment beam tracking according to sensing information

Abstract

The invention provides a method and a device for realizing beam tracking of user equipment (UE), and the method and the device are used for realizing beam tracking of the UE. The method enables the UE to update the UE beam, thereby improving beam alignment between the base station and the UE. The UE beam tracking disclosed in the present invention can improve the reference signal received power (RSRP) of a beam and reduce the overhead. The methods disclosed herein can track UE beams that are part of a beam pair for serving signals and / or other UE beams that may be used in various beam management methods such as beam switching, switching, or beam failure recovery.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention generally relates to wireless communications, and in particular embodiments, to systems and methods for performing user equipment (UE) beam tracking based on sensing information in a communication system. Background Art

[0002] In some wireless communication systems, user equipment (UE) communicates with a base station (e.g., NodeB, evolved base station, or gNB) wirelessly to send data to the base station and / or receive data from the base station. Wireless communication from the UE to the base station is called uplink (UL) communication. Wireless communication from the base station to the UE is called downlink (DL) communication. Wireless communication from a first UE to a second UE is called sidelink (SL) communication or device-to-device (D2D) communication.

[0003] Resources are required to perform uplink, downlink, and sidelink communications. For example, a base station may wirelessly send data to a UE in a downlink transmission at a specific frequency within a specific time period, such as a transport block (TB). The frequency and duration used are examples of resources.

[0004] When the UE and the base station are equipped with multiple antennas, the two devices can perform analog beamforming to provide additional gain to the communication link. These gains can be critical for operating at higher frequencies to reduce the larger channel path losses at these frequencies. Analog beamforming is performed by adjusting the phase of each antenna in an antenna array connected to a single radio frequency (RF) chain. This phase adjustment causes the signal to be beamformed in a certain direction. The set of phases of the corresponding antennas pointing to a specific angle or direction is called an analog beamformer. A set of analog beamformers can be called a codebook and can be stored for configuring beams for various different directions. It is common in analog beamforming to use a discrete Fourier transform (DFT) matrix as a codebook, where each column in the matrix is ​​a beamformer pointing in a certain direction and the number of rows in the matrix is ​​equal to the number of antennas in the array.

[0005] Some beam management processes rely on the reference signal received power (RSRP) of the beam to decide which beam to use for communication. When the UE beam is misaligned, the RSRP measurement may lead to incorrect beam selection decisions, degrading system performance. For example, the base station may instruct the UE to switch beams based on the UE's RSRP measurement, but the working beam is actually better than the new beam due to the UE beam misalignment. In another scenario, when the RSRP drops below a threshold, the UE may declare a beam failure, but the actual problem may be due to large beam misalignment on the UE side. Avoiding such situations through UE beam scanning may cause large delays, wasting time and frequency resources. Summary of the invention

[0006] The present invention discloses a method and device for implementing UE beam tracking, so that the UE can update the UE beam, thereby improving the beam pair RSRP and reducing the overhead. In addition, the UE can track other beams that can be used for other beam management methods.

[0007] According to various aspects of the present invention, a method is provided. The method includes: a user equipment (UE) sends UE beam tracking capability information; the UE receives beam tracking update configuration information; the UE updates the UE beam according to the UE beam tracking capability information and the beam tracking update configuration information, wherein the updating of the UE beam is performed periodically or irregularly or according to a trigger signal.

[0008] In some embodiments, the beam tracking update configuration information provides information for tracking one or more of the following beams: a UE beam used as a serving beam; or an alternative UE beam used for a UE beam management process.

[0009] In some embodiments, the UE beam is one or more of the following: a UE beam for the serving beam; a UE beam for beam switching; a UE beam for switching; or a UE beam for beam failure recovery.

[0010] In some embodiments, the UE beam tracking capability information includes one or more of the following indications: an indication of the UE's ability to compensate for changes in the UE's orientation; an indication of whether the UE is capable of updating beam information using equations provided in beam tracking update configuration information; an indication of whether the UE includes at least one of a gyroscope or a compass; an indication of the number of antenna panels in the UE; and an indication of whether the UE is capable of beamforming one or more beams.

[0011] In some embodiments, the beam tracking update configuration information includes one or more of the following information: beam angle information; equation information for implementing at least one of time-related updates or location-related updates; geometric information of the reflector between the UE and the serving base station; and reflector location information.

[0012] In some embodiments, the beam angle information is one of an absolute angle, a relative angle, or an angle range.

[0013] In some embodiments, the updated configuration information includes an instruction for the UE to perform beam scanning within the angle range.

[0014] In some embodiments, the equation information is received in at least one of radio resource control (RRC) signaling or a media access control-control element (MAC-CE).

[0015] In some embodiments, the method further comprises: coordinating the UE position relative to the base station using the directional information.

[0016] In some embodiments, the beam tracking update configuration information is based on at least one of: movement of the UE; movement of a base station; or movement of a signal reflector between the serving base station and the UE.

[0017] In some embodiments, the method further includes: the UE receiving or sending data through the updated UE beam.

[0018] According to various aspects of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus comprising a processor and a computer-readable medium, wherein the computer-readable medium stores computer-executable instructions, and when the computer-executable instructions are executed by the processor, the apparatus executes the method described above or below.

[0019] According to various aspects of the present invention, a method is provided, comprising: a base station receiving UE beam tracking capability information; the base station sending beam tracking update configuration information, wherein the UE beam tracking capability information and the beam tracking update configuration information are used to update the UE receiving beam periodically or irregularly or according to a trigger signal.

[0020] In some embodiments, the beam tracking update configuration information provides information for tracking one or more of the following beams: a UE beam for a serving beam; or an alternative UE beam for a UE beam management process.

[0021] In some embodiments, the alternative UE receive beam or beam pair is one of: a UE beam for the serving beam; a UE beam for beam switching; a UE beam for switching; or a UE beam for beam failure recovery.

[0022] In some embodiments, the UE beam tracking capability information includes one or more of the following indications: an indication of the UE's ability to compensate for changes in the UE's orientation; an indication of whether the UE is capable of updating beam information using equations provided in beam tracking update configuration information; an indication of whether the UE includes at least one of a gyroscope or a compass; an indication of the number of antenna panels in the UE; and an indication of whether the UE is capable of beamforming one or more beams.

[0023] In some embodiments, the beam tracking update configuration information includes one or more of the following information: beam angle information; equation information for implementing at least one of time-related updates or location-related updates; geometric information related to a reflector between the UE and the base station; and reflector location information.

[0024] In some embodiments, the beam angle information is one of an absolute angle, a relative angle, or an angle range.

[0025] In some embodiments, the updated configuration information includes an instruction for the UE to perform beam scanning within the angle range.

[0026] In some embodiments, the equality information is sent in at least one of RRC signaling or MAC-CE.

[0027] In some embodiments, the method further comprises: coordinating the UE position relative to the base station using the directional information.

[0028] In some embodiments, the beam tracking update configuration information is based on at least one of: movement of the UE; movement of a base station; or movement of a signal reflector between the base station and the UE.

[0029] In some embodiments, the method further includes: the base station receiving or sending data through the updated UE beam.

[0030] According to various aspects of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus comprising a processor and a computer-readable medium, wherein the computer-readable medium stores computer-executable instructions, and when the computer-executable instructions are executed by the processor, the apparatus executes the method described above or below. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0031] For a more complete understanding of the embodiments of the present invention and its advantages, the following description is made by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0032] Figure 1A It is a schematic diagram of a communication system that can implement an embodiment of the present invention.

[0033] Figure 1B is another schematic diagram of a communication system that can implement an embodiment of the present invention.

[0034] Figure 2 It is a block diagram of units or modules in a device that can implement an embodiment of the present invention.

[0035] Figure 3 It is a block diagram of units or modules in a device that can implement an embodiment of the present invention.

[0036] Figure 4A and Figure 4B It is a schematic diagram of a base station provided in various aspects of the present invention communicating with a user equipment (UE) using a direct line-of-sight (LOS) link and a non-line-of-sight (NLOS) link through a reflector.

[0037] Figure 5 It is an example of a signaling flow diagram of signaling between a base station and a UE using UE beam tracking provided in one aspect of the present invention.

[0038] Figure 6 It is another example of a signaling flow diagram of signaling between a base station and a UE using UE beam tracking provided by one aspect of the present invention.

[0039] Figure 7 It is another example of a signaling flow diagram of signaling between a base station and a UE using UE beam tracking provided in one aspect of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0040] For illustrative purposes, specific exemplary embodiments are explained in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0041] The embodiments set forth herein represent information sufficient to practice the claimed subject matter and illustrate methods of practicing such subject matter. After reading the following description in light of the accompanying drawings, those skilled in the art will understand the concepts of the claimed subject matter and will recognize that the application of these concepts is not specifically mentioned herein. It should be understood that these concepts and applications are within the scope of the present invention and the appended claims.

[0042] In addition, it is understood that any module, component, or device for executing instructions disclosed herein may include or otherwise access one or more non-transitory computer / processor readable storage media to store information, such as computer / processor readable instructions, data structures, program modules, and / or other data. A non-exhaustive list of examples of non-transitory computer / processor readable storage media includes magnetic cassettes, magnetic tapes, disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), digital video discs or digital versatile discs (i.e., DVDs), Blu-ray discs, and the like. TM CD-ROMs, or other optical storage, volatile and non-volatile, removable and non-removable media implemented in any method or technology, random-access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), flash memory or other storage technology. Any of these non-transitory computer / processor storage media can be part of a device or can be accessed or connected to a device. Computer / processor readable / executable instructions for implementing the applications or modules described herein can be stored or otherwise saved by these non-transitory computer / processor readable storage media.

[0043] The following Figure 1A , Figure 1B and Figure 2 A context is provided for a network and devices that may be located within the network and that may implement various aspects of the invention.

[0044] refer to Figure 1A , Figure 1Ais a non-limiting illustrative example, providing a simplified schematic diagram of a communication system. The communication system 100 includes a radio access network 120. The radio access network 120 may be a next generation (e.g., sixth generation (6G) or higher) radio access network or a traditional (e.g., 5G, 4G, 3G or 2G) radio access network. One or more communication electronic devices (electric devices, ED) 110a to 120j (generally referred to as 110) may be interconnected with each other, and may be additionally or alternatively connected to one or more network nodes (170a, 170b, generally referred to as 170) in the radio access network 120. The core network 130 may be part of the communication system and may be dependent on or independent of the radio access technology used in the communication system 100. In addition, the communication system 100 includes a public switched telephone network (PSTN) 140, the Internet 150, and other networks 160.

[0045] Figure 1B An exemplary communication system 100 is shown in which embodiments of the present invention may be implemented. In general, the system 100 enables multiple wireless or wired units to transmit data and other content. The purpose of the system 100 may be to provide content (voice, data, video, text) via broadcast, narrowcast, user device to user device, etc. The system 100 may operate efficiently by sharing resources such as bandwidth.

[0046] In this example, the communication system 100 includes electronic devices (EDs) 110a to 110c, radio access networks (RANs) 120a and 120b, a core network 130, a public switched telephone network (PSTN) 140, the Internet 150, and other networks 160. Figure 1B A certain number of these components or units are shown, but any suitable number of these components or units may be included in system 100 .

[0047] EDs 110a to 110c are used to operate, communicate, or both in the system 100. For example, EDs 110a to 110c are used to transmit, receive, or both through a wireless communication channel. Each ED 110a to 110c represents any suitable end-user device for wireless operation, and may include (or may be referred to as): user equipment (UE), wireless transmit / receive unit (WTRU), mobile station, mobile user unit, cellular phone, station (STA), machine type communication device (MTC), personal digital assistant (PDA), smart phone, laptop, computer, touch pad, wireless sensor, or consumer electronic device.

[0048] Figure 1B An exemplary communication system 100 in which embodiments of the present invention may be implemented is shown. In general, the communication system 100 enables multiple wireless or wired units to transmit data and other content. The purpose of the communication system 100 may be to provide content (voice, data, video, text) via broadcast, multicast, unicast, user device to user device, etc. The communication system 100 may operate by sharing resources such as bandwidth.

[0049] In this example, the communication system 100 includes electronic devices (EDs) 110a to 110d, radio access networks (RANs) 120a and 120c, a core network 130, a public switched telephone network (PSTN) 140, the Internet 150, and other networks 160. Figure 1B A certain number of these components or units are shown, but any suitable number of these components or units may be included in the communication system 100 .

[0050] EDs 110a to 110d are used to operate, communicate, or both in the communication system 100. For example, EDs 110a to 110d are used to transmit, receive, or both through a wireless communication channel or a wired communication channel. Each ED 110a to 110d represents any suitable end-user device for wireless operation, and may include (or may be referred to as): user equipment (UE), wireless transmit / receive unit (WTRU), mobile station, fixed or mobile user unit, cellular phone, station (STA), machine type communication (MTC) device, personal digital assistant (PDA), smart phone, laptop, computer, tablet computer, wireless sensor, or consumer electronic device.

[0051] exist Figure 1B In the embodiment, RAN 120a and 120b include base stations 170a and 170b, respectively. Each base station 170a and 170b is used to wirelessly connect to one or more EDs of EDs 110a to 110c so as to access any other base stations 170a and 170b, core network 130, PSTN 140, Internet 150 and / or other networks 160. For example, base stations 170a and 170b may include (or may be) one or more of several well-known devices, such as a base transceiver station (BTS), Node-B (NodeB), evolved NodeB (eNodeB), Home eNodeB, gNodeB, transmission and receive point (TRP), site controller, access point (AP) or wireless router.

[0052] In some examples, one or more of base stations 170a and 170b may be a ground base station connected to the ground. For example, a ground base station may be installed on a building or a tower. Alternatively, one or more of base stations 172 may be a non-ground base station or a non-terrestrial TRP (NT-TRP) that is not connected to the ground. A flying base station is an example of a non-ground base station. A flying base station may be implemented using a communication device carried or carried by a flying device. Non-limiting examples of flying devices include airborne platforms (e.g., blimps or spaceships, etc.), balloons, quadcopters, and other aircraft. In some implementations, a flying base station may be carried or carried by an unmanned aerial system (UAS) or an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) (e.g., a drone or a quadcopter). A flying base station may be a movable or mobile base station that can be flexibly deployed in different locations to meet network requirements. A satellite base station is another example of a non-ground base station. A satellite base station may be implemented using a communication device carried or carried by a satellite. A satellite base station may also be referred to as an orbital base station.

[0053] Any ED 110a to 110d may alternatively or additionally be used to connect, access, or communicate with any other base stations 170a and 170b, the Internet 150, the core network 130, the PSTN 140, other networks 160, or any combination of the foregoing.

[0054] EDs 110a to 110d and base stations 170a, 170b, 172 are examples of communication devices that may be used to implement some or all of the operations and / or embodiments described herein. Figure 1BIn the illustrated embodiment, base station 170a is part of RAN 120a, which may include other base stations, one or more base station controllers (BSC), one or more radio network controllers (RNC), relay nodes, units and / or devices. Base stations 170a and 170b may be individual units as shown, or multiple units distributed in corresponding RANs, and so on. Similarly, base station 170b is part of RAN 120b, which may include other base stations, units and / or devices. Each base station 170a and 170b sends and / or receives wireless signals within a specific geographic area or region (sometimes referred to as a "cell" or "coverage area"). The cell can be further divided into cell sectors, and base stations 170a and 170b can, for example, use multiple transceivers to provide services to multiple sectors. In some embodiments, there may be established micro cells or femto cells supported by wireless access technologies. In some embodiments, multiple transceivers may be used for each cell using multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) technology, etc. The number of RANs 120a and 120b shown is only exemplary. Any number of RANs may be contemplated when designing the communication system 100.

[0055] The base stations 170a, 170b, and 172 communicate with one or more of the EDs 110a to 110c through one or more air interfaces 190a and 190c using wireless communication links such as radio frequency (RF), microwave, and infrared (IR). The air interfaces 190a and 190c may utilize any suitable wireless access technology. For example, the communication system 100 may implement one or more orthogonal or non-orthogonal channel access methods in the air interfaces 190a and 190c, such as code division multiple access (CDMA), time division multiple access (TDMA), frequency division multiple access (FDMA), orthogonal FDMA (OFDMA), or single-carrier FDMA (SC-FDMA).

[0056] The base stations 170a, 170b, 172 can implement Universal Mobile Telecommunication System (UMTS) Terrestrial Radio Access (UTRA) to establish air interfaces 190a, 190c using wideband CDMA (WCDMA). In this way, the base stations 170a, 170b, 172 can implement protocols such as High Speed ​​Packet Access (HSPA), Evolved HPSA (HSPA+), etc., wherein HSPA+ optionally includes High Speed ​​Downlink Packet Access (HSDPA), High Speed ​​Uplink Packet Access (HSPUA), or both. Alternatively, base stations 170a, 170b, 172 can use LTE, LTE-A and / or LTE-B to establish air interfaces 190a, 190c with Evolved UTMS Terrestrial Radio Access (E-UTRA). It is contemplated that the communication system 100 can use multi-channel access operations, including those described above. Other wireless technologies used to implement the air interface include IEEE 802.11, 802.15, 802.16, CDMA2000, CDMA20001X, CDMA2000 EV-DO, IS-2000, IS-95, IS-856, GSM, EDGE, and GERAN. Of course, other multiple access schemes and wireless protocols can also be used.

[0057] The RANs 120a and 120b communicate with the core network 130 to provide various services, such as voice, data, and other services to the EDs 110a to 110c. The RANs 120a and 120b and / or the core network 130 may communicate directly or indirectly with one or more other RANs (not shown), which may or may not be directly served by the core network 130 and may or may not use the same radio access technology as the RANs 120a, 120b, or both. The core network 130 may also serve as a gateway access between (i) the RANs 120a and 120b or the EDs 110a to 110c or both and (ii) other networks (e.g., the PSTN 140, the Internet 150, and other networks 160).

[0058] EDs 110a to 110d communicate with each other through one or more sidelink (SL) air interfaces 190b and 190d using wireless communication links such as radio frequency (RF), microwave, infrared (IR), etc. SL air interfaces 190b and 190d can use any suitable wireless access technology and can be substantially similar to the air interfaces 190a and 190c where EDs 110a to 110c communicate with one or more base stations in base stations 170a and 170b, or the two air interfaces can also be substantially different. For example, the communication system 100 can implement one or more channel access methods in the SL air interfaces 190b and 190d, such as code division multiple access (CDMA), time division multiple access (TDMA), frequency division multiple access (FDMA), orthogonal FDMA (OFDMA) or single-carrier FDMA (SC-FDMA). In some embodiments, the SL air interface 180 may be implemented at least partially over an unlicensed spectrum.

[0059] In addition, some or all of the EDs 110a to 110d may include operations for communicating with different wireless networks through different wireless links using different wireless technologies and / or protocols. Instead of wireless communication (or in addition to wireless communication), the ED may communicate with a service provider or switch (not shown) and with the Internet 150 through a wired communication channel. The PSTN 140 may include a circuit-switched telephone network for providing plain old telephone service (POTS). The Internet 150 may include computer networks and / or subnets (intranets) and include protocols such as the Internet Protocol (IP), the Transmission Control Protocol (TCP), and the User Datagram Protocol (UDP). The EDs 110a to 110d may be multi-mode devices capable of operating according to a variety of wireless access technologies and include a plurality of transceivers required to support a variety of wireless access technologies.

[0060] In some embodiments, a signal is sent from a terrestrial BS to a UE, or from a UE directly to a terrestrial BS, in both cases the signal is not reflected by a RIS. However, the signal may be reflected by obstacles and reflectors such as buildings, walls, and furniture. In some embodiments, the signal is transmitted between a UE and a non-terrestrial BS (e.g., a satellite, a drone, and an aerial platform). In some embodiments, the signal is transmitted between a repeater and a UE or between a repeater and a BS or between two repeaters. In some embodiments, the signal is transmitted between two UEs. In some embodiments, one or more RIS are used to reflect signals from a transmitter and a receiver, wherein any one of the transmitter and the receiver includes a UE, a terrestrial or non-terrestrial BS, and a repeater.

[0061] Figure 2 Another example of ED 110 and network devices is shown, including base stations 170a, 170b (as shown in 170) and NT-TRP 172. ED 110 is used to connect people, objects, machines, etc. ED 110 can be widely used in various scenarios, such as cellular communication, device-to-device (D2D), vehicle to everything (V2X), peer-to-peer (P2P), machine-to-machine (M2M), machine-type communication (MTC), Internet of things (IOT), virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), industrial control, autonomous driving, telemedicine, smart grid, smart furniture, smart office, smart wearable, smart transportation, smart city, drone, robot, remote sensing, passive sensing, positioning, navigation and tracking, autonomous delivery and mobility, etc.

[0062] Each ED 110 represents any suitable end-user device for wireless operation, and may include (or may be referred to as): user equipment / device (UE), wireless transmit / receive unit (WTRU), mobile station, fixed or mobile user unit, cellular phone, station (STA), machine type communication (MTC) device, personal digital assistant (PDA), smartphone, laptop, computer, tablet, wireless sensor, consumer electronic device, smartbook, vehicle, car, truck, bus, train or IoT device, industrial equipment, or devices in the above devices (e.g., communication module, modem or chip), etc. The next generation ED 110 may be referred to using other terms. Base stations 170a and 170b are T-TRPs, referred to as T-TRP 170 hereinafter. Similarly, Figure 2 As shown, the NT-TRP is hereinafter referred to as NT-TRP 172. Each ED 110 connected to T-TRP 170 and / or NT-TRP 172 can be dynamically or semi-statically started (i.e., established, activated, or enabled), shut down (i.e., released, deactivated, or disabled), and / or configured in response to one or more of connection availability and connection necessity.

[0063] ED 110 includes a transmitter 201 and a receiver 203 coupled to one or more antennas 204. Only one antenna 204 is shown. One, some or all of the antennas may alternatively be a panel. Transmitter 201 and receiver 203 may be integrated into a transceiver or the like. The transceiver is used to modulate data or other content so that it can be sent through at least one antenna 204 or a network interface controller (NIC). The transceiver is also used to demodulate data or other content received through at least one antenna 204. Each transceiver includes any suitable structure for generating signals for wireless or wired transmission and / or for processing signals received wirelessly or wired. Each antenna 204 includes any suitable structure for sending and / or receiving wireless signals or wired signals.

[0064] ED 110 includes at least one memory 208. Memory 208 stores instructions and data used, generated, or collected by ED 110. For example, memory 208 may store software instructions or modules that implement some or all of the functions and / or embodiments described herein and are executed by one or more processing units 210. Each memory 208 includes any suitable one or more volatile and / or non-volatile storage and retrieval devices. Any suitable type of memory may be used, such as random access memory (RAM), read only memory (ROM), hard disk, optical disk, subscriber identity module (SIM) card, memory stick, secure digital (SD) card, processor cache, etc.

[0065] ED 110 may also include one or more input / output devices (not shown) or interfaces (e.g., Figure 1A or Figure 1B The input / output devices support interaction with users or other devices in the network. Each input / output device includes any suitable structure for providing information to or receiving information from a user, such as a speaker, microphone, keypad, keyboard, display or touch screen, including network interface communications.

[0066] ED 110 also includes a processor 210 for performing operations related to preparing uplink transmissions to be sent to NT-TRP 172 and / or T-TRP 170, operations related to processing downlink transmissions received from NT-TRP 172 and / or T-TRP 170, and operations related to processing sidelink transmissions to and from other ED 110. Processing operations related to preparing uplink transmissions may include operations such as encoding, modulation, transmit beamforming, and generating symbols for transmission. Processing operations related to processing downlink transmissions may include operations such as receive beamforming, demodulation, and decoding received symbols. According to an embodiment, the downlink transmission may be received by receiver 203 using receive beamforming, and processor 210 may extract signaling from the downlink transmission (e.g., by detecting and / or decoding the signaling). An example of signaling may be a reference signal sent by NT-TRP 172 and / or T-TRP 170. In some embodiments, the processor 210 implements transmit beamforming and / or receive beamforming according to a beam direction indication (e.g., beam angle information (BAI)) received from the T-TRP 170. In some embodiments, the processor 210 may perform operations related to network access (e.g., initial access) and / or downlink synchronization, such as operations related to detecting a synchronization sequence, decoding, and obtaining system information. In some embodiments, the processor 210 may perform channel estimation using a reference signal received from the NT-TRP 172 and / or the T-TRP 170.

[0067] The processor 210 may be part of the transmitter 201 and / or part of the receiver 203, but is not shown. The memory 208 may be part of the processor 210, but is not shown.

[0068] The processor 210, the processing components in the transmitter 201, and the processing components in the receiver 203 may be implemented by the same or different one or more processors, respectively, which are used to execute instructions stored in a memory (e.g., the memory 208). Alternatively, some or all of the processor 210, the processing components in the transmitter 201, and the processing components in the receiver 203 may be implemented using a programmed field-programmable gate array (FPGA), a graphical processing unit (GPU), or an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC).

[0069] In some implementations, the T-TRP 170 may be represented by other names, such as a base station, a base transceiver station (BTS), a wireless base station, a network node, a network device, a network-side device, a transmitting / receiving node, a NodeB, an evolved NodeB (eNodeB or eNB), a home eNodeB, a next generation NodeB (gNB), a transmission point (TP), a site controller, an access point (AP) or a wireless router, a relay station, a remote radio head, a ground node, a ground network device, or a ground base station, a base band unit (BBU), a remote radio unit (RRU), an active antenna unit (AAU), a remote radio head (RRH), a centralized unit (CU), a distributed unit (DU), a positioning node, etc. The T-TRP 170 may be a macro BS, a micro BS, a relay node, a donor node, etc., or a combination thereof. T-TRP 170 may refer to the above-mentioned device, or may refer to a device in the above-mentioned device (e.g., a communication module, a modem, or a chip). Although the drawings and accompanying descriptions of the examples and embodiments of the present invention generally use the terms "AP", "BS", and "AP" or "BS", it should be understood that such a device may be any of the above-mentioned types of devices.

[0070] In some embodiments, various parts of T-TRP 170 can be distributed. For example, some modules in T-TRP 170 can be remote from the device that houses the antenna of T-TRP 170, and can be coupled to the device that houses the antenna through a communication link (not shown) sometimes called a fronthaul (e.g., a common public radio interface (CPRI)). Therefore, in some embodiments, the term "T-TRP 170" can also refer to a network-side module that performs the following processing operations: for example, determining the location of ED 110, resource allocation (scheduling), message generation, and encoding / decoding, which modules are not necessarily part of the device that houses the antenna of T-TRP 170. These modules can also be coupled to other T-TRPs. In some embodiments, T-TRP 170 can actually be multiple T-TRPs that operate together to serve ED 110 through coordinated multi-point transmission, etc.

[0071] The T-TRP 170 includes at least one transmitter 252 and at least one receiver 254 coupled to one or more antennas 256. Only one antenna 256 is shown. One, some or all of the antennas may alternatively be panels. The transmitter 252 and the receiver 254 may be integrated into a transceiver. The T-TRP 170 also includes a processor 260 for performing operations related to preparing downlink transmissions sent to the ED 110, processing uplink transmissions received from the ED 110, preparing backhaul transmissions sent to the NT-TRP 172, and processing transmissions received from the NT-TRP 172 via the backhaul. Processing operations related to preparing to send downlink transmissions or backhaul transmissions may include operations such as encoding, modulation, precoding (e.g., multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) precoding), transmit beamforming, and generating symbols for transmission. Processing operations related to processing received transmissions in the uplink or on the backhaul may include operations such as receive beamforming, demodulation, and decoding received symbols. The processor 260 may also perform operations related to network access (e.g., initial access) and / or downlink synchronization, such as generating the content of a synchronization signal block (SSB), generating system information, and the like. In some embodiments, the processor 260 also generates a beam direction indication, such as a BAI, that the scheduler 253 may schedule for transmission. The processor 260 may perform other network-side processing operations described herein, such as determining the location of the ED 110, determining the location at which the NT-TRP 172 is deployed, and the like. In some embodiments, the processor 260 may generate signaling to configure one or more parameters of the ED 110 and / or one or more parameters of the NT-TRP 172, and the like. Any signaling generated by the processor 260 is sent by the transmitter 252. It should be noted that the "signaling" used herein may alternatively be referred to as control signaling. Dynamic signaling may be sent in a control channel such as a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH), while static or semi-static higher-layer signaling may be included in a data packet sent in a data channel such as a physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH).

[0072] The scheduler 253 may be coupled to the processor 260. The scheduler 253 may be included in the T-TRP 170 or may operate separately from the T-TRP 170. The scheduler 253 may schedule uplink transmissions, downlink transmissions, and / or backhaul transmissions, including issuing scheduling grants and / or configuring scheduling-free (“configuration grants”) resources. The T-TRP 170 also includes a memory 258 for storing information and data. The memory 258 stores instructions and data used, generated, or collected by the T-TRP 170. For example, the memory 258 may store software instructions or modules that are used to implement some or all of the functions and / or embodiments described herein and are executed by the processor 260.

[0073] The processor 260 may be part of the transmitter 252 and / or part of the receiver 254, but is not shown. In addition, the processor 260 may implement the scheduler 253, but is not shown. The memory 258 may be part of the processor 260, but is not shown.

[0074] The processor 260, the scheduler 253, the processing components in the transmitter 252, and the processing components in the receiver 254 may be implemented by the same or different one or more processors, which are used to execute instructions stored in a memory (e.g., the memory 258). Alternatively, part or all of the processor 260, the scheduler 253, the processing components in the transmitter 252, and the processing components in the receiver 254 may be implemented using a dedicated circuit such as an FPGA, a GPU, or an ASIC.

[0075] Although NT-TRP 172 is only illustrated as a drone, NT-TRP 172 can be implemented using any suitable non-ground form. In addition, NT-TRP 172 can use other names such as non-ground node, non-ground network device or non-ground base station in some implementations. NT-TRP 172 includes a transmitter 272 and a receiver 274 coupled to one or more antennas 280. Only one antenna 280 is shown. One, part or all of the antennas can be panels instead. Transmitter 272 and receiver 274 can be integrated into a transceiver. NT-TRP 172 also includes a processor 276 for performing operations related to: preparing downlink transmissions sent to ED 110, processing uplink transmissions received from ED 110, preparing backhaul transmissions sent to T-TRP 170, and processing transmissions received from T-TRP 170 via backhaul. Processing operations related to preparing to transmit a downlink transmission or a backhaul transmission may include operations such as encoding, modulation, precoding (e.g., MIMO precoding), transmit beamforming, and generating symbols for transmission. Processing operations related to processing received transmissions in the uplink or on the backhaul may include operations such as receive beamforming, demodulation, and decoding of received symbols. In some embodiments, the processor 276 implements transmit beamforming and / or receive beamforming based on beam direction information (e.g., BAI) received from the T-TRP 170. In some embodiments, the processor 276 may generate signaling to configure one or more parameters of the ED 110, etc. In some embodiments, the NT-TRP 172 implements physical layer processing but does not implement higher-level functions, such as functions in the medium access control (MAC) or radio link control (RLC) layer. Since this is just an example, in addition to physical layer processing, the NT-TRP 172 may generally implement higher-level functions.

[0076] NT-TRP 172 also includes a memory 278 for storing information and data. Processor 276 may be part of transmitter 272 and / or part of receiver 274, but is not shown. Memory 278 may be part of processor 276, but is not shown.

[0077] The processor 276, the processing components in the transmitter 272, and the processing components in the receiver 274 may be implemented by the same or different one or more processors, which are used to execute instructions stored in a memory (e.g., the memory 278). Alternatively, some or all of the processor 276, the processing components in the transmitter 272, and the processing components in the receiver 274 may be implemented using a dedicated circuit such as a programmed FPGA, GPU, or ASIC. In some embodiments, the NT-TRP 172 may actually be a plurality of NT-TRPs that operate together to serve the ED 110 through coordinated multi-point transmission or the like.

[0078] The T-TRP 170, NT-TRP 172, and / or ED 110 may include other components, but these components are omitted for clarity.

[0079] One or more steps of the exemplary methods provided herein may be performed by Figure 2 The corresponding unit or module provided is executed. Figure 2 Units or modules in a device (e.g., in ED 110, in T-TRP 170, or in NT-TRP 172) are shown. For example, a signal can be sent by a sending unit or a sending module. A signal can be received by a receiving unit or a receiving module. A signal can be processed by a processing unit or a processing module. Other steps can be performed by an artificial intelligence (AI) or machine learning (ML) module. The corresponding units or modules can be implemented using hardware, one or more components or devices that execute software, or a combination thereof. For example, one or more units or modules can be an integrated circuit, such as a programmed FPGA, GPU, or ASIC. It should be understood that if these modules are implemented using software for execution by a processor or the like, these modules can be retrieved by the processor in whole or in part as needed, retrieved individually or collectively for processing, retrieved in one or more instances, and these modules themselves may include instructions for further deployment and instantiation.

[0080] Similar to Figure 1B The RIS 182 is shown as being located between the ED 110 and the base station 170b. The RIS may be located between the ED 110 and the NT-TRP 172, or between the ED 110 and the T-TRP 170. Figure 2 RIS may be located between NT-TRP 172 and T-TRP 170 to facilitate communication between the two TRPs.

[0081] Other details about ED 110, T-TRP 170 and NT-TRP 172 are known to those skilled in the art. Therefore, these details are omitted here.

[0082] One or more steps of the exemplary methods provided herein may be performed by Figure 3 The corresponding unit or module provided is executed. Figure 3 Units or modules in a device (e.g., in ED 110, in T-TRP 170, or in NT-TRP 172) are shown. For example, a signal can be sent by a sending unit or a sending module. A signal can be received by a receiving unit or a receiving module. A signal can be processed by a processing unit or a processing module. Other steps can be performed by an artificial intelligence (AI) or machine learning (ML) module. The corresponding units or modules can be implemented using hardware, one or more components or devices that execute software, or a combination thereof. For example, one or more units or modules can be an integrated circuit, such as a programmed FPGA, GPU, or ASIC. It should be understood that if these modules are implemented using software for execution by a processor or the like, these modules can be retrieved by the processor in whole or in part as needed, retrieved individually or collectively for processing, retrieved in one or more instances, and these modules themselves may include instructions for further deployment and instantiation.

[0083] Other details about ED 110, T-TRP 170 and NT-TRP 172 are known to those skilled in the art. Therefore, these details are omitted here.

[0084] In future wireless networks, new devices may grow exponentially and have a wide variety of functions. In addition, as service quality requirements become more diverse, many more new applications and use cases may appear in future wireless networks than those in 5G. These will bring extremely challenging new key performance indicators (KPIs) to future wireless networks (e.g., 6G networks), so sensing technology and AI technology, especially ML (deep learning) technology, are introduced in the telecommunications field to improve system performance and efficiency.

[0085] AI / ML technology can be applied to communications, including AI / ML communications in the physical layer and AI / ML communications in the media access control (MAC) layer. For the physical layer, AI / ML communications can be used to optimize component design and improve algorithm performance, such as channel coding, channel modeling, channel estimation, channel decoding, modulation, demodulation, MIMO, waveforms, multiple access, PHY unit parameter optimization and update, beamforming and tracking, sensing and positioning. For the MAC layer, AI / ML communications can use AI / ML capabilities to learn, predict and make decisions to solve complex optimization problems with better strategies and optimal solutions, such as optimizing functions in MAC, such as intelligent TRP management, intelligent beam management, intelligent channel resource allocation, intelligent power control, intelligent spectrum utilization, intelligent MCS, intelligent hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ) strategy, intelligent transmit / receive (Tx / Rx) mode adaptation, and so on.

[0086] AI / ML architectures typically include multiple nodes, where the multiple nodes can be organized in one of two modes: centralized mode and distributed mode, both of which can be deployed in access networks, core networks, edge computing systems, or third networks. Centralized training and computing architectures are limited by the potential large communication overhead and strict user data privacy. Distributed training and computing architectures include several frameworks, such as distributed machine learning and federated learning. AI / ML architectures include an intelligent controller that can execute as a single agent or multiple agents based on joint optimization or individual optimization. New protocols and signaling mechanisms are required so that the corresponding interface links can be personalized with customized parameters to meet specific requirements, while minimizing signaling overhead and maximizing overall system spectrum efficiency through personalized AI techniques.

[0087] Other terrestrial and non-terrestrial networks can enable a range of new services and applications, such as earth monitoring, remote sensing, passive sensing and positioning, navigation, tracking, autonomous delivery and mobility. Terrestrial network-based sensing and non-terrestrial network-based sensing can provide intelligent context-aware networks to enhance the UE experience. For example, terrestrial network-based sensing and non-terrestrial network-based sensing can provide opportunities for positioning applications and sensing applications based on a new set of functional and business capabilities. Applications such as THz imaging and spectroscopy have the potential to provide continuous real-time physiological information for future digital health technologies through dynamic, non-invasive, and contactless measurements. Simultaneous localization and mapping (SLAM) methods can not only enable advanced cross reality (XR) applications, but also enhance the navigation of autonomous objects such as vehicles and drones. In addition, in terrestrial and non-terrestrial networks, measured channel data as well as sensing and positioning data can be obtained through large bandwidths, new spectrums, dense networks, and more light-of-sight (LOS) links. Based on this data, a radio environment map can be drawn through AI / ML methods, where channel information is linked to its corresponding positioning or environmental information to provide an enhanced physical layer design based on the map.

[0088] Sensing coordinators are nodes in the network that can assist in sensing operations. These nodes can be independent nodes dedicated only to sensing operations, or other nodes (e.g., TRP 170, ED110, or core network nodes) that perform sensing operations in parallel with communication transmissions. New protocols and signaling mechanisms are needed so that the corresponding interface links can be executed with customized parameters to meet specific requirements while minimizing signaling overhead and maximizing overall system spectrum efficiency.

[0089] AI / ML and sensing methods require a lot of data. In order to apply AI / ML and sensing to wireless communications, more and more data needs to be collected, stored, and exchanged. The characteristics of wireless data have expanded considerably in multiple dimensions, for example, from sub-6GHz, millimeter waves to terahertz carrier frequencies, from space, outdoor to indoor scenarios, and from text, voice to video. These data collection, processing, and usage operations are performed in a unified framework or in different frameworks.

[0090] As described above, UE beam misalignment may reduce the reference signal received power (RSRP) of a beam pair, which includes a base station beam and a UE beam for uplink communication or downlink communication. For side link (SL) communication, a beam pair may include beams of two UEs participating in SL communication. Reducing RSRP may reduce the communication rate of communication through the beam pair. Performing beam scanning by a base station or UE to align the UE beam may incur a lot of overhead, thereby wasting time and frequency resources. The methods introduced in the present invention can efficiently implement UE beam tracking, thereby improving beam alignment and reducing overhead. In some embodiments, these methods may use sensing technology to adjust beam tracking according to different UE requirements and / or capabilities.

[0091] Embodiments of the present invention provide methods for efficiently implementing UE beam tracking. These methods improve beam alignment, thereby increasing beam RSRP and reducing overhead. These methods can track the serving beam and / or other beams that can be used in various beam management methods.

[0092] After the UE and the base station align their respective beams and form a beam pair, the UE beam may become misaligned with the base station due to various reasons. For example, the UE may become misaligned due to UE movement or base station movement (if the base station is capable of movement, such as a drone) or when the beam is reflected from a reflector that is capable of movement (for example, non-line of sight (NLOS) reflected from a truck). Another reason for UE beam misalignment may be that the UE changes its orientation.

[0093] In some embodiments, a UE beam tracking method includes: a base station provides configuration information to a UE, wherein the configuration information enables the UE to track one UE beam or more than one UE beam. In some embodiments, the UE is capable of compensating for azimuth changes that occur to the UE so that the UE can use UE beam tracking in addition to azimuth changes that may occur to the UE. In some embodiments, when the base station instructs the UE to update the UE beam, the UE is capable of updating the UE beam according to the local coordinates of the UE. For example, if the base station configures the UE to increase the azimuth angle of the UE beam by +10 degrees, the UE may be positioned relative to the base station coordinates and may have to adjust the UE beam angle in a manner that converts to +10 degrees. In addition to the configuration information of the base station and measurements related to one or more beams, the UE may also use sensors that are part of the UE, such as a gyroscope or a compass, to associate the UE azimuth with the base station coordinates or the network coordinates. In some embodiments, the UE may need different ways to establish an azimuth conversion. For example, a UE that is a car may be more concerned with azimuth orientation than elevation orientation, wherein the azimuth orientation may be obtained based on the direction of travel of the car, and the elevation orientation may be slightly different depending on the terrain of the road on which the car is traveling. In another example, a UE that is a laptop can associate information about the laptop's position based on the screen position. In a third example, a UE that is a train can know the train's position very accurately. Therefore, different UEs can associate their positions with base stations in different ways based on the nature of the specific UE, the availability of sensing information, and the UE environment.

[0094] Once the UE associates the UE position with a coordinate system corresponding to the base station coordinates, the base station can instruct the UE how to compensate for the movement of one or more components on the communication link. The UE movement may occur in an angular direction or radially compared to the base station beam. Based on the UE movement, the UE can be instructed to update its azimuth and / or elevation. The base station's base station beam angle change may be related to the UE side's adjustment of the UE beam angle change. In other words, there may be an angular correspondence between the base station beam update and the UE beam update.

[0095] Figure 4A An example of a portion of a network is shown, including a base station 410, a UE 420, and a reflector 430. The base station 410 can communicate directly with the UE 420 via an aligned UE beam 422 and a base station beam 412, wherein the devices communicate using a line of sight (LOS) beam pair. The base station 410 can additionally or alternatively communicate with the UE 420 via a path including a reflector 430, wherein the UE beam 424 and the base station beam 414 are aligned using a NLOS beam pair.

[0096] Figure 4BAnother example of a portion of a network is shown, including a base station 410, a UE 420, and a reflector 430. Figure 4B 4, UE 420 moves in the direction of arrow 425. When there is a beam angle correspondence, both base station 410 and UE 420 can update their respective beams by moving the beams in the same direction (in this case, to the left from the perspective of each device) by θ degrees. A similar correspondence may also occur when base station 410 and UE 420 operate using NLOS beams. Figure 4B The angle of the NLOS path from the base station 410 changes by γ degrees due to the movement of the UE 420. Similarly, the angle of the UE beam along the NLOS path also changes by γ degrees, but is not shown. In general, the angle correspondence can be used to update the base station beam and the UE beam. Since the base station 410 can be equipped with more accurate sensors than the UE 420, the base station 410 may be able to provide configuration information to the UE 420, so as to more accurately update the UE beam.

[0097] In some embodiments, when the UE is equipped with a two dimension (2D) antenna array that can perform beamforming based on azimuth and elevation (or other angle pairs corresponding to these angles), the base station can configure the UE to track one or both of these angles. For example, the base station can configure the UE to track the azimuth of the UE beam because the azimuth may be more important than the elevation in the beam pair RSRP. In general, the tracking of each angle may have different importance and different effects, and may be performed uniformly or separately, and may be performed with the same or different update frequencies. The UE (e.g., a mobile phone) may be with a pedestrian walking in an unpredictable manner in a park, or with a train traveling at a high speed on a track at a completely predictable speed. Different update frequencies may be required depending on the speed and predictability of the UE. UE beam updates may be performed periodically or irregularly or when triggered.

[0098] In some embodiments, the base station may configure the UE to update one or more UE beams, and for each of the one or more beams, the base station may update one or two angles, namely, the azimuth and / or the elevation. In some embodiments, the update information provided by the base station to the UE may be a value of a specific angle that the UE can directly use to update the beam, for example, increasing the azimuth by 3 degrees. In some embodiments, the update information provided by the base station to the UE may be an equation that enables the UE to periodically update the UE beam angle, for example, angle t+1 =angle t+a, where the angle update from time slot t to time slot t+1 is achieved by adding a, which is a parameter provided by the base station. The updated angle can be an azimuth or an elevation angle or a combination thereof. The parameters in the equation may depend on one or more variables, such as UE position, UE speed, and update interval. Different equations can be used, which may require one or more parameters to be sent from the base station to the UE to achieve UE beam tracking. The base station may also instruct the UE to update the UE beam based on the UE position. For example, the UE may maintain a specific UE beam until a certain UE position is reached, after which the UE switches to other UE beams. In another example, the UE may receive an instruction on the UE beam angle for a certain location that the UE is heading to, and the UE gradually shifts the UE beam to that angle as it approaches the location. In a third example, an equation may be provided to the UE that enables the UE to periodically update the UE beam angle based on its position.

[0099] While UE mobility is likely the biggest cause of beam misalignment, base station mobility may also contribute to beam misalignment when the base station is capable of mobility. Examples of base stations that are capable of mobility may include, but are not limited to, drones, high altitude platform systems (HAPS), or satellites. Such base stations may move on a well-defined path (as is the case with satellites) or on demand (for example, as is the case with drone base stations). In this case, the base station knows its own motion profile and may update the base station beam to remain pointed at the UE, so the base station may instruct the UE to also update the UE beam to compensate for potential beam misalignment. An example of beam misalignment is if the UE and base station are communicating using an NLOS path where the signal is reflected from a moving reflector (e.g., a truck) and both the base station beam and the UE beam are pointed at the reflector, then beam misalignment may occur. However, in this case, the reliability of the UE beam may be lower, so tracking of such a UE beam may be of less importance.

[0100] In some embodiments, the base station may instruct the UE how to update the UE beam used as part of a serving beam pair. In embodiments where the UE is capable of beamforming more than one beam, the base station may instruct the UE to update one or more serving beam pairs. In some embodiments, the base station may also instruct the UE how to update beams that may be used for other functions (e.g., beam reporting, beam switching, beam failure recovery) or how to update beams of other base stations that may be used for possible switching. For each beam, the base station may use a different update frequency, i.e., the frequency at which the base station may provide update information or trigger an update, and each beam may use the same or different equations. In some embodiments, the base station may instruct the UE to track the UE beam to compensate for movement of the UE or the base station or both.

[0101] In some embodiments, UE beam tracking can be associated with other configured parameters. For example, a timing advance for a beam can be configured for the UE to compensate for the travel time of the signal transmitted between the base station and the UE. When the UE moves in a radial direction, the timing advance will change with the change of the overall travel time as the UE moves toward or away from the base station, while for the angular direction, the timing advance may be substantially the same as the travel time. In some embodiments, azimuth updates and elevation updates may be related to the UE moving in a radial direction or in an angular direction.

[0102] Some embodiments relate to beamforming methods between a UE and a base station. Therefore, various aspects of the present invention can be applied to situations where a UE may be capable of analog beamforming, such as smartphones, drones, vehicles, the Internet of Things (IoT), etc.

[0103] It should also be understood that although most of the discussion in the present invention relates to communication between a UE and a base station, UE beam tracking can also be used in other scenarios. For example, when a first UE and a second UE communicate via a sidelink communication, the base station can configure the first UE to track the transmit beam of the second UE. In addition, various aspects of the present invention can be used in any of the UL, DL, or sidelink, and can be used in a frequency division duplex (FDD) system or a time division duplex (TDD) system.

[0104] In some embodiments, the base station informs the UE of tracking information of the UE beam that is part of the serving beam pair. Prior to these embodiments, the base station and the UE can align their respective beams to obtain optimal performance, and the communication between the base station and the UE can configure the UE to be able to understand the base station information based on the UE local coordinates.

[0105] In some embodiments, the base station may send an update including beam angle information of the UE beam, in which embodiments, the UE uses the beam angle information to update the old beam angle, the beam angle information includes a new beam angle or a relative beam angle, but does not include the old angle, the UE increases the relative beam angle or subtracts the relative beam angle from the old beam angle, and then uses the newly obtained angle. In some embodiments, the base station may send equation update information to update the beam angle according to the equation update information that can be used on multiple time slots. The equation update information may include one or more parameters configured by the base station, which the UE may use to update the UE beam. In some embodiments, the UE may use the equation to update the UE beam at a certain interval. In some embodiments, the UE may use the equation to update the UE beam based on the UE position. An exemplary equation is a linear equation, where the UE increases or decreases a configured beam angle in each time slot, which is provided by the base station. The base station may update more than one beam angle for the service beam, for example, azimuth and elevation, and if the UE is capable of multi-beam communication, there may be more than one service beam. Therefore, the base station may configure more than one beam angle or relative beam angle or equation update for the UE. The beam angle or relative beam angle may be sent as a media access control layer control element (MAC-CE) via a control channel, and the equation update may be sent via radio resource control (RRC) signaling. In some embodiments, the equation update may be enabled or disabled via a MAC-CE command.

[0106] In some embodiments, the base station may configure the beam angle update indirectly, rather than providing a specific beam angle, relative beam angle, or equation. In one example, when the base station and the UE communicate using a LOS beam, the base station may provide the base station location to the UE, and the UE points the UE beam in the provided direction. In another example, when the base station and the UE communicate using a NLOS beam, the base station may provide the UE with information about the reflector location, which the UE may use to point the UE beam to the reflector location. In another example, the base station may inform the UE of the base station codebook, and the UE may use the angular relationship between different transmit beams to point the UE beam.

[0107] Since beam updates may depend on UE position and UE velocity, which may be acquired with different accuracy, the UE's base station update may include a range of beam angles that the UE can use for communication. Therefore, the UE may use a wide beam within the provided range, or use one or more narrow beams to scan the provided range. The beam angle range may be related to the accuracy of the UE movement and sensing information.

[0108] Figure 5 An example of a signal flow diagram of communication signaling between a base station 510 and a UE 520 is shown. The first signaling 530 includes an initial link establishment and the start of communication. At signaling 540, the UE 520 sends an indication of the UE beam tracking capability to the base station 510. The UE beam tracking capability may include one or more of the following indications: an indication of the UE's ability to compensate for changes in the UE's orientation; an indication of whether the UE can update beam information using equations provided in the beam tracking update configuration information; an indication of whether the UE includes at least one of a gyroscope or a compass; an indication of the number of antenna panels in the UE; an indication of whether the UE is capable of beamforming one or more beams.

[0109] At signaling 550, the base station 510 replies with configuration information for updating UE beam tracking, where the configuration information enables the UE 520 to update the UE beam. In one example, the base station 510 can use the relative angle configured through MAC-CE signaling. In another example, the base station 510 sends parameters associated with an equation that enables the UE 520 to update the UE beam. The equation parameters can be configured through RRC signaling and then triggered to enable or disable through MAC-CE signaling.

[0110] After UE 520 updates the UE beam, communication may continue on a new beam pair including the updated UE beam. In some embodiments, the signaling may be on a physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH) that includes a demodulation reference signal (DMRS) as part of the communication. In some embodiments, the UE beam tracking update in signaling 550 may include a beam angle range. The UE 520 may then use a narrow beam to scan (not shown) the beam angle range to find a preferred beam angle. The configuration information may include instructions for beam scanning the beam angle range. The UE may update the UE beam periodically, irregularly, or based on a trigger signal based on the UE beam tracking capability information and the beam tracking update configuration information.

[0111] For periodic updates, the UE may be configured to update the UE beam at each time interval. For irregular updates, the UE beam angle may be updated when the UE moves. For example, when the UE is a vehicle, the UE may increase the UE beam angle when the UE is moving (but not when stopped, such as at a stop sign). For triggered updates, the base station may send a trigger signal. For example, the base station may trigger an azimuth update when an angular movement is detected.

[0112] When the base station provides the UE with information that enables UE beam tracking for the serving beam pair, the UE updates the UE beam to improve the beam pair RSRP. This can increase the transmission rate, enhance the communication experience, and reduce beam switching and beam failure situations.

[0113] In some embodiments, the base station may inform the UE of UE beam tracking information for UE beams of other beam pairs with different functionalities. Other beam pairs with other functionalities may include UE beams that are part of a beam pair that may be used for beam switching, may be reported by the UE, may be used for beam failure recovery, or may be used for switching. Beam pair RSRP may be reported or used as part of beam management for various reasons.

[0114] In some embodiments, the base station may configure the UE beam for a certain beam pair for the UE by providing a beam angle (or more than one beam angle or beam angle range) to the UE, the beam angle being relative to the UE beam used as the established service beam. The UE uses one or more angles of the UE service beam and one or more relative beam angles or beam angle ranges to obtain one or more updated angles of the beam pair. In some embodiments, the base station may send the beam angle directly to the UE for the required beam pair. In some embodiments, once the initial beam angle is determined, the base station may send an equation to update the beam angle at more than one time point or location. In some embodiments, the beam angle, relative beam angle or beam angle range may be sent via a control channel such as MAC-CE. In some embodiments, the equation update may be sent via RRC and may be enabled or disabled via a MAC-CE command. The equation may enable the UE to update the beam angle from one time slot to another, wherein the degree of the beam angle added or subtracted from the current angle is configured by the base station. In some embodiments, the UE may use the equation to update the beam angle according to the location of the UE. A base station may provide more than one beam angle (eg, azimuth and elevation) for a given beam pair, and various beam management processes may also have more than one beam pair.

[0115] In some embodiments, the base station can indirectly configure the beam angle update. For example, when the tracked beam pair is a NLOS beam reflected from a certain reflector, the base station can provide the UE with information about the reflector position, which the UE can use to point the UE beam to the reflector position. In another example, the base station can inform the UE of the base station codebook, and the UE can use the angle relationship between different transmit beams to update the UE beam.

[0116] Since beam updates may depend on UE position and UE velocity, which may be acquired with different accuracy, the UE's base station update may include an angular range that the UE can use to update the UE beam. In some embodiments, the UE may use a wide beam that includes the range, or the UE may use one or more narrow beams to scan the range. The beam angle range may be related to the UE movement and the accuracy of the sensing information.

[0117] In some embodiments, UE beam tracking may depend on the purpose of the beam pair and the function of the beam pair in the beam management process. For example, beam tracking may depend on whether the beam pair is related to beam reporting, beam switching, beam failure recovery, or possible switching. This may also be related to whether the beam is used for control communication or data communication and whether the beam is used for unicast transmission, multicast transmission or broadcast transmission.

[0118] Figure 6 An example of a signal flow diagram of communication signaling between a base station 610 and a UE 620 is shown. The first signaling 630 includes an initial link establishment and communication start. At signaling 640, the UE 620 sends an indication of the UE beam tracking capability to the base station 610. At signaling 650, the base station 610 replies with configuration information for updating the UE beam tracking, wherein the configuration information enables the UE 620 to update the UE beam. In this example, the beam angle update is for a beam that can be used for beam switching. Once the base station 610 initiates beam switching using a beam switching command 660, the UE sends 670 an acknowledgement message 670 of the beam switching command. The UE 620 updates the UE beam configured according to the beam switching annotation and uses the new beam as the current serving beam, and as part of the beam switching, data transmission communication 680 continues on the new beam pair that can be associated with the DMRS. In some embodiments, the UE beam tracking update in the signaling 650 may include a beam angle range. The UE 620 may then use the narrow beam to scan (not shown) a range of beam angles to find a preferred beam angle.

[0119] Figure 7An example of a signal flow diagram of communication signaling between a base station 710 and a UE 720 is shown. The first signaling 730 includes an initial link establishment and the start of communication. At signaling 740, the UE 720 sends an indication of the UE beam tracking capability to the base station 710. At signaling 750, the base station 710 replies with configuration information for updating the UE beam tracking, wherein the configuration information enables the UE 720 to update the UE beam. In this example, the beam angle update is for a beam that can be used as part of beam failure recovery. At some point in the data transmission communication 760 between the base station 710 and the UE 720, the UE 720 detects a beam failure, and the UE 720 initiates a beam failure recovery process to search for other possible beams corresponding to the UE beam configured for beam failure recovery. When a beam is found, the UE can initiate a random access channel (RACH) request as part of a RACH process 770 to establish a new connection on a new UE beam. The beam recovery is considered successful when the UE receives a RACH response as part of the RACH procedure 770. When the RACH procedure is successful, data transmission communications 780 may continue on the new beam pair. In some embodiments, the signaling may be on a PDSCH that includes a DMRS as part of the communication.

[0120] In some embodiments, a similar signaling method may occur, where, when the beam failure recovery of the serving base station is unsuccessful, UE720 attempts to connect to the beams of other base stations (not shown) using the configured UE beam.

[0121] Since the base station provides the UE with information that enables UE beam tracking for beam pairs other than the serving pair, the UE can achieve higher beam pair RSRP when reporting or using beam pairs other than the serving pair. This can enhance various beam management processes that rely on alternative beam pairs available for beam reporting, beam switching, beam failure recovery, and beams available for possible switching from other base stations.

[0122] It should be understood that one or more steps of the exemplary methods provided herein can be performed by corresponding units or modules. For example, a signal can be sent by a sending unit or a sending module. A signal can be received by a receiving unit or a receiving module. A signal can be processed by a processing unit or a processing module. The corresponding unit / module can be hardware, software, or a combination thereof. For example, one or more units / modules can be integrated circuits, such as field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs) or application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs). It is understood that if these modules are software, these modules can be retrieved in whole or in part by a processor as needed, retrieved individually or collectively for processing, retrieved in one or more instances as needed, and these modules themselves can include instructions for further deployment and instantiation.

[0123] Although combinations of features are shown in the illustrated embodiments, not all features need to be combined to achieve the benefits of the various embodiments of the present invention. In other words, a system or method designed according to an embodiment of the present invention does not necessarily include all features shown in any of the figures or all parts schematically shown in the figures. In addition, selected features of an exemplary embodiment can be combined with selected features of other exemplary embodiments.

[0124] Although the present invention has been described with reference to illustrative embodiments, this description is not to be interpreted in a limiting sense. With reference to this document, those skilled in the art will clearly understand various modifications and combinations of the illustrative embodiments and other embodiments of the present invention. Therefore, the appended claims cover any such modifications or embodiments.

Claims

1. A method, characterized in that include: User equipment (UE) sends UE beam tracking capability information; The UE receives beam tracking update configuration information; The UE updates the UE beam according to the UE beam tracking capability information and the beam tracking update configuration information, Wherein, the updating of the UE beam is performed periodically or irregularly or according to a trigger signal.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that: The beam tracking update configuration information provides information for tracking one or more of the following beams: UE beam for serving beam; or Alternative UE beams for UE beam management procedures.

3. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that The UE beam is one or more of the following beams: a UE beam for the serving beam; UE beam for beam switching; UE beam used for handover; or UE beam for beam failure recovery.

4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that The UE beam tracking capability information includes one or more of the following indications: an indication of the UE's ability to compensate for changes in UE position; an indication of whether the UE is capable of updating beam information using an equation provided in the beam tracking update configuration information; an indication of whether the UE includes at least one of a gyroscope or a compass; an indication of the number of antenna panels in the UE; An indication of whether the UE is capable of beamforming one or more beams.

5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that The beam tracking update configuration information includes one or more of the following information: Beam angle information; equation information to implement at least one of a time-dependent update or a location-dependent update; Geometric information about a reflector between the UE and a serving base station; Reflector location information.

6. The method according to claim 5, characterized in that The beam angle information is one of an absolute angle, a relative angle or an angle range.

7. The method according to claim 6, characterized in that The updated configuration information includes an instruction for the UE to perform beam scanning within the angle range.

8. A device, characterized in that: include: processor; A computer-readable medium storing computer-executable instructions, wherein when the computer-executable instructions are executed by the processor, the apparatus performs any one of method claims 1 to 7.

9. A method, characterized in that include: The base station receives beam tracking capability information of user equipment (UE); The base station sends beam tracking update configuration information, Among them, the UE beam tracking capability information and the beam tracking update configuration information are used to update the UE receiving beam periodically or irregularly or according to a trigger signal.

10. The method according to claim 9, characterized in that The beam tracking update configuration information provides information for tracking one or more of the following beams: UE beam for serving beam; or Alternative UE beams for UE beam management procedures.

11. The method according to claim 10, characterized in that The candidate UE receive beam or beam pair is one of the following beams: a UE beam for the serving beam; UE beam for beam switching; UE beam used for handover; or UE beam for beam failure recovery.

12. The method according to any one of claims 9 to 11, characterized in that The UE beam tracking capability information includes one or more of the following indications: an indication of the UE's ability to compensate for changes in UE position; an indication of whether the UE is capable of updating beam information using an equation provided in the beam tracking update configuration information; an indication of whether the UE includes at least one of a gyroscope or a compass; an indication of the number of antenna panels in the UE; An indication of whether the UE is capable of beamforming one or more beams.

13. The method according to any one of claims 9 to 12, characterized in that The beam tracking update configuration information includes one or more of the following information: Beam angle information; equation information to implement at least one of a time-dependent update or a location-dependent update; geometric information about a reflector between the UE and the base station; Reflector location information.

14. The method according to claim 13, characterized in that The beam angle information is one of an absolute angle, a relative angle or an angle range.

15. The method according to claim 13 or 14, characterized in that The updated configuration information includes an instruction for the UE to perform beam scanning within the angle range.

16. The method according to any one of claims 13 to 15, characterized in that The equation information is sent in at least one of radio resource control (RRC) signaling or a media access control layer control element (MAC-CE).

17. The method according to any one of claims 9 to 16, characterized in that Also includes: The directional information is used to coordinate the UE position relative to the base station.

18. The method according to any one of claims 9 to 17, characterized in that The beam tracking update configuration information is based on at least one of the following: Movement of the UE; Movement of base stations; or Movement of a signal reflector between the base station and the UE.

19. The method according to any one of claims 9 to 18, characterized in that Also includes: The base station receives or sends data via the updated UE beam.

20. A device, characterized in that: include: processor; A computer-readable medium storing computer-executable instructions, wherein when the computer-executable instructions are executed by the processor, the apparatus performs any one of method claims 9 to 19.

Images