Sending configuration indicator (TCI) state communications

Abstract

Certain aspects relate to a method for providing an indication of a predicted future TCI state to be associated with a channel state information reference signal (CSI-RS) to a wireless node. The wireless node may then perform a beamforming operation to determine an appropriate beam for receiving the CSI-RS based on the future TCI state. Thus, when the wireless node receives a command to switch to the future TCI state, the wireless node does not need to perform another beamforming operation.

Description

Background Art Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates generally to communication systems, and more particularly to apparatus, methods, and techniques for communicating predicted transmit configuration indicator (TCI) states and TCI state change commands.

[0002] introduction

[0003] Wireless communication systems are widely deployed to provide a variety of telecommunication services, such as telephony, video, data, messaging, and broadcast. Typical wireless communication systems may employ multiple access technologies capable of supporting communication with multiple users by sharing available system resources. Examples of such multiple access technologies include code division multiple access (CDMA) systems, time division multiple access (TDMA) systems, frequency division multiple access (FDMA) systems, orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA) systems, single carrier frequency division multiple access (SC-FDMA) systems, and time division synchronous code division multiple access (TD-SCDMA) systems.

[0004] These multiple access technologies have been adopted in various telecommunication standards to provide a common protocol that enables different wireless devices to communicate at city, country, region, and even global levels. An example telecommunication standard is 5G New Radio (NR). 5G NR is part of the continuous mobile broadband evolution promulgated by the Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) to meet new requirements associated with latency, reliability, security, scalability (e.g., with the Internet of Things (IoT)) and other requirements. 5G NR includes services associated with enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB), massive machine type communication (mMTC), and ultra-reliable low latency communication (URLLC). Certain aspects of 5G NR may be based on 4G Long Term Evolution (LTE) standards. It is necessary to further improve 5G NR technology. In addition, these improvements may also be applicable to other multiple access technologies and telecommunication standards that employ these technologies. Summary of the invention

[0005] The following presents the summary of one or more aspects in order to provide a basic understanding of these aspects. This review is not an exhaustive overview of all conceived aspects, and is neither intended to identify the key or decisive elements of all aspects, nor to define the scope of any or all aspects. Its only purpose is to present some concepts of one or more aspects in a simplified form as a prelude to a more detailed description presented later.

[0006] Certain aspects relate to an apparatus for wireless communication. In some examples, the apparatus includes: a memory including instructions; and one or more processors configured to execute the instructions. In some examples, the apparatus is configured to obtain a first channel state information reference signal (CSI-RS) associated with a first transmit configuration indicator (TCI) state from a wireless node. In some examples, the apparatus is configured to obtain from a wireless node an indication of one or more TCI states associated with a first CSI-RS to be obtained, wherein the one or more TCI states include a second TCI state; perform beam adjustment based on the second TCI state to determine a beam; and obtain the first CSI-RS via the beam.

[0007] Certain aspects relate to an apparatus for wireless communication. In some examples, the apparatus includes: a memory including instructions; and one or more processors configured to execute the instructions. In some examples, the apparatus is configured to obtain a first medium access control-control element (MAC-CE) from a wireless node, the first medium access control-control element (MAC-CE) indicating a first set of channel state information reference signals (CSI-RS) including one or more CSI-RS and a first set of TCI states including a transmission configuration indicator (TCI) state corresponding to each of the one or more CSI-RS. In some examples, the apparatus is configured to obtain a second MAC-CE from a wireless node, the second MAC-CE indicating at least one CSI-RS of one or more CSI-RSs in a first set of CSI-RSs and a second set of TCI states including an updated TCI state corresponding to the at least one CSI-RS indicated by the second MAC-CE, wherein the second set of TCI states is configured to replace the TCI state corresponding to the CSI-RS in the first set of CSI-RSs indicated by the first MAC-CE, and wherein the second MAC-CE is obtained independently of receiving a deactivation MAC-CE corresponding to the first set of CSI-RSs.

[0008] Certain aspects relate to an apparatus for wireless communication. In some examples, the apparatus includes: a memory including instructions; and one or more processors configured to execute the instructions. In some examples, the apparatus is configured to output a first channel state information reference signal (CSI-RS) associated with a first transmit configuration indicator (TCI) state for transmission to a wireless node. In some examples, the apparatus is configured to output an indication of one or more TCI states associated with a first CSI-RS to be obtained for transmission to a wireless node, wherein the one or more TCI states include a second TCI state associated with the first CSI-RS. In some examples, the apparatus is configured to output a first CSI-RS for transmission to a wireless node via a beam associated with a second TCI state.

[0009] Certain aspects relate to an apparatus for wireless communication. In some examples, the apparatus includes: a memory including instructions; and one or more processors configured to execute the instructions. In some examples, the apparatus is configured to output a first medium access control-control element (MAC-CE) for transmission to a wireless node, the first medium access control-control element (MAC-CE) indicating a first set of channel state information reference signals (CSI-RS) including one or more CSI-RS and a first set of transmission configuration indicator (TCI) states including a TCI state corresponding to each of the one or more CSI-RS. In some examples, the apparatus is configured to output a second MAC-CE for transmission to a wireless node, the second MAC-CE indicating at least one CSI-RS of one or more CSI-RSs in a first set of CSI-RSs and a second set of TCI states including an updated TCI state corresponding to the at least one CSI-RS indicated by the second MAC-CE, wherein the second set of TCI states is configured to replace the TCI state corresponding to the CSI-RS in the first set of CSI-RSs indicated by the first MAC-CE, and wherein the second MAC-CE is obtained independently of receiving a deactivation MAC-CE corresponding to the first set of CSI-RSs.

[0010] Certain aspects relate to a method for wireless communication at a first wireless node. In certain aspects, the method includes obtaining a first channel state information reference signal (CSI-RS) associated with a first transmission configuration indicator (TCI) state from a second wireless node. In certain aspects, the method includes obtaining an indication of one or more TCI states associated with the first CSI-RS to be obtained from the second wireless node, wherein the one or more TCI states include a second TCI state. In certain aspects, the method includes performing beam adjustment to determine a beam based on the second TCI state. In certain aspects, the method includes obtaining the first CSI-RS via the beam.

[0011] Certain aspects relate to a method for wireless communication at a user equipment (UE). In certain aspects, the method includes obtaining a first medium access control-control element (MAC-CE) from a network node, the first medium access control-control element (MAC-CE) indicating a first set of channel state information reference signals (CSI-RS) including one or more CSI-RSs and a first set of TCI states including a transmission configuration indicator (TCI) state corresponding to each of the one or more CSI-RSs. In certain aspects, the method includes obtaining a second MAC-CE from the network node, the second MAC-CE indicating at least one CSI-RS of the one or more CSI-RSs in the first set of CSI-RSs and a second set of TCI states including an updated TCI state corresponding to the at least one CSI-RS indicated by the second MAC-CE, wherein the second set of TCI states is configured to replace the TCI state corresponding to the CSI-RS in the first set of CSI-RSs indicated by the first MAC-CE, and wherein the second MAC-CE is obtained independently of receiving a deactivation MAC-CE corresponding to the first set of CSI-RSs.

[0012] Certain aspects relate to a method for wireless communication at a first wireless node. In certain aspects, the method includes outputting a first channel state information reference signal (CSI-RS) associated with a first transmit configuration indicator (TCI) state for transmission to a second wireless node. In certain aspects, the method includes outputting an indication of one or more TCI states associated with the first CSI-RS to be obtained for transmission to the second wireless node, wherein the one or more TCI states include a second TCI state associated with the first CSI-RS. In certain aspects, the method includes outputting the first CSI-RS for transmission to the second wireless node via a beam associated with the second TCI state.

[0013] Certain aspects relate to a method for wireless communication at a network node. In some examples, the method includes outputting a first medium access control-control element (MAC-CE) for transmission to a user equipment (UE), the first medium access control-control element (MAC-CE) indicating a first set of channel state information reference signals (CSI-RS) including one or more CSI-RSs and a first set of transmission configuration indicator (TCI) states including a TCI state corresponding to each of the one or more CSI-RSs. In certain aspects, the method includes outputting a second MAC-CE for transmission to the UE, the second MAC-CE indicating at least one CSI-RS of the one or more CSI-RSs in the first set of CSI-RSs and a second set of TCI states including an updated TCI state corresponding to the at least one CSI-RS indicated by the second MAC-CE, wherein the second set of TCI states is configured to replace the TCI state corresponding to the CSI-RS in the first set of CSI-RSs indicated by the first MAC-CE, and wherein the second MAC-CE is obtained independently of receiving a deactivation MAC-CE corresponding to the first set of CSI-RSs.

[0014] Certain aspects relate to an apparatus for wireless communication. In certain aspects, the apparatus includes components for obtaining a first channel state information reference signal (CSI-RS) associated with a first transmission configuration indicator (TCI) state from a second wireless node. In certain aspects, the apparatus includes components for obtaining an indication of one or more TCI states associated with a first CSI-RS to be obtained from a second wireless node, wherein the one or more TCI states include a second TCI state. In certain aspects, the apparatus includes components for performing beam adjustment to determine a beam based on the second TCI state. In certain aspects, the apparatus includes components for obtaining a first CSI-RS via a beam.

[0015] Certain aspects relate to an apparatus for wireless communication. In certain aspects, the apparatus includes a component for obtaining a first medium access control-control element (MAC-CE) from a network node, the first medium access control-control element (MAC-CE) indicating a first set of channel state information reference signals (CSI-RS) including one or more CSI-RSs and a first set of transmission configuration indicator (TCI) states including a TCI state corresponding to each of the one or more CSI-RSs. In certain aspects, the apparatus includes a component for obtaining a second MAC-CE from the network node, the second MAC-CE indicating at least one CSI-RS of the one or more CSI-RSs in the first set of CSI-RSs and a second set of TCI states including an updated TCI state corresponding to the at least one CSI-RS indicated by the second MAC-CE, wherein the second set of TCI states is configured to replace the TCI state corresponding to the CSI-RS in the first set of CSI-RSs indicated by the first MAC-CE, and wherein the second MAC-CE is obtained independently of receiving a deactivation MAC-CE corresponding to the first set of CSI-RSs.

[0016] Certain aspects relate to an apparatus for wireless communication. In certain aspects, the apparatus includes components for outputting a first channel state information reference signal (CSI-RS) associated with a first transmit configuration indicator (TCI) state for transmission to a second wireless node. In certain aspects, the apparatus includes components for outputting an indication of one or more TCI states associated with a first CSI-RS to be obtained for transmission to a second wireless node, wherein the one or more TCI states include a second TCI state associated with the first CSI-RS. In certain aspects, the apparatus includes components for outputting a first CSI-RS for transmission to a second wireless node via a beam associated with a second TCI state.

[0017] Certain aspects relate to an apparatus for wireless communication. In some examples, the apparatus includes a component for outputting a first medium access control-control element (MAC-CE) for transmission to a user equipment (UE), the first medium access control-control element (MAC-CE) indicating a first set of channel state information reference signals (CSI-RS) including one or more CSI-RSs and a first set of transmission configuration indicator (TCI) states including a TCI state corresponding to each of the one or more CSI-RSs. In certain aspects, the apparatus includes a component for outputting a second MAC-CE for transmission to the UE, the second MAC-CE indicating at least one CSI-RS of the one or more CSI-RSs in the first set of CSI-RSs and a second set of TCI states including an updated TCI state corresponding to the at least one CSI-RS indicated by the second MAC-CE, wherein the second set of TCI states is configured to replace the TCI state corresponding to the CSI-RS in the first set of CSI-RSs indicated by the first MAC-CE, and wherein the second MAC-CE is obtained independently of receiving a deactivation MAC-CE corresponding to the first set of CSI-RSs.

[0018] Certain aspects relate to a non-transitory computer-readable medium comprising instructions that, when executed by an apparatus, cause the apparatus to perform a method. In certain aspects, the method includes obtaining a first channel state information reference signal (CSI-RS) associated with a first transmission configuration indicator (TCI) state from a second wireless node. In certain aspects, the method includes obtaining an indication of one or more TCI states associated with a first CSI-RS to be obtained from a second wireless node, wherein the one or more TCI states include a second TCI state. In certain aspects, the method includes performing beam adjustment to determine a beam based on the second TCI state. In certain aspects, the method includes obtaining a first CSI-RS via a beam.

[0019] Certain aspects relate to a non-transitory computer-readable medium comprising instructions that, when executed by an apparatus, cause the apparatus to perform a method. In certain aspects, the method includes obtaining a first medium access control-control element (MAC-CE) from a network node, the first medium access control-control element (MAC-CE) indicating a first set of channel state information reference signals (CSI-RS) including one or more CSI-RSs and a first set of transmission configuration indicator (TCI) states including a TCI state corresponding to each of the one or more CSI-RSs. In certain aspects, the method includes obtaining, from a network node, a second MAC-CE indicating at least one CSI-RS of one or more CSI-RSs in a first set of CSI-RSs and a second set of TCI states including an updated TCI state corresponding to the at least one CSI-RS indicated by the second MAC-CE, wherein the second set of TCI states is configured to replace the TCI state corresponding to the CSI-RS in the first set of CSI-RSs indicated by the first MAC-CE, and wherein the second MAC-CE is obtained independently of receiving a deactivation MAC-CE corresponding to the first set of CSI-RSs.

[0020] Certain aspects relate to a non-transitory computer-readable medium comprising instructions that, when executed by an apparatus, cause the apparatus to perform a method. In certain aspects, the method includes outputting a first channel state information reference signal (CSI-RS) associated with a first transmit configuration indicator (TCI) state for transmission to a second wireless node. In certain aspects, the method includes outputting an indication of one or more TCI states associated with a first CSI-RS to be obtained for transmission to a second wireless node, wherein the one or more TCI states include a second TCI state associated with the first CSI-RS. In certain aspects, the method includes outputting the first CSI-RS for transmission to a second wireless node via a beam associated with a second TCI state.

[0021] Certain aspects relate to a non-transitory computer-readable medium including instructions that, when executed by an apparatus, cause the apparatus to perform a method. In some examples, the method includes outputting a first medium access control-control element (MAC-CE) for transmission to a user equipment (UE), the first medium access control-control element (MAC-CE) indicating a first set of channel state information reference signals (CSI-RS) including one or more CSI-RSs and a first set of transmission configuration indicator (TCI) states including a TCI state corresponding to each of the one or more CSI-RSs. In certain aspects, the method includes outputting a second MAC-CE for sending to a UE, the second MAC-CE indicating at least one CSI-RS of one or more CSI-RSs in a first set of CSI-RSs and a second set of TCI states including an updated TCI state corresponding to the at least one CSI-RS indicated by the second MAC-CE, wherein the second set of TCI states is configured to replace the TCI state corresponding to the CSI-RS in the first set of CSI-RSs indicated by the first MAC-CE, and wherein the second MAC-CE is obtained independently of receiving a deactivation MAC-CE corresponding to the first set of CSI-RSs.

[0022] To achieve the foregoing and related ends, one or more aspects include the features fully described below and particularly pointed out in the claims. The following description and the accompanying drawings set forth in detail some illustrative features of one or more aspects. However, these features are merely indicative of some of the various ways in which the principles of the various aspects may be employed, and this specification is intended to include all such aspects and their equivalents. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] Figure 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a wireless communication system and an access network.

[0024] Figure 2A is a diagram illustrating an example of a first frame according to various aspects of the present disclosure.

[0025] Figure 2B is a diagram illustrating an example of DL channels within a subframe according to various aspects of the present disclosure.

[0026] Figure 2C is a diagram illustrating an example of a second frame according to various aspects of the present disclosure.

[0027] Figure 2D is a diagram illustrating an example of UL channels within a subframe according to various aspects of the present disclosure.

[0028] Figure 3is a diagram illustrating an example of a base station and a user equipment (UE) in an access network.

[0029] Figure 4 An example monolithic (eg, disaggregated) architecture of a distributed radio access network is illustrated.

[0030] Figure 5 is a block diagram illustrating an example decomposed base station architecture.

[0031] Figure 6 is a block diagram illustrating an example of MIMO beamforming.

[0032] Figure 7 is a call flow diagram illustrating an example communication between two wireless nodes.

[0033] Figure 8 is a block diagram illustrating three examples of information carried in a Medium Access Control - Control Element (MAC-CE).

[0034] Fig. 9 is a call flow diagram illustrating example communications between wireless nodes.

[0035] Fig.10 is a block diagram illustrating an example MAC-CE.

[0036] Fig.11 is a flow chart illustrating an example method of communication between two wireless nodes.

[0037] Fig.12 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware implementation for an example apparatus.

[0038] Fig.13 is a flow chart illustrating an example method of communication between two wireless nodes.

[0039] Fig.14 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware implementation for an example apparatus.

[0040] Fig.15 is a flow chart illustrating an example method of communication between two wireless nodes.

[0041] Fig.16 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware implementation for an example apparatus.

[0042] Fig.17 is a flow chart illustrating an example method of communication between two wireless nodes.

[0043] Fig.18 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware implementation for an example apparatus. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0044] 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 with which the concepts described herein can 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 can 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.

[0045] In certain aspects, a cellular network may provide a set of mechanisms by which a user equipment (UE) and a network node (e.g., a gNB) may establish a directional transmission link using a high-dimensional phased array. The benefits of a directional link include beamforming gain and relatively high, sustainable communication quality. However, a directional link requires alignment of a transmitter beam and a receiver beam (e.g., a beam pair) through a set of operations referred to as beam management. Beam management operations may include: (i) an initial access (IA) operation for idle users, which allows the UE to establish a physical link connection with a network node; and (ii) beam tracking for connected users, which enables beam adaptation schemes, handovers, path selection, and radio link failure recovery procedures. For beamformed transmissions, the amplitude and phase of each antenna in the antenna array may be pre-coded or controlled to create a desired (e.g., directional) pattern of constructive and destructive interference in the wavefront.

[0046] Conventionally, beam management operations can encounter problems. For example, due to the continuously changing positioning and / or location of the wireless nodes, mobile wireless nodes may require frequent beam changes in order to maintain an uninterrupted communication link. In addition, the best beam pair may not necessarily correspond to a transmitter beam and a receiver beam that are physically pointing directly at each other. Due to obstacles in the surrounding environment, this "direct" path between the transmitter and the receiver may be blocked, and a reflected path may provide better connectivity. Therefore, the beam management function must be able to handle this situation and establish and maintain a suitable beam pairing.

[0047] Typically, once the initial beam pair has been established, the selection of the beam directions on the transmitter and receiver sides needs to be re-evaluated regularly due to movement and rotation of the wireless node. Furthermore, even for fixed devices, the movement of other objects in the environment may or may not block different beams, which means that the selected beam directions may need to be re-evaluated. To perform the re-evaluation, the network node may send a set of reference signals corresponding to different downlink beams so that the wireless node can make measurements on the reference signals. The results of the measurements are then reported to the network, which may decide to adjust the current beam based on the report.

[0048] In some examples, beam management techniques may include aspects of artificial intelligence (AI) and / or machine learning (ML). In this case, one or more of the network node and the UE may measure signals sent from another device and provide measurements of those signals to the other device (e.g., something indicating those measurements). These measurements or observations may be used to train an ML model that is used to predict future TCI states of transmitted signals (e.g., reference signals). An indication of the predicted TCI state may be sent to the network node or UE, and the network node or UE may perform beam measurements on the beam associated with the predicted TCI state before switching the TCI state to determine a preferred beam associated with the TCI state. In other words, by obtaining the predicted TCI state, the wireless node may perform beam measurements while concurrently communicating through the beam associated with the current TCI state. By performing measurements before switching the TCI state or being commanded to switch, the wireless node is better prepared to switch to a new TCI state when a switching command is received, thereby improving communication.

[0049] In certain aspects, the present disclosure relates to methods and techniques for indicating a predicted future TCI state to another wireless node via a medium access control-control element (MAC-CE). For example, the TCI state may correspond to a specific semi-persistent or persistent channel state information reference signal (CSI-RS). In one example, a network node may send a MAC-CE to a UE to indicate a predicted future TCI state associated with one or more CSI-RS resources that are part of an activated CSI-RS resource set. Thus, one or more predicted future TCI states may be indicated in a single MAC-CE transmission.

[0050] In certain aspects, a wireless node may send an indication of TCI state prediction capability. For example, a UE may send an indication of prediction capability to a network node, thereby enabling the network node to send the predicted future TCI state to the UE. In some examples, the network node may send signaling to the UE configured to request from the UE an indication of whether the UE has prediction capability. The capability may indicate that the UE can support receiving a MAC-CE including the predicted TCI state.

[0051] In some examples, the MAC-CE may also include an indication of one or more CSI-RS resources associated with the predicted one or more TCI states. In one example, the MAC-CE may indicate one or more CSI-RS resource set identifiers (e.g., an already activated CSI-RS resource set). It should be noted that the CSI-RS resource set includes one or more CSI-RS resource identifiers associated with the CSI-RS resource set. That is, the set may include multiple CSI-RS resources. In order to reduce indication overhead, the CSI-RS resource identifier may be an identifier defined within the CSI-RS resource set, rather than an identifier as defined by a serving cell or a network node. The MAC-CE may include one or more predicted future TCI states associated with the indicated CSI-RS resources.

[0052] In some examples, the MAC-CE may include a CSI-RS resource set identifier, but does not include a CSI-RS resource identifier associated with the set. This example may be used when the predicted TCI state corresponds to all resources in the set. This may reduce the communication overhead associated with the CSI-RS resource identifier. In some examples, the MAC-CE may include a field indicating the format of the MAC-CE. For example, a first format of the MAC-CE may correspond to a MAC-CE format that includes a CSI-RS resource identifier, and a second format may correspond to a MAC-CE format that does not include a CSI-RS resource identifier. In another example, different MAC-CE formats may be used without a field indicating the format.

[0053] In certain aspects, the MAC-CE carrying the predicted TCI states may also include predicted time instances or time windows that indicate estimated times when the wireless nodes should apply one or more predicted TCI states to their corresponding CSI-RS resources (e.g., the CSI-RS resources identified in the MAC-CE).

[0054] For example, the MAC-CE may include one or more predicted TCI states, each of which is associated with a specific CSI-RS resource. Future time instances or time windows may also be included in the MAC-CE so that one or more predicted TCI states have corresponding future time instances or time windows. Here, the future time instances or time windows are configured to indicate a prediction of when the corresponding TCI state is estimated to be updated. For example, a time instance may provide a specific time instance in which a TCI state update is expected to occur in the future. The time instance may indicate a high degree of accuracy in the estimate. In another example, the time window may provide a time range within the window in which a TCI state update is estimated to occur. Relative to a wide time window, a narrow time window may indicate a high degree of accuracy in the estimate. Therefore, a time window or time instance may provide an estimate of the time when a specific CSI-RS is to be updated.

[0055] In some examples, the time window may be indicated by the MAC-CE via a predicted average value t1 (e.g., corresponding to a future time instance) and a standard deviation value Δt associated with the predicted average value. In such an example, the wireless node receiving the MAC-CE may determine the time window as [t1-Δt, t1+Δt].

[0056] In some examples, the time window or time instance may be a predefined value (e.g., as provided by a wireless communication standard, and / or a value predefined by a network node). For example, the network node may indicate the time window or time instance via RRC messaging. In one such example, the RRC messaging may include multiple time windows and / or time instances, where each time window and / or time instance is mapped to another value. In this example, the network node or UE sending the MAC-CE may include one or more values ​​mapped to the CSI-RS resources, so that the node receiving the MAC-CE may perform a lookup to determine the corresponding time window or time instance.

[0057] In certain aspects, a wireless node such as a UE receiving a MAC-CE may utilize a time instance or a time window to modify or configure a receive beam refinement operation. For example, the UE may utilize a time window to perform beam refinement operations, and may limit these operations (e.g., reduce the number of beams used and / or use wider beams) when the time window is narrow, or enhance these operations (e.g., include more beams and / or use narrower beams) when the time window is relatively wide. It should be noted that the UE may configure the beam refinement operation so that the operation is completed before the time window expires or before the time instance.

[0058] In certain aspects, the MAC-CE carrying the predicted TCI states may also include an indication of an uncertainty level associated with one or more of the predicted TCI states. In one example, the uncertainty level may be explicitly indicated as a probability associated with one or more predicted TCI states. The uncertainty level may be configured based on a predefined wireless standard, a configuration determined and provided by a network node, or a configuration determined and provided in a UE capability report.

[0059] In certain aspects, the wireless node may determine a receive beam refinement operation based on an uncertainty level associated with a predicted TCI state. For example, the network node may configure the wireless node with a mapping between beam refinement operations and uncertainty levels. For example, each uncertainty level may correspond to a specific beam refinement operation. In some examples, the mapping between beam refinement operations and uncertainty levels may be configured via a wireless standard, a configuration determined and provided by a network node, and / or based on a recommendation and / or capability report provided by a UE.

[0060] In a first example, a network node may determine an uncertainty level associated with a TCI state predicted by the network node. The uncertainty level may control which transmit beams the wireless node should focus on when performing a receive beam refinement operation. For example, a MAC-CE may include a predicted TCI state and an uncertainty level (e.g., "L") associated with an SSB beam (e.g., SSB3), where the value of L corresponds to the range of transmit beams or the amount of transmit beams that the wireless node should focus on when performing a receive beam refinement operation. In one example, if L is greater than 20% and less than 50%, the wireless node may include SSB3 and additional transmit beams associated with other SSBs adjacent to SSB3 in the beam refinement operation (e.g., transmit beams associated with SSB1-SSB5). If L is less than 20% and greater than 5%, the wireless node may include SS B3 and additional transmit beams, but only additional transmit beams directly adjacent to SS B3 (e.g., transmit beams associated with SSB2 and SSB4). If L is less than 5%, the wireless node may focus only on SSB3. In other words, if L is less than 5%, the uncertainty level is relatively low (e.g., compared to L=50%), and therefore, the receive beam refinement operation does not require the wireless node to measure over a broad spectrum of different beams because the predicted TCI state is known with relatively high certainty. It should be noted that the uncertainty levels discussed above are examples, and any suitable values ​​and ranges may be used. In some examples, L may be provided in the MAC-CE as an integer or in any other suitable format.

[0061] In a second example, a network node may determine the shape (e.g., beam direction and / or beam width) of one or more transmit beams associated with its SBS, and include both the shape information and the uncertainty level in the MAC-CE sent by the network node to the wireless node. For example, if the predicted TCI state included in the MAC-CE corresponds to a beam associated with SSB3, and the L value provided in the MAC-CE indicates a relatively high uncertainty level (e.g., 20% < L < 50%), the wireless node may, based on the shape information, expand the number of transmit beams measured by the wireless node during a receive beam refinement operation to up to four additional beams (e.g., transmit beams associated with SSB1-SSB5), where SSB1, SSB2, SSB4, and SSB5 are the four beams that are spatially closest to SSB3. If the predicted TCI state included in the MAC-CE corresponds to a beam associated with SSB3, and the L value provided in the MAC-CE indicates a relatively medium uncertainty level (e.g., 5% < L < 20%), the wireless node may, based on the shape information, expand the number of transmit beams measured by the wireless node during a receive beam refinement operation to up to two additional beams (e.g., transmit beams associated with SSB2-SSB4), where SSB2 and SSB4 are the two beams that are spatially closest to SSB3. If the predicted TCI state included in the MAC-CE corresponds to a beam associated with SSB3, and the L value provided in the MAC-CE indicates a relatively low uncertainty level (e.g., L < 5%), the wireless node may not expand the number of transmit beams measured by the wireless node during a receive beam refinement operation. Instead, based on the shape information, the beam refinement operation may focus on the beam associated with SSB3.

[0062] In a third example, the wireless node may use AI or ML to predict the receive beam to be used by the wireless node based on the received predicted TCI state. In some examples, the wireless node may have the ability to use multiple AI / ML models to predict the receive beam. In some examples, the network node may provide in the MAC-CE: the predicted TCI state, the uncertainty level, and an indication of a specific AI or ML model to be used by the wireless node to predict the receive beam. For example, the AI / ML model may use the uncertainty level as an input to determine the predicted receive beam. In some examples, the indication of the specific AI or ML may be an integer that identifies the model number associated with the AI / ML model. It should be noted that in some examples, the MAC-CE may not include the uncertainty level and may include only the model indication. Thus, the model indication may correspond to a specific uncertainty level. Thus, the information mapping the model to the uncertainty level may be configured at the wireless node via the network node, or may be configured according to the wireless standard.

[0063] In certain aspects, a wireless node such as a UE may determine a predicted TCI state and report the future predicted TCI state to a network node via an uplink MAC-CE. That is, the wireless node may also use MAC-CE to report beam predictions made by the wireless node. The TCI state may be predicted using the same methods and techniques as described above, and may be communicated to the network node using the same MAC-CE methods and formats as described above with reference to the network node. In addition, the above-described receive beam refinement operation may be performed by the UE after the network node receives the uplink MAC-CE. In some examples, in response to the uplink MAC-CE, the network node may send additional information (e.g., confirmation or alternation) of the receive beam refinement operation to the wireless node. The wireless node may then modify the receive beam refinement operation if necessary.

[0064] In certain aspects, the total number of active CSI-RS resources should not exceed the reporting capabilities of the wireless node. That is, in order to update the TCI state of a semi-persistent (SP-CSI-RS) resource set, the network node may need to first deactivate the CSI-RS resource set via an SP-CSI-RS deactivation MAC-CE and then reactivate the CSI-RS resource set using an SP-CSI-RS activation MAC-CE carrying the updated TCI state. Currently, there is no definition of the future TCI state of the SP-CSI-RS resources and the wireless node has to assume that the updated TCI state in the activation MAC-CE will take effect immediately.

[0065] This may lead to several problems. First, the wireless node may not have time to refine its receive beam before actually receiving the SP-CSI-RS resources on the beam associated with the updated TCI state. And second, if beam changes occur frequently, such deactivation / reactivation may lead to unnecessary wasted overhead.

[0066] Thus, in certain aspects, a TCI state may be reactivated via a MAC-CE (e.g., any of the aforementioned MAC-CE formats and configurations) without first sending a deactivation MAC-CE. For example, a first CSI-RS resource may be active at a wireless node, where the first CSI-RS resource is associated with a first TCI state. Then, without receiving a deactivation MAC-CE, the wireless node may receive another MAC-CE from a network node indicating the same first CSI-RS resource and associating the same first CSI-RS resource with a second TCI state. The wireless node may then replace the first TCI state with the second TCI state, such that the first CSI-RS resource is associated with the second TCI state, without first deactivating and then reactivating the first CSI-RS resource. Since the MAC-CE for activating the second TCI state may be any of the aforementioned MAC-CE formats and configurations discussed above, the MAC-CE may indicate a CSI-RS resource identifier or a CSI-RS resource set including one or more CSI-RS resource identifiers.

[0067] In some examples, the MAC-CE may not include a time instance or time window associated with the updated TCI state. For example, the time instance may be the next applicable opportunity associated with the CSI-RS resource (e.g., the time slot immediately following the time slot carrying the MAC-CE). In some examples, the MAC-CE may not include an uncertainty level associated with the updated TCI state. For example, the uncertainty level may be considered to be 0% (e.g., 100% certain).

[0068] In some examples, the wireless node may report to the network node the ability to support communication of the MAC-CE for reactivating the TCI state. In some examples, the network node may configure the wireless node to have the ability to support communication of the MAC-CE for reactivating the TCI state. For example, the network node may send information to the wireless node.

[0069] Several aspects of telecommunication systems will now be presented with reference to various apparatus and methods. These apparatus and methods will be described in the following detailed description and illustrated in the accompanying drawings by various blocks, components, circuits, processes, algorithms, etc. (collectively referred to as "elements"). These elements may be implemented using electronic hardware, computer software, or any combination thereof. Whether these elements are implemented as hardware or software depends on the specific application and the design constraints imposed on the overall system.

[0070] As an example, an element, or any part of an element, or any combination of elements can be implemented as a "processing system", which includes one or more processors. Examples of processors include microprocessors, microcontrollers, graphics processing units (GPUs), central processing units (CPUs), application processors, digital signal processors (DSPs), reduced instruction set computing (RISC) processors, systems on chip (SoCs), baseband processors, field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), programmable logic devices (PLDs), state machines, gate logic pieces, discrete hardware circuits, and other suitable hardware configured to perform various functions described throughout the present disclosure. One or more processors in a processing system can execute software. Whether it is referred to as software, firmware, middleware, microcode, hardware description language, or other names, software should be broadly interpreted as meaning instructions, instruction sets, codes, code segments, program codes, programs, subroutines, software components, applications, software applications, software packages, routines, subroutines, objects, executable files, threads of execution, procedures, functions, etc.

[0071] Throughout this disclosure, "network node" may be used to refer to a base station or a disaggregated component of a base station. For example, a base station may be implemented as an aggregate base station (e.g., as described in reference Figure 4 described) or implemented as a decomposed base station (e.g., as described in reference Figure 5 Thus, in some examples, a network node may refer to one or more of a central unit (CU), a distributed unit (DU), a radio unit (RU), a near real-time (near RT) radio access network (RAN) intelligent controller (RIC), and / or a non-real-time (non-RT) RIC. In some examples, a network node may be an integrated access and backhaul (IAB) node, a relay node, etc.

[0072] In this disclosure, "wireless node" may be used to refer to a network node or a user equipment (UE).

[0073] Therefore, in one or more example embodiments, the described functions can be implemented with hardware, software or any combination thereof. If implemented with software, the functions can be stored or encoded on a computer-readable medium as one or more instructions or codes. Computer-readable media include computer storage media. Storage media can be any available medium that can be accessed by a computer. By way of example and not limitation, such computer-readable media can include random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), electrically erasable programmable ROM (EEPROM), optical disk storage device, magnetic disk storage device, other magnetic storage devices, a combination of computer-readable media of the above type, or any other medium that can be used to store computer executable code in the form of instructions or data structures that can be accessed by a computer.

[0074] Figure 1 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a wireless communication system and access network 100. The wireless communication system (also referred to as a wireless wide area network (WWAN)) includes a base station 102, a user equipment (UE) 104, an evolved packet core (EPC) 160, and another core network 190 (e.g., a 5G core (5GC)). The base station 102 may include a macro cell (a high-power cellular base station) and / or a small cell (a low-power cellular base station). A macro cell includes a base station. A small cell includes a femto cell, a pico cell, and a micro cell.

[0075] The base station 102 configured for 4G Long Term Evolution (LTE) (collectively referred to as Evolved Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) Terrestrial Radio Access Network (E-UTRAN)) can interface with the EPC 160 via a first backhaul link 132 (e.g., an S1 interface). The base station 102 configured for 5G New Radio (NR) (collectively referred to as Next Generation RAN (NG-RAN)) can interface with the core network 190 via a second backhaul link 184. Among other functions, the base station 102 can also perform one or more of the following functions: delivery of user data, radio channel encryption and decryption, integrity protection, header compression, mobility control functions (e.g., handover, dual connectivity), inter-cell interference coordination, connection establishment and release, load balancing, distribution of non-access stratum (NAS) messages, NAS node selection, synchronization, radio access network (RAN) sharing, multimedia broadcast multicast service (MBMS), subscriber and equipment tracking, RAN information management (RIM), paging, positioning, and delivery of warning messages. The base stations 102 may communicate with each other directly or indirectly (eg, via the EPC 160 or the core network 190) via the third backhaul link 134 (eg, an X2 interface). The first backhaul link 132, the second backhaul link 184, and the third backhaul link 134 may be wired or wireless.

[0076] Base station 102 can communicate wirelessly with UE 104. Each of base stations 102 can provide communication coverage for a corresponding geographic coverage area 110. There may be overlapping geographic coverage areas 110. For example, a small cell 102' can have a coverage area 110' that overlaps with the coverage area 110 of one or more macro base stations 102. A network including both small cells and macro cells can be referred to as a heterogeneous network. A heterogeneous network can also include a home evolved Node B (eNB) (HeNB), which can provide services to a restricted group called a closed subscriber group (CSG). The communication link 120 between base station 102 and UE 104 can include an uplink (UL) (also called a reverse link) transmission from UE 104 to base station 102 and / or a downlink (DL) (also called a forward link) transmission from base station 102 to UE 104. The communication link 120 can use multiple input multiple output (MIMO) antenna technology, including spatial multiplexing, beamforming and / or transmit diversity. The communication link can be through one or more carriers. For each carrier allocated in the carrier aggregation for up to a total of up to Yx MHz (x component carriers) for transmission in each direction, the base station 102 / UE 104 can use a spectrum with a bandwidth of up to Y megahertz (MHz) (e.g., 5 MHz, 10 MHz, 15 MHz, 20 MHz, 100 MHz, 400 MHz, etc.). The carriers may be adjacent to each other or may not be adjacent to each other. The allocation of carriers may be asymmetric with respect to DL and UL (e.g., more or fewer carriers may be allocated for DL ​​compared to UL). The component carrier may include a primary component carrier and one or more secondary component carriers. The primary component carrier may be referred to as a primary cell (PCell) and the secondary component carrier may be referred to as a secondary cell (SCell).

[0077] Some UEs 104 may communicate with each other using a device-to-device (D2D) communication link 158. The D2D communication link 158 may use DL / UL WWAN spectrum. The D2D communication link 158 may use one or more side link channels, such as a physical side link broadcast channel (PSBCH), a physical side link discovery channel (PSDCH), a physical side link shared channel (PS SCH), and a physical side link control channel (PSCCH). D2D communication may be performed by a variety of wireless D2D communication systems, such as, for example, WiMedia, Bluetooth, ZigBee, Wi-Fi based on the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11 standard, LTE, or NR.

[0078] The wireless communication system may also include a Wi-Fi access point (AP) 150 that communicates with a Wi-Fi station (STA) 152 via a communication link 154 in, for example, a 5 gigahertz (GHz) unlicensed spectrum. When communicating in the unlicensed spectrum, the STA 152 / AP 150 may perform a clear channel assessment (CCA) to determine whether a channel is available prior to communication.

[0079] The small cell 102' can operate in licensed and / or unlicensed spectrum. When operating in the unlicensed spectrum, the small cell 102' can adopt NR and use the same unlicensed spectrum (e.g., 5 GHz, etc.) used by the Wi-Fi AP 150. The small cell 102' adopting NR in the unlicensed spectrum can improve the coverage of the access network and / or increase the capacity of the access network.

[0080] 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 FRI (410 MHz-7.125 GHz) and FR2 (24.25 GHz-52.6 GHz). Frequencies between FR1 and FR2 are typically referred to as mid-band frequencies. Although a portion of FR1 is greater than 6 GHz, FR1 is typically referred to (interchangeably) as the "below 6 GHz" band in various documents and articles. A similar naming issue sometimes occurs with respect to FR2, which is typically (interchangeably) referred to as the "millimeter wave" band in documents and articles, despite being different from the extremely high frequency (EHF) band (30 GHz-300 GHz) identified as the "millimeter wave" band by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU).

[0081] In view of the above aspects, unless otherwise specifically stated, it should be understood that if used in this article, the term "below 6 GHz" and the like can be broadly referred to as frequencies that can be less than 6 GHz, can be within FR1, or can include mid-band frequencies. In addition, unless otherwise specifically stated, it should be understood that if used in this article, the term "millimeter wave" and the like can be broadly referred to as frequencies that can include mid-band frequencies, can be within FR2, or can be within the EHF band.

[0082] The base station 102, whether a small cell 102′ or a large cell (e.g., a macro base station), may include and / or be referred to as an eNB, a gNodeB (gNB), or another type of base station. Some base stations, such as gNB 180, may operate in the traditional sub-6 GHz spectrum, in millimeter wave frequencies, and / or near millimeter wave frequencies to communicate with the UE 104. When the gNB 180 operates in millimeter wave or near millimeter wave frequencies, the gNB 180 may be referred to as a millimeter wave base station. The millimeter wave base station 180 may utilize beamforming 182 with the UE 104 to compensate for path loss and short range. The base station 180 and the UE 104 may each include multiple antennas, such as antenna elements, antenna panels, and / or antenna arrays, to facilitate beamforming.

[0083] Base station 180 may send beamformed signals to UE 104 in one or more transmit directions 182'. UE 104 may receive beamformed signals from base station 180 in one or more receive directions 182". UE 104 may also send beamformed signals to base station 180 in one or more transmit directions. Base station 180 may receive beamformed signals from UE 104 in one or more receive directions. Base station 180 / UE 104 may perform beam training to determine the best receive direction and transmit direction for each of base station 180 / UE 104. The transmit direction and receive direction of base station 180 may be the same or different. The transmit direction and receive direction of UE 104 may be the same or different.

[0084] The EPC 160 may include a mobility management entity (MME) 162, other MMEs 164, a serving gateway 166, an MBMS gateway 168, a broadcast multicast service center (BM-SC) 170, and a packet data network (PDN) gateway 172. The MME 162 may communicate with a home subscriber server (HSS) 174. The MME 162 is a control node that handles signaling between the UE 104 and the EPC 160. Typically, the MME 162 provides bearer and connection management. All user Internet Protocol (IP) packets are transmitted through the serving gateway 166, which itself is connected to the PDN gateway 172. The PDN gateway 172 provides UE IP address allocation and other functions. The PDN gateway 172 and the BM-SC 170 are connected to IP services 176. The IP services 176 may include the Internet, an intranet, an IP multimedia subsystem (IMS), a PS streaming service, and / or other IP services. The BM-SC 170 may provide functions for MBMS user service configuration and delivery. BM-SC 170 may serve as an entry point for content provider MBMS delivery, may be used to authorize and initiate MBMS bearer services in a public land mobile network (PLMN), and may be used to schedule MBMS delivery. MBMS Gateway 168 may be used to distribute MBMS services to base stations 102 belonging to a multicast broadcast single frequency network (MBSFN) area of ​​a broadcast specific service, and may be responsible for session management (start / stop) and for collecting eMBMS related billing information.

[0085] The core network 190 may include an access and mobility management function (AMF) 192, other AMFs 193, a session management function (SMF) 194, and a user plane function (UPF) 195. The AMF 192 may communicate with a unified data management (UDM) 196. The AMF 192 is a control node that handles signaling between the UE 104 and the core network 190. Typically, the AMF 192 provides quality of service (QoS) flows and session management. All user IP packets are delivered through the UPF 195. The UPF 195 provides UE IP address allocation and other functions. The UPF 195 is connected to an IP service 197. The IP service 197 may include the Internet, an intranet, an IMS, a packet switching (PS) streaming media service, and / or other IP services.

[0086] Base stations may include and / or be referred to as gNBs, Node Bs, eNBs, access points, base transceivers, radio base stations, radio transceivers, transceiver functions, basic service sets (BSSs), extended service sets (ESSs), transmit receive points (TRPs), or some other suitable terminology. Base stations 102 provide access points to EPC 160 or core network 190 for UEs 104. Examples of UEs 104 include cellular phones, smart phones, session initiation protocol (SIP) phones, laptops, personal digital assistants (PDAs), satellite radios, global positioning systems, multimedia devices, video devices, digital audio players (e.g., MP3 players), cameras, game consoles, tablets, smart devices, wearable devices, vehicles, electric meters, gas pumps, large or small kitchen appliances, healthcare devices, implants, sensors / actuators, displays, or any other similarly functional devices. Some of the UEs 104 may be referred to as IoT devices (e.g., parking meters, gas pumps, toasters, vehicles, heart monitors, etc.). UE 104 may also be referred to as a station, a mobile station, a subscriber station, a mobile unit, a subscriber unit, a wireless unit, a remote unit, a mobile device, a wireless device, a wireless communication device, a remote device, a mobile subscriber station, an access terminal, a mobile terminal, a wireless terminal, a remote terminal, a handset, a user agent, a mobile client, a client, or some other suitable terminology.

[0087] Reference again Figure 1 In certain aspects, the UE 104 may be configured with a TCI state management module 198. The TCI state management module 198 may be configured to obtain a first channel state information reference signal (CSI-RS) associated with a first transmit configuration indicator (TCI) state from a wireless node; obtain an indication of one or more TCI states associated with the first CSI-RS to be obtained from the wireless node, wherein the one or more TCI states include a second TCI state; perform beam adjustment based on the second TCI state to determine a beam; and obtain the first CSI-RS via the beam.

[0088] In certain aspects, the TCI state management module 198 may also be configured to obtain a first medium access control-control element (MAC-CE) from a wireless node, the first medium access control-control element (MAC-CE) indicating a first set of channel state information reference signals (CSI-RS) including one or more CSI-RSs and a first set of TCI states including a transmit configuration indicator (TCI) state corresponding to each of the one or more CSI-RSs; and obtain a second MAC-CE from the wireless node, the second MAC-CE indicating at least one CSI-RS of one or more CSI-RSs in the first set of CSI-RSs and a second set of TCI states including an updated TCI state corresponding to at least one CSI-RS indicated by the second MAC-CE, wherein the second set of TCI states is configured to replace the TCI state corresponding to the CSI-RS in the first set of CSI-RSs indicated by the first MAC-CE, and wherein the second MAC-CE is obtained independently of receiving a deactivation MAC-CE corresponding to the first set of CSI-RSs.

[0089] In certain aspects, the TCI state management module 198 may also be configured to output a first channel state information reference signal (CSI-RS) associated with a first transmit configuration indicator (TCI) state for transmission to a wireless node; output an indication of one or more TCI states associated with the first CSI-RS to be obtained for transmission to the wireless node, wherein the one or more TCI states include a second TCI state associated with the first CSI-RS; and output the first CSI-RS via a beam associated with the second TCI state for transmission to the wireless node.

[0090] Reference again Figure 1 In certain aspects, the base station 180 may be configured with a TCI state management module 199 configured to obtain a first channel state information reference signal (CSI-RS) associated with a first transmit configuration indicator (TCI) state from a wireless node; obtain an indication of one or more TCI states associated with the first CSI-RS to be obtained from the wireless node, wherein the one or more TCI states include a second TCI state; perform beam adjustment based on the second TCI state to determine a beam; and obtain a first CSI-RS via the beam.

[0091] In certain aspects, the TCI state management module 199 may also be configured to output a first medium access control-control element (MAC-CE) for sending to a wireless node, the first medium access control-control element (MAC-CE) indicating a first set of channel state information reference signals (CSI-RSs) including one or more CSI-RSs and a first set of TCI states including a transmission configuration indicator (TCI) state corresponding to each of the one or more CSI-RSs; and output a second MAC-CE for sending to the wireless node, the second MAC-CE indicating at least one CSI-RS of the one or more CSI-RSs in the first set of CSI-RSs and a second set of TCI states including an updated TCI state corresponding to the at least one CSI-RS indicated by the second MAC-CE, wherein the second set of TCI states is configured to replace the TCI state corresponding to the CSI-RS in the first set of CSI-RSs indicated by the first MAC-CE, and wherein the second MAC-CE is obtained independently of receiving a deactivation MAC-CE corresponding to the first set of CSI-RSs.

[0092] In certain aspects, the TCI state management module 199 may also be configured to output a first channel state information reference signal (CSI-RS) associated with a first transmit configuration indicator (TCI) state for transmission to a wireless node; output an indication of one or more TCI states associated with the first CSI-RS to be obtained for transmission to the wireless node, wherein the one or more TCI states include a second TCI state associated with the first CSI-RS; and output the first CSI-RS via a beam associated with the second TCI state for transmission to the wireless node.

[0093] Figure 2A FIG200 is a diagram illustrating an example of a first subframe within a 5G NR frame structure. Figure 2B FIG230 is a diagram illustrating an example of DL channels within a 5G NR subframe. Figure 2C FIG250 is a diagram illustrating an example of a second subframe within a 5G NR frame structure. Figure 2D FIG280 is a diagram illustrating an example of an UL channel within a 5G NR subframe. The 5G NR frame structure may be frequency division duplex (FDD) (wherein for a particular set of subcarriers (carrier system bandwidth), a subframe within the subcarrier set is dedicated to either DL or UL), or may be time division duplex (TDD) (wherein for a particular set of subcarriers (carrier system bandwidth), a subframe within the subcarrier set is dedicated to both DL and UL). Figure 2A , Figure 2CIn the example provided, the 5GNR frame structure is assumed to be TDD, where subframe 4 is configured with slot format 28 (most of which are DL), where D is DL, U is UL, and F is flexible between DL / UL, and subframe 3 is configured with slot format 34 (most of which are UL). Although subframes 3 and 4 are shown as having slot formats 34 and 28, respectively, any particular subframe may be configured with any of the various available slot formats 0-61. Slot formats 0 and 1 are both DL and both UL, respectively. Other slot formats 2-61 include a mixture of DL, UL, and flexible symbols. The slot format is configured for the UE by a received slot format indicator (SFI) (dynamically configured by DL control information (DCI) or semi-statically / statically configured by radio resource control (RRC) signaling). Note that the following description also applies to the 5GNR frame structure as TDD.

[0094] Other wireless communication technologies may have different frame structures and / or different channels. For example, a 10 millisecond (ms) frame may be divided into 10 equally sized subframes (1 ms). Each subframe may include one or more time slots. A subframe may also include a microslot, which may include 7, 4, or 2 symbols. Each time slot may include 7 or 14 symbols, depending on the time slot configuration. For time slot configuration 0, each time slot may include 14 symbols, and for time slot configuration 1, each time slot may include 7 symbols. The symbol on the DL may be a cyclic prefix (CP) orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) (CP-OFDM) symbol. The symbol on the UL may be a CP-OFDM symbol (for high throughput scenarios) or a discrete Fourier transform (DFT) spread OFDM (DFT-s-OFDM) symbol (also known as a single carrier frequency division multiple access (SC-FDMA) symbol) (for power-limited scenarios; limited to single-stream transmission). The number of time slots in a subframe is based on the time slot configuration and parameter set (numerology). For slot configuration 0, different parameter sets μ 0 to 4 allow 1, 2, 4, 8, and 16 slots per subframe, respectively. For slot configuration 1, different parameter sets 0 to 2 allow 2, 4, and 8 slots per subframe, respectively. Accordingly, for slot configuration 0 and parameter set μ, there are 14 symbols per slot and 2μ slots per subframe. The subcarrier spacing and symbol length / duration are functions of the parameter set. The subcarrier spacing may be equal to 2μ*15 kilohertz (kHz), where μ is parameter set 0 to 4. Thus, the subcarrier spacing for parameter set μ=0 is 15kHz, and the subcarrier spacing for parameter set μ=4 is 240kHz. The symbol length / duration is inversely related to the subcarrier spacing. FIG. 2A to FIG. 2DAn example is provided for slot configuration 0 with 14 symbols per slot and parameter set μ=2 with 4 slots per subframe. The slot duration is 0.25 ms, the subcarrier spacing is 60 kHz, and the symbol duration is approximately 16.67 μs. Within a frame set, there may be one or more different bandwidth parts (BWPs) that are frequency-division multiplexed (see Figure 2B ). Each BWP can have a specific set of parameters.

[0095] A resource grid may be used to represent a frame structure. Each slot includes a resource block (RB) (also referred to as a physical RB (PRB)) extending over 12 consecutive subcarriers. The resource grid is divided into a plurality of resource elements (REs). The number of bits carried by each RE depends on the modulation scheme.

[0096] like Figure 2A As illustrated, some of the REs carry reference (pilot) signals (RS) for the UE. The RS may include a demodulation RS (DM-RS) for channel estimation at the UE (indicated as Rx for one particular configuration, where 100x is the port number, but other DM-RS configurations are possible) and a channel state information reference signal (CSI-RS). The RS may also include a beam measurement RS (BRS), a beam refinement RS (BRRS), and a phase tracking RS (PT-RS).

[0097] Figure 2B Examples of various DL channels within a subframe of a frame are illustrated. The physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) carries DCI within one or more control channel elements (CCEs), each CCE including nine RE groups (REGs), each REG including four consecutive REs in an OFDM symbol. The PDCCH within a BWP may be referred to as a control resource set (CORESET). Additional BWPs may be located at higher and / or lower frequencies on the channel bandwidth. The primary synchronization signal (PSS) may be within symbol 2 of a specific subframe of a frame. The PSS is used by UE 104 to determine subframe / symbol timing and physical layer identification. The secondary synchronization signal (SSS) may be within symbol 4 of a specific subframe of a frame. The SSS is used by the UE to determine the physical layer cell identification group number and radio frame timing. Based on the physical layer identification and the physical layer cell identification group number, the UE may determine the physical cell identifier (PCI). Based on the PCI, the UE may determine the position of the aforementioned DM-RS. The physical broadcast channel (PBCH) carrying the master information block (MIB) can be logically grouped with the PSS and SSS to form a synchronization signal (SS) / PBCH block (also referred to as an SS block (SSB)). The MIB provides the system frame number (SFN) and the number of RBs in the system bandwidth. The physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH) carries user data, broadcast system information not sent over the PBCH such as the system information block (SIB), and paging messages.

[0098] like Figure 2C As illustrated, some of the REs carry DM-RS (indicated as R for a particular configuration, but other DM-RS configurations are possible) for channel estimation at the base station. The UE may send the DM-RS of the physical uplink control channel (PUCCH) and the DM-RS of the physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH). The PUSCH DM-RS may be sent in the first or first two symbols of the PUSCH. Depending on whether a short PUCCH or a long PUCCH is sent and depending on the specific PUCCH format used, the PUCCH DM-RS may be sent in different configurations. The UE may send a sounding reference signal (SRS). The SRS may be sent in the last symbol of a subframe. The SRS may have a comb structure, and the UE may send the SRS on one of the teeth of the comb. The SRS may be used by the base station for channel quality estimation to achieve frequency-dependent scheduling of the UL.

[0099] Figure 2D Examples of various UL channels within a subframe of a frame are illustrated. The PUCCH may be located at a position as indicated in one configuration. The PUCCH carries uplink control information (UCI), such as scheduling requests, channel quality indicators (CQI), precoding matrix indicators (PMI), rank indicators (RI), and hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ) acknowledgement (ACK) / negative acknowledgement (NACK) feedback. The PUSCH carries data and may additionally be used to carry buffer status reports (BSRs), power headroom reports (PHRs), and / or UCI.

[0100] Figure 31 is a block diagram of a base station 102 in an access network communicating with a UE 104. In the DL, IP packets from the EPC 160 may be provided to the controller / processor 375. The controller / processor 375 implements layer 3 and layer 2 functions. Layer 3 includes a radio resource control (RRC) layer, and layer 2 includes a service data adaptation protocol (SDAP) layer, a packet data convergence protocol (PDCP) layer, a radio link control (RLC) layer, and a medium access control (MAC) layer. The controller / processor 375 provides RRC layer functions associated with broadcasting of system information (e.g., MIB, SIB), RRC connection control (e.g., RRC connection paging, RRC connection establishment, RRC connection modification, and RRC connection release), inter-radio access technology (RAT) mobility, and measurement configuration for UE measurement reporting; PDCP layer functions associated with header compression / decompression, security (encryption, decryption, integrity protection, integrity verification), and handover support functions; RLC layer functions associated with delivery of upper layer packet data units (PDUs), error correction through ARQ, concatenation, segmentation and reassembly of RLC service data units (SDUs), re-segmentation of RLC data PDUs, and reordering of RLC data PDUs; and MAC layer functions associated with mapping between logical channels and transport channels, multiplexing of MAC SDUs onto transport blocks (TBs), demultiplexing of MAC SDUs from TBs, scheduling information reporting, error correction through HARQ, priority handling, and logical channel prioritization.

[0101] The transmit (TX) processor 316 and the receive (RX) processor 370 implement layer 1 functions associated with various signal processing functions. Layer 1 (which includes the physical (PHY) layer) may include error detection on the transmission channel, forward error correction (FEC) decoding / decoding of the transmission channel, interleaving, rate matching, mapping to the physical channel, modulation / demodulation of the physical channel, and MIMO antenna processing. The TX processor 316 processes the mapping to the signal constellation based on various modulation schemes (e.g., binary phase shift keying (BPSK), quadrature phase shift keying (QPSK), M-order phase shift keying (M-PSK), M-order quadrature amplitude modulation (M-QAM)). The decoded and modulated symbols can then be split into parallel streams. Subsequently, each stream can be mapped to an OFDM subcarrier, multiplexed with a reference signal (e.g., a pilot) in the time domain and / or frequency domain, and then combined using an inverse fast Fourier transform (IFFT) to generate a physical channel carrying a time domain OFDM symbol stream. The OFDM stream is spatially pre-coded to generate multiple spatial streams. Channel estimates from a channel estimator 374 may be used to determine the coding and modulation schemes, as well as for spatial processing. Channel estimates may be derived from reference signals and / or channel condition feedback sent by the UE 104. Each spatial stream may then be provided to a different antenna 320 via a separate transmitter 318TX. Each transmitter 318TX may modulate an RF carrier with a corresponding spatial stream for transmission.

[0102] At the UE 104, each receiver 354RX receives a signal through its corresponding antenna 352. Each receiver 354RX recovers the information modulated onto the RF carrier and provides the information to a receive (RX) processor 356. The TX processor 368 and the RX processor 356 implement layer 1 functions associated with various signal processing functions. The RX processor 356 can perform spatial processing on the information to recover any spatial stream destined for the UE 104. If multiple spatial streams are destined for the UE 104, they can be combined into a single OFDM symbol stream by the RX processor 356. The RX processor 356 then converts the OFDM symbol stream from the time domain to the frequency domain using a fast Fourier transform (FFT). The frequency domain signal includes a separate OFDM symbol stream for each subcarrier of the OFDM signal. The symbols on each subcarrier and the reference signal are recovered and demodulated by determining the signal constellation point that is most likely to be sent by the base station 102. These soft decisions can be based on channel estimates calculated by the channel estimator 358. The soft decisions are then decoded and deinterleaved to recover the data and control signals originally sent on the physical channel by the base station 102. The data and control signals are then provided to the controller / processor 359, which implements layer 3 and layer 2 functions.

[0103] The controller / processor 359 may be associated with a memory 360 that stores program codes and data. The memory 360 may be referred to as a computer readable medium. In the UL, the controller / processor 359 provides demultiplexing between transport channels and logical channels, packet reassembly, decryption, header decompression, and control signal processing to recover IP packets from the EPC 160. The controller / processor 359 is also responsible for error detection using an ACK and / or NACK protocol to support HARQ operations.

[0104] Similar to the functions described in conjunction with DL transmission performed by the base station 102, the controller / processor 359 provides RRC layer functions associated with system information (e.g., MIB, SIB) acquisition, RRC connection, and measurement reporting; PDCP layer functions associated with header compression / decompression and security (encryption, decryption, integrity protection, integrity verification); RLC layer functions associated with transmission of upper layer PDUs, error correction through ARQ, concatenation, segmentation and reassembly of RLC SDUs, resegmentation of RLC data PDUs, and reordering of RLC data PDUs; and MAC layer functions associated with mapping between logical channels and transport channels, multiplexing of MAC SDUs onto TBs, demultiplexing of MAC SDUs from TBs, scheduling information reporting, error correction through HARQ, priority handling, and logical channel prioritization.

[0105] The TX processor 368 may use channel estimates derived by the channel estimator 358 from a reference signal or feedback transmitted by the base station 102 to select appropriate coding and modulation schemes and to facilitate spatial processing. The spatial streams generated by the TX processor 368 may be provided to different antennas 352 via corresponding transmitters 354TX. Each transmitter 354TX may modulate an RF carrier with a corresponding spatial stream for transmission.

[0106] UL transmissions are processed at the base station 102 in a manner similar to that described in conjunction with the receiver functionality at the UE 104. Each receiver 318RX receives a signal through its respective antenna 320. Each receiver 318RX recovers information modulated onto an RF carrier and provides the information to a RX processor 370.

[0107] The controller / processor 375 may be associated with a memory 376 that stores program codes and data. The memory 376 may be referred to as a computer readable medium. In the UL, the controller / processor 375 provides demultiplexing between transmit channels and logical channels, packet reassembly, decryption, header decompression, control signal processing to recover IP packets from the UE 104. The IP packets from the controller / processor 375 may be provided to the EPC 160. The controller / processor 375 is also responsible for error detection using ACK and / or NACK protocols to support HARQ operations.

[0108] Figure 4 An example monolithic (eg, disaggregated) architecture of a distributed RAN 400 is illustrated, which may be Figure 1 The distributed RAN 400 is implemented in the wireless communication system and access network 100 illustrated in FIG. As illustrated in the figure, the distributed RAN 400 includes a core network (CN) 402 and a base station 426.

[0109] CN 402 may host core network functions. CN 402 may be centrally deployed. CN 402 functions may be offloaded (e.g., to Advanced Wireless Services (AWS)) in an effort to handle peak capacity. CN 402 may include AMF 404 and UPF 406. AMF 404 and UPF 406 may perform one or more of the core network functions.

[0110] The base station 426 may communicate with the CN 402 (e.g., via a backhaul interface). The base station 426 may communicate with the AMF 404 via an N2 (e.g., NG-C) interface. The base station 426 may communicate with the UPF 406 via an N3 (e.g., NG-U) interface. The base station 426 may include a central unit control plane (CU-CP) 410, one or more central unit user planes (CU-UP) 412, one or more distributed units (DU) 414-418, and one or more radio units (RU) 420-424.

[0111] The CU-CP 410 may be connected to one or more of the DUs 414 to 418. The CU-CP 410 and the DUs 414 to 418 may be connected via an F1-C interface. Figure 4 As shown, CU-CP 410 can be connected to multiple DUs, but a DU can be connected to only one CU-CP. Figure 4Only one CU-UP 412 is illustrated, but the base station 426 may include multiple CU-UPs. The CU-CP 410 selects an appropriate CU-UP for the requested service (e.g., for the UE). The CU-UP 412 may be connected to the CU-CP 410. For example, the CU-UP 412 and the CU-CP 410 may be connected via an E1 interface. The CU-UP 412 may be connected to one or more of the DUs 414-418. The CU-UP 412 and the DUs 414-418 may be connected via an F1-U interface. Figure 4 As shown, the CU-CP 410 may be connected to a plurality of CU-UPs, but a CU-UP may be connected to only one CU-CP 410 .

[0112] A DU (such as DU 414, 416 and / or 418) may host one or more TRPs (transmit / receive points, which may include edge nodes (ENs), edge units (EUs), radio heads (RHs), smart radio heads (SRHs), etc.). A DU may be located at the edge of a network with radio frequency (RF) functionality. A DU may be connected to multiple CU-UPs, which are connected to (e.g., controlled by) the same CU-CP (e.g., for RAN sharing, radio as a service (RaaS), and service-specific deployments). A DU may be configured to provide services to a UE individually (e.g., dynamically selected) or jointly (e.g., jointly transmitted). Each DU 414-416 may be connected to one of the RUs 420 / 422 / 424.

[0113] The CU-CP 410 may be connected to multiple DUs that are connected to the same CU-UP 412 (e.g., under the control of the same CU-UP 412). Connectivity between the CU-UP 412 and the DUs may be established through the CU-CP 410. For example, the connectivity between the CU-UP 412 and the DUs may be established using a bearer context management function. Data forwarding between the CU-UPs 412 may be performed via an Xn-U interface.

[0114] The distributed RAN 400 may support fronthaul solutions across different deployment types. For example, the RAN 400 architecture may be based on the transmission network capabilities (e.g., bandwidth, latency, and / or jitter). The distributed RAN 400 may share features and / or components with LTE. For example, the base station 426 may support dual connectivity with NR and may share a common fronthaul for LTE and NR. The distributed RAN 400 may, for example, implement collaboration between and among DUs 414-418 via the CU-CP 412. Inter-DU interfaces may not be used. Logical functions may be dynamically distributed in the distributed RAN 400.

[0115] Figure 5 is a block diagram illustrating an example decomposed base station 500 architecture. The decomposed base station 500 architecture may include one or more CUs 510 that may communicate directly with a core network 520 via a backhaul link, or indirectly with a core network 520 through one or more decomposed base station units, such as a near real-time (RT) RIC 525 via an E2 link, or a non-RT RIC 515 associated with a service management and orchestration (SMO) framework 505, or both. The CU 510 may communicate with one or more DUs 530 via corresponding midhaul links, such as an F1 interface. The DU 530 may communicate with one or more RUs 540 via corresponding fronthaul links. The RU 540 may communicate with corresponding UEs 104 via one or more radio frequency (RF) access links. In some implementations, a UE 104 may be served simultaneously by multiple RUs 540.

[0116] Each of the units (i.e., CU 510, DU 530, RU 540, and near-RT RIC 525, non-RT RIC 515, and SMO framework 505) may include or be coupled to one or more interfaces configured to receive or send signals, data, or information (collectively referred to as signals) via a wired or wireless transmission medium. Each of the units or an associated processor or controller that provides instructions to the communication interface of these units may be configured to communicate with one or more of the other units via a transmission medium. For example, these units may include a wired interface configured to receive or send signals to one or more of the other units via a wired transmission medium. Additionally, these units may include a wireless interface that may include a receiver, a transmitter, or a transceiver (such as a radio frequency (RF) transceiver) that is configured to receive or send signals, or both, to one or more of the other units on a wireless transmission medium.

[0117] In some aspects, the CU 510 may host higher-layer control functions. Such control functions may include radio resource control (RRC), packet data convergence protocol (PDCP), service data adaptation protocol (SDAP), etc. Each control function may be implemented using an interface configured to communicate signals with other control functions hosted by the CU 510. The CU 510 may be configured to handle user plane functionality (i.e., central unit-user plane (CU-UP)), control plane functionality (i.e., central unit-control plane (CU-CP)), or a combination thereof. In some specific implementations, the CU 510 may be logically split into one or more CU-UP units and one or more CU-CP units. When implemented in an O-RAN configuration, the CU-UP unit may communicate bidirectionally with the CU-CP unit via an interface (such as an E1 interface). As needed, the CU 510 may be implemented to communicate with the DU 530 for network control and signaling.

[0118] DU 530 may correspond to a logical unit that includes one or more base station functions for controlling the operation of one or more RU 540. In some aspects, DU 530 may host one or more of a radio link control (RLC) layer, a medium access control (MAC) layer, and one or more high physical (PHY) layers (such as modules for forward error correction (FEC) encoding and decoding, scrambling, modulation and demodulation, etc.) at least in part according to functional splits such as those defined by the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP). In some aspects, DU 530 may further host one or more low PHY layers. Each layer (or module) may be implemented using an interface that is configured to communicate signals with other layers (and modules) hosted by DU 530 or with control functions hosted by CU 510.

[0119] The lower layer functions may be implemented by one or more RUs 540. In some deployments, the RU 540 controlled by the DU 530 may correspond to a logical node that hosts RF processing functions or low PHY layer functions (such as performing fast Fourier transform (FFT), inverse FFT (iFFT), digital beamforming, physical random access channel (PRACH) extraction and filtering, etc.), or both, based at least in part on functional splitting such as lower layer functional splitting. In such an architecture, the RU 540 may be implemented to handle over-the-air (OTA) communications with one or more UEs 104. In some specific implementations, real-time and non-real-time aspects of control plane and user plane communications with the RU 540 may be controlled by the corresponding DU 530. In some scenarios, this configuration may enable the DU 530 and the CU 510 to be implemented in a cloud-based RAN architecture such as a virtual RAN (vRAN) architecture.

[0120] The SMO framework 505 may be configured to support RAN deployment and configuration of non-virtualized network elements and virtualized network elements. For non-virtualized network elements, the SMO framework 505 may be configured to support the deployment of dedicated physical resources for RAN coverage requirements, which may be managed via an operation and maintenance interface (such as an O1 interface). For virtualized network elements, the SMO framework 505 may be configured to interact with a cloud computing platform (such as an open cloud (O-cloud) 590) to perform network element lifecycle management (such as instantiating virtualized network elements) via a cloud computing platform interface (such as an O2 interface). Such virtualized network elements may include, but are not limited to, CU 510, DU 530, RU 540, and near-RT RIC 525. In some specific implementations, the SMO framework 505 may communicate with hardware aspects of the 4G RAN such as an open eNB (O-eNB) 511 via the O1 interface. Additionally, in some specific implementations, the SMO framework 505 may communicate directly with one or more RUs 540 via the O1 interface. The SMO framework 505 may also include a non-RT RIC 515 configured to support the functionality of the SMO framework 505 .

[0121] The non-RT RIC 515 may be configured to include logic functions that enable non-real-time control and optimization of RAN elements and resources, artificial intelligence / machine learning (AI / ML) workflows including model training and updating, or policy-based guidance of applications / features in the near-RT RIC 525. The non-RT RIC 515 may be coupled to or in communication with the near-RT RIC 525 (such as via an A1 interface). The near-RT RIC 525 may be configured to include logic functions that enable near-real-time control and optimization of RAN elements and resources via data collection and actions through an interface (such as via an E2 interface) that connects one or more CUs 510, one or more DUs 530, or both, and the O-eNB with the near-RT RIC 525.

[0122] In some implementations, in order to generate an AI / ML model to be deployed in the near-RT RIC 525, the non-RT RIC 515 may receive parameters or external enrichment information from an external server. Such information may be utilized by the near-RT RIC 525 and may be received from a non-network data source or network function at the SMO framework 505 or the non-RT RIC 515. In some examples, the non-RT RIC 515 or the near-RT RIC 525 may be configured to tune RAN behavior or performance. For example, the non-RT RIC 515 may monitor long-term trends and patterns of performance and employ AI / ML models to perform corrective actions through the SMO framework 505 (such as via reconfiguration of O1) or via the creation of RAN management policies (such as A1 policies).

[0123] In some aspects of the disclosure, a wireless node may be configured for beamforming and / or multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) technology. Figure 6 An example of a wireless communication system 600 supporting MIMO is illustrated. In a MIMO system, a transmitter 602 includes multiple transmit antennas 604 (e.g., N transmit antennas), and a receiver 606 includes multiple receive antennas 608 (e.g., M receive antennas). Therefore, there are N×M signal paths 610 from the transmit antennas 604 to the receive antennas 608. Each of the transmitter 602 and the receiver 606 may be implemented, for example, within a network node 102, a UE 104, or any other suitable wireless communication device.

[0124] 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 resources. 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.

[0125] Beamforming may involve directional signal transmission or reception. For beamformed transmissions, the amplitude and phase of each antenna in the antenna array may be pre-coded or controlled to create a desired (e.g., directional) pattern of constructive and destructive interference in the wavefront. The number of data streams or layers corresponds to the rank of the transmission. In general, the rank of the MIMO system 600 is limited by the lower of the number of transmit antennas 604 or receive antennas 608.

[0126] In the simplest case, Figure 6 As shown, a rank 2 spatial multiplexing transmission on a 2x2 MIMO antenna configuration will transmit one data stream from each transmit antenna 604. Each data stream follows a different signal path 610 to each receive antenna 608. The receiver 606 can then use the received signal from each receive antenna 608 to reconstruct the data stream.

[0127] Example methods and techniques for transmitting configuration indicator (TCI) status communications

[0128] In certain aspects, beam management techniques may include artificial intelligence (AI) and / or machine learning (ML) features. In this case, one or more of the network node and the UE may measure signals sent from another device and provide measurements of those signals to the other device (e.g., something indicating those measurements). These measurements may be used to train an AI / ML model that is configured to predict future TCI states of transmitted signals (e.g., reference signals). An indication of the predicted TCI state may be sent to the network node or UE, and the network node or UE may perform beam measurements on the beam associated with the predicted TCI state before switching the TCI state to determine a preferred beam associated with the TCI state. In other words, by obtaining the predicted TCI state, the wireless node may perform beam measurements while concurrently communicating through the beam associated with the current TCI state. By performing measurements before switching the TCI state or being commanded to make such a switch, the wireless node is better prepared to switch to a new TCI state when a switching command is received, thereby improving communications.

[0129] In certain aspects, a wireless node (e.g., a network node or a UE) may predict a future TCI state and send an indication of the predicted TCI state to another wireless node. In some examples, the indication of the predicted TCI state may be sent via a medium access control-control element (MAC-CE) or any other suitable structure for wirelessly transmitting information. The TCI state may be associated with a particular semi-persistent or persistent reference signal. In some examples, the reference signal may include a channel state information reference signal (CSI-RS).

[0130] Figure 7 is an example of a first wireless node 704 (eg, Figure 1 The network node 102 or Figure 3 UE 104) and a second wireless node 702 (eg, Figure 1 and Figure 3 104 or network node 102).

[0131] Initially, the second wireless node 702 may send a capability request to the first wireless node 704 in an optional first communication 706. Here, the second wireless node 702 may request information regarding whether the first wireless node 704 is capable of receiving an indication of one or more predicted future TCI states and / or performing receive beam refinement operations using the future TCI states in response to the indication.

[0132] In an optional second communication 708, the first wireless node 704 may respond to the capability request with information configured to notify the second wireless node 702 of its ability to receive an indication of one or more predicted future TCI states and / or its ability to perform receive beam refinement operations using the future TCI states in response to the indication. In some examples, the first wireless node 704 may actively send the second communication 708 during link establishment or at any other suitable time (e.g., independently of whether the first wireless node has received the first communication 706). In some examples, one or more of the first communication 706 and the second communication 708 may be sent via a radio resource control (RRC) message.

[0133] In the third communication 710, the second wireless node 702 may optionally send configuration information to the first wireless node 704. The configuration information may include an indication of one or more MAC-CE formats (e.g., information carried by the MAC-CE), information about receive beam refinement operations to be performed by the first wireless node 704 (e.g., according to certainty / uncertainty levels, time windows and / or time instances, etc.), and an AI / ML model to be used by the first wireless node 704. The first communication 706, the second communication 708, and / or the third communication 710 may be performed via radio resource control (RRC) messaging.

[0134] At a fourth communication 712, the second wireless node 702 may transmit a first reference signal (RS) associated with a first transmit configuration indicator (TCI) state. The first reference signal may be transmitted via a first transmit beam. In some examples, the first reference signal may be a channel state indication RS (CSI-RS) signal having an associated TCI state provided in a semi-periodic (SP) CSI-RS resource set activation / deactivation MAC-CE (e.g., a first MAC-CE) as described in 3GPP 38.321. The SP CSI-RS resource set activation / deactivation MAC-CE may include an indicator of one or more CSI-RS resource set identifiers and an indication of at least one TCI state associated with each CSI-RS resource set in the one or more CSI-RS resource sets. The first wireless node 704 may receive a first CSI-RS associated with a first TCI state.

[0135] In some examples, one or more of the first wireless node 704 and the second wireless node 702 may be mobile, or if neither is mobile, there may be environmental aspects that affect communication throughput (e.g., car traffic, construction, etc., causing beam reflections or other interference between the first wireless node 704 and the second wireless node 702). Therefore, one or more of the first wireless node 704 and the second wireless node 702 may include an AI / ML model configured to predict future TCI states of CSI-RS resources based on previous signal measurements.

[0136] At the first process 714, the second wireless node 702 may use the AI / ML model to predict one or more future TCI states of the first CSI-RS. That is, the second wireless node 702 may predict the second TCI state of the first CSI-RS at a future time instance or within a future time window.

[0137] At a fifth communication 716, the second wireless node 704 may send an indication of one or more TCI states associated with the first RS at a future time to the first wireless node 704, wherein the one or more TCI states include a second TCI state. That is, the one or more TCI states may be a predicted TCI state of the first CSI-RS at a future time instance or time window. The indication of the one or more TCI states associated with the first RS may be sent via a second MAC-CE (e.g., as Figure 8 ), where the second MAC-CE is of a different format relative to the first MAC-CE.

[0138] The second MAC-CE may be configured to include an indication of one or more CSI-RS resources associated with one or more TCI states. In one example, the MAC-CE may indicate one or more CSI-RS resource set identifiers (e.g., an already activated CSI-RS resource set). It should be noted that a CSI-RS resource set includes one or more CSI-RS resources associated with a CSI-RS resource set. The MAC-CE may include one or more predicted future TCI states associated with the indicated CSI-RS resources.

[0139] Reference now Figure 8 , three block diagrams are shown that conceptually illustrate three example formats of a second MAC-CE for providing an indication of one or more TCI states associated with a first RS to a first wireless node 704. It should be noted that information associated with each of the three examples may be included in another of the three examples. In other words, the three examples are not limited to the illustrated information. The second MAC-CE may include information configured to indicate at least one CSI-RS via one or more of a CSI-RS resource set identifier (ID) and / or a CSI-RS resource ID. Similarly, the second MAC-CE may include an indication of one or more predicted future TCI states associated with each indicated CSI-RS resource set ID and / or CSI-RS resource ID.

[0140] In the first example 800, the MAC-CE 802 includes an indication of two CSI-RS resource sets (e.g., CSI-RS resource set #3 804 and CSI-RS resource set #5 806). It should be noted that two CSI-RS resource sets are shown for exemplary purposes, and the MAC-CE 802 may include any suitable number (including one or more) of CSI-RS resource sets. Each of the two CSI-RS resource sets may be indicated by any suitable identifier (e.g., NZP-CSI-RS-resource information element (IE)). CSI-RS resource set #3 804 includes four predicted future TCI states: TCI state 1, TCI state 3, TCI state 4, and TCI state 5. TCI state 1 and TCI state 3 may be mapped to CSI-RS resource #1, indicating that the second wireless node 702 has predicted that TCI state 1 or TCI state 3 will be the future TCI state of CSI-RS resource #1 of CSI-RS resource set #3 804. TCI state 3, TCI state 4, and TCI state 5 may be mapped to CSI-RS resource #2, indicating that the second wireless node 702 has predicted that TCI state 3, TCI state 4, or TCI state 5 will be the future TCI state for CSI-RS resource #2 of CSI-RS resource set #3 804. It should be noted that the number of TCI states associated with a CSI-RS resource may indicate a level of uncertainty. For example, if CSI-RS resource #2 has more TCI states associated with it than CSI-RS resource #1, this may indicate that the second wireless node 702 has less certainty in its prediction of the future TCI state for CSI-RS resource #2 relative to CSI-RS resource #1.

[0141] CSI-RS resource set #5 806 includes two CSI-RS resources (CSI-RS resource #4 and CSI-RS resource #7). CSI-RS resource set #5 806 includes the following three predicted future TCI states: TCI state 2, TCI state 6, and TCI state 9. TCI state 2 and TCI state 6 may be mapped to CSI-RS resource #4, indicating that the second wireless node 702 has predicted that TCI state 2 or TCI state 6 will be the future TCI state of CSI-RS resource #4 of CSI-RS resource set #5 806. TCI state 9 may be mapped to CSI-RS resource #7, indicating that the second wireless node 702 has predicted that TCI state 9 will be the future TCI state of CSI-RS resource #7 of CSI-RS resource set #5 806.

[0142] Thus, the first example 800 may include an indication of one or more CSI-RS resources associated with one or more predicted TCI states. The MAC-CE may indicate one or more CSI-RS resource set identifiers (e.g., CSI-RS resource sets that have been activated). A CSI-RS resource set may include one or more CSI-RS resources associated with a CSI-RS resource set. In order to reduce indication overhead, a CSI-RS resource may be identified according to an identifier provided by a serving cell (e.g., a second wireless node 702) or an identifier defined within a CSI-RS resource set. It should be noted that the CSI-RS resources indicated by the MAC-CE 802 may include all CSI-RS resources associated with each CSI-RS resource set or less than all CSI-RS resources. For example, if there is no predicted TCI state change in a particular CSI-RS resource, the particular CSI-RS resource may not be indicated in the corresponding resource set.

[0143] In a second example 810, the MAC-CE 812 may include a CSI-RS resource set identifier (e.g., CSI-RS resource set #3 814), but does not include CSI-RS resource identifiers associated with resources within the set. This example may be used when the predicted TCI state corresponds to all resources within the set. This may reduce the communication overhead associated with the CSI-RS resource identifier. In some examples, the MAC-CE may include a field indicating the format of the MAC-CE. For example, a first format of the MAC-CE may correspond to a MAC-CE format that includes a CSI-RS resource identifier (e.g., MAC-CE 802 format), while a second format may correspond to a MAC-CE format that does not include a CSI-RS resource identifier (e.g., MAC-CE 812 format). In another example, different MAC-CE formats may be used without a field indicating a format. The example MAC-CE 812 is illustrated as including a single CSI-RS resource set (e.g., CSI-RS resource set #3 814), but the MAC-CE 812 may include additional sets.

[0144] In a third example 820, the MAC-CE 822 may include a certainty / uncertainty level associated with one or more of the predicted future TCI states indicated in the same MAC-CE. In one example, the uncertainty level may be explicitly indicated as a probability associated with one or more predicted TCI states. The uncertainty level may be based on a predefined wireless standard, a probability determined by a network node (e.g., in Figure 7 The configuration determined and provided in the configuration information of the third communication 710) or in the UE capability report (for example, in Figure 7The MAC-CE 822 may include an indication of one or more of the CSI-RS resource sets 824 or CSI-RS resources.

[0145] In certain aspects, the first wireless node 704 may determine a receive beam refinement operation (eg, Figure 7 For example, the second wireless node 702 may utilize Figure 7 The first wireless node 704 may be configured based on a mapping between beam refinement operations and uncertainty levels in the third communication 710 of the wireless communication. For example, each uncertainty level may correspond to a specific beam refinement operation. In some examples, the mapping between beam refinement operations and uncertainty levels may be based on a wireless standard and / or based on a recommendation and / or capability report provided by the first wireless node 704 (e.g., Figure 7 capability information of the second communication 708) to configure.

[0146] The second wireless node 702 may determine an uncertainty level associated with the TCI state predicted by the second wireless node. The uncertainty level may control which transmit beams the first wireless node 704 should focus on when performing a receive beam refinement operation. For example, the MAC-CE may include a predicted TCI state and an uncertainty level (e.g., "L") associated with an SSB beam (e.g., SSB3), where the value of L corresponds to the range of transmit beams or the amount of transmit beams that the first wireless node 704 should focus on when performing a receive beam refinement operation. In one example, if L is greater than 20% and less than 50%, the first wireless node 704 may include SSB3 and additional transmit beams associated with other SSBs adjacent to SSB3 in the beam refinement operation (e.g., transmit beams associated with SSB1-SSB5). If L is less than 20% and greater than 5%, the first wireless node 704 may include SSB3 and additional transmit beams, but only additional transmit beams directly adjacent to SSB3 (e.g., transmit beams associated with SSB2 and SSB4). If L is less than 5%, the first wireless node 704 may focus only on SSB3. In other words, if L is less than 5%, the uncertainty level is relatively low (e.g., compared to L=50%), and therefore, the receive beam refinement operation does not require the first wireless node 704 to measure over a broad spectrum of different beams because the predicted TCI state is known with relatively high certainty. It should be noted that the uncertainty levels discussed above are examples, and any suitable values ​​and ranges may be used. In some examples, L may be provided in the MAC-CE as an integer or in any other suitable format.

[0147] In a second example, the second wireless node 702 may determine the shape (e.g., beam direction and / or beam width) of one or more transmission beams associated with its SSB, and include both the shape information and the uncertainty level in the MAC-CE that the second wireless node transmits to the first wireless node 704 in the fifth communication 716. For example, if the predicted TCI state included in the MAC-CE corresponds to a beam associated with SSB3, and the L value provided in the MAC-CE indicates a relatively high uncertainty level (e.g., 20% < L < 50%), then the first wireless node 704 may, based on the shape information, expand the number of transmission beams measured by the first wireless node during the receive beam refinement operation to up to four additional beams (e.g., transmission beams associated with SSB1 - SSB5), where SSB1, SSB2, SSB4, and SSB5 are the four beams that are spatially closest to SSB3. If the predicted TCI state included in the MAC-CE corresponds to a beam associated with SSB3, and the L value provided in the MAC-CE indicates a relatively medium uncertainty level (e.g., 5% < L < 20%), then the first wireless node 704 may, based on the shape information, expand the number of transmission beams measured by the first wireless node during the receive beam refinement operation to up to two additional beams (e.g., transmission beams associated with SSB2 - SSB4), where SSB2 and SSB4 are the two beams that are spatially closest to SSB3. If the predicted TCI state included in the MAC-CE corresponds to a beam associated with SSB3, and the L value provided in the MAC-CE indicates a relatively low uncertainty level (e.g., L < 5%), then the first wireless node 704 may not expand the number of transmission beams measured by the first wireless node during the receive beam refinement operation. Instead, based on the shape information, the beam refinement operation may focus on the beam associated with SSB3.

[0148] In a third example, the first wireless node 704 may use AI or ML to predict the receive beam to be used by the first wireless node 704 based on the received predicted TCI state. In some examples, the first wireless node 704 may have the ability to use multiple AI / ML models to predict the receive beam. The first wireless node 704 may provide an indication of the AI / ML model that the first wireless node can use to the second wireless node 702 in the capability information of the second communication 708. Therefore, in the MAC-CE of the fifth communication 716, the second wireless node 702 may provide: the predicted TCI state, the uncertainty level associated with the predicted TCI state, and an indication of a specific AI or ML model to be used by the wireless node to predict the receive beam associated with the predicted TCI state. In some examples, the AI / ML model may use the uncertainty level as input to determine the predicted receive beam. In some examples, the indication of the specific AI / ML may be an integer identifying a model number associated with the AI / ML model. It should be noted that in some examples, the MAC-CE may not include the uncertainty level, but only the model indication. Thus, the model indication may correspond to a particular uncertainty level.Thus, information mapping the model to the uncertainty level may be configured at the first wireless node 704 via the second wireless node 702 in configuration information of the third communication 710, or may be configured according to a wireless standard.

[0149] As discussed, the second wireless node 702 may also be configured to estimate a predicted time instance or time window indicating an estimated time at which the first wireless node 704 should apply one or more predicted TCI states to their respective CSI-RS resources (e.g., CSI-RS resources identified in a MAC-CE). For example, the second wireless node 702 may predict such a time during the first process 714. Thus, the MAC-CE sent in the fifth communication may carry the predicted TCI states and the predicted time instances or time windows associated with one or more of the predicted TCI states.

[0150] For example, each predicted TCI state may be associated with a specific CSI-RS resource. A future time instance or time window may also be included in the MAC-CE so that one or more predicted TCI states have a corresponding future time instance or time window. Here, the future time instance or time window is configured to indicate a prediction of when the corresponding TCI state is estimated to be updated. For example, a time instance may provide a specific time instance at which a TCI state update (e.g., a TCI state switching command sent in the sixth communication 720) is expected to occur in the future. Relative to the time window, the time instance may indicate a high degree of accuracy in the estimate. The time window may provide a time range within the window in which a TCI state update is estimated to occur. Relative to a wide time window, a narrow time window may indicate a high degree of accuracy in the estimate. Therefore, a time window or time instance may provide an estimate of the time when the TCI state of a specific CSI-RS is to be updated.

[0151] In some examples, the time window may be indicated by the MAC-CE via a predicted average value t1 (e.g., corresponding to a future time instance) and a standard deviation Δt associated with the predicted average value. In such an example, the first wireless node 704 receiving the MAC-CE may determine the time window as [t1-Δt, t1+Δt].

[0152] In some examples, the time window or time instance can be a predefined value (e.g., as provided by a wireless communication standard), and / or a value predefined by the second wireless node 702 and provided to the first wireless node 704 (e.g., in configuration information of the third communication 710). In one such example, the second wireless node 702 may provide multiple time windows and / or time instances, each of which is mapped to another value, such as an integer. Thus, one or more of the CSI-RS resources of the MAC-CE or the predicted TCI state sent by the second wireless node 702 may be mapped to one or more integer values ​​indicating a time window or time instance. Here, the first wireless node 704 may use the mapping to determine a time window or time instance corresponding to a particular TCI state.

[0153] The first wireless node 704 may utilize a time instance or a time window to modify or configure the receive beam refinement operations of the second process 718. For example, the first wireless node 704 may utilize a time window to perform beam refinement operations and may limit these operations (e.g., reduce the number of beams used and / or use wider beams) when the time window is narrow, or enhance these operations (e.g., include more beams and / or use narrower beams) when the time window is relatively wide. It should be noted that the first wireless node 704 may configure the beam refinement operations so that the operations are completed before the time window expires or before the time instance.

[0154] Re-reference Figure 7 , at the second process 718, the first wireless node 704 may use the predicted second TCI state to perform a receive beam adjustment operation based on the second TCI state. For example, the second TCI state may correspond to a specific SSB beam, and when the first CSI-RS is disassociated from the first TCI state and associated with the second TCI state, the first wireless node 704 may perform a beam refinement procedure to determine a receive beam for receiving the first CSI-RS.

[0155] At a sixth communication 720, the second wireless node 702 may send a TCI state switching command to the first wireless node 704. The TCI state switching command may be configured to command the first wireless node 704 to switch from a current TCI state of a CSI-RS resource to a predicted TCI state (e.g., a second TCI state) of the CSI-RS resource. At a seventh communication 722, the second wireless node 702 may send a CSI-RS resource associated with the second TCI state to the first wireless node 704.

[0156] Example methods and techniques for activating TCI states without prior deactivation

[0157] In certain aspects, the total number of active CSI-RS resources should not exceed the reporting capabilities of the wireless node. That is, in order to update the TCI state of a semi-persistent (SP-CSI-RS) resource set, the network may need to first deactivate the CSI-RS resource set via an SP-CSI-RS deactivation MAC-CE and then reactivate the CSI-RS resource set using an SP-CSI-RS activation MAC-CE carrying the updated TCI state. Currently, there is no definition of the future TCI state of the SP-CSI-RS resources and the wireless node must assume that the updated TCI state in the activation MAC-CE will take effect immediately.

[0158] As discussed, several problems may arise from this. First, the wireless node may not have time or sufficient time to effectively refine its receive beam before actually receiving the SP-CSI-RS resources on the beam associated with the updated TCI state. And second, if beam changes occur frequently, multiple MAC-CEs sent for deactivation and reactivation will contribute to excessive communication overhead.

[0159] Thus, in some aspects, the TCI state may be determined by a MAC-CE (e.g., as described above with reference to Figure 7 and Figure 8The wireless node may receive a MAC-CE from the network node indicating the same first CSI-RS resource and associating the same first CSI-RS resource with a second TCI state without first deactivating and then reactivating the first CSI-RS resource. Since the MAC-CE for activating the second TCI state may be any of the aforementioned MAC-CE formats and configurations discussed above, the MAC-CE may indicate a CSI-RS resource identifier or a CSI-RS resource set including one or more CSI-RS resource identifiers.

[0160] Fig. 9 is an example of a first wireless node 904 (e.g., Figure 1 and Figure 3 The network node 102 or UE 104) and the second wireless node 902 (eg, Figure 1 and Figure 3 104 or network node 102).

[0161] Initially, the second wireless node 902 may send a capability request to the first wireless node 904 in an optional first communication 906. Here, the second wireless node 902 may request information regarding whether the first wireless node 904 is capable of receiving an indication of one or more updated TCI states for an already active CSI-RS and applying the updated TCI state to the CSI-RS without first receiving a deactivation command to deactivate the CSI-RS and its corresponding current TCI state.

[0162] In an optional second communication 908, the first wireless node 904 may send an indication of its ability to receive an indication of one or more updated TCI states for an already active CSI-RS and apply the updated TCI state to the CSI-RS without first receiving a deactivation command to deactivate the CSI-RS and its corresponding current TCI state. The second communication 908 may be sent to the second wireless node 902 in response to the first communication 906, or the second communication may be sent independently of any such communication from the second wireless node 902.

[0163] In a third communication 910, the second wireless node 902 may optionally send configuration information to the first wireless node 904. The configuration information may include an indication of one or more MAC-CE formats (e.g., information carried by the MAC-CE) to be used to update the TCI state of the CSI-RS. The first communication 906, the second communication 908, and / or the third communication 910 may be performed via radio resource control (RRC) messaging.

[0164] Initially, the first wireless node 904 may receive a first CSI-RS transmission from the second wireless node 902, wherein the first CSI-RS is associated with a first TCI state. Thus, the first wireless node 904 may receive the first CSI-RS via a specific beam pair. For example, at the fourth transmission 912, the second wireless node 902 may transmit a first MAC-CE configured to associate the first CSI-RS resource with the first TCI state. Thus, the first CSI-RS and the first TCI state may have been configured at the first wireless node 904 via the first MAC-CE transmission from the second wireless node 902. Fig.10 An example format sent by the first MAC-CE is illustrated.

[0165] Fig.10 is a block diagram illustrating the format of an example MAC-CE 1000. The MAC-CE 1000 may include a plurality of fields including an activation / deactivation (A / D) field, a serving cell ID, a bandwidth part (BWP) ID, a reserved (R) field, an interference measurement (IM) field, one or more SP CSI-RS resource set IDs, and one or more TCI state IDs corresponding to the identified CSI-RS resources.

[0166] The A / D field may be configured to indicate whether a particular SP CSI-RS and / or CSI-IM resource identified in the MAC-CE 1000 (e.g., the "SP CSI-RS Resource Set ID" field) is activated or deactivated. The A / D field may be set to "1" to indicate activation, otherwise it indicates deactivation. As noted, the SP CSI-RS Resource Set ID field may include an index to the SPNZP CSI-RS resource set (e.g., NZP-CSI-RS-ResourceSet) to which the A / D field applies.

[0167] The TCI State ID field may include a TCI state (e.g., TCI-StateId) that may be used as a quasi co-located (QCL) source for CSI-RS resources within the CSI-RS resource set indicated by the SP CSI-RS resource set ID field. 0 The TCI state ID may correspond to the first CSI-RS resource in the set. 1 It may correspond to the second CSI-RS resource in the set, and so on.

[0168] Return to reference Fig. 9 , the second wireless node 902 may send a fifth communication 914 to the first wireless node 904, wherein the fifth communication 914 includes a second MAC-CE configured to associate the first CSI-RS with the second TCI state by replacing the first TCI state. Note that no intermediate MAC-CE (e.g., Fig.10 MAC-CE of the first wireless node 904). In contrast, the first wireless node 904 may regard the second MAC-CE as an implicit command to deactivate 916 one or more of the current first TCI states of the first CSI-RS and replace the one or more current first TCI states with the one or more second TCI states indicated in the second MAC-CE. Therefore, similar to the first MAC-CE, the second MAC-CE may also include an indication of a specific CSI-RS resource set and one or more second TCI states corresponding to one or more CSI-RS resources in the set.

[0169] In some examples, the second MAC-CE may be Fig.10 In another example, the second MAC-CE may include Figure 8 The format of one or more aspects of the first example 800 and the second example 810. That is, the second MAC-CE may indicate the TCI status of only the CSI-RS resource being updated. Fig.10In the example illustrated in , this can reduce the size of the second MAC-CE, because if the CSI-RS resource and the CSI-RS resource set have no corresponding TCI state change, the second MAC-CE can omit them. Therefore, it is possible that the second MAC-CE includes only a single CSI-RS resource indication and a single corresponding TCI state.

[0170] In some examples, the second MAC-CE may not include a time instance or time window associated with the updated TCI state. For example, the first wireless node 904 may update the TCI state of the CSI-RS at the next applicable opportunity associated with the CSI-RS resource (e.g., the time slot immediately following the time slot carrying the second MAC-CE). In some examples, the second MAC-CE may not include an uncertainty level associated with the updated TCI state. For example, the uncertainty level may be associated with the TCI state of the second MAC-CE that is considered to be 0% (e.g., 100% certain).

[0171] Fig.11 1100 is a flow chart of a wireless communication method. The method may be performed by an apparatus (e.g., Figure 1 and Figure 3 UE 104; or alternatively, Figure 1 and Figure 3 At 1102, the device may output an indication of the TCI state prediction capability of the device for transmission to a wireless node before obtaining an indication of the one or more TCI states. For example, 1102 may be performed by Fig.12 The apparatus 1202 of the present invention may be executed by the sending component 1240 of the apparatus 1202. Here, the apparatus may receive a request from another wireless device regarding whether the apparatus is capable of receiving an indication of one or more predicted future TCI states and / or performing a receive beam refinement operation using the future TCI state in response to the indication. The apparatus may respond to the capability request using information configured to notify another wireless device of its ability to receive an indication of one or more predicted future TCI states and / or perform a receive beam refinement operation using the future TCI state in response to the indication. In some examples, the apparatus may actively send the second communication during link establishment or at any other suitable time. In some examples, the indication of TCI state prediction capability may be sent via a radio resource control (RRC) message.

[0172] At 1104, the apparatus may obtain a first channel state information reference signal (CSI-RS) associated with a first transmission configuration indicator (TCI) state from another wireless device. For example, 1104 may be performed by Fig.12The receiving component 1242 of the device 1202 may be executed. Here, the device may receive a CSI-RS signal associated with a TCI state. The TCI state may provide QCL information indicating a first transmit beam for receiving a CSI-RS.

[0173] At 1106, the apparatus may obtain, from the wireless node, an indication of one or more TCI states associated with the first CSI-RS to obtain, wherein the one or more TCI states include a second TCI state. For example, 1106 may be performed by Fig.12 The receiving component 1242 of the device 1202 may be executed. Here, the device may receive an indication of one or more TCI states (e.g., a second TCI state) associated with the same CSI-RS signal, wherein the one or more TCI states are predicted TCI states at a future time.

[0174] At 1108, the device may perform beam adjustment based on the second TCI state to determine the beam. For example, 1108 may be performed by Fig.12 The device 1202 may be performed by the beam adjustment component 1244. Here, the device may perform a beam refinement operation to determine a beam pair for receiving a CSI-RS using a different beam determined based on the second TCI state.

[0175] At 1110, the apparatus may optionally modify beam adjustment execution based at least in part on the level of certainty. For example, 1110 may be performed by Fig.12 The beam adjustment modification component 1246 of the device 1202 is performed. Here, the indication of one or more TCI states may also include an indication of the level of certainty of each TCI state in the one or more TCI states predicted to define the first CSI-RS at a future time. Depending on the level of certainty or uncertainty, the device may modify the beam adjustment execution. For example, if the predicted TCI state has a high level of certainty (e.g., a low level of uncertainty), the device may focus the beam adjustment on a specific SSB beam. However, if the predicted TCI state has a low level of certainty (e.g., a high level of uncertainty), the device may focus the beam adjustment on multiple SSB beams (e.g., adjacent SSB beams). The number of SSB beams may increase as the level of certainty decreases.

[0176] At 1112, the device can optionally modify the quantity (e.g., amount or number) of beams measured by beam adjustment execution based at least in part on the certainty level. Fig.12 The beam adjustment modification component 1246 of the device 1202 of the embodiment of the present invention can be performed. Here, the certainty level can control how many transmit beams are measured during the beam adjustment procedure. The number of transmit beams can increase as the certainty level decreases.

[0177] At 1114, the apparatus may obtain a first CSI-RS via a beam. For example, 1114 may be performed by Fig.12 The receiving component 1242 of the device 1202 may be executed. Here, the device may receive the first CSI-RS via a beam determined by beam adjustment based on the predicted TCI state.

[0178] At 1116, the apparatus may optionally obtain a command for switching a TCI state association of a first CSI-RS from a first TCI state to a second TCI state, wherein beam adjustment is performed before obtaining the command. Fig.12 The receiving component 1242 of the device 1202 may be executed. Here, the device may receive a command for switching from a first TCI state to a predicted second TCI state.

[0179] In certain aspects, an indication of one or more TCI states is obtained via a medium access control element (MAC-CE).For example, the predicted TCI state may be sent to the device via a MAC-CE.

[0180] In certain aspects, the one or more TCI states also include a third TCI state associated with the first CSI-RS to be obtained at a future time.

[0181] In certain aspects, the indication of one or more TCI states also includes at least one of an identifier of a CSI-RS set including the first CSI-RS or an identifier of the first CSI-RS.

[0182] In certain aspects, the CSI-RS set also includes a second CSI-RS, and wherein a second TCI state is predicted at a future time to define either the first CSI-RS or the second CSI-RS.

[0183] In certain aspects, the indication of one or more TCI states also includes a prediction of a future time for obtaining a command for switching from a first TCI state to a second TCI state defining the first CSI-RS.

[0184] In certain aspects, the prediction of a future time is defined by a time instance or a time window, wherein the time instance is based on a predicted average time value, and wherein the time window is based on the predicted average time value and a standard deviation value associated with the predicted average time value.

[0185] In certain aspects, the duration of the performed beam adjustments is based at least in part on a prediction of a future time.

[0186] In certain aspects, the prediction for the future time indicates a level of certainty of one or more TCI states predicted to define the first CSI-RS at the future time.

[0187] In certain aspects, the indication of one or more TCI states also includes a prediction of a future time for each of the one or more TCI states predicted to define the first CSI-RS.

[0188] Fig.12 12 is a diagram 1200 illustrating an example of a hardware implementation for an apparatus 1202. The apparatus 1202 may be implemented as a UE or a network node (e.g., a base station or aspects of a base station). The apparatus 1202 includes a cellular baseband processor 1204 (also referred to as a modem) coupled to a cellular RF transceiver 1222 and one or more subscriber identity modules (SIM) cards 1220, an application processor 1206 coupled to a secure digital (SD) card 1208 and a screen 1210, a Bluetooth module 1212, a wireless local area network (WLAN) module 1214, a global positioning system (GPS) module 1216, and a power source 1218. The cellular baseband processor 1204 communicates with the UE 104 and / or BS 102 / 180 via the cellular RF transceiver 1222. The cellular baseband processor 1204 may include a computer-readable medium / memory. The computer-readable medium / memory may be non-transitory. The cellular baseband processor 1204 is responsible for general processing, including executing software stored on the computer-readable medium / memory. The software, when executed by the cellular baseband processor 1204, causes the cellular baseband processor 1204 to perform the various functions described above. The computer-readable medium / memory may also be used to store data manipulated by the cellular baseband processor 1204 when executing the software. The cellular baseband processor 1204 also includes a receiving component 1230, a communication manager 1232, and a sending component 1234. The communication manager 1232 includes one or more of the illustrated components. The components within the communication manager 1232 may be stored in a computer-readable medium / memory and / or configured as hardware within the cellular baseband processor 1204. The cellular baseband processor 1204 may be a component of the UE 104 and may include a memory 360 and / or at least one of a TX processor 368, an RX processor 356, and a controller / processor 359. In one configuration, the device 1202 may be a modem chip and include only the baseband processor 1204, and in another configuration, the device 1202 may be the entire UE (e.g., Figure 3 UE 104) or the entire base station (e.g., Figure 3 base station 102 / 180) and includes the aforementioned additional modules of device 1202.

[0189] The communication manager 1232 includes a sending component 1240 configured to output an indication of the TCI state prediction capability of the device for transmission to the wireless node before obtaining an indication of one or more TCI states, for example, as combined with Fig.11 As described in 1102.

[0190] The communication manager 1232 also includes a receiving component 1242 configured to obtain a first channel state information reference signal (CSI-RS) associated with a first transmit configuration indicator (TCI) state from a wireless node; obtain an indication of one or more TCI states associated with the first CSI-RS to be obtained from the wireless node, wherein the one or more TCI states include a second TCI state; obtain the first CSI-RS via a beam; obtain a command for switching the TCI state association of the first CSI-RS from the first TCI state to the second TCI state, wherein beam adjustment is performed before obtaining the command; for example, as combined with Fig.11 As described in 1104, 1106, 1114 and 1116.

[0191] The communication manager 1232 also includes a beam adjustment component 1244 configured to perform beam adjustment to determine a beam based on the second TCI state, for example, as combined with Fig.11 As described in 1108.

[0192] The communication manager 1232 also includes a beam adjustment modification component 1246 configured to modify the beam adjustment execution based at least in part on the certainty level; and modify the quantity (e.g., amount or number) of beams measured by the beam adjustment execution based at least in part on the certainty level, for example, as combined with Fig.11 As described in 1110 and 1112.

[0193] The device may include executing Fig.11 Each of the boxes in the algorithm in the preceding flowchart is an additional component. Therefore, Fig.11 Each block in the process / algorithm may be performed by a component, and the apparatus may include one or more of those components. These components may be one or more hardware components that are specifically configured to perform the process / algorithm, implemented by a processor configured to perform the process / algorithm, stored in a computer-readable medium for implementation by a processor, or some combination thereof.

[0194] In one configuration, the device 1202, and in particular the cellular baseband processor 1204, includes a component for outputting an indication of the TCI state prediction capability of the device for transmission to a wireless node before obtaining an indication of one or more TCI states; a component for obtaining a first channel state information reference signal (CSI-RS) associated with a first transmit configuration indicator (TCI) state from the wireless node; a component for obtaining an indication of one or more TCI states associated with the first CSI-RS to be obtained from the wireless node, wherein the one or more TCI states include a second TCI state; a component for performing beam adjustment to determine a beam based on the second TCI state; a component for modifying the beam adjustment execution based at least in part on a certainty level; a component for modifying an amount of the beam measured by the beam adjustment execution based at least in part on the certainty level; a component for obtaining a first CSI-RS via a beam; and a component for obtaining a command for switching the TCI state association of the first CSI-RS from a first TCI state to a second TCI state, wherein the beam adjustment is performed before obtaining the command.

[0195] The aforementioned means may be one or more of the aforementioned components of the apparatus 1202 configured to perform the functions recited by the aforementioned means. As described above, the apparatus 1202 may include a TX processor 368, an RX processor 356, and a controller / processor 359. Therefore, in one configuration, the aforementioned means may be a TX processor 368, an RX processor 356, and a controller / processor 359 configured to perform the functions recited by the aforementioned means.

[0196] Fig.13 1300 is a flow chart of a wireless communication method. The method may be performed by an apparatus (e.g., Figure 1 and Figure 3 At 1302, the UE may optionally output a first indication of a TCI state update capability of the apparatus for transmission to a wireless node before obtaining a second communication, wherein the TCI state update capability is configured to indicate that the apparatus is configured to replace a first set of TCI states without obtaining a command for deactivating the first set of TCI states. For example, 1302 may be performed by Fig.14 Here, the UE may provide to the network node an indication of the UE's ability to apply the updated TCI state to the active CSI-RS without first deactivating the CSI-RS.

[0197] At 1304, the UE may optionally obtain a second indication of the TCI state update capability of the wireless node from the wireless node, wherein the first indication is output for transmission in response to obtaining the second indication. Fig.14Here, the UE may receive a capability indication from the network node indicating that the network node is also capable of sending a TCI state update to the CSI-RS without first sending a deactivation command (e.g., MAC-CE) to the UE. In some examples, the capability indication from the network node may be received in response to the capability indication sent at 1302.

[0198] At 1306, the UE may obtain, from the wireless node, a first medium access control-control element (MAC-CE), the first medium access control-control element (MAC-CE) indicating a first set of channel state information reference signals (CSI-RSs) including one or more CSI-RSs and a first set of transmission configuration indicator (TCI) states including a TCI state corresponding to each of the one or more CSI-RSs. For example, 1306 may be obtained by Fig.14 Here, the network node may send an indication of a specific CSI-RS resource and a corresponding TCI state of the resource to the UE. The UE may use the indication to determine a beam for receiving the CSI-RS resource based on the TCI state.

[0199] At 1308, the UE may obtain, from the wireless node, a second MAC-CE indicating at least one CSI-RS of the one or more CSI-RSs in the first set of CSI-RSs and a second set of TCI states including an updated TCI state corresponding to the at least one CSI-RS indicated by the second MAC-CE, wherein the second set of TCI states is configured to replace the TCI state corresponding to the CSI-RS in the first set of CSI-RSs indicated by the first MAC-CE, and wherein the second MAC-CE is obtained independently of receiving a deactivation MAC-CE corresponding to the first set of CSI-RSs. For example, 1308 may be obtained by Fig.14 The receiving component 1442 of the embodiment may be executed. Here, the network node may send a second indication identifying the same CSI-RS resource and another associated TCI state. The TCI state may be different from the TCI state obtained at 1306. In this example, the network node does not send a command to deactivate the CSI-RS or the UE does not receive a command to deactivate the CSI-RS. Instead, the UE is configured to automatically update the TCI state received at 1306 using the TCI state received in the second indication.

[0200] At 1310, the UE may deactivate the first set of TCI states. For example, 1310 may be performed by Fig.14Here, the UE may replace the current TCI state with the updated TCI state received at 1308. In some examples, this includes deactivating the current TCI state of the active CSI-RS before replacing it with the updated TCI state.

[0201] At 1312, the UE may activate a second set of TCI states corresponding to one or more CSI-RSs in the first set of CSI-RSs. For example, 1312 may be performed by Fig.14 Here, the UE may replace the current TCI state with the updated TCI state by activating the updated TCI state of the CSI-RS after deactivating the current TCI state.

[0202] In certain aspects, the second MAC-CE indicates at least one CSI-RS of the one or more CSI-RS in the first set of CSI-RS via one or more of: a CSI-RS resource set identifier (ID) or a CSI-RS resource ID.

[0203] In certain aspects, the first MAC-CE is configured to activate a first set of CSI-RS at the apparatus.

[0204] In certain aspects, the second MAC-CE does not increase the amount of activated CSI-RS at the device.

[0205] In certain aspects, the second MAC-CE indicates each of the one or more CSI-RSs in the first set of CSI-RSs, and wherein the second set of TCI states includes an updated TCI state corresponding to each of the one or more CSI-RSs.

[0206] In certain aspects, the second MAC-CE indicates only the CSI-RS of the one or more CSI-RS having the corresponding updated TCI state.

[0207] Fig.141400 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware implementation for an apparatus 1402. The apparatus 1402 may be implemented as a UE. The apparatus 1402 includes a cellular baseband processor 1404 (also referred to as a modem) coupled to a cellular RF transceiver 1422 and one or more subscriber identity modules (SIM) cards 1420, an application processor 1406 coupled to a secure digital (SD) card 1408 and a screen 1410, a Bluetooth module 1412, a wireless local area network (WLAN) module 1414, a global positioning system (GPS) module 1416, and a power source 1418. The cellular baseband processor 1404 communicates with the UE 104 and / or the BS 102 / 180 via the cellular RF transceiver 1422. The cellular baseband processor 1404 may include a computer-readable medium / memory. The computer-readable medium / memory may be non-transitory. The cellular baseband processor 1404 is responsible for general processing, including executing software stored on the computer-readable medium / memory. The software, when executed by the cellular baseband processor 1404, causes the cellular baseband processor 1404 to perform the various functions described above. The computer-readable medium / memory may also be used to store data manipulated by the cellular baseband processor 1404 when executing the software. The cellular baseband processor 1404 also includes a receiving component 1430, a communication manager 1432, and a sending component 1434. The communication manager 1432 includes one or more of the illustrated components. The components within the communication manager 1432 may be stored in a computer-readable medium / memory and / or configured as hardware within the cellular baseband processor 1404. The cellular baseband processor 1404 may be a component of the UE 104 and may include a memory 360 and / or at least one of a TX processor 368, an RX processor 356, and a controller / processor 359. In one configuration, the device 1402 may be a modem chip and include only the baseband processor 1404, and in another configuration, the device 1402 may be the entire UE (e.g., Figure 3 UE 104) and includes the aforementioned additional modules of device 1402.

[0208] The communication manager 1432 includes a sending component 1440 configured to output a first indication of a TCI state update capability of the apparatus for transmission to the wireless node before obtaining the second communication, wherein the TCI state update capability is configured to indicate that the apparatus is configured to replace the first set of TCI states without obtaining a command for deactivating the first set of TCI states; for example, as in conjunction with Fig.13 1302 described.

[0209] The communication manager 1432 also includes a receiving component 1442 configured to obtain a second indication of a TCI state update capability of the wireless node from the wireless node, wherein the first indication is output for transmission in response to obtaining the second indication; obtain a first medium access control-control element (MAC-CE) from the wireless node, the first medium access control-control element (MAC-CE) indicating a first set of channel state information reference signals (CSI-RS) including one or more CSI-RSs and a first set of TCI states including a transmission configuration indicator (TCI) state corresponding to each of the one or more CSI-RSs; and obtain from the wireless node A second MAC-CE indicating at least one CSI-RS of one or more CSI-RSs in a first set of CSI-RSs and a second set of TCI states including an updated TCI state corresponding to the at least one CSI-RS indicated by the second MAC-CE, wherein the second set of TCI states is configured to replace the TCI state corresponding to the CSI-RS in the first set of CSI-RSs indicated by the first MAC-CE, and wherein the second MAC-CE is obtained independently of receiving a deactivation MAC-CE corresponding to the first set of CSI-RSs; for example, as described in combination with 1304, 1306 and 1308.

[0210] The communication manager 1432 also includes a deactivation component 1444, which is configured to deactivate the first set of TCI states; for example, as combined with Fig.13 1310 as described.

[0211] The communication manager 1432 also includes an activation component 1446 configured to activate a second set of TCI states corresponding to one or more CSI-RS in the first set of CSI-RSs; for example, as combined with Fig.13 1312 described.

[0212] The device may include executing Fig.13 Each of the boxes in the algorithm in the preceding flowchart is an additional component. Therefore, Fig.13 Each block in the process / algorithm may be performed by a component, and the apparatus may include one or more of those components. These components may be one or more hardware components that are specifically configured to perform the process / algorithm, implemented by a processor configured to perform the process / algorithm, stored in a computer-readable medium for implementation by a processor, or some combination thereof.

[0213] In one configuration, the apparatus 1402, and in particular the baseband unit 1404, includes: a component for outputting a first indication of a TCI state update capability of the apparatus for transmission to a wireless node before obtaining a second communication, wherein the TCI state update capability is configured to indicate that the apparatus is configured to replace a first set of TCI states without obtaining a command for deactivating the first set of TCI states; a component for obtaining a second indication of the TCI state update capability of the wireless node from the wireless node, wherein the first indication is output for transmission in response to obtaining the second indication; a component for obtaining a first medium access control-control element (MAC-CE) from the wireless node, the first medium access control-control element (MAC-CE) indicating a first set of channel state information reference signals (CSI-RS) including one or more CSI-RS and a first set of CSI-RS corresponding to each of the one or more CSI-RSs. A first set of TCI states for sending a configuration indicator (TCI) state; a component for obtaining a second MAC-CE from a wireless node, the second MAC-CE indicating at least one CSI-RS of one or more CSI-RSs in the first set of CSI-RSs and a second set of TCI states including an updated TCI state corresponding to the at least one CSI-RS indicated by the second MAC-CE, wherein the second set of TCI states is configured to replace the TCI state corresponding to the CSI-RS in the first set of CSI-RSs indicated by the first MAC-CE, and wherein the second MAC-CE is obtained independently of receiving a deactivation MAC-CE corresponding to the first set of CSI-RSs; a component for deactivating the first set of TCI states; and a component for activating the second set of TCI states corresponding to the one or more CSI-RSs in the first set of CSI-RSs.

[0214] The aforementioned means may be one or more of the aforementioned components of the apparatus 1402 configured to perform the functions recited by the aforementioned means. As described above, the apparatus 1402 may include the TX processor 316, the RX processor 370, and the controller / processor 375. Therefore, in one configuration, the aforementioned means may be the TX processor 316, the RX processor 370, and the controller / processor 375 configured to perform the functions recited by the aforementioned means.

[0215] Fig.15 1500 is a flow chart of a wireless communication method. The method may be performed by an apparatus (e.g., Figure 1 and Figure 3 UE 104; or alternatively, Figure 1 and Figure 3At 1502, the apparatus may output a first channel state information reference signal (CSI-RS) associated with a first transmission configuration indicator (TCI) state for transmission to a wireless node. For example, 1502 may be performed by Fig.16 The method may be performed by the transmitting component 1640 of the device 1602. Here, the device may receive a CSI-RS signal associated with a TCI state. The TCI state may provide QCL information indicating a first transmit beam for receiving the CSI-RS.

[0216] At 1504, the apparatus may output an indication of one or more TCI states associated with a first CSI-RS to be obtained for transmission to a wireless node, wherein the one or more TCI states include a second TCI state associated with the first CSI-RS. For example, 1504 may be performed by Fig.16 The device 1602 may be executed by the sending component 1640 of the device 1602. Here, the device may send an indication of one or more TCI states (e.g., a second TCI state) associated with the same CSI-RS signal, wherein the one or more TCI states are predicted TCI states at a future time.

[0217] At 1506, the apparatus may output a first CSI-RS for transmission to a wireless node via a beam associated with a second TCI state. For example, 1506 may be performed by Fig.16 The transmitting component 1640 of the device 1602 may be executed. Here, the device may transmit a CSI-RS, wherein the CSI-RS is now associated with the predicted TCI state. In other words, the CSI-RS may now be transmitted through a different transmit beam.

[0218] Fig.161600 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware implementation for an apparatus 1602. The apparatus 1602 may be implemented as a UE or a network node (e.g., a base station or aspects of a base station). The apparatus 1602 includes a cellular baseband processor 1604 (also referred to as a modem) coupled to a cellular RF transceiver 1622 and one or more subscriber identity modules (SIM) cards 1620, an application processor 1606 coupled to a secure digital (SD) card 1608 and a screen 1610, a Bluetooth module 1612, a wireless local area network (WLAN) module 1614, a global positioning system (GPS) module 1616, and a power source 1618. The cellular baseband processor 1604 communicates with the UE 104 and / or BS 102 / 180 via the cellular RF transceiver 1622. The cellular baseband processor 1604 may include a computer-readable medium / memory. The computer-readable medium / memory may be non-transitory. The cellular baseband processor 1604 is responsible for general processing, including executing software stored on the computer-readable medium / memory. The software, when executed by the cellular baseband processor 1604, causes the cellular baseband processor 1604 to perform the various functions described above. The computer-readable medium / memory may also be used to store data manipulated by the cellular baseband processor 1604 when executing the software. The cellular baseband processor 1604 also includes a receiving component 1630, a communication manager 1632, and a sending component 1634. The communication manager 1632 includes one or more of the illustrated components. The components within the communication manager 1632 may be stored in a computer-readable medium / memory and / or configured as hardware within the cellular baseband processor 1604. The cellular baseband processor 1604 may be a component of the UE 104 and may include a memory 360 and / or at least one of a TX processor 368, an RX processor 356, and a controller / processor 359. In one configuration, the device 1602 may be a modem chip and include only the baseband processor 1604, and in another configuration, the device 1602 may be the entire UE (e.g., Figure 3 UE 104) or the entire base station (e.g., Figure 3 base station 102 / 180) and includes the aforementioned additional modules of device 1602.

[0219] The communication manager 1632 includes a transmission component 1640 configured to output a first channel state information reference signal (CSI-RS) associated with a first transmission configuration indicator (TCI) state for transmission to a wireless node; output an indication of one or more TCI states associated with the first CSI-RS to be obtained for transmission to the wireless node, wherein the one or more TCI states include a second TCI state associated with the first CSI-RS; and output the first CSI-RS for transmission to the wireless node via a beam associated with the second TCI state; for example, as combined with Fig.15 As described in 1502, 1504 and 1506.

[0220] The device may include executing Fig.15 Each of the boxes in the algorithm in the preceding flowchart is an additional component. Therefore, Fig.15 Each block in the process / algorithm may be performed by a component, and the apparatus may include one or more of those components. These components may be one or more hardware components that are specifically configured to perform the process / algorithm, implemented by a processor configured to perform the process / algorithm, stored in a computer-readable medium for implementation by a processor, or some combination thereof.

[0221] In one configuration, the device 1602, and in particular the cellular baseband processor 1604, includes: a component for outputting a first channel state information reference signal (CSI-RS) associated with a first transmission configuration indicator (TCI) state for transmission to a wireless node; a component for outputting an indication of one or more TCI states associated with the first CSI-RS to be obtained for transmission to the wireless node, wherein the one or more TCI states include a second TCI state associated with the first CSI-RS; and a component for outputting the first CSI-RS for transmission to the wireless node via a beam associated with the second TCI state.

[0222] The aforementioned means may be one or more of the aforementioned components of the apparatus 1602 configured to perform the functions recited by the aforementioned means. As described above, the apparatus 1602 may include the TX processor 368, the RX processor 356, and the controller / processor 359. Therefore, in one configuration, the aforementioned means may be the TX processor 368, the RX processor 356, and the controller / processor 359 configured to perform the functions recited by the aforementioned means.

[0223] Fig.171700 is a flowchart of a wireless communication method. The method may be performed by a base station or a network node (e.g., base station 102 / 180; device 1802). At 1702, the base station may output a first medium access control-control element (MAC-CE) for transmission to a wireless node, the first medium access control-control element (MAC-CE) indicating a first set of channel state information reference signals (CSI-RS) including one or more CSI-RS and a first set of transmission configuration indicator (TCI) states corresponding to each of the one or more CSI-RSs. For example, 1702 may be performed by a transmitting component 1840. Here, the base station may send an indication of a specific CSI-RS resource and a corresponding TCI state of the resource to the UE. The UE may use the indication to determine a beam for receiving the CSI-RS resource based on the TCI state.

[0224] At 1704, the base station may output a second MAC-CE for transmission to the wireless node, the second MAC-CE indicating at least one CSI-RS of one or more CSI-RSs in the first set of CSI-RSs and a second set of TCI states including an updated TCI state corresponding to the at least one CSI-RS indicated by the second MAC-CE, wherein the second set of TCI states is configured to replace the TCI state corresponding to the CSI-RS in the first set of CSI-RSs indicated by the first MAC-CE, and wherein the second MAC-CE is obtained independently of receiving a deactivation MAC-CE corresponding to the first set of CSI-RSs. For example, 1704 may be performed by the transmission component 1840. Here, the network node may send a second indication identifying the same CSI-RS resource and another associated TCI state. The TCI state may be different from the TCI state obtained at 1306. In this example, the network node does not send a command to deactivate the CSI-RS or the UE does not receive a command to deactivate the CSI-RS. Instead, the UE is configured to automatically update the TCI state received at 1306 using the TCI state received in the second indication.

[0225] Fig.181800 is an example of a hardware implementation for an apparatus 1802. The apparatus 1802 is a BS and includes a baseband unit 1804. The baseband unit 1804 can communicate with the UE 104 via a cellular RF transceiver. The baseband unit 1804 may include a computer-readable medium / memory. The baseband unit 1804 is responsible for general processing, including executing software stored on the computer-readable medium / memory. The software, when executed by the baseband unit 1804, causes the baseband unit 1804 to perform the various functions described above. The computer-readable medium / memory can also be used to store data manipulated by the baseband unit 1804 when executing the software. The baseband unit 1804 also includes a receiving component 1830, a communication manager 1832, and a sending component 1834. The communication manager 1832 includes one or more of the illustrated components. The components within the communication manager 1832 may be stored in a computer-readable medium / memory and / or configured as hardware within the baseband unit 1804. The baseband unit 1804 may be a component of the BS 102 / 180 and may include the memory 376 , and / or at least one of the TX processor 316 , the RX processor 370 , and the controller / processor 375 .

[0226] The communication manager 1832 includes a transmission component 1840 configured to output a first medium access control-control element (MAC-CE) for transmission to a wireless node, the first medium access control-control element (MAC-CE) indicating a first set of channel state information reference signals (CSI-RSs) including one or more CSI-RSs and a first set of transmission configuration indicator (TCI) states including a TCI state corresponding to each of the one or more CSI-RSs; and output a second MAC-CE for transmission to the wireless node, the second MAC-CE indicating at least one CSI-RS of the one or more CSI-RSs in the first set of CSI-RSs and a second set of TCI states including an updated TCI state corresponding to the at least one CSI-RS indicated by the second MAC-CE, wherein the second set of TCI states is configured to replace the TCI state corresponding to the CSI-RS in the first set of CSI-RSs indicated by the first MAC-CE, and wherein the second MAC-CE is obtained independently of receiving a deactivation MAC-CE corresponding to the first set of CSI-RSs; for example, as in combination with Fig.17 As described in 1702 and 1704.

[0227] The device may include executing Fig.17 Each of the boxes in the algorithm in the preceding flowchart is an additional component. Therefore, Fig.17Each block in the process / algorithm may be performed by a component, and the apparatus may include one or more of those components. These components may be one or more hardware components that are specifically configured to perform the process / algorithm, implemented by a processor configured to perform the process / algorithm, stored in a computer-readable medium for implementation by a processor, or some combination thereof.

[0228] In one configuration, the apparatus 1802, and in particular the baseband unit 1804, includes: means for outputting a first medium access control-control element (MAC-CE) for transmission to a wireless node, the first medium access control-control element (MAC-CE) indicating a first set of channel state information reference signals (CSI-RSs) including one or more CSI-RSs and a first set of transmission configuration indicator (TCI) states including a TCI state corresponding to each of the one or more CSI-RSs; and means for outputting a second MAC-CE for transmission to the wireless node, the second MAC-CE indicating at least one CSI-RS of the one or more CSI-RSs in the first set of CSI-RSs and a second set of TCI states including an updated TCI state corresponding to the at least one CSI-RS indicated by the second MAC-CE, wherein the second set of TCI states is configured to replace the TCI state corresponding to the CSI-RS in the first set of CSI-RSs indicated by the first MAC-CE, and wherein the second MAC-CE is obtained independently of receiving a deactivation MAC-CE corresponding to the first set of CSI-RSs.

[0229] The aforementioned means may be one or more of the aforementioned components of the apparatus 1802 configured to perform the functions recited by the aforementioned means. As described above, the apparatus 1802 may include the TX processor 316, the RX processor 370, and the controller / processor 375. Therefore, in one configuration, the aforementioned means may be the TX processor 316, the RX processor 370, and the controller / processor 375 configured to perform the functions recited by the aforementioned means.

[0230] Additional considerations

[0231] It should be understood that the specific order or hierarchy of the blocks in the disclosed process / flowchart is merely an illustration of the exemplary method. It should be understood that the specific order or hierarchy of the blocks in the process / flowchart can be rearranged based on design preferences. Further, some blocks can be combined or omitted. The attached method claims provide the elements of each block in a sample order, but are not meant to be limited to the specific order or hierarchy provided.

[0232] 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 can be applied to other aspects. Therefore, the claims are not intended to be limited to the aspects shown herein, but to conform to the full scope consistent with the language claims, wherein the elements mentioned in the singular are not intended to represent "one and only one", unless specifically so stated, but "one or more". Terms such as "if", "when ......" and "while ......" should be interpreted as "under the conditions of ......", rather than meaning an instantaneous time relationship or reaction. That is, these phrases, such as "when ......", do not mean instantaneous actions in response to the occurrence of an action or during the occurrence of an action, but simply imply that if the conditions are met, then the action will occur, but no specific or instantaneous time limit for the occurrence of the action is required. The word "exemplary" is used herein to mean "used as an example, instance, or illustration". Any aspect described as "exemplary" herein is not necessarily interpreted as being preferred or having advantages over other aspects. Unless otherwise specified, the term "some" refers to one or more. Combinations such as “at least one of A, B, or C,” “one or more of A, B, or C,” “at least one of A, B and C,” “one or more of A, B, and C,” and “A, B, C, or any combination thereof” include any combination of A, B, and / or C, and may include multiple A, multiple B, or multiple C. Specifically, combinations such as “at least one of A, B, or C,” “one or more of A, B, or C,” “at least one of A, B, and C,” “one or more of A, B, and C,” and “A, B, C, or any combination thereof” may be only A, only B, only C, A and B, A and C, B and C, or A and B and C, where any such combination may include one or more members of A, B, or C. All structural and functional equivalents to the elements of the various aspects described throughout the disclosure that are known or later become known to those of ordinary skill in the art are expressly incorporated herein by reference and are intended to be encompassed by the claims. Furthermore, nothing disclosed herein is intended to be dedicated to the public, regardless of whether such disclosure is explicitly recited in the claims. Words such as "module," "mechanism," "element," "device," etc. cannot replace the word "component." Therefore, no claim element will be construed as a component plus function unless the element is explicitly stated using the phrase "component for..."

[0233] Example aspects

[0234] The following examples are merely illustrative and may be combined with aspects of other embodiments or teachings described herein, but are not limited thereto.

[0235] Embodiment 1 is a method for performing wireless communications at a first wireless node, the method comprising: obtaining a first channel state information reference signal (CSI-RS) associated with a first transmission configuration indicator (TCI) state from a second wireless node; obtaining an indication of one or more TCI states associated with the first CSI-RS to be obtained from the second wireless node, wherein the one or more TCI states include a second TCI state; performing beam adjustment based on the second TCI state to determine a beam; and obtaining the first CSI-RS via the beam.

[0236] Embodiment 2 is an embodiment according to method 1, wherein the indication of one or more TCI states is obtained via a medium access control-control element (MAC-CE).

[0237] Embodiment 3 is a method according to any one of Embodiments 1 and 2, and the method further includes: before obtaining the indication of the one or more TCI states, outputting an indication of the TCI state prediction capability of the first wireless node for sending to the second wireless node.

[0238] Embodiment 4 is a method according to any one of embodiments 1 to 3, wherein the one or more TCI states further include a third TCI state associated with the first CSI-RS to be obtained at a future time.

[0239] Embodiment 5 is a method according to any one of embodiments 1 to 4, the method further comprising: obtaining a command for switching the TCI state association of the first CSI-RS from the first TCI state to the second TCI state, wherein the beam adjustment is performed before obtaining the command.

[0240] Embodiment 6 is a method according to any one of embodiments 1 to 5, wherein the indication of one or more TCI states also includes at least one of an identifier of a CSI-RS set including the first CSI-RS or an identifier of the first CSI-RS.

[0241] Embodiment 7 is a method according to embodiment 6, wherein the CSI-RS set further includes a second CSI-RS, and wherein the second TCI state is associated with either the first CSI-RS or the second CSI-RS to be obtained.

[0242] Embodiment 8 is a method according to any one of embodiments 1 to 7, wherein the indication of one or more TCI states also includes a prediction of a future time for obtaining a command for switching from the first TCI state to the second TCI state associated with the first CSI-RS.

[0243] Embodiment 9 is a method according to embodiment 8, wherein the prediction of the future time is defined by a time instance or a time window, wherein the time instance is based on the predicted average time value, and wherein the time window is based on the predicted average time value and a standard deviation value associated with the predicted average time value.

[0244] Embodiment 10 is a method according to any one of embodiments 8 and 9, wherein the duration of the performed beam adjustment is based at least in part on the prediction of the future time.

[0245] Embodiment 11 is a method according to any one of embodiments 8 to 10, wherein the prediction of the future time indicates a certainty level of the one or more TCI states predicted to be associated with the first CSI-RS at the future time.

[0246] Embodiment 12 is a method according to any one of embodiments 1 to 11, wherein the indication of one or more TCI states also includes a prediction of a future time for each of the one or more TCI states predicted to be associated with the first CSI-RS.

[0247] Embodiment 13 is a method according to any one of embodiments 1 to 12, wherein the indication of one or more TCI states also includes an indication of a certainty level for each of the one or more TCI states associated with the first CSI-RS to be obtained, and wherein the method also includes: modifying the beam adjustment execution at least in part based on the certainty level.

[0248] Embodiment 14 is a method according to embodiment 13, the method further comprising: modifying an amount of the beam measured by the beam adjustment performance based at least in part on the certainty level.

[0249] Embodiment 15 is a method according to any one of embodiments 13 and 14, the method also comprising: outputting at least one of a confirmation or an indication of the modification performed on the beam adjustment for transmission to the second wireless node.

[0250] Embodiment 16 is a method for performing wireless communications at a user equipment (UE), the method comprising: obtaining a first medium access control-control element (MAC-CE) from a network node, the first medium access control-control element (MAC-CE) indicating a first set of channel state information reference signals (CSI-RSs) including one or more CSI-RSs and a first set of transmission configuration indicator (TCI) states including a TCI state corresponding to each of the one or more CSI-RSs; and obtaining a second MAC-CE from the network node, the second MAC-CE indicating at least one of the one or more CSI-RSs in the first set of CSI-RSs and a second set of TCI states including an updated TCI state corresponding to the at least one CSI-RS indicated by the second MAC-CE, wherein the second set of TCI states is configured to replace the TCI state corresponding to the CSI-RS in the first set of CSI-RSs indicated by the first MAC-CE, and wherein the second MAC-CE is obtained independently of receiving a deactivation MAC-CE corresponding to the first set of CSI-RSs.

[0251] Embodiment 17 is a method according to embodiment 16, wherein the second MAC-CE indicates at least one CSI-RS among the one or more CSI-RS in the first set of CSI-RS via one or more of the following: a CSI-RS resource set identifier (ID) or a CSI-RS resource ID.

[0252] Embodiment 18 is a method according to any one of Embodiments 16 and 17, the method further comprising: deactivating the first set of TCI states; and activating the second set of TCI states corresponding to one or more CSI-RS in the first set of CSI-RS.

[0253] Embodiment 19 is a method according to any one of embodiments 16 to 18, wherein the first MAC-CE is configured to activate the first set of CSI-RS at the device.

[0254] Embodiment 20 is the method of embodiment 19, wherein the second MAC-CE does not increase the amount of activated CSI-RS at the device.

[0255] Embodiment 21 is a method according to any one of embodiments 16 to 20, wherein the second MAC-CE indicates each CSI-RS of the one or more CSI-RSs in the first set of CSI-RSs, and wherein the second set of TCI states includes the updated TCI state corresponding to each CSI-RS of the one or more CSI-RSs.

[0256] Embodiment 22 is a method according to any one of embodiments 16 to 21, wherein the second MAC-CE indicates only the CSI-RS with the corresponding updated TCI state among the one or more CSI-RSs.

[0257] Embodiment 23 is a method according to any one of Embodiments 16 to 22, the method further comprising: outputting a first indication of the TCI state update capability of the device for sending to the wireless node before obtaining the second communication, wherein the TCI state update capability is configured to indicate that the device is configured to replace the first set of TCI states without obtaining a command for deactivating the first set of TCI states.

[0258] Embodiment 24 is a method according to embodiment 23, the method further comprising: obtaining a second indication of the TCI status update capability of the network node from the network node, wherein the first indication is output for sending in response to obtaining the second indication.

[0259] Embodiment 25 is a method for performing wireless communications at a user equipment (UE), the method comprising: outputting a first channel state information reference signal (CSI-RS) associated with a first transmit configuration indicator (TCI) state for sending to a network node; outputting an indication of one or more TCI states associated with the first CSI-RS to be obtained for sending to the network node, wherein the one or more TCI states include a second TCI state associated with the first CSI-RS; and outputting the first CSI-RS via a beam associated with the second TCI state for sending to the second wireless node.

[0260] Embodiment 26 is a method for performing wireless communications at a network node, the method comprising: outputting a first medium access control-control element (MAC-CE) for sending to a user equipment (UE), the first medium access control-control element (MAC-CE) indicating a first set of channel state information reference signals (CSI-RS) including one or more CSI-RSs and a first set of transmission configuration indicator (TCI) states including a TCI state corresponding to each of the one or more CSI-RSs; and outputting a second MAC-CE for sending to the UE, the second MAC-CE indicating at least one of the one or more CSI-RSs in the first set of CSI-RSs and a second set of TCI states including an updated TCI state corresponding to the at least one CSI-RS indicated by the second MAC-CE, wherein the second set of TCI states is configured to replace the TCI state corresponding to the CSI-RS in the first set of CSI-RSs indicated by the first MAC-CE, and wherein the second MAC-CE is obtained independently of receiving a deactivation MAC-CE corresponding to the first set of CSI-RSs.

[0261] Embodiment 27 is a user equipment (UE), the user equipment (UE) comprising: a transceiver; a memory comprising instructions; and one or more processors, the one or more processors being configured to execute the instructions so that the UE performs a method according to any one of embodiments 1 to 15, wherein the transceiver is configured to: receive the first CSI-RS from a network node; receive the indication of one or more TCI states from the network node; and receive the first CSI-RS from the network node via the beam.

[0262] Embodiment 28 is a base station, comprising: a transceiver; a memory, the memory comprising instructions; and one or more processors, the one or more processors being configured to execute the instructions to cause the network node to perform a method according to any one of embodiments 1 to 15, wherein the transceiver is configured to: receive the first CSI-RS from the UE; receive the indication of one or more TCI states from the UE; and receive the first CSI-RS from the UE via the beam.

[0263] Embodiment 29 is a user equipment (UE), which comprises: a transceiver; a memory, the memory comprising instructions; and one or more processors, the one or more processors being configured to execute the instructions and cause the UE to perform a method according to any one of embodiments 16 to 24, wherein the transceiver is configured to: receive the first MAC-CE; and receive the second MAC-CE.

[0264] Embodiment 30 is a user equipment (UE), which comprises: a transceiver; a memory comprising instructions; and one or more processors, wherein the one or more processors are configured to execute the instructions so that the UE performs the method according to embodiment 25, wherein the transceiver is configured to: send the first CSI-RS; send the indication of one or more TCI states; and send the first CSI-RS via the beam.

[0265] Embodiment 31 is a network node, comprising: a transceiver; a memory comprising instructions; and one or more processors, wherein the one or more processors are configured to execute the instructions to cause the network node to perform the method according to embodiment 25, wherein the transceiver is configured to: send the first CSI-RS; send the indication of one or more TCI states; and send the first C SI-RS via the beam.

[0266] Embodiment 32 is a network node, which comprises: a transceiver; a memory, the memory comprising instructions; and one or more processors, the one or more processors being configured to execute the instructions and cause the network node to perform the method according to embodiment 26, wherein the transceiver is configured to: send the first MAC-CE; and send the second MAC-CE.

[0267] Embodiment 33 is a device for wireless communication, the device comprising: a component for executing the method according to any one of embodiments 1 to 15.

[0268] Embodiment 34 is a device for wireless communication, the device comprising: a component for executing the method according to any one of embodiments 16 to 24.

[0269] Embodiment 35 is a device for wireless communication, comprising: a component for executing the method according to embodiment 25.

[0270] Embodiment 36 is a device for wireless communication, comprising: a component for executing the method according to embodiment 26.

[0271] Embodiment 37 is a non-transitory computer-readable medium, which includes: instructions, which, when executed by a device, cause the device to perform the method according to any one of embodiments 1 to 15.

[0272] Embodiment 38 is a non-transitory computer-readable medium, which includes: instructions, which, when executed by a device, cause the device to perform the method according to any one of embodiments 16 to 24.

[0273] Embodiment 39 is a non-transitory computer-readable medium, which comprises: instructions, which, when executed by a device, cause the device to perform the method according to embodiment 25.

[0274] Embodiment 40 is a non-transitory computer-readable medium, which includes: instructions, which, when executed by a device, cause the device to perform the method according to embodiment 26.

[0275] Embodiment 41 is a device for wireless communication, the device comprising: a memory, the memory comprising instructions; and one or more processors, the one or more processors being configured to execute the instructions so that the device performs a method according to any one of Embodiments 1 to 15.

[0276] Embodiment 42 is a device for wireless communication, the device comprising: a memory, the memory comprising instructions; and one or more processors, the one or more processors being configured to execute the instructions so that the device performs a method according to any one of Embodiments 16 to 24.

[0277] Embodiment 43 is a device for wireless communication, the device comprising: a memory, the memory comprising instructions; and one or more processors, the one or more processors being configured to execute the instructions so that the device performs the method according to embodiment 25.

[0278] Embodiment 44 is a device for wireless communication, the device comprising: a memory, the memory comprising instructions; and one or more processors, the one or more processors being configured to execute the instructions so that the device performs the method according to embodiment 26.

Claims

1. A device for wireless communication, the device comprising: a memory including instructions; and one or more processors configured to execute the instructions and cause the apparatus to: obtaining, from a wireless node, a first channel state information reference signal (C SI-RS) associated with a first transmit configuration indicator (TCI) state; obtaining, from the wireless node, an indication of one or more TCI states associated with the first CSI-RS to obtain, wherein the one or more TCI states include a second TCI state; performing beam adjustment to determine a beam based on the second TCI state; and obtaining the first CSI-RS via the beam.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the indication of one or more TCI states is obtained via a Medium Access Control-Control Element (MAC-CE).

3. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the one or more processors are further configured to cause the apparatus to: An indication of a TCI state prediction capability of the apparatus is output for transmission to the wireless node prior to obtaining an indication of the one or more TCI states.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the one or more TCI states further comprises a third TCI state associated with the first CSI-RS to be obtained at a future time.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the one or more processors are further configured to cause the apparatus to: Obtaining a command for switching the TCI state association of the first CSI-RS from the first TCI state to the second TCI state, wherein the beam adjustment is performed before obtaining the command.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the indication of one or more TCI states further comprises at least one of an identifier of a CSI-RS set including the first CSI-RS or an identifier of the first CSI-RS.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the CSI-RS set further comprises a second CSI-RS, and wherein the second TCI state is associated with either the first CSI-RS or the second CSI-RS to be obtained.

8. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the indication of one or more TCI states further comprises a prediction of a future time for obtaining a command for switching from the first TCI state to the second TCI state associated with the first CSI-RS.

9. An apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the prediction of the future time is defined by a time instance or a time window, wherein the time instance is based on a predicted average time value, and wherein the time window is based on the predicted average time value and a standard deviation value associated with the predicted average time value.

10. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein a duration of the performed beam adjustment is based at least in part on the prediction of the future time.

11. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the prediction for the future time indicates a level of certainty of the one or more TCI states predicted to be associated with the first CSI-RS at the future time.

12. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the indication of one or more TCI states further comprises a prediction of a future time for each of the one or more TCI states predicted to be associated with the first CSI-RS.

13. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the indication of one or more TCI states further comprises an indication of a level of certainty to be obtained for each of the one or more TCI states associated with the first CSI-RS, and wherein the one or more processors are further configured to cause the apparatus to: The beam adjustment performance is modified based at least in part on the certainty level.

14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the one or more processors are further configured to cause the apparatus to: An amount of the beam measured by the beam adjustment performance is modified based at least in part on the certainty level.

15. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the one or more processors are further configured to cause the apparatus to: At least one of a confirmation or an indication of the modification performed on the beam adjustment is output for sending to the wireless node.

16. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: A transceiver, the transceiver being configured to: receiving the first CSI-RS; as well as The apparatus comprises receiving the indication of one or more TCI states to be obtained in association with the first CSI-RS, wherein the apparatus is configured as a user equipment (UE) or a network node.

17. An apparatus for wireless communication, the apparatus comprising: a memory including instructions; and one or more processors configured to execute the instructions and cause the apparatus to: obtaining, from a wireless node, a first medium access control-control element (MAC-CE), the first medium access control-control element (MAC-CE) indicating a first set of channel state information reference signals (CSI-RSs) including one or more CSI-RSs and a first set of transmit configuration indicator (TCI) states including a TCI state corresponding to each of the one or more CSI-RSs; as well as A second MAC-CE is obtained from the wireless node, the second MAC-CE indicating at least one CSI-RS of the one or more CSI-RS in the first set of CSI-RS and a second set of TCI states including an updated TCI state corresponding to the at least one CSI-RS indicated by the second MAC-CE, wherein the second set of TCI states is configured to replace the TCI state corresponding to the CSI-RS in the first set of CSI-RS indicated by the first MAC-CE, and wherein the second MAC-CE is obtained independently of receiving a deactivation MAC-CE corresponding to the first set of CSI-RS.

18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the second MAC-CE indicates the at least one CSI-RS of the one or more CSI-RSs in the first set of CSI-RSs via one or more of: CSI resource set identifier (ID), or CSI-RS resource ID.

19. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the one or more processors are further configured to cause the apparatus to: deactivating the first set of TCI states; and The second set of TCI states corresponding to one or more CSI-RSs in the first set of CSI-RSs is activated.

20. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the first MAC-CE is configured to activate the first set of CSI-RS at the apparatus.

21. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein the second MAC-CE does not increase an amount of activated CSI-RS at the apparatus.

22. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the second MAC-CE indicates each of the one or more CSI-RSs in the first set of CSI-RSs, and wherein the second set of TCI states includes the updated TCI state corresponding to each of the one or more CSI-RSs.

23. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the second MAC-CE indicates only a CSI-RS having a corresponding updated TCI state among the one or more CSI-RSs.

24. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the one or more processors are further configured to cause the apparatus to: Outputting a first indication of a TCI state update capability of the device for transmission to the wireless node prior to obtaining the second communication, wherein the TCI state update capability is configured to indicate that the device is configured to replace the first set of TCI states without obtaining a command for deactivating the first set of TCI states.

25. The apparatus of claim 24, wherein the one or more processors are further configured to cause the apparatus to: A second indication of TCI status update capability of the wireless node is obtained from the wireless node, wherein the first indication is output for transmission in response to obtaining the second indication.

26. The apparatus according to claim 17, further comprising: A transceiver, the transceiver being configured to: receiving the first communication; as well as The second communication is received, wherein the apparatus is configured as a user equipment (UE).

27. An apparatus for wireless communication, the apparatus comprising: a memory including instructions; and one or more processors configured to execute the instructions and cause the apparatus to: outputting a first channel state information reference signal (CSI-RS) associated with a first transmit configuration indicator (TCI) state for transmission to a wireless node; Outputting an indication of one or more TCI states associated with the first CSI-RS to be obtained for transmission to the wireless node, wherein the one or more TCI states include a second TCI state associated with the first CSI-RS; and outputting the first CSI-RS via a beam associated with the second TCI state for transmission to the wireless node.

28. The apparatus according to claim 27, further comprising: A transceiver, the transceiver being configured to: sending the first CSI; sending said indication of one or more TCI states; as well as The first CSI-RS is transmitted, wherein the apparatus is configured as a user equipment (UE) or a network node.

29. An apparatus for wireless communication, the apparatus comprising: a memory including instructions; and one or more processors configured to execute the instructions and cause the apparatus to: outputting a first medium access control-control element (MAC-CE) for transmission to a wireless node, the first medium access control-control element (MAC-CE) indicating a first set of channel state information reference signals (CSI-RSs) including one or more CSI-RSs and a first set of transmit configuration indicator (TCI) states including a TCI state corresponding to each of the one or more CSI-RSs; as well as Outputting a second MAC-CE for sending to the wireless node, the second MAC-CE indicating at least one CSI-RS of the one or more CSI-RSs in the first set of CSI-RSs and a second set of TCI states including an updated TCI state corresponding to the at least one CSI-RS indicated by the second MAC-CE, wherein the second set of TCI states is configured to replace the TCI state corresponding to the CSI-RS in the first set of CSI-RSs indicated by the first MAC-CE, and wherein the second MAC-CE is obtained independently of receiving a deactivation MAC-CE corresponding to the first set of CSI-RSs.

30. The apparatus according to claim 29, further comprising: A transceiver, the transceiver being configured to: Sending the first MAC-CE; as well as The second MAC-CE is sent, wherein the apparatus is configured as a network node.

Images