TCI state mode switching method and device, equipment and storage medium

Abstract

The invention discloses a TCI state mode switching method and device, equipment and a storage medium, and relates to the field of mobile communication. The method comprises the following steps: receiving a signaling, wherein the signaling is used for indicating to switch between two unified TCI state modes; wherein the two unified TCI state modes comprise a first unified TCI state mode and a second unified TCI state mode, the first unified TCI state mode corresponds to a communication protocol of a first version, the second unified TCI state mode corresponds to a communication protocol of a second version, and the first version and the second version are different versions. According to the method provided by the invention, the terminal equipment can be switched from the first unified TCI state to the second unified TCI state or switched from the second unified TCI state to the first unified TCI state.

Description

TCI state mode switching method, device, equipment and storage medium Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to the field of mobile communications, and in particular to a method, device, equipment and storage medium for switching TCI state modes. Background Art

[0002] In two different NR (New Radio) communication protocol versions that support a unified TCI (Transmission Configuration Indication) state mode, the capabilities and overhead of the UE (User Equipment) are inconsistent. For example, the first version of the unified TCI state mode can support STRP (Single Transmission Reception Point) and MTRP (Multiple Transmission Reception Point) transmission, but its overhead is relatively high; the second version of the unified TCI state mode only supports STRP, but its overhead is relatively low.

[0003] Summary of the Invention

[0004] The present invention provides a method, apparatus, device, and storage medium for switching TCI state modes. The technical solution is as follows:

[0005] According to one aspect of an embodiment of the present application, a method for switching a TCI state mode is provided, the method comprising:

[0006] receiving signaling indicating switching between two unified TCI state modes;

[0007] Among them, the two unified TCI state modes include a first unified TCI state mode and a second unified TCI state mode. The first unified TCI state mode corresponds to the first version of the communication protocol, and the second unified TCI state mode corresponds to the second version of the communication protocol. The first version and the second version are different versions.

[0008] According to one aspect of an embodiment of the present application, a method for switching a TCI state mode is provided, the method comprising:

[0009] Sending signaling to indicate switching between two unified TCI state modes;

[0010] Among them, the two unified TCI state modes include a first unified TCI state mode and a second unified TCI state mode. The first unified TCI state mode corresponds to the first version of the communication protocol, and the second unified TCI state mode corresponds to the second version of the communication protocol. The first version and the second version are different versions.

[0011] According to another aspect of an embodiment of the present application, a device for switching a TCI state mode is provided, the device comprising:

[0012] The receiving module is used to receive signaling, where the signaling is used to instruct switching between two unified TCI state modes.

[0013] Among them, the two unified TCI state modes include a first unified TCI state mode and a second unified TCI state mode, the first unified TCI state mode corresponds to a first version of the communication protocol, the second unified TCI state mode corresponds to a second version of the communication protocol, and the first version and the second version are different versions.

[0014] According to another aspect of an embodiment of the present application, a device for switching a TCI state mode is provided, the device comprising:

[0015] A sending module, configured to send signaling, the signaling being used to instruct switching between two unified TCI state modes;

[0016] Among them, the two unified TCI state modes include a first unified TCI state mode and a second unified TCI state mode, the first unified TCI state mode corresponds to a first version of the communication protocol, the second unified TCI state mode corresponds to a second version of the communication protocol, and the first version and the second version are different versions.

[0017] According to another aspect of an embodiment of the present application, a communication device is provided, which includes a processor and a memory, and there is at least one program in the memory; the communication device is used to execute the at least one program in the memory to implement the above-mentioned TCI state mode switching method.

[0018] According to another aspect of an embodiment of the present application, a computer-readable storage medium is provided, in which a computer program is stored. The computer program is used to be executed by a processor to implement the above-mentioned TCI state mode switching method.

[0019] According to another aspect of an embodiment of the present application, a chip is provided, which includes a programmable logic circuit and / or program instructions, and when the chip is running, it is used to implement the above-mentioned TCI state mode switching method.

[0020] According to another aspect of an embodiment of the present application, a computer program product or computer program is provided, wherein the computer program product or computer program includes computer instructions, the computer instructions are stored in a computer-readable storage medium, and the processor reads and executes the computer instructions from the computer-readable storage medium to implement the above-mentioned TCI state mode switching method.

[0021] The technical solutions provided in the embodiments of the present application can bring the following beneficial effects:

[0022] The TCI state mode switching method provided in the present application can realize the switching of the TCI state mode by receiving signaling, which is used to indicate switching between a first unified TCI state mode and a second unified TCI state mode, thereby supporting transmission requirements in different transmission scenarios. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application, the following briefly introduces the drawings required for use in the description of the embodiments. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present application. For ordinary technicians in this field, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without any creative work.

[0024] FIG1 is a schematic diagram of STRP transmission provided in the related art;

[0025] FIG2 is a schematic diagram of MTRP transmission provided in the related art;

[0026] FIG3 is a schematic diagram of the architecture of a communication system provided by an exemplary embodiment of the present application;

[0027] FIG4 is a flow chart of a method for switching a TCI state mode provided by an exemplary embodiment of the present application;

[0028] FIG5 is a structural diagram of a second version of a MAC CE provided in the related art;

[0029] FIG6 is a structural diagram of a first version of a MAC CE provided by an exemplary embodiment of the present application;

[0030] FIG7 is a structural diagram of a first version of a MAC CE provided by an exemplary embodiment of the present application;

[0031] FIG8 is a structural diagram of a first version of a MAC CE provided by an exemplary embodiment of the present application;

[0032] FIG9 is a flowchart of a method for switching a TCI state mode provided by an exemplary embodiment of the present application;

[0033] FIG10 is a unified TCI state change diagram provided by an exemplary embodiment of the present application;

[0034] FIG11 is a unified TCI state change diagram provided by an exemplary embodiment of the present application;

[0035] FIG12 is a unified TCI state change diagram provided by an exemplary embodiment of the present application;

[0036] FIG13 is a unified TCI state change diagram provided by an exemplary embodiment of the present application;

[0037] FIG14 is a flowchart of a method for switching a TCI state mode provided by an exemplary embodiment of the present application;

[0038] FIG15 is a unified TCI state change diagram provided by an exemplary embodiment of the present application;

[0039] FIG16 is a unified TCI state change diagram provided by an exemplary embodiment of the present application;

[0040] FIG17 is a flowchart of a method for switching a TCI state mode provided by an exemplary embodiment of the present application;

[0041] FIG18 is a flowchart of a method for switching a TCI state mode provided by an exemplary embodiment of the present application;

[0042] FIG19 is a unified TCI state change diagram provided by an exemplary embodiment of the present application;

[0043] FIG20 is a unified TCI state change diagram provided by an exemplary embodiment of the present application;

[0044] FIG21 is a flowchart of a method for switching a TCI state mode provided by an exemplary embodiment of the present application;

[0045] FIG22 is a unified TCI state change diagram provided by an exemplary embodiment of the present application;

[0046] FIG23 is a unified TCI state change diagram provided by an exemplary embodiment of the present application;

[0047] FIG24 is a unified TCI state change diagram provided by an exemplary embodiment of the present application;

[0048] FIG25 is a unified TCI state change diagram provided by an exemplary embodiment of the present application;

[0049] FIG26 is a flowchart of a method for switching a TCI state mode provided by an exemplary embodiment of the present application;

[0050] FIG27 is a flowchart of a method for switching a TCI state mode provided by an exemplary embodiment of the present application;

[0051] FIG28 is a flowchart of a method for switching a TCI state mode provided by an exemplary embodiment of the present application;

[0052] FIG29 is a flowchart of a method for switching a TCI state mode provided by an exemplary embodiment of the present application;

[0053] FIG30 is a flowchart of a method for switching a TCI state mode provided by an exemplary embodiment of the present application;

[0054] FIG31 is a flowchart of a method for switching a TCI state mode provided by an exemplary embodiment of the present application;

[0055] FIG32 is a flowchart of a method for switching a TCI state mode provided by an exemplary embodiment of the present application;

[0056] FIG33 is a flowchart of a method for switching a TCI state mode provided by an exemplary embodiment of the present application;

[0057] FIG34 is a flowchart of a method for switching a TCI state mode provided by an exemplary embodiment of the present application;

[0058] FIG35 is a flowchart of a method for switching a TCI state mode provided by an exemplary embodiment of the present application;

[0059] FIG36 is a flowchart of a method for switching a TCI state mode provided by an exemplary embodiment of the present application;

[0060] FIG37 is a flowchart of a method for switching a TCI state mode provided by an exemplary embodiment of the present application;

[0061] FIG38 is an overall flow chart of a method for switching a TCI state mode provided by an exemplary embodiment of the present application;

[0062] FIG39 is a structural block diagram of a TCI state mode switching device provided by an exemplary embodiment of the present application;

[0063] FIG40 is a structural block diagram of a switching device for a TCI state mode provided by an exemplary embodiment of the present application;

[0064] Figure 41 is a structural diagram of a communication device provided by an embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0065] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the present application more clear, the embodiments of the present application will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Exemplary embodiments will be described in detail herein, with examples shown in the accompanying drawings. When the following description refers to the drawings, unless otherwise indicated, the same numbers in different drawings represent the same or similar elements. The embodiments described in the following exemplary embodiments do not represent all embodiments consistent with the present application. Instead, they are merely examples of devices and methods consistent with certain aspects of the present application, as detailed in the appended claims.

[0066] The network architecture and business scenarios described in the embodiments of the present application are intended to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application, and do not constitute a limitation on the technical solutions provided in the embodiments of the present application. It is known to those skilled in the art that with the evolution of network architecture and the emergence of new business scenarios, the technical solutions provided in the embodiments of the present application are equally applicable to similar technical problems. The terms used in this disclosure are merely for the purpose of describing specific embodiments and are not intended to limit this disclosure. The singular forms of "a", "said" and "the" used in this disclosure and the appended claims are also intended to include plural forms, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It should also be understood that the term "and / or" used herein refers to and includes any or all possible combinations of one or more associated listed items.

[0067] It should be understood that although the terms first, second, etc. may be used in this disclosure to describe various information, such information should not be limited to these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish information of the same type from each other. For example, without departing from the scope of this disclosure, a first value may also be referred to as a second value, and similarly, a second value may also be referred to as a first value. Depending on the context, the word "if" as used herein may be interpreted as "at the time of" or "when" or "in response to determining."

[0068] First, let’s briefly introduce some of the terms involved in this application:

[0069] TCI (Transmission Configuration Indication) state: used to indicate the beam information of network devices and terminal devices during transmission. The TCI state was proposed in the R15 version and is used for beam indication in the downlink spatial domain and the transmission of beam information in the time and frequency domains. Since the TCI state of the early version is only applicable to downlink channels and signals, and has many limitations in its application in the NR system. In order to provide the NR system with a unified uplink and downlink beam management mechanism, the concept of a unified TCI state was proposed in the R17 version.

[0070] Unified TCI state: used to indicate the beam information during transmission between network devices and terminal devices. The unified TCI state can realize unified management of uplink and downlink beams. In the unified TCI state, the downlink channel and signal use the same downlink transmission indication beam, and the uplink channel and signal use the same uplink transmission beam. At the same time, the unified TCI state is designed with two modes: joint TCI state and separate TCI state. The terminal device can only be configured in one of the modes during configuration. In the related art, in R17, NW uses the RRC parameters shown below to distinguish whether the terminal device is configured with the joint TCI state or the separate TCI state.

[0071] Unified TCI state type r17unifiedTCI-StateType-r17ENUMERATED{separate,joint};

[0072] Joint TCI state: This state indicates the uplink and downlink beam information used by network devices and end devices. This state applies to both uplink and downlink channels and signals. In this state, the network device and end device communicate using symmetrical beam pairs.

[0073] Separate TCI state: Used to indicate uplink and downlink beam information during transmission between network devices and terminal devices. Separate TCI state includes uplink TCI state (UL TCI state) and downlink TCI state (DL TCI state). The uplink TCI state applies to uplink channels and signals. The downlink TCI state applies to downlink channels and signals.

[0074] TCI State Mode: The TCI State Mode can be understood as the TCI Framework. The TCI State Mode is a functional framework used to configure beam information for transmission between network devices and terminal devices. The TCI State Mode can use one or more signaling methods to configure beam information.

[0075] In related technologies, beam information of a unified TCI state is usually jointly indicated or configured by three types of signaling: RRC, MAC CE, and DCI. The joint indication process of each signaling can be divided into three stages: 1. RRC configuration; 2. MAC CE activation; 3. DCI indication. Optionally, after a terminal device establishes a connection with a network device, the network device configures a set of possible TCI states for the terminal device through RRC signaling. For example, the network device configures 100 possible TCI states for the terminal device through RRC signaling. Then, the network device may use MAC CE signaling to indicate to the terminal device at least one beam in an activated state. For example, MAC CE signaling activates 8 beams out of the 100 beams configured by RRC signaling, where activation means changing the beam from a non-working state to a working state. When uplink and downlink transmission is required, the network device will also use DCI signaling to indicate which of the 8 activated beams will be used for uplink and downlink transmission to the terminal device, so that the terminal device knows which beam should be used to communicate with the network device.

[0076] A TRP (Transmission Reception Point) is an antenna array consisting of one or more antenna elements. The array's configuration and number of ports can be flexibly adjusted based on deployment scenarios and service requirements. TRPs can be connected by optical fiber, enabling more flexible distributed deployment. In some embodiments, a base station can be considered a TRP.

[0077] Single Transmission Reception Point (STRP): A method of communicating with a terminal device using a single Transmission Reception Point (TRP). Figure 1 shows a schematic diagram of STRP transmission. In the STRP transmission scenario, TRP1 sends DCI (Downlink Control Information) to the terminal device via the Physical Downlink Control Channel (PDCCH) and sends downlink data to the terminal device via the Physical Downlink Shared Channel (PDSCH).

[0078] MTRP (Multiple Transmission Reception Point): A method of communicating using multiple network devices and terminal devices. Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of MTRP transmission. In the MTRP transmission scenario, a single DCI signaling can be used to schedule the transmission of two PDSCHs. This DCI signaling can come from TRP1 or TRP2. For example, when TRP2 sends a single DCI to the terminal device, the code point in this DCI will indicate to the terminal whether the data to be transmitted this time will come from one TRP or two TRPs; when the code point in the DCI indicates that one TRP is transmitting data, this operation is a STRP transmission; when the code point in the DCI indicates that two TRPs are transmitting data, this operation is an MTRP transmission. At this time, TRP1 and TRP2 will send the same data to the terminal device through the physical downlink shared channel. Using MTRP transmission can ensure the integrity of data received by the terminal device at the edge of the cell with a weaker signal, which is basically consistent with the integrity of data received at the center of the cell with a stronger signal under STRP. In other words, when the terminal device is at the center of the cell, it is recommended to use STRP transmission; when the terminal device is at the edge of the cell, it is recommended to use MTRP.

[0079] FIG3 shows a schematic diagram of the architecture of a communication system 10 provided by an exemplary embodiment of the present application. The communication system 10 may include: a network device 11 and a terminal device 12 .

[0080] Network device 11 is a device deployed in an access network to provide wireless communication capabilities for terminal device 12. For ease of description, in the embodiments of this application, the devices providing wireless communication capabilities for terminal device 12 are collectively referred to as network device 11. Network device 11 and terminal device 12 can establish a connection over an air interface, thereby communicating through this connection, including the exchange of signaling and data.

[0081] The network device 11 may include various forms of macro base stations, micro base stations, relay stations, access points, and the like. In systems using different wireless access technologies, the names of devices with network device functions may vary. For example, in LTE (Long Term Evolution) systems, they are called eNBs (eNodeBs, evolved base stations); in 5G NR (New Radio) systems, they are called next-generation base stations (gNodeBs, gNBs). As communication technologies evolve, the term "network device" may change.

[0082] In some embodiments of the present application, the network device 11 may include only TRP1, or may include more TRPs in addition to TRP1 and TRP2. TRP1 and TRP2 may be two TRPs corresponding to the same cell, or two TRPs corresponding to different cells.

[0083] The terminal device 12 may refer to a UE, an access terminal, a user unit, a user station, a mobile station, a mobile station, a remote station, a remote terminal, a mobile device, a wireless communication device, a user agent, or a user device. Alternatively, the terminal device 12 may also be a cellular phone, a cordless phone, a SIP (Session Initiation Protocol) phone, a WLL (Wireless Local Loop) station, a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant), a handheld device with wireless communication capabilities, a computing device or other processing device connected to a wireless modem, a vehicle-mounted device, a wearable device, a 5GS (5 th The present invention relates to terminal devices in a fifth-generation mobile communication system (5GMS) or terminal devices in a future-evolved PLMN (Public Land Mobile Network), etc., which are not limited in the present embodiment. For ease of description, the above-mentioned devices are collectively referred to as terminal devices. There are usually multiple terminal devices 12, and one or more terminal devices 12 can be distributed in each cell managed by a network device.

[0084] FIG4 shows a flow chart of a method for switching a TCI state mode provided by an exemplary embodiment of the present application. The method is executed by the terminal device shown in FIG3 . The method includes the following steps:

[0085] Step 210: Receive signaling, the signaling being used to instruct switching between two unified TCI state modes;

[0086] The two unified TCI state modes include a first unified TCI state mode and a second unified TCI state mode. The first unified TCI state mode corresponds to a first version of the communication protocol, and the second unified TCI state mode corresponds to a second version of the communication protocol, where the first and second versions are different. Optionally, the first and second unified TCI state modes have different capabilities and / or overheads.

[0087] In some embodiments, the first unified TCI state mode supports STRP and MTRP, and the second unified TCI state mode supports STRP. Optionally, the first version of the communication protocol supports STRP and MTRP, and the second version of the communication protocol supports STRP. Optionally, the first version of the communication protocol is the R18 version of the communication protocol, and the second version of the communication protocol is the R17 version of the communication protocol, or the first version of the communication protocol is the R19 version of the communication protocol, and the second version of the communication protocol is the R17 version of the communication protocol. This embodiment does not limit the specific version numbers of the two versions of the communication protocol.

[0088] In some embodiments, the signaling includes first signaling and / or second signaling, where the first signaling is used to indicate a switch from the first unified TCI state mode to the second unified TCI state mode, or the second signaling is used to indicate a switch from the second unified TCI state mode to the first unified TCI state mode. If the first version is higher than the second version, the first signaling is used to indicate a fallback from the first unified TCI state mode to the second unified TCI state mode.

[0089] In some embodiments, switching between the two unified TCI state modes is applicable to all carriers in the first carrier list, which are multiple carriers of a co-beam.

[0090] Among them, co-beam means that when multiple CCs (Component Carriers) are configured in the first carrier list, if any CC receives the above signaling, resulting in switching between two unified TCI state modes, then this step applies to all other CCs in the first carrier list.

[0091] To sum up, the method provided in the present application can realize the switching of TCI state modes by receiving signaling, which is used to indicate switching between the first unified TCI state mode and the second unified TCI state mode, thereby supporting transmission requirements in different transmission scenarios.

[0092] In some embodiments, the signaling is signaling for configuring the unified TCI state, such as RRC signaling; or, the signaling is signaling for activating the unified TCI state, such as MAC CE; or, the signaling is signaling for indicating the unified TCI state, such as DCI. This embodiment of the present application uses the signaling for activating the unified TCI state as an example.

[0093] Signaling used to activate the unified TCI state:

[0094] Optionally, the signaling for activating the unified TCI state is a MAC CE. The signaling includes at least the following information fields:

[0095] 1. Information field used to activate the unified TCI state

[0096] In some embodiments, the MAC CE is used to activate 8 or 8 groups of unified TCI states. In some embodiments, the MAC CE is used to activate 16 or 16 groups of unified TCI states, or the MAC CE is used to activate 32 or 32 groups of unified TCI states, or more groups of unified TCI states, which is not limited in this embodiment.

[0097] The information field can be exemplarily shown as bytes 3 to N+3 in Figure 5. The local message format of the MAC CE shown in Figure 5 includes bytes 1 to byte N+3, where:

[0098] The 0th bit of byte 1 is a reserved bit R, which defaults to 0. The 1st to 5th bits are used to indicate the serving cell ID, and the 6th and 7th bits are used to indicate the downlink BWP ID (Bandwidth Part ID).

[0099] Bits 0 to 5 of byte 2 are reserved bits R, which default to 0. Bits 6 and 7 are used to indicate the uplink BWP ID.

[0100] Taking the example of a MAC CE used to activate eight or eight groups of unified TCI states, bytes 3 to N+3 are used to indicate the activated unified TCI states corresponding to the eight TCI code points. TCI code points 0 to 7 are 000, 001, 010, 011, 100, 101, 110, and 111, respectively. These eight TCI code points are not explicitly indicated in the MAC CE but are implicitly indicated by the relevant bits in bytes 3 to N+3.

[0101] When RRC is configured in the Joint TCI state:

[0102] Bits 0 to 7 of byte 3 are P i Field, used to indicate whether the i-th TCI code point corresponds to two TCI states or a single TCI state, i is an integer from 0 to 7. i If the value of the field is 0, it means that the TCI code point corresponds to a single TCI state, that is, the joint TCI state.

[0103] The 0th bit of byte 4 to byte N+3 is used to indicate that the unified TCI state corresponding to the i-th TCI code point is the joint TCI state, and the 1st to 7th bits are used to indicate the joint TCI state corresponding to the i-th TCI code point.

[0104] When RRC is configured in the Split TCI state:

[0105] Bits 0 to 7 of byte 3 are P i Field, used to indicate whether the i-th TCI code point corresponds to two TCI states or a single TCI state. i If the field is 0, it means that the i-th TCI code point corresponds to a single TCI state, that is, the uplink TCI state or the downlink TCI state. In this case, the i-th TCI code point corresponds to one byte in the following byte; if P i If the field is 1, it means that the i-th TCI code point corresponds to two TCI states, namely the uplink TCI state and the downlink TCI state. In this case, the i-th TCI code point corresponds to two bytes in the following bytes.

[0106] Bit 0 of Bytes 4 to N+3 is D / U, which indicates whether the TCI Status ID of the current byte is the downlink TCI status or the uplink TCI status. If the D / U field is 1, the TCI Status ID in the current byte indicates the downlink TCI status; if the D / U field is 0, the TCI Status ID in the current byte indicates the uplink TCI status. N is a positive integer less than or equal to 8.

[0107] 2.eLCID (extended Logical Channel ID) field

[0108] Table 1 shows the local values ​​of the eLCID in the signaling for activating the unified TCI state in the related art.

[0109] Table 1 Local values ​​of eLCID in related technologies

[0110] This application describes three implementations for switching between two unified TCI state modes based on signaling (i.e., signaling for activating the unified TCI state). At least one of these three implementations may be used in different embodiments. The three implementations are as follows:

[0111] Implementation method 1: Switching between two unified TCI state modes based on the information field for activating the unified TCI state in the above signaling;

[0112] Implementation method 2: Switch between two unified TCI state modes based on the existing eLCID field in the above signaling;

[0113] Implementation method three: Switch between two unified TCI state modes based on the newly added Flag field in the above signaling.

[0114] The following text introduces the above three implementation methods in turn, but the order of introduction of the three implementation methods does not limit the advantages and disadvantages of the three implementation methods.

[0115] For implementation method 1: based on the information field for activating the unified TCI state in the above signaling, switch between the two unified TCI state modes;

[0116] In some embodiments, a local message format of the first version of MAC CE is exemplarily designed.

[0117] For the first version of the MAC CE, the information field for activating the joint TCI state is shown in bytes 3 to 2N+4 of Figure 6. The MAC CE local message format shown in Figure 6 includes bytes 1 to 2N+4, where:

[0118] The 0th bit of byte 1 is the reserved bit R, which defaults to 0. The 1st to 5th bits are used to indicate the serving cell ID, and the 6th and 7th bits are used to indicate the downlink BWP ID.

[0119] Bits 0 to 5 of byte 2 are reserved bits R, which default to 0. Bits 6 and 7 are used to indicate the uplink BWP ID.

[0120] Taking the example of a MAC CE used to activate eight or eight groups of unified TCI states, bytes 3 through 2N+4 are used to indicate the activated unified TCI states corresponding to the eight TCI code points. TCI code points 0 through 7 are 000, 001, 010, 011, 100, 101, 110, and 111, respectively. These eight TCI code points are not explicitly indicated in the MAC CE but are implicitly indicated by the relevant bits in bytes 3 through 2N+4. Each code point corresponds to a group of unified TCI states: a first joint TCI state and / or a second joint TCI state.

[0121] Bits 0 to 7 of byte 3 are P i1 Field, used to indicate whether the first joint TCI state exists in the i-th group of TCI states, where i is an integer from 0 to 7. i1 is 0, indicating that the i-th group TCI state does not include the first joint TCI state; if P i1 is 1, indicating that the i-th group TCI state includes the first joint TCI state.

[0122] Bits 0 to 7 of byte 4 are P i2 Field, used to indicate whether the second joint TCI state exists in the i-th group TCI state. i2 is 0, indicating that the i-th group TCI state does not include the second joint TCI state; if P i2 =1, indicating that the i-th group TCI state includes the second joint TCI state. Bits 0 to 7 of byte 5 to byte 2N+4 are the IDs of the TCI states. i1Domain and P i2 When all fields are 1, there are 8 groups of TCI states. The first byte of each group represents the first joint TCI state ID, and the second byte represents the second joint TCI state ID.

[0123] Wherein, N is a positive integer less than or equal to 8.

[0124] For the first version of the MAC CE, the information field for activating the split TCI state is shown in bytes 3 to 2N+4 of Figure 7. The MAC CE partial message format shown in Figure 7 includes bytes 1 to 4N+4, where:

[0125] The 0th bit of byte 1 is the reserved bit R, which defaults to 0. The 1st to 5th bits are used to indicate the serving cell ID, and the 6th and 7th bits are used to indicate the downlink BWP ID.

[0126] Bits 0 to 5 of byte 2 are reserved bits R, which default to 0. Bits 6 and 7 are used to indicate the uplink BWP ID.

[0127] Taking the example of a MAC CE used to activate eight or eight groups of unified TCI states, bytes 3 through 4N+4 are used to indicate the activated unified TCI states corresponding to the eight TCI code points. TCI code points 0 through 7 are 000, 001, 010, 011, 100, 101, 110, and 111, respectively. These eight TCI code points are not explicitly indicated in the MAC CE but are implicitly indicated by the relevant bits in bytes 3 through 4N+4. Each code point corresponds to a group of unified TCI states, each of which includes one or more of the following: a first uplink TCI state, a first downlink TCI state, a second uplink TCI state, and a second downlink TCI state.

[0128] Bits 0 to 7 of byte 3 are P i,U,1 Field, used to indicate whether the first uplink TCI state exists in the i-th group of TCI states, where i is an integer from 0 to 7. i,U,1 =0, indicating that the i-th group TCI state does not include the first uplink TCI state; if P i,U,1 If it is 1, it indicates that the i-th group TCI state includes the first uplink TCI state.

[0129] Bits 0 to 7 of byte 4 are P i,D,1 Field, used to indicate whether the first downlink TCI state exists in the i-th group of TCI states. i,D,1 =0, indicating that the TCI state of the i-th group does not include the first downlink TCI state; if P i,D,1 If it is 1, it indicates that the i-th group TCI state includes the first downlink TCI state.

[0130] Bits 0 to 7 of byte 5 are P i,U,2 Field, used to indicate whether the second uplink TCI state exists in the i-th group of TCI states. i,U,2 =0, indicating that the TCI state of the i-th group does not include the second uplink TCI state; if P i,U,2 If it is 1, it indicates that the i-th group TCI state includes the second uplink TCI state.

[0131] Bits 0 to 7 of byte 6 are P i,D,2 Field, used to indicate whether the second downlink TCI state exists in the i-th group of TCI states. i,D,2 =0, indicating that the TCI state of the i-th group does not include the second downlink TCI state; if P i,D,2 If it is 1, it indicates that the i-th group TCI state includes the second downlink TCI state.

[0132] Wherein, N is a positive integer less than or equal to 8.

[0133] The MAC CE activates a unified TCI state corresponding to up to 8 TCI code points. When the subsequent DCI indicates one of the 8 TCI code points, each TCI code point is represented by 3 bits. The TCI code point is one or more of 000, 001, 010, 011, 100, 101, 110, and 111. Each TCI code point corresponds to a group of TCI states. For example, 000 corresponds to the first group of TCI states, and 001 corresponds to the second group of TCI states. The following table exemplifies the correspondence between a TCI code point and a TCI state.

[0134] Table 2 Correspondence between TCI code points and TCI states

[0135] When the correspondence between TCI code points and TCI states is as shown in the table above, the partial message format of the MAC CE is shown in Figure 8. TCI code point 000 corresponds to the first group TCI state. P11 and P12 are both 1, and the first group TCI state includes the first combined TCI state and the second combined TCI state. P21 is 1 and P22 is 0, and the second group TCI state includes only the first combined TCI state. P31 is 0 and P32 is 1, and the third group TCI state includes only the second combined TCI state.

[0136] In some embodiments, "all activated unified TCI states" herein can be understood as "the unified TCI state corresponding to each of all activated TCI code points," and "at least one activated unified TCI state" can be understood as "the unified TCI state corresponding to at least one activated TCI code point." That is, "all or at least one" in this context is measured in terms of the unified TCI state corresponding to a single TCI code point.

[0137] Since switching between the two unified TCI states is divided into two cases, the following is divided into 1.1 and 1.2 to introduce them respectively:

[0138] 1.1 The first unified TCI state mode is switched to the second unified TCI state mode;

[0139] FIG9 shows a flowchart of a method for switching a TCI state mode provided in an embodiment of the present application. The method is executed by the terminal device shown in FIG3 . The method includes the following steps:

[0140] Step 310: Receive first signaling, where the first signaling is used to instruct switching from a first unified TCI state mode to a second unified TCI state mode;

[0141] Optionally, the first signaling is signaling used to activate the unified TCI state in the first version, or the first signaling is signaling used to activate the unified TCI state in the second version.

[0142] Step 320: Based on all unified TCI states activated in the first signaling, switch from the first unified TCI state mode to the second unified TCI state mode.

[0143] The first signaling is the signaling used to activate the unified TCI state in the first version:

[0144] All unified TCI states activated in the first signaling meet the first condition. The first condition in this article means that the unified TCI state corresponding to each activated TCI code point corresponds to the same TRP.

[0145] Optionally, the first condition includes:

[0146] All unified TCI states activated in the first signaling correspond only to the first joint TCI state; or,

[0147] All unified TCI states activated in the first signaling correspond only to the second joint TCI state; or,

[0148] All unified TCI states activated in the first signaling only correspond to the first uplink TCI state and / or the first downlink TCI state; or,

[0149] All unified TCI states activated in the first signaling only correspond to the second uplink TCI state and / or the second downlink TCI state.

[0150] If all unified TCI states activated in the first signaling meet the first condition, switching from the first unified TCI state mode to the second unified TCI state mode. Optionally, the activated unified TCI state is overwritten, rewritten, or updated with the unified TCI state indicated in the first signaling, thereby switching from the first unified TCI state mode to the second unified TCI state mode.

[0151] In some embodiments of the present application, a terminal device is in a first unified TCI state mode, that is, in the R18 version of the communication protocol. In the first signaling received by the terminal device, all activated unified TCI states correspond only to the first joint TCI state. At this time, the terminal device will overwrite, rewrite, or update the activated unified TCI state with the first joint TCI state in the first signaling, causing the terminal device to switch from the first unified TCI state mode to the second unified TCI state mode. As shown in Figure 10, Table 410 is used to represent the unified TCI state activated before receiving the first signaling, Table 420 is used to represent the unified TCI state activated in the first signaling, and Table 430 is used to represent the unified TCI state activated after the overwriting, rewriting, or updating operation. Before receiving the first signaling, the terminal device is in the first unified TCI state. The activated unified TCI state includes the first joint TCI state and the second joint TCI state. For example, the TCI code point is 000, corresponding to the first joint TCI state and the second joint TCI state; the TCI code point is 001, corresponding to the first joint TCI state; all the unified TCI states activated in the first signaling only correspond to the first joint TCI state. After overwriting, rewriting or updating, the activated unified TCI state also only corresponds to the first joint TCI state.

[0152] In some embodiments of the present application, the terminal device is in the first unified TCI state mode, that is, in the R18 version of the communication protocol. In the first signaling received by the terminal device, all activated unified TCI states only correspond to the first uplink TCI state and / or the first downlink TCI state. At this time, the terminal device will use the first joint TCI state in the first signaling to overwrite, rewrite, or update the activated unified TCI state, so that the terminal device switches from the first unified TCI state mode to the second unified TCI state mode. As shown in Figure 11, Table 510 is used to represent the unified TCI state activated before receiving the first signaling, Table 520 is used to represent the unified TCI state activated in the first signaling, and Table 530 is used to represent the unified TCI state activated after the overwriting, rewriting, or updating operation. Before receiving the first signaling, the terminal device is in the first unified TCI state. The activated unified TCI states include the first uplink TCI state, the first downlink TCI state, the second uplink TCI state and the second downlink TCI state. For example, the TCI code point is 000, corresponding to the first uplink TCI state, the first downlink TCI state, the second uplink TCI state and the second downlink TCI state; the TCI code point is 001, corresponding to the first uplink TCI state and the first downlink TCI state; all the unified TCI states activated in the first signaling only correspond to the first uplink TCI state and / or the first downlink TCI state. After overwriting, rewriting or updating, the activated unified TCI state also only corresponds to the first uplink TCI state and / or the first downlink TCI state.

[0153] The first signaling is the signaling used to activate the unified TCI state in the second version:

[0154] All unified TCI states activated in the first signaling meet the first condition. Optionally, the first condition includes:

[0155] Among all unified TCI states activated in the first signaling, there is only one joint TCI state corresponding to one TRP; or, it can be understood that the joint TCI state activated by each TCI code point corresponds to one TRP; or, it can be understood that the joint TCI state activated by each TCI code point is one joint TCI state, and no joint TCI state activated by any TCI code point is two joint TCI states;

[0156] ·All unified TCI states activated in the first signaling correspond to only the uplink TCI state and / or downlink TCI state corresponding to one TRP; or it is understood that the uplink TCI state and / or downlink TCI state activated by each TCI code point corresponds to one TRP; or it is understood that the uplink TCI state activated by each TCI code point is one uplink TCI state, and there is no uplink TCI state activated by any TCI code point as two uplink TCI states; or it is understood that the downlink TCI state activated by each TCI code point is one downlink TCI state, and there is no downlink TCI state activated by any TCI code point as two downlink TCI states.

[0157] Optionally, when all unified TCI states activated in the first signaling correspond to only one joint TCI state corresponding to a TRP, the first unified TCI state mode is switched to the second unified TCI state mode. Optionally, when all unified TCI states activated in the first signaling correspond to only uplink TCI states and / or downlink TCI states, the first unified TCI state mode is switched to the second unified TCI state mode.

[0158] Optionally, the unified TCI state indicated in the first signaling is used to cover, rewrite, or update the activated unified TCI state, and switch from the first unified TCI state mode to the second unified TCI state mode.

[0159] In some embodiments of the present application, a terminal device is in a first unified TCI state mode, i.e., in the R18 version of the communication protocol. In the first signaling received by the terminal device, all activated unified TCI states correspond only to the joint TCI state. In this case, the terminal device will overwrite, rewrite, or update the activated unified TCI state with the joint TCI state in the first signaling, causing the terminal device to switch from the first unified TCI state mode to the second unified TCI state mode. As shown in Figure 12, Table 610 is used to represent the unified TCI state activated before receiving the first signaling, Table 620 is used to represent the unified TCI state activated in the first signaling, and Table 630 is used to represent the unified TCI state activated after the overwriting, rewriting, or updating operation. When the terminal is in the first unified TCI state, the activated unified TCI state includes the first joint TCI state and the second joint TCI state. For example, the TCI code point is 000, corresponding to the first joint TCI state and the second joint TCI state; the TCI code point is 001, corresponding to the first joint TCI state; all unified TCI states activated in the first signaling only correspond to the joint TCI state. After overwriting, rewriting or updating, the activated unified TCI state also only corresponds to the joint TCI state.

[0160] In some embodiments of the present application, the terminal device is in a first unified TCI state mode, that is, in the R18 version of the communication protocol. In the first signaling received by the terminal device, all activated unified TCI states only correspond to the uplink TCI state and / or the downlink TCI state. At this time, the terminal device will use the uplink TCI state and / or downlink TCI state in the first signaling to overwrite or rewrite or update the activated unified TCI state, so that the terminal device switches from the first unified TCI state mode to the second unified TCI state mode. As shown in Figure 13, Table 710 is used to represent the unified TCI state activated before receiving the first signaling, Table 720 is used to represent the unified TCI state activated in the first signaling, and Table 730 is used to represent the unified TCI state activated after the overwriting, rewriting or updating operation. When the terminal is in the first unified TCI state, the activated unified TCI states include the first uplink TCI state, the first downlink TCI state, the second uplink TCI state and the second downlink TCI state. For example, the TCI code point is 000, corresponding to the first uplink TCI state, the first downlink TCI state, the second uplink TCI state and the second downlink TCI state; the TCI code point is 001, corresponding to the first uplink TCI state and the first downlink TCI state; all the unified TCI states activated in the first signaling only correspond to the uplink TCI state and / or the downlink TCI state. After overwriting, rewriting or updating, the activated unified TCI state also only corresponds to the uplink TCI state and / or the downlink TCI state.

[0161] It should be noted that the above step 310 can be implemented separately as an embodiment, the above step 320 can be implemented separately as an embodiment, and the above steps 310 and 320 can be combined into an embodiment, which is not limited in this application.

[0162] In summary, the method provided in this embodiment can achieve switching from the first TCI state mode to the second TCI state mode through the first signaling. When the UE moves between cells or within a cell, it may be close to the first TRP and away from the second TRP. When there is a significant gap in the link quality between the UE and multiple TRPs, the UE is not suitable for working in the MTRP scenario. Therefore, the UE does not need to consume a large amount of downlink measurement and reporting resources, and store multiple unified TCI state resources. The UE can switch from the first unified TCI state mode to the second unified TCI state mode, thereby saving air interface resources and computing resources.

[0163] Due to the design of the above-mentioned TCI code point, there is no need to modify the signaling format of the MAC CE in the communication protocol, and the terminal device can be implicitly instructed to perform the corresponding switching behavior. Therefore, it can avoid the modification or redesign of the MAC CE and ensure the forward compatibility of the MAC CE between different communication versions.

[0164] 1.2 The second unified TCI state mode is switched to the first unified TCI state mode;

[0165] FIG14 shows a flowchart of a method for switching a TCI state mode provided in an embodiment of the present application. The method is executed by the terminal device shown in FIG3 . The method includes the following steps:

[0166] Step 810: Receive second signaling, where the second signaling is used to instruct switching from the second unified TCI state mode to the first unified TCI state mode;

[0167] Optionally, the second signaling is a signaling for activating a unified TCI state;

[0168] Step 820: Switch from the second unified TCI state mode to the first unified TCI state mode based on at least one unified TCI state activated in the second signaling.

[0169] For example, the first unified TCI state mode corresponds to the R18 version of the communication protocol supporting STRP and MTRP, while the second unified TCI state mode corresponds to the R17 version of the communication protocol supporting only STRP. The second signaling is a MAC CE. Each codepoint of the MAC CE corresponding to R17 corresponds to only one unified TCI state, while each codepoint of the MAC CE corresponding to R18 can correspond to one or two unified TCI states.

[0170] In some embodiments, at least one unified TCI state activated in the second signaling meets the second condition. The second condition herein means that the unified TCI state corresponding to the at least one activated TCI code point corresponds to two TRPs.

[0171] Optionally, the second condition includes:

[0172] At least one unified TCI state activated in the second signaling corresponds to both the first joint TCI state and the second joint TCI state; or,

[0173] At least one unified TCI state activated in the second signaling corresponds to both the first uplink TCI state and the second uplink TCI state (the downlink TCI state may be empty, one, or two, without limitation); or

[0174] At least one unified TCI state activated in the second signaling corresponds to both the first downlink TCI state and the second downlink TCI state (the uplink TCI state may be empty, one, or two, without limitation); or

[0175] The at least one unified TCI state activated in the second signaling corresponds to the first uplink TCI state, the second uplink TCI state, the first downlink TCI state, and the second downlink TCI state.

[0176] Optionally, the unified TCI state indicated in the second signaling is used to cover, rewrite, or update the activated unified TCI state, and switch from the second unified TCI state mode to the first unified TCI state mode.

[0177] Exemplarily, the terminal device is in the second unified TCI state mode, that is, in the R17 version of the communication protocol, the activated TCI state is the first joint TCI state, and in the second signaling received by the terminal device, at least one activated TCI code point corresponds to the first joint TCI state and the second joint TCI state at the same time. At this time, the terminal device will use the first joint TCI state and the second joint TCI state in the second signaling to overwrite or rewrite or update the activated unified TCI state, that is, the first joint TCI state, so that the terminal device switches from the second unified TCI state mode to the first unified TCI state mode. As shown in Figure 15, Table 910 is used to represent the unified TCI state activated before receiving the second signaling, Table 920 is used to represent the unified TCI state activated in the second signaling, and Table 930 is used to represent the unified TCI state activated after the overwriting, rewriting or updating operation. Before receiving the second signaling, the terminal device is in the second unified TCI state. The activated unified TCI state includes the first joint TCI state. At least one unified TCI code point activated in the second signaling corresponds to the first joint TCI state and the second joint TCI state at the same time. After overwriting, rewriting or updating, at least one activated unified TCI code point corresponds to the first joint TCI state and the second joint TCI state at the same time.

[0178] Exemplarily, the terminal device is in the second unified TCI state mode, that is, in the R17 version of the communication protocol, the activated TCI states are the first uplink TCI state and the first downlink TCI state, and in the second signaling received by the terminal device, at least one activated TCI code point corresponds to the first uplink TCI state and the second uplink TCI state at the same time. At this time, the terminal device will use the first uplink TCI state and the second uplink TCI state in the second signaling to overwrite or rewrite or update the activated unified TCI state, that is, the first uplink TCI state and the first downlink TCI state, so that the terminal device switches from the second unified TCI state mode to the first unified TCI state mode. As shown in Figure 16, Table 1010 is used to represent the unified TCI state activated before receiving the second signaling, Table 1020 is used to represent the unified TCI state activated in the second signaling, and Table 1030 is used to represent the unified TCI state activated after the overwriting, rewriting or updating operation. The terminal device is in the second unified TCI state before receiving the second signaling. The activated unified TCI state only corresponds to the first uplink TCI state and / or the first downlink TCI state. At least one unified TCI state activated in the second signaling corresponds to the first uplink TCI state and the second uplink TCI state at the same time. After overwriting, rewriting or updating, the at least one activated unified TCI state corresponds to the first uplink TCI state and the second uplink TCI state at the same time.

[0179] It should be noted that the above step 810 can be implemented alone as an embodiment, the above step 820 can be implemented alone as an embodiment, and the above steps 810 and 820 can be combined into an embodiment, which is not limited in this application.

[0180] In summary, the method provided in this embodiment enables switching from the second TCI state mode to the first TCI state mode through second signaling. When a UE moves to a cell edge, in order to enhance the uplink and downlink coverage of the UE, it is more appropriate to perform MTRP transmission on the UE. Therefore, it is necessary to switch the UE from the second unified TCI state mode to the first unified TCI state mode.

[0181] Due to the design of the above-mentioned TCI code point, there is no need to modify the signaling format of the MAC CE in the communication protocol, and the terminal device can be implicitly instructed to perform the corresponding switching behavior. Therefore, it can avoid the modification or redesign of the MAC CE and ensure the forward compatibility of the MAC CE between different communication versions.

[0182] For implementation method 2: Based on the existing eLCID field in the above signaling, switch between the two unified TCI state modes;

[0183] This application exemplifies the value range of the eLCID field corresponding to the first version, as shown in Table 3.

[0184] Table 3 Local values ​​of eLCID

[0185] The first value is code point 233 and / or index 297.

[0186] The second value is code point xxx and / or index yyy, where code point xxx is any value from 0 to 226, index yyy is any value from 64 to 290, and index yyy is code point xxx plus 64.

[0187] Since switching between the two unified TCI states is divided into two cases, the following is divided into 2.1 and 2.2 to introduce them respectively:

[0188] 2.1 Switching from the first unified TCI state mode to the second unified TCI state mode

[0189] FIG17 shows a flowchart of a method for switching a TCI state mode provided in an embodiment of the present application. The method is executed by the terminal device shown in FIG3 . The method includes the following steps:

[0190] Step 1110: Receive a first signaling message, where the first signaling message includes an eLCID field, and the eLCID field has a first value.

[0191] The value of the eLCID is used to indicate switching from the first unified TCI state mode to the second unified TCI state mode.

[0192] In some embodiments of the present application, the value of the eLCID is a first value, and the first value is used to indicate switching from a first unified TCI state mode to a second unified TCI state mode.

[0193] The first value is the value corresponding to the second version; the second value is the value corresponding to the first version.

[0194] Step 1120: Switch from the first unified TCI state mode to the second unified TCI state mode.

[0195] The first value is a value corresponding to the second version. Optionally, the value range of the first value includes code point 233 and / or index 297.

[0196] Exemplarily, the value corresponding to the eLCID of R17 includes code point 233 and index 297.

[0197] Optionally, the activated joint TCI state in the first signaling is used to cover, rewrite, or update the activated unified TCI state.

[0198] Exemplarily, when a terminal device is in a first unified TCI state mode, i.e., in the R18 version of the communication protocol, and the eLCID field in the first signaling received by the terminal device is a first value, the terminal device will overwrite, rewrite, or update the activated unified TCI state with the joint TCI state in the first signaling, causing the terminal device to switch from the first unified TCI state mode to the second unified TCI state mode. As shown in Figure 12, Table 610 is used to represent the unified TCI state activated before receiving the first signaling, Table 620 is used to represent the unified TCI state activated in the first signaling, and Table 630 is used to represent the unified TCI state activated after the overwriting, rewriting, or updating operation. When the terminal is in the first unified TCI state, the activated unified TCI state includes the first joint TCI state and the second joint TCI state. For example, the TCI code point is 000, corresponding to the first joint TCI state and the second joint TCI state; the TCI code point is 001, corresponding to the first joint TCI state; the value of the eLCID field in the first signaling is code point 233 and / or index 297. After overwriting, rewriting or updating, the activated unified TCI state also only corresponds to the joint TCI state.

[0199] Optionally, the activated uplink TCI state and / or downlink TCI state in the first signaling is used to cover, rewrite, or update the activated unified TCI state.

[0200] Exemplarily, the terminal device is in the first unified TCI state mode, that is, in the R18 version of the communication protocol, and the eLCID field in the first signaling received by the terminal device is the first value. At this time, the terminal device will use the uplink TCI state and downlink TCI state in the first signaling to overwrite, rewrite, or update the activated unified TCI state, so that the terminal device switches from the first unified TCI state mode to the second unified TCI state mode. As shown in Figure 13, Table 710 is used to represent the unified TCI state activated before receiving the first signaling, Table 720 is used to represent the unified TCI state activated in the first signaling, and Table 730 is used to represent the unified TCI state activated after the overwriting, rewriting, or updating operation. When the terminal is in the first unified TCI state, the activated unified TCI state includes the first uplink TCI state, the first downlink TCI state, the second uplink TCI state and the second downlink TCI state. For example, the TCI code point is 000, corresponding to the first uplink TCI state, the first downlink TCI state, the second uplink TCI state and the second downlink TCI state; the TCI code point is 001, corresponding to the first uplink TCI state and the first downlink TCI state; the value of the eLCID field in the first signaling is code point 233 and / or index 297. After overwriting, rewriting or updating, the activated unified TCI state also only corresponds to the uplink TCI state and / or downlink TCI state.

[0201] It should be noted that the above-mentioned step 1110 can be implemented separately as an embodiment, the above-mentioned step 1120 can be implemented separately as an embodiment, and the above-mentioned steps 1110 and 1120 can be combined into an embodiment, which is not limited in this application.

[0202] In summary, the method provided in this embodiment can achieve switching from the first TCI state mode to the second TCI state mode through the first signaling. When the UE moves between cells or within a cell, it may be close to the first TRP and away from the second TRP. When there is a significant gap in the link quality between the UE and multiple TRPs, the UE is not suitable for working in the MTRP scenario. Therefore, the UE does not need to consume a large amount of downlink measurement and reporting resources, and store multiple unified TCI state resources. The UE can switch from the first unified TCI state mode to the second unified TCI state mode, thereby saving air interface resources and computing resources.

[0203] Since the above-mentioned eLCID domain is an existing information domain and the value range of eLCID is relatively large, the value of eLCID is used to indicate the switching of TCI state mode. There is no need to modify the signaling format of MAC CE in the communication protocol, nor is there any need to additionally define the switching behavior of the UE. It can instruct the terminal device to switch from the first unified TCI state mode to the second unified TCI state mode. Therefore, it can avoid the modification or redesign of MAC CE and ensure the forward compatibility of MAC CE between different communication versions.

[0204] 2.2 Switching from the Second Unified TCI State Mode to the First Unified TCI State Mode

[0205] FIG18 shows a flow chart of a method for switching a TCI state mode provided in an embodiment of the present application. The method is executed by the terminal device shown in FIG3 . The method includes the following steps:

[0206] Step 1210: Receive a second signaling message, where the second signaling message includes an eLCID field, and the eLCID field in the second signaling message is a second value;

[0207] The value of the eLCID is used to indicate switching from the second unified TCI state mode to the first unified TCI state mode.

[0208] In some embodiments of the present application, the value of the eLCID is a second value, and the second value is used to indicate switching from the second unified TCI state mode to the first unified TCI state mode.

[0209] Among them, the first value is the value corresponding to the second version; the second value is the value corresponding to the first version.

[0210] Exemplarily, the value corresponding to the eLCID of R18 is the code point of the eLCID is 0 to 226, the index of the eLCID is 64 to 290, and the index of the eLCID is the code point of the eLCID plus 64.

[0211] Step 1220: Switch from the second unified TCI state mode to the first unified TCI state mode.

[0212] The activated unified TCI state is overwritten, rewritten, or updated using the unified TCI state indicated in the second signaling.

[0213] In some embodiments, the activated unified TCI state is overwritten, rewritten, or updated using the joint TCI state indicated in the second signaling. Optionally, the at least one set of joint TCI states indicated to be activated in the second signaling is two.

[0214] Exemplarily, a terminal device is in the second unified TCI state mode, i.e., in the R17 version of the communication protocol, and the activated TCI state is the joint TCI state. If the eLCID field in the second signaling received by the terminal device is the second value, the terminal device will overwrite, rewrite, or update the activated unified TCI state with the first joint TCI state and the second joint TCI state, causing the terminal device to switch from the second unified TCI state mode to the first unified TCI state mode. As shown in Figure 19, Table 1310 is used to represent the unified TCI state activated before receiving the second signaling, Table 1320 is used to represent the unified TCI state activated in the second signaling, and Table 1330 is used to represent the unified TCI state activated after the overwriting, rewriting, or updating operation. Before receiving the second signaling, the terminal device is in the second unified TCI state, and the activated unified TCI state includes the joint TCI state. At least one unified TCI code point activated in the second signaling corresponds to both the first joint TCI state and the second joint TCI state. After the overwriting, rewriting, or updating operation, the at least one activated unified TCI code point corresponds to both the first joint TCI state and the second joint TCI state.

[0215] In some embodiments, the activated unified TCI state is overwritten, rewritten, or updated using the uplink TCI state and / or downlink TCI state indicated in the second signaling. Among the separate TCI states corresponding to the at least one codepoint activated in the second signaling, there are two uplink TCI states and / or two downlink TCI states.

[0216] Exemplarily, the terminal device is in the second unified TCI state mode, that is, in the R17 version of the communication protocol, the activated TCI state is the uplink TCI state, and the eLCID field in the second signaling received by the terminal device is the second value. At this time, the terminal device will overwrite, rewrite, or update the activated unified TCI state with the first uplink TCI state and the second uplink TCI state, so that the terminal device switches from the second unified TCI state mode to the first unified TCI state mode. As shown in Figure 20, Table 1410 is used to represent the unified TCI state activated before receiving the second signaling, Table 1420 is used to represent the unified TCI state activated in the second signaling, and Table 1430 is used to represent the unified TCI state activated after the overwriting, rewriting, or updating operation. The terminal device is in the second unified TCI state before receiving the second signaling. The activated unified TCI state only corresponds to a set of uplink TCI states and / or downlink TCI states. At least one unified TCI state activated in the second signaling corresponds to the first uplink TCI state and the second uplink TCI state at the same time. After overwriting, rewriting or updating, the at least one activated unified TCI state corresponds to the first uplink TCI state and the second uplink TCI state at the same time.

[0217] It should be noted that the above-mentioned step 1210 can be implemented separately as an embodiment, the above-mentioned step 1220 can be implemented separately as an embodiment, and the above-mentioned steps 1210 and 1220 can be combined into an embodiment, which is not limited in this application.

[0218] In summary, the method provided in this embodiment enables switching from the second TCI state mode to the first TCI state mode through second signaling. When a UE moves to a cell edge, in order to enhance the uplink and downlink coverage of the UE, it is more appropriate to perform MTRP transmission on the UE. Therefore, it is necessary to switch the UE from the second unified TCI state mode to the first unified TCI state mode.

[0219] Since the above-mentioned eLCID domain is an existing information domain and the value range of eLCID is relatively large, it is only necessary to reuse the meaning of the existing value or use the reserved value as the value corresponding to the first version. The value of eLCID can be used to indicate the switching of the TCI state mode. There is no need to modify the signaling format of the MAC CE in the communication protocol, nor is there any need to additionally define the switching behavior of the UE. It can instruct the terminal device to switch from the first unified TCI state mode to the second unified TCI state mode. Therefore, it can avoid the modification or redesign of the MAC CE and ensure the forward compatibility of the MAC CE between different communication versions.

[0220] For implementation method three: switch between two unified TCI state modes based on the newly added Flag field in the signaling.

[0221] The present application exemplarily adds or designs a Flag field in the above signaling to instruct the terminal device to switch to the corresponding unified TCI state mode. The Flag field can be designed to be 1 bit or 2 bits or more.

[0222] The embodiments of the present application use 1-bit and 2-bit Flag fields as examples, but the number of bits in the Flag field is not limited.

[0223] In some embodiments, Flag is 2 bits, and the 2 bits have at least three values;

[0224] The first value is a value corresponding to the second version and is used to instruct the terminal device to use the first unified TCI state as the unified TCI state in the second unified TCI state mode when switching from the first unified TCI state mode to the second unified TCI state mode;

[0225] The second value is a value corresponding to the second version and is used to instruct the terminal device to use the second unified TCI state as the unified TCI state in the second unified TCI state mode when switching from the first unified TCI state mode to the second unified TCI state mode;

[0226] The third value is a value corresponding to the first version and is used to instruct the terminal device to switch from the second unified TCI state mode to the first unified TCI state mode.

[0227] In some embodiments, the first value is any one of 00, 01, 10, and 11; the second value is any one of 00, 01, 10, and 11 except the first value; and the third value is any one of 00, 01, 10, and 11 except the first value and the second value. For example, the first value is 00, the second value is 01, and the third value is 10; or, the first value is 01, the second value is 10, and the third value is 00; or, the first value is 11, the second value is 00, and the third value is 10. The embodiment of the present application is illustrated by taking the first value as 00, the second value as 01, and the third value as 10, but the specific values ​​of the first value, the second value, and the third value are not limited.

[0228] 3.1 Switching from the first unified TCI state mode to the second unified TCI state mode

[0229] FIG21 shows a flowchart of a method for switching a TCI state mode provided in an embodiment of the present application. The method is executed by the terminal device shown in FIG3 . The method includes the following steps:

[0230] Step 1510: Receive a first signaling message, where the first signaling message includes a Flag field, and the Flag field has a value within a first range;

[0231] The first signaling is used to indicate switching from the first unified TCI state mode to the second unified TCI state mode, wherein the first range corresponds to the value of the second version.

[0232] Exemplarily, there are two values ​​in the first range corresponding to the second version, for example, the first value is 00 and the second value is 01.

[0233] The first value is used to indicate that the activated unified TCI state is overwritten, rewritten, or updated using the first joint TCI state indicated in the first signaling, or that the activated unified TCI state is overwritten, rewritten, or updated using the first uplink TCI state and / or the first downlink TCI state indicated in the first signaling;

[0234] The second value is used to indicate that the second joint TCI state indicated in the first signaling is used to cover, rewrite or update the activated unified TCI state, or to cover, rewrite or update the activated unified TCI state using the second uplink TCI state and / or the second downlink TCI state indicated in the first signaling.

[0235] Step 1520: Switch from the first unified TCI state mode to the second unified TCI state mode;

[0236] Optionally, when the Flag field is the first value within the first range, the first joint TCI state indicated in the first signaling is used to overwrite, rewrite, or update the activated unified TCI state.

[0237] Exemplarily, the terminal device is in the first unified TCI state mode, that is, in the R18 version of the communication protocol, the activated TCI states are the first joint TCI state and the second joint TCI state, and the Flag field in the first signaling received by the terminal device is 00. At this time, the terminal device will use the first joint TCI state in the first signaling to overwrite, rewrite, or update the activated unified TCI state, that is, the first joint TCI state and the second joint TCI state, so that the terminal device switches from the first unified TCI state mode to the second unified TCI state mode. As shown in Figure 22, Table 1610 is used to represent the unified TCI state activated before receiving the first signaling, Table 1620 is used to represent the unified TCI state activated in the first signaling, and Table 1630 is used to represent the unified TCI state activated after the overwriting, rewriting, or updating operation. Before receiving the first signaling, the terminal device is in the first unified TCI state. The activated unified TCI state includes the first joint TCI state and the second joint TCI state. For example, the TCI code point is 000, corresponding to the first joint TCI state and the second joint TCI state; the TCI code point is 001, corresponding to the first joint TCI state; the Flag field in the first signaling is 00, and the first joint TCI state in the first signaling is used to cover, rewrite or update the activated unified TCI state.

[0238] Optionally, when the Flag field is a second value within the first range, the second joint TCI state indicated in the first signaling is used to overwrite, rewrite, or update the activated unified TCI state.

[0239] Exemplarily, the terminal device is in the first unified TCI state mode, that is, in the R18 version of the communication protocol, the activated TCI states are the first joint TCI state and the second joint TCI state, and the Flag field in the first signaling received by the terminal device is 01. At this time, the terminal device will use the second joint TCI state in the first signaling to overwrite, rewrite, or update the activated unified TCI state, that is, the first joint TCI state and the second joint TCI state, so that the terminal device switches from the first unified TCI state mode to the second unified TCI state mode. As shown in Figure 23, Table 1710 is used to represent the unified TCI state activated before receiving the first signaling, Table 1720 is used to represent the unified TCI state activated in the first signaling, and Table 1730 is used to represent the unified TCI state activated after the overwriting, rewriting, or updating operation. Before receiving the first signaling, the terminal device is in the first unified TCI state. The activated unified TCI state includes the first joint TCI state and the second joint TCI state. For example, the TCI code point is 000, corresponding to the first joint TCI state and the second joint TCI state; the TCI code point is 001, corresponding to the first joint TCI state; the Flag field in the first signaling is 01, and the second joint TCI state in the first signaling is used to cover, rewrite or update the activated unified TCI state.

[0240] Optionally, when the Flag field is the first value within the first range, the first uplink TCI state and / or the first downlink TCI state indicated in the first signaling is used to overwrite, rewrite, or update the activated unified TCI state.

[0241] Exemplarily, the terminal device is in the first unified TCI state mode, that is, in the R18 version of the communication protocol, and the Flag field in the first signaling received by the terminal device is 00. At this time, the terminal device will use the first uplink TCI state and / or the first downlink TCI state in the first signaling to overwrite, rewrite, or update the activated unified TCI state, so that the terminal device switches from the first unified TCI state mode to the second unified TCI state mode. As shown in Figure 24, Table 1810 is used to represent the unified TCI state activated before receiving the first signaling, Table 1820 is used to represent the unified TCI state activated in the first signaling, and Table 1830 is used to represent the unified TCI state activated after the overwriting, rewriting, or updating operation. Before receiving the first signaling, the terminal device is in the first unified TCI state. The activated unified TCI state includes the first uplink TCI state, the first downlink TCI state, the second uplink TCI state and the second downlink TCI state. For example, the TCI code point is 000, corresponding to the first uplink TCI state, the first downlink TCI state, the second uplink TCI state and the second downlink TCI state; the TCI code point is 001, corresponding to the first uplink TCI state and the first downlink TCI state; the Flag field in the first signaling is 00, and the first uplink TCI state and / or the first downlink TCI state in the first signaling are used to cover, rewrite or update the activated unified TCI state.

[0242] Optionally, when the Flag field is a second value within the first range, the second uplink TCI state and / or the second downlink TCI state indicated in the first signaling is used to overwrite, rewrite, or update the activated unified TCI state.

[0243] Exemplarily, the terminal device is in the first unified TCI state mode, that is, in the R18 version of the communication protocol, and the Flag field in the first signaling received by the terminal device is 01. At this time, the terminal device will use the second uplink TCI state and / or the second downlink TCI state in the first signaling to overwrite, rewrite, or update the activated unified TCI state, so that the terminal device switches from the first unified TCI state mode to the second unified TCI state mode. As shown in Figure 25, Table 1910 is used to represent the unified TCI state activated before receiving the first signaling, Table 1920 is used to represent the unified TCI state activated in the first signaling, and Table 1930 is used to represent the unified TCI state activated after the overwriting, rewriting, or updating operation. Before receiving the first signaling, the terminal device is in the first unified TCI state. The activated unified TCI state includes the first uplink TCI state, the first downlink TCI state, the second uplink TCI state and the second downlink TCI state. For example, the TCI code point is 000, corresponding to the first uplink TCI state, the first downlink TCI state, the second uplink TCI state and the second downlink TCI state; the TCI code point is 001, corresponding to the first uplink TCI state and the first downlink TCI state; the Flag field in the first signaling is 01, and the second uplink TCI state and / or the second downlink TCI state in the first signaling are used to cover, rewrite or update the activated unified TCI state.

[0244] It should be noted that the above-mentioned step 1510 can be implemented separately as an embodiment, the above-mentioned step 1520 can be implemented separately as an embodiment, and the above-mentioned steps 1510 and 1520 can be combined into an embodiment, which is not limited in this application.

[0245] 3.2 Switching from the Second Unified TCI State Mode to the First Unified TCI State Mode

[0246] FIG26 shows a flowchart of a method for switching a TCI state mode provided in an embodiment of the present application. The method is executed by the terminal device shown in FIG3 . The method includes the following steps:

[0247] Step 2010: Receive a second signaling message, wherein the second signaling message includes a Flag field, and the Flag field in the second signaling message is a third value (10);

[0248] Among them, the third value is the value corresponding to the first version.

[0249] Optionally, the Flag field in the second signaling is a third value, used to indicate switching from the second unified TCI state mode to the first unified TCI state mode.

[0250] Step 2020: Switching from the second unified TCI state mode to the first unified TCI state mode;

[0251] Exemplarily, the terminal device is in the second unified TCI state mode, that is, in the R17 version of the communication protocol, and the Flag field in the second signaling received by the terminal device is 10. At this time, the terminal device will use the first joint TCI state and the second TCI state in the second signaling to overwrite, rewrite, or update the activated unified TCI state, so that the terminal device switches from the second unified TCI state mode to the first unified TCI state mode. As shown in Figure 15, Table 910 is used to represent the unified TCI state activated before receiving the second signaling, Table 920 is used to represent the unified TCI state activated in the second signaling, and Table 930 is used to represent the unified TCI state activated after the overwriting, rewriting, or updating operation. The terminal device is in the second unified TCI state before receiving the second signaling, and the activated unified TCI state includes the first joint TCI state. The Flag field in the second signaling is 10, and the first joint TCI state and the second joint TCI in the second signaling are used to overwrite, rewrite, or update the activated unified TCI state.

[0252] Optionally, when the Flag field in the second signaling is a third value, the first uplink TCI state and / or the first downlink TCI state and / or the second uplink TCI state and / or the second downlink TCI state indicated in the second signaling are used to overwrite, rewrite or update the activated unified TCI state.

[0253] For example, if the terminal device is in the second unified TCI state mode, i.e., in the R17 version of the communication protocol, and the Flag field in the second signaling received by the terminal device is 10, the terminal device will overwrite, rewrite, or update the activated unified TCI state with the unified TCI state activated in the second signaling, causing the terminal device to switch from the second unified TCI state mode to the first unified TCI state mode. As shown in Figure 16, Table 1010 is used to represent the unified TCI state activated before receiving the second signaling, Table 1020 is used to represent the unified TCI state activated in the second signaling, and Table 1030 is used to represent the unified TCI state activated after the overwriting, rewriting, or updating operation. The terminal device is in the second unified TCI state before receiving the second signaling. The activated unified TCI state only corresponds to the first uplink TCI state and / or the first downlink TCI state. The Flag field in the second signaling is 10. The first uplink TCI state and / or the first downlink TCI state and / or the second uplink TCI state and / or the second downlink TCI state in the second signaling are used to cover, rewrite or update the activated unified TCI state.

[0254] It should be noted that the above-mentioned step 2010 can be implemented separately as an embodiment, the above-mentioned step 2020 can be implemented separately as an embodiment, and the above-mentioned step 2010 and step 2020 can be combined into an embodiment, and this application does not limit this.

[0255] In some embodiments of the present application, Flag is 1 bit, and the 1 bit has 2 values;

[0256] The first value is a value corresponding to the second version, used to instruct the terminal device to switch from the first unified TCI state mode to the second unified TCI state mode;

[0257] The third value is a value corresponding to the first version, and is used to instruct the terminal device to switch from the second unified TCI state mode to the first unified TCI state mode.

[0258] In some embodiments, the first value is any value between 0 and 1; the second value is any value between 0 and 1 except the first value. For example, the first value is 0 and the third value is 1; or, the first value is 1 and the third value is 0. This embodiment of the application uses the first value being 0 and the third value being 1 as an example, but the specific values ​​of the first value and the second value are not limited.

[0259] 3.3 Switching from the First Unified TCI State Mode to the Second Unified TCI State Mode

[0260] FIG27 shows a flowchart of a method for switching a TCI state mode provided in an embodiment of the present application. The method is executed by the terminal device shown in FIG3 . The method includes the following steps:

[0261] Step 2110: Receive a first signaling message, where the first signaling message includes a Flag field, and the Flag field in the first signaling message has a first value.

[0262] The first signaling is used to indicate switching from the first unified TCI state mode to the second unified TCI state mode.

[0263] Step 2120: Switch from the first unified TCI state mode to the second unified TCI state mode;

[0264] Optionally, the first joint TCI state indicated in the first signaling is used by default to cover, rewrite or update the activated unified TCI state.

[0265] Exemplarily, when a terminal device is in a first unified TCI state mode, i.e., in the R18 version of the communication protocol, and the Flag field in the first signaling received by the terminal device is 0, the terminal device will overwrite, rewrite, or update the activated unified TCI state with the first joint TCI state in the first signaling, causing the terminal device to switch from the first unified TCI state mode to the second unified TCI state mode. As shown in Figure 22, Table 1610 is used to represent the unified TCI state activated before receiving the first signaling, Table 1620 is used to represent the unified TCI state activated in the first signaling, and Table 1630 is used to represent the unified TCI state activated after the overwriting, rewriting, or updating operation. Before receiving the first signaling, the terminal device is in the first unified TCI state. The activated unified TCI state includes the first joint TCI state and the second joint TCI state. For example, the TCI code point is 000, corresponding to the first joint TCI state and the second joint TCI state; the TCI code point is 001, corresponding to the first joint TCI state; the Flag field in the first signaling is 0, and the first joint TCI state in the first signaling is used to cover, rewrite or update the activated unified TCI state.

[0266] Optionally, the second joint TCI state indicated in the first signaling is used by default to cover, rewrite or update the activated unified TCI state.

[0267] Exemplarily, when a terminal device is in a first unified TCI state mode, i.e., in the R18 version of the communication protocol, and the Flag field in the first signaling received by the terminal device is 0, the terminal device will overwrite, rewrite, or update the activated unified TCI state with the second unified TCI state in the first signaling, causing the terminal device to switch from the first unified TCI state mode to the second unified TCI state mode. As shown in Figure 23, Table 1710 is used to represent the unified TCI state activated before receiving the first signaling, Table 1720 is used to represent the unified TCI state activated in the first signaling, and Table 1730 is used to represent the unified TCI state activated after the overwriting, rewriting, or updating operation. Before receiving the first signaling, the terminal device is in the first unified TCI state. The activated unified TCI state includes the first joint TCI state and the second joint TCI state. For example, the TCI code point is 000, corresponding to the first joint TCI state and the second joint TCI state; the TCI code point is 001, corresponding to the first joint TCI state; the Flag field in the first signaling is 0, and the second joint TCI state in the first signaling is used to cover, rewrite or update the activated unified TCI state.

[0268] Optionally, the first uplink and / or downlink TCI state indicated in the first signaling is used by default to cover, rewrite, or update the activated unified TCI state.

[0269] Exemplarily, the terminal device is in the first unified TCI state mode, that is, in the R18 version of the communication protocol, and the Flag field in the first signaling received by the terminal device is 0. At this time, the terminal device will use the first uplink TCI state and the first downlink TCI state in the first signaling to overwrite, rewrite, or update the activated unified TCI state, so that the terminal device switches from the first unified TCI state mode to the second unified TCI state mode. As shown in Figure 24, Table 1810 is used to represent the unified TCI state activated before receiving the first signaling, Table 1820 is used to represent the unified TCI state activated in the first signaling, and Table 1830 is used to represent the unified TCI state activated after the overwriting, rewriting, or updating operation. Before receiving the first signaling, the terminal device is in the first unified TCI state. The activated unified TCI state includes the first uplink TCI state, the first downlink TCI state, the second uplink TCI state and the second downlink TCI state. For example, the TCI code point is 000, corresponding to the first uplink TCI state, the first downlink TCI state, the second uplink TCI state and the second downlink TCI state; the TCI code point is 001, corresponding to the first uplink TCI state and the first downlink TCI state; the Flag field in the first signaling is 0, and the first uplink TCI state and / or the first downlink TCI state in the first signaling are used to cover, rewrite or update the activated unified TCI state.

[0270] Optionally, the second uplink and / or downlink TCI state indicated in the first signaling is used by default to cover, rewrite or update the activated unified TCI state.

[0271] Exemplarily, the terminal device is in the first unified TCI state mode, that is, in the R18 version of the communication protocol, and the Flag field in the first signaling received by the terminal device is 0. At this time, the terminal device will use the first uplink TCI state and the first downlink TCI state in the first signaling to overwrite, rewrite, or update the activated unified TCI state, so that the terminal device switches from the first unified TCI state mode to the second unified TCI state mode. As shown in Figure 25, Table 1910 is used to represent the unified TCI state activated before receiving the first signaling, Table 1920 is used to represent the unified TCI state activated in the first signaling, and Table 1930 is used to represent the unified TCI state activated after the overwriting, rewriting, or updating operation. When the terminal device is in the first unified TCI state, the activated unified TCI state includes the first uplink TCI state, the first downlink TCI state, the second uplink TCI state and the second downlink TCI state. For example, the TCI code point is 000, corresponding to the first uplink TCI state, the first downlink TCI state, the second uplink TCI state and the second downlink TCI state; the TCI code point is 001, corresponding to the first uplink TCI state and the first downlink TCI state; the Flag field in the first signaling is 0, and the second uplink TCI state and / or the second downlink TCI state in the first signaling are used to cover, rewrite or update the activated unified TCI state.

[0272] It should be noted that the above-mentioned step 2110 can be implemented separately as an embodiment, the above-mentioned step 2120 can be implemented separately as an embodiment, and the above-mentioned step 2110 and step 2120 can be combined into an embodiment, and this application does not limit this.

[0273] 3.4 Switching from the Second Unified TCI State Mode to the First Unified TCI State Mode

[0274] FIG28 shows a flowchart of a method for switching a TCI state mode provided in an embodiment of the present application. The method is executed by the terminal device shown in FIG3 . The method includes the following steps:

[0275] Step 2210: Receive a second signaling message, where the second signaling message includes a Flag field, and the Flag field in the second signaling message has a third value.

[0276] Step 2220: Switch from the second unified TCI state mode to the first unified TCI state mode;

[0277] Among them, the third value is the value corresponding to the first version.

[0278] Optionally, the activated unified TCI state is covered, rewritten, or updated using the first joint TCI state and the second joint TCI indicated (ie, activated) in the second signaling.

[0279] Exemplarily, the terminal device is in the second unified TCI state mode, that is, in the R17 version of the communication protocol, and the Flag field in the second signaling received by the terminal device is 1. At this time, the terminal device will use the first joint TCI state and the second joint TCI state in the second signaling to overwrite, rewrite, or update the activated unified TCI state, so that the terminal device switches from the second unified TCI state mode to the first unified TCI state mode. As shown in Figure 15, Table 910 is used to represent the unified TCI state activated before receiving the second signaling, Table 920 is used to represent the unified TCI state activated in the second signaling, and Table 930 is used to represent the unified TCI state activated after the overwriting, rewriting, or updating operation. The terminal device is in the second unified TCI state before receiving the second signaling, and the activated unified TCI state includes the first joint TCI state. The Flag field in the second signaling is 1, and the first joint TCI state and the second joint TCI in the second signaling are used to overwrite, rewrite, or update the activated unified TCI state.

[0280] Optionally, the unified TCI state indicated in the second signaling is used (including up to 8 groups, each group of unified TCI states includes one or more of the first uplink TCI state, the first downlink TCI state, the second uplink TCI state, and the second downlink TCI state) to overwrite, rewrite, or update the activated unified TCI state.

[0281] Exemplarily, the terminal device is in the second unified TCI state mode, that is, in the R17 version of the communication protocol. The Flag field in the second signaling received by the terminal device is 1. At this time, the terminal device will use the first uplink TCI state and the second uplink TCI state in the second signaling to overwrite, rewrite, or update the activated unified TCI state, so that the terminal device switches from the second unified TCI state mode to the first unified TCI state mode. As shown in Figure 16, Table 1010 is used to represent the unified TCI state activated before receiving the second signaling, Table 1020 is used to represent the unified TCI state activated in the second signaling, and Table 1030 is used to represent the unified TCI state activated after the overwriting, rewriting, or updating operation. The terminal device is in the second unified TCI state before receiving the second signaling. The activated unified TCI state only corresponds to the first uplink TCI state and / or the first downlink TCI state. The Flag field in the second signaling is 1. The unified TCI state in the second signaling is used to overwrite, rewrite, or update the activated unified TCI state.

[0282] It should be noted that the above-mentioned step 2210 can be implemented separately as an embodiment, the above-mentioned step 2220 can be implemented separately as an embodiment, and the above-mentioned step 2210 and step 2220 can be combined into an embodiment, and this application does not limit this.

[0283] To sum up, the TCI state mode switching method provided in this application is implemented by adding or designing a Flag field. Although the message format of the MAC CE will be changed, this solution can explicitly and accurately instruct the terminal device to switch between two unified TCI states.

[0284] When a UE moves between cells or within a cell, it may approach a first transmission and reception point and move away from a second transmission and reception point. When there is a significant difference in link quality between the UE and multiple transmission and reception points, the UE is not suitable for operating in a multi-transmission and reception point scenario. Therefore, the UE does not need to consume a large amount of downlink measurement and reporting resources, nor does it need to store multiple unified TCI state resources. The UE can switch from the first unified TCI state mode to the second unified TCI state mode. Conversely, when the UE moves to the edge of the cell, in order to enhance the uplink and downlink coverage of the UE, it is more appropriate to transmit to multiple transmission and reception points for the UE. The UE can switch from the second unified TCI state mode to the first unified TCI state mode, thereby meeting the needs of different transmission scenarios.

[0285] The above embodiment uses the first information field being the eLCID field, or the first information field being the Flag field as an example, but does not exclude the use of other information fields in the MAC CE as the first information field in some other embodiments to indicate the switch between two TCI state modes. The embodiment of the present application is not limited to this.

[0286] In some embodiments, switching between the two unified TCI state modes is applicable to all carriers in the first carrier list, which are multiple carriers of a co-beam.

[0287] Among them, co-beam means that when multiple CCs (Component Carriers) are configured in the first carrier list, if any CC receives the above signaling, resulting in switching between two unified TCI state modes, then this step applies to all other CCs in the first carrier list.

[0288] For example, when multiple service cells are configured in the same CC (Component Carrier) list, that is, a CC list for co-beam operation. When the UE receives a MAC CE for a unified TCI state corresponding to R18, and a switch between the R18 and R17 unified TCI state modes occurs, and if the service cell ID contained in the MAC CE is configured in a CC list for co-beam operation, such as TCI synchronous update list XsimultaneousU-TCI-UpdateListX, TCI synchronous update list YsimultaneousU-TCI-UpdateListY, TCI synchronous update list ZsimultaneousU-TCI-UpdateListZ, then the UE converts the unified TCI state mode of all service cells in the CC list, that is, converts from R18 to 17 mode or vice versa.

[0289] In some embodiments, capability information is reported, and the capability information is used to indicate to the network device whether the terminal device supports the ability to switch between different unified TCI state modes.

[0290] In some embodiments, method 1 and method 2 can be combined to implement as independent embodiments; method 1 and method 3 can be combined to implement as independent embodiments; method 2 and method 3 can be combined to implement as independent embodiments; method 1, method 2 and method 3 can be combined to implement as independent embodiments. The embodiments of this application are no longer listed one by one, but the scope of protection of this application is not limited to this.

[0291] FIG29 shows a flowchart of a method for switching a TCI state mode provided by an exemplary embodiment of the present application. The method is executed by the network device shown in FIG3 . The method includes the following steps:

[0292] Step 2310: Send signaling, which is used to instruct the terminal device to switch between two unified TCI state modes;

[0293] Among them, the two unified TCI state modes include a first unified TCI state mode and a second unified TCI state mode. The first unified TCI state mode corresponds to the first version of the communication protocol, and the second unified TCI state mode corresponds to the second version of the communication protocol. The first version and the second version are different versions.

[0294] In some embodiments, the first unified TCI state mode supports STRP and MTRP, and the second unified TCI state mode supports STRP. Optionally, the first version of the communication protocol supports STRP and MTRP, and the second version of the communication protocol supports STRP. Optionally, the first version of the communication protocol is the R18 version of the communication protocol, and the second version of the communication protocol is the R17 version of the communication protocol, or the first version of the communication protocol is the R19 version of the communication protocol, and the second version of the communication protocol is the R17 version of the communication protocol. This embodiment does not limit the specific version numbers of the two versions of the communication protocol.

[0295] In some embodiments, the terminal device switches from the first unified TCI state mode to the second unified TCI state mode based on the first signaling, or switches from the second unified TCI state mode to the first unified TCI state mode based on the second signaling. If the first version is higher than the second version, the terminal device falls back from the first unified TCI state mode to the second unified TCI state mode based on the first signaling.

[0296] In some embodiments, switching between the two unified TCI state modes is applicable to all carriers in the first carrier list, which are multiple carriers of a co-beam.

[0297] Among them, co-beam means that when multiple CCs (Component Carriers) are configured in the first carrier list, if any CC receives the above signaling, resulting in switching between two unified TCI state modes, then this step applies to all other CCs in the first carrier list.

[0298] To sum up, the method provided in this application switches the communication protocol of the terminal device from the first version to the second version when it is necessary to switch the terminal device from the first unified TCI state mode to the second unified TCI state mode; when it is necessary to switch the terminal device from the second unified TCI state mode to the first unified TCI state mode, the communication protocol of the terminal device is switched from the second version back to the first version.

[0299] In some embodiments, the signaling is signaling for configuring a unified TCI state, such as RRC signaling; or, the first signaling is signaling for activating a unified TCI state, such as MAC CE; or, the first signaling is signaling for indicating a unified TCI state, such as DCI. This embodiment of the present application uses the example of the signaling for activating a unified TCI state.

[0300] This application describes three implementations of sending signaling (i.e., signaling for activating a unified TCI state) to instruct a terminal device to switch between two unified TCI state modes. At least one of these three implementations may be used in different embodiments. The three implementations are as follows:

[0301] Implementation method 1: Sending signaling, which contains an information field for activating the unified TCI state and is used to indicate switching between two unified TCI state modes;

[0302] Implementation method 2: Send signaling containing the eLCID field to indicate switching between two unified TCI state modes;

[0303] Implementation method three: Send signaling, which includes a Flag field to indicate switching between two unified TCI state modes.

[0304] The following text introduces the above three implementation methods in turn, but the order of introduction of the three implementation methods does not limit the advantages and disadvantages of the three implementation methods.

[0305] For implementation method 1: sending signaling, the signaling includes an information field for activating the unified TCI state, which is used to indicate switching between two unified TCI state modes;

[0306] Since switching between the two unified TCI states is divided into two cases, the following is divided into 1.1 and 1.2 to introduce them respectively:

[0307] 1.1 The first unified TCI state mode is switched to the second unified TCI state mode;

[0308] FIG30 shows a flowchart of a method for switching a TCI state mode provided in an embodiment of the present application. The method is executed by the network device shown in FIG3 . The method includes the following steps:

[0309] Step 2410: Send a first signaling, where the first signaling is a signaling for activating a unified TCI state;

[0310] Optionally, the first signaling is signaling used to activate the unified TCI state in the first version, or the first signaling is signaling used to activate the unified TCI state in the second version.

[0311] The first signaling is the signaling used to activate the unified TCI state in the first version:

[0312] Optionally, activating all unified TCI states in the first signaling satisfies a first condition. The first condition includes:

[0313] All unified TCI states activated in the first signaling correspond only to the first joint TCI state; or,

[0314] All unified TCI states activated in the first signaling correspond only to the second joint TCI state; or,

[0315] All unified TCI states activated in the first signaling only correspond to the first uplink TCI state and / or the first downlink TCI state; or,

[0316] All unified TCI states activated in the first signaling only correspond to the second uplink TCI state and / or the second downlink TCI state.

[0317] The first signaling is the signaling used to activate the unified TCI state in the second version:

[0318] Optionally, activating all unified TCI states in the first signaling satisfies a first condition. The first condition includes:

[0319] All unified TCI states activated in the first signaling only correspond to the joint TCI state; or,

[0320] All unified TCI states activated in the first signaling only correspond to uplink TCI states and / or downlink TCI states.

[0321] Optionally, the terminal device will use the unified TCI state indicated in the first signaling to overwrite, rewrite or update the activated unified TCI state, switching from the first unified TCI state mode to the second unified TCI state mode. The specific implementation is shown in the embodiment corresponding to Figure 9.

[0322] 1.2 The second unified TCI state mode is switched to the first unified TCI state mode;

[0323] FIG31 shows a flowchart of a method for switching a TCI state mode provided in an embodiment of the present application. The method is executed by the network device shown in FIG3 . The method includes the following steps:

[0324] Step 2510: Send a second signaling, where the second signaling is used to activate the unified TCI state.

[0325] For example, the first unified TCI state mode corresponds to the R18 version of the communication protocol supporting STRP and MTRP, while the second unified TCI state mode corresponds to the R17 version of the communication protocol supporting only STRP. The second signaling is a MAC CE. Each codepoint of the MAC CE corresponding to R17 corresponds to only one unified TCI state, while each codepoint of the MAC CE corresponding to R18 can correspond to one or two unified TCI states.

[0326] The second signaling is used to indicate switching from the second unified TCI state to the first unified TCI state. At least one unified TCI state activated in the second signaling satisfies a second condition. Optionally, the second condition includes:

[0327] Optionally, at least one unified TCI state activated in the second signaling corresponds to both the first joint TCI state and the second joint TCI state; or,

[0328] Optionally, at least one unified TCI state activated in the second signaling corresponds to both the first uplink TCI state and the second uplink TCI state; or,

[0329] Optionally, at least one unified TCI state activated in the second signaling corresponds to both the first downlink TCI state and the second downlink TCI state; or,

[0330] Optionally, at least one unified TCI state activated in the second signaling corresponds to the first downlink TCI state, the second downlink TCI state, the first downlink TCI state, and the second downlink TCI state at the same time.

[0331] Optionally, the terminal device uses the unified TCI state indicated in the second signaling to cover, rewrite or update the activated unified TCI state, and the specific method is shown in the embodiment corresponding to Figure 14.

[0332] To sum up, the TCI state mode switching method provided in the present application uses the activated unified TCI state as an implicit indication. For example, when all the unified TCI states activated in the signaling correspond only to the first joint TCI state, it is considered that the terminal device needs to fall back to the second version that only supports STRP. When at least one unified TCI state activated in the signaling corresponds to the first uplink TCI state and the second uplink TCI state at the same time, it is considered that the terminal device needs to switch to the first version that supports MTRP. In this way, not only can the switching intention of the terminal device be identified, but the original MAC CE message format can also be used for judgment, which can better be compatible with earlier versions to achieve switching of the unified TCI state mode.

[0333] For implementation method 2: Send signaling, which contains the eLCID field to indicate switching between two unified TCI state modes;

[0334] This application exemplifies the value range of the eLCID field corresponding to the first version, as shown in Table 3.

[0335] The first value is code point 233 and / or index 297.

[0336] The second value is code point xxx and / or index yyy, where code point xxx is any value from 0 to 226, index yyy is any value from 64 to 290, and index yyy is code point xxx plus 64.

[0337] Since switching between the two unified TCI states is divided into two cases, the following is divided into 2.1 and 2.2 to introduce them respectively:

[0338] 2.1 Switching from the first unified TCI state mode to the second unified TCI state mode

[0339] FIG32 shows a flowchart of a method for switching a TCI state mode provided in an embodiment of the present application. The method is executed by the network device shown in FIG3 . The method includes the following steps:

[0340] Step 2610: Send a first signaling, which includes an eLCID field, and the value of the eLCID field is a first value, which is used to instruct the terminal device to switch from the first unified TCI state mode to the second unified TCI state mode.

[0341] The first value is the value corresponding to the second version.

[0342] Optionally, the value range of the first value includes code point 233 and / or index 297.

[0343] Exemplarily, the value corresponding to the eLCID of R17 includes code point 233 and index 297.

[0344] Optionally, the terminal device uses the joint TCI state indicated in the first signaling to cover, rewrite or update the activated unified TCI state, and the specific method is shown in the embodiment corresponding to Figure 17.

[0345] 2.2 Switching from the Second Unified TCI State Mode to the First Unified TCI State Mode

[0346] FIG33 shows a flowchart of a method for switching a TCI state mode provided in an embodiment of the present application. The method is executed by the network device shown in FIG3 . The method includes the following steps:

[0347] Step 2710: Send a second signaling, which includes an eLCID field, and the value of the eLCID field is a second value, which is used to instruct the terminal device to switch from the second unified TCI state mode to the first unified TCI state mode.

[0348] The second value is the value corresponding to the first version.

[0349] Exemplarily, the value corresponding to the eLCID of R18 is that the code point of the eLCID is 0 to 226, the index of the eLCID is 64 to 290, and the index of the eLCID is the code point of the eLCID plus 64. The terminal device determines whether to switch from the second unified TCI state mode to the first unified TCI state mode based on the value of the eLCID included in the second signaling.

[0350] Optionally, the terminal device uses the unified TCI state indicated in the second signaling to cover, rewrite or update the activated unified TCI state, and the specific method is shown in the embodiment corresponding to Figure 18.

[0351] To sum up, the TCI state mode switching method provided in this application uses different values ​​of the eLCID designed in the signaling. It only needs to modify the existing value or use the reserved value to set it to the value corresponding to the first version to achieve switching between two unified TCI states. It has no effect on the overall format and length of the message, can be better compatible with different versions, and for terminal devices, the switching instructions of this solution are clearer and more specific.

[0352] For implementation method three: sending signaling, the signaling includes a Flag field for indicating switching between two unified TCI state modes.

[0353] The present application exemplarily adds or designs a Flag field in the above signaling to instruct the terminal device to switch to the corresponding unified TCI state mode. The Flag field can be designed to be 1 bit or 2 bits or more.

[0354] The embodiments of the present application use 1-bit and 2-bit Flag fields as examples, but the number of bits in the Flag field is not limited.

[0355] In some embodiments, Flag is 2 bits, and the 2 bits have at least three values;

[0356] The first value is a value corresponding to the second version and is used to instruct the terminal device to use the first unified TCI state as the unified TCI state in the second unified TCI state mode when switching from the first unified TCI state mode to the second unified TCI state mode;

[0357] The second value is a value corresponding to the second version and is used to instruct the terminal device to use the second unified TCI state as the unified TCI state in the second unified TCI state mode when switching from the first unified TCI state mode to the second unified TCI state mode;

[0358] The third value is a value corresponding to the first version and is used to instruct the terminal device to switch from the second unified TCI state mode to the first unified TCI state mode.

[0359] In some embodiments, the first value is any one of 00, 01, 10, and 11; the second value is any one of 00, 01, 10, and 11 except the first value; and the third value is any one of 00, 01, 10, and 11 except the first value and the second value. For example, the first value is 00, the second value is 01, and the third value is 10; or, the first value is 01, the second value is 10, and the third value is 00; or, the first value is 11, the second value is 00, and the third value is 10. The embodiment of the present application is illustrated by taking the first value as 00, the second value as 01, and the third value as 10, but the specific values ​​of the first value, the second value, and the third value are not limited.

[0360] 3.1 Switching from the first unified TCI state mode to the second unified TCI state mode

[0361] FIG34 shows a flowchart of a method for switching a TCI state mode provided in an embodiment of the present application. The method is executed by the network device shown in FIG3 . The method includes the following steps:

[0362] Step 2810: Send a first signaling message, where the first signaling message includes a Flag field, where the Flag field has a value within a first range, and is used to instruct the terminal device to switch from the first unified TCI state mode to the second unified TCI state mode;

[0363] Among them, the values ​​corresponding to the first range and the second version.

[0364] Exemplarily, there are two values ​​corresponding to the second version in the first range, namely, a first value 00 and a second value 01.

[0365] Optionally, the Flag field is the first value within the first range, used to instruct the terminal device to use the first joint TCI state indicated in the first signaling to overwrite, rewrite or update the activated unified TCI state, as shown in the embodiment corresponding to Figure 21.

[0366] Optionally, the Flag field is a second value within the first range, used to instruct the terminal device to use the second joint TCI state indicated in the first signaling to overwrite, rewrite or update the activated unified TCI state.

[0367] Optionally, the Flag field is the first value within the first range, used to instruct the terminal device to use the first uplink TCI state and / or the first downlink TCI state indicated in the first signaling to cover, rewrite or update the activated unified TCI state.

[0368] Optionally, the Flag field is a second value within the first range, used to instruct the terminal device to use the second uplink TCI state and / or second downlink TCI state indicated in the first signaling to cover, rewrite or update the activated unified TCI state.

[0369] 3.2 Switching from the Second Unified TCI State Mode to the First Unified TCI State Mode

[0370] FIG35 shows a flowchart of a method for switching a TCI state mode provided in an embodiment of the present application. The method is executed by the network device shown in FIG3 . The method includes the following steps:

[0371] Step 2910: Send a second signaling message, where the second signaling message includes a Flag field, and the Flag field is a third value (10), which is used to instruct the terminal device to switch from the second unified TCI state mode to the first unified TCI state mode;

[0372] Among them, the third value is the value corresponding to the first version.

[0373] Optionally, the Flag field is a third value, used to instruct the terminal device to use the first joint TCI state and the second joint TCI indicated in the second signaling to cover or rewrite or update the activated unified TCI state, as shown in the embodiment corresponding to Figure 26.

[0374] Optionally, the Flag field is a third value, used to instruct the terminal device to use the first uplink TCI state and / or the first downlink TCI state and / or the second uplink TCI state and / or the second downlink TCI state indicated in the second signaling to overwrite or rewrite or update the activated unified TCI state.

[0375] In some embodiments of the present application, Flag is 1 bit, and the 1 bit has 2 values;

[0376] The first value is a value corresponding to the second version, used to instruct the terminal device to switch from the first unified TCI state mode to the second unified TCI state mode;

[0377] The third value is a value corresponding to the first version, and is used to instruct the terminal device to switch from the second unified TCI state mode to the first unified TCI state mode.

[0378] In some embodiments, the first value is any value between 0 and 1; the second value is any value between 0 and 1 except the first value. For example, the first value is 0 and the third value is 1; or, the first value is 1 and the third value is 0. This embodiment of the application uses the first value being 0 and the third value being 1 as an example, but the specific values ​​of the first value and the second value are not limited.

[0379] 3.3 Switching from the First Unified TCI State Mode to the Second Unified TCI State Mode

[0380] FIG36 shows a flowchart of a method for switching a TCI state mode provided in an embodiment of the present application. The method is executed by the network device shown in FIG3 . The method includes the following steps:

[0381] Step 3010: Send a first signaling message, where the first signaling message includes a Flag field, where the Flag field has a first value, and is used to instruct the terminal device to switch from the first unified TCI state mode to the second unified TCI state mode;

[0382] The first value is the value corresponding to the second version.

[0383] Optionally, the Flag field is a first value, which is used to indicate that the first joint TCI state indicated in the first signaling is used to cover, rewrite, or update the activated unified TCI state. The specific method is shown in the embodiment corresponding to Figure 9.

[0384] Optionally, the Flag field is a first value, which is used to use the second joint TCI state indicated in the first signaling to cover, rewrite or update the activated unified TCI state.

[0385] Optionally, the Flag field is a first value, which is used to use the first uplink and / or downlink TCI state indicated in the first signaling to cover, rewrite or update the activated unified TCI state.

[0386] Optionally, the Flag field is a first value, which is used to use the second uplink and / or downlink TCI state indicated in the first signaling to cover, rewrite or update the activated unified TCI state.

[0387] 3.4 Switching from the Second Unified TCI State Mode to the First Unified TCI State Mode

[0388] FIG37 shows a flowchart of a method for switching a TCI state mode provided in an embodiment of the present application. The method is executed by the network device shown in FIG3 . The method includes the following steps:

[0389] Step 3110: Send a second signaling message, where the second signaling message includes a Flag field, and the Flag field is a third value (1), which is used to instruct the terminal device to switch from the second unified TCI state mode to the first unified TCI state mode;

[0390] Among them, the third value is the value corresponding to the first version.

[0391] Optionally, the Flag field is a third value, used to instruct the terminal device to use the first joint TCI state and the second joint TCI indicated in the first signaling to cover or rewrite or update the activated unified TCI state, as shown in the embodiment corresponding to Figure 28.

[0392] Optionally, the Flag field is a third value, used to instruct the terminal device to use the unified TCI state indicated in the second signaling (including up to 8 groups, each group of unified TCI states includes one or more of the first uplink TCI state, the first downlink TCI state, the second uplink TCI state, and the second downlink TCI state), to overwrite, rewrite, or update the activated unified TCI state.

[0393] To sum up, the TCI state mode switching method provided in this application is implemented by adding or designing a Flag field. Although the message format will be changed, this solution can accurately instruct the terminal device to switch between two unified TCI states.

[0394] The above embodiment uses the first information field being the eLCID field, or the first information field being the Flag field as an example, but does not exclude the use of other information fields in the MAC CE as the first information field in some other embodiments to indicate the switch between two TCI state modes. The embodiment of the present application is not limited to this.

[0395] In some embodiments, switching between the two unified TCI state modes is applicable to all carriers in the first carrier list, which are multiple carriers of a co-beam.

[0396] Among them, co-beam means that when multiple CCs (Component Carriers) are configured in the first carrier list, if any CC receives the above signaling, resulting in switching between two unified TCI state modes, then this step applies to all other CCs in the first carrier list.

[0397] For example, when multiple service cells are configured in the same CC (Component Carrier) list, that is, a CC list for co-beam operation. When the UE receives a MAC CE for a unified TCI state corresponding to R18, and a switch between the R18 and R17 unified TCI state modes occurs, and if the service cell ID contained in the MAC CE is configured in a CC list for co-beam operation, such as TCI synchronous update list XsimultaneousU-TCI-UpdateListX, TCI synchronous update list YsimultaneousU-TCI-UpdateListY, TCI synchronous update list ZsimultaneousU-TCI-UpdateListZ, then the UE converts the unified TCI state mode of all service cells in the CC list, that is, converts from R18 to 17 mode or vice versa.

[0398] In some embodiments, capability information reported by a terminal device is received, where the capability information indicates whether the terminal device supports switching between different unified TCI state modes. If the terminal device supports switching between different unified TCI state modes, two different signaling methods are configured and used; if the terminal device does not support switching between different unified TCI state modes, signaling supported by the terminal device is configured and used.

[0399] In some embodiments, Method 1 and Method 2 can be implemented as independent embodiments; Method 1 and Method 3 can be implemented as independent embodiments; Method 2 and Method 3 can be implemented as independent embodiments; Method 1, Method 2 and Method 3 can be implemented as independent embodiments; but not limited to this.

[0400] FIG38 shows an overall flow chart of a method for switching a TCI state mode provided by an exemplary embodiment of the present application, which method includes at least part of the following contents:

[0401] Step 3210: The terminal device reports capability information to the network device. The capability information is used to indicate to the network device whether the terminal device supports the capability of switching between different unified TCI state modes.

[0402] For example, the terminal device only supports working in the second unified TCI state mode, and then reports to the network device that it can only work in the second unified TCI state mode.

[0403] Step 3220: The network device receives capability information reported by the terminal device, where the capability information is used to indicate whether the terminal device supports the capability of switching between different unified TCI state modes.

[0404] When the terminal device supports switching between different unified TCI state modes, two different signalings are configured and used.

[0405] When the terminal device does not support switching between different unified TCI state modes, configure and use the signaling supported by the terminal device.

[0406] For example, when the network device receives information that the terminal device does not support switching between TCI state modes and the terminal device can only operate in the first unified TCI state mode, the network device will only configure and use the signaling of the first unified TCI state mode for the terminal device.

[0407] For example, when a network device receives information that a terminal device supports switching between TCI state modes and the terminal device can operate in a first unified TCI state mode or a second unified TCI state mode, the network device will configure and use the signaling of the first unified TCI state mode or the second unified TCI state mode for the terminal device.

[0408] In some optional embodiments, the method includes step 630 and step 640 .

[0409] Step 3230: The network device sends a first signaling to the terminal device.

[0410] Among them, the first signaling is used to instruct the terminal device to switch from the first unified TCI state mode to the second unified TCI state mode.

[0411] Optionally, the first signaling is MAC CE.

[0412] Step 3240: Based on the first signaling, the terminal device switches from the first unified TCI state mode to the second unified TCI state mode.

[0413] The first signaling is a signaling used to activate a unified TCI state.

[0414] The terminal device receives the first signaling sent by the network device and switches from the first unified TCI state mode to the second unified TCI state mode.

[0415] Optionally, the first unified TCI state mode supports STRP and MTRP, and the second unified TCI state mode supports STRP.

[0416] Optionally, the first version of the communication protocol is the R18 version of the communication protocol, and the second version of the communication protocol is the R17 version of the communication protocol.

[0417] In some optional embodiments, the method includes step 650 and step 660 .

[0418] Step 3250: The network device sends a second signaling to the terminal device.

[0419] Among them, the second signaling is used to instruct the terminal device to switch from the second unified TCI state mode to the first unified TCI state mode.

[0420] Optionally, the second signaling is MAC CE.

[0421] Step 3260: Based on the second signaling, the terminal device switches from the second unified TCI state mode to the first unified TCI state mode.

[0422] The second signaling is a signaling used to activate the unified TCI state.

[0423] Optionally, the first unified TCI state mode supports STRP and MTRP, and the second unified TCI state mode supports STRP.

[0424] Optionally, the first version of the communication protocol is the R18 version of the communication protocol, and the second version of the communication protocol is the R17 version of the communication protocol.

[0425] FIG39 shows a block diagram of a switching device for a TCI state mode according to an exemplary embodiment of the present application. The switching device can be implemented as part of a terminal device. The method includes at least part of the following:

[0426] This application describes three implementations for switching between two unified TCI state modes based on signaling (i.e., signaling for activating the unified TCI state). At least one of these three implementations may be used in different embodiments. The three implementations are as follows:

[0427] Implementation method 1: Switching between two unified TCI state modes based on the information field for activating the unified TCI state in the above signaling;

[0428] Implementation method 2: Switch between two unified TCI state modes based on the existing eLCID field in the above signaling;

[0429] Implementation method three: Switch between two unified TCI state modes based on the newly added Flag field in the above signaling.

[0430] The following text introduces the above three implementation methods in turn, but the order of introduction of the three implementation methods does not limit the advantages and disadvantages of the three implementation methods.

[0431] For implementation method 1: based on the information field for activating the unified TCI state in the above signaling, switch between the two unified TCI state modes;

[0432] Since switching between the two unified TCI states is divided into two cases, the following is divided into 1.1 and 1.2 to introduce them respectively:

[0433] 1.1 The first unified TCI state mode is switched to the second unified TCI state mode;

[0434] The receiving module 3310 is configured to receive a first signaling, where the first signaling is a signaling for activating a unified TCI state;

[0435] Optionally, the first signaling is signaling for activating the unified TCI state in the first version, or the first signaling is signaling for activating the unified TCI state in the second version. The first signaling is used to instruct switching from the first unified TCI state mode to the second unified TCI state mode.

[0436] The switching module 3320 is configured to switch from the first unified TCI state mode to the second unified TCI state mode based on all unified TCI states activated in the first signaling.

[0437] The first signaling is the signaling used to activate the unified TCI state in the first version:

[0438] All unified TCI states activated in the first signaling meet the first condition. The first condition in this article means that the unified TCI state corresponding to each activated TCI code point corresponds to the same TRP.

[0439] Optionally, the first condition includes:

[0440] All unified TCI states activated in the first signaling correspond only to the first joint TCI state; or,

[0441] All unified TCI states activated in the first signaling correspond only to the second joint TCI state; or,

[0442] All unified TCI states activated in the first signaling only correspond to the first uplink TCI state and / or the first downlink TCI state; or,

[0443] All unified TCI states activated in the first signaling only correspond to the second uplink TCI state and / or the second downlink TCI state.

[0444] If all unified TCI states activated in the first signaling meet the first condition, switching from the first unified TCI state mode to the second unified TCI state mode. Optionally, the activated unified TCI state is overwritten, rewritten, or updated with the unified TCI state indicated in the first signaling, thereby switching from the first unified TCI state mode to the second unified TCI state mode.

[0445] In some embodiments of the present application, a terminal device is in a first unified TCI state mode, that is, in the R18 version of the communication protocol. In the first signaling received by the terminal device, all activated unified TCI states correspond only to the first joint TCI state. At this time, the terminal device will overwrite, rewrite, or update the activated unified TCI state with the first joint TCI state in the first signaling, causing the terminal device to switch from the first unified TCI state mode to the second unified TCI state mode. As shown in Figure 10, Table 410 is used to represent the unified TCI state activated before receiving the first signaling, Table 420 is used to represent the unified TCI state activated in the first signaling, and Table 430 is used to represent the unified TCI state activated after the overwriting, rewriting, or updating operation. Before receiving the first signaling, the terminal device is in the first unified TCI state. The activated unified TCI state includes the first joint TCI state and the second joint TCI state. For example, the TCI code point is 000, corresponding to the first joint TCI state and the second joint TCI state; the TCI code point is 001, corresponding to the first joint TCI state; all the unified TCI states activated in the first signaling only correspond to the first joint TCI state. After overwriting, rewriting or updating, the activated unified TCI state also only corresponds to the first joint TCI state.

[0446] In some embodiments of the present application, the terminal device is in the first unified TCI state mode, that is, in the R18 version of the communication protocol. In the first signaling received by the terminal device, all activated unified TCI states only correspond to the first uplink TCI state and / or the first downlink TCI state. At this time, the terminal device will use the first joint TCI state in the first signaling to overwrite, rewrite, or update the activated unified TCI state, so that the terminal device switches from the first unified TCI state mode to the second unified TCI state mode. As shown in Figure 11, Table 510 is used to represent the unified TCI state activated before receiving the first signaling, Table 520 is used to represent the unified TCI state activated in the first signaling, and Table 530 is used to represent the unified TCI state activated after the overwriting, rewriting, or updating operation. Before receiving the first signaling, the terminal device is in the first unified TCI state. The activated unified TCI states include the first uplink TCI state, the first downlink TCI state, the second uplink TCI state and the second downlink TCI state. For example, the TCI code point is 000, corresponding to the first uplink TCI state, the first downlink TCI state, the second uplink TCI state and the second downlink TCI state; the TCI code point is 001, corresponding to the first uplink TCI state and the first downlink TCI state; all the unified TCI states activated in the first signaling only correspond to the first uplink TCI state and / or the first downlink TCI state. After overwriting, rewriting or updating, the activated unified TCI state also only corresponds to the first uplink TCI state and / or the first downlink TCI state.

[0447] The first signaling is the signaling used to activate the unified TCI state in the second version:

[0448] All unified TCI states activated in the first signaling meet the first condition. Optionally, the first condition includes:

[0449] Among all unified TCI states activated in the first signaling, there is only one joint TCI state corresponding to one TRP; or, it can be understood that the joint TCI state activated by each TCI code point corresponds to one TRP; or, it can be understood that the joint TCI state activated by each TCI code point is one joint TCI state, and no joint TCI state activated by any TCI code point is two joint TCI states;

[0450] ·All unified TCI states activated in the first signaling correspond to only the uplink TCI state and / or downlink TCI state corresponding to one TRP; or it is understood that the uplink TCI state and / or downlink TCI state activated by each TCI code point corresponds to one TRP; or it is understood that the uplink TCI state activated by each TCI code point is one uplink TCI state, and there is no uplink TCI state activated by any TCI code point as two uplink TCI states; or it is understood that the downlink TCI state activated by each TCI code point is one downlink TCI state, and there is no downlink TCI state activated by any TCI code point as two downlink TCI states.

[0451] Optionally, when all unified TCI states activated in the first signaling correspond to only one joint TCI state corresponding to a TRP, the first unified TCI state mode is switched to the second unified TCI state mode. Optionally, when all unified TCI states activated in the first signaling correspond to only uplink TCI states and / or downlink TCI states, the first unified TCI state mode is switched to the second unified TCI state mode.

[0452] Optionally, the activated unified TCI state is overwritten, rewritten, or updated using the unified TCI state indicated in the first signaling, so as to switch from the first unified TCI state mode to the second unified TCI state mode.

[0453] In some embodiments of the present application, a terminal device is in a first unified TCI state mode, i.e., in the R18 version of the communication protocol. In the first signaling received by the terminal device, all activated unified TCI states correspond only to the joint TCI state. In this case, the terminal device will overwrite, rewrite, or update the activated unified TCI state with the joint TCI state in the first signaling, causing the terminal device to switch from the first unified TCI state mode to the second unified TCI state mode. As shown in Figure 12, Table 610 is used to represent the unified TCI state activated before receiving the first signaling, Table 620 is used to represent the unified TCI state activated in the first signaling, and Table 630 is used to represent the unified TCI state activated after the overwriting, rewriting, or updating operation. When the terminal is in the first unified TCI state, the activated unified TCI state includes the first joint TCI state and the second joint TCI state. For example, the TCI code point is 000, corresponding to the first joint TCI state and the second joint TCI state; the TCI code point is 001, corresponding to the first joint TCI state; all unified TCI states activated in the first signaling only correspond to the joint TCI state. After overwriting, rewriting or updating, the activated unified TCI state also only corresponds to the joint TCI state.

[0454] In some embodiments of the present application, the terminal device is in a first unified TCI state mode, that is, in the R18 version of the communication protocol. In the first signaling received by the terminal device, all activated unified TCI states only correspond to the uplink TCI state and / or the downlink TCI state. At this time, the terminal device will use the uplink TCI state and / or downlink TCI state in the first signaling to overwrite or rewrite or update the activated unified TCI state, so that the terminal device switches from the first unified TCI state mode to the second unified TCI state mode. As shown in Figure 13, Table 710 is used to represent the unified TCI state activated before receiving the first signaling, Table 720 is used to represent the unified TCI state activated in the first signaling, and Table 730 is used to represent the unified TCI state activated after the overwriting, rewriting or updating operation. When the terminal is in the first unified TCI state, the activated unified TCI states include the first uplink TCI state, the first downlink TCI state, the second uplink TCI state and the second downlink TCI state. For example, the TCI code point is 000, corresponding to the first uplink TCI state, the first downlink TCI state, the second uplink TCI state and the second downlink TCI state; the TCI code point is 001, corresponding to the first uplink TCI state and the first downlink TCI state; all the unified TCI states activated in the first signaling only correspond to the uplink TCI state and / or the downlink TCI state. After overwriting, rewriting or updating, the activated unified TCI state also only corresponds to the uplink TCI state and / or the downlink TCI state.

[0455] It should be noted that the above step 310 can be implemented separately as an embodiment, the above step 320 can be implemented separately as an embodiment, and the above steps 310 and 320 can be combined into an embodiment, which is not limited in this application.

[0456] In summary, the device provided in this embodiment can achieve switching from the first TCI state mode to the second TCI state mode through the first signaling. When the UE moves between cells or within a cell, it may be close to the first TRP and away from the second TRP. When there is a significant gap in the link quality between the UE and multiple TRPs, the UE is not suitable for working in the MTRP scenario. Therefore, the UE does not need to consume a large amount of downlink measurement and reporting resources, and store multiple unified TCI state resources. The UE can switch from the first unified TCI state mode to the second unified TCI state mode, thereby saving air interface resources and computing resources.

[0457] Due to the design of the above-mentioned TCI code point, there is no need to modify the signaling format of the MAC CE in the communication protocol, and the terminal device can be implicitly instructed to perform the corresponding switching behavior. Therefore, it can avoid the modification or redesign of the MAC CE and ensure the forward compatibility of the MAC CE between different communication versions.

[0458] 1.2 The second unified TCI state mode is switched to the first unified TCI state mode;

[0459] The receiving module 3310 is configured to receive a second signaling, where the second signaling is a signaling for activating a unified TCI state;

[0460] The second signaling is used to instruct switching from the second unified TCI state mode to the first unified TCI state mode.

[0461] The switching module 3320 is configured to switch from the second unified TCI state mode to the first unified TCI state mode based on at least one unified TCI state activated in the second signaling.

[0462] For example, the first unified TCI state mode corresponds to the R18 communication protocol that supports both STRP and MTRP, while the second unified TCI state mode corresponds to the R17 communication protocol that supports only STRP. The second signaling is a MAC CE. Each codepoint in the R17 MAC CE corresponds to only one unified TCI state, while each codepoint in the R18 MAC CE can correspond to one or two unified TCI states.

[0463] In some embodiments, at least one unified TCI state activated in the second signaling meets the second condition. The second condition herein means that the unified TCI state corresponding to the at least one activated TCI code point corresponds to two TRPs.

[0464] Optionally, the second condition includes:

[0465] At least one unified TCI state activated in the second signaling corresponds to both the first joint TCI state and the second joint TCI state; or,

[0466] At least one unified TCI state activated in the second signaling corresponds to both the first uplink TCI state and the second uplink TCI state (the downlink TCI state may be empty, one, or two, without limitation); or

[0467] At least one unified TCI state activated in the second signaling corresponds to both the first downlink TCI state and the second downlink TCI state (the uplink TCI state may be empty, one, or two, without limitation); or

[0468] The at least one unified TCI state activated in the second signaling corresponds to the first uplink TCI state, the second uplink TCI state, the first downlink TCI state, and the second downlink TCI state.

[0469] Optionally, the unified TCI state indicated in the second signaling is used to cover, rewrite, or update the activated unified TCI state, and switch from the second unified TCI state mode to the first unified TCI state mode.

[0470] Exemplarily, the terminal device is in the second unified TCI state mode, that is, in the R17 version of the communication protocol, the activated TCI state is the first joint TCI state, and in the second signaling received by the terminal device, at least one activated TCI code point corresponds to the first joint TCI state and the second joint TCI state at the same time. At this time, the terminal device will use the first joint TCI state and the second joint TCI state in the second signaling to overwrite or rewrite or update the activated unified TCI state, that is, the first joint TCI state, so that the terminal device switches from the second unified TCI state mode to the first unified TCI state mode. As shown in Figure 15, Table 910 is used to represent the unified TCI state activated before receiving the second signaling, Table 920 is used to represent the unified TCI state activated in the second signaling, and Table 930 is used to represent the unified TCI state activated after the overwriting, rewriting or updating operation. Before receiving the second signaling, the terminal device is in the second unified TCI state. The activated unified TCI state includes the first joint TCI state. At least one unified TCI code point activated in the second signaling corresponds to the first joint TCI state and the second joint TCI state at the same time. After overwriting, rewriting or updating, at least one activated unified TCI code point corresponds to the first joint TCI state and the second joint TCI state at the same time.

[0471] Exemplarily, the terminal device is in the second unified TCI state mode, that is, in the R17 version of the communication protocol, the activated TCI states are the first uplink TCI state and the first downlink TCI state, and in the second signaling received by the terminal device, at least one activated TCI code point corresponds to the first uplink TCI state and the second uplink TCI state at the same time. At this time, the terminal device will use the first uplink TCI state and the second uplink TCI state in the second signaling to overwrite or rewrite or update the activated unified TCI state, that is, the first uplink TCI state and the first downlink TCI state, so that the terminal device switches from the second unified TCI state mode to the first unified TCI state mode. As shown in Figure 16, Table 1010 is used to represent the unified TCI state activated before receiving the second signaling, Table 1020 is used to represent the unified TCI state activated in the second signaling, and Table 1030 is used to represent the unified TCI state activated after the overwriting, rewriting or updating operation. The terminal device is in the second unified TCI state before receiving the second signaling. The activated unified TCI state only corresponds to the first uplink TCI state and / or the first downlink TCI state. At least one unified TCI state activated in the second signaling corresponds to the first uplink TCI state and the second uplink TCI state at the same time. After overwriting, rewriting or updating, the at least one activated unified TCI state corresponds to the first uplink TCI state and the second uplink TCI state at the same time.

[0472] It should be noted that the above step 810 can be implemented alone as an embodiment, the above step 820 can be implemented alone as an embodiment, and the above steps 810 and 820 can be combined into an embodiment, which is not limited in this application.

[0473] In summary, the apparatus provided in this embodiment can implement switching from the second TCI state mode to the first TCI state mode through second signaling. When a UE moves to a cell edge, in order to enhance the uplink and downlink coverage of the UE, it is more appropriate to perform MTRP transmission on the UE. Therefore, it is necessary to switch the UE from the second unified TCI state mode to the first unified TCI state mode.

[0474] Due to the design of the above-mentioned TCI code point, there is no need to modify the signaling format of the MAC CE in the communication protocol, and the terminal device can be implicitly instructed to perform the corresponding switching behavior. Therefore, it can avoid the modification or redesign of the MAC CE and ensure the forward compatibility of the MAC CE between different communication versions.

[0475] For implementation method 2: Based on the existing eLCID field in the above signaling, switch between the two unified TCI state modes;

[0476] This application exemplifies the value range of the eLCID field corresponding to the first version, as shown in Table 3.

[0477] The first value is code point 233 and / or index 297.

[0478] The second value is code point xxx and / or index yyy, where code point xxx is any value from 0 to 226, index yyy is any value from 64 to 290, and index yyy is code point xxx plus 64.

[0479] Since switching between the two unified TCI states is divided into two cases, the following is divided into 2.1 and 2.2 to introduce them respectively:

[0480] 2.1 Switching from the first unified TCI state mode to the second unified TCI state mode

[0481] The receiving module 3310 receives a first signaling, where the first signaling includes an eLCID field, and the eLCID field has a first value.

[0482] The value of the eLCID is used to indicate switching from the first unified TCI state mode to the second unified TCI state mode.

[0483] In some embodiments of the present application, the value of the eLCID is a first value, and the first value is used to indicate switching from a first unified TCI state mode to a second unified TCI state mode.

[0484] The first value is the value corresponding to the second version; the second value is the value corresponding to the first version.

[0485] The switching module 3320 is configured to switch from the first unified TCI state mode to the second unified TCI state mode when the eLCID field in the first signaling is a first value.

[0486] The first value is a value corresponding to the second version. Optionally, the value range of the first value includes code point 233 and / or index 297.

[0487] Exemplarily, the value corresponding to the eLCID of R17 includes code point 233 and index 297.

[0488] Optionally, the switching module 3320 is configured to use the joint TCI state indicated in the first signaling to cover, rewrite, or update the activated unified TCI state.

[0489] Exemplarily, when a terminal device is in a first unified TCI state mode, i.e., in the R18 version of the communication protocol, and the eLCID field in the first signaling received by the terminal device is a first value, the terminal device will overwrite, rewrite, or update the activated unified TCI state with the joint TCI state in the first signaling, causing the terminal device to switch from the first unified TCI state mode to the second unified TCI state mode. As shown in Figure 12, Table 610 is used to represent the unified TCI state activated before receiving the first signaling, Table 620 is used to represent the unified TCI state activated in the first signaling, and Table 630 is used to represent the unified TCI state activated after the overwriting, rewriting, or updating operation. When the terminal is in the first unified TCI state, the activated unified TCI state includes the first joint TCI state and the second joint TCI state. For example, the TCI code point is 000, corresponding to the first joint TCI state and the second joint TCI state; the TCI code point is 001, corresponding to the first joint TCI state; the value of the eLCID field in the first signaling is code point 233 and / or index 297. After overwriting, rewriting or updating, the activated unified TCI state also only corresponds to the joint TCI state.

[0490] Optionally, the switching module 3320 is configured to use the uplink TCI state and / or downlink TCI state indicated in the first signaling to cover, rewrite, or update the activated unified TCI state.

[0491] Exemplarily, the terminal device is in the first unified TCI state mode, that is, in the R18 version of the communication protocol, and the eLCID field in the first signaling received by the terminal device is the first value. At this time, the terminal device will use the uplink TCI state and downlink TCI state in the first signaling to overwrite, rewrite, or update the activated unified TCI state, so that the terminal device switches from the first unified TCI state mode to the second unified TCI state mode. As shown in Figure 13, Table 710 is used to represent the unified TCI state activated before receiving the first signaling, Table 720 is used to represent the unified TCI state activated in the first signaling, and Table 730 is used to represent the unified TCI state activated after the overwriting, rewriting, or updating operation. When the terminal is in the first unified TCI state, the activated unified TCI state includes the first uplink TCI state, the first downlink TCI state, the second uplink TCI state and the second downlink TCI state. For example, the TCI code point is 000, corresponding to the first uplink TCI state, the first downlink TCI state, the second uplink TCI state and the second downlink TCI state; the TCI code point is 001, corresponding to the first uplink TCI state and the first downlink TCI state; the value of the eLCID field in the first signaling is code point 233 and / or index 297. After overwriting, rewriting or updating, the activated unified TCI state also only corresponds to the uplink TCI state and / or downlink TCI state.

[0492] It should be noted that the above-mentioned step 1110 can be implemented separately as an embodiment, the above-mentioned step 1120 can be implemented separately as an embodiment, and the above-mentioned steps 1110 and 1120 can be combined into an embodiment, which is not limited in this application.

[0493] In summary, the device provided in this embodiment can achieve switching from the first TCI state mode to the second TCI state mode through the first signaling. When the UE moves between cells or within a cell, it may be close to the first TRP and away from the second TRP. When there is a significant gap in the link quality between the UE and multiple TRPs, the UE is not suitable for working in the MTRP scenario. Therefore, the UE does not need to consume a large amount of downlink measurement and reporting resources, and store multiple unified TCI state resources. The UE can switch from the first unified TCI state mode to the second unified TCI state mode, thereby saving air interface resources and computing resources.

[0494] Since the above-mentioned eLCID domain is an existing information domain and the value range of eLCID is relatively large, the value of eLCID is used to indicate the switching of TCI state mode. There is no need to modify the signaling format of MAC CE in the communication protocol, nor is there any need to additionally define the switching behavior of the UE. It can instruct the terminal device to switch from the first unified TCI state mode to the second unified TCI state mode. Therefore, it can avoid the modification or redesign of MAC CE and ensure the forward compatibility of MAC CE between different communication versions.

[0495] 2.2 Switching from the Second Unified TCI State Mode to the First Unified TCI State Mode

[0496] A receiving module 3310 is configured to receive a second signaling message, where the second signaling message includes an eLCID field, and the eLCID field in the second signaling message has a second value;

[0497] The value of the eLCID is used to indicate switching from the second unified TCI state mode to the first unified TCI state mode.

[0498] In some embodiments of the present application, the value of the eLCID is a second value, and the second value is used to indicate switching from the second unified TCI state mode to the first unified TCI state mode.

[0499] Among them, the first value is the value corresponding to the second version; the second value is the value corresponding to the first version.

[0500] Exemplarily, the value corresponding to the eLCID of R18 is the code point of the eLCID is 0 to 226, the index of the eLCID is 64 to 290, and the index of the eLCID is the code point of the eLCID plus 64.

[0501] The switching module 3320 is configured to switch from the second unified TCI state mode to the first unified TCI state mode.

[0502] The activated unified TCI state is overwritten, rewritten, or updated using the unified TCI state indicated in the second signaling.

[0503] In some embodiments, the switching module 3320 is configured to overwrite, rewrite, or update the activated unified TCI state with the joint TCI state indicated in the second signaling. Optionally, the at least one set of activated joint TCI states indicated in the second signaling is two.

[0504] Exemplarily, a terminal device is in the second unified TCI state mode, i.e., in the R17 version of the communication protocol, and the activated TCI state is the joint TCI state. If the eLCID field in the second signaling received by the terminal device is the second value, the terminal device will overwrite, rewrite, or update the activated unified TCI state with the first joint TCI state and the second joint TCI state, causing the terminal device to switch from the second unified TCI state mode to the first unified TCI state mode. As shown in Figure 19, Table 1310 is used to represent the unified TCI state activated before receiving the second signaling, Table 1320 is used to represent the unified TCI state activated in the second signaling, and Table 1330 is used to represent the unified TCI state activated after the overwriting, rewriting, or updating operation. Before receiving the second signaling, the terminal device is in the second unified TCI state, and the activated unified TCI state includes the joint TCI state. At least one unified TCI code point activated in the second signaling corresponds to both the first joint TCI state and the second joint TCI state. After the overwriting, rewriting, or updating operation, the at least one activated unified TCI code point corresponds to both the first joint TCI state and the second joint TCI state.

[0505] In some embodiments, the switching module 3320 is configured to overwrite, rewrite, or update the activated unified TCI state with the uplink TCI state and / or downlink TCI state indicated in the second signaling. Among the separate TCI states corresponding to the at least one codepoint activated in the second signaling, there are two uplink TCI states and / or two downlink TCI states.

[0506] Exemplarily, the terminal device is in the second unified TCI state mode, that is, in the R17 version of the communication protocol, the activated TCI state is the uplink TCI state, and the eLCID field in the second signaling received by the terminal device is the second value. At this time, the terminal device will overwrite, rewrite, or update the activated unified TCI state with the first uplink TCI state and the second uplink TCI state, so that the terminal device switches from the second unified TCI state mode to the first unified TCI state mode. As shown in Figure 20, Table 1410 is used to represent the unified TCI state activated before receiving the second signaling, Table 1420 is used to represent the unified TCI state activated in the second signaling, and Table 1430 is used to represent the unified TCI state activated after the overwriting, rewriting, or updating operation. The terminal device is in the second unified TCI state before receiving the second signaling. The activated unified TCI state only corresponds to a set of uplink TCI states and / or downlink TCI states. At least one unified TCI state activated in the second signaling corresponds to the first uplink TCI state and the second uplink TCI state at the same time. After overwriting, rewriting or updating, the at least one activated unified TCI state corresponds to the first uplink TCI state and the second uplink TCI state at the same time.

[0507] It should be noted that the above-mentioned step 1210 can be implemented separately as an embodiment, the above-mentioned step 1220 can be implemented separately as an embodiment, and the above-mentioned steps 1210 and 1220 can be combined into an embodiment, which is not limited in this application.

[0508] In summary, the apparatus provided in this embodiment can implement switching from the second TCI state mode to the first TCI state mode through second signaling. When a UE moves to a cell edge, in order to enhance the uplink and downlink coverage of the UE, it is more appropriate to perform MTRP transmission on the UE. Therefore, it is necessary to switch the UE from the second unified TCI state mode to the first unified TCI state mode.

[0509] Since the above-mentioned eLCID domain is an existing information domain and the value range of eLCID is relatively large, it is only necessary to reuse the meaning of the existing value or use the reserved value as the value corresponding to the first version. The value of eLCID can be used to indicate the switching of the TCI state mode. There is no need to modify the signaling format of the MAC CE in the communication protocol, nor is there any need to additionally define the switching behavior of the UE. It can instruct the terminal device to switch from the first unified TCI state mode to the second unified TCI state mode. Therefore, it can avoid the modification or redesign of the MAC CE and ensure the forward compatibility of the MAC CE between different communication versions.

[0510] For implementation method three: switch between two unified TCI state modes based on the newly added Flag field in the signaling.

[0511] The present application exemplarily adds or designs a Flag field in the above signaling to instruct the terminal device to switch to the corresponding unified TCI state mode. The Flag field can be designed to be 1 bit or 2 bits or more.

[0512] The embodiments of the present application use 1-bit and 2-bit Flag fields as examples, but the number of bits in the Flag field is not limited.

[0513] In some embodiments, Flag is 2 bits, and the 2 bits have at least three values;

[0514] The first value is a value corresponding to the second version and is used to instruct the terminal device to use the first unified TCI state as the unified TCI state in the second unified TCI state mode when switching from the first unified TCI state mode to the second unified TCI state mode;

[0515] The second value is a value corresponding to the second version and is used to instruct the terminal device to use the second unified TCI state as the unified TCI state in the second unified TCI state mode when switching from the first unified TCI state mode to the second unified TCI state mode;

[0516] The third value is a value corresponding to the first version and is used to instruct the terminal device to switch from the second unified TCI state mode to the first unified TCI state mode.

[0517] In some embodiments, the first value is any one of 00, 01, 10, and 11; the second value is any one of 00, 01, 10, and 11 except the first value; and the third value is any one of 00, 01, 10, and 11 except the first value and the second value. For example, the first value is 00, the second value is 01, and the third value is 10; or, the first value is 01, the second value is 10, and the third value is 00; or, the first value is 11, the second value is 00, and the third value is 10. The embodiment of the present application is illustrated by taking the first value as 00, the second value as 01, and the third value as 10, but the specific values ​​of the first value, the second value, and the third value are not limited.

[0518] 3.1 Switching from the first unified TCI state mode to the second unified TCI state mode

[0519] The receiving module 3310 is configured to receive a first signaling message, where the first signaling message includes a Flag field, and the Flag field has a value within a first range;

[0520] The first signaling is used to indicate switching from the first unified TCI state mode to the second unified TCI state mode, wherein the first range corresponds to the value of the second version.

[0521] Exemplarily, there are two values ​​in the first range corresponding to the second version, for example, the first value is 00 and the second value is 01.

[0522] The first value is used to indicate that the activated unified TCI state is overwritten, rewritten, or updated using the first joint TCI state indicated in the first signaling, or that the activated unified TCI state is overwritten, rewritten, or updated using the first uplink TCI state and / or the first downlink TCI state indicated in the first signaling;

[0523] The second value is used to indicate that the second joint TCI state indicated in the first signaling is used to cover, rewrite or update the activated unified TCI state, or to cover, rewrite or update the activated unified TCI state using the second uplink TCI state and / or the second downlink TCI state indicated in the first signaling.

[0524] A switching module 3320 is configured to switch from a first unified TCI state mode to a second unified TCI state mode;

[0525] Optionally, the switching module 3320 is configured to, when the Flag field is a first value within a first range, use the first joint TCI state indicated in the first signaling to cover, rewrite, or update the activated unified TCI state.

[0526] Exemplarily, the terminal device is in the first unified TCI state mode, that is, in the R18 version of the communication protocol, the activated TCI states are the first joint TCI state and the second joint TCI state, and the Flag field in the first signaling received by the terminal device is 00. At this time, the terminal device will use the first joint TCI state in the first signaling to overwrite, rewrite, or update the activated unified TCI state, that is, the first joint TCI state and the second joint TCI state, so that the terminal device switches from the first unified TCI state mode to the second unified TCI state mode. As shown in Figure 22, Table 1610 is used to represent the unified TCI state activated before receiving the first signaling, Table 1620 is used to represent the unified TCI state activated in the first signaling, and Table 1630 is used to represent the unified TCI state activated after the overwriting, rewriting, or updating operation. Before receiving the first signaling, the terminal device is in the first unified TCI state. The activated unified TCI state includes the first joint TCI state and the second joint TCI state. For example, the TCI code point is 000, corresponding to the first joint TCI state and the second joint TCI state; the TCI code point is 001, corresponding to the first joint TCI state; the Flag field in the first signaling is 00, and the first joint TCI state in the first signaling is used to cover, rewrite or update the activated unified TCI state.

[0527] Optionally, the switching module 3320 is configured to, when the Flag field is a second value within the first range, use the second joint TCI state indicated in the first signaling to cover, rewrite, or update the activated unified TCI state.

[0528] Exemplarily, the terminal device is in the first unified TCI state mode, that is, in the R18 version of the communication protocol, the activated TCI states are the first joint TCI state and the second joint TCI state, and the Flag field in the first signaling received by the terminal device is 01. At this time, the terminal device will use the second joint TCI state in the first signaling to overwrite, rewrite, or update the activated unified TCI state, that is, the first joint TCI state and the second joint TCI state, so that the terminal device switches from the first unified TCI state mode to the second unified TCI state mode. As shown in Figure 23, Table 1710 is used to represent the unified TCI state activated before receiving the first signaling, Table 1720 is used to represent the unified TCI state activated in the first signaling, and Table 1730 is used to represent the unified TCI state activated after the overwriting, rewriting, or updating operation. Before receiving the first signaling, the terminal device is in the first unified TCI state. The activated unified TCI state includes the first joint TCI state and the second joint TCI state. For example, the TCI code point is 000, corresponding to the first joint TCI state and the second joint TCI state; the TCI code point is 001, corresponding to the first joint TCI state; the Flag field in the first signaling is 01, and the second joint TCI state in the first signaling is used to cover, rewrite or update the activated unified TCI state.

[0529] Optionally, the switching module 3320 is configured to, when the Flag field is the first value within the first range, use the first uplink TCI state and / or the first downlink TCI state indicated in the first signaling to cover, rewrite or update the activated unified TCI state.

[0530] Exemplarily, the terminal device is in the first unified TCI state mode, that is, in the R18 version of the communication protocol, and the Flag field in the first signaling received by the terminal device is 00. At this time, the terminal device will use the first uplink TCI state and / or the first downlink TCI state in the first signaling to overwrite, rewrite, or update the activated unified TCI state, so that the terminal device switches from the first unified TCI state mode to the second unified TCI state mode. As shown in Figure 24, Table 1810 is used to represent the unified TCI state activated before receiving the first signaling, Table 1820 is used to represent the unified TCI state activated in the first signaling, and Table 1830 is used to represent the unified TCI state activated after the overwriting, rewriting, or updating operation. Before receiving the first signaling, the terminal device is in the first unified TCI state. The activated unified TCI state includes the first uplink TCI state, the first downlink TCI state, the second uplink TCI state and the second downlink TCI state. For example, the TCI code point is 000, corresponding to the first uplink TCI state, the first downlink TCI state, the second uplink TCI state and the second downlink TCI state; the TCI code point is 001, corresponding to the first uplink TCI state and the first downlink TCI state; the Flag field in the first signaling is 00, and the first uplink TCI state and / or the first downlink TCI state in the first signaling are used to cover, rewrite or update the activated unified TCI state.

[0531] Optionally, the switching module 3320 is configured to, when the Flag field is a second value within the first range, use the second uplink TCI state and / or the second downlink TCI state indicated in the first signaling to cover, rewrite or update the activated unified TCI state.

[0532] Exemplarily, the terminal device is in the first unified TCI state mode, that is, in the R18 version of the communication protocol, and the Flag field in the first signaling received by the terminal device is 01. At this time, the terminal device will use the second uplink TCI state and / or the second downlink TCI state in the first signaling to overwrite, rewrite, or update the activated unified TCI state, so that the terminal device switches from the first unified TCI state mode to the second unified TCI state mode. As shown in Figure 25, Table 1910 is used to represent the unified TCI state activated before receiving the first signaling, Table 1920 is used to represent the unified TCI state activated in the first signaling, and Table 1930 is used to represent the unified TCI state activated after the overwriting, rewriting, or updating operation. Before receiving the first signaling, the terminal device is in the first unified TCI state. The activated unified TCI state includes the first uplink TCI state, the first downlink TCI state, the second uplink TCI state and the second downlink TCI state. For example, the TCI code point is 000, corresponding to the first uplink TCI state, the first downlink TCI state, the second uplink TCI state and the second downlink TCI state; the TCI code point is 001, corresponding to the first uplink TCI state and the first downlink TCI state; the Flag field in the first signaling is 01, and the second uplink TCI state and / or the second downlink TCI state in the first signaling are used to cover, rewrite or update the activated unified TCI state.

[0533] It should be noted that the above-mentioned step 1510 can be implemented separately as an embodiment, the above-mentioned step 1520 can be implemented separately as an embodiment, and the above-mentioned steps 1510 and 1520 can be combined into an embodiment, which is not limited in this application.

[0534] 3.2 Switching from the Second Unified TCI State Mode to the First Unified TCI State Mode

[0535] The receiving module 3310 is configured to receive a second signaling, wherein the second signaling includes a Flag field, and the Flag field in the second signaling is a third value (10);

[0536] Among them, the third value is the value corresponding to the first version.

[0537] Optionally, the Flag field in the second signaling is a third value, used to indicate switching from the second unified TCI state mode to the first unified TCI state mode.

[0538] A switching module 3320 switches from the second unified TCI state mode to the first unified TCI state mode;

[0539] Exemplarily, the terminal device is in the second unified TCI state mode, that is, in the R17 version of the communication protocol, and the Flag field in the second signaling received by the terminal device is 10. At this time, the terminal device will use the first joint TCI state and the second TCI state in the second signaling to overwrite, rewrite, or update the activated unified TCI state, so that the terminal device switches from the second unified TCI state mode to the first unified TCI state mode. As shown in Figure 15, Table 910 is used to represent the unified TCI state activated before receiving the second signaling, Table 920 is used to represent the unified TCI state activated in the second signaling, and Table 930 is used to represent the unified TCI state activated after the overwriting, rewriting, or updating operation. The terminal device is in the second unified TCI state before receiving the second signaling, and the activated unified TCI state includes the first joint TCI state. The Flag field in the second signaling is 10, and the first joint TCI state and the second joint TCI in the second signaling are used to overwrite, rewrite, or update the activated unified TCI state.

[0540] Optionally, the switching module 3320 is used to cover, rewrite or update the activated unified TCI state using the first uplink TCI state and / or the first downlink TCI state and / or the second uplink TCI state and / or the second downlink TCI state indicated in the second signaling when the Flag field is a third value.

[0541] For example, if the terminal device is in the second unified TCI state mode, i.e., in the R17 version of the communication protocol, and the Flag field in the second signaling received by the terminal device is 10, the terminal device will overwrite, rewrite, or update the activated unified TCI state with the unified TCI state activated in the second signaling, causing the terminal device to switch from the second unified TCI state mode to the first unified TCI state mode. As shown in Figure 16, Table 1010 is used to represent the unified TCI state activated before receiving the second signaling, Table 1020 is used to represent the unified TCI state activated in the second signaling, and Table 1030 is used to represent the unified TCI state activated after the overwriting, rewriting, or updating operation. The terminal device is in the second unified TCI state before receiving the second signaling. The activated unified TCI state only corresponds to the first uplink TCI state and / or the first downlink TCI state. The Flag field in the second signaling is 10. The first uplink TCI state and / or the first downlink TCI state and / or the second uplink TCI state and / or the second downlink TCI state in the second signaling are used to cover, rewrite or update the activated unified TCI state.

[0542] It should be noted that the above-mentioned step 2010 can be implemented separately as an embodiment, the above-mentioned step 2020 can be implemented separately as an embodiment, and the above-mentioned step 2010 and step 2020 can be combined into an embodiment, and this application does not limit this.

[0543] In some embodiments of the present application, Flag is 1 bit, and the 1 bit has 2 values;

[0544] The first value is a value corresponding to the second version, used to instruct the terminal device to switch from the first unified TCI state mode to the second unified TCI state mode;

[0545] The third value is a value corresponding to the first version, and is used to instruct the terminal device to switch from the second unified TCI state mode to the first unified TCI state mode.

[0546] In some embodiments, the first value is any value between 0 and 1; the second value is any value between 0 and 1 except the first value. For example, the first value is 0 and the third value is 1; or, the first value is 1 and the third value is 0. This embodiment of the application uses the first value being 0 and the third value being 1 as an example, but the specific values ​​of the first value and the second value are not limited.

[0547] 3.3 Switching from the First Unified TCI State Mode to the Second Unified TCI State Mode

[0548] The receiving module 3310 is configured to receive a first signaling message, wherein the first signaling message includes a Flag field. The Flag field in the first signaling message has a first value.

[0549] The first signaling is used to indicate switching from the first unified TCI state mode to the second unified TCI state mode.

[0550] A switching module 3320 is configured to switch from a first unified TCI state mode to a second unified TCI state mode;

[0551] Optionally, the switching module 3320 is configured to use the first joint TCI state indicated in the first signaling to cover, rewrite, or update the activated unified TCI state by default.

[0552] Exemplarily, when a terminal device is in a first unified TCI state mode, i.e., in the R18 version of the communication protocol, and the Flag field in the first signaling received by the terminal device is 0, the terminal device will overwrite, rewrite, or update the activated unified TCI state with the first joint TCI state in the first signaling, causing the terminal device to switch from the first unified TCI state mode to the second unified TCI state mode. As shown in Figure 22, Table 1610 is used to represent the unified TCI state activated before receiving the first signaling, Table 1620 is used to represent the unified TCI state activated in the first signaling, and Table 1630 is used to represent the unified TCI state activated after the overwriting, rewriting, or updating operation. Before receiving the first signaling, the terminal device is in the first unified TCI state. The activated unified TCI state includes the first joint TCI state and the second joint TCI state. For example, the TCI code point is 000, corresponding to the first joint TCI state and the second joint TCI state; the TCI code point is 001, corresponding to the first joint TCI state; the Flag field in the first signaling is 0, and the first joint TCI state in the first signaling is used to cover, rewrite or update the activated unified TCI state.

[0553] Optionally, the switching module 3320 is configured to use the second joint TCI state indicated in the first signaling to cover, rewrite, or update the activated unified TCI state by default.

[0554] Exemplarily, when a terminal device is in a first unified TCI state mode, i.e., in the R18 version of the communication protocol, and the Flag field in the first signaling received by the terminal device is 0, the terminal device will overwrite, rewrite, or update the activated unified TCI state with the second unified TCI state in the first signaling, causing the terminal device to switch from the first unified TCI state mode to the second unified TCI state mode. As shown in Figure 23, Table 1710 is used to represent the unified TCI state activated before receiving the first signaling, Table 1720 is used to represent the unified TCI state activated in the first signaling, and Table 1730 is used to represent the unified TCI state activated after the overwriting, rewriting, or updating operation. Before receiving the first signaling, the terminal device is in the first unified TCI state. The activated unified TCI state includes the first joint TCI state and the second joint TCI state. For example, the TCI code point is 000, corresponding to the first joint TCI state and the second joint TCI state; the TCI code point is 001, corresponding to the first joint TCI state; the Flag field in the first signaling is 0, and the second joint TCI state in the first signaling is used to cover, rewrite or update the activated unified TCI state.

[0555] Optionally, the switching module 3320 is configured to use the first uplink and / or downlink TCI state indicated in the first signaling to cover, rewrite, or update the activated unified TCI state by default.

[0556] Exemplarily, the terminal device is in the first unified TCI state mode, that is, in the R18 version of the communication protocol, and the Flag field in the first signaling received by the terminal device is 0. At this time, the terminal device will use the first uplink TCI state and the first downlink TCI state in the first signaling to overwrite, rewrite, or update the activated unified TCI state, so that the terminal device switches from the first unified TCI state mode to the second unified TCI state mode. As shown in Figure 24, Table 1810 is used to represent the unified TCI state activated before receiving the first signaling, Table 1820 is used to represent the unified TCI state activated in the first signaling, and Table 1830 is used to represent the unified TCI state activated after the overwriting, rewriting, or updating operation. Before receiving the first signaling, the terminal device is in the first unified TCI state. The activated unified TCI state includes the first uplink TCI state, the first downlink TCI state, the second uplink TCI state and the second downlink TCI state. For example, the TCI code point is 000, corresponding to the first uplink TCI state, the first downlink TCI state, the second uplink TCI state and the second downlink TCI state; the TCI code point is 001, corresponding to the first uplink TCI state and the first downlink TCI state; the Flag field in the first signaling is 0, and the first uplink TCI state and / or the first downlink TCI state in the first signaling are used to cover, rewrite or update the activated unified TCI state.

[0557] Optionally, the switching module 3320 is configured to use the second uplink and / or downlink TCI state indicated in the first signaling to cover, rewrite, or update the activated unified TCI state by default.

[0558] Exemplarily, the terminal device is in the first unified TCI state mode, that is, in the R18 version of the communication protocol, and the Flag field in the first signaling received by the terminal device is 0. At this time, the terminal device will use the first uplink TCI state and the first downlink TCI state in the first signaling to overwrite, rewrite, or update the activated unified TCI state, so that the terminal device switches from the first unified TCI state mode to the second unified TCI state mode. As shown in Figure 25, Table 1910 is used to represent the unified TCI state activated before receiving the first signaling, Table 1920 is used to represent the unified TCI state activated in the first signaling, and Table 1930 is used to represent the unified TCI state activated after the overwriting, rewriting, or updating operation. When the terminal device is in the first unified TCI state, the activated unified TCI state includes the first uplink TCI state, the first downlink TCI state, the second uplink TCI state and the second downlink TCI state. For example, the TCI code point is 000, corresponding to the first uplink TCI state, the first downlink TCI state, the second uplink TCI state and the second downlink TCI state; the TCI code point is 001, corresponding to the first uplink TCI state and the first downlink TCI state; the Flag field in the first signaling is 0, and the second uplink TCI state and / or the second downlink TCI state in the first signaling are used to cover, rewrite or update the activated unified TCI state.

[0559] It should be noted that the above-mentioned step 2110 can be implemented separately as an embodiment, the above-mentioned step 2120 can be implemented separately as an embodiment, and the above-mentioned step 2110 and step 2120 can be combined into an embodiment, and this application does not limit this.

[0560] 3.4 Switching from the Second Unified TCI State Mode to the First Unified TCI State Mode

[0561] A receiving module 3310 is configured to receive a second signaling, where the second signaling includes a Flag field, and the Flag field in the second signaling is a third value;

[0562] A switching module 3320 is configured to switch from the second unified TCI state mode to the first unified TCI state mode;

[0563] Among them, the third value is the value corresponding to the first version.

[0564] Optionally, the switching module 3320 is configured to use the first joint TCI state and the second joint TCI indicated (ie, activated) in the second signaling to cover, rewrite, or update the activated unified TCI state.

[0565] Exemplarily, the terminal device is in the second unified TCI state mode, that is, in the R17 version of the communication protocol, and the Flag field in the second signaling received by the terminal device is 1. At this time, the terminal device will use the first joint TCI state and the second joint TCI state in the second signaling to overwrite, rewrite, or update the activated unified TCI state, so that the terminal device switches from the second unified TCI state mode to the first unified TCI state mode. As shown in Figure 15, Table 910 is used to represent the unified TCI state activated before receiving the second signaling, Table 920 is used to represent the unified TCI state activated in the second signaling, and Table 930 is used to represent the unified TCI state activated after the overwriting, rewriting, or updating operation. The terminal device is in the second unified TCI state before receiving the second signaling, and the activated unified TCI state includes the first joint TCI state. The Flag field in the second signaling is 1, and the first joint TCI state and the second joint TCI in the second signaling are used to overwrite, rewrite, or update the activated unified TCI state.

[0566] Optionally, the switching module 3320 is used to use the unified TCI state indicated in the second signaling (including up to 8 groups, each group of unified TCI states includes one or more of the first uplink TCI state, the first downlink TCI state, the second uplink TCI state, and the second downlink TCI state) to overwrite, rewrite or update the activated unified TCI state.

[0567] Exemplarily, the terminal device is in the second unified TCI state mode, that is, in the R17 version of the communication protocol. The Flag field in the second signaling received by the terminal device is 1. At this time, the terminal device will use the first uplink TCI state and the second uplink TCI state in the second signaling to overwrite, rewrite, or update the activated unified TCI state, so that the terminal device switches from the second unified TCI state mode to the first unified TCI state mode. As shown in Figure 16, Table 1010 is used to represent the unified TCI state activated before receiving the second signaling, Table 1020 is used to represent the unified TCI state activated in the second signaling, and Table 1030 is used to represent the unified TCI state activated after the overwriting, rewriting, or updating operation. The terminal device is in the second unified TCI state before receiving the second signaling. The activated unified TCI state only corresponds to the first uplink TCI state and / or the first downlink TCI state. The Flag field in the second signaling is 1. The unified TCI state in the second signaling is used to overwrite, rewrite, or update the activated unified TCI state.

[0568] It should be noted that the above-mentioned step 2210 can be implemented separately as an embodiment, the above-mentioned step 2220 can be implemented separately as an embodiment, and the above-mentioned step 2210 and step 2220 can be combined into an embodiment, and this application does not limit this.

[0569] To sum up, the TCI state mode switching device provided in this application is implemented by adding or designing a Flag field. Although the message format of the MAC CE will be changed, this solution can explicitly and accurately instruct the terminal device to switch between two unified TCI states.

[0570] When the UE moves between cells or within a cell, it may be close to the first transmission and reception point and away from the second transmission and reception point. When there is a significant gap in the link quality between the UE and multiple transmission and reception points, the UE is not suitable for working in a scenario with multiple transmission and reception points. Therefore, the UE does not need to consume a large amount of downlink measurement and reporting resources, and store multiple unified TCI state resources. The UE can switch from the first unified TCI state mode to the second unified TCI state mode. Conversely, when the UE moves to the edge of the cell, in order to enhance the uplink and downlink coverage of the UE, it is more suitable to perform multiple transmission and reception point transmissions for the UE. The UE can switch from the second unified TCI state mode to the first unified TCI state mode, thereby meeting the needs of different transmission scenarios.

[0571] The above embodiment uses the first information field being the eLCID field, or the first information field being the Flag field as an example, but does not exclude the use of other information fields in the MAC CE as the first information field in some other embodiments to indicate the switch between two TCI state modes. The embodiment of the present application is not limited to this.

[0572] In some embodiments, switching between the two unified TCI state modes is applicable to all carriers in the first carrier list, which are multiple carriers of a co-beam.

[0573] Among them, co-beam means that when multiple CCs (Component Carriers) are configured in the first carrier list, if any CC receives the above signaling, resulting in switching between two unified TCI state modes, then this step applies to all other CCs in the first carrier list.

[0574] For example, when multiple service cells are configured in the same CC (Component Carrier) list, that is, a CC list for co-beam operation. When the UE receives a MAC CE for a unified TCI state corresponding to R18, and a switch between the R18 and R17 unified TCI state modes occurs, and if the service cell ID contained in the MAC CE is configured in a CC list for co-beam operation, such as TCI synchronous update list XsimultaneousU-TCI-UpdateListX, TCI synchronous update list YsimultaneousU-TCI-UpdateListY, TCI synchronous update list ZsimultaneousU-TCI-UpdateListZ, then the UE converts the unified TCI state mode of all service cells in the CC list, that is, converts from R18 to 17 mode or vice versa.

[0575] In some embodiments, capability information is reported, and the capability information is used to indicate to the network device whether the terminal device supports the ability to switch between different unified TCI state modes.

[0576] In some embodiments, method 1 and method 2 can be combined to implement as independent embodiments; method 1 and method 3 can be combined to implement as independent embodiments; method 2 and method 3 can be combined to implement as independent embodiments; method 1, method 2 and method 3 can be combined to implement as independent embodiments. The embodiments of this application are no longer listed one by one, but the scope of protection of this application is not limited to this.

[0577] In some embodiments, there may be one or more receiving modules 3310, and there may also be one or more switching modules 3320. This application uses one receiving module 3310 and one switching module 3320 as examples for illustration, but this is not intended to be limiting. The receiving module 3310 and the switching module 3320 may each be implemented as a separate embodiment, and this application does not limit this.

[0578] FIG40 shows a block diagram of a switching device for a TCI state mode according to an exemplary embodiment of the present application. The switching device can be implemented as part of a network device. The method includes at least part of the following:

[0579] A sending module 3410 is configured to send signaling, the signaling being used to instruct the terminal device to switch between two unified TCI state modes;

[0580] Among them, the two unified TCI state modes include a first unified TCI state mode and a second unified TCI state mode. The first unified TCI state mode corresponds to the first version of the communication protocol, and the second unified TCI state mode corresponds to the second version of the communication protocol. The first version and the second version are different versions.

[0581] In some embodiments, the first unified TCI state mode supports STRP and MTRP, and the second unified TCI state mode supports STRP. Optionally, the first version of the communication protocol supports STRP and MTRP, and the second version of the communication protocol supports STRP. Optionally, the first version of the communication protocol is the R18 version of the communication protocol, and the second version of the communication protocol is the R17 version of the communication protocol, or the first version of the communication protocol is the R19 version of the communication protocol, and the second version of the communication protocol is the R17 version of the communication protocol. This embodiment does not limit the specific version numbers of the two versions of the communication protocol.

[0582] In some embodiments, the terminal device switches from the first unified TCI state mode to the second unified TCI state mode based on the first signaling, or switches from the second unified TCI state mode to the first unified TCI state mode based on the second signaling. If the first version is higher than the second version, the terminal device falls back from the first unified TCI state mode to the second unified TCI state mode based on the first signaling.

[0583] In some embodiments, switching between the two unified TCI state modes is applicable to all carriers in the first carrier list, which are multiple carriers of a co-beam.

[0584] Among them, co-beam means that when multiple CCs (Component Carriers) are configured in the first carrier list, if any CC receives the above signaling, resulting in switching between two unified TCI state modes, then this step applies to all other CCs in the first carrier list.

[0585] To sum up, the device provided by the present application switches the communication protocol of the terminal device from the first version to the second version when it is necessary to switch the terminal device from the first unified TCI state mode to the second unified TCI state mode; when it is necessary to switch the terminal device from the second unified TCI state mode to the first unified TCI state mode, the communication protocol of the terminal device is switched from the second version back to the first version.

[0586] In some embodiments, the signaling is signaling for configuring a unified TCI state, such as RRC signaling; or, the first signaling is signaling for activating a unified TCI state, such as MAC CE; or, the first signaling is signaling for indicating a unified TCI state, such as DCI. This embodiment of the present application uses the example of the signaling for activating a unified TCI state.

[0587] This application describes three implementations of sending signaling (i.e., signaling for activating a unified TCI state) to instruct a terminal device to switch between two unified TCI state modes. At least one of these three implementations may be used in different embodiments. The three implementations are as follows:

[0588] Implementation method 1: Sending signaling, which contains an information field for activating the unified TCI state and is used to indicate switching between two unified TCI state modes;

[0589] Implementation method 2: Send signaling containing the eLCID field to indicate switching between two unified TCI state modes;

[0590] Implementation method three: Send signaling, which includes a Flag field to indicate switching between two unified TCI state modes.

[0591] The following text introduces the above three implementation methods in turn, but the order of introduction of the three implementation methods does not limit the advantages and disadvantages of the three implementation methods.

[0592] For implementation method 1: sending signaling, the signaling includes an information field for activating the unified TCI state, which is used to indicate switching between two unified TCI state modes;

[0593] Since switching between the two unified TCI states is divided into two cases, the following is divided into 1.1 and 1.2 to introduce them respectively:

[0594] 1.1 The first unified TCI state mode is switched to the second unified TCI state mode;

[0595] The sending module 3410 is configured to send a first signaling, where the first signaling is a signaling for activating a unified TCI state;

[0596] Optionally, the first signaling is signaling used to activate the unified TCI state in the first version, or the first signaling is signaling used to activate the unified TCI state in the second version.

[0597] The first signaling is the signaling used to activate the unified TCI state in the first version:

[0598] Optionally, activating all unified TCI states in the first signaling satisfies a first condition. The first condition includes:

[0599] All unified TCI states activated in the first signaling correspond only to the first joint TCI state; or,

[0600] All unified TCI states activated in the first signaling correspond only to the second joint TCI state; or,

[0601] All unified TCI states activated in the first signaling only correspond to the first uplink TCI state and / or the first downlink TCI state; or,

[0602] All unified TCI states activated in the first signaling only correspond to the second uplink TCI state and / or the second downlink TCI state.

[0603] The first signaling is the signaling used to activate the unified TCI state in the second version:

[0604] Optionally, activating all unified TCI states in the first signaling satisfies a first condition. The first condition includes:

[0605] All unified TCI states activated in the first signaling only correspond to the joint TCI state; or,

[0606] All unified TCI states activated in the first signaling only correspond to uplink TCI states and / or downlink TCI states.

[0607] Optionally, the terminal device will use the unified TCI state indicated in the first signaling to overwrite, rewrite or update the activated unified TCI state, switching from the first unified TCI state mode to the second unified TCI state mode. The specific implementation is shown in the embodiment corresponding to Figure 9.

[0608] 1.2 The second unified TCI state mode is switched to the first unified TCI state mode;

[0609] A sending module 3410 is configured to send a second signaling, where the second signaling is a signaling for activating a unified TCI state;

[0610] For example, the first unified TCI state mode corresponds to the R18 version of the communication protocol supporting STRP and MTRP, while the second unified TCI state mode corresponds to the R17 version of the communication protocol supporting only STRP. The second signaling is a MAC CE. Each codepoint of the MAC CE corresponding to R17 corresponds to only one unified TCI state, while each codepoint of the MAC CE corresponding to R18 can correspond to one or two unified TCI states.

[0611] The second signaling is used to indicate switching from the second unified TCI state to the first unified TCI state. At least one unified TCI state activated in the second signaling satisfies a second condition. Optionally, the second condition includes:

[0612] Optionally, at least one unified TCI state activated in the second signaling corresponds to both the first joint TCI state and the second joint TCI state; or,

[0613] Optionally, at least one unified TCI state activated in the second signaling corresponds to both the first uplink TCI state and the second uplink TCI state; or,

[0614] Optionally, at least one unified TCI state activated in the second signaling corresponds to both the first downlink TCI state and the second downlink TCI state; or,

[0615] Optionally, at least one unified TCI state activated in the second signaling corresponds to the first downlink TCI state, the second downlink TCI state, the first downlink TCI state, and the second downlink TCI state at the same time.

[0616] Optionally, the terminal device uses the unified TCI state indicated in the second signaling to cover, rewrite or update the activated unified TCI state, and the specific method is shown in the embodiment corresponding to Figure 14.

[0617] To sum up, the TCI state mode switching device provided in the present application uses the activated unified TCI state as an implicit indication. For example, when all the unified TCI states activated in the signaling correspond only to the first joint TCI state, it is considered that the terminal device needs to fall back to the second version that only supports STRP. When at least one unified TCI state activated in the signaling corresponds to the first uplink TCI state and the second uplink TCI state at the same time, it is considered that the terminal device needs to switch to the first version that supports MTRP. In this way, not only can the switching intention of the terminal device be identified, but the original MAC CE message format can also be used for judgment, which can better be compatible with earlier versions to achieve switching of the unified TCI state mode.

[0618] For implementation method 2: Send signaling, which contains the eLCID field to indicate switching between two unified TCI state modes;

[0619] This application exemplifies the value range of the eLCID field corresponding to the first version, as shown in Table 3.

[0620] The first value is code point 233 and / or index 297.

[0621] The second value is code point xxx and / or index yyy, where code point xxx is any value from 0 to 226, index yyy is any value from 64 to 290, and index yyy is code point xxx plus 64.

[0622] Since switching between the two unified TCI states is divided into two cases, the following is divided into 2.1 and 2.2 to introduce them respectively:

[0623] 2.1 Switching from the first unified TCI state mode to the second unified TCI state mode

[0624] The sending module 3410 is used to send a first signaling, which includes an eLCID field. The value of the eLCID field is a first value, which is used to instruct the terminal device to switch from the first unified TCI state mode to the second unified TCI state mode.

[0625] The first value is the value corresponding to the second version.

[0626] Optionally, the value range of the first value includes code point 233 and / or index 297.

[0627] Exemplarily, the value corresponding to the eLCID of R17 includes code point 233 and index 297.

[0628] Optionally, the terminal device uses the joint TCI state indicated in the first signaling to cover, rewrite or update the activated unified TCI state, and the specific method is shown in the embodiment corresponding to Figure 17.

[0629] 2.2 Switching from the Second Unified TCI State Mode to the First Unified TCI State Mode

[0630] The sending module 3410 is used to send a second signaling, which includes an eLCID field. The value of the eLCID field is a second value, which is used to instruct the terminal device to switch from the second unified TCI state mode to the first unified TCI state mode.

[0631] The second value is the value corresponding to the first version.

[0632] Exemplarily, the value corresponding to the eLCID of R18 is that the code point of the eLCID is 0 to 226, the index of the eLCID is 64 to 290, and the index of the eLCID is the code point of the eLCID plus 64. The terminal device determines whether to switch from the second unified TCI state mode to the first unified TCI state mode based on the value of the eLCID included in the second signaling.

[0633] Optionally, the terminal device uses the unified TCI state indicated in the second signaling to cover, rewrite or update the activated unified TCI state, and the specific method is shown in the embodiment corresponding to Figure 18.

[0634] To sum up, the TCI state mode switching device provided in the present application uses different values ​​of the eLCID designed in the signaling. It only needs to modify the existing value or use the reserved value to set it to the value corresponding to the first version to achieve switching between two unified TCI states. It has no effect on the overall format and length of the message, can be better compatible with different versions, and for terminal devices, the switching instructions of this scheme are clearer and more specific.

[0635] For implementation method three: sending signaling, the signaling includes a Flag field for indicating switching between two unified TCI state modes.

[0636] The present application exemplarily adds or designs a Flag field in the above signaling to instruct the terminal device to switch to the corresponding unified TCI state mode. The Flag field can be designed to be 1 bit or 2 bits or more.

[0637] The embodiments of the present application use 1-bit and 2-bit Flag fields as examples, but the number of bits in the Flag field is not limited.

[0638] In some embodiments, Flag is 2 bits, and the 2 bits have at least three values;

[0639] The first value is a value corresponding to the second version and is used to instruct the terminal device to use the first unified TCI state as the unified TCI state in the second unified TCI state mode when switching from the first unified TCI state mode to the second unified TCI state mode;

[0640] The second value is a value corresponding to the second version and is used to instruct the terminal device to use the second unified TCI state as the unified TCI state in the second unified TCI state mode when switching from the first unified TCI state mode to the second unified TCI state mode;

[0641] The third value is a value corresponding to the first version and is used to instruct the terminal device to switch from the second unified TCI state mode to the first unified TCI state mode.

[0642] In some embodiments, the first value is any one of 00, 01, 10, and 11; the second value is any one of 00, 01, 10, and 11 except the first value; and the third value is any one of 00, 01, 10, and 11 except the first value and the second value. For example, the first value is 00, the second value is 01, and the third value is 10; or the first value is 01, the second value is 10, and the third value is 00; or the first value is 11, the second value is 00, and the third value is 10. This embodiment of the application is illustrated by taking the first value as 00, the second value as 01, and the third value as 10, but the specific values ​​of the first value, the second value, and the third value are not limited.

[0643] 3.1 Switching from the first unified TCI state mode to the second unified TCI state mode

[0644] A sending module 3410 is configured to send a first signaling message, where the first signaling message includes a Flag field, where the Flag field has a value within a first range and is configured to instruct the terminal device to switch from the first unified TCI state mode to the second unified TCI state mode;

[0645] Among them, the values ​​corresponding to the first range and the second version.

[0646] Exemplarily, there are two values ​​corresponding to the second version in the first range, namely, a first value 00 and a second value 01.

[0647] Optionally, the Flag field is the first value within the first range, used to instruct the terminal device to use the first joint TCI state indicated in the first signaling to overwrite, rewrite or update the activated unified TCI state, as shown in the embodiment corresponding to Figure 21.

[0648] Optionally, the Flag field is a second value within the first range, used to instruct the terminal device to use the second joint TCI state indicated in the first signaling to overwrite, rewrite or update the activated unified TCI state.

[0649] Optionally, the Flag field is the first value within the first range, used to instruct the terminal device to use the first uplink TCI state and / or the first downlink TCI state indicated in the first signaling to cover, rewrite or update the activated unified TCI state.

[0650] Optionally, the Flag field is a second value within the first range, used to instruct the terminal device to use the second uplink TCI state and / or second downlink TCI state indicated in the first signaling to cover, rewrite or update the activated unified TCI state.

[0651] 3.2 Switching from the Second Unified TCI State Mode to the First Unified TCI State Mode

[0652] The sending module 3410 is configured to send a second signaling, wherein the second signaling includes a Flag field, the Flag field is a third value (10), and is configured to instruct the terminal device to switch from the second unified TCI state mode to the first unified TCI state mode;

[0653] Among them, the third value is the value corresponding to the first version.

[0654] Optionally, the Flag field is a third value, used to instruct the terminal device to use the first joint TCI state and the second joint TCI indicated in the second signaling to cover or rewrite or update the activated unified TCI state, as shown in the embodiment corresponding to Figure 26.

[0655] Optionally, the Flag field is a third value, used to instruct the terminal device to use the first uplink TCI state and / or the first downlink TCI state and / or the second uplink TCI state and / or the second downlink TCI state indicated in the second signaling to overwrite or rewrite or update the activated unified TCI state.

[0656] In some embodiments of the present application, Flag is 1 bit, and the 1 bit has 2 values;

[0657] The first value is a value corresponding to the second version, used to instruct the terminal device to switch from the first unified TCI state mode to the second unified TCI state mode;

[0658] The third value is a value corresponding to the first version, and is used to instruct the terminal device to switch from the second unified TCI state mode to the first unified TCI state mode.

[0659] In some embodiments, the first value is any value between 0 and 1; the second value is any value between 0 and 1 except the first value. For example, the first value is 0 and the third value is 1; or, the first value is 1 and the third value is 0. This embodiment of the application uses the first value being 0 and the third value being 1 as an example, but the specific values ​​of the first value and the second value are not limited.

[0660] 3.3 Switching from the First Unified TCI State Mode to the Second Unified TCI State Mode

[0661] The sending module 3410 is configured to send a first signaling message, where the first signaling message includes a Flag field, where the Flag field has a first value, and is configured to instruct the terminal device to switch from the first unified TCI state mode to the second unified TCI state mode;

[0662] The first value is the value corresponding to the second version.

[0663] Optionally, the Flag field is a first value, which is used to indicate that the first joint TCI state indicated in the first signaling is used to cover, rewrite, or update the activated unified TCI state. The specific method is shown in the embodiment corresponding to Figure 9.

[0664] Optionally, the Flag field is a first value, which is used to use the second joint TCI state indicated in the first signaling to cover, rewrite or update the activated unified TCI state.

[0665] Optionally, the Flag field is a first value, which is used to use the first uplink and / or downlink TCI state indicated in the first signaling to cover, rewrite or update the activated unified TCI state.

[0666] Optionally, the Flag field is a first value, which is used to use the second uplink and / or downlink TCI state indicated in the first signaling to cover, rewrite or update the activated unified TCI state.

[0667] 3.4 Switching from the Second Unified TCI State Mode to the First Unified TCI State Mode

[0668] The sending module 3410 is configured to send a second signaling, wherein the second signaling includes a Flag field, the Flag field is a third value (1), and is configured to instruct the terminal device to switch from the second unified TCI state mode to the first unified TCI state mode;

[0669] Optionally, the Flag field is a third value, used to instruct the terminal device to use the first joint TCI state and the second joint TCI indicated in the first signaling to cover or rewrite or update the activated unified TCI state, as shown in the embodiment corresponding to Figure 28.

[0670] Optionally, the Flag field is a third value, used to instruct the terminal device to use the unified TCI state indicated in the second signaling (including up to 8 groups, each group of unified TCI states includes one or more of the first uplink TCI state, the first downlink TCI state, the second uplink TCI state, and the second downlink TCI state), to overwrite, rewrite, or update the activated unified TCI state.

[0671] To sum up, the TCI state mode switching device provided in this application is implemented by adding or designing a Flag field. Although the message format will be changed, this solution can accurately instruct the terminal device to switch between two unified TCI states.

[0672] The above embodiment uses the first information field being the eLCID field, or the first information field being the Flag field as an example, but does not exclude the use of other information fields in the MAC CE as the first information field in some other embodiments to indicate the switch between two TCI state modes. The embodiment of the present application is not limited to this.

[0673] In some embodiments, switching between the two unified TCI state modes is applicable to all carriers in the first carrier list, which are multiple carriers of a co-beam.

[0674] Among them, co-beam means that when multiple CCs (Component Carriers) are configured in the first carrier list, if any CC receives the above signaling, resulting in switching between two unified TCI state modes, then this step applies to all other CCs in the first carrier list.

[0675] For example, when multiple service cells are configured in the same CC (Component Carrier) list, that is, a CC list for co-beam operation. When the UE receives a MAC CE for a unified TCI state corresponding to R18, and a switch between the R18 and R17 unified TCI state modes occurs, and if the service cell ID contained in the MAC CE is configured in a CC list for co-beam operation, such as TCI synchronous update list XsimultaneousU-TCI-UpdateListX, TCI synchronous update list YsimultaneousU-TCI-UpdateListY, TCI synchronous update list ZsimultaneousU-TCI-UpdateListZ, then the UE converts the unified TCI state mode of all service cells in the CC list, that is, converts from R18 to 17 mode or vice versa.

[0676] In some embodiments, capability information reported by a terminal device is received, where the capability information indicates whether the terminal device supports switching between different unified TCI state modes. If the terminal device supports switching between different unified TCI state modes, two different signaling methods are configured and used; if the terminal device does not support switching between different unified TCI state modes, signaling supported by the terminal device is configured and used.

[0677] In some embodiments, Method 1 and Method 2 can be implemented as independent embodiments; Method 1 and Method 3 can be implemented as independent embodiments; Method 2 and Method 3 can be implemented as independent embodiments; Method 1, Method 2 and Method 3 can be implemented as independent embodiments; but not limited to this.

[0678] In some embodiments, there may be one or more sending modules 3410. This application uses one sending module 3410 as an example, but this is not limiting.

[0679] It should be noted that the above embodiments provide apparatuses that implement their functions using only the division of the above functional modules as examples. In actual applications, the above functions can be assigned to different functional modules based on actual needs. That is, the content structure of the device can be divided into different functional modules to complete all or part of the functions described above. The above sending module can be implemented by a transmitter, the above receiving module can be implemented by a receiver, and the above switching module can be implemented by a processor.

[0680] Regarding the apparatus in the above embodiment, the specific manner in which each module performs operations has been described in detail in the embodiment of the method, and will not be elaborated here.

[0681] Figure 41 shows a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device (terminal device or network device) provided in one embodiment of the present application. The communication device may include: a processor 3501, a receiver 3502, a transmitter 3503, a memory 3504 and a bus 3505.

[0682] The processor 3501 includes one or more processing cores. The processor 3501 executes various functional applications and information processing by running software programs and modules.

[0683] The receiver 3502 and the transmitter 3503 may be implemented as a transceiver, which may be a communication chip.

[0684] The memory 3504 is connected to the processor 3501 via a bus 3505; illustratively, the processor 3501 can be implemented as a first IC chip, and the processor 3501 and the memory 3504 can be jointly implemented as a second IC chip; the first chip or the second chip can be an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) chip.

[0685] Among them, the processor 3501 can implement the functions implemented by the switching module 3320 in the above method embodiment; the receiver 3502 can implement the functions implemented by the receiving module 3310 in the above method embodiment; and the transmitter 3503 can implement the functions implemented by the sending module 3410 in the above method embodiment.

[0686] The memory 3504 may be used to store at least one computer program, and the processor 3501 may be used to execute the at least one computer program to implement the various steps performed by the communication system in the above method embodiment.

[0687] In addition, the memory 3504 can be implemented by any type of volatile or non-volatile storage device or a combination thereof, including but not limited to: random-access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), flash memory or other solid-state storage technology, compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), high-density digital video disc (DVD) or other optical storage, tape cassettes, magnetic tape, disk storage or other magnetic storage devices.

[0688] An embodiment of the present application also provides a computer-readable storage medium, in which a computer program is stored. The computer program is used to be executed by a processor of a communication device to implement the above-mentioned TCI state mode switching method.

[0689] Optionally, the computer-readable storage medium may include: Read-Only Memory (ROM), Random-Access Memory (RAM), Solid State Drives (SSD), or an optical disk, etc. Among them, the random access memory may include Resistance Random Access Memory (ReRAM) and Dynamic Random Access Memory (DRAM).

[0690] An embodiment of the present application also provides a chip, which includes a programmable logic circuit and / or program instructions. When the chip is running on a communication device, it is used to implement the above-mentioned TCI state mode switching method.

[0691] An embodiment of the present application also provides a computer program product or computer program, which includes computer instructions, and the computer instructions are stored in a computer-readable storage medium. The processor of the communication device reads and executes the computer instructions from the computer-readable storage medium to implement the above-mentioned TCI state mode switching method.

[0692] It should be understood that the "indication" mentioned in the embodiments of this application can be a direct indication, an indirect indication, or an indication of an association. For example, "A indicates B" can mean that A directly indicates B, for example, B can be obtained through A; it can also mean that A indirectly indicates B, for example, A indicates C, and B can be obtained through C; it can also mean that there is an association between A and B.

[0693] In the description of the embodiments of the present application, the term "corresponding" may indicate a direct or indirect correspondence between the two, or an association relationship between the two, or a relationship between indication and being indicated, configuration and being configured, etc.

[0694] In this document, "plurality" refers to two or more. "And / or" describes a relationship between associated objects, indicating that three possible relationships exist. For example, "A and / or B" can mean: A exists alone, A and B exist simultaneously, or B exists alone. The character " / " generally indicates an "or" relationship between the associated objects.

[0695] In addition, the step numbers described in this document only illustrate a possible execution order between the steps. In some other embodiments, the above steps may not be executed in the order of the numbers, such as two steps with different numbers are executed at the same time, or two steps with different numbers are executed in the opposite order of the diagram. The embodiments of the present application are not limited to this.

[0696] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that in one or more of the above examples, the functions described in the embodiments of the present application can be implemented using hardware, software, firmware, or any combination thereof. When implemented using software, these functions can be stored in a computer-readable medium or transmitted as one or more instructions or codes on a computer-readable medium. Computer-readable media include computer storage media and communication media, wherein communication media include any media that facilitates the transmission of computer programs from one place to another. The storage medium can be any available medium that can be accessed by a general-purpose or special-purpose computer.

[0697] The above description is merely an exemplary embodiment of the present application and is not intended to limit the present application. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc. made within the spirit and principles of the present application shall be included in the scope of protection of the present application.

Claims

1. A method for switching a transmission configuration indication (TCI) state mode, characterized in that: The method is performed by a terminal device, and the method includes: receiving signaling indicating a switch between two unified TCI state modes; Among them, the two unified TCI state modes include a first unified TCI state mode and a second unified TCI state mode, the first unified TCI state mode corresponds to a first version of the communication protocol, the second unified TCI state mode corresponds to a second version of the communication protocol, and the first version and the second version are different versions.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that The signaling is a first signaling, and the first signaling is used to indicate switching from the first unified TCI state mode to the second unified TCI state mode; The first signaling is a signaling used to activate a unified TCI state.

3. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that The first signaling is a media access control element MAC CE.

4. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that: All unified TCI states activated in the first signaling meet the first condition.

5. The method according to claim 4, characterized in that The first unified TCI state is a first joint TCI state, and the first joint TCI state is associated with a first TRP; the second unified TCI state is a second joint TCI state, and the second joint TCI state is associated with a second TRP; or, The first unified TCI state is the first uplink TCI state and / or the first downlink TCI state, and the first uplink TCI state and / or the first downlink TCI state are associated with the first TRP; the second unified TCI state is the second uplink TCI state and / or the second downlink TCI state, and the second uplink TCI state and / or the second downlink TCI state are associated with the second TRP.

6. The method according to claim 4, characterized in that The first condition includes: All unified TCI states activated in the first signaling correspond only to the first joint TCI state; or, All unified TCI states activated in the first signaling correspond only to the second joint TCI state; or, All unified TCI states activated in the first signaling correspond only to the first uplink TCI state and / or the first downlink TCI state; or, All unified TCI states activated in the first signaling only correspond to the second uplink TCI state and / or the second downlink TCI state.

7. The method according to claim 4, characterized in that The method further comprises: The unified TCI state indicated in the first signaling is used to overwrite, rewrite or update the activated unified TCI state, and switch from the first unified TCI state mode to the second unified TCI state mode.

8. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that: The first signaling includes a first information field; The value of the first information field is used to indicate switching from the first unified TCI state mode to the second unified TCI state mode.

9. The method according to claim 8, characterized in that The first information field is an extended logical channel number eLCID field; the eLCID field is a first value; The first value is a value corresponding to the second version. 10 . According to the method of claim 9 , the value range of the first value includes code point 233 and index 297.

11. The method according to claim 9, characterized in that The method further comprises at least one of the following steps: Using the joint TCI state indicated in the first signaling to overwrite, rewrite or update the activated unified TCI state; or, The uplink TCI state and / or downlink TCI state indicated in the first signaling is used to cover, rewrite or update the activated unified TCI state.

12. The method according to claim 8, characterized in that The first information field is a Flag field; the Flag field is a first value; The first value is a value corresponding to the second version.

13. The method according to claim 12, characterized in that The method further comprises: Using the first joint TCI state indicated in the first signaling to cover, rewrite or update the activated unified TCI state; or, The activated unified TCI state is overwritten, rewritten, or updated using the second joint TCI state indicated in the first signaling.

14. The method according to claim 12, characterized in that The method further comprises any one of the following steps: Using the first uplink and / or downlink TCI state indicated in the first signaling to cover, rewrite or update the activated unified TCI state; The second uplink and / or downlink TCI state indicated in the first signaling is used to cover, rewrite or update the activated unified TCI state.

15. The method according to claim 8, characterized in that The first information field includes a Flag field; the Flag field in the first signaling is a value within a first range; Among them, the first range corresponds to the value of the second version.

16. The method according to claim 15, characterized in that The method further comprises any one of the following steps: When the Flag field in the first signaling is a first value within the first range, using the first joint TCI state indicated in the first signaling to overwrite, rewrite or update the activated unified TCI state; When the Flag field in the first signaling is a second value within the first range, the second joint TCI state indicated in the first signaling is used to cover, rewrite or update the activated unified TCI state.

17. The method according to claim 15, characterized in that The method further comprises any one of the following steps: When the Flag field in the first signaling is the first value within the first range, the first uplink TCI state and / or the first downlink TCI state indicated in the first signaling is used to overwrite, rewrite or update the activated unified TCI state; When the Flag field in the first signaling is a second value within the first range, the second uplink TCI state and / or the second downlink TCI state indicated in the first signaling is used to cover, rewrite or update the activated unified TCI state.

18. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that The signaling is a second signaling, and the second signaling is used to indicate switching from the second unified TCI state mode to the first unified TCI state mode; The second signaling is a signaling used to activate a unified TCI state.

19. The method according to claim 18, characterized in that The second signaling is MAC CE.

20. The method according to claim 18, characterized in that At least one unified TCI state activated in the second signaling satisfies the second condition.

21. The method according to claim 20, characterized in that The second condition includes: At least one unified TCI state activated in the second signaling corresponds to both the first joint TCI state and the second joint TCI state; or, At least one unified TCI state activated in the second signaling corresponds to both the first uplink TCI state and the second uplink TCI state; or, At least one unified TCI state activated in the second signaling corresponds to both the first downlink TCI state and the second downlink TCI state.

22. The method according to claim 20, characterized in that The method further comprises: The unified TCI state indicated in the second signaling is used to overwrite, rewrite or update the activated unified TCI state, and switch from the second unified TCI state mode to the first unified TCI state mode.

23. The method according to claim 18, characterized in that The second signaling includes a first information field; The value of the first information field is used to indicate switching from the second unified TCI state mode to the first unified TCI state mode.

24. The method according to claim 23, characterized in that The first information domain is the eLCID domain; The eLCID domain is a second value; The second value is a value corresponding to the first version.

25. The method according to claim 24, characterized in that The method further comprises at least one of the following steps: Use the first joint TCI state and the second joint TCI state indicated in the second signaling to cover, rewrite or update the activated unified TCI state; or, Use the first uplink TCI state and the second uplink TCI state indicated in the second signaling to cover, rewrite or update the activated unified TCI state; or, When the eLCID domain takes the second value, the first downlink TCI state and the second downlink TCI state indicated in the second signaling are used to cover, rewrite or update the activated unified TCI state.

26. The method according to claim 24, wherein the value range of the second value includes code points from 0 to 226, and / or indexes from 64 to 290; in, The index is the code point plus 64.

27. The method according to claim 23, characterized in that The first information field is a Flag field; The Flag field is a third value; The third value is a value corresponding to the first version.

28. The method according to claim 27, characterized in that The method further comprises: The first joint TCI state and the second joint TCI indicated in the second signaling are used to overwrite, rewrite or update the activated unified TCI state.

29. The method according to claim 27, characterized in that The method further comprises: The activated unified TCI state is overwritten or rewritten or updated using the first uplink TCI state and / or the first downlink TCI state and / or the second uplink TCI state and / or the second downlink TCI state indicated in the second signaling.

30. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 29, characterized in that: The method is applicable to all carriers in a first carrier list, where all carriers in the first carrier list are multiple carriers of a co-beam.

31. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 29, characterized in that: The first unified TCI state mode supports a single transmit / receive point STRP and multiple transmit / receive points MTRP, and the second unified TCI state mode supports the single transmit / receive point STRP.

32. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 29, characterized in that: The first version of the communication protocol is the R18 version of the communication protocol, and the second version is the R17 version of the communication protocol.

33. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 29, characterized in that: The method comprises: Report capability information, where the capability information is used to indicate to the network device whether the terminal device supports the ability to switch between different unified TCI state modes.

34. A method for switching a TCI state mode, characterized in that: The method is performed by a network device, and the method includes: Sending signaling, the signaling is used to instruct the terminal device to switch between two unified TCI state modes; Among them, the two unified TCI state modes include a first unified TCI state mode and a second unified TCI state mode, the first unified TCI state mode corresponds to a first version of the communication protocol, the second unified TCI state mode corresponds to a second version of the communication protocol, and the first version and the second version are different versions.

35. The method according to claim 34, characterized in that The signaling is the first signaling, and the first signaling is used to instruct the terminal device to switch from the first unified TCI state mode to the second unified TCI state mode.

36. The method according to claim 35, characterized in that The first signaling is MAC CE.

37. The method according to claim 35, characterized in that All unified TCI states activated in the first signaling meet the first condition.

38. The method according to claim 37, characterized in that The first unified TCI state is a first joint TCI state, and the first joint TCI state is associated with a first TRP; the second unified TCI state is a second joint TCI state, and the second joint TCI state is associated with a second TRP; or, The first unified TCI state is the first uplink TCI state and / or the first downlink TCI state, and the first uplink TCI state and / or the first downlink TCI state are associated with the first TRP; the second unified TCI state is the second uplink TCI state and / or the second downlink TCI state, and the second uplink TCI state and / or the second downlink TCI state are associated with the second TRP.

39. The method according to claim 37, characterized in that The first condition includes: All unified TCI states activated by the first signaling correspond only to the first joint TCI state; or, All unified TCI states activated by the first signaling correspond only to the second joint TCI state; or, All unified TCI states activated by the first signaling correspond only to the first uplink TCI state and / or the first downlink TCI state; or, All unified TCI states activated by the first signaling only correspond to the second uplink TCI state and / or the second downlink TCI state.

40. The method according to claim 35, characterized in that The first signaling includes a first information field; The value of the first information field is used to switch from the first unified TCI state mode to the second unified TCI state mode.

41. The method according to claim 40, characterized in that The first information field includes an eLCID field: The eLCID domain is a first value; The first value is a value corresponding to the second version.

42. The method according to claim 41, characterized in that The value range of the first value includes code point 233 and / or index 297.

43. The method according to claim 40, characterized in that The first information field is the Flag field: The Flag field is a first value; The first value is a value corresponding to the second version.

44. The method according to claim 40, characterized in that The first information field is the Flag field: The Flag field is a value within the first range; Among them, the first range corresponds to the value of the second version.

45. The method according to claim 44, characterized in that The Flag field has values ​​within the first range including: The Flag field is a first value within the first range; or, the Flag field is a second value within the first range; The first value is used to indicate that the first joint TCI state indicated in the first signaling is used to cover, rewrite or update the activated unified TCI state, or the first uplink TCI state and / or the first downlink TCI state indicated in the first signaling is used to cover, rewrite or update the activated unified TCI state; The second value is used to indicate that the second joint TCI state indicated in the first signaling is used to cover, rewrite or update the activated unified TCI state, or that the second uplink TCI state and / or the second downlink TCI state indicated in the first signaling is used to cover, rewrite or update the activated unified TCI state.

46. ​​The method according to claim 35, characterized in that The signaling is second signaling, and the second signaling is used to indicate switching from the second unified TCI state mode to the first unified TCI state mode.

47. The method according to claim 46, characterized in that The second signaling is MAC CE.

48. The method according to claim 46, characterized in that At least one unified TCI state activated in the second signaling satisfies the second condition.

49. The method according to claim 48, characterized in that The second condition includes: At least one unified TCI state activated by the second signaling corresponds to both the first joint TCI state and the second joint TCI state; or, At least one unified TCI state activated by the second signaling corresponds to both the first uplink TCI state and the second uplink TCI state; or, The at least one unified TCI state activated by the second signaling corresponds to both the first downlink TCI state and the second downlink TCI state.

50. The method of claim 46, wherein: The second signaling includes: a first information field; The value of the first information field is used to indicate switching from the second unified TCI state mode to the first unified TCI state mode.

51. The method according to claim 50, characterized in that The first information field is the eLCID field: The eLCID domain is a second value; The second value is a value corresponding to the first version.

52. The method according to claim 51, characterized in that The value range of the second value includes code points of 0 to 226 and / or indexes of 64 to 290; The index is the code point plus 64.

53. The method according to claim 50, characterized in that The first information field is the Flag field: The Flag field is a third value; The third value is a value corresponding to the first version.

54. The method according to any one of claims 35 to 53, characterized in that The method comprises: Receive capability information reported by a terminal device, where the capability information is used to indicate whether the terminal device supports the capability of switching between different unified TCI state modes.

55. A TCI state mode switching device, characterized in that: The device comprises: A receiving module, used to receive signaling, wherein the signaling is used to instruct switching between two unified TCI state modes; Among them, the two unified TCI state modes include a first unified TCI state mode and a second unified TCI state mode, the first unified TCI state mode corresponds to a first version of the communication protocol, the second unified TCI state mode corresponds to a second version of the communication protocol, and the first version and the second version are different versions.

56. A TCI state mode switching device, characterized in that: The device comprises: A sending module, used for sending signaling, wherein the signaling is used to instruct the terminal device to switch between two unified TCI state modes; The two unified TCI state modes include a first unified TCI state mode and a second unified TCI state mode, the first unified TCI state mode corresponds to a first version of the communication protocol, the second unified TCI state mode corresponds to a second version of the communication protocol, and the first version and the second version are different versions.

57. A communication device, characterized in that: The communication device includes a processor and a memory, wherein the memory contains at least one program; the communication device is used to execute the at least one program in the memory to implement the TCI state mode switching method described in any one of claims 1 to 54.

58. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that: The computer-readable storage medium stores a computer program, which is used to be executed by a processor to implement the TCI state mode switching method described in any one of claims 1 to 54.

59. A chip, characterized in that: The chip includes a programmable logic circuit and / or program instructions, which, when the chip is running, are used to implement the TCI state mode switching method described in any one of claims 1 to 54 above.

60. A computer program product or a computer program, characterized in that The computer program product or computer program includes computer instructions, which are stored in a computer-readable storage medium. The processor reads and executes the computer instructions from the computer-readable storage medium to implement the TCI state mode switching method described in any one of claims 1 to 54.

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