Method for simultaneous transmission from multiple antenna panel entities

Abstract

A method for a wireless communication device configured for communicating with a wireless communication network and having a plurality of antenna panel entities is disclosed. The method comprises performing measurements for a first group of reference signal resources and a second group of reference signal resources, where each group of reference signal resources is associated with a reference signal transmission from a respective radio access node of the wireless communication network; and transmitting the first and second measurement reports, where each measurement report indicates one or more reference signal resources from a corresponding one of the first group of reference signal resources and the second group of reference signal resources. Each measurement uses a respective antenna panel entity and a respective spatial filter setting, the method further comprising indicating to the wireless communication network a combination of reference signal resources indicated by the first and second measurement reports, the combination of reference signal resources corresponds to a combination of antenna panel entities configurable for simultaneous transmissions from the wireless communication device. A corresponding method for a wireless communication network is also disclosed. In some embodiments, the method includes performing scheduling of simultaneous transmissions from the wireless communication device based on the first and second measurement reports and based on the acquired information about the combination of reference signal resources. Other aspects of the disclosure include corresponding computer program products, apparatuses, wireless communication devices, radio access nodes and central processing nodes.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure generally relates to the field of wireless communications. More specifically, it relates to simultaneous transmission from multiple antenna panel entities. Background Technology

[0002] A wireless communication network can employ multiple radio access nodes for communicating with wireless communication devices that operate in association with the wireless communication network.

[0003] In some cases, two or more radio access nodes can simultaneously transmit to or receive from a wireless communication device. An example of simultaneous transmission to or reception from a wireless communication device is the application of multiple transmit / receive points (so-called multiple TRPs).

[0004] Communication between a wireless communication device and a radio access node in a wireless communication network is typically performed based on beam reports from the wireless communication device, whereby the wireless communication device instructs one or more suitable beams for communication with the radio access node.

[0005] The problem in these situations is that wireless communication devices may not be able to handle simultaneous communication (transmission or reception) on beams reported to be suitable for two or more radio access nodes. For example, when a wireless communication device includes two antenna panels, one beam reported to be suitable for one radio access node may be associated with one antenna panel, and another beam reported to be suitable for another radio access node may be associated with the other antenna panel. If the two antenna panels are not configured for simultaneous operation, communication on both beams cannot be handled simultaneously.

[0006] Therefore, there is a need for a method that enables wireless communication devices with more than one antenna panel to communicate simultaneously with two or more radio access points. Summary of the Invention

[0007] It should be emphasized that, when used in this specification, the term "comprising" (which may be replaced by "comprising including") is understood to specify the presence of the stated feature, integral, step, or component, but does not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integrals, steps, components, or combinations thereof. As used herein, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" are intended to also include the plural forms.

[0008] Generally, when “arrangement” is used in this document, it will be understood as a physical product; for example, an apparatus. A physical product may include one or more parts, such as control circuitry in the form of one or more controllers, one or more processors, etc.

[0009] Some embodiments are intended to address, mitigate, or eliminate at least some of the above or other disadvantages.

[0010] The first aspect is a method for a wireless communication device configured to communicate with a wireless communication network and having multiple antenna panel entities.

[0011] The method includes: performing measurements for a first reference signal resource group and a second reference signal resource group, wherein each reference signal resource group is associated with reference signal transmissions from corresponding first and second radio access nodes of a wireless communication network, and wherein each measurement uses a corresponding antenna panel entity and a corresponding spatial filter setting.

[0012] The method further includes: sending first and second measurement reports, wherein each measurement report indicates one or more reference signal resources from a first reference signal resource group and a second reference signal resource group corresponding to one of the reference signal resource groups; and indicating (to the wireless communication network) a combination of reference signal resources indicated by the first and second measurement reports, the combination of reference signal resources corresponding to a combination of antenna panel entities configurable for simultaneous transmission from the wireless communication device.

[0013] In some embodiments, each of the plurality of antenna panel entities includes one or more of the following: a physical antenna panel, a virtual antenna panel, and a logical antenna panel.

[0014] In some embodiments, the method further includes sending a capability message to a wireless communication network, wherein the capability message indicates the capability of the wireless communication device to indicate the configurability of an antenna panel entity for simultaneous transmission in association with a measurement report including at least two measurement reports.

[0015] In some embodiments, the capability message includes information about which combinations of antenna panel entities among a plurality of antenna panel entities are configurable for simultaneous transmission from a wireless communication device.

[0016] In some embodiments, each measurement report also identifies the corresponding antenna panel entity for each indicated reference signaling resource.

[0017] In some embodiments, the method further includes receiving a report setting from a wireless communication network, wherein the report setting indicates corresponding first and second settings for each of the first and second measurement reports, wherein the first setting indicates a first reference signal resource group and the second setting indicates a second reference signal resource group.

[0018] It should be noted that the first and second report settings can be included in a single report settings message, or (typically) the first and second report settings can be included in separate, respective report settings messages.

[0019] Typically, the first and second reporting settings are associated with each other (e.g., by being included in a single reporting message, or through an explicit or implicit association between separate reporting setting messages) so that the wireless communication device knows that the first and second reporting settings are linked to each other. For example, separate reporting setting messages may be associated with each other via parameters configured in the RRC within the reporting settings.

[0020] In some embodiments, the report settings also indicate (for each reference signal resource in the reference signal resource group) the spatial filter settings to be used to perform the corresponding measurement.

[0021] In some embodiments, the reporting settings also indicate that all antenna panel entities used to perform measurements for the first reference signal resource group will be configurable to be used together with all antenna panel entities used to perform measurements for the second reference signal resource group for simultaneous transmission from the wireless communication device.

[0022] In some embodiments, at least one of the first and second measurement reports includes (for each reference signal resource in the reference signal resource group) an identifier of a reference signal resource for simultaneous transmission in the reference signal resource indicated by the other—first or second—measurement report.

[0023] In some embodiments, at least one of the first and second measurement reports includes information for simultaneous transmission of any reference signal resources indicated by the first measurement report and any reference signal resources indicated by the second measurement report.

[0024] In some embodiments, the method further includes receiving a configuration message from a wireless communication network, wherein the configuration message configures the wireless communication device to indicate the configurability of an antenna panel entity for simultaneous transmission in association with a measurement report including at least two measurement reports.

[0025] In some embodiments, the method further includes: receiving a trigger message from a wireless communication network, wherein receiving the trigger message causes a measurement to be performed for at least one of a first reference signal resource group and a second reference signal resource group.

[0026] In some embodiments, the method further includes receiving an activation message from a wireless communication network, wherein receiving the activation message causes measurements to be repeatedly performed for a first reference signal resource group and a second reference signal resource group.

[0027] In some embodiments, the method further includes: determining whether a measurement condition is met, wherein determining that the measurement condition is met causes a measurement to be performed for at least one of a first reference signal resource group and a second reference signal resource group.

[0028] In some embodiments, each measurement report indicates a performance metric for each indicated reference signal resource, wherein the performance metric is specific to the antenna panel entity corresponding to the indicated reference signal resource.

[0029] In some embodiments, the performance metrics for an antenna panel entity are based on the maximum exposure constraint of that antenna panel entity.

[0030] The second aspect is a method for a wireless communication network configured to communicate with a wireless communication device having multiple antenna panel entities.

[0031] The method includes causing a wireless communication device to perform measurements for a first reference signal resource group and a second reference signal resource group, wherein each reference signal resource group is associated with reference signal transmissions from corresponding first and second radio access nodes of a wireless communication network, and wherein each measurement uses a corresponding antenna panel entity and a corresponding spatial filter setting.

[0032] The method further includes: receiving first and second measurement reports, wherein each measurement report indicates one or more reference signal resources from a first reference signal resource group and a second reference signal resource group corresponding to one of the reference signal resource groups; and obtaining information (from the wireless communication device) about a combination of reference signal resources indicated by the first and second measurement reports, the combination of reference signal resources corresponding to a combination of antenna panel entities configurable for simultaneous transmission from the wireless communication device.

[0033] In some embodiments, the method further includes receiving a capability message from a wireless communication device, wherein the capability message indicates the capability of the wireless communication device to indicate the configurability of an antenna panel entity for simultaneous transmission in association with a measurement report including at least two measurement reports.

[0034] In some embodiments, causing the wireless communication device to perform a measurement includes: sending a report setting to the wireless communication device, wherein the report setting indicates corresponding first and second settings for each of a first measurement report and a second measurement report, wherein the first setting indicates a first reference signal resource group and the second setting indicates a second reference signal resource group.

[0035] In some embodiments, causing the wireless communication device to perform a measurement includes sending a configuration message to the wireless communication device, wherein the configuration message is used to configure the wireless communication device to indicate the configurability of an antenna panel entity for simultaneous transmission in association with a measurement report including at least two measurement reports.

[0036] In some embodiments, causing a wireless communication device to perform a measurement includes sending a trigger message to the wireless communication device, wherein the trigger message is configured to cause a measurement to be performed for at least one of a first reference signal resource group and a second reference signal resource group.

[0037] In some embodiments, causing the wireless communication device to perform a measurement includes sending an activation message to the wireless communication device, wherein the activation message is used to cause the measurement to be repeatedly performed for a first reference signal resource group and a second reference signal resource group.

[0038] In some embodiments, the method further includes: scheduling simultaneous transmissions from the wireless communication device based on the first and second measurement reports and based on the acquired information about the combination of reference signal resources.

[0039] The third aspect is a computer program product comprising a non-transitory computer-readable medium having a computer program including program instructions on the non-transitory computer-readable medium. The computer program may be loaded into a data processing unit and configured to, when the computer program is run by the data processing unit, cause the method described according to any one of the first and second aspects to be performed.

[0040] The fourth aspect is an apparatus for a wireless communication device configured to communicate with a wireless communication network and having multiple antenna panel entities.

[0041] The device includes control circuitry configured to perform measurements for first and second reference signal resource groups, each reference signal resource group being associated with reference signal transmissions from corresponding first and second radio access nodes of a wireless communication network, and each measurement using a corresponding antenna panel entity and a corresponding spatial filter setup.

[0042] The control circuit is also configured to transmit first and second measurement reports, wherein each measurement report indicates one or more reference signal resources from a first reference signal resource group and a second reference signal resource group corresponding to one of the reference signal resource groups, and indicates (to the wireless communication network) a combination of reference signal resources indicated by the first and second measurement reports, the combination of reference signal resources corresponding to a combination of antenna panel entities configurable for simultaneous transmission from the wireless communication device.

[0043] The fifth aspect is a wireless communication device that includes the means of the fourth aspect.

[0044] The sixth aspect is an apparatus for a wireless communication network configured to communicate with a wireless communication device having multiple antenna panel entities.

[0045] The device includes control circuitry configured to cause a wireless communication device to perform measurements for first and second reference signal resource groups, wherein each reference signal resource group is associated with reference signal transmissions from corresponding first and second radio access nodes of a wireless communication network, and wherein each measurement uses a corresponding antenna panel entity and a corresponding spatial filter setup.

[0046] The control circuit is also configured to receive first and second measurement reports, wherein each measurement report indicates one or more reference signal resources from a first reference signal resource group and a second reference signal resource group corresponding to one of the reference signal resource groups, and to obtain information (from the wireless communication device) about a combination of reference signal resources indicated by the first and second measurement reports, the combination of reference signal resources corresponding to a combination of antenna panel entities configurable for simultaneous transmission from the wireless communication device.

[0047] The seventh aspect is a radio access node that includes the apparatus of the sixth aspect.

[0048] The eighth aspect is a central processing node that includes the sixth aspect.

[0049] In some embodiments, any of the foregoing aspects may additionally have features that are the same as or correspond to any of the various features explained above for any of the other aspects.

[0050] Some embodiments have the advantage of providing a method that enables the management of a wireless communication device with more than one antenna panel communicating simultaneously with two or more radio access points.

[0051] Some embodiments have the advantage that they enable wireless communication networks to determine whether a radio access node beam reported as preferred by a multi-panel wireless communication device (e.g., based on downlink reference signaling during beam management) is available for simultaneous uplink transmission.

[0052] Some embodiments offer the advantage of improved performance in at least some scenarios involving communication between a wireless communication device and two or more radio access nodes (e.g., multiple TRP, D-MIMO, etc.) compared to at least some other methods. This performance improvement can be achieved in any suitable metric (e.g., uplink throughput). Attached Figure Description

[0053] Further objects, features, and advantages will become apparent from the following detailed description of embodiments, with reference to the accompanying drawings. The drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale; rather, the focus is on illustrating exemplary embodiments.

[0054] Figure 1 This is a collection of schematic diagrams illustrating example signaling between a Transmit / Receive Point (TRP) and a User Equipment (UE) according to some embodiments;

[0055] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram illustrating an example wireless communication device having multiple antenna panel entities according to some embodiments;

[0056] Figure 3 This is a flowchart illustrating example method steps according to some embodiments;

[0057] Figure 4 This is a flowchart illustrating example method steps according to some embodiments;

[0058] Figure 5 This is a signaling diagram illustrating example signaling according to some embodiments;

[0059] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram illustrating example signaling between two TRPs and the UE according to some embodiments;

[0060] Figure 7 This is a schematic block diagram illustrating an example apparatus according to some embodiments;

[0061] Figure 8 This is a schematic block diagram illustrating an example apparatus according to some embodiments;

[0062] Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram illustrating an example communication system according to some embodiments; and

[0063] Figure 10 This is a schematic diagram illustrating an example computer-readable medium according to some embodiments. Detailed Implementation

[0064] As mentioned above, it should be emphasized that, when used in this specification, the term "comprising" (which may be replaced by "including") is understood to specify the presence of the stated feature, integral, step, or component, but does not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integrals, steps, components, or combinations thereof. As used herein, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" are intended to also include the plural forms.

[0065] Embodiments of this disclosure will be described and illustrated more fully below with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the solutions disclosed herein can be implemented in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein.

[0066] Below, methods for managing simultaneous communication between a wireless communication device having more than one antenna panel and two or more radio access points will be described and illustrated. Throughout this description, a transmit / receive point (TRP) will be used as an example of a radio access node, and a user equipment (UE) will be used as an example of a wireless communication device. However, it should be noted that the embodiments can be equally applied to other types of radio access nodes and other types of wireless communication devices.

[0067] Furthermore, it should be noted that even though the examples herein often refer to two (first and second) instances of features (e.g., radio access nodes, reference signal resource groups, measurement reports, etc.), the proposed methods are not limited thereto. Rather, the embodiments are equally applicable to situations with more than two radio access nodes, reference signal resource groups, measurement reports, etc.

[0068] Some embodiments may be suitable for communications based on the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) standards for fifth-generation (5G; particularly 5G Advanced) and / or sixth-generation (6G).

[0069] For NR up to Rel-17, UL transmissions were primarily considered for UEs with single-antenna panel transmissions (i.e., transmissions from at most a single UE antenna panel at any given time). For NR-Rel-18, PUSCH transmissions (also known as Simultaneous Multi-Panel Transmission STxMP) with at most two UE panels transmitting simultaneously were considered for association with different TRPs.

[0070] According to some embodiments, the wireless communication device performs measurements for a first reference signal resource group and a second reference signal resource group. Each reference signal resource group is associated with reference signal transmissions from corresponding (first and second) radio access nodes of the wireless communication network, and each measurement uses a corresponding antenna panel entity of the wireless communication device and a corresponding spatial filter setting. The wireless communication device sends first and second measurement reports, wherein each measurement report indicates one or more reference signal resources from a corresponding group of the first and second reference signal resource groups.

[0071] In this description, the terms include “spatial filter setup,” “spatial filter configuration,” “spatial filter weights,” “beam,” and similar expressions. These terms are intended to refer broadly to the same concept: the reception and / or transmission of a communication node (e.g., a TRP or UE) that is non-uniform in the directional dimension. Typically, an antenna panel entity may be associated with one or more possible spatial filter setups. For example, a spatial filter setup may refer to the antenna weights applied at the communication node for transmission and / or reception. Typically, spatial filter setups are designed to match the propagation channel environment. It should be noted that while a spatial filter setup may not always strictly correspond to a beam, the above terms are used interchangeably. Therefore, the appearance of “spatial filter setup,” “spatial filter configuration,” “spatial filter weights,” and similar expressions can generally be exemplified by “beam,” and the appearance of “beam” and similar expressions can generally be extended to “spatial filter setup,” “spatial filter configuration,” and “spatial filter weights,” etc.

[0072] In order for the wireless communication network to properly schedule simultaneous transmissions from the wireless communication device to the first and second radio access nodes, the wireless communication device (to the wireless communication network) indicates a combination of reference signal resources indicated by the first and second measurement reports, which corresponds to a combination of antenna panel entities configurable for simultaneous transmissions from the wireless communication device.

[0073] At least some embodiments are particularly advantageous when TRPs operate independently of each other (e.g., due to slow backhaul) and are associated with wireless communication devices so that group-based beam reporting is not applicable.

[0074] Figure 1 Example signaling between a transmit / receive point (TRP) 110 and a user equipment (UE) 120 according to some embodiments is illustrated. The example signaling illustrates beam selection and subsequent communication between TRP 110 and UE 120.

[0075] Figure 1 Part (a) illustrates that TRP 110 transmits downlink (DL) reference signaling using multiple (relatively narrow) beams 130, which can be used by UE 120 to identify a preferred beam 131 among the multiple beams 130. Identification by UE 120 typically involves using a (relatively wide) beam 140 for reception and determining the preferred beam 131 as the beam with the best reception performance (e.g., highest received signal strength) among the multiple beams 130. UE 120 reports the indication of the identified preferred beam 131 to TRP 110, and TRP 110 performs beam selection based on this report.

[0076] Figure 1Part (b) illustrates that TRP 110 uses a specific (relatively narrow) beam 131 (typically identified as the beam preferred by UE 120) to repeatedly transmit downlink (DL) reference signaling, which UE 120 can use to identify a suitable beam 151 among multiple (relatively narrow) beams 150. Thus, the beam 151 with the best reception performance (e.g., highest received signal strength) among the multiple beams 150 can be identified and selected by UE 120.

[0077] Figure 1 Part (c) illustrates DL communication, in which TRP 110 uses the selected beam 131 for DL ​​transmission and UE 120 uses the corresponding selected beam 151 for DL ​​reception.

[0078] Figure 1 Part (d) illustrates UL communication, in which UE 120 uses a (relatively wide) beam 160 for UL transmission, and TRP 110 uses a selected beam 131 for UL reception.

[0079] The method according to some embodiments can, for example, be similar to... Figure 1 The example signaling shown applies relevantly. For example, Figure 1 The DL reference signaling of part (a) can be performed by two or more TRPs 110 for multi-TRP operation, and UE 120 can provide two or more reports indicating the preferred beam 131, and indicating the combination of the reported preferred beam 131 corresponding to the combination of UE antenna panels that can be configured for simultaneous transmission from UE 120.

[0080] Figure 1 This can be used as a specification for beam management (e.g., according to 3GPP standards). For example, 3GPP has already specified methods for handling beam mobility (both within and between TRPs) at mmW frequencies for the concept of New Radio (NR). At such frequencies, high-gain beamforming is typically used. Therefore, each beam is usually optimal only over a relatively small area, and the link budget typically degrades rapidly outside the optimal beam area. Therefore, frequent and rapid beam switching may be required to maintain high performance.

[0081] To support beam switching, a beam indication framework has been defined in NR. For example, for downlink (DL) data transmission (e.g., in the Physical Downlink Shared Channel (PDSCH)), the Downlink Control Information (DCI) includes a Transmission Configuration Indicator (TCI) field that informs the UE which beam is used for DL ​​transmission, and the UE can adjust its receive beam accordingly. This is particularly beneficial for analog receive (RX) beamforming, where the UE needs to determine and apply RX beamforming weights before it receives the PDSCH. Figure 1 Part (c) can be considered as showing the PDSCH signaling in the NR.

[0082] Before data transmission (e.g., PDSCH), a training phase is typically required to determine the spatial filtering configuration for TRP and UE. In NR, this process is called DL beam management. Figure 1 Parts (a) and (b) in the diagram can be viewed as illustrating DL beam management in NR.

[0083] In NR, two types of reference signals (RS) are used for DL ​​beam management: Channel State Information RS (CSI-RS) and Synchronization Signal / Physical Broadcast Control Channel (SS / PBCH) block (abbreviated as Synchronization Signal Block, SSB). Figure 1 Parts (a) and (b) in the diagram can be seen as examples of how reference signaling is used to find a suitable beam pair link (BPL); that is, a suitable TRP transmit spatial filtering configuration 131 and a suitable corresponding UE receive spatial filtering configuration 151, which together result in a sufficiently good link budget.

[0084] exist Figure 1 In part (a), TRP 110 can be considered as performing gNB transmission (TX) beam scanning, and relatedly, TRP 110 configures UE 120 to perform measurements on a set of, for example, five reference signal resources RS1-RS5 (e.g., CSI-RS resources). Transmissions in the five reference signal resources are applied with five different spatial filtering configurations (e.g., five different TX beams, as shown by 130).

[0085] For example, UE 120 can be configured to report the reference signal identifier (RS ID) and reference signal received power (RSRP) of the reference signal resource corresponding to the maximum measured RSRP. Thus, TRP 110 obtains information about which gNB TX beam is preferred by UE 120. Figure 1 In part (a) of the example, the maximum measurement RSRP corresponds to RS4, as shown by 131.

[0086] exist Figure 1In part (b), UE 120 can be considered to perform a subsequent UE receive (RX) beam scan. For the UE RX beam scan, TRP 110 applies the same spatial filtering configuration for transmission in, for example, three reference signal resources RS6-RS8, where the spatial filtering configuration corresponds to the gNB TX beam 131 reported as preferred by UE 120.

[0087] UE 120 uses three reference signal resources, in which the same spatial filtering configuration for transmission is applied to perform measurements for different RX spatial filtering configurations (e.g., RX beams), as shown by 150. UE 120 marks the spatial filtering configuration that results in the maximum RSRP (represented by 151) and associates it with the RSID corresponding to the TX filtering configuration used (represented by 131).

[0088] When DL data is subsequently scheduled to UE 120 (with Figure 1 Compared to part (c), the network can refer to the RS ID (e.g., in the TCI carried in the field of the DCI that schedules the PDSCH) so that UE 120 can select the appropriate RX spatial filtering configuration for PDSCH reception. For example, TRP 110 can indicate to UE 120 that the PDSCH demodulation reference signal (DMRS) is spatially quasi-co-located with the RS that the UE performs measurements on during UE beam scanning during the beam training phase. Figure 1 Compared to part (b). A similar approach is possible for downlink control transmissions using the Physical Downlink Control Channel (PDCCH).

[0089] Similarly, when subsequently scheduling UL transmissions from UE 120 (with Figure 1 Compared to part (d), the network can refer to the RS ID to indicate to UE 120 which RX spatial filtering configuration TRP 110 will use for the Physical Uplink Control Channel (PUCCH) and / or Physical Uplink Shared Channel (PUSCH).

[0090] PDSCH can be transmitted to the UE from multiple TRPs. Since different TRPs may have different physical locations and different beams, the propagation channels may be different. To facilitate the reception of PDSCH data from different TRPs and / or different beams, the UE may be configured with multiple spatial filtering configurations (e.g., via multiple TCI states), for example, through Radio Resource Control (RRC).

[0091] For example, the TCI state may include quasi-co-location (QCL) information, which specifies the relationship between the DMRS used for PDSCH and one or two DL reference signals (e.g., non-zero power NZP CSI-RS or SSB), where different DL reference signals may be associated with different TRPs and / or different beams. The QCL information can be used by the UE to apply the channel characteristics associated with the DL reference signals to the DMRS of PDSCH for channel estimation and PDSCH reception.

[0092] For PDSCH, a subset of the configured TCI states can be activated by the Media Access Control Control Element (MAC-CE). One or two of the activated TCI states can be dynamically selected (depending on which / which TRPs and / or beams are used for PDSCH), and the selected TCI states(s) can be indicated in the DCI that schedules PDSCH.

[0093] Typically, each code point in the TCI field of a DCI can indicate one or two TCI states. A TCI field code point indicating one TCI state can be used to transmit PDSCH from a single TRP and / or a single beam. A TCI field code point indicating two TCI states can be used to transmit PDSCH from two TRPs and / or two beams.

[0094] Figure 2 An example wireless communication device 200 having multiple antenna panel entities is schematically shown according to some embodiments.

[0095] Typically, an antenna panel entity can be any set of antenna elements configured to cooperate in providing spatial filtering. For example, the set of antenna elements can be included on the same physical antenna panel, or it can include antenna elements from two or more different physical antenna panels. Additionally or alternatively, all antenna elements of a physical antenna panel can belong to the same set of antenna elements, or different antenna elements of a physical antenna panel can be part of two or more different sets. Therefore, an antenna panel entity can be a physical antenna panel, a virtual antenna panel, a logical antenna panel, etc.

[0096] exist Figure 2 In the image, multiple antenna panel entities are shown as multiple physical antenna panels 201, 202, 203, and 204.

[0097] The wireless communication device 200 also includes first and second transceiver entities (TRX1, TRX2) 210, 220, each transceiver entity including one or more corresponding transceiver chains, wherein the transceiver chains typically include transmitter chains and / or receiver chains. The first transceiver entity 210 is operably connected to antenna panels 201 and 202 via a first switching function 211, and the second transceiver entity 220 is operably connected to antenna panels 203 and 204 via a second switching function.

[0098] It should be noted that each antenna panel typically has one transceiver chain per polarization (i.e., each transceiver entity 210, 220 typically includes two transceiver chains; one per polarization). Sharing a transceiver entity among two or more antenna panels typically requires that certain combinations of antenna panels cannot be used simultaneously. For example, antenna panels 201 and 202 may not be able to be used for simultaneous transmission (e.g., when the first switching function 211 is configured to operatively connect only one of antenna panels 201 and 202 to the transmitter chain of the first transceiver entity 210 at a time). Similarly, antenna panels 203 and 204 may not be able to be used for simultaneous transmission (e.g., when the second switching function 221 is configured to operatively connect only one of antenna panels 203 and 204 to the transmitter chain of the second transceiver entity 220 at a time). Therefore, it is possible that only antenna panel combinations [201 and 203], [201 and 204], [202 and 203], and [202 and 204] can be used for simultaneous transmission from wireless communication device 200, while any antenna panel combination including [201 and 202] or [203 and 204] cannot be used for simultaneous transmission.

[0099] The method according to some embodiments can, for example, be similar to... Figure 2 The wireless communication device 200 shown is applicable in connection with this. The wireless communication device 200 can, for example, perform measurements on DL reference signaling from two or more TRPs for multi-TRP operation, provide reports of corresponding two or more indicated preferred beams, and indicate the reported combination of preferred beams corresponding to a combination of antenna panels configurable for simultaneous transmission.

[0100] For example, two preferred beams can be identified for a first TRP by receiving data via antenna panels 201 and 204, respectively, and a preferred beam can be identified for a second TRP by receiving data via antenna panel 203. Then, in addition to reporting the preferred beam indication to the TRP, the wireless communication device 200 can be configured to indicate that simultaneous UL transmission for multiple TRP operations is possible by combining the preferred beams corresponding to the reception via antenna panels 201 and 203 for the first and second TRPs (and / or simultaneous UL transmission for multiple TRP operations is not possible by combining the preferred beams corresponding to the reception via antenna panels 204 and 203).

[0101] To handle UE panels with different capabilities, UE panel-specific capabilities can be included in the beam report. For example, the UE can report a list of UE capability value sets during UE capability signaling, where each UE capability value set includes information about the maximum number of SRS ports supported for different UE panels. Each UE capability value can be associated with a different capability (i.e., a different number of supported SRS ports). Each UE panel is then associated with a UE capability value set.

[0102] For example, a UE may have four UE panels (P1, P2, P3, P4), where each of P1, P2, and P3 has two TX chains (i.e., can support up to two SRS ports), and P4 has only a single TX chain (i.e., can support only a single SRS port). The UE will then report two UE capability value sets in its capability signaling (one indicating up to two supported SRS ports, and one indicating up to one supported SRS port). For each beam indicated in the beam report, the UE may include an index of the UE capability value set to indicate how many SRS ports are used by the UE panel to receive the RS associated with the indicated beam.

[0103] It should be noted that when the term “UE capability value set” is used in this document, it is intended to cover any set indication that has the same or similar functionality as the UE capability value set currently defined by 3GPP, even if it is not formally called a UE capability value set.

[0104] As already mentioned, there is a need for a method that enables the management of wireless communication devices with more than one antenna panel communicating simultaneously with two or more radio access points.

[0105] One problem with multi-panel UL transmission is that the network typically doesn't know which UE panels are available for simultaneous transmission. For example, in current NR specifications, the network can configure group-based beam reporting for the UE. Based on the group-based beam reporting, the UE should report beam pairs that can be received simultaneously by the UE. However, the network cannot infer from the group-based beam reporting whether the reported beam pairs are received by different UE panels, and if so, whether the UE can transmit simultaneously from two UE panels.

[0106] In multi-TRP operation, two or more TRPs may operate independently of each other (e.g., due to slow backhaul) but are associated with the same UE. According to existing technology, in such a multi-TRP scenario, it is impossible to determine whether the beam indicated in the report from the UE is available for simultaneous DL reception along with a beam indicated in relation to another TRP, nor is it possible to determine whether the beam indicated in the report from the UE is available for simultaneous UL transmission along with a beam indicated in relation to another TRP.

[0107] According to some embodiments, these problems are addressed by introducing non-group-based beam reporting for simultaneous multi-panel UL transmission to two or more TRPs.

[0108] Figure 3 An example method 300 for a wireless communication device is shown, wherein the wireless communication device is configured to communicate with a wireless communication network and has multiple antenna panel entities. For example, the wireless communication device may be composed of... Figure 2 Wireless communication devices 200 and / or Figure 1 UE 120 is used as an example.

[0109] Figure 4 An example method 400 for a wireless communication network is shown, wherein the wireless communication network is configured to communicate with a wireless communication device having multiple antenna panel entities. For example, the wireless communication network may consist of... Figure 1 The TRP110 network is used as an example. Regarding... Figure 4 It should be noted that method 400 may be performed by a TRP of the wireless communication network (e.g., by each of the first TRP and the second TRP) or by a central processing node (e.g., a network control node, a cloud server node, etc.) configured to control the operation of the wireless communication network. In some embodiments, some steps of method 400 are performed by one or more TRPs, and some steps of method 400 are performed by the central processing node.

[0110] Now we will describe them together. Figure 3 and Figure 4 This illustrates an example interaction between a wireless communication device performing method 300 and a wireless communication network performing method 400.

[0111] As shown in step 360, the wireless communication device performs measurements for two or more groups of reference signal resources. The measurements can be performed by applying any suitable measurement method.

[0112] Each reference signal resource group is transmitted with reference signals from the corresponding radio access node of the wireless communication network (and...). Figure 1 Compared to 130 in the previous step, this is associated with step 450 (which is shown as optional to cover the scenario where method 400 is performed by a central processing node). Furthermore, each measurement uses a corresponding antenna panel entity (as shown in step 450). Figure 2 Compared to 201, 202, 203, and 204) and the corresponding spatial filter settings (with Figure 1 (Compared to 140 and 150).

[0113] As shown in step 460, the wireless communication network causes the wireless communication device to perform the measurement of step 360. This can be implemented in any suitable manner, several examples of which will be described later herein. In some embodiments, a reference signal transmission may be the implementation that causes the wireless communication device to perform the measurement of step 360. This is in Figure 4 As shown, optional step 450 is a sub-step of step 460.

[0114] As shown in steps 370 and 470, when the measurement of step 360 has been performed, the wireless communication device sends a measurement report for each reference signal resource group, and the measurement report is received by the wireless communication network. For example, the first measurement report may be received by / via (at least) a first radio access node, and the second measurement report may be received by / via (at least) a second radio access node. Thus, each measurement report may be for a corresponding transmission node among (e.g., first and second) transmission nodes.

[0115] The first report may be sent via a first PUSCH (e.g., a dynamically scheduled PUSCH) targeting the first radio access node, and the second report may be sent via a second PUSCH (e.g., a dynamically scheduled PUSCH or a configured licensed PUSCH) targeting the first and / or second radio access nodes.

[0116] Each measurement report (e.g., via an index) indicates one or more reference signal resources from a corresponding reference signal resource group within a reference signal resource group. The indicated reference signal resources are typically associated with those used by the radio access node in a preferred beam (with...). Figure 1 The reference signal resources that transmit reference signaling correspond to those of 131. Therefore, spatial filtering by the preferred radio access node of the wireless communication device can be inferred from the indicated reference signal resources(s).

[0117] Typically, measurement reports are correlated with each other so that the wireless communication network can identify them as relating to simultaneous communication between wireless communication devices and radio access nodes. This correlation can be implemented in any suitable manner, as illustrated later in this document.

[0118] In some embodiments, the transmission of measurement reports is implemented as non-group-based reporting.

[0119] The wireless communication device also indicates a combination of reference signal resources indicated by a measurement report, which corresponds to a combination of antenna panel entities configurable for simultaneous transmission from the wireless communication device, and information about the combination is obtained by the wireless communication network. The indication of the combination and the acquisition of the corresponding information can be implemented in any suitable manner, several examples of which will be described later herein.

[0120] Simultaneous transmission from a wireless communication device refers to simultaneous (usually independent) transmission from a radio access node.

[0121] Typically, the indicated combination includes at least one reference signal resource indicated by the first measurement report and at least one reference signal resource indicated by the second measurement report.

[0122] Typically, the combination of indicated reference signal resources corresponds to the combination of antenna panel entities, meaning that when a measurement is performed on the first reference signal resource in the combination of reference signal resources, the wireless communication device uses the first antenna panel entity in the combination of antenna panel entities, and when a measurement is performed on the second reference signal resource in the combination of reference signal resources, the wireless communication device uses the second antenna panel entity in the combination of antenna panel entities.

[0123] The indication of combinations can, for example, suggest that all combinations of a reference signal resource indicated by a first measurement report and a reference signal resource indicated by a second measurement report can be used for simultaneous transmission from a wireless communication device. Such indication can be implemented in a relatively compact manner (e.g., using a single bit).

[0124] Additionally or alternatively, the indication of a combination may imply that a combination of the reference signal resources not indicated by the first measurement report and the reference signal resources indicated by the second measurement report is guaranteed to be suitable for simultaneous transmission from the wireless communication device. Such an indication may be implemented in a relatively compact manner (e.g., using a single bit).

[0125] Alternatively or additionally, the combination indication may suggest which combinations of reference signal resources indicated by the first measurement report and reference signal resources indicated by the second measurement report can be used for simultaneous transmission from the wireless communication device.

[0126] The indication of combinations can be implemented using the concept of UE capability value sets (or a similar logical index associated with an antenna panel entity). For example, a measurement report can indicate the UE capability value set for each indicated reference signal resource, or a configuration message can indicate that different UE capability value sets should be used for measurements associated with different radio access nodes (i.e., different UE capability value sets should be used for measurements associated with the first and second reference signal resource groups).

[0127] Typically, each report indicates a set of UE capability values ​​for performing measurements for a first set of reference signal resources and a set of UE capability values ​​for performing measurements for a second set of reference signal resources (i.e., both reports may indicate the corresponding set of UE capabilities for the two sets of reference signal resources). Generally, when it is mentioned herein that a combination of indicated reference signal resources is available for simultaneous transmission from a wireless communication device, this means that the wireless communication device can perform simultaneous UL transmission to a radio access node performing reference signal transmission in the indicated reference signal resources. Typically, the spatial filter settings (e.g., beamforming) used for reference signal transmission in the reference signal resources are adapted for reception of UL transmissions.

[0128] In some embodiments, the combination of indicated reference signal resources corresponding to the combination of antenna panel entities configurable for simultaneous transmission from a wireless communication device is explicitly indicated via one or both / all of the reports in steps 370 and 470. For example, the measurement report may include an identifier for each indicated reference signal resource (as indicated by another measurement report) that can be used for simultaneous transmission. Additionally or alternatively, the measurement report may include information that any reference signal resource indicated by that measurement report can be used for simultaneous transmission together with any reference signal resource indicated by another measurement report.

[0129] As shown by optional steps 310 and 410, methods 300 and 400 can begin by the wireless communication device sending a capability message received by the wireless communication network. The capability message indicates the wireless communication device's ability to configurate an antenna panel entity for simultaneous transmission in association with a measurement report including at least two measurement reports. Therefore, the capability message can be used to notify the wireless communication network that the wireless communication device is capable of reporting reference signal resource indications, while also indicating combinations available for simultaneous transmission from the wireless communication device. For example, the capability message could indicate that the wireless communication device supports non-group-based beam reporting for simultaneous multi-panel UL transmission.

[0130] Configuration messages can be conveyed in any suitable manner. For example, configuration messages can be conveyed via RRC signaling.

[0131] For example, a capability message can be sent by a wireless communication device in association with a connection to a wireless communication network. Subsequently, relevant information about the capability message can be communicated within the wireless communication network when the wireless communication device switches between radio access nodes. Alternatively or additionally, the capability message can be sent in association with the handover of the wireless communication device between radio access nodes.

[0132] According to some embodiments, a capability message may include information about which combinations of antenna panel entities among a plurality of antenna panel entities are configurable for simultaneous transmission from a wireless communication device. For example, a capability message may include a list of antenna panel entities (or UE capability value sets) of a wireless communication device. Each antenna panel entity (or each UE capability value set) may be associated with an indication of which / which other antenna panel entities (or UE capability value sets) can be used together with that antenna panel entity (or UE capability value set) for simultaneous transmission from a wireless communication device.

[0133] In some of these embodiments, each measurement report may identify a corresponding antenna panel entity (e.g., an antenna panel entity for performing measurements on the indicated reference signaling resource) for each indicated reference signaling resource. Thus, the report, along with capability messages, can be used by the wireless communication device to determine a combination of reference signal resources indicated by the measurement report corresponding to a combination of antenna panel entities configurable for simultaneous transmission from the wireless communication device.

[0134] The capability message (information about which combinations of antenna panel entities can be configured for simultaneous transmission) and the identification in the report (information about the corresponding antenna panel entity for each indicated reference signal resource) can be explicit or implicit.

[0135] For example, the capability message information may include a list of set identifiers (e.g., indexes), where each set identifier corresponds to a set of antenna panel entities (e.g., a UE capability set) that can be used for simultaneous UL transmission. Then, the identifier in the report (regarding the corresponding antenna panel entity for each indicated reference signal resource) may include a set identifier for the set to which the corresponding antenna panel entity belongs. Thus, when indicated reference signal resources are associated with the same set identifier, the wireless communication network can safely use the combination of reference signal resources indicated by the measurement report for simultaneous transmission from the wireless communication device. Correspondingly, when indicated reference signal resources are associated with different set identifiers, the wireless communication network cannot safely use the combination of reference signal resources indicated by the measurement report for simultaneous transmission from the wireless communication device. Therefore, the combination of indicated reference signal resources corresponding to the combination of antenna panel entities configurable for simultaneous transmission from the wireless communication device can be considered as indicated via a combination of the capability messages of steps 310 and 410 and the reports of steps 370 and 470.

[0136] Additionally or alternatively, the capability message may include information about the number of antenna panel entities of the wireless communication device and / or information about which combinations of antenna panel entities among the multiple antenna panel entities are configurable for simultaneous reception by the wireless communication device.

[0137] In some embodiments, the capability message may additionally or alternatively indicate the number of ports per antenna panel.

[0138] In some embodiments, the capability message may additionally or alternatively indicate an antenna panel identifier (e.g., an index), and one or more of the above information may be associated with the corresponding antenna panel identifier in the capability message.

[0139] Therefore, according to some embodiments, the UE can (during UE capability signaling) indicate to the network that it supports non-group-based beam reporting for simultaneous multi-panel UL transmission. The capability message can also indicate one or more of the following: the number of UE panels (or the number of UE capability value sets) for the UE, which UE panels (or UE capability value sets) are available for simultaneous UL transmission, and which UE panels (or UE capability value sets) are available for simultaneous DL reception.

[0140] As shown by optional steps 320 and 420, the wireless communication network can send a configuration message received by the wireless communication device. The configuration message configures the wireless communication device to indicate the configurability of the antenna panel entity for simultaneous transmission in association with a measurement report including at least two measurement reports (e.g., by instructing the wireless communication device to perform non-group-based beam reporting for STxMP).

[0141] Configuration messages can be conveyed in any suitable manner. For example, configuration messages can be conveyed via RRC signaling and / or MAC-CE signaling.

[0142] In some embodiments, the configuration message may be a message that includes fields for specifying the DL reference signal configuration of the first and second reference signal resource groups.

[0143] For example, a wireless communication network may send a configuration message in response to one or more of the following: receiving a capability message in step 410, switching to multi-TRP (or similar) operation, and determining the need for simultaneous UL transmission to two or more radio access nodes.

[0144] In some embodiments, the transmission of the configuration message may be an implementation that causes the wireless communication device to perform the measurement of step 360. This is in Figure 4 As shown, optional step 420 is a sub-step of step 460.

[0145] As shown by optional steps 330 and 430, the wireless communication network can send a report setting received by the wireless communication device. The report setting can be included in the configuration message of steps 320 and 420, or it can be communicated as a separate message from the configuration message.

[0146] In some embodiments, the transmission of the report settings may be an implementation that causes a wireless communication device to perform the measurement of step 360. This is in Figure 4 As shown, optional step 430 is a sub-step of step 460.

[0147] The report settings indicate the corresponding settings (including the corresponding reference signal resource group) for each measurement report. Therefore, the report settings provide information specifying which reference signal resources should be used for the measurement in step 360.

[0148] In some embodiments, the report settings may also indicate (for each reference signal resource in the reference signal resource group) the spatial filter settings to be used to perform the corresponding measurement.

[0149] In some embodiments, the reporting settings may alternatively or additionally indicate that all antenna panel entities used to perform measurements for a first set of reference signal resources will be configurable together with all antenna panel entities used to perform measurements for a second set of reference signal resources for simultaneous transmission from the wireless communication device. Therefore, the indicated combination of reference signal resources corresponding to the combination of antenna panel entities configurable for simultaneous transmission from the wireless communication device can be considered as indicated via a combination of the reporting settings of steps 320 and 430 and the reports of steps 370 and 470.

[0150] In some embodiments, reporting settings may alternatively or additionally indicate associations between reports so that the wireless communication network can identify them as relating to simultaneous communication between wireless communication devices and radio access nodes. Association indications can be implicit or explicit. For example, reporting settings may configure a field in each report that indicates a link between reports.

[0151] In some embodiments, the reporting settings may alternatively or additionally indicate when and / or how frequently a reference signal resource occurs.

[0152] In some embodiments, report settings may alternatively or additionally indicate when and / or how often reports should be sent.

[0153] Typically, report settings may include any suitable information relating to the content and / or delivery of the report. Some example information for report settings (e.g., CSI report configuration) includes:

[0154] ○ Resources used for channel measurements: For example, an identifier (ID) pointing to a CSI-ResourceConfig that contains an NZP CSI-RS resource set or an SSB resource set.

[0155] ○ Resources used for interference measurements: For example, an optional ID for a CSI-ResourceConfig that contains a CSI-IM (CSI Interference Measurement) resource set or an NZPCSI-RS resource set.

[0156] ○ Report configuration type: For example, periodic, semi-persistent, or non-periodic.

[0157] ○ Number of Reports: Define the content that the report should include, for example, none (no report required), CRI-RI-PMI-CQI, CRI-RI-i1, CRI-RI-i1-CQI, CRI-RI-CQI, CRI-RSRP, SSB-index-RSRP, CRI-RI-LI-PMI-CQI, where CRI represents CSI-RS resource indicator, RI represents rank indicator, PMI represents precoder matrix indicator, CQI represents channel quality indicator, RSRP represents reference signal received power, LI represents layer indicator, and SSB represents synchronization signal block.

[0158] ○ Frequency configuration: for example, wideband, subband, subset of subband.

[0159] ○ Time-domain measurement limitations.

[0160] ○ Codebook configuration information.

[0161] ○ Information about which Channel Quality Indicator (CQI) table to use.

[0162] According to some embodiments, reporting settings can be communicated via Radio Resource Control (RRC).

[0163] In some embodiments, fields are defined for reporting settings (e.g., "nonGroupBasedBeamReporting-STxMP") (e.g., new fields for CSI-ReportConfig IE as specified in 3GPP Technical Specification TS 38.331); for example, as follows:

[0164]

[0165] When the corresponding parameter is set to "Enable", the UE should use a reporting setting for non-group-based beam reporting, and this reporting setting should be linked to one or more other reporting settings that have the parameter set to "Enable". This is an example of the association between a first reporting setting and a second reporting setting, so that the wireless communication device knows that the first and second reporting settings are linked to each other.

[0166] According to some embodiments, when configured accordingly, for example, if the aforementioned parameter field is set to "Enabled" in both reporting settings, the UE should use a first set of spatial filters when receiving a reference signal associated with a first report (or reporting setting), and use a second set of spatial filters when receiving a reference signal associated with a second report (or reporting setting), wherein the first set of spatial filters is associated with a first set of UE panel entities, and the second set of spatial filters is associated with a second set of UE panel entities, and wherein the first set of UE panel entities and the second set of UE panel entities are separate. Assuming that all UE panel entities can be used for simultaneous UL transmission along with any / all other UE panel entities, this method guarantees that any combination of reported reference signal resources corresponds to a combination of UE panel entities available for simultaneous UL transmission.

[0167] According to some embodiments, when configured accordingly, for example, if the above parameter field is set to "enabled" in both reporting settings, the UE should use a first set of spatial filters when receiving a reference signal associated with a first report (or reporting setting) and a second set of spatial filters when receiving a reference signal associated with a second report (or reporting setting), wherein the first set of spatial filters is associated with a first set of UE panel entities and the second set of spatial filters is associated with a second set of UE panel entities, wherein the first set of UE panel entities and the second set of UE panel entities are separate, and wherein the UE can perform simultaneous UL transmission from any combination of the first set of UE panel entities and the second set of UE panel entities.

[0168] According to some embodiments, when configured accordingly, for example, with the aforementioned parameter field set to "Enabled" in both reporting settings, the UE should include in each report (i.e., both the first report associated with the first reporting setting and the second report associated with the second reporting setting) an indication of a first group of UE panel entities and an indication of a second group of UE panel entities, wherein the first group of UE panel entities corresponds to a group of UE panel entities associated with a first group of spatial filters used when receiving a reference signal associated with the first report (or reporting setting), and wherein the second group of UE panel entities corresponds to a group of UE panel entities associated with a second group of spatial filters used when receiving a reference signal associated with the second report (or reporting setting). For example, if the network knows (e.g., from UE capability signaling) which UE panel entities are available for simultaneous UL transmission, the TRP can determine whether it can securely schedule the UE's UL transmission for the indicated TRP beam.

[0169] As shown by optional steps 340 and 440, the wireless communication network can send a trigger message or activation message received by the wireless communication device. The trigger / activation message can be communicated together with the reporting settings of steps 330 and 430 (either as an explicit message or implicitly inferred from the reporting settings), or it can be communicated together with the configuration messages of steps 320 and 420 (either as an explicit message or implicitly inferred from the configuration messages), or it can be communicated as a message separate from the configuration messages and reporting settings.

[0170] Trigger / activation messages can be communicated in any suitable manner. For example, trigger / activation messages can be communicated via DCI and / or MAC-CE. A first DCI sent from a first TRP can trigger a first report setting, a second DCI sent from a second TRP can trigger a second report setting, or a first DCI sent from a first TRP can trigger both a first and a second report setting.

[0171] In some embodiments, the transmission of the trigger / activation message may be an implementation that causes the wireless communication device to perform the measurement in step 360. This is in Figure 4 As shown, optional step 440 is a sub-step of step 460.

[0172] The activation message can be configured to cause measurements to be performed repeatedly (e.g., periodically) against a group of reference signal resources.

[0173] Trigger messages can be configured to cause a measurement to be performed a limited number of times (e.g., once). Therefore, repeatedly performing a measurement may require repeatedly sending trigger messages.

[0174] The trigger message can be configured to cause measurements to be performed for at least one reference signal resource group. For example, the trigger message can cause measurements to be performed for the reference signal resource group corresponding to the radio access node that sent the trigger message and for the reference signal resource group corresponding to another radio access node. Alternatively, the trigger message can cause measurements to be performed only for the reference signal resource group corresponding to the radio access node that sent the trigger message (i.e., each radio access node may need to send a corresponding trigger message to cause measurements to be performed for its corresponding reference signal resource group).

[0175] For example, a trigger message can be sent in response to a performance assessment of the wireless communication network that indicates that the spatial filter settings currently in use at the radio access node are suboptimal.

[0176] In some embodiments, the wireless communication device can be configured to autonomously determine to perform measurements for a group of reference signal resources. The possibility of autonomously determining to perform measurements can be combined with the possibility of sending a trigger / activation message from the wireless communication network, or it can be implemented without the possibility of sending a trigger / activation message from the wireless communication network.

[0177] The possibility of autonomously determining the execution of a measurement is illustrated by optional step 350, where it is determined whether a measurement condition is met. When the measurement condition is met (the "Yes" path in step 350), method 300 proceeds to step 360, where a measurement is performed (once or repeatedly) for at least one of the first and second reference signal resource groups. When the measurement condition is not met (not shown), method 300 continues until the condition is met or another disruptive event occurs (e.g., a trigger message is received or the time for repeated measurement is reached).

[0178] For example, measurement conditions can be based on performance evaluations of wireless communication devices, and measurement conditions can be considered met when the performance evaluation indicates that the spatial filter settings currently used at the radio access node are suboptimal.

[0179] Alternatively or additionally, the measurement conditions can be considered met when the beam (or spatial filter) corresponding to a radio access node is changed.

[0180] In some embodiments, each measurement report indicates a performance metric (e.g., based on a maximum exposure constraint) for each indicated reference signal resource, wherein the performance metric is specific to the antenna panel entity corresponding to the indicated reference signal resource.

[0181] For example, maximum exposure constraints can be related to the concept of maximum permissible exposure (MPE). In 3GPP, two methods have been introduced to enable UEs to comply with regulatory exposure limits: reducing maximum output power (known as Power Management Maximum Power Reduction (P-MPR)) and reducing UL transmission duty cycle. For example, the UE capability field “maxUplinkDutyCycle-FR2” indicates the maximum percentage of symbols that can be scheduled for uplink transmissions within a 1-second assessment period to meet the regulatory exposure limit. If the UE capability field “maxUplinkDutyCycle-FR2” is absent, or if it exists but the percentage of uplink symbols transmitted in any 1-second assessment period exceeds the indicated percentage, the UE can apply P-MPR to meet the regulatory exposure limit by reducing the maximum output power used for the relevant UE power class by a certain dB value.

[0182] The drawback of these methods is that maximum uplink performance can be significantly degraded. By indicating maximum exposure constraints for each indicated reference signal resource, where the performance metric is specific to the antenna panel entity corresponding to the indicated reference signal resource, the wireless communication network can be aware of potential variations in maximum exposure constraints between antenna panel entities and apply this knowledge to UL scheduling to improve uplink performance. For example, the wireless communication network can bias the selection among the indicated reference signal resources towards those with maximum exposure constraints corresponding to relatively high transmit volumes.

[0183] More generally, wireless communication networks may bias the selection of reference signal resources among indicated reference signal resources towards those with relatively high performance metrics.

[0184] Typically, a performance metric can refer to any suitable performance metric. For example, a performance metric can be UL performance (e.g., UL RSRP) or DL ​​performance combined with UL compensation (e.g., DL RSRP plus UL power factor).

[0185] Once the measurement has been performed and the corresponding report has been sent, the wireless communication network and wireless communication devices can then perform communication accordingly. This is illustrated by optional steps 380 and 480.

[0186] For example, a wireless communication network can perform scheduling of simultaneous UL transmissions from a wireless communication device to two or more radio access nodes, as shown by optional sub-step 490, wherein the scheduling is based on first and second measurement reports and on information acquired about a combination of reference signal resources.

[0187] Information regarding scheduling can be communicated to wireless communication devices in any suitable manner, including explicit or implicit instructions to apply the same antenna panel entity (and / or the same spatial filter setup) used for measurements corresponding to the indicated reference signaling resources to UL transmissions.

[0188] It should be noted that for some of the execution of steps 360 and 370, the measurement in step 360 is performed only for one of two or more reference signal resource groups, and the report in step 370 includes only one measurement report related to the corresponding radio access node.

[0189] For example, a trigger message received from a radio access node in step 340 may trigger measurements and reports only for that radio access node, or it may trigger measurements and reports for other (one or more) radio access nodes(s). Additionally or alternatively, the autonomous determination in step 350 may trigger measurements and reports only for that radio access node or for multiple radio access nodes.

[0190] However, the measurement is performed at a certain point in time during the execution of method 300 for each of the (first and second) radio access nodes involved in step 360, and the corresponding report is performed at a certain point in time during the execution of method 300 for each of the (first and second) radio access nodes involved in step 370.

[0191] When steps(of) of method 400 are performed by the central processing node, the division of wireless communication network actions between the central processing node and the radio access node is typically based on the timing requirements associated with each action. For example, actions associated with relatively long-term requirements (i.e., relatively long time delays are acceptable) may be performed by either the central processing node or the radio access node, while actions associated with relatively short-term requirements (i.e., only relatively short time delays are acceptable) should typically be performed by the radio access node.

[0192] For illustration, one or more of the processing capability messages, configuration messages, and reporting settings can be executed by either the central processing node or the radio access node. Activation messages can be processed by either the central processing node or the radio access node, while trigger messages are typically processed by the radio access node. Processing of information conveyed by measurement reports (e.g., UL scheduling) can be handled by either the central processing node or the radio access node.

[0193] Typically, all information exchange between wireless communication devices and the central processing node is achieved through a combination of signaling between the wireless communication device and one or more radio access nodes, and signaling between one or more radio access nodes and the central processing node.

[0194] Figure 5 The wireless communication device (by) is shown Figure 5 Example of User Equipment 510 in the example; with Figure 1 UE 120 and Figure 2 Example signaling between a wireless communication device 200 and a wireless communication network. The wireless communication network includes two or more radio access nodes (by...). Figure 5 The two transmit / receive points TRP1 520 and TRP2 530 are illustrated in the example; with Figure 1 Compared to the TRP110). In some embodiments, the wireless communication network also includes a central processing node (by... Figure 5 (The optional central processing node CPN 540 is shown in the diagram), which is configured to control the operation of the wireless communication network.

[0195] For example, UE 510 can be configured to perform combination. Figure 3 At least some steps of the described method 300. Additionally or alternatively, one or more of TRP1 520, TRP2 530, and CPN 540 can be configured to perform a combination. Figure 4 At least some steps of the described method 400.

[0196] Figure 5 The signaling begins with UE 510 sending capability message 502, which is received by the wireless communication network (and...). Figure 3 and Figure 4 (Comparison of steps 310 and 410).

[0197] Capability messages can be received by one, some, or all of the involved radio access nodes. In some embodiments, capability messages (or the information conveyed by capability messages) are forwarded by one or more radio access nodes to a central processing node, so that the capability messages are received by the central processing node. This is in Figure 5 In the example, TRP1 520 receives capability message 502 and forwards it to CPN 540.

[0198] Figure 5 The signaling continues, and the wireless communication network sends configuration message 504, which is received by UE 510 (and...). Figure 3 and Figure 4 (Comparison of steps 320 and 420).

[0199] exist Figure 5 In the example, configuration message 504 may include reporting settings (and...) Figure 3 and Figure 4 Compared to steps 330 and 430) and / or trigger / activation messages (with Figure 3 and Figure 4 (Comparison of steps 340 and 440).

[0200] Configuration messages can be sent by one, some, or all of the involved radio access nodes. In some embodiments, configuration messages (or the information conveyed by configuration messages) are received by one or more radio access nodes from a central processing node. This is in Figure 5 In the example, TRP1 520 sends configuration message 504 based on information provided by CPN 540.

[0201] Figure 5 The signaling continues, and each of the involved radio access nodes (i.e., TRP1 520 and TRP2 530) performs reference signal transmissions 506, 507 in the corresponding reference signal resource group, and UE 510 performs measurements for the reference signal resource group (and...). Figure 3 and Figure 4 Compared to steps 360 and 450), each measurement uses a corresponding antenna panel entity and a corresponding spatial filter setting.

[0202] Figure 5 The signaling continues, UE 510 sends measurement reports 508, 509 for each reference signal resource group, and the measurement reports are received by the wireless communication network (and...). Figure 3 and Figure 4 (Comparison of steps 370 and 470).

[0203] Each measurement report may be received by one, some, or all of the involved radio access nodes. In some embodiments, the measurement report (or the information conveyed by the measurement report) is forwarded by one or more radio access nodes to a central processing node. This is in Figure 5 As illustrated, TRP1 520 receives measurement report 508 (which typically corresponds to a measurement performed on the reference signal resource group used by TRP1 520 during reference signal transmission 506) and forwards it to CPN 540, and TRP2 530 receives measurement report 509 (which typically corresponds to a measurement performed on the reference signal resource group used by TRP2 530 during reference signal transmission 507) and forwards it to CPN 540.

[0204] UE 510 also indicates to the wireless communication network (as indicated by a measurement report) which combinations of reference signal resources correspond to combinations of antenna panel entities configurable for simultaneous transmission from UE 510. Figure 5This indication is related to signaling and can be conveyed by capability message 502 and / or measurement reports 508, 509. In some embodiments, the indication can be derived from a combination of report settings and information conveyed by capability message 502 and / or measurement reports 508, 509.

[0205] Once the measurement has been performed and the corresponding report has been sent, the wireless communication network and UE 510 can communicate accordingly, as shown in 590 (with...). Figure 3 and Figure 4 Compared to steps 380 and 480). For example, CPN 540 can schedule (from UE510) simultaneous UL transmissions to TRP1 520 and TRP2 530 (with... Figure 4 Compared to step 490), UE 510 can perform the scheduled UL transmission.

[0206] It should be noted that, in combination Figure 3 and / or Figure 4 The described features can also be applied to Figure 5 The context, even if not explicitly mentioned.

[0207] Figure 6 The wireless communication device (by) is shown Figure 6 Example of User Equipment 620; and Figure 1 UE 120 Figure 2 Wireless communication device 200 and Figure 5 Compared to UE 510, the two radio access nodes of the wireless communication network (by...) Figure 6 The two transmit / receive points TRP1 601 and TRP2 602 are illustrated in the example; with Figure 1 TRP 110 and Figure 5 (Compared to TRP1 520 and TRP2530).

[0208] For example, UE 620 can be configured to perform combination. Figure 3 At least some steps of the described method 300. Additionally or alternatively, one or more of TRP1 601 and TRP2 602 can be configured to perform a combination. Figure 4 At least some steps of the described method 400.

[0209] Figure 6 The diagram shows UE 620 sending a measurement report 691 to TRP1 601 and another measurement report 692 to TRP1 602. Each report 691, 692 typically corresponds to a measurement performed on the reference signal resource group used by TRP1 601 and TRP2 602 respectively during reference signal transmission. Figure 6The optional reporting trigger / activation 681 by TRP1 601 is also shown.

[0210] According to one example, a TRP (here, TRP1 601) periodically triggers non-group-based reports for multiple TRPs. Trigger message 681 may be communicated, for example, via downlink control information (DCI). In some embodiments, trigger message 681 triggers separate non-group-based beam reports 691, 692 (e.g., individual reports for each of TRP1 601 and TRP2 602) to each of TRP1 601. In some embodiments, trigger message 681 triggers a separate non-group-based beam report 691 to TRP1 601 (e.g., a single report for TRP1 601), and another trigger message (not shown) from TRP2 602 triggers a separate but linked non-group-based beam report 692 to TRP2 602 (e.g., a single report for TRP2 602). Therefore, a trigger message can be communicated by the corresponding DCI from each of TRP1 601 and TRP2 602, wherein the trigger message from TRP1 triggers the first report setting (and the corresponding non-group-based beam report of the first beam report), and the trigger message from TRP2 triggers the second report setting (and the corresponding non-group-based beam report of the second beam report).

[0211] According to one example, a TRP (here, TRP1 601) semi-persistently activates non-group-based reporting for multiple TRPs. For example, activation message 681 can be communicated via a Media Access Control Control Element (MAC-CE). Activation message 681 activates individual non-group-based beam reporting 691, 692 to each of TRP1 601 and TRP2 602. For example, activation message 681 can cause several reports for each of TRP1 601 and TRP2 602.

[0212] According to one example, a UE 620 triggers non-group-based reporting for multiple TRPs and sends separate non-group-based beam reports 691, 692 to each of TRP1 601 and TRP2 602. For example, when the beam (or spatial filter) corresponding to a TRP (e.g., TRP1 601) changes, a non-group-based beam report 691 corresponding to that TRP (e.g., TRP 601) can be triggered by the UE 620 and sent to that TRP (e.g., TRP 601), while typically no non-group-based beam report transmissions are triggered to the other TRPs(e.g., TRP 602).

[0213] For example, non-group-based beam reports 691 and 692 can be transmitted to TRP1 via a first Physical Uplink Control Channel (PUCCH) in a first PUCCH resource, and to TRP2 via a second PUCCH in a second PUCCH resource. Alternatively, non-group-based beam report 691 can be transmitted via a Physical Uplink Shared Channel (PUSCH) targeting TRP1, and non-group-based beam report 692 can be transmitted to TRP2 via a PUCCH in a PUCCH resource. Still alternatively, non-group-based beam report 691 can be transmitted via a dynamically scheduled PUSCH targeting TRP1, and non-group-based beam report 692 can be transmitted to TRP2 via a PUSCH with configured permissions.

[0214] Figure 7 An example device 700 according to some embodiments is schematically shown. Device 700 includes a controller (CNTR; for example, a control circuit or control module) 720.

[0215] The device 700 is used (for example, included or may be included in) a wireless communication device WCD 710, which is configured to communicate with a wireless communication network and has multiple antenna panel entities.

[0216] For example, Figure 7 The WCD 710 can correspond to Figure 1 UE 120 Figure 2 Wireless communication equipment 200 Figure 5 UE510 and Figure 6 One or more of the UE 620. Additionally or alternatively, Figure 7 The WCD 710 can be configured to perform combination Figure 3 At least some steps of the described method 300.

[0217] The controller 720 is configured to perform measurements for first and second reference signal resource groups, wherein each reference signal resource group is associated with reference signal transmissions from corresponding first and second radio access nodes of a wireless communication network, and wherein each measurement result uses a corresponding antenna panel entity and a corresponding spatial filter setting (with...). Figure 3 Step 360 (compared to step 360).

[0218] For this purpose, controller 720 may include or otherwise associate with a measuring instrument (MEAS; e.g., a measurement circuit or measurement module) 721. Measuring instrument 721 may be configured to perform measurements for the first and second reference signal resource groups using a corresponding antenna panel entity and corresponding spatial filter settings.

[0219] Controller 720 is also configured to send first and second measurement reports, wherein each measurement report indicates one or more reference signal resources (with) from a corresponding group in the first and second reference signal resource groups. Figure 3 Compared to step 370).

[0220] For this purpose, controller 720 may include a reporter (RPT; for example, a reporting circuit or reporting module) 722 or otherwise associated with it (e.g., connected to or connectable to). Reporter 722 may be configured to generate and transmit measurement reports; for example, via transceiver (TX / RX) 730 of WCD 710.

[0221] The controller 720 is also configured to indicate to the wireless communication network a combination of reference signal resources indicated by the first and second measurement reports (e.g., as part of the measurement reports, or as otherwise illustrated herein) corresponding to a combination of antenna panel entities configurable for simultaneous transmission from the wireless communication device.

[0222] For this purpose, controller 720 may include an indicator (IND; for example, an indicator circuit or indicator module) 723 or otherwise associated with it (e.g., connected to or connectable to). Indicator 723 may be configured to indicate a combination of reference signal resources; for example, by transmitting a measurement report via transceiver 730.

[0223] Controller 720 can also be configured to send (e.g., via transceiver 730) a capability message to a wireless communication network, wherein the capability message indicates the capability of the wireless communication device to indicate the configurability of an antenna panel entity for simultaneous transmission in association with a measurement report including at least two measurement reports. Figure 3 Compared to step 310).

[0224] Additionally or alternatively, controller 720 may also be configured to receive (e.g., via transceiver 730) a configuration message from a wireless communication network, wherein the configuration message configures the wireless communication device to indicate, in association with a measurement report including at least two measurement reports, the configurability of the antenna panel entity for simultaneous transmission (and...). Figure 3 Compared to step 320).

[0225] Alternatively or additionally, controller 720 may also be configured to receive (e.g., via transceiver 730) report settings from a wireless communication network, wherein the report settings indicate corresponding first and second settings for each of the first and second measurement reports, wherein the first setting indicates a first reference signal resource group, and the second setting indicates a second reference signal resource group (and...). Figure 3Compared to step 330).

[0226] Alternatively or additionally, controller 720 may also be configured to receive a trigger message from a wireless communication network (e.g., via transceiver 730), wherein receiving the trigger message causes a measurement to be performed for at least one of the first and second reference signal resource groups (and...). Figure 3 Compared to step 340).

[0227] Alternatively or additionally, controller 720 may also be configured to receive an activation message from a wireless communication network (e.g., via transceiver 730), wherein receiving the activation message causes measurements to be repeatedly performed for the first and second reference signal resource groups (and...). Figure 3 Compared to step 340).

[0228] Alternatively or additionally, the controller 720 may also be configured to determine whether a measurement condition is met, wherein determining that the measurement condition is met causes a measurement to be performed for at least one of the first and second reference signal resource groups (and...). Figure 3 Compared to step 350).

[0229] For this purpose, controller 720 may include a determiner (DET; for example, a determining circuit or determining module) 724 or otherwise associated with it (e.g., connected to or connectable to). Determiner 724 may be configured to determine whether a measurement condition is met.

[0230] Controller 720 can also be configured to communicate with a wireless communication network (e.g., via transceiver 730) when a measurement has been performed and a corresponding report has been sent. Figure 3 Compared to step 380).

[0231] Figure 8 An example device 800 according to some embodiments is schematically shown. Device 800 includes a controller (CNTR; for example, a control circuit or control module) 820.

[0232] The apparatus 800 is used (e.g., included or may be included) for a network node NWN 810 associated with a wireless communication network configured to communicate with a wireless communication device having multiple antenna panel entities. NWN 810 may be a radio access node (e.g., TRP) of the wireless communication network, or a central processing node (e.g., network control node, cloud server node, etc.) configured to control the operation of the wireless communication network.

[0233] For example, Figure 8 The NWN 810 can correspond to Figure 1TRP 110, Figure 5 TRP1 520, Figure 5 TRP2 530, Figure 5 CPN 540, Figure 6 TRP1 601 and Figure 6 One or more of TRP2 602. Additionally or alternatively, Figure 8 The NWN 810 can be configured to perform coupling. Figure 4 At least some steps of the described method 400.

[0234] The controller 820 is configured to cause the wireless communication device to perform measurements for first and second reference signal resource groups, wherein each reference signal resource group is associated with reference signal transmissions from corresponding first and second radio access nodes of the wireless communication network, and wherein each measurement result uses a corresponding antenna panel entity and a corresponding spatial filter setting (with...). Figure 4 Compared to step 460).

[0235] For example, controller 820 can be configured to cause the wireless communication device to perform a measurement by causing the transmission of one or more of the following (e.g., via interface IF 830 of NWN810): configuration message (and Figure 4 Compared to step 420), report settings (with) Figure 4 Compared to step 430), trigger / activation message (compared to) Figure 4 Compared to step 440) and reference signaling (with) Figure 4 Compared to step 450). When NWN 810 is a radio access node, interface 830 is typically a transceiver used for direct communication with wireless communication devices, and when NWN 810 is a central processing node, interface 830 is used for communication with wireless communication devices via the radio access node.

[0236] Controller 820 is also configured to receive (e.g., via a transceiver from a radio access node) first and second measurement reports, wherein each measurement report indicates one or more reference signal resources (within the first and second reference signal resource groups) from a corresponding group. Figure 4 Compared to step 470).

[0237] The controller 820 is also configured to obtain information from the wireless communication device about a combination of reference signal resources indicated by the first and second measurement reports corresponding to a combination of antenna panel entities configurable for simultaneous transmission from the wireless communication device (e.g., as part of the measurement reports, or as otherwise illustrated herein).

[0238] For this purpose, controller 820 may include an acquirer (ACQ; for example, an acquirer circuit or acquirer module) 823 or otherwise associated with it (e.g., connected to or connectable to). Acquirer 823 may be configured to acquire information about combinations of reference signal resources; for example, by receiving measurement reports via interface 830.

[0239] Controller 820 may also be configured to receive (e.g., via interface 830) capability messages from a wireless communication network, wherein the capability messages indicate the capability of the wireless communication device to indicate the configurability of an antenna panel entity for simultaneous transmission in association with a measurement report including at least two measurement reports. Figure 4 Compared to step 410).

[0240] Controller 820 can also be configured to communicate with wireless communication devices (e.g., via a transceiver of a wireless access node) upon receiving a measurement report. Figure 4 Compared to step 480).

[0241] For example, controller 820 may also be configured to schedule simultaneous transmissions from wireless communication devices based on first and second measurement reports and information acquired about a combination of reference signal resources.

[0242] For this purpose, controller 820 may include a scheduler (SCH; for example, a scheduling circuit or scheduling module) 825 or otherwise associated with it (e.g., connected to or connectable to). Scheduler 825 may be configured to perform scheduling of simultaneous transmissions from wireless communication devices.

[0243] Figure 9 An example communication system according to some embodiments is schematically illustrated. The communication system includes a wireless communication device in the form of a UE 910, two radio access nodes in the form of two TRP 920, 930, and (optionally) a central processing node CPN 940 (in... Figure 9 (Example: included in the cloud structure).

[0244] Figure 9 The UE 910 can, for example, correspond to Figure 1 UE 120 Figure 2 Wireless communication equipment 200 Figure 5 UE510, Figure 6 UE 620 and Figure 7 One or more of the WCD 710. Additionally or alternatively, Figure 9 The UE 910 can be configured to perform combination Figure 3 At least some steps of the described method 300.

[0245] Figure 9 Each of the TRP 920 and 930 can, for example, correspond to Figure 1 TRP 110, Figure 5 TRP1 520, Figure 5 TRP2 530, Figure 6 TRP1 601, Figure 6 TRP2 602 and Figure 8 One or more of the NWN 810. Additionally or alternatively, Figure 9 Each of the TRP 920 and 930 can be configured to perform combination. Figure 4 At least some steps of the described method 400.

[0246] Figure 9 The CPN 940 can, for example, correspond to Figure 5 CPN 540 and Figure 8 One or more of the NWN 810. Additionally or alternatively, Figure 9 The CPN 940 can be configured to perform coupling. Figure 4 At least some steps of the described method 400.

[0247] In summary, according to some embodiments, the UE is configured with a non-group-based beamforming (e.g., CSI) reporting configuration for simultaneous UL multi-panel transmission. Figure 3 Compared to 320 and / or 330), based on the reported configuration, the UE performs measurements on the two reference signal groups (e.g., with). Figure 3 Compared to 360), and send two separate beam reports (e.g., with 360), Figure 3 Compared to 370), each beam report facilitates simultaneous multi-panel UL transmission (e.g., based on the use of multiple DCI).

[0248] It should be noted that the term "non-group-based beam reporting" (which has been used in discussions related to NR standardization) should not be considered restrictive. Rather, the term "non-group-based beam reporting" refers to any report (e.g., as specified for 3GPP; 5G Advanced or 6G) in which, for a scenario where a wireless communication device communicates with two or more radio access nodes (e.g., multiple TRP or D-MIMO), the wireless communication device, having two or more antenna panel entities, sends beam reports according to the radio access nodes, and wherein the beam reports are correlated with each other so that the wireless communication network can determine whether a beam indicated in a report for a first radio access node can be used together with a beam indicated in another report for a second radio access node for simultaneous UL transmission.

[0249] It should also be noted that the term "beam" can refer to uplink spatial filtering coefficients / configuration and / or downlink spatial filtering coefficients / configuration according to 3GPP specifications. The reference signal can be, for example, CSI-RS (in this case, the UE reports the CSI-RS resource index CRI, e.g., in...). Figure 3 In step 370) or SSB (in this case, the UE reports the SSB resource index SSBRI, for example, in Figure 3 (in step 370).

[0250] Generally, features described in connection with one embodiment herein can be equally applied (with appropriate and necessary modifications) to the context of another embodiment, even if not explicitly mentioned.

[0251] Furthermore, it should be noted that the methods, features, and advantages described herein are generally applicable to any situation involving simultaneous transmission from a wireless communication device with multiple antenna panel entities to two or more radio access nodes in a wireless communication network, even if the examples herein involve multiple TPRs. For example, the wireless communication network may be a distributed multiple-input multiple-output (D-MIMO) system, where the radio access nodes are D-MIMO access points (APs) and the central processing node is a D-MIMO control unit (CU; also known as a D-MIMO central processing unit CPU).

[0252] The described embodiments and their equivalents can be implemented using software or hardware, or a combination thereof. Embodiments can be executed by general-purpose circuitry. Examples of general-purpose circuitry include digital signal processors (DSPs), central processing units (CPUs), coprocessor units, field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), and other programmable hardware. Additionally or alternatively, embodiments can be executed by special-purpose circuitry, such as application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs). General-purpose and / or special-purpose circuitry can be associated with or included in means such as wireless communication devices, radio access nodes, or central processing nodes.

[0253] Implementations may be found within electronic devices, such as wireless communication devices, radio access nodes, or central processing nodes, which include arrangements, circuitry, and / or logic according to any of the embodiments described herein. Additionally or alternatively, electronic devices (such as wireless communication devices, radio access nodes, or central processing nodes) may be configured to perform methods according to any of the embodiments described herein.

[0254] According to some embodiments, the computer program product includes a non-transitory computer-readable medium, such as, for example, a Universal Serial Bus (USB) memory, a plug-in card, an embedded driver, or a read-only memory (ROM). Figure 10An example computer-readable medium in the form of an optical disc (CD) ROM 1000 is shown. A computer program including program instructions is stored on the computer-readable medium. The computer program can be loaded into a data processor (PROC; e.g., a data processing unit) 1020, which may be included, for example, in an electronic device 1010 (such as a wireless communication device, a radio access node, or a central processing node). When loaded into the data processor, the computer program can be stored in a memory (MEM) 1030 associated with or included in the data processor. According to some embodiments, when loaded into and run by the data processor, the computer program can cause execution according to, for example... Figure 3 and Figure 4 Method steps of any of the methods shown or other methods described herein.

[0255] Generally, all terms used herein will be interpreted according to their common meaning in the relevant technical field, unless a different meaning is explicitly given and / or implied in the context in which they are used.

[0256] Various embodiments have been mentioned herein. However, those skilled in the art will recognize that many variations of the described embodiments will still fall within the scope of the claims.

[0257] For example, the method embodiments described herein disclose example methods by means of steps performed in a specific order. However, it should be recognized that these sequences of events may occur in a different order without departing from the scope of the claims. Furthermore, some method steps may be performed in parallel, even if they are described as being performed sequentially. Therefore, the steps of any method disclosed herein are not required to be performed in the exact disclosed order unless a step is explicitly described as occurring after or before another step and / or it is implied that a step must occur after or before another step.

[0258] Similarly, it should be noted that the division of functional blocks into specific units in the description of the embodiments is by no means intended to be limiting. Rather, these divisions are merely examples. A functional block described herein as a single unit may be divided into two or more units. Furthermore, a functional block described herein as being implemented as two or more units may be merged into fewer (e.g., a single) units.

[0259] Any feature of any embodiment disclosed herein may be applied to any other embodiment, where appropriate. Similarly, any advantage of any embodiment may be applied to any other embodiment, and vice versa.

[0260] Therefore, it should be understood that the details of the described embodiments are merely examples for illustrative purposes, and all variations falling within the scope of the claims are intended to be included therein.

Claims

1. A method for a wireless communication device, the wireless communication device being configured to communicate with a wireless communication network and having a plurality of antenna panel entities, the method comprising: Perform (360) measurements for the first and second reference signal resource groups, wherein each reference signal resource group is associated with reference signal transmissions from corresponding first and second radio access nodes of the wireless communication network, and wherein each measurement uses a corresponding antenna panel entity and a corresponding spatial filter setting; Sending (370) a first measurement report and a second measurement report, wherein each measurement report indicates one or more reference signal resources from a corresponding reference signal resource group in the first reference signal resource group and the second reference signal resource group; and The wireless communication network is instructed (310, 370) to a combination of reference signal resources indicated by the first measurement report and the second measurement report, the combination of reference signal resources corresponding to a combination of antenna panel entities configurable for simultaneous transmission from the wireless communication device.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein, Each of the plurality of antenna panel entities includes one or more of the following: a physical antenna panel, a virtual antenna panel, and a logical antenna panel.

3. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 2, further comprising: Send a (310) capability message to the wireless communication network, wherein the capability message indicates the capability of the wireless communication device to indicate the configurability of an antenna panel entity for simultaneous transmission in association with a measurement report including at least two measurement reports.

4. The method according to claim 3, wherein, The capability message includes information about which combinations of antenna panel entities among the plurality of antenna panel entities can be configured for simultaneous transmission from the wireless communication device.

5. The method according to claim 4, wherein, Each measurement report also identifies the corresponding antenna panel entity for each indicated reference signal resource.

6. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising: (330) Report settings are received from the wireless communication network, wherein the report settings indicate corresponding first and second settings for each of the first measurement report and the second measurement report, wherein the first setting indicates the first reference signal resource group and the second setting indicates the second reference signal resource group.

7. The method according to claim 6, wherein, The report settings also indicate the spatial filter settings to be used to perform the corresponding measurement for each reference signal resource in the reference signal resource group.

8. The method according to any one of claims 6 to 7, wherein, The report settings also indicate that all antenna panel entities used to perform measurements for the first reference signal resource group will be configurable to be used, together with all antenna panel entities used to perform measurements for the second reference signal resource group, for simultaneous transmission from the wireless communication device.

9. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein, At least one of the first measurement report and the second measurement report includes, for each indicated reference signal resource, an identifier of a reference signal resource for simultaneous transmission among the reference signal resources indicated by the other—first or second—measurement report.

10. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein, At least one of the first measurement report and the second measurement report includes information for simultaneous transmission of any reference signal resource indicated by the first measurement report and any reference signal resource indicated by the second measurement report.

11. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 10, further comprising: A configuration message (320) is received from the wireless communication network, wherein the configuration message configures the wireless communication device to indicate the configurability of an antenna panel entity for simultaneous transmission in association with a measurement report including at least two measurement reports.

12. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 11, further comprising: A trigger message is received from the wireless communication network (340), wherein receiving the trigger message causes a measurement to be performed for at least one of the first reference signal resource group and the second reference signal resource group.

13. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 12, further comprising: Receive an activation message (340) from the wireless communication network, wherein receiving the activation message causes measurements to be repeatedly performed for the first reference signal resource group and the second reference signal resource group.

14. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 13, further comprising: Determine (350) whether the measurement conditions are met, wherein determining that the measurement conditions are met causes a measurement to be performed for at least one of the first reference signal resource group and the second reference signal resource group.

15. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein, Each measurement report indicates a performance metric for each indicated reference signal resource, wherein the performance metric is specific to the antenna panel entity corresponding to the indicated reference signal resource.

16. The method according to claim 15, wherein, The performance metric used for the antenna panel entity is based on the maximum exposure constraint of the antenna panel entity.

17. A method for a wireless communication network configured to communicate with a wireless communication device having a plurality of antenna panel entities, the method comprising: This enables (460) the wireless communication device to perform measurements for a first reference signal resource group and a second reference signal resource group, wherein each reference signal resource group is associated with reference signal transmissions from corresponding first and second radio access nodes of the wireless communication network, and wherein each measurement uses a corresponding antenna panel entity and a corresponding spatial filter setting. Receive (470) a first measurement report and a second measurement report, wherein each measurement report indicates one or more reference signal resources from a corresponding reference signal resource group in the first reference signal resource group and the second reference signal resource group; and Information (410, 470) regarding a combination of reference signal resources indicated by the first measurement report and the second measurement report is obtained from the wireless communication device. The combination of reference signal resources corresponds to a combination of antenna panel entities configurable for simultaneous transmission from the wireless communication device.

18. The method according to claim 17, wherein, Each of the plurality of antenna panel entities includes one or more of the following: a physical antenna panel, a virtual antenna panel, and a logical antenna panel.

19. The method according to any one of claims 17 to 18, further comprising: Receive (410) a capability message from a wireless communication device, wherein the capability message indicates the capability of the wireless communication device to indicate the configurability of an antenna panel entity for simultaneous transmission in association with a measurement report including at least two measurement reports.

20. The method according to claim 19, wherein, The capability message includes information about which combinations of antenna panel entities among the plurality of antenna panel entities can be configured for simultaneous transmission from the wireless communication device.

21. The method according to claim 20, wherein, Each measurement report also identifies the corresponding antenna panel entity for each indicated reference signaling resource.

22. The method according to any one of claims 17 to 21, wherein, The wireless communication device performing the measurement (460) includes sending (430) a report setting to the wireless communication device, wherein the report setting indicates corresponding first and second settings for each of the first measurement report and the second measurement report, wherein the first setting indicates the first reference signal resource group and the second setting indicates the second reference signal resource group.

23. The method according to claim 22, wherein, The report settings also indicate the spatial filter settings to be used to perform the corresponding measurement for each reference signal resource in the reference signal resource group.

24. The method according to any one of claims 22 to 23, wherein, The report settings also indicate that all antenna panel entities used to perform measurements for the first reference signal resource group will be configurable to be used, together with all antenna panel entities used to perform measurements for the second reference signal resource group, for simultaneous transmission from the wireless communication device.

25. The method according to any one of claims 17 to 24, wherein, At least one of the first measurement report and the second measurement report includes, for each indicated reference signal resource, an identifier of a reference signal resource for simultaneous transmission among the reference signal resources indicated by the other—first or second—measurement report.

26. The method according to any one of claims 17 to 25, wherein, At least one of the first measurement report and the second measurement report includes information for simultaneous transmission of any reference signal resource indicated by the first measurement report and any reference signal resource indicated by the second measurement report.

27. The method according to any one of claims 17 to 26, wherein, The wireless communication device performing the measurement (460) includes sending a (420) configuration message to the wireless communication device, wherein the configuration message is used to configure the wireless communication device to indicate the configurability of an antenna panel entity for simultaneous transmission in association with a measurement report including at least two measurement reports.

28. The method according to any one of claims 17 to 27, wherein, The process of causing the wireless communication device to perform a measurement (460) includes sending a trigger message (440) to the wireless communication device, wherein the trigger message is used to cause a measurement to be performed for at least one of the first reference signal resource group and the second reference signal resource group.

29. The method according to any one of claims 17 to 28, wherein, The process of causing the wireless communication device to perform measurements (460) includes sending an activation message (440) to the wireless communication device, wherein the activation message is used to cause measurements to be repeatedly performed for the first reference signal resource group and the second reference signal resource group.

30. The method according to any one of claims 17 to 29, wherein, Each measurement report indicates a performance metric for each indicated reference signal resource, wherein the performance metric is specific to the antenna panel entity corresponding to the indicated reference signal resource.

31. The method according to claim 30, wherein, The performance metric used for the antenna panel entity is based on the maximum exposure constraint of the antenna panel entity.

32. The method according to any one of claims 17 to 31, further comprising: Based on the first measurement report and the second measurement report, and based on the information obtained regarding the combination of reference signal resources, scheduling for simultaneous transmission from the wireless communication device is performed.

33. A computer program product comprising a non-transitory computer-readable medium (1000) having thereon a computer program including program instructions, the computer program being loadable into a data processing unit and configured to, when the computer program is run by the data processing unit, cause to perform the method according to any one of claims 1 to 32.

34. An apparatus (700) for a wireless communication device, the wireless communication device being configured to communicate with a wireless communication network and having a plurality of antenna panel entities, the apparatus including a control circuit (720) configured such that: Perform measurements for the first and second reference signal resource groups, wherein, Each reference signal resource group is associated with a reference signal transmission from a corresponding first and second radio access node of the wireless communication network, and wherein each measurement uses a corresponding antenna panel entity and a corresponding spatial filter setting. Send a first measurement report and a second measurement report, wherein each measurement report indicates one or more reference signal resources from a corresponding reference signal resource group in the first reference signal resource group and the second reference signal resource group; and The wireless communication network is instructed to a combination of reference signal resources indicated by the first measurement report and the second measurement report, the combination of reference signal resources corresponding to a combination of antenna panel entities configurable for simultaneous transmission from the wireless communication device.

35. The apparatus according to claim 34, wherein, Each of the plurality of antenna panel entities includes one or more of the following: a physical antenna panel, a virtual antenna panel, and a logical antenna panel.

36. The apparatus according to any one of claims 34 to 35, wherein, The control circuitry is also configured to send a capability message to the wireless communication network, wherein the capability message indicates the capability of the wireless communication device to indicate the configurability of an antenna panel entity for simultaneous transmission in association with a measurement report including at least two measurement reports.

37. The apparatus according to claim 36, wherein, The capability message includes information about which combinations of antenna panel entities among the plurality of antenna panel entities can be configured for simultaneous transmission from the wireless communication device.

38. The apparatus according to claim 37, wherein, Each measurement report also identifies the corresponding antenna panel entity for each indicated reference signaling resource.

39. The apparatus according to any one of claims 34 to 38, wherein, The control circuit is further configured to receive report settings from the wireless communication network, wherein the report settings indicate corresponding first and second settings for each of the first measurement report and the second measurement report, wherein the first setting indicates the first reference signal resource group and the second setting indicates the second reference signal resource group.

40. The apparatus according to claim 39, wherein, The report settings also indicate the spatial filter settings to be used to perform the corresponding measurement for each reference signal resource in the reference signal resource group.

41. The apparatus according to any one of claims 39 to 40, wherein, The report settings also indicate that all antenna panel entities used to perform measurements for the first reference signal resource group will be configurable to be used, together with all antenna panel entities used to perform measurements for the second reference signal resource group, for simultaneous transmission from the wireless communication device.

42. The apparatus according to any one of claims 34 to 41, wherein, At least one of the first measurement report and the second measurement report includes, for each indicated reference signal resource, an identifier of a reference signal resource for simultaneous transmission among the reference signal resources indicated by the other—first or second—measurement report.

43. The apparatus according to any one of claims 34 to 42, wherein, At least one of the first measurement report and the second measurement report includes information for simultaneous transmission of any reference signal resources indicated by the first measurement report and any reference signal resources indicated by the second measurement report.

44. The apparatus according to any one of claims 34 to 43, wherein, The control circuit is also configured to receive a configuration message from the wireless communication network, wherein the configuration message configures the wireless communication device to indicate the configurability of an antenna panel entity for simultaneous transmission in association with a measurement report including at least two measurement reports.

45. The apparatus according to any one of claims 34 to 44, wherein, The control circuit is further configured to receive a trigger message from the wireless communication network, wherein receiving the trigger message causes a measurement to be performed for at least one of the first reference signal resource group and the second reference signal resource group.

46. ​​The apparatus according to any one of claims 34 to 45, wherein, The control circuit is further configured to receive an activation message from the wireless communication network, wherein receiving the activation message causes measurements to be repeatedly performed for the first reference signal resource group and the second reference signal resource group.

47. The apparatus according to any one of claims 34 to 46, wherein, The control circuit is further configured to determine whether a measurement condition is met, wherein determining that the measurement condition is met causes a measurement to be performed for at least one of the first reference signal resource group and the second reference signal resource group.

48. The apparatus according to any one of claims 34 to 47, wherein, Each measurement report indicates a performance metric for each indicated reference signal resource, wherein the performance metric is specific to the antenna panel entity corresponding to the indicated reference signal resource.

49. The apparatus according to claim 48, wherein, The performance metric used for the antenna panel entity is based on the maximum exposure constraint of the antenna panel entity.

50. A wireless communication device comprising the means according to any one of claims 34 to 49.

51. An apparatus (800) for a wireless communication network configured to communicate with a wireless communication device having a plurality of antenna panel entities, the apparatus including a control circuit (820) configured to: The wireless communication device performs measurements for the first reference signal resource group and the second reference signal resource group, wherein, Each reference signal resource group is associated with a reference signal transmission from a corresponding first and second radio access node of the wireless communication network, and wherein each measurement uses a corresponding antenna panel entity and a corresponding spatial filter setting. Receive a first measurement report and a second measurement report, wherein each measurement report indicates one or more reference signal resources from a corresponding reference signal resource group in the first reference signal resource group and the second reference signal resource group; and Information is obtained from the wireless communication device regarding a combination of reference signal resources indicated by the first measurement report and the second measurement report, the combination of reference signal resources corresponding to a combination of antenna panel entities configurable for simultaneous transmission from the wireless communication device.

52. The apparatus according to claim 51, wherein, Each of the plurality of antenna panel entities includes one or more of the following: a physical antenna panel, a virtual antenna panel, and a logical antenna panel.

53. The apparatus according to any one of claims 51 to 52, wherein, The control circuitry is also configured to receive a capability message from the wireless communication device, wherein the capability message indicates the capability of the wireless communication device to indicate the configurability of an antenna panel entity for simultaneous transmission in association with a measurement report including at least two measurement reports.

54. The apparatus according to claim 53, wherein, The capability message includes information about which combinations of antenna panel entities among the plurality of antenna panel entities can be configured for simultaneous transmission from the wireless communication device.

55. The apparatus according to claim 54, wherein, Each measurement report also identifies the corresponding antenna panel entity for each indicated reference signaling resource.

56. The apparatus according to any one of claims 51 to 55, wherein, The control circuit is configured to cause the wireless communication device to perform a measurement by sending a report setting to the wireless communication device, wherein the report setting indicates corresponding first and second settings for each of the first measurement report and the second measurement report, wherein the first setting indicates the first reference signal resource group and the second setting indicates the second reference signal resource group.

57. The apparatus according to claim 56, wherein, The report settings also indicate the spatial filter settings for performing the corresponding measurements for each reference signal resource in the reference signal resource group.

58. The apparatus according to any one of claims 56 to 57, wherein, The report settings also indicate that all antenna panel entities used to perform measurements for the first reference signal resource group will be configurable to be used, together with all antenna panel entities used to perform measurements for the second reference signal resource group, for simultaneous transmission from the wireless communication device.

59. The apparatus according to any one of claims 51 to 58, wherein, At least one of the first measurement report and the second measurement report includes, for each indicated reference signal resource, an identifier of a reference signal resource for simultaneous transmission among the reference signal resources indicated by the other—first or second—measurement report.

60. The apparatus according to any one of claims 51 to 59, wherein, At least one of the first measurement report and the second measurement report includes information for simultaneous transmission of any reference signal resources indicated by the first measurement report and any reference signal resources indicated by the second measurement report.

61. The apparatus according to any one of claims 51 to 60, wherein, The control circuit is configured to cause the wireless communication device to perform measurements by sending a configuration message to the wireless communication device, wherein the configuration message is used to configure the wireless communication device to indicate the configurability of an antenna panel entity for simultaneous transmission in association with a measurement report including at least two measurement reports.

62. The apparatus according to any one of claims 51 to 61, wherein, The control circuit is configured to cause the wireless communication device to perform a measurement by sending a trigger message to the wireless communication device, wherein the trigger message is used to cause a measurement to be performed for at least one of the first reference signal resource group and the second reference signal resource group.

63. The apparatus according to any one of claims 51 to 62, wherein, The control circuit is configured to cause the wireless communication device to perform measurements by sending an activation message to the wireless communication device, wherein the activation message is used to cause measurements to be repeatedly performed for the first reference signal resource group and the second reference signal resource group.

64. The apparatus according to any one of claims 51 to 63, wherein, Each measurement report indicates a performance metric for each indicated reference signal resource, wherein the performance metric is specific to the antenna panel entity corresponding to the indicated reference signal resource.

65. The apparatus according to claim 64, wherein, The performance metric used for the antenna panel entity is based on the maximum exposure constraint of the antenna panel entity.

66. The apparatus according to any one of claims 51 to 65, wherein, The control circuit is also configured to schedule simultaneous transmissions from the wireless communication device based on the first measurement report and the second measurement report, and based on information obtained about the combination of reference signal resources.

67. A radio access node comprising the means according to any one of claims 51 to 66.

68. A central processing node comprising the means according to any one of claims 51 to 66.

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