Method, apparatus and computer program

Abstract

Terminal device obtains, from a network access node, signalling comprising an indication of at least one multi-transmission and reception point (mTRP) configuration information associated with at leas

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] Various example embodiments of this disclosure relate to a method, apparatus, system and computer program and in particular but not exclusively to signaling multi-Transmission and Reception Point (mTRP) configuration information. BACKGROUND

[0002] A communication network can be seen as a facility that enables communications between two or more communication devices, or provides communication devices access to a data network. A mobile or wireless communication network is one example of a communication network. A communication device may be provided with a service by an application server.

[0003] Such communication networks operate in according with standards such as those provided by 3GPP (Third Generation Partnership Project) or ETSI (European Telecommunications Standards Institute). Examples of standards are the so-called 5G (5th Generation) standards and 6G (6th Generation) standards provided by 3GPP. SUMMARY

[0004] Some example embodiments of this disclosure will be described with respect to certain aspects. These aspects are not intended to indicate key or essential features of the embodiments of this disclosure, nor are they intended to be used to limit the scope of thereof. Other features, aspects, and elements will be readily apparent to a person skilled in the art in view of this disclosure.

[0005] According to a first aspect, there is provided an apparatus comprising means for performing: obtaining, from a network access node, signaling comprising an indication of at least one multi-transmission and reception point, mTRP, configuration information associated with at least one reference signal location information; and determining at least one time-frequency resource associated with at least one transmission and reception point, TRP, comprised in the mTRP configuration based on the at least one reference signal location information.

[0006] According to a second aspect, there is provided a method for an apparatus, the method comprising: obtaining, from a network access node, signaling comprising an indication of at least one multi-transmission and reception point, mTRP, configuration information associated with at least one reference signal location information; and determining at least one time-frequency resource associated with at least one transmission and reception point, TRP, comprised in the mTRP configuration based on the at least one reference signal location information.

[0007] According to a third aspect, there is provided an apparatus comprising: at least one processor; and at least one memory comprising code that, when executed by the at least one processor, causes the apparatus to perform: obtaining, from a network access node, signaling comprising an indication of at least one multi-transmission and reception point, mTRP, configuration information associated with at least one reference signal location information; and determining at least one time-frequency resource associated with at least one transmission and reception point, TRP, comprised in the mTRP configuration based on the at least one reference signal location information.

[0008] According to a fourth aspect, there is provided an apparatus: obtaining circuitry for obtaining, from a network access node, signaling comprising an indication of at least one multi-transmission and reception point, mTRP, configuration information associated with at least one reference signal location information; and determining circuitry for determining at least one time-frequency resource associated with at least one transmission and reception point, TRP, comprised in the mTRP configuration based on the at least one reference signal location information.

[0009] The following applies in respect of any (e.g., one or more, including all) of the above first to fourth aspects.

[0010] The apparatus may be caused to perform at least one measurement on the at least one TRP.

[0011] The at least one measurement may be performed during at least one of: a radio resource control connection procedure, a mobility procedure, a random access procedure, an initial access procedure, a measurement procedure, or as a resource allocation procedure.

[0012] The apparatus may be caused to perform reporting an indication of a result of the at least one measurement to the network access node.

[0013] The apparatus may be caused to perform receiving a resource allocation and / or mobility configuration based on the reporting indication of the result.

[0014] The apparatus may be caused to perform accessing the network access node based on the at least one TRP.

[0015] The apparatus may be comprised in a user equipment.

[0016] The network access node may comprise a cell.

[0017] According to a fifth aspect, there is provided an apparatus comprising means for performing: providing, to a user equipment, signaling comprising an indication of at least one multi-transmission and reception point, mTRP, configuration information associated with at least one reference signal location information.

[0018] According to a sixth aspect, there is provided a method for an apparatus, the method comprising: providing, to a user equipment, signaling comprising an indication of at least one multi-transmission and reception point, mTRP, configuration information associated with at least one reference signal location information.

[0019] According to a seventh aspect, there is provided an apparatus comprising: at least one processor; and at least one memory comprising code that, when executed by the at least one processor, causes the apparatus to perform: providing, to a user equipment, signaling comprising an indication of at least one multi-transmission and reception point, mTRP, configuration information associated with at least one reference signal location information.

[0020] According to an eighth aspect, there is provided an apparatus comprising: providing circuitry for providing, to a user equipment, signaling comprising an indication of at least one multi-transmission and reception point, mTRP, configuration information associated with at least one reference signal location information.

[0021] The following applies in respect of any (e.g., one or more, including all) of the above fifth to eighth aspects.

[0022] The apparatus may be a network access node.

[0023] The apparatus may be caused to perform receiving, from the user equipment, at least one measurement corresponding to at least one transmission and reception point, TRP, comprised in the mTRP configuration based on the at least one reference signal location information.

[0024] The apparatus may be caused to perform: determining at least one resource allocation for the user equipment and / or at least one mobility decision for the user equipment based on the received measurements; and configuring the user equipment and / or reconfiguring the mTRP based on the determining.

[0025] The following applies in respect of any (e.g., one or more, including all) of the above first to eighth aspects.

[0026] The signaling may comprise at least one of the following: a radio resource control message; a random access response; a broadcast system information; or a system information block.

[0027] The mTRP configuration information may comprise an indication of a mapping scheme between each transmission and reception point, TRP, comprised in the mTRP configuration and respective time-frequency resources in which a reference signal corresponding to that TRP may be received.

[0028] The apparatus may further be caused to perform: determining whether the mapping scheme maps TRPs comprised in the mTRP configuration to all potential time-frequency resources in which a reference signal corresponding to that TRP may be received or to only time-frequency resources in which a reference signal corresponding to that TRP is received; and determining at least one time-frequency resource for receiving a TRP-specific reference signal based on the result of the determining.

[0029] The reference signal may comprise a synchronization signal block.

[0030] The mTRP configuration information may comprise at least one of the following: an indication of a reference signal location in a slot associated with one or more transmission and reception points, TRPs, comprised in the mTRP configuration; a number of TRPs comprised in the mTRP; or an indication of a number of reference signal locations in a slot associated with at least one multi-transceiver point.

[0031] The indication of a reference signal location in a slot may comprise at least one bitmap associated with one or more TRPs comprised in the mTRP configuration.

[0032] The indication of a reference signal location may comprise, for a TRP comprised in the mTRP configuration, at least one of starting location or ending location of said TRP in a slot associated with one or more TRPs comprised in the mTRP configuration.

[0033] The indication of a reference signal location may comprise a location parameter value associated with one or more TRP comprised in the mTRP configuration, wherein the location parameter value indicates, for a TRP comprised in the mTRP configuration, a periodicity and / or initial location of said TRP in a slot associated with one or more TRPs comprised in the mTRP configuration.

[0034] The location parameter value may comprise an index that identifies a mapping scheme from a plurality of mapping schemes preconfigured at the apparatus.

[0035] The at least one reference signal location information may comprise an indication of at least one reference signal time location information in a serving cell or in another cell than the serving cell, or time location information, or wherein the at least one reference signal time location is associated with measurement timing configuration for said another cell.

[0036] According to an aspect, there is provided a non-transitory computer readable medium comprising program instructions that, when executed by an apparatus, cause the apparatus to perform at least the method according to any of the preceding aspects.

[0037] In the above, many different embodiments have been described. It should be appreciated that further embodiments may be provided by the combination of any two or more of the embodiments described above. DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

[0038] Some example embodiments will now be described, by way of non-limiting and illustrative example only, with reference to the accompanying Figures in which:

[0039] Figure 1 shows a representation of a 5th generation communication system;

[0040] Figure 2 shows a representation of an apparatus for the communication system of Figure 1 according to some example embodiments;

[0041] Figure 3 shows a representation of an apparatus according to some example embodiments;

[0042] Figures 4A to 5B illustrate example configuration information; and

[0043] Figure 6 to 7 illustrate example methods that may be performed by apparatus described herein. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0044] In the following various example embodiments are explained with reference to communication devices capable of communication with a communication system. Before explaining in detail the embodiments of the methods and apparatuses of the present disclosure, an access network, network access apparatuses, and communication devices are briefly explained with reference to Figures 1,2 and 3.

[0045] Figure 1 shows an example communication environment 100 in which example embodiments of the present disclosure can be implemented.

[0046] In the communication environment 100, a plurality of communication devices, comprising user devices 110 and 115 (also referred to herein as a “user equipment” (UE), “terminal” or “terminal device”) and a network device 120 (also referred to herein as a “network access node” or “network access apparatus”), can communicate with each other. The network device 120 may serve a coverage area, called a cell 125. The user device 110 may have access to a communication network via the cell 125. In some example embodiments, both the user device 110 and the network device 120 may be configured to implement a beamforming technique and communicate with each other via a plurality of beams. The user devices and network devices are illustrated further below with reference to Figures 2 and 3.

[0047] In some example embodiments, a link from the network device 120 to the user device 110 or 115 is referred to as a downlink (DL), while a link from the user device 110 or 115 to the network device 120 is referred to as an uplink (UL). Links are also referred to herein as “channels”. In DL, the network device 120 is a transmitter (Tx) device (or a transmitter), and the user device 110 or 115 is a receiver (Rx) device (or a receiver). In UL, the user device 110 or 115 is a Tx device (or a transmitter), and the network device 120 is a Rx device (or a receiver). A link between the user device 110 and another user device (not shown) is referred to as a sidelink (SL). In SL, one of the user devices is a Tx device (or a transmitter), and the other of the user devices is a Rx device (or a receiver).

[0048] 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), 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.

[0049] The following disclosure considers ways in which a user device, such as a user equipment (UE), can be informed of timing information for receiving a reference signal transmitted by a transmission and reception point (TRP). Examples are provided using reference signals transmitted during an initial cell search procedure. Consequently, the following provides a brief overview of an initial cell search procedure currently performed by a UE connecting to a 5G new radio network access node.

[0050] The signals transmitted by a network access node during the initial cell search procedure may also be used in later methods for, for example, determining whether a mobility operation (e.g., handover) should be performed, and / or for determining whether to perform a time-frequency resource reallocation for a UE. Stated differently, the presently described methods are not limited to cell search procedures. It is therefore understood that the following comments relating to synchronisation signal block (SSB) transmission may apply in respect of any of these different scenarios for any applicable reference signal.

[0051] In 5G New Radio (NR), initial cell search, and initial time and frequency synchronization acquisition are based on a UE searching and detecting a synchronisation signal block (SSB).

[0052] The SSB comprises a synchronisation signal part and a broadcast part. The synchronisation signal part comprises a Primary Synchronization Signal (PSS) and a Secondary Synchronization Signal (SSS), which are collectively referred to herein as synchronisation signals. The broadcast part comprises a Physical broadcast channel (PBCH) and a demodulation reference signal (DMRS) for PBCH demodulation. Demodulation of the PBCH may comprise a system information block (SIB), such as SIB1.

[0053] In more detail, performing, by a UE, a cell search on parts of an SSB may comprise performing at least one of the following features:

[0054] PSS detection: A PSS is a predetermined sequence modulated with a predetermined binary phase shift keying (BPSK) scheme. The PSS serves as a flag that shows where to find network access node information in the time-frequency grid. Therefore, a UE may use a detected PSS to assist in locating network access node information in the time-frequency grid.

[0055] SSS detection: An SSS is another predetermined sequence modulated using a BPSK scheme. The time-frequency location of the SSS can be determined from information gathered from the PSS reception. The UE may also use a detected SSS to assist in locating network access node information in the time-frequency grid.

[0056] DMRS detection for physical broadcast channel (PBCH): The DMRS is a type of signal whose time-frequency position and content are known at both the network access node and UE sides, once the physical cell identity (PCI) of a cell on which the SSB is transmitted is known at the UE side. The PBCH allows the UE to determine the effect of the wireless channel on a signal’s amplitude and phase so that it can be predicted and reverted for related received signals of unknown content. DMRS detection helps the UE to correctly demodulate signals on the physical broadcast channel (PBCH).

[0057] PBCH demodulation: The PBCH physical channel comprises information / signals located in multiple locations of time and frequency. By using the estimations of the wireless channel computed from the PBCH DM-RSs, information broadcast on the PBCH may be demodulated and decoded. This information may comprise an SIB, such as SIB1.

[0058] System information block 1 (SIB1) decoding: SIB1 can be obtained and decoded by using the information contained within the decoded PBCH. SIB1 comprises cell information about the cell transmitting the SSB, or where to a UE may find further cell information. Cell information may comprise at least one of: frequency references, timers, bandwidth, identifiers for the network operator and its service areas, location for further time-frequency resources to continue communication, flags on supported features, etc. When the SIB1 has been received successfully, the cell search is said to have been successful.

[0059] After the cell search procedure has been performed, the UE may initiate a random access procedure to the network access node. Random access procedure may be a contention based random access procedure. In some examples, in random access procedure, a UE may use a UE-specific unique identity, assigned by the network access node, to establish collision-free communication with the network.

[0060] In current 5G systems, multiple SSBs (e.g., multiple alternating patterns of synchronisation signal (SS)-parts and PBCH-parts) may be transmitted during a half frame of 5ms (e.g., SS1-PBCH1-SS2-PBCH2... etc., which may alternatively be written as SSB1, SSB2,... etc.). However, the actual location of the various SSBs within a half frame and the total maximum number of SSBs transmitted varies based on factors such as subcarrier spacing, frequency range, etc. The number of SSBs actually transmitted may be less than the maximum number, which may be useful for reducing processing burden at a network access node. Stated differently, although there are a plurality of different transmission opportunities (e.g., time-frequency resources) for SSBs in any specific half frame, different transmission configurations correspond to different numbers of these transmission opportunities actually being used for transmitting SSBs (e.g., Percentage of transmission opportunities used <100).

[0061] To address this, the network access node is configured to provide the UE with an indication for identifying the time locations of synchronisation signals may be found within such a frame. This indication is currently provided by a field known as “ssb-PositionsInBurst", which is broadcast to the UE in SIB1.

[0062] This “ssb-PositionsInBurst”, field comprises a bitmap that indicates a time domain position (e.g., a transmission opportunity) of transmitted synchronisation signal (SS) blocks in a half frame. Value 0 in the bitmap indicates that the corresponding SSB is not transmitted while value 1 indicates that the corresponding SSB is transmitted.

[0063] As used herein, the term “network device” is used interchangeably with “network access node” and “network access apparatus”, and refers to a node in a communication network via which a terminal device accesses the network and receives services therefrom. The network device may be as described below with reference to Figure 2.

[0064] Figure 2 illustrates an example of a control apparatus 200 for controlling a function of the access network (e.g., a 5G-RAN or the NG-RAN illustrated in Figure 1) illustrated in Figure 1. The control apparatus 200 may comprise at least one random access memory (RAM) 211a, at least on read only memory (ROM) 211b, at least one processor 212, 213 and a network interface 214. The at least one processor 212, 213 may be coupled to the RAM 211a and the ROM 211b. The at least one processor 212, 213 may be configured to execute an appropriate software code 215. Execution of the software code 215 may for example may cause the apparatus to perform operations for controlling a function of the access network. The software code 215 may be stored in the ROM 211b. The control apparatus 200 may be interconnected with another control apparatus 200 for controlling another function of the 5G-RAN or the NG-RAN. In some embodiments, each function of the 5G-RAN or the NG-RAN is deployed or hosted on a control apparatus 200. In alternative embodiments, two or more functions of the 5G-RAN or the NG-RAN may share a control apparatus.

[0065] 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 examples, 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.

[0066] The term “terminal device” refers to any end device that may be capable of wireless communication. The terminal device may be as described below with reference to Figure 3.

[0067] Figure 3 illustrates an example of a communication device 300, such as the UE illustrated in Figure 1. The communication device 300 may be provided by any device capable of sending and receiving radio signals. The communication device 300 may comprise a transceiver for transmitting and / or receiving, for example, wireless signals carrying communications, for example radio signals. The communications may be one or more of voice, electronic mail (email), text messages, multimedia data, machine data and so on.

[0068] The communication device 300 may receive wireless signals (e.g., radio signals) over an air or radio interface 307 via appropriate apparatus for receiving and may transmit wireless signals via appropriate apparatus for transmitting radio signals. In Figure 3 transceiver is designated schematically by block 306. The transceiver 306 may comprise, for example, a radio part and associated antenna arrangement. The antenna arrangement may be arranged internally or externally to the mobile device and may comprise one or more antenna elements. The antenna arrangement may be a multi-input multi output (MIMO) antenna.

[0069] The communication device 300 may be provided with at least one processor 301, at least one memory ROM 302a, at least one RAM 302b and other possible components 303 for use in software and hardware aided execution of tasks it is designed to perform, including control of access to and communications with access networks (e.g., the 5G-RAN or NG-RAN illustrated in Figure 1) and other communication devices. The at least one processor 301 is coupled to the RAM 302b and the ROM 302a. The at least one processor 301 may be configured to execute an appropriate software code 308. The software code 308 may for example allow to perform one or more operations of the communication device. The software code 308 may be stored in the ROM 302a.

[0070] The processor, the ROM, and the RAM, the transceiver and other circuitry of the communication device (e.g., a modem) can be provided on a circuit board, in chipsets, or in a system on chip. The circuit board, chipsets or system on chip is denoted by reference 304. The communication device 300 may optionally have a user interface such as key pad 305, touch sensitive screen or pad, combinations thereof or the like. Optionally one or more of a display, a speaker and a microphone may be provided depending on the type of communication device.

[0071] 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 device, 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, vehiclemounted wireless terminal devices, wireless endpoints, mobile stations, laptop-embedded equipment (LEE), laptop-mounted equipment (LME), USB dongles, smart devices, wireless customer-premises equipment (CPE), a machine-type communications (MTC) device, 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 device”, “user equipment” and “UE” may be used interchangeably.

[0072] Several techniques have been introduced into communication network in order that transmissions may be received more reliably.

[0073] One of these techniques, considered below, is known as Multiple Transmission and Reception Point (mTRP).

[0074] mTRP relates to scenarios in which a network access node (e.g., a gNB, cell, or any other network access node example of Figure 2) is configured to use multiple transmission and reception points (TRPs) for communicating with a single UE. Examples of TRPs include, for example, at least one of: a macro-cell, a small cell, a pico-cell, a femto-cell, a remote radio head, or a relay node. It is understood that this list of TRP types is not exhaustive. It is further understood that a single mTRP configuration may comprise only the same type of TRP, or may comprise a plurality of different types of TRPs.

[0075] There are a plurality of ways in which mTRP may be configured by a network access node. These are considered in the following three configurations in which there are two TRPs, TRP1 and TRP2. It is understood that this is merely for simplicity, and that more than two TRPs may be used in practice in any of the presently described configurations.

[0076] In a first configuration, a UE is configured to receive different data from TRP1 and TRP2, while receiving control data related to those transmissions (e.g., downlink control information) from only one of those TRP (e.g., only receive control data on TRP1 for transmissions made on both TRP1 and TRP2).

[0077] In a second configuration, a UE is configured to receive different data from each of TRP1 and TRP2, and to receive different control data from each of TRP1 and TRP2.

[0078] In a third configuration, a UE is configured to receive the same data from each of TRP1 and TRP2. Stated differently, in this third configuration, TRP1 and TRP2 jointly process downlink and uplink signals corresponding to the UE.

[0079] MTRP connections are considered to offer better reliability and throughput enhancements compared to single-TRP. This has a knock-on effect of also improving that would turn into energy efficiency as well because of enabling shorter active time for the UE. Multi-TRP connection can comprise both intra-cell and inter-cell multi-TRP connections.

[0080] It has been proposed to expand use of mTRP methods in 6G networks in order to enable UEs to receive signals that were transmitted according to mTRP during an initial access stage of the UE accessing the radio access network.

[0081] Stated differently, current 6G proposals suggest that UEs performing initial access in 6G may be configured to be multi-TRP aware. Such a UE configuration may result in a UE that is configured to be able to identify a plurality of TRPs, determine a relative strength of signal reception from each of those plurality of TRPs (e.g., relative to the other TRPs in the plurality of TRPs), and provide an indication to the network identifying which of those plurality of TRPs are considered to be the best transmitters to the UE. This indication is usefully provided to the network as early as possible so that an mTRP connection can be established as soon as possible. mTRP connection is not supported during initial access in 5G new radio.

[0082] The following aims to address at least one of the above-mentioned issues.

[0083] In more detail, the following aims to provide at least one signaling method for providing mTRP level information to the UE for mTRP-aware initial access by the UE and / or for performing TRP specific measurements during a later time (e.g., not during initial access). The mTRP information may be information corresponding to the one or more TRPs associated with reference signal (e.g., SSB) time locations in the serving cell or another cell.

[0084] In more detail, a network access node may provide a UE with an indication of an mTRP configuration that may be used to determine a location (e.g., a time location and / or a time-frequency location) of reference signals transmitted by each individual TRP within that mTRP.

[0085] The mTRP configuration may indicate an order in which TRPs that are part of the mTRP configuration transmit their respective reference signals (e.g., their respective SSBs). Stated differently, the mTRP configuration may comprise (or otherwise indicate) a mapping scheme that can be used by the receiving UE to map each TRP in the mTRP to a respective at least one time and / or time-frequency resource in which a reference signal (e.g., an SSB) will be transmitted by that TRP. This may be performed in any (e.g., at least one) of a plurality of different ways.

[0086] In some examples, the UE may assume that the frequency resources used for the transmission of reference signals transmitted by the certain TRP have the same center frequency and / or the same frequency resources.

[0087] In any of the examples the SSB may refer to a set of synchronization signals (e.g., SSS and / or PSS) and a broadcast channel.

[0088] In any of the examples the SSB may refer to a set of synchronization signals (e.g., SSS and / or PSS).

[0089] For example, the mTRP configuration may comprise a bitmap that indicates, for each reference signal transmission occasion (which may be any possible transmission occasion, or only those transmission occasions indicated in the above-mentioned ssb_PositionslnBurst field), which TRP that reference signal transmission occasion belongs to. This may be as described in relation to Figures 4A and / or 4B.

[0090] As another example, the mTRP configuration may comprise an indication of, for at least one TRP in the mTRP, a start and / or end location (e.g., time and / or timefrequency resource) for a block or one or more contiguous reference signals transmitted by a respective TRP, where the contiguous reference signals are contiguous across all transmission occasions for transmitting a reference signal, or are contiguous across only transmission occasions indicated in the “ssb-PositionsInBurst” field. This may be as described below in relation to Figures 5A and / or 5B.

[0091] As another example, the mTRP configuration may comprise a value (also called a “location parameter value” herein) that indicates a particular mapping algorithm to use for mapping all TRP comprised in the mTRP to their respective reference signal transmission occasion (which may be any possible transmission occasion, or only those transmission occasions indicated in the above-mentioned ssb_PositionslnBurst field).

[0092] Once the UE has determined the TRP reference signal transmission order using the provided mTRP configuration indication, the UE may perform a plurality of actions. These may be related to procedures performed during, for example, initial cell search procedures, a radio resource control connection procedure, a mobility procedure, a random access procedure, an initial access procedure, a measurement procedure, or as a resource allocation procedure.

[0093] The actions may comprise, for example, the detecting and decoding of the reference signals (as described above in relation to SSB signals). The UE may be configured to access (e.g., connect to) a cell using a random access procedure using a timing acquired from the detected and decoded reference signals.

[0094] The actions may comprise, for example, performing measurements to determine, for at least one of the TRPs in the mTRP, a value of a signal quality metric (such as a signal-to-interference-and-noise ratio, reference signal received power, etc.) forthat cell. The UE may be configured to provide an indication of the value(s) to the network access node for mobility and / or resource allocation decisions to be made by the network access node.

[0095] The following provides examples illustrating how mTRP configuration information may be indicated to a UE.

[0096] Although the following are described in the context of SSBs, it is understood that they may performed in respect of other types of reference signal transmitted by a network access node.

[0097] It is also understood that the terms “location”, “time-frequency resource”, “transmission opportunity”, and “time location” are used synonymously throughout the present disclosure. In any of the described examples, the term “time-frequency resource” may be substituted with at least one of “time location” or “time location resource”, or “time resource".

[0098] It is understood that the term “TRP” may be used interchangeably with at least one of “reference signal group”, “SSB group”, or “SSB set” in the present disclosure. An SSB group or SSB set may comprise one or more (e.g., more than on) SSBs having certain (e.g., predefined) identifiers or indices.

[0099] It is further understood that the term “SSB” may be used interchangeably with at least one of “reference signal”, “synchronization signal”, “downlink reference signal”, reference signal comprising at least one synchronization signal, or reference signal comprising at least one secondary synchronization signal in the present disclosure.

[0100] Further, in all of these examples, it is possible to combine (or to not combine) the indicated mTRP configuration in conjunction with the fields used to indicate the transmitted / presence of the SS / PBCH blocks in the cell in a specific SSB time location (e.g., in conjunction with ssb_PositionslnBurst), as described herein.

[0101] A first example is illustrated with respect to the examples of Figures 4A and 4B.

[0102] The example of Figure 4A illustrates providing TRP level information of TRP in an mTRP in a form of a bitmap. The bitmap is applied for the SSB time locations and transmitted SSBs in the cell.

[0103] Figure 4A illustrates 8 potential SSB locations in time 401, and 8 corresponding TRP bitmaps values 402, where there is a single respective bitmap value per potential SSB location. In the example of Figure 4A, the first, third, fifth, and seventh locations of the TRP bitmap are associated with a first bit value (1) and the second, fourth, sixth, and eighth locations of the TRP bitmap are associated with a second bit value (0) that is different to the first bit value.

[0104] The bit map of Figure 4A may be applied over all possible SSB locations, or only over those SSBs that are actually transmitted in the cell (e.g., using the bitmap, ssb_PositionslnBurst).

[0105] The TRP bitmap of Figure 4A indicates, per time location, whether the time location is for the first TRP or second TRP. For example, the first value (e.g.,1) indicates first TRP and the second value (e.g., 0) indicates the second TRP.

[0106] Figure 4B illustrates another example of providing TRP level information in a form of a bitmap, k. The bitmap k is applied for the SSB time locations and transmitted SSBs in the cell.

[0107] Figure 4B illustrates 8 potential SSB locations in time 401, and 4 corresponding TRP bitmaps values 402 of a bitmap k that is repeated across the potential SSB locations, where there is a single respective bitmap value per potential SSB location. In the example of Figure 4B the first and third locations of the TRP bitmap are associated with a first bit value (1) and the second, and fourth locations of the TRP bitmap are associated with a second bit value (0) that is different to the first bit value.

[0108] In the example of Figure 4B, a uniform bitmap indicating TRPs is provided. When the bitmap length is less than the maximum number of SSB time locations, the bitmap is applied in repetitive manner.

[0109] The TRP bitmap indicates, per time location, whether the time location is for the first TRP or second TRP. For example, the first value (e.g.,1) indicates first TRP and the second value (e.g., 0) indicates the second TRP.

[0110] The bitmap k is applied consecutively to the N SSB time locations until each time SSB time location is applied with the bitmap (N / K times). For example, when the bitmap length (k) is 4 and N =8, the bitmap is applied twice.

[0111] A second example is illustrated with respect to Figures 5A and 5B. In this second example, the indication of an SSB location comprises at least one of starting location or ending location in a slot associated with one or more mTRP.

[0112] Figure 5A illustrates an example in which 8 SSB locations 501 are provided. In this example, the TRP information is signaled in the form of an equal division between the number of TRPs that will be transmitted. For example, when there are N SSB locations and x TRPs (where N and x are independent integers, and x is equal to or less than N), then each TRP may be associated with a respective set of N / x slots.

[0113] Stated differently, in the example of Figure 5A, the TRP level information is signaled in form of equal division between TRPs. The TRP level information may be signaled as a codepoint value and / or a number value.

[0114] Example values of codepoints may comprise {n2,n4,n8...}, where n2 may refer to two TRPs, n4 may correspond to 4 TRPs and so on.

[0115] Example values of number values may comprise, for example 00,01,10,11 (e.g., up to the number of TRPs).

[0116] The codepoint value and / or number value may not be provided to the UE when only one TRP is deployed. Stated differently, the absence of TRP information related parameter may be interpreted (by the UE) so that only one TRP is deployed or multiple TRP information is not present in a cell.

[0117] As an equal division method is deployed in the present example of Figure 5A, the SSB time locations are divided between TRPs equally. As an example, if the number of TRPs is (n2=2), the N SSB time locations are divided into two parts. The first of these two parts may be for one TRP (e.g., the first TRP), and the second of these two parts may be for another TRP (e.g., the second TRP).

[0118] As the parts have an equal amount of SSB time locations in the present example, for n2, the first part corresponds to the SSB time locations from slot number 0 to slot number N / n2-1 (e.g., N / n2 SSBs), and the second part corresponds to slot number N / n2 to slot number N-1 (N / n2 SSBs).

[0119] Figure 5B illustrates another example in which a UE is provided with an indication of an SSB location comprising at least one starting location (SL) in a slot associated with one or more mTRP.

[0120] Figure 5B illustrates an example in which 8 SSB locations 501’ are provided for two TRPs.

[0121] In this example, the UE is provided with a starting location for at least one of the TRP transmissions.

[0122] In more detail, a signaled indication of a starting location for a specific TRP may indicates the starting SSB time location for the TRP specific SSB time locations. In the example considering two TRPs, it may be that only one starting location is signaled as the first starting location may be considered to be in SSB time location number 0. Analogously, when M TRPs are being considered (where M is any integer number), M-1 starting locations may be signaled.

[0123] In more detail, the signaled starting location (SL1) in the example of Figure 5B indicates the start location for the SSB time locations for the second TRP.

[0124] Using starting location signaling, the N SSB locations are divided between the TRPs: first TRP time locations are at slots numbers 0 to (SL1-1) and second TRP locations at slot numbers SL1 to N-1.

[0125] In a first example, the starting locations may be signaled using an indication of at least one time location index value, or using a specific set of values wherein one entry maps to specific start location index value. For example, a first value may correspond to a start location of N / 2, another value may correspond to a start location of N / 3, and so on. The mapping between values and starting location may be preconfigured at the UE and the network access node.

[0126] It is understood that although the example of Figure 5B is illustrated with respect to start locations, the same techniques may be used when end locations are signaled instead of starting locations.

[0127] Another way of providing the UE with TRP slot information is described below.

[0128] The specific set of values may indicate some other mapping scheme for enabling the UE to determine the TRP locations.

[0129] For example, a specific value may indicate that a first TRP is to occupy every xth value, where x may take any integer value. For example, the UE may be provided with an indication that every other potential SSB time location (e.g., every odd potential time location and / or every even potential time location) corresponds to the first TRP (or some other TRP). As another example, the UE may be provided with an indication that every 1 / 3 SSB potential SSB time location corresponds to the first TRP (e.g., SSB potential locations 1, 4, 7, etc.).

[0130] Stated differently, the UE may be provided with a signaled value that may indicate that every nth location is for the specific TRP.

[0131] It is further understood that TRP may be grouped into sets for indicating these allocations.

[0132] The above examples relate to the type of information that may be provisioned at a UE by a network access node for indicating at least one location of an SSB for a TRP of a plurality of TRPs in an mTRP configuration within a SSB burst. The number of TRPs is also labelled herein as n_trp.

[0133] As mentioned above, it is understood that this information (which will be referred to herein as “TRP location configuration information”) may be provisioned at the UE in any (e.g., one or more, including all) of a plurality of different ways.

[0134] For example, the TRP location configuration information may be provisioned at the UE using at least one field of radio resource control (RRC) signaling, such as, for example, a field of a system information block and / or an RRC information element. Stated differently, In all of these examples, mTRP configuration information may be indicated to a UE using a field signaled in the system information block (SIB) and / or in an RRC message (e.g. dedicated signaling and / or radio resource control (RRC) configuration).

[0135] The at least one field indicating the TRP location configuration information may be comprised in an information element (or at least part of the information element) that is already configured to indicate at least one of a measurement configuration, or a measurement timing configuration for SSB measurements (such as, for example, an SSB-based radio resource management (RRM) Measurement Timing Configuration window (also known as an SMTC window)).

[0136] The at least one field may indicate any of a plurality of different parameters.

[0137] For example, the TRP location configuration information may comprise a field indicating whether the available SSB time locations are split equally between the different TRP of the mTRP, or unequally between the different TRP of the mTRP.

[0138] For example, the TRP location configuration information may comprise a field indicating that SSB time locations are divided between TRPs. In some examples there is a pre-determined division between time locations of available time locations (e.g. where the pre-determined division is defined in the specifications).

[0139] In one example the length of the TRP location bitmap may depend on the frequency range or the operation frequency of the (cellular) network.

[0140] When the at least one field indicates an unequal division between the different TRP, there may be provided further information that can be used to determine how the SSB time locations are allocated between the different TRPs (e.g., such as start and / or end location signaling, such as discussed above in relation to Figures 5A and 5B). Stated differently, when the TRP location configuration information comprises a field indicating that unequal division is configured, this may inform the UE that the TRP location configuration information may comprise further fields for provisioning the unequal division of SSB time locations between TRPs.

[0141] The equal or unequal division indication comprised in the TRP location configuration information may comprise an explicit field that indicates which one of equal or unequal division is configured. Stated differently, the TRP location configuration information may comprise a designated field that indicates which one of equal or unequal division is configured. For example, a field having a value of “1 ” may indicate that equal division is configured and the same field having a value of “0” may indicate that unequal division is configured (or vice versa).

[0142] The equal or unequal division indication comprised in the TRP location configuration information may comprise a field that indirectly indicates which one of equal or unequal division is configured. Stated differently, there may be provided a field indicating some other parameter of the TRP location configuration information that may be used by the UE to infer which one of equal or unequal division is configured. As an example, the TRP location configuration information may comprise at least one parameter indicating division of SSB time location for TRPs (e.g., every one out of three SSB opportunities corresponds to a first TRP),which may be used by the UE to indicate the equal division.

[0143] It is understood that at least one of the above examples, as only two TRPs are considered, the bitmap is illustrated as comprising a 1 bit format (e.g., to indicate whether the SSB corresponds to the first TRP or to the second TRP). However, it is understood that these are only examples, and that the presently described techniques may be expanded to more than two TRPs by increasing the number of bits to express a value in the bitmap. For example, 2 bits may be used in the bitmap in order to indicate per SSB time location to indicate up to 4 TRPs, where bits may indicate the TRP index and so on

[0144] It is further understood that the provisioning may be performed only when there is an mTRP situation. Stated differently, the at least one field and / or transmission indicating the TRP location configuration information may be omitted from transmission by the network access node (and consequently not received by the UE).

[0145] Stated differently, the presence of the at least one field may be dependent on the at least one field indicating a number of TRPs. The presence of the at least one field may be dependent on the number of TRPs being more than 1.

[0146] Features of the above examples are herein described with reference to Figures 6 and 7. It is therefore understood that at least some of the following features may find functional correspondence in features mentioned in the above examples. It is further understood that the above examples may be used to provide further understanding of the presently described features.

[0147] Figure 6 illustrates a method that may be performed by an apparatus. The apparatus may be an apparatus of a user equipment. Stated differently, the apparatus may be comprised in a user equipment, or be a user equipment. The apparatus may be a communication device, such as described in connection with Figure 3.

[0148] During 601, the apparatus obtains, from a network access node, signaling comprising an indication of at least one multi-transmission and reception point, mTRP, configuration information associated with at least one reference signal location information. Stated differently, the at least one mTRP configuration information corresponds to at least one reference signal location information.

[0149] The at least one reference signal location information may comprise timing location information.

[0150] The at least one reference signal location information may comprise an indication of at least one reference signal time location information in a serving cell or in another cell than the serving cell, or time location information. The at least one reference signal time location may be associated with (e.g., correspond to) measurement timing configuration for said another cell. The serving cell may be provided by the network access node. The another cell may be provided by the network access node.

[0151] The network access node may correspond to the network access node of Figure 7. The network access node may comprise (and / or be comprised in) a cell and / or an apparatus configured to provide the cell. The network access node may comprise and / or be comprised in a gNB.

[0152] During 602, the apparatus determines at least one time-frequency resource associated with at least one transmission and reception point, TRP, comprised in the mTRP configuration based on the at least one reference signal location information. Stated differently, the apparatus identifies at least one time-frequency resource corresponding to the at least one TRP of the mTRP configuration using the at least one reference signal location information.

[0153] The apparatus may perform at least one action based on (e.g., in response to) the determination of 602.

[0154] For example, the apparatus may perform at least one measurement on the at least one TRP. The at least one measurement may be performed during a time location determined using the mTRP configuration (e.g., using the determined at least one time-frequency location).

[0155] The at least one measurement may be performed during at least one of: a radio resource control connection procedure, a mobility procedure, a random access procedure, an initial access procedure, a measurement procedure, or as a resource allocation procedure. Stated differently, the at least one measurement may be a measurement corresponding to an RRC connection procedure, a mobility operation (e.g., handover, beam formation, dual connectivity, etc.), and / or a measurement corresponding to resource allocation. For example, the at least measurement may be a signal-to-interference and noise ratio, and / or a reference signal received power.

[0156] The apparatus may report an indication of a result of the at least one measurement to the network access node. The apparatus may receive (e.g., obtain) a resource allocation and / or mobility configuration from the network access node based on the reporting indication of the result.

[0157] As another example, the apparatus may access the network access node based on the at least one TRP. For example, the apparatus may receive an SSB on the determined at least one time-frequency resource, and perform at least one access method for connecting to the TRP transmitting that SSB.

[0158] Figure 7 illustrates operations that may be performed by an apparatus. The apparatus may be an apparatus of a network access node (e.g., a cell, and / or a gNB). Stated differently, the apparatus may be comprised in a network access node, or be a network access node. The apparatus may be a network access node, such as described in connection with Figure 2. The apparatus may correspond to the network access node mentioned in Figure 6.

[0159] During 701, the apparatus provides, to a user equipment, signaling comprising an indication of at least one multi-transmission and reception point, mTRP, configuration information associated with at least one reference signal location information.

[0160] The user equipment may be the apparatus of Figure 6.

[0161] The at least one reference signal location information may be as described in Figure 6.

[0162] The apparatus may receive (e.g., obtain), from the user equipment, at least one measurement corresponding to at least one transmission and reception point, TRP, comprised in the mTRP configuration based on the at least one reference signal location information. This may be as described above in relation to Figure 6.

[0163] The apparatus may determine at least one resource allocation for the user equipment and / or at least one mobility decision for the user equipment based on the received measurements, and configure the user equipment and / or reconfigure the mTRP based on the determining.

[0164] The following may apply to any of Figures 6 and 7.

[0165] The signaling of 601 and / or 701 may comprises at least one of the following: a radio resource control message; a random access response; a broadcast system information; or a system information block.

[0166] As discussed in the above examples, the mTRP configuration information may be combined with information indicating when different SSBs are actually transmitted (e.g., the “ssb-PositionsInBurst” mentioned above). For example, the mTRP configuration may be applied across only those SSB positions indicated in the “ssb-PositionsInBurst” field, or the mTRP configuration may be applied across all possible SSB positions (e.g., without considering the SSB positions indicated in the “ssb-PositionsInBurst” field).

[0167] In more detail, the mTRP configuration information may comprise an indication of a mapping scheme between each transmission and reception point, TRP, comprised in the mTRP configuration information and respective time-frequency resources in which a reference signal corresponding to that TRP may be received.

[0168] The apparatus may determine whether the mapping scheme maps TRPs comprised in the mTRP configuration to all potential time-frequency resources in which a reference signal corresponding to that TRP may be received or to only time-frequency resources in which a reference signal corresponding to that TRP is received. The apparatus may determine at least one time-frequency resource for receiving a TRP-specific reference signal based on the result of the determining.

[0169] The reference signal may comprise a synchronization signal block.

[0170] The mTRP configuration information may comprise at least one of the following: an indication of a reference signal location in a slot associated with one or more transmission and reception points, TRPs, comprised in the mTRP configuration; a number of TRPs comprised in the mTRP; or an indication of a number of reference signal locations in a slot associated with at least one multi-transceiver point.

[0171] For example, similar to the example of Figures 4A and 4B, the indication of a reference signal location in a slot may comprise at least one bitmap associated with one or more TRPs comprised in the mTRP configuration.

[0172] Further, similar to the example of Figures 5A and 5B, the indication of a reference signal location may comprise, for a TRP comprised in the mTRP configuration, at least one of starting location or ending location of said TRP in a slot associated with one or more TRPs comprised in the mTRP configuration.

[0173] Further, similar to the other examples discussed above, the indication of a reference signal location may comprise a location parameter value associated with one or more TRP comprised in the mTRP configuration, wherein the location parameter value indicates, for a TRP comprised in the mTRP configuration, a periodicity and / or initial location of said TRP in a slot associated with one or more TRPs comprised in the mTRP configuration.

[0174] The location parameter value may comprise an index that identifies a mapping scheme from a plurality of mapping schemes preconfigured at the apparatus. For example, the mTRP configuration information may a value for an index. The UE may use said value to look up which mapping scheme for TRPs-to-transmission opportunities corresponds to that value. When the corresponding mapping scheme is identified, this mapping scheme is used to identify, for each TRP in the mTRP configuration, the timing location (e.g., transmission opportunities) for reference signals transmitted by that TRP.

[0175] The correspondence between index values and mapping schemes may be provided to the UE from the network to which the network access node connects using, for example, radio resource control signaling and / or downlink control information. The correspondence between index values and mapping schemes may be defined in a 3GPP specification.

[0176] The above provided examples all provide methods for allowing a UE to map individual TRPs within an mTRP configuration to respective timing locations in which reference signals are transmitted by that TRP.

[0177] It is understood that references throughout the present disclosure to “obtaining [x]” may be understood to refer to receiving a signal from which [x] may be extracted and / or determined using information comprised therein, where [x] may comprise, for example, signaling, information, etc. Stated differently, “obtaining” may be replaced by “receiving”.

[0178] Analogously, references in the following to “providing [y]” may be understood to refer to transmitting a signal from which [y] may be extracted and / or determined using information comprised therein, wherein [y] may comprise, for example, signaling, information, etc. Stated differently, “providing” may be replaced by “transmitting”.

[0179] It should be understood that the apparatuses may comprise or be coupled to other units or modules etc., such as radio parts or radio heads, used in or for transmission and / or reception. Although the apparatuses have been described as one entity, different modules and memory may be implemented in one or more physical or logical entities.

[0180] It is noted that whilst some embodiments have been described in relation to 5G networks, similar principles can be applied in relation to other networks and communication systems. Therefore, although certain embodiments were described above by way of example with reference to certain example architectures for wireless networks, technologies and standards, embodiments may be applied to any other suitable forms of communication systems than those illustrated and described herein.

[0181] It is also noted herein that while the above describes example embodiments, there are several variations and modifications which may be made to the disclosed solution without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0182] 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.

[0183] In general, the various embodiments may be implemented in hardware or special purpose circuitry, software, logic or any combination thereof. Some aspects of the disclosure may be implemented in hardware, while other aspects may be implemented in firmware or software which may be executed by a controller, microprocessor or other computing device, although the disclosure is not limited thereto. While various aspects of the disclosure may be illustrated and described as block diagrams, flow charts, or using some other pictorial representation, it is well understood that these blocks, apparatus, systems, techniques or methods described herein may be implemented in, as non-limiting examples, hardware, software, firmware, special purpose circuits or logic, general purpose hardware or controller or other computing devices, or some combination thereof.

[0184] As used herein, 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.”

[0185] This definition of circuitry applies to all uses of this term herein, including in any claims. As a further example, as used herein, the term circuitry also covers an implementation of merely a hardware circuit or processor (or multiple processors) or portion of a hardware circuit or processor and its (or their) accompanying software and / or firmware. The term circuitry also covers, for example and if applicable to the particular claim element, a baseband integrated circuit or processor integrated circuit for a mobile device or a similar integrated circuit in server, a cellular network device, or other computing or network device.

[0186] The embodiments of this disclosure may be implemented by computer software executable by a data processor of the mobile device, such as in the processor entity, or by hardware, or by a combination of software and hardware. Computer software or program, also called program product, including software routines, applets and / or macros, may be stored in any apparatus-readable data storage medium and they comprise program instructions to perform particular tasks. A computer program product may comprise one or more computer-executable components which, when the program is run, are configured to carry out embodiments. The one or more computer-executable components may be at least one software code or portions of it. Further in this regard it should be noted that any blocks of the logic flow as in the Figures may represent program steps, or interconnected logic circuits, blocks and functions, or a combination of program steps and logic circuits, blocks and functions. The software may be stored on such physical media as memory chips, or memory blocks implemented within the processor, magnetic media such as hard disk or floppy disks, and optical media such as for example DVD and the data variants thereof, CD. The physical media is a non-transitory media.

[0187] 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).

[0188] The memory may be of any type suitable to the local technical environment and may be implemented using any suitable data storage technology, such as semiconductor based memory devices, magnetic memory devices and systems, optical memory devices and systems, fixed memory and removable memory. The data processors may be of any type suitable to the local technical environment, and may comprise one or more of general purpose computers, special purpose computers, microprocessors, digital signal processors (DSPs), application specific integrated circuits (ASIC), FPGA, gate level circuits and processors based on multi core processor architecture, as non-limiting examples.

[0189] Various example embodiments of the disclosure may be practiced in various components such as integrated circuit modules. The design of integrated circuits is by and large a highly automated process. Complex and powerful software tools are available for converting a logic level design into a semiconductor circuit design ready to be etched and formed on a semiconductor substrate.

[0190] The scope of protection sought for various example embodiments of the disclosure is set out by the independent claims. The example embodiments and features thereof, if any, described in this disclosure that do not fall under the scope of the independent claims are to be interpreted as examples useful for understanding various example embodiments of the disclosure.

[0191] The foregoing description has provided, by way of non-limiting and illustrative examples, a full and informative description of the various example embodiments of this disclosure. However, various modifications and adaptations may become apparent to those skilled in the relevant arts in view of the foregoing description, when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and the claims. However, all such and similar modifications of the teachings will still fall within the various example embodiments of the disclosure as set forth in the claims. By way of non-limiting and illustrative example, there is a further example embodiment comprising a combination of one or more example embodiments with any of the other example embodiments previously discussed.

Claims

1) An apparatus comprising means for performing:obtaining, from a network access node, signaling comprising an indication of at least one multi-transmission and reception point, mTRP, configuration information associated with at least one reference signal location information; anddetermining at least one time-frequency resource associated with at least one transmission and reception point, TRP, comprised in the mTRP configuration based on the at least one reference signal location information.2) An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, further comprising at least one of:means for performing at least one measurement on the at least one TRP; ormeans for accessing the network access node based on the at least one TRP.3) An apparatus as claimed in any claim 2, wherein the at least one measurement is performed during at least one of: a radio resource control connection procedure, a mobility procedure, a random access procedure, an initial access procedure, a measurement procedure, or as a resource allocation procedure.4) An apparatus as claimed in any of claims 2 to 3, further comprising means for reporting an indication of a result of the at least one measurement to the network access node.5) An apparatus as claimed in claim 4, further comprising means for receiving a resource allocation and / or mobility configuration based on the reporting indication of the result.6) An apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the apparatus is comprised in a user equipment, and / or the network access node comprises a cell7) An apparatus comprising means for performing:providing, to a user equipment, signaling comprising an indication of at least one multi-transmission and reception point, mTRP, configuration information associated with at least one reference signal location information.8) An apparatus as claimed in claim 7, wherein the apparatus is a network access node.9) An apparatus as claimed in any of claims 7 to 8, further comprising means for receiving, from the user equipment, at least one measurement corresponding to at least one transmission and reception point, TRP, comprised in the mTRP configuration based on the at least one reference signal location information.10) An apparatus as claimed in claim 9, further comprising means for:determining at least one resource allocation for the user equipment and / or at least one mobility decision for the user equipment based on the received measurements; andconfiguring the user equipment and / or reconfiguring the mTRP based on the determining.11) An apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the signaling comprises at least one of the following:• a radio resource control message;• a random access response;• a broadcast system information; or• a system information block12) An apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the mTRP configuration information comprises an indication of a mapping scheme between each transmission and reception point, TRP, comprised in the mTRPconfiguration and respective time-frequency resources in which a reference signal corresponding to that TRP may be received.13) An apparatus as claimed in claim 12 when dependent on any of claims 1 to 6, further comprising means for:determining whether the mapping scheme maps TRPs comprised in the mTRP configuration to all potential time-frequency resources in which a reference signal corresponding to that TRP may be received or to only timefrequency resources in which a reference signal corresponding to that TRP is received; anddetermining at least one time-frequency resource for receiving a TRP-specific reference signal based on the result of the determining.14) An apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the reference signal comprises a synchronization signal block.15)An apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the mTRP configuration information comprises at least one of the following:an indication of a reference signal location in a slot associated with one or more transmission and reception points, TRPs, comprised in the mTRP configuration;a number of TRPs comprised in the mTRP; oran indication of a number of reference signal locations in a slot associated with at least one multi-transceiver point.16) An apparatus as claimed in claim 15, wherein the indication of a reference signal location in a slot comprises at least one bitmap associated with one or more TRPs comprised in the mTRP configuration.17) An apparatus as claimed in any of claims 15 to 16 wherein the indication of a reference signal location comprises, for a TRP comprised in the mTRP configuration, at least one of starting location or ending location of said TRP in a slot associated with one or more TRPs comprised in the mTRP configuration.18) An apparatus as claimed in any of claims 15 to 17, wherein the indication of a reference signal location comprises a location parameter value associated with one or more TRP comprised in the mTRP configuration, wherein the location parameter value indicates, for a TRP comprised in the mTRP configuration, a periodicity and / or initial location of said TRP in a slot associated with one or more TRPs comprised in the mTRP configuration.19) An apparatus as claimed in claim 18, wherein the location parameter value comprises an index that identifies a mapping scheme from a plurality of mapping schemes preconfigured at the apparatus.20) An apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the at least one reference signal location information comprises an indication of at least one reference signal time location information in a serving cell or in another cell than the serving cell, or time location information, or wherein the at least one reference signal time location is associated with measurement timing configuration for said another cell.21) A method for an apparatus, the method comprising:obtaining, from a network access node, signaling comprising an indication of at least one multi-transmission and reception point, mTRP, configuration information associated with at least one reference signal location information; anddetermining at least one time-frequency resource associated with at least one transmission and reception point, TRP, comprised in the mTRP configuration based on the at least one reference signal location information.22) A method for an apparatus, the method comprising:providing, to a user equipment, signaling comprising an indication of at least one multi-transmission and reception point, mTRP, configuration information associated with at least one reference signal location information.23) A computer program comprising instructions which, when the program is executed by a computer, cause the computer to carry out:obtaining, from a network access node, signaling comprising an indication of at least one multi-transmission and reception point, mTRP, configuration information associated with at least one reference signal location information; anddetermining at least one time-frequency resource associated with at least one transmission and reception point, TRP, comprised in the mTRP configuration based on the at least one reference signal location information.24) A computer program comprising instructions which, when the program is executed by a computer, cause the computer to carry out:providing, to a user equipment, signaling comprising an indication of at least one multi-transmission and reception point, mTRP, configuration information associated with at least one reference signal location information.

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