Combined reference signal configuration

Abstract

Aspects relate to a configuration of a combined reference signal configuration including two or more reference signal configurations. Each reference signal configuration may be associated with one or more beam identifiers (IDs) in a respective communication direction. In some examples, the communication direction may be a downlink communication direction, an uplink communication direction, or a sidelink communication direction. Based on the combined reference signal configuration, reference signals associated with the two or more reference signal configurations may be communicated between devices (e.g., between a user equipment (UE) and a network entity or between two UEs). Further, the UE may transmit a measurement report based on one or more reporting settings configured for the combined reference signal configuration.

Description

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0002] This patent application claims priority to pending U.S. non-provisional application No. 17 / 849,150, filed on June 24, 2022, which is assigned to the assignee of the present application and is hereby expressly incorporated herein by reference as if fully set forth below and for all applicable purposes. Background Art

[0003] The techniques discussed below relate generally to wireless communication networks, and more particularly to configuring reference signals for beam management in wireless communication networks.

[0004] In wireless communication systems, such as those specified under the 5G New Radio (NR) standard, base stations and user equipment (UE) can utilize beamforming to compensate for high path loss and short distances. Beamforming is a signal processing technique used with antenna arrays for directional signal transmission and / or reception. Each antenna in the antenna array transmits a signal that is combined with other signals from other antennas of the same array in such a way that signals at certain angles experience constructive interference while other signals experience destructive interference.

[0005] The base station and the UE may select one or more beam pair links (BPLs) for communication between the base station and the UE on the downlink and / or uplink. Each BPL includes corresponding transmit and receive beams on the base station and the UE. For example, on the uplink, the BPL includes a transmit beam on the UE and a receive beam on the base station. The base station and the UE may use a downlink beam management scheme and / or an uplink beam management scheme to select one or more beams forming the BPL for communicating uplink signals and downlink signals between them. Summary of the invention

[0006] An overview of one or more aspects of the present disclosure is presented below to provide a basic understanding of these aspects. This summary is not an exhaustive overview of all expected features of the present disclosure, and is neither intended to identify key or important elements of all aspects of the present disclosure, nor is it intended to describe the scope of any or all aspects of the present disclosure. Its sole purpose is to present some concepts of one or more aspects of the present disclosure in a form as a preface to a more detailed description presented later.

[0007] In one example, a user equipment (UE) configured for wireless communication is disclosed. The UE includes a memory and a processor coupled to the memory. The processor is configured to receive a combined reference signal configuration including two or more reference signal configurations. Each reference signal configuration in the two or more reference signal configurations is associated with one or more beam identifiers (IDs) in a corresponding communication direction. The processor is further configured to communicate a reference signal associated with the two or more reference signal configurations based on the combined reference signal configuration.

[0008] Another example provides a method for wireless communication at a user equipment (UE). The method includes receiving a combined reference signal configuration including two or more reference signal configurations. Each reference signal configuration of the two or more reference signal configurations is associated with one or more beam identifiers (IDs) in a corresponding communication direction. The method also includes communicating a reference signal associated with the two or more reference signal configurations based on the combined reference signal configuration.

[0009] Another example provides a user equipment (UE) configured for wireless communication. The UE includes a component for receiving a combined reference signal configuration including two or more reference signal configurations. Each reference signal configuration in the two or more reference signal configurations is associated with one or more beam identifiers (IDs) in a corresponding communication direction. The UE also includes a component for communicating a reference signal associated with the two or more reference signal configurations based on the combined reference signal configuration.

[0010] Another example provides a non-transitory computer-readable medium having instructions stored therein, the instructions being executable by one or more processors of a user equipment (UE) to receive a combined reference signal configuration comprising two or more reference signal configurations. Each of the two or more reference signal configurations is associated with one or more beam identifiers (IDs) in a corresponding communication direction. The non-transitory computer-readable medium also includes instructions that are executable by one or more processors of the UE to communicate reference signals associated with the two or more reference signal configurations based on the combined reference signal configuration.

[0011] Another example provides a network entity configured for wireless communication. The network entity includes a memory and a processor coupled to the processor. The processor is configured to provide a combined reference signal configuration including two or more reference signal configurations. Each reference signal configuration in the two or more reference signal configurations is associated with one or more beam identifiers (IDs) in a corresponding communication direction. The processor is further configured to communicate a reference signal associated with the two or more reference signal configurations based on the combined reference signal configuration.

[0012] Another example provides a method for wireless communication at a network entity. The method includes providing a combined reference signal configuration including two or more reference signal configurations. Each reference signal configuration of the two or more reference signal configurations is associated with one or more beam identifiers (IDs) in a corresponding communication direction. The method also includes communicating a reference signal associated with the two or more reference signal configurations based on the combined reference signal configuration.

[0013] Another example provides a network entity configured for wireless communication. The network entity includes a component for providing a combined reference signal configuration including two or more reference signal configurations. Each reference signal configuration of the two or more reference signal configurations is associated with one or more beam identifiers (IDs) in a corresponding communication direction. The network entity also includes a component for communicating a reference signal associated with the two or more reference signal configurations based on the combined reference signal configuration.

[0014] Another example provides a non-transitory computer-readable medium having instructions stored therein, the instructions being executable by one or more processors of a network entity to provide a combined reference signal configuration comprising two or more reference signal configurations. Each of the two or more reference signal configurations is associated with one or more beam identifiers (IDs) in a corresponding communication direction. The non-transitory computer-readable medium also includes instructions that are executable by one or more processors of the network entity to communicate reference signals associated with the two or more reference signal configurations based on the combined reference signal configuration.

[0015] Another disclosed example provides a user equipment (UE) configured for wireless communication. The UE includes a memory and a processor coupled to the memory. The processor may be configured to receive at least one report setting associated with a combined reference signal configuration including two or more reference signal configurations. Each of the two or more reference signal configurations is associated with one or more beam identifiers (IDs) in a corresponding communication direction. The processor is further configured to send a measurement report based on at least one report setting, the measurement report including a beam measurement, each of the beam measurements corresponding to one of a plurality of beams for communicating a reference signal based on the combined reference signal configuration.

[0016] Another example provides a method for wireless communication at a user equipment (UE). The method includes receiving at least one report setting associated with a combined reference signal configuration including two or more reference signal configurations. Each of the two or more reference signal configurations is associated with one or more beam identifiers (IDs) in a corresponding communication direction. The method also includes sending a measurement report based on the at least one report setting, the measurement report including beam measurements, each of the beam measurements corresponding to one of a plurality of beams used to communicate a reference signal based on the combined reference signal configuration.

[0017] Another example provides a user equipment (UE) configured for wireless communication. The UE includes a component for receiving at least one report setting associated with a combined reference signal configuration including two or more reference signal configurations. Each of the two or more reference signal configurations is associated with one or more beam identifiers (IDs) in a corresponding communication direction. The UE also includes a component for sending a measurement report based on the at least one report setting, the measurement report including beam measurements, each of the beam measurements corresponding to one of a plurality of beams used to communicate a reference signal based on the combined reference signal configuration.

[0018] Another example provides a non-transitory computer-readable medium having instructions stored therein, the instructions being executable by one or more processors of a user equipment (UE) to receive at least one report setting associated with a combined reference signal configuration comprising two or more reference signal configurations. Each of the two or more reference signal configurations is associated with one or more beam identifiers (IDs) in a corresponding communication direction. The non-transitory computer-readable medium also includes instructions that are executable by one or more processors of the UE to send a measurement report based on at least one report setting, the measurement report comprising beam measurements, each of the beam measurements corresponding to one of a plurality of beams used to communicate a reference signal based on the combined reference signal configuration.

[0019] These and other aspects will be more fully understood after reading the following specific embodiments. After reading the following description of specific exemplary aspects in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, other aspects, features and examples will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art. Although each feature may be discussed below with respect to certain aspects and accompanying drawings, all aspects may include one or more of the advantageous features discussed herein. In other words, although one or more aspects may be discussed as having certain advantageous features, one or more of such features may also be used according to the various aspects discussed herein. In a similar manner, although exemplary aspects may be discussed below as devices, systems or methods, such exemplary aspects may be implemented in various devices, systems, and methods. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] Figure 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a wireless radio access network in accordance with some aspects.

[0021] Figure 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a wireless communication network employing sidelink communications in accordance with some aspects.

[0022] Figure 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a frame structure for a wireless communication network in accordance with some aspects.

[0023] Figure 4 is a block diagram illustrating a wireless communication system supporting beamforming and / or multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) communications in accordance with some aspects.

[0024] FIG. 5A to FIG. 5C is a diagram illustrating an example of a downlink beam management process in accordance with some aspects.

[0025] Figure 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a downlink reference signal configuration according to some aspects.

[0026] FIG. 7A to FIG. 7B is a diagram illustrating an example of an uplink beam management process according to some aspects.

[0027] Fig. 8A , Figure 8B and Figure 8C is a diagram illustrating an example uplink reference signal configuration according to some aspects.

[0028] Fig. 9 is a signaling diagram illustrating an example of beam refinement using a combined reference signal configuration in accordance with some aspects.

[0029] Fig.10 is a signaling diagram illustrating an example of sidelink beam refinement using a combined reference signal configuration in accordance with some aspects.

[0030] Fig.11 is a diagram illustrating an example combined reference signal configuration according to some aspects.

[0031] Fig. 12A and Fig. 12B is a diagram illustrating an example of a beam refinement process according to a combined reference signal configuration in accordance with some aspects.

[0032] Fig.13 is a diagram illustrating another example of a beam refinement process according to a combined reference signal configuration in accordance with some aspects.

[0033] Fig.14 is a diagram illustrating another example of a beam refinement process according to a combined reference signal configuration in accordance with some aspects.

[0034] Fig.15 is a diagram illustrating example signaling for combined reference signal configuration according to some aspects.

[0035] Fig.16 is a signaling diagram illustrating an example of a beam management process using a combined reference signal configuration in accordance with some aspects.

[0036] Fig.17A

[00136] Examples of combined reference signal configurations in accordance with some aspects are illustrated.

[0037] Fig. 17B

[00136] An example of a combined reference signal configuration linked with a single reporting setup in accordance with some aspects is illustrated.

[0038] Fig. 17C and Fig.17D Examples based on some aspects Fig.17A The combined reference signal configuration shown in Fig. 17B An example of a measurement report generated for a single report setup shown in FIG. 1 for this combined reference signal configuration.

[0039] Fig.18 is an example based on some aspects Fig.17A The combined reference signal configuration shown in Fig. 17B 0048 ] A diagram of another example of a measurement report generated for a single reporting setup shown in 0048 ] for the combined reference signal configuration.

[0040] Fig.19A

[0013] An example of a combined reference signal configuration linked with multiple reporting settings is illustrated in accordance with some aspects.

[0041] Fig.19B is an example of a method based on a combined reference signal configuration and Fig.19A0048 ] A diagram of another example of a measurement report generated for multiple reporting settings shown in the combined reference signal configuration.

[0042] Fig. 20 is an example of a method based on a combined reference signal configuration and Fig.19A 0048 ] A diagram of another example of a measurement report generated for multiple reporting settings shown in the combined reference signal configuration.

[0043] Fig.21A and Fig.21B is a diagram illustrating an example of measurement reporting timing for a combined reference signal configuration in accordance with some aspects.

[0044] Fig. 22 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a hardware implementation of a UE employing a processing system according to some aspects.

[0045] Fig.23 is a flow chart of an example process for implementing combined reference signal configuration at a UE in accordance with some aspects.

[0046] Fig.24 is a flow chart of another example process for implementing combined reference signal configuration at a UE in accordance with some aspects.

[0047] Fig.25 is a flow chart of another example process for implementing combined reference signal configuration at a UE in accordance with some aspects.

[0048] Fig.26 is a flow chart of another example process for implementing combined reference signal configuration at a UE in accordance with some aspects.

[0049] Fig. 27 is a flow chart of an example process for generating and sending a measurement report based on a combined reference signal configuration in accordance with some aspects.

[0050] Fig.28 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a hardware implementation of a network entity employing a processing system according to some aspects.

[0051] Fig.29 is a flow chart of an example process for implementing combined reference signal configuration at a network entity in accordance with some aspects.

[0052] Fig.30 is a flow chart of another example process for implementing combined reference signal configuration at a network entity in accordance with some aspects.

[0053] Fig.31 is a flow chart of another example process for implementing combined reference signal configuration at a network entity in accordance with some aspects.

[0054] Fig.32 is a diagram providing a high-level illustration of one example of a configuration of a decomposed base station in accordance with some aspects. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0055] The specific embodiments described below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings are intended as descriptions of various configurations and are not intended to represent the only configurations in which the concepts described herein may be practiced. In order to provide a thorough understanding of the various concepts, the specific embodiments include specific details. However, it is apparent to those skilled in the art that these concepts may be practiced without these specific details. In some instances, well-known structures and components are shown in block diagram form to avoid blurring these concepts.

[0056] Although various aspects and features are described in this application by explanation of some examples, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that additional implementations and use cases can be generated in many different arrangements and scenarios. The various aspects described herein can be implemented across many different platform types, devices, systems, shapes, sizes, and packaging arrangements. For example, various aspects and / or uses can be generated via integrated chip devices and other devices based on non-module components (e.g., end-user devices, vehicles, communication equipment, computing equipment, industrial equipment, retail / shopping equipment, medical equipment, AI-enabled devices, etc.). Although some examples may or may not be specifically for each use case or application, the wide applicability of the described aspects may occur. The scope of each implementation can range from chip-level or module components to non-module, non-chip-level implementations, and further to the aggregation, distributed or OEM devices or systems that incorporate one or more aspects of the described aspects. In some actual settings, the device incorporating the described aspects and features may also necessarily include additional components and features for the implementation and implementation of the examples claimed and described. For example, the transmission and reception of wireless signals necessarily include multiple components for analog and digital purposes (e.g., hardware components including antennas, RF chains, power amplifiers, modulators, buffers, processors, interleavers, adders / accumulators, etc.). The aspects described herein are intended to be practiced in various devices of different sizes, shapes, and configurations, chip-level components, systems, distributed arrangements, disaggregated arrangements (e.g., base stations and / or UEs), end-user devices, etc.

[0057] The beam management scheme may be divided into an uplink beam management scheme and a downlink beam management scheme. In an example of a downlink beam management scheme, a downlink beam (e.g., a downlink BPL) may be selected based on a downlink beamforming reference signal (such as a channel state information reference signal (CSI-RS)) sent from a base station to a UE. In an example of an uplink beam management scheme, an uplink beam (e.g., an uplink BPL) may be selected based on a beamforming uplink reference signal (such as a sounding reference signal (SRS)). When the channel is reciprocal, the base station may also derive a downlink beam (e.g., a downlink BPL) based on a received SRS to communicate with the UE.

[0058] Reference signal configuration may be used to implement each of the uplink beam management scheme and the downlink beam management scheme. Reference signal configuration is a configuration of one or more reference signal resources for conveying reference signals. Each reference signal resource may be indexed by a corresponding reference signal resource ID. The reference signal resource ID may identify both the beam and the time-frequency resource, on which the reference signal may be conveyed. Examples of reference signals may include a channel state information reference signal (CSI-RS) and a sounding reference signal (SRS) on the uplink. CSI-RS is a reference signal used in the downlink direction in 5G NR during mobility and downlink beam management and used to measure the characteristics of the radio channel. For example, a UE may use CSI-RS to measure the quality of a downlink radio channel and report the channel quality on the uplink. SRS is a reference signal sent by a UE in the uplink direction for use by a network entity (e.g., a base station) during uplink beam management and used to estimate the uplink channel quality.

[0059] In an example of a downlink beam management scheme, the CSI-RS resources may be configured to enable a network entity to transmit CSI-RS in a beam sweeping manner for downlink transmit beam refinement at the network entity (e.g., selecting a beam used by the network entity to transmit a downlink signal to a UE). In an example of an uplink beam management scheme, the SRS resources may be configured to enable a UE to transmit SRS in a beam sweeping manner for uplink transmit beam refinement at the UE (e.g., selecting a beam used by the UE to transmit an uplink signal from the UE to the network entity).

[0060] In addition, additional reference signal configurations may also be developed to facilitate beam refinement at a network entity or UE. For example, a CSI-RS resource may be configured with repetitions (e.g., repetitions of the same beam over time) to enable the UE to sweep a receive beam for downlink receive beam refinement at the UE (e.g., selecting a beam used by the UE to receive signals from a network entity). In an example of CSI-RS repetition, the CSI-RS may be sent on the same downlink beam and within the same frequency resource, but on different time resources (e.g., in different symbols, time slots, and / or subframes). As another example, an SRS resource may be configured with repetitions to enable a network entity to sweep a receive beam for uplink receive beam refinement at the network entity (e.g., selecting a beam used by the network entity to receive signals from a UE). In an example of SRS repetition, the SRS may be sent on the same uplink beam and within the same frequency resource, but on different time resources (e.g., in different symbols, time slots, and / or subframes).

[0061] One or more of the beam refinement procedures may be required at a certain time (e.g., the network entity receives beam refinement; the network entity sends beam refinement; the UE receives beam refinement; the UE sends beam refinement). In some examples, each beam refinement procedure is configured with a separate reference signal and / or is triggered using separate signaling, which may increase signaling overhead and extend the time to perform the beam refinement procedure. In addition, each beam refinement procedure in the beam refinement procedure may involve a different delay to apply or activate the beam refinement procedure. In addition, the separate execution of the beam refinement procedure may increase UE power consumption.

[0062] Therefore, in various aspects of the present disclosure, two or more reference signal configurations in the reference signal configuration may be combined to enable two or more beam refinement processes in the beam refinement process to be performed in the same time period. In some examples, more than one beam refinement process may need to be performed at a time. Therefore, a combined reference signal configuration including two or more reference signal configurations may be utilized to enable two or more beam refinement processes to be performed in the same time period. By combining reference signal configurations for various beam refinement processes into a combined reference signal configuration, signaling overhead may be reduced. For example, signaling a single combined reference signal configuration results in reduced signaling compared to separately signaling two or more individual reference signal configurations. In addition, the time period for performing multiple beam refinement processes may be reduced, which may further reduce UE power consumption. For example, the combined reference signal configuration may result in multiple beam refinement processes being performed substantially simultaneously rather than sequentially. The power consumption of the simultaneous execution of multiple beam refinement processes may be less than the power consumption of the sequential execution of multiple beam refinement processes.

[0063] In some examples, the combined reference signal configuration includes two or more reference signal configurations, each of which is associated with one or more beam identifiers (IDs) in a corresponding communication direction (e.g., uplink or downlink). Here, the CSI-RS beam ID can be indexed by a CSI-RS resource indicator (CRI), and the SRS beam ID can be indexed by an SRS resource indicator (SRI). For example, the combined reference signal configuration may indicate two or more of a downlink repetition pattern of a downlink beam ID (e.g., associated with a CSI-RS resource), an uplink repetition pattern of an uplink beam ID (e.g., associated with an SRS resource), a plurality of downlink beam IDs without repetition (e.g., each associated with a corresponding CSI-RS resource), or a plurality of uplink beam IDs without repetition (e.g., each associated with a corresponding SRS resource). In addition, the combined reference signal configuration can be periodic, semi-persistent, or aperiodic. In some examples, a combined reference signal configuration may also be used in a sidelink communication network to enable multiple beam refinement processes to be performed at a transmitting sidelink device (e.g., a transmitting UE) and a receiving sidelink device (e.g., a receiving UE) within the same time period.

[0064] In some examples, the combined reference signal configuration may include common parameters that are linked between two or more reference signal configurations. For example, a common bandwidth may be shared between reference signal configurations. As another example, a common spatial relation filter may be shared between reference signal configurations on different communication directions (e.g., downlink and uplink or different sidelink directions), or a common quasi-co-site (QCL) relation may be shared between reference signal configurations on the same communication direction (e.g., downlink, uplink, or sidelink).

[0065] In an example where the combined reference signal configuration includes the same communication direction and each has a repeated reference signal configuration, a repetition order between the reference signal configurations may be configured. For example, the repetition order may indicate that a first reference signal configuration associated with a first beam occurs before a second reference signal configuration associated with a second beam, such that the combination of the first reference signal configuration and the second reference signal configuration effectively produces a third reference signal configuration without repetition (e.g., a third reference signal configuration associated with both the first beam and the second beam). As another example, the repetition order may indicate that the first reference signal configuration and the second reference signal configuration are interleaved in time.

[0066] In an example where the combined reference signal configuration includes reference signal configurations with different repetition settings for the same communication direction (e.g., a first reference signal configuration with repetitions and a second reference signal configuration without repetitions) or reference signal configurations for different communication directions (e.g., uplink and downlink or different side link directions), the combined reference signal configuration may indicate a time gap between the first reference signal configuration and the second reference signal configuration.

[0067] In an example where the combined reference signal configuration is aperiodic, control information may be used to trigger the combined reference signal configuration. In this example, there may be a timing delay between the control information and the first reference signal resource associated with the combined reference signal configuration.

[0068] In some examples, the combined reference signal configuration may be associated with at least one reporting setting to facilitate sending a measurement report from the UE based on the combined reference signal configuration. The measurement report may include, for example, a beam measurement corresponding to a reference signal received by the UE indicated in the combined reference signal configuration. In some examples, the combined reference signal configuration may be associated with more than one reporting setting, and the beam measurement may be divided in the measurement report according to the corresponding reporting setting. In addition, a report setting indicator for each beam measurement in the beam measurement may be included in the measurement report. In some examples, the measurement report may include an average beam measurement or a maximum beam measurement for a reference signal resource set associated with the same beam. In some examples, the reference signals received based on the combined reference signal configuration are grouped based on, for example, a network entity or a QCL source associated with each reference signal in the reference signal. In this example, the beam measurement may include a maximum beam measurement for each group of reference signals and a differential value of the remaining beam measurements. In some examples, the measurement report may be sent at a time based on the communication direction (e.g., uplink or downlink or sidelink direction) of the last communicated reference signal.

[0069] The various concepts presented throughout this disclosure may be implemented across a wide variety of telecommunication systems, network architectures, and communication standards. Figure 1 , a schematic diagram of a radio access network 100 is provided as an illustrative example and not a limitation. The RAN 100 may implement any one or more suitable wireless communication technologies to provide radio access. As an example, the RAN 100 may operate in accordance with the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) New Radio (NR) specification (commonly referred to as 5G). As another example, the RAN 100 may operate in accordance with a mix of 5G NR and Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access Network (eUTRAN) standards (commonly referred to as LTE). 3GPP refers to such a hybrid RAN as the Next Generation RAN or NG-RAN. Of course, many other examples may be utilized within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0070] The geographic area covered by the radio access network 100 may be divided into a plurality of cellular areas (cells) that may be uniquely identified by user equipment (UE) based on an identity broadcast from an access point or base station over the geographic area. Figure 1 Cells 102, 104, 106, cell 108, and cell 142 are illustrated, each of which may include one or more sectors (not shown). A sector is a sub-area of ​​a cell. All sectors within a cell are served by the same base station. A radio link within a sector may be identified by a single logical identifier belonging to the sector. In a cell divided into sectors, multiple sectors within a cell may be formed by multiple groups of antennas, each of which is responsible for communicating with a UE in a portion of the cell.

[0071] Typically, a corresponding base station (BS) serves each cell. In a broad sense, a base station is a network element in a radio access network that is responsible for radio transmission and reception to or from a UE in one or more cells. Those skilled in the art may also refer to a BS as a base transceiver station (BTS), a radio base station, a radio transceiver, a transceiver function, a basic service set (BSS), an extended service set (ESS), an access point (AP), a node B (NB), an eNodeB (eNB), a gNodeB (gNB), a transmit receive point (TRP), or some other appropriate term. In some examples, a base station may include two or more TRPs that may be co-located or non-co-located. Each TRP may communicate on the same or different carrier frequencies in the same or different frequency bands. In an example in which RAN 100 operates according to both the LTE standard and the 5G NR standard, one of the base stations may be an LTE base station, and the other base station may be a 5G NR base station.

[0072] Various base station arrangements can be used. Figure 1 , base stations 110, 112, and 146 are shown in cells 102, 104, and 142; and another base station 114 is shown as controlling a remote radio head (RRH) 116 in cell 106. That is, the base station may have an integrated antenna, or may be connected to an antenna or RRH via a feeder cable. In the illustrated example, cells 102, 104, 106, and 142 may be referred to as macro cells because base stations 110, 112, 114, and 146 support cells with large sizes. In addition, base station 118 is shown in cell 108, which may overlap with one or more macro cells. In this example, cell 108 may be referred to as a small cell (e.g., a micro cell, a pico cell, a femto cell, a home base station, a home node B, a home evolved node B, etc.), because base station 118 supports cells with relatively small sizes. Cell size settings may be performed according to system design and component constraints.

[0073] It should be understood that the radio access network 100 may include any number of wireless base stations and cells. In addition, relay nodes may be deployed to extend the size or coverage area of ​​a given cell. Base stations 110, 112, 114, 118, and 146 provide wireless access points to the core network for any number of mobile devices.

[0074] Figure 1 Also included is an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) 120, which may be a drone or a quadcopter. UAV 120 may be configured to function as a base station, or more specifically as a mobile base station. That is, in some examples, the cell may not necessarily be stationary, and the geographic area of ​​the cell may move depending on the location of a mobile base station (such as UAV 120).

[0075] Typically, a base station may include a backhaul interface for communicating with a backhaul portion of a network (not shown). The backhaul may provide a link between the base station and a core network (not shown), and in some examples, the backhaul may provide interconnection between respective base stations. The core network may be part of a wireless communication system and may be independent of the radio access technology used in the radio access network. Various types of backhaul interfaces may be employed, such as a direct physical connection using any suitable transport network, a virtual network, and the like.

[0076] RAN 100 is illustrated as supporting wireless communications for multiple mobile devices. Mobile devices are generally referred to as user equipment (UE) in standards and specifications promulgated by the Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP), but may also be referred to as mobile stations (MS), subscriber stations, mobile units, subscriber units, wireless units, remote units, mobile devices, wireless devices, wireless communication devices, remote devices, mobile subscriber stations, access terminals (AT), mobile terminals, wireless terminals, remote terminals, handsets, terminals, user agents, mobile clients, clients, or some other suitable terminology by those skilled in the art. UE may be a device that provides access to network services to a user.

[0077] In this document, a "mobile" device does not necessarily need to have the ability to move, and it can be stationary. The term mobile device or mobile device refers to a wide variety of devices and technologies. For example, some non-limiting examples of mobile devices include mobile stations, cellular (cell) phones, smart phones, session initiation protocol (SIP) phones, laptops, personal computers (PCs), notebooks, netbooks, smartbooks, tablet devices, personal digital assistants (PDAs), and a wide range of embedded systems, for example, corresponding to the "Internet of Things" (IoT). The mobile device can additionally be a car or other transportation vehicle, a remote sensor or actuator, a robot or robotic device, a satellite radio, a global positioning system (GPS) device, an object tracking device, a drone, a multi-axis aircraft, a quadcopter, a remote control device, a consumer and / or wearable device (such as glasses, wearable cameras, virtual reality devices, smart watches, health or fitness trackers, digital audio players (e.g., MP3 players), cameras, game consoles, etc. The mobile device can additionally be a digital home or smart home device (such as home audio, video and / or multimedia devices), an appliance, a vending machine, a smart lighting device, a home security system , smart meters, etc. The mobile device may additionally be a smart energy device, a security device, a solar panel or solar array, a municipal infrastructure device that controls electrical power (e.g., smart grid), lighting, water supply, etc., an industrial automation and enterprise device, a logistics controller, and / or agricultural equipment, etc. In addition, the mobile device may provide connected medical or telemedicine support, such as health care at a distance. Telehealth devices may include telehealth monitoring devices and telehealth supervision devices, whose communications may be given prioritized access over other types of information, for example, in the form of prioritized access for critical service data transmission and / or associated QoS for critical service data transmission.

[0078] Within the RAN 100, the cells may include UEs that may communicate with one or more sectors of each cell. For example, UEs 122 and 124 may communicate with base station 110; UEs 126 and 128 may communicate with base station 112; UEs 130 and 132 may communicate with base station 114 via RRH 116; UEs 138 and 140 may communicate with base station 146; and UE 136 may communicate with mobile base station 120. Here, each base station 110, 112, 114, 118, 120, and 146 may be configured to provide an access point to a core network (not shown) for all UEs in the corresponding cell. In another example, a mobile network node (e.g., UAV 120) may be configured to act as a UE. For example, UAV 120 may operate within cell 102 by communicating with base station 110.

[0079] In the RAN 100, the ability of a UE to communicate while moving (independent of its location) is called mobility. The various physical channels between the UE and the RAN are generally established, maintained, and released under the control of an access and mobility management function (AMF), which may include a security context management function (SCMF) that manages the security context of both the control plane and the user plane functionality and a security anchor function (SEAF) that performs authentication. In some examples, during a call with a scheduling entity or at any other time, the UE may monitor various parameters of the signal from its serving cell and various parameters of neighboring cells. Based on the quality of these parameters, the UE may maintain communication with one or more neighboring cells. During this time, if the UE moves from one cell to another, or if the signal quality from the neighboring cell exceeds the signal quality from the serving cell for a given amount of time, the UE may perform a handover or handover from the serving cell to the neighboring (target) cell. For example, the UE 124 may move from the geographic area corresponding to its serving cell 102 to the geographic area corresponding to the neighboring cell 106. When the signal strength or quality from neighboring cell 106 exceeds that of its serving cell 102 for a given amount of time, UE 124 may send a report message indicating this to its serving base station 110. In response, UE 124 may receive a handover command, and the UE may proceed with the handover to cell 106.

[0080] Wireless communications between the RAN 100 and a UE (e.g., UE 122 or 124) may be described as utilizing an air interface. Transmissions from a base station (e.g., base station 110) to one or more UEs (e.g., UEs 122 and 124) over an air interface may be referred to as downlink (DL) transmissions. According to certain aspects of the present disclosure, the term "downlink" may refer to point-to-multipoint transmissions originating at a scheduling entity (described further below; e.g., base station 110). Another way to describe this scheme may be to use the term "broadcast channel multiplexing." Transmissions from a UE (e.g., UE 122) to a base station (e.g., base station 110) may be referred to as uplink (UL) transmissions. According to further aspects of the present disclosure, the term "uplink" may refer to point-to-point transmissions originating at a scheduled entity (described further below; e.g., UE 122).

[0081] For example, DL transmission may include unicast or broadcast transmission of control information and / or data (e.g., user data traffic or other types of traffic) from a base station (e.g., base station 110) to one or more UEs (e.g., UEs 122 and 124), while UL transmission may include transmission of control information and / or traffic information originated at a UE (e.g., UE 122). In addition, uplink and / or downlink control information and / or traffic information may be time-divided into frames, subframes, time slots, and / or symbols. As used herein, a symbol may refer to a time unit in which one resource element (RE) is carried per subcarrier in an orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) waveform. A time slot may carry 7 or 14 OFDM symbols. A subframe may refer to a duration of 1 ms. Multiple subframes or time slots may be grouped together to form a single frame or radio frame. In the present disclosure, a frame may refer to a predetermined duration (e.g., 10 ms) for wireless transmission, wherein each frame is composed of, for example, 10 subframes of 1 ms each. Of course, these definitions are not required, and any suitable scheme for organizing the waveform may be utilized, and the various time divisions of the waveform may have any suitable durations.

[0082] The air interface in the RAN 100 may utilize one or more multiplexing and multiple access algorithms to enable simultaneous communication of various devices. For example, the 5G NR specification provides multiple access for UL or reverse link transmissions from UEs 122 and 124 to base station 110, and multiplexing of DL or forward link transmissions from base station 110 to UEs 122 and 124 using orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) with a cyclic prefix (CP). In addition, for UL transmissions, the 5G NR specification provides support for discrete Fourier transform spread OFDM (DFT-s-OFDM) with CP (also referred to as single carrier FDMA (SC-FDMA)). However, within the scope of the present disclosure, multiplexing and multiple access are not limited to the above schemes, and may be provided using time division multiple access (TDMA), code division multiple access (CDMA), frequency division multiple access (FDMA), sparse code multiple access (SCMA), resource extension multiple access (RSMA), or other appropriate multiple access schemes. In addition, multiplexing of DL transmissions from base station 110 to UEs 122 and 124 may be provided using time division multiplexing (TDM), code division multiplexing (CDM), frequency division multiplexing (FDM), orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM), sparse code multiplexing (SCM), or other suitable multiplexing schemes.

[0083] In addition, the air interface in the RAN 100 may utilize one or more duplex algorithms. Duplex refers to a point-to-point communication link in which two endpoints can communicate with each other in two directions. Full-duplex means that two endpoints can communicate with each other at the same time. Half-duplex means that only one endpoint can transmit information to the other endpoint at a time. Half-duplex emulation is often implemented for wireless links using time division duplex (TDD). In TDD, transmissions in different directions on a given channel are separated from each other using time division multiplexing. That is, at certain times, the channel is dedicated to transmission in one direction, while at other times, the channel is dedicated to transmission in another direction, where the direction can change very quickly, for example, several times per time slot. In wireless links, full-duplex channels generally rely on physical isolation of transmitters and receivers and suitable interference cancellation techniques. Full-duplex emulation is often implemented for wireless links by utilizing frequency division duplex (FDD) or space division duplex (SDD). In FDD, transmissions in different directions can operate at different carrier frequencies (e.g., within a paired spectrum). In SDD, transmissions in different directions on a given channel are separated from each other using spatial division multiplexing (SDM). In other examples, full-duplex communication may be implemented within an unpaired spectrum (e.g., within a single carrier bandwidth), where transmissions in different directions occur within different sub-bands of the carrier bandwidth. This type of full-duplex communication may be referred to herein as sub-band full-duplex (SBFD), also known as flexible duplex (FD).

[0084] In various specific implementations, the air interface in the RAN 100 may utilize licensed spectrum, unlicensed spectrum, or shared spectrum. Licensed spectrum generally provides exclusive use of a portion of the spectrum with the help of a mobile network operator purchasing a license from a government regulator. Unlicensed spectrum provides shared use of a portion of the spectrum without the need for a government-granted license. Although some technical rules generally still need to be followed to access the unlicensed spectrum, generally any operator or device can obtain access. Shared spectrum can fall between licensed spectrum and unlicensed spectrum, where some technical rules or restrictions may be required to access the spectrum, but the spectrum can still be shared by multiple operators and / or multiple RATs. For example, a license holder of a portion of licensed spectrum can provide licensed shared access (LSA) to share the spectrum with other parties (e.g., with appropriate licensee-determined conditions to obtain access).

[0085] The electromagnetic spectrum is typically subdivided into various categories, bands, channels, etc. based on frequency / wavelength. In 5G NR, two initial operating bands have been identified as frequency range designations FR1 (410 MHz-7.125 GHz) and FR2 (24.25 GHz-52.6 GHz). It should be understood that although a portion of FR1 is greater than 6 GHz, FR1 is often (interchangeably) referred to as the "sub-6 GHz" band in various documents and articles. A similar naming issue sometimes occurs with respect to FR2, which is often (interchangeably) referred to as the "millimeter wave" band in documents and articles, although different from the extremely high frequency (EHF) band (30 GHz-300 GHz) identified as the "millimeter wave" band by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU).

[0086] Frequencies between FRI and FR2 are generally referred to as mid-band frequencies. Recent 5G NR research has identified the operating bands for these mid-band frequencies as frequency range designation FR3 (7.125GHz-24.25GHz). The frequency bands falling within FR3 can inherit FR1 characteristics and / or FR2 characteristics, so the features of FR1 and / or FR2 can be effectively extended to mid-band frequencies. In addition, higher frequency bands are currently being explored to extend 5G NR operations to more than 52.6GHz. For example, three higher operating bands have been identified as frequency range designations FR4-a or FR4-1 (52.6GHz-71GHz), FR4 (52.6GHz-114.25GHz) and FR5 (114.25GHz-300GHz). Each of these higher frequency bands falls within the EHF band.

[0087] In view of the above aspects, unless otherwise specifically stated, it should be understood that if the term "sub-6 GHz" or the like is used herein, it can be broadly referred to as frequencies that may be less than 6 GHz, may be within FR1, or may include mid-band frequencies. In addition, unless otherwise specifically stated, it should be understood that if the term "millimeter wave" or the like is used herein, it can be broadly referred to as frequencies that may include mid-band frequencies, may be within FR2, FR4, FR4-a or FR4-1 and / or FR5, or may be within the EHF band.

[0088] In some examples, access to the air interface may be scheduled, where a scheduling entity (e.g., base station 112) allocates resources for communication between some or all devices and equipment within its service area or cell. Within the present disclosure, as discussed further below, a scheduling entity may be responsible for scheduling, assigning, reconfiguring, and releasing resources for one or more scheduled entities. That is, for scheduled communications, a UE (e.g., UE 126) (which may be a scheduled entity) may utilize resources allocated by the scheduling entity 112.

[0089] Base stations are not the only entities that can be used as scheduling entities. That is, in some examples, a UE can be used as a scheduling entity, scheduling resources for one or more scheduled entities (e.g., one or more other UEs). For example, two or more UEs (e.g., UE 138 and UE 140) can use peer-to-peer (P2P) or sidelink signals 137 to communicate with each other without relaying the communication through a base station (e.g., base station 146). In some examples, UE 138 and 140 can each be used as a scheduling entity or a transmitting sidelink device and / or a scheduled entity or a receiving sidelink device to communicate sidelink signals 137 between them without relying on scheduling or control information from a base station (e.g., base station 146). In other examples, base station 146 can allocate resources to UE 138 and 140 for sidelink communications. For example, UEs 138 and 140 may communicate using sidelink signaling in a P2P network, a device-to-device (D2D) network, a vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) network, a vehicle-to-everything (V2X) network, a mesh network, or other suitable network.

[0090] In some examples, a D2D relay framework may be included within a cellular network to facilitate relaying of communications to / from base station 112 via a D2D link (e.g., side link 137). For example, one or more UEs (e.g., UE 138) within the coverage area of ​​base station 146 may operate as relay UEs to extend the coverage of base station 146, improve transmission reliability to one or more UEs (e.g., UE 140), and / or allow the base station to recover from a failed UE link due to, for example, blocking or fading.

[0091] In some examples, beamformed signals may be utilized between UE 138 and base station 146, for example, communicating over a millimeter wave carrier such as FR2, FR4-a, FR4-1, FR4, or FR5. To facilitate beamformed communications, base station 146 and UE 138 may use one or more beam refinement processes to select one or more beam pair links (BPLs) between UE 138 and base station 146. Each BPL may include a network-side beam 152 at base station 146 and a UE-side beam 154 at the UE. To facilitate a particular beam refinement process, base station 146 and / or UE 138 may communicate reference signals (e.g., CSI-RS or SRS) between them based on a reference signal configuration indicating reference signal resources associated with the beam refinement process. In some examples, base station 146 may select a BPL based on a measurement report sent from UE 138 to base station 146. In addition, UEs 138 and 140 may also use beamformed signals to communicate over side link 137. In this example, UE 138 and 140 may also select one or more BPLs for sidelink communication based on one or more sidelink beam refinement processes. For example, the sidelink BPL may be formed by one UE sidelink beam in UE sidelink beam 156 at UE 138 and one UE sidelink beam in UE sidelink beam 158 at UE 140.

[0092] In some examples, more than one beam refinement process may need to be performed at a time. Therefore, in various aspects of the present disclosure, a combined reference signal configuration including two or more reference signal configurations may be utilized to enable two or more beam refinement processes to be performed in the same time period. Each reference signal configuration in the reference signal configuration may be associated with one or more beam identifiers (IDs) in the corresponding communication direction to implement the beam refinement process. For example, the combined reference signal configuration may include a first reference signal configuration and a second reference signal configuration, the first reference signal configuration including a beam ID of a plurality of network-side beams 152 for network-side transmit (Tx) beam refinement, and the second reference signal configuration including a beam ID of a plurality of UE-side beams 154 for network-side receive (Rx) beam refinement. As another example, the combined reference signal configuration may include a third reference signal configuration including a first beam ID of a first network-side beam 152 with repetitions for UE-side receive (Rx) beam refinement to form a BPL together with the first network-side beam 152, and a fourth reference signal configuration including a second beam ID of a second network-side beam 152 with repetitions for UE-side Rx beam refinement to form a BPL together with the second network-side beam 152. As yet another example, the combined reference signal configuration may include a fifth reference signal configuration including beam IDs of a plurality of network-side beams 152 for network-side Tx beam refinement, and a sixth reference signal configuration including a third beam ID of a third network-side beam 152 with repetitions for UE-side Rx beam refinement.

[0093] To facilitate the combined reference signal configuration, the base station 146 and each of the UEs 138 and 140 may each include a respective beam manager 144, 148, and 150. With respect to cellular communications between the base station 146 and the UE 138, the beam manager 148 of the base station 146 may be configured to generate or output a combined reference signal configuration and send or provide the combined reference signal configuration to the UE 138. In addition, each of the beam managers 144 and 148 may be configured to enable communication of reference signals (e.g., CSI-RS or SRS) between the base station 146 and the UE 138 according to the combined reference signal configuration to enable selection of a BPL. With respect to sidelink communications between the UEs 138 and 140, each beam manager 144 and 150 may be configured to generate, output, provide, send, receive, obtain, and / or utilize a combined reference signal configuration to enable communication of a sidelink reference signal for selecting a BPL on the sidelink 137. In addition, beam managers 144 and 150 may be further configured to generate measurement reports based on the combined reference signal configuration utilizing one or more reporting settings associated with the combined reference signal configuration (e.g., configured by beam manager 148 or configured by one of the UE beam managers 144 or 150 for sidelink communications).

[0094] Figure 2 An example of a wireless communication network 200 configured to support sidelink communication is illustrated. In some examples, the sidelink communication may include V2X communication. V2X communication involves not only the direct wireless exchange of information between the vehicles (e.g., vehicles 202 and 204) themselves, but also the direct wireless exchange of information between the vehicles 202 / 204 and infrastructure (e.g., roadside units (RSUs) 206) (such as street lights, buildings, traffic cameras, toll booths or other stationary objects), vehicles 202 / 204 and pedestrians 208, and vehicles 202 / 204 and wireless communication networks (e.g., base stations 210). In some examples, V2X communication can be implemented according to the new radio (NR) cellular V2X standard defined by 3GPP (Release 16) or other suitable standards.

[0095] V2X communication enables vehicles 202 and 204 to obtain information related to weather, nearby accidents, road conditions, activities of nearby vehicles and pedestrians, objects near the vehicle, and other relevant information that can be used to improve the vehicle driving experience and improve vehicle safety. For example, such V2X data can enable autonomous driving and improve road safety and traffic efficiency. For example, V2X-connected vehicles 202 and 204 can use the exchanged V2X data to provide vehicle collision warnings, road hazard warnings, approaching emergency vehicle warnings, pre-impact / post-impact warnings and information, emergency braking warnings, forward traffic jam warnings, lane change warnings, smart navigation services, and other similar information. In addition, V2X data received by the V2X-connected mobile device of the pedestrian / cyclist 208 can be used to trigger warning sounds, vibrations, flashing lights, etc. in the event of an impending danger.

[0096] Sidelink communications between vehicle UEs (V-UEs) 202 and 204, or between V-UEs 202 or 204 and RSUs 206 or pedestrian UEs (P-UEs) 208, may occur over sidelink 212 using a proximity services (ProSe) PC5 interface. In various aspects of the present disclosure, the PC5 interface may be further used to support D2D sidelink 212 communications in other proximity use cases. Examples of other proximity use cases may include public safety or business-based (e.g., entertainment, education, office, medical, and / or interactive) proximity services. Figure 2 In the example shown in , ProSe communication may also occur between UEs 214 and 216 .

[0097] ProSe communication can support different operation scenarios, such as in-coverage, out-of-coverage, and partial coverage. Out-of-coverage refers to a scenario where UEs (e.g., V-UEs 202 and 204 and P-UE 208) are outside the coverage area of ​​a base station (e.g., base station 210), but each UE is still configured for ProSe communication. Partial coverage refers to a scenario where some UEs (e.g., V-UE 204) are outside the coverage area of ​​base station 210, while other UEs (e.g., V-UE 202 and P-UE 208) are in communication with base station 210. In-coverage refers to a scenario where UEs (e.g., UEs 214 and 216) are in communication with base station 210 (e.g., gNB) via a Uu (e.g., cellular interface) connection to receive ProSe service authorization and provision information to support ProSe operation.

[0098] To facilitate D2D sidelink communications, such as between UEs 214 and 216, over sidelink 212, UEs 214 and 216 may transmit discovery signals between them. In some examples, each discovery signal may include a synchronization signal, such as a primary synchronization signal (PSS) and / or a secondary synchronization signal (SSS), that facilitates device discovery and synchronization of communications on sidelink 212. For example, the discovery signal may be used by UE 216 to measure signal strength and channel status of a potential sidelink (e.g., sidelink 212) with another UE (e.g., UE 214). UE 216 may utilize these measurements to select a UE (e.g., UE 214) for sidelink communications or relay communications.

[0099] In a 5G NR sidelink, sidelink communications may utilize a transmit or receive resource pool. For example, the minimum resource allocation unit in frequency may be a subchannel (e.g., which may include, for example, 10, 15, 20, 25, 50, 75, or 100 consecutive resource blocks), and the minimum resource allocation unit in time may be a time slot. The number of subchannels in a resource pool may include between 1 subchannel and 27 subchannels. The radio resource control (RRC) configuration of the resource pool may be pre-configured (e.g., a factory setting on the UE, such as determined by a sidelink standard or specification) or configured by a base station (e.g., base station 210).

[0100] In addition, sidelink (e.g., PC5) communications may have two main resource allocation operation modes. In the first mode (mode 1), the base station (e.g., gNB) 210 may allocate resources to a sidelink device (e.g., a V2X device or other sidelink device) for sidelink communications between the sidelink devices in various ways. For example, the base station 210 may dynamically allocate sidelink resources (e.g., dynamic grants) to the sidelink device in response to a request for sidelink resources from the sidelink device. For example, the base station 210 may schedule sidelink communications via DCI 2_0. In some examples, the base station 210 may schedule PSCCH / PSSCH within the uplink resources indicated in DCI 2_0. The base station 210 may also activate a pre-configured sidelink grant (e.g., a configured grant) for sidelink communications between sidelink devices. In some examples, the base station 210 may activate a configured grant (CG) via RRC signaling. In mode 1, the sidelink feedback may be reported back to the base station 210 by the transmitting sidelink device.

[0101] In the second mode (Mode 2), the sidelink devices may autonomously select sidelink resources for sidelink communications between them. In some examples, the transmitting sidelink device may perform resource / channel sensing to select unoccupied resources (e.g., subchannels) on the sidelink channel. The signaling on the sidelink is the same between the two modes. Therefore, from the receiver's perspective, there is no difference between these modes.

[0102] In some examples, sidelink (e.g., PC5) communications may be scheduled using sidelink control information (SCI). SCI may include two SCI phases. The sidelink control information of phase 1 (first phase SCI) may be referred to herein as SCI-1. The sidelink control information of phase 2 (second phase SCI) may be referred to herein as SCI-2.

[0103] SCI-1 may be sent on a physical sidelink control channel (PSCCH). SCI-1 may include resource allocation for sidelink resources and information for decoding the sidelink control information (i.e., SCI-2) of the second phase. SCI-1 may also identify the priority level (e.g., quality of service (QoS)) of PSSCH. For example, an ultra-reliable low-latency communication (URLLC) service may have a higher priority than a short message service (e.g., a short message service (SMS) service). SCI-1 may also include a physical sidelink shared channel (PSSCH) resource assignment and a resource reservation period (if enabled). Additionally, SCI-1 may include a PSSCH demodulation reference signal (DMRS) pattern (if more than one pattern is configured). DMRS may be used by a receiver for radio channel estimation for demodulating associated physical channels. As indicated, SCI-1 may also include information about SCI-2, for example, SCI-1 may disclose the format of SCI-2. Here, the format indicates the resource size of SCI-2 (e.g., the number of REs allocated for SCI-2), the number of PSSCH DMRS ports, and the modulation and coding scheme (MCS) index. In some examples, SCI-1 can use two bits to indicate the SCI-2 format. Therefore, in this example, four different SCI-2 formats can be supported. SCI-1 may include other information useful for establishing and decoding PSSCH resources.

[0104] SCI-2 may be sent within the PSSCH and may include information for decoding the PSSCH. According to some aspects, SCI-2 includes a 16-bit layer 1 (L1) destination identifier (ID), an 8-bit L1 source ID, a hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ) process ID, a new data indicator (NDI), and a redundancy version (RV). For unicast communications, SCI-2 may also include a CSI report trigger. For multicast communications, SCI-2 may also include a zone identifier and a maximum communication range for NACK. SCI-2 may include other information useful for establishing and decoding PSSCH resources.

[0105] In some examples, beamformed signals may be utilized between UEs (e.g., UEs 202 and 204). To facilitate beamformed communications, UEs 202 and 204 may select one or more beam pair links (BPLs) between them using one or more sidelink beam refinement procedures. To facilitate a particular beam refinement procedure (e.g., UE 202 transmits a beam; UE 202 receives a beam; UE 204 transmits a beam; or UE 204 receives a beam), UEs 202 and 204 may communicate sidelink reference signals (e.g., sidelink CSI-RS or sidelink SRS) between them based on a reference signal configuration indicating reference signal resources associated with the beam refinement procedure.

[0106] In some examples, more than one beam refinement process may need to be performed at a time. Therefore, in various aspects of the present disclosure, a combined reference signal configuration including two or more reference signal configurations may be utilized to enable two or more beam refinement processes to be performed in the same time period. To facilitate the combined reference signal configuration, UEs 202 and 204 may each include a respective beam manager 218 and 220. Each beam manager 218 and 220 may be configured to generate, output, send, provide, receive, obtain and / or utilize a combined reference signal configuration to enable communication of a sidelink reference signal for selecting a BPL on the sidelink 212. In addition, the base station 210 may also include a beam manager 222 to configure and utilize the combined reference signal configuration for a beam refinement process on a Uu link between the base station 210 and a UE (e.g., UE 202).

[0107] Will refer to Figure 3 Various aspects of the present disclosure are described using OFDM waveforms schematically illustrated in . It should be understood by those skilled in the art that various aspects of the present disclosure can be applied to SC-FDMA waveforms in substantially the same manner as described herein below. That is, although some examples of the present disclosure may focus on OFDM links for clarity, it should be understood that the same principles can also be applied to SC-FDMA waveforms.

[0108] See now Figure 3 , illustrates an expanded view of an exemplary subframe 302 showing an OFDM resource grid. However, as will be readily apparent to one skilled in the art, the PHY transmission structure for any particular application may differ from the example described herein, depending on any number of factors. Here, time is in units of OFDM symbols in the horizontal direction; and frequency is in units of subcarriers of a carrier in the vertical direction.

[0109] Resource grid 304 may be used to schematically represent the time-frequency resources for a given antenna port. That is, in a multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) implementation with multiple available antenna ports, a corresponding plurality of resource grids 304 may be available for communication. Resource grid 304 is divided into a plurality of resource elements (REs) 306. RE (which is 1 subcarrier x 1 symbol) is the smallest discrete portion of the time-frequency grid and contains a single complex value representing data from a physical channel or signal. Depending on the modulation utilized in a particular implementation, each RE may represent one or more bits of information. In some examples, a block of REs may be referred to as a physical resource block (PRB), or more simply a resource block (RB) 308, which may contain any suitable number of consecutive subcarriers in the frequency domain. In one example, an RB may include 13 subcarriers (a number independent of the parameter set used). In some examples, depending on the parameter set, an RB may include any suitable number of consecutive OFDM symbols in the time domain.

[0110] A collection of contiguous or discontinuous resource blocks may be referred to herein as a resource block group (RBG), a subband, or a bandwidth part (BWP). A collection of subbands or BWPs may span the entire bandwidth. Scheduling a UE or sidelink device (hereinafter collectively referred to as a UE) for downlink, uplink, or sidelink transmission typically involves scheduling one or more resource elements 306 within one or more subbands or bandwidth parts (BWPs). Therefore, the UE typically utilizes only a subset of the resource grid 304. In some examples, an RB may be the smallest resource unit that can be allocated to a UE. Therefore, the more RBs scheduled for a UE, and the higher the modulation scheme selected for the air interface, the higher the data rate for the UE. The RB may be scheduled by a base station (e.g., a gNB, eNB, etc.), or may be self-scheduled by a UE / sidelink device implementing D3D sidelink communication.

[0111] In this illustration, RB 308 is shown as occupying less than the entire bandwidth of subframe 302, with some subcarriers illustrated above and below RB 308. In a given implementation, subframe 302 may have a bandwidth corresponding to any number of one or more RBs 308. Furthermore, in this illustration, RB 308 is shown as occupying less than the entire duration of subframe 302, although this is only one possible example.

[0112] Each 1 ms subframe 302 may consist of one or more adjacent time slots. Figure 3 In the example shown, as an illustrative example, one subframe 302 includes four time slots 310. In some examples, a time slot may be defined according to a specified number of OFDM symbols with a given cyclic prefix (CP) length. For example, a time slot may include 7 or 13 OFDM symbols with a nominal CP. Additional examples may include mini-slots (sometimes referred to as shortened transmission time intervals (TTIs)) with shorter durations (e.g., one to three OFDM symbols). These mini-slots or shortened transmission time intervals (TTIs) may be transmitted in some cases by occupying resources scheduled for ongoing time slot transmissions for the same UE or different UEs. Any number of resource blocks may be utilized within a subframe or time slot.

[0113] An expanded view of one of the time slots 310 illustrates that the time slot 310 includes a control region 312 and a data region 314. In general, the control region 312 may carry control channels, and the data region 314 may carry data channels. Of course, a time slot may contain full DL, full UL, or at least one DL portion and at least one UL portion. Figure 3 The structure illustrated in is merely exemplary in nature and different slot structures may be utilized and include one or more of each control region or data region.

[0114] Although in Figure 3 Although not illustrated in the figure, each RE 306 within the RB 308 can be scheduled to carry one or more physical channels, including control channels, shared channels, data channels, etc. Other REs 306 within the RB 308 can also carry pilot or reference signals. These pilot or reference signals can be provided to the receiving device to perform channel estimation of the corresponding channel, which can enable coherent demodulation / detection of the control channel and / or data channel within the RB 308.

[0115] In some examples, time slot 310 may be used for broadcast, multicast, groupcast, or unicast communications. For example, broadcast, multicast, or groupcast communications may refer to point-to-multipoint transmissions from one device (e.g., a base station, UE, or other similar device) to other devices. Here, broadcast communications are delivered to all devices, while multicast or groupcast communications are delivered to multiple intended receiving devices. Unicast communications may refer to point-to-point transmissions from one device to a single other device.

[0116] In an example of cellular communication over a cellular carrier via a Uu interface, for DL ​​transmission, a scheduling entity (e.g., a base station) may allocate one or more REs 306 (e.g., within a control region 312) to one or more scheduled entities (e.g., UEs) to carry DL control information including one or more DL control channels (such as a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH)). The PDCCH carries downlink control information (DCI), including but not limited to power control commands (e.g., one or more open-loop power control parameters and / or one or more closed-loop power control parameters), scheduling information, grants, and / or assignments of REs for DL ​​transmission and UL transmission. The PDCCH may also carry HARQ feedback transmissions, such as acknowledgements (ACKs) or negative acknowledgements (NACKs). HARQ is a technique well known to those of ordinary skill in the art, in which the integrity of packet transmissions may be checked for accuracy at the receiving side, for example, using any appropriate integrity check mechanism, such as a checksum or a cyclic redundancy check (CRC). If the integrity of the transmission is confirmed, an ACK may be sent, and if it is not confirmed, a NACK may be sent. In response to the NACK, the sending device may transmit a HARQ retransmission, which may implement trace combining, incremental redundancy, and the like.

[0117] The base station may also allocate one or more REs 306 (e.g., in the control region 312 or the data region 314) to carry other DL signals, such as a demodulation reference signal (DMRS); a phase tracking reference signal (PT-RS); a channel state information (CSI) reference signal (CSI-RS); and a synchronization signal block (SSB). For example, a reference signal 316, which may be an SSB or a CSI-RS, is shown as being carried within a time slot 310. The SSB may be broadcast at regular intervals based on a periodicity (e.g., 5ms, 10ms, 30ms, 40ms, 80ms, or 160ms). The SSB includes a primary synchronization signal (PSS), a secondary synchronization signal (SSS), and a physical broadcast control channel (PBCH). The UE may utilize the PSS and SSS to achieve radio frame, subframe, time slot, and symbol synchronization in the time domain, identify the center of the channel (system) bandwidth in the frequency domain, and identify the physical cell identity (PCI) of the cell.

[0118] The PBCH in the SSB may also include a master information block (MIB) containing various system information and parameters for decoding a system information block (SIB). The SIB may be, for example, SystemInformationType 1 (SIB 1), which may include various additional system information. The MIB and SIB 1 together provide minimum system information (SI) for initial access. Examples of system information sent in the MIB may include, but are not limited to, subcarrier spacing (e.g., a default downlink parameter set), a system frame number, a configuration of a PDCCH control resource set (CORESET) (e.g., PDCCH CORESET0), a cell barring indicator, a cell reselection indicator, a grid offset, and a search space for SIB 1. Examples of remaining minimum system information (RMSI) sent in SIB 1 may include, but are not limited to, a random access search space, a paging search space, downlink configuration information, and uplink configuration information.

[0119] In UL transmission, the scheduled entity (e.g., UE) may utilize one or more REs 306 to the scheduling entity to carry UL control information (UCI) including one or more UL control channels (such as a physical uplink control channel (PUCCH)). UCI may include various packet types and categories, including pilots, reference signals, and information configured to enable or assist in decoding uplink data transmission. Examples of uplink reference signals may include sounding reference signals (SRS) and uplink DMRS. For example, the reference signal 316 shown in the time slot 310 may also correspond to an uplink reference signal, such as an SRS. In some examples, the UCI may include a scheduling request (SR), i.e., requesting the scheduling entity to schedule the uplink transmission. In this article, in response to the SR sent on the UCI, the scheduling entity may send downlink control information (DCI), which may schedule resources for uplink packet transmission. The UCI may also include HARQ feedback, channel state feedback (CSF) (such as a CSI report), a measurement report (e.g., a layer 1 (L1) measurement report), or any other suitable UCI. For example, time slot 310 is shown as carrying measurement report 318 .

[0120] In addition to control information, one or more REs 306 (e.g., within the data region 314) may also be allocated for data services. Such data services may be carried on one or more service channels, such as on a physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH) for DL ​​transmissions, or on a physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH) for UL transmissions. In some examples, one or more REs 306 within the data region 314 may be configured to carry other signals (such as one or more SIBs and DMRS). In some examples, the PDSCH may carry multiple SIBs, not limited to the SIB1 discussed above. For example, OSI may be provided in these SIBs (e.g., SIB3 and above).

[0121] In an example of sidelink communication over a sidelink carrier via a PC5 interface, a control region 312 of a time slot 310 may include a physical sidelink control channel (PSCCH) including sidelink control information (SCI) sent by an initiating (transmitting) sidelink device (e.g., a TxV3X device or other Tx UE) to a set of one or more other receiving sidelink devices (e.g., an Rx V3X device or other Rx UE). A data region 314 of a time slot 310 may include a physical sidelink shared channel (PSSCH) including sidelink data traffic sent by an initiating (transmitting) sidelink device in resources reserved by the transmitting sidelink device via the SCI on the sidelink carrier. Other information may also be sent via various REs 306 within the time slot 310. For example, a sidelink MAC-CE may be sent in the data region 314 of the time slot 310. In addition, HARQ feedback information may be sent from a receiving sidelink device to a transmitting sidelink device in a physical sidelink feedback channel (PSFCH) within the time slot 310. Additionally, one or more reference signals, such as a sidelink SSB, a sidelink CSI-RS, a sidelink SRS, and / or a sidelink positioning reference signal (PRS), may be sent within time slot 310. For example, reference signal 316 carried within time slot 310 may be a sidelink CSI-RS or a sidelink SRS.

[0122] To facilitate communicating the reference signal 316 to perform two or more beam refinements in the same time period, a combined reference signal configuration 320 may also be sent in the time slot 310. The combined reference signal configuration 320 may include two or more reference signal configurations, each of which is associated with a specific beam refinement process. Specifically, each reference signal configuration may be associated with one or more beam identifiers (IDs) in a corresponding communication direction to implement a beam refinement process.

[0123] These physical channels described above are typically multiplexed and mapped to transport channels for processing at the medium access control (MAC) layer. The transport channels carry information blocks called transport blocks (TBs). Based on the modulation and coding scheme (MCS) and the number of RBs in a given transmission, the transport block size (TBS), which may correspond to the number of information bits, may be a controlled parameter.

[0124] Figure 3 The channels or carriers illustrated in the figure are not necessarily all channels or carriers that can be utilized between devices, and a person of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that other channels or carriers may be utilized in addition to the channels or carriers illustrated, such as other business, control, and feedback channels.

[0125] In some aspects of the present disclosure, the scheduling entity and / or the scheduled entity may be configured for beamforming and / or multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) techniques. Figure 4 An example of a wireless communication system 400 supporting beamforming and / or MIMO is illustrated. In a MIMO system, a transmitter 402 includes multiple transmit antennas 404 (e.g., N transmit antennas), and a receiver 406 includes multiple receive antennas 408 (e.g., M receive antennas). Therefore, there are N×M signal paths 410 from the transmit antennas 404 to the receive antennas 408. Each of the transmitter 402 and the receiver 406 may be implemented, for example, in a scheduling entity (e.g., a base station), a scheduled entity (e.g., a UE), or any other suitable device. In some examples, the transmitter and the receiver are each a wireless communication device (e.g., a UE or a V2X device) that communicates via a sidelink channel.

[0126] The use of such multi-antenna technology enables wireless communication systems to exploit the spatial domain to support spatial multiplexing, beamforming, and transmit diversity. Spatial multiplexing can be used to simultaneously send different data streams (also referred to as layers) on the same time-frequency resource. These data streams can be sent to a single UE to increase the data rate or to multiple UEs to increase the total system capacity, the latter of which is called multi-user MIMO (MU-MIMO). This is achieved by spatially precoding each data stream (i.e., multiplying the data stream by different weights and phase shifts) and then sending each spatially precoded stream through multiple transmit antennas on the downlink. The spatially precoded data streams arrive at UEs with different spatial characteristics, and the different spatial characteristics enable each UE in the UE to recover one or more data streams destined for the UE. On the uplink, each UE sends a spatially precoded data stream, which enables the base station to identify the source of each spatially precoded data stream.

[0127] The number of data streams or layers corresponds to the rank of transmission. In general, the rank of the MIMO system 400 is limited to the lower of the number of transmit or receive antennas 404 or 408. In addition, the channel conditions at the UE and other considerations (such as the available resources at the base station) can also affect the transmission rank. For example, the rank assigned to a specific UE on the downlink (and therefore the number of data streams) can be determined based on a rank indicator (RI) sent from the UE to the base station. The RI can be determined based on the antenna configuration (e.g., the number of transmit antennas and receive antennas) on each receive antenna in the receive antenna and the measured signal to interference and noise ratio (SINR). For example, the RI can indicate the number of layers that can be supported under the current channel conditions. The base station can use the RI and resource information (e.g., the available resources and amount of data to be scheduled for the UE) to assign the UE a transmission rank.

[0128] In one example, if Figure 4 As shown, a rank-2 spatial multiplexing transmission on a 2x2 MIMO antenna configuration will transmit one data stream from each transmit antenna 404. Each data stream follows a different signal path 410 to each receive antenna 408. The receiver 406 can then use the received signal from each receive antenna 408 to reconstruct the data stream.

[0129] Beamforming is a signal processing technique that can be used at a transmitter 402 or a receiver 406 to shape or direct an antenna beam (e.g., a transmit beam or a receive beam) along a spatial path between the transmitter 402 and the receiver 406. Beamforming can be achieved by combining signals communicated via antennas 404 or 408 (e.g., antenna elements of an antenna array module) so that some signals experience constructive interference and other signals experience destructive interference. In order to produce the desired constructive / destructive interference, the transmitter 402 or the receiver 406 may apply an amplitude and / or phase offset to the signal transmitted or received from each of the antennas 404 or 408 associated with the transmitter 402 or the receiver 406.

[0130] In 5G New Radio (NR) systems, especially for FR2 or higher (mmWave) systems, beamformed signals can be used for most downlink channels, including the Physical Downlink Control Channel (PDCCH) and the Physical Downlink Shared Channel (PDSCH). In addition, broadcast control information (such as synchronization signal blocks (SSBs), slot format indicators (SFIs), and paging information) can be sent in a beam-sweeping manner so that all scheduled entities (UEs) in the coverage area of ​​the transmit and receive point (TRP) (e.g., gNB) can receive the broadcast control information. In addition, for UEs configured with beamforming antenna arrays, beamformed signals can also be used for uplink channels (including the Physical Uplink Control Channel (PUCCH) and the Physical Uplink Shared Channel (PUSCH)). In addition, beamformed signals can also be used in D2D systems (such as NR SL or V2X) that utilize FR2 or other higher mmWave bands.

[0131] The transmit antenna 404 and the receive antenna 408 may each correspond to a respective transmit antenna port and a receive antenna port (e.g., the antenna 404 may correspond to one of the antenna ports 414a, 414b, 414c, or 414d, and the antenna 408 may correspond to one of the antenna ports 418a, 418b, 418c, or 418d). Here, the term antenna port at the transmitter 402 refers to a logical port at which a signal (e.g., a data stream or layer) may be transmitted via, for example, the transmit beam 416. In addition, the term antenna port at the receiver 406 refers to a logical port at which a signal may be received via, for example, the receive beam 420. In an example, each of the transmitter 402 and the receiver 406 may include one or more antenna arrays (or antenna panels), each of which includes a plurality of antenna elements. The antenna elements of the antenna panel may be mapped to the antenna ports on the antenna panel by an antenna element combiner.

[0132] In various aspects of the present disclosure, each of the transmitter 402 and the receiver 406 may include respective beam managers 412a and 412b configured to use a combined reference signal configuration to facilitate two or more beam refinement processes within the same time period. The combined reference signal configuration may include two or more reference signal configurations, each of which is associated with one or more beam identifiers (IDs) in a corresponding communication direction to implement the beam refinement process. In addition, the beam managers 412a and 412b may be further configured to configure and / or utilize one or more report settings associated with the combined reference signal configuration to generate a measurement report based on the combined reference signal configuration. In some examples, the combined reference signal configuration may be a sidelink combined reference signal configuration. In some examples, the combined reference signal configuration may include two or more reference signal configurations for downlink beam refinement, two or more reference signal configurations for uplink beam refinement, or a combination of reference signal configurations for uplink beam refinement and downlink beam refinement.

[0133] FIG. 5A to FIG. 5C 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a downlink beam management process (including a downlink beam refinement process) between a network entity 504 and a UE 502 according to some aspects. The network entity 504 may be Figure 1 and / or Figure 3 Any of the base stations (e.g., gNBs) or scheduling entities illustrated in FIG. , and UE 502 may be Figure 1 and / or Figure 3 In some examples, the network entity 504 may be implemented as a converged base station or a decomposed base station. In a decomposed base station architecture, the network entity 504 may include one or more of a central unit (CU), a distributed unit (DU), or a radio unit (RU).

[0134] The network entity 504 may generally have the capability to communicate with the UE 502 using one or more transmit beams, and the UE 502 may also have the capability to communicate with the network entity 504 using one or more receive beams. As used herein, the term transmit beam refers to a beam on the network entity 504 that can be used for downlink or uplink communication with the UE 502. Additionally, the term receive beam refers to a beam on the UE 502 that can be used for downlink or uplink communication with the network entity 504.

[0135] exist Figure 5AIn the example shown in , the network entity 504 is configured to generate multiple transmit beams 506a-506f, each transmit beam being associated with a different spatial direction. Each of the transmit beams 506a-506f can be referenced by a corresponding beam ID (e.g., an SSB resource indicator (SRI)). In addition, the UE 502 is configured to generate multiple receive beams 508a-508e, each receive beam being associated with a different spatial direction. Each of the receive beams 508a-508e can also be referenced by a corresponding beam ID (e.g., via a QCL relationship with an SSB resource indicator (SRI), a CSI-RS resource indicator (CRI), or an SRS resource indicator (SRI)). In some examples, the transmit beams 506a-506h on the network entity 504 and the receive beams 508a-508e on the UE 502 can be spatially directional millimeter wave beams, such as FR2, FR4-a, FR4-1, FR4, or FR5 beams. It should be noted that although some beams are shown as being adjacent to each other, such an arrangement may be different in different aspects. For example, transmit beams 506a-506f transmitted during the same symbol may not be adjacent to each other. In some examples, the network entity 504 and the UE 502 may each transmit more or less beams distributed in all directions (e.g., 360 degrees) and in three dimensions. In addition, the transmit beams 506a-506f may include beams with varying beam widths. For example, the network entity 504 may transmit certain signals (e.g., SSB) on a wider beam and other signals (e.g., CSI-RS) on a narrower beam.

[0136] The network entity 504 and the UE 502 may use a beam management process to select one or more transmit beams 506a-506f on the network entity 504 and one or more receive beams 508a-508e on the UE 502 for communicating uplink and downlink signals therebetween. Figure 5AAs shown, during initial cell acquisition, the UE 502 may perform a P1 beam management process to scan the multiple transmit beams 506a-506f transmitted in a wide range beam sweep on the multiple receive beams 508a-508e to select a beam pair link (e.g., one of the transmit beams 506a-506f and one of the receive beams 508a-508e) for a physical random access channel (PRACH) process for initial access to the cell. For example, periodic SSB beam sweeping may be implemented at a specific interval (e.g., based on SSB periodicity) on the network entity 504. Thus, the network entity 504 may be configured to sweep or transmit SSBs on each of the multiple wider transmit beams 506a-506f. The UE may measure the reference signal received power (RSRP) of each SSB transmit beam on each receive beam of the UE, and select transmit and receive beams based on the measured RSRP. In an example, the selected receive beam may be the receive beam on which the highest RSRP is measured, and the selected transmit beam may have the highest RSRP measured on the selected receive beam. The selected transmit beam and receive beamforming are used for a beam pair link (BPL) for a PRACH procedure. Here, the selected transmit beam may be associated with a specific RACH opportunity that may be used by the UE 502 to send a PRACH preamble. In this way, the network entity 504 is informed of the selected transmit beam.

[0137] After completing the PRACH process, Figure 5B As shown, the network entity 504 and the UE 502 may perform a P2 beam management process for beam refinement. For example, the network entity 504 may be configured to sweep or transmit CSI-RS on each of a plurality of narrower transmit beams 510a-510c in a narrow range beam sweep for beam refinement. For example, each of the CSI-RS beams may have a narrower beam width than the SSB beam, and thus the transmit beams 510a-510c transmitted during the P2 process may each be a sub-beam of the SSB transmit beam selected during the P1 process (e.g., within the spatial direction of the SSB transmit beam). The transmission of CSI-RS transmit beams may occur periodically (e.g., as configured by the gNB via radio resource control (RRC) signaling), semi-persistently (e.g., as configured by the gNB via RRC signaling and activated / deactivated via medium access control-control element (MAC-CE) signaling), or aperiodically (e.g., as triggered by the gNB via downlink control information (DCI)). The UE 502 is configured to scan the multiple CSI-RS transmit beams 510a-510c on one or more of the multiple receive beams. Figure 5BIn the example shown in , UE 502 scans CSI-RS transmit beams 510a-510c on a single receive beam 508c selected during the P1 process. UE 502 then performs beam measurements (e.g., RSRP, SINR, etc.) on transmit beams 510a-510c on receive beam 508c to determine the respective beam quality of each of transmit beams 510a-510c.

[0138] The UE 502 may then generate a layer 1 (L1) measurement report (e.g., L1-RSRP or L1-SINR report) including a corresponding beam ID (e.g., CSI-RS resource indicator (CRI)) and beam measurement results (e.g., RSRP) for one or more of the CSI-RS transmit beams 510a-510c and send it to the network entity 504. The network entity 504 may then select one or more CSI-RS transmit beams on which to communicate with the UE 502. In some examples, the selected CSI-RS transmit beam has the highest RSRP from the L1 measurement report. The transmission of the L1 measurement report may occur periodically (e.g., as configured by the gNB via RRC signaling), semi-persistently (e.g., as configured by the gNB via RRC signaling and activated / deactivated via MAC-CE signaling), or aperiodically (e.g., triggered by the gNB via DCI).

[0139] UE 502 may also refine the receive beam of each selected serving CSI-RS transmit beam to form a corresponding refined BPL for each selected serving CSI-RS transmit beam. Figure 5C As shown, the UE 502 may perform a P3 beam management process to refine the UE beam for the BPL. In an example, the network entity 504 may repeatedly send the selected transmit beam 510b selected during the P2 process to the UE 502. The UE 502 may scan the transmit beam 510b using different receive beams 508b-508d to obtain new beam measurements for the selected CSI-RS transmit beam 510b, and select the best receive beam to refine the BPL for the transmit beam 510b. In some examples, the selected receive beam to be paired with a particular CSI-RS transmit beam 510b may be the receive beam on which the highest RSRP is measured for the particular CSI-RS transmit beam.

[0140] In some examples, in addition to configuring UE 502 to perform P2 beam refinement (e.g., CSI-RS beam measurement), network entity 504 may also configure UE 502 to perform P1 beam management procedures (e.g., SSB beam measurement) outside of the RACH procedure and provide an L1 measurement report that includes beam measurement results for one or more SSB transmit beams 506a-506f as measured on one or more of receive beams 508a-508e. In this example, the L1 measurement report may include multiple RSRPs for each transmit beam, where each RSRP corresponds to a specific receive beam to facilitate selection of the BPL(s). For example, the network entity 504 may configure the UE 502 to perform SSB beam measurements and / or CSI-RS beam measurements for various purposes, such as beam failure detection (BRD), beam failure recovery (BFR), cell reselection, beam tracking (e.g., for mobile UE 502 and / or network entity 504), or other beam optimization purposes.

[0141] In one example, a single CSI-RS transmit beam (e.g., beam 510b) on the network entity 504 and a single receive beam (e.g., beam 508c) on the UE may form a single BPL for communication between the network entity 504 and the UE 502. In another example, multiple CSI-RS transmit beams (e.g., beams 510a, 510b, and 510c) on the network entity 504 and a single receive beam (e.g., beam 508c) on the UE 502 may form respective BPLs for communication between the network entity 504 and the UE 502. In another example, multiple CSI-RS transmit beams (e.g., beams 510a, 510b, and 510c) on the network entity 504 and multiple receive beams (e.g., beams 508c and 508d) on the UE 502 may form multiple BPLs for communication between the network entity 504 and the UE 502. In this example, the first BPL may include the transmit beam 510b and the receive beam 508c, the second BPL may include the transmit beam 510a and the receive beam 508c, and the third BPL may include the transmit beam 510c and the receive beam 508d.

[0142] In various aspects of the present disclosure, the UE 502 and the network entity 504 may each include a respective beam manager 512 and 514 that is configured to facilitate more than one beam refinement process within the same time period. For example, the beam manager 514 may be configured to generate a combined reference signal configuration including two or more reference signal configurations and send the combined reference signal configuration to the UE 502. In some examples, the combined reference signal configuration may include respective reference signal configurations for two or more P2 beam refinement processes, two or more P3 beam refinement processes, or a combination of a P2 beam refinement process and a P3 beam refinement process. Thus, each reference signal configuration may be associated with a beam ID by which one or more network entities transmit beams 510a-510c. As discussed in more detail below, the beam ID is indicated, for example, via a reference signal resource (e.g., a CSI-RS resource) included in the reference signal configuration.

[0143] For example, the combined reference signal configuration may include a first reference signal configuration including the beam IDs of the transmit beams 510a-510c for the P2 process and a second reference signal configuration including the beam ID of the transmit beam 510b for the P3 process. As another example, the combined reference signal configuration may include a third reference signal configuration including the beam ID of the transmit beam 510b for the P3 process and a fourth reference signal configuration including the beam ID of the transmit beam 510c for another P3 process. The beam managers 512 and 514 may then utilize the combined reference signal configuration to communicate reference signals between them to simultaneously perform multiple beam refinement processes.

[0144] For each combined reference signal configuration, the beam manager 514 may also configure one or more report settings indicating the format of a corresponding measurement report (e.g., an L1 measurement report) that may be generated by the beam manager 512 based on the combined reference signal configuration. For example, the beam manager 514 may generate and configure more than one report setting (e.g., one report setting for each reference signal configuration in the reference signal configuration), and then the beam manager 512 may divide the beam measurements into different report settings and include a report setting indicator for each of the beam measurements in the beam report. As another example, the one or more report settings may indicate that the beam manager 512 should include a corresponding beam measurement (absolute value) for each of the reference signal resources included in the combined reference signal configuration, an average or maximum beam measurement for a set of reference signal resources associated with the same beam, or an absolute value and a corresponding differential value for each of the beam measurements associated with a set of reference signals.

[0145] In addition to the L1 measurement report, the UE 502 may also utilize the beam reference signal to estimate the channel quality of the channel between the network entity 504 and the UE 502. For example, the UE 502 may measure the SINR of each received CSI-RS and generate a CSI report based on the measured SINR. The CSI report may include, for example, a channel quality indicator (CQI), a rank indicator (RI), a precoding matrix indicator (PMI), and / or a layer indicator (LI). The scheduling entity may use the CSI report to select a rank for the scheduled entity, together with a precoding matrix and an MCS for future downlink transmissions to the scheduled entity. The MCS may be selected from one or more MCS tables, each MCS table being associated with a specific type of coding (e.g., polar coding, LDPC, etc.) or modulation (e.g., binary phase shift keying (BPSK), quadrature phase shift keying (QPSK), 16 quadrature amplitude modulation (QAM), 64QAM, 256QAM, etc.). The LI may be used to indicate which column of the precoding matrix for the reported PMI corresponds to the strongest layer codeword corresponding to the reported maximum wideband CQI.

[0146] To distinguish between different types of reports (including CSI reports and L1 measurement reports) and different types of measurements, network entity 504 may configure UE 502 with one or more reporting settings. Each reporting setting may be associated with a reference signal configuration indicating a configuration of one or more reference signals (e.g., CSI-RS) used to generate a CSI report. In some examples, a reporting setting may be associated with a combined reference signal configuration.

[0147] Figure 6 An example downlink reference signal configuration 600 is illustrated for supporting different reporting / measurement configurations in accordance with some aspects. Figure 6 The downlink reference signal configuration 600 shown in may correspond to a single individual reference signal configuration that may be combined with one or more other reference signal configurations to produce a combined reference signal configuration. The downlink reference signal configuration 600 includes a CSI resource setting 604, one or more CSI resource sets 606 per CSI resource setting 604, and one or more CSI resources 608 per CSI resource set 606. Thus, each CSI resource setting 604 includes one or more CSI resource sets 606, and each CSI resource set 606 includes one or more CSI resources 608. Figure 6 In the example shown in , a single CSI resource setting (eg, CSI resource setting 0) is illustrated. However, it should be appreciated that any suitable number of CSI resource settings 604 may be supported.

[0148] Each CSI resource setting 604 corresponding to a reference signal configuration may be associated with a CSI report setting 602 (e.g., CSI report setting 0 is associated with CSI resource setting 0). The CSI report setting 602 may include a reportQuantity, which indicates, for example, a specific CSI value to be included in the CSI report and its granularity (e.g., wideband / subband CQI, PMI, RI, LI, etc.) or an L1 parameter (e.g., L1-RSRP, L1-SINR). The CSI report setting 602 may also indicate the periodicity of the CSI report. For example, the CSI report setting 602 may indicate that the report should be generated periodically, aperiodically, or semi-persistently. For an aperiodic CSI report setting 602, the CSI report may be transmitted on the PUSCH and may or may not be multiplexed with uplink data. For a periodic CSI report setting 602, the CSI report may be transmitted on the PUCCH (e.g., short PUCCH or long PUCCH). For the semi-persistent CSI report setting 602, the CSI report may be transmitted on the PUCCH or the PUSCH. For example, a medium access control (MAC) control element (MAC-CE) may be used to activate or deactivate a semi-persistent CSI report transmitted on the PUCCH. Downlink control information (DCI) scrambled with a semi-persistent CSI (SP-CP) radio network temporary identifier (SP-CP-RNTI) may be used to trigger a semi-persistent CSI report transmitted on the PUSCH. The DCI that triggers the semi-persistent CSI report may also allocate semi-persistent resources and MCS for the CSI report. The semi-persistent CSI report setting 602 may also support a type II codebook and a minimum periodicity of 5ms. In some examples, the periodic CSI report setting and the semi-persistent CSI report setting 602 may support the following periodicities: {5, 10, 20, 40, 80, 160, and 320} time slots. The CSI report setting 602 may also include corresponding priorities and other appropriate parameters.

[0149] As indicated above, each CSI reporting setting 602 may be linked to a corresponding CSI resource setting 604 indicating a CSI resource 608 applicable to the CSI reporting setting 602. Each CSI resource setting 604 may be associated with a specific time domain behavior of a reference signal. For example, each CSI resource setting 604 may include periodic, semi-persistent, or aperiodic CSI resources 608. For periodic and semi-persistent CSI resource settings 604, the number of configured CSI resource sets 606 may be limited to one. In general, the CSI resource settings 604 that may be linked to a particular CSI reporting setting 602 may be limited by the time domain behavior of the CSI resource setting 604 and the CSI reporting setting 602. For example, an aperiodic CSI reporting setting 602 may be linked to a periodic, semi-persistent, or aperiodic CSI resource setting 604. However, a semi-persistent CSI reporting setting 602 may be linked to only a periodic or semi-persistent CSI resource setting 604. Furthermore, the periodic CSI reporting setting 602 may be linked to the periodic CSI-only resource setting 604 .

[0150] Each CSI resource set 606 may be associated with a CSI resource type. For example, the CSI resource type may include a non-zero power (NZP) CSI-RS resource, an SSB resource, or a channel state information interference measurement (CSI-IM) resource. Thus, each CSI resource set 606 includes a list of CSI resources 608 of a specific CSI resource type. In addition, each CSI resource set 606 may also be associated with one or more of a frequency resource set (e.g., bandwidth and / or OFDM symbols within a time slot), a specific port set, power, or other suitable parameters. In addition, for NZP CSI-RS resources, the CSI resource set 606 may be configured with a repetition parameter indicating whether repetition is enabled for the CSI-RS resource (e.g., the repetition parameter may be set to on or off).

[0151] For L1-RSRP measurement reporting, a CSI resource setting may be configured with up to 16 CSI resource sets, each with up to 64 CSI resources, and a maximum total number of CSI resources of 128. For L1-SINR measurement reporting, a CSI resource setting may be configured with up to 64 CSI-RS resources or up to 64 SSB resources.

[0152] Each CSI resource 608 indicates a specific beam, port, frequency resource, and OFDM symbol on which the wireless communication device can measure a reference signal. For example, each CSI resource 608 may indicate REs on which a CSI-RS pilot or SSB transmitted from a specific set of ports on a specific beam may be measured. Figure 6In the example shown in , CSI resource set 0.1 includes four CSI resources (CSI resource 0.10, CSI resource 0.11, CSI resource 0.12, and CSI resource 0.13). Each CSI resource 608 may also be indexed by a corresponding reference signal resource ID. The reference signal resource ID may not only identify a specific beam and port, but also identify the resource on which the reference signal may be measured. For example, the reference signal resource ID may include a CSI-RS resource indicator (CRI) or an SSB resource indicator (SSBRI). In Figure 6 In the example shown in , each CSI resource 608 is indexed by a corresponding CRI (eg, CRI-1, CRI-2, CRI-3, and CRI-4). Since each CRI identifies a corresponding beam, each CRI corresponds to a beam identifier (ID).

[0153] The network entity may configure the UE with one or more CSI reporting settings 602 and CSI resource settings 604 via, for example, radio resource control (RRC) signaling. For example, the network entity may configure the UE with a list of periodic CSI reporting settings, each of which is linked to an associated CSI resource setting indicating a set of CSI resources that the UE can utilize to generate a periodic CSI report. As another example, the network entity may configure the UE with a list of aperiodic CSI reporting settings in CSI-AperiodicTriggerStateList. Each trigger state (e.g., codepoint) in CSI-AperiodicTriggerStateList may include a list of aperiodic CSI reporting settings that indicates an associated set of CSI resources for channel (and optionally for interference) measurements. As another example, the network entity may configure the UE with a list of semi-persistent CSI reporting settings in CSI-SemiPersistentOnPUSCH-TriggerStateList. Each trigger state in CSI-SemiPersistentOnPUSCH-TriggerStateList may include one CSI reporting setting indicating an associated CSI resource set. The network entity may then use, for example, DCI to trigger one or more of the aperiodic or semi-persistent trigger states (e.g., codepoints) for CSI reports sent on PUSCH. As indicated above, MAC-CE may be used to activate or deactivate a semi-persistent CSI reporting setting for CSI reports transmitted on PUCCH.

[0154] In various aspects, the combined reference signal configuration may also include one or more uplink reference signal configurations to implement one or more uplink beam refinement procedures. Fig. 7A and Figure 7Bis a diagram illustrating an example of an uplink beam management process for uplink beam refinement between a network entity 704 and a UE 702 according to some aspects. The UE 702 may correspond to, for example, Figure 1 , Figure 2 , Figure 5 and / or Figure 6 The network entity 704 may correspond to, for example, a UE or other scheduled entity shown in FIG. Figure 1 , Figure 3 , Figure 5 and / or Figure 6 , or any of the base stations (e.g., gNBs) or other scheduling entities shown in any of the above. The network entity 704 may be implemented as a converged base station or a decomposed base station. In a decomposed base station architecture, the network entity 704 may include one or more of a central unit (CU), a distributed unit (DU), or a radio unit (RU).

[0155] In an example of an uplink beam management scheme, Fig. 7A As shown, UE 702 may be configured to sweep or transmit on each of a plurality of uplink transmit beams 706a-706c. For example, UE 702 may transmit SRS on each beam in different beam directions. In addition, network entity 704 may be configured to receive an uplink beam reference signal on uplink receive beam 708a. Then, network entity 704 performs beam measurements (e.g., RSRP, SINR, RSRQ, etc.) on the beam reference signal on each of uplink transmit beams 706a-706c to determine the corresponding beam quality of each of uplink transmit beams 706a-706c.

[0156] For example, the executable Fig. 7A , to assist UE 702 in uplink beam refinement. For example, network entity 704 may then select one or more uplink transmit beams (e.g., uplink transmit beam 706 b) on which UE 702 may send uplink control information and / or user data traffic to network entity 704. In some examples, the selected uplink transmit beam has the highest gain. Network entity 704 may then notify UE 702 of the selected uplink transmit beam. For example, network entity 704 may provide an SRS resource identifier (SRI) identifying an SRS to be sent on the selected uplink transmit beam 706 b. In some examples, the network entity 704 may apply the selected uplink transmit beam 706b (and the corresponding uplink receive beam 708a) to an uplink signal (e.g., PUCCH, PUSCH, etc.) and send a corresponding SRI associated with the selected uplink transmit beam 706b applied to each uplink signal to the UE 702.

[0157] exist Figure 7B In the uplink beam management process shown in , UE 702 may repeat the transmission of the selected uplink transmit beam 706b to network entity 704. For example, in the P3 process (as described above in Figure 5C ) or during Fig. 7A , selects uplink transmit beam 706b during the uplink beam management process shown in . The network entity 704 may scan uplink transmit beam 706b using different uplink receive beams 708a-708c to obtain beam measurements for uplink transmit beam 706b, and selects the best uplink receive beam (e.g., uplink receive beam 708a) to refine the BPL for uplink transmit beam 706b. In some examples, the selected uplink receive beam to be paired with a particular uplink transmit beam 706b may be the uplink receive beam on which the highest RSRP is measured for the particular uplink transmit beam 706b. Therefore, the network entity 704 may form a corresponding uplink beam pair link (BPL) for uplink transmit beam 706b. When the channel is reciprocal, the above-described uplink beam management scheme may also be used to select one or more downlink BPLs for downlink communication from the network entity 704 to the UE 702. For example, the uplink BPL may also be used as the downlink BPL.

[0158] In some aspects, the UE 702 and the network entity 704 may each include a respective beam manager 710 and 712 that is configured to facilitate more than one beam refinement process within the same time period. For example, the beam manager 712 may be configured to generate a combined reference signal configuration including two or more reference signal configurations and send the combined reference signal configuration to the UE 702. In some examples, the combined reference signal configuration may include respective reference signal configurations for two or more uplink beam refinement processes. Thus, each reference signal configuration may be associated with a beam ID of one or more UE transmit beams 7060a-706c. As discussed in more detail below, the beam ID is indicated, for example, via a reference signal resource (e.g., an SRS resource) included in the reference signal configuration.

[0159] For example, the combined reference signal configuration may include a first reference signal configuration including beam IDs of UE transmit beams 706a-706c for UE uplink transmit beam refinement and a second reference signal configuration including a beam ID of transmit beam 706b for network entity uplink receive beam refinement. Beam managers 710 and 712 may then utilize the combined reference signal configuration to communicate reference signals between them to perform multiple beam refinement processes simultaneously.

[0160] Fig. 8A , Figure 8B and Figure 8C is a diagram illustrating an example uplink reference signal configuration according to some aspects. FIG. 8A to FIG. 8C The uplink reference signal configuration shown in each of may correspond to a single individual reference signal configuration, which may be combined with one or more other reference signal configurations to produce a combined reference signal configuration. FIG. 8A to FIG. 8C Example SRS configurations 800a-800c are illustrated for SRS resource sets 802a-802c, each of which includes SRS resources 804a-804f according to some aspects. An SRS resource set may include one or more SRS resources. For example, SRS resource set 802a (SRS resource set 0) includes SRS resources 804a and 804b (SRS resource 0.0 and SRS resource 0.1), SRS resource set 802b (SRS resource set 1) includes SRS resource 804c (SRS resource 1.0), and SRS resource set 802c (SRS resource set 2) includes SRS resource sets 804d, 804e, and 804f (SRS resource 2.0, SRS resource 2.1, and SRS resource 2.2).

[0161] like FIG. 8A to FIG. 8C As indicated in , multiple SRS resource sets 802a-802c may be configured for the UE. In addition, each SRS resource set 802a-802c may be configured as periodic, aperiodic, or semi-persistent, so that each of the SRS resources in the corresponding SRS resource set is periodic, aperiodic, or semi-persistent, respectively. For example, SRS resources 804a and 804b in SRS resource set 802a may be periodic SRS resources, SRS resource 804c in SRS resource set 802b may be aperiodic SRS resource, and SRS resources 804d-804f in SRS resource set 802c may be semi-persistent SRS resources.

[0162] Each SRS resource 804a-804f includes a set of SRS resource parameters that configure the SRS resource. For example, the SRS resource parameters may include an antenna port set, the number of consecutive symbols (Nsymb), a time domain allocation (Ioffset), repetition, a transmit comb structure (kTC), a bandwidth (mSRS), and other suitable parameters. Each SRS may also be quasi-co-located (QCL) with another reference signal (such as SSB, CSI-RS, or SRS). Therefore, based on the QCL association (e.g., QCL association with an SSB beam, a CSI-RS beam, or an SRS beam), the SRS resource may be sent using the same spatial domain filter (e.g., beam) as used to receive / send the indicated reference signal (e.g., SSB beam, CSI-RS beam, or SRS beam). Each SRS resource 804a-804f may also be indexed by a corresponding reference signal resource (ID). The reference signal resource ID may not only identify a specific beam and port, but also identify the resource on which the reference signal may be measured. For example, the reference signal resource ID may include an SRS resource indicator (SRI). FIG. 8A to FIG. 8C In the example shown in , each SRS resource 804a-804f is indexed by a corresponding SRI (e.g., SRI-1, SRI-2, SRI-3, SRI-4, SRI-5, and SRI-6). Since each SRI identifies a corresponding beam, each SRI corresponds to a beam identifier (ID).

[0163] The corresponding SRS resource parameter set for each SRS resource in the SRS resources in a particular SRS resource set together forms the SRS resource set parameters of the SRS resource set. In addition, the SRS resource set itself may also include additional SRS resource set parameters. For example, the SRS resource set parameters of the aperiodic SRS resource set 802b may also include the aperiodic trigger state (e.g., code point) of the aperiodic SRS resource set 802b (e.g., up to three trigger states may be possible, each trigger state mapping to the aperiodic SRS resource set), the time slot offset between the time slot of the DCI that triggers the aperiodic SRS resource and the SRS transmission (e.g., the SRS is transmitted k time slots after the time slot carrying the DCI containing the trigger state), and the CRI associated with the aperiodic SRS resource set 802b for the pre-decoder estimation of the aperiodic SRS. As another example, the SRS configuration of the periodic SRS resource set 802a or the semi-persistent SRS resource set 802c may indicate the periodicity of the SRS resource (e.g., the periodicity of the SRS transmission). The respective SRS resource set parameters then collectively form SRS configurations 800a - 800c for the corresponding SRS resource sets 802a - 802c .

[0164] The network entity may semi-statically configure one or more SRS resource sets 802a-802c to the UE via, for example, radio resource control (RRC) signaling. In some examples, the network entity may send an RRC message including an RRC configuration (e.g., an RRC configuration information element (IE)) indicating an SRS configuration for a particular SRS resource set.

[0165] For example, the network entity may semi-statically configure one or more periodic SRS resource sets 802a to the UE, and the UE may use the one or more periodic SRS resource sets to generate a periodic SRS and send the periodic SRS to the network entity. As another example, the network entity may semi-statically configure one or more aperiodic SRS resource sets 802b and corresponding triggering states to the UE. The network entity may then use DCI to trigger the aperiodic SRS resource set 802b. As another example, the network entity may semi-statically configure one or more semi-persistent SRS resource sets 802c to the UE. The network entity may then use a medium access control (MAC) control unit (MAC-CE) to activate or deactivate the semi-persistent SRS resource set 802c.

[0166] Fig. 9 is a signaling diagram illustrating an example of beam refinement using a combined reference signal configuration between a UE 902 and a network entity 904 according to some aspects. The UE 902 may correspond to Figure 1 , Figure 3 Figure 5 Fig. 7A and / or Figure 7B In addition, the network entity 904 may correspond to, for example, Figure 1 , Figure 3 Figure 5 Fig. 7A and / or Figure 7B 1004. The network entity 904 may be implemented as a converged base station or a decomposed base station. In a decomposed base station architecture, the network entity 1004 may include one or more of a central unit (CU), a distributed unit (DU), or a radio unit (RU).

[0167] At 906, UE 902 may optionally send a request for a combined reference signal configuration to network entity 904. For example, UE 902 may send a UE capabilities message indicating that the UE supports combined reference signal configuration to network entity 904. As another example, UE 902 may send an explicit request for a combined reference signal configuration.

[0168] At 908, the network entity 904 may send a combined reference signal configuration including two or more reference signal configurations to the UE 902. In some examples, the two or more reference signal configurations may include an uplink reference signal configuration, a downlink reference signal configuration, or a combination of an uplink reference signal configuration and a downlink reference signal configuration. In some examples, each of the two or more reference signal configurations may indicate one or more beam IDs with or without repetition. For example, a first reference signal configuration may indicate a first repetition pattern of a first beam ID in a first communication direction (e.g., downlink or uplink), and a second reference signal configuration may indicate a second repetition pattern of a second beam ID in a first communication direction or in a second communication direction different from the first communication direction. As another example, a third reference signal configuration may indicate a first plurality of beam IDs without repetition in the first communication direction, and a fourth reference signal configuration may indicate a second plurality of beam IDs without repetition in the first communication direction or in the second communication direction. The combined reference signal configuration may include, for example, two or more of the first reference signal configuration, the second reference signal configuration, the third reference signal configuration, and the fourth reference signal configuration.

[0169] In some examples, the combined reference signal configuration may be a periodic configuration, a semi-persistent configuration, or an aperiodic configuration.In some examples, the network entity 904 may send an RRC message including an RRC configuration (eg, an RRC configuration information element (IE)) indicating the combined reference signal configuration.

[0170] In some examples, a combined reference signal configuration may include one or more common parameters linked between two or more reference signal configurations. Common parameters may include, for example, bandwidth, QCL relationship, or spatial relationship filter. For example, two or more reference signal configurations may include the same bandwidth and / or spatial relationship filter for downlink CSI-RS resources and uplink SRS resources. As another example, two or more reference signal configurations may include the same bandwidth and / or QCL relationship for downlink CSI-RS resources within different reference signal configurations in the combined reference signal configuration.

[0171] At 910, the network entity 904 may optionally send an activation / trigger for the combined reference signal configuration. For example, the network entity 904 may send control information (eg, DCI) triggering an aperiodic combined reference signal configuration or a MAC-CE activating a semi-persistent combined reference signal configuration.

[0172] At 912, the UE 902 and the network entity 904 may communicate reference signals associated with two or more reference signal configurations based on the combined reference signal configuration. For example, the UE 902 and the network entity 904 may communicate one or more CSI-RS and / or one or more SRS according to the combined reference signal configuration. Here, each CSI-RS is communicated on a CSI-RS resource (e.g., a beam, a frequency resource, and an OFDM symbol), and each SRS is communicated on an SRS resource (e.g., a beam, a frequency resource, and an OFDM symbol).

[0173] At 914a and 914b, one or more of the UE 902 and the network entity 904 may perform a beam refinement process based on the communicated reference signal. For example, the network entity 904 may perform a P2 beam refinement process or an uplink receive beam refinement process. As another example, the UE 902 may perform a P3 beam refinement process or an uplink transmit beam refinement process.

[0174] Fig.10 1 is a signaling diagram illustrating an example of beam refinement using a combined reference signal configuration between sidelink devices (e.g., UE 1002 and UE 1004) according to some aspects. UE 1002 and 1004 may correspond to Figure 1 , Figure 3 Figure 5 Fig. 7A and / or Figure 7B Any of the UEs or scheduled entities shown in . Fig.10 In the example shown in , UE 1002 may be a transmitting side link wireless communication device (SL Tx UE) 1002, and UE 1004 may be a receiving wireless communication device (SL Rx UE) 1004. Fig.10 In the example shown in , the SL Tx UE 1002 and the SL Rx UE 1004 may be configured for sidelink communications utilizing, for example, Mode 1 or Mode 2.

[0175] At 1006, the SL Rx UE 1004 may optionally send a request for a combined reference signal configuration to the SL Tx UE 1004. At 1008, the SL Tx UE 1002 may send a combined reference signal configuration including two or more reference signal configurations for sidelink beam refinement. In some examples, the SL Tx UE 1002 may generate the combined reference signal configuration. In other examples, the network entity may generate the combined reference signal configuration and send the combined reference signal configuration to the SL Tx UE 1002. In yet other examples, the network entity may send the combined reference signal configuration to both the SL Tx UE 1002 and the SL Rx UE 1004.

[0176] In some examples, two or more reference signal configurations may include sidelink reference signal configurations in a single communication direction or a combination of communication directions (e.g., from SL Tx UE 1002 to SL Rx UE 1004 and / or from SL Rx UE 1004 to SL Tx UE 1002). In some examples, each of the two or more reference signal configurations may indicate one or more beam IDs with or without repetitions. For example, a first reference signal configuration may indicate a first repetition pattern of a first beam ID in a first communication direction, and a second reference signal configuration may indicate a second repetition pattern of a second beam ID in a first communication direction or in a second communication direction different from the first communication direction. As another example, a third reference signal configuration may indicate a first plurality of beam IDs without repetitions in the first communication direction, and a fourth reference signal configuration may indicate a second plurality of beam IDs without repetitions in the first communication direction or in the second communication direction. The combined reference signal configuration may include, for example, two or more of the first reference signal configuration, the second reference signal configuration, the third reference signal configuration, and the fourth reference signal configuration.

[0177] In some examples, the combined reference signal configuration may be a periodic configuration, a semi-persistent configuration, or an aperiodic configuration. In some examples, the SL Tx UE 1002 (or a network entity) may send an RRC message including an RRC configuration (e.g., an RRC configuration information element (IE)) indicating the combined reference signal configuration. In some examples, the combined reference signal configuration may include one or more common parameters linked between two or more reference signal configurations.

[0178] At 1010, the SL Tx UE 1002 may optionally send an activation / trigger for a combined reference signal configuration. For example, the SL Tx UE 1002 may send control information (eg, SCI) triggering an aperiodic combined reference signal configuration or a sidelink MAC-CE activating a semi-persistent combined reference signal configuration.

[0179] At 1012, the SL Tx UE 1002 and the SL Rx UE 1004 may communicate a plurality of sidelink reference signals (e.g., sidelink CSI-RS and / or SL SRS) on a plurality of sidelink beams. For example, each of the sidelink CSI-RSs may be configured by a CSI-RS resource indicating a corresponding time-frequency resource of the corresponding CSI-RS and a spatial direction of the corresponding sidelink transmit beam. Each sidelink CSI-RS resource may be identified, for example, by a CSI-RS resource indicator (CRI).

[0180] At 1014a and 1014b, one or more of the SL Tx UE 1002 and the SL Rx UE 1004 may perform a beam refinement process based on the communicated sidelink reference signal. For example, the SL Tx UE 1002 may perform a transmit beam refinement process or a receive beam refinement process. As another example, the SL Rx UE 1004 may perform a transmit beam refinement process or a receive beam refinement process.

[0181] Fig.11 An exemplary combined reference signal configuration 1102 (e.g., combined RS configuration 0) is illustrated in accordance with some aspects. The combined reference signal configuration 1102 includes two or more reference signal configurations 1104 (RS configuration 0.0, RS configuration 0.1, RS configuration 0.2). Each reference signal configuration 1104 may correspond to a downlink reference signal configuration (e.g., CSI resource setting) or an uplink reference signal configuration (e.g., SRS configuration), or in an example where the combined reference signal configuration is configured for sidelink communication, corresponds to two or more sidelink reference signal configurations.

[0182] Each reference signal configuration 1104 (e.g., RS configuration 0.1) includes one or more reference signal resource sets 1106 (e.g., RS resource set 0.10, RS resource set 0.11). In addition, each reference signal resource set 1106 includes one or more reference signal resources 1108 (e.g., RS resource 0.110 and RS resource 0.111). Fig.11 In the example shown in , a single combined reference signal configuration 1102 is illustrated. However, it should be understood that any suitable number of combined reference signal configurations 1102 may be supported. Each combined reference signal configuration may be associated with a specific time domain behavior of the reference signal. For example, each combined reference signal configuration 1102 may include periodic, semi-persistent, or aperiodic reference signal resources 1108.

[0183] Each reference signal resource 1108 indicates a specific beam, frequency resource, and OFDM symbol on which a reference signal can be measured. Each reference signal resource 1108 may also be indexed by a corresponding reference signal resource identifier (ID). The reference signal resource ID may not only identify a specific beam (e.g., port), but may also identify a resource on which a reference signal may be measured. For example, the reference signal resource ID may include a CSI-RS resource indicator (CRI), an SRI, a sidelink CRI, or a sidelink SRI.

[0184] The network entity (or sidelink Tx UE) may configure the UE (or sidelink Rx UE) with one or more combined reference signal configurations 1102 via, for example, radio resource control (RRC) signaling. In some examples, the network entity (or sidelink Tx UE) may configure the UE with multiple reference signal configurations 1104. The network entity may then map two or more of the reference signal configurations 1104 to code points via RRC, MAC-CE, or DCI (or SCI) to form a combined reference signal configuration 1102. The network entity (or sidelink Tx UE) may then trigger the combined reference signal configuration 1102 by sending a code point to the UE (or sidelink Rx UE) via, for example, DCI (or SCI).

[0185] Fig. 12A and Fig. 12B An example of a beam refinement process between a UE 1202 and a network entity 1204 according to a combined reference signal configuration according to some aspects is illustrated. The UE 1202 may correspond to Figure 1 , Figure 3 Figure 5 Fig. 7A , Figure 7B and / or Fig. 9 In addition, the network entity 1204 may correspond to, for example, Figure 1 , Figure 3 Figure 5 Fig. 7A , Figure 7B and / or Fig. 9 1204. The network entity 1204 may be implemented as a converged base station or a decomposed base station. In a decomposed base station architecture, the network entity 1204 may include one or more of a central unit (CU), a distributed unit (DU), or a radio unit (RU).

[0186] exist Fig. 12A and Fig. 12BIn the example shown in , UE 1202 and network entity 1204 are configured to perform a P3 (UE Rx) beam refinement process and a P2 (network entity Tx) beam refinement process. To facilitate multiple beam refinement processes, network entity 1204 may configure UE 1202 with a combined reference signal configuration 1208a or 1208b. Each of the combined reference signal configurations 1208a and 1208b includes a first reference signal configuration 1210a associated with a first beam ID (e.g., identifying beam 1206a) and a first repetition pattern (e.g., repetition of the same beam 1206a) and a second reference signal configuration 1210b associated with a second beam ID (e.g., identifying beam 1206b) and a second repetition pattern (e.g., repetition of the same beam 1206b). Each of beams 1206a and 1206b may be associated with a respective CSI-RS resource, for example, and identified by a corresponding CRI. In addition, each of the first reference signal configuration 1210a and the second reference signal configuration 1210b is associated with the same communication direction (e.g., downlink). Therefore, the UE 1202 can perform a first P3 beam refinement process based on the first reference signal configuration 1210a and perform a second P3 beam refinement process based on the second reference signal configuration 1210b.

[0187] In addition, the combination of the first reference signal configuration 1210a and the second reference signal configuration 1210b generates a third reference signal configuration 1210c associated with both the first beam ID (e.g., beam 1206a) and the second beam ID (e.g., beam 1206b). The network entity 1204 may perform a P2 beam refinement process based on the third reference signal configuration 1210c. Therefore, a reporting setting may be configured for the combined reference signal configuration 1208a or 1208b to enable the UE 1202 to report beam measurements for the P2 beam refinement process.

[0188] Combined reference signal configurations 1208a and 1208b may also indicate a repeating order for each of first reference signal configuration 1210a and second reference signal configuration 1210b. Fig. 12A As shown, the repetition order of the combined reference signal configuration 1208a may be sequential in time, where a first repetition pattern of the reference signal configuration 1210a occurs before a second repetition pattern of the second reference signal configuration 1210b in time. Fig. 12B As shown, the repetition order of the combined reference signal configuration 1208b may indicate that the first repetition pattern of the first reference signal configuration 1210a and the second repetition pattern of the second reference signal configuration 1210b are interleaved in time.

[0189] It should be understood that Fig. 12A and Fig. 12BThe combined reference signal configurations 1208a and 1208b shown in FIG. 1 may also be applicable to sidelink reference signal configurations, where the beam refinement process occurs between two UEs rather than between a UE and a network entity.

[0190] Fig.13 Another example of a beam refinement process between a UE 1302 and a network entity 1304 according to a combined reference signal configuration according to some aspects is illustrated. The UE 1302 may correspond to Figure 1 , Figure 3 Figure 5 Fig. 7A , Figure 7B , Fig. 9 , Fig. 12A and / or Fig. 12B In addition, the network entity 1304 may correspond to, for example, Figure 1 , Figure 3 Figure 5 Fig. 7A , Figure 7B , Fig. 9 , Fig. 12A and / or Fig. 12B 1304. The network entity 1304 may be implemented as a converged base station or a decomposed base station. In a decomposed base station architecture, the network entity 1304 may include one or more of a central unit (CU), a distributed unit (DU), or a radio unit (RU).

[0191] exist Fig.13In the example shown in , UE 1302 and network entity 1304 are configured to perform a P3 (UE Rx) beam refinement process and a UE Tx beam refinement process during the same time period, as indicated by a combined reference signal configuration configured by network entity 1304. To facilitate multiple beam refinement processes, network entity 1304 may configure UE 1302 with a combined reference signal configuration 1310. Combined reference signal configuration 1310 includes a first reference signal configuration 1312a associated with a first beam ID having repetition (e.g., identifying beam 1306) and a second reference signal configuration 1312b associated with a plurality of second beam IDs having no repetition (e.g., identifying beams 1308a, 1308b, and 1308c). Beam 1306 may, for example, be associated with a CSI-RS resource and may be identified by a corresponding CRI. Beams 1308a, 1308b, and 1308c may each be associated with a corresponding SRS resource and identified by a corresponding corresponding SRI. In addition, the first reference signal configuration 1312a and the second reference signal configuration 1312b are associated with different communication directions (e.g., downlink and uplink). Therefore, the UE 1302 can perform a P3 (UE Rx) beam refinement process based on the first reference signal configuration 1312a and perform a UE Tx beam refinement process based on the second reference signal configuration 1312b.

[0192] In addition, the combined reference signal configuration 1310 may indicate a time gap 1314 between the first reference signal configuration 1312a and the second reference signal configuration 1312b to allow time for UE downlink / uplink switching. 1 The last reference signal (last beam 1306) of the first reference signal configuration 1312a is transmitted and at time t 2 A first reference signal (beam 1308a) of a second reference signal configuration 1312b is transmitted. The time gap 1314 may be configured based on, for example, a direction switch (e.g., uplink to downlink or downlink to uplink). In addition, the time gap 1314 may be configured based on subcarrier spacing and / or UE capabilities (e.g., the switching time may be specified in the UE capabilities).

[0193] It should be understood that Fig.13 The combined reference signal configuration 1310 shown in FIG. 1 may also be applicable to a sidelink reference signal configuration where the beam refinement process is between two UEs instead of between a UE and a network entity.

[0194] Fig.14 Another example of a beam refinement process between a UE 1402 and a network entity 1404 according to a combined reference signal configuration according to some aspects is illustrated. The UE 1402 may correspond to Figure 1 , Figure 3 Figure 5 Fig. 7A , Figure 7B , Fig. 9 , Fig. 12A , Fig. 12B and / or Fig.13 In addition, the network entity 1404 may correspond to, for example, Figure 1 , Figure 3 Figure 5 Fig. 7A , Figure 7B , Fig. 9 , Fig. 12A , Fig. 12B and / or Fig.13 1404. The network entity 1404 may be implemented as a converged base station or a decomposed base station. In a decomposed base station architecture, the network entity 1404 may include one or more of a central unit (CU), a distributed unit (DU), or a radio unit (RU).

[0195] exist Fig.14 In the example shown in , UE 1402 and network entity 1404 are configured to perform a P2 (network entity Tx) beam refinement process and a P3 (UE Rx) beam refinement process. In order to facilitate multiple beam refinement processes, network entity 1404 may configure UE 1402 using a combined reference signal configuration 1410. Combined reference signal configuration 1410 includes a first reference signal configuration 1412a associated with multiple beam IDs (e.g., beams 1408a, 1408b, and 1408c) without repetition and a second reference signal configuration 1412b associated with a specific beam ID (e.g., beam 1408a) with repetition. Beams 1408a, 1408b, and 1408c may each be associated with a corresponding CSI-RS resource, for example, and may be identified by a corresponding corresponding CRI. In addition, the first reference signal configuration 1412a and the second reference signal configuration 1412b are associated with the same communication direction (e.g., downlink). Thus, the network entity 1404 may perform a P2 (network entity Tx) beam refinement procedure based on the first reference signal configuration 1412a, and the UE 1402 may perform a P3 (UE Rx) beam refinement procedure based on the second reference signal configuration 1412b. Thus, a reporting setting may be configured for the combined reference signal configuration 1410 to enable the UE 1402 to report beam measurements for the P2 beam refinement procedure.

[0196] exist Fig.14In the example shown in , UE 1402 may include two or more antenna panels 1406a and 1406b. A single antenna panel 1406a may be enabled for the P2 beam refinement process for beam measurement of multiple network entity transmit beams 1408a-1408c on a single UE Rx receive beam, while multiple antenna panels 1406a and 1406b may be enabled for the P3 beam refinement process to select an appropriate UE Rx beam to form a BPL with the network entity transmit beam 1408a. In this example, the combined reference signal configuration 1410 may indicate a time gap 1414 between the first reference signal configuration 1412a and the second reference signal configuration 1412b to allow time for UE 1402 to enable an additional antenna panel (e.g., antenna panel 1406b). Therefore, the combined reference signal configuration 1410 may indicate that at time t 1 The last reference signal of the first reference signal configuration 1412a (last beam 1408c) is transmitted and at time t 2 The first reference signal (beam 1408a) of the second reference signal configuration 1412b is transmitted. The time gap 1414 may be configured based on, for example, a direction switch (e.g., uplink to downlink or downlink to uplink). In addition, the time gap 1414 may be configured based on subcarrier spacing and / or UE capabilities (e.g., antenna panel activation time may be specified in the UE capabilities).

[0197] It should be understood that Fig.14 The combined reference signal configuration 1410 shown in FIG. 14 may also be applicable to a sidelink reference signal configuration where the beam refinement process is between two UEs instead of between a UE and a network entity.

[0198] In some examples, FIG. 12A to FIG. 14 The combined reference signal configuration shown in may be an independent configuration configured to include multiple individual reference signal configurations. In other examples, the combined reference signal configuration may be formed by mapping two or more individual reference signal configurations that have been pre-configured to the combined reference signal configuration.

[0199] Fig.15 1 is a diagram illustrating exemplary signaling between a UE 1502 and a network entity 1504 for combined reference signal configuration according to some aspects. The UE 1502 may correspond to Figure 1 , Figure 3 Figure 5 Fig. 7A , Figure 7B , Fig. 9 , Fig. 12A , Fig. 12B , Fig.13 and / or Fig.14 In addition, the network entity 1504 may correspond to, for example, Figure 1 , Figure 3 Figure 5 Fig. 7A , Figure 7B , Fig. 9 , Fig. 12A , Fig. 12B , Fig.13 and / or Fig.14 1404. The network entity 1404 may be implemented as a converged base station or a decomposed base station. In a decomposed base station architecture, the network entity 1404 may include one or more of a central unit (CU), a distributed unit (DU), or a radio unit (RU).

[0200] At the initial time t 0 , the network entity 1504 may generate two or more reference signal configurations 1506 and send the two or more reference signal configurations 1506 to the UE 1502. For example, the network entity 1504 may send an RRC message including the two or more reference signal configurations to the UE 1502.

[0201] At time t 1 , the network entity 1504 may send a message 1508 mapping the two or more reference signal configurations (or a subset of the two or more reference signal configurations) to a code point identifying a combined reference signal configuration. For example, the network entity 1504 may send an RRC message, MAC-CE, or DCI mapping the two or more reference signal configurations to a code point.

[0202] exist Fig.15 In the example shown in , the network entity 1504 sends the message within the MAC-CE. Therefore, at time t 2 , UE 1502 may send an acknowledgement message (HARQ ACK) 1510 to network entity 1504 confirming receipt of the message. For MAC-CE message 1508, code point mapping may be used after a time period 1512 of at least 3 ms has passed since UE 1502 sent HARQ-ACK 1510. Thus, at time t 3 , the network entity 1504 may send control information 1514 (eg, DCI) triggering the combined reference signal configuration. For example, the DCI 1514 may include a code point identifying the combined reference signal configuration to which each of the two or more separate reference signal configurations is mapped.

[0203] At time t 4 , the network entity 1504 and the UE 1502 may communicate a reference signal 1516 according to the combined reference signal configuration. For example, the reference signal 1516 may be communicated at a delay 1518 from the DCI 1514 (eg, from time t 3 to4 The reference signal 1516 is communicated after the first reference signal 1514 is measured). The delay 1518 may be based on the initial communication direction of the first reference signal associated with the combined reference signal configuration. For example, if the first reference signal is a downlink reference signal (e.g., CSI-RS), the delay 1518 between the DCI 1514 and the first reference signal 1516 may be based on the beam switching timing. As another example, if the first reference signal is an uplink reference signal (e.g., SRS), the delay 1518 between the DCI 1514 and the first reference signal 1516 may be based on the downlink / uplink switching timing.

[0204] Fig.16 1 is a signaling diagram illustrating an example of a beam management process using a combined reference signal configuration between a UE 1602 and a network entity 1604 according to some aspects. The UE 1602 may correspond to Figure 1 , Figure 3 Figure 5 Fig. 7A , Figure 7B , Fig. 9 , Fig. 12A , Fig. 12B and / or Figures 13 to 15 In addition, the network entity 1604 may correspond to, for example, Figure 1 , Figure 3 Figure 5 Fig. 7A , Figure 7B , Fig. 9 , Fig. 12A , Fig. 12B and / or Figures 13 to 15 1604. The network entity 1604 may be implemented as a converged base station or a decomposed base station. In a decomposed base station architecture, the network entity 1604 may include one or more of a central unit (CU), a distributed unit (DU), or a radio unit (RU).

[0205] At 1606, network entity 1604 may send a combined reference signal configuration including two or more reference signal configurations to UE 1602. In some examples, network entity 1604 may send the combined reference signal configuration to UE 1602 in response to a request from UE 1602. In some examples, the two or more reference signal configurations may include a downlink reference signal configuration or a combination of an uplink reference signal configuration and a downlink reference signal configuration.

[0206] In some examples, each of the two or more reference signal configurations may indicate one or more beam IDs with or without repetition. In some examples, the combined reference signal configuration may be a periodic configuration, a semi-persistent configuration, or an aperiodic configuration. In some examples, the network entity 1604 may send an RRC message including an RRC configuration (e.g., an RRC configuration information element (IE)) indicating the combined reference signal configuration.

[0207] The network entity 1604 may also send at least one reporting setting associated with the combined reference signal configuration. For example, the network entity 1604 may send a single reporting setting linked to the combined reference signal configuration. In other examples, the network entity 1604 may send a separate reporting setting for each reference signal configuration in the reference signal configuration in the combined reference signal configuration.

[0208] At 1608, the network entity 1604 may optionally send an activation / trigger for the combined reference signal configuration. For example, the network entity 1604 may send control information (eg, DCI) triggering an aperiodic combined reference signal configuration or a MAC-CE activating a semi-persistent combined reference signal configuration.

[0209] At 1610, UE 1602 and network entity 1604 may communicate reference signals associated with two or more reference signal configurations based on the combined reference signal configuration. For example, network entity 1604 may send one or more CSI-RS. As another example, network entity 1604 may send one or more CSI-RS, and UE 1602 may send one or more SRS according to the combined reference signal configuration. Each CSI-RS is communicated on a CSI-RS resource (e.g., a beam, a frequency resource, and an OFDM symbol), and each SRS is communicated on an SRS resource (e.g., a beam, a frequency resource, and an OFDM symbol).

[0210] At 1612, the UE 1602 may obtain one or more beam measurements, each corresponding to a downlink beam (e.g., a CSI-RS beam) used to communicate a downlink reference signal (e.g., a CSI-RS). For example, the UE 1602 may measure a respective RSRP or determine a respective SINR of each of the received downlink reference signals on each of the downlink beams.

[0211] At 1614, UE 1602 may generate a measurement report (e.g., an L1 measurement report) including the beam measurement and send the measurement report to network entity 1604. The measurement report may have a format based on at least one reporting setting. In an example where there is more than one reporting setting associated with the combined reference signal configuration, the beam measurements in the measurement report may be divided by the reporting setting. In addition, the measurement report may also include a reporting setting indicator that indicates a corresponding reporting setting for each beam measurement in the beam measurement.

[0212] In some examples, the absolute value of each beam measurement in the beam measurement is included in the measurement report. In other examples, the absolute value of the beam measurement for one of the downlink reference signals with duplication or the downlink reference signal without duplication may be included in the measurement report. In other examples, the average or highest beam measurement for the same downlink beam may be included in the measurement report. In other examples, the absolute value of the highest beam measurement for a group of downlink reference signals may be included in the measurement report along with the corresponding differential value of the highest absolute value of each downlink reference signal in the remaining downlink reference signals in the reference signal group. For example, the reference signal group may be associated with the same network entity (e.g., network entity 1604) or the same QCL source (e.g., the same SSB beam).

[0213] Fig.17A An example of a combined reference signal configuration 1700 utilized by a UE 1702 and a network entity 1704 according to some aspects is illustrated. The UE 1702 may correspond to Figure 1 , Figure 3 Figure 5 Fig. 7A , Figure 7B , Fig. 9 , Fig. 12A , Fig. 12B and / or Figures 13 to 16 In addition, the network entity 1704 may correspond to, for example, Figure 1 , Figure 3 Figure 5 Fig. 7A , Figure 7B , Fig. 9 , Fig. 12A , Fig. 12B and / or Figures 13 to 16 1704. The network entity 1704 may be implemented as a converged base station or a decomposed base station. In a decomposed base station architecture, the network entity 1704 may include one or more of a central unit (CU), a distributed unit (DU), or a radio unit (RU).

[0214] The combined reference signal configuration 1700 includes a first reference signal configuration 1714a associated with a specific beam ID with repetition (e.g., beams 1706a-1706c) and a second reference signal configuration 1714b associated with multiple beam IDs without repetition (e.g., beams 1706d, 1706e, and 1706f). Therefore, beams 1706a-1706f are the same beams sent at different times (repeatedly). Each of the received beams 1708a-1708f can be associated with a corresponding CSI-RS resource and can be identified by a corresponding corresponding CRI. In addition, the first reference signal configuration 1714a and the second reference signal configuration 1714b are associated with the same communication direction (e.g., downlink).

[0215] The combined reference signal configuration 1700 may be associated with one or more reporting settings, and the UE 1702 may be configured to generate and send measurement reports according to the one or more reporting settings. Fig. 17B An example of a combined reference signal configuration 1700 (e.g., combined RS configuration 0) linked to a single reporting setting 1716 (combined reporting setting 0) is illustrated in accordance with some aspects. The combined reference signal configuration 1700 corresponds to Fig.17A and includes the combined reference signal configuration shown in Fig.17A Reference signal configurations 1714a and 1714b (RS configuration 1 and RS configuration 2) shown in FIG.

[0216] The report settings 1716 may include a reportQuantity indicating, for example, specific L1 parameters (e.g., L1-RSRP, L1-SINR) to be included in the measurement report. The report settings 1716 may also indicate the periodicity of the measurement report. For example, the report settings 1716 may indicate that the measurement report should be generated periodically, aperiodically, or semi-persistently based on the time domain behavior of the combined reference signal configuration 1700. For example, the aperiodic report settings 1716 may be linked to a periodic, semi-persistent, or aperiodic combined reference signal configuration 1700. However, the semi-persistent report settings 1716 may be linked to only a periodic or semi-persistent combined reference signal configuration 1700. In addition, the periodic report settings 1716 may be linked to only a periodic combined reference signal configuration 1700. For the aperiodic report settings 1716, the measurement report may be transmitted on the PUSCH and may or may not be multiplexed with uplink data. For periodic reporting settings 1716, measurement reports may be transmitted on a PUCCH (e.g., a short PUCCH or a long PUCCH). For semi-persistent reporting settings 1716, measurement reports may be transmitted on a PUCCH or a PUSCH. For example, a medium access control (MAC) control element (MAC-CE) may be used to activate or deactivate semi-persistent measurement reports transmitted on a PUCCH. Downlink control information (DCI) may be used to trigger semi-persistent measurement reports transmitted on a PUSCH. Reporting settings 1716 may also include corresponding priorities and other suitable parameters.

[0217] Fig. 17C and Fig.17D Examples are given based on some aspects Fig.17A The combined reference signal configuration 1700 and Fig. 17B 1708a and 1708b for the combined reference signal configuration shown in FIG. Fig. 17B and Fig. 17C As shown, measurement reports 1708a and 1708b each include multiple reference signal resource IDs (e.g., CRIs) 1710, each of which identifies a corresponding beam (e.g., one of beams 1706a-1706f) and a corresponding beam measurement 1712 for each reference signal resource ID.

[0218] exist Fig. 17CIn the example shown in , the measurement report 1708a includes respective absolute values ​​of beam measurements 1712 for each network entity transmit beam 1710 (e.g., beams 1706a-1706f) received by the UE 1702. For example, the measurement report 1708a may include a first beam measurement (Meas 1-1) for a first beam 1706a (CRI 1-1) received by the UE 1702 in a first reference signal configuration 1714a in the combined reference signal configuration 1700, a second beam measurement (Meas 1-2) for a second beam 1706b (CRI 1-2) received by the UE 1702 in the first reference signal configuration 1714a in the combined reference signal configuration 1700, and a third beam measurement (Meas 1-3) for a third beam 1706c (CRI 1-3) received by the UE 1702 in the first reference signal configuration 1714a in the combined reference signal configuration 1700. Here, the first beam 1706a, the second beam 1706b, and the third beam 1706c are the same beam transmitted on different resources. In addition, the measurement report 1708a may include a fourth beam measurement (Meas 2-1) for a fourth beam 1706d (CRI 2-1) received by the UE 1702 in the second reference signal configuration 1714b in the combined reference signal configuration 1700, a fifth beam measurement (Meas 2-2) for a fifth beam 1706e (CRI 2-2) received by the UE 1702 in the second reference signal configuration 1714b in the combined reference signal configuration, and a sixth beam measurement (Meas 2-3) for a sixth beam 1706f (CRI 2-3) received by the UE 1702 in the second reference signal configuration 1714b in the combined reference signal configuration 1700. Here, the third beam 1706d, the fourth beam 1706e, and the fifth beam 1706f are different beams transmitted on different resources.

[0219] exist Fig.17D In the example shown in , measurement report 1708b includes respective absolute values ​​of beam measurements for each network entity transmit beam 1710 (e.g., beams 1706d-1706f) received by UE 1702 in second reference signal configuration 1714b in combined reference signal configuration 1700. Thus, in this example, measurement report 1708b may not include beam measurements associated with first reference signal configuration 1714a.

[0220] Fig.18 is an example based on some aspects Fig.17A The combined reference signal configuration 1700 and Fig. 17BFIG. 1 is a diagram of another example of a measurement report 1802 generated for a single report setup 1716 shown for the combined reference signal configuration. Fig.18 In the example shown in , the measurement report 1802 includes a report setting indicator 1804 that identifies a report setting 1716 associated with the measurement report 1802, multiple reference signal resource IDs (e.g., CRIs) 1806 that each identify a corresponding beam (e.g., one of beams 1706a-1706f), and a corresponding beam measurement 1808 for each reference signal resource ID.

[0221] In addition, Fig.18 In the example shown in , the measurement report 1802 includes an average or highest (e.g., maximum) beam measurement 1808 for a network entity transmit beam 1806 associated with a first reference signal configuration 1712a in the combined reference signal configuration. Thus, the measurement report 1802 may include an average or highest beam measurement (e.g., Meas 1-x (average / highest)) of a reference signal resource (e.g., CRI 1-x) for the same network entity transmit beam (e.g., beams 1706a-1706c) that is repeatedly transmitted. In addition, the measurement report 1802 may include an absolute value of the highest (e.g., maximum) beam measurement 1808 for one of the network entity transmit beams 1806 associated with a second reference signal configuration 1712b in the combined reference signal configuration and a corresponding differential beam measurement about the maximum beam measurement for the remaining network entity transmit beams 1710 associated with the second reference signal configuration 1714b. Thus, the measurement report 1802 may include a highest beam measurement (Meas 2-1 (highest)) for one of the beams in the second reference signal configuration 1714b (e.g., beam 1706d indexed by CRI 2-1) and corresponding differential beam measurements (Meas 2-2 (differential) and Meas 2-3 (differential)) for the remaining beams in the second reference signal configuration (e.g., beam 1706e indexed by CRI 2-2 and beam 1706f indexed by CRI 2-3).

[0222] Fig.19A An example of a combined reference signal configuration 1902 (e.g., combined RS configuration 0) linked to multiple reporting settings 1906a and 1906b (reporting setting 1 and reporting setting 2) is illustrated in accordance with some aspects. The combined reference signal configuration 1900 corresponds to Fig.17A The combined reference signal configuration shown in FIG. Fig.17A The reference signal configurations 1714a and 1714b shown in FIG. 1 correspond to the reference signal configurations 1904a and 1904b (RS configuration 1 and RS configuration 2). Fig.19AIn the example shown in , each reference signal configuration 1904a and 1904b is linked to a corresponding reporting setting 1906a and 1906b. Each reporting setting 1906a and 1906b includes a reportQuantity, which indicates, for example, a specific L1 parameter (e.g., L1-RSRP, L1-SINR) to be included in the combined measurement report for both reporting settings 1906a and 1906b.

[0223] Fig.19B is an example of a method based on a combined reference signal configuration 1902 and Fig.19A FIG. 1 is a diagram of another example of a measurement report 1908 generated for multiple reporting settings 1906a and 1906b shown for the combined reference signal configuration. Fig.19B In the example shown in , the measurement report 1908 includes multiple reference signal resource IDs (e.g., CRIs) 1912, each of which identifies a corresponding beam (e.g., one of beams 1706a-1706f) and a corresponding beam measurement 1914 for each reference signal resource ID. In addition, the measurement report 1908 includes a report setting indicator 1910 (report setting 1 or report setting 2) that identifies the report setting 1906a or 1906b associated with each beam measurement in the beam measurements 1914.

[0224] In addition, Fig.19B In the example shown in FIG. 1 , the measurement report 1908 includes a first reference signal configuration 1904a (corresponding to Fig.17A The measurement report 1908 includes an average or highest beam measurement (e.g., Meas 1-x (average)) of reference signal resources (e.g., CRI 1-x) of the same network entity transmit beam (e.g., beams 1706a-1706c) repeatedly transmitted in the reference signal configuration 1714a shown in FIG. 1904. In addition, the measurement report 1908 includes a second reference signal configuration 1904b (corresponding to Fig.17A The absolute value of the highest (e.g., maximum) beam measurement (Meas 2-1(Highest)) for one of the beams in the second reference signal configuration 1714b) (e.g., beam 1706d indexed by CRI 2-1) and the corresponding differential beam measurements (Meas 2-2(Diff) and Meas2-3(Diff)) for the remaining beams in the second reference signal configuration (e.g., beam 1706e indexed by CRI 2-2 and beam 1706f indexed by CRI 2-3).

[0225] In some examples, a reporting setup 1906b linked to a second reference signal configuration 1904b may group reference signals (CSI-RS) within the second reference signal configuration 1904b into reference signal groups to facilitate reporting of top beam measurements and differential beam measurements within the reference signal groups. In other examples, a reference signal group may include reference signals across reporting setups 1906a and 1906b. For example, reference signals for combined reference signal configuration 1902 may be grouped into one or more reference signal groups based on a network entity associated with each reference signal and / or a QCL source (e.g., an SSB beam) associated with each reference signal.

[0226] Fig. 20 is an example of a method based on a combined reference signal configuration 1902 and Fig.19A FIG. 2 is a diagram of another example of a measurement report 2002 generated for multiple reporting settings 1906a and 1906b shown for the combined reference signal configuration. Fig. 20 In the example shown in , the measurement report 2002 includes multiple reference signal resource IDs (e.g., CRIs) 2006, each of which identifies a corresponding beam (e.g., one of beams 1706a-1706f) and a corresponding beam measurement 2008 for each reference signal resource ID. In addition, the measurement report 2002 includes a report setting indicator 2004 (report setting 1 or report setting 2) that identifies the report setting 1906a or 1906b associated with each beam measurement in the beam measurements 2008.

[0227] In addition, Fig. 20In the example shown in , beam measurements are reported according to a reference signal group formed across reporting settings 1906a and 1906b. For example, measurement report 2002 may include an absolute value of a highest (e.g., maximum) beam measurement (Meas 2-1(Highest)) for one of the beams in the reference signal group (e.g., beam 1706d indexed by CRI 2-1) and corresponding differential beam measurements (e.g., Meas 2-2(Diff) and Meas 2-3(Diff)) for the remaining beams in the reference signal group (e.g., beam 1706e indexed by CRI 2-2 and beam 1706f indexed by CRI 2-3). In addition, for beam measurements associated with the first reference signal configuration 1904a (corresponding to reference signal configuration 1714a), the measurement report 2002 may include a differential beam measurement 2008 (e.g., Meas 2-1 (average / differential)) based on the average or highest (e.g., maximum) beam measurement for beams transmitted by the network entity associated with the first reference signal configuration 1904a in the combined reference signal configuration (e.g., beam 1706e indexed by CRI 2-2 and beam 1706f indexed by CRI 2-3).

[0228] Fig.21A and Fig.21B 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of measurement reporting timing for a combined reference signal configuration 2100a or 2100b between a UE 2102 and a network entity 2104 according to some aspects. The UE 2102 may correspond to Figure 1 , Figure 3 Figure 5 Fig. 7A , Figure 7B , Fig. 9 , Fig. 12A , Fig. 12B and / or Figures 13 to 17A In addition, the network entity 2104 may correspond to, for example, Figure 1 , Figure 3 Figure 5 Fig. 7A , Figure 7B , Fig. 9 , Fig. 12A , Fig. 12B and / or Figures 13 to 17A 104. The network entity 2104 may be implemented as a converged base station or a decomposed base station. In a decomposed base station architecture, the network entity 2104 may include one or more of a central unit (CU), a distributed unit (DU), or a radio unit (RU).

[0229] exist Fig.21AIn the example shown in , the combined reference signal configuration 2100a includes a first reference signal configuration 2114a associated with a specific beam ID having a repetition (e.g., beam 2106a) and a second reference signal configuration 2114b associated with another beam ID having a repetition (e.g., beam 2106b). In addition, the first reference signal configuration 2114a and the second reference signal configuration 2114b are associated with the same communication direction (e.g., downlink). Fig.21B In the example shown in , the combined reference signal configuration 2100b includes a third reference signal configuration 2114c associated with a specific beam ID with repetition (e.g., beam 2106c) and a fourth reference signal configuration 2114d associated with multiple beam IDs without repetition (e.g., beams 2108a, 2108b, and 2108c). In addition, the third reference signal configuration 2114c and the fourth reference signal configuration 2114d are each associated with a different communication direction. For example, the third reference signal configuration 2114c configures a downlink reference signal (e.g., CSI-RS), while the fourth reference signal configuration 2114d configures an uplink reference signal (e.g., SRS).

[0230] Each combined reference signal configuration 2100a and 2100b may be associated with one or more reporting settings, and the UE 2102 may be configured to generate and send corresponding measurement reports 2110a and 2110b according to the one or more corresponding reporting settings. In various aspects, there may be corresponding delays 2112a and 2112b between communicating reference signals between the UE 2102 and the network entity 2104 according to the combined reference signal configurations 2100a and 2100b and sending the corresponding measurement reports 2110a and 2110b from the UE 2102 to the network entity 2104. The delays 2112a and 2112b may be based on the communication direction (e.g., downlink or uplink) of the last communicated reference signal in the corresponding combined reference signal configurations 2100a and 2100b.

[0231] For example, Fig.21A As shown, if the last reference signal communicated is a downlink reference signal, the delay 2112a may be based on the beam reporting timing (e.g., the time between the last reference signal received on the downlink and the measurement report transmitted on the uplink). As another example, Fig.21B As shown, if the last reference signal communicated is an uplink reference signal, the delay 2112b may be less than Fig.21A This is because the UE does not need to switch from downlink to uplink (e.g., there is no downlink / uplink switching time to accommodate). Fig.21A and Fig.21B In the example shown in , if at time t0 The UE 2102 may send a measurement report 2110a corresponding to the reporting settings associated with the first combined reference signal configuration 2100a at time t2, and the UE may send the measurement report 2110a corresponding to the reporting settings associated with the first combined reference signal configuration 2100a at time t2, and the UE may send the measurement report 2110a corresponding to the reporting settings associated with the first combined reference signal configuration 2100a at time t2. 2 Time t 1 A measurement report 2110b is sent corresponding to the reporting settings associated with the second combined reference signal configuration 2100b. Thus, delay 2112b is smaller than delay 2112a.

[0232] Fig. 22 22 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a hardware implementation for a UE 2200 employing a processing system 2214. For example, the UE 2200 may correspond to a UE, a sidelink device (e.g., a V2X device or a D2D device), or other scheduled entity, as described above with reference to Figure 1 , Figure 3 Figure 5 Fig. 7A , Figure 7B , Fig. 9 , Fig. 12A , Fig. 12B , Figures 13 to 17A and / or as shown and described in FIG. 21 .

[0233] The UE 2200 may be implemented using a processing system 2214 including one or more processors 2204. Examples of the processor 2204 include a microprocessor, a microcontroller, a digital signal processor (DSP), a field programmable gate array (FPGA), a programmable logic device (PLD), a state machine, a gated logic, a discrete hardware circuit, and other suitable hardware configured to perform various functionalities described throughout the present disclosure. In various examples, the UE 2200 may be configured to perform any one or more of the functions described herein. That is, the processor 2204 as utilized in the UE 2200 may be used to implement any one or more of the processes and procedures described below.

[0234] In this example, the processing system 2214 may be implemented using a bus architecture, which is generally represented by bus 2202. Bus 2202 may include any number of interconnecting buses and bridges, depending on the specific application of the processing system 2214 and the overall design constraints. Bus 2202 links together various circuits including one or more processors, which are generally represented by processor 2204, memory 2205, and computer-readable media, which are generally represented by computer-readable media 2206. Bus 2202 may also link various other circuits such as timing sources, peripherals, voltage regulators, and power management circuits, which are well known in the art and therefore will not be described further.

[0235] The bus interface 2208 provides an interface between the bus 2202 and the transceiver 2210 and one or more antenna panels 2230 (e.g., one or more antenna arrays). The transceiver 2210 provides components for communicating with various other devices via a transmission medium (e.g., an air interface). In some examples, the transceiver 2210 may include a phase shifter 2216 for performing digital and / or analog beamforming via one or more antenna panels 2230. Depending on the nature of the device, a user interface 2212 (e.g., a keypad, display, touch screen, speaker, microphone, control knob, etc.) may also be provided. Of course, such a user interface 2212 is optional and may be omitted in some examples.

[0236] The processor 2204 is responsible for managing the bus 2202 and general processing, which includes executing software stored on the computer-readable medium 2206. Software should be broadly interpreted to mean instructions, instruction sets, codes, code segments, program codes, programs, subroutines, software modules, applications, software applications, software packages, routines, subroutines, objects, executable files, threads of execution, processes, functions, etc., whether referred to as software, firmware, middleware, microcode, hardware description language or other. The software, when executed by the processor 2204, causes the processing system 2214 to perform various functions described below for any particular device. The computer-readable medium 2206 and the memory 2205 can also be used to store data manipulated by the processor 2204 when executing the software. For example, the memory 2205 can store one or more of the combined reference signal (RS) configuration 2220 and / or one or more report settings 2222, which can be used by the processor 2204 to generate and process reference signals and measurement reports.

[0237] Computer readable medium 2206 may be a non-transitory computer readable medium. By way of example, non-transitory computer readable media include magnetic storage devices (e.g., hard disks, floppy disks, magnetic strips), optical disks (e.g., compact disks (CDs) or digital versatile disks (DVDs)), smart cards, flash memory devices (e.g., cards, sticks, or key drives), random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), programmable ROM (PROM), erasable PROM (EPROM), electrically erasable PROM (EEPROM), registers, removable disks, and any other suitable medium for storing software and / or instructions that can be accessed and read by a computer. Computer readable medium 2206 may reside in processing system 2214, outside processing system 2214, or distributed across multiple entities including processing system 2214. Computer readable medium 2206 may be embodied in a computer program product. By way of example, a computer program product may include a computer readable medium in a packaging material. In some examples, computer readable medium 2206 may be part of memory 2205. Those skilled in the art will recognize how best to implement the described functionality presented throughout this disclosure depending on the particular application and the overall design constraints imposed on the overall system.

[0238] In some aspects of the present disclosure, processor 2204 may include circuits configured for various functions. For example, processor 2204 may include communication and processing circuitry 2242 configured to communicate with a RAN entity (e.g., a base station such as a gNB) via a cellular (e.g., Uu) interface and to communicate with one or more other wireless communication devices via a sidelink (e.g., PC5) interface. In some examples, communication and processing circuitry 2242 may include one or more hardware components that provide a physical structure that performs processes associated with wireless communication (e.g., signal reception and / or signal transmission) and signal processing (e.g., processing received signals and / or processing signals for transmission).

[0239] In some examples, the communication and processing circuitry 2242 may be configured to receive and process downlink beamformed signals at millimeter wave frequencies or frequencies below 6 GHz via the transceiver 2210 and the antenna panel 2230 (e.g., using phase shifters 2216). In addition, the communication and processing circuitry 2242 may be configured to generate and transmit uplink beamformed signals at millimeter wave frequencies or frequencies below 6 GHz via the transceiver 2210 and the antenna panel 2230 (e.g., using phase shifters 2216).

[0240] In some implementations where the communication involves receiving information, the communication and processing circuitry 2242 may obtain information from a component of the UE 2200 (e.g., from a transceiver 2210 that receives information via radio frequency signaling or some other type of signaling suitable for an applicable communication medium), process (e.g., decode) the information, and output the processed information. For example, the communication and processing circuitry 2242 may output the information to another component of the processor 2204, to the memory 2205, or to the bus interface 2208. In some examples, the communication and processing circuitry 2242 may receive one or more of a signal, a message, other information, or any combination thereof. In some examples, the communication and processing circuitry 2242 may receive information via one or more channels. In some examples, the communication and processing circuitry 2242 may include functionality for components for receiving. In some examples, the communication and processing circuitry 2242 may include functionality for components for processing, including components for demodulation, components for decoding, and the like.

[0241] In some implementations where the communication involves transmitting (e.g., sending) information, the communication and processing circuitry 2242 may obtain information (e.g., from another component of the processor 2204, the memory 2205, or the bus interface 2208), process (e.g., modulate, encode, etc.) the information, and output the processed information. For example, the communication and processing circuitry 2242 may output the information to the transceiver 2210 (e.g., which transmits the information via radio frequency signaling or some other type of signaling suitable for the applicable communication medium). In some examples, the communication and processing circuitry 2242 may transmit one or more of a signal, a message, other information, or any combination thereof. In some examples, the communication and processing circuitry 2242 may transmit information via one or more channels. In some examples, the communication and processing circuitry 2242 may include functionality for components for transmitting (e.g., components for sending). In some examples, the communication and processing circuitry 2242 may include functionality for components for generating, including components for modulating, components for encoding, and the like.

[0242] In some examples, the communication and processing circuit 2242 may be configured to receive a combined reference signal configuration 2220 comprising two or more reference signal configurations. Each reference signal configuration in the combined reference signal configuration 2220 may be associated with one or more beam identifiers (IDs) in a corresponding communication direction (e.g., uplink, downlink, sidelink Tx, or sidelink Rx). The communication and processing circuit 2242 may be further configured to communicate reference signals associated with the two or more reference signal configurations (e.g., receive CSI-RS, transmit SRS, transmit / receive sidelink CSI-RS, and / or sidelink SRS) based on the combined reference signal configuration. In some examples, the communication and processing circuit 2242 may be further configured to send a request for the combined reference signal configuration.

[0243] In some examples, the communication and processing circuit 2242 may be further configured to receive control information that triggers the combined reference signal configuration. In some examples, the communication and processing circuit 2242 may be further configured to receive at least one report setting associated with the combined reference signal configuration. In addition, the communication and processing circuit 2242 may be configured to send a measurement report having a format based on the at least one report setting. The measurement report may include beam measurements that each correspond to one of the multiple beams used to convey the reference signal. The communication and processing circuit 2242 may be further configured to execute the communication and processing instructions (software) 2252 stored in the computer-readable medium 2206 to implement one or more of the functions described herein.

[0244] The processor 2204 may also include a beam manager circuit 2244 configured to utilize the combined reference signal configuration 2220 to enable communication of a reference signal for a beam refinement process on a Uu link or a side link. In addition, the beam manager circuit 2244 may be further configured to utilize one or more report settings 2222 associated with the combined reference signal configuration 2220 to obtain beam measurements and generate a measurement report including the beam measurements for transmission by the communication and processing circuit 2242. The measurement report may be a Uu measurement report or a side link measurement report. In some examples, the beam manager circuit 2244 may correspond to Figure 1 , Figure 2 , Figure 4 , any of the beam managers of the UE shown in Figures 5 and / or 7.

[0245] In some examples, each of the two or more reference signal configurations in the combined reference signal configuration 2220 may indicate at least one of the following: a first repetition pattern of a first beam ID in a first communication direction; a second repetition pattern of a second beam ID in a second communication direction different from the first communication direction; a first plurality of beam IDs without repetitions in the first communication direction; or a second plurality of beam IDs without repetitions in the second communication direction. For example, the first communication direction may be a downlink direction, and the second communication direction may be an uplink direction. As another example, the first communication direction and the second communication direction may be sidelink communication directions. In some examples, the combined reference signal configuration is one of a periodic configuration, a semi-persistent configuration, or an aperiodic configuration.

[0246] In some examples, the combined reference signal configuration includes one or more common parameters linked between two or more reference signal configurations. In some examples, the one or more common parameters are linked between different communication directions of the two or more reference signal configurations. In some examples, the one or more common parameters are linked between the same communication direction of the two or more reference signal configurations. In some examples, the one or more common parameters include the same bandwidth, the same spatial relationship, or the same quasi-co-location (QCL) relationship.

[0247] In some examples, the two or more reference signal configurations include a first reference signal configuration associated with a first beam ID and a first repetition pattern and a second reference signal configuration associated with a second beam ID and a second repetition pattern. In addition, the first reference signal configuration and the second reference signal configuration may be associated with the same communication direction. In some examples, the combination of the first reference signal configuration and the second reference signal configuration in the combined reference signal configuration produces a third reference signal configuration associated with a first beam ID and a second beam ID that do not have repetitions. In some examples, the combined reference signal configuration indicates a repetition order of the first repetition pattern and the second repetition pattern. In some examples, the repetition order indicates that the first repetition pattern and the second repetition pattern are interleaved in time.

[0248] In some examples, the two or more reference signal configurations include a first reference signal configuration without repetition and a second reference signal configuration with repetition. In this example, the first reference signal configuration and the second reference signal configuration may be in the same direction, and the combined reference signal configuration indicates a time gap between the first reference signal configuration and the second reference signal configuration. In some examples, the beam manager circuit 2244 may be further configured to receive a first reference signal associated with the first reference signal configuration at a first antenna panel 2230 on the UE (e.g., using a phase shifter 2216), enable a second antenna panel 2230 on the UE during the time gap, and receive a second reference signal associated with the second reference signal configuration at the first antenna panel and the second antenna panel 2230 (e.g., using a phase shifter 2216).

[0249] In some examples, the two or more reference signal configurations include a first reference signal configuration in a first communication direction and a second reference signal configuration in a second communication direction different from the first communication direction, and the combined reference signal configuration 2220 indicates a time gap between the first reference signal configuration and the second reference signal configuration.

[0250] In an example where the communication and processing circuitry 2242 receives control information that triggers the combined reference signal configuration 2220, the beam manager circuitry 2244 can be further configured to operate with the communication and processing circuitry 2242 to communicate the reference signal after a delay from the control information. The delay can be based on an initial communication direction of a first reference signal associated with the combined reference signal configuration.

[0251] In some examples, the beam manager circuit 2244 may generate a measurement report including beam measurements based on a report setting 2222 associated with the combined reference signal configuration 2220. In some examples, the beam measurements may include absolute values. In some examples, the beam measurements included in the measurement report (e.g., based on the report setting 2222) may include at least one of a first beam measurement associated with a first reference signal configuration without repetitions or a second beam measurement associated with a second reference signal configuration with repetitions. In examples where there are more than one report setting 2222 associated with the combined reference signal configuration 2220, the beam manager circuit 2244 may be further configured to divide the beam measurements into more than one report setting 2222 and include a report setting indicator for each of the beam measurements in the measurement report.

[0252] In some examples, the combined reference signal configuration includes a plurality of reference signal resources on which reference signals are communicated. In this example, the beam measurement may include a respective beam measurement for each of the plurality of reference signal resources. As another example, the beam measurement may include an average beam measurement for a reference signal resource set in the plurality of reference signal resources, the reference signal resource set being associated with the same beam in the plurality of beams. As another example, the beam measurement may include a maximum (or highest) beam measurement for the reference signal resource set.

[0253] In some examples, the reference signals are grouped into one or more reference signal groups. In this example, the beam measurements include an absolute value of a maximum beam measurement in each of the one or more groups and a corresponding differential value of remaining beam measurements in each of the one or more groups. In some examples, the reference signals are grouped into one or more reference signal groups based on a network entity or QCL source (e.g., an SSB beam) associated with each of the reference signals.

[0254] In some examples, the beam manager circuit 2244 can be configured to operate with the communication and processing circuit 2242 to send a request for a combined reference signal configuration. In some examples, the beam manager circuit 2244 can be configured to send the measurement report at a time based on the communication direction of the last communicated reference signal in the reference signal. The beam manager circuit 2244 can be further configured to execute beam manager instructions (software) 2254 stored in the computer readable medium 2206 to implement one or more of the functions described herein.

[0255] Fig.23 is a flow chart of an example process 2300 for implementing a combined reference signal configuration at a UE according to some aspects. As described below, some or all of the illustrated features may be omitted in certain implementations within the scope of the present disclosure, and some of the illustrated features may not be required for all example implementations. In some examples, the method may be as described above and as Fig. 22 The illustrated UE 2200 is executed by a processor or a processing system, or by any suitable means for performing the described functions.

[0256] At block 2302, the UE may receive a combined reference signal configuration comprising two or more reference signal configurations, wherein each of the two or more reference signal configurations is associated with one or more beam identifiers (IDs) in a corresponding communication direction. In some examples, the UE may send a request for the combined reference signal configuration. For example, the above Fig. 22The communication and processing circuitry 2242 shown and described together with the beam manager circuitry 2244, the transceiver 2210, and the antenna array 2230 may provide means for receiving a combined reference signal configuration.

[0257] In some examples, each of the two or more reference signal configurations in the combined reference signal configuration may indicate at least one of the following: a first repetition pattern of a first beam ID in a first communication direction; a second repetition pattern of a second beam ID in a second communication direction different from the first communication direction; a first plurality of beam IDs without repetitions in the first communication direction; or a second plurality of beam IDs without repetitions in the second communication direction. For example, the first communication direction may be a downlink direction, and the second communication direction may be an uplink direction. As another example, the first communication direction and the second communication direction may be sidelink communication directions. In some examples, the combined reference signal configuration is one of a periodic configuration, a semi-persistent configuration, or an aperiodic configuration.

[0258] In some examples, the combined reference signal configuration includes one or more common parameters linked between two or more reference signal configurations. In some examples, the one or more common parameters are linked between different communication directions of the two or more reference signal configurations. In some examples, the one or more common parameters are linked between the same communication direction of the two or more reference signal configurations. In some examples, the one or more common parameters include the same bandwidth, the same spatial relationship, or the same quasi-co-location (QCL) relationship.

[0259] In some examples, the two or more reference signal configurations include a first reference signal configuration associated with a first beam ID and a first repetition pattern and a second reference signal configuration associated with a second beam ID and a second repetition pattern. In addition, the first reference signal configuration and the second reference signal configuration may be associated with the same communication direction. In some examples, the combination of the first reference signal configuration and the second reference signal configuration in the combined reference signal configuration produces a third reference signal configuration associated with a first beam ID and a second beam ID that do not have repetitions. In some examples, the combined reference signal configuration indicates a repetition order of the first repetition pattern and the second repetition pattern. In some examples, the repetition order indicates that the first repetition pattern and the second repetition pattern are interleaved in time.

[0260] In some examples, the two or more reference signal configurations include a first reference signal configuration in a first communication direction and a second reference signal configuration in a second communication direction different from the first communication direction, and the combined reference signal configuration indicates a time gap between the first reference signal configuration and the second reference signal configuration.

[0261] At 2304, the UE may communicate reference signals associated with the two or more reference signal configurations based on the combined reference signal configuration. Fig. 22 The communication and processing circuitry 2242 shown and described, along with the beam manager circuitry 2244, transceiver 2210, and antenna array 2230 (eg, using phase shifters 2216) may provide means for communicating reference signals.

[0262] Fig.24 2400 for implementing a combined reference signal configuration at a UE according to some aspects. As described below, some or all of the illustrated features may be omitted in certain implementations within the scope of the present disclosure, and some of the illustrated features may not be required for all example implementations. In some examples, the method may be as described above and as Fig. 22 The illustrated UE 2200 is executed by a processor or a processing system, or by any suitable means for performing the described functions.

[0263] At block 2402, the UE may receive a combined reference signal configuration comprising two or more reference signal configurations, wherein each of the two or more reference signal configurations is associated with one or more beam identifiers (IDs) in a corresponding communication direction. Fig. 22 The communication and processing circuitry 2242 shown and described together with the beam manager circuitry 2244, the transceiver 2210, and the antenna array 2230 may provide means for receiving a combined reference signal configuration.

[0264] At block 2404, the UE may receive control information that triggers the configuration of a combined reference signal. Fig. 22 The communications and processing circuitry 2242 shown and described along with the beam manager circuitry 2244, transceiver 2210, and antenna array 2230 may provide means for receiving control information.

[0265] At block 2406, the UE may communicate a reference signal associated with the two or more reference signal configurations based on the combined reference signal configuration after a delay from the control information. The delay may be based on an initial communication direction of a first reference signal associated with the combined reference signal configuration. For example, the above in conjunction with Fig. 22 The communication and processing circuitry 2242 shown and described, along with the beam manager circuitry 2244, the transceiver 2210, and the antenna array 2230 (eg, using phase shifters), may provide means for communicating a reference signal.

[0266] Fig.25is a flow chart of another example process 2500 for implementing a combined reference signal configuration at a UE according to some aspects. As described below, some or all of the illustrated features may be omitted in certain implementations within the scope of the present disclosure, and some of the illustrated features may not be required for all example implementations. In some examples, the method may be as described above and as Fig. 22 The illustrated UE 2200 is executed by a processor or a processing system, or by any suitable means for performing the described functions.

[0267] At box 2502, the UE may receive a combined reference signal configuration including two or more reference signal configurations, wherein each of the two or more reference signal configurations is associated with one or more beam identifiers (IDs) in a corresponding communication direction. The two or more reference signal configurations include a first reference signal configuration without repetition and a second reference signal configuration with repetition. In this example, the first reference signal configuration and the second reference signal configuration are in the same communication direction (e.g., downlink), and the combined reference signal configuration indicates a time gap between the first reference signal configuration and the second reference signal configuration. In some examples, the UE may send a request for the combined reference signal configuration. For example, the above in combination Fig. 22 The communication and processing circuitry 2242 shown and described together with the beam manager circuitry 2244, the transceiver 2210, and the antenna array 2230 may provide means for receiving a combined reference signal configuration.

[0268] At block 2504, the UE may receive a first reference signal associated with the first reference signal configuration at a first antenna panel on the UE. For example, the communication and processing circuitry 2442 together with the beam manager circuitry 2444, the transceiver 2410, and the antenna panel 2330 (e.g., using the phase shifter 2216) may provide means for receiving the first reference signal.

[0269] At block 2506, the UE may enable a second antenna panel on the UE during the time gap. For example, the beam manager circuit 2444, together with the antenna panel, may provide components for enabling the second antenna panel.

[0270] At block 2508, the UE may receive a second reference signal associated with the second reference signal configuration at the first antenna panel and the second antenna panel. For example, the communication and processing circuitry 2442 together with the beam manager circuitry 2444, the transceiver 2410, and the antenna panel 2330 (e.g., using the phase shifter 2216) may provide means for receiving the second reference signal.

[0271] Fig.26is a flow chart of another example process 2600 for implementing a combined reference signal configuration at a UE according to some aspects. As described below, some or all of the illustrated features may be omitted in certain implementations within the scope of the present disclosure, and some of the illustrated features may not be required for all example implementations. In some examples, the method may be as described above and as Fig. 22 The illustrated UE 2200 is executed by a processor or a processing system, or by any suitable means for performing the described functions.

[0272] At block 2602, the UE may receive a combined reference signal configuration comprising two or more reference signal configurations, wherein each of the two or more reference signal configurations is associated with one or more beam identifiers (IDs) in a corresponding communication direction. In some examples, the UE may send a request for the combined reference signal configuration. For example, the above Fig. 22 The communication and processing circuitry 2242 shown and described together with the beam manager circuitry 2244, the transceiver 2210, and the antenna array 2230 may provide means for receiving a combined reference signal configuration.

[0273] At block 2604, the UE may receive at least one report setting associated with the combined reference signal configuration. In some examples, the UE may receive a single report setting for the combined reference signal configuration. In other examples, the UE may receive a respective report setting for each reference signal configuration in the reference signal configuration in the combined reference signal configuration. For example, the above with respect to Fig. 22 The communication and processing circuitry 2242 shown and described together with the beam manager circuitry 2244, the transceiver 2210, and the antenna array 2230 may provide means for receiving at least one reporting setting.

[0274] At block 2606, the UE may communicate reference signals associated with the two or more reference signal configurations based on the combined reference signal configuration. Fig. 22 The communication and processing circuitry 2242 shown and described, along with the beam manager circuitry 2244, transceiver 2210, and antenna array 2230 (eg, using phase shifters 2216) may provide means for communicating reference signals.

[0275] At block 2608, the UE may send a measurement report including beam measurements, each corresponding to one of the plurality of beams used to communicate the reference signal. The measurement report includes a format based on the at least one report setting. In some examples, the UE may send the measurement report at a time based on the communication direction of the last communicated reference signal in the reference signal. For example, the above in conjunction with Fig. 22The communication and processing circuitry 2242 shown and described together with the beam manager circuitry 2244, the transceiver 2210, and the antenna array 2230 may provide means for sending measurement reports.

[0276] In some examples, the beam measurement may include an absolute value. In some examples, the beam measurement included in the measurement report (e.g., based on the reporting setting) may include at least one of a first beam measurement associated with a first reference signal configuration without repetition or a second beam measurement associated with a second reference signal configuration with repetition. In an example where there is more than one reporting setting associated with a combined reference signal configuration, the UE may also divide the beam measurement into more than one reporting setting and include a reporting setting indicator for each of the beam measurements in the measurement report.

[0277] In some examples, the combined reference signal configuration includes a plurality of reference signal resources on which reference signals are communicated. In this example, the beam measurement may include a respective beam measurement for each of the plurality of reference signal resources. As another example, the beam measurement may include an average beam measurement for a reference signal resource set in the plurality of reference signal resources, the reference signal resource set being associated with the same beam in the plurality of beams. As another example, the beam measurement may include a maximum (or highest) beam measurement for the reference signal resource set.

[0278] In some examples, the reference signals are grouped into one or more reference signal groups. In this example, the beam measurements include an absolute value of a maximum beam measurement in each of the one or more groups and a corresponding differential value of remaining beam measurements in each of the one or more groups. In some examples, the reference signals are grouped into one or more reference signal groups based on a network entity or QCL source (e.g., an SSB beam) associated with each of the reference signals.

[0279] In one configuration, the UE 2200 includes means for receiving a combined reference signal configuration including two or more reference signal configurations, each of the two or more reference signal configurations being associated with one or more beam identifiers (IDs) in a corresponding communication direction. In addition, the UE 2200 includes means for communicating reference signals associated with the two or more reference signal configurations based on the combined reference signal configuration. In one aspect, the aforementioned means may be Fig. 22 The processor 2204 shown in FIG. 2 is configured to perform the functions recited by the aforementioned components. On the other hand, the aforementioned components may be a circuit or any device configured to perform the functions recited by the aforementioned components.

[0280] Of course, in the above examples, the circuits included in the processor 2204 are provided only as examples, and other components for performing the described functions may be included in various aspects of the present disclosure, including but not limited to those stored in the computer-readable storage medium 2206 or Figure 1 , Figure 2 , Figure 4 Figure 5 Fig. 7A , Figure 7B , Fig. 9 , Fig. 12A , Fig. 12B , Figures 13 to 17A , Figure 21 and / or Fig. 22 In any other suitable device or component described in any of and using, for example, Figure 23 to Figure 26 Instructions of the described processes and / or algorithms.

[0281] Fig. 27 is a flow chart of an example process 2700 for generating and sending a measurement report based on a combined reference signal configuration according to some aspects. As described below, some or all of the illustrated features may be omitted in certain implementations within the scope of the present disclosure, and some of the illustrated features may not be required for all example implementations. In some examples, the method may be as described above and as Fig. 22 The illustrated UE 2200 is executed by a processor or a processing system, or by any suitable means for performing the described functions.

[0282] At block 2702, the UE may receive at least one reporting setting associated with a combined reference signal configuration comprising two or more reference signal configurations. Each of the two or more reference signal configurations is associated with one or more beam identifiers (IDs) in a corresponding communication direction. For example, the above Fig. 22 The communication and processing circuitry 2242 shown and described together with the beam manager circuitry 2244, the transceiver 2210, and the antenna array 2230 may provide means for receiving at least one reporting setting.

[0283] At block 2704, the UE may send a measurement report based on the at least one reporting setting. The measurement report includes beam measurements, each of the beam measurements corresponding to one of the plurality of beams used to communicate a reference signal based on the combined reference signal configuration. Fig. 22 The communication and processing circuitry 2242 shown and described together with the beam manager circuitry 2244, the transceiver 2210, and the antenna array 2230 may provide means for sending measurement reports.

[0284] In one configuration, the UE 2200 includes means for receiving at least one reporting setting associated with a combined reference signal configuration including two or more reference signal configurations, each of the two or more reference signal configurations being associated with one or more beam identifiers (IDs) in a corresponding communication direction. In addition, the UE 2200 includes means for sending a measurement report based on the at least one reporting setting, the measurement report including beam measurements, each of the beam measurements corresponding to one of a plurality of beams used to communicate a reference signal based on the combined reference signal configuration. In one aspect, the aforementioned means may be Fig. 22 The processor 2204 shown in FIG. 2 is configured to perform the functions recited by the aforementioned components. On the other hand, the aforementioned components may be a circuit or any device configured to perform the functions recited by the aforementioned components.

[0285] Of course, in the above examples, the circuits included in the processor 2204 are provided only as examples, and other components for performing the described functions may be included in various aspects of the present disclosure, including but not limited to those stored in the computer-readable storage medium 2206 or Figure 1 , Figure 2 , Figure 4 Figure 5 Fig. 7A , Figure 7B , Fig. 9 , Fig. 12A , Fig. 12B , Figures 13 to 17A , Figure 21 and / or Fig. 22 In any other suitable device or component described in any of and using, for example, Fig. 27 Instructions of the described processes and / or algorithms.

[0286] Fig.28 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a hardware implementation of an exemplary network entity 2800 employing a processing system 2814. For example, the network entity 2800 may correspond to Figure 1 , Figure 3 Figure 5 Fig. 7A , Figure 7B , Fig. 9 , Fig. 12A , Fig. 12B , Figures 13 to 17A and / or any of the base stations (e.g., gNBs) or other scheduling entities illustrated in any one or more of Figure 21. The network entity 2800 may also be implemented in a converged or monolithic base station architecture, or in a decomposed base station architecture, and may include one or more of a central unit (CU), a distributed unit (DU), a radio unit (RU), a near real-time (Near-RT) RAN intelligent controller (RIC), or a non-real-time (Non-RT) RIC.

[0287] According to various aspects of the present disclosure, an element or any portion of an element or any combination of elements may be implemented using a processing system 2814 including one or more processors 2804. The processing system 2814 may be connected to Fig.11 The processing system 1128 illustrated in FIG. 1 is substantially the same as that illustrated in FIG. 1 , including a bus interface 2808, a bus 2802, a memory 2805, a processor 2804, and a computer-readable medium 2806. In some examples, the memory 2805 may store one or more of a combined reference signal (RS) configuration 2820, one or more report settings 2822, and / or a measurement report 2824 for use by the processor 2804 in managing one or more beam refinement processes.

[0288] In addition, the network entity 2800 may include the Fig. 22 28. The optional user interface 2812 and transceiver 2810 may be substantially similar to those described in . In some examples, the transceiver 2810 may include a phase shifter 2816 for digital and / or analog beamforming via one or more antenna arrays 2830. The processor 2804 as utilized in the network entity 2800 may be used to implement any one or more of the processes described below.

[0289] In some aspects of the present disclosure, the processor 2804 may include circuits configured for various functions. For example, the processor 2804 may include a resource assignment and scheduling circuit 2842 configured to generate, schedule, and modify resource assignments or grants for time-frequency resources (e.g., a set of one or more resource elements). For example, the resource assignment and scheduling circuit 2842 may schedule time-frequency resources within multiple time division duplex (TDD) and / or frequency division duplex (FDD) subframes, time slots, and / or mini-slots to carry user data traffic and / or control information to and / or from multiple UEs.

[0290] In some examples, the resource assignment and scheduling circuit 2842 may be configured to schedule resources for sending a combined reference signal configuration including two or more reference signal configurations. In addition, the resource assignment and scheduling circuit 2842 may be configured to schedule resources for sending at least one report setting linked to the combined reference signal configuration. In addition, the resource assignment and scheduling circuit 2842 may be configured to schedule resources for sending one or more reference signals according to the combined reference signal configuration. In some examples, the resource assignment and scheduling circuit 2842 may be further configured to schedule resources for sending a measurement report (e.g., L1 measurement report) including multiple beam measurements according to at least one report setting. The resource assignment and scheduling circuit 2842 may be further configured to execute resource assignment and scheduling instructions (software) 2852 stored in the computer-readable medium 2806 to implement one or more of the functions described herein.

[0291] Processor 2804 may also include communication and processing circuitry 2844 configured to communicate with the UE for beam refinement. In some examples, communication and processing circuitry 2844 may include one or more hardware components that provide a physical structure that performs processes related to wireless communication (e.g., signal reception and / or signal transmission) and signal processing (e.g., processing received signals and / or processing signals for transmission).

[0292] In some examples, communication and processing circuitry 2844 may be configured to receive and process uplink beamformed signals at millimeter wave frequencies or frequencies below 6 GHz via transceiver 2810 and antenna panel 2830 (e.g., using phase shifter 2816). In addition, communication and processing circuitry 2844 may be configured to generate and transmit downlink beamformed signals at millimeter wave frequencies or frequencies below 6 GHz via transceiver 2810 and antenna panel 2830 (e.g., using phase shifter 2816).

[0293] The communication and processing circuit 2844 may be further configured to send a combined reference signal configuration including two or more reference signal configurations to the UE. Each of the two or more reference signal configurations is associated with one or more beam identifiers (IDs) in a corresponding communication direction (e.g., uplink or downlink). In addition, the communication and processing circuit 2844 may be configured to convey a reference signal associated with the two or more reference signal configurations (e.g., transmitting a CSI-RS or receiving an SRS) based on the combined reference signal configuration. In some examples, the communication and processing circuit 2844 may be further configured to receive a request for a combined reference signal configuration.

[0294] In some examples, the communication and processing circuit 2844 may be further configured to send control information that triggers a combined reference signal configuration. In some examples, the communication and processing circuit 2844 may be further configured to send at least one report setting associated with the combined reference signal configuration. In addition, the communication and processing circuit 2844 may be configured to receive a measurement report having a format based on the at least one report setting. The measurement report may include beam measurements that each correspond to one of the multiple beams used to convey the reference signal. The communication and processing circuit 2844 may be further configured to execute communication and processing instructions (software) 2854 stored in the computer-readable medium 2806 to implement one or more of the functions described herein.

[0295] The processor 2804 may also include a beam manager circuit 2846 configured to manage one or more beam refinement processes. The beam manager circuit 2846 may correspond to, for example, Figure 1 , Figure 2 , Figure 4 , any of the beam managers of the network entities shown in any one or more of FIG. 5 and / or FIG. 7. The beam manager circuit 2846 may be configured to generate a combined reference signal configuration 2820 for the UE, the combined reference signal configuration comprising two or more reference signal configurations for transmission to the UE via the communication and processing circuit 2844, the transceiver 2810, and the antenna panel 2830. In addition, the beam manager circuit 2846 may be configured to generate a report setting 2822 for the UE associated with the combined reference signal configuration 2820 for transmission to the UE via the communication and processing circuit 2844, the transceiver 2810, and the antenna panel 2830.

[0296] In some examples, each of the two or more reference signal configurations in the combined reference signal configuration 2820 may indicate at least one of the following: a first repetition pattern of a first beam ID in a first communication direction; a second repetition pattern of a second beam ID in a second communication direction different from the first communication direction; a first plurality of beam IDs without repetitions in the first communication direction; or a second plurality of beam IDs without repetitions in the second communication direction. For example, the first communication direction may be a downlink direction, and the second communication direction may be an uplink direction. In some examples, the combined reference signal configuration is one of a periodic configuration, a semi-persistent configuration, or an aperiodic configuration.

[0297] In some examples, the combined reference signal configuration includes one or more common parameters linked between two or more reference signal configurations. In some examples, the one or more common parameters are linked between different communication directions of the two or more reference signal configurations. In some examples, the one or more common parameters are linked between the same communication direction of the two or more reference signal configurations. In some examples, the one or more common parameters include the same bandwidth, the same spatial relationship, or the same quasi-co-location (QCL) relationship.

[0298] In some examples, the two or more reference signal configurations include a first reference signal configuration associated with a first beam ID and a first repetition pattern and a second reference signal configuration associated with a second beam ID and a second repetition pattern. In addition, the first reference signal configuration and the second reference signal configuration may be associated with the same communication direction. In some examples, the combination of the first reference signal configuration and the second reference signal configuration in the combined reference signal configuration produces a third reference signal configuration associated with a first beam ID and a second beam ID that do not have repetitions. In some examples, the combined reference signal configuration indicates a repetition order of the first repetition pattern and the second repetition pattern. In some examples, the repetition order indicates that the first repetition pattern and the second repetition pattern are interleaved in time.

[0299] In some examples, the two or more reference signal configurations include a first reference signal configuration without repetition and a second reference signal configuration with repetition. In this example, the first reference signal configuration and the second reference signal configuration may be in the same direction, and the combined reference signal configuration indicates a time gap between the first reference signal configuration and the second reference signal configuration. In some examples, the two or more reference signal configurations include a first reference signal configuration in a first communication direction and a second reference signal configuration in a second communication direction different from the first communication direction, and the combined reference signal configuration 2820 indicates a time gap between the first reference signal configuration and the second reference signal configuration.

[0300] In the example where the communication and processing circuitry 2844 sends control information that triggers the combined reference signal configuration 2820, the beam manager circuitry 2846 can be further configured to operate with the communication and processing circuitry 2844 to communicate the reference signal after a delay from the control information. The delay can be based on the initial communication direction of the first reference signal associated with the combined reference signal configuration.

[0301] In some examples, beam manager circuit 2846 may receive a measurement report 2824 including a beam measurement based on a report setting 2822 associated with combined reference signal configuration 2820. In some examples, the beam measurement may include an absolute value. In some examples, the beam measurement included in the measurement report (e.g., based on report setting 2822) may include at least one of a first beam measurement associated with a first reference signal configuration without repetitions or a second beam measurement associated with a second reference signal configuration with repetitions. In examples where there is more than one report setting 2822 associated with combined reference signal configuration 2820, the measurement report may include a report setting indicator for each of the beam measurements in the measurement report.

[0302] In some examples, the combined reference signal configuration includes a plurality of reference signal resources on which reference signals are communicated. In this example, the beam measurement may include a respective beam measurement for each of the plurality of reference signal resources. As another example, the beam measurement may include an average beam measurement for a reference signal resource set in the plurality of reference signal resources, the reference signal resource set being associated with the same beam in the plurality of beams. As another example, the beam measurement may include a maximum (or highest) beam measurement for the reference signal resource set.

[0303] In some examples, the reference signals are grouped into one or more reference signal groups. In this example, the beam measurements include an absolute value of a maximum beam measurement in each of the one or more groups and a corresponding differential value of remaining beam measurements in each of the one or more groups. In some examples, the reference signals are grouped into one or more reference signal groups based on a network entity or QCL source (e.g., an SSB beam) associated with each of the reference signals.

[0304] In some examples, the beam manager circuit 2846 can be configured to operate with the communication and processing circuit 2844 to receive a request for a combined reference signal configuration. In some examples, the beam manager circuit 2846 can be configured to receive the measurement report at a time based on the communication direction of the last communicated reference signal in the reference signal. The beam manager circuit 2846 can be further configured to execute beam manager instructions (software) 2856 stored in the computer readable medium 2806 to implement one or more of the functions described herein.

[0305] Fig.29is a flow chart of an exemplary method for implementing a combined reference signal configuration at a network entity according to some aspects. As described below, some or all of the illustrated features may be omitted in certain implementations within the scope of the present disclosure, and some of the illustrated features may not be required for all exemplary implementations. In some examples, the method may be as described above and Fig.28 The illustrated network entity 2800 is executed by a processor or a processing system, or by any suitable means for performing the described functions.

[0306] At 2902, the network entity may provide a combined reference signal configuration including two or more reference signal configurations, each of the two or more reference signal configurations being associated with one or more beam identifiers (IDs) in a corresponding communication direction. In some examples, the UE may send a request for the combined reference signal configuration. For example, the above Fig.28 The communication and processing circuitry 2844 shown and described together with the beam manager circuitry 2846, the transceiver 2810, and the antenna array 2830 may provide means for providing a combined reference signal configuration.

[0307] In some examples, each of the two or more reference signal configurations in the combined reference signal configuration may indicate at least one of the following: a first repetition pattern of a first beam ID in a first communication direction; a second repetition pattern of a second beam ID in a second communication direction different from the first communication direction; a first plurality of beam IDs without repetitions in the first communication direction; or a second plurality of beam IDs without repetitions in the second communication direction. For example, the first communication direction may be a downlink direction, and the second communication direction may be an uplink direction. As another example, the first communication direction and the second communication direction may be sidelink communication directions. In some examples, the combined reference signal configuration is one of a periodic configuration, a semi-persistent configuration, or an aperiodic configuration.

[0308] In some examples, the combined reference signal configuration includes one or more common parameters linked between two or more reference signal configurations. In some examples, the one or more common parameters are linked between different communication directions of the two or more reference signal configurations. In some examples, the one or more common parameters are linked between the same communication direction of the two or more reference signal configurations. In some examples, the one or more common parameters include the same bandwidth, the same spatial relationship, or the same quasi-co-location (QCL) relationship.

[0309] In some examples, the two or more reference signal configurations include a first reference signal configuration associated with a first beam ID and a first repetition pattern and a second reference signal configuration associated with a second beam ID and a second repetition pattern. In addition, the first reference signal configuration and the second reference signal configuration may be associated with the same communication direction. In some examples, the combination of the first reference signal configuration and the second reference signal configuration in the combined reference signal configuration produces a third reference signal configuration associated with a first beam ID and a second beam ID that do not have repetitions. In some examples, the combined reference signal configuration indicates a repetition order of the first repetition pattern and the second repetition pattern. In some examples, the repetition order indicates that the first repetition pattern and the second repetition pattern are interleaved in time.

[0310] In some examples, the two or more reference signal configurations include a first reference signal configuration in a first communication direction and a second reference signal configuration in a second communication direction different from the first communication direction, and the combined reference signal configuration indicates a time gap between the first reference signal configuration and the second reference signal configuration.

[0311] At 2904, the network entity may communicate reference signals associated with the two or more reference signal configurations based on the combined reference signal configuration. Fig.28 The communication and processing circuitry 2844 shown and described, along with the beam manager circuitry 2846, transceiver 2810, and antenna array 2830 (eg, using phase shifters 2816), may provide means for communicating reference signals.

[0312] Fig.30 is a flow chart of another example process 3000 for implementing a combined reference signal configuration at a network entity according to some aspects. As described below, some or all of the illustrated features may be omitted in certain implementations within the scope of the present disclosure, and some of the illustrated features may not be required for all example implementations. In some examples, the method may be as described above and Fig.28 The illustrated network entity 2800 is executed by a processor or a processing system, or by any suitable means for performing the described functions.

[0313] At block 3002, the network entity may send a combined reference signal configuration comprising two or more reference signal configurations, wherein each of the two or more reference signal configurations is associated with one or more beam identifiers (IDs) in a corresponding communication direction. Fig.28 The communication and processing circuitry 2844 shown and described together with the beam manager circuitry 2846, transceiver 2810, and antenna array 2830 may provide means for transmitting a combined reference signal configuration.

[0314] At block 3004, the network entity may send control information that triggers the configuration of the combined reference signal. Fig.28 The communications and processing circuitry 2844 shown and described together with the beam manager circuitry 2846, transceiver 2810, and antenna array 2830 may provide means for transmitting control information.

[0315] At block 3006, the network entity may communicate a reference signal associated with the two or more reference signal configurations based on the combined reference signal configuration after a delay from the control information. The delay may be based on an initial communication direction of a first reference signal associated with the combined reference signal configuration. For example, the above in conjunction with Fig.28 The communication and processing circuitry 2844 shown and described, along with the beam manager circuitry 2846, transceiver 2810, and antenna array 2830 (eg, using phase shifters), may provide means for communicating reference signals.

[0316] Fig.31 is a flow chart of another example process 3100 for implementing combined reference signal configuration at a network entity according to some aspects. As described below, some or all of the illustrated features may be omitted in certain implementations within the scope of the present disclosure, and some of the illustrated features may not be required for all example implementations. In some examples, the method may be as described above and Fig.28 The illustrated network entity 2800 is executed by a processor or a processing system, or by any suitable means for performing the described functions.

[0317] At block 3102, the network entity may send a combined reference signal configuration including two or more reference signal configurations, wherein each of the two or more reference signal configurations is associated with one or more beam identifiers (IDs) in a corresponding communication direction. In some examples, the network entity may receive a request for the combined reference signal configuration. For example, the above Fig.28 The communication and processing circuitry 2844 shown and described together with the beam manager circuitry 2846, transceiver 2810, and antenna array 2830 may provide means for receiving a combined reference signal configuration.

[0318] At block 3104, the network entity may send at least one reporting setting associated with the combined reference signal configuration. In some examples, the network entity may send a single reporting setting for the combined reference signal configuration. In other examples, the network entity may send respective reporting settings for each reference signal configuration in the reference signal configuration in the combined reference signal configuration. For example, the above with respect to Fig.28The communication and processing circuitry 2844 shown and described together with the beam manager circuitry 2846, the transceiver 2810 and the antenna array 2830 may provide means for transmitting at least one reporting setting.

[0319] At block 3106, the network entity may communicate reference signals associated with the two or more reference signal configurations based on the combined reference signal configuration. Fig.28 The communication and processing circuitry 2844 shown and described, along with the beam manager circuitry 2846, transceiver 2810, and antenna array 2830 (eg, using phase shifters 2816), may provide means for communicating reference signals.

[0320] At block 3108, the network entity may receive a measurement report including beam measurements, each corresponding to one of the plurality of beams used to communicate the reference signal. The measurement report includes a format based on the at least one report setting. In some examples, the network entity may receive the measurement report at a time based on the communication direction of the last reference signal communicated in the reference signal. For example, the above in conjunction with Fig.28 The communications and processing circuitry 2844 shown and described, along with the beam manager circuitry 2846, transceiver 2810, and antenna array 2830, may provide means for receiving measurement reports.

[0321] In some examples, the beam measurement may include an absolute value. In some examples, the beam measurement included in the measurement report (e.g., based on a reporting setting) may include at least one of a first beam measurement associated with a first reference signal configuration without repetitions or a second beam measurement associated with a second reference signal configuration with repetitions. In examples where there is more than one reporting setting associated with a combined reference signal configuration, the beam measurement may be divided into the more than one reporting setting, and the measurement report may include a reporting setting indicator for each of the beam measurements.

[0322] In some examples, the combined reference signal configuration includes a plurality of reference signal resources on which reference signals are communicated. In this example, the beam measurement may include a respective beam measurement for each of the plurality of reference signal resources. As another example, the beam measurement may include an average beam measurement for a reference signal resource set in the plurality of reference signal resources, the reference signal resource set being associated with the same beam in the plurality of beams. As another example, the beam measurement may include a maximum (or highest) beam measurement for the reference signal resource set.

[0323] In some examples, the reference signals are grouped into one or more reference signal groups. In this example, the beam measurements include an absolute value of a maximum beam measurement in each of the one or more groups and a corresponding differential value of remaining beam measurements in each of the one or more groups. In some examples, the reference signals are grouped into one or more reference signal groups based on a network entity or QCL source (e.g., an SSB beam) associated with each of the reference signals.

[0324] In one configuration, the network entity 2800 includes means for sending a combined reference signal configuration including two or more reference signal configurations, each of the two or more reference signal configurations being associated with one or more beam identifiers (IDs) in a corresponding communication direction. In addition, the network entity 2800 includes means for communicating reference signals associated with the two or more reference signal configurations based on the combined reference signal configuration. In one aspect, the aforementioned means may be Fig.28 The processor 2804 shown in FIG. 2 is configured to perform the functions recited by the aforementioned components. On the other hand, the aforementioned components may be a circuit or any device configured to perform the functions recited by the aforementioned components.

[0325] Of course, in the above examples, the circuits included in the processor 2804 are provided only as examples, and other components for performing the described functions may be included in various aspects of the present disclosure, including but not limited to those stored in the computer-readable storage medium 2806 or Figure 1 , Figure 2 , Figure 4 Figure 5 Fig. 7A , Figure 7B , Fig. 9 , Fig. 12A , Fig. 12B , Figures 13 to 17A , Figure 21 and / or Fig.28 In any other suitable device or component described in any of and using, for example, Figure 29 to Figure 31 Instructions of the described processes and / or algorithms.

[0326] In a 5G NR network, a base station may be an aggregated base station, in which the radio protocol stack is logically integrated within a single RAN entity, or a decomposed base station (e.g., a decomposed RAN entity), in which the radio protocol stack is logically divided between a central unit (CU), one or more decomposed units (DUs), and one or more radio units (RUs). In some examples, the RU may be co-located with the DU. The CU may host, for example, radio resource control (RRC), service data adaptation protocol (SDAP), and packet data convergence protocol (PDCP) layers that control the operation of one or more DUs. The DU may host, for example, radio link control (RLC) and medium access control (MAC) layers. The RU may host, for example, a physical (PHY) layer. The CU may be implemented within an edge node (which may be referred to as a donor node), while one or more DUs and RUs may be co-located with the CU and / or distributed in multiple nodes that may be physically separated from each other.

[0327] In some examples, the above is combined with Fig.28 The network entity 2800 shown and described may be a decomposed base station. Fig.28 The network entity 2800 shown in the figure may include a CU and, optionally, one or more DU / RUs of a decomposed base station. Other DU / RUs associated with the network entity 2800 may be distributed throughout the network. In some examples, the DU / RU may correspond to a TRP associated with the network entity. In some examples, the CU and / or DU / RU of a decomposed base station (e.g., within the network entity 2800) may generate a combined reference signal configuration and one or more report settings associated with the combined reference signal configuration and provide it to the UE, and receive a measurement report from the UE based on the one or more report settings.

[0328] Fig.323204a, 3204b, 3204c) and one or more RUs (two RUs 3206a and 3206b are shown for convenience). Each DU 3204a, 3204b and 3204c supports the MAC and RLC layers of the radio protocol stack. Each RU 3206a and 3206b supports the PHY layer of the radio protocol stack. CU 3202 supports higher layers, such as PDCP and RRC layers. One of the DUs (e.g., DU 3204a) can be co-located with CU 3202, while the other DUs 3204b and 3204c can be distributed throughout the network. In addition, one of the RUs (e.g., RU 3206a) may be co-located with the corresponding DU 3204b, while the other RUs (e.g., RU 3206b) may be distributed throughout the network. CU 3202 and DUs 3204a, 3204b, and 3204c are logically connected via an F1 interface, which utilizes the F1 Application Protocol (F1-AP) to communicate information between CU 3202 and each of DUs 3204a, 3204b, and 3204c and establish a Generic Tunneling Protocol (GTP) tunnel between the DU and the CU for each radio bearer.

[0329] The following provides an overview of various embodiments of the disclosure.

[0330] Embodiment 1: A method for performing wireless communications at a user equipment (UE), the method comprising: receiving a combined reference signal configuration comprising two or more reference signal configurations, each of the two or more reference signal configurations being associated with one or more beam identifiers (IDs) in a corresponding communication direction; and communicating a reference signal associated with the two or more reference signal configurations based on the combined reference signal configuration.

[0331] Embodiment 2: A method according to embodiment 1, wherein each of the two or more reference signal configurations indicates one of the following: a first repetition pattern of a first beam ID in a first communication direction; a second repetition pattern of a second beam ID in a second communication direction different from the first communication direction; a first plurality of beam IDs that do not have repetitions in the first communication direction; or a second plurality of beam IDs that do not have repetitions in the second communication direction.

[0332] Embodiment 3: The method according to embodiment 2, wherein the first communication direction comprises a downlink direction and the second communication direction comprises an uplink direction.

[0333] Embodiment 4: The method according to embodiment 2, wherein the first communication direction and the second communication direction are side link communication directions.

[0334] Embodiment 5: The method according to any one of embodiments 1 to 4, wherein the combined reference signal configuration is one of a periodic configuration, a semi-persistent configuration, or an aperiodic configuration.

[0335] Embodiment 6: The method according to any one of embodiments 1 to 5, wherein the combined reference signal configuration includes one or more common parameters linked between the two or more reference signal configurations.

[0336] Embodiment 7: The method of Embodiment 6, wherein the one or more common parameters are linked between different communication directions of the two or more reference signal configurations.

[0337] Embodiment 8: The method of embodiment 6, wherein the one or more common parameters are linked between the same communication direction of the two or more reference signal configurations.

[0338] Embodiment 9: The method according to embodiment 6, wherein the one or more common parameters include the same bandwidth, the same spatial relationship, or the same quasi co-location (QCL) relationship.

[0339] Embodiment 10: According to the method described in any one of Embodiments 1 to 9, the method further comprises: sending a request for the combined reference signal configuration.

[0340] Embodiment 11: A method according to any one of Embodiments 1 to 10, wherein: the two or more reference signal configurations include a first reference signal configuration associated with a first beam ID and a first repetition pattern and a second reference signal configuration associated with a second beam ID and a second repetition pattern, and the first reference signal configuration and the second reference signal configuration are associated with the same communication direction.

[0341] Embodiment 12: The method according to embodiment 11, wherein a combination of the first reference signal configuration and the second reference signal configuration in the combined reference signal configuration generates a third reference signal configuration associated with the first beam ID and the second beam ID without duplication.

[0342] Embodiment 13: The method according to embodiment 11 or 12, wherein the combined reference signal configuration indicates a repetition order of the first repetition pattern and the second repetition pattern.

[0343] Embodiment 14: The method of embodiment 13, wherein the repetition order indicates that the first repetition pattern and the second repetition pattern are interleaved in time.

[0344] Embodiment 15: A method according to any one of embodiments 1 to 10, wherein: the two or more reference signal configurations include a first reference signal configuration without repetition and a second reference signal configuration with repetition, the first reference signal configuration and the second reference signal configuration are in the same communication direction, and the combined reference signal configuration indicates a time gap between the first reference signal configuration and the second reference signal configuration.

[0345] Embodiment 16: According to the method described in Embodiment 15, the method also includes: receiving a first reference signal associated with the first reference signal configuration at a first antenna panel on the UE; enabling a second antenna panel on the UE during the time gap; and receiving a second reference signal associated with the second reference signal configuration at the first antenna panel and the second antenna panel.

[0346] Embodiment 17: A method according to any one of embodiments 1 to 10, wherein: the two or more reference signal configurations include a first reference signal configuration in a first communication direction and a second reference signal configuration in a second communication direction different from the first communication direction, and the combined reference signal configuration indicates a time gap between the first reference signal configuration and the second reference signal configuration.

[0347] Embodiment 18: A method according to any one of embodiments 1 to 10, wherein communicating the reference signal includes: receiving control information that triggers the combined reference signal configuration; and communicating the reference signal after a delay from the control information, wherein the delay is based on an initial communication direction of a first reference signal associated with the combined reference signal configuration.

[0348] Embodiment 19: According to the method described in any one of Embodiments 1 to 10, the method further includes: receiving at least one report setting associated with the combined reference signal configuration; and sending a measurement report including beam measurements, each of which corresponds to one of a plurality of beams used to convey the reference signal, wherein the measurement report includes a format based on the at least one report setting.

[0349] Embodiment 20: A method according to embodiment 19, wherein the at least one reporting setting includes more than one reporting setting configured for the combined reference signal, and the method further includes: dividing the beam measurement into the more than one reporting setting; and including a reporting setting indicator for each beam measurement in the beam measurement in the measurement report.

[0350] Embodiment 21: The method according to embodiment 19 or 20, wherein the beam measurement includes at least one of a first beam measurement associated with a first reference signal configuration without repetition or a second beam measurement associated with a second reference signal configuration with repetition.

[0351] Embodiment 22: A method according to any one of embodiments 19 to 21, wherein: the combined reference signal configuration includes multiple reference signal resources, the reference signal is conveyed on the multiple reference signal resources, and the beam measurement includes a corresponding beam measurement for each reference signal resource in the multiple reference signal resources.

[0352] Embodiment 23: A method according to any one of embodiments 19 to 21, wherein: the combined reference signal configuration includes multiple reference signal resources, the reference signal is conveyed on the multiple reference signal resources, and the beam measurement includes an average beam measurement for a reference signal resource set among the multiple reference signal resources, and the reference signal resource set is associated with the same beam among the multiple beams.

[0353] Embodiment 24: A method according to any one of embodiments 19 to 21, wherein: the combined reference signal configuration includes multiple reference signal resources, the reference signal is conveyed on the multiple reference signal resources, and the beam measurement includes a maximum beam measurement for a reference signal resource set among the multiple reference signal resources, and the reference signal resource set is associated with the same beam among the multiple beams.

[0354] Embodiment 25: A method according to any one of Embodiments 19 to 21, wherein each of the beam measurements comprises a corresponding absolute value.

[0355] Embodiment 26: A method according to any one of embodiments 19 to 21, wherein: the reference signals are grouped into one or more reference signal groups, and the beam measurements include an absolute value of a maximum beam measurement in each of the one or more groups and corresponding differential values ​​of the remaining beam measurements in each of the one or more groups.

[0356] Embodiment 27: The method of Embodiment 26, wherein the reference signals are grouped into the one or more reference signal groups based on a network entity or a quasi-co-located (QCL) source associated with each of the reference signals.

[0357] Embodiment 28: The method of any one of Embodiments 19 to 27, wherein sending the measurement report comprises sending the measurement report at a time of the communication direction based on a last communicated reference signal among the reference signals.

[0358] Embodiment 29: A method for performing wireless communications at a user equipment (UE), the method comprising: receiving at least one reporting setting associated with a combined reference signal configuration comprising two or more reference signal configurations, each of the two or more reference signal configurations being associated with one or more beam identifiers (IDs) in a corresponding communication direction; and sending a measurement report based on the at least one reporting setting, the measurement report comprising beam measurements, each of the beam measurements corresponding to one of a plurality of beams used to convey a reference signal based on the combined reference signal configuration.

[0359] Embodiment 30: A UE comprising a memory and a processor coupled to the memory, wherein the processor is configured to execute the method according to any one of Embodiments 1 to 28 or 29.

[0360] Embodiment 31: A UE comprising a component for executing a method according to any one of Embodiments 1 to 28 or 29.

[0361] Embodiment 32: A non-transitory computer-readable medium having instructions stored therein, wherein the instructions can be executed by one or more processors of a user equipment (UE) to perform a method according to any one of embodiments 1 to 28 or 29.

[0362] Embodiment 33: A method for performing wireless communications at a network entity, the method comprising: providing a combined reference signal configuration comprising two or more reference signal configurations, each of the two or more reference signal configurations being associated with one or more beam identifiers (IDs) in a corresponding communication direction; and communicating a reference signal associated with the two or more reference signal configurations based on the combined reference signal configuration.

[0363] Embodiment 34: A method according to embodiment 33, wherein each reference signal configuration of the two or more reference signal configurations indicates one of the following: a first repetition pattern of a first beam ID in a first communication direction; a second repetition pattern of a second beam ID in a second communication direction different from the first communication direction; a first plurality of beam IDs that do not have repetitions in the first communication direction; or a second plurality of beam IDs that do not have repetitions in the second communication direction.

[0364] Embodiment 35: The method according to embodiments 33 to 34, wherein the combined reference signal configuration includes one or more common parameters linked between the two or more reference signal configurations.

[0365] Embodiment 36: According to the method described in any one of Embodiments 33 to 35, the method further includes: receiving a request for the combined reference signal configuration.

[0366] Embodiment 37: A method according to any one of Embodiments 33 to 36, wherein: the two or more reference signal configurations include a first reference signal configuration associated with a first beam ID and a first repetition pattern and a second reference signal configuration associated with a second beam ID and a second repetition pattern, and the first reference signal configuration and the second reference signal configuration are associated with the same communication direction.

[0367] Embodiment 38: A method according to Embodiment 37, wherein a combination of the first reference signal configuration and the second reference signal configuration in the combined reference signal configuration produces a third reference signal configuration associated with the first beam ID and the second beam ID without duplication.

[0368] Embodiment 39: The method according to embodiment 37 or 38, wherein the combined reference signal configuration indicates a repetition order of the first repetition pattern and the second repetition pattern.

[0369] Embodiment 40: The method of Embodiment 39, wherein the repetition order indicates that the first repetition pattern and the second repetition pattern are interlaced in time.

[0370] Embodiment 41: A method according to any one of Embodiments 33 to 36, wherein: the two or more reference signal configurations include a first reference signal configuration without repetition and a second reference signal configuration with repetition, the first reference signal configuration and the second reference signal configuration are in the same communication direction, and the combined reference signal configuration indicates a time gap between the first reference signal configuration and the second reference signal configuration.

[0371] Embodiment 42: A method according to any one of embodiments 33 to 36, wherein: the two or more reference signal configurations include a first reference signal configuration in a first communication direction and a second reference signal configuration in a second communication direction different from the first communication direction, and the combined reference signal configuration indicates a time gap between the first reference signal configuration and the second reference signal configuration.

[0372] Embodiment 43: A method according to any one of embodiments 33 to 36, wherein communicating the reference signal includes: receiving control information that triggers the combined reference signal configuration; and communicating the reference signal after a delay from the control information, wherein the delay is based on an initial communication direction of a first reference signal associated with the combined reference signal configuration.

[0373] Embodiment 44: According to the method described in any one of Embodiments 33 to 36, the method further includes: providing at least one report setting associated with the combined reference signal configuration; and obtaining a measurement report including beam measurements, each of which corresponds to one of a plurality of beams used to convey the reference signal, wherein the measurement report includes a format based on the at least one report setting.

[0374] Embodiment 45: The method of Embodiment 44, wherein the beam measurement comprises at least one of a first beam measurement associated with a first reference signal configuration without repetition or a second beam measurement associated with a second reference signal configuration with repetition.

[0375] Embodiment 46: A method according to embodiment 44 or 45, wherein: the combined reference signal configuration includes multiple reference signal resources, the reference signal is conveyed on the multiple reference signal resources, and the beam measurement includes a corresponding beam measurement for each reference signal resource in the multiple reference signal resources.

[0376] Embodiment 47: A method according to embodiment 44 or 45, wherein: the combined reference signal configuration includes multiple reference signal resources, the reference signal is conveyed on the multiple reference signal resources, and the beam measurement includes an average beam measurement for a reference signal resource set in the multiple reference signal resources, and the reference signal resource set is associated with the same beam in the multiple beams.

[0377] Embodiment 48: A method according to embodiments 44 to 45, wherein: the combined reference signal configuration includes multiple reference signal resources, the reference signal is conveyed on the multiple reference signal resources, and the beam measurement includes a maximum beam measurement for a reference signal resource set among the multiple reference signal resources, and the reference signal resource set is associated with the same beam among the multiple beams.

[0378] Embodiment 49: A method according to embodiment 44 or 45, wherein each of the beam measurements includes a corresponding absolute value.

[0379] Embodiment 50: A method according to embodiment 44 or 45, wherein: the reference signals are grouped into one or more reference signal groups, and the beam measurements include the absolute value of the maximum beam measurement in each of the one or more groups and the corresponding differential values ​​of the remaining beam measurements in each of the one or more groups.

[0380] Embodiment 51: A network entity, comprising a memory and a processor coupled to the memory, the processor being configured to execute the method according to any one of embodiments 33 to 50.

[0381] Embodiment 52: A network entity comprising components for executing the method according to any one of embodiments 33 to 50.

[0382] Embodiment 53: A non-transitory computer-readable medium having instructions stored therein, wherein the instructions can be executed by one or more processors of a network entity to perform the method according to any one of embodiments 33 to 50.

[0383] Several aspects of wireless communication networks have been presented with reference to exemplary implementations. As those skilled in the art will readily appreciate, various aspects described throughout this disclosure may be extended to other telecommunication systems, network architectures and communication standards.

[0384] By way of example, various aspects may be implemented within other systems defined by 3GPP, such as Long Term Evolution (LTE), Evolved Packet System (EPS), Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS), and / or Global System for Mobile (GSM). Various aspects may also be extended to systems defined by the Third Generation Partnership Project 2 (3GPP2), such as CDMA2000 and / or Evolution-Data Optimized (EV-DO). Other examples may be implemented within systems employing IEEE 802.11 (Wi-Fi), IEEE 802.16 (WiMAX), IEEE802.20, Ultra Wideband (UWB), Bluetooth, and / or other suitable systems. The actual telecommunication standard, network architecture, and / or communication standard employed will depend on the specific application and the overall design constraints imposed on the system.

[0385] Within the present disclosure, the word "exemplary" is used to mean "serving as an example, instance, or illustration." Any specific implementation or aspect described herein as "exemplary" is not necessarily to be construed as superior or superior to other aspects of the present disclosure. Likewise, the term "aspect" does not require that all aspects of the present disclosure include the features, advantages, or modes of operation discussed. The term "coupled" is used herein to refer to a direct or indirect coupling between two objects. For example, if object A physically contacts object B, and object B contacts object C, objects A and C may still be considered to be coupled to each other, even though they are not in direct physical contact with each other. For example, a first object may be coupled to a second object, even though the first object has never been in direct physical contact with the second object. The terms "circuit" are used broadly, and they are intended to include both hardware implementations of electronic devices and conductors (where these electronic devices and conductors, when connected and configured, implement the execution of the functions described in the present disclosure, without limitation as to the type of electronic circuits) and software implementations of information and instructions (where these information and instructions, when executed by a processor, implement the execution of the functions described in the present disclosure).

[0386] Figures 1 to 32 One or more of the components, steps, features, and / or functions illustrated in the present invention may be rearranged and / or combined into a single component, step, feature, or function or may be embodied in several components, steps, or functions. Additional elements, components, steps, and / or functions may also be added without departing from the novel features disclosed herein. Figure 1 , Figure 2 , Figure 4 Figure 5, Figure 7, Fig. 9 , Fig.10 Figure 12 to Fig.17A Figure 21 Fig. 22 , Fig.28 and / or Fig.32The apparatus, device and / or components illustrated in the can be configured to perform one or more of the methods, features or steps described herein. The novel algorithms described herein can also be effectively implemented in software and / or embedded in hardware.

[0387] It should be understood that the specific order or hierarchy of steps in the disclosed methods is an illustration of an exemplary process. It should be understood that the specific order or hierarchy of steps in these methods can be rearranged based on design preferences. The attached method claims present elements of the various steps in a sample order and are not meant to be limited to the specific order or hierarchy presented unless specifically stated herein.

[0388] The foregoing description is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the various aspects described herein. Various modifications to these aspects will be apparent to those skilled in the art, and the general principles defined herein may be applied to other aspects. Therefore, the claims are not intended to be limited to the various aspects shown herein, but to conform to the full scope consistent with the text of the claims, wherein unless explicitly stated otherwise, reference to an element in the singular form is not intended to mean "one and only one", but "one or more". Unless otherwise specified, the term "some" refers to one or more. The phrase "at least one" of the referenced item list refers to any combination of those items, including a single member. As an example, "at least one of a, b, or c" is intended to cover: a; b; c; a and b; a and c; b and c; and a, b, and c. All structural and functional equivalents currently or hereafter known to those of ordinary skill in the art throughout the various aspects described in this disclosure are expressly incorporated herein by reference, and are intended to be covered by the claims. In addition, regardless of whether such disclosure is explicitly described in the claims, any content disclosed herein is not intended to be disclosed to the public.

Claims

1. A user equipment (UE) configured for wireless communication, the user equipment (UE) comprising: Memory; and a processor coupled to the memory, the processor being configured to: receiving a combined reference signal configuration comprising two or more reference signal configurations, each of the two or more reference signal configurations being associated with one or more beam identifiers (IDs) in a respective communication direction; as well as Reference signals associated with the two or more reference signal configurations are communicated based on the combined reference signal configuration.

2. The UE of claim 1 , wherein each of the two or more reference signal configurations indicates one of: a first repeating pattern of a first beam ID in a first communication direction, a second repetitive pattern of a second beam ID in a second communication direction different from the first communication direction, There are no repeated first beam IDs in the first communication direction, or there are no repeated second beam IDs in the second communication direction.

3. The UE according to claim 2, wherein: The first communication direction comprises a downlink direction and the second communication direction comprises an uplink direction, or The first communication direction and the second communication direction are sidelink communication directions. 4 . The UE of claim 1 , wherein the combined reference signal configuration is one of a periodic configuration, a semi-persistent configuration, or an aperiodic configuration.

5. The UE of claim 1, wherein the combined reference signal configuration comprises one or more common parameters linked between the two or more reference signal configurations, the common parameters comprising the same bandwidth, the same spatial relationship, or the same quasi co-location (QCL) relationship. 6 . The UE of claim 5 , wherein the one or more common parameters are linked between different communication directions of the two or more reference signal configurations or between the same communication direction of the two or more reference signal configurations.

7. The UE according to claim 1, wherein the processor is further configured to: A request for the combined reference signal configuration is sent.

8. The UE according to claim 1, wherein: The two or more reference signal configurations include a first reference signal configuration associated with a first beam ID and a first repetition pattern and a second reference signal configuration associated with a second beam ID and a second repetition pattern, and The first reference signal configuration and the second reference signal configuration are associated with a same communication direction.

9. The UE of claim 8, wherein a combination of the first reference signal configuration and the second reference signal configuration in the combined reference signal configuration generates a third reference signal configuration associated with the first beam ID and the second beam ID without duplication. 10 . The UE of claim 8 , wherein the combined reference signal configuration indicates a repetition order of the first repetition pattern and the second repetition pattern. The UE of claim 10 , wherein the repetition order indicates that the first repetition pattern and the second repetition pattern are interleaved in time.

12. The UE according to claim 1, wherein: The two or more reference signal configurations include a first reference signal configuration without repetition and a second reference signal configuration with repetition, The first reference signal configuration and the second reference signal configuration are in the same communication direction, and The combined reference signal configuration indicates a time gap between the first reference signal configuration and the second reference signal configuration.

13. The UE according to claim 1, wherein: The two or more reference signal configurations include a first reference signal configuration in a first communication direction and a second reference signal configuration in a second communication direction different from the first communication direction, and The combined reference signal configuration indicates a time gap between the first reference signal configuration and the second reference signal configuration.

14. The UE according to claim 1, further comprising: transceiver, wherein the processor is further configured to: receiving, via the transceiver, control information triggering configuration of the combined reference signal; as well as The reference signal is communicated via the transceiver after a delay from the control information, wherein the delay is based on an initial communication direction of a first reference signal associated with the combined reference signal configuration.

15. The UE according to claim 1, wherein the processor is further configured to: receiving at least one reporting setting associated with the combined reference signal configuration; and A measurement report is sent including beam measurements, the beam measurements each corresponding to one beam of a plurality of beams used to communicate the reference signal, wherein the measurement report includes a format set based on the at least one report.

16. The UE of claim 15, wherein the at least one reporting setting comprises more than one reporting setting configured for the combined reference signal, and wherein the processor is further configured to: dividing the beam measurements into the more than one reporting settings; and A report setting indicator for each of the beam measurements is included in the measurement report. 17 . The UE of claim 15 , wherein the beam measurement comprises at least one of a first beam measurement associated with a first reference signal configuration without repetition or a second beam measurement associated with a second reference signal configuration with repetition.

18. The UE according to claim 15, wherein: The combined reference signal configuration includes a plurality of reference signal resources over which the reference signal is communicated, and The beam measurement includes an average beam measurement or a maximum beam measurement for a reference signal resource set among the plurality of reference signal resources, the reference signal resource set being associated with a same beam among the plurality of beams.

19. The UE according to claim 15, wherein: The reference signals are grouped into one or more reference signal groups, The beam measurements include an absolute value of a maximum beam measurement in each of the one or more groups and a corresponding difference value of remaining beam measurements in each of the one or more groups, and The reference signals are grouped into the one or more reference signal groups based on a network entity or a quasi co-located (QCL) source associated with each of the reference signals.

20. The UE according to claim 15, wherein the processor is further configured to: The measurement report is sent at a time of the communication direction based on a last communicated reference signal of the reference signals.

21. A method for wireless communication at a user equipment (UE), the method comprising: receiving a combined reference signal configuration comprising two or more reference signal configurations, each of the two or more reference signal configurations being associated with one or more beam identifiers (IDs) in a respective communication direction; as well as Reference signals associated with the two or more reference signal configurations are communicated based on the combined reference signal configuration.

22. The method of claim 21 , wherein each of the two or more reference signal configurations indicates one of: a first repeating pattern of a first beam ID in a first communication direction, a second repetitive pattern of a second beam ID in a second communication direction different from the first communication direction, There are no repeated first beam IDs in the first communication direction, or there are no repeated second beam IDs in the second communication direction.

23. The method of claim 21, wherein the combined reference signal configuration comprises one or more common parameters linked between the two or more reference signal configurations.

24. The method of claim 21, wherein: The two or more reference signal configurations include a first reference signal configuration associated with a first beam ID and a first repetition pattern and a second reference signal configuration associated with a second beam ID and a second repetition pattern, The first reference signal configuration and the second reference signal configuration are associated with the same communication direction, and A combination of the first reference signal configuration and the second reference signal configuration in the combined reference signal configuration generates a third reference signal configuration associated with the first beam ID and the second beam ID without duplication.

25. The method of claim 24, wherein the combined reference signal configuration indicates a repetition order of the first repetition pattern and the second repetition pattern.

26. The method of claim 21, wherein: The two or more reference signal configurations include a first reference signal configuration without repetition and a second reference signal configuration with repetition, The first reference signal configuration and the second reference signal configuration are in the same communication direction, and The combined reference signal configuration indicates a time gap between the first reference signal configuration and the second reference signal configuration.

27. The method according to claim 21, further comprising: receiving at least one reporting setting associated with the combined reference signal configuration; as well as A measurement report is sent including beam measurements, the beam measurements each corresponding to one beam of a plurality of beams used to communicate the reference signal, wherein the measurement report includes a format set based on the at least one report.

28. A network entity, the network entity being configured for wireless communication, the network entity comprising: Memory; and a processor coupled to the processor, the processor being configured to: providing a combined reference signal configuration comprising two or more reference signal configurations, each of the two or more reference signal configurations being associated with one or more beam identifiers (IDs) in a respective communication direction; as well as Reference signals associated with the two or more reference signal configurations are communicated based on the combined reference signal configuration.

29. The network entity of claim 28, wherein each of the two or more reference signal configurations indicates one of: a first repeating pattern of a first beam ID in a first communication direction, a second repetitive pattern of a second beam ID in a second communication direction different from the first communication direction, There are no repeated first beam IDs in the first communication direction, or there are no repeated second beam IDs in the second communication direction.

30. A method for wireless communication at a network entity, the method comprising: providing a combined reference signal configuration comprising two or more reference signal configurations, each of the two or more reference signal configurations being associated with one or more beam identifiers (IDs) in a respective communication direction; as well as Reference signals associated with the two or more reference signal configurations are communicated based on the combined reference signal configuration.

Images