User equipment initiated beam reporting

Abstract

The invention relates to user equipment initiated beam reporting. According to one aspect, a user equipment may obtain, from a network node, two different resource sets of uplink signals for an uplink procedure and a user equipment initiated beam reporting procedure. A user equipment may measure a beam to determine an optimal beam. A user equipment may identify a concurrent demand for performing an uplink process transmission and a user equipment initiated beam reporting transmission, wherein the identifying includes determining whether at least one condition for triggering the user equipment initiated beam reporting transmission is satisfied. The user equipment may transmit uplink signals based at least in part on the best beam, the identified demand, and two different sets of resources.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present disclosure relates generally to wireless communications, and more particularly, but not exclusively, to user equipment initiated beam reporting. BACKGROUND

[0002] A network can configure a user equipment (UE) with a set of reference signals for layer 1 reference signal received power (L1-RSRP) measurements. The set of reference signals can include synchronization signal blocks (SSBs) and / or channel state information reference signals (CSI-RSs). From there, the UE is to report the N best reference signals in terms of RSRP values using a periodic, semi-persistent, or aperiodic reporting configured by the network.

[0003] The medium access control (MAC) does not prioritize any random access channel (RACH) procedure, and whether to drop a current random access procedure if a new random access procedure is triggered depends on UE implementation. For UE uplink transmission, there can be a conflict in priority between a UE initiated reporting (RACH for requesting uplink resources) and a RACH transmission for a contention free random access (CFRA) procedure on the same slot / symbol. SUMMARY

[0004] The scope of protection sought and given to the various example embodiments of the application is defined by the appended claims. The example embodiments and features that are not claimed in the independent claims are to be interpreted as examples useful in understanding the example embodiments of the present application.

[0005] According to a first aspect, a user equipment is provided. The user equipment comprises at least one processor and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the user equipment at least to: obtain, from a network node, two different sets of resources for uplink signals of an uplink procedure and a user equipment initiated beam reporting procedure; measure beams to determine a best beam; identify a concurrent need to perform an uplink procedure transmission and a user equipment initiated beam reporting transmission, wherein the identifying comprises: determining whether at least one condition for triggering the user equipment initiated beam reporting transmission is satisfied; and transmit, based at least in part on the best beam, the identified need, and the two different sets of resources, the uplink signals.

[0006] In example embodiments of the first aspect, the two different sets of resources comprise: a first set of resources configured only for the uplink procedure, and a second set of resources configured for both the uplink procedure and the user equipment initiated beam reporting procedure.

[0007] In example embodiments of the first aspect, in response to identifying a concurrent need to perform the uplink procedure transmission and the user equipment initiated beam report transmission, the user equipment is configured to: transmit the uplink signal using a first set of resources configured only for the uplink procedure.

[0008] In example embodiments of the first aspect, the at least one memory stores instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the user equipment to at least: determine, among resources associated with downlink reference signal beams, a resource associated with an earliest random access channel occasion; and when the resource associated with the earliest random access channel occasion is associated with the best beam, transmit the uplink signal using a first set of resources configured only for the uplink procedure.

[0009] In example embodiments of the first aspect, the at least one memory stores instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the user equipment to at least: identify that a beam used to transmit the uplink signal for the uplink procedure is the same as the best beam to be reported in the user equipment initiated beam report; and omit reporting of the user equipment initiated beam report or transmit only the uplink signal.

[0010] In example embodiments of the first aspect, in response to identifying a concurrent need to perform the uplink procedure transmission and the user equipment initiated beam report transmission, the user equipment is configured to: transmit the uplink signal using a second set of resources configured for both the uplink procedure and the user equipment initiated beam report procedure.

[0011] In example embodiments of the first aspect, the at least one memory stores instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the user equipment to at least: determine, among resources associated with downlink reference signal beams, a resource associated with an earliest random access channel occasion; and when the resource associated with the earliest random access channel occasion is not associated with the best beam, transmit the uplink signal using a second set of resources configured for both the uplink procedure and the user equipment initiated beam report procedure.

[0012] In example embodiments of the first aspect, the at least one memory stores instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the user equipment to at least: identify that a beam used to transmit the uplink signal for the uplink procedure is different from the best beam to be reported in the user equipment initiated beam report; and transmit the user equipment initiated beam report using the second set of resources.

[0013] In example embodiments of the first aspect, the at least one memory stores instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the user equipment to at least: receive, from the network node, a transmission configuration indicator, wherein the transmission configuration indicator indicates the second beam; and apply the second beam in a subsequent transmission and / or reception operation.

[0014] In example embodiments of the first aspect, the second beam has a higher signal metric than a signal metric of the first beam.

[0015] In example embodiments of the first aspect, the signal metric comprises a layer 1 or layer 3 reference signal received power value.

[0016] In example embodiments of the first aspect, the signal metric comprises a layer 1 or layer 3 signal-to-interference-and-noise ratio value.

[0017] In example embodiments of the first aspect, the best beam is a beam having a highest signal metric, wherein the signal metric comprises: a layer 1 or layer 3 reference signal received power value; or a layer 1 or layer 3 signal-to-interference-and-noise ratio value.

[0018] In example embodiments of the first aspect, the uplink procedure comprises: a non-contention random access procedure.

[0019] In example embodiments of the first aspect, the uplink procedure comprises: a contention-based random access procedure.

[0020] In example embodiments of the first aspect, the at least two different resource sets can comprise different preambles.

[0021] According to a second aspect, a method is provided. The method comprises: obtaining, from a network node, two different resource sets for an uplink procedure and a user equipment initiated beam reporting procedure; measuring beams to determine a best beam; identifying a concurrent need to perform an uplink procedure transmission and a user equipment initiated beam reporting transmission, wherein the identifying comprises: determining whether at least one condition for triggering the user equipment initiated beam reporting transmission is satisfied; and transmitting, based at least in part on the best beam, the identified need, and the two different resource sets, an uplink signal.

[0022] In example embodiments of the second aspect, the two different resource sets comprise: a first resource set configured only for the uplink procedure, and a second resource set configured for both the uplink procedure and the user equipment initiated beam reporting procedure.

[0023] In example embodiments of the second aspect, the uplink signal is transmitted using the first resource set in response to identifying the concurrent need to perform the uplink procedure transmission and the user equipment initiated beam reporting transmission.

[0024] In example embodiments of the second aspect, the method further comprises: determining, among resources associated with the downlink reference signal beams, a resource associated with an earliest random access channel occasion; and when the resource associated with the earliest random access channel occasion is associated with the best beam, transmitting the uplink signal using the first set of resources configured only for the uplink procedure.

[0025] In example embodiments of the second aspect, the method further comprises: identifying that the beam used to transmit the uplink signal of the uplink procedure is the same as the best beam to be reported in the user equipment initiated beam report; and omitting reporting of the user equipment initiated beam report or transmitting only the uplink signal.

[0026] In example embodiments of the second aspect, in response to identifying a concurrent need to perform the uplink procedure transmission and the user equipment initiated beam report transmission, transmitting the uplink signal using the second set of resources configured for both the uplink procedure and the user equipment initiated beam report procedure.

[0027] In example embodiments of the second aspect, the method further comprises: determining, among resources associated with the downlink reference signal beams, a resource associated with an earliest random access channel occasion; and when the resource associated with the earliest random access channel occasion is not associated with the best beam, transmitting the uplink signal using the second set of resources configured for both the uplink procedure and the user equipment initiated beam report procedure.

[0028] In example embodiments of the second aspect, the method further comprises: identifying that the beam used to transmit the uplink signal of the uplink procedure is different from the best beam to be reported in the user equipment initiated beam report; and transmitting the user equipment initiated beam report using the second set of resources.

[0029] In example embodiments of the second aspect, the method further comprises: receiving a transmission configuration indicator from the network node, wherein the transmission configuration indicator indicates the second beam; and applying the second beam in subsequent transmission and / or reception operations.

[0030] In example embodiments of the second aspect, the second beam has a higher signal metric than a signal metric of the first beam.

[0031] In example embodiments of the second aspect, the signal metric comprises a layer 1 or layer 3 reference signal received power value.

[0032] In example embodiments of the second aspect, the signal metric comprises a layer 1 or layer 3 signal to interference noise ratio value.

[0033] In an example embodiment of the first aspect, the best beam is the beam with the highest signal metric, wherein the signal metric comprises: a layer 1 or layer 3 reference signal received power value; or a layer 1 or layer 3 signal-to-interference-plus-noise ratio value.

[0034] In an example embodiment of the second aspect, the uplink procedure comprises: a non-contention random access procedure.

[0035] In an example embodiment of the second aspect, the uplink procedure comprises: a contention-based random access procedure.

[0036] In an example embodiment of the second aspect, the at least two different sets of resources can comprise different preambles.

[0037] According to a third aspect, there is provided a computer program comprising instructions for causing an apparatus to perform the method of the second aspect.

[0038] According to a fourth aspect, there is provided a non-transitory computer readable medium comprising a computer program comprising instructions for causing an apparatus to perform the method of the second aspect.

[0039] According to a fifth aspect, there is provided a user equipment comprising: means for obtaining, from a network node, two different sets of resources for an uplink procedure and an uplink signal of a user equipment initiated beam reporting procedure; means for measuring beams to determine a best beam; means for identifying a need for concurrent performance of the uplink procedure transmission and the user equipment initiated beam reporting transmission, wherein the identifying comprises: determining whether at least one condition for triggering the user equipment initiated beam reporting transmission is satisfied; and means for transmitting the uplink signal based at least in part on the best beam, the identified need, and the two different sets of resources. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0040] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate implementations and together with the description help explain the principles of the implementations. In the drawings:

[0041] Figure 1 illustrates a signaling diagram between a network and a user equipment;

[0042] Figure 2A illustrates a block diagram of a user equipment according to an example embodiment;

[0043] Figure 2B illustrates a block diagram of a network node according to an example embodiment;

[0044] Figure 3 illustrates a signaling diagram between a transmission reception point and a user equipment according to an example embodiment;

[0045] Figure 4 a signaling diagram between a user equipment and a transmission reception point comprising three different beams is illustrated according to an example embodiment;

[0046] Figure 5 a signaling diagram between a user equipment and a transmission reception point comprising three different beams is illustrated according to an example embodiment;

[0047] Figure 6A a method according to an example embodiment is illustrated;

[0048] Figure 6B a method according to an example embodiment is illustrated;

[0049] Figure 6C a method according to an example embodiment is illustrated;

[0050] Figure 7A a method according to an example embodiment is illustrated; and

[0051] Figure 7B a method according to an example embodiment is illustrated.

[0052] In the drawings, like reference numerals are used to refer to like parts throughout the various illustrations. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0053] Reference will now be made in detail embodiments, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. The detailed description provided in connection with the appended drawings is intended as a description of the present examples and is not intended to represent the only forms in which the present example can be constructed or used. The description sets forth the functions of the examples and the sequence of steps for constructing and operating the examples. However, the same or equivalent functions and sequences can be accomplished by different examples.

[0054] Figure 1 a signaling diagram between a network and a user equipment (UE) is illustrated.

[0055] At 102, the network can configure a random access channel (RACH) resource for the UE 200. The RACH resource can be, for example, a contention free random access (CFRA) resource. In a CFRA procedure, the network configures a dedicated resource and / or a dedicated preamble for the UE, which identifies the UE to the network in a pool of UEs.

[0056] At 104, the network can configure resources for a user equipment initiated beam report (UEIBR) for the UE. The UEIBR can include information about one or more beams projected by a TRP, which the UE determines as a ‘preferred beam’, i.e., a beam comprising the best performance parameters, such as channel state information (CSI) parameters.

[0057] At point 106, UE 200 may experience a beam failure. At point 108, during uplink transmissions, there may be a priority conflict between a UE-initiated report (RACH for requesting uplink resources) and a RACH transmission used for the CFRA procedure on the same time slot / symbol.

[0058] For example, the various example embodiments discussed herein can be established in conjunction with the standard protocols proposed in TS 38.211, TS 38.212, TS 38.214, TS 38.321, and TS 38.331. In other words, more information on how to implement the various example embodiments can be obtained by referring to TS 38.211, TS 38.212, TS 38.214, TS 38.321, and TS 38.331.

[0059] Various example embodiments will be discussed below. At least some of these example embodiments described herein may disclose a solution in which the UE can be configured to acquire at least one resource set and identify concurrent requirements for performing uplink procedure transmissions and UE-initiated beam report transmissions. Furthermore, the UE can be configured to transmit uplink signaling at least in part based on the identified requirements and at least one resource set. For example, the uplink signaling may include a RACH preamble for initiating a RACH procedure, or alternatively, the uplink signaling may include a RACH preamble for instructing the network that the UE requests uplink resources for transmitting a UEIBR, wherein the UEIBR may include information that the network may need to identify one or more beams more suitable for the UE than the current beam. It will also be noted that the UEIBR may also include UE-initiated and / or event-driven beam management reports.

[0060] At least one resource set may include resources for transmitting the UEIBR (e.g., time and frequency information) and transmitting uplink signals. In some embodiments, at least one resource set may be used only for uplink signals. The UE may determine whether to transmit the UEIBR (based on need), and whether to transmit only uplink signals, or to transmit the UEIBR at a later uplink timing, for example. Figure 3 , Figure 4 ,as well as Figure 5 The illustrations show various examples of how to send a UEIBR.

[0061] Furthermore, various example embodiments can disclose a solution in which a UE can be configured to: obtain, from a network node, two different sets of resources for an uplink signal of an uplink procedure and a user equipment initiated beam reporting procedure; identify a concurrent need to perform an uplink procedure transmission and request uplink resources for a user equipment initiated beam reporting transmission; and transmit the uplink signal based at least in part on the identified need and the two different sets of resources.

[0062] Furthermore, various example embodiments can disclose a solution in which a UE can be configured to: obtain, from a network node, two different sets of resources for an uplink signal of an uplink procedure and a user equipment initiated beam reporting procedure; measure beams to determine a best beam; identify a concurrent need to perform an uplink procedure transmission and a user equipment initiated beam reporting transmission, wherein the identifying comprises determining whether at least one condition for triggering the user equipment initiated beam reporting transmission is satisfied; and transmit the uplink signal based at least in part on the best beam, the identified need, and the two different sets of resources.

[0063] Figure 2A is a block diagram of a user equipment (UE) 200 according to example embodiments. The UE 200 can comprise, for example, a mobile phone, a smartphone, a device, a tablet, a smartwatch, a handheld device, a portable device, or a wearable device.

[0064] The UE 200 can comprise one or more processors 202 and one or more memories 204 including computer program code. The UE 200 can further comprise other elements not shown in FIG. 2, such as a transceiver 206 configured to enable the UE 200 to transmit information to and / or receive information from other devices, and Figure 2A The UE 200 can use the transceiver 206 to transmit or receive signaling information and data according to at least one cellular communication protocol, in one example. The transceiver 206 can be configured to provide at least one wireless radio connection, such as, for example, a 3GPP mobile broadband connection (e.g., 5G or 6G). The transceiver 206 can include or be configured to couple to at least one antenna to transmit and / or receive radio frequency signals.

[0065] Although the UE 200 is depicted as including only one processor 202, the UE 200 can include more than one processor. In one embodiment, the memory 204 is capable of storing instructions, such as an operating system and / or various applications. Furthermore, the memory 204 can include storage such as, for example, that which can be used to store at least some of the information and data used in the disclosed embodiments.

[0066] Further, the processor 202 is capable of executing stored instructions. In one embodiment, the processor 202 can be embodied as a multi-core processor, a single core processor, or a combination of one or more multi-core processors and one or more single core processors. For example, the processor 202 can be embodied as one or more of a variety of processing devices such as a coprocessor, a microprocessor, a controller, a digital signal processor (DSP), processing circuitry with or without an accompanying DSP, or various other processing devices including an integrated circuit such as, for example, an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field programmable gate array (FPGA), a microcontroller unit (MCU), a hardware accelerator, a special-purpose computer chip, a neural network (NN) chip, an artificial intelligence (AI) accelerator, a tensor processing unit (TPU), a neural processing unit (NPU), and the like. In one embodiment, the processor 202 can be configured to perform a hard-coded function. In one embodiment, the processor 202 is embodied as an executor of software instructions, where the instructions can specifically configure the processor 202 to perform the algorithms and / or operations described herein when the instructions are executed.

[0067] The memory 204 can be embodied as one or more volatile memory devices, one or more non-volatile memory devices, and / or a combination of one or more volatile memory devices and non-volatile memory devices. For example, the memory 204 can be embodied as a semiconductor memory device such as a mask ROM, a PROM (programmable ROM), an EPROM (erasable PROM), a flash ROM, a RAM (random access memory), and the like.

[0068] The UE 200 can comprise any of various types of devices that are used directly by an end user entity and are capable of communicating in a wireless network, such as a user equipment (UE). Such devices include, but are not limited to, a smartphone, a tablet computer, a smartwatch, a notebook computer, an Internet of Things (IoT) device, a large-scale machine-to-machine (M2M) device, a massive machine type communications (mMTC) device, an Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) device, an enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB) device, an ultra-reliable low-latency communications (URLLC) device, a relay node configured to facilitate backhaul connections such as an integrated access and backhaul node, and / or a device installed on a vehicle, among others.

[0069] The instructions stored in the at least one memory 204, when executed by the at least one processor 202, can cause the UE 200 to at least obtain at least one set of resources from a network node. For example, the at least one set of resources can be associated with a user equipment initiated beam reporting procedure.

[0070] The user equipment initiated beam reporting procedure can comprise a procedure comprising communications between the network node and the UE 200 that causes the network node to switch beams through which future physical downlink control channel (PDCCH), physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH), physical uplink control channel (PUCCH), and / or physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH) communications are performed.

[0071] Alternatively or additionally, the instructions stored in the at least one memory 204 can cause the UE 200 to obtain, from the network node, at least two different sets of resources for an uplink procedure and an uplink resource request of the user equipment initiated beam reporting procedure.

[0072] In an example embodiment, the instructions stored in the at least one memory 204, when executed by the at least one processor 202, can cause the UE 200 to measure beams to determine a best beam. In other words, the UE 200 can measure beams from, for example, synchronization signal blocks (SSBs) obtained for the network node. The SSBs can include CSI parameters through which a best beam can be determined. The best beam can be a beam with a highest signal metric. For example, the signal metric can include a layer 1 or layer 3 reference signal received power value, or a layer 1 or layer 3 signal to interference and noise ratio value.

[0073] Further, the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor 202, can also cause the UE 200 to identify a concurrent need to perform the uplink procedure transmission and the user equipment initiated beam reporting transmission.

[0074] In another example, the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor 202, can also cause the UE 200 to identify a concurrent need to perform the uplink procedure transmission and request uplink resources for the user equipment initiated beam reporting transmission.

[0075] For example, the concurrent need to perform the uplink procedure transmission and the user equipment initiated beam reporting transmission can include comparing performance parameters (such as CSI parameters) of a set of beams projected by the network node and identifying a best beam of the beams. In some embodiments, for example, the concurrent need to perform the uplink procedure transmission and the user equipment initiated beam reporting transmission can include comparing a set of beams projected by the network node to a beam on which current and / or previous communications are performed (e.g., comparing performance parameters of the set of beams to a beam with which the UE 200 has established an RRC connection).

[0076] In other words, the UE 200 can determine that the currently established beam is not suitable for further communication. This can be due to e.g. a repositioning of the UE 200, or an increase in traffic of network nodes in the vicinity of the UE 200.

[0077] In one example embodiment, the instructions stored in the at least one memory 204, when executed by the at least one processor 202, can cause the UE 200 to: identify a need for performing concurrent uplink procedure transmission and user equipment initiated beam reporting transmission, wherein the identifying comprises determining whether at least one condition for triggering the user equipment initiated beam reporting transmission is fulfilled. For example, the at least one condition can comprise a condition that the best beam is x dB better than the current beam.

[0078] Further, the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor 202, can cause the UE 200 to: transmit the uplink signal based at least in part on the identified need and the two different resource sets.

[0079] Alternatively or in addition, in an example embodiment, the instructions stored in the at least one memory 204, when executed by the at least one processor 202, can cause the UE 200 to: transmit the uplink signal based at least in part on the best beam, the identified need, and the two different resource sets.

[0080] For example, the uplink signal can comprise a UE IBR report and / or an uplink signal, respectively. For example, transmitting the uplink signal can comprise transmitting two uplink signals, one uplink signal for initiating a communication procedure according to e.g. a technical specification such as RACH, and the other uplink signal comprising a UE IBR which can indicate to the network node that the UE 200 will prioritize a beam switch operation. Alternatively, transmitting the uplink signal can comprise transmitting one uplink signal to initiate a communication procedure (e.g. RACH). In other words, transmitting the uplink signal can comprise transmitting either the uplink signal only, or both the uplink signal and the user equipment initiated beam report.

[0081] Alternatively or in addition, the two different resource sets can comprise a first resource set configured for both the uplink procedure and the user equipment initiated beam reporting procedure, and a second resource set configured for the uplink procedure only.

[0082] In embodiments, the at least one resource set can comprise one resource set, and the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor 202, can further cause the UE 200 to at least: obtain, from the network node, an indication that indicates whether the resource set is for transmitting only uplink signals or for transmitting both uplink signals and user equipment initiated beam reports. For example, based on the indication, the network can determine whether UE IBR is expected.

[0083] In embodiments, transmitting the uplink signals comprises transmitting only the uplink signals or both the uplink signals and the user equipment initiated beam reports.

[0084] In embodiments, the two different resource sets comprise a first resource set configured only for the uplink procedure and a second resource set configured for both the uplink procedure and the user equipment initiated beam report procedure.

[0085] In embodiments, in response to identifying a concurrent need to perform the uplink procedure transmission and to request uplink resources for the user equipment initiated beam report transmission, the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor 202, can further cause the UE 200 to at least: transmit the uplink signals using the second resource set.

[0086] In embodiments, the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor 202, can further cause the UE 200 to at least: in response to transmitting the uplink signals using the second resource set, receive, from the network node, uplink resources for the user equipment initiated beam report transmission; and transmit the user equipment initiated beam report using the uplink resources. In other words, transmitting the uplink signals using the second resource set can trigger the network node to allocate resources for the UE IBR report and transmit the uplink resources to the UE IBR, e.g., using a Msg2 or a downlink control information, DCI, message.

[0087] In embodiments, the first resource set comprises a first set of uplink preambles and / or occasions configured only for the uplink procedure, and the second resource set comprises a second set of uplink preambles and / or occasions configured for both the uplink procedure and the user equipment initiated beam report procedure.

[0088] In some embodiments, the at least one resource set can comprise at least an uplink preamble and / or occasion set. The at least one resource set can comprise both of the two different resource sets described earlier, or only one of the two different resource sets. If the at least one resource set is used only for an uplink procedure (e.g., RACH), the at least one resource set can comprise a preamble resource ID, a RACH occasion, or both. The preamble resource ID and / or RACH occasion can be used for a CFRA procedure. If the at least one resource set is used both for an uplink procedure and for transmitting a UE IBR, the at least one resource set can comprise a preamble resource ID, a RACH occasion, or both (for CFRA), and the at least one resource set can further comprise: an uplink resource for transmitting the UE IBR.

[0089] In some embodiments, the at least one resource set can comprise two different resource sets, wherein the two different resource sets comprise: a first resource set configured for both an uplink procedure and a user equipment initiated beam reporting procedure, and a second resource set configured only for an uplink procedure. In other words, two different resource sets can be obtained from the network node, and one resource set is configured only for an uplink procedure, and the other resource set is configured for both an uplink procedure and transmitting a UE IBR.

[0090] In some embodiments, in response to identifying a concurrent need to perform an uplink procedure transmission and a user equipment initiated beam reporting transmission, the user equipment is configured to transmit the uplink signal using the first resource set.

[0091] In some embodiments, in response to identifying a concurrent need to perform an uplink procedure transmission and a user equipment initiated beam reporting transmission, the user equipment can be configured to transmit the uplink signal using the first uplink preamble and / or occasion set. In other words, the first uplink preamble and / or occasion set is used to indicate to the network node that no UE IBR needs to be transmitted.

[0092] In an example embodiment, the at least one memory 204 stores instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor 202, can cause the UE 200 to identify that a beam used for transmitting an uplink signal for an uplink procedure is the same as a beam to be reported in a user equipment initiated beam report, and to omit reporting of the user equipment initiated beam report or to transmit only the uplink signal. In other words, the UE 200 can have identified that the beam used to establish the RRC connection is the best beam, or is a beam that satisfies certain performance conditions (i.e., the beam is ‘good enough’), and thus the communication can proceed on that beam and thus no UE IBR needs to be transmitted.

[0093] Alternatively or additionally, the instructions stored in the at least one memory 204, when executed by the at least one processor 202, can cause the UE 200 to: determine, in the resources associated with the downlink reference signal beams, a resource associated with an earliest random access channel occasion; and transmit the uplink signal using the first set of resources configured only for the uplink procedure when the resource associated with the earliest random access channel occasion is associated with the best beam.

[0094] Alternatively or additionally, the instructions stored in the at least one memory 204, when executed by the at least one processor 202, can cause the UE 200 to: identify that the beam used to transmit the uplink signal for the uplink procedure is the same as the best beam to be reported in the user equipment initiated beam report; and omit reporting of the user equipment initiated beam report.

[0095] In some embodiments, in response to identifying a concurrent need to perform the uplink procedure transmission and the user equipment initiated beam report transmission, the user equipment can be configured to transmit the uplink signal using the second set of resources configured for both the uplink procedure and the user equipment initiated beam report procedure. For example, when the UE 200 has acquired both sets of resources (according to the embodiment(s) described above), the UE 200 can use the second set of resources to transmit the UEIBR and the uplink transmission.

[0096] In example embodiments, the at least one memory 204 stores instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor 202, can cause the UE 200 to: identify that a first beam used to transmit the uplink signal for the uplink procedure is different from a second beam to be reported in the user equipment initiated beam report; and transmit the user equipment initiated beam report using the second set of resources. In other words, the uplink transmission can be performed on the first beam, but upon receiving the UEIBR, the network node can determine to initiate a beam switch operation based on the UEIBR to perform, for example, upcoming PDCCH / PDSCH and / or PUCCH / PUSCH operations on the second beam.

[0097] Alternatively or additionally to the embodiments described above, the at least one memory 204 can store instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor 202, can cause the UE 200 to: identify that a first beam to be used to transmit the uplink signal is different from a second beam to be reported in the user equipment initiated beam report; and transmit the uplink signal using the second set of resources.

[0098] As an alternative or in addition to the two embodiments described above, the at least one memory 204 can store instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor 202, can cause the UE 200 to determine, in the resources associated with the downlink reference signal beams, a resource associated with an earliest random access channel occasion; and transmit the uplink signal using a second set of resources configured for both the uplink procedure and the user equipment initiated beam reporting procedure when the resource associated with the earliest random access channel occasion is not associated with the best beam.

[0099] As an alternative or in addition to the two embodiments described above, the at least one memory 204 can store instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor 202, can cause the UE 200 to identify that a beam used to transmit the uplink signal for the uplink procedure is different from the best beam to be reported in the user equipment initiated beam report; and transmit the user equipment initiated beam report using the second set of resources.

[0100] In example embodiments, the at least one memory 204 can store instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor 202, can further cause the UE 200 to receive a transmission configuration indicator (TCI) from a network node, wherein the TCI indicates the second beam; and apply the second beam in subsequent transmission and / or reception operations. In other words, the TCI can be used to indicate the beam on which upcoming PDCCH / PDSCH and / or PUCCH / PUSCH operations should be performed.

[0101] As an alternative or in addition to the two embodiments described above, the at least one memory 204 can store instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor 202, can cause the UE 200 to receive a transmission configuration indicator from a network node, wherein the transmission configuration indicator indicates the second beam; and apply the second beam in subsequent transmission and / or reception operations.

[0102] In some embodiments, the second beam can have a higher signal metric than the signal metric of the first beam. The signal metric can comprise a layer 1 or layer 3 reference signal received power value. Alternatively or in addition, the signal metric can comprise a layer 1 or layer 3 signal to interference and noise ratio value. In other words, there can be multiple metrics by which beam quality can be measured; and the UE 200 can determine one or more preferred beams (second beam) which can or can not be the beam on which to perform uplink transmissions.

[0103] In some embodiments, the best beam is the beam with the highest signal metric, wherein the signal metric comprises a layer 1 or layer 3 reference signal received power value; or a layer 1 or layer 3 signal to interference and noise ratio value.

[0104] In example embodiments, the uplink procedure comprises a contention-free random access (CFRA) procedure, or a contention-based random access (CBRA) procedure. Various example embodiments can be implemented on both CFRA and CBRA. However, it should be noted that the examples provided herein mostly relate to CFRA, to preserve the cohesion structure in the description. Reference is made to Figure 3 , Figure 4 , and Figure 5 for more detailed examples.

[0105] The uplink preamble and / or occasion of the uplink signal of the uplink procedure can comprise, for example, a RACH preamble, such as a dedicated preamble for initiating a contention-free random access procedure (CFRA). Alternatively, it can be a preamble of a contention-based random access (CBRA) procedure. However, for a CBRA procedure, the UE 200 can have previously transmitted a randomly selected preamble of a pre-set preamble pool to the network, and if the network node has established communication with another UE having the same preamble, the network can respond by transmitting the same preamble or another preamble.

[0106] Figure 2B Fig. 1 illustrates a block diagram of a network node 220, according to example embodiments.

[0107] The network node 220 can comprise one or more processors 222 and one or more memories 224 including computer program code. The network node 220 can further comprise other elements, such as a transceiver 226 configured to enable the network node 220 to transmit information to and / or receive information from other devices, and Figure 2B other elements not shown in Fig. 2. In one example, the network node 220 can use the transceiver 226 to transmit or receive signaling information and data according to at least one cellular communication protocol. The transceiver 226 can be configured to provide at least one wireless radio connection, such as, for example, a 3GPP mobile broadband connection (e.g., 5G or higher). The transceiver 226 can comprise or be configured to be coupled to at least one antenna to transmit and / or receive radio frequency signals.

[0108] Although the network node 220 is depicted as comprising only one processor 222, the network node 220 can comprise more than one processor. In one embodiment, the memory 224 is capable of storing instructions, such as an operating system and / or various applications. Further, the memory 224 can include storage such as, for example, that which can be used to store at least some of the information and data used in the disclosed embodiments.

[0109] Further, the at least one processor 222 is capable of executing stored instructions. In one embodiment, the processor 222 can be embodied as a multi-core processor, a single core processor, or a combination of one or more multi-core processors, and one or more single core processors. For example, the processor 222 can be embodied as one or more of a variety of processing devices, such as a coprocessor, a microprocessor, a controller, a digital signal processor (DSP), processing circuitry with or without an accompanying DSP, or various other processing devices including integrated circuits such as, for example, an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field programmable gate array (FPGA), a microcontroller unit (MCU), a hardware accelerator, a special-purpose computer chip, a neural network (NN) chip, an artificial intelligence (AI) accelerator, a tensor processing unit (TPU), a neural processing unit (NPU), and the like. In one embodiment, the processor 222 can be configured to perform a hard-coded function. In one embodiment, the processor 222 is embodied as an executor of software instructions, where the instructions can specifically configure the processor 222 to perform the algorithms and / or operations described herein when the instructions are executed.

[0110] The memory 224 can be embodied as one or more volatile memory devices, one or more non-volatile memory devices, and / or a combination of one or more volatile memory devices and non-volatile memory devices. For example, the memory 224 can be embodied as a semiconductor memory, such as a mask ROM, a PROM (programmable ROM), an EPROM (erasable PROM), a flash ROM, a RAM (random access memory), and the like.

[0111] The network node 220 can comprise a base station, a transmission reception point, TRP, a network attachment, and / or a relay node. The base station can comprise, for example, a 5G or 6G base station (gNB), or any such device that provides an over-the-air interface for the UE 200 to connect to a wireless network via wireless transmissions.

[0112] It should be noted that when referring to, for example, “providing,” “sending,” “receiving,” or “obtaining,” and the like, it can include the network node 220 and the UE 200 communicating information via, for example, the at least one transceiver 206 and the at least one transceiver 226.

[0113] The instructions stored in the at least one memory 224, when executed by the at least one processor 222, can cause the network node 220 to transmit at least one set of resources to the UE 200; and receive an uplink signal using the at least one set of resources. The at least one set of resources can include the first set of resources and the second set of resources described with reference to the previous examples of the UE 200.

[0114] Alternatively or additionally to the example embodiments described above, the instructions stored in the at least one memory 224, when executed by the at least one processor 222, can cause the network node 220 at least to transmit, to the user equipment, two different sets of resources for uplink signals of the uplink procedure and the user equipment initiated beam reporting procedure; and receive, from the user equipment, the uplink signals using one of the two different sets of resources.

[0115] Figure 3 A signaling diagram is illustrated in accordance with example embodiments. In Figure 3 The UE 200 is configured to communicate with a transmission reception point (TRP) 346.

[0116] At 302, the TRP 346 and the UE 200 have established an RRC connection, and at 304, the TRP 344 configures the UE 200 for a user equipment initiated beam report.

[0117] At 306, the TRP 346 configures the UE 200 with resources. For example, one set of resources for both the RACH procedure and the user equipment initiated beam reporting procedure, or two different sets of resources, where the two different sets of resources include: a first set of resources configured only for the uplink procedure, and a second set of resources configured for both the uplink procedure and the user equipment initiated beam reporting. In the case where one set of resources is configured, the TRP 346 can indicate whether the resources are for the uplink procedure, or for both the uplink procedure and the UE IBR procedure. Alternatively, the TRP 346 can configure the UE 200 with two different sets of uplink preambles and / or occasions for uplink signals of the uplink procedure and the user equipment initiated beam reporting procedure, as described in the previous example.

[0118] At 308, the UE 200 can be configured to measure beams and identify one or more (preferable) beams that can be reported in the UE IBR. In example embodiments, the UE 200 can be configured to measure beams to determine a best beam. The best beam can be a beam with a highest signal metric. For example, the signal metric can include a layer 1 or layer 3 reference signal received power value, or a layer 1 or layer 3 signal to interference and noise ratio value.

[0119] At 310 and 312, the UE 200 and the TRP 346 can communicate via various standard channels, such as PDCCH / PDSCH and / or PUCCH / PUSCH.

[0120] At 314, the UE 200 and the TRP 346 can experience a communication failure, such as an inactive state, a handover, or a beam failure, which causes the UE 200 to identify 316 a need to trigger a RACH procedure (e.g., to reestablish communication). For example, other examples for triggering a RACH procedure can include initial access from RRC_IDLE, transition from RRC_inactive to RRC_connected, RRC connection reestablishment, handover, synchronization reconfiguration, timing alignment during Scell addition, DL out-of-sync (i.e., TRP 346 triggers PDCCH order), UL out-of-sync, scheduling request (SR), maximum transmissions reached, SR without PUCCH configuration, NR cell addition for NSA networking, and / or beam recovery.

[0121] Block 318 includes various operations (operations 320-326) for the first case, where the UE 200 has identified that there is no need to send a UEIBR.

[0122] At 319, the UE 200 can select a dedicated beam, for example, for RACH preamble transmission only (e.g., CFRA), which can correspond to the best beam (highest L1-RSRP / L1-SINR / PHR / RI, etc.) measured by the UE 200 (at 308). For example, the RACH preamble can be one of the two different uplink preambles and / or occasions for uplink signals acquired by the UE 200 for an uplink procedure and a user equipment initiated beam reporting procedure, with reference to the previously described embodiments.

[0123] At 320, the UE 200 can transmit a RACH preamble on the dedicated beam, and at 322, the UE 200 can receive a Msg2 from the TRP 346. At 324, the UE 200 can transmit a Msg3 to the TRP 346, and at 326, the UE 200 can receive a Msg4 from the TRP 346 to end the CFRA procedure.

[0124] Block 328 includes various operations (operations 330-338) for the second case, where the UE 200 has identified that there is a need to send a UEIBR.

[0125] At 329, the UE 200 can select to transmit a RACH (e.g., CFRA) on a dedicated beam that was not reported in the UEIBR, and transmit the RACH on the dedicated beam using, for example, a second set of resources, and transmit the UEIBR on the dedicated beam.

[0126] At 330, the UE 200 can transmit a RACH preamble on the dedicated beam, where the RACH preamble can be the other preamble of the two different uplink preambles and / or occasions set for the uplink procedure and the user equipment initiated beam reporting procedure as described in the previous embodiments.

[0127] At 332, the TRP 346 transmits Msg2 to the UE 200, and at 334, the UE 200 transmits Msg3 to the TRP 346.

[0128] At 336, the TRP 346 transmits Msg4 to the UE 200, and at 338, the UE 200 can transmit a UE IBR report on the (current) dedicated beam.

[0129] At 340, the RRC connection has been established (or re-established), and at 342 and 344, the TRP 346 and the UE 200 can continue with standard PDCCH / PDSCH and / or PUCCH / PUSCH communications.

[0130] Figure 4 FIGURE 1 illustrates a signaling diagram between a user equipment 200 and a transmission reception point 436 including three different beams, according to an example embodiment. Figure 4 FIGURE 1 illustrates a TRP 436 and three TRP beams (TRP beam A, TRP beam B, and TRP beam C) through which communications can be performed.

[0131] Operations 402-410 illustrate the same operations / steps as operations 302-314 of Figure 3 FIGURE 3, i.e., standard operations that can result in the UE 200 identifying whether a UE IBR needs to be transmitted. It should be noted that while Figure 4 Operations 308 (beam measurement) and 316 (need to trigger RACH) are not illustrated, but for the sake of clarity, Figure 4 these operations can be implicitly included.

[0132] It should also be noted that PDCCH / PDSCH and / or PUCCH / PUSCH operations are illustrated as single arrows to indicate both uplink and downlink operations to maintain clarity.

[0133] Furthermore, RACH messages Msg2, Msg3, and Msg4 are illustrated as single arrows to indicate both uplink and downlink operations.

[0134] Operations 402-408 are illustrated as being transmitted and / or received on TRP beam A. In other words, communication is first performed on TRP beam A until a failure is encountered at 410 (e.g., the failure can include a handover, a beam failure, an inactive state, etc. as described above).

[0135] At 402, the UE 200 is RRC connected to TRP beam A, and at 404, the TRP 436 (on TRP beam B) configures the UE 200 for UEIBR transmission.

[0136] At 406, the TRP 436 configures the UE 200 for RACH resources and UEIBR resources. The TRP 436 can also configure the UE 200 for one resource. The TRP 436 can indicate whether the resource is a RACH resource or a common resource for both RACH and UEIBR procedures. In other words, the TRP 436 can transmit two different resource sets (e.g., two different uplink preambles and / or occasion sets including uplink signals), or the TRP 436 can transmit on the resource set.

[0137] At 408, the UE 200 and the TRP 436 communicate PDCCH / PDSCH and / or PUCCH / PUSCH on TRP beam B.

[0138] After experiencing a failure at 410, the UE 200 can perform operations included by block 412 (case 1), or perform operations included by block 422.

[0139] Block 412 includes operations in the case where the UE 200 has identified that there is no need to transmit a UEIBR.

[0140] At 413, the UE 200 can select a dedicated beam, e.g., for RACH preamble transmission (e.g., CFRA) only, which can correspond to the best beam (highest L1-RSRP / L1-SINR / PHR / RI, etc.) measured by the UE 200 (at 308). For example, the RACH preamble can be one of the two different uplink preambles and / or occasion sets acquired by the UE 200, with reference to the previously described embodiments.

[0141] At 414, the UE 200 transmits a RACH preamble (e.g., based on the resources acquired previously at 406).

[0142] At 416, the TRP 436 transmits / receives Msg2, Msg3, and Msg4 to / from the UE 200 using TRP beam B.

[0143] At 418, the RRC connection has been re-established, and at 430, the UE 200 can continue any PDCCH / PDSCH and / or PUCCH / PUSCH operations on TRP beam B (operation 420).

[0144] Block 422 includes operations where the UE 200 has identified that a UE I BR needs to be transmitted.

[0145] After the failure at 410, at 423, the UE 200 can determine to initiate a RACH procedure on a dedicated beam that was not reported in the UE I BR. In other words, the RACH procedure and transmission of the UE I BR are performed on a beam (TRP beam B) that is not the preferred beam (TRP beam C), or on a beam that is not in the UE I BR. In this case, TRP beam B can be sufficient for transition, resume, or handover, but it is not the best measured beam. This can be due to scheduling limitations, for example.

[0146] At 424, similar to operation 414, the UE 200 can transmit a RACH preamble. The preamble can be another preamble from the two different uplink preamble and / or occasion sets described with reference to the previous embodiments, for example.

[0147] At 426, Msg2, Msg3, and Msg4 operations are performed on TRP beam B.

[0148] At 430, the UE I BR is transmitted on TRP beam B, and at 432, a TCI is transmitted to the UE 200 on TRP beam B, which indicates to the UE 200 a switch to TRP beam C.

[0149] Finally, at 434, the UE 200 and TRP 436 can communicate PDCCH / PDSCH and / or PUCCH / PUSCH on TRP beam C, as indicated by the TCI.

[0150] Figure 5 A signaling diagram between a user equipment 200 and a transmission reception point including three different beams is illustrated, according to an example embodiment. The signaling diagram is similar to Figure 4 the signaling diagram 400 of FIG. 4, with some exceptions in the mechanisms for transmitting RACH and / or UE I BR.

[0151] At 502, the UE 200 is RRC connected to TRP beam A, and at 504, the TRP 536 can configure the UE 200 for UE I BR transmission (on TRP beam B).

[0152] At 506, the TRP 536 can configure two different sets of resources for the UE 200, for the uplink signal of the RACH procedure and the uplink resource request of the user equipment initiated beam reporting procedure. In an example, the TRP 536 can transmit two different sets of uplink preambles and / or occasions for the uplink signal of the RACH procedure and the uplink resource request of the user equipment initiated beam reporting procedure.

[0153] At 508, the UE 200 and the TRP 536 communicate PDCCH / PDSCH and / or PUCCH / PUSCH on the TRP beam A.

[0154] After experiencing a failure at 510, the UE 200 can perform operations included by block 512 (Case 1), or perform operations included by block 522.

[0155] Block 512 includes operations in a case where the UE 200 has identified that there is no need to transmit a UEIBR.

[0156] The UE 200 can select a beam for, e.g., RACH preamble transmission (e.g., CFRA) only, which can correspond to the best beam (highest L1-RSRP / L1-SINR / PHR / RI, etc.) measured by the UE 200 (at 308). For example, the RACH preamble can be one preamble of the first set of uplink preambles and / or occasions of the two different sets of uplink preambles and / or occasions for the uplink signal of the RACH procedure and the uplink resource request of the user equipment initiated beam reporting procedure acquired by the UE 200, with reference to the previously described embodiments.

[0157] At 514, the UE 200 transmits a RACH preamble, but not any preamble dedicated for RACH and UEIBR transmission.

[0158] At 516, the TRP 536 transmits / receives Msg2, Msg3, and Msg4 to / from the UE 200 using the TRP beam B.

[0159] At 518, the RRC connection has been re-established, and at 530, the UE 200 can continue any PDCCH / PDSCH and / or PUCCH / PUSCH operations on the TRP beam B (operation 520).

[0160] Block 522 includes operations in a case where the UE 200 has identified that there is a need to transmit a UEIBR.

[0161] After experiencing a failure at 510, at 523, the UE 200 can determine to initiate a RACH procedure on a dedicated beam that was not reported in the UEIBR.

[0162] At 524, the UE 200 transmits the RACH preamble with the dedicated RACH preamble and / or the dedicated RACH block (configured at 506). For example, the dedicated RACH preamble can be the second of the two different uplink preambles and / or one of the two different sets of occasions for the uplink signal for the RACH procedure and the uplink resource request for the user equipment initiated beam reporting procedure.

[0163] At 526, Msg2, Msg3, and Msg4 operations are performed on TRP beam B. Optionally, Msg2 (DL from network to UE) can include additional resources for transmitting the UE IBR.

[0164] At 528, the RRC connection has been (re)established.

[0165] At optional operation 530, a downlink control information (DCI) message can include resources for the UE IBR transmission.

[0166] At 532, the UE IBR is transmitted on TRP beam B with additional resources associated with the dedicated RACH preamble and / or RACH occasion. In other words, the RACH preamble transmitted at 526 triggers the network node to allocate additional resources for transmitting the UE IBR at 532.

[0167] At 534, a TCI can be transmitted to the UE 200 on TRP beam B, the TCI indicating to the UE 200 a switch to TRP beam C.

[0168] Finally, at 536, the UE 200 and the TRP 536 can communicate PDCCH / PDSCH and / or PUCCH / PUSCH on the TRP beam C indicated by the TCI.

[0169] Figure 6A FIGURE 1 illustrates a method 100, according to an example embodiment.

[0170] At 102, the method 100 can include obtaining, from a network node, at least one set of resources.

[0171] At 104, the method 100 can include identifying a concurrent need to perform an uplink procedure transmission and a user equipment initiated beam reporting transmission.

[0172] At 106, the method 100 can include transmitting an uplink signal based at least in part on the identified need and the at least one set of resources.

[0173] Figure 6BA method 620 is illustrated in accordance with example embodiments. The method 620 can be performed, for example, by the UE 200.

[0174] At 622, the method 620 can include obtaining, from a network node, two different sets of resources for an uplink signal of an uplink procedure and an uplink resource request of a user equipment initiated beam reporting procedure.

[0175] At 624, the method 620 can include identifying a concurrent need to perform an uplink procedure transmission and request uplink resources for a user equipment initiated beam reporting transmission.

[0176] At 626, the method 620 can include transmitting the uplink signal based at least in part on the identified need and the two different sets of resources.

[0177] Figure 6C A method 640 is illustrated in accordance with example embodiments. The method 640 can be performed, for example, by the UE 200.

[0178] At 642, the method 640 can include obtaining, from a network node, two different sets of resources for an uplink signal of an uplink procedure and a user equipment initiated beam reporting procedure.

[0179] At 644, the method 640 can include measuring beams to determine a best beam. The best beam can be a beam having a highest signal metric. For example, the signal metric can include a layer 1 or layer 3 reference signal received power value or a layer 1 or layer 3 signal to interference noise ratio value.

[0180] At 646, the method 640 can include identifying a concurrent need to perform an uplink procedure transmission and a user equipment initiated beam reporting transmission, wherein the identifying includes determining whether at least one condition for triggering the user equipment initiated beam reporting transmission is satisfied. For example, the at least one condition can include a condition that the best beam is x dB better than a current beam.

[0181] At 648, the method 640 can include transmitting an uplink signal based at least in part on the best beam, the identified need, and the two different sets of resources. In an example embodiment, the UE can be configured to select one resource associated with the fastest recovery (i.e., the fastest RACH occasion) in the resources associated with the CSI-RS beam (e.g., the CFRA resources) to reduce latency. If the fastest resource is associated with the best beam measured by the UE, the UE can be configured to use only the first set of resources for RACH transmission and transmit a RACH preamble. If the fastest resource is not associated with the best beam measured by the UE, the UE can be configured to use the second set of resources for RACH and user equipment initiated beam report transmission and transmit a RACH preamble and then transmit a user equipment initiated beam report.

[0182] Figure 7A FIGURE 1 illustrates a method 100 according to example embodiments. The method 100 can be performed, for example, by a user equipment 200.

[0183] At 102, the method 100 can include receiving at least one set of resources for an uplink procedure and a user equipment initiated beam report procedure from a network node.

[0184] At 104, the method 100 can include identifying a concurrent need to perform uplink procedure transmission and user equipment initiated beam report transmission.

[0185] Figure 7B FIGURE 2 illustrates a method 200 according to example embodiments. The method 200 can be performed, for example, by a network node 220.

[0186] At 202, the method 200 can include transmitting at least one set of resources for an uplink procedure and a user equipment initiated beam report procedure to a user equipment.

[0187] At 204, the method 200 can include receiving an uplink signal from the user equipment using one of the at least one set of resources.

[0188] With respect to Figure 3 , Figure 4 and Figure 5 , another example of an apparatus suitable for performing embodiments and examples on the UE 200 side can include at least a means for obtaining at least one set of resources for an uplink procedure and a user equipment initiated beam report procedure from a network node; identifying a concurrent need to perform uplink procedure transmission and user equipment initiated beam report transmission; and transmitting an uplink signal based at least in part on the identified need and the at least one set of resources.

[0189] With respect to Figure 3 , Figure 4 andFigure 5 Another example of an apparatus suitable for performing embodiments and examples on the UE 200 side may include at least the following components: obtaining two different resource sets from the network node for uplink signals for uplink procedures and uplink resource requests for beam reporting procedures initiated by the user equipment; identifying concurrent requirements for uplink resource requests for uplink procedures and beam reporting transmissions initiated by the user equipment; and transmitting uplink signals at least in part based on the identified requirements and the two different resource sets.

[0190] about Figure 3 , Figure 4 and Figure 5 Another example of an apparatus suitable for performing embodiments and examples on the UE 200 side may include at least the following components: acquiring two different resource sets of uplink signals from a network node for uplink procedures and user equipment-initiated beam reporting procedures; measuring a beam to determine an optimal beam; identifying concurrent requirements for performing uplink procedure transmissions and user equipment-initiated beam reporting transmissions, wherein the identification includes: determining whether at least one condition for triggering user equipment-initiated beam reporting transmissions is met; and transmitting uplink signals at least in part based on the optimal beam, the identified requirements, and the two different resource sets.

[0191] For example, the component may include a combination of at least one processor 202, at least one memory 204, and at least one transceiver 206.

[0192] about Figure 3 , Figure 4 and Figure 5 Another example of an apparatus suitable for performing network-side embodiments and examples may include at least components for: sending at least one resource set to a user equipment; and using the resource set in the at least one resource set to receive at least one uplink signal.

[0193] about Figure 3 , Figure 4 and Figure 5 Another example of an apparatus suitable for performing network-side embodiments and examples may include at least two different resource sets for: sending uplink signals for uplink procedures to the user equipment and uplink resource requests for beam reporting procedures initiated by the user equipment; and receiving uplink signals from the user equipment using one of the two different resource sets.

[0194] For example, the component may include a combination of at least one processor 222, at least one memory 224, and at least one transceiver 226.

[0195] If the UE preferred beam (selected for the UE I BR) is not the beam assigned with the CFRA resource, one or more of the above examples and example embodiments can enable a solution that enables the UE to connect on the best beam faster and more reliably than the CBRA procedure. Benefiting from the dedicated CFRA resource for RACH and UE I BR, the UE takes the earliest CFRA RACH occasion (even if not the beam with the highest L1-RSRP / L1-SINR, PHR, RI measurements) and indicates in parallel the better beam and which beam is the preferred beam for the subsequent UE I BR. The network can then switch the TCI to the preferred beam after the UE is connected. Any ranges or device values given herein can be extended or changed without losing the sought effects. In addition, any embodiment can be combined with another embodiment unless explicitly prohibited.

[0196] In addition, the one or more example embodiments described above can enable a solution that can reduce the time needed for the UE to connect on the best beam.

[0197] In addition, the one or more example embodiments described above can enable a solution that can reduce the signaling overhead or resource occupation / assignment. For example, CBRA, DL reference signals, periodic beam management reporting, and TCI switching are slower than the solution provided herein (e.g., CFRA + UE I BR).

[0198] In addition, the one or more example embodiments described above provide a reliable solution compared to traditional solutions. For example, the CFRA + UE I BR procedure combination discussed herein can provide the best communication conditions, while traditional solutions such as CBRA + periodic beam management reporting require the network to first be able to manage the contention-based RACH of devices connected to the network before being able to solve the best beam of the device in the periodic beam management report of the device. Since the CBRA procedure is a contention-based procedure, multiple users can use the same preamble and the contention can not be resolved at the network side. This is not a problem in the case of CFRA + UE I BR discussed to make the CFRA + UE I BR procedure a reliable solution.

[0199] Although the subject matter has been described in language specific to structural features and / or acts, it is to be understood that the subject matter defined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the specific features or acts described above. Rather, the specific features and acts described above are disclosed as example implementations of implementing the claims.

[0200] It should be appreciated that the above described benefits and advantages can relate to one embodiment or several embodiments. The embodiments are not limited to embodiments that solve any or all of the noted problems. Further, the described embodiments are not necessarily equally effective in all respects. It should be appreciated that the reference to‘an’ item can be a reference to one or more of such items.

[0201] The steps of the methods described herein can be performed in any suitable order, or simultaneously where appropriate. Furthermore, individual blocks can be deleted from any of the methods without departing from the spirit and scope of the subject matter described herein. Aspects of any of the embodiments described above can be combined with aspects of any of the other embodiments described to form further embodiments without losing the sought effect.

[0202] The term‘comprising’ is used herein to mean including the methods, blocks or elements identified, but not to the exclusion of additional blocks or elements. The term‘consisting of’ is used herein to mean including, and limited to, the blocks or elements identified.

[0203] It should be understood that the above description is only given by way of example and that various modifications can be made by those skilled in the art. The above specification, examples and data provide a complete description of the structure and use of example embodiments. Although various embodiments have been described above with a certain degree of particularity, the skilled person can make many modifications without departing from the spirit or scope of the present specification.

Claims

1. A user equipment comprising: at least one processor; and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the user equipment at least to: obtain, from a network node, two different sets of resources for uplink signals of an uplink procedure and a user equipment initiated beam reporting procedure; measure beams to determine a best beam; identify a concurrent need to perform an uplink procedure transmission and a user equipment initiated beam reporting transmission, wherein the identifying comprises determining whether at least one condition for triggering the user equipment initiated beam reporting transmission is satisfied; and transmit the uplink signals based at least in part on the best beam, the identified need, and the two different sets of resources.

2. The user equipment of claim 1, wherein the two different sets of resources include: a first set of resources configured only for the uplink procedure, and a second set of resources configured for both the uplink procedure and the user equipment initiated beam reporting procedure.

3. The user equipment of claim 2, wherein in response to identifying the concurrent need to perform the uplink procedure transmission and the user equipment initiated beam reporting transmission, the user equipment is configured to transmit the uplink signals using the first set of resources.

4. The user equipment of claim 3, wherein the at least one memory stores instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the user equipment at least to: determine, among resources associated with downlink reference signal beams, a resource associated with an earliest random access channel occasion; and when the resource associated with the earliest random access channel occasion is associated with the best beam, transmit the uplink signals using the first set of resources configured only for the uplink procedure.

5. The user equipment of claim 3, wherein the at least one memory stores instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the user equipment at least to: identify that the beam used to transmit the uplink signals of the uplink procedure is the same as the best beam to be reported in the user equipment initiated beam report; and omit reporting of the user equipment initiated beam report or transmit only the uplink signals.

6. The user equipment of claim 2, wherein in response to identifying the concurrent need to perform the uplink procedure transmission and the user equipment initiated beam reporting transmission, the user equipment is configured to transmit the uplink signals using the second set of resources configured for both the uplink procedure and the user equipment initiated beam reporting procedure.

7. The user equipment of claim 6, wherein the at least one memory stores instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the user equipment at least to: determine, among resources associated with downlink reference signal beams, a resource associated with an earliest random access channel occasion; and when the resources associated with the earliest random access channel occasion are not associated with the best beam, transmitting the uplink signal using the second set of resources configured for both the uplink procedure and a beam report procedure initiated by the user equipment.

8. The user equipment of claim 6, wherein the at least one memory stores instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the user equipment to at least: identify that a beam used to transmit the uplink signal for the uplink procedure is different from the best beam to be reported in a user equipment initiated beam report; and transmit the user equipment initiated beam report using the second set of resources.

9. The user equipment of claim 6, wherein the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the user equipment to at least: receive a transmission configuration indicator from the network node, wherein the transmission configuration indicator indicates the best beam; and apply the best beam in subsequent transmission and / or reception operations.

10. The user equipment of any one of claims 1-9, wherein the best beam has a higher signal metric than a signal metric of the first beam.

11. The user equipment of claim 10, wherein the signal metric comprises: a layer 1 or layer 3 reference signal received power value; or a layer 1 or layer 3 signal to interference and noise ratio value.

12. The user equipment of any one of claims 1-11, wherein the best beam is a beam having a highest signal metric, wherein the signal metric comprises: a layer 1 or layer 3 reference signal received power value; or a layer 1 or layer 3 signal to interference and noise ratio value.

13. The user equipment of any one of claims 1-12, wherein the uplink procedure comprises: a contention-free random access procedure, or a contention-based random access procedure.

14. The user equipment of any one of claims 1-13, wherein the at least two different sets of resources comprise different preambles.

15. A method for communication, comprising: obtaining, from a network node, two different sets of resources for uplink signals for an uplink procedure and a user equipment initiated beam report procedure; measuring beams to determine a best beam; identifying a concurrent need to perform an uplink procedure transmission and a user equipment initiated beam report transmission, wherein the identifying comprises determining whether at least one condition for triggering the user equipment initiated beam report transmission is satisfied; and transmitting the uplink signals based at least in part on the best beam, the identified need, and the two different sets of resources.

16. An apparatus for communication, comprising: means for obtaining, from a network node, two different sets of resources for uplink signals for an uplink procedure and a user equipment initiated beam report procedure; means for measuring beams to determine a best beam; means for identifying a concurrent need to perform an uplink procedure transmission and a user equipment initiated beam report transmission, wherein the identifying comprises determining whether at least one condition for triggering the user equipment initiated beam report transmission is satisfied; and means for transmitting the uplink signal based at least in part on the best beam, the identified demand, and the two different sets of resources.

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