Method, apparatus and computer program field

Abstract

An apparatus (preferably a UE) receives an indicated / selected transmission configuration information (TCI) state for a channel / signal. The TCI informs about uplink transmission or downlink reception parameters (preferably beam selection) and is associated with at least one reference signal resource. A reference signal associated with the TCI state is determined by measurement or prediction. Applicability of the TCI state to the channel / signal is determined using an indicator or rule.

Description

[0001] The present application relates to a method, apparatus, system and computer program and in particular but not exclusively to apparatus determining the applicability of the beam indication in beam prediction and specifically to the applicability of Transmission Configuration Indicator instructions. BACKGROUND [0002JA communication system can be seen as a facility that enables communication sessions between two or more entities such as user terminals, base stations and / or other nodes by providing carriers between the various entities involved in the communications path. A communication system can be provided for example by means of a communication network and one or more compatible communication devices. The communication sessions may comprise, for example, communication of data for carrying communications such as voice, video, electronic mail (email), text message, multimedia and / or content data and so on. Non-limiting examples of services provided comprise two-way or multi-way calls, data communication or multimedia services and access to a data network system, such as the Internet.

[0003] In a wireless communication system at least a part of a communication session between at least two stations occurs over a wireless link. Examples of wireless systems comprise public land mobile networks (PLMN), satellite based communication systems and different wireless local networks, for example wireless local area networks (WLAN). Some wireless systems can be divided into cells, and are therefore often referred to as cellular systems.

[0004] A user can access the communication system by means of an appropriate communication device or terminal. A communication device of a user may be referred to as user equipment (UE) or user device. A communication device is provided with an appropriate signal receiving and transmitting apparatus for enabling communications, for example enabling access to a communication network or communications directly with other users. The communication device may access a carrier provided by a station, for example a base station of a cell, and transmit and / or receive communications on the carrier.

[0005] The communication system and associated devices typically operate in accordance with a given standard or specification which sets out what the various entities associated with the system are permitted to do and how that should be achieved. Communication protocols and / or parameters which shall be used for the connection are also typically defined. One example of a communications system is UTRAN (3G radio). Other examples of communication systems are the long-term evolution (LTE) of the Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) radioaccess technology and so-called 5G or New Radio (NR) networks. NR is being standardized by the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP). SUMMARY

[0006] According to a first aspect, there is provided an apparatus comprising means for performing: receiving an indicated transmission configuration indication state for at least one channel or signal, the transmission configuration indication state configured to inform the apparatus about at least one uplink transmission or at least one downlink reception parameter, wherein the transmission configuration indication state is associated with at least one reference signal resource; determining at least one reference signal resource associated with the indicated transmission configuration indication state, wherein the at least one reference signal resource is one of a measured reference signal resource or a predicted reference signal resource; and determining an applicability of the indicated transmission configuration indication state for the at least one channel or signal based on at least one indicator or a rule.

[0007] The means for performing determining the applicability of the indicated transmission configuration indication state for the at least one channel or signal of the multiple channels or signals based on the at least one indicator or the rule may be for performing: receiving a radio resource control signalling parameter; determining a type of the reference signal resource based on the received radio resource control signalling parameter; and determining the applicability of the indicated transmission configuration indication state for the at least one channel or signal based on the type of the reference signal resource.

[0008] The type of the at least one reference signal resource may be one of the measured reference signal resource or the predicted reference signal resource, and the means for performing determining the applicability of the indicated transmission configuration indication state for the at least one channel or signal based on the at least one indicator or the rule may be for performing one of: determining the indicated transmission configuration indication state is applicable for a specific channel or signal when the indicated transmission configuration indication state is associated with a measured reference signal resource, and when the indicated transmission configuration indication state is associated with a predicted reference signal resource not changing or switching from a current transmission configuration indication state being used for the specific channel or signal; determining the indicated transmission configuration indication state is applicable for a specific channel or signal when the indicated transmission configuration indication state is associated with a measured reference signal resource or predicted reference signal resource; and determining the indicated transmission configuration indication state is applicable for a specific channel or signal when the indicated transmission configuration indication state is associated with a predicted reference signal resource, and when the indicated transmission configuration indication state is associated with a measured reference signal resource not changing or switching from a current transmission configuration indication state being used for the specific channel or signal.

[0009] The means for performing determining the at least one reference signal resource may be for performing: determining the at least one measured reference signal resource and the at least one predicted reference signal resource; determining at least two reference signal resource sets in one channel state indicator reporting configuration; and determining at least one reference signal resource associated with a first reference signal resource set as a measured reference signal resource and at least one reference signal resource associated with a second reference signal resource set as a predicted reference signal resource.

[0010] The means for performing determining the at least one reference signal resource may be for performing: determining the at least one measured reference signal resource and the at least one predicted reference signal resource; determining at least two active channel state indicator reporting configurations; and generating a union of measured reference signal resources across the at least two active channel state indicator reporting configurations as the at least one reference signal resource.

[0011] The means for performing determining the at least one reference signal resource may be for performing: determining the at least one measured reference signal resource and the at least one predicted signal resource; determining a time window or duration; determining whether at least one measurement for a reference signal resource has occurred within the time window or duration; and determining the at least one reference signal resource is the at least one measured reference signal resource when the at least one measurement for the reference signal resource has occurred within the time window or duration, else otherwise determining the at least one reference signal resource is the at least one predicted reference signal resource.

[0012] The means for performing determining the applicability of the indicated transmission configuration indication state for the at least one channel or signal of the multiple channels or signals based on the at least one indicator or the rule may be for performing: determining whether the indicated transmission configuration indication state is a known indicated transmission configuration indication; and determining the at least one reference signal resource associated with the indicated transmission configuration indication state is a measured reference signal resource when the indicated transmission configuration indication state is the known indicated transmission configuration indication, else otherwise determining the at least one reference signal resource associated with the indicated transmission configuration indication state is the at least one predicted reference signal resource, or determining the at least one reference signal resource associated with the indicated transmission configuration indication state is a predicted reference signal resource when the indicated transmission configuration indication state is the known indicated transmission configuration indication, else otherwise determining the at least one reference signal resource associated with the indicated transmission configuration indication state is the at least one measured reference signal resource.

[0013] The means for performing determining the applicability of the indicated transmission configuration indication state for the at least one channel or signal of the multiple channels or signals based on the at least one indicator or the rule may be for determining the applicability of the indicated transmission configuration indication state for a further at least one channel or signal independent of the type of the reference signal resource.

[0014] The means for performing determining the applicability of the indicated transmission configuration indication state for the at least one channel or signal of the multiple channels or signals based on the at least one indicator or the rule may be for: receiving a further radio resource control signalling parameter; determining the type of the reference signal resource based on both the received radio resource control signalling parameter and the further radio resource control parameter.

[0015] The means for performing determining the type of the reference signal resource based on both the received radio resource control signalling parameter and the further radio resource control parameter may be for: determining, based on the further radio resource control signalling parameter, whether to employ the received radio resource control signalling parameter, wherein employing the received ratio resource control signalling parameter is the determining the type of the reference signal resource based on the received radio resource control signalling parameter.

[0016] The means for performing determining the applicability of the indicated transmission configuration indication state for the at least one channel or signal of the multiple channels or signals based on the at least one indicator or the rule may be for: receiving a further signalling; and determining the applicability of the indicated transmission configuration indication state for the at least one channel or signal, based on the further signalling.

[0017] The means for performing determining the applicability of the indicated transmission configuration indication state for the at least one channel or signal of the multiple channels or signals based on the at least one indicator or the rule may be for: determining a ruleset; and determining the applicability of the indicated transmission configuration indication state for the at least one channel or signal at least further based on the ruleset.

[0018] The means for determining the applicability of the indicated transmission configuration indication state for the at least one channel or signal at least further based on the ruleset may be for determining, based on the ruleset, whether to employ the received radio resource control signalling parameter, wherein employing the received ratio resource control signalling parameter is the determining the type of the reference signal resource based on the received radio resource control signalling parameter.

[0019] The ruleset may comprise at least one of: a performance / modei monitoring metric; a quality of beam prediction parameter; and a beam prediction inference parameter.

[0020] The indicated transmission configuration indication state may be comprised in at least one of a Medium Access Control Control Element signalling or a Downlink Control Information signalling.

[0021] The apparatus may be a user equipment.

[0022] The means for receiving an indicated transmission configuration indication state for at least one channel or signal, the transmission configuration indication state configured to inform the apparatus about at least one uplink transmission or at least one downlink reception parameter, wherein the transmission configuration indication state is associated with at least one reference signal resource may be for receiving an indicated transmission configuration indication state based on an output from a machine learning or artificial intelligence based model.

[0023] According to a second aspect there is provided an apparatus comprising means for performing: generating an indicated transmission configuration indication state for at least one channel or signal, the transmission configuration indication state configured to inform at least one further apparatus about at least one uplink transmission or at least one downlink reception parameter, wherein the transmission configuration indication state is associated with at least one reference signal resource; transmitting, to the further apparatus, the indicated transmission configuration indication state to the further apparatus; and receiving, from the further apparatus, information indicating a determined applicability of the indicated transmission configuration indication state for at least one channel or signal based on at least one indicator or a rule.

[0024] According to a third aspect there is provided a method for an apparatus, the method comprising: receiving an indicated transmission configuration indication state for at least one channel or signal, the transmission configuration indication state configured to inform the apparatus about at least one uplink transmission or at least one downlink reception parameter, wherein the transmission configuration indication state is associated with at least one reference signal resource; determining at least one reference signal resource associated with the indicated transmission configuration indication state, wherein the at least one reference signal resource is one of a measured reference signal resource or a predicted reference signal resource; and determining an applicability of the indicated transmission configuration indication state for the at least one channel or signal based on at least one indicator or a rule.

[0025] Determining the applicability of the indicated transmission configuration indication state for the at least one channel or signal of the multiple channels or signals based on the at least one indicator or the rule may comprise: receiving a radio resource control signalling parameter; determining a type of the reference signal resource based on the received radio resource control signalling parameter; and determining the applicability of the indicated transmission configuration indication state for the at least one channel or signal based on the type of the reference signal resource.

[0026] The type of the at least one reference signal resource may be one of the measured reference signal resource or the predicted reference signal resource, and determining the applicability of the indicated transmission configuration indication state for the at least one channel or signal based on the at least one indicator or the rule may comprise one of: determining the indicated transmission configuration indication state is applicable for a specific channel or signal when the indicated transmission configuration indication state is associated with a measured reference signal resource, and when the indicated transmission configuration indication state is associated with a predicted reference signal resource not changing or switching from a current transmission configuration indication state being used for the specific channel or signal; determining the indicated transmission configuration indication state is applicable for a specific channel or signal when the indicated transmission configuration indication state is associated with a measured reference signal resource or predicted reference signal resource; and determining the indicated transmission configuration indication state is applicable for a specific channel or signal when the indicated transmission configuration indication state is associated with a predicted reference signal resource, and when the indicated transmission configuration indication state is associated with a measured reference signal resource not changing or switching from a current transmission configuration indication state being used for the specific channel or signal.

[0027] Determining the at least one reference signal resource may comprise: determining the at least one measured reference signal resource and the at least one predicted reference signal resource; determining at least two reference signal resource sets in one channel state indicator reporting configuration; and determining at least one reference signal resource associated with a first reference signal resource set as a measured reference signal resource and at least one reference signal resource associated with a second reference signal resource set as a predicted reference signal resource.

[0028] Determining the at least one reference signal resource may comprise: determining the at least one measured reference signal resource and the at least one predicted reference signal resource; determining at least two active channel state indicator reporting configurations; and generating a union of measured reference signal resources across the at least two active channel state indicator reporting configurations as the at least one reference signal resource.

[0029] Determining the at least one reference signal resource may comprise: determining the at least one measured reference signal resource and the at least one predicted signal resource; determining a time window or duration; determining whether at least one measurement for a reference signal resource has occurred within the time window or duration; and determining the at least one reference signal resource is the at least one measured reference signal resource when the at least one measurement for the reference signal resource has occurred within the time window or duration, else otherwise determining the at least one reference signal resource is the at least one predicted reference signal resource.

[0030] Determining the applicability of the indicated transmission configuration indication state for the at least one channel or signal of the multiple channels or signals based on the at least one indicator or the rule may comprise: determining whether the indicated transmission configuration indication state is a known indicated transmission configuration indication; and determining the at least one reference signal resource associated with the indicated transmission configuration indication state is a measured reference signal resource when the indicated transmission configuration indication state is the known indicated transmission configuration indication, else otherwise determining the at least one reference signal resource associated with the indicated transmission configuration indication state is the at least one predicted reference signal resource, or determining the at least one reference signal resource associated with the indicated transmission configuration indication state is a predicted reference signal resource when the indicated transmission configuration indication state is the known indicated transmission configuration indication, else otherwise determining the at least one reference signal resource associated with the indicated transmission configuration indication state is the at least one measured reference signal resource.

[0031] Determining the applicability of the indicated transmission configuration indication state for the at least one channel or signal of the multiple channels or signals based on the at least one indicator or the rule may comprise determining the applicability of the indicated transmission configuration indication state for a further at least one channel or signal independent of the type of the reference signal resource.

[0032] Determining the applicability of the indicated transmission configuration indication state for the at least one channel or signal of the multiple channels or signals based on the at least one indicator or the rule may comprise: receiving a further radio resource control signalling parameter; determining the type of the reference signal resource based on both the received radio resource control signalling parameter and the further radio resource control parameter.

[0033] Determining the type of the reference signal resource based on both the received radio resource control signalling parameter and the further radio resource control parameter may comprise: determining, based on the further radio resource control signalling parameter, whether to employ the received radio resource control signalling parameter, wherein employing the received ratio resource control signalling parameter is the determining the type of the reference signal resource based on the received radio resource control signalling parameter.

[0034] Determining the applicability of the indicated transmission configuration indication state for the at least one channel or signal of the multiple channels or signals based on the at least one indicator or the rule may comprise: receiving a further signalling; and determining the applicability of the indicated transmission configuration indication state for the at least one channel or signal, based on the further signalling.

[0035] Determining the applicability of the indicated transmission configuration indication state for the at least one channel or signal of the multiple channels or signals based on the at least one indicator or the rule may comprise: determining a ruleset; and determining the applicability of the indicated transmission configuration indication state for the at least one channel or signal at least further based on the ruleset.

[0036] Determining the applicability of the indicated transmission configuration indication state for the at least one channel or signal at least further based on the ruleset may comprise determining, based on the ruleset, whether to employ the received radio resource control signalling parameter, wherein employing the received ratio resource control signalling parameter is the determining the type of the reference signal resource based on the received radio resource control signalling parameter.

[0037] The ruleset may comprise at least one of: a performance / model monitoring metric; a quality of beam prediction parameter; and a beam prediction inference parameter.

[0038] The indicated transmission configuration indication state may be comprised in at least one of a Medium Access Control Control Element signalling or a Downlink Control Information signalling.

[0039] The apparatus may be a user equipment.

[0040] Receiving an indicated transmission configuration indication state for at least one channel or signal, the transmission configuration indication state configured to inform the apparatus about at least one uplink transmission or at least one downlink reception parameter, wherein the transmission configuration indication state is associated with at least one reference signal resource may comprise receiving an indicated transmission configuration indication state based on an output from a machine learning or artificial intelligence based model.

[0041]

[0042] According to a fourth aspect there is provided a method for an apparatus, the method comprising: generating an indicated transmission configuration indication state for at least one channel or signal, the transmission configuration indication state configured to inform at least one further apparatus about at least one uplink transmission or at least one downlink reception parameter, wherein the transmission configuration indication state is associated with at least one reference signal resource; transmitting, to the further apparatus, the indicated transmission configuration indication state to the further apparatus; and receiving, from the further apparatus, information indicating a determined applicability of the indicated transmission configuration indication state for at least one channel or signal based on at least one indicator or a rule. According to a fifth aspect, there is provided an apparatus comprising at least one processor and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to perform: receiving an indicated transmission configuration indication state for at least one channel or signal, the transmission configuration indication state configured to inform the apparatus about at least one uplink transmission or at least one downlink reception parameter, wherein the transmission configuration indication state is associated with at least one reference signal resource; determining at least one reference signal resource associated with the indicated transmission configuration indication state, wherein the at least one reference signal resource is one of a measured reference signal resource or a predicted reference signal resource; and determining an applicability of the indicated transmission configuration indication state for the at least one channel or signal based on at least one indicator or a rule.

[0043] The apparatus caused to perform determining the applicability of the indicated transmission configuration indication state for the at least one channel or signal of the multiple channels or signals based on the at least one indicator or the rule may be caused to perform: receiving a radio resource control signalling parameter; determining a type of the reference signal resource based on the received radio resource control signalling parameter; and determining the applicability of the indicated transmission configuration indication state for the at least one channel or signal based on the type of the reference signal resource.

[0044] The type of the at least one reference signal resource may be one of the measured reference signal resource or the predicted reference signal resource, and the apparatus caused to perform determining the applicability of the indicated transmission configuration indication state for the at least one channel or signal based on the at least one indicator or the rule may be caused to perform one of: determining the indicated transmission configuration indication state is applicable for a specific channel or signal when the indicated transmission configuration indication state is associated with a measured reference signal resource, and when the indicated transmission configuration indication state is associated with a predicted reference signal resource not changing or switching from a current transmission configuration indication state being used for the specific channel or signal; determining the indicated transmission configuration indication state is applicable for a specific channel or signal when the indicated transmission configuration indication state is associated with a measured reference signal resource or predicted reference signal resource; and determining the indicated transmission configuration indication state is applicable for a specific channel or signal when the indicated transmission configuration indication state is associated with a predicted reference signal resource, and when the indicated transmission configuration indication state is associated with a measured reference signal resource not changing or switching from a current transmission configuration indication state being used for the specific channel or signal.

[0045] The apparatus caused to perform determining the at least one reference signal resource may be caused to perform: determining the at least one measured reference signal resource and the at least one predicted reference signal resource; determining at least two reference signal resource sets in one channel state indicator reporting configuration; and determining at least one reference signal resource associated with a first reference signal resource set as a measured reference signal resource and at least one reference signal resource associated with a second reference signal resource set as a predicted reference signal resource.

[0046] The apparatus caused to perform determining the at least one reference signal resource may be caused to perform: determining the at least one measured reference signal resource and the at least one predicted reference signal resource; determining at least two active channel state indicator reporting configurations; and generating a union of measured reference signal resources across the at least two active channel state indicator reporting configurations as the at least one reference signal resource.

[0047] The apparatus caused to perform determining the at least one reference signal resource may be caused to perform: determining the at least one measured reference signal resource and the at least one predicted signal resource; determining a time window or duration; determining whether at least one measurement for a reference signal resource has occurred within the time window or duration; and determining the at least one reference signal resource is the at least one measured reference signal resource when the at least one measurement for the reference signal resource has occurred within the time window or duration, else otherwise determining the at least one reference signal resource is the at least one predicted reference signal resource.

[0048] The apparatus caused to perform determining the applicability of the indicated transmission configuration indication state for the at least one channel or signal of the multiple channels or signals based on the at least one indicator or the rule may be caused to perform: determining whether the indicated transmission configuration indication state is a known indicated transmission configuration indication; and determining the at least one reference signal resource associated with the indicated transmission configuration indication state is a measured reference signal resource when the indicated transmission configuration indication state is the known indicated transmission configuration indication, else otherwise determining the at least one reference signal resource associated with the indicated transmission configuration indication state is the at least one predicted reference signal resource, or determining the at least one reference signal resource associated with the indicated transmission configuration indication state is a predicted reference signal resource when the indicated transmission configuration indication state is the known indicated transmission configuration indication, else otherwise determining the at least one reference signal resource associated with the indicated transmission configuration indication state is the at least one measured reference signal resource.

[0049] The apparatus caused to perform determining the applicability of the indicated transmission configuration indication state for the at least one channel or signal of the multiple channels or signals based on the at least one indicator or the rule may be caused to perform determining the applicability of the indicated transmission configuration indication state for a further at least one channel or signal independent of the type of the reference signal resource.

[0050] The apparatus caused to perform determining the applicability of the indicated transmission configuration indication state for the at least one channel or signal of the multiple channels or signals based on the at least one indicator or the rule may be caused to perform: receiving a further radio resource control signalling parameter; determining the type of the reference signal resource based on both the received radio resource control signalling parameter and the further radio resource control parameter.

[0051] The apparatus caused to perform determining the type of the reference signal resource based on both the received radio resource control signalling parameter and the further radio resource control parameter may be caused to perform: determining, based on the further radio resource control signalling parameter, whether to employ the received radio resource control signalling parameter, wherein employing the received ratio resource control signalling parameter is the determining the type of the reference signal resource based on the received radio resource control signalling parameter.

[0052] The apparatus caused to perform determining the applicability of the indicated transmission configuration indication state for the at least one channel or signal of the multiple channels or signals based on the at least one indicator or the rule may be caused to perform: receiving a further signalling; and determining the applicability of the indicated transmission configuration indication state for the at least one channel or signal, based on the further signalling.

[0053] The apparatus caused to perform determining the applicability of the indicated transmission configuration indication state for the at least one channel or signal of the multiple channels or signals based on the at least one indicator or the rule may be caused to perform: determining a ruleset; and determining the applicability of the indicated transmission configuration indication state for the at least one channel or signal at least further based on the ruleset.

[0054] The apparatus caused to perform determining the applicability of the indicated transmission configuration indication state for the at least one channel or signal at least further based on the ruleset may be caused to perform determining, based on the ruleset, whether to employ the received radio resource control signalling parameter, wherein employing the received ratio resource control signalling parameter is the determining the type of the reference signal resource based on the received radio resource control signalling parameter.

[0055] The ruleset may comprise at least one of: a performance / model monitoring metric; a quality of beam prediction parameter; and a beam prediction inference parameter.

[0056] The indicated transmission configuration indication state may be comprised in at least one of a Medium Access Control Control Element signalling or a Downlink Control Information signalling.

[0057] The apparatus may be a user equipment.

[0058] The apparatus caused to perform receiving an indicated transmission configuration indication state for at least one channel or signal, the transmission configuration indication state configured to inform the apparatus about at least one uplink transmission or at least one downlink reception parameter, wherein the transmission configuration indication state is associated with at least one reference signal resource may be caused to perform receiving an indicated transmission configuration indication state based on an output from a machine learning or artificial intelligence based model.

[0059] ,

[0060] According to a sixth aspect, there is provided an apparatus comprising at least one processor and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to perform: generating an indicated transmission configuration indication state for at least one channel or signal, the transmission configuration indication state configured to inform at least one further apparatus about at least one uplink transmission or at least one downlink reception parameter, wherein the transmission configuration indication state is associated with at least one reference signal resource; transmitting, to the further apparatus, the indicated transmission configuration indication state to the further apparatus; and receiving, from the further apparatus, information indicating a determined applicability of the indicated transmission configuration indication state for at least one channel or signal based on at least one indicator or a rule. According to a seventh aspect, there is provided a computer readable medium comprising instructions which, when executed by an apparatus, cause the apparatus to perform at least the following: receiving an indicated transmission configuration indication state for at least one channel or signal, the transmission configuration indication state configured to inform the apparatus about at least one uplink transmission or at least one downlink reception parameter, wherein the transmission configuration indication state is associated with at least one reference signal resource; determining at least one reference signal resource associated with the indicated transmission configuration indication state, wherein the at least one reference signal resource is one of a measured reference signal resource or a predicted reference signal resource; and determining an applicability of the indicated transmission configuration indication state for the at least one channel or signal based on at least one indicator or a rule.

[0061] According to an eighth aspect, there is provided a computer readable medium comprising instructions which, when executed by an apparatus, cause the apparatus to perform at least the following: generating an indicated transmission configuration indication state for at least one channel or signal, the transmission configuration indication state configured to inform at least one further apparatus about at least one uplink transmission or at least one downlink reception parameter, wherein the transmission configuration indication state is associated with at least one reference signal resource; transmitting, to the further apparatus, the indicated transmission configuration indication state to the further apparatus; and receiving, from the further apparatus, information indicating a determined applicability of the indicated transmission configuration indication state for at least one channel or signal based on at least one indicator or a rule.

[0062] In all of the above aspects, the apparatus of user equipment may be caused to provide to the apparatus of the network access node at least one of the first time duration, second time duration, or third time duration. Alternatively or in addition, at least one of the first time duration, or third time duration may be configured by a communication standard.

[0063] According to an aspect, there is provided a non-transitory computer readable medium comprising program instructions that, when executed by an apparatus, cause the apparatus to perform at least the method according to any of the preceding aspects.

[0064] In the above, many different embodiments have been described. It should be appreciated that further embodiments may be provided by the combination of any two or more of the embodiments described above. DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

[0065] Embodiments will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying Figures in which:

[0066] Fig. 1 shows a representation of a network system according to some example embodiments;

[0067] Fig. 2 shows a representation of a control apparatus according to some example embodiments;

[0068] Fig. 3 shows a representation of an apparatus according to some example embodiments;

[0069] Fig. 4 illustrates a summary of the operations of the obtaining and processing of indicated TCI state information and determination of whether the indicated TCI state is applicable for channels or signals;

[0070] Fig. 5 illustrates a summary operation of the RRC configuration and application in determining the applicability of the indicated TCI state according to some embodiments;

[0071] Fig. 6 illustrates a summary operation of the applicability of the indicated TCI state when the state is associated with a type of RS resource according to some embodiments;

[0072] Fig. 7 illustrates a summary operation of the generating union of measurement RS resources according to some embodiments;

[0073] Fig. 8 illustrates a summary operation of the determination of a type of RS resource based on a time duration / window according to some embodiments;

[0074] Fig. 9 illustrates a summary operation of the determination of a type of RS resource based on whether the indicated TCI state is a known TCI state according to some embodiments;

[0075] Fig. 10 illustrates a summary operation of the determination that the indicated TCI state is applicable for at least one further channel / signal according to some embodiments;

[0076] Fig. 11 illustrates a summary operation of the determination that the indicated TCI state is applicable for at least one channel / signal based on more than one RRC parameter according to some embodiments;

[0077] Fig. 12 illustrates a summary operation of the determination that the indicated TCI state is applicable for at least one channel / signal based on a dynamic signalling according to some embodiments;

[0078] Fig. 13 illustrates a summary operation of the determination that the indicated TCI state is applicable for at least one channel / signal based on a ruleset according to some embodiments; and

[0079] Figs. 14a and 14b illustrates example Unified TCI framework extension for beam prediction according to some embodiments. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0080] The following relates to beam management within a 5G or NR air interface. In the following certain embodiments are explained with reference to mobile communication devices capable of communication via a wireless cellular system and mobile communication systems serving such mobile communication devices. Before explaining in detail the exemplifying embodiments, certain general principles of a wireless communication system, access systems thereof, and mobile communication devices are briefly explained with reference to Figures 1, 2 and 3 to assist in understanding the technology underlying the described examples. It is understood that the following description is not limited to 5G systems and may be expanded to later developed systems (e.g., 6G and beyond).

[0081] Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of a 5G system (5GS). The 5GS may be comprised by a terminal or user equipment (UE), a 5G radio access network (5GRAN) or next generation radio access network (NG-RAN), a 5G core network (5GC), one or more application function (AF) and one or more data networks (DN).

[0082] The 5GC may comprise the following entities: Network Slice Selection Function (NSSF); Network Exposure Function; Network Repository Function (NRF); Policy Control Function (PCF); Unified Data Management (UDM); Application Function (AF); Authentication Server Function (AUSF); an Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF); and Session Management Function (SMF). Figure 1 also shows the various interfaces (N1, N2 etc.) that may be implemented between the various elements of the system.

[0083] The 5G-RAN may comprise one or more gNodeB (gNB) or one or more gNodeB (GNB) distributed unit functions connected to one or more gNodeB (gNB) centralized unit functions.

[0084] The 5G-RAN may provide at least one area of coverage to the terminal. This area of coverage is referred to as a cell. The cell may be provided by one or multiple transmission-reception points (TRPs). TRPs of the same cell have a common synchronisation signal / Physical Broadcast Channel (SS / PBCH) block, which is cell specific.

[0085] In Multiple Transmit / Receive Point (multi-TRP) operation, a serving cell can schedule the UE from two TRPs. This can provide better coverage, reliability and / or data rates for the UE on at least one of the Physical Downlink Shared Channel (PDSCH), the Physical Downlink Control Channel (PDCCH), the Physical Uplink Shared Channel (PUSCH), and / or the Physical Uplink Control Channel (PUCCH).

[0086] There are two different operation modes to schedule multi-TRP PDSCH transmissions: single-downlink control information (single-DCI) and multi-Downlink Control Information (multi-DCI). For both of these modes, control of uplink and downlink operation can be performed by physical layer and Medium Access Control (MAC) layer, within the configuration provided by a Radio Resource Control (RRC) protocol layer.

[0087] Figure 2 illustrates an example of a control apparatus 200 for controlling a function of the 5GRAN or the 5GC as illustrated on Figure 1. The control apparatus may comprise at least one random access memory (RAM) 211a, at least on read only memory (ROM) 211b, at least one processor 212, 213 and an input / output interface 214. The at least one processor 212,213 may be coupled to the RAM 211a and the ROM 211b. The at least one processor 212, 213 may be configured to execute an appropriate software code 215. The software code 215 may for example allow to perform one or more steps to perform one or more of the present aspects. The software code 215 may be stored in the ROM 211b. The control apparatus 200 may be interconnected with another control apparatus 200 controlling another function of the 5GRAN or the 5GC. In some embodiments, each function of the 5GRAN or the 5GC comprises a control apparatus 200. In alternative embodiments, two or more functions of the 5GRAN or the 5GC may share a control apparatus.

[0088] Figure 3 illustrates an example of a terminal 300, such as the terminal illustrated on Figure 1. The terminal 300 may be provided by any device capable of sending and receiving radio signals. Non-limiting examples comprise a user equipment, a mobile station (MS) or mobile device such as a mobile phone or what is known as a ’smart phone’, a computer provided with a wireless interface card or other wireless interface facility (e.g., USB dongle), a personal data assistant (PDA) or a tablet provided with wireless communication capabilities, a machine-type communications (MTC) device, an Internet of things (loT) type communication device or any combinations of these or the like. The terminal 300 may provide, for example, communication of data for carrying communications. The communications may be one or more of voice, electronic mail (email), text message, multimedia, data, machine data and so on.

[0089] The terminal 300 may receive signals over an air or radio interface 307 via appropriate apparatus for receiving and may transmit signals via appropriate apparatus for transmitting radio signals. In Figure 3 transceiver apparatus is designated schematically by block 306. The transceiver apparatus 306 may be provided for example by means of a radio part and associated antenna arrangement. The antenna arrangement may be arranged internally or externally to the mobile device.

[0090] The terminal 300 may be provided with at least one processor 301, at least one memory ROM 302a, at least one RAM 302b and other possible components 303 for use in software and hardware aided execution of tasks it is designed to perform, including control of access to and communications with access systems and other communication devices. The at least one processor 301 is coupled to the RAM 302b and the ROM 302a. The at least one processor 301 may be configured to execute an appropriate software code 308. The software code 308 may for example allow to perform one or more of the present aspects. The software code 308 may be stored in the ROM 302a.

[0091] The processor, storage and other relevant control apparatus can be provided on an appropriate circuit board and / or in chipsets. This feature is denoted by reference 304. The device may optionally have a user interface such as key pad 305, touch sensitive screen or pad, combinations thereof or the like. Optionally one or more of a display, a speaker and a microphone may be provided depending on the type of the device, in at least one mechanism providing an access network node (such as, for example, a gNB) with an indication of a user equipment’s (UE’s) capability to simultaneously process instructions for causing the UE to change reception or transmission beams.

[0092] Beam management has traditionally been implemented based on a stochastic modelling approach. There is currently undergoing research into the application of AI / ML techniques to the management of the NR air interface and for beam management.

[0093] For example 3GPP TR 38.843 features example use cases of AI / ML applied to beam management, and further to DL Tx beam prediction for both UE-sided and NW-sided AI / ML models.

[0094] For example the AI / ML models can be used in Spatial-domain DL Tx beam prediction for Set A of beams based on measurement results of Set B of beams (this can be known as BM-Case1). Furthermore the AI / ML models can be used in Temporal DL Tx beam prediction for Set A of beams based on the historic measurement results of Set B of beams (this can be known as BM-Case2).

[0095] Additionally the beam management specifies necessary signalling / mechanism(s) to facilitate LCM operations specific to the Beam Management use cases and ensuring consistency between training and inference regarding NW-side additional conditions for inference at UE.

[0096] The AI / ML based beam management can furthermore be applied to one of: DL Tx beam prediction; DL Rx beam prediction; or Beam pair prediction (a beam pair comprising a DL Tx beam and a corresponding DL Rx beam.

[0097] For BM-Case1 (spatial domain prediction) and BM-Case2 (temporal domain prediction), there is further research being implemented to address how to perform beam indication for beams (known as Set A beams) which are not part of the AI / ML model input set of beams (known as Set B beams), such as described in section 6.3 of3GPPTR 38.843.

[0098] One aspect of such research is that the TCI state mechanism may be used to perform beam indication of beams.

[0099] As an instruction to change beams may be provided to the UE in the form of Transmission Configuration Indicator (TCI) switch requests (also referred to herein as TCI state switch commands).

[0100] In more detail, a UE receives signalling from a TRP via a beam. In order to coherently receive the signalling on that beam, the UE first synchronises to that beam. The UE may determine how to synchronise with a reference signal of that beam using at least one TCI. A TCI provides information for allowing the UE to synchronise with the reference signals of those beams more easily (as described in more detail below).

[0101] Beam management can cause a switch to a different beam to the beam that the network is transmitting or the UE is currently receiving on. This determination may be performed, for example, as a result ofchanging network conditions and / or changing load conditions. Therefore, the network may transmit, to the UE, an instruction to change beams from a current beam to a new beam.

[0102] This instruction may be partially provided in the form of indicating a new TCI to be used for the new beam, with the information comprised in the new TCI being used by the UE for synchronising to the new beam.

[0103] In an example, the network can send the TCI state switch command by using layer 1 (L1) signalling (e.g., downlink control information (DCI) and / or layer 2 (L2) signalling (e.g., a medium control access (MAC) control element (CE)) to trigger the TCI state change.

[0104] After the beam change, reference signals (RS) are received by the UE from TRP with a different spatial filter and / or different antenna ports demodulation of the Physical Downlink Control Channel (PDCCH) and Physical Downlink Shared Channel (PDSCH) compared to how reference signals were received by the UE from TRP before the TCI state change.

[0105] 3GPP in Rel-17 introduced a unified TCI state framework, unifying theTCI / QCL framework for both Downlink (DL) and Uplink (UL). According to R1 -1700771, QCL is defined as follows: Two antenna ports are said to be quasi co-located if properties of the channel over which a symbol on one antenna port is conveyed can be inferred from the channel over which a symbol on the other antenna port is conveyed.

[0106] In the unified TCI State framework, a single TCI state can be sent to the UE. This TCI state, or the Reference Signals (RS) indicated by the TCI State, are employed to control transmission and reception assumptions across various channels. These channels can include PDCCH (Physical Downlink Control Channel), PDSCH (Physical Downlink Shared Channel), CSI-RS (Channel State Information-Reference Signals), PUCCH (Physical Uplink Control Channel), PUSCH (Physical Uplink Shared Channel, and SRS (Sounding Reference Signal).

[0107] In Rel-18, the unified TCI framework was extended to consider single downlink control information (S-DCI) and multi-downlink control information (M-DCI) multi-Transmission Reception Points (TRP) DL and UL transmission schemes which were developed in Rel-16 / 17 / 18. This extension enables UEs to have up to two joint DL / UL or separate DL and UL indicated TCI states.

[0108] In the unified TCI state framework, the beam or TCI state indication (i.e., specifying which TCI state is employed for transmission and / or reception assumptions for signals and channels associated with the TCI State) follows the following steps.

[0109] Firstly, fora serving cell, the unified TCI State type is configured as either joint UL / DL or separate UL / DL. In joint UL / DL, the indicated TCI State is used for both uplink and downlink. In the separate type, DL and UL are indicated separately, with one TCI codepoint in the DCI potentially comprising DL TCI only, UL TCI only, or both DL and UL TCI states. In case of a joint type, the UE is configured with a single list of TCI states using RRC.

[0110] Secondly if the TCI state type is separate, the UE is configured with separate DL TCI State and UL TCI State lists. The configuration is accomplished using RRC signaling, while the Media Access Control (MAC) Control Element (CE) selects and activates up to eight (in Rel-17) TCI codepoints. One TCI codepoint may include DL TCI state only, UL TCI state only, or both DL and UL TCI states.

[0111] Thirdly, to indicate a TCI state (joint) or separate TCI States (UL and DL), the network provides a TCI codepoint (a value in a DCI message). This codepoint corresponds to the TCI codepoint in the MAC CE that activated the TCI codepoint(s). Upon receiving the DCI-based beam indication (a DCI codepoint), the UE is then configured to apply the indicated TCI States for the associated channels, such as PDSCH, PDCCH, PUSCH, PUCCH, etc.

[0112] In cases related to beam prediction, the gNB may need to indicate a TCI state corresponding to an RS resource that is not fully measured by the UE. For instance, if the beam prediction happens at the UE, and the predicted beams are reported back to the gNB, the gNB may send DCI (downlink control information) to indicate a TCI state corresponding to the best-predicted beam. This support may be necessary at least for some channels (e.g., PDSCH) to achieve performance (e.g., throughput) benefits before the predicted beam become inaccurate. For example, the TCI state corresponding to the best-predicted beam can be sent while or before the beam measurement and reporting of the beam performance is completed to prevent the predicted beam becoming outdated before implementing, such as may occur in temporal domain estimation where a moving UE is switching between beams often.

[0113] However, as different channels or signals may serve varying purposes, employing the latest prediction based beam may not always be necessary for all channels, especially in situations where there can be suspected accuracy-related issues for beam prediction.

[0114] As such the concept as discussed with respect to the following embodiments and examples is one where apparatus and methods are employed for determining the applicability of the indicated TCI state (the predicted beams) for a given channel or signal.

[0115] In other words, the embodiments described herein in further detail define how the UE is able to determine whether an indicated TCI State (i.e., the activated or indicated TCI State in an unified TCI state framework) is considered for a given channel or signal (i.e., PDCCH, PDSCH, PUSCH, PUCCH, CSI-RS, etc.) depending on the type of the associated RS resource. Example types of RS resources can be, for example: measured or prediction RS resources; available or unavailable within a defined time period or window; and known or unknown. Furthermore in some embodiments the determination can be implemented based on a defined or determined rule or ruleset as well as (or independent of) the type of the RS resource.

[0116] In the following examples the apparatus and methods consider the following example steps for beam prediction (BM-Case1 or BM-Case2):

[0117] For a UE-sided AI / ML implemented model: (a) The UE may report that the UE support beam prediction with the feature groups (UE capabilities) that are associated with the beam prediction at the UE side. (b) The UE may be configured with one AI / ML Functionality or more than one AI / ML Functionality, where each Functionality can enable the beam prediction at the UE. Also, each Functionality may be associated with a first set of measurement RS resources (used for Set B, measurements for model input at the UE) and a second set of RS resources (used for Set A, beam prediction from model output). The UE may also be configured with reporting setting of prediction results from the second set. For example, the UE may be configured to report up to Top-K beams (Top-K predicted RS resources). (c) UE performs measurements on the first RS resource set, performs prediction based on measurements on the first set, and reports k predicted RS resources from the second set.

[0118] For a NW-sided AI / ML implemented model: (a) The UE may be configured with a set of measurement RS resources (used for Set B, measurements for model input at the NW) and with a reporting setting of measurement results from the set of measurement RS resources. As an example, the UE may be configured to report up to Top-N measured beams (Top-N measured RS resources). (b) NW receives Top-N measured beams corresponding to the RS resource set (first RS resource set), performs beam prediction based on Top-N, and determines a Top-K beams (Top K predicted RS resources) from a second set (used for Set A, beam prediction from model output).

[0119] For a both UE-sided and NW-sided AI / ML implemented model: (a) The UE receives activation / indication for an indicated TCI State (one of: MAC CE, MAC CE+DCI, RRC), where the indicated TCI state is corresponded to a RS resource. (b) UE determines whether the indicated TCI State is applicable for a given channel / signal or not.

[0120] This both UE-sided and NW-sided AI / ML implemented model is defined for example in the operations shown in Fig.4.

[0121] Fig. 4 illustrates operations that may be performed by an apparatus. The apparatus may comprise a user equipment (UE) or a suitable entity that may perform the functionality of the UE.

[0122] During 401, the apparatus receives, from a network entity such as a gNB, an indicated Transmission Control Indicator (TCI) state. The TCI is an indication that comprises or is associated with a reference signal (RS) resource. The apparatus furthermore can be configured to receive or otherwise obtain the TCI state by any suitable means. For example the UE can obtain the TCI state from one of MAC CE, MAC CE+DCI, RRC.

[0123] During 403, the apparatus is configured to determine whether the indicated TCI state is applicable for a given channel. Example channels can be a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH), a physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH), and / or a channel state indicator-reference signal (CSI-RSI), PUCCH (Physical Uplink Control Channel), PUSCH (Physical Uplink Shared Channel, and SRS (Sounding Reference Signal).

[0124] Fig. 5 illustrates operations that may be performed by the apparatus deploying at least some of the principles with respect to determining whether the indicated TCI state is applicable for a given channel / signal.

[0125] During 501, the apparatus (UE) is configured to receive a first RRC parameter.

[0126] During 503, the apparatus (UE) is then configured using the first RRC parameter to determine whether the type of the RS resource associated with the indicated TCI state shall be considered (or not) when determining the applicability of the indicated TCI state to a first channel / signal.

[0127] For example, in some embodiments the first RRC parameter is configured to identify a ‘type’ of the RS resource is which is used to determine whether the indicated TCI state is to be applied is one of measured or predicted RS resource.

[0128] An example of the employing of the RRC parameter defining a measured or predicted ‘type’ of RS resource based determination is shown with respect to Fig.6.

[0129] In 601 the RRC parameter is defined such that the UE is configured to determine that the indicated TCI state is applicable for the given channel / signal only when the indicated TCI state is a TCI state that associated with a measured RS resource. In this example when the indicated TCI state is associated with a predicted RS resource, the UE is not expected to switch the TCI state currently being used for that channel / signal.

[0130] In 603, the RRC parameter is defined such that the UE is configured to determine that the indicated TCI state is applicable for the given channel / signal when the indicated TCI state is a TCI state that associated with a measured or predicted RS resource.

[0131] In 605 the RRC parameter is defined such that the UE is configured to determine that the indicated TCI state is applicable for the given channel / signal only when the indicated TCI state is a TCI state that associated with a predicted RS resource. In this example when the indicated TCI state is associated with a measured RS resource, the UE is not expected to switch the TCI state currently being used for that channel / signal.

[0132] In some embodiments the UE can be configured with more than one RS resource set. In such embodiments the UE can, for example, be configured with a first RS resource set comprising measured RS resources and the second RS resource set comprising predicated RS resources.

[0133] Additionally in some embodiments these RS resource sets can be processed in such a manner that where there is more than one CSI reporting configuration active at the UE, the UE can be configured to generating a combination or union of measurement RS resources across CSI reporting configurations as the RS resource set defines measurement RS resources. This example is shown with respect to Fig. 7.

[0134] During 701, the UE is configured with the two RS resource sets: a First RS set comprising measured RS resources; a second RS set comprising predicted RS resources.

[0135] During 703, the UE determines that it is configured with more than one active CSI reporting resource.

[0136] Then during 705, the UE is configured to generate a union of measurement RS resources across CSI reporting resources as the RS resource set defines measurement RS resources.

[0137] As shown with respect to Fig. 8 a ‘type’ (or sub-type) of the RS resource which can be used in the determination of whether the associated indicated TCI state is considered (or not) to be applied to a specific or defined (for example the first) channel / signal can be whether a measured RS resource is available (within a time duration or window).

[0138] During 801, the UE is configured with time duration / window (which can be associated with a RS resource). Furthermore, the time duration / window is configured to be used to define a type of RS resource as being ‘available’ or ‘unavailable’.

[0139] During 803, the UE is configured to monitor the RS resource and determine whether there was generated at least one measurement for the RS resource during the time duration / window. In the situation where there was at least one measurement for the RS resource during the time duration / window then the RS resource defined as being an available or measured RS resource, and which can be applied in determining whether the measured RS resource can be used to determine whether the indicated TCI state is applied to a specific or defined channel / signal.

[0140] Else, as shown during 805, where there is no available RS within the time duration / window then the UE is then configured to use the predicted RS resource can be used to determine whether the indicated TCI state is applied to a specific or defined channel / signal.

[0141] In some embodiments the time duration or window may be defined as a duration or window before the time instance that the beam indication (Indicated TCI) is received at the UE or a time duration or window after the time instance that the beam indication is expected to be applicable (after beam application time).

[0142] As shown in Fig. 9, in some embodiments, the type (or sub-type) can be a definition of whether the received TCI state is configured or identified as a ‘known’ or ‘unknown’ state at the UE.

[0143] Thus during 901, the UE is configured in such a manner that at least one TCI state is identified or defined as a ‘known’ TCI state.

[0144] Then, during 903, the UE is configured to determine whether the received TCI is one of the ‘known’ TCI states. Where the received TCI is one of the ‘known’ TCI states then in some embodiments the RS resource is a measured RS resource (which is then used in the determination of whether the TCI state is applicable to a specific or defined channel / signal.

[0145] Else, as shown during 905, the TCI state is determined as being unknown or not known and the RS resource selected for the determination of whether the TCI state is applicable to a specific or defined channel / signal is an associated predicted RS resource.

[0146] In the above examples, the RS resource type is referred as measured RS resource or predicted RS resource. However, in some embodiments there can be other naming used for the RS resource type or more than two types defined for RS resource types according to the similar extensions as in the above examples.

[0147] In the above examples the TCI state is applicable for single given channel or signal. However in some embodiments the TCI state is applicable for more than one channel or signal.

[0148] In some embodiments there can be a single ‘type’ which then can be used in the determination of whether the TCI state is applicable the more than one channel or signal. In some embodiments the ‘type’ which then can be used in the determination of whether the TCI state is applicable to one channel or signal but is not used to determine whether the TCI state is applicable to another of the more than one channels or signals.

[0149] An example of TCI state being applicable to a further channel / signal is shown with respect to Fig. 10.

[0150] During 1001, the UE is configured to determined that the indicated TCI state is applicable for the at least one further channel / signal (and is applicable regardless of ‘type’ of the RS resource associated with the indicated TCI state).

[0151] Then during 1003, the first RRC is not configured for the at least one further channel / signal. In other words, the there is no use or application of the ‘type’ in the determination of whether the TCI state is applicable can be applicable to one channel or signal as the TCI is ‘automatically’ applied with respect to this further channel / signal.

[0152] In some embodiments the UE is configured with more than one RRC parameter, for example, in addition to the first RRC parameter, the UE may be configured with a second RRC parameter. In these embodiments the UE considers both RRC parameters when determining whether the Indicated TCI State is applicable for a given channel / signal or not.

[0153] In some examples the second RRC parameter defines whether the channel / signal follows Indicated TCI state in general without differentiating the Type of the RS resource associated with the Indicated TCI state. In some embodiments, the second RRC parameter takes priority over the first RRC parameter. In some other embodiments, the first RRC parameter takes priority over the second RRC parameter. For example a followunifiedTCi-state parameter used in the legacy TCI signalling system can also be the second RRC parameter.

[0154] In these embodiments, the first RRC parameter determines whether a ‘type’ of the RS resource is considered when determining the applicability of the Indicated TCI state for the particular channel / signal (where the second RRC allows it).

[0155] This is shown for example with respect to Fig. 11.

[0156] During 501 the UE is configured (receives or obtains) a first RRC parameter.

[0157] Then during 1101 the UE is configured (receives or obtains) a second RRC parameter.

[0158] Then, during 1103, UE then considers the first and second / further RRC parameters when determining whether the Indicated TCI State is applicable for a given channel / signal (or not).

[0159] For example, during 1105, the second / further RRC parameter defines whether the channel / signal follows Indicated TCI state (without differentiating Type of the RS resource associated with the Indicated TCI state).

[0160] Otherwise, during 1107, the first RRC parameter determines whether the type of the RS resource is considered when determining the applicability of the Indicated TCI state for the particular channel / signal.

[0161] In some embodiments, the UE is configured to receive further or dynamic signalling (for example within a MAC-CE, DCS message). This further or dynamic signally can be additional to or replace the employed first RRC parameter, and can be used within the UE to indicate whether the type of the RS resource associated with the indicated TCI state shall be considered or not when determining the applicability of the indicated TCI state to a first channel / signal.

[0162] This is shown in further detail with respect to Fig. 12.

[0163] Thus during 501, the UE receives and is configured with a first RRC parameter.

[0164] Then, during 1201, the UE receives and is configured with dynamic signalling (for example as included within a MAC-CE, DCI message). This dynamic signalling for example can be in addition to or used to replace the first RRC parameter.

[0165] During 1203, the UE considers first RRC parameter and dynamic signalling when determining whether the type of the RS resource associated with the indicated TCI State is applicable for a given channel / signal (or not).

[0166] In other words, the further signalling or dynamic signalling can comprise parameters which can be employed in the determination of whether the TCI state is applicable to a specific or defined channel / signal or used in a manner described in the further RRC examples above or any of the earlier examples.

[0167] In the above examples the determination (whether the type of the RS resource associated with the indicated TCI State is applicable for a given channel / signal) is implemented based on the RRC parameter and the ‘type’. Furthermore in some embodiments the UE may be defined to follow one or more rules when determining whether the type of the RS resource associated with the indicated TCI state shall be considered or not when determining the applicability of the indicated TCI state to a first channel / signal.

[0168] This is shown, for example in Fig. 13.

[0169] Thus during 1301, the UE is configured with a first ruleset (for example performance / model monitoring procedures and metrics / outcome, quality of beam prediction quantities, and other parameters associated with the beam prediction inference / monitoring operations).

[0170] Then during 1303, is shown the UE considers first ruleset when determining whether the type of the RS resource associated with the indicated TCI State is applicable for a given channel / signal (or not).

[0171] For example, for beam prediction at UE, UE defined to report monitoring metric for the UE-sided beam prediction operation. If the beam prediction accuracy is above a pre-defined threshold (>X%), UE determines indicated TCI state, independent of whether TCI state is associated with a measured or predicted beam, is applicable for the valid channels / signals. Else (when below a pre-defined threshold (<X%)), UE determines indicated TCI state is applicable when the associated RS resource is a measured RS resource.

[0172] Thus, by implementing the embodiments as described above, the reliability and robustness concerns when applying measured RS resources or predicted RS resources can be addressed. For example, predicted RSs may not be always reliable or robust enough to ensure that UE can receive critical DL / UL channels / signals from a TCI state that associated with a predicted RS. When the ML / AI based model accuracies decrease. Furthermore, when the gNB has ‘concerns’ on the accuracy of the beam prediction, the gNB, by implementing the examples embodiments above can ensure that critical channels follow beam indications associated with the measured beams and less critical channels (or channels that mainly are associated with data transfer) can use the latest predictions.

[0173] Fig. 14 shows the implementation of the above embodiments in example beam prediction for DL channels or signals and UL channels or signals.

[0174] For example the left hand figure shows with respect to DL channels or signals that the indicated TCI state supplied via a MAC / DCI message is then used following a determination of the applicability using a ApplicabilityForPredictedRS (RRC). Additionally is shown solid lines indicating the applicability of the indicated TCI state based on the type or ruleset determinations as described above. Whereas the dashed lines 1403 show that the applicability determination based on some ‘type’ or ‘ruleset’ based selection determines that the indicated TCI state is not applicable to these channels or signals. In some embodiments the parameter used in the determination is, as shown in Fig. 14 a followunifiedTCI-state parameter.

[0175] Additionally the right hand figure shows the application of the embodiments as described above with respect to UL channels or signals that the indicated TCI state (which can also be implemented as part of a unified TCI framework) supplied via a MAC / DCI message is then used following a determination of the applicability using a ApplicabilityForPredictedRS (RRC) parameter. For example there is shown a solid arrow indicating the applicability of the indicated TCI state to a channel, which in Fig. 14 shows a PUSCH. Whereas as shown in Fig. 14 there is a dashed arrow 1413 which shows that the result of the determination of applicability resulting in the indicated TCI state being not applicable to the SRS resource. In the example show in Fig. 14 the ‘type’ or ‘ruleset’ based selection is one associated with the followunifiedTCI-state parameter. Furthermore is shown in Fig 14. an example ‘always’ implementation where the indicated TC! state is always applicable to a signal or channel. In this example the ‘always’ applicable channel is a dedicated PUCCH resource.

[0176] It should be understood that the apparatuses may comprise or be coupled to other units or modules etc., such as radio parts or radio heads, used in or for transmission and / or reception. Although the apparatuses have been described as one entity, different modules and memory may be implemented in one or more physical or logical entities.

[0177] It is noted that whilst some embodiments have been described in relation to 5G networks, similar principles can be applied in relation to other networks and communication systems. Therefore, although certain embodiments were described above by way of example with reference to certain example architectures for wireless networks, technologies and standards, embodiments may be applied to any other suitable forms of communication systems than those illustrated and described herein.

[0178] It is also noted herein that while the above describes example embodiments, there are several variations and modifications which may be made to the disclosed solution without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0179] As used herein, “at least one of the following: ” and “at least one of ” and similar wording, where the list of two or more elements are joined by “and” or “or”, mean at least any one of the elements, or at least any two or more of the elements, or at least all the elements.

[0180] In general, the various embodiments may be implemented in hardware or special purpose circuitry, software, logic or any combination thereof. Some aspects of the disclosure may be implemented in hardware, while other aspects may be implemented in firmware or software which may be executed by a controller, microprocessor or other computing device, although the disclosure is not limited thereto. While various aspects of the disclosure may be illustrated and described as block diagrams, flow charts, or using some other pictorial representation, it is well understood that these blocks, apparatus, systems, techniques or methods described herein may be implemented in, as non-limiting examples, hardware, software, firmware, special purpose circuits or logic, general purpose hardware or controller or other computing devices, or some combination thereof.

[0181] As used in this application, the term “circuitry" may refer to one or more or all of the following: (a) hardware-only circuit implementations (such as implementations in only analog and / or digital circuitry) and (b) combinations of hardware circuits and software, such as (as applicable): (c) a combination of analog and / or digital hardware circuit(s) with software / firmware and (i) any portions of hardware processor(s) with software (including digital signal processor(s)), software, and memory(ies) that work together to cause an apparatus, such as a mobile phone or server, to perform various functions); and (ii) hardware circuit(s) and or processor(s), such as a microprocessor(s) or a portion of a microprocessor(s), that requires software (e.g., firmware) for operation, but the software may not be present when it is not needed for operation.”

[0182] This definition of circuitry applies to all uses of this term in this application, including in any claims. As a further example, as used in this application, the term circuitry also covers an implementation of merely a hardware circuit or processor (or multiple processors) or portion of a hardware circuit or processor and its (or their) accompanying software and / or firmware. The term circuitry also covers, for example and if applicable to the particular claim element, a baseband integrated circuit or processor integrated circuit for a mobile device or a similar integrated circuit in server, a cellular network device, or other computing or network device.

[0183] The embodiments of this disclosure may be implemented by computer software executable by a data processor of the mobile device, such as in the processor entity, or by hardware, or by a combination of software and hardware. Computer software or program, also called program product, including software routines, applets and / or macros, may be stored in any apparatus-readable data storage medium and they comprise program instructions to perform particular tasks. A computer program product may comprise one or more computer-executable components which, when the program is run, are configured to carry out embodiments. The one or more computer-executable components may be at least one software code or portions of it.

[0184] Further in this regard it should be noted that any blocks of the logic flow as in the Figures may represent program steps, or interconnected logic circuits, blocks and functions, or a combination of program steps and logic circuits, blocks and functions. The software may be stored on such physical media as memory chips, or memory blocks implemented within the processor, magnetic media such as hard disk or floppy disks, and optical media such as for example DVD and the data variants thereof, CD. The physical media is a non-transitory media.

[0185] The term “non-transitory,” as used herein, is a limitation of the medium itself (i.e., tangible, not a signal ) as opposed to a limitation on data storage persistency (e.g., RAM vs. ROM).

[0186] The memory may be of any type suitable to the local technical environment and may be implemented using any suitable data storage technology, such as semiconductor based memory devices, magnetic memory devices and systems, optical memory devices and systems, fixed memory and removable memory. The data processors may be of any type suitable to the local technical environment, and may comprise one or more of general purpose computers, special purpose computers, microprocessors, digital signal processors (DSPs), application specific integrated circuits (ASIC), FPGA, gate level circuits and processors based on multi core processor architecture, as non-limiting examples.

[0187] Embodiments of the disclosure may be practiced in various components such as integrated circuit modules. The design of integrated circuits is by and large a highly automated process. Complex and powerful software tools are available for converting a logic level design into a semiconductor circuit design ready to be etched and formed on a semiconductor substrate.

[0188] The scope of protection sought for various embodiments of the disclosure is set out by the independent claims. The embodiments and features, if any, described in this specification that do not fall under the scope of the independent claims are to be interpreted as examples useful for understanding various embodiments of the disclosure.

[0189] The foregoing description has provided by way of non-limiting examples a full and informative description of the exemplary embodiment of this disclosure. However, various modifications and adaptations may become apparent to those skilled in the relevant arts in view of the foregoing description, when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and the appended claims. However, all such and similar modifications of the teachings of this disclosure will still fall within the scope of this invention as defined in the appended claims. Indeed, there is a further embodiment comprising a combination of one or more embodiments with any of the other embodiments previously discussed.

[0190] Abbreviations io 15 Al Artificial Intelligence BM Beam Management CNN Convolutional Neural Network CSI Channel State Information DL Downlink L1-RSRP Layer 1 reference signal received power LCM Life Cycle Management ML Machine Learning NW Network SRS Sounding Reference Signal TRP Transmission-Reception Point UE User Equipment

Claims

1. An apparatus comprising means for performing:receiving an indicated transmission configuration indication state for at least one channel or signal, the transmission configuration indication state configured to inform the apparatus about at least one uplink transmission or at least one downlink reception parameter, wherein the transmission configuration indication state is associated with at least one reference signal resource;determining at least one reference signal resource associated with the indicated transmission configuration indication state, wherein the at least one reference signal resource is one of a measured reference signal resource or a predicted reference signal resource; anddetermining an applicability of the indicated transmission configuration indication state for the at least one channel or signal based on at least one indicator or a rule.

2. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the means for performing determining the applicability of the indicated transmission configuration indication state for the at least one channel or signal of the multiple channels or signals based on the at least one indicator or the rule is for performing:receiving a radio resource control signalling parameter;determining a type of the reference signal resource based on the received radio resource control signalling parameter; anddetermining the applicability of the indicated transmission configuration indication state for the at least one channel or signal based on the type of the reference signal resource.

3. The apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein the type of the at least one reference signal resource is one of the measured reference signal resource or the predicted reference signal resource, and the means for performing determining the applicability of the indicated transmission configuration indication state for the at least one channel or signal based on the at least one indicator or the rule is for performing one of:determining the indicated transmission configuration indication state is applicable for a specific channel or signal when the indicated transmission configuration indication state is associated with a measured reference signal resource, and when the indicated transmission configuration indication state is associated with a predicted reference signal resource not changing or switching from a current transmission configuration indication state being used for the specific channel or signal;determining the indicated transmission configuration indication state is applicable for a specific channel or signal when the indicated transmission configuration indication state is associated with a measured reference signal resource or predicted reference signal resource; anddetermining the indicated transmission configuration indication state is applicable for a specific channel or signal when the indicated transmission configuration indication state is associated with a predicted reference signal resource, and when the indicated transmission configuration indication state is associated with a measured reference signal resource not changing or switching from a current transmission configuration indication state being used for the specific channel or signal.

4. The apparatus as claimed in any of claims 1 to 3, wherein the means for performing determining the at least one reference signal resource is for performing:determining the at least one measured reference signal resource and the at least one predicted reference signal resource;determining at least two reference signal resource sets in one channel state indicator reporting configuration; anddetermining at least one reference signal resource associated with a first reference signal resource set as a measured reference signal resource and at least one reference signal resource associated with a second reference signal resource set as a predicted reference signal resource.

5. The apparatus as claimed in any of claims 1 to 3, wherein the means for performing determining the at least one reference signal resource is for performing:determining the at least one measured reference signal resource and the at least one predicted reference signal resource;determining at least two active channel state indicator reporting configurations;andgenerating a union of measured reference signal resources across the at least two active channel state indicator reporting configurations as the at least one reference signal resource.

6. The apparatus as claimed in any of claims 1 to 5, wherein the means for performing determining the at least one reference signal resource is for performing:determining the at least one measured reference signal resource and the at least one predicted signal resource;determining a time window or duration;determining whether at least one measurement for a reference signal resource has occurred within the time window or duration; anddetermining the at least one reference signal resource is the at least one measured reference signal resource when the at least one measurement for the reference signal resource has occurred within the time window or duration, else otherwise determining the at least one reference signal resource is the at least one predicted reference signal resource.

7. The apparatus as claimed in any of claims 1 to 6, wherein the means for performing determining the applicability of the indicated transmission configuration indication state for the at least one channel or signal of the multiple channels or signals based on the at least one indicator or the rule is for performing:determining whether the indicated transmission configuration indication state is a known indicated transmission configuration indication; anddetermining the at least one reference signal resource associated with the indicated transmission configuration indication state is a measured reference signal resource when the indicated transmission configuration indication state is the known indicated transmission configuration indication, else otherwise determining the at least one reference signal resource associated with the indicated transmission configuration indication state is the at least one predicted reference signal resource, ordetermining the at least one reference signal resource associated with the indicated transmission configuration indication state is a predicted reference signal resource when the indicated transmission configuration indication state is the knownindicated transmission configuration indication, else otherwise determining the at least one reference signal resource associated with the indicated transmission configuration indication state is the at least one measured reference signal resource.

8. The apparatus as claimed in claim 2 or any claim dependent on claim 2, wherein the means for performing determining the applicability of the indicated transmission configuration indication state for the at least one channel or signal of the multiple channels or signals based on the at least one indicator or the rule is for determining the applicability of the indicated transmission configuration indication state for a further at least one channel or signal independent of the type of the reference signal resource.

9. The apparatus as claimed in claim 2 or any claim dependent on claim 2, wherein the means for performing determining the applicability of the indicated transmission configuration indication state for the at least one channel or signal of the multiple channels or signals based on the at least one indicator or the rule is for:receiving a further radio resource control signalling parameter;determining the type of the reference signal resource based on both the received radio resource control signalling parameter and the further radio resource control parameter.

10. The apparatus as claimed in claim 9, wherein the means for performing determining the type of the reference signal resource based on both the received radio resource control signalling parameter and the further radio resource control parameter is for: determining, based on the further radio resource control signalling parameter, whether to employ the received radio resource control signalling parameter, wherein employing the received ratio resource control signalling parameter is the determining the type of the reference signal resource based on the received radio resource control signalling parameter.

11. The apparatus as claimed in claim 2 or any claim dependent on claim 2, wherein the means for performing determining the applicability of the indicated transmission configuration indication state for the at least one channel or signal of the multiple channels or signals based on the at least one indicator or the rule is for:receiving a further signalling; anddetermining the applicability of the indicated transmission configuration indication state for the at least one channel or signal, based on the further signalling.

12. The apparatus as claimed in claim 2 or any claim dependent on claim 2, whereinthe means for performing determining the applicability of the indicated transmission configuration indication state for the at least one channel or signal of the multiple channels or signals based on the at least one indicator or the rule is for: determining a ruleset; anddetermining the applicability of the indicated transmission configuration indication state for the at least one channel or signal at least further based on the ruleset.

13. The apparatus as claimed in claim 12, wherein the means for determining the applicability of the indicated transmission configuration indication state for the at least one channel or signal at least further based on the ruleset is for determining, based on the ruleset, whether to employ the received radio resource control signalling parameter, wherein employing the received ratio resource control signalling parameter is the determining the type of the reference signal resource based on the received radio resource control signalling parameter.

14. The apparatus as claimed in any of claims 12 or 13, wherein the ruleset comprises at least one of:a performance / model monitoring metric;a quality of beam prediction parameter; and a beam prediction inference parameter.

15. The apparatus as claimed in any of claims 1 to 14, wherein the indicated transmission configuration indication state is comprised in at least one of a Medium Access Control Control Element signalling or a Downlink Control Information signalling.

16. The apparatus as claimed in any of claims 1 to 15, wherein the apparatus is a user equipment.

17. The apparatus as claimed in any of claims 1 to 16, wherein the means for receiving an indicated transmission configuration indication state for at least one channel or signal, the transmission configuration indication state configured to inform the apparatus about at least one uplink transmission or at least one downlink reception parameter, wherein the transmission configuration indication state is associated with at least one reference signal resource is for receiving an indicated transmission configuration indication state based on an output from a machine learning or artificial intelligence based model.

18. An apparatus comprising means for performing:generating an indicated transmission configuration indication state for at least one channel or signal, the transmission configuration indication state configured to inform at least one further apparatus about at least one uplink transmission or at least one downlink reception parameter, wherein the transmission configuration indication state is associated with at least one reference signal resource;transmitting, to the further apparatus, the indicated transmission configuration indication state to the further apparatus; andreceiving, from the further apparatus, information indicating a determined applicability of the indicated transmission configuration indication state for at least one channel or signal based on at least one indicator or a rule.

19. A method for an apparatus, the method comprising:receiving an indicated transmission configuration indication state for at least one channel or signal, the transmission configuration indication state configured to inform the apparatus about at least one uplink transmission or at least one downlink reception parameter, wherein the transmission configuration indication state is associated with at least one reference signal resource;determining at least one reference signal resource associated with the indicated transmission configuration indication state, wherein the at least one reference signal resource is one of a measured reference signal resource or a predicted reference signal resource; anddetermining an applicability of the indicated transmission configuration indication state for the at least one channel or signal based on at least one indicator or a rule.

20. A method for an apparatus, the method comprising:generating an indicated transmission configuration indication state for at least one channel or signal, the transmission configuration indication state configured to 5 inform at least one further apparatus about at least one uplink transmission or at least one downlink reception parameter, wherein the transmission configuration indication state is associated with at least one reference signal resource;transmitting, to the further apparatus, the indicated transmission configuration indication state to the further apparatus; and10 receiving, from the further apparatus, information indicating a determinedapplicability of the indicated transmission configuration indication state for at least one channel or signal based on at least one indicator or a rule.15

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