Temporal beam reporting overhead reduction

Abstract

This application concerns overhead reduction for channel state information (CSI) reporting using a time-domain AI / ML beam prediction model. A first apparatus (preferably a UE) receives from a second apparatus (preferably a network node) a channel state information (CSI) reporting configuration to be used to report a time domain beam prediction “or” beam measurement. The first apparatus generates a CSI report based on the CSI reporting configuration, including information about a pre-determined number of one or more beams in a first time instance of a plurality of time instances, and one or more indications associated with information about the predetermined number of one or more beams in one or more other (future or past) time instances of the plurality of time instances. The CSI report is transmitted to the second apparatus. The first apparatus may be configured to report time domain beam prediction (for inference operation) for N future time instances in one report. The CSI report may include beam indices (CRI) for predicted beams in future time instances or / and beam quality values (e.g. RSRP) for such beams.

Description

FIELD

[0001] Various example embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to the field of telecommunication and in particular, to methods, devices, apparatuses and computer readable storage medium for temporal beam reporting overhead reduction. BACKGROUND

[0002] Due to the great success of artificial intelligence (AI) / machine learning (ML) technologies, the AI / ML study item, which may refer to UE-sided model and network (NW) sided model, has been discussed in 3GPP. For example, AI / ML-based beam management may be performed. SUMMARY

[0003] In a first aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a first apparatus. The first apparatus comprises at least one processor; and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the first apparatus at least to: receive, from a second apparatus, channel state information (CSI) reporting configuration used to report a time domain beam prediction or a time domain beam measurement; generate, based on the CSI reporting configuration, a CSI report reporting the time domain beam prediction or the time domain beam measurement, wherein a first part of the CSI report at least comprises information about a pre-determined number of one or more beams in a first time instance of a plurality of time instances, and one or more indications associated with information about the pre-determined number of one or more beams in one or more other time instances of the plurality of time instances; and transmit the CSI report to the second apparatus.

[0004] In a second aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a second apparatus. The second apparatus comprises at least one processor; and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the second apparatus at least to: transmit, to a first apparatus, CSI reporting configuration used to report a time domain beam prediction or a time domain beam measurement; and receive, from the first apparatus, a CSI report reporting the time domain beam prediction or the time domain beam measurement, wherein a first part of the CSI report at least comprises information about a pre-determined number of one or more beams in a first time instance of a plurality of time instances, and one or more indications associated with information about the predetermined number of one or more beams in one or more other time instances of the plurality of time instances.

[0005] In a third aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a method. The method comprises: receiving, from a second apparatus, CSI reporting configuration used to report a time domain beam prediction or a time domain beam measurement; generating, based on the CSI reporting configuration, a CSI report reporting the time domain beam prediction or the time domain beam measurement, wherein a first part of the CSI report at least comprises information about a pre-determined number of one or more beams in a first time instance of a plurality of time instances, and one or more indications associated with information about the pre-determined number of one or more beams in one or more other time instances of the plurality of time instances; and transmitting the CSI report to the second apparatus.

[0006] In a fourth aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a method. The method comprises: transmitting, to a first apparatus, CSI reporting configuration used to report a time domain beam prediction or a time domain beam measurement; and receiving, from the first apparatus, a CSI report reporting the time domain beam prediction or the time domain beam measurement, wherein a first part of the CSI report at least comprises information about a pre-determined number of one or more beams in a first time instance of a plurality of time instances, and one or more indications associated with information about the pre-determined number of one or more beams in one or more other time instances of the plurality of time instances.

[0007] In a fifth aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a first apparatus. The first apparatus comprises means for receiving, from a second apparatus, CSI reporting configuration used to report a time domain beam prediction or a time domain beam measurement; means for generating, based on the CSI reporting configuration, a CSI report reporting the time domain beam prediction or the time domain beam measurement, wherein a first part of the CSI report at least comprises information about a pre-determined number of one or more beams in a first time instance of a plurality of time instances, and one or more indications associated with information about the pre-determined number of one or more beams in one or more other time instances of the plurality of time instances; and transmitting the CSI report to the second apparatus.

[0008] In a sixth aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a second apparatus. The second apparatus comprises means for transmitting, to a first apparatus, CSI reporting configuration used to report a time domain beam prediction or a time domain beam measurement; and receiving, from the first apparatus, a CSI report reporting the time domain beam prediction or the time domain beam measurement, wherein a first part of the CSI report at least comprises information about a pre-determined number of one or more beams in a first time instance of a plurality of time instances, and one or more indications associated with information about the pre-determined number of one or more beams in one or more other time instances of the plurality of time instances.

[0009] In a seventh aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a computer readable medium. The computer readable medium comprises instructions stored thereon for causing an apparatus to perform at least the method according to the third aspect.

[0010] In an eighth aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a computer readable medium. The computer readable medium comprises instructions stored thereon for causing an apparatus to perform at least the method according to the fourth aspect.

[0011] It is to be understood that the Summary section is not intended to identify key or essential features of embodiments of the present disclosure, nor is it intended to be used to limit the scope of the present disclosure. Other features of the present disclosure will become easily comprehensible through the following description. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] Some example embodiments will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, where:

[0013] FIG. 1 illustrates an example communication environment in which example embodiments of the present disclosure can be implemented;

[0014] FIG. 2 illustrates an example of time-domain beam prediction model providing prediction for N=4 future time-instances in a CSI report;

[0015] FIG. 3 illustrates a signaling chart for communication according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0016] FIG. 4 illustrates an example of CSI report generation according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0017] FIG. 5 illustrates an example of CSI report generation according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0018] FIG. 6 illustrates an example of CSI report generation according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0019] FIG. 7 illustrates a flowchart of a method implemented at a first apparatus in accordance with some example embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0020] FIG. 8 illustrates a flowchart of a method implemented at a second apparatus in accordance with some example embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0021] FIG. 9 illustrates a simplified block diagram of a device that is suitable for implementing example embodiments of the present disclosure; and

[0022] FIG. 10 illustrates a block diagram of an example computer readable medium in accordance with some example embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0023] Throughout the drawings, the same or similar reference numerals represent the same or similar element. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0024] Principle of the present disclosure will now be described with reference to some example embodiments. It is to be understood that these embodiments are described only for the purpose of illustration and help those skilled in the art to understand and implement the present disclosure, without suggesting any limitation as to the scope of the disclosure. Embodiments described herein can be implemented in various manners other than the ones described below.

[0025] In the following description and claims, unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skills in the art to which this disclosure belongs.

[0026] References in the present disclosure to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” “an example embodiment,” and the like indicate that the embodiment described may include a particular feature, structure, or characteristic, but it is not necessary that every embodiment includes the particular feature, structure, or characteristic. Moreover, such phrases are not necessarily referring to the same embodiment. Further, when a particular feature, structure, or characteristic is described in connection with an embodiment, it is submitted that it is within the knowledge of one skilled in the art to affect such feature, structure, or characteristic in connection with other embodiments whether or not explicitly described.

[0027] It shall be understood that although the terms “first,” “second,”..., etc. in front of noun(s) and the like may be used herein to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element from another and they do not limit the order of the noun(s). For example, a first element could be termed a second element, and similarly, a second element could be termed a first element, without departing from the scope of example embodiments. As used herein, the term “and / or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the listed terms.

[0028] 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.

[0029] As used herein, unless stated explicitly, performing a step “in response to A” does not indicate that the step is performed immediately after “A” occurs and one or more intervening steps may be included.

[0030] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of example embodiments. As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises”, “comprising”, “has”, “having”, “includes” and / or “including”, when used herein, specify the presence of stated features, elements, and / or components etc., but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, elements, components and / or combinations thereof.

[0031] 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): (i) a combination of analog and / or digital hardware circuit(s) with software / firmware and (ii) 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 (c) 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.

[0032] 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 5 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. 10

[0033] As used herein, the term “communication network” refers to a network following any suitable communication standards, such as New Radio (NR), Long Term Evolution (LTE), LTE-Advanced (LTE-A), Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA), High-Speed Packet Access (HSPA), Narrow Band Internet of Things (NB-IoT) and so on. Furthermore, the communications between a terminal device and a network device in the 15 communication network may be performed according to any suitable generation communication protocols, including, but not limited to, the first generation (1G), the second generation (2G), 2.5G, 2.75G, the third generation (3G), the fourth generation (4G), 4.5G, the fifth generation (5G), 5.5G, the sixth generation (6G) communication protocols, and / or any other protocols either currently known or to be developed in the future. Embodiments of the present disclosure may be applied in various communication systems. Given the rapid development in communications, there will of course also be future type communication technologies and systems with which the present disclosure may be embodied. It should not be seen as limiting the scope of the present disclosure to only the aforementioned system.

[0034] As used herein, the term “network device” refers to a node in a communication network via which a terminal device accesses the network and receives services therefrom. The network device may refer to a base station (BS) or an access point (AP), for example, a node B (NodeB or NB), an evolved NodeB (eNodeB or eNB), an NR NB (also referred to as a gNB), a Remote Radio Unit (RRU), a radio header (RH), a remote radio head (RRH), a relay, an Integrated Access and Backhaul (IAB) node, a low power node such as a femto, a pico, a non-terrestrial network (NTN) or non-ground network device such as a satellite network device, a low earth orbit (LEO) satellite and a geosynchronous earth orbit (GEO) satellite, an aircraft network device, and so forth, depending on the applied terminology and technology. In some example embodiments, radio access network (RAN) split architecture comprises a Centralized Unit (CU) and a Distributed Unit (DU) at an IAB donor node. An IAB node comprises a Mobile Terminal (IAB-MT) part that behaves like a UE toward the parent node, and a DU part of an IAB node behaves like a base station toward the next-hop IAB node.

[0035] The term “terminal device” refers to any end device that may be capable of wireless communication. By way of example rather than limitation, a terminal device may also be referred to as a communication device, user equipment (UE), a Subscriber Station (SS), a Portable Subscriber Station, a Mobile Station (MS), or an Access Terminal (AT). The terminal device may include, but not limited to, a mobile phone, a cellular phone, a smart phone, voice over IP (VoIP) phones, wireless local loop phones, a tablet, a wearable terminal device, a personal digital assistant (PDA), portable computers, desktop computer, image capture terminal devices such as digital cameras, gaming terminal devices, music storage and playback appliances, vehicle-mounted wireless terminal devices, wireless endpoints, mobile stations, laptop-embedded equipment (LEE), laptop-mounted equipment (LME), USB dongles, smart devices, wireless customer-premises equipment (CPE), an Internet of Things (loT) device, a watch or other wearable, a head-mounted display (HMD), a vehicle, a drone, a medical device and applications (e.g., remote surgery), an industrial device and applications (e.g., a robot and / or other wireless devices operating in an industrial and / or an automated processing chain contexts), a consumer electronics device, a device operating on commercial and / or industrial wireless networks, and the like. The terminal device may also correspond to a Mobile Termination (MT) part of an IAB node (e.g., a relay node). In the following description, the terms “terminal device”, “communication device”, “terminal”, “user equipment” and “UE” may be used interchangeably.

[0036] As used herein, the term “resource,” “transmission resource,” “resource block,” “physical resource block” (PRB), “uplink resource,” or “downlink resource” may refer to any resource for performing a communication, for example, a communication between a terminal device and a network device, such as a resource in time domain, a resource in frequency domain, a resource in space domain, a resource in code domain, or any other combination of the time, frequency, space and / or code domain resource enabling a communication, and the like. In the following, unless explicitly stated, a resource in both frequency domain and time domain will be used as an example of a transmission resource for describing some example embodiments of the present disclosure. It is noted that example embodiments of the present disclosure are equally applicable to other resources in other domains.

[0037] FIG. 1 illustrates an example communication environment 100 in which example embodiments of the present disclosure can be implemented. As shown in FIG. 1, the communication network 100 may comprise a first apparatus 110 which may be a transmitter, for example, a terminal device. In some example embodiments, the terminal device may also be discussed as a UE.

[0038] The communication network 100 may further comprise a second apparatus 120, which may be a receiver, for example, a network device. In some example embodiments, the network device may be discussed as a BS, a gNB, or an eNB.

[0039] A serving area provided by the second apparatus 120 is called a cell. The first apparatus 110 may communicate with the second apparatus 120 within the cell 102. The cell currently serving the first apparatus 110 may be considered as a serving cell 102.

[0040] In the following, for the purpose of illustration, some example embodiments are described with the first apparatus 110 operating as a terminal device and the second apparatus 120 operating as a network device. However, in some example embodiments, operations described in connection with a terminal device may be implemented at a network device or other device, and operations described in connection with a network device may be implemented at a terminal device or other device.

[0041] In some example embodiments, if the first apparatus 110 is a terminal device and second apparatus 120 is a network device, a link from the second apparatus 120 to the first apparatus 110 is referred to as a downlink (DL), while a link from the first apparatus 110 to the second apparatus 120 is referred to as an uplink (UL). In DL, the second apparatus 120 is a transmitting (TX) apparatus (or a transmitter) and the first apparatus 110 is a receiving (RX) apparatus (or a receiver). In UL, the first apparatus 110 is a TX apparatus (or a transmitter) and the second apparatus 120 is a RX apparatus (or a receiver).

[0042] It is to be understood that the number of network devices and terminal devices shown in FIG. 1 is given for the purpose of illustration without suggesting any limitations. The communication environment 100 may include any suitable number of network devices and terminal devices.

[0043] Communications in the communication environment 100 may be implemented according to any proper communication protocol(s), comprising, but not limited to, cellular communication protocols of the first generation (1G), the second generation (2G), the third generation (3G), the fourth generation (4G), the fifth generation (5G), 5.5G, the sixth generation (6G), and the like, wireless local network communication protocols such as Institute for Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11 and the like, and / or any other protocols currently known or to be developed in the future. Moreover, the communication may utilize any proper wireless communication technology, comprising but not limited to: Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA), Frequency Division Multiple Access (FDMA), Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA), Frequency Division Duplex (FDD), Time Division Duplex (TDD), Multiple-Input Multiple-Output (MIMO), Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple (OFDM), Discrete Fourier Transform spread OFDM (DFT-s-OFDM) and / or any other technologies currently known or to be developed in the future.

[0044] Beam prediction and beam management in wireless communication is a technique mainly used in millimeter-wave (mmWave such as 5G and 6G) communications to optimize the alignment of highly directional transmission and reception beams. It includes processes like beamforming, beam selection, beam switching, and beam tracking, which aim to maintain high-quality communication links despite challenges like path loss, blockages, and rapid changes in user equipment position and orientation. Various discussion about AI / ML aided beam prediction / beam management has increase rapidly since the massive growth of 5G telecommunication and swift development of AI / ML. 5

[0045] For example, Table 1 presents existing AI / ML beam prediction and beam management solutions in Rel-18 / Rel-19 standards. Table 1 • AI / ML-based beam management: • • Leveraging AI / ML models to predict the best beam(s) based on a limited set of measurements Two Sub-Use cases: • • Spatial-Domain Prediction: • Beam prediction based on a limited set of measurements that does not contain any historical information • Time-Domain Prediction: • Beam prediction into the future based on a limited set of measurements that contains historical information Measurements and prediction based on two Beam Sets: • Set A: the complete set of beams over which the prediction will operate • Set B: the set of beams whose measurements are inputted to the AI / ML model (e.g., Physical Level (Ll)-Reference Signal Received Power (RSRP), etc.) • Set Bean be: • Different from Set A (space-domain and time-domain prediction) • A subset of Set A (space-domain and time-domain prediction) • Same as Set A (time-domain prediction)

[0046] Rei-19 work item (WI) on AL ML for NR Air Interface is endorsed. The objective of the WI is shown in the following Table 2. 10 Table 2 Provide specification support for the following aspects: Beam management - DL Tx beam prediction for both UE-sided model and NW-sided model, encompassing [RAN1 / RAN2]: o Spatial-domain DL Tx beam prediction for Set A of beams based on measurement results of Set B of beams (“Beam Management (BM)-Casel”) o Temporal DL Tx beam prediction for Set A of beams based on the historic measurement results of Set B of beams (“BM-Case2”) o Specify necessary signalling / mechanism(s) to facilitate Lifecycle Management (LCM) operations specific to the Beam Management use cases, if any o Enabling method(s) to ensure consistency between training and inference regarding NW-side additional conditions (if identified) for inference at UE NOTE: Strive for common framework design to support both BM-Casel and BM-Case2

[0047] The discussions on AI / ML for beam management resulted in the following agreements for a normative phase as shown in the following Table 3: Table 3 • Beam reporting enhancement for NW-sided model: more than 4 beams can be reported in a report, Fast Fourier Sampling reported contents. • Beam reporting to support inference operation for UE-sided model: Beam info (option 1) or beam info + RSRP (option 2) can be reported for Top-K prediction in set A (prediction set). FFS some other options and further details. • Beam indication for NW / UE-sided models: signalling is based on unified Transmission Configuration Indicator (TCI) state framework. FFS potential enhancements • Set B (measurement set) configuration for UE-sided model: reuse measurement set configuration in CSI framework. Several other discussions were not reaching agreements including, • Training data collection for NW-sided model: signalling options for data collection and content of data were discussed. • Association between Set A and Set B: Too many unclear points in the proposal and needed step-by-step approach by clarifying Set A configuration first prior discussing associations.

[0048] Several discussion points are also highlighted as shown in Tables 4-6: 5 Table 4 Agreement: For UE-side AI / ML model inference, for BM-Case2, support to report inference results of N(N>=1, FFS on N) future time instance(s) in one report • wherein information of inference results of one-time instance is as in one report for BM-Case 1: o Note: overhead reduction is not precluded • FFS on details Table 5 Agreement: For NW-sided model, for inference, in a beam report initiated by network, based on one measurement resource set, support the report of more than 4 beam related information in LI signaling • Note: Purpose, such as above “For NW-sided model, for inference”, will not be specified in RAN 1 specifications • FFS on the report content for beam related information » FFS on max number of reported beam related information in one report

[0049] In addition, the following working assumption was agreed: Table 6 Working Assumption: For report content of inference results for UE-sided model for BM-Case 2, the RSRP of predicted beam(s) in the report of inference results, is the predicted RSRP, where the predicted RSRP is based on AI / ML output

[0050] Release 18 includes some enhancements for MIMO in several cases: Type II Doppler, Type II Coherent Joint Transmission (CJT) and Demodulation Reference Signal (DMRS). Some key points included the introduction of the Type II Doppler codebook, which is a UE-sided prediction. The CSI report is extended to cover the case where the UE predicts the channel for future time instances based on past CSi-Reference Signal (RS) measurements and reports the future Precoding Matrix Indicators (PMIs) calculated from the predicted channel. For specific UE-configuration and higher layer parameters determines the ability for the UE to support UE-sided CSI prediction, the intervals for reporting predicted PMIs, slot offset and the type and number of Channel Quality Indications (CQIs) to be reported. The codebook type and format indicators further specify the supported features and formats of CSI reporting.

[0051] The beam management (BM)-Case2 reporting can reuse some of the principles developed for Release 18 CSI prediction for MIMO as N multiple time instances can be reported in one reporting instance. The report can contain both beam indexes and / or predicted / measured RSRP values and can be arranged to contain such information for multiple values of parameter N. This applies to the UE-sided AI / ML model inference or for data collection for training and monitoring in case of NW-sided model inference. The potential performance gains of prediction and measurement reporting of multiple time instances in one reporting should be justified by considering the Uplink Control Information (UCI) payload overhead. This invention focuses on the highlighted points.

[0052] Several technical aspects of the CSI framework, configuration, Ll-RSRP reporting, and UCI bit sequence generation may also be considered. All these aspects are described in technical specifications that are summarized as below:

[0053] CSI reporting framework capability: This clause describes the capability of the UE to support CSI reporting. It includes parameters defining the maximum number of periodic / aperiodic CSI reports that can be configured per Component Carrier (CC), per Bandwidth Part (BWP) and per beam. Moreover, it specifies the concurrent CSI reports per CC that the UE can measure and process, including periodic, semi-persistent and aperiodic CSI, including beam reports.

[0054] CSI report configuration: Describes the configuration parameters used to set up periodic, aperiodic or semi-persistent CSI reports sent on the Physical Uplink Control Channel (PUCCH) or Physical Uplink Shared Channel (PUSCH) for a particular cell or triggered by downlink control information (DCI). It includes fields such as report quantity, frequency domain configuration, time domain behaviour and channel measurement resource allocation that affect how the UE perform reports based on different configurations.

[0055] Layer 1 (Ll)-RSRP reporting: This clause defines how the UE calculates and reports Ll-RSRP. It covers configurations involving CSI-RS resources, SS / PBCH block resources or both, detailing limitations on the number of CSI-RS resource sets and resources within those sets. It also explains how Ll-RSRP is quantized and reported based on different scenarios, considering group-based reporting, differential reporting, and channel measurement timing with respect to Synchronization Signal (SS) / Physical Broadcast Channel (PBCH) orNon-Zero Power (NZP) CSI-RS.

[0056] UCI bit sequence generation: This clause deals with the generation of UCI bit sequences for uplink transmission. It defines the specific order or mapping of CSI fields within a report for different reporting scenarios such as CSI-RS Resource Indicator (CRI) / RSRP, Synchronization Signal Block Resource Indicator (SSBRI) RSRP or Capability Index reporting. It provides details on the structure of the CSI reports, including CRI, RSRP and Capability Index, for transmission within the UCI.

[0057] These descriptions are integral for defining how CSI is handled, reported, and utilized in the communication system by UE. Each section covers specific technical aspects, configurations and procedures related to CSI reporting, Ll-RSRP calculation and UCI bit sequence generation, which are critical for establishing and maintaining the communication link between NW and UE, while enabling efficient use of CSI for data transmission and reception.

[0058] For beam prediction with a UE-sided AI / ML model, in both spatial and temporal domains, the UE shall report inference results including information on the Top-K predicted beams for a given set of beams, information on the Top-K predicted beams and their predicted RSRP values from a set of beams.

[0059] For temporal beam prediction, since the AI / ML model can provide the prediction for N future time instances, the report can include beam information for multiple time instances in a single report. This approach allows the UE to report N future time instances within a single report instance.

[0060] In an example shown in FIG. 2, the UE uses a time-domain beam prediction model using as input Reference Signal (RS) measurements (CSI-RS or Synchronization Signal Block (SSB)) obtained from the RS transmission from the NW and enabling the AI / ML to provide a prediction for N=4 future time instances. The CSI report containing the beam prediction for N future time instances can be transmitted by the UE to the NW in one of the first available UL slots so that the NW can use this information based on the CSI report for multiple purposes: TCI state activation and indication, beam switching, RS monitoring, etc.

[0061] Based on the existing agreements, the NW may enable beam reporting of K beam related information where K is to be defined. The report may include both beam indexes and / or predicted RSRP values for the Top-K predicted beams and may be arranged to include such information for multiple values of the parameter N. N is also to be defined.

[0062] Different values of K and N are considered for discussion. However, it is expected that the number of fields to be included in a single CSI reporting instance can be quite large, as it depends on the product between K and N. Therefore, a key open issue is the reporting overhead. We address this open issue as follows:

[0063] From the Release 18 study item, the evaluation of the beam prediction in future time instances shows a high correlation of the predicted beams across time instances, and it’s then questionable whether it is necessary to report all the model output information over N future time instances. Until now, how the time domain beam prediction will be compressed over time to reduce the reporting overhead are not clear.

[0064] When the report is configured to collect data for NW-side model training or monitoring, the reporting overhead is even more of an issue. In this case, the number of reported measured beams may be larger than in the prediction reporting and it is even for critical to clarify the details of how the time domain beam measurements will be compressed over time to limit the reporting overhead^

[0065] In accordance with some example embodiments of the present disclosure, there is provided a solution for temporal beam reporting overhead reduction. In this solution, the second apparatus 120 transmits, to the first apparatus 110, a CSI reporting configuration used to report a time domain beam prediction or a time domain beam measurement. Based on the CSI reporting configuration, a CSI report reporting the time domain beam prediction or the time domain beam measurement is generated. The first part of the CSI report at least comprises information about a pre-determined number of one or more beams in a first time instance of a plurality of time instances, and one or more indications associated with information about the pre-determined number of one or more beams in one or more other time instances of the plurality of time instances. The first apparatus 110 transmits the CSI report to the second apparatus 120.

[0066] Example embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0067] Reference is now made to FIG. 3, which shows a signaling chart 300 for communication according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 3, the signaling chart 300 involves a first apparatus 110 and a second apparatus 120. For the purpose of discussion, reference is made to FIG. 1 to describe the signaling chart 300.

[0068] Regarding to a CSI reporting configuration, the first apparatus 110 can be configured with a DL RS resource set (non-zero power (NZP)-CSI-RS resource set or SSB resource set), wherein the first apparatus 110 is expected to measure DL RS resources corresponding to the DL RS resource set.

[0069] As shown in FIG. 3, the second apparatus 120 determines (305) CSI reporting configuration.

[0070] For example, the CSI reporting configuration may be used to report the time domain beam prediction, which indicates respective reference signal resources associated with a pre-determined number of one or more predicted beams for each of a plurality of future time instances are to be reported.

[0071] For example, the first apparatus 110 may be further configured with a CSI reporting configuration for reporting time domain beam prediction (for inference operation), whereby the first apparatus 110 is configured to report inference results of N future time instance(s) in one report, where N depends on the capability of the first apparatus 110, the first apparatus 110 may determine the N capability based on number of future time instance(s) supported by the time-domain beam prediction AI / ML model (e.g. 4-time instances CSI(n+l), CSI(n+2), CSI(n+3), CSI(n+4)).

[0072] The report content of the CSI reporting configuration can be configured with different prediction quantities: ‘predicted CRI’ (‘pCRI’), ‘predicted SSBRI’ (‘pSSBRI’), ‘pCRI-predicted RSRP (‘pCRI-RSRP’), ‘pSSBRLpredicted RSRP (‘pSSBRI-RSRP’).

[0073] As another example, the CSI reporting configuration may be used to report the time domain beam measurement, which indicates a pre-determined number of one or more measured beams in each of a plurality of past time instances are to be reported.

[0074] In this case, the first apparatus 110 may be configured with a CSI reporting configuration for reporting time domain beam measurements (for data collection for training or for monitoring operation), whereby the first apparatus 110 is configured to report measurements results of N past time instance(s) in one report, where N depends on the capability of the first apparatus 110, where report content can be configured with different measurements quantities: CRT, ‘SSBRI’, CRI-RSRP’, SSBRI-RSRP’.

[0075] The second apparatus 120 transmits (310) CSI reporting configuration to the first apparatus 110.

[0076] When the CSI reporting configuration is used to report time domain beam prediction, wherein the configuration enables reporting of inference results of N future time instances, the first apparatus 110 determines the time-domain beam prediction with AI / ML model, wherein the time-domain beam predictions comprise a plurality of vectors representing the Top-K predicted beams in N future time instance(s).

[0077] When the CSI reporting configuration is used to report time domain beam measurements, wherein the configuration enables reporting of measurements results of N past time instances, the first apparatus 110 determines the time-domain beam measurements measuring the DL RS resources, wherein the time-domain beam measurements comprise a plurality of vectors representing the Top-K measured beams in N past time instance(s).

[0078] The first apparatus 110 generates (215) CSI report, based on the CSI reporting configuration, a CSI report reporting the time domain beam prediction or the time domain beam measurement. The CSI report may comprise a first part which at least indicates information about a pre-determined number of one or more beams in a first time instance of a plurality of time instances, and one or more indications associated with information about the pre-determined number of one or more beams in one or more other time instances of the plurality of time instances. The first time instance used hereinafter may refer to CSI(n+1) as mentioned above, but it is to be understood that the first time instance may also refer to any of CSI(n+2), CSI(n+3), CSI(n+4).

[0079] As an option, for time domain beam prediction, the first part of the CSI report may comprise beam indices of the pre-determined number of one or more predicted beams for a first future time instance of the plurality of future time instances and / or beam quality values associated with the pre-determined number of one or more predicted beams for a first future time instance of the plurality of future time instances. In some embodiment of the present disclosure the beam indices described herein is not limited to beam indices for the first future instance of the plurality of future time instances, it may be beam indices for any future instance.

[0080] The beam quality values mentioned above comprise at least one of predicted RSRPs of the pre-determined number of one or more predicted beams for the first future time instance, differential predicted RSRPs of the pre-determined number of one or more predicted beams for the first future time instance or predicted CQIs of the pre-determined number of one or more predicted beams for the first future time instance.

[0081] The beam indices mentioned above are associated with at least one of predicted CRIs of the pre-determined number of one or more predicted beams for the first future time instance, or predicted SSBRIs of the pre-determined number of one or more predicted beams for the first future time instance.

[0082] For example, the predicted beam indices and the predicted beam quality values may be determined based on a machine learning model used at the first apparatus 110.

[0083] For the case where the first part of the CSI report for reporting the time domain beam prediction comprises beam indices of the pre-determined number of one or more predicted beams for a first future time instance of the plurality of future time instances, if the first apparatus 110 determines that respective beam indices of a first predicted beam in the pre-determined number of one or more predicted beams for one or more other future time instances (e.g., respective beam indices of a Top-1 predicted beam of Top-K predicted beams for future time instances (n+2), (n+3), (n+4)), compared to a further beam index of the first predicted beam for the first future time instance (e.g., a beam index of a Top-1 predicted beam of Top-K predicted beams for a future time instance (n+1)), are not changed, the first apparatus 110 determines a first indication indicating the determination and indicates the first indication in the first part of the CSI report. It is to be understood that the first predicted beam used hereinafter will not be limited to the Top-1 predicted beam and it can be referred to as any beam of Top-K beams, such as Top-2 predicted beam, Top-3 predicted beam or Top-4 predicted beam.

[0084] If the first apparatus 110 determines that at least one beam index of the first predicted beam for at least one of the one or more other future time instances, compared to the further beam index of the first predicted beam for the first future time instance, is changed, the first apparatus 110 generates a second part of the CSI report based on the at least one beam index and indicates, in the first part of the CSI report, a second indication mapping to the at least one beam index indicated in the second part of the CSI report.

[0085] In order to demonstrate the idea of the present disclosure, a further detailed example will be described below with reference to FIG. 4.

[0086] FIG. 4 illustrates the report overhead reduction of BM-Case 2, wherein 4 (K=4) beams to be predicted and 4 (N=4) time slots are shown. Each row of the pCRI table (e.g. Top-1 row) represents a vector of pCRI values. Each column of the pCRI table (e.g. N+l column) represents a beam of the Top-K beams.

[0087] In this example, CSI-report 1st part is used for CRI at N+l and CSI-report 1st part is also used to define N for each Top-K. It should be noted that CSI-report 1st part may also be used for CRI at different N values (e.g. N+2, N+3). As shown in the CSI-report 1st part table, if N=l, the CRI is the same for N+l, 2, 3, ,.,N. That is to say, the indication “1” here indicates respective beam indices of a Top-1 predicted beam for future time instances (N+2), (N+3), (N+4), compared to the beam index of a Top-1 predicted beam for a future time instance (N+l), are not changed. The indication “1” may refer to the first indication as mentioned above.

[0088] If N>1, the CRI changes for N+2,3, for Top-K, for example the CRI for Top-2 changes at N+3 then as shown in the field of “pCRI Top-2, N” a value of 3 is recorded. That is, the indication “2” or “3” or “4” in the CSI-report 1st part table indicates respective beam indices of a Top-2 / 3 / 4 predicted beam for future time instances (N+2), (N+3), (N+4), compared to the beam index of Top-1 predicted beam for a future time instance (N+l), are changed. The indication “2” or “3” or “4” may refer to the first indication as mentioned above. The indication “2” or “3” or “4” may be linked to the CSI-report 2nd part (i.e., CSI-report 2nd part table) indicating the change.

[0089] If N>1, the CRI has N-l fields, containing CRI(N+1), CRI(N+2), etc. For example, according to the value “3” in the field of “PCRI Top-2, N” there should be 2 fields in CSI-report 2nd part table (i.e. 23 and 8), which may indicate that the pCRI Top-2 is 23 for time instant N+2 and pCRI Top-2 is 8 for time instant N+3, whereas the non reported pCRI Top-2 for time instant N+4 indicates that pCRI Top-2 is not changing compared to time instant N+3 and therefore pCRI Top-2 for time instant N+4 is 8.

[0090] In this way, the UCI overhead reduction maybe calculated as follow: Original UCI overhead = 7*K*N=> 7*4*4=112 bit Reduced UCI overhead = 7*K+log2(N)*K+2*7+l*7+3*7=78 bit, i.e. 30% UCI overhead savings (mixed conditions)

[0091] It is to be understood that the CRI used in this case will be replaced by SSBRI, which may also be referred to beam indices.

[0092] For the case where the first part of the CSI report for reporting the time domain beam prediction comprises beam quality values associated with the pre-determined number of one or more predicted beams for a first future time instance of the plurality of future time instances, if the first apparatus 110 determines that a change between a beam quality value associated with a first predicted beam in the pre-determined number of one or more predicted beams for the first future time instance (e.g., a RSRP of a Top-1 predicted beam of Top-K predicted beams for a future time instance (n+1)) and respective beam quality values associated with the first predicted beam for one or more other future time instances (e.g., respective RSRPs of a Top-1 predicted beam of Top-K predicted beams for future time instances (n+2), (n+3), (n+4)) is lower than a threshold difference, the first apparatus 110 determines a first indication indicating the determination and indicates the first indication in the first part of the CSI report. It is to be understood that the first predicted beam used hereinafter will not be limited to the Top-1 predicted beam and it can be referred to as any beam of Top-K beam, such as Top-2 predicted beam, Top-3 predicted beam or Top-4 predicted beam.

[0093] If the first apparatus 110 determines that a change between the beam quality value associated with the first predicted beam for the first future time instance and at least one beam quality value associated with the first predicted beam for at least one of the one or more other future time instances is above than the threshold difference, the first apparatus 110 generates a second part of the CSI report based on the at least one beam quality value and indicates, in the first part of the CSI report, a second indication mapping to the at least one beam quality value indicated in the second part of the CSI report.

[0094] For example, the threshold difference may be configured by the second apparatus 120.

[0095] The above-mentioned case will be described below with reference to FIG. 5. Similar to FIG. 4, FIG. 5 describes how to achieve overhead reduction with a configurable threshold. As shown in FIG. 5, if the predicted RSRP (pRSRP) changes over N+2, N+3, N+4, and the change is below the threshold (e.g. 3db), then the change will not be reported.

[0096] For example, pRSRP for Top-1 changes over N+2, N+3, N+4, but the changes are all less than the threshold difference (e.g., 3db), thus these is no change about the Top-1 bean will be reported in the CSI-report 2nd part. In this case, the indication “1” in the CSI-report 1st part table indicates a change between a pRSRP of a Top-1 predicted beam of Top-K predicted beams for a future time instance (n+1) and respective pRSRPs of a Top-1 predicted beam of Top-K predicted beams for future time instances (n+2), (n+3), (n+4)) is lower than a threshold difference. The indication “1” may refer to the first indication as mentioned above.

[0097] While, on the other hand the changes of pRSRP for Top-2 over N+2, N+3, N+4 are greater than the threshold difference (e.g., 3db), thus the CSI-report 1st part may have indication indicating the change and associating to the detail of changes reported in the CSI-report 2nd part. In this case, the indication “2” or “3” or “4” in the CSI-report 1st part table indicates a change between a pRSRP of a Top-2 / 3 / 4 predicted beam of Top-K predicted beams for a future time instance (n+1) and respective pRSRPs of a Top-2 / 3 / 4 predicted beam of Top-K predicted beams for future time instances (n+2), (n+3), (n+4)) is above a threshold difference. The indication “2” or “3” or “4” may refer to the second indication as mentioned above. The indication “2” or “3” or “4” may be linked to the CSI-report 2nd part (i.e., CSI-report 2nd part table) indicating the change.

[0098] In another embodiment, the differential pRSPR may be reported instead of the actual value of the pRSPR to further save more bits in the fields of the report, since the difference between pRSPR values are usually smaller than the actual value of the pRSPR. As shown in FIG. 6, in the CSI-report 1st part, the actual pRSPR value of Top-1 predicted beam for time instance n+1 and each differential pRSPR between actual pRSPR values of Top-1 predicted beam for time instances(n+2), (n+3), (n+4) and the actual pRSPR value of Top-1 predicted beam for time instance n+1 are listed.

[0099] In the case shown in FIG. 6, the first indication and / or second indication generated in the CSI-report 1st part is similar with the case shown in FIG. 5. In other words, the indication “1” in the CSI-report 1st part table indicates a change between a pRSRP of a Top-1 predicted beam of Top-K predicted beams for a future time instance (n+1) and respective pRSRPs of a Top-1 predicted beam of Top-K predicted beams for future time instances (n+2), (n+3), (n+4)) is lower than a threshold difference. The indication “2” or “3” or “4” in the CSI-report 1st part table indicates a change between a pRSRP of a Top-2 / 3 / 4 predicted beam of Top-K predicted beams for a future time instance (n+1) and respective pRSRPs of a Top-2 / 3 / 4 predicted beam of Top-K predicted beams for future time instances (n+2), (n+3), (n+4)) is above a threshold difference. Instead of showing the actual pRSRPs in the CSI-report 2nd part, a change of differential pRSPRs will be listed in the CSI-report 2nd part.

[0100] In the embodiments as mentioned above, in addition to the pRSPRs and differential RSRPs, predicted CQIs may also be used as the beam quality value.

[0101] For time domain beam measurement, the first part of the CSI report may comprise beam indices of the pre-determined number of one or more measured beams for a first past time instance of the plurality of past time instances, or beam quality values associated with the pre-determined number of one or more measured beams for a first past time instance of the plurality of past time instances.

[0102] The beam quality values mentioned above comprise at least one of measured RSRPs of the pre-determined number of one or more measured beams for the first past time instance, differential measured RSRPs of the pre-determined number of one or more predicted beams for the first future time instance, or measured CQIs of the pre-determined number of one or more measured beams for the first past time instance. The beam indices mentioned above comprise measured CRIs of the pre-determined number of one or more measured beams for the first past time instance, or measured SSBRIs of the predetermined number of one or more measured beams for the first past time instance.

[0103] For the case where the first part of the CSI report comprises beam indices of the pre-determined number of one or more measured beams for a first past time instance of the plurality of past time instances, if the first apparatus 110 determines that respective beam indices of a first measured beam in the pre-determined number of one or more measured beams for one or more other past time instances, compared to a further beam index of the first measured beam for the first past time instance, are not changed, the first apparatus 110 determines a first indication indicating the determination and indicates the first indication in the first part of the CSI report.

[0104] If the first apparatus 110 determines that at least one beam index of the first measured beam for at least one of the one or more other past time instances, compared to the further beam index of the first measured beam for the first past time instance, is changed, the first apparatus 110 generates a second part of the CSI report based on the at least one beam index and indicates, in the first part of the CSI report, a second indication mapping to the at least one beam index indicated in the second part of the CSI report.

[0105] For the case where beam quality values associated with the pre-determined number of one or more measured beams for a first past time instance of the plurality of past time instances, if the first apparatus 110 determines that a change between a value associated with a first measured beam in the pre-determined number of one or more measured beams for the first past time instance and respective beam quality values associated with the first measured beam for one or more other past time instances is lower than a threshold difference, the first apparatus 110 determines a first indication indicating the determination and indicates the first indication in the first part of the CSI report.

[0106] If the first apparatus 110 determines that a change between the value associated with the first measured beam for the first past time instance and at least one value associated with the first measured beam for at least one of the one or more other past time instances is above than the threshold difference, the first apparatus 110 generates a second part of the CSI report based on the at least one value and indicates, in the first part of the CSI report, a second indication mapping to the at least one value indicated in the second part of the CSI report.

[0107] It is to be understood that that difference between the CSI report for time domain beam prediction and time domain beam measurement is whether the beam indices / beam quality values are predicted for one or more successive future time instances or are measured for one or more successive past time instances. Therefore, embodiments described with reference to FIGS. 4-6 for time domain beam prediction CSI report may also be applied for time domain beam measurement CSI report.

[0108] As mentioned above, based on each Top-K beam vector, the first apparatus 110 determines a time index corresponding to the smaller time instance N, with N+1,2, ..., N, according to which the Top-K beam index under consideration does not change in successive time instances. For each Top-K beam, the bit field that identifying a time index has a dimension that can be defined by ceil(log2(N)). For a prediction / measurement quantity with continuous beam quality values, e.g., predicted RSRP or RSRP, a threshold may be used to determine whether predicted RSRP or RSRP of said Top-K beam does not change in successive time instances.

[0109] Then the first apparatus 110 may determine a first part of CSI report based on time domain beam predictions / measurements for first value of N time instances, e.g. CSI(N+1), and based on corresponding indications (e.g. the first and / or second indication as mentioned above).

[0110] The first apparatus 110 may also determine a second part of CSI report, wherein each Top-K beam time domain beam prediction / measurement is reported accordingly to corresponding indications for remaining time instances not included in the first part of CSI report.

[0111] Referring back to FIG. 3, the first apparatus 110 transmits (320) CSI report the second apparatus 120.

[0112] Based on the received CSI report, the second apparatus 120 may determine first part of CSI report based on configured report parameters (number of beams in Top-K and N time instance(s)), wherein the first part of CSI report includes the time domain beam prediction for first value of N time instance(s) and time index information.

[0113] The second apparatus 120 may also determine the second part of the CSI report based on the determined time index information, wherein for each beam in Top-K beams, the time domain beam prediction / measurement is included for successive beam quality values of N time instance(s) depending on time index information.

[0114] In the following, some other examples of the order and mapping of the CSI bit fields in a CSI report are listed. The solution of the present disclosure will be further clarified based on these examples.

[0115] For the case where a CSI report associated with predicted CRI / SSBRI reporting, an example of the order and mapping of the CSI bit fields in a CSI report is given in Tables 8 and 9.

[0116] The CSI report is divided into a first part with a fixed payload length and a second part having a variable payload. In one example, the first part of the CSI report may contain the predicted CRI / SSBRI for Top-K beams related to the first predicted time instance (N=l). These bit fields are followed by the corresponding time index field containing the number of time instants included in a second part of the CSI report for each Top-K beam.

[0117] The payload length of the first part of the CSI report is fixed and can be determined by considering the number of bits required to report the predicted CRI (e.g., in an example, the RRC configures 128 RS resources, thus 7 bits are required for each CRI) in addition to the number of bits required to report the time index, which may have a dimension that can be defined by ceil(log2(N)). Therefore, a total of 7*K+log2(N)*K bit its required to report the first part of CSI reporting.

[0118] Conversely, the second part of the CSI report can contain the information related to the Top-K beams for the successive time instances (n=2, .., N). The NW determines the number of time instances reported in second part of the CSI report based on the information contained in the first part of the CSI report. For instance, based on the corresponding time index for each Top-K beam, some examples are provided as follows:

[0119] In an example of CSI bit fields for the second part of CSI report, if the time index n for Top-1 beam indicates that n=l time instant is reported for the pCRI or pSSBRI for Top-1 beam, then the second part of the CSI report does not report any further pCRI or pSSBRI for Top-1 beam for successive time instances.

[0120] In another example, if the time index n for the Top-2 beam indicates that n=3 different time instances are reported for pCRI or pSSBRI for Top-2 beam, then the second part of the CSI report reports the pCRI or pSSBRI for Top-2 beam corresponding to n=2 and n=3 time instances.

[0121] In a third example, the time index n for Top-3 beam indicates that n=2 different time instances are reported for pCRI or pSSBRI for the Top-3 beam, then the second part of the CSI report reports the pCRI or pSSBRI for Top-3 beam corresponding to n=2 time instant.

[0122] In a fourth example, the time index n for Top-4 beam indicates that n=4 time instances are reported for pCRI or pSSBRI for Top-4 beam, then the second part of the CSI report reports the pCRI or pSSBRI for Top-4 beam corresponding to n=2, n=3 and n=4 time instances.

[0123] The payload length of the second part of the CSI report is variable and can be determined by considering the pCRI or pSSBRI for number of time instances included for each Top-K beam. Referring to the examples above, as the second part of the CSI report does not report any further pCRI or pSSBRI for Top-1 beam, the overhead for Top-1 beam is zero. For Top-2 beam, the second part of the CSI report contains two pCRI for time instants n=2 and n=3, thus the overhead for Top-2 beam is 14 bit. Following the same reasoning, the overhead for the Top-3 beam is 7 bit and the overhead for the Top-4 beam is 21 bits. 5

[0124] The total overhead of the CSI report, consisting of the first and second parts, according to the example above, is 78 bits. On the other hand, the overhead considered for reporting all the pCRI for each Top-K beam and N time instants is 112 bits. The advantage of the proposed method for the example given is that the overhead saved corresponds to 30% of the conventional approach of reporting all the pCRI. In other words, 10 the method offers the advantage of compressing the time domain prediction / measurement by reducing the reporting overhead without losing any information during the compression process. Table 8: CSI fields for 1st part of CSI report (example for reporting predicted CRI / SSBRI with K=4, N=4). CSI report number CSI fields in 1st part of CSI report CSI report #n pCRI or pSSBRI for Top-I beam for time instance I, if reported pCRI or pSSBRI for Top-2 beam for time instance 1, if reported pCRI or pSSBRI for Top-3 beam for time instance 1, if reported pCRI or pSSBRI for Top-4 beam for time instance 1, if reported time index n for Top-1 beam, if reported time index n for Top-2 beam, if reported time index n for Top-3 beam, if reported time index n for Top-4 beam, if reported 15 Table 9: CSI fields for 2nd part of CSI report (example for reporting predicted CRI / SSBRI with K=4, N=4). CSI report number CSI fields in 2nd part of CSI report CSI report #n pCRI or pSSBRI for Top-1 beam for time instance 2, if time index n for Top-1 beam >1, if reported pCRI or pSSBRI for Top-1 beam for time instance 3, if time index n for Top-1 beam >1, if reported pCRI or pSSBRI for Top-1 beam for time instance 4, if time index n for Top-1 beam >1, if reported pCRI or pSSBRI for Top-2 beam for time instance 2, if time index n for Top-2 beam >1, if reported pCRI or pSSBRI for Top-2 beam for time instance 3, if time index n for Top-2 beam >1, if reported pCRI or pSSBRI for Top-2 beam for time instance 4, if time index n for Top-2 beam >1, if reported pCRI or pSSBRI for Top-3 beam for time instance 2, if time index n for Top-3 beam >1, if reported pCRI or pSSBRI for Top-3 beam for time instance 3, if time index n for Top-3 beam >1, if reported pCRI or pSSBRI for Top-3 beam for time instance 4, if time index n for Top-3 beam >1, if reported pCRI or pSSBRI for Top-4 beam for time instance 2, if time index n for Top-4 beam >1, if reported pCRI or pSSBRI for Top-4 beam for time instance 3, if time index n for Top-4 beam >1, if reported pCRI or pSSBRI for Top-4 beam for time instance 4, if time index n for Top-4 beam >1, if reported

[0125] For the case where a CSI report associated with measured CRI / SSBRI reporting. an example of the order and mapping of the CSI bit fields in a CSI report follows the exact same format represented in Tables 8 and 9 for predicted CRI / SSBRI. The main differences are that reported quantity changes from predicted CRI / SSBRI to measured CRI. 5

[0126] For the case where a CSI report associated with the predicted RSRP reporting, a further example of the order and mapping of the CSI bit fields in a CSI report is given in Tables 10 and 11 for reporting the predicted RSRP.

[0127] The first part of the CSI report contains the beam information for Top-K beams related to the first predicted time instance (N=l). In addition to the pCRI / pSSBRI, the CSI 10 report also includes the predicted RSRP for each Top-K beam for time instance N=l. Following the legacy definition of RSRP, the predicted RSRP can be mapped to a finite set of values represented by 7 or 4 bits for absolute or differential RSRP for each beam. These bit fields are followed by the corresponding time index field containing the number of time instants included in a second part of the CSI report for each Top-K beam. 15

[0128] Conversely, the second part of the CSI report can contain the information related to the Top-K beams for the successive time instances (n=2, .., N). Following the same principle as described in the example for Predicted CRI / SSBRI reporting. The NW determines the number of predicted RSRP in future time instances included in the second part of the CSI report based on the information corresponding to the time index for each Top-K beam detailed in the first part of the CSI report.

[0129] When the second part of the CSI report does not report a predicted RSRP for 5 successive time instances, it indicates that the predicted RSRP for said Top-K beam does not vary the indicated value in successive time instances (n=2, .., N) more than a configured threshold in successive time instances (n=2, .., N). On the other hand, the variation of the predicted values larger than a threshold should be reported for successive time instances (n=2, ..., N) according to the logic explained in the provided examples or 10 Predicted CRI / SSBRI reporting.

[0130] It should be noted that the predicted RSRP for successive time instances, whenever reported, may use a differential quantization method over time to represent the predicted RSRP of the top K beam over successive time instances relative to the predicted RSRP of the Top-K beam at the N=1 time instance. In an example, 4 bits can be used for 15 the temporal differential RSRP plus 1 bit to represent the sign if required. Table 10: CSI fields for 1st part of CSI report (example for reporting predicted RSRP with K=4, N=4). CSI report number CSI fields in 1st part of CSI report CSI report #n pCRI or pSSBRI for Top-1 beam for time instance 1, if reported pCRI or pSSBRI for Top-2 beam for time instance 1, if reported pCRI or pSSBRI for Top-3 beam for time instance 1, if reported pCRI or pSSBRI for Top-4 beam for time instance 1, if reported pRSRP for Top-1 beam for time instance 1, if reported Differential pRSRP for Top-2 beam for time instance 1, if reported Differential pRSRP for Top-3 beam for time instance 1. if reported Differential pRSRP for Top-4 beam for time instance 1, if reported time index n for Top-1 beam, if reported time index n for Top-2 beam, if reported time index n for Top-3 beam, if reported time index n for Top-4 beam, if reported Table 11: CSI fields for 2nd part of CSI report (example for reporting predicted RSRP with K=4, N=4). CSI report number CSI fields in 2nd part of CSI report CSI report #n pRSRP for Top-1 beam for time instance 2, if time index n for Top-1 beam >1, if reported pRSRP for Top-1 beam for time instance 3, if time index n for Top-1 beam >1, if reported pRSRP for Top-1 beam for time instance 4, if time index n for Top-1 beam >1, if reported Differential pRSRP for Top-2 beam for time instance 2, if time index n for Top-2 beam >1, if reported Differential pRSRP for Top-2 beam for time instance 3, if time index n for Top-2 beam >1, if reported Differential pRSRP for Top-2 beam for time instance 4, if time index n for Top-2 beam >1, if reported Differential pRSRP for Top-3 beam for time instance 2, if time index n for Top-3 beam >I, if reported Differential pRSRP for Top-3 beam for time instance 3, if time index n for Top-3 beam >1, if reported Differential pRSRP for Top-3 beam for time instance 4, if time index n for Top-3 beam >1, if reported Differential pRSRP for Top-4 beam for time instance 2, if time index n for Top-4 beam >1, if reported Differential pRSRP for Top-4 beam for time instance 3, if time index n for Top-4 beam >1, if reported Differential pRSRP for Top-4 beam for time instance 4, if time index n for Top-4 beam >1, if reported

[0131] For the case where a CSI report associated with the measured RSRP reporting, an example provided in the RSPR reporting prediction follows the approach considering the reporting quantities "CRI / RSRP" and "SSBRI / RSRP", which requires the UE to 5 measure and report RSRP measurements in addition to CRI or SSBRI. Nevertheless, data collection and monitoring operations may consider reporting of the full set of beams where the index is not required as it can be derived based on the order of the measured RS. In such a case, or in any other case where the reporting of CRI / SSBRI can be avoided to reduce the reporting overhead, the method discussed in this invention may still be 10 applicable to further reduce the reporting overhead.

[0132] An example of the order and mapping of the CSI bit fields in a CSI report follows the exact same format represented in Tables 10 and 11 for predicted RSRP. The main differences are that reported quantity changes from predicted RSRP to measured RSRP.

[0133] FIG. 7 shows a flowchart of an example method 700 implemented at a first 15 apparatus in accordance with some example embodiments of the present disclosure. For the purpose of discussion, the method 700 will be described from the perspective of the first apparatus 110 in FIG. 1.

[0134] At block 710, the first apparatus receives, from a second apparatus, CSI reporting configuration used to report a time domain beam prediction or a time domain beam measurement.

[0135] At block 720, the first apparatus generates, based on the CSI reporting configuration, a CSI report reporting the time domain beam prediction or the time domain beam measurement, wherein a first part of the CSI report at least comprises information about a pre-determined number of one or more beams in a first time instance of a plurality of time instances, and one or more indications associated with information about the predetermined number of one or more beams in one or more other time instances of the plurality of time instances.

[0136] At block 730, the first apparatus transmits the CSI report to the second apparatus.

[0137] In some example embodiments, the CSI reporting configuration, used to report the time domain beam prediction, indicates a pre-determined number of one or more predicted beams for each of a plurality of future time instances are to be reported.

[0138] In some example embodiments, the CSI reporting configuration, used to report the time domain beam measurement, indicates a pre-determined number of one or more measured beams in each of a plurality of past time instances are to be reported.

[0139] In some example embodiments, the first part of the CSI report for reporting the time domain beam prediction comprises at least one of the following: beam indices of the pre-determined number of one or more predicted beams for a first future time instance of the plurality of future time instances, or beam quality values associated with the predetermined number of one or more predicted beams for a first future time instance of the plurality of future time instances.

[0140] In some example embodiments, the method 700 further comprises: in accordance with a determination that respective beam indices of a first predicted beam in the predetermined number of one or more predicted beams for one or more other future time instances, compared to a further beam index of the first predicted beam for the first future time instance, are not changed, determining a first indication indicating the determination; and indicating the first indication in the first part of the CSI report.

[0141] In some example embodiments, the method 700 further comprises: in accordance with a determination that at least one beam index of the first predicted beam for at least one of the one or more other future time instances, compared to the further beam index of the first predicted beam for the first future time instance, is changed, generating a second part of the CSI report based on the at least one beam index; and indicating, in the first part of the CSI report, a second indication mapping to the at least one beam index indicated in the second part of the CSI report.

[0142] In some example embodiments, the method 700 further comprises: in accordance with a determination that a change between a value associated with a first predicted beam in the pre-determined number of one or more predicted beams for the first future time instance and respective beam quality values associated with the first predicted beam for one or more other future time instances is lower than a threshold difference, determining a first indication indicating the determination; and indicating the first indication in the first part of the CSI report.

[0143] In some example embodiments, the method 700 further comprises: in accordance with a determination that a change between the value associated with the first predicted beam for the first future time instance and at least one value associated with the first predicted beam for at least one of the one or more other future time instances is above than the threshold difference, generating a second part of the CSI report based on the at least one value; and indicating, in the first part of the CSI report, a second indication mapping to the at least one value indicated in the second part of the CSI report.

[0144] In some example embodiments, the first part of the CSI report for reporting the time domain beam measurement comprises at least one of the following: beam indices of the pre-determined number of one or more measured beams for a first past time instance of the plurality of past time instances, or beam quality values associated with the predetermined number of one or more measured beams for a first past time instance of the plurality of past time instances.

[0145] In some example embodiments, the method 700 further comprises: in accordance with a determination that respective beam indices of a first measured beam in the predetermined number of one or more measured beams for one or more other past time instances, compared to a further beam index of the first measured beam for the first past time instance, are not changed, determining a first indication indicating the determination; and indicating the first indication in the first part of the CSI report.

[0146] In some example embodiments, the method 700 further comprises: in accordance with a determination that at least one beam index of the first measured beam for at least one of the one or more other past time instances, compared to the further beam index of the first measured beam for the first past time instance, is changed, generate a second part of the CSI report based on the at least one beam index; and indicating, in the first part of the CSI report, a second indication mapping to the at least one beam index indicated in the second part of the CSI report.

[0147] In some example embodiments, the method 700 further comprises: in accordance with a determination that a change between a value associated with a first measured beam in the pre-determined number of one or more measured beams for the first past time instance and respective beam quality values associated with the first measured beam for one or more other past time instances is lower than a threshold difference, determining a first indication indicating the determination; and indicating the first indication in the first part of the CSI report.

[0148] In some example embodiments, the method 700 further comprises: in accordance with a determination that a change between the value associated with the first measured beam for the first past time instance and at least one value associated with the first measured beam for at least one of the one or more other past time instances is above than the threshold difference, generating a second part of the CSI report based on the at least one value; and indicating, in the first part of the CSI report, a second indication mapping to the at least one value indicated in the second part of the CSI report.

[0149] In some example embodiments, the beam quality values comprise at least one of the following: predicted reference signal received powers, RSRPs of the pre-determined number of one or more predicted beams for the first future time instance, or predicted channel quality control information, CQIs of the pre-determined number of one or more predicted beams for the first future time instance.

[0150] In some example embodiments, the beam indices are associated with at least one of the following: predicted CSI reference signal resource indicators, CRIs of the predetermined number of one or more predicted beams for the first future time instance, or predicted synchronization signal / physical broadcast channel block resource indicators, SSBRIs of the pre-determined number of one or more predicted beams for the first future time instance.

[0151] In some example embodiments, the beam indices and the beam quality values is determined based on a machine learning model used at the first apparatus.

[0152] In some example embodiments, the beam quality values comprise at least one of the following: measured RSRPs of the pre-determined number of one or more measured beams for the first past time instance, or measured CQIs of the pre-determined number of one or more measured beams for the first past time instance.

[0153] In some example embodiments, the beam indices comprise at least one of the following: measured CRIs of the pre-determined number of one or more measured beams for the first past time instance, or measured SSBRIs of the pre-determined number of one or more measured beams for the first past time instance.

[0154] In some example embodiments, the first apparatus comprises a terminal device, and the second apparatus comprises a network device.

[0155] FIG. 8 shows a flowchart of an example method 800 implemented at a second apparatus in accordance with some example embodiments of the present disclosure. For the purpose of discussion, the method 800 will be described from the perspective of the second apparatus 120 in FIG. 1.

[0156] At block 810, the second apparatus transmits, to a first apparatus, CSI reporting configuration used to report a time domain beam prediction or a time domain beam measurement.

[0157] At block 820, the second apparatus receives, from the first apparatus, a CSI report reporting the time domain beam prediction or the time domain beam measurement, wherein a first part of the CSI report at least comprises information about a pre-determined number of one or more beams in a first time instance of a plurality of time instances, and one or more indications associated with information about the pre-determined number of one or more beams in one or more other time instances of the plurality of time instances.

[0158] In some example embodiments, the CSI reporting configuration, used to report the time domain beam prediction, indicates a pre-determined number of one or more predicted beams for each of a plurality of future time instances are to be reported.

[0159] In some example embodiments, the CSI reporting configuration, used to report the time domain beam measurement, indicates a pre-determined number of one or more measured beams in each of a plurality of past time instances are to be reported.

[0160] In some example embodiments, the first part of the CSI report for reporting the time domain beam prediction comprises at least one of the following: beam indices of the pre-determined number of one or more predicted beams for a first future time instance of the plurality of future time instances, or beam quality values associated with the predetermined number of one or more predicted beams for a first future time instance of the plurality of future time instances.

[0161] In some example embodiments, the first part of the CSI report further comprises one of the following: a first indication indicating respective beam indices of a first predicted beam in the pre-determined number of one or more predicted beams for one or more other future time instances, compared to a further beam index of the first predicted beam for the first future time instance, are not changed, or a second indication mapping to at least one beam index indicated in a second part of the CSI report, wherein the at least one beam index of the first predicted beam for at least one of the one or more other future time instances, compared to the further beam index of the first predicted beam for the first future time instance, is changed.

[0162] In some example embodiments, the first part of the CSI report further comprises one of the following: a first indication indicating a change between a value associated with a first predicted beam in the pre-determined number of one or more predicted beams for the first future time instance and respective beam quality values associated with the first predicted beam for one or more other future time instances is lower than a threshold difference, or a second indication mapping to at least one value indicated in a second part of the CSI report, wherein a change between the value associated with the first predicted beam for the first future time instance and the at least one value associated with the first predicted beam for at least one of the one or more other future time instances is above than the threshold difference.

[0163] In some example embodiments, the first part of the CSI report for reporting the time domain beam measurement comprises at least one of the following: beam indices of the pre-determined number of one or more measured beams for a first past time instance of the plurality of past time instances, or beam quality values associated with the predetermined number of one or more measured beams for a first past time instance of the plurality of past time instances.

[0164] In some example embodiments, the first part of the CSI report further comprises one of the following: a first indication indicating respective beam indices of a first measured beam in the pre-determined number of one or more measured beams for one or more other past time instances, compared to a further beam index of the first measured beam for the first past time instance, are not changed, or a second indication mapping to at least one beam index indicated in a second part of the CSI report, wherein the at least one beam index of the first measured beam for at least one of the one or more other past time instances, compared to the further beam index of the first measured beam for the first past time instance, is changed.

[0165] In some example embodiments, the first part of the CSI report further comprises one of the following: a first indication indicating a change between a value associated with a first measured beam in the pre-determined number of one or more measured beams for the first past time instance and respective beam quality values associated with the first measured beam for one or more other past time instances is lower than a threshold difference, or a second indication mapping to at least one value indicated in a second part of the CSI report, wherein a change between the value associated with the first measured beam for the first past time instance and the at least one value associated with the first measured beam for at least one of the one or more other past time instances is above than the threshold difference.

[0166] In some example embodiments, the first apparatus comprises a terminal device, and the second apparatus comprises a network device.

[0167] In some example embodiments, a first apparatus capable of performing any of the method 700 (for example, the first apparatus 110 in FIG. 1) may comprise means for performing the respective operations of the method 700. The means may be implemented in any suitable form. For example, the means may be implemented in a circuitry or software module. The first apparatus may be implemented as or included in the first apparatus 110 in FIG. 1.

[0168] In some example embodiments, the first apparatus comprises means for receiving, from a second apparatus, CSI reporting configuration used to report a time domain beam prediction or a time domain beam measurement; generating, based on the CSI reporting configuration, a CSI report reporting the time domain beam prediction or the time domain beam measurement, wherein a first part of the CSI report at least comprises information about a pre-determined number of one or more beams in a first time instance of a plurality of time instances, and one or more indications associated with information about the pre-determined number of one or more beams in one or more other time instances of the plurality of time instances; and transmitting the CSI report to the second apparatus.

[0169] In some example embodiments, the CSI reporting configuration, used to report the time domain beam prediction, indicates a pre-determined number of one or more predicted beams for each of a plurality of future time instances are to be reported.

[0170] In some example embodiments, the CSI reporting configuration, used to report the time domain beam measurement, indicates a pre-determined number of one or more measured beams in each of a plurality of past time instances are to be reported.

[0171] In some example embodiments, the first part of the CSI report for reporting the time domain beam prediction comprises at least one of the following: beam indices of the pre-determined number of one or more predicted beams for a first future time instance of the plurality of future time instances, or beam quality values associated with the predetermined number of one or more predicted beams for a first future time instance of the plurality of future time instances.

[0172] In some example embodiments, the first apparatus further comprises: means for in accordance with a determination that respective beam indices of a first predicted beam in the pre-determined number of one or more predicted beams for one or more other future time instances, compared to a further beam index of the first predicted beam for the first future time instance, are not changed, determining a first indication indicating the determination; and means for indicating the first indication in the first part of the CSI report.

[0173] In some example embodiments, the first apparatus further comprises: means for in accordance with a determination that at least one beam index of the first predicted beam for at least one of the one or more other future time instances, compared to the further beam index of the first predicted beam for the first future time instance, is changed, generating a second part of the CSI report based on the at least one beam index; and means for indicating, in the first part of the CSI report, a second indication mapping to the at least one beam index indicated in the second part of the CSI report.

[0174] In some example embodiments, the first apparatus further comprises: means for in accordance with a determination that a change between a value associated with a first predicted beam in the pre-determined number of one or more predicted beams for the first future time instance and respective beam quality values associated with the first predicted beam for one or more other future time instances is lower than a threshold difference, determining a first indication indicating the determination; and means for indicating the first indication in the first part of the CSI report.

[0175] In some example embodiments, the first apparatus further comprises: means for in accordance with a determination that a change between the value associated with the first predicted beam for the first future time instance and at least one value associated with the first predicted beam for at least one of the one or more other future time instances is above than the threshold difference, generating a second part of the CSI report based on the at least one value; and means for indicating, in the first part of the CSI report, a second indication mapping to the at least one value indicated in the second part of the CSI report.

[0176] In some example embodiments, the first part of the CSI report for reporting the time domain beam measurement comprises at least one of the following: beam indices of the pre-determined number of one or more measured beams for a first past time instance of the plurality of past time instances, or beam quality values associated with the predetermined number of one or more measured beams for a first past time instance of the plurality of past time instances.

[0177] In some example embodiments, the first apparatus further comprises: means for in accordance with a determination that respective beam indices of a first measured beam in the pre-determined number of one or more measured beams for one or more other past time instances, compared to a further beam index of the first measured beam for the first past time instance, are not changed, determining a first indication indicating the determination; and means for indicating the first indication in the first part of the CSI report.

[0178] In some example embodiments, the first apparatus further comprises: means for in accordance with a determination that at least one beam index of the first measured beam for at least one of the one or more other past time instances, compared to the further beam index of the first measured beam for the first past time instance, is changed, generating a second part of the CSI report based on the at least one beam index; and means for indicating, in the first part of the CSI report, a second indication mapping to the at least one beam index indicated in the second part of the CSI report.

[0179] In some example embodiments, the first apparatus further comprises: means for in accordance with a determination that a change between a value associated with a first measured beam in the pre-determined number of one or more measured beams for the first past time instance and respective beam quality values associated with the first measured beam for one or more other past time instances is lower than a threshold difference, determining a first indication indicating the determination; and means for indicating the first indication in the first part of the CSI report.

[0180] In some example embodiments, the first apparatus further comprises: means for in accordance with a determination that a change between the value associated with the first measured beam for the first past time instance and at least one value associated with the first measured beam for at least one of the one or more other past time instances is above than the threshold difference, generating a second part of the CSI report based on the at least one value; and means for indicating, in the first part of the CSI report, a second indication mapping to the at least one value indicated in the second part of the CSI report.

[0181] In some example embodiments, the beam quality values comprise at least one of the following: predicted reference signal received powers, RSRPs of the pre-determined number of one or more predicted beams for the first future time instance, or predicted channel quality control information, CQIs of the pre-determined number of one or more predicted beams for the first future time instance.

[0182] In some example embodiments, the beam indices are associated with at least one of the following: predicted CSI reference signal resource indicators, CRIs of the predetermined number of one or more predicted beams for the first future time instance, or predicted synchronization signal / physical broadcast channel block resource indicators, SSBRIs of the pre-determined number of one or more predicted beams for the first future time instance.

[0183] In some example embodiments, the beam indices and the beam quality values is determined based on a machine learning model used at the first apparatus.

[0184] In some example embodiments, the beam quality values comprise at least one of the following: measured RSRPs of the pre-determined number of one or more measured beams for the first past time instance, or measured CQIs of the pre-determined number of one or more measured beams for the first past time instance.

[0185] In some example embodiments, the beam indices comprise at least one of the following: measured CRIs of the pre-determined number of one or more measured beams for the first past time instance, or measured SSBRIs of the pre-determined number of one or more measured beams for the first past time instance.

[0186] In some example embodiments, the first apparatus comprises a terminal device, and the second apparatus comprises a network device.

[0187] In some example embodiments, a second apparatus capable of performing any of the method 800 (for example, the second apparatus 120 in FIG. 1) may comprise means for performing the respective operations of the method 800. The means may be implemented in any suitable form. For example, the means may be implemented in a circuitry or software module. The second apparatus may be implemented as or included in the second apparatus 120 in FIG. 1.

[0188] In some example embodiments, the second apparatus comprises means for transmitting, to a first apparatus, a channel state information, CSI, reporting configuration used to report a time domain beam prediction or a time domain beam measurement; and receiving, from the first apparatus, a CSI report reporting the time domain beam prediction or the time domain beam measurement, wherein a first part of the CSI report at least comprises information about a pre-determined number of one or more beams in a first time instance of a plurality of time instances, and one or more indications associated with information about the pre-determined number of one or more beams in one or more other time instances of the plurality of time instances.

[0189] In some example embodiments, the CSI reporting configuration, used to report the time domain beam prediction, indicates a pre-determined number of one or more predicted beams for each of a plurality of future time instances are to be reported.

[0190] In some example embodiments, the CSI reporting configuration, used to report the time domain beam measurement, indicates a pre-determined number of one or more measured beams in each of a plurality of past time instances are to be reported.

[0191] In some example embodiments, the first part of the CSI report for reporting the time domain beam prediction comprises at least one of the following: beam indices of the pre-determined number of one or more predicted beams for a first future time instance of the plurality of future time instances, or beam quality values associated with the predetermined number of one or more predicted beams for a first future time instance of the plurality of future time instances.

[0192] In some example embodiments, the first part of the CSI report further comprises one of the following: a first indication indicating respective beam indices of a first predicted beam in the pre-determined number of one or more predicted beams for one or more other future time instances, compared to a further beam index of the first predicted beam for the first future time instance, are not changed, or a second indication mapping to at least one beam index indicated in a second part of the CSI report, wherein the at least one beam index of the first predicted beam for at least one of the one or more other future time instances, compared to the further beam index of the first predicted beam for the first future time instance, is changed.

[0193] In some example embodiments, the first part of the CSI report further comprises one of the following: a first indication indicating a change between a value associated with a first predicted beam in the pre-determined number of one or more predicted beams for the first future time instance and respective beam quality values associated with the first predicted beam for one or more other future time instances is lower than a threshold difference, or a second indication mapping to at least one value indicated in a second part of the CSI report, wherein a change between the value associated with the first predicted beam for the first future time instance and the at least one value associated with the first predicted beam for at least one of the one or more other future time instances is above than the threshold difference.

[0194] In some example embodiments, the first part of the CSI report for reporting the time domain beam measurement comprises at least one of the following: beam indices of the pre-determined number of one or more measured beams for a first past time instance of the plurality of past time instances, or beam quality values associated with the predetermined number of one or more measured beams for a first past time instance of the plurality of past time instances.

[0195] In some example embodiments, the first part of the CSI report further comprises one of the following: a first indication indicating respective beam indices of a first measured beam in the pre-determined number of one or more measured beams for one or more other past time instances, compared to a further beam index of the first measured beam for the first past time instance, are not changed, or a second indication mapping to at least one beam index indicated in a second part of the CSI report, wherein the at least one beam index of the first measured beam for at least one of the one or more other past time instances, compared to the further beam index of the first measured beam for the first past time instance, is changed.

[0196] In some example embodiments, the first part of the CSI report further comprises one of the following: a first indication indicating a change between a value associated with a first measured beam in the pre-determined number of one or more measured beams for the first past time instance and respective beam quality values associated with the first measured beam for one or more other past time instances is lower than a threshold difference, or a second indication mapping to at least one value indicated in a second part of the CSI report, wherein a change between the value associated with the first measured beam for the first past time instance and the at least one value associated with the first measured beam for at least one of the one or more other past time instances is above than the threshold difference. 101971In some example embodiments, the first apparatus comprises a terminal device, and the second apparatus comprises a network device.

[0198] FIG. 9 is a simplified block diagram of a device 900 that is suitable for implementing example embodiments of the present disclosure. The device 900 may be provided to implement a communication device, for example, the first apparatus 110 or the second apparatus 120 as shown in FIG. 1. As shown, the device 900 includes one or more processors 910, one or more memories 920 coupled to the processor 910, and one or more communication modules 940 coupled to the processor 910.

[0199] The communication module 940 is for bidirectional communications. The communication module 940 has one or more communication interfaces to facilitate communication with one or more other modules or devices. The communication interfaces may represent any interface that is necessary for communication with other network elements. In some example embodiments, the communication module 940 may include at least one antenna.

[0200] The processor 910 may be of any type suitable to the local technical network and may include one or more of the following: general purpose computers, special purpose computers, microprocessors, digital signal processors (DSPs) and processors based on multicore processor architecture, as non-limiting examples. The device 900 may have multiple processors, such as an application specific integrated circuit chip that is slaved in time to a clock which synchronizes the main processor.

[0201] The memory 920 may include one or more non-volatile memories and one or more volatile memories. Examples of the non-volatile memories include, but are not limited to, a Read Only Memory (ROM) 924, an electrically programmable read only memory (EPROM), a flash memory, a hard disk, a compact disc (CD), a digital video disk (DVD), an optical disk, a laser disk, and other magnetic storage and / or optical storage. Examples of the volatile memories include, but are not limited to, a random-access memory (RAM) 922 and other volatile memories that will not last in the power-down duration.

[0202] A computer program 930 includes computer executable instructions that are executed by the associated processor 910. The instructions of the program 930 may include instructions for performing operations / acts of some example embodiments of the present disclosure. The program 930 may be stored in the memory, e.g., the ROM 924. The processor 910 may perform any suitable actions and processing by loading the program 930 into the RAM 922.

[0203] The example embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented by means of the program 930 so that the device 900 may perform any process of the disclosure as discussed with reference to FIG. 2 to FIG. 8. The example embodiments of the present disclosure may also be implemented by hardware or by a combination of software and hardware.

[0204] In some example embodiments, the program 930 may be tangibly contained in a computer readable medium which may be included in the device 900 (such as in the memory 920) or other storage devices that are accessible by the device 900. The device 900 may load the program 930 from the computer readable medium to the RAM 922 for execution. In some example embodiments, the computer readable medium may include any types of non-transitory storage medium, such as ROM, EPROM, a flash memory, a hard disk, CD, DVD, and the like. 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).

[0205] FIG. 10 shows an example of the computer readable medium 1000 which may be in form of CD, DVD or other optical storage disk. The computer readable medium 1000 has the program 930 stored thereon.

[0206] Generally, various embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented in hardware or special purpose circuits, software, logic or any combination thereof. Some aspects may be implemented in hardware, and other aspects may be implemented in firmware or software which may be executed by a controller, microprocessor or other computing device. Although various aspects of embodiments of the present disclosure are illustrated and described as block diagrams, flowcharts, or using some other pictorial representations, it is to be understood that the block, apparatus, system, technique or method 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.

[0207] Some example embodiments of the present disclosure also provide at least one computer program product tangibly stored on a computer readable medium, such as a non-transitory computer readable medium. The computer program product includes computerexecutable instructions, such as those included in program modules, being executed in a device on a target physical or virtual processor, to carry out any of the methods as described above. Generally, program modules include routines, programs, libraries, objects, classes, components, data structures, or the like that perform particular tasks or implement particular abstract data types. The functionality of the program modules may be combined or split between program modules as desired in various embodiments. Machine-executable instructions for program modules may be executed within a local or distributed device. In a distributed device, program modules may be located in both local and remote storage media.

[0208] Program code for carrying out methods of the present disclosure may be written in any combination of one or more programming languages. The program code may be provided to a processor or controller of a general-purpose computer, special purpose computer, or other programmable data processing apparatus, such that the program code, when executed by the processor or controller, cause the functions / operations specified in the flowcharts and / or block diagrams to be implemented. The program code may execute entirely on a machine, partly on the machine, as a stand-alone software package, partly on the machine and partly on a remote machine or entirely on the remote machine or server.

[0209] In the context of the present disclosure, the computer program code or related data may be carried by any suitable carrier to enable the device, apparatus or processor to perform various processes and operations as described above. Examples of the carrier include a signal, computer readable medium, and the like.

[0210] The computer readable medium may be a computer readable signal medium or a computer readable storage medium. A computer readable medium may include but not limited to an electronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared, or semiconductor system, apparatus, or device, or any suitable combination of the foregoing. More specific examples of the computer readable storage medium would include an electrical connection having one or more wires, a portable computer diskette, a hard disk, a random-access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM or Flash memory), an optical fiber, a portable compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), an optical storage device, a magnetic storage device, or any suitable combination of the foregoing.

[0211] Further, although operations are depicted in a particular order, this should not be understood as requiring that such operations be performed in the particular order shown or in sequential order, or that all illustrated operations be performed, to achieve desirable results. In certain circumstances, multitasking and parallel processing may be advantageous. Likewise, although several specific implementation details are contained in the above discussions, these should not be construed as limitations on the scope of the present disclosure, but rather as descriptions of features that may be specific to particular embodiments. Unless explicitly stated, certain features that are described in the context of separate embodiments may also be implemented in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, unless explicitly stated, various features that are described in the context of a single embodiment may also be implemented in a plurality of embodiments separately or in any suitable sub-combination.

[0212] Although the present disclosure has been described in languages specific to structural features and / or methodological acts, it is to be understood that the present disclosure defined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the specific features or acts described above. Rather, the specific features and acts described above are disclosed as example forms of implementing the claims or any of the following embodiments.

[0213] Embodiment 1: A second apparatus comprising: at least one processor; and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the second apparatus at least to: transmit, to a first apparatus, a channel state information, CSI, reporting configuration used to report a time domain beam prediction or a time domain beam measurement; and receive, from the first apparatus, a CSI report reporting the time domain beam prediction or the time domain beam measurement, wherein a first part of the CSI report at least comprises information about a pre-determined number of one or more beams in a first time instance of a plurality of time instances, and one or more indications associated with information about the pre-determined number of one or more beams in one or more other time instances of the plurality of time instances.

[0214] Embodiment 2: The second apparatus of embodiment 1, wherein the CSI reporting configuration, used to report the time domain beam prediction, indicates a predetermined number of one or more predicted beams for each of a plurality of future time instances are to be reported.

[0215] Embodiment 3: The second apparatus of embodiment 1, wherein the CSI reporting configuration, used to report the time domain beam measurement, indicates a pre-determined number of one or more measured beams in each of a plurality of past time instances are to be reported.

[0216] Embodiment 4: The second apparatus of embodiment 1, wherein the first part of the CSI report for reporting the time domain beam prediction comprises at least one of the following: beam indices of the pre-determined number of one or more predicted beams for a first future time instance of the plurality of future time instances, or beam quality values associated with the pre-determined number of one or more predicted beams for a first future time instance of the plurality of future time instances.

[0217] Embodiment 5: The second apparatus of embodiment 4, wherein the first part of the CSI report further comprises one of the following: a first indication indicating respective beam indices of a first predicted beam in the pre-determined number of one or more predicted beams for one or more other future time instances, compared to a further beam index of the first predicted beam for the first future time instance, are not changed, or a second indication mapping to at least one beam index indicated in a second part of the CSI report, wherein the at least one beam index of the first predicted beam for at least one of the one or more other future time instances, compared to the further beam index of the first predicted beam for the first future time instance, is changed.

[0218] Embodiment 6: The second apparatus of embodiment 4, wherein the first part of the CSI report further comprises one of the following: a first indication indicating a change between a beam quality value associated with a first predicted beam in the predetermined number of one or more predicted beams for the first future time instance and respective beam quality values associated with the first predicted beam for one or more other future time instances is lower than a threshold difference, or a second indication mapping to at least one beam quality value indicated in a second part of the CSI report, wherein a change between the beam quality value associated with the first predicted beam for the first future time instance and the at least one beam quality value associated with the first predicted beam for at least one of the one or more other future time instances is above than the threshold difference.

[0219] Embodiment 7: The second apparatus of embodiment 21, wherein the first part of the CSI report for reporting the time domain beam measurement comprises at least one of the following: beam indices of the pre-determined number of one or more measured beams for a first past time instance of the plurality of past time instances, or beam quality values associated with the pre-determined number of one or more measured beams for a first past time instance of the plurality of past time instances.

[0220] Embodiment 8: The second apparatus of embodiment 7, wherein the first part of the CSI report further comprises one of the following: a first indication indicating respective beam indices of a first measured beam in the pre-determined number of one or more measured beams for one or more other past time instances, compared to a further beam index of the first measured beam for the first past time instance, are not changed, or a second indication mapping to at least one beam index indicated in a second part of the CSI report, wherein the at least one beam index of the first measured beam for at least one of the one or more other past time instances, compared to the further beam index of the first measured beam for the first past time instance, is changed.

[0221] Embodiment 9: The second apparatus of embodiment 7, wherein the first part of the CSI report further comprises one of the following: a first indication indicating a change between a beam quality value associated with a first measured beam in the predetermined number of one or more measured beams for the first past time instance and respective beam quality values associated with the first measured beam for one or more other past time instances is lower than a threshold difference, or a second indication mapping to at least one beam quality value indicated in a second part of the CSI report, wherein a change between the beam quality value associated with the first measured beam for the first past time instance and the at least one beam quality value associated with the first measured beam for at least one of the one or more other past time instances is above than the threshold difference.

[0222] Embodiment 10: The second apparatus of any of embodiment 1-9, wherein the first apparatus comprises a terminal device, and the second apparatus comprises a network device.

[0223] Embodiment 11: A method comprising: receiving, at a first apparatus from a second apparatus, a channel state information, CSI, reporting configuration used to report a time domain beam prediction or a time domain beam measurement; generating, based on the CSI reporting configuration, a CSI report reporting the time domain beam prediction or the time domain beam measurement, wherein a first part of the CSI report at least comprises information about a pre-determined number of one or more beams in a first time instance of a plurality of time instances, and one or more indications associated with information about the pre-determined number of one or more beams in one or more other time instances of the plurality of time instances; and transmitting the CSI report to the second apparatus.

[0224] Embodiment 12: A method comprising: transmitting, from a second apparatus to a first apparatus, a channel state information, CSI, reporting configuration used to report a time domain beam prediction or a time domain beam measurement. And receiving, from the first apparatus, a CSI report reporting the time domain beam prediction or the time domain beam measurement, wherein a first part of the CSI report at least comprises information about a pre-determined number of one or more beams in a first time instance of a plurality of time instances, one or more indications associated with information about the pre-determined number of one or more beams in one or more other time instances of the plurality of time instances.

[0225] Embodiment 13: A first apparatus comprising: means for receiving, from a second apparatus, a channel state information, CSI, reporting configuration used to report a time domain beam prediction or a time domain beam measurement; means for generating, based on the CSI reporting configuration, a CSI report reporting the time domain beam prediction or the time domain beam measurement, wherein a first part of the CSI report at least comprises information about a pre-determined number of one or more beams in a first time instance of a plurality of time instances, and one or more indications associated with information about the pre-determined number of one or more beams in one or more 5 other time instances of the plurality of time instances; and means for transmitting the CSI report to the second apparatus.

[0226] Embodiment 14: A second apparatus comprising: means for transmitting, to a first apparatus, a channel state information, CSI, reporting configuration used to report a time domain beam prediction or a time domain beam measurement; and means for 10 receiving, from the first apparatus, a CSI report reporting the time domain beam prediction or the time domain beam measurement, wherein a first part of the CSI report at least comprises information about a pre-determined number of one or more beams in a first time instance of a plurality of time instances, and one or more indications associated with information about the pre-determined number of one or more beams in one or more other 15 time instances of the plurality of time instances.

[0227] Embodiment 15: A computer readable medium comprising instructions stored thereon for causing an apparatus at least to perform the method of embodiment 11 or the method of embodiment 12.

Claims

1. A first apparatus comprising:at least one processor; andat least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the first apparatus at least to:receive, from a second apparatus, a channel state information, CSI, reporting configuration used to report a time domain beam prediction or a time domain beam measurement;generate, based on the CSI reporting configuration, a CSI report reporting the time domain beam prediction or the time domain beam measurement, wherein a first part of the CSI report at least comprises:information about a pre-determined number of one or more beams in a first time instance of a plurality of time instances, andone or more indications associated with information about the pre-determined number of beams in one or more other time instances of the plurality of time instances; and transmit the CSI report to the second apparatus.

2. The first apparatus of claim 1, wherein the CSI reporting configuration, used to report the time domain beam prediction, indicates respective reference signal resources associated with a pre-determined number of one or more predicted beams for each of a plurality of future time instances are to be reported.

3. The first apparatus of claim 1, wherein the CSI reporting configuration, used to report the time domain beam measurement, indicates a pre-determined number of one or more measured beams in each of a plurality of past time instances are to be reported.

4. The first apparatus of claim 1 or 2, wherein the first part of the CSI report for reporting the time domain beam prediction comprises at least one of the following:beam indices of the pre-determined number of one or more predicted beams for a first future time instance of the plurality of future time instances, orbeam quality values associated with the pre-determined number of one or more predicted beams for a first future time instance of the plurality of future time instances.

5. The first apparatus of claim 4, wherein the first apparatus is caused to:in accordance with a determination that respective beam indices of a first predicted beam in the pre-determined number of one or more predicted beams for one or more other future time instances, compared to a further beam index of the first predicted beam for the first future time instance, are not changed, determine a first indication indicating the determination; andindicate the first indication in the first part of the CSI report.

6. The first apparatus of claim 5, wherein the first apparatus is caused to:in accordance with a determination that at least one beam index of the first predicted beam for at least one of the one or more other future time instances, compared to the further beam index of the first predicted beam for the first future time instance, is changed, generate a second part of the CSI report based on the at least one beam index; andindicate, in the first part of the CSI report, a second indication mapping to the at least one beam index indicated in the second part of the CSI report.

7. The first apparatus of claim 4, wherein the first apparatus is caused to:in accordance with a determination that a change between a beam quality value associated with a first predicted beam in the pre-determined number of one or more predicted beams for the first future time instance and respective beam quality values associated with the first predicted beam for one or more other future time instances is lower than a threshold difference, determine a first indication indicating the determination; andindicate the first indication in the first part of the CSI report.

8. The first apparatus of claim 7, wherein the first apparatus is caused to:in accordance with a determination that a change between the beam quality value associated with the first predicted beam for the first future time instance and at least one beam quality value associated with the first predicted beam for at least one of the one or more other future time instances is above than the threshold difference, generate a second part of the CSI report based on the at least one beam quality value; andindicate, in the first part of the CSI report, a second indication mapping to the at least one beam quality value indicated in the second part of the CSI report.

9. The first apparatus of claim 3, wherein the first part of the CSI report for reporting the time domain beam measurement comprises at least one of the following:beam indices of the pre-determined number of one or more measured beams for a first past time instance of the plurality of past time instances, orbeam quality values associated with the pre-determined number of one or more measured beams for a first past time instance of the plurality of past time instances.

10. The first apparatus of claim 9, wherein the first apparatus is caused to:in accordance with a determination that respective beam indices of a first measured beam in the pre-determined number of one or more measured beams for one or more other past time instances, compared to a further beam index of the first measured beam for the first past time instance, are not changed, determine a first indication indicating the determination; andindicate the first indication in the first part of the CSI report.

11. The first apparatus of claim 10, wherein the first apparatus is caused to:in accordance with a determination that at least one beam index of the first measured beam for at least one of the one or more other past time instances, compared to the further beam index of the first measured beam for the first past time instance, is changed, generate a second part of the CSI report based on the at least one beam index; andindicate, in the first part of the CSI report, a second indication mapping to the at least one beam index indicated in the second part of the CSI report.

12. The first apparatus of claim 9, wherein the first apparatus is caused to:in accordance with a determination that a change between a beam quality value associated with a first measured beam in the pre-determined number of one or more measured beams for the first past time instance and respective beam quality values associated with the first measured beam for one or more other past time instances is lower than a threshold difference, determine a first indication indicating the determination; andindicate the first indication in the first part of the CSI report.

13. The first apparatus of claim 12, wherein the first apparatus is caused to:in accordance with a determination that a change between the beam quality value associated with the first measured beam for the first past time instance and at least one beam quality value associated with the first measured beam for at least one of the one or more otherpast time instances is above than the threshold difference, generate a second part of the CSI report based on the at least one beam quality value; andindicate, in the first part of the CSI report, a second indication mapping to the at least one beam quality value indicated in the second part of the CSI report.

14. The first apparatus of claim 4, wherein the beam quality values comprise at least one of the following:predicted reference signal received powers, RSRPs of the pre-determined number of one or more predicted beams for the first future time instance,differential predicted RSRPs of the pre-determined number of one or more predicted beams for the first future time instance, orpredicted channel quality control information, CQIs of the pre-determined number of one or more predicted beams for the first future time instance.

15. The first apparatus of claim 4, wherein the beam indices are associated with at least one of the following:predicted CSI reference signal resource indicators, CRIs of the pre-determined number of one or more predicted beams for the first future time instance, orpredicted synchronization signal / physical broadcast channel block resource indicators, S SB Ris of the pre-determined number of one or more predicted beams for the first future time instance.

16. The first apparatus of claim 4, wherein the beam indices and the beam quality values are determined based on a machine learning model used at the first apparatus.

17. The first apparatus of claim 9, wherein the beam quality values comprise at least one of the following:measured RSRPs of the pre-determined number of one or more measured beams for the first past time instance,differential measured RSRPs of the pre-determined number of one or more predicted beams for the first future time instance, ormeasured CQIs of the pre-determined number of one or more measured beams for the first past time instance.

18. The first apparatus of claim 9, wherein the beam indices comprise at least one of the following:measured CRIs of the pre-determined number of one or more measured beams for the first past time instance, ormeasured SSBRIs of the pre-determined number of one or more measured beams for the first past time instance.

19. The first apparatus of any of claims 1-18, wherein the first apparatus comprises a terminal device, and the second apparatus comprises a network device.

20. A second apparatus comprising:at least one processor; andat least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the second apparatus at least to:transmit, to a first apparatus, a channel state information, CSI, reporting configuration used to report a time domain beam prediction or a time domain beam measurement; andreceive, from the first apparatus, a CSI report reporting the time domain beam prediction or the time domain beam measurement, wherein a first part of the CSI report at least comprises information about a pre-determined number of one or more beams in a first time instance of a plurality of time instances, andone or more indications associated with information about the pre-determined number of one or more beams in one or more other time instances of the plurality of time instances.

21. The second apparatus of claim 20, wherein the CSI reporting configuration, used to report the time domain beam prediction, indicates a pre-determined number of one or more predicted beams for each of a plurality of future time instances are to be reported.

22. The second apparatus of claim 20, wherein the CSI reporting configuration, used to report the time domain beam measurement, indicates a pre-determined number of one or more measured beams in each of a plurality of past time instances are to be reported.23 The second apparatus of claim 20, wherein the first part of the CSI report for reporting the time domain beam prediction comprises at least one of the following:beam indices of the pre-determined number of one or more predicted beams for a first future time instance of the plurality of future time instances, orbeam quality values associated with the pre-determined number of one or more predicted beams for a first future time instance of the plurality of future time instances.

24. The second apparatus of claim 23, wherein the first part of the CSI report further comprises one of the following:a first indication indicating respective beam indices of a first predicted beam in the predetermined number of one or more predicted beams for one or more other future time instances, compared to a further beam index of the first predicted beam for the first future time instance, are not changed, ora second indication mapping to at least one beam index indicated in a second part of the CSI report, wherein the at least one beam index of the first predicted beam for at least one of the one or more other future time instances, compared to the further beam index of the first predicted beam for the first future time instance, is changed.

25. The second apparatus of claim 23, wherein the first part of the CSI report further comprises one of the following:a first indication indicating a change between a beam quality value associated with a first predicted beam in the pre-determined number of one or more predicted beams for the first future time instance and respective beam quality values associated with the first predicted beam for one or more other future time instances is lower than a threshold difference, ora second indication mapping to at least one beam quality value indicated in a second part of the CSI report, wherein a change between the beam quality value associated with the first predicted beam for the first future time instance and the at least one beam quality value associated with the first predicted beam for at least one of the one or more other future time instances is above than the threshold difference.

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