Enhancement for intra-frequency inter-cell GBBR

Abstract

A user equipment (UE) is configured to: determine whether three-layer (L3) synchronization signal block (SSB) measurements can be completed on two or more antenna panels; configuring an SSB-based group-based beam report (GBBR) measurement for a first antenna panel and a second antenna panel of the two or more antenna panels, wherein the SSB-based GBBR measurement includes a beam scan factor; and performing GBBR measurements on synchronization signal blocks (SSBs) from the two cells.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates in general to wireless communications, and more specifically to enhancements to intra-frequency inter-cell GBBR. Background Technology

[0002] User equipment (UE) can participate in group-based beamforming reporting (GBBR). GBBR allows beam management of a set of beams, rather than on a single beam basis. After beam scanning and beam measurement operations, the UE can perform beam reporting (in this case, group-based reporting) back to the gNodeB (gNB). Currently, GBBR is considered only from the perspective of multiple transmit and receive points (TRPs) within the same serving cell.

[0003] However, if we consider intra-frequency inter-cell GBBR, this scenario is completely different from the traditional case of multiple TRPs within the same serving cell. For intra-frequency inter-cell GBBR, there are many issues to be addressed, such as synchronization signal block (SSB) conflict logic (from both the UE and network perspectives), improved candidate resource set list design, and the association logic between SSB and the Channel State Information Reference Signal (CSI-RS) configured in the GBBR resource set. Summary of the Invention

[0004] Some exemplary embodiments relate to an apparatus for a user equipment (UE) having processing circuitry configured to determine whether a three-layer (L3) synchronization signal block (SSB) measurement can be performed on two or more antenna panels; configure a group-based beam reporting (GBBR) measurement based on the SSB for a first antenna panel and a second antenna panel of the two or more antenna panels, wherein the SSB-based GBBR measurement includes a beam scan factor; and perform GBBR measurements on synchronization signal blocks (SSBs) from two cells.

[0005] Other exemplary embodiments relate to an apparatus for a base station having processing circuitry configured to configure one or more Channel State Reference Signal (CSI-RS) resources in one or more resource sets, wherein the configuration includes a Synchronization Signal Block (SSB) associated with the CSI-RS in each resource set; and to configure transceiver circuitry to transmit the configured resources to a User Equipment (UE). Attached Figure Description

[0006] Figure 1 Exemplary network arrangements according to various exemplary implementations are shown.

[0007] Figure 2 Exemplary UEs according to various exemplary implementations are shown.

[0008] Figure 3 An exemplary base station according to various exemplary embodiments is shown.

[0009] Figure 4 A network arrangement with UE and three (3) cells according to various exemplary implementation schemes is shown.

[0010] Figure 5 Exemplary methods for performing GBBR measurements for conflicting SSBs are shown according to various exemplary embodiments.

[0011] Figure 6 Exemplary methods for performing GBBR measurements for non-conflicting SSBs are shown according to various exemplary embodiments.

[0012] Figure 7 A call flow diagram illustrating the association between the SSB and CSI-RS in the case of a CSI-RS configured in a GBBR resource centralization, according to various exemplary embodiments, is shown. Detailed Implementation

[0013] The exemplary embodiments can be further understood with reference to the following description and related figures, wherein the same elements are given the same reference numerals. The exemplary embodiments relate to GBBR reporting, and more specifically, to intra-frequency inter-cell GBBR.

[0014] Exemplary embodiments are described with reference to user equipment (UE). However, references to the UE are provided for illustrative purposes only. The exemplary embodiments can be used with any electronic component capable of establishing a connection to a network and configured with hardware, software, and / or firmware for exchanging information and data with the network. Therefore, the UE described herein is used to represent any electronic component.

[0015] Exemplary implementations are also described with reference to 5G New Radio (NR) networks. However, it should be understood that exemplary implementations can also be implemented in other types of networks, including but not limited to LTE networks, future evolutions of cellular protocols (e.g., 6G networks), or any other type of network.

[0016] Exemplary implementations provide various aspects related to inter-frequency inter-cell GBBR. In a first aspect of the exemplary implementation, logic for handling conflicting SSBs for GBBR is described from both the UE and network perspectives. From the network's perspective, this logic instructs the network whether to configure a resource set for GBBR consisting of conflicting SSBs on different cells or a resource set consisting of non-conflicting SSBs on different cells. From the UE's perspective, this logic instructs how the UE should perform Layer 3 (L3) SSB measurements on conflicting or non-conflicting SSB resources. In a second aspect of the exemplary implementation, a candidate resource set list design for SSBs is described.

[0017] In a third aspect of the exemplary implementation, for a CSI-RS-based inter-cell GBBR, the association process between the SSB and the CSI-RS is described. In a fourth aspect of the exemplary implementation, a design for a new candidate resource set for a CSI-RS-based inter-cell GBBR is disclosed.

[0018] Figure 1 An exemplary network arrangement 100 according to various exemplary embodiments is shown. The exemplary network arrangement 100 includes a UE 110. Those skilled in the art will understand that the UE 110 can be any type of electronic component configured to communicate via a network, such as a mobile phone, tablet computer, desktop computer, smartphone, phablet, embedded device, wearable device, Internet of Things (IoT) device (including connected vehicles), etc. It should also be understood that a practical network arrangement can include any number of UEs used by any number of users. Therefore, for illustrative purposes, only an example with one UE 110 is provided.

[0019] UE 110 can be configured to communicate with one or more networks. In the example of network configuration 100, the network with which UE 110 can wirelessly communicate is 5G NR Radio Access Network (RAN) 120. However, it should be understood that UE 110 can also communicate with other types of networks (e.g., 5G cloud RAN, next-generation RAN (NG-RAN), legacy cellular networks, etc.), and UE 110 can also communicate with the network via a wired connection. Referring to an exemplary implementation, UE 110 can establish a connection with 5G NR RAN 120. Therefore, UE 110 may have a 5G NR chipset to communicate with NR RAN 120.

[0020] 5G NR RAN 120 may be part of a cellular network that can be deployed by a network operator (e.g., Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, etc.). RAN 120 may include cells or base stations configured to transmit and receive traffic from UEs equipped with appropriate cellular chipsets. In this example, 5G NR RAN 120 includes gNB 120A. However, the reference to gNB is provided merely for illustrative purposes, and any appropriate base station or cell (e.g., Node B, eNodeB, HeNB, eNB, gNB, gNodeB, macro cell, micro cell, small cell, femtocell, etc.) may be deployed. In this network arrangement 100, a single gNB 120A is shown for illustrative purposes. However, as will be described in more detail below, the exemplary implementation relates to GBBR reporting in an in-frequency inter-cell scenario. Therefore, as will be described and illustrated below, UE 110 may perform GBBR based on signals received from two or more base stations (e.g., gNBs).

[0021] Those skilled in the art will understand that any association procedure can be performed for UE 110 to connect to 5G NR RAN 120. For example, as discussed above, 5G NR RAN 120 can be associated with a specific network operator where UE 110 and / or its user have protocol and credential information (e.g., stored on a SIM card). Upon detecting the presence of 5G NR RAN 120, UE 110 can send the corresponding credential information to associate with 5G NR RAN 120. More specifically, UE 110 can be associated with a specific cell (e.g., gNB 120A).

[0022] Network deployment 100 also includes a cellular core network 130, an Internet 140, an IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) 150, and a network services backbone 160. The cellular core network 130 manages traffic flowing between the cellular network and the Internet 140. The IMS 150 can generally be described as an architecture for delivering multimedia services to the UE 110 using IP protocols. The IMS 150 can communicate with the cellular core network 130 and the Internet 140 to provide multimedia services to the UE 110. The network services backbone 160 communicates directly or indirectly with the Internet 140 and the cellular core network 130. The network services backbone 160 can generally be described as a set of components (e.g., servers, network storage deployments, etc.) that implement a set of services that can be used to extend the functionality of the UE 110 in communicating with various networks.

[0023] Figure 2 An exemplary UE 110 according to various exemplary embodiments is shown. Reference will be made to... Figure 1The network layout 100 is used to describe UE 110. UE 110 can represent any electronic device and may include processor 205, memory layout 210, display device 215, input / output (I / O) device 220, transceiver 225, and other components 230. Other components 230 may include, for example, audio input devices, audio output devices, batteries providing limited power, data acquisition devices, ports for electrically connecting UE 110 to other electronic devices, sensors for detecting the status of UE 110, etc.

[0024] Processor 205 may be configured to execute multiple engines of UE 110. For example, an engine may include GBBR engine 235 for performing operations related to processing SSB conflicts, candidate resource set lists, and associations between SSBs and CSI-RS.

[0025] The engines described above, as applications (e.g., programs) executed by processor 205, are merely exemplary. The functionality associated with these engines may also be represented as separate, combined components of UE 110, or as modular components coupled to UE 110, such as integrated circuits with or without firmware. For example, the integrated circuit may include input circuitry for receiving signals and processing circuitry for processing signals and other information. The engine may also be embodied as one or more separate applications. Furthermore, in some UEs, the functionality described for processor 205 is split between two or more processors, such as a baseband processor and an application processor. Exemplary implementations may be implemented according to any of these or other configurations of the UE.

[0026] Memory arrangement 210 may be a hardware component configured to store data related to operations performed by UE 110. Display device 215 may be a hardware component configured to display data to a user, while I / O device 220 may be a hardware component enabling a user to input data. Display device 215 and I / O device 220 may be separate components or may be integrated together (such as a touchscreen). Transceiver 225 may be a hardware component configured to establish a connection with 5G-NR RAN 120. Therefore, transceiver 225 may operate on a variety of different frequencies or channels (e.g., a continuous set of frequencies).

[0027] Transceiver 225 includes circuitry configured to transmit and / or receive signals (e.g., control signals, data signals). Such signals may be encoded using information used to implement any of the methods described herein. Processor 205 may be operatively coupled to transceiver 225 and configured to receive signals from and / or transmit signals to transceiver 225. Processor 205 may be configured to encode and / or decode signals (e.g., signaling from a base station in a network) for use in implementing any of the methods described herein.

[0028] Figure 3 An exemplary base station 300 according to various exemplary embodiments is shown. Base station 300 may represent any other access node that gNB 120A or UE 110 can use to establish connections and manage network operations.

[0029] Base station 300 may include processor 305, memory arrangement 310, input / output (I / O) devices 315, transceiver 320, and other components 325. These other components 325 may include, for example, audio input devices, audio output devices, batteries, data acquisition devices, ports for electrically connecting base station 300 to other electronic devices and / or power sources, etc.

[0030] The processor 305 may be configured to execute multiple engines of the base station 300. For example, an engine may include a GBBR engine 330 for performing operations related to processing SSB collisions, candidate RS lists, and associations between SSBs and CSI-RSs.

[0031] Memory 310 may be a hardware component configured to store data related to operations performed by base station 300. I / O device 315 may be a hardware component or port enabling a user to interact with base station 300. Transceiver 320 may be a hardware component configured to exchange data with UE 110 and any other UE in network arrangement 100. Transceiver 320 may operate on a variety of different frequencies or channels (e.g., a set of consecutive frequencies). Therefore, transceiver 320 may include one or more components (e.g., radio components) to enable data exchange with various networks and UEs.

[0032] Transceiver 320 includes circuitry configured to transmit and / or receive signals (e.g., control signals, data signals). Such signals may be encoded using information used to implement any of the methods described herein. Processor 305 may be operatively coupled to transceiver 320 and configured to receive signals from and / or transmit signals to transceiver 320. Processor 305 may be configured to encode and / or decode signals (e.g., signaling from a UE) for use in implementing any of the methods described herein.

[0033] Figure 4 A network arrangement 400 with UE 110 and three (3) cells 402, 408 and 414 is shown according to various exemplary embodiments. In this example, there are three cells, but it should be understood that the exemplary intra-frequency inter-cell GBBR can be applied to any scenario involving two (2) or more cells. Network arrangement 400 shows cell 1 402. Cell 1 402 can be understood to be functionally equivalent to gNB 120A. Cell 1 402 and UE 110 share beam 1 404. Cell 1 402 also has resource sets 1 406 associated with SSB 1 and SSB 2.

[0034] In a substantially similar manner, network arrangement 400 also includes cell 2 408 (with beam 2 410) and resource set 2412 (with SSB 1 and SSB 2), as well as cell 3 414 (with beam 3 416) and resource set 3 418 (with SSB 1 and SSB 2). These cells, beams, and resources can be understood to have functionality substantially similar to that described with respect to cell 1 402.

[0035] In network configuration 400, resource sets 406, 412, and 418 can be considered to each have their own SSBs with the same index (e.g., SSB 1 and SSB 2). Those skilled in the art will understand that SSBs with different indexes are typically time-domain multiplexed (TDM). This presents a problem because resource sets 406, 412, and 418 share SSB indices 1 and 2. This overlap means that SSBs may conflict in the time domain.

[0036] In a first aspect of the exemplary implementation, this document discloses SSB conflict logic for GBBR from both the UE and network perspectives. A conflicting SSB may refer to an SSB with the same index if the associated cells of the conflicting SSBs are synchronized with each other, or if the SSBs have different indices but conflict in the time domain.

[0037] Figure 5 An exemplary method 500 for performing GBBR measurements for conflicting SSBs is illustrated according to various exemplary embodiments. Method 500 can be understood as describing a first option of a first aspect. Figure 5 It provides operation from both network and UE perspectives, and will appropriately indicate such perspectives.

[0038] GBBR measurements and their associated measurement reports help the network determine which transmit beams can be used simultaneously to serve a UE, or for channels scheduled to a UE. In an illustrative example, the first cell can use SSBs indexed 1, 2, 3, and 4. The second cell can use SSBs indexed 1, 2, 5, and 6. Using GBBR measurements that utilize conflicting SSBs (e.g., SSBs 1 and 2 in the example above) better informs the network of the interference magnitude between SSBs. This information may be lost during GBBR measurements that do not use conflicting SSBs.

[0039] In 502, the network is configured for GBBR to configure resource sets of SSBs with conflicting (time-domain) cells. For example, the network can be configured with SSB 1 and SSB 2 for resource sets 406 and 412, as follows: Figure 4 As shown.

[0040] In 506, UE 110 determines whether L3 SSB measurements can be performed on different antenna panels. For example, if the L3 SSB measurement indicates that SSBs from two cells can not be completely separated on different panels, the answer in 506n is no. However, if the L3 SSB measurement indicates that SSBs from two cells can be separated on different panels, the answer to 506 is yes. If the answer to 506 is yes, UE 110 proceeds to 508. It should be noted that configuration operations 508 and 510 are presented as discrete steps in a temporal relationship (508 occurs before 510), but this is merely exemplary. For example, these operations may occur simultaneously or in reverse order without changing the scope of the exemplary implementation. This description of timing also applies to operation 512 and alternative 1 (shown in 514) or alternative 2 (shown in 516).

[0041] It should be noted that after operations 510, 514 and 516, UE 110 performs operation 518, which will be discussed below.

[0042] In 508, UE 110 is configured with two antenna panels for measuring conflicting SSBs (e.g., SSB 1 and SSB 2). In 510, UE 110 configures the beam scan factor to eight.

[0043] If the answer to 506 is no, UE 110 proceeds to 512. In 512, UE 110 configures finer (i.e., narrower) beams on multiple panels for measuring SSB.

[0044] In the first example, UE 110 proceeds to 514. In 514, UE 110 configures an increased beam scan factor (greater than eight) for each antenna panel. For example, the beam scan factor used could be 12 or 16.

[0045] In the second example, UE 110 proceeds to 516. In 516, UE 110 configures a reduced beam scan factor (less than eight) for each antenna panel. In the second example, the sum of the beam scan factors used is equal to 8. For example, the beam scan factor on the first panel could be 4, and the beam scan factor on the second panel could also be 4 (4+4=8).

[0046] At the end of operations 510, 514, and 516, UE 110 proceeds to 518. In 518, UE 110 performs L3 measurements on the conflicting SSBs from the two cells. For example, if UE 110 is proceeding from operation 510, then in 518, UE 110 will use a beam scan factor of eight when performing L3 measurements.

[0047] In a second option of the first aspect of the exemplary implementation, the network may configure a set of resources for the GBBR that have non-colliding SSBs from different cells. This may be desirable in some scenarios to avoid low signal-to-interference ratio conditions for measurements (e.g., selecting collapsing SSBs would result in poor measurement accuracy). A non-colliding SSB may refer to two SSBs with different indices if the associated cells of the non-colliding SSBs are synchronized with each other, or if the SSBs do not conflict in the time domain.

[0048] Figure 6 An exemplary method 600 for performing GBBR measurements against a non-conflicting SSB, according to various exemplary embodiments, is shown. Method 600 can be understood as a second option describing the first aspect. Figure 6 It provides operation from both network and UE perspectives, and will appropriately indicate such perspectives.

[0049] In 602, the network configures a resource set for GBBR with non-collision SSBs (in the time domain) of different cells. For example, the network can configure SSB 1 and SSB 2 of resource set 406, as well as a fourth cell ( Figure 4 Exemplary SSB 3 and SSB4 (not shown) Figure 4 (Not shown in the image).

[0050] In 606, UE 110 determines whether an L3 SSB measurement can be performed on a different antenna panel (panel). If the answer to 606 is yes, UE 110 proceeds to 608. It should be noted that configuration operations 608 and 610 are presented as discrete steps in a temporal relationship (608 occurs before 610), but this is merely exemplary. For example, these operations may occur simultaneously or in reverse order without changing the scope of the exemplary implementation. This description of timing also applies to operation 612 and alternative 1 (shown in 614) or alternative 2 (shown in 616).

[0051] It should be noted that after operations 610, 614 and 616, the UE performs operation 618, which will be discussed below.

[0052] In 608, UE 110 is configured with two antenna panels for measuring non-colliding SSBs (e.g., SSB 1 and SSB 2). In 610, UE 110 configures the beam scan factor to eight.

[0053] If the answer to 606 is no, UE 110 proceeds to 612. In 612, UE 110 configures finer (i.e., narrower) beams on multiple panels for measuring SSB.

[0054] In the first example, UE 110 proceeds to 614. In 614, UE 110 configures an increased beam scan factor (e.g., greater than eight) for each antenna panel. For example, the beam scan factor used could be 12 or 16.

[0055] In the second example, UE 110 proceeds to 616. In 616, UE 110 configures a reduced beam scan factor (e.g., less than eight) for each antenna panel. In a second alternative, the sum of the beam scan factors used is equal to 8. For example, the beam scan factor on the first panel could be 4, and the beam scan factor on the second panel could also be 4 (4+4=8).

[0056] At the end of operations 610, 614, and 616, UE 110 proceeds to 618. In 618, UE 110 performs L3 measurements on non-collision SSBs from both cells. For example, if UE 110 is proceeding from operation 610, then in 618, UE 110 will use a beam scan factor of eight when performing L3 measurements.

[0057] In a second aspect of the exemplary implementation, this document discloses a candidate resource set list design for SSBs. Several options exist for grouping resource sets from the network. In a first option, a resource set may contain RSs of the same type with the same Physical Cell ID (PCI). In a second option, a resource set may contain RSs of different types with the same PCI. In a third option, a resource set may contain RSs sharing the same timing source (e.g., SSBs of synchronized cells may be included in the same resource set). In a fourth option, a resource set may contain RSs sharing the same Quasi-Co-location (QCL) source. For example, for an SSB-based GBBR, the SSBs may share the same transmit beam, the same transmit panel, or the same TRP from the gNB.

[0058] In a third aspect of the exemplary implementation, this document discloses the association process and logic between the SSB and the CSI-RS. Specifically, the third aspect relates to the case where the CSI-RS is configured within a GBBR resource set. Those skilled in the art will recognize that a standalone CSI-RS cannot be used for timing synchronization; timing information must be derived from SSB measurements (e.g., via L3 measurements).

[0059] Figure 7 A call flow diagram 700 illustrates the association between the SSB and CSI-RS in the case of CSI-RS being configured in a GBBR resource centralization, according to various exemplary embodiments. Figure 7 This can be understood as describing the third aspect.

[0060] In 702, the network (e.g., gNB 120A) configures conflicting CSI-RS resources in different resource sets. By measuring a single CSI-RS resource, the UE 110 can understand signal strength and interference levels. In other examples, the gNB 120A may not configure conflicting CSI-RS resources in different resource sets.

[0061] In option 704, gNB 120A sends the associated SSB for CSI-RS from the resource set to UE 110. In the first option, the associated SSB only provides UE 110 with beamsource information for CSI-RS, but the CSI-RS timing may refer to its cell timing. Those skilled in the art will recognize that the cell timing may be the same as or different from the associated SSB timing, as the associated SSB may not be the optimal (e.g., strongest) SSB for that cell. In the second option, the associated SSB provides UE 110 with both beamsource information for CSI-RS and CSI-RS timing.

[0062] In a fourth aspect of the exemplary implementation, a new candidate resource set design for CSI-RS-based inter-cell GBBR is disclosed. In a first option, to group resources from the network, a resource set may contain resource sets of the same type with the same Physical Cell ID (PCI). In a second option, a resource set may contain resource sets of different types with the same PCI.

[0063] In the third option, a resource set may contain resource sets that share the same timing source (e.g., the SSBs of synchronized cells may be included in the same resource set).

[0064] In the fourth option, a resource set may contain resource sets that share the same quasi-co-located (QCL) source. For example, the fourth option may apply to CSI-RS that are quasi-co-located on QCL type D with the same SSB; or CSI-RS that are quasi-co-located on QCL type D with each other; or CSI-RS that are on the same QCL chain.

[0065] Example In a first embodiment, a method performed by a user equipment (UE) includes: determining whether a three-layer (L3) synchronization signal block (SSB) measurement can be performed on two or more antenna panels; configuring a group-based beam reporting (GBBR) measurement based on the SSB for a first antenna panel and a second antenna panel among the two or more antenna panels, wherein the SSB-based GBBR measurement includes a beam scan factor; and performing GBBR measurements on synchronization signal blocks (SSBs) from two cells.

[0066] In the second embodiment, according to the method of the first embodiment, the SSBs collide in the time domain.

[0067] In a third embodiment, according to the method of the second embodiment, wherein when it is possible to perform SSB-based GBBR measurements on different antenna panels among the two or more antenna panels, the processing circuit configures the first antenna panel to perform SSB-based GBBR for a first SSB and configures the second antenna panel to perform SSB-based GBBR for a second SSB.

[0068] In the fourth embodiment, according to the method of the third embodiment, the beam scanning factor is equal to eight.

[0069] In the fifth embodiment, according to the method of the second embodiment, when it is not possible to perform SSB-based GBBR on different antenna panels among the two or more antenna panels, the processing circuit configures one or more beams of the first antenna panel and one or more beams of the second antenna panel to perform SSB-based GBBR for the first SSB, and configures one or more beams of the first antenna panel and one or more beams of the second antenna panel to perform SSB-based GBBR for the second SSB.

[0070] In the sixth embodiment, according to the method of the fifth embodiment, the beam scanning factor is greater than eight.

[0071] In the seventh embodiment, according to the method of the fifth embodiment, the beam scanning factor is equal to the sum of the first beam scanning factor of the first antenna panel and the second beam scanning factor of the second antenna panel, wherein the sum is equal to eight.

[0072] In the eighth embodiment, according to the method of the first embodiment, the SSBs do not conflict in the time domain.

[0073] In the ninth embodiment, according to the method of the eighth embodiment, wherein when it is possible to perform SSB-based GBBR measurements on different antenna panels among the two or more antenna panels, the processing circuit configures the first antenna panel to perform SSB-based GBBR measurements for the first SSB and configures the second antenna panel to perform SSB-based GBBR measurements for the second SSB.

[0074] In the tenth embodiment, according to the method of the ninth embodiment, the beam scanning factor is equal to eight.

[0075] In the eleventh embodiment, according to the method of the eighth embodiment, wherein, when it is not possible to perform SSB-based GBBR measurements on different antenna panels among the two or more antenna panels, the processing circuit configures one or more beams of the first antenna panel and one or more beams of the second antenna panel to perform SSB-based GBBR measurements for a first SSB, and configures one or more beams of the first antenna panel and one or more beams of the second antenna panel to perform SSB-based GBBR measurements for a second SSB.

[0076] In the twelfth embodiment, according to the method of the eleventh embodiment, wherein the beam scanning factor is greater than eight.

[0077] In the thirteenth embodiment, according to the method of the eleventh embodiment, the beam scanning factor is equal to the sum of the first beam scanning factor of the first antenna panel and the second beam scanning factor of the second antenna panel, wherein the sum is equal to eight.

[0078] In the fourteenth embodiment, according to the method of the first embodiment, the method further includes: decoding one or more resource sets from signals received from a base station, the one or more resource sets including the SSB for the GBBR, wherein one of the resource sets includes reference signals (RS) of the same type sharing the same physical cell ID (PCI).

[0079] In the fifteenth embodiment, according to the method of the first embodiment, the method further includes: decoding one or more resource sets from signals received from a base station, the one or more resource sets including the SSB for the GBBR, wherein one of the resource sets in the one or more resource sets further includes reference signals (RS) of different types sharing the same physical cell ID (PCI).

[0080] In the sixteenth embodiment, according to the method of the first embodiment, the method further includes: decoding one or more resource sets from signals received from a base station, the one or more resource sets including the SSB for the GBBR, wherein one of the resource sets in the one or more resource sets further includes a reference signal (RS) sharing the same timing source.

[0081] In the seventeenth embodiment, according to the method of the first embodiment, the method further includes: decoding one or more resource sets from signals received from a base station, the one or more resource sets including the SSB for the GBBR, wherein one of the resource sets in the one or more resource sets further includes a reference signal (RS) sharing the same quasi-co-located (QCL) source.

[0082] In the eighteenth embodiment, a processor is configured to perform any one of the methods described according to the first to the seventeenth embodiments.

[0083] In a nineteenth embodiment, a method performed by a base station includes: configuring one or more Channel State Reference Signal (CSI-RS) resources in one or more resource sets, wherein the configuration includes a Synchronization Signal Block (SSB) associated with the CSI-RS in each resource set; and configuring transceiver circuitry to transmit the configured resources to a User Equipment (UE).

[0084] In the twentieth embodiment, the method described in the nineteenth embodiment is used, wherein the configured resources include conflicting CSI-RS resources from different resource sets.

[0085] In the twenty-first embodiment, according to the method of the nineteenth embodiment, the configured resources include CSI-RS resources in different resource sets in a TDM (Time Division Multiplexing) manner.

[0086] In the twenty-second embodiment, according to the method of the nineteenth embodiment, the CSI-RS resources of the first resource set utilize cell-specific timing as a timing source.

[0087] In the twenty-third embodiment, according to the method of the nineteenth embodiment, the first SSB associated with the CSI-RS resources in the first resource set includes beam source information for the CSI-RS resources in the first resource set.

[0088] In the 24th embodiment, according to the method of the 19th embodiment, the first SSB associated with the CSI-RS resources in the first resource set includes beam source information and timing information for the CSI-RS resources in the first resource set.

[0089] In the twenty-fifth embodiment, according to the method of the nineteenth embodiment, one of the resource sets in the one or more resource sets includes the same type of reference signal (RS) that shares the same physical cell ID (PCI).

[0090] In the 26th embodiment, according to the method of the 19th embodiment, one of the resource sets in the one or more resource sets further includes different types of reference signals (RS) that share the same physical cell ID (PCI).

[0091] In the 27th embodiment, according to the method of the 19th embodiment, one of the resource sets in the one or more resource sets further includes a reference signal (RS) sharing the same timing source.

[0092] In the twenty-eighth embodiment, according to the method of the nineteenth embodiment, one of the resource sets in the one or more resource sets further includes a reference signal (RS) that shares the same quasi-co-located (QCL) source.

[0093] In the twenty-ninth embodiment, a processor is configured to perform any one of the methods described according to the nineteenth to twenty-eighth embodiments.

[0094] Those skilled in the art will understand that the exemplary embodiments described above can be implemented with any suitable software or hardware configuration or combination thereof. Exemplary hardware platforms for implementing the exemplary embodiments may include, for example, Intel x86-based platforms with compatible operating systems, Windows OS, Mac platforms and MAC OS, and mobile devices with operating systems such as iOS, Android, etc. Exemplary embodiments of the methods described above may be embodied as programs containing lines of code stored on a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium, which, when compiled, can be executed on a processor or microprocessor.

[0095] Although this application describes various embodiments that have different features in various combinations, those skilled in the art will understand that any feature of one embodiment can be combined with features of other embodiments in any way that is not expressly denied or that is not functionally or logically inconsistent with the operation of the device or the specified function of the disclosed embodiment.

[0096] As is widely recognized, the use of personally identifiable information should comply with privacy policies and practices that are generally accepted to meet or exceed industry or governmental requirements for protecting user privacy. Specifically, personally identifiable information data should be managed and processed to minimize the risk of unintentional or unauthorized access or use, and the nature of authorized use should be clearly explained to users.

[0097] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications can be made to this disclosure without departing from its spirit or scope. Therefore, this disclosure is intended to cover modifications and variations thereof, provided they fall within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. An apparatus for a user equipment (UE), the apparatus comprising processing circuitry configured to: Determine whether it is possible to perform three-layer (L3) synchronization signal block (SSB) measurements on two or more antenna panels; Configure a group-based beam reporting (GBBR) measurement based on SSB for the first and second antenna panels of the two or more antenna panels, wherein the SSB-based GBBR measurement includes a beam scanning factor; as well as Perform GBBR measurements on synchronization signal blocks (SSBs) from two cells.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the SSB is conflicted in the time domain.

3. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein, When it is possible to perform SSB-based GBBR measurements on different antenna panels among the two or more antenna panels, the processing circuit configures the first antenna panel to perform SSB-based GBBR for the first SSB and configures the second antenna panel to perform SSB-based GBBR for the second SSB.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the beam scanning factor is equal to eight.

5. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein, When it is not possible to perform SSB-based GBBR on different antenna panels among the two or more antenna panels, the processing circuit configures one or more beams of the first antenna panel and one or more beams of the second antenna panel to perform SSB-based GBBR for the first SSB, and configures one or more beams of the first antenna panel and one or more beams of the second antenna panel to perform SSB-based GBBR for the second SSB.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the beam scanning factor is greater than eight.

7. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the beam scanning factor is equal to the sum of the first beam scanning factor of the first antenna panel and the second beam scanning factor of the second antenna panel, wherein the sum is equal to eight.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the SSBs do not conflict in the time domain.

9. The apparatus according to claim 8, wherein, When it is possible to perform SSB-based GBBR measurements on different antenna panels among the two or more antenna panels, the processing circuit configures the first antenna panel to perform SSB-based GBBR measurements for the first SSB and configures the second antenna panel to perform SSB-based GBBR measurements for the second SSB.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the beam scanning factor is equal to eight.

11. The apparatus according to claim 8, wherein, When it is not possible to perform SSB-based GBBR measurements on different antenna panels among the two or more antenna panels, the processing circuit configures one or more beams of the first antenna panel and one or more beams of the second antenna panel to perform SSB-based GBBR measurements for the first SSB, and configures one or more beams of the first antenna panel and one or more beams of the second antenna panel to perform SSB-based GBBR measurements for the second SSB.

12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the beam scanning factor is greater than eight.

13. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the beam scanning factor is equal to the sum of the first beam scanning factor of the first antenna panel and the second beam scanning factor of the second antenna panel, wherein the sum is equal to eight.

14. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the processing circuitry is further configured to: decode one or more resource sets from signals received from a base station, the one or more resource sets including the SSB for the GBBR, wherein one of the one or more resource sets includes reference signals (RS) of the same type sharing the same physical cell ID (PCI).

15. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the processing circuitry is further configured to: decode one or more resource sets from signals received from a base station, the one or more resource sets including the SSB for the GBBR, wherein one of the resource sets further includes reference signals (RS) of different types sharing the same physical cell ID (PCI).

16. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the processing circuitry is further configured to: decode one or more resource sets from signals received from a base station, the one or more resource sets including the SSB for the GBBR, wherein one of the one or more resource sets further includes a reference signal (RS) sharing the same timing source.

17. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the processing circuitry is further configured to: decode one or more resource sets from signals received from a base station, the one or more resource sets including the SSB for the GBBR, wherein one of the resource sets further includes a reference signal (RS) sharing the same quasi-co-located (QCL) source.

18. An apparatus for a base station, the apparatus comprising processing circuitry configured to: Configure one or more Channel State Reference Signal (CSI-RS) resources in one or more resource sets, wherein the configuration includes a Synchronization Signal Block (SSB) associated with each CSI-RS in the resource set; and Configure the transceiver circuitry to send the configured resources to the user equipment (UE).

19. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the configured resources include conflicting CSI-RS resources from different resource sets.

20. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the configured resources include CSI-RS resources in different resource sets in a TDM (Time Division Multiplexing) mode.

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