Method for dual TCI state switching

Abstract

In one embodiment, a method includes receiving one or more media access control units activated by one or more transmission configuration indicator states, where synchronization signal blocks of associated transmission configuration indicator states overlap or are adjacent, and where the transmission configuration indicator states are activated using the one or more media access control units; and determining in which order the individual's transmission configuration indicator states are activated.

Description

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0002] This application is related to and claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 598,291, filed on November 13, 2023, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0003] The exemplary and non-limiting exemplary embodiments relate generally to communications, and more particularly to methods for dual TCI state switching. Background Art

[0004] As is known to all, a communication device can access the network via a cell covered by a transmission reception point in the communication network. Summary of the invention

[0005] Therefore, the example embodiments of the present disclosure may provide apparatus, methods, computer programs, computer program products or computer readable media for improving various aspects of mobility measurements. Any example embodiment may be combined with one or more other example embodiments. These and other aspects of the present disclosure will be clear from the example embodiments (multiple) described below. According to some aspects, the subject matter of independent claims is provided. Some further aspects are defined in the dependent claims.

[0006] In some aspects, the technology described herein relates to an apparatus comprising: at least one processor; and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least: receive one or more media access control control elements for activation of one or more transmission configuration indicator states, wherein synchronization signal blocks of associated transmission configuration indicator states overlap or are adjacent, and wherein the transmission configuration indicator states are activated using the one or more media access control control elements; and determine in which order the individual transmission configuration indicator states are activated.

[0007] In some aspects, the technology described herein relates to an apparatus comprising: at least one processor; and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least: send one or more media access control control elements for activation of one or more transmission configuration indicator states to a user equipment, wherein synchronization signal blocks of associated transmission configuration indicator states overlap or are adjacent, and wherein the transmission configuration indicator states are activated using the one or more media access control control elements; and determine in which order individual transmission configuration indicator states are activated.

[0008] In some aspects, the technology described herein relates to a method comprising: receiving one or more media access control control elements for activation of one or more transmission configuration indicator states, wherein synchronization signal blocks of associated transmission configuration indicator states overlap or are adjacent, and wherein the transmission configuration indicator states are activated using the one or more media access control control elements; and determining in which order the individual transmission configuration indicator states are activated.

[0009] In some aspects, the technology described herein relates to a method comprising: sending one or more media access control control elements for activation of one or more transmission configuration indicator states to a user equipment, wherein synchronization signal blocks of associated transmission configuration indicator states overlap or are adjacent, and wherein the transmission configuration indicator states are activated using the one or more media access control control elements; and determining in which order the individual transmission configuration indicator states are activated.

[0010] Additional example embodiments are provided or described for each example method, including: a component for performing any of the example methods; a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium including instructions stored thereon, which instructions, when executed by at least one processor, are configured to cause the device to perform any of the example methods; and an apparatus including at least one processor and at least one memory including computer program code, the at least one memory and the computer program code being configured to, together with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least perform any of the example methods. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] The above-described aspects and other features are explained in the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0012] Figure 1 is a block diagram of one possible non-limiting system in which example embodiments may be practiced.

[0013] Figure 2 A single DCI mode is depicted.

[0014] Figure 3 A multiple DCI mode is depicted.

[0015] Figure 4 Depicted are the MAC-CE based TCI state switching delay and overlapping SSBs in single DCI mode.

[0016] Figure 5 Depicted is the MAC-CE based TCI state switching delay in multiple DCI mode with overlapping SSBs.

[0017] Figure 6Option 1 in the s-DCI scenario is depicted, where the UE first synchronizes to the first SSB with a longer SSB period.

[0018] Figure 7 Option 2 in the s-DCI scenario is depicted, where the UE first synchronizes to the SSB that comes first in the time domain.

[0019] Figure 8 Option 1 is depicted for the m-DCI scenario, where the UE first synchronizes to the SSB with the longer SSB period.

[0020] Fig. 9 Option 2 is depicted for the m-DCI scenario, where the UE first synchronizes to the SSB that comes first in time after decoding of the MAC-CE.

[0021] Fig.10 Depicted are TCI activations for one known TCI state and one unknown TCI state.

[0022] Fig.11 TCI activation and different SSB cycles for two unknown TCI states are depicted.

[0023] Fig.12 is an example apparatus configured to implement the examples described herein.

[0024] Fig.13 A representation of an example of a non-volatile storage medium for storing instructions to implement the examples described herein is shown.

[0025] Fig.14 is an example method based on the examples described in this article.

[0026] Fig.15 is an example method based on the examples described in this article. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0027] Steering Figure 1 , which shows a block diagram of one possible non-limiting example in which the examples may be practiced. A user equipment (UE) 110, a radio access network (RAN) node 170, and (multiple) network elements 190 are shown. Figure 1In the example of , a user equipment (UE) 110 wirelessly communicates with a wireless network 100. A UE is a wireless device that can access the wireless network 100. The UE 110 includes one or more processors 120, one or more memories 125, and one or more transceivers 130 interconnected by one or more buses 127. Each of the one or more transceivers 130 includes a receiver Rx 132 and a transmitter Tx 133. The one or more buses 127 can be address, data, or control buses, and can include any interconnection mechanism, such as a series of lines on a motherboard or integrated circuit, optical fiber or other optical communication devices, etc. The one or more transceivers 130 are connected to one or more antennas 128. The one or more memories 125 include computer program code 123. The UE 110 includes a module 140, which includes one or both of the parts 140-1 and / or 140-2, which can be implemented in a variety of ways. The module 140 can be implemented in hardware as the module 140-1, such as being implemented as part of the one or more processors 120. Module 140-1 may also be implemented as an integrated circuit or by other hardware such as a programmable gate array. In another example, module 140 may be implemented as module 140-2, which is implemented as computer program code 123 and executed by one or more processors 120. For example, one or more memories 125 and computer program code 123 may be configured to perform one or more of the operations described herein with one or more processors 120 using user equipment 110. UE 110 communicates with RAN node 170 via wireless link 111.

[0028] In this example, the RAN node 170 is a base station that provides access to the wireless network 100 for wireless devices such as UE 110. The RAN node 170 may be, for example, a base station for 5G, also known as New Radio (NR). In 5G, the RAN node 170 may be a NG-RAN node, which is defined as a gNB or ng-eNB. A gNB is a node that provides NR user plane and control plane protocol termination towards the UE and is connected to a 5GC (such as, for example, (multiple) network elements 190) via an NG interface (such as connection 131). An ng-eNB is a node that provides E-UTRA user plane and control plane protocol termination towards the UE and is connected to a 5GC via an NG interface (such as connection 131). The NG-RAN node may include multiple gNBs, which may also include a central unit (CU) (gNB-CU) 196 and (multiple) distributed units (DU) (gNB-DU), of which DU 195 is shown. Note that the DU 195 may include or be coupled to and control a radio unit (RU). The gNB-CU 196 is a logical node that hosts the radio resource control (RRC), SDAP, and PDCP protocols of a gNB or the RRC and PDCP protocols of an en-gNB that controls the operation of one or more gNB-DUs. The gNB-CU 196 terminates the F1 interface connected to the gNB-DU 195. The F1 interface is shown as reference numeral 198, although reference numeral 198 also shows a link between a remote element of the RAN node 170 and a centralized element of the RAN node 170, such as a link between the gNB-CU 196 and the gNB-DU 195. The gNB-DU 195 is a logical node that hosts the RLC, MAC, and PHY layers of a gNB or en-gNB, and its operation is controlled in part by the gNB-CU 196. One gNB-CU 196 supports one or more cells. One cell can be supported by one gNB-DU 195, or one cell can be supported / shared by multiple DUs under RAN sharing. The gNB-DU 195 terminates the F1 interface 198 connected to the gNB-CU 196. Note that the DU 195 is considered to include the transceiver 160, for example, as part of the RU, but some examples in this regard may have the transceiver 160 as part of a separate RU, for example, under the control of the DU 195 and connected to the DU 195. The RAN node 170 may also be an eNB (evolved NodeB) base station for LTE (Long Term Evolution), or any other suitable base station or node.

[0029] The RAN node 170 includes one or more processors 152, one or more memories 155, one or more network interfaces (N / WI / F) 161, and one or more transceivers 160 interconnected by one or more buses 157. Each of the one or more transceivers 160 includes a receiver Rx 162 and a transmitter Tx 163. The one or more transceivers 160 are connected to one or more antennas 158. The one or more memories 155 include computer program code 153. The CU 196 may include (multiple) processors 152, one or more memories 155, and a network interface 161. Note that the DU 195 may also include its own memory / memory and (multiple) processors, and / or other hardware, but these are not shown.

[0030] The RAN node 170 includes a module 150, which includes one or both of the parts 150-1 and / or 150-2, which can be implemented in a variety of ways. The module 150 can be implemented in hardware as the module 150-1, such as being implemented as part of one or more processors 152. The module 150-1 can also be implemented as an integrated circuit or by other hardware such as a programmable gate array. In another example, the module 150 can be implemented as a module 150-2, which is implemented as a computer program code 153 and executed by one or more processors 152. For example, one or more memories 155 and the computer program code 153 are configured to, together with the one or more processors 152, cause the RAN node 170 to perform one or more of the operations described herein. Note that the functionality of the module 150 can be distributed, such as distributed between the DU 195 and the CU 196, or implemented solely in the DU 195.

[0031] One or more network interfaces 161 communicate over a network, such as via links 176 and 131. Two or more gNBs 170 may communicate using, for example, link 176. Link 176 may be wired or wireless or both, and may implement, for example, an Xn interface for 5G, an X2 interface for LTE, or other suitable interfaces for other standards.

[0032] The one or more buses 157 may be address, data, or control buses, and may include any interconnection mechanism, such as a series of wires on a motherboard or integrated circuit, optical fiber or other optical communication device, wireless channel, etc. For example, the one or more transceivers 160 may be implemented as a remote radio head (RRH) 195 for LTE or a distributed unit (DU) 195 for a gNB implementation for 5G, where other elements of the RAN node 170 may be physically located at a different location from the RRH / DU 195, and the one or more buses 157 may be implemented in part, for example, as fiber optic cables or other suitable network connections for connecting other elements of the RAN node 170 (e.g., central unit (CU), gNB-CU 196) to the RRH / DU 195. Reference numeral 198 also indicates these suitable network link(s).

[0033] The RAN node / gNB may include one or more TRPs, to which the methods described herein may be applied. Figure 1 RAN node 170 is shown to include TRP 51 and TRP 52 in addition to the TRP represented by transceiver 160. Similar to transceiver 160, TRP 51 and TRP 52 may each include a transmitter and a receiver. RAN node 170 may host or include Figure 1 Other TRPs not shown.

[0034] The relay nodes in NR are called integrated access and backhaul nodes. The mobile terminal part of the IAB node facilitates the backhaul (parent link) connection. In other words, the mobile terminal part includes the functionality of carrying UE functions. The distributed unit part of the IAB node facilitates the so-called access link (sub-link) connection (i.e., for access link UE, and in the case of multi-hop IAB, for the backhaul of other IAB nodes). In other words, the distributed unit part is responsible for certain base station functions. The IAB scenario can follow a so-called split architecture, where the central unit hosts the high-level protocols for the UE and terminates the control plane and user plane interfaces with the 5G core network.

[0035] Note that the description herein indicates that a "cell" performs a function, but it should be clear that the device that forms the cell can perform the function. A cell constitutes part of a base station. That is, each base station can have multiple cells. For example, a single carrier frequency and associated bandwidth can have three cells, each covering one-third of a 360-degree area, so the coverage area of ​​a single base station covers an approximate ellipse or circle. In addition, each cell can correspond to a single carrier and the base station can use multiple carriers. So if each carrier has 3 120-degree cells and there are 2 carriers, the base station has a total of 6 cells.

[0036] The wireless network 100 may include one or more network elements 190, which may include core network functions and provide connectivity to other networks such as telephone networks and / or data communication networks (e.g., the Internet) via one or more links 181. Such core network functions for 5G may include location management functions (LMF) and / or (multiple) access and mobility management functions (AMF) and / or user plane functions (UPF) and / or (multiple) session management functions (SMF). Such core network functions for LTE may include MME (mobility management entity) / SGW (serving gateway) functions. Such core network functions may include SON (self-organizing / optimizing network) functions. These are merely illustrative functions that may be supported by (multiple) network elements 190, and it is noted that both 5G and LTE functions may be supported. The RAN node 170 is coupled to the network element 190 via a link 131. Link 131 may be implemented as, for example, an NG interface for 5G, or an S1 interface for LTE, or other suitable interfaces for other standards. The network element 190 includes one or more processors 175, one or more memories 171, and one or more network interfaces (N / WI / F) 180 interconnected by one or more buses 185. The one or more memories 171 include computer program code 173. The computer program code 173 may include SON and / or MRO functionality 172.

[0037] The wireless network 100 can implement network virtualization, which is a process of combining hardware and software network resources and network functions into a single software-based management entity or virtual network. Network virtualization involves platform virtualization and is usually used in conjunction with resource virtualization. Network virtualization is divided into external network virtualization or internal network virtualization. External network virtualization combines many networks or network parts into virtual units, while internal network virtualization provides network-like functions for software containers on a single system. Note that the virtualized entities generated by network virtualization are still implemented using hardware such as processors 152 or 175 and memories 155 and 171 to some extent, and such virtualized entities also produce technical effects.

[0038] Computer readable memories 125, 155, and 171 may be of any type suitable for the local technical environment and may be implemented using any suitable data storage technology, such as semiconductor-based memory devices, flash memory, magnetic memory devices and systems, optical memory devices and systems, non-volatile memory, volatile memory, fixed memory, and removable memory. Computer readable memories 125, 155, and 171 may be components for performing storage functions. Processors 120, 152, and 175 may be of any type suitable for the local technical environment and, as non-limiting examples, may include one or more of a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a microprocessor, a digital signal processor (DSP), and a processor based on a multi-core processor architecture. Processors 120, 152, and 175 may be components for performing functions such as control of UE 110, RAN node 170, (multiple) network elements 190, and other functions described herein.

[0039] In general, various example embodiments of the user equipment 110 may include, but are not limited to, a cellular phone with wireless communication capabilities (such as a smart phone, a tablet computer, a personal digital assistant (PDA)), a portable computer with wireless communication capabilities, an image capture device with wireless communication capabilities (such as a digital camera), a gaming device with wireless communication capabilities, a music storage and playback device with wireless communication capabilities, an Internet device (including a device that allows wireless Internet access and browsing), a tablet computer with wireless communication capabilities, a head-mounted display (such as a display that implements virtual / augmented / mixed reality), and a portable unit or terminal that combines such functions. The UE 110 may also be a vehicle such as a car, or a UE installed in a vehicle, a UAV such as a drone, or a UE installed in a UAV. The user equipment 110 may be a terminal device, such as a mobile phone, a mobile device, a sensor device, etc., which is a device used by a user or not used by a user.

[0040] UE 110, RAN node 170 and / or network element(s) 190 (and associated memory, computer program code and modules) may be configured to implement (eg, in part) the methods described herein. Figure 1 The computer program code 123, module 140-1, module 140-2 and other elements / features of the UE 110 shown may implement the user equipment related aspects of the examples described herein. Similarly, Figure 1 The computer program code 153, module 150-1, module 150-2, and other elements / features of the illustrated RAN node 170 may implement the example gNB / TRP-related aspects described herein. Figure 1The computer program code 173 and other elements / features of the illustrated network element(s) 190 may be configured to implement the example network element related aspects described herein.

[0041] Therefore, having introduced a suitable but non-limiting technical context for the practice of the example embodiments, the example embodiments are now described in more detail.

[0042] Multi-TRP (Transmission Point) transmission and reception can be implemented using two different operation modes: single DCI and multi-DCI. In the 3GPP work item for MIMO evolution for downlink and uplink, a unified TCI state is used to provide a QCL relationship with the reference signals for uplink and downlink of each TRP link.

[0043] The unified TCI state framework is specified by 3GPP in Rel-17. In Rel-15 / 16, TCI states are configured only for downlink, while uplink spatial relations cover beam indication for uplink. With the unified TCI state concept, TCI states are configured for both downlink and uplink. The configuration is either joint, where the same TCI state covers UL and DL, or separate, where separate TCI states are configured for DL ​​and UL.

[0044] The unified TCI state framework uses a common TCI state concept where there is one common TCI / indicated TCI state at a time providing spatial assumptions for a signal and channel set (PDCCH, PDSCH, PUCCH, PUSCH, CSI-RS, SRS).

[0045] The assignment of unified TCI status is performed through the following steps (1-3):

[0046] 1. RRC-based configuration of up to 128 TCI states;

[0047] 2. MAC-CE based activation of TCI states for up to 8 codepoints in the active TCI state list. If only one TCI state is activated to the active TCI state list, that TCI state also becomes the indicated TCI state;

[0048] 3. DCI based indication of single TCI state or joint TCI state pair for DL ​​and UL TCI states. This step is required only if there is more than one TCI state on the active TCI state list.

[0049] In the Rel-18 work item for MIMO evolution for downlink and uplink, a unified TCI state is used in single DCI and multiple DCI modes, as described below.

[0050] Figure 2 A single DCI is depicted where PDSCH (202, 204) is scheduled by a single DCI on PDCCH 201 from both TRPs (170-1, 170-2) that is scheduled from only one of the TRPs (170-1). Uplink transmission 206 may be configured for either link, or in newer releases for both links.

[0051] In single DCI mode, when unified TCI states are used, UE 110 is configured with a set of joint DL / UL TCI states and / or separate DL and UL TCI states. In the work items for MIMO evolution for downlink and uplink, a single MAC-CE command is defined to activate one or two joint DL / UL TCI states (or separate DL / UL TCI states) of up to 8 code points in the UE's active TCI state list. A single DCI is used to indicate one code point in the code points of one or two TCI states with different QCLType D sources to each TRP link. An example of a joint DL / UL TCI state is shown in Table 1.

[0052] Table 1: List of active TCI states for s-DCI

[0053]

[0054] Figure 3 Multiple DCI is depicted, where PDSCH (302, 304) is scheduled with its own DCI on PDCCH (301, 303) scheduled from each TRP (170-1, 170-2). Uplink transmissions (306, 308) can be scheduled for both TRP links.

[0055] In multi-DCI mode, when unified TCI states are used, similar to single DCI mode, UE 110 is configured with a set of joint DL / UL TCI states and / or separate DL and UL TCI states. Unlike single DCI mode, in multi-DCI mode, a separate MAC-CE command is used for each TRP link to activate up to 8 joint DL / UL TCI states (or separate DL / UL TC1 states) of up to 8 code points to a separate active TCI state list for each TRP. A separate DCI sent from each TRP is used to indicate one of the code points from each TRP-specific active TCI list. An example with joint DL / UL TCI states is shown in Table 2.

[0056] Table 2: List of active TCI states for multiple DCIs

[0057]

[0058] RAN4 defines TCI state switching delay requirements for unified TCI states for Rel-17 in Section 8.15 (for downlink) and Section 8.16 (for uplink) of TS 38.133. These requirements define the delay for the UE to complete the switch and receive and / or send data using the target TCI state.

[0059] MAC-CE based TCI state activation is defined in sections 8.15.3 and 8.15.5 for DL ​​and 8.16.3 and 8.16.5 for uplink.

[0060] After receiving a MAC-CE command to activate one or more TCI states to the active TCI state list, MAC-CE based TCI state activation is performed. During the MAC-CE activation delay, after the UE processes the MAC-CE command, the UE shall perform fine time / frequency tracking using the first SSB with the correct QCL relationship. When the target TCI state is known, for the DLTCI state, the UE should be able to receive using the target TCI state after the predefined switching delay requirement. When the target TCI state is unknown, an additional L1-RSRP measurement period is added in the delay. The TCI state is known under various conditions.

[0061] DCI-based TCI state indication is described in Section 8.15.4 (for DL) and Section 8.16.4 (for uplink) in TS 38.133, where the indicated TCI state shall be applied after a delay of beamApplicationTime after the UE issues a HARQ-ACK response to a DCI indicating the TCI state with a codepoint in the UE's active TCI state list.

[0062] The examples described herein relate to MAC-CE based TCI state activation / indication / switching.

[0063] In the work items for MIMO evolution for downlink and uplink, 3GPP RAN4 is defining TCI state switching requirements for switching two TCI states with different QCL Type D sources with a single MAC-CE command in single DCI mode and with two separate MAC-CEs in multi-DCI mode.

[0064] RAN4 has agreed to define these requirements in Rel-18 assuming that the UE cannot perform downlink reception or uplink transmission simultaneously.

[0065] When switching two downlink TCI states with one MAC-CE in single DCI mode, two first SSBs are included in the requirement. In addition, when both or one of the target TCI states is unknown, an L1-RSRP measurement period is added in the delay for the unknown TCI state(s).

[0066] When the SSBs for fine time / frequency tracking of two activated downlink TCI states are i) overlapping (completely or partially overlapping in the time domain) or ii) adjacent, it is expected that the UE will not be able to perform T / F tracking on the two first SSBs immediately after processing the MAC-CE, and the UE may need additional SSB cycles to synchronize with the two SSBs. This is because the UE may be receiving the two SSBs from different directions with different panels, and when the UE cannot receive with both panels at the same time, the UE will need to switch panels to synchronize with the two SSBs. When the SSBs overlap or are adjacent to each other, the UE will not have time to switch panels quickly, and thus will not be able to measure the two SSBs at the first opportunity (overlapping or adjacent).

[0067] This is Figure 4 , where the UE is switching to TCI states #1 and #2. The UE first synchronizes with SSB1 402, which has a QCL relationship with TCI state #1, but cannot measure SSB2 404 (which overlaps with SSB1 402 at the first opportunity), and therefore must wait for the entire SSB period to synchronize with SSB2 404, which has a QCL relationship with TCI state #2. Accordingly, Figure 4 MAC-CE based TCI state switching delay in single DCI mode with overlapping SSBs (402, 404) is shown.

[0068] Before the TCI state switch is completed, the UE is not expected to receive or transmit using the target TCI state, so the network should not schedule the UE during this period. When two TCI states are switched at the same time, two options are possible (Behavior 1 and Behavior 2):

[0069] Behavior 1: Consider individual delays for scheduling from each TRP, i.e., once the handover is completed, the UE can start receiving / transmitting with TCI state #1 (e.g. Figure 4 ), even if the TCI state #2 switch is not completed. When both switches are completed, the UE can receive / send two TCI states.

[0070] Behavior 2: Consider the total delay for scheduling from each TRP, i.e., the UE cannot receive or transmit on any TCI state until both TCI state switches are completed. Once both switches are completed, the UE can receive with both TCI states.

[0071] When considering behavior 1, the problem is that if the SSBs overlap or are adjacent, the network does not know which SSB the UE will prioritize at the first opportunity, i.e., which TCI state switch will be completed first. Therefore, the network must assume an additional SSB period for the two TCI state switch delays, and it cannot do so until both TCI state switches are completed. Figure 4 This means that Behavior 1 actually becomes Behavior 2.

[0072] Figure 5 This problem is illustrated in FIG. 5 for a multiple DCI case, where TCI state #1 is activated for TRP1 by one MAC-CE (502, 506), and shortly thereafter, TCI state #2 is activated for TRP#2 by another MAC-CE (504, 508). The MAC CEs may also be received simultaneously in the time domain. Two UE behaviors (1-2) are shown when the first SSBs associated with the activated TCI states overlap each other in the time domain after decoding the MAC-CEs:

[0073] 1. In the above figure (501), UE 110 first synchronizes with SSB1 532 and completes TCI state activation of TCI state #1 (512). Because the UE cannot synchronize with SSB2 534 at the first opportunity, the UE needs to wait for the second opportunity of SSB2 534, resulting in an additional delay (the delay is equal to the SSB period of SSB2) (514) in order to be able to complete TCI state activation of TCI state #2 (516).

[0074] 2. In the following diagram (503), UE 110 first synchronizes with SSB2 542 and first completes TCI state #2 activation (518). SSB1 540 requires an additional SSB cycle (520) so that the UE can complete TCI state #1 activation (522).

[0075] Since the network does not know which SSB the UE synchronizes to first, the network must assume a longer TCI state switch delay of one SSB period for both TCI state switches (i.e., TCI#2 switch delay (524) in the upper diagram (501) and TCI#1 switch delay (526) in the lower diagram (503)). Therefore, the network cannot schedule UE 110 in either of the TCI states before this longer delay.

[0076] Accordingly, Figure 5 MAC-CE based TCI state switching delay in multi-DCI mode with different SSB periods is shown, where the SSBs overlap.

[0077] In addition, in some cases, SSBs may overlap or be adjacent at some times, but the SSB period between the two SSBs is different, for example, one SSB is 20ms and the other SSB is 160ms. In this example, if the UE first synchronizes with the SSB with a 20ms period, it must wait 160ms to synchronize with the other SSB.

[0078] Therefore, another issue is how to minimize scheduling disruption when SSBs overlap or are adjacent in time in all or some occasions.

[0079] In a multi-DCI scenario, two (or more) TCI states for each TRP are activated with separate MAC CEs, and TCI state switching is independent. When the first SSBs of the activated TCI states overlap or are adjacent, it is not yet defined how to define the delay in this case.

[0080] When two TCI states with different QCL Type D sources are activated with one MAC-CE (in the case of s-DCI) or two MAC-CEs (in the case of m-DCI), and the SSBs associated with the TCI states overlap or are adjacent, the examples described herein define a MAC-CE based TCI state switching delay requirement based on one or more of the following behaviors to make it clear to the network when the UE should be ready for each TCI state switch (Option 1, Option 2, Option 3, Option 4, Option 5):

[0081] Option 1: When SSBs are adjacent or overlapped in time, the state of the SSB period and the TCI state determines which TCI state is activated first. When both TCI states are known, the UE first activates the TCI state associated with the SSB with the longer SSB period. When both TCI states are unknown, the UE first activates the TCI state associated with the SSB with the shorter SSB period.

[0082] Option 2: When SSBs are adjacent to or overlap each other, the UE first activates the TCI state associated with the SSB that arrives first in time after decoding of the MAC-CE.

[0083] Option 3:When SSBs are adjacent or overlapping in time, the UE first activates the TCI state of the anchor link. NOTE: The anchor link can be defined as one of the following (i-iii): i) TCI state from a TRP with PDCCH TCI state in case PDCCH is sent by a single TRP (s-DCI), ii) TCI state from a TRP with UL TCI state in case PUSCH / PUCCH is sent to a single TRP, iii) the anchor TRP is configured by the network; or a combination of (i-iii).

[0084] Option 4: In m-DCI mode, when SSBs are adjacent or overlapped in time, the UE first activates the TCI state where the MAC-CE arrives first in time.

[0085] Option 5: When one target TCI state is known and the other target TCI state is unknown, a TCI state switching delay should be defined such that the UE activates the known TCI state first.

[0086] Options 1 to 5 can also be used together.

[0087] Activating TCI state in these options means that after decoding (multiple) TCI state activation MAC-CEs, the UE performs one of the following (i-ii): i) known TCI state: time / frequency synchronization with the first SSB, and SSB processing, or ii) unknown TCI state; L1-RSRP measurement, time / frequency synchronization with the first SSB, and SSB processing.

[0088] Performing these steps "first" means that the UE completes these steps using the SSB associated with the first activated TCI state at the first overlapping or adjacent SSB opportunity(s). Additional details are given in the detailed description.

[0089] This document describes how to implement options 1-5 in s-DCI and m-DCI modes when both target TCI states are either known, or both are unknown, or one is known and the other is unknown.

[0090] A. Two known target TCI states

[0091] A.1 Single DCI

[0092] When two target TCI states are known, the options given previously for single DCI mode (1-3) can be implemented in the manner described here. The first SSBs overlap or are adjacent to each other.

[0093] Option 1:

[0094] UE behavior: To minimize the total TCI state switching delay between the two TCI states, the UE follows the following three steps (1-3):

[0095] 1. The UE shall first synchronize with the first SSB with the longer SSB period. The UE does this based on which of the two adjacent SSBs appears first in time (e.g., Figure 6 This is SSB2 604, even though it arrived later than SSB1602).

[0096] 2. The UE shall synchronize to the SSB with the shorter SSB period at the second SSB opportunity after decoding MAC-CE 601 .

[0097] 3. The TCI state switching delay is defined by adding an additional SSB period for SSBs with shorter periods in the delay requirement.

[0098] therefore, Figure 6 Option 1 in an s-DCI scenario is shown, where the UE first synchronizes to a first SSB 604 having a longer SSB period. The period of SSB1 602 is given as period 612, and the period of SSB2 604 is given as period 614.

[0099] For option 1, the TCI state switching latency requirement in the s-DCI case will be written as follows: When the first SSBs associated with two downlink TCI states activated with the same MAC-CE command overlap or are adjacent to each other, and neither of the two downlink TCIs is on the active TCI state list, the UE shall be able to The UE-specific PDCCH / PDSCH is received at the first time slot after the time slot length, where is the number of time slots per subframe for digital technology μ, T HARQ (Intra-slot) is the timing between DL data transmission and acknowledgment, and where (1-4):

[0100] 1.T first-SSB It is the time of the first SSB transmission after the UE decodes the MAC CE command; the SSB should be QCL-TypeA or QCL-TypeC of the target TCI state.

[0101] 2.T SSB-proc =2ms.

[0102] 3.T SSB1 and T SSB2 are the SSB periods of the SSBs associated with the two activated TCI states, ie, SSB1 and SSB2, respectively, and SSB1 represents the SSB synchronized after the other SSB because TSSB1 ≤T SSB2 .

[0103] 4. The first SSB1 and the first SSB2 overlap or are adjacent.

[0104] Option 2:

[0105] UE behavior:

[0106] refer to Figure 7 , the UE shall first synchronize with the SSB that arrives first in time after decoding of the TCI state activation MAC-CE 701, regardless of the SSB period and which link the SSB is associated with. Figure 7 As shown, the UE synchronizes with SSB1 702 ( 712 ) before synchronizing with SSB2 704 ( 714 ), where SSB1 702 occurs before SSB2 704 in time, even though the period 724 of SSB2 704 is longer than the period 722 of SSB1 702 .

[0107] The TCI state switch delay 730 is defined by adding an additional SSB period for the SSB that arrives second in time.

[0108] therefore, Figure 7 Option 2 in the s-DCI scenario is shown, where the UE first synchronizes to the SSB that comes first in the time domain.

[0109] For option 2, the TCI state switching latency requirement for the s-DCI case can be written as follows:

[0110] When the first SSBs associated with two downlink TCI states activated with the same MAC-CE command overlap or are adjacent to each other, the UE shall be able to

[0111] The UE-specific PDCCH / PDSCH is received at the first time slot after the time slot length, where (1-6):

[0112] 1.T first-SSB is the time of the first SSB transmission after the UE decodes the MAC CE command; the SSB should be QCL-TypeA or QCL-TypeC of the target TCI state

[0113] 2.T SSB-proc =2ms

[0114] 3. If the first target TCI state is not in the active TCI state list for PDSCH / PDCCH, then TO k1=1, otherwise 0.

[0115] 4. If the second target TCI state is not in the active TCI state list for PDSCH / PDCCH, then TO k2 =1, otherwise 0.

[0116] 5.T SSB_later It is the SSB period of the SSB transmission SSB1 or SSB2 which comes second in time after the UE decodes the MAC CE command.

[0117] 6. If TO k1 =TO k2 =1 and the first SSB1 and the first SSB2 overlap or are adjacent, then Toverlap=1.

[0118] Option 3:

[0119] UE behavior: To achieve shorter interruption when scheduling the anchor link: the UE should first synchronize with the SSB associated to the target TCI state for the anchor link (as described above), and the TCI state switching delay is defined by adding an additional SSB period for the SSB associated with the TCI state of another link.

[0120] For option 3, the TCI state switching latency requirement in the s-DCI case will be written as follows: When the first SSBs associated with two downlink TCI states activated with the same MAC-CE command overlap or are adjacent to each other, and neither of the two downlink TCIs is on the active TCI state list, the UE shall be able to

[0121] The first time slot after the time slot length receives the UE-specific PDCCH / PDSCH, where (1-4):

[0122] 1.T first-SSB is the time of the first SSB transmission after the UE decodes the MAC CE command; the SSB should be QCL-TypeA or QCL-TypeC of the target TCI state

[0123] 2.T SSB-proc =2ms

[0124] 3.T SSB_non-anchor is the SSB period of the first SSB transmission SSB1 or SSB2, which is associated with the target TCI state activated for the non-anchor link.

[0125] 4. The first SSB1 and the first SSB2 overlap or are adjacent.

[0126] In any of the options 1-3 of s-DCI, two solutions discussed in RAN4 (Behavior 1 and Behavior 2) can be supported:

[0127] Behavior 1: When independent TCI state switching is completed, the UE can be scheduled independently from each TCI state. When the activation of two TCI states is completed, the UE can be scheduled from both TCI states. Here, when the standard clearly specifies which TCI state switching is completed first as in options 1-3, the network knows which TCI state it can start scheduling independently before the dual TCI state switching is completed. For this case, option 3 can be beneficial for the s-DCI case because the UE can start receiving PDCCH and UL transmission on the anchor link with as short a delay as possible. After the second TCI state switch is also completed, scheduling is performed from two TRPs. The benefit of option 1 is that if scheduling is preferred from two TRPs and the total TCI state switching delay of the two TCI states is shorter, the UE has a shorter interruption to multi-TRP operation when the total TCI state switching delay of the two TCI states is shorter. The benefit of option 2 is that the network knows which TCI state switching is completed first and can start scheduling the TCI state earlier. Due to implementation reasons, some UEs may prefer this behavior.

[0128] Behavior 2: The UE cannot be scheduled from the independent TCI state until both TCI state switching is completed. When the activation of both TCI states is completed, the UE can be scheduled from both TCI states. Here, the benefit of option 1 is that the UE can complete the dual TCI state switching in the shortest possible time. In other options, if the SSB of the UE's second synchronization has the longest SSB period, the delay may be longer.

[0129] A.2 Multiple DCI

[0130] Options 1-4 given above can be implemented as described here.

[0131] Option 1:

[0132] refer to Figure 8 , in order to minimize the total TCI state switching delay of the two TCI states (1-3):

[0133] 1. The UE first completes the TCI state switch of the TCI state associated with the SSB with the longest SSB period, i.e., synchronized with the first SSB after decoding the MAC-CE, as Figure 8 as is done for SSB 804 in TCI state #2 in .

[0134] 2. Based on the second SSB after decoding the MAC-CE, the UE completes the SSB with the shortest SSB period (in Figure 8 802), i.e., an additional SSB cycle (e.g., 804) is allowed in the TCI state switching delay. Figure 8 1). Figure 8 , SSB 802 has a period 812 and SSB 804 has a period 814.

[0135] 3. The above steps are performed in the given order, regardless of which SSB arrives first in time after decoding the MAC-CE (801, 803), and regardless of which MAC-CE arrives first at the UE.

[0136] therefore, Figure 8 Option 1 is shown for the m-DCI scenario, where the UE first synchronizes to the SSB with the longer SSB period (804). Figure 8 A TCI#1 switching delay 822 and a TCI#2 switching delay 824 are shown.

[0137] For each MAC-CE / target TCI state, The TCI state switch latency requirement for option 1 can be written for the multiple DCI case as follows: When a MAC CE command indicating a downlink TCI state switch for CORESETPoolIndex p is received at timeslot n, the UE shall be able to switch to the next downlink state at timeslot n if the TCI state is known.

[0138]

[0139] The target TCI state is received at the first time slot after the time slot length, where (1-6):

[0140] 1.T first-SSBp It is the time of the first SSB transmission (i.e., the SSB associated with CORESETPoolIndexp) after the UE decodes the MAC CE command; the SSB should be QCL-TypeA or QCL-TypeC of the target TCI state.

[0141] 2.T SSB-proc =2ms

[0142] 3. If the target TCI state is not in the active TCI state list for PDSCH / PDCCH, then TO k =1, otherwise 0.

[0143] 4.T SSBp is the SSB period.

[0144] 5. When the UE receives a TCI state switching command for CORESETPoolIndex p while performing a TCI state switching for CORESETPoolIndex q, or the UE receives a TC1 state switching command for CORESETPoolIndex p and a TC1 state switching command for CORESETPoolIndex q in the same time slot, and after decoding the MAC-CE, the first SSB of the TCI state activated for CORESETPoolIndex p is transmitted SSB p The first SSB transmission SSB with TCI status activated for CORESETPoolIndex q q Overlapping or adjacent, and if the two target TCI states are TO K =1, and if T SSBp <T SSBq , or if T SSBp =T SSBq And UE is in SSB p Previously with SSB q If synchronous, X=1; otherwise, X=0.

[0145] 6. First SSB p and the first SSB q are considered overlapping or adjacent.

[0146] Option 2:

[0147] refer to Fig. 9 , the UE completes the TCI state switching of the TCI state associated with the SSB that arrives first in time after decoding the MAC-CE (901, 903).

[0148] For another TCI state, the UE shall synchronize with the second SSB after decoding the MAC-CE and one additional SSB period is allowed in the TCI state switching delay.

[0149] therefore, Fig. 9 Option 2 for the m-DCI scenario is shown. The UE first synchronizes to the SSB that comes first in time after decoding the MAC-CE. Fig. 9 In the example, the arrival of SSB 902 is earlier in time than that of SSB 904, so the synchronization (912) for TCI#1 is performed before the synchronization (914) for TCI#2. Fig. 9 A TCI#1 switching delay 922 and a TCI#2 switching delay 924 are shown.

[0150] For each MAC-CE / target TCI state, the TCI state switch latency requirement for option 2 can be written for the multi-DCI case as follows: When a MAC CE command indicating a downlink TCI state switch for CORESETPoolIndex p is received at timeslot n, and if the TCI state is known, the UE shall be able to switch to the next TCI state in timeslot n.

[0151]

[0152] The first time slot after the time slot length is received at the target TCI state, where (1-6):

[0153] 1.T first-SSBp It is the time of the first SSB transmission (i.e., the SSB associated with CORESETPoolIndexp) after the UE decodes the MAC CE command; the SSB should be QCL-TypeA or QCL-TypeC of the target TCI state.

[0154] 2.T SSB-proc =2ms

[0155] 3. If the target TCI state is not in the active TCI state list for PDSCH / PDCCH, then TO k =1, otherwise 0.

[0156] 4.T SSBp is the SSB period.

[0157] 5. When the UE receives a TCI state switching command for CORESETPoolIndex p while performing a TCI state switching for CORESETPoolIndex q, or the UE receives a TC1 state switching command for CORESETPoolIndex p and a TC1 state switching command for CORESETPoolIndex q at the same time slot, and after decoding the MAC-CE, the first SSB of the TCI state activated for CORESETPoolIndex p is transmitted SSB p The first SSB transmission SSB with TCI status activated for CORESETPoolIndex q q adjacent, and if the two target TCI states are TO K = 1, and if the first SSB p The arrival of the first SSB q , then X=1; otherwise X=0.

[0158] 6. First SSB p and the first SSB q are considered overlapping or adjacent.

[0159] Option 3:

[0160] To achieve a shorter interruption when scheduling the anchor link: The UE should first synchronize with the SSB associated with the target TCI state associated to the anchor link, i.e. complete the TCI state of that link first. The TCI state switching delay is defined by adding an additional SSB period in the delay of the SSB associated with the TCI state of the other link.

[0161] For each MAC-CE / target TCI state, the TCI state switch latency requirement for option 3 shall be written for the multiple DCI case as follows: When a MAC CE command indicating a downlink TCI state switch for CORESETPoolIndex p is received at timeslot n, the UE shall be able to switch to the next TCI state in timeslot n if the TCI state is known.

[0162]

[0163] The first time slot after the time slot length is received at the target TCI state, where (1-6):

[0164] 1.T first-SSBp It is the time of the first SSB transmission (i.e., the SSB associated with CORESETPoolIndexp) after the UE decodes the MAC CE command; the SSB should be QCL-TypeA or QCL-TypeC of the target TCI state.

[0165] 2.T SSB-proc =2ms

[0166] 3. If the target TCI state is not in the active TCI state list for PDSCH / PDCCH, then TO k =1, otherwise 0.

[0167] 4.T SSBp is the SSB period.

[0168] 5. When the UE receives a TCI state switching command for CORESETPoolIndex p while performing a TCI state switching for CORESETPoolIndex q, or the UE receives a TC1 state switching command for CORESETPoolIndex p and a TC1 state switching command for CORESETPoolIndex q in the same time slot, and after decoding the MAC-CE, the first SSB of the TCI state activated for CORESETPoolIndex p is transmitted SSB pThe first SSB transmission SSB with TCI status activated for CORESETPoolIndex q q Overlapping or adjacent, and if the two target TCI states are TO K =1, and if CORESETPoolIndex p is the CORESETPoolIndex of a non-anchor link, X=1; otherwise X=0.

[0169] 6. First SSB p and the first SSB q are considered overlapping or adjacent.

[0170] Option 4:

[0171] The UE completes the TCI state switching in the order of arrival of the TCI state activation MAC-CE, i.e., the UE uses the first SSB opportunity for the TCI state activated in the first MAC-CE and the second SSB opportunity for the TCI state activated in the second MAC-CE. Additional SSB cycles are allowed for the delay of the second TCI state switching.

[0172] The scenario is similar to Fig. 9 .

[0173] For each MAC-CE / target TCI state, the TCI state switch latency requirement for option 4 shall be written for the multi-DCI case as follows: When a MAC CE command indicating a downlink TCI state switch for CORESETPoolIndex p is received at timeslot n, and if the TCI state is known, the UE shall be able to

[0174]

[0175] The target TCI state is received at the first time slot after the time slot length, where (1-6):

[0176] 1.T first-SSBp is the time of the first SSB transmission after the UE decodes the MAC CE command (i.e., the SSB associated with CORESETPoolIndex p); the SSB should be QCL-TypeA or QCL-TypeC of the target TCI state.

[0177] 2.T SSB-proc =2ms

[0178] 3. If the target TCI state is not in the active TCI state list for PDSCH / PDCCH, then TO k =1, otherwise 0.

[0179] 4.TSSBp is the SSB period.

[0180] 5. When the UE receives a TCI state switching command for CORESETPoolIndex p while performing a TCI state switching for CORESETPoolIndex q, or the UE receives a TC1 state switching command for CORESETPoolIndex p and a TC1 state switching command for CORESETPoolIndex q at the same time slot, and after decoding the MAC-CE, the first SSB of the TCI state activated for CORESETPoolIndex p is transmitted SSB p The first SSB transmission SSB with TCI status activated for CORESETPoolIndex q q Overlapping or adjacent, and if the two target TCI states are TO K = 1, and if SSB is activated p The MACCE is later than the activation SSB q If the MAC CE is set, X=1; otherwise, X=0.

[0181] 6. First SSB p and the first SSB q are considered overlapping or adjacent.

[0182] Further comments on the options:

[0183] Since RAN4 agrees that TCI state switching in multi-DCI cases is independent of each other, the UE will complete each TCI state switch independently and can be independently scheduled after each TCI state switch is completed. After the two TCI state switches are completed, the UE can be scheduled from the two TRPs. Therefore, for multi-DCI scenarios, the benefit of all the above options 1-4 is that the network knows which TCI state switch takes longer. Option 1 has the additional benefit of minimizing the interruption of multi-TRP operation because the total delay of switching the two TCI states is shorter. In addition, if for some similar situations, it is assumed that the UE cannot receive any TCI state before the two switches are completed, option 1 will be the most advantageous option.

[0184] B. Dual TCI state switching with one known TCI state and one unknown TCI state

[0185] When one of the two activated TCI states is unknown, the TCI state switching delay of the unknown TCI state will also include the L1-RSRP measurement period before synchronization with the "first SSB".

[0186] Option 5: refer to Fig.10In case of overlapping or adjacent SSBs, if the known TCI state is not on the active TCI state list, the UE shall first complete the TCI state switch of the known TCI state, i.e., the measurement order is: first synchronize with the SSB associated to the known TCI state (which TCI state can potentially start being scheduled after this), and then perform the L1-RSRP measurement period starting from the second SSB of the unknown TCI state and synchronize with the SSB associated to this TCI state (after this, the UE can be scheduled from both TRPs)

[0187] Fig.10 TCI activation is shown for one known TCI state and one unknown TCI state. Fig.10 , SSB 1002 is associated with the known state TCI#1, and SSB 1004 is associated with the unknown state TCI#2.

[0188] If the UE can start receiving one TCI state when a handover of that TCI state is completed, then it is beneficial to activate the TCI states in that order. If the UE can start receiving both TCI states only after both handovers are completed, then it does not matter which TCI state is activated first.

[0189] Note that it is assumed here that for L1-RRP measurement, the same overlapping SSB is used. If different reference signals (eg, CSI-RS) are used for L1-RRP measurement, the UE can perform switching in parallel.

[0190] In case of overlapping or adjacent SSBs, the TCI state switching delay for s-DCI will become: The time slot length, where TO k1 and T first-SSB1 With known TCI status and T L1-RSRP2 Related, TO uk2 and T first-SSB2 Associated with unknown TCI status, T first-SSB1 is the time of the first SSB transmission after the UE decodes the MAC CE command, T first-SSB2 After L1-RSRP measurement (T L1-RSRP2 The time of the first SSB transmission after that.

[0191] In case of overlapping or adjacent SSBs, the TCI state switching delay for m-DCI will become for each TRP-specific MAC-CE (additional SSB period added for unknown TCI state): When a MAC CE command indicating downlink TCI state switch for CORESETPoolIndex p is received at timeslot n, and if the TCI state is unknown, the UE shall be able to switch to m-DCI at timeslot n. The first time slot of the time slot length is received at the target TCI state, where (1-5)

[0192] 1.T first-SSBp is the time of the first SSB transmission after the L1-SRP measurement (ie, the SSB associated with CORESETPoolIndexp); the SSB should be QCL-TypeA or QCL-TypeC of the target TCI state.

[0193] 2.T SSB-proc =2ms.

[0194] 3. If the target TCI state for the known state is not in the active TCI state list for PDSCH / PDCCH, then TO k =1, otherwise 0. When TCI state switching involves QCL-TypeD, the TO of L1-RSRP measurement based on CSI-RS uk =1, while the TO measured by L1-RSRP based on SSB uk = 0, and when TCI state switching involves only other QCL types, TO uk =1.

[0195] 4.T SSBp is the SSB period.

[0196] 5. When the UE receives a TCI state switching command for CORESETPoolIndex p while performing a TCI state switching for CORESETPoolIndex q, or the UE receives a TC1 state switching command for CORESETPoolIndex p and a TC1 state switching command for CORESETPoolIndex q at the same timeslot, where the target TCI state of CORESETPoolIndex q is known, and after decoding the MAC-CE, the first SSB of the TCI state activated for CORESETPoolIndex p is transmitted SSB p The first SSB transmission SSB with TCI status activated for CORESETPoolIndex q q Overlapping or adjacent.

[0197] C. When both TCI states are unknown:

[0198] For overlapping or adjacent situations, two methods are possible: the UE performs TCI state switching in parallel or sequentially. By performing TCI state switching sequentially, the network visibility of the order of TCI state switching can be improved. Here, options 1-4 can be implemented as described above.

[0199] Parallel means in practice that the UE uses every other SSB opportunity in each TRP measurement. Sequential means that the UE uses the first X SSBs to perform measurements (and if needed, one synchronization), i.e. one TCI state switch for one TRP, and then uses the next Y SSBs to perform the measurements needed for another TRP TCI state switch. The total delay is roughly the same, but the difference is that if the TCI state switches are performed sequentially, the network can start scheduling one of the TCI states with a shorter delay. If the TCI state switches are performed in parallel, the network can start scheduling with the new TCI state only after the total delay.

[0200] Here, the sequential activation of the two TCI states means that the UE first completes the TCI state switching of one TCI state, that is, performs L1-RSRP measurement and SSB synchronization, and then performs the same steps for the other TCI state. The UE can be scheduled from the first TCI state when the switching is completed, and the UE can be scheduled from both TCI states when both TCI state switching are completed.

[0201] Option 1: First complete the TCI state switching of the TCI state that has a QCL relationship with the SSB with a shorter SSB period (here, it makes sense to activate the state with a shorter SSB period first, because in this way, the UE can start using one of the TCI states faster).

[0202] Option 2: First complete the TCI state switching of the TCI state having a QCL relationship with the SSB that comes first in time after MAC-CE decoding.

[0203] Option 3: First complete the TCI state switching of the TCI state of the anchor link.

[0204] Option 4: In m-DCI mode, the TCI state switching is first completed for the TCI state in which the TCI state activation MAC-CE is first received.

[0205] Fig.11 The method is described when the SSB periods are different and the SSBs (1102, 1104) overlap. TCI#1 is the TCI state that is activated first (can be based on any of options 1-3). TCI state 1 can be scheduled after the switch is completed. After TCI state switch 2 is completed, the UE can start receiving with both TCI states. For option 4, the delay will be similar, but two MAC CEs will be used. Fig.11 In FIG. 1 , a MAC-CE 1101 is shown.

[0206] therefore, Fig.11Two unknown TCI states and TCI activations for different SSB periods are shown. SSB 1102 has period 1112 and SSB 1104 has period 1114.

[0207] For the case of overlapping / adjacent SSBs, the equation becomes: The time slot length, where T L1-RSRP1 ,TO uk1 , T first-SSB1 Related to the TCI state to be activated first (Option 1: TCI state associated with the SSB with a shorter SSB period, Option 2: TCI state associated with the SSB that occurs first in time after MAC-CE processing, Option 3: TCI state of the anchor TRP), T L1-RSRP2 ,TO uk2 and T first-SSB2 Associated with the second activated TCI state. first-SSB is after L1-RSRP measurement (at T L1-RSRP The time of the first SSB transmission after that.

[0208] For overlapping / adjacent SSBs, using options 1, 2, 3, or 4 for m-DCI, the equation becomes: The length of the time slot in which the first SSB of the TCI state activated for CORESETPoolIndex p is set if the UE receives a TCI state switch command for CORESETPoolIndex p while performing a TCI state switch for CORESETPoolIndex q, or the UE receives a TCI state switch command for CORESETPoolIndex p and a TCI state switch command for CORESETPoolIndex q at the same time slot and after decoding the MAC-CE p The first SSB with the TCI status activated for CORESETPoolIndex q q overlapping or adjacent, and the L1-RSRP measurement period is SSB-based, and at least one of options 1-4 holds: Option 1: The SSB period associated with the TCI state activated for CORESETPoolIndex p is longer than the SSB period associated with the TCI state activated for CORESETPoolIndex q, Option 2: The SSB associated with the TCI state activated for CORESETPoolIndex p is longer than the SSB period associated with the TCI state activated for CORESETPoolIndex q p The arrival of the SSB associated with the TCI state activated for CORESETPoolIndex q is later in time than the SSB associated with the TCI state activated for CORESETPoolIndex q q, Option 3: CORESETPoolIndex p is the CORESETPoolIndex of the non-anchor link, Option 4: If SSB is activated p The MAC CE is later than the activation SSB q Otherwise, Toverlap=0.

[0209] It should also be noted that the description in this document focuses on the case where the number of TCI states is two. However, if multiple TCI states are activated in the MAC-CE for one or each of the TRPs, or if multi-TRP transmission / reception is specified in the future for more than two TRPs and TCI states are activated / indicated for more than two QCL Type D sources, the advanced principles (options 1-4) described in this document can be applied to any number of activated TCI states greater than or equal to two. It should also be noted that the different options described above can be used in combination. For example, if the SSB periods are different, the UE can first synchronize with the SSB with a longer or shorter period (option 1), and if the SSB periods are the same, the UE can first synchronize with the SSB of the anchor link (option 3).

[0210] The same principles can also be applied to other requirements similar to the TCI state switching delay requirement, such as the LTM cell switching delay requirement, where the cell switching command currently indicates a single target TCI state. If in the future the LTM cell switching command can indicate more TCI states (if cell switching to multi-TRP transmission is enabled), and the UE needs to synchronize with the reference signals associated to these TCI states, the delay can be defined using similar principles as described herein.

[0211] For s-DCI, the two TCI states of the two TRPs are placed at the same codepoint on the active TCI state list with one MAC-CE. The DCI points to a certain codepoint on the list, so a single DCI indicates a pair of TCI states in one codepoint. For m-DCI, each TRP has a separate active TCI state list, and thus only one TCI state at each codepoint is activated by one MAC-CE. In this case, a separate DCI is used to indicate the TCI state at one codepoint on each list.

[0212] Fig.12An example apparatus 1200 (which may be implemented in hardware) configured to implement the examples described herein. The apparatus 1200 includes at least one processor 1202 (e.g., an FPGA and / or a CPU), one or more memories 1204 including computer program code 1205 having instructions for performing the methods described herein, wherein the at least one memory 1204 and the computer program code 1205 are configured to, together with the at least one processor 1202, cause the apparatus 1200 to implement circuit systems, processes, components, modules, or functions (implemented with a control module 1206) to implement the examples described herein. The memory 1204 may be a non-transitory memory, a transient memory, a volatile memory (e.g., a RAM), or a non-volatile memory (e.g., a ROM).

[0213] The optionally included command 1230 may enable transmission or reception of one or more MAC control elements as described herein. The optionally included synchronization 1240 may enable synchronization of one or more TCI states as described herein. The optionally included activation 1250 may enable activation of a TCI state as described herein.

[0214] The device 1200 includes a display and / or I / O interface 1208, which includes user interface (UI) circuit systems and elements, which can be used to display aspects or states of the methods described herein (for example, while one of the methods is being performed or at a subsequent time), or to receive input from a user, such as using a keypad, camera, touch screen, touch area, microphone, biometrics, one or more sensors, etc. The device 1200 includes one or more communications, such as (multiple) network (N / W) interface (I / F) 1210. The (multiple) communication I / F 1210 can be wired and / or wireless, and communicate over (multiple) Internet / other networks via any communication technology (including via one or more links 1224). The (multiple) link 1224 can be from Figure 1 Link(s) 131 and / or 176. Figure 1 The link(s) 131 and / or 176 may also be implemented using transceiver(s) 1216 and corresponding wireless link(s) 1226. The communication I / F(s) 1210 may include one or more transmitters or one or more receivers.

[0215] The transceiver 1216 includes one or more transmitters 1218 and one or more receivers 1220. The transceiver 1216 and / or the communication I / F(s) 1210 may include standard well-known components such as amplifiers, filters, frequency converters, (de)modulators and encoder / decoder circuitry, and one or more antennas, such as antenna 1214 for communicating over a wireless link 1226.

[0216] The control module 1206 of the device 1200 includes one or both of the components 1206-1 and / or 1206-2, which can be implemented in a variety of ways. The control module 1206 can be implemented in hardware as the control module 1206-1, such as being implemented as a part of one or more processors 1202. The control module 1206-1 can also be implemented as an integrated circuit or implemented by other hardware such as a programmable gate array. In another example, the control module 1206 can be implemented as a control module 1206-2, which is implemented as a computer program code (with corresponding instructions) 1205 and is executed by one or more processors 1202. For example, one or more memories 1204 store instructions that, when executed by one or more processors 1202, cause the device 1200 to perform one or more of the operations described herein. In addition, one or more processors 1202, one or more memories 1204, and example algorithms (e.g., as flow charts and / or signaling diagrams) (encoded as instructions, programs, or codes) are components for performing the operations described herein.

[0217] The apparatus 1200 for implementing the functionality of the control module 1206 may be a UE 110, a RAN node 170 (e.g., a gNB), or (multiple) network elements 190 (e.g., a LMF 190). Thus, processor 1202 may correspond to processor(s) 120, processor(s) 152 and / or processor(s) 175, memory 1204 may correspond to memory(s) 125, memory(s) 155 and / or memory(s) 171, computer program code 1205 may correspond to computer program code 123, computer program code 153 and / or computer program code 173, control module 1206 may correspond to module 140-1, module 140-2, module 150-1 and / or module 150-2, and communication I / F(s) 1210 and / or transceiver 1216 may correspond to transceiver 130, antenna(s) 128, transceiver 160, antenna(s) 158, N / WI / F(s) 161, and / or N / WI / F(s) 180. Alternatively, apparatus 1200 and its elements may not correspond to any of UE 110, RAN node 170, or network element(s) 190 and their respective elements, as apparatus 1200 may be part of a Self-Organizing / Optimizing Network (SON) node or other node, such as a node in a cloud.

[0218] The apparatus 1200 may also correspond to TRP 1 170-1 or TRP 2 170-2. TRP 1 170-1 or TRP 2 170-2 may be configured similarly to the RAN node 170 or one or more network elements 190.

[0219] The apparatus 1200 may also be distributed throughout the network (eg, 100 ), including within and between the apparatus 1200 and any network elements, such as a network control element (NCE) 190 and / or a RAN node 170 and / or a UE 110 .

[0220] Interface 1212 implements data communication and signaling between various items of device 1200, such as Fig.12As shown. For example, interface 1212 can be one or more buses, such as an address, data, or control bus, and can include any interconnection mechanism, such as a series of lines on a motherboard or integrated circuit, optical fiber or other optical communication device, etc. The computer program code (e.g., instructions) 1205 including control module 1206 may include object-oriented software configured to pass data or messages between objects within computer program code 1205. Device 1200 need not include each of the features mentioned, or may also include other features. The various components of device 1200 may be at least partially located in a common housing 1228, or a subset of the various components of device 1200 may be at least partially located in different housings, which may include housing 1228.

[0221] Fig.13 Schematic diagrams of non-volatile memory media 1300a (e.g., a computer / compact disk (CD) or digital versatile disk (DVD)) and 1300b (e.g., a universal serial bus (USB) memory stick) and 1300c (e.g., a cloud storage device for downloading instructions and / or parameters 1302 or receiving email instructions and / or parameters 1302) storing instructions and / or parameters 1302 that, when executed by a processor, allow the processor to perform one or more of the steps of the methods described herein. The instructions and / or parameters 1302 may represent non-transitory computer-readable media.

[0222] Fig.14 An example method 1400 based on example embodiments described herein. At 1410, the method includes receiving one or more medium access control control elements with one or more transmission configuration indicator states activated. At 1420, the method includes where synchronization signal blocks of associated transmission configuration indicator states overlap or are adjacent, where the transmission configuration indicator states are activated using one or more medium access control control elements. At 1430, the method includes determining in which order the individual transmission configuration indicator states are activated. The method 1400 may be performed by the UE 110 or the apparatus 1200.

[0223] Fig.15An example method 1500 based on example embodiments described herein. At 1510, the method includes sending one or more medium access control control elements for one or more transmission configuration indicator state activations to a user equipment. At 1520, the method includes wherein synchronization signal blocks of associated transmission configuration indicator states overlap or are adjacent, wherein the transmission configuration indicator states are activated using the one or more medium access control control elements. At 1530, the method includes determining in which order the individual transmission configuration indicator states are activated. The method 1500 may be performed by the RAN node 170, one or more network elements 190, or the apparatus 1200.

[0224] The following examples are provided and described herein.

[0225] Example 1. A device comprising: at least one processor; and at least one memory storing instructions, which, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the device to at least: receive one or more media access control control units for activating one or more transmission configuration indicator states, wherein synchronization signal blocks of associated transmission configuration indicator states overlap or are adjacent, wherein the transmission configuration indicator states are activated using the one or more media access control control units; and determine in which order individual transmission configuration indicator states are activated.

[0226] Example 2. An apparatus according to Example 1, wherein the determination of the order includes: determining that the transmission configuration indicator state is activated first based on a period of a synchronization signal block associated with the transmission configuration indicator state and / or a state of the transmission configuration indicator state.

[0227] Example 3. An apparatus according to Example 2, wherein when it is determined that the transmission configuration indicator state is activated first, the instruction, when executed by the at least one processor, causes the apparatus to at least: determine that the first transmission configuration indicator state is activated first in response to a period of a first synchronization signal block associated with the first transmission configuration indicator state being longer than a period of a second synchronization signal block associated with the second transmission configuration indicator state.

[0228] Example 4. The apparatus of Example 3, wherein the first transmission configuration indicator state is known and the second transmission configuration indicator state is known.

[0229] Example 5. An apparatus according to any one of Examples 2 to 4, wherein when it is determined that the transmission configuration indicator state is activated first, the instruction, when executed by the at least one processor, causes the apparatus to at least: determine that the first transmission configuration indicator state is to be activated first in response to a period of a first synchronization signal block associated with the first transmission configuration indicator state being shorter than a period of a second synchronization signal block associated with the second transmission configuration indicator state.

[0230] Example 6. The apparatus of Example 5, wherein the first transmission configuration indicator state is unknown and the second transmission configuration indicator state is unknown.

[0231] Example 7. An apparatus according to any one of Examples 1 to 6, wherein the determination of the order includes determining to first activate a transmission configuration indicator state associated with a synchronization signal block that arrives first in time after decoding of the one or more media access control control units.

[0232] Example 8. An apparatus according to Example 7, wherein the synchronization signal block associated with the transmission configuration indicator state that is activated first is adjacent to another synchronization signal block associated with another transmission configuration indicator state that is not activated first.

[0233] Example 9. The apparatus of any of Examples 1 to 8, wherein the determining of the order comprises determining a transmission configuration indicator state of an anchor link to be activated first.

[0234] Example 10. An apparatus according to Example 9, wherein the anchor link is based on one of: a transmission configuration indicator state from a transmission reception point having a physical downlink control channel transmission configuration indicator state in the case where a physical downlink control channel is sent by a single transmission reception point associated with a single downlink control information, or a transmission configuration indicator state from a transmission reception point having an uplink transmission configuration indicator state in the case where a physical uplink shared channel or a physical uplink control channel is sent to a single transmission reception point, or the anchor transmission reception point is configured by the network.

[0235] Example 11. An apparatus according to any one of Examples 1 to 10, wherein the determination of the order includes: in response to receiving multiple media access control control units through the apparatus, determining to first activate a transmission configuration indicator state associated with a media access control control unit that arrives first in time.

[0236] Example 12. An apparatus according to any one of Examples 1 to 11, wherein the determination of the order includes: determining to activate a known first transmission configuration indicator state first, rather than an unknown second transmission configuration indicator state.

[0237] Example 13. An apparatus according to any one of Examples 1 to 12, wherein the determination of the order includes: determining to activate a transmission configuration indicator state first, wherein the first activation of the transmission configuration indicator state includes: using a synchronization signal block associated with the first activated transmission configuration indicator state at one or more first overlapping or adjacent synchronization signal block opportunities without waiting for activation of another transmission configuration indicator state.

[0238] Example 14. An apparatus according to any one of Examples 1 to 13, wherein one of the transmission configuration indicator states is activated based on decoding of the one or more media access control control elements.

[0239] Example 15. An apparatus according to Example 14, wherein the activating the transmission configuration indicator state includes: performing time or frequency synchronization with a first synchronization signal block, and synchronization signal block processing.

[0240] Example 16. The apparatus of Example 15, wherein the transmission configuration indicator state is known.

[0241] Example 17. An apparatus according to any one of Examples 15 to 16, wherein the transmission configuration indicator state is unknown, and activating the transmission configuration indicator state includes: performing a layer 1 reference signal received power measurement.

[0242] Example 18. An apparatus according to any one of Examples 1 to 17, wherein the instruction, when executed by the at least one processor, causes the apparatus to at least: determine a requirement for a transmission configuration indicator state switching delay in response to reception of the one or more media access control control units based on an overlap or adjacency of the synchronization signal blocks of the associated transmission configuration indicator states.

[0243] Example 19. The apparatus of Example 18, wherein the order in which the individual transmission configuration indicator states are activated is determined during the transmission configuration indicator state switching delay.

[0244] Example 20. An apparatus according to any one of Examples 1 to 19, wherein the apparatus comprises a user equipment.

[0245] Example 21. A device comprising: at least one processor; and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the device to at least: send one or more media access control control units for activating one or more transmission configuration indicator states to a user equipment, wherein synchronization signal blocks of associated transmission configuration indicator states overlap or are adjacent, wherein the transmission configuration indicator states are activated using the one or more media access control control units; and determine in which order individual transmission configuration indicator states are activated.

[0246] Example 22. An apparatus according to Example 21, wherein the determination of the order includes: determining that the transmission configuration indicator state is activated first based on a period of a synchronization signal block associated with the transmission configuration indicator state and / or a state of the transmission configuration indicator state.

[0247] Example 23. An apparatus according to Example 22, wherein determining that a transmission configuration indicator state is activated first includes: determining that a first transmission configuration indicator state is activated first when a period of a first synchronization signal block associated with a first transmission configuration indicator state is longer than a period of a second synchronization signal block associated with a second transmission configuration indicator state.

[0248] Example 24. The apparatus of Example 23, wherein the first transmission configuration indicator state is known and the second transmission configuration indicator state is unknown.

[0249] Example 25. An apparatus according to any one of Examples 22 to 24, wherein determining that a transmission configuration indicator state is activated first includes: when a period of a first synchronization signal block associated with the first transmission configuration indicator state is shorter than a period of a second synchronization signal block associated with the second transmission configuration indicator state, determining that the first transmission configuration indicator state is activated first.

[0250] Example 26. The apparatus of Example 25, wherein the first transmission configuration indicator state is unknown and the second transmission configuration indicator state is unknown.

[0251] Example 27. An apparatus according to any one of Examples 21 to 26, wherein the determination of the order includes determining that a transmission configuration indicator state associated with a synchronization signal block that arrives first in time after decoding of the one or more media access control control units is activated first.

[0252] Example 28. An apparatus according to Example 27, wherein the synchronization signal block associated with the transmission configuration indicator state that is activated first is adjacent to another synchronization signal block associated with another transmission configuration indicator state that is not activated first.

[0253] Example 29. The apparatus of any of Examples 21 to 28, wherein the determining of the order comprises determining that a transmission configuration indicator state of an anchor link is activated first.

[0254] Example 30. An apparatus according to Example 29, wherein the anchor link is based on one of: a transmission configuration indicator state from a transmission reception point having a physical downlink control channel transmission configuration indicator state in the case where a physical downlink control channel is sent by a single transmission reception point associated with a single downlink control information, or a transmission configuration indicator state from a transmission reception point having an uplink transmission configuration indicator state in the case where a physical uplink shared channel or a physical uplink control channel is sent to a single transmission reception point, or the anchor transmission reception point is configured by the network.

[0255] Example 31. An apparatus according to any one of Examples 21 to 30, wherein the determination of the order includes: when multiple media access control control units are sent through the apparatus, determining that the transmission configuration indicator state associated with the media access control control unit that arrives first in time is activated first.

[0256] Example 32. An apparatus according to any one of Examples 21 to 31, wherein the determination of the order includes: determining that a known first transmission configuration indicator state is activated first, rather than an unknown second transmission configuration indicator state.

[0257] Example 33. An apparatus according to any one of Examples 21 to 32, wherein the one or more media access control control units cause the user equipment to activate one of the individual transmission configuration indicator states.

[0258] Example 34. An apparatus according to any one of Examples 21 to 33, wherein the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least: determine a requirement for a transmission configuration indicator state switching delay in response to a transmission by the one or more media access control control units, based on an overlap or adjacency of the synchronization signal blocks of the associated transmission configuration indicator states.

[0259] Example 35. The apparatus of Example 34, wherein the order in which the individual transmission configuration indicator states are activated is determined during the transmission configuration indicator state switching delay.

[0260] Example 36. An apparatus according to any one of Examples 21 to 35, wherein the apparatus comprises a radio access network node.

[0261] Example 37. A method comprising: receiving one or more media access control control elements for activating one or more transmission configuration indicator states, wherein synchronization signal blocks of associated transmission configuration indicator states overlap or are adjacent, wherein the transmission configuration indicator states are activated using the one or more media access control control elements; and determining in which order individual transmission configuration indicator states are activated.

[0262] Example 38. A method comprising: sending one or more media access control control units for activating one or more transmission configuration indicator states to a user equipment, wherein the synchronization signal blocks of the associated transmission configuration indicator states overlap or are adjacent, wherein the transmission configuration indicator states are activated using the one or more media access control control units; and determining in which order the individual transmission configuration indicator states are activated.

[0263] Example 39. An apparatus comprising: a component for receiving one or more media access control control units for activation of one or more transmission configuration indicator states, wherein synchronization signal blocks of associated transmission configuration indicator states overlap or are adjacent, wherein the transmission configuration indicator states are activated using the one or more media access control control units; and a component for determining in which order individual transmission configuration indicator states are activated.

[0264] Example 40. An apparatus comprising: a component for sending one or more media access control control units for activating one or more transmission configuration indicator states to a user equipment, wherein synchronization signal blocks of associated transmission configuration indicator states overlap or are adjacent, wherein the transmission configuration indicator states are activated using the one or more media access control control units; and a component for determining in which order individual transmission configuration indicator states are activated.

[0265] Example 41. A computer-readable medium comprising instructions stored thereon, the instructions being used to at least perform: receiving one or more media access control control elements for activating one or more transmission configuration indicator states, wherein synchronization signal blocks of associated transmission configuration indicator states overlap or are adjacent, wherein the transmission configuration indicator states are activated using the one or more media access control control elements; and determining in which order individual transmission configuration indicator states are activated.

[0266] Example 42. A computer-readable medium comprising instructions stored thereon, the instructions being used to at least perform: sending one or more media access control control elements for activating one or more transmission configuration indicator states to a user device, wherein synchronization signal blocks of associated transmission configuration indicator states overlap or are adjacent, wherein the transmission configuration indicator states are activated using the one or more media access control control elements; and determining in which order individual transmission configuration indicator states are activated.

[0267] References to "computers," "processors," and the like should be understood to cover not only computers having different architectures (such as single / multi-processor architectures and sequential or parallel architectures), but also special purpose circuits such as field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), application specific circuits (ASICs), signal processing devices, and other processing circuit systems. References to computer programs, instructions, code, and the like should be understood to cover software or firmware for programmable processors, such as, for example, the programmable content of hardware devices, whether instructions for a processor, or configuration settings for a fixed function device, gate array, or programmable logic device, and the like.

[0268] The memory described herein may be implemented using any suitable data storage technology, such as semiconductor-based memory devices, flash memory, magnetic memory devices and systems, optical memory devices and systems, non-volatile memory, transient memory, fixed memory, and removable memory. The memory may include a database for storing data.

[0269] As used herein, the term "circuitry" may refer to the following: (a) hardware circuit implementations, such as implementations in analog and / or digital circuitry, and (b) combinations of circuitry and software (and / or firmware), such as, as applicable: (i) a combination of (multiple) processors, or (ii) portions of (multiple) processors / software, including (multiple) digital signal processors, software, and memory, which work together to enable the device to perform various functions, and (c) circuits that require software or firmware to operate (even if the software or firmware is not physically present), such as (multiple) microprocessors or portions of (multiple) microprocessors. As another example, as used herein, the term "circuitry" would also cover implementations of only a processor (or multiple processors) or a portion of a processor and its accompanying software and / or firmware. For example, if applicable to the particular element, the term "circuitry" would also cover a baseband integrated circuit or application processor integrated circuit for a mobile phone, or a similar integrated circuit in a server, cellular network device, or another network device.

[0270] It should be understood that the above description is illustrative only. Those skilled in the art may design various alternatives and modifications. For example, the features described in the various dependent claims may be combined with each other in any suitable (multiple) combination. In addition, the features of the above-mentioned different example embodiments may be selectively combined into new example embodiments. Therefore, this specification is intended to cover all such alternatives, modifications and variations that fall within the scope of the appended claims.

[0271] The following abbreviations and abbreviations that may appear in the specification and / or drawings are as follows (abbreviations and abbreviations may be appended / combined with each other using, for example, dashes, hyphens, slashes, letters or numbers, etc., and may not be case sensitive):

[0272] 3GPP: Third Generation Partnership Project

[0273] 4G: Fourth Generation

[0274] 5G: Fifth Generation

[0275] 5GC: 5G core network

[0276] ACK: Acknowledgement

[0277] AMF: Access and Mobility Management Function

[0278] ASIC: Application-Specific Integrated Circuit

[0279] CD: Compact disc / Computer disc

[0280] CORESET: Control resource set

[0281] CPU: Central Processing Unit

[0282] CSI-RS: Channel State Information Reference Signal

[0283] CU: Central Unit or Centralized Unit

[0284] DCI: Downlink Control Information

[0285] DL: Downlink

[0286] DSP: Digital Signal Processor

[0287] DU: Distributed Unit

[0288] DVD: Digital Versatile Disc

[0289] eNB: Evolved Node B (e.g., LTE base station)

[0290] EN-DC: E-UTRAN New Radio - Dual Connectivity

[0291] en-gNB: A node that provides NR user plane and control plane protocol termination towards the UE and acts as a secondary node in EN-DC

[0292] E-UTRA: Evolved UMTS Terrestrial Radio Access, i.e. LTE radio access technology

[0294] E-UTRAN: E-UTRA Network

[0295] F1: Interface between CU and DU

[0296] FPGA: Field Programmable Gate Array

[0297] FR: frequency range (e.g., FR2)

[0298] gNB: A base station for 5G / NR, i.e., a node that provides NR user plane and control plane protocol termination towards the UE and is connected to the 5GC via the NG interface

[0299] HARQ: Hybrid Automatic Repeat Request

[0300] k: known (e.g., TOuk)

[0301] IAB: Integrated Access and Backhaul

[0302] I / F: Interface

[0303] I / O: Input / Output

[0304] L1: Layer 1

[0305] LMF: Location Management Function

[0306] LTE: Long Term Evolution (4G)

[0307] LTM: Lower Layer Triggered Mobility

[0308] μ: subcarrier spacing used by the network (μ=0 means 15kHz, μ=1 means 30kHz) MAC: Media Access Control

[0309] MAC-CE: Media Access Control Element

[0310] m-DCI: multi-DCI, multi-downlink control information

[0311] MIMO: Multiple Input Multiple Output

[0312] MME: Mobility Management Entity

[0313] MRO: Mobility Robustness Optimization

[0314] NCE: Network Control Element

[0315] ng or NG: New Generation

[0316] ng-eNB: Next-generation eNB NG-RAN: Next Generation Radio Access Network

[0317] NR: New Radio

[0318] N / W: Network

[0319] PDA: Personal Digital Assistant

[0320] PDCCH: Physical Downlink Control Channel

[0321] PDCP: Packet Data Convergence Protocol

[0322] PDSCH: Physical Downlink Shared Channel PHY: Physical layer

[0323] proc: process

[0324] PUCCH: Physical Uplink Control Channel PUSCH: Physical Uplink Shared Channel PUxCH: PUCCH or PUSCH QCL: Quasi Co-sited

[0325] RAM: Random Access Memory

[0326] RAN: Radio Access Network

[0327] RAN4: RAN Working Group 4 Rel: version

[0328] RLC: Radio Link Control

[0329] ROM: Read Only Memory

[0330] RRC: Radio Resource Control

[0331] RSRP: Reference Signal Received Power

[0332] RU: Radio Unit

[0333] Rx: Receive, or receiver

[0334] SDAP: Service Data Adaptation Protocol s-DCI: single DCI, single downlink control information SGW: Serving Gateway

[0335] SMF: Session Management Function

[0336] SON: Self-Organizing / Optimizing Network

[0337] SRS: Sounding Reference Signal

[0338] SSB: Synchronization Signal Block

[0339] T: Time

[0340] TCI: Transmission Configuration Indicator

[0341] T / F: Time / Frequency

[0342] TO: Timing Offset

[0343] TRP: Transmission Reception Point

[0344] TS: Technical Specification

[0345] Tx: send, or transmitter, or transmission

[0346] Type A: Doppler shift, Doppler spread, average delay, delay spread

[0347] Type C: Doppler shift, average delay

[0348] Type D: Spatial Rx parameters

[0349] u: unknown (for example, TOuk)

[0350] UAV: Unmanned Aerial Vehicle

[0351] UE: User Equipment (e.g., wireless device, typically a mobile device)

[0352] UI: User Interface

[0353] UL: Uplink

[0354] UMTS: Universal Mobile Telecommunications System

[0355] UPF: User Plane Function

[0356] USB: Universal Serial Bus

[0357] UTRAN: UMTS Terrestrial Radio Access Network

[0358] WI: Work Item

[0359] X2: Network interface between RAN nodes and between RAN and core network

[0360] Xn: Network interface between NG-RAN nodes

Claims

1. A device for communication, comprising: at least one processor; as well as at least one memory storing instructions, which, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least: receiving one or more medium access control elements for one or more transmission configuration indicator states activated, wherein synchronization signal blocks of associated transmission configuration indicator states overlap or are adjacent, and wherein the transmission configuration indicator states are activated using the one or more medium access control control elements; as well as It is determined in which order the individual transmission configuration indicator states are activated.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the determining of the order comprises: Based on a period of a synchronization signal block associated with a transmission configuration indicator state, and / or a state of the transmission configuration indicator state, it is determined that the transmission configuration indicator state is activated first.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein when it is determined that the transmission configuration indicator state is first activated, the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least: In response to a period of a first synchronization signal block associated with a first transmission configuration indicator state being longer than a period of a second synchronization signal block associated with a second transmission configuration indicator state, it is determined that the first transmission configuration indicator state is activated first.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the first transmission configuration indicator state is known and the second transmission configuration indicator state is known.

5. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein when it is determined that the transmission configuration indicator state is first activated, the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least: In response to a period of a first synchronization signal block associated with a first transmission configuration indicator state being shorter than a period of a second synchronization signal block associated with a second transmission configuration indicator state, it is determined that the first transmission configuration indicator state is activated first.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the first transmission configuration indicator state is unknown and the second transmission configuration indicator state is unknown.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the determining of the sequence comprises: It is determined to first activate a transmission configuration indicator state associated with a synchronization signal block that comes first in time after decoding the one or more medium access control control elements.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the synchronization signal block associated with the transmission configuration indicator state that is activated first is adjacent to another synchronization signal block associated with another transmission configuration indicator state that is not activated first.

9. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the determining of the sequence comprises: A transmission configuration indicator state of the anchor link is first activated.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the anchor link is based on one of: In the case where a physical downlink control channel is transmitted by a single transmission reception point associated with a single downlink control information, a transmission configuration indicator state from a transmission reception point having a physical downlink control channel transmission configuration indicator state, or In the case where a physical uplink shared channel or a physical uplink control channel is transmitted to a single transmission reception point, a transmission configuration indicator state from a transmission reception point having an uplink transmission configuration indicator state, or Anchor transmission reception points are configured by the network.

11. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the determining of the sequence comprises: In response to a plurality of MAC control elements being received using the apparatus, it is determined to first activate a transmission configuration indicator state associated with a MAC control element that arrives first in time.

12. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the determining of the order comprises: A determination is made to activate a known first transmission configuration indicator state first, rather than an unknown second transmission configuration indicator state.

13. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the determining of the sequence comprises: Determine which transmission configuration indicator state to activate first, wherein activating the transmission configuration indicator state first comprises: at one or more first overlapping or adjacent synchronization signal block opportunities, using a synchronization signal block associated with the transmission configuration indicator state that is first activated without waiting for activation of another transmission configuration indicator state.

14. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein one of the transmission configuration indicator states is activated based on decoding of the one or more medium access control control elements.

15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein activating the transmission configuration indicator state comprises: Perform time or frequency synchronization with the first synchronization signal block, and synchronization signal block processing. The apparatus of claim 15 , wherein the transmission configuration indicator state is known.

17. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the transmission configuration indicator state is unknown, and activating the transmission configuration indicator state comprises: Perform layer 1 reference signal received power measurement.

18. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least: In response to receiving the one or more medium access control control elements, a requirement for a transmission configuration indicator state switching delay is determined based on the synchronization signal blocks of the associated transmission configuration indicator state overlapping or adjacent.

19. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the order in which the individual transmission configuration indicator states are activated is determined during the transmission configuration indicator state switching delay.

20. An apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 19, wherein the apparatus comprises user equipment.

21. An apparatus for communication, comprising: at least one processor; as well as at least one memory storing instructions, which, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least: sending one or more medium access control control elements for one or more transmission configuration indicator states activated to a user equipment, wherein synchronization signal blocks of associated transmission configuration indicator states overlap or are adjacent, and wherein the transmission configuration indicator states are activated using the one or more medium access control control elements; as well as It is determined in which order the individual transmission configuration indicator states are activated.

22. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the determination of the order comprises: Based on a period of a synchronization signal block associated with a transmission configuration indicator state, and / or a state of the transmission configuration indicator state, it is determined that the transmission configuration indicator state is activated first.

23. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein determining that a transmission configuration indicator state is first activated comprises: When a period of a first synchronization signal block associated with a first transmission configuration indicator state is longer than a period of a second synchronization signal block associated with a second transmission configuration indicator state, it is determined that the first transmission configuration indicator state is activated first.

24. The apparatus of claim 23, wherein the first transmission configuration indicator state is known and the second transmission configuration indicator state is known.

25. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein determining that a transmission configuration indicator state is first activated comprises: When a period of a first synchronization signal block associated with a first transmission configuration indicator state is shorter than a period of a second synchronization signal block associated with a second transmission configuration indicator state, it is determined that the first transmission configuration indicator state is activated first.

26. The apparatus of claim 25, wherein the first transmission configuration indicator state is unknown and the second transmission configuration indicator state is unknown.

27. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the determination of the order comprises: It is determined that a transmission configuration indicator state associated with a synchronization signal block that comes first in time after decoding of the one or more medium access control control elements is activated first.

28. The apparatus of claim 27, wherein the synchronization signal block associated with the transmission configuration indicator state that is activated first is adjacent to another synchronization signal block associated with another transmission configuration indicator state that is not activated first.

29. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the determination of the order comprises: It is determined that the transmission configuration indicator state of the anchor link is activated first.

30. The apparatus of claim 29, wherein the anchor link is based on one of: In the case where a physical downlink control channel is transmitted by a single transmission reception point associated with a single downlink control information, a transmission configuration indicator state from a transmission reception point having a physical downlink control channel transmission configuration indicator state, or In the case where a physical uplink shared channel or a physical uplink control channel is transmitted to a single transmission reception point, a transmission configuration indicator state from a transmission reception point having an uplink transmission configuration indicator state, or Anchor transmission reception points are configured by the network.

31. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the determination of the order comprises: When a plurality of MAC control elements are transmitted using the apparatus, it is determined that the transmission configuration indicator state associated with the MAC control element that arrives first in time is activated first.

32. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the determination of the order comprises: It is determined that the known first transmission configuration indicator state is activated first, rather than the unknown second transmission configuration indicator state.

33. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the one or more MAC control elements cause the user equipment to activate one of the individual transmission configuration indicator states.

34. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least: In response to the transmission of the one or more medium access control control elements, a requirement for a transmission configuration indicator state switching delay is determined based on the synchronization signal blocks of the associated transmission configuration indicator state overlapping or being adjacent.

35. The apparatus of claim 34, wherein the order in which the individual transmission configuration indicator states are activated is determined during the transmission configuration indicator state switching delay.

36. An apparatus according to any one of claims 21 to 35, wherein the apparatus comprises a radio access network node.

37. A method for communication, comprising: receiving one or more medium access control elements for one or more transmission configuration indicator states activated, wherein synchronization signal blocks of associated transmission configuration indicator states overlap or are adjacent, and wherein the transmission configuration indicator states are activated using the one or more medium access control control elements; as well as It is determined in which order the individual transmission configuration indicator states are activated.

38. A method for communication, comprising: sending one or more medium access control control elements for one or more transmission configuration indicator states activated to a user equipment, wherein synchronization signal blocks of associated transmission configuration indicator states overlap or are adjacent, and wherein the transmission configuration indicator states are activated using the one or more medium access control control elements; as well as It is determined in which order the individual transmission configuration indicator states are activated.

39. An apparatus for communication, comprising: means for receiving one or more medium access control control elements for one or more transmission configuration indicator states activated, wherein synchronization signal blocks of associated transmission configuration indicator states overlap or are adjacent, and wherein the transmission configuration indicator states are activated using the one or more medium access control control elements; as well as Means for determining in which order the individual transmission configuration indicator states are activated.

40. An apparatus for communication, comprising: means for sending one or more medium access control control elements for one or more transmission configuration indicator states activated to a user equipment, wherein synchronization signal blocks of associated transmission configuration indicator states overlap or are adjacent, and wherein the transmission configuration indicator states are activated using the one or more medium access control control elements; as well as Means for determining in which order the individual transmission configuration indicator states are activated.

41. A computer-readable storage medium comprising instructions stored thereon, which, when executed by at least one processor, cause an apparatus to perform: receiving one or more medium access control elements for one or more transmission configuration indicator states activated, wherein synchronization signal blocks of associated transmission configuration indicator states overlap or are adjacent, and wherein the transmission configuration indicator states are activated using the one or more medium access control control elements; and It is determined in which order the individual transmission configuration indicator states are activated.

42. A computer-readable storage medium comprising instructions stored thereon, which, when executed by at least one processor, cause an apparatus to perform: sending one or more medium access control control elements for one or more transmission configuration indicator states activated to a user equipment, wherein synchronization signal blocks of associated transmission configuration indicator states overlap or are adjacent, and wherein the transmission configuration indicator states are activated using the one or more medium access control control elements; and It is determined in which order the individual transmission configuration indicator states are activated.

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