Method and apparatus for beam indication in wireless communication system

Abstract

According to one embodiment of the present specification, a method performed by a terminal in a wireless communication system may comprise the steps of: receiving configuration information; receiving a beam indication; and receiving the physical signal / channel from the same time resource, frequency resource and space resource based on the beam indication. The configuration information includes i) a configuration for a beam indication related to spatial prediction, and ii) information related to a plurality of reference signals (RSs) for the beam indication. The beam indication indicates one or more RSs among the plurality of RSs.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a method and apparatus for beam indication in a wireless communication system. Background Art

[0002] To provide voice services while ensuring user activities, a mobile communication system has been developed. However, the area of the mobile communication system has expanded to data services in addition to voice. Due to the explosive increase in current traffic, resource shortages have occurred, so users need higher-speed services. Therefore, a more advanced mobile communication system is needed.

[0003] Requirements for the next-generation mobile communication system need to be able to support accommodation of explosive data traffic, a significant increase in data rate per user, accommodation of a significant increase in the number of connected devices, very low end-to-end latency, and high energy efficiency. To this end, various technologies have been studied, such as dual connectivity, massive multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO), in-band full duplex, non-orthogonal multiple access (NOMA), ultra-wideband support, and device networking.

[0004] Regarding beam management, set A and set B are defined. Specifically, according to BM-Case1, the UE estimates / determines the beam of set A (e.g., the preferred beam among the beams of set A) based on the measurement of the beam of set B (e.g., the measurement of the RS related to the beam of set B). Summary of the Invention

[0005] Technical Problem

[0006] When the beam (DL RS) of set A is indicated by the beam prediction result of the base station, there may be a problem that the application time of the indicated beam is delayed. Specifically, when the user equipment (UE) has not recently measured the DL RS related to the indicated beam, the RS overhead for the additional Rx beam selection / refinement process may increase. In other words, when indicating a beam (RS) not managed by the UE or a beam (RS) not measured by the UE, it is necessary to perform the reception / measurement of the RS related to the beam in order to apply the beam. For example, according to the conventional scheme, when the UE does not know the beam (e.g., the target TCI state) indicated as active by the MAC CE in time slot n (i.e., the target TCI state is an unknown TCI state), the UE is defined to receive the PDCCH related to the target TCI state after a predefined time from time slot n.

[0007] When indicating a beam unknown to the UE as described above, there may be a delay in beam application due to the additional operations performed for beam application.

[0008] The present disclosure proposes a method for solving the above problems.

[0009] The technical objectives to be achieved by the present disclosure are not limited to those only described by way of example above, and those skilled in the art to which the present disclosure pertains can clearly understand other technical objectives not mentioned from the following description.

[0010] Technical solution

[0011] A method performed by a user equipment (UE) in a wireless communication system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes: receiving configuration information, receiving a beam indication, and receiving a physical signal / channel in the same time resource, frequency resource, and space resource based on the beam indication. The configuration information includes i) configuration for beam indication related to spatial prediction, and ii) information related to a plurality of reference signals (RSs) for beam indication. The beam indication represents one or more RSs among the plurality of RSs.

[0012] The beam indication may include i) information for one or more RSs, and ii) information for one or more combination coefficients related to the one or more RSs.

[0013] The spatial domain reception filter related to the space resource may be related to an RS determined based on one or more RSs and one or more combination coefficients.

[0014] The beam indication may include coordinate information of one or more RSs within a beam grid.

[0015] The spatial domain reception filter related to the space resource may be related to an RS determined based on the coordinate information.

[0016] One or more RSs may include i) at least one downlink RS (DL RS), and ii) at least one uplink RS (UL RS).

[0017] The spatial domain reception filter related to the space resource may be determined based on i) at least one first spatial domain reception filter and ii) at least one second spatial domain reception filter.

[0018] At least one first spatial domain reception filter may be based on at least one DL RS. At least one second spatial domain reception filter may be related to at least one spatial domain transmission filter based on at least one UL RS.

[0019] The beam indication may include i) information for a plurality of downlink RSs (DL RSs) among one or more RSs, and ii) information for coefficients for combining the plurality of DL RSs.

[0020] The path loss estimation for uplink power control may be determined based on a plurality of DL RSs.

[0021] The path loss estimation for uplink power control can be determined based on the following: i) the path loss estimation obtained based on multiple DLRSs, and ii) the combining coefficients.

[0022] A DL RS can be determined based on multiple DL RSs and the combining coefficients. The path loss estimation for uplink power control can be obtained based on a DL RS.

[0023] One or more RSs can be based on the RSs received by the UE within a predetermined time before the time indicated by the receive beam.

[0024] The configuration for beam indication can include i) information on multiple combining coefficients related to multiple RSs, or ii) coordinate information of multiple RSs within the beam grid.

[0025] The method can further include transmitting capability information. The capability information can include i) information on the combining coefficients that can be supported by the UE and / or ii) information on the beams that the UE can combine based on the combining coefficients.

[0026] A user equipment (UE) operating in a wireless communication system according to another embodiment of the present disclosure includes one or more transceivers, one or more processors, and one or more memories, the one or more memories being operably connected to the one or more processors and storing instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, configure the one or more processors to perform operations.

[0027] These operations include: receiving configuration information, receiving a beam indication, and receiving a physical signal / channel in the same time resource, frequency resource, and space resource based on the beam indication. The configuration information includes i) the configuration for beam indication related to spatial prediction, and ii) information related to multiple reference signals (RSs) for beam indication. The beam indication represents one or more RSs among multiple RSs.

[0028] An apparatus according to another embodiment of the present disclosure includes one or more memories and one or more processors functionally connected to the one or more memories.

[0029] The one or more memories include instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, configure the one or more processors to perform operations.

[0030] These operations include: receiving configuration information, receiving a beam indication, and receiving a physical signal / channel in the same time resource, frequency resource, and spatial resource based on the beam indication. The configuration information includes i) configuration for beam indication related to spatial prediction, and ii) information related to multiple reference signals (RSs) for beam indication. The beam indication represents one or more of the multiple RSs.

[0031] One or more non-transitory computer-readable media according to another embodiment of the present disclosure store one or more instructions.

[0032] The one or more instructions executable by one or more processors configure the one or more processors to perform operations.

[0033] These operations include: receiving configuration information, receiving a beam indication, and receiving a physical signal / channel in the same time resource, frequency resource, and spatial resource based on the beam indication. The configuration information includes i) configuration for beam indication related to spatial prediction, and ii) information related to multiple reference signals (RSs) for beam indication. The beam indication represents one or more of the multiple RSs.

[0034] A method performed by a base station in a wireless communication system according to another embodiment of the present disclosure includes: transmitting configuration information, transmitting a beam indication, and transmitting a physical signal / channel in the same time resource, frequency resource, and spatial resource based on the beam indication. Wherein, the configuration information includes i) configuration for beam indication related to spatial prediction, and ii) information related to multiple reference signals (RSs) for beam indication. The beam indication represents one or more of the multiple RSs.

[0035] A base station operating in a wireless communication system according to another embodiment of the present disclosure includes one or more transceivers, one or more processors, and one or more memories. The one or more memories are operatively connected to the one or more processors and store instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, configure the one or more processors to perform operations.

[0036] These operations include: transmitting configuration information, transmitting a beam indication, and transmitting a physical signal / channel in the same time resource, frequency resource, and spatial resource based on the beam indication. Wherein, the configuration information includes i) configuration for beam indication related to spatial prediction, and ii) information related to multiple reference signals (RSs) for beam indication. The beam indication represents one or more of the multiple RSs.

[0037] Beneficial effects

[0038] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, even when the base station indicates a beam within a beam set (e.g., set A) that has not been measured by the UE, the beam can be applied based on one or more RSs without a process that requires additional RS overhead. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the latency of transmission and reception operations based on the application of the indicated beam, while increasing the flexibility related to beam indication.

[0039] The effects that the present disclosure can achieve are not limited to those described by way of example above, and other effects and advantages of the present disclosure will be more clearly understood by those skilled in the art to which the present disclosure pertains from the following description. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0040] Figure 1 An example of beamforming using SSB and CSI-RS is illustrated.

[0041] Figure 2 It is a flowchart showing an example of a DL BM process using SSB.

[0042] Figure 3 A functional framework of an AI / ML model is illustrated.

[0043] Figure 4 A signaling process according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is illustrated.

[0044] Figure 5 It is a flowchart illustrating a method performed by a user equipment according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0045] Figure 6 It is a flowchart illustrating a method performed by a base station according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0046] Figure 7 Configurations of a first device and a second device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure are illustrated. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0047] The following will be with the attached Figure 1 The detailed description to be disclosed below will describe exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, rather than describing unique embodiments for implementing the present disclosure. The following detailed description includes details that provide a complete understanding of the present disclosure. However, those skilled in the art know that the present disclosure can be implemented without these details.

[0048] In some cases, to prevent obscuring the concepts of the present disclosure, known structures and devices may be omitted, or may be illustrated in block diagram format based on the core functions of each structure and device.

[0049] In the following text, the downlink (DL) refers to communication from a base station to a terminal, and the uplink (UL) refers to communication from a terminal to a base station. In the downlink, the transmitter can be part of the base station, and the receiver can be part of the terminal. In the uplink, the transmitter can be part of the terminal, and the receiver can be part of the base station. The base station can be represented as a first communication device, and the terminal can be represented as a second communication device. The base station (BS) can be replaced by terms including a fixed station, Node B, evolved Node B (eNB), next-generation Node B (gNB), base transceiver system (BTS), access point (AP), network (5G network), AI system, roadside unit (RSU), vehicle, robot, unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), AR (augmented reality) device, VR (virtual reality) device, etc. In addition, the terminal can be fixed or mobile and can be replaced by terms including user equipment (UE), mobile station (MS), user terminal (UT), mobile subscriber station (MSS), subscriber station (SS), advanced mobile station (AMS), wireless terminal (WT), machine type communication (MTC) device, machine-to-machine (M2M) device, and device-to-device (D2D) device, vehicle, robot, AI module, unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), AR (augmented reality) device, VR (virtual reality) device, etc.

[0050] Beam management (BM)

[0051] As a layer 1 (L1) / layer 2 (L2) process for obtaining and maintaining a set of base station (e.g., gNB, TRP, etc.) and / or terminal (e.g., UE) beams that can be used for downlink (DL) and uplink (UL) transmission / reception, the BM process may include the following processes and terms.

[0052] - Beam measurement: An operation of measuring the characteristics of a beamformed signal received by an eNB or a UE.

[0053] - Beam determination: An operation by an eNB or a UE of selecting a transmit (Tx) beam / receive (Rx) beam of the eNB or the UE.

[0054] - Beam scanning: An operation of covering a spatial region using transmit and / or receive beams for a time interval according to a predetermined scheme.

[0055] - Beam reporting: An operation by a UE of reporting information on a beamformed signal based on beam measurement.

[0056] The BM process can be divided into (1) a DL BM process using a synchronization signal (SS) / physical broadcast channel (PBCH) block or CSI-RS and (2) a UL BM process using a sounding reference signal (SRS).

[0057] In addition, each BM process may include a Tx beam scan for determining a Tx beam and an Rx beam scan for determining an Rx beam.

[0058] DL BM

[0059] The DL BM process may include (1) transmission of beamformed DL reference signals (RS) (e.g., CSI-RS or SS block (SSB)) by the eNB and (2) beam reporting by the UE.

[0060] Here, the beam report includes a preferred DL RS identifier (ID) and the L1 reference signal received power (RSRP) corresponding to the preferred DL RS identifier (ID).

[0061] The DL RS ID may be an SSB resource indicator (SSBRI) or a CSI-RS resource indicator (CRI).

[0062] Figure 1 Examples of beamforming using SSB and CSI-RS are illustrated.

[0063] As Figure 1 shown, the SSB beam and the CSI-RS beam can be used for beam management. The measurement metric is the L1-RSRP for each resource / block. The SSB can be used for coarse beam management, and the CSI-RS can be used for fine beam management. The SSB can be used for both Tx beam scan and Rx beam scan.

[0064] The Rx beam scan using the SSB can be performed when the UE changes the Rx beam for the same SSBRI across multiple SSB bursts. Here, one SS burst includes one or more SSBs, and one set of SS bursts includes one or more SSB bursts.

[0065] Figure 2 is a flowchart showing an example of the DL BM process using the SSB.

[0066] Configuration of beam reporting using the SSB is performed during CSI / beam configuration in the RRC connected state (or RRC connected mode).

[0067] - The UE receives from the eNB a CSI-ResourceConfig IE including a CSI-SSB-ResourceSetList, and the CSI-SSB-ResourceSetList includes SSB resources for BM (S210).

[0068] Table 1 shows an example of the CSI-ResourceConfig IE. As shown in Table 1, the BM configuration using SSB is not defined separately, and the SSB is configured to be similar to the CSI-RS resource.

[0069] [Table 1]

[0070]

[0071] In Table 1, the csi-SSB-ResourceSetList parameter represents a list of SSB resources used for beam management and reporting in a resource set. Here, the SSB resource set can be configured as {SSBx1, SSBx2, SSBx3, SSBx4, …}. For example, the SSB index can be defined from 0 to 63.

[0072] - The UE receives the SSB resource from the eNB based on the CSI-SSB-ResourceSetList (S220).

[0073] - When the CSI-reportConfig associated with the reporting of SSBRI and L1-RSRP is configured, the UE (beam) reports the corresponding best SSBRI and L1-RSRP to the eNB (S230).

[0074] In other words, when the reportQuantity of the CSI-reportConfig IE is configured as “ssb-Index-RSRP”, the UE reports the corresponding best SSBRI and L1-RSRP to the eNB.

[0075] In addition, when the CSI-RS resource is configured in the same OFDM symbol as the SSB (SS / PBCH block) and “QCL-TypeD” applies, the UE can assume that the CSI-RS and the SSB are quasi-co-located from the perspective of “QCL-TypeD”.

[0076] Here, QCL TypeD can mean that the antenna ports are QCL from the perspective of the spatial Rx parameters. When the UE receives multiple DL antenna ports with a QCL TypeD relationship, the same Rx beam can be applied. In addition, the UE does not expect the CSI-RS to be configured in the REs that overlap with the REs of the SSB.

[0077] BM Enhancement in NR Rel-16

[0078] The DL / UL beam indication standardized in 3GPP NR Rel-15 has been designed to indicate the beams for each DL / UL channel / RS resource separately to ensure beam indication flexibility, and the indication method has been designed separately for each channel / RS.

[0079] This design direction ultimately has the following problems: The base station has to indicate beam changes for each channel / RS resource to multiple UEs communicating with the base station using a single beam in order to change the serving beam for multiple UEs, which results in large signaling overhead and large beam change latency. With UL beam changes, UL power control related parameters, especially the path loss RS (PL RS), have to be changed for each UL channel / RS, which also results in signaling overhead / latency issues. To complement these drawbacks, five features were introduced in Rel-16. Table 2 below shows these five features.

[0080] [Table 2]

[0081]

[0082]

[0083] In Rel-16, in addition to the above enhancements related to beam / PL RS indication, enhancements related to beam reporting were also made. In Rel-15, a mode was supported where the UE measures / reports L1-RSRP for each beam RS. However, in an environment with high inter-beam interference, it is difficult to guarantee that a specific beam RS has good quality as a serving beam just because the L1-RSRP (i.e., the received strength of a specific beam RS) is high. In other words, the UE may select a beam with high received strength but high beam interference and report this beam to the base station. To overcome this drawback, Rel-16 supports a new beam reporting mode where the base station configures resources for interference measurement and RS for channel measurement, and the UE measures L1-SINR for the channel resources and interference resources based on this and reports several RSs with high L1-SINR values.

[0084] BM Enhancement in NR Rel-17

[0085] As described above, various BM enhancements were made in Rel-16. Specifically, features were created that can significantly reduce the signaling overhead / latency related to the beam indication method. However, there is still no configuration / indication of a unified beam for channels / RSs for UEs operating with a single serving beam.

[0086] Motivated by this, Rel-17 will standardize the channel / RS unified beam configuration / indication method. In NR, DL beams are indicated by transmitting configuration indicators (TCIs), and thus are called unified TCI states. Existing TCI states are configured / indicated separately for each DL RS / channel, but the unified TCI state is characterized by unified configuration / indication. Basically, the DL unified TCI state indicates the QCL type-D RS that is uniformly applied to (some) PDCCH, PDSCH, and (some) CSI-RS resources, and the UL unified TCI state indicates the spatial relation RS (and PL RS) that is uniformly applied to (some) PUCCH, PUSCH, and (some) SRS. For UEs with beam correspondence established, since the UL spatial relation and PL RS can also be matched with the DL beam RS in the same way as the Rel-16 default spatial relation / PL RS characteristics, the channels / RSs with the unified TCI state applied can cover both DL channels / RSs and UL channels / RSs. This is called the joint DL / UL TCI state. That is to say, the following two modes will be supported.

[0087] - Joint DL / UL TCI configuration / indication mode: The DL RS configured / indicated in the joint TCI state can be applied not only as the QCL type-D RS for DL channels / RSs, but also as the spatial relation RS (and PL RS) for UL channels / RSs. That is to say, if an update to the joint TCI state is indicated, the beam RS (or / and PL RS) used for DL channels / RSs and UL channels / RSs can be changed together.

[0088] - Separate DL and UL TCI configuration / indication mode: The QCL type-D source RS for DL channels / RSs is unified and configured / indicated by the DL TCI state, and the spatial relation RS (and PL RS) for UL channels / RSs is unified and configured / indicated by the UL TCI state. The DL TCI state and the UL TCI state are configured / indicated separately.

[0089] The DL / UL / joint TCI state will be indicated / updated via MAC-CE and / or DCI. More specifically, one or more of the multiple TCI states configured by RRC (referred to as the TCI state pool) are activated by MAC-CE. If multiple TCI states are activated by MAC-CE, one of the multiple TCI states is indicated by DCI.

[0090] DCI indication will be supported via downlink DCI formats (DCI1-1 / 1-2) that support the TCI field, and will be supported in both cases with and without PDSCH scheduling. In the latter case, since PDSCH scheduling is omitted (similar to the DCI-based semi-persistent scheduling (SPS) release method), UE's ACK transmission for the corresponding DCI will be supported.

[0091] Enhancements related to beam reporting will be made in Rel-17. The Rel-17 beam reporting mode will support the mode where UE measures / reports the best beam RS for each TRP, targeting multi-TRP environments. For this purpose, if the beam measurement RS set / group is divided into two subsets / sub-groups and the base station configures them, UE will select RS for each subset / sub-group and report them together with the quality values (L1-RSRP, [L1-SINR]) of the corresponding RS.

[0092] AIML-related description

[0093] With the technological progress of artificial intelligence / machine learning (AI / ML), the nodes and UEs constituting the wireless communication network become more and more intelligent / advanced.

[0094] Specifically, due to the intelligence of the network / base station, it is expected that various network / base station decision parameters can be quickly optimized and derived / applied based on various environmental parameters.

[0095] The environmental parameters can include at least one of the distribution / location of base stations, the distribution / location / materials of buildings / furniture, the location / moving direction / speed of UEs, or climate information. However, the above parameters are only examples, and in addition to the listed parameters, the environmental parameters can also include other environmental parameters related to network / base station decision parameters.

[0096] The network / base station decision parameters can include at least one of the transmit / receive power of each base station (BS), the transmit power of each UE, the precoder / beam of BS / UE, the time / frequency resource allocation for each UE, or the duplex method of each BS. However, the above parameters are only examples, and in addition to the listed parameters, the network / base station decision parameters can also include other parameters determined by the network / base station.

[0097] In line with this trend, many standardization organizations (e.g., 3GPP, O-RAN) are considering introducing AI / ML, and related research is also actively underway.

[0098] In a narrow sense, AI / ML can simply be called artificial intelligence based on deep learning, but conceptually, it can be classified as follows.

[0099] - Artificial Intelligence: It is any automation that allows a machine to perform tasks that would otherwise be done by humans.

[0100] - Machine Learning: It refers to a technique where a machine learns patterns from data for decision-making on its own, without explicit programming rules.

[0101] - Deep Learning: It is a model based on artificial neural networks and allows a machine to perform feature extraction and decision-making simultaneously based on unstructured data. The algorithm depends on a multi-layer network composed of interconnected nodes for feature extraction and transformation, which is inspired by the biological nervous system (i.e., neural network). Common deep learning network architectures include Deep Neural Network (DNN), Recurrent Neural Network (RNN), and Convolutional Neural Network (CNN).

[0102] As mentioned above, Artificial Intelligence (AI) is the broadest concept of AI / ML, and Deep Learning is the narrowest concept of AI / ML. Machine Learning (ML) can be interpreted as a concept that is narrower than Artificial Intelligence and broader than Deep Learning.

[0103] Types of AI / ML Based on Various Criteria

[0104] - Offline vs. Online

[0105] Offline Learning

[0106] - Offline learning faithfully follows the sequential process of database collection, learning, and prediction. That is, collection and learning can be performed offline, and the completed program can be installed on-site and used for prediction tasks. In most cases, this offline learning method is used.

[0107] Online Learning

[0108] - Online learning refers to a method of gradually improving performance through incremental learning by utilizing additional generated data, taking advantage of the fact that data that can be used for recent learning is continuously generated via the Internet.

[0109] Classification Based on AI / ML Framework Concepts

[0110] - Centralized Learning

[0111] In centralized learning, when training data collected from multiple different nodes is reported to a centralized node, all data resources / storage / learning (e.g., supervised learning, unsupervised learning, reinforcement learning, etc.) are performed in a single centralized node.

[0112] - Federated Learning

[0113] Federated learning is built on data where there is a collective model across data owners of various distributions. Instead of collecting data into the model, the AI / ML model is imported into the data sources, allowing local nodes / individual devices to collect data and train their own model copies, thus eliminating the need to report the source data to a centralized node.

[0114] In federated learning, the parameters / weights of the AI / ML model are sent back to the centralized node to support general model training. Federated learning has advantages in terms of improved computational speed and information security. That is, the process of uploading personal data to a central server is unnecessary, and leakage and misuse of personal information can be prevented.

[0115] - Distributed learning

[0116] Distributed learning refers to the concept of cluster scaling and distribution of the machine learning process across nodes. The training model is shared across multiple nodes, which are split and operated simultaneously to accelerate model training.

[0117] Classification According to Learning Methods

[0118] - Supervised learning

[0119] Supervised learning is a machine learning task aimed at learning the mapping function from input to output given a labeled dataset. The input data is called training data and has known labels or outcomes. Examples of supervised learning are as follows.

[0120] 1) Regression: Linear regression, Logistic regression

[0121] 2) Instance-based algorithms: k-Nearest Neighbor (KNN)

[0122] 3) Decision tree algorithms: CART

[0123] 4) Support Vector Machines: SVM

[0124] 5) Bayesian algorithms: Naive Bayes

[0125] 6) Ensemble algorithms: Extreme Gradient Boosting, Bagging: Random Forest

[0126] Supervised learning can be further grouped into regression and classification problems, where classification is predicting labels and regression is predicting quantities.

[0127] - Unsupervised learning

[0128] Unsupervised learning is a machine learning task that aims to learn a function that describes the hidden structure in unlabeled data. The input data is not labeled and there are no known outcomes. Some examples of unsupervised learning include K-means clustering, principal component analysis (PCA), non-linear independent component analysis (ICA), and long short-term memory (LSTM).

[0129] - Reinforcement learning

[0130] In reinforcement learning (RL), the agent aims to optimize a long-term goal by interacting with the environment based on a trial-and-error process and is goal-oriented learning based on the interaction with the environment. Examples of RL algorithms are as follows.

[0131] 1) Q-learning

[0132] 2) Multi-armed bandit learning

[0133] 3) Deep Q-network

[0134] 4) State-Action-Reward-State-Action (SARSA)

[0135] 5) Temporal difference learning

[0136] 6) Actor-Critic reinforcement learning

[0137] 7) Deep deterministic policy gradient

[0138] 8) Monte Carlo tree search

[0139] Reinforcement learning can also be grouped into model-based reinforcement learning and model-free reinforcement learning.

[0140] Model-based reinforcement learning: It refers to RL algorithms that use a predictive model and use various dynamic states of the environment and the model in which these states bring rewards to obtain the transition probability between states.

[0141] Model-free reinforcement learning: It refers to RL algorithms based on the value or policy that maximizes future rewards. The multi-agent environment / state is computationally less complex and does not require an accurate representation of the environment.

[0142] RL algorithms can also be classified as value-based RL versus policy-based RL, policy-based RL versus off-policy RL, etc.

[0143] Representative Models of Deep Learning

[0144] 1. Feedforward neural network (FFNN)

[0145] The FFNN consists of an input layer, a hidden layer, and an output layer.

[0146] 2. Recurrent neural network (RNN)

[0147] RNN is a type of artificial neural network where hidden nodes are connected by directed edges to form a directed cycle. It is a model suitable for processing sequentially occurring data such as speech and text.

[0148] 3. Convolutional Neural Network (CNN)

[0149] CNNs are used for two purposes: reducing model complexity and extracting good features by applying convolution operations generally used in the fields of video processing or image processing.

[0150] - Kernel or filter: It refers to the unit / structure that applies weights to the input of a specific range / cell.

[0151] - Stride: It refers to the range of movement of the kernel within the input.

[0152] - Feature map: It refers to the result of applying the kernel to the input.

[0153] - Padding: It refers to the value added to adjust the size of the feature map.

[0154] - Pooling: It refers to the operation of reducing the size of the feature map by downsampling the feature map (e.g., max pooling, average pooling).

[0155] 4. Autoencoder

[0156] An autoencoder refers to a neural network that receives a feature vector x as input and outputs the same or a similar vector x'. The input nodes and output nodes of an autoencoder have the same features.

[0157] Figure 3 Illustrated is the functional framework of the AI / ML model.

[0158] In Figure 3 the illustrated functional framework, the definition of each term and the operation of each function can be based on Table 3 below.

[0159] [Table 3]

[0160]

[0161]

[0162] Dataset

[0163] The datasets used in AI / ML are classified into training data, validation data, and test data, and their definitions are as follows.

[0164] - Training data

[0165] Dataset for training a model

[0166] - Validation data

[0167] Dataset for validating a model for which training has been completed

[0168] Validation data is a dataset that is often used to prevent overfitting of the training dataset.

[0169] Validation data is a dataset used to select the best model among various models trained during the training process. Therefore, validation data can be regarded as a dataset related to training.

[0170] - Test data

[0171] Test data is a dataset for final evaluation. Test data is independent of training.

[0172] The dataset can use a training set that includes the above data in a predetermined ratio.

[0173] For example, a training set including training data and validation data in a ratio of 8:2 or 7:3 can be used.

[0174] For example, a training set including training data, validation data, and test data in a ratio of 6:2:2 can be used.

[0175] Collaboration Level

[0176] According to whether the AI / ML function between the base station and the UE is capable, the cooperation level can be defined as follows.

[0177] [Table 4]

[0178]

[0179] The cooperation levels shown in Table 4 are examples, and can be modified and utilized differently from the illustrated examples based on the implementation method. For example, a cooperation level combining two or more of the shown cooperation levels can be defined / utilized. For example, a cooperation level not including one or more of the shown cooperation levels can be utilized.

[0180] In the present disclosure, depending on the context, " / " means "and", "or", or "and / or". In the present disclosure, "beam" can represent a source RS for a "spatial filter" or a "spatial relationship", and can be interpreted as a QCL (type D) RS or a TCI state or (in the case of the uplink) a spatial relationship RS.

[0181] As an example, in the present disclosure, "beam" can represent a spatial filter determined based on a reference RS or a source RS. The spatial filter can include a spatial domain filter, a spatial domain transmission filter, and a spatial domain reception filter.

[0182] As an example, a beam related to UL can be referred to as i) a spatial filter (for UL transmission or UL reception), ii) a spatial domain filter (for UL transmission or UL reception), iii) an UL spatial domain transmission filter, iv) an UL spatial domain reception filter, v) an UL transmission spatial filter (UL Tx spatial filter), or vi) an UL reception spatial filter (UL Rx spatial filter).

[0183] As an example, a beam related to DL can be referred to as i) a spatial filter (for DL transmission or DL reception), ii) a spatial domain filter (for DL transmission or DL reception), iii) a DL spatial domain transmission filter, iv) a DL spatial domain reception filter, v) a DL transmission spatial filter (DL Tx spatial filter), or vi) a DL reception spatial filter (DL Rx spatial filter).

[0184] 3GPP Rel-18 started to study how to use AI / ML in the air interface. This study item (SI) covers beam management, CSI, and positioning, which are the main use cases of AI / ML. This disclosure covers the beam management method among them.

[0185] There may be two use cases that use AI / ML to perform improved beam management: "improving beam management performance through spatial beam prediction" and "improving beam management performance through temporal beam prediction". This disclosure mainly considers "improving beam management performance through spatial beam prediction", but it should be noted that the technologies in this disclosure can be modified and applied to "improving beam management performance through temporal beam prediction".

[0186] "Improving beam management performance through spatial beam prediction" is a use case that achieves more improved beam management accuracy with lower RS overhead based on UE location / mobility information, etc., as the measurement results of current / past beam RS. In this case, AI / ML of the UE and / or the network (NW) can be used for spatial beam prediction operations. For example, AI / ML can be used to achieve performance equivalent to beam selection from a large number of beam RS based on the results of measurements from a small number of beam RS.

[0187] AI / ML-based beam prediction can be defined based on the inputs and outputs related to the AI / ML model (of the UE and / or NW).

[0188] For example, the input can be information related to the measurement of a beam (e.g., RS related to the beam), and the output can be information about a specific beam (e.g., the ID of the RS related to the specific beam).

[0189] For example, the input can be the reference signal received power (RSRP) of the beams in the first set, and the output can be the RSRP of the beams in the second set (e.g., the RSRP of the RS associated with all beams or the RSRP of the RS associated with set A of beams). The RSRP of the beams in the first set can include the RSRP of the RS associated with some of all beams and / or the RSRP associated with set B of beams. The RSRP of the beams in the second set can include the RSRP of the RS associated with all beams and / or the RSRP of the RS associated with set A of beams.

[0190] Table 5 below summarizes the discussions and discussion results related to beam performance improvement.

[0191] [Table 5]

[0192]

[0193] In the results, BM-Case1 refers to "the case of performing the estimation / prediction of the beams in set A based on the measurement results of the beams included in set B". Set A and set B are different.

[0194] Set A and set B related to the embodiments of the present disclosure described below can be defined based on Table 5 above. Set B can be a set of beams including the RS (RS received by the UE) transmitted by the base station. Set A can be a set of beams for estimating / determining beams based on the measurement results of the RS related to set B. Set A can be a set of beams for indicating a specific beam.

[0195] The purpose of BM-Case1 is to select / estimate / predict beams more precisely than selecting beams based on existing methods. Specifically, according to BM-Case1, the beams are selected / estimated / predicted based on set A, and set A is more precise than set B (e.g., in the selection, set A includes a larger number of beams than set B and has a beam shape with a narrower width than the width of the beams in set B).

[0196] The present disclosure proposes a method for a base station to perform beam indication for set A based on beam measurements of set B and UE reporting results. Here, "beam indication for set A" means beam indication for a higher beam granularity (e.g., more beams, a larger maximum / minimum beam angle difference, a smaller inter-beam angle difference, etc.), and can be applied even when set A is not explicitly defined / set.

[0197] As an example, in the present disclosure, "Set A" and "Set B" are terms used to refer to beam sets defined / configured for UE measurement / reporting. Therefore, the beam sets defined / configured for beam indication to the base station can be referred to in different ways. In other words, the beam sets for beam indication to the base station can be configured separately from the beam sets for UE measurement / reporting. In the embodiments to be described below, the terms "Set A" or "Set B" are used in relation to beam indication, but these terms can mean that the beams indicated by the base station have the same characteristics as "Set A" or "Set B".

[0198] According to the existing 3GPP NR beam indication scheme, beam RS IDs (e.g., CRI, SSBRI) are indicated as source / reference RSs to be used for transmission and / or reception of the target RS / channel.

[0199] According to the DL beam indication scheme, in terms of the spatial Rx parameters for the target channel / RS (QCL type D RS), the base station designates the QCL source RS to the UE as a specific CSI-RS resource or SSB resource. The UE receiving this indication can use the beam of the received source RS to receive the target channel / RS. At this time, the UE is not forced to receive the target channel / RS with the same UE beam as the beam of the received source RS. The base station notifies the UE of the source RS to prevent unnecessary receive beam search by the UE.

[0200] According to the UL beam indication scheme, in terms of the spatial Rx parameters for the target channel / RS (spatial relation RS), the base station designates the QCL source RS to the UE as a specific CSI-RS resource, SSB resource, or SSR resource.

[0201] When the source RS is a DL RS (e.g., CSI-RS, SSB), the UE receiving this indication uses the Tx beam corresponding to the Rx beam used to receive the DL RS to transmit the target UL channel / RS. When the source RS is a UL RS (e.g., SRS), the UE receiving the indication uses the Tx beam corresponding to the Rx beam used to transmit the UL RS to transmit the target UL channel / RS. The DL beam RS (e.g., QCL type D RS) can be indicated while being included in the DL TCI state, and the UL beam RS (e.g., spatial relation RS) can be indicated while being included in the UL TCI state.

[0202] In addition, (for UEs that establish a (one-to-one) correspondence between the Tx beam and the Rx beam), the source RSs for DL and UL beams can be the same DL RS (e.g., CSI-RS, SSB) resources. A joint DL / UL TCI state can be configured / indicated to comprehensively indicate the DL RS.

[0203] AI / ML can be implemented at the base station / network (NW) terminal to perform spatial domain (SD) prediction similar to BM-Case1. As an example, the UE performs measurements and reports based on set B. The base station uses this reported information of the UE (e.g., CRI / SSBRI+L1-RSRP) as input data for the training and / or inference of the AI / ML model to perform even more fine-grained beam indication based on set A. At this time, the following problems may occur.

[0204] The UE may not be able to perform measurements on all beam Rs belonging to set A. The UE may not be able to manage the UE Rx beam and / or UE Tx beam for the set A beam. Even if the base station designates a beam Rs that the UE cannot manage as the source Rs, it may be difficult for the UE to derive the Rx / Tx beam from the Rs. That is, directly indicating the beam of set A as the source Rs may not be very helpful to the UE. To solve this problem, the present disclosure proposes the following method.

[0205] Method 1

[0206] The base station indicates to the UE a plurality of Rs among the Rs belonging to set B as the beam Rs to be used for the transmission and / or reception of the target Rs / channel, and the combination coefficients for the corresponding beam Rs.

[0207] The DL beam indication based on the embodiment can be explained / applied as follows for the transmission (or reception) of the DL channel / signal.

[0208] As an example, the DL beam indication can be explained / applied as an indication that the base station creates and transmits a combined beam through the beam Rs and the corresponding combination coefficients. That is, the base station can transmit the DL channel / signal based on the combined beam determined / generated through the beam Rs and the corresponding combination coefficients.

[0209] As an example, the DL beam indication can mean that the UE can apply / use the (combined or selected) Rx beam by referring to the combination coefficients for the UE Rx beam for the corresponding beam Rs. That is, the UE can receive the DL channel / signal from the base station based on the Rx beam determined / generated through the beam Rs and the corresponding combination coefficients.

[0210] The UL beam indication based on the embodiment can be explained / applied as follows for the transmission of the UL channel / signal.

[0211] As an example, when the beam Rs is a DL Rs, this can mean that the UE applies / uses the Tx beam corresponding to the (combined or selected) Rx beam by referring to the combination coefficients for the Rx beam for receiving the corresponding DL Rs.

[0212] As an example, this may mean that the UE applies / uses (combines or selects) the Tx beam by referring to the combining coefficients for the Tx beam corresponding to the Rx beam used for receiving the corresponding DL RS.

[0213] For example, when the beam RS is UL RS, this may mean that the UE applies / uses (combines or selects) the Tx beam by referring to the combining coefficients for the Tx beam used for receiving the corresponding UL RS.

[0214] Hereinafter, specific examples are given to describe the operations / implementations based on Method 1.

[0215] While the base station indicates CRI#1 and CRI#2 to the UE using the beam RS, it indicates w1 and w2 as the combining coefficients. In other words, the base station sends a beam indication to the UE including CRI#1 and CRI#2 as well as w1 and w2. As an example, w1 and w2 are complex numbers and can be normalized to |w1| 2 +|w2| 2 = 1. As an example, w1 and w2 can be indicated from a predefined codebook. This indication may mean that the combined beam is generated using w1*CRI#1 + w2*CRI#2 and used as the base station beam.

[0216] Hereinafter, another example is given to describe the operations / implementations regarding Method 1.

[0217] While the base station indicates SRI#1 and SRI#2 using the UL beam RS, it indicates w1 and w2 as the combining coefficients. In other words, the base station sends a beam indication to the UE including SRI#1 and SRI#2 as well as w1 and w2. As an example, w1 and w2 are complex numbers and can be normalized to |w1| 2 +|w2| 2 = 1. As an example, w1 and w2 can be indicated from a predefined codebook. This indication may mean that the combined beam is generated using w1*SRI#1 + w2*SRI#2 and used as the UE Tx beam.

[0218] In Method 1, when the source / beam RS for the DL beam and the UL beam is configured / indicated as a whole (via the joint DL / UL TCI state), the corresponding beam RS (i.e., the indicated RS) may have the meaning of a DL beam and the meaning of a UL beam (corresponding to the case where the beam RS is a DL RS).

[0219] In Method 1, the UE capability reporting operation can be performed. Specifically, the UE can send capability information to the base station. The capability information can include information for at least one of the following: i) the beams that the UE can combine (by considering the granularity of the phase shifter, etc.), and / or ii) the combination coefficients supported by the UE (for beam RS and the corresponding beam RS).

[0220] The combination coefficients can be determined from the perspective of the base station Tx / Rx beams, and / or can be determined from the perspective of the UE Tx / Rx beams. In the latter case, the UE's Tx / Rx beam configuration information (e.g., the total number of beams, beam ID information, relative / absolute boresight angle information for each beam, beam width information, beamforming coefficient information, etc.) can be reported to the NW (or the base station) and used to enhance the prediction performance of the NW AI / ML model. In the former case, it can be determined by the UE's implementation how to use / apply the indicated beam RS and beam combination coefficients to determine the UE's Rx / Tx beams.

[0221] As a supplement or alternative to Method 1, when the base station knows the UE's Rx / Tx beam information, the NW can calculate / operate / obtain the UE's Rx / Tx beams corresponding to the NW Tx / Rx beams obtained by SD prediction, which can be directly indicated to the UE.

[0222] As an example, the UE's Rx / Tx beam ID can be included in the beam indication, or an indication can be performed instead of the existing beam indication.

[0223] As an example, the base station can indicate multiple UE Rx / Tx beam IDs and combination coefficient information to the UE. The UE can generate a combined beam through the indicated combination coefficients and perform reception / transmission. To apply this example, the UE can report information on the beams that can be combined and / or the combination coefficients for the beam RS supported by the UE (as UE capabilities) to the base station.

[0224] By supplementing / replacing this method, the following embodiments can be considered.

[0225] As an example, the UE can report the preferred UE Rx / Tx beam ID (and the measurements corresponding to the corresponding beam) to the base station. The base station (AI / ML) can generate / apply an appropriate combined beam by assuming that the UE performs reception / transmission using the corresponding beam.

[0226] As an example, the base station can perform beam reporting for a specific UE beam ID to the UE (e.g., the preferred CRI / SSBRI and the corresponding L1-RSRP / SINR values). The beam reporting information can be used for the training / inference of NW AI / ML and for predicting / calculating the base station beam suitable for the corresponding UE beam.

[0227] By applying / extending Method 1, DL RS and UL RS can be jointly used as beam RS as follows.

[0228] Method 2

[0229] The base station indicates at least one DL RS and at least one UL RS to the UE as the beam RS for transmitting and / or receiving the target RS / channel. In addition, the base station can additionally indicate the combination coefficient for the corresponding beam RS to the UE.

[0230] The DL beam indication based on the embodiment can be explained / applied as follows regarding the transmission (or reception) of the DL channel / signal.

[0231] As an example, the UE receiving the DL beam indication can operate as follows. The UE can apply / use the combined / determined / selected Rx beam (referring to the combination coefficient) based on: i) the UE Rx beam for the DL RS and ii) the Rx beam corresponding to the Tx beam applied to the UL RS.

[0232] As an example, the base station can generate the transmission beam for the target channel / RS by combining (with coefficients) the Tx beam corresponding to the DL RS and the Tx beam of the UL RS receiving beam.

[0233] The UL beam indication based on the embodiment can be explained / applied as follows regarding the transmission of the UL channel / signal.

[0234] As an example, the UE receiving the UL beam indication can operate as follows. The UE can apply / use the combined / determined / selected Tx beam (referring to the combination coefficient) based on: i) the UE Tx beam for the UL RS and ii) the Tx beam corresponding to the Rx beam applied to the DL RS.

[0235] As an example, the base station can generate the receiving beam for the target channel / RS by combining (utilizing the coefficient) the Rx beam corresponding to the UL RS and the Rx beam of the Tx beam corresponding to the DL RS.

[0236] Method 2 is a method for representing / indicating the set A beam through the combination of DL RS and UL RS.

[0237] The method 1 of the present disclosure can be extended to / applied to UL path loss RS (PL-RS) configuration / indication. For example, the base station can use PL-RS to configure / indicate multiple DL RS resources to the UE and configure / indicate the combination coefficients for the corresponding resources.

[0238] Method 3

[0239] The base station indicates to the UE multiple DL RSs as PL-RS to be used for the transmission of the target UL RS / channel and the combination coefficients for the corresponding RSs.

[0240] As an example, the UE that receives the configuration / indication can obtain each path loss value (e.g., path loss estimation) calculated from each PL-RS and the path loss value combined based on the indicated combination coefficients. The UE can use / apply the combined path loss value as the path loss value for UL power control of the target UL RS / channel.

[0241] As an example, the UE can predict / obtain the (channel and) path loss value for the combined RS through multiple PL-RSs and combination coefficients. The UE can use / apply the (channel and) path loss value for the combined RS as the path loss value for UL power control of the target UL RS / channel.

[0242] Although the beam indication according to the above embodiments is described with an emphasis on multiple beam RSs and combination coefficients, the information included in the beam indication is not limited to the corresponding information. The beam indication can include information related to set A / set B.

[0243] As an example, the above beam indication can include other information instead of multiple beam RSs and combination coefficients. Specifically, the beam indication can include the coordinate information of each set A / set B beam on a specific grid / axis (e.g., on a predefined grid / axis).

[0244] In this case, the corresponding coordinate information or corresponding index information can be used to replace the multiple RS and coefficient information in the above method 1 / method 2 / method 3. The beam grid can be composed of a one-dimensional, two-dimensional, or three-dimensional grid. The beam grid can be interpreted / defined as a grid for the beam line-of-sight angle, a grid for the position of each beam pointing, or a grid for the area covered by each beam. The beam grid can be predefined / configured between the UE and the base station.

[0245] Regarding the problems to be solved by the present disclosure, the following embodiments can be considered. Specifically, a method of transmitting the corresponding beam RS can be considered so that the UE can find the Rx / Tx beam for the corresponding beam RS before the beam indication of the base station. In view of this, the following method is proposed.

[0246] Method 4

[0247] The base station selects and indicates to the UE the beam RS to be used for transmission and / or reception of the target RS / channel in set A, but the UE expects to transmit / measure the corresponding beam RS within a predetermined time before the corresponding beam indication. In other words, the beam RS indicated by the base station to the UE can be based on the RS transmitted to the UE within a predetermined time before the time of the beam indication.

[0248] According to method 4, by the UE's measurement performed within a predetermined time before the beam indication, it is ensured that the UE can find the Rx / Tx beam based on the indicated beam RS. Specifically, the beam indication is performed based on set A. The indicated beam RS can be the beam RS received / measured by the UE within a predetermined time before the beam indication. This allows the UE to find the Rx / Tx beam from the indicated beam RS.

[0249] As an example, the "predetermined time" can be predefined as an absolute time (e.g., X milliseconds) or a relative time (e.g., Y time slots).

[0250] As an example, the "predetermined time" can be an absolute / relative time set by the base station for the UE. At this time, the minimum time applicable to each UE can be different, and the UE can report to the base station the minimum time supported by the corresponding UE (as UE capabilities). Additionally, the UE can expect a specific configuration (e.g., repetition = "ON") so that the UE can more accurately find the Rx / Tx beam for the beam RS.

[0251] The above method 4 can also be extended and applied to PL-RS. For example, it can be assumed that the base station aims to change the PL-RS to a specific PL-RS or indicate the corresponding specific PL-RS. The base station can ensure that the UE can measure the specific PL-RS (to be changed) within a predetermined time before the change / indication related to the PL-RS. In other words, the base station can send the specific PL-RS to the UE within a predetermined time before the change / indication related to the PL-RS. In other words, the UE can receive the specific PL-RS from the base station within a predetermined time before the change / indication related to the PL-RS.

[0252] In this case, for more stable path loss calculation, the base station can ensure that the UE can measure the specific PL-RS a predetermined number of times or more within a predetermined time.

[0253] Alternatively, the change / indication related to the PL-RS can be performed only based on the PL-RS measured a predetermined number of times or more (at a predetermined period / interval or a longer period / interval).

[0254] "Predetermined period", "predetermined interval", or "predetermined number of times" can be based on i) predefined values, ii) values set by the base station to the UE, and / or iii) values reported by the UE to the base station (as UE capabilities) (values associated with the reported values).

[0255] Although the proposed techniques of the present disclosure are described by indicating one beam for each target RS / channel, multiple beams can be indicated for the RS / channel that applies DL / UL multi-TRP / panel transmission. In this case, the above-described embodiments can be extended and applied to the method for indicating multiple beams.

[0256] Although the proposed techniques of the present disclosure are described based on NW AI / ML, this does not mean that the techniques of the present disclosure can only be applied to the AI / ML implementation environment of the NW. Instead, the proposed techniques can also be applied to the UE AI / ML implementation environment or non-AI / ML environment. In addition, another UE is applied instead of the base station / NW, and it can also be applied to sidelink communication. In addition, it is mainly assumed that NW AI / ML performs training / inference based on the beam report of the UE, but this is not a limitation, and training / inference can also be performed for the NW AI / ML model through the uplink transmission of the UE and / or the information reported by another UE (e.g., CSI report, RRM report, etc.).

[0257] In terms of implementation, the operations of the base station / UE according to the above-described embodiments (e.g., operations based on at least one of Methods 1 to 4) can be processed by the Figure 7 devices described below (e.g., Figure 7 processors 110 and 210 therein).

[0258] In addition, the operations of the base station / UE according to the above-described embodiments (e.g., operations based on at least one of Methods 1 to 4) can be stored in a memory (e.g., Figure 7 140 and 240 therein) in the form of instructions / programs (e.g., instructions or executable code) for driving at least one processor (e.g., Figure 7 110 and 210 therein).

[0259] Hereinafter, the signaling process based on the above-described embodiments will be specifically described with reference to Figure 4 FIG.

[0260] Figure 4 FIG. shows an example of signaling between a user equipment (UE) and a network (NW) based on the above-proposed methods (e.g., Method 1, Method 2, and Method 3). Here, UE / NW is merely an example, and can be replaced and applied together with various devices such as Figure 7 devices like Figure 4For ease of description only, it does not limit the scope of the present disclosure. Additionally, some steps shown in Figure 4 may be omitted according to the situation and / or configuration. The base station belonging to Figure 4 NW in may correspond to any entity such as a base station (BS), Node B, TRP, etc.

[0261] The UE may report UE capability information to the NW (S405). The UE capability information may include reporting information for UE beam configuration information.

[0262] The UE may receive the configuration related to set B (and set A) from the NW (S410). The configuration may include configuration information related to TCI state, ID information of UE beams, transmission period and time / frequency position information, sequence information, and information about the correlation between RSs (e.g., whether there is QCL), beam angle information, and beam width information.

[0263] After the beam-related configuration (S410), the base station sends the RS belonging to set B to the UE, and the UE may perform measurements on it (S415).

[0264] The UE that performs the beam-related configuration (S410) and measurements (S415) for the set B beams may perform reporting of the corresponding measurement values (S420).

[0265] Based on the UE's reporting information and / or another uplink signal / information, the NW (AI / ML) may perform beam / PL-RS prediction / selection (S425) and perform beam / PL-RS indication for the target channel / RS (S430). In such a beam / PL-RS indication process, the methods proposed above (e.g., Method 1, Method 2, and Method 3) may be utilized / applied.

[0266] As described above, the above NW / UE signaling and operations may be implemented by Figure 7 the apparatuses 100 and 200 in. For example, the NW may correspond to the first apparatus 100, and the UE may correspond to the second apparatus 200, and in some cases, the opposite situation may also be considered.

[0267] For example, the above NW / UE signaling and operations may be processed by Figure 7 at least one of the processors 110 or 210, and the above NW / UE signaling and operations may be stored in the memory Figure 7 in (110 or 210 in) in the form of commands / programs (e.g., instructions, executable code) for driving at least one processor Figure 7 in (140 or 240 in).

[0268] Hereinafter, reference will be made toFigure 5 and Figure 6 The above embodiments are described in detail from the perspectives of the operations of the UE and the base station. The methods to be described below are only distinguished for ease of description, and it goes without saying that some components of any one method can be replaced by some components of another method, or they can be combined and applied to each other.

[0269] Figure 5 is a flowchart for describing a method performed by a UE in a wireless communication system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0270] Referring to Figure 5 , a method performed by a UE in a wireless communication system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes a configuration information receiving step S510, a beam indication receiving step S520, and a physical signal / channel receiving step S530.

[0271] In S510, the UE receives configuration information from the base station. The configuration information can be received through higher layer signaling (e.g., RRC signaling).

[0272] The configuration information may include i) configuration for beam indication related to spatial prediction, and ii) information related to a plurality of reference signals (RSs) for beam indication.

[0273] According to an embodiment, the configuration of the beam indication may include i) information on a plurality of combination coefficients related to a plurality of RSs, or ii) coordinate information of a plurality of RSs within a beam grid. This embodiment may be based on Method 1 or Method 3.

[0274] In S520, the UE receives a beam indication representing one or more of the plurality of RSs from the base station. As an example, the beam indication may be based on downlink control information (DCI) or medium access control (MAC) control element (CE). As an example, the beam indication may be based on DCI for scheduling a physical signal / channel (e.g., PDSCH).

[0275] In S530, the UE receives a physical signal / channel based on the beam indication from the same time resource, frequency resource, and spatial resource. Here, the same time resource, frequency resource, and spatial resource may represent the same time resource, the same frequency resource, and the same spatial resource. As a reference, that is, the operation of S530 is different from the operation of the M-TRP SFN scheme, in which PDCCH / PDSCH is repeatedly received based on a plurality of spatial resources (e.g., beams based on a plurality of TCI states) in the same time and frequency resources. For example, receiving a physical signal / channel in the same spatial resource may mean receiving the physical signal / channel based on the same beam (or spatial domain receiving filter).

[0276] The physical signal / channel may be a Physical Downlink Control Channel (PDCCH), a Physical Downlink Shared Channel (PDSCH), or a Channel State Information Reference Signal (CSI-RS).

[0277] According to an embodiment, the beam indication may include i) information for one or more RSs, and ii) information for one or more combining coefficients associated with the one or more RSs. This embodiment may be based on Method 1.

[0278] The spatial-domain receive filter associated with the spatial resource may be related to the RS determined based on one or more RSs and one or more combining coefficients.

[0279] According to an embodiment, the beam indication may include coordinate information of one or more RSs within the beam grid. This embodiment may be based on Method 3.

[0280] The spatial-domain receive filter associated with the spatial resource may be related to the RS determined based on the coordinate information.

[0281] According to an embodiment, one or more RSs may include i) at least one Downlink RS (DL RS), and ii) at least one Uplink RS (UL RS). This embodiment may be based on Method 2.

[0282] The spatial-domain receive filter associated with the spatial resource may be determined based on i) at least one first spatial-domain receive filter and ii) at least one second spatial-domain receive filter.

[0283] At least one first spatial-domain receive filter may be based on at least one DL RS.

[0284] At least one second spatial-domain receive filter may be related to at least one spatial-domain transmit filter based on at least one UL RS.

[0285] According to an embodiment, the beam indication may include i) information for multiple Downlink RSs (DL RSs) among one or more RSs, and ii) information for coefficients for combining the multiple DL RSs. This embodiment may be based on Method 3. The path loss estimation for uplink power control may be determined based on the multiple DL RSs.

[0286] The path loss estimation for uplink power control may be determined based on multiple path loss estimations or one DL RS. Hereinafter, the path loss estimation will be described in detail.

[0287] As an example, a path loss estimate for uplink power control can be determined based on i) a path loss estimate obtained based on multiple DL RSs and ii) a combination coefficient.

[0288] As an example, a DL RS can be combined / determined based on multiple DL RSs and a combination coefficient. A path loss estimate for uplink power control can be determined / obtained based on a DL RS.

[0289] According to an embodiment, one or more RSs can be based on RSs received by the UE within a predetermined time before the time when the reception beam is indicated. This embodiment can be based on Method 4.

[0290] The method may further include a step of transmitting capability information. In this step, the UE transmits capability information to the base station. The capability information may include i) information on combination coefficients that the UE can support and / or ii) information on beams that the UE can combine based on the combination coefficients. This embodiment can be based on Method 1. The step of transmitting capability information can be performed before S510.

[0291] The operations based on S510 to S530 and the step of transmitting capability information described above can be performed by Figure 7 the apparatus in. For example, the UE 200 can control one or more transceivers 230 and / or one or more memories 240 to perform the operations based on S510 to S530 and the step of transmitting capability information.

[0292] Hereinafter, the above embodiments will be specifically described from the perspective of the operations of the base station.

[0293] S610 to S630 and the step of receiving capability information to be described below correspond to S510 to S530 and the step of transmitting capability information described in Figure 5 . By considering the corresponding relationship, redundant descriptions are omitted. That is, the specific description of the operations of the base station described below can be replaced by the description / embodiment corresponding to the corresponding operations. As an example, Figure 5 the description / embodiment of S510 to S530 and the step of transmitting capability information can be additionally applied to the operations of the base station in S610 to S630 and the step of receiving capability information described below. Figure 5

[0294] Figure 6 is a flowchart for describing a method performed by a base station according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0295] Referring to Figure 6 ​, A method performed by a base station in a wireless communication system according to another embodiment of the present disclosure includes a configuration information sending step S610, a beam indication sending step S620, and a physical signal / channel sending step S630.

[0296] In S610, the base station sends configuration information to the UE.

[0297] In S620, the base station sends a beam indication representing one or more of the plurality of RSs to the UE.

[0298] In S630, the base station sends a physical signal / channel to the UE based on the beam indication in the same time resource, frequency resource, and space resource.

[0299] The method may further include a capability information receiving step. In this step, the base station receives capability information from the UE. The capability information receiving step may be performed before S610.

[0300] The operations based on S610 to S630 and the capability information receiving step described above may be implemented by Figure 7 the apparatus in. For example, the base station 100 may control one or more transceivers 130 and / or one or more memories 140 to perform the operations based on S610 to S630 and the capability information receiving step.

[0301] The embodiments in Methods 1 to 4 are described by assuming the case of applying them to the signaling of DL channels / signals Figure 5 and Figure 6 , but the embodiments in Methods 1 to 4 described above may also be applied to UL channels / signals. In this case, the physical channel / signal may be a physical uplink control channel (PUCCH), a physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH), or a sounding reference signal. The space resource may be related to a spatial domain receiving filter. The UE may send a physical channel / signal to the base station based on a spatial domain transmission filter. In other words, the base station may receive a physical channel / signal sent based on a spatial domain transmission filter from the UE.

[0302] Next, with reference to Figure 7 the apparatus to which the embodiments of the present disclosure are applicable (the apparatus for implementing the method / operation according to the embodiments of the present disclosure) will be described.

[0303] Figure 7 The configurations of a first apparatus and a second apparatus according to embodiments of the present disclosure are illustrated.

[0304] The first apparatus 100 may include a processor 110, an antenna unit 120, a transceiver 130, and a memory 140.

[0305] The processor 110 may perform signal processing related to the baseband and includes a high-layer processing unit 111 and a physical-layer processing unit 115. The high-layer processing unit 111 may process operations of the MAC layer, RRC layer, or higher layers. The physical-layer processing unit 115 may process operations of the PHY layer. For example, if the first device 100 is a base station (BS) device in BS-UE communication, the physical-layer processing unit 115 may perform uplink received signal processing, downlink transmitted signal processing, and the like. For example, if the first device 100 is the first UE device in UE-to-UE communication, the physical-layer processing unit 115 may perform downlink received signal processing, uplink transmitted signal processing, sidelink transmitted signal processing, and the like. In addition to performing signal processing related to the baseband, the processor 110 may also control the overall operation of the first device 100.

[0306] The antenna unit 120 may include one or more physical antennas and support MIMO transmission / reception if the antenna unit 120 includes multiple antennas. The transceiver 130 may include a radio frequency (RF) transmitter and an RF receiver. The memory 140 may store information processed by the processor 110 and software, an operating system, and applications related to the operation of the first device 100. The memory 140 may also include components such as buffers.

[0307] In the embodiments described in the present disclosure, the processor 110 of the first device 100 may be configured to implement the operations of the BS in BS-UE communication (or the operations of the first UE device in UE-to-UE communication).

[0308] The second device 200 may include a processor 210, an antenna unit 220, a transceiver 230, and a memory 240.

[0309] The processor 210 may perform signal processing related to the baseband and includes a high-layer processing unit 211 and a physical-layer processing unit 215. The high-layer processing unit 211 may process operations of the MAC layer, RRC layer, or higher layers. The physical-layer processing unit 215 may process operations of the PHY layer. For example, if the second device 200 is a UE device in BS-UE communication, the physical-layer processing unit 215 may perform downlink received signal processing, uplink transmitted signal processing, and the like. For example, if the second device 200 is the second UE device in UE-to-UE communication, the physical-layer processing unit 215 may perform downlink received signal processing, uplink transmitted signal processing, sidelink received signal processing, and the like. In addition to performing signal processing related to the baseband, the processor 210 may also control the overall operation of the second device 210.

[0310] The antenna unit 220 may include one or more physical antennas, and if the antenna unit 220 includes multiple antennas, it supports MIMO transmission / reception. The transceiver 230 may include an RF transmitter and an RF receiver. The memory 240 may store information processed by the processor 210, as well as software, an operating system, and applications related to the operation of the second device 200. The memory 240 may also include components such as buffers.

[0311] In the embodiments described in this disclosure, the processor 210 of the second device 200 may be configured to implement the operation of the UE in BS-UE communication (or the operation of the second UE device in UE-to-UE communication).

[0312] The descriptions of the BS and UE in BS-UE communication (or the first UE device and the second UE device in UE-to-UE communication) in the examples of this disclosure can be equivalently applied to the operations of the first device 100 and the second device 200, and redundant descriptions are omitted.

[0313] In addition to LTE, NR, and 6G, the wireless communication technologies implemented in the devices 100 and 200 according to this disclosure may also include NarrowBand Internet of Things (NB-IoT) for low-power communication. For example, the NB-IoT technology may be an example of a Low-Power Wide-Area Network (LPWAN) technology and may be implemented in standards such as LTE Cat NB1 and / or LTE Cat NB2. The NB-IoT technology is not limited to the above names.

[0314] Additionally or alternatively, the wireless communication technologies implemented in the devices 100 and 200 according to this disclosure may perform communication based on LTE-M technology. For example, the LTE-M technology may be an example of an LPWAN technology and may be referred to by various names such as Enhanced Machine-Type Communication (eMTC). For example, the LTE-M technology may be implemented using at least one of various standards such as 1) LTE CAT0, 2) LTE Cat M1, 3) LTE Cat M2, 4) LTE non-BL (non-bandwidth-limited), 5) LTE-MTC, 6) LTE Machine-Type Communication, and / or 7) LTE M. The LTE-M technology is not limited to the above names.

[0315] Additionally or alternatively, considering low-power communication, the wireless communication technologies implemented in the devices 100 and 200 according to this disclosure may include at least one of ZigBee, Bluetooth, and Low-Power Wide-Area Network (LPWAN), and are not limited to the above names. For example, the ZigBee technology may create a Personal Area Network (PAN) related to small / low-power digital communication based on various standards such as IEEE 802.15.4 and may be referred to by various names.

Claims

1. A method performed by a user equipment UE in a wireless communication system, the method comprising the steps of: receiving configuration information, wherein the configuration information includes i) configuration for beam indication related to spatial prediction, and ii) information related to a plurality of reference signals RS for the beam indication; receiving a beam indication representing one or more of the plurality of RS; and receiving a physical signal / channel in the same time resource, frequency resource, and spatial resource based on the beam indication.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein, the beam indication includes i) information for the one or more RS, and ii) information for one or more combination coefficients related to the one or more RS, and wherein a spatial domain reception filter related to the spatial resource is related to an RS determined based on the one or more RS and the one or more combination coefficients.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein, the beam indication includes coordinate information of the one or more RS within a beam grid, and wherein a spatial domain reception filter related to the spatial resource is related to an RS determined based on the coordinate information.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein, the one or more RS include i) at least one downlink RSDL RS, and ii) at least one uplink RS UL RS, wherein a spatial domain reception filter related to the spatial resource is determined based on i) at least one first spatial domain reception filter and ii) at least one second spatial domain reception filter, wherein the at least one first spatial domain reception filter is based on the at least one DL RS, and wherein the at least one second spatial domain reception filter is related to at least one spatial domain transmission filter based on the at least one UL RS.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein, the beam indication includes i) information for a plurality of downlink RSDL RS among the one or more RS, and ii) information for combination coefficients related to the plurality of DL RS, and wherein a path loss estimation for uplink power control is determined based on the plurality of DL RS.

6. The method according to claim 5, wherein, the path loss estimation for the uplink power control is determined based on i) a path loss estimation obtained based on the plurality of DL RS and ii) the combination coefficients.

7. The method according to claim 5, wherein, one DL RS is determined based on the plurality of DL RS and the combination coefficients, and wherein the path loss estimation for the uplink power control is obtained based on the one DL RS.

8. The method according to claim 1, wherein, the one or more RS are based on RS received by the UE within a predetermined time before the time of receiving the beam indication.

9. The method according to claim 1, wherein, The configuration for the beam indication includes i) information on a plurality of combination coefficients associated with the plurality of RSs, or ii) coordinate information of the plurality of RSs within a beam grid.

10. The method according to claim 1, the method further comprises the steps of: transmitting capability information, wherein the capability information includes i) information on combination coefficients that the UE can support and / or ii) information on beams that the UE can combine based on the combination coefficients.

11. A user equipment UE operating in a wireless communication system, the UE comprises: one or more transceivers; one or more processors; and one or more memories, the one or more memories being operatively connected to the one or more processors and storing instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, configure the one or more processors to perform operations, wherein the operations include: receiving configuration information, wherein the configuration information includes i) a configuration for beam indication related to spatial prediction, and ii) information related to a plurality of reference signals RSs for the beam indication, receiving a beam indication representing one or more of the plurality of RSs, and receiving a physical signal / channel in the same time resource, frequency resource, and spatial resource based on the beam indication.

12. A device, the device comprises: one or more memories, and one or more processors functionally connected to the one or more memories, wherein the one or more memories include instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, configure the one or more processors to perform operations, wherein the operations include: receiving configuration information, wherein the configuration information includes i) a configuration for beam indication related to spatial prediction, and ii) information related to a plurality of reference signals RSs for the beam indication, receiving a beam indication representing one or more of the plurality of RSs, and receiving a physical signal / channel in the same time resource, frequency resource, and spatial resource based on the beam indication.

13. One or more non-transitory computer-readable media storing one or more instructions, wherein the one or more instructions executable by one or more processors configure the one or more processors to perform operations, and wherein the operations include: receiving configuration information, wherein the configuration information includes i) a configuration for beam indication related to spatial prediction, and ii) information related to a plurality of reference signals RSs for the beam indication, receiving a beam indication representing one or more of the plurality of RSs, and receiving a physical signal / channel in the same time resource, frequency resource, and spatial resource based on the beam indication.

14. A method performed by a base station in a wireless communication system, the method comprises the steps of: Transmit configuration information, where the configuration information includes i) configuration for beam indication related to spatial prediction, and ii) information related to a plurality of reference signals RS for the beam indication; Transmit a beam indication representing one or more of the plurality of RS; and Transmit a physical signal / channel in the same time resource, frequency resource, and spatial resource based on the beam indication.

15. A base station operating in a wireless communication system, the base station comprising: One or more transceivers; One or more processors; and One or more memories that are operably connected to the one or more processors and store instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, configure the one or more processors to perform operations, where the operations include: Transmit configuration information, where the configuration information includes i) configuration for beam indication related to spatial prediction, and ii) information related to a plurality of reference signals RS for the beam indication; Transmit a beam indication representing one or more of the plurality of RS; and Transmit a physical signal / channel in the same time resource, frequency resource, and spatial resource based on the beam indication.

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