Multi-transceiver point operation

Abstract

Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to multi-transceiver point operation. An apparatus comprising means for receiving broadcast system information from a network node prior to being connected to the network node; and determining whether to perform access to the network node depending on the multi-transceiver point capability information. An apparatus comprises means for receiving a system information block from a network node prior to having a radio resource control connection to the network node; selecting a cell for initial access; signaling the network node that the device is interested in connecting to the network node using the plurality of transceiving points, prior to having a radio resource control connection to the network node, depending on the selection; receiving a measurement configuration from the network node prior to having a radio resource control connection to the network node; performing the configured reception quality measurements separately for at least two transceiver points; at least the measurement report is sent to the network node.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Examples of the present disclosure relate to multi-transceiver point (mTRP) operation. Some examples relate to improved configurations for mTRP operation. Background Art

[0002] When a user equipment is connected to a cell, in some cases, it can switch from using a single transceiver point (TRP) to using multiple transceiver points. A transceiver point is also referred to as a transmission and reception point.

[0003] Multiple TRPs can be used by the user equipment for multi-reception and / or multi-transmission. In some examples, the user equipment can include multiple antennas and can use the TRPs simultaneously.

[0004] Switching to using multiple TRPs can be used, for example, to provide receive diversity at the user equipment or to increase the bandwidth at the user equipment (e.g., multiple-input multiple-output, carrier aggregation, dual connectivity).

[0005] However, such a switch may encounter some problems. For example, the current serving cell may not support the switch, or it may not be known whether the current serving cell supports the switch. Currently, the user equipment can confirm that the current serving cell can support the switch. However, this may introduce latency. Avoiding or reducing the latency when setting up multiple TRP operations for the user equipment would be desirable. Summary of the Invention

[0006] According to various (but not necessarily all) examples, examples as claimed in the appended claims are provided.

[0007] Although the above-described examples and optional features are described separately, it should be understood that they are all included within the present disclosure in all possible combinations and permutations. It should be understood that various examples of the present disclosure can include any or all of the features described for other examples of the present disclosure, and vice versa. Additionally, it should be understood that any one or more or all of the features, in any combination, can be implemented / included in / executable by a device, method, and / or computer program instructions as needed and appropriately. Brief Description of the Drawings

[0008] Some examples will now be described with reference to the drawings, in which:

[0009] Figure 1A Examples of the subject matter described herein are shown;

[0010] Figure 1B Examples of the subject matter described herein are shown;

[0011] Figure 2Shows another example of the subject matter described herein;

[0012] Figure 3 Shows another example of the subject matter described herein;

[0013] Figure 4 Shows another example of the subject matter described herein;

[0014] Figure 5 Shows another example of the subject matter described herein;

[0015] Figure 6 Shows another example of the subject matter described herein;

[0016] Figure 7 Shows another example of the subject matter described herein;

[0017] Figure 8A and 8B Shows other examples of the subject matter described herein;

[0018] Figure 9 Shows another example of the subject matter described herein;

[0019] Figure 10 Shows another example of the subject matter described herein.

[0020] The figures need not be drawn to scale. For clarity and conciseness, some features and views in the figures may be shown schematically or enlarged in scale. For example, the dimensions of some elements in the figures may be enlarged relative to other elements to aid in the explanation. Like reference numerals are used in the figures to represent like features. For clarity, all reference numerals need not be shown in all figures. Detailed Description

[0021] Figure 1A Shows an example of network 100, which includes a plurality of network nodes, including terminal node 110, access node 120, and one or more core nodes 129. Terminal node 110 and access node 120 communicate with each other. One or more core nodes 129 communicate with access node 120.

[0022] In this example, network 100 is a radio communication network, where at least some of terminal node 110 and access node 120 communicate with each other using radio wave transmission / reception.

[0023] In some examples, one or more core nodes 129 may communicate with each other. In some examples, one or more access nodes 120 may communicate with each other.

[0024] Network 100 can be a cellular network, including multiple cells 122, each served by an access node 120. In this example, the interface between the terminal node 110 and the access node 120 defining the cell 122 is a wireless interface 124.

[0025] The access node 120 is a cellular radio transceiver. The terminal node 110 is a cellular radio transceiver.

[0026] In the example shown, the cellular network 100 is a 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) network, where the terminal node 110 is a User Equipment (UE), and the access node 120 is a base station.

[0027] In the example shown, the network 100 is a Next Generation (or New Radio NR) Radio Access Network (NG-RAN). The NG-RAN includes gNodeB (gNB) 120, providing user plane and control plane (RRC) protocol terminations to the UE 110. The gNBs 120 are interconnected via the X2 / Xn interface 126. The gNBs are also connected to the Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF) 129 via the N2 interface 128.

[0028] In other examples, the network 100 is an Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access Network (E-UTRAN). The E-UTRAN includes E-UTRAN NodeB (eNB) 120, providing E-UTRA user plane and control plane (RRC) protocol terminations to the UE 110. The eNBs 120 are interconnected via the X2 interface 126. The eNBs are also connected to the Mobility Management Entity (MME) 129 via the S1 interface 128.

[0029] The UE 110 includes a mobile device. In the case of referring to a User Equipment (UE), such reference includes and encompasses, as much as possible, a reference to a mobile device.

[0030] Figure 1B An example of a network node 120 (access node) serving the cell 122 via one or more Transceiver Points (TRP) 125 is illustrated. The transceiver point 125 can also be referred to as a Transmission Reception Point. The TRP 125 is configured to transmit (downlink) to the UEs 110 in the cell and receive transmissions (uplink) made by the UEs 110 in the cell 122 via the wireless interface 124. The network node 120 can communicate with the UE 110 using the multi-transceiver point (mTRP) 125. The network node 120 can communicate with the UE 110 simultaneously using the multi-transceiver point (mTRP) 125.

[0031] The same TRP 125 of cell 122 uses a Synchronization Signal (SS) block, which is referred to as an SSB. The SS block (SSB) includes a Synchronization Signal - PSS (Primary Synchronization Signal) and SSS (Secondary Synchronization Signal).

[0032] The SSB is a cell - specific SS / Physical Broadcast Channel (PBCH) block. In multi - transceiver point (mTRP) operation, the serving cell 122 can schedule the User Equipment (UE) 110 from two (or more) TRPs 125, thereby providing better coverage, reliability, and / or data rate for at least some physical uplink and downlink channels (such as Physical Downlink Control Channel (PDCCH), Physical Downlink Shared Channel (PDSCH), Physical Uplink Shared Channel (PUSCH), Physical Uplink Control Channel (PUCCH)).

[0033] System Information (SI) consists of a Master Information Block (MIB), and one or more System Information Blocks (SIBs), which are divided into minimum SI and other SI. The minimum SI includes the mandatory information required for initial access, and the information for obtaining any other SIB. The minimum SI includes: the Master Information Block (MIB), which contains cell - barred status information, and the basic cell physical layer information required for receiving additional system information, such as the CORESET#0 configuration. The MIB on the Physical Broadcast Channel (PBCH) provides parameters (such as the CORESET#0 configuration) for the UE 110 to monitor the PDCCH for scheduling the PDSCH carrying System Information Block 1 (SIB1). The MIB is broadcast periodically on the PBCH.

[0034] SIB1 defines the scheduling of other system information blocks and contains the information required for initial access. SIB1 is also referred to as the Remaining Minimum System Information (RMSI), and is broadcast periodically on the Downlink Shared Channel (DL - SCH) (such as the Physical Downlink Shared Channel PDSCH), or sent in a dedicated manner on the DL - SCH to the UE in the Radio Resource Control (RRC) connected state (RRC_CONNECTED).

[0035] Other System Information (SI) contains all SIBs not broadcast in the minimum SI.

[0036] The minimum requirement for the UE 110 to camp on a cell is to decode the MIB and SIB1.

[0037] Downlink Control Information (DCI) schedules the physical resources for the downlink (Physical Downlink Shared Channel PDSCH) and the uplink (Physical Uplink Shared Channel PUSCH).

[0038] There are two different operating modes for scheduling mTRP PDSCH transmissions: single DCI (s-DCI) and multi-DCI (m-DCI). For both modes, the control of uplink and downlink operations can be completed within the configuration provided by the Radio Resource Control (RRC) layer, through the physical layer and the Medium Access Control (MAC) layer. In the single DCI mode, UE 110 is scheduled by the same DCI for the mTRP, while in the multi-DCI mode, UE 110 is scheduled by independent DCIs from each corresponding TRP 125. In addition, s-DCI and m-DCI are independent of the UE's capabilities, which means that UE 110 can support any one or both of these capabilities depending on its implementation. In addition, s-DCI and m-DCI are independent of the TRP's capabilities, which means that TRP 125 can support any one or both of these capabilities depending on its implementation.

[0039] The Random Access Procedure (RACH) is used for initial access, small data transmission in the inactive state, and the transition from RRC_Inactive to RRC_Connected, as well as beam failure recovery, connection reestablishment, handover, and cell addition.

[0040] The contention-based random access procedure includes:

[0041] i) UE110 sends a random access request [Msg 1] to network node 120

[0042] ii) Network node 120 sends a random access response [Msg 2] to UE 110

[0043] iii) UE110 sends a Radio Resource Control (RRC) connection request, such as rrcSetupRequest [Msg 3 - scheduled transmission], to network node 120

[0044] iv) Network node 120 sends an RRC connection establishment, such as rrcSetup [Msg4 - contention resolution], to UE 110

[0045] Multiple PRACH preamble formats for the random access request [Msg 1] are defined with one or more PRACH OFDM symbols, as well as different CPs and guard times. The PRACH preamble configuration is provided to UE 110 in the system information.

[0046] Initial access is initiated by UE 110 sending a random access request (Msg1) to network node 120. Initial access can be terminated by: after receiving the contention resolution message (Msg4, such as RRC connection establishment), UE110 sends the first beam / CSI report to network node 120.

[0047] Successive SSBs associated with different SSB indices can be transmitted by network node 120 using different beams for beam management. Initial beam detection is employed during cell detection and the RACH procedure.

[0048] During initial beam detection, network node 120 transmits multiple SSB sequences at intervals. Each SSB is transmitted via a specific beam and is identified by a unique SSB index. UE 110 measures the signal strength of each SSB beam. Based on the measurement results, UE 110 can identify the SSB index with the strongest signal strength. The SSB with the strongest signal strength is the best beam for UE 110. UE 110 can send a random access request [Msg 1] to the location of the specific SSB beam ID mapped to the best beam.

[0049] UE 110 can send a channel state information (CSI) report to network node 120. This can in particular report channel quality information (CQI) and the SSB index of the best beam(s), such as the SS / PBCH resource block indicator (SSBRI). The CSI report is also referred to as a beam measurement report.

[0050] Figure 2 Illustrates an example of a setup procedure 50 of mTRP operations that occurs during access procedure 2 (also referred to as the initial access procedure), which initiates the connection of UE 110 and is before UE 110 is connected (e.g., RRC connected) to network node 120.

[0051] Before UE 110 is connected, it means the time period immediately before the connection. This does not mean that the connection has never occurred, although this is possible. It can occur, for example, during cell selection or during cell reselection. In at least some examples, the connection is a connection that enables uplink and / or downlink of unicast data. In at least some examples, the connection is a layer 3 (network layer) connection. In at least some examples, the connection is a change of the state machine from the active / idle state to the connected state (e.g., the RRC_Connected state). The RRC_Connected state allows the transmission of unicast data to / from the UE and network-controlled mobility, including measurements (beam measurements and / or neighboring cell measurements).

[0052] This setup procedure 50 enables UE 110 to learn about the mTRP capabilities of network node 120 before being connected to network node 120 and to be able to set the mTRP operations as part of the initial access procedure.

[0053] During the initial access procedure 2 and before connecting to the network node 120, the UE 110 learns about the mTRP capabilities 41 of the network node 51. For example, the UE 110 may receive, before being connected to the network node 120, multi-transceiver point (mTRP) capability information 41 for the network node 120 from the network node 120. For example, this may be received via system information (SI) (such as SIB, for example SIB1).

[0054] The UE 110 determines 52 whether to perform access (cell (re)selection) to the network node 120 depending on the multi-transceiver point (TRP) capability information 41 of the network node 120.

[0055] Cell selection allows the UE 110 to camp on the serving cell. Cell reselection allows the UE 110 to change the serving cell and camp on a different, better cell. The network provides the configuration for cell reselection via SIB or a dedicated message. Cell reselection may occur in the RRC_INACTIVE or RRC_IDLE state.

[0056] The UE signals 53 its interest in mTRP operation to the network node 120 using the mTRP indication 42. This signaling may be integrated with other signaling performed before being connected to the network node 120. For example, it may be integrated into an uplink message used in the random access connection procedure, such as Msg 1 or Msg 3. For example, it may be integrated into an uplink message used for beam management, such as the beam measurement report 33.

[0057] In at least some examples, the UE 110 is configured by the network node 120 to perform 54 mTRP measurements and send a measurement report, such as the beam measurement report 33, to the network node 120.

[0058] In at least some examples, the network node 120 and the UE 110 may perform 55 mTRP communication before completing the connection.

[0059] Figure 3 An example of the NR initial access procedure is illustrated. The figure illustrates the transition 6 from the cell access procedure 2 to the connected state 4. The connected state is the radio resource control (RRC) connected state.

[0060] Before the transition 6 to the connected state 4, the illustrated procedure includes synchronization 10 and the cell access procedure 2, which includes a random access procedure 20 and an optional beam measurement procedure 30.

[0061] During the synchronization phase 10, the network node 120 sends system information 11.

[0062] In some but not necessarily all examples, the system information is broadcast system information. In some but not necessarily all examples, (broadcast) system information 11 is the mandatory minimum system information (MSI). In some examples, the measurement system information 11 is the remaining minimum system information (RMSI) and is broadcast periodically. In some but not necessarily all examples, (broadcast) system information 11 is a system information block (SIB). In some but not necessarily all examples, (broadcast) system information is SIB1.

[0063] In some examples, the measurement system information 11 is SIB1.

[0064] The contention-based random access procedure 20 includes:

[0065] i) UE 110 sends a random access request 21 [Msg 1] to network node 120;

[0066] ii) Network node 120 sends a random access response 22 [Msg 2] to UE 110

[0067] iii) UE 110 sends a radio resource control (RRC) connection request 23 to network node 120, such as rrcSetupRequest [Msg 3 - scheduled transmission]

[0068] iv) Network node 120 sends an RRC connection setup 24 to UE 110, such as rrcSetup [Msg 4 - contention resolution]

[0069] During the beam measurement procedure 30, network node 120 sends an SSB / CSI-RS 31. This downlink message, or a previous downlink message, indicates to UE 110 whether network node 120 supports single DCI (s-DCI), or multi DCI (m-DCI).

[0070] Network node 120 sends a DCI 32.

[0071] UE 110 sends a beam measurement report 33, which may report the SSB index of the (multiple) best beams, for example, the SS / PBCH resource block indicator (SSBRI).

[0072] Initial access is initiated by the UE sending a random access request (Msg1) to network node 120. Initial access may be terminated by: after receiving a contention resolution message (Msg4, such as RRC connection setup), UE 110 sends a first beam / CSI report to network node 120.

[0073] The initial access procedure can be used to perform a setup procedure 50 for an mTRP, and is before the UE 110 is connected (e.g., RRC connected) to the network node 120.

[0074] For example, the UE 110 can receive multi-transceiver point (mTRP) capability information 41 for the network node 120 from the network node 120 before being connected to the network node 120. This can be received, for example, via system information 11.

[0075] The UE signals 53 its interest in mTRP operation to the network node 120 using an mTRP indication 42. This signaling can be integrated with other signaling performed before being connected to the network node 120. For example, it can be integrated into an uplink message used in a random access attachment procedure, such as Msg 1 (random access request) 21 or Msg 3 (RRC connection request) 23. For example, it can be integrated into an uplink message used for beam management, such as a beam measurement report 33.

[0076] Figure 4 An example of a setup procedure 50 for mTRP operation that occurs during the initial access procedure 2 and before the UE 110 is connected (e.g., RRC connected) to the network node 120 is illustrated.

[0077] During the initial access procedure 2 and before being connected to the network node 120, the UE 110 knows 51 the mTRP capability 41 of the network node. For example, the UE 110 can receive multi-transceiver point (mTRP) capability information 41 for the network node 120 from the network node 120 before being connected to the network node 120. This can be received, for example, via system information (SI) (such as SIB, e.g., SIB1).

[0078] The mTRP capability information 41 indicates whether the network node 120 supports multiple mTRP operations (mTRP downlink transmissions) in the cell.

[0079] In at least some examples, the UE 110 is configured to receive system information 11 ( Figure 4 not shown) from the network node 120 before being connected 4 to the network node 120, the system information 11 including: multi-transceiver point (mTRP) capability information 41 for the network node 120.

[0080] The UE 110 detects the cell and decodes the system information 11 received from the network node 120.

[0081] System information 11 is, for example, broadcast system information. System information 11 can be, for example, mandatory minimum system information (MIS), such as SIB 1. Thus, SIB1 can be modified. System information 11 can be, for example, a system information block (SIB). The SIB can be, for example, a minimum system information (MIS) SIB (such as SIB1). The SIB can be, for example, a remaining system information (RMSI) SIB (such as SIB2 or another SIB, such as a new SIB).

[0082] In some examples, the mTRP capability information 41 is included within the channel measurement resource (CMR) of a system information block (SIB) and / or is included within the s / m-DCI of a system information block (SIB). There is an mTRP flag within the CMR and s / m-DCI fields in the SIB, which can indicate the mTRP capability (mTRP capability information 41) of the network node 120.

[0083] The UE 110 determines 52 whether to perform access (cell (re)selection) to the network node 120 depending on the multi-transceiver point (TRP) capability information 41 of the network node 120.

[0084] In at least some examples, the UE 110 is configured to select a cell for access depending on the mTRP capability information 41 indicating that the network node 120 supports mTRP operation for the cell and the cell meets the cell selection criteria 70 for access.

[0085] For example, the determination can use the cell selection criteria 70 based on measurements for the TRP of the selected network node 120. If the mTRP capability information 41 indicates that the network node 120 supports mTRP operation in its associated cell and the UE 110 determines that the cell meets the cell selection criteria 70, then the UE 110 selects the cell for initial access.

[0086] The selection criteria 70 can be based, for example, on the received power of multiple transceiver points for the cell at the user equipment 110 and / or the received quality of multiple transceiver points for the cell at the user equipment 110.

[0087] In this example, if the following items are met, the current network node 120 is determined to be suitable for access:

[0088] The multi-transceiver point (TRP) capability information 41 for the selected network node 120 indicates that the current network node 120 supports multi-transceiver point (TRP) operation; and

[0089] The received signal level (e.g., reference signal received power (RSRP)) and / or received signal strength (e.g., reference signal received quality (RSRQ)) for the current network node 120 is passed through decision criterion 70.

[0090] In some but not necessarily all examples, decision criterion 70 is controlled via mTRP capability information 41, or other downlink information.

[0091] The cells served by the mTRP can be prioritized. UEs 110 interested in mTRP operation can shortlist all available cells based on cell selection criterion 70, and can prioritize the cells with mTRP enabled in cases where the UE 110 is interested in mTRP operation.

[0092] In some examples, the user equipment is configured to select a cell for initial access that supports mTRP operation and best meets the cell selection criterion 70 for initial access.

[0093] For example, cell selection criterion 70 can be based on having available Rx power margin and available received quality margin.

[0094] An example of selection criterion 70 is SrxlevTRPs > 0 and SqualTRPs > 0

[0095] where,

[0096] SrxlevTRP is the Srxlev for a specific TRP, and

[0097] SqualTRP is the Squal for a specific TRP

[0098] In at least some examples,

[0099] Srxlev = Qrxlevmeas – (Qrxlevmin + Qrxlevminoffset) – Pcompensation - Qoffsettemp Squal = Qqualmeas – (Qqualmin + Qqualminoffset) – Qoffsettemp

[0100] Srxlev Cell selection RX level value (dB) Squal Cell selection quality value (dB)

[0101] <![CDATA[Qoffset temp > Offset temporarily applied to the cell (dB)

[0102]

[0103] <![CDATA[Q qualmeas > Measured cell quality value (RSRQ) <![CDATA[Q qualmin > Minimum required quality level within the cell (dB). <![CDATA[Q qualminoffset > <![CDATA[Offset from the signaled Q qualmin >

[0104]

[0105] UE 110 signals to network node 120 that it is interested in using multi-transceiver point (mTRP operation) to connect to network node 120. The signaling 53 is before the UE 110 is connected to network node 120.

[0106] Thus, in response to selecting a cell for initial access, UE 110 may send a 53 mTRP indication 42 to network node 120, indicating that UE 110 is interested in mTRP operation.

[0107] This signaling 53 may be integrated with other signaling performed before being connected to network node 120. For example, it may be integrated into an uplink message used in a random access attachment procedure, such as Msg 1 or Msg 3. For example, it may be integrated into an uplink message used for beam management, such as beam measurement report 33.

[0108] Figure 5 Illustrates an example of a setup procedure 50 for mTRP operation that occurs during an initial access procedure 2 and before the UE 110 is connected to (e.g., RRC connected to) network node 120. Phases 51, 52, 53 are the Figure 4 same and will not be elaborated further.

[0109] UE 110 is configured by network node 120 to perform 54 mTRP measurements and send a beam measurement report 33 to network node 120.

[0110] Before a connection has been established between UE 110 and network node 120, UE 110 receives a measurement configuration 43 for separately performing at least two TRP reception quality measurements for the selected cell in response to sending the mTRP indication 42.

[0111] UE 110 is configured to:

[0112] i) Before being connected to network node 120, receive a measurement configuration 43 from network node 120, the measurement configuration 43 for separately performing reception quality measurements for at least two transceiver points;

[0113] ii) For example, before being connected to network node 120, depending on the received measurement configuration 43, separately perform the configured reception quality measurements 54 for at least two transceiver points; and

[0114] iii) For example, before being connected to network node 120, depending on the configured reception quality measurements for at least two transceiver points, send 55 at least one measurement report 44 to network node 120.

[0115] For example, the measurement report 44 may indicate reception quality measurements separately for at least two transceiver points.

[0116] For example, the measurement report 44 may indicate reception quality that can be received simultaneously from at least two transceiver points.

[0117] The measurement configuration 43 may be sent from the network node 120 via any suitable downlink signaling. In the example shown, but not necessarily in all examples, the measurement configuration 43 is sent separately to the mTRP capability information 41. In some examples, the network node 120 sends the measurement configuration 43 in the SIB. In some examples, the network node 120 sends the measurement configuration 43 in the RRC connection establishment 24, such as rrcSetup[Msg 4 - Contention resolution].

[0118] The network node 120 may provide a CMR (SSB) resource set group, where each resource is associated with a different TRP. Based on this, the UE 110 in the CSI report 33 may report (M = 2) L1 - RSRP measurements from different CMR resource sets.

[0119] In some examples (not shown), the UE 110 is configured to decide whether to accept the provided measurement configuration 43 and send an acknowledgement of the acceptance. If the measurement configuration 43 is accepted by the UE 110, the UE 110 may send a measurement report / CSI report 33 for the channel measurement resource (CMR) set.

[0120] For example, if the UE 110 has a low battery level, or for other reasons, the UE 110 may not accept the measurement configuration 43. The UE 110 may perform a soft rejection and not reject the entire configuration, but only reject the configuration that the UE 110 does not want to execute. The network node 120 may provide resource information (DCI) to the UE 110 before the network node 120 can utilize the resources for other purposes, but only schedule the CMR (CSI / SSB) after confirmation of acceptance by the UE 110.

[0121] In some examples, the acknowledgement is implicit, while in other examples it is explicit. For example, the provision of s / mDCI preferences by the UE 110 may indicate acceptance of the measurement configuration 43.

[0122] The network may use the resources for other purposes until acceptance. The UE 110 may provide acceptance of the CMR (CSI or SSB) resource set, where each resource is associated with a different TRP.

[0123] In the case where the network node 120 provides a default or UE-specific measurement configuration 43 via RRC connection establishment 24 (e.g., rrcSetup [Msg 4 - contention resolution]), the UE 110 may indicate acceptance in the rrcSetupComplete message.

[0124] In some examples, the UE 110 performs the received quality measurement and sends a measurement report 44 to the network node 120, indicating the received quality separately for each TRP.

[0125] In some examples, the UE 110 is configured to:

[0126] depending on the received measurement configuration 43, perform the configured received quality measurements for at least two transceiver points separately and simultaneously;

[0127] depending on the configured simultaneous received quality measurements for at least two transceiver points, send at least a measurement report 44 to the network node 120.

[0128] In at least some examples, the measurement report 44 indicates the received quality measurements separately for at least two transceiver points. In at least some examples, the received quality measurement indication may indicate the received quality that can be received simultaneously from at least two transceiver points.

[0129] In at least some examples, the network node 120 and the UE 110 may then perform 55 mTRP communication before completing the connection. Once the UE 110 provides a CSI report 33 to the network node 120, the network node 120 may start mTRP transmission.

[0130] The CSI report may be, for example, a group-based report indicating which beams the UE 110 can receive simultaneously.

[0131] Therefore, as Figure 4 and Figure 5 shown, the user equipment (UE) 110 is configured to:

[0132] before being connected to the network node 120, receive multi-transceiver point (mTRP) capability information 41 for the network node 120 from the network node 120; and depending on the multi-transceiver point (TRP) capability information 41, determine whether to perform access to the network node 120.

[0133] The network node 120 is configured to:

[0134] before being connected to the user equipment 110, send multi-transceiver point (mTRP) capability information 41 for the transmission network node 120; and

[0135] Receive signaling before being connected to the user equipment 110, the signaling indicating that the UE 110 is interested in using multiple transceiver points to connect to the network node 120.

[0136] The UE 110 knows the mTRP capabilities of the network node before being connected to the network node 120 and is able to set the mTRP operation as part of the initial access procedure.

[0137] During the initial attachment procedure, the UE 110 makes an informed decision on (re)selecting a cell based on the functions / capabilities supported by the cell.

[0138] This will result in an efficient utilization of the UE capabilities, i.e., the functions provided by the cell. It also allows the UE 110 and the network to start scheduling communications via multiple TRPs in a time-division multiplexing (TDM) manner and to prepare for simultaneous communications via different TRPs.

[0139] If the cell does not support the required service (mTRP operation), there is no need to establish a connection with the cell, which from the UE's perspective leads to improved resource utilization and reduced power consumption. In at least some examples, the UE 110 prioritizes mTRP cells over non-mTRP cells.

[0140] Performing the mTRP operation as part of the initial access procedure reduces signaling. In cases where the UE 110 is interested in the mTRP operation, the initial access is improved. The initial access is initiated by the UE 110 sending a random access request message (e.g., Msg1) to the network node 120. The initial access can be terminated by the device (UE 110) sending the first beam / CSI report to the network node 120 after receiving a contention resolution message (Msg4, e.g., RRC connection establishment).

[0141] In some examples, the multi-transceiver point (mTRP) capability information 41 for the network node 120 is included in the broadcast system information 11, e.g., in an SIB (such as SIB1).

[0142] In some examples, the UE 110 signals to the network node 120 that the UE 110 is interested in using multiple transceiver points to connect to the network node 120 before being connected to the network node 120. This can occur, for example, in any suitable uplink message. For example, during the random access procedure and / or the connection establishment procedure (e.g., Msg 1 or Msg 3), or as part of a beam measurement report 33.

[0143] In some examples, the UE 110 is configured to signal to the network node 120 during a random access procedure and / or a connection establishment procedure that the UE 110 is interested in using multiple transceiver points to connect to the network node 120.

[0144] In one example, the random access request 21 [Msg 1] can be enhanced to carry the mTRP indication 42. In one example, the network node 120 can reserve / allocate certain preambles for the UE 110 to indicate the need for mTRP operation and provide this configuration in the system information 11 (e.g., SIB1). Accordingly, the RACH preamble includes the mTRP indication 42. In the case where Msg 1 is used, multiple PRACH preamble formats for Msg 1 can be defined to allow the UE 110 to indicate an interest in using multiple transceiver points to connect to the network node 120 by selecting a specific PRACH preamble configuration.

[0145] In one example, the radio resource control (RRC) connection request 23 (e.g., rrcSetupRequest [Msg 3 - scheduled transmission]) includes the mTRP indication 42.

[0146] In some examples, the UE 110 is configured to: before being connected to the network node 120, use the beam measurement report 33 to signal to the network node 120 that the UE 110 is interested in using multiple transceiver points to connect to the network node 120.

[0147] Accordingly, the UE 110 can perform mTRP aware cell (re)selection. The network node 120 can start mTRP operations, such as mTRP measurements, during the cell connection process.

[0148] This can reduce signaling time and latency by sharing the payload among multiple TRPs. After the UE 110 provides the CSI report (beam measurement report) 33 to the network node 120, the network node 120 can start mTRP transmission.

[0149] In at least some examples, the beam management report notifies the network node 120 which beams the UE 110 can receive simultaneously.

[0150] Figure 4 and Figure 5 illustrates an example of the UE / device 110, the device / UE 110 including components for the following:

[0151] Before being connected to network node 120, receive multi-transceiver point (mTRP) capability information 41 for network node 120 from network node 120, where the mTRP capability information 41 indicates: whether network node 120 supports multi-mTRP operation in a cell; and

[0152] Depending on the mTRP capability information 41 indicating that network node 120 supports mTRP operation for a cell, and the cell meeting the cell selection criteria 70 for initial access, select a cell for initial access;

[0153] Depending on the selection, before being connected to network node 120, signal to network node 120 that UE110 is interested in using multiple transceiver points to connect to network node 120;

[0154] Before being connected to network node 120, receive a measurement configuration 43 from network node 120, where the measurement configuration 43 is for performing reception quality measurements separately for at least two transceiver points;

[0155] Optionally, before being connected to network node 120, depending on the received measurement configuration 43, perform the configured reception quality measurements separately for at least two transceiver points;

[0156] Optionally, before being connected to network node 120, depending on the configured reception quality measurements for at least two transceiver points, send at least a measurement report 44 to network node 120, where the measurement report indicates the reception quality measurements separately for at least two transceiver points.

[0157] Figure 4 and Figure 5 Illustrates an example of network node 120, where network node 120 includes components for the following:

[0158] Before being connected to user equipment 110, broadcast multi-transceiver point (mTRP) capability information 41 for network node 120, where the mTRP capability information 41 indicates: whether network node 120 supports multiple mTRP operations in a cell; and

[0159] Before being connected to user equipment 110, receive signaling indicating that UE 110 is interested in using multiple transceiver points to connect to network node 120;

[0160] Before being connected to user equipment 110, send a measurement configuration 43 for user equipment to perform reception quality measurements separately for at least two transceiver points;

[0161] Before being connected to the user equipment 110, depending on the measurement configuration 43, at least one measurement report 44 is received from the user equipment 110, where the measurement report 44 separately indicates reception quality measurements for at least two transceiver points.

[0162] In at least some examples, Figure 4 and Figure 5 illustrates that cell (re)selection can be performed using a selection period 60.

[0163] Figure 6 Shows an example of the selection period 60 for cell (re)selection.

[0164] At block 61, the UE 110 receives multi-TRP capability information 41 for a plurality of different network nodes 120 via system information 11.

[0165] At block 62, the UE 110 selects a first network node among the different network nodes 120. This selection can be based on the multi-TRP capability information 41, and on a selection criterion 70 for the received power level and / or the received quality level for the network node 120. Alternatively, the selection can be ordered or random.

[0166] At block 63, the UE 110 performs measurements on the selected network node 120.

[0167] In the example shown, the UE measurement for the selected network node 120 measures the received signal level for the signal transmitted by the selected network node 120, and / or the received signal quality for the signal transmitted by the selected network node 120. For example, the UE 110 can measure the reference signal received power (RSRP) and / or the reference signal received quality (RSRQ).

[0168] At block 64, the UE 110 determines whether to perform access to the network node 120 depending on the multi-transceiver point (TRP) capability information 41 for the selected network node 120. In this example, the determination at block 64 can also use, for example, a decision criterion 70 based on the measurements performed on the selected network node 120 at block 63.

[0169] In this example, if the following are met, the current network node 120 is determined to be suitable for access:

[0170] The multi-transceiver point (TRP) capability information 41 for the selected network node 120 indicates that the current network node 120 supports multi-transceiver point (TRP) operation; and

[0171] The received signal level (e.g., RSRP) and / or received signal power (e.g., RSRQ) for the current network node 120 is passed through a decision criterion 70.

[0172] In some but not necessarily all examples, the decision criterion 70 is controlled via the mTRP capability information 41 of other downlink information.

[0173] If the current network node 120 is selected for access at block 64, the method moves to block 64. If the current network node 120 is not selected for access at block 64, the method moves to block 62, where the UE 110 selects the next network node among the multiple different network nodes 120, and the method repeats.

[0174] Thus, if the network node 120 supports multi-transceiver point (mTRP) operation in the cell and the UE 110 determines that the cell meets the cell selection criteria, the UE 110 selects the cell for initial access. Otherwise, the UE 110 continues to check the next cell.

[0175] In the case where the network node 120 does not support mTRP operation, the UE 110 can continue to select the next cell; and if mTRP operation is supported, the network node 120 can start scheduling additional messages via mTRP immediately after initial access.

[0176] In at least some examples, the UE 110 is configured to: depending on the received mTRP capability information 41 associated with the cell, select a cell for initial access that supports mTRP operation and meets the cell selection criteria 70 for initial access, and prevent the selection of a cell for initial access that does not support mTRP operation.

[0177] In at least some examples, the network node 120 indicates the DCI capability and whether it supports the s / m-DCI operation mode during initial access.

[0178] The DCI capability can be sent together with the mTRP capability information 41, or can be separately indicated in a downlink message. For example, the network node 120 can broadcast the s-DCI and / or m-DCI functions of the network via the SIB. For example, the network node 120 can broadcast an enumeration indicating the s-DCI and / or m-DCI operation mode.

[0179] For example, the network node 120 can use a dedicated message and, for example, provide an enumeration indicating the s-DCI and / or m-DCI operation mode.

[0180] In some examples, the UE 110 may indicate a preferred DCI operation mode scheduling, for example, via the rrcSetupComplete message, or another uplink message, to provide an enumeration indicating the s-DCI and / or m-DCI operation modes. If the UE 110 does not support the DCI indicated by the network and / or wants a single TRP operation, it may exclude the s-DCI / m-DCI indication in the rrcSetupCompleteMessage. Thus, the s / m-DCI indication can be implicitly used as the mTRP indication 42.

[0181] The following use cases will help understand the present disclosure. The network node 120 broadcasts mTRP capability information 41 in the SIB (SIB1 / SIB2 / new SIB). This indicates the mTRP transmission capability of the network node.

[0182] The network node 120 indicates the DCI operation mode, such as the s / m-DCI operation mode.

[0183] The UE 110 interested in mTRP operation may prioritize the cell(s) that supply mTRP over other cells. The UE 110 interested in mTRP operation may shortlist all available cells (searched based on the cell selection criterion 70), and give preference to the candidate cells enabled with mTRP if the UE 110 is interested in mTRP operation.

[0184] The cell selection criterion 70 may be enhanced to consider mTRP measurements, i.e., the CMR (SSB) resource set, where each resource is associated with a different TRP.

[0185] The UE 110 sends an mTRP interest indication 42. For example, the random access request 21 [Msg 1] provides the mTRP interest indication 42. For example, the radio resource control (RRC) connection request 23 (e.g., rrcSetupRequest [Msg 3 - scheduled transmission]) provides the mTRP interest indication 42.

[0186] The selected network node 120 sends a measurement configuration 43 (e.g., the CMR configuration, i.e., the CMR (SSB) resource set) to the UE 110. This may be provided via the SIB or via the RRC connection establishment [Msg4].

[0187] Optionally, the UE 110 that has sent its mTRP interest indication in the RACH / rrcRequest may accept the provided configuration and send an acknowledgement in the rrcSetupComplete message. If the CMR configuration is accepted by the UE 110, the UE 110 may send a measurement report (CSI report for the CMR set) to the network node 120.

[0188] The UE 110 may indicate s / m-DCI support / preference via an rrcSetupComplete message. If the UE 110 does not support the DCI indicated by the network and / or prefers single-TRP operation, it may exclude the s / m-DCI indication from the rrcSetupCompleteMessage.

[0189] Based on the measurement report (CSI report), the network may start scheduling additional control messages / data on multiple TRPs. In some examples, the measurement report 44 (e.g., beam measurement report 33) provides an mTRP interest indication 42.

[0190] Figure 7 , FIG. 8a, and Figure 8B illustrate additional examples of the UE 110 and the network node 120. The UE 110 may operate as described above. The network node 120 may operate as described above.

[0191] In these figures, the user equipment 110 includes components for:

[0192] Before being connected to the network node 120, receiving broadcast system information 11 from the network node 120, the broadcast system information 11 including: multi-transceiver point (mTRP) capability information 41 for the network node 120; and

[0193] Depending on the multi-transceiver point (mTRP) capability information 41, determining whether to perform access to the network node 120.

[0194] In the illustrated example, the UE 110 further includes components for: Before being connected to the network node 120, signaling to the network node 120 that the user equipment 110 is interested in using multiple transceiver points to connect to the network node 120. The UE 110 may use the mTRP indication 42 to signal 53 its interest in mTRP operation to the network node 120.

[0195] The network node 120 includes components for:

[0196] Before being connected to the user equipment 110, sending broadcast system information 11, the broadcast system information 11 including: multi-transceiver point (mTRP) capability information 41 for the network node 120; and

[0197] Before being connected to the user equipment 110, receiving signaling indicating that the UE 110 is interested in using multiple transceiver points to connect to the network node 120.

[0198] The system information 11 may be as described above. In some but not necessarily all examples, the broadcast system information 11 is the mandatory minimum system information. In some but not necessarily all examples, the broadcast system information is the System Information Block (SIB). In some but not necessarily all examples, the broadcast system information is SIB1.

[0199] The mTRP capability information 41 indicates whether the network node 120 supports mTRP operation in the cell. In some examples, the mTRP capability information 41 is at least included within the Channel Measurement Resource (CMR) of the System Information Block and / or the mTRP capability information 41 is at least included within the s / m-DCI of the System Information Block.

[0200] As described above, in at least some examples, the user equipment 110 includes components 52 for: selecting a cell for initial access depending on i) the mTRP capability information 41 indicating that the network node 120 supports mTRP operation for the cell, and ii) the cell meeting the cell selection criteria 70 for (initial) access.

[0201] In some but not necessarily all examples, the components 52 for selecting a cell for initial access are configured to: select a cell that supports mTRP operation and best meets the cell selection criteria 70 for initial access.

[0202] In some but not necessarily all examples, the selection criteria 70 are based on the received power of multiple transceiver points for the cell at the user equipment 110 and / or the received quality of multiple transceiver points for the cell at the user equipment 110.

[0203] As described above, in at least some examples, the user equipment 110 includes components for:

[0204] receiving a measurement configuration 43 from the network node 120 before being connected to the network node 120, the measurement configuration 43 being for performing received quality measurements separately for at least two transceiver points;

[0205] performing the configured received quality measurements separately for at least two transceiver points (in some examples, before being connected to the network node 120) depending on the received measurement configuration 42; and

[0206] sending at least a measurement report to the network node 120 (in some examples, before being connected to the network node 120) depending on the configured received quality measurements for at least two transceiver points.

[0207] In some but not necessarily all examples, the measurement report 44 indicates the received quality measurements separately for at least two transceiver points.

[0208] In some but not necessarily all examples, UE 110 includes components for:

[0209] Performing configured reception quality measurements for at least two transceiver points separately and simultaneously, depending on the received measurement configuration 43; and

[0210] Sending at least a measurement report to network node 120, depending on the configured simultaneous reception quality measurements for at least two transceiver points,

[0211] Wherein the measurement report separately indicates reception quality measurements for at least two transceiver points, and the reception quality measurements indicate the reception quality that can be received simultaneously from at least two transceiver points.

[0212] In at least some examples, UE 110 includes components for:

[0213] Receiving a system information block from network node 120 before being connected to network node 120, the system information block including: multi-transceiver point (mTRP) capability information 41 for network node 120, wherein the mTRP capability information 41 indicates whether network node 120 supports multi-TRP operation in the cell; and

[0214] Selecting a cell for (initial) access, depending on the mTRP capability information 41 indicating that network node 120 supports multi-TRP operation for the cell and the cell meeting the cell selection criteria for (initial) access;

[0215] Signaling to network node 120 before being connected to network node 120 that UE110 is interested in using multiple transceiver points to connect to network node 120, depending on the selection;

[0216] Receiving a measurement configuration 43 from network node 120 before being connected to network node 120, the measurement configuration 43 for performing reception quality measurements separately for at least two transceiver points;

[0217] Performing the configured reception quality measurements separately for at least two transceiver points (in some examples, before being connected to network node 120), depending on the received measurement configuration 43;

[0218] Sending at least a measurement report to network node 120 (in some examples, before being connected to network node 120), depending on the configured reception quality measurements for at least two transceiver points, wherein the measurement report separately indicates reception quality measurements for at least two transceiver points.

[0219] In some examples, UE 110 includes components for: selecting, depending on the received multi-TRP (mTRP) capability information 41 associated with the cell, a cell for initial access that supports multi-TRP operation and meets the cell selection criteria for (initial) access, and preventing selection of a cell for (initial access) that does not support multi-TRP operation.

[0220] In at least some examples, network node 120 includes components for:

[0221] Before being connected to user equipment 110, broadcasting a system information block that includes: multi-transceiver point (mTRP) capability information 41 for network node 120, where the mTRP capability information 41 indicates whether network node 120 supports multi-TRP operation in the cell; and

[0222] Before being connected to user equipment 110, receiving a signaling that indicates UE 110 is interested in using multiple transceiver points to connect to network node 120;

[0223] Before being connected to user equipment 110, sending a measurement configuration 43 for user equipment to perform reception quality measurements separately for at least two transceiver points;

[0224] Depending on the measurement configuration 43, (in some examples, before being connected to user equipment 110) receiving at least one measurement report from user equipment 110, where the measurement report indicates reception quality measurements separately for at least two transceiver points.

[0225] In some examples, as Figure 8A shown, the components for signaling to network node 120 include components for: during a random access procedure and / or a connection establishment procedure, signaling to network node 120 that UE 110 is interested in using multiple transceiver points to connect to network node 120.

[0226] In some but not necessarily all examples, the signaling that UE 110 is interested in using multiple transceiver points to connect to network node 120 is included in the random access request. In some but not necessarily all examples, the signaling that UE 110 is interested in using multiple transceiver points to connect to network node 120 is included in Msg 1 of a contention-based random access procedure. In some but not necessarily all examples, the signaling that UE 110 is interested in using multiple transceiver points to connect to network node 120 is defined by the random access request or the preamble of Msg 1.

[0227] In some but not necessarily all examples, signaling by the UE 110 interested in using multiple transceiver points to connect to the network node 120 is included in the RRC connection request. In some but not necessarily all examples, signaling by the UE 110 interested in using multiple transceiver points to connect to the network node 120 is included in Msg 3 of a contention-based random access procedure.

[0228] In some examples, as Figure 8B shown, the components for signaling to the network node 120 include components for: before being connected to the network node 120, signaling to the network node 120 using a measurement report 44 (e.g., a beam measurement report 33) that the user equipment 110 is interested in using multiple transceiver points to connect to the network node 120.

[0229] In at least some of the previous examples, before being connected to the network node 120 means before the UE 110 has a Radio Resource Control connection (RRC_Connection) state.

[0230] In at least some of the previous examples, (initial) access is initiated by the UE 110 sending a random access message to the network node and is terminated by the UE 110 sending a first beam report or a first channel state information report to the network node after receiving a contention resolution message and / or a radio resource control connection establishment message.

[0231] In at least some of the previous examples, the (beam) measurement report 33 (CSI report) can optionally be sent after sending the RRC connection reconfiguration complete message (i.e., after initial access).

[0232] Figure 9 An example of a controller 400 suitable for use in the apparatuses 110, 120 is illustrated. The controller 400 can be implemented as controller circuitry. The controller 400 can be implemented solely in hardware, have certain aspects in software (including standalone firmware), or can be a combination of hardware and software (including firmware).

[0233] As Figure 9 shown, the controller 400 can be implemented using instructions enabling hardware functionality, e.g., by using executable instructions of a computer program 406 in a general or special purpose processor 402, which can be stored on a computer-readable storage medium (disk, memory, etc.) to be executed by such a processor 402.

[0234] The processor 402 is configured to read from and write to the memory 404. The processor 402 may further include: an output interface through which data and / or commands are output by the processor 402; and an input interface through which data and / or commands are input to the processor 402.

[0235] The memory 404 stores a computer program 406 that includes computer program instructions (computer program code). When the computer program instructions are loaded into the processor 402, they control the operation of the devices 110 and 120. The computer program instructions of the computer program 406 provide the logic and routines that enable the devices to execute the methods shown in the drawings. By reading the memory 404, the processor 402 is able to load and execute the computer program 406.

[0236] The device 110 includes:

[0237] at least one processor 402; and

[0238] at least one memory 404, including computer program code,

[0239] The at least one memory stores instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor 402, cause the device to at least:

[0240] before being connected to a network node, receive broadcast system information that includes multi-transceiver point capability information of the network node; and

[0241] determine whether to perform access to the network node depending on the multi-transceiver point capability information.

[0242] The device 120 includes:

[0243] at least one processor 402; and

[0244] at least one memory 404, including computer program code,

[0245] The at least one memory stores instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor 402, cause the device to at least:

[0246] before being connected to a user equipment, send broadcast system information that includes: multi-transceiver point capability information for the network node; and

[0247] before being connected to a user equipment, receive signaling that indicates that the user equipment is interested in connecting to the network node using multiple transceiver points.

[0248] As Figure 10As shown, computer program 406 can reach devices 110, 120 via any suitable delivery mechanism 408. For example, the delivery mechanism 408 can be a machine-readable medium, a computer-readable medium, a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium, a computer program product, a memory device, a recording medium (such as a compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM) or a digital versatile disc (DVD) or a solid-state memory), an article of manufacture that includes or tangibly embodies computer program 406. The delivery mechanism can be a signal configured to reliably deliver computer program 406. Devices 110, 120 can propagate or transmit computer program 406 as a computer data signal.

[0249] A computer program, comprising program instructions that, when executed by one or more processors of user equipment 110, cause user equipment 110 to perform the following:

[0250] Before being connected to a network node, receive broadcast system information from the network node, the broadcast system information including: multi-transceiver point capability information for the network node; and

[0251] Depending on the multi-transceiver point capability information, determine whether to perform access to the network node.

[0252] A computer program, comprising program instructions that, when executed by one or more processors of network node 120, cause network node 120 to perform the following:

[0253] Before being connected to a user equipment, send broadcast system information, the broadcast system information including: multi-transceiver point capability information for the network node; and

[0254] Before being connected to a user equipment, receive signaling that indicates that the user equipment is interested in using multiple transceiver points to connect to the network node.

[0255] Computer program instructions can be included in a computer program, a non-transitory computer-readable medium, a computer program product, a machine-readable medium. In some but not necessarily all examples, the computer program instructions can be distributed over more than one computer program.

[0256] Although memory 404 is illustrated as a single component / circuit system, it can be implemented as one or more separate component / circuit systems, some or all of which can be integrated / removable storage, and / or can provide permanent / semi-permanent / dynamic / cache storage.

[0257] Although the processor 402 is shown as a single component / circuit system, it may be implemented as one or more separate component / circuit systems, some or all of which may be integrated / removable. The processor 402 may be a single-core processor or a multi-core processor.

[0258] References to "computer-readable storage media", "computer program products", "tangibly embodied computer programs", etc. or "controllers", "computers", "processors", etc. should be understood to include not only computers having different architectures such as single / multi-processor architectures and sequential (von Neumann) / parallel architectures, but also dedicated circuits such as field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), signal processing devices, and other processing circuitry. References to computer programs, instructions, code, etc. should be understood to cover software for programmable processors or firmware, such as, for example, the programmable content of a hardware device, whether instructions for a processor or configuration settings for a fixed function device, gate array, or programmable logic device, etc.

[0259] As used in this application, the term "circuitry" may refer to one or more or all of the following:

[0260] (a) Only hardware circuitry implementations (such as, only implementations in analog and / or digital circuitry); and

[0261] (b) Combinations of hardware circuitry and software, such as, for example (where applicable):

[0262] (i) Combinations of (one or more) analog and / or digital hardware circuitry with software / firmware, and

[0263] (ii) Any portions of (one or more) hardware processors (including (one or more) digital signal processors) with software, software, and one or more memories or memories that work together to cause a device such as a mobile phone or server to perform various functions; and

[0264] (c) (One or more) hardware circuitry and / or (one or more) processors, such as (one or more) microprocessors, or portions of (one or more) microprocessors, that require software (such as firmware) to operate, but where the software may not be present when the operation does not require it.

[0265] This definition of circuitry applies to all uses of the term in this application (including any in the claims). As another example, as used in this application, the term "circuitry" also encompasses implementations of only hardware circuits or a processor and its (their) accompanying software and / or firmware. The term circuitry also encompasses, for example, if applicable to a particular claim element, a baseband integrated circuit for a mobile device or a similar integrated circuit in a server, cellular network device, or other computing or network device.

[0266] The boxes shown in the figures may represent steps in a method and / or sections of code in a computer program 406. The recitation of a particular order of the boxes does not necessarily imply a required or preferred order for the boxes, and the order and arrangement of the boxes may be changed. Additionally, it may be possible to omit some boxes.

[0267] Where a structural feature has been described, it may be replaced with a component or components for performing one or more of the functions of the structural feature, whether the function or functions are explicitly or implicitly described.

[0268] As used herein, a "module" refers to a unit or device excluding certain components that will be added by a final manufacturer or user. The user equipment 110 may be a module.

[0269] The above examples can be applied as enabling components for the following:

[0270] Automotive systems; telecommunications systems; electronic systems, including consumer electronics; distributed computing systems; media systems for generating or presenting media content, including audio, visual, and audiovisual content as well as mixed, mediated, virtual, and / or augmented reality; personal systems, including personal health systems or personal fitness systems; navigation systems; user interfaces, also known as human-machine interfaces; networks, including cellular, non-cellular, and fiber-optic networks; ad hoc networks; the Internet; the Internet of Things; virtualized networks; and associated software and services.

[0271] According to an example of the present disclosure, the apparatus may be provided in an electronic device (such as a mobile terminal). However, it should be understood that a mobile terminal is only an example of an electronic device that will benefit from the examples of implementations of the present disclosure, and thus should not be considered as limiting the scope of the present disclosure thereto. Although in some example implementations, the apparatus may be provided in a mobile terminal, other types of electronic devices, such as but not limited to: mobile communication devices, handheld portable electronic devices, wearable computing devices, portable digital assistants (PDAs), pagers, mobile computers, desktop computers, televisions, gaming devices, laptop computers, cameras, video recorders, GPS devices, and other types of electronic systems, may readily adopt the examples of the present disclosure. Additionally, whether the device is intended to provide mobility or not, they may readily adopt the examples of the present disclosure.

[0272] The term "comprising" as used in this document has an inclusive rather than an exclusive meaning. That is, any reference to X comprising Y indicates that X may include only one Y or may include more than one Y. If it is intended to use "comprising" in an exclusive meaning, it will be explicitly stated in the context by referring to "including only one..." or by using "consisting of".

[0273] In this description, the words "connected", "coupled", and "communicated" and their derivatives mean operatively connected / coupled / communicated. It should be understood that any number or combination of intermediate components (including no intermediate components) may exist, i.e., so as to provide a direct or indirect connection / coupling / communication. Any such intermediate component may include hardware and / or software components.

[0274] As used herein, the term "determine / determining" (and its grammatical variants) may include (but is not limited to): calculating, computing, processing, deriving, measuring, investigating, identifying, looking up (e.g., looking up in a table, database, or other data structure), ascertaining, etc. Additionally, "determine" may include receiving (e.g., receiving information), accessing (e.g., accessing data in a memory), obtaining, etc. Additionally, "determine / determining" may include parsing, selecting, picking, establishing, etc.

[0275] In this specification, various examples have been referred to. The description of a feature or function related to an example indicates that those features or functions exist in that example. The use of the terms "example" or "for example" or "may" or "might" in the text means that, whether explicitly stated or not, such features or functions exist in at least the described example, whether described as an example or not, and they may but need not exist in some or all other examples. Thus, "example", "for example", "may" or "might" are indicative of a particular instance within a class of examples. The attributes of an instance may be attributes of only that instance, or attributes of the class, or attributes of a subclass of the class that includes some but not all instances of the class. Thus, features described with reference to one example rather than another are implicitly disclosed and, where possible, may be used as part of a working combination in that other example, but need not necessarily be used in that other example.

[0276] Although examples have been described in the preceding paragraphs with reference to various examples, it should be understood that the given examples may be modified without departing from the scope of the claims.

[0277] The features described in the foregoing description may be used in combinations other than those explicitly described above.

[0278] Although functions have been described with reference to certain features, those functions may be performed by other features, whether described or not.

[0279] Although features have been described with reference to certain examples, those features may also exist in other examples, whether described or not.

[0280] The terms "a", "an" or "the" as used herein have an inclusive rather than an exclusive meaning. That is, any reference to X that includes a / an / the Y means that X may include only one Y, or may include more than one Y, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. If it is intended to use "a", "an" or "the" in an exclusive meaning, it will be clearly stated in the context. In some cases, the use of "at least one" or "one or more" may be used to emphasize the inclusive meaning, but the absence of these terms should not be taken as inferring any exclusive meaning.

[0281] The presence of a feature (or combination of features) in a claim refers to that feature or (combination of features) itself, as well as to features (equivalent features) that achieve substantially the same technical effect. For example, equivalent features include features that are variants and that achieve substantially the same result in substantially the same way. For example, equivalent features include features that perform substantially the same function in substantially the same way to achieve substantially the same result.

[0282] In this specification, various examples have been cited that use adjectives or adjective phrases to describe example features. Such a description of a feature associated with an example indicates that the feature exists exactly as described in some examples and substantially as described in other examples.

[0283] The foregoing description has described some examples of the present disclosure. However, one of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that there may be alternative structural and method features that provide functions equivalent to those of the specific examples of the foregoing structures and features and that have been omitted from the foregoing description for the sake of brevity and clarity. Nevertheless, the foregoing description should be understood to implicitly include a reference to such alternative structural and method features that provide equivalent functions, unless such alternative structural or method features are expressly excluded in the foregoing description of the examples of the present disclosure.

[0284] Although the foregoing specification has endeavored to draw attention to those features that are considered important, it should be understood that the applicant may seek protection via the claims for any patentable feature or combination of features mentioned above and / or shown in the drawings, whether or not they have been emphasized.

Claims

1. A device for communication, comprising means for: receiving, prior to having a radio resource control connection to a network node, a system information block from the network node, the system information block comprising multi-transceiver point capability information for the network node, wherein the multi-transceiver point capability information indicates: whether the network node supports multi-transceiver point operation in a cell; as well as selecting the cell for initial access depending on the multi-transceiver point capability information indicating that the network node supports multi-transceiver point operation for the cell and the cell satisfies a cell selection criterion for initial access; depending on the selection, prior to having a radio resource control connection to the network node, signaling to the network node that the device is interested in connecting to the network node using a plurality of transceiver points; receiving, prior to having a radio resource control connection to the network node, a measurement configuration from the network node, the measurement configuration being used to perform reception quality measurements for at least two transceiver points separately; performing the configured reception quality measurements for the at least two transceiver points separately depending on the received measurement configuration; Depending on the configured reception quality measurements for the at least two transceiver points, at least a measurement report is sent to the network node, wherein the measurement report indicates reception quality measurements separately for the at least two transceiver points.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, comprising means for: selecting the cell for initial access that supports multi-transceiver point operation and satisfies the cell selection criteria for initial access, depending on the received multi-transceiver point capability information associated with the cell, and preventing selection of a cell for initial access that does not support multi-transceiver point operation.

3. An apparatus for communication, comprising means for: before being connected to a network node, receiving broadcast system information from the network node, the broadcast system information including multi-transceiver point capability information for the network node; and Depending on the multi-transceiver point capability information, it is determined whether to perform access to the network node. The apparatus of claim 3 , wherein the broadcast system information is mandatory minimum system information.

5. The apparatus according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the broadcast system information is a system information block (SIB). 6 . The apparatus according to claim 3 , wherein the multi-transceiver point capability information indicates whether the network node supports multi-transceiver point operation in a cell. 7 .

7. The apparatus according to any one of claims 3 to 6, comprising means for selecting the cell for access depending on that the multi-transceiver point capability information indicates that the network node supports multi-transceiver point operation for a cell and that the cell satisfies a cell selection criterion for access.

8. An apparatus according to any one of claims 3 to 7, comprising means for, before being connected to a network node, signalling to the network node that the user equipment is interested in connecting to the network node using a plurality of transceiver points.

9. Apparatus according to any one of claims 3 to 8, comprising means for: receiving, before being connected to the network node, a measurement configuration from the network node, the measurement configuration being used to perform reception quality measurements for at least two transceiver points separately; performing the configured reception quality measurements for the at least two transceiver points separately depending on the received measurement configuration; as well as Depending on the configured reception quality measurements for the at least two transceiver points, at least a measurement report is sent to the network node.

10. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 or any preceding claim as dependent therefrom, or as claimed in claim 5 or any preceding claim as dependent therefrom, wherein the system information block is SIB1.

11. An apparatus according to claim 1 or any preceding claim dependent therefrom, or according to claim 6 or any preceding claim dependent therefrom, wherein the multi-transceiver point operation capability information is at least included in a channel measurement resource (CMR) of a system information block, and / or wherein the multi-transceiver point operation capability information is at least included in an s / m-DCI of a system information block.

12. An apparatus according to claim 1 or any preceding claim dependent on claim 1, or according to claim 7 or any preceding claim dependent on claim 7, wherein the means for selecting the cell for initial access is configured to: select a cell that supports multi-transceiver point operation and best meets the cell selection criteria for initial access.

13. The apparatus of claim 1, any preceding claim dependent upon claim 1, claim 7, any preceding claim dependent upon claim 7, or claim 12, wherein the selection criteria are based on: received power at the user equipment for multiple transceiver points of the cell, and / or received quality at the user equipment for multiple transceiver points of the cell.

14. An apparatus according to claim 1 or any preceding claim dependent on claim 1, or according to claim 8 or any preceding claim dependent on claim 8, wherein the means for signaling to a network node comprises means for: during a random access procedure and / or a connection establishment procedure, signaling to the network node that the user equipment is interested in connecting to the network node using multiple transceiver points.

15. An apparatus according to claim 1 or any preceding claim dependent on claim 1, or according to claim 8 or any preceding claim dependent on claim 8, wherein the means for signaling to a network node comprises means for: using beam measurement reports, signaling to a network node that the user equipment is interested in using multiple transceiver points to connect to the network node.

16. The apparatus of claim 1, any preceding claim dependent upon claim 1, claim 9, or any preceding claim dependent upon claim 9, wherein the measurement report indicates reception quality measurements separately for the at least two transceiver points.

17. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, comprising means for: performing, separately and simultaneously, configured reception quality measurements for the at least two transceiver points depending on the received measurement configuration; sending at least a measurement report to the network node depending on the configured simultaneous reception quality measurement for the at least two transceiver points, The measurement report separately indicates reception quality measurements for the at least two transceiver points, wherein the reception quality measurements indicate reception qualities that can be received simultaneously from the at least two transceiver points.

18. An apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, configured as user equipment or as a module for user equipment.

19. A device according to any preceding claim, wherein the initial access is initiated by the device sending a random access message to the network node, and is terminated by the following items: after receiving a contention resolution message and / or a radio resource control connection establishment message, the device sends a first beam report or a first channel state information report to the network node.

20. A network node comprising means for: sending broadcast system information before being connected to a user equipment, the broadcast system information comprising multi-transceiver point capability information for the network node; and Signaling is received prior to connecting to the user equipment, the signaling indicating that the user equipment is interested in connecting to the network node using a plurality of transceiver points.

21. A network node comprising means for: broadcasting a system information block before having a radio resource control connection to a user equipment, the system information block comprising multi-transceiver point capability information for the network node, wherein the multi-transceiver point capability information indicates: whether the network node supports multi-transceiver point operation in a cell; as well as receiving signaling prior to having a radio resource control connection to the user equipment, the signaling indicating that the user equipment is interested in connecting to the network node using a plurality of transceiver points; before having a radio resource control connection to the user equipment, sending a measurement configuration for the user equipment to perform reception quality measurements for at least two transceiver points separately; Depending on the measurement configuration, at least a measurement report is received from the user equipment, wherein the measurement report separately indicates reception quality measurements for the at least two transceiver points.

22. The network node according to claim 20 or 21 is configured as a gNB.

23. A computer program product comprising program instructions which, when executed by one or more processors of a user device, cause the user device to: before being connected to a network node, receiving broadcast system information from the network node, the broadcast system information including multi-transceiver point capability information for the network node; and Depending on the multi-transceiver point capability information, it is determined whether to perform access to the network node.

24. A computer program product comprising program instructions which, when executed by one or more processors of a network node, cause the network node to: sending broadcast system information before being connected to a user equipment, the broadcast system information comprising multi-transceiver point capability information for the network node; and Signaling is received prior to connecting to the user equipment, the signaling indicating that the user equipment is interested in connecting to the network node using a plurality of transceiver points.

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