Control signaling for special cell mobility

Abstract

Methods, systems, and devices for wireless communication are described. In some systems, a network entity may configure a user equipment (UE) with a set of cells that support Layer 1 (L1) mobility, Layer 2 (L2) mobility, or both, for a special cell (SpCell). The network entity may transmit a control signal, such as a Medium Access Control (MAC) Control Element (CE) or Downlink Control Information (DCI) message, to the UE to update the SpCell. The control signal may include a cell identifier (ID) indicating which cell to set as the SpCell. Additionally, the control signal may include a transmit / receive point (TRP) ID indicating which transmit / receive point (TRP) is to be set as a master TRP (pTRP) for the SpCell. In response to the control signal, the UE may switch from the current SpCell to the cell indicated by the control signal, and may communicate with the network via the pTRP of the new SpCell.

Description

[0001] Cross-references

[0002] This patent application claims priority to U.S. patent application No. 17 / 876,964, entitled “CONTROLSIGNALING FOR SPECIAL CELL MOBILITY,” filed by Damnjanovic et al. on July 29, 2022, which is assigned to the assignee of this application and is expressly incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0003] The following relates to wireless communications, including control signaling for special cell (SpCell) mobility. Background Art

[0004] Wireless communication systems are widely deployed to provide various types of communication content, such as voice, video, packet data, messaging, broadcast, and the like. These systems may be able to support communication with multiple users by sharing available system resources (e.g., time, frequency, and power). Examples of such multiple access systems include fourth generation (4G) systems (such as long term evolution (LTE) systems, advanced LTE (LTE-A) systems, or LTE-A Pro systems) and fifth generation (5G) systems (which may be referred to as new radio (NR) systems). These systems may employ techniques such as code division multiple access (CDMA), time division multiple access (TDMA), frequency division multiple access (FDMA), orthogonal FDMA (OFDMA), or discrete Fourier transform spread orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (DFT-S-OFDM). A wireless multiple access communication system may include one or more base stations, each of which supports wireless communications for communication devices, which may be referred to as user equipment (UE).

[0005] In some wireless communication systems, a UE may communicate with a network via a special cell (SpCell). SpCell configuration and SpCell reconfiguration may be supported by Layer 3 (L3) signaling, such as radio resource control (RRC) signaling. However, in some cases, using L3 signaling, such as handover signaling in a handover procedure, to manage UE SpCell mobility from a first cell to a second cell may introduce significant latency and signaling overhead into the system. Such signaling may not be able to support some relatively low latency or relatively high mobility procedures in wireless communication systems. Summary of the invention

[0006] The described technology relates to improved methods, systems, devices and apparatuses that support control signaling for special cell (SpCell) mobility. For example, the described technology provides relatively low-latency signaling (e.g., layer 1 (L1) signaling or layer 2 (L2) signaling) for SpCell mobility. A network entity may send a control signal such as a medium access control (MAC) control element (CE) or a downlink control information (DCI) message to a user equipment (UE) to update the UE's SpCell. For example, the control signal may include a cell identifier (ID) indicating which cell is set as the SpCell. Additionally, the control signal may include a TRP ID indicating which transmit / receive point (TRP) is set as the primary TRP (pTRP) for the SpCell. In response to receiving the control signal, the UE may switch from the current SpCell to the SpCell indicated by the control signal (e.g., corresponding to the cell ID). The UE may communicate with the network via the pTRP of the new SpCell. By using L1 or L2 signaling to trigger SpCell mobility, as opposed to using Layer 3 (L3) signaling to reconfigure a cell as a SpCell, the network can reduce the latency involved in updating the SpCell, thereby supporting relatively high mobility between cells in a wireless communication system.

[0007] A method for wireless communication at a UE is described. The method may include: receiving a first control signal indicating configuration of a set of multiple cells supporting mobility for the UE, wherein a first cell in the set of multiple cells is a SpCell for communication; receiving a second control signal indicating updating the SpCell for communication from the first cell to a second cell in the set of multiple cells and indicating a pTRP for activation for the second cell; and communicating with the second cell via the pTRP based on the second control signal.

[0008] An apparatus for wireless communication at a UE is described. The apparatus may include a processor, a memory coupled to the processor, and instructions stored in the memory. The instructions may be executable by the processor to cause the apparatus to: receive a first control signal indicating configuration of a set of multiple cells supporting mobility for the UE, wherein a first cell in the set of multiple cells is a SpCell for communication; receive a second control signal indicating that the SpCell for communication is updated from the first cell to a second cell in the set of multiple cells and indicating a pTRP for activation for the second cell; and communicate with the second cell via the pTRP based on the second control signal.

[0009] Another apparatus for wireless communication at a UE is described. The apparatus may include: a component for receiving a first control signal indicating configuration of a set of multiple cells supporting mobility for the UE, wherein a first cell in the set of multiple cells is a SpCell for communication; a component for receiving a second control signal indicating updating the SpCell for communication from the first cell to a second cell in the set of multiple cells and indicating a pTRP for activation for the second cell; and a component for communicating with the second cell via the pTRP based on the second control signal.

[0010] A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing code for wireless communication at a UE is described. The code may include instructions that can be executed by a processor to perform the following operations: receiving a first control signal indicating configuration of a set of multiple cells supporting mobility for the UE, wherein a first cell in the set of multiple cells is a SpCell for communication; receiving a second control signal indicating that the SpCell for communication is updated from the first cell to a second cell in the set of multiple cells and indicating a pTRP for activation for the second cell; and communicating with the second cell via the pTRP based on the second control signal.

[0011] In some examples of the methods, apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein, the second control signal further indicates a configuration for the SpCell, and the methods, apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readable media may include further operations, features, components, or instructions for activating the configuration for the SpCell from a set of multiple configurations that can be utilized by the second cell based on the second control signal, wherein the communication may be further based on the activated configuration for the SpCell.

[0012] In some examples of the methods, apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein, the second cell may be deactivated based on the first control signal, and the second control signal may further indicate an identifier of a channel state information reference signal (TRS) for tracking based on the second cell being deactivated, and the methods, apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readable media may include further operations, features, components, or instructions for activating the second cell in response to receiving the second control signal and performing beam refinement for the second cell based on the identifier of the TRS.

[0013] In some examples of the methods, apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein, the identifier of the TRS corresponds to a set of multiple TRPs for the second cell, and the identifier of the TRS indicates one or more transmit configuration indicator (TCI) states to be activated for the second cell, one or more reference signals for beam refinement for the second cell, or both.

[0014] Some examples of the methods, apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein may further include operations, features, components, or instructions for deactivating the one or more cells based on the second control signal by further indicating that the one or more cells are to be deactivated.

[0015] In some examples of the methods, apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein, the second control signal indicates one or more L1 measurement identifiers and reporting configurations corresponding to the one or more cells to be deactivated, one or more TRPs associated with the one or more cells to be deactivated, or a combination thereof.

[0016] In some examples of the methods, apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein, deactivating the one or more cells may include operations, features, components, or instructions for deactivating a set of multiple TRPs associated with the one or more cells.

[0017] Some examples of the methods, apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein may further include operations, features, components, or instructions for activating one or more additional TRPs associated with the second cell based on the second control signal indicating updating the SpCell used for communication with the second cell.

[0018] Some examples of the methods, apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein may further include operations, features, components, or instructions for activating one or more TRPs associated with the set of multiple cells based on the second control signal including a bitmap for TRP activation.

[0019] Some examples of the methods, apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein may further include operations, features, components, or instructions for deactivating one or more other TRPs associated with the set of multiple cells based on the bitmap for TRP activation.

[0020] In some examples of the methods, apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein, the second control signal includes a logical channel identifier (LCID) indicating that the second control signal configures the UE to switch the SpCell from the first cell to the second cell, or the second control signal corresponds to a DCI format indicating that the second control signal configures the UE to switch the SpCell from the first cell to the second cell.

[0021] In some examples of the methods, apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein, the second control signal also includes a set of reserved bits indicating which fields may be present within the second control signal, indicating that the first cell of the SpCell configured for communication is to be deactivated, indicating that the first cell of the SpCell configured for communication is to be maintained as active, or a combination thereof.

[0022] In some examples of the methods, apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein, the first control signal configures a first pTRP for the second cell from a set of multiple TRPs associated with the second cell, and the pTRP for activation for the second cell indicated using the second control signal includes a second pTRP from the set of multiple pTRPs that is different from the first pTRP.

[0023] In some examples of the methods, apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein, the first control signal includes a radio resource control (RRC) signal, and the second control signal includes a MAC-CE, a DCI signal, or both.

[0024] A method for wireless communication at a network entity is described. The method may include: sending a first control signal to configure a set of multiple cells supporting mobility for a UE, wherein a first cell in the set of multiple cells is a SpCell for communication for the UE; sending a second control signal instructing the UE to update the SpCell for communication from the first cell to a second cell in the set of multiple cells and indicating a pTRP for activation for the second cell; and communicating via the pTRP for the second cell based on the second control signal.

[0025] An apparatus for wireless communication at a network entity is described. The apparatus may include a processor, a memory coupled to the processor, and instructions stored in the memory. The instructions may be executable by the processor to cause the apparatus to: send a first control signal configuring a set of multiple cells supporting mobility for a UE, wherein a first cell in the set of multiple cells is a SpCell for communication for the UE; send a second control signal instructing the UE to update the SpCell for communication from the first cell to a second cell in the set of multiple cells and indicating a pTRP for activation for the second cell; and communicate via the pTRP for the second cell based on the second control signal.

[0026] Another apparatus for wireless communication at a network entity is described. The apparatus may include: a component for sending a first control signal to configure a set of multiple cells supporting mobility for a UE, wherein a first cell in the set of multiple cells is a SpCell for communication for the UE; a component for sending a second control signal instructing the UE to update the SpCell for communication from the first cell to a second cell in the set of multiple cells and indicating a pTRP for activation for the second cell; and a component for communicating via the pTRP for the second cell based on the second control signal.

[0027] A non-transitory computer-readable medium is described, which stores code for wireless communication at a network entity. The code may include instructions that can be executed by a processor to perform the following operations: send a first control signal to configure a set of multiple cells for supporting mobility for a UE, wherein a first cell in the set of multiple cells is a SpCell for communication; send a second control signal instructing the UE to update the SpCell for communication from the first cell to a second cell in the set of multiple cells and indicating a pTRP for activation for the second cell; and communicate via the pTRP for the second cell based on the second control signal.

[0028] In some examples of the methods, apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein, the second control signal further indicates a configuration for the SpCell, and the methods, apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readable media may include further operations, features, components, or instructions for activating the configuration for the SpCell from a set of multiple configurations that can be utilized by the second cell based on the second control signal, wherein the communication may be further based on the activated configuration for the SpCell.

[0029] Some examples of the methods, apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein may further include operations, features, components, or instructions for a bitmap for TRP activation that indicates one or more TRPs associated with the set of multiple cells for activation by the UE, wherein the second control signal also includes the bitmap.

[0030] In some examples of the methods, apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein, the bitmap further indicates one or more other TRPs associated with the set of multiple cells for deactivation by the UE.

[0031] In some examples of the methods, apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein, the second cell may be deactivated for the UE based on the first control signal, and the second control signal indicates an identifier of the TRS based on the second cell being deactivated for the UE.

[0032] In some examples of the methods, apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein, the identifier of the TRS corresponds to a set of multiple TRPs for the second cell, and the identifier of the TRS indicates one or more TCI states to be activated for the second cell, one or more reference signals for beam refinement for the second cell, or both.

[0033] In some examples of the methods, apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein, the second control signal further indicates one or more cells for the UE to deactivate.

[0034] In some examples of the methods, apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein, the second control signal indicates one or more L1 measurement identifiers and reporting configurations corresponding to the one or more cells deactivated for the UE, one or more TRPs associated with the one or more cells deactivated for the UE, or a combination thereof.

[0035] In some examples of the methods, apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein, the second control signal includes an LCID indicating that the second control signal configures the UE to switch the SpCell from the first cell to the second cell, or the second control signal corresponds to a DCI format indicating that the second control signal configures the UE to switch the SpCell from the first cell to the second cell.

[0036] In some examples of the methods, apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein, the second control signal also includes a set of reserved bits indicating which fields may be present within the second control signal, indicating that the UE deactivates the first cell of the SpCell configured for communication, indicating that the UE maintains the first cell of the SpCell configured for communication as active, or a combination thereof.

[0037] In some examples of the methods, apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein, the first control signal includes an RRC signal, and the second control signal includes a MAC-CE, a DCI signal, or both. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0038] Figure 1 An example of a wireless communication system supporting control signaling for special cell (SpCell) mobility according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure is illustrated.

[0039] Figure 2 An example of a network architecture supporting control signaling for SpCell mobility according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure is illustrated.

[0040] Figure 3 An example of a wireless communication system supporting control signaling for SpCell mobility according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure is illustrated.

[0041] Figure 4A , Figure 4B and Figure 5 An example of a message format supporting control signaling for SpCell mobility according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure is illustrated.

[0042] Figure 6 An example of a process flow for supporting control signaling for SpCell mobility according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure is illustrated.

[0043] Figure 7 and Figure 8 A block diagram of a device supporting control signaling for SpCell mobility according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure is shown.

[0044] Fig. 9 A block diagram of a communications manager supporting control signaling for SpCell mobility is shown in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure.

[0045] Fig.10 A diagram of a system including a device supporting control signaling for SpCell mobility according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure is shown.

[0046] Fig.11 and Fig.12 A block diagram of a device supporting control signaling for SpCell mobility according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure is shown.

[0047] Fig.13 A block diagram of a communications manager supporting control signaling for SpCell mobility is shown in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure.

[0048] Fig.14 A diagram of a system including a device supporting control signaling for SpCell mobility according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure is shown.

[0049] Figures 15 to 18 A flow chart illustrating a method of supporting control signaling for SpCell mobility according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0050] In some wireless communication systems, the wireless network may switch which cell communicates with the user equipment (UE). For example, the UE may communicate information with the network via a special cell (SpCell), which may be a primary cell (PCell) for a primary cell group (MCG), a primary secondary cell (PSCell) for a secondary cell group (SCG), or both. If the UE moves within the wireless communication system, the UE mobility may correspond to the SpCell mobility. For example, the cell that supports the strongest connection with the UE may change based on UE movement, changed channel conditions, changed traffic conditions, or any combination thereof. In order to maintain UE connectivity and threshold performance levels, the network may switch the UE from one SpCell to another SpCell. Additionally or alternatively, if each cell is associated with multiple transmit / receive points (TRPs), the network may activate a primary TRP (pTRP) for communication for the cell. In some cases, in addition to the pTRP, the network may additionally activate one or more additional TRPs (aTRPs) for the cell.

[0051] In some systems, the network may use a handover procedure or other cell reconfiguration procedure to switch the SpCell for the UE. However, such a procedure may involve Layer 3 (L3) signaling, such as Radio Resource Control (RRC) signaling. For example, such L3 signaling may introduce latency into updating the SpCell compared to Layer 1 (L1) signaling or Layer 2 (L2) signaling. In order to improve the latency and signaling overhead associated with SpCell updates, the network may support L1 signaling, L2 signaling, or both for SpCell mobility.

[0052] In a wireless communication system, a network entity may configure a UE with a set of cells that support L1 mobility, L2 mobility, or both for a SpCell. The network entity may use RRC signaling to send cell configuration information. In order to update the SpCell for the UE, the network entity may send a control signal to the UE, such as a medium access control (MAC) control element (CE) or a downlink control information (DCI) message. The control signal may include a cell identifier (ID) indicating which cell is set as the SpCell. Additionally, the control signal may include a TRP ID indicating which TRP is set as the pTRP for the SpCell. In response to receiving the control signal, the UE may switch from the current SpCell to the SpCell indicated by the control signal (e.g., corresponding to the cell ID). The UE may communicate with the network via the pTRP of the new SpCell. By using L1 or L2 signaling to trigger SpCell mobility, as opposed to using L3 signaling, the network can reduce the latency involved in updating the SpCell for the UE.

[0053] In some examples, the control signal for updating the SpCell may include additional information. For example, the control signal may indicate the SpCell configuration to be applied for the new SpCell. Additionally or alternatively, the control signal may indicate information related to beam refinement for the new SpCell, measurement and reporting information for the deactivated cell, or a combination thereof. In some cases, the control signal may support TRP-specific activation and deactivation for the UE. For example, the control signal may include a bitmap indicating which TRPs to activate and which TRPs to deactivate for the active cell.

[0054] Aspects of the present disclosure are initially described in the context of wireless communication systems and network architectures. Additional aspects of the present disclosure are described with reference to message formats and process flows. Aspects of the present disclosure are further illustrated by and described with reference to device diagrams, system diagrams, and flow charts related to control signaling for SpCell mobility.

[0055] Figure 1 An example of a wireless communication system 100 supporting control signaling for SpCell mobility according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure is illustrated. The wireless communication system 100 may include one or more network entities 105, one or more UEs 115, and a core network 130. In some examples, the wireless communication system 100 may be a Long Term Evolution (LTE) network, an Advanced LTE (LTE-A) network, an LTE-A Pro network, a New Radio (NR) network, or a network operating according to other systems and radio technologies (including future systems and radio technologies not explicitly mentioned herein).

[0056] The network entities 105 may be dispersed throughout a geographic area to form the wireless communication system 100, and may include devices in different forms or with different capabilities. In various examples, the network entities 105 may be referred to as network elements, mobility elements, radio access network (RAN) nodes, or network equipment, among other names. In some examples, the network entities 105 and the UE 115 may communicate wirelessly via one or more communication links 125 (e.g., radio frequency (RF) access links). For example, the network entity 105 may support a coverage area 110 (e.g., a geographic coverage area), and the UE 115 and the network entity 105 may establish one or more communication links 125 over the coverage area. The coverage area 110 may be an example of a geographic area in which the network entity 105 and the UE 115 may support signal communications according to one or more radio access technologies (RATs).

[0057] The UEs 115 may be dispersed throughout the coverage area 110 of the wireless communication system 100, and each UE 115 may be stationary or mobile, or stationary and mobile at different times. The UEs 115 may be devices in different forms or with different capabilities. Figure 1 Some example UEs 115 are illustrated in FIG. 1 . The UEs 115 described herein may be capable of supporting communication with various types of devices, such as Figure 1 Communicate with other UEs 115 or network entities 105) as shown.

[0058] As described herein, a node of the wireless communication system 100 (which may be referred to as a network node or a wireless node) may be a network entity 105 (e.g., any network entity described herein), a UE 115 (e.g., any UE described herein), a network controller, an apparatus, a device, a computing system, one or more components, or another suitable processing entity configured to perform any of the techniques described herein. For example, the node may be a UE 115. As another example, the node may be a network entity 105. As another example, a first node may be configured to communicate with a second node or a third node. In one aspect of this example, the first node may be a UE 115, the second node may be a network entity 105, and the third node may be a UE 115. In another aspect of this example, the first node may be a UE 115, the second node may be a network entity 105, and the third node may be a network entity 105. In other aspects of this example, the first node, the second node, and the third node may be different relative to these examples. Similarly, references to UE 115, network entity 105, apparatus, device, computing system, etc. may include disclosure of UE 115, network entity 105, apparatus, device, computing system, etc. as nodes. For example, a disclosure that UE 115 is configured to receive information from network entity 105 also discloses that the first node is configured to receive information from a second node.

[0059] In some examples, the network entities 105 may communicate with the core network 130, or with each other, or both. For example, the network entities 105 may communicate with the core network 130 via one or more backhaul links 120 (e.g., according to S1, N2, N3, or other interface protocols). In some examples, the network entities 105 may communicate with each other directly (e.g., directly between the network entities 105) or indirectly (e.g., via the core network 130) via the backhaul communication link 120 (e.g., according to X2, Xn, or other interface protocols). In some examples, the network entities 105 may communicate with each other via the midhaul communication link 162 (e.g., according to the midhaul interface protocol) or the fronthaul communication link 168 (e.g., according to the fronthaul interface protocol) or any combination thereof. The backhaul communication link 120, the midhaul communication link 162, or the fronthaul communication link 168 may be or include one or more wired links (e.g., electrical links, optical fiber links), one or more wireless links (e.g., radio links, wireless optical links), or other examples or various combinations thereof. UE 115 may communicate with core network 130 via communication link 155 .

[0060] One or more of the network entities 105 described herein may include or may be referred to as a base station 140 (e.g., a transceiver base station, a radio base station, an NR base station, an access point, a radio transceiver, a Node B, an evolved Node B (eNB), a next generation Node B, or a Gigabit Node B (any of which may be referred to as a gNB), a 5G NB, a next generation eNB (ng-eNB), a Home Node B, a Home Evolved Node B, or other suitable terms). In some examples, the network entity 105 (e.g., a base station 140) may be implemented in an aggregated (e.g., monolithic, standalone) base station architecture, which may be configured to utilize a protocol stack that is physically or logically integrated within a single network entity 105 (e.g., a single RAN node, such as a base station 140).

[0061] In some examples, the network entity 105 may be implemented in a disaggregated architecture (e.g., a disaggregated base station architecture, a disaggregated RAN architecture) that may be configured to utilize a protocol stack that is physically or logically distributed between two or more network entities 105, such as an integrated access backhaul (IAB) network, an open RAN (O-RAN) (e.g., a network configuration sponsored by the O-RAN Alliance), or a virtualized RAN (vRAN) (e.g., a cloud RAN (C-RAN)). For example, the network entity 105 may include one or more of the following: a central unit (CU) 160, a distributed unit (DU) 165, a radio unit (RU) 170, a RAN intelligent controller (RIC) 175 (e.g., a near real-time RIC (near RT RIC), a non-real-time RIC (non-RT RIC)), a service management and orchestration (SMO) 180 system, or any combination thereof. The RU 170 may also be referred to as a radio head, a smart radio head, a remote radio head (RRH), a remote radio unit (RRU), or a transmit receive point (TRP). One or more components of the network entity 105 in the decomposed RAN architecture may be co-located, or one or more components of the network entity 105 may be located in distributed locations (e.g., separate physical locations). In some examples, one or more network entities 105 of the decomposed RAN architecture may be implemented as virtual units (e.g., virtual CU (VCU), virtual DU (VDU), virtual RU (VRU)).

[0062] The functional split between CU 160, DU 165, and RU 170 is flexible and may support different functionalities depending on which functions (e.g., network layer functions, protocol layer functions, baseband functions, RF functions, and any combination thereof) are performed at CU 160, DU 165, and RU 170. For example, a functional split of a protocol stack may be employed between CU 160 and DU 165 such that CU 160 may support one or more layers of a protocol stack and DU 165 may support one or more different layers of a protocol stack. In some examples, CU 160 may host higher protocol layer (e.g., layer 3 (L3), layer 2 (L2)) functionality and signaling (e.g., radio resource control (RRC), service data adaptation protocol (SDAP), packet data convergence protocol (PDCP)). The CU 160 may be connected to one or more DUs 165 or RUs 170, and the one or more DUs 165 or RUs 170 may host lower protocol layers, such as layer 1 (L1) (e.g., physical (PHY) layer) or L2 (e.g., radio link control (RLC) layer, medium access control (MAC) layer) functionality and signaling, and may each be at least partially controlled by the CU 160. Additionally or alternatively, a functional split of the protocol stack may be employed between the DU 165 and the RU 170, such that the DU 165 may support one or more layers of the protocol stack, and the RU 170 may support one or more different layers of the protocol stack. The DU 165 may support one or more different cells (e.g., via one or more RUs 170). In some cases, the functional split between CU 160 and DU 165 or between DU 165 and RU 170 may be within the protocol layer (e.g., some functions of the protocol layer may be performed by one of CU 160, DU 165, or RU 170, while other functions of the protocol layer are performed by the other of CU 160, DU 165, or RU 170). CU 160 may be further functionally split into CU control plane (CU-CP) functions and CU user plane (CU-UP) functions. CU 160 may be connected to one or more DUs 165 via midhaul communication links 162 (e.g., F1, F1-c, F1-u), and DU 165 may be connected to one or more RUs 170 via fronthaul communication links 168 (e.g., open fronthaul (FH) interface). In some examples, midhaul communication link 162 or fronthaul communication link 168 may be implemented based on interfaces (eg, channels) between layers of a protocol stack supported by respective network entities 105 that communicate via those communication links.

[0063] In some wireless communication systems (e.g., wireless communication system 100), infrastructure and spectrum resources for radio access may support wireless backhaul link capabilities to supplement wired backhaul connections, thereby providing an IAB network architecture (e.g., to the core network 130). In some cases, in an IAB network, one or more network entities 105 (e.g., IAB nodes 104) may be partially controlled by each other. One or more IAB nodes 104 may be referred to as host entities or IAB hosts. One or more DUs 165 or one or more RUs 170 may be partially controlled by one or more CUs 160 associated with a host network entity 105 (e.g., a host base station 140). One or more host network entities 105 (e.g., IAB hosts) may communicate with one or more additional network entities 105 (e.g., IAB nodes 104) via supported access and backhaul links (e.g., backhaul communication links 120). The IAB node 104 may include an IAB mobile terminal (IAB-MT) controlled (e.g., scheduled) by a DU 165 of a coupled IAB host. The IAB-MT may include an independent set of antennas for relaying communications with the UE 115, or may share the same antennas of the IAB node 104 (e.g., of the RU 170) for access via the DU 165 of the IAB node 104 (e.g., referred to as a virtual IAB-MT (vIAB-MT)). In some examples, the IAB node 104 may include a DU 165 that supports communication links with additional entities (e.g., IAB node 104, UE 115) within a relay chain or configuration (e.g., downstream) of the access network. In such cases, one or more components of the decomposed RAN architecture (e.g., one or more IAB nodes 104 or components of the IAB node 104) may be configured to operate according to the techniques described herein.

[0064] In the case where the techniques described herein are applied to the context of a decomposed RAN architecture, one or more components of the decomposed RAN architecture may be configured to support control signaling for special cell mobility as described herein. For example, some operations described as being performed by UE 115 or network entity 105 (e.g., base station 140) may additionally or alternatively be performed by one or more components of the decomposed RAN architecture (e.g., IAB node 104, DU 165, CU 160, RU 170, RIC 175, SMO 180).

[0065] UE 115 may include or may be referred to as a mobile device, a wireless device, a remote device, a handheld device, or a subscriber device, or some other suitable term, where "device" may also be referred to as other examples such as a unit, a station, a terminal, or a client. UE 115 may also include or may be referred to as a personal electronic device such as a cellular phone, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a tablet computer, a laptop computer, or a personal computer. In some examples, UE 115 may include or may be referred to as other examples such as a wireless local loop (WLL) station, an Internet of Things (IoT) device, an Internet of Everything (IoE) device, or a machine type communication (MTC) device, which may be implemented in various objects such as appliances or vehicles, meters, and other examples.

[0066] The UE 115 described herein may be capable of communicating with various types of devices, such as other UEs 115, which may sometimes act as relays, as well as network entities 105 and network equipment including macro eNBs or gNBs, small cell eNBs or gNBs, relay base stations, and other examples, such as Figure 1 shown.

[0067] The UE 115 and the network entity 105 may use resources associated with one or more carriers to wirelessly communicate with each other via one or more communication links 125 (e.g., access links). The term "carrier" may refer to a collection of RF spectrum resources having a defined physical layer structure for supporting the communication link 125. For example, a carrier for the communication link 125 may include a portion of an RF spectrum band (e.g., a bandwidth portion (BWP)) that operates according to one or more physical layer channels for a given radio access technology (e.g., LTE, LTE-A, LTE-A Pro, NR). Each physical layer channel may carry acquisition signaling (e.g., synchronization signals, system information), control signaling for coordinating carrier operations, user data, or other signaling. The wireless communication system 100 may support communications with the UE 115 using carrier aggregation or multi-carrier operation. Depending on the carrier aggregation configuration, the UE 115 may be configured to have multiple downlink component carriers and one or more uplink component carriers. Carrier aggregation may be used for both frequency division duplex (FDD) and time division duplex (TDD) component carriers. Communication between the network entity 105 and other devices may refer to communication between a device and any portion (e.g., entity, sub-entity) of the network entity 105. For example, the terms "send," "receive," or "communicate" when referring to the network entity 105 may refer to any portion of the network entity 105 (e.g., base station 140, CU 160, DU 165, RU 170) of the RAN communicating with another device (e.g., directly or via one or more other network entities 105).

[0068] The signal waveform transmitted via the carrier may include multiple subcarriers (e.g., using multi-carrier modulation (MCM) techniques, such as orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) or discrete Fourier transform spread OFDM (DFT-S-OFDM)). In a system using MCM techniques, a resource element may refer to a resource of one symbol period (e.g., the duration of one modulation symbol) and one subcarrier, in which case the symbol period and the subcarrier spacing may be inversely related. The number of bits carried by each resource element may depend on the modulation scheme (e.g., the order of the modulation scheme, the coding rate of the modulation scheme, or both), so that a relatively high number of resource elements (e.g., in the transmission duration) and a relatively high order modulation scheme may correspond to a relatively high communication rate. Wireless communication resources may refer to a combination of RF spectrum resources, time resources, and spatial resources (e.g., spatial layers, beams), and the use of multiple spatial resources may increase the data rate or data integrity of communications with UE 115.

[0069] The time interval for the network entity 105 or the UE 115 may be expressed in multiples of a basic time unit, which may be, for example, a sampling period T s =1 / (Δf max ·N f ) seconds, where Δf max It can represent the supported subcarrier spacing, and N f The supported discrete Fourier transform (DFT) size may be indicated. The time intervals of the communication resources may be organized according to radio frames each having a specified duration (e.g., 10 milliseconds (ms)). Each radio frame may be identified by a system frame number (SFN) (e.g., ranging from 0 to 1023).

[0070] Each frame may include multiple consecutively numbered subframes or time slots, and each subframe or time slot may have the same duration. In some examples, the frame may be divided into subframes (e.g., in the time domain), and each subframe may be further divided into multiple time slots. Alternatively, each frame may include a variable number of time slots, and the number of time slots may depend on the subcarrier spacing. Each time slot may include multiple symbol periods (e.g., depending on the length of the cyclic prefix added before each symbol period). In some wireless communication systems 100, the time slot may be further divided into multiple micro time slots associated with one or more symbols. Excluding the cyclic prefix, each symbol period may be associated with one or more (e.g., N f The duration of a symbol period may depend on the subcarrier spacing or the operating frequency band.

[0071] A subframe, a slot, a mini-slot, or a symbol may be the smallest scheduling unit (e.g., in the time domain) of the wireless communication system 100 and may be referred to as a transmit time interval (TTI). In some examples, the TTI duration (e.g., the number of symbol periods in a TTI) may be variable. Additionally or alternatively, the smallest scheduling unit (e.g., in bursts of shortened TTIs (sTTIs)) of the wireless communication system 100 may be dynamically selected.

[0072] Physical channels may be multiplexed according to various techniques in order to communicate using a carrier. Physical control channels and physical data channels may be multiplexed, for example, using one or more of a time division multiplexing (TDM) technique, a frequency division multiplexing (FDM) technique, or a hybrid TDM-FDM technique for signaling via a downlink carrier. A control region (e.g., a control resource set (CORESET)) of a physical control channel may be defined by a set of symbol periods and may extend across a system bandwidth of a carrier or a subset of that system bandwidth. One or more control regions (e.g., CORESETs) may be configured for a set of UEs 115. For example, one or more of these UEs 115 may monitor or search a control region to obtain control information according to one or more search space sets, and each search space set may include one or more control channel candidates in one or more aggregation levels arranged in a cascaded manner. The aggregation level of a control channel candidate may refer to the amount of control channel resources (e.g., control channel elements (CCEs)) associated with coded information for a control information format having a given payload size. The search space sets may include a common search space set configured for transmitting control information to a plurality of UEs 115 , and a UE-specific search space set for transmitting control information to a specific UE 115 .

[0073] The network entity 105 may provide communication coverage via one or more cells (e.g., macro cells, small cells, hot spots, or other types of cells, or any combination thereof). The term "cell" may refer to a logical communication entity used to communicate with the network entity 105 (e.g., using a carrier), and may be associated with an identifier (e.g., a physical cell identifier (PCID), a virtual cell identifier (VCID), or other identifier) ​​used to distinguish adjacent cells. In some examples, a cell may also refer to a coverage area 110 or a portion of a coverage area 110 (e.g., a sector) on which the logical communication entity operates. Depending on various factors such as the capabilities of the network entity 105, such cells may range from smaller areas (e.g., structures, subsets of structures) to larger areas. For example, a cell may be or may include a building, a subset of a building, or an external space between or overlapping coverage areas 110, and the like.

[0074] A macro cell generally covers a relatively large geographic area (e.g., several kilometers in radius) and may allow unrestricted access to UEs 115 that have service subscriptions with a network provider that supports the macro cell. A small cell may be associated with a lower power network entity 105 (e.g., a lower power base station 140) (compared to a macro cell), and the small cell may operate using the same or different (e.g., licensed, unlicensed) frequency band as the macro cell. A small cell may provide unrestricted access to UEs 115 that have service subscriptions with a network provider, or may provide restricted access to UEs 115 associated with the small cell (e.g., UEs 115 in a closed subscriber group (CSG), UEs 115 associated with users in a home or office). A network entity 105 may support one or more cells, and may also support communications via one or more cells using one or more component carriers.

[0075] In some examples, a carrier may support multiple cells, and different cells may be configured according to different protocol types (e.g., MTC, narrowband IoT (NB-IoT), enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB)) that may provide access to different types of devices.

[0076] In some examples, the network entities 105 (e.g., base stations 140, RUs 170) may be mobile and thus provide communication coverage for mobile coverage areas 110. In some examples, different coverage areas 110 associated with different technologies may overlap, but the different coverage areas 110 may be supported by the same network entity 105. In some other examples, overlapping coverage areas 110 associated with different technologies may be supported by different network entities 105. The wireless communication system 100 may include, for example, a heterogeneous network in which different types of network entities 105 provide coverage for various coverage areas 110 using the same or different radio access technologies.

[0077] The wireless communication system 100 may be configured to support ultra-reliable communication or low-latency communication or various combinations thereof. For example, the wireless communication system 100 may be configured to support ultra-reliable low-latency communication (URLLC). The UE 115 may be designed to support ultra-reliable or low-latency or critical functions. Ultra-reliable communication may include private communication or group communication, and may be supported by one or more services (such as push-to-talk, video, or data). Support for ultra-reliable, low-latency functions may include prioritization of services, and such services may be used for public safety applications or general commercial applications. The terms ultra-reliable, low-latency, and ultra-reliable low-latency are used interchangeably herein.

[0078] In some examples, the UE 115 may be configured to support communication directly with other UEs 115 via a device-to-device (D2D) communication link 135 (e.g., according to a peer-to-peer (P2P), D2D, or sidelink protocol). In some examples, one or more UEs 115 in a group that are performing D2D communication may be within a coverage area 110 of a network entity 105 (e.g., a base station 140, a RU 170), which may support aspects of such D2D communication configured (e.g., scheduled) by the network entity 105. In some examples, one or more UEs 115 in such a group may be outside of the coverage area 110 of the network entity 105, or may otherwise be unable or not configured to receive transmissions from the network entity 105. In some examples, a group of UEs 115 communicating via D2D communication may support a one-to-many (1:M) system, in which each UE 115 transmits to each of the other UEs 115 in the group. In some examples, network entity 105 may facilitate scheduling of resources for D2D communications. In some other examples, D2D communications may be performed between UEs 115 without involving network entity 105.

[0079] The core network 130 may provide user authentication, access authorization, tracking, Internet Protocol (IP) connectivity, and other access, routing, or mobility functions. The core network 130 may be an evolved packet core (EPC) or a 5G core (5GC), which may include at least one control plane entity for managing access and mobility (e.g., a mobility management entity (MME), an access and mobility management function (AMF)) and at least one user plane entity for routing packets or interconnecting to an external network (e.g., a serving gateway (S-GW)), a packet data network (PDN) gateway (P-GW), or a user plane function (UPF)). The control plane entity may manage non-access stratum (NAS) functions, such as mobility, authentication, and bearer management for UE 115 served by a network entity 105 (e.g., a base station 140) associated with the core network 130. User IP packets may be delivered via a user plane entity, which may provide IP address allocation and other functions. The user plane entity may be connected to an IP service 150 for one or more network operators. IP services 150 may include access to the Internet, an intranet, an IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS), or packet-switched streaming services.

[0080] The wireless communication system 100 may operate using one or more frequency bands that may be in the range of 300 megahertz (MHz) to 300 gigahertz (GHz). Typically, the region from 300 MHz to 3 GHz is referred to as the ultra-high frequency (UHF) region or decimeter band because the wavelength range is approximately one decimeter to one meter. UHF waves may be blocked or redirected by buildings and environmental features (which may be referred to as clusters), but these waves may be sufficient to penetrate structures so that macro cells provide services to UEs 115 located indoors. Communications using UHF waves may be associated with smaller antennas and shorter ranges (e.g., less than 100 kilometers) than communications using the lower frequencies and longer wavelengths of the high frequency (HF) or very high frequency (VHF) portions of the spectrum below 300 MHz.

[0081] The wireless communication system 100 may utilize both licensed RF spectrum bands and unlicensed RF spectrum bands. For example, the wireless communication system 100 may use unlicensed bands (such as the 5 GHz Industrial, Scientific, and Medical (ISM) band) to adopt license assisted access (LAA), LTE unlicensed (LTE-U) radio access technology, or NR technology. When operating using unlicensed RF spectrum bands, devices such as network entity 105 and UE 115 may use carrier sensing for conflict detection and avoidance. In some examples, operations performed using unlicensed bands may be based on carrier aggregation configuration in combination with component carriers (e.g., LAA) that operate using licensed bands. Operations performed using unlicensed spectrum may include downlink transmissions, uplink transmissions, P2P transmissions, or D2D transmissions, and the like.

[0082] The network entity 105 (e.g., base station 140, RU 170) or UE 115 may be equipped with multiple antennas that can be used to employ technologies such as transmit diversity, receive diversity, multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) communication, or beamforming. The antennas of the network entity 105 or UE 115 may be located in one or more antenna arrays or antenna panels that can support MIMO operations or transmit or receive beamforming. For example, one or more base station antennas or antenna arrays may be co-located at an antenna assembly, such as an antenna tower. In some examples, antennas or antenna arrays associated with the network entity 105 may be located at different geographical locations. The network entity 105 may include an antenna array having a set of antenna ports of multiple rows and columns that the network entity 105 can use to support beamforming for communications with the UE 115. Similarly, the UE 115 may include one or more antenna arrays that can support various MIMO or beamforming operations. Additionally or alternatively, the antenna panel may support RF beamforming for signals sent via the antenna ports.

[0083] Beamforming (which may also be referred to as spatial filtering, directional transmission, or directional reception) is a signal processing technique that may be used at a transmitting device or a receiving device (e.g., a network entity 105, a UE 115) to shape or steer an antenna beam (e.g., a transmit beam, a receive beam) along a spatial path between the transmitting device and the receiving device. Beamforming may be achieved by combining signals conveyed via antenna elements of an antenna array so that some signals propagating along a particular orientation relative to the antenna array experience constructive interference, while other signals experience destructive interference. Adjustments to signals conveyed via antenna elements may include the transmitting device or the receiving device applying an amplitude offset, a phase offset, or both to signals carried via antenna elements associated with the device. Adjustments associated with each of the antenna elements may be defined by a set of beamforming weights associated with a particular orientation (e.g., relative to the antenna array of the transmitting device or the receiving device or relative to some other orientation).

[0084] The network entity 105 or UE 115 may use beam scanning techniques as part of a beamforming operation. For example, the network entity 105 (e.g., base station 140, RU 170) may use multiple antennas or antenna arrays (e.g., antenna panels) to perform beamforming operations for directional communication with UE 115. Some signals (e.g., synchronization signals, reference signals, beam selection signals, or other control signals) may be sent multiple times by the network entity 105 along different directions. For example, the network entity 105 may send signals according to different sets of beamforming weights associated with different transmission directions. Transmissions along different beam directions may be used to identify (e.g., by a transmitting device (such as network entity 105), or by a receiving device (such as UE 115)) beam directions for later transmission or reception by the network entity 105.

[0085] Some signals, such as data signals associated with a particular receiving device, may be sent by a transmitting device (e.g., transmitting network entity 105, transmitting UE 115) along a single beam direction (e.g., a direction associated with a receiving device (such as receiving network entity 105 or receiving UE 115)). In some examples, a beam direction associated with transmission along a single beam direction may be determined based on signals sent along one or more beam directions. For example, UE 115 may receive one or more of the signals sent by network entity 105 along different directions, and may report to network entity 105 an indication of the signal received by UE 115 with the highest signal quality or other acceptable signal quality.

[0086] In some examples, transmission by a device (e.g., by network entity 105 or UE 115) may be performed using multiple beam directions, and the device may use a combination of digital precoding or beamforming to generate a combined beam for transmission (e.g., from network entity 105 to UE 115). UE 115 may report feedback indicating precoding weights for one or more beam directions, and the feedback may correspond to a configured set of beams across a system bandwidth or one or more subbands. Network entity 105 may send a reference signal (e.g., a cell-specific reference signal (CRS), a channel state information reference signal (CSI-RS)), which may be precoded or non-precoded. UE 115 may provide feedback for beam selection, which may be a precoding matrix indicator (PMI) or codebook-based feedback (e.g., a multi-panel codebook, a linear combination codebook, a port selection codebook). Although these techniques are described with reference to signals sent along one or more directions by a network entity 105 (e.g., base station 140, RU 170), UE 115 may use similar techniques to send signals multiple times along different directions (e.g., to identify a beam direction for subsequent transmission or reception by UE 115), or to send signals along a single direction (e.g., to send data to a receiving device).

[0087] A receiving device (e.g., UE 115) may perform receiving operations according to multiple receiving configurations (e.g., directional listening) when receiving various signals (such as synchronization signals, reference signals, beam selection signals, or other control signals) from a receiving device (e.g., network entity 105). For example, the receiving device may perform reception according to multiple receiving directions by: receiving via different antenna subarrays, processing received signals according to different antenna subarrays, receiving according to different receiving beamforming weight sets (e.g., different directional listening weight sets) applied to signals received at multiple antenna elements of an antenna array, or processing received signals according to different receiving beamforming weight sets applied to signals received at multiple antenna elements of an antenna array, any of which may be referred to as "listening" according to different receiving configurations or receiving directions. In some examples, the receiving device may use a single receiving configuration to receive along a single beam direction (e.g., when receiving a data signal). A single receive configuration may be aligned along a beam direction determined based on listening according to different receive configuration directions (e.g., a beam direction determined to have the highest signal strength, highest signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), or other acceptable signal quality based on listening according to multiple beam directions).

[0088] The wireless communication system 100 may be a packet-based network that operates according to a layered protocol stack. In the user plane, the communication at the bearer or PDCP layer may be IP-based. The RLC layer may perform packet segmentation and reassembly to communicate via logical channels. The MAC layer may perform priority processing and multiplexing of logical channels to transport channels. The MAC layer may also implement error detection techniques, error correction techniques, or both to support retransmission to improve link efficiency. In the control plane, the RRC layer may provide the establishment, configuration, and maintenance of an RRC connection that supports a radio bearer for user plane data between the UE 115 and the network entity 105 or the core network 130. The PHY layer may map a transport channel to a physical channel.

[0089] UE 115 and network entity 105 may support retransmission of data to increase the likelihood that the data is successfully received. Hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ) feedback is a technique for increasing the likelihood of correctly receiving data via a communication link (e.g., communication link 125, D2D communication link 135). HARQ may include a combination of error detection (e.g., using a cyclic redundancy check (CRC)), forward error correction (FEC), and retransmission (e.g., automatic repeat request (ARQ)). HARQ may improve throughput at the MAC layer under poor radio conditions (e.g., low signal-to-noise ratio conditions). In some examples, a device may support same-slot HARQ feedback, in which case the device may provide HARQ feedback in a specific time slot for data received via a previous symbol in the time slot. In some other examples, the device may provide HARQ feedback in a subsequent time slot or according to some other time interval.

[0090] Some wireless communication systems 100 may support inter-cell beam management based on beam-based mobility. For example, UE 115 may measure reference signals to select a beam for communicating with the network. In some examples, the selected beam may be from a TRP associated with a cell different from the current serving cell (e.g., having a physical cell identifier (PCI) different from the current serving cell). In some examples, each cell may correspond to a different network entity 105. In order to communicate using the selected beam, the network may switch UE 115 to communicate via a TRP associated with a different PCI. In some examples, the network entity 105 may use L1 signaling, L2 signaling, or both to switch a UE-specific channel, a reference signal, or both for UE 115 to a TRP (e.g., based on a unified transmission configuration indicator (TCI) update via DCI or MAC-CE). In order to additionally support PCell or SpCell changes to different cells associated with a TRP, the wireless communication system may support L1 signaling, L2 signaling, or both for SpCell mobility. Switching SpCells may allow UE 115 to leave the coverage of the current serving cell while communicating with a TRP associated with a different cell (e.g., corresponding to a different PCI). Thus, the network may support UE mobility in the system, thereby providing robust support against blocking, providing more opportunities for higher rank transmissions across different cells, or both.

[0091] The techniques described herein may support dynamic switching between different serving cells, such as different SpCells, which may include PCells, PSCells, secondary cells (SCells), or any combination thereof. If the UE 115 is operating in a standalone mode, in a carrier aggregation (CA) mode, in an NR dual connectivity (NR-DC) mode, or in any combination thereof, the wireless communication system 100 may support L1 signaling, L2 signaling, or both (e.g., L1 / L2 signaling) for inter-cell mobility (e.g., SpCell mobility). Additionally or alternatively, the wireless communication system 100 may support L1 / L2 signaling for switching between cells in an intra-DU system (e.g., switching between cells corresponding to the same DU 165), switching between cells in an intra-CU inter-DU system (e.g., switching between cells corresponding to the same CU 160 but different DUs 165), switching between cells in a same-frequency group (e.g., cells corresponding to the same carrier frequency), switching between cells in an inter-frequency group (e.g., cells corresponding to different carrier frequencies), or any combination thereof. The cells may be synchronized or unsynchronized and may correspond to FR1, FR2 or any other frequency region.

[0092] L1 / L2 mobility signaling may support cell activation, cell deactivation, TRP activation, TRP deactivation, SpCell update, or any combination thereof. In some examples, the wireless communication system 100 may support L1 / L2 mobility signaling for CA with multiple TRP (mTRP) communications, co-frequency CA, or both. Additionally or alternatively, the wireless communication system 100 may support L1 / L2 mobility signaling for a single active cell with mTRP communications, co-frequency CA, or both. In some cases, the wireless communication system 100 may support L1 / L2 mobility signaling without configuring CA. In some examples, the active cell may use bandwidth portion (BWP) switching technology to switch between supporting mTRP communications and supporting single TRP (sTRP) communications.

[0093] Figure 2 An example of a network architecture 200 supporting control signaling for SpCell mobility according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure is illustrated. The network architecture 200 (e.g., a decomposed base station architecture, a decomposed RAN architecture) may illustrate an example for implementing one or more aspects of the wireless communication system 100. The network architecture 200 may include one or more CUs 160-a, which may communicate directly with the core network 130-a via a backhaul communication link 120-a, or indirectly with the core network 130-a through one or more decomposed network entities 105 (e.g., a near RT RIC 175-b via an E2 link, or a non-RT RIC 175-a associated with an SMO 180-a (e.g., an SMO framework), or both. The CU 160-a may communicate with one or more DUs 165-a via corresponding midhaul communication links 162-a (e.g., an F1 interface). The DU 165-a may communicate with one or more RUs 170-a via corresponding fronthaul communication links 168-a. The RUs 170-a may be associated with respective coverage areas 110-a and may communicate with the UEs 115-a via one or more communication links 125-a. In some implementations, a UE 115-a may be simultaneously served by multiple RUs 170-a.

[0094] Each of the network entities 105 of the network architecture 200 (e.g., CU 160-a, DU 165-a, RU 170-a, non-RT RIC 175-a, near-RT RIC 175-b, SMO 180-a, open cloud (O-Cloud) 205, open eNB (O-eNB) 210) may include one or more interfaces or may be coupled to one or more interfaces configured to receive or send signals (e.g., data, information) via a wired or wireless transmission medium. Each network entity 105 or an associated processor (e.g., a controller) that provides instructions to an interface of the network entity 105 may be configured to communicate with one or more of the other network entities 105 via a transmission medium. For example, these network entities 105 may include a wired interface that is configured to receive signals on a wired transmission medium or to send signals to one or more of the other network entities 105 on a wired transmission medium. Additionally or alternatively, the network entity 105 may include a wireless interface, which may include a receiver, a transmitter, or a transceiver (e.g., an RF transceiver) configured to receive signals on a wireless transmission medium, or to send signals to one or more of the other network entities 105 on a wireless transmission medium, or both.

[0095] In some examples, CU 160-a may host one or more higher layer control functions. Such control functions may include RRC, PDCP, SDAP, etc. Each control function may be implemented with an interface configured to communicate signals with other control functions hosted by CU 160-a. CU 160-a may be configured to process user plane functionality (e.g., CU-UP), control plane functionality (e.g., CU-CP), or a combination thereof. In some examples, CU 160-a 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, CU 160-a may be implemented to communicate with DU 165-a for network control and signaling.

[0096] DU 165-a may correspond to a logical unit that includes one or more functions (e.g., base station functions, RAN functions) for controlling the operation of one or more RUs 170-a. In some examples, DU 165-a may at least partially host one or more of the RLC layer, the MAC layer, and one or more aspects of the PHY layer (e.g., a high PHY layer, such as modules for FEC encoding and decoding, scrambling, modulation and demodulation, etc.), which depends at least in part on functional divisions, such as those defined by the Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP). In some examples, DU 165-a may also host one or more low PHY layers. Each layer may be implemented with an interface that is configured to communicate signals with other layers hosted by DU 165-a or with control functions hosted by CU160-a.

[0097] In some examples, lower layer functionality may be implemented by one or more RUs 170-a. For example, a RU 170-a controlled by a DU 165-a may correspond to a logical node that hosts RF processing functions or low PHY layer functions (e.g., 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 this architecture, RU 170-a may be implemented to handle over-the-air (OTA) communications with one or more UEs 115-a. In some specific implementations, real-time and non-real-time aspects of control plane and user plane communications with RU 170-a may be controlled by the corresponding DU 165-a. In some examples, this configuration may enable DU 165-a and CU 160-a to be implemented in a cloud-based RAN architecture (such as a vRAN architecture).

[0098] The SMO 180-a may be configured to support RAN deployment and provisioning of non-virtualized and virtualized network entities 105. For non-virtualized network entities 105, the SMO 180-a 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 (e.g., an O1 interface). For virtualized network entities 105, the SMO 180-a may be configured to interact with a cloud computing platform (e.g., O-Cloud 205) via a cloud computing platform interface (e.g., an O2 interface) to perform network entity lifecycle management (e.g., to instantiate virtualized network entities 105). Such virtualized network entities 105 may include, but are not limited to, CU 160-a, DU 165-a, RU 170-a, and near-RT RIC 175-b. In some specific implementations, the SMO 180-a may communicate with components configured according to a 4G RAN (e.g., via an O1 interface). Additionally or alternatively, in some implementations, the SMO 180-a may communicate directly with one or more RUs 170-a via an O1 interface. The SMO 180-a may also include a non-RT RIC 175-a configured to support the functionality of the SMO 180-a.

[0099] The non-RT RIC 175-a may be configured to include logic functions that implement non-real-time control and optimization of RAN elements and resources, artificial intelligence (AI) or machine learning (ML) workflows (including model training and updating, or policy-based guidance of applications / features in the near-RT RIC 175-b). The non-RT RIC 175-a may be coupled to or communicate with the near-RT RIC 175-b (e.g., via an A1 interface). The near-RT RIC 175-b may be configured to include logic functions that implement near real-time control and optimization of RAN elements and resources via data collection and actions on an interface connecting one or more CUs 160-a, one or more DUs 165-a, or both, and the O-eNB 210 to the near-RT RIC 175-b (e.g., via an E2 interface).

[0100] In some examples, in order to generate an AI / ML model to be deployed in the near-RT RIC 175-b, the non-RT RIC 175-a may receive parameters or external enrichment information from an external server. Such information may be utilized by the near-RT RIC 175-b and may be received from a non-network data source or from a network function at the SMO 180-a or the non-RT RIC 175. In some examples, the non-RT RIC 175-a or the near-RT RIC 175-b may be configured to tune RAN behavior or performance. For example, the non-RT RIC 175-a may monitor long-term trends and patterns of performance and employ an AI model or ML model to perform corrective actions through the SMO 180-a (e.g., via reconfiguration of O1) or via the generation of a RAN management policy (such as an A1 policy).

[0101] The network architecture 200 may support L1 / L2 mobility. For example, a UE 115-a may move between coverage areas 110-a for different cells in a configured set of cells for L1 / L2 mobility. Different cells may correspond to different RUs 170-a (e.g., different network entities). In some examples, RU 170-a may have multi-carrier support, thereby effectively supporting multiple cells (e.g., N cells). In some such examples, activation and deactivation may be performed on carrier groups (e.g., cell groups), such as activating or deactivating a cell group corresponding to the same RU 170-a. In some cases, a configured set of cells for L1 / L2 mobility may correspond to cells associated with the same DU 165-a. Alternatively, a configured set of cells for L1 / L2 mobility may correspond to cells associated with different DUs 165-a but the same CU 160-a. In other cases, the configured cell set for L1 / L2 mobility may correspond to cells associated with different CUs 160-a. To support L1 / L2 mobility, a network entity (e.g., RU 170-a, DU 165-a, CU 160-a, or some combination thereof) may send an L1 / L2 signal (e.g., MAC-CE, DCI message) indicating a new SpCell to UE 115-a for communication with the network.

[0102] Figure 3 An example of a wireless communication system 300 supporting control signaling for SpCell mobility according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure is illustrated. The wireless communication system 300 may include or be as referred to herein Figure 1 and Figure 2 The wireless communication system 100, the network architecture 200, or both are described as examples. The wireless communication system 300 may include a UE 115-b, a network entity 105-a, and a network entity 105-b, which may be referenced Figure 1and Figure 2 Examples of corresponding devices described. The wireless communication system 300 can support UE 115-b switching SpCells, for example, based on the mobility of UE 115-b (e.g., from a first geographic coverage area 110-b to a second geographic coverage area 110-c).

[0103] The network entity 105-a may use the cell configuration signal 320 to configure a set of cells for communication to the UE 115-b. For example, the network entity 105-a may send the cell configuration signal 320 to the UE 115-b via the downlink channel 305. In some cases, the network entity 105-a may indicate that the set of cells or a subset of cells configured for the UE 115-b supports L1 mobility, L2 mobility, or both (e.g., L1 / L2 mobility). For example, the network entity 105-a may use RRC signaling to configure a set of cells configured for L1 / L2 mobility for the UE 115-b. The UE 115-b may receive the cell configuration signal 320 and may store information related to a list of cells in the set of cells configured for L1 / L2 mobility. Additionally or alternatively, the network entity 105-a may use the cell configuration signal 320 or other RRC signaling to activate one or more cells, deactivate one or more cells, or both.

[0104] In some examples, the cell configuration signal 320 may configure one or more SpCell configurations for cells in the L1 / L2 mobility configured cell set. Additionally, the cells in the L1 / L2 mobility configured cell set may be on the same or different carrier frequencies (e.g., as indicated by the cell configuration signal 320). By configuring the cells in the L1 / L2 mobility configured cell set, the network and UE 115-b may support updating SpCells from the set using L1 signaling, L2 signaling, or a combination thereof. For example, the L1 / L2 mobility configured cell set may support updating SpCells and active TRPs among activated cells using MAC-CE signaling, DCI signaling, or both.

[0105] The cell set configured for L1 / L2 mobility may include a cell set activated for L1 / L2 mobility, a cell set deactivated for L1 / L2 mobility, a candidate L1 / L2 mobility cell set, or any combination thereof. The cell set activated for L1 / L2 mobility may include a group of one or more service cells that are currently activated. UE 115-b may use such cells for data transmission, control information transmission, or both. Additionally, the network may use L1 signaling, L2 signaling, or a combination thereof to support PCell updates, SpCell updates, or both for cells activated for L1 / L2 mobility. In some cases, UE 115-b may be associated with a UE capability of supporting a single active cell at a time. In some such cases, the cell set activated for L1 / L2 mobility may include one active cell (e.g., a first cell). If the network activates a second cell for UE 115-b based on the cell set configured for L1 / L2 mobility, UE 115-b may automatically deactivate the first cell and perform PCell switching to the second cell to maintain a single active cell in the cell set activated for L1 / L2 mobility. The cell set deactivated for L1 / L2 mobility may include a group of one or more service cells from the cell set configured for L1 / L2 mobility that currently do not support data transmission, control information transmission, or both for UE 115-b. However, the network may use L1 signaling, L2 signaling, or a combination thereof to activate such cells for UE 115-b, perform PCell updates for such cells for UE 115-b, or both. Additionally or alternatively, the network may support L1 measurement reporting for deactivated cells in the cell set deactivated for L1 / L2 mobility so that UE 115-b can monitor channel metrics associated with the deactivated cells. Based on the L1 measurement report from UE 115-b, the network may determine whether to activate a currently deactivated cell from a set of cells configured for L1 / L2 mobility (e.g., based on one or more channel metrics, thresholds, or both). The set of candidate L1 / L2 mobility cells may include a group of one or more serving cells that UE 115-b may autonomously activate using L1 signaling, L2 signaling, or both (e.g., without receiving control signaling from the network to trigger cell activation). In some examples, the candidate cells may support conditional L1 / L2-based PCell changes for UE 115-b.

[0106] In some cases, the cell configuration signal 320 may set the first cell as the current SpCell for the UE 115-b. For example, the network may assign the first cell as the PCell for the MCG and as the PSCell for the SCG. Thus, the UE 115-b may communicate with the network via the first cell. In some examples, the network entity 105-a may serve the first cell corresponding to the geographic coverage area 110-b. For example, the network entity 105-a may be an example of an RU, a DU, or a combination thereof. The network entity 105-a may additionally include one or more TRPs, such as a first TRP 315-a and a second TRP 315-b. The network entity 105-a may communicate with the UE 115-b via the first TRP 315-a. The UE 115-b may perform beamforming and beam refinement to support beam-based communication with the first TRP 315-a of the network entity 105-a corresponding to the first cell.

[0107] The network may determine to use L1 / L2 signaling to switch UE 115-b to a new SpCell. For example, UE 115-b may move from within a geographic coverage area 110-b associated with a first cell to within a geographic coverage area 110-c associated with a second cell (e.g., corresponding to a network entity 105-b, such as a RU, DU, or a combination thereof). Additionally or alternatively, changed channel conditions, traffic, or other parameters may trigger a SpCell switch for UE 115-b.

[0108] The network (e.g., via network entity 105-a, network entity 105-b, or some other network entity) may send a SpCell mobility signal 325 to UE 115-b to switch SpCells for UE 115-b. For example, the network entity 105-a corresponding to the current SpCell may send a SpCell mobility signal 325 indicating a new SpCell for UE 115-b. UE 115-b may receive the SpCell mobility signal 325 and may switch to communicating with the network via the new SpCell indicated by the SpCell mobility signal 325. For example, UE 115-b may switch to using the communication link 310 to communicate with the network via network entity 105-b in response to the SpCell mobility signal 325. The SpCell mobility signal 325 may be an example of a control signal such as an L1 or L2 control signal. For example, the SpCell mobility signal 325 may be an example of a MAC-CE, a DCI signal, or some combination thereof.

[0109] The SpCell mobility signal 325 may indicate that the UE 115-b updates the SpCell used for communication from the first cell to the second cell (e.g., from the set of cells configured for L1 / L2 mobility). For example, the SpCell mobility signal 325 may include a cell ID for the second cell indicating that the UE 115-b sets the second cell as the SpCell used for communication. Additionally or alternatively, the SpCell mobility signal 325 may indicate a pTRP for activation for the second cell. For example, if the second cell is associated with multiple TRPs (e.g., a first TRP 315-c and a second TRP 315-d), the SpCell mobility signal 325 may indicate which TRP is used for the SpCell. As an example, the SpCell mobility signal 325 may include a TRP ID indicating a TRP 315-c for a second cell (e.g., corresponding to the network entity 105-b), and the UE 115-b may communicate with the network via the TRP 315-c. The network may configure TRP 315-c as the pTRP for the new SpCell for communicating with UE 115-b.

[0110] In some examples, the network may not be able to support per-TRP activation and deactivation. For example, activating a cell may automatically activate multiple TRPs associated with the cell, whereas deactivating a cell may automatically deactivate multiple TRPs associated with the cell. In some other examples, the network may support TRP-specific activation, TRP-specific deactivation, or both. For example, the network may indicate to the UE 115-b which TRPs are to be activated or deactivated for a cell. In some cases, the cell configuration signal 320, the SpCell mobility signal 325, or both may support TRP-level granularity for activation information, deactivation information, or both. For example, the SpCell mobility signal 325 may include information as described herein. Figure 5 Described bitmap used for TRP activation.

[0111] Figure 4A and Figure 4B An example of a message format 400 that supports control signaling for SpCell mobility according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure is illustrated. Figure 4A An example of a message format 400-a including a reserved bit for SpCell mobility is illustrated. A network entity 105 (such as reference Figures 1 to 3 The network entity 105 described herein may send a control signal according to the message format 400-a. The control signal may be a control signal as described in reference Figure 3 An example of a SpCell mobility signal described—which may trigger a UE 115 (such as reference Figures 1 to 3The UE 115 described herein switches to a new SpCell. Message format 400-a may be an example of a message format for a MAC-CE for triggering SpCell mobility (e.g., for L2 mobility). The MAC-CE may include a logical channel identifier (LCID) specific to L2 mobility. Alternatively, message format 400-a may be an example of information included in one or more DCI messages to trigger SpCell mobility (e.g., for L1 mobility). The one or more DCI messages may have a DCI format specific to L1 mobility. The MAC-CE or DCI message may trigger SpCell activation, pTRP activation, or both for the UE 115.

[0112] The message format 400-a may include a field indicating a cell ID 405-a. The cell ID 405-a may indicate a cell to be set as a new SpCell. For example, a UE 115 that receives a control signal (e.g., MAC-CE or DCI) indicating the cell ID 405-a may switch from the current SpCell to the cell corresponding to the cell ID 405-a. In some cases, the UE 115 may have been previously configured with multiple cell IDs corresponding to nearby cells (e.g., in a cell set configured for L1 / L2 mobility), and the UE 115 may determine the new SpCell based on the previously configured cell IDs and the indicated cell ID 405-a.

[0113] In some examples, message format 400-a may additionally include a field indicating SpCell configuration ID 415-a. For example, in some cases, the new SpCell indicated by cell ID 405-a may obtain multiple configurations (e.g., a set of cells according to a previous L1 / L2 mobility configuration, e.g., via RRC signaling). SpCell configuration ID 415-a may be an example of a pointer to a specific SpCell configuration for UE 115 to activate for the new SpCell. In some other examples, the message may not indicate SpCell configuration ID 415-a, and UE 115 may activate a default configuration for the new SpCell, or may use a configuration previously configured by the network (e.g., in RRC signaling) for the cell indicated by cell ID 405-a.

[0114] The message format 400-a may additionally include a field indicating a TRP index 420-a (e.g., TRP ID) for the cell designated as the new SpCell. For example, if the cell has multiple TRPs, the TRP index 420-a may indicate a pTRP for communication with the SpCell. The network may communicate with the UE 115 via the pTRP of the new SpCell. In some cases, the network may apply a specific configuration indicated by the SpCell configuration ID 415-a for the pTRP.

[0115] In some examples, the message format 400-a may additionally include a field indicating a channel state information (CSI) reference signal (RS) for tracking (TRS) ID 425-a. TRS ID 425-a may support beam refinement for communicating with the new SpCell. For example, if the cell indicated by cell ID 405-a is currently deactivated (e.g., is part of a set of cells deactivated for L1 / L2 mobility), the control signal may trigger activation of the cell and update the cell to the new SpCell. In order to support activating the cell, the UE 115 receiving the control signal may perform beam refinement based on TRS ID 425-a. For example, TRS ID 425-a may indicate one or more transmit configuration indicator (TCI) states to be activated for the new SpCell (e.g., one or more TRPs for the new SpCell). For example, TRS ID 425-a may include information for multiple TRPs for the new SpCell. Additionally or alternatively, TRS ID 425-a may indicate one or more reference signals (e.g., CSI-RS) for use by UE 115 for tracking and beam refinement. UE 115 may monitor the reference signals, measure the reference signal power, and perform beamforming management and beam refinement based on the measured reference signal power. If the new SpCell is already active (e.g., the cell indicated by cell ID 405-a is active for UE 115 before UE 115 receives the control signal), message format 400-a may not include TRS ID 425-a. For example, a field indicating TRS ID 425-a may be set to a default value or may not be included in the control signal. Because the cell is already active, UE 115 may have stored TRS ID information for the cell, may have performed beam refinement for the cell, or both.

[0116] In some examples, the message format 400-a may include one or more fields indicating an L1 measurement ID for a deactivated cell. For example, the network may indicate an L1 measurement ID for a deactivated cell so that a UE 115 receiving a control signal according to the message format 400-a may perform an L1 measurement for the deactivated cell (e.g., to monitor signal quality, channel quality, or both for the deactivated cell). In some cases, the message format 400-a may include an L1 measurement ID for each deactivated cell, wherein the L1 measurement ID corresponds to multiple TRPs for the corresponding deactivated cell. For example, a single L1 measurement ID for multiple TRPs may indicate a configuration for the TRP for each cell (e.g., based solely on a single L1 measurement ID), or may indicate a common configuration to be applied to the TRP for each cell. The L1 measurement IDs may be organized in ascending order of the deactivated cell IDs. In some other cases, the message format 400-a may include an L1 measurement ID for each TRP of a deactivated cell. The L1 measurement ID may indicate a configuration for the corresponding TRP for the deactivated cell. For a given cell ID, the L1 measurement IDs may be organized in ascending order of deactivated cell IDs and in ascending order of TRP IDs. For example, based on the number of cells, TRPs, or both to be deactivated in response to the control signal, the message format 400-a may include any number of L1 measurement IDs. As illustrated, the message format 400-a may include a first L1 measurement ID 430-a to a last L1 measurement ID 430-n.

[0117] In some examples, the message format 400-a may include reserved bits that can be used to indicate one or more parameters associated with SpCell activation, SpCell deactivation, TRP activation, TRP deactivation, beam management, or any combination thereof. In some cases, the message format 400-a may include a first set of reserved bits 410-a that may be referred to as R1 bits. Additionally or alternatively, the message format 400-a may include a second set of reserved bits 410-b that may be referred to as R2 bits. At least a portion of the reserved bits (e.g., reserved bits 410-a, reserved bits 410-b, or a combination thereof) may indicate which fields are present in the control signal (e.g., according to the message format 400-a). For example, the reserved bits may indicate whether the SpCell configuration ID 415-a is included in the control signal. Additionally or alternatively, the reserved bits may indicate whether the L1 measurement ID field for the deactivated cell or TRP is included in the control signal. In some cases, the reserved bits may indicate the number of L1 measurement IDs included in the control signal. Additionally or alternatively, a reserved bit may indicate whether the TRS ID 425-a is included in the control signal.

[0118] In some cases, at least a portion of the reserved bits (e.g., reserved bits 410-a, reserved bits 410-b, or a combination thereof) may indicate the state of a previous SpCell (e.g., the current SpCell for UE 115 when UE 115 receives the control signal). The state may indicate whether the previous SpCell will remain active or be deactivated based on the SpCell update to the new SpCell indicated by cell ID 405-a. For example, the reserved bits may include a bit that may serve as a flag for the state of the previous SpCell. If the bit is set to a first value (e.g., 0), UE 115 may deactivate the previous SpCell based on switching to the new SpCell. If the bit is set to a second value (e.g., 1), UE 115 may maintain the previous SpCell as an active cell regardless of switching to the new SpCell.

[0119] A UE 115 that receives a control signal formatted according to message format 400-a may determine that the control signal is specific to L1 / L2 mobility (e.g., based on the LCID for the MAC-CE or based on the DCI format for the DCI message). The UE 115 may decode and interpret the information carried within the control signal based on determining that the control signal is specific to L1 / L2 mobility. The UE 115 may trigger a SpCell update in response to receiving a control signal indicating a cell ID 405-a, and may activate a pTRP based on the TRP index 420-a.

[0120] Figure 4B An example of a message format 400-b without a reserved bit for SpCell mobility is illustrated. The network entity 105 (such as reference Figures 1 to 4A The network entity 105 described herein may send a control signal according to the message format 400-b. The control signal may be a control signal as described in reference Figure 3 An example of a SpCell mobility signal described—which may trigger a UE 115 (such as reference Figures 1 to 4A 115) switches to a new SpCell. Message format 400-b may be an example of a message format for a MAC-CE for triggering SpCell mobility (e.g., for L2 mobility) or one or more DCI messages for triggering SpCell mobility (e.g., for L1 mobility). The MAC-CE or DCI message may trigger SpCell activation, pTRP activation, or both for UE 115.

[0121] Message format 400-b may not include reserved bits for indicating additional information related to SpCell activation, SpCell deactivation, TRP activation, TRP deactivation, beam management, or any combination thereof. For example, a network may reduce signaling overhead associated with control signals for L1 / L2 mobility by refraining from including reserved bits in the control signals. Alternatively, message format 400-b may be as described herein with reference to Figure 4A As described, it includes a cell ID 405-b, a TRP index 420-b, a SpCell configuration ID 415-b, a TRS ID 425-b, one or more L1 measurement IDs (e.g., the first L1 measurement ID 430-b to the last L1 measurement ID 430-m), or any combination of these.

[0122] Figure 5 An example of a message format 500 supporting control signaling for SpCell mobility according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure is illustrated. A network entity 105 (such as a reference Figures 1 to 4B The network entity 105 described herein may send a control signal according to the message format 500. The control signal may be a control signal as described in reference Figure 3 An example of a SpCell mobility signal described—which may trigger a UE 115 (such as reference Figures 1 to 4B The UE 115 described herein switches to a new SpCell. The message format 500 may be an example of a message format for a MAC-CE for triggering SpCell mobility (e.g., for L2 mobility) or one or more DCI messages for triggering SpCell mobility (e.g., for L1 mobility). The MAC-CE or DCI message may trigger SpCell activation, pTRP activation, or both for the UE 115. The message format 500 may include a bitmap 510 to indicate a specific TRP activation, deactivation, or some combination thereof.

[0123] Message format 500 may be referred to herein Figure 4A As described, the message format 500 may include a cell ID 505, a TRP index 520, a SpCell configuration ID 515, a TRS ID 525, one or more L1 measurement IDs (e.g., a first L1 measurement ID 530-a to a last L1 measurement ID 530-n), or any combination thereof. Additionally or alternatively, the message format 500 may be described herein with reference to Figure 4A In some examples, the reserved bits in the message format 500 may indicate whether the bitmap 510 is included in the control signal. If the bitmap 510 is not included, the UE 115 receiving the control signal may determine that the TRP-specific activation for the active cell is not supported by the control signal, and may activate any TRP associated with the activated cell.

[0124] The message format 500 may additionally include a bitmap 510. In some examples, the bitmap may be organized into octets (e.g., sets of eight bits). For example, each octet may include a first bit 540-a, a second bit 540-b, a third bit 540-c, a fourth bit 540-d, a fifth bit 540-e, a sixth bit 540-f, a seventh bit 540-g, and an eighth bit 540-h. In some cases, some bits of the bitmap 510 may be unused (e.g., set to a default value, reserved). The bitmap 510 may include a certain number of octets from the first octet 535-a to the last octet 535-n.

[0125] The network may generate a bitmap 510 to indicate one or more TRPs associated with a cell configured for activation (e.g., in a set of cells configured for L1 / L2 mobility) for a UE 115 that receives a control signal, one or more TRPs associated with a cell configured for deactivation by the UE 115, or both. The network may add the bitmap 510 to a control signal that updates the SpCell to indicate TRP-specific activation information, deactivation information, or both. In some examples, the bitmap 510 may indicate activation of a TRP for an activated cell (e.g., in a set of cells activated for L1 / L2 mobility), deactivation of a TRP, or both, wherein the UE 115 may assume that a TRP associated with a deactivated cell (e.g., in a set of cells deactivated for L1 / L2 mobility) is deactivated. In this manner, a control signal (e.g., MAC-CE, DCI signal) including the bitmap 510 may support TRP-specific activation / deactivation.

[0126] In some examples, each bit in bitmap 510 may be annotated as T ik , where i refers to a row (eg, an octet) in the bitmap 510 and k refers to a column in the bitmap 510. The bit T in the bitmap 510 ik The TRP-specific activation information for the TRP with the i-th cell ID and the k-th TRP index may be indicated. ik is set to the first value (e.g., 1), UE 115 may activate the corresponding TRP; if bit T ikis set to a second bit value (e.g., 0), the UE 115 may deactivate the corresponding TRP. In some examples, the TRP information may be included in a bitmap 510 organized in ascending order of cell IDs and ascending order of TRP IDs. In some cases, the number of fields for TRPs may be fixed in the bitmap 510 based on a threshold number of TRPs that can be configured (e.g., a maximum number) or based on the actual number of TRPs configured per cell. For example, if a cell is associated with two TRPs, the bitmap 510 may use the first bit 540-a and the second bit 540-b to indicate TRP-specific activation information for the two TRPs. The remaining bits in the octet may be reserved for other purposes, or in some cases, may be used to indicate activation information for TRPs of other cells.

[0127] If the control signal activates a new SpCell (e.g., cell ID 505 indicates a cell that was deactivated for UE 115 before receiving the control signal), UE 115 may activate the indicated cell and update the indicated cell to the SpCell. Additionally, the control signal may indicate a TRS ID 525 for the activated cell, and may include a bitmap 510 to indicate TRP activation, TRP deactivation, or both for the activated cell. For example, based on the bitmap 510, UE 115 may activate a first TRP for the new SpCell (e.g., a pTRP indicated by a TRP index 520), but may maintain a second TRP for the new SpCell as deactivated. For example, the first bit in the bitmap 510 corresponding to the first TRP of the new SpCell may indicate a first value for activation, whereas the second bit in the bitmap 510 corresponding to the second TRP of the new SpCell may indicate a second value for deactivation. If TRS ID 525 is not included in the control signal for the newly activated cell, UE 115 may apply a default TRS ID for the cell. Similarly, if bitmap 510 is not included in the control signal for the newly activated cell, UE 115 may activate each TRP associated with the cell.

[0128] Figure 6 An example of a process flow 600 for supporting control signaling for SpCell mobility according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure is illustrated. The process flow 600 may be implemented as described herein with reference to Figures 1 to 3 The process flow 600 may be implemented in or by aspects of the described wireless communication system 100, network architecture 200, wireless communication system 300, or some combination thereof. The process flow 600 includes a UE 115-c, a network entity 105-c, and a network entity 105-d, which may be as described herein with reference to Figures 1 to 5 Examples of UE 115 and network entity 105 are described. For example, network entity 105-c may be configured as described herein. FIG. 4A to FIG. 5 The described message formats of message format 400-a, message format 400-b, or message format 500 use L1 / L2 signaling to trigger SpCell update at UE 115-c. In the following description of process flow 600, the operations performed by the device may be performed in a different order or at a different time. Additionally or alternatively, some operations may also be omitted from process flow 600 and other operations may be added to process flow 600.

[0129] At 605, the network entity 105-c may send a cell configuration signal to the UE 115-c. For example, the network entity 105-c may send a first control signal that configures a set of multiple cells that support mobility for the UE 115-c. The first control signal may additionally set a first cell among the configured cells as a SpCell for the UE 115-c. The first control signal may be an example of an RRC signal, and may activate one or more cells, deactivate one or more cells, or both. The UE 115-c may receive a first control signal indicating the configuration of cells that support mobility for the UE 115-c. The UE 115-c may communicate with the network via the first cell set as the SpCell. Each cell may be configured to support L1 / L2 mobility for the UE 115-c.

[0130] In some examples, at 610, UE 115-c may send a confirmation message in response to the cell configuration signal. For example, UE 115-c may send a positive confirmation to network entity 105-c, indicating that UE 115-c received the cell configuration signal and reconfigured cell information based on the cell configuration signal. In some cases, the confirmation message may be an example of an RRC reconfiguration complete message.

[0131] At 615, the network entity 105-c may send a SpCell mobility signal to the UE 115-c (e.g., in L1 signaling, L2 signaling, or both). For example, the network entity 105-c may send a second control signal instructing the UE 115-c to update the SpCell used for communication to a second cell in a set of multiple configured cells. The UE 115-c may receive a second control signal indicating that the SpCell used for communication is updated to the second cell, and may set the second cell as a new SpCell. For example, the UE 115-c may switch from using the first cell as the SpCell to using the second cell as the SpCell in response to receiving the second control signal. In some examples, the second control signal may be an example of a MAC-CE. The MAC-CE may include an LCID indicating that the MAC-CE configures the UE 115-c to update the SpCell (e.g., switch the SpCell from the first cell to the second cell). In some other examples, the second control signal may be an example of a DCI signal. The DCI signal may have a DCI format indicating that the DCI signal configures the UE 115 - c to update the SpCell (eg, switch the SpCell from the first cell to the second cell).

[0132] In some cases, the second control signal may additionally indicate a pTRP for activation for the second cell (e.g., a new SpCell). For example, if the second cell is associated with multiple TRPs, the second control signal may indicate a TRP index corresponding to a TRP among the multiple TRPs to be set as the pTRP for the SpCell. The UE 115-c may communicate with the pTRP based on this indication. In some cases, the first control signal may initially configure a first pTRP for the second cell, and the second control signal may update the configuration to a different pTRP for the second cell.

[0133] In some examples, the second cell may be currently deactivated (e.g., based on the cell configuration signal received at 605). At 620, the UE 115-c may activate the second cell to communicate as a SpCell in response to receiving the second control signal. In some cases, activating the second cell may involve activating multiple TRPs associated with the second cell (e.g., a pTRP and any aTRPs associated with the cell). In some such examples, the second control signal may further indicate an ID of a TRS based on the second cell being deactivated. The TRS ID may support beam management operations for the newly activated SpCell at the UE 115-c.

[0134] In some examples, the second control signal may further indicate a configuration for the SpCell. At 625, the UE 115-c may activate the configuration for the SpCell based on the second control signal. In some cases, the SpCell configuration may be activated from a set of multiple configurations that can be utilized by the second cell based on the cell configuration (e.g., based on the cell configuration signal).

[0135] In some examples, at 630, UE 115-c may perform beam refinement for the second cell based on the TRS ID indicated in the second control signal. For example, UE 115-c may receive CSI-RS from the second cell (e.g., corresponding to network entity 105-d) and may use these CSI-RS to perform beamforming operations. In some cases, the TRS ID may correspond to multiple TRPs for the second cell. Additionally or alternatively, the TRS ID may indicate one or more TCI states to be activated for the second cell, one or more reference signals (e.g., CSI-RS) used for beam refinement for the second cell, or both.

[0136] In some examples, at 635, the UE 115-c may activate one or more additional cells, deactivate one or more additional cells, activate one or more TRPs, deactivate one or more TRPs, or any combination thereof based on the second control signal. In some cases, the second control signal may indicate one or more cells to be deactivated, and the UE 115-c may deactivate the one or more cells. Additionally or alternatively, the second control signal may indicate one or more L1 measurement IDs and reporting configurations corresponding to one or more deactivated cells (e.g., cells previously deactivated or cells indicated to be deactivated in the second control signal), corresponding to one or more TRPs associated with the one or more deactivated cells, or some combination thereof. The UE 115-c may assume that the TRP associated with the deactivated cell is also deactivated, so that deactivating the cell may involve deactivating the TRP associated with the cell.

[0137] In some cases, the second control signal may include a bitmap for TRP activation. The UE 115-c may activate one or more TRPs associated with the configured cell based on the bitmap. Additionally or alternatively, the UE 115-c may deactivate one or more other TRPs associated with the configured cell based on the bitmap. That is, the bitmap may support TRP-specific activation and deactivation via L1 / L2 signaling at the UE 115-c.

[0138] In some cases, the second control signal may include a set of reserved bits indicating which fields (e.g., SpCell configuration ID field, TRP index field, TRS ID field, one or more L1 measurement ID fields) are present in the second control signal. Additionally or alternatively, the reserved bits may indicate that the first cell configured as the SpCell for communication is to be deactivated or maintained in an active state, for example, immediately after updating the SpCell to the second cell.

[0139] At 640, UE 115-c may communicate with the network via the new SpCell. For example, UE 115-c may communicate with the second cell via pTRP based on the second control signal. In some examples, UE 115-c may communicate with a second network entity 105-d corresponding to the second cell immediately following the SpCell update.

[0140] Figure 7 A block diagram 700 of a device 705 supporting control signaling for SpCell mobility according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure is shown. The device 705 may be an example of aspects of the UE 115 as described herein. The device 705 may include a receiver 710, a transmitter 715, and a communication manager 720. The device 705 may also include a processor. Each of these components may communicate with each other (e.g., via one or more buses).

[0141] The receiver 710 may provide means for receiving information such as packets associated with various information channels (e.g., control channels related to control signaling for SpCell mobility, data channels, information channels), user data, control information, or any combination thereof. The information may be communicated to other components of the device 705. The receiver 710 may utilize a single antenna or a collection of multiple antennas.

[0142] The transmitter 715 may provide means for transmitting signals generated by other components of the device 705. For example, the transmitter 715 may transmit information such as packets associated with various information channels (e.g., control channels related to control signaling for SpCell mobility, data channels, information channels), user data, control information, or any combination thereof. In some examples, the transmitter 715 may be co-located with the receiver 710 in a transceiver module. The transmitter 715 may utilize a single antenna or a collection of multiple antennas.

[0143] The communication manager 720, the receiver 710, the transmitter 715, or various combinations thereof or various components thereof may be examples of means for performing various aspects of control signaling for SpCell mobility as described herein. For example, the communication manager 720, the receiver 710, the transmitter 715, or various combinations thereof or components thereof may support methods for performing one or more of the functions described herein.

[0144] In some examples, the communication manager 720, the receiver 710, the transmitter 715, or various combinations or components thereof may be implemented in hardware (e.g., in a communication management circuit). The hardware may include a processor, a digital signal processor (DSP), a central processing unit (CPU), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field programmable gate array (FPGA) or other programmable logic device, a microcontroller, discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof that is configured as or otherwise supports components for performing the functions described in the present disclosure. In some examples, the processor and a memory coupled to the processor may be configured to perform one or more of the functions described herein (e.g., by executing instructions stored in the memory by the processor).

[0145] Additionally or alternatively, in some examples, the communication manager 720, the receiver 710, the transmitter 715, or various combinations or components thereof may be implemented in code executed by a processor (e.g., as communication management software or firmware). If implemented in code executed by a processor, the functionality of the communication manager 720, the receiver 710, the transmitter 715, or various combinations or components thereof may be performed by a general purpose processor (e.g., configured as or otherwise supporting components for performing the functions described in the present disclosure), a DSP, a CPU, an ASIC, an FPGA, a microcontroller, or any combination of these or other programmable logic devices.

[0146] In some examples, the communication manager 720 can be configured to perform various operations (e.g., receive, obtain, monitor, output, send) using or otherwise cooperating with the receiver 710, the transmitter 715, or both. For example, the communication manager 720 can receive information from the receiver 710, transmit information to the transmitter 715, or integrate with the receiver 710, the transmitter 715, or both to obtain information, output information, or perform various other operations as described herein.

[0147] According to the examples disclosed herein, the communication manager 720 may support wireless communication at the UE. For example, the communication manager 720 may be configured to or otherwise support a component for receiving a first control signal indicating a configuration of a set of multiple cells supporting mobility for the UE. The first cell in the set of multiple cells is a SpCell for communication. The communication manager 720 may be configured to or otherwise support a component for receiving a second control signal indicating that the SpCell for communication is updated from the first cell to a second cell in the set of multiple cells and indicating a pTRP for activation for the second cell. The communication manager 720 may be configured to or otherwise support a component for communicating with the second cell via a pTRP based on the second control signal.

[0148] By including or configuring a communication manager 720 according to examples as described herein, the device 705 (e.g., a processor controlling or otherwise coupled to the receiver 710, the transmitter 715, the communication manager 720, or a combination thereof) may support techniques for improved SpCell updates. For example, the device 705 may update the SpCell based on L1 or L2 signaling that may support relatively lower latency SpCell updates than L3 signaling. Additionally or alternatively, for example, updating the SpCell in response to a MAC-CE or DCI signal may reduce the signaling overhead involved in the SpCell update compared to a handover procedure for SpCell reconfiguration (e.g., using RRC signaling). Reducing the signaling overhead may reduce the processing overhead at the device 705, thereby effectively reducing the amount of processing resources that are accelerated to handle SpCell updates.

[0149] Figure 8 A block diagram 800 of a device 805 supporting control signaling for SpCell mobility according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure is shown. The device 805 may be an example of aspects of the device 705 or UE 115 as described herein. The device 805 may include a receiver 810, a transmitter 815, and a communication manager 820. The device 805 may also include a processor. Each of these components may communicate with each other (e.g., via one or more buses).

[0150] The receiver 810 may provide means for receiving information such as packets associated with various information channels (e.g., control channels related to control signaling for SpCell mobility, data channels, information channels), user data, control information, or any combination thereof. The information may be communicated to other components of the device 805. The receiver 810 may utilize a single antenna or a collection of multiple antennas.

[0151] The transmitter 815 may provide means for transmitting signals generated by other components of the device 805. For example, the transmitter 815 may transmit information such as packets associated with various information channels (e.g., control channels related to control signaling for SpCell mobility, data channels, information channels), user data, control information, or any combination thereof. In some examples, the transmitter 815 may be co-located with the receiver 810 in a transceiver module. The transmitter 815 may utilize a single antenna or a collection of multiple antennas.

[0152] The device 805 or its various components may be examples of components for performing various aspects of control signaling for SpCell mobility as described herein. For example, the communication manager 820 may include a cell configuration component 825, a SpCell mobility component 830, a communication component 835, or any combination thereof. The communication manager 820 may be an example of various aspects of the communication manager 720 as described herein. In some examples, the communication manager 820 or its various components may be configured to use or otherwise cooperate with the receiver 810, the transmitter 815, or both to perform various operations (e.g., receive, obtain, monitor, output, send). For example, the communication manager 820 may receive information from the receiver 810, transmit information to the transmitter 815, or be integrated with the receiver 810, the transmitter 815, or both to obtain information, output information, or perform various other operations as described herein.

[0153] According to the examples disclosed herein, the communication manager 820 may support wireless communication at the UE. The cell configuration component 825 may be configured to or otherwise support a component for receiving a first control signal indicating a configuration of a set of multiple cells supporting mobility for the UE. The first cell in the set of multiple cells may be a SpCell for communication. The SpCell mobility component 830 may be configured to or otherwise support a component for receiving a second control signal indicating that the SpCell for communication is updated from the first cell to the second cell in the set of multiple cells and indicating a pTRP for activation for the second cell. The communication component 835 may be configured to or otherwise support a component for communicating with the second cell via the pTRP based on the second control signal.

[0154] Fig. 9A block diagram 900 of a communication manager 920 supporting control signaling for SpCell mobility according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure is shown. The communication manager 920 may be an example of aspects of the communication manager 720, the communication manager 820, or both as described herein. The communication manager 920 or its various components may be examples of components for performing various aspects of control signaling for SpCell mobility as described herein. For example, the communication manager 920 may include a cell configuration component 925, a SpCell mobility component 930, a communication component 935, a SpCell configuration component 940, a cell activation component 945, a beam refinement component 950, a cell deactivation component 955, a TRP activation component 960, a TRP deactivation component 965, or any combination thereof. Each of these components may communicate with each other directly or indirectly (e.g., via one or more buses).

[0155] According to the examples disclosed herein, the communication manager 920 may support wireless communication at the UE. The cell configuration component 925 may be configured to or otherwise support a component for receiving a first control signal indicating a configuration of a set of multiple cells supporting mobility for the UE. The first cell in the set of multiple cells may be a SpCell for communication. The SpCell mobility component 930 may be configured to or otherwise support a component for receiving a second control signal indicating that the SpCell for communication is updated from the first cell to the second cell in the set of multiple cells and indicating a pTRP for activation for the second cell. The communication component 935 may be configured to or otherwise support a component for communicating with the second cell via the pTRP based on the second control signal.

[0156] In some examples, the second control signal further indicates a configuration for the SpCell, and the SpCell configuration component 940 may be configured as or otherwise support components for activating a configuration for the SpCell from a set of multiple configurations that can be utilized by the second cell based on the second control signal, wherein the communication is further based on the activated configuration for the SpCell.

[0157] In some examples, the second cell is deactivated based on the first control signal, and the second control signal is further indicated based on the second cell being deactivated to indicate an identifier of the TRS. In some examples, cell activation component 945 may be configured or otherwise support components for activating the second cell in response to receiving the second control signal. In some examples, beam refinement component 950 may be configured or otherwise support components for performing beam refinement for the second cell based on the identifier of the TRS.

[0158] In some examples, the identifier of the TRS corresponds to a set of multiple TRPs for the second cell. In some examples, the identifier of the TRS indicates one or more TCI states to be activated for the second cell, one or more reference signals for beam refinement for the second cell, or both.

[0159] In some examples, the cell deactivation component 955 may be configured to or otherwise support means for further indicating that one or more cells are to be deactivated based on a second control signal to deactivate the one or more cells. In some examples, the second control signal indicates one or more L1 measurement identifiers and reporting configurations corresponding to the one or more cells to be deactivated, one or more TRPs associated with the one or more cells to be deactivated, or a combination thereof.

[0160] In some examples, to support deactivation of one or more cells, TRP deactivation component 965 may be configured as or otherwise support components for deactivating a set of multiple TRPs associated with one or more cells.

[0161] In some examples, TRP activation component 960 may be configured to or otherwise support components for activating one or more additional TRPs associated with the second cell based on a second control signal indicating updating the SpCell used for communication with the second cell.

[0162] In some examples, TRP activation component 960 may be configured or otherwise support components for activating one or more TRPs associated with a set of multiple cells based on a second control signal including a bitmap for TRP activation.

[0163] In some examples, TRP deactivation component 965 may be configured or otherwise support components for deactivating one or more other TRPs associated with a set of multiple cells based on a bitmap for TRP activation.

[0164] In some examples, the second control signal includes an LCID indicating that the second control signal configures the UE to switch the SpCell from the first cell to the second cell. In some other examples, the second control signal corresponds to a DCI format indicating that the second control signal configures the UE to switch the SpCell from the first cell to the second cell.

[0165] In some examples, the second control signal also includes a set of reserved bits indicating which fields exist within the second control signal, indicating that the first cell configured as the SpCell for communication is to be deactivated, indicating that the first cell configured as the SpCell for communication is to be maintained as active, or a combination thereof.

[0166] In some examples, the first control signal configures a first pTRP for the second cell from a set of multiple pTRPs associated with the second cell. In some examples, the pTRP for activation indicated for the second cell using the second control signal includes a second pTRP from the set of multiple pTRPs that is different from the first pTRP.

[0167] In some examples, the first control signal includes an RRC signal.In some examples, the second control signal includes a MAC-CE, a DCI signal, or both.

[0168] Fig.10 A diagram of a system 1000 including a device 1005 supporting control signaling for SpCell mobility according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure is shown. The device 1005 may be an example of a device 705, a device 805, or a UE 115 as described herein, or include components thereof. The device 1005 may communicate (e.g., wirelessly) with one or more network entities 105, one or more UEs 115, or any combination thereof. The device 1005 may include components for two-way voice and data communications, including components for sending and receiving communications, such as a communication manager 1020, an input / output (I / O) controller 1010, a transceiver 1015, an antenna 1025, a memory 1030, a code 1035, and a processor 1040. These components may be electronically communicated or otherwise coupled (e.g., operatively, communicatively, functionally, electronically, electrically) via one or more buses (e.g., a bus 1045).

[0169] I / O controller 1010 can manage input and output signals for device 1005. I / O controller 1010 can also manage peripheral devices that are not integrated into device 1005. In some cases, I / O controller 1010 can represent a physical connection or port to an external peripheral device. In some cases, I / O controller 1010 can utilize an operating system, such as or another known operating system. Additionally or alternatively, I / O controller 1010 may represent or interact with a modem, keyboard, mouse, touch screen, or similar device. In some cases, I / O controller 1010 may be implemented as part of a processor (such as processor 1040). In some cases, a user may interact with device 1005 via I / O controller 1010 or via hardware components controlled by I / O controller 1010.

[0170] In some cases, the device 1005 may include a single antenna 1025. However, in some other cases, the device 1005 may have more than one antenna 1025, which may be capable of concurrently transmitting or receiving multiple wireless transmissions. The transceiver 1015 may communicate bidirectionally via one or more antennas 1025, a wired link, or a wireless link as described herein. For example, the transceiver 1015 may represent a wireless transceiver and may communicate bidirectionally with another wireless transceiver. The transceiver 1015 may also include a modem for: modulating packets; providing the modulated packets to one or more antennas 1025 for transmission; and demodulating packets received from one or more antennas 1025. The transceiver 1015 or the transceiver 1015 and one or more antennas 1025 may be examples of transmitters 715, transmitters 815, receivers 710, receivers 810, or any combination thereof or any components thereof as described herein.

[0171] Memory 1030 may include random access memory (RAM) and read-only memory (ROM). Memory 1030 may store computer-readable, computer-executable code 1035 including instructions that, when executed by processor 1040, cause device 1005 to perform various functions described herein. Code 1035 may be stored in a non-transitory computer-readable medium such as system memory or another type of memory. In some cases, code 1035 may not be directly executable by processor 1040, but may (e.g., when compiled and executed) cause a computer to perform the functions described herein. In some cases, memory 1030 may include, among other things, a basic I / O system (BIOS) that may control basic hardware or software operations, such as interaction with peripheral components or devices.

[0172] The processor 1040 may include an intelligent hardware device (e.g., a general-purpose processor, a DSP, a CPU, a microcontroller, an ASIC, an FPGA, a programmable logic device, a discrete gate or transistor logic component, a discrete hardware component, or any combination thereof). In some cases, the processor 1040 may be configured to operate a memory array using a memory controller. In some other cases, the memory controller may be integrated into the processor 1040. The processor 1040 may be configured to execute computer-readable instructions stored in a memory (e.g., memory 1030) so that the device 1005 performs various functions (e.g., various functions or tasks supporting control signaling for SpCell mobility). For example, the device 1005 or a component of the device 1005 may include a processor 1040 and a memory 1030 coupled to or coupled to the processor 1040, and the processor 1040 and the memory 1030 are configured to perform the various functions described herein.

[0173] According to the examples disclosed herein, the communication manager 1020 may support wireless communication at the UE. For example, the communication manager 1020 may be configured to or otherwise support a component for receiving a first control signal indicating a configuration of a set of multiple cells supporting mobility for the UE. A first cell in the set of multiple cells may be configured as a SpCell for communication. The communication manager 1020 may be configured to or otherwise support a component for receiving a second control signal indicating that the SpCell for communication is updated from the first cell to a second cell in the set of multiple cells and indicating a pTRP for activation for the second cell. The communication manager 1020 may be configured to or otherwise support a component for communicating with the second cell via a pTRP based on the second control signal.

[0174] By including or configuring a communication manager 1020 according to the examples described herein, the device 1005 may support techniques for reducing SpCell update latency and signaling overhead to support improved SpCell mobility techniques. For example, the device 1005 may update the SpCell to a new SpCell in response to L1 or L2 signaling that can support relatively lower latency than L3 signaling. Additionally or alternatively, in contrast to cell reconfiguration using L3 signaling (e.g., RRC signaling), the device 1005 may use L1 or L2 signaling to support TRP activation, TRP deactivation, cell activation, cell deactivation, or some combination thereof. Therefore, the device 1005 may use relatively low latency and relatively low overhead L1 signals (e.g., DCI), L2 signals (e.g., MAC-CE), or both to support SpCell connections and other cell management.

[0175] In some examples, the communication manager 1020 may be configured to perform various operations (e.g., receive, monitor, transmit) using or otherwise cooperating with the transceiver 1015, one or more antennas 1025, or any combination thereof. Although the communication manager 1020 is illustrated as a separate component, in some examples, one or more functions described with reference to the communication manager 1020 may be supported or performed by the processor 1040, the memory 1030, the code 1035, or any combination thereof. For example, the code 1035 may include instructions that are executable by the processor 1040 to cause the device 1005 to perform various aspects of control signaling for SpCell mobility as described herein, or the processor 1040 and the memory 1030 may be otherwise configured to perform or support such operations.

[0176] Fig.11A block diagram 1100 of a device 1105 supporting control signaling for SpCell mobility according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure is shown. The device 1105 may be an example of aspects of the network entity 105 as described herein. The device 1105 may include a receiver 1110, a transmitter 1115, and a communication manager 1120. The device 1105 may also include a processor. Each of these components may communicate with each other (e.g., via one or more buses).

[0177] Receiver 1110 may provide means for obtaining (e.g., receiving, determining, identifying) information associated with various channels (e.g., control channels, data channels, information channels, channels associated with a protocol stack), such as user data, control information, or any combination thereof (e.g., I / Q samples, symbols, packets, protocol data units, service data units). The information may be communicated to other components of device 1105. In some examples, receiver 1110 may support obtaining information by receiving signals via one or more antennas. Additionally or alternatively, receiver 1110 may support obtaining information by receiving signals via one or more wired (e.g., electrical, optical fiber) interfaces, wireless interfaces, or any combination thereof.

[0178] The transmitter 1115 may provide means for outputting (e.g., transmitting, providing, conveying, transmitting) information generated by other components of the device 1105. For example, the transmitter 1115 may output information associated with various channels (e.g., control channels, data channels, information channels, channels associated with a protocol stack), such as user data, control information, or any combination thereof (e.g., I / Q samples, symbols, packets, protocol data units, service data units). In some examples, the transmitter 1115 may support outputting information by sending signals via one or more antennas. Additionally or alternatively, the transmitter 1115 may support outputting information by sending signals via one or more wired (e.g., electrical, optical) interfaces, wireless interfaces, or any combination thereof. In some examples, the transmitter 1115 and the receiver 1110 may be co-located in a transceiver, which may include a modem or be coupled to a modem.

[0179] The communication manager 1120, the receiver 1110, the transmitter 1115, or various combinations thereof or various components thereof may be examples of means for performing various aspects of control signaling for SpCell mobility as described herein. For example, the communication manager 1120, the receiver 1110, the transmitter 1115, or various combinations thereof or components thereof may support methods for performing one or more of the functions described herein.

[0180] In some examples, the communication manager 1120, the receiver 1110, the transmitter 1115, or various combinations or components thereof may be implemented in hardware (e.g., in a communication management circuit). The hardware may include a processor, a DSP, a CPU, an ASIC, an FPGA or other programmable logic device, a microcontroller, discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof that is configured as or otherwise supports components for performing the functions described in the present disclosure. In some examples, a processor and a memory coupled to the processor may be configured to perform one or more of the functions described herein (e.g., by executing instructions stored in the memory by the processor).

[0181] Additionally or alternatively, in some examples, the communication manager 1120, the receiver 1110, the transmitter 1115, or various combinations or components thereof may be implemented in code executed by a processor (e.g., as communication management software or firmware). If implemented in code executed by a processor, the functionality of the communication manager 1120, the receiver 1110, the transmitter 1115, or various combinations or components thereof may be performed by a general purpose processor (e.g., configured as or otherwise supporting components for performing the functions described in the present disclosure), a DSP, a CPU, an ASIC, an FPGA, a microcontroller, or any combination of these or other programmable logic devices.

[0182] In some examples, communication manager 1120 may be configured to perform various operations (e.g., receive, obtain, monitor, output, send) using or otherwise cooperating with receiver 1110, transmitter 1115, or both. For example, communication manager 1120 may receive information from receiver 1110, transmit information to transmitter 1115, or be integrated in conjunction with receiver 1110, transmitter 1115, or both to obtain information, output information, or perform various other operations as described herein.

[0183] According to the examples disclosed herein, the communication manager 1120 may support wireless communications at one or more network entities. For example, the communication manager 1120 may be configured to or otherwise support a component for sending a first control signal that configures a set of multiple cells that support mobility for the UE. The first cell in the set of multiple cells may be a SpCell for communication for the UE. The communication manager 1120 may be configured to or otherwise support a component for sending a second control signal that indicates that the UE will update the SpCell for communication from the first cell to the second cell in the set of multiple cells and indicates a pTRP for activation for the second cell. The communication manager 1120 may be configured to or otherwise support a component for communicating via the pTRP for the second cell based on the second control signal.

[0184] By including or configuring a communications manager 1120 according to the examples described herein, a device 1105 (e.g., a processor that controls or is otherwise coupled to a receiver 1110, a transmitter 1115, a communications manager 1120, or a combination thereof) may support techniques for reducing power overhead associated with SpCell updates, for example, by reducing signaling overhead for triggering a UE 115 to update the SpCell.

[0185] Fig.12 A block diagram 1200 of a device 1205 supporting control signaling for SpCell mobility according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure is shown. The device 1205 may be an example of aspects of the device 1105 or network entity 105 as described herein. The device 1205 may include a receiver 1210, a transmitter 1215, and a communication manager 1220. The device 1205 may also include a processor. Each of these components may communicate with each other (e.g., via one or more buses).

[0186] Receiver 1210 may provide means for obtaining (e.g., receiving, determining, identifying) information associated with various channels (e.g., control channels, data channels, information channels, channels associated with a protocol stack), such as user data, control information, or any combination thereof (e.g., I / Q samples, symbols, packets, protocol data units, service data units). The information may be communicated to other components of device 1205. In some examples, receiver 1210 may support obtaining information by receiving signals via one or more antennas. Additionally or alternatively, receiver 1210 may support obtaining information by receiving signals via one or more wired (e.g., electrical, optical fiber) interfaces, wireless interfaces, or any combination thereof.

[0187] The transmitter 1215 may provide means for outputting (e.g., transmitting, providing, conveying, transmitting) information generated by other components of the device 1205. For example, the transmitter 1215 may output information associated with various channels (e.g., control channels, data channels, information channels, channels associated with a protocol stack), such as user data, control information, or any combination thereof (e.g., I / Q samples, symbols, packets, protocol data units, service data units). In some examples, the transmitter 1215 may support outputting information by sending signals via one or more antennas. Additionally or alternatively, the transmitter 1215 may support outputting information by sending signals via one or more wired (e.g., electrical, optical) interfaces, wireless interfaces, or any combination thereof. In some examples, the transmitter 1215 and the receiver 1210 may be co-located in a transceiver, which may include a modem or be coupled to a modem.

[0188] The device 1205 or its various components may be examples of components for performing various aspects of control signaling for special cell mobility as described herein. For example, the communication manager 1220 may include a cell configuration sending component 1225, a SpCell mobility indication component 1230, a communication component 1235, or any combination thereof. The communication manager 1220 may be an example of various aspects of the communication manager 1120 as described herein. In some examples, the communication manager 1220 or its various components may be configured to use or otherwise cooperate with the receiver 1210, the transmitter 1215, or both to perform various operations (e.g., receive, obtain, monitor, output, send). For example, the communication manager 1220 may receive information from the receiver 1210, transmit information to the transmitter 1215, or be integrated with the receiver 1210, the transmitter 1215, or both to obtain information, output information, or perform various other operations as described herein.

[0189] According to the examples disclosed herein, the communication manager 1220 may support wireless communications. The cell configuration sending component 1225 may be configured to or otherwise support a component for sending a first control signal that configures a set of multiple cells that support mobility for the UE. The first cell in the set of multiple cells may be a SpCell for communication for the UE. The SpCell mobility indication component 1230 may be configured to or otherwise support a component for sending a second control signal that indicates that the UE updates the SpCell for communication from the first cell to the second cell in the set of multiple cells and indicates a pTRP for activation for the second cell. The communication component 1235 may be configured to or otherwise support a component for communicating via the pTRP for the second cell based on the second control signal.

[0190] Fig.13A block diagram 1300 of a communication manager 1320 supporting control signaling for SpCell mobility according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure is shown. The communication manager 1320 can be an example of aspects of the communication manager 1120, the communication manager 1220, or both as described herein. The communication manager 1320 or its various components can be examples of components for performing various aspects of control signaling for SpCell mobility as described herein. For example, the communication manager 1320 may include a cell configuration sending component 1325, a SpCell mobility indication component 1330, a communication component 1335, a SpCell configuration component 1340, a TRP bitmap component 1345, a TRP ID component 1350, or any combination thereof. Each of these components may communicate with each other directly or indirectly (e.g., via one or more buses), which communication may include communication within a protocol layer of a protocol stack, communication associated with a logical channel of a protocol stack (e.g., between protocol layers of a protocol stack, within a device, component, or virtualized component associated with the network entity 105, between devices, components, or virtualized components associated with the network entity 105), or any combination thereof.

[0191] According to the examples disclosed herein, the communication manager 1320 may support wireless communications. The cell configuration sending component 1325 may be configured to or otherwise support a component for sending a first control signal that configures a set of multiple cells that support mobility for the UE. The first cell in the set of multiple cells may be a SpCell for communication for the UE. The SpCell mobility indication component 1330 may be configured to or otherwise support a component for sending a second control signal that indicates that the UE updates the SpCell for communication from the first cell to the second cell in the set of multiple cells and indicates a pTRP for activation for the second cell. The communication component 1335 may be configured to or otherwise support a component for communicating via the pTRP for the second cell based on the second control signal.

[0192] In some examples, the second control signal further indicates a configuration for the SpCell, and the SpCell configuration component 1340 may be configured as or otherwise support components for activating a configuration for the SpCell from a set of multiple configurations that can be utilized by the second cell based on the second control signal, wherein the communication is further based on the activated configuration for the SpCell.

[0193] In some examples, TRP bitmap component 1345 may be configured to or otherwise support components for generating a bitmap for TRP activation indicating one or more TRPs associated with a set of multiple cells for UE activation, wherein the second control signal also includes the bitmap. In some examples, the bitmap further indicates one or more other TRPs associated with a set of multiple cells for UE deactivation.

[0194] In some examples, the second cell is deactivated for the UE based on the first control signal.In some examples, the second control signal further indicates an identifier of the TRS based on the second cell being deactivated for the UE, for example using TRS ID component 1350.

[0195] In some examples, the identifier of the TRS corresponds to a set of multiple TRPs for the second cell. In some examples, the identifier of the TRS indicates one or more TCI states to be activated for the second cell, one or more reference signals for beam refinement for the second cell, or both.

[0196] In some examples, the second control signal further indicates one or more cells for the UE to deactivate. In some examples, the second control signal indicates one or more L1 measurement identifiers and reporting configurations corresponding to the one or more cells for the UE to deactivate, one or more TRPs associated with the one or more cells for the UE to deactivate, or a combination thereof.

[0197] In some examples, the second control signal includes an LCID indicating that the second control signal configures the UE to switch the SpCell from the first cell to the second cell. In some other examples, the second control signal corresponds to a DCI format indicating that the second control signal configures the UE to switch the SpCell from the first cell to the second cell.

[0198] In some examples, the second control signal also includes a set of reserved bits indicating which fields exist within the second control signal, indicating that the UE deactivates the first cell configured as the SpCell for communication, indicating that the UE maintains the first cell configured as the SpCell for communication as active, or a combination thereof.

[0199] In some examples, the first control signal includes an RRC signal.In some examples, the second control signal includes a MAC-CE, a DCI signal, or both.

[0200] Fig.14A diagram of a system 1400 including a device 1405 supporting control signaling for SpCell mobility according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure is shown. The device 1405 may be an example of a device 1105, a device 1205, or a network entity 105 as described herein, or include components thereof. The device 1405 may communicate with one or more network entities 105, one or more UEs 115, or any combination thereof, which communication may include communication through one or more wired interfaces, through one or more wireless interfaces, or any combination thereof. The device 1405 may include components that support output and acquisition of communications, such as a communication manager 1420, a transceiver 1410, an antenna 1415, a memory 1425, a code 1430, and a processor 1435. These components may be in electronic communication or otherwise coupled (e.g., operatively, communicatively, functionally, electronically, electrically) via one or more buses (e.g., a bus 1440).

[0201] The transceiver 1410 may support bidirectional communication via a wired link, a wireless link, or both as described herein. In some examples, the transceiver 1410 may include a wired transceiver and may communicate bidirectionally with another wired transceiver. Additionally or alternatively, in some examples, the transceiver 1410 may include a wireless transceiver and may communicate bidirectionally with another wireless transceiver. In some examples, the device 1405 may include one or more antennas 1415, which may be capable of (e.g., concurrently) sending or receiving wireless transmissions. The transceiver 1410 may also include a modem for: modulating a signal; providing the modulated signal for transmission (e.g., via one or more antennas 1415, via a wired transmitter); receiving the modulated signal (e.g., from one or more antennas 1415, from a wired receiver); and demodulating the signal. In some implementations, the transceiver 1410 may include one or more interfaces, such as one or more interfaces coupled to one or more antennas 1415 configured to support various receiving or obtaining operations, or one or more interfaces coupled to one or more antennas 1415 configured to support various transmitting operations or output operations, or a combination thereof. In some implementations, the transceiver 1410 may include or be configured to be coupled to one or more processors or memory components that are operable to perform the following operations: perform or support operations based on received or obtained information or signals; or generate information or other signals for transmission or other output, or any combination thereof. In some implementations, the transceiver 1410, or the transceiver 1410 and one or more antennas 1415, or the transceiver 1410 and one or more antennas 1415 and one or more processors or memory components (e.g., processor 1435, or memory 1425, or both) may be included in a chip or chip assembly installed in the device 1405. Where applicable, transceiver 1410 or transceiver 1410 and one or more antennas 1415 or wired interfaces may be examples of transmitter 1115, transmitter 1215, receiver 1110, receiver 1210, or any combination thereof or any components thereof as described herein. In some examples, the transceiver may be operable to support communication via one or more communication links (e.g., communication link 125, backhaul communication link 120, midhaul communication link 162, fronthaul communication link 168).

[0202] Memory 1425 may include RAM and ROM. Memory 1425 may store computer-readable, computer-executable code 1430 including instructions that, when executed by processor 1435, cause device 1405 to perform various functions described herein. Code 1430 may be stored in a non-transitory computer-readable medium such as system memory or another type of memory. In some cases, code 1430 may not be directly executable by processor 1435, but may (e.g., when compiled and executed) cause a computer to perform the functions described herein. In some cases, memory 1425 may include, among other things, a BIOS that may control basic hardware or software operations, such as interaction with peripheral components or devices.

[0203] Processor 1435 may include an intelligent hardware device (e.g., a general-purpose processor, a DSP, an ASIC, a CPU, an FPGA, a microcontroller, a programmable logic device, a discrete gate or transistor logic element, a discrete hardware component, or any combination thereof). In some cases, processor 1435 may be configured to operate a memory array using a memory controller. In some other cases, the memory controller may be integrated into processor 1435. Processor 1435 may be configured to execute computer-readable instructions stored in a memory (e.g., memory 1425) so that device 1405 performs various functions (e.g., various functions or tasks supporting control signaling for SpCell mobility). For example, device 1405 or a component of device 1405 may include processor 1435 and memory 1425 coupled to processor 1435, and processor 1435 and memory 1425 are configured to perform the various functions described herein. The processor 1435 may be an example of a cloud computing platform (e.g., one or more physical nodes and supporting software (such as an operating system, a virtual machine, or a container instance)) that can host functions (e.g., by executing code 1430) to perform functions of the device 1405. The processor 1435 may be any one or more suitable processors capable of executing scripts or instructions of one or more software programs stored in the device 1405 (such as in the memory 1425). In some specific implementations, the processor 1435 may be a component of a processing system. A processing system may generally refer to a system or series of machines or components that receive inputs and process these inputs to produce a set of outputs (which may be passed to other systems or components (e.g., the device 1405)). For example, the processing system of the device 1405 may refer to a system including various other components or subcomponents of the device 1405, such as the processor 1435, or the transceiver 1410, or the communication manager 1420, or other components or combinations of components of the device 1405. The processing system of device 1405 may interface with other components of device 1405, and may process information (such as input or signal) received from other components, or output information to other components. For example, a chip or modem of device 1405 may include a processing system and an interface for outputting information or for obtaining information or both. The interface may be implemented as or otherwise include a first interface configured to output information and a second interface configured to obtain information. In some specific implementations, the first interface may refer to an interface between a processing system of a chip or modem and a transmitter, so that device 1405 can send information output from the chip or modem. In some specific implementations, the second interface may refer to an interface between a processing system of a chip or modem and a receiver, so that device 1405 can obtain information or signal input, and the information can be passed to the processing system.One of ordinary skill in the art will readily recognize that the first interface may also obtain information or signal input, and the second interface may also output information or signal output.

[0204] In some examples, bus 1440 may support communications of a protocol layer of a protocol stack (e.g., within the protocol layer). In some examples, bus 1440 may support communications associated with a logical channel of a protocol stack (e.g., between protocol layers of the protocol stack), which may include communications performed within a component of device 1405 or between different components of device 1405 that may be co-located or located in different locations (e.g., where device 1405 may refer to a system where one or more of communication manager 1420, transceiver 1410, memory 1425, code 1430, and processor 1435 may be located in one of the different components or divided between the different components).

[0205] In some examples, the communication manager 1420 may manage aspects of communications with the core network 130 (e.g., via one or more wired or wireless backhaul links). For example, the communication manager 1420 may manage the delivery of data communications for client devices, such as one or more UEs 115. In some examples, the communication manager 1420 may manage communications with other network entities 105 and may include a controller or scheduler for controlling communications with the UE 115 in collaboration with the other network entities 105. In some examples, the communication manager 1420 may support an X2 interface within an LTE / LTE-A wireless communication network technology to provide communications between network entities 105.

[0206] According to the examples disclosed herein, the communication manager 1420 may support wireless communications. For example, the communication manager 1420 may be configured to or otherwise support a component for sending a first control signal that configures a set of multiple cells that support mobility for the UE. The first control signal may configure a first cell in the set of multiple cells as a SpCell for communication for the UE. The communication manager 1420 may be configured to or otherwise support a component for sending a second control signal that indicates that the UE will update the SpCell for communication from the first cell to the second cell in the set of multiple cells and indicates a pTRP for activation for the second cell. The communication manager 1420 may be configured to or otherwise support a component for communicating via the pTRP for the second cell based on the second control signal.

[0207] By including or configuring the communication manager 1420 according to examples as described herein, the device 1405 can support techniques for reducing latency and signaling overhead associated with updating the SpCell at the UE 115. For example, the device 1405 can use L1 signaling, L2 signaling, or both to update the SpCell, which can improve SpCell mobility and flexibility compared to using L3 signaling for SpCell reconfiguration or handover.

[0208] In some examples, the communication manager 1420 may be configured to perform various operations (e.g., receive, obtain, monitor, output, transmit) using or otherwise cooperating with the transceiver 1410, one or more antennas 1415 (e.g., where applicable), or any combination thereof. Although the communication manager 1420 is illustrated as a separate component, in some examples, one or more functions described with reference to the communication manager 1420 may be supported or performed by the processor 1435, the memory 1425, the code 1430, the transceiver 1410, or any combination thereof. For example, the code 1430 may include instructions that are executable by the processor 1435 to cause the device 1405 to perform various aspects of control signaling for SpCell mobility as described herein, or the processor 1435 and the memory 1425 may be otherwise configured to perform or support such operations.

[0209] Fig.15 1 is a flowchart illustrating a method 1500 for supporting control signaling for SpCell mobility according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure. The operations of the method 1500 may be implemented by a UE or a component thereof as described herein. For example, the operations of the method 1500 may be implemented by a UE or a component thereof as described in reference to Figures 1 to 10 The described UE 115 may be performed. In some examples, the UE may execute an instruction set to control the functional elements of the UE to perform the described functions. Additionally or alternatively, the UE may use dedicated hardware to perform various aspects of the described functions.

[0210] At 1505, the method may include receiving a first control signal indicating a configuration of a set of multiple cells supporting mobility for the UE. The first control signal may configure a first cell in the set of multiple cells as a SpCell for communication. The operations of 1505 may be performed according to examples disclosed herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of 1505 may be performed as described in reference to Fig. 9 The cell configuration component 925 described above is used to perform.

[0211] At 1510, the method may include receiving a second control signal indicating that the SpCell for communication is updated from the first cell to a second cell in the set of multiple cells and indicating a pTRP for activation for the second cell. The operations of 1510 may be performed according to examples as disclosed herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of 1510 may be performed as described in reference to Fig. 9 The SpCell mobility component 930 is used to perform.

[0212] At 1515, the method may include communicating with the second cell via the pTRP based on the second control signal. The operations of 1515 may be performed according to examples as disclosed herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of 1515 may be performed as described in reference to Fig. 9 The described communication component 935 is executed.

[0213] Fig.16 1 is a flowchart illustrating a method 1600 for supporting control signaling for SpCell mobility according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure. The operations of the method 1600 may be implemented by a UE or a component thereof as described herein. For example, the operations of the method 1600 may be implemented by a UE or a component thereof as described in reference to Figures 1 to 10 The described UE 115 may be performed. In some examples, the UE may execute an instruction set to control the functional elements of the UE to perform the described functions. Additionally or alternatively, the UE may use dedicated hardware to perform various aspects of the described functions.

[0214] At 1605, the method may include receiving a first control signal indicating a configuration of a set of multiple cells supporting mobility for the UE. The first cell in the set of multiple cells may be a SpCell for communication. The operations of 1605 may be performed according to examples as disclosed herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of 1605 may be performed as described in reference to Fig. 9 The cell configuration component 925 described above is used to perform.

[0215] At 1610, the method may include receiving a second control signal indicating that the SpCell for communication is updated from the first cell to the second cell in the set of multiple cells and indicating a pTRP for activation for the second cell. The second control signal may further indicate the SpCell configuration. The operations of 1610 may be performed according to examples disclosed herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of 1610 may be performed as described in reference Fig. 9 The SpCell mobility component 930 is used to perform.

[0216] At 1615, the method may include activating a configuration for the SpCell from a set of multiple configurations that can be utilized by the second cell based on the second control signal. The operations of 1615 may be performed according to examples as disclosed herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of 1615 may be performed as described in reference to Fig. 9 The SpCell configuration component 940 is used to execute.

[0217] At 1620, the method may include communicating with the second cell via the pTRP based on the second control signal and the activated configuration for the SpCell. The operations of 1620 may be performed according to examples as disclosed herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of 1620 may be performed as described in reference to Fig. 9 The described communication component 935 is executed.

[0218] Fig.17 1700 is a flowchart illustrating a method 1700 for supporting control signaling for SpCell mobility according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure. The operations of the method 1700 may be implemented by a UE or a component thereof as described herein. For example, the operations of the method 1700 may be implemented by a UE or a component thereof as described in reference to Figures 1 to 10 The described UE 115 may be performed. In some examples, the UE may execute an instruction set to control the functional elements of the UE to perform the described functions. Additionally or alternatively, the UE may use dedicated hardware to perform various aspects of the described functions.

[0219] At 1705, the method may include receiving a first control signal indicating a configuration of a set of multiple cells supporting mobility for the UE, wherein a first cell in the set of multiple cells is a SpCell for communication. The operations of 1705 may be performed according to examples as disclosed herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of 1705 may be performed as described in reference Fig. 9 The cell configuration component 925 described above is used to perform.

[0220] At 1710, the method may include receiving a second control signal indicating that the SpCell for communication is updated from the first cell to the second cell in the set of multiple cells and indicating a pTRP for activation for the second cell. The operations of 1710 may be performed according to examples as disclosed herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of 1710 may be performed as described in reference Fig. 9 The SpCell mobility component 930 is used to perform.

[0221] At 1715, the method may include activating one or more TRPs associated with a set of multiple cells based on the second control signal including a bitmap for TRP activation. The operations of 1715 may be performed according to examples as disclosed herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of 1715 may be performed as described in reference to Fig. 9 The TRP activation component 960 is executed.

[0222] At 1720, the method may include deactivating one or more other TRPs associated with the set of multiple cells based on the bitmap for TRP activation. The operations of 1720 may be performed according to examples as disclosed herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of 1720 may be performed as described in reference to Fig. 9 The TRP deactivation component 965 is executed.

[0223] At 1725, the method may include communicating with the second cell via the pTRP based on the second control signal. The operations of 1725 may be performed according to examples as disclosed herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of 1725 may be performed as described in reference to Fig. 9 The described communication component 935 is executed.

[0224] Fig.18 1 is a flowchart illustrating a method 1800 for supporting control signaling for SpCell mobility according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure. The operations of the method 1800 may be implemented by a network entity or a component thereof as described herein. For example, the operations of the method 1800 may be implemented by a network entity or a component thereof as described herein. Figures 1 to 6 and Figures 11 to 14 In some examples, the network entity may execute an instruction set to control the functional elements of the network entity to perform the described functions. Additionally or alternatively, the network entity may use dedicated hardware to perform various aspects of the described functions.

[0225] At 1805, the method may include sending a first control signal configuring a set of multiple cells supporting mobility for the UE, wherein a first cell in the set of multiple cells is a SpCell for communication for the UE. The operations of 1805 may be performed according to examples as disclosed herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of 1805 may be performed as described with reference to Fig.13 The described cell configuration is performed by the sending component 1325.

[0226] At 1810, the method may include sending a second control signal instructing the UE to update the SpCell used for communication from the first cell to a second cell in the set of multiple cells and indicating a pTRP for activation for the second cell. The operations of 1810 may be performed according to examples as disclosed herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of 1810 may be performed as described in reference to Fig.13 The SpCell mobility indication component 1330 is executed.

[0227] At 1815, the method may include communicating via a pTRP for a second cell based on the second control signal. The operations of 1815 may be performed according to examples as disclosed herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of 1815 may be performed as described in reference to Fig.13 The described communication component 1335 is executed.

[0228] The following provides an overview of various aspects of the disclosure:

[0229] Aspect 1: A method for performing wireless communications at a UE, the method comprising: receiving a first control signal indicating the configuration of multiple cells supporting mobility for the UE, a first cell among the multiple cells being a special cell for communication; receiving a second control signal indicating that the special cell for communication is updated from the first cell to a second cell among the multiple cells and indicating a main transmitting / receiving point for activating the second cell; and communicating with the second cell via the main transmitting / receiving point based at least in part on the second control signal.

[0230] Aspect 2: A method according to Aspect 1, wherein the second control signal further indicates a configuration for the special cell, and the method further includes: activating the configuration for the special cell from a plurality of configurations that can be used by the second cell based at least in part on the second control signal, wherein the communication is further based at least in part on the activated configuration for the special cell.

[0231] Aspect 3: A method according to any one of Aspects 1 to 2, wherein the second cell is deactivated at least in part based on the first control signal and the second control signal is deactivated at least in part based on the second cell being deactivated to further indicate an identifier of a channel state information reference signal for tracking, the method further comprising: activating the second cell in response to receiving the second control signal; and performing beam refinement for the second cell based at least in part on the identifier of the channel state information reference signal for tracking.

[0232] Aspect 4: A method according to Aspect 3, wherein the identifier of the channel state information reference signal used for tracking corresponds to multiple transmission / reception points for the second cell; and the identifier of the channel state information reference signal used for tracking indicates one or more transmission configuration indicator states to be activated for the second cell, one or more reference signals for beam refinement for the second cell, or both.

[0233] Aspect 5: According to the method according to any one of aspects 1 to 4, the method further includes: further indicating that one or more cells are to be deactivated based at least in part on the second control signal to deactivate the one or more cells.

[0234] Aspect 6: A method according to Aspect 5, wherein the second control signal indicates one or more layer 1 measurement identifiers and reporting configurations corresponding to the one or more cells to be deactivated, one or more transmitting / receiving points associated with the one or more cells to be deactivated, or a combination thereof.

[0235] Aspect 7: The method according to any one of aspects 5 to 6, wherein deactivating the one or more cells comprises: deactivating a plurality of transmission / reception points associated with the one or more cells.

[0236] Aspect 8: According to the method described in any one of Aspects 1 to 7, the method further includes: activating one or more additional transmission / reception points associated with the second cell based at least in part on the second control signal indicating that the special cell used for communication is updated with the second cell.

[0237] Aspect 9: According to the method described in any one of Aspects 1 to 7, the method further includes: activating one or more transmission / reception points associated with the multiple cells based at least in part on the second control signal including a bitmap for transmission / reception point activation.

[0238] Aspect 10: The method according to aspect 9, further comprising: deactivating one or more other transmission / reception points associated with the plurality of cells based at least in part on the bitmap for transmission / reception point activation.

[0239] Aspect 11: A method according to any one of Aspects 1 to 10, wherein the second control signal includes a logical channel identifier indicating that the second control signal configures the UE to switch the special cell from the first cell to the second cell; or the second control signal corresponds to a downlink control information format indicating that the second control signal configures the UE to switch the special cell from the first cell to the second cell.

[0240] Aspect 12: A method according to any one of Aspects 1 to 11, wherein the second control signal also includes a set of reserved bits indicating which fields exist in the second control signal, indicating that the first cell configured as the special cell for communication is to be deactivated, indicating that the first cell configured as the special cell for communication is to be maintained as active, or a combination thereof.

[0241] Aspect 13: A method according to any one of Aspects 1 to 12, wherein the first control signal configures a first main transmitting / receiving point for the second cell from a plurality of transmitting / receiving points associated with the second cell; and the main transmitting / receiving point for activation of the second cell indicated by the second control signal includes a second main transmitting / receiving point from the plurality of transmitting / receiving points that is different from the first main transmitting / receiving point.

[0242] Aspect 14: The method according to any one of aspects 1 to 13, wherein the first control signal comprises a radio resource control signal; and the second control signal comprises a medium access control control element, a downlink control information signal, or both.

[0243] Aspect 15: A method for performing wireless communications at a network entity, the method comprising: sending a first control signal for configuring multiple cells for supporting mobility for a UE, a first cell among the multiple cells being a special cell for communication for the UE; sending a second control signal instructing the UE to update the special cell for communication from the first cell to a second cell among the multiple cells and indicating a main sending / receiving point for activation of the second cell; and communicating via the main sending / receiving point for the second cell based at least in part on the second control signal.

[0244] Aspect 16: A method according to Aspect 15, wherein the second control signal further indicates a configuration for the special cell, and the method further includes: activating the configuration for the special cell from a plurality of configurations that can be used by the second cell based at least in part on the second control signal, wherein the communication is further based at least in part on the activated configuration for the special cell.

[0245] Aspect 17: According to the method described in any one of Aspects 15 to 16, the method further includes: generating a bitmap for transmitting / receiving point activation indicating one or more transmitting / receiving points associated with the multiple cells for activation by the UE, wherein the second control signal also includes the bitmap.

[0246] Aspect 18: The method according to aspect 17, wherein the bitmap further indicates one or more other transmission / reception points associated with the plurality of cells for deactivation by the UE.

[0247] Aspect 19: A method according to any one of Aspects 15 to 18, wherein the second cell is deactivated for the UE at least in part based on the first control signal; and the second control signal is deactivated for the UE at least in part based on the second cell being deactivated to further indicate an identifier of a channel state information reference signal for tracking.

[0248] Aspect 20: A method according to Aspect 19, wherein the identifier of the channel state information reference signal used for tracking corresponds to multiple transmission / reception points for the second cell; and the identifier of the channel state information reference signal used for tracking indicates one or more transmission configuration indicator states to be activated for the second cell, one or more reference signals for beam refinement for the second cell, or both.

[0249] Aspect 21: The method according to any one of aspects 15 to 20, wherein the second control signal further indicates one or more cells for the UE to deactivate.

[0250] Aspect 22: A method according to Aspect 21, wherein the second control signal indicates one or more layer 1 measurement identifiers and reporting configurations corresponding to the one or more cells deactivated by the UE, one or more transmitting / receiving points associated with the one or more cells deactivated by the UE, or a combination thereof.

[0251] Aspect 23: A method according to any one of Aspects 15 to 22, wherein the second control signal includes a logical channel identifier indicating that the second control signal configures the UE to switch the special cell from the first cell to the second cell; or the second control signal corresponds to a downlink control information format indicating that the second control signal configures the UE to switch the special cell from the first cell to the second cell.

[0252] Aspect 24: A method according to any one of Aspects 15 to 23, wherein the second control signal also includes a set of reserved bits indicating which fields exist in the second control signal, indicating that the UE deactivates the first cell configured as the special cell for communication, indicating that the UE maintains the first cell configured as the special cell for communication as active, or a combination thereof.

[0253] Aspect 25: A method according to any one of aspects 15 to 24, wherein the first control signal comprises a radio resource control signal; and the second control signal comprises a medium access control control element, a downlink control information signal, or both.

[0254] Aspect 26: An apparatus for performing wireless communications at a UE, the apparatus comprising: a processor; a memory coupled to the processor; and instructions stored in the memory and executable by the processor to cause the apparatus to perform a method according to any one of Aspects 1 to 14.

[0255] Aspect 27: An apparatus for wireless communication at a UE, the apparatus comprising at least one component for performing a method according to any one of aspects 1 to 14.

[0256] Aspect 28: A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing a code for wireless communication at a UE, the code comprising instructions executable by a processor to perform a method according to any one of aspects 1 to 14.

[0257] Aspect 29: An apparatus for wireless communication at a network entity, the apparatus comprising: a processor; a memory coupled to the processor; and instructions stored in the memory and executable by the processor to cause the apparatus to perform a method according to any one of Aspects 15 to 25.

[0258] Aspect 30: An apparatus for wireless communication at a network entity, the apparatus comprising at least one component for performing a method according to any one of aspects 15 to 25.

[0259] Aspect 31: A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing a code for wireless communication at a network entity, the code comprising instructions executable by a processor to perform a method according to any one of aspects 15 to 25.

[0260] It should be noted that the methods described herein describe possible implementations, and that the operations and steps may be rearranged or otherwise modified and that other implementations are possible. Furthermore, aspects from two or more methods may be combined.

[0261] Although aspects of LTE, LTE-A, LTE-A Pro, or NR systems may be described for example purposes, and LTE, LTE-A, LTE-A Pro, or NR terminology may be used in much of the description, the techniques described herein may also be applicable to networks other than LTE, LTE-A, LTE-A Pro, or NR networks. For example, the described techniques may be applicable to various other wireless communication systems, such as Ultra Mobile Broadband (UMB), Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11 (Wi-Fi), IEEE 802.16 (WiMAX), IEEE 802.20, Flash-OFDM, and other systems and radio technologies not explicitly mentioned herein.

[0262] The information and signals described herein may be represented using any of a variety of different technologies and methods. For example, data, instructions, commands, information, signals, bits, symbols, and chips mentioned throughout the specification may be represented by voltage, current, electromagnetic waves, magnetic fields or magnetic particles, optical fields or optical particles, or any combination thereof.

[0263] The various illustrative blocks and components described in conjunction with the disclosure herein may be implemented or performed using a general purpose processor, DSP, ASIC, CPU, FPGA or other programmable logic device, discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof designed to perform the functions described herein. A general purpose processor may be a microprocessor, but in an alternative, the processor may be any processor, controller, microcontroller, or state machine. The processor may also be implemented as a combination of computing devices (e.g., a combination of a DSP and a microprocessor, a plurality of microprocessors, one or more microprocessors in combination with a DSP core, or any other such configuration).

[0264] The functions described herein may be implemented using hardware, software executed by a processor, firmware, or any combination thereof. If implemented using software executed by a processor, the functions may be stored as one or more instructions or codes of a computer-readable medium, or sent using one or more instructions or codes of a computer-readable medium. Other examples and specific implementations are within the scope of this disclosure and the appended claims. For example, due to the nature of software, the functions described herein may be implemented using software executed by a processor, hardware, firmware, hard wiring, or any combination of these items. Features that implement the functions may also be physically located at different locations, including being distributed so that the functions are implemented at different physical locations.

[0265] Computer-readable medium includes both non-transient computer storage medium and communication medium, and it includes any medium that facilitates computer program to be transmitted from one position to another position.Non-transient storage medium can be any available medium that can be accessed by general or special-purpose computer.By way of example and not limitation, non-transient computer-readable medium can include RAM, ROM, electrically erasable programmable ROM (EEPROM), flash memory, compact disc (CD) ROM or other optical disc storage, disk storage or other magnetic storage device, or can be used for carrying or storing desired program code parts and can be accessed by general or special-purpose computer or general or special-purpose processor in the form of instruction or data structure Any other non-transient medium.Moreover, any connection is appropriately referred to as computer-readable medium.For example, if software is sent from website, server or other remote source using coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair, digital subscriber line (DSL) or wireless technology such as infrared, radio and microwave, then coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair, DSL or wireless technology such as infrared, radio and microwave are included in the definition of computer-readable medium. As used herein, disk and disc include CD, laser disc, optical disc, digital versatile disc (DVD), floppy disk and Blu-ray disc. Disks can reproduce data magnetically, while discs can reproduce data optically using lasers. Combinations of the above are also included within the scope of computer readable media.

[0266] As used herein (including in the claims), "or" used in a list of items (e.g., a list of items with a phrase such as "at least one of" or "one or more of") indicates an inclusive list, so that, for example, a list of at least one of A, B, or C means A or B or C or AB or AC or BC or ABC (i.e., A and B and C). In addition, as used herein, the phrase "based on" should not be interpreted as a reference to a closed set of conditions. For example, an example step described as "based on condition A" can be based on condition A and condition B without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. In other words, as used herein, the phrase "based on" should be interpreted in the same manner as the phrase "based at least in part on."

[0267] The term "determining" encompasses a variety of actions, and thus, "determining" may include calculating, computing, processing, deriving, investigating, looking up (such as via looking up in a table, database or other data structure), ascertaining, etc. Furthermore, "determining" may include receiving (e.g., receiving information), accessing (e.g., accessing data stored in a memory), etc. Furthermore, "determining" may include parsing, retrieving, selecting, choosing, establishing, and other such similar actions.

[0268] In the drawings, similar components or features may have the same reference label. In addition, various components of the same type may be distinguished by following the reference label with a dash and a second label to distinguish between the similar components. If only the first reference label is used in the specification, the description may apply to any of the similar components having the same first reference label regardless of the second reference label, or other subsequent reference labels.

[0269] The descriptions set forth herein in conjunction with the accompanying drawings describe example configurations and do not represent all examples that may be implemented or within the scope of the claims. The term "example" as used herein means "used as an example, instance, or illustration," rather than "preferred" or "having advantages over other examples." The specific embodiments include specific details to provide an understanding of the described technology. However, these technologies may be practiced without these specific details. In some instances, known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form to avoid obscuring the concepts of the described examples.

[0270] The description herein is provided to enable one of ordinary skill in the art to implement or use the present disclosure. Various modifications to the present disclosure will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art, and the general principles defined herein may be applied to other variations without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Thus, the present disclosure is not limited to the examples and designs described herein, but should be granted the widest scope consistent with the principles and novel features disclosed herein.

Claims

1. An apparatus for wireless communication at a user equipment (UE), the apparatus comprising: processor; a memory coupled to the processor; and instructions stored in the memory and executable by the processor to cause the apparatus to: receiving a first control signal indicating configuration of a plurality of cells supporting mobility for the UE, a first cell of the plurality of cells being a special cell for communication; receiving a second control signal indicating that the special cell used for communication is updated from the first cell to a second cell among the plurality of cells and indicating a primary transmission / reception point for activation for the second cell; as well as Communicating with the second cell via the primary transmit / receive point is performed based at least in part on the second control signal.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the second control signal further indicates a configuration for the special cell, and the instructions are further executable by the processor to cause the apparatus to: The configuration for the special cell is activated from a plurality of configurations available for use by the second cell based at least in part on the second control signal, wherein the communicating is further based at least in part on the activated configuration for the special cell.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the second cell is deactivated based at least in part on the first control signal, and the second control signal further indicates an identifier of a channel state information reference signal for tracking based at least in part on the second cell being deactivated, and the instructions are further executable by the processor to cause the apparatus to: activating the second cell in response to receiving the second control signal; and Beam refinement for the second cell is performed based at least in part on the identifier of the channel state information reference signal used for tracking.

4. The device according to claim 3, wherein: The identifier of the channel state information reference signal for tracking corresponds to a plurality of transmission / reception points for the second cell; and The identifier of the channel state information reference signal for tracking indicates one or more transmit configuration indicator states to be activated for the second cell, one or more reference signals used for beam refinement for the second cell, or both.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the instructions are further executable by the processor to cause the apparatus to: The one or more cells are deactivated based at least in part on the second control signal further indicating that the one or more cells are to be deactivated.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the second control signal indicates one or more layer 1 measurement identifiers and reporting configurations corresponding to the one or more cells to be deactivated, one or more transmit / receive points associated with the one or more cells to be deactivated, or a combination thereof.

7. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the instructions for deactivating the one or more cells are executable by the processor to cause the apparatus to: A plurality of transmission / reception points associated with the one or more cells are deactivated.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the instructions are further executable by the processor to cause the apparatus to: One or more additional transmit / receive points associated with the second cell are activated based at least in part on the second control signal indicating updating the special cell for communication with the second cell.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the instructions are further executable by the processor to cause the apparatus to: One or more transmit / receive points associated with the plurality of cells are activated based at least in part on the second control signal including a bitmap for transmit / receive point activation.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the instructions are further executable by the processor to cause the apparatus to: One or more other transmit / receive points associated with the plurality of cells are deactivated based at least in part on the bitmap for transmit / receive point activation.

11. The device according to claim 1, wherein: The second control signal includes a logical channel identifier indicating that the second control signal configures the UE to switch the special cell from the first cell to the second cell; or The second control signal corresponds to a downlink control information format indicating that the second control signal configures the UE to switch the special cell from the first cell to the second cell.

12. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the second control signal further comprises a set of reserved bits indicating which fields are present within the second control signal, indicating that the first cell configured as the special cell for communication is to be deactivated, indicating that the first cell configured as the special cell for communication is to be maintained as active, or a combination thereof.

13. The device according to claim 1, wherein: The first control signal configures a first primary transmission / reception point for the second cell from a plurality of transmission / reception points associated with the second cell; and The main transmission / reception point for activation for the second cell indicated using the second control signal includes a second main transmission / reception point from among the plurality of transmission / reception points different from the first main transmission / reception point.

14. The device according to claim 1, wherein: The first control signal comprises a radio resource control signal; and The second control signal includes a medium access control control element, a downlink control information signal, or both.

15. An apparatus for wireless communication, the apparatus comprising: processor; a memory coupled to the processor; and instructions stored in the memory and executable by the processor to cause the apparatus to: Sending a first control signal for configuring a plurality of cells supporting mobility for a user equipment (UE), a first cell among the plurality of cells being a special cell for communication for the UE; Sending a second control signal instructing the UE to update the special cell used for communication from the first cell to a second cell among the multiple cells and indicating a primary transmission / reception point for activation for the second cell; as well as Communicating via the primary transmit / receive point for the second cell is performed based at least in part on the second control signal.

16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the second control signal further indicates a configuration for the special cell, and the instructions are further executable by the processor to cause the apparatus to: The configuration for the special cell is activated from a plurality of configurations available for use by the second cell based at least in part on the second control signal, wherein the communicating is further based at least in part on the activated configuration for the special cell.

17. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the instructions are further executable by the processor to cause the apparatus to: A bitmap for transmission / reception point activation is generated that indicates one or more transmission / reception points associated with the plurality of cells for activation by the UE, wherein the second control signal further includes the bitmap.

18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the bitmap further indicates one or more other transmission / reception points associated with the plurality of cells for deactivation by the UE.

19. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein: The second cell is deactivated for the UE based at least in part on the first control signal; and The second control signal is based at least in part on the second cell being disabled for the UE to further indicate an identifier of a channel state information reference signal for tracking.

20. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein: The identifier of the channel state information reference signal for tracking corresponds to a plurality of transmission / reception points for the second cell; as well as The identifier of the channel state information reference signal for tracking indicates one or more transmit configuration indicator states to be activated for the second cell, one or more reference signals used for beam refinement for the second cell, or both.

21. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the second control signal further indicates one or more cells for the UE to deactivate.

22. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the second control signal indicates one or more layer 1 measurement identifiers and reporting configurations corresponding to the one or more cells deactivated by the UE, one or more transmit / receive points associated with the one or more cells deactivated by the UE, or a combination thereof.

23. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein: The second control signal includes a logical channel identifier indicating that the second control signal configures the UE to switch the special cell from the first cell to the second cell; or The second control signal corresponds to a downlink control information format indicating that the second control signal configures the UE to switch the special cell from the first cell to the second cell.

24. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the second control signal further comprises a set of reserved bits indicating which fields are present within the second control signal, indicating that the UE is to deactivate the first cell configured as the special cell for communication, indicating that the UE is to maintain the first cell configured as the special cell for communication as active, or a combination thereof.

25. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein: The first control signal comprises a radio resource control signal; and The second control signal includes a medium access control control element, a downlink control information signal, or both.

26. A method for wireless communication at a user equipment (UE), the method comprising: receiving a first control signal indicating configuration of a plurality of cells supporting mobility for the UE, a first cell of the plurality of cells being a special cell for communication; receiving a second control signal indicating that the special cell used for communication is updated from the first cell to a second cell among the plurality of cells and indicating a primary transmission / reception point for activation for the second cell; as well as Communicating with the second cell via the primary transmit / receive point is performed based at least in part on the second control signal.

27. The method according to claim 26, wherein the second control signal further indicates a configuration for the special cell, the method further comprising: The configuration for the special cell is activated from a plurality of configurations available for use by the second cell based at least in part on the second control signal, wherein the communicating is further based at least in part on the activated configuration for the special cell.

28. The method of claim 26, wherein the second cell is deactivated based at least in part on the first control signal and the second control signal is further used to indicate an identifier of a channel state information reference signal for tracking based at least in part on the second cell being deactivated, the method further comprising: activating the second cell in response to receiving the second control signal; as well as Beam refinement for the second cell is performed based at least in part on the identifier of the channel state information reference signal used for tracking.

29. A method for wireless communication, the method comprising: Sending a first control signal for configuring a plurality of cells supporting mobility for a user equipment (UE), a first cell among the plurality of cells being a special cell for communication for the UE; Sending a second control signal instructing the UE to update the special cell used for communication from the first cell to a second cell among the multiple cells and indicating a primary transmission / reception point for activation for the second cell; as well as Communicating via the primary transmit / receive point for the second cell is performed based at least in part on the second control signal.

30. The method according to claim 29, wherein the second control signal further indicates a configuration for the special cell, the method further comprising: The configuration for the special cell is activated from a plurality of configurations available for use by the second cell based at least in part on the second control signal, wherein the communicating is further based at least in part on the activated configuration for the special cell.

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